(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0184189 A1
`Hay et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Dec. 5, 2002
`
`US 2002O1841.89A1
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE
`DELIVERY OF ELECTRONIC BOOKS
`
`(75) Inventors: George M. Hay, Lighthouse Point, FL
`(US); Gerald Rasmussen, Coral
`Springs, FL (US)
`
`Publication Classification
`(51) Int. Cl." ....................................................... G06F 7700
`(52) U.S. Cl. .................................................................. 707/1
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Roc NSEARISON LLP
`IP GROUP, COLUMBIA SQUARE
`555 ThirteeNTH STREET, N.W.
`WASHINGTON, DC 20004 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: George M. Hay
`(21) Appl. No.:
`10/067,976
`(22) Filed:
`Feb. 8, 2002
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/294,439, filed on May
`30, 2001.
`
`
`
`An electronic book on a computer readable medium, e.g., a
`CD or the like, has "real-life" pre-recorded audio (pre?er
`ably, in MP3 format) and Visual text (preferably, in RTF
`format) seamlessly linked together via a linking file (pref
`erably, in XML format) such that a reader can Switch back
`and forth “at will” between visually reading on a computer
`display Screen and/or listening to the book being read aloud
`by an actual narrator. The computer readable medium
`includes a reader program installed thereon and an automatic
`installation program. A novel process for creating the elec
`tronic book includes a creator program that may have a
`Similar graphical user interface to the reader program. The
`electronic book may combine advantages of physical hard
`cover books with new e-reading functionality developed by
`the present inventor.
`
`-1-
`
`Amazon v. Audio Pod
`US Patent 8,738,740
`Amazon EX-1028
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 1 of 23
`
`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`
`
`i
`
`S.
`
`-2-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002. Sheet 2 of 23
`
`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`
`
`º I "50I
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`-3-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 3 of 23
`
`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`IZ
`
`ZZ
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2) I "5DI
`
`-4-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002. Sheet 4 of 23
`
`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`euenw??os uepeÐ8 peo?uMoq
`
`3D pOU|}?W
`
`|e?uÐUuÐIddnS
`
`
`
`J??nduuoo quello o 1
`
`XISICI uuou
`
`
`
`uue 16oud uepeÐx. Il eqsu I
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`uueußOJd Jape08 upuneT
`
`-5-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002. Sheet 5 of 23
`
`
`
`-6-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002. Sheet 6 of 23
`
`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`<X, O O g >
`
`-7-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`-8-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002. Sheet 8 of 23
`
`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`
`
`s
`
`-9-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 9 of 23
`
`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`C109I
`
`ÁuequêuJuJOO
`
`
`
`Xpeu luône-T
`
`inum-A"
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`-10-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 10 of 23
`
`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`J??nduuOO uIX|Oog ÁdOQ pueH
`
`
`
`
`Z/TI/I
`
`
`
`-11-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 11 of 23
`
`US 2002/0184189 Al
`
`£‘OIA
`
`L215
`
`
`
`yndynoolpny
`
`O8T
`
`1X8)MAA
`
`AQuaainau07TST
`
`
`
`3X9}JOJjlBupjul|a4Quaayead0]payeadas
`
`
`
`
`
`enunuos
`
`ur]
`
`TWX972015+—COT
`
`
`
`be1/ai
`
`oI]JOSSUBIUBS
`—z8T
`
`-12-
`
`SIGOLBAes
`(Ed‘*6'a)
`A1oya41gOLYsiqnd
`
`b8I
`
`-12-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 12 of 23
`
`US 2002/0184189 Al
`
`(€dW“6'9)
`
`961_
`
`SnURUODWX93e819b6T
`
`ur]
`
`
`¥SIOLanesMopeaiigo1ysiqnd6I
`
`
`
`alyxoeybigO]3X9]suedwoyc6T
`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`8‘OIA
`
`jey161g
`
`olOlpnyO6T
`
`COT
`
`wesBo1dg
`
`
`
`
`
`uonUuBbodeyaa10/AI6T
`
`AldXojeWbig
`
`-13-
`
`-13-
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002. Sheet 13 of 23
`
`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2)6 "5ÐI
`
`3DOIS
`
`-14-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 14 of 23
`
`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`
`
`-15-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002. Sheet 15 of 23
`
`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`
`
`paraqun &
`
`
`
`II '5ÐIHZIZOIZIIZ
`
`-16-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 16 of 23
`
`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`
`
`-17-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 17 of 23
`
`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`
`
`-18-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002. Sheet 18 of 23
`
`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`£[[15) O’TOXICI
`
`
`
`#7 I "5ÐI- OGz
`
`
`
`?
