United States Patent (19)
`Reavey et al.
`
`54 ELECTRONIC BOOK DEVICE
`75 Inventors: Brian Reavey, Somerset County;
`Gerald Caffrey, Hunterdon County,
`both of N.J.
`
`73 Assignee: DataVentures, Inc., Piscataway, N.J.
`
`21 Appl. No.:716,837
`22 Filed:
`Sep. 17, 1996
`(51) Int. Cl." ....................................................... C09G 5/00
`52 U.S. Cl. ........................... 345/173; 345/901; 361/681
`58 Field of Search ..................................... 34.5/173, 156,
`345/168, 169,179,901, 905; 364/708.1;
`178/18, 19; 341/22; 361/681, 680, 686
`
`56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,159,417 6/1979 Rubincam ............................... 235/375
`4,160,242 7/1979 Fowler ......
`... 340/711
`4,490,811 12/1984 Yianilos ........
`... 364/900
`4,757,302 7/1988 Hatskeyama .
`... 340/407
`4,830,618 5/1989 David ............
`... 434/169
`4,891,775
`1/1990 McWherter ...
`364/705.06
`4,980,836 12/1990 Carter et al. ..
`... 364/200
`5,007,019
`4/1991 Squillante ...
`... 364/900
`5,049,862 9/1991 Dao et al. .....
`... 34.5/179
`5,113,340 5/1992 McWherter ...
`... 364/419
`5,249,965 10/1993 Yianilos .................................. 434/177
`5,339,091 8/1994 Yamazaki et al. ...................... 345/901
`5,467,102 11/1995 Kune et al. .......
`... 345/903
`5,475,399 12/1995 Borsuk ..........
`... 345/901
`5,566,098 10/1996 Lucente et al. ...
`364/708.1
`5,663,748 9/1997 Huttman et al. ........................ 345/901
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0136379 2/1991 United Kingdom.
`
`
`
`USOO5847698A
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`5,847,698
`Dec. 8, 1998
`
`WO82/03132 9/1982 WIPO.
`WO88/09985 12/1988 WIPO.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Online Service-Zenith Data Systems Cruise Pad-Pcuser.
`Online Service-Magic Link PIC-1000 Communicator.
`Online Service-EHT 400S-Epson Products.
`Online Service-The Ego-Thompson Consumer Electron
`ics.
`Digital Book System-Model DBS-2-Franklin ELec
`tronic Publishers, Inc. Mt. Holly, New Jersey 08060.
`
`Primary Examiner Dennis-Doon Chow
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm Kenneth P. Glynn, Esq.
`57
`ABSTRACT
`An electronic book device has an electronic display unit
`having a flat panel Screen and a housing for containing the
`flat panel Screen. A cover is provided, which is hingedly and
`electrically connected to the electronic display unit. The
`housing further has a means for accessing material on a PC
`card and forwarding the material to the electronic display
`unit. The housing also has navigation keys for cursering
`through the material. Activation and deactivation of the
`electronic display unit is responsive to opening, partially
`opening and closing of the electronic book device. The
`device features a means for orientating the material on the
`electronic display unit responsive to an opening position of
`the electronic book device. In another embodiment, a data
`entry mechanism is operatively connected to the electronic
`display unit. The data entry mechanism can be implemented
`by using a touchscreen for the electronic display unit. In Still
`another embodiment, a Second electronic display unit
`replaces the cover.
`
`16 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`EX-1009
`Microsoft Inc. v. LiTL LLC
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 8, 1998
`Dec. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`5,847,698
`5,847,698
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`75
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`
`
`115
`115
`
`FIG. 2
`FIG 2
`
`118
`118
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`5,847,698
`5,847,698
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`Dec. 8, 1998
`Dec. 8, 1998
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`100 ~~
`
`116
`
`116
`
`150
`
`

`

`
`
`240
`
`254
`
`252
`
`215
`
`262
`
`FIG
`
`218
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 8, 1998
`Dec. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`Sheet 3 of 5
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`5,847,698
`5,847,698
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`216 210 we
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`200
`210
`216
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
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`5,847,698
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`
`
`POWER
`SOURCE
`POWER
`CONDITIONER
`
`
`
`
`
`300
`
`y
`
`-
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`VIDEO SCREEN(S)
`331
`N
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`332
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`310
`N-N
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`FLASH
`6R
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`VIDEO
`CONTROLLER
`
`315
`Y|N RAM
`
`MOTHERBOARD
`CACHE RAM
`
`320|| STATIC RAM
`
`PCMCIA
`WITH BATTERY | CONTROLLER
`
`330
`
`340
`
`345
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`PC CARDS
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`350
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`360
`
`SNE
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`NAVIGATION
`AND
`ASSIANT
`SWIT
`380
`
`370
`sERA.
