The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 05, 2010
Filed:
Dec. 20, 2004
G. Burnell Hohl, New Canaan, CT (US);
G. Burnell Hohl, New Canaan, CT (US);
Other;
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for animating an image imprinted or otherwise disposed on a substantially flat surface, such as a photograph or a card. The image should include at least one element suitable for animation, such as the eyes and mouth of a face. The image is animated using an animation mechanism disposed behind the flat surface, which mechanism is connected by a solenoid to an element that is physically separate from the flat surface. The visible portion of the movable element is inserted from the back of the flat surface through a slit in the flat surface such that at least a portion of it is visible above the image. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of solenoids is utilized to move the element back and forth so as to create the illusion of animation to the picture. Also in the preferred embodiment, a device for playing an audio file associated with the image is provided, which device may be synchronized with the animation of the image so as to create a more lifelike appearance.