Display element

• US 4,531,310 A
• Filed: 01/10/1984
• Issued: 07/30/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Futures Unlimited, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Futures Unlimited, Inc.
• Inventors: Esposito, Anthony, Acson, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Peshock, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stone, Cary E.
• Application Number:
  US06/569,756
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 40/455, 40/1.5, 84/1.01
• US Class Current: 40/1.5
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 15/0015 Illuminated or sound-producing jewellery
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 3/001 Badges

Abstract

An improved device for communication of graphic and/or pictorial information. In its simplest form, this device includes a graphic and/or pictorial information display element, a synthesizer element for electronic sound reproduction and a backing plate which couples to the display element and thereby defines a chamber for housing the synthesizer. The audible message produced by the synthesizer can be programmed for enhancement and/or complementary to the graphic and/or pictorial information depicted on the display element. This device can be used as a novelty item, jewelry-like adornments, enhanced security identification badges and various instructional and/or message oriented media.

Claims

1. In a graphic and/or pictorial information communication device having audible enhancement of said graphic and/or pictorial information, the improvement comprising:

an information display member comprising an essentially rigid, substantially circular face member having a convex surface and a concave surface, said convex surface of said member having graphic and/or pictorial information associated therewith;

means for audible enhancement of said graphic and/or pictorial information comprising a sound synthesizer assembly for electronic sound reproduction, said assembly comprising a sound reproduction circuit, means having encoded message information for control of said circuit, a source of electrical power operative with said circuit and manual switching means for energizing said circuit with said source of electrical power;

means for projecting the electronic sound reproduction through said display element; and

a backplate comprising an essentially rigid, substantially circular element having an essentially flat surface and means associated therewith for coupling with the back of said display member, thereby defining a chamber for housing the sound synthesizer assembly within said device, said backplate being further provided with means for fastening to apparel.

2. The improved communication device of claim 1 wherein, the backplate is removable.

3. The improved communication device of claim 1 wherein, the backplate is provided with an access window to permit replacement of the source of electrical power.

4. The improved communication device of claim 1 wherein, the means for control of the circuit is removable and can be replaced with another having different encoded message information.

5. The improved communication device of claim 1 wherein, the switching means of synthesizer assembly comprises a membrane switch.

6. The improved communication device of claim 1 wherein, the means for protecting the sound reproduction comprises a speaker element.

7. The improved communication device of claim 1 wherein, the face member of said device displays a political message.

8. The improved communication device of claim 1 wherein, the information associated with the face member of the device can be changed or altered.

9. The improved communication device of claim 1 wherein, the audible output of the synthesizer assembly comprises musical tone.

10. The improved communication device of claim 1 wherein, the audible output of the synthesizer assembly comprises linguistic components of speech.

11. In a graphic and/or pictorial information communication device having audible enhancement of said graphic and/or pictorial information, the improvement comprising:

an information display member comprising an essentially rigid, substantially circular face having a convex surface and a concave surface, said convex surface of said member having graphic and/or pictorial information associated therewith and said member further having one or more perforations;

means for audible enhancement of said graphic and/or pictorial information comprising a sound synthesizer assembly for electronic sound reproduction, said assembly comprising a sound reproduction circuit, means having encoded message information for control of said circuit, a source of electrical power operative with said circuit and manual switching means for energizing said circuit with said source electrical power;

means for projecting the electronic sound reproduction through the perforations in the face of said information display element; and

a backplate comprising an essentially rigid, substantially circular element having an essentially flat surface and means associated therewith for coupling with the back of said display member, thereby defining a chamber for housing the sound synthesizer assembly within said device.

12. In a graphic and/or pictorial information communication device having audible enhancement of said graphic and/or pictorial information, the improvement comprising:

an information display member comprising an essentially rigid, substantially circular face member having an interior surface and an exterior surface, said exterior surface of said member having graphic and/or pictorial information associated therewith;

means for audible enhancement of said graphic and/or pictorial information comprising a sound synthesizer assembly for electronic sound reproduction, said assembly comprising a sound reproduction circuit, means having encoded message information for control of said circuit, a source of electrical power operative with said circuit and manual switching means for engaging said circuit electrical power;

means for projecting the electronic sound reproduction through said information display element;

a backplate comprising an essentially rigid, substantially circular element having an essentially flat surface and means associated therewith for coupling with the display member, thereby defining a chamber between the interior surface of said display member and said backplate for housing the synthesizer assembly within said device, said backplate being further provided with means for fastening to apparel.