`
`•
`
`-19-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002. Sheet 19 of 23
`
`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`
`
`w
`G.
`s
`e
`2.
`
`S.
`
`X
`ga
`
`2
`s
`s
`e
`e
`
`-20-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 20 of 23
`
`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`
`
`sa?43do 44 ,9I•9I
`
`-21-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002. Sheet 21 of 23
`
`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`£98
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`VISZ
`
`-22-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 22 of 23
`
`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`
`
`|- siroog av
`
`-23-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 23 of 23
`
`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`NGIGIJLHÆÐIGI MIGIJL HVHO
`
`-24-
`
`

`

`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`Dec. 5, 2002
`
`SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR THE DELIVERY OF
`ELECTRONIC BOOKS
`0001. The present application claims priority to provi
`sional application Serial No. 60/294,439, filed on May 30,
`2001, entitled System and Method for the Delivery of
`Electronic Books, the entire disclosure of which is incorpo
`rated herein in by reference in its entirety as though recited
`herein in full.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0002 The present invention relates generally to the deliv
`ery of electronic books. The preferred embodiments of the
`present invention provide a System and method for deliver
`ing electronic books on a computer readable medium with a
`natural audio file (e.g., recorded “live” with a human nar
`rator), an electronic text file and a book reader program.
`INTRODUCTION
`0003. There is currently significant uncertainty in the
`electronic book and the traditional book markets. With the
`introduction of electronic books (e-books) and electronic
`digital reading Software (e-book readers) and hardware, the
`market has been somewhat slow. There are a limited number
`of electronic versions of books published and a limited
`number of features associated with existing e-book reader
`Software.
`0004. The traditional book market is well established and
`consumers are accustomed to traditional methods of reading.
`Despite the existence of e-books, consumers are set in their
`ways. With respect to reading, for example, consumers will
`require Something unique to change their reading habits.
`Existing e-books can be complicated to use. They can
`require that the user be able to download e-books and
`asSociated e-book reader Software from the Internet, pre
`Suming they have the ability (i.e., both knowledge and/or
`resources) and/or time.
`0005 Existing e-book reader Software is often not very
`Versatile and/or user friendly. Among other problems, the
`e-book market typically requires a Substantial amount of
`cost and/or time associated with the purchase and/or down
`load of an electronic book.
`0006 e-Book publishers are often required to produce
`their books in multiple e-book formats due to the number of
`different competing e-book reading formats on the market.
`Typically, consumers are required to purchase an e-book and
`then download it from the Internet, causing users unaccept
`able problems, delays and/or inconveniences.
`0007 Existing e-book digital reading software compa
`nies provide reader Software with digital Searching and
`personal library management tools. However, consumers
`have still been slow to move towards the e-book market.
`e-BookS can have a number of problems including, for
`example, that: 1) there are a multiple number of e-book
`formats and no single industry Standard; 2) there are limited
`books published in electronic format; 3) consumers are often
`required to download multiple e-book reader Software pro
`grams; and/or 4) the reader Software programs have
`restricted applicability, Such as to certain computers and/or
`handheld devices.
`0008. With e-books authors can potentially publish books
`electronically and can, in essence, go directly to the public.
`
`That is, authors can potentially bypass “traditional” publish
`ers and distributors. Authors and e-book publishers, how
`ever, are faced with pirating concerns, copyright issues
`and/or potential theft.
