GB2507998A

GB2507998A - Presenting content associated with a second application upon selection of a link in a first application

Info

Publication number: GB2507998A
Application number: GB1220654.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Edwardson
Original assignee: Promethean Ltd
Current assignee: Promethean Ltd
Priority date: 2012-11-16
Filing date: 2012-11-16
Publication date: 2014-05-21
Also published as: GB201220654D0; WO2014076257A2; EP2920694A2; US20160026508A1; WO2014076257A3

Abstract

A method of presenting content comprises a first application facilitating the display of a set of content, at least part of the content being associated with a link to a second application. Upon selection of the link, the second application is enabled and content associated with the second application is displayed. The first application may be an application for displaying an electronic book and the content may be a story of an electronic book. The second application may be an application for running interactive content, the interactive content being associated with the content at which the link is displayed. The inputs provided in the interactive session associated with the running of the interactive application may be recorded by a third application. Access to the first or second application may be controlled by another device. The first application may be associated with a first user device and the second application may be associated with a second user device. The method may be carried out over a network under the control of a computing device.

Description

INTERACTIVE ELECTRONIC BOOKS

F3ACKGROWm TO THE INVENTION

Field of the invention:

The present: inven ion relates to collaborative interactive activity among a i.urality of interactive devices, The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, related to collaborative interactive activity in a classroom environment.

Description of the Related Art:

interacti,e devices are well--known in the art, and include interactive whiteboards It is known to use interactive devices for collaborative activities. Typically collaborative activities allow multiple users to collaborate at a single interactive device.

It is an aim of the invention to improve the possibilities for interactive collaboration amonqet multiple users

SUNMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method of presenting contents comprising: a first application facilitating the display of a set of con..t-en.., at least part of the content being associated with a link to a second appl.icationr wherein on selection of the link, the second application is enabled and content associated with the second application is displayed..

The first application may he an application for displaying an. electronic hook, and the content is a story of an electronic book.

The second application may be an application for running interactive content * and the interactive content.i s associated with content at which the link is displayed.

The inputs provided in the interactive session associated with the running of the interactive application may be recorded by a third application.

The inputs provided i.n the interactive session associated with the running of the interactive application may he stored in a database.

The first application may be associated with a first user device and the second application may be associated with a second user device.

The method may comprise controlling access to one or more of the first and second applications by any other device. The access to any application may be determined by rules for said application.

The invention also provides a method for providing interactive content comprising establishing a network under the control of a computing device; connecting a-t.iest one further dd qice to the network by registering with the hub device; running an application on at least on.e of the computing device, which aopiication presents content to the user of the device; and displaying a link in association with at least part of said content, wherein on selection of said.

link by the user, the application establishes a communication session with an application running on another device, wherein the application running on the other device is an interactive application, the step of establishing a communication session comprising controlling access to an application running on a device by other devices by defining an access settinas for each application running on each device.

The invention provides a device presenting content, said device adapted to provide a first application facilitating the display of a set of content, at least part of the content being associated with a link to a second application wherein on selection of the 1ink, the second application is enabled and content associated with the second application is displayed.

The invention further provides a system f or providing interactive content, the system adapted to: establish a net-work under the control of a computing device; connect at least one further device to the network by registering with the hub device; run an application on at least one of the computing device, which application presents content to the user of the device; and display a link in association with at least part of said content, wherein on selection of said link by the user; the application establishes a communication session with an application running on. another device, wherein the application runninq on the other device is an interactive applcataon, wherein to estabnsn a communIcation session comprises controlling access to an application running on a device by other devices by defining an access settings for each application runn.ina on each device.

Embodiments of the invention are based on the principle that (I) a device is a hub of a network (preferably but not necessarily a personal area network) ; (ii) other devices can join-/register with the network (preferably but not necessarily automatically) and (iii) users of registered devices can register with aopl.ications on other devices (or more specifically, an auplication running on a ts"' s device can register with an application running on another device in the network) -The process for applications registering with-each other comprises some permission-based processing.

ERIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES;

The invention i.s now described by way of example with reference to the accomanyinq figures in which Figure 1 illustrates a network comprising a plurality of networked devices; Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary implementation of devices in a network arrangement such as Figure 1 in a classroom environment; Figures 3(a) and 3(b) illustrate exemplary ptDcess flows in an embodiment of the invention for registering in a network; Figures 4(a) and 4(b) illustrate information stored in a network. connected device in an embodiment of the invention; Figures 5 (a) and 5(h) illustrate process flows for accessing shared applications in an embodiment of the invention; Figures 6 Ca) and 6 Cb) illustrate implementation architectures of a user device and a hub device in an embodiment of the inven ion; Figure 7 illustrates a further exemplary implementation of devices in a network arrangement; F!igiire 8 illustrates a further exeinniary implementation of information stored in a network device in the arrangement of Figure 7; Figure 9 illustrates a flow process in accordance with the invention; Figure 10 illustrates communication in a particular embodiment of the invention; Figure Ii illustrates information flow in a particular embodiment of Figure 10; and Figure 12 further illustrates information flow in the particular embodiment of Figure 10.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODiMENTS

The invention is described herein by way of reference to exemplary implementations and preferred examples. In particular the invention is described in the context of collaborative working in a classroom environment, with users W comprising students and/or teachers. The invention is not limited in its applicability to a classroom environment, and one skilled in the art will appreciate the broader

applicability of the invention.

Similarly use cases described herein to illustrate aspects and/cr embodiments of the invention are set out in the context of educational use-cases in a classroom related environment. One skilled in the art will appreciate the broader applicability of such use cases, and alternative use cases.

The invention is described in the following in an arrangement in which a dedicated hub device is provided However the invention is not so limited, and in enthodiments one or more devices may provide the hub functionality.

Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary network and devices connected to such network in accordance with a preferred embodiment. of-th. invention.

A wireless network, denoted by reference numeral 2. The reference numeral 2 denotes the range of the wireless network such that wireless devices within the area 2 can transmit/receive signals to/from the wireless network, and devices outside the area 2 cannot connect transmit/receive signals to/from the wireless network. The invention is not limited to use in conjunction with a wireless network, and may be implemented with the provision of a wired network. However a wireless network is envIsaged as the most useful implementation, In general the wireless network may be a communications network.

In a particularly preferred implementation the wire..1es network is a personal. area network, PAN. A PAN has particular advantages in embodiments of the invention due to its reliability and speed of operation. In implementations where speed of communication between networked devices is critical, the use of a PAN is advantageous. However any type of wireless network may be used for implementation of the invention, according to the requirements of the implementation. The speed of the network will he implementation dependent.

Illustrated in Figure i within range of the wireless network 2 is a huh device 4 for thts embodiment havinq an antenna 8 for wireless communication. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, as will be understood from the following description, the..hub device acts as a hub for communications between other devices, In the described exemplary arrangement the hub device 4 generates and controls the wireless network 2.

Further illustrated in Figure 1 within range of the wireless network 2 is a plurality of user devices for this embodiment denoted by reference numerals 6a, 6b, Sc each havinq a respective antenna ba, lob, bc. The users devices Ca, Sb, Cc are also respectively labelled user device #1', user device #2', and user device #3' in the Figures. Each user device is preferably associated with at least one user, not shown in Figure 1, With reference to Figure 2, there is illustrated an exemplary implementation in which embodiments of the invention are described. Figure 2 illustrates, for the exemplary lmplerLntat.Lon, examples of the user devices of Figure 1.

Figure 2 illustrates a classroom including an interactive electronic whiteboard 20 which represents user device a handheld interactive device 22 representing user device #2', an interactive table 24 retresenting user device#3. and a huh device 26 with associated antenna 28 corresponding to hub device 4 illustrated as positioned on a table 30.

Interactive electronic whitehoard 20 may he implemented in any number of ways, such devices being well-known in the art. In Figure 2 the interactive electronic whi.teboard 20 is illustrated as a device having a vertically-orientated interactive display surface 40 on which images are displayed and user inputs may be detected. The interactive disoi.ay surface 40 may be a touch sensitive surtace and/or nave an underlying electromagnetic grid for detecting an electromamnetic device on the surface. The interactive display surface 40 may he an em.±ssive dislay surface and/or a surface onto which images are projected. In the arrangement of Figure 2 there is shown a project-or device 42 positioned relative to the interactive display surface 40 by a boom arm 44, for projecting images onto the display. A computer system; illustrated by reference numeral 45 in Figure 2, may be connected to the interactive electronic whiteboard 20 for control purposes.

