Patents by Inventor Richard Wilen

Richard Wilen 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: 20150213438
    Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing and activating gift cards, loyalty cards, and incentives cards and advertising to provide a gift card mall in the home of a gift giver are described. The system can include a unitary single-sheet form, an activation system, a delivery system, and a redemption system. The system can also include a publication. A plurality of the forms can included for delivery to the gift giver. The gift giver can select one or more of the gift cards for activation and delivery to a gift recipient. The gift recipient can then redeem the activated gift received from the gift giver for a redemption item sold or provided by a retailer, service provider, or manufacturer. The redemption item can be a good, service, or money. The redemption item can be purchased at an online shopping mall, by telephone, or in a retail store.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Gordon M. Kramer, Richard Wilen
  • Publication number: 20150213441
    Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing and activating gift cards and advertising so as to provide a gift card mall in the home of a gift giver are described. The system can include a unitary single-sheet form, an activation system, a delivery system, and a redemption system. The gift card may be one-sided. The system can also include a publication. A plurality of the forms can be delivered or provided to the gift giver. The gift giver can select one or more of the gift cards for activation and delivery to a gift recipient. The gift recipient can then redeem the activated gift received from the gift giver for a redemption item sold or provided by a retailer, service provider, or manufacturer. The redemption item can be a good, service, or money. The redemption item can be purchased at an online shopping mall, by telephone, or in a retail store.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Wilen, Gordon M. Kramer
  • Patent number: 9002737
    Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing and activating gift cards and advertising so as to provide a gift card mall in the home of a gift giver are described. The system can include a unitary single-sheet form, a package envelope, an activation system, a delivery system, and a redemption system. The system can also include a publication. A plurality of the forms can be inserted into the package envelope for delivery to the gift giver. The gift giver can select one or more of the gift cards for activation and delivery to a gift recipient. The gift recipient can then redeem the activated gift received from the gift giver for a redemption item sold or provided by a retailer, service provider, or manufacturer. The redemption item can be a good, service, or money. The redemption item can be purchased at an online shopping mall, by telephone, or in a retail store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: WILopEN Products LC
    Inventor: Richard Wilen
  • Patent number: 8922853
    Abstract: A dynamically applicable system to calibrate a number of printers having a controller including a processor and memory to control printing a document relative to characteristics of the document using the printer. Calibration settings for the printer may be manipulable. Calibration may be performed by comparing a calibration pattern to a marking on a calibration document. Additionally, calibration may be performed by comparing a calibration pattern with a crease. The controller may calculate calibration settings from calibration information received using an interface. Calibration settings are storable on memory or a database. The system may communicate with other devices over a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: WILopEN Products LC
    Inventor: Richard Wilen
  • Patent number: 8893966
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for gifting using interactive multimedia and a gifting system. The gifting system can include a gift card, a website for redeeming the gift card, a plurality of gift representations corresponding to actual gift items, and means for advertising additional retail products or services to consumers. The gift card can also include a greeting card and a unique card identifier associated with the user. The gift card may be viewable through a window on the greeting card. The methods and systems can be used to advertise products to consumers, which can be purchased for personal use or for gifting. The system can be used to direct consumers to a card issuer's website. The gift card may be physical and/or virtual, and may be translated between physical and virtual forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: WILopEN Products LC
    Inventors: Richard Wilen, Gordon Kramer
  • Publication number: 20140163706
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a commercial game that poses questions to a user related to advertisements that the user views or listens to using a multimedia device such as a computer connected to the Internet. Points may be awarded to the user based on the number of questions answered correctly, the number of advertisements viewed, the length of time advertisements are viewed, the number of attempts at answering each question before providing the correct answer, or other advertiser-selected criteria. Points earned by the user are immediately redeemable for services such as subscription services, movies downloads, Pay-Per-View credits, or for any other tangible or intangible good, service, or reward representing a monetary value. If the user provides an incorrect answer to a question, the user is permitted to watch the advertisement multiple times until a correct answer is provided and points are awarded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: WILOPEN PRODUCTS, LC