`0009. The present inventor has discovered that to a
`traditional reader, downloading e-books into a computer is
`Simply not an acceptable Substitute for the physical owner
`ship of the hardback and/or paperback book and that this is
`likely a reason that e-book downloads have found little
`acceptance as an emerging technology. Moreover, tradi
`tional hardback and/or paperback books will likely remain in
`wide use for years to come. The present inventor has
`discovered that, among other things, what has been needed
`are methods of providing e-books that combines the physical
`ownership of a book product with an advanced technology
`that enhances educational and/or recreational reading and
`which methods integrate easily alongside traditional hard
`back and/or paperback book methods.
`0010. The present invention has significant advantages
`over other art, avoiding the above and/or other deficiencies,
`limitations and/or problems associated therewith, Such as,
`for example, other art shown in: 1) U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,659;
`2) U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,144; 3) U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,735; 4)
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,379; 5) U.S. Pat. No. 5,822.284; 6) U.S.
`Pat. No. 5,957,697; 7) U.S. Pat. No. 6,154,757; 8) Patent
`Cooperation Treaty Publication PCT WO/97/10541; 9) On
`line Publication Entitled “Features and Benefits for the
`Interface of the Next Generation Digital Talking Book,” by
`Dennis R. DeVendra; 10) On-line Publication Entitled
`“DAISY on Our Desktops? A Review of LpPlayer 2.4.” by
`B. T. Kimbrough; and/or 11) On-line reference entitled
`“Digitization Of The Book: A Report of Present Trends.”
`SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`0011 A potential advantage of some embodiments of the
`present invention is the ability to present books electroni
`cally to readers in an increasingly user-friendly format.
`0012 Another potential advantage of some embodiments
`of the present invention is the ability to establish a more
`flexible standard for electronic book readers.
`0013 Another potential advantage of some embodiments
`of the present invention is the ability to permit a reader to
`read a book electronically or, upon Selection, to have a book
`read orally to the reader.
`0014) Another potential advantage of some embodiments
`of the present invention is the ability to flexibly transition
`back and forth between reading an electronic book on Screen
`and having a book read orally to a reader.
`0015. Another potential advantage of some embodiments
`of the present invention is the ability to permit highlighting
`of Selectable Sections of an electronic book by a reader.
`0016. Another potential advantage of some embodiments
`of the present invention is the ability to allow highlighted
`Sections of an electronic book to be read back to a reader.
`0017 Another potential advantage of some embodiments
`of the present invention is the ability to allow book-marked
`Sections of an electronic book to be printed for a reader.
`0018. Another potential advantage of some embodiments
`of the present invention is the ability to have a book read by
`a human Voice rather than a computer-generated Voice.
`
`-25-
`
`

`

`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`Dec. 5, 2002
`
`0.019 Another potential advantage of some embodiments
`of the present invention is the ability to allow electronic
`books played on common audio player devices.
`0020. The above and/or other advantages may, if desired,
`be provided in Some preferred embodiments of the present
`invention as will be apparent to those skilled in the art based
`upon the present disclosure.
`0021. In preferred embodiments of the present invention,
`the number of books on a user's physical library room
`shelves can increase significantly due to the size of the
`media, which can be, in preferred embodiments, in a com
`puter readable medium (e.g., CD) format. Among other
`things, the organization of Shelves can be enhanced by the
`avoidance of size “variations” seen with hard-cover books.
`Preferably, the computer readable medium on which the
`book is digitally Stored is housed within a container in which
`bound titles can still be visually observed and read as a user
`Surveys a traditional library environment. As a result, the
`books may typically be thinner, making room for many more
`books on a user's once-cramped shelves. In short, the bound
`copies (e.g., containers for the computer readable mediums)
`can be thinner because they may contain little or no paper.
`In Some embodiments, the container may include a paper
`insert. In preferred embodiments, the paper insert may
`include a front picture that is the same or Substantially the
`Same as that of the corresponding hard-cover book, a rear
`picture that is the Same or Substantially the Same as that of
`the corresponding hard-cover book, and, if desired, one or
`more internal pages. The internal pages may include, for
`example, advertisement information, the preface or a pro
`logue of the book, the table of contents of the book,
`information regarding the technical aspects of the computer
`readable medium (e.g., CD), how to use the book, customer
`Service contact information, and/or other information. In
`preferred embodiments, the container includes a CD that can
`Simply be removed and inserted into a computer (e.g.,
`personal computer, laptop computer, handheld computer,
`etc.) or the like. Then, the user will be able to read and/or
`listen to an electronic book Stored thereon, Such as reading
`a favorite novel, Studying a textbook assignment, etc., just as
`with hard copy paper books.
