US5954514A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Talking album for photographic prints
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1997-08-14
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Granted: 1999-09-21
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Expires: 2017-08-14
Abstract
Abstract An album (50) for photographic prints includes a front cover (52); a back cover (54); a binder member (56) attached between the front and back covers; an elongated, partially cylindrical shell member (78) attached to the binder member, the shell member having opposite ends (80, 82) and opposed longitudinal edges (90, 92), the longitudinal edges being attached to the binder member; and at least one album page (94) movably attached to the shell member, the page having opposed portions (96, 98) which extend around the opposite ends, whereby the page can be moved circumferentially around the shell member from a first position near one of the covers to a second position near another of the covers. The album may include a sensing device (30, 32) to detect movement of the at least one page and a produce a signal; and a system (124-160), responsive to the signal, for playing back sound messages or displaying text messages, or both, associated with photographic prints carried by the at least one page.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth M. Haas
- 👤 David R. Dowe
- 👤 Dale F. McIntyre
- 👤 Laura R. Whitby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:21
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B5/00; G09B5/06; G09B5/062; B; B42; B42D; B42D1/00; B42D1/08; B42D3/00; B42D3/12; B42D3/123
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An album for photographic prints, comprising: a front cover; a back cover; a binder member attached between said front and back covers; an elongated, partially cylindrical shell member attached to said binder member, said shell member having opposite ends and opposed longitudinal edges, said longitudinal edges being attached to said binder member; and at least one album page movably attached to said shell member, said album page having opposed portions which extend around said opposite ends, whereby said album page can be moved circumferentially along said shell member from a first position near one of said covers to a second position near another of said covers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
An album for photographic prints, comprising: a front cover; a back cover; a binder member attached between said front and back covers; an elongated, partially cylindrical shell member attached to said binder member, said shell member having opposite ends and opposed longitudinal edges, said longitudinal edges being attached to said binder member; and at least one album page movably attached to said shell member, said album page having opposed portions which extend around said opposite ends, whereby said album page can be moved circumferentially along said shell member from a first position near one of said covers to a second position near another of said covers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
An album according to claim 1, further comprising: a sensing device to detect movement of said at least one album page and to produce a signal; and a system, responsive to said signal, for playing back sound messages associated with photographic prints carried by said at least one album page.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
An album according to claim 2, wherein: an interior volume is defined between said shell member and said binder member; and said sensing device includes a magnet carried on said at least one album page and a magnetic sensor located within said interior volume to detect movement of said at least one album page and to produce said signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
85 words
An album according to claim 2, wherein: said binder member comprises an external surface which is accessible when said album is closed and shelved like a book; said system comprises a first speaker supported by said binder member for playing back sound messages through said external surface when said album is closed; and a switch is supported by said binder member and accessible at said external surface for activating said system to play back a sound message when said album is shelved like a book.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An album according to claim 4, further comprising a second speaker supported by one of said covers for playing back sound messages when said album is open.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An album according to claim 2, further comprising a pair of end caps installed at respective opposite ends of said shell member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An album according to claim 6, wherein said end caps are relieved to guide movement of said opposed portions of said at least one album page.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
An album according to claim 2, wherein said system also records said sound messages.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
An album according to claim 2, wherein: an interior volume is defined between said shell member and said binder member; said system comprises at least one battery installed in said interior volume near one of said opposite ends; and an end cap is removably installed in said one opposite end for providing access to said battery.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An album according to claim 9, wherein said end cap is relieved to guide movement of one of said opposed portions of said at least one page.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
An album according to claim 1, wherein: said shell member comprises at one end an open-ended slot through which one of said opposed portions can be inserted; and a latch member is slidably mounted in said open-ended slot for blocking said slot to prevent removal of said one opposed portion through said slot.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
An album according to claim 1, wherein: an interior volume is defined between said shell member and said binder member; and said opposed portions are hooks having ends which are inserted into said interior volume.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
An album according to claim 12, wherein said hooks are flexible to permit their being flexed past said opposite ends into said interior volume.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
An album according to claim 1, wherein said shell member is made up of a plurality of sections which are axially aligned between said opposite ends.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
An album according to claim 1, wherein said front and back covers are hinged to said binder member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
An album according to claim 1, further comprising: a sensing device to detect movement of said at least one page album and to produce a signal; and a system, responsive to said signal, for displaying text messages associated with photographic prints carried by said at least one album page.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
An album according to claim 16, wherein said system also records said text message.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
82 words
An album according to claim 16, wherein: said binder member comprises an external surface which is accessible when said album is closed and shelved like a book; said system comprises a display supported by said binder member for displaying text messages at said external surface when said album is closed; and a switch is supported by said binder member and accessible at said external surface for activating said system to display a text message when said album is shelved like a book.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
134 words
An album for photographic prints, comprising: a front cover; a back cover; a binder member pivotably attached between said front and back covers; at least one album page movably attached to said binder member between said covers; a system for playing back sound messages associated with photographic prints carried by said at least one page; wherein, said binder member comprises an external surface which is accessible when said album is closed and shelved like a book; said system comprises a first speaker supported by said binder member for playing back sound messages through said external surface when said album is closed; and a switch is supported by said binder member and accessible at said external surface for activating said system to play back a sound message when said album is shelved like a book.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
134 words
An album for photographic prints, comprising: a front cover; a back cover; a binder member pivotably attached between said front and back covers; at least one album page movably attached to said binder member between said covers; a system for playing back sound messages associated with photographic prints carried by said at least one page; wherein, said binder member comprises an external surface which is accessible when said album is closed and shelved like a book; said system comprises a first speaker supported by said binder member for playing back sound messages through said external surface when said album is closed; and a switch is supported by said binder member and accessible at said external surface for activating said system to play back a sound message when said album is shelved like a book.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
An album according to claim 19, further comprising a second speaker supported by one of said covers for playing back a sound message when said album is open.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
An album according to claim 19, wherein said system also records said sound message.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
130 words
An album for photographic prints, comprising: a front cover; a back cover; a binder member pivotably attached between said front and back covers; at least one album page movably attached to said binder member between said covers; a system for displaying text messages associated with photographic prints carried by said at least one page; wherein, said binder member comprises an external surface which is accessible when said album is closed and shelved like a book; said system comprises a display supported by said binder member for displaying text messages at said external surface when said album is closed; and a switch is supported by said binder member and accessible at said external surface for activating said system to display a text message when said album is shelved like a book.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
130 words
An album for photographic prints, comprising: a front cover; a back cover; a binder member pivotably attached between said front and back covers; at least one album page movably attached to said binder member between said covers; a system for displaying text messages associated with photographic prints carried by said at least one page; wherein, said binder member comprises an external surface which is accessible when said album is closed and shelved like a book; said system comprises a display supported by said binder member for displaying text messages at said external surface when said album is closed; and a switch is supported by said binder member and accessible at said external surface for activating said system to display a text message when said album is shelved like a book.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
An album according to claim 22, further comprising a second display supported by one of said covers for displaying a text message when said album is open.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
An album according to claim 22, wherein said system also records said text message.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
An album according to claim 5, wherein said system switches between said first speaker and said second speaker when said album is opened or closed.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
An album according to claim 20, wherein said system switches between said first speaker and said second speaker when said album is opened or closed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-09-20 | 2003-03-22 | 2003-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-20 | 2007-03-22 | 2007-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-20 | 2011-03-22 | 2011-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |