WO1996002047A1 - Audible trading card - Google Patents

Audible trading card Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1996002047A1
WO1996002047A1 PCT/US1995/008650 US9508650W WO9602047A1 WO 1996002047 A1 WO1996002047 A1 WO 1996002047A1 US 9508650 W US9508650 W US 9508650W WO 9602047 A1 WO9602047 A1 WO 9602047A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
trading card
audible
card according
housing
playing
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1995/008650
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
William C. Pilipchuk
Susan M. Pilipchuk
Charles E. Duquet
Original Assignee
The Thing Tank
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by The Thing Tank filed Critical The Thing Tank
Priority to AU29681/95A priority Critical patent/AU2968195A/en
Publication of WO1996002047A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996002047A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D15/00—Printed matter of special format or style not otherwise provided for
    • B42D15/02—Postcards; Greeting, menu, business or like cards; Letter cards or letter-sheets
    • B42D15/022—Postcards; Greeting, menu, business or like cards; Letter cards or letter-sheets combined with permanently fastened sound-producing or light-emitting means or carrying sound records
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B31/00—Arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B33/00—Constructional parts, details or accessories not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
    • G11B33/02—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon
    • G11B33/04—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers
    • G11B33/0405—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers for storing discs
    • G11B33/0411—Single disc boxes
    • G11B33/0416—Single disc boxes for disc cartridges
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B33/00—Constructional parts, details or accessories not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
    • G11B33/02—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon
    • G11B33/04—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers
    • G11B33/0405—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers for storing discs
    • G11B33/0488—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers for storing discs in boxes or containers comprising additional sound reproducing or activating means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to trading cards such as baseball, football, basketball or the like and, more particularly, to trading cards which generate an audible highlight of the player depicted on the trading card.
  • Trading cards and particularly baseball trading cards date back to the late 1800's when trading cards accompanied tobacco products. Through the years, trading cards have been sold with chewing gum. However, as the number of collectors and the demand has increased, trading cards are separately packaged and sold by themselves. A number of traders and dealers exists which sell individual cards of various players of specific years. Thus, there is a demand for trading cards and also for new ways of promoting them.
  • a trading card being a rectangular paperboard sheet
  • Various attempts have been made at altering this format, all with varied success.
  • Different types of holographic or three dimensional cards have been manufactured in the past.
  • attempts have been made to have a card which is passed through a card reading machine which provides audible statistics of the player on the card.
  • trading card enthusiasts and collector returns to the paperboard trading cards.
  • trading cards have not changed much, other than from engraved printed cards to color photographs cards, over the years.
  • the present invention provides the art with a new trading card.
  • the present invention provides a trading card which emits an audible voice of a career highlight of the depicted player.
  • the present invention enables the user to actively interface with the card by pressing a switch so that he can listen to a fantastic moment. While the present invention provides the collector with the usual information, it presents it in a high technology manner.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trading card in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG 2 is an exploded view of the trading card of Figure 1.
  • the trading card 10 includes a front sheet 12, a housing 14 and a rear sheet 16.
  • the front sheet 12 may be a film or the like or it may be a paperboard card.
  • the front sheet 12 includes an image such as a photograph of a player 20.
  • a membrane switch 22 is unitarily formed at a bottom corner of the sheet 12.
  • the switch 22 may be outlined and include an icon representative of the sport of the player shown on the card. Such icons may be a baseball, football, basketball, golf ball or club, or hockey stick or puck. .Also, a non-membrane switch, which may be spring loaded or may be of a touch switch type version, may be substituted for the membrane switch.
  • the housing 14 has an overall rectangular shape with longitudinal side edges 24, 26 and lateral side edges 28 and 30.
  • the housing includes an internal wall 32 which divides and separates the housing into receiving areas for various components.
  • the housing area 36 houses the battery pack 38.
  • the battery pack 38 is coupled on a pull out tray 39 to enable replacement of the batteries 41.
  • Detentes 43 on the tray 39 or housing hold the tray within grooves 45 of the housing.
  • the housing area 40 houses the portion of the switch 43 which is connected with the circuit board 44.
  • the housing also includes a speaker portion 46 which houses the speaker 48.
  • the speaker 48 includes leads 49 which electrically couple the speaker with the circuit board 44, which in turn is electrically coupled to the switch, which in turn is electrically coupled with the battery pack 38.
  • the circuit board 44 includes voice synthesized chips which store an audible voice of one or more highlight events associated with the career of the image 20 on the front sheet 12.
  • the switch 43 is activated via pressing the switch 22, which causes the audible voice to be played through the speaker 48.
  • the rear sheet 16 is secured to the bottom of the housing 14.
  • the rear sheet 16 includes indicia 60 such as statistics or the like of the player's career, thus providing the trading card 10 with the overall appearance of a traditional trading card.

