Abstract:
A secure and efficient package for containing a compact electronic storage media device, especially suitable for use in the retail sales environment. The package is, in a preferred embodiment, integrally formed of a semi-rigid plastic material. This package includes a front and a back, both of which form recesses for a receiving media and other items. A media well is formed as a segregated recess within one or both of the front recess and the back recess. Media retaining tabs secure the media device in the media well in such a manner that tends to frustrate surreptitious removal by unauthorized persons.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present invention claims the priority of provisional patent application No. 60/536,539 filed on 14 Jan. 2004, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0002]     This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed on Jan. 11, 2005, and entitled “Carry Case for Compact Media,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention relates generally to the field of media packaging, and relates more specifically to a secure package for housing a media storage device in related articles intended for retail sale as a unit.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention is directed to a package for compact electronic storage media. These electronic storage media are small, usually solid-state devices that store programs and data that may be used in connection with applications to be executed on various electronic devices. Consumer electronic devices are becoming very popular, especially those devices that are portable. Portable electronic devices are used for many purposes. Cell phones, for example, have come into widespread use. Their popularity is due in part to advances in technology that enable manufacturers to build conveniently-sized instruments with very good communication capabilities. Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are another example. They are becoming very popular as well, being useful for various applications such as generating and keeping appointment calendars, address books, and to-do lists. Many PDAs also have communication capabilities, and may be used for paging, short message service (SMS) messages, e-mail, and even voice communications.  
         [0005]     Still other portable electronic devices are made to be used primarily as game-playing units. While many cell phones and PDAs have been programmed to permit the playing of some simple games, these tend to be secondary to the main purpose of the device. A portable game unit generally includes a user interface suitable for playing a wide variety of games. The device may only play single-player games, but may also include the ability to communicate with other compatible devices so that two or more users may take part in the same game. A communicating game device may also be able to contact game servers to download game data or entire applications to enhance the game playing experience.  
         [0006]     It should be noted, however, that nearly all portable electronic devices are increasing in capability, and it is frequently difficult to categorize them and make a distinction between different types of devices. In the future many users may opt for a single device able to perform all of the functions mentioned above, and probably others as well.  
         [0007]     Portable electronics devices commonly include a controller or processor for executing the software that makes the device perform its intended function. A memory storage device stores the instructions and a short-term memory device holds data and instructions for imminent processing. Of necessity, portable electronic devices generally include a user interface such as a keypad for allowing the user to input commands and respond to queries. A display and speaker for audio/visual effects are typically present as well.  
         [0008]     Many applications, including games, are stored on the portable electronic device as it is sold to the consumer. Others are sold as after-market applications by the manufacturer or by an unrelated supplier. This permits users of portable electronic devices to execute the most current applications, and to acquire games and other applications in greater numbers, than the manufacturer is willing to provide, or that their device would be able to store on its own.  
         [0009]     These extra applications are typically stored on storage media that are designed to be read by an appropriate device incorporated into, or accessible to the portable electronic device itself. Frequently, a particular application is executable on the electronic device only when the storage medium has been (and remains) inserted or installed. When the application is executed, the portable electronic device refers to information stored on the media as necessary. This prevents unauthorized use by multiple users who have not themselves purchased the application. In many cases there is also simply too much information to load into the device memory at one time.  
         [0010]     As alluded to above, the storage media on which these extra applications are stored are, not unexpectedly, now quite compact. They must, after all, be insertable into the portable electronic devices, and also not inconvenient to be carried around by the user. The user may want to carry a number of separate media devices so as to have a selection of applications to choose from wherever the user happens to be. Modern electronic media storage devices may be only a few cubic centimeters in size.  
         [0011]     The compact nature of these application storage media, however, may pose a problem for applications retailers. (That is, retailers selling applications apart from the electronic devices on which they will be used.) Media packaging must be designed to be attractive to the consumer while at the same time convenient for the retailer. Many of these products are displayed on open shelves where consumers are free to pick up the package and peruse the information about the applications that is usually displayed on it. In other words, it is desirable to make the packaged media accessible to the consumer. Unfortunately, theft is not unknown and steps must be taken to prevent it. Packaging that makes it too easy to violate the package and remove the storage media is not acceptable to retailers. In some cases, empty packages may be displayed for consumers to examine. The actual media, which has been stored in a secure location, is given to the consumer only when the purchase is made. This process, though effective, is often cumbersome and even irritating for both the consumer and the retailer, and most would seek to avoid its use if possible.  
