Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Touch panel
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-16
2001-10-02
Chow, Dennis-Doon (Department: 2675)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Touch panel
C345S179000, C345S901000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06297812
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an integration of printed text and images with a software program and a computer-driven display system and, more particularly, to an electronic book that permits the operator to designate selected indicia on pages of the book, which are then entered into the computer system for appropriate display in an audio and visual manner.
2. Description of Related Art
Electronic instruments that use cards made by printing or describing graphic images as figures, letters, codes, etc., on the surface of sheets of paper, etc., with special conductive ink or special paint, and that read the information described on such cards with a touch pen, etc., and play back audio and video signals via external instruments such as television sets have been used in the past for the purposes of play, learning, etc.
However, such cards have usually required special processing such as conductive paint, bar codes, etc., for the purpose of reading the information. The electronic cards which use conductive paint have the following problems:
1. The printing process is complicated.
2. It is difficult to render in natural colors.
3. The printed surface deteriorates, causing difficulty in reading.
4. Because a connector is necessary, electrical failure is likely to occur.
5. The bookbinding process is complicated, etc.
The electronic cards using bar codes have the following problems:
1. Because considerable space is needed for printing the bar code, the quantity of information contained in a page is therefore limited.
2. The aesthetic rendering is inhibited by the bar code.
3. If the bar code is blurred or otherwise marred, it will become difficult to read, etc.
Thus, the computer field is still seeking to provide an information display system utilizing an electronic book that can resolve the problems that have occurred in the past.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An electronic book-reading system and information storage system is capable of reading the contents of the sheets of a book having various information such as figures, letters, codes, etc., applied to the surface of the sheets in the book. The book is mounted at a fixed location, and the user can arbitrarily designate a specific location to identify the particular indicia on the sheet. A sensor system can detect the arbitrarily-designated location and, in some cases, can further employ a page detection system to detect which specific page is being addressed and whether it is the front or the back of the page. A location detection circuit can, from a determination of an absolute location signal or a predetermined reference point, plus the arbitrarily-designated location point entered by the operator, determine which specific indicia is being designated by the operator. A ROM, that can be integrated with the electronic book or can exist separately, can be appropriately addressed on the basis of the sensor system to thereby provide the electronic information corresponding to the specific figures, letters, codes, etc., that are displayed in the electronic book. The ROM which has memorized the location of the indicia and related information at that location can be addressed and downloaded for subsequent processing, for example, through a computer-driven system that can provide audio and video images.
Various forms of location detection circuits can be utilized, such as an electromagnetic induction system which includes a transmitter for generating electro-magnetic signals to a planar panel having multiple electrodes arranged in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction at fixed locations. An X direction decoder and a Y direction decoder can be responsive to a sensor that designates an arbitrary location on the planar panel.
Alternatively, an optical system can be utilized having a grid of optical light beams defining a crossing pattern on a planar surface, with corresponding photo-receptors indicating the receipt of each light beam. A light-intercepting or blocking member can be positioned in an arbitrary location on the panel. An X direction location circuit and a Y direction location circuit can detect the relative coordinates of the blocked light beams, to thereby provide information for a detection control circuit to determine a specific arbitrarily-designated location.
Additionally, an ultrasonic system can be utilized wherein an ultrasonic generator can be used to designate coordinates within a fixed location. At least three ultrasonic sensors can receive a signal of the ultrasonic generator. From this information, a detection circuit can determine the relative location of the ultrasonic generator to designate an arbitrary position.
In addition, a page detection system is also provided wherein multiple perimeter sensors can detect the shape of the perimeter of a sheet of a book, and thereby define which page is being addressed. As can be appreciated, a ROM storing a program containing the information on the sheet can be integrated with the form of the electronic book, or it can be remotely located in a housing that can further house both audible speakers and monitors such as CRT tubes and liquid crystal displays. The individual sheets in the book can be of any configuration, such as squares, circles, clouds, etc., and is preferably of a thin body of paper or card material. While it is contemplated that the sheets will be planar, it is also possible for them to have concave or convex surfaces, or to have relief surfaces or perforated surfaces. The descriptions of the terminology “vertical direction” and “horizontal direction” are relative, and are simply stated herein for purposes of defining a coordinate system.
As can be readily appreciated, the information contained within the sheet is indirectly outputted by reading the contents of a ROM which has the same recorded information that has been mapped to define the specific location coordinates with the sheet. When the sheet is located at a fixed location, a determination of the coordinates relative to that fixed location will then identify the address of the information contained in the ROM. In some of the detection systems, the coordinates can also be defined on a time base, and a signal generated by the sensor can determine the coordinate by comparing the time base with the received signal.
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Ohara Makoto
Sugiura Shinichirou
Tomizawa Hirotsugu
Chow Dennis-Doon
Price and Gess
Sega Enterprises Ltd.
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