Patents by Inventor Max J. Younger

Max J. Younger 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: 20240148597
    Abstract: A crutch includes an arm rest having an elbow end and a front end, the front end defining a front face having a first opening formed therein, and a bottom edge forming a second opening. The crutch has a handle extending outwardly from the front end of the arm rest, but not from the first or second openings. A leg is received into one of the first and second openings in a first configuration, and into the other of the first and second openings in a second configuration. The leg is selectively convertible between the first and second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2024
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventor: Max J. Younger
  • Patent number: 10460743
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media are provided for capturing audio that is memorable. Buffered audio is stored in a first device over a recent interval such as 5 minutes. In the absence of an indication a circular buffer is used that continually replaces old audio. When a user hears something that he wants to capture, he manipulates a control on the first device that results in buffered audio being transferred to another storage area. An audio file is automatically created. A second device can receive the created audio file, and it is capable of annotating the audio with a more descriptive title, an appropriate photo, etc. The second device is also able to provide a control interface for the capture application in the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventors: Max J. Younger, Christian Cochran
  • Patent number: 10395077
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for a near-field communication (NFC) system for use with mobile computing device. In an embodiment, an RFID reader device is configured for operation with a smart phone using the audio (headphone) port, and which is entirely powered and controlled by the mobile computing device through the audio port. A specially tuned charge pump ladder is used for powering the RFID reader device over a TRRS connection with the mobile computing device, without requiring an internal power source, such as a battery, in the RFID reader device. In an embodiment, an app running on the mobile computing device includes functionality for providing power and data channels over the TRRS port to the RFID reader device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventors: Max J. Younger, Christian Cochran
  • Publication number: 20180190305
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media are provided for capturing audio that is memorable. Buffered audio is stored in a first device over a recent interval such as 5 minutes. In the absence of an indication a circular buffer is used that continually replaces old audio. When a user hears something that he wants to capture, he manipulates a control on the first device that results in buffered audio being transferred to another storage area. An audio file is automatically created. A second device can receive the created audio file, and it is capable of annotating the audio with a more descriptive title, an appropriate photo, etc. The second device is also able to provide a control interface for the capture application in the first device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: MAX J. YOUNGER, CHRISTIAN COCHRAN
  • Patent number: 9713397
    Abstract: A modular display frame and system for hanging a plurality of modular display frames is provided. In embodiments, a modular display frame may be magnetically coupled to other modular display frames as well as a hanging bar component to create a plurality of display iterations. Each modular display frame includes two portions, each portion partially housing at least one magnet within a corner-located pocket, in embodiments. The modular display frame further includes a rounded side for creating a range of display angles when magnetically coupled to another frame along the rounded side, as well as a flat side for facilitating upright displays and vertically stacking magnetically coupled display frames, in further embodiments. A hidden hanging feature with auto-centering ability enables the modular frame to be hung on a wall, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Christopher Jason Shields, Nicholas Pedersen, Max J. Younger
  • Patent number: 9473251
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention use one or more audible tones to communicate metadata during a transfer of an audio file. Embodiments of the present invention communicate an audio file from a speaker in a recording device (e.g., a recordable book, toy, computing device) to a microphone in a receiving device. The audio file is transferred by audibly broadcasting the audio file content. The audio file may be a recording made by the user (e.g., the user singing a song, a child responding to a storybook prompt intended to elicit a response). The file transfer process uses one or more audible tones, such as dual-tone multi-frequency signaling (“DTMF”) tones to communicate metadata associated with the audio file. Audible tones may also be used to communicate commands that delineate the beginning and/or end of a file broadcast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Scott A. Schimke, Nicholas Pedersen, Kiersten Wilmes, Max J. Younger, Ma Lap Man
  • Publication number: 20160135619
    Abstract: A modular display frame and system for hanging a plurality of modular display frames is provided. In embodiments, a modular display frame may be magnetically coupled to other modular display frames as well as a hanging bar component to create a plurality of display iterations. Each modular display frame includes two portions, each portion partially housing at least one magnet within a corner-located pocket, in embodiments. The modular display frame further includes a rounded side for creating a range of display angles when magnetically coupled to another frame along the rounded side, as well as a flat side for facilitating upright displays and vertically stacking magnetically coupled display frames, in further embodiments. A hidden hanging feature with auto-centering ability enables the modular frame to be hung on a wall, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER JASON SHIELDS, NICHOLAS PEDERSEN, MAX J. YOUNGER
  • Publication number: 20150205990
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for a near-field communication (NFC) system for use with mobile computing device. In an embodiment, an RFID reader device is configured for operation with a smart phone using the audio (headphone) port, and which is entirely powered and controlled by the mobile computing device through the audio port. A specially tuned charge pump ladder is used for powering the RFID reader device over a TRRS connection with the mobile computing device, without requiring an internal power source, such as a battery, in the RFID reader device. In an embodiment, an app running on the mobile computing device includes functionality for providing power and data channels over the TRRS port to the RFID reader device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Max J. Younger, Christian Cochran
  • Publication number: 20150081282
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention use one or more audible tones to communicate metadata during a transfer of an audio file. Embodiments of the present invention communicate an audio file from a speaker in a recording device (e.g., a recordable book, toy, computing device) to a microphone in a receiving device. The audio file is transferred by audibly broadcasting the audio file content. The audio file may be a recording made by the user (e.g., the user singing a song, a child responding to a storybook prompt intended to elicit a response). The file transfer process uses one or more audible tones, such as dual-tone multi-frequency signaling (“DTMF”) tones to communicate metadata associated with the audio file. Audible tones may also be used to communicate commands that delineate the beginning and/or end of a file broadcast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: SCOTT A. SCHIMKE, NICHOLAS PEDERSEN, KIERSTEN WILMES, MAX J. YOUNGER, MA LAP MAN
  • Publication number: 20080156923
    Abstract: A rotatable spool includes a frame with a central rod and a hollow cylinder that is rotatable about the central rod. The cylinder includes an inscribed helical thread that is formed along the length of the cylinder and a central axis parallel with the central rod. The operator is disposed around a portion of the cylinder and includes a projection engaged with the helical thread such that linear movement of the operator causes the cylinder to rotate about its central axis. A reel is rotatably mounted on the frame and a clutch selectively couples the cylinder and the reel when the operator is depressed toward the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Wade F. Burch, James A. Keith, Max J. Younger
  • Patent number: D751828
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: HALLMARK CARDS, INCorporated
    Inventors: Christopher Jason Shields, Nicholas Pedersen, Max J. Younger