WO2006022950A2

WO2006022950A2 - Apparatus for prerecorded voice entertainment cards

Info

Publication number: WO2006022950A2
Application number: PCT/US2005/018448
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carthern Taylor
Original assignee: Carthern Taylor
Priority date: 2004-08-13
Filing date: 2005-05-25
Publication date: 2006-03-02
Also published as: WO2006022950A3

Abstract

A prerecorded voice entertainment card is provided which includes a card adapted with means for storing and/or playing a prerecorded voice quality sound message and means for actuating the voice quality sound playing means. Typical applications include voice activated greeting cards, postcards, calendars, posters, and business cards. In some applications, a surface of the card includes indicia thereon associated with the prerecorded voice quality sound message.

Description

Apparatus for Prerecorded Voice Entertainment Cards

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001 ] The present invention relates generally to electronically activated media cards. More particularly, the invention relates to electronically activated media cards having voice playback capability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] There exist in the prior art touch activated picture frames, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,756 by Ross ('756), that includes a picture frame enhanced with a light or sound generating device which is activated by a touch sensitive contact area. '756 patent includes a touch sensitive contact area, which activates and controls the light or sound enhancement in the picture frame. There are also musical greeting cards, a combined greeting card with musical box structures that include a greeting card and a musical sound being produced upon activation of a spring loaded actuator pin, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,806 ('806) by Sanford and U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,067 by Tarrant ('067). '806 and '067 patents disclose devices that require the activation of the actuator pin before sound is produced. [0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,327 by Tarlow ('327) teaches a Digital Recording

Center having a removable playback module for permanently capturing a human voice or other sounds into a compact module for playback within a greeting card or photograph. A recording center having a microphone (or other audio input device) is used to record a brief message, in a digital fashion, for loading into a playback module. Before loading the message into the playback module, the customer may listen through a speaker to determine if his message as recorded sounds proper. If the temporarily recorded message is in good form, the customer activates a transfer command button and the message is saved in non- volatile storage within the removable playback module. The playback module may be placed into a compartment within a greeting card or picture, ornament, a stuffed animal or doll, or even a dog tag. '327 teaches of recording a personalized message; however, it requires the user to place the unit where it desired to be heard.

[0004] Pat No. 6,701,654 ('654) discloses a personalized picture postcard for holding inserted photographs includes a backing sheet of a rectangular shape that has an exposed lower surface provided with printed indicia indicating the location of a mailing address and a position for writing a message to the recipient. Notably, '654 does not provide for a personal picture on the front or the back of the postcard, nor does '654 include a personalized voice message capability. [0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,285 ('285) discloses a business card holder, which can be used to hold business cards and actively draw the attention of a recipient to the card by emitting sounds upon the unfolding of the business card holder. '285 teaches that the business card is held inside the holder and a sound emitting device is incorporated within the holder. When the business card holder is opened and unfolded the sound emitting device is activated to provide an audio signal to the recipient. In many applications, a business card holder is less desirable at least because it significantly adds to the cost of delivering business cards.

[0006] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for improved techniques for an entertainment card (e.g., a greeting card, postcard, calendar, or poster) that includes a sound-generating device that is activated by simply touching a button or upon opening a card. Moreover, it would be desirable if such entertainment cards provided a unified recording and playback device such that the recording device does not have to be separately located. It would be further desirable if entertainment cards were capable of producing personalized prerecorded voice message from entertainers such that the entertainers pictures may be located on the front or the back of the entertainment card. For business cards, there is a need for them to have a multi-media capability without the use of a business card holder. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: [0008] MG. 1 illustrates a frontal view of an entertainment greeting card in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates an outside view of the opened entertainment greeting card from showing the back and front of the entertainment greeting card in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; [0010] FIG. 3 illustrates an inside view of the opened entertainment greeting card in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0011 ] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of an entertainment postcard card in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a rear view of an entertainment postcard card showing the layout of a suitable audible electronic device in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates a rear view of an entertainment postcard card showing a button is pressed to activate a prerecorded message of an entertainer or character depicted on the front of the postcard in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates a rear view of an entertainment postcard card directed towards magazine subscriptions, showing a button on the back of a postcard that activates the entertainers or characters prerecorded message in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of an entertainment poster directed towards political campaigns, showing a button on the back of the postcard that activates the entertainers or characters prerecorded message in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 9 illustrates the rear view of the prerecorded postcard with the button to hear the character's or attraction's prerecorded message in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0017] FIG. 10 illustrates the front of the postcard, which has the character's voice that will be heard upon pressing the button.

[0018] Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] To achieve the forgoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, a variety of techniques to voice activate cards are described.