`PORT
`
`PARALLEL
`PORT
`
`346
`
`SCREEN
`ORIENTATION
`SWITCH
`FIG. 7
`
`390
`
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`
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`TEST FOR
`BOOKERALLY
`
`
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`
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`410
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`4.
`NITIATE SLEEP MODE
`SCREEN(S) OFF
`420
`
`sEiESET
`SEE
`
`BOOK OPENED
`BEFORE END OF
`CountDowNNSEQUENCE
`SEQUENCE
`
`
`
`
`
`-
`SCREEN(S) ON
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`
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`
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`CONTINUE OPERATION
`
`440
`
`END OF COUNTDOWN
`SEQUENCE OR USER
`SNAPS BOOK CLOSED
`430
`
`E-BOOK OFF
`
`FIG 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet S of 5
`
`5,847,698
`
`OPEN E-BOOK
`
`500
`
`READ BIOS
`
`510
`
`VOLTAGE SUFFICIENT
`
`530
`
`520
`
`550
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`NITIALIZE ROM
`AND RAM
`
`
`
`BATTERY STATUS
`
`LOW
`
`540
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`LOADPCMCIA
`CARD DRIVER(S)
`
`BEEP SEQUENCE
`INDICATES LOW
`BATTERY
`
`560
`
`TEST FOR CARD
`
`CARD NOT PRESENT
`MESSAGE:
`PLEASE INSERTA CARD
`
`570
`
`CARD PRESENT
`GATHER INITIAL CARD
`INFORMATION
`a NDEX OF DATA
`8 MODEM. TYPE 8, SPEED
`o HEADER FROM PRE-PUBLISHED CARD
`
`580
`
`590
`
`VERTICAL
`
`
`
`SCREEN
`ORIENTATION
`SWITCH
`
`HORIZONTAL
`
`600
`
`610
`
`FLAT. & PARTIALLY
`FOLDED
`SDE-BY-SIDE OVER/UNDER SCREEN
`SCREEN
`ORIENTATION WITH
`ORIENTATION
`KEYPAD ON SCREEN 2
`
`OVER/UNDER
`SCREEN
`ORIENTATION
`
`
`
`
`
`PRESENT OPENING
`SCREENS
`
`FIG. 9
`
`

`

`1
`ELECTRONIC BOOK DEVICE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates in general to electronic
`devices for the display and input of text and data.
`Specifically, the present invention provides a Single Screen
`or a hinged dual Screen electronic device which can display
`textual and graphical information Stored in various memory
`cards or compatible media and has an integrated data entry
`capability. More specifically, the electronic device has a
`Screen orientation function which allows the user to orient
`and use the device in either a side-by-side fashion, i.e. like
`a book, or in an over/under fashion, i.e. like a laptop
`computer.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`The following patents describe the state of the art in
`electronic hand held devices.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,891,775 to McWherter describes an
`electronic word game version of the game hangman. The
`device has a memory containing a word list arranged in a
`tree format and a tree Search control module to compare an
`input word against the tree memory to provide a valid output
`word. A random number generator generates a random
`number for each position in the input word size Selected. The
`random number Selects from a predetermined letter table
`which has a frequency distribution equal to the usage in the
`English language. The result is a Selected letter Sequence
`having the proper size, which is then traversed against the
`memory to find a word.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,811 to Yianilos et al. describes a string
`comparator device for comparison of Strings of indicia at
`high Speeds for use in a System circuit in a computer System.
