United States Patent
`
`119]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,761,485
`
`
`
`[45] Date of Patent: Jun. 2, 1998
`Munyan
`
`USOOS761485A
`
`[54] PERSONAL ELECTRONIC BOOK SYSTEM
`
`[76]
`
`Inventor: Daniel E. Munyan. 805 Mt. Gretna
`Rd.. Elizabethtown. Pa. 17022
`
`(“An Electronic Book: APTBook”.
`al.
`Miyazawa et
`Human—Computer Interaction—Interact ’90. Proceedings of
`the IFIPTC 13 Third International Conference. 1 Jan. 1990.
`pp. 513—519).
`
`[21] Appl. No.2 565,915
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Dec. 1,1995
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`[51]
`
`Int. (21.6 ............................ G06F 15/02; G06F 17/40;
`G09G 1/02
`
`Primary Examiner—Emanuel Todd Voeltz
`Assistant Examiner—Phallaka Kik
`
`[52] vs. C].
`
`.............................. 395/500; 345/901; 326/8;
`395/137.01; 455/411
`[53] Field of Search .................................... 395/269. 500.
`395/145. 2.82. 186. 187.01. 188.01. 200.09.
`650; 455/89; 379/98. 368. 58; 348/134;
`382/14. 56; 345/192. 127. 130. 901; 434/317;
`326/8; 364/2864. 286.5. 949.81. 260; 365/185.04:
`462/903; 463/29: 902/4
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2/1973 Lighter.
`3,713,906
`6/1979 Rubincam.
`4,159,417
`4,545,023 10/1935 M1221.
`4,649,499
`3/1937 Sutton etal..
`4,682,161
`7/1937 Bugg.
`4,763,356
`3/1933 Day, Ir. eta].
`
`......................... 379/368
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2149544
`WO 87/01481
`
`6/1985 United Kingdom .
`3/1987 WIPO .
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Bryant (”The electronic book—a user’s wishlist”. IEE Col—
`loquium on ‘Human—Computer Interface Design for Multi-
`media Electronic Books’. pp. 9/1—9/3. Jan. 1. 1995).
`
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Earl F. Clifford: Cliiford &
`Clifiord Law Firm
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The Personal Electronic Book System invention replaces a
`standard handheld book with an electronic equivalent. The
`invention is sized and configured to be book size and to open
`like a book for use. When opened. the user sees two facing
`page-like touch-sensitive. display screens with black print
`on white background. Icons represent
`the electronically
`stored material. “artwork. audio clips. books. E—mail. faxes.
`games. magazines. movies. musical compositions.
`newspapers. photographs. software. video clips. etc.”. which
`are selected by touching the icon. When a book. magazine.
`newspaper. or the like is selected. its table of contents is
`displayed and the user can then read page by page or go
`directly to a particular page by touching the selection listed
`in the table of contents. Closing the Personal Electronic
`Book automatically shuts down the device. Touching a page
`number before closing the Personal Electronic Book inserts
`a bookmark so that when the Personal Electronic Book is
`re-opened. the user is returned to the same page. New
`printed or multimedia material can be downloaded from an
`remote server. that is. “a bookstore." and old material. books
`read. etc.. can be deleted to make room for the new material.
`
`21 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Apple Exhibit 1039
`
`Page 00001
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`Apple Exhibit 1039
`Page 00001
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`

`

`5,761,485
`__—____—______—___—_______—._..—_-_————-——————-——
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`8/1989 Fernandez.
`4.855.725
`4/1990 York.
`4.918.632
`.
`7/1991 Dulaney et al.
`5.031.119
`4/1992 Guyon eta].
`............................. 382/14
`5.105.468
`4/1992 Yamashjta et a],
`.
`5.109.354
`9/1992 Cassorla et a].
`........................ 395/145
`5.146.552
`11/1993 Normille et a1.
`
`382/56 ......
`5,267.334
`3/1994 Grundy .............
`.. 395/650
`5.291.598
`7/1994 Wilber ....................................... 379/98
`5.333.152
`8/1994 Yamazaki et a1.
`.
`5.339.091
`1/1995 Clough et a1.
`.
`5.379.057
`
`.. 348/134
`4/1995 Goldstein ..........
