Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02484368 2004-10-12
INTERACTIVE PACKAGE SYSTEM
This invention relates to an interactive packaging system. This invention
relates, more
specifically, to the marketing and selling of various consumer products, e.g.,
CDs, DVDs, video
cassettes, books, cereal products, prescription drugs, etc., within an
interactive package.
One example is a song on a CD. This product requires packaging of some sort to
enable
sales. In this case, packaging is required not only for product protection,
but also, because
without appropriate packaging, the product may not even be recognized as a
product for sale. In
order to address the difficulties encountered in selling such a product,
packaging, in store-
promotional displays, and audio sampling equipment have traditionally been
used. Even known
pieces of music, assembled in a new collection, frequently resort to the
expensive marketing tool
of television advertising campaign. The cost and potential return-on-
investment will determine
the decision where to place an advertisement budget. In most cases that
decision carries
substantial, non-recoverable expenses.
In the case of CD, there is often the need to provide enhanced information
concerning the
content of the CD to potential buyers at the point of sale. This has
traditionally been met by
having the potential purchaser request the playing of the CD from staff within
the store. The
potential purchaser then puts on a headset to be able to listen to~ selected
parts of the CD. This not
only wastes time, but also increases the cost due to the installation of the
necessary equipment.
Moreover, many CDs are packaged in sealed "jewel boxes" which make it
difficult to sell later
should the potential customer decline to make the purchase.
It would therefore be advantageous for a potential purchaser to listen to a
sample of music
which is recorded on a CD without having to open the protective jewel box
package.
One relevant prior art is believed to be WO 0306575, published 2003-08-07, in
the names
of Hutcheon Morag (inventor) and Origgio Ltd (assignee). That patent discloses
a package
container including an audio integrated circuit which is capable of converting
digital audio data
into electrical audio signals, which is connected to, or is integrated with, a
memory for providing
audio data to the audio integrated circuit. The memory has an input through
which digital audio
data can be uploaded to the memory. A speaker receives electrical audio
signals from the audio
integrated circuit for reproducing corresponding sound signals. A battery is
connected to power
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CA 02484368 2004-10-12
the audio integrated circuit and a manually actuatable switch causes the audio
integrated circuit
to operate to receive digital audio data from the memory and to provide
electrical audio signals to
the speaker for reproduction of the audio material.
As described by the inventor., by loading digital data corresponding to
samples of one or
more tracks of a CD into the memory, a potential purchaser may listen to such
tracks by the
simple act of manual activation of the switch, and thus can obtain enhanced
informationwithout
having to open the jewel box.
A serious defect of this system is that, once the switch is activated, all the
tracks which
have been uploaded must be listened to by the potential purchaser since no
means have been
taught to override the selection.
Another relevant prior art is US Patent No. 6,338,405, patented Jan 15, 2002
in the names
of Robert Yoerg et al. That patent teaches a protective case for storage media
that itself has
separately addressable data independent of the storage media which is encased
in the protective
case. That patent teaches means for the storing, playing and recording of
predetermined data.
This takes the form of means, which are cooperatively attached to the
protective case for storing
data, such means being independent and separate and apart from the storage
media which is
encasable in the protective case. That stored data relates to the content of
the data on the storage
media, and is independent and separate and apart from the data which is stored
on the storage
media. The stored data is either in a single block or in distinct addressable
segments. Means are
provided which are co-operatively attached to the protective case for playback
of the separately
stored data.
The patentee teaches that, when the data is in distinct addressable segments,
a track
selection button is used to select a particular segment of the stored data.
A serious defect of this system is that, once the track selection button is
used, only the
selected segment is played back.
Yet another relevant prior art is US Patent No. 6,022,262, patented Feb 8,
2000 in the
name of Jennifer Jane Gill. That patent teaches a playback system including a
speaker mounted
on a housing for transmitting audible signals, and a memory cormected to the
speaker for
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transmitting the audible signals therefrom. Connected to the memory is an
activation switch for
playing back audio signals only during the activation thereof.
