Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
264 words
An electronic book for identifying and highlighting printed information by visual signals in a sequentially organized manner, comprising: (a) a multiplicity of modular core sheets, each bearing a circuit board layer printed by means of flexible conductive ink and having electrical connections positioned in overlapping relationship with corresponding electrical connections in adjacent modular core sheets; (b) printed information sheets laminated onto said modular core sheets for communicating visual information to a user; (c) a multiplicity of visual signal means incorporated into said circuit board layer and visible to a user through said printed information sheets; (d) a power source; (e) sequence control means, coupled to said visual signal means, for sequentially energizing said visual signal means to highlight said printed information being viewed by the user according to a predetermined sequence; (f) switching means in said circuit board layer electrically connected to said power source and said sequence control means for activating said sequence control means to highlight and describe the printed information being viewed by the user; and (g) means for binding said multiplicity of modular core sheets into multi-leaf book format; wherein said multiplicity of modular core sheets is assembled into book format by joining all modular core sheets so that said electrical connections positioned in overlapping relationship with corresponding electrical connections in adjacent modular core sheets come together to form a book spine; and wherein said electrical connections electrically coupled to corresponding electrical connections in said adjacent core sheets in the book spine form continuous electrical paths to terminals connected to said power source, sequence control means and synchronization control means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
264 words
An electronic book for identifying and highlighting printed information by visual signals in a sequentially organized manner, comprising: (a) a multiplicity of modular core sheets, each bearing a circuit board layer printed by means of flexible conductive ink and having electrical connections positioned in overlapping relationship with corresponding electrical connections in adjacent modular core sheets; (b) printed information sheets laminated onto said modular core sheets for communicating visual information to a user; (c) a multiplicity of visual signal means incorporated into said circuit board layer and visible to a user through said printed information sheets; (d) a power source; (e) sequence control means, coupled to said visual signal means, for sequentially energizing said visual signal means to highlight said printed information being viewed by the user according to a predetermined sequence; (f) switching means in said circuit board layer electrically connected to said power source and said sequence control means for activating said sequence control means to highlight and describe the printed information being viewed by the user; and (g) means for binding said multiplicity of modular core sheets into multi-leaf book format; wherein said multiplicity of modular core sheets is assembled into book format by joining all modular core sheets so that said electrical connections positioned in overlapping relationship with corresponding electrical connections in adjacent modular core sheets come together to form a book spine; and wherein said electrical connections electrically coupled to corresponding electrical connections in said adjacent core sheets in the book spine form continuous electrical paths to terminals connected to said power source, sequence control means and synchronization control means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
288 words
An electronic book for identifying and describing printed information by audio signals in a sequentially organized manner, comprising: (a) a multiplicity of modular core sheets, each bearing a circuit board layer printed by means of flexible conductive ink and having electrical connections positioned in overlapping relationship with corresponding electrical connections in adjacent modular core sheets; (b) printed information sheets laminated onto said modular core sheets for communicating visual information to a user; (c) a power source; (d) voice synthesizer means containing audio information corresponding to said printed information; (e) audio signal means coupled to said voice synthesizer means for communicating said audio information to the user, said audio signal means being responsive to a drive signal from said voice synthesizer means; (f) sequence control means, coupled to said voice synthesizer means, for sequentially activating said voice synthesizer means to identify and describe said printed information being viewed by the user according to a predetermined sequence; (g) switching means in said circuit board layer electrically connected to said power source and said sequence control means for activating said sequence control means to identify and describe the printed information being viewed by the user; and (h) means for binding said multiplicity of modular core sheets into multi-leaf book format; wherein said multiplicity of modular core sheets is assembled into book format by joining all modular core sheets so that said electrical connections positioned in overlapping relationship with corresponding electrical connections in adjacent modular core sheets come together to form a book spine; and wherein said electrical connections electrically coupled to corresponding electrical connections in said adjacent core sheets in the book spine form continuous electrical paths to terminals connected to said power source, sequence control means and synchronization control means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
288 words
An electronic book for identifying and describing printed information by audio signals in a sequentially organized manner, comprising: (a) a multiplicity of modular core sheets, each bearing a circuit board layer printed by means of flexible conductive ink and having electrical connections positioned in overlapping relationship with corresponding electrical connections in adjacent modular core sheets; (b) printed information sheets laminated onto said modular core sheets for communicating visual information to a user; (c) a power source; (d) voice synthesizer means containing audio information corresponding to said printed information; (e) audio signal means coupled to said voice synthesizer means for communicating said audio information to the user, said audio signal means being responsive to a drive signal from said voice synthesizer means; (f) sequence control means, coupled to said voice synthesizer means, for sequentially activating said voice synthesizer means to identify and describe said printed information being viewed by the user according to a predetermined sequence; (g) switching means in said circuit board layer electrically connected to said power source and said sequence control means for activating said sequence control means to identify and describe the printed information being viewed by the user; and (h) means for binding said multiplicity of modular core sheets into multi-leaf book format; wherein said multiplicity of modular core sheets is assembled into book format by joining all modular core sheets so that said electrical connections positioned in overlapping relationship with corresponding electrical connections in adjacent modular core sheets come together to form a book spine; and wherein said electrical connections electrically coupled to corresponding electrical connections in said adjacent core sheets in the book spine form continuous electrical paths to terminals connected to said power source, sequence control means and synchronization control means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
