J Vereb 9/6/23 J Vereb 9/6/23

Patent Puzzler

The answer to the last Patent Puzzler was the 1920’s for the aluminum bat.

Eclipse coming. Residents from California to Texas will get to experience a very rare astronomical event on October 14, 2023. A partial eclipse, commonly known as a “ring of fire” will be viewable. For Texas residents, you will be able to see the event for about 4 minutes from South Padre Island. To be able to view the eclipse, you should have special glasses. To this end, the Patent Puzzler this week relates to the special glasses that you need. What decade were they patented?

A) 1910’s

B) 1920’s

C) 1930’s

D) 1940’s

Show me the answer

J Vereb 8/28/23 J Vereb 8/28/23

Patent Puzzler

The answer to the last Patent Puzzler was the 1930’s.

Congratulations are due to the Needville Little League team that did extremely well up at the Little League World Series. One difference between Little League and professional baseball is the use of the aluminum bat.

This week’s patent puzzler is quite simple, what decade was the aluminum bat patented?

The invention of the aluminum bat occurred in what decade?

A) 1910’s

B) 1920’s

C) 1930’s

D) 1940’s

J Vereb 8/21/23 J Vereb 8/21/23

Patent Puzzler

The answer to the last Patent Puzzler was General Motors. One can only wonder about the value of a patent when General Motors not only builds the cars but also has a patent on the actual fuel used.

If you live the in the Southern California area, you have been faced with two individual problems with the last 24 hours. The first problem has been a historic tropical storm that is moving through dumping unusual amounts of rain in the area.

The second problem is more common. A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck the area. As monitoring of earthquakes is of utmost importance, the Patent Puzzler is straightforward this week.

The invention of the seismograph occurred in what decade?

A) 1910’s

B) 1920’s

C) 1930’s

D) 1940’s

J Vereb 8/7/23 J Vereb 8/7/23

Patent Puzzler

The answer to last weeks magic Patent Puzzler is that Houdini patented a Scuba Suit.

This week, an unexpected result. Thomas Midgley Jr. worked for a company that eventually owned a patent for tetraethyllead. The reason for the patent is that the compound ethylene could not be patented. Tetraethyllead was used for many years in gasoline as an anti-knock agent.

What company eventually owned the patent?

A) Hess Oil

B) Standard Oil

C) John Deere Company

D) General Motors

J Vereb 7/31/23 J Vereb 7/31/23

Patent Puzzler

The answer to last weeks puzzler was 1964. The “classic” soccer ball was invented quite late.

This week, week, some magic…or perhaps a magician. Harry Houdini is one of the most famous magicians of all time. Did you also know that he was an inventor? Of the following choices, what did Harry Houdini invent?

a) a system for lifting objects

b) a scuba suit

c) an advertising sign

d) an item of cookware

Remember……the puzzles are meant to be fun and informative….not easy. We will give the answer in the next blog post on Monday. The answer will surprise you….even if consider yourself an expert on puzzles, patents or general knowledge.

J Vereb 7/24/23 J Vereb 7/24/23

Patent Puzzler

The answer to the previous patent puzzler was 1959.

With the Womens World Cup ongoing, it is natural to ask a patent question about soccer. In the United States, what year was the original design for the “black and white” soccer ball patented?

A) 1931

B) 1939

C) 1960

D) 1964

J Vereb 7/9/23 J Vereb 7/9/23

PATENT PUZZLER

University Patents

The answer to the last Puzzler was the University of California.

Be careful out there!.. Summer is in full swing. The sun is very strong. To that end, what year was the first suntan lotion patented in the United States?

A) 1933

B) 1941

C) 1957

D) 1959

Click to See The Answer

J Vereb 6/26/23 J Vereb 6/26/23

PATENT PUZZLER

University Patents

The answer to last weeks Puzzler was 1906.

Top of the Patent Hill. This week, the question is simple….for 2022, which University received the most issued patents?

A) University of Texas

B) University of California

C) MIT

D) Penn State University System

Click to See The Answer

J Vereb 6/19/23 J Vereb 6/19/23

PATENT PUZZLER

Air Conditioning

The answer to last weeks Puzzler was C - an article of clothing.

We have followers of the Patent Puzzler from all over the world. In the Houston area, we have had some very difficult and hot weather. For this early in the year, the heat is quite high. To go along with this theme……the Patent Puzzler this week relates to AIR CONDITIONING. The first patent related to a “treatment of air” or air conditioning was filed by the Carrier corporation. They originated in the New Jersey and Pennsylvania area. When did the first patent for air conditioning issue?

A) 1906

B) 1917

C) 1919

D) 1923

Click to See The Answer

J Vereb 6/12/23 J Vereb 6/12/23

PATENT PUZZLER

From an out of this world patent to Einstein this week.

As some people will know, Albert Einstein is not only regarded as one of the largest intellectuals of the 20th century, but he was also a Patent Examiner. The question this week is simple……Did Einstein actually author (invent) something? Here are your answers:

A) Yes, he worked on an optical array system for astronomical measurements.

