Patent Abstract:
A method and a device for making a wireless cellular communication using a merchandising product with a marketing message. A merchant delivers a merchandising product to a user. The merchandising device contains an electronic module that comprises memory that stores multimedia and an identifier such as telephone number. The electronic module contains the components necessary to play the multimedia, including one or more audio output devices and optionally a video screen. The electronic module also contains the components necessary to connect to a wireless network and to place a cellular communication using the wireless network to the identifier. The electronic module is activated by a switch. Upon activation, the electronic module plays the multimedia on the one or more audio output devices and, optionally, the video screen. While the multimedia is playing, the module connects to a wireless network. Upon the conclusion of playing the multimedia, the module makes a wireless communication with the stored identifier number with no further action on the part of the user.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/829,731, filed May 31, 2013, and titled “Merchandising Product with Wireless Connectivity,” which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to merchandising products and, in particular, to merchandising products that include an electronic module that, when activated, establishes a wireless network connection while delivering a marketing message stored in local memory to the user then makes a cellular communication with a digital identification number, such as a telephone number, stored in memory with no additional action on the part of the user, and to methods for delivering and implementing cellular communications in merchandising products with auto-dial functionality. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Affordable and reliable wireless communications modules are revolutionizing communications. These modules are the backbone of mobile telephone and mobile computing industries. 
         [0004]    Except for the field of digital signage, the advertising industry has not incorporated wireless communications into its products. As cellular telephone technology has become widely available and widely used, marketers can take advantage of people&#39;s familiarity with cell phone technology to develop new ways of reaching their clients. 
         [0005]    Thus, what is needed is a merchandising product that includes an auto-dial wireless cellular module, allowing the sender of the merchandising product or a third party to have a live interactive exchange with the user of the product upon the user&#39;s activation of the module, to receive texts/data/e-mail from the user of the module and to collect analytical information regarding the use of the product. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention is a merchandising product with an embedded or attached electronic module that has the capability of establishing a wireless cellular connection and making a cellular communication with a digital identification number pre-stored in the module&#39;s memory upon activation of the module without any further action on the part of the user (the “auto-dial cellular device”). One preferred embodiment of the cellular communication is a telephone call. Other embodiments include the sending of a text message, data or e-mail. The digital identification number to be contacted is, in a preferred embodiment, a telephone number. In other embodiments, the digital identification number may be any alphanumeric/symbolic string of characters that is used in the context of cellular communications to identify an intended recipient of a communication. The module further has the capability of tracking data regarding the usage thereof as a communication device. “Merchandising products” include flat, foldable and three-dimensional display cards, greeting cards, card holders, mailers, invitations, desktop calendars, desktop displays, magazine inserts, brochures, corporate communications and training materials, handouts, photo books, pop-up books, novelty items, in-store displays and similar products comprising a structure with a marketing message and in which the wireless cellular module can be embedded. 
         [0007]    A “marketing message” includes any form of marketing, advertising copy and artwork, including but not limited to text, graphics, sound, design, trademarks and trade dress. 
         [0008]    The electronic module comprises memory that may store audio only content, visual only content, such as still images, graphics, photographs, text, and/or video, and/or combined audio and visual content (audio only, visual only, and combined audio and visual content is referred to collectively as “multimedia”). The multimedia may include any content capable of being seen and/or heard. The micro-controller may play the multimedia stored in the memory (“local multimedia”) before, during and/or after the micro-controller attempts to establish a wireless cellular connection. The memory may contain no, one or a plurality of local multimedia. (Each individual segment of multimedia is referred to herein as a “chapter”.) The chapters of multimedia may be played in sequential order or in random order. 
         [0009]    The local multimedia can be selected or created by the sender of the merchandizing product, or created and provided by a third party content vendor. The local multimedia may be loaded into the memory by any suitable data connection or transfer device, including wired or wireless internet or network connection, or portable data storage device such as USB, flash drive, compact flash, or smart card wherein the data is transferred via an industry-standard card interface or other data transfer protocol. 
         [0010]    The marketing message contained on the auto-dial cellular device along with the local multimedia and the cellular communication placed by the electronic module may provide a combined media message to the user. 
