They Invented What? (No. 212)
U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,324: Apparatus and method for controlling animal behavior.
JW Note: The adventures of Pookie, the patent drawing dog. Many thanks to Jason Wilson for bringing this one to our attention!
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for controlling the behavior of an animal comprising:
a sound-processing means for processing one or more specific sound vocalizations produced by said animal distinctly related to the emotional state of said animal, such as whimpering, barking, purring, growling, yawning or other animal vocalization; said sound processing means differentiating between different animal sounds by comparing said animal sounds with data stored in memory;
an actuator means electronically coupled to said sound-processing means, said actuator being actuated by said sound-processing means upon recognition by said sound-processing means of said one or more specific sounds;
a stimulus-generating means coupled to said actuator means, said stimulus-generating means providing a stimulus to said animal upon actuation of said actuator, said stimulus consisting of, or including, a human voice command responsive to the said specific sound vocalization.
USPTO Announces Location for Elijah J. McCoy Satellite Office in Detroit, MI.
Per a press release from the U.S. Patent Office earlier today.
USPTO Announces Location for Elijah J. McCoy Satellite Office in Detroit
Riverfront office space confirmed; Agency targets July 2012 opening
WASHINGTON—The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced on Jan. 11, 2012 that it has concluded a five-year lease agreement through the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) Great Lakes Region for a 31,000 square foot space to be located at 300 River Place Dr. in Detroit, Michigan 48207. The building, listed on the National Historic Registry, was the former home to Parke-Davis Laboratories as well as the Stroh’s Brewery Headquarters.
“Today marks the beginning of an important new chapter in the Agency’s 200-plus year history,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office David Kappos. “We are expanding our operation outside of the Washington metropolitan area as part of our ongoing effort to recruit and retain the nation’s top professionals.”
The agency plans to open the Elijah J. McCoy United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO-Detroit Office) no later than July 2012. The USPTO Detroit Office is expected to create more than 100 high-paying, high-skill jobs in its first year and provide a boost to the region’s innovation economy.
The USPTO will be building out the new facilities to Agency specifications during the next few months and expects to post vacancy announcements for patent examiner positions this spring. Prospective employees should email detroithiring@uspto.gov for more information.
Subject to available resources and as provided for in the America Invents Act, the USPTO intends to establish at least two more satellite offices in addition the USPTO-Detroit office in the next three years.
The USPTO has called for public comments regarding these additional satellite offices. Comments should be submitted by Jan. 30, 2012 to satelliteoffices@uspto.gov or as otherwise dictated in the USPTO’s Federal Register notice.
AT! 2011 Year In Review.
JW Note: Wishing all of our readers a Safe and Happy New Year!
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 36,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 13 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
They Invented What? (No. 211)
U.S. Pat. No. 7,591,569: Christmas holiday access, indicator, and mementos key method and apparatus.
JW Note: Wishing a Happy Holidays to all! See you in 2012!
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Children have believed in Santa Claus (under any the many known names) for hundreds of years. No matter what incarnation, whether it is the Magi King, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, etc., the tradition is still very much alive in the 21st century. One thing that has changed is children’s sophistication. The Santa legend evokes images of the jolly toy maker flying with the reindeer, landing on roofs, and entering homes via chimneys to deliver treasures on Christmas Eve. The problem is that children in modern times, living in an age of apartment complexes, condominiums, and a host of other domiciles without chimneys or fireplaces, tend to be more inquisitive, and want to know just how Santa Claus will pay them a visit if they don’t have chimney access. Will he have to break the door down or pick the lock and trip off the security alarm? Will their homes be bypassed and presents given to other children if Santa Claus can’t find a way in?
Accordingly, there is an established need for a Christmas decoration and associated method, that in addition to remaining true to the decorative parameters of bright, festive ornamentation during the holiday season, also provides children with an explanation for Santa Claus’s ability to enter their homes, allaying their fears and concerns over missing out on their presents on Christmas morning.
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A holiday key entertainment method, the holiday key entertainment method comprising the steps of: illuminating an illumination source, wherein the illumination source is located within a holiday key, the holiday key being an oversized key shaped apparatus comprising a key handle section and a key blade section; securing the holiday key to an object on an outside of a residence; and informing a child that the holiday key is being placed outside such that a holiday persona can utilize the holiday key as a means for unlocking a door to the residence.
Patent Zombie (No. 2).
Reproduced with the permission of the author
Timothy J. Riesen
Patent Draftsman
(440) 985-8252
Tim@patentlawdesigns.com
JW Note: Wishing you a safe and Happy Halloween 2011!
They Invented What? (No. 210)
U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 20060259306: Business method protecting jokes.
JW Note: Many thanks to Joseph Page for bringing this application to our attention!
Abstract:
The specification describes a method of protecting jokes by filing patent applications therefor, and gives examples of novel jokes to be thus protected. Specific jokes to be protected by the process of the invention include stories about animals playing ball-games, in which alliteration is used in the punch-line; a scheme for raising money for charity by providing dogs for carriage by Underground passengers; and the joke that consists in filing a patent application to protect jokes. A novel type of patent application, one that claims itself, and hence is termed `homoproprietary`, is disclosed.
Claims:
1. The process of protecting a novel joke which comprises filing a patent application defining the novel features of the joke.
They Invented What? (No. 209)
U.S. Pat. No. 1,497,342: Device for shaping the upper lip.
What is claimed is:
1. A device for shaping the upper lip of a person, comprising a matrix and a clamping means adapted to grip the lip inside and outside at opposite points and centrally of the bow of the lip, said clamping means being movable to draw the lip into the matrix.
Leahy-Smith America Invents Act Signed by President Obama on September 16, 2011.
On September 16, 2011, President Barack Obama signed into law the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA), discuss earlier at AT! here. The AIA is the first major overhaul of the U.S. patent laws in approximately 60 years.
More information on the new U.S. patent laws, which will be implemented gradually over the next 1-1/2 years, may be found at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website here.
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