Abstract: Disclosed herein is an adjustable brightness flying suitable for both recreational and professional uses. The flying disc may comprise a light strip that illuminates when in use. In some embodiments, one or more properties of the light strip can be dynamically adjusted based on the intended application, environmental lighting conditions, and/or the player's preferences. The flying disc may have high-impact resistance, sand resistance, and/or water resistance so that it can be used for different applications and in different environments such as rough terrain, dusty environments, and/or in water. The flying disc may automatically detect a motion state and turn the light strip on or off accordingly. The illumination allows players to use the flying disc for different applications and in different environments, such as in low-lighting conditions. In some embodiments, the brightness may be adjusted and on-time of the light strip may be manually set or adjusted by a player.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an adjustable brightness flying suitable for both recreational and professional uses. The flying disc may comprise a light strip that illuminates when in use. In some embodiments, one or more properties of the light strip can be dynamically adjusted based on the intended application, environmental lighting conditions, and/or the player's preferences. The flying disc may have high-impact resistance, sand resistance, and/or water resistance so that it can be used for different applications and in different environments such as rough terrain, dusty environments, and/or in water. The flying disc may automatically detect a motion state and turn the light strip on or off accordingly. The illumination allows players to use the flying disc for different applications and in different environments, such as in low-lighting conditions. In some embodiments, the brightness may be adjusted and on-time of the light strip may be manually set or adjusted by a player.

Abstract: A hockey puck is formed as two mating subcomponents encapsulating an internal signal transmitter. The hockey puck includes holes extending from an external surface of the hockey puck into an internal void formed between the two mating subcomponents. The internal signal transmitter includes protrusions extending into the holes, each including a surface-mounted diode. The surface-mounted diodes include no lens cap, allowing the diodes to be positioned closer to the external surface of the puck than existing pucks. For improved visibility, the diode is positioned less than 5 mm from the external surface of the puck, but greater than 1 mm from the external surface of the puck, in order to prevent the diodes from being externally visible. Preferably, the diodes are positioned between approximately 2 mm and approximately 3 mm from the external surface of the hockey puck.

Abstract: The sports disc locator system is a flying disk. The sports disc locator system comprises a sports disk, a tracking disk, and a control circuit. The control circuit mounts in the tracking disk. The tracking disk attaches to the sports disk. The sports disc locator system locates the sports disk after the sports disk has been thrown. The control circuit is a beacon. The control circuit generates a visible signal used to locate the sports disk. The control circuit generates an audible signal used to locate the sports disk. The control signal transmits the GPS coordinates of the sports disc locator system to a personal data device.

Abstract: A pet toy includes a ring shaped peripheral body and an interior dispenser. An interior curved engaging surface of the peripheral body engages an exterior spherical surface of the dispenser. A curvature of the interior engaging surface allows the dispenser to continuously roll or rotate, yet maintain engagement with the peripheral body when the peripheral body is displaced by contact. The dispenser is hollow thereby defining a chamber to receive treats. One or more dispensing openings are provided on the dispenser to selectively dispense treats. The openings can be sized to selectively dispense treats of various sizes and shapes. The invention further includes a method of dispensing treats from a pet toy and a combination comprising the pet toy and selected treats loaded within the chamber.

Abstract: A centralized object detection sensor network system comprises a central unit configured to generate one or more probing signals for detecting one or more objects in an environment, and one or more transponders configured to receive the one or more probing signals and convert them into free space waves for detecting the one or more objects in the environment. The one or more transponders are communicatively coupled to the central unit through one or more communication links.

Abstract: A flying disc training device incorporates a training disc for being gripped by a user, and having a centerpoint, top and bottom sides and an annular rim. A swivel strap includes first and second ends pivotably attached at the centerpoint of the disc on respective top and bottom sides. The swivel strap forms an intermediate loop which extends beyond the annular rim of the disc, such that the swivel strap is capable of freely pivoting relative to the disc. An elastic resistance band is attached to the swivel strap and has a free end adapted for being secured to a fixed structure.

