Patents by Inventor Mary McClain
Mary McClain 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).
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Publication number: 20210217070Abstract: A greeting card finder app tool which receives user input regarding an occasion and a greeting card recipient and also receives answers to one or more posed questions and returns to the user a list of appropriate or suitable greeting cards. Once a greeting card from the list is selected by the user, the app will provide the user with the location of where to find the selected card.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Todd Fraser, Adam Margolin, Mary McClain, Chadrick Anderson
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Patent number: 9849712Abstract: Interactive greeting card and gift card holders with a hinged mechanism which provide fun user interaction and triggers audio playback. Each greeting card and gift card holder includes portion thereof which hinges or pivots about an axis. When the greeting card or gift card holder is hinged, or pivoted about the hinge, one or more special effects are triggered. Special effects may include audio, emergence or ejection of a gift card holder (w/gift card) or gift card, the appearance of a thought or word bubble, or any other special effect.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2017Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventor: Mary McClain
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Publication number: 20170334231Abstract: Interactive greeting card and gift card holders with a hinged mechanism which provide fun user interaction and triggers audio playback. Each greeting card and gift card holder includes portion thereof which hinges or pivots about an axis. When the greeting card or gift card holder is hinged, or pivoted about the hinge, one or more special effects are triggered. Special effects may include audio, emergence or ejection of a gift card holder (w/gift card) or gift card, the appearance of a thought or word bubble, or any other special effect.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventors: Mary McClain, Jason Dove, Sean Higgins
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Patent number: 9186927Abstract: An interactive greeting card having a multi-panel greeting card body, a sound module and a molded track contained between two or more panels of the multi-panel greeting card body, and a moveable object which is attached to the molded track through an opening in one or more of the greeting card panels. The moveable object is operative to move from one end of the molded track to the opposite end of the molded track whereby playback of a pre-recorded digital audio file is initiated. The interactive greeting card may additionally contain a small motor which causes movement of a second moveable object and an object launcher which is operative to launch an object along the track and into the air. Other special effects may be included such as lights, additional sounds or movement, or any other special effects which can be incorporated into a greeting card.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Sharon Bogdanski, John Talbot, Lauren Budzar, Mary McClain, Brent Cottrell, Melissa Cornet, Dave McPeek, Brian Cleary, Melissa Flesher, Beth Dinvald, Tiger Qiao, Jerry Guo
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Patent number: 8950093Abstract: Electronic greeting cards include a greeting card with two or more interconnected panels in combination with a digital multimedia player device which includes an electronic display and an audio output, and circuitry which is operative to receive, store and play digital multimedia files and content. The various greeting card structures cover and encapsulate or otherwise house and adorn the digital multimedia player. Digital files are loaded on to the digital multimedia player by a connection to a network, or directly from a data storage device such as an SD card or USB connection or compact flash which interfaces with a port in the digital multimedia player. Pre-recorded digital multimedia greeting card content is either pre-loaded on a portable data storage device, or selected for purchase and downloaded or transferred for replay by the digital multimedia player of the electronic greeting card.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2014Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Josef A. Mandelbaum, Rajiv Jain, Allison Marsh, Kimberly Bikowski, Cathy Tasse, David Mayer, Eliza DeVogel, Katalina Speck, Mary McClain, Sharon Bogdanski, Melinda Leeders, Catherine Gruntman
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Publication number: 20140137445Abstract: Electronic greeting cards include a greeting card with two or more interconnected panels in combination with a digital multimedia player device which includes an electronic display and an audio output, and circuitry which is operative to receive, store and play digital multimedia files and content. The various greeting card structures cover and encapsulate or otherwise house and adorn the digital multimedia player. Digital files are loaded on to the digital multimedia player by a connection to a network, or directly from a data storage device such as an SD card or USB connection or compact flash which interfaces with a port in the digital multimedia player. Pre-recorded digital multimedia greeting card content is either pre-loaded on a portable data storage device, or selected for purchase and downloaded or transferred for replay by the digital multimedia player of the electronic greeting card.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2014Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Josef A. Mandelbaum, Rajiv Jain, Allison Marsh, Kimberly Bikowski, Cathy Tasse, David Mayer, Eliza DeVogel, Katalina Speck, Mary McClain, Sharon Bogdanski, Melinda Leeders, Catherine Gruntman
