13th week of 2012 patent applcation highlights part 46 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120077529 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR UPDATING DATA IN PORTABLE TERMINAL - An apparatus and method update data in a portable terminal. The apparatus comprises a data update unit and a controller. The data unit is configured to manage information associated with the portable terminal and a request for an address book update transmitted from the portable terminal. The controller is configured to receive changed address book information from an update server that manages an address book of another portable terminal in response to the request transmitted by the data update unit. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077530 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING BEAM TO BE TRANSMITTED - A controller controls the direction of a beam to be transmitted toward a correspondent wireless communication device to transmit a first wireless signal to the correspondent wireless communication device, and controls the direction of the beam within a predetermined shift from the direction of the first wireless signal, thereby transmitting a second wireless signal at a first timing before or a second timing after the timing of the control for the first wireless signal. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077531 | JOINT USER EQUIPMENT SCHEDULING AND CLUSTER FORMATION FOR DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEMS - A distributed antenna system comprises users; remote radio heads which are to be divided into clusters; and a central base station (CBS) including a CBS processor, a CBS memory, a user ordering module, and a user scheduling and cluster formation module. The user ordering module is configured to order the users in decreasing values of proportional fair scheduling metrics to provide a set of ordered users. The user scheduling and cluster formation module is configured to schedule the users according to the order of the users in decreasing values of proportional fair scheduling metrics; and for each user being scheduled according to the order of the users, pick up first N number of remote radio heads, in decreasing order of signal strength to the user being scheduled, which have not been picked up previously, to form a cluster of size N for the user being scheduled. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077532 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO FACILITATE SUPPORT FOR MULTI-RADIO COEXISTENCE - A coexistence manager may manage potential resource conflicts between radios, in particular between a Long Term Evolution (LTE) radio and between a Bluetooth radio. Coexistence manager decision units may be designed synchronously to occur at preset times, or asynchronously as needed by the respective radios. The decision units may be structured to reduce latency. The decision units may be configured specifically for the Long Term Evolution radio and Bluetooth radios. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077533 | Method and Network Device for Managing Resource Allocation - A method and network device for managing resource allocation in at least one network device of a plurality of network devices in a mobile telecommunications network including the steps of: determining at least one energy dependent parameter in relation to each of the at least one network devices; and using the at least one determined energy-dependent parameter to make a resource allocation determination. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077534 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATION METHOD AND WIRELESS DEVICE - According to one embodiment, there is provided a wireless communication method, including: a start step of performing a connection process with a second wireless device; a communication step of performing communication for a predetermined term in a first mode; a determination step of determining, in accordance with a communication status, whether to change a communication mode from the first mode to a second mode in which communication at a higher speed than the first mode is performed, change an operating frequency channel for communication to another frequency channel than the first frequency channel, or continue the first mode; and a transmission step of transmitting a mode change signal when the determination is made to change the communication mode, and transmitting a channel change signal when the determination is made to change the operating frequency channel. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077535 | ASSIGNING RADIO CHANNELS IN A WIRELESS NETWORK - A method and apparatus are provided for assigning radio channels to a set of base stations in a wireless network, including determining a plurality of available radio channels that the set of base stations have at their disposal for communications, selecting at least one of the plurality of available radio channels for a first plurality of the base stations, selecting at least another one of the plurality of available radio channels for at least a second plurality of the base stations, and assigning the selected radio channels to the corresponding pluralities of base stations. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077536 | COLLABORATIVE GROUP COMMUNICATION METHOD INVOLVING A CONTEXT AWARE CALL JOCKEY - A system and method comprises establishing a group communication session between a first participant and a second participant. The method may include a dynamic point of control entity within the communication session. The dynamic point of control entity may be designated to operate in different roles and may have access to information regarding the conduct and participants of the call session, and also have control authority required in order to execute the designated role. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077537 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER WITH INTERFERENCE DETECTION - Performance of wireless charging systems may be significantly degraded when parasitic metal objects come in close proximity to the transmitting coil. Some of the transmitted energy may be coupled by these metal objects and wasted as heat. This may create a danger as the metal objects may get hot enough to create a fire hazard, to cause plastic parts deformation, or operator skin burns when touched. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077538 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWER IN MOBILE TERMINAL - A device and a method for controlling a transmission power in a mobile terminal are provided. The device includes an antenna set in an optimized state, a memory including a power control table that includes transmission power control data for satisfying a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) standard in a state where efficiency of the antenna is optimized, a sensor for detecting a distance between the mobile terminal and a user, a controller for receiving distance data from the sensor and for outputting transmission power control data corresponding to the distance data by referring to the power control table, and a power amplifier connected between a transmitter and the antenna for controlling transmission power of a signal according to the transmission power control data and for outputting the signal to the antenna. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077539 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR UPLINK RATE SELECTION IN THE PRESENCE OF MULTIPLE TRANSPORT CHANNELS IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - Systems and methods for selecting data rates at which to transmit data over a primary uplink in the presence of one or more secondary uplink channels. One embodiment comprises a method including determining probabilities associated with numbers of attempted transmissions of data, determining the number of times pending data transmissions have been attempted, determining probabilities associated with the data transmissions, and allocating power for transmission of the data in a succeeding frame based upon the associated probabilities. In one embodiment, a highest supportable data rate for a primary uplink is initially selected. Then, power is allocated for a minimum set of channels on the primary uplink. Then, power is allocated for pending data transmissions on the secondary uplink. A maximum power level for the transceiver is then adjusted to account for the allocated power, and the highest supportable data rate for the primary uplink is recomputed. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077540 | Dual Mode Mobile Terminal Access To A Wireless Communication Network - Providing a simpler mechanism to connect a dual mode mobile terminal to a wireless communication network. This is achieved by a method of connecting a dual mode mobile terminal to a wireless communication network using a mobile attachment mode or a fixed attachment mode. A first step (S | 2012-03-29 |
