12th week of 2014 patent applcation highlights part 50 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140080544 | Method, Apparatus, and System for Controlling Mobile Terminal, and Mobile Terminal - Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, an apparatus, and a system for controlling a mobile terminal, and a mobile terminal. The method includes: after being successfully connected to the mobile terminal, simulating an earphone wire control key event, and generating control trigger information corresponding to the mobile terminal; and sending the control trigger information to the mobile terminal through an earphone wire control key interface to control the mobile terminal. The apparatus includes a CPU, an earphone output plug, and an earphone wire control key interface, where the CPU includes a generating module and a sending module. The system includes the mobile terminal and the foregoing apparatus for controlling a mobile terminal. In the embodiments, a peripheral controls the mobile terminal by using an earphone interface of the mobile terminal, thereby realizing function extension of the earphone interface of the mobile terminal. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080545 | NECK CORD INCORPORATING EARTH PLANE EXTENSIONS - A mobile device having a printed circuit board, a wireless transceiver, an antenna having an earth plane and coupled to the wireless transceiver, a conductive earth plane extension conductively coupled to the earth plane and a neck cord adapted to support the mobile device from a neck of a user of the device, wherein the conductive earth plane extension is incorporated into the neck cord. Also, an antenna assembly having an antenna having an earth plane, the antenna being adapted to be coupled to a wireless transceiver, a conductive earth plane extension coupled to the earth plane and a neck cord adapted to support a mobile device housing the antenna from a neck of a user of the device, wherein the conductive earth plane extension is incorporated into the neck cord. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080546 | MOBILE DEVICE - Mobile device including a screen operable to provide sound output from the screen. The device may include distributed mode loudspeaker (DML) technology arranged to vibrate the entire screen. The device may be arranged wherein the whole screen surface acts as a speaker. A speaker hole in the device can be fully eliminated. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080547 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING PREFERRED IMAGE FORMAT BETWEEN MOBILE VIDEO TELEPHONES - A method for determining a preferred image format in a User Equipment (UE) supporting a mobile video call between UEs, each having a camera and a display includes receiving, from an opposing UE, video transmission control information including therein a preferred image format, and if the preferred image format requested by the opposing UE is acceptable, then the opposing UE sends video transmission control information including therein at least one of an acceptable response message and an acceptable new preferred image format according to acceptability of the preferred image format requested by the opposing UE. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080548 | Handheld Communication Device and Communication Method of the Same - A communication method used in a handheld communication device is provided. The communication method comprises the steps outlined below. Whether a voice communication is established is determined. When the voice communication is established, a sensing element is activated to determine whether the handheld communication device is operated in a hand mode. When the handheld communication device is not operated in the hand mode, an antenna module of the handheld communication device would be operated in a first operation frequency band to perform the voice communication. When the handheld communication device is operated in the hand mode, the antenna module of the handheld communication device would be operated in a second operation frequency band to perform the voice communication, in which the second operation frequency band is higher than the first operation frequency band. A handheld communication device is disclosed herein as well. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080549 | SMART AGC FOR WIDEBAND MULTI-STANDARD RFIC - One embodiment of the present invention provides an automatic gain control (AGC) module for a wireless communication system that includes a plurality of amplifiers. The AGC module includes a receiving mechanism configured to receive an input that indicates a total amount of gain adjustment; a collecting mechanism configured to collect a number of parameters associated with the amplifiers; a determining mechanism configured to determine a desired performance requirement; a gain-control engine configured to generate a gain profile for the amplifiers based on the collected parameters, the total amount of gain, and the desired performance requirement; and an output mechanism configured to output a plurality of control signals based on the generated gain profile, wherein a respective control signal independently controls gain of a corresponding amplifier, thereby enabling the wireless communication system to achieve the total amount of gain adjustment while meeting the desired performance requirement. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080550 | MOBILE CLIENT DEVICE, OPERATION METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An information processing apparatus including a touch panel and a near field communication interface. The information processing apparatus detects that an input received at the touch panel corresponds to a predetermined input when the information processing apparatus is in a suspended state; and controls the information processing apparatus execute a predetermined function via the near field communication interface and awake from the suspended state upon detecting that the input corresponds to the predetermined input. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080551 | MOBILE DEVICE AND SUPPORT OF MOBILE DEVICE - A mobile device and a support of the mobile device are disclosed in the present invention. The support is a retractable pull rod, where a tail end of the retractable pull rod is configured to be fixedly set in the mobile device, and at least one rotating shaft is set on the retractable pull rod. After the retractable pull rod is bent through the rotating shaft in a fully stretched or partially stretched state, at least one of all supporting points of the retractable pull rod is configured to contact the mobile device, and at least another one of the supporting points is configured to contact a surface on which the mobile device is placed. All the supporting points of the retractable pull rod include a head end of the retractable pull rod and all rotating shafts set on the retractable pull rod. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080552 | PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR MOBILE TERMINAL - A protective device for a mobile terminal includes a glass window and a glass case housed in the mobile terminal and formed with glass of a three-dimensional curved surface form having a circumferential edge lower than the center, the protective device includes: a first peripheral protection portion housed along a circumferential edge of the glass window and in which a tangent line in which a portion thereof contacts with a surface of the glass window forms an angle of 0° or more with a horizontal line; and a second peripheral protection portion housed along a circumferential edge of the glass case and in which a tangent line in which a portion thereof contacts with a surface of the glass case forms an angle of 0° or more with a horizontal line. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080553 | COVER FOR PORTABLE DEVICES ADAPTED TO ATTACH MODULES THERETO - A cover, for use with a mobile telephone, is adapted at least partially to cover the mobile telephone when the telephone is installed within the cover while allowing user access to the mobile telephone. The cover is adapted to receive in a detachable manner one or more accessories for use with the mobile telephone. The one or more accessories may include one or more sensors for providing in operation one or more corresponding transduced signals to the mobile telephone and are operable to receive their power provided from the cover. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080554 | Combine Harvester Grain Cleaning Apparatus - A combine harvester ( | 2014-03-20 |
