GB2473021A - Audio recording and playback device with suction cup - Google Patents

Abstract

An audio labelling device 8 suitable for attachment to a whiteboard or similarly smooth surface. The audio labeling device comprising a casing 16 for accommodating a means for recording a sound clip and a means for playing a sound clip, one or more actuators 10 to initiate the recording and playing process and one or more suction cups 18 attached to the rear of the casing 14 to facilitate it's attachment to a whiteboard or similarly smooth surface. The device may have a single mode selecting button 10 that causes a sound clip to be recorded when depressed for longer than 0.5 seconds and causes a recorded sound clip to be played when pressed and released within 0.5 seconds. The button 10 may provide 70-90% of the front face 12. The device may be shaped and have decoration, logo or a brand name. The front face may have a transparent pocket to receive a photograph or label.

Description

AUDIO LABELLING DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device that is capable of recording, rerecording and playing back audio information and can be easily attached, detached, reattached and repositioned on the surface of a whiteboard, window, or similarly smooth surface with the use of a suction cup permanently attached directly to the rear of the device's casing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

ft is often required to make visible notes, memos and reminders. Many people utilise whiteboards for this purpose. Whiteboards provide the user with a convenient, highly visible surface onto which written information and other annotations can be stored and made readily available. Whiteboards a'so allow the user to wipe the information and reuse the surface, for writing new notes. Whiteboard annotations, whilst extremely useful, are limited in the aspect that they can only display graphical, textual information. Additionally, the amount of information that can be displayed on a whiteboard is limited by the area of the whiteboard and the size of the user's handwriting. When compared with a computer, the whiteboard, as a means for information storage and retrieval, is primitive. Despite this, whiteboards remain popular because unlike the computer they display and record without having to power-up or og on. It is desirable to enhance the capabilities of a whiteboard to provide an easy to notice, easy to access means of storing and presenting a greater amount of information.

Whiteboards are great for displaying visual notes but space is often at a premium and it is desirable for the whiteboard to show only subject titles and employ a device to allow the user to dig-down and be supplied with a greater depth of information at the press of a button.

t is with these and other considerations in mind that the present invention has been created.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the invention provides an audio labeffing device suitable for attachment to a whiteboard or similarly smooth surface, the audio labeffing device comprising a casing accommodating a means for recording a sound dip, a means for playing a sound clip, one or more actuators to activate the recording and playing means and one or more suction cups for affixing the casing to a surface. As such, the invention provides a way of IabeIing a whiteboard or similarly smooth surface with easily retrievable sounds, an audio accompaniment or a voice.

The actuators (buttons/switches) are used to activate the means for recording and play back and the one or more suction cups enable the easy attaching and detaching of the device to a whiteboard or similady smooth surface. In this way, the invention allows for a sound bite to be easily attached to a surface and deanly and easily detached from that surface by employing the use of a suction cup. The audio labelling device allows audio information to be added to a whiteboard in a similar way that pinning a photograph to a whiteboard adds a picture.

However, unlike a photograph, this device allows recording and rerecording. This is benefici& because information stored in audio format can convey a more meaningful message than the written word. The audio abelling devices may become known as "Sucker Notes". In effect, the invention can give a whiteboard (or simiarly smooth presentation surface) a voice'.

Preferably, the one or more actuators comprises a single push-button disposed on a front face of the audio labelling device and about 70% to 90% of said front-face of the audio labelling device is the push-button. This allows for a simple, easy to use audio label device. Push and hold the push-button to record, push once and release to playback.

Preferably the device is attachable to a whiteboard or similar smooth surface by means of a suction cup attached to the rear of the audio labeWng device. This aows for a compact device that is easily attached and positioned. The mere presence of the device serves as a usefu' reminder.

Optionay, the casing is sized and configured to accommodate a circuit board comprising the means for recording (and rerecording) a sound dip and the means for retrieving and playing the recorded sound dip, the said one or more actuators, said suction cup and a power source; the power source optionally being coupleable to the circuit board for powering said circuit board, said one or more actuators being coupled to the circuit board for activating the sound dip recording and sound playing means, said one or more actuators being accessible from a front face of the casing and the suction cup extending from a side/rear of the casing so that once the suction cup is used to affix the audio labelling device in a desired location, the (or each) actuator can be operated to cause a sound dip to be played or to invoke the recording of a new sound dip.

Preferably, the audio abelling device comprises only one actuator (push button) and comprises a mode-selection microcontroler which together are operabe to cause a sound clip to be recorded by depressing the actuator for longer than 0.5 seconds and which are operable to cause a recorded sound clip to be played back by depressing and releasing the actuator within 0.5 seconds.

Preferably the means for recording a sound clip is operabe to record and store a single sound clip lasting as long as 120 seconds.

Optionally, the casing is shaped and/or comprises printed graphics or decoration indicative of the suggested use of the audio labelling device.

Preferably the casing has a shape selected from the following: circular, heart shaped, flower shaped, square shaped, animal shaped. Even more preferably, the casing comprises one or more of a logo, symbolic graphic, brand name or no-smoking sign.

s Optionally, one of said one or more actuators is disposed on a front face of the casing and is transparent and formed as a pocket to receive and hold a photograph, printed label, picture or other graphical indication for end-user customisation of the audio labelling device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURES 1A to 1C are front, side, and rear plan views of an audio labelling device according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIGURES 1D and 1E are expanded-side and side-cross-sectional plan views of an audio labelling device according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIGURE iF is a perspective view from the top and front of the audio labelling device shown in Figures 1A to 1E; FIGURE 1G is a perspective view from the top and front of a suction cup used in the device shown in Figures 1A to iF; FIGURES 2A to 2C are front, side and rear plan views of an audio labelling device according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIGURES 3A to 3C are front, side and rear, plan views respectively of an audio labelling device according to a third embodiment of the invention; FIGURES 4A to 4G are front, side and rear, front and side plan views respectively of an audio labelling device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 5 is a plan view of six devices according to the first embodiment of the invention shown, in use, in one exemplary application of the invention where the devices are affixed on a whiteboard; FIGURE 6 is a schematic diagram showing the components of a control unit used n conjunction with the exemplary embodiments illustrated in Figures 1A to 4G; FIGURES 7A to 7C are front, side and rear, plan views respectively of an audio labelling device according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; and FIGURE 8 is a circuit diagram showing the components of a control unit used in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments illustrated in Figures 7A to 7C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Upon reading the foregoing description, the benefits of an audio note device 8, 108, 208, 308, 408 will be understood, Whereas these benefits are described with reference to an audio note device having certain specific construction and capability, it will readily be understood that the beneficial features of the audio note device could be achieved in other ways than those described. As such the embodiments illustrated and described should be understood as being exemplary only and do not provide an exhaustive recitation of the only possible implementations of the invention.

Referring now to Figures 1A to 4F, four alternative embodiments of the present invention are lIustrated in which Ike numerals have, where possible, been used for like parts, with the addition of the prefix "1" and "2" and so on to distinguish the features of later embodiments from those of the first embodiments. To avoid repetitious explanation, the embodiments may be described together and when described separately, only the differences between the embodiments will be explained in any greater detail.

Referring to Figures 1A to 1G there are shown a variety of views of an audio note device 8, including a perspective view in Figure iF of the device 8 from the front and top. The audio note device comprises a casing 16 shaped and configured to accommodate a power source (not shown), a control unit 40 (see Figures 1D and 1E and 8) for recording and playing a sound dip, s an optional speaker 42, an optional inner casing 44, an actuator or push button 10 and a suction cup 18. The control unit 40 is illustrated schematically in Figure 8. The suction cup 18 is shown in perspective view in Figure 1G and an expanded view of the device 8 is illustrated in Figure 1D.

The actuator 10 is a mechanical device that can impart an operating force onto electrical contacts of a switch in the control unit 40 and may be a push-button, rocker or any other type of mechanical switch. The actuator lOis accessible from a main surface of the casing 16 and in this embodiment from the front face 12 of the casing 16. The suction cup 18 preferably is positioned oppositely to said actuator 10 so that once the suction cup 18 is used to affix the audio note device 8 in a desired location, the actuator 10 can be activated to cause the control unit 40 to play a recorded sound clip or record a new sound clip. In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 1C, 1D and iF it can be seen that the suction cup 18 is positioned to extend from a rear face 14 of the casing 16.

