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.