Patent Application
20240394008
This invention generally relates to memory and photo books, both professionally printed and those assembled by the user with paper craft scrapbooking. The invention provides further convenience and functionality to an existing product, by integrating motion video and audio by way of a video screen into books. There is an accessible USB port where the user can load their own content onto the device, or alternatively an app can give the means for users to load content onto the device from a mobile device.
There are meaningful events in a person's life for which large numbers of the person's friends and family gather together in celebration. Weddings, bridal showers, graduations, baby showers, baptisms, first communions, confirmations, birthdays, retirements, and bar mitzvah's are among these events. Due to the nature of the events, and to their infrequency, such events generally evoke strong emotions in the celebrated person. The celebrated person often desires to capture the memories of such an event to preserve them for life-long enjoyment. Books are used to capture what life is like in periods of time, and can act as a way to preserve information, data and knowledge. In some instances, one scrapbook may be used to memorialize a variety of such events, where each page of the scrapbook is dedicated to a single event. In other instances, a single scrapbook may be devoted to an event or category. For example, a scrapbook may be devoted to one or more of a person's children with individual pages or groups of consecutive pages representing specific events such as birthdays, graduation, etc. Additional examples could be a scrapbook devoted to family vacations, family recipes, family history, tributes, sports and activities, etc.
The prior art discloses many examples of patents for books that are intended for people to write into, but none providing the combination of features disclosed and claimed herein.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,161,580 issued to I. R. Allen on Nov. 23, 1915 discloses a scrapbook. This patent is for a scrapbook for the storage of items such as pictures and mementos. While this product provides a storage place for the items, the items are placed into the scrapbook in a random fashion and the scrapbook is intended to store items. The patent does not provide a specific place for writing, nor does it provide for daily writings or offer encouragement or suggestions for the writing or memories.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,634 issued to Alloggiamento on Dec. 27, 1988 discloses an original perpetual diary calendar. This patent provides an erasable section(s) that allows sections of the diary to be erased and different information to be placed onto the pages. While this product provides a place for writings, the writings are intended to be erased and not stored for future sharing. The patent does not allow for the storage of items in the diary. The patent does provide for daily writing or offers encouragement or suggestions for the writing or memories.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,083 issued to Slocomb on Dec. 20, 1994 discloses a variable period diary. This patent provides flexibility for an author to use as much or as little of the diary as needed to store writings. The patent does not allow for storage of items in the diary. The patent does provide for daily writings or offer encouragement or suggestions for the writing or memories.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,811 issued to Bianco Feb. 19, 2002 discloses a structure of a diary of high practicality of use. This patent provides for a structured writing. This patent forces a person to write in a structured manner and does not allow free writing for maximum creativity. The patent does not allow for storage of items in the diary. The patent does provide for daily writings or offer encouragement or suggestions for the writing or memories.
U.S. Design Pat. No. D278,352 issued to Wenstrom et al. Apr. 9, 1985 discloses a diary. This patent is basically a design of a diary that includes a lockable function to prevent others from reading the diary. While this patent allows for writings it contradicts the purpose of the proposed application that is intended to share the writings and memories. The patent does not allow for storage of items in the diary. The patent does provide for daily writings or offer encouragement or suggestions for the writing or memories.
US Pat. No. 2,008,0238079A1 discusses memory diary book. The memory book or diary intended for recording pleasant memories for sharing in the future. This book may include dedications, suggestions, encouragement, guidance, advice, and storage pouches to promote and support relationships. The book may also include clinical or problem solving tools or techniques to improve a relationship. The book is for immortalizing pleasant memories, sentiments, events, gifts exchanged or memories shared. The book can be shared by partners, siblings, parents, pet owners, and are ideally suited to document the beginning of relationships, marriages, pet owners or parenthood. The book can be shared in the future to relive the memories captured in the book.
A U.S. Pat. No. 2,010,0164836A1 on the digital photo albums, digital book, digital reader in one embodiment, a digital viewing unit for viewing digital media and a storage location for housing digital media viewable on the digital viewing unit.
A U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,417A relates to electronic book wherein the contents of a book, magazine or the like are digitally encoded onto a memory, and the memory is removably insertable into a portable book-like apparatus whereby the encoded information can be displayed on a screen of the apparatus.
A U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,485A relates to personal electronic book system. The Personal Electronic Book System invention replaces a standard handheld book with an electronic equivalent. The invention is sized and configured to be book size and to open like a book for use. When opened, the user sees two facing page-like touch-sensitive, display screens with black print on white background. Icons represent the electronically stored material, “artwork, audio clips, books, E-mail, faxes, games, magazines, movies, musical compositions, newspapers, photographs, software, video clips, etc.”, which are selected by touching the icon. When a book, magazine, newspaper, or the like is selected, its table of contents is displayed and the user can then read page by page or go directly to a particular page by touching the selection listed in the table of contents. Closing the Personal Electronic Book automatically shuts down the device. Touching a page number before closing the Personal Electronic Book inserts a bookmark so that when the Personal Electronic Book is re-opened, the user is returned to the same page. New printed or multimedia material can be downloaded from a remote server, that is, “a bookstore,” and old material, books read, etc., can be deleted to make room for the new material.
There are multiple solutions that have been presented in the prior art. However, these solutions are limited and restricted to their conventional systems. The current invention is an improved product that better enables a person to reflect their individual experiences in a memory book. When integrating into scrapbook-style albums the assembly includes a plastic side with holes to go into a post-bound book, wherein the board houses the video screen and is covered with paper. The assembly further presents a video screen in a book form allowing users to watch videos with related audio to provide a better experience. It also allows to integrate a video screen into a book for video and audio options allowing the user to have a better and more realistic experience. The assembly provides an easy-to-use interface that works well even if the technological function stops working. Thus, providing the same outlook and output over a longer period of time. The proposed book structure aims to retain the memories in book form without depending on the technological structure and removing the audio/video feature will not affect the outlook and expected output from the book.
None of the previous inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Hence, the inventor of the present invention proposes to resolve and surmount existent technical difficulties to eliminate the aforementioned shortcomings of prior art.
In light of the disadvantages of the prior art, the following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the present invention and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the invention can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.
The primary objective of this invention is to provide an improved product that better enables a person to reflect on their individual experiences in a book, by being able to hear audio and view full motion video content on a screen.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a card assembly that presents a portable, electronic viewing device to play created video content of special events and photo slide shows that highlight life events and memories.
Another objective of the invention is to provide an innovative method for retaining memories by recording, saving, and streaming the audio and videos which can be easily accessed and listened to or viewed later.
Another objective of the invention is to provide an assembly with a portable, electronic viewer which reads stored and encoded information and which displays the information in readable form on a thin electrical display screen.
It is a further objective of the invention to provide a portable, electronic viewer capable of receiving and displaying the contents such as video, within a book that has other printed or assembled pages.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a durable hardcover that protects the inner pages from damage, sustains heavy use, and lasts for years.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a book assembly that is portable, that includes an electronic viewer and includes a button to turn the assembly on/off.
It is moreover the objective of the system to provide multiple options including but not limited to the option to record audio within the device, save, and play it back. It also provides the option to record, edit and save the recordings.
The assembly further includes a mechanism to turn on/off the device wherein it also includes navigation to play and go through content, adjust volume and a rechargeable battery for the device for long-term use.
It is also the objective of the invention to be replaced, if the tech fails and doesn't last the life of the book. Thus the assembly provides the expected output over a longer period of time.
This Summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments, so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described features are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following Detailed Description, Figures, and Claims.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
The present invention relates to a dynamic tactile page developed from physical material and has an in-built video screen allowing people to turn pages, view photographs, read text, listen to recordings, and watch videos related to a particular event.
In accordance with the present invention, a book assembly with various technological advancements is disclosed. The assembly is in form of a book-shaped housing having the look and feel of a real, paper book. The book-shaped housing has a first housing member pivotably connected to a second housing member to facilitate opening and closing in a book-like manner. The first housing member is partially formed by a book-like, front-cover member. In a similar manner, the second housing member is partially formed by a book-like, back cover member. The front cover member and the back cover member are pivotably connected by a spine member.
To better provide the look and feel of a real book, the front cover member and the back cover member have an exterior made of the material used in real book covers. Examples of such a material include but are not limited to, leather, simulated leather, vinyl, and a woven fabric such as cotton or linen. The exterior can be permanently affixed to the front cover member and the removable back cover member.
In addition to the front cover member, the first housing member is partially defined by an enclosure. Similarly, the second housing member is partially defined by an enclosure in addition to the back cover member. When the assembly is in the closed position, the enclosure has an external appearance of edges of pages of a real, paper book
The assembly can be viewed conveniently in an open position. It is preferred that the first housing member and the second housing member be substantially symmetric so that the front cover member, the back cover member, and the spine member rest substantially flat on a flat surface in the open position. The book can be comfortably held and read in a manner consistent with a paper book. The book assembly provides an easy way to add videos into books that contain tactile pages with physical material that can be seen and touched to turn pages and view photographs, writing, and memories.
A touchscreen may be integrated in the book-shaped housing to be accessible when the book-shaped housing is opened in a book-like manner. The touchscreen includes a touch-sensitive panel over a display device. Behind the display device can be a backlighting element. The assembly further includes a video display panel and associated audio panel with the function to accept digital media files such as photos, videos and audio files for playback through a user interface on the device. The video screen may be built within the paper of folded greeting card. The video screen can be built within a structure that can be removed and replaced wherein the device can be attached with connection to strong magnets built within a book, to the iron on the back and sides of the device, and removed by pulling the device from the magnetic connection; alternatively the device can be attached with connection to strong magnets built onto the back of the device and to an iron plate built into the book; alternatively connecting into a friction fit case that is permanently affixed within a book, alternatively sliding the device into and out of a rail mechanism in the book which can be on the cover or inside of a book; or in the instance or a scrapbook bound album with removable pages as per the binding mechanism, the device is built within a page that has a plastic flexible side with 3 holes that fits into the binding mechanism. The video screen gives the ability to play digital multi-media files, full motion video, and audio.
Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from its spirit. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific embodiment illustrated and described. Rather, it is intended that the scope of this invention be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.