Abstract

A trading card (10) has a housing (14) and an image displayed on one of the housing surfaces. A switch (22) is on the housing which, when activated, activates a mechanism for storing and playing a recording of an event associated with the image through a speaker (48) in the housing which provides an audible sound recording of an event associated with the image.

Description

AUDIBLE TRADING CARD
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to trading cards such as baseball, football, basketball or the like and, more particularly, to trading cards which generate an audible highlight of the player depicted on the trading card.
Trading cards and particularly baseball trading cards, date back to the late 1800's when trading cards accompanied tobacco products. Through the years, trading cards have been sold with chewing gum. However, as the number of collectors and the demand has increased, trading cards are separately packaged and sold by themselves. A number of traders and dealers exists which sell individual cards of various players of specific years. Thus, there is a demand for trading cards and also for new ways of promoting them.
Ordinarily, a trading card, being a rectangular paperboard sheet, has a picture of the player on the front and his statistics on the back of the card. Various attempts have been made at altering this format, all with varied success. Different types of holographic or three dimensional cards have been manufactured in the past. Also, attempts have been made to have a card which is passed through a card reading machine which provides audible statistics of the player on the card. However, it appears that trading card enthusiasts and collector returns to the paperboard trading cards. Thus, trading cards have not changed much, other than from engraved printed cards to color photographs cards, over the years.
Due to the stagnant state of the trading card field, which has exhibited little, if any, chang*. over the years, there is a need to stimulate the trading card enthusiast and provide him with more variety. The present invention provides the art with a new trading card. The present invention provides a trading card which emits an audible voice of a career highlight of the depicted player. The present invention enables the user to actively interface with the card by pressing a switch so that he can listen to a fantastic moment. While the present invention provides the collector with the usual information, it presents it in a high technology manner.
From the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and subjoined claims, other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a trading card in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the trading card of Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning to the figures, particularly Figure 1, a trading card is illustrated and designated with the reference numeral 10. The trading card 10 includes a front sheet 12, a housing 14 and a rear sheet 16.
The front sheet 12 may be a film or the like or it may be a paperboard card. The front sheet 12 includes an image such as a photograph of a player 20. Also, if the front sheet 12 is a membrane film, a membrane switch 22 is unitarily formed at a bottom corner of the sheet 12. The switch 22 may be outlined and include an icon representative of the sport of the player shown on the card. Such icons may be a baseball, football, basketball, golf ball or club, or hockey stick or puck. .Also, a non-membrane switch, which may be spring loaded or may be of a touch switch type version, may be substituted for the membrane switch. The housing 14 has an overall rectangular shape with longitudinal side edges 24, 26 and lateral side edges 28 and 30. The housing includes an internal wall 32 which divides and separates the housing into receiving areas for various components. The housing area 36 houses the battery pack 38. The battery pack 38 is coupled on a pull out tray 39 to enable replacement of the batteries 41. Detentes 43 on the tray 39 or housing hold the tray within grooves 45 of the housing. The housing area 40 houses the portion of the switch 43 which is connected with the circuit board 44. The housing also includes a speaker portion 46 which houses the speaker 48. The speaker 48 includes leads 49 which electrically couple the speaker with the circuit board 44, which in turn is electrically coupled to the switch, which in turn is electrically coupled with the battery pack 38.
The circuit board 44 includes voice synthesized chips which store an audible voice of one or more highlight events associated with the career of the image 20 on the front sheet 12. The switch 43 is activated via pressing the switch 22, which causes the audible voice to be played through the speaker 48.
The rear sheet 16 is secured to the bottom of the housing 14. The rear sheet 16 includes indicia 60 such as statistics or the like of the player's career, thus providing the trading card 10 with the overall appearance of a traditional trading card.
While the above detailed description describes the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the invention is susceptible to modification, variation, and alteration without deviating from the scope and fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

