GB2378305A

GB2378305A - Interactive map or globe for delivering geographically specific data.

Info

Publication number: GB2378305A
Application number: GB0118675A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Abigail Jane Sellen; Jeroen Geert Bijsmans; Rachel Lucy Murphy; Barry Allen Thomas Brown
Original assignee: Hewlett Packard Co
Current assignee: HP Inc
Priority date: 2001-07-31
Filing date: 2001-07-31
Publication date: 2003-02-05
Also published as: GB0118675D0

Abstract

The apparatus comprises representations of countries or regions of the world, output means, user input means and digital communication means. The user input means is associated with the representations of countries or regions and enables a user to select a particular country or region. The representations of countries or regions of the world preferably takes the form of a map (70, Figure 5) or globe 10 and is touch sensitive to act as the user input means. On receiving input from a user, data specific to the country or region selected is output via the output means. The output may preferably take the form of cultural information, e.g. music. The digital communication means enables the apparatus to be connected to a computer or network server. The representations of the countries or regions may be projected onto a surface, in particular the surface of a globe and the projection may be from inside or outside the globe.

Description

AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR DELIVERING GEOGRAPHICALLY-SPECIFIC DATA This invention relates to an electronic device providing means for delivering geographically-specific data.

Our world is culturally and artistically highly diverse. Nations have radically different music, film, dance and drama. Gaining an appreciation and awareness of different countries'art and culture is important for many reasons: Very importantly, doing so helps to develop an understanding, tolerance and respect of people from other nations and races. Listening to music and appreciating the arts from other lands also broadens one's general knowledge and experience, and enriches one's own life.

Familiarisation with different aspects of global art and culture is an important part of receiving a good general education. Many people undertake studies in geography, which often covers aspects of art and culture. Alternatively, those studying music or drama may well study international variations and characteristics of these arts.

Preliminary steps have been taken to bring together coherently the disciplines of geography and music in an educational context. Basic interactive globes have been developed, examples being the Odyssey Atlasphere and the LeapFrog Explorer models, which enable the user to touch a stylus pointer onto the surface of the globe in order to cause the globe to generate location-specific output. As well as providing geographical facts about the selected location, both these globes may be configured to play samples of local music. The Odyssey Atlasphere has a port configured to receive compatible cartridges to supply additional data. The LeapFrog Explorer does not have a cartridge slot and is not expandable.

It will be appreciated that the above globes, whilst providing a simple-to-use educational resource, contain only a limited amount of location-specific music data. Indeed, the musical content of the LeapFrog Explorer is entirely limited to music that has been hardcoded into the device on manufacture. The Odyssey Atlasphere, whilst offering expansion possibilities via its cartridge slot, is still limited to music supplied by the manufacturer on these custom cartridges. As a consequence, the user of either of these globes is not able to explore freely the music of their chosen location. Furthermore, these globes do not enable regional differences in art forms other than music to be investigated.

It is a general object of the present invention to overcome or at least mitigate the shortcomings and problems identified above.

According to the invention there is provided an electronic device comprising a processor, representations of countries or regions of the world, user-perceivable output means, user input means and digital communication means; the processor being electrically coupled to the user input means, the output means and the digital data communication means ; the user input means being associated with the representations of countries or regions of the world and operable to enable a user to select a representation of a country or region; the processor being configured, on receiving input from a user via the input means selecting a country or region, to output data specific to the said country or region via the output means; and the digital communication means being operable to establish a data communications connection to a personal computer or a server on a network.

This provides the advantage that the user may obtain country-or region-specific data, such as audio or video data, by selecting a country or region (e. g. by touching on it in an

intuitive manner as with the prior art globes described previously) but with the added benefit of being able to transfer data to the device from a personal computer or a server on a network. The functionality and capability of the device are thereby significantly enhanced beyond those of the prior art globes, as a consequence of it being able to interact with external data sources such as a personal computer (PC) or the Internet.

Preferably the user input means are touch sensitive, responding to the touch of a finger. This provides the advantage that a stylus, as used in the prior art globes, is not necessary. The ability to touch the globe simply using a finger gives rise to a more intuitive process of interaction between the user and the device.

Preferably the representation of countries of the world is in the form of a substantially spherical globe. Alternatively, to enable the device to be wall-mounted, the representation of countries of the world may be in the form of a substantially flat map.

Preferably the digital communication means comprises a port configured to receive and electrically couple with a data communications cable. This advantageously enables the device to be connected to a PC via a standard communications cable (e. g. USB, serial, parallel or SCSI).

Particularly preferably the digital communication means comprises an integral modem for connecting the device directly to a telecommunications network for access to the Intemet. This advantageously enables users to download data directly to the device from the Internet, without needing to own a PC, and the device is straightforward to use as a consequence.

Alternatively, preferably the digital communication means comprise a wireless transmitter and receiver. Such technology, for example operating using infra-red or radio frequency communication, advantageously enables the device to communicate without the need for cables.

Preferably the representations of countries or regions of the world are printed substantially on the outer surface of the device. This advantageously enables the device to be manufactured relatively inexpensively. The touch sensitive user input means are preferably adjacent the printed representations of countries or regions of the world.

Aitemativeiy the device preferably further comprises projection means arranged to project the representations of countries or regions of the world onto a surface of the device. Accordingly, particularly preferably the device further comprises an outer transparent or translucent member, the projection means being situated within the device and arranged to project onto the inner surface of the outer member. Alternatively the projection means may be situated externally of the device and arranged to project onto an outer surface of the device.

The use of projection means advantageously enables the representations of countries or regions of the world being displayed to be varied and changed according to user preferences. This may optionally be done under the control of the processor, particularly if the projection means comprise a digital image projector (e. g. a liquid crystal matrix and a light source).

Preferably the electronic device further comprises audio output means, thereby enabling an audio signal to be provided for perception by a user. Particularly preferably the audio

output means comprises an integral speaker, or a port for connecting the device to an external speaker.

Optionally, the electronic device further comprises video output means.

Preferably the processor is operable to play audio and/or video data originating from, or specific to, a country or region selected by a user by touching on its representation.

This advantageously provides the user with user-friendly and intuitive means by which he can experience country-specific audio and/or video data simply by touching that country on the device.

Particularly preferably the processor is operable to upload, from the Internet, and play streamed audio and/or video data originating from, or specific to, a country or region selected by a user by touching on its representation. This advantageously enables the user to experience current country-specific Internet audio and/or video broadcasts, again simply by touching that country on the device. Being able to access Internet audio and/or video in this way is beneficial educationally, since the content is usually current, and also advantageously provides a straightforward means for receiving entertainment from around the world.

Preferably the processor is operable to upload the data from a personal computer or a server.

Preferably the electronic device further comprises means electrically coupled to the processor for receiving a portable data carrier, the processor being operable to play audio and/or video data held on the portable data carrier that originates from, or is specific to, a country or region selected by a user by touching on its representation.

Particularly preferably the electronic device further comprises a port electrically coupled to the processor and configured to receive a solid state memory module. Examples of solid state memory modules include flash cards and memory sticks.

Particularly preferably the electronic device further comprises a disk drive electrically coupled to the processor and configured to receive a portable disk. Such a disk may be a floppy disk, CD-ROM, DVD or another disk or diskette as known to those skilled in the art of data transfer and storage.

Preferably the electronic device further comprises memory means electrically coupled to the processor for storing data supplied to the device.

Preferably the electronic device further comprises means for specifying a user's preferences in respect of a genre of music the user desires to be played. This advantageously enables the user to select a particular genre of music (e. g. folk or jazz) that they particularly wish to investigate on a country-specific basis.

According to the invention there is also provided a method, performed by a processor, of delivering country-or region-specific data to a user, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving, via user input means associated with countries or regions of a map or globe, input from a user specifying a country or region of the world ; (b) obtaining, from a personal computer or a server on a network via a digital communication connection thereto, data specific to the said specified country or region; and (c) delivering, through output means, the said data.

Preferably the said data comprises audio and/or video data.

Preferably the audio and/or video data is sent to the processor from a third party webserver. Particularly preferably the operator of the third party webserver charges the user a fee for the data obtained therefrom. This advantageously enables the webserver operator to make money, and this may take the form of a subscription service.

Alternatively, preferably the audio and/or video data is sent on a portable data carrier.

Particularly preferably the sender of the portable data carrier charges the user a fee.

Again, this fee may take the form of a periodic subscription in return for the data.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, and with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a touch-responsive globe ; Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional cutaway view through a globe ; Figure 3 illustrates a touch-responsive globe having a projector external from the globe ; Figure 4 illustrates a touch-responsive globe having an internal projector; Figure 5 illustrates a touch-responsive wall-mountable map; Figure 6 illustrates a touch-responsive globe connected to a PC; Figure 7 illustrates a touch-responsive globe connected to communications network, e. g. the Internet, having servers; and Figure 8 illustrates a touch-responsive globe, connected to external speakers, receiving data from a portable data carrier.

Figure 1 shows a touch-responsive device 10 having a substantially spherical globe 12 mounted on a pedestal console 14. The pedestal console 14 contains a processor electrically coupled to, inter alia, a speaker 22, user-operable controls 24, a stereo pair of audio outputs 26,28, and a video output 30. Also provided in the console 14 and

coupled to the processor are data communications means 32. In a preferred embodiment of the invention these data communications means comprise a port 34 for coupling the device 10 to a PC via a cable, a built in modem 36 enabling direct connection to the Internet via a domestic telephone socket, and wireless digital communication means 38 - for example, an infra-red or radio frequency (e. g. Bluetooth (RTM)) transceiver. It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that other data communications means may be provided as alternatives to these, such as an Ethernet port, for example.

In one embodiment, the globe 12 itself is pre-printed with representations of countries or regions of the world (e. g. 16-20). As the cross-sectional cutaway view of the globe in figure 2 shows, the printed representations 16-20 are printed on the outer surface 40 of the globe. Beneath this outer printed layer 42 there is a touch sensitive membrane 44 (or alternatively a touch sensitive matrix or a plurality of pressure-responsive actuators).

The outer printed layer 42 is sufficiently thin and malleable to enable the touch sensitive layer 44 to sense the human touch. The construction and configuration of touch sensitive membrane or matrix devices are known to those skilled in the art of user interface engineering. Beneath the touch sensitive layer 44 is a stiff core 46 which is preferably hollow to reduce the weight of the globe and to enable electrical connections to pass inside as required. It will be appreciated that alternative structures of such a globe are possible: in particular, a structure having the touch sensitive layer outermost (i. e. on top of the printed layer) may be used.

In alternative embodiments of the device, the representations of the countries of the world may be projected onto a globe. As shown in Figure 3, for example, the device 50 may comprise a projector 52 external from the globe 54 and optionally shaped and positioned to resemble a moon or satellite. The projector 52 is attached to the console

56 via an arm 58, and is configured to project the representations of the countries of the world onto the exterior of the globe 54. It will be appreciated that, in such an embodiment, a single projector 52 will only project a hemisphere of detail at best, and consequently, to enable a user to view all the countries of the world (albeit not simultaneously) the projected image has to be altered to project different detail. This may be achieved using a LCD projector coupled to the processor and configured to project a varying image that gives the impression that the globe is turning. Alternatively the processor may be configured to respond to the user controls 59 to change the projected view from one continent to another, for example. As before, a touch sensitive membrane or matrix is provided on (or just below) the outer surface of the globe. The user controls 59 may also be operable to change the style of presentation of the projected globe-for example, colouring the different countries to give a political representation, or adding topographical detail such as mountains and rivers, or even enlarging the detail of a selected area of the globe (i. e.'zooming in').

Another embodiment which involves projection is illustrated in cross-section in Figure 4.

Here, the device 60 incorporates a projector 62 inside the globe. The projector 62 is substantially ball-shaped and arranged to project outwards as many of the countries of the world as possible. The outer surface of the globe 66 is transparent or translucent, to enable a user to view the projected countries, and is covered by a touch sensitive membrane or matrix 64. The projector 62 may also vary or rotate the projected image as described previously.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the device 70 is flat and wallmountable, and displays the countries of the world 72. An integral console 74 has the same features as the console 14 of the spherical globe of Figure 1. The countries of the world 72 are printed on the outer surface of the device, adjacent to which is a touch

sensitive layer and an underlying substrate. This structure is essentially a flattened form of that as discussed with reference to Figure 2, although it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the map may be displayed using'electronic paper'instead. The unit 70 in Figure 5 is shown electrically connected to a PC 76, although this is by no means essential since it is also operable alone.

Common to the embodiments described above is the incorporation of a touch sensitive membrane (or equivalent). This is electrically coupled to the processor and serves as a user input means. The processor is pre-configured to associate distinct regions of the membrane with the different countries or regions of the world printed or projected thereon. With the static printed representations the correspondence between regions of the membrane and geographical regions is unvarying, and it is therefore straightforward to configure the processor to associate a given area of the membrane with a certain country. If, however, the representations of the countries of the world are projected and vary (e. g. move to give the impression of rotation) as described above, then the processor must be pre-configured with a spatial correlation between the membrane and the field of projection. This spatial correlation is then employed by the processor to associate a touched area with the country being projected thereon at that moment.

By touching the globe or map, a user may thereby specify to the processor a country or geographical region of their choice. On receiving this input from the user, the processor is configured to deliver audio (and/or video) data to the user that is specific to the chosen country or region. Audio signals are supplied to the user via one or more integral speakers 22 (Figure 1), or alternatively via external speakers (or a music system) connected to the audio outputs 26,28. Video output (e. g. moving or still images) may be supplied via the video output 30 to a monitor, television, projector or other video presentation means. (If the device comprises an integral digital projector

(e. g. 52 in Figure 53) then this projector may alternatively be used to display the video before the user.) The audio and/or video data may be supplied to the processor via a variety of possible means. Memory in the device may be hard-coded with a selection of audio and/or video data from different countries of the world. Moreover, as shown in Figure 6, country-or region-specific data may be uploaded to the device 10 from a PC 80 via a digital communications cable 82 connected to port 34. A bulk transfer of data, relating to a plurality of countries around the world, may be executed and the data may be stored in internal memory in the device for future playback. This advantageously enables the computer 80 to be disconnected from the device 10 and allows the device 10 to operate as a separate stand-alone unit. Alternatively, the PC 80 may remain connected and country-specific data may be uploaded to the device 10 for playback as and when required by the processor, in accordance with the user's selections.

Highly advantageously, as shown in Figure 7, the device 10 may also be connected to the Internet 90 (or another digital communications network) via an integral modem coupled to the modem port 36 (or alternative digital communications means such as an Ethernet adaptor). The integral modem is configured to enable the device 10 to be connected directly to the Internet 90 via a domestic telephone socket. The processor or the integral modem may be pre-programmed or hard coded with the telephone number of an Internet service provider to dial to connect to the Internet 90. Alternatively the appropriate telephone number may be specified by a PC connected to the device (as in Figure 6). Once connected to the Internet 90, the processor is configured to upload and play country-or region-specific audio and/or video data from one or more servers 92,94 located around the world. A server is selected such that the data uploaded originates from, or is specific to, the country specified by the user.

Alternatively, on connection to the Internet, the processor may perform a bulk transfer of data (which may be executed automatically) and store the data in on-board memory in the device 10. Again this enables the globe or map to function as a stand-alone device, and periodic updates with fresh data are possible to ensure variety for the user.

It is particularly envisaged that streamed audio and/or video data, in particular Internet radio, may be uploaded to the device from a server located in the specified country.

This provides a user-friendly means by which a user can listen to Internet radio from all around the world, without requiring a PC. This offers a valuable service for travellers and students-in particular, those wishing to gain experience at listening to foreign

language broadcasts or to discover music from around the world. Operators of i. Operators of webservers such as these may charge users a fee for uploading data. Transfer of this fee may be executed electronically, using a credit card for example.

A further alternative means by which country-or region-specific audio and/or video data may be transferred to the device is shown in Figure 8. Here, the device 10 is shown connected to a pair of speakers 100 via the stereo output connections 26,28. The processor is electrically coupled to ports 102,104 configured to receive portable data carriers 106 containing audio and/or video data. These may be solid state memory modules (e. g. flash cards or memory sticks), cartridges or portable disks (e. g. floppy disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs, etc. ). Data carriers such as these may be sent to the user by a third party supplier in return for a fee, optionally in the form of a subscription service.

The processor may be configured to transfer the contents of the data carrier into internal memory in the device 10, thereby providing another means by which the on-board memory held in the device 10 may be updated.

The processor may be configured such that a user may touch upon a series of different countries on the globe or map, in which case the processor plays a series of pieces of music and/or video in correspondence with the sequence of countries selected.

The processor may also be configured to provide an educational game whereby it plays an audio or video sequence and the participant is required to touch upon the representation of the country from which they believe the sequence to originate. This may assist children with identifying different nations'characteristics, for example, languages or music.

The user-operable controls 24 (Figure 1) may also provide a means by which a user may supply the processor with his preference as to genre of audio or video. For example, options for audio might include jazz, classical, rock, pop, folk, spoken word, Internet radio or'random'. 'Random'causes the processor to deliver output from a random mixture of available genres.

If a country is selected and a genre is specified, then the processor will play music or video specific to that country and of that genre. If, however, a genre is selected but no country is specified, then the processor will play output of that genre from random countries all around the world. If neither a genre nor a country are specified, then the processor will deliver output of random genres from random countries.

In instances when the processor randomly selects a country, the globe or map may be configured to highlight that country. For example, a light specific to that country may be illuminated beneath the surface of the globe or map. Alternatively, in the embodiments in which the representations of the countries are projected onto the globe or map, the

representation of the randomly-selected country may be projected in a different colour to the rest.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An electronic device comprising a processor, representations of countries or regions of the world, user-perceivable output means, user input means and digital communication means; the processor being electrically coupled to the user input means, the output means and the digital data communication means; the user input means being associated with the representations of countries or regions of the world and operable to enable a user to select a representation of a country or region; the processor being configured, on receiving input from a user via the input means selecting a country or region, to output data specific to the said country or region via the output means; and the digital communication means being operable to establish a data communications connection to a personal computer or a server on a network.
2. An electronic device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the user input means are touch sensitive, responding to the touch of a finger.
3. An electronic device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the representation of countries of the world is in the form of a substantially spherical globe.
4. An electronic device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the representation of countries of the world is in the form of a substantially flat map.

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5. An electronic device as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the digital communication means comprises a port configured to receive and electrically couple with a data communications cable.
6. An electronic device as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the digital communication means comprises an integral modem for connecting the device directly to a telecommunications network for access to the Internet
7. An electronic device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the digital communication means comprise a wireless transmitter and receiver.
8. An electronic device as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the representations of countries or regions of the world are printed substantially on the outer surface of the device.
9. An electronic device as claimed in Claim 8 when dependent on Claim 2 wherein the touch sensitive user input means are adjacent the printed representations of countries or regions of the world.
10. An electronic device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7 further comprising projection means arranged to project the representations of countries or regions of the world onto a surface of the device.
11. An electronic device as claimed in Claim 10 further comprising an outer transparent or translucent member, the projection means being situated within the device and arranged to project onto the inner surface of the outer member.

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12. An electronic device as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the projection means are situated externally of the device and is arranged to project onto an outer surface of the device.
13. An electronic device as claimed in any preceding Claim further comprising audio output means.
14. An electronic device as claimed in Claim 13 wherein the audio output means comprises an integral speaker.
15. An electronic device as claimed in Claim 13 wherein the audio output means comprises a port for connecting the device to an external speaker.
16. An electronic device as claimed in Claim 13 wherein the audio output means comprises a port for connecting the device to an external speaker.
17. An electronic device as claimed in any preceding Claim further comprising video output means.
18. An electronic device as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the processor is operable to play audio and/or video data originating from, or specific to, a country or region selected by a user by touching on its representation.
19. An electronic device as claimed in Claim 18 wherein the processor is operable to upload, from the Internet, and play streamed audio and/or video data originating from, or specific to, a country or region selected by a user by touching on its representation.

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20. An electronic device as claimed in Claim 18 wherein the processor is operable to upload the data from a personal computer or a server.
21. An electronic device as claimed in any preceding Claim further comprising means electrically coupled to the processor for receiving a portable data carrier, the processor being operable to play audio and/or video data held on the portable data carrier that originates from, or is specific to, a country or region selected by a user by touching on its representation.
22. An electronic device as claimed in Claim 21 further comprising a port electrically coupled to the processor and configured to receive a solid state memory module.
23. An electronic device as claimed in Claim 21 further comprising a disk drive electrically coupled to the processor and configured to receive a portable disk.
24. An electronic device as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising memory means electrically coupled to the processor for storing data supplied to the device.
25. An electronic device as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 24 further comprising means for specifying a user's preferences in respect of a genre of music the user desires to be played.

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26. A method, performed by a processor, of delivering country-or region-specific data to a user, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving, via user input means associated with countries or regions of a map or globe, input from a user specifying a country or region of the world ; (b) obtaining, from a personal computer or a server on a network via a digital communication connection thereto, data specific to the said specified country or region; and (c) delivering, through output means, the said data.
27. A method as claimed in Claim 26 wherein the said data comprises audio and/or video data.
28. A method as claimed in Claim 27 wherein the audio and/or video data is sent to the processor from a third party webserver.
29. A method as claimed in Claim 28 wherein the operator of the third party webserver charges the user a fee for the data obtained therefrom.
30. A method as claimed in Claim 27 wherein the audio and/or video data is sent on a portable data carrier.
31. A method as claimed in Claim 30 wherein the sender of the portable data carrier charges the user a fee.
32. An electronic device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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33. A method of delivering country-or region-specific data to a user substantial as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.