DE29800521U1 - Electronic reader for digital data carriers (electronic book) - Google Patents

Description

Description

The invention relates to an electronic device in pocket book format, which in appearance resembles a fold-out pocket television, but has no receiver and, together with the information from digital data carriers, represents an alternative to printed books. The device consists of two parts that are connected to one another with hinges (20). The thicker part of the device (18) corresponds to a "book body", the thinner part (19) to the book cover. The device enables the user to read digital data storage devices without having to resort to previously commercially available but unwieldy devices such as PCs or laptops. This means that information that was previously mainly available in printed book form could also be stored digitally and available at any time. The main difference to previously available electronic devices (notebooks), including in terms of size, is the omission of the extensive typewriter keyboard for data entry. The invention is characterized by its compact design, so that the size of the device is essentially limited to the dimensions of its two LCD screens (8a/8b). The number of function keys on the device is limited to ten. This makes operation much clearer than previous devices and enables even non-trained users to use it without any problems. In addition to the function keys, there are ten input keys (17) that contain the numbers zero to nine and at the same time allow letter input. The letters are assigned to the numbers in blocks.

The function keys (1/2) are located under or next to the screen and perform the function of "scrolling information pages forwards or backwards". The key (14) on the side of the device has the same function as key (1), but also enables "scrolling forwards" with one hand. The keys (3/4/5/16) are used to control the index directory on the data storage device. Using the function key (11), which is located on the side of the device, the user can specify whether he wants to use the screens in portrait or landscape format. In addition to the switch (10), which changes the screen brightness, the on/off switch (9) is the last function key on the device. The input keys (17) for the numbers zero to nine are located next to the key (16) and enable input in the index function of the device in order to access information from the index more quickly within the specified options. Data stored on the data storage device cannot be changed.

Another feature of the invention is the input plug (13), which enables digital information to be visualized from sources other than the reader's own reading material. For example, the images taken by a digital camera can be displayed on a large, portable screen. This would allow the device to be used as a photo album.

The data that can be stored on digital data storage devices covers the entire range of books that have been stored up to now. This means paperbacks, non-fiction books, literary books, travel guides, art guides, nature guides, legal texts and commentaries, school books, magazines, comics, encyclopedias, dictionaries, phrasebooks, Duden, newspapers, etc. All information that has been distributed in print to date can also be read from a digital source using the device, like a book.

Hoffmann Manfred, Südstrasse 11,58644 Iserlohn, Tel. 02371/24246

Since Gutenberg's invention of the printing press, consumers have primarily relied on information sources printed on paper. However, this form of information source has significant disadvantages that can be remedied by switching to digital data storage devices that can be read using the invention.

a. Society's paper consumption is drastically reduced. Fewer trees are cut down and environmentally harmful pulp production can be avoided.

b. The production, i.e. the duplication of a digital data storage medium, is much cheaper and faster than printing and binding paper.

c. "Electronic books" can be brought to market much more quickly, without much lead time. Not only large publishers, but also self-publishers can publish without great expense. The number of copies to be printed can be determined individually based on sales success. A "second edition" could be produced overnight. Instead of large printing works, small copy rooms are sufficient for production.

d. "Books" on digital storage media can be updated without much effort. This would be very important for school books, for example, in order to save costs.

e. The digital data storage device cannot be read or worn out. The quality remains the same.

f. Every reader has the opportunity to choose the font size and font type according to their taste. This is particularly helpful for visually impaired people who have previously had problems with lines that are too small.

g. With this invention, you don't just have a book in pocket size, but a whole library. You can take several data storage devices with you on a trip, for example, to save space, but you only need one reading device. This eliminates the problem of choosing which book to take with you. You can take all books with you. School children would also benefit from the advancement of no longer having to lug heavy books to school, but only the device and the data storage device.

i.e. libraries, but also private households that have space problems (space = costs), can switch to space-saving digital data storage devices, but continue to offer users the same service.

i. The transport costs to the consumer are cheaper for a digital data storage device than for a printed book. The "book" is delivered inexpensively by mail to the home, or, if the copy rights are protected, also by telephone or Internet to the home. For example, CD blanks could be sold with authorization numbers that would allow the buyer to access a provider's book file. The authorization number would then be used to load the data storage device.

j. The user can now read a book "one-handed". This means unadulterated reading pleasure, even if you have to hold on with your other hand in the subway. The page in the book is turned at the push of a button. No one can be disturbed by the wind turning the pages while reading on a park bench.

k. Even without a bookmark, you can always return to the last page you read.

1. In contrast to a conventional book, it can also be read at dusk, in the dark or in poor lighting conditions.

m. The reading material remains anonymous to outsiders. There is no cover that reveals whether you are reading student material or trash.

n. The content of daily newspapers can also be saved on digital data storage devices. This would make it easy to read the daily newspaper from one hand, without the hassle of turning and folding pages, which takes up a lot of space.

o. The user has the option to turn the displayed pages like a printed book, accordingly he reads both the left (8a) and the

Hoffmann Manfred, Südstrasse 11, 58644 Iserlohn, Tel. 02371/24246

right (8b) screen or just the right side (8b) and then move it to the left on the screen (8a). This eliminates the annoying flicking back when difficult texts have to be read (or learned).

p. A luxury version of the device could be covered in leather, giving any reading material an impressive appearance. Even paperbacks become "ready-to-read" books.

In addition to the aforementioned advantages of the electronic book over the classic book, there are also other arguments for the sales success of the invention.

• Electronic data storage devices are cheaper than books printed on paper, so the purchase price of the device will pay for itself after a certain period of time

• Consumers are now more accustomed to electronic items than ever before. The fear of computers has disappeared. The technology-mad Japanese finally have an appropriate medium to indulge their comic addiction

• people are running out of gift ideas. With this device you can give books as a gift on diskettes

How the invention works

The user first opens the device, switches it on with the on/off switch (9) and inserts the data storage device into the drive (7). When the data storage device is inserted, the device automatically reads the data and saves it in the RAM. Depending on the capacity of the memory, the entire volume of the data storage device or only a part of it can be saved. This eliminates the energy-consuming continuous operation of the drive and the device does not vibrate unpleasantly in the hand. When the data storage device is removed, the RAM is erased. On the one hand, to make room for the data on a new data storage device, but on the other hand, to prevent unauthorized copying. The electronic book can only be read when the data storage device is inserted. The device recognizes with its operating program which data storage device it is and displays the preformatted data on the data storage device (the first page) on the screen (8a/8b). If the data carrier contains the content of a book, the book cover is displayed as the first page on the screen (8b). By pressing the button (1) or (14) the "book" is now opened, as one would expect from a printed book. The index of the book appears on the left screen (8a) and the first reading page on the right (8b). Button (2) allows you to go back. Using the buttons (1/2/14), the device fulfills its basic function of allowing the user to browse through a book to read. All other buttons on the device contain additional functions. Use of the device is ended with the on/off switch (9). The data storage device can remain in the device or be removed using the eject button (6). Finally, the device is closed again. If the device is switched on again, it opens directly to the last page of the data storage device shown (electronic bookmark). The position of the last page read from the last five (or more) data storage devices inserted is saved. This allows the user to switch from one book to another and back without any problems.

Hoffmann Manfred, Südstrasse 11, 58644 Iserlohn, Tel. 02371/24246

In addition to the basic functions, there are two functions that affect the display of data on the screens (8a/8b). Using button (11), the user can choose whether he wants the information to be displayed in portrait or landscape format. For books with normal font size, portrait format is recommended. For large fonts, comics or newspapers, however, landscape format is better. Using button (10), the user can also specify the brightness of the screen. In daylight, the screen (8a/8b) must be brighter than at night or in twilight. Dimming the screen saves power, which leads to a longer service life of the battery (15).

The other buttons on the device contain the index and cursor functions. The index is called up with button (3) and appears on the screen (8a). The index is divided into two parts. One part of its functions is assigned to the device, the other part to the data storage device. Changing the font, brightness of the screen, color brilliance, black and white, the operation of only one screen or the sequence of the pages called up* etc. is assigned to the device. If this data is changed, it remains stored in the device until the user requests a change.

*(The sequence of the book pages can be varied. The pages of the electronic book can be displayed in the order in which you would read a printed book. This means page 2 on the left, page 3 on the right/turn the page with the button (I)/continue page 4 on the left, page 5 on the right. The user also has the option of turning off the left screen to save power or to keep the page permanently occupied with the index page. The sequence of the reading pages then takes place exclusively on the right page (8b). The third option is to put the read pages "to one side" like with unbound paper sheets. Here the user reads primarily on the right page (8b) and puts the read page to the left (8a) by turning the page (button 1), but there he has the option of looking up the text again without having to turn the page. This means page 2 on the left, page 3 on the right/turn the page with the button (I)/continue page 3 on the left, page 4 on the right.)

The data carrier-related index has a purely informational function for the user. No data on the data carrier can be changed. The user moves up or down through the index functions using the keys (4/5) and from left to right using the key (16). Within the index, key (1) performs the execute function, key (2) undoes the command. Pressing the index key (3) again saves the commands assigned to the device, ends the index program and takes you back to the last page read in the book.

The disk-related index guides the user through the following options (selection):

• Table of Contents

• Index by names, places, terms, images, etc.

• Browse through the book, e.g. every 10 pages or randomly

• Show the last page

• Direct access to a specific page by specifying the page number or a word

• Showing cross-references to specific words in the text. For example, names can be accessed and information about the person can be provided by calling up the index function

Hoffmann Manfred, Südstrasse 11, 58644 Iserlohn, Tel. 02371/24246

The use of the cursor functions (4/5/16) should be quite rare when reading a book with reading content. However, if a data storage device with dictionary content is inserted, the work with the cursor is more extensive. The user is either guided to the desired word using the branching principle,

Example: The meaning of the word "ant" is sought:

The table of contents shows the letters A-Z. If the cursor is on the letter A, press the key (1) and all letter combinations from Aa to Az will appear. The cursor is used to move to Am, press the key (1), and it continues from Ama to Amz. The cursor is used to move to "Ame", pressing the key (1) now takes you to the dictionary page that begins with "Ame" and you can continue your search by scrolling forward using the key (1) or the key (2) if you have scrolled too far.

or by entering the desired term using the keyboard (17) in conjunction with the key (16).

In this case, the first index page does not select the "Table of Contents" option, but rather the "Default Term" position. Pressing button (1) leads to this input option and changes the way switch (16) and the keyboard (17) work. The keyboard now allows letters to be entered and switch (16) controls which letter of the maximum of three available letters is desired.

Both switches (16/17) must be used together to determine a specific letter. If switch (16) is not touched, it is in the middle position. This also controls the middle letter, or second letter from the left, of the number block, which is also pressed in field (17). The following applies to the middle position of switch (16):

l=b / 2=e / 3=h / 4=k / 5=n / 6=q / 7= t / 8=v / 9=y / 0= no function

When you press key (16) to the left, the first or left letter is recognized:

l=a / 2=d / 3=g / 4=3 / 5=m / 6=p / 7=s / 8=u / 9=x / 0= no function

When the key (16) is pressed to the right, the third or right letter is recognized:

l=c / 2=f / 3=i / 4=1 / 5=o / 6=r / 7=t / 8=w / 9=z / 0= no function

Example: term "ant"

Press button (16) to the left and simultaneously, or shortly after, press button 1 (17) = A

Press button (16) to the left and button 5(17) = M

Press button 2 (17) =E

Press button (16) to the right and button 3(17) =1

Press button (16) to the left and button 7(17) = S

Press button 2 (17) =E

The input is terminated with key (1) and the entered word is searched for. The word does not have to be entered in its entirety; what is found among the collection of letters is then displayed. The further procedure corresponds to the branching principle.

Due to the considerable storage capacity of digital data storage devices, different types of books can of course be combined with each other. For example, Duden and Lexicon and illustrated book.

Hoffmann Manfred, Südstrasse 11,58644 Iserlohn, Tel. 02371/24246 technical structure

The device is constructed from the following components, which are visible from the outside. All components are commercially available, but are combined in a way that has never been seen before. Please refer to the construction drawings (pages 10 to 13) for the arrangement of the individual parts.

The device consists of two parts. The thicker "book body" (18) and the thinner "book cover" (19). They are connected to each other via hinges (20). The hinges allow the device to be opened and closed like a book. A plastic hook (22) on the book cover (19) snaps into the book body (18) and prevents the device from accidentally opening. The device is opened by lifting the hook (22) and pressing the two parts open. The hinges have a locking mechanism at 90°, 135° and 180°. The hinges also stop swiveling at 180°.

When looking at the now opened device, the following components can be seen: The appearance of the device is dominated by the large LCD screens (8a/8b). Next to or below the screens are the most important buttons, which allow for easy operation of the device. The switch (1) is assigned the "page forward" function, or in the index function the "execute" function. The switch (2) to the left, marked in the opposite direction, corresponds to the "page back" command and in the index function "back". The button (3) calls up the index function of the device and the overview index of the data carrier, which shows the user the usage options. The buttons (4/5) can then be used to move the cursor up and down in the index on the screen. The toggle switch (16), on the other hand, is responsible for moving the cursor left and right. To the left of this switch is the number keypad (17). Here, a letter block of up to three letters is assigned to the number keys.

If you look at the device, you can see the protruding eject button (6) for the data storage device on the top. This is a sure sign that a data storage device has been inserted into the slot (7). When the data storage device is removed, the eject button remains recessed.

The left side front of the device, which can also be seen when opened by looking under the book cover (19), is dominated by the large and elongated switch (14), which corresponds in function to switch (1), but enables the "page forward" function even when operated one-handed. In contrast to all other switches, this switch is not easy to move, but rather significant pressure must be exerted on it in order to activate it. If the switch were easy to move, there is a risk of accidentally turning the page. Two other components of the device are arranged above the switch (14). The device can be supplied with operating power and the battery can be charged via the connection (12) for an external power source. The input plug (13), which enables the input of external digital data (e.g. from a digital camera), is located somewhat lower.

The remaining three function switches are located at the top of the right side of the device. The top switch (9) is the on/off switch that starts or stops the device. If none of the switches are operated for 15 minutes,

Hoffmann Manfred, Südstrasse 11,58644 Iserlohn, Tel. 02371/24246

the device also switches off automatically to prevent unnecessary power consumption. Below the on/off switch is switch (10), with this switch two brightness levels of the screen can be requested. This is also a measure to prevent unnecessary power consumption and to be able to change the screen intensity depending on the ambient light. Switch (11) is finally the last button on the device. With this switch the user can determine whether he wants the screen to be displayed in portrait or landscape format.

Finally, on the underside of the device there is the compartment (15) for the power source. This is where the battery is inserted. The back of the book body (18) has no functions. There are only small shock-absorbing knobs here that are intended to prevent the device from slipping when it is being used on a table. The extension foot (21) is attached to the back of the book cover (19), which is the front of the entire device when the device is closed. This foot (or rail) can be set up at a 90° angle to the book cover and supports the book cover in the event that the device is to be used lying on a surface (table), thus preventing the tendency to tip over if the user should operate the buttons (16/17) on the book cover side (19).

The elements of the device that are not visible to the user are commercially available and essentially comprise the structure of a laptop. This means operating control, storage and processing unit, drive for the data storage device and the networking of all components, whereby it is important to ensure that elements with the lowest possible power consumption are installed, which enable the device to be used for as long as possible without having to change the battery or supply power from outside. With an external transformer, the user should be able to use external power sources. Be it a 230 volt, 110 volt, 12 volt connection or a solar panel. An emergency power supply is also required for the storage units. The electrical connection of the book body (18) and the book cover (19) is made via the massive central hinge.

Embodiment of the invention

The size of the device is not precisely defined and can be expanded to the size of a large illustrated book. It is also conceivable to equip the device with a microphone and optionally control the desired work processes via a voice recognition system. The back of the device could be designed to be hinged if a CD-ROM was used as the data storage medium, so that the data storage device feed would be similar to a "Discman". The eject button (6) and slot (7) would then of course be omitted or modified to suit the needs of a CD. It is also conceivable to equip the device with a touch screen, which would make the device much easier to use.

The device can be sold worldwide to anyone who reads and is convinced of the advantages of the device compared to conventional, printed books.

Hoffmann Manfred, Südstrasse 11,58644 Iserlohn, Tel. 02371/24246

When using digital data storage devices, there may be problems with copy protection. Copy protection could be ensured by means of a special coding of the data storage devices and the application of a forgery-proof label. Violation of the coding when making a pirated copy could trigger a security mechanism in the device, which would lead to the data storage device being refused and, if misused repeatedly, could also lead to the device malfunctioning, which could only be remedied by a specialist dealer.

Written in Iserlohn on 02 January 1998

Hoffmann Manfred, Südstrasse 11,58644 L·erIohn, Tel. 02371/24246

Claims (8)

Electronic reader for digital data storage devices (electronic book) Protection claims Electronic reader for digital data storage media, in particular mini discs, CD-ROMs or further developed data storage media, the content of which corresponds to previous bound books, characterized by 1. a compact design so that the size of the device is essentially limited to the dimensions of its LCD screens (8a/8b) 2. two function keys (1/2) located under or next to the screen (8b), whose function is to browse through the data on a data carrier like a bound book 3. a rocker switch (16) located under or next to the screen (8a), which can be used together with the number pad (17) consisting of ten keys to enter letter combinations (words) 4. a function key (14) on the side of the device, which is identical in function to key (1), but enables "page-forwarding" in one-handed operation 5. a function key (11) that can be used to specify whether the screen should display the data in portrait or landscape format 6. the function keys (3/4/5), which can be used to control and operate the index of the device and the data carrier 7. the input connector (13), which allows the input of digital data from an external source that is to be visualized. For example, photos from a digital camera. 8. the function switch (10), which changes the brightness of the screen to save power if operation with low screen brightness is possible, e.g. in the dark Furthermore, the device is characterized by the restriction to predefined functions, so that the number of function keys is limited to ten. This restriction to only a few functions and the device's main focus on the task of reading digital data and presenting it to the user in graphic form, but not editing or changing it, represent the main differentiation criteria from previously known electronic devices that are also able to read digital data storage devices (e.g. personal computers or laptops). The functional sequence is characterized by • a storage of the point on the data carrier at which the device is switched off, so that the last read data is called up when it is switched on again • If the data carrier is removed from the device, this information about where the reading ended remains for the last five (or more) data carriers inserted. This makes it possible to switch to another data carrier and back without a complex search process Hoffmann Manfred, Südstrasse 11,58644 Iserlohn, Tel. 02371/24246