Patents by Inventor Timothy J. Lien
Timothy J. Lien 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: 11642906Abstract: A greeting card having an audio message recording and playback device permits recording of personalized audio messages to be played upon opening of the greeting card. The recording device is operable in either a trial mode or a use mode. In the trial mode, which would be applicable when the card is displayed in a store, a potential purchaser may experience the functionality of the card by recording their own test message. The test message 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 the giver of the greeting card, a user recorded message may be played back repeatedly upon subsequent openings of the card. The user recorded message may be followed by a prerecorded recording, such as a song. Additional prerecorded messages, such as voice prompts with instructions for recording a message, may also be included for activation in the trial mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Hallmark Cards, IncorporatedInventors: Timothy J. Lien, Randy S. Knipp, John B. Watkins
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Publication number: 20220148271Abstract: Immersive, dynamic storytelling functionality is described. The stories may include elements (e.g., characters, settings, duration, etc.) based on information provided, including in real time, by the user or presentation environment, and may be presented by projecting visual or audio story elements into the space surrounding the user. For example, as a child tells a story about a jungle, the room is filled with images of foliage. Animals that live in the jungle may be suggested as characters. Stories may be contextually tailored based on information about the user, environment, storytelling conditions, or other context. For example, story duration and excitement level may be influenced by the time of day, such that a story presented ten minutes before bedtime is an appropriate duration and excitement level. In some cases, objects of the presentation environment are incorporated into the story, such as a character projected as though entering through an actual doorway.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Randy S. Knipp, Kevin M. Brooks, Stephen Richard Eikos, Jason Blake Penrod, Jeffrey Alan Jones, Tim P. Patch, Timothy J. Lien
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Patent number: 11250630Abstract: Immersive, dynamic storytelling functionality is described. The stories may include elements (e.g., characters, settings, duration, etc.) based on information provided, including in real time, by the user or presentation environment, and may be presented by projecting visual or audio story elements into the space surrounding the user. For example, as a child tells a story about a jungle, the room is filled with images of foliage. Animals that live in the jungle may be suggested as characters. Stories may be contextually tailored based on information about the user, environment, storytelling conditions, or other context. For example, story duration and excitement level may be influenced by the time of day, such that a story presented ten minutes before bedtime is an appropriate duration and excitement level. In some cases, objects of the presentation environment are incorporated into the story, such as a character projected as though entering through an actual doorway.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2015Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATEDInventors: Randy S. Knipp, Kevin M. Brooks, Stephen Richard Eikos, Jason Blake Penrod, Jeffrey Alan Jones, Tim P. Patch, Timothy J. Lien
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Publication number: 20210107310Abstract: A greeting card having an audio message recording and playback device permits recording of personalized audio messages to be played upon opening of the greeting card. The recording device is operable in either a trial mode or a use mode. In the trial mode, which would be applicable when the card is displayed in a store, a potential purchaser may experience the functionality of the card by recording their own test message. The test message 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 the giver of the greeting card, a user recorded message may be played back repeatedly upon subsequent openings of the card. The user recorded message may be followed by a prerecorded recording, such as a song. Additional prerecorded messages, such as voice prompts with instructions for recording a message, may also be included for activation in the trial mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: TIMOTHY J. LIEN, RANDY S. KNIPP, JOHN B. WATKINS
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Patent number: 10870306Abstract: A greeting card having an audio message recording and playback device permits recording of personalized audio messages to be played upon opening of the greeting card. The recording device is operable in either a trial mode or a use mode. In the trial mode, which would be applicable when the card is displayed in a store, a potential purchaser may experience the functionality of the card by recording their own test message. The test message 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 the giver of the greeting card, a user recorded message may be played back repeatedly upon subsequent openings of the card. The user recorded message may be followed by a prerecorded recording, such as a song. Additional prerecorded messages, such as voice prompts with instructions for recording a message, may also be included for activation in the trial mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2019Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Hallmark Cards, IncorporatedInventors: Timothy J. Lien, Randy S. Knipp, John B. Watkins
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Publication number: 20200086673Abstract: A greeting card having an audio message recording and playback device permits recording of personalized audio messages to be played upon opening of the greeting card. The recording device is operable in either a trial mode or a use mode. In the trial mode, which would be applicable when the card is displayed in a store, a potential purchaser may experience the functionality of the card by recording their own test message. The test message 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 the giver of the greeting card, a user recorded message may be played back repeatedly upon subsequent openings of the card. The user recorded message may be followed by a prerecorded recording, such as a song. Additional prerecorded messages, such as voice prompts with instructions for recording a message, may also be included for activation in the trial mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: TIMOTHY J. LIEN, RANDY S. KNIPP, JOHN B. WATKINS
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Patent number: 10486453Abstract: A greeting card having an audio message recording and playback device permits recording of personalized audio messages to be played upon opening of the greeting card. The recording device is operable in either a trial mode or a use mode. In the trial mode, which would be applicable when the card is displayed in a store, a potential purchaser may experience the functionality of the card by recording their own test message. The test message 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 message is played repeatedly upon subsequent openings of the card. The user recorded message may be followed by a prerecorded recording, such as a song. Additional prerecorded messages, such as voice prompts with instructions for recording a message, may also be included.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2018Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Hallmark Card, IncorporatedInventors: Timothy J. Lien, Randy S. Knipp, John B. Watkins
