AU2008100610A4 - Greeting system - Google Patents

Description

Our Ref: 40129408/AJS/ljr P/00/011 Regulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Showtime Images 3 Dewar Drive Loganholme QLD 4129 Applicant: Address for Service: Invention Title: The following statement is a performing it known to me:- DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 3, 303 Coronation Drive Milton QLD 4064 Greeting system full description of this invention, including the best method of P:\OpcOAIS\spciAO 1 9408 doc. I)0712O008 00 0-1- GREETING SYSTEM S Background of the Invention The present invention relates to a greeting system and in particular a greeting system for \I allowing a playback device to display a greeting message.

00 Description of the Prior Art O The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or (-i to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Currently it is known to provide greetings cards to allow greetings or other messages to be provided from a sender to an intended recipient. Such greetings cards are typically formed from a folded piece of card, paper or other similar material, having images and/or messages provided thereon. The card is arranged so that when the card is provided in an upstanding position, this allows the images and/or messages to be viewed. Typically the messages and/or images are tailored to a specific occasions so that different types of cards may be used in different circumstances, such as for weddings, anniversaries, funerals, birthdays, or the like.

Whilst a range of different images and messages may be provided, the cards are static and therefore only of limited appeal to both the sender and the recipient. As a result, once cards are received they are often discarded and may not retain a long lasting or memorable impact.

It is also apparent that the impact of cards has declined in recent years due to their static nature.

Whilst electronic cards have been proposed, these are delivered via communications networks, such as the Internet, which in turn places some inherent limitations on their use.

For example, the electronic cards typically require senders and recipients to have an Internet connection, meaning that they are not appropriate for all circumstances. A further issue is P \OpcVS ¢spomUO129408 do- I 7/2008 -2s that the use of a communications network for delivery limits the quantity of data that can be provided, and hence typically limits the scope of the greeting to simple animations, which are often of limited appeal. This is issue exacerbated by the lack of a physical medium, which in renders the greeting to be less likely to have a long term impact.

Summary of the Present Invention Oc The present invention seeks to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more disadvantages of existing arrangements.

(Ni In a first broad form the present invention seeks to provide a greeting system including a readable storage media, the readable storage media having data stored thereon, the data being indicative of one or more greeting pages such that when the media is read by a suitable playback device, the media causes the playback device to display at least one greeting page including: a) at least one image; and, b) an indication of at least part of a greeting message.

Typically the data is indicative of a number of greeting pages, and wherein the greeting pages are presented in a predetermined order, such that respective parts of the message are displayed in a respective sequence.

Typically the at least one greeting page includes: a) music; b) at least part of an audio message; and, c) one or more visual effects.

A greeting system according to claim 1, wherein the data is indicative of: a) a menu page including at least one of: i) an opening description; ii) one or more background images; and, iii) one or more playback options b) a credits page including at least one of: i) information regarding greeting page content; and, pROpcr pS li%40 29408 dc.17/2008 00 -3- Zii) copyright information.

C Typically the system includes a case, the case including: a) a retaining means for retaining the media; b) a first cover including at least one of: I, i) a cover greeting; and, ii) a cover salutation; 00 c) a second cover including at least part of the greeting message.

Brief Description of the Drawings An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a greeting page; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram representing content stored on a storage media; Figure 3A is a schematic diagram of an example of a storage media; Figure 3B is a schematic example of a case for the storage media of Figure 1 A; Figure 3C is a schematic diagram of an example of a first cover for the case of Figure 1IB; Figure 3D is a schematic diagram of an example of a second cover for the case of Figure 1B; Figure 4A is a visual representation of an example appearance for the storage media of Figure 3A; and, Figure 4B is a visual illustration of an example of the first and second covers for the case of Figure 3B.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments An example of a greeting system will now be described with reference to Figures 1A to ID.

In this example the greeting system includes a readable storage media having data stored thereon. The data is indicative of content including one or more greeting pages such that when the media is read by a suitable playback device the media causes the playback device to display at least one greeting page including at least one image and an indication of at least part of a greeting message. By suitable arrangement of one or more image pages, this allows a greeting message to be displayed. The message may be of any suitable form and in one P \O AJSp=,iAOI 129408 doc- 1/07/2008 00 s example can include a poem, joke, wishes, or the like, as well as relevant words or phrases, such as "Happy Birthday".

An example of a greeting page is shown in Figure 1. In this example the greeting page 100 includes a background 110 having one or more images 120 provided thereon. The images may be of any suitable form and can include for example photographs, clip art, vector artwork, digital scrapbook images or the like. It will be appreciated that any form of image 00 oO C may be used but in one example the image is intended to be relevant either to the greeting 04 recipient, or a greeting type. Thus, for example if the greeting is to be used as a wedding greeting, then the images 120 could include images of a wedding ceremony, wedding cake, church or other related wedding content.

The greeting page also typically includes greeting text shown generally at 130. Whilst the greeting text 130 on a single page may represent the entire message to be presented, typically the greeting text forms part of a message, allowing a part of the message to be presented on each greeting page. Thus, in one example, the greeting message includes a poem, with one or two sentences being displayed on each page. By arranging the media, so that greeting pages are presented in sequence, this allows the entire message to be presented to the recipient.

In one example, the greeting pages are presented in the form of a movie or video or image sequence. This arrangement can be used to allow multiple greeting pages to be presented to the recipient, in sequence, when the media is played back on an appropriate device.

In addition to this however, further content may also be included. An example of the content and associated content structure is shown in Figure 2. In this example, when the media is inserted into a suitable playback device a starting menu is typically presented. The starting menu can be of any suitable form, but generally includes an opening description, background music and optionally one or more input command buttons that allow different viewing options to be selected.

The opening description and background are typically selected in accordance with the greeting type. Accordingly, in the case of a wedding the opening description could be an P:\OperS\spcw4O$012940R d.c- I7nfO8 00 introduction such as "On Your Wedding Day". Similarly the background music could be wedding theme music.

The one or more input command buttons can allow subsequent playback to be controlled in an appropriate manner. Thus the input command buttons can allow all following information to be played, using a "Play All" command whilst alternatives such as "Loop All", "Play Selected Chapter", or the like could also be used.

00 If a play option is selected, the playback device may display an introduction, including any information or visual or audio representation, such as 3D motion effects. These can be design to grab the attention of the viewers. Following this, each greeting page is displayed in sequence. As described above each greeting page typically includes background images and greeting text but may also have other associated content, such as music, audio messages and other effects. Thus, for example, various pan and zoom and transition effects can be used to enhance the presentation of the greeting pages, and provide a 'video effect'/feel.

Once each of the greeting pages has been displayed, a credits page can optionally be displayed, for example to acknowledge contributions from musicians and photographers, and to display copyright details, information regarding the manufacturing company or the like.

The nature of the playable media will depend on the preferred implementation. In one example the playable media is in the form of an optical disk, such as a CD or DVD. Such media are particularly advantageous as they may be played back on a wide range of playback devices, such as computer systems, DVD players or the like. DVD players are also becoming prevalent in motor vehicles and other situations and this provides the recipient with a wide range in opportunities to allow the media to be played.

An example of a DVD based greeting system will now be described with reference to Figures 3A to 3D.

A DVD is shown in Figure 3A. The DVD is a media disk having the data indicative of the greeting pages and any other content stored thereon. The DVD may also be printed with visual representations, such as background images and/or a message greeting or description of the greeting 310.

P:A OprAMJSk i~OI 29408 dc-1)07/200 -6- B Typically the DVD is sold in a case 320. The case 320 usually includes first and second covers 330, 340 with one of the covers optionally supporting a mounting system 350 to allow the DVD to be mounted thereto. The mounting system may be any suitable mounting system and may be a clip type system as present in standard DVDs, or may alternatively include a sleeve or pocket into which the DVD may be inserted. The case can be of any suitable material and shape, and can include standard plastic DVD cases, CD sized cases, or printed oO cardboard cases.

CI In one example the case covers 330, 340 convey additional information to the recipient. As shown in Figure 3C the first cover 330 can include a cover introduction or salutation 360 and a cover greeting 370. In general the cover introduction or salutation is indicative of the intended recipient. This can be a recipient type, such as an individual having a birthday, or could refer to a specific recipient for example by name. The cover greeting also generally conveys the type of greeting, such as anniversary or the like.

The second cover 340 typically includes a greeting representation 380 that is indicative of all or part of the greeting message. This is particularly advantageous as it means a purchaser is able to ascertain the message conveyed by the greeting system prior to purchase thereby allowing a purchaser to make an informed purchasing. Specific examples of a DVD and covers for a wedding anniversary are shown respectively in Figures 4A and 4B.

It will be appreciated from the above that the DVD can simply be inserted into a DVD player, a computer system, or any other suitable playback device, allowing the content to be viewed.

However, it will be appreciated that other suitable electronic media and associated playback device combinations could be used. Thus, for example, the playable media could be in the form of a memory card, or the like which can be inserted into a suitable reader on a computer system or other playback device. One particular useful application of this is in conjunction with video picture frames.

Video picture frames are hardware devices that are able to display images and/or video, as well as optionally sound information, whilst the device has the outward appearance of a picture frame. Such playback devices are becoming prevalent and are often used in homes to P %Oper JSspew lO 1294R doc- 107208 00 -7- J allow picture slideshows to be presented as though they were framed pictures. By providing the data on a memory card, this allows the card to be inserted into a suitable picture frame, allowing the content to be presented. This allows the greeting message to be displayed in a manner similar to a traditional greeting card, whilst retaining a greater impact due to the use of image sequences, sounds and the like.

The content of the greeting can be selected in any suitable manner. Thus, as in the name of 00 C greeting cards, generic content can be created for respective events. Thus, generic messages C, for respective types of events can be created with individuals wishing to send a greeting selecting the greeting that they feel is most appropriate for the recipient. Thus it will be appreciated that a number of different birthday greetings are provided spanning a range such as humorous, serious, comical, or the like.

As an alternative to this, content may be customised for the respective recipient or sender.

Thus for example, images of the sender or recipient may be included as the images on the greeting pages. In one example, this can be used by companies or other entities, to convey greetings, such as a function invitation or other messages.

Accordingly, the above described greeting system provides a playable media, which when played back on an appropriate playback device presents the user with greeting pages including images and a greeting message. Through the inclusion of multiple content types, such as images, video, and/or audio, and through the ability to provide dynamic affects and a greater range of content, this allows the greeting to have a greater impact, and hence more appeal than traditional static greeting cards.

Despite this, the arrangement allows greetings to be purchased and received in substantially the same manner as occurs with traditional greeting cards, thereby allowing existing distribution infrastructure to be used. This also ensures that the recipient receives a tangible product, which generally provides far greater meaning to the recipient than traditional electronic cards. Additionally, the provision of a tangible product could provide additional benefits. For example, a memory card including the greeting could be subsequently reused, thereby also acting as a present.

P \OpcrAJS\~po4129M 107 008 -8- ^s The term greeting is not intended to be limited and encompasses any situation in which it is desired to send a themed message to a recipient, such as for a social occasion, although this is not intended to be limiting, and the greeting could alternatively not relate to any specific event.

It will therefore be appreciated that the greeting system can be used for a wide range of situations, including but are not limited to: 00 weddings; C funerals; condolences; missing you; invitations; acceptance/rejection of invitations; births; christenings; Christmas; valentines day; birthdays; anniversaries; thank you's; get well soon wishes; inspirational messages.

The nature of the content can vary depending on the intended purpose. The content could therefore be serious, congratulatory, commiserate, or even comical/humorous. Content can even be tailored for specific types of sender and/or recipient, such as birthday cards for a sister, brother, mother, father, aunt, uncle, or the like.

Similarly, the greeting system can be used by corporations or other businesses to provide messages to clients, or the like. For example, companies can send existing clients a thank you greeting, whilst other variations are also possible depending on the nature of the business. So, for example, a funeral home may provide clients with a condolences greeting.

P \OperkAJSpci40 129408 doc-.1072008 00 -9s Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. All such variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope that the invention broadly appearing before described.

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