[0020] In particular, a prerecorded voice entertainment card is provided which includes a card adapted with means for storing and/or playing a prerecorded voice quality sound message; and means for actuating the voice quality sound playing means.

[0021 ] Embodiments of the entertainment card include voice activated greeting cards, postcards, calendars, posters, and business cards. In some embodiments a surface of the card includes indicia thereon associated with the prerecorded voice quality sound message.

[0022] Yet other embodiments include indicia or at least one image depicted on a surface of the card that is associated with the prerecorded voice quality sound message, which may have entertainment, advertising, or commercial value depending on the application.

[0023] Typical images depicted on the cards include an image of an entertainer, artist, celebrity, or politician. In some embodiments, the shape of the card corresponds to indicia/images depicted thereon or to the prerecorded voice quality sound message. [0024] Other features, advantages, and object of the present invention will become more apparent and be more readily understood from the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.

[0026] Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the

Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. The present invention may be implemented in a multiplicity of suitable alternative embodied all in accordance with the principles described by way of the following exemplary embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a frontal view of an entertainment greeting card 100 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The first embodiment is a four-sided greeting card, which includes electronic and mechanical means (not shown) for a prerecorded message/playback device. An entertainment picture 105 (e.g., that of celebrities or other entertaining images) may be printed or otherwise affixed to the front of greeting card 100, and a greeting indicia 110. Entertainment greeting card 100 has front and rear and middle sides that each may display pictures/images and/or greetings. [0028] FIG. 2 illustrates an outside view of the opened entertainment greeting card from showing the back and front of the entertainment greeting card in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. A prerecorded message/playback device 205 is included into or onto entertainment greeting card 100 according to known techniques. For example, in embodiments where it is desired that sound device 205 be hidden, it could be located in between the exposed sides of entertainment greeting card 100, or attached to an inside surface thereon and blocked from view by adding additional covering material, for example. SuperstarCards is created by putting a celebrity picture on the front and inside of the greeting card, then putting a message from the celebrity about the occasion saying happy birthday or etc. The vocals are created by putting a PCB with a sound chip with one or two small batteries with holders creates this voice message and a very low cost flat speaker, cased in plastic. Activating vocal message upon opening the card or by pushing a button. In one particular embodiment, sound device 205 and related components are installed by placing the device between the middle and the front and the back of the greeting cards and postcards. Sound device 205 is based on known, commonly available technology that is suitable for properly processing some degree of voice quality sound. Those skilled in the art will readily know how to acquire and configure the appropriate components to achieve sound device 205. For example, sound device 205 may be implemented on a relatively thin printed circuit board (PCB), which includes a PCB having a microphone input, speaker output, control inputs, digital memory storage, interfacing electronics, digital signal processing, and a micro controller unit. Alternative variations and optional configurations are well known in the art. For example, the PCB may have a battery, microphone, or a relatively thin speaker mounted directly thereon, or remotely connected to the PCB. Similarly, the digital memory storage may be embodied in any number of known ways suitable for the particular application; by way of example, and not limitation, memories such as read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), static RAM, dynamic RAM, programmable ROM (PROM), write once read many, etc. In this way, for example, the application designer may design the present invention to have a prerecorded voice message stored on a ROM that may only be played back by the end user (consumer). Hence, depending on the application, embodiments of sound device 205 may operate in multiple modes such as, by way of example and not limitation, , or playback of prerecorded only of voice quality sound. In some embodiments or application, arbitrary, possibly entertaining, sounds may be prerecorded instead of human voices. By way of example, and not limitation, a user may prerecord the sound of a car engine on a postcard or greeting card that has a picture of a car on the front of it. The greeting card's prerecorded message is heard upon opening a card and the postcards have a button that you press on the back of the postcard that you press to hear the prerecorded message.

[0029] Yet other alternative embodiments may provide the consumer a memory storage unit containing a preprogrammed voice message(s), such that the memory storage unit may be removable placed by the consumer into a memory receptacle on the PCB (e.g., a socket). This later embodiment would enable the consumer to maintain a single, relatively simpler sound device 205, and swap out preprogrammed memory units each containing desired voice messages. In many case cost and compactness will drive the exact choice of device configuration and component selection. Typical preprogrammed voice messages, for example, could be voice-prerecorded greetings by famous celebrities or people the consumer knows. Famous celebrities, or entertainers, includes, but is not limited to, successful entrepreneurs (e.g., Bill Gates, Oprah, etc.), Recording Artists, Sports Figures (e.g., all sports from basketball, hockey, and skateboarding), Political Figures (e.g., President), Actors and Actresses, Radio Personalities, Historic Figures (e.g., Martin Luther King's excerpt "I Have A Dream" speech), Wrestlers and all Entertainers, Teachers and Professors (College Presidents-Student for College Acceptance Cards), Cartoon characters, and Religious Figures (e.g., Pastors).

[0030] Typical greeting indicia 110 includes, but is not limited to, suitable prerecorded messages for Birthdays, Inspirational, Get well, Anniversary, Valentine Day, Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Graduations, and Congratulations (Milestones). Optionally, logo indicia 210 may be marked onto the back of entertainment greeting card 100 to indicate the trademark of the associated marketing or manufacturing company.

[0031 ] The voice playback aspect of the present invention tends to add significant novelty that garners more attention and interest than traditional greeting cards. For example, the present invention will be used in conjunction with the spoken voice and picture of famous entertainers to act as a personal spokesperson purpose of the greeting card, thereby substantially increasing the impact and value for events including, but not limited to, fund raisers for charities, Birthdays, Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc. In such applications, the association of a famous spokesperson, a loved one, or an otherwise liked voice, will makes the greeting card more personalized and the consumer feel more emotionally gratified.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates an inside view of the opened entertainment greeting card

100 card in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown, a pop-up picture 305 stands out upon opening the greeting card; however, this feature is optional and alternative embodiments may instead only have imagery or textual indicia printed upon the inside of entertainment greeting card 100. In the first embodiment, sound device 205 is configured according to known techniques to play its sound (e.g., voice) prerecording upon opening entertainment greeting card 100. In some embodiments, sound device 205 may be attached to an exposed inside surface entertainment greeting card 100, and located to be covered, thereby visually hidden, by pop-up picture 305. By way of example, when hidden from view, sound device 205 may be located as shown in the dashed box. Alternative embodiments of the present invention may include activated lights in addition to the reproduction of voice.

[0033] A typical application includes, but is not limited to, a Happy Holidays (or any other greeting depending on the occasion) card to employees or stockholders having a special voice message from their president that is played when the entertainment greeting card is opened. For example the president of the company will send out a card with his picture on the front and his own prerecorded message to his employees that would be activated upon opening the greeting card or pressing a button on the back of the postcard. The employee may be acknowledged for his or her hard work.

[0034] Alternative embodiments may have pictures of an object instead of people and play a sound associated to that object instead of a voice. For example, if entertainment picture 105 was that of a car, sound device 205 might play a sound of such a car upon opening entertainment greeting card 100. Other examples include entertainment picture 105 being that of a dog and the playing of a dog barking sound upon opening entertainment greeting card 100. Similarly, in another example, if entertainment picture 105 was that of beer a sound of beer being poured might be heard. In yet other alternative embodiments of the present invention, the shape of entertainment greeting card 100 itself may also correspond to the object shown in entertainment picture 105. By way of example, and not limitation, a house-warming greeting card according to this embodiment of the present invention might be in the shape of a house and when the card is opened a sound of a doorbell might be heard. Likewise, entertainment greeting cards for new mothers might be shaped like a baby and when opened the present entertainment greeting card might play the sound of a baby crying or another sound that a baby may make. exception of means of actuating the sound playback of the recorded sound message. A typical application of the present entertainment postcard card, includes but is not limited to, the sender of the present entertainment postcard recording their voice message about their vacation, for example, and the receiver playing back the message by properly pressing sound device button 530 upon receipt. In some embodiments (not shown), sound device buttons 530 include a dedicated recording initiation button that is largely hidden in a recessed slot within entertainment postcard card 400, and a dedicated playback button located on the back of entertainment postcard card 400 as shown. Alternative embodiments of the present invention may also have a slot for inserting personal pictures along with the personal recorded message.

[0038] HG. 6 illustrates a rear view of a completed entertainment postcard card 400 card showing buttons actuating sound recording and playback aspects of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 7 illustrates a rear view of a completed entertainment postcard card 400 with printed indicia directed towards magazine subscriptions, showing a button activating the prerecorded entertainers message for the magazine subscription.

[0040] In alternative embodiments (not shown), entertainment postcard card 400 can be scaled down to the size of business card to make an entertainment business card according to the principles of the present invention. Apart from having a different style of indicia and its smaller size, the entertainment business card embodiment is otherwise substantially similar to the second embodiment.

[0041] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the foregoing teachings may be readily adapted to a multiplicity of suitable and similar applications including, but not limited to, tour guides, brochures, invitations, calendars, and posters. For example, FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of an exemplary entertainment poster showing a button that allows the user to, for example, hear the person's prerecorded message or tours guide's attractions, or delivers a prerecorded invitation to a party or event . Although the poster shown is directed towards political campaigns, it should be understood that any suitable poster may be adapted according to the teachings of the present invention.

