U.S. patent application number 12/129496 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-18 for electronic book electronic links.
Invention is credited to Michael L. Asmussen, John S. Hendricks.
Application Number | 20080229182 12/129496 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22895373 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080229182 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hendricks; John S. ; et
al. |
September 18, 2008 |
ELECTRONIC BOOK ELECTRONIC LINKS
Abstract
An electronic book selection and delivery system distributes
text to subscribers. The system includes the ability to use
electronic links as well as a system for creating electronic links
between specific electronic books and other electronic files. The
links may be used or accessed by a menu system or by operation of a
cursor and a select button. The other electronic files could be
portions of a specific electronic book, such as a Table of
Contents. The other electronic files could also exist external to a
specific electronic book. For example, definitions provided in an
electronic English-language dictionary could be linked to terms
contained in an electronic book. The electronic links may be
created by the book publisher or may be subscriber-defined. The
links may use standard programming language such as hypertext
markup language (HTML). The links may be established through use of
a relational database.
Inventors: |
Hendricks; John S.;
(Potomac, MD) ; Asmussen; Michael L.; (Herndon,
VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARENT FOX LLP
1050 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N.W., SUITE 400
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Family ID: |
22895373 |
Appl. No.: |
12/129496 |
Filed: |
May 29, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09237828 |
Jan 27, 1999 |
7401286 |
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12129496 |
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08336247 |
Nov 7, 1994 |
5986690 |
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09237828 |
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08160194 |
Dec 2, 1993 |
5990927 |
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08336247 |
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08906469 |
Aug 5, 1997 |
6408437 |
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08160194 |
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08160281 |
Dec 2, 1993 |
5798785 |
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08906469 |
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09237827 |
Jan 27, 1999 |
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09237828 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/205 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/9562 20190101;
G06F 40/134 20200101; G06F 40/137 20200101; G06Q 30/06
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/205 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/00 20060101
G06F017/00 |
Claims
1-79. (canceled)
80. An electronic book system, comprising: an electronic book
viewer; an electronic book, the electronic book stored in a
computer readable medium in the electronic book viewer; and links
among components of the electronic book; wherein when the links are
activated, a first component is linked to a second component;
wherein the first component is located in the electronic book; and
wherein the second component is located in a data repository at a
distant operations center; and wherein selection of the first
component causes the second component to be displayed on the
electronic book viewer.
81. An electronic book system, comprising: an electronic book
viewer; an electronic book, the electronic book stored in a
computer readable medium in the electronic book viewer; and links
among components of the electronic book; wherein, when the links
are activated, a first component is linked to a second component;
wherein the first component is located in the electronic book;
wherein the second component is located in a distant data
repository accessible by a server on a network; and wherein
selection of the first component causes the second component to be
displayed on the electronic book viewer.
82. An electronic book system according to claim 2, wherein the
network is the Internet.
83. An electronic book system, comprising: an electronic book
viewer; an electronic book, the electronic book being stored in a
computer readable medium in the electronic book viewer; and links
among components of the electronic book; wherein when the links are
activated, a first component is linked to a second component;
wherein the first component is located in the electronic book;
wherein the second component is located in a distant data
repository, the data repository including a list of available books
related to the first component, wherein at least one of the books
may be ordered for delivery; and wherein selection of the first
component causes the second component to be displayed on the
electronic book viewer.
84. The electronic book system of claim 4, wherein the electronic
books are delivered by transmission via a telecommunications
medium.
85. The electronic book system of claim 5, wherein the
telecommunications medium is selected from a group consisting of a
publicly switched telephone network, a cable television system, a
wireless telephone system, a digital satellite system, a fiber
optic system, an Ethernet network, and a wireless television
system.
86. An electronic book system, comprising: an electronic book
viewer; an electronic book, the electronic book stored in a
computer readable medium in the electronic book viewer; and links
among components of the electronic book; wherein, when the links
are activated, a first component is linked to a second component;
wherein the first component is located in the electronic book;
wherein the second component is a network site including an address
of one or more news groups related to the first component; and
wherein selection of the first component causes the second
component to be displayed on the electronic book viewer.
87. An electronic book distribution system, comprising: a distant
operation center, wherein the operation center is configured to
store: a plurality of electronic books stored in a
computer-readable medium; and a plurality of links corresponding to
at least one of the plurality of electronic books, wherein each of
the plurality of links connects a first component of the
corresponding electronic book to a second component; wherein, when
the plurality of links are activated, the first components are
linked to the second components; and wherein the operation center
is configured to allow the selection and distribution of the links
separate from the electronic book to which it corresponds.
88. The electronic book system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of
links are purchasable separately from the electronic book.
89. The electronic book system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of
links are transmitted separately from delivery of the electronic
book.
90. The electronic book system of claim 1, wherein the components
in the links menu are electronically stored at a location where
electronic books are orderable and purchasable.
91. A method for using electronic links in an electronic book
system, the electronic book system including an electronic book
displayable on a display, the method comprising: displaying a
linked first component as a piece of actual text of the electronic
book; selecting the linked first component; and displaying a second
component linked to the first component, wherein the second
component is located in one selected from a group consisting of a
data repository in a remote operations center and a data repository
accessible by a server on a network.
92. The method of claim 12, wherein a third component is selectable
via a links menu, and wherein selecting the third component
displays the third component, the third component being related to
the first component of the electronic book.
93. The method of claim 12, wherein the second component is located
in the data repository at an operations center.
94. The method of claim 12, wherein the second component is located
in the data repository accessible by a server on a network.
95. The method of claim 15, wherein the network is the
Internet.
96. The method of claim 12, wherein the second component is a
network site including an address of one or more news groups
related to the first component.
97. A method for using electronic links in an electronic book
system, the electronic book system including an electronic book
displayable on a display, the method comprising: displaying a
linked first component of the electronic book stored in a computer
readable medium in an electronic book viewer; selecting the first
component; and displaying a second component linked to the first
component; wherein links linking the first and the second
components are refreshed by data provided by an external
facility.
98. The method of claim 18, wherein the external facility is one of
an operations center and a network site.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 08/336,247 entitled ELECTRONIC BOOK SELECTION
AND DELIVERY SYSTEM, filed Nov. 7, 1994, and U.S. application Ser.
No. 08/160,194, entitled ADVANCED SET-TOP TERMINAL FOR CABLE
TELEVISION DELIVERY SYSTEMS, filed Dec. 2, 1993, and U.S.
application Ser. No. 08/906,469, entitled REPROGRAMMABLE TERMINAL
FOR SUGGESTING PROGRAMS OFFERED ON A TELEVISION PROGRAM DELIVERY
SYSTEM, filed Aug. 5, 1997 which is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 08/160,281, entitled TERMINAL FOR SUGGESTING
PROGRAMS OFFERED ON A TELEVISION PROGRAM DELIVERY SYSTEM, filed
Dec. 2, 1993, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,785, dated Aug. 25,
1998, and U.S. application Ser. No. ______, filed on even date
herewith, entitled ELECTRONIC BOOK HAVING LIBRARY CATALOG MENU AND
SEARCHING FEATURES. These applications are incorporated by
reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention is directed to an electronic book unit having
one or more electronic books. More specifically, the invention is
an electronic book with links to other electronic files.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Sparked by the concept of an information superhighway, a
revolution will take place in the distribution of books. Not since
the introduction of Gutenberg's movable typeset printing has the
world stood on the brink of such a revolution in the distribution
of text material. The definition of the word "book" will change
drastically in the near future. Due to reasons such as security,
convenience, cost, and other technical problems, book and magazine
publishers are currently only able to distribute their products in
paper form. This invention solves the problems encountered by
publishers.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0004] An electronic book selection and delivery system is a new
way to distribute electronic books to bookstores, public libraries,
schools and consumers. The technological breakthroughs of this
invention provide a secure system for both delivering selected
electronic books and receiving payments. The system has an unusual
combination of features that provides the consumer with an
electronic book unit that has a high tech aura while being very
practical, portable, and easy to use.
[0005] The clear advantage of the system is that it eliminates the
distribution of any object such as a paper book or computer memory
device from any book or text distribution system. The purchase of
an electronic book may become a PAY-PER-READ.TM. event avoiding the
overhead, "middle-men," printing costs, and time delay associated
with the current book distribution system. Published material and
text such as the President's speech, a new law, a court decision on
abortion, or O. J. Simpson's testimony car be made immediately
available to the consumer at a nominal fee.
[0006] The system is a novel combination of new technology
involving the television, cable, telephone, and computer
industries. It uses high bandwidth data transmissions, strong
security measures, sophisticated digital switching, high resolution
visual displays, novel controls, and user friendly interface
software.
[0007] The primary components of the text delivery system are the
subsystem for placing the text onto a signal path and the subsystem
for receiving and selecting text that was placed on the signal
path. The preferred embodiment of the system includes additional
components and optional features that enhance the system. The
system may be configured for use by bookstores, public libraries,
schools and consumers.
[0008] The system for consumer use is made up of four subsystems,
namely: (1) an operations center, (2) a distribution system, (3) a
home subsystem including reception, selection, viewing, transacting
and transmission capabilities, and (4) a billing and collection
system.
[0009] The operations center performs several primary functions:
manipulating text data (including receiving, formatting and storing
of text data), security encoding of text, cataloging of books,
providing a messaging center capability, and performing uplink
functions. The system delivers the text from the operations center
to consumer homes by inserting text data into an appropriate signal
path. The insertion of text is generally performed with an encoder
at an uplink site that is within or near the operations center. If
the signal path is a video signal path, the system can use several
lines of the Vertical Blanking Interval (VBI), all the lines of the
analog video signal, a digital video signal or unused portions of
bandwidth to transmit text data. Using the VBI delivery method, the
top ten or twenty book titles may be transmitted with video during
normal programming utilizing existing cable, satellite, wireless or
broadcast transmission capability without disruption to the
subscriber's video reception. Using the entire video signal,
thousands of books may be transmitted within just one hour of air
time. Nearly any analog or digital video distribution system may be
used to deliver the video signal with included text.
[0010] The text data may also be transmitted over other low and
high speed signal paths including a telephone network (e.g., a
public switched telephone network) having a high speed connection
such as an asynchronous digital subscriber line (ADSL)
connection.
[0011] The home subsystem performs four primary functions:
connecting to the video distribution system, selecting text,
storing text, and transacting through a phone or cable
communicating mechanism. The components of the home subsystem may
be configured in a variety of hardware configurations. Each
function may be performed by a separate component, the components
may be integrated, or the capability of existing cable set top
converter boxes and televisions may be utilized. Preferably, a
connector, library unit and an electronic book unit, or viewer
unit, are used. The connector portion of the home subsystem
receives the analog video signal and strips or extracts the text
from the video. The home library stores the text signal, provides a
user friendly software interface to the system and processes the
transactions at the consumer home. The viewer provides a screen for
viewing text or menus and novel user friendly controls. The viewer
may also incorporate all the functionality of the home
subsystem.
[0012] The viewing device is preferably a portable book shaped
viewer which stores one or more electronic books for viewing and
provides a screen for interacting with the home library unit. A
high resolution LCD display is used to both read the books and to
interact with the home library software. An optional phone
connector or return-path cable connection initiates the telephone
calls and, with the aid of the library, transmits the necessary
data to complete the ordering and billing portion of the consumer
transaction. The user friendly controls include a bookmark, current
book and page turn button. The billing and collection system
performs transaction management, authorizations, collections and
publisher payments automatically utilizing the telephone
system.
[0013] The electronic link system provides links to other
electronics files. The other electronic files may be associated
with a specific electronic book. Examples include book reviews and
Internet databases. The other electronic files may be included as
part of a specific electronic book. Examples include links between
a Table of Contents or an Index, and the text of the specific
electronic book. The other electronic files may be stored in the
viewer or home library unit. Examples include a dictionary and a
foreign-language translation dictionary.