         [0011]    Embodiments of the embedded wireless cellular module include audio-only cellular telephone service, cellular telephone service with one-way and two-way video, text messaging, e-mail, and data exchanges. The wireless connection can also be used to transmit and receive data about the usage of the marketing product and other analytics. 
         [0012]    The auto-dial cellular device includes an electronic module activated by a switch. The electronic module comprises a micro-controller, digital memory, a modem, an antenna, a microphone, an audio output device (i.e., a speaker and/or earphone jack) and a power source and in a particular embodiment may further comprise a power/data port. The digital memory may contain at least one chapter of local multimedia. The digital memory also contains a digital identification number, such as a telephone number. (While the preferred embodiment comprises a telephone number, this disclosure specifically encompasses future digital identification numbers used in cellular communications.) Upon activation by the switch and, depending on the configuration of the product, the playing of the local multimedia, the electronic module places a cellular communication to a number stored in the memory without further action on the part of the end user. The cellular communication includes a cellular telephone call, a text message, an email and other data. In embodiments other than the cellular telephone call, the memory further comprises the content to be sent from the auto-dial cellular device to the digital identification number. In these embodiments, upon placing a cellular communication to the identification number, the micro-controller sends the stored content to that number. 
         [0013]    The auto-dial cellular device may further comprise one or more video screens, and may further comprise a camera. In this set of particular embodiments, the electronic module may receive digital video as part of the cellular communication and display the video on the one or more screens. The auto-dial cellular device further may obtain digital video from the camera included therein and may send that video as part of the cellular communication and may display that video on the one or more screens. In a particular embodiment, at least one of the one or more screens is a touch screen. In this particular embodiment, the touch screen may be used during the cellular communication to enhance communications options with the counterparty to the call. 
         [0014]    For each of the auto-dial cellular device embodiments, the electronic module may further comprise one, two or more than two LEDs. The module may illuminate a single LED in order to indicate that the module has successfully detected and connected with a wireless network. The module may illuminate one of two LEDs to indicate that the module is on but no connection to a wireless network is available, and may illuminate the second of two LEDs to indicate that the module is on and a connection to a wireless network has been made. The module may illuminate one or more of the plurality of LEDs to indicate the strength of the wireless network signal. 
         [0015]    For each of the auto-dial cellular device embodiments, the electronic module may further comprise a location determining module, such as a global positioning satellite (GPS) module. The electronic module may determine the location of the device at any time that the module is activated and may communicate that information to a third party as part of a cellular communication or as part of sending analytics. 
         [0016]    For each of the foregoing representative embodiments, the structure of auto-dial cellular device may be any container in which the electronic module may be embedded or attached. Containers may be of any size and shape suitable for the intended use of the product. Exemplars of such containers include flat cards, foldable cards, booklets, books, cubes of varying height, width and depth, cubes with lids, boxes (i.e., a cube with access to the interior) with attached and detachable lids, multi-page books, various asymmetrical shapes and combinations of the foregoing. In some embodiments, the switch will require direct manual operation to activate and deactivate the module. 
         [0017]    The auto-dial cellular device container may be, entirely or in part, in the form of two or more interconnected panels or other components of paper, plastic or any other suitable material that are foldable, slideable, and/or rotatable (collectively, “moveable”) with respect to each other. In embodiments including moveable panels, the container will have a closed configuration in which the module is off and an open configuration in which the module is activated. The switch may be triggered on and off by the act of moving one panel with respect to another. The switch in these embodiments may be any device suitable for using the motion of a panel for triggering the electronic module (e.g., a slide tongue or a magnet). 
         [0018]    In certain embodiments, the switch may open and close by detecting changes in the environment, such as light sensor, motion sensor, pressure button, radio frequency sensor, and audio sensor switches. 