Claims

1. An audible trading card comprising: a card shaped housing having at least one display surface; an image on said display surface; a speaker in said housing for providing sound; means for storing and playing a recording of an event associated with said image, said means for storing and playing associated with said speaker; and means for activating said storage and playing means such that, upon activation, the recording is played and audible sound is heard from the speaker, said activating means on said housing such that said activating means is easily operated by a user.
2. The audible trading card according to claim 1 wherein said storing and playing means includes a battery power source.
3. The audible trading card according to claim 1 wherein said actuating means is a push button on the housing.
4. The audible trading card according to claim 3 wherein said push button is on said display surface of said housing.
5. The audible trading card according to claim 4 wherein said push button is designed to simulate equipment associated with the image's field.
6. The audible trading card according to claim 5 wherein said push button simulates a baseball or bat, football, basketball, soccer ball, hockey puck or stick, golf ball or cluo, or the like.
7. The audible trading card according to claim 1 wherein said housing includes a second display surface opposing said first display surface.
8. The audible trading card according to claim 7 wherein said second display surface includes indicia associated with the image's field.
9. The audible trading card according to claim 1 wherein said housing has an overall box shape with two opposing display surfaces and longitudinal and lateral side edges.
10. The audible trading card according to claim 9 wherein said actuating means is on a side edge.
11. The audible trading card according to claim 1 wherein said storing and playing means is positioned within said housing.
12. The audible trading card according to claim 1 wherein said trading card is a self contained unit.
s 13. The audible trading card according to claim 1 wherein said image is on a membrane and said membrane includes activating means.
14. A method of playing a recording associated with a trading card, comprising: providing a trading card having means for storing and playing a recording of an event, and an activating means coupled with said storing and playing means; actuating said activating means such that said storing and playing means generates an audible signal which may be heard by the user.
15. The method according to claim 14 and repeatedly actuating said activating means to replay said audible signal.
PCT/US1995/008650 1994-07-12 1995-07-11 Audible trading card WO1996002047A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU29681/95A AU2968195A (en) 1994-07-12 1995-07-11 Audible trading card

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US27371594A 1994-07-12 1994-07-12
US08/273,715 1994-07-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996002047A1 true WO1996002047A1 (en) 1996-01-25

Family

ID=23045094

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1995/008650 WO1996002047A1 (en) 1994-07-12 1995-07-11 Audible trading card

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2968195A (en)
WO (1) WO1996002047A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2759881A1 (en) * 1997-02-26 1998-08-28 Fors France Sa Point of sale presentation of audio-visual items with integral anti-theft facility
EP1162570A2 (en) * 2000-06-09 2001-12-12 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Trading card, recording and/or reproducing apparatus, and communication realizing method

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4531310A (en) * 1984-01-10 1985-07-30 Futures Unlimited, Inc. Display element
GB2155858A (en) * 1984-03-19 1985-10-02 Top Good Company Limited Novelty article
US4703573A (en) * 1985-02-04 1987-11-03 Montgomery John W Visual and audible activated work and method of forming same
US4791741A (en) * 1987-01-19 1988-12-20 Torio Electronics Co., Ltd. Card with built-in record/playback capability
US4866865A (en) * 1988-02-08 1989-09-19 Yang Ren G Namecard holder
US5063698A (en) * 1987-09-08 1991-11-12 Johnson Ellen B Greeting card with electronic sound recording
US5365686A (en) * 1992-12-29 1994-11-22 Scott James G Picture holder with a recorder/playback integrated circuit
US5387108A (en) * 1993-02-05 1995-02-07 Crowell; Christopher S. Multi-purpose, universally applicable re-recordable, audible, message delivery system
US5433035A (en) * 1992-09-15 1995-07-18 Bauer; Timothy R. Talking entertainment card

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4531310A (en) * 1984-01-10 1985-07-30 Futures Unlimited, Inc. Display element
GB2155858A (en) * 1984-03-19 1985-10-02 Top Good Company Limited Novelty article
US4703573A (en) * 1985-02-04 1987-11-03 Montgomery John W Visual and audible activated work and method of forming same
US4791741A (en) * 1987-01-19 1988-12-20 Torio Electronics Co., Ltd. Card with built-in record/playback capability
US5063698A (en) * 1987-09-08 1991-11-12 Johnson Ellen B Greeting card with electronic sound recording
US4866865A (en) * 1988-02-08 1989-09-19 Yang Ren G Namecard holder
US5433035A (en) * 1992-09-15 1995-07-18 Bauer; Timothy R. Talking entertainment card
US5365686A (en) * 1992-12-29 1994-11-22 Scott James G Picture holder with a recorder/playback integrated circuit
US5387108A (en) * 1993-02-05 1995-02-07 Crowell; Christopher S. Multi-purpose, universally applicable re-recordable, audible, message delivery system

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
CHIPCODER, Hallmark Greeting Card, Inc., Information Storage Devices, Inc., 1993. *

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2759881A1 (en) * 1997-02-26 1998-08-28 Fors France Sa Point of sale presentation of audio-visual items with integral anti-theft facility
EP1162570A2 (en) * 2000-06-09 2001-12-12 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Trading card, recording and/or reproducing apparatus, and communication realizing method
EP1162570A3 (en) * 2000-06-09 2003-02-12 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Trading card, recording and/or reproducing apparatus, and communication realizing method
US6981646B2 (en) 2000-06-09 2006-01-03 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Chip embedded trading card, recording and/or reproducing apparatus therefor, and message building method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2968195A (en) 1996-02-09

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