Abstract:
The present invention provides a digital video greeting card including video, photos and voice information as well as text, by inserting a main panel for outputting video and voice data into cards such as a greeting card, invitation card, etc. To this end, the present invention proposes a method of making the main panel thin and provides a switch for allowing the main panel to be operated according to the folding and unfolding operation of an outer cover. Further, an external data input section is formed in the video greeting card of the present invention so as to provide a function of connecting to an additional memory card, a memory device, etc. Accordingly, the present invention can provide a digital video greeting card compatible with other devices, etc.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This present invention relates to an improved greeting card that when opened, displays and plays digital videos, photo, and audio through an electronic display, utilizing a thin main panel circuit board. 
         [0003]    The circuit board used in the card is very flat and thin and can be applied for use in books, catalogs, etc. In conventional cards, the sender expressed their wishes using words. However with this new invention, wishes and desires of the sender can be expressed through video, photos and voice, in addition to text written onto the card. Therefore, clear and accurate thoughts and emotions can be transferred to a person who receives information. 
         [0004]    The video greeting card includes a main panel to which a component for outputting video and voice data is coupled, and a housing that surrounds and protects components of the main panel. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, the bottom of the main panel and the attached housing together are protectively covered with a base cover, while the top surface of the main panel and attached housing are protected with a manipulation cover. The manipulation cover is then covered with an outside cover. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, when the external cover (book cover, card stock, etc.) is opened, a switch connected to the external cover is actuated to output video and voice data. Thus, if a book, a catalog, etc., is unfolded in a state where the video greeting card is inserted into the book, the catalog, etc., the contents to be transferred to other persons are output as video and voice, rather than text alone. Therefore, a sender&#39;s wishes, desires, etc., which cannot be described using words can be easily transferred to other persons. 
         [0007]    Further, the invention allows video, photos, voice data stored in other memory devices to be easily transferred onto the card using a number of input devices. 
         [0008]    2. Background of the Related Art 
         [0009]    Video continues to become an increasingly popular medium for content on the Internet. Greeting cards, invitation cards, etc., have previously been limited in their paper format to transfer information in the form of text only. 
         [0010]    Other sources of text only information channels include books, catalogs, photo albums, etc. All are configured to transfer information in the form of texts, images, photos, etc., but is less effective at communicating the message than by employing video or voice. 
         [0011]    There have recently been attempts to transfer information by combining the information material with video or voice; however the availability of these attempts is very low because the thickness of a main panel for outputting video and voice data and the weight is heavy due to the adoption of the battery, etc. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, in cases where very important but complicated information has to be transferred, books or catalogs containing only texts and figures are not appropriate for transferring accurate information because they are merely used as reference materials for description. 
         [0013]    In particular, greeting cards are used to express emotion, something that can easily be misunderstood through words alone. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems occurring in the prior art, and it is the object of the present invention to provide a video greeting card, including video, photos and voice information, in addition to texts, by inserting a main panel for outputting video and voice data into a card, bound document, or tome such as a greeting card, an invitation card, brochure, catalog, book, and more. 
         [0015]    In addition, this present invention proposes a method of making the main panel thin and provides a switch for allowing the main panel to be operated by folding and unfolding the outer cover. 
         [0016]    Further, a data input section/port is formed in the video greeting card of the present invention so as to provide a function of connecting to an additional memory card, a memory device, etc. Accordingly, the present invention can provide a digital video greeting card compatible with other devices, etc. 
         [0017]    To achieve the above objects, a digital video greeting card in accordance with the present invention includes: a main panel having a self-power source and a memory, the main panel being configured to output contents, which are stored in the memory, in the form of video, digital photos and voice; a housing coupled to the main panel and configured to cover a top portion of the main panel, wherein the housing includes a plurality of notches formed thereon so as to allow respective components of the main panel to be inserted like fitting puzzle pieces together. Components that make up the navigation buttons protrude through the main panel. A base cover is fixed to the bottom surface of the main panel and the housing which are coupled to each other. A manipulation cover connected to one side of the base cover and configured to fold over and cover the top surfaces of the main panel and the housing which are coupled to each other. The manipulation cover includes a display section formed therein to correspond to any one of the installation openings of the housing and pressing sections formed thereon so as to press the incision portions of the housing. The main panel is actuated by unfolding the folded external cover, so that the contents stored in the memory are output as video and voice. 
         [0018]    The main panel includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a power supply unit disposed at one side of the lower portion of the PCB and configured to supply power, a video output unit disposed at one side of an upper portion of the PCB and configured to output video stored in the memory, a voice output unit disposed at the other side of the upper portion of the PCB and configured to output voice stored in the memory, a switch configured to turn on/off the PCB when the external cover is unfolded and folded, and buttons disposed on a top surface of the PCB so as to allow a user to easily control the video and voice output from the video output unit and the voice output unit. 
         [0019]    The power supply unit is mounted to the PCB or further includes a power input unit connected to an external power supply. 
         [0020]    The PCB also includes an input port that allows the invention to be connected to an external memory device. 
         [0021]    The input section includes a memory card input unit into which a memory card is inserted, and a memory device input unit to which a portable memory device is connected. 
         [0022]    Furthermore, each of the PCB, the power supply unit (battery) for supplying power source, the video output unit (LCD) for outputting video stored in the memory, and the voice output unit (speaker) for outputting voice stored in the memory has a thickness of about 2 to 3 mm. Thus, if the components are not stacked onto the PCB like traditional boards, the total thickness of the digital video greeting card is within a range from about 3 to 7 mm after the assembly of the components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a digital video greeting card in accordance with the present invention in a state where a outside cover is folded; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the digital video greeting card in accordance with the present invention in a state where the outside cover is unfolded; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the digital video greeting card in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing a main panel of the digital video greeting card in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view showing the main panel of the digital video greeting card in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view showing the digital video greeting card in accordance with the present invention in a state where an external cover is folded; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view showing the digital video greeting card in accordance with the present invention in a state where the external cover is opened for use. 
       
