Patents by Inventor TIMOTHY JAY LIEN

TIMOTHY JAY 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).

  • Patent number: 10643482
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an Audio-Story Engine that includes a repository of prerecorded audio files that, when played in a certain sequence, with user provided recordings placed throughout, tell a story. To obtain the user provided recordings, the Audio-Story Engine asks the user to make audio recordings of various words or phrases. For example, the Audio-Story Engine may ask the user a series of questions in order to record and store the user's audible responses. Upon completion, the Audio-Story Engine plays back a completed story that incorporates the user's audio recordings by playing an appropriate user recording after playing a prerecorded audio file. This is repeated several times in sequence to form a seamless, customized, audio story. In addition, the Audio-Story Engine may alter the pitch or sound of the user's recorded words to match the pitch of the prerecorded story.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventors: Anne Catherine Bates, Jason Paul Gahr, Adam Samuel Scheff, Jason Blake Penrod, Stephane Farris Young, Timothy Jay Lien, Michael Anthony Monaco, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9759413
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Timothy Jay Lien, Jason Blake Penrod, Steve Eikos, Robert D. Wertanen, Ma Lap Man, Wesley D. Lindquist, Kari Jean Walberg
  • Publication number: 20160047536
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: TIMOTHY JAY LIEN, JASON BLAKE PENROD, STEVE EIKOS, ROBERT D. WERTANEN, MA LAP MAN, WESLEY D. LINDQUIST, KARI JEAN WALBERG
  • Patent number: 9200790
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Timothy Jay Lien, Jason Blake Penrod, Steve Eikos, Robert D. Wertanen, Ma Lap Man, Wesley D. Lindquist, Kari Jean Walberg
  • Publication number: 20150161898
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an Audio-Story Engine that includes a repository of prerecorded audio files that, when played in a certain sequence, with user provided recordings placed throughout, tell a story. To obtain the user provided recordings, the Audio-Story Engine asks the user to make audio recordings of various words or phrases. For example, the Audio-Story Engine may ask the user a series of questions in order to record and store the user's audible responses. Upon completion, the Audio-Story Engine plays back a completed story that incorporates the user's audio recordings by playing an appropriate user recording after playing a prerecorded audio file. This is repeated several times in sequence to form a seamless, customized, audio story. In addition, the Audio-Story Engine may alter the pitch or sound of the user's recorded words to match the pitch of the prerecorded story.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: ANNE CATHERINE BATES, JASON PAUL GAHR, ADAM SAMUEL SCHEFF, JASON BLAKE PENROD, STEPHANIE FARRIS YOUNG, TIMOTHY JAY LIEN, MICHAEL ANTHONY MONACO, JR.
  • Patent number: 8961183
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an Audio-Story Engine that includes a repository of prerecorded audio files that, when played in a certain sequence, with user provided recordings placed throughout, tell a story. To obtain the user provided recordings, the Audio-Story Engine asks the user to make audio recordings of various words or phrases. For example, the Audio-Story Engine may ask the user a series of questions in order to record and store the user's audible responses. Upon completion, the Audio-Story Engine plays back a completed story that incorporates the user's audio recordings by playing an appropriate user recording after playing a prerecorded audio file. This is repeated several times in sequence to form a seamless, customized, audio story. In addition, the Audio-Story Engine may alter the pitch or sound of the user's recorded words to match the pitch of the prerecorded story.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventors: Anne Catherine Bates, Jason Paul Gahr, Adam Samuel Scheff, Jason Blake Penrod, Stephanie Farris Young, Timothy Jay Lien, Michael Anthony Monaco, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140003034
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: TIMOTHY JAY LIEN, JASON BLAKE PENROD, STEVE EIKOS, ROBERT D. WERTANEN, MA LAP MAN, WESLEY D. LINDQUIST, KARI JEAN WALBERG
  • Publication number: 20130323689
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an Audio-Story Engine that includes a repository of prerecorded audio files that, when played in a certain sequence, with user provided recordings placed throughout, tell a story. To obtain the user provided recordings, the Audio-Story Engine asks the user to make audio recordings of various words or phrases. For example, the Audio-Story Engine may ask the user a series of questions in order to record and store the user's audible responses. Upon completion, the Audio-Story Engine plays back a completed story that incorporates the user's audio recordings by playing an appropriate user recording after playing a prerecorded audio file. This is repeated several times in sequence to form a seamless, customized, audio story. In addition, the Audio-Story Engine may alter the pitch or sound of the user's recorded words to match the pitch of the prerecorded story.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: ANNE CATHERINE BATES, JASON PAUL GAHR, ADAM SAMUEL SCHEFF, JASON BLAKE PENROD, STEPHANIE FARRIS YOUNG, TIMOTHY JAY LIEN, MICHAEL ANTHONY MONACO, JR.