[0014] The electronic links may be provided by the content
supplier. That is, the operations center, or the book's publisher,
may provide additional electronic files, such as the electronic
dictionary, and may establish electronic links between the
electronic dictionary and the text data of a specific electronic
book, for example.
[0015] The electronic links may be subscriber-defined. That is, the
subscriber may select a portion of the text of a specific
electronic book, and generate a link between the portion and
another electronic file. For example, the subscriber may generate a
link between a Latin phrase in a specific book and its English
translation in an electronic English dictionary or an electronic
Latin-English translation dictionary.
[0016] The electronic link may be created using a standard
programming language. For example, the links may be generated using
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML).
[0017] A menu system may be provided to assist the subscriber to
navigate through different link options.
[0018] The electronic links may also link a viewer with an external
device or data base. For example, the electronic link may be used
to access an Internet web site.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the primary components of the
electronic book selection and delivery system.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic showing an overview of the electronic
book selection and delivery system.
[0021] FIG. 3a is a schematic of the delivery plan for the
electronic book selection and delivery system.
[0022] FIG. 3b is a schematic of an alternate delivery plan.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an operations center.
[0024] FIG. 5a is a flow diagram of the processing at the
operations center and uplink.
[0025] FIG. 5b is a block diagram of the hardware configuration for
an uplink site.
[0026] FIG. 6a is a block diagram of the hardware configuration for
a four component home subsystem.
[0027] FIG. 6b is a schematic of a two unit home subsystem.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of the processes performed by the
video connector.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a block diagram for an example of a library
unit.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of some of the processes performed
by the library on the received data stream.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of the processes performed by the
library unit on information requests from the viewer.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the components for an
example of a viewer.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of some of the processes performed
by the viewer on an information request from a subscriber.
[0034] FIG. 13 is a chart depicting the menu structure and
sequencing of menus in the menu system.
[0035] FIG. 14a is a schematic of an introductory menu.
[0036] FIG. 14b is a schematic showing an example of a main
menu.
[0037] FIGS. 14c, 14d, 14e, 14f, 14g, 14h, 14i and 14j are
schematics showing examples of submenus.
[0038] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of an electronic book system
for a bookstore or public library.
[0039] FIG. 16a and FIG. 16b are schematics of hardware
modifications or upgrades to a set top converter.
[0040] FIG. 17 is a schematic showing a set top terminal that
includes a data receiver and data transmitter.
[0041] FIG. 18a is a schematic of a book-on-demand system.
[0042] FIG. 18b is a schematic of an operations center supporting a
book-on-demand system.
[0043] FIG. 19 is a schematic of a page of an electronic book
having electronic links.
[0044] FIG. 20 is a schematic of a page of an electronic book with
the electronic links shown.
[0045] FIG. 21 is a schematic of a show links submenu.
[0046] FIG. 22 is an example of links in an electronic book.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0047] The primary components of the electronic book selection and
delivery system 200 are an encoder 204, a video distribution system
208, a connector 212, and a text selector 216 as shown in FIG. 1.
The encoder 204 places textual data on a video signal to form a
composite video signal. Although the composite signal may contain
only textual data, it usually carries both video and textual data.
A variety of equipment and methods may be used to encode text data
onto a video signal. The video distribution system 208 distributes
the composite video signal from the single point of the encoder 204
to multiple locations which have connectors 212. The connector 212
receives the digital or analog video signal from the video
distribution system 208 and separates, strips or extracts the text
data from the composite video signal. If necessary, the extracted
text data is converted into a digital bit stream. Text selector 216
works in connection with the connector 212 to select text.
[0048] Using a connector 212 and text selector 216 combination,
various methods of selecting and retrieving desired text from a
composite or video signal are possible. Text may be preselected,
selected as received or selected after being received and stored.
The preferred method is for the connector 212 to strip or extract
all the text from the video signal and have the text selector 216
screen all the text as received from the connector The text
selector 216 only stores text in long term or permanent memory if
the text passes a screening process described below.
[0049] An overview of the electronic book selection and delivery
system 200 is shown in FIG. 2. The delivery system 200 includes: an
operations center 250 including an uplink site 254, a video
distribution system 208, a home system 258 including a video
connector 212, a library 262, a viewer 266, and a phone connector
270, telephone system 274, an internet web site 279 and a billing
and collection system 278. Also as shown in FIG. 2, the home system
258 may include connections to a television 259. and a personal
computer 261. The television 259 and the personal computer 261 may
be used to display menu screens, electronic books, electronic
files, or any other information associated with the delivery system
200. In addition, the television 259 and the personal computer 261
may provide control function that replicate and supplement those of
the viewer 266.
[0050] The operations center 250 receives textual material from
outside sources 282 such as publishers, newspapers, and on-line
services. Alternately, the outside sources may maintain electronic
books at the Internet web site 279. The outside sources 282 may
convert textual and graphical material to digital format, or may
contract with another vendor to provide this service. The
operations center 250 may receive the textual and graphical
material in various digital formats and may convert the textual
material to a standard compressed format for storage. In so doing,
the operations center 250 may create a pool of textual material
that is available to be delivered to the home system 258. The
textual material may be grouped by books or titles for easy
access.
[0051] As used herein, "book" means textual or graphical
information such as contained in any novels, encyclopedias,
articles, magazines or manuals. The term "title" may represent the
actual title assigned by an author to a book, or any other
designation indicating a particular group, portion, or category of
textual information. The title may refer to a series of related
textual information, a grouping of textual information, or a
portion of textual data. For example, "Latest Harlequin Romance",
"Four Child Reading Books (Ages 10-12)", "Encyclopedia
`BRITANNICA`.TM.", "President's Speech", "Instruction Manual",
"Schedule of 4th of July Events", "Pet Handbooks", "Roe v. Wade",
and "The Joy of Cooking" are suitable titles. Also, the title may
be a graphical symbol or icon. Thus, a picture of a wrench may be a
title for a repair book, a picture of a computer a title for a
computer book, a graphical symbol of a telephone a title for a
telephone book, a drawing of a dagger a title for a mystery book, a
picture of a bat and ball a title for a sports book and a picture
of tickertape a title for a business book. The term "electronic
book" refers to the electronic counterpart to a "book."
[0052] The operations center 250 includes an uplink site 254 for
placing the text onto a video signal and sending the composite
video signal into a video distribution system. The uplink site 254
would generally include an encoder 204 (not shown in FIG. 2) to
encode the text onto a video signal.
[0053] Many analog and digital distribution systems 208, or other
telecommunications systems, can be used with the delivery system
200, such as a cable television distribution system, a broadcast
television distribution system, video distributed over telephone
systems, distribution from the Internet, direct satellite broadcast
distribution systems, and other wired and wireless distribution
systems.
[0054] The home system 258 performs five primary functions: (1)
connecting with a video distribution system, (2) selecting data,
(3) storing data, (4) displaying data, and (5) handling
transactions. An important optional function of the home sub-system
258 is communicating using a telephone communication system 274.
The home system 258 is made up of primarily four parts: a video
connector 212 or similar type of connector for connecting with the
video distribution system 208, a library unit 262 for storing and
processing, an electronic book, or viewer unit, 266 for viewing
menus and text and a telephone connector 270 for connecting with a
telephone communications system 274. In an alternate arrangement,
the viewer 266 may include all the functionality of the home system
258.
[0055] The billing and collection system 278 may be co-located with
the operations center 250 or located remote from the operations
center 250. The billing and collection system 278 is in
communication with the home system 258 via telephone-type
communication systems (for example 274). Any of a number of
telephone type communication systems, such as, a cellular system,
will operate with the billing and collection system 278. The
billing and collection system 278 records the electronic books or
portions of text that are selected or ordered by the subscriber.
The collection system will charge a subscriber's credit account or
bill the subscriber. In addition, the billing and collection system
278 will monitor that amount due to publishers or other outside
sources 282 who have provided textual data or other services such
as air time to enable the text delivery system 200 to operate.
[0056] When electronic books are provided via the Internet web site
279, the billing and collecting functions may be incorporated into
the Internet web site 279. For example, a subscriber may pay for an
electronic book selection by entering a credit card number into a
data field of a page of the Internet web site 279. In this
configuration, a separate billing and collection system may not be
required.
[0057] FIG. 3a is an expanded overview of a delivery plan 301 for
the delivery system The delivery plan 301 supports various types of
subscribers and various billing systems. FIG. 3a shows that
publishers 282 will provide text transfer 302 to the operations
center 250' and receive payments 306 from the billing and
collection system 278'. A separate channel uplink site 254' is
shown in this configuration receiving data 310 from the operations
center 250'. The operations center 250' has three separate sections
(318, 322, 326) one for text receiving, formatting and re-entry
318, a second for security encoding 322 and a third section for
catalog and messaging center functions 326.
[0058] The billing and collection system 278' shown has two
sections (330, 334) one for transaction management, authorizations
and publisher payments 330, and the other for customer service 334.
The customer service section 334 provides for data entry and access
to customer account information. Transaction accounting information
338 is supplied to credit card companies 342 by the transaction
management section 330 of the billing and collection system 278'.
The credit card companies 342 provide billing 346 to customers
either electronically or by mail.
[0059] Three methods for communicating between the subscriber base
348 and the billing and collection system 278' are shown: by
telephone switching 350 alone, cellular switching 354 and telephone
switching 350 combined, and by use of the cable system 358 and the
telephone switching 350. The system shown supports both one-way 362
and two-way cable communication 366 with subscribers. Public
libraries and schools 370 as well as bookstores 374 may use the
delivery system 301.
[0060] Public libraries and schools 370 would have a modified
system to allow the viewer 266 to be checked-out or borrowed while
bookstores 374 would rent or sell the viewer 266 and sell the
electronic books. The bookstores 374 as well as the public
libraries and schools 370 may be serviced by cable 378. Optional
direct broadcast systems (DBS) 382 can also be used with the
delivery system 200. The DES 382 may provide the electronic books
using digital satellite technology, with the electronic books being
received via a backyard satellite antenna, for example.
[0061] FIG. 3b is an alternate delivery plan 301' that provides for
electronic book selection and delivery using the Internet. In FIG.
3b, the publishers 282 provide the electronic books to be posted at
the Internet web site 279. The publishers may convert the text and
graphical data to digital format, compress the digital data, and
upload the compressed digital data to the Internet web site 279.
Alternately, the publishers 282 may arrange for an outside
conversion activity 283 to convert the text and graphical data to
digital format. The conversion activity 283 may then provide the
digital data to the Internet web site 279. For example, a large
on-line bookstore could gather publications in electronic form from
a variety of publishers, or could convert hard-copy books to
electronic form, and post the electronic books on the Internet such
as at the Internet web site 279.
[0062] The electronic books may then be transferred via a public
switched telephone network (PSTN), for example, direct to a
subscriber 285, a library 286 and a bookstore The library 286 and
the bookstore 287 may also provide electronic books to the
subscriber 285.
I. The Operations Center
[0063] FIG. 4 is a schematic of an operations center 250 which
includes an uplink 254. The operations center 250 gathers text or
books by receiving, formatting, storing, and encoding. A data
stream 302 containing text is received at the operations center 250
by a data receiver 402. The data receiver 402 is under the control
of a processor 404. After reception, the data stream is formatted
using digital logic for formatting 406 which is also under the
control of the processor 404. If any additional text is being
generated at the operation center 250 locally for insertion into
the distributed signal, the text generation is handled through text
generator hardware 410 which may include a data receiver and a
keyboard (not shown). Following processing by the text generator
410, the additional text can be added to the text received by the
combining hardware 414 that includes digital logic circuitry (not
shown).
[0064] The processing at the operations center 250 is controlled by
a processor 404 which uses an instruction memory 416. The processor
404 and instruction memory 416 may be supplied by a personal
computer or mini-computer. To perform the catalog and messaging
functions, the operations center 250 uses a catalog and message
memory 420 and the text generator 410 if necessary.
