Patent Publication Number: US-2011057020-A1

Title: Talking picture postcard

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the field of mailable postcards and more specifically to talking picture postcard. 
     Postcards are well known the world over and are a common way for people to send a quick message and a photo or other graphic image to friends and family. 
     Postcards come in a variety of sizes and shapes but are usually rectangular and small enough to be processed through standard postal mail carrying means. Small audio record and playback microprocessor chips have also become popular recently and have been used in greeting cards, so that when the user opens the card, a pre-recorded message or song is played. Some cards include the ability to record a message that can be played back by the recipient. However, none of the prior art has addressed the possibility of producing a recorded message within a post card sized device so that the user can insert a graphic image or his or her choice into a slot within the postcard structure while insuring that the receiver of the card can not accidentally record over the message. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary object of the invention is to provide a postcard sized device that includes a slot for inserting a photo or other graphic. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a postcard sized device that includes an audio record and playback feature. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a talking postcard whose audio message can not be accidentally erased or by the receiver. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a talking postcard that has a built in easel back to that the card may be set on a flat surface in an upright position. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed talking picture postcard comprising: a scored and die cut paperboard panel having a central portion, a first portion, a picture frame portion and a second portion which when folded together form a rectangular postcard sized construction. A transparent panel covers the picture frame portion. A plurality of electronic audio producing components include a battery power supply, a speaker, an audio record and playback microprocessor, a microprocessor PCB, a record switch contact PCB, a record switch contact metal strip, a removable contact separator tab, a record switch, a microphone, a playback switch and an LED. A removable recording instruction label, a removable label including a graphic record button, mic locator circle and led locator help the user make an audio recording. A die cut foam filler panel protects the enclosed electronics. said audio microprocessor PCB supporting said audio components The microprocessor PCB is centrally mounted on said central paperboard panel. The speaker is mounted to one side of said microprocessor PCB on said central paperboard panel. The recording contact PCB is mounted on the upper portion of said central paperboard panel. The slidable record switch contact separator tab is located between a pair of electrical contacts located on said recording contact PCB. A recording switch contact metal strip makes contact with the record switch contacts when the separator tab is slid upwards. Said record switch, said LED said microphone and said playback switch are all mounted in a row on the lower portion of said central paperboard panel, Said foam filler panel is die cut and attached to said central paperboard panel so that said foam filler panel surrounds said electronic components and extends to fill said central panel to help form a rectangular postcard sized shape. said first portion of said paperboard panel folding over to completely cover and adhere to said foam panel, said picture frame portion of said paperboard panel is covered by a transparent sheet and then folded over to cover said central paperboard portion forming an open slot between said central portion and said picture frame portion. Said second paperboard portion folded over and adhered to the back side of said central portion. The outside of said second portion forming the back side of said talking picture post card and including a permanent printed graphic of a “play” button. The back side of said second portion including said removable instruction label and said removable “record”, “mic” and “LED” graphic label, so that when a user slides up the contact separator tab and presses said record graphic button said user can record an audio message for the receiver of said postcard and then completely slide down said contact separator and remove said graphic label and said instruction label so that said record switch location is no longer apparent. Said user can then slide a photo or other graphic panel into said slot the side of said paperboard rectangular construction so that it appears through said transparent panel and then mail the talking picture postcard of the present invention through standard mail delivery means. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective front view of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear plan view of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the invention in the unfolded state. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear plan view of the invention supported by a built in easel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  we see a front perspective view of the talking picture postcard of the present invention  100 . The construction of the device  100  is made of die cut and folded paperboard to form a rectangular postcard sized structure. However, thin die cut plastic sheet may also be used. A front panel  2  has a die cut portion forming a picture frame. The central portion within the frame is covered by a transparent panel  8  preferably made of thin transparent plastic such as vinyl or acrylic or styrene which is adhered to the sides of the frame panel  2 . A slot  4  on the side  10  of the rectangular postcard sized structure can accept a photograph or other graphic of the user&#39;s choosing including a standard flat picture postcard such as the type found in souvenir and gift shops worldwide. A tab  6  can be raised as shown by dotted line  7  to allow recording activity. Tab  6  can then be lowered as shown in dotted line  9  after an audio message has been recorded by the user. Because tab  6  is almost flush with the postcard side  12 , the receiver of the card can not lift the tab  6  to accidentally record over the sent message. This tab  6  is a separator that keeps the internal electrical contacts from touching a metal contact strip thereby preventing or allowing recording activity as will be described more fully below. 
       FIG. 2  shows a rear plan view of the invention  100 . This view shows the back surface  14  of the talking picture postcard  100 . The back  14  is flat and includes printed graphics such as a postage frame  16 , receiver&#39;s address lines  18  and sender&#39;s address lines  19  as well as a graphic “play” button  32 . Also found on the back panel  14  are two removable labels  24 ,  22 . One label  22  includes instructions for recording a message. The instructions are as follows: 
     “Remove After Recording” 
     “1. To record, pull the tab above until fully extended. Then press and hold the “REC” button while speaking into the ‘MIC”. Record up to ten seconds while red LED is on.”
 
“2. Press play button to listen.”
 
“3. To re-record, repeat steps  1  and  2 .”
 
“4. Once satisfied, push tab above completely down to lock message.” The second label  24  includes graphic buttons for “REC”  26  “MIC”  28  and “LED”  30 .
 
     While the user is making a recording the LED light turns on as a visual indicator that a recording is taking place After the user finishes the recording he is instructed to remove this label  24  so that the receiver does not know where the record switch is and therefore is less likely to accidentally press it. The only graphic the receiver sees is the “PLAY” button  32  which is permanently printed on panel  14 . Perforated lines  20  and score line  21  show where the receiver can separate a portion of the back panel  14  to form an easel back so that the postcard may be set up like a standard picture frame as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a plan view of the unfolded version of the present invention  100 . A central portion  41  supports a PCB  47  that in turn supports a standard audio record and playback microprocessor  42  as well as a battery power supply  38  and other standard electronic components. An audio speaker  50  is attached to the central portion  41  to the right of the audio PCB  42 . A record prevent switch is created by paperboard tab  6  being sandwiched between a metal contact  46  and a pair of mating contacts located under tab  46  which are supported by switch contact PCB  48 . Playback switch  40 , LED  49 , Microphone  45  and record switch  44  are placed in a row on the lower portion of central panel  41  and align with the graphic buttons on the back of paperboard panel  14 . A resilient foam sheet  43  is die cut to allow room for all electronic components. The sheet  43  acts as a filler and is approximately one quarter of an inch thick, although thinner versions are anticipated as the thickness of the electronic components decreases. Since all electronic components shown are less than one quarter of an inch thick, a smooth flat surface is formed when first paperboard portion  34  and side wall  10  are folded over and adhered to foam sheet  43 . The picture frame portion  2  and side wall  11  are then folded over and adhered to first paperboard portion  34 . Finally the second paperboard portion  14  and side wall  12  are folded over the back wall of central portion  41  and adhered. The complete rectangular talking picture postcard is now ready for use. The thin profile and standard postcard size allow the invention  100  to travel easily through postal handling systems throughout the world and to arrive safely to the surprise and delight of the recipient. An alternate embodiment includes a talking picture postcard having a pre recorded message so that there would be no need for the user to record a custom message. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.