<p>Description</p>
<p> lector cards and adp This invention relates to a low cost / mass manufactured collector card and embedded digital electronics device combination that will direct the user to, and unlock digital media and content specifically for the purposes of promotional campaign support, en masse Additionally the device combination incorporates bi-directional electronic profiling of the "US Buddie" digital collector card, feature activation such as backlighting in the card itself and compatibility with the industry standard USB personal computer ports via the included USB to US Buddie adaptor (Fig 2) Currently, promotional companies use a range of different media to distribute their message or sales promotional content propositions, For example, food packaging inserts and on-serts (free items fixed to or in the packaging of the core product) such as leaflets, CD's, DVD's, games & novelties that are given away with the core product This in itself requires a plethora of different disciplines and manufacturing approaches to distribute the product/s to the client Additionally all manufactured product is identical without any scope for customisation or personalisation of the content US Buddies disposes oithe need to manufacture a wide range of product by in itself being a standalone collectible promotional product, being a digital "key" to unlock electronic web based media and by being electronically upgradeable / profilable enhancing its collectibility and play/use value The included VSB to US Buddie adaptor (Fig 2) is compatible with all US Buddie collector cards thereby negating the need for multiple adaptors USBuddies_enable * Direct secure access to client internet and intranet based digital content (Music, video, printable media, electronic gaming and cell phone downloads) * Electronic profiling of the USBuddie (collector card) inserted into the adaptor * Distribution of printed and / or textured collector cards with electronic enhancements and access to Web based content for viewing, down-loading and electronic game play * Game play characters featured on the US Buddie surface to be up or downgraded depending on game play results during online sessions * Standalone collectibility * No requirement for batteries * USB vi and 2 compatibility * Secure "Win/lose" encryption for competition/draw use * Accurate statistical feedback of promotional success based on volumes of hits/downloads against numbers of pieces distributed Preferably the US Buddie collector card is of laminated plastics construction with a central electronics substrate, however alternative materials may be used depending on application requirements.</p>
<p>The upper laminated surface is printable for the purposes of character and written visualisation the content of which, depending on application (e g Star Wars characters for a Star Wars related promotion) A preferred embodiment will now will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Fig I Plan view --round style collector IJS Buddie card Key I Printable plastics laminate upper surface 2 Connector tab for insertion into US Buddie adaptor Fig 2 -Plan view -US Buddie adaptor Key: 4 US Buddie connector socket US Buddie plastics adaptor body 6.USB connector for insertion into user PC Fig 3 -Side elevation -round style US Buddie card Key I Lower printable plastics lamination 2 Connector tab br insertion into US Buddie adaptor 3 Embedded memory and circuitry Fig 4 -Side elevation -US Buddie adaptor Key 4.US Buddie connector socket US Buddie plastics adaptor body 6 USB connector for insertion into user PC 7 Internal US Buddie adaptor circuitry Note: Figs 5, 6, 7 and 8 only differ to 1, 2, 3 and 4 in that the shape of the collector card is rectangular( or any other shape) as opposed to round. All other specifications are identical Fig 5 Key I All details as per fig I above but using a rectangular plastics printable laminate layer Fig 6 Key All details as per fig 2 Fig 7 Key All details as per fig 1 above but using a rectangular plastics printable laminate layer Fig 8 Key All details as per Fig 4</p>
<p>Detailed description and example</p>
<p>Figures 1 and 2 show the US Buddie card and associated adaptor respectively As shown in Figure 1 the US Buddie card comprises a printable suriace upper laminate (1) and exposed centre layer contact strip (2) Figure 3 shows (I) printable surface laminate, (2) electronic substrate and exposed contact strip and (3) printable surface laminate in side elevation view Figure 3 (2) contains electronic interface, memory and connection components Figure 2 shows US Buddie to USB adaptor comprising (4) US Buddie socket, (5) US Buddie plastics adaptor housing, (6) USB connector and (7) electronic substrate and connection circuitry EiiiamentaifQperation Figure 1 (collector card) inserts into Figure 2 (adaptor) and Figure 2 is inserted into a standard PC USB port, i e the user inserts his US Buddie collector card into the US Buddie adaptor and in-turn inserts that into the PC (Personal computer) Upon insertion of the US Buddie and adaptor into a USB port, pre-programmed applications, pointers and code will direct the user to the particular resource to be accessed/viewed/downloaded/executed either to or from the USBuddie collector card Detailed construction and operation: USBLIddIC collector card:( See fig 1, 3 -Version A & 5, 7 -Version B) Version A ( See figs I & 3) -A round plastics laminated piece comprising of 2 laminate layers oIPP or PE or ABS or other suitable material with a centre layer of pcb material (fibre glass or phenolic or paper hybrid) incorporating embedded circuitry USB compliant front-end interface, non-volatile memory, processor/controller architecture power management, surface mount technology LEDs (optional for card back-lighting) and connector strip which protrudes from the edge of the overall card for insertion into the tJSBuddie adaptor ( See figs 2&4) The connector will carry both power and data passed to/from it by the card and USBuddie adaptor.</p>
<p>Approximate dimensions Diameter 40mm or greater Thickness 3 5 mm + or -3mm Version B -( See figs 5 & 7) As per version A above using any shape of USBuddie collector card (Rectangular shown) with the following minimum dimensions Approximate dimensions h=25mm x L = 40mm Thickness 3 5mm + or-3mm USBuddie adaptor unit (See figs 2, 4, 6 & 8) This unit works with both A& B versions of tiSBuddie collector cards and provides a simple push insertion method of connecting the user's pc with the USBuddie collector card Construction An injection moulded plastics casing (or other suitable material), housing a pcb (printed circuit board) with conductive tracks which extend into both male and female connector sections of the device (USBuddie socket and (JSB connector) A recess in the body casing creates a shell around each end of the pcb thereby creating a socket and plug NOTE Optionally, some of the embedded circuitry of the USBuddie collector card (version A or B) may be placed in the body of the adaptor body dependant upon individual application requirements</p>
<p>Detailed operation description:</p>
<p>Upon insertion of' the USBuddie collector card into the adaptor and the adaptor into a PC USB port, the following sequence occurs The PC recognises the presence of a USB device and proceeds to interrogate the memory contents of the USBuddie card If optional LED backlighting is employed this will light based on data exchange activity between the PC and the card thereby illuminating the surface of the USBuddie card Additionally lighting can be triggered depending on code residing in the USBuddie card, internet content or the user application software mentioned below The contents of the USBuddie card's memory instruct the PC to install a graphical user interface / user management application to the host computer which is stored in non-volatile RAM on the USBuddie card (This forms the user's on-screen interface to available content and resources) ihe user's PC completes the installation When launched, the application interrogates the USBuddie card and obtains its UIC (Unique identifier code) The UI code is used to act as a key to unlock web based sites as described earlier in this document (Through the installed application) The user now is directed to the providers secure sites and may access the resources provided by the USBuddie's distributor, In the case of gaming and fully interactive content, high scores and user profiles / characteristics will be stored on the USBuddies NVRAM (memory) so that it is effectively up or down graded dependant upon user performance Additionally this is recorded by the user management application stored on the user's machine In the case of electronic media down-loads to the user PC (such as Music/video & other promotional content) the USBuddie will record and control number of permissible downloads based on the UIC Exarn1e apjilicatjon of US Buddie/adaptor corn bination: Cereal company X wishes to run a promotional campaign with licensed or unlicensed tie-ins to digital media that they will make available to their consumers via the internet The promotion consists of collectible plastics pieces (distributed on mass either in or on-pack) which will be printed with characters from a film for example These pieces (US Buddies) must be collectible in their own right and also contain character informatior (electronically) and the ability to access company X's digital content (website based) which in this case consists of an online game where the user plays the part matching the character on the US Buddie and as a result of play, either up or downgrades the character electronically (Thereby adjusting the US Buddie collectibility /trade ability -playground currency') Secondly company X's website also offers free downloads for ringtones,screensavers music, video and viewable information provided that the accessee has a connected US Buddie acting as a key' to offered content As a bi-product of this, company X is also capable of assessing the success of a given promotion based on website hits and downloads</p>