Play and record audio system embedded inside a photograph

• US 6,608,972 B1
• Filed: 06/04/1998
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson, John H. Hiett
• Original Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson, John H. Hiett
• Inventors: Lemelson, Jerome H., Hiett, John H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, David M.
• Application Number:
  US09/090,682
• Time in Patent Office: 1,902 Days
• Field of Search: 396/310, 396/312, 396/319, 407/17
• US Class Current: 396/312
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/24 with means for separately producing marks on the film, e.g. title, time of exposure

Abstract

An audio photograph or picture 2 made of a photograph or picture material 6 having an image area 12 for providing at least one photographic or picture image and further having an audio system 4 embedded within the photograph or picture material 6. The audio system 4 comprises a recording system for recording and storing audio information and a playback system for playing audio information. The components of the audio system 4 are made from ultra-thin, compact, and flexible materials, and these components are made paper-thin. The audio system 4 further comprises a power source, a micro-controller 20 for controlling recording and playing of audio information wherein the micro-controller 20 is coupled to the power source 10, a storage memory 24 coupled to the micro-controller 20 for storing the audio information, a recording system coupled to the micro-controller 20 for picking up and storing the audio information in the storage memory 24, and a playback system coupled to the micro-controller 20 for playing the audio information stored in the storage memory 24. The embedded audio system 4 is able to receivingly couple to an audio device for transferring the audio information between the audio device and the storage memory 24 of the audio system 4.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

(a) a medium including a image area on a flat external surface thereof, the image area being capable of (1) recording at least one photographic or picture image and (2) displaying the recorded image; and

(b) a self-contained audio recording and playback system that is embedded inside the medium;

wherein

(c) the apparatus is capable of (1) recording sounds and at least one image and (2) playing back the recorded sounds and displaying the recorded image.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

(a) the medium is photographic paper; and

(b) the image is a photographic image formed on the paper.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the image is a picture image.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the audio system comprises ultra-thin, compact, and generally flexible components.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an electrical switch that is controllably coupled to the audio recording and playback system, wherein the system is responsive to manual manipulation of the switch to record sound.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising an external input that is controllably coupled to the audio recording and playback system, wherein the system is responsive to a signal from an external source to record sound.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein:

(a) the external source is a camera including a shutter button; and

(b) the system is responsive to manual manipulation of the shutter button to record sound.

8. Apparatus comprising:

(a) a medium including a image area on a flat external surface thereof, the image area being capable of (1) recording at least one photographic or picture image and (2) displaying the recorded image; and

(b) a self-contained audio recording and playback system that is printed directly on the medium;

wherein

(c) the apparatus is capable of (1) recording sounds and at least one image and (2) playing back the recorded sounds and displaying the recorded image.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein:

(a) the medium is photographic paper; and

(b) the image is a photographic image formed on the paper.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the image is a picture image.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the audio system comprises ultra-thin, compact, and generally flexible components.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising an electrical switch that is controllably coupled to the audio recording and playback system wherein the system is responsive to manual manipulation of the switch to record sound.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising an external input that is controllably coupled to the audio recording and playback system wherein the system is responsive to a signal from an external source to record sound.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein:

(a) the external source is a camera including a shutter button; and

(b) the system is responsive to manual manipulation of the shutter button to record sound.

15. Apparatus comprising:

(a) audio means for (1) recording sounds, and (2) playing back the recorded sounds; and

(b) image means for (1) housing the audio means, (2) recording at least one photographic or picture image, and (3) displaying the recorded image.