[0065] The data stream of text, catalog and messages is preferably
encoded by security module encoding 424 prior to being sent to the
uplink module 254. Various encoding techniques may be used by the
security encoding module 424 such as the commercial derivative of
NSA's encryption algorithm (Data Encryption System (DES)) and
General Instrument's DigiCipher II. Following encoding, the encoded
text may be stored in text memory 428 prior to being sent to the
uplink 254. A first-in-first-out text memory arrangement may be
used under the control of the processor 404. Various types of
memory may be used for the text memory 428 including RAM. The
operations center 250 may use file server technology for the text
memory 428 to catalog and spool electronic books for transmission
as is described below.
[0066] To transmit textual data (i.e., electronic books), the
delivery system 208 uses high bandwidth transmission techniques
such as those defined by the North American Broadcast Teletext
Standard (NABTS) and the World System Teletext (WST) standard.
Using the WST format (where each line of the Vertical Blanking
Interval contains 266 data bits), a four hundred page book, for
example, may be transmitted during programming using four lines of
the Vertical Blanking Interval at a rate of approximately one book
every 1.6 minutes (63,840 bits per second). Alternatively,
electronic books may be transmitted over a dedicated channel, which
interrupts programming so that 246 lines of video can be used to
transmit approximately 2,250 books every hour (3.9 Mbits per
second). A teletext type format is the simplest but possibly the
slowest text format to use with the delivery system 200. In either
event, an encoder 204 is utilized at an uplink site 254 to insert
textual data into the analog video signal. In many other respects,
the delivery of the textual information is completed using existing
cable television plant and equipment.
[0067] FIG. 5a is a flowchart of the steps involved in processing
text from the publisher or provider 282 that occurs at the
operations center 250. As shown in block 500, the publisher 282
processes data files of text for books, compresses, encrypts and
sends the data files to the operations center 250 or uplink 254.
Text files for books are preferably sent one book at a time. As
shown in block 504, the uplink 254 or operations center 250
receives and processes the data stream from the publisher 282.
Generally, part of this processing includes encryption and error
correction.
[0068] As shown in block 508, files are broken into smaller packets
of information. Header information is added to the packets. The bit
stream is converted from a serial digital bit stream to an analog
bit stream that is compatible with an NTSC video signal. Block 512
shows the switching of analog data into the video lines of a video
signal. The analog data is generally placed either in the VBI or
the active video lines. In some instances, it may be preferable to
utilize unused portions of bandwidth (such as 5-40 MHZ, 70-75 MHZ,
100-109 MHZ or other guard bands) instead of the video lines.
[0069] FIG. 5b is an example of a hardware configuration to perform
some of the functions for blocks 508 and 512. A video feed 516 is
received and processed through a sync stripper 520. The stripped
sync signal 532 is used by the digital logic control 524. The
digital logic control 524 receives the sync signal 532 and a serial
digital bit stream 528 for processing. The digital logic control
524 passes the serial digital bit stream to the Digital to Analog
converter 536 and outputs a control signal 540 for the video switch
The video switch 544 integrates the video feed 516 and analog data
stream 548 into a video feed with analog data signal inserted
552.
[0070] As an alternative to cable, satellite, broadcast, or other
television delivery methods, the public telephone system may be
used to transmit books to the subscribers. An average electronic
book would take about 7 minutes to transmit over the public
telephone system. Using the telephone system, it is not necessary
to combine video and text into a composite signal. In most other
respects, the operation center would remain similar whether text
delivery was by telephone or cable. File server technology (such as
that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,875, entitled AUDIO/VIDEO
FILE SERVER INCLUDING DECOMPRESSION/PLAYBACK MEANS, issued to
Mincer, et al., and, U.S. Pat. No. 5,218,695, entitled FILE SERVER
SYSTEM HAVING HIGH-SPEED WRITE EXECUTION, issued to Noveck, et al.,
incorporated herein by reference) may be used at the operation
center with a telephone system text delivery method.
[0071] As another alternative to cable, television, and telephone
system delivery, the public telephone system may be used to provide
access to the Internet, where the Internet web site 279 may be
accessed. Electronic books may be ordered, paid for, and delivered
directly from the Internet web site 279 over the telephone
system.
[0072] In any delivery system using the telephone system,
individual subscribers may increase the electronic book deliver
rate by incorporating high speed modems or other communication
devices such as an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
connector, or by use of an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line
(ADSL)
II. The Home System
[0073] The hardware configuration for a four component home system
258 is shown in FIG. 6a. FIG. 6b shows a hardware configuration for
a two component home system. The hardware components may also be
incorporated into a single unit that communicates with a terminal
in a television delivery system or with a telephone system by use
of a modem, for example. The home system 258 performs several
functions, such as receiving data and video transmissions,
stripping (or extracting) the data from the video signal, screening
and storing the data, providing user friendly interface controls
and software, displaying menus and text, processing transactions,
initiating telephone calls and transmitting billing data. Various
hardware configurations may be utilized to achieve the desired
functions of the home system 258. For example, as shown in FIG. 6b,
the home system 258 can be configured to utilize the reception and
channel tuning capability of the current installed subscriber base
of cable converter boxes and televisions 601. The home system 258
can also be designed as an advanced set top terminal converter box
with menu generation capability, electronic memory and a telephone
modem as described in section V below.
[0074] The electronic components which make up the home system 258
can be arranged in a variety of ways. In the four unit system of
FIG. 6a the viewer 266 and library unit 262 are wired together
while the remaining components communicate through RF transceivers
604. In a simple version of the home system 258 there are only two
units, the library unit 262 and a viewer 266. FIG. 6b shows a two
unit home system 258 with certain optional features. Finally, all
the functionality of the home system 258 may be incorporated into
one electronic book unit, or viewer.
[0075] The viewer 266 is generally equipped with a high resolution
viewing area 602, digital logic (including a key 605, security 606,
and a microprocessor 621), video graphics control and memory 607,
power supply circuitry 602 (not shown), an optional battery 603 and
an optional RF transceiver 604. In a two unit arrangement, the
library unit 262 contains the connector function to the video
distribution system 208, connector function to a public telephone
communications system, and memory 600 (which may be removable and
portable 600'). More specifically, the library unit 262 would
include data stripping functions 617, digital logic 609, memory
storage 600, power circuitry 610, optional telephone connections
611 (including cellular or PCN 611'), optional battery (not shown),
optional tuner module 613 and an optional RF transceiver 604. The
video connector 212 and the public telephone system connection 270,
as well as the removable portable memory unit 600 of the library
unit 262 may be broken out into separate components. (FIG. 6b shows
a removable portable hard disk memory 600' with removable
cartridges 614.) Finally, the home system 258 may include an
attached keyboard 267 or a wireless keyboard 268. Both the attached
keyboard 267 and the wireless keyboard 268 may be used to
communicate with the viewer 266 (not shown) or the library unit
262.
[0076] The wireless keyboard 268 may communicate via radio
frequency (RF) signaling, for example. Therefore, the home system
258 may have as many as six separate components which communicate
with each other. The two, three, four, five or six separate
components which make up the home system 258 can communicate with
each other in a variety of ways, including hardwired connection
615, RF transceiver 604, and other wireless methods.
[0077] RF communications are preferred in the home because they
allow separate components to be located throughout the home without
restriction. The data communicated between the units is preferably
secure data. In addition, the library unit 262 may provide power to
the viewer 266 through the hardwired connection 615.
[0078] Alternatively, a single unit may perform all of the home
system 258 functions. The single unit should use light-weight
materials, including a light-weight battery. A single unit
eliminates the need to communicate (externally) between units. The
single unit is less expensive and eliminates duplicative
processing, memory storage and power circuitry.
[0079] To receive and strip the data from the video signal at the
consumer's home, either a cable interface device or cable connector
212 is used. The cable connector device includes a tuner 613, while
the cable interface device makes use of existing tuning equipment
in the home. In either configuration, data is stripped from the
video signal and stored at the subscriber's location in the library
unit 262. The phone connector 270, and modem 611 initiate telephone
calls and transmit ordering and billing information to the
operations center 250 or billing and collection system 278.
Alternatively, the phone connector 270 and the modem 611 may be
used to provide access to the Internet to order and receive
electronic books from an Internet web site. A digital connector 619
is provided to communicate digital information with the set top
601. The library unit 262 is the intelligent component of the home
system, incorporating the hardware and software necessary to store
the text data, generate menus and effect the purchase transactions.
In addition to an RF transceiver 604, the library unit 262 also
includes the necessary jacks and connections to allow the delivery
system 200 to be connected to the viewer 266. As shown in FIG. 6b,
the library 262 communicates the text data (electronic book) to the
viewer 266 in a secure format which requires a key 605 for
decryption. The text is generally only decrypted page by page just
before viewing.
[0080] a. The Video Connector
[0081] FIG. 7 shows the flow of the processes performed by the
video connector 212. The video connector receives the video signal
608, tunes to the channel containing the text data 612, strips the
text data from the video signal 616, and communicates the text data
stream to logic components in the library 620.
[0082] The connection to the video distribution system is
preferably a cable connector to a cable television delivery system,
as shown in FIG. 6b. The cable connector includes a data stripper
circuit 617, which accepts video input from either a set top
converter, TV or VCR 601, or an optional tuner block 613 that
receives the CATV signal through the cable connector 212'. The data
stripper circuit 617 strips data out of the video, and outputs a
digital bit stream to the digital logic portion 609 of the library
unit The data is embedded in the video signal either in the
vertical blanking interval or the active video portion in an
encrypted and compressed format. The data stripper circuit 617 can
be placed inside the set top converter box 601, TV, or in the
library unit. The data stripper circuit 617 outputs the digital bit
stream to be used by the library digital logic 609.
[0083] The video connector 212 may also contain a channel tuner
module 613 that can tune to the video channel and provide access to
the video that contains the data to be stripped. Using the optional
tuner module 613, a set top converter, VCR, or TV tuner is not
needed in the home system. The optional tuner module 613 would
instead receive the CATV signal directly through the cable
connector 212.
[0084] b. Library
[0085] An embodiment of the library unit 262 for a two unit home
system 258 is shown in both FIG. 6D and FIG. 8. The embodiment
shown includes the following optional parts: the video connector
212, phone connector 270, RF transceiver 604, and battery pack 624
in addition to a removal portable memory 600', microprocessor 628,
instruction memory unit 632, digital logic 636, and power unit
640.
[0086] The library unit 262 contains a digital logic section 609
(not shown in FIG. 8) which includes the microprocessor 628, the
digital logic 636 and the instruction memory unit 632. The
microprocessor 628 is preferably a secure microprocessor such as
the Mot SC21 device sold by Motorola. The digital logic section 609
will receive the serial digital bit stream from the data stripper
circuit 617 and process the data. Error correction will also be
performed by the digital logic section 609 and the data will be
checked for proper address. If the address of the data is correct
and the library unit 262 is authorized to receive the data, the
data will be transferred to the memory storage unit 600, 600'.
Authorization to receive the data is provided by the cable headend
or another distribution point. An authorization code may be sent in
the serial digital bit stream. The digital logic section 609 will
send appropriate text and graphical data to the memory storage unit
600, 600'. It transfers this data in a compressed and encrypted
format and the data remains stored in a compressed and encrypted
format.
[0087] i. Memory Storage Unit
[0088] The memory storage unit of the library may be a removable
portable memory unit 600' (as shown in FIGS. 6a, 6b and 8). A
variety of options are available for memory storage: a hard disk
drive, a hard disk with removable platters, and a CD ROM. Referring
to FIG. 6b, a hard disk drive unit 600' which contains removable
platters may also be used. This would provide virtually unlimited
library storage capacity. Data (i.e., electronic book files) may be
stored in the memory storage unit in a compressed and encrypted
format. As is also shown in FIG. 6b, the data may also contain a
key or unique ID number that matches the ID or key of the viewer
266. This matching of a unique key or ID number prevents
unauthorized transfer of text data from the memory storage unit to
an unauthorized viewer. Small memory devices such as smart cards,
electronic memory cards or PCMCIA cards (personal computer memory
card industry association) may also be used to store the data.
