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.

2. An apparatus for controlling the behavior of an animal comprising:

a sound-processing means selectively responsive to two or more different specific sound vocalizations emanating from said animal distinctly related to the emotional state of said animal, such as whimpering, barking, purring, growling, yawning or other animal vocalization;

an actuator means coupled to said sound-processing means selectively responsive to one or more electrical inputs from said sound-processing means;

a stimulus-generating means coupled to said actuator means, said stimulus means providing a stimulus to said animal upon actuation of said actuator.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said actuator means comprises a data processing means.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said stimulus generating means comprises an electrical shock generating device.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said stimulus generating means comprises a-sound generating means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said sound generating means produces sounds undetectable by human ears but detectable by the animal upon which the device is placed.

7. The apparatus of claim 2 coupled to the body of an animal.

8. An apparatus for controlling animal behavior comprising:

a sound-processing means responsive to both human and animal vocalizations;

an actuator means coupled to said sound-processing means selectively responsive to one or more electrical inputs from said sound-processing means;

a stimulus generating means coupled to said actuator means;  wherein said actuator means is actuated only when said sound-processing means measures sounds both from an animal and a human.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said actuator means is selectively responsive to either human or animal sounds measured by said sound-processing means.

10. An apparatus for signaling animal behavior, comprising:

a means for processing vocalizations emanating from an animal; said means for processing differentiating between different animal vocalizations by comparing said animal vocalizations with data stored in memory;

a receiver means at a position remote to said animal;

an actuator means electronically coupled to said vocalization-processing means, said actuator being actuated by said vocalization-processing means upon recognition by said vocalization-processing means of one or more pre-determined vocalizations emanating from said animal;

a signal transmission-generating means, for generating aerially-transmitted electromagnetic waves, electronically coupled to said actuator means, said signal transmission-generating means transmitting said aerially-transmitted signal to said receiver means upon actuation of said actuator means.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a device electronically coupled to said receiving means for automated response to said animal behavior eliciting said signal.

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.

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.

Click here to see the complete report.

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.

2. The holiday key entertainment method of claim 1, the holiday key entertainment method comprising the additional steps of: deactivating the illumination of the illumination source within the holiday key; and placing the holiday key on an object located inside the residence.

3. The holiday key entertainment method of claim 2, creating the illumination by combining two different chemical compositions that are originally provided in two separate reservoirs within the holiday key to create a chemo-luminescent reaction.

4. The holiday key entertainment method of claim 2, wherein the step of combining the chemo-luminescent reaction is accomplished by twisting an key handle respective to a key blade portion of the holiday key, wherein the twisting action provides a means for combining for each of the two different chemical compositions that are originally provided in two separate reservoirs within the holiday key.

5. The holiday key entertainment method of claim 2, wherein the step of illuminating an illumination source is achieved by activating an electrically induced lighting, wherein the electrically induced lighting is provided by a portable power source, an electrical lighting circuit, and an electrically induced lighting device, all of which are assembled within the holiday key.

6. The holiday key entertainment method of claim 5, wherein the step of illuminating the electrically induced lighting is accomplished by twisting an key handle respective to the key blade portion of the holiday key, wherein the twisting action activates the electrical lighting circuit.

7. The holiday key entertainment method of claim 5, the holiday key entertainment method comprising the additional step of selecting an illumination mode, the illumination modes being at least one of: on, flashing, a slow flash, a fast flash, a fixed message, and a programmed message.

8. A holiday key entertainment method, the holiday key entertainment method comprising the steps of: utilizing a holiday key, the holiday key being an oversized key shaped apparatus comprising a key handle section, a key blade section, and incorporating an audio recording and playback device within the holiday key; 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.

9. The holiday key entertainment method of claim 8, the holiday key entertainment method comprising the additional steps of recording a message using the audio recording and playback device within the holiday key and locking the recorded message.

10. The holiday key entertainment method of claim 8, the holiday key entertainment method comprising the additional step of a child recording a message for a holiday persona.

11. The holiday key entertainment method of claim 8, the holiday key entertainment method comprising the additional step of a holiday persona recording a message for a child.

12. The holiday key entertainment method of claim 8, the holiday key entertainment method comprising the additional steps of: a child recording a message for a holiday persona, and a holiday persona recording a message for a child.

13. The holiday key entertainment method of claim 8, the holiday key entertainment method comprising the additional step of illuminating an illumination source, wherein the illumination source is located within a holiday key.

14. The holiday key entertainment method of claim 13, the holiday key entertainment method comprising the additional steps of: deactivating the illumination of the illumination source within the holiday key; and placing the holiday key on an object located inside the residence.

15. The holiday key entertainment method of claim 13, creating the illumination by combining two different chemical compositions that are originally provided in two separate reservoirs within the holiday key to create a chemo-luminescent reaction.

16. The holiday key entertainment method of claim 13, wherein the step of illuminating an illumination source is achieved by activating an electrically induced lighting, wherein the electrically induced lighting is provided by a portable power source, an electrical lighting circuit, and an electrically induced lighting device, all of which are assembled within the holiday key.

17. A decorative oversized key-shaped holiday novelty item is provided, the decorative oversized key-shaped holiday novelty item comprising: an oversized holiday key having a translucent plastic shell, the shell defining a completely encapsulated interior space; wherein the oversized holiday key is adorned with at least one decorative holiday feature, the decorative feature being selected from a group comprising: a) a holiday image, b) a character image, c) a cartoon character image, d) a holiday character image, e) a ribbon, f) an indicia presenting a year, g) a holding and displaying a picture, h) a puppet character; and at least one of: an illumination source contained within the interior space; and an audio recording and playback apparatus contained within the interior space.

18. The decorative oversized key-shaped holiday novelty item of claim 17, the decorative oversized key-shaped holiday novelty item wherein the illumination source contained within the interior space comprising: a first reservoir; a second reservoir; wherein the first reservoir and the second reservoir are separated by a barrier; a first chemical composition stored in the first reservoir; a second chemical stored in the second reservoir; wherein when the first chemical composition and the second chemical are combined the combined chemical compositions create a chemo-luminescent reaction.

19. The decorative oversized key-shaped holiday novelty item of claim 17, the decorative oversized key-shaped holiday novelty item wherein the illumination source contained within the interior space comprising: at least one electrically activated illumination device; a portable power source; and an illumination circuit, wherein the illumination circuit provides power between the at least one electrically activated illumination device and the portable power source.

20. The decorative oversized key-shaped holiday novelty item of claim 17, the decorative oversized key-shaped holiday novelty item comprising the audio recording and playback apparatus contained within the interior space further comprising at least one of: a software routine for locking a recorded message, and a hardware device for locking the recorded message, wherein said locked recorded message is unable to be at least one of erased, edited, and recorded over.

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!