Geoffrey S Stern

US Patent:

6356626, Mar 12, 2002

Filed:

Jul 19, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/364917

Inventors:

Yasuyuki Ohara - Aichi, JP
Toshihiko Sakai - Aichi, JP
Geoffrey S. Stern - Westport CT

Assignee:

Voice Express Corporation - Tuckahoe NY

International Classification:

H04M 164

US Classification:

379 8822, 379 671, 379 8828

Abstract:

A voice message processor is disclosed for producing remote voice recordings in a decentralized, non-networked environment. Connections are provided for a communication link capable of transmitting and receiving calls over a public communication network, for a telephone set, and for a recordable voice message recording/playback device. A switching device provides a first state in which the telephone set connection and communication link connection are connected together, a second state in which the voice message recording/playback device input is connected to the communication link connection, and a third state in which the voice message recording/playback device output is connected to the communication link connection. A controller enable the voice message recording/playback device to be selectively recorded and played back when the switching device is in its second state and enables the voice message recording/playback device to be selectively played back when the switching device is in its third state.

US Patent:

20020128977, Sep 12, 2002

Filed:

Sep 12, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/952490

Inventors:

Anant Nambiar - New Rochelle NY, US
Geoffrey Stern - Summit NJ, US

International Classification:

G06F017/60

US Classification:

705/064000

Abstract:

A microchip-enabled online transaction system and method that emulates a “card-present” transaction in an online or remote environment by using an improved authentication and transaction system. More specifically, this system uses an authenticating instrument (e.g., smart card), an authenticating instrument reader (e.g., smart card reader), and a user-specific identification signature (e.g., user PIN) to better authenticate an online purchaser. Additionally, this system may also employ techniques (1) for transmitting to a merchant a secondary transaction number in place of the user's primary transaction account number, and (2) for automatically filling an online merchant's payment and shipping web pages with the appropriate profiled user information.

US Patent:

20090030694, Jan 29, 2009

Filed:

Jul 10, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/170953

Inventors:

Geoffrey S. Stern - Westport CT, US

Assignee:

Voice Express Corporation - Westport CT

International Classification:

G10L 11/00

US Classification:

704272, 704E11001

Abstract:

A gift card is provided which integrally combines a voice storage/playback unit with a stored value card and on two separate portions of a base substrate, with the two portions separated by a releasable connection portion. Upon purchasing the gift card, a gift giver records a personal voice message and provides the gift card to the recipient. Upon receiving the gift card, a recipient may immediately playback the recorded personal voice message through simple manipulation of the card. Thereafter, the two parts of the card may be separated by manipulation of the connection portion, and the stored value portion may be used in the matter of the conventional stored value cards. The voice storage/playback portion may be stored for safekeeping and played back by the gift recipient at will.

US Patent:

20100250255, Sep 30, 2010

Filed:

May 15, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/599903

Inventors:

Geoffrey S. Stern - Westport CT, US

Assignee:

Talking Pix Systems LLC - Westport CT

International Classification:

G06F 17/00
G10L 21/00
H04N 1/00
G09F 1/00
H04N 5/91

US Classification:

704272, 358 16, 4012403, 386 46, 386E05001

Abstract:

A multimedia keepsake and the systems for its production are provided. At a kiosk, or using any form of computerized network communication (e.g. a PDA), a gift giver may design a multimedia keepsake in a processor. It may include any or all of a personal image, a text message, and an audio recording, including a voice message. Although these may originate with the gift giver and be uploaded to the processor. The processor then assembles the multimedia keepsake under the gift giver's control. The completed keepsake may be delivered to the gift recipient in physical or electronic form. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a page of an album containing photographs may be provided with touch sensitive areas, so that a viewer may touch such areas and hear prerecorded sound recordings associated with the photograph. Touch sensors are preferably embedded in a cover of the album and aligned indicia are provided on an album page.