         [0012]     For example, it is common nowadays to use a package similar to that used for sales of applications that are stored on DVDs or CDs, which in a manner of speaking are predecessors of the compact electronic media popular for use with portable electronic devices. Such packages, which tend to be approximately 20 cm tall and 13 cm wide are of a fairly convenient size that enables sufficient information to be displayed on the outside, and also accommodates the DVD, which has a standard diameter of approximately 12 cm. When such a package contains an actual DVD, the DVD can be mounted on a suitable set of tabs that are designed to accommodate its center opening. The package is then frequently sealed with an adhesive tape and enclosed in a shrink-wrap style clear plastic wrapper. While providing a certain level of security, it has been discovered that this type of package is susceptible to theft by a person armed with a small blade for slitting the protective plastic wrapper and adhesive tape and then sliding the DVD through the small opening that results. The modest obstacle posed to such a removal by the DVD mounting tabs may still be overcome by an upward pressure on the DVD edge.  
         [0013]     Naturally, the package&#39;s security may be improved by reducing the ease with which it can be opened. Other products, for example, are retailed in stiff plastic containers that can only be opened for product access with considerable difficulty. This is less than acceptable in the software application market because consumers frequently lack special tools such as a knife or scissors but nevertheless want to open the packages upon purchase and, for example, begin playing the purchased game on their portable electronic device immediately.  
         [0014]     Unfortunately, the ease with which media theft can be accomplished is even greater where small, compact storage media are used. At the same time, the smaller items, such as multimedia cards (MMCs) or other compact storage media, do not require packaging that is as large even as that generally used for selling standard sized DVDs (or CDs). Retailers would therefore prefer a smaller, not a larger package. Needed, then, is a secure package that is attractive and convenient to both consumer and retailer. The present invention provides just such a solution.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     The present invention is directed to a package for enclosing compact electronic storage media and related items intended for retail sale.  
         [0016]     In one aspect, the present invention is a package having a front side and a back side, with at least one of the front side and the back side forming a recess into which the media may be received. A media well formed in the recess consists of a perimeter barrier, which itself forms the recess into which the media will be received. The perimeter barrier includes one or more semi-rigid retaining tabs that are biased to securely hold the media, but which can be manipulated by the user to remove the media for use after the package has been completely opened. The retaining tabs are of sufficient extension, however, so that they may not easily be manipulated while the package is in a substantially closed configuration. The media well may be able to hold one, two, or more media devices.  
         [0017]     In a preferred embodiment, there are also included a set of retaining tabs for securing within the package a removable multimedia case that may be used by the purchaser to store the media device after purchase. The media may be sold with such a case installed. The package may also include tabs for retaining any literature or product guide, in paper or other form that is distributed along with the media.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is an isometric illustration of a typical game device that may utilize compact storage media in order to receive and execute certain applications.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is an isometric illustration of an exemplary compact media device.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is an isometric illustration of a package for containing electronic media according to am embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is an isometric illustration of the package of  FIG. 3 , shown in a closed configuration.  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a multimedia card (MMC) case, that may be used in association with the package of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is an isometric illustration of a package according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in an open configuration with the MMC case of  FIG. 5  installed.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]     The present invention is directed to a package that may be used for enclosing compact storage media for retail sale. Such storage media may be used to store applications, which are basically device-readable instructions for performing certain functions on portable electronic devices such as mobile gaming units.  
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is an isometric illustration of a typical game device that may utilize compact storage media in order to receive and execute certain applications. Portable gaming device  100  includes a relatively-large visual display  120 , which will normally be an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen or similar device. The display  120  is naturally used for visual presentations associated with the game that is being played, or with other functions the device is able to perform. A set of openings  115  are ports through which sounds made by an internal speaker (not shown) are presented to the user for similar reasons. A microphone port  145 , is an opening formed in the housing of portable device  100  to allow sound to enter and be picked up by an internal microphone (not shown). Typically, the user will input instructions using keypad  125  that is prominent on one side of the portable device  100 . Because this is a device for game play, a pointing device such as rocker switch  130  may also be used for manipulating items visible on display  120 . A mode-selection selection switch  110  may also be present, for example to toggle between different functions that the device may be able to perform, which is mentioned above may include game play, telephone communications, and use as a personal digital assistant. A power key  105  permits the user to switch the device on and off.  
         [0026]     Power for mobile device  100  is typically supplied by internal battery (not shown), which can be recharged by an external adapter that can be plugged in to power port  135 . Other external devices may also be connected via peripheral device port  140 , such as a cable connecting mobile device  100  to a personal computer or to another user.  
