WO2015052491A1

WO2015052491A1 - An interactive document holder

Info

Publication number: WO2015052491A1
Application number: PCT/GB2014/052978
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robene Dutta
Original assignee: Mantra Lingua Ltd
Priority date: 2013-10-10
Filing date: 2014-10-02
Publication date: 2015-04-16
Also published as: GB201317967D0; GB2519127A

Abstract

The interactive document holder device (1) comprises a touch-sensitive panel (3) having a plurality of distinct touch-sensitive areas (3a); a document holder portion (4) operable to receive a document (5) overlying at least one touch- sensitive area (3a); a memory for storing a resource look-up table, the look-up table associating a touch-sensitive area with a resource; and a processor, wherein the processor is operable to process an input to the touch-sensitive panel, look-up the associated resource and provide an output (10).

Description

Title: An Interactive Document Holder Field

This invention relates to an interactive document holder and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a document holder having a touch-sensitive area for a user to interact with a document retained by the document holder.

Background

Tablet-computing devices, such as the iPad®, which have touch-sensitive displays are well-known. These devices are easy to use and are very popular with young children. Such devices can provide various forms of entertainment and learning. However, these devices can be expensive and can provide many features that are unnecessary and/or unsuitable for all users. Furthermore, although these devices are good at accessing information from the web, they are not good at compiling these digital resources into a coherent thematic record.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device to compile digital resources into a coherent thematic record. Brief summary of the invention

A first aspect of the present invention provides an interactive document holder device comprising: a touch-sensitive panel having a plurality of distinct touch- sensitive areas; a document holder portion operable to receive a document overlying at least one touch-sensitive area; a memory for storing a resource look-up table, the look-up table associating a touch-sensitive area with a resource; and a processor, wherein the processor is operable to process an input to the touch-sensitive panel, look-up the associated resource and provide an output.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a device for a user to interact with multiple documents in many ways, without requiring an expensive touch-sensitive or touch-responsive display. Documents could be hand-drawn pictures or text on conventional paper using ordinary writing instruments such as ink, pencil, crayon or printed text such as the text of a book. A document can also be a photograph or a printed poster. User defined 'hot spots' bring a level of audio or visual interactivity to the document such as voice, music, video and sound effects.

In one embodiment, the device is operable to be linked wirelessly to a computer or a tablet, for instance by wifi. An embodiment of the invention is particularly suitable for teaching and learning purposes at the education and communication levels.

The present invention further provides an interactive document holder as claimed hereinafter.

Brief description of the figures

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a plan view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 3 shows a plan view of a prototype embodying the present invention in use with a document showing the periodic table; and

FIGURE 4 shows a plan view of a prototype embodying the present invention i n use with a docum ent showing hand-written words and hand-drawn drawings.

Detailed description of embodiments of the invention Figure 1 shows an interactive document holder in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the interactive holder device 1 comprises a housing 2, a touch-sensitive panel 3 having a plurality of distinct touch-sensitive points, "hot spots" or areas 3a and a document holder portion 4 operable to receive a document 5 (not shown in figure 1 ) overlying at least one touch-sensitive area 3a. In one embodiment, the dimensions of the touch-sensitive panel 3 are 420 x 297 mm (A3) and the touch-sensitive panel 3 incorporates up to 2145 touch sensitive points. In another embodiment, the dimensions of the touch-sensitive panel 3 are 841 x 594 mm (A1 ) and the touch-sensitive panel 3 incorporates up to 8580 touch- sensitive points.

In one embodiment, the device 1 is a stand-alone product which operates without the need to interact with other electronic devices. In another embodiment, the device 1 is configured to be connected by wire or wirelessly to an external device, such as a computer.

The device 1 comprises a memory for storing a resource look-up table, the look-up table associating a touch-sensitive area 3a with a resource. The device 1 further comprises a processor which is operable to process a touch input to the touch-sensitive panel 3, by linking to a look-up table, the look-up table pointing to an associated resource and providing an output 10. In one embodiment, the device 1 is a stand-alone device and, in this embodiment, the output 1 0 is a sound output which is output from the device 1 , for instance through a speaker. In another embodiment, the device 1 is configured to be connected to another electronic device which comprises a screen and, in this embodiment, the output 10 may be a video or other media displayed on the screen of the connected device. The look-up table and output 1 0 are discussed in more detail below.

Figure 2 shows the interactive document holder of figure 1 retaining a document 5. The document 5 is retained in the device 1 by the corners of the document being received in the (rounded) corners of the housing 2. In other embodiments, other edges of the document 5 are received by the housing 2. Alternatively or in addition, the device 1 may further comprise a document retaining element such as a clip or fastener. The device 1 comprises an input arrangement 7 which is operable to receive an input from a user. In one embodiment, the input arrangement 7 is a keypad which enables a user to input a series of numeric or alphanumeric digits into the device 1 . In one embodiment, the input arrangement 7 is a "floating" keypad which is provided on the document holder portion 4 of the device 1 . The input arrangement 7 is operable to receive an input from a user which identifies a document 5 for use with the device 1 .

