WO2003094040A1

WO2003094040A1 - Ebook hyperlink editor

Info

Publication number: WO2003094040A1
Application number: PCT/US2003/013550
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carolynn Rae Johnson
Original assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
Priority date: 2002-05-03
Filing date: 2003-05-01
Publication date: 2003-11-13
Also published as: AU2003228790A1

Abstract

An Ebook includes a memory device, a display, and a hyperlink editor. The memory device stores files. The files include text. The display displays the text. The hyperlink editor creates hyperlinks within the text in accordance with inputs provided by an Ebook user.

Description

EBOOK HYPERLINK EDITOR

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional application claiming the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of non-provisional application Serial No. 10/139,101 , entitled "EBOOK HYPERLINK EDITOR ", filed on 03 MAY 2002, which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to electronic books (Ebooks) and, more particularly, to an Ebook hyperlink editor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An electronic book (also referred to as an "Ebook") is an electronic version of a traditional print book (or other printed material such as, for example, a magazine, newspaper, and so forth) that can be read by using a personal computer or by using an Ebook reader.

Commercial applications of Ebooks are being considered for any profession in which a person frequently refers to technical manuals or other similar printed documents. Users of this type of printed document often create their own cross-references within or between documents by adding notes to the margin to refer to another specific section, so that they can easily refer to related sections of text.

Conventional Ebooks allow a publisher of Ebook content to specify hyperlinks in that content that allow an Ebook user to jump from one section of a document to another section of the document, such as from a Table of Contents to a section heading. However, conventional Ebooks do not include a feature or function that allows an Ebook user to create a cross reference between two sections of one document or two sections of separate documents, aside from adding notes to a page instructing the reader to refer to another section of the document. Accordingly, it would be desirable and highly advantageous to have an Ebook that allows an Ebook user to add his or her own hyperlinks to Ebook content.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The problems stated above, as well as other related problems of the prior art, are solved by the present invention, an Ebook hyperlink editor and a method for using an Ebook having a hyperlink editor.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an Ebook that includes a memory device, a display, and a hyperlink editor. The memory device stores files. The files include text. The display displays the text. The hyperlink editor creates hyperlinks within the text in accordance with inputs provided by an Ebook user.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for using an Ebook. At least one file is stored in the Ebook. The at least one file includes text. The text is displayed. A hyperlink is created within the text in accordance with inputs provided by an Ebook user.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a computer system 100 to which the present invention may be applied, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an Ebook 200, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and FIGs. 3A and 3B are flow diagrams illustrating a method for using an Ebook having a hyperlink editor, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an Ebook hyperlink editor and a method for using an Ebook having a hyperlink editor. The Ebook hyperlink editor allows an Ebook user to add his or her own hyperlinks to documents for easy reference between, for example, two sections of one document or between two sections of separate documents. As used herein, the term "hyperlink" refers to a selectable connection from a word, sentence, paragraph, section, chapter, graphic, and so forth to another word, sentence, paragraph, section, chapter, graphic, and so forth. It is to be appreciated that the term "hyperlink" equally applies to plural versions of the preceding (e.g., words, sentences, paragraphs, sections, chapters, graphics, and so forth). The connection may be the actual word, sentence, paragraph, section, chapter, graphic, and so forth. As used herein, the originating item is referred to as the "anchor" and the item to which the connection ultimately arrives is referred to as the "target". It is to be further appreciated that any convention/indication may be used to identify the connection, including underlining, italicizing, bolding, color, font, font size, graphics, and so forth. Moreover, the anchor and the target need not be of the same type (e.g., for a given hyperlink, the anchor could be a word and the target could be a paragraph). It is to be understood that the present invention may be implemented in various forms of hardware, software, firmware, special purpose processors, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the present invention is implemented as a combination of hardware and software. Moreover, the software is preferably implemented as an application program tangibly embodied on a program storage device. The application program may be uploaded to, and executed by, a machine comprising any suitable architecture. Preferably, the machine is implemented on a computer platform having hardware such as one or more central processing units (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), and input/output (I/O) interface(s). The computer platform also includes an operating system and microinstruction code. The various processes and functions described herein may either be part of the microinstruction code or part of the application program (or a combination thereof) which is executed via the operating system. In addition, various other peripheral devices may be connected to the computer platform such as an additional data storage device and a printing device. It is to be further understood that, because some of the constituent system components and method steps depicted in the accompanying Figures are preferably implemented in software, the actual connections between the system components (or the process steps) may differ depending upon the manner in which the present invention is programmed. Given the teachings herein, one of ordinary skill in the related art will be able to contemplate these and similar implementations or configurations of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a computer system 100 to which the present invention may be applied, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The computer processing system 100 includes at least one processor (CPU) 102 operatively coupled to other components via a system bus 104. A read only memory (ROM) 106, a random access memory (RAM) 108, a display adapter 110, an I/O adapter 112, and a user interface adapter 114 are operatively coupled to the system bus 104.