    
    
     EXPLANATION ON REFERENCE NUMERALS OF MAIN ELEMENTS IN THE DRAWINGS 
       [0031]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                  10: digital video greeting card 
                 100: main panel 
               
               
                   
                 110: PCB 
                 120: power supply unit 
               
               
                   
                 130: video output unit 
                 140: voice output unit 
               
               
                   
                 150: switch 
                 160: manipulation buttons 
               
               
                   
                 170: input section for external data 
                 172: memory card input unit 
               
               
                   
                 174: memory device input unit 
                 200: housing 
               
               
                   
                 210: installation opening 
                 220: incision sections 
               
               
                   
                 300: base cover 
                 400: manipulation cover 
               
               
                   
                 410: display section 
                 420: pressing section 
               
               
                   
                 500: outer cover 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0032]    The present invention will now be described in detail in connection with specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0033]    The present embodiment does not limit the right of the present invention, but is only illustrative and can be modified in various ways without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a digital video greeting card in accordance with the present invention in a state where a manipulation cover is folded over the main panel.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the digital video greeting card in accordance with the present invention in a state where the manipulation cover is unfolded.  FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the digital video greeting card in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing a main panel of the digital video greeting card in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view showing the main panel of the digital video greeting card in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 6  is a bottom view showing the digital video greeting card in accordance with the present invention in a state where an external cover is folded.  FIG. 7  is a bottom view showing the digital video greeting card in accordance with the present invention in a state where the external cover is open for use. 
         [0035]    As shown in the drawings, a digital video greeting card  10  includes a main panel  100 , a housing  200 , a base cover  300 , a manipulation cover  400 , and an external cover  500 . The main panel  100 , includes a self-power source and a memory, and outputs contents stored in the form of video and voice. 
         [0036]    The housing  200  is attached to the main panel and is configured to cover a top portion of the main panel  100 . The housing  200  includes a plurality of installation openings  210  formed therein and a plurality of incision sections  220  formed thereon. A plurality of components installed on the main panel  100  is inserted into the plurality of installation openings  210  in such a manner that the respective components protrude to the outside through the installation openings. 
         [0037]    A part of the edge of each of the incision sections  220  of the housing  200  is integrally connected to a body of the housing  200  and the remaining portions thereof are incised in an opened loop shape. If pressure is downwardly applied to the incision section  220  and then the applied pressure is removed, the incision section  220  returns to its original position. 
         [0038]    Furthermore, the base cover  300  is fixed to the bottom of the main panel  100  and the housing  200 , which are attached to each other. The manipulation cover  400  covers the top of the main panel  100  and the housing  200 , which are attached to each other. The outer cover  500  is configured to cover one side of the main panel  100  and the housing  200  and an outer surface of the manipulation cover  400 . 
         [0039]    The manipulation cover  400  includes a display section  410  formed therein and a plurality of pressing sections  420  formed thereon. The display section  410  is disposed to correspond to any one of the installation openings  210  of the housing  200 , and the pressing sections  420  is disposed to correspond to the incision sections  220  of the housing  200 . 
         [0040]    That is, a video output unit (for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD)), which is seen through the installation openings  210  of the housing  200 , can be exposed externally through the display section  410  of the manipulation cover  400 . When the pressing section  420  of the manipulation cover  400  is pressed, the incision section  220  of the housing  200  is pressed downwardly to cause the main panel  100  to be manipulated. 
         [0041]    Here, only a part of the pressing section  420  of the manipulation cover  400  is integrally connected to a body of the manipulation cover  400  and the remaining portions thereof are incised in a wedge shape, in the same manner as the incision sections  220  of the housing  200 , so that the pressing section  420  has elasticity. 
         [0042]    Meanwhile, the pressing section  420  of the manipulation cover  400  can be moved in a direction different from that of the incision section  220  of the housing  200 . In other words, it is preferred that the movement direction of the pressing section  420  differs from that of the incision section  220 . 
         [0043]    This is aimed to prevent malfunction of the digital video greeting card. That is, in the case where the incision sections  220  is downwardly pressed by applying pressure to the pressing section  420 , if they are moved in the same direction, the incision section  220  loses its elasticity due to excessive pressing and comes into close contact with the top surface of the main panel  100  with the incision section  220  bent. 
