Physical Skill Or Ability Patents (Class 273/440)
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Patent number: 11673066Abstract: A hotel or motel room incorporates special effects in accordance with a particular theme (e.g., haunted room). A control room provides a concealed area for personnel and/or automated systems to trigger the special effects which may include, but are limited to shaking, rattling, rumbling, pepper ghosts, water fixtures being activated, thunder and lightning, swapping tiles with digital graphics, turning on a TV, clock or light, etc. Heat sensors, weight sensors, floor mats and/or other sensors determine positions of guests in the hotel and hotel rooms thereby allowing the automatic or manual triggering of the special effects.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2020Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Adrenalin Technologies, LLCInventors: Scott D'Avanzo, Ashton D'Avanzo
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Patent number: 11275067Abstract: An object is enclosed but moveable within a container. An interior surface of the container includes two or more distinct areal segments exhibiting corresponding surface characteristics. Movement of the object while in contact with each areal segment results in a corresponding sensory input to a user moving the container. The corresponding surface characteristic of each areal segment differs from the corresponding surface characteristic of at least one other areal segment, so that the corresponding sensory inputs to the user resulting from movement of the object while in contact with those areal segments differ from one another. The corresponding sensory inputs can include auditory inputs, tactile inputs, visual inputs, olfactory inputs, or sensor readouts. The article can be employed in methods wherein a user identifies the object, or characterizes the object or areal segments, based on the sensory inputs.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Inventor: Peter D. Poulsen
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Patent number: 11173372Abstract: An artificial cave has various features that resemble speleothems (e.g., stalactites, stalagmites, etc.) found in real subterranean caves. Human users may pass through the artificial cave, with each user wearing a wearable transceiver that broadcasts a signal code unique to that user. Fixed transceivers throughout the cave can detect and identify any user who is sufficiently close to that fixed transceiver. Other components of the system collect user identification information from the fixed transceivers for any of several possible purposes (e.g., identifying which user was probably responsible for inappropriate interaction with a speleothem that is adjacent to a given fixed transceiver, where all of the various user of the cave are currently located in the cave, etc.). A count of users currently in the artificial cave passageway may be maintained and used for a number of purposes.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2020Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Inventor: David Alexander Jackson
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Patent number: 11161050Abstract: An immersive gaming facility has a plurality of game rooms, each with a respective interactive gaming space with electronically controlled interactive game elements, a respective entrance through which participants are admissible from a waiting area with a respective sign-in station operable to control admission of participants in a groupwise fashion. After admission, an executed game session involves controlled operation of the interactive game elements and monitoring of participant interaction therewith to identify participant completion or failure of tasks in said game session; and terminate execution of said game session upon expiry of a time limit or multiple detected failures exceeding a predetermined limit. The waiting areas are accessible independently of one another off a shared common area, allowing participation among the game rooms in any participant-selected order. The gaming spaces are darkened environments illuminated only by the interactive game elements and game status displays.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2020Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Activate Games Inc.Inventor: Adam Schmidt
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Patent number: 11097198Abstract: A pop sensor and device for revealing a winner for use in battle or sword-type games, A device for revealing a winner comprises a bladder, a pop mechanism, a pop mechanism support structure, and a bladder destruction apparatus. The device for revealing a winner is coupled to a pop sensor system comprising a pop sensor. Activating the pop sensor causes the player's pop mechanism to activate and cause the bladder to destroy, instantly disengaging the losing player while revealing the winning player.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2020Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Inventor: Perry Kaye
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Patent number: 11084660Abstract: A bin exchange system is disclosed that includes a plurality of automated carriers, each of which is adapted to be remotely movable on an array of track sections, at least one input station by which bins may be introduced to the array of track sections, at least one processing station in communication with the array of track sections wherein objects may be moved between bins, and at least one output station by which bins may be removed from the array of track sections.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2018Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Berkshire Grey, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Kevin Ahearn, John Richard Amend, Jr., Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, William Hartman Fort, Christopher Geyer, Jennifer Eileen King, Thomas Koletschka, Michael Cap Koval, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. Mason, William Chu-Hyon McMahan, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen
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Patent number: 10886513Abstract: A battery tray for an electric vehicle includes a tub component that has a floor portion and a perimeter wall portion that integrally extends upward around a peripheral edge of the floor portion to border a battery containment area of the tub component. The tub component may include a plurality of cross member portions that integrally interconnect with the floor portion and the perimeter wall portion so as to span laterally across the battery containment area to divide the battery containment area into separate compartments. A support structure of the battery tray may have an elongated member coupled at an exterior side of each of opposing longitudinal sections of the perimeter wall portion of the tub component.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Shape Corp.Inventors: Mark Charles Stephens, Joseph Robert Matecki, Bob Brady, Matthew Kuipers, Paul Michael Roehm
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Patent number: 10758835Abstract: A pop sensor and device for revealing a winner for use in battle or sword-type games with at least two players. A device for revealing a winner comprises a bladder, a pop mechanism, a pop mechanism support structure, and a bladder destruction apparatus. The device for revealing a winner is coupled to a pop sensor system comprising a pop sensor that is worn on the player's body. Activating the pop sensor causes the player's pop mechanism to activate and cause the bladder to pop, instantly disengaging the losing player while revealing the winning player.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Perry Teri Toys, LLCInventor: Perry Kaye
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Patent number: 10674943Abstract: A non-invasive system, and method for simple, quantitative screening for mTBI and other forms of mid cognitive impairment using a visuo-motor performance test (for example, a submaximal grip test) in response to visual feedback to quantitatively measure the intra-individual variability of performance metric for initial screening of patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), and other neurological disorders. The system and method can be administered in minutes, by any level of caregiver, in any environment including military in-the-field or sports on-field deployments, and is useful in screening those truly injured from those disguising or mimicking injury. In addition to screening, the system and method can be used to monitor and/or detect changes to intra-individual variability over time by comparison to a baseline, which in turn is helpful in determining estimated recovery trajectory or other related information.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignees: MEDSTAR HEALTH RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC., GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITYInventors: Alexander Dromerick, Peter S. Lum, Rochelle E. Tractenberg
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Patent number: 10603564Abstract: An entertainment system has an interactive component for an amusement park. The interactive component includes a detection device disposed within a housing and configured to read an identification tag via long range and short range radio communications, an interactive sensor disposed within the housing and configured to detect physical interaction with a portion of the interactive component, a control device communicatively coupled to the detection device and the interactive sensor, where the control device is configured to receive feedback from the detection device and the interactive sensor, an effect device configured to receive a signal from the control device and to generate an effect based on detection of the physical interaction, and a transmitter configured to transmit data to the identification tag based on detection of the physical interaction with the portion of the interactive component while detecting the identification tag within a threshold distance of the interactive component.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2018Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Universal City Studios LLCInventors: Wei Cheng Yeh, Travis Jon Cossairt
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Patent number: 10545126Abstract: An object is enclosed but moveable within a container. An interior surface of the container includes two or more distinct areal segments exhibiting corresponding surface characteristics. Movement of the object while in contact with each areal segment results in a corresponding sensory input to a user moving the container. The corresponding surface characteristic of each areal segment differs from the corresponding surface characteristic of at least one other areal segment, so that the corresponding sensory inputs to the user resulting from movement of the object while in contact with those areal segments differ from one another. The corresponding sensory inputs can include auditory inputs, tactile inputs, visual inputs, olfactory inputs, or sensor readouts. The article can be employed in methods wherein a user identifies the object, or characterizes the object or areal segments, based on the sensory inputs.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2016Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Inventor: Peter D. Poulsen
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Dynamically adjusting virtual item bundles available for purchase based on user gameplay information
