Did You Know...
...that several people are credited with the invention of the flush toilet? Most people have heard of Thomas Crapper (1837-1910), the sanitary engineer who invented the valve-and-siphon arrangement that made the modern toilet possible. Another claimant to "the throne" was British inventor Alexander Cumming who patented a toilet in 1775. Then there's a nameless Minoan (a native of ancient Crete) who lived 4,000 years ago who supposedly was ahead of his time and created the first flush toilet!
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8113517 | Gaming machine chair A gaming chair for use with a gaming machine that conducts a wagering game, the chair includes a seat and a tactile device for providing tactile sensations via the seat according to at least one of events occurring in the wagering game, and player input through an i... | 02/14/2012 |
| 8091892 | Manual controller configurable by user arrangement of matable building elements A configurable manual controller for manipulating images or symbols on a display is adapted for construction with matable building elements arranged by a user. The user forms the manual controller to exhibit a customized ornamental appearance reflecting the user's g... | 01/10/2012 |
| 8042811 | Inflatable vehicles for simulating driving for use with video games An inflatable vehicle for simulating a driving experience while playing realistic computer-video driving games such as the WII games. The vehicle is life-like in construction and allows a player to sit therein while playing driving game. A steering wheel or handle b... | 10/25/2011 |
| 7780168 | Gaming machine An object of the invention is to provide a game machine in which sensations are stimulated individually for each player and the enjoyment of each player is enhanced. The game machine has a game controller for receiving input from a player; a monitor for recei... | 08/24/2010 |
| 7762553 | Form-fitting electronic game controller cover A cover for a video game controller for precision gaming therewith, the cover being formed as a holster defined by opposing lobes for seating the respective lobes of the controller, with a central strap joined integrally on one side of the holster and fastenable aro... | 07/27/2010 |
| 7731191 | Configurable manual controller A configurable manual controller (10, 140) for manipulating images or symbols on a display is adapted for construction with matable building elements (122) arranged by a user. The user forms the manual controller to exhibit a customized shape and ornam... | 06/08/2010 |
| 7435178 | Tremolo bar input for a video game controller A video game controller and a method of operating the controller are provided. The controller includes: a guitar-shaped housing comprising a body portion and a neck portion; a console interface for coupling with a game console; a tremolo arm extending from the body ... | 10/14/2008 |
| 7432461 | Repositionable user input device An apparatus, such as a handheld electronic learning system, is provided with at least one multi-function, repositionable controller assembly. The controller assembly includes a first user input device, such as a joystick, and a second user input device, such as a p... | 10/07/2008 |
| 7416487 | Communication device, game machine, and communication method A game machine which can be connected with a plurality of wireless controllers is proposed. A game machine according to the present invention holds identification information of wireless terminal equipment in the periphery as a list. The list may be a blacklist spec... | 08/26/2008 |
| 7377851 | Operating device for game machine An operating device used in a game machine for playing a television game includes a main body portion and first and second grip portions protruding from one side of the main body portion. A first operating unit is mounted on one end of the main body portion and a se... | 05/27/2008 |
| 7371176 | Game controller with vibration motor A controller includes a case body, a vibration motor for vibrating the case body, a slide switch operated by a side button disposed on a side face of the case body, a contact board of the slide switch and a wiring board, including a holder holding the vibration moto... | 05/13/2008 |
| 7362862 | Methods and apparatus for awarding prizes based on authentication of computer generated outcomes using coupons The present invention provides authentication of computer generated game or test results (“outcomes”), and a system by which persons who play games or take tests on a game or testing computer, respectively, may submit the outcomes of the games or tests to a cent... | 04/22/2008 |
| 7341521 | Limited placement joystick control system A joystick control system includes a first pair and a second pair of fluid enclosed resilient tubes with each pair of tubes having generally parallel spaced pressure sensing portions confined within a support housing with one pair of sensing portions disposed perpen... | 03/11/2008 |
| 7335105 | Soccer game apparatus A soccer game apparatus includes a game processor, and the game processor allows at least a character of a soccer ball to be displayed on a television monitor screen. An signal outputting device is attached to a player's leg, and when the player moves the leg, an ac... | 02/26/2008 |
| 7336258 | Adjustable computer mouse stand A computer mouse stand which takes the form of a flat planar base from which extends upwardly an extensible telescoping tube assembly. The telescoping tube assembly is to be adjustable to various extended positions and then to be fixed in the selected extended posit... | 02/26/2008 |
| 7331870 | Multiplayer biofeedback interactive gaming environment The present invention provides a method and apparatus in which a biometric information relating to a player is used to facilitate game play in multiplayer game environments. In particular, the present invention provides a game platform, a biofeedback sensor, and a b... | 02/19/2008 |
| 7331856 | Game apparatus, input device used in game apparatus and storage medium A video monitor 13 is provided on the front surface of a game apparatus casing 2. An operation panel 11 is provided immediately below the video monitor 13. Light detection units 15 for detecting a position provided on both side of ... | 02/19/2008 |
| 7328900 | Impact simulator actuating restraint belt using belt path displacing member and game apparatus including the impact simulator An impact simulation apparatus is provided which allows a player to feel an impact simulation according to an impact image on a monitor screen. This apparatus includes: a seat belt as a body fixing member which fastens the player; an impact simulation giving portion... | 02/12/2008 |
| 7325553 | Method of flossing and flossing aid system A method of flossing and flossing system utilize a piece including stretchable and flexible material having an inner and an outer surface. The piece is adapted to be placed around a finger on a hand. The method includes placing the piece around a finger of a first f... | 02/05/2008 |
