Interactive book

• US 5,413,486 A
• Filed: 06/18/1993
• Issued: 05/09/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reader's Digest Children's Publishing, Inc. (Imagine Nation Books LLC)
• Original Assignee: Joshua Morris Publishing Incorporated
• Inventors: Burrows, Roger I., Morris, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US08/077,900
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 434/317, 434/308, 434/327, 434/335, 364/410, 364/419.01
• US Class Current: 434/317
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/062 Combinations of audio and printed presentations, e.g. magnetically striped cards, talking books, magnetic tapes with printed texts thereon

Abstract

An interactive book or device having a mechanism for generating a plurality of sensory outputs in manner that maximizes the interaction between the user and the book or device. The interactive book includes function initiators for initiating a unique sensory output that corresponds to a visual indicia on a page of the book. A function level selector is coupled to the function initiators that selectively changes a function level and thereby selectively changes the sensory output corresponding to each function initiator. Consequently, the number of sensory outputs is increased and thereby enables greater interaction between the user and the book. It also encourages the user to creatively combine the sensory outputs to obtain a cognizable aggregate output.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

means for storing a set of discrete sensory outputs;

means for outputting each of said sensory outputs;

a book having a plurality of pages, each of said pages including a plurality of visual indicia;

a plurality of function initiators coupled to said output means, each of said function initiators initiating the output of a unique sensory output by said output means, each of said function initiators corresponding to at least one of said visual indicia, and all of said function initiators being physically distinct from all of said visual indicia;

a function level selector coupled to each of said function initiators, said function level selector selectively changing a function level of the apparatus and thereby selectively changing the sensory output corresponding to each of said function initiators, each of said function initiators being associated with a different sensory output at each of said function levels; and

a support member supporting said storage means, said output means, said plurality of function initiators, said function change selector and said book.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sensory output by said output means is an audio output.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said audio output for each of said function initiators states a particular word.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said audio outputs for said function initiators are sequentially combinable to form a cognizable phrase.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, including at least one supplemental function initiator for initiating the generation of a sound effect output.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4, including a discrete memory for storing and selectively outputting at least one of a previous audio output.

7. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said particular word for at least one of said function initiators is in a language other than the English language.

14. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said audio output for each of said function initiators is a musical note.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said audio outputs for said function initiators are sequentially combinable to form a melody.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, including a selectively operable game circuit for sequentially activating a plurality of visual output devices according to a predetermined pattern, each visual output device corresponding with at least one of said function initiators, whereby the sensory outputs for the function initiators will create a melody according to said predetermined pattern when said function initiators generate the sensory outputs following the sequential activation of the visual output devices.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, including a selectively operable rhythm circuit for providing a rhythmic sensory output as a guide to the tempo of the created melody, said rhythmic sensory output being variable.

18. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said audio output for each of said function initiators is a sound effect.

19. An interactive book apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising;

a combination memory for storing an ordered set of said sensory outputs, said ordered set being comprised of the sensory outputs associated with a set of selected function initiators on a selected one of said levels and being ordered in the order in which the function initiators are selected;

a combination initiator for initiating the output of said ordered set of sensory outputs by said output means.

20. An interactive book apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said sensory outputs consists of an individual word, said words being combinable, at each of said levels, in multiple orders to form a plurality of phrases or sentences.

21. An interactive book apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said function initiators are grouped into a plurality of pairs of initiators, one of said initiators in each of said pairs initiating the output of a word or phrase by said output means in a first language, and the other of said initiators in each of said pairs initiating the output of the same word or phrase by said output means in a second language.

22. An interactive book apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said pages contains a plurality of questions, each of said visual indicia representing an answer corresponding to one of said questions and each of said sensory outputs indicating whether said visual indicia is a correct or an incorrect answer to said corresponding question.

23. An interactive book apparatus according to claim 22 further comprising:

a timer circuit for specifying a counting of a specific period of time; and

a scoring circuit for counting the number of function initiators, which correspond to said visual indicia which is a correct answer, initiated during said specific period of time.

24. An interactive book according to claim 1 wherein said sensory outputs are musical notes.

8. An apparatus comprising:

means for generating a plurality of sensory outputs;

a book having a plurality of pages, each of said pages including a plurality of visual indicia;

a plurality of function initiators coupled to said output generating means, each of said function initiators initiating the generation of a sensory output by said output generating means and each of said function initiators corresponding to at least one of said visual indicia;

a function level selector coupled to each of said function initiators, said function level selector selectively changing a function level of the apparatus and thereby selectively changing the sensory output corresponding to at least one of said function initiators;

a means for displaying said function level; and

a support member supporting said output generating means, said plurality of function initiators, said function change selector and said book.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said visual indicia include a plurality of written inquiries.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein at least two function initiators correspond to each written inquiry and wherein said sensory output for each of said at least two function initiators is an output responsive to the written inquiry.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said sensory output for each of said at least two function initiators is one of a sensory output indicating a correct response to the written inquiry and a sensory output indicating an incorrect response to the written inquiry.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said sensory output is a visual output.

13. An apparatus according to claim 11, including a selectively operable game circuit having a timer and scoring device, whereby points are accumulated by said scoring device according to each correct response to a written inquiry within a predetermined period of time as measured by said timer.

