Multimedia Keepsake System Online Content Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing personalized keepsake systems require specialized equipment and infrastructure for recording and storing voice messages, limiting the gift giver's control over multimedia content and compatibility with various keepsake products and vendors.

Innovation Solution

A multimedia keepsake creation system that allows users to create, edit, and store content online, converting it into a format suitable for specific keepsake products, enabling easy access and download via a unique Internet address, and utilizing QR codes for seamless content transfer to keepsake devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a central location with specialized recording equipment and communication links is used, then voice message keepsakes can be recorded and delivered, but the system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekeepsake deliveryVSAvoidcentral location equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the recording function from the central location and places it in the gift giver's hands through smartphone integration. The gift giver records messages directly using their own device, eliminating the need for specialized recording equipment at the central location while maintaining reliable keepsake delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses universal smartphone devices that gift givers already possess, rather than requiring specialized equipment. The smartphone serves multiple functions: recording, storing, and transmitting the keepsake content, thereby reducing the need for dedicated infrastructure at the central location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If each vendor has special equipment to store recorded messages, then keepsake fulfillment can be performed, but the ease of operation and accessibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekeepsake fulfillmentVSAvoidvendor equipment access

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a digital copy of the keepsake content that can be transmitted electronically to any vendor. Instead of requiring physical media or specialized storage equipment at each vendor location, the digital file can be copied and transferred universally through standard communication channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary digital file format that bridges the gift giver's recording and the vendor's fulfillment process. This standardized digital representation allows any vendor with basic computing capabilities to process and deliver keepsakes without requiring proprietary equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If gift givers have complete control over multimedia content creation, then personalization is enhanced, but the system must support multiple content formats and sources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent controlVSAvoidcontent creation system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the content creation process into separate, manageable components: recording (using existing smartphone), editing (through simplified online tools), and delivering (via standardized digital file). This segmentation allows gift givers to control content creation without overwhelming complexity, as each step uses familiar technologies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical/content creation systems with software-based solutions running on familiar devices. Instead of requiring specialized hardware for content creation, the system uses software applications on smartphones and web-based editors that automatically handle format conversion and compatibility issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If content is created before selecting a keepsake product, then flexibility is improved, but the content must be converted to different formats for various keepsake types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent selection flexibilityVSAvoidcontent conversion process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically changes the parameters of the digital content (format, resolution, encoding) based on the target keepsake device specifications. The conversion process is transparent to the user, who creates content once and the system handles the technical transformation to match different keepsake requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary conversion of content to a universal intermediate format during the creation phase. This preliminary processing ensures that regardless of the final keepsake type selected, the content is already prepared for efficient conversion to the specific device format, reducing complexity in the final delivery stage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11544685B2Multimedia keepsake system and method

Publication Date: 2023.01.03 STERN GEOFFREY S

AI summary

A multimedia keepsake is created containing multimedia content created by a customer and stored online as content information. After the customer selects the type of keepsake, the content information is converted to keepsake information having a format appropriate for storage in the selected type of keepsake. The keepsake information is stored online so as to be accessible via an access code, and it is downloaded to a vendor providing the access code.