Patent Publication Number: US-2006009112-A1

Title: Electronic random message storage and generation novelty device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS, US PATENT DOCUMENTS  
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 5209692 
                 May 1993 
                 Coleman 
               
               
                   
                 5324527 
                 June 1994 
                 Coleman 
               
               
                   
                 5471373 
                 November 1995 
                 Coleman 
               
               
                   
                 5690535 
                 November 1997 
                 Fishman 
               
               
                   
                 5733033 
                 March 1998 
                 Fishman 
               
               
                   
                 6077144 
                 June 2000 
                 Fishman 
               
               
                   
                 5791966 
                 August 1998 
                 Capps 
               
               
                   
                 2746756 
                 May 1956 
                 ″ 
               
               
                   
                 2794298 
                 June 1957 
                 ″ 
               
               
                   
                 3278182 
                 October 1966 
                 ″ 
               
               
                   
                 4470044 
                 September 1984 
                 ″ 
               
               
                   
                 4563160 
                 April 1986 
                 ″ 
               
               
                   
                 4925424 
                 May 1990 
                 ″ 
               
               
                   
                 5036442 
                 July 1991 
                 ″ 
               
               
                   
                 5041947 
                 August 1991 
                 ″ 
               
               
                   
                 5045016 
                 September 1991 
                 ″ 
               
               
                   
                 5145444 
                 September 1992 
                 ″ 
               
               
                   
                 5190491 
                 September 1993 
                 ″ 
               
               
                   
                 5356328 
                 October 1994 
                 ″ 
               
               
                   
                 5406300 
                 April 1995 
                 ″ 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
      Fishman covers candy holding devices that combine the act of presenting candy with electronic displays to enhance the presentation of candy products. Capps et.al. work on rotating candy with electronic displays, again to increase the value or experience of candy. U.S. Pat. No. 2,746,756 through U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,300 are yo-yo products with displays on them that are enacted by the motion of the yo-yo. In all these cases the combination of a consumable product with the electronics is different than our combination of electronics and a novelty product as described below.  
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT  
      There is not or will not be any federal finding of the work described in this patent. 
      US patent class: 446/236    

     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates generally to the electronic novelty market. This device is generally an electronic storage device that, when turned on, extracts randomly stored information from a storage chip and displays it on a LED or electronic screen. The electronics are embodied in a housing, generally made of plastic formed into a unique shape relating to the design and function of the product. The invention is the combination of several technologies; the storage of electronic information, the random nature of the retrieval, and the unique shape of the device all combined into one product.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      There are several unique aspects of this invention that are not found in the market today. Most products that serve this function are in the form of printed cards that are chosen based on a game board type activity. So, the aspects of this invention are:  
      First, the electronic storage of the information on a memory chip. Second is the program used to retrieve the information off the storage chip and display it on the electronic display. Third is the randomness of the retrieval achieved by timers in the program. Fourth is the size of the device to fit in the palm of your hand. Sixth is the encompassment of the electronics into a unique shape to match the theme of the product. Seventh is the multi-function switch which allows the device to alert the user-to-be by flashing or other alert means. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
      Figure One is an overall view of the initial product  
      Figure two is the view of the rear of the circuit board.  
      Figure three is the view of the front of the circuit board. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      Referring to the drawings mentioned above, figure one shows the overall embodiment (2) of the invention. In this version the molded housing is in the shape of a heart made of two pieces,  3 A and  3 B, the front and back respectively. The front has a rectangular hole to allow viewing of the electronic display. Molded into the top of the housing are slots that allow a lanyard ( 1 ) to be threaded through to allow the device to be worn around the neck or hung for display.  
      Figure two shows the rear of the circuit board assembly. In addition to the basic electronics such as resistors and capacitors to make the circuit function, the board consists of the driver chip ( 5 ) that holds the program that operates the device and enables the operation to randomly select stored messages, to display them in a scrolling fashion, to flash the alert light and generally provide the operating system for the device. The message chip ( 6 ) stores the messages or information that is to be displayed. Switch ( 7 ) is a three position switch that has an off position, a flashing light position and a display message position. Finally, it shows mounting holes ( 8 ) that will allow for an additional switch that will add the capability to switch between languages on the memory chip by flipping it to a second or third position.  
      Figure three shows the electronic display ( 9 ) that displays the messages or information when the device is turned to position three on the switch ( 7 ). The circuit board has mounting holes that mate to mounting pins on the molded housing for easy assembly. The light ( 11 ) flashes when the switch ( 7 ) is turned to the middle position.  
      In view of the above, it should be noted that various changes can be made which will vary but not change the intent of the invention, so the drawings and description should not be seen as limiting the scope of the invention.