A display device 116 is operatively coupled to system bus 104 by display adapter 110. A disk storage device (e.g., a magnetic or optical disk storage device) 118 is operatively coupled to system bus 104 by I/O adapter 112.

A mouse 120 and keyboard 122 are operatively coupled to system bus 104 by user interface adapter 114. The mouse 120 and keyboard 122 are used to input and output information to and from system 100.

The computer system 100 further includes a hyperlink editor 199. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an Ebook 200, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The Ebook 200 includes the following elements interconnected by bus 201 : at least one memory device (hereinafter "memory device" 230); at least one processor (hereinafter "processor" 240); a user input device 250 (e.g., keyboard, keypad, touch sensitive input device, and/or remote control); a display 260; and a hyperlink editor 299. It is to be appreciated that a touch sensitive input device may be incorporated into display 260. It is to be further appreciated that as used herein the term "Ebook" refers to either a standalone Ebook device (e.g., Ebook 200) or an Ebook included in a computer system (e.g., computer system 100). FIGs. 3A and 3B are flow diagrams illustrating a method for using an Ebook having a hyperlink editor, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. It is to be appreciated that any of the following steps of the method of FIGs. 3A and 3B that correspond to an Ebook user providing an input or other information to the Ebook, that correspond to the Ebook providing or requesting information to the Ebook user, and/or that correspond to a request made to or from the Ebook user may employ prompts, menus, and so forth.

One or more files (hereinafter "file") are input into the Ebook (step 305). The file includes at least text. The file may be provided via a memory device (e.g., floppy disk, compact disk, flash memory, and so forth), downloaded from the Internet, and/or through any other means. The file is then stored in the Ebook (step 310). It is to be appreciated that the terms "file" and "document" are used interchangeably herein. However, it is to be further appreciated that a single file may contain more than one document.

The text included in the file is displayed on the Ebook (step 312).

A selection of the hyperlink editor is received (step 315). The selection may be made by simply pressing a button, using a mouse, using one or more menus, and so forth. For example, the hyperlink editor may be listed as one of the items in the annotation menu typically found on many Ebooks.

An anchor selection request is displayed on the Ebook for the Ebook user to select an anchor for a hyperlink (step 320). A first input is received that corresponds to the anchor selection request and that specifies the anchor for a hyperlink (step 325).

An anchor confirmation request is displayed on the Ebook that requests a confirmation of the anchor specified at step 325 (step 330). A second input is received that corresponds to the anchor confirmation request and that either confirms or rejects the anchor (step 335). It is then determined whether the second input was a confirmation or a rejection (step 340). If the second input was a rejection, then the method returns to step 320. However, if the second input was a confirmation, then the method proceeds to step 345.

At step 345, a "Go To Target" screen is displayed which allows the user to jump to a page in a currently opened document (i.e., the document in which the anchor occurs) or to open another document. As an example, the "Go To Target" screen may allow a user to go to a page in the currently opened document by providing a list of page links that link the user to any of the pages in the currently opened document upon the Ebook user clicking on any of the page links. Moreover, the "Go To Target" screen may allow a user to go to a page in another document currently stored in the Ebook by providing a list of document links that link the user to any of the other documents. Given the teachings of the present invention provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the related art will contemplate these and various other ways in which an Ebook user can jump to another page in a currently opened document or in which the Ebook user can open another document, while maintaining the spirit and scope of the present invention. A navigation input is received that brings the user to document or page in which the target occurs (step 347). Preferably, the navigation input corresponds to the "Go To Target" screen. It is to be appreciated that the third input, as well as any of the other inputs of the method of FIGs. 3A and 3B, may include one or more inputs that are necessary to perform the corresponding task.

A target selection request is displayed on the Ebook for the Ebook user to select a target for the hyperlink (step 349). A third input is received that corresponds to the target selection request and that specifies the target for the hyperlink (step 350).

A target confirmation request is displayed on the Ebook that requests a confirmation of the target specified at step 350 (step 355). A fourth input is received that corresponds to the target confirmation request and that either confirms or rejects the target (step 360). It is then determined whether the fourth input was a confirmation or a rejection (step 365). If the fourth input was a rejection, then the method returns to step 345. However, if the fourth input was a confirmation, then the method proceeds to step 370.

At step 370, the anchor and, optionally the target, are marked with a link indicator(s), and the anchor and the target are hereinafter associated together as a hyperlink (i.e., the hyperlink is created). The link indicator includes, but is not limited to, underlining, bolding, and/or italicizing the anchor and target, changing the font and/or font size, inserting one or more graphics, marking one or more existing graphics, and so forth. A custom hyperlink summary is displayed that includes the texts that are linked together (i.e., the anchor and the target) (step 375). It is to be appreciated that the custom hyperlink summary may be invoked only when a new hyperlink is created, under other circumstances, and/or at any time. Preferably, the custom hyperlink summary is invoked when a new hyperlink is created as well as by user command at any time. A fifth input may be received while the custom hyperlink summary is being displayed to edit, move, delete, and/or rename any of the hyperlinks listed in the customer hyperlink summary (step 380). A sixth input is received corresponding to a termination of the custom hyperlink summary (step 385), and the customer hyperlink summary is closed and a return is made to the anchor text in response to the sixth input (step 390). Accordingly, the Ebook user may simply click on the link indicator associated with the anchor to be transferred to the target.

Thus, it is to be appreciated that subsequent to the creation of a hyperlink, an Ebook user may attempt to use that hyperlink. Accordingly, a seventh input may be received that corresponds to a selection of a previously created hyperlink (step 392). However, in some circumstances, the previously created hyperlink may no longer be valid. For example, the file or document that includes the target of the previously created hyperlink may have been removed from the Ebook, and so forth. Thus, upon the receipt of an input (i.e., the seventh input) that selects a previously created hyperlink, it is determined whether the previously selected hyperlink is valid (step 394). If so, then the Ebook user is transferred to the target of the previously created hyperlink (step 396). Otherwise, the Ebook user is informed that the previously created hyperlink is invalid (by an error panel or other visual means and/or through sound (e.g., a beep, etc.)) and the user is provided with an option to delete the previously created hyperlink (step 398). Accordingly, an eighth input is likely received from the Ebook user that deletes the previously created hyperlink (step 399).

Although the illustrative embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. AH such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An Ebook, comprising: a memory device for storing files, the files including text; a display for displaying the text; and a hyperlink editor for creating hyperlinks within the text in accordance with inputs provided by a user.

2. The Ebook of claim 1 , wherein the inputs comprise an anchor selection input that specifies an anchor for a hyperlink and a target selection input that specifies a target for the hyperlink.

3. The Ebook of claim 2, wherein the inputs further comprise an anchor confirmation input for confirming whether the anchor selection input is correct and a target confirmation input for confirming whether the target selection input is correct.

4. The Ebook of claim 1 , wherein each of the hyperlinks comprises an anchor and a target, and said display displays, for each of the hyperlinks, a hyperlink indicator with respect to the anchor and the target.

5. The Ebook of claim 1 , wherein each of the hyperlinks comprises an anchor and a target, and said display displays a customer hyperlink summary that specifies, at the least, the anchor and the target of a newly created hyperlink.

6. The Ebook of claim 1 , wherein each of the hyperlinks comprises an anchor and a target, and said display displays a customer hyperlink summary that specifies, at the least, the anchor and the target of each of the hyperlinks.

7. The Ebook of claim 1 , wherein said hyperlink editor has a capability of at least one of editing, moving, deleting, and renaming any of the hyperlinks.

8. The Ebook of claim 1 , wherein said display displays a list of the hyperlinks created by the user, and said hyperlink editor has a capability of editing, moving, deleting, and renaming any of the hyperlinks.

9. The Ebook of claim 1 , wherein said display displays a screen that allows the user to jump to a page in a currently opened document or to another document.

10. The Ebook of claim 9, wherein the screen includes at least one of page links for linking to any pages of the currently opened document and document links for linking to any other documents currently stored in the Ebook.

11. The Ebook of claim 1 , wherein said hyperlink editor receives a selection input that specifies a selection of a previously created hyperlink, determines whether the previously created hyperlink is valid, and informs the user when the previously created hyperlink is determined to not be valid.

12. The Ebook of claim 11 , wherein said hyperlink editor provides the user with an option to the delete the previously created hyperlink, when the previously created hyperlink is determined to not be valid.

13. A method for using an Ebook, comprising the steps of: storing at least one file in the Ebook, the at least one file including text; displaying the text; and creating a hyperlink within the text in accordance with inputs provided by a user.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said creating step comprises the steps of: receiving an anchor selection input that specifies an anchor for a hyperlink; and receiving a target selection input that specifies a target for the hyperlink.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of: receiving an anchor confirmation input for confirming whether the anchor selection input is correct; and receiving a target confirmation input for confirming whether the target selection input is correct.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein each of the hyperlinks comprises an anchor and a target, and said creating step comprises the step of displaying a hyperlink indicator with respect to the anchor and the target.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein each of the hyperlinks comprises an anchor and a target, and said method further comprises the step of displaying a customer hyperlink summary that specifies, at the least, the anchor and the target of a newly created hyperlink.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein each of the hyperlinks comprises an anchor and a target, and said method further comprises the step of displaying a customer hyperlink summary that specifies, at the least, the anchor and the target of each of the hyperlinks.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of at least one of editing, moving, deleting, and renaming any of the hyperlinks.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of: displaying a list of the hyperlinks; and at least one of editing, moving, deleting, and renaming any of the hyperlinks in the list.

21. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of displaying a screen that allows the user to jump to a page in a currently opened document or to another document.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the screen includes at least one of page links for linking to any pages of the currently opened document and document links for linking to any other documents currently stored in the Ebook.

23. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of: receiving a selection input that specifies a selection of a previously created hyperlink; determining whether the previously created hyperlink is valid; and informing the user when the previously created hyperlink is determined to not be valid.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of providing the user with an option to the delete the previously created hyperlink, when the previously created hyperlink is determined to not be valid.