GB2353624A - Electronic book with interchangeable cartridges - Google Patents

Abstract

A display apparatus comprising a LCD screen for displaying data, e.g. a book, from an interchangeable cartridge. Data is downloaded from the cartridge into the unit's internal RAM. The cartridge also includes an EPROM to store 'bookmarked' page locations. Means are provided to navigate the text and select pages or chapters. The size and contrast of the text can be adjusted. The device may also include an audio output and include a phono socket for headphones. The device can be used as an aid to reading when used with the audio output.

Description

2353624 LCD Unit and Cartridge.

The invention is that of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Unit with microchipped Cartridge.

The LCD Unit will allow the user to view text from an inter-changeable, cartridge inserted into the unit. The ability to page up and down the text.

Alter the presentation of the text by contrast and size, and be able to resume viewing text from the point (page number) that had last been displayed; even if the Unit had been switched off.

The invention will help those who wish to carry a number of books, say, on holiday. Instead of carrying numerous bulky and weighty books the invention will save space and weight.

The invention is to give the ability of the user to view text on a LC1) screen. Once a Cartridge has been inserted (of a given choice of text eg's novel, dictionary or A-Z directory) the user will be able to view "pages" of the text. The screen will show the approx number of words per screen/page as that of a standard paper back book. The effect is that of an electronic book.

To aid construction the invention can be likened in build to that of a hand-held computer games. This point relating to the versatility of the cartridge inter-change, Also, the unit itself can draw on component features to that of an electronic organiser.

Once the text is or. view, the user can page up or down the text by pressing the PAGE UP or DOWN keys (see Fig 1 C). This will move the text by a single page (screen display) each time the UP or DOWN key is pressed.

The user can either locate a section of text by chapter or page number. This is achieved by pressing CHAPTER or PAGE then the desired number (see Fig 1 D).

To alter the presentation of the text the user can employ the SCREEN FUNCTIONS keys, and be able to change the background from light with dark lettering to a dark background with light lettering (see Fig 1 E). Also the size of the letters/words can be increased or decreased by pressing either the - key (decrease) or the + key (increase) (see Fig 1 F) to suit the users' viewing preference. The letter size change will range from half to double that of standard text.

In order to resume viewing text from the point the text was last displayed, (even after the unit has been switched off), press the RESUME key (see Fig 1 B). This will then recall from the Cartridge memory the "page number" stored. To recall the 2nd or 3rd "page number" stored in the cartridges' memory (BOOKMARKed), press the RESUME key a second or third time.

In order to store a "page" number press the BOOKMARK key (see Fig 1 B). The present "page number" will then be stored in the Cartridges' memory. The Cartridge is able to store upto 3 different page numbers. If the user wishes to store a 4th page number, the new page to be stored will simply replace the first (oldest) page number held in memory.

To save battery power the LCD unit will feature an auto switch off mode. If after 20 minutes of inactivity the LCD unit will auto switch off, it will also store in memory (BOOKMARK) the page number on view automatically.

Detailed Description.

Please refer to Figure 1.

POWER ON/OFF The enables the unit to be switched on or off.

A RESUME/ Once a Cartridge has been inserted. The keys will enable the BOOKMARK user to start from the point (page) that was last displayed.

B Press RESUME to retrieve the data from the stored reference point (page). To start form a second or third reference point press the RESUME key a second or third time.

To save a page number press the 1001gVLAJK key. This will store in the Cartridges' memory the page number to be saved.

BOOKMARK can hold upto 3 different page numbers. To record a forth page number "turn" to or display the page number required. Once the number is on display, press BOOKMARK.

Note that this forth saved page will delete the first page number saved (as only a max of 3 page numbers can be stored).

PAGE UP/DOWN By pressing PAGE UP OR DOWN the next page of text will C be displayed on screen. UP will goto the next page number.

DOWN will display the previous page number.

CHAPTER/ To quick ref to a page or chapter number. Press either PAGE PAGE NUM]BER or CHAPTER followed by the desired num. ber. The Unit will D then display that page of text.

WHITE/ To alter the background colour from either a white back ground

BLACK SCREEN (with corresponding black lettering) to a black background (with

E white lettering), press BLACK SCREEN for a black (dark) background or WHITE SCREEN to return a white (light) background.

LETTER/ When first switched on the lettering is of a standard 2mm height.