`5.410.326
`
`11/1995 Thompson
`455/89
`5.465.401
`
`3/1996 Luther ...........
`. 395/269
`5.500.991
`.............................. 379/58
`5561.705 10/1996 Allard et a1.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Keates et al. (“Copyright protection of artistic materials in
`electronic form: the CITED approach”. Information Ser-
`vices & Use. vol. 13. No. 4. Jan. 1993. pp. 389—398).
`
`Brownrigg et al. (“An Electronic Library Communications
`Format: A Definition and Development Proposal for MARC
`III”. Library Hi Tech. vol. 8. No. 3. Jan. 1990. pp. 21—26).
`
`Bryant (“The paperless book". IEE Review. vol. 41. Issue 6.
`16 Nov. 1995. pp. 245—247).
`
`Gray (“Evolution of Data Management”. Computer Maga-
`zine. vol. 29. Issue 10. Oct. 1996. pp. 38—46).
`
`Pobiak (“Adjustable access electronic books”. IEEE Com—
`put. Soc. Press. Proceedings of the Johns Hopkins National
`Search for Computing Applications to Assist Persons with
`Disabilities. 1 Feb. 1992. pp. 90—94).
`
`Carey et a1. (“Towards heterogeneous multimedia informa-
`tion systems:
`the Garlic approach”. IEEE Comput. Soc.
`Press. Proceedings RIDE—DOM ’95: Fifth International
`Workshop on Research Issues in Data Engineering—Distrib-
`uted Object Management. 6 Mar. 1995.
`
`Page 00002
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`Page 00002
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`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 2, 1998
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`Sheet 1 of 2
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`5,761,485
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`
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`Page 00003
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`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 2, 1998
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
`
`5,761,485
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`33”
`
`322
`
`LEFT
`TDUCHSCREEN
`DISPLAY
`
` 330
`
`RIGHT
`TDUCHSCREEN
`DISPLAY
`
`TUUCHSCREEN
`
`LEFT
`
`
`
`CUNTRDLLER
`
`DISPLAY
`CDNTRDLLER
`
`332
`
`RIGHT
`TDUCHSCREEN
`CUNTRDLLER
`
`
`
`MICRDCDMPUTER SYSTEM
`
`380
`
`385
`
`
`
`PDVER
`
`PGwER UNIT-
`
`BATTERY
`
`
`
`SECURITY - INTERFACE
`
`CIRCUyr
`PquR AND
`
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`CHARGING CIRCUITS
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`
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`CUMMUN—
`ICATIGNs
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`350
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`342
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`
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`340
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`UPDATABLE
`RUM
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`360
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`AC ADAPTER/
`CHARGER JACK
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`FIG. 3
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`TII
`PSTN
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`1
`PERSONAL ELECTRONIC BOOK SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to information and multi—
`media storage and display systems and specifically to paper-
`less books. personal electronic books. personal electronic
`communicators and readers. personal electronic message
`communicators. personal electronic facsimile
`communicators. on-line computer database communicators.
`and downloadable computer database products such as
`artwork. audio clips. books. E—mail. faxes. games.
`magazines. movies. musical compositions. newspapers.
`photographs. software and video clips.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`Vast amounts of printed material are widely distributed in
`the form of printed books. magazines and newspapers.
`These traditional media are printed on paper with a page
`printed on each side of the paper so that when reading a
`book. magazine or newspaper. two pages of printed material
`are exposed to the reader. These printed materials consume
`vast quantities of paper and also shipping resources to
`transport them to bookstores or newsstands for sale to the
`ultimate consumer. to libraries or to warehouses for storage.
`In recent years. virtually all commercially printed media are
`printed from computer-based databases and yet these same
`databases are only slowly becoming available to users of
`personal computers (PC). Even with the availability of
`book-er material displayed in page format on the PC.
`consumers have shown a very low acceptance level to
`reading from a computer screen. Readers want to hold and
`cradle the item they are reading. View entire pages at once.
`and look down at their reading material.
`Newspapers and magazines spend about 100 million
`dollars a year producing electronic editions of their publi-
`cations. More than 120 newspapers currently offer electronic
`editions. Dozens of magazines covering a diversity of sub—
`jects are available in electronic editions. The Wall Street
`Journal reported that an April. 1995 survey of 650 newspa—
`pers indicated that 12 percent of these are already offering
`on-line electronic editions and that 40 more newspapers
`expect to offer electronic editions by the end of 1995. A
`major deficiency of electronic editions of newspapers and
`magazines is that these editions typically bear little resem-
`blance to the printed publications especially in terms of
`graphics. page layout and typography.
`With the accessibility and ready availability of the PC.
`accessing information stored in computer databases and in
`multimedia formats has transcended the computer main—
`frame and has been popularized in various media now
`available to the PC. As yet. this information and multimedia
`explosion has failed to deliver a personal. dedicated elec-
`tronic device that is as easy to use or even as desirable to use
`as the common book. printed on paper and bound in a soft
`or hard cover. The present invention provides a personal.
`portable electronic book that overcomes these deficiencies.
`The prior art which may be relevant to this invention is
`described hereinafter.
`
`US. Pat. No. 3.718.906 to Lightner discloses a method
`and apparatus for a computer controlled host to transmit
`customer selected sound (or video) recordings stored on
`constantly running endless master tapes over AT&T’s pic-
`turephone telephone lines to remote vending machines
`where the sound recordings are recorded onto cassettes and
`delivered to the customer. This disclosure describes dialing
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`into aremote computer-controlled storage facility and order-
`ing the transmission of stored information such as sound or
`video recordings to a remote device where the information
`is duplicated onto a tape cassette and paid for by the
`customer.
`
`US. Pat. No. 4.159.417 to Rubincam discloses a portable.
`battery powered electronic viewer that reads and displays
`data stored in a holographic memory card. The memory can
`be page oriented so that each hologram represents a page in
`a book and the entire book can be stored on one card. An
`alternative embodiment provides a book—sized container
`hinged like a book so that 2 opposing displays can be read
`in a manner similar to the reading of a book. The device
`incorporates controls for controlling pagination. for adjust-
`ing the speed of leafing through the book and for displaying
`and entering page numbers. This disclosure describes facing
`displays mounted in a hinged book-sized device with plug-in
`memory card storage for a single book and functions that
`provide page control.
`US. Pat. No. 4.545.023 to Mizzi discloses a handheld.
`battery-powered computer comprising various electronic
`cards and a flat touchscreen. The touchscreen eliminates the
`need for a keyboard or other input keypads. The screen can
`display alphanumeric characters and graphics. Any area
`touched on the screen is identified by its coordinates. The
`device can be connected to a remote host computer via an
`acoustic coupler and a telephone line. The device can be
`adapted for particular uses such as hand-writing recognition
`or TV or radio receiving by plugging in special purpose
`electronic cards. This disclosure describes a battery—
`powered. handheld computer that uses a large. flat touch-
`screen display to replace a mechanical keyboard and that has
`the facilities to communicate with a remote host over
`telephone lines.
`US. Pat. No. 4.649.499 to Sutton et a1. discloses com-
`puter programs designed to emulate a three dimensional
`object such as a rotary card file or a hand calculator on a
`computer touchscreen. Functions are performed by touching
`appropriate symbols on the touchscreen. for example. a knob
`to rotate the cards. a tab label to select and view a card. plus
`softkeys to perform other functions on the cards. An emu-
`lation that puts up a functional calculator touchscreen dis—
`play is also disclosed. This disclosure describes the interac-
`tion between a touchscreen and the operation of a computer
`and software to present a display of information with softkey
`areas that are used to provide user control of the associated
`information or function.
`
`US. Pat. No. 4.682.161 to Bugg discloses a video display
`terminal connected via a modem over a telephone line to a
`remote source for the purpose of acquiring and transmitting
`information. This disclosure describes the logic circuits used
`to transfer digital codes to the terminal so that the data can
`be displayed on a raster scan display device in either normal
`of enlarged character size. This disclosure describes com-
`municating over a telephone line via modem and transfer-
`ring data to be displayed on a screen.
