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 |
| 7654463 | Electronic document management system, medical information system, method for printing sheet of chart paper, and sheet of chart paper An electronic document management system includes an acquisition unit, a specifying unit and a database. A medium includes a document image and a plurality of code image two-dimensionally arranged. Each code image includes position information and medium identificat... | 02/02/2010 |
| 7490779 | Reading apparatus, information processing system and antiforgery method A reading apparatus includes an exposure system, a light receiving system, a decoding section and a determination section. The exposure system applies light to a code image printed on a medium. The light has an infrared wavelength and a visible wavelength. The light... | 02/17/2009 |
| 7478756 | Method and apparatus for pen based data entry and storage Method and apparatus for pen based data entry and storage are provided. In one approach a digital pen capable of electronically storing several written responses is used to record responses to forms, surveys, polls, or tests. In one approach a tablet PC capable of e... | 01/20/2009 |
| 7421439 | Global metadata embedding and decoding Global metadata, such as a document identifier, which may be a globally unique identifier, is embedded into an embedded interactive code document by combining a first m-array and a plurality of copies of the first m-array to generate a combined m-array with encoded ... | 09/02/2008 |
| 7404521 | Paper based mailing and shipping user interface In paper based user interfaces to machines, a business machine receives user input from a digital pen and paper system and determines if such input is authorized. In another example, a business machine processes a batch of prewritten user inputs from a digital pen a... | 07/29/2008 |
| 7372601 | Modular image processing device A modular image processing device includes a camera module configured to capture images to be printed. A memory module is configured to store data representing the captured images. A printer module is configured to print images from the stored data. The modules incl... | 05/13/2008 |
| 7360707 | Integrated assembly of trigger and lightpipe in electro-optical readers A trigger for initiating reading, and a lightpipe for displaying the results of the reading, together form an integrated molded assembly for installation into an electro-optical reader. ... | 04/22/2008 |
| 7359451 | System and method for wirelessly transmitting and receiving digital tokens for use in electronic gameplay A system and a method for the transmission and reception of digital data wirelessly using acoustic tones comprises a device having an encoder, a modulator system, a demodulator system, and a decoder. The modulator system uses a plurality of acoustical tones with a f... | 04/15/2008 |
| 7349668 | Systems and methods for embedding commercial information into broadcast media There are disclosed systems, methods and processes for the distribution of information, typically digital information that is distributed actively, through broadcast media such as television and radio, displays, such as signage, etc., or passively, through displays ... | 03/25/2008 |
| 7347373 | Method and system for utilizing a digital camera for retrieving and utilizing barcode information A method and system for utilizing an image capture device for obtaining information relating to an item having a barcode corresponding to a barcode number is described. The method and system includes capturing an image of the barcode and converting the image of the ... | 03/25/2008 |
| 7343357 | System and method for printing multiple postage indicia A system and method for printing multiple postage indicia, such as an outbound and/or an associated return postage meter stamp, including a desired postage amount, onto a document or label is described. A processor based system is programmed to interact with a custo... | 03/11/2008 |
| 7341456 | Braille type device, system, and method A Braille type device including printed or displayed matter on a medium in combination with printed or displayed Braille type code, preferably machine readable Braille type bar code. The Braille type system includes the combination of the Braille type device and a B... | 03/11/2008 |
| 7334726 | Personal information management system A personal information management system stores associations between a user and the user's mobile hand held electronic and communication devices. The system receives input indicating the presence of the user and bonds with the mobile hand held devices associated wit... | 02/26/2008 |
| 7319956 | Method and apparatus to perform speech reference enrollment based on input speech characteristics A speech reference enrollment method involves requesting a user speak a word; detecting a first utterance; requesting the user speak the word; detecting a second utterance; determining a first similarity between the first utterance and the second utterance; when the... | 01/15/2008 |
| 7299987 | Portable handset having a radio frequency identification(RFID) function and method using the same In receiving information on an item by use of electromagnetic waves propagating from the item in which a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip is embedded, a portable handset requests the information on the item that is stored in the RFID chip to the RFID chip-... | 11/27/2007 |
| 7281664 | Method and system for hierarchical management of a plurality of regions of an encoded surface used by a pen computer A method for hierarchical management of a plurality of regions of an encoded surface. The method includes recognizing unique encoded information on a portion of the surface in response to a pen computer touching down on the portion. A unique location of the portion ... | 10/16/2007 |
| 7273174 | Optical pen having a light path coaxial with its pen tip An optical pen comprising a shaft, a pen tip, a light source and an optical sensor. The shaft extends a predetermined length along an axial direction. The pen tip is arranged at one end of the shaft and situated in the same axial direction. The light source produces... | 09/25/2007 |
| 7266568 | Techniques for storing multimedia information with source documents A method of storing information for recorded information and a source document is provided. The method comprises: determining a first piece of information included in the recorded information; determining at least a first source document from one or more source docu... | 09/04/2007 |
| 7263508 | Method and system for online purchasing using sensor with identifier Methods and systems are disclosed which relate to online purchasing via interface surfaces printed with information and coded data. The coded data, encoded visibly or invisibly, may be queried by an appropriate sensing device. The sensing device communicates with a ... | 08/28/2007 |
