US 6,441,921 B1 · System and method for imprinting and reading a sound message on a greeting card

Abstract

Both a system and method for optically imprinting and reading sound data onto a piece of printed sheet material such as a greeting card is provided. The system includes an encoding device for converting a sound message into a two-dimensional encodement, a printer for invisibly imprinting the encodement onto the greeting card, and a reader for optically reading the encodement and converting it into a sound corresponding to the message. The encoding device preferably converts the sound message into a compressed digitized form prior to its ultimate conversion into a two-dimensional encodement. The reader preferably includes a lens for focusing an image of the encodement onto the image sensor array. The sensor array responds to the image by generating a digital signal representative of the compressed sound that the reader decompresses and renders into an analog sound signal which is representative of the original sound image. Both the system and method are particularly useful in providing an individualized sound message on customized greeting cards.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A printing station for printing audio data and image data upon a recording medium, comprising

an image input source that generates digital signals of image data of a photograph or other pictorial information;
an input source for audio information;
a display monitor for displaying the pictorial information and various formatting, print content, print font, and imaging options available to an operator of the printing station;
and
a color printer for printing a visible image of the pictorial information and an imperceptible image of the audio information, the pictorial information printed by the printer including pictorial information areas that are relatively darker and pictorial information areas that are relatively lighter and the printer preferentially prints the audio information overlying the pictorial information areas that are relatively darker so that the relatively darker areas of the pictorial information upon which the audio information is printed provide camouflage for the imperceptible audio information.

2 more elements

A method of reading an audio message contained on a sheet having a recording of a pictorial image as a visible pictorial image on the sheet and a recording of an audio message, the method comprising:

providing the sheet wherein the pictorial image is printed with visible dye or other visible medium, the pictorial image comprising darker pictorial image areas and lighter pictorial image areas, and the recording of the audio message is provided as an imperceptible printed image an the sheet wherein the audio message is printed in an invisible or nearly invisible dye or other invisible or nearly invisible medium and has been preferentially printed in the darker pictorial image areas to provide camouflage for the audio message;
providing an optical reader that operates to optically scan the audio message on the recording medium and the output of the reader is converted into an audible message and wherein the optical reader is a two-dimensional image sensor that can read an area of the sheet without the need for movement of the image sensor over the recording medium and generate a two-dimensional array of data;
converting the two-dimensional array of data provided by the optical reader into a digital data stream;
decompressing the digital da stream into a stream of data representing sound data;
and
converting the data representing sound data into an analog sound signal.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for imprinting and reading a sound message on a greeting card

Life of this patent

System and method for imprinting and reading a sound message on a greeting card

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20