    Inventor: Richard Wilen
  • Patent number: 8727213
    Abstract: A paper and document securing system that includes an indicator is used to for validating the paper. The indicator may be printed on a surface of the paper by a printer with clear ink, which may provide a texture. The clear ink may include a substantially clear varnish. Data is includable in the indicator, which may be coded. Validating the paper may include detecting and examining the validity an indicator to accept or reject the paper. The indicator may be partially undetectable without alteration. Graphics are additionally printable on the paper using pigmented ink. The paper may include one or more plies, and the indicator may be printed between plies. Cards may be included on the paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: WILopEN Products, LC
    Inventor: Richard Wilen
  • Patent number: 8727212
    Abstract: A system for securing a card or paper with a printing component to print an image and an embossing component to emboss a pattern to emboss an impression at a configurable place on the paper. An embossing die may include a pattern to make the impression. The impression is correlative with the image to indicate a likelihood of authenticity. Multiple cards are includable on paper to be securable by the system. The image may include a code corresponding with a value usable with a merchant. A method to secure a card or paper is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: WILopEN Products, LC
    Inventor: Richard Wilen
  • Publication number: 20140081769
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for gifting using interactive multimedia and a gifting system. The gifting system can include a gift card, a website for redeeming the gift card, a plurality of gift representations corresponding to actual gift items, and means for advertising additional retail products or services to consumers. The gift card can also include a greeting card and a unique card identifier associated with the user. The gift card may be viewable through a window on the greeting card. The methods and systems can be used to advertise products to consumers, which can be purchased for personal use or for gifting. The system can be used to direct consumers to a card issuer's website. The gift card may be physical and/or virtual, and may be translated between physical and virtual forms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: WILopEN Products, LC
    Inventors: Richard Wilen, Gordon Kramer
  • Publication number: 20140063550
    Abstract: A printer control system to facilitate configuration of the settings for a printing device. The printer control system may configure a printing device with an at least partially automated process. The printer control software may include a client component installed on the computer to establish a bi-directional communication to receive and transmit printer control settings. A virtual printer may be installed and configured respective to settings for a form specifiable by a user. A method is provided for facilitating the configuration and operating of a printing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: WILopEN Products LC
    Inventor: Richard Wilen
  • Patent number: 8639573
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a commercial game that poses questions to a user related to advertisements that the user views or listens to using a multimedia device such as a computer connected to the Internet. Points may be awarded to the user based on the number of questions answered correctly, the number of advertisements viewed, the length of time advertisements are viewed, the number of attempts at answering each question before providing the correct answer, or other advertiser-selected criteria. Points earned by the user are immediately redeemable for services such as subscription services, movies downloads, Pay-Per-View credits, or for any other tangible or intangible good, service, or reward representing a monetary value. If the user provides an incorrect answer to a question, the user is permitted to watch the advertisement multiple times until a correct answer is provided and points are awarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: WILopEN Products, LC
    Inventor: Richard Wilen
  • Patent number: 8622741
    Abstract: A printable multi-purpose form is described that features detachable pieces, which may be separated and attached to a substrate to create an artwork. The detachable pieces can be connected together using separator pieces and adhesive to form stacked images for the creation of three-dimensional artworks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: WILopEN Products, LC
    Inventor: Richard Wilen
  • Patent number: 8616434
    Abstract: A printable and imprintable multi-component form is described that features detachable components including a correspondence piece, an envelope, and a variable element. The multi-component form is formed from two plies of material such as paper, plastic, foil, or paperboard. The correspondence piece can be a greeting card or a post card. The variable element can be a scrip, a customizable component, e.g., a wallet-sized photograph, or a product stamp. The scrip can be any non-monetary certificate exchangeable for currency, goods, or services including, for example, a gift card or a gift certificate. The assembled envelope can be used to mail the correspondence piece and variable element to a recipient. The detachable components can be separated from one another and from the sheet of material of the form at a plurality of lines of separation such as perforations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: WILopEN Products, LC
    Inventor: Richard Wilen
  • Patent number: 8602297
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method of distributing and activating gift cards. The method is performed by attaching a non-activated gift card to an article and selling the article to a consumer. The article may be sold at a retail store, or ordered over a telephone line or online and delivered to a home of a consumer. After the consumer receives the gift card, the consumer may activate the gift card from the consumer's home or any other remote location. During activation, the consumer allocates a dollar valve to the gift card and then sends the gift card to a specific person as a gift. The gift card may also come with a greeting card and an envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: WILopEN Products, LC
    Inventor: Richard Wilen
  • Patent number: 8577735
    Abstract: A method and system for gifting using interactive multimedia and a gifting system. The gifting system can include a gift card, a website for redeeming the gift card, a plurality of gift representations corresponding to actual gift items, and means for advertising additional retail products or services to consumers. The gift card can also include a greeting card and a unique card identifier associated with the user. The methods and systems can be used to advertise products to consumers, which can be purchased for personal use or for gifting. The system can be used to direct consumers to a card issuer's website. The system can include a customizable avatar to read aloud text converted to an audio speech file that relates to the gift item. The system can also include a game in which points redeemable for gift items are awarded to the website's users for answering advertisement-related questions correctly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: WILopEN Products, LC
    Inventors: Richard Wilen, Kevin Wilen, Gordon M. Kramer
  • Publication number: 20130278967
    Abstract: A dynamically applicable system to calibrate a number of printers having a controller including a processor and memory to control printing a document relative to characteristics of the document using the printer. Calibration settings for the printer may be manipulable. Calibration may be performed by comparing a calibration pattern to a marking on a calibration document. Additionally, calibration may be performed by comparing a calibration pattern with a crease. The controller may calculate calibration settings from calibration information received using an interface. Calibration settings are storable on memory or a database. The system may communicate with other devices over a network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Richard Wilen
  • Publication number: 20130271546
    Abstract: A paper and document securing system that includes an indicator is used to for validating the paper. The indicator may be printed on a surface of the paper by a printer with clear ink, which may provide a texture. The clear ink may include a substantially clear varnish. Data is includable in the indicator, which may be coded. Validating the paper may include detecting and examining the validity an indicator to accept or reject the paper. The indicator may be partially undetectable without alteration. Graphics are additionally printable on the paper using pigmented ink. The paper may include one or more plies, and the indicator may be printed between plies. Cards may be included on the paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: Richard Wilen
  • Publication number: 20130269550
    Abstract: A system for securing a card or paper with a printing component to print an image and an embossing component to emboss a pattern to emboss an impression at a configurable place on the paper. An embossing die may include a pattern to make the impression. The impression is correlative with the image to indicate a likelihood of authenticity. Multiple cards are includable on paper to be securable by the system. The image may include a code corresponding with a value usable with a merchant. A method to secure a card or paper is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: Richard Wilen
  • Patent number: 8308194
    Abstract: A folding booklet is disclosed having a booklet cover and one or more of booklet pages in which are formed a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal fold lines defining a plurality of longitudinal panels and a plurality of transverse fold lines defining a plurality of transverse panels. The longitudinal panels can be folded along the longitudinal fold lines to overlay one another and the transverse panels can be folded along the transverse fold lines to overlay one another. The cover can then be folded along a booklet cover fold line to completely contain the folded booklet pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Richard Wilen
  • Publication number: 20120027965
    Abstract: A printable multi-purpose form is described that features detachable pieces, which may be separated and attached to a substrate to create an artwork. The detachable pieces can be connected together using separator pieces and adhesive to form stacked images for the creation of three-dimensional artworks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Richard Wilen