Abstract:
A greeting card having an audio message recording and playback device permits recording of personalized audio messages to be played upon opening of the greeting card. The recording device is operable in either a trial mode or a use mode. In the trial mode, which would be applicable when the card is displayed in a store, a potential purchaser may experience the functionality of the card by recording their own test message. The test message is played back initially for the potential purchaser but is not subsequently played back to be later heard by other potential purchasers. In the use mode, which the card may be switched to after purchase by removal of a trial mode panel from the greeting card, a user recorded message is played repeatedly upon subsequent openings of the card. The user recorded message may be followed by a prerecorded recording, such as a song. Additional prerecorded messages, such as voice prompts with instructions for recording a message, may also be included.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to a greeting card with an audio recording component. More particularly, this invention relates to a greeting card having a user recordable audible message component that permits a giver of the greeting card to record a personal audio message on card to customize the greeting card prior to delivery to its intended recipient. The user recordable component includes a trial mode that permits potential consumers to try out the message recording component in a store where the greeting card is on display. 
         [0004]    Paper greeting cards that play a prerecorded audio messages upon opening of the card have become well received by consumers. These cards typically play a portion of a song or an audio clip from a movie upon opening of the greeting card. In an effort to provide consumers with the ability to personalize and customize a sound card prior to its delivery to the intended recipient with more than personal written sentiment, the present invention permits users to record their own audio message to the greeting card that will be played upon opening of the card by the intended recipient. In one embodiment, the greeting card is already provided with a prerecorded and permanent recording, such as a song. The user is then permitted to record their own message to the card that is then played upon opening of the card as an introduction to or dedication of the prerecorded sound file. For example, the user could introduce the song that will follow the user&#39;s personal recording. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, the card is provided with a second prerecorded audio file that includes audible instructions to assist a user of the card in the process of recording of their own message. This instruction recording is played upon opening of the card when the card is in a trial mode. The trial mode permits a potential purchaser to sample the functionality of the greeting card by recording their own test message. The recorded test message is then automatically played back upon completion of the recording session. To avoid having greeting cards that play messages recorded by previous shoppers, the trial mode of the greeting card does not provide a manner by which a recorded test message may be played back a second time at a point subsequent to the automatic playback. 
         [0006]    The greeting card also includes a use mode where a purchaser of the card may permanently record an audio message that can be subsequently played back at a later time. To provide this feature, the card is provided with a removable portion that switches the card from the trial mode to the use mode. This feature will be discussed in greater detail below. 
         [0007]    Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0008]    The features of the invention noted above are explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, in which  FIGS. 1-7  illustrate one possible embodiment of the present invention, and in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an interior of a partially opened greeting card constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation of the interior of the greeting card of  FIG. 1  with the greeting card in the fully open position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation of the interior of the greeting card of  FIG. 2  with a trial flap moved to the left and certain internal components of the greeting card illustrated in dashed lines; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation of the interior of the greeting card of  FIG. 3  with a majority of a cover panel cut-away to reveal electrical components of the greeting card; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a fragmentary view of a portion of the greeting card of  FIG. 4  with the trial flap partially removed; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a fragmentary view of a portion of the greeting card of  FIG. 4  with the trial flap fully removed; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a fragmentary view of another portion of the greeting card of  FIG. 4  with an instruction sticker partially removed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    Referring now to the drawings in more detail and initially to  FIG. 1 , numeral  10  generally designates a greeting card constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The greeting card  10  includes a card body  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the card body  12  includes a front panel  14 , a back panel  16 , and an interior panel  18 . As readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the card body  12  may consist of a single piece of card stock that has been folded along fold lines  20  to provide panels  14 ,  16  and  18 , as depicted in the illustrated embodiment. It would also be readily understood that the panels  14 ,  16 ,  18  may be individual panels that are joined to one another and any number of methods known in the art and that the card body  12  could have any number of panels. 
         [0017]    A trial mode panel or flap  22  is also provided and is preferably coupled with the card body  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the trial mode panel  22  is a part of and is cut out with the card blank that forms the card body  12 . The fold line  20 , however, between the trial mode panel  22  and the interior panel  18  is scored to provide a perforated tear line  24 . The purpose of the tear line will be discussed in greater detail below. 
