Patents by Inventor Robert D. Wertanen
Robert D. Wertanen 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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Patent number: 9759413Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention use light to add human-like features to an inanimate object. In one embodiment, the object includes a film with an image that has been manipulated to provide for a low profile projection of an image onto a vertical surface directly adjacent to the object. For example, the image of a witch's head could be projected onto a wall and directly beneath, a witch's hat could be hanging on the wall. In another embodiment, changing lights and shadows are used to create animated objects out of otherwise inanimate objects. Various embodiments include components to create the illusion of changing facial expressions. These components include a plurality of light sources and an electronic device that controls the light sources to create the animation.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2015Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATEDInventors: Timothy Jay Lien, Jason Blake Penrod, Steve Eikos, Robert D. Wertanen, Ma Lap Man, Wesley D. Lindquist, Kari Jean Walberg
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Publication number: 20160047536Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention use light to add human-like features to an inanimate object. In one embodiment, the object includes a film with an image that has been manipulated to provide for a low profile projection of an image onto a vertical surface directly adjacent to the object. For example, the image of a witch's head could be projected onto a wall and directly beneath, a witch's hat could be hanging on the wall. In another embodiment, changing lights and shadows are used to create animated objects out of otherwise inanimate objects. Various embodiments include components to create the illusion of changing facial expressions. These components include a plurality of light sources and an electronic device that controls the light sources to create the animation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2015Publication date: February 18, 2016Inventors: TIMOTHY JAY LIEN, JASON BLAKE PENROD, STEVE EIKOS, ROBERT D. WERTANEN, MA LAP MAN, WESLEY D. LINDQUIST, KARI JEAN WALBERG
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Patent number: 9232288Abstract: An article (e.g., toy, ornament, etc.) having an audio recording and playback device permits recording of a karaoke-style song to be played. A user sings along with a permanently prerecorded, karaoke-style song that is played during a recording session. The recording device is operable in either a trial mode or a use mode. In the trial mode, a user-recorded song is played back initially for the potential purchaser but is not subsequently played back to be later heard by other potential purchasers. In the use mode, which the article may be switched to after purchase, a user-recorded karaoke-style song can be played. During playback, the user-recorded song is played simultaneously with the prerecorded karaoke-style recording that was played during the recording session. Additional prerecorded messages, such as voice prompts with instructions, may also be included.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2014Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Hallmark Cards, IncorporatedInventors: Timothy J. Lien, Randy S. Knipp, Robert D. Wertanen, Sara F. Coash, Elizabeth A. Fine
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Patent number: 9200790Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention use light to add human-like features to an inanimate object. In one embodiment, the object includes a film with an image that has been manipulated to provide for a low profile projection of an image onto a vertical surface directly adjacent to the object. For example, the image of a witch's head could be projected onto a wall and directly beneath, a witch's hat could be hanging on the wall. In another embodiment, changing lights and shadows are used to create animated objects out of otherwise inanimate objects. Various embodiments include components to create the illusion of changing facial expressions. These components include a plurality of light sources and an electronic device that controls the light sources to create the animation.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATEDInventors: Timothy Jay Lien, Jason Blake Penrod, Steve Eikos, Robert D. Wertanen, Ma Lap Man, Wesley D. Lindquist, Kari Jean Walberg
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Patent number: 8937535Abstract: A greeting card having an audio message and playback device delivers a first sound recording upon opening of the greeting card and a second sound recording upon closing of the greeting card. The delivery of each sound recording may be delayed by a timing component within the audio message and playback device. Additionally, the delivery of each sound recording may be played simultaneously or in queue. Sound recordings may also be recorded by a user using a recording component that is in addition to the audio message and playback device. The audio message and playback device may also include an additional trial mode component that allows the user to test a recorded message before purchasing the greeting card and place the greeting card into a use mode that allows the user to permanently record the message.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2014Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Hallmark Cards, IncorporatedInventors: Timothy J. Lien, John B. Watkins, Robert D. Wertanen
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Publication number: 20140213138Abstract: An article (e.g., toy, ornament, etc.) having an audio recording and playback device permits recording of a karaoke-style song to be played. A user sings along with a permanently prerecorded, karaoke-style song that is played during a recording session. The recording device is operable in either a trial mode or a use mode. In the trial mode, a user-recorded song is played back initially for the potential purchaser but is not subsequently played back to be later heard by other potential purchasers. In the use mode, which the article may be switched to after purchase, a user-recorded karaoke-style song can be played. During playback, the user-recorded song is played simultaneously with the prerecorded karaoke-style recording that was played during the recording session. Additional prerecorded messages, such as voice prompts with instructions, may also be included.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATEDInventors: TIMOTHY J. LIEN, RANDY S. KNIPP, ROBERT D. WERTANEN, SARA F. COASH, ELIZABETH A. FINE
