Image with sound playback apparatus

• US 6,229,964 B1
• Filed: 02/26/1998
• Issued: 05/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Bell, Cynthia S.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, EDDIE C H
• Application Number:
  US09/031,244
• Time in Patent Office: 1,167 Days
• Field of Search: 396/310, 396/311, 396/312, 396/313, 396/315, 396/318, 396/321, 235/439, 235/462.03, 235/462.45, 235/462.49, 235/472.03, 235/472.01, 235/454
• US Class Current: 396/310
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 31/06 in which sound track is associated with successively-shown still pictures
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 2207/16 Solid state audio

Abstract

An icon reader reads picture identification data from a data icon on an image print. This data is used to determine the location of a corresponding sound bite contained in a memory module and for playing the sound bite. The memory module contains sound bites recorded at the camera during picture taking. The icon reader includes a data reader module that optically scans the data icon from one location to read the picture identification data. The icon reader further includes a decoder for decoding the encoded picture identification data, and a data port for selective communication with the memory module. In one embodiment, the icon reader is structured to be a self-contained sound playback apparatus in which a sound IC card is docked to the data port and, in another embodiment, the icon reader is coupled with a wireless communication device for communicating the decoded picture identification data to a remote memory archive unit having built-in sound playback apparatus. The archive unit is capable of storing a plurality of sound IC cards or memory modules.

Claims

1. Apparatus for reading encoded data from an icon, the icon including a plurality of data segments, the apparatus comprising:

an optical data reader module including an optical interface having dimensions corresponding to those of the icon for alignment over the icon, the module including a controller, a light sensor and plural segments, plural segments being selectively enabled to pass light therethrough, and said plural segments being individually patterned so that at least one plural segment masks each of the respective ones of said data segments when the module is aligned with the icon, wherein said controller selectively enables plural segments conforming to respective ones of said data segments and monitors the light sensor to sequentially read each of the respective ones of said data segments while the module is stationary relative to the data portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 and further including:

a decoder device electrically connected to the data reader module, said decoder receiving and processing the encoded data to generate picture ID data.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 and further including:

a memory module;

a data port electrically connected to the decoder device, said data port being configured to support electrical communication with the memory module to transmit the picture ID data to the memory module.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 for communication with a remote device containing the memory module and further including:

a communication device connected to the data port, said communication device transmitting the decoded picture ID data to the remote device for retrieval and playback of a sound data file corresponding to the decoded picture ID data.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 and further including:

a sound card configured for releasable engagement with the data port, the sound card defining the memory module for storing sound data files.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the data port is configured for selective engagement with a sound IC card and a communication module.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the communication module includes a transmitter for wireless communication with a remote playback device.

8. The apparatus of claim 3 and further including:

a hand held, portable housing carrying the data reader module, data decoder, and data port.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 and further including:

a sound playback unit housed in the housing and connected with said data port, the sound playback unit including a speaker, whereby a sound IC card is engaged with the data port, picture ID data is transmitted to the sound IC card, a corresponding sound data file is transmitted to the sound playback unit, and a corresponding sound bite is played via the speaker.

10. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the memory module includes an association table linking picture ID data to sound bite locations in the memory module.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plural segments comprise an LCD having plural segments that are selectively enabled to pass light therethrough.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 and further including:

a controller connected to the LCD, said controller sequentially enabling selected segments of the LCD and monitoring the light sensor to sequentially read portions of the data portion.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the data reader module includes an illumination source positioned on a side of the LCD nearest the icon to be read.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 for use with an icon configured such that the encoded data is arranged in annular rings circumferentially disposed about a central axis, wherein:

the data reader module includes an LCD having a circular shape and having said plural segments, wherein said plural segments are configured as circumferentially spaced, selectively transparent segments.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the annular rings of the icon comprise a plurality of dark and light segments, and the decoder is responsive to the sequence of dark and light segments sensed to determine the picture ID data.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the data reader module further comprises:

a light source for illuminating the data portion; and

,

a lens interposed between the light sensor and the LCD, said lens focusing light onto the sensor, wherein said plural segments comprise an LCD having selectively light-transmissive segments and said light sensor receives light that is reflected by the data portion and passed through the light-transmissive segments of the LCD.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said data reader module includes a pressure sensitive switch positioned at a lower end thereof to actuate the apparatus for reading encoded data from the icon when the data reader module is pressed down lightly on a surface over the icon.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said LCD mask has a center and the illumination source is positioned in alignment with the center of the LCD.