         [0019]    For each of the foregoing representative embodiments, in a particular embodiment the micro-controller may gather user analytics data, including but not limited to identification code of the auto-dial cellular device, date, time and location of use of the product, frequency of use, length of use, and characteristics of any failed communications. In a particular embodiment, the electronic module may send a batch of user analytics data to a third party on a particular schedule. In a particular embodiment, the electronic module may send user analytics data to a third party concurrently with any use of the auto-dial cellular device that generates user analytics data. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The present invention may be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts, and in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a schematic of an embodiment of an electronic module in an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates a flow diagram of the steps involved in making a call in the cellular phone embodiment of auto-dial cellular device; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  illustrates a flow diagram of the steps involved in terminating a call in the cellular phone embodiment of the auto-dial cellular device; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C illustrate external views of a particular configuration; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  5 C illustrate external views of a particular configuration; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  illustrates an external view of a particular configuration; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  illustrates an external view of a particular configuration; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  illustrates an external view of a particular configuration; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  illustrates an external view of a particular configuration; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 10A ,  10 B and  10 C illustrate external views of a particular configuration; 
           [0031]      FIGS. 11A ,  11 B and  11 C illustrate external views of a particular configuration; 
           [0032]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate external views of a particular configuration; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  illustrate external views of a particular configuration; 
           [0034]      FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate external views of a particular configuration; 
           [0035]      FIGS. 15A ,  15 B and  15 C illustrate external views of a particular configuration; and 
           [0036]      FIGS. 16A ,  16 B,  16 C and  16 D illustrate external views of a particular configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a schematic of the electronic module  100  of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the electronic module  100  comprises a micro-controller  10  as the central processing unit (or “CPU”), a digital memory  15 , a modem  20 , an antenna  25 , a power source  30 , one or more LEDs  35 , a microphone  40 , one or more audio output devices  50 , one or more video screens  55 , a combined data/power port  60 , a camera  65 , and a location determining module  70 . The micro-controller  10 , the memory  15 , the modem  20  and the location determining module are all mounted on the board  5 . The electronic module  100  is activated by a switch  110  (i.e., once the switch is triggered, electrical current flows through the module allowing the various components to function as intended in accordance with their design). The components are operatively connected as to create a functioning device. Not all embodiments of the invention will include all these components. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) a dedicated power port  61  and dedicated data port  62  are provided in lieu of the combined data/power port  60 . 
         [0038]    The micro-controller  10  is any of the commercially available micro-controllers, such as an ARM core processor, programmed with software and/or firmware required to give the module the desired functionality. The micro-controller is activated by a switch  110  mounted on or in the marketing product. As used herein, switch includes a slide switch, toggle switch, rocker switch, pushbutton switch, slide tongue, pressure button, push button, solar cell, magnets, light sensors, motion sensors, vibration trigger, tilt trigger, or the like; however, any device known in the art that can cause a circuit to close and let power flow through can be used. In certain embodiments, in which the auto-dial cellular device includes two or more moveable panels, the switch may be attached to the panels of the product in such a manner that the movement of one panel with respect to another beyond a certain position will activate the switch. In other embodiments the switch may require manual operation by the user of the product. 
         [0039]    The memory  15  is one or more digital data storage devices, including but not limited to memory cards, compact flash memory cards, secure digital and secure digital high capacity cards. 
         [0040]    The modem  20  is any device that provides for digital communication over a wireless network including but not limited to WiFi, GSM and CDMA technology. The antenna  25  is any antenna that receives and transmits the radio waves needed for the modem to establish a connection with a wireless network. 
         [0041]    The module is powered by a power source  30 . In a preferred embodiment, the power source is comprised of batteries of sufficient size to power the module and software. However, any miniature mountable power source of sufficient power may be used such as, but not limited to, solar cells, direct drives, mechanically driven drives and the like. The preferred batteries used to power the device are of sufficient capacity as to allow the device to be operated repeatedly for several months. In a preferred embodiment, the batteries are laid flat and mounted on the same module board containing the micro-controller. In a preferred embodiment, the batteries are rechargeable. In this embodiment, the batteries are recharged by connecting the device to an external power source via an AC or DC connector port  61  or via a combined data/power port  60  such as a USB port. Alternatively, the power source may be external to the product and the product is powered by connecting the product to the external power source via a power connector port  61  or a combined data/power port  60 . 
         [0042]    The one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs)  35  are any commercially available LED suitable for embedding in an auto-dial cellular device that provide visible light in ordinary ambient light conditions at a range of three to six feet. 
