NL1042396B1

NL1042396B1 - Touch sensitive interactive gift artifact

Info

Publication number: NL1042396B1
Application number: NL1042396A
Authority: NL
Inventors: August Aaron Driessen Franciscus; Manuel Wissmann Carlos
Original assignee: Triggered Emotions Patents B V; August Aaron Driessen Franciscus
Priority date: 2017-05-22
Filing date: 2017-05-22
Publication date: 2018-12-04
Also published as: WO2018215190A1

Abstract

A gift artifact, such as a greeting card, capable of generating an effect, such as a visual effect or a sound effect, the gift artifact comprising a front sheet and a back sheet, together forming a housing, the front sheet displaying images and/or information, whereby the housing comprises an effect configuration which comprises an effect means arranged for generating the effect, a control means, an activation means, a power means. The front sheet comprises an area comprising a structure, such as a piece of fur, which differs substantially from the surrounding area of the front sheet and wherein the activation means comprises a sensor, such as a capacitive sensor for detecting touching or approaching of a human finger of the structure.

Description

TOUCH SENSITIVE INTERACTIVE GIFT ARTIFACT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to gift artifacts with added electronic effect means. More particular the invention relates to paper communication means equipped with these effect means, such as gift artifacts, stationery, agendas, paper books and packaging materials that are provided with effect means that create effects such as sound, visual effects and/or movement effects.

BACKGROUND

Communication means such as greeting cards, stationery, agendas, paper books, mugs and packaging materials (hereinafter referred to as “gift artifacts”) may be provided with effect means that create light effects which are activated by a manipulation of the user (such as a receiver of the gift artifact). The purpose of these effect means is to evoke a response by the user. A response may comprise attracting attention of the user to a message or graphic art on e.g. a greeting card, or evoke an emotional response, such as surprise by the user after the activation of the card. These effect means are activated when manipulated by a user i.e. a mechanical activation, such as opening the card or pressing an activation button. These effect means usually comprise Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) which produce light in various colors and brightness or sound effects, such as music or a spoken message.

For the purpose of playing the sounds or music a small, a usually relatively flat loudspeaker is incorporated in the card. Considering the limitations in cost price and power consumption, effect means in gift artifacts usually run on battery power, optionally supported with solar power, in combination with a configuration wherein the user has to manipulate the gift artifact to activate the effect mean.

Examples of greeting cards which are provided with surprising light and/or sound effects may be found in patent literature such as described below.

International patent application WO 2012/093935 A1 by applicant is summarized as a device and method for attracting attention in greeting cards comprising a power supply, effect means arranged for selectively increasing or decreasing visibility of graphical presentations and an electronic circuit arranged for changing the state of effect means to become at least partly transparent in a first state and to be less transparent in a second state than in the first state.

Dutch patent NL1039975 by applicant is summarized as a greeting card with a graphical presentation, a light source and an electronic circuit arranged for switching the light source on/off, wherein a one-way mirror covers the graphical presentation. USA patent 5,938,199 by The M2000 Group Inc. is summarized as a trading card capable of generating sounds comprises a thin housing having front and back surfaces, flexible sheets affixed to the front surface and to the back surface of the housing, a voice chip located in the housing for generating patterns of sounds, a battery located in the housing for supplying electrical power to the voice chip, and a switch located in the housing for activating the voice chip. The subject trading card may be activated by squeezing the flexible sheets between the thumb and forefinger at a selected switch location. A disadvantage of the current art solutions is that activation of the effect means is either automatically, without the user providing control over the activation, or a particular instruction is needed for the user to activate the effect means.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a gift artifact which invites a user to activate visual and/or sound effect comprised in the gift artifact, in an intuitive manner. It is a further object of the invention to provide a surprising effect when activated. It is yet a further object of the invention to direct the user to a certain area on the gift artifact where an activation means is located. It is yet a further object of the invention to minimize the area of the activation means.