Abstract: A pet toy includes a first ring section and a second ring section. The first ring section includes a first body with an outer peripheral surface, and a connector. The first body is rigid and includes a groove. The second ring section includes a second body connected to the first body by the connector. The second body is at least partially elastic and sized and configured to be removably positioned within at least a portion of the groove.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to a system for authenticating a user in a digital or physical environment. The system includes an electronic device associated with the user and receiving verification information from the user. The system further includes a server computer, connected to the electronic device, the server computer including the verification information about the user. The electronic device receives the verification information about the user and provides it to the server computer for comparison. The server computer verifies the user based on the verification information about the user received from the electronic device.

Abstract: A hockey puck is formed as two mating subcomponents encapsulating an internal signal transmitter. The hockey puck includes holes extending from an external surface of the hockey puck into an internal void formed between the two mating subcomponents. The internal signal transmitter includes protrusions extending into the holes, each including a surface-mounted diode. The surface-mounted diodes include no lens cap, allowing the diodes to be positioned closer to the external surface of the puck than existing pucks. For improved visibility, the diode is positioned less than 5 mm from the external surface of the puck, but greater than 1 mm from the external surface of the puck, in order to prevent the diodes from being externally visible. Preferably, the diodes are positioned between approximately 2 mm and approximately 3 mm from the external surface of the hockey puck.

Abstract: An illuminated hockey puck assembly includes a housing having an outer surface including a top side, a bottom side, and a perimeter edge extending between the top and bottom sides. The illuminated hockey puck assembly has a weight, a shape, and a size comparable to a hockey puck. A lighting system is mounted within the interior and is encapsulated by the outer surface such that the lighting system is immobilized in the housing. The housing is translucent such that the housing is illuminated by the lighting system when the lighting system emits lights.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to a method for authenticating a user in a digital or physical environment. The method includes receiving an identity verification request based on input provided by a user to be verified, receiving a facial and audio recognition sample from the user, transmitting the facial and audio recognition sample to one or more third party entities with a request to verify that the facial and audio recognition sample represents the user, receiving an indication from at least one of the third party entities that the user is verified, and verifying that the user who provided the facial and audio recognition sample is the person the user purports to be.

Abstract: An illuminated hockey puck assembly includes a housing having an outer surface including a top side, a bottom side, and a perimeter edge extending between the top and bottom sides. The illuminated hockey puck assembly has a weight, a shape, and a size comparable to a hockey puck. A lighting system is mounted within the interior and is encapsulated by the outer surface such that the lighting system is immobilized in the housing. The housing is translucent such that the housing is illuminated by the lighting system when the lighting system emits lights.

Abstract: A throwing object comprises an air cushion section joined to a rim. The rim comprises an inner surface and a sequence of curved contour sections where the inner surface of the rim is at one end joined to an inner surface of the air cushion section and at a second end is joined to an outer surface of the air cushion section via the contour sections. The contour sections interconnect the inner surface with the outer surface via a first extreme radius placed at a maximum horizontal distance from the inner surface, the inner surface has a first curvature and a last contour section in the sequence together with at least a part of the outer surface has a second, different curvature.

Abstract: A puck embedding at least one transmitter circuit, and a method for producing a puck embedding at least one transmitter circuit. To protect the electronics from displacement or damage, the puck employs a layered structure. The puck has a centrally located cavity, containing a carrier structure having a rigid shell, at least one transmitter circuit supported by the carrier structure, and a battery provided within the carrier structure. The battery is embedded in a first elastic material provided within the carrier structure. The carrier structure is embedded in a second elastic material provided within the centrally located cavity.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to a system for authenticating a user in a digital or physical environment. The system includes an electronic device associated with the user and receiving verification information from the user. The system further includes a server computer, connected to the electronic device, the server computer including the verification information about the user. The electronic device receives the verification information about the user and provides it to the server computer for comparison. The server computer verifies the user based on the verification information about the user received from the electronic device.