Patent number: 10456664Abstract: This disclosure relates to adjusting virtual item bundles made available to users of on online game based on user gameplay information. In implementations, information relating to prospective usage of the online game is used to classify users according by user type. Responsive to the determined user type of a user, customizations of item bundles in the online game made available to individual users for purchase within the online game may be determined.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Kabam, Inc.Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington, Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone -
Patent number: 10452149Abstract: A method for grading spatial painting, apparatus and system for grading spatial painting are proposed. The method includes: generating a first spatial pattern; recording a moving trace and a plurality of moving parameters of an electronic apparatus and transforming the recorded moving trace into a second spatial pattern; calculating a similarity between the first and the second spatial pattern; and calculating a grade for completing the second spatial pattern according to the moving parameters and the similarity.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Wistron CorporationInventor: Yi-Zhan Xie
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Patent number: 10373521Abstract: Sport training apparatus (10) for improving the speed and skill of a user such as a footballer includes a plurality of target assemblies (12), each target assembly (12) including at least one target (14). Each target (14) includes a target member (16), an alert device (17) and a sensor (20). The apparatus (10) includes a controller (22) in signal communication with each alert device (17) and each sensor (20), the controller (22) including a sequencer (24) which controls the sequence in which the alert devices (17) are activated. The apparatus (10) is arranged so that in use, one alert device (17) is activated until the respective sensor (20) detects that the respective target member (16) has been hit, whereupon the sequencer (24) will deactivate the one alert device (17) and activate another alert device (17).Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2014Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Inventor: Richard James Allen Franklin
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Patent number: 10016650Abstract: Systems and methods for target training including synchronized music for providing training of a user, and the system includes an arena. The arena includes a plurality of towers, the towers located within the arena, the plurality of towers each having a plurality of lighted targets. The system includes a computing system, interconnected with the plurality of towers, the computing system configured to turn on and off the lighted targets, wherein the lighted targets are configured to be actuated by the touch of a user as well as the computing system.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2014Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Excel Equipment LLCInventors: Marian Shaw, David Shaw
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Patent number: 10001577Abstract: A detector/sensor/locator device for objects and materials of interest comprises a Faraday cage for containing or suspending a sample object or material of interest. The object or material of interest under principles of quantum theory emits electromagnetic radiation having a unique electromagnetic signature. The Faraday cage may have a cone-shape or interchangeable, cylindrical shape. The latter has a similar diameter to a barrel of the device so as to be interchangeable, preloaded with a material to be detected and connectable at the choice of a user for channeling emitted electromagnetic waves from the material upward to the barrel. The barrel of the device has mounted therein an L-shaped antenna element which may be free to rotate horizontally about the barrel or fixed in parallel with a second antenna element of similar length extending from a side of the barrel.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2017Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: avaSensor, LLCInventors: Fred D. Tompkins, John B. Wilkerson, Arpad A. Vass, Timothy R. Hutchison
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Patent number: 9784877Abstract: A detector/sensor/locator device for objects and materials of interest comprises a Faraday cage for containing or suspending a sample object or material of interest. The object or material of interest under principles of quantum theory emits electromagnetic radiation having a unique electromagnetic signature. The Faraday cage may have a cone-shape for channeling emitted electromagnetic waves upward to a barrel having mounted therein an L-shaped antenna element which may be free to rotate horizontally about the barrel or fixed in parallel with a second antenna element of similar length extending from a side of the barrel. The first and second antennae elements cooperate to detect, sense the presence of and locate a target object, the free-to-rotate antenna element capable of pointing in the direction of the target object or material.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2016Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: AvaSensor, LLCInventors: Fred D. Tompkins, John B. Wilkerson, Arpad A. Vass, Timothy R. Hutchison