B) Yes, he worked on a component used in accurately counting nuclear fission reactions.

C) Yes, he invented an article of clothing to be worn by a female.

D) No, he never actually invented anything, as he worked on theoretical physics.

Click to See The Answer

J Vereb 6/5/23 J Vereb 6/5/23

PATENT PUZZLER

The answer for the Puzzler last week was the University of Nebraska.

Today is really a puzzler. The answer is only known by a few people and I am not one of them. Maybe you know?

One of the most interesting patents within the last ten years is for a UFO. Literally. The patent application was filed by the US government and was REJECTED by the USPTO for various reasons. According to the patent prosecution, the rejections were overcome by a high ranking official stating certain facts related to the technology.

Click below to see the technology from the US government on UFO technology. The claim for the technology is located below for ease of reference.

1. A craft using an inertial mass reduction device comprising:

an inner resonant cavity wall;

an outer resonant cavity wall, the inner resonant cavity wall and the outer resonant cavity wall forming a resonant cavity; and,

microwave emitters such that the microwave emitters create high frequency electromagnetic waves throughout the resonant cavity causing the outer resonant cavity wall to vibrate in an accelerated mode and create a local polarized vacuum outside the outer resonant cavity wall.

Click to See Patent

J Vereb 5/30/23 J Vereb 5/30/23

PATENT PUZZLER

At the Vereb Law Group PLLC, we try to not “get political”. The purpose of our fun blog is to provide you with a lighthearted way to start your day and provide you with an interesting view of patent law. Unfortunately, over the weekend, during a graduation ceremony speech, a recent graduate decided to specifically decided to point out Intellectual Property lawyers and how evil they are. They are part of a “capitalist” society that enslaves others. We will not point out who provided the comments or why they did it. Instead, we will focus on the positive nature of IP.

This last past weekend, it was the 107 running of the Indy 500. Near the end of the race, there was a horrific crash of one of the cars. If you follow racing, the driver would have been severely injured or killed in past years. Fortunately for everyone involved, a patented technology saved the driver in front of 300,000 fans and millions watch on TV. The technology is called the Safer Barrier that provides “give” and allows energy to be absorbed during a crash. Although never mentioned, it is products like this that help protect people and safe lives. The question for this week on the Puzzler is “Who created this barrier?” Your choices are: General Motors, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation, the University of Nebraska, MIT or Rand Corporation?

Click to See Patent

J Vereb 5/22/23 J Vereb 5/22/23

PATENT PUZZLER

One of the most prolific patent filers in the United States has historically been IBM. This weeks Patent Puzzler is what year did IBM get its first patent? The subject matter for the IBM patent relates to punch cards. What year did the first United States Patent get issued? 1911, 1923, 1925 or 1929?

Click to See Patent

J Vereb 5/8/23 J Vereb 5/8/23

PATENT PUZZLER

The answer to last weeks puzzler was Walmart.

The Kentucky Derby was just run, so this week the Puzzler is about horse racing.

Were you watching this weekend? If you were watching, patents played a prominent part in the Kentucky Derby. There was a little clip on patents related to horse racing. This week, we will add in some Video and make the puzzler different. In Las Vegas, there were machines set up in almost every different hotel/casino throughout the 80s and 90. These machines featured a mechanical horse race and the bettor was required to pick the first and second place horses out of a field of 5. Odds would change for each race. You could play for as little as 25 cents. Since each race would take about a minute, it was an easy and relatively cost effective way to gamble.

The legendary game is called Sigma Derby. It has a HUGE following all over the world. Unfortunately, the number of games available left to play in Las Vegas is ONE. People fly from all over the world just to sit down and play this machine for hours on end.

The question for the Patent Puzzler, is from what country does this machine originate? Also, this question ties in with subject matter related to one of the owners of the horses in this years participants. The company that patented the technology has many patents around the world.

Is the Country, the United States, Argentina, Japan, United Kingdom or Dubai?

You can see a selection of videos of the game as provided on Bing. Just click below.

Click to See Game

Which Country/Company?

J Vereb 5/1/23 J Vereb 5/1/23

PATENT PUZZLER

The answer to last weeks puzzler was Microsoft. Apparently, Microsoft wanted to set up a health-based ecosystem for cryptocurrency.

This week, the subject of the Patent Puzzler is guess the Agricultural Company.

As some might be aware, at least in certain areas, farming is getting more challenging. We found this patent…..check out claim 1…

1 . A system for pollinating crops, the system comprising:

at least one unmanned vehicle including:

at least one pollen applicator configured to collect pollen from a flower of a first crop and to apply the pollen collected from the flower of the first crop onto a flower of a second crop; and

at least one sensor configured to detect presence of the pollen applied to the flower of the second crop by the at least one pollen applicator to verify that the pollen collected from the flower of the first crop by the at least one pollen applicator was successfully applied by the at least one pollen applicator onto the flower of the second crop.

If you read that correctly…..it is a mechanical bee. The question for this week, is who attempted to claim the “mechanical bee”?