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Patent number: 8726547Abstract: An interactive greeting card having a multi-panel greeting card body, a sound module and a molded track contained between two or more panels of the multi-panel greeting card body, and a moveable object which is attached to the molded track through an opening in one or more of the greeting card panels. The moveable object is operative to move from one end of the molded track to the opposite end of the molded track whereby playback of a pre-recorded digital audio file is initiated. The interactive greeting card may additionally contain a small motor which causes movement of a second moveable object and an object launcher which is operative to launch an object along the track and into the air. Other special effects may be included such as lights, additional sounds or movement, or any other special effects which can be incorporated into a greeting card.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2013Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Sharon Bogdanski, John Talbot, Lauren Budzar, Mary McClain, Brent Cottrell, Melissa Cornet, Dave McPeek, Brian Cleary, Melissa Flesher, Beth Dinvald, Tiger Qiao, Jerry Guo
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Patent number: 8601726Abstract: Three-dimensional lightweight foam greeting cards are described herein having a foam body with a perimeter wall that extends between two spaced apart parallel pieces of planar sheet material such as heavy gauge paper, cardboard, or other such material. The greeting cards have a partially hollowed foam body or one or more cavities in the foam body concealed in the front and back by the planar sheet material which may be pre-cut in the shape of the foam body are decorated consistent with the design of the foam body. The cavities in the foam body may contain various electronic components that enable the greeting card to produce sound, record and playback a personalized message, trigger light activation, trigger the movement of moveable parts, display digital video, photographs or slideshows, or a combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: David Mayer, Lauren M. Budzar, Eva Jin, Mary McClain
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Patent number: 8567101Abstract: An electronic greeting card containing a recordable audio module with a pre-recorded audio or music clip which allows a user to sing along with the pre-recorded audio or music clip and record it within the audio module in the card. The card also contains a preview function that allows a consumer to try the recording function before purchasing the greeting card. In preview mode, the recorded message is played back, simultaneously with the pre-recorded clip, only once and then erased. Once a consumer has purchased the card, the preview function can be disabled whereby the user-recorded sound clip is saved, and whereby the user-recorded sound clip is played back simultaneously with the pre-recorded sound clip.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: David Mayer, Mary McClain, Allison Marsh, Eva Jin, Tiger Qiao
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Patent number: 8374878Abstract: Audio or sound envelopes contain or are combined with a sound module for generating and playing prerecorded sound tracks upon the opening of the envelope or removal of its contents. Operation of the sound module may be activated by the opening of the envelope flap, or by removal of the envelope contents. The flap is configured with a removable strip which protects the sound module from damage before and after opening. The sound module can be replayed by repeated operation of the flap. Alternate embodiments of the audio envelopes have other structural or operational features which work in concert with the sound module.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2009Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Carol Miller, Mary McClain, David Mayer, Sharon Bogdanski, Kimberly Bikowski, Theresa Muri, Julie Vojtko
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Publication number: 20130000165Abstract: An electronic greeting card containing a recordable audio module with a pre-recorded audio or music clip which allows a user to sing along with the pre-recorded audio or music clip and record it within the audio module in the card. The card also contains a preview function that allows a consumer to try the recording function before purchasing the greeting card. In preview mode, the recorded message is played back, simultaneously with the pre-recorded clip, only once and then erased. Once a consumer has purchased the card, the preview function can be disabled whereby the user-recorded sound clip is saved, and whereby the user-recorded sound clip is played back simultaneously with the pre-recorded sound clip.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Inventors: David Mayer, Mary McClain, Allison Marsh, Eva Jin, Tiger Qiao
