WO2008069744A1

WO2008069744A1 - Voice label

Info

Publication number: WO2008069744A1
Application number: PCT/SE2007/050935
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adam RITZÉN; Björn TILLANDER; Karl Magnus Karlsson
Original assignee: Ritzen Adam; Tillander Bjoern; Karl Magnus Karlsson
Priority date: 2006-12-04
Filing date: 2007-12-04
Publication date: 2008-06-12

Abstract

The present invention relates to a marketing and information providing solution using a sound generating device (e.g. a label) with a sound generator attached to or incorporated into a product or package to be sold. The sound generating device is located in a place on or in the product or package where a cavity behind the device will provide a free volume for increasing the audibility of the generated sound. The sound may for instance be a voice of a well known person making a positive statement of the product. The device may also be provided with an image display for providing changeable images (for instance as a film sequence).

Description

VOICE LABEL

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system, a device, and methods for providing information about a product and in particular to a promotional solution using a label with a sound generating device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to provide information about and especially attracting customers buying products different innovative ways need to be used. The impression the product and in particular the product packaging does on the potential buyer is of utmost importance; this is especially true for products sold in shops where the potential buyer is made available for impulse purchases. This means that the visible parts of the product or package/box of the product need to be standing out from the crowd in some way. One way of doing this is to have a different appearance or changing the appearance regularly, however changing appearance often is often costly since production tools need to be changed and/or design of new appearance being costly.

One way of changing the appearance is to apply a label or outer material that easily can be printed and applied to the outside of the product/package. It can even in some applications be applied in the store by local store keepers. However, these labels may not always be enough to catch the attention of the potential customer.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a label that increases the possibility to obtain attention from the potential customer as compared to ordinary labels as supplied by the known art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a label that uses a built in sound generator and loud speaker for conveying a message, tune or sound effect in relation to an image on the label. The label may also be arranged with a packaging surrounding the product such as to provide an amplified sound to the surrounding area. This is provided through a number of aspects of the present invention, in which according to a first aspect, a system for providing an audible message of informational character to a product is provided. The system comprises: a product or a packaging thereof; a sound generating device with sound generating equipment and a user interface for initiating playback of a sound. The sound generating device is attached to or incorporated into the product or said packaging, said sound generating device being configured to generate an amplified sound using a cavity in the product or in the packaging. The system may further comprise a sensor for measuring a level of content in the product. The sound generating equipment may further comprise a sensor interface for reading a signal from the sensor. . Most preferably, the sound generating device is incorporated in a label.

According to a second aspect, a label arrangement for providing information about a product is provided. The label comprises a sound generator located in the label, an interface unit for starting a process of producing a audible message related to the product, and a processor for generating signals to the sound generator. The label in a one side of it comprises an adhesive layer for sticking of the label to the product. The label may further comprise a sensor or sensor interface for reading level of content in the product. The label may comprise an instruction set in the processor for reading a signal from sensor or the sensor interface and producing a sound indicative of the content level in the product. The label may further comprise a timer for measuring time. The label may comprise an instruction set in the processor for reading the time of the product and producing a sound indicative of the expiry of the product.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for providing information or promoting a product is provided, comprising the steps of: providing a sound generating device, such as a label attachable to or incorporable into a product for sale or packaging at least partly enclosing the product; providing the sound generating device with a sound generator with a promotional message; and providing the sound generating device with a promotional image. The method may further comprise the step of attaching the sound generating device to the product or package. The method may further comprise the step of attaching the sound generating device to a package provided with a cavity behind the label inside the package. The promotional message may be a recording of a publicly well known person.

In accordance with yet another aspect a sound generating device is provided for promoting or providing informing about a product, comprising a sound generator located in the device, an interface unit for starting a process of producing a message related to the product, and a processor for generating signals to the sound generator.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a package for substantially enclosing a product comprises a sound generating device as mentioned earlier and a free volume in close location to the sound generating device.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a product to be sold is provided with a sound generating device as mentioned earlier and a free volume in close location to the sound generating device within the product.

