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

• US 5,577,918 A
• Filed: 09/27/1994
• Issued: 11/26/1996
• 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:
  US08/312,811
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 434/308, 434/317, 434/319, 434/320, 190/900, 40/457, 40/455, 40/DIG. 906, 150/147, 369/63, 369/68, 281/29, 281/31, 281/36, 402/73
• 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 deprecated, only for historical reasons, G06F3/16, G11B
• 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 integrated circuit 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 integrated circuit 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 flames, 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, 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, and

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

E. a foldable portfolio incorporating

a. a first portion comprising a retaining zone for supportingly holding or retaining papers or documents,

b. a second portion

1. pivotally mounted along one edge thereof to an edge of the first portion for cooperating therewith,

2. movable between a first, folded, closed position and a second unfolded open position, and

3. comprising 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 product; and

c. activation means cooperatively associated with the first switch means for automatically moving the first switch means from its off position to its on position in response to the pivotal movement of the second portion relative to the first portion from its closed position to its 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.

2. The multi-purpose, re-recordable, audible message delivery system defined in claim 1, wherein said portfolio is further defined as comprising a paper holding folder with said first portion comprising a size and shape substantially equivalent to the second portion and a paper holding and retaining zone, and said second pivotable portion is further defined asbeing movable from a paper holding and retaining zone covering position to a paper holding zone access position, andhaving the cavity retaining the housing of the audible message delivery system positioned for cooperating association with the first portion, for enabling movement of the second portion from its first position to its second position to automatically activate the audible message delivery system into its play mode.

3. The multi-purpose, re-recordable, audible message delivery system defined in claim 1, wherein said portfolio comprises a business card holder and display construction wherein said first portion comprises a business card-retaining frame portion and said second portion incorporating a cavity formed therein for receiving and retaining the housing of said audible message delivery system, whereby said audible message delivery system is capable of being easily inserted, removed and retained within the second portion for providing an audible message when desired.

4. 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, and

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;

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 into a cooperating holding means,

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 flap member

1. positioned along one edge of the housing in movably connected engagement therewith,

2. movable between a first, closed, housing overlying position and a second, open, housing-adjacent position,

3. comprising a free edge in juxtaposed, spaced, adjacent relationship with the edge engaged with the housing, and

4. controllably connected to said first switch means for activating the switch means whenever the flap member is moved from its first, closed position to its second, open position; and

E. holding means comprising a first and a second pivotally engaged member mounted in cooperating association with each other and movable between a first, members overlying, closed, position and a second, members adjacent, open position, and further defined as

a. the first member comprising 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 therewith,

b. the second member comprising a cavity for receiving the free edge of the flap member and securely retaining the flap member therein, with said flap member being movable between its first and its second positions simultaneously with the movement of the first and second members between their first and second positions, and

c. one of said members comprising retaining means for supportingly holding or retaining conventional items for which said holding means is created;

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 the pivotal members of the holding means are opened.

5. The multi-purpose, re-recordable, audible message delivery system defined in claim 4, wherein said product is further defined as being constructed for holding one selected from the group consisting of papers, cards, documents, business proposals, and reports.