This patent teaches that the playback system is for playing back only one of a
plurality of
pre-recorded audio messages. The memory selection button selects one of the
predetermined
number of available memory slots. Depression of the button incrementally
selects each memory
slot
A serious defect of this system is that once the track selection button is
used only the
selected segment is played back. No means are suggested for overriding the
selection, or for
automatically playing another selection.
Other playback systems are not amenable to solving the above problem. Thus, US
Patent
No 4,872,151, patented Oct 3, 1989 to Smith teaches a compact disc having
digitally encoded
reproducible data in tracks on the playing side and an editing device for
storing the order of play
data to control the sequence in which the tracks are played. A special CD
reproduction system
must be used which is specially equipped to play the CDs having the editing
devices thereon.
US Patent No. 6,229,779 patented May 8, 2001 to Berry et al provides a
physical play-in-
place case for housing a CD. The case includes a base, a shell attached to the
base defining a
cavity for receiving the CD. The shell has a landing portion defining a spine
area along a
common side of the base and shell and a cover hinged to the base along the
spine area. Playback
controls are located on the landing portion of the shell extend into the spine
area. An audio
output device is located in the shell. This system merely plays a selection of
a track on the CD
but not a pre-selected independent segment thereof.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a protective
case for
encasing storage media wherein the protective case contains separately
addressable data
comprising a message regarding the contents of the storage media, or to play a
sample of the
contents of the storage media without having to open the protective case.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a system where
information
concerning the contents of a sealed protective package may be obtained without
the necessity of
opening the sealed protective package.
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Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a simple protective
package for
an audio CD which can be used to sample the music on the CD placed within a
jewel case
without having to remove the CD from the jewel box.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel playback
of information
concerning the content of a sealed package so that the playback may be
controlled by the user in
various alternative programmed ways.
A broad aspect of the present invention provides a package which includes a
container
and means within such container to hold storage media, or a product including
storage media
therewithin. Operatively associated with such package is an audio system. The
audio system
includes a self contained electrical power source and an onloff switch which
is electrically
connected to the electrical power source. A read/write controller/memory
circuit is electrically
connected to the on/off switch. The memory circuit is uploaded with a
plurality of selected
sound files which are intimately associated with, but which are separate and
distinct from, the
storage media which is in the package. The processorlmemory is also uploaded
with a playback
program. Such playback program may be manually actuated either automatically
to scroll through
the plurality of sound files from the first sound file to the last sound file
in the memory, or to skip
to a second of the sound files and to scroll through from such second sound
file to the last sound
files in the memory, and so on. A speaker is connected to the
controller/memory circuit. When
the on/off switch is actuated to its "on" position, the selected sound files
are broadcast over the
speaker according to the program which is manually selected bar a potential
purchaser.
By one variant thereof, the desired article is a CD, and the audio data
comprises a
plurality of separate and distinct audio files from the CD.
By a second variant thereof, the desired article is a book, and the audio data
comprises a
plurality of separate and distinct audio files from the book
By a third variant thereof, the article is a prescription drug, and the audio
data information
comprises unique, individually-recorded information relating to the
prescription drug and its
dosage.
Thus, in the present invention, the package container includes a
processor/memory,
powered by a self contained electrical power source and actuated by a selector
switch. The
CA 02484368 2004-10-12
processorlmemory is uploaded with a plurality of digitized sound files which
are intimately
associated with the product in the package. The sound files in the
processor/memory are routed
via a D/A converter to be broadcast as sounds through a speaker.