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Publication number: 20140150308Abstract: A greeting card having an audio message and playback device delivers a first sound recording upon opening of the greeting card and a second sound recording upon closing of the greeting card. The delivery of each sound recording may be delayed by a timing component within the audio message and playback device. Additionally, the delivery of each sound recording may be played simultaneously or in queue. Sound recordings may also be recorded by a user using a recording component that is in addition to the audio message and playback device. The audio message and playback device may also include an additional trial mode component that allows the user to test a recorded message before purchasing the greeting card and place the greeting card into a use mode that allows the user to permanently record the message.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2014Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATEDInventors: TIMOTHY J. LIEN, JOHN B. WATKINS, ROBERT D. WERTANEN
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Patent number: 8736429Abstract: A greeting card having an audio message and playback device delivers a first sound recording upon opening of the greeting card and a second sound recording upon closing of the greeting card. The delivery of each sound recording may be delayed by a timing component within the audio message and playback device. Additionally, the delivery of each sound recording may be played simultaneously or in queue. Sound recordings may also be recorded by a user using a recording component that is in addition to the audio message and playback device. The audio message and playback device may also include an additional trial mode component that allows the user to test a recorded message before purchasing the greeting card and place the greeting card into a use mode that allows the user to permanently record the message.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Hallmark Cards, IncorporatedInventors: Timothy J. Lien, John B. Watkins, Robert D. Wertanen
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Patent number: 8719033Abstract: A greeting card having an audio recording and playback device permits recording of a karaoke-style song to be played upon opening of the greeting card. A user sings along with a permanently prerecorded, karaoke-style song that is played during a recording session. The recording device is operable in either a trial mode or a use mode. In the trial mode, a user-recorded song is played back initially for the potential purchaser but is not subsequently played back to be later heard by other potential purchasers. In the use mode, which the card may be switched to after purchase by removal of a trial mode panel from the greeting card, a user-recorded karaoke-style song is played upon subsequent openings of the card. During playback, the user-recorded song is played simultaneously with the prerecorded karaoke-style recording that was played during the recording session. Additional prerecorded messages, such as voice prompts with instructions, may also be included.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Hallmark Cards, IncorporatedInventors: Timothy J. Lien, Randy S. Knipp, Robert D. Wertanen, Sara F. Coash, Elizabeth A. Fine
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Publication number: 20140003034Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention use light to add human-like features to an inanimate object. In one embodiment, the object includes a film with an image that has been manipulated to provide for a low profile projection of an image onto a vertical surface directly adjacent to the object. For example, the image of a witch's head could be projected onto a wall and directly beneath, a witch's hat could be hanging on the wall. In another embodiment, changing lights and shadows are used to create animated objects out of otherwise inanimate objects. Various embodiments include components to create the illusion of changing facial expressions. These components include a plurality of light sources and an electronic device that controls the light sources to create the animation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATEDInventors: TIMOTHY JAY LIEN, JASON BLAKE PENROD, STEVE EIKOS, ROBERT D. WERTANEN, MA LAP MAN, WESLEY D. LINDQUIST, KARI JEAN WALBERG
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Publication number: 20100308981Abstract: A greeting card having an audio message and playback device delivers a first sound recording upon opening of the greeting card and a second sound recording upon closing of the greeting card. The delivery of each sound recording may be delayed by a timing component within the audio message and playback device. Additionally, the delivery of each sound recording may be played simultaneously or in queue. Sound recordings may also be recorded by a user using a recording component that is in addition to the audio message and playback device. The audio message and playback device may also include an additional trial mode component that allows the user to test a recorded message before purchasing the greeting card and place the greeting card into a use mode that allows the user to permanently record the message.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicant: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATEDInventors: Timothy J. Lien, John B. Watkins, Robert D. Wertanen
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Publication number: 20100307036Abstract: A greeting card having an audio recording and playback device permits recording of a karaoke-style song to be played upon opening of the greeting card. A user sings along with a permanently prerecorded, karaoke-style song that is played during a recording session. The recording device is operable in either a trial mode or a use mode. In the trial mode, a user-recorded song is played back initially for the potential purchaser but is not subsequently played back to be later heard by other potential purchasers. In the use mode, which the card may be switched to after purchase by removal of a trial mode panel from the greeting card, a user-recorded karaoke-style song is played upon subsequent openings of the card. During playback, the user-recorded song is played simultaneously with the prerecorded karaoke-style recording that was played during the recording session. Additional prerecorded messages, such as voice prompts with instructions, may also be included.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicant: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATEDInventors: Timothy J. Lien, Randy S. Knipp, Robert D. Wertanen, Sara F. Coash, Elizabeth A. Fine