         [0027]     If the user wishes to play a game, or perform some other application, that is not already stored on the internal memory of the mobile device  100 , they may do so if the program is otherwise available. Such applications will often be stored, for example, on a multimedia card (MMC) or some similar device. In the mobile gaming device of  FIG. 1 , MMC slot  150  is formed to receive an MMC containing such an application.  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view illustrating a typical compact removable storage-media device  200 . In this example, media  200  has a top  205 , a bottom  230 , and sides  210 ,  215 ,  220 , and  225 . Note that these designations are arbitrary, and are made for convenience in illustration only. Together, the top, bottom, and sides form a housing for the internal solid-state components (not shown) that are capable of storing data. A plurality of electrical contacts  250  connected to the internal circuitry is positioned on the bottom  230  of media  200 , in this embodiment proximate to side  210 . As should be apparent, when inserted into an electronic device, side  210  is the leading edge and when the device is properly inserted, the contacts  250  of media device  200  form an electrical connection with corresponding contacts inside the electronic device (not shown), enabling electronic-signal communication between the electronic device and the media  200 . In this illustration, a clipped corner  235  is present to make the device asymmetrical and more easily oriented properly for insertion into the gaming (or other) device. The size of media device  200  may vary, but a length and width of two to three centimeters, and a thickness of less than two millimeters, would not be uncommon.  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is an isometric illustration of a package  300  for containing electronic media according to an embodiment of the present invention. Package  300  includes a front portion  315  and a back portion  325 , which are preferably integrally formed with a hinge member  320 . Note that hinge member  320  actually forms the spine of the closed package. In between hinge member  320  and front portion  315  is an actual hinge  318 , that is formed by a reduced cross-section portion of the same material. By the same token, back portion  325  is formed with hinge member  320 , and connected by a reduced cross-section hinge  323 . Package  300  is preferably made of a semi-rigid thermo plastic material, and the reduced cross-section of each hinge permits the package to more easily bend in that area. The construction described above and shown in  FIG. 3  therefore will permit the first front portion  315  and the back portion  325  to be rotated from an open configuration as shown in  FIG. 3  to a closed configuration (shown in  FIG. 4 ). In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , hinge member  320  forms an end tab  326  and an end tab  328  for closing any gap that may exist when the package is moved into a closed configuration.  
         [0030]     At least one of the front portion  315  and the back portion  325  will form a recess into which the media and other items may be placed. In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , back portion  325  includes back-portion recess  350 . Recess  350  is actually formed by side wall  345  of back portion  325  and a peripheral rim  324 . Package  300  is, in this embodiment, suitable for enclosing a MMC card, such as the one shown in  FIG. 2 . To provide additional security, media recess  340  is formed by back wall  345  and the rim  341  extending inwardly from it. In this embodiment, media recess  340  is wide enough to easily hold more than one MMC card, and in fact it is in this configuration equipped to hold two. The two media cards, if present, are separated by media dividers  342  and  343 . Note that these dividers are present for convenience, and there is no requirement that the media be maintained in such an arrangement. A third MMC cord, if desired, may be placed over media dividers  342  and  343 , where it can be retained adjacent to the MMC card or cards placed to the side of the media dividers in the media well.  
         [0031]     When in place, a first media card (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) is retained in place by retaining tabs  335  and  338 . Media retaining tabs  335  and  338  are also formed so as to extend inwardly from back wall  345 , and include media-facing projections at their extreme end, such that when the media is inserted it presses against these projections and forces the retaining tabs to flex slightly outward. When the media is in place against back wall  345 , the retaining tabs relax and projections hold the media card securely in place. Media retaining tabs  336  and  337  perform a similar function with respect to a second MMC card, if present. If a third media device is present, it may be retained by one or both sets of retaining tabs, or by a separate set of retaining tabs (not shown).  
         [0032]     As should be apparent, the one or two MMC cards, if present, are not permitted to move laterally because of the presents of rim  341 , and may not be removed from media recess  340  without some pressure to flex the appropriate media retaining tabs outwardly to permit removal. This configuration will help frustrate any attempts at unauthorized removal because the package  300  must be substantially opened in order to perform this MMC card removing operation. While no package can realistically be used that is completely theft-proof, the more noticeable the act of media removal is, the less likely such theft is to occur. Note that the exemplary use of an MMC card is for purposes of illustration, in many other types of storage media may be retained securely in an analogous fashion. In this embodiment, back portion  325  also includes case retaining clip  352  in case retaining clip  354 , which along with retaining bars  329  and one side of rim  341  may be used to hold a case that can be used for more convenient storage of a purchased MMC card. (See  FIG. 6 .)  
         [0033]     The package  300  of  FIG. 3  is also configured to hold a small instruction booklet or guide (not shown), that contains instructions on how to use the media device and to run the application contained upon it. The guide may also be in the form of a small-sized CD. To this end, front portion  315  forms a peripheral rim  310  that extends in a substantially perpendicular direction from the front portion side wall  316 . Rim  310  and side wall  316  form a recess  317  into which the booklet may be received. Clips  303 ,  304 , and  305  are formed to hold the guide or booklet when it has been placed into front recess  317 . In this embodiment, an opening  306  is formed beneath clip  303  primarily for ease of fabricating the clip itself. Likewise, opening  307  is formed below clip  304 , and opening  308  is formed below clip  305 . A clasp  311  and a clasp  312  are formed in front portion  315  in such a manner as to meet and engage clasp  332  and clasp  334 , respectively, when the package  300  has been operated into a closed configuration.  