In Figure 2 a single user 32 is illustrated as providing inputs at the surface 40, It is known in the art that multiple users may provide inputs at a surface of an interactive electronic whiteboard, and the single user 32 of Figure 2 is exemplary. A single user may also provide multiple inputs, f or example by the use of two hands to provide touch inputs.

Embodiments of the invention are not limited to any particular type of interactive whitehoard or vertical interactive surface, Handhold interactive device 22 may he implemented in any number of ways, such devices being well-known i.n the art. In Figure 2 the handhold device 22 is illustrated as a tablet device, and has an interactive display surface 42 which is an emissive display and on which images are disp].ayed and at which touch inputs can be detected. The hand.held interactive device 22 may also be a mobile telephony device.

In Figure 2 a single user 34 is illustrated as providing inputs at the surface 42. It is more typical for such a device that a single user will provide inputs. Such a device may he considered a personal device, 2 single user may also provide multiple inputs, for example by the use of two fingers to provide touch inputs.

Interactive table 24 may be implemented in any number of ways, such devices being well--known in the art. In Figure 2 the interactive table is illustrated as having a horizontally disposed interactive display surface 46 which is an emissive display and on which images are displayed and at which touch inputs can be detected, In Figure 2 two users 36 and 38 are illustrated as providing inputs at the surface 46. It is known in the art that one or more users may provide inputs at a surface of an interactive table, and the two users 36 and 38 of Figure 2 are exemplary. A single user may also provide multiple inputs, for example by the use of two hands or two fingers to provide touch inputs.

The exemplary hub device 26, for th-e purpose of the described examples, is a computing device having wireless access point functionality, to provide the wireless network hosting and control to i..low the various user devices of Figure 2 to communicate in accordance with embodiments of the invention, as described further below, However the functionality provided by the huh device 26 may be provided by one of the user devices, and a dedicated hub device is not a reouirement. For the purposes of explanation, however, a deoi,cated nub deva.ce is described, fl.e wireless network 2 provides a communication network for connecting a plurality of computing devices, comPrising in the described embodiment the user devices illustrated in Figure 2 (and Figure 1) . The communications network is established under the control of one of the computing devices, such as a dedicated hub device as illustrated in Figure 2 (arid Figure 1) where it is provided.

At least one further user device is connected to the network 2 by registering with the hub device 26, The at least one further user device may be any one of the illustrated user rjevices, Thus in order to join the wireless network 2, each user device must register with the hub device. With reference to Figure 3(a), a process at the hub device 26 for establishing t1e wireless network and registering a user device with the network is illustrated, and with reference to Figure 3 (b) a process for a user device to register with the hub is illustrated.

In a step 50 of Figure 3(a), the hub device 26 is enabled. On being enabled, as denoted by step 52 of Figure 3(a), the wireless network 2 is established. It can be noted that the hub device 26 is not* recired to be additionally connected to any other network. The purpose of the network established by the hub device is to interconnect the user devices of Figure 2 (and Figure 1).

With reference to Figure 3 (b) , in a step 51 a user device having wireless capability is swatchec on and set to aeect the presence of wireless networks as known in the art, In a step 53 it is determined whether a network is detected, if not, then the process iterates through steps 51 and 53. If a wireless network is detected3 then in a step 55 the user device sends a reauest: to join the network to the hub device.

With reference to Figure 3 (a), the hub device receives the request LO Join in a step 4.

In accordance with known techniques, the steps 51 to 55 of Figure 3(b) may be initiated manually under the control. of the user of the user device. In an alternative arrangement the steps 51 to 55 of Figure 3 (b) may occur automatically without user control. In a particular preferred embodiment, the identity of the wireless network established by the hub device 26 may include an identifier identifying the wireless network of being a certain type. The user device may be adapted to automatica.li.y look for wireless network of that type, and attempt to register with wireless networks of that type.

In a step 56 of Fiqure 3(a) and a step 57 of Figure 3(b), the hub device and the user device communicate to allow an appropriate procedure for the use device to join and/or! register with the wireless network 2, in accordance with a particular implementation. As known in the art, this may involve the user device being required to provide a password.

As known in the art the user device may have registered with the network previously, and have a prestored password, or the user may have to manually provide a password. The mechanism by which a user device connects with the wireless network is outside the scope of the present invention, On successful registration of the user device with the network, the huh device transmits an acknowledgement that the 1! request has been accepted and the user device has joined the network to the user device, as denoted by step 58 in Figure 3 (a) . As denoted by step 59 in Figure 3(b), the use device receives the acknowledgement as a conformation that it has joined the network from the hub device.