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Patent number: 9522316Abstract: A modular, instrumented rehabilitation table and method of rehabilitation are disclosed. The table top can have a low friction top, a high friction bottom, a hollow section and no legs. An electronic controller is embedded in the hollow section of the table top. A first tilt sensor is embedded in the hollow section of the table top so as to sense tilt on a first axis. A second tilt sensor is embedded in the hollow section of the table top so as to sense tilt on a second axis. A tracking circuit, which can include a plurality of sensors arranged in a matrix format is provided. These can be embedded in the hollow section of the table top or can be atop the top surface of the table. A power supply embedded in the hollow section of the table top is provided. A communication circuit attached to the table top and electrically connected to the electronic controller is provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2011Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Bright Cloud International Corp.Inventors: Grigore C. Burdea, Bryan A. Rabin, Doru T. Roll
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Patent number: 9511259Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying fitness information with an electronic device may include receiving multimedia content at an input of the electronic device. The electronic device may provide the audiovisual content to a display device. The electronic device may also receive fitness information, and may provide this fitness information to the display device.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: ECHOSTAR UK HOLDINGS LIMITEDInventor: Dale Llewelyn Mountain
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Patent number: 8967625Abstract: A game machine includes a chest, a frame vertically disposed in an upper portion of the chest for containing prizes, a shoot unit disposed in the chest and corresponding to the frame, a ball recover unit disposed in a lower portion of the chest and a control unit disposed on the chest for controlling the shoot unit and the ball recover unit. The player can shoot a ball to strike a wanted prize by using the shoot unit. The player can take the prize after being stricken and falling from the frame. After shooting the ball, the control unit drives the ball recover unit to recover the shot ball and feed into the shoot unit for next operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Youal-Jifh Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chih-Chieh Wang
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Patent number: 8899585Abstract: A lottery game apparatus includes a distribution section (discharge section) that discharges a ball that has been discharged in response to an operation input performed using an operation section, a plurality of open areas that receive the ball that has fallen from the distribution section, a plurality of lottery sections that implement a lottery using the ball, a moving path that guides the ball that has fallen into a first open area to a first lottery section, a moving path that guides the ball that has fallen into a second open area to a second lottery section, and a moving path that guides the ball that has fallen into a third open area to a third lottery section. The distribution section changes the discharge position or the discharge direction of the ball.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2013Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: BANDAI NAMCO Games Inc.Inventors: Akihiko Tokue, Tetsuo Tokitou, Yoshinori Sato
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Patent number: 8888575Abstract: A system and method for operation of a game in which teams of players attempt to negotiate through a track of rooms, or several tracts of rooms. Teams attempt to progress through the track by solving problems presented in each room thereby earning access to a following room, until the team completes a track comprising several rooms. A control system is operable to control flow of teams from room to room, and to control presentation of problem solving activities to the teams, and to interpret data from the rooms to assess the performance of the team, and grant access to a following room or to bar access to a following room and/or eject the team from the room to start over on the track.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Boda Borg Corp.Inventor: David L. Spigner
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Patent number: 8864137Abstract: An action game apparatus and method are disclosed. The apparatus is useable to play an action game including a launching device and a collection device with an indicator that signals when a predetermined quantity of game pieces have been collected.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Janice Ritter, Rawn Trinidad, Stephen Lau
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Patent number: 8814644Abstract: An interactive system for simulating a treasure hunt, comprising a plurality of pseudo-treasures (1) distributed over a playing area (5), and a detector (6) which is allocated to each player (7, 20, 21) and is suitable for scanning over the playing area (5) and detecting at least one pseudo-treasure (1), characterized in that said system further comprises means (24) suitable for allocating, to each player (7, 20, 21), at least one specific pseudo-treasure (1) to be found within a predetermined time period, each pseudo-treasure (1) comprising identification means and each detector (6) being suitable for identifying the scanned pseudo-treasures (1) and indicating the pseudo-treasure or treasures (1) found within the set time period.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2010Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Inventor: Bernard Trouvilliez
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Patent number: 8777227Abstract: Systems and methods of organizing and conducting games are set forth herein. One method of organizing and conducting a game comprises steps of arranging a plurality of contestants within a predefined adventurous area, and providing a plurality of items, each item having a distinct identifying characteristic. An ultralight with a programmable ejection system launches the plurality of items into the adventurous area through the air according to a predetermined routine. The contestants are allowed to search for and collect the items launched by the ultralight within the adventurous area before the game ends. Means are provided for correlating the identifying characteristic of each item to a prize, and each contestant is allowed to retain the prize correlating to the identifying characteristic of the item that was collected by the contestant.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Ward Kraft, Inc.Inventor: Ryan Kraft
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Patent number: 8770588Abstract: A novelty item for parties and other amusement which is a straw containing a jellied shooter, a granita or a slush. Preferably the jellied shooter, the granita or slush contains a potable alcohol. Alternative embodiments incorporate a holder for multiple straws which may be operably connected to each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Inventor: Douglas Taylor Hammer
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Publication number: 20140159312Abstract: A method of conducting a horse jumping competition comprising enrolling a number of participants in the competition, determining whether a number of the participants is a predetermined positive integer exponentiation base, dividing competitors into competitor groups based on the predetermined positive integer exponentiation base, judging each competitor group in a horse jumping contest based on predetermined criteria, determining a winner of each competitor group and eliminating a loser of each competitor group, declaring a tournament winner, in a final round, and advancing the winner of each competitor group to a next round, in a non-final round.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2012Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: JUMPINGCLASHInventors: Daniel Entrecanales Domecq, Pablo Marquez Galobardes
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Publication number: 20140117622Abstract: A Curved Instrument for the Sport of Object Manipulation is described as being a solid mold made of soft plastic which is used by but not limited to whirling, twirling, spinning, tossing, grasping, catching, bumping and flipping in the air to oneself, another person and among an unlimited number of persons with virtually any portion of the body. The present invention is composed of at least two portions attached to one another by a third portion where each portion contains at least one curve. A third portion also contains at least on curve with an addition of an indention located in the center of the portion for grip and reference point. The present invention has curves and indentions which makes the instrument safer and easier to use in the sport of object manipulation as the curved instrument is safer and easier to whirl, twirl, spin, toss, grasp, catch, bump and flip with virtually any portion of the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Inventors: David Lynch, Michael Lynch
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Patent number: 8657294Abstract: A lifting device for hammer game machine includes frame, a motor laterally mounted to a lower portion of the frame, a seat longitudinally mounted to an upper portion of the frame, a lifting unit partially received in and extending through the seat, a first bracket is secured on a lower end of the lifting device, a linkage assembly connected to the motor and a second bracket laterally mounted onto the linkage assembly through the frame. The first bracket and the second bracket are slidably relative to the frame and selectively connected to each other before being operated.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Inventors: Chi-Ming Tsai, I-Chiang Yang
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Patent number: 8608171Abstract: A game machine includes a cabinet, a shutter, a sensor and a drive mechanism. The cabinet has a chute for guiding items therein to a hatch accessible to a user. The shutter is normally disposed in a closed position in the cabinet to cover the chute in order to prevent the item from entering the hatch. The sensor is provided for detecting whether an item is deposited on the shutter, and if yes, sending out a signal. Upon reception of the signal, the drive mechanism is activated to cause the shutter to move to an opening position uncovering the chute to allow entry of the detected item into the hatch.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Youal-Jifh Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chih-Chieh Wang
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Publication number: 20130270774Abstract: A lifting device for hammer game machine includes frame, a motor laterally mounted to a lower portion of the frame, a seat longitudinally mounted to an upper portion of the frame, a lifting unit partially received in and extending through the seat, a first bracket is secured on a lower end of the lifting device, a linkage assembly connected to the motor and a second bracket laterally mounted onto the linkage assembly through the frame. The first bracket and the second bracket are slidably relative to the frame and selectively connected to each other before being operated.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2012Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: FEILOLI ELECTRONIC CO., LTD.Inventors: CHI-MING TSAI, I-CHIANG YANG
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Publication number: 20130221619Abstract: A game machine includes a frame and a control unit mounted on the frame. A rack assembly and a moving unit are respectively positioned in the frame, wherein the rack assembly is provided for containing prizes and a hammering device is mounted onto the moving unit. The moving unit and the hammering device are respectively electrically connected to the control unit. After inserting coin, the player can use the control unit to operate the moving unit for moving the hammering device to a purposed position. Finally, the player operates the hammering device to strike the rack assembly for forming vibration to move the selected prize and the prize is used as a reward after falling from the rack assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: YOUAL-JIFH ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.Inventor: CHIH-CHIEH WANG
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Patent number: 8485878Abstract: Methods of implementing geocaching games are provided in which information is provided regarding a location of a waypoint. Thereafter, it is confirmed that a player of the game physically arrived at the waypoint. After such confirmation has been obtained, the player may be awarded a virtual prize. Related geocaching games and computer program products are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2007Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Jeffrey Aaron, John Ruckart
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Patent number: 8419661Abstract: A method for measuring an upper limb reaching capability of a user with an impaired limb is provided. Each upper limb is placed at a default position on a horizontal surface. A target is displayed from among a plurality of targets on the horizontal surface. One of the limbs reaches for the target. Limb choice, position information and elapsed time are sensed and recorded. The reaching limb is retracted to the default position. The displaying step through the retracting step are repeated for each of the plurality of targets, wherein each of the plurality of targets is spaced apart.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2009Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: University of Southern CaliforniaInventors: Nicolas Schweighofer, Younggeun Choi, Cheol Han, James Gordon, Carolee J. Winstein, Rieko Osu
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Patent number: 8387989Abstract: A multi-player, multi-level stacking block game is formed from cubes of non-uniform size and is scored in such a fashion as to reward bold play but penalize the player that causes the stacked tower to fall down. The game includes 72 pieces which comprise six (6) sets of 12 pieces each. A player is selected to begin and rolls a die to determine which piece he or she plays. The piece is placed on a 3×3 grid having 9 squares. Players ultimately take turns placing a piece on the grid, and above it, until the tower either falls down or, if all 72 pieces are used, the player with the highest score wins. The playing pieces are uniquely structured so that at least one dimension of the subset of player pieces is not a multiple of another piece in that subset in order to enhance the instability factor of the game. The score that the player receives is an accumulation of the scores based upon piece location and how many levels a player piece occupies as well as if the player can occupy all 9 cubes on a particular level.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Inventor: Keith Baum
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Publication number: 20120280451Abstract: A method of educating includes providing a collectible trading card game with a plurality of trading cards. Each card may contain educational information including a consonant, vowel, number or mathematical operator and the cards are used to form a properly spelled word or to form a mathematically correct equation. In some forms, the method includes providing a game with a playing field and a set of game components with game component types having a predetermined power for affecting play of the game by affecting a power, effect, or value of the game component. The level of skill necessary to play the game may be varied by selectively implementing or disregarding the predetermined power of the game components. An educational game includes first and second game components with different expressions, powers, point values, and identifiers for distinguishing game components and facilitating game play.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: Todd B. Ferguson, Richard Goodman
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Patent number: 8302966Abstract: A game is disclosed that is played with coins to deliver a prize to a player. A coin delivery mechanism is adapted to deliver the coins proximate at least one coin platform via a sloped playing field having a plurality of apertures vertically aligned with each coin platform. A plurality of prize platforms each support a prize and are each mechanically coupled with one of the coin platforms to dispense the prize thereon when the weight of the plurality of coins retained by the coin platform reaches a critical weight. A prize chute is situated below each prize platform and delivers the prize to the player when the prize falls from the prize platform. A profit chute is situated below each coin platform and the playing field and is adapted to deliver the coins not retained by the coin platform into a coin storage receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2011Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Inventor: Royce Sullivan
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Patent number: 8297622Abstract: A game apparatus 3 moves an arrow object 72 in a virtual space, and then determines whether or not a hitting determination area 74 set for the arrow object 72 is in contact with a hitting determination area 73 set for a player character 71. When the two hitting determination areas 74, 73 are determined to be in contact with each other, the game apparatus 3 calculates a moving direction of the arrow object 72. The game apparatus 3 further causes the player character 71 to perform a motion such that at least a part of the player character 71 turns to a designated direction, which is an opposite direction to the moving direction of the arrow object 72. A display apparatus displays how the player character 71 performs the motion.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2006Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Keisuke Nishimori, Hiroshi Umemiya