`0022. In preferred embodiments of the present invention,
`when the reader's eyes tire, the reader can instruct the laptop
`to read the book aurally and a human Voice will read the text
`to the reader from the point where the instruction was given.
`0023 Preferably, if the reader is studying a textbook and
`desires to highlight Sections and/or to take notes, the System
`of the present invention will allow the reader to highlight the
`text in both the visual and the audio-visual mode and/or to
`take notes related thereto. Preferably, the software will
`provide the option to review highlighting (or even note
`taking) by, for example, having the computer read back the
`Specific portions that were highlighted.
`0024. With preferred embodiments of the present inven
`tion, users will not need to carry heavy textbooks (e.g.,
`relieving the burdens of students and/or other users). In
`order to use preferred embodiments of the present invention,
`a user may, for example, only have access to a computer
`(e.g., a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a
`laptop, etc.) and a selection of a CD or the like produced
`according to embodiments of the present invention. In this
`
`manner, physical “books' will be available, but in, for
`example, CD form, and will be readily available in a cost
`effective manner.
`0025. In preferred embodiments of the present invention,
`a new audio-visual book format can be provided. Unlike
`both a) audio-only books on tapes or CDs which only play
`on Standard tapes or CD players and b) existing e-books
`which only allow users to read books electronically pub
`lished on computers or handheld devices, the preferred
`embodiments of the present invention provide consumers
`with the ability to simultaneously read the books and/or
`listen to actual human Voice narrations thereof.
`0026. In preferred embodiments, a computer readable
`medium (e.g., a CD or the like) contains a book reader
`program that uniquely provides a Seamless link between a
`human-voice audio copy of the book with a digital text form
`of the book Such that an individual can easily switch
`between reading and/or listening. Among other benefits, this
`can expediently increase the efficiency of reading. In the
`most preferred embodiments, the narrative portion of the
`audio-visual book is not computer generated, but a repro
`duction (e.g., recordation) of an actual human Voice. In this
`latter case, the reader Software preferably uses a digital
`transcription of a narrator's pre-recorded Voice to enable the
`fullest enjoyment of the Storytelling experience brought
`about by the Subtle changes in tone and inflection of the
`narrator. Most preferably, books published in accordance
`with embodiments of the present invention will be able to be
`heard in any MP3 CD device, such as a car's MP3 player,
`portable MP3 players, DVD players, and other MP3 devices,
`etc. MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3) is a standard technology
`and format for compression of a Sound Sequence into a Small
`file while preserving Sound quality. MP3 files may also be
`readily downloaded via the Internet. MP3 is a powerful
`algorithm in a Series of audio encoding Standards developed
`under the sponsorship of the Motion Picture Experts Group
`(MPEG) and formalized by the International Organization
`for Standardization (ISO). While MP3 is used in the most
`preferred embodiments, numerous other formats may be
`employed in various other embodiments.
`0027. In preferred embodiments, the audio track of the
`audio-visual book is croSS-indexed in Such a way that an
`individual user can bookmark the text So the reader can
`return to the position where the reader left off and resume
`reading or listening. In preferred embodiments, consumers
`will have the ability to read the book and, at the same time,
`actually listen to the book, as it is read to them by an actual
`human Voice.
`0028. In preferred embodiments, a system is provided
`which includes both software for “creating” the audio-visual
`book-the preferred embodiments of which are referred to
`under the trademark AV CREATORTM-and for “reading”
`the created audio-visual book-the preferred embodiments
`of which are referred to under the trademark AV
`READERTM. In preferred embodiments, the AV CREATOR
`Software and the AV READER software are provided on
`Separate CDS or other forms of computer readable media. In
`Some illustrative embodiments, the reader and/or creator
`Software can be created using C++, Visual basic and/or other
`known programming languages.