19. A system for associating an image formed with a data portion comprising encoded picture identification data segments with a corresponding sound bite and for retrieving and playing the corresponding sound bite, the system comprising:

a memory module in which sound data files are stored, the memory module including an association table linking picture ID data with sound data locations;

an icon reader, including a data reader module sized for placement over the data portion, the module including a light sensor and plural segments selectively enabled to pass light therethrough, wherein at least one of said plural segments is individually patterned to mask each of the respective ones of said data segments when this module is aligned with the icon, and a circuit to selectively enable plural segments conforming to respective ones of said data segments and to monitor the light sensor to sequentially read the respective ones of said data segments of the data portion while the module is stationary relative to the data portion, the icon reader being operative to read the encoded picture ID data, the icon reader further including a data decoder connected to the data reader module, said data decoder being operative to decode the picture ID data, the icon reader further including a data port connected with the data decoder and in communication with the memory module for transmitting the picture ID data to the memory module, the memory module being responsive to receipt of the picture ID data to access the association table, determine the location of the corresponding sound bite, and retrieve the corresponding sound data file; and

a sound playback unit connected to the memory module, said sound playback unit receiving the sound data file and playing the sound data file.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the memory module comprises a sound IC card configured for releasable engagement with the data port.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein the memory module comprises a remote unit and further including:

a communication module which may engage with the data port, said communication module being operative to communicate with the remote unit.

22. The system of claim 19 wherein the sound playback unit is housed within the icon reader.

23. The system of claim 19 wherein said plural segments comprise an LCD formed of selectively light transmissive segments.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein said data portion comprises data segments and said LCD selectively light transmissive segments are of a width narrower than a width of the data segments.

25. The system of claim 19 wherein the data portion is formed with an alignment portion, and the data reader module includes a controller programmed to sense the alignment portion to orient the data reader module with respect to the data portion.

26. The system of claim 19 wherein the data reader module is formed with an optical sensing area matching the cross-sectional area of the data portion, whereby the icon reader may be aligned with the data portion and the data portion may be read while the icon reader remains stationary.

27. The system of claim 19 wherein said icon reader includes a controller which operates to determine either if a memory module is attached to said data port or if a memory module is accessible in a remote unit and, if neither, provides an indication that no memory module is available.

28. Sound reproduction control apparatus for associating printed, encoded picture ID data from an icon with a sound data file stored in a memory module, the picture ID data uniquely associating the sound data file with a reproduced image, the icon having a configuration in which said encoded data is arranged in data segments circumferentially disposed about a central axis, the apparatus comprising:

hand held control apparatus including a data reader module, a data decoder and a data port;

the data reader module including an optical sensor having a reader area shaped to conform with said icon configuration for alignment over the icon, the data reader module including an electronically controlled mask having plural segments selectively enabled to pass light therethrough wherein at least one of said plural segments is individually patterned to mask each of the respective ones of said data segments when said module is aligned with the icon; and

said plural segments having a circuit to selectively enable said plural segments that conform to respective ones of said data segments and to monitor the light sensor to sequentially read the respective ones of said data segments while the module is stationary relative to the icon,

the data decoder being operative to decode said encoded data from the data reader module to determine picture ID data; and

the data port being adapted to receive a data transfer device, said data transfer device accessing said memory module having said sound data file stored therein at a memory location identified by an association table.

29. Apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said memory module comprises a detachable digital memory IC card and said hand held control apparatus includes a sound playback apparatus, said sound playback apparatus reproducing audible sound from the sound data file accessed from said memory module on the sound IC card.

30. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said hand held apparatus includes a sound recording apparatus recording sound as digital data in said memory module at a selected memory location.

31. Apparatus according to claim 28 for use with a remote sound playback apparatus having said memory module included therein and further including a wireless data communication module releasably connectable with the data port, said wireless data communication module communicating said picture ID data to said remote apparatus for accessing an associated sound data file in said memory module as determined by reference to an association table stored in the memory module.

32. Apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said memory module in said remote apparatus comprises mass memory capable of storing digital sound data therein and said remote apparatus includes sound playback means for playing back sound data stored in said mass memory.