         [0043]    The microphone  40  is a commercially available microphone suitable for embedding in an auto-dial cellular device. The micro-controller  10  is configured with the drivers needed to operate the microphone  40 . In a preferred embodiment, the microphone  40  and its drivers are configured to capture human voices which are clearly audible within a range of three to six feet. 
         [0044]    In a preferred embodiment, the one or more audio output devices  50  are one or more commercially available audio speakers and associated audio amplifiers suitable for embedding in an auto-dial cellular device. In a preferred embodiment, the speakers and their associated audio amplifiers  50  are configured to generate sound levels which are clearly audible within a distance of three to six feet from the speakers. The micro-controller is configured with the drivers needed to operate the speakers. The speakers and drivers  50  may be configured to play audio stored in any standard audio file format. In another preferred embodiment the audio output device  50  is an earphone jack. In this embodiment, the earphone jack  50  may be either in addition to or in lieu of the one or more speakers and associated audio amplifiers, and the micro-controller is configured with the drivers needed to create audible sound in earphones when the earphones are plugged into the earphone jack  50 . 
         [0045]    The one or more video screens  55  are any type of image display device capable of display of static and video images. One example of a suitable device is a liquid crystal display. Other types of displays that may be used in accordance with this disclosure include STN LCD, TFT LCD, CSTN, OLED/PLED, FED or SED. Video display formats may include MPEG4, MJPEG, or any other suitable format. In embodiments comprising a touchscreen video screen, industry-standard touchscreens may be used. 
         [0046]    The combined data/power port  60  is any industry standard connector allowing for data to be transmitted between the module and an external device while charging the internal batteries  30 , such a USB port. The power charging port  61  may be a separate connector dedicated solely to providing power to the power source  30 . The dedicated data port  62  is any connector allowing for data to be transmitted between the module and an external device. 
         [0047]    The camera  65  is any commercially available digital camera suitable for embedding in an auto-dial cellular device. 
         [0048]    The location determining module  70  is any industry-standard component for determining the location of the device, such as a global positioning satellite detection (GPS) module. 
         [0049]    In a preferred embodiment, the user receives the auto-dial cellular device from a third party or its agent who wishes to receive a cellular communication from the recipient. The user takes the action necessary to trigger the switch  110  (which action may be opening the auto-dial cellular device). The triggering of the switch  110  causes the power source  30  to provide power to the whole electronic module  100 . The electronic module is configured to play the local multimedia on the audio output device  50 , and video screen  55  if provided, without further action on the part of the user, immediately upon receiving power from the power source  30 . While the module  100  is playing the multimedia, it concurrently searches for a wireless network and goes through the handshaking process necessary to connect to the network. Once the module  100  has finished playing the multimedia and completed the handshake with the wireless network, the module  100  makes a cellular communication to the digital identification number stored in the memory  15 , again without further action on the part of the user. During the cellular communication, the micro-controller  10  controls the transmission and reception of call, voice, video and data signals. In embodiments in which the cellular communication includes a cellular telephone call, during transmission mode, the microphone  40  captures the user&#39;s voice, converts the voice to voice signals and relays those signals to the micro-controller  10 . The micro-controller  10  sends the voice signals to the modem  20  which transmits the voice signals through the antenna  25  to a remote station. During receiving mode, the modem  20  receives voice signals through the antenna  25  from a remote station and passes those signals to the micro-controller  10 . The micro-controller  10  then passes the received voice signal to the audio output device  50 , which generates an audible signal for the user&#39;s hearing. In embodiments including a camera, the camera  65  passes a video signal to the micro-controller  10 . The micro-controller  10  sends the video signal along with the voice signal to the modem  20  which transmits the voice and video signal through the antenna  25  to a remote station. In certain embodiments with one or more video screens, the modem  20  receives video signals along with the voice signals through the antenna  25  from a remote station and passes the combined voice and video signal to the micro-controller  10 . The micro-controller  10  then passes the received video signal to one or more video screens  55 , which generates a visual image on the screen. The micro-controller  10  may also show the video signal received from the camera  65  on one of the screens  55 . In a preferred embodiment, one of the screens may be a touchscreen. In this embodiment, the electronic module is programmed to recognize touches on the touchscreen, and send the data generated by a touch on the touchscreen to the counterparty to the call. 
