Abstract: A hitting extension for a body-positioning trainer is disclosed. The hitting extension has an elongate, generally flat body with first and second ends spaced from one another. The second end terminates in a rounded distal edge. A first opening formed in the body proximate to the first end allows the hitting extension to be connected to the body-positioning trainer. The body-positioning trainer restricts the movement of the arms in order to allow the user to focus on torso movement, and the hitting extension allows the user to hit a ball, or another such projectile, using the trainer. Methods for training a user in torso movement using the hitting extension are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is system and method for measuring the tension of a tennis net, and, alternatively or in addition, for determining if a service let occurs via the measuring of the net tension. The disclosed embodiments measure a force exerted on the center-strap or the singles stick by the net. In these embodiments, the measured force provides an accurate reflection of the tension of the net.

Abstract: A training bat 100 includes a core bar 170 placed within a space formed in a bat body 120; a weight 130 movable within the space; and a biasing means for applying a biasing force to the weight 130. The biasing means includes a first compression spring 150 having a coil and a second compression spring 160 having a coil. The core bar 170 is configured to pass through the coil of the first compression spring 150, the through hall of the weight 130 and the coil of the second compression spring 160. The weight 130 is movable between an initial position and a tip position. The biasing means is configured to apply the biasing force to the weight 130 in a direction where the weight 130 returns from the tip position back to the initial position, when the weight 130 is positioned at the tip position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an adjustable-incline climbing wall. The climbing wall comprises one or more climbing panels supported by a frame and a system for adjusting the incline of the frame to provide a climbing wall of a desired incline. The incline of the climbing wall may be adjusted by activating an actuator, which extends the frame a distance from a support wall, tilting the climbing wall to a desired incline. When the climbing wall is substantially vertically oriented, the system for adjusting the incline of the climbing wall may extend only a small distance from the support wall so that the adjustable-incline climbing wall has a relatively small footprint. Further, by providing a plurality of attachment points between the actuator and the frame (and/or between the actuator and a support), the adjustable-incline climbing wall may be provided with a wider range of incline angles, as well as increased control over those angles.

Abstract: The multi-parameter performance assessment and conditioning system disclosed herein is designed to assess and condition the peak performance of an athlete by measuring various biophysical parameters and employing a proprietary software algorithm to produce a real-time assessment score. The score can be monitored by the athlete in real time, by a proprietary software on a computing system or on a wrist band, so that the user is aware of the effect that their body's behavior is having on their performance. The system comprises an electroencephalogram, an electromyogram, and a series of physiological monitors to track the user's biophysical parameters, and can be implemented in a static training environment, a kinetic training environment, or on the user's field of play.

Abstract: Activities, actions and events during user performance of physical activity may be detected using various algorithms and templates. Templates may include an arrangement of one or more states that may identify particular event types and timing between events. Templates may be specific to a particular type of activity (e.g., types of sports, drills, events, etc.), user, terrain, time of day and the like.

Abstract: Performance testing of an athlete uses a gate which provides status indications for the athlete during the test and a sensor which detects movement of the athlete from a start position. A controller communicates with the gate and the sensor to conduct the test. The controller receives athlete movement data and determines first movement characteristics of the athlete at the start position.

Abstract: When a bowler begins a roll and the result of the roll is detected by a scanner, the detection result is transmitted as data to a host computer via a bowler console assigned to each lane, and the scores of the bowlers are tallied. The scores of the bowlers are transmitted to a sub computer connected to or housed within the host computer, possible maximum scores are calculated by adding to the scores of the roll results the scores that would be attained by knocking down all pins with no misses in subsequent rolls, and the rolls needed to decide the rankings, point differences, and outcome are determined. The rolls needed to decide the calculated rankings, point differences, and outcome are displayed on a lane monitor, a ranking table monitor, a televised lane screen, a televised player, and a televised ranking table screen.