[0089] ii. Power Circuitry
[0090] As shown in FIGS. 6b and 8, the library unit 262 may accept
power from either AC wall power 610, DC power 640, or optional
battery power 624. The power circuitry 610, 640 may provide all the
voltage necessary from either the battery 624 or AC unit for the
various circuitry in the library. The power circuitry 610, 640 may
also provide power to the viewer 266 through a single data cable
when connected to the viewer. The power circuitry 610, 640 will
recharge the battery using AC power when in operation. With the
optional battery unit 624 installed, the library unit 262 becomes a
portable unit and can still provide power to the viewer 266. In
order to extend battery life, power conservation measures may be
utilized, such as shutting down the memory system when not in use.
When the viewer 266 is being utilized and the library circuitry is
not being utilized, virtually all power may be shut down to the
library unit 262.
[0091] iii. Connection to the Public Telephone System
[0092] The connection to the telephone system may be provided by a
modem 611. Various available modems may be used to perform this
function. As shown in FIG. 6b, cellular phone or PCN phone
connections 611 may also be provided. When the home system 258 is
first initialized, the modem may be used to transfer the name and
credit card information of the consumer to the billing and
collection system 278. The telephone connection 270 may be utilized
each time an electronic book is purchased by a consumer to complete
and record the transaction. The telephone connection 270 may also
be used as a means for receiving the electronic books from the
operations center 250 or from an Internet web site, by-passing the
video distribution system 208. The phone connection 270 may be a
separate unit as shown in FIG. 6b.
[0093] iv. Libra Processing
[0094] FIG. 9 shows an example of some basic processing performed
by the library unit 262 on the data stream 651 received from the
video connector 212 or stripper circuit 617. First the data stream
651 is checked for error correction by block 650. If an error is
detected, block 654 de-interleaves the data followed by block 658
running a FEC (Forward Error Correcting) algorithm. The combination
of block 650, 654 and 658 perform the error correction needed on
the data stream. If no error correction is necessary the data
proceeds to block 662 where packets are individually checked for
packet address.
[0095] If the address is a unique address, block 666 checks whether
the address of the packet matches the library box ID number. The
library box ID number is a unique number associated with that
library unit 262 which is used to ensure security of the data.
Block 670 determines whether an electronic file has already been
opened into which the data packet can be saved. If no data file has
been opened then block 674 opens a new data file for that packet.
If an electronic file has been opened, then the packet is saved in
that electronic file on disk, block 678. Next, the process checks
to see if this is the last packet for a particular book for a
particular textual data block being received 682. If it is the last
packet of information, then the electronic file is closed and the
directory of available electronic files is updated 686. Following
either block 682 or 686, the process returns to receive another
data packet from the data stream received from the data stripper
block.
[0096] If the packet address is checked and the address is
determined to be a broadcast address, the process determines the
type of message that is being sent 690. The message may be an index
of book titles, menu (and menu graphics) information,
announcements, special offerings, discounts, promotions, previews
etc. The message is then stored in appropriate electronic message
file 694 and the process is returned to block 650 to receive
another data packet and perform another error check.
[0097] Using the process of FIG. 9, the library unit 262 is able to
receive, store and update directories related to the textual data
and graphical data (that can be used to depict pictures in a given
book or to generate menus). Variations of the processes are
possible depending on the format of the data and operating system
of the library unit 262.
[0098] FIG. 10 shows an example of the processing of information
requests from the viewer 266 at the library unit 262. Information
requests from the viewer 266 are received either through the cable
connecting the viewer 266 to the library unit 262 or through
wireless transmissions such as RF. It is possible in some
embodiments for subscribers' requests to come from a set top
converter box 602 (see Section V).
[0099] Information requests received from the viewer 266 generally
fall into three categories: (1) directory data of electronic books
stored in the library unit 262, (2) index of all available
electronic books on the system, and (3) requests for a specific
electronic book (Block 700). Process block 704 answers a request
from the viewer 266 for a directory of data showing the electronic
books stored at the viewer 266. The directory of data is sent to
the viewer 266 so that it may be displayed to the subscriber.
Process block 708 handles requests from the viewer 266 for an index
of all available electronic books on the home system 258. The
library unit 262 will obtain an index of all the available books on
the system and transmit that index, process 712, with menu
information to the viewer 266. Process block 716 replies to a
request from the viewer 266 for a specific electronic book. The
library unit 262 opens an electronic file for the specific
electronic book requested by the viewer 266 and transmits the
record or transmits the information 720 on a packet-by-packet basis
to the viewer 266. This process of transmitting the specific
electronic book, record, or packets to the viewer 266 continues
until the last record or packet has been sent, 724.
[0100] In addition to the processes shown on FIG. 10 in handling a
request for a specific electronic book, the library unit 262 also
orders and receives specific electronic books from the operations
center 250 using the process as described in process block 716.
Following a request for a specific electronic book which is not
stored at the library unit 262, the library unit 262 will proceed
to determine the next available time the electronic book will be on
the video distribution system 208 and ensure reception and storage
of that electronic book (process not shown). In performing this
process the library unit 262 will transmit to the viewer 266
information on when it will obtain the text data for the electronic
book so that the subscriber may view the electronic book. In
addition to timing information, price and other ordering
information may also be passed by the library unit 262 to the
subscriber.
[0101] c. The Viewer
[0102] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the viewer 266 showing its
internal components. The viewer 266 of FIG. 11 is similar to the
viewer 266 depicted in FIG. 6b. The viewer 266 is designed to
physically resemble a bound book. The viewer 266 is made up of five
primary components and six optional components: (1) LCD display
602, (2) digital circuitry (not shown), (3) video graphics
controller 607', (4) controls 740, (5) book memory 728, (6)
optional power supply circuitry 736, (7) optional battery 603', (8)
optional RF transceiver 604, (9) optional cellular or mobile
communicator (608), (10) optional keyboards 267 and 268, and (11) a
speaker/microphone 608'.
[0103] (1) A high resolution LCD screen 602, preferably of VGA
quality, is used by the viewer 266 to display text and graphic
images. The screen is preferably the size of one page of a book. A
two page screen or two screens may also be used with the viewer
266.
[0104] (2) Digital circuitry that includes a secure microprocessor
621, instruction memory 732, and digital logic. Data is transferred
to the viewer 266 in compressed and encrypted format. The secure
microprocessor 621 compares the ID number of the viewer 266 with
the incoming data stream and only stores the text data if the ID
number of the viewer 266 matches that within the incoming data
stream. It is preferred that the viewer 266 not output text data or
other data and that the data is decompressed and decrypted only at
the moment of viewing and only for the current page being viewed.
These measures are preferred because they provide additional
security against unauthorized access to data.
[0105] (3) A video graphics controller 607' that is capable of
assisting and displaying VGA quality text and graphic images is
included in the viewer 266. The graphics controller 607' is
controlled by the digital circuitry described above. Text may be
displayed in multiple font sizes.
[0106] (4) The viewer 266 of FIG. 11 has touch panel controls 740.
These unique and novel controls 740 allow the consumer to select
stored electronic books and electronic books from catalogues, move
a cursor, and turn pages in a book. Typically, the preferred
controls 740 include forward and reverse page buttons 742, 741, a
ball (or trackball) 743 for cursor movement, one or more selection
buttons 745, a current book button 747 and a bookmark button 749
(see FIG. 14a).
[0107] The controls 740 should be easy to use and conveniently
located. Referring to FIG. 14a, the controls for the viewer 266 may
be located below the screen 602 at the bottom portion of the viewer
266. The next page turn button 742 is the most used button 740 and
may be located towards the right edge of the page. The subscriber
is likely to use right hand thumb movements to work the controls
particularly the page turn buttons 741, Therefore, it is preferred
that the buttons be arranged in such a manner that the buttons are
easily controlled by a subscriber's right thumb. Generally, this
can be accommodated either on the lower portion of the viewer 266
(as shown) or along the right hand margin of the viewer 266 (not
shown). The current book button 747 and bookmark button 749 are
usually the least used of the controls 740. Therefore, in the
example shown those buttons 747, 749 are located on the inside
portion towards the binder of the viewer 266.
[0108] Locating the ball 743 or other cursor movement device (such
as four pointer arrows--not shown) in the bottom center of the
viewer 266 is both easier for the subscriber to use and easier in
manufacturing the viewer 266. The selection buttons for the cursor
745 are preferably located below the middle diameter of the cursor
ball 743 on the right and left sides of the ball as shown. If
pointer arrows are used for cursor movement, a selection button 745
may be located in the center of the four arrow buttons (not shown).
Again, the most used controls should be located where a
subscriber's right hand thumb would normally rest.
[0109] (5) Book memory 728 for at least one electronic book or more
of text is included in the viewer 266. The memory 728 stores text
and any graphics which represent pictures in a book. The memory 728
can also store menu graphics data. Two different memory 728 devices
may be used in the viewer 266, one for the instructions for the
microprocessor 621 in the digital circuitry and a second type of
memory may be used for the book memory 728 (and graphics). Various
memory devices available on the market may be used such as, ROM,
RAM or a small hard disk. Since an electronic book requires
approximately 0.6 megabytes of storage, a small hard disk providing
approximately 60 MBytes of storage provides memory to store
approximately 100 electronic books. The large hard disk drives
currently available allow for storage of thousands of electronic
books.
[0110] Text for books may be displayed in various font sizes. To
accommodate various fonts for display, a variety of fonts are
stored in instruction 732 or book memory 728. Thus larger or
smaller fonts may be recalled from memory 621, 728 to create
displays desired by the subscriber.
[0111] (6) Power supply circuitry 736 in the viewer 266 will accept
power from either an AC power source or from an optional battery
603', or the library unit 262. The power supply circuitry 736
provides the necessary voltages to accommodate the various systems
within the viewer 266.
[0112] (7) An optional battery 603' is provided in the preferred
embodiment. The battery 603' is automatically recharged when AC
power is available.
[0113] (8) An optional RF transceiver 604 which provided two-way
data link between the viewer 266 and other components of the home
system can also be included in the viewer 266.
[0114] (9) Also, the viewer 266 may include a cellular transceiver
for mobile communications.
[0115] (10) The optional wired (attached) keyboard 267 and wireless
(e.g., RF) keyboard 268 (see FIG. 6a) may be used with the viewer
266 to provide communications between the subscriber and the viewer
266.
[0116] (11) The speaker and microphone 608' allow the viewer 266 to
provide audio signals to the subscriber, and allow the subscriber
to provide an audio input. The speaker and microphone 608' may be
used in conjunction with the cellular transceiver 608 or other
telecommunications equipment to provide for reception and
transmission of telephony and data.
[0117] The viewer 266 of FIG. 11 has parts available for providing
connections to: a library 744, electronic card memory 748, CD ROM
units 752, and a portable memory unit 756 (such as that shown in
FIG. 6b 600'). Various electronic memory cards such as PCMCIA can
be used with this viewer 266.
[0118] Security, low power consumption and excellent display
technology are desired features of the viewer 266 design. The
viewer 266 should be lightweight and portable. The viewer 266
contains a software operating system that allows electronic books
to be stored, read and erased and includes the capability to order
electronic books and retain them in memory 728 for a predefined
period of time determined by the system operator. The software can
be configured to allow the electronic book to be read during a
period of time (i.e., two weeks) and then automatically erased,
read once and erased, or held in memory permanently. Each viewer
266 has a unique key 605. All of the data storage is encrypted with
the key 605 for an individual viewer 266 to prevent more than one
viewer 266 accessing the text file or electronic book file.
