DE29716870U1 - Digital book - Google Patents

Description

Packing GmbH AGENCY FOR DESIGN IMAGES AND IDENTITY Whistlerweg 16 D-81470 Munich

Digital book

The present innovation concerns a digital book as at least a playback device, in particular for the playback of text information.

Conventional laptops, notebooks, palmtops, etc. are equipped with a keyboard for the entire character set in question and a single screen or display. However, there are applications in which, on the one hand, the relatively complex and space-consuming keyboard is unnecessary and, on the other hand, the display or display/editing area available on just a single screen is too small in certain cases of use. In addition, conventional laptops and notebooks are too large and heavy for certain cases of use.

From the publication DE 3317728 A1, a plate-shaped electronic device in a compact design is known which contains an assembly of electronic components, with a semiconductor IC micro-component, a display element and a drying element arranged on a board. The assembly of components is flexible and inserted between a plate-like upper cover and a plate-like lower cover. The upper cover has a display window, the lower cover is also flexible and has a flat lower surface.

From the publication DE 3307356 A1 a sheet-like miniaturized electronic device is known which has an electronic component arrangement. This electronic

An electronic component assembly includes a wiring base having switch contacts and an integrated semiconductor chip operable by signals from the switch contacts, a display panel for displaying data in accordance with signals from the integrated semiconductor chip, and a battery for supplying a driving voltage to the integrated semiconductor chip, the wiring base, the display panel, and the battery being electrically connected to each other and arranged in the same plane. An upper cover is provided in close contact with the upper side of the electronic component assembly. The upper cover has an operating portion and a transparent display window. A lower cover is connected to the lower side of the electronic component assembly via an adhesive layer.

These known devices or equipment offer the advantage of a space-saving, compact design, but have a relatively small display unit.

The aim of this innovation is to create a digital book of the type mentioned above which, despite its compact design, offers a significantly larger display area compared to comparable devices based on the state of the art and, on the other hand, an easy-to-understand, user-friendly and simple handling option for the computer layman, in order to enable him to read extensive literature, e.g. scientific works, encyclopedias, or even literary literature, in order to offer the user the advantage over a conventional, bulkier and heavier book of being able to read any number of pages in a handy format over, for example, just two digital book pages and/or to be able to write down notes or annotations on the pages of the digital book using a screen pen, without having to disfigure a corresponding conventional book.

The problem underlying the innovation is solved by a digital book of the type mentioned at the beginning, which is characterized according to the innovation by a housing that can be opened and closed like a book and has at least one folding axis, a main part and at least one secondary part, which parts together form a spine part, a display unit, which is designed in at least two parts and is arranged in such a way that the main part with at least one screen and the at least one secondary part with at least one screen are available to the user like pages of a book for viewing and any necessary editing when the housing is opened, a unit with means for recording, storing, processing and reproducing information, whereby the information can be provided in the form of text, image, graphic, audio and/or video information, at least one operating unit with operating elements for using the digital book as an information recording/processing/reproducing device, an interface unit for supplying and removing information and for supplying energy and a power supply device for Power supply to the units.

Advantageous further developments of the innovation are characterized by the features specified in the subclaims.

The digital book according to the present innovation is advantageous in that it represents a real alternative to a conventional book, whereby the user's viewing and reading habits as well as his technical inexperience are the main prerequisites. In addition, compared to the known laptops, notebooks or similar, it offers the possibility of a) enlarging the reading and/or editing area several times over, b) being able to read an entire page in portrait format of a conventional book page, c) this device can be used without any special preparation, for example setting it up on a work surface.

surface in any situation and in any body position, e.g. if the user is bedridden.

The new digital book can also be used as an easy-to-carry reference tool, e.g. as a comprehensive road map, hiking map or similar. In addition, if required, extensive literature can be taken along on trips without the hassle of transporting a large number of conventional books. The digital book is particularly suitable as a reference work in places that do not offer much freedom of movement. In this case, the cockpit of a large commercial aircraft is particularly worth mentioning, in which a large number of folders with inspection and operating instructions are usually carried. In emergency situations in particular, it is important to be able to find the relevant information quickly without time-consuming leafing through. A conventional notebook or similar is only suitable to a limited extent due to its complicated handling and the vulnerability of its disk drive, e.g. in the event of turbulence. This also applies to a large extent to cases of use in private aircraft.

A further advantage is that at least two screens in book page format (portrait format) can be read as whole pages, whereby the at least two screens can fulfil different functions from one another. For example, it is possible to read a manuscript text in full and at the same time display excerpts of text passages that were previously marked on the text page on the secondary screen, or other pages of the relevant (e.g. scientific) book text can be displayed with, for example, illustrations mentioned on the text page, without covering or hiding the current book page. In addition, cross-references, references, etc. can be marked, for example by tapping using the image

umbrella pen, display the source reference without having to "flip through".