`US. Pat No. 4.855.725 to Fernandez discloses a simu-
`lated book that uses a battery-powm'ed microprocessor with
`ROM for the program and RAM storage for data and a large
`LCD screen to display up to 2 pages of information trans-
`mitted from a CD-ROM equipped PC over an attached
`infrared transceiver to a transceiver incorporated into the
`simulated book. The book uses a touchscreen to display the
`data and to control paging through the material. The device
`automatically requests additional pages of information to be
`transmitted from the PC for storage in the book. The book
`
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`can be taken with you for latter reading. Data storage is
`maintained by a battery powered RAM. An alternative
`version disclosed includes a keypad and a tactile pad switch
`for inputting requests for a particular page or to page
`forward or backward. The book displays a single page at a
`time with the program automatically requesting pages of
`information to be transmitted from the PC to the book on the
`fly as the user reads or pages through the book.
`US. Pat. No. 4.918.632 to York discloses a battery-
`powered. portable touchscreen computer designed with a
`multitude of holes along one edge so that the computer can
`be transported in a 3-ring binder or the like.
`US. Pat. No. 5.031.119 to Dulaney et al. discloses a
`handheld. keyboardless computer with a split liquid crystal
`display (LCD) screen. the top half of the screen displays an
`application and the bottom half displays a keyboard. A glass
`overlay with an electrically-conductive coating interacts
`with an electrically conductive pen so that the user can input
`keystrokes on the bottom half of the screen or use the pen to
`perform mouse—like functions on the top half.
`US. Pat. No. 5.109.354 to Yamashita et al.. discloses a
`portable pocketbook device comprising a touchscreen or
`pressure sensitive LCD display. a cursor. function keys and
`an on/oflr switch that
`is activated when the pocketbook
`device is opened. A hinged binding contains a battery pack
`and rings to hold expansion cards. A back cover contains the
`electronics and a power source. Multiple methods of com-
`municating between the expansion cards and the pocketbook
`include fiber optics. LED links and electromagnetic induc-
`tion along the rings. The screen can be touch sensitive or the
`unit can be setup with a pressure sensitive screen for hand
`writing recognition. The expansion cards provide the capa—
`bility of adding and removing a plurality of databases.
`US. Pat. No. 5.339.091 to Yamazaki et al. discloses a
`portable electronic book comprised of a LCD display. key—
`button inputs or other external input facilities. an on/ofi
`switch activated by opening the cover. a hinged cover. a
`solar cell in the cover to power the unit. a connector for an
`external power source and a disk drive to read information
`from optical or floppy disks. Other memory devices could
`include magnetic tape and EPROMS. The screen incorpo.
`rates pressure or photo sensors so the user can select and
`emphasize portions of the text for latter recall.
`US. Pat. No. 5.379.057 to Clough et al. discloses a
`portable. self-contained general-purpose. keyboardless com-
`puter that uses a touchscreen display for data entry. The
`touchscreen is superimposed over a color-graphics LCD-
`type display. The computer includes memory to store a data
`collection application and libraries of possible user
`responses for display in text or pictograrn form. The user
`then touches the area displaying the text or pictogram to
`select the proper response. The disclosed computer is battery
`or AC powered and equipped with a serial I/O cornmunica—
`tions port for connecting to a modem or for other serial
`communications to a host computer. The portable computer
`communicates with the host computer to download selected
`applications and associated libraries. The user can also enter
`information to identify the user and to personalize the
`database created.
`Great Britain Patent No. GB 2.149.544A to Crossland et
`al. discloses an electronic book that can display a page of
`text or illustrations and can increase type size for easier
`reading by the partially sighted. This device comprises a
`LCD-type matrix display. a memory unit that holds the
`material
`to be displayed. a telecommunications port. a
`microprocessor controller and a battery power supply and
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`charger. The display has a black on white contrast approach—
`ing that of print on paper. Data storage can be a microcas-
`sette mounted on the back of the display unit. a cartridge or
`disk that plugs into the back of the book or an external
`source. The telecommunications port provides the capability
`to download materials from a central database such as an
`electronic newspaper or service repair information. User
`functions include page forward and backward. search for a
`specific page number. fast rewind. browse forward or
`backward. split screen for a simultaneous 2-page display and
`word search. The current page of information can be held in
`RAM to serve as a bookmark feature.
`PCT International Pat. No. WO 87101481 to Stein dis—
`closes a portable device in the shape of a book that reads data
`via a laser from a credit card sized data card or from other
`storage media. This electronic book has opposing displays.