Abstract: A hockey puck is disclosed including an internal signal transmitter enabling instantaneous identification of its position as it moves around. The puck includes two molded subcomponents, which encapsulate the signal transmitter. The signal transmitter includes driver electronics and a number of signal transmitters which together generate and emit an electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic signal is emitted by a plurality of diodes mounted in light pipes enclosed within cavities in the subcomponents that extend to outer surfaces of the hockey puck components. The puck includes two subcomponents that are attached via complimentary sets of concentrically arranged wedges.

Abstract: A system for sports training comprising an object comprising one or more sensors that allows the system to identify the location of the object. The object also may have a microprocessor and wireless transmitter to allow for transmission of the sensor data via wireless transmission to an external electronic device. A software application running on the electronic device, such as a mobile phone or tablet, receives the sensor data and incorporates the information into a game-like or training application. This application can display to the user which location the object should be for the game. This application can also analyze which patterns the player has difficulties with and suggest certain patterns and other advice to help the player to improve their skills. Among many other uses, this system could provide a way for a player to train hockey stickhandling skills.

Abstract: There is disclosed a toy vehicle that may be hand controlled by a user, especially a toddler, wherein the hand control is achieved with digit bores that extend into the toy vehicle.

Abstract: This disclosure includes hockey pucks and methods of making hockey pucks. Some pucks include a shell having an upper shell member and a lower shell member coupled to the upper shell member to define a cavity and a ballast member disposed in the cavity such that at least a portion of the ballast member is translatable relative to the shell. Some pucks include a resilient material disposed in the cavity and configured to resist translation of the ballast member in at least one direction relative to the shell. Some pucks include a cylindrical outer housing surrounding the shell. Some pucks include first and third substantially cylindrical members, a second member, a first plurality of fasteners to couple the first member to the second member independently of the third member, and a second plurality of fasteners to couple the third member to the second member independently of the first member.

Abstract: Tough, low-friction street hockey pucks are constructed as regular prismatic cylinders or prismatic cylinders having alternating side profiles. An internal chamber partially filled with a granular material such as sand, gravel or metal shot, or fluids such as water, oil, alcohol or ethylene glycol, and combinations thereof, helps deter a rolling motion of the puck and causes it to fall down and slide. The sliding motion is more similar to an ice-hockey puck traveling over ice, so practicing with the inventive street-hockey puck is more like ice-hockey practice.

Abstract: A toy assembly that is configurable between a ball shape and a disc shape. When compressed into a disc shape, an air foil configuration is achieved that enables the toy assembly to achieve stable flight. A first plurality of body flaps radially extend from a first hub to create a first hemispherical subassembly. The opposing second hemispherical subassembly is created using a second hub and a second plurality of body flaps. A resilient ring is engaged by all of the body flaps. The resilient ring binds the two hemispherical subassemblies together. A temporary connector is coupled to the first hub and to the second hub. The temporary connector temporarily interconnects the first hub and the second hub for a period of time after the first hub and the second hub are pressed together.

Abstract: A puck includes a main body having a first portion and a second portion securely attached to form a generally cylindrical shape with an internal cavity. One or more energy absorbing components are positioned within the internal cavity. A weight component is positioned adjacent to the one or more energy absorbing components within the internal cavity. The weight component is sized to move in a vertical direction and deform the one or more energy absorbing components within the internal cavity in response to movement of the puck.

Abstract: An improved hockey puck for use on unsmooth surfaces such as streets and parking lots consisting of two generally equal sized disks. Sandwiched between the two disks is an energy absorbing member or members. Springs or foam washers can serve as these members. The two disks are loosely connected together so that only one will receive the direct impact from striking a imperfection in the street or other playing surface. The energy absorbing members dampen the forces transferred between the two puck disks. This results in a puck which can travel across rough surfaces with a greatly reduced likelihood of tumbling or bouncing. The improvement of the hockey puck specifically consists of the addition of a fortifying member positioned within either or both disks of the improved hockey puck.