| 7326116 | Method and device implementing a player configurable gaming machine A player configurable video gaming machine in which a player may select one or more configuration inputs to play a previously configured default game or to create a new game configuration. Additionally, each game configuration may be saved to be implemented in vario... | 02/05/2008 |
| 7316618 | Steering wheel controller for use with embedded portable game system A controller of a portable game machine comprises a steering wheel having a body and a rotary unit; a base for locating a portable game machine; a supporting frame for supporting the seat to the steering wheel; and a steering wheel seat for supporting the rotary uni... | 01/08/2008 |
| 7314413 | Control unit and system utilizing the control unit The invention relates to a system including a machine capable of retrieving data from a recording medium and of executing a program retrieved from the recording medium in response to an instruction given by an operator to the machine. Particularly, the invention rel... | 01/01/2008 |
| 7309286 | Gaming device having a co-molded switch and method of making same A gaming device having an extendable button and a co-molded switch. The apparatus and method includes inserting a pushbutton switch and connection cord into a mold. A first portion is formed around the cord by injecting a first material onto the cord proximate the b... | 12/18/2007 |
| 7300392 | Balance training apparatus A board for balance training has an upper footstep surface, lower bearing surface and a progressive series of concentric, cylindrical sub-frames depending from the lower surface which enclose progressively smaller framed-in areas of the bearing surface within progre... | 11/27/2007 |
| 7300344 | Video game apparatus, a character training controlling method, and a readable storage medium storing character training control programs A character training control includes setting a character to be trained and its training initial values when a training mode is instructed; obtaining training values to be added to the training initial values of the character by causing the set character to take act... | 11/27/2007 |
| 7297060 | Transportable apparatus for a game system A transportable apparatus for a video game system where the apparatus includes a frame and a seat foldably connected to the frame such that the frame is movable between a storage position adjacent to the seat and an operative position away from the seat. The apparat... | 11/20/2007 |
| 7294057 | Secure method for remote game management A game management center linked to at least one remote game terminal, sends the terminals to which it is linked, a message containing a game identifier and a question. The response from a player entered via a remote game terminal is transmitted in a form blinded wit... | 11/13/2007 |
| 7292151 | Human movement measurement system A system for measuring the position of transponders for testing and training a user to manipulate the position of the transponders while being guided by interactive and sensory feedback through a bidirectional communication link to a processing system for the purpos... | 11/06/2007 |
| 7282013 | Exerciser with two rotating axles An exerciser has a base, a driving device, a supporting board and a control device. The driving device is mounted on the base and has a motor, two rotating axles, two shaking arms, two swinging shafts and two lateral arms. The motor is securely attached to the base.... | 10/16/2007 |
| 7283125 | Text input device and adapter mechanism A text input device for attachment to a game controller includes a small-sized housing, upper and lower faces, a plurality of text entry keys disposed on the upper face, and an attachment interface disposed on the lower face. A bracket for attaching the text input d... | 10/16/2007 |
| 7275457 | Control lever with partially enclosed rotary wheel A control lever assembly having a moveable lever and a knob mounted on an end of the lever. The knob has a hollow housing which is removably attached to a cylindrical base. The housing has a cylindrical side wall which forms an opening. A wheel is received in and pa... | 10/02/2007 |
| 7273251 | Video game chair A video game chair for enhancing the enjoyment of a video game includes a chair member formed of a horizontal seat portion with a backrest portion vertically extending therefrom. Adjacent each of two opposing sides of the seat portion is an adjustable arm with a gam... | 09/25/2007 |
| 7271796 | Reconfigurable control for a combat vehicle A reconfigurable control for a combat vehicle such as a tank, personnel carrier, or aircraft, is presented. The control includes a grip, a base and a seal. The grip has a lower surface and a chamber. The grip includes a first electrical connector and a key located w... | 09/18/2007 |
| 7253800 | Manipulative user interface systems and methods Two previously virtual concepts, such as, for example, the concept of “me” and the concept of “my data” are reified into physical objects which can be physically manipulated and interact with legacy technologies such as, for example, desktop or portable comp... | 08/07/2007 |
| 7253805 | Text input device and adapter mechanism A text input device for attachment to a game controller includes a small-sized housing, upper and lower faces, a plurality of text entry keys disposed on the upper face, and an attachment interface disposed on the lower face. A bracket for attaching the text input d... | 08/07/2007 |
| 7247781 | Interactive music application apparatus and electronic musical instrument and programs therefor Electronic musical instrument interactively connected with a music application apparatus automatically returns a response signal when a predetermined identification request signal is received from the music application apparatus. Upon receipt of the response signal ... | 07/24/2007 |
| 7247097 | Electronic sword game with input and feedback An electro-mechanical device for providing an input to a computer program and said computer program providing a tactile output through said electro-mechanical device to a user. More specifically, the present invention provides an electro-mechanical virtual sword gam... | 07/24/2007 |
| 7245100 | Multi-axis AC servo control system and method A multiple axis servo control implements a multi-tasking PWM control unit to provide PWM signals for multiple axes in a single unit. A time slice mechanism provides axis selection signals based on a system clock signal to permit control parameters of the selected ax... | 07/17/2007 |
| 7243363 | Entertainment system, picture display apparatus, information processing apparatus and synchronization control method An entertainment system comprised of plural game playing machines interconnected over a communication channel in which the pictures generated and displayed in the game playing machines are synchronized with external synchronization signals. In performing real-time i... | 07/10/2007 |
| 7235012 | Video game controller with side or quick look feature A video game includes a controller, a processor and display. The controller includes a special quick look button 28 that, when activated, allows a player to causes a looking movement of a character that simulates the lateral rotation of the head or upper body... | 06/26/2007 |
