Patents by Inventor Robert J. Feeney
Robert J. Feeney 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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Patent number: 8324492Abstract: Provided is, among other things, a system of musically interacting devices. A first device has a first identification code, a first wireless communication interface and a first audio player, and a second device has a second identification code, a second wireless communication interface and a second audio player. The first device and the second device are configured to participate in an interaction sequence in which: the first device wirelessly communicates using the first wireless communication interface, the second device wirelessly communicates using the second wireless communication interface, a musical composition is selected based on both the first identification code and the second identification code, and the first device and the second device cooperatively play the musical composition, with each of the first device and the second device playing a different part of the musical composition.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Vergence Entertainment LLCInventors: Robert J. Feeney, Jeff E. Haas, Brent W. Barkley
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Patent number: 8231470Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for conducting a contest. One embodiment provides a contest that is played by multiple players across a communications network, in which the players compete to earn points awarded by a central contest administrator and the individual players are ranked based on their total number of points. In addition, individual ones of the players are allowed to select a sponsor from a set of previously identified sponsors, and the players also can earn points, which contribute to their totals for ranking purposes, from the sponsors they have selected. For this purpose, individual ones of the sponsors in the set are allocated points and have flexibility regarding how to award their allocated points to the players that have selected them.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2009Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Vergence Entertainment LLCInventors: Robert J. Feeney, Jeff E. Haas, Brent Wayne Barkley
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Patent number: 8134061Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for avatars to musically interact with each other. In one representative embodiment, a server is configured to host a virtual environment and various client devices communicate with the server over an electronic network, with each such client device configured to interact within the virtual environment through a corresponding avatar. A first client device accepts commands from a first user and, in response, communicates corresponding information to the server causing a modification of any of a first set of user-customizable visual characteristics of a first avatar that represents the first user. Similarly, a second client device accepts commands from a second user and, in response, communicates corresponding information to the server causing a modification of any of a second set of user-customizable visual characteristics of a second avatar that represents the second user.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2009Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Vergence Entertainment LLCInventors: Robert J. Feeney, Jeff E. Haas, Brent W. Barkley
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Publication number: 20110223981Abstract: Provided, inter alia, is a type of contest in which, at various intervals, geographically dispersed players attempt to answer the identical problem at substantially the same time. In representative embodiments, problems (typically, questions) are made available at seemingly random times throughout the day (or throughout some specified time interval), and players have the opportunity either to respond to the problem or (e.g., in the event that a given player is occupied when a particular problem arises) to pass on the current problem and wait for another one. In such embodiments, more questions are made available than the players are permitted to answer in accordance with the rules of the game, so that players have flexibility as to when they participate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Inventors: Robert J. Feeney, Brent W. Barkley, Jeff E. Haas, Gregory J. Pinter
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Patent number: 7946910Abstract: Provided, inter alia, is a type of contest in which, at various intervals, geographically dispersed players attempt to answer the identical problem at substantially the same time. In representative embodiments, problems (typically, questions) are made available at seemingly random times throughout the day (or throughout some specified time interval), and players have the opportunity either to respond to the problem or (e.g., in the event that a given player is occupied when a particular problem arises) to pass on the current problem and wait for another one. In such embodiments, more questions are made available than the players are permitted to answer in accordance with the rules of the game, so that players have flexibility as to when they participate.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2006Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Vergence Entertainment LLCInventors: Robert J. Feeney, Brent W. Barkley, Jeff E. Haas, Gregory J. Pinter
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Patent number: 7805151Abstract: Provided, inter alia, is a system for generating substantially simultaneous alerts, in which a plurality of user devices is accessible via at least one publicly available network. Each such user device has installed on it an alert-based client. A server is configured to download identical alert information, including a message that has been encrypted, to the plurality of user devices. The alert-based clients are configured to receive the alert information and, in response: (i) to store the message in encrypted form until just prior to a specified delivery time; and (ii) to decrypt and deliver the message substantially at the specified delivery time. By virtue of the foregoing arrangement, substantially simultaneous delivery of the message to the user devices is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2006Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Vergence Entertainment LLCInventors: Robert J. Feeney, Brent W. Barkley, Jeff E. Haas, Gregory J. Pinter
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Publication number: 20100099471Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for conducting a contest. One embodiment provides a contest that is played by multiple players across a communications network, in which the players compete to earn points awarded by a central contest administrator and the individual players are ranked based on their total number of points. In addition, individual ones of the players are allowed to select a sponsor from a set of previously identified sponsors, and the players also can earn points, which contribute to their totals for ranking purposes, from the sponsors they have selected. For this purpose, individual ones of the sponsors in the set are allocated points and have flexibility regarding how to award their allocated points to the players that have selected them.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Inventors: Robert J. Feeney, Jeff E. Haas, Brent Wayne Barkley
