Patents by Inventor Stephen L. Spurgeon

Stephen L. Spurgeon 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: 8192040
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to decorate guitars are disclosed. An apparatus of one aspect may include a guitar shaped video game controller having a body and a neck. The apparatus may also include a decoration applied over a front surface of the body. The apparatus may also include a light coupled with the body of the guitar, the light disposed underneath the decoration, the light to transmit visible light through the decoration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Stephen L. Spurgeon
  • Publication number: 20110075395
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to decorate guitars are disclosed. An apparatus of one aspect may include a guitar shaped video game controller having a body and a neck. The apparatus may also include a decoration applied over a front surface of the body. The apparatus may also include a light coupled with the body of the guitar, the light disposed underneath the decoration, the light to transmit visible light through the decoration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen L. Spurgeon
  • Publication number: 20100317434
    Abstract: A method of an aspect includes communicating a signal associated with user performance from a gaming console to a gaming controller, and controlling an EL lamp coupled to the gaming controller according to the signal. The gaming controller of an aspect may have a decoration through which light from the EL lamp is to be transmitted. The decoration of an aspect may be printed with an ink jet printer such as an ultraviolet (UV) printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Aaron J. Golle, Stephen L. Spurgeon
  • Publication number: 20100238214
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of decorating guitars and other stringed musical instruments are disclosed. In one aspect, a method may include UV printing a first portion of a decoration over a first region of at least part of a guitar using a first ink drop size, and UV printing a second portion of the decoration over a second region of said at least part of the guitar using a second ink drop size. In another aspect, a method may include UV printing a mask layer over a surface of at least a portion of a guitar using a first amount of image constriction and a first amount of feathering, and UV printing a decorative layer over at least a portion of the mask layer using a second amount of image constriction and a second amount of feathering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen L. Spurgeon, Tyler Nylund
  • Patent number: 7736706
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of decorating guitars and other stringed musical instruments are disclosed. In one aspect, a method may include UV printing a first portion of a decoration over a first region of at least part of a guitar using a first ink drop size, and UV printing a second portion of the decoration over a second region of said at least part of the guitar using a second ink drop size. In another aspect, a method may include UV printing a mask layer over a surface of at least a portion of a guitar using a first amount of image constriction and a first amount of feathering, and UV printing a decorative layer over at least a portion of the mask layer using a second amount of image constriction and a second amount of feathering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Art Guitar, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen L. Spurgeon, Tyler Nylund
  • Patent number: 7737349
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of decorating guitars and other stringed musical instruments are disclosed. In one aspect, a method may include UV printing a first portion of a decoration over a first region of at least part of a guitar using a first ink drop size, and UV printing a second portion of the decoration over a second region of said at least part of the guitar using a second ink drop size. In another aspect, a method may include UV printing a mask layer over a surface of at least a portion of a guitar using a first amount of image constriction and a first amount of feathering, and UV printing a decorative layer over at least a portion of the mask layer using a second amount of image constriction and a second amount of feathering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Art Guitar, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen L. Spurgeon, Tyler Nylund
  • Patent number: 7286258
    Abstract: A system for creating a decorative edible item from a selected image. The system includes at least one image source, such as a scanner and/or a library of stored images, a controller unit and a printer. An edible media is inserted into the printer. The user then selects the image source, such as the scanner for scanning in a photograph reminiscence of a person or event being honored. The size of the printed image is then selected as well as the number of copies to be printed from the image. The print sequence is then activated. The controller unit applies color correction to the digital image and converts the digital image into printer control signals to operate the printer. The printer then prints a rendition of the image with edible inks as the edible media travels through the printer. A high-quality pictorial rendition of the image is thus created. The printed edible media can then be applied onto a product, shipped to a separate location or eaten as is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: DecoPac, Inc.
    Inventors: Andy Schnoebelen, Marc Schnoebelen, Jeff Barkhimer, Matt Bullen, Mark McLoughlin, Mary Sandquist, Stephen L. Spurgeon, Ronald B. Kammerer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7012712
    Abstract: A system for creating a decorative edible item from a selected image. The system includes at least one image source, such as a scanner and/or a library of stored images, a controller unit and a printer. An edible media is inserted into the printer. The user then selects the image source, such as the scanner for scanning in a photograph reminiscence of a person or event being honored. The size of the printed image is then selected as well as the number of copies to be printed from the image. The print sequence is then activated. The controller unit applies color correction to the digital image and converts the digital image into printer control signals to operate the printer. The printer then prints a rendition of the image with edible inks as the edible media travels through the printer. A high-quality pictorial rendition of the image is thus created. The printed edible media can then be applied onto a product, shipped to a separate location or eaten as is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: DecoPac, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Spurgeon, Ronald B. Kammerer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6903841
    Abstract: A system for creating a decorative edible item from a selected image. The system includes at least one image source, such as a scanner and/or a library of stored images, a controller unit and a printer. An edible media is inserted into the printer. The user then selects the image source, such as the scanner for scanning in a photograph reminiscence of a person or event being honored. The size of the printed image is then selected as well as the number of copies to be printed from the image. The print sequence is then activated. The controller unit applies color correction to the digital image and converts the digital image into printer control signals to operate the printer. The printer then prints a rendition of the image with edible inks as the edible media travels through the printer. A high-quality pictorial rendition of the image is thus created. The printed edible media can then be applied onto a product, shipped to a separate location or eaten as is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: DecoPac, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Spurgeon, Ronald B. Kammerer, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020135651
    Abstract: A system for creating a decorative edible item from a selected image. The system includes at least one image source, such as a scanner and/or a library of stored images, a controller unit and a printer. An edible media is inserted into the printer. The user then selects the image source, such as the scanner for scanning in a photograph reminiscence of a person or event being honored. The size of the printed image is then selected as well as the number of copies to be printed from the image. The print sequence is then activated. The controller unit applies color correction to the digital image and converts the digital image into printer control signals to operate the printer. The printer then prints a rendition of the image with edible inks as the edible media travels through the printer. A high-quality pictorial rendition of the image is thus created. The printed edible media can then be applied onto a product, shipped to a separate location or eaten as is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Stephen L. Spurgeon, Ronald B. Kammerer
  • Publication number: 20020039928
    Abstract: A method of applying an image to bowling balls. The method includes printing the image onto a transfer sheet with sublimation inks. The printed transfer sheet is placed to envelope an outer surface layer formed of polyester or urethane of a bowling ball. Heat and pressure is applied uniformly to the transfer sheet to cause the sublimation inks to diffuse into the polyester or urethane surface layer of the bowling ball. A high quality durable image is thus applied to the bowling ball without affecting the performance or altering surface of the bowling ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventors: Stephen L. Spurgeon, Ronald B. Kammerer
  • Publication number: 20020008751
    Abstract: A system for creating a decorative edible item from a selected image. The system includes at least one image source, such as a scanner and/or a library of stored images, a controller unit and a printer. An edible media is inserted into the printer. The user then selects the image source, such as the scanner for scanning in a photograph reminiscence of a person or event being honored. The size of the printed image is then selected as well as the number of copies to be printed from the image. The print sequence is then activated. The controller unit applies color correction to the digital image and converts the digital image into printer control signals to operate the printer. The printer then prints a rendition of the image with edible inks as the edible media travels through the printer. A high-quality pictorial rendition of the image is thus created. The printed edible media can then be applied onto a product, shipped to a separate location or eaten as is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: STEPHEN L. SPURGEON, RONALD B. KAMMERER