It is essential in the present invention that a playback program be
incorporated into the
processor/memory so that the following action takes place. A first actuation
of the selector switch
by a prospective buyer causes all the sound files to be broadcast successively
from the first sound
file to the last sound file in the memory. However, when the selector switch
is actuated a second
time, the broadcast of the first selected sound file is interrupted and the
second sound file in the
memory is then broadcast. This sequence may be repeated to interrupt the
playback of the second
sound file in the memory, and to scroll to the next sound file in the memory,
or the broadcast of
the sound files may be continued uninterrupted to the end.
For example, if the sound files are 10 second samplings of each of the 20
tracks on a CD,
the first actuation of the selector switch causes the playing of the sample of
the first track. This
may continue to the entire 10 second sample of the first track, and then go
onto the second 10
second sample of the second sound track, and so on. Alternatively, a second
actuation of the
selector switch causes an interruption of the sample of the first track and
skips to the 10 second
sample of the second sound track. This may continue to the entire sample of
the second sound
track to its end and the automatic playing of the sample of the third sound
track. Alternatively, a
third actuation of the selector switch causes an interruption of the sample of
the second track and
skips to the sample of the third track, which is then played. This sequence is
continued under the
control of a prospective buyer until all the tracks have been played
In the accompanying drawings,
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a CD jewel box provided with the interactive
packaging
system according to one variant of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of components to be incorporated in the interactive
packaging
system; and
FIG. 3 is a system overview for the transfer of data to the packages.
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Fig. 1 illustrates a top plan view of the jewel box 20 provided with a
controller 24,
memory 26 and a trigger switch 24, three batteries 30, a speaker 32 and a
conventional area to
mount the CD 34.
For the embodiment illustrated in Fig. l, the controller 24 is made by Winbond
Electronics
Corp. under part number W583xxx, the memory 26 is made by Winbond Electronics
Corp. under
part number WSSFxx; the trigger switch 28 may be made by many manufacturers.
One style is
carbon contact, a featured in many hand calculators. The three batteries 30
and quad-A style
batteries; and the speaker 32 are made by Hy-Q international (A,ustralia)
Pty., Ltd, under part
number 20CS120M-38ND. Of course, other manufacturer's elements could be used.
Once the CD 34 is installed in the jewel box 20, it is ready to be placed in
the store where
potential customer will be in a position to depress the trigger switch 38 to
activate the circuit and
thus initiate the playback of a portion of the music CD, which is. stored in
the memory 26, via the
speaker 32.
The size of the memory 26 which is chosen allows a certain period of total
playtime at a
fixed sample rate. For example, a 512 KB memory yields about 30 seconds at
7kHz. Should
sound samples be of the order of 5 seconds, they could be played as many as
10,000 times given
the suggested batteries and parameters.
A protective case for storage media (data storage assembly) in accordance with
the
teachings of the present invention is generally designated by the reference
number 100. The
protective case illustrated is a protective case for a Compact Disc ("CD").
However, the invention
is equally applicable to protective cases for CD-Read Only Memory ("CD-ROM"),
CD-
ReadlWrite ("CD-R"), CD-Read/Write/Re-Write ("CD-RW"), Digital Video Disc
("DVD"),
Eight Millimeter Movie film, Video Cassette Tape, Video Game Cartridge, and
other storage
media.
The protective case, shown in FIG. l, comprises three parts, namely, the front
cover, the
back cover with a binding wall and the insert section for the back cover. The
back cover and the
front cover are attached by protrusions facing inwaxd from the front cover,
which fit into
corresponding holes on the back cover.
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One available area where a first means for storing data and a second means for
reproducing the separately stored data, which may cooperatively attach to the
protective case is at
the binding wall. In using the term "data", this description specifically
refers to information
stored in the protective case about the enclosed storage media, and does not
refer to data which is
itself stored on the storage media. The data may be audible in nature,
although electronic, graphic,
video and other types of data known in the art are also contemplated. The
first means may
comprise more Data Record and Playback Module ("DRPM"), Central Processing
Unit ("CPU"),
or similar devices. Also, the second means may comprise one or more DRPM, CPU,
or similar
devices. The first means and the second means are two separate elements.
