Patents by Inventor Joseph E. Hoppy

Joseph E. Hoppy 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: 7203455
    Abstract: An electronic learning/teaching device operates with and without a printed sheet element having an arrangement of selectable content by means of a user responsive sensor array beneath a surface configured to receive the element. The sensor array is formed by cross-points of two sets of crossing conductive lines, one set being driven sequentially with a radio frequency square wave and the other set being sampled sequentially though a high impedance amplifier connection with an asynchronous detection circuit. Where more than one cross-point location is user activated, algorithms are used to identify one cross-point sensor location as the user activated selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Ernst, John W. Taylor, Dagan Galarneau, Joseph E. Hoppy, James A. Bishop, Jr., Philip R. Pyrce, James P. Meade
  • Publication number: 20040043371
    Abstract: An electronic learning/teaching device operates with and without a printed sheet element having an arrangement of selectable content by means of a user responsive sensor array beneath a surface configured to receive the element. The sensor array is formed by cross-points of two sets of crossing conductive lines, one set being driven sequentially with a radio frequency square wave and the other set being sampled sequentially though a high impedance amplifier connection with an asynchronous detection circuit. Where more than one cross-point location is user activated, algorithms are used to identify one cross-point sensor location as the user activated selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen M. Ernst, John W. Taylor, Dagan Galarneau, Joseph E. Hoppy, James A. Bishop, Philip R. Pyrce, James P. Meade
  • Patent number: 6485349
    Abstract: A rolling toy having a tubular assembly with a helical ridge that guides movement of a ball within the tubular assembly when the toy is rolled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Carol Snyder, Domenic T. Gubitosi, Christopher J. Hayes, Joseph E. Hoppy
  • Patent number: 6062939
    Abstract: A toy power tool is shown having a tool-holding housing and a handle housing rotatably connected at interfacing surfaces inclined to the central axes of both housings. Relative rotation of the housing about a transformation axis perpendicular to the inclined interfacing surfaces transforms the tool from one desired configuration to another. A 180.degree. rotation of the tool-holding housing relative to the handle housing transforms the tool between a straight configuration with the central axes of the housings being aligned, and a L-shaped configuration with the central axes of the housings being at right-angles. Detents between the interfacing surfaces position the housings at the desired configurations, and double as switches that are connected to a sound producing circuit on a printed circuit board mounted parallel to the interfacing surfaces. An internal gear mechanism converts linear input motion to the relative rotary motion of the housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Parker, Gary E. Weber, John D. DeRubes, Jerry May, Joseph E. Hoppy