Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the prior filed, co-pending provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/758,518, filed Jan. 12, 2006 and Ser. No. 60/760,725, filed Jan. 20, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to gift cards and more particularly to a device for holding and displaying gift cards while providing indicia and/or audio recordings selected or provided by the purchaser to personalize the gift. 
         [0003]    Commercial transaction cards, or gift cards as they are commonly called based on their typical intended use, have become popular gifts. Gift cards comprised approximately 11% of the holiday expenditures for the 2005 holiday season. Most gift cards have a size and shape similar to that of credit cards and may use a similar magnetic strip technology to store data. While popular, gift cards are typically provided with a generic and impersonal design, typically identifying the associated merchant for which the card may be used to purchase merchandise, and therefore are not personalized in view of the intended recipient. 
         [0004]    Devices for recording, storing and playing back audio have been associated with greeting cards and the like, such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,577,018, 5,652,606 and 6,845,583. The audio circuitry typically includes a speaker that also functions as a microphone when recording a message, a control circuit, a memory circuit or chip to provide random access memory for electronically storing sound recordings, one or more switches, batteries to provide power to the device, and associated wiring and mounting hardware. 
         [0005]    What is needed is a gift card holder adapted to securely hold and display a generic gift card to thereby personalize the gift to the recipient, either through selection among gift card holders having pre-designed indicia or pre-recorded audio of interest or entertainment to the recipient, or through provision of audio recorded by, and/or indicia selected by, the gift giver. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    An embodiment of the invention comprises a gift card holder including a housing that may bear indicia or decorations, a slot for inserting a gift card into the holder, a window for displaying the gift card, circuitry for recording and/or playing sound such as music and/or a message from the gift giver, a sound speaker, a power source such as one or more commonly available watch batteries, and record and playback buttons or switches. Typically, the holder is sold to the gift giving consumer secured within packaging including clear wrap, a cardboard backing board and a hang tag or label. The holder may be sold with the gift card pre-installed within the slot but more typically would be sold separately from the gift card so that any holder could be combined with any commonly sized gift card. 
         [0007]    Other advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a gift card holder. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a gift card partially inserted into the gift card holder of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an exploded, perspective view of the gift card holder of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a gift card holder having a single button for initiating record and playback functions. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a gift card partially inserted into the gift card holder of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is an exploded, perspective view of the gift card holder of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a gift card holder having multiple play buttons. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a gift card partially inserted into the gift card holder of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is an exploded, perspective view of the gift card holder of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a gift card holder fitted with feet to stand the holder in an upright position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of certain elements associated with the back housing of the gift card holder of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a view of major electrical components of the gift card holder  FIG. 10 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a schematic showing the interrelation of major electrical circuit components of a gift card holder having multiple pre-recorded audio segments or recordings. 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a view of major electrical components of an alternative embodiment of a gift card holder. 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a schematic showing the interrelation of major electrical circuit components of a gift card holder having record and play functions or modalities. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , a gift card holder  1  includes a housing  2  with a central opening  15  therethrough. The housing  2  includes a front housing  5  and a back housing  10 , which are typically formed of molded plastic. The front housing  5  and back housing  10  are generally symmetrical to one another in overall size and shape and cooperate when attached to one another to form an enclosure. The opening  15  and the housings  5  and  10  cooperate to form a frame for receiving and holding a gift card  20 . A gift card  20  typically bears unique indicia and/or magnetically recorded information that allows the bearer to make purchases against a determined cash balance associated with the card. 
         [0025]    A slot  40  is provided in a side of the housing  2  allowing the gift card  20  to be slid between the front housing  5  and back housing  10  for display within the central opening  15 . The housing may include retaining clips  45  that project inward from the front housing  5  and back housing  10  at the margins of the central opening  15  to further secure the gift card  20  when inserted into the holder  1 . 
         [0026]    The holder  1  includes an acoustic speaker  25  for recording and playing back sound and a record button  30  attached to digital recording circuitry  27  within the housing  2 . When the record button  30  is pressed a user may record an audible message by speaking into the speaker  25 . The holder  1  further includes a playback button  35 , also attached to circuitry  27  within the housing  2 , that when pressed causes the recorded message to be retrieved from digital memory and played over the speaker  25 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  illustrates the holder  1  in perspective view with major parts exploded from one another to show internal details and to indicate general assembly of the holder  1 . Looking at the holder  1  in more detail and referring to  FIG. 3 , the back housing  10  comprises a relatively flat rectangular structure having generally elongated top and bottom sides  50  and  55 , respectively, and relatively shorter left and right sides  60  and  65 , respectively. Typically, the ratio of the length of the top  50  and bottom  55  sides to the left  60  and right  65  sides is similar to the ratio of the length of the longer sides of a gift card  20  to the shorter sides thereof. 
         [0028]    The back housing  10  includes a central opening  15   a  which forms a rearward portion of the opening  15  in the housing  2 . Retaining clips  45  project inward from the central opening  15   a . The back housing  10  is provided with screw bosses  67  with screw holes  70  for receiving screws (not shown) passed through holes  75  in an associated circuit board  80  in order mount the circuit board  80  on the inward face  85  of the back housing  10 . As illustrated, the screw bosses  67  project forward, and inward, from the face  85  of the back housing  10 . A generally cylindrical speaker housing  90  also projects forward from the face  85  to receive the speaker  25  during assembly. The back housing  10  includes a battery retaining assembly  95  that is attached to a battery compartment door  100 . Batteries  105 , typically watch type batteries, are held within the battery retaining assembly  95  which typically comprises metal clips that connect one battery  105  to another in a manner appropriate to deliver the voltage and amperage required by the circuit  110 . The battery compartment door  100  includes screw holes  115  for receiving screws (not shown) that are passed through the holes  115  from the back of the housing  10  and into screw receiving holes in bosses (not shown) projecting rearward from the front housing  5 . Wires  120  run from the battery retaining assembly  95  to battery connection points  125  on the circuit board  80 . 
         [0029]    The circuit board  80  is generally rectangular with similar dimensions to the front  5  and back  10  housings, but of somewhat reduced size to fit within the housing  2 . The circuit board  80  also has a central opening  15   b . The central opening  15   b  is of similar dimensions to the openings  15   a  and  15   c  of the back  10  and front  5  housings, and may be of somewhat larger dimensions to ensure that the margins of the opening  15   b  are not readily viewed once the device  1  is assembled. The circuit board  80  is formed of materials commonly used for such purpose in the prior art, typically a thermally stable non-conductive material such as thermoset plastic or epoxy-fiberglass laminate. A notch  82  in the upper portion of the circuit board  80  provides space for the batteries  95  once the holder  1  is assembled. A relatively large hole  87  in the upper right portion of the circuit board  80  is provided to allow the rearward portion of the speaker to  25  to pass through the circuit board  80  to engage the speaker housing  90 . 
         [0030]    The digital recording circuit  110  is attached to the circuit board  80  and includes battery connections  125  and switch circuitry  130   a  and  130   b  associated with the playback and record buttons  35  and  30 , respectively. The switch circuitry  130   a  and  130   b  typically includes pressure sensitive devices such as pressure sensitive switches. The circuit  110  also includes speaker attachment connections  135  for connection to electrical wires  140  projecting from the speaker  25 . Typically, the wires  140  conduct electricity to a coil within the speaker  25 . The circuit board  80  allows for the provision of the central opening  15   b  by disposing circuitry  110  near the periphery of the circuit board  80 , between the margins of the central opening  15   b  and the outer edges of the circuit board  80 . Other components (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) of circuit  110  typically include a memory chip and a processor, which are typically located within an integrated circuit  520  (see  FIG. 15 ) and/or upon a control board  475  (see  FIGS. 12 and 14 ). The memory chip may include volatile random access memory (RAM), non-volatile memory such as Flash memory, or any other small, electronic memory component suitable for electrically storing recorded audio. An example of appropriate prior art circuitry of the type that may be adapted for use with this device  1  includes a digital recording unit sold by Radio Shack, part no. 276-1323. 
         [0031]    The front housing  5  has a general shape similar to that of the back housing  10 , including elongated top  150  and bottom  155  sides and relatively shorter left  160  and right  165  sides. A central opening  15   c  forms a forward part of the opening  15  and is typically of the same dimensions as the central opening  15   a  of the back housing  10 . The front housing  5  includes gift card retaining clips  45  projecting inward from the margins of the central opening  15   c . The retaining clips  45  of the front and back housings  5  and  10  are positioned so that each clip  45  on the back housing  10  is directly opposed by a corresponding, cooperating clip  45  on the front housing  5 . Pairs of clips  45  cooperate to hold a gift card  20  securely within the holder  1  by applying light pressure against the card  20  when the card  20  is inserted into the housing  2  and between such cooperating pairs of clips  45 . 
         [0032]    Cooperating clips  45  form a functional pair and are positioned to one another such that the space or gap between the clips  45  is of a distance slightly smaller in dimension than the thickness of a typical gift card  20 . When the gift card  20  is inserted into the housing  2 , therefore, the cooperating pairs of clips  45  are slightly spread apart from one another by the interposition of the card  20 . The clips  45 , being formed of flexible, resilient material such as plastic, and typically molded contiguously with their associated housing  5  or  10 , are able to flex outward to accommodate the card  20  but in doing so apply pressure against the card  20  sufficient to hold the card  20  in place within the holder  1 . 
         [0033]    A speaker opening or openings  170  extend through the front housing  5  to allow sound produced by the speaker  25  to be readily heard outside the housing  2 . The front housing  5  also includes openings  175  and  180  for receiving the record and playback buttons  30  and  35  respectively. Labels proximate to the openings  175  and  180  identify the record and playback buttons as do indicia on the buttons  30  and  35 . 
         [0034]    The front and back housings  5  and  10  have recessed portions or areas of relief  190  and  185  on the left sides  60  and  65 , respectively, that form the gift card slot  40  when the front housing  5  and back housing  10  are attached to one another during assembly of the holder  1 . The front  5  and back  10  housings may be provided with mechanical features, common in the art, to allow them to snap together securely, or are heat welded or joined to one another with adhesive.  FIG. 2  illustrates a holder  1  wherein a gift card  20  is partially inserted into the slot  40  so that a portion of the gift card  20  is viewable within the central opening  15 . 
         [0035]    The holder  1  may include decorations, such as a decal  200  (see  FIG. 3 ), that may be applied to either of the housings  5  or  10  by adhesion or other methods. The decoration  200  may include various materials such as artwork stickers, decorative plastic, vinyl, photographic artwork, plush material, feathers, mirror-like surfaces, glitter, metallic coating, faux fur, lenticular artwork, and/or holographic artwork. As illustrated, the decal  200  includes a generally rectangular body  202  having various apertures including a central opening  15   d , a semicircular opening  205  adapted to surround the speaker opening  170 , and holes  210  and  215  to allow the user to contact the record  30  and playback  35  buttons. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 4 through 6  illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention including a holder  300  having a single button  305  utilized for initiating both record and playback functions in appropriately modified circuitry  310 . Elements having substantial structural commonality with those of the holder  1  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3  are identified using the same numbering as used in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . Elements that include notable changes in structure from that of the previously described holder  1  have been renumbered. 
         [0037]    The record/playback button  305  of the holder  300  protrudes through an aperture  312  in the front housing  315 . Typically, a label  320  indicating the functionality of the button  305  is provided on the front housing  315  in proximity to the button  305 . Record/playback switch circuitry  325  typically includes a pressure sensitive device such as a pressure sensitive switch capable either mechanically, or through associated circuitry, to distinguish between a record mode and a playback mode. Typically, the playback mode is initiated by pressing the button  305  for a relatively short period of time (e.g. less than 2 seconds), the playback mode causing the circuitry  310  of the holder  300  to access recorded sound from memory and play such sound over the speaker  25 . A record mode is typically initiated by pressing the button  305  for a period of time of longer duration than that associated with the playback mode (e.g. greater than 2 seconds), the record mode causing sound received by the speaker  25  to be read into memory by the circuitry  310 . Alternatively, sound may be read into memory from a source other than the speaker, as may be case if storage of a pre-recorded message in memory is performed prior to commercial distribution of the holder  300 . A decoration  200 , such as a decal applied to the front housing  315 , may be readily modified to omit one of the openings  210 ,  215  as only one opening is needed if only one button is used for both playback and record functions. For example, the record button opening  210 , if properly positioned, may suffice to allow user access to the record/playback button  305 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 7 through 9  illustrate a further alternative embodiment of the invention including a holder  350  having a plurality of buttons  360   a  through  360   d  (referred to collectively by reference number  360 ) for initiating playback functions in appropriately modified circuitry  311  (see  FIG. 9 ). Elements having substantial structural commonality with those of the holder  1  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3  are identified using the same numbering as is used in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . Elements that include notable changes in structure from that of the previously described holder  1  have been renumbered. 
         [0039]    The holder  350  includes a back housing  370  that is substantially similar to the previously described back housing  10  with changes including positioning of the battery retaining assembly  95 , battery compartment door  100 , and batteries  105  proximate to the bottom side  55  of the holder  350  in order to provide room within the holder for the play buttons  360  and associated switch circuitry (switches)  380   a  through  380   d . In order to accommodate the batteries  105 , the notch  385  in the circuit board  390  is located in the lower portion of the circuit board. Openings  395   a  through  395   d  are provided in the front housing  400  to align with the buttons  360  and switches  380   a  through  380   d . A decoration  410 , such as a decal applied to the front housing  400  provides openings  415   a  through  415   d  to allow user access to the play buttons  360 . 
         [0040]    In use, the holder  350  is provided to the end user with multiple prerecorded sounds or messages stored in memory such that the user may selectively listen to a message by pressing the corresponding button  360 . For example, a user pressing button  360   a  activates switch  380   a  causing a sound or message of predetermined duration to be retrieved from memory and played through the speaker  25 . Pressing button  360   b  activates switch  380   b  causing another sound or message to be retrieved from memory and played. The messages corresponding to each button  360  may also correspond to images provided on the holder  350 , such as those of popular characters. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate an embodiment of a gift card holder  420  similar to the holder  350  shown in  FIGS. 7 through 9 . In addition to the front housing  400 , back housing  370 , central opening  15 , speaker openings  170 , and buttons  360 , the holder  420  includes legs or feet  425 . The feet  425  may take a variety of shapes but typically include a relatively planar bottom surface  427  for supporting the holder  420  upon a support surface such as a table or desk (not shown) when the holder  420  is placed in an upright position upon the support surface. As shown in  FIG. 11 , posts  430  project from a surface of a foot  425  opposite to the bottom surface  427 . The posts  430  are sized to fit snugly within holes  432  in an edge or side of the holder  420 , which is shown as being the left side  60  but could also be the right side  65 , bottom side  55 , or top side  50 . It should be appreciated that the holder  420  will typically be rotated so that the side that bears the feet  425  is facing downward to place the feet  425  against the support surface. 
