WO2000039795A1

WO2000039795A1 - Cd-rom trading card

Info

Publication number: WO2000039795A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/030905
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen O. Smyth; Daniel Gomez
Original assignee: Iaccess.Com, L.C.
Priority date: 1998-12-24
Filing date: 1999-12-23
Publication date: 2000-07-06
Also published as: AU2387600A

Abstract

A specially shaped CD-ROM disk (20) which is similar to the dimensions of a typical trading card but which is readable by a CD-ROM drive which has a tray with an inner recess upon which the trading card is disposed. Digital data stored on a data recordable portion of the trading card is either audio, video, animation, image data or a combination thereof. The trading card can present a multimedia presentation such as a portion of a sports game which highlights the person who is the subject of the trading card, or an animated segment which illustrates an animated character in action.

Description

CD-ROM TRADING CARD HISTORY

The present application is a continuation-in-part of non-provisional U.S. patent application having file number 0724. IACC .NP, serial no. (not yet assigned), filed September 24, 1999, which is based on the U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/113,573, filed December 24, 1998. The subject matter of the U.S. patent application is incorporated herein by reference .

BACKGROUND 1. The Field Of The Invention.

This invention relates generally to a CD-ROM which has a custom shape and size. More specifically, the invention relates to a CD-ROM disk which is in the shape and size of a trading card, which functions as a vehicle for the recording and playback of information regarding the subject of the trading card, and wherein the trading card shaped CD-ROM operates in a standard CD-ROM or similar type of drive.

2. The State Of The Art The state of the art in trading cards is generally defined by a card having a face and a back. The face typically has an image of, for example, a sports personality or a collectible figure, such as a POKEMON(TM) character. On the back of the card, information is generally provided about the person or object that is typically shown on the face of the card.

It is also known in the industry that trading cards are also available for a variety of different topics. What is important to know is that trading cards only show at least one static image, and provide some type of printed information.

It would be an advantage over the prior art to provide a trading card which enables the user to have a multimedia presentation about the subject matter presented by the trading card. It would also be an advantage to provide just audio, video, animation, image information, or any combination thereof.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a trading card which includes audio, video, animation, image information or a combination thereof regarding the topic of the trading card.

It is another object to provide the trading card as a specially shaped CD-ROM disk which is capable of being read by a CD-ROM drive or similar device which is capable of reading data stored on the trading card. It is another object to provide the trading card as a specially shaped computer readable disk which is capable of being read by a computer data reading device such as a CD-ROM drive, a DVD drive, a write-once type of drive known as a +R feature, and rewritable type of drives known as a +RW feature or a +RAM feature.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a specially shaped CD-ROM disk which is similar to the dimensions of a typical trading card but which is readable by a CD-ROM disk which has a tray with an inner recess upon which the trading card is disposed.

Digital data stored on a data recordable portion of the trading card is either audio, video, animation, image data or a combination thereof. In a first aspect of the invention, the trading card presents a multimedia presentation such as a portion of a sports game which highlights the person who is the subject of the sports trading card. In a second aspect of the invention, the trading card presents audio, video, animation, image data or a combination thereof regarding the subject matter of the trading card.

In a third aspect of the invention, the trading card presents a multimedia presentation consisting of audio, video, animation, image data or a combination thereof regarding the subject matter of the trading card.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, the subject matter of the invention includes such trading card subject matter as sports figures, sports teams, athletic events, sporting events, fictional and non- fictional characters from movies, videos, software, and dedicated game playing systems such as those manufactured by NINTENDO (TM) , SONY(TM) and SEGA(TM), movies, television programs.

These and other objects, features, advantages and alternative aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in combination with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a trading card shaped CD-ROM card which is produced in accordance with the characteristics of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a top view of the trading card shaped CD-ROM card shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 is an elevational bottom edge view of the trading card shaped CD-ROM card shown in figure 2. Figure 4 is an elevational side edge view of the trading card shaped CD-ROM card shown in figure 2.

Figure 5 is another top view of the trading card shaped CD-ROM card shown in figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made to the drawings in which the various elements of the present invention will be given numerical designations and in which the invention will be discussed so as to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that the following description is only exemplary of the principles of the present invention, and should not be viewed as narrowing the claims which follow. The presently preferred embodiment of the invention is a trading card shaped CD-ROM which can be utilized in an industry standard CD-ROM drive having a tray, wherein all the corners of the card are slightly rounded, sufficient enough to facilitate manufacturing, packaging and use of the card, and to make the card more durable and resistant to structural weaknesses, whether manufactured using a cutting process or a molding process.

