GB2313683A

GB2313683A - Book-simulating computer system

Info

Publication number: GB2313683A
Application number: GB9622575A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Alwyn Kay; Alexander Thurstan Kay
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-05-31
Filing date: 1996-10-30
Publication date: 1997-12-03
Also published as: GB9622575D0

Abstract

A book-simulating computer system consists of (a) a computer 10 and (b) computer-readable storage media. The computer 10 is designed and dimensioned and adapted to operate as closely as practical to a printed book. For example the computer 10 could be hand held like a book at any suitable angle. The computer 10 includes a screen 11 of similar dimensions to the page of a book, formatted for display in "portrait" mode, joined to a processor 12 along a hinge 13, or a screen and processor combined in a single body joined to a flat flap along a hinge. The controls 15 are simplified and arranged to be in reach of the thumb of a hand holding along the edge. The processor is designed to read from computer-readable storage media such as 3.1/2 inch floppy disks 14 which are stored in a casing 20 designed to resemble a book.

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, text 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, 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, and cheaper form in computer readable storage such as floppy disks, CD-ROM, magnetic tapes, magnetic cards, preprogrammed chips, and similar products.

The use of such computer-readable storage 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 storage, which storage 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 one or more of the following functions: next page previous page find page find chapter bookiark contrast change font change colour fast forward fast reverse page orientation timed advance of page Conveniently, the control 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 bearing the information of a book Preferably, the computer readable storage is stored when out of the computer, in a case simulating the exterior of the 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, and Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a 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.

The computer 10 includes a screen 11 and processor unit 12 joined together along a hinge 13. 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 in portrait mode, but could be "landscape" or interchangeable if preferred. The screen 11 is conveniently LCD or electroluminescent.

Alternatively the processor unit 12 and keys 15 could be combined with the screen body 11. In this case the processor unit 12 would be replaced by a flat flap of the same height and width as the processor unit 12 joined to the combined screen and professor body along a hinge.

The processor unit 12 includes a receiver and reader for computer-readable storage. Where the computer- readable storage is in the form of a standard pre-recorded 3.1/2 inch floppy disk 14, the receiver and reader includes a suitable disk drive, or such other similar recording medium as may meet all criteria.

Operation of the computer 10 is controlled by an array of buttons or keys 15. The array is limited in number and function to those necessary or convenient to use when reading a conventional book. By limiting the number of keys 15 and dedicating them to the specific 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.

BOOK-SIMULATING COMPUTER SYSTEM As can be seen in Figure 1 the most-used keys are arranged in a row 16 adjacent the upright edge 17 of the processor unit 12, so as to be in easy reach of the thumb of a hand holding the edge 17.

The buttons or keys 15 are included from a list such as the following depending on the required degree of complexity, cost, and weight next page previous page find page find chapter bookmark contrast change font change colour fast forward fast reverse page orientation timed advance of page find subject on/ofi'statt Figure 2 shows a case 20 in which the disk 14 can be stored. The case 20 preferably has a book-like appearance, so that the disk 14 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.

The case 20 is conveniently made of a flexible plastic for a "hardcover" version and may be provided with a fabric or similar book-like cover or finish. Alternatively, for a "softcover" version, a simple card container may be provided, overprinted with the book title etc.

For maximum space saving the case 20 may be omitted and the disks 14 stores in conventional disk storage boxes or racks

Claims

BOOK-SIMULATING COMPUTER SYSTEM CLAIMS 1. A Book-simulating Computer System including a receiver and reader of computer-readable storage, which storage 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 in which the control means is adapted to provide at least one of the following functions: next page previous page find page find chapter bookmark contrast change font change colour fast forward fast reverse page orientation timed advance of page 3. A Book-simulating Computer System as claimed in Claim 1 in which the control means includes a note-taking facility and/or a calculator.

4. A Book-simulating Computer System as claimed in Claim 1, 2, or 3 including computer readable storage bearing the information of a book.

5. A Book-simulating Computer System as claimed in Claim 4, in which the computer readable storage is stored, when out of the computer, in a case simulating the exterior of a book BOOK-SIMULATING COMPUTER SYSTEM 6. A Book-simulating Computer System as claimed in Claim 2 including a computer comprising a first body having the display area and a second body including a processor unit, the first and second bodies being joined together along a hinge line.

7. A Booksimulating Computer System as claimed in Claim 2 including a computer comprising a first body consisting of a flat protective flap and a second body having the display area and a processor unit, the first and second bodies being joined together along a hinge line.

9. A Book-simulating Computer System as claimed in Claims 2, 3, and 6 in which the first and second bodies are of substantially identical height and width 8. A Book-simulating Computer System as claimed in Claims 2, 3, 6 and 7 in which the first and second bodies are of substantially identical height and width but unequal thickness.

10. A Book-simulating Computer System as claimed in Claim 6 in which the control means includes a row or rows of control buttons adjacent to a side edge, top edge, or bottom edge of one of the first and second bodies, so as to be operable by a finger and thumb holding an edge of said body 11. A Book-simulating Computer System as claimed in Claim 1, adapted to display the information optionally in one of "portrait" and "landscape" layout