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Publication number: 20100018382Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for avatars to musically interact with each other. In one representative embodiment, a server is configured to host a virtual environment and various client devices communicate with the server over an electronic network, with each such client device configured to interact within the virtual environment through a corresponding avatar. A first client device accepts commands from a first user and, in response, communicates corresponding information to the server causing a modification of any of a first set of user-customizable visual characteristics of a first avatar that represents the first user. Similarly, a second client device accepts commands from a second user and, in response, communicates corresponding information to the server causing a modification of any of a second set of user-customizable visual characteristics of a second avatar that represents the second user.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2009Publication date: January 28, 2010Inventors: Robert J. Feeney, Jeff E. Haas, Brent W. Barkley
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Patent number: 7630789Abstract: A system and apparatus are described in which modular receptacles are filled and transported to automated dispensing machines for later retrieval and distribution. A system of the present invention includes the loading, refilling, and replacement of the modular receptacles at various stages in the process of the invention. The present invention results in a more efficient and easier to manage system for distribution of such items as medical supplies and drugs.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2005Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: CareFusion 303 Inc.Inventors: Laird Broadfield, Patricia M. Lee, Paul M. Seelinger, David T. Heffron, Albert W. Dibelka, John J. Rodenrys, Robert J. Feeney, Joseph M. Calabro, William Conrad
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Publication number: 20070256547Abstract: Provided is, among other things, a system of musically interacting devices. A first device has a first identification code, a first wireless communication interface and a first audio player, and a second device has a second identification code, a second wireless communication interface and a second audio player. The first device and the second device are configured to participate in an interaction sequence in which: the first device wirelessly communicates using the first wireless communication interface, the second device wirelessly communicates using the second wireless communication interface, a musical composition is selected based on both the first identification code and the second identification code, and the first device and the second device cooperatively play the musical composition, with each of the first device and the second device playing a different part of the musical composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2007Publication date: November 8, 2007Inventors: Robert J. Feeney, Jeff E. Haas, Brent W. Barkley
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Patent number: 7040504Abstract: A system and apparatus are described in which modular receptacles are filled and transported to automated dispensing machines for later retrieval and distribution. A system of the present invention includes the loading, refilling, and replacement of the modular receptacles at various stages in the process of the invention. The present invention results in a more efficient and easier to manage system for distribution of such items as medical supplies and drugs.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2002Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Cardinal Health 301, Inc.Inventors: Laird Broadfield, Patricia M. Lee, Paul M. Seelinger, David T. Heffron, Albert W. Dibelka, John J. Rodenrys, Robert J. Feeney, Joseph M. Calabro, William Conrad
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Publication number: 20040111179Abstract: A system and apparatus are described in which modular receptacles are filled and transported to automated dispensing machines for later retrieval and distribution. A system of the present invention includes the loading, refilling, and replacement of the modular receptacles at various stages in the process of the invention. The present invention results in a more efficient and easier to manage system for distribution of such items as medical supplies and drugs.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2002Publication date: June 10, 2004Applicant: Pyxis CorporationInventors: Laird Broadfield, Patricia M. Lee, Paul M. Seelinger, David T. Heffron, Albert W. Dibelka, John J. Rodenrys, Robert J. Feeney, Joseph M. Calabro, William Conrad
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Publication number: 20020032582Abstract: A system for dispensing medication and integrated data management which can include a medical office system with at least one computer which can be linked to at least one server and a central system through a network. The medical office computer also can communicate with at least one controlled dispenser unit, thereby regulating the dispensing of medication. Information pertaining to patients and/or medications can be transmitted and received by each system component.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Inventors: Robert J. Feeney, Kenneth A. Coons, Jennie L. Smith, Thomas E. Radziminski, Scott B. Bechtler-Levin, Minh C. Tran, Paul F. Cattaneo, Michael J. Williamson
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Patent number: 6338007Abstract: A system and apparatus are described in which modular receptacles are filled and transported to automated dispensing machines for later retrieval and distribution. A system of the present invention includes the loading, refilling, and replacement of the modular receptacles at various stages in the process of the invention. The present invention results in a more efficient and easier to manage system for distribution of such items as medical supplies and drugs.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2000Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: PYXIS CorporationInventors: Laird Broadfield, Patricia M. Lee, Paul M. Seelinger, David T. Heffron, Albert W. Dibelka, John J. Rodenrys, Robert J. Feeney, Joseph M. Calabro, William Conrad
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Patent number: 6116461Abstract: A system and apparatus are described in which modular receptacles are filled and transported to automatic dispensing machines for later retrieval and distribution. A system of the present invention includes the loading, refilling, and replacement of the modular receptacles at various stages in the process of the invention. A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for distribution of items such as medical supplies and drugs.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1998Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Pyxis CorporationInventors: Laird Broadfield, Patricia M. Lee, Paul M. Seelinger, David T. Heffron, Albert W. Dibelka, John J. Rodenrys, Robert J. Feeney, Joseph M. Calabro, William Conrad
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Patent number: D566796Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2006Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Vergence Entertainment LLCInventor: Robert J. Feeney