WO2010112951A1

WO2010112951A1 - Method and apparatus for creating a user compendium for an electronic book

Info

Publication number: WO2010112951A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/005160
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Dam Nielsen; Christian Rossing Kraft
Original assignee: Nokia Inc
Current assignee: Nokia Inc
Priority date: 2009-04-02
Filing date: 2009-04-02
Publication date: 2010-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 2011-10-02

Abstract

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus, comprising a processor configured to receive a user selection associated with at least a portion of an electronic book and store the user selection in a user compendium. The apparatus further comprises a user interface configured to display the user compendium.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING A USER COMPENDIUM FOR AN ELECTRONIC BOOK

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to creating a user compendium for an electronic book.

BACKGROUND

An electronic device has a user interface to use applications. Further, there may be different types of user interfaces. The electronic device facilitates application use using these different types of user interfaces.

SUMMARY

Various aspects of examples of the invention are set out in the claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an apparatus comprises a processor configured to receive a user selection associated with at least a portion of an electronic book and store the user selection in a user compendium. The apparatus further comprises a user interface configured to display the user compendium.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method comprises receiving a user selection associated with at least a portion of an electronic book. The method further comprises storing the user selection in a user compendium. Further, the method comprises displaying the user compendium based at least in part on the user selection. According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method comprises determining statistics associated with a user compendium for an electronic book. The method further comprises displaying the statistics.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method comprises creating a bookmark based at least in part on a trigger. The method further comprises displaying the bookmark.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of example embodiments of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a block diagram depicting an electronic device operating in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a block diagram depicting an electronic device for using an electronic book in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 3 is a block diagram depicting an electronic book operating in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a block diagram depicting an electronic book displaying a user compendium operating in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 5 is a block diagram depicting an electronic book displaying statistics operating in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; and

FIGURE 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for displaying a user compendium in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTON OF THE DRAWINGS

An example embodiment of the present invention and its potential advantages are understood by referring to FIGURES 1 through 6 of the drawings.

FIGURE 1 is a block diagram depicting an electronic device 100 operating in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. In an example embodiment, an electronic device 100 comprises at least one antenna 12 in communication with a transmitter 14, a receiver 16, and/or the like. The electronic device 100 may further comprise a processor 20 or other processing component. In an example embodiment, the electronic device 100 may comprises multiple processors, such as processor 20. The processor 20 may provide at least one signal to the transmitter 14 and may receive at least one signal from the receiver 16. In an embodiment, the electronic device 100 may also comprise a user interface comprising one or more input or output devices, such as a conventional earphone or speaker 24, a ringer 22, a microphone 26, a display 28, and/or the like. In an embodiment, an input device 30 comprises a mouse, a touch screen interface, a pointer, and/or the like. In an embodiment, the one or more output devices of the user interface may be coupled to the processor 20. In an example embodiment, the display 28 is a touch screen, a liquid crystal display, an electronic ink, and/or the like.

In an embodiment, the electronic device 100 may also comprise a battery 34, such as a vibrating battery pack, for powering various circuits to operate the electronic device 100. Further, the vibrating battery pack may also provide mechanical vibration as a detectable output. In an embodiment, the electronic device 100 may further comprise a user identity module (UIM) 38. In one embodiment, the UIM 38 may be a memory device comprising a processor. The UIM 38 may comprise, for example, a subscriber identity module (SIM), a universal integrated circuit card (UICC), a universal subscriber identity module (USIM), a removable user identity module (R- UDVI), and/or the like. Further, the UIM 38 may store one or more information elements related to a subscriber, such as a mobile subscriber. In an embodiment, the electronic device 100 may comprise memory. For example, the electronic device 100 may comprise volatile memory 40, such as random access memory (RAM). Volatile memory 40 may comprise a cache area for the temporary storage of data. Further, the electronic device 100 may also comprise non-volatile memory 42, which may be embedded and/or may be removable. The non-volatile memory 42 may also comprise an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, and/or the like. In an alternative embodiment, the processor 20 may comprise memory. For example, the processor 20 may comprise volatile memory 40, non- volatile memory 42, and/or the like.