20140080555 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SPREADER OUTPUT FROM A HARVESTER - A system and method for controlling spreader output from a harvester includes a distribution chamber for receiving an agricultural material removed from a field. The harvester includes a spreader system configured to distribute the agricultural material onto the field, and an opening configured to receive the agricultural material from the distribution chamber. Moreover, the distribution chamber includes a first panel rotatably coupled to a first side of the distribution chamber, and a second panel rotatably coupled to a second side of the distribution chamber. The first and second panels are configured to direct the agricultural material toward the opening of the spreader system. An angle of the first panel is independently adjustable to control a first amount of agricultural material directed toward a first inlet portion. An angle of the second panel is independently adjustable to control a second amount of agricultural material directed toward a second inlet portion. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080556 | METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING A COMPUTER GAME - A method, implemented as computer code being executed by one or more processors, in which a computing device displays computer game graphics showing a shooter which a player can control to shoot out elements, such as balls, and which bounce against objects, such as pins, following a trajectory determined by the processor and then fall into scoring containers, with the processor causing a record of the score achieved to be stored; and in which the processor draws the scoring containers with dynamic faces that are animated in a specific way when an element falls into them. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080557 | RHYTHM GAME APPARATUS, GAME METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - Disclosed are a game apparatus, a game method, and a record medium, which allow a user to purchase a music file and game data used for a rhythm game only once so that purchase costs of the music file and the game data are reduced and the user can enjoy the rhythm game at a low cost. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080558 | METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING A COMPUTER GAME - A method, implemented as computer code being executed by one or more processors, in which a computing device displays computer game graphics showing a gameboard with multiple game elements that disappear when matched or switched, such as in a match-3, clicker or switcher game; and in which one or more of the processors are programmed such that: the gameboard includes an entry point and one or more exit points and the player completes a level of the game if he or she clears elements to make a path from the entry point to an exit point; and the game includes a virtual path though which the player progresses if he or she completes a level of the game; and that virtual path can, at some nodes, fork in several different directions and the position of the exit successfully reached in the gameboard determines which fork the player will take through the virtual path if the player completes a level. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080559 | METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING A COMPUTER GAME - A method, implemented as computer code being executed by one or more processors, in which a computing device displays computer game graphics showing a gameboard with multiple game elements that are removed when matched or switched by a player, such as in a match-3, clicker or switcher game; and in which the processor(s) enables the game elements to evolve into visually altered versions when they form part of a match or switch and it is the altered versions that can be removed by subsequent matching or switching by the player. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080560 | METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING A COMPUTER GAME - A method, implemented as computer code being executed by one or more processors, in which computer game graphics for a casual, social game are shown on a display of a computing device and in which one or more of the processors are programmed: to show a virtual path or other virtual world that indicates the level reached by the player and that player's social network friends; to show on the computing device a gameboard with multiple game elements that are removed when matched or switched by a player, such as in a match-3, clicker or switcher game; and in which a processor generates, if no move has been made for a defined time, help or hints by brightening and enlarging game elements used in a possible move on the gameboard with an animation. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080561 | METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING A COMPUTER GAME - A method, implemented as computer code being executed by one or more processors, in which a computing device displays computer game graphics showing a gameboard with multiple game elements that are removed when matched or switched, such as in a match-3, clicker or switcher game; and in which the processor draws the elements as irregularly arranged columns of coloured blocks; and the processor draws small animals are placed on or amongst the blocks; and the processor is programmed such that the object of the game is to enable a target number of the animals to descend to the ground and be rescued, by the player removing blocks from the gameboard. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080562 | METHOD OF MODIFYING A PRIMARY GAME OF AN EXISTING LEGACY GAMING MACHINE TO INCLUDE SECONDARY GAME FEATURES - Secondary gaming functionality is provided for a casino gaming machine by a secondary controller of the casino gaming machine. The secondary gaming functionality may function to provide a multi-game experience at the gaming machine or remotely at another gaming machine or other device, e.g., a smart phone, tablet, personal computer, and the like. The multi-game experience may comprise one or more additional instances of a wager-based video game provided by the primary gaming functionality of the gaming machine. The secondary gaming functionality of the gaming machine may cause the one or more additional instances of the wager-based video game to be presented at another device either directly or indirectly via a server, such as a social media server or a server-based gaming system's server. The secondary gaming functionality may provide betting scenarios other, additional than those provided by the primary gaming functionality, which betting scenarios may permit the player to wager on a wager-based video game provided by the primary gaming functionality. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080563 | SEAMLESS INITIATION OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY GAMES AT MODIFIED GAMING MACHINES - Secondary gaming functionality is provided for a casino gaming machine by a secondary controller of the casino gaming machine. The secondary gaming functionality may function to provide a multi-game experience at the gaming machine or remotely at another gaming machine or other device, e.g., a smart phone, tablet, personal computer, and the like, via the casino gaming machine. The multi-game experience may comprise one or more secondary wager-based games in addition to the one or more primary wager-based game(s) provided by the primary gaming functionality of the gaming machine. The secondary controller functionality may cause the secondary wager-based game to be presented upon a single input player to the gaming machine which also initiates the primary game, whereby primary and secondary games are initiated seamlessly to the player via a single input. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080564 | ELECTRONIC WAGERING - The present system incorporates mobile computing devices to play games, such as electronic pull-tabs, in a plurality of venues, each having a local wireless network. Each network communicates with a central system that generates decks of game outcomes and associated awards. All wagers and awards for each game are tracked on the central system, which also provides each game award and associated outcome from a deck stored on the central system. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080565 | TERMINAL, SYSTEM AND GAME PLAY METHOD FOR RANDOM NUMBER SELECTION EVENTS - A console for enabling play of a casino wagering game has: a video display screen; a player input system; a wager accepting and resolving system; a ball drop-and-capture gaming system; sensors for the gaming system; and a processor. Separate areas are provided on the video display screen for display of distinct results from at least two consecutive separate ball drop-and-capture events. The processor is configured to:
| 2014-03-20 |
20140080566 | Game of Chance Allowing User Participation in Outcome Selection - A game of chance is disclosed allowing an outcome determined by the actions of a player. The game of chance comprises a layout defining a plurality of cells. A first portion of the cells each have a winning indicia contained therein, and a remaining portion of the cells each have a non-winning indicia contained therein. The winning and non-winning indicia are initially concealed to a player and are selectively revealable by the player. The player may select a limited number of cells to reveal the indicia contained therein. An object of the game is to maximize a number of winning indicia revealed by the player. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080567 | BINGO GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system or method for providing a bingo game in which a pattern of player indicia on a player card is matched to house indicia selected during the game. The system or method includes providing a first player card of a plurality of player cards that each include a plurality of player indicia and a pattern that includes at least a portion of the player indicia, using a device to randomly select a plurality of house indicia, determining whether a triggering criterion is met during the bingo game, and awarding a prize for each player card that achieves a partial pattern match with the selected house indicia upon the determination that the triggering criterion has been met. The partial pattern match is achieved by matching the selected house indicia with a predetermined number of player indicia, but not all of the player indicia, within the pattern. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080568 | EXCLUSIVELY MATCH SYMBOL VIDEO GAMING - A game play on an electronically based system utilizes symbol collection outcomes along paylines to determine winning events in a virtual game. Even when the symbols used in the virtual game comprise or consist of playing cards displaying conventional ranks, suits and symbols, winning outcomes are determined only by accumulation of sets of symbols, without regard to linear order (straights and straight flushes) and random symbols within a suit (flushes). Accumulated symbols in an at least five symbols display game event as pairs, trips (three-of-a-kind), two pairs, full houses (three of one symbol plus two of a different symbol), four-of-a-kind and five-of-a-kind are determined to be winning events, while a flush, straight and even straight flushes may be or are required to be ignored. Optional and even preferred additional events are used in a draw poker variant (with playing card symbols or non-playing card symbols are used in an accumulated symbol gaming event). | 2014-03-20 |
20140080569 | Secondary Game Triggering Technique For Bonus Game - A secondary game is played continuously over a series of reel-type main games on a video gaming device, where the successful outcome of the secondary game is the initiation of a bonus game. Therefore, the player is enticed to keep playing due to the player's investment in the secondary game and the expectation of playing the bonus game. At the beginning of a playing session, a visual indicator, such as a colored tile, is located at each of the symbol positions. The virtual reels are then spun and randomly stopped to display random symbols. If there is a winning combination of symbols, such as three of a kind, the indicators at those symbol positions are changed, such as being extinguished. The player keeps playing the main games until there are no more indicators. When all indicators are extinguished, a bonus game is initiated. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080570 | GAMING SYSTEM, METHOD, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR CONTROLLING NEAR MISS OUTCOMES IN A WAGERING GAME - A game symbol matrix, such as a symbol matrix produced in a reel-type game, may be modified to provide the player with an additional chance for certain types of winning symbol combinations. In particular, a first game symbol matrix which may be produced in a wagering game may be evaluated to detect if the game symbol matrix is close to, for example, a high value win. If so, one or more symbol locations may be repopulated with a respective game symbol to provide the player with another chance at achieving the high value win. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080571 | GAMING SYSTEM, METHOD, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR GENERATING ADDITIONAL PAYOUT CHANCES IN A WAGERING GAME - Methods, apparatus, and program products provide for dynamically modifying a symbol matrix, such as a symbol matrix produced in a reel-type game, to provide the player with additional chances to win on a given activation of the game. In particular, one or more initial symbol locations in a matrix of symbol locations may be split so as to replace the respective initial symbol location with two or more symbol locations. The additional symbol locations produced in this way define additional sets of symbol combinations and these additional symbol combinations provide the player with additional chances to win on a given play of the game. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080572 | GAMING SYSTEM, METHOD, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT PROVIDING FULL WINDOW PAYS IN A REEL-TYPE WAGERING GAME - A method includes producing a game symbol matrix for a play in a wagering game. The game symbol matrix is produced through a gaming machine display system by controlling the display system to populate each of at least some of the symbol locations of the game symbol matrix with a respective game symbol selected from one or more game symbol sets. The game symbol matrix is then evaluated for the presence of any winning full window combination, and prizes are awarded at the gaming machine for each winning full window combination defined through the game symbol matrix. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080573 | ROTATABLE GAMING DISPLAY INTERFACES AND GAMING TERMINALS WITH A ROTATABLE DISPLAY INTERFACE - Gaming devices, gaming systems, and gaming display assemblies are presented herein. A gaming machine for playing a wagering game is disclosed. The gaming machine includes a support structure and an input device configured to receive an input indicative of a wager to play the wagering game. A primary display device is mounted to the support structure and configured to display randomly determined outcomes of the wagering game. A display interface device, which overlies at least a portion of the primary display device, includes a player-rotatable display interface rotatably mounted to the support structure and configured to be manually rotated by a player. The display interface device is operatively connected to the primary display device such that motion manually imparted to the player-rotatable display interface by a player affects one or more aspects of the wagering game displayed on the primary display device. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080574 | SLOT MACHINE SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS - Systems, methods and/or apparatus for slot machine eye-strain reduction are disclosed. Systems, methods and/or apparatus for slot machine back lighting are further provided. Systems, methods and/or apparatus for a slot machine back lighting effect are also disclosed. Systems, methods and/or apparatus for reel line lights are disclosed. Systems, methods and/or apparatus for reel tilt and motion detection are disclosed. Systems, methods and/or apparatus for reel wins display for an electromechanical slot machine and/or gaming machine viewing window configurable lines are disclosed. Systems, methods and/or apparatus for a configurable shelf system for an electromechanical slot machine are disclosed. Systems, methods, and apparatus are also disclosed for reel tilt minimization. Systems, methods and/or apparatus for slot machine controlled lighting. Further embodiments of the present disclosure can provide slot machine reel stop systems, methods, and apparatus useful for electromechanical slot machines. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080575 | GAMING MACHINE INCLUDING A FEATURE GAMBLE - A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize. A game has a feature having non-monetary characteristics which can be won, the non-monetary characteristics being able to be gambled. The gaming machine includes a selector by which a player is able to gamble at least one of the non-monetary characteristics of the feature. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080576 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING INDICATION OF NOTABLE SYMBOLS - The gaming device and method disclosed herein produces an indication of an appearance of a notable or designated symbol in a symbol display region while at least one reel is spinning. The indication continues while the notable symbol appears in the symbol display region and while the at least one reel is spinning. Different indications are produced for the different notable symbols when appearing in the symbol display region while the at least one reel is spinning. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080577 | FIXED POOL BONUS APPARATUS - A gaming system comprising tablet-style gaming terminals that uses centrally determined game outcomes to generate both a simulated primary game and a multiplicity of bonus games are revealed. The predetermined outcome bonus games are designed to mimic actual Nevada-style bonus games using novel methods to both create the look-and-feel of the actual bonus games as well as being able to use existing central determination game system protocols, which have severe limitations in their message fields. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080578 | Multi-Functional Peripheral Device - A system, apparatus, and method for electronically transferring funds using a multi-functional peripheral device. The multi-functional peripheral device may include a housing, a bezel coupled to an exterior of the housing, and at least one sensor device coupled to the bezel. The at least one sensor device can be configured to detect at least one sensory input. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080579 | Rewarding Player Referrals in a Wagering Game - Existing and/or new registrants for a wagering game may be selected as qualified participants in a referral award game. The referral award game may include determining a referral award game trigger for initiating the referral award game. A draw may be conducted during which a referral award is randomly assigned to each qualified participant. The referral award may include a value component usable in at least one of the wagering game or a secondary game. Each of the wagering game, referral award game, and secondary game may be conducted in a casino game format or social game format. Information regarding the referral award may be communicated to each qualified participant. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080580 | CONTROLLED ENTITY HYBRID GAME - Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention operate a controlled entity hybrid game. The controlled entity hybrid game, includes a real world engine constructed to provide a randomly generated payout of real world credits from at least one wager in a gambling game, an entertainment software engine constructed to execute an entertainment game providing outcomes based upon a player's skillful execution of the entertainment game, and a game world engine constructed to manage the entertainment software engine and communicate, to the gambling game, a gameplay gambling event occurrence based upon a player's instruction of a controlled entity to consume an enabling element of the entertainment game that triggers a wager in the gambling game. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080581 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING GAMING ACTIVITIES - Systems and methods for providing gaming activities, these particularly relating to gaming activities where a plurality of players provide respective entry fees. Traditional gaming activities necessarily involve the player putting his or her entry fee at risk. The subject disclosure, at least in some of its preferred forms, modifies the traditional approaches of operating such gaming activities so that the player's entry fee is not necessarily placed entirely at risk. Indeed, in some embodiments a player is provided with an option to participate on the basis that his or her entry fee is wholly refundable while retaining the opportunity to win prizes, potentially alongside more risky though still modified participation by other players. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080582 | GAMING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF GAMING - A method of gaming comprises: displaying play of a wager game; triggering a first feature of the wager game in which one or more feature enhancing elements are awardable to a player; randomly triggering a second feature of the wager game during play of the wager game and/or first feature; and utilising awarded feature enhancing elements in the second feature to improve a prize potential for the second feature. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080583 | AUTHORIZING AND MANAGING WAGERING AGENT ACCOUNTS - Described herein are processes and devices that authorize and manage wagering agents and associated accounts. One of the devices described is a wagering game system. The wagering game system can detecting a request from a first player account to utilize a shared wagering fund to wager on a wagering game. The shared wagering fund can be funded by a second player account. The wagering game system can make the shared wagering fund available to the first player account to wager on a wagering game. The wagering game system can determine a game award produced by the wagering game. The system can then allocate a portion of the game award to the second player account. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080584 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING GAME-RELATED INCENTIVES TO SALES PROFESSIONALS IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT - A method, comprising the steps of (a) representing users within a virtual environment, the virtual environment residing on one or more computers, comprising the steps of (b) collecting data pertaining to one or more of the users' activities not associated with the virtual environment relating to each of the users' performance on business-related tasks, (c) awarding incentives including points, badges, levels, prizes, etc. to a plurality of users in the virtual environment based on the collected data pertaining to the users, (d) providing information regarding a first user's incentives to at least a second user involved in activities related to the business-related tasks performed by the first user, and (e) updating the collected data in the virtual environment as the data pertaining to the performance of users changes. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080586 | GAME BASED ON SPEED OF PLAY - In accordance with the present invention, a gaming device such as a slot machine calculates a speed of game play, and in turn determines a pay schedule based on the speed of game play. In some embodiments, a count is adjusted throughout a multiple play session based on point values associated with symbols on the reels of a slot machine, and payouts are awarded in accordance with (i) a finishing count, and/or (ii) a “virtual average speed”. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080587 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING A LEVEL OF REWARD - A gaming system and method which includes enabling a player to initiate a play of a game, for the initiated play of the game: (i) randomly generating a game outcome, (ii) displaying to the player the randomly generated game outcome, (iii) determining any award associated with the displayed game outcome, and (iv) displaying to the player any determined award, enabling the player to invite a quantity of other players to each initiate a play of at least one game, the quantity of other players being greater than zero, and if the player invited the quantity of other players, providing the player a benefit, an amount of the benefit being based on the quantity of other players invited. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080588 | GAME PERFORMANCE DETERMINATION BY INCREMENTAL REVENUE - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of determining the performance of a gaming device by analyzing the incremental revenue generated by the gaming device. This method may include identifying an analysis period, recording game performance data for a set of gaming devices and a test gaming device during the analysis period, and comparing the recorded data to historical gaming data for the set of gaming devices. Some examples of this method may also include developing parameters for the analysis period and using those developed parameters to normalize the recorded game data for the analysis period prior to comparing the recorded data to the historical gaming data. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080589 | Method and Apparatus for Awarding at least one Jackpot Prize | 2014-03-20 |