The casing may comprise two parts, a first part comprising the front face 12 of the casing and a second part comprising the rear face 14 of the casing. The two parts are affixable together by mechanical fastening or chemical adhesive means. Preferably, the two parts are formed of moulded plastic and a complimentary indent and detent arrangement (not shown) is provided to facilitate the friction fitting of the two-parts for holding the two-parts together and for holding the casing in a unitary formation. Optionally, the casing 16 is a sealed unit that cannot be separated into two parts.

The suction cup 18 facilitates the attachment of the device 8 to a whiteboard, window or other substantiay smooth surface where the device 8 could be located for acting as a convenient physical reminder of certain information. The suction cup is shown in Figure 1G and comprises a concave base 28, a nipple or pull tab 26 for releasing the suction cup 18 from a surface to which it has been attached and a head 30 and collar 32 for fixedly attaching the suction cup 18 to the rear side 14 of the casing 16 of the device 8.

The expanded view of Figure 1D illustrates a way in which the components of the audio note device 8 may be assembled. It can be seen that a front part of the casing 16 receives the push button 10, the control unit 40 is disposed beneath the push button 10, an optional speaker 42 is disposed beneath the control unit 40 and optionally the control unit 40 and speaker 42 are housed within an inner casing 44. The suction cup 18 is affixed by means of a friction fit of head within an aperture (not shown) in the rear face 14 of the casing 16.

In Figure 8 it can be seen that a power source C4 is coupled to the control unit 40 for powering the control unit 40. The power source C4 preferably is a battery or a number of cells providing about 4.5 to 5.5 Volts. The actuator or push button 10 is coupled to the control unit 40 for operating a switching mechanism Cl of the control unit 40 which activates a mode-selection circuit C2. Depending upon the mode of operation selected by the mode-selection circuit C2, the control unit 40 will either operate a sound clip recording circuit C3 or a sound clip playing circuit C5 of the control unit 40. Microchips such as ISD 2500, having recording capabilities could be utilised in the control unit 40. Preferably, the audio label has the capacity to store one sound clip and an existing sound clip is deleted and written over in order to enable a new sound clip to be recorded.

The actuator preferably is a biased push-to-make button coupled to an electrical contact switch Cl on the control unit 40. The control unit 40 optionally comprises a microchip (not shown) comprising the mode-selection circuit C2, such as that described in US 5511046 (see column 3 ines 24 to 36). The mode selection circuit C2 provides a convenient switching mechanism that enab'es a single actuator or push-button 10 to be used to switch between two different functions. In the embodiments illustrated, the audio labeUing device 8 or audio note device 8 s comprises a microchip having the mode-selection circuit C2 such that push-button 10 can be depressed once and immediately released to initiate the playing of a recorded sound clip or depressed and he'd in the depressed state to initiate and continue the recording of a sound clip. The micro-chip can be set to a specific threshold time value. f the switch 10, Cl is closed for less than the thresho'd value then the play operation CS is initiated, however, if the switch 10, Cl is dosed for the threshold time value or longer, then the record operation C3 is initiated.

Optionally, the mode-selection circuit Cl of the microchip is set-up with a thresho'd of 0.5 seconds. In other embodiments, the threshold value is greater or less than 0.5 seconds.

An exemplary application of the audio note device 8 is shown in Figure 5 wherein a whiteboard 424 is illustrated. The whiteboard 424 has been written on with the information of the names of actors who auditioned for the part of Mercutio in an audition that took place on a Monday.

Next to each of the names of the actors who auditioned, an audio note device 8 has been placed. Each of the devices 8 was used during the audition to record a sound clip of each of the actors by depressing the actuator 10 and holding the actuator 10 in the depressed state to record a sound clip of the audition. Sometime later, the whiteboard and the written information thereon, along with the five audio note devices 8 provide the director of the production of Romeo and Juliet with an aide memoir of each of the performances of Mercutio to facilitate the decision making and selection process. In yet a further exemplary application of the audio labelling device, a composer can attach a sound clip of his composed music to a written list of song titles collated on a whiteboard. Similarly a marketing director may list his sales leads on a whiteboard and attach one device 8 to each of his sales leads to provide in depth information as to contact details or sales likelihood.

t will be understood that this example is just one of many applications of the audio note device of the present invention. In other applications of the invention, it may be more suitable for the casing 16 to have a specific shape, colour or other graphical representation to evoke a particular feeling, mood or idea in the person using the device. For example, the audio note could be used to leave a greeting or message to a oved one and in such applications, the casing could be appropriately coloured and shaped. An example of such an audio note 108 is shown in Figures 2A to 2C wherein the casing 116 is heart shaped and the button 110 is also similarly heart shaped.