`The String comparison device provides a numeric measure
`ment of the degree of Similarity between the compared
`indicia Strings as defined by a mathematical algorithm.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,618 to David describes a hand held
`electronic spelling machine. A keyboard is provided for
`entry of the Specified word and Search results are displayed
`on a Single line display. A Scrolling function is provided for
`viewing the words found.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,019 to Squillate et al. describes an
`electronic dictionary for entering a word and displaying the
`asSociated Synonyms of the word. A history list is generated
`which contains user Selected words, So as to enable the user
`to review the words at a later time. This enables the user to
`track through the history list to explore any desired complex
`arrangement of concepts, ideas and relationships.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,340 to McWherter describes improve
`ments to hand held Spelling machines. Specifically, Search
`Speed is increased by providing a look up table which
`encodes all character Sets of one or two letters into a coded
`String.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,965 to Yianilos describes an improve
`ment to electronic croSSword puzzle Solving machines which
`provides alternative words for an entered word. Initial
`activation of the Search finds all words having only one
`different letter. Succeeding activations look for 2, 3, and So
`on different letters than the entered word.
`European Patent Office Publication No.: 0 136 379 B1
`describes a word comparator for finding numerical Similarity
`between the compared words.
`Franklin Electronic Publishers, Inc. has an electronic
`device, Digital Book System-Model DBS-2 which has a
`keyboard for data entry and for operational control of the
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`electronic device. It has a five line display and Scrolling
`arrows for viewing the rest of the text. The device has two
`Slots for memory cards.
`Zenith Data Systems has a device termed the CruisePAD.
`It uses a radio device to connect it to and access PC Software
`and hardware which may be 500 feet away. It has a
`processor, memory, Storage, an expansion port and a net
`work connection. It has an operating System and applica
`tions and interface devices Such as a display, keyboard,
`mouse and audio equipment. Hot keys are provided for
`access to basic functions. It can alternatively be connected
`to a PC via a PCMCIA card.
`EPSON has a EHT-400S, which is a small portable
`system with DOS, Windows and UNIX capabilities. It has a
`processor, memory, display screen, and two PCMCIA Type
`III slots (or 4 Type II). It has a resistive film touch panel for
`input. EHT-400C is a comparable color version.
`Sony has the PIC-1000 Communicator which can send
`and receive electronic mail, faxes and has Software for
`organizing and Scheduling. User can create a message on the
`on-Screen keyboard or write in their own handwriting using
`the Stylus. It has an internal data and faX modem, infrared
`beam communication, one PCMCIAType II slot and a serial
`interface port.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,417 to David P. Rubincam describes
`an apparatus which includes a digital memory, a Sensor for
`Sensing information from the memory, logic circuitry
`coupled to the Sensor, and a display for Visually displaying
`the stored information. It further includes a portable con
`tainer for containing the above elements, a control mecha
`nism for controlling what information is displayed and a
`memory card having a matrix of holograms which contain
`binary bits of information.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,160,242 to Gerald C. Fowler describes a
`reading machine which provides a visual display of col
`lected textual material. The device has an addressable
`memory for Storing the textual material and an output means
`for providing output Signals corresponding to the textual
`material at Selected addresses in the memory, a means for
`addressing the memory and Select the desired material,
`operator means for Selecting the material, comparison means
`for inhibiting further processing when the desired material
`has been Selected, a Second memory, a control means for
`connecting to the first or Second memory and a display
`mechanism for visually showing the Selected textual mate
`rial.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,302 to Atsushi Hatakeyama et al.,
`assigned to Hitachi, Ltd., describing an image display device
`for paging images on a display Screen. The device comprises
`a memory for Storing a plurality of page images with image
`identification numbers, display means for Sequentially read
`ing and displaying the page images by Successive line
`Scanning with a Specified display interval time, display
`Speed control means for Specifying the interval time and
`direction of paging, time measurement means, and means
`for continuously Sampling the display interval time and for
`comparing a Sampled value with elapsed time for controlling
`the paging.
`Thomson Consumer Electronics has a portable self
`contained Videodisc player and associated Screen. The
`player has a 10" LCD display, a Videodisc player, Sound and
`a six hour battery Supply.
`Notwithstanding the above prior art, it is believed that the
`device set forth herein is neither taught nor rendered obvi
`OUIS.