400 words
An electronic book for identifying and highlighting printed information by visual signals in a sequentially organized manner and for further identifying and describing such printed information by synchronized audio signals, comprising: (a) a multiplicity of modular core sheets, each bearing a circuit board layer printed by means of flexible conductive ink and having electrical connections positioned in overlapping relationship with corresponding electrical connections in adjacent modular core sheets; (b) printed information sheets laminated onto said modular core sheets for communicating visual information to a user; (c) a multiplicity of visual signal means incorporated into said circuit board layer and visible to a user through said printed information sheets; (d) a power source; (e) voice synthesizer means containing audio information corresponding to said printed information; (f) audio signal means coupled to said voice synthesizer means for communicating said audio information to the user, said audio signal means being responsive to a drive signal from said voice synthesizer means; (g) sequence control means, coupled to said visual signal means and to said voice synthesizer means, for sequentially energizing said visual signal means to highlight said printed information being viewed by the user and for activating said voice synthesizer means to describe said printed information according to a predetermined sequence; (h) synchronization control means, coupled to said visual signal means, said voice synthesizer means and said sequence control means, for synchronizing the operation of said sequence control means so that the energizing of said visual signal means and the activation of said voice synthesizer means are synchronized according to a predetermined schedule of delivery; (i) switching means in said circuit board layer electrically connected to said power source, said sequence control means and said synchronization control means for activating said sequence and synchronization control means to highlight and describe the printed information being viewed by the user; and (j) means for binding said multiplicity of modular core sheets into multi-leaf book format; wherein said multiplicity of modular core sheets is assembled into book format by joining all modular core sheets so that said electrical connections positioned in overlapping relationship with corresponding electrical connections in adjacent modular core sheets come together to form a book spine; and wherein said electrical connections electrically coupled to corresponding electrical connections in said adjacent core sheets in the book spine form continuous electrical paths to terminals connected to said power source, sequence control means and synchronization control means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
400 words
An electronic book for identifying and highlighting printed information by visual signals in a sequentially organized manner and for further identifying and describing such printed information by synchronized audio signals, comprising: (a) a multiplicity of modular core sheets, each bearing a circuit board layer printed by means of flexible conductive ink and having electrical connections positioned in overlapping relationship with corresponding electrical connections in adjacent modular core sheets; (b) printed information sheets laminated onto said modular core sheets for communicating visual information to a user; (c) a multiplicity of visual signal means incorporated into said circuit board layer and visible to a user through said printed information sheets; (d) a power source; (e) voice synthesizer means containing audio information corresponding to said printed information; (f) audio signal means coupled to said voice synthesizer means for communicating said audio information to the user, said audio signal means being responsive to a drive signal from said voice synthesizer means; (g) sequence control means, coupled to said visual signal means and to said voice synthesizer means, for sequentially energizing said visual signal means to highlight said printed information being viewed by the user and for activating said voice synthesizer means to describe said printed information according to a predetermined sequence; (h) synchronization control means, coupled to said visual signal means, said voice synthesizer means and said sequence control means, for synchronizing the operation of said sequence control means so that the energizing of said visual signal means and the activation of said voice synthesizer means are synchronized according to a predetermined schedule of delivery; (i) switching means in said circuit board layer electrically connected to said power source, said sequence control means and said synchronization control means for activating said sequence and synchronization control means to highlight and describe the printed information being viewed by the user; and (j) means for binding said multiplicity of modular core sheets into multi-leaf book format; wherein said multiplicity of modular core sheets is assembled into book format by joining all modular core sheets so that said electrical connections positioned in overlapping relationship with corresponding electrical connections in adjacent modular core sheets come together to form a book spine; and wherein said electrical connections electrically coupled to corresponding electrical connections in said adjacent core sheets in the book spine form continuous electrical paths to terminals connected to said power source, sequence control means and synchronization control means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
100 words
The electronic book described in claim 3, wherein said multiplicity of modular core sheets consists of a multiplicity of book leaves assembled into book format, each leaf comprising one modular core sheet completely folded backwards to form two opposite book pages separated by a common edge at the fold; and wherein said circuit board layer is printed on the front side of each of said modular core sheets by means of flexible conductive ink and has electrical connections across the common edge between said two opposite pages, said electrical connections being positioned in overlapping relationship between adjacent modular core sheets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
103 words
The electronic book described in claim 3, wherein said multiplicity of modular core sheets consists of a multiplicity of book spreads assembled into book format, each spread comprising a modular core sheet folded forward to form two facing book pages separated by a common center fold; and wherein said circuit board layer is printed on the back side of each of said modular core sheets by means of flexible conductive ink and has electrical connections across the outside edge corresponding to the common center fold between said two facing pages, said electrical connections being positioned in overlapping relationship between adjacent modular core sheets.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
The electronic book described in claim 3, wherein said multiplicity of modular core sheets is combined to form a single continuous core sheet folded in accordion fashion to form pairs of adjacent segments, wherein the inside folds of said continuous core sheet are bound to constitute the book's spine, while the outside folds constitute the outer edges of the book's pages; and wherein a single continuous circuit board layer is printed on one side of said continuous core sheet by means of flexible conductive ink.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electronic book described in claim 6, wherein said continuous circuit board layer is printed on the front side of said continuous core sheet by means of flexible conductive ink.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The electronic book described in claim 6, wherein said continuous circuit board layer is printed on the back side of said continuous core sheet by means of flexible conductive ink, and wherein perforations are provided in said core sheet matching the sites of said multiplicity of visual signal means to make them visible from the front side.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The electronic book described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 8, wherein each of said multiplicity of visual signal means incorporated into said modular circuit board layer and visible to a user through said printed information sheets is selected from the group consisting of light emitting diodes, thermochromic elements, and electro-illuminating ink.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The electronic book described in claim 9, wherein said visual signal means incorporated into said modular circuit board layer and visible to a user through said printed information sheets consists of light emitting diodes that are manufactured by bonding semiconductor die chips directly into said circuit board layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
The electronic book described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 8, wherein said printed information sheets laminated onto said modular core sheets for communicating visual information to a user feature apertures overlapping said multiplicity of visual signal means, thereby rendering said visual signal means visible to the user through said apertures.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The electronic book described in claim 11, wherein said apertures are replaced by translucent portions in said printed information sheets overlapping said multiplicity of visual signal means, thereby rendering said visual signal means visible to the user through said translucent portions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
60 words
The electronic book described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 8, further comprising: a multiplicity of pressure switches incorporated into said circuit board layer for connection with said sequence control means to provide the user with predetermined alternative progression options selected by applying pressure on recognizable features corresponding to said pressure switches in said printed information sheets.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The electronic book described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 8, further comprising: anisotropic conductive material laid on said circuit board layer to cover said electrical connections sandwiched between said modular core sheets to provide electrical contact between each pair of abutting connections in said spine.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
85 words
The electronic book described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, further comprising: a fan-like spine having flexible conductive circuitry printed thereon for receiving said multiplicity of modular core sheets, each core sheet being sandwiched between corresponding flaps in said spine, wherein said electrical connections in each core sheet are coupled to corresponding electrical connections in said fan-like spine, and wherein the flexible conductive circuitry in said fan-like spine forms continuous electrical paths to said power source, sequence control means and synchronization control means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electronic book described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 8, wherein said power source consists of a battery.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The electronic book described in claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 8, wherein said audio signal means coupled to said voice synthesizer means for communicating said audio information to a user consists of a speaker.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electronic book described in claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 8, wherein said audio signal means coupled to said voice synthesizer means for communicating said audio information to a user consists of headphones.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
69 words
The electronic book described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 8, wherein said switching means for activating said sequence control means at a page being viewed by a user consists of an electromechanical switch that extends from said circuit board layer through said printed information sheet laminated onto said core sheet to initiate the operation of the electronic book when it is opened at that page.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
69 words
The electronic book described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 8, wherein said switching means for activating said sequence control means at a page being viewed by a user consists of a photo-sensitive switch that extends from said circuit board layer through said printed information sheet laminated onto said core sheet to initiate the operation of the electronic book when it is opened at that page.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
429 words
