U.S. patent application number 10/309549 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-29 for method and system for illustrating sound and text.
Invention is credited to Song, Jin K..
Application Number | 20040016809 10/309549 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26845394 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040016809 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Song, Jin K. |
January 29, 2004 |
Method and system for illustrating sound and text
Abstract
A method and system (10) for illustrating sound and text
comprising a book (18) with pages (20) including illustrations
and/or text, wherein at least some of the pages (20) include
magnetic signatures (24). The system further includes a book holder
(12) adapted to accept the book (18). As such, the book holder (12)
has a reading surface (14) with a magnetic signature sensor (16), a
cartridge slot (36), a reading controller (42), a speaker (44), and
a power supply (46). The system also comprises a cartridge (34)
adapted to be inserted in the cartridge slot (36). The cartridge
(34) includes stored audio representations related to the
illustrations and/or text of the pages (20). The magnetic signature
sensor (16) is predisposed to detect the magnetic signatures (24)
on the pages (20) as they are turned by a user viewing the book
(18). Furthermore, the reading controller (42) is adapted to
interact with the magnetic signature sensor (16) to determine what
page or pages (20) the user is viewing and to retrieve the audio
representations of the illustrations and/or text stored on the
cartridge (34) corresponding to the page or pages (20) being viewed
by the user. Thus, the reading controller (42) reproduces the
audible sounds related to the retrieved audio representations
through the speaker (44) for listening by the user.
Inventors: |
Song, Jin K.; (Bedford,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER, DAVID, LITTENBERG,
KRUMHOLZ & MENTLIK
600 SOUTH AVENUE WEST
WESTFIELD
NJ
07090
US
|
Family ID: |
26845394 |
Appl. No.: |
10/309549 |
Filed: |
December 4, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10309549 |
Dec 4, 2002 |
|
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09557644 |
Apr 25, 2000 |
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60147975 |
Aug 9, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
235/449 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0238 20130101;
G09B 5/062 20130101; G06F 3/0224 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/449 |
International
Class: |
G06K 007/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for illustrating sound and text comprising: a book with
pages including illustrations and/or text, at least some of said
pages including magnetic signatures; a book holder adapted to
accept said book, said book holder having a reading surface with a
magnetic signature sensor, a cartridge slot, a reading controller,
a speaker, and a power supply; and a cartridge adapted to be
inserted in said cartridge slot, said cartridge including stored
audio representations related to said illustrations and/or text of
said pages; wherein said magnetic signature sensor is predisposed
to detect magnetic signatures on said pages as they are turned by a
user viewing said book, and wherein said reading controller is
adapted to interact with said magnetic signature sensor to
determine what page or pages said user is viewing and to retrieve
audio representations of illustrations and/or text stored on said
cartridge corresponding to said page or pages being viewed by said
user and to reproduce audible sounds related to said retrieved
audio representations through said speaker for listening by said
user.
2. The system according to claim 1 wherein said magnetic signatures
are attached to at least some of said pages in a specified location
in order to be detected by said magnetic signature sensor.
3. The system according to claim 1 wherein said magnetic signature
sensor further comprises one or more individualized reading
elements, said reading elements pre-aligned on said reading surface
in order to correspond with said magnetic signatures at their
specified locations.
4. The system according to claim 1 wherein said reading surface is
a substantially flat platform.
5. The system according to claim 1 wherein said power supply is
communicably coupled with said reading controller and said speaker,
said power supply further adapted to control the activation and
de-activation of said book holder.
6. A method for illustrating sound and text utilizing a book holder
including a reading controller, a speaker, and a magnetic signature
sensor with one or more reading elements, said book holder adapted
to accept a book with pages including illustrations and/or text, at
least some of said pages including magnetic signatures, the method
comprising the steps of: attaching said magnetic signatures in a
specified location on said pages; detecting the specified locations
of said magnetic signatures utilizing said reading elements of said
magnetic signature sensor; correlating said specified locations
with stored audio representations related to said illustrations
and/or text of said pages; and delivering audible sounds
corresponding to said stored audio representations via said speaker
to accompany the illustrations and/or text on said page or
pages.
7. The method according to claim 6 wherein said attaching step is
followed by the step of placing said book on said book holder in a
position wherein said magnetic signatures on said pages of said
book are properly aligned with said reading elements of said
magnetic signature sensor.