         [0044]    Furthermore, the external cover  500  is folded in such a way as to selectively cover the manipulation cover  400  disposed on the top surface of the main panel  100  and the housing  200 , which are coupled to each other. When the digital video greeting card is not used, the outer surface of the manipulation cover  400  disposed on the top surface of the housing  200  is covered by the external cover  500  which has been completely folded, and when the digital video greeting card is used, the outer surface of the manipulation cover  400  is exposed externally by the unfolding operation of the external cover  500 . 
         [0045]    In other words, the external cover  500  can control the operation of the main panel  100  by selectively allowing the current to flow through the main panel  100  or interrupting the current flowing through the main panel  100 . 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the main panel  100  includes a printed circuit board (PCB)  110 , a power supply unit  120 , a video output unit  130 , a voice output unit  140 , and a switch  150 . Furthermore, the power supply unit  120  is disposed on one side of a lower portion of the PCB  110  so as to apply power to the digital video greeting card. The video output unit  130  and the voice output unit  140  are respectively disposed at both sides of an upper portion of the PCB  110 . 
         [0047]    Here, the power supply unit  120 , the video output unit  130  and the voice output unit  140  are disposed in parallel with the PCB  110  in such a manner that their lateral portions face one another. Here, the PCB  110  is cut with notches at positions thereof, whose shapes correspond to the shapes of the power supply unit  120 , the video output unit  130  and the voice output unit  140 . 
         [0048]    This is aimed to reduce the thickness of the main panel  100 . The lateral portions of the power supply unit  120 , the video output unit  130  and the voice output unit  140  are disposed to face the PCB  110 , so that the thickness of the main panel  100  is decided by the thickness of the power supply unit  120 , the video output unit  130  and the voice output unit  140 . 
         [0049]    The switch  150  disposed on the PCB  110  is movably mounted at one end thereof to the PCB  110  and is securely fixed at the other end thereof to the external cover  500 . Therefore, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , when the external cover  500  rotates pivotally, the other end of the switch  150  is moved to cause the PCB  110  to be turned on/off. 
         [0050]    It should be noted that the switch  150  adopts a link-driven structure but can be modified to a switch of a variety of structures such as an electromagnet switch, a push switch and a contactless switch without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
         [0051]    Further, a plurality of manipulation buttons  160  is disposed on a top surface of the PCB  110  so that a user can easily control video and voice output from the video output unit  130  and the voice output unit  140  using the manipulation buttons  160 . 
         [0052]    In this case, the power supply unit  120 , the video output unit  130  and the voice output unit  140  are correspondingly inserted into the installation openings  210  of the housing  200 . The manipulation buttons  160  are disposed to correspond to the incision sections  220  of the housing  200 . 
         [0053]    In other words, the housing  200  and the manipulation cover  300  are formed to conform to the shape of the PCB  110  where the power supply unit  120 , the video output unit  130 , the voice output unit  140 , and the manipulation buttons  160  are formed. 
         [0054]    Furthermore, the PCB  110  is further provided with an external input section  170  for connection to an external memory. The external input section  170  includes a memory card input unit  172  and a memory device input unit  174 . 
         [0055]    The memory card input unit  172  is a slot into which a memory card is inserted and the memory device input unit  174  is a terminal to which a USB connection jack is connected. 
         [0056]    Here, the power supply unit  120  is detachably mounted to the PCB  110 . When the power supply unit  120  is free of power, it may be replaced with another power supply unit  120  or may be charged with power using a separate charger (not shown). 
         [0057]    Further, the power supply unit  120  is further provided with a power input unit (not shown) connectable to an external power supply. Therefore, the power supply unit  120  can be charged with power with it being installed in the PCB  110 . 
         [0058]    As described above, the total thickness of the respective components which are coupled to each other is within a range from about 3 mm to 7 mm. This is possible because the constituent elements, such as the video output unit  130 , the voice output unit  140  and the power supply unit  120 , has a thickness of about 2 mm to 3 mm and are combined together to face the PCB  110 . 
         [0059]    Meanwhile, the base cover  300 , the manipulation cover  400  and the external cover  500  can be integrally formed with one another. The manipulation cover  400  is connected to one side of the base cover  300  and the external cover  500  is connected to the other side of the base cover  300 . 
         [0060]    As described above, the digital video greeting card in accordance with the present invention is flat and thin, allowing it to be inserted into a book, a catalog and so on. Thus, the contents, etc., which cannot be described using text, can be transferred easily as video and voice. Further, the digital video greeting card of the present invention has a function of checking the contents stored in other memory devices, etc., using the data input section and is compatible with other devices. Accordingly, the present invention provides users with very useful effects. 
         [0061]    While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.