Apparatus for presenting visual material with identified sensory material

• US 6,021,306 A
• Filed: 07/22/1997
• Issued: 02/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Augusta Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Futech Interactive Products, Inc. (Janex International, Inc.)
• Inventors: McTaggart, Stephen I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US08/898,056
• Time in Patent Office: 924 Days
• Field of Search: 434/156, 434/178, 434/169, 434/308, 434/309, 434/311, 434/317, 434/339, 200/5 R, 200/5 A
• US Class Current: 434/317
• CPC Class Codes: B42C 9/00 Applying glue or adhesive peculiar to bookbinding
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 1/004 Perforated or punched sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 1/006 with at least one foldable or folded sheet
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 1/009 characterised by printed matter not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 3/123 incorporating sound producing or light emitting means or carrying sound records
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/065 Combinations of audio and video presentations, e.g. videotapes, videodiscs, television systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/901 Electronic book with display

Abstract

An electronic book comprising a plurality of leaves, each leaf comprising pages of printed material bound at one edge to form a spine, with electrical circuits formed in each leaf. A common electronic circuit such as a speech generator and/or controller cooperates with the electrical circuits on each of the various pages, connected to the electrical circuits in the leaves through conductive paths through the spine of the book. The electrical circuits in the leaves include electrical elements such as switches, and sensory output devices (e.g., thermochromic devices, light emitting diodes, thermo-olfactory devices, electrochromic devices, and the like). The electrical elements are associated with particular portions of the printed material so that the particular portions can be selectively highlighted or emphasized (e.g., designated by actuation of a visual or olfactory device and/or text read). A particularly advantageous switch structure formed integral to the page employing standard printing techniques, the bonding of LEDs directly into the printed circuit, and various advantageous methods of construction of the book are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for presenting combined visual and sensory material comprising:

a. a circuit comprising a memory, the memory responsive to a first switch, the circuit for identifying sensory material in response to the memory;

b. a plurality of leaves bound together each at a respective edge to form a binding, each leaf comprising;

(1) visual material;

(2) a respective second switch formed within the leaf and associated with the visual material; and

(3) a respective conductor formed within the leaf and extending from the respective second switch to a position proximate to the respective edge; and

c. a plurality of inter-leaf conductive paths through the binding for coupling each respective second switch to the circuit, the circuit for presenting identified sensory material in further response to any respective second switch operation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuit further comprises a speaker for presenting the identified sensory material.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuit further comprises an electronic display for presenting the identified sensory material.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuit further comprises a means for emitting a fragrance for presenting the identified sensory material.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuit identifies an absence of sensory material to be presented in response to the memory and to respective second switch operation.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuit further comprises a means for identifying at random sensory material to be presented in response to the memory and to respective second switch operation.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuit further comprises a counter having a count for identifying sensory material in response to the count, the memory, and to respective second switch operation.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuit further comprises a counter having a count for identifying sensory material to be repeatedly presented in response to the count, the memory, and to repeated respective second switch operation.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises a cover comprising the first switch.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first switch is located on an inner surface of the cover.

11. An apparatus for presenting combined visual and sensory material comprising:

a. a plurality of leaves bound together each at a respective edge to form a binding, each leaf comprising;

(1) visual material;

(2) a respective switch formed within the leaf and associated with the visual material; and

(3) a respective conductor formed within the leaf and extending from the respective switch to a position proximate to the respective edge;

b. a circuit comprising a memory, the circuit for identifying sensory material in response to the memory, the memory responsive to operation of a respective switch; and

c. a plurality of inter-leaf conductive paths through the binding for coupling each respective switch to the circuit, the circuit for presenting identified sensory material in further response to operation of any respective switch.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the circuit further comprises a speaker for presenting the identified sensory material.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the circuit further comprises an electronic display for presenting the identified sensory material.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the circuit further comprises a means for emitting a fragrance for presenting the identified sensory material.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the circuit identifies an absence of sensory material to be presented in response to the memory and to respective switch operation.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the circuit further comprises a means for identifying at random sensory material to be presented in response to the memory and to respective switch operation.

17. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the circuit further comprises a counter having a count for identifying sensory material in response to the count, the memory, and to respective switch operation.

18. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the circuit further comprises a counter having a count for identifying sensory material to be repeatedly presented in response to the count, the memory, and to repeated respective switch operation.