Abstract: A card shooter device includes a main unit with a card storage section storing cards constituting a predetermined number of decks, a removable top face cover, arranged on top of the card storage section, for covering the card storage section, a bottom face, inclined forward, for guiding the cards onto a game table from the card storage section, and a front cover, arranged in front of the main unit so that the cards can be extracted one by one from the card storage section, in which the front cover is removable from the main unit in cooperation with an engagement member provided in front of the main unit, and is adapted to be able to store the cards constituting the predetermined number of decks in the card storage section when the front cover is removed.

Abstract: A flush-mountable playing card randomization system having a shuffling zone with a playing card insertion area comprising a playing card support surface at a first elevation with respect to a highest level within the randomization system. Associated with the playing card support surface is a playing card mover moving individual playing into a first side of the shuffling zone. There is a randomized playing card collection surface at a second elevation with respect to the randomization system. The collection surface at the second elevation is at least 5 centimeters lower than the playing card support surface, with an exposed or exposable playing card collection area. The system may be retracted to enable manual access.

Abstract: A board game is provided having a seven-by-seven play area and ten player tokens for each player. Each player's tokens are positioned on the play area in two rows of five along opposing sides of the play area. Players alternate turns, taking up to five orthogonal movements from one playing space to another on each turn, the five movements being allocated across up to five of the player's player tokens. When a player token is orthogonally surrounded on at least three sides by opposing player tokens, that player token is removed from the play area. Play continues until one player has only two player tokens remaining on the play area, at which time the opposing player is declared the winner.

Abstract: An athletic game, or sport where a player interacts with ricocheting ping pong balls emitting from an apparatus, challenging the player's reaction speed, and dexterity. The apparatus is wall mounted at about eye-level, or higher, said apparatus containing one or more ball retaining, and dispensing apertures that are controlled by a programmed chip. The game is played by a player anticipating a series of balls; that have no predictable sequence, being dropped from any one of several orifices, seeing each ball drop, strike a shelf, then bounce upward, giving the player an attempt to catch, net, hit, or shoot at a time interval controlled series of balls, before any can reach the floor.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus connected to a manipulation device including manipulation members, the apparatus including: a main program executing section executing a main program to display a main screen image; a sub-program executing section executing a sub-program around the same time as the main program to display a sub-screen image together with the main screen image; and a manipulation receiving section switching an operation mode in which a manipulation by a user for predetermined some manipulation members of the manipulation members is received as a manipulation for the main program, and an operation mode in which a manipulation by the user for the predetermined some manipulation members is received as a manipulation for the sub-program and in which a manipulation for a manipulation member different from the predetermined some manipulation members is received as a manipulation for the main program over to each other according to a given manipulation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method related to projections and/or computing devices are described. Projections may be made from multiple computing devices to create a presentation. Various other embodiments are described.

Abstract: “Feature points” in “point clouds” that are visible to multiple respective cameras (i.e., aspects of objects imaged by the cameras) are reported via wired and/or wireless communication paths to a compositing processor which can determine whether a particular feature point “moved” a certain amount relative to another image. In this way, the compositing processor can determine, e.g., using triangulation and recognition of common features, how much movement occurred and where any particular camera was positioned when a latter image from that camera is captured. Thus, “overlap” of feature points in multiple images is used so that the system can close the loop to generate a SLAM map. The compositing processor, which may be implemented by a server or other device, generates the SLAM map by merging feature point data from multiple imaging devices.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus including a control section to generate a control signal that controls an operation of a tactile feedback apparatus including a tactile feedback section. The control section changes control on the tactile feedback apparatus on the basis of a type of the tactile feedback section which is recognized by the control section.

Abstract: A distributed game engine for provisioning resources for an online game includes a plurality of management nodes and a plurality of processing nodes. The management nodes are configured to distribute functional portions of the distributed game engine over the plurality of processing nodes. A resource allocation mode is constructed from user inputs game states of the online game and success criteria included in game play training data. A resource allocation agent is used to access the resource allocation model and to communicate with a configuration agent to identify the processing nodes required for processing specific ones of the functional portions for the online game, based on the resource allocation dictated by the resource allocation model. A process synchronization layer interfaces with the processing nodes and the management nodes to provision the resources for executing the functional portions for the online game in order to produce video frames for rendering at client devices of the users.