In accordance with the invention and its embodiments.

functionality is provided to allow each user device to make available content and/cr control of applications running on the user device to other user devices in the network. Each user device is associated with one or more applications, and each user device may allow access to is application by other user devices, and may access the applications of other user devices. Such access is preferably controlled, such that there are access settings associated with each application or application content which permit/restrict access, Thus, an application is run on at least one of the computing devices; and access to an application running on a device by other devices is controlled by defining access settings for each application running on each device, as will now be further described.

An example is described.

It is assumed that user device #1' , in the exemplary scenario the interactive electronic whiteboard 20 of Figure 1, is registered with the network 2. A number of applications are running on the interactive electronic whiteboard 20, under the control of the computer 46 with which it is associated. For example, two applications IEW application #1' and IE application #2' are running on the interactive electronic whiteboard 20.

With reference to Figures 4(a) and 4(b). there are illustrated tables associated with the interactive electronic whiteboard 20 and reflectIng In particular the application status of the interactive electronic whiteboard 20.

As shown in Figure 4(a) a first table 60 represents applications running on interactive electronic whiteboard itself.

In a first column 62 headed own applications' there is listed an identity of the current applications running on t:ne interactive electronic whiteboard 20, This column lists in two rows IEW application #1' and IEW application #2' In a second column 64 of the first table there is illustrated the access permissions associated with each of th interactive electronic whiteboard applications, The interactive electronic whiteboard 20 may set the access permissions according to any nuthber of criteria. For example access may he public, requiring no authorisation. Access may he restricted by password. Access may be restricted by type of device. Access may be restricted by type of user.

in a third column 66 of the first table there is illustrated the user devices that are currently provided with access to each of the applications.

In a fourth column 68 of the first table there is I liustrated the type of access that the user devices in tHe third column have. The access may, for example, be restricted to read only', or may allow control of the application.

Access to an application running on a device may allow one device to assume control of another.

As shown in Figure 4 (b) a second table 70 represents applications running on other user devices that the interactive electronic whiteboard has been granted access to.

In a first column 72 headed shared applications' there is listed an identity of the current applications running on other user devices and to which the interactive electronic whiteboard 20 has access.

ifl a second column 74 of the secon.d table there is illustrated the identities of the user device associated with each of the shared applications for the interactive electronic whitehoard 20.

In a third column 76 of the second table there is illustrated the type of access which the interactive electronic whiteboard 20 is permitted for each application.

The access may, for example, be restricted to read on.iy, or may allow control of the application.

It will he understood that each user device connected to the wireless network will typically have tables as shown associated in Figure 4 (a) and 4 (h) associated therewith.

Whilst the exact cables shown may not he provided, functionality consistent with these tables will he provided.

The-creation and management of exemplary tables as shown in Figures 4 (a) and 4 (h) is now further described with reference to igures 5a) and Hb) It is assumed that each of the user devices shown in Figure 2 is present in vicinity of the network and connected to the network. Figure 5a) illustrates the process, once registered with the network, associated with accessing applications running on devices in the net-wo from the perspective of a user device requesting access. Figure 5(b) illustrates the process from the perspective of a user device running the application to which access is requested.

In a step 80 of Figure 5 (a) , following registration in the network, the user device receives a list of devices connected in. the network and applications running on those devices which are available for access. In a preferred arrangement the huh device stores a mirror of the tables of Figures 4(a) and 4 (ID) of each user device, and provides the list to of availability devices and applications based on the

mirrored tables.

Preferably the information provided to a user device also includes the access information associated with each aplication. In one embodiment the hub device provides a list of all the applications on all. the devices to the user devices. In other embodiments the hub device may only provide a list of the applications to which a user device receiving the list has access.

Preferably the information provided to a user device also includes the type of access permitted.

In a step 82 of Figure 5(b) , the user device then selects a desired application. In a typical implementation, the selection will take place by a user selecting the application from a list or information displayed in a user interface of the user device.

In a step 81 of Figure 5(b) a user device on which an application. is running, which may be referred to as a host device monitors for requests to access the application. It is assumed for this example the user device associated with the process of Figure 5(a) selects in step 82 an application which is running on a -user device associated with the process of Figure 5 (b) , a request for access to which is received in step 83.

In a step 85 of Figure 5(h), the host device determined whether the application to which access is requested has access setting such that access is public, i.e. unrestricted.

If so, then access is allowed in step 87.

If access is not public, then in a step 89 of Figure 5(b) it is determined whether access to the application is allowed for devices of a particular type or characteristic. If so, and the device making the request meets the characteristic, then access is allowed in step 87, If access is not determined based on a device type or characteristic, or if the device making the request is not of the correct type or does not possess the correct carcter1sttn, in step 93 of Fiqure 5(b) it is determined whether access is password protected.

If so, then in step 95 of Figure 5 (b) the host device transmits a request f or the password to the requesting device.

In a step 84 of Figure 5 (a) , the requesting device determine that a request for a password has been received, and then in step 86 transmits a password.

In a step 97 of Figure 5(b) the host device determines if the requesting device has transmitted a password. If so, then in step 99 it is determined whether the password is correct.

If so, the process in the host device in Figure 5 (b) progresses to step 87, and if not the process progresses to step 101.

If in step 93 it is determined that the application i not associated with password access, then the process in the host device moves on to step 101.

In step 101 it is determined to reject the access request. In step 57 it is determined to allow the access request. Following either of steps 101 and 87 the process in the host device proceed in Figure 5 (h) to step 103, and a notification concerning the request is transmitted to the reoiiestina device. If the request has been allowed, followthg step 87 the host device also updates its own applications table, corresponding to Figure 4(a).

In step 88 of FigureS (a), the requesting device awaits notification from the host device? and upon receipt in step determines if the request has been allowed. If the request has been allowed, the requestino device updates its shared applications table, corresponding to Fig**urc 4(b). If the request is not allowed, then following step 90 in Figure 5 (a) the process in the requesting device is terminated in step 92, The process described with reference to Figures 5 (a) and (b) may be dpandc, with each use.r device receiving updates information as other user devices open and close applications, A user device nay receive a list of current available applications by sending a request to the hub device, the selection of a further application at any time following the process described hereinabove.

in the event that any change is made to a table of any user device corresponding to the table so Figure 4 (a) and 4 (b) , the user device preferably transmits an. update message to the hub device to notify the hub device of the change.

When a user device is first connected in the network, a list of applications running on the user device is provided to the hub device so as it may be made available to the other user devices.

Figure 6(a) illustrates an exemplary architecture of a hub device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, such as huh device 4 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 (b) illustrates an exemplary architecture of a user device i.n accordance with an embodiment of the invention, such as one of the user devices Ga, 6b, Sc of Fiqure 1.

In the foregoing embodiment there has been described an arrangement in which a distinct huh is provided. This is described for illustration purposes, and in other embodiments a distinct huh is not provided. The functionality of the huh may he provided in a user device, or may be distributed between multiple user devices. In a particular embodiment the functionality of the hub may be dynamic, being provided by different user devices at difi.erent times, and/cr spread amongst different user devices at different times. In practice the function of the hub may be achieved by a server, and the operation of the server may be provided on one user device or distributed on several user devices, In the foregoing embodiment an arrangement is described in which applications are associated with the physical user devices with which the: are assisted. This is achieved, in the foregoing embodiment, by the use of tables associated with individual user devices. In practice, such an association may be onerous.

In general, an application which may be controlled or accessed by one or more users may be termed an object, and control of the application or object may he termed a session.

In an alternative embodiment the object nay be hidden or not hidden on the server, The sess ion which controls the object can he moved between user devices. For example..c if a current host leaves the classroom, and hence the wireless area, another user device may take responsibility for hosting the session i.e. the session moves to another user device. In such a scenario, each session has a unique identifier which identifies which user device is currently the host for the session, This may involve the user device that is leaving sending a message to the network requesting another user device to assume responsibility for the session. When a user device is to leave a classroom, for example, whichever user device within the classroom that receives and responds to the messaqe tray tak the sessic" over for the device that i Paving However the defaulc operation may be that the Session will die' . The message from a user device that a user device is leavin.g may go to all user devices, those user devices that have access to the session or one particular user device according to implementation requirements. For exanple, there may he master server within the network which will receive the message. This master server may define rules for the session.

S These rules may state that a user device should always pass on a session to the next available server, In a preferred embodiment, a master user device for a session is the user device which currently hosts the session, so the master user devices are distributed. When a user device leaves, the rules for that user device may determine the user device to which the session is to be transferred.

A current host device has the ability to change the rules. The rules may define any characteristics of the session.

The server does not have to be a host device, The functionality of a server session and a user device are preferably separated.

In a preferred embodiment the servers may have the ability to see each other, but sessions may not. Sessions can only be exchanged from one user device to another is access riqhts permit such, Sessions can he hierarchical, Sessions are an efficient way to keep connection of user devices managed and manage the joining of existing devices.

In embodiments, there may be provided multimle sessions for eacri.-ser, wt-thtterent access lee,s Lox eacri. user Figures 7 and 8 describe a further embodiment of the invention consistent with the foregoing. However one skilled in the art will appreciate- the implementation of the invention may be achieved in a number of ways.

With reference to Figure 7, in this illustrative example there are three user devices Ga, Gb, Gc labelled user device #1', user device #2', and user device #3'. Each user device potentially has one or more applications associated with it.

The applications may be any software which can run on the device, including software which controls an interactive whiteboard. In the example shown, the first user device 6a has one application termed appi 1' denoted by reference numeral la, the second user device 6b has two applications app 2' and app 4' denoted by reference numerals lb and ld, and the third user device 6c has one application appl 3' denoted by reference numeral ic.

In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, each user device is the host for the session associated with an application (object) running on that user device, and has a table which defines the access parameters for that application. In addition, the table for each user device defines the permissions for that user device to access objects of other user devices. This is illustrated in Figure 8 with example to the user device #2, denoted by reference numeral Sb.

Figure 8 shows an exemplary table for the second user device 6b. It can be seen that the table has headings object', session host', user(s)', and type of access'. The object' column lists every application to which that user device has access. There may be other applications in the network, but only those applications are listed to which the user device has access. For each application or object, the session host' column defines the user device which is the host for that object. In accordance with this embodiment, the host will be the user device on which the application is rwrning. The user(s)' column defines those user devices which are associated with that application, and the type of access' column defines what type of access is permitted for that user.

As shown, the type of access may vary, and will be determined by the access requested and the host device. For example, only one device may have full control. of an application at any time, and once full control is given any further user device requesting access is given only road--only rights.

The type of access may be more sophisticated. For example, the type of access may define tha a user device is allowed full access once full access is completed by another device. The type of access may define that full access is given to another device once full access is completed by another device. The type of access may also define sendinq messages to user devices to advise that a type of access for the user is changed or become available.

An important aspect of the present invention is that rules are defined within a session-for an object. These rules may be reflected in the type of access' column.

A user device oreferably periodically broadcasts its presence. At the same time, a user device listens for broadcast messages. Ihis allows user devices to join networks and sessions, and for sessions to be created, without specific requests to establish sessions. When a user device first joins a network, the user may be provided with a list of objects which it can request an association with. The implementation of this will be system specific.

The invention is described herein in the context of the system architecture decr.bed in the foregoing. Whilst the invention may be advantageously implemented in such a system architecture, the invention is not limited to such an architecture. Whilst the system architecture described in the foregoing provides a particularly advantageous architecture in which to implement tite invention and maximise the benefits associated with the invention, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may he implemented using other system architectures which allow for cormunication between devices as required by this invention and set out in the

following description.

Embodiments of the invention concern the implementation of active links to third party content embedded in the content of an electronic or digital book (an Sebook;) The link is preferably included in the authoring of the content.

An electronic or digital book offers consumers the ability to interact with content with the promise, in an educational environment, of a richer study experience, These books tend to reside in silos, with little opportunity for collaboration, and data analysis is restricted.

For example, a handheld user dev$.ce such as device 22 of Figure 2 may have an ehook application; and content comprising ebooks. The ehook application is used to read the ebook content. The hand held user device 22 is preferably able to download ebooks via network access, such as access to the Internet.

In accordance with the invention, an ehook is authored with active links to content which might reside external to the ehook itself. In a particular preferred example, the content is provided by one of the other user devices connected in the network 2.. when a user reads the ebook on the handheld user device 2 associated with certain displayed content will he an active link. On selection of the active link some additional content relevant to the displayed content is displayed on the user device, ad cans content may be occainec by following the link to a further device, and receiving the content from the further device. "2

A particular non--limiting example is now described with reference to Figure 9.