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Patent number: 8262445Abstract: A system and method for operation of a game in which teams of players attempt to negotiate through a track of rooms, or several tracts of rooms. Teams attempt to progress through the track by solving problems presented in each room thereby earning access to a following room, until the team completes a track comprising several rooms. A control system is operable to control flow of teams from room to room, and to control presentation of problem solving activities to the teams, and to interpret data from the rooms to assess the performance of the team, and grant access to a following room or to bar access to a following room and/or eject the team from the room to start over on the track.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Boda Borg Corp.Inventor: David L. Spigner
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Patent number: 8226493Abstract: A system of interactive game play is provided wherein the gaming is carried out within a pool, water park or water attraction. The game utilizes electronically identifiable objects, such as waterproof wands, cards, bands, tags and/or the like, to provide an interactive game play experience generally simulative of a computer adventure game. Play participants are challenged to work and cooperate with other play participants to find and use identified objects, clues or other information to solve various puzzles or problems that present encumbrances inhibiting participants' advancement in the game. Each play participant may possess a unique RFID wand, band, card or the like, that electronically identifies the play participant and enables the play system to award and track points or other rewards to successful play participants individually or working with other play participants as a team.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2010Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Creative Kingdoms, LLCInventors: Rick A. Briggs, Denise Chapman Weston
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Patent number: 8221290Abstract: A sports electronic training system with electronic gaming features, and applications thereof, are disclosed. In an embodiment, the system comprises at least one monitor and a portable electronic processing device for receiving data from the at least one monitor and providing feedback to an individual based on the received data. The monitor can be a motion monitor that measures an individual's performance such as, for example, speed, pace and distance for a runner. Other monitors might include a heart rate monitor, a temperature monitor, an altimeter, et cetera. In an embodiment, an input is provided to an electronic game based on data obtained from the at least one monitor that effects, for example, an avatar, a digitally created character, an action within the game, or a game score of the electronic game.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2007Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: adidas International Marketing B.V.Inventors: Stephen Michael Vincent, Christian Dibenedetto, Mark Arthur Oleson, Paul Gaudio
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Patent number: 8201829Abstract: This invention, stack and avoid game, presents a method of playing a tag game with stackable figures, a projectile and three or more players. The method of playing this tag game requires at least three players; the suggested number being two teams composed of two members each. One team tries to tag all members of the other team before all the stackable figures are stacked up. The opposing team tries to stack up the stackable figures before all team members are tagged out. If at least one member of the tagged team finishes stacking up the stackable figures while avoiding being tagged, s/he will be able to bring back tagged team members back in the game. If the tagger's team has achieved tagging everyone before all stackable figures are stacked-up, the teams will change roles. Using three players will exclude the capacity of players bringing back tagged team members.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2011Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Inventors: Tewabtch Belete, Marechet Belete
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Patent number: 8201826Abstract: A game that includes a stylus with differently shaped ends and a housing having stylus-receiving holes therein that are in at least two sets corresponding to the shapes of the stylus ends. Variable visual indicators and sensors are associated with each hole, with the sensors operative to detect the presence of the stylus in the corresponding hole. A controller causes the visual indicators to be sequentially activated. The controller causes a different indictor to be activated in response the stylus being present in the targeted hole. Thus, the stylus-receiving holes are progressed through in a targeting sequence. The controller is configured to terminate an active game session in response to the earlier occurring of: expiration of the timer and detection of the insertion of the stylus into an untargeted hole. Various game modes are described, including with a vibration sensor and a moving housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Inventor: Haywood E. Johnson
