Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Light pen for fluid matrix display panel
Reexamination Certificate
1993-11-03
2001-06-05
Chauhan, Ulka J. (Department: 2776)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Light pen for fluid matrix display panel
C345S215000, C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243071
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for interactively displaying book-like documents on pointer-based computer systems such as pen-based computers. The book-like documents may have one or more tools for navigating through their contents quickly. The contents of such documents may include text, graphics, “live” action templates, etc.
A pen-based computer is a small, often hand-held, computer system where the primary method for inputting data includes a “pen” or stylus. A typical pen-based computer system is housed in a generally rectangular enclosure, and has a dual-function display assembly providing a viewing screen along one of the planar sides of the enclosure. The dual-function display assembly serves as both an input device and an output device. When operating as an input device, the display assembly senses the position of the tip of the stylus on the viewing screen and provides this positional information to the computer's central processing unit (CPU). Some display assemblies can also sense the pressure of the stylus on the screen to provide further information to the CPU. When operating as an output device, the display assembly presents computer-generated images on the screen.
The dual-function display assemblies of pen-based computer systems permit users to operate the computers as a computerized notepads. For example, graphical images can be input into the pen-based computer by merely moving the stylus on the surface of the screen. As the CPU senses the position and movement of the stylus, it generates a corresponding image on the screen to create the illusion that the stylus is drawing the image directly upon the screen, i.e. that the stylus is “inking” an image on the screen. With suitable recognition software, text and numeric information can also be entered into the pen-based computer system in a similar fashion.
Such computer systems have many uses: they can be used to jot down notes at meetings, organize to-do lists, send and receive information by faxing, electronic mail, etc. Because computer systems such as these are an integral part of many user's lives, it would also be desirable if they could be used to store and display book-like information such as novels and reference materials (i.e., electronic books). This would be especially desirable in pen-based computer systems which recognize handwritten instructions and allow the user to scribble handwritten notes and interact with “live” screens which might be incorporated into the books.
Suitable materials for use as “electronic books” might include interactive almanacs, encyclopedias, and other reference materials such as lists of phone numbers for various consumer services or government agencies. Unfortunately, books and reference materials such as these can become large and unwieldy, especially without careful organization. Thus, it would be useful to have specialized tools for navigating throughout the content of an electronic book. “Find” methods are now available for searching all text content within a document to locate specific character strings, but these methods are often too slow or unfocused to quickly take the user to a desired location. It would therefore be desirable to include in electronic books one or more high-level navigation systems that quickly show the user where he or she is located within the book, what other material is available in the book, and how to get to other locations in the book.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method and “content engine” for controlling a screen display of an electronic book. The contents of the book are displayed on a screen of the computer system as “pages” with which the user interacts by a pointer such as a pen or stylus. The content engine performs various functions which may include one or more of the following: (1) creating page displays for content of a “book,” (2) providing a consistent navigation interface for quickly identifying material in the book and moving to desired locations, (3) finding character strings located within the “book,” and (4) accepting handwritten information on pages of the book. These functions can be accessed by selecting specified buttons, slide bars, menu items, etc. which may appear on the screen continuously or in response to specific user events. In a preferred embodiment, the content engine displays one or more pointer-activated buttons on a “status bar” displayed on the screen. Content or books that might be utilized according to this invention includes interactive novels, reference books, encyclopedias, etc.
In a preferred embodiment, the content engine causes a navigation dialog box to appear on the screen in response to a prompt with the pointer. The navigation dialog box includes a “bookmark” button which when selected inserts a bookmark in the book at the page that is currently displayed. A bookmark in the context of this invention acts much like a bookmark in a conventional book; it marks a page of the book so that the user can easily return to that page after closing the book or moving to another page. In the case of an electronic book, the user can close the book by, for example, selecting a close button or turning off power to the machine. The user can also move to other pages by scrolling with scroll keys or other navigational devices which are provided on the computer system. Once a bookmark is created (by selecting the bookmark button from the navigation dialog box), that bookmark is represented by an icon displayed on the screen within the navigation dialog box. In some embodiments, the bookmark will be represented as a miniature image of the page which has been marked. When the user selects the bookmark from the dialog box, the content engine will automatically move to and display the marked page, regardless of which page is currently “open.”
The navigation dialog box may include buttons for other navigational tools such as a “return to menu” function and a “return to previous page” function. The menus referred to here are menu or “kiosk” pages that include menus of destinations within the book. If the reader is lost, he or she can jump to the nearest prior menu page by selecting the return to menu button from the navigation dialog box. The system will then automatically move to the first menu page preceding the currently displayed page. Selecting the “return to previous page” button causes the page displayed immediately prior to current page to be redisplayed, regardless of where it is located with respect to the current page.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a table of contents or browser displayed on the screen. The browser lists “subjects” within the book in order in which they appear in the book. The user can scroll from subject to subject in the browser by selecting up or down scroll arrows provided on the computer system. This causes two changes: (1) the page currently displayed is changed to the first available page within the newly selected subject, and (2) a “you are here” indicator on the browser moves so that it points to the new subject. The user can also move to the first available page within a subject by selecting that subject on the screen (by, e.g., tapping on that subject with a stylus).
The navigation tools at the disposal of the user of this invention collectively provide quick, easy methods for showing the user where he or she is located within the book, what other material is available in the book, and how to get to other locations in the book. In addition, many of these navigation tools allow “live” interaction with the user. “Live” refers to the interaction capabilities of displayed features such as buttons, dialog boxes, etc., such that a user can select certain of these items to take further action (e.g., getting more information about the item or moving to a location). The wide variety of flexible tools for moving about within a document is a particular advantage of this invention.
In addition to the above-described navigational tools, the present invention provides
Dunham David R.
Shwarts Scott L.
Apple Computer Inc.
Beyer Weaver & Thomas LLP
Chauhan Ulka J.
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