However, a single
DRPM, CPU, or similar devices may provide the first means and the second means
in a single
element. In addition to other forms of data, the data may include sound which
is audible when
reproduced, or which is beyond the range of human hearing. Data stored in the
first means may be
volatile or non-volatile, analog or digital. The first means may have data pre-
recorded on it. There
are many known ways in the art for pre-storing data, such as the method CDs
are currently pre-
programmed with music. Furthermore, data is recorded, stored and reproduced in
distinct
addressable segments within a DRPM, CPU or similar devices) which is separate
and distinct
form that stored on the storage media itself.
The preferred batteries, given the "jewel box" form factor, are button cells
or quad-A style
cylindrical batteries. In order to operate traditional LEDs the minimum
required voltage is about
1.8 Volts. A battery using chemistry, e.g., Li-ion, Li-Metal, or the like, can
provide voltage well
in excess of the required minimum from a single cell. Most battery chemistries
(alkaline batteries
etc.) provide 1.5 Volts or less from a single cell. Electronic pumping by
switched capacitors, etc.,
can provide the required voltage from lower voltage sources. Two or more
alkaline batteries
connected in series can provide high enough voltages also. Two or more
batteries connected in
parallel can provide additional energy onboard a package. Any of the sources
can provide longer
times of operation by suitable power management, etc.
Current offerings of alkaline quad-A batteries (e.g., those known by the Trade-
marks
Energizer, Duracell, etc.) provide over 450mA per battery, which can produce
over 6 hours of
sound playtime. Such sound play can reach 75mA current while maintaining a
combined voltage
CA 02484368 2004-10-12
of 1.8V or more. This way, a total electrical power supply of well over 100 mW
electrical power
is available.
2 columns of 3 quad-A style batteries can still be fitted when the content of
the jewel box
is one or more CDs.
Microspeakers are available now (e.g., that known by the Trade-mark Hy-Q) with
efficiencies of up to 90dB should pressure level (SPL) at a distance of l Ocm
given an electrical
power input of 100mW. The acoustical volume of normal speech is about 50-70dB
SPL.
Therefore, the proposed power supply and speakers can overcome normal in-store
noise levels
easily. The power supply can be managed electronically such that 30 to SOmW
electrical input to
efficient microspeakers are supplied over the life of the power supply. 'That
provides sufficient
acoustical volume and sound quality given appropriate microspeakers.
The package allows traditional round dynamic speakers) with sizes of up to
about 30mm
diameter and up to about lOmm height from current, mass produced offerings.
Alternatively,
advanced surface actuators, or transducers, array speakers, micromachines,
etc., can be used also.
The choice of speakers) is made in order to optimize the sound that can be
produced, given the
constraints of space, energy, efficiency, cost, etc. Space and available
energy, more than other
factors, limits the sound produced at low frequencies. As a compromise, low
frequency content of
the sound track may be restricted on purpose by filtering it out a~: any stage
before reproduction.
This way valuable energy can be saved that would not produce much of low
frequency acoustic
waves anyway because of the size limitation.
The sound to be produced is generally stored all digitally, even though
semianalog or other
forms of storage may be suitable. Sampling, storage, and reproduction of high
frequency acoustic
waves increase the data volume of a sound track representation and increase
memory requirement.
In order to reduce the cost of memory and the cost of high performance
speakers, high frequency
content of the sound track may also be curtailed at any stage before
reproduction due to the
physiology of hearing. It may be advantageous to focus on a frequency range of
approximately
400Hz to approximately 7000Hz. Speakers can be chosen that reproduce this
range as efficiently
and as uniformly as possible. The sound track can be filtered in order to
eliminate frequencies
outside this range. Within the chosen frequency range, the sound track may be
enhanced
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CA 02484368 2004-10-12
artificially in order to compensate for the chosen speaker's natural sound
characteristics such that
the reproduced should achieve the best quality. Such enhancements and
frequency compensations
can be applied to the sound tracks by using conventional off the-shelf music
editing software for
PC, for example.