A method for constructing an electronic book for identifying and highlighting printed information by visual signals in a sequentially organized manner and for further identifying and describing such printed information by synchronized audio signals, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a multiplicity of modular core sheets; (b) printing a circuit board layer on each of said modular core sheets by means of flexible conductive ink, said circuit board layer having electrical connections positioned in overlapping relationship with corresponding electrical connections in adjacent modular core sheets; (c) laminating printed information sheets onto said modular core sheets for communicating visual information to a user; (d) incorporating a multiplicity of visual signal means into said circuit board layer printed on each modular core sheet, wherein said visual signal means are visible to a user through said printed information sheets; (e) providing a power source; (f) providing voice synthesizer means containing audio information corresponding to said printed information; (f) providing audio signal means coupled to said voice synthesizer means for communicating said audio information to the user, said audio signal means being responsive to a drive signal from said voice synthesizer means; (g) providing sequence control means, coupled to said visual signal means and to said voice synthesizer means, for sequentially energizing said visual signal means to highlight said printed information being viewed by the user and for activating said voice synthesizer means to describe said printed information according to a predetermined sequence; (h) providing synchronization control means, coupled to said visual signal means, said voice synthesizer means and said sequence control means, for synchronizing the operation of said sequence control means so that the energizing of said visual signal means and the activation of said voice synthesizer means are synchronized according to a predetermined schedule of delivery; (i) providing switching means in said circuit beard layer electrically connected to said power source, said sequence control means and said synchronization control means for activating said sequence and synchronization control means to highlight and describe the printed information being viewed by the user; and (j) binding said multiplicity of modular core sheets into multi-leaf book format; wherein said multiplicity of modular core sheets is assembled into book format by joining all modular core sheets so that said electrical connections positioned in overlapping relationship with corresponding electrical connections in adjacent modular core sheets come together to form a book spine; and wherein said electrical connections electrically coupled to corresponding electrical connections in said adjacent core sheets in the book spine form continuous electrical paths to said power source, sequence control means and synchronization control means.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
429 words
A method for constructing an electronic book for identifying and highlighting printed information by visual signals in a sequentially organized manner and for further identifying and describing such printed information by synchronized audio signals, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a multiplicity of modular core sheets; (b) printing a circuit board layer on each of said modular core sheets by means of flexible conductive ink, said circuit board layer having electrical connections positioned in overlapping relationship with corresponding electrical connections in adjacent modular core sheets; (c) laminating printed information sheets onto said modular core sheets for communicating visual information to a user; (d) incorporating a multiplicity of visual signal means into said circuit board layer printed on each modular core sheet, wherein said visual signal means are visible to a user through said printed information sheets; (e) providing a power source; (f) providing voice synthesizer means containing audio information corresponding to said printed information; (f) providing audio signal means coupled to said voice synthesizer means for communicating said audio information to the user, said audio signal means being responsive to a drive signal from said voice synthesizer means; (g) providing sequence control means, coupled to said visual signal means and to said voice synthesizer means, for sequentially energizing said visual signal means to highlight said printed information being viewed by the user and for activating said voice synthesizer means to describe said printed information according to a predetermined sequence; (h) providing synchronization control means, coupled to said visual signal means, said voice synthesizer means and said sequence control means, for synchronizing the operation of said sequence control means so that the energizing of said visual signal means and the activation of said voice synthesizer means are synchronized according to a predetermined schedule of delivery; (i) providing switching means in said circuit beard layer electrically connected to said power source, said sequence control means and said synchronization control means for activating said sequence and synchronization control means to highlight and describe the printed information being viewed by the user; and (j) binding said multiplicity of modular core sheets into multi-leaf book format; wherein said multiplicity of modular core sheets is assembled into book format by joining all modular core sheets so that said electrical connections positioned in overlapping relationship with corresponding electrical connections in adjacent modular core sheets come together to form a book spine; and wherein said electrical connections electrically coupled to corresponding electrical connections in said adjacent core sheets in the book spine form continuous electrical paths to said power source, sequence control means and synchronization control means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
99 words
The method described in claim 21, wherein said multiplicity of modular core sheets consists of a multiplicity of book leaves assembled into book format, each leaf comprising one modular core sheet completely folded backwards to form two opposite book pages separated by a common edge at the fold; and wherein said circuit board layer is printed on the front side of each of said modular core sheets by means of flexible conductive ink and has electrical connections across the common edge between said two opposite pages, said electrical connections being positioned in overlapping relationship between adjacent modular core sheets.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
102 words
The method described in claim 21, wherein said multiplicity of modular core sheets consists of a multiplicity of book spreads assembled into book format, each spread comprising a modular core sheet folded forward to form two facing book pages separated by a common center fold; and wherein said circuit board layer is printed on the back side of each of said modular core sheets by means of flexible conductive ink and has electrical connections across the outside edge corresponding to the common center fold between said two facing pages, said electrical connections being positioned in overlapping relationship between adjacent modular core sheets.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method described in claim 21, wherein said multiplicity of modular core sheets is combined to form a single continuous core sheet folded in accordion fashion to form pairs of adjacent segments, wherein the inside folds of said continuous core sheet are bound to constitute the book's spine, while the outside folds constitute the outer edges of the book's pages; and wherein a single continuous circuit board layer is printed on one side of said continuous core sheet by means of flexible conductive ink.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method described in claim 24, wherein said continuous circuit board layer is printed on the front side of said continuous core sheet by means of flexible conductive ink.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method described in claim 24, wherein said continuous circuit board layer is printed on the back side of said continