GB2317973A

GB2317973A - Book-simulating computer system

Info

Publication number: GB2317973A
Application number: GB9703294A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Alwyn Kay; Alexander Thurstan Kay
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-05-31
Filing date: 1997-02-18
Publication date: 1998-04-08
Also published as: GB9703294D0

Abstract

A book-simulating computer system comprises a computer 10 with a reader of computer-readable media, such as a floppy disk or mini-compact disc, a display screen 11 on which information held on the media is displayed and controls 15 to change the portion of information which is displayed on the screen. The system may comprise a processor unit 12 hinged to the screen 11 such that they may open out to 180{. The display may be switched between portrait and landscape modes. In addition to or as an alternative to the control keys 15, voice commands may be used to control the system. The system may be powered by rechargeable batteries and may include an integral, optionally removable, battery charger.

Description

BOOK-SIMULATING COMPUTER SYSTEM This invention relates to a book-simulating computer system and is applicable particularly, but not exclusively to simulation of conventional printed books such as novels, texi books, reference books, manuals, or the like. For example the invention is also applicable to picture books, atlases, photograph albums, and others for the display of pictures from an electronic digital camera Conventional printed books are very popular, as witnessed by increasing sales in book shops and the increase in library usage. This occurs despite counter-attractions such as television, videos, computer games, etc.

However, conventional printed books suffer certain inherent disadvantages. They are expensive to produce, heavy, bulky, easily damaged, and difficult to reproduce once they have gone out of print.

In contrast, the information contained in a book can be stored in very much smaller, lighter weight, more durable, and cheaper form in computer readable media, notably 3.5" floppy disks and 2.5" mini- compact discs, both of which are inexpensive to produce and format.

The use of such computer-readable media in a conventional personal computer or even in a laptop version of a personal computer does not provide an acceptable or convenient way of gaining access to the information in the storage. Such computers are too heavy, bulky, expensive, and complicated to operate in the same manner as a conventional printed book.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce such disadvantages.

BOOK-SIMULATING COMPUTER SYSTEM According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a book-simulating computer, including a receiver and reader of computer-readable media, which media will contain the information of a book, a display screen on which the information is displayed, processing means to process the information read by the receiver and reader and to feed the information to the display screen, and control means adapted and dedicated to change the information on the screen in a manner similar to turning the page of a book.

Preferably the control means is adapted to provide a number of the following functions: on/off/start next page previous page bookmark fast forward page fast reverse page page orientation contrast find page find chapter find subject select font select colour timed page advance Alternatively some or all of the above functions may be actuated by touch pad or voice command Conveniently, the function means includes a calculator According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided one of the above-mentioned book-simulating computers and computer readable storage containing the information of a book Preferably, the computer readable storage is stored when out of the computer, in a case simulating the exterior of a typical hardcover book or alternatively in a sleeve simulating a miniature book BOOK-SIMULATING COMPUTER SYSTEM One embodiment of the invention is described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a book-simulating computer according to the present invention Figure 2 is an end-on perspective view of a book-simulating computer in fully opened format according to the present invention Figure 3 is an end-on perspective view of a book-simulating computer in fully closed format according to the present invention, and Figure 4 is a front perspective view of a hardcover book-simulating casing for a computer-readable storage.

In Figure 1, a computer 10 is designed and dimensioned and adapted as closely as practical to a printed book. For example the computer 10 could be hand held like a book, and at any suitable angle and lie flat like a book when opened The computer 10 consists of two bodies: a screen 11 and processor unit 12 joined together along a multi-hinge 13 which folds inwards and outwards when the computer 10 is respectively opened and closed and which is designed to permit the computer to open to 180 , and which incorporates a cable cavity to protect the power transfer cable between the screen 11 and the processor unit 12.

The display area of the screen 11 is preferably of similar dimensions to a page of a typical printed book. The computer 10 is arranged primarily to display the full page on the screen 11 interchangeably in "portrait" (vertical) mode or "landscape" (horizontal) mode. The screen 11 is conveniently LCD or electroluminescent with backlighting to flicilitate reading in adverse lighting conditions and contains a full page of text which may be viewed without recourse to scrolling. The screen body 11 and processor unit body 12 are of equal height and width, and substantially equal thickness and weight in order to minimise user fatigue.

BOOK-SIMULATING COMPUTER SYSTEM The processor unit 12 includes a receiver and reader and disk drive 14 or similar suitable for the preferred computer readable media. The computer-readable medium is exclusively in the form of a standard pre-recorded 3.5" floppy disk or 2.5" mini-compact disc, being the only media currently available which meet the essential criteria in respect of low-cost, performance and dimensions, or such future recording medium as may meet all these criteria.

Operation of the computer 10 is controlled by an array of buttons or keys 15. The array is preferably limited in number and function to eight, being those necessary or convenient to use when reading a conventional book. By limiting the number of keys 15 and dedicating each to the specified function, the cost, weight, bulk, complexity, and power consumption of a conventional computer are avoided.

Further, the simplicity of operation enables many people who are not computer-literate in the normal sense, to read the computer-simulated book as easily as if it were a printed book.

Alternatively or equally the actuation of all or some of the functions could be by touch pad or voice command The power source is both external by mains electricity and internal by rechargeable batteries to provide total autonomy of use. The charger unit 18 is integral in the processor unit 12 to facilitate battery charging in situ, and is optionally removable The power transfer cables between the two bodies are necessarily protected by the cable cavity incorporated in the multi-hinge 13 As can be seen in Figure 1 the keys are arranged in two rows 16 in the lower left hand corner of the processor unit 12, so as to be in easy reach of the thumb of a hand holding the upright edge 17, with the most frequently used keys adjacent to the upright edge The buttons or keys 15 or commands comprise at least the following functions: 1. oniofi'staat 2. next page 3. previous page 4. fast forward page 5. fast reverse page 6. bookmark 7. page orientation 8. contrast BOOK-SIMULATING COMPUTER SYSTEM Additional buttons or keys or commands may be incorporated to perform typically the following supplementary functions: 1. findpage 2. find chapter 3. find subject 4. select font 5. select colour 6. timed page advance Alternatively a touch pad or voice command system may be incorporated to replace some or all of the buttons or keys Figure 4 shows a case 20 in which the disk 23 can be stored. The case 20 preferably has a hardcover book-like appearance, so that the title of the contents of the disk 23 can be readily identified in a row of similar cases. The title 21 and a biography or descriptive panel 22 are provided in the case 20.

Alternatively, for maximum space saving and lowest cost, a simple sleeve container may be provided, overprinted with the book title etc.

Claims

BOOK-SIMULATING COMPUTER SYSTEM CLAIMS

1. A Book-simulating Computer including a receiver and reader of computer-readable media, which media will contain the information of a book, a display screen on which the information is displayed, processing means to process the information read by the receiver and reader and to feed the information to the display screen and control means adapted and dedicated to change the information displayed on the screen in a manner similar to a book.

2. A Book-simulating Computer System as claimed in Claim 1 including a book-simulating storage receptacle for the computer readable media, in the form of a case simulating the exterior of a typical hardcover book in shape and size, or a sleeve resembling a miniature typical softcover book both formats overprinted with such information as is normally found on the cover of a book

3. A Book-simulating Computer System as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 which is self-contained and independent of any external source of memory or control or master device or data other than provided by the computer-readable media

4. A Book-simulating Computer System as claimed in Claim 3 in which the receiver is designed for use interchangeably in "portrait" (vertical) or "landscape" (horizontal) mode according to the formatting of the medium

5. A Book-simulating Computer System as claimed in Claim 4 in which the control means is by keys or buttons adapted to provide at least the eight following specific functions: on/ofUstart next page previous page bookmark contrast / brightness fast forward page fast reverse page page orientation

6. A Book-simulating Computer System as claimed in Claim 4 in which the control means is by touch pad adapted to provide some or all of the functions listed in Claim 5 BOOK-SIMULATING COMPUTER SYSTEM CLAIMS

7. A Booksimulating Computer System as claimed in Claims 4 and 6 in which the control means is by voice command adapted to provide some or all of the functions listed in Claim 5

8. A Book-simulating Computer System as claimed in Claims 4, 6 and 7 in which the control means is by a combination of touch pad and voice command to provide some or all of the functions listed in Claim 5

9. A Book-simulating Computer System as claimed in Claims 4,5,6,7 and 8 including computer readable media in the form of a 3.5" Floppy Disk containing the information of a book.

10. A Book-simulating Computer System as claimed in Claims 4,5,6,7 and 8 including computer readable media in the form of a 2.5" Mini-compact Disc containing the information of a book

11. A Book-simulating Computer System as claimed in Claims 9 and in including a computer comprising a first or left-hand body incorporating a processor unit, and a second or right-hand body having a display screen, the two bodies of substantially identical height, width, thickness and weight and joined together along a hinge line.

12. A Book-simulating Computer System as claimed in Claim 11 in which the first and second bodies are joined by a multi-hinge system

13 in such a manner that the bodies may be opened to 1800 13. A Book-simulating Computer System as claimed in Claim 12 in which the power cable between the first and second bodies is accommodated in a cavity between the upper single hinge and lower multiple hinge so as to prevent obstruction by and damage to the power cable

14. A Book-simulating Computer System as claimed in Claim 13 in which the power source is derived externally from mains electricity and/or internally from storage batteries which may be recharged whilst in the computer by means of an integral banery recharger.

15. A Book-simulating Computer System as claimed in Claim 14 in which the battery recharger is removable from the processor unit BOOK-SIMULATING COMPUTER SYSTEM CLAIMS

16. A Book-simulating Computer as claimed in Claim 15 in which the control means includes a row or rows of control buttons adjacent to a side edge, top edge, or bottom edge of the first or lefthand body, so as to be operable by a finger and thumb holding an edge of said body

17. A Book-simulating Storage System as claimed in Claim 2 in which the computer readable medium is stored, when out of the computer, in a case simulating the exterior of a typical hardcover book in shape and size, or a sleeve resembling a miniature typical softcover book, both formats overprinted with such information as is normally found on the cover of a book

18. A Book-simulating Computer System substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the enclosed drawings