`0029. In preferred embodiments, the “reader' software
`allows individuals to Seamlessly link a human-voice audio
`
`-26-
`
`

`

`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`Dec. 5, 2002
`
`narrative copy of a book with the digital text of the book.
`Preferably, the “reader' software includes at least some of
`the following functionality: word Searching function to
`locate a position of a word or words in the book, an
`electronic dictionary function to enable reviewing the mean
`ing of a word or words, an indexing function to enable the
`indexing of portions, a highlighting function to enable the
`highlighting of portions, a note taking function to enable the
`taking of notes (e.g., on the visual text display via a
`computer display or the like); and/or a book marking func
`tion to enable the book marking of portions.
`0030 The preferred embodiments of the present inven
`tion may offer readers one or more of the following advan
`tageous features:
`0031
`1. The ability to read books and/or to listen to
`real-life actual narrations.
`0032 2. The ability to provide text versions using
`the text file format RTF (Rich Text Format).
`0033 3. The ability to provide audio portions pro
`duced using MP3 digital technology, Such that the
`books may be provided on CDs (i.e., preferably, the
`entire book is thus on a single MP3 CD), along with
`the ability to be listened to the same on MP3 audio
`devices, Such as computers, portable MP3 players,
`MP3 car CD players and/or more.
`0034. 4. The ability to produce electronic digital
`versions of books on CDs or the like, providing
`consumers the ability to purchase “physical audio
`visual books from local bookstores and/or from
`on-line bookstores, such as AMAZON. COM. (As a
`result, the preferred embodiments enable the main
`tenance of many traditional advantages of physical
`books, Such as the ability to purchase an actual copy,
`the ability to maintain a library on traditional book
`shelves in a home, office, educational center Such as
`a library, and/or the ability to give a physical copy as
`a gift. While retaining these physical qualities, the
`preferred embodiments may provide individuals the
`ability to read the books and/or listen to real-voice
`human narrations thereof.)
`0035) 5. The ability to provide electronic books on
`CDS along with a copy of the audio-visual reader
`Software already installed thereon So as to eliminate
`the need for individuals to download and/or install
`electronic digital readers from the Internet. (In pre
`ferred embodiments, the audio-visual reader Soft
`ware will automatically install on a user's computer
`e.g., personal computer, lap top computer or the
`like if it is not already installed on a hard drive of
`the computer.)
`0036 6. The ability to be used with laptop comput
`ers, desktop PCs, handheld devices, etc., now avail
`able and/or later made available. (In some embodi
`ments, other computer readable mediums may be
`used instead of CDS, Such as in Some illustrative
`examples, CD-ROMs, CD-RWs, CD-Rs, SMART
`MEDIA Storage cards (e.g., removable flash memory
`cards or the like), COMPACTFLASH cards (e.g.,
`having Solid State memory or the like) or other
`computer readable media currently known or later
`known.)
`
`0037. In the most preferred embodiments, existing indus
`try formats can be used. Among other things, this enhances
`the utility of the product. For example, the preferred
`embodiments use existing text and digital formats, which
`have been accepted as Standards in certain contexts. First,
`Rich Text Format (RTF), has come to be generally accepted
`by the “publishing industry” as a standard format for pub
`lishing bookS. Second, the “digital music industry has
`generally accepted the MP3 format as its industry standard.
`In the most preferred embodiments, these existing and
`well-accepted file formats are combined together.
`0038. In the preferred embodiments, a “creator” program
`provides a connection between these two file formats that
`creates a SeamleSS link between a “real-human Voice' pre
`recorded narrative copy of a book and the digital text of the
`book. Preferably, the audio-visual reader Software provides
`individual readers a more versatile method to conduct read
`ing. In preferred embodiments, users receive the option to
`read and/or to listen to a book that is read to them by a real
`human Voice (i.e., with corresponding pauses, delays, inflec
`tions, etc., imposed by the narrator, as well as any additional
`narrator Statements and/or alterations and/or interpretations
`of the spoken text) which may, among other things, expe
`diently increase the efficiency and/or efficacy of reading. In
`the preferred embodiments, users are able to read and, at the
`Same time, listen to a real-life Voice So as to provide a
`multi-sensory learning experience and advantage.
`0039. In the preferred embodiments, a CD or the like may
`be created using a creator program that facilitates the elec
`tronic publishing of a book on a CD or the like, including
`both the audio (e.g., narrative) and text version of the book.
`In preferred embodiments, these CDs will be available for
`purchase from local bookStores and/or on-line bookStore.
`Additionally, the Software found on these CDS (e.g., the
`electronic books and/or the associated reader Software) can
`also be downloaded via the Internet or the like in Some
`preferred embodiments.
`0040. In the preferred embodiments, the reader software
`enables users to insert a bookmark which allows the reader
`to return promptly to Substantially any part of the book. In
`the preferred embodiments, the reader software will also
`enable the user to re-insert an audio-visual book contained
`on an MP3 CD into any MP3 CD device and go directly
`(e.g., fast forward) to where they left off (e.g., to where they
`had bookmarked). In preferred embodiments, users can have
`multiple bookmarks. In other preferred embodiments, users
`can be provided with unique bookmarks for Separate users.
`0041. In the preferred embodiments, one or more of the
`following features can be provided:
`0042 1. The “creator” software can be used to
`produce an audio-visual book on a CD or the like and
`can be read by the average computer CD or the like
`drive.
`0043. 2. The “reader' software can be used to pro
`vide users the ability to “bookmark' the digital text
`that is displayed (e.g., on a computer monitor or the
`like) So that if the reader Software program is closed
`or if the computer is shutdown, the user can resume
`reading or listening to the digital recording at a point
`that was previously book-marked once the user
`reopens the reader Software on that Same computer.
`
`-27-
`
`

`

`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`Dec. 5, 2002
`
`Preferably, multiple users can have unique book
`marks with unique identities.
`0044) In some optional embodiments, a routine can be
`included that will automatically Save the last page number or
`the like (e.g., bookmark) of the last page displayed in the
`event that the user inadvertently stops the program or the
`computer crashes or otherwise shuts down execution of the
`reader Software. In less preferred alternative variations, the
`location (e.g., sentence) of the text that was last highlighted
`when the catastrophic event occurred could be written to
`disk or the like and repeatedly updated (e.g., as, each
`Sentence gets highlighted). However, in preferred embodi
`ments where the “page number is Saved, then only that info
`needs to be updated and written to disk each time the user
`turns the page or the like, which would include much leSS
`overhead (while not marking the exact spot where the user
`left off).
`0045 3. The “reader” software preferably provides
`the user with the ability to read the text content, to
`listen to the digital recording and/or to do both
`simultaneously. Preferably, the Software provides the
`ability to Switch back and forth between reading and
`listening with ease (e.g., with one click of the mouse
`or other pointer device for positioning on a display).
`0046 4. The preferred embodiments include an
`MP3 sound file format and an RTF (Rich Text
`Format) text file format.
`0047 5. The “reader” software preferably provides
`navigation via an audiovisual book outline to quickly
`locate a particular Section of a book. In preferred
`embodiments, the granularity of this capability may,
`at least in part, be dependent upon the level of
`granularity that the creating editor uses when a CD
`or the like is created.
`0048 6. The “reader” software preferably does not
`encode bookmarks directly to the medium contain
`ing the audio-visual book (e.g., to the MP3 CD or the
`like) in Some embodiments. In Such embodiments,
`the user preferably has the ability to export to a
`write-able media, Such as a floppy diskette or other
`form of write-able media, which may then be trans
`ported to another computer running a copy of the
`“reader' software. Thus, the audio-visual book may
`be on a non-write-able CD or the like, and yet, users
`will still be able to read the same book on more than
`one computer and preserve their personal book
`markS. Similarly, in Some preferred embodiments,
`annotations can be similarly Saved on a separate
`write-able media. In Some embodiments, a file can
`potentially be created that can be forwarded in
`another manner (e.g., via e-mail, file transfer proto
`col, or the like, over the Internet or the like) to, e.g.,
`a location or URL at or accessible to another com
`puter. Movement of personal bookmarks between
`computers running the reader Software may be Sup
`ported, for example, by an “import/export' function
`in the “reader' Software.
