Patents by Inventor TIMOTHY JAY LIEN
TIMOTHY JAY LIEN 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: 10643482Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an Audio-Story Engine that includes a repository of prerecorded audio files that, when played in a certain sequence, with user provided recordings placed throughout, tell a story. To obtain the user provided recordings, the Audio-Story Engine asks the user to make audio recordings of various words or phrases. For example, the Audio-Story Engine may ask the user a series of questions in order to record and store the user's audible responses. Upon completion, the Audio-Story Engine plays back a completed story that incorporates the user's audio recordings by playing an appropriate user recording after playing a prerecorded audio file. This is repeated several times in sequence to form a seamless, customized, audio story. In addition, the Audio-Story Engine may alter the pitch or sound of the user's recorded words to match the pitch of the prerecorded story.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2015Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Hallmark Cards, IncorporatedInventors: Anne Catherine Bates, Jason Paul Gahr, Adam Samuel Scheff, Jason Blake Penrod, Stephane Farris Young, Timothy Jay Lien, Michael Anthony Monaco, Jr.
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Patent number: 9759413Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention use light to add human-like features to an inanimate object. In one embodiment, the object includes a film with an image that has been manipulated to provide for a low profile projection of an image onto a vertical surface directly adjacent to the object. For example, the image of a witch's head could be projected onto a wall and directly beneath, a witch's hat could be hanging on the wall. In another embodiment, changing lights and shadows are used to create animated objects out of otherwise inanimate objects. Various embodiments include components to create the illusion of changing facial expressions. These components include a plurality of light sources and an electronic device that controls the light sources to create the animation.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2015Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATEDInventors: Timothy Jay Lien, Jason Blake Penrod, Steve Eikos, Robert D. Wertanen, Ma Lap Man, Wesley D. Lindquist, Kari Jean Walberg
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Publication number: 20160047536Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention use light to add human-like features to an inanimate object. In one embodiment, the object includes a film with an image that has been manipulated to provide for a low profile projection of an image onto a vertical surface directly adjacent to the object. For example, the image of a witch's head could be projected onto a wall and directly beneath, a witch's hat could be hanging on the wall. In another embodiment, changing lights and shadows are used to create animated objects out of otherwise inanimate objects. Various embodiments include components to create the illusion of changing facial expressions. These components include a plurality of light sources and an electronic device that controls the light sources to create the animation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2015Publication date: February 18, 2016Inventors: TIMOTHY JAY LIEN, JASON BLAKE PENROD, STEVE EIKOS, ROBERT D. WERTANEN, MA LAP MAN, WESLEY D. LINDQUIST, KARI JEAN WALBERG
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Patent number: 9200790Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention use light to add human-like features to an inanimate object. In one embodiment, the object includes a film with an image that has been manipulated to provide for a low profile projection of an image onto a vertical surface directly adjacent to the object. For example, the image of a witch's head could be projected onto a wall and directly beneath, a witch's hat could be hanging on the wall. In another embodiment, changing lights and shadows are used to create animated objects out of otherwise inanimate objects. Various embodiments include components to create the illusion of changing facial expressions. These components include a plurality of light sources and an electronic device that controls the light sources to create the animation.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATEDInventors: Timothy Jay Lien, Jason Blake Penrod, Steve Eikos, Robert D. Wertanen, Ma Lap Man, Wesley D. Lindquist, Kari Jean Walberg
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Publication number: 20150161898Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an Audio-Story Engine that includes a repository of prerecorded audio files that, when played in a certain sequence, with user provided recordings placed throughout, tell a story. To obtain the user provided recordings, the Audio-Story Engine asks the user to make audio recordings of various words or phrases. For example, the Audio-Story Engine may ask the user a series of questions in order to record and store the user's audible responses. Upon completion, the Audio-Story Engine plays back a completed story that incorporates the user's audio recordings by playing an appropriate user recording after playing a prerecorded audio file. This is repeated several times in sequence to form a seamless, customized, audio story. In addition, the Audio-Story Engine may alter the pitch or sound of the user's recorded words to match the pitch of the prerecorded story.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2015Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: ANNE CATHERINE BATES, JASON PAUL GAHR, ADAM SAMUEL SCHEFF, JASON BLAKE PENROD, STEPHANIE FARRIS YOUNG, TIMOTHY JAY LIEN, MICHAEL ANTHONY MONACO, JR.
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Patent number: 8961183Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an Audio-Story Engine that includes a repository of prerecorded audio files that, when played in a certain sequence, with user provided recordings placed throughout, tell a story. To obtain the user provided recordings, the Audio-Story Engine asks the user to make audio recordings of various words or phrases. For example, the Audio-Story Engine may ask the user a series of questions in order to record and store the user's audible responses. Upon completion, the Audio-Story Engine plays back a completed story that incorporates the user's audio recordings by playing an appropriate user recording after playing a prerecorded audio file. This is repeated several times in sequence to form a seamless, customized, audio story. In addition, the Audio-Story Engine may alter the pitch or sound of the user's recorded words to match the pitch of the prerecorded story.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Hallmark Cards, IncorporatedInventors: Anne Catherine Bates, Jason Paul Gahr, Adam Samuel Scheff, Jason Blake Penrod, Stephanie Farris Young, Timothy Jay Lien, Michael Anthony Monaco, Jr.
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Publication number: 20140003034Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention use light to add human-like features to an inanimate object. In one embodiment, the object includes a film with an image that has been manipulated to provide for a low profile projection of an image onto a vertical surface directly adjacent to the object. For example, the image of a witch's head could be projected onto a wall and directly beneath, a witch's hat could be hanging on the wall. In another embodiment, changing lights and shadows are used to create animated objects out of otherwise inanimate objects. Various embodiments include components to create the illusion of changing facial expressions. These components include a plurality of light sources and an electronic device that controls the light sources to create the animation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATEDInventors: TIMOTHY JAY LIEN, JASON BLAKE PENROD, STEVE EIKOS, ROBERT D. WERTANEN, MA LAP MAN, WESLEY D. LINDQUIST, KARI JEAN WALBERG
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Publication number: 20130323689Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an Audio-Story Engine that includes a repository of prerecorded audio files that, when played in a certain sequence, with user provided recordings placed throughout, tell a story. To obtain the user provided recordings, the Audio-Story Engine asks the user to make audio recordings of various words or phrases. For example, the Audio-Story Engine may ask the user a series of questions in order to record and store the user's audible responses. Upon completion, the Audio-Story Engine plays back a completed story that incorporates the user's audio recordings by playing an appropriate user recording after playing a prerecorded audio file. This is repeated several times in sequence to form a seamless, customized, audio story. In addition, the Audio-Story Engine may alter the pitch or sound of the user's recorded words to match the pitch of the prerecorded story.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATEDInventors: ANNE CATHERINE BATES, JASON PAUL GAHR, ADAM SAMUEL SCHEFF, JASON BLAKE PENROD, STEPHANIE FARRIS YOUNG, TIMOTHY JAY LIEN, MICHAEL ANTHONY MONACO, JR.