The famous Nyquist criterion requires digital data sampling frequencies of
12,OOOHz or
more in order to reproduce acoustical frequencies of 6000 Hz or more. Each
data sample can be
represented by 7 bits, 8 bits, or more bits for high quality sound. This
implies memory
requirements of the order of 1 megabit, or more. Memory of 1 megabyte should
allow for about 1
minute of high quality sound playtime. Much more non-volatile memory can be
fitted and has
become relatively affordable in mass-quantities. This allows the package to
play minutes worth of
sounds several hundred times from onboard memory and from onboard energy
supply. Efficient
modern processors require only currents of the order of a few mini-amperes or
less.
Microprocessors are available that are fully integrated onto a single chip for
a particular
application. Those chips can incorporate functions of A/D, D/A conversion,
power management,
non-volatile data storage, etc. Those chips also provide parts that allow
external inputs (e.g., that
known by the Trade-mark Winbond chipcorders, etc.).
Other microprocessors are available to provide general purpose computing
capabilities for
many applications at low prices by software adaptation.
Both types (application specific integrated circuits - ASIC, and general-
purpose
microprocessors) can be used to provide functionality for a package. Each
requires a down-load
process to store data in memory.
The interactive nature of the package is created by the onboard electronics.
This can be
achieved by firmware or by software. For adaptability the preferred method is
interactivity
through software responding to input from switches) and/or sensor(s). However,
both can be
suitable as different versions of the package. Producing a specific version of
the package for a
specific purpose can be more economical, especially in large volumes. Mass-
producing a very
flexible version of the package that can be adapted to many purposes can be
more economical
when there are many different applications of smaller quantities each. A very
general version of
the package may have many components that are never used in a specific
application, it may have
CA 02484368 2004-10-12
much more memory than required, it may have more battery power than required,
etc. A specific
version can provide some savings per unit over the resources involved in a
more general version.
Volume control through software upload is believed preferable for mass
production
applications. This keeps the interactivity simple and intuitive. However,
volume control as part of
the interactivity may be required for hearing impaired users.
There are many possible styles of selectors (e.g., inductive, capacitive,
resistive, infrared,
inertia, mechanical, conducting polymer, conducting fluid, pressure, eto~. any
of them may be
chosen. One candidate with a number of advantages is a phototransistor. It can
be mounted just
like other required electronic elements thereby reducing the number of
manufacturing steps. It can
be quite small, low cost, sensitive, very reliable, well protected, ete.
As seen in Fig. 2, the system generally identified as 200 includes a
processor/memory 214,
which includes the following components: a so-called "voice chip" or audio
integrated circuit in
the form of a digital voice synthesizer chip to which a memory, e.g., a flash
memory and an
amplifier are connected. These three components may be provided in a single
specified integrated
circuit, as shown generally as 212, but may be discrete components. Power is
provided to the
voice chip and the amplifier from batteries 210. The amplifier feeds a speaker
222. The voice chip
and amplifier are activate by a selector switch 212 by way of the uploaded
playback program 218.
The sound files which are manually selected are processed from the uploaded
sound files 216 to
the speaker 222 via a D/A converter 220.
The processor/memory 212 may be a random access memory (RAM) or a flash
memory,
or may be a one-time programmable memory, e.g., an EPROM a.nd may be part of
the voice chip.
Digital data corresponding to samples of one or more tracks of a CD are
uploaded at 216 into the
processor/memory 212. These samples may be listened-to by a potential
purchaser by the manual
actuation or actuations of the selector switch 212 on the jewel box. Thus,
enhanced information
can be provided to the potential purchaser
The packaging containers can be of almost any description. For example,
packaging may
be applied to books. The digital data held in the replaceable memory may be
passages from the
book, or other descriptive material related to its contents. Instructions for
the use, or other
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information about other consumer products may be provided, e.g., instructions
for the use of
medicines.