         [0042]    The holder  420  includes pressure clips  435  for retaining the card  20  within the slot  40 . The pressure clips  435  include a head  437  for bearing against a surface to be held in a static position (such as a gift card  20 ), a shaft  440  extending from the head  437  for receiving a spring  442 , and a stop flange  445  transverse to the shaft  440  for limiting travel of the clip  435  along the longitudinal axis of the shaft  440 . The shaft  440  is received within a cradle  450  projecting from the inner face  372  of the back housing  370 . A cradle  450  includes an inward arm  452  and an outward arm  455  that are sized and shaped to receive and hold the shaft  440 . The inward arm  452  is adapted to hold the portion of the shaft  440  intermediate to the head  437  and stop flange  445  while allowing some movement of the shaft  440  relative to the arm  452 . The outward arm  455  is adapted to hold the shaft  440  and associated spring  442  so that the spring  442  is disposed between the arms and may be compressed against the outward arm  455 . Once a clip  435  is properly set within a cradle  450 , a press plate  457  is snapped onto the cradle  450  to hold the clip  435  within the cradle  450 , while still allowing the shaft  440  to move as described above. 
         [0043]    When a gift card  20  is inserted into the slot  40 , it presses lightly against the clips  435 . The head  437  of each clip  435  is thereby pushed outward by the card  20 , compressing the spring  442 . The compressed spring  442  exerts a force upon the clip  435  causing the head  437  to press against the card  20 , thereby increasing friction between the head  437  and the card  20  sufficient to hold the card  20  within the slot  40 . In this manner, the card  20  may be removably, but securely, installed within the holder  420 . 
         [0044]    The door  100  is attached to the back housing  370  in a similar manner using clips  460  with pointed or arrow-shaped heads  462 . When the door  100  is pressed into place within a similarly-sized aperture in the back housing  370 , clips  460  frictionally and mechanically engage notches  465  in the door  100  such that the tips of the heads  462  fit into the similarly-sized notches  465 . The door  100  is sized, shaped and positioned to cover a battery retaining assembly  95  within the holder  420 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 12  illustrates major electrical components of holder  420  including a button switch plate  470 . The button switch plate  470  includes small switches  491 ,  492 ,  493 , and  494 , each one activated by its respectively associated button  360 . A main control circuit board  475  receives inputs from the switch plate  470  via wires  471  and activates memory segments associated with the buttons  360 . A memory chip and associated circuitry is mounted on the board  475 . A speaker  25  is attached to the control board  475  via wires  140  for receiving electrical signals from a selected memory segment and converting the signals to sound. Batteries  105  held within a battery retaining assembly  95  provide electrical power via wires  120  to the aforementioned electrical components. 
         [0046]      FIG. 13  is a diagrammatical schematic of the electrical components (circuitry or circuit  421 ) of holder  420  (see  FIG. 12 ). In the present embodiment, the power source  105  for providing electrical power to the circuit  421  comprises three 1.5 volt button cell batteries arranged in series to deliver 4.5 volts (4.5V), 70 milliamperes (70 mA). A memory chip  480  for storing and accessing audio recordings (the memory chip  480  is mounted on the control board  475  shown in  FIG. 12 ).  FIG. 13  also shows switches  491 ,  492 ,  493 ,  494  for selecting audio playback from a particular memory storage segment within the chip  480 , and a speaker  25  for converting electrical signals, delivered through memory chip output terminals  495  and  496 , to audible sound waves. The memory chip  480  may comprise an integrated circuit (IC) with electronic memory storage segments and associated processing circuitry. IC  480  inputs  481 ,  482 ,  483 ,  484  are in electrical communication with switches  491 ,  492 ,  493 ,  494  on the switch plate  470 , and in further electrical communication with memory segments internal to the IC  480 . IC  480  power inputs VDD  485  and VDD 1   486  are in electrical communication with the positive pole of the battery assembly  105 . IC  480  power inputs GND  488  and GND 1   489  are in electrical communication with the negative or ground pole of the battery assembly  105 . Input OSC  487  is in electrical communication with an oscillator circuit internal to the IC  480 . A resistor RI is connected to input  487  to determine the oscillation frequency of the oscillator circuit so that the IC  480  functions properly. In the present embodiment, a 330 kilo-ohm (K) resistor has been selected for RI. 
