Patents by Inventor E. Ernst Ginkel

E. Ernst Ginkel 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).

  • Patent number: 10866784
    Abstract: Audiovisual devices and methods of controlling those devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, an audiovisual toy may include a controller configured to receive a first output signal generated by an audio input device based on received first audio input that exceeds a predetermined threshold level, ignore the audio input device subsequent to receiving the first output signal during a first predetermined time interval, drive a motor based on the received first output signal during the first predetermined time interval, and, after the first predetermined time interval has elapsed, wind down the motor during a second predetermined time interval and monitor, during the second predetermined time interval, for a second output signal generated by the audio input device based on received second audio input that exceeds the predetermined threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Zielinski, E. Ernst Ginkel
  • Publication number: 20190179609
    Abstract: Audiovisual devices and methods of controlling those devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, an audiovisual toy may include a controller configured to receive a first output signal generated by an audio input device based on received first audio input that exceeds a predetermined threshold level, ignore the audio input device subsequent to receiving the first output signal during a first predetermined time interval, drive a motor based on the received first output signal during the first predetermined time interval, and, after the first predetermined time interval has elapsed, wind down the motor during a second predetermined time interval and monitor, during the second predetermined time interval, for a second output signal generated by the audio input device based on received second audio input that exceeds the predetermined threshold level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Zielinski, E. Ernst Ginkel
  • Patent number: 8651953
    Abstract: An electronic question and answer game device in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing that has several side walls or surfaces. A display screen is disposed on one of the sides. The display screen is configured to present a question to the user of the electronic device. The electronic game device includes several mechanisms that vary the methods in which a user can play the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Janice E. Ritter, Brian M. Yu, Tadd L. Callies, E. Ernst Ginkel, Darin Marshal Barri, Robert John Grzesek, Jorge Castro Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20100311485
    Abstract: An electronic question and answer game device in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing that has several side walls or surfaces. A display screen is disposed on one of the sides. The display screen is configured to present a question to the user of the electronic device. The electronic game device includes several mechanisms that vary the methods in which a user can play the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Janice E. Ritter, Brian M. Yu, Tadd L. Callies, E. Ernst Ginkel, Darin Marshal Barri, Robert John Grzesek, Jorge Castro Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20100184499
    Abstract: An electronic question and answer game device in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing that has several side walls or surfaces. A display screen is disposed on one of the sides. The display screen is configured to present a question to the user of the electronic device. The electronic game device includes several mechanisms that vary the methods in which a user can play the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Janice E. Ritter, Brian M. Yu, Tadd L. Callies, E. Ernst Ginkel, Darin Marshal Barri, Robert John Grzesek, Jorge Castro Sanchez, Daniel Stelung, Luis Ruiz
  • Patent number: 7448935
    Abstract: Toys and toy operating systems for use therein. A toy operating system may include an input system responsive to a predetermined quantitative characteristic of a liquid body, such as electrical conductivity, and a response system coupled to the input system and configured to generate one or more toy output patterns based at least in part on the given characteristic. A toy vehicle for use with such an operating system may include a chassis, a chamber adapted to contain a liquid body, and at least one toy component operable to display an output according to a generated output pattern. Exemplary toy components include an audiovisual assembly to produce an audiovisual display and a drive assembly to move the toy vehicle across a ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Mattel Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Trageser, Kip Pohlman, Don Wayne Stoner, E. Ernst Ginkel, Raymond J. Martin
  • Publication number: 20080188277
    Abstract: An electronic question and answer game device in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing that has several side walls or surfaces. A display screen is disposed on one of the sides. The display screen is configured to present a question to the user of the electronic device. The electronic game device includes several mechanisms that vary the methods in which a user can play the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Janice E. Ritter, Brian M. Yu, Tadd L. Callies, E. Ernst Ginkel, Darin Marshal Barri, Robert John Grzesek, Jorge Castro Sanchez
  • Patent number: D838323
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Joy L. Becerra, Natalie R. Zigal, Paul T. P. King, David B. Miller, E. Ernst Ginkel, Blake C. Knight, Steve A. Fulton, Eric E. Skifstrom, James P. Zielinski