         [0018]    In the illustrated embodiment, the interior panel  18  has been folded back such that it overlies the back panel  16 . The interior panel  18  and the back panel  16  have been secured together along an upper edge  26  of the card body  12  and along a lower edge  28  of the card body  12 . A right edge  30  of the card body  12  has been left unsecured to the back panel  16 . As such, the interior panel  18  and the back panel  16  define a pocket or cavity  32  into which an audio message recording and playback device  34  may be positioned. 
         [0019]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , the audio device  34  is illustrated. The audio device  34 , for ease of manufacture and assembly of the greeting card  10 , may be provided on a carrier  36 . The carrier  36  can then be adhered to inner surfaces  38  of the front and back panels  14 ,  16 . Alternatively, the components of the audio device  34  may be individually positioned inside the pocket  32 . 
         [0020]    The audio device  34  preferably includes a speaker  40 , a microphone  42 , a circuit board  44 , an integrated circuit  46 , a power supply  48 , and first, second and third switches  50 ,  52 , and  54 . In addition to the electrical components mentioned, which are coupled to the circuit board  44 , other electrical components  56  are coupled with the circuit board  44  as would be readily understood and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0021]    In the illustrated embodiment, the audio device  34  includes a separate speaker  40  and microphone  42 . It is to be understood that the two separate devices could be replaced by one combination device and still be within the scope of the present invention. Similarly, in the illustrated embodiment the audio device  34  includes two separate integrated circuits  46 . The two separate integrated circuits could be replaced by a single integrated circuit having the functionality discussed herein. Further still, in the illustrated embodiment, the power supply  48  is provided by three separate batteries  48 . Other methods of powering the audio device  34  are known and within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0022]    The first switch  50  is configured to provide the audio device  34  with activation of the recording feature of the audio device  34 . Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the first switch  50  is implemented as a record button  50 . As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the pressing of the recorded button  50  initiates a recording session whereby a user may record their own audio message to the recording device  34  by way of the microphone  42 . In the illustrated configuration, the recording sessions lasts as long as the record button  50  is depressed or until the capacity of the memory of the audio device  34  is reached. 
         [0023]    The second switch  52 , in the illustrated embodiment, has been implemented as a slide switch  52 . The slide switch includes a contact arm  58  which is biased into engagement with a contact surface (not shown) on the circuit board  44 . The slide switch  52  also includes a slide tab  60  that is movable between the first position partially illustrated in  FIG. 1 , where a portion of the slide tab  60  is intermediate the contact arm  58  and the contact surface of the circuit board  44 , thereby creating an open circuit, and the second position illustrated in  FIG. 4 , where the greeting card  10  is in an open position and an aperture  62  in the slide tab  60  permits the contact arm  58  to abut the contact surface of the circuit board  44 , thereby creating a closed circuit. A proximal end  64  of the slide tab  60  may be positioned over the inner surface  38  of the front panel  14  whereby movement of the front panel  14  away from the interior panel  18  (i.e., opening the card) pulls the slide tab  60  out from between the contact arm  58  and the contact surface of the circuit board  44  and whereby subsequent closing of the greeting card  10  (i.e., moving the front panel  14  towards the interior panel  18 ) moves the slide tab  60  back between the contact arm  58  and the contact surface of the circuit board  44 . 
         [0024]    At the illustrated embodiment, the third switch  54  is implemented as a tear switch  54 . The tear switch includes a strip  66  having a path  68  thereon. A portion of the strip  66  is coupled with the trial mode panel  22  and another portion of the strip is coupled with the circuit board  44 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4  where the strip  66  is still one piece, electricity may flow from the circuit board  44  through the path  68  and return back to the circuit board  44 , thereby informing the audio device  34  that the trial mode panel  22  is still in place and that the audio device  34  should function in its trial mode. When the trial mode panel  22  is detached from the greeting card  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the strip  66  is torn into two pieces and the path  68  is broken. As a result, the tear switch  54  is moved from a closed circuit to an open circuit, the change in the state of the tear switch  54  is recognized by the audio device  34 , and the audio device  34  functions in a use mode. 
