Patents by Inventor Mark Flowers
Mark Flowers 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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Publication number: 20060292543Abstract: A system including a scanning apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system has (a) an article having (i) a surface having a plurality of positions and a plurality of print elements respectively at the plurality of positions, and (ii) a plurality of codes respectively at the plurality of positions and relating to absolute or relative locations of the positions. The system also has (b) a scanning apparatus comprising (i) a stylus having an optical detector and an optical emitter, (ii) a processor coupled to the optical detector and the optical emitter, (iii) a memory unit comprising code for audio corresponding to the print elements, the memory unit coupled to the processor, and (iv) an audio output device coupled to the processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2006Publication date: December 28, 2006Inventors: James Marggraff, Mark Flowers
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Patent number: 7139523Abstract: A print media receiving unit is disclosed. In one embodiment, the print media receiving unit comprises a platform that includes a surface adapted to receive a print medium comprising a spine. The spine may be disposed in a spine receiving portion in the platform. A location detection system capable of determining a location of a selected region of the print medium may be associated with the platform.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2003Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Larry Lynch, Mark Flowers, Dave Conroy, Tom Musolf
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Patent number: 7120386Abstract: A print media receiving unit is disclosed. In one embodiment, the print media receiving unit comprises a platform that includes a surface adapted to receive a print medium comprising a spine. The spine may be disposed in a spine receiving portion in the platform. A location detection system capable of determining a location of a selected region of the print medium may be associated with the platform.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2003Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Larry Lynch, Mark Flowers, Dave Conroy, Tom Musolf
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Patent number: 7106309Abstract: A method for producing an output in response to an interaction with a print element on a sheet is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes placing a sheet comprising a print element on a surface of a base unit. A user can then mark on the sheet in the vicinity of the print element with a marking instrument. An audio output that corresponds to the print element is generated.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2003Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Michael C. Wood, Tracey Hope Jedrzejek, Richard Glen Freeman, Mark Flowers, Eric Thomas Shuler, Margaret E. Grunert, Jason Avery
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Publication number: 20060188861Abstract: An interactive, handheld apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, a display screen on the housing, an electronic position location system, a stylus for selecting images on the display screen, a directional control pad on the housing and a memory device. The electronic position location system includes a processor that is capable of determining a location of a selected region of the display screen. The memory device includes computer code for an educational game and is operatively coupled to the processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2006Publication date: August 24, 2006Applicant: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Michael Wood, Alice Vordan, David Goldstein, Mark Flowers, Joseph Miller, Michelle Fitts, Curtis Cole, Rick Adolf, Antonia Kohl, Carol Thies
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Patent number: 7083420Abstract: An interactive, handheld apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, a display screen on the housing, an electronic position location system, a stylus for selecting images on the display screen, a directional control pad on the housing and a memory device. The electronic position location system includes a processor that is capable of determining a location of a selected region of the display screen. The memory device includes computer code for an educational game and is operatively coupled to the processor.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2004Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Michael C. Wood, Alice Chen, David Goldstein, Mark Flowers, Joseph B. Miller, III, Michelle Fitts, Curtis Cole, Rick Adolf, Antonia Kohl, Carol Thies
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Patent number: 7039355Abstract: A print media receiving unit is disclosed. In one embodiment, the print media receiving unit comprises a platform that includes a surface adapted to receive a print medium comprising a spine. The spine may be disposed in a spine receiving portion in the platform. A location detection system capable of determining a location of a selected region of the print medium may be associated with the platform.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2003Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Larry Lynch, Mark Flowers, Dave Conroy, Tom Musolf
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Patent number: 6985139Abstract: A method for producing an output in response to an interaction with a print element on a sheet is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes placing a sheet comprising a print element on a surface of a base unit. A user can then mark on the sheet in the vicinity of the print element with a marking instrument. An audio output that corresponds to the print element is generated.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2004Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: L. James Marggraff, Mark Flowers
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Publication number: 20050259083Abstract: An apparatus for use in an electrographic position sensing system comprises an antenna system and a signal strength detector. In one embodiment, the antenna system comprises two antennas. The detector measures the signal strength from each antenna. A microprocessor contains an algorithm to calculate the position of the detector near the antennas.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2003Publication date: November 24, 2005Inventor: Mark Flowers
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Patent number: 6954199Abstract: A three-dimensional position locating system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the three-dimensional position locating system includes a housing including a substantially planar surface. The housing includes a first antenna element under the substantially planar surface. A stylus including a second antenna element is coupled to the housing. A processor is electrically coupled to the first antenna element and the second antenna element, and a three-dimensional structure overlies the first antenna element. An antenna coupling element is associated with the three-dimensional structure and an output device can be coupled to the processor.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2002Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Jorge Soto, Richard Freeman, Eric Shuler, Mark Flowers
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Publication number: 20050110796Abstract: A method of operating a pixel includes generating one of m possible data streams from an n-bit input that represents a desired intensity level. The data stream is usable to drive a pixel to the desired intensity level. Each of the m data streams includes a plurality of frames. The method further includes pseudo-randomly selecting a starting frame from the plurality of frames in the data stream for a specific pixel, using the selected data stream to drive the specific pixel, and pseudo-randomly selecting a different starting frame for a different specific pixel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2004Publication date: May 26, 2005Applicant: Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Mark Flowers, Ilya Ivanchenko, Venkat Aala, Charles Geber
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Patent number: 6882338Abstract: Antenna devices and apparatuses using the antenna devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, the antenna device includes a first plate structure and a second plate structure. A conductive member is adapted to be capacitively coupled to the first plate structure at a first capacitance and is adapted to be capacitively coupled to the second plate structure at a second capacitance. The conductive member is adapted to transmit a signal based on the first capacitance and the second capacitance.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2002Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Mark Flowers
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Publication number: 20050037327Abstract: An interactive, handheld apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, a display screen on the housing, an electronic position location system, a stylus for selecting images on the display screen, a directional control pad on the housing and a memory device. The electronic position location system includes a processor that is capable of determining a location of a selected region of the display screen. The memory device includes computer code for an educational game and is operatively coupled to the processor. A light is associated with the stylus. The light is illuminated to indicate that the stylus is available for use during operation of the educational game.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2004Publication date: February 17, 2005Applicant: LepFrog Enterprises,Inc.Inventors: Michael Wood, Alice Chen Jordan, David Goldstein, Mark Flowers, Joseph Miller, Michelle Fitts, Robert Cole, Rick Adolf, Antonia Kohl, Carol Thies
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Publication number: 20040229195Abstract: A system including a scanning apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system has (a) an article having (i) a surface having a plurality of positions and a plurality of print elements respectively at the plurality of positions, and (ii) a plurality of codes respectively at the plurality of positions and relating to absolute or relative locations of the positions. The system also has (b) a scanning apparatus comprising (i) a stylus having an optical detector and an optical emitter, (ii) a processor coupled to the optical detector and the optical emitter, (iii) a memory unit comprising code for audio corresponding to the print elements, the memory unit coupled to the processor, and (iv) an audio output device coupled to the processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2004Publication date: November 18, 2004Applicant: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: James Marggraff, Mark Flowers
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Publication number: 20040224775Abstract: An interactive, handheld apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, a display screen on the housing, an electronic position location system, a stylus for selecting images on the display screen, a directional control pad on the housing and a memory device. The electronic position location system includes a processor that is capable of determining a location of a selected region of the display screen. The memory device includes computer code for an educational game and is operatively coupled to the processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2004Publication date: November 11, 2004Applicant: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Michael C. Wood, Alice Chen, David Goldstein, Mark Flowers, Joseph B. Miller, Michelle Fitts, Curtis Cole, Rick Adolf, Antonia Kohl, Carol Thies
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Publication number: 20040140966Abstract: A method for producing an output in response to an interaction with a print element on a sheet is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes placing a sheet comprising a print element on a surface of a base unit. A user can then mark on the sheet in the vicinity of the print element with a marking instrument. An audio output that corresponds to the print element is generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2004Publication date: July 22, 2004Applicant: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: L. James Marggraff, Mark Flowers
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Publication number: 20040032369Abstract: Antenna devices and apparatuses using the antenna devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, the antenna device includes a first plate structure and a second plate structure. A conductive member is adapted to be capacitively coupled to the first plate structure at a first capacitance and is adapted to be capacitively coupled to the second plate structure at a second capacitance. The conductive member is adapted to transmit a signal based on the first capacitance and the second capacitance.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2002Publication date: February 19, 2004Applicant: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Mark Flowers
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Patent number: 6668156Abstract: A print media receiving unit is disclosed. In one embodiment, the print media receiving unit comprises a platform that includes a surface adapted to receive a print medium comprising a spine. The spine may be disposed in a spine receiving portion in the platform. A location detection system capable of determining a location of a selected region of the print medium may be associated with the platform.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2001Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Larry Lynch, Mark Flowers, Dave Conroy, Tom Musolf, James Marggraff
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Patent number: 6661405Abstract: An apparatus for use in an electrographic position sensing system comprises an antenna system and a signal strength detector. In one embodiment, the antenna system comprises two antennas. The detector measures the signal strength from each antenna. A microprocessor contains an algorithm to calculate the position of the detector near the antennas.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2000Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Mark Flowers
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Publication number: 20030218604Abstract: A method for producing an output in response to an interaction with a print element on a sheet is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes placing a sheet comprising a print element on a surface of a base unit. A user can then mark on the sheet in the vicinity of the print element with a marking instrument. An audio output that corresponds to the print element is generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2003Publication date: November 27, 2003Applicant: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Michael C. Wood, Tracey Hope Jedrzejek, Richard Glen Freeman, Mark Flowers, Eric Thomas Shuler, Margaret E. Grunert, Jason Avery