The object is realized by a gift artifact capable of generating a visual or a sound effect, the gift artifact comprising a housing and a front sheet displaying images and/or information. Located in the housing is an effect configuration comprising: an effect means arranged for generating the effect; a control means arranged for controlling the effect means; an activation means arranged for activating the control means; a power means for supplying electrical power to the various means, wherein the front sheet comprises an area consisting of a structure which differs substantially from the surrounding area of the front sheet, and wherein the activation means comprises a sensor which is arranged for detecting touching or approaching of a human finger.

The invention is summarized in the following clauses. 1. A gift artifact capable of generating an effect, such as a visual effect or a sound effect, the gift artifact comprising a front sheet and a back sheet, together forming a housing, the front sheet displaying images and/or information, whereby the housing comprises an effect configuration which comprises: - an effect means arranged for generating the effect; - a control means arranged for controlling the effect means; - an activation means arranged for activating the control means; - a power means for supplying electrical power to the activation means, the control means, and the effect means, characterized in that: - the front sheet comprises an area comprising a structure which differs substantially from the surrounding area of the front sheet; - the activation means comprises a sensor which is arranged for detecting touching of a human finger of the structure and/or approaching of the human finger towards the structure. 2. The gift artifact according to clause 1, characterized in that the gift artifact comprises a greeting card. 3. The gift artifact according to any one of the preceding clauses, characterized in that the gift artifact comprises any artifact of the group of artifacts comprising: - stationery; - an agenda; - a paper book; - a mug; - packaging material; - a toy. 4. The gift artifact according to any one of the preceding clauses, characterized in that the structure is at least partially covering the activation means. 5. The gift artifact according to any one of the preceding clauses, characterized in that the structure comprises a piece of fake fur. 6. The gift artifact according to any one of the preceding clauses, characterized in that the sensor comprises a proximity sensor, such as a capacitive sensor. 7. The gift artifact according to clause 6, characterized in that the capacitive sensor comprises a metal sheet, such as a copper foil. 8. The gift artifact according to clause 6 or 7, characterized in that the capacitive sensor is shielded at the back by a metal sheet, such as an aluminum foil. 9. The gift artifact according to any one of the preceding clauses, characterized in that the structure is part of the activation means, said structure consisting of a first material which is negatively charged when rubbed together with a second material, said second material being positively charged when rubbed together with the first material. 10. The gift artifact according to clause 9, characterized in that the first material comprises a material of the group of materials comprising: - rubber - acetate - polyester - celluloid - polystyrene - acrylic fiber - polyvinylidene chloride - polyurethane - polyethylene - polypropylene - polyvinylchloride - silicone Rubber 11. The gift artifact according to any one of the clauses 9-10, characterized in that the second material comprises human skin such as of the human finger. 12. The gift artifact according to any one of the clauses 9-11, characterized in that the sensor comprises an electric field detector, arranged for detecting an electric field resulting from a triboelectric effect. 13. The gift artifact according to clause 12, characterized in that the triboelectric effect is caused by rubbing of the second material on the first material. 14. The gift artifact according to any one of the preceding clauses, characterized in that the sensor comprises a force sensitive resistor. 15. The gift artifact according to any one of the preceding clauses, characterized in that the effect means comprises a device of the group of devices comprising: - a sound generating means comprising a processor unit, a memory and a speaker; - a visual effect generating means comprising one or more light sources, such as LEDs. - a movement generation means comprising one or more electric motors and one or more actuators arranged for providing a movement of a physical object comprised in the gift artifact; - a vibration generation means comprising one or more vibration motors arranged for generating a vibration through at least a part of the gift artifact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures show views of embodiments in accordance with the present invention. FIGURE 1 shows an example of the invention comprising a greeting card with a piece of fake fur covering an activation means. FIGURE 2 Shows an example of an effect configuration with a capacitive sensor. FIGURE 3 Shows an example electrical circuit for measuring a triboelectric effect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is now described by the following aspects and embodiments, with reference to the figures.. FIGURE 1 shows an example of the invention comprising a greeting card 100 with a piece of fake fur 201 covering an activation means 301. The exemplary greeting card may alternatively comprise any gift artifact. A gift artifact is defined as an object which a person gives to another person as a present to make that person happy or provoke a response such as surprise. The greeting card 100 shows a picture representing a cat 102 in this case, on the front sheet 101 of the greeting card 100. A rounded cutaway 103 in the front sheet leaves a space for a structure which differs substantially from the surrounding area of the front sheet piece. The cutaway may have any other shape. In the example of Figure 1, front sheet 101 may comprise paper or cardboard, whereas the structure may comprise fake fur 201 (or any other material, as long as it differs in look and/or feel from surrounding front sheet 101), which is for example glued to the back of front sheet 101 and may therefore be accessible for touching bya human hand. Behind fake fur 301 a capacitive sensor is positioned. The fake fur in the picture covers sensor 301 completely in the given example, but fake fur 201 may also be a smaller piece of textile. It has been proven that it is particularly advantageous to apply fake fur or other material which is agreeable to touch, in order to tempt a person to touch the structure 201.