The invention also relates to a method of operation of a sound enabled label as mentioned earlier attached to a product or box with a sound increasing volume hidden behind the label, comprising the steps of: reading in a processing device a signal indicative of that a start button has been pressed; reading stored sound data from a memory; and outputting a control signal indicative of sound data to a sound generating device for playback.

The invention also relates to a system for providing an audiovisual message of promotional or informational character to a product on sale, comprising: a product for sale or a box at least partly surrounding a product for sale; an audiovisual device with control equipment and a user interface for initiating playback of an audiovisual message; and wherein the audiovisual device is attached to or incorporated into the product or the box.

With the present invention it is possible to at low cost enhance sale of products by adding audio or visual effects to products or boxes surrounding products. The audio messages can be enhanced in hearing quality by using the cavity in spatial relation to the audio or audiovisual device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following the invention will be described in a non-limiting way and in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the enclosed drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates schematically a label according to the present invention; Fig. 2a illustrates schematically in a perspective view a combined label and box system according to the present invention;

Fig. 2b illustrates schematically in a side view the system from Fig. 2a; and

Fig. 3 illustrates a method according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In Fig. 1 reference numeral 1 generally indicate a sound label or sound generating device according to the present invention. The label comprise a label conveyor portion 10 onto which an image 5 or text may be displayed. The label further incorporate a processing unit 2 and a sound generating unit 4 (a speaker of some kind, e.g. a piezoelectric device or some other electromechanical device) for generating sound. At least one user interface unit 3 is provided for starting the sound generation. The label may further comprise an electric amplifier (not sown) for driving the sound generator to create the sound in the loudspeaker. Furthermore the label may comprise a storage unit 6 for storing data to be converted into sound. The processing device may be an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) with built in stored data, amplifier and processing unit. In Fig. 1 the components for operating the sound part is shown together with an image, this is done only for the understanding of the function of the label, in reality the components are normally hidden between a front and a back portion (not shown) of the label. The back portion may be arranged with an adhesive for attaching the label to a product or package thereof.

An example of operation of the label is as follows:

1 . The user presses on the label; at an indicated spot or anywhere on the label depending on the user interface unit's 3 design. The user interface unit 3 may then indicate that it is being pressed.

2. The processor 2 (or ASIC or similar control arrangement) detects the signal indicated by the interface unit 3 that it has been pressed and starts the sound generating process.

3. The processor 2 reads a stored sound data structure from the storage unit 6.

4. The processor 2 sends a signal indicative of the stored sound data structure to directly or indirectly (via an amplifier, not shown) to the sound generating unit 4. 5. The user hears a sound that is outputted from the sound generating unit 4. In another embodiment a motion sensor (not shown) may be arranged in to detect motion of, for example a person, close to the product and initiate the sound.

Fig. 2a illustrates in a perspective view a system 20 with the label 1 attached to a box 21 .

Fig. 2b illustrates in a cross sectional side view the system of Fig. 2a. The label 1 is attached to the box 21 and inside the box is a product 22 that is to be promoted and sold. In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the label is attached in a place on the box where there is some substantially free volume close to the label inside the box; it is then possible to utilize a sound increasing (resonance) effect, thus the sound will be amplified and easier to hear for the potential customer. This is important in a shop where it may be difficult to hear sounds due to many other sound sources: people talking, promotional messages broadcasted in an intercom system, noise from trolleys, children playing and so on. The present invention therefore allows the use of this type of sound equipped labels in a normal shop environment. The volume behind the label may be separated from the label by a wall (of the same material as the rest of the product/package, by a wall of different material with acoustic properties suitable to not significantly reduce the sound quality or volume to the user, or part of the wall may be open between the label and the free volume in order to facilitate the transport of sound vibrations to the volume for an increased effect.

