Image-audio print, method of making and player for using

Claims

We claim:

1. An image-audio print having a frontside, a backside and audio data storage means, the frontside having visible image information and the backside having a recess in which said storage means is positioned or having said storage means integral with said backside, said audio data storage means having accessible audio data transfer terminals; wherein the visible image information includes a plurality of images and where the audio data storage means includes means for storing and separately accessing a discrete audio data segment or signal corresponding to each image.

2. A print according to claim 1 wherein the audio data storage means includes a plurality of contacts allowing selective access of each discrete audio data segment or signal.

3. A print according to claim 1 wherein the audio data storage means is contained in a recess in the second sheet which recess is defined by an aperture through the second sheet, and the audio data storage means is affixed to the first sheet and accessible through the aperture.

4. A print audio playback system comprising an image audio print having a frontside, a backside and audio data storage means, the frontside having visible image information and the backside having a recess in which said storage means is positioned or having said storage means integral with said backside, said audio data storage means having accessible audio data transfer terminals, the image audio print further having opposite edges with opposing locating notches at predetermined positions on the opposite edges; and an audio player having a slot for receiving the print and opposing resilient means for holding the print in a predetermined location, the notches in the edges being positioned to cooperate with the opposing resilient means to locate the print in the slot.

5. A print audio playback system comprising an image audio print having a frontside, a backside and audio data storage means, the frontside having visible image information and the backside having a recess in which said storage means is positioned or having said storage means integral with said backside, said audio data storage means having accessible audio data transfer terminals; and an audio player for receiving the print in a predetermined location, said print further including locating means cooperable with the player for locating the print with respect to the player.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein the audio data storage means is located in a predetermined position in the print with respect to the print locating means.

7. A system according to claim 5 wherein the visible image information on the frontside of the print contains a plurality of images and wherein the plurality of images are positioned on the frontside of the print in a predetermined location with respect to the print locating means.

8. A print audio playback system comprising an image audio print and an audio player, wherein the print has a frontside, a backside and audio data storage means, the frontside having visible image information including a plurality of images, the backside having a recess in which said storage means is positioned or having said storage means integral with said backside, said audio data storage means having accessible audio data transfer terminals and means for storing and separately accessing a discrete audio data segment or signal corresponding to each image; the player having print locating means and a touchscreen positioned to overlie said print received therein and wherein the plurality of images on the print are located in a predetermined location with respect to the print locating means of the player.

9. A method of making an image-audio print of a predetermined length and width, comprising:

providing a first substrate having said predetermined length and width and having image information on a first side and having a second side,

providing a second substrate having said predetermined length and width, a first side and a second side and an audio data storage means integral to the second substrate and accessible from the second side of the second substrate, the first side of the second substrate containing an adhesive,

affixing the second side of the first substrate to the first side of the second substrate with the substrates totally overlying each other without edge overlap, and

exposing an adhesive backing sheet from the first side of the second substrate before the affixing step.

10. A method of making an image-audio print of a predetermined length and width, comprising:

affixing a first side of a second substrate having first and second sides and said predetermined length and width and an audio data storage means integral to the second substrate and accessible to its second side to a second side of a first substrate which first substrate is in web configuration and has a first side with a series of visible images, and

cutting said first substrate to form said image-audio print.

11. A method of making a print having both image and audio information, said method comprising:

providing a first web having first and second sides with a series of visible images on the first side,

providing a second web,

forming a series of apertures in the second web,

positioning an accessible audio data storage means on the second side of the first web, each storage means corresponding to a separate image on the first side of the first web,

overlying the second side of the first web with the second web with an aperture of the second web aligned with an audio data storage means affixed to the first web,

affixing the webs together, and

cutting the affixed webs into prints having image and audio information on opposite sides.

12. A method of making a print having both image and audio information, comprising:

providing a first web having first and second sides with a series of images on the first side,

providing second and third webs, said second web having first and second sides,

forming a series of apertures in the third web, each aperture corresponding to an image on the first web,

affixing a series of accessible audio data storage means on the second side of the second web, one storage means corresponding to each image on the first web,

affixing the third web to the second side of the second web with each accessible audio data storage means on the second web aligned with an aperture in the third web,

affixing the first side of the second web to the second side of the first web, and

cutting the affixed webs into prints having image information and audio information on opposite sides.

13. Player apparatus for receiving a print having both image and audio information, which print has first and second opposite edges, print locating means including discontinuities in the first and second edges, a frontside having visible image information and a backside having an accessible audio data storage means, with the accessible audio data storage means positioned in a predetermined location with respect to the print locating means, said apparatus comprising:

means including a slot having an open side for receiving the print in a receiving position with the frontside viewable from a viewing side of the apparatus and including resilient means responsive to the discontinuities of the print locating means for accurately positioning the accessible audio data storage means with respect to the receiving means;

means positioned opposite a received print from the viewing side of the apparatus for accessing an accurately positioned accessible audio data storage means; and

a transparent touchscreen positioned on the viewing side of a print received in the slot.

14. Player apparatus for receiving a print having both image and audio information, which print has first and second opposite edges, print locating means including discontinuities in the first and second edges, a frontside having visible image information and a backside having an accessible audio data storage means, with the accessible audio data storage means positioned in a predetermined location with respect to the print locating means, said apparatus comprising:

means for receiving the print in a receiving position with the frontside viewable from a viewing side of the apparatus and including resilient means responsive to the discontinuities of the print locating means for accurately positioning the accessible audio data storage means with respect to the receiving means; and

means positioned opposite a received print from the viewing side of the apparatus for accessing an accurately positioned accessible audio data storage means

wherein said print includes a third edge connecting the first and second edges and wherein the player apparatus receiving means further includes a power-on switch engageable by the third edge when the discontinuities are engaged by the resilient means.

15. Player apparatus for receiving an accessible audio data storage means having a plurality of audio data segments or signals and a print which print has a plurality of images on a frontside, the images corresponding to the audio data segments or signals, said apparatus comprising:

means for receiving the print and for positioning the print in a predetermined location with the frontside viewable,

means for selecting one of the plurality of images, such selecting means comprising a touchscreen positioned to overlie the frontside of a received print and

means for receiving and accessing the accessible audio data storage means including means for playing an audio data segment or signal from the audio data storage means in response to a selection made with respect to one of the plurality of images.

16. Player apparatus according to claim 15 including a display means positioned to underlie the touchscreen and cooperable with the touchscreen to effect operator control of the player apparatus.

17. Player apparatus for receiving a print having image and audio information, which print has a frontside having a plurality of images at predetermined locations relative to the print locating means, an accessible audio data storage means, and a backside providing access to the accessible audio data storage means, said accessible audio data storage means having a plurality of audio segments, each segment corresponding to a different one of said images, said player apparatus comprising:

means for receiving the print in a predetermined location with the frontside viewable from a viewing side of the player apparatus,

means for selecting one of said plurality of images, and

means positioned facing the backside of a received print in the predetermined location for accessing the accessible audio data storage means and including means for playing a selected audio data segment from the audio data storage means in response to said image selection.

18. Player apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the means for selecting includes a touchscreen positioned to overlie a received print.

19. Player apparatus according to claim 17 including means for recording discreet audio data segments in the accessible audio data storage means of a received print for each of the plurality of images.

20. Player apparatus according to claim 17 including means actuable by touchscreen actuation over an image for selecting which audio data segment is to be recorded.

21. Player apparatus according to claim 17 further including player apparatus memory means for storing an audio data segment and means for accessing the accessible audio data storage means of a received print to store a discreet data segment from said audio data storage means in a received print in the player apparatus memory.

22. Player apparatus according to claim 21 including means for accessing the player apparatus memory to utilize a stored audio data segment originating from a first print to record said audio data segment in an audio data storage means of a second print.

23. Player apparatus according to claim 18 further including an electronic display means positioned to underlie the touchscreen and means for controlling the player apparatus by cooperation between the touchscreen and the display means.

24. Player apparatus for receiving an accessible audio data storage means and an index print, which index print includes a plurality of images and which accessible audio data storage means includes a plurality of audio data segments, each data segment corresponding to a different one of the plurality of images, said apparatus comprising:

means for receiving the index print,

means for receiving the accessible audio data storage means,

means for selecting one of the plurality of images,

means for accessing the data segment in the accessible audio data storage means corresponding to the selected images;

a player apparatus memory and means for storing the selected audio data segment in said memory for use in recording into a different audio data storage means.

25. Player apparatus according to claim 24 further including means for playing the selected data segment.

26. Player apparatus according to claim 24 further including means for recording over the selected data segment.

27. Player apparatus according to claim 24 for use with an accessible audio data storage means and an index print in which the accessible audio data storage means is accessible from the backside of the index print and wherein the player apparatus includes means for receiving the index print in a location in which the means for accessing the accessible audio data storage means faces the backside of the received print and is positioned to access the accessible audio data storage means.