In one embodiment, a document 5 for use with the device 1 carries identification digits which are unique to the document 5. The identification digits are numeric and/or alphanumeric digits which may comprise one or more of a selection of numbers, letters or symbols. In use, a user inputs the identification digits provided on the document 5 into the device 1 using the input arrangement 7 to identify the document 5 to the device 1 . The device 1 is operable to store at least one look-up table, with each look-up table corresponding to a different document 5. The device 1 is operable to use the input to the input arrangement 7 to identify the look-up table which corresponds to the document 5. The device 1 then links the document 5 to the corresponding look-up table.

In a further embodiment, the input arrangement 7 comprises an image capture device, such as a camera which is operable to capture an image of a coded pattern, such as a barcode or QR code. In this embodiment, the coded pattern may be provided on the document 5 so that the image capture device can capture an image of the coded pattern and link the coded pattern with a corresponding look-up table.

The embodiment of figure 2 further comprises status indicators 8, 9 in the form of LEDs which indicate functional parameters such as the battery level and charging status, record or listening mode, wifi connection or other states of the device 1 . The embodiment of figure 2 also comprises an input 1 1 in the form of a microphone for recording user data in the form of audio clips. The device 1 is operable, in response to an input from the user, to re-programme the lookup table to link the document 5 to recorded data.

In another embodiment, the device 1 is operable to record speech data. Once the speech data is recorded, a user can touch one of the touch-sensitive areas 3a to trigger the device 1 to playback the recorded speech data. The user can then touch one of the touch-sensitive areas 3a to trigger the device 1 to playback other previously stored speech data. The user can compare the recorded speech data to the previously stored speech data. This, for example, enables the user to compare the quality of their pronunciation of certain words in the recorded speech with correct pronunciations for the words in the previously stored speech. This embodiment is therefore particularly well suited to aiding learning of a foreign language. To interact with the device 1 , the user touches the appropriate touch-sensitive area 3a and the device 1 provides an output 10 based on the look-up table associating the touch-sensitive area 3a with a resource. In one embodiment of the invention, the device 1 incorporates a plurality of filters which are operable to trigger the device 1 to provide a plurality of different outputs following interaction with a single touch-sensitive area 3a. Example outputs are given below.

Figure 3 shows a device 1 with a sample document 5 attached. The sample document 5 shows the periodic table. When a user touches the touch- sensitive area 3a corresponding to an individual chemical element, the chemical element is read aloud by the device 1 .

In this example there are a plurality of filters that can be applied by the device 1 to provide a different feedback on any of the touch-sensitive areas 3a. For example, Filter 1 triggers an output which defines the element, Filter 2 triggers an output which explains the characteristics of the element and Filter 3 triggers an output which comprises a set of questions about the elements with multiple- choice answers. Filter 4 may trigger the output of a video via the screen of a connected external device.

Other embodiments of the invention have different resources and outputs or actions associated with them. The link between the input and the resource is determined by the look-up table.

The look-up table may link directly to a resource, such as an mp3 sound file stored in the device, a page URL, or the look-up table may indirectly link to the resource by way of a file name, a file path or a memory address for example. The associated resources include:

• documents such as printed office documents (word processing, databases, presentations, desktop publishing, spreadsheets, portable documents; each document is of a suitable material, such as paper, cardboard, plastic, cloth or metalised film;

• audio, image/graphic and video files;

• web pages; apps (executables, scripts, jar files etc.);

device outputs such as LEDs, displays and speakers on the device; and

any other forms of data or outputs, including any combinations of the above.

Accordingly, the corresponding output 10 may comprise initiating playback of a file, display a file or webpage and/or opening an app on an external device. In some embodiments, the look-up tables are not permanently stored on the device in memory but are instead downloaded as required via a communications link.

In embodiments of the invention, the device 1 is re-programmable. The device 1 is configured to operate with any document 5 that can be at least partially positioned to overlay a touch-sensitive area 3a to become interactive. The device 1 is configured to be programmed directly by a user by uploading/downloading data to the device 1 , or by creating/updating the lookup table directly. For instance a user may re-programme the device 1 by recording new output data to be associated with a touch-sensitive area 3a via the input 1 1 .

The device 1 of embodiments of the invention is operable for use with a blank document 5. In this embodiment, a user may write or draw on the blank document 5 to produce a hand-written or hand-drawn document, such as the document shown in figure 4. The user may then input an identifier code into the input arrangement 7 to programme the device 1 to associate a look-up table with the document 5 which carries the user's writing/drawing. The user can, if they wish, write the identification code on the document 5 for reference. The device 1 of embodiments of the invention may therefore be used with any type of documents and the device 1 does not rely on predefined documents prepared specifically for use with the device 1 . The programmer has complete control over the content available to end users. For example, a teacher could attach to the device a document 5 showing a scene depicting several animals. The teacher can then program the device by, for example, recording the associated animal name, sound, colour etc. directly onto the device 1 using the microphone 1 1 .