8. The method according to claim 7 wherein said placing step is
followed by the step of turning said pages of said book in order to
view illustrations and/or text therein.
9. The method according to claim 8 wherein said turning step
further includes the step of identifying the illustrations and/or
text on said pages utilizing said magnetic signatures attached in
specified locations on said pages detected by said reading elements
of said magnetic signature sensor.
10. The method according to claim 6 wherein said delivering step is
preceded by the step of retrieving the stored audio representations
of said illustrations and/or text corresponding to said page or
pages being viewed by said user.
11. The method according to claim 10 wherein said retrieving step
is followed by the step of reproducing the stored audio
representations of said illustrations and/or text retrieved
corresponding to said page or pages being viewed by said user.
12. A method for electronically storing text and audio content for
use in an electronic book reader system, the method comprising the
steps of: creating electronic equivalent representations of said
text and audio content; and storing said electronic equivalent
representations in a first electronic memory space.
13. The method according to claim 12 wherein said creating step
further includes the step of recording sounds and/or words
corresponding to illustrations and/or text of a book.
14. The method according to claim 12 wherein said storing step
further includes the step of formatting said electronic equivalent
representations into a digital format.
15. The method according to claim 12 wherein said storing step
further includes the step of sorting said electronic equivalent
representations into a plurality of addresses (e.g., A0, A1, A2 . .
. An) within said first electronic memory space.
16. The method according to claim 12 wherein said sorting step is
followed by the step of packaging said electronic equivalent
representations stored in said first electronic memory space
utilizing a chip housed within a cartridge means.
17. The method according to claim 16 wherein said packaging step
further includes the step of inserting said cartridge means into
said electronic book reader system adapted to receive said
cartridge means.
18. The method according to claim 17 wherein said inserting step is
followed by the step of downloading a duplicate of said electronic
equivalent representations stored in said first electronic memory
space into a second electronic memory space housed within said
electronic book reader system.
19. An electronic book reader system for illustrating sound and
text comprising: a reading surface adapted to accept a book with
pages, said pages including illustrations and/or text, at least
some of said pages including magnetic signatures attached at
specified locations; a book support surface adjoined to one side of
said reading surface, said book support surface adapted to support
said page or pages viewed by a user; a magnetic signature sensor
including one or more individualized reading elements, said
magnetic signature sensor predisposed to detect said magnetic
signatures on said pages as they are turned by said user viewing
said book; a bracket coupled to said reading surface adapted to
hold said book in place while said page or pages are turned; a
reading controller adapted to interact with said magnetic signature
sensor in order to determine what page or pages said user is
viewing; and a power supply communicably coupled with said reading
controller adapted to activate and de-activate the functionality of
said electronic book reader; a cartridge slot within said
electronic book reader adapted to receive a cartridge including
stored audio representations related to said illustrations and/or
text of said pages; and a speaker communicably coupled with said
reading controller adapted to deliver said audio representations
for listening and reading along with said page or pages viewed by
said user. wherein said reading controller is adapted to retrieve
and reproduce said audio representations of said illustrations
and/or text stored on said cartridge corresponding to said page or
pages being viewed by said user.
20. The system according to claim 19 wherein said reading elements
are pre-aligned on said reading surface in order to correspond with
said magnetic signatures at their specified locations.
21. The system according to claim 19 wherein said reading surface
and said book support surface are substantially flat platforms.
22. The system according to claim 21 wherein said reading surface
and said book support surface are adjoined by a means adapted to
fold in a manner allowing for both surfaces to meet for easy
carrying of said electronic book reader system.
23. The system according to claim 19 wherein said reader further
comprises a volume control adapted to control the volume of the
deliver of said audio representations for enjoyable listening by
said user.
24. The system according to claim 19 wherein said power supply is
coupled with a Light Emitting Diode (LED) indicator for determining
the state (e.g., On/Off) of said electronic book reader system.
25. A cartridge device for storing text and audio content converted
into electronic equivalent representations of said text and audio
content for use in an electronic book reader system, the device
comprising: a carrier means for housing said electronic equivalent
representations; a chip adapted to store said electronic equivalent
representations; and a plurality of pins adapted to communicate
with said electronic book reader system.
26. The device according to claim 25 wherein said carrier means
includes a box with a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side,
a second side, a front side and a back side.
27. The device according to claim 26 wherein said front side
includes said plurality of pins adapted for inserting into said
electronic book reader system.
28. The device according to claim 25 wherein said chip further
comprises a first electronic memory space configured to store said
electronic equivalent representations.
29. The device according to claim 28 wherein said first electronic
memory space further includes a memory array comprising a plurality
of addresses (e.g., A1, A2 . . . An) for sorting said electronic
equivalent representations.
30. The device according to claim 28 wherein said first electronic
memory space is configured to communicate with a second electronic
memory space housed within said electronic book reader system.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The application is commonly assigned and related to
Provisional Application Serial No. 60/147,975 entitled "A System
for Sound Illustrated Text," by Jin K. Song, filed Aug. 9, 1999,
the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. This
application claims priority on the aforementioned related
provisional application.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a method and
system for illustrating sound and text. More particularly, the
present invention relates to a method for illustrating sound and
text utilizing a book holder adapted to accept a book with pages
including illustrations and/or text, at least some of the pages
including magnetic signatures. The present invention also relates
to a method for electronically storing text and audio content for
use in an electronic book reader system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background
is described in connection with electronic book reader systems.
[0004] Substantial interest has long been given by the public to
books which include sound illustration related to the text and/or
illustration content within the book. Such sound illustrated books
range in the industry from children's story books to manuals for
learning a foreign language. Their popularity stems from the fact
that a user can visually follow the text and/or illustration
content in the book while listening to the audible representations
corresponding to the text and/or illustration content.
[0005] The sound illustrated books enjoyed by the public today
include pages comprising a pre-recorded sound chip which includes
stored data (e.g., voice and sound). A problem with this type of
sound illustrated book is that sound chips generally have a limited
amount of memory storage capability. In addition, these chips are
directly attached to each page. This can add significantly to the
overall weight and girth of the page, or require the use of thick,
almost cardboard-like, paper stock.
[0006] Other sound illustrated books are those that include a book
and an audio cassette tape. The book, however, only has text and/or
illustrations. It is the cassette tape that contains pre-recorded
audio representations (e.g., voice and/or sound) which correspond
with the text and/or illustrations on the pages of the book. In
operation, the reader must follow the rhythm of the cassette. When
the reader reaches a point for turning the page, a sound or voice
instruction is heard indicating such action. If, however, the
reader is not following attentively, the audio cassette will
continue delivering audio representations until stopped manually,
or until the cassette reaches its end. As such, the reader may find
him/herself on the wrong page.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides for an electronic book reader
with a magnetic signature sensor capable of detecting magnetic
signatures attached to pages of a book. The magnetic signatures can
be placed at specified locations of the book and used by the reader
to retrieve electronic equivalent representations of the text
and/or illustrations on the pages for audible delivery.
[0008] Disclosed in one embodiment of the present invention is a
system for illustrating sound and text. The system comprises a book
with pages including illustrations and/or text. At least some of
the pages include magnetic signatures which are attached in
specific locations.
[0009] The system further comprises a book holder adapted to accept
the book. The book holder includes a reading surface, which is a
substantially flat platform, comprising a magnetic signature
sensor. The magnetic signature sensor is predisposed to detect
magnetic signatures on the pages as they are turned by a user
viewing the book. The book holder further includes a cartridge slot
adapted to receive a cartridge including stored audio
representations related to illustrations and/or text on the pages
of the book. The book holder also comprises a reading controller
which is adapted to interact with the magnetic signature sensor to
determine what page, or pages the user is viewing. Furthermore, the
reading controller is adapted to retrieve audio representations of
illustrations and/or text stored on the cartridge corresponding to
the page, or pages being viewed by the user, as well as to
reproduce audio sounds related to the audio representations though
a speaker for listening by the user. The book holder also includes
a speaker and a power supply which are communicably coupled with
the reading controller. The power supply is adapted to control the
activation and de-activation of the book holder.
[0010] Disclosed in another embodiment of the present invention is
a method for illustrating sound and text utilizing a book holder
which includes a reading controller, a speaker, and a magnetic
signature sensor with one or more reading elements. The book holder
is adapted to accept a book with pages including illustrations
and/or text, wherein at least some of the pages include magnetic
signatures. The method comprises the step of attaching the magnetic
signatures in a specified location on pages of the book. The book
is then placed on the book holder in a position wherein the
magnetic signatures on the pages of the book are properly aligned
with the reading elements of the magnetic signature sensor on the
reading surface of the book holder. Once in position, the pages of
the book can then be turned in order to view the illustrations
and/or text therein.