`a card reader from which textual information is transferred
`onto the display screens. 2 pages at a time. and a battery or
`AC power source. The device also incorporates user controls
`to advance or reverse paginate through the book. go to the
`first page of the book and an automatic bookmark feature.
`Opening and closing the hinged cover can turn the displays
`on and off.
`‘
`
`The present invention overcomes many of the drawbacks
`and deficiencies of prior art storage and display devices by
`providing an easy-to-use. book-like. portable. personal.
`electronic reader with facing page display capabilities. the
`capability to display pages in their native printed format and
`downloadable storage capabilities.
`
`OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`The Personal Electronic Book System invention replaces
`a standard handheld book with an electronic equivalent. The
`invention is sized and configured to be book size. to open
`like a book for use.
`to display facing pages of printed
`material in their original “as printed" format. and to have the
`look and feel of a printed book.
`A principle object of the present invention is to provide a
`portable electronic device that stores and displays many
`publications within a single unit.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide easy
`and timely accessibility to new publications. new editions
`and periodicals at a cost less than the printed equivalent.
`Still another object of the present invention is to provide
`an environmentally-friendly paperless means for storing.
`displaying and reading conventionally printed materials.
`A further object of the present invention is to reduce
`inventory. distribution and printing costs for publishers.
`Another object of the present invention is to alleviate the
`dependence on physical media such as printing on paper for
`every copy of a publication.
`Yet another object of the present invention is to provide
`publishers a device incorporating a full-page display that
`allows original printed text. graphics and advertising to be
`presented in their original page layout and format.
`Still another object of the present invention is to provide
`a dedicated reader manufactured from highly-reliable solid
`state components and with only a few simple mechanical
`components.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide an
`electronic device that can automatically access an on-line
`database service. automatically download selections from
`this database. and then store these downloaded selections for
`later display by a user.
`
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`Still another object of the present invention is to provide
`a reusable device that can be used to read and display an
`unlimited number of printed or multimedia products.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide the
`simplicity of the look and feel of a printed book while
`allowing access to a large database of printed and multime-
`dia products.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`revolving collection of paperless books that requires only a
`small amount of physical storage space.
`Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
`system for distributing printed and multimedia products to
`consumers.
`
`Still another object of the present invention is to provide
`a system whereby printed and multimedia products can be
`made available to users while producing a relatively small
`number of original products or copies.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`multimedia information storage. transmission and display
`system that will replace presently existing books.
`magazines. newspapers. microfilm. computer printouts and
`other printed media.
`Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
`display device that would be immediately accepted by a very
`large number of people especially those with limited or little
`exposure or training on computers.
`Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the
`following description of the invention. and the novel fea-
`tures of the invention will be particularly pointed out here-
`inafter in the claims.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings
`in which:
`
`FIG. 1 is a pictorial view showing the elements of the
`Personal Electronic Book System.
`FIG. 2 shows a front pictorial view of the Personal
`Electronic Book in the open position with facing display
`screens.
`
`FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the electronics used in
`a Personal Electronic Book.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`The Personal Electronic Book System invention replaces
`a standard handheld book with an electronic equivalent. The
`invention is sized and configured to be book size and to open
`like a book for use. When opened. the user sees two facing
`page-like touch-sensitive. display screens with black print
`on a white background. Icons represent the electronically
`stored material and user-selectable functions. When a book.
`magazine. newspaper. or the like is selected. its table of
`contents is displayed and the user can then read page by page
`or go directly to a particular page by touching the page
`number of the desired selection as listed in the table of
`contents. Closing the Personal Electronic Book automati-
`cally shuts down the device. Additional “printed” or multi-
`media material can be downloaded from an remote server.
`that is. a “bookstore.” and old material. books read. etc.. can
`be deleted to make room for the new material. The only
`input to the Personal Electronic Book invention is via the
`touch-sensitive display screens and the communications link
`established with the on-line bookstore.
`
`A Personal Electronic Book System comprises a plurality
`of Personal Electronic Books 1 of FIG. 1 or 1A of FIG. 2.
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`a plurality of communication links 6 and 6A of FIG. 1. a
`Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 8 of FIG. 1.
`and an on-line bookstore 10 of FIG. 1. The on—line bookstore
`comprises:
`a plurality of telephone lines 9 of FIG. 1 from the PSTN
`to the bookstore 10 of FIG. 1:
`a computer telephony means of connecting. interfacing
`and answering incoming calls on these telephones lines
`such as a telephone answering system 12 of FIG. 1. a
`PSTN gateway. an information on-demand answering
`system. or the like;
`a processing means for handling user requests and down-
`loading page composition formatted publications
`(electronic books. magazines. newspapers. journals and
`the like) and multimedia products such means com-
`prising a server 14 of FIG. 1. a host computer. or the
`like; and
`a storage means for storing the page composition format-
`ted information and multimedia products such means
`comprising a plurality of database storage devices 16 of
`FIG. 1.
`The Personal Electronic Book 1 of FIG. 1 or 1A of FIG.
`2 comprises two abutting touch-sensitive display screens 20
`and 30 mounted on a pair of peripherally framed. book-
`shaped. rectangular cases 22 and 32. hinged together so as
`to open and close in the manner of a printed book. electronic
`processing means. a communication means. an updateable
`memory storage means. an internal power unit 342 of FIG.
`3 with battery and software means. all configured into a
`handheld. portable unit. This Personal Electronic Book
`further comprises:
`a left touchscreen display 20 of FIG. 1 and 2;
`a right touchscreen display 30 of FIG. 1 and 2;
`a left book-shaped. rectangular. front case 22 of FIG. 1
`and 2 onto which the left touchscreen display 20 is
`mounted and retained by a left frame 24 of FIG. 2;
`a right book-shaped. rectangular. back case 32 of FIG. 1
`and 2 onto which the right touchscreen display 30 is
`mounted and retained by a left frame 34 of FIG. 2;
`the communication means to link the Personal Electronic
`Book to the PSTN such as an internal cellular modem/
`telephone 5 of FIG. 1. an internal high-speed data
`modern with a RJ-ll telephone jack 5A of FIG. 2. or the
`like;
`the updateable memory storage means to store publica-
`tions of page composited and formatted information
`(electronic books. magazines. newspapers. journals.
`and the like). data. user information. multimedia
`products. and the like. such means comprising a slot 50
`of FIG. I mounted in the back case for inserting a
`memory card such as a PCMCIA memory card. or a slot
`60 of FIG. 2 mounted in the back case for inserting a
`removable memory device such as a high-density hard
`drive. bubble memory. flash memory. or the like. or a
`plurality of slots mounted in the from and/or rear cases
`for inserting a plurality of memory storage devices. or
`the like;
`a connector means to interface an AC adapter/charger
`device such as the jack 40 of FIG. 2 or an AC
`adapter/charger jack 340 of FIG. 3',
`a hinge means to mechanically connect the right side of
`the from case 22 to the left side of the back case 32 as
`shown at 70 of FIG. 2 so that when the Personal
`Electronic Book is opened the left and right touch—
`screen displays abut and present an appearance similar
`to that of an open printed book;
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`the electronic processing means to control and monitor
`the operations of the Personal Electronic Book in
`accordance with user requests and under software
`control. said means comprising touchscreen controllers
`322 and 332 of FIG. 3 and a display controller 370 of
`FIG. 3. a microcomputer system 380 of FIG. 3 with
`random access memory (RAM). a security circuit 385
`of FIG. 3. and a power unit 342 of FIG. 3;
`the internal power unit 342 of FIG. 3 comprises an
`internal battery or a plurality of internal batteries and
`power and charging circuits that interface to an AC
`adapter/charger unit; and
`the software means comprises a proprietary operating
`system embedded in a solid-state device. the BIOS
`ROM. said software means controlling all the functions
`of the Personal Electronic Book.
`To use the Personal Electronic Book. a user opens the
`Personal Electronic Book in the same fashion as opening a
`printed book. This action automatically applies power to the
`unit and displays facing pages of icons 101 of FIG. 1. Each
`icon represents a product that has been downloaded to the
`Personal Electronic Book from the bookstore. preloaded
`products such as a dictionary. thesaurus. and/or a world
`atlas. or a function that the user can invoke such as estab-
`lishing communications with the bookstore. These icons
`represent
`the various stored products by displaying
`graphical/textual images such as a cover page for a printed
`product such as a book. magazine. newspaper or the like. or
`a graphical/textual image representative of the various mul-
`timedia products available such as an audio or video clip.
