Print media information systems and methods

• US 7,299,971 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2004
• Issued: 11/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Wood, Michael C., Marggraff, James
• Primary Examiner(s): HESS, DANIEL A
• Application Number:
  US10/831,051
• Publication Number:
  US 20050082359A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,314 Days
• Field of Search: 235/487, 235/375, 345/173, 345/179, 345/156, 434/317, 178/18.01
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/00 Digital computers in general details G06F1/00 – G06F13/00; Data processing equipment in general
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 7/10 Selecting, i.e. obtaining data of one kind from those record carriers which are identifiable by data of a second kind from a mass of ordered or randomly- distributed record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32133 on the same paper sheet, e.g. a facsimile page header
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3225 of data relating to an image, a page or a document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3271 Printing or stamping

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel interactive information system which can be used to make a traditional print medium such as a magazine, “interactive”. When the traditional print medium is placed on a print media receiving unit in a predetermined position, a user can interact with the traditional print medium. Printed matter elements on the printed medium can be made “selectable” by the user.

Claims

1. A print media receiving unit assembly comprising:

(a) a hinged platform including a surface;

(b) a book to be disposed on the platform;

(c) a set of letters including the letters A-Z on a portion of the surface of the hinged platform;

(d) an electronic position determining system capable of determining a selection of a portion of the book and capable of determining a selection of at least one of the letters which is selected while the book is not disposed on the portion of the surface of the hinged platform;

(e) a processor in the platform;

(f) a memory device associated with the processor;

(g) a speaker associated with the processor; and

(h) a speech synthesizer associated with the processor.

2. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 1 wherein the platform is structured so that the platform is capable of being opened or closed, and wherein the book is retained inside of the closed platform.

3. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of the selections is selectable by a finger of a user.

4. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 1 wherein the memory device comprises location detection software.

5. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 1 wherein the book includes print elements that are highlighted.

6. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 1 further comprising a holder used to hold the book in a fixed position.

7. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 1 wherein the book lies flat against the platform.

8. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 1 wherein the platform is formed of plastic.

9. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 1 wherein the print media receiving unit assembly is adapted to play a game.

10. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 1 wherein the electronic position determining system includes an antenna.

11. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 1 wherein the book includes a spine with a spiral wire.

12. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 1 wherein the platform is adapted to play music.

13. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 1 wherein the book comprises a game.

14. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 13 wherein at least one of the selections is selectable by a finger of a user.

15. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 13 wherein the memory device comprises location detection software.

16. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 13 wherein the book includes print elements that are highlighted.

17. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 16 wherein all of the letters A-Z are printed on the surface of the platform in order.

18. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 13 wherein the book is a children'"'"'s book.

19. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 1 wherein the book is a children'"'"'s book.

20. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 1 wherein the letters A-Z are printed on the surface of the hinged platform.

21. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 1 wherein the letters A-Z are printed in order from A to Z on the surface of the hinged platform.

22. A print media receiving unit assembly comprising:

(a) a hinged platform including a surface;

(b) a book to be disposed on the platform;

(c) a set of letters including at least one of the letters A through Z on a portion of the surface of the hinged platform;

(d) an electronic position determining system capable of determining a selection of a portion of the book and capable of determining a selection of at least one of the letters which is selected while the book is not disposed on the portion of the surface of the hinged platform;

(e) a processor in the platform;

(f) a memory device associated with the processor;

(g) a speaker associated with the processor; and

(h) a speech synthesizer associated with the processor.

23. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 22 wherein at least one of the letters A-Z is printed on the surface of the hinged platform.

24. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 22 wherein the letters A-Z are printed in order from A to Z on the surface of the hinged platform.

25. A print media receiving unit assembly comprising:

(a) a platform including a surface;

(b) a book to be disposed on the platform;

(c) a set of letters including at least one of the letters A through Z printed on a portion of the surface of the platform;

(d) an electronic position determining system capable of determining a selection of a portion of the book and capable of determining a selection of at least one of the letters which is selected while the book is not disposed on the portion of the surface of the platform;

(e) a processor in the platform;

(f) a memory device associated with the processor;

(g) a speaker associated with the processor; and

(h) a speech synthesizer associated with the processor.

26. The print media receiving unit assembly of claim 25 wherein all of the letters A-Z are printed on the surface of the platform in order.