         [0050]    The cellular phone particular embodiment of the present invention enables a user to initiate a cellular telephone call by activating the module and terminate a cellular telephone call by deactivating the module.  FIGS. 2 &amp; 3  illustrate flow diagrams of the steps involved in performing these basic phone functions in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0051]      FIG. 2  illustrates a flow diagram  200  of the steps involved in making a call through the cellular phone embodiment of the auto-dial cellular device. To make the call, in step  202  the user provides power to the micro-controller  10  from the power source  30  by closing the switch  110 . Upon receiving power, in step  204  micro-controller  10  sends a signal to the modem  20  to search for a wireless cellular phone network and, once the modem  20  indicates that a suitable network has been found, initiates a handshaking protocol with the network. Also upon receiving power, in step  206  the micro-controller  10  accesses the memory  15  to search for local multimedia stored in the memory  15 . If local multimedia is found, in step  208  the micro-controller  10  plays the local multimedia on the audio output device  50 , and on the video screen  55  if provided. Upon completing the handshake with the wireless network and upon finishing playing the local multimedia, if any, in step  310  the micro-controller  10  looks up the digital identification number in the memory, and in step  312  places a cellular telephone call to that number. 
         [0052]      FIG. 3  shows a flow diagram  300  of the steps involved in terminating a call on the cellular phone embodiment of the present invention. In step  302 , the user opens the switch  110 . Opening the switch disconnects power from both the micro-controller  10  and the modem  20 . In step  304 , the micro-controller powers down, terminating the call. 
         [0053]    In other preferred embodiments, the cellular communication is a text message, an email, a packet of data or a combination thereof, but not a telephone call. In these embodiments, the memory  15  further comprises the text message, email and/or data packet. Once the module  100  finishes playing the multimedia and completes the handshake with the wireless network, in these embodiments the module  100  sends the text message, email, data packet or combination thereof stored in the memory  15  to the digital identification number also stored in the memory  15 . If the micro-controller  10  is programmed to send analytics (as discussed below) then the module  100  will also send the analytics to that digital identification number. Upon completing these tasks, the micro-controller will disconnect from the wireless network and power down. 
         [0054]    In a preferred embodiment the power source  30  of the auto-dial cellular device is a rechargeable battery that is recharged by connecting the appropriate power cable, such as a USB cable, to the combined data/power port  60 . 
         [0055]    In a preferred embodiment, the electronic module  100  comprises one or more LEDs  35 . In the single LED configuration, the LED  35  may illuminate if the electronic module  100  is able to successfully complete the handshake with a wireless network. In a two-LED configuration, one LED  35  may illuminate if the module is on but unable to connect to any wireless network, and the other LED  35  may illuminate the module is on and has successfully connected to a wireless network. In the multiple LED configuration, a certain number of LEDs  35  may illuminate based on the signal strength of the wireless network. 
         [0056]    In a preferred embodiment, the electronic module  100  comprises a location determining module  70 , such as a global positioning satellite (GPS) module. The electronic module  100  may determine the location of the auto-dial cellular device at any time that the module is activated and may communicate that information to a third party as part of a cellular communication or as part of sending analytics. 
         [0057]    In all embodiments, the micro-controller  10  may include programming that collects data regarding the use of the auto-dial cellular device for cellular communications (generically, “analytics”). Data comprising analytics may include the micro-controller&#39;s own identification code, date, time, frequency of use, length of use, and characteristics of any failed interactions. Analytics may further comprise the precise location of the device during each use if the electronic module  100  comprises a location determining module  70 . 
         [0058]    The micro-controller  10  may include programming that stores analytics in the memory  15 , and/or that sends analytics data immediately upon collection to a server. In a particular embodiment, the electronic module  100  may send a batch of user analytics data to a third party on a particular schedule. In a particular embodiment, the electronic module  100  may send user analytics data to a third party concurrently with any use of the auto-dial cellular device that generates user analytics data. 
         [0059]      FIGS. 4 through 16  disclose shapes of the container in which the electronic module is embedded for various preferred embodiments. 
