GB2347647A

GB2347647A - Book with audio record and playback which can be linked to a computer

Info

Publication number: GB2347647A
Application number: GB9919238A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tina Fotini Lisa Evlogidis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-01-28
Filing date: 1999-08-13
Publication date: 2000-09-13
Anticipated expiration: 2019-08-13
Also published as: GB2347647B; GB9901907D0; GB9919238D0

Abstract

A book 1 has sounds or voices to go with printed text or pictures and comprises pages 2 with sensor elements 3,4 to detect when pages are opened. Different sounds will be activated depending on which pages are opened. The sensors 3 can have mechanical (fig 1a) or magnetic operation (fig 2a). The user can record their own message or voice. The book 1 can be linked through a personal computer 101 to record or play the sounds. The cover is interchangeable and can be slid off to be replaced. The invention may also be applicable to greetings cards or leaflets.

Description

"Audio Systems Comprising Printed Matter Articles and Printed Matter Articles for use in Audio Systems" This invention relates to audio systems comprising printed matter articles and printed matter articles for use in audio systems.

In this specification a printed matter article is used to refer to any article such as a book, greetings card or leaflet whose primary function is providing a surface on which printed images and/or words are displayed. Such an article can have other functions but its overall appearance and function remains that of a book, greetings card or whatever.

There are existing printed matter articles which have the facility for playing a tune or message.

However, these articles are of limited appeal.

It is an object of the present invention to provide audio systems and/or printed matter articles which alleviate at least some of the problems of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an audio system comprising : a printed matter article having a plurality of pairs of adjacent pages; storage means for storing sound signals; output means for outputting stored sound signals; and control means for controlling the output means, wherein each of the stored sound signals is associated with a respective pair of pages, the control means comprises sensor means for sensing when pairs of pages are parted and is arranged for causing or allowing output of associated stored sound signals when the respective pair of pages is parted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a printed matter article for use in a system according to the first aspect of the invention. The printed matter article may comprise a plurality of pairs of adjacent pages and sensor means for sensing when pairs of pages are parted.

The system may comprise recording means for recording sound signals. The printed matter article may comprise the recording means.

The printed matter article may comprise a cover portion comprising a mounting portion on which the plurality of pairs of pages are mounted. The plurality of pages may be slidably mountable on the cover portion.

Preferably the plurality of pairs of pages are removably mounted in the printed matter article.

This allows a number of different sets of pages to be used with a single printed matter article and/or system. This gives cost savings for the user.

Contacts may be provided on the plurality of pages and the cover portion and arranged to contact one another when the pages are mounted on the cover portion. The contacts can allow signals to be transmitted between the cover portion and the plurality of pages. In some embodiments sensor elements are disposed on the pages and a central sensor unit is disposed elsewhere, for example, in the cover portion. The contacts facilitate the transmission of signals from the sensor elements to the central unit. The contacts may comprise metal strips.

The printed matter article may comprise at least one card reception means for receiving and displaying a card showing desired information. The card reception means may comprise a button with a removably mounted transparent or translucent lid portion. The card reception means may comprise a sleeve with a transparent or translucent side wall portion.

In some embodiments the printed matter article may comprise the storage means and/or output means and/or the control means. These means may be mountedon the cover portion. The printed matter article maybe self contained and function as the audio system.

In other embodiments auxiliary units may be provided which comprise the whole of or some components of the storage means and/or the output means and/or the control means. In a particular set of embodiments the system comprises a computer, for example a PC. The computer may comprise any one of or any combination of the storage means, the output means, the recording means and the control means. In some cases the computer may comprise some component parts of these means, the other component parts being provided elsewhere, for example, on the printed matter article.

The computer may be arranged under the control of software to operate as the recording means either in combination with the printed matter article or independently therefrom. Preferably the computer is connected to the printed matter article and is arranged under the control of software to respond to control signals generated when pages in the printed matter article are parted.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a printed matter article connectable to a computer wherein the printed matter article comprises input means operable by a user to generate control signals for controlling the operation of a connected computer.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a printed matter article cover portion for use in an audio system according to the first aspect of the present invention. The cover portion may comprise a central sensor unit, a mounting portion for receiving a plurality of pairs of pages and contacts for contacting with contacts on said plurality of pairs of pages.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a remote control for use with an audio system according to the first aspect of the present invention comprising a plurality of buttons and at least one card reception means for receiving and displaying a card showing desired information.

The card reception means may comprise a button with a removably mounted transparent or translucent lid portion.

The card reception means may comprise a sleeve with a transparent or translucent side wall portion.

Card (s) placed in the card reception means of the remote control and/or the printed matter article may bear information specific to stories included on particular sets of pluralities of pages and/or indications of particular recordings made.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a printed matter article comprising storage means for storing sound signals, output means for outputting stored sound signals, recording means for recording sound signals to the storage means and control means for controlling the recording means and the output means whereby a user can record a sound signal for later output.

Such arrangements enable a practically limitless number of different sounds to be stored and output. A particular advantage is that an output message can be in the voice of a particular person, for example the parent of a child.

The printed matter article may be a book. In such a case a parent can record him or herself reading the book for later playback to his or her child. It is envisaged that this use will be particularly appealing to parents who have to be away from their children for long periods.

The control means may comprise output control means for controlling the output means and recording control means for controlling the recording means.

The output control means may comprise at least one user operable playback button. The recording control means may comprise at least one user operable record button.

A separate playback button and/or a separate record button may be provided for each page or leaf or a selected number of pages or leaves.

The output control means can be arranged so that, in use, activation of the sensor means causes a stored sound signal to be output. The recording control means may be arranged so that, in use, activation of the sensor means allows a sound signal to be recorded.

The article may be arranged so that, in use, a particular stored sound signal or a particular part of a stored sound signal is output when a particular pair of pages or leaves is parted. This enables appropriate stored sound signals to be automatically output for appropriate pages. The output control means can be arranged to perform this function.

The article may be arranged so that, in use, when a sound signal or part of a sound signal is recorded whilst a particular pair of pages or leaves is parted, the resulting stored sound signal or part of a stored sound signal is associated with that pair of pages.

This allows appropriate sound signals to be recorded for each page for later playback. The recording control means may be arranged to preform the above function.

The control means may comprise override means operable by a user to override the activation of the sensor means. This allows the article to be read with no sound signals being output.

In some embodiments a separate sound signal output and sound signal recording module can be provided for each pair of adjacent pages, each module having sound signal recording and output facilities.

In other embodiments a central unit can be provided which has common sound signal recording and output facilities for a plurality of pages.

The sensor means may comprise a plurality of magnetic sensor elements. Each page may be provided with one element. The sensor elements may be connected to a central sensor unit which can be mounted on a cover of the article.

The storage means may comprise an audio CD, a CD ROM, a floppy disk or other data carrier. The article may be arranged so that the data carrier is removable and/or insertable.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1A and 1B are schematic views of a first printed matter article in an open position ; Figures 2A to 2C are schematic views of a second printed matter article in an open position; Figure 2D is a rear perspective view of the second printed matter article shown in Figures 2A to 2C; Figure 2E is an end view of the printed matter article shown in Figures 2A to 2C; Figures 3A to 3C are schematic views of a third printed matter article in an open position; Figures 4A to 4D are schematic views of an audio system including a fourth printed matter article; Figure 5 shows screen displays presented in a touch screen selection mode used with the fourth printed matter article; Figure 6 shows a remote control used with the fourth printed matter article; and Figures 7A to 7D show a fifth printed matter article.

Figures 1A and 1B show a first printed matter article which acts as an audio system and is in the form of a book 1 comprising a plurality of pages or leaves 2. Figure 1A shows the book in an open position with pages 11 and 12 parted. Figure 1B shows the book in an open position with pages 13 and 14 parted.

Each pair of pages as exemplified by pages 11 and 12 shown in Figure 1A and pages 13 and 14 shown in Figure 1B has an associated combined sensor, sound signal playback and sound signal recording unit 3.

Each combined unit 3 is similar to the type found in existing birthday cards which are capable of playing a message or a tune except that in the present case each unit 3 has an ability to record sound signals. Each combined unit 3 comprises a sensor arm 31 which is attached to one of a pair of adjacent pages 2 and an electronics module 32 which is mounted on the remaining page 2 in the pair. Thus in the case of pages 11 and 12 the sensor arm 31 is attached to page 11 and the electronics module 32 is mounted on page 12.

Although not shown in detail each electronics module 32 comprises all the components necessary to perform the functions of storage means for storing sound signals, output means for outputting stored sound signal and recording means for recording sound signals. Further an on/off button (not shown) and a record button (not shown) are provided.

In operation the on/off button (not shown) is used to turn on the respective electronics modules 32.

Then when a pair of adjacent pages such as pages 11 and 12 are parted, the respective sensor arm 31 moves relative to the respective electronics module 32 so causing a sound signal stored in the storage means of that electronics module 32 to be output. Similarly if pages 13 and 14 are parted then the sound signal stored in the storage means associated with that pair of pages will be output. Once the stored message for a pair of pages has been output, sound generation will stop. The output of the stored message for another pair of pages can then be triggered by parting those pages. The sound signal stored for each pair of pages will typically be a narration of those pages. Once the narration for a pair of pages has played through and stopped, a page can be turned to part the next pair of pages so triggering the narration of those pages and so on. In this way the book can be read from start to finish with an accompanying narration.

On the other hand if a pair of pages are parted and the recording button (not shown) is operated, then rather than outputting a stored sound signal, the respective electronics module 32 allows a user to record a message for later playback when that pair of pages are subsequently parted. In this way a parent can record him or herself reading the book, a pair of pages at a time.

Figures 2A to 2E show a second printed matter article which functions as an audio system and is in the form of a book 1 having a plurality of pages 2.

The construction and operation of the second printed matter article is similar to that of the first printed matter article except that a different form of sensing means is provided and each pair of pages no longer has a separate electronics module 32.

In the second printed matter article each page 2 is provided with a magnetic sensor element 4. The magnetic sensor elements 4 on pairs of adjacent pages, for example pages 11 and 12 as shown in Figure 2A are located such that when that pair of pages is closed the sensor elements 4 are in close proximity or touch one another. On the other hand when a given pair of pages is parted the magnetic sensor elements 4 on that pair of pages are spaced from one another.

The sensor elements 4 on different pairs of adjacent pages are located at different distances from the page edge as illustrated in Figures 2A to 2C.

Each of the sensor elements 4 is wired into a central unit 5 which is provided in the back cover of the book 1. Although not shown in detail the central unit 5 comprises all the components necessary to receive signals from the sensor elements 4 and to perform the functions of a storage means for storing sound signals, output means for outputting stored signals and recording means for recording sound signals. As shown in Figure 2E an on/off switch 6 and a record switch 7 are provided on the binding of the book 1.

In operation when the on/off switch 6 is put into the on position and a particular pair of adjacent pages, for example pages 11 and 12, are moved into an open position as shown in Figure 2A, then a sound signal stored in the central unit 5 and associated with pages 11 and 12 will be output. On the other hand if the record switch 7 is put into the record position, and an adjacent pair of pages are put into the open position, then rather than outputting a sound signal, the device allows a user to record a message to be associated with that pair of pages for later playback.

When all the pairs of pages are in a closed position so that the respective sensor elements 4 are in close proximity or touching one another the central unit 5 will neither output a sound signal nor allow recording of a message. In normal operation, when a pair of pages are parted the stored message will be output once and then sound output will stop until a page is turned. Closing a pair of pages part way through the output of a message will immediately stop output of that message.

Although a single central unit 5 is provided for recording and playing back messages, the arrangement of the magnetic sensor elements 4 and the central unit 5 allow separate messages to be recorded and played back for each of pair of adjacent pages. That is to say, one message will be played when the book is open on pages 11 and 12, and a different message will be played when the book is open on pages 13 and 14 etc.

Thus as described above in relation to the first printed matter article, the book can be read from cover to cover with an accompanying narration.

Figures 3A to 3C show a third printed matter article which acts as an audio system, is formed as a book and is essentially the same as the second printed matter article with the exception that the central unit 5 is arranged to accept a writable CD ROM 7 to act as a storage medium for messages. In some embodiments the CD ROM can be removable. In such cases it can be kept for several years independently of the book for later playback.

In each of the above embodiments the on/off switch can be used as an override to prevent playback of any messages so that the book can simply be read as a normal book. In alternatives a volume switch can be provided on the back cover. Although the most important function of these books is that it is possible to record a narration of the book, the book could be sold with a pre-recorded narration which it might be possible to add to or record over.

It would of course also be possible for other printed matter articles, for example, greeting cards to be used to record a message.

Figures 4A to 4D show a further embodiment in which a book 100 of a type similar to that described above is used in conjunction with a computer, for example a PC 101 to form an audio system. The book 100 is connected to the PC 101 via a lead 102. The book 100 is similar to the third printed matter article shown in Figures 3A to 3C and as such comprises a plurality of pages 2 each of which pages is provided with a sensor element 4. The sensor elements 4 are connected to a central unit 5 provided in the back cover of the book to allow control of recording and playback of messages as described above.

However, the book 100 includes the additional features of an on/off PC 103, a start switch 104, two voice selection buttons 105, and three story selection buttons 106 all of which are disposed on the inner surface of the back cover of the book. Moreover, a list of operating instructions is provided on the page facing the internal surface of the back cover of the book 100. The PC 101 comprises a monitor 108, speakers 109 and a disc drive unit 110.

The book 100 is arranged to be operable either alone or in combination with the PC 101 via the connecting lead 102.

In both cases, during playback of a narration, the book 100 is used to control the narration as described above. Therefore, once the voice and story have been selected and the start switch 104 pressed, when a particular pair of pages are parted the narration associated with that pair of pages is played and when a page is turned to part the subsequent pair of pages the narration associated with that second pair of pages is then played.

The voice and storage selection buttons 105,106 allow the book 100 to be used with six different narrations. In particular it is envisaged that a mother could record a narration of each of three stories and a father could record a narration of the same three stories. The book 100 is arranged so that printed versions of all three stories are included on the plurality of pages 2, either in separate batches of pages or side by side on the same set of pages.

Each of the voice selection buttons 105 has an associated image receiving means 111 which comprises a recess and a closely fitting removable transparent cover which is arranged to allow access to the recess.

In this way a photograph of the narrator can be inserted and it is possible to see the photograph of the narrator through the cover once it is replaced.

Thus after a book has been purchased appropriate sized photographs of the mother and father of a child, for example, may be inserted into the recesses. In this way it is easy for a child to choose the desired narration.

When the on/off PC switch 103 is switched to "off"the audio features of the book 100 do not function and the book 100 may be read as a normal book with no narration.

When the on/off PC switch 103 is switched to"on" the book 100 is used independently of the PC 101 and a speaker incorporated in the book (not shown) is used to output the narrations. In this case a disc bearing the appropriate recordings is inserted into a disc drive unit (not shown) included in the central unit 5 of the book 100.

On the other hand if the on/off PC switch 103 is moved to the"PC"position, the PC 101 and book 100 are used in conjunction. During playback a disc bearing recordings is inserted into the disc drive 110 of the PC 101 and the PC speakers 109 are used to output the sound.

It will be appreciated that as an alternative the book could be designed so as to only operate in conjunction with a PC both in playback and recording.

In such a case the book would not need its own disc drive mechanism or a speaker but would simply be used to generate control signals as pages were turned etc.

The control signals would be transmitted to the PC to allow controlled operation of the disc drive, speakers etc. associated with the PC itself.

In the present embodiment the book 100 does not include means for recording narrations of the book itself but rather use is made of the PC 101 to perform this function. Specifically a recordable disc is introduced into the disc drive 101 and the PC 101 is controlled by appropriate software in such a way that the recording can be made.

In one recording option the PC 100 is arranged under the control of software such that the book 100 is used during the recording operation. in this case the book 100 is arranged so that when the first pair of pages 2 is parted, an appropriate control signal is sent via the lead 102 to the PC 101 such that a recording of a subsequent narration is associated with the parted pair of pages. After the narration related to those pages has been recorded, the user will turn to the next pages in the book and begin narration of those pages. When the subsequent pair of pages is parted, a further appropriate control signal is sent to the PC 101 so that the following narration is associated with the correct pages. This process is continued until narration of the whole story has been completed.

Where recordings are to be made by more than one person, the appropriate voice selection button 105 is pressed before commencing recording to send an appropriate signal to the PC 101 so that the narration is associated with that button for future playback.

Depending on the layout of the stories on the pages it may also be necessary to press the appropriate story selection button 106 so that the narration is associated with the correct story. The complete instructions as regards this process are provided with the book.

In alternatives, rather than using control signals from the voice selection buttons 105 and/or the story selection buttons 106, information regarding the story being read and/or the identify of the narrator may be directly entered to the PC using a mouse, keyboard, or any other standard input device associated with the PC 101.

In a second recording option, recording of the narration to disc may be carried out using the PC 101 alone. In such a case the controlling software is arranged so that the text associated with each page for narration is displayed on the PC monitor 108. The user then records a narration of that page and the recording is automatically associated with that page on the finished disc. Once the narration of a particular page has been completed this fact is communicated to the PC 101 by the user using any standard input device such as a keyboard or mouse. The text for the subsequent page is then displayed and a narration is made. This process is then repeated to record a narration of the whole book.

When this second option is used, information concerning the story being read and the identify of the narrator is entered directly to the PC 101. Once the disc has been recorded it can be used as for playback in the ways described in more detail above.

It is envisaged that software for controlling the PC 101 during recording and/or playback would be provided on a disc which could be installed by a user.

It will be appreciated that there are many ways in which the software control can be implemented. The following is an outline description of the steps involved in one possible recording process.

When it is desired to begin recording a book, an appropriate icon is clicked on by the user using a mouse. The PC 101 then runs through a series of operations under control of the software such that the user is asked to select a language for narration, the particular story to be read, and the identity of the narrator. Once this information has been entered, for example by the user clicking on appropriate icons using a mouse, the monitor displays an instruction to press the spacebar twice when the user wishes to begin recording. The monitor then displays a countdown to start recording and recording of the first page of the book is initiated once the countdown is complete.

Recording of a narration for that pair of pages would be terminated either by the user turning the next page in the book 100 if it is being used or by clicking on an appropriate icon if the computer alone is being used. The instruction to press the spacebar twice is then re-displayed so recording for the next page can be commenced.

The system has a number of other features which are outlined below.

The system is arranged such that it is possible to overwrite existing narrations on any given disc.

Volume controls controlling the recording and/or output volumes are provided. A facility to play the narration associated with the book without turning the pages is provided and a facility to repeat the narration associated with any particular page is provided. A timer function which allows the book to be turned off after a preselected period of time is provided. In each case these functions may be implemented by the provision of suitable means on the book or via the PC 101 under the control of appropriate software.

To provide further options for the control of the audio system, the PC 101 may be arranged under the control of appropriate software to have a touch screen control mode. When using such an option the PC 101 is connected to the book 100 via the lead 102. The computer is arranged under the control of appropriate software to display icons and to respond to the monitor 108 screen in the region of those icons being physically touched by the user. A first screen display comprises icons representing the stories included in the book 100. A story is selected by touching the appropriate icon on the screen. The next display shows icons for each of the different narrations of that particular story recorded on the disc. Selection of the desired narration is made by touching the appropriate icon. A final screen is then displayed comprising a play button which when pressed begins playback of the selected narration under the control of the book 100 as the pages are turned.

Figure 5 shows the series of screens displayed in the touch screen mode.

Figure 6 shows a remote control which may be used to control the audio system. The remote control comprises output means 201 for outputting an appropriate signal to be received by a sensor provided at the PC 101, a play button 202 for starting playback of stories, a pause/stop button 203 for pausing or stopping playback of stories, an exit button 204 for exiting from the associated program on the PC 101 altogether, two voice selection buttons 205 and three story selection buttons 206.

Each voice selection button 205 comprises a recess for receiving a photograph and a closely fitting removable transparent cover.

Directly adjacent to the story selection buttons 206 a transparent sleeve 207 is provided for slidably receiving a card 208 showing pictures indicative of the stories included in the selected book. Because the card 208 bearing the story related pictures is removable from the sleeve 207 the remote control may be used with books containing different stories. A suitable card showing appropriate pictures for each story in a given book can be supplied with a book for insertion into the sleeve 207.

In operation the user, i. e. normally a child, presses one of the story selection buttons 206 and one of the voice selection buttons 205 and then presses the play button 202. The remote control then generates an appropriate signal and transmits it to the PC 101 to activate the book via the lead 102. When the first pages of the story are opened the narration begins and is controlled as the pages of the book are turned as described above.

Although in the present system it is envisaged that the disc drive, speakers and other associated components of a PC 101 may be used during recording and/or playback of a disc, if other suitable equipment is available it can be used. For example, a CD-ROM based video player and an associated television set might be used to output the narrations under the control of the book and/or be used in the recording process itself.

Figures 7A to 7D show another book 300 which may be used as, or as part of, an audio system. The book 300 has a cover portion 301 and a removabl the sensor elements 4 and the central unit 5 provided in the cover portion 301. It is also necessary to provide a mechanical connection between the set of pages 302 and the cover portion 301. Both of these connections are provided by means of a metallic strip 303 which is disposed along an edge of the set of pages 302 and a corresponding receiving portion 304 provided on the cover portion 301. The components are dimensioned so that the metallic strip 303 can be slid into engagement with the receiving portion 304 by sliding the set of pages 302 and the cover portion 301 relative to one another along the direction of the spine of the book 300. Once the set of pates 302 has been slid into position it is firmly held mechanically and electrical connection is made between the sensor elements 4 provided on the pages 302 and the central unit 5 provided in the cover portion 301. The complete book 300 is then able to operate in the same way as described above. When it is desired to remove the set of pages 301 from the book 300 it is merely necessary to slide the pages 301 in the opposite direction to that in which they were slid when inserted.

The book 300 may comprise one or more transparent sleeves for receiving respective cards showing pictures and/or information related to a particular set of pages.

In each of the above embodiments it is envisaged that a certain period of recording and playback time per adjacent pair of pages would be allowed. This might be approximately 30 seconds. It is envisaged that the main use of the device would be by parents who would buy a book and then be able to record themselves reading the book for later playback to their child when they were absent.

This can provide comfort for the child. A child might be involved in the recording of a narration, for example by adding household sound effects. The device also has an educational aspect as a child will be tempted to follow the words whilst listening to a narration. The child would know when to turn the page as the narration would stop, they can then learn to turn the page to trigger the next part of the narration.

Claims

Claims 1. An audio system comprising: a printed matter article having a plurality of pairs of adjacent pages; storage means for storing sound signals; output means for outputting stored sound signals; and control means for controlling the output means, wherein each stored sound signals is associated with a respective pair of pages, the control means comprises sensor means for sensing when pairs of pages are parted and is arranged for causing or allowing output of associated stored sound signals when the respective pair of pages is parted.
2. An audio system according to claim 1 which comprises recording means for recording sound signals.
3. An audio system according to claim 2 in which the printed matter article comprises the recording means.
4. An audio system according to claim 2 or claim 3 which is arranged so that when a sound signal is recorded whilst a particular pair of pages is parted, the resulting stored sound signal is associated with that pair of pages.
5. An audio system according to any preceding claim in which the printed matter article comprises a cover portion having a mounting portion on which the plurality of pairs of pages are slidably mountable.
6. An audio system according to any preceding claim in which sensor elements are disposed on the pages and a central sensor unit is disposed elsewhere.
7. An audio system according to any preceding claim in which the printed matter article comprises at least one card reception means for receiving and displaying a card showing desired information.
8. An audio system according any preceding claim in which the printed matter article is self contained and functions as the audio system.
9. An audio system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in which the system comprises a computer which is distinct from the printed matter article.
10. A printed matter article for use in a system according to any preceding claim, the printed matter article comprising a plurality of pairs of adjacent pages and sensor means for sensing when pairs of pages are parted.
11. A printed matter article cover portion for use in an audio system according to claim 5 wherein the cover portion comprises a central sensor unit, a mounting portion for receiving a plurality of pairs of pages and contacts for contacting with contacts on said plurality of pairs of pages.
12. A printed matter article comprising storage means for storing sound signals, output means for outputting stored sound signals, recording means for recording sound signals to the storage means and control means for controlling the recording means and the output means whereby a user can record a sound signal for later output.