Print media apparatus using cards

• US 20050095568A1
• Filed: 10/15/2004
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Musolf, Thomas, Milford, Peter
• Application Number:
  US10/966,438
• Publication Number:
  US 20050095568A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/308
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied

Abstract

A print media apparatus includes a platform unit that includes a platform, an electronic position determining system that includes a processor unit, and a memory device. The memory device includes code for outputs related to print elements. A print medium is provided that may include one or more print elements and a card is also provided for the print medium that includes one or more print elements. A user may insert the card in a card receiver on the print medium. The card may be recognized by the processor unit. When print elements are selected, an output for code associated with the print element and the inserted card is determined. The output may be outputted by the print medium apparatus.

Claims

1. A media apparatus comprising:

(a) a platform unit including

(i) a platform,

(ii) a memory device for the platform, the memory device comprising code for an output related to a graphic element, and

(iii) an output device configured to output the output;

(b) a medium comprising the graphic element disposed on the platform; and

(c) a card on the medium.

2. The media apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform unit comprises a stylus coupled to the platform, wherein the stylus comprises a signal receiving conductor.

3. The media apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output device comprises a speaker and wherein the output is an audio output.

4. The media apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform unit comprises an electronic position determining system including a processor unit associated with the platform.

5. The media apparatus of claim 1, wherein the medium comprises a print medium or an electronic display medium.

6. The media apparatus of claim 1, wherein the medium comprises an electronic display.

7. The media apparatus of claim 1, wherein the graphic element is associated with the card.

8. The media apparatus of claim 1, wherein the medium comprises a card alignment element.

9. The media apparatus of claim 1, wherein the medium comprises a card alignment element,

wherein the card alignment element is a transparent pocket.

10. The media apparatus of claim 1, wherein the medium further comprises a card reader, wherein the card reader is capable of automatically identifying the card.

11. The media apparatus of claim 1, wherein the medium comprises a card sensing strip configured to automatically identify the card.

12. The media apparatus of claim 1, wherein the medium comprises a card reader including one or more posts and the card comprises an electrical device, the card reader configured to identify the card when the electrical device contacts the one or more posts.

13. The media apparatus of claim 1, wherein the card comprises a pattern of holes, slots, or dimples, wherein a card reader of the medium is configured to identify the card based on the pattern of holes, slots, or dimples.

14. The media apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory device comprises second code for a second output related to a second print element, wherein the second print element is located on the medium or the card.

15. The media apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cards, wherein different cards in the plurality of cards may be placed on the medium.

16. The media apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of cards; and

one or more card receivers, wherein a card in the plurality of cards may be placed in each card receiver in the plurality of card receivers.

17. The media apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of cards; and

one or more card receivers, wherein two or more cards in the plurality of cards may be placed in a card receiver in the plurality of card receivers.

18. The media apparatus of claim 1, wherein the medium comprises a book or a sheet.

19. A print media apparatus comprising:

(a) a platform unit including

(i) a platform,

(ii) an electronic position determining system including a processor unit associated with the platform,

(iii) a memory device coupled to the processor unit, the memory device comprising first code for a first output and second code for a second output, and

(iv) an output device coupled to the processor unit; and

(b) a print medium disposed on the platform,

wherein the first output is outputted when a first card is on the print medium and the second output is outputted when a second card is on the print medium.

20. The print media apparatus of claim 19, wherein the print medium comprises a print element, and wherein the first output and the second output are related to the print element.

21. The print media apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first output is outputted when the first card is on the print medium and the print element is selected, and wherein the second output is outputted when the second card is on the print medium and the print element is selected.

22. The print media apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first card comprises a first print element and the second card comprises a second print element, wherein the first output is related to the first print element and the second output is related to the second print element.

23. The print media apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first card comprises a first print element and the second card comprises a second print element, wherein the first output is related to the first print element and the second output is related to the second print element,

wherein the first output is outputted when the first card is on the print medium and the first print element is selected, and wherein the second output is outputted when the second card is on the print medium and the second print element is selected.

24. The print media apparatus of claim 19, wherein the print medium comprises a card receiver configured to receive the first card or the second card.

25. The print media apparatus of claim 19, wherein the print medium comprises a plurality of card receivers each configured to receive the first card or the second card.

26. The print media apparatus of claim 19, wherein the print medium comprises a card receiver configured to receive the first card or the second card,

wherein the card receiver is configured to automatically identify the first card or the second card to the processor unit.

27. The print media apparatus of claim 19, wherein the print medium comprises a card receiver configured to receive the first card or the second card,

wherein the card receiver is configured to align the first card or the second card on the print medium.

28. The print media apparatus of claim 19, wherein the print medium comprises a card receiver configured to receive the first card or the second card,

wherein the card receiver is configured to align the first card or the second card on the print medium,

wherein the first card comprises a first printed identifier and the second card comprises a second printed identifier, the first printed identifier being in a first position on the first card and the second printed identifier being in a second position on the second card.

29. The print media apparatus of claim 19, wherein the print medium comprises a card receiver configured to receive the first card or the second card,

wherein the card receiver is configured to align the first card or the second card on the print medium,

wherein the first card comprises a first printed identifier and the second card comprises a second printed identifier, the first printed identifier being in a first position on the first card and the second printed identifier being in a second position on the second card,

wherein the first position of the first printed identifier identifies the first card to the processor and the second position of the second printed identifier identifies the second card to the processor.

30. The print media apparatus of claim 19, wherein the print medium comprises a card receiver configured to receive the first card or the second card,

wherein the card receiver comprises a transparent pocket.

31. The print media apparatus of claim 19, wherein the medium comprises a card sensing strip configured to automatically identify the card.

32. The print media apparatus of claim 19, wherein the platform unit further comprises a stylus coupled to the platform, wherein the stylus comprises a signal receiving conductor.

33. The print media apparatus of claim 19, wherein the output device comprises a speaker and wherein the first output is a first audio output and the second output is a second audio output.

34. The print media apparatus of claim 19, wherein the print medium comprises a book or a sheet.

35. A kit comprising:

a print medium, wherein the print medium is to be used with a platform unit; and

a plurality of cards to be used with the print medium,

wherein one or more outputs are outputted by an output device for the platform unit for the plurality of cards and the print medium, wherein outputs in the one or more outputs depend on a card in the plurality of cards on the print medium.

36. The kit of claim 35, further comprising a transferable memory device comprising code for the one or more outputs.

37. The kit of claim 35, further comprising a transferable memory device comprising code for the one or more outputs, wherein the transferable memory device is a data cartridge.

38. The kit of claim 35, wherein the one or more outputs includes outputs related to each card in the plurality of cards.

39. The kit of claim 35, wherein the one or more outputs includes outputs related to each card in the plurality of cards,

wherein the print medium comprises a print element.

40. The kit of claim 35, wherein the one or more outputs includes outputs related to each card in the plurality of cards,

wherein an output associated with the print element in the one or more outputs depends on a card in the plurality of cards being on the print medium.

41. The kit of claim 35, wherein the one or more outputs includes outputs related to each card in the plurality of cards,

wherein an output associated with the print element in the one or more outputs depends on a card in the plurality of cards being on the print medium,

wherein a first output in the one or more outputs is associated with the print element for a first card in the plurality of cards and a second output in the one or more outputs is associated with the print element for a second card in the plurality of cards.

42. The kit of claim 35, wherein a first card in the plurality of cards comprises a first print element and a second card in the plurality of cards comprises a second print element.

43. The kit of claim 35, wherein a first card in the plurality of cards comprises a first print element and a second card in the plurality of cards comprises a second print element,

wherein a first output in the one or more outputs is associated with the first print element and a second output in the one or more outputs is associated with the second print element.

44. The kit of claim 35, wherein the print medium comprises a card receiver.

45. The kit of claim 35, wherein the print medium comprises a plurality of card receivers, wherein a card in the plurality of cards may be placed in two or more of the card receivers in the plurality of card receivers.

46. The kit of claim 35, wherein the print medium comprises a plurality of card receivers, wherein two or more cards in the plurality of cards may be placed in a card receiver in the plurality of card receivers.

47. The kit of claim 35, wherein the print medium comprises a card receiver,

wherein the card receiver comprises a transparent pocket configured to align a card in the plurality of cards on the print medium.

48. The kit of claim 35, wherein the print medium comprises a card receiver,

wherein the card receiver comprises a card sensing strip configured to automatically identify a card in the plurality of cards on the print medium.

49. The kit of claim 35, wherein the one or more outputs comprises audio outputs.

50. The kit of claim 35, wherein the print medium comprises a book or a sheet.

51. A method comprising:

receiving an input for a first card placed on a print medium;

receiving a selection of a print element;

determining code for a first output associated with the first card, the code for the first output being related to the print element; and

outputting the determined first output.

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

receiving a second input for a second card placed on the print medium;

receiving a second selection of the print element;

determining code for a second output associated with the second card, the code for the second output being related to the print element; and

outputting the determined second output.

53. The method of claim 51, further comprising receiving a second input for a second card placed on the print medium;

receiving a second selection of the print element;

determining code for a second output associated with the second card, the code for the second output being related to the print element; and

outputting the determined second output,

wherein the print element is located on the print medium and the second print element is located on the print medium.

54. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

receiving a second input for a second card placed on the print medium;

receiving a second selection of the print element;

determining code for a second output associated with the second card, the code for the second output being related to the print element; and

outputting the determined second output,

wherein the print element is located on the card and the second print element is located on the second card.

55. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

receiving a selection of a printed identifier on the first card; and

identifying the first card based on a location of the selection of the printed identifier.

56. The method of claim 51, further comprising automatically identifying the first card placed on the print medium using a card reader.

57. A method comprising:

placing a print medium comprising a first print element on (a) a platform unit including (i) a platform, (ii) an electronic position determining system including a processor unit associated with the platform, (iii) a memory device coupled to the processor unit, and (iv) an output device coupled to the processor unit; and

placing a card on the print medium.

58. The method of claim 57, further comprising:

selecting the first print element and receiving a first audio output related to the first print element.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein the card comprises a second print element, the method further comprising selecting the second print element and receiving a second audio output related to the second print element.

60. The method of claim 57, wherein the platform unit further includes a stylus and wherein selecting the first print element includes selecting the first print element with the stylus and selecting the second print element includes selecting the second print element with the stylus.

61. The method of claim 57, wherein the print medium comprises a book or a sheet.

62. An apparatus comprising:

a card sensing strip;

a transferable memory device coupled to the card sensing strip; and

a card to be read by the card sensing strip.

63. The apparatus of claim 62, further comprising a print medium comprising a print element, the print element associated with code for an output stored in the transferable memory device.

64. The apparatus of claim 62, further comprising a print medium, wherein the card sensing strip is coupled to the print medium.

65. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the card comprises a print element, the print element associated with code for an output stored in the transferable memory device.

66. The apparatus of claim 62, further comprising a wire coupling the card sensing strip to the transferable memory device.

67. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the card sensing strip is configured to automatically identify the card.

68. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the card sensing strip comprises one or more posts and the card comprises an electrical device, the card sensing strip configured to identify the card when the electrical device contacts the one or more posts.

69. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the card comprises a pattern of holes, slots or dimples, wherein the card sensing strip is configured to identify the card based on the pattern of holes, slots, or dimples.