| 7240843 | Universal club card and real-time coupon validation Embodiments of the invention relate to a system and method for real-time validation and redemption of paper and electronic coupons; electronic coupon distribution; electronic clearing and reporting of paper and electronic coupon redemptions; and an “Universal Club... | 07/10/2007 |
| 7237340 | Multi-tasking utility tool A utility tool comprising a body having a first end and a second end positioned on opposite ends of the body; a removable device; as well as a first tool and a second tool configured to be selectively coupled to each other or one of either the first end and second e... | 07/03/2007 |
| 7225985 | Optical scanner An optical scanner is provided with a carrier, a casing, a driving unit and a transmission unit. The carrier has a connecting unit and an optical system mounted thereon. The casing has a guiding rail formed as integral unit on the interior wall. The guiding rail has... | 06/05/2007 |
| 7224348 | Writing stylus A stylus for an electrographic position location apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the stylus includes a writing element that is retractable. The stylus may have a proximal end and a distal end. A conductive annular structure may be at the proximal end of t... | 05/29/2007 |
| 7204416 | System and method for uncontrolled velocity scanning Disclosed are systems and methods which provide for scanning of information, such as characters or symbols, without requiring a controlled scan velocity. Preferred embodiments utilize an optical sensor in detecting attributes of information scanned and implement com... | 04/17/2007 |
| 7203384 | Implement for optically inferring information from a planar jotting surface The present invention relates to a jotting implement that infers hand-jotted information from a jotting surface. The hand-jotted information is any information marked on the jotting surface as a result of writing, jotting, drawing, sketching or in any other manner o... | 04/10/2007 |
| 7200567 | Purchasing aid logistics appliance and method for use A purchasing aid logistics appliance that assists a purchaser with a shopping list generation, in-store product location, automated checkout, and financial management. The PAL is in the form of a battery operated PAL with touch screen display and multimedia input/ou... | 04/03/2007 |
| 7193618 | Electronic ink ball point pen with memory An electronic pen for recording motion data relating to use of the pen. It includes a pen body and a ball mounted in the pen body. A sensor in the pen body, located proximate the ball, detects motion of the ball and converts the motion into corresponding electronic ... | 03/20/2007 |
| 7140545 | Optical reading device and portable communication equipment having the optical reading device An optical reading device optically reads information on a surface. The optical reading device includes a contact detection unit, a reading unit, and a signal processing unit. The contact detection unit provides a signal when the optical reading device is within a t... | 11/28/2006 |
| 7139445 | Image capture device and method of selecting and capturing a desired portion of text An image capture device electronically captures and selects a desired text portion. A visible light image is projected onto text on a document to enable a user to position the light image relative to the desired text portion. At least some of the text is captured in... | 11/21/2006 |
| 7134602 | Health care apparatus Disclosed is a health care apparatus, comprising: a measurement unit; an input unit; and a health index calculation unit. According to the present invention said measurement unit measures an oxidation/reduction potential of a body of a person, and said input unit en... | 11/14/2006 |
| 7134606 | Identifier for use with digital paper An identification system includes several sheets formed of digital paper each having a unique identifier on a writing surface thereof. Each digital paper may have a form printed on the writing surface. Data representing the form and the location thereof relative to ... | 11/14/2006 |
| 7133837 | Method and apparatus for providing communication transmissions A method and apparatus for providing communications between a broadcast station and a plurality of viewing stations operated by viewers that allows the viewers to customize the broadcast transmissions to remove or replace particular phrases or scenes. The broadcast ... | 11/07/2006 |
| 7124953 | Visual encoding of a content address to facilitate data transfer in digital devices The invention is defined by systems, methods and applications for establishing a short-range communication link between digital devices for the purpose of transferring data between the devices. The first device generates and displays a visual code that encodes the a... | 10/24/2006 |
| 7117374 | Apparatus and method for gathering and utilizing data Disclosed is a device and method for obtaining and utilizing data. A handheld device which is capable of optically scanning or receiving RFID signals from an object, storing the data in an internal memory, and then re-transmitting the data is disclosed. The re-trans... | 10/03/2006 |
| 7111787 | Multimode image capturing and decoding optical reader The present invention is an imaging device which can be equipped with decode functionality and which can be configured to operate in at least one of four user selected modes. In a first, “message only” mode, the device stores into a designated memory location a ... | 09/26/2006 |
| 7111775 | Buckslip lead generation system A system and method for generating well qualified sales leads to a service provider, using a novel buckslip, brochure or coupon promoting a product or service not usually carried by a retailer. The buckslip has a universal product code (UPC) barcode which can be sca... | 09/26/2006 |
| 7111789 | Enhancements to multi-party authentication and other protocols Techniques are disclosed to increase the efficiency of multi-party authentication communications protocols. One technique includes a four party authentication method utilizing a general authenticator to store and provide a credit card authentication password and oth... | 09/26/2006 |
| 7102772 | Method and system for delivery of a facsimile A method of delivering a facsimile, including: providing a printed form for entering a message thereon using a sensing device adapted to read coded data on the form; receiving, in a computer system, interaction data representing interaction of the sensing device wit... | 09/05/2006 |
| 7097101 | Interface for interfacing an imaging engine to an optical code reader An optical code reader having means for focusing an imaging optics assembly on a target image. The optical code reader includes a chassis and an imaging optics assembly pivotally mounted on the chassis. The imaging optics assembly is housed within an opto-mechanical... | 08/29/2006 |
| 7099070 | Multi-imager multi-source multi-use coded data source data input product Working with an information system operating an application—are an imager, a coded data source, and a computer-readable signal-bearing medium signal (FIG. 1, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 51, 52, 53,... | 08/29/2006 |
