Patents by Inventor Mark Hardin

Mark Hardin 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).

  • Publication number: 20120050607
    Abstract: A device for attaching to a bill of a hat to capture images includes a casing, a sensor disposed in the casing for capturing images outside the casing, and means for directing the sensor with respect to said casing. A first memory is disposed in the casing and connected to the sensor, and means exists for attaching the casing to the bill of the hat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Rhino Outdoors, LLC
    Inventors: G. Craig Sims, Mark Hardin
  • Patent number: 8075362
    Abstract: An electronic banking toy is provided. The toy may include a housing defining a storage compartment with an adjoining slot for depositing coins. A controller may display graphical and auditory representations of activities on a display screen based on the sensed location of an icon moveably mounted in a track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Hardin, Kimberly V. Matilla, Eric Skifstrom, Andy Chan
  • Patent number: 8062089
    Abstract: A video toy is provided with a video screen and multiple selectable dioramas positioned behind the video screen. The dioramas may be fixed to a shaft so that rotation of a handle of the shaft moves a first diorama to a position behind the screen and visible through the screen. Rotating the handle and shaft again may sequentially move a second diorama to a position behind the screen replacing the first diorama. The video toy may display characters and objects on the screen that engage in activities and appear to interact with objects in the diorama visible through the video display. Virtual characters may be programmed to exhibit development and modify their activities and interactions with the player based on type and frequency of inputs. The video toy may respond to signals from a computer by accessing additional game play modes or options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Hardin, Dominic Ambriz, Erich Weidetz, Tracy Thurman, Eric Skifstrom, Ken Metzler, Martin Ly, Jack Millerick
  • Publication number: 20110269541
    Abstract: A display system is provided. The display system may include a housing and a transparent display screen mounted to the housing, the screen configured to be moved between a first position and a second position. The display system may further include a sensor mounted to the housing to detect screen position in relation to the housing and a character generator configured to generate and display images of a virtual character on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Hardin, Dominic Ambriz, Evelyn Viohl
  • Patent number: 8007339
    Abstract: A video toy is provided which may include a video screen and first and second housing segments. Each housing segment may have a diorama displaying features and objects to simulate a scene such as an apartment or room. The video screen may move from a position in front of a first diorama to a position in front of a second diorama. The diorama behind the video screen may be visible through the screen. The video toy may be programmed to display characters on the screen that engage in activities consistent with the diorama visible through the video display and simulate interacting with objects in the diorama. Players may interact with the characters through inputs such as buttons. Virtual characters may be programmed to have activities and interactions with the player that are modified based on type and frequency of user inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Hardin, Dominic Ambriz, Evelyn Viohl
  • Patent number: 7607962
    Abstract: An electronic toy with alterable features. The toy includes a body having a sensor adapted to detect at least a first orientation of the body and a second orientation of the body, and provide a corresponding sensor output. In some embodiments, the toy includes a controller configured to select a set of toy outputs from a library of toy outputs in response to the sensor output. The toy outputs may include a play mode and/or a persona. In some embodiments, the toy includes one or more movable portions coupled to the body and adapted to move in response to changes in the orientation of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Hardin
  • Publication number: 20090264045
    Abstract: A toy product including a doll and a display device that may be used with the doll is disclosed. The doll may have one or more movable features and may be releasably coupled to the display device. The display device may include an actuating assembly and a folding assembly with enclosure pieces that may alternately enclose and reveal the doll within the display device. The assemblies may communicate with each other and with movable features of the doll through selectively actuable components. A locking member may engage and releasably retain the folding assembly in a retracted position and may return the folding assembly to an extended position upon disengagement. In the embodiments in which the enclosure pieces resemble flower petals, the movement of the enclosure pieces may have the effects of a flower bloom closing and opening up to respectively surround and reveal the doll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Mark Hardin
  • Publication number: 20090176432