Abstract: A method of and system for handling latency issues encountered in producing real-time entertainment such as games of skill synchronized with live or taped televised events is described herein. There are multiple situations that are dealt with regarding latencies in receiving a television signal with respect to real-time entertainment based on the unfolding games played along with the telecasts. Systemic delays, arbitrarily imposed delays of a broadcast signal and variances in the precise broadcast times of taped television programs have to be equalized so as to provide fair entertainment.

Abstract: Techniques to synchronize changes in physical and virtual environments. An environmental change that will occur during a specified playback event within an interactive game is determined. An amount of time sufficient to permit an environmental device to effect a desired change in the physical environment before the specified playback event occurs is determined. The environmental device is controlled based on the amount of time, to effect the desired change synchronously with the environmental change.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a display include: acquiring information indicative of first entered instructions from a first input apparatus used by a first user wearing a head mounted display and information indicative of second entered instructions from a second input apparatus used by a second user enabled to view a display apparatus; controlling, in a virtual three-dimensional space, an event on the basis of one or more of the first entered instructions and the second entered instructions acquired; generating a first image of said virtual three-dimensional space to be displayed on said head mounted display; and generating a second image of said virtual three-dimensional space to be displayed on said display apparatus, where the first image includes the first input apparatus, and where the second image does not include the second input apparatus.

Abstract: A method for displaying a virtual vehicle includes identifying a position of a physical vehicle at a racecourse, identifying a position of a point of view at the racecourse, providing a portion of the virtual vehicle visible from a virtual position of the point of view. The method operates by calculating the virtual position within a virtual world based on the position of the point of view. A system for displaying virtual vehicles includes a first sensor detecting a position of a physical vehicle at a racecourse, a second sensor detecting a position of a point of view at the racecourse, and a simulation system providing a portion of the virtual vehicle visible from a virtual position of the point of view. The simulation system is configured to calculate the virtual position of the point of view within a virtual world based on the position of the point of view.

Abstract: In a method according to the present disclosure a user in a virtual reality space identifies a desired location for moving another user within the space. The desired location is tested for suitability for teleportation or summoning. A list of clients available for moving to the desired location is identified and stored. The user selects one or more clients to move to the desired location, and the selected clients are summoned to the desired location.

Abstract: The present specification describes an assistive tool that facilitates the design of video games to achieve a true randomized, non-biased and neutral gaming environment that is bounded so that extremes of disincentives and excess incentives are avoided. In one embodiment, the tool allows for simulation of game environment and generates variables that enable reward acquisition by players. In one embodiment, the tool allows the game systems to be defined in such a way that an agent, such as an artificial player implemented by a computer program, can interact with the game environment. In one embodiment, the present tool uses generative models driven by data from previous versions of a game to define the behavior of such agents in simulated games.

Abstract: Video game related products may be made available for procurement to game players based on in-game accomplishments. In some embodiments the video game related products may be video games not generally available to the public, or versions of video game not generally available to the public.

Abstract: Authenticating an E-tournament identity using personal identity credentials. A method includes determining that a gaming device is configured for use in an E-tournament. The method further includes receiving from the device, user personal identity credentials. As a result, the method further includes, signing in to an E-tournament identity using the personal identity credentials.

Abstract: Contestants submit names for their fantasy football teams and a lineup with names associated with field positions. For each of n weeks of the football season all fantasy teams are allocated to one of two leagues; only undefeated teams are allocated to a bracket league and all remaining teams are allocated to a community league. Teams in the bracket league are paired for one-on-one competitions for that week. After each week each team is assigned a score in dependence on performance of live football players corresponding to the names in the lineups. For each bracket league team pair there is a winner and a loser; the loser goes to the community league and the winner is retained in the bracket league for the next week. Prizes are awarded in both the bracket league and in the community league for various weeks, including an overall bracket league winner in the final of the n weeks.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for a game device having a processor, in which the program causes the processor to: receive an operation-input made by a first user; and cause a first character of a game to execute an action, based on the operation-input made by the first user, in which when a first action made by a second character of the game is executed based on an operation-input made by a second user, the program causes the processor to cause the first character to execute a second action responsive to the first action, based on the operation-input made by the first user and received by the receiver.