The storage media may be CD, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, Eight-Millimeter Movie
Film, Video Cassette Tape, Video Came Carkridge and combinations thereof. The
means for
storing data may be Data Record Playback Module ("DRPM"), Central Processing
Unit ("CPU"),
Random Access Memory ("RAM"), Read Only Memory ("ROM"), Programmable Read Only
Memory ("PROM"), Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory ("EEPROM"),
Electronically
Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory ("EEPROM") and combinations thereof.
The means
for reproducing the separately stored data may be DRPM, CPU, RAM, ROM, PROM,
EPROM
and EEPROM and combinations thereof.
Many modifications may be effected to the conventional CD jewel box. For
example
consider the following.
The internal space may be increased, while at the same time reducing cost and
assembly
work, by eliminating the hub carrier piece.
Where desired, a different piece can be added with the purpose of forming a
battery/speaker compartment.
A permanently "open" package could be designed where the package as a single
piece. A
disposable cellophane wrapper would typically be added to enclose the CD and
the package.
The base plate can provide flexing protrusions that put pressure on the
batteries and their
contacts.
The base place can provide protrusions that hold and position the content
(products).
The cover plate can provide protrusions also in order to hold and position
content
(products).
The base plate, spine, etc., may provide perforations in various locations in
order to let the
sound waves of the speakers) emanate with little loss, low reflections, etc.
The base plate may vary in thickness in certain areas. This could be used as
indentations to
accommodate the curvature of the batteries. The thickness of the base plate
may be varied where
electronic components need to be embedded yet protected from the outside. The
base plate may be
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CA 02484368 2004-10-12
thickened to provide additional mechanical strength (for example over
speaker(s)) or to provide
guide/glide surfaces for the easy insertion of the circuit board.
The base plate, spine and cover can be covered with a sticky applique. Graphic
designers
can use this applique in order to provide illustrations, descriptions, bar
coding, or any other
display suitable for effective product packaging. A cellulose type wrapper can
be added around
the whole package as is common with jewel boxes on sale. The applique and a
cellulose-type
wrapper around the whole package can provide cutouts to help transmission of
light and sound.
Such openings can be achieved mechanically or by application of heat. The
applique and/or
cellophane can be used to change the color and appearance of the light
transmission (filtering,
scattering, shadowing, etc.).
The base plate and other components can be shaped to help the acoustic
properties of
speaker(s).
The package can have foam inserts or other acoustic materials to help the
sound
transmissions.
Foam and or other inserts can be added to the package in order to help the
mechanical
characteristics of the whole package, e.g., support of components, protection
against, or support of
applied pressure, reduction of vibration and shock, other purposes.
The interactive package can be metallized or have metal shields to eliminate
electromagnetic interference, and/or heat distribution, and/or other purposes.
Printed inlays and or booklets can be used for additional marketing effects,
or mechanical
or electrical insulation, as coverings, or for any other purpose. As an
example, a thin card board
inlay can be used to cover the printed circuit board, batteries), speaker(s),
etc., in order to hide,
cover, and protect the components further, to provide easily customizable
additional display and
information surfaces or for any other purpose.
Integrated circuits and other components can be in die form and can be wire
bonded with
subsequent droplets of adhesives, insulation, stabilization, etc.
Turning now to Fig. 3, a programming system 300 will be described. The system
300
includes four main components, namely, a computer 302 running a program, a
production
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programmer 304, and a stereo cable 306 linking the computer 302 to the
production programmer
304.
The program run by the computer 302 allows the manufacturer to select the
portions of the
song/sound that will be uploaded in the memory of the package., According to
this embodiment of
the programmer system, this information is coded in sound files that may be
transferred to the
reproduction programmer via a simple stereo cable 306 connected to the
computer 302. This
allows any computer to be used without the need of specialized 1/O cards or
devices.