In another example, the document 5 could list a series of music albums of one performer. Since the device of one embodiment comprises a plurality of filters, one 'filter hot spot' for the name of the album could trigger an output which plays a series of tracks on 'sub-ordinate hot spots' which contain mp3 versions of a song from a CD stored in the device or stored in a remote location. A second 'filter hot spot' depicting the next album could then have its unique tracks on the same set of sub-ordinate hot spots as the first filter. Ultimately one document could hold all the albums of the performer, or links to a video/audio website offering the tracks for listening. The device 1 can therefore be used by a partially-sighted or blind user. The user defines where and how to place the 'hot spots' in the design of the document. For example, a first press on a listed track reads the track name, and a second press of the same track commences playback.

The touch-sensitive panel 3 may be of any suitable technology, including resistive (pressure). Preferably, the touch-sensitive panel 3 is a resistive touch-sensitive panel so that the thickness of the document 5 does not substantially affect the sensitivity of the device 1 . In one embodiments, the panel 3 (sensor) comprises two conductive sheets with printed rubber separators such that touch sensitivity is enhanced with the application of minimal finger pressure. At the same time up to 200 A3 sheets of 80gsm paper can be placed on the panel 3 without triggering any of the 'hot spots' accidentally. Hot spots are only activated when finger pressure is applied intentionally on a specific hot spot. Therefore pages of books could also be audio-enabled. The touch-sensitive areas 3a may be programmable, e.g. to match the area originally touched when the device is programmed, or the areas can be divided into predetermined grid system and any touch registered within the same grid provides the same output. In another embodiment, the response is adjusted automatically so that any touch activates the nearest associated resource.

In one embodiment, the device 1 further comprises a wired or wireless communication element for sending and/or receiving data. The device 1 interfaces with an external device, such as a computer via the communications element. This enables a user to update the storage on the device 1 and amend, add or remove any stored data, including look-up table data, resource data and document identifiers. In some embodiments, the device 1 does not incorporate a display screen and the device 1 is not connected to an external device with a display screen. A display screen is not essential to the operation of a device of an embodiment of the invention. The device 1 of further embodiments of the invention is configured to be connected to an external device, such as a tablet computer or mobile telephone, to enable the device 1 to communicate with and control the external device. In these embodiments, the touch-sensitive panel 3 of the device may be used to receive touch inputs which are processed by the device 1 which communicates the inputs to the external device. For instance, a user can provide a touch input to the device 1 which triggers the device 1 to control an external device with a screen, such as a tablet computer, to display a predetermined web page. The device 1 is well suited for use by disabled users who may easily interact with the touch-sensitive panel 3 to control an external device, such as a tablet computer. The touchscreen of a tablet computer can be difficult to use for a disabled person who might, for instance, be without fingers. The device 1 allows a user to control a tablet computer easily via the touch-sensitive panel 3 of the device 1 by pressing on the panel 3 with their fingers, toes, chin or other parts of their body that the user wishes to use. A user can define touch- sensitive areas 3a on the panel 3 that are spaced apart from one another sufficiently to enable the user to interact easily with each touch-sensitive area 3a. The user can mark the touch-sensitive areas 3a on a document overlying the panel 3. The device 1 of embodiments of the invention therefore provides a customisable control device for use by disabled users.

Furthermore, with the technology used in embodiments of the invention, the document holder portion 4 can be up to A1 in size and yet be cost effective compared to the cost of outdoor screen panels of the same size which have high investment, operating and annual maintenance costs.

In further embodiments, the device 1 comprises additional inputs 1 1 for facilitating interactivity. For example, the device may further comprise an input camera 1 1 or an external keypad for receiving user input data. When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

Claims

An interactive document holder device, comprising:

a touch-sensitive panel having a plurality of distinct touch-sensitive areas;

a document holder portion operable to receive a document overlying at least one touch-sensitive area;

a memory for storing a resource look-up table, the look-up table associating a touch-sensitive area with a resource; and

a processor, wherein the processor is operable to process an input to the touch-sensitive panel, look-up the associated resource and provide an output.

The device of claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises an input arrangement which is operable to receive an input comprising a document identifier which identifies a document.

The device of claim 2, wherein the input arrangement is a keypad or a camera.

The device of any preceding claim, further comprising a document formed from paper, cardboard, cloth, plastic or metalised film.

The device of claim 4, wherein the document comprises a document identifier.

The device of claim 5, wherein the document identifier is substantially unique.

The device of any preceding claim, further comprising a wired or wireless communications element for sending and/or receiving data.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the device is operable to interface with an external device via the communications element.

9. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the device is configured to operate as a stand-alone device.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the device is operable to receive look-up table and/or document data via the communications element.

1 1 . The device of any preceding claim, wherein the look-up table contains the resource itself or a link to the resource.

12. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the associated resource is a file or a link to a web page.

13. The device of claim 1 1 , wherein the file is a document, audio, image, or video file or an app.

14. The device of any preceding claim, further comprising a speaker and/or a display.

15. The device of claim, 14 wherein the display does not overlie the touch- sensitive panel.

16. The device of any of claims 1 1 to 15, wherein the output comprises:

initiating playback of the audio or video file;

displaying the image or webpage; and/or

opening the app.

17. The device of any preceding claim, further comprising a microphone and/or a camera for recording user data.

18. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the device further provides user interface for further interaction with the external device.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the user interface comprises a keypad.