Interactive picture book with voice recording features and method of use

• US 6,985,693 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2003
• Issued: 01/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Debra Giampapa Kirwan
• Original Assignee: Debra Giampapa Kirwan
• Inventors: Kirwan, Debra Giampapa
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H.
• Application Number:
  US10/357,896
• Publication Number:
  US 20030113696A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• Field of Search: 434/167, 434/169.1, 434/78, 434307 R-309, 434/317, 434/20, 434/362, 434/365, 434/180, 345/87, 345/169, 345/173, 235/462.01, 235/462.15, 360/74.1, 206/455, 396/429, 482/4
• US Class Current: 434/317
• 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

Abstract

An apparatus comprises in combination a storybook and a separate audio recorder adapted for mounting on the storybook. The recorder may be used with any one of several storybooks by recording the storyline of each book by the purchaser for later playback by a child. Buttons corresponding to the several pages of the storybook are provided so that a child is able to correlate a button with each page to hear the story as well as read it. Dual recording devices may be played simultaneously wherein one may provide a background music or sound, while the other provides and audio representation of the text or whatever audio the user desires.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a book having a binding engaging plural pages between opposing book covers;

an audio recorder enabled for receiving, storing and playing audio information, a means for control including plural operating buttons, the operating buttons each adapted for visual correspondence with one of the plural pages;

each of the operating buttons further adapted for playing at least one portion of the audio information corresponding to the one of the plural pages;

at least one of the buttons enabling the playing of two portions of the audio information simultaneously;

the control means removably engagable with said book covers; and

a switching means comprises a recessed switch inaccessible to a finger for switching between recording mode and playback mode.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control means further comprises a microphone circuit for receiving the audio information.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control means further comprises a headphone circuit for directing the audio information to a headphone.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein tho control means further comprises an audio output circuit adapted for presenting the audio information audibly.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the control means is enabled for lockout of the recording mode using the switching means.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control means is enabled for playing a voice message.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a book having a binding engaging plural pages between opposing book covers;

an audio recorder enabled for receiving, storing and playing audio information;

a means for control including plural operating buttons, the operating buttons each adapted for visual correspondence with one of the plural pages;

each of the operating buttons further adapted for playing at least two separate portions of the audio information simultaneously; and

a mode switching means comprising a switch inaccessible to a finger for switching between recording mode and playback mode.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a first portion of the audio information is permanent and a second portion of the audio information is impermanent.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the control means further comprises a microphone circuit for receiving the audio information.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the control means further comprises a headphone circuit for directing the audio information to a headphone.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the control means further comprises an audio output circuit adapted for presenting the audio information audibly.

12. A method comprising the steps of:

providing a book having a binding engaging plural pages between opposing book covers;

providing an audio recorder integral with the book and enabled for receiving, storing and playing audio information;

recording at least two portions of audio information in the audio recorder for each one of the plural pages; and

providing plural operating buttons each adapted for visual correspondence with one or the plural pages and for playing one of the first and second portions of the audio information simultaneously; and

providing a switching means comprising a switching means inaccessible to a finger for switching between recording mode and playback mode.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of recording the at least two portions of audio information includes one of the portions recorded permanently and another of the portions recorded impermanently.