[0119] FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of some of the processes executed
by the viewer 266. Generally, the viewer 266 receives inputs from
the subscriber through touch panel controls 740. Alternately, the
viewer 266 receives inputs from a touchscreen display, the attached
keyboard 267, or the remote keyboard 268. The subscriber's
information requests are then processed 800 by the viewer 266.
[0120] If the subscriber requests a menu of available electronic
books, process block 804 will select a book menu. Process block 808
will open the electronic files which list the electronic books that
are available (related to the category of topic of the menu) and
display the menu with the names of the available electronic
books.
[0121] If the subscriber selects a particular electronic book to
read, then process block 812 will process the selection and
determine the electronic file that contains the specific electronic
book. Process block 816 will open the file for that specific book
and normally access the first page. (If a pointer has already been
set in that electronic book's file, the process may default to that
page.) Process block 820 will then determine which page needs to be
displayed. Process block 820 will determine whether a next page,
previous page or a book marked page needs to be displayed. If the
pointer for the electronic file is not in the correct location then
process block 828 will move the pointer and obtain the previous
page of data from the stored file. Otherwise, process block 824
will normally obtain the next page of text from the stored
electronic file. Process block 832 will decrypt and decompress the
text data and send the data to the video display. The video display
will generally have a video display memory associated with it and
process block 832 will send the data directly to that video display
memory. The circuitry for the display then completes the process of
displaying the page of text.
[0122] If the subscriber, through the controls 740, requests (from
process block 800) that the power be turned off, then the process,
836, of turning the power off will be initiated. Process block 840
saves the pointer in memory to the page number in the book that the
viewer 266 is currently reading. Process block 844 closes all the
electronic files and signals the power circuitry to shut down the
power to the various circuits in the viewer The subscriber may also
use the controls 740 to access other electronic files using
electronic links embedded in a particular electronic file. An
electronic link system will be described later in detail.
[0123] With these examples of basic processes the viewer 266 is
able to display book selections and display text from those
books.
[0124] d. Menu System Referring generally to FIG. 13, the delivery
system 200 may have a menu system 851 for selecting features and
electronic books from the delivery system 200. The operating
software and memory required for the menu system 851 may be located
at the viewer 266 (e.g., the instruction memory 732 and/or book
memory 728). However, it may also be located at the library unit
262 (e.g., the instruction memory 632) or the library unit 262 and
the viewer 266 can share the software and memory needed to operate
the menu system 851. Since the menus are usually displayed on the
viewer 266 and it is preferred that the viewer 266 be capable of
operating in the absence of the library unit 262, the basic
software and memory to create the menus is more conveniently
located at the viewer 266.
[0125] The menu system 851 allows sequencing between menus and
provides menu graphics for graphical displays such as on the LCD
display 602 of the viewer 266. In a system which uses a set top
converter these menus may also be displayed on a television screen.
In the simplest embodiment, the menus provide basic text
information from which the subscriber makes choices. In more
sophisticated embodiments, the menus provide visual displays with
graphics and icons to assist the subscriber.
[0126] FIG. 13 depicts a menu system 851 with sequencing. The
primary menus in the system are an introductory menu 850, a main
menu 854 and various submenus 858. In the embodiment shown, there
are three levels of submenus 858. In certain instances one or two
submenus 858 is sufficient to easily direct the subscriber to the
selection or information requested. However, there are features in
which three or more submenus 858 make the user interface more
friendly for the subscriber. Each level of submenus 858 may consist
of multiple possible menus for display. The particular menu
displayed depends on the selection by the subscriber on the
previous shown menu. An example of this tree sequence of one to
many menus are the help submenus 887, 888. Depending upon the
specific help requested, a different level two help menu is
displayed to the subscriber.
[0127] An example of an introductory menu 850 is shown on FIG. 14a.
Generally the introductory menu 850 introduces the viewer 266 to
the system and provides initial guidance, announcements and
instruction. The introductory menu 850 is followed by a main menu
854, an example of which is shown in FIG. 14b. The main menu
provides the viewer 266 with the basic selection or features
available in the system. FIG. 14b is an example of a main menu 854
offering many additional features and submenus 858 to the
subscriber. For example, FIG. 14b shows that the viewer 266 is able
to choose by a point and click method many options including: (1)
free previews, (2) books you can order, (3) books in your library,
(4) your current book, (5) help, (6) on-line services and (6) other
system features. Following a selection on the main menu 854, a
corresponding submenu 858 is shown.
[0128] FIG. 13 shows thirteen available primary or first level
submenus. They are (1) account set up 862, (2) free previews 866,
(3) book suggestion entries 855, (4) books in your library 872, (5)
books you can order 878, (6) your current book 884, (7) help 887,
(8) available features 890, (9) messages 893, (10) account
information 896, (11) outgoing message submenu 898, (12) show links
970, and (13) create links 980. FIG. 14c is an example of a first
level submenu for electronic books in your library 872. This "Book
In Your Library" example submenu 872 shows six available electronic
books by title and author and provides the subscriber with the
ability to check a different shelf of books 874 or return to the
main menu 854. FIGS. 14d and 14e show example submenus 858 for
electronic books that may be ordered using the "Books You Can
Order" submenu 878.
[0129] FIG. 14f is an example of an order selection and
confirmation menu 880', which provides a "soft keyboard" 975 for
the subscriber to use in placing an electronic book order and which
confirms the subscriber's order. In this particular example, the
subscriber is required to enter a PIN number to complete the
subscriber's order. The "soft keyboard" 975 could be configured as
a full alpha-numeric keyboard, and may be used by the subscriber to
add additional information related to a book order. An
alpha-numeric or similar password may be used to ensure the
subscriber is an authorized subscriber. In an embodiment, the
subscriber confirms an order with a PIN or password and then
receives a final confirmation screen. The final confirmation screen
is primarily text and may state: Your book order is now being
processed via CABLE. [0130] Your book will be delivered overnight
and your VISA account will be charged $2.95. [0131] Your book will
be available for reading at 6:00 AM EST tomorrow. Make sure that:
[0132] 1. your Library Unit and Cable Connection Unit are plugged
in with aerials up tonight; and [0133] 2. you tune your cable
converter to THE BOOK Channel. The TV set does not have to remain
on. or similar language.
[0134] Examples of the "Account Set Up Menu" 862 and further
submenus 858 related to account set up (which provide instructions
and account input 864) are shown in FIG. 14g and FIG. 14h. These
submenus 858 allow initialization of an account at the operations
center 250 and orders to be charged to credit cards. The submenus
858 include the ability to enter data related to your desired PIN
number or password, credit cards, phone numbers, etc. It is
preferred that the account set up be performed using the telephone
system. A confirmation menu verifies that the account has been
properly set up with the desired PIN or password and credit
card.
[0135] Free previews for books 866 are also provided by submenus
(868, 870). Examples of the free preview menus are shown in FIG.
14i and FIG. 14j. FIG. 14i shows a menu depicting various
electronic books for which previews are available for viewing.
Following an electronic book selection, a screen submenu showing an
excerpt of the selected electronic book cover's description is
provided along with an excerpt from a critic's review of the
selected electronic book. In the preferred embodiment, this preview
screen for a particular electronic book also allows the subscriber
to select a submenu which provides information about the author.
The book preview submenu may also include a still video picture or
graphics portraying a book cover or a scene from the electronic
book. An example of such a still video picture or graphics is shown
in FIG. 14j which depicts a preview screen 870 about the author.
The video may also be provided according to MPEG standards as a
short moving video clip. Such a clip could be an interview with the
author, for example. The author's preview screen 870 shows a
picture of the author, provides a short biography, and may allow
the subscriber to order the author's books. The price for ordering
the authors various electronic books may also be shown on the menu.
Alternatively, the previews may be provided through an electronic
link system, which will be described in detail later.
[0136] In addition to free previews, in more sophisticated
embodiments, the delivery system 200 provides the subscriber with
an electronic book suggestion feature (see 855). This is
accomplished using the menu system 851 and the processor with
associated memory located at the viewer 266, library unit 262 or at
the distribution point (1020 or 250). When necessary, information
for the program suggestion feature is sent in the text data of the
composite or video signal to the home system 258. With this
feature, books or authors are suggested to a subscriber based upon
historical data of the subscriber's previous orders, demographics
or mood of the subscriber, other indicators, and/or by text word
searches.
[0137] In a book suggestion embodiment, text word searches of
preview information (such as book cover descriptions, critics
reviews and biographies about the author) and/or text of books or
other titles are performed by the library unit 262 using databases
stored in the library memory 600. Personalized book or author
suggestions are made to the subscriber by obtaining information
from the subscriber indicative of general subscriber interests.
Subscriber entries are solicited from the subscriber preferably
using the electronic book suggestion entries submenu 855. The
system uses these subscriber entries either directly or indirectly
to search for books or authors to suggest to the subscriber.
[0138] Generally, the book suggestion methods may be categorized
into two categories, either responsive methods (which respond to a
series of subscriber menu entries), or intelligent methods (which
analyze data to suggest an electronic book). Using a responsive or
intelligent method, the delivery system 200 determines a list of
suggested titles or authors and creates a second or third level
submenu 856, 857 to suggest the titles for subscriber
selection.
[0139] Responsive methods of suggesting titles include, for
example, the use of mood questions, searching for authors, and
keyword searching. Using the instruction memory 732 and menu
generation hardware (e.g., 607) of the viewer 266, a series of mood
questions can be presented on menus to determine a subscribers
interest at a particular time. For this methodology, the operations
center's 250 processor 404 and instruction memory 416 assign each
title mood indicators (and subindicators) from a group such as
light, serious, violent, short, long, dull, exciting, complex,
easy-read, young theme, old theme, adventure, romance, drama,
fiction, science-fiction, etc. These indicators are sent to the
home system 258 with the text data and are stored in library memory
600. Based upon the subscriber entries, the processor 404
associates a set of indicators with the subscriber's request and a
set of electronic books with matching indicators are located for
suggesting to the subscriber.
[0140] Responsive searches for authors or keywords (a search word
provided by the subscriber) are generally performed by the library
processor 628 and instruction memory 632 on data stored in the
library memory 600. For example, a keyword given by the subscriber
may be searched for a match in library memory 600 storing the book
reviews, critics and previews databases. Thus, if a subscriber
provided an entry of the word "submarine" on an appropriate
submenu, the title "Hunt For Red October" may be located by the
library processor 628 using instruction from a routine in the
instruction memory 632.
[0141] Intelligent methods of suggesting programs include analyzing
personal profile data on the subscriber and/or historical data
about the subscriber such as past books ordered by the subscriber
(or buy data). This method is preferred in a book on demand system
and can be performed at the distribution point or operations center
250 by the on-site processor 404 using subscriber databases stored
in memory 428. The home system 258 receives the text data including
program suggestion information from the distribution point or
operations center 250 and generates the program suggestion submenus
855, 856, 857 using the same text data receiving 212 and viewer
menu generation hardware (e.g., 607, 621) described above. Software
routines and algorithms stored in instruction memories (e.g. 632,
732) are used to analyze historical data and book ordered data to
determine a line of books to suggest to the subscriber.
[0142] The algorithms for this powerful feature of suggesting books
or authors to subscribers are disclosed in great detail in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,559,549, entitled REPROGRAMMABLE TERMINAL FOR SUGGESTING
PROGRAMS OFFERED ON A TELEVISION PROGRAM DELIVERY SYSTEM, issued
Sep. 24, 1996, and are incorporated herein by reference.
[0143] Referring to FIG. 13, submenus 858 are shown on the "Books
In Your Library" submenu 872 and are preferably broken into shelf
numbers with submenus for each shelf 874, 876. The submenus 858 for
the "Books You Can Order" submenu 878 is similarly broken out into
submenus by shelves 880, 882. These shelves may each be a category
or genre of books. Electronic books may be grouped into categories
such as best sellers, novels, fiction, romance, etc. See FIG.