         [0060]      FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C illustrate three perspectives of an embodiment of a moveable card construction of the present invention, in which card  400  has a first panel  401  and a second panel  406  joined along a fold line or hinge  409 . The first panel  401  has an outside face  402  and an inside face  403 . The second panel  406  has an inside face  404  and an outside face  405 . The electronic module  100  is embedded inside the second panel  406 . Die cuts in the inside face  404  of the second panel  406  are shown for the microphone  40  and the audio output device  50 , which in this embodiment is a speaker. A die cut in the outside face  405  of the second panel  406  is shown for access to the combined power/data port  60 . The switch  110 , which in this embodiment is a slide switch, is placed across the hinge  409 . The electronic module  100  is activated by the switch  110 . In this embodiment, the slide tongue switch  110  activates the electronic module  100  upon the opening of the card, and deactivates the electronic module  100  by the closing of the card. A marketing message may be placed on any of the four panels  402 ,  403 ,  404  and  405 . 
         [0061]      FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  5 C illustrate three perspectives of an embodiment of a moveable card construction of the present invention, in which card  410  has a first panel  411  and a second panel  416  joined along a fold line or hinge  419 . The first panel  411  has an outside face  412  and an inside face  413 . The second panel  416  has an inside face  414  and an outside face  415 . The electronic module  100  is embedded inside the second panel  416 . Die cuts in the inside face  414  of the second panel  416  are shown for the microphone  40 , the audio output device  50 , which in this embodiment is a speaker and a video screen  55 , which is visible through the die cut. A die cut in the outside face  415  of the second panel  416  is shown for access to the combined power/data port  60 . The switch  110 , which in this embodiment is a slide switch, is placed across the hinge  419 . The electronic module  100  is activated by the switch  110 . In this embodiment, the slide tongue switch  110  activates the electronic module  110  upon the opening of the card, and deactivates the electronic module  110  by the closing of the card. A marketing message may be placed on any of the four panels  412 ,  413 ,  414  and  415 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of a flat card construction of the present invention, in which the card  420  has a front  422 , a back (not shown) and an edge between the two, shown in  FIG. 6  as a top edge  424  and a side edge  423 . The front  422  has die cuts for the microphone  40  and two LEDs  35 . The switch  110  is located in the side edge  423  and in this embodiment is a manually-operated toggle switch. A die cut for the audio output device  50  which in this embodiment is an earphone jack is also located in the side edge  423 . A die cut for the combined data/power port  60  is also located in the side edge  423 . In alternative embodiments, the die cuts in the side edge  423  may be located on the top edge  424 , the opposite side edge (not shown) and/or bottom edge (not shown). A marketing message may be placed on any of the front panels  422  and back panel. 
         [0063]      FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of a flat card construction of the present invention, in which the card  430  has a front  432 , a back (not shown) and an edge between the two, shown in  FIG. 7  as a top edge  434  and a side edge  433 . The front  432  has die cuts for the microphone  40 , five LEDs  35 , and an audio output device  50  which in this embodiment is a speaker. The switch  110  is centered close to the bottom of the front  432  and in this embodiment is a pull-tab switch. A die cut for the combined data/power port  60  is located in the side edge  433 . In alternative embodiments, the die cut in the side edge  433  may be located on the top edge  434 , the opposite side edge (not shown) and/or bottom edge (not shown). A marketing message may be placed on any of the front panels  432  and back panel. 
         [0064]      FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of a flat card construction of the present invention, in which the card  440  has a front  442 , a back (not shown) and an edge between the two, shown in  FIG. 8  as a top edge  444  and a side edge  443 . The front  442  has die cuts for the microphone  40 , an audio output device  50  which in this embodiment is a speaker, and a video screen  55 . The video screen  55  is visible through the die cut. The switch  110  is located in the side edge  443  and in this embodiment is a manually-operated toggle switch. A die cut for the combined data/power port  60  is located in the side edge  443 . In alternative embodiments, the die cut in the side edge  443  may be located on the top edge  444 , the opposite side edge (not shown) and/or bottom edge (not shown). A marketing message may be placed on any of the front panels  442  and back panel. 
