Multi-purpose, universally applicable re-recordable, audible, message delivery system

• US 5,387,108 A
• Filed: 02/05/1993
• Issued: 02/07/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Christopher S. Crowell
• Original Assignee: Christopher S. Crowell
• Inventors: Crowell, Christopher S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Jeffrey A.
• Application Number:
  US08/014,369
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 434/319, 40/124.1, 40/152, 40/152.1
• US Class Current: 434/319
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/03 for pills or tablets containers for pills or tablets with special dispensing means therefor B65D83/04
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 15/022 combined with permanently fastened sound-producing or light-emitting means or carrying sound records
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/04 with audible presentation of the material to be studied sound recording or reproducing G11B
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/062 Combinations of audio and printed presentations, e.g. magnetically striped cards, talking books, magnetic tapes with printed texts thereon
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 2207/16 Solid state audio
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/16 Storage of analogue signals in digital stores using an arrangement comprising analogue/digital [A/D] converters, digital memories and digital/analogue [D/A] converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 40/906 Sound

Abstract

By providing circuit means constructed for recording, retaining, and delivering an audible message upon demand and securely retaining the circuit means in a housing, a unique, multi-purpose, audible message delivery system is attained for use either independently or in cooperative relationship with a plurality of alternate products. In the preferred embodiment, the circuit means is constructed to provide ease of message re-recording upon demand. In this way, any desired message can be substituted for an existing message whenever desired. As a result, repeated use of the audible message delivery system is realized, with the system being used independently or in association with other products, such as picture frames, medicine packages, folders, notebooks, etc. In this way, specific messages can be easily transmitted between individuals in a manner previously unattainable.

Claims

1. A multi-purpose, re-recordable, audible message delivery system for enabling individuals to specialize or personalize a message for delivery to another, said system comprising

A. circuit means

a. constructed for repeatedly recording and retaining an audio signal and delivering said recorded signal,

b. responsive to a play activation signal for activating said circuit means to deliver a previously recorded audio signal,

c. responsive to a record activation signal for enabling said circuit means to receive and record an audible message,

d. comprising a speaker electronically connected to the circuit for delivering the audible message,

e. a microphone mounted to the circuit means in interconnected, cooperating relationship with the message recording circuit thereof for receiving the audible message and delivering the audible message to the recording means, and

an LED mounted to said circuit means and constructed for being activated in response to the activation of at least one switch means, thereby enabling the user to immediately know when said switch means has been moved from its normally off position to its on position;

B. first switch means

a. movable between an off position and an on position, and

b. connected to said circuit means for transmitting thereto said play activation signal whenever said switch means is in its on position;

C. second switch means

a. movable between an off position and an on position, and

b. connected to the circuit means for transmitting thereto said record activation signal whenever the second switch means is in its on position; and

D. a housing constructed for

a. supportingly retaining and protecting the circuit means,

b. providing easy access to said first and second switch means, and

c. being movably positionable in a plurality of alternate positions and locations,

whereby a multi-purpose, re-recordable audible message delivery system is attained which is capable of being easily employed by any individual for recording any desired audible message as well as delivering the audible message upon demand whenever desired.

2. The multi-purpose, re-recordable, audible message delivery system defined in claim 1, wherein said housing is further defined as peripherally surrounding and fully enveloping said circuit means, forming a completely self-contained message delivery system capable of being employed either independently or in association with a plurality of alternate products.

3. The multi-purpose, re-recordable, audible message delivery system defined in claim 2, wherein said housing is further defined as comprising fastening means formed on one surface thereof for enabling said audible message delivery system to be securely affixed to any desired surface, thereby effectively delivering the previously recorded message to another individual at any desired location.

4. The multi-purpose, re-recordable, audible message delivery system defined in claim 3, wherein said fastening means is further defined as enabling said multi-purpose, re-recordable, audible message delivery system to be securely affixed to a surface of at least one selected from the group consisting of appliances, furniture, lunch boxes, fabric bearing members, and metallic products.

5. The multi-purpose, re-recordable, audible message delivery system defined in claim 3, wherein said system is further defined as being removably mountable in receiving pockets formed in a plurality of alternate, cooperating products for enabling said products to possess re-recordable message delivering capabilities.

6. The multi-purpose, re-recordable, audible message delivery system defined in claim 5, wherein said alternate products comprise at least one selected from the group consisting picture frames, photo-display envelopes, medication-bearing packages, document holding folders, menus, table stands, mailing packages, books, diaries, journals, and business card holders.

7. The multi-purpose, re-recordable, audible message delivery system defined in claim 1, wherein said housing is further defined as comprising a pivotable, longitudinally extending flange portion cooperatingly associated with the first switch means for automatically transmitting the play activation signal whenever the panel portion is moved from a first housing overlying position to a second outwardly pivoted position.