[0011] The method further comprises the step of detecting the
specified locations of the magnetic signatures on the pages
utilizing the reading elements of the magnetic signature sensor. As
such, the illustrations and/or text on each of the pages are
identified by the magnetic signatures attached in the specified
locations on the pages.
[0012] The method also comprises the step of correlating the
specified locations with stored audio representations related to
the illustrations and/or text on the pages within the book. The
audio representations are then retrieved and reproduced in
preparation for audible delivery.
[0013] The method further comprises the step of delivering audible
sounds corresponding to the stored audio representations via a
speaker to accompany the illustrations and/or text on the page or
pages of a book.
[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention disclosed is
a method for electronically storing text and audio content for use
in an electronic book reader system. The method comprises the step
of creating electronic equivalent representations of the text and
audio content which corresponds to illustrations and/or text on the
pages within the book. Thus, the creating step further includes the
step of recording sounds and/or words related to the illustrations
and/or text of the book for viewing and listening by a user.
[0015] The method further comprises the step of storing the
electronic equivalent representations in a first electronic memory
space. In order to store this data, the electronic equivalent
representations are formatted into a digital format. The digital
formatted electronic equivalent representations are then sorted
into a plurality of addresses (e.g., A0, A1, A2 . . . An) within
the first electronic memory space. Once the electronic equivalent
representations are sorted, the digital formatted data is packaged
utilizing a chip housed within a cartridge means. The cartridge
means is then inserted into an electronic book reader system
adapted to receive the cartridge means. Upon inserting the
cartridge means into the electronic book reader system, a duplicate
of the electronic equivalent representations stored in the first
electronic memory space is downloaded into a second electronic
memory space which is housed within the electronic book reader
system. Thus, the electronic equivalent representations are stored
in identical addresses in both memory spaces for easy
identification and retrieval.
[0016] In yet another embodiment of the present invention disclosed
is an electronic book reader system for illustrating sound and
text. The system comprises a reading surface adapted to accept a
book with pages including illustrations and/or text, wherein at
least some of the pages include magnetic signatures attached at
specified locations. The system also comprises a book support
surface adjoined to one side of the reading surface. The book
support surface is adjoined to the reading surface by a means
adapted to fold in a manner allowing for both surfaces to meet for
easy carrying of the electronic book reader system. As such, the
reading surface and book support surface are substantially flat
platforms. In addition, the system also comprises a bracket coupled
to one side of the reading surface adapted to hold the book in
place while the page, or pages are being turned by a user.
[0017] The system further comprises a magnetic signature sensor
which includes one or more individualized reading elements. The
reading elements are pre-aligned on the reading surface in order to
correspond with the magnetic signatures at their specified
locations on the pages within the book. The magnetic signature
sensor is predisposed to detect the magnetic signatures on the
pages as they are turned by the user viewing the book.
[0018] The system also comprises a reading controller which is
adapted to interact with the magnetic signature sensor in order to
determine what page, or pages the user is viewing. Communicably
coupled with the reading controller is a power supply adapted to
activate and de-activate the functionality of the electronic book
reader system. The power supply is further coupled with a Light
Emitting Diode (LED) indicator for determining the state (e.g.,
on/off) of the reader system.
[0019] The system also comprises a cartridge slot within the
electronic book reader adapted to receive a cartridge. The
cartridge includes stored audio representations related to the
illustrations and/or text of the pages within the book. The stored
audio representations of the illustrations and/or text within the
cartridge corresponding to the page, or pages being viewed by the
user are retrieved and reproduced by the reading controller. A
speaker, which is communicably coupled with the reading controller,
is then utilized in delivering the audio representations for
listening and reading along with the page, or pages viewed by the
user.
[0020] Disclosed in another embodiment of the present invention is
a cartridge device for storing text and audio content converted
into electronic equivalent representations for use in an electronic
book reader system. The device comprises a carrier means for
housing the electronic equivalent representations. The carrier
means can include a box with a top surface, a bottom surface, a
first side, a second side, a front side and a back side.
[0021] The device further comprises a chip adapted to store the
electronic equivalent representations. The chip further includes a
first electronic memory space configured to store the electronic
equivalent representations. The first electronic memory space also
includes a memory array comprising a plurality of addresses (e.g.,
A1, A2 . . . An) for sorting the electronic equivalent
representations. As such, the first electronic memory space is
configured to communicate with a second electronic memory space
housed within the electronic book reader system. Both memory spaces
include identical addresses for easy storing and retrieving of the
electronic equivalent representations.
[0022] The device further comprises a plurality of pins adapted to
communicate with the electronic book reader system. The plurality
of pins are located on the front side of the carrier means and are
adapted for inserting into the electronic book reader system. Thus,
the pins allow for the chip to download the stored data in a first
memory space to corresponding addresses in a second memory
space.
[0023] A technical advantage of the invention is an electronic book
reader system which allows for the reader to follow along one page
at a time using digital means. As such, the reader is in control of
his or her reading speed and audible representations delivered by a
speaker as the reader turns each page.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] For a more complete understanding of the present invention
including its features and advantages, reference is made to the
following detailed description of the invention in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings of which:
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic book reader system
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the electronic book reader
system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of
the present invention;
[0028] FIGS. 4a-4c are magnetic signatures which may be implemented
in the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 5 depicts the relationship between the magnetic
signatures and the magnetic signature sensor; and
[0030] FIG. 6 is a logic diagram depicting the sensor state at each
level of one embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] Corresponding numerals and symbols in the figures refer to
corresponding parts in the detailed description unless otherwise
indicated.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] While the making and using of various embodiments of the
present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be
appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable
inventive concepts which can be embodied in a wide variety of
specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are
merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention,
and do not delimit the scope of the invention.
[0033] To better understand the invention, reference is made to
FIG. 1, which depicts an electronic book reader system 10 for
illustrating sound and text, in accordance with the preferred
embodiment of the present invention. The electronic book reader 10
comprises a reading surface 14 and a book support surface 16, which
are substantially flat platforms. The book support surface 16 is
adjoined to one side of the reading surface 14 by a means adapted
to fold in a manner allowing for both surfaces 14,16 to meet for
easy carrying of the electronic book reader system 10. The reading
surface 14 is adapted to accept a book 18 with pages 20. On the
other hand, the book support surface 16 is adapted to support the
pages 20 viewed by a user. Together, the book support surface 16
and the reader surface 14 form a book holder 12.
[0034] The book 18 accepted by the reading surface 14 further
comprises pages 20 including illustrations and/or text. Each of the
pages 20 include a magnet 22 which allows for the page, or pages
being viewed by the user to remain open on the reading surface 14
and book support surface 16. Some of the pages 20 also include
magnetic signatures 24 which are attached at specified locations on
the pages 20. Magnetic signatures 24 are utilized in identifying
the page 20 being viewed by the user, as well as detecting the
content of the particular page 20.
[0035] The electronic book reader system 10 also comprises a
magnetic signature sensor 26 which is incorporated as part of the
reading surface 14. The magnetic signature sensor 26 includes one
or more individualized reading elements 28. These reading elements
28 are pre-aligned on the reading surface 14 in order to correspond
with the magnetic signatures 24 at their specified locations. The
magnetic signature sensor 26 is predisposed to detect the magnetic
signatures 24 on the pages 20 as they are turned by a user viewing
the book 18. In operation, the book 18 is placed on the book holder
12 and held in place by a bracket 30 which is located at the bottom
edge of the reading surface 14. Holding the book 18 in place is
important in order to allow the reading elements 28 to properly
correspond with the magnetic signatures 24 on the pages 20.
[0036] The electronic book reader system 10 further comprises a
cartridge 34, or digital means (e.g., CD), and a cartridge slot 36.
The cartridge slot 36 is part of the book holder 12 and is adapted
to receive the cartridge 34. The cartridge 34 can include stored
audio representations related to the illustrations and/or text on
the page, or pages 20. Once the cartridge 34 is inserted into
cartridge slot 36, the power can then be turned on, indicated by an
LED indicator 38. Audio representations of the illustrations and/or
text on pages 20 can then be heard through a speaker 44. The volume
of the audio representations heard through the speaker 44 can be
controlled by a volume controller 40 which allows for enjoyable
listening while reading along with the pages 20 viewed by the
user.