In a step 200 a teacher device transmits to a student device, preferably a plurality of student devices In a classroom, an shook related to a homework exercise. The ebook includes active links to third party content. The third party content may also be transmitted with the chock to the student devices.

In a step 202 the student device receives the homework assignment ebook, and also receives the interactive content if transmitted.

In a step 204 the student carries out the homework assignment on their user device. This will involve selecting active links at certain points in the chock, and receiving additional content on selection of those active links either by accessing the interactive content provided by the teacher with the ebook, or by accessing such content via a network such as the Internet, If the student homework assignment is alternatively a classroom assignment, then the interactive con-tent may he accessed via one of the other user devices In the network 2 or other network.

In addition, the interactive nature of the content typically may require the user to provide content which is captured by the user device in an anplication associated with the interactive content, and separate to the ehook itself.

In a step 206 the student device, after completion of the homework assignment, transmits the completed interactive session to the teacher device, In a step 208, the interactive content provided by the student user may be analysed. The analysis of the data may be used to identify weaknesses which the student needs to address, and store statistical information.

This process therefore advantageously enables self--paced learning -Art exemplary implementation is in a classroom environment where school children are learning about dinosaurs for example -Each student has a user device on which ±5 running an ebook with pictures of dinosaurs. The ebook includes at least one active link, upon selection of which the student is invited to draw their own dinosaur. On completion of the interactive task, the dinosaur picture is transmitted to a central user device, such as the electronic interactive wn±teboard 20, together with dinosaur drawings from other student user devices. All the drawings may then he displayed on the display 40. In a further extension of-t-e interactive nature of the exercise, the students may be then invited to use their user devices to vote for the best dinosaur drawing.

In the foregoinc, it is mentioned that in carrying out a homework exercise a user device may collaborate with another user device in a network, If the rule defines such, however, a user device may collaborate with another user device in a network within the Internet, For example, the rules associated with a homework application provided to a user device by a teacher device may define additional user device which a given user device may collaborate. These additional user devices may be the user device of other students in the class group. The teacher may define the entire class group or users within the class group to collaborate with a user device. Outside of the classroom, a current user device and additional user devices may only be accessible by the Internet. A teacher device may set a rule which allows a user to ccl..lahorate with another user deice via the Internet without providing general access to the Internet.

The user device may be able to collaborate via the Inter*-*ret to particular user devices and only those user devices via the internet. Thus a user device may be provided with a white list' of other user devices defined by the teacher device. The invention thus provides a private or dedicated communication $ mechanism on a public network.

The invention provides a user device to run two applications simultaneously: an eBook application and interactive application. If the interactive application determines that a current esook is too simplistic or advanced for a user, which can be determined by the interactive session, a follow-up eBook for the user may be more advanced or simplistic.

When accessing an eaook, the content provided by an interactive link can vary according to the level of ability or interest of the user. Thus multiple users in the same class room may receive the same homework, including the same eBook, but the interactive links provided in that esook may link to different content according to ability.

This can be partly described by reference to the following Figures.

In Figure 10, there is shown a teacher 100 distributing a lesson comprising an esook to each of three students, student #1, student #2, student #3, denoted by reference numerals 104a, 104b, lO4c. The distribution of the eBook is illustrated by reference numeral 106. Each student receives the same book

in this example.

Each student additionally receives the identity of an interactive session from the teacher, which the teacher distributes according to their abilities. The first student lO4a receives instruction for a first session seas #1', and the second and third students receive instructions for a second session sess #2'.

The carrying outaf the interactive learnina session by the first student is illustrated in Figure 11. A first page 1 0 of the ePook is read, and then as denoted by arrow 104 a second page 106 of the eBook is read. On page 2 of the eBook the user is provided with interactive content as denoted by reference numeral 108, The interactive content may be associated with the content of the book, and may for exampi.e test the user's understanding of the topic described in the eBook.

Responsive to a user selecting the interactive content 108, the application running the esook may generate a message session' which is sent to the interactive application to start an interactive application. In accordance with the instruction from the teacher, the session started is sess #1' . On termination of the interactive session, the interactive application rruy return an tend' message to the application running the eBook, and the esook application will continue.

As denoted in Figure 11, this may result as denoted by the arrow 116 of a further page 118 of the eBook being displayed.