         [0065]      FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment of a flat card construction of the present invention, in which the card  450  has a front  452 , a back (not shown) and an edge between the two, shown in  FIG. 8  as a top edge  454  and a side edge  453 . The front  452  has die cuts for the microphone  40 , an audio output device  50  which in this embodiment is a speaker, and a video screen  55 . The video screen  55  is visible through the die cut. The switch  110  is centered close to the bottom of the front  452  and in this embodiment is a manually-operated pull-tab switch. A die cut for the combined data/power port  60  is located in the side edge  453 . In alternative embodiments, the die cut in the side edge  453  may be located on the top edge  454 , the opposite side edge (not shown) and/or bottom edge (not shown). A marketing message may be placed on any of the front panels  452  and back panel. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 10A ,  10 B and  10 C illustrate three perspectives of an embodiment of a moveable card construction of the present invention, in which card  460  has a first panel  461  and a second panel  466  joined along a fold line or hinge  469 . The first panel  461  has an outside face  462  and an inside face  463 . The second panel  466  has an inside face  464  and an outside face  465 . The electronic module  100  is embedded inside the second panel  466 . Die cuts in the inside face  464  of the second panel  466  are shown for the microphone  40 , the camera  65  and a video screen  55 , which is visible through the die cut. A die cut  467  is shown through the first panel  461 , which is located so that the video screen  55  is visible through the die cut  467  when the present invention is in a closed position. Die cuts in the outside face  465  of the second panel  466  are shown for the audio output device  50 , which in this embodiment is a speaker, and for access to the combined power/data port  60 . The switch  110 , which in this embodiment is a slide switch, is placed across the hinge  469 . The electronic module  100  is activated by the switch  110 . In this embodiment, the slide tongue switch  110  activates the electronic module  100  upon the opening of the card, and deactivates the electronic module  100  by the closing of the card. A marketing message may be placed on any of the four panels  462 ,  463 ,  464  and  465 . 
         [0067]      FIGS. 11A ,  11 B and  11 C illustrate three perspectives of an embodiment of a moveable card construction of the present invention, in which card  470  has a first panel  471  and a second panel  476  joined along a fold line or hinge  479 . The first panel  471  has an outside face  472  and an inside face  473 . The second panel  476  has an inside face  474  and an outside face  475 . The electronic module  100  is embedded inside the second panel  476 . A die cut in the inside face  474  of the second panel  476  is shown for the microphone  40 . A die cut  477  is shown through the first panel  471 , which is located so that a particular marketing message placed on the inside face  474  is visible through the die cut when the present invention is in a closed position. Die cuts in the outside face  475  of the second panel  476  are shown for the audio output device  50 , which in this embodiment is a speaker, and for access to the combined power/data port  60 . The switch  110 , which in this embodiment is a magnetic switch, is inside the panel  476  along its outside edge and inside the panel  471  placed along its outside edge so that when the card is in its closed position the two components are in sufficient proximity to form a closed switch. The electronic module  100  is activated by the switch  110 . In this embodiment, the magnetic switch  110  activates the electronic module  100  upon the opening of the card, and deactivates the electronic module  100  by the closing of the card. A marketing message may be placed on any of the four panels  472 ,  473 ,  474  and  475 . 
         [0068]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate two perspectives of a flat card construction of the present invention, in which the card  480  has a front  481  and a back  482 . The front  481  and back  482  are sealed edge-to-edge. The front  481  has die cuts for the microphone  40 , and an audio output device  50  which in this embodiment is a speaker. The switch  110  is located near the lower left-hand corner of the front  481  and in this embodiment is a manually-operated thumb switch. A die cut for the combined data/power port  60  is located on the back  482 . A marketing message may be placed on any of the panels  481  and  482 . 
         [0069]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  illustrate two perspectives of a flat card construction of the present invention, in which the card  490  has a front  491  and a back  492 . The front  491  and back  492  are sealed edge-to-edge. The front  491  has die cuts for the microphone  40  and a video screen  55  which is visible through the die cut. The switch  110  is located centrally along the right-hand edge of the front  491  and in this embodiment is a push-button switch. Die cuts for the combined data/power port  60  and an audio output device  50  which in this embodiment is a speaker are located on the back  492 . A marketing message may be placed on any of the panels  491  and  492 . 
