Bizarre Patents
Pet Toilet-Like Water Disk and Food Storage
One pet-friendly inventor patented "a device for watering pets, e.g., a dog or cat." The device, he helpfully noted, "has the general shape of a toilet."
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8160922 | Method and system for making donations to charitable entities A method and system for making a donation to a third party, wherein a user executes a purchase transaction using a card linked to a reward point account If a user donation is desired, then the user's reward point account is decreased and corresponding value is trans... | 04/17/2012 |
| 8159344 | Microwave motion detectors utilizing multi-frequency ranging and target angle detection A method of detecting a moving target within a predefined protected region with a microwave motion detector, by transmitting microwave frequency signals and receiving the microwave frequency signals reflected by a target. A target distance is then determined from th... | 04/17/2012 |
| D656201 | Game playing apparatus | 03/20/2012 |
| 8131597 | System and method for using an ordinary article of commerce to access a remote computer A system and method for using identification codes found on ordinary articles of commerce to access remote computers on a network. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a computer is provided having a database that relates Uniform Product Code (“UPCâ... | 03/06/2012 |
| 8117126 | Method and system for using reward points to liquidate products A user selects a product to be liquidated from a product provider and then designates to the transacting entity that reward points are to be used towards the purchase of the liquidated product. The transacting entity acts to decrease the number of reward points in t... | 02/14/2012 |
| 8102261 | Microwave ranging sensor A method for detecting an intruder in a protected space that uses a microwave frequency sensor to determine an accurate distance measurement to the intruder. The accurate distance measurement reduces the false alarms typically associated with microwave frequency sen... | 01/24/2012 |
| 8094123 | Controller with user-selectable discrete button emulation A user device with a position control device such as a thumbstick may be used to emulate discrete button presses via user selection of a mode switch on the device. ... | 01/10/2012 |
| 8085911 | Central monitoring station with method to process call based on call source identification information A system and a method for processing an incoming telephone call to an alarm system central monitoring station using call source identification data such as caller ID. The alarm system central monitoring station can use the caller ID information transmitted by the te... | 12/27/2011 |
| 8078496 | Method and system for implementing a search engine with reward components and payment components A system and method for implementation of product searches via a search engine over a networked computer system such as the Internet. In particular, a user may execute a search for product offers that are accompanied with reward components (e.g. reward points, rebat... | 12/13/2011 |
| 8051008 | Method and system for using reward points to liquidate products A user selects a product to be liquidated from a product provider and then designates to the transacting entity that reward points are to be used towards the purchase of the liquidated product. The transacting entity acts to decrease the number of reward points in t... | 11/01/2011 |
| 8005323 | Method and apparatus for generation and transmission of high energy optical pulses for long range measurements A method and apparatus for generating and transmitting high energy optical pulses are described. Distributed temperature sensors usually use Raman scattering in optical fibers as the means to determine the temperature. Here, light from a laser source is sent down a ... | 08/23/2011 |
| 7982606 | Microwave motion detector with target angle detection The present invention is an alarm system that includes a dual technology motion sensor. The dual technology sensor includes a PIR sensor with a PIR detection pattern and a Doppler microwave frequency motion detector with a detection pattern wider than that of the PI... | 07/19/2011 |
| 7978069 | Reliable security system by triangulation The present invention is a security system and a method for reliably detecting an intruder without false alarms. The security system includes at least three motion detectors and processor circuitry adapted to collect a plurality of location samples and analyze them ... | 07/12/2011 |
| 7873574 | Method and system for using reward points to liquidate products A user selects a product to be liquidated from a product provider and then designates to the transacting entity that reward points are to be used towards the purchase of the liquidated product. The transacting entity acts to decrease the number of reward points in t... | 01/18/2011 |
| 7865044 | Sensing system using optical fiber suited to high temperatures Remote sensing in an environment having temperatures greater than 300° C., using an optical fiber having a core (10), a cladding (20), and a metallic protective coating (30) on the cladding to protect a surface of the cladding, the cladding hav... | 01/04/2011 |
| 7843322 | Instant messaging applications in security systems A method of operating a security system by generating an instant message at a first location, the instant message including security system data, then transmitting the instant message from the first location over a computer network to a second location via an instan... | 11/30/2010 |
| 7843312 | Wireless control of security system with key-operated key fob A key fob with a housing into which a deadbolt key is mounted such that the shank protrudes therefrom, enabling a user to turn the housing and cause the key to lock or unlock the door. Within the keyfob are a pair of switches or other sensing means configured to clo... | 11/30/2010 |
| 7813898 | Processing sensing measurements Software (140) for processing measurements from a distributed sensing system (100) receives the measurements, and generates a graphical representation of the measurements indicating their location or time sequence, and a representation of locations of ... | 10/12/2010 |
| 7804403 | Security system control module A security system control module with a portable housing including a wireless receiver, control circuitry, nonvolatile memory, and a data connector. The receiver receives data transmissions from at least one wireless security device that monitors a condition of a pr... | 09/28/2010 |
| 7796052 | One button multifunction key fob for controlling a security system A security device which is a hand held portable remote device such as a key fob that allows a user to interact with a security system using a single button. The security system functions such as arming, disarming, panic, garage door open, lamp on/off, and lamp dimmi... | 09/14/2010 |