Abstract: The night puck has a median plane contiguous with a circumference thereof. The centroid of the puck is located at an intersection of the axis of rotation of the puck with the median plane. A cylindrical cavity extends therein along the natural axis of rotation. This cylindrical cavity has a thin membrane-like bottom wall. A series of holes extend radially along the median plane from the cylindrical cavity to the circumference of the puck. An electronic module is mounted in the cylindrical cavity. This electronic module comprises a battery and has a center of gravity that is located on the centroid of the puck. A push-button switch is held against the membrane-like bottom wall for operation of the switch by a depression of the membrane-like bottom wall. A series of diodes are mounted in the radial holes and are connected to the electronic module, for illuminating rays of lights around the puck.

Abstract: A light-up shuffleboard disc includes a lighting component, and a disc component with a cavity for receiving the lighting component. The disc component is constructed so as to allow light from the lighting component to illuminate the shuffleboard disc when the lighting component is received within the cavity of the disc component. A light-up shuffleboard set includes a light-up shuffleboard court, and a plurality of light-up shuffleboard discs.

Abstract: A hockey puck or game puck designed for non-ice street and court play has friction-reducing runners that engage the playing surface, the runners being replaceable without need for tools. The runners, which can have friction characteristics similar to that of traditional non-ice pucks, can easily be replaced by hand when worn or broken, using the same puck body. Multiple sets of runners with different sizes and friction characteristics preferably are provided, the runners being interchangeable as desired. Replacement runners are inexpensive and allow the puck body to be used over a long period of time.

Abstract: A toy having a casing that includes at least one viewing opening and one rotating body arranged in the casing and rotatably mounted within the casing. Wherein the rotary body is designed with an imbalance and provided with at least two different markings that can be seen through the viewing opening and in the viewing area. The casing is designed substantially cylindrically with an upper side and a lower side, the diameter of the upper side and lower side being greater than the height of the casing, and in particular such that the casing has a disc-shaped design with the proportions of an ice hockey puck.

Abstract: A light-up shuffleboard disc includes a lighting component, and a disc component with a cavity for receiving the lighting component. The disc component is constructed so as to allow light from the lighting component to illuminate the shuffleboard disc when the lighting component is received within the cavity of the disc component. A light-up shuffleboard set includes a light-up shuffleboard court, and a plurality of light-up shuffleboard discs.

Abstract: A marking system for use with competitively thrown objects such as discuses, shot puts, hammers and javelins. The marking system has a cavity which contains a marking agent which is automatically deposited from the cavity onto the ground when the thrown object hits the ground. Other embodiments are describes and shown.

Abstract: An improved hockey puck for use on unsmooth surfaces such as streets and parking lots consisting of two generally equal sized disks. Sandwiched between the two disks is an energy absorbing member or members. Springs or foam washers can serve as these members. The two disks are loosely connected together so that only one will receive the direct impact from striking a imperfection in the street or other playing surface. The energy absorbing members dampen the forces transferred between the two puck disks. This results in a puck which can travel across rough surfaces with a greatly reduced likelihood of tumbling or bouncing. The improvement of the hockey puck specifically consists of the addition of a fortifying member positioned within either or both disks of the improved hockey puck.

Abstract: A light-up shuffleboard disc includes a lighting component, and a disc component with a cavity for receiving the lighting component. The disc component is constructed so as to allow light from the lighting component to illuminate the shuffleboard disc when the lighting component is received within the cavity of the disc component. A light-up shuffleboard set includes a light-up shuffleboard court, and a plurality of light-up shuffleboard discs.

Abstract: An illuminated game projectile with a cradled light source with an outer shell, a light source structure disposed within an open inner volume of the outer shell, and a cradle structure disposed within the open inner volume of the outer shell to retain the inner light source structure in a predetermined position. The outer shell can be spherical or puck or otherwise shaped. The cradle structure can be formed by walls disposed in a general X-shape relative to each hemispherical half of the outer shell to encircle the light source structure substantially entirely and retain the light source structure in a position substantially concentric with the outer shell. Where the outer shell is disk shaped, the cradle structure can be formed by a plurality of radially communicating cradling fins.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to specialized flying discs and launching devices having a launching arm that can be held by a user, the arm being coupled to a flying disc via a coupler disposed at the launching end of the arm, and an attachment member disposed on the periphery of the flying disc. When swung by the user with appropriate force, the disc becomes un-coupled from the arm and takes flight. In some examples, the attachment members define distinct attachment nodes disposed within attachment openings. In some other examples the attachment member defines a concentric ring disposed on the periphery of the disc.