14d.
[0144] Referring to FIG. 13, the submenu 858 for "Your Current
Book" 884 allows a subscriber to select a current book 884 and then
determine what page to view. This selection is confirmed with a
level two submenu 885. The help submenu 887 provides the subscriber
with additional help screens 888. The submenus 858 for available
features 890 are preferably broken out into a sequence of separate
submenus for each feature 891, 892.
[0145] Referring to FIG. 13, messages can also be sent with the
delivery system 200. A level one message screen provides the
subscriber with the ability to select from various messages the
subscriber has pending 893. Each message is then shown on a
separate submenu screen 894, 895. The message may contain text and
graphics.
[0146] Referring to FIG. 13, account information is shown on a
level one submenu 896 and then follow-on submenus 858 show the
recent orders and your account balance 897. There is also a level
one submenu for outgoing messages 898 which has a follow-on submenu
used as an input screen 899.
[0147] In addition to the specific features and submenus described
in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14a through FIG. 14j, many other variations and
features are possible. When a book is finally selected for viewing
the title page 886 will appear on the screen followed by a page of
text.
III. The Billing And Collection System
[0148] The billing and collection system 278 (shown in FIGS. 2 and
3) utilizes the latest technology in electronic transaction and
telephone switching to track orders, authorize deliveries, bill
consumers, and credit publishers automatically. The telephone calls
initiated by the phone connector 270 are received by the billing
and collection system 278 which responds immediately without human
intervention by placing the order and charging the consumers credit
card account. Data is compiled periodically and publishers 282 are
credited for sales of their books or other text. The billing and
collection system 278 may also connect with subscribers through
two-way cable connections, cellular, or other communication
means.
[0149] It is preferred that the billing and collection system 278
communicate with the operations center 250 to track changes in
available books and to provide statistical data to the operations
center 250.
IV. Public Library, School, and Bookstore System
[0150] The electronic book system can be modified to be used at
public libraries, schools and bookstores. FIG. 15 shows one
possible arrangement of components for a public library, school or
bookstore location. The main unit at a public library, school or
bookstore is the file server 900. The file server 900 is a large
electronic memory unit that can store thousands of electronic
books. Various electronic storage means may be used in the file
servers, such as hard disks, read-write CD ROMs and read-only CD
ROMs.
[0151] The system comprises five components; the file server 900, a
converter or video connector 904, a controller 908, a viewer 912,
and a catalog printer 916. The software for controlling the system
is primarily located in the controller 908. The converter or video
connector 904 is similar to those described above. In this
configuration the controller unit 908 monitors the data being
transferred to the file server 900 by the converter 904. The
controller 908 is preferably provided with a viewing screen and
several control buttons. When it is necessary to have a larger
screen to perform more sophisticated controlling of the system a
viewer 266 may be connected to the controller 908 and the viewer
screen and controls 740 may be used.
[0152] The controller 908 is only able to download books to public
viewers 912 which are authorized to receive books from the
particular file server 900. For security reasons it is not
desirable that the public viewer 912 have access to more than one
file server 900. In this way, security can be maintained over the
text data for books. It is preferred that the public viewer 912 be
limited to receiving one or two electronic books at a time from the
controller 908. When the subscriber of the public viewer 912 needs
a new or additional electronic book, the subscriber returns the
viewer 912 to the school or public library where the subscriber
receives a new electronic book from the controller 908.
[0153] In order to track the electronic books that are available on
the file server 900, the titles of the available books may be
printed on a catalog printer 916. The catalog printer 916 is
connected to the library controller 908 and the titles of the
electronic books are downloaded to the catalog printer 916. None of
the coded text for any of the electronic books can be printed using
the controller 908 and catalog printer 916 of this system. In order
to maintain security over the data, none of the electronic book
data is allowed to be downloaded to the printer 916. Once a
complete printout of available electronic book titles, magazines,
or other textual material is complete, a hard copy of the catalog
920 can be maintained at the file server 900.
[0154] The system shown may also be used at bookstores. The
bookstores can rent the public viewer 912 to customers with the
text for one or two electronic books loaded onto the public viewer
912. The public viewer 912 may be provided with an automatic
timeout sequence. The timeout sequence would erase the textual data
for the books after a certain period of time, for example, two
weeks. It is expected that after a period of time (perhaps within
two weeks) the renter would return the public viewer 912 to the
bookstore and receive additional electronic books for viewing.
Using this arrangement, it is also possible for the bookstore to
(permanently) sell a viewer 912 to a regular customer. The customer
then returns to the bookstore from time to time to receive textual
data for an electronic book which the customer can then store
permanently on the customer's own viewer 912. Various other
configurations are possible for bookstores, schools and public
libraries using the file server 900 and public viewer 912
described.
V. Use of a Set Top Converter
[0155] Existing set top converters such as those made by Scientific
Atlanta or General Instruments are presently unequipped to handle
the delivery system 200 of the present invention. Although set top
converters may be built which include the library functions,
hardware modifications are necessary in order to use the delivery
system 200 with existing set top converter technology.
[0156] FIGS. 16a and 16b are examples of hardware modifications or
upgrades. A port is used to attach hardware upgrades described
below to a set top terminal. Two upgrades are possible to set top
converters 601 to assist in receiving and selecting electronic
books. A menu generation card upgrade FIG. 16a) and an information
download unit (FIG. 16b). Each of these upgrades may be connected
to the set top terminal unit through an upgrade port. A four wire
cable, ribbon cable or the like may be used to connect the upgrade
to the set top converter 601.
[0157] A card addition 950 to a set top converter 601 is depicted
in FIG. 16a. The card 950 shown provides the additional
functionality needed to utilize the book selection system with
existing set top converter 601 technology. The card 950 may be
configured to slip inside the frame of a set top terminal and
become part of the set top terminal, an advanced set top terminal.
The primary functions the card 950 adds to the set top converter
601 are the interpreting of data signals, generating of menus,
sequencing of menus, and, ultimately, the ability of the subscriber
to select an electronic book using either the television or a
viewer 266. The card 950 also provides a method for a remote
location, such as the cable headend, to receive information on
electronic books ordered. The electronic books ordered information
and control commands may be passed from the cable headend to the
card 950 using telephone lines.
[0158] The primary components of the card 950 are a PC chip CPU
952, a VGA graphic controller 954, a video combiner 956, logic
circuitry 958, NTSC encoder 960, a receiver 962, demodulator (not
shown), and a dialer 611'. The card 950 operates by receiving the
data text signal from the cable headend through the coaxial cable.
The logic circuitry 958 of the card 950 receives data 964, infrared
commands 966, and synchronization signals (not shown) from the set
top converter 601. Menu selections made by the viewer 266 on the
remote control are received by the set top converter's 601 IR
equipment and passed through to the card 950. The card 950
interprets the IR signal and determines the electronic book (or
menu) the subscriber has selected. The card 950 modifies the IR
command to send the information to the set top converter 601. The
modified IR command contains the channel information needed by the
set top converter 601. Using the phone line 968 and dialer 611',
the card 950 is able to transmit electronic books ordered
information to the cable headend. It is also possible to receive
the electronic books over the telephone lines and by-pass the video
distribution system. In this embodiment, the telephone system may
be used to provide access to an Internet web site to order and
receive electronic books.
[0159] These commands are passed through the interface linking the
set top terminal's microprocessor with the microprocessor of the
hardware upgrades. In this way, subscriber inputs, entered through
the set top terminal keypad or remote control, can be transferred
to any of the hardware upgrades for processing and responses
generated therein can then be sent back to the set top terminal for
display. In the preferred embodiment the IR commands 966 are
transferred from set top terminal 601 to hardware upgrade.
[0160] Hardware upgrades may include a microprocessor, interactive
software, processing circuitry, bubble memory, and a long-term
memory device. In addition to these basic components, the hardware
upgrade may make use of an additional telephone modem or CD-ROM
device.
[0161] The information download hardware upgrade 1001 (shown in
FIG. 16b) allows the subscriber to download large volumes of
information from the operations center 250 or cable headend using
the set top converter 601. The hardware upgrade 1001 will enable
subscribers to download data, such as electronic books and
magazines, to local storage. Primarily, the hardware upgrade 1001
is an additional local storage unit 1003 (e.g., hard disk, floppy,
optical disk or magnetic cartridge and may include a microprocessor
1005, instruction memory 1007, and a random access memory 1009, as
shown in FIG. 16b). Preferably, a small portable viewer 266 is also
provided with the upgrade 1001 to enable downloaded text to be read
without the use of a TV.
[0162] The downloadable information may be text or graphics
supplied by the operations center 250 or cable headend. With this
upgrade, electronic books may be downloaded and read anywhere with
the portable viewer 266. Using this upgrade, books may be
downloaded and stored in compressed form for later decompression.
The electronic books would be decompressed only at the time of
viewing. Important text that the public desires immediate access
may made available through this system. Text such as the
President's speech, a new law, or a recent abortion decision
rendered by the Supreme Court may be made immediately
available.
[0163] In the preferred embodiment, electronic book ordering
information is stored at each set top terminal until it is polled
by the cable headend using a polling request message format. A
example of a polling request message format consists of six fields,
namely: (1) a leading flag at the beginning of the message, (2) an
address field, (3) a subscriber region designation, (4) a set top
terminal identifier that includes a polling command/response (or
P/F) bit, (5) an information field, and (6) a trailing flag at the
end of the message. A similar response frame format for information
communicated by the set top terminal to the cable headend in
response to the polling request may be used.
[0164] FIG. 17 shows a preferred set top converter that includes a
data receiver 617' and a data transmitter 1011. The data
transmitter provides upstream data communications capability
between the set top converter 601 and the cable headend. Upstream
data transmissions are accomplished using the polling system
described and, using a data transmitter 1011. Both receiver 617'
and transmitter 1011 may be built into the set top converter 601
itself or added through an upgrade module. Regardless of the
specific hardware configuration, the set top terminal's data
transmission capabilities may be accomplished using the hardware
shown in FIG. 17.
[0165] FIG. 17 shows RF signals, depicted as being received by a
data receiver 617' and tuner 613 working in unison. Both of these
devices are interfaced with the microprocessor 1013, which receives
inputs 1015, from the subscriber, either through a set top
converter's keypad, a remote control unit or the viewer 266. All
cable signals intended for reception on the subscriber's TV are
accessed by the tuner 613 and subsequently processed by the
processing circuitry 1017. This processing circuitry 1017 typically
includes additional components (not shown) for descrambling,
demodulation, volume control and remodulation on a Channel 3 or 4
TV carrier.
[0166] Data targeted to individual set top converters is received
by the data receiver 617' according to each set top converter's
specific address or ID. In this way, each addressable set top
converter only receives its own data. The data receiver 617' may
receive set top converter 601 specific data in the information
field of the signal frame described or on a separate data carrier
located at a convenient frequency in the incoming spectrum.
[0167] The received data includes information regarding electronic
books and menus available for selection. The subscriber may enter a
series of commands 1015 using a keypad or remote control in order
to choose an electronic book or menu. Upon receipt of such
commands, the microprocessor 1013 instructs the tuner to tune to
the proper frequency of the channel carrying data and subsequently
instructs the processing circuitry 1017 to begin descrambling of
this data.
[0168] Upon selection of the electronic book, the microprocessor
1013 stores any selection information in local memory (not shown)
for later data transmission back to the cable headend. The
microprocessor 1013 coordinates all CATV signal reception and also
interacts with various upstream data transmission components.