20120077541 | Mobile Phone Device Capable of Changing to Different Network Standards and Realizing Method - A mobile phone device includes: a mobile phone body circuit board, which is provided with slots of a predetermined interface, and modular wireless processing modules with different network standards, which are provided with pins of the predetermined interface; when one network standard is used, the pins of the modular wireless processing module utilizing the network standard are plugged into the slots of the mobile phone body circuit board, and the communications between the circuit board and the modular wireless processing module are carried out by the predetermined interface; when the network standard is changed, the modular wireless processing module corresponding to other network standards is plugged instead into the slots of the predetermined interface in the mobile phone body circuit board. Users can change the different network standards, simply, easily and quickly, and the cost that manufacturers design mobile phones and users change networks is reduced. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077542 | Methods and Arrangements Employing Mixed-Domain Displays - An image is encoded to define one or more spatial regions that can be sensed by a suitably-equipped mobile device (e.g., a smartphone), but are imperceptible to humans. When such a mobile device senses one of these regions, it takes an action in response (e.g., rendering an associated tone, playing linked video, etc.). The regions may overlap in layered fashion. One form of encoding employs modification of the color content of the image at higher spatial frequencies, where human vision is not acute. In a particular embodiment, the encoding comprises altering a transform domain representation of the image by adding signal energy in a first chrominance channel, where the added signal energy falls primarily within a segmented arc region in a transform domain space. In another arrangement, a smartphone display presents both image data captured from a scene, and a transform representation of the image data (e.g., in the Fourier domain). This latter information can aid a user in positioning the phone, e.g., to enhance decoding of a steganographic digital watermark. In still another arrangement, foveal filtering is applied to of smartphone-captured image data in connection with other image processing. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077543 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE - When image data is displayed on the display portion of a conventional mobile telephone, characters cannot be displayed thereon, and thus the image data and the characters cannot be simultaneously displayed. In a portable electronic device according to the present invention, a cover member having a first display device ( | 2012-03-29 |
20120077544 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTION OF RADIATION - Digital images or the charge from pixels in light sensitive semiconductor based imagers may be used to detect gamma rays and energetic particles emitted by radioactive materials. Methods may be used to identify pixel-scale artifacts introduced into digital images and video images by high energy gamma rays. Statistical tests and other comparisons on the artifacts in the images or pixels may be used to prevent false-positive detection of gamma rays. The sensitivity of the system may be used to detect radiological material at distances in excess of 50 meters. Advanced processing techniques allow for gradient searches to more accurately determine the source's location, while other acts may be used to identify the specific isotope. Coordination of different imagers and network alerts permit the system to separate non-radioactive objects from radioactive objects. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077545 | MOBILE TERMINAL AND CONTROL METHOD - A mobile terminal includes a subscriber identification module (SIM) card unit to receive and store Internet Protocol (IP) device information including a local IP address of an IP device from a femtocell, and a control unit to transmit a control command to control the IP device using the local IP address. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077546 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CUSTOMIZING APPLICATION PROTOCOLS - An approach is provided for customizing application protocols. A protocol management module receives a request to execute an application at a device. The application includes a set of protocol features. The protocol management module determines one or more protocols for the application based, at least in part, on one or more criteria. The protocol management module then determines a subset of the protocol features to enable or disable based, at least in part, on the one or more protocols. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077547 | COMMUNICATION DEVICE - According to embodiments described in the specification, a method and apparatus for controlling a display of a mobile electronic device is provided. The method comprises: maintaining status data and application data in a memory of the mobile electronic device; controlling the display to provide a first interface comprising a representation of the application data; receiving input data representative of a peek command; and, controlling the display to provide a second interface comprising a representation of a portion of the application data, and a representation of the status data. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077548 | Mobile Phone Case - A mobile phone accessory has an indicating function for receiving an incoming call or SMS to a mobile phone. The mobile phone accessory comprises a housing which is of a shape and size comparable to the mobile phone. The housing has a transparent or translucent plate and a compartment for containment of at least one battery, an incoming call detection circuit and an incoming call indicating light. The incoming call indicating light illuminates and/or flashes when the mobile phone receives the incoming call or SMS. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077549 | Sports Musicom Headset - A Sports MusiCom headset ( | 2012-03-29 |
20120077550 | MOBILE TERMINAL WITH AT LEAST TWO TRANSDUCERS - The invention concerns a mobile terminal with at least two transducers (LSm, LSs | 2012-03-29 |
20120077551 | HIGH-VOLTAGE TOLERANT VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Circuits and methodologies related to high-voltage tolerant regulators are disclosed. In some implementations, a voltage regulator can be configured to be capable of being in a regulating state and a bypass state. In the regulating state, an input voltage greater than a selected value can be regulated so as to yield a desired output voltage such as a substantially constant voltage. In the bypass state, an input voltage at or less than the selected value can be regulated so as to yield an output voltage that substantially tracks the input voltage. Such a capability of switching between two modes can provide advantageous features such as reducing the likelihood of damage in a powered circuit due to high input voltage, and extending the operating duration of a power source such as a rechargeable battery. Also disclosed are examples of how the foregoing features can be implemented in different products and methods of operation and fabrication. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077552 | METHOD OF DISTRIBUTING TO A USER A REMEDY FOR INADEQUATE BATTERY LIFE IN A HANDHELD DEVICE - The teachings relate to a method of distributing to a user a system to provide a remedy for inadequate battery life in a handheld device. The system comprises a modular hybrid-charger assembly operably connected to a device holder. The modular hybrid-charger assembly comprises a rechargeable internal battery connected to a port operable to function as a connection to a portable electronic device, a power management engine embodied in a computer readable medium, and a solar energy source. The device holder comprises a framework operable to receive, hold, and release the portable electronic device; and an alignment mechanism that facilitates a mating of the portable electronic device with the hybrid-charger assembly. The modular hybrid-charger assembly can comprise a form factor that is interchangeable and operable with each of several different device holder form factors. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077553 | Automatic Recharging Wireless Headset - A wireless headset has a body, an ear clip, and at least two devices for converting at least two different sources of energy into electrical power. The body includes an RF integrated circuit in electrical communication with an antenna and a baseband circuit, the baseband circuit being in electrical communication with a microphone and a speaker. The at least two devices for converting at least two different sources of energy into electrical power are in electrical communication with the RF integrated circuit and the baseband circuit. The ear clip is engaged to the body. The at least two sources of energy are selected from the group consisting of solar energy, thermoelectric energy, piezoelectric energy, and vibration energy. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077554 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING POWER CONSUMPTION IN MOBILE DEVICE - A method and apparatus capable of minimizing power consumption occurring when a mobile device is changed from a sleep state to a wake-up state by partially controlling on/off of a display unit and partial booting control of a system function are provided. The method includes detecting a change of the mobile device from a sleep state to a wake-up state, turning on a display unit of the mobile device such that a first section of the mobile device displays an operating region, the first section including one or more portions of the display unit and less than an entire screen of the display unit and waiting for a system function registered in the operating region. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077555 | PORTABLE TERMINAL - A portable terminal including a first body, a second body having a manipulation portion formed on one surface thereof, the second body being slidably connected to the first body such that the first body is moveable between a closed configuration covering the manipulation portion and an open configuration exposing the manipulation portion, and a slide module connecting the first body to the second body. The slide module includes a tilting unit configured to tilt the first body with respect to the second body at a predetermined angle in the open configuration and a slide member configured to slidably connect the first and second bodies to each other. The slide module imparts a first motion to the first body during movement across a first region of the second body and imparts a second motion different from the first motion to the first body during movement across a second region of the second body. The second motion includes a tilting motion of the first body with respect to the second body. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077556 | Integrated Protective Case with Stand and Attached Extendable Earbud Piece Assembly for Portable Electronic Devices - The present invention relates to protective cases for portable electronic devices that include an extendable and retractable earbuds and speaker assembly accompanied by an integrated support structure so that the portable electronic device can sit upright and be used to listen and speak through. In particular, embodiments of the present invention include a protective frame with an integrated upright support structure that pulls out from the back surface of the protective case. Embodiments further include extendable and retractable earbuds, with an earbud cord spool that has a spring-loaded retractor mechanism, allowing for the earbuds and cord to be extended out and locked in place once pulled out to the appropriate length and retracted upon cessation of use. Embodiments of the present invention may be used with any type of portable electronic device including portable media players and portable cellular telephones. It may be particularly useful with portable electronic devices that use a touchscreen input and may utilize software that facilitates virtual face-to-face communications. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077557 | GAME APPARATUS, STORAGE MEDIUM, GAME SYSTEM AND GAME CONTROLLING METHOD - A game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU executes game processing of a golf game, and displays a guide path of a circle a part of which is erased in a hitting operation. When the player performs a sliding operation in a clockwise direction so as to trace the guide path, and then inverts the sliding operation in a counterclockwise direction, the player character performs a swing motion according thereto. As to each of backswing, downswing and follow-through, precision, a speed, smoothness of the sliding operation are determined, and in accordance with the results, the movement of a ball is controlled. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077558 | AMUSEMENT DEVICES AND GAMES INCLUDING MEANS FOR PROCESSING ELECTRONIC DATA WHERE ULTIMATE OUTCOME OF THE GAME IS DEPENDENT ON RELATIVE ODDS OF A CARD COMBINATION AND/OR WHERE CHANCE IS A FACTOR: WAGERING ON HANDS OF CARDS - Games related to the provision of information are described. Games may be formulated to exploit biases such as long shot bias and favorite bias. Games related to the provision of information are described. Games may be formulated to exploit biases relating to the Monty Hall paradox. Games related to the provision of information are described. Games may include wagering on hands of cards, e.g., poker wagering games. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077559 | PROVIDING MULTIPLE HANDS OF AN ONLINE GAME IN A SINGLE TABLE ENVIRONMENT - A system for providing game play. The system includes processors and memory configured to include users as players at a table in an online game and provide cards to the players for playing a first hand of the game. When a jump point is reached in the first hand, the following are provided to at least the players no longer playing the first hand: cards for playing a second hand at the table, and continued online access to play of the first hand. Strategic aspects of face-to-face poker play are retained while action-seeking players can see more hands per hour. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077560 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING TICKETS FROM GAMING DEVICES AND/OR LOTTERY TERMINALS WHICH ARE NOT DEPENDENT ON A PLAYER'S SUCCESS ON THE UNDERLYING GAME - Gaming devices dispense tickets which are unrelated to a player's success on a particular game played on a gaming device or to the player's credits on a credit meter or other “cash out” indicator. The gaming devices provide gaming awards and also provide tickets. Other methods provide tickets during the play of wagering games. Still other embodiments comprise lottery terminals which dispense tickets other than those purchased by a lottery patron or won on a purchased lottery ticket. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077561 | GAME TICKET WITH A RELATED WEB SITE - Lottery ticket games are enhanced by providing a web site related to the lottery game and by causing a purchaser or potential purchaser of a lottery ticket to take an image of a bar code related to the lottery game using a camera module of a personal communication device such as a cell phone for communication with the web site. Thus the bar code is analyzed to determine the web site and further data from the web site is communicated to the cell phone. The data may relate to the winning or losing status of the particular ticket, may include data for additional games or may be of a promotional nature. The data can also be provided on other material and may act as an incentive to the retailer rather than the purchaser. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077562 | Game of Chance and System and Method for Playing Games of Chance - A game of chance is provided in which a predetermined fixed number of winning cell content drawn from a predetermined set of cell content. The drawn content is matched to the content on game cards and if the matched game card content covers a predetermined winning pattern then the game card is a winner. In one example, numerous winners may occur per game session because the game continues until the predetermined fixed number of winning cell content is drawn and not until a win occurs. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077563 | METHOD OF DISPLAYING SELECTED SYMBOLS TO A PLAYER - There is disclosed a gaming system including: a display for displaying a plurality of rows of display positions; a representation display controller arranged to control the display to display a representation of changing symbols in each display position of the plurality of rows of display positions; a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbols from a set of symbols for display in a first row of the plurality of rows of display positions; and a symbol display controller arranged to control the display to simultaneously display the selected symbols in the display positions of the first row of display positions while representations of changing symbols are being displayed in display positions other than the display positions of the first row of display positions. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077564 | WAGERING GAME WITH MULTIPLE OVERLYING REEL STRIPS FOR TRIGGERING EVENTS OR OUTCOMES - A method for enabling a portal game on a wagering game device includes the acts of using a processor operatively associated with the wagering game device to conducting a wagering game on the wagering game device in accord with a first math model and using a portal game controller, which may be the processor operatively associated with the wagering game device or a separate controller, operatively associated with both the portal game and the wagering game device, to overlay a portal game over the wagering game. The portal game includes a second math model that is mathematically independent from the first math model of the wagering game. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077565 | GAMING SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF GAMING - A gaming system is disclosed that comprised spinnable reels and a reel speed controller for controlling a speed at which the reels spin. The reel speed controller is arranged to control a spin speed of at least first and second reels such that the spin speed of the first reel varies with respect to the spin speed of the second reel. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077566 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING ONE OR MORE SHARED AWARD-MODIFIER REELS - A gaming machine is disclosed having indicia of a plurality of spinning reels in a first set of reels and indicia of a plurality of spinning reels in a second set of reels. A determination is made as to whether the outcomes of the indicia of the plurality of spinning reels in the first and second sets of reels are winning outcomes. Award-multiplier indicia of a first shared spinning base game award-multiplier reel is positioned between the first and second set of reels. The first set of reels, second set of reels, and the base game award-multiplier reel form a contiguous set of reels having a common axis of rotation. The base game award-multiplier indicia modifies the winning outcome on the first set of reels, modifies the winning outcome on the second set of reels, includes a secondary game trigger symbol, or combinations thereof. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077567 | GAMING SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF GAMING - A gaming system is disclosed which includes a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbols which correspond to at least one winning symbol combination when the symbol combination coincides with a win line, and to display the symbols at a plurality of display positions. The system also includes a win line selector arranged to automatically select at least one win line from a plurality of available win lines, and an outcome evaluator arranged to determine that a winning outcome exists when a selected symbol combination coincides with a selected win line. A corresponding method is also disclosed. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077568 | GAMING SYSTEM, A METHOD OF GAMING AND A GAME OUTCOME PREDICTION CONTROLLER - An electronic method of gaming. The method includes determining that one or more players of a plurality of linked gaming devices are to participate in a game having a plurality of possible outcomes, receiving at least one player predicted outcome of the possible outcomes from a non-participating player of the plurality of linked gaming devices, conducting the game for each participating player, determining an actual outcome of the game; and determining whether to make an award to one or more non-participating players based on each player predicted outcome and the actual outcome. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077569 | WAGERING GAME, GAMING MACHINE, GAMING SYSTEM, AND METHOD WITH AN EMBEDDED BONUS GAME - A method of operating a gaming machine includes receiving one or more primary game inputs through the gaming machine to initiate one or more plays of a primary game. After the one or more plays of the primary game, a feature game is initiated and presented at the gaming machine through a display device included with the gaming machine. In response to a triggering event in the feature game and prior to completion of the feature game, the method further includes initiating an embedded bonus game and presenting the embedded bonus game through the display device. Upon completion of the embedded bonus game, the method continues with presenting a remainder of the feature game. The method further includes awarding a total prize for the feature game and embedded bonus game. The total prize is made up of a feature game prize component obtained in the presentation of the feature game and an embedded bonus game prize component obtained in the presentation of the embedded bonus game. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077570 | SYSTEM GAMING - A system provides a player tracking system and system gaming apparatus for playing non-base games by funding the credit side of a gaming cycle. The system further includes at least one gaming device having a base game. The player tracking system and system gaming apparatus includes a player tracking user interface. The player tracking user interface provides a player with an opportunity to select and play a non-base game that may be promotional-funded or player-funded. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077571 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING WIRELESS GAMING AS A SERVICE APPLICATION - A gaming system is provided. The gaming system allows users to access applications via gaming communication devices coupled to a communication network. At least a portion of the network may be wireless. The gaming applications include gambling, financial, entertainment service, and other types of transactions. The system may include a user location determination feature to prevent users from conducting transactions from unauthorized areas. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077572 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING A GAMING SYSTEM PROVIDING WAGERING CONTROL FEATURES FOR WAGERING GAMES - A gaming system and method provides wagering control features for application in multi-stakes, multi-player wagering games. Players have the option to choose one of a plurality of different modes at the beginning of a gaming session. Depending on which mode is selected, the wagering control feature or features available to players during game play will be different. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077573 | CENTRAL DETERMINATION GAMING SYSTEM WITH A GAME OUTCOME GENERATED BY A GAMING TERMINAL AND APPROVED BY A CENTRAL CONTROLLER - A central determination gaming system including a plurality of gaming terminals in communication with a central controller. In one embodiment, upon initiation of a game at one of the gaming terminals, the gaming terminal randomly generates a proposed game outcome. The proposed game outcome is communicated to the central controller. The central controller determines if a pool of predetermined game outcomes includes the proposed game outcome. If the pool includes the proposed game outcome, the central controller authorizes the proposed game outcome to be provided to the player, flags the authorized game outcome from further authorizations and communicates the authorized game outcome to the gaming terminal. The gaming terminal then provides the authorized game outcome to the player. If the pool does not include the proposed game outcome, the central controller discards the proposed game outcome and instructs the gaming terminal to generate another proposed game outcome for authorization. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077574 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A COMPLIMENTARY SERVICE TO A PLAYER - Systems and methods are provided for providing a service to a player using a player device. A indication of a player identifier which corresponds to a player of a gaming device is received. A player device is provided to the player. A service to provide the player is determined based on a gaming activity of the player, and the service is then provided to the player using the player device. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077575 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING NETWORK GAMING SYSTEM - A method for providing a network gaming system is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a request at a server from a user for credits, wherein the credits are usable within the network gaming system; depositing the credits into an account of the user; receiving a second request for an object available within the network gaming system; and debiting the account of the user by an amount equal to a value assigned to the object. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077576 | METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR DEALING A CARD GAME - The present invention provides a method for dealing a card game, comprising: calling for all pick-row bets, pair-plus bonus bets, and no-peek bonus bets; calling for all pick-row bets, pair-plus bonus bets, and no-peek bonus bets; dealing three cards at a time and placing a first and second set of three cards face-up such that hand positions A, B, and C each have a two-card poker hand; looking for and confirming whether there exists a qualifying card in one of the three hands; collecting all losing pick-row wagers if none of the three hands qualify; giving action to all pick-row bets if there is a qualifying hand; establishing a winning two-card poker hand among A, B, and C; dealing three cards at a and placing a third, fourth and fifth set of three cards face-up such that hand positions A, B, and C each have a five-card poker hand; establishing any and all of no-peek bonus qualifying hands; announcing a value of all qualifying five-card poker hands; and reconciling winning and losing no-peek super bonus bets, and, in turn, paying winning bets from right to left. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077577 | CENTRAL DETERMINATION GAMING SYSTEM WITH A GAME OUTCOME GENERATED BY A GAMING TERMINAL AND APPROVED BY A CENTRAL CONTROLLER - A central determination gaming system including a plurality of gaming terminals in communication with a central controller. In one embodiment, upon initiation of a game at one of the gaming terminals, the gaming terminal randomly generates a proposed game outcome. The proposed game outcome is communicated to the central controller. The central controller determines if a pool of predetermined game outcomes includes the proposed game outcome. If the pool includes the proposed game outcome, the central controller authorizes the proposed game outcome to be provided to the player, flags the authorized game outcome from further authorizations and communicates the authorized game outcome to the gaming terminal. The gaming terminal then provides the authorized game outcome to the player. If the pool does not include the proposed game outcome, the central controller discards the proposed game outcome and instructs the gaming terminal to generate another proposed game outcome for authorization. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077578 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A FLAT RATE PLAY GAMING SESSION - According to some embodiments of the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided for pausing or suspending play of a flat rate play session at a gaming device. In some embodiments, a player may receive a ticket or other token when a session is suspended. The ticket preferably includes indicia associated with parameters of the session and enables the player to continue play of the session (e.g., upon presenting the ticket at a gaming device). | 2012-03-29 |
20120077579 | WAGERING GAME, GAMING MACHINE, GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH GAME PLAY INTERRUPT AND RESUME - A wagering game, gaming machine, networked gaming system, and associated methods are disclosed including a bank of gaming machines connected to an overhead display enabling players at the respective gaming machines to qualify to play a community feature game displayed on the overhead display. Prior to the start of the community feature game, the primary game on the respective gaming machines may be interrupted, the game state stored, and following the conclusion of the community feature game, the game may resume according to its stored game state. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077580 | DYNAMIC ASSET AND OBSTACLE GENERATION IN ONLINE GAMES - Example systems and methods related to dynamic generation of in-game assets and in-game obstacles of an online game are presented. In an example, information describing a social network of a first player of an online game is accessed, the information identifying other players of the online game. Game account information of the other players is then accessed. The game account information of the other players identifies in-game assets of the other players. At least one of an in-game asset for the first player and an in-game obstacle to affect the first player in the online game is generated based on a mathematical function that considers the in-game assets of the other player | 2012-03-29 |
20120077582 | Computer-Readable Storage Medium Having Program Stored Therein, Apparatus, System, and Method, for Performing Game Processing - A storage medium has stored therein a game program that in game processing, controls a correlation between a player object and a non-player object through a virtual surface that is set on the basis of a marker for generating a superimposed image by combining a real world image and a virtual world image. The game program causes a computer of an apparatus, which includes a display device for providing the superimposed image to a user and an imaging section for taking an image of the marker, to operate as predetermined means. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077583 | RECONFIGURABLE GAMING MACHINE - A gaming machine has at least one video screen, but preferably three. One screen displays a primary game and the other two screens preferably display pay tables, a secondary game, or artwork related to the primary and/or secondary game. The content of the video screens is reconfigurable. The content may be downloaded over a network connecting a plurality of gaming machines to a central computer, or the content of several different games may be stored locally within the gaming machine. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077584 | METHODS, APPARATUSES AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR USING NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION TO IMPLEMENT GAMES & APPLICATIONS ON DEVICES - An apparatus for using Near Field Communication to facilitate implementation of an electronic game or application may include a processor and memory storing executable computer program code that cause the apparatus to at least perform operations including receiving data from a device via a Near Field Communication. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to determine whether the received data was previously detected and translate the received data to correspond to at least one item of virtual data relating to the electronic game or the application in response to determining that the received data is being detected for the first time. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to enable display of the item of virtual data in a virtual world of the electronic game or the application. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077585 | VIDEO GAME SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Example systems and methods relate to a multi-player video game in which multiple players each supply inputs to a respective input device to control a corresponding game character in a scrolling-type game world displayed on a display screen. A first predetermined input supplied by one of the players to the respective input device protects the one player's game character from harm in the game world and the protected game character moves based on the scrolling/non-scrolling state of the game world in accordance with the movement of one or more unprotected characters. The protecting of the one player's game character is stopped in response to one or more protecting stopping conditions, whereby the game character is again controllable by the one player in response to inputs to the respective input device. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077586 | APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AN INTERACTIVE PROXIMITY DISPLAY TETHER - The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AN INTERACTIVE PROXIMITY DISPLAY TETHER (IPDT) teaches an Interactive Proximity Display Tether (IPDT), which provides an interactive communications and display tether between source and target devices. The IPDT allows users to employ source mobile devices on the larger display of target devices. For example, a user may employ a source device, such as the iPhone, and launch a IPDT implemented video game to employ larger display devices as targets, which allows for greater utility in operating various applications, and particularly in game environments. Devices like the iPhone, which allow use of accelerometers whereby the entire device may act as an input (e.g., game) controller are enhanced with IPDT by allowing a user to both control inputs to the application (e.g., control the game) while still being able to fully view the results of the application. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077587 | WAGERING GAME, GAMING MACHINE, GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH REAL-TIME POSITION UPDATES - A wagering game, gaming machine, networked gaming system, and associated methods are disclosed including a bank of gaming machines connected to an overhead display enabling players at the respective gaming machines to qualify to play a community feature game displayed on the overhead display wherein each qualified player may view general and personalized real-time position updates. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077588 | WAGERING GAME, GAMING MACHINE, GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH SLOW MOTION REPLAY - A wagering game, gaming machine, networked gaming system, and associated methods are disclosed including a bank of gaming machines connected to an overhead display enabling players at the respective gaming machines to qualify to play a community feature game displayed on the overhead display wherein each qualified player may view a slow motion finish and/or replay including a flash photograph-effect. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077589 | GAME DEVICE, GAME CONTROL METHOD, AND INFORMATION RECORDING MEDIUM - The game device comprises a detection unit, an acquisition unit, a generation unit and a display unit. The detection unit detects the position of a user in real space. The acquisition unit determines clarity that is correlated with the detected position of the user. The generation unit generates an image that expresses a state of an object placed in virtual space that is drawn with the clarity determined for the object. The display unit displays the image generated by the generation unit on a screen. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077590 | GAME SYSTEM, METHOD OF CONTROLLING COMPUTER AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A game system includes: a display device that displays a screen of a game; and partial information presenting device that causes the display device to display a part of customization information of which setting is to be performed by a player on the game by utilizing waiting time of the game, and wherein the partial information presenting device varies a display range which is to be displayed at the display device as a part of the customization information in accordance with customization time allocated to setting of the customization information among the waiting time of the game so that the amount of the customization information included in the display range is increased when the customization time is long and is decreased when the customization time is short. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077591 | VISUAL TARGET TRACKING - A method of tracking a target includes receiving an observed depth image of the target from a source and obtaining a posed model of the target. The model is rasterized into a synthesized depth image, and the pose of the model is adjusted based, at least in part, on differences between the observed depth image and the synthesized depth image. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077592 | SOUND PROCESSING DEVICE, SOUND PROCESSING METHOD, INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM, AND PROGRAM - Sound output units ( | 2012-03-29 |
20120077593 | METHODS, APPARATUSES AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR USING NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION TO IMPLEMENT GAMES & APPLICATIONS ON DEVICES - A game kit of components for playing an electronic game or application and an apparatus and method of using the components of the game kit is provided. The game kit may include a plurality of near field communication game pieces including one or more items of data. At least one of the near field communication game pieces is configured to enable transmission of the items of data, via a near field communication, to a device to enable the device to decode the data and translate at least one item of the data to at least one item of virtual data that is included in an electronic game or an application currently being displayed. The near field communication may direct the transmission of the data to the device in response to a detection of the device entering a proximity of the game piece. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077595 | TELEVISION INTERACTIVE GAMING HAVING A LOCAL STORAGE OF GAME PORTAL - A system and method for interactive gaming includes a central broadcast center transmitting signals over a first communications network, a gaming system residing within the central broadcast center, and users who access the gaming system via the first communication network. The gaming system provides a plurality of games that incorporate a scoring protocol that provides real time scoring data transmitting from the plurality of users back to the gaming system via a second communication network. The plurality of users may review the real time scoring data via the first communications network. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077596 | APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A LIVE ONLINE GAME TESTER - A method for testing a new feature of an online gaming application is provided. The method initiates with assigning each of a plurality of users to one of a test group and a control group. Each of the test group users is provided a gaming application including a new game feature enabled, and each of the control group users is provided the gaming application without the new game feature enabled. Gaming activity and social network activity of the test group users is evaluated to generate an evaluation score for the test group users. Gaming activity and social network activity of the control group users is evaluated to generate an evaluation score for the control group users. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077597 | Interactive Entertainment Devices Interchangeably Arrangable In Adjacent Manner - An entertainment device is configured to receive a limited range wireless signal from at least one other entertainment device when adjacently arranged in close physical proximity to at least one other entertainment device, and to responsively operate in a first mode or a second mode based on whether the other entertainment device is adjacent a first side or second side. In the first mode, the entertainment device initiates one or more wireless activation signals to control an audio/visual element of another entertainment device. In the second mode, the entertainment device receives wireless activation signals from another entertainment device to control activation of an audio/visual element of the receiving entertainment device. Each device is interchangeable between operation in the first mode of controlling at least one other entertainment device and the second mode of being controlled by another entertainment device based on position of one entertainment device relative to the other. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077598 | INTER-GAME COMMUNICATIONS IN MULTI-MACHINE GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD - The disclosed system and method provide a dynamic and scalable gaming system in which a plurality of gaming machines are connected to a network switch. The gaming switch has two sets of data ports configured into two virtual local area networks (VLANs). The gaming machines are connected through their network interfaces to a first set of data ports of the network switch to form a first VLAN. The gaming machines are connected through their serial interfaces and serial-to-network adapters to a second set of data ports of the network switch to form a second VLAN. The gaming machines are configured to communicate with devices external to the gaming network through their network interfaces. The gaming machines are configured to communicate with each other through their serial interfaces. External and internal communications within the gaming network are segregated both at the device and network levels. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077599 | CHARACTERS INTERACTIONS IN A VIDEO GAME OR OTHER VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT MANAGED BY AN AUTOMATED SYSTEM - In various embodiments, systems generate a video game or other virtual environment and player characters in the video game can form different types of interactions and relationships. Some relationships provide benefits and/or obligations. The video game facilitates the monitoring, forming and terminating of various kinds of relationships. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077600 | MULTICASTING IN AN ONLINE GAMING SYSTEM - An online gaming multicast service system includes a set of interconnected multicast managers (MM | 2012-03-29 |
20120077601 | STORAGE MEDIUM STORING SAVE CONTROLLING PROGRAM, GAME APPARATUS AND SAVE CONTROLLING METHOD - An example game apparatus stores a state of a game during execution as execution state information in a memory, and stores a captured image of the game screen by bringing it into correspondence with the execution state information in the memory. Furthermore, during execution of the game, the captured image is displayed on a lower LCD while the game screen is displayed on an upper LCD. In a state that the game screen and the captured image are thus displayed, a selecting operation from a user is accepted. Then, by using the execution state information which is brought into correspondence with the captured image selected in response to a selecting operation, the state of the game is restored. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077602 | AXIALLY ADJUSTABLE DRIVESHAFT ASSEMBLY - An axially adjustable driveshaft assembly in a drive train system is described. Two hollow driveshaft sections, where one has a valve through an aperture in it and each has an end fitting, engage each other to form an axially adjustable driveshaft assembly that has a sealed internal chamber within. When a pressurized air or vacuum source is connected to the valve, air fills the chamber or air is removed from the chamber, which correspondingly increases or decreases a drive train system length. This results in facilitating the installation of the driveshaft assembly between a transmission and an axle assembly in a drive train system. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077603 | TRANSMISSION MECHANISM OF A CARVING GRINDER - An improved transmission mechanism of a carving grinder and particularly to a transmission mechanism of a carving grinder capable of maintaining concentricity during rotation and enhancing stability to reduce transmission wobbling is provided. The mechanism includes a motor and a transmission tube coupled through a motor transmission member. The motor transmission member has a shaft and a driving member with an axle held by two bearings to improve steadiness during rotation of the shaft and axle. The axle has an integrated embossed key at one end to achieve concentricity. The transmission tube and motor transmission member and driving member are coupled through a square pin and a square hole to further enhance rotation steadiness. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077604 | TORQUE FLUCTUATION ABSORBER - A torque fluctuation absorber includes a first damper portion absorbing torque fluctuations caused by a torsion between a first rotary member and a second rotary member, a second damper portion absorbing torque fluctuations caused by a torsion between the second rotary member and a third rotary member, and a stopper portion. The first rotary member includes a first projecting portion projecting radially inwardly and being contactable with the stopper portion by the torsion between the first rotary member and the second rotary member. The third rotary member includes a second projecting portion projecting radially outwardly and being contactable with the stopper portion by the torsion between the third rotary member and the second rotary member. The second projecting portion makes contact with the stopper portion at a radially inner side relative to a portion where the first projecting portion makes contact with the stopper portion. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077605 | TORQUE FLUCTUATION ABSORBER - A torque fluctuation absorber includes a seating member having a pivoting portion at an inner portion in a radial direction and a supporting portion, which rotationally supports the pivoting portion, at an end surface in a circumferential direction of a first and a second opening portion. When no relative rotational torsion existing between a first and a second rotational member, the pivoting portion is in contact with the supporting portion and a clearance is defined between a portion on each seating member positioned outwardly in a radial direction relative to the pivoting portion and a portion of the first and the second opening portion positioned outwardly in a radial direction relative to the supporting portion. At a first torsion angle, the portion on each seating member contacts the portion of first or second opening portion in a state where the pivoting portion is in contact with the supporting portion. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077606 | TORQUE FLUCTUATION ABSORBER - A torque fluctuation absorber includes a first rotary member formed into an annular shape and including a first protruding portion formed at an inner circumferential surface, a second rotary member connected to the first rotary member, a third rotary member including a second protruding portion formed at an outer circumferential surface, a damper portion absorbing torque fluctuations caused by torsion generated between the second rotary member and the third rotary member, and an elastic member arranged between the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion and absorbing a shock generated when the first protruding portion directly makes contact with the second protruding portion when the damper portion absorbs the torque fluctuations caused by the torsion generated between the second rotary member and the third rotary member. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077607 | FLEXIBLE COUPLING MEANS - A coupling means ( | 2012-03-29 |
20120077608 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING GOLF GREEN SPEEDS - A method, system and golf ball are provided to determine the deceleration of a golf ball and, in turn, the speed of a green. The system may include a golf ball and an offboard display device. The golf ball may include a golf ball body, a motion sensor disposed within the golf ball body to measure acceleration of the golf ball along each of three mutually perpendicular axes, and a transmitter disposed within the golf ball body to transmit data representative of deceleration. The display device may include a receiver to receive data representative of the deceleration of the golf ball from transmitter and a display to provide a representation of the deceleration of the golf ball. At least one of the golf ball and the display device may include a processor to determine deceleration of the golf ball based upon the acceleration measured by the motion sensor. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077609 | Rules conforming dual-purpose putter - This golf rules conforming dual-purpose putter invention is created to provide a golf putting club that can be either used to play the game of golf with the flat front face surface or be used for putting practice to train the eyes and muscles of the golfer. Precise putting practice develops the neurological sequencing of optimal skeleto-muscular effectiveness and is affected by using the radiused, ovoid back surface of the putter, to consistently strike the ball in a manner causing the ball to roll perfectly on the chosen path to and into the hole upon execution of the perfect putting stroke. This invention is for a golf putting club that provides immediate visual feedback of any positive, symmetrical, or negative, asymmetrical, contact between the planar centers of the putter and the golf ball. Imprecise contact at the putter center line, instead at a point toward the toe or the heel of the putter, and the impact point of the golf ball will cause the ball to roll in an erratic, off-axis direction. This invention has created a putter that is the weight, length, shaft angle, and center line configuration for the purposes of both practicing and playing. This dual-purpose putter invention, is significant in that it completely conforms with the worldwide equipment rules of golf so that it may be carried in the bag and used as one of the 14, allowed clubs for playing golf. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077610 | Golf Putter Head with Improved Alignment-Aid Design - A golf putter head with improved alignment-aid design is disclosed. The golf putter head includes a base having an alignment mark; a body set on the base, having a lateral formed with a face and a top formed with a window corresponding to the alignment mark. Thereby, when the player aligns the window with a ball and a target beyond the ball, and adjusts his/her posture to make his/her line of sight reach the alignment mark through the window, the face is properly positioned with respect to the ball. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077611 | Weighted Golf Club Training Device - A golf club training device is provided for strengthening the wrists of a player and thereby increasing the speed of his or her golf swing. The device comprises a club shaft, a handle and a club head. The club shaft is shorter than a standard golf club to permit use of the device in areas where a full-size club would be impossible. A standard golf club handle is disposed the club shaft upper end such that a user may utilize the same grip on the device as he or she would use on a standard club. The head of the club is removably secured to a lower end of the club, allowing club head replacement with differing weight to promote strength training of a user's wrists and arms. Repeated use of the device with increasing weight results in stronger wrist muscles, thereby providing greater swing control and club head speed. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077612 | Sports Practice Platform - This invention relates a sports practice platform that is portable and adjustable having at least two panels capable of being releasably joined to form a base and comprising flanges at the end of the panels, said base including a removable turf material, said flanges hold said turf material in place on base, and removable legs of varying lengths. The object of this invention is to provide a versatile, lightweight, portable sports practice platform. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077613 | 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. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077614 | Adjustable Connector - According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable connector including at least two parts, each having a main body with a bore having a longitudinal axis therein, wherein an external surface of the main body of a first part is configured to bear against an internal surface of the bore of a second part when the first part is at least partially inserted into the bore of the second part to form a connection, characterised in that the positioning of the bores with respect to the main bodies is such that when the parts are connected to each other, rotation of one part with respect to the other changes the inclination of the longitudinal axes of the bores with respect to one another. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077615 | Golf Putter - A golf putter providing a mount of the hosel to the club head and a shaft engagement to the hosel adjacent to the heel end of the club head. The mount provides the sole engagement of the hosel to the head as a gap is formed by a pathway formed through the body of the head which is larger than the circumference of the hosel in its communication therethrough. The engagement provides better touch to the user and feedback on striking a ball while concurrently removing the shaft from the user's line of sight to the ball and club face and reduces the twist or torque at impact with a golf ball, thereby increasing the moment of inertia. An arc-shaped section of said hosel is employable to further balance the club on the hosel and with the shaft. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077616 | Golf Clubs and Golf Club Heads - Golf clubs and/or golf club heads include a club head body defining an interior chamber, structure for engaging a shaft with the body, and/or a shaft engaged with the body. The club head body may have an overall length of at least 4.5 inches and an overall breadth of at least 4.2 inches. In other examples, the club head body may have an overall length of at least 4.6 inches and a ratio of the overall breadth dimension to the overall length dimension of 1 or less. If desired, the ratio of the head breadth to head length dimensions may be in a range from at least 0.94 to 1 or less. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077617 | GOLF CLUB HEAD - A golf club head includes: a back portion; and a front striking portion connected to the back portion and having a thickness ranging from 1.0 mm to 4.2 mm. The front striking portion includes a striking front face plate that has a characteristic time ranging from 220 μ sec-257 μsec. The front striking portion is made by rolling a titanium-based alloy and the titanium-based alloy has a density ranging from 4.35 g/cm | 2012-03-29 |