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Patent number: 8196930Abstract: Described herein is a game system that includes a game control unit that communicates with a plurality of play units. Each play unit typically has a user input functionality (e.g., a button) and a visual indicator (e.g., lights). The play units can communicate and receive instructions from the game control unit. The game control unit may also include a user input, and can track play and upload results (e.g., scores) into a central data repository. Players may wear identification tags that can also provide identifying information for tracking or monitoring by the game control unit. Also described herein are methods of playing games using the system, and social networking website for players.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: HopeLab Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Anthony Bakshi, Moyukh Chatterjee, Jeffrey Hart, Lahiru Mudalige, Matthew Warshauer, Patricia L. Christen
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Patent number: 8062128Abstract: Utilizing line-of-sight volumes in a game environment comprises calculating a line-of-sight vector defined by the position of a game camera and the position of a character in the game environment, determining whether one of a set of predetermined game elements intersects the line-of-sight vector, and if the line-of-sight vector is intersected, replacing the game element with its corresponding line-of-sight volume. In one embodiment, a line-of-sight volume is a grid volume that has the same size and shape as it corresponding game element. The line-of-sight volume allows a user to substantially view the character in the game environment.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2003Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America LLCInventors: Dylan F. Jobe, Jeffrey T. Limback
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Patent number: 8052150Abstract: The Texture Game 1 is provided for determining the texture of a pair of game pieces 5 that are enclosed in a cylindrical enclosure 2 with open ends, a fabric 3 covers the enclosure 2 and overlaps the open ends, and elastic means 4 sewn into the ends of the fabric substantially closing the open ends but allows a players hand to be inserted into the enclosure 2 for determining the texture of the pairs of game pieces 5 and for withdrawing the matching game pieces from within the enclosure 2.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Inventor: Susan Polodna
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Patent number: 8006979Abstract: A multi-player game for sculpting a designated object by players of the game and judging said designated object by a judge, wherein the players earn points for each sculpted object chosen by the judge as most representing the designated object. The game broadly comprises a judge's board, a plurality of player's boards, sculpting dough, a plurality of object cards, a smasher, an eye mask, a timer, a plurality of points indicators, and a game box for storing the above-listed items. A method of performing the game broadly comprises the steps of (a) selecting a judge from the plurality of players for a round of play of the game; (b) selecting an object to be sculpted; (c) preventing the selected judge from visually seeing the sculpting of the objects; (d) sculpting the selected object; (e) presenting the sculpted objects to the judge; and (f) selecting a winning sculpted object.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2009Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Inventor: Connie L. Lamm
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Patent number: 7997972Abstract: A gaming system includes: (i) a base wagering game requiring a wager to made by a player; (ii) at least one winning outcome for the base wagering game; (iii) a paytable for the at least one winning outcome; a secondary award provided randomly to the player, the secondary party award provided by a secondary award provider and kept separate and apart from the paytable; and (iv) advertising for secondary award provider, the advertising provided in exchange for the provision of the secondary award.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: IGTInventors: Binh T. Nguyen, Craig A. Paulsen
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Patent number: 7896345Abstract: A game apparatus is provided comprising a cabinet defining a playing area including a plurality of shelves mounted therein where each of the shelves has disposed thereon a plurality of game pieces. A receiving mechanism is attached to the cabinet for accepting a playing piece. A playing area with one or more holes that allow game pieces to fall through the playing area into a mechanism that collects the game pieces until the weight of the pieces is greater than the counter weight and allowing the rocker arm to rotate and dispense the game pieces into the receiving mechanism or reward the player a prize by another method.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Inventor: Clay Thomas Cacas
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Publication number: 20110012310Abstract: A process for conducting a mixed martial arts event includes providing three or more fighters in a multi-sided, raised edge ring. The three or more fighters participate according to a first set of rules. Fighting continues until only two fighters remain. These two remaining fighters participate under an expanded set of rules that allow floor fighting. Each side of the ring includes a sloped transition region that terminates with a flat raised edge to create a raised region about the exterior of the ring which is elevated above the remaining portion of the fighting surface. Various microphones may be placed about the ring for recording sounds of the fight.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2009Publication date: January 20, 2011Inventors: Ric Anderton, James Houston, Barry Taylor