20140080590 | System and Method for Providing Loyalty-Based Virtual Objects Across Various Media Including Gaming Devices - Gaming systems and methods are set forth designed to promote user loyalty with an enterprise. The user obtains a virtual object such as a virtual dog and earns the ability to acquire accessories or upgrades for their virtual dog through interaction with the enterprise. Certain accessories or upgrades may only be acquired or restored at a physical, brick and mortar venue for the enterprise to encourage the user to visit the venue. Acquisition of attributes such as accessories and upgrades may provide a basis for tournaments and prizes. The virtual object may be accessed and displayed at terminals at the venue or at remote devices. Acquisition of virtual objects may be used to qualify the user for a feature such as a progressive jackpot game. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080591 | GAMING VIA PEER-TO-PEER NETWORKS - A method includes discovering, via a device, a peer-to-peer gaming service of a peer-to-peer network offered by a peer device, wherein the peer-to-peer gaming service facilitates a user of the device to select, access, and play a plurality of specific networked games of the peer device, wherein the specific networked games are not already installed on the device, selecting, via the device, a networked game from the plurality of specific networked games of the peer device, and downloading a program by the device, wherein the program is configured to execute the selected networked game on a processor of the device, wherein downloading the program comprises downloading the program from a third party computing arrangement and receiving from the peer device, authentication for access to the third party computing arrangement, wherein the authentication limits the downloaded program for play of the networked game with only the peer device. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080592 | GUEST MANAGEMENT IN AN ONLINE MULTIPLAYER VIRTUAL REALITY GAME - A guest management method and system for an online multi-player virtual realty environment or social networking site. A network interface receives guest access requests from guest clients and input data from a plurality of remotely-located clients. The input data is operative to control avatars associated with the clients in a modeled virtual reality environment. A memory holds program instructions for determining whether the guest access is associated with a member client. If the guest access request is associated with the member client, then the guest client is allowed to access the virtual reality environment via a guest avatar. The guest avatar's movements in the virtual reality environment are restricted based on a location of a member avatar controlled by the associated member client. For example, the guest avatar may only be permitted to move within an area that is bounded by a perimeter about the member avatar. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080593 | Gaming System and Method With Juxtaposed Mirror and Video Display - A gaming system includes a motion tracking sensing device, a user image reproduction device to display a mirror image of a user operating the gaming system, a user image enhancement display device disposed in proximity to the user image reproduction device, and one or more memory devices storing instructions. The instructions cause the gaming system to sense, via the motion tracking sensing device, a first relative position of the user, generate first graphical images and first graphical image locations based on the sensed first relative position of the user, and output the first graphical images at the first graphical image locations on the user image enhancement display device so that the graphical images overlay corresponding portions of the mirror image of the user when viewed from the sensed first relative position of the user. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080594 | GAME SYSTEM, GAME APPARATUS, NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING GAME PROGRAM STORED THEREON, AND GAME PROCESSING CONTROL METHOD - A game apparatus generates, based on the same sound data, a first sound signal to be output to a first sound output section, and a second sound signal to be output to a second sound output section which is physically different from the first sound output section. The generated second sound signal is a sound signal to which a predetermined acoustic effect is not added, and the first sound signal is a sound signal in which an acoustic effect is added to at least a part of sounds included in the second sound signal. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080595 | SERVER DEVICE, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM STORING GAME PROGRAM - A server device is connected with a player terminal that displays a game screen including a game content arrangement area in a manner capable of communicating information. The server device includes: a storage unit configured to store a plurality of pieces of game content including special game content; an arrangement unit configured to arrange game content in the game content arrangement area; a determination unit configured to determine whether the special game content is included in a plurality of pieces of game content; and a grant unit configured to grant a part of game content selected from the plurality of pieces of game content, or all of game content to a player when the special game content is not included, and to grant only a part of game content selected from the plurality of pieces of game content to the player when the special game content is included. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080596 | PRISM CODE - Coding and decoding words formed of alphanumeric characters, in which a listing of symbols are provided, each symbol being associated with a different alphanumeric character, converted and transmitted to another who has the listing of symbols, (the symbols may be different colors icons, or sounds), each associated with a different alphanumeric character. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080597 | Gaming System Customer Service Techniques - A gaming system ( | 2014-03-20 |
20140080598 | GAME MACHINE WITH TOUCH PANEL DISPLAY - A game machine with a display which serves as a touch panel type input is provided. The game machine includes a character display for displaying at least two characters on a screen of the display. A finger contact detector detects a contact between a fingertip of a player and the screen. A cursor movement controller locates a cursor on the basis of a coordinate position of the fingertip when the finger contact detector detects the contact. The cursor movement controller controls movement of the cursor on the basis of movement of the coordinate position. A character selector sets a character, with which the cursor is contacted, to a selection state. The character becomes a controlled object when a predetermined selection fixed operation is received, and the character selector keeps the selection state of the character when the fingertip is released. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080599 | INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM, GAME DEVICE, AND SERVER - Input information that selects one card among five cards that are arranged in one direction in a predetermined area of a game screen is received, and a player character is caused to make a motion corresponding to the selected card. When three cards to which an identical attribute is assigned are adjacently disposed in the predetermined area, the three cards are replaced with one card to which the same attribute as that of the three cards is assigned, but which differs in type from the three cards, the card positioned in the rightward direction relative to the replaced cards is shifted in the leftward direction, and an additional two cards are disposed in the space formed by shifting the card. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080600 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PLAYING GAMES THAT REQUIRE SKILL - A method, implemented as computer code being executed by one or more processors, in which a computing device displays computer game graphics for a computer game, and in which one or more of the processors are programmed to implement the game with: (a) a first game mode where the player is prompted to find items on a list within a picture; and (b) a second game mode where the player is prompted to compare two nearly identical images and find the differences; (c) a third game mode where the player is promoted to find items on a list within a certain picture, wherein the picture is darkened and only a select section is lit up, the lit section being dependent on input given by a pointing device. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080601 | METHOD OF DESIGNING MULTIPLE COMPUTER GAMES - A method of designing multiple computer games, using a software module running on a processor, in which the module enables pre-defined kinds of game design functions to be implemented across multiple different computer games; and in which the module implements multiple pre-defined kinds of common game design functions; and is extensible in that new components can be added to the module to create new functionality. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080602 | DYNAMIC DISPLAY OF VIRTUAL CONTENT ON SEVERAL DEVICES USING REFERENCE TAGS - This is directed to determining the relative position of several devices by capturing representations of the device environments in which a tag is located. The devices can compare the captured representations to determine a perspective of the tag corresponding to each device. In some cases, a device can determine an absolute position relative to a coordinate system integrated in a tag. Using the positioning information, several devices can receive directions to come together at a particular meeting point. In some cases, several devices can operate an application that requires the interaction of several users of the devices (e.g., multi-player games). The application can control the time or manner in which inputs are provided based on the relative positions of the devices. In some cases, the devices can display virtual content that is shared across several devices, where the different devices can each interact with the virtual content. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080603 | PRESENTING WAGERING GAME CONTENT - Techniques for processing and presenting wagering data are presented herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises configuring a wagering game terminal for contemporaneously presenting content for a plurality of wagering games. Configuring the terminal can include dividing a player interface into a plurality of areas, wherein each of the areas is associated with one of the plurality of wagering games. The configuring can also include resizing the content to fit in the areas. The method can also include receiving, from a remote wagering game server, results for one or more of the wagering games, and selecting portions of the content, wherein the portions of the content graphically represent the results. The method can also include displaying the portions of the content. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080604 | ACTIVITY ILLUMINATION - A method to indicate that a first device is in communication with a second device is disclosed. The first device may receive an indication activity from the second device. The indication activity may change the display and the illumination object on the first device and the displays on the illumination object and the display are similar. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080605 | AUGMENTED REALITY SYSTEM INDEXED IN THREE DIMENSIONS - A portable computerized device is configured to display a three dimensional graphic. The portable computerized device includes a camera device capturing an image including location data for each of a plurality of tokens. The portable computerized device is configured to display the three dimensional graphic based upon the location data. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080606 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR GENERATING A SCENARIO OF A GAME ON THE BASIS OF A PIECE OF MUSIC - Disclosed is a method for generating a game level as a function of musical parameters. These parameters comprise the rhythm, the recurrence of motifs, their tonality and the instrumental timbres. The disclosure also pertains to a game comprising means for implementing such a method. The disclosure allows the use of a piece of music which is chosen and/or provided by the player, and makes it possible to provide a game path which is consistent with the moods and the musical preferences of each player. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080607 | Game Controller - A game controller includes a plurality of LEDs formed on the rear of a case. The plurality of LEDs are arranged two-dimensionally in its layout area. The game controller has a plurality of PWM control units which are provided inside the case and control the lighting of the plurality of LEDs, respectively. The PWM control units control the lighting of the LEDs based on a control signal from a game apparatus. The game apparatus acquires a captured image of the game controller, and acquires the position of the game controller in the captured image based on the positions of the LEDs in the captured image. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080608 | VIDEO GAMES WITH VALUATION OF A GAME ENVIRONMENT - According to an embodiment, a video game permits valuation of a game environment and/or sharing value in the game. For example, players can buy and sell whole or fractional portions of the revenue sources derived from a particular game environment. The ownership may be represented as debt, stock or as some other allocations mechanism. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080609 | TORQUE LIMITER - A torque limiter includes an input shaft connected to a driving source, an output shaft connected to a driven load, a shaft sleeve, and an adjustment mechanism. The input shaft includes a positioning post. The output shaft includes a resisting post. The shaft sleeve includes a cam surface and a resisting surface, and defines a cam groove in a periphery. When the driven load is in a predetermined torque range, the positioning post is engaged in the cam groove, the output shaft is rotated by the input shaft and drives the driven load. When the driven load reaches overload torque amount, the cam surface moves relative to the resisting post, the cam surface is separated from the resisting post, such that the input shaft is separated from the output shaft. Thus, the output shaft and the driven load are protected from damaged by torque overload. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080610 | SHAFT COUPLING MECHANISM - A shaft coupling mechanism for an electric power steering apparatus includes a coupling base body coupled to a rotating shaft on a side of an electric motor; a coupling base body coupled to a steering shaft; rotation transmitting members interposed between both coupling base bodies and adapted to transmit the rotation of the rotating shaft in an R direction to the steering shaft through both coupling base bodies; an intermediate interposed member interposed between the coupling base bodies; and a coupling means for coupling the rotation transmitting members to each other. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080611 | CROSS UNIVERSAL JOINT AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - Structure of a cross universal joint is achieved in which the fact that an excessive torque was applied to a universal joint due to a collision accident or mishandling can be easily determined afterwards. Protrusions | 2014-03-20 |
20140080612 | CONSTANT VELOCITY UNIVERSAL JOINT - A constant velocity universal joint smoothly operates under load and during speed rotation, and also suppresses heat generation and has enhanced durability. An offset in an axial direction between a center of curvature of each of track grooves and a center of curvature of an inner surface of an outer joint member, and an offset in the axial direction between a center of curvature of each of track grooves and a center of curvature of an outer surface of an inner joint member are each set to zero. The track grooves of the outer and inner joint members are each inclined with respect to an axial line. A circumferential length of each of pockets of a cage is set so that two pockets allow balls to be assembled therein at one time under a state in which the two pockets are exposed. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080613 | FIXED CONSTANT VELOCITY UNIVERSAL JOINT - An outer joint member has first and second track groove portions located respectively on depth and opening sides. The first track groove portions each have a circular-arc ball-raceway center line having a curvature center that is not offset in an axial direction with respect to a joint center. The second track groove portions each have a ball-raceway center line including a straight part to increase an effective track length at a maximum operating angle. Track grooves of an inner joint member each have a ball-raceway center line that is mirror-image symmetrical with a ball-raceway center line of the paired track groove of the outer joint member with respect to a plane passing through the joint center at an operating angle of 0°. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080614 | ROTATION TRANSMITTING APPARATUS, VEHICLE STEERING SYSTEM, AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT - A rotation transmitting apparatus includes a first shaft on which multiple external teeth are formed so as to be arranged in a circumferential direction, and a second shaft in which multiple internal teeth are formed so as to be arranged in the circumferential direction, the second shaft being fitted to the first shaft so as to be slidable relative to the first shaft in the axial direction and so as to be engageable with the first shaft in a rotational direction through the use of the external teeth and the internal teeth. A protrusion is formed on the tooth flank of one of the external tooth and the internal tooth, the protrusion being projected toward the corresponding tooth flank of the other of the external tooth and the internal tooth. The protrusion is made of a resin that is more elastically deformable than the tooth flank. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080615 | DRIVE UNIT FOR AT LEAST ONE TRACTION MEANS - A drive unit for at least one traction means, especially in stage machinery, with a winding drum comprising at least one take-up region, on (each of) which a traction means is received which can be wound up or unwound, characterised in that axially adjacent to the take-up region there is a cylindrical drive region disposed on the winding drum, on which is received a belt-shaped drive means that can be wound up or unwound and which can be wound up onto a drivable drive drum, generating a drive torque acting on the winding drum, or can be unwound from the drive drum, releasing the winding drum. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080616 | Slingshot Bouncer - A slingshot bouncer has a frame. The frame is generally horizontally oriented. A rebounding bed is mounted to the frame. The frame connects to a periphery of the rebounding bed. A slingshot assembly is mounted to the frame. The slingshot assembly further includes a pouch, an elastic cord, and an upwardly extending arm. The elastic cord is mounted to the upwardly extending arm. The pouch is mounted to the elastic cord. A pouch handle is mounted to the pouch to provide grip for pulling back the pouch. The slingshot bouncer pouch handle can be formed as a loop with an opening greater than 2 cm. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080617 | ADJUSTABLE GOLF CLUB - An adjustable golf club is disclosed. The club can be adjusted by moving one or more sliders located proximate the heel of the club. The sliders can move to enable the loft and lie of the club to be adjusted independently. To adjust the club, a user can loosen a fastener, reposition the sliders, and re-tighten the fastener. The one or more sliders can slide against a spherical surface with its origin at the center of rotation of the shaft. In this configuration, when the sliders are pressed against the spherical surface, the spherical surface can enable the club to remain properly adjusted. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080618 | Golf putter - The present invention relates to an improved golf putter head. The improvements are based on the shape of the putter head, unique sighting and alignment system having a unique crosshair component and camouflage. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080619 | GOLF SWING INSTRUCTION DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF - A golf swing instruction device is provided that includes first and second members, each being moveable with respect to one another by way of coupling arms coupled there between. Positioning members, for a golfer's feet and the golf ball, may be moved along a length of the first and second members to help position the golfer with respect to the ball. The first and second members may be positioned next to one another, may be moved away from each other on a first end or on an opposing second end, or may be moved away from one another on both ends such that first and second members are spaced apart from one another. In these configurations, the device assists the golfer in shaping a golf shot, such as a straight shot, fade, draw or putt. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080620 | TRAINING GOLF BALL - A training golf ball is a truncated sphere having a continuous spherical portion and two truncated sides. The training golf ball has an equator extending around the spherical portion that divides the training golf ball into two congruent sections. The two truncated sides are substantially parallel to each other and are substantially parallel to a plane passing through and intersecting the equator of the spherical portion. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080621 | CLUB HEAD SETS WITH VARYING CHARACTERISTICS AND RELATED METHODS - Embodiments of golf clubs head sets with varying characteristics are disclosed herein. Other examples and related methods are also generally described herein. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080622 | GOLF CLUB HEAD - A golf club head comprises a sole, a recessed sole port in the sole; and a rotatably adjustable sole piece adapted to be at least partially received within the sole port and comprising a central body having a plurality of contact surfaces adapted to contact the sole port and being offset from each other along a central axis extending through the central body of the sole piece. The sole piece can be positioned at least partially within the sole port at five or more rotational and axial positions with respect to the central axis, wherein at each rotational position, at least one of said contact surfaces of the central body contacts the sole port to set the axial position of the sole piece. The sole port and/or the sole piece can be generally pentagonal in shape. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080623 | GOLF CLUB HEAD WITH FLEXURE - A golf club head including a crown, a sole, a hosel, a face and a flexure. The flexure provides compliance during an impact between the golf club head and a golf ball, and is tuned to vibrate, immediately after impact, at a predetermined frequency. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080624 | GOLF CLUB HEAD WITH FLEXURE - A golf club head including a crown, a sole, a hosel, a face, and a flexure. The flexure provides compliance during an impact between the golf club head and a golf ball, and is tuned to vibrate, immediately after impact, at a predetermined frequency. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080625 | CLUB HEAD WITH DEFLECTION MECHANISM AND RELATED METHODS - Some embodiments include a club head with a deflection mechanism. Other embodiments for related club heads and methods are also disclosed. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080626 | GOLF CLUB HEAD WITH FLEXURE - A golf club head including a crown, a sole, a hosel, a face and a flexure. The flexure provides compliance during an impact between the golf club head and a golf ball, and is tuned to vibrate, immediately after impact, at a predetermined frequency. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080627 | GOLF CLUB HEAD WITH FLEXURE - A golf club head including a crown, a sole, a hosel, a face and a flexure. The flexure provides compliance during an impact between the golf club head and a golf ball, and is tuned to vibrate, immediately after impact, at a predetermined frequency. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080628 | GOLF CLUB HEAD - A golf club head comprises a sole, a recessed sole port in the sole; and a rotatably adjustable sole piece adapted to be at least partially received within the sole port and comprising a central body having a plurality of contact surfaces adapted to contact the sole port and being offset from each other along a central axis extending through the central body of the sole piece. The sole piece can be positioned at least partially within the sole port at five or more rotational and axial positions with respect to the central axis, wherein at each rotational position, at least one of said contact surfaces of the central body contacts the sole port to set the axial position of the sole piece. The sole port and/or the sole piece can be generally pentagonal in shape. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080629 | GOLF CLUB HEAD - A golf club head comprises a sole, a recessed sole port in the sole; and a rotatably adjustable sole piece adapted to be at least partially received within the sole port and comprising a central body having a plurality of contact surfaces adapted to contact the sole port and being offset from each other along a central axis extending through the central body of the sole piece. The sole piece can be positioned at least partially within the sole port at five or more rotational and axial positions with respect to the central axis, wherein at each rotational position, at least one of said contact surfaces of the central body contacts the sole port to set the axial position of the sole piece. The sole port and/or the sole piece can be generally pentagonal in shape. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080630 | GOLF CLUB HEAD - A golf club head has a main body including a top portion, a bottom portion opposite the top portion, a striking face, a rear portion opposite the striking face. The striking face has a striking face plane and a striking face outer periphery that is coplanar with the striking face plane. The striking face outer periphery has an outer periphery heel portion, an outer periphery toe portion opposite the outer periphery heel portion, an outer periphery top portion, and an outer periphery bottom portion opposite the outer periphery top portion. The striking face also has a recess extending rearward from the striking face plane, and the recess includes a recess periphery coplanar with the striking face plane. The striking face further has an insert disposed within the recess. The striking face additionally has a minimum periphery width separating the striking face outer periphery and the recess periphery. The periphery width is no greater than 1.25 mm. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080631 | MULTI-ZONE GOLF CLUB HEADS - A golf club head with low and high density zones designed to provide specific densities for use in various parts of the club head to achieve maximum volume and properties within specific weight goals. The low and high density zones may be formed from laminates having different equivalent densities than the layers used to form the laminates. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080632 | MULTI-PIECE GOLF CLUB HEADS FORMED FROM TITANIUM AND ZIRCONIUM ALLOYS - A golf club head and a method for forming a golf club head are disclosed. The golf club head may include multiple components with varying densities to manipulate the weight, volume, and properties of the golf club head. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080633 | GOLF CLUB HEAD WITH FLEXURE - A golf club head including a crown, a sole, a hosel, a face and a flexure. The face is configured to provide varying stiffness while minimizing the change in thickness across the face. The flexure provides compliance during an impact between the golf club head and a golf ball. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080634 | GOLF CLUB HEAD WITH FLEXURE - A golf club head including a crown, a sole, a hosel, a face and a flexure. The golf club head includes a multi-material construction including a face member, a midsection and an aft member that allows optimization of the mass distribution of the golf club head. The flexure provides compliance during an impact between the golf club head and a golf ball. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080635 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising a matrix formed from a thermosetting polymer composition and discrete particles dispersed within the matrix. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080636 | BLENDS OF LINEAR AND BRANCHED NEODYMIUM-CATALYZED RUBBER FORMULATIONS FOR USE IN GOLF BALLS - The invention relates to golf ball formulations formed from blends of linear and branched polybutadienes catalyzed with neodymium that have improved properties and processing characteristics. Golf ball components may be formed from the blends to provide high coefficient of restitution. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080637 | TRAINING DEVICE - A training device is disclosed that has a depressable element and an indicator element that provides a perceivable indication, for example an audible alarm, to a user when an amount of force being applied to the training device along the major axis of the training device is less than a desired amount of depressing force. In some embodiments, the training device is in the shape of a prolate sphere and approximates the size and shape of a ball typically used in American football. The training device may be configured so that no perceivable indication is provided while either little to no force is being applied to the training device along its major axis or while an adequate amount of force is being applied to the training device along the major axis thereof. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080638 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING TRAINING AND INSTRUCTION TO A FOOTBALL KICKER - In one embodiment, kicking training is provided to a kicker in real time by collecting data while the kicker kicks a ball toward a display screen, determining the trajectory of the ball from the collected data, and displaying to the kicker on the display screen a simulation of the flight of the ball within a virtual world. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080639 | BATTING SWING TRAINING DEVICE - A batting swing training device is provided to train a batter in bat and ball sports to properly swing a bat. The device includes three weighted portions, one near the knob of the bat, one near the distal end of the bat, and one near the center of the bat. The weights near the knob and center of the bat force the batter to lead the swing with the knob. The weight near the distal end of the bat trains the batter to properly snap the bat through or release the bat at the time of contact. Each weighted portion may include cavities to accept the weights. The handle may have an oval-shaped cross-section to reinforce the proper grip and knuckle alignment and a plurality of finger grooves, which also reinforce the proper grip and knuckle alignment. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080640 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING SHEAR THICKENING MATERIALS IN SPORTS PRODUCTS - A sports product may include a support member and an impact region configured to impact an object. The impact region may be coupled to the support member. The sports product may also include a shear thickening material in at least one of the support member or the impact region. The shear thickening material may be configured to exhibit shear thickening behavior when an impact occurs between the impact region and the object. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080641 | BALL BAT WITH OPTIMIZED BARREL WALL SPACING AND IMPROVED END CAP - A ball bat extending about an axis, and configured for hitting a ball. The bat including a barrel portion coupled to a handle portion, a tubular sleeve positioned within the barrel portion, and an end cap. The barrel portion is formed of a fiber composite material, and includes a proximal end region, a distal end region, and an inner and outer layer. The layers are separated by a first separation configured to allow for independent movement between the layers upon impact with the ball. The sleeve is coupled to the handle portion. A portion of the sleeve is separated from the inner layer by a second separation within the range of 0.030 to 0.125 inch when measured radially from the axis. Upon impact, the barrel portion deflects inwardly such that the inner wall operably engages the sleeve. The cap is coupled to the sleeve and to the barrel portion. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080642 | BALL BAT WITH OPTIMIZED BARREL WALL SPACING AND IMPROVED END CAP - A ball bat extending along an axis configured for hitting a ball. The bat including a handle portion, a barrel portion coupled to the handle portion, a tubular sleeve positioned within the barrel portion, and an end cap. The barrel portion includes proximal and distal end regions, and a central region. The end cap is coupled to the sleeve and to the barrel portion by an adhesive. The end cap includes an end wall and an annular wall proximally extending from an inner surface of the end wall. The annular wall is configured to engage an inner surface of a distal end region of the sleeve. The annular wall defines at least one through-wall opening configured for facilitating flow of the adhesive through and about the annular wall during the coupling of the end cap to the barrel portion. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080643 | LEAK-FREE AMERICAN FOOTBALL - Provided is a leak-free American football, which has a polyurethane foam having a shape of an American football; a covering formed on an exterior surface of the polyurethane foam and having a seam; multiple pairs of lacing holes formed in the covering along two opposite sides of the seam, and a lace passing through the multiple pairs of the lacing holes to close the seam, such that the polyurethane foam is covered by the covering and the lace. Since the polyurethane foam is solid and elastic, the leak-free American football can maintain a desired size, shape and bounce without the need for inflation, thereby improving the stability and durability. | 2014-03-20 |
20140080644 | PULLEY STRUCTURE FOR WIRE COMBINATION - A pulley assembly for combining of a wire, may include a groove member having a first guide groove helically threaded in an outer circumferential surface thereof and having a truncated cone shape, and a cylindrical guide pulley selectively combined with a bottom surface of the groove member and having a second guide groove formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof, wherein the wire may be configured to move to the second guide groove of the guide pulley along the first guide groove of the groove member when the groove member combined with the cylindrical guide pulley rotates in a direction. | 2014-03-20 |