US Patent:

20110054906, Mar 3, 2011

Filed:

Apr 16, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/933957

Inventors:

Geoffrey S. Stern - Westport CT, US

Assignee:

TALKING PIX SYSTEMS LLC - Westport CT

International Classification:

G10L 21/00

US Classification:

704272

Abstract:

a multimedia playback keepsake and a method for its production are provided. The keepsake includes a control processor and a playback processor. The control processor is associated with storage containing a content program to be presented and contains interrupts corresponding to points in the content program where custom content information is to be presented. The playback processor contains content elements associated with the interrupts. The content program is presented to the playback processor for play back and, when an interrupt is encountered, the control processor causes the playback processor to insert and playback the appropriate content element. As a result a content program is provided which includes custom inserts at the interrupts.

US Patent:

54250781, Jun 13, 1995

Filed:

Jul 19, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/094292

Inventors:

Geoffrey S. Stern - Westport CT

Assignee:

Starbro Communications, Inc. - New York NY

International Classification:

H04M 164

US Classification:

379 67

Abstract:

A system for producing voice message keepsakes includes a message processor which may be accessed over a plurality of communication links, such as telephone lines. The processor may be so accessed by a customer's communication set, such as a conventional telephone set, or by a subscriber set, and it is capable of distinguishing the two. When accessed by a customer's set, the processor permits the caller to create a temporary mailbox associated with his gift purchase, in which he may then record a voice message. When called by a subscriber set, the processor permits previously created mailboxes to be accessed and will transfer the message recorded therein to the subscriber set. The subscriber set includes a receptacle for receiving a voice message keepsake in accordance with the present invention, and it will record thereon stored messages provided from the message processor, under control of the message processor. The invention also contemplates a unique construction or the voice message keepsake, and a method for recording on it.

US Patent:

55704140, Oct 29, 1996

Filed:

Jan 16, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/586599

Inventors:

Geoffrey S. Stern - Westport CT

Assignee:

Starbro Communications, Inc. - Westport CT

International Classification:

H04M 164

US Classification:

379 67

Abstract:

A system for producing voice message keepsakes includes a message processor which may be accessed over a plurality of communication links, such as telephone lines. The processor may be so accessed by a customer's communication set, such as a conventional telephone set, or by a subscriber set, and it is capable of distinguishing the two. When accessed by a customer's set, the processor permits the caller to create a temporary mailbox associated with his gift purchase, in which he may then record a voice message. When called by a subscriber set, the processor permits previously created mailboxes to be accessed and will transfer the message recorded therein to the subscriber set. The subscriber set includes a receptacle for receiving a voice message keepsake in accordance with the present invention, and it will record thereon stored messages provided from the message processor, under control of the message processor. The invention also contemplates a unique construction for the voice message keepsake, and a method for recording on it.

US Patent:

54902061, Feb 6, 1996

Filed:

Jan 12, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/371755

Inventors:

Geoffrey S. Stern - Westport CT

Assignee:

Starbro Communications, Inc. - New York NY

International Classification:

H04M 1464

US Classification:

377 67

Abstract:

A system for producing voice message keepsakes includes a message processor which may be accessed over a plurality of communication links, such as telephone lines. The processor may be so accessed by a customer's communication set, such as a conventional telephone set, or by a subscriber set, and it is capable of distinguishing the two. When accessed by a customer's set, the processor permits the caller to create a temporary mailbox associated with his gift purchase, in which he may then record a voice message. When called by a subscriber set, the processor permits previously created mailboxes to be accessed and will transfer the message recorded therein to the subscriber set. The subscriber set includes a receptacle for receiving a voice message keepsake in accordance with the present invention, and it will record thereon stored messages provided from the message processor, under control of the message processor. The invention also contemplates a unique construction or the voice message keepsake, and a method for recording on it.

Author:

Geoffrey Stern

ISBN #:

0028972651

Author:

Geoffrey Stern

ISBN #:

0826468233