WO1995023409A1 - Systeme de reproduction audio avec representation graphique correspondante, utilisant un support de donnees sur carte statique - Google Patents

Systeme de reproduction audio avec representation graphique correspondante, utilisant un support de donnees sur carte statique Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1995023409A1
WO1995023409A1 PCT/US1995/002327 US9502327W WO9523409A1 WO 1995023409 A1 WO1995023409 A1 WO 1995023409A1 US 9502327 W US9502327 W US 9502327W WO 9523409 A1 WO9523409 A1 WO 9523409A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
card
playback
audio data
unit
slot
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1995/002327
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Joyce Links D'amico
Ko Jin
Original Assignee
Amico Joyce Links D
Ko Jin
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Amico Joyce Links D, Ko Jin filed Critical Amico Joyce Links D
Priority to AU18484/95A priority Critical patent/AU1848495A/en
Publication of WO1995023409A1 publication Critical patent/WO1995023409A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
    • G09B5/00—Electrically-operated educational appliances
    • G09B5/06—Electrically-operated educational appliances with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied
    • G09B5/062—Combinations of audio and printed presentations, e.g. magnetically striped cards, talking books, magnetic tapes with printed texts thereon
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10L—SPEECH ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES OR SPEECH SYNTHESIS; SPEECH RECOGNITION; SPEECH OR VOICE PROCESSING TECHNIQUES; SPEECH OR AUDIO CODING OR DECODING
    • G10L13/00—Speech synthesis; Text to speech systems