In an embodiment, the electronic device 100 may use memory to store any of a number of pieces of information and/or data to implement one or more features of the electronic device 100. Further, the memory may comprise an identifier, such as international mobile equipment identification (IMEI) code, capable of uniquely identifying the electronic device 100. The memory may store one or more instructions for determining cellular identification information based at least in part on the identifier. For example, the processor 20, using the stored instructions, may determine an identity, e.g., cell id identity or cell id information, of a communication with the electronic device 100.

In an embodiment, the processor 20 of the electronic device 100 may comprise circuitry for implementing audio feature, logic features, and/or the like. For example, the processor 20 may comprise a digital signal processor device, a microprocessor device, a digital to analog converter, other support circuits, and/or the like. In an embodiment, control and signal processing features of the processor 20 may be allocated between devices, such as the devices describe above, according to their respective capabilities. Further, the processor 20 may also comprise an internal voice coder and/or an internal data modem. Further still, the processor 20 may comprise features to operate one or more software programs. For example, the processor 20 may be capable of operating a software program for connectivity, such as a conventional Internet browser. Further, the connectivity program may allow the electronic device 100 to transmit and receive Internet content, such as location-based content, other web page content, and/or the like. In an embodiment, the electronic device 100 may use a wireless application protocol (WAP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), file transfer protocol (FTP) and/or the like to transmit and/or receive the Internet content.

In an embodiment, the electronic device 100 may be capable of operating in accordance with any of a number of a first generation communication protocol, a second generation communication protocol, a third generation communication protocol, a fourth generation communication protocol, and/or the like. For example, the electronic device 100 may be capable of operating in accordance with second generation (2G) communication protocols IS- 136, time division multiple access (TDMA), global system for mobile communication (GSM), IS-95 code division multiple access (CDMA), and/or the like. Further, the electronic device 100 may be capable of operating in accordance with third-generation (3G) communication protocols, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), CDMA2000, wideband CDMA (WCDMA), time division-synchronous CDMA (TD-SCDMA), and/or the like. Further still, the electronic device 100 may also be capable of operating in accordance with 3.9 generation (3.9G) wireless communication protocols, such as Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) or the like, or wireless communication projects, such as long term evolution (LTE) or the like. Still further, the electronic device 100 may be capable of operating in accordance with fourth generation (4G) communication protocols.

In an alternative embodiment, the electronic device 100 may be capable of operating in accordance with a non-cellular communication mechanism. For example, the electronic device 100 may be capable of communication in a wireless local area network (WLAN), other communication networks, and/or the like. Further, the electronic device 100 may communicate in accordance with techniques, such as radio frequency (RF), infrared (IrDA), any of a number of WLAN techniques. For example, the electronic device 100 may communicate using one or more of the following WLAN techniques: IEEE 802.11, e.g., 802.11a, 802.11b, 802. Hg, 802. Hn, and/or the like. Further, the electronic device 100 may also communicate, via a world interoperability, to use a microwave access (WiMAX) technique, such as IEEE 802.16, and/or a wireless personal area network (WPAN) technique, such as IEEE 802.15, BlueTooth (BT), ultra wideband (UWB), and/or the like.

It should be understood that the communications protocols described above may employ the use of signals. In an example embodiment, the signals comprises signaling information in accordance with the air interface standard of the applicable cellular system, user speech, received data, user generated data, and/or the like. In an embodiment, the electronic device 100 may be capable of operating with one or more air interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, access types, and/or the like. It should be further understood that the electronic device 100 is merely illustrative of one type of electronic device that would benefit from embodiments of the invention and, therefore, should not be taken to limit the scope of embodiments of the invention.