Typically, the data transmitter 1011 operates in the return
frequency band between 5 and 30 MHZ. In an alternative embodiment,
the frequency band of 10 to 15 MHZ may be used. Regardless,
however, of the frequency band used, the data transmitter 1011
sends information to the cable headend in the information field of
the response frame described. Those skilled in the art will
recognize that a number of variations and combinations of the
above-described set top terminal hardware components may be used to
accomplish upstream data transmissions.
VI Books-On-Demand System
[0169] The electronic book system 200 described may also be
configured in a book-on-demand style. FIG. 18a shows one example of
a configuration for a books-on-demand system. A books-on-demand
system requires more powerful two-way communications between the
consumer's home, bookstore, school or public library and either the
operations center 250 or a distribution site 1020 such as the cable
headend. This type of two-way communication can be provided by the
hardware shown in FIG. 17 and described above.
[0170] Referring to FIG. 18a, in a books-on-demand system, the
subscriber selects the electronic book to be download from an
available menu of electronic books (see for example FIGS. 14d and
14e). The data for menus of available books is usually sent to the
subscriber location by the distribution site 1020. After the
subscriber's menu selection, information about the subscriber
selection (or request) is then communicated to either a
distribution point 1020 (such as a cable headend or an Internet web
site) or the operations center 250. Upon receipt of this request,
the needed textual and graphical information for the book is
spooled and sent to the subscriber. In this manner, books are only
sent when requested by the subscriber and are sent immediately upon
demand for the book (or text).
[0171] In order to support such a books-on-demand system, the text
delivery and distribution must be conducted on a strong nodal
architectured distribution system, such as, a video-on-demand cable
or telephone television system, an Internet web site, or through
use of individual telephone access on the public telephone
system.
[0172] The books-on-demand system allows for a greater selection of
electronic books to the subscriber and limits the amount of
communicated book data that is unnecessary or unneeded. It also
provides the electronic book to the subscriber in a much timelier
fashion.
[0173] In addition to a stronger distribution system, a
books-on-demand system requires a distribution point 1020 to have
more sophisticated equipment to access and "spool out" the textual
information. This can be accomplished using file server technology
1024 for storing the electronic books and ATM 1028 or
telephone-type switching (not shown) to distribute the textual
information. The file server 1024 and distribution technology that
can be used in configuring such a books-on-demand system is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,875 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,218,695,
cited above.
[0174] FIG. 18a shows an embodiment for a books-on-demand system
that utilizes file server technology. In addition to electronic
books, the embodiment of FIG. 18a will support distribution of
nearly any digital data. Electronic books or textual files are
received from publishers 282 and other sources through local feeds
1032, ATM 1028, or by satellite dish 1036. The data is then stored
in memory 1040 at the file server 1024. The distribution point 1020
may be a cable headend that receives requests from subscribers and
delivers text to subscribers over a two-way communication system
(such as a video-on-demand system (VOD) 1044). Alternately, an
Internet web site may serve as the distribution point 1020.
[0175] The library unit 262 can be connected to either a basic
premium-type service cable system 1048, a near video-on-demand type
cable system (or pay-per-view (PPV) 1052) or a video-on-demand
cable system 1044. In connecting with either of these three systems
the library unit 262 may access the cable directly or may access
the system through a set top terminal 601', 601'', or 601'''.
[0176] Using the two-way video-on-demand system 1044, a subscriber
is able to request a specific electronic book title and receive
that text immediately following its request. To accomplish this,
the distribution point 1020 transmits a list of available
electronic books through the cable delivery system to the library
unit 262. The library unit 262 displays the list of available
electronic books on a menu or similar format. As described earlier,
it is preferred that the library unit 262 use menus which list
categories of available electronic books to form its request from
the distribution point 1020. After selecting an electronic book,
the library unit 262 sends a request signal on the two-way
communication system 1044 back to the distribution point 1020. This
request signal can be handled in two ways. The library unit 262
either initiates the request or the distribution point 1020 polls
the various libraries on to the two-way system 1044. Upon receiving
the request for the electronic book title, the text associated with
that book title is transmitted to the library unit 262 using the
two-way cable system 1044.
[0177] FIG. 18b is an expanded view of a preferred operations
center 250 that supports a regional or national books-on-demand
system. In fact, the operations center 250 shown supports
distribution of nearly any digital data. The operations center 250
supports multiple feeds to receive digital information by tape
1060, 1060', ATM 1028, or satellite The information is processed
through an input MUX 1064 and a small file server 1068 before
reaching the master file server 1072. Digital data such as
electronic books received from publishers 282 is then stored on the
master file server 1072. It is preferred that the digital data is
stored compressed in a standard format such as MPEG2.
[0178] A system controller 1076 provides control over the regional
or national books-on-demand system. Electronic books may be
packaged into groups to provide feeds to various cable headends. In
addition, scheduling and marketing research are conducted at the
operations center 250. In order to handle the scheduling and market
research, electronic book buy data is received at the operations
center 250 through a multiplexer Electronic book buy information
can be provided by the operation center 250 to the billing and
collection system 278.
[0179] The operations center 250 is also equipped to insert
messages or advertisements into the file server. These messages or
advertisements will eventually be received by the subscribers.
[0180] The master file server 1072 uses an output multiplexer 1080
and ATM 1028 as well as satellite connections to distribute digital
data. In the preferred embodiment, cable headends receive text data
on electronic books from the master file server 1080 through the
output multiplexer 1028 and an ATM system 1028. After receiving the
electronic book data, the cable headends store the books in a local
file server 1024. FIG. 18a's distribution point 1020 is an example
of a cable headend which may receive data from the operations
center 250 of FIG. 18b through an ATM hookup 1088 or satellite
hookup.
VII. Electronic Book Link System
[0181] Electronic book links allow the subscriber to use the
electronic book viewer 266 to traverse pre-defined paths between
content in their currently viewed electronic book to related
information contained either elsewhere in the electronic book,
elsewhere on the viewer 266, or external to the viewer 266,
including in the library unit 262 or in a connected Internet web
site. These links provide an organized and methodical method for
the subscriber to quickly access related topic areas or seek
clarification of the currently viewed material.
[0182] An electronic book includes first locations, or components,
such as words, phrases, sentences, sections of text, paragraphs,
pages, chapters, figures, drawings, maps, video clips, and audio
clips. Links to second and subsequent locations, or components,
contained in the same electronic document or in another related
electronic document, file, or database can be associated with each
of these first components. First components with underlying links
can be highlighted and displayed on the viewer display 602 or on
the connected television 259 or a personal computer 261 (see FIG.
2). First components that have underlying links associated with
them may be identified by assigning them a unique identifier. The
unique identifier can be a word or phrase, an alpha-numeric value,
a coordinate point, or other unique identifier. In an embodiment,
each such first location may be assigned an identifying index
value.
[0183] The use of the index value allows the first components to
maintain links with other components, even if the electronic book
is altered. For example, a subscriber may use a cut and paste edit
feature to move a block of text containing a first component.
Cutting and pasting will not affect the status of the first
component and its links to other components. Similarly, changing
font style or font size will not affect the status of the
links.
[0184] In the creation of an electronic book, or subsequently, the
electronic book may undergo a process that maps identifying index
values to each of the first components. These index values can then
be accessed by software directives that drive the presentation of
alternative or linked material (e.g., material at one of the second
locations) once a selection is made. For each electronic book,
these index values may be contained in a hidden table that maps the
identifying index values of all first components with underlying
links to the location of the linked material (the second location).
Moreover, each such first component may be linked to one or many
linked material locations. That is, the first component may be
linked to a second component, a third component and so on. An
example of a hidden table is presented below.
[0185] As shown in the table, a first location "Cezzanne" has an
identifying index value "Cezzanne" has three links. A link to a
second location is to an art encyclopedia. A link to a third
location is to an electronic dictionary that provides a
pronunciation guide. A link to a fourth location is to an audio
file that plays a short biography of the artist. Each of the
second, third and fourth locations have their own index values.
TABLE-US-00001 Linked Material Location Identifying (file
location/file name/ Index Component Link Linked Material Linked
Material corresponding index Value(s) Identifier Number Identifier
Description value) 135 "Cezzanne" 1 More on Reference material on
Art- Cezzanne Cezzanne Encyclopedia.com/ FrenchArtists/Index Value
= 1 135 "Cezzanne" 2 Pronunciation Pronunciation of the word
Websters.com/ Websters E- Dictionary/Index Value = 56221 135
"Cezzanne" 3 Audio Clip Audio file providing Viewer/ condensed
Cezzanne's Current file/Index biography Value = 199384 133-135
"PorchScene by 1 Graphic File JPEG file presenting Viewer/
Cezzanne" Cezzanne's PorchScene Current file/Index painting Value =
9382 5673 "reactivism" 1 Definition Definition of the word
Websters.com/ Websters E- Dictionary/Index Value = 564 4948-4950
"Order Little 1 Book Order Order the book Little Discovery.com/
Women" menu Women Little Women item Order/Index Value = 672
4949-4950 "Little Women" 1 Book review Review of the book "Little
Literary Works.com/ Women" Little Women/Index Value = 1 90462
"Dental 1 TOC link to Link from Table of Viewer/ diseases" Document
Body Contents to desired chapter Current file/Index Value = 69980
1342 "Dental 2 Related Access to Web discussion NoMoreCavities.com/
diseases" discussion group group on gum diseases Index Value = 1
572 "VegieMaster" 1 Product Order Order the product
HomePurchases.com/ "VegieMaster" KitchenProducts/Index Value = 1 14
"Chesapeake" 1 Video Video clip of interview Viewer/ with J.
Michener on Current file/Index writing of Chesapeake Value = 38677
14 "Chesapeake" 2 Narration Audio file - narration of Viewer/
Chesapeake by J. Current file/Index Michener Value = 38678
[0186] Linked material location information (i.e., the location of
second and subsequent components) can include source location, book
name, chapter, page, line, and word as identified by their index
value. The source location will provide the delivery system 200 the
necessary information to contact the operations center 250, the
Internet web site 279 (see FIG. 2) or another electronic database
and request the appropriate material for retrieval and download if
it currently does not reside on the viewer 266 or the home system
258. In the case that the linked material resides on the Internet
web site 279 or on another electronic database, the location
information in the hidden table allows the operations center 250 or
home system 258 to retrieve the desired material from the a
Internet web site 279 or from the electronic database.
[0187] If the second component, or linked material, is located at
the viewer 266, the processor in the viewer 266 can cause the
linked material to be displayed without any communications with an
outside source. For example, if the first component is the name
"Cezzanne" and the linked material, or second location, is in an
electronic dictionary stored in the viewer 266, the viewer 266 can
display the electronic dictionary entry for "Cezzanne." This linked
material may be displayed full screen, in a picture-in-picture
window, or as an overlay, for example. The entry can also remain
hidden, until a user of the viewer 266 commands the entry to be
displayed.
[0188] Upon selection of a component with underlying links, the
software directive determines the identifying index values
associated with the selected component, searches the table for the
index values of the selection made, looks up the corresponding
linked location, accesses the location, and displays the linked
material on the viewer 266. The linked material can be displayed on
the viewer 266 in place of the original source material, or
simultaneously with the original source material by displaying the
linked material in a picture-in-picture window, via a split screen,
or via a screen overlay.
[0189] FIG. 19 shows a portion of a page of electronic text having
one or more electronic links. The display 602 may include a show
links button 606 and a help button The show links button 606 may be
used to display a link menu 971 (see FIG. 13 and FIG. 20). That is,
the viewer 266 can be commanded, via the show links button 606, to
display all components that have underlying links. The components
may be displayed in a highlighted mode, in a different color, in a
unique font, bold or italic typeface, underlined, outlined, or in
reverse background mode, for example. To make a selection of a
component to view the underlying linked material, the cursor 745 is
used to identify the desired selected item. The ball 743 is used to
guide the cursor 745 across the page to the desired selected item,
and the selection button is used to make the selection.
Alternatively, cursor movement for screen navigation can be
provided via devices such as a fingerpad, mouse, or joystick.
Selection can also be made by incorporating a touch-sensitive
screen into the viewer 266.
[0190] FIG. 19 depicts the display before commanding the viewer 266
to show links. FIG. 20 shows the display once the request has been
made to display all underlying links. FIG. 20 shows the link menu
971, a help button 612, and a multi-function button, or pull-down
menu, 614. The multi-function button 614 can be used as a return
button, a hide active links button, and a restore active links
button, for example. Alternately, several additional buttons may be
provided to select these features. The multi-function button 614
may be active when the show links button 606 has been operated. In
FIG. 20, the components having underlying links are "PorchScene by
Cezzanne" and "Cezzanne." The component "PorchScene by Cezzanne" is
shown with one link and the component "Cezzanne" is shown with
three links. Also shown in FIG. 20 is the link menu 971 that lists
the links, or components, the link number and a description of the
linked material. For example, the material linked to the component
"PorchScene by Cezzanne" is a JPEG video file showing the
painting.
[0191] Once a link is selected, an on-screen return button 614
allows the subscriber to return from the linked material back to
the originally viewed text. The show links button 606 (see FIG. 19)
can be displayed on the viewer 266 either at all times that an
electronic book is open, any time an underlying link exists, or
only when commanded to do so from the viewer's menu system 851.
[0192] When linked material is displayed (for example, in an
overlay fashion) the subscriber can command the linked material to
be placed in a hidden state by operating the hide active link
button 614 or by use of the menu system 851. When an active link is
hidden, the restore active link button 614 is displayed. Operation
of the restore active link button 614 will display the material
linked by the active link.
[0193] Alternatively, the on screen "Help" menu 887 (see FIG. 13)
provides access to further assistance when selecting links. The
Help menu 887 is accessed by operation of the on-screen help button
612. Related link options will be available for display on the
viewer 266 by selecting the Help menu 887, using the cursor 745 to
do so. The "Help" function allows the subscriber to select which
specific links to be displayed on-screen. The links when displayed
may be simply highlighted portions of text, or text in different
colors All links for the displayed page can be selected to be
displayed. Alternatively, by selecting a range of content in an
electronic book that may have multiple underlying links, only links
associated with the components within the selected range will be
presented on the viewer 266 for the subscriber to select the
specific link desired. Alternatively, a fixed number of links may
be selected to be displayed on the screen at a time. Alternatively,
only a certain type of link may be selected to be displayed. The
types of links that are available for display may be listed in a
pop-up menu. The subscriber can choose from this pop-up menu which
of the links to display. For example, the pop-up menu could list
links for a dictionary and links to an Internet web site. The
subscriber could choose to display only the dictionary links. FIG.
21 depicts the menu screen 981 used to manage the subscriber's
filtering of links to view.
[0194] FIG. 22 is a logical representation of the components and
links for the example first component "Cezzanne" shown in FIG. 19.
In FIG. 22, the text block (page) 602' containing the first
component Cezzanne 980 is shown linked to components in other
electronic files or documents. A first link 981 links Cezzanne 980
to a reference material component 982, which is an encyclopedic
entry related to the artist. A second link 983 links Cezzanne 980
to a dictionary entry 984 that includes a pronunciation key for the
artist's name. A third link 985 links Cezzanne 980 to an audio clip
986, which provides an audio file describing the artist's life. If
the subscriber chooses the audio clip 986, the audio file will
immediately begin playing and will be broadcast on a speaker in the
viewer 266, or the attached television or the attached personal
computer, as applicable. The subscriber can stop the playback by
operating the hide active link button 614.
[0195] The links described above may also function in two
directions. A biography of Cezzanne could include a link to the
JPEG file showing PorchScene. The JPEG file PorchScene could be one
of several still videos of the artist's work. This JPEG file could
be linked to an appropriate section of the Cezznne biography. Then,
if the subscriber were viewing the JPEG file for PorchScene, the
subscriber could display the link to the biography and, upon
activating the link, have displayed that portion of the biography
that discusses PorchScene. In this example, the same link is used
to display either the JPEG file or text from the biography. The
same hidden table can be used with the two electronic files (i.e.,
the biography and the JPEG file). Alternately, each electronic file
may have its own hidden table. In this alternative, the same link
may be referenced in each of the hidden tables.
[0196] In the discussion above, each first component is linked to
one or more other components. However, the other components (i.e.,
the second and third components, for example) may also be linked
together. In addition, other components linked to one first
component may be crossed-linked to other components that are linked
to a second first component (identifying secondary or tertiary
cross-links). For example, the JPEG file of PorchScene referred to
in FIG. 20 may be cross-linked to the audio file-biography shown in
FIG. 20. Displaying the JPEG file will result in a cross-link being
identified that links the JPEG file to the audio file.
[0197] The cross-link may be indicated by highlighting,
underlining, outlining, using a bold or an italics typeface, using
a different font, and using different color text. If the
cross-linked material is selected, that material will then be
displayed. In the example described above, the JPEG video file that
shows the painting PorchScene can be cross-linked with Cezzanne and
its identity would be displayed on the viewer 266. The video file
could be displayed full screen or in a picture-in-picture format.
The video file could also be displayed on the attached television
259 or the personal computer 261 (see FIG. 2). Finally, the video
file could be printed by sending the video data and a print command
to a printer 262 attached to the home unit 258 or to the personal
computer 261.
[0198] In the table previously shown, all the links for a number of
electronic books were provided in one hidden table. In an alternate
arrangement, many hidden tables may be provided. For example, each
electronic book may be provided with a hidden table. In this
alternative, the many hidden tables could form a relational
database of linked material. As an example, several different
electronic medical text books could each be provided with its own
hidden table. An electronic general medical encyclopedia could also
be provided with a hidden table. Terms that are listed in one of
the several medical electronic text books could then be linked, in
a relational fashion to the electronic medical encyclopedia. The
several electronic medical text books could also be relationally
linked to each other, to on-line databases and to other electronic
files. For example, an electronic medical text book could be
electronically linked to electronic books, databases and other
electronic files maintained at a medical school's library.
[0199] The hidden table (either for many electronic books, or
individually for each electronic book) may be provided by the
central provider or distributor as an additional feature that is
paid for separately from purchasing an electronic book. The
distributor may offer many different levels of service, such as
only linking material (components) a stored on a viewer, only
linking material within a particular electronic book, or linking
one or more electronic books to electronic files outside the home
system 258 (e.g., linking an electronic book to a database
maintained by the distributor at an Internet web site).
[0200] Downloading the most current links table for an electronic
book from the operations center 250 or the Internet web site 279
refreshes the hidden links table, that is, any new links that have
been generated by the operations center 250, for example, are added
to the hidden links table. The current links table may be
downloaded in conjunction with downloading a new electronic book.
Alternately, the current links table may be provided periodically
by the operations center 250. Subscribers can create their own
links by adding new entries to the hidden links table, using
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) or other standard programming
language or by using a simple graphical user interface, for
example. In an embodiment, an on-screen, software-based,
menu-driven facility is provided, accessible through the menu
system 851 (see FIG. 13), that allows the subscriber to select the
desired source components to define an underlying link, to select
the desired linked components and define their location, and to
create the remaining table entries. Creation of table entries can
be supported via either an on-screen, simulated keyboard, the
attached keyboard 267, or the remote keyboard 268 (see FIG. 6a). To
ease creation of links, default table entry items may be offered to
the subscriber by the menu system 851 where ever possible. The
desired linked components can be accessed and displayed
simultaneously with the desired source components via the use of a
picture-in-picture window, via a split screen, or via a screen
overlay. Alternatively, if the material to be linked is to be
created by the subscriber, the subscriber can create a new content
file on the viewer 266 and link directly to components in that
newly created file. This allows the subscriber to create customized
annotations and notes that are directly associated with the
specific components of an electronic book. Text entry into the
newly created file is handled via either the on-screen, simulated
keyboard, the attached keyboard 267, or the remote keyboard
268.
[0201] As noted above, links within electronic books may be
self-contained in nature, where all the material to be linked to is
resident within the same electronic book file. Additionally, links
may also be provided between material residing on the viewer 266.
Also, links may be provided to material that currently resides on
the home system 258, if separate from the viewer 266. Finally,
links may be provided to material that must be accessed through a
communications network. For example, material that is ordered or
downloaded from the operations center 250 or the Internet web site
279 may be linked to the electronic book. On screen menus can also
be supported on the viewer 266 in the form of electronic book
files, serving as a book or product catalog or service catalog that
allows the subscriber to link to the operations center 250 or the
Internet web site 279 to order additional electronic books or
products and services at any time by selecting the desired
component from the text.
[0202] If the content that is to be linked to is currently not
available on the electronic book viewer 266, the viewer 266 may
prompt the subscriber to decide whether to: 1) retrieve the
corresponding material immediately from the home system 258, the
operations center 250, or the Internet web site 279; 2) wait until
the next communication opportunity with the home system 258 or
operations center 250 to retrieve the material; 3) commence direct
outside communications with another communications system (e.g., a
telephone in a PSTN); or 4) stop.
[0203] In one embodiment, the first components on the viewer 266
are a Table of Contents and List of Figures for a book. Making a
selection from the Table of Contents and List of Figures
automatically links to and displays the selected page within the
electronic book file. In another embodiment, the first components
on the viewer 266 may be an Index of an electronic book. Selecting
the desired topic and associated page will cause that page to be
displayed on the viewer 266. In yet another embodiment, the first
component is a footnote or endnote. When the footnote is selected,
the viewer 266 provides a display of material that further
addresses the reference. In another embodiment, the first component
is a word or phrase that has a further definition or clarification
associated with it. By selecting the first component, the
corresponding dictionary definition, foreign translation, or
glossary entry will be displayed on the viewer The dictionary
definition or foreign translation may also be provided via an audio
file. In this embodiment, electronic books can be bundled with
other standard reference material or alternatively, stand-alone
reference material like dictionaries or encyclopedias may be
accessed from within multiple electronic book files.
[0204] In another embodiment, the first component is a reference to
another electronic book altogether. By selecting the first
component, the selected book is displayed on the viewer 266. In
another embodiment, on-screen menu buttons will be displayed on the
viewer screen 602 that allow for a quick link to the Table of
Contents, Index, glossary, and other key electronic book sections
by simply selecting the item on the viewer screen 602 with the
cursor 745. In yet another embodiment, the selected first component
links the subscriber to a book review or series of book reviews,
providing additional information to assist in the decision of
selecting a new electronic book. In another embodiment, the
selected first component is a book title, chapter title, or text in
the body of a book that is linked to an audio file that serves as
an audio narration of the selection that is played on the viewer
266. In yet another embodiment, the selected first component links
to a video file (JPEG or MPEG) that can be displayed on the viewer
screen 602. Another embodiment is a first component that links to
textual annotations and notes that have been created by the
subscriber.
[0205] One embodiment includes first or subsequent components that
are electronic book titles that, when selected, links the
subscriber to the operations center 250 or the Internet web site
279 to allow for the ordering of the selected book. In a similar
embodiment, the selected component consists of a product that, when
selected, link the subscriber to the operations center 250 site or
an Internet web site to allow for the ordering of the selected
product. Lastly, in another embodiment, the selected component is a
topic on which there is a link to an Internet-based discussion
group that addresses the topic in more detail.
[0206] When a link is provided to link a word or phrase to a
foreign language dictionary, the viewer 266 may display a foreign
language selection feature. The subscriber may then indicate which
language to use when activating the link. For example, an English
word or phrase in the electronic book may be linked to a French,
Spanish or German dictionary. The subscriber may specify which of
these foreign language dictionaries to link to.
[0207] While this invention has been described in conjunction with
the specific embodiment outlined above, it is evident that many
alterations, modifications and variations will be apparent to those
skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the
invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not
limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following
claims.
* * * * *