Patents Assigned to Ganz
  • Patent number: 11872498
    Abstract: A virtual pet breeding system that allows users of the game to buy virtual pets for their account which can be bred to obtain or generate new virtual pets (offspring) that are added to the user's account, wherein at least some of the offspring can materialize into a physical toy or object for the user to enjoy in the real world. In particular, some virtual offspring will be paired with a redemption code which allows the user to order and/or receive a real world/physical item resembling the virtual offspring that was produced from the virtual breeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst
  • Patent number: 11464660
    Abstract: Various devices, systems, and methods that can be used in the treatment of obesity and related illnesses are disclosed. In some instances, the cecum of an obese patient is distended to a pathophysiological size for a therapeutically effective period. The distention may be achieved by introduction of an object that is of foreign origin relative to the body of the patient into the cecum of the patient. In some instances, the distention is achieved by a medical device that transitions from an undeployed state, in which the medical device is introduced into the cecum of the patient, to an expanded state in which the medical device distends the cecum by an amount sufficient to trigger a colo-gastric brake in the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Ganz Brake, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander S. Ganz, Robert A. Ganz, Travis Sessions, Steven Berhow, Michael W. Augustine
  • Patent number: 11389735
    Abstract: A virtual pet breeding system that allows users of the game to buy virtual pets for their account which can be bred to obtain or generate new virtual pets (offspring) that are added to the user's account, wherein at least some of the offspring can materialize into a physical toy or object for the user to enjoy in the real world. In particular, some virtual offspring will be paired with a redemption code which allows the user to order and/or receive a real world/physical item resembling the virtual offspring that was produced from the virtual breeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Ganz
    Inventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst
  • Patent number: 11358059
    Abstract: The live toy system as described affords a user with an experience of interacting with a physical toy as if it were a live toy by communicating and interacting with the toy and its game version (avatar) via a game application. Unlike other products, the system provides a near identical or virtual representation of the physical toy in the online application. The online application provides a virtual world and/or game environment in which the game avatar exists and participates in part by input received from the user. Some of this input is provided to the physical toy from the user who can affect the appearance or behavior of the game avatar. The user can play and interact with both their physical toy in the real world and its game avatar in an online world—which provides an experience of a single live toy for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventors: Karl Borst, Howard Ganz
  • Publication number: 20200170818
    Abstract: Various devices, systems, and methods that can be used in the treatment of obesity and related illnesses are disclosed. In some instances, a portion of the bowel of an obese patient is distended for a therapeutically effective period. The distention may be achieved by introduction of an object that is of foreign origin relative to the body of the patient into the bowel of the patient. In some instances, the distention is achieved by a medical device that transitions from an undeployed state, in which the medical device is introduced into the bowel of the patient, to an expanded state in which the medical device distends the bowel by an amount sufficient to trigger an intestinal-gastric brake in the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: Ganz Brake, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander S. Ganz, Robert A. Ganz
  • Patent number: 10657551
    Abstract: A method that provides a virtual presentation includes receiving a user ID on a computer, creating a user account, registering first and second real-world products on the computer responsive to receiving first and second registration codes, and linking the first and second products with the user account. Responsive to the registering, first and second virtual representations of the respective real-world products are simultaneously displayed together in a virtual room. A control interface allows a user provided access via the user ID to select one of the first and second virtual representations for control. Subsequent access to said user account provides access to both first and second virtual representations without subsequent re-entry of either the first or second registration code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventor: Howard Ganz
  • Patent number: 10596021
    Abstract: Various devices, systems, and methods that can be used in the treatment of obesity and related illnesses are disclosed. In some instances, a portion of the bowel of an obese patient is distended for a therapeutically effective period. The distention may be achieved by introduction of an object that is of foreign origin relative to the body of the patient into the bowel of the patient. In some instances, the distention is achieved by a medical device that transitions from an undeployed state, in which the medical device is introduced into the bowel of the patient, to an expanded state in which the medical device distends the bowel by an amount sufficient to trigger an intestinal-gastric brake in the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Ganz Brake, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander S. Ganz, Robert A. Ganz
  • Publication number: 20200082467
    Abstract: An Entertainment System including a website, in combination with a commercially purchased product, wherein the system allows a product user to register a primary product online using a registration code, allowing the user access to various activities and scenarios in a “virtual world” including a virtual representation of the product, via a computer connected to the Internet. Additional ancillary products are also provided that may be related to the primary product or the virtual world, with these ancillary products also being provided with one or more codes to provide additional content, bonus items, and/or bonus access in the virtual world.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: Ganz
    Inventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst
  • Patent number: 10527243
    Abstract: Provided is a candle with a simulated flame. A housing is formed from wax and defines an interior space. A ceiling of the housing includes a depression with a perimeter wall formed from the wax that extends downward, into the depression to a depression floor. A flame member is pivotally supported above the depression floor, and includes a flame region having a shape resembling a flame silhouette that and a lower region that is suspended from the base. A flame support is provided to the depression floor that pivotally supports the base of the flame member externally of the interior space and the housing. A light is provided and, when operated, emits light onto the flame region while a driver generates an electromagnetic field that interacts with the lower region within the interior space to cause pivotal movement of the flame member on the flame support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventors: Jessie Ganz, Colleen Booth, Annette Hansen, Donald J. Firca, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10112114
    Abstract: An action figure is provided with a serial number that provides an access code which allows owners to engage in enjoyable games or other activities via the Internet or other gaming systems. The interactive action figure system comprises a toy, statue, or other three-dimensional figurine with a serial number, and preferably a computer network accessible over the internet and a particular gaming framework managed by a network device. Owners of action figure toys may “log onto” the network using the action figure serial number as an access code to activate a particular computer character identity and participate in games such as hand-to-hand combat games, action-adventure series, or learning games. The action figure may be, for example, a warrior, sports figure, doll or teddy bear to appeal to a wide range of users. Once a particular character is activated, game play proceeds according to preset rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventor: Michael D. Borge