In this embodiment system, the transfer from the production programmer 304 to
the
interactive packages is done optically by optical link 308 to the interactive
CD packs 310. One of
the function of the production programmer is thus to convert the sound file
combining through the
stereo cable 306 into a digital file by AID conversion. The production
programmer stores the
digital file for subsequent upload into the interactive packages at real time
speed or at higher
speeds, via an optical link, for example. The production programmer 304
digitizes the sound files
and then uploads the digitized sound files into the interactive packages via
conventional methods
that will not be further described herein.
As can be seen from Fig. 3, to improve the mass-production throughput of the
unloading
process, the digitized sound files are stored in the production programmer and
can be uploaded in
parallel to more than one interactive package at a time.
Of course, when a digital link is used to upload the digitized sound files in
the interactive
packages, the circuitry of the packages includes the required elements to
receive the optical
information and convert it into electrical signals to be stored in memory.
The interactive packages axe therefore all made identical and may be
"customized" by the
manufacturer of the content of the package by uploading audio and video data
therein. It is
therefore possible to mass-produce identical interactive packages.
OTHER ELECTRICAL POSSIBLE VARIATIONS AND
CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING THE PROGRAMMER
The manufacturer of the generic interactive packages may upload a temporary
test pattern
into the packages before shipping them to the manufacturer of the content.
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As described hereinabove, for mass-production and copyright protection by the
user of the
package, the content of memory (sound track, light functions, programs,
settings, features, etc.) is
unloaded after the circuitry has been installed into the generic package. The
customer of the
package performs this upload. Traditional unloading (sometimes called
"burning") of programs,
parameters, data, functionality, etc. into an integrated circuit's memory is
done by electrical chip
programmers. Such programmers with suitable software and "burners" are
commonly available
and in general use for quite some time. The uploading of prograams,
parameters, data, etc., can be
done easily through electrical contacting of the PCB. Such contacts can be by
pins or connectors
at any stage of production. I t could be done before assembly into the
package, or afterward. It
could be done before assembly into the case or afterward. It could be done
through openings in the
closed package or when the package is open. It could be done with onboard
power supply or with
external power supply.
As discussed hereinabove, the described embodiment does not use electrical
contacting of
the PCB for various reasons. Rather, the uploading of programs, parameters,
data, etc., into the
blank package should preferably be done by an optical link. Such optical link
could be a duplex
(bi-directional for error checking, status control, etc.) or could be a
simplex upload (one-way write
to memory). A duplex optical link requires more onboaxd energy during
programming since a
high-speed light source needs to be driven by the package. It is customary to
confirm an upload
process in real time and to initiate the re-sending of data when an error was
detected. A duplex
optical link may be required in critical applications.
For non-critical applications, the upload process can be simplex. A simplex
optical link
can be established by using only one upload detector and optical receiver
onboard the package.
Two optical upload detectors and receivers can be put onboard each package.
Such paxallel
simplex links can be lower cost than a full duplex optical link while offering
similar reliability
and error correction at high speeds.
Optical upload eliminates alignment, repeatability, reliability, interference
and other
potential issues especially during mass-production associated with electrical
contact
programming. Optical "connectorization" is free of wear and tear. Optical
transmission can be
faster over greater distances than traditional electrical transmissions. The
optical connection
CA 02484368 2004-10-12
between the upload equipment and a package by use of surface amounted
photodetectors can be
less expensive than an electro-mechanical connection. An elect ro-mechanical
connection in a
mass-production environment would require precision tools and./or a robot. An
optical
"connection" is unbreakable in comparison with miniature electro-mechanical
connectors.
Another advantage is that an optical upload can be easily parallelized at low
cost. This way, many
packages can be programmed simultaneously with the same information.