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is an isometric illustration of the package  300  of  FIG. 3 , shown in a closed configuration. Several features already discussed in relation to  FIG. 3  are visible in  FIG. 4  as well. For instance, clips  303 ,  304 , and  305 , are visible through openings  306 ,  307 , and  308 , respectively, formed in the side wall  316  of front portion  315 . In the closed configuration, peripheral rim  310  of front portion  315  and peripheral rim  341  of back portion  325  meet at seam  415 , which extends around three sides of package  300 . Hinge member  320  forms the fourth wall of the package, and end tab  326  extends to close up any gap between the peripheral rims  310  and  341  and the hinge member  320 . At the outer end of package  300  in the closed configuration, that is the end here designated  410  and opposite the hinge member  320 , the peripheral rims  310  and  341  deviate slightly inward, forming recess  405 . (As can bee seen in  FIG. 3 , the recess  405  is actually a combination of the front-portion recess  313  and the back-portion recess  339 , which are visible separately in  FIG. 3 .) Recess  405  creates extending edges  314  and  319 , that are available to aid a user attempting to open the media package  300  by providing a small surface to which an opening force may be applied.  
         [0035]      FIG. 5  is a multimedia card (MMC) case  500 , that may be used in association with the package of  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 5 , media case  500  is shown in its fully-open configuration. In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , media case  500  includes a first portion  510 , a second portion  550 , and a hinge member  570  positioned therebetween. In one embodiment, media case  500  is formed of a semi-rigid thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene. Media case  500  forms a first hinge recess  572  between hinge member  570  and first portion  510 . The first hinge recess  572  creates an elongated first hinge region  574  of reduced thickness, disposed between and connecting first portion  510  with hinge member  570 . First hinge region  574  is of sufficiently-reduced thickness so as to permit the material to bend, allowing first portion  510  and hinge member  570  to move rotationally with respect to each other about an axis defined by a first reduced portion  574 .  
         [0036]     Similarly, media case  500  forms a second hinge recess  576  between hinge member  570  and second portion  550 , creating an elongated second hinge region  578 , disposed between and connecting second portion  550  with hinge member  570 . Second hinge region  578  is also sufficiently narrow to permit the material to bend, allowing second portion  550  and hinge member  570  to move rotationally with respect to each other about an access defined by a second reduced portion  578 . Clasp tabs  522  and  524  of first portion  510  engage corresponding clasp tabs  562  and  564  of second portion  550 , respectively, to secure the case  500  in its closed configuration.  
         [0037]     Peripheral rim  520  is formed along the periphery of first portion  510 , and peripheral rim  560  is formed along the periphery of second portion  550 . In this embodiment, each peripheral rim extends generally perpendicularly from the sidewall in an inward direction, creating recesses for media storage. Peripheral rim  510  forms a first media recess  511  in first portion  510 , and peripheral rim  560  forms a second media recess  551  in second portion  550 . In use, the various media stored in media case  500  will be received into these recesses and preferably secured into place. As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , each portion of media case  500  includes plurality of retaining tabs extending from the side wall into their respective media recesses.  
         [0038]     End tab  580  and end tab  582  are formed near respective ends of hinge member  570  and extend inwardly toward the interior of the media case  500  (when it is closed). Like peripheral rim  520  and peripheral rim  560 , hinge end tabs  580  and  582  are preferably integrally formed with the media case  500 , and are disposed to lie just inside the peripheral rims when media case  500  is closed.  
         [0039]     A recess  540  formed by an inward deviation second peripheral rim  560  creates a sidewall extension  545 . A similar extension is created in first portion  510  but not shown in  FIG. 5 . As should be apparent, the sidewall extensions can be used as an aid to opening media case  500  when it is held in the closed configuration by clasping tabs  522 ,  524 ,  562 , and  564 .  
         [0040]     Media case  500  is not used for retail display, because being only slightly larger than of the media  200  it is intended to hold, it would not be adequately secure. It is, however, much more convenient for use by a purchaser and may be included in the package  300  along with the media and other items related to the application.  
         [0041]     Further details concerning the structure and function of media case  500  shown in  FIG. 5  may be found in the related application (referenced and incorporated above).  
         [0042]      FIG. 6  is an isometric illustration of a package  300  according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in an open configuration with the MMC case  500  of  FIG. 5  installed. Note that configuration shown in  FIG. 6  is advantageous for use in the retail environment. The same package  300  may be used regardless of whether media case  500  is included or not. When it is included, it is early contatined in an unobtrusive manner without the need for alteration of package  300 .  
         [0043]     The description of various embodiments above provides examples for implementing the present invention. Other embodiments are possible, and so the invention is not limited to the description above, and accompanying figures, but rather is set forth in the claims that follow.