28. Player apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the means for selecting is a touchscreen positioned to overlie a received print.

29. Player apparatus according to claim 28 further including an electronic display means positioned to underlie the touchscreen and means for controlling the player apparatus by cooperation between the touchscreen and the display means.

30. Player apparatus according to claim 24 further including means for recognizing which image has been selected and for indicating an identity of the selected image.

31. Player apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said means for indicating an identity of the selected image is an LCD display means.

32. Player apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said display shows one or both of a message and a picture frame number.

33. Player apparatus for receiving a print having both image information and accessible audio data storage means, said player apparatus comprising:

means for receiving said print,

player means for storing an audio data segment,

means for accessing the accessible audio data storage means of a received print and for storing a data segment from the accessible audio data storage means in the player means for storing an audio data segment, and

means for recording a data segment stored in the player means for storing an audio data segment in an accessible audio data storage means of a received print to thereby copy an audio data segment from one accessible audio data storage means into either a different place in the same accessible audio data storage means or in an accessible audio data storage means associated with a different print.

34. Player apparatus according to claim 33 including means for signaling that an audio segment is stored in the player means for storing.

35. Player apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said means for signaling that an audio segment is stored in the player means for storing is a nonvolatile electronically interrogable and configurable memory device.

36. A player apparatus for receiving a print having a frontside and a backside, the frontside having visible image information and the backside including accessible audio data storage means having an audio data segment or signal associated with the image information, said player apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a print with the audio data storage means in a predetermined location,

means for storing an audio data segment,

means for accessing an audio data segment in an accessible audio data storage means of a received print and for storing that data segment in the means for storing, and

means for retrieving an audio data segment stored in the means for storing and for further storing that data segment in an accessible audio data storage means of a second print received by the player apparatus different from the print in which the data segment originated, thereby copying one audio data segment from one print to another.

37. Player apparatus for receiving an accessible audio data storage means and an index print, which index print includes a plurality of images and which accessible audio data storage means includes a plurality of audio data segments, each data segment corresponding to a different one of the plurality of images, said apparatus comprising:

means for receiving the index print,

means for receiving the accessible audio data storage means,

means for selecting one of the plurality of images,

means for accessing the data segment in the accessible audio data storage means corresponding to the selected image;

a player apparatus memory and means for storing the selected audio data segment in said memory for use in recording into a different audio data storage means; and

means for recognizing whether a received print is an index print or a single image print.

38. Player apparatus according to claim 37 wherein said means for recognizing a received print is interrogation of an electronic memory device.

This invention relates to an image print having an audio data storage means. It also relates to a method of making such a print and to a player for facilitating viewing and listening to the print.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,363,158 to Stoneham, issued Nov. 8, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,989 to Hawkins et al, issued Feb. 14, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,472 to Bell et al, issued Jan. 4, 1994; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,157 to Cocca, issued Nov. 8, 1994, are representative of a number of references which show cameras capable of recording both still pictures and audio. Typically, a microphone in the camera is used to record a message or other audio data at the time of picture taking in a storage mechanism permanently located in the camera. The recorded data is then either magnetically or optically rerecorded onto the film.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,472, referred to above, the photofinisher reads the audio data from the film and converts it into a suitable encodement format such as a bar code or binary coded blister marks which are impressed on the photoprint itself for subsequent playback. The encodement can be a series of blisters on the print in the front margin or its backside. Playback is accomplished by scanning the encodement across a reader which converts the encodement into audio data and stores it into a memory which can then be accessed by pushing suitable buttons on the reader itself.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,686 to Scott, issued Nov. 22, 1994, shows a sleeve for a photograph, which sleeve includes an IC memory into which audio data can be recorded and from which it can be retrieved. The sleeve can be "plugged in" to a player by vertical movement of an end of the sleeve into an electrical connector in the player.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,313,235 to Inoue et al, issued May 17, 1994, shows a player for receiving a print in a slot. The print has a code on it which is readable by the player as the print is inserted. A separate audio data storage medium is also insertable into a different slot in the player. The player can recognize the code and play audio associated with that particular photograph from the audio data storage medium. In another embodiment, the audio data from the camera is transferred to a magnetic tape which is adhered to the front of the photographic print. A magnetic head in the player reads the magnetic tape to provide the audio with the photograph. See also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,700 to Inoue et al, issued Jul. 7, 1992.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,029 to Kelley, issued Feb. 27, 1990, shows a single sheet photographic recording medium having a magnetic acoustic medium integral with its frontside. The camera provides both an exposure of the photographic medium and recording on the acoustic medium. A player can receive the print in a position where it can be viewed while the magnetic acoustic data is being played. This reference suggests that, although not currently practical, the magnetic acoustic recording medium may be replaced with an electronic chip attached to or embedded in the paper laminates of a photograph. The chip would have one or more miniature wire coils extending from it which would communicate power, input of acoustic data and output of acoustic data by magnetic induction.