The carrying out of the interactive learning session by the second student is illustrated in Figure 12, A first page of the eBook is read, and then as denoted by arrow 104 a second page lOG of the eaook is read. This is consistent with the arrangement of Figure 11, and all user devices carrying out the homework.

On page 2 of the eBook the user is provided with ne"active content as denoted by reference numeral 108 The interactive content may be associated with the content of the book, and may for example test the user's understanding of the topic described in the eBook, This again is consistent with Figure 1:i.

Responsive to a user selecting the interactive content 108, the application running the eBook may generate a message session' which is sent to the interactive anpilcation fl start an interactive application. Again, this is consistent with Figure 11..

In accordance with the instruction from the teacher. the session started is sess #2' however, The second user thus carries out an interactive session which is different from the first stunt, On termination of the interactive session, the interactive application may return an end' message to the application running the eBook, and the cRook apoi.icatjon will iS continue. As denoted in Figure 12, this may result as denoted by the arrow 116 of a further page 118 of the cRook being displayed. The operation after the interactive session is consistent with Figure 11.

Thus the arrangement of Figures 10 to 12 sF.ows how two students may access and use the same cRook, hut the interactive content of each student may differ.

Where the student devices are enabled to interact collaborative.ly, as discussed hereinabcve, the interactive session enabled may define ruies wrich determine which other user devices may be collaborated with, and the nature at such collaboration.

There has thus been described a collaborative interactive system in accordance with various embodiments. One skilled in the art will appreciate that different aspects of different embodiments may be conthined in order to achieve the present invention. The present invention is not limited to aspects of the foregoing embodiments as set out. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may he implemented in different ways. The protection afforded by the present invention is set out in the appended claims. c i0

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A method of presenting content, comprising: a first application facilitating the display of a set of content, at least part of the content being associated with a link to a second application, wherein on selection of the link, the second application is enabled and content associated with the second application is displayed.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first application is an application for displaying an electronic book, and the content is a story of an electronic book.
3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the second application is an application for running interactive content, and the interactive content is associated with content at which the link is displayed.
4. The method of any preceding claim wherein the inputs provided in the interactive session associated with the running of the interactive application are recorded by a third application.
5. The method of any preceding claim wherein the inputs provided in the interactive session associated with the running of the interactive application are stored in a database.
6. The method of any preceding claim wherein the first application is associated a first user device and the second application is associated with a second user device. 2.
7. The method of any preceding claim further comprising controlling access to one or more of the first and second applicaticms by any other device.
8, The method according to any preceding claim wherein the access to any application is determined by rules for said application.
9. A method for providing interactive content, comprising: establishing a network under the control of a computing device; connecting at least one further device to the network by registering with the hub device; running an application on at least one oi tie computing device, which application presents content to the user of the device; and displaying a link in association with at least part of said content1 wherein on selection of. said link by the user, the application establishes a communication session with an application running on another device, wherein the application running on the other device is an interactive application, the step of establishing a communication session comprising controlling access to an application running on a device by other devices by defining an access settings for each application running on each device.
10. A device presenting content, said device adapted to provide a first application facilitating the display of a set of content at least part of the content being associated with a link to a second application, wherein on selection of the link, the second application is enabled and content associated with the second application is displayed.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein the first application is an application for displaying an electronic book, and the content is a story of an electronic book.
12. The device of claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the second application is an application for running interactive content.and the interactive content is associated with content at which the link is displayed.
13. The device of any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein the inputs provided in the interactive session associated with the running of the interactive application are recorded by a third application.
14. The device of any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein the inputs provided in the interactive session associated with the running of the interactive application are stored in a database.
15. The device of any one of claims 10 to 14 wherein the first application is associated a first user device and the second application is associated with a second user device.
16. The device of any one of claims 10 to 15 further comprising controlling access to one or more of the first and second applications by any other device.
17. The device according to claims 10 to 16 wherein the access to any application is determined by rules for said application.
18. A system for providing interactive content, the system adapted to: establish a network under the control of a computing device; connect at least one further device to the network by registering with the hub device; run an application on at least one of the computing device, which application presents content to the user of the device; and display a link in association with at least part of said content, wherein on selection of said link by the user, the application establishes a communication session with an application running on another device, wherein the application running on the other device is an interactive application, wherein to establish a communication session comprises controlling access to an application running on a device by other devices by defining an access settings for each application running on each device.