Abstract: A content delivery server that delivers a content screen image of content played by a player terminal to a plurality of viewer terminals, wherein the content delivery server includes a control unit for displaying, on the viewer terminals, options for manipulating an object in the content; and a communication unit that receives, from the viewer terminals, the result selected from among the options; the control unit performing an operation on the object within the content on the basis of the selected result, and the content screen image following the operation on the object being delivered from the communication unit to the player terminal and the viewer terminals.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for delivering a virtual reality (VR) experience of a real world space to a remote user via a head mounted display (HMD). A method provides for sending a request for the VR experience of the real world space and identifying a viewing location made by the user. The method includes operations for mapping the viewing location to a real world capture system for capturing video and audio at a location that corresponds to the viewing location and receiving real world coordinates for the real world capture system. Further, the method accesses a user profile of the user and receives a video stream of the real world space captured by the real world capture system. The method is able to identify and reskin a real world object with a graphical content element by overlaying the graphical content item in place of the image data associated with the real world object.

Abstract: A swing comprising an adult seat and a child seat, said two seats connected together via a common frame and arranged such that the two seats face each other. The common frame comprises a rigid frame, said rigid frame having a first portion, a middle portion and a second portion, said middle portion being arranged between the first and second portions. The swing is arranged to be suspended from the first portion. The adult seat is attached to the second portion. The child seat is attached to the middle portion. In this way a simple construction is provided which is safe and easy to use for both adults and children.

Abstract: A ride system to control ride vehicle motion includes a carriage that receives and secures a ride vehicle. The ride system also includes a plurality of pulley systems drivingly coupled to the carriage. Each pulley system of the plurality of pulley systems include a pulley, a pulley cable engaged with the pulley and attached to a portion of the carriage, and a motor drivingly coupled to the pulley to drive pulley motion and pulley cable motion, and thereby cause the portion of the carriage to displace in accordance with the pulley motion and the pulley cable motion.

Abstract: A control system includes a ride controller configured to maintain a plurality of rules indicative of permitted states of the free-roaming ride vehicle within a game area and including gameplay rules. The ride controller is configured to receive monitoring data indicative of a current state of a free-roaming ride vehicle, receive a signal indicative of a user request to perform a requested action with the free-roaming ride vehicle, model performance of the requested action from the current state to determine a modeled state of the free-roaming ride vehicle, and determine whether the modeled state complies with the plurality of rules. In response to determining the modeled state does not comply with the plurality of rules, the ride controller is configured to determine a proximate action that complies with the plurality of rules and provide a control signal to instruct the free-roaming ride vehicle to perform the proximate action.

Abstract: A first locking mechanism is configured to block rotating the first and second holders by locking an operation component or by locking the first and second holders when the cap is not mounted on one of the first and second holders, and is configured to unlock rotating the first and second holders by being engaged with the cap when the cap is mounted on one of the first and second holders and when the cap is arranged to face upwardly towards a upper side. A second locking mechanism is configured to block rotating the first and second holders by locking the operation component or by locking the first and second holders when the cap is mounted on one of the first and second holders and when the cap is arranged to face downwardly to a lower side opposite to the upper side.

Abstract: Wearable devices that provide tactile, visual stimulation, and movement/manipulation for a user are described. The devices can include a spinner that rotates with respect to a base. The spinner can be spun by the user to produce visual stimulation that the user may find pleasing and soothing, and which may provide therapeutic effects. The spinner may also include tactile features, such as a series of protrusions and recesses, that the user can touch or rub to create a tactile sensation, which may also help the user to relieve and/or regulate stress. The spinner also allows the user to manipulate the spinner with fingers in small repetitive movements that may reduce restlessness. The devices may be sized and shaped such that the user may uninterruptedly perform everyday tasks and discretely wear and use the devices in certain social environments such as the classroom.

Abstract: A block set for building models. The block set includes a first cuboid block. The first cuboid block includes stacking surfaces including a first stacking surface and a second stacking surface substantially parallel to the first stacking surface. The first cuboid block includes side surfaces extending between the stacking surfaces for interlocking said first cuboid block to other cuboid blocks by sliding said first cuboid block adjacent to other cuboid blocks in a direction from the first stacking surface to the second stacking surface. A first side surface opposes a second side surface. The first side surface includes a dovetail-shaped proturbance for receipt by a second side surface of a second cuboid block. The second side surface of the first cuboid block defines a formation for receiving a dovetail-shaped proturbance of a first side surface of a third cuboid block.

Abstract: A toy building block base comprises a flexible elongate body strip having a first major surface along a length of the strip that includes either an array of projections extending from the first major surface or an array of recesses set into the first major surface. The projections or recesses form a mating arrangement for co-operant toy building blocks. An opposite, second major surface has an adhesive by which the body strip can be attached to a support surface. The body strip includes no more than four projections or recesses across its width and has a length of at least 200 mm. The entire body strip is made from a homogenous flexible plastics material.

Abstract: Building sets including one or more blocks or planks and one or more connector clips configured to engage a thickness of the planks. Various types of planks, as well as various types of connecting clips may be provided, so as to provide open-ended building characteristics to users. Some connector clips may include a mating protrusion allowing the connector clip to be coupled to a hole or receptacle of another connector clip, or hub for connector clips, or into a hole of a plank. Such clips may be pivotable relative to the structure coupled to as a result of the mating protrusion connection. The building sets may provide proportional dimension characteristics between the planks and various connector clips, hubs, etc. One or more button connector clips may be provided with one or more panels, allowing panels to be integrated into the structural framework created with the connector clips and planks.

Abstract: An entertainment complex and format in which a movie is augmented with pyrotechnics to add to the special effects action on the screen, with the pyrotechnics serving as actual plot points of the movie: e.g. a massive explosion engulfs the screen, at the exact same moment a concussion mortar and liquid fuel mortar and a debris/dust mortar, illuminated by flood lights, may blend seamlessly. Extending the onscreen action off screen, with on screen explosions augmented with genuine explosions and concussive forces safely experienced by the audience. Film makers may make two versions of a film: one with explosions, cannon fire and so on centered and no pyrotechnical enhancement, the other version with explosions and shots found on the edge of the screen. A script which uses second-to-second timing to control and synchronize the real world pyrotechnical action to the onscreen special effects action.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with the present invention provide for the efficient distillation of ethanol in an ethanol plant including a beer column. Heat is captured in the distillation process and utilized to drive operations in the ethanol plant.

Abstract: A mobile vacuum distillation unit for extracting, condensing, and collecting volatile organic compound vapor emissions from one or more polymer-containing articles includes a shell that defines an enclosed interior space and is mounted to a transportable support platform, a vacuum distillation vessel, a condenser, a condensate storage tank, and a vacuum pump system in fluid communication with a vacuum distillation chamber of the vacuum distillation vessel. The vacuum distillation chamber that includes the one or more polymer-containing articles from which the VOC vapor emissions are extracted may be heated by an exhaust gas heat exchanger if the transportable support platform is connected to and hauled by a tractor unit powered by a diesel engine. A method of using the mobile vacuum distillation unit to extract VOC vapor emissions from one or more polymer-containing article during transportation of the one or more polymer-containing articles between geographically separate destinations is also disclosed.

Abstract: A distillation apparatus includes an evaporator-condenser heat exchanger in combination with a compressor. The heat exchanger is mounted to float in an at least partially immersed position in a sump of liquid. The liquid may be a sap, or may be soiled water, and may have suspended solid. Heating of the liquid yield steam, the steam is compressed, and the heated, compressed steam is fed back into the heat exchanger to provide further heat to the liquid. The process yields a concentrated in the liquid bath and distilled water, each of which may be a desired product. The system may include a pre-heater that exchanges residual heat from the hot distillate with the cooler input liquid. The apparatus and process may have multiple stages.