Traditional electro-mechanical uploads into ''chipcorders" occurs in "real-
time". This
requires approximately the same amount of time for the upload of the portion
of the sound tract as
it takes to play that portion of the sound track back. For mass production,
the preferred
embodiment speeds up this upload process. The upload can take advantage of the
maximum level
of bit-rate transfer available to the on-board microprocessor and to the on-
board memory.
Therefore, it may be preferred to operate the microprocessor during upload
operation at a higher
clock frequency than that of normal, energy efficient, operation during play
back, or at other
times.
OTHER EMBODIMENTS
As mentioned hereinabove, even though the previous description dealt with
interactive CD
packages, other products could be packaged in an interactive package according
to the present
invention. In the case of packaged pills, this interactive packagf; enables a
pharmacist to include
voice instructions, and audible alarms far visually impaired patients. The
pharmacist would be
supplied with identical interactive packages and with a programmer system.
Once the pills are
inserted into the package, the pharmacist may select the time at which the
pills must be taken and
upload this information into the package. Another example of use on the
interactive packages of
the present invention involves sports cards. In this case, the present
invention can add value by
storing a sensational sound bite from the athlete's career in the card's
container.
OTHER NON-LIMITING EXAMPLES FOR PACKAGING APPLICATIONS
Sound effects on cereal boxes, chocolate boxes or the like.
Installed in humidors to indicate that water should be added therein.
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Installed on any type of filters (water, oil, air) to indicate the best before
date.
Gas masks to provide instructions and best before dates.
Multicomponent adhesives to provide mixing instructions.
Paints, detergents, and other chemicals to provide usage instructions.
Do-it-yourself products Iike furniture, toys, car parts, etec. to provide
assembly
instructions.
Child-proofing goods to emit a sound when there is unauthorized use.
Software and computer peripherals to provide installation instructions.
Cameras, telescopes, etc. to provide installation instructions.
Roller blades and other sporting goods to provide usage instructions and
warnings.
Camping equipment to provide usage instructions.
Pet products to provide usage instructions.
Hair coloring, hair removal, and other cosmetic products to provide usage
instructions.
Gardening products to provide usage instructions.
Medical products to provide usage instructions and warnings.
Military products like ammunition, mines, grenades, etc., to provide usage
instructions and
warnings.
Any packaging, that, when opened, requires transfer of information from the
manufacturer
to the client.
ADVANTAGES
As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, interactive packages present
may advantages.
Examples include the following.
Sampling sound bites, stored in the package, enables a prospective consumer to
screen
through many offerings quickly and effortlessly.
Interactive packaging allows intellectual property owners, manufactures,
distributors, and
retail outlets to disclose the information they must disclose, not just in
"fine print", or, disclose the
information they wish to disclose, not just in "fine print", or, disclose the
information they wish to
disclose, not just in large print. Rather, the package allows communication
with consumers by
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sounds, sights, and additional means at an unprecedented level. Any intended
communication
requires attention. "Fine Print" some times achieves t he opposite of drawing
attention. This
invention can help achieve the goal intended by disclosure. Warning sounds and
words, that draw
the attention of the designee, can be produced. This invention enhances the
disclosure of required
warnings, proposed instructions, or desired advertisements by presenting it in
a customizable form
in any language, that provides protection, sights, and sounds.
Given an interactive blank package of low cost, the promotional character
specific to each
product can be imprinted at the time of packaging and bar coding of each
product. The
promotional characteristics become a permanent part of the product by way of
its package. The
package can even be reprogrammed, recharged, and reused when the packages'
content is
exchanged. The blank packages can be programmed to adapt to many articular
products. This is
done by the owner of the product in his own packaging plant at low cost and
with great ease.
Small marketing departments or even individuals, whom wish to make their own
content (e.g,
burn CDs) as marketing handouts or gifts, can use this system since it
requires only an uploading
machine, and since the blank packages can be low cost due to large volume
production.
Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of
embodiments
thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of
the subject invention.
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