25. An interactive book apparatus comprising:

a book having of a plurality of pages, each page including a plurality of visual indicia;

means for storing a set of discrete sensory outputs;

means for outputting said sensory outputs;

a function level selector for selecting a function level of the apparatus;

a support member supporting said book, said output means, said storage means, and said function level selector;

a plurality of function initiators disposed on said support member adjacent said book, each of said function initiators corresponding to at least one of said visual indicia; and

means supported by said support member and coupled to said storage means, said output means, said function level selector, and said function initiators for specifying one of said sensory outputs to be output by said output means in response to selection of one of said function initiators, said specified sensory output being different for each function level.

26. An interactive book apparatus according to claim 25 wherein each of said function levels correspond to a different one of said pages of said book.

27. An interactive book apparatus according to claim 25 further comprising a level indicator for displaying said function level.

28. An interactive book apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said function level selector comprises a pair of buttons, one for increasing and one for decreasing said function level.

29. An interactive book apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said level indicator is a digital display.

30. An interactive book apparatus providing sensory output for a user, said apparatus comprising:

a memory for storing a set of discrete sensory outputs;

means for outputting said sensory outputs;

a plurality of switches, each of said switches corresponding to a plurality of said sensory outputs;

a book having a plurality of pages, each page containing a plurality of visual indicia, each of said indicia uniquely corresponding to one of said switches;

a level selector for selecting a logical level of the apparatus, each level corresponding to a different page of said book;

a level indicator for providing visual feedback to the user of said logical level of the apparatus selected by said level selector;

a logic unit coupled to said level selector, said memory, and said switches to select one of said plurality of sensory outputs corresponding to each of said switches to be output by said output means in response to selection of each of said switches by the user by pressing the switches; and

a support member supporting said book, said memory, said level selector, said level indicator, said switches, said logic unit, and said output means.

31. An interactive book apparatus comprising:

a book having a plurality of pages, each page having a plurality of visual indicia;

means for outputting sensory outputs;

a plurality of function initiators, each function initiator corresponding to one of said visual indicia;

a logic memory means coupled to said function initiators and said output means for storing a plurality of sensory outputs and associating one of said sensory outputs to each of said function initiators to be output by said output means upon selection of each of said function initiator; and

a function level selector coupled to said logic memory means for informing the logic memory means of the level of the apparatus, each of said pages defining a different level of the apparatus, and changing said association between said sensory outputs and said function initiators.

32. An interactive book apparatus according to claim 31 further comprising;

a combination memory for storing an ordered set of said sensory outputs, said ordered set being comprised of the sensory outputs associated with a set of selected function initiators on a selected one of said levels and being ordered in the order in which the function initiators are selected;

a combination initiator for initiating the output of said ordered set of sensory outputs by said output means.

33. An interactive book apparatus according to claim 31 wherein each of said sensory outputs consists of an individual word, said words being combinable, at each of said levels, in multiple orders to form a plurality of phrases or sentences.

34. An interactive book apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said function initiators are grouped into a plurality of pairs of initiators, one of said initiators in each of said pairs initiating the output of a word or phrase by said output means in a first language, and the other of said initiators in each of said pairs initiating the output of the same word or phrase by said output means in a second language.

35. An interactive book apparatus according to claim 31 wherein each of said pages includes a plurality of questions, each of said questions corresponding to a plurality of visual indicia indicating possible answers to said corresponding question.

36. An interactive book according to claim 35 wherein a sensory output indicating a correct response is associated with said function initiators corresponding to visual indicia which indicate a correct response to said corresponding question, and a sensory output indicating an incorrect response is associated with said function initiators corresponding to visual indicia which indicate the incorrect response to said corresponding question.

37. An interactive book according to claim 35 further comprising:

means for measuring a specific period of time;

means for counting the number of said function initiators corresponding to visual indicia which indicate the correct response to said corresponding questions are initiated during said period of time.

38. An interactive book according to claim 31 wherein each of said sensory outputs is one or more musical notes.

39. An interactive book according to claim 38 wherein said musical notes are combinable to create a melody.

40. An apparatus according to claim 39, including a selectively operable game circuit for sequentially activating a plurality of visual output devices according to a predetermined pattern, each visual output device corresponding with at least one of said function initiators, whereby the sensory outputs to the function initiators will create a melody according to said predetermined pattern when said function initiators generate the sensory outputs following the sequential activation of the visual output devices.

41. An apparatus according to claim 39, including a selectively operable rhythm circuit for providing a rhythmic sensory output as a guide to the tempo of the created melody, said rhythmic sensory output being variable.

42. An interactive book according to claim 38 further comprising a sound effect selector for modifying the sound of said musical notes without modifying the pitch of said musical notes.

43. An apparatus comprising:

means for storing a set of discrete sensory outputs;

means for outputting each of said sensory outputs;

a book having a plurality of pages, each of said pages including a plurality of questions, a plurality of answers corresponding to each of said questions, and a plurality of visual indicia, each of said visual indicia corresponding to at least one of said answers, at least one of said sensory outputs being indicative of a correct answer, and at least one of said sensory outputs being indicative of a wrong answer;

a plurality of function initiators coupled to said output means, each of said function initiators initiating the output of a sensory output by said output means, each of said function initiators corresponding to at least one of said visual indicia, and all of said function initiators being physically distinct from all of said visual indicia;

a function level selector coupled to each of said function initiators, said function level selector selectively changing a function level of the apparatus and thereby selectively changing the sensory outputs corresponding to said function initiators, less then all of said sensory outputs being associated with function initiators at each of said levels; and

a support member supporting said storage means, said output means, said plurality of function initiators, said function change selector and said book.