Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Serial No. 60/181,644 filed Feb. 10, 2000. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     N/A 
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights rights whatsoever. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to delivery of a message in association with activation of a sensor. More particularly, the invention relates to delivery of voice and possibly printed messages to a recipient upon usage of a common appliance. Still more particularly, the instant invention delivers an audio and possibly printed message to a recipient upon usage of a paper towel dispenser. 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     Successful advertising campaigns require effective communication of the intended message to a targeted audience. A marketing campaign must have a consumer&#39;s attention to have a chance of success. Some devices known place advertisements at points of purchase or in other public places, but can not guarantee to get a person&#39;s attention. It is believed that audible advertisements and/or messages can be very effective if deployed in a manner or place that virtually assures consumer contact and attention, such as public restrooms and newspaper vending machines. In fact, voice messages can be enhanced by simultaneous print messages. While printed advertisements can be found anywhere, including restrooms, they are not necessarily read. One approach to more effectively reach recipients is to trigger voice messages by the use of common appliances and devices. A device and/or system that incorporate voice technology into appliances that people are sure to use would be well received. 
     The references found disclose several methods and/or devices that attempt to deliver messages to recipients via an audio announcer. However, none of the known devices address and resolve the foregoing as contemplated by the instant invention. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,291,342 discloses a talking mailbox structure and a method to play a changeable pre-recorded message when the user opens the mailbox. U.S. Pat. No. 3,825,947 discloses a device for providing a commercial announcement at a point of sale in a retail outlet or other public or semi public location. U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,098 discloses a device that provides audio advertisements at a point of purchase. U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,495 discloses a toilet training device for children that audibly announces an incentive to a child when the child pulls toilet paper from the dispenser. U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,201 discloses a device that dispenses chemicals or personal care chemicals and provides a message prompted by a push button or motion sensor. A remote sensor can detect use of a urinal, toilet or bathroom sink. U.S. Pat. No. 5,532,680 discloses an automatic message playback system that is triggered based upon a motion sensor. Upon sensing a person, a pre-recorded audio message is delivered to the individual passing by the sensor. U.K. published patent document 2,224,922A discloses a waste receptacle that delivers an audio message to the user when a micro switch closes based upon movement of the hinged flap closure of the waste receptacle. 
     Although several references were found for audio announcers triggered by various sensors, none of the references found disclose an audio announcer in combination and triggered by the use of a paper dispenser, such as a paper towel dispenser or newspaper vending machine, as contemplated by the instant invention. The prior art is limited to motion sensors that trigger either a message or faucet-like device. Such devices can be triggered by a person passing by without ever receiving the person&#39;s attention. Therefore, there exists a need for an audio announcer that can trigger and deliver voice messages, and possibly with a printed message, upon usage of a paper dispenser. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the foregoing, it is a primary object of the instant invention to provide a message delivery device and system that improves marketing and public relations effectiveness by delivering targeted audio messages to recipients when they use paper dispensers or similar dispensers. 
     It is another object of the instant invention to provide a message delivery device and system that delivers at least one audio message when a recipient dispenses paper from a paper dispenser. 
     It is still another object of the instant invention to provide a message delivery device and system that can store and play a plurality of audio messages. 
     It is a further object of the instant invention to provide a message delivery device and system that can alter or replace audio messages via radio frequency or hard-wired interface. 
     It is a still further object of the instant invention to provide a message delivery device and system that reinforces audio messages with an imprint on the paper as it is dispensed and a means to modify the imprinted message. 
     It is an object of the preferred embodiment of the instant invention to play audio messages upon using a paper towel dispenser. 
     It is an object of an alternate embodiment of the invention to deliver audio messages upon usage of a newspaper vending machine. 
     In light of these and other objects, the instant invention comprises a housing, a lever, an annunciator circuit with memory, a speaker and an audio message that work together to deliver audio messages to recipients upon activating the lever. The invention may also include a roller having raised letters for embossing or imprinting paper towel with messages. The external housing comprises a cover, a lever and an opening through which paper towels are dispensed from the apparatus. The cover can be opened via a hinge to reveal a roll of paper towels held in place between two end caps, one of which is attached to the lever, and an audio annunciator that delivers at least one audio message when the lever is pulled. The annunciator circuit includes a programmable chip for holding audio messages and sensors which trigger the playing of messages when paper is dispensed. 
     The audio annunciator comprises a sensor switch, timer, battery, microprocessor, memory, and a speaker. The sensor/switch preferably comprises magnetic contacts that come together to connect the circuit to power when the lever is depressed. The switch closes an electrical circuit that also activates a timer. The timer provides power to a microprocessor for a length of time necessary to play back one recorded message. When the microprocessor receives power, it retrieves a message digitally recorded in memory, converts it from a digital to analog signal, and passes it to a speaker so that the message may be audibly received by the person who pressed the lever. 
     In an alternate emodiment, the invention may imprint or emboss paper towels with messages when paper is dispensed. Upon depression of the lever by the user of the paper towel dispenser, a row of teeth on the end cap contacts a gear assembly that drives a pair of rollers. This causes the rollers to rotate and pull a segment of paper from the roll out through the opening in the dispenser. One of the rollers may have raised lettering or other indicia so that when the paper is dispensed, it is imprinted with a message that may complement the audio message. Once the paper is dispensed and the lever is released, a spring pulls the lever to its original resting position. 
     Another embodiment of the instant invention is adapted for a flat-sheet paper towel dispenser wherein the audio annunciator is triggered by a mechanical switch that senses when a paper towel is removed or being removed. Another embodiment of the instant invention is adapted for a newspaper vending machine whereby the audio annunciator is played when a switch is triggered by the opening of the door. 
