Electronic book player with audio synchronization

• US 6,933,928 B1
• Filed: 07/18/2000
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mind Fusion, LLC (Ascend Innovation Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Scott E. Lilienthal
• Inventors: Lilienthal, Scott E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala, Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kovalick, Vincent E.
• Application Number:
  US09/618,924
• Time in Patent Office: 1,862 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/173, 345/776, 345/854, 345/860, 345/864, 345/901, 434/308, 434/309, 434/311, 434/317
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0283 for data storage and retrieval
• 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

This paperless book is portable and uses removable ROM devices to provide the visual and aural information displayed in the paperless book. The book can be read in a visual mode, as print, or in an aural mode, as the spoken word corresponding to the print, or in both visual and aural modes. The display mode may be conveniently shifted back and forth between visual and aural, for use, for example, by a counter who uses the book in the aural mode while driving and switches to the visual mode while riding on a train. In addition, the visual display may be manipulated affecting the appearance, for use, for example, by persons with reduced visual acuity. Movies also may be viewed using the paperless book. Finally, portions of the text may be enhanced by additional visual images, music or other sounds.

Claims

1. The process of displaying information in a portable paperless book comprising a visual display system, an audible display system, a digital storage system for visual and audible information, a temporary storage site, and a power system containing a battery for powering the portable paperless book, wherein the visual information is a printed book with words electronically displayed on the visual display for reading and may be electronically erased from the visual display after the words are read, controls for the erasure of the visual display after the words are read, and the audible information is electronically synthesized words of the printed book which are synthesized in synchrony with the words electronically displayed on the visual display, wherein the visible information may be read under constantly changing conditions when the conditions favor visible reading, and the audible information may be listened to under constantly changing conditions when the conditions favor listening to audible information comprising the steps:

a. downloading visual and audible information from a digital storage device into the temporary storage site.

b. displaying a page of printed words from the temporary storage site on a visual display, and

c. displaying audible expression of the words of the page of printed words from the temporary storage site on an audible display, the display of audible material simultaneously with the display of words of the page of printed words.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the visual and audible information is downloaded from a removable memory storage device.

3. The process of claim 1 further comprising the step:

d. advancing the visual display to the next page when the audible display corresponding to the displayed page is completed.

4. A paperless book comprising:

a housing,

a central processing unit, ROM reader, permanent memory unit, and temporary memory unit mounted within the housing,

a visual display, power jack, head-mounted visual display housing jack, audible display housing jack, scroll button, select button, play button, stop or pause button, directional control buttons, volume control dial, brightness control dial, door for inserting ROM, and shoulder strap, mounted on the housing,

earphones, connecting wires, and an earphone jack, the earphone jack connected to the audible display housing jack,

a head-mounted visual display, connecting wire, and visual display jack, the visual display jack connected to the head-mounted visual display housing jack, and

a battery for powering the paperless book,

wherein audible information is electronically synthesized words of the printed book which are synthesized in synchrony with the words electronically displayed on the visual display,

wherein the visible information may be read under constantly changing conditions when the conditions favor visible reading, and the audible information may be listened to under constantly changing conditions when the conditions favor listening to audible information.

5. The paperless book of claim 4 further comprising a alternating current to direct current converter which plugs into the power jack and provides direct power to the paperless book.

6. The paperless book of claim 4 further comprising a digital storage device for visual and audible information, the digital storage device inserted in the ROM loading door in operation.