  • Patent number: 10099126
    Abstract: The subject application describes an activity performed with or without a website, such as a game. The game can be played either when in contact with the website or when disconnected from the website. The game playing can be carried out for example on a mobile device. The game can be used to earn virtual cash on the website, when playing from the mobile device. The game can also be played when the mobile device is not attached to the website, in which case the points that are received are saved along with an encryption to avoid a user's improper increasing of the points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst, John Alexander Larsen
  • Patent number: 9947023
    Abstract: A method that provides a virtual presentation includes providing a real-world toy associated with a registration code, receiving the code by a registration subsystem via a computer interface of a computer system, and validating the registration code. Responsive to the validating, the computer system processes the registration code to transform the real-world toy into a virtual toy that is a virtual replica of the real-world toy in a virtual world to be displayed by a computer display. Content is provided for displaying a virtual room and a selection of virtual furnishings. In response a user command, the virtual furnishings are provided, arranged and displayed at an initial location within the virtual room. In response to another user command, the one or more virtual furnishings are moved to a new virtual location within the virtual room. The virtual toy interacts with one of the virtual furnishings and exhibits an animated response that simulates a real-world activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventor: Howard Ganz
  • Patent number: 9782674
    Abstract: The subject application describes an activity performed with or without a website, such as a game. The game can be played either when in contact with the website or when disconnected from the website. The game playing can be carried out for example on a mobile device. The game can be used to earn virtual cash on the website, when playing from the mobile device. The game can also be played when the mobile device is not attached to the website, in which case the points that are received are saved along with an encryption to avoid a user's improper increasing of the points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst, John Alexander Larsen
  • Patent number: 9721269
    Abstract: Interacting with a virtual presentation includes: entering a first registration code associated with a first product for registering the first product on a website via a user account; accessing a restricted portion of the website that was not accessible prior to registering the first product; displaying a virtual character that is controllable on the website; registering a second product by entering a second registration code provided to the product, wherein the second product is different than the first product, the second character also accessed via the user account; receiving content for displaying a second virtual character that is controllable on the website; and gaining access to additional content, beyond a chat function, for the first product in response to registration of the second product with the user account, wherein the additional content comprises additional resources of the website beyond the resources provided after registration of the first product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventor: Howard Ganz
  • Patent number: 9610513
    Abstract: A toy is represented on a website via a virtual replica of the product. The toy has a registration data associated with it that is electronically stored in the toy using an electronic storage medium. A user is registered on the website by associating the user with a user ID. The user ID is associated with the virtual replica of the product by utilizing the registration data. Access is granted to one or more features on the website in connection with the virtual replica of the product subsequent to input and validation of the registration code via the user ID without requiring additional entry of the registration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventor: Howard Ganz
  • Patent number: 9516074
    Abstract: A first website earns rewards, e.g. points and items, for carrying out activities. Those rewards can be transferred to a second website. For example, a parent's website allows the parent to carry more adult tasks and also earn points. The points can be transferred to the child's website. A center of the universe website allows obtaining rewards for any of these websites. A social networking component operates across multiple websites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventor: Howard Ganz
  • Patent number: 9427658
    Abstract: An action figure is provided with a serial number that provides an access code which allows owners to engage in enjoyable games or other activities via the Internet or other gaming systems. The interactive action figure system comprises a toy, statue, or other three-dimensional figurine with a serial number, and preferably a computer network accessible over the interne and a particular gaming framework managed by a network device. Owners of action figure toys may “log onto” the network using the action figure serial number as an access code to activate a particular computer character identity and participate in games such as hand-to-hand combat games, action-adventure series, or learning games. The action figure may be, for example, a warrior, sports figure, doll or teddy bear to appeal to a wide range of users. Once a particular character is activated, game play proceeds according to preset rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventor: Michael D. Borge
  • Patent number: 9403089
    Abstract: A system providing a graphical chat room and/or virtual world on a website in which users can control avatars or other characters to participate in activities and interact with other users' avatars/characters. The chat room or virtual world has a large common location where a large number of users might participate with their characters/avatars, but where because display of all of the participants and/or all of the area becomes impractical or otherwise unwieldy, the system determines an appropriate portion of the area and a limited number of avatars/characters to display based on some criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventors: Karl Joseph Borst, John Alexander Larsen
  • Patent number: 9132344
    Abstract: An action figure is provided with a serial number that provides an access code which allows owners to engage in enjoyable games or other activities via the Internet or other gaming systems. The interactive action figure system comprises a toy, statue, or other three-dimensional figurine with a serial number, and preferably a computer network accessible over the internet and a particular gaming framework managed by a network device. Owners of action figure toys may “log onto” the network using the action figure serial number as an access code to activate a particular computer character identity and participate in games such as hand-to-hand combat games, action-adventure series, or learning games. The action figure may be, for example, a warrior, sports figure, doll or teddy bear to appeal to a wide range of users. Once a particular character is activated, game play proceeds according to preset rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventor: Michael D. Borge
  • Patent number: 9050534
    Abstract: A user interface for a virtual world controls and allows registering new characters and also registering achievement when the user has carried out a number of different items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventors: Joseph Benjamin Ganetakos, Frank James Caron, Jesse Daniel Scoble, Gord Scott McLeod, John Alexander Larsen, Felix Leung, Karl Joseph Borst