The ability to separate the screens of the digital book means that, starting from a basic version (which is only intended for reading), the secondary screen can be adapted to the needs of the user in accordance with the requirements profile and the state of the art, thus expanding the range of functions of the digital book. For example, the secondary screen can be designed to be pressure-sensitive, which enables a screen page to be written on by hand using a screen pen, while the written text can be displayed on the main screen almost simultaneously in block letters and, if necessary, in another language using a translation function in the loaded software. This enables, for example, business letters to be created and edited more quickly and conveniently.

In the following, embodiments of the innovation are described in detail using several figures.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic top view of a digital book according to the invention in the opened state of the book casing with schematically indicated fittings and additional elements for the digital book including the separation and connection options of the essential parts thereof.

Fig. 2 shows a simplified schematic plan view of the digital book according to the invention in the unfolded state of the book case and additional elements thereof similar to the illustration shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of the main part of the digital book and additional elements thereof.

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Fig. 4 shows a bottom view, partly in section, of a preferred embodiment of the closed digital book according to the invention for use by right-handed people.
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Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the digital book according to the invention in the closed state for use by left-handed people and a perspective view of a supply unit.

Fig. 6a, Fig. 6b and Fig. 6c show various perspective views in the "open" state of the digital book for reading and/or writing on a writable secondary screen in a secondary part.

Fig. 7a, Fig. 7b, Fig. 7c, Fig. 7d, Fig. 7e and Fig. 7f show different representations of the digital book in different usage cases, from which representations various advantages of the digital book can be seen.

Fig. 8 shows a possible setup of the secondary part in the form of a double screen similar to a folding map or an appointment planner in the "open" state of the digital book for a use case with three screens.

Fig. 9a and Fig. 9b show representations of the same embodiment as shown in Fig. 8, in the folded or "closed" state of the digital book.

Fig. 10 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the configuration of units and components for operating the digital book.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic top view of a digital book according to the innovation in the opened state of the book casing with schematically indicated fittings and additional elements for the digital book including the separation and connection options of the essential parts of the same. A casing that can be opened and closed like a book has at least one folding axis A, a main part 1 and at least one secondary part 2, which parts 1, 2 together form a book spine part. The parts 1, 2 are assembled in a mechanically and/or electrically separable manner, with the necessary electrical connections of the two parts 1, 2 being established by means of sliding contacts S, S'. The digital book contains a display unit which is designed in at least two parts and is arranged in such a way that the main part 1 with at least one screen 3 and the at least one secondary part 2 with at least one screen 4 are available to the user like pages of a book for viewing and any necessary editing when the housing is opened (see also Fig. 2). When the housing is closed, the digital book can be inserted into a supply unit VE with a receiving opening VE' for supplying and removing information, for supplying energy and for storing the digital book (see Fig. 5) via a guide and supply opening 7' which has a pair of power supply contacts 8 and a plurality of contact rings 9 for supplying and removing information. The housing contains counter contacts 8' for supplying and removing information in a guide and supply opening 7' and counter contacts 9' for supplying and removing information. In the book spine part BR (see also Fig. 3) a preferably rechargeable battery B is provided for powering the electronic units and components of the digital book and for driving the screens 3, 4. In the book spine part BR there is also a light-emitting diode L for displaying the charge status of the battery B. In Fig. 1 a main sub-board HP, a secondary sub-board NP and

Expansion boards EP, EP2 are indicated, which are connected to one another via bus lines 14. In the housing, a slot 5 is formed with a reading device for inserting a PC card 5' or the like, which is essentially used to load the digital book with, for example, book texts, graphics, operating programs, etc. The housing also has an operating unit 6 with several operating elements, preferably keys that can be operated individually or in combination (see, for example, Fig. 3).

Fig. 4 shows, as already indicated, a bottom view, partly in section, of a preferred embodiment of the closed digital book according to the invention for use by right-handed persons, which representation contains the elements described above.

Fig. 5 shows, as already stated, a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the digital book according to the invention in the closed state for use by left-handed people and a perspective view of a supply unit VE with a receiving opening VE'. The digital book is shown relative to the supply unit VE in a state during removal of the digital book or in a state during insertion of the same into the supply unit VE. The supply unit VE has a connecting cable 8 9 for supplying and removing information, for example from and to a PC or a modem, and for supplying energy to supply the electronic units and components and to drive the screens of the digital book.

Fig. 6a, Fig. 6b and Fig. 6c show various perspective views in the "open" state of the digital book for reading and/or writing on a writable secondary screen in a secondary part. Writing on the writable secondary screen, which is pressure-sensitive,

is formed, is carried out in the example shown by means of a screen pen 15. Of course, instead of using the screen pen 15 for the purpose of marking or triggering a certain function, a fingertip can be pressed against the screen at a certain point, as is known in connection with the so-called touchscreen.

Fig. 7a, Fig. 7b, Fig. 7c, Fig. 7d, Fig. 7e and Fig. 7f show, as already stated, different representations of the digital book in different usage cases, from which representations different advantages of the digital book can be seen.

Fig. 8 shows a possible construction of a secondary part 2a, 2b in the form of a double screen 4a, 4b similar to a folding plan or an appointment planner in the "open" state of the digital book for a use case with three screens 3, 4a, 4b. In the embodiment shown, the housing of the digital book has two folding axes Al, A2.

Fig. 9a and Fig. 9b show representations of the same embodiment as shown in Fig. 8, in the folded or "closed" state of the digital book.

Finally, as already stated, Fig. 10 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the configuration of units and components for operating the digital book. In addition to the previously described elements, this block diagram shows a display unit D with two screens 3, 4, two screen drivers or graphics cards 3', ^4f , a control unit 10 with means for recording, storing, processing and reproducing information, the information being in the form of text, image, graphic, audio and/or video information.

can, an interface unit 11 for the supply and removal of information and for the supply of energy with an information interface 12 and a power supply device 12 for supplying energy to the units D, 10, 11 from the supply unit VE. The control unit 10 contains an EPROM, a ROM, a RAM, a CPU, a control device ST and a driver circuit TR, which elements are connected to one another via a bus line BL. The screen drivers or graphics cards 3', 4 ^f , the operating unit 6 with the operating elements, the control unit 10 and the information interface are connected to one another via the aforementioned bus line 14.

As already described, the secondary part 2 or the secondary parts 2a, 2b are designed such that they can be electrically and/or mechanically separated from the main part 1, so that the main part 1 can be used on its own.

The at least one operating unit 6 contains as the operating elements direction keys and function keys, which can be operated individually or in combination for different functions.

The display unit D may advantageously have a function for displaying the power supply status, preferably on the screen of the main part 1.

The screen 3 or the screens 3, 4 of the display unit D is/are preferably designed to be flexible, which also applies to the housing, so that the digital book can be carried like a notebook, for example in an inside pocket of a jacket. An adjustable background lighting can advantageously be provided for the screen 3 or the screens 3, 4. The display on the

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Screen 3 or screens 3, 4 as well as the background lighting can be switched on or off automatically when the housing is opened or closed.

The housing may be provided with a holder (not shown) for receiving the screen pen 15 for use as an actuation, labeling, sketching and/or editing tool.

The present innovation is not limited to the embodiments described. Rather, various modifications to the embodiments can be made by a person skilled in the art without having to depart from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

10 Claims
10 figures

Claims (10)

Packing GmbH AGENCY FOR DESIGN IMAGES AND IDENTITY Whistlerweg 16 D-81470 Munich Claims: 1. Digital book as at least a reproduction device, in particular for the reproduction of text information, characterized by - a book-like housing (G) with at least one folding axis (A), a main part (1) and at least one secondary part (2), which parts together form a spine part (BR), - a display unit (D) which is designed in at least two parts and is arranged in such a way that the main part (1) with at least one screen (3) and the at least one secondary part (2) with at least one screen (4) are available to the user like pages of a book for viewing and any necessary editing when the housing (G) is opened, - a control unit (10) with means for recording, storing, processing and reproducing information, wherein the information can be in the form of text, image, graphic, audio and/or video information, - at least one operating unit (6) with operating elements for using the digital book as an information recording/processing/playback device, - an interface unit (11) for supplying and removing information and for supplying energy and - a power supply device (12) for supplying energy to the units (D, 10, 11). 2. Digital book according to claim 1, characterized in that the secondary part (2) or the secondary parts (2a, 2b) is/are designed in such a way that it/they can be electrically and/or mechanically separated from the main part (1), so that the main part (1) can be used on its own. 3. Digital book according to claim 1, characterized in that the interface unit (11) contains means (12, 13) for transmitting information and energy. 4. Digital book according to claim 3, characterized in that the interface unit (11) contains an insertion slot (5) with at least one reading device for inserting a PC card (5 ¹ ) or the like and for electrically connecting the same to the interface unit (11) at least for reading the PC card (5 ¹ ) or the like. 5. Digital book according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a supply unit (VE) is provided which functions as an additional device for the digital book and is designed in such a way that it has a receiving opening (VE ¹ ) and a guide and supply pin (7), wherein the digital book can be inserted in the closed state of the housing (G) by means of the guide and supply pin (7) for the supply and removal of information, for the supply of energy and for the storage of the digital book. 6. Digital book according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control unit (10) with the means for recording, storing, processing and reproducing information comprises a storage device with at least one RAM, one ROM and/or or an EPROM, at least one processor CPU, at least one control device ST, at least one driver circuit TR and a bus line BL. 7. Digital book according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one operating unit (6) contains direction keys and function keys as the operating elements, which can be operated individually or in combination for different functions. 8. Digital book according to claim 1, characterized in that the display unit (D) has a function for displaying the power supply status preferably on the screen of the main part (1). 9. Digital book according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the screen (3) or the screens (3, 4) of the display unit (D) is/are designed to be flexible, that an adjustable background lighting is provided for the screen (3) or the screens (3, 4) and that the display on the screen (3) or the screens (3, 4) as well as the background lighting can be switched on or off automatically when the housing (G) is opened or closed. 10. Digital book according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (G) is provided with a holding device for receiving a screen pen (15) for use as an operating, labeling, sketching and/or editing tool.