`0049 7. The “reader” software preferably uses com
`mercially available MP3 players to listen to the
`MP3-encoded sound recordings. For example, the
`Software may call-up or initiate the playing of the
`
`sound via an available MP3 player. For instance,
`many computers have players built into their oper
`ating systems (e.g., WINDOWS 98, etc.). Other
`players may include, for instance, WINAMP (PC),
`MACAMP (MAC), MPEG 123 (UNIX) or the like.
`0050) 8. The “reader” software will preferably be
`able to display the corresponding text as the Sound
`file is played. Preferably, the corresponding text
`displayed by the reader software will be highlighted
`to keep pace with the audio portion. In Some illus
`trative embodiments, highlighting may include the
`following or other forms of highlighting:
`0051
`altering the backg
`d behind th
`altering the backgroun
`ehind the teXt
`(e.g., the color of the page Surrounding the text);
`0.052 changing the color of the text;
`0.053 changing the font of the text;
`0.054 changing the brightness of the text;
`0.055 changing the darkness or contrast of the
`text,
`changing other characteristics of the text;
`0056)
`0057 changing characteristics on a sentence-by
`Sentence basis (i.e., having the Sentence presently
`read of a different quality that that fore and aft);
`0.058 changing characteristics of past read sen
`tences (i.e., having the presently read sentence and
`the Sentences to be read of a like quality (e.g., for
`instances Shadowing or lightening the text of
`already spoken text); and/or
`changing characteristics in a different man
`0059)
`C.
`0060. The above and/or other aspects, features, advan
`tages and/or benefits of various embodiments of the present
`invention will be further appreciated in view of the follow
`ing description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
`figures, as well as upon implementation and/or practice of
`the various embodiments of the present invention. It should
`be appreciated that various embodiments will include and/or
`exclude different aspects, features, advantages and/or ben
`efits of the present invention and that descriptions of aspects,
`features, advantages and/or benefits of the various embodi
`ments should not be construed as limiting embodiments nor
`the inventions claimed.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`0061. A notable feature of the most preferred embodi
`ments is that the audio and Visual book can be seamlessly
`linked together So that the reader can Switch back and forth
`“at will”-substantially instantly-between the two meth
`ods (i.e., visually reading on a computer display Screen
`and/or listening to the book being read aloud by an actual
`pre-recordation of a narrator's voice or the like). In the most
`preferred embodiments, the audio portion of the book is a
`recordation of a real live human Voice, with the intonations
`and Subtleties that only a human Voice can reproduce, which
`further enhances the reading experience.
`0062. In preferred embodiments, the computer readable
`medium that is used is an MP3 format CD (rather than a
`
`-28-
`
`

`

`US 2002/0184189 A1
`
`Dec. 5, 2002
`
`Standard compact disc which could be used in leSS preferred
`embodiments). Among other things, current audio book
`compact discS have lower audio quality and may require
`multiple discs to Store a single book. Moreover, they can
`typically only be played in standard CD players with very
`little control and/or Search capabilities. In the preferred
`embodiments, the use of an MP3 or the like format allows
`for much higher quality recording and most books can be
`stored on one MP3 CD, or on other computer readable
`media. Most advantageously, an MP3 CD or the like
`medium can also be used with various “audio-only players,
`etc., such as in a portable MP3 player, or in a car MP3
`player, or in another player that has next track features
`typically for “music' purposes, but that works with features
`of the preferred embodiments such as listening to a MP3 CD
`While moving to appropriate chapters, pages, paragraphs,
`Sentences and/or words when reading interruptions occur
`(e.g., book-marking) and the like.
`0.063. In the most preferred embodiments, the “reader'
`Software that allows the audio-visual book to be visually and
`audibly used is installed on every or substantially every
`audio-visual book physical medium (e.g., on every CD,
`computer readable medium or the like) that is purchased by
`the consumer. In the most preferred embodiments, one or
`more, preferably all, of the following functions can be
`included in the reader Software:
`0064.
`Highlighting;
`0065 Page Forward and/or Page Back commands;
`0.06