The sound generating device (with sound generator, interface buttons and so on) may also be incorporated into the box thus being part of the box and with suitable text and/or image on the outside of the box for making the user aware of the sound generating device, for instance making the user aware of the start button 3. It may also be incorporated into the product itself in some circumstances in a similar manner for promoting the product.

The sound generating device may further comprise a sensor connected to a product within the box or connected to measure the content of the product in order to provide a signal, audible and/or visible, for indicating a level of the contents within the product or the package. For instance, the sound generating device may be used together with a boxed wine, wherein the sound generating device is arranged to provide a promotional sound message during display of the box in the shop and later on when the box is used, the sound generating device is arranged to give a sound indication when the content is at a certain level. For instance, the sensor may be arranged to measure the level of the wine within the box and when there is only a certain amount left, the sound generating device may run a sound message that tells the customer/user that it is time to buy a new box since the current box is soon to be completed, emptied or similarly.

In a similar manner a time keeping device may be used for letting the user know when a product is to expire, for instance for health reasons: indicate when the milk is to expire, when medication is to expire. In these circumstances a pre set date and time may be set in the processing unit 2 or the storage unit 6 during manufacture and packaging of the product.

A second interface unit (not shown) may be provided that is used for providing the processor 2 with a signal that it should play another message than the first promotional message, for instance in cases of sounding informational messages or content dependent information (level, time to expire, and so on). However, the invention may be provided with a counter or other unit that can determine that it should play another message than the first promotional message even though the first interface unit 3 is pressed, therefore making a second user interface not necessary.

The label, product, or box may be provided with a controllable screen or similar image display for displaying images (still and/or motion) optionally together with audio forming an audiovisual device. The image on the screen may be controlled directly or indirectly by the processing unit 2. The still image or motion image sequence (film sequence) may be changed over time depending on sensor readings, time counting, or pressing of user interface(s) 3. Image data may be stored in the memory unit 6 or directly in the processing unit 2. A separate display controller (not shown) may be provided for increased performance or when the processing unit is not capable of providing display control functionality. The audiovisual device may also be used for both promotional and/or informational messages and it may be provided with celebrities conveying the message in order to promote the product in an efficient manner. The audiovisual device may also be located on the product or box surrounding the product in a manner so as to use a sound amplifying effect of a free space behind the device analogues to the sound generating device 1 as described above. All above mentioned embodiments use an energy source of some kind. Most preferably a battery, such as any type of electrochemical cells, e.g. button cells, is used. However, any type of solar cells or any kind of electrical energy producing arrangements, which has a size suitable for incorporation in or on the label or combination thereof (e.g. battery and solar cell) may be used for running the electrical portion.

The present invention may be used as part of a business method for promoting products in an efficient way, where it is possible to provide existing products without extensive redesign or rework of the product or packaging in order to change the look of the product/package in the shop. At the same time or separately it is possible to provide not only promotional material, but also for providing informational material to the potential buyer or user of the product. For instance, it is possible to provide information about a medicine: e.g. the contents, how to use the medicine, time to expire, and similar material that is frequently present on the medicine package and/or on an information leaflet supplied with the medicine package. This could be useful for instance for blind, people with reduced eye sight, or reading disabilities. Other types of informational material may for instance be providing information about content in a food product, use of the product, specifications of the product, food recipes, disclaimers regarding the product, or warnings regarding the product.

It is for instance possible to use different celebrities as promoters of the products by having there face on the label or the image on the outside of the box and their recorded voice making a statement of the product that is "ear" catching for the potential customer.

By providing a service of designing (appearance and content of messages), producing, and distributing the sound generating device customers can promote their products in a more efficient way then using standard promotional methods. The service may also provide the production of recording messages with well known people (for instance celebrities and other famous people).

The business method is illustrated in Fig. 3 with the steps of:

301 providing a sound generating device attachable to or incorporable into a product for sale or box at least partly enclosing the product;

302 providing the sound generating device with a sound generator with a promotional message; 303 providing the sound generating device with a promotional image;

304 attaching the sound generating device to or into the product for sale or to the box.