While embodiments of the electronic device 100 are illustrated and will be hereinafter described for purposes of example, other types of electronic devices, such as a portable digital assistant (PDA), a pager, a mobile television, a gaming device, a camera, a video recorder, an audio player, a video player, a radio, a mobile telephone, a traditional computer, a portable computer device, a global positioning system (GPS) device, a GPS navigation device, a GPS system, a mobile computer, a browsing device, an electronic book reader, a combination thereof, and/or the like, may be used. While several embodiments of the invention may be performed or used by the electronic device 100, embodiments may also be employed by a server, a service, a combination thereof, and/or the like. FIGURE 2 is a block diagram depicting an electronic device 205 for using an electronic book 220 in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. In an example embodiment, the electronic device 205 comprises a processor 210, and a user interface 215. In an example embodiment, the electronic device 205 is similar to the electronic device 100 of FIGURE 1 and the processor 210 is similar to the processor 20 of FIGURE 1. In an alternative embodiment, the electronic device 205 is different than the electronic device 100 of FIGURE 1 and the processor 210 is different than the processor 20 of FIGURE 1. In an example embodiment, the processor 210 is configured to receive a user selection associated with at least a portion of the electronic book 220. In an embodiment, the user selection comprises highlighting of one or more words a word, phrase, sentence, paragraph, table, image, a combination thereof, and/or the like in the electronic book 220. For example, the user highlights text in the electronic book 220. In an alternative embodiment, the user selection comprises copying at least one of the following: a word, phrase, sentence, paragraph, table, image, a combination thereof, and/or the like. For example, the user copies a picture from the electronic book 220. It should be understood that the electronic book 220, also known as an e-book, is a digital media equivalent of a conventional printed book. In yet another embodiment, the user selection is received from an input device, such as a pointer, a touch screen interface, a mouse, and/or the like, from the electronic book 220 or the electronic device 205. In an embodiment, the electronic book 220 allows books to be read on the electronic device 205, a computer, a smart phone, dedicated hardware devices known as e-book readers, e-book devices, and/or the like.

In an example embodiment, the processor 210 is configured to store the user selection in a user compendium 230. For example, the user selects an image and the image is stored in the user compendium 230. In such a case, the user compendium 230 is used as a study aide or a reminder of portions of the electronic book 220. In an example embodiment, the processor 210 is configured to receive user comments associated with the electronic book 220. For example, a user annotates the portion of the electronic book 220. In such a case, the processor 210 is further configured to store the user comments in the user compendium 230. In an example embodiment, the user interface 215 is configured to display the user compendium 230. For example, the user interface 215 displays the user compendium 230 associated with the electronic book 220. In such a case, the user may view the user compendium 230 to review previously selected information, e.g., text, images, and/or the like. In an embodiment, the user interface 215 displays the user compendium 230 on the electronic device 205. In an alternative embodiment, a compendium viewer is configured to allow a user to view a previously created user compendium. A technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is highlighting a portion of an electronic book for later review. hi an example embodiment, the electronic book 220 comprises an extractor, hi an embodiment, the extractor is configured to extract the user compendium associated with the electronic book 220. For example, a user extracts a previously created user compendium associated with the electronic book 220. A technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is displaying a user compendium associated with the electronic book 220.

In an example embodiment, the processor 210 is further configured to tag the electronic book 220 based at least in part on a trigger. For example, the electronic book 220 is tagged to denote an interruption. In an example embodiment, the trigger is at least one of the following: a received mobile call, a received message, a noise, inactivity, an elapsed period of time on a page on the electronic book 220, a calendar alarm, a combination thereof, and/or the like. For example, the electronic device 205 and/or the electronic book 220 detect a noise in the surroundings that could disturb the reading process. Another example would be the user has used a relatively long time reading a specific page, e.g., 20 minutes.

In an example embodiment, the processor 210 is configured to create a bookmark in the electronic book 220 based at least in part on the trigger. In an embodiment, the user defines the criteria for bookmarking based on the trigger. For example, mark the page number when interrupted. In an alternative embodiment, the processor 210 creates the bookmark, e.g., an automatic bookmark, upon occurrence of a trigger. In an example embodiment, the user interface 215 is configured to display the bookmark. A technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is the bookmark allows the user to easily return to pages of interest.