    Abstract: An electronic banking toy is provided. The toy may include a housing defining a storage compartment with an adjoining slot for depositing coins. A controller may display graphical and auditory representations of activities on a display screen based on the sensed location of an icon moveably mounted in a track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Mark Hardin, Kimberly V. Matilla, Erick Skifstrom, Andy Chan
  • Publication number: 20080139265
    Abstract: A video toy is provided with a video screen and multiple selectable dioramas positioned behind the video screen. The dioramas may be fixed to a shaft so that rotation of a handle of the shaft moves a first diorama to a position behind the screen and visible through the screen. Rotating the handle and shaft again may sequentially move a second diorama to a position behind the screen replacing the first diorama. The video toy may display characters and objects on the screen that engage in activities and appear to interact with objects in the diorama visible through the video display. Virtual characters may be programmed to exhibit development and modify their activities and interactions with the player based on type and frequency of inputs. The video toy may respond to signals from a computer by accessing additional game play modes or options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Hardin, Dominic Ambriz, Erich Weidetz, Tracy Thurman, Eric Skifstrom, Ken Metzler, Martin Ly, Jack Millerick
  • Publication number: 20080113586
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for electronic playsets and components thereof. An electronic playset of the present disclosure may include a see-through monitor having a transparent screen configured to display an animated image superimposed over one or more regions. The see-through monitor may be moveable by rotation or translation between one or more positions, the one or more positions being adjacent to the one or more regions. Some embodiments including a see-through monitor with a light source configured to illuminate the one or more regions. Another aspect of the present disclosure provides for a removable toy having an identifiable accessory that may be provided to an electronic playset. The playset may be configured to identify the toy and display an animated character based on the identity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Hardin, Andy Chan, Eric Skifstrom, Jack Millerick
  • Publication number: 20080026672
    Abstract: An electronic toy with alterable features. The toy includes a body having a sensor adapted to detect at least a first orientation of the body and a second orientation of the body, and provide a corresponding sensor output. In some embodiments, the toy includes a controller configured to select a set of toy outputs from a library of toy outputs in response to the sensor output. The toy outputs may include a play mode and/or a persona. In some embodiments, the toy includes one or more movable portions coupled to the body and adapted to move in response to changes in the orientation of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Mark Hardin
  • Publication number: 20070178980
    Abstract: A video toy is provided which may include a video screen and first and second housing segments. Each housing segment may have a diorama displaying features and objects to simulate a scene such as an apartment or room. The video screen may move from a position in front of a first diorama to a position in front of a second diorama. The diorama behind the video screen may be visible through the screen. The video toy may be programmed to display characters on the screen that engage in activities consistent with the diorama visible through the video display and simulate interacting with objects in the diorama. Players may interact with the characters through inputs such as buttons. Virtual characters may be programmed to have activities and interactions with the player that are modified based on type and frequency of user inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventors: Mark Hardin, Dominic Ambriz, Evelyn Viohl
  • Publication number: 20060237401
    Abstract: A laser welding system includes a free-spacing beam delivery laser head having a linear array of at least two laser diodes. Each of the diodes generates a laser beam of a predetermined wavelength and spectral width, the laser beams adapted to weld a workpiece having a first component and at least one other component to be welded to the first component, the first component being substantially transmissive to the wavelength, the other component being substantially absorptive of the wavelength. A lens is spaced a predetermined distance from each of the laser diodes, each of the lenses adapted to focus the respective laser beam into a focused laser beam segment, thereby forming a continuous line of laser energy from a substantially serial combination of each focused laser beam segment. The continuous line of laser energy is in a plane containing the workpiece, and is substantially orthogonal to the workpiece translation direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Marjan Amesbury, Barbara Baxter, Michael King, Mark Hardin, Qiong Chen, Muay Neo, Louis-Raymond Rozario
  • Publication number: 20060044552
    Abstract: A measuring device comprising a sensor capable, through slideable displacement, of detecting alternating reflective and non-reflective markings on surfaces which can be planar or curved, and can be of any length. The output of said sensor can be utilized by other devices, to determine distance, velocity, acceleration or other factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: Mark Hardin, Mark Hotchkiss