WO2002048956A1

WO2002048956A1 - Optico-digital, rectangular, multipurpose support element

Info

Publication number: WO2002048956A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/018794
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kay Thielen Engelbertz
Original assignee: Remus, Nelson, Rafael; Corporacion Optilaser, C.A.
Priority date: 2000-12-11
Filing date: 2001-06-08
Publication date: 2002-06-20
Also published as: AU2001268317A1

Abstract

An optico-digital, rectangular support that uses compact disc technology which is suitably mounted in a rectangular presentation, in which one of the faces is available as an optico-digital recording surface with a capacity of 50 MB and other fixation elements (10) common to compact discs, having arranged on the opposite face (1) what is necessary information areas (4,5) for being used as a ticket, coupon, prepayment card or the like, including a code protected with a 'scratch-safety' or 'scratch-off' device (2).

Description

OPTICO-DIGITAL, RECTANGULAR, MULTIPURPOSE SUPPORT ELEMENT

DESCRIPTION

BRIEF BACKGROUND OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The scratch-safety technology consists of a device represented by a hidden code, which is under a removable coating. The access to the code is achieved by removing the covering by means of friction produced with an object of higher consistency. As the objective of the removable cover is to hide the protected code, once the layer has been removed and the code of the ticket, coupon or prepayment card has been revealed, the support material uses up its usefulness and [then] becomes disposable. Incorporating a surface that can be recorded on the face opposite the scratch device, the support material may continue to be used as an optico-digital reading support, either of music or of data (CD or CD-ROM, as the case may be).

The technology of compact discs, which is mainly used for music and visual reproduction, is well known. In spite of the practice of their use and the reproduction quality that they possess, their wide field of application is limited both due to their size and due to their shape which do not make it possible to handle them easily.

Thus, two features are combined in the present utility model, which, though they are known separately, when combined, create a product which is completely novel, useful and practical, and is not known, anticipated or suggested in the prior art previously reviewed and consulted.

Therefore, the object of the present utility model is to provide a beneficial improvement in the material, even after its use as a prepayment card.

Another object of the model is to add to the usefulness of the support material, in a relatively simple manner, such as by combining the circular shape necessary for reproduction in a rectangular format, besides the scratch-safety technique, i.e., a circular recorded area is provided that is within the limits of the transverse dimension of a rectangle of about 88 mm by 56 mm, which in turn has a surface area that corresponds to the size of a ticket, coupon or prepayment card or even an element having a similar function.

Another object of the model consists of providing, in spite of their reduced size, the ease of reproducing their recorded contents on any existing apparatus or disc holder ("drive") of the tray or CD player type, thanks to the incorporation of a guide means provided on the recorded support, typically in the form of a card.

Another object of the model is, as was stated, to offer a surface (the one opposite the surface for recording), which, besides the covered section of the hidden code, may provide a visual message for direct observation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrative figures attached to the present specification show the different features that define the present utility model, and

Figure 1 is a view of the optico-digital, rectangular support, viewed from the obverse.

Figure 2 is a view of the reverse of said support, showing the recording area. Figure 3 is a view that shows the support viewed in the longitudinal section.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of one of the ends of the view of Figure 3.

In said figures can be seen the essentially laminar and obviously rectangular construction of the piece, which has an obverse 1 and a reverse 6 as well as a relief section which is identical to that of a conventional compact disc, such as those which are defined by a central opening 10, a circular ribbed or offset section 8 and, additionally, a surface stepped section 9, which corresponds with a depression provided in the "drive" and which makes possible the fitting or anchoring in position of the support formed by the rectangular "card."

The obverse 1 has two aspects, i.e., the information areas 4 and 5, e.g., and the scratch area 2, which, as was indicated above, has a covering which covers up a code. As is known, this code is provided in the card prepayment services and provides information to the provider of said service in the sense that same has already been paid by means of the purchase of the card, which would, as up to now, make said card useless starting from this contingency. This condition brings about that any information, advertisement or advertising printed on the card is also disposed of together with same.

This negative condition completely changes with the present utility model, since the card or support material may continue to be used indefinitely, while the physical resistance of the piece, by means of the arrangement of a recording area on the reverse 6, make it possible for it to be able to contain a message or preferably a musical content.

Claims

1. Optico-digital, rectangular, multipurpose support element, characterized by comprising an obverse and a reverse, with a prepayment, information or advertising code scratch area on the said obverse and an optico-digital recording area on the reverse, said combination defining an extension of the use of a prepayment card.

2. Element in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said obverse has an area, which hides a prepayment code of a service, the hiding or covering of which may be scratched off, besides comprising areas prepared for offering a visual message.

3. Element in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the obverse has a concentric, circular area for the optico-digital recording of a message or musical composition reproducible on conventional compact disc players, with said recording space being contained within the maximum space of the width of the card that is applicable and with a recording capacity of about 50 MB, said element comprising, besides the suitable relief section of a compact disc, a stepped section towards the smaller ends of the rectangle formed for its anchoring in a corresponding space in the compact disc player.

Figure 1 through Figure 4