8. The multi-purpose, re-recordable, audible message delivery system defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second switch means are further defined as comprising push-button type switch means constructed for being maintained in the off position and activated into the on position by compressing a portion thereof to bring the contacts formed therein into engagement with each other.

9. A multi-purpose, re-recordable, audible message delivery system for enabling individuals to specialize or personalize a message for delivery to another, said system comprising

A. circuit means

a. constructed for repeatedly recording and retaining an audio signal and delivering said recorded signal,

b. responsive to a play activation signal for activating said circuit means to deliver a previously recorded audio signal, and

c. responsive to a record activation signal for enabling said circuit means to receive and record an audible message;

d. comprising a power source;

B. first switch means

a. movable between an off position and an on position, and

b. connected to said circuit means for transmitting thereto said play activation signal whenever said switch means is in its on position;

C. second switch means

a. movable between an off position and an on position, and

b. connected to the circuit means for transmitting thereto said record activation signal whenever the second switch means is in its on position; and

D. a housing

a. supportingly retaining and protecting the circuit means,

b. providing easy access to said first and second switch means,

c. being movably positionable in a plurality of alternate positions and locations,

d. peripherally surrounding and fully enveloping said circuit means, forming a completely self-contained message delivery system capable of being employed either independently or in association with a plurality of alternate products, and

e. comprising a pivotable panel portion

1. positioned in aligned, overlying, covering relationship with the power source for providing access for repair or replacement thereof, and

2. movable between a first, housing closing position and a second, housing open position,

whereby a multi-purpose, re-recordable audible message delivery system is attained which is capable of being easily employed by any individual for recording any desired audible message as well as delivering the audible message upon demand whenever desired.

10. A multi-purpose, re-recordable, audible message delivery system for enabling individuals to specialize or personalize a message for delivery to another, said system comprises

A. circuit means

a. constructed for repeatedly recording and retaining an audio signal and delivering said recorded signal,

b. responsive to a play activation signal for activating said circuit means to deliver a previously recorded audio signal, and

c. responsive to a record activation signal for enabling said circuit means to receive and record an audible message;

B. first switch means

a. movable between an off position and an on position, and

b. connected to said circuit means for transmitting thereto said play activation signal whenever said switch means is in its on position;

C. second switch means

a. movable between an off position and an on position, and

b. connected to the circuit means for transmitting thereto said record activation signal whenever the second switch means is in its on position;

D. a housing constructed for

a. supportingly retaining and protecting the circuit means,

b. providing easy access to said first and second switch means, and

c. being movably positionable in a plurality of alternate positions and locations; and

E. a product comprising a medication container incorporating

a. a first portion comprising a holding zone wherein said medication is securely retained, and

b. a second portion comprising a cooperating cover portion having a cavity formed therein for securely retaining the housing of the audible message delivery system, enabling said housing to be easily positioned and securely retained therein for cooperating, associated use with said medication container;

whereby a re-recordable audible message delivery system is attained which is capable of being easily employed by any individual for enabling messages to be recorded and delivered to a consumer.

11. A multi-purpose, re-recordable, audible message delivery system for enabling individuals to specialize or personalize a message for delivery to another, said system comprising

A. circuit means

a. constructed for repeatedly recording and retaining an audio signal and delivering said recorded signal,

b. responsive to a play activation signal for activating said circuit means to deliver a previously recorded audio signal, and

c. responsive to a record activation signal for enabling said circuit means to receive and record an audible message;

B. first switch means

a. movable between an off position and an on position, and

b. connected to said circuit means for transmitting thereto said play activation signal whenever said switch means is in its on position;

C. second switch means

movable between an off position and an on position, and

connected to the circuit means for transmitting thereto said record activation signal whenever the second switch means is in its on position;

D. a housing constructed for

a. supportingly retaining and protecting the circuit means,

b. providing easy access to said first and second switch means, and

c. being movably positionable in a plurality of alternate positions and locations; and

E. a product comprising a photograph display construction incorporating

a. a first portion comprising a picture retaining frame, and

b. a second portion comprising a first portion supporting and holding stand, said stand incorporating

1. a cavity formed therein for receiving and retaining the housing of said audible message delivery system and

2. a pivotable flap portion formed therewith for enabling said housing of the audible message delivery system to be removably inserted into the retaining cavity, enabling said housing to be removed and replaced whenever desired in an easy and convenient manner.

12. The multi-purpose, re-recordable, audible message delivery system defined in claim 11, wherein said stand is further defined as comprising apertures zones formed therein and positioned for cooperating, overlying aligned interengagement with the switch means for enabling easy activation and use of said first and second switch means.