Before explaining the figures, however, it is important to understand that one of the most novel features of the present invention is the ability to enhance a trading card, regardless of the subject matter. The present invention provides in a card of similar size and shape to that of an industry standard trading or collectible card, a vast amount of information which can be dramatically presented. An industry standard trading card will generally have a face which has an image of the subject matter of the trading card, and on a reverse side, written information about the subject matter.

In contrast, the present invention provides a dramatically enhanced presentation of the subject matter. That is because the present invention can include audio, video, animation, image information, or any combination thereof regarding the subject matter of the trading card.

Imagine, for example, a trading card which not only has a picture of a sports figure on the face of the card, but a multimedia presentation which shows video of the sports figure in action. This concept is easily extendible to any and all subject matter which is appropriate for trading cards. For example, the popular POKEMON(TM) cards can be presented using the present invention, and therefore can now include animation which is viewable on a computer system or a DVD player .

The present invention can now also provide a trading or collectible card for subjects which have not readily been marketed as trading or collectible card type of information.

With this brief introduction, the figures will now be presented which explain the embodiments of the present invention.

The presently preferred embodiment of the trading card shaped CD-ROM 20 of the present invention is show in perspective in figure 1. As can be seen, the trading card shaped CD-ROM 20 is provided with a hole 22 in the center thereof, a body 24, an exterior edge 26, and a face 28. The trading card shaped CD-ROM 20 is so sized and shaped so as to be readable by an industry standard CD-ROM drive or similar device which is equipped with a tray. For example, the trading card shaped CD-ROM 20 can also be read by a DVD drive, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM or any other similar drive which accepts media of the same shape and dimensions. Figure 2 is provided as a top view of the trading card shaped CD-ROM 20 shown in figure 1 so as to better illustrate the preferred shape and size thereof. It is important to realize that the trading card shaped CD- ROM 20 can be formed from at least two different manufacturing processes.

The first manufacturing process is a cutting process, whereby a typical round CD-ROM disk or blank is either cut in the desired shape, or a die is used to punch out the desired shape. Either process results in a structurally weak corner when the corner comes to a point. In other words, cracks in the card are formed during either of the cutting processes, or they can more easily form during use when the polycarbonate material makes a sharp point. The second manufacturing process is a molding process. The molding process forms the desired trading card shaped CD-ROM directly, without having to cut away any undesired portions of a round CD-ROM blank. This process results in substantial savings. The savings are not only in the raw materials, but in the time and equipment needed to trim or cut away the undesired portions of a CD-ROM blank. Figure 2 shows that the trading card shaped CD-ROM 20 is provided with four exterior edges, 30, 32, 34, 36 and four transitional areas or corners 38. In the presently preferred embodiment, the exterior edges 30, 34 are radiused with a substantially circular radius, centered about a central axis 40 of the trading card shaped CD-ROM 20. Opposing edges 32, 36, on the other hand, are generally flat and parallel to each other, with the exterior portion thereof having been trimmed or cut away in a cutting process, or formed directly in a molding process.

It is observed that figures 3 and 4 are bottom edge and side edge views, respectively, of the trading card shaped CD-ROM 20 of figure 2. The dimensions given are typical for the presently preferred embodiment, where the maximum diameter is approximately 3 1/8" and the thickness is approximately 1/16".

When using the cutting manufacturing process, the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20 may be formed from industry standard 5" size CD-ROM disk blanks or from smaller 3 and 1/8" size CD-ROM disk blanks. In an alternative embodiment, the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20 can be cut entirely from the standard 5" sized CD-ROM blank, although this requires that the exterior edges 30, 34 also be cut. This alternative embodiment thus results in the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20 having a maximum diameter of approximately 3 and 1/8" at the radiused edges 30, 34.

Preferably, the trimming of the CD-ROM blank into the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20 is performed with a cutting mechanism such as a sharpened blade. Examples of suitable cutting mechanisms include a computerized router, lasers, water jets, and hydrogenic cutting. It is preferred that when the shaping of the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20 from a CD-ROM blank is done by a cutting process that it be done by cutting as opposed to stamping so that the edges are cleanly sheared and so that stress fractures and other possible deformations are minimized.

Therefore, having radiused corners 38 which are cut are generally going to be more structurally sound than corners 38 which are formed by stamping. And having radiused corners 38 which are formed in a mold will result in radiused corners 38 which are even more structurally sound than either of the cutting processes. Furthermore, having radiused corners 38 formed by the cutting or molding processes of the present invention will be more structurally sound than sharp corners as shown in figure 2.

Regarding the radiused corners 38, it is noted that in the presently preferred embodiment, the radiused corners 38 have approximately a 0.8 mm radius. Thus, it is important to realize that the rounding of the corners does not have to be substantial in order to obtain the advantages obtained therefrom.

