GB2257554A - Electronic display device. - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable electronic display device comprises two display screens 1, 2 pivotally interconnected along one side thereof by a hinge 3, so as to appear as similar as possible to a conventional book. A slot 15 receives a PROM card 4 upon which data representing any book or other printed matter is stored, and a microprocessor in the device reads data from the card and transfers it to the display screens 1, 2. User-operable control keys or buttons 5 are provided to enable the user to display, for example, a particular page number of a book stored on the card 4, or to scroll forwards or backwards through the stored pages. The device can be driven by batteries trickle-charged by energy from solar cells. <IMAGE>

Description

ELECTRONIC DISPLAY DEVICE This invention relates to an electronic display device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic display device, which can be used as a substitute for any conventional book or other printed matter.

According to the invention there is provided atn electronic display device comprising at least one visual display screen, means for receiving a data storage member including memory means having data representing the contents of a book or other printed matter stored therein, means for reading data from the storage member, and means for displaying the read data on the screen or screens, said device being portable and having dimensions of the order of, or smaller than, those of a conventional book.

In a preferred embodiment, the device has two visual display screens, for example of the gas plasma or liquid crystal display (LCD) type. The screens may be pivotally connected together along one side thereof, so that they may be closed one on top of the other, and then opened in a similar manner to opening and closing a conventional book. Preferably, the device is arranged to display simultaneously on the screens two consecutive pages of the book stored on the data storage member.

Advantageously, the device includes user-operable control means for changing the pages displayed on the screen or screens. The control means preferably enables consecutive pages of the book on the data storage member to be displayed successively, and may also be capable of forward and/or backward scrolling through the pages and/or displaying any particular page selected by the user. The device also includes means for storing a page number of the book in similar manner to a conventional bookmark so that if, for example, a user stops reading at a particular page and wishes to have a reference of this page to enable him to resume his reading at a later time.

The data storage member is preferably in the form of a card or cartridge including a programmable read-only memory (PROM). The PROM may be encoded with a unique identification number, which is indicative of, for example, the book's publishers, and the device may be arranged only to accept such data storage members which have predetermined identification numbers. In this way, the publishing rights to the books stored on the data storage members can be protected, as the device will not accept uncoded data storage members.

The device may itself be capable of storing a personal identity number (PIN) programmed in by the user so that the device will only operate subsequent to its programming after the correct PIN has been inserted.

The device preferably has a battery power supply, which may be trickle-charged by solar cells provided on the device. Alternatively, the device may be powered solely by solar energy.

Although, the device is primarily portable, it may be provided with a stand for supporting it whilst being used. Additionally or alternatively, the or each display screen may be provided with back lighting to produce an illumination similar to that of a conventional reading light. The device may also be provided with means for magnifying the text displayed on the or each screen, so that the device can be used by persons with poor eyesight.

Another optional feature of the device may be switching means for automatically switching off the device if no movement is detected for a predetermined time, thereby indicating that the device is no longer being used.

The present invention thus enables the contents of any book or other printed matter stored on a data storage card or cartridge to be displayed by the device. This therefore removes the need for the production of any more conventional books and consequently for the mass destruction of precious trees.

As the device is electronic, in order to overcome any phobia a conventional reader may have to accommodating any form other than that of his or her traditional book, the device is constructed to be operated with a minimum of user knowledge and is designed to appear as similar as possible to a conventional book. This therefore allows a smooth integration and transition from using a conventional book to using an electronic display device in accordance with the present invention for those who consider "new technology" to be a fad and not appropriate for their use.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of one embodiment of the invention in an open position; Figure 2 shows a schematic rear view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a schematic block diagram of the circuitry of the embodiment.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, the electronic display device, shown in an open position, comprises two gas plasma display screens 1,2, which are pivotally interconnected along one side thereof by a hinge 3, preferably in the form of an IDC ribbon cable. On one side of the device, there is a slot 15 for receiving a PROM card or cartridge 4, of for example 1, 4, 16 or 64 Mbytes, in the form of a "FLASH RAM" upon which data representing any book or other printed matter is stored. Along an edge of the device opposite the hinge 3, there is a user-operable control in the form of a plurality of function keys or buttons 5. At the rear of the device, as shown in Figure 2, there is an openable part 6 for access to a battery power supply (not shown) which is used to drive the device.

Referring now also to Figure 3, upon insertion of the PROM card 4 into the slot 15 of the device, data stored on the card is read by a microprocessor 6 via address logic 7 and the read data is transferred to one or both of the gas plasma screens 1,2 via gas plasma screen driving logic 8. The user-operable function keys 5 are operated in order to change the displayed data via switch logic 9, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

The device is driven by Nickel Cadmium Lithium batteries 10 which are trickle charged by energy from solar cells 11. The expected reading sustain time is approximately 16 hours, based on an assumption of some form of natural light or artificial light being available to trickle charge the internal batteries. A feature which may be used in dark conditions is a back light (not shown) of the screens to provide illumination similar to that of having a reading light. In this way, the device is capable of operation in total darkness, bearing in mind the internal state of charge and duration of the batteries.

The function keys 5 suitably comprise ten keys labelled "1" to "0" respectively which can be used to input any particular numbered page of the book or other matter stored on the card 4, and the selected page will then be displayed on one of the screens. The function keys labelled " > " and " < " are used to scroll forwards and backwards respectively through the consecutive pages of the stored literature. Continual operation of one of the keys " > " and " < " will cause the device to scroll forward or backward at a slow rate which will gradually increase until the end or beginning of the stored literature is reached.

The function key labelled "M" is used to store a particular page number in a non-volative RAM ( randomaccess memory) 12. This function is particularly useful if a user terminates their reading at a specific page and wishes to have a reference of that page for future resumption of their reading, in the same manner as a conventional book-mark. On re-insertion of the same PROM card 4 in the same device, the specified page is automatically displayed on one of the screens.

A personal code in the form of a Personal Identification Number (PIN) may be optionally stored in a program 13 of the device in order to provide extra security to the user or owner. The device will only operate upon entering the personal code, so that no unauthorised user can operate the device.

Another optional feature of the device is a mercury tilt switch 14 which automatically turns off the device if it is left activated and not moved for a predetermined period of time. This function is useful in conserving power if, for example, the reader forgets to close the device when he has finished reading or falls asleep whilst reading. If the device is being used to read a reference manual from the PROM card 4 and is required to display the same page for some time, a reference key may be incorporated which temporarily suspends the "turn-off" function.

The PROM card 4 may have a publisher's identity number encrypted thereon, using for example DES (Data Encryption Systems), in order to guard against unauthorised copying of the data on the card. In this case, the device could be programmed only to accept encoded cards.

The gas plasma screens may have a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixcels and may be monochrome black and white or colour displays. The screens preferably display text and diagrams of individual pages in the same lay-out as conventional pages of a book, including the page numbers. The device may also be incorporated with a facility to enhance the displayed characters.

Whilst the device is not being used, the screens are folded against each other by the hinge 3 in the form of a conventional closed book. Powering of the device is initiated by opening the two screens and, if used, insertion of the user's personal code. A PROM card having data stored thereon representing the contents of any book or other printed matter which the user wishes to read is inserted into the device and the control keys are operated to control which pages of the stored book are displayed on the screens. The screens are intended to display two consecutive pages of the stored book so as to be as close as possible in form to a conventional book.

The device is preferably the size of an ordinary A4 sheet folded in half, which gives the device the appearance, size and weight of a conventional book. The device can thus easily be carried around by the reader, together with one or more of the PROM cards, which would each preferably be of the size of a conventional credit card. In this way, a user can carry the equivalent of many books with just a single device and a pack of PROM cards each having the contents of a particular book stored thereon.

This therefore renders the device convenient, space saving, and easy to use.

The device is preferably made totally from synthetic materials, such as plastics, but is presented in a physical form akin to a conventional book, which would still be acceptable to any book reader.

Furthermore, use of the electronic display device instead of conventional books is ecologically advantageous, in that it uses no paper at all which eliminates the need for any further mass destruction of trees.

The device can be manufactured inexpensively and can be solar powered to reduce operating costs to the user.

It can be made shockproof, waterproof, sandproof, compact, and security protected.

Further optional features may be used with the device, such as a stand for the device or a screen magnifier suitable for users with poor eyesight.

Whilst a particular embodiment of the invention has been described, it will be appreciated that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, instead of gas plasma screens, liquid crystal display (LCD) screens may be used.

Claims (18)

1. An electronic display device comprising at least one visual display screen, means for receiving a data storage member including memory means having data representing the contents of a book or other printed matter stored therein, means for reading data from the storage member, and means for displaying the read data on the screen or screens, said device being portable and having dimensions of the order of, or smaller than, those of a conventional book.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein two visual display screens are provided.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the screens are pivotally connected together along one side thereof, so that they may be closed one on top of the other and then opened in a similar manner to opening and closing a conventional book.

4. A device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the device is arranged to display simultaneously on the screens two consecutive pages of the book or other printed matter stored on the data storage member.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, including user-operable control means for changing the pages displayed on the screen or screens.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control means enables consecutive pages of the book or other printed matter stored on the data storage member to be displayed successively.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the control means is capable of forward and/or backward scrolling through the pages and/or displaying any particular page selected by the user.

8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, including means for storing a page number of the book or other printed matter in similar manner to a conventional book mark.

9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the data storage member is in the form of a card or cartridge including a programmable read-only memory (PROM).

10. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the PROM is encoded with a unique identification number, and the device is arranged only to accept such data storage members which have predetermined identification numbers.

11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device is capable of storing a personal identity number (PIN) programmed in by the user so that the device will only operate subsequent to its programming after the correct PIN has been inserted.

12. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, including a battery power supply which is trickle-charged by solar cells provided on the device.

13. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the device is powered solely by solar energy.

14. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, including a stand for supporting the device whilst being used.

15. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each display screen is provided with back lighting to produce an illumination similar to that of a conventional reading light.

16. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, including means for magnifying the text displayed on the or each screen.

17. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, including switching means for automatically switching off the device if no movement is detected for a predetermined time.

18. An electronic display device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.