Especially fake fur appeals to a natural inclination for a person to stroke, just like one would do with a real pet animal such as a cat, or a plush animal. As a person reaches towards the fake fur 301 or touches it, capacitive sensor 301 (as indicated by its dashed circumference) is activated and the effect configuration produces a sound or a visual effect. By directing a person towards a certain area (i.e. the area of fake fur 201) of greeting card 100, it may suffice to minimize the size of capacitive sensor 301. Capacitive sensor 301, being comprised of a metal sheet of a certain area is preferably not overlapping fake fur 201, because then it will be activated also when a person touches the greeting card in another area than the fake fur area, which spoils the surprise, or which at least will cause that fake fur 201 misses its targeted effect.

Fake fur 201 is preferably chosen to look slightly like the painted or photographed fur which is already depicted in the chosen picture of for example shown cat 102. Fake fur 201 on the other hand is preferably sufficiently distinguishable from the surrounding area of front sheet 101 of greeting card 100 in order to direct the person to the right target area (i.e. the area of fake fur 201). FIGURE 2 shows an example of an effect configuration 300. A capacitive sensor 301 is comprised of a metal sheet, such as a copper foil. The working of a capacitive sensor as such is known to a person skilled in the art and needs not to be described. The particular application in a greeting cart such as this invention is a novel and inventive aspect. Considering that a capacitive sensor usually is touched from one side, for example on a fascia, there has been no need for means in the prior art to prevent activation of the capacitive sensor from the back side. However, particularly in greeting cards, which are manipulated by the user from both front and back side, it may occur that the capacitive sensor it actuated by touching the back of the sensor. The metal sheet itself is not discriminating in the direction of the touching from the front or from the back. The back sheet, comprised of paper or card-board, of the greeting card is not shielding activation from the back either.

We therefor came up with a new and inventive solution to tackle this problem, by adding a shielding means 302, such a s an aluminum foil as a back sheet placed behind the capacitive sensor sheet. This has proved to be effective in preventing activation of the capacitive sensor when a person touches the sensor area from the back of the greeting card. Effect configuration 300 further shows elements which enable to transform a sensor activation trigger into an effect such as a sound or visual effect.

Control means 303 is arranged for controlling the effect means. Effect means 304 is arranged for generating the effect, which may for example be effectuated by a loudspeaker or a LED, both indicated by reference 305. Finally, power means 306 is arranged for supplying electrical power to the activation means, the control means, and the effect means. FIGURE 3 shows a diagram of an electrical circuit arranged for measuring static electricity which may be generated by rubbing structure 201 with a human finger. The static electricity generated in this way is a result of a so called triboelectric effect. This is an alternative for the invented solution with the capacitive sensor, but it may also be combined with this solution. With this alternative solution, it is detectable when the fake fur is rubbed. A threshold may for example be set, that the sensor only triggers the effect means when a certain amount of static electricity is reached.

The triboelectric effect (also known as triboelectric charging) is a type of contact electrification in which certain materials become electrically charged after they come into frictional contact with a different material. Rubbing glass with fur, or a plastic comb through the hair, can build up triboelectricity. Most everyday static electricity is triboelectric. The polarity and strength of the charges produced differ according to the materials, surface roughness, temperature, strain, and other properties.

The triboelectric effect is not very predictable, and only broad generalizations can be made. One example of materials that can acquire a significant charge when rubbed is fake fur rubbed by human skin e.g. via a finger.

The triboelectric effect is now considered to be related to the phenomenon of adhesion, where two materials composed of different molecules tend to stick together because of attraction between the different molecules, [citation needed] While adhesion is not a chemical bond between atoms, there is an exchange of electrons between the different types of molecules, resulting in an electrostatic attraction between the molecules that holds them together. Physical separation of materials that are adhered together results in friction between the materials. Because the electron transfer between molecules in the different materials is not immediately reversible, the excess electrons in one type of molecule remain left behind, while a deficit of electrons occurs in the other. Thus, a material can develop a positive or negative charge that dissipates after the materials separate.

Below is an overview of materials and the charging characteristics.

Based on the above principles, static electricity or electrification (hereinafter electric field) of fake fur 201 is measured according to the present invention by a circuit comprising an antenna 402 which acts as Gain of transistor 401. Drain is connected to LED 403 which emits light when antenna 402 picks up sufficient voltage to indicate electrification of, in this case fake fur 201. Source of transistor 401 is powered by battery 404 and LED 403 is connected to negative pole of battery 404. The circuit may be enhanced with additional electronic components for stabilization, regulation and /or calibration which will be comprehensible by a person skilled in the art. Other combinations of materials according for example to the above list may also be applied.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that a person skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The article "the" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

A gift item capable of generating an effect, such as a visual effect or a sound effect, wherein the gift item comprises a front cover and a back cover which together form a housing, the front cover showing images and / or information, the housing comprises an effect configuration which comprises the following: - an effect means adapted to generate the effect; - a control means adapted to control the effect means; - an activation means adapted to activate the control means; - a power supply for supplying the activating means, the control means, and the effect means with electrical power, characterized in that - the front sheet comprises an area that deviates substantially from the surrounding area of the front sheet; - the activation means comprises a sensor which is adapted to detect the touching of the structure by a human finger and / or the approach of the human finger towards the structure.

The gift item according to claim 1, characterized in that the gift item comprises a greeting card.

The gift item according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the gift item comprises an item from the group of items comprising: - writing utensils; - a diary; - a paper book; - a mug; - packing material; - toys.

The gift article according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structure at least partially covers the activation means.

The gift article according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structure comprises a piece of fake fur.

The gift article according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor comprises an approach sensor such as a capacitive sensor.

The gift article according to claim 6, characterized in that the capacitive sensor comprises a metal plate, such as a copper foil.

The gift article according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the capacitive sensor is shielded at the rear by a metal plate such as an aluminum foil.

The gift article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structure is part of the activation means, said structure consisting of a first material being negatively charged upon friction with a second material, said second material being positively charged at friction with the first material.

The gift article according to claim 9, characterized in that the first material comprises a material from the group of materials comprising: - rubber; - acetate; - polyester - celluloid; polystyrene; - acrylic fiber; polyvinylidene chloride; - polyurethane; - polyethylene; polypropylene; polyvinyl chloride; - silicone rubber.

The gift article of any one of claims 9-10, characterized in that the second material comprises human skin such as that of the human finger.

The gift article of any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the sensor comprises an electric field detector adapted to detect an electric field occurring from a triboelectric effect.

The gift article according to claim 12, characterized in that the triboelectric effect is caused by rubbing a second material on the first material.

The gift article according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor comprises a pressure-sensitive resistor.

The gift article according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the effect means comprises a device of the group of devices comprising: - a sound generating means comprising a processing unit, a memory and a loudspeaker; - a visual effect generating means comprising one or more light sources such as LEDs; - a motion generating means comprising one or more motors and one or more operating means adapted to provide a movement of a physical object contained in the gift article; - a vibration generating means comprising one or more vibration motors adapted to generate a vibration from at least a portion of the gift article.