Because the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20 of the present invention is dimensioned as described above in figure 4, it nests within the inner recess of an industry standard CD-ROM drive tray. When the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20 is dropped into the inner recess of the tray, the edges 30, 34 fit against the edges of the inner recess, and the bottom of the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20 fits substantially contiguously with the bottom of the inner recess. Accordingly, the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20 spins normally within any type of CD-ROM drive with a tray, and the digital data stored on the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20 can be read by a typical CD-ROM drive .

In order that the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20 fit within the inner recess of the CD-ROM drive tray, the card must have a maximum diameter of 3 1/8", which is somewhat shorter than the 3 V-" width of a standard trading card. Nevertheless, the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20 may have a standard height of a trading card of approximately 2" as seen in the bottom view of figure 5. Accordingly, the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20 will fit in a standard trading card shaped CD-ROM card holder.

Nesting of the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20 centers it for engagement by a spindle of a CD-ROM drive. The dimensions of the embodiments ensure that when the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20 is inserted into the tray, the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20 is not displaced by movement of the tray in and out of the CD-ROM drive.

Additionally, because the trading card shaped CD- ROM card 20 of the present invention nests within the inner recess of a standard CD-ROM drive tray, placement of the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20 within the CD-ROM drive tray is easy and automatic, and can be conducted by feel rather than sight. The ease of placement decreases the possibility of damage to the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20, because the reading surface need not be moved around excessively on the CD- ROM drive tray. Furthermore, eliminating the need to punch indentations also helps to maintain the integrity of the data stored on the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20, and prevents further cracking and stress fractures .

Accordingly, it is preferred that the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20 be shaped other than round to lend a distinctiveness to it, as well as to more closely simulate the shape of a trading card. While the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20 could have dimensions that exceed the 3 1/8" diameter, it is preferred that the outer corners be approximately 1 9/16" from the center of the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20, and preferably no larger.

The trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20 shown in figures 1 through 4 have a digital storage capacity which varies depending upon the type of compression which is being used. For example, compression or data density varies between a CD-ROM type of disk and a DVD type of disk. The quantity of digital data stored on the trading card shaped CD-ROM card 20 also varies in accordance with how close to an outer edge the digital data can be stored and read. Therefore, present technology allows for digital data quantities which vary from 20 Megabytes for older CD-ROM technology, to more than four times that amount on a DVD type of disk. The capacity will increase as data compression schemes and CD-ROM read and write mechanisms are improved.

Referring to figure 1 of the present invention, it is noted that the face 28 may be marked in the same manner as a conventional trading card, with an image of a non-fictional person or a fictional character. It is the case that the preferred embodiment contains digital data which, for example, comprises a multimedia presentation including audio, video, animation, image data, or a combination thereof regarding the subject matter featured on the trading card. As stated previously, the list of subject matter is extensive, as it includes conventional and non- conventional trading card topics . Another example could be information presented in a web page format, a database, video, audio, pictures or combinations thereof . Another example could be the inclusion of a web browser which takes the user to a web site about the subject matter of the trading card. The information could also include various URLs which are related to the subject matter.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A computer readable medium in the form of a polygon, wherein the computer readable medium is capable of storing digital data that is readable by a drive which accepts the computer readable medium on a tray therein, said computer readable medium comprising: the computer readable medium generally forming a planar surface and having a hole therethrough, wherein the hole is generally centered in the planar surface between a plurality of sides thereof, wherein the plurality of sides enable the computer readable medium to rest within an inner recess of the tray; a plurality of transition areas, wherein each of the plurality of transition areas is located at a junction between edges of the polygon comprising the computer readable medium, and wherein each of the four transition areas is formed about a relatively small radius ; digital data stored on the computer readable medium in the form of audio, video, animation, image data or a combination thereof, wherein the digital data is read by the drive to thereby generate the audio, video, animation or image data on at least one display.

2. The computer readable medium as defined in claim 1 wherein the relatively small radius further comprises a radius of less than 1 millimeter.

3. The computer readable medium as defined in claim 2 wherein the polygon forming the computer readable medium further comprises a polygon having substantially straight edges between the plurality of transition areas .

4. The computer readable medium as defined in claim 2 wherein the polygon forming the computer readable medium further comprises a polygon having substantially arcuate edges between the plurality of transition areas .

5. The computer readable medium as defined in claim 2 wherein the polygon forming the computer readable medium further comprises a polygon having at least two substantially arcuate edges between the plurality of transition areas, and at least two substantially straight edges between the plurality of transition areas .

6. A trading card shaped CD-ROM card, wherein the trading card is capable of storing digital data which is readable by a CD-ROM type drive which includes a tray, said card comprising: a CD-ROM structure having a body and a hole therethrough, wherein the hole is centered in the body between two sets of complementary sides thereof, wherein a first set of complementary sides are generally straight and parallel to each other, and wherein the second set of complementary sides form are arcuate angles which form a substantially circular radius about the hole and are spaced apart a same radial distance from the hole; and four transition areas disposed on the body, each transition area located at a junction where one of each of the two sets of complementary sides of the body meet, and wherein each of the four transition areas is formed about a relatively small radius to thereby increase structural integrity; and digital data stored on the computer readable medium in the form of audio, video, animation, image data or a combination thereof, wherein the digital data is read by the drive to thereby generate the audio, video, animation or image data on at least one display.

7. The trading card shaped CD-ROM card as defined in claim 6 wherein the relatively small radius around which the four transition areas are formed is approximately less than 1 millimeter.

8. The trading card shaped CD-ROM card as defined in claim 7 wherein the relatively small radius around which the four transition areas are formed is approximately 0.8 millimeters.

9. The trading card shaped CD-ROM card as defined in claim 6 wherein the substantially circular radius of the second set of complementary sides is approximately 1 9/16 inches so that the trading card shaped CD-ROM card is able to rest within an inner recess of the tray within the CD-ROM type drive.

10. The trading card shaped CD-ROM card as defined in claim 6 wherein the first set of complementary sides are approximately 2 inches apart along a length thereof.

11. The trading card shaped CD-ROM card as defined in claim 6 wherein the body is approximately 1/16 of an inch thick.

12. The trading card shaped CD-ROM card as defined in claim 6 wherein the body is comprised of materials selected from the group of materials including polycarbonate and rigid plastics which are suitable for storing digital data.

13. The trading card shaped CD-ROM card as defined in claim 6 wherein the card is a computer readable medium which is capable of storing digital data for the group of CD-ROM type drives including CD-ROM drives, CD-R drives, CD-RW drives, DVD drives, and DVD-RAM drives.

14. The trading card shaped CD-ROM card as defined in claim 6 wherein the digital data is selected from the group of digital data comprising digital data regarding sports figures, sports teams, athletic events, sporting events, movies, television programs, animated characters, video characters, characters in dedicated video games, fictional characters, and non-fictional characters .

15. A method for providing subject matter suitable for trading cards on a computer readable medium having generally the shape of a trading card and which stores digital data, said method comprising the steps of:

(1) providing a computer readable medium having a body and a hole therethrough, wherein the hole is centered in the body between two sets of complementary sides thereof, wherein a first set of complementary sides are generally straight and parallel to each other, and wherein the second set of complementary sides form a substantially circular radius about the hole and are spaced apart a same radial distance from the hole, four transition areas disposed on the body, each transition area located at a junction where one of each of the two sets of complementary sides of the body meet, and wherein each of the four transition areas is formed about a relatively small radius;

(2) storing digital data on the computer readable medium in the form of audio, video, animation, image data or a combination thereof, wherein the digital data is read by the drive to thereby generate the audio, video, animation or image data on at least one display; and (3) accessing the digital data stored on the computer readable medium by placing the computer readable medium into a tray of a CD-ROM type drive.

16. The method as defined in claim 15 wherein the method further comprises the step of forming the four transition areas around the relatively small radius to thereby increase structural integrity by reducing the chances of forming stress fractures in the computer readable medium.

17. The method as defined in claim 15 wherein the method further comprises the step of forming the four transition areas around the relatively small radius to thereby improving a manufacturing process which produces the computer readable medium using molding.

18. The method as defined in claim 17 wherein the method further comprises the step of forming a mold for the computer readable medium which has no angles that meet at an abrupt angle to thereby enable the computer readable medium to be more easily extracted from the mold.

19. The method as defined in claim 17 wherein the method further comprises the step of forming a mold for the computer readable medium which has no angles that meet at an abrupt angle to thereby enable a raw material from which the computer readable medium is formed to easily fill the form without leaving unfilled areas which would otherwise create a gap or bubble in the computer readable medium.

20. The method as defined in claim 17 wherein the method further comprises the step of forming a mold for the computer readable medium which has no angles that meet at an abrupt angle to thereby obtain the computer readable medium which is easy to package.

21. The method as defined in claim 20 wherein the step of forming a mold for the computer readable medium which has no angles that meet at an abrupt angle further comprises the step of disposing the computer readable medium into a plastic sleeve which is susceptible to tearing from a computer readable medium which has at least one abrupt angle.

22. The trading card shaped CD-ROM card as defined in claim 15 wherein the digital data is selected from the group of digital data comprising digital data regarding sports figures, sports teams, athletic events, sporting events, movies, television programs, animated characters, video characters, characters in dedicated video games, fictional characters, and non-fictional characters .