`Alternative embodiments incorporate a user identification
`code and/or password that must be entered before the
`Personal Electronic Book can be used
`A bookstore icon 3 of FIG. 1 is provided to automatically
`initiate and establish communications with the remote book-
`store’s database library and services. When the user touches
`this icon 3 of FIG. 1. the Personal Electronic Book requests
`the user to enter a user identification code andlor a password
`that will uniquely identify the user to the bookstore and then
`the Personal Electronic Book uses the build—in communica-
`tions means to automatically dial out over a telephone link
`6 and 6A of FIG. 1 to access the remote on-line bookstore
`via the PSTN 8. This user identification code and/or pass-
`word can be the same code or password used to initially
`active the Personal Electronic Book functions when said
`code or password is enabled. An alternative embodiment
`uses a user identification code encoded into a particular
`Personal Electronic Book when the unit is procured and then
`only request the user’s password for access.
`The communications means built into the Personal Elec-
`tronic Book comprises a cellular modem/telephone 5 of FIG.
`1 that communicates with the PSTN 8 via two-way wireless
`radio waves to a local telephone office or receiving station.
`thus eliminating the need for a hard—wired connection; or a
`data modern with RJ-ll telephone jack. or the like. which is
`connected via a telephone cable to your telephone line and
`then to the local telephone office; or any modem/telephone
`interface device that can establish a communications link
`with the PSTN.
`Having established a communication is link to the book-
`store 10. the bookstore displays a welcome screen and the
`various libraries you can access or services available; such
`as a public domain library. an English language bookstore.
`a foreign languages bookstore. a multimedia bookstore. and
`subscription services. or the like. Upon entering a bookstore
`or selecting a service. the product selections can be dis-
`played on your Personal Electronic Book in a multitude of
`formats.
`
`is to simulate a bookstore
`One such display format
`arrangement such as by placing periodicals and newspapers
`in one section of the display screen such as along the sides
`of the screen. on-sale items or specials in another section
`such as across the bottom of the screen. and books and/or
`other products that may be offered by subject. author. title or
`other classification in yet another section of the screen. The
`user touches the various icons or touchscreen sections to
`bring a particular group of products to the front of the screen.
`browses through the available products by touching the
`different items so as to get a description of the product and
`its price. and then selects the item or items to be downloaded
`to the Personal Electronic Book. The user confirms their
`selection by touching a confirmation icon. the items selected
`are downloaded to the Personal Electronic Book. stored in
`the updateable ROM storage device. the user’s account is
`billed for the items delivered. and the Personal Electronic
`Book automatically terminates communications with the
`bookstore. The Personal Electronic Book then displays icons
`for any new items along with the icons for other items
`already stored in.
`All items currently stored in the Personal Electronic Book
`are represented by icons displayed on the facing touchscreen
`display screens (pages) 101 of FIG. 1 or by textual lists
`organized by user preference. such as alphabetical. by
`author. etc. Any item stored in the Personal Electronic Book
`is accessed by touching its icon or the corresponding item on
`the list of textual items. Typically. when printed material is
`accessed. it is displayed as two facing pages with text being
`displayed in the original fonts and type sizes. black type on
`a white background. 111 of FIG. 2 or in a color represen—
`tative of the original publication. Graphics.
`illustrations.
`photographs and the like are displayed in color to the extent
`that the color of the original can be duplicated by the type
`of display screen used.
`To read printed material. the user touches the icon rep-
`resenting the selection to be read. The selection typically
`opens to a table of contents. The user pages through the
`material by touching the right comer of the touchscreen to
`page ahead or touching the left comer to page backward or
`by touching a Page Ahead icon (or area on the touchscreen)
`or a Page Back icon (or area on the touchscreen). respec-
`tively. New pages are accessed and displayed in a time span
`generally about the same or faster than the time required to
`manually turn the page of a printed book. magazine or
`newspaper. When open to the table of contents page. the user
`can touch the page number of any chapter or section listed
`to imme