Patents by Inventor Joseph W. Franke

Joseph W. Franke 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: 8157609
    Abstract: A mind-control toy is provided, comprising one or more biosensors configured to detect brainwave activity and generate signals based on the detected brainwave activity. A controller may be responsive to the signals to direct a member to effect movement of one or more objects. In some embodiments, the member includes a device for suspending the object in midair above the device, and the controller is responsive to the first signal to vary output of the device to control a suspended height of the object. In some such embodiments, the mind-control toy includes an obstacle course defining an aerial path. In other such embodiments, the mind-control toy includes a track along which players can compete or cooperate. In other embodiments, the mind-control toy includes a maze, a portion of which may be rotated using mind control to maneuver the object from a start zone to an end zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Hallaian, Stephen P. K. Lau, Kam Young-eun Kim Redlawsk, Joseph W. Franke
  • Publication number: 20100105478
    Abstract: A mind-control toy is provided, comprising one or more biosensors configured to detect brainwave activity and generate signals based on the detected brainwave activity. A controller may be responsive to the signals to direct a member to effect movement of one or more objects. In some embodiments, the member includes a device for suspending the object in midair above the device, and the controller is responsive to the first signal to vary output of the device to control a suspended height of the object. In some such embodiments, the mind-control toy includes an obstacle course defining an aerial path. In other such embodiments, the mind-control toy includes a track along which players can compete or cooperate. In other embodiments, the mind-control toy includes a maze, a portion of which may be rotated using mind control to maneuver the object from a start zone to an end zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen C. Hallaian, Stephen P.K. Lau, Kam Young-eun Kim Redlawsk, Joseph W. Franke
  • Patent number: 5085610
    Abstract: A dual sound toy train set includes a toy track formed in a continuous loop and having guiding rails on either side thereof. An electrically powered toy train engine is coupled to the track and includes an internal battery power source, an electric drive motor and a motor control unit. An ultrasonic microphone is supported upon the toy train engine and operatively coupled to the motor control unit. A sound unit includes a housing supporting a pair of air bellows having one way inlet valves attached thereto. A movable pump handle is operative to collapse the air bellows and produce pressurized air streams which are coupled by hollow tubes to an ultrasound whistle and an audible sound whistle. The audible sound whistle produces exciting play sounds similar to those produced by conventional locomotives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Engel, Joseph W. Franke, Alex R. Piyevsky, Enis J. Unalp