The sound generating device may also be provided during production of the product (or box). The step of providing the sound generating device with a promotional image may also be performed directly on the box during production of the box and the sound generating equipment may be provided separately.

The present invention may be applied to promote many different types of goods sold, including but not limited to food products, electronics, medicine, beverages, and any other product of interest to promote.

The present invention relates to a marketing solution using a label with a sound generator attached to a product or package to be sold. The label is attached in a place on the product or package where a cavity behind the label will provide a resonance volume for increasing the audibility of the generated sound. The sound may for instance be a voice of a publicly well known person making a positive statement of the product.

It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed and the words "a" or "an" preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. It should further be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, and that several "means", "devices", and "units" may be represented by the same item of hardware.

The above mentioned and described embodiments are only given as examples and should not be limiting to the present invention. Other solutions, uses, objectives, and functions within the scope of the invention as claimed in the below described patent claims should be apparent for the person skilled in the art.

Claims

1 . A system for providing an audible message of informational character to a product, comprising:

- a product or a packaging thereof; - a sound generating device with sound generating equipment and a user interface for initiating playback of a sound; characterised in that the sound generating device is attached to or incorporated into the product or said packaging, said sound generating device being configured to generate an amplified sound using a cavity in the product or in the packaging.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a sensor for measuring a level of content in the product.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the sound generating equipment further comprises a sensor interface for reading a signal from the sensor.

4. The system according to any of claims 1 - 3, wherein the sound generating device is incorporated in a label.

5. A label arrangement for providing information about a product, characterised in that said label comprises a sound generator located in the label, an interface unit for starting a process of producing a audible message related to the product, and a processor for generating signals to the sound generator.

6. The label according to claim 5, wherein in one side of the label comprises an adhesive layer for sticking of the label to the product.

7. The label according to claim 5, further comprising a sensor or sensor interface for reading level of content in the product.

8. The label according to claim 7, comprising an instruction set in the processor for reading a signal from sensor or the sensor interface and producing a sound indicative of the content level in the product.

9. The label according to claim 8, further comprising a timer for measuring time.

10. The label according to claim 9, comprising an instruction set in the processor for reading the time of the product and producing a sound indicative of the expiry of the product.

1 1. A method for providing information or promoting a product, comprising the steps of: providing a sound generating device, such as a label attachable to or incorporable into a product for sale or packaging at least partly enclosing the product;

- providing the sound generating device with a sound generator with a promotional message; and

- providing the sound generating device with a promotional image.

12. The method according to claim 1 1 , further comprising the step of attaching the sound generating device to the product or package.

13. The method according to claim 1 1 , further comprising the step of attaching the sound generating device to a package provided with a cavity behind the label inside the package.

14. The method according to claim 1 1 , wherein the promotional message is a recording of a publicly well known person.

15. A sound generating device for promoting or providing informing about a product, comprising a sound generator located in the device, an interface unit for starting a process of producing a message related to the product, and a processor for generating signals to the sound generator.

16. A package for substantially enclosing a product, comprising a sound generating device according to claim 15 and a free volume in close location to the sound generating device.

17. A product to be sold, wherein the product is provided with a sound generating device according to claim 15 and a free volume in close location to the sound generating device within the product.

18. A method of operation of a sound enabled label according to claim 4 attached to a product or box with a sound increasing volume hidden behind the label, comprising the steps of:

- reading in a processing device a signal indicative of that a start button has been pressed; - reading stored sound data from a memory; outputting a control signal indicative of sound data to a sound generating device for playback.

19. A system for providing an audiovisual message of promotional or informational character to a product on sale, comprising:

- a product for sale or a box at least partly surrounding a product for sale;

- an audiovisual device with control equipment and a user interface for initiating playback of an audiovisual message; wherein the audiovisual device is attached to or incorporated into the product or the box.