Abstract: A throwing disc, goal apparatus, and game are provided. A disc includes a central hub with blades projecting equiangularly from the hub. The blades are circumscribed by and joined to an outer perimeter ring that aids in throwing. The blades of the disc act as airfoils and impart unique flight characteristics to the disc. A goalpost is comprised of two vertical sections, joined by a horizontal cross-bar located above the midline of the vertical sections, and supported by a rectangular frame oriented perpendicularly to the vertical sections. A scoring pad is included. The game is played by tossing the disc and attempting to pass the disc while in flight between the vertical posts and above the horizontal cross-bar of the goalpost, and landing the disc on the scoring pad.

Abstract: A hockey puck for use on both ice and non-ice surfaces. The puck has a plurality of conically shaped apertures extending at an angle from the top to the bottom of the puck to provide a stabilized cushion of air when the puck is in motion. The cushion of air reduces the friction between the puck and the surface, enabling the puck to remain at a high speed for a longer time period. The puck can be manufactured in a standard weight of 6 ounces for regular use or a lighter puck in the range of 4 to 4.25 ounces for junior hockey, street hockey or roller-hockey use. The annular side surface of the puck can be knurled or dimpled to enhance controllability and aerodynamics. Additionally, the corners of the puck can be rounded to reduce the effect of snow-plowing.

Abstract: A latex marking ink suitable for marking rubber articles has been developed. The ink comprises vulcanizable rubber latex, pigment, vulcanizing agent, and non-ionic stabilizer dispersed in water. Shear stability is dramatically and unexpectedly increased by the presence of the non-ionic stabilizer even though viscosity also increases.

Abstract: A hockey puck for use on both ice and non-ice surfaces. The puck has a plurality of conically shaped apertures extending at an angle from the top to the bottom of the puck to provide a stabilized cushion of air when the puck is in motion. The cushion of air reduces the friction between the puck and the surface, enabling the puck to remain at a high speed for a longer time period. The puck can be manufactured in a standard weight of 6 ounces for regular use or a lighter puck in the range of 4 to 4.25 ounces for junior hockey, street hockey or roller-hockey use. The annular side surface of the puck can be knurled or dimpled to enhance controllability and aerodynamics. Additionally, the corners of the puck can be rounded to reduce the effect of snow-plowing.

Abstract: A device for a Frisbee golf disc that indicate position when submerged underwater. The present invention is attached to the center of bottom of a Frisbee golf disc and comprises of a compartment with holes. The compartment holds an effervescent tablet that reacts with water to produce bubbles. The water is able to reach the effervescent tablet through the holes. The bubbles from the reaction of the effervescent tablet escape from the holes and rise to the surface of the water to indicate position for easy retrieval.

Abstract: Methods, systems and pieces for developing and challenging eye-hand coordination are provided. In one version, a game is provided that includes one or more magnetically charged game pieces. A magnetic target may be mounted on a preferably inclined and magnetically attractive target surface. One or more game piece forms an aperture. The aperture enables the game piece to be more easily tossed toward and adhere to a magnetically attractive surface. The apertures further allow the game pieces to overlay each other when adhered to the target surface.

Abstract: A sports activity device playable, for example, as a device for launching and catching objects and as a tossable flying disc. Embodiments of the sports activity device includes an outer annular ring member and an inner annular ring assembly detachably engaged to the outer annular ring member. The inner annular ring assembly may include an inner annular ring member and an engagement assembly configured and operable to facilitate detachable engagement of the inner annular ring assembly with the outer annular ring member.

Abstract: Collectible playing pieces and methods of playing games with such collectible pieces are provided. The playing piece is generally discus-shaped and includes a top convex shell and a bottom convex shell. The top shell may be connected or attached to the bottom shell using any of a variety of attachment mechanisms. The top shell, the bottom shell, or both shells of the playing piece may be decorated with a graphic design, image, logo, symbol, print pattern, etc., so as to render the playing piece distinct among a plurality of other such playing pieces comprising, for example, a set or group of playing pieces. The playing piece can be manually flipped into the air during a game so as to land on a playing surface in one or more orientations.

Abstract: A structure motivated by an impulse to slide over a surface, including: an impulse-receiving portion for receiving the impulse, the impulse-receiving portion defining a section of a generally semi-hemispherical structure and produced from a foam material patterned to represent at least a portion of a sports ball; and a sliding portion, coupled to the impulse-receiving portion, for sliding contact with the surface on a contact surface of the sliding portion responsive to the impulse the contact surface having a generally planar smooth surface having a periphery surrounded by an extension of the impulse receiving portion, wherein a tumbling of a coupled combination of the impulse-receiving portion and the sliding portion is inhibited by shifting a center of gravity downward by a greater weighting of the sliding portion relative to the impulse-receiving portion.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for a solution that safely enables a person to safely operate a body-engaging gyroscopic toy. A gyroscopic toy includes a gyroscopic disk body; an elongated central axle rod extending from both sides of the disk body, the axle rod defining a pair of body-engagement handles; and a safety, selectably releasably engaging the axle rod to a rotational axis of the disk body, inducing a rotation of the axle rod about a lateral axis of the axle rod in response to a rotation of the disk body wherein the safety disengages the induced rotation of the axle body upon an application of an anti-rotation force to the axle whenever the anti-rotation force exceeds a predetermined threshold wherein the disk body continues to rotate freely and the axle rod rotates slower than the disk body while the anti-rotation force is applied.

Abstract: A virtual shuffleboard table gaming apparatus including a housing having a playing field, a game acquisition circuit, and a display. As a puck is propelled towards a puck return at the distal end of the playing field, the puck temporarily obstructs at least two beams from transmitters. Sensors that receive the transmitted beams provide information to the game acquisition circuit indicative of the time when the beams were blocked and unblocked. The duration of time the beams are block are used by a game controller to calculate the angle of travel, location, and velocity of the puck. This information is then used by the game controller to determine the travel path and resting place of a virtual puck on a virtual playing field, as well as determine whether the virtual puck rests in a scoring zone and maintain a game score.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aerodynamic toy (1, 2) that has two concave portions (15 and 25 or 35 and 45), enabling the aerodynamic toy (1, 2) to be launched in any orientations. The aerodynamic flying toy has a central portion that is circular in form and circumscribed at its peripheral edge by a first annular flange curving upwardly laterally towards the centre of the central portion to form a first concave portion and by a second annular curving downwardly laterally towards the centre of the central portion (10) to form a second concave portion. The curved surface on the concave side of the annular flange of the aerodynamic flying toy can be further provided with a plurality of spaced apart ribs or ridges.

Abstract: A kit of components for playing a game and a method of using the components of the kit is provided. The kit may include a plurality of game mats. Each of the game mats may include a plurality of sections and each of the sections may be assigned a different point value that is marked on respective sections of the game mats. The different point values of each of the sections may be marked on an upper surface of the game mats. The kit may also include a plurality of tossable objects that are tossable on one or more of the sections of the game mats to obtain points associated with the value of the sections. The kit may also include a set of instructions or rules for playing the game and a case for carrying the game mats, the tossable objects and the instructions or rules.

Abstract: A sports activity device playable, for example, as a device for launching and catching objects and as a tossable flying disc. Embodiments of the sports activity device includes an outer annular ring member and an inner annular ring assembly detachably engaged to the outer annular ring member. The inner annular ring assembly may include an inner annular ring member and an engagement assembly configured and operable to facilitate detachable engagement of the inner annular ring assembly with the outer annular ring member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying the track of a game article moving on a play surface, the game article directing energy to said play surface to energize energy reactive material and provide a visually observable track display.

Abstract: A golf disc assembly includes a disc configured for flying upon being cast into the air and a sonic finding unit which is attached to the disc and which emits a sonic locating signal after the sonic finding unit conducts a delay of a predetermined amount of time.