| 7796035 | Method for setting a programmable allowed movement time on an asset protection device A method and apparatus for generating an alarm signal upon detecting movement of an object over a time that is greater than a field settable allowed movement time. The method includes the steps of locating a housing with respect to the object, setting the allowed mo... | 09/14/2010 |
| 7772963 | System and method for synchronization of data streams A method of and system for acquiring data by a data reader from a transponder in which the data from the transponder does not require a preamble to denote the beginning of the data sequence. A radio frequency signal is continuously transmitted by the card reader to ... | 08/10/2010 |
| 7769630 | Method and system for issuing, aggregating and redeeming rewards based on merchant transactions A loyalty or reward point system that utilizes the pre-existing infrastructure of a typical credit card network. In one embodiment, a user makes a purchase at a merchant of a product using a credit card. The merchant contacts the acquiring bank (which may be any typ... | 08/03/2010 |
| 7769260 | Intervention rod A rod having an embedded optical fiber has a stiff composite outer layer (10) to make the rod self straightening to enable it to be pushed into a pipe or borehole from a spool. This can help enable a reduction of friction between rod and conduit and can enabl... | 08/03/2010 |
| 7765126 | System and method for automatic access of a remote computer over a network A system and method for using identification codes found on ordinary articles of commerce to access remote computers on a network. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a computer is provided having a database that relates Uniform Product Code (“UPCâ... | 07/27/2010 |
| 7765124 | Method and system for issuing, aggregating and redeeming merchant rewards with an issuing bank A loyalty reward point system that utilizes the pre-existing infrastructure of network such as a credit card network. A user makes a purchase at a merchant using a token such as a credit card. As part of the purchase transaction, the user is awarded reward points fr... | 07/27/2010 |
| 7762228 | Device-operating module The rotary-piston machine consists of two operating units. The first one comprises a horizontal operating cylinder (1) with cylindrical shaft (5), connected to the main shaft (4) and sealed with rings to the walls of the cylinder (1). The... | 07/27/2010 |
| 7761378 | Method and system for using reward points to liquidate products A user selects a product to be liquidated from a product provider and then designates to the transacting entity that reward points are to be used towards the purchase of the liquidated product. The transacting entity acts to decrease the number of reward points in t... | 07/20/2010 |
| 7747018 | Method and apparatus for providing a message sequence count in a security systems A security system and method of operation includes a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver in wireless communication with the wireless transmitter, and a control panel. The transmitter transmits a wireless message, including a unique transmitter identification n... | 06/29/2010 |
| 7746224 | Instant messaging applications in security systems A method of operating a security system by generating an instant message at a first location, the instant message including security system data, then transmitting the instant message from the first location over a computer network to a second location via an instan... | 06/29/2010 |
| 7742943 | Method and system for issuing, aggregating and redeeming merchant loyalty points with an acquiring bank A loyalty reward point system that utilizes the pre-existing infrastructure of network such as a credit card network. A user makes a purchase at a merchant using a token such as a credit card. As part of the purchase transaction, the user is awarded reward points fr... | 06/22/2010 |
| 7741969 | Door entry security device with electronic lock An alarm system and method for (1) assisting a user in arming and disarming an alarm system when locking and unlocking an entry door, (2) automatically locking an entry door when arming the alarm system, and/or (3) remotely controlling an electronic lock in an entry... | 06/22/2010 |
| 7734906 | System and method for panel linking in a security system A security system comprising a plurality of security subsystems each of the security subsystems being discretely located, typically in separate buildings. The security subsystems are interconnected by a system communications bus to enable bi-directional communicatio... | 06/08/2010 |
| 7716080 | Method and system for using multi-function cards for storing, managing and aggregating reward points A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns reward points from a plurality of independent reward points issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned reward points in a user reward point account... | 05/11/2010 |
| 7680687 | Method and system for reward points exchange between accounts A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns rewards from a plurality of reward issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned rewards. A trading server accumulates some or all of the user's earne... | 03/16/2010 |
| 7676393 | Method and system for rewards accumulation and redemption A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns rewards from a plurality of independent reward issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned rewards. A trading server accumulates some or all of the ... | 03/09/2010 |
| 7654784 | Device housing with integral fastener retainers The present invention is a housing for a surface-mountable device such as a security device (a PIR, a microwave motion detector, and the like). The housing has a surface-mountable housing portion with at least one aperture for receiving a surface-mounting member the... | 02/02/2010 |
| 7642910 | Multi-frequency alarm system receiver with interference detection An alarm system receiver that is capable of receiving signals transmitted from wireless intrusion detectors at more than one frequency and automatically switching from receiving at one frequency to receiving at a different frequency based on the detection of an inte... | 01/05/2010 |
| 7624041 | System for electronic barter, trading and redeeming points accumulated in frequent use reward programs A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns rewards from a plurality of independent reward issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned rewards. A trading server accumulates some or all of the ... | 11/24/2009 |
| 7624040 | System for electronic barter, trading and redeeming points accumulated in frequent use reward programs A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns rewards from a plurality of independent reward issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned rewards. A trading server accumulates some or all of the ... | 11/24/2009 |