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Publication number: 20120304509Abstract: Three-dimensional lightweight foam greeting cards are described herein having a foam body with a perimeter wall that extends between two spaced apart parallel pieces of planar sheet material such as heavy gauge paper, cardboard, or other such material. The greeting cards have a partially hollowed foam body or one or more cavities in the foam body concealed in the front and back by the planar sheet material which may be pre-cut in the shape of the foam body are decorated consistent with the design of the foam body. The cavities in the foam body may contain various electronic components that enable the greeting card to produce sound, record and playback a personalized message, trigger light activation, trigger the movement of moveable parts, display digital video, photographs or slideshows, or a combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Inventors: David Mayer, Lauren M. Budzar, Eva Jin, Mary McClain
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Patent number: 8312652Abstract: An electronic greeting card containing a recordable audio module with a pre-recorded audio or music clip which allows a user to sing along with the pre-recorded audio or music clip and record it within the audio module in the card. The greeting card contains a slide trigger that activates the pre-recorded sound clip upon opening the greeting card. A second push-button trigger controls playback of the pre-recorded music clip while simultaneously recording the user singing along to the pre-recorded music. The card also contains a preview function that allows a consumer to try the recording function before purchasing the greeting card. In preview mode, the recorded message is played back, simultaneously with the pre-recorded clip, only once and then erased. Once a consumer has purchased the card, the preview function can be disabled whereby the user-recorded sound clip is saved, and whereby the user-recorded sound clip is played back simultaneously with the pre-recorded sound clip.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2010Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: David Mayer, Mary McClain, Allison Marsh, Eva Jin, Tiger Qiao
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Patent number: 8312651Abstract: Electronic greeting cards include a greeting card with two or more interconnected panels in combination with a digital multimedia player device which includes an electronic display and an audio output, and circuitry which is operative to receive, store and play digital multimedia files and content. The various greeting card structures cover and encapsulate or otherwise house and adorn the digital multimedia player. Digital files are loaded on to the digital multimedia player by a connection to a network, or directly from a data storage device such as an SD card or USB connection or compact flash which interfaces with a port in the digital multimedia player. Pre-recorded digital multimedia greeting card content is either pre-loaded on a portable data storage device, or selected for purchase and downloaded or transferred for replay by the digital multimedia player of the electronic greeting card.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2010Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Josef A. Mandelbaum, Rajiv Jain, Allison Marsh, Kimberly Bikowski, Cathy Tasse, David Mayer, Eliza DeVogel, Katalina Speck, Mary McClain, Sharon Bogdanski, Mindy Leeders, Catherine Gruntman
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Publication number: 20110283572Abstract: An electronic greeting card containing a recordable audio module with a pre-recorded audio or music clip which allows a user to sing along with the pre-recorded audio or music clip and record it within the audio module in the card. The greeting card contains a slide trigger that activates the pre-recorded sound clip upon opening the greeting card. A second push-button trigger controls playback of the pre-recorded music clip while simultaneously recording the user singing along to the pre-recorded music. The card also contains a preview function that allows a consumer to try the recording function before purchasing the greeting card. In preview mode, the recorded message is played back, simultaneously with the pre-recorded clip, only once and then erased. Once a consumer has purchased the card, the preview function can be disabled whereby the user-recorded sound clip is saved, and whereby the user-recorded sound clip is played back simultaneously with the pre-recorded sound clip.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2010Publication date: November 24, 2011Inventors: David Mayer, Mary McClain, Allison Marsh, Eva Jin, Tiger Qiao
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Patent number: D641779Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2010Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Mary McClain, Carol Miller, David Mayer, Terry Hughes
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Patent number: D642612Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2011Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Mary McClain, Carol Miller, David Mayer, Terry Hughes
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Patent number: D642613Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2011Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Mary McClain, Carol Miller, David Mayer, Terry Hughes
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Patent number: D643061Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2011Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Mary McClain, Carol Miller, David Mayer, Terry Hughes
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Patent number: D664194Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2012Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Kim Kemelhar, Mike Gali, Carol Miller, Terry Hughes, Gary Nelson, Mary McClain