         [0047]      FIG. 14  is an illustration showing major electrical components of an alternative embodiment of holder  300  having record and play functions or modes. In addition to components illustrated in  FIG. 13 , this embodiment includes a slide switch  500  connected to the control board  475  for selecting between a first mode and a second mode, in the present embodiment, a record mode and play mode, respectively. The slide switch  500  has a first position for selecting the first mode and a second position for selecting the second mode. A third position of the switch  500  may be included to provide a third mode in which electrical current is disconnected from the circuit, i.e. an off mode. 
         [0048]    A microphone  505  is connected to the control board  475  for receiving sound waves to be recorded and for generating corresponding electrical signals that are stored in control board  475  memory. The microphone  505  is activated by sliding the slide switch  500  to a position corresponding to the record mode. When switch  500  is placed in record mode, pressing button  360  initiates recording through microphone  505 . When switch  500  is placed in play mode, pressing button  360  will initiate play back of the last recorded message through the speaker  25 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 15  is a diagrammatical schematic of the electrical components of  FIG. 14  including a battery power source  105  (three button cell batteries delivering approximately 4.5V, 70 mA), an integrated circuit (IC)  520  including a memory chip for storing and accessing audio recordings, a button  360  for engaging a switch plate  470  thereby forming a switching mechanism for initiating playback of audio stored in the IC  520  through a speaker  25 , and a mode selection switch  500  for selecting between activation of IC  520  playback and record modes. When the mode selection switch  500  is placed in playback mode and button  360  is activated (e.g. pushed), electrical audio signals are transmitted from a memory storage segment within the IC  520  to speaker output terminals  530  and  532  and then to the speaker  25 . The speaker  25  converts the electrical signals to audible sound waves. IC terminal REC  534  is activated when switch  500  is placed in record mode and button  360  is activated. IC terminal PLAYE  536  is activated when switch  500  is placed in playback mode and button  360  is activated. Upon activation of terminal  534 , recording begins and audio is recorded through the microphone  505  and stored electronically in the IC  520 . The microphone receives electrical power through IC terminals  538  and  540 . Electrical power is provided to the IC  520  through positive terminals  550  and negative terminals  560 . ROSC  570  is a terminal in electrical communication with the oscillator circuit within the IC  520 . 
         [0050]    The gift card holder  1 , in any of the disclosed embodiments, is typically sold secured within packaging including clear wrap, a cardboard backing board and a hang tag or label. The holder  1  may be sold with the gift card  20  pre-installed within the slot  40  but more typically would be sold separately from the gift card  20  so that a holder  1  could be used with any commonly sized gift card  20 . 
         [0051]    It is to be understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto. For example, it is foreseen that the holder  1  may be constructed with housing  5 ,  10  and central opening  15  configurations other than rectangular, and that the slot  40  may be provided in other locations on the holder such as in the top or bottom side of the holder  1 . The speaker  25  may comprise any appropriately constructed electromechanical transducer that converts an electrical signal into sound. The speaker  25  typically comprises a structure adapted for generating sound waves in accordance with a recorded audio segment, such as an acoustic speaker, piezoelectric buzzer, or equivalent device. The microphone  505  may comprise any of the following microphone types including condenser or capacitor microphone, electret condenser microphone, dynamic microphone, carbon microphone, or piezoelectric microphone. In addition, a conventional speaker, constructed much like a dynamic microphone with a diaphragm, coil and magnet, may be used both as a speaker  25  for the holder  1  and as a microphone for recording sound. It is further foreseen that the holder  1  may be constructed omitting the sound playback and recording features, including associated circuitry, so that its primary function is to serve as a decorative gift card display device and holder.

Technology Category: g