20120077618 | Muscle-Back, with Insert, Iron Type Golf Club Head - A muscle-back iron golf club head includes a blade-like upper mass, a muscle-like lower mass, a planar front surface, a top surface, a sole surface, a heel surface, a toe surface, and a rear surface having a first contour. A recess is in the rear surface, the recess having a first portion in the blade-like upper mass and a second portion in the muscle-like lower mass. An insert may be provided in the recess, and such insert may substantially fill the recess and may include a back surface having a second contour which is different from the first contour of the club head rear surface. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077619 | Muscle-Back, with Insert, Iron Type Golf Club Head - A muscle-back iron golf club head includes a blade-like upper mass, a muscle-like lower mass, a planar front surface, a top surface, a sole surface, a heel surface, a toe surface, and a rear surface having a first contour. A recess is in the rear surface, the recess having a first portion in the blade-like upper mass and a second portion in the muscle-like lower mass. An insert may be provided in the recess, and such insert may substantially fill the recess and may include a back surface having a second contour which is different from the first contour of the club head rear surface. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077620 | GOLF BALL WITH VERY LOW COMPRESSION AND HIGH COR - A golf ball having a very low compression and a high COR is disclosed herein. The core preferably comprises a single neodymium-catalyzed polybutadiene, and has a diameter ranging from 1.575 inch to 1.62 inch with a compression ranging from 20 to 45. The cover preferably has a thickness ranging from 0.038 inch to 0.045 inch, and a Shore D hardness ranging from 50 to 58. The golf ball preferably has a coefficient of restitution of at least 0.780, and a compression ranging from 35 to 50. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077621 | Four-Piece Golf Balls Including A Crosslinked Thermoplastic Polyurethane Cover Layer - This disclosure relates to four-piece golf balls having an outer cover layer made from a crosslinked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. The crosslinked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer includes crosslinks located in the hard segments, where the crosslinks being the reaction product of unsaturated bonds located in the hard segments catalyzed by a free radical initiator. The crosslinks may be formed from an unsaturated diol as a chain extender. The unsaturated diol may be trimethylolpropane monoallylether (TMPME). The four-piece golf ball may include an inner core layer formed from a highly neutralized acid polymer composition. The four-piece golf ball may also include an outer core layer formed from a polybutadiene rubber. The golf ball may exhibit a high degree of scuff resistance. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077622 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a single-, dual-, or multi-layer cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a thermoplastic center and a thermoplastic outer core layer that are both soft relative to a hard, thermoset intermediate core layer. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077623 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition, a layer formed from an additional thermoplastic composition, and an outermost layer formed from a thermoset rubber. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077624 | GOLF BALL AND METHOD OF IMPROVING GOLF BALL PERFORMANCE - A golf ball having a polymer layer that has been subjected to impregnation treatment with an isocyanate and/or isothiocyanate-containing olefin compound exhibits at least one improved golf ball attribute, such as scuff resistance or spin performance, compared with an original golf ball that has not been treated by impregnation. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077625 | Golf Tee - A golf tee includes a stem having a distal end and an opposing proximal end for supporting a golf ball thereon. A suction member is disposed at the proximal end of the stem and includes a suction surface for temporarily maintaining the golf ball on the golf tee. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077626 | GOLF ACCESSORIES FOR DETERMINING A GIMME PUTT AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - A golf accessory for determining a gimme status of a golf putt in the form of a device that includes areas and/or indicia relating to at least two preselected conditions and by which a gimme status of a golf putt may be determined. Additional indicia on the device is associated with a practice putting game, and a method of playing the practice putting game also is disclosed. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077627 | GOLF GPS - A portable golf GPS device comprising a microprocessor operably coupled to a GPS unit, an input device such as a keypad (or touch screen) operably coupled to the microprocessor, a voice recognition unit operably coupled to the microprocessor, and a display such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) operably coupled to the microprocessor. A program memory system which contains at least some of the software and data to operate the device is also operably coupled to the microprocessor. The portable golf GPS device is preferably contained in a housing such that the entire device has a very compact and lightweight form factor, and is preferably handheld and/or pocket size. The golf GPS device is configured to display distances to course features, and to receive and process voice input in order to select functions or input data into the golf GPS device. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077628 | GOAL SHOT TRAINING SYSTEM AND METHODS - A soccer training system is used to condition soccer players to make shots at the goal with an improved likelihood of scoring by conditioning the soccer players to aim towards the areas of the goal where shots are more likely to score. Similarly disclosed is a novel method of conditioning soccer players to improve their ability to score goals. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077629 | Collapsible, Portable Sport Goal - This disclosure primarily concerns sports goals. In an aspect, some of these sports goals are collapsible and/or portable. In some novel configurations, a sports goal might be collapsible into an easily carried configuration without any need to remove the net of the goal. In another configuration, a sports goal might have members that attach using a novel attachment mechanism that requires much less effort and frustration than conventional attachments. In yet another configuration, a sports goal might have a net that is secured to the goal frame with a novel reinforcement system that prevents the net from tearing away from the goal frame when struck with a high-velocity ball or puck. | 2012-03-29 |
20120077630 | System and Method for an Inflation Bladder Composite Game Racket - A system and methods for creating a strong game racket using multiple inflation bladders. A strong game racket frame comprising a handle, a throat member coupled to the handle, a bridge portion coupled to the throat member and a head frame couple to the throat member. A method for creating a strong game racket comprising the acts of placing a pre-preg first bladder into a mold cavity shaped like a racket frame, placing various pre-formed members and/or secondary mold members into the cavity, and placing a second and/or third pre-preg bladder into the mold cavity above the first bladder and any pre-formed members and/or secondary mold members. After the mold is configured it is closed, pressurized, and heated so that the strong composite game racket can be cured. | 2012-03-29 |