Patents by Inventor Bret Hawkins

Bret Hawkins has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220167702
    Abstract: A single strap fastening system is provided that can selectively fasten close and/or adjust a wearable article. The system may comprise two-sided fabric strap comprised of a first connectable fabric operable to releasably attach to a second connectable fabric of a wearable article. The system may also comprise a wearable article comprised of the second connectable fabric operable to releasably attach to a first connectable fabric of the two-sided strap. The first connectable fabric of the single fastening strap may be releasably coupled when joined to the second connectable fabric of the wearable article, thus fastening, closing and/or adjusting the wearable article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventor: Bret Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20220134248
    Abstract: A plush toy system is provided that can be selectively securable to an object. The system may comprise a main body comprising a fabric cover at least partially defining an enclosed area. A first portion of the fabric cover may comprise a first connectable fabric operable to releasably attach to a second connectable fabric. The system may include a label having a first section fixed to the fabric cover and a second section removably coupled to the fabric cover. The system may also include a second portion comprising a first side and an opposing second side. The second side may comprise the second connectable fabric. The toy may be releasably coupled to the second portion when the first connectable fabric of the fabric cover is joined to the second connectable fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventor: Bret Hawkins
  • Patent number: 11192042
    Abstract: A plush toy system is provided that can be selectively securable to an object. The system may comprise a main body comprising a fabric cover at least partially defining an enclosed area. A first portion of the fabric cover may comprise a first connectable fabric operable to releasably attach to a second connectable fabric. The system may include a label having a first section fixed to the fabric cover and a second section removably coupled to the fabric cover. The system may also include a second portion comprising a first side and an opposing second side. The second side may comprise the second connectable fabric. The toy may be releasably coupled to the second portion when the first connectable fabric of the fabric cover is joined to the second connectable fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventor: Bret Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20200324216
    Abstract: A plush toy system is provided that can be selectively securable to an object. The system may comprise a main body comprising a fabric cover at least partially defining an enclosed area. A first portion of the fabric cover may comprise a first connectable fabric operable to releasably attach to a second connectable fabric. The system may include a label having a first section fixed to the fabric cover and a second section removably coupled to the fabric cover. The system may also include a second portion comprising a first side and an opposing second side. The second side may comprise the second connectable fabric. The toy may be releasably coupled to the second portion when the first connectable fabric of the fabric cover is joined to the second connectable fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventor: Bret Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20070136749
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic display of next or future television program information when tuned to a television channel. Acquired or received program information for a television program to be shown next or later on the currently tuned television channel is automatically displayed on the currently tuned channel. In this manner, a viewer is provided with information regarding a next or future television program on the television channel currently being watched without active intervention by the viewer. According to an aspect of the invention, if a new or next television program guide or program information (update) is received before the end of a current television program, the television apparatus automatically updates the display of program information according to the information included in the newly received program guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventors: Bret Hawkins, James Tenbarge
  • Publication number: 20070124751
    Abstract: A television apparatus having digital serial bus ports allows a user to select a user-designated digital video content source input such as a digital tuner of the television apparatus and digital serial bus compliant components connected to the television apparatus via the digital serial bus ports of the television apparatus, and to cause digital content from the user-designated digital content source device to be recorded onto a digital recording device connected to the television apparatus via the digital serial bus ports. The present invention allows a user to continuously record digital content onto a digital recording device (e.g. an AVHDD), whether from the TV's digital tuner or from another digital serial bus compliant device in a peer to peer arrangement. The connection is always recording, but allows the user to select or designate a digital (i.e. MPEG2) source (i.e. the TV tuner or another digital serial bus compliant device), in addition to displaying the selected content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING S.A.
    Inventors: Chad Le Fevre, Mark Mears, James Tenbarge, Bret Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20070089143
    Abstract: A television apparatus is operable to display table of content information from one or more peripheral devices interconnected to the television apparatus via a digital serial bus regardless of whether the television apparatus is currently tuned to the peripheral device. Particularly, table of content information is provided on a per peripheral device basis upon user request. The present invention allows the user to move through tracks of the displayed table of contents and play them, delete them, etc. The user will also be able to cycle through serial bus peripheral devices through the use of an input key on the remote, offering him easy access to multiple tables of contents, and giving the user an easy way to find a desired track. If the user has reached the last serial bus peripheral device in the serial bus list and attempts to input again, the display is wrapped back around to the first serial bus peripheral device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Chad LeFevre, Bret Hawkins, James Tenbarge
  • Publication number: 20070067803
    Abstract: A method for performing a selectable channel search with an apparatus such as a television signal receiver provides users with flexible search options so that they may select only those search options they desire, and thereby save considerable time when performing a channel search. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for enabling a channel search using a television signal receiver includes steps of enabling display of an on-screen menu, and enabling a user to select a plurality of options for the channel search responsive to the on-screen menu. The plurality of options includes a first option to search at least one of a plurality of inputs to the television signal receiver and a second option to search at least one of a plurality of types of channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Applicant: Thomson Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Mears, Bret Hawkins, Joseph Forter, James Tenbarge
  • Publication number: 20060215989
    Abstract: An apparatus such as a television signal receiver controls a digital recording device via a digital data bus to enable sub-channel recording and playback. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a processor that is operative to process signals representing a plurality of sub-channels to generate digital data for a first one of the sub-channels. The digital data includes program data and identification data for the first sub-channel. An input/output terminal is operative to provide the digital data to a digital recording device via a digital data bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Chad Lefevre, Bret Hawkins