PCT International Publication WO94/15253, published Jul. 7, 1994 to Tsai, also suggests a still picture-audio system in which a magnetic or optical audio "data strip" is shown on the front of a slide or print. It is also suggested that the strip could be on the back surface of a print. It is also suggested that the storage media could also someday be an optical WORM or semiconductor memory, such as a PROM or ROM. See also, PCT International Publication W095/14958, published Jun. 1, 1995.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,663, granted to Norris on May 28, 1996, discloses a system for optically recording audio data on film. A player can access audio data from a group of images and record it for selective playback by touching a portion of a sleeve containing the image.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/237,077, filed May 3, 1994, to Manico et al, discloses an apparatus for storing and displaying prints or other images which includes a module which can play audio associated with an image from a physically separate audio data storage medium when that image is displayed. In some embodiments, the prints are coded with information allowing automatic retrieval of the audio in response to accessing the coded information.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,610 to Godfrey et al, issued Jul. 18, 1995, shows an educational device for children in which a number of discrete photos are arranged in columns and rows with each photo connected to a discrete recorded message such that, upon a photo being pressed, the message is played. See also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,634 to Cutler et al.

French Patent No. 2,697,938 to Vocal Technologies, published May 13, 1994, is typical of a number of references which show postcards and other similar devices which combine a photograph, audio and a speaker for playing the audio. See also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,374 to Schwartz, issued Oct. 25, 1994.

In association with modern photographic systems, many photofinishers furnish what is known as an "index print" with the prints from a single roll of film. The index print is a single print with small images duplicating each of the prints on a roll of film (or other group of original images) and arranged in columns and rows. PCT International Publication No. 92/20065, published 12 Nov. 1992, shows apparatus for receiving and viewing an index print. In this reference the index print is inserted under a touchscreen which allows individual pictures in the index print to be accessed by touching for purposes of showing that particular image electronically.

It is clear that the customer has a desire for sound (audio) associated with images. The audio can be a message from the photographer, a recording of things happening at the time the picture was taken, or suitable music or other audio effects associated with the scene being photographed. Many of the approaches in the above references satisfy this desire with separate audio data storage devices which must be separately plugged into a player and are separated from the print in storage. Others involve storage mediums on the print itself which reduce the image portion of the print or make the print body less compact. Still others involve storage media which degrade with use or time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to improve the reliability and convenience associated with the combination of audio and images.

According to one aspect of the invention, this and other objects are accomplished by a print having opposite front and backsides, the front having visible image information. An accessible audio data storage means, for example, a randomly accessible nonvolatile memory, such as an EPROM or EEPROM, is positioned in a recess in the print, preferably in a recess in the backside of the print or is integral with the backside of the print. Although the audio data storage means preferably is accessible from the backside of the print, it can be accessible from the front.

The visible image information can be a single still image print or transparency. It can also be a multiple image print, such as, a dynamic or depth image. According to another aspect of the invention, the image information is an index print having a plurality of images representative of the images in a particular group, for example, images from a single roll of film. The audio data storage means for such a print is capable of holding separate audio data (sometimes herein called audio data segments or sound segments) for each of the plurality of images.

The preferred embodiments of the invention, especially those with the audio storage means accessible from the print backside, provide an extensive data storage for one or more substantial audio data segments associated with a print that does not objectionably increase the size of the print nor reduce, or visibly detract from the appearance of the image.

According to another aspect of the invention, the print is manufactured by affixing two sheets together, a first sheet containing the image information on a side defining the frontside of the sheet. The second sheet provides a recess for the audio data storage means and further provides increased stiffness for the print. Utilizing this aspect of the invention, the prints with the audio data storage means are readily mass produceable by a photofinisher. Further, according to another preferred embodiment, the recess for the audio data storage means provides a detent which can assist in locating the print in a player.

According to a preferred embodiment of the inventive method, a print having both image and audio is made by providing a substrate having first and second sides with a visible image on the first side, providing a recess in a second substrate, the second substrate having first and second sides and the recess being accessible, preferably from the second side of the second substrate, and positioning an accessible audio data storage means in the recess oriented to be accessible from the second side of the second substrate and affixing the secon