         [0025]    When appearing in a store for sale, the greeting card  10  appears generally as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In this condition (i.e., where the trial mode panel  22  is still coupled with the card body  12 ), the greeting card  10  is in its trial mode. In one embodiment of the trial mode, upon opening of the greeting card  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a first prerecorded and preferably permanent recording is played followed by a second prerecorded and permanent recording. In this embodiment, the first recording is an audio message containing spoken instructions regarding how to record a test message for playback. An example of a possible first message would be, “press and hold button to record your message before the song.” In this embodiment, the first recording is immediately followed by the second recording. In this embodiment, the second recording is a song or music clip. In the illustrated embodiment, the song that correlates with the text and graphics (i.e., the sentiment) on the greeting card is the song “Bang The Drum All Day” by Todd Rundgren. Once the song is played, the audio device  34  waits for further user input. The trial mode panel  22  may also be provided with instruction text and/or graphics to inform the user how to record a test message. 
         [0026]    To record the test message, the user presses the record button  50  to initiate a recording session. In the illustrated embodiment, a removable location label  70  is provided to visibly indicate the position of the record button  50  that is concealed in the pocket  32  between the interior panel  18  and the back panel  16 . A user may choose to pinch the record button  50  between their thumb and a finger to initiate the record sequence. 
         [0027]    Upon completion of recording a test message, the user releases the record button  50 . At this point, the audio device  34  automatically initiates playback of the test message so that the user may hear their recording. To give the user/potential purchaser a more accurate understanding of what it would be like to receive the card, the test message is followed by playing of the second recording, in this case the song. Once the test message and the song have been played, the audio device  34  waits for subsequent user interaction. The trial mode does not provide a way for the test message to be played a second time. This prevents a situation where a first person in a store records an inappropriate message on the greeting card  10  and leaves it on the shelf to be subsequently played back to a second unsuspecting person at a later time upon opening the card. In this regard, upon closing the card  10  when it is in its trial mode, the audio device  34  reverts to its default procedures and subsequent opening of the card  10  results in playing of the instruction recording followed by the music recording. 
         [0028]    A second instruction recording may be stored on the audio device  34  to further assist a user in recording a message. In one embodiment, the second message would be played immediately upon pressing of the record button  50 . A sample second instruction recording is, “record your message after the beep. Beep.” Though not necessary, preferably closing of the card turns off the instructions or music immediately. Similarly, depression of the record button  50  interrupts the first instruction recording or the music. 
         [0029]    Once a person purchases the greeting card  10 , they may switch the greeting card  10  from the trial mode to the use mode. This is done by tearing off and/or removing the trial mode panel  22  from the greeting card  10 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Once the greeting card  10  has been put in the use mode, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the audio device  34  permits repeated playback of a user stored message upon activation of the audio device  34  by the second or slide switch  52  upon opening of the card  10 . If the user desires to re-record a message prior to sending the card to the intended recipient, the user simply presses the record button  50  again to initiate another record session, thereby recording a new message over the old message. Once the user is satisfied with the message, the user may remove the label  70  and send the greeting card  10  to the intended recipient. Removal of the label  70  is not necessary; however, removal of the label  70  helps avoid the recipient accidentally recording over the message originally recorded and sent to them by the card sender. Similarly, the audio device  34  is configured to ignore activation of the record button  50  when the second switch  52  is in its open position (i.e., when the greeting card  10  is closed). This also prevents accidental recording over the intended message should the record button be pressed during the mailing process. It should be noted that, in the use mode, the first recording or the first instruction recording is not played initially upon opening of the greeting card  10 . Instead, the user recorded message is played immediately upon opening of the card  10  followed by the second recording, which in the illustrated embodiment is a song. 
         [0030]    Many variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment and/or discussed embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. Such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the positions of the switches  50 ,  52 ,  54  can be inverted and the types of switches could be changed. For example, while the tear switch  54  presents a closed circuit in the trial mode and an open mode in the use mode, this could be switched such that removal of the trial mode panel  22  closes the third switch  54 . Alternatively, different types of “switches” could be used as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The term “switches” is used in its broadest sense. Another possible modification would be replacing the slide switch  52  with a light detection mechanism such that opening of the card  10  is recognized by a change in light, thereby sending a signal to the audio device  34  to initiate a playback sequence. Further, while the user recorded message is followed by the pre-recorded/non-user recorded recording in one of the embodiments discussed above, it is within the scope of the present invention for the user recorded message to be played before, during and/or after the pre-recorded recording. Other modifications would be within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0031]    From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with the other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the method and apparatus. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the invention. 
         [0032]    Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention, and not in a limiting sense.