Microsoft

Raytheon

Walmart

Kratos Defense Systems

Dupont

General Mills

Which Company?

J Vereb 4/23/23 J Vereb 4/23/23

PATENT PUZZLER

The answer to last weeks puzzler was Jamie Lee Curtis. Interestingly, she states that she will not license the technology to others until the diaper manufacturer makes more sustainable products.

This week, the subject of the Patent Puzzler is guess the Crypto Company.

Crypto has had a rough couple of months. At one time; however, the story was different. I have found a very interesting published patent application. The question for the week is…..name the company that filed the patent application…

1. A cryptocurrency system, comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing executable instructions that, if executed by the one or more processors, configure the cryptocurrency system to:

communicate with a device of a user;

receive body activity data which is generated based on body activity of the user, wherein the body activity is sensed by a sensor communicatively coupled to or comprised in the device of the user;

verify if the body activity data of the user satisfies one or more conditions set by the cryptocurrency system; and

award cryptocurrency to the user whose body activity data is verified.

No hints this week.

Which Company?

J Vereb 4/17/23 J Vereb 4/17/23

PATENT PUZZLER

The answer to last weeks puzzler was 1976 unbelievably. Some times local laws and patents do not mix, even though the subject matter is widely adopted in other places.

This week, the subject of the Patent Puzzler is “Another Oscar Winner”.

Incredibly, an Oscar winner from this year wrote and obtained a patent not that long ago. The inventor invented a diaper with a pouch that could possibly contain a wet wipe for help in cleaning. It was patented in November of 2017. The actor/actress is not open to licensing the technology because, in his/her opinion, manufacturers should be producing more biodegradable diapers than they currently are. The inventor also has two Golden Globe awards and a Grammy. With all of that success, it is no wonder that the inventor would not trade places with anyone else. Who is it?

Oscar Inventor

J Vereb 4/10/23 J Vereb 4/10/23

PATENT PUZZLER

The answer to last weeks was the former Prime Minister of Japan.

This week, the subject of the Patent Puzzler is “It is all about skill”.

In general, you can patent most devices and methods. You can even patent objects or apparatus that society deems to be “illegal”. One interesting case is that of pinball. Pinball, from its inception, had a checkered history. For decades, pinball was seen as gambling that was after the milk money of young children. Producers of pinball machines wanted desperately to get their machines produced for mass consumption, but localities like New York City and Los Angeles prohibited them. Pinball was not seen as a “game of skill” rather pure mechanical “luck”. In a famous showdown between producers of pinball machines and New York local authorities, manufacturers of pinball machines had to seek agency review of their machines to try to allow the machines to be installed within the jurisdiction. In order to get the authorities to allow pinball machines, similar to Babe Ruth, Mr. Roger Sharpe, a noted pinball expert, “called his shot” prior to actually launching a ball onto the playfield to show that it was skill, rather than luck, that allowed players to score more points. He explained exactly where the ball would go and what would be scored prior to launching the ball. Just like Babe Ruth, his “call was perfect”, and because of this called shot, NYC allowed pinball to be played in New York City. One of the ways to control the ball is through the use of flippers in order to allow the player, rather than luck, to control the ball. While pinball was invented in the early 1900’s, the “flipper” was actually patented in 1950. Even through the flipper was “patented”, New York City did not allow pinball to be played. The question for today is: When was pinball allowed to be played in New York City, despite the 1950’s patent. 1955 1960 1964 or 1976.

Pinball Wizard - Click Here

J Vereb 4/2/23 J Vereb 4/2/23

PATENT PUZZLER

The answer to last weeks was the board game Monopoly. What is interesting is that Monopoly got a utility patent.

This week, the subject of the Patent Puzzler is “High Ranking Patent Attorney”. This week is completely different in that it looks at the people who help obtain patents, rather than the patents themselves. Take a guess….

As we know, it takes some special knowledge skills to become a patent attorney. Can you guess; however, the highest ranking position in government that has been achieved by a patent attorney? Also…for bonus points…..name the country.

Patent Attorney High Level Position Answer - Click Here

J Vereb 3/26/23 J Vereb 3/26/23

PATENT PUZZLER

The answer to last weeks was that it took 30 years after the initial invention of the game of basketball until the “basketball”, as we know it, was invented and patented. Previous to the invention, soccer balls were used, but they did not bounce enough. Of course, the company Spaulding, was involved.

This week, the subject of the Patent Puzzler is “its all fun and games”. Looking at the claim described below, what is the invention? It is difficult, until you find a key word that will help you identify the invention.

1. In a board game apparatus a board acting as a playing-held having marked spaces constituting a path or course extending about the board, said path according a continuous track for the purpose of continuity of play, certain of said spaces being occupancy, by opponent players, of spaces of one or more such groups, which rentals are subject to increase by the acquisition of an additional space or spaces of the same group by the same individual player, thereby making it possible for the possessor to exact greater payments or penalties from any opponent resting or trespassing thereon.

It is all fun and games…….I want to know!