11 [0042] Conventional posters typically only have a picture and textual information such as a release date for the artist album or a date for a party, or a date for when their movie comes out. The present entertainment poster is effectively a voice posters that may include an entertainment picture of an artist, celebrity, or movie, or some other graphic, that will also contain a prerecorded message about what is being advertised; e.g., when an artist's album or a movie will be released. In the embodiment shown, sound device 205 (not shown) is attached on the back of the poster. However, those in the art readily recognize and apply a multiplicity of known techniques to properly adapt a conventional poster, or other media, in accordance with the foregoing principles. By way of example, and not limitation, one application of the present embodiment includes an 8 x 10 picture of a presidential candidate with their picture on the front and a button that when pressed plays their prerecorded message that asks you to vote for them.

[0043] FIG. 9 illustrates the rear view of the prerecorded postcard 400 with the button to hear the character's or attraction's prerecorded message in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The Figure illustrates an exemplary layout of sound device 205 suitable for the second embodiment of the present invention, shown in a dashed box to indicate it is hidden from view. The illustration of sound device 205 in FIG. 9 is shown by way of a diagrammatic view of an exemplary electronic device suitable to carry the delivery of a prerecorded message from the entertainer or character by pressing a button on the back of the postcard. When properly configured, sound device 205 may comprise speaker and means for sound activation including an button pressing activation means and a control circuit means for controlling said button pressing activation means. Embodiments of sound device 205 may also comprise a button pressing activation means having control circuit and electrical connections with the speaker. The speaker may be placed within the media being used; e.g., within outer and inner layers of paper or card stock, thereby providing contact protection to the speaker. Known electrical power means are also provided for activating sound device 205, which typically comprises a plurality of removable and replaceable batteries. The postcard has a picture on the front with the person who's message is prerecorded on the postcard and a prerecorded message on of the event, attraction, place, or characters. FIG. 10 is the front of an exemplary prerecorded postcard shown in FIG. 9. For example, if Walt Disney had

12 a postcard and it had Mickey's picture on the front, but on the back, their was a button that you would press to hear Mickey's prerecorded message. Some embodiments of the present postcards will also be in the shape of the object on the front of the card and upon pressing the button you will hear the sound that the object makes. For example, in one embodiment the postcard is a cartoon character, like spongebob, in the shape of spongebob and when the button is press you will hear his voice.

[0044] FIG. 10 illustrates the front of the postcard, which has the character's voice that will be heard upon pressing the button.

[0045] Many companies and/or non-profit organizations, including advertising, tourism, media, and political campaigns, to name a few, would find embodiments of the present invention preferable to furthering their marketing strategy.

[0046] Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of voice entertainment cards according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention has been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. For example, the particular implementation of the prerecording/playback device may vary depending upon the particular type technology used. The prerecording/playback actuation means described in the foregoing were directed to push button implementations; however, similar techniques that employ non-mechanical or non-contact switches are also contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. Moreover, the particular visual appearance or structural make up of the entertainment media adapted to be voice activated according to the present invention may take on any form suitable for the particular application. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

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Claims

What is claimed is:CLAIMS

1. An apparatus for a prerecorded voice entertainment card comprising: a card adapted with means for storing and/or playing a prerecorded voice quality sound message; and

means for actuating said voice quality sound playing means.

2. The entertainment card apparatus of claim 1 wherein the card is a greeting card, postcard, calendar, poster, or business card.

3. The entertainment card apparatus of claim 1 wherein a surface of the card comprises indicia thereon associated with said prerecorded voice quality sound message.

4. The entertainment card apparatus of claim 1 wherein a surface of the card comprises at least one image depicted thereon that is associated with said prerecorded voice quality sound message.

5. The entertainment card apparatus of claim 4 wherein said at least one image has entertainment value.

6. The entertainment card apparatus of claim 4 wherein said at least one image has advertising value.

7. The entertainment card apparatus of claim 4 wherein said at least one image has commercial value.

8. The entertainment card apparatus of claim 4 wherein said prerecorded voice quality sound message has entertainment value.

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9. The entertainment card apparatus of claim 4 wherein said prerecorded voice quality sound message has advertising value.

10. The entertainment card apparatus of claim 4 wherein said prerecorded voice quality sound message has commercial value.

11. The entertainment card apparatus of claim 4 wherein said at least one image comprises an image of an entertainer, artist, celebrity, or politician.

12. The entertainment card apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shape of the card corresponds to indicia thereon.

13. The entertainment card apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shape of the card corresponds to images depicted on a surface thereof.

14. The entertainment card apparatus of claim 1 wherein the card is shaped to be visually associated with said prerecorded voice quality sound message.

15. The entertainment card apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuating means is configured to be visually associated with at least one image depicted on a surface of the card.

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