         [0070]      FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate two perspectives of an embodiment of a moveable brochure-style construction of the present invention, in which brochure  500  has a first panel  501  and a second panel  509  joined along a hinge  510 . The first panel  501  has an outside face  502  and an inside face  503 . The two faces of panel  501  are separated by a bottom edge  504 , a side edge  505  and a top edge (not shown). The second panel  511  has an inside face  506  and an outside face  511 . The two faces of panel  509  are separated by a bottom edge  507 , a side edge  508  and a top edge (not shown). The electronic module  100  is embedded inside the second panel  509 . Die cuts in the inside face  506  of the second panel  511  are shown for the microphone  40 , the audio output device  50 , which in this embodiment is a speaker, a video screen  55 , which is visible through the die cut, and a camera  65 . A die cut in the inside face  503  of the first panel  501  is shown for a second video screen  55 , which is visible through the die cut. A die cut in the bottom edge  507  of the second panel  509  is shown for access to the combined power/data port  60 . The switch  110 , which in this embodiment is a slide switch, is placed across the hinge  510 . The electronic module  100  is activated by the switch  110 . In this embodiment, the slide tongue switch  110  activates the electronic module  100  upon the opening of the brochure, and deactivates the electronic module  100  by the closing of the brochure. A marketing message may be placed on any of the four panels  502 ,  503 ,  506  and  511 . 
         [0071]      FIGS. 15A ,  15 B and  15 C illustrate three perspectives of a desktop push-button embodiment  520  of the present invention. A push-button  521  is embedded in a circular base  522  that has a bottom  523 . The push-button  521  is spring-loaded above the base on springs  524  and  525 . The microphone  40  is embedded in the push-button  521 . Holes of the audio output device  50 , which in this embodiment is a speaker, and the combined power/data port  60  are placed in the side of the base  522 . A storage compartment for the power source  30 , which in this embodiment is a rechargeable battery, is embedded in the bottom  523 . As shown in the cut-away drawing,  FIG. 15C , the switch  110  is a lever switch connecting the push-button  521  to the base  522 . As further shown in  FIG. 15C , the components of the electronic module  100  are located within the base  522 . The board  5 , with the micro-controller  10 , memory  15  and modem  20  sits on the bottom  523 , with the antenna  25  mounted to a sidewall of the base  522 . The electronic module  100  is activated by the switch  110 , which is moved by pressing down on the push-button  521 . In this embodiment, the module  100  is activated by depressing the push-button  521  a first time, and de-activated by depressing the push-button  521  a second time. A marketing message may be placed on the push-button  521  and around the exterior surface of the base  522 . 
         [0072]      FIGS. 16A ,  16 B,  16 C and  16 D illustrate four perspectives of a tri-fold card  530 . Card  530  consists of a left panel  531 , a center panel  532  and a right panel  533 . Left panel  531  and center panel  532  are joined along the fold line or hinge  534 . Center panel  532  and right panel  533  are joined along the fold line  535 . The left panel  531  has an outside face  536  and an inside face  537 . Center panel  532  has an inside face  538  and an outside face  539 . The inside face  538  and outside face  539  of the central panel  532  are separated by a top edge (not shown) and a bottom edge  540 . Right panel  533  has an inside face  541  and an outside face  542 . The electronic module  100  is embedded in the central panel  532 . Die cuts in the inside face  538  of the central panel  532  are shown for the microphone  40 , the audio output device  50 , which in this embodiment is a speaker, and the video screen  55 , which is visible through the die cut. A die cut in the outside face  539  of the center panel  532  is shown for access to the combined power/data port  60 . The switch  110 , which in this embodiment is a slide switch, is placed across hinge  535 . The electronic module  100  is activated by the switch  110 . In this embodiment, the slide tongue switch  110  activates the module  100  upon the opening of the right panel, and deactivates the module  100  by the closing of the right panel. A marketing message may be placed on any of the six faces  536 ,  537 ,  538 ,  539 ,  541  and  542 .

Technology Classification (CPC): 6