`
`SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE
`INVENTION
`The present invention is an electronic book device which
`combines the look and feel features of a conventional book
`
`

`

`3
`with State of the art electronic technology. The end result is
`an electronic book device which features an electronic
`display unit having a multi-orientatable Single flat panel or
`a hinged dual flat panel display, accessibility to information
`on memory cards or other Such electronic media, an inte
`grated user entry function and an user control function. The
`panels can display text and graphics in a black and white or
`color format. Adding to the book look and feel is a protective
`book-type cover which is designed to reflect the information
`contained in the device. The present invention provides an
`aesthetically pleasing, easy to read and use electronic device
`for reviewing various types of information.
`The device can be used in multiple configurations. In the
`Single flat panel embodiment, the device can be used in
`either a horizontal or a vertical display mode. In the dual flat
`panel embodiment, the user can Select one of three different
`operational modes. In the first mode, the two flat panels are
`used Side-by-side, i.e. in a Standard book like format. In the
`Second book, the panels are in an over-under placement and
`can function as one panel with text and graphics Scrolling
`downward from one to the other. In the third mode, the
`panels are in an over-under position, but with the bottom
`panel as a touch Screen for data and text entry. This latter
`mode is the laptop configuration. The ability to have mul
`tiple operational modes is facilitated by having a Screen
`orientation feature which automatically adjusts the text and
`graphics to the desired mode.
`Activation and deactivation is accomplished by the open
`ing and closing of the device, respectively. Upon activation
`the user can easily page through the information by using the
`control keys, i.e. four navigation keys and an assistant key.
`The control keys allow the user to page or Scroll through the
`information. The device has two levels of deactivation, a
`Sleep mode and off. In the Sleep mode, when the device is not
`fully closed, power to the panels is cut off after an user
`defined amount of time. In both deactivation modes, the
`device establishes a bookmark at the current page. When
`re-activated, the device returns to the bookmarked page.
`Alternatively, the electronic book device may return to a
`previously Set, user defined bookmark. The user accesses
`this processing through the assistant function key.
`The electronic book device uses PCMCIA cards for the
`Storage of pre-recorded information, and Writable cards for
`the entry, Storage and playback of user generated text.
`PCMCIA cards will be generated for a wide range of subject
`material, including gardening, Sports, travel, hobbies and
`other areas. Each PCMCIA may hold several books or
`periodicals on a given Subject. Furthermore, the device will
`be able to acceSS information on other Systems and the
`internet. The computer communication links are established
`either via direct data links (such as serial, parallel or SCSI
`communication ports) or through modem communications
`to various "on-line” networks or the internet. The electronic
`book device will have an operating system which will allow
`downloading information from various Sources, browsing
`the internet, and various basic functions, including Scrolling
`and paging through the information.
`The present invention accomplishes the above function
`ality and corrects the defects of past devices by providing at
`least one electronic display unit having a flat panel Screen
`and a housing for containing Same. A cover is provided when
`only one electronic display unit is being used. The electronic
`display unit is hingedly and electrically connecting to either
`the Second electronic display unit or to the cover. The
`housing has means for accessing material on a PC card and
`forwarding the material to the electronic display unit. The
`housing also has means for navigating through the material
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`on the electronic display unit. The device has means for
`activation and deactivation which are responsive to opening,
`partially opening and closing of the electronic book device.
`The electronic book device features a means for orientating
`the material on the electronic display unit responsive to an
`opening position of the electronic book device. The device
`has a means for conditioning power to all parts of the
`electronic book device.
`The present invention provides a device which has more
`Screen area to depict text and graphics, an adaptive Screen
`orientation function and is easy to use.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The present invention should be more fully understood
`when the Specification herein is taken in conjunction with
`the drawings appended thereto, wherein:
`FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a Single panel
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a dual panel embodi
`ment of the present invention;
`FIG. 3 shows another perspective view of the dual panel
`embodiment shown in FIG. 2;
`FIG. 4 shows another view of the embodiment shown in
`FIG. 2;
`FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present inven
`tion;
`FIG. 6 shows another view of the embodiment shown in
`FIG. 5;
`FIG. 7 a high level schematic of the present invention;
`FIG. 8 shows a top level functionality flowchart upon
`activation of the present invention; and
`FIG. 9 shows an interrupt level functionality for the
`present device.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT
`INVENTION
`The electronic book device integrates the look and feel
`familiarity of a book with advanced computer technology to
`create an easy to use, multi-functional and versatile tool for
`Viewing information in the form of text and graphics. The
`electronic book device has either a single or a dual Screen
`electronic display. Although the two embodiments may be
`Structurally different, functionality is the same. AS Such, the
`Structural aspects of the two embodiments are described,
`followed by the functional description.
`Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic book device is depicted
`generally as 10. Electronic book device 10 has a single panel
`Screen 15, a housing 16 for Single panel Screen 15, a front
`cover 20 and a hinge 25 which electronically connects Single
`panel screen 15 and front cover 20. Housing 16 or front
`cover 20 will further contain a power conditioner 60 (not
`shown), which will condition power from a power Source
`62. Power source 62 may be a rechargeable battery. A set of
`four navigation keys 30–33 and an assistant key 34 are
`positioned on an outside Surface of housing 16. AS explained
`below, navigation keys 30–33 each have indicia equating to
`the functionality of the key (refer to FIG. 2). For example,
`navigation key 30 could be for Fast Reverse and have a <<
`symbol; navigation key 31 could be for Reverse and have a
`<symbol; navigation key 32 could be for Forward and have
`a symbol >; navigation key 33 could be for Fast Forward and
`have a Symbol >>, and assistant key 34 could be represented
`by an
`A side Surface 21 of front cover 16 includes at least one
`slot 40 for inserting and electrically connecting a PCMCIA
`
`

`

`S
`(Personal Computer Memory Card International
`Association) card 50. Side surface 21 further includes an
`access port for a parallel port 54 for computer communica
`tions and printer. A Screen Side Surface 17 of housing 16
`contains an access area for power Source 62 and a Serial port
`52 for computer communications and printer. PC Card slot
`40, serial port 52, parallel port 54 and power source 62 may
`additionally each have port covers 42, 53, 55 and 63. Slot
`cover 42, port covers 53 and 55 and power source cover 63
`are shown as hinged covers, but could also be sliding bar
`covers or any other comparable mechanism.
`In addition to allowing users read various types of Stored
`information, users can also create their own works using a
`data entry mechanism 70. In the Single panel embodiment,
`data entry mechanism 70 can be implemented in two ways,
`either Single panel Screen 15 can be a touchscreen or it can
`be a separate keyboard on front cover 20. If implemented as
`a touchscreen, data entry mechanism 70 would overlay a
`portion of Single panel Screen 15. Touchscreen devices in
`this Sense means any of a number of devices including
`Surface wave touchscreens, resistive membrane touch
`Screens and capacitive touchscreens. The user created work
`could then be stored on a PC card 50.
`To further enhance the book-like feel, electronic book
`device 10 will also have a protective book-type cover 75. In
`addition to protecting electronic book device 10 from wear
`and tear, protective book-type cover 75 can be embellished
`with various designs and graphics corresponding to the
`Subject area of interest. As a result, the present invention
`looks like a book, feels like a book and is as easy to use like
`a book.
`Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, an electronic book device
`100 is depicted with a dual screen display 105. Dual screen
`display 105 has a first panel screen 110 which is electrically
`connected to a Second panel Screen 115 through a hinge 125.
`First panel screen 110 and second panel screen 115 are
`contained in housing 116 and 118, respectively. Power
`conditioner 160 will be contained in either first panel screen
`110 or second panel screen 115. Electronic book device 100
`will have four navigation keys 130-133 and an assistant key
`134 located on an outside surface of on one of first panel
`screen 110 or second panel screen 115. As before, a side
`surface 117 will have a slot 140 for a PC card 150 (with
`cover 142), a serial port 152 (with cover 153) and a parallel
`port 154 (with cover 155).
`In this embodiment a data entry mechanism 170 can be
`implemented by having either first panel screen 110 or
`Second panel Screen 115 as a touchscreen. AS before, before
`a protective book-type cover 175 is used to protect and
`present an aesthetically pleasing product.
`Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, another embodiment of the
`present invention is shown and is indicated generally as 200.
`Dual screen display 205 has a first panel screen 210 which
`is electrically connected to a Second panel Screen 215
`through a hinge 225. First panel Screen 210 and Second panel
`screen 215 are contained in housing 216 and 218, respec
`tively. Power source 262 will be contained in a second
`screen side 219. In addition, serial port 252 will also reside
`in second screen side 219. First screen side 218 contains a
`slot 240 for a PC card 250 and a parallel port 254. As before,
`electronic book device 200 will have four navigation keys
`230-233 and an assistant key 234 located on an outside
`Surface of Second panel Screen 215. A data entry mechanism
`is implemented as discussed above.
`Referring now to FIG. 7, a high level schematic of
`electronic book device 10 and/or 100 (and other
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`embodiments) is shown. The schematic illustrates one
`method and design of implementing the necessary proceSS
`ing. Electronic book device 100 will be used for reference
`purposes, but it should be noted that the following is equally
`applicable to electronic book device 10. Any variations will
`be noted. In this implementation, electronic book device 100
`will consist of a central processing unit (CPU) 300, a read
`only memory (ROM) 310, a random access memory (RAM)
`315, a static RAM with battery 320, a video controller 330,
`a cache RAM 340 and a PCMCIA controller 345.
`ROM 310 will contain the Software required by electronic
`book device 100 and will include but is not limited to the
`operating System, power management, diagnostics,
`touchscreen/digitizer Software, Screen orientation Software,
`PCMCIA card driver Software, card reader application
`Software, data entry Software and data transfer Software.
`ROM 310 may be of the Flash ROM variety, thus making it
`available for upgrades. Since ROM 310 cannot be “easily'
`written to, static RAM with battery 320 is provided to save
`various user Specific parameters, Such as communications
`parameters, user preferences, electronic bookmarks,
`passwords, parameters for power management. To enhance
`operation and speed of electronic book device 100, cache
`RAM 340 is provided which facilitates recovery from sleep
`mode, Scrolling back and forth and other Similar associated
`functions. Video controller 330 and PCMCIA controller 345
`contain hardware necessary for operation of Video Screens
`331, 332 and PC cards 346. Serial port processing 370 and
`parallel port processing 380 facilitate the use of serial port
`252 and parallel port 254 for computer communications
`and/or internet access. An Universal Serial Bus System could
`also be used to perform the above functionality.
`In addition to the above described nominal Software and
`hardware, electronic book device 100 also requires on/off
`Switch processing 350, navigation and assistant Switch pro
`cessing 360 and screen orientation processing 390.
`Referring to FIG. 8, on/off switching processing 350 is
`shown in a flowchart format. On/off Switching format 350 is
`performed at an interrupt level of CPU 300 and as such, it
`is a continuous background proceSS. Electronic book device
`100, in the same manner as a book, is activated and
`deactivated by Simply opening and closing electronic book
`device 100. Hinge 125 will employ commonly used hinge
`detents together with on/off switching process 350, i.e. a
`Spring and ball bearing mechanism, to Sense if electronic
`book device 100 is closed, open or partially open. There are
`two levels of deactivation, sleep mode and off. Off occurs
`when electronic book device 100 is snapped close and the
`Spring is in a compressed State. Sleep mode occurs when
`electronic book device 100 is partially open (step 405).
`When electronic book device is partially open, power to the
`screens is turned off (step 410). The initiation of sleep mode
`begins an user definable time-out Sequence (Step 420).
`Concurrently, as the power is shut down to the Screens, an
`electronic bookmark is set and stored in static RAM 320.
`This also occurs when electronic book device 100 is snapped
`closed. If the countdown Sequence ends or the user closes
`electronic book device 100, electronic book device 100 is
`turned off (step 430). At thisjuncture, electronic book device
`100 will go into a one minute shut down cycle. If electronic
`book device 100 is re-opened within the one minute shut
`down cycle time, the Screen will return as in the Sleep mode.
`If re-opened after the shutdown cycle time, then electronic
`book device 100 has to go through the full initialization start
`up cycle. If electronic book device 100 is fully opened
`before the end of the Sequence, then the Screens are reacti
`vated with the information displayed prior to when elec
`
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`

`7
`tronic book device 100 went into sleep mode (step 440). If
`electronic book device 100 is opened after the end of the
`Sequence, then electronic book device 100 must go through
`the longer initialization Start up cycle. However, electronic
`book device 100 will still return to the bookmarked page(s).
`During Step 420, the user can Set/reset the Sequence as
`desired (step 450). As stated earlier, on/off switching pro
`cessing is a background function and will always check the
`status of electronic book device 100.
`Navigation and assistant Switch processing 360 manages
`the functionality of navigation keys 130-133 and assistant
`key 134. Navigation keys 130-133 allow the user to advance
`through pages, chapters, menus etc. Navigation keys 130
`and 131 allow the user to return to the beginning of a
`chapter, the first page of the text or to the previous page,
`respectively. Navigation keys 132 and 133 allow the user to
`go forward one page or advance to the end of the document,
`respectively. ASSistant key 134 permits the user to access a
`Special menu of user-definable taskS Such as Setting and
`changing bookmarks, go to the table of contents, go to a
`print menu or go to a communications menu. Process 360
`allows the user to perform all basic operational and Setup
`functions.
`Electronic book device 100 can automatically rotate text
`and graphics on the display panel to change the Screen
`orientation. Screen orientation processing 390 in conjunc
`tion with commercially available multi-function gravity
`Switches and hinge 125 permit electronic book device 100 to
`be used in one of three available operational modes, namely,
`Side-by-Side, over-under, and over-under with touchscreen
`keyboard. In a single panel Screen embodiment, the Side
`by-Side mode corresponds to having the display Screen in a
`vertical position and in the over-under mode, it corresponds
`to a horizontal positioning. The over-under mode with
`keyboard equates to the horizontal position with a touch
`Screen keyboard. In the dual panel Screen embodiment, the
`Side-by-side mode has both Screens in the vertical position
`and in the over-under mode, the Screens are both in a
`horizontal position. The over-under mode with keyboard
`corresponds to having the top horizontal Screen behave as a
`normal display Screen and the bottom horizontal Screen
`behave as a touchscreen keyboard. In the over-under mode,
`the two Screens could act as one Screen, with the text and
`graphics Scrolling downward from one to the other.
`The modes are set automatically when electronic book
`device 100 is opened. The mode set being dependent upon
`the way the user is holding electronic book device 100. If
`electronic book device 100 is held in a normal book like
`manner, then mode 1 will be Selected and the ensuing text
`and graphics will appear in a side-by-side manner. If elec
`tronic book device 100 is held in an over-under (top-bottom)
`fashion, i.e. opened in a checkbook manner, then mode 2
`will be set. Mode 3 is activated if electronic book device 100
`is placed on a flat Surface and is partially opened. AS Stated
`before, hinge 125 has a Spring detent. A detent is set at a
`predetermined angle, say approximately at 120 open which,
`when electronic book device 100 is in the proper position,
`will activate a touchscreen keypad on the bottom Screen.
`Electronic book device 100 is weighted Such that it is
`balanced on a hard Surface in this position to permit typing
`on the keyboard. When electronic book device 100 is fully
`opened all the way, the keyboard will disappear.
`The electronic book device will use PCMCIA (Personal
`Computer Memory Card International Association) cards for
`the Storage of data and for communication with computers
`and computer networks. The electronic book device will use
`at least three types of PC cards: communication cards
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`5,847,698
`
`8
`(modem cards), memory cards and ROM type PC cards for
`pre-recorded information. The computer communication
`links are established either via direct data links (Such as
`through serial, parallel or SCSI communication ports) or
`through modem communications to various "on-line” net
`works or the internet. Electronic book device 100 will use at
`least one Type II PCMCIA card (PC card). PC communi
`cation cards may be used to allow for high Speed commu
`nication pathways such as ISDN, ATM, ETHERNET and
`other Similar Services.
`AS stated above, electronic book device 100 will use PC
`cards to Store pre-recorded information Storage. In the same
`manner as books, PC cards will be available in a broad range
`of Subjects. However unlike books, the PC Cards may have
`enough Storage capability to hold Several books or periodi
`cals on a given Subject. As a consequence, a Specific
`electronic book device can be packaged for a targeted
`market, Such as historians, collectors, gardeners, and other
`Such interest areas. With respect to periodicals or updates to
`books, the PC cards can be recycled and eXchanged for a
`new electronic edition of the Subject area. The memory cards
`can be used by users to capture, Store and playback pages of
`information that was either downloaded or created by the
`USC.
`The operating System Software will allow downloading
`information from various Sources, browsing the internet, and
`various basic functions, including Scrolling and paging
`through the