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electrical audio playback system which uses a relatively thin, static card for the audio "software".
  • the audio card which contains an embedded sound or voice synthesizer chip with programmed, audio data (typically a voice message) stored in memory, is held static within the playback unit, preferably while a face of the card which includes interre ⁇ lated visual indicia is displayed or is viewable during the audio playback.
  • the card's internal sound or voice synthesizer chip thus has internally stored within it audio data, preferably voice or other pertinent recording, which is interrelated to the visual indicia on the exterior of the card.
  • CDs compacts disks
  • tape cas ⁇ settes etc..
  • the software media which contain audio "tracks” or recordings to be played back when desired using appropriate electrical playback devices.
  • the software media typically is rotated or otherwise moved during playback.
  • some informational indicia is usually contained on the exterior o f the software media (CD) or the container (cassette) for the software media, such is not usually visible or on display during playback.
  • the present invention overcomes these drawbacks, as well as other problems, of the prior art, by providing in its preferred embodiment a small, light playback unit which uses small, relatively thin cards, preferably similar in size to a plastic credit card, having fixed sound or voice synthesizer chips within them, containing the audio information or data to be played back, while also prefera- bly having on at least one of its faces visual information or graphical indicia which is displayed in a window or through an opening in the unit during playback.
  • the card is held stationary during playback.
  • Smart Cards which are used, for example, for banking purposes and have an embedded memory chip that stores, for example, a customer's credit related informa ⁇ tion, which can be accessed and manipulated using appro ⁇ priate, supplemental computer systems and updated as it is used.
  • Smart Cards have no audio capability.
  • the audio cards of the present invention are directed specifically to their audio capabilities and include much more than mere memory chips but instead use audio data stored in connection with a voice synthesizer chip containing in an integrated fashion significant voice playback circuitry, in addition to programmable memory, which audio data typically would not change once initially programmed with, for example, a person's voice message.
  • the present invention is directed to an audio playback system using a relatively thin card containing an embedded audio or voice synthesizer chip which is held static or stationary during playback, preferably with a face of the card being viewable during playback through a window or opening in the playback unit during playback of the audio data contained in the sound or voice synthesizer chip.
  • the viewable face of the card preferably contains some graphical information or indicia interrelated to the audio data stored in the chip.
  • An exemplary application is a series of "software" playback cards on which are displayed on each a different picture or other graphical indicia, similar to, for example, a "baseball card,” with the audio data for that card containing, for example, a message from the player in the player's own voice, and/or a recording of a related key event (e.g. a "World Series" winning home run with crowd reaction and announcer's comments, etc. ) involving the player, and/or an announcer providing information about the player.
  • a related key event e.g. a "World Series" winning home run with crowd reaction and announcer's comments, etc.
  • the user could purchase or otherwise acquire and collect a related series of such cards for individual playback of the audio data or information when desired, with simultaneous viewing of the graphical indica or picture with pertinent printed information.
  • the playback unit is relatively light weight and small, being holdable, for example, in the palm of the user's hand and preferably can be easily carried about in, for example, the user's pocket for ready availability when desired.
  • the user merely selects a desired card, inserts it into a slot in the playback unit, preferably with the graphical indicia or picture on the card viewable through a window or opening.
  • the circuitry in the unit is activated, playing the audio data in the sound chip on the card through an internal speaker or, if desired, headphones. After the use of the card has been completed, it is removed and another card can be inserted to listen to its audio message or data while viewing its interrelated picture, and the process repeated until the user is finished.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a "software" card with its internal sound or voice synthesizer chip, with the card being inserted into a generalized, simplified playback unit so that the external contacts (shown in phantom line) on the underside of the card are contacted and engaged by the spring contacts within the slotted aperture of the playback unit to allow the audio data stored in the voice synthesizer chip ultimately to be played back while the pictorial indicia on the card is viewable through an opening or window in the unit.
  • Figure 1A is a plan view of an exemplary "software" card having exemplary graphical or pictorial indicia on one of its faces, which indicia is viewable when the card's audio data is played back in the playback unit of the exemplary embodiment of the system of the invention illustrated in the following figures.
  • Figure 2 is a schematic view of exemplary playback and amplification circuitry for the playback unit of the exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 3 is a plan view of a playback unit of the exemplary embodiment of the system of the present invention showing its slotted card window, speaker and basic con ⁇ trols.
  • Figure 4 is a plan view of the exemplary embodiment of Figure 3, similar to Figure 3, but with the internal housing structure of the playback unit housing shown in phantom line;
  • Figures 5-8 are left-side, right-side, top-end and bottom-end views, respectively, of the playback unit of Figures 3 & 4, with the side views showing the internal structure of the playback unit housing in phantom line. It is noted that in Figure 8 the playback unit is up-side down.
  • the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an audio playback unit 10 and an audio "software" card 20 containing an embedded voice synthesizer chip 21, such as, for example, the Mosel MSS2201 or MSS2202 voice synthesizer (voice ROM) integrated chip having external, gold, elec ⁇ trical contacts or surface tabs 22a-h.
  • an embedded voice synthesizer chip 21 such as, for example, the Mosel MSS2201 or MSS2202 voice synthesizer (voice ROM) integrated chip having external, gold, elec ⁇ trical contacts or surface tabs 22a-h.
  • This exemplary chip is commercially available from MOSEL (3F., No. 52, Park Avenue II Rd. , Hsinchu Science-Based Industrial Park, Hsinchu, Taiwan, R.O.C.).
  • This exemplary chip is a single-chip synthesizing CMOS VLSI that can synthesize voice for varying lengths of time using the PCM qualified coding method.
  • the integrated chip contains most of the necessary circuitry for voice repro ⁇ duction, including an oscillator, PLA, D/A converter, sequence control logic and interface circuitry for key switch and microcomputers, for voice or other sound data of about, for example, twenty-two (22) or more seconds in duration. Longer, as well as shorter, times are also possible, although a twenty-two to sixty-six (22-66) seconds capability is typically sufficient for the parti ⁇ cular, preferred use presently planned.
  • the voice or audio card 20 typically made of plastic, is very light and thin, comparable in size to a charge card (e.g. "VISA,” “Master Card,” etc. ) or a cardboard card having exemplary face dimensions of two hundred and twenty- five by three hundred and twenty-five (225x325 mm) milli ⁇ meters and a thickness of about a millimeter (1 mm) .
  • the exemplary audio card 20 is as flat as a regular credit card (and the same size but thinner including the embedded chip 21) or trading card and stores all of the memory and voice or other audio data needed for a significant amount of audio data in the form of, for example, a synthesized voice message.
  • the chip 21 is embedded in the plastic card 20 doing the manufacturing of the card in a process known in the industry, the details of which are not part of the present invention.
  • the card 20 preferable has printed on at least one face a colored pictorial or graphic image and information indicia 23, which in the exemplary illustration is a color printed picture of Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox in a pitching motion, while the voice synthesizer chip 21 has stored within it via "software" programming the speaking voice of Mr. Clemens providing a voice message to the user for playback.
  • the audio data stored in the chip 21 and the pictorial image 23 are thus interrelated together.
  • the cards (an exemplary one being the card 20) can be provided in a logically grouped series of, for example, baseball players, football players, or other sports figures, celebrities, political figures, etc.
  • the cards likewise could be used for educational, as well as other, purposes.
  • the memory units of the cards 20 can be pro ⁇ grammed with messages or other audio of different lengths from a number of seconds to minutes and can have thousands of specific embodiments, varying in style, content and application.
  • the generalized base or playback unit 10 includes a slotted area 11, into which the card 20 is inserted for playing back its stored audio data, which typically will include synthesized voice data.
  • the chip 21 and its stored data is accessed by the suitably positioned and dimensioned spring contacts 12a+, which electrically interface with and mechanically engage the appropriate ones of the card's external electrical contacts 22, it being noted that there are more external card contacts 22a-h, namely, eight (8) , than the five (5) needed for the purposes of the playback unit 10.
  • the housing of the particular, exemplary playback unit 10 of Figures 3-8 includes appropriate power & amplifying circuitry such as that illustrated in Figure 2, preferably mounted on a circuit board, driving a speaker 13 for playing back the audio data stored in the chip 21.
  • a headphone jack could be included in the housing for privately listening to the audio playback.
  • An "On/Off" switch 15 and "Play” button 16 are included, for example, on the top of the unit 10 to activate the unit when it is desired to play back the audio data programmed into the chip 21 of a card, whose end is inserted into the slotted area 11.
  • a sliding or, alternatively, a rotatable volume control could also be included, if desired, to control the volume level of the voice or other audio being played back by the unit.
  • Internal DC batteries are included to power the unit, and an AC power unit with a transformer AC-to-DC converter can also be provided as an alternate power source through an appropriate jack provided on the exterior of the playback unit's housing.
  • the particular, exemplary playback unit 10 of Figures 3-8 is very light, having a weight of only some ounces, with exemplary dimensions of sixty-five by one hundred and twenty-five by seventeen and a half (65x125x17.5 mm) millimeters. This allows the unit 10 to be easily held in, for example, the palm of the user's hand and to be readily portably stored between uses in, for example, the user's pocket.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Audiology, Speech & Language Pathology (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Computational Linguistics (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Educational Administration (AREA)
  • Educational Technology (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Reverberation, Karaoke And Other Acoustics (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention se rapporte à une unité de reproduction audio (10) et à une série de cartes audio en plastique (20) faisant office de supports de données, dans chacune desquelles est incorporé un synthétiseur vocal sur puce (21) avec mémoire, tel qu'un circuit synthétiseur monopuce CMOS VLSI, qui sert à synthétiser la voix. La puce intégrée contient la plupart des circuits nécessaires pour la reproduction de la voix. Une image photographique ou dessinée en couleur et des symboles d'informations (23), qui correspondent entre eux, sont imprimés sur la carte audio, laquelle est aussi plate qu'une carte de crédit normale. Une unité de reproduction audio (10), légère et tenant dans la main, lie les données audio stockées sur la carte audio et les reproduit par l'intermédiaire d'un haut-parleur (13). Lorsque la carte audio est insérée dans la zone à fente (11) de l'unité de reproduction et qu'elle y est maintenue en position fixe, les symboles se trouvant sur la carte audio sont visibles à travers la fenêtre (14) de l'unité de reproduction.
PCT/US1995/002327 1994-02-25 1995-02-24 Systeme de reproduction audio avec representation graphique correspondante, utilisant un support de donnees sur carte statique WO1995023409A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU18484/95A AU1848495A (en) 1994-02-25 1995-02-24 Audioplayback system with interrelated visual display using static card "software"