    
    
     In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of instant invention with its cover closed. 
     FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the instant invention with its cover open illustrating the relationship between the paper towel and message delivery device. 
     FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the instant invention with its cover open and paper towel assembly removed to illustrate the message delivery device and system. 
     FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the instant invention with the cover opened showing the lever, roller, paper towel, and electrical assemblies. 
     FIG. 5 is a cut away side elevational side view of the instant invention showing the lever at a first resting position and the orientation of the switch contacts. 
     FIG. 6 is a cut away side elevational view of the instant invention showing the lever at a second depressed position and the switch contacts closed. 
     FIG. 7 is a circuit block diagram depicting the components of the audio annunciator circuit. 
     FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the instant invention adapted for a flat sheet paper towel dispenser. 
     FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the instant invention adapted for a newspaper vending machine. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to the drawings, FIGS. 1-9 depict the preferred and alternate embodiments of the instant invention which is referenced as a message delivery device and/or system and by numeric character  10 . Referring to FIG. 1, the invention  10  comprises an external housing with a cover  3 , a lever  12 , and an opening  14  through which paper is dispensed from the housing  11 . Referring to FIGS. 2-5, the cover  3  is pivotally secured tot he housing  11  by a hinge  20  for opening to gain access to a roll of paper towels  22  held in place between two end caps  24  and  26 . The end cap  24  is attached to the lever  12 . The lever  12  activates between a first position and a second position when pulled and returns to the first position when released by virtue of a spring  68  that is fixed to the housing at one end and secured to the lever chassis at the other end. When the lever  12  is pulled, paper  66  is fed through rollers  62  and  64  and switch contacts  72  and  70  are brought together. The audio annunciator  28  is secured inside the housing  11  and is electrically coupled to the switch contacts  72 ,  70 . The rollers  62  and  64  may be adapted to place a message on the paper when the lever is pulled. The switch contacts  72 ,  70  come together and electrically close the annunciator circuit when the lever is pulled carrying at least one message to play. 
     Referring to FIGS. 4-6, upon depression of the lever  12  by the user, a row of gear teeth  60  contact a gear assembly  60  that drives a pair of rollers  62  and  64 . This causes the rollers to rotate and pull a segment of paper  66  from the roll  22  out through the opening in the dispenser  14 . One of the rollers  64  may have raised lettering or other indicia  50  so that when the paper is dispensed  66 , it is imprinted or embossed with a message that may complement the audio message emanating from the audio annunciator  28 . Once the paper is dispensed and the lever  12  is released, a spring  68  pulls the lever to its original resting position, i.e. first position. 
     Referring to FIGS. 5-7, a first switch contact  70  is attached to the lever chasiss on arm  12   a  so that when the lever  12  is activated, the switch contact  70  moves within close proximity to the second magnetic switch contact  72 . The switch contacts  70 , 72  comprise magnetic contacts that create a switch and close the annunciator circuit  29  to apply power, such as battery power  82 , to the annunciator  28 . Other switches may be employed with the instant invention  10 , such as limit switches, toggle switches and push button switches. The alternate switches must be secured in the housing  11  and to the lever chassis arm  12   a  in functional alignment. With reference to FIG. 7, the annunciator circuit  29  comprises the switch contacts  70 ,  72 , timer (or/off)  80 , battery  82  and a microprocessor based audio receiver  84  comprising memory  85  with recorded speech, D/A converter  86 , RF input  88 , hand wire input  89  and speaker outlet. The speaker  87  is electrically connected to the annunciator  28  and projects the recorded message. The switch  70 ,  72  closes the anunciator circuit  28  via a wire connection  74  to the audio annunciator unit  28  and, simultaneously, activates the timer  80 . The timer  80  provides power via the battery  82  to the microprocessor  84  for a predetermined length of time necessary to play back at least one recorded message. The timer  80  reopens the circuit to remove power after the predetermined period of time and shuts itself off until it is triggered again via the lever  12  and switch  72 . 
     When the microprocessor  84  receives power, it selects either randomly or sequentially one of the messages digitally recorded in memory  85 . The microprocessor  84  then retrieves the digitally recorded message from memory  85 , converts it to an analog signal via the digital-to-analog converter  88 , and passes it to the speaker  87  so that the message may be audibly received by the person who pressed the lever. The set of messages digitally recorded in memory  85  may be altered or replaced via a radio frequency transmitter device or system  88  or hard-wired  89  interface. The messages may be played randomly or in sequential order. 
     In an alternative emodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the invention may be modified to assume the form of a flat sheet paper towel dispenser. A mechanical or infrared switch  90  senses when a user pulls a paper towel sheet  92  from the opening  94 . This switch closes the annunciator circuit  29  via a wire connection  96  to an audio annunciator  28  in the form previously described. Referring to FIG. 10, another alternative embodiment could take the form of a newspaper vending machine. When a user opens the door  102  to retrieve a newspaper or other items, a first switch contact  104  is separated from a second switch contact  100 , in a normally open switch relay configuration, such that a relay (not shown) such as a selenoid relay is closed connecting the battery power  82  to the microprocessor  84 , as above described. This opens an electrical circuit via a wire connection  106  to an audio annunciator  28  in the form previously described. The switch employed may comprise an infrared, a mechanical switch, or a magnetic switch as previously described. 
     In another embodiment, the instant invention  10  may include detachable coupons on the paper or paper dispenser that are accessed when paper is removed. The coupons may be attached through perforations to the paper at the top, bottom or side, or may comprise individual sheets dispensed with the paper. 
     The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious structural and/or functional modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Technology Category: 3