A further example of the graphical indicia that is used in some embodiments of the invention is shown in Figures 3A to 3C where a no-smoking sign is printed, painted, moulded or otherwise depicted in colour or in b'ack and white on the push-button and/or casing 216.

Yet a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 4A to 4E wherein the push button or actuator 310 is provided with a picture frame or pocket 320 which is formed such that a picture, photograph or other medium 322 can be inserted therein. The picture frame 320 is preferably formed of transparent material so that the image or graphic 322 disposed within the frame 320 is disp'ayed. This application is useful for personalizing the audio noting device 308 or for adding a temporary written label or other annotation onto the device 308. For instance, rather than writing the name of the auditioning actor on a whiteboard next to the device 408 as illustrated with respect to Figure 5, instead a paper abel with each actor's name on could have be inserted into the frame 320.

Yet a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated with respect to Figures 7A to 8. Figure 8 shows an afternative control unit comprising two switches SW1 and SW2. The SW1 switch is operated with a biased push-to make actuator 710, which controls whether the device is on or off. The second switch SW2 is a toggle switch that can be moved to select with the play mode or the record mode. The toggle actuator 750 for operating switch SW2 of control unit 740 is shown in Figures 7B and 7C. In this configuration the mode selection toggle 750 for selecting either play or record is dispose near the top of the device and on a side of the device 708.

It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present nvention, for example, the size and shape of the casings, buttons, and number of suction cup fixing means may be adjusted to suit a variety of applications. Preferably, the casing has a height H' (as in Figure 1A) of about 2cm. In other embodiments, the overall height is greater than or less than 2cm. Preferably, the audio labeling device is a compact and simple-to-use device that enables a user to easily and quickly record useful information in the form of a sound clip and position the audio noting device in a convenient location for easy retrieval of that information. It will therefore be understood that the audio device can be constructed in a variety of sizes.

In other embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that the control mechanism is provided by only one button or by more than one button. It is also envisaged that the actuator or button(s) may be disposed adjacent one another or in a variety of configurations. Whereas the actuator 10 has been described as a biased push-to-make button comprising a spring to bias the button in its open state, it will be understood that a variety of switches could be used, including a toggle. Where two buttons are used it may not be necessary or required to utilize a mode-selection micro controller since a second switch can be used to select the operation mode of play or record.

In other optional embodiments of the invention a power switch is provided for disconnecting the power supply from the rest of the control unit 40. In other embodiments of the invention, the power supply may take different formats than a single SV battery and may be three 1.5V batteries. Indeed depending upon the requirements of the control unit, a lower power or -11 -higher power source is used. The power supply could comprise more than one battery and/or the or each battery could be a rechargeable battery. The power supply could take a variety of formats, including, but not exclusively, USB powered and solar powered.

s The control unit 40 may take many and various formats and can be designed in a variety of ways providing that the control unit 40 is operable by one or more buttons to activate an electronic sound recording means and an electronic sound playing means. The control unit 40 may take the form of a ful'y integrated Circuit (IC), a fully wired circuit or an integrated circuit, micro-controller or micro-chip may be used in conjunction with wired components including, but not exclusively, one or more resistors, one or more switches, one or more capacitors, a microphone, an amplifier, a speaker, a noise smoothing filter, a clock, a light, a memory.

f a light is provide it may be provided in the form of an LED and may be coupled to the contro' unit or circuit board such that it is illuminated once a sound clip has been recorded and has not yet been played so that someone can see that an audio message has been left and is awaiting collection.

Optionally the audio noting or audio labelling device may be provided with suitable connectivity to enable the device to be connected to a computer or other electronic instrument for the upload or download of sound clips or audio recordings or even upload graphics (for display on a small LCD screen), whether in digital or analogue format. Such connectivity may include, but not exclusively, connection via USB or Firewire.

Depending upon the circuitry utilised in the control unit 40, the recorded sound clip may be able to have a variety of lengths including but not exdusively up to 120 seconds, greater than second, greater than 32 seconds and many more possibilities besides. Preferably, the audio -12 -noting device supports the recording of only a single clip for ease of use, which single sound clip can be written over.