Abstract: An atmospheric water generator apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a fluid cooling device. A water condensing surface is thermally connected to the fluid cooling device, the water condensing surface having a superhydrophobic condensing surface, a highly hydrophobic condensing surface, a superhydrophilic condensing surface, a highly hydrophilic condensing surface, or a combination thereof. An air-cooled heat rejection device is in fluid communication with a fluid cooling device. An air fan is configured to induce airflow across the water condensing surface in order to condense and extract water from the atmosphere.

Abstract: A fiber bundle contactor may include a vessel including a first inlet; a second inlet; a mixing zone arranged in the vessel to receive a first fluid from the first inlet and a including fluid from the second inlet, wherein the mixing zone comprises a perforated plate assembly comprising a plate, a plurality of openings in the plate, and a plurality of riser pipes that extend from the plate and arranged to allow fluid flow through additional openings in the plate; and an extraction zone including a fiber bundle arranged in the vessel to receive the first fluid and the second fluid from the mixing zone.

Abstract: A water treatment system includes an adsorption column including granular activated carbon (GAC) that adsorbs contaminants from untreated water onto the GAC, thereby producing treated water, a first electrode disposed at a proximal side of the adsorption column, with a gap between the first electrode and the GAC, a second electrode disposed at a distal side of the adsorption column, a drain outlet in fluid communication with the adsorption column for draining water out of the adsorption column, a gas inlet in fluid communication with the adsorption column for injecting a displacement gas into the adsorption column, a high voltage power supply electrically connected to one of the first electrode and the second electrode for generating a plasma discharge within the GAC, thereby regenerating the GAC within the adsorption column, and a gas outlet in fluid communication with the adsorption column for venting waste gas produced by the plasma discharge.

Abstract: A primary separation apparatus for separating natural gas from high pressure, high velocity production streams comprising a liquid dispersion of water, sand, natural gas, and isolation plug cuttings.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to settler plates for a plate settler. The settler plates generally include a hollow support with a hollow interior to receive clarified liquid from a flow channel between adjacent settler plates. An orifice is formed through the hollow support to direct clarified liquid from the flow channel into the hollow interior. The orifice can be positioned such that clarified liquid can flow upwardly out of the flow channel and downwardly through the orifice into the hollow interior. The hollow support can be integrally formed with the settler plate. For example, the hollow support can be formed by bending a tab extending from an end of the settler plate. The tab can be bent into a hollow support with a cross section that is generally polygonal.

Abstract: An improved clarifier tank having a rake arm assembly with one or more rake arms, a rake arm driveshaft operatively connected to the rake arms and a rake arm drive, and a sump scraper driveshaft, operatively connected to a plurality of sump scrapers and a sump scraper drive.

Abstract: A flat filter for water treatment is provided. The flat filter for water treatment according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: filtration members formed in the shape of a plate having a predetermined area; support frames, which are coupled to the rim sides of the filtration members so as to support the filtration members, and have channels into/in which filtered water produced through the filtration members flows and moves; and gap adjustment members coupled to the support frames so as to adjust the gap between the filtration members adjacent to one another.

Abstract: A method for determining an airflow volume through an air filter is presented. A negative pressure is created within a system housing of an air handling system. Particulate matter is filtered on a filter media of an air filter. A displaceable baffle is progressively moved baffle in proportion to an accumulation of particulate matter on the filter media, wherein the displaceable baffle is movably mounted within a bypass conduit of an airflow sensor device. An output voltage is identified from a magnetic field sensor, wherein the output voltage is proportional to a magnetic flux density of a magnetic field from an actuation magnet mounted on the displaceable baffle. A position of the displaceable baffle is determined based on the output voltage generated by the magnetic field sensor. An accumulation of particulate matter on the filter media is determined based on the position of the displaceable baffle.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a system connects a high-capacity filtration screen to a regular-capacity filtration screen through an adapter. The adapter is positioned adjacent to the high-capacity filtration screen. Barbs protrude from the high-capacity filtration screen to interlock with the adapter. Barbs extend from the adapter and insert into corresponding orifices in the regular-capacity filtration screen. The filtration screens and adapter are installed in a separator. A tapered edge of the adapter is aligned with the filtration screens. A cross-member extends from a first side to a second side of the adapter. A support beam is positioned lengthwise along an underside of the adapter.