FIGURE 3 is a block diagram depicting an electronic book 220 operating in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. In an example embodiment, an electronic device, such as electronic device 205 comprises the electronic book 220. In an alternative embodiment, the electronic book 220 is separate from the electronic device, e.g., on an electronic book reader. In an example embodiment, the electronic book 220 displays a page 326. In an embodiment, the page 326comprises text 305, 310, 315, an image 320, a table 325, a user compendium 230, and a comment area 330. In an embodiment, the electronic book 220 may display any combination of information, such as text and a table, text, and/or the like. In such a case, the user may refer to the user compendium 230 to review text 305. In an embodiment, the user may highlight and/or copy at least one of the following: a word, phrase, sentence, paragraph, table, image, a combination thereof, and/or the like to the user compendium 230. In an example embodiment, the user enters a comment associated with the page 326 of the electronic book 220 in the comment area 330. For example, a user annotates the portion of the electronic book 220. In such a case, the processor 210 is further configured to store the user comments in the user compendium 230. A technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is the user creates a compendium to arrange comments and text 305 and/or the like for the electronic book 220.

FIGURE 4 is a block diagram depicting an electronic book 220 displaying a user compendium 230 operating in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. In an example embodiment, an electronic device, such as electronic device 205 comprises the electronic book 220. In an alternative embodiment, the electronic book 220 is separate from the electronic device, e.g., on an electronic book reader. In an example embodiment, the electronic book 220 displays the user compendium 230. In an embodiment, a processor, such as processor 210 of FIGURE 2, extracts the user compendium 230 from, for example, memory and/or a database. In an embodiment, the electronic book 220 displays the user compendium 230 in a page order display 405 of the electronic book 220. For example, display the user compendium 230 in the order of the book from beginning to end. In an alternative embodiment, the electronic book 220 displays a listing of the elements 410 in the extract according to the order in which the user added the elements, e.g., the extracted elements in the user compendium 230 will be displayed according to when the user added the elements. In an embodiment, the electronic book 220 displays the elements 410 according to overlap, e.g. where extracts that contain a certain amount of same/similar words thereby being related.

In an embodiment, the electronic book 220 allows a user to easily move elements and/or other portions of the user compendium 230. In an embodiment, the user compendium comprises digital rights management protection. In an example embodiment, DRM relates to access control technologies used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders, and/or the like to limit usage of digital media, electronic devices, and/or the like. In an embodiment, a DRM right may be one or more of the following: forward-lock, combined delivery, separate delivery, and/or the like. In such a case, the DRM protection allows the use of the electronic book 220 in the user compendium 230.

FIGURE 5 is a block diagram depicting an electronic book 220 displaying statistics operating in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. In an example embodiment, an electronic device, such as electronic device 205 comprises the electronic book 220. In an alternative embodiment, the electronic book 220 is separate from the electronic device, e.g., on an electronic book reader. In an example embodiment, the electronic book 220 is configured to determine statistics associated with a user compendium 230. In an example embodiment, the statistics 505 comprise at least one of the following: the average time spent on reading a page, the average time spent on reading a page in a chapter, the average time spent on reading a page in the last few chapters, the number of remaining pages in the current chapter or book, and/or the like. In such a case, the user viewing the statistics 505 may determine at least one of the following: the approximate reading time left for the current chapter, the approximate reading time left for the current and/or the next chapter, the approximate reading time left for the entire book, the approximate time of day when a chapter and/or the electronic book 220 would be completed, e.g., display the actual time of the day, and/or the like.