It is a further optional aspect of the invention that where a single biased push-to-make button is used, that the button is shaped with a similar outline to the outline shape of the casing 16. In other embodiments of the invention, the button is not shaped similarly to the shape of the outer casing 16.

The or each suction cup, preferably is formed from plastics material and may take a variety of formats, shapes, colours providing that the suction cup is suitable for affixing the device to a smooth surface. Preferably the friction fit collar described is used to permanently affix the suction cup directly to the rear of the device. Other mechanical fixing or chemical adhesive bonding could be used to achieve this.

In other non-illustrated applications, the casing and/or button may be printed, painted, moulded or otherwise depicted in colour or in black and white with the logo, brand name or trade mark for marketing purposes. The casing and/or actuator or push button may optionally comprise a digital display such as a Liquid crystal display.

Preferably the actuator is a push-button and the push button typically takes up between about 70% to about 90% or even a greater proportion of the front face of the device. As such the audio label device comprises such a substantial proportion of button that it is obvious how to use the device and thus the simplicity and ease of use of the device is enhanced.

n yet other envisaged embodiments the control unit may not be comprise a recording capability or the recording capability to re-write over a recorded sound dip may be disabled so that only a pre-recorded sound dip, song or comical sound bite can be p'ayed by the device, Such audio labeling devices have application where the message to be played is not required to S be changed.

The many variations and changes discussed above may be used in a variety of combinations and it wW be understood that specific features can be used in conjunction with other specific features, For example, the audio label comprising an LCD screen may be implemented in combination with the push-button taking up around 70 to about 90% of the front face of the casing and in conjunction with the audio label having or not having the ability to re-record a sound clip.

n other envisaged embodiments of the invention, the recording facility may permit the recording of more than one sound clip and storage of more than one sound clip. In such devices a memory register and ability to scroll through the register of recorded sound clips and available space to record further sound bites provided.

It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as "top', "bottom", front" "back", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not limit the respective features to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish those features from one another.

Claims (11)

1. CLAIMS1. An audio labelling device suitable for attachment to a whiteboard or similarly smooth surface, the audio lab&ling device comprising a casing accommodating a means for recording a sound dip, a means for playing a sound clip, one or more actuators to activate the recording and playing means and one or more suction cups for affixing the casing to a surface.
2. 2. An audio labelling device according to daim 1 wherein the one or more actuators comprises a single push-button disposed on a front face of the audio labelling device and about 70% to 90% of said front-face of the audio labelling device is provided by the push-button.
3. 3. An audio labelling device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the device is attachable to a whiteboard or similar smooth surface by means of a suction cup attached to the rear of the audio lab&ling device.
4. 4. An audio labe'ling device according to daim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the casing is sized and configured to accommodate a circuit board comprising the means for recording, a means for rerecording and the means for playing a sound clip, said one or more actuators, said suction cup and a power source, said one or more actuators being accessible from a front or side face of the casing and the suction cup extending from the rear of the casing so that once the suction cup is used to affix the audio label'ing device to a surface, the or each actuator can be operated to cause a sound clip to be played or to cause the recording of a new sound clip.
5. 5. An audio labelfing device according to any preceding claim comprising only one actuator and comprising a mode-selection microcontroller which together are operable to cause a sound clip to be recorded by depressing the actuator for longer than 0.5 seconds and which are operable to cause a recorded sound dip recorded to be played by depressing and releasing the actuator within 0.5 seconds.
6. 6. An audio labelling device according to any preceding wherein the means for recording a sound dip is operable to record and store a single sound dip lasting as long as 120 seconds.
7. 7. An audio labelling device according to any preceding daim wherein the casing is shaped and/or comprises graphics or decoration as an indication of the suggested use of the audio labelling device.
8. 8. An audio labelling device according to claim 7 wherein the casing has a shape selected from the following: circular, heart shaped, square shaped, animal shaped, flower shaped, fried egg shape.
9. 9. An audio labelling device according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the casing comprises one or more of a logo, symbolic graphic, brand name or no-smoking sign.
10. 10. An audio labelling device according to any preceding claim wherein one of said one or more actuators is disposed on a front face of the casing and is formed as a pocket with a transparent front to receive and display a photograph, written label, picture or other printed text or graphic for customisation and labelling of the audio labelling device.
11. 11. An audio labelling device substantially as described herein and/or as illustrated in the accompanying Eigures.