WORD SIZE To increase (or decreased) the size of the letting press either the F - key (decrease) or + key (increase). This make the lettering either make the lettering smaller or bigger. The range is 1.5mm (min) too 4mm (max), in 0.5mm increments.

Auto switch off occurs after 20 minutes of inactivity. This will help save battery power. If the Unit has not be used (any of the function keys pressed) in a 20 minute period then the Unit will automatically switch off. This is based on an internal timer which counts down from 1200 seconds when the Unit is first turned on. Each time a function key is pressed the timer is re-set and starts its count down again. If the timer reaches zero (20 minutes of inactivity) the Unit switches off.

Technical The Cartridge(s) comprise of a ROM (Read Only Memory). This will contain the subject matter of the Cartridge. Also an E/PROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory chip). The E/PROM is for the storing of the BOOKMARKED (see FIG 1 B) page numbers.

A low powered LCD screen (list functions) The Unit will contain a RAM (Random Access Memory chip), in order to down load data from the Cartridge.

Paging Up or Down will move a full (standard) page of text, this is based on 2mm lettering. If the letter size has been adjusted, then the "page" of text will alter form a display point of view.

If letter size is min (1.5mm), the LCD will display a page and a quarter. ie more words/letters per "page". If the letter size is set to max (4nun) then the LCD screen will only display half the number of words per page. ie it would require two pages of the Unit to view the number of words contained on a standard lettering size page of text.

The Unit will also comprise of a low powered LCD. The RAM will be able to store 5k of Cartridge memory. This memory feature will enable speed of text display onto the LCD. If the user selects a page or chapter, then the Ram will down load memory ftom that point. Each page select or text location will facilitate ffie downloading of blocks data ftom fr.at reference point.

Drawings Figure 1 Sho-;,-js the LCD Unit screen and various functions.

Figure 2 This is an end view illustrating the movement k.nd position of the top cover.

Figure 3 This is a side view of the lliCD Unit,.qith the sluar f point A) do-,.in-. This illustrates the angle or incline, Talien the unit -s being used 11hands free".

Figure 4 This is and end view of a Cartridge (denoting a tile).

Figure 5 Shows the front view of s... Cartridge grip for ease of reiloval).

lz:> C. U L Fig-are 6 This is t.ie,, bottom, en.3. vi e-.,r o f t;h e 1 r' r s h- o--- Tinj,the female cola:)!.'Lng.

Th.e ri.t-y not be re-prese--nt2tJ-,v o e d.ez-ic-n. -Uher are oni- do-_ne to -,-'.r,, r-o.-s U.7 - U j. - ge ners 1 sh.pe.

Claims (1)

1. The Claims.

   1) The ability to "page" up or down the text by selecting the PAGE UP/DOV; N keys the can "flip" through pages of text. (see fig I,C).

   2) To select part of the text by either chapter or page number, for quick reference. This is done by selection of the PAGE/CHAPTER keys (see Fig I, D). &number.

   3) The ability to store upto 3 page numbers in the Cartridges' memory. As the Cartridge contains an E/PROM it can store upto three retrievable location (page) numbers. (as per Claim 3).

   4) To resuming viewing (reading) text from a point (page) when the Unit was last used- Even after the unit has been switched off. Due to the Cartridge containing a memory feature (E/PROM), text location can be stored either by desire (see Fig 1,B RESUME/BOOKMARK), or automatically (see detailed description 5) To alter the visual presentation to suit the user. Altering letter/word size and the contrast of lettering and background. This will enhance readability for the need of bigger (or smaller) lettering for the user. Inis feature is controlled via the W1WE/BLACK SCREEN and the WORD/LETTER SIZE keys (see fig 1,E and F).

   6) Multi user. Because of the RESUME/BOOKMARK features of each Cartridge (as per Claims 3 and 4) one Unit can be used (at different times) by many users, as they will be able to store and retrieve the location of the text from their desired referrence point.

   7) Audio feature will give vocal output enabling the ease to gain the required information or follow the story; for the poor sighted. Compatible with audio cartridge.

   8) Aid to reading combined with an audio compatible cartridge (as Claim 7) will enable the user to read along to the text displayed.

   9) Phono socket (with head phones) will give the user a personal listeming use, without disturbing others (combined with an audio cartridge; as per Claim 7).