In an example embodiment, the electronic book is configured to display the user compendium 230. In an embodiment, the electronic book 220 is further configured to display statistics 505 associated with the user compendium 230. In an alternative embodiment, the statistics 505 are displayed on a user interface, such as user interface 215, or the electronic book 220 without a user compendium 230. A technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is displaying statistics for an electronic book. FIGURE 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method 600 for displaying a user compendium in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. Example method 600 may be performed by an electronic device, such as electronic device 205 of FIGURE 2.

At 605, it is determined whether the user compendium is to be extracted. In an example embodiment, the processor receives an extraction instruction from a user. For example, a user selects to extract the user compendium on the screen. If at 605 it is determined to extract a user compendium then at 610, the user compendium is extracted. In an example embodiment, an electronic book, such as electronic book 220 of FIGURE 2, comprises an extractor. In an embodiment, the extractor is configured to extract a user compendium, such as user compendium 230 of FIGURE 2, associated with the electronic book. For example, a user extracts a previously created user compendium associated with the electronic book. In this way, the user may review early created user compendiums. The example method continues at 625.

At 625, the user compendium is displayed. In an example embodiment, a user interface, such as user interface 215 of FIGURE 2, is configured to display the user compendium. For example, the user interface displays the user compendium associated with the electronic book. In such a case, the user may view the user compendium to review previously selected information, e.g., text, images, and/or the like. The example method 600 ends.

If at 605 it is determined whether the user compendium is not to be extracted, then the example method 600 continues at 615.

At 615, a user selection is received. In an example embodiment, a processor, such as processor 210 of FIGURE 2, is configured to receive a user selection associated with at least a portion of the electronic book. In an embodiment, the user selection is a highlight of one or more words in the electronic book. For example, the user highlights text in the electronic book. In an alternative embodiment, the user selection is copying at least one of the following: a word, phrase, sentence, paragraph, table, image, or a combination thereof. For example, the user copies a picture from the electronic book.

At 620, the user selection is stored in a user compendium. In an example embodiment, the processor is configured to store the user selection in a user compendium, such as user compendium 230 of FIGURE 2. For example, the user selects an image and the image is stored in the user compendium. In such a case, the user compendium is used as a study aide or a reminder of portions of the electronic book.

At 625, the user compendium is displayed. In an example embodiment, the user interface is configured to display the user compendium. For example, the user interface displays the user compendium associated with the electronic book. In such a case, the user may view the user compendium to review previously selected information, e.g., text, images, and/or the like. The example method 600 ends.

Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein may be displaying a user compendium associated with an the electronic book. Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein may be the bookmark allows the user to easily return to pages of interest. Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein may be highlighting a portion of an electronic book for later review. Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein may be displaying statistics for an electronic book.

Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in software, hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware and application logic. The software, application logic and/or hardware may reside on an electronic device or a computer. If desired, part of the software, application logic and/or hardware may reside on an electronic device, and part of the software, application logic and/or hardware may reside on a computer. In an example embodiment, the application logic, software or an instruction set is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a "computer- readable medium" may be any media or means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. A computer-readable medium may comprise a computer-readable storage medium that may be any media or means that can contain or store the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed in a different order and/or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the above-described functions may be optional or may be combined.

Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims, other aspects of the invention comprise other combinations of features from the described embodiments and/or the dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set out in the claims.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments of the invention, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS

1. An apparatus, comprising: a processor configured to: receive a user selection associated with at least a portion of an electronic book; store the user selection in a user compendium; and a user interface configured to: display the user compendium.

2. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the user selection comprises a highlight of one or more words, phrase, sentence, paragraph, table, image, or a combination thereof, in the electronic book.

3. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the user selection comprises copying at least one of the following: a word, phrase, sentence, paragraph, table, image, or a combination thereof.

4. The apparatus of Claim 1 further comprising an extractor configured to extract the user compendium associated with a second electronic book.

5. The apparatus of Claim 1 further comprising a compendium viewer configured to allow a user to view a previously created user compendium.

6. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to receive user comments associated with the electronic book.

7. The apparatus of Claim 6 wherein the processor is further configured to store the user comments in the user compendium.

8. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the user selection is received from an input device.

9. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to tag the electronic book based at least in part on a trigger.

10. The apparatus of Claim 9 wherein the trigger is at least one of the following: a received mobile call, a received message, a noise, inactivity, an elapsed period of time on a page on the electronic book, a calendar alarm, or a combination thereof.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor comprises at least one memory that contains executable instructions that if executed by the processor cause the apparatus to receive a user selection associated with at least a portion of an electronic book and store the user selection in a user compendium.

12. A method, comprising: receiving a user selection associated with at least a portion of an electronic book; storing the user selection in a user compendium; and displaying the user compendium based at least in part on the user selection.

13. The method of Claim 12 wherein the user selection comprises highlighting of one or more words, phrase, sentence, paragraph, table, image, or a combination thereof in the electronic book.

14. The method of Claim 12 wherein the user selection comprises copying at least one of the following: a word, phrase, sentence, paragraph, table, image, or a combination thereof.

15. The method of Claim 12 further comprising extracting the user compendium associated with a second electronic book.

16. The method of Claim 12 further comprising allowing a user to view a previously created user compendium.

17. The method of Claim 12 further comprising receiving user comments associated with the electronic book.

18. The method of Claim 17 further comprising storing the user comments in the user compendium.

19. The method of Claim 12 wherein the user selection is received from an input device.

20. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium bearing computer program code embodied therein for use with a computer, the computer program code comprising: code for receiving a user selection associated with at least a portion of an electronic book; code for storing the user selection in a user compendium; and code for displaying the user compendium based at least in part on the user selection.

21. A computer-readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform: receiving a user selection associated with at least a portion of an electronic book; storing the user selection in a user compendium; and displaying the user compendium based at least in part on the user selection.

22. The method of Claim 19 further comprising tagging the electronic book based at least in part on a trigger.

23. The apparatus as in any of claims 3-11 wherein the user selection comprises a highlight of one or more words, phrase, sentence, paragraph, table, image, or a combination thereof in the electronic book.

24. The apparatus as in any of claims 2 or 4-11 wherein the user selection comprises copying at least one of the following: a word, phrase, sentence, paragraph, table, image, or a combination thereof.

25. The apparatus as in any of claims 2-3 or 5-11 further comprising an extractor configured to extract the user compendium associated with a second electronic book.

26. The apparatus as in any of claims 2-4 or 6-11 further comprising a compendium viewer configured to allow a user to view a previously created user compendium.

27. The apparatus as in any of claims 2-5 or 7-11 wherein the processor is configured to receive user comments associated with the electronic book.

28. The apparatus as in any of claims 2-7 or 9-11 wherein the user selection is received from an input device.

29. The apparatus as in any of claims 2-8 or 10-11 wherein the processor is further configured to tag the electronic book based at least in part on a trigger.

30. The apparatus as in any of claims 2-10 wherein the processor comprises at least one memory that contains executable instructions that if executed by the processor cause the apparatus to receive a user selection associated with at least a portion of an electronic book and store the user selection in a user compendium.

31. The method as in any of claims 14-19 wherein the user selection comprises highlighting of one or more words, phrase, sentence, paragraph, table, image, or a combination thereof in the electronic book.

32. The method as in any of claims 13 or 15-19 wherein the user selection comprises copying at least one of the following: a word, phrase, sentence, paragraph, table, image, or a combination thereof.

33. The method as in any of claims 13-14 or 16-19 further comprising extracting the user compendium associated with a second electronic book.

34. The method as in any of claims 13-15 or 17-19 further comprising allowing a user to view a previously created user compendium.

35. The method as in any of claims 13-16 or 18-19 further comprising receiving user comments associated with the electronic book.

36. The method as in any of claims 13-18 wherein the user selection is received from an input device.

37. A method, comprising: determining statistics for an electronic book; and displaying the statistics.

38. A method comprising: creating a bookmark based at least in part on a trigger; and displaying the bookmark.