[0037] With reference to FIG. 2, a block diagram of the electronic
book reader system for illustrating sound and text 10 is shown in
accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
In triggering the sensor properties of the system 10, a magnetic
signature 24 attached in a specified location on a page 20 within a
book 18 must make contact with a magnetic signature sensor 26,
which comprises one or more individualized reading elements 28.
Once the book 18 has been placed on the book holder 12, a user can
then turn each page 20 of the book 18 individually in order to view
illustrations and/or text on some of the pages 20 Upon the turning
of each page 20, the magnetic signature 24 located on the page 20
being viewed will make contact with an individualized reading
element 28 which is pre-aligned on the reading surface 14 of the
book holder 12. Once the magnetic signature 24 has been detected by
its corresponding reading element 28, the magnetic signature sensor
properties 26 are triggered. The reading controller 42, which is
communicably coupled with the magnetic signature sensor 26, is
adapted to interact with magnetic signature sensor 26 in order to
determine what page, or pages 20 the user is viewing. A correlation
is then made between the detected specified location via the
magnetic signature 24 and the stored audio representations related
to the illustrations and/or text on the page, or pages 20 of the
book 18. The objective is to retrieve only the audio
representations corresponding to the text and/or illustrations on
the detected page 20 so as to allow the user to listen and follow
such text and/or illustrations. The audio representations, may
include words and/or music, for example.
[0038] The components housed within the book holder 12 are operated
by a power supply 46, which may include, for example, 3V batteries.
The power supply 46, which is communicably coupled with the reading
controller 42, is adapted to activate and de-activate the
functionality of the electronic book reader system 10. The power
supply 46 is, for example, activated by an on/off switch (not
shown). In addition, a speaker 44 is also communicably coupled with
the reading controller 42 and further adapted to deliver audio
representations in order for the user to listen and read along with
the page, or pages 20 being viewed by the user. Such audio
representations can be retrieved from a cartridge 34 which includes
stored electronic equivalent representations related to the
illustrations and/or text corresponding to the pages 20.
[0039] Turning now to FIG. 3, a schematic diagram illustrating one
embodiment of the present invention is shown and denoted generally
as 50. As previously discussed, each of the pages 20, which include
magnetic signatures 24, are turned individually in order to
activate the sensor properties 70. Each magnetic signature 24
corresponds with one individualized reading element 28. An array of
reading elements 28, together form a magnetic signature sensor 26
located on the reading surface 14 of the book holder 12.
[0040] In one embodiment, Page 1 of book 18 can include
illustrations and/or text. As Page 1 is viewed by a user on the
reading surface 14 of the book holder 12, the magnetic signature 24
on Page 1 will correspond with a pre-aligned reading element 28 on
the reading surface 14. The magnetic signature 24 contacts the
reading element 28 of the magnetic signature sensor 26, and a
bridge is formed between the two sensor properties. A signal for
Page 1 is then sent through the logic 64 contained within the
reading controller 42. The logic 64 of the reading controller 42
contains addresses (e.g., P2.0, P2.1 . . . P5.1) which correspond
with the pins 72 of the magnetic signature sensor 26. Page 1 will
then have a signal carried by a current which will correspond with
address (e.g., P2.0) 74 of the reading controller logic 64. This
allows for Page 1 to be identified as such in order to retrieve its
contents.
[0041] The reading controller 42 is adapted to interact with the
magnetic signature sensor 26 in order to determine what page, or
pages 20 the user is viewing. The reading controller 42 via logic
64 will then communicate with the corresponding address in the
system 10 internal memory, or second memory space 52, which
contains the corresponding electronic equivalent representations.
The electronic equivalent representations include text and audio
content which is stored on a chip (not shown) in a cartridge 34.
Prior to storing, the text and audio content is converted into a
digital format. This data is then stored on the chip comprising a
first memory space 62. The first electronic memory space 62
includes a memory array which comprises a plurality of addresses
(e.g., A1, A2 . . . An) for sorting the electronic equivalent
representations. When the cartridge 34 housing the chip including
the first electronic memory space 62 is inserted into the cartridge
slot 36 of the electronic book reader system 10, the digital data
stored on the chip is downloaded into corresponding addresses
(e.g., A1, A2 . . . An) in the second memory space 52. Thus, each
address will contain the electronic equivalent representations
corresponding to the page, or pages 20 which are being viewed by
the user. The electronic equivalent representations are then
delivered via AOUT 66, or an audio output signal. The audio output
signal 66 is then carried to the reading controller 42, which is
communicably coupled with a speaker 44. Speaker 44 is adapted to
deliver the audio representations carried out by AOUT 66 for
listening and reading along with the page, or pages 20 viewed by
the user. Only the page, or pages 20 being viewed by the user will
be delivered by the speaker 44 in order that the user may control
his/her speed of reading. The system 10 functions using a power
supply 46 which is communicably coupled with the reading controller
42. Power supply 46 is adapted to activate and de-activate the
functionality of the electronic book reader system 10. The power
supply 46 may include, for example, a 3V battery 80.
[0042] With reference to FIGS. 4a-4c, therein are shown magnetic
signatures which may be implemented in the preferred embodiment of
the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention,
as shown in FIG. 4a, the array of magnetic signatures 24, which are
attached to at least some of pages 20 of a book 18, may include
magnets with polarization (e.g., N and S) on both ends of each
magnet. If the magnetic signature 24 with polarizations on either
end of the magnet is utilized, the magnetic signature sensor 26
comprising one or more individualized reading elements 28 must
correspond accordingly. Other variations of magnetic signatures 24
which may be implemented in a preferred embodiment of a present
invention may include magnetic signatures 24 which have
polarization on the top and bottom surfaces of the magnetic
signature 24 and/or magnetic signatures 24 with polarization on
either side of the magnetic signature 24. Again, regardless of the
array of magnetic signatures 24 which are utilized in the system
10, the magnetic signature sensor 26 must be able to detect the
corresponding magnetic signature 24 via the reading elements
28.
[0043] With reference to FIG. 5, therein is shown the relationship
between the magnetic signatures 24 and the magnetic signature
sensor 26. In one embodiment, a book 18 may include five (5) pages
20, each containing illustrations and/or text therein. Therefore,
each of the five (5) pages 20 will include a magnetic signature 24
which is attached at a specified location on each of page 20. The
magnetic signatures 24 are small in size and will not require the
page, or pages 20 to be significantly altered.
[0044] The reading surface 14 of the system 10 comprises a magnetic
signature sensor 26 which includes one or more individualized
reading elements 28. In one embodiment, only five (5) of the
reading elements 28 will be utilized. The reading elements 28 are
pre-aligned on the reading surface 14 in order to correspond with
the magnetic signatures 24 at their specified locations on each of
the pages 20.
[0045] A user will then place the book 18 containing five (5) of
pages 20 on the reading surface 14. As the user views the
illustrations and/or text on Page 1, the magnetic signature 24 on
Page 1 will be detected by the reading element 28 of the magnetic
signature sensor 26 corresponding to the magnetic signature 24 on
Page 1. As the magnetic signature 24 of Page 1 comes into contact
with the corresponding reading element 28, a Low (L) voltage signal
will be depicted as shown in FIG. 6. The other magnetic signatures
24 will remain in a High (H) state until detected. Such signal from
the corresponding sensor will then communicate with the logic 64
contained within the reading controller 42. It is the logic 64
which enables the reading controller 42 to retrieve the electronic
equivalent representations corresponding to the text and/or
illustrations on Page 1 and deliver them to in speaker 44 from a
second memory space 52.
[0046] This sequence will then continue with the user turning to
Page 2, which includes illustrations and/or text. As shown in FIG.
6, while the user is viewing Page 2, two Low (L) voltages will be
detected. This will, however, indicate that the user is on Page 2,
and thus, retrieve the corresponding electronic equivalent
representations stored in the second memory space 52 for delivery
in an audible manner to the user. Only the electronic equivalent
representations corresponding to the text and/or illustrations on
Page 2 will be delivered by speaker 44 to the user. No additional
sound will be heard until the user decides to turn to Page 3. As
such, the user can control the speed of his/her reading of book 18
for enjoyment purposes.
[0047] While this invention has been described with a reference to
illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be
construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and
combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other
embodiments of the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in
the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore,
intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications
or embodiments.
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