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US20167794A 1994-02-25 1994-02-25
US08/201,677 1994-02-25

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1995023409A1 true WO1995023409A1 (fr) 1995-08-31

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1995/002327 WO1995023409A1 (fr) 1994-02-25 1995-02-24 Systeme de reproduction audio avec representation graphique correspondante, utilisant un support de donnees sur carte statique

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1848495A (fr)
WO (1) WO1995023409A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0766190A2 (fr) * 1995-09-29 1997-04-02 Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. Lecteur de carte à puce avec sortie audio
WO1999056265A1 (fr) * 1998-04-27 1999-11-04 Thorpe, Brian Systeme de livre vocal
GB2506391A (en) * 2012-09-27 2014-04-02 Peter John Charles Spurgeon Audio player with detachable storage memory
CN110517568A (zh) * 2019-08-29 2019-11-29 宁波工程学院 书包平台式单片机实验平台及其实验方法

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4648086A (en) * 1984-02-14 1987-03-03 Ozen Corporation Simplified sound reproducing device capable of reproducing a plurality of recorded items
US5048327A (en) * 1990-05-17 1991-09-17 Atwood Robert K Mass air flow meter
US5056145A (en) * 1987-06-03 1991-10-08 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Digital sound data storing device
US5179517A (en) * 1988-09-22 1993-01-12 Bally Manufacturing Corporation Game machine data transfer system utilizing portable data units
US5365686A (en) * 1992-12-29 1994-11-22 Scott James G Picture holder with a recorder/playback integrated circuit

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4648086A (en) * 1984-02-14 1987-03-03 Ozen Corporation Simplified sound reproducing device capable of reproducing a plurality of recorded items
US5056145A (en) * 1987-06-03 1991-10-08 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Digital sound data storing device
US5179517A (en) * 1988-09-22 1993-01-12 Bally Manufacturing Corporation Game machine data transfer system utilizing portable data units
US5048327A (en) * 1990-05-17 1991-09-17 Atwood Robert K Mass air flow meter
US5365686A (en) * 1992-12-29 1994-11-22 Scott James G Picture holder with a recorder/playback integrated circuit

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
INFORMATION STORAGE DEVICES ISD1012A/1016A/1020A, February 1992, page 1. *

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0766190A2 (fr) * 1995-09-29 1997-04-02 Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. Lecteur de carte à puce avec sortie audio
EP0766190A3 (fr) * 1995-09-29 2002-02-06 Info Telecom Lecteur de carte à puce avec sortie audio
WO1999056265A1 (fr) * 1998-04-27 1999-11-04 Thorpe, Brian Systeme de livre vocal
GB2506391A (en) * 2012-09-27 2014-04-02 Peter John Charles Spurgeon Audio player with detachable storage memory
CN110517568A (zh) * 2019-08-29 2019-11-29 宁波工程学院 书包平台式单片机实验平台及其实验方法

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