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Publication number: 20190001731Abstract: A greeting card having an audio message recording and playback device permits recording of personalized audio messages to be played upon opening of the greeting card. The recording device is operable in either a trial mode or a use mode. In the trial mode, which would be applicable when the card is displayed in a store, a potential purchaser may experience the functionality of the card by recording their own test message. The test message 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 message is played repeatedly upon subsequent openings of the card. The user recorded message may be followed by a prerecorded recording, such as a song. Additional prerecorded messages, such as voice prompts with instructions for recording a message, may also be included.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: TIMOTHY J. LIEN, RANDY S. KNIPP, JOHN B. WATKINS
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Patent number: 10071590Abstract: A greeting card having an audio message recording and playback device permits recording of personalized audio messages to be played upon opening of the greeting card. The recording device is operable in either a trial mode or a use mode. In the trial mode, which would be applicable when the card is displayed in a store, a potential purchaser may experience the functionality of the card by recording their own test message. The test message 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 message is played repeatedly upon subsequent openings of the card. The user recorded message may be followed by a prerecorded recording, such as a song. Additional prerecorded messages, such as voice prompts with instructions for recording a message, may also be included.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATEDInventors: Timothy J. Lien, Randy S. Knipp, John B. Watkins
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Publication number: 20160225187Abstract: Immersive, dynamic storytelling functionality is described. The stories may include elements (e.g., characters, settings, duration, etc.) based on information provided, including in real time, by the user or presentation environment, and may be presented by projecting visual or audio story elements into the space surrounding the user. For example, as a child tells a story about a jungle, the room is filled with images of foliage. Animals that live in the jungle may be suggested as characters. Stories may be contextually tailored based on information about the user, environment, storytelling conditions, or other context. For example, story duration and excitement level may be influenced by the time of day, such that a story presented ten minutes before bedtime is an appropriate duration and excitement level. In some cases, objects of the presentation environment are incorporated into the story, such as a character projected as though entering through an actual doorway.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2015Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Randy S. Knipp, KEVIN M. BROOKS, STEPHEN RICHARD EIKOS, JASON BLAKE PENROD, JEFFREY ALAN JONES, TIM P. PATCH, TIMOTHY J. LIEN
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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: 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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Patent number: 8866630Abstract: A container having an internally directed audible output actuated by removal of a stopper is described. The container includes a hollow body with an open mouth and a base that includes a speaker and control electronics. A sensor is provided that is configured to detect presence of the stopper in the open mouth of the container. In one embodiment the sensor is comprised of a normally open electrical circuit formed by a pair of opposing arrays of electrical traces disposed within the mouth. In another embodiment, the sensor comprises an infrared light source and sensor that detects an amount of internally reflected infrared light within walls of the body. In yet another embodiment, the sensor comprises a device which detects the presence and/or absence of a magnetic field. Upon detection of removal of the stopper, an audible output is produced by the speaker into the container body and is perceivable by nearby users.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2013Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Hallmark Cards, IncorporatedInventors: Timothy J. Lien, Gerald J. Holland, Robert E. Morley
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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: 20140055275Abstract: A container having an internally directed audible output actuated by removal of a stopper is described. The container includes a hollow body with an open mouth and a base that includes a speaker and control electronics. A sensor is provided that is configured to detect presence of the stopper in the open mouth of the container. In one embodiment the sensor is comprised of a normally open electrical circuit formed by a pair of opposing arrays of electrical traces disposed within the mouth. In another embodiment, the sensor comprises an infrared light source and sensor that detects an amount of internally reflected infrared light within walls of the body. In yet another embodiment, the sensor comprises a device which detects the presence and/or absence of a magnetic field. Upon detection of removal of the stopper, an audible output is produced by the speaker into the container body and is perceivable by nearby users.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Inventors: TIMOTHY J. LIEN, GERALD J. HOLLAND, ROBERT E. MORLEY
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Patent number: 8558715Abstract: A container having an internally directed audible output actuated by removal of a stopper is described. The container includes a hollow body with an open mouth and a base that includes a speaker and control electronics. A sensor is provided that is configured to detect presence of the stopper in the open mouth of the container. In one embodiment the sensor is comprised of a normally open electrical circuit formed by a pair of opposing arrays of electrical traces disposed within the mouth. In another embodiment, the sensor comprises an infrared light source and sensor that detects an amount of internally reflected infrared light within walls of the body. In yet another embodiment, the sensor comprises a device which detects the presence and/or absence of a magnetic field. Upon detection of removal of the stopper, an audible output is produced by the speaker into the container body and is perceivable by nearby users.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2011Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Hallmark Cards, IncorporatedInventors: Timothy J. Lien, Gerald J. Holland, Robert E. Morley
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Publication number: 20130015193Abstract: A container having an internally directed audible output actuated by removal of a stopper is described. The container includes a hollow body with an open mouth and a base that includes a speaker and control electronics. A sensor is provided that is configured to detect presence of the stopper in the open mouth of the container. In one embodiment the sensor is comprised of a normally open electrical circuit formed by a pair of opposing arrays of electrical traces disposed within the mouth. In another embodiment, the sensor comprises an infrared light source and sensor that detects an amount of internally reflected infrared light within walls of the body. In yet another embodiment, the sensor comprises a device which detects the presence and/or absence of a magnetic field. Upon detection of removal of the stopper, an audible output is produced by the speaker into the container body and is perceivable by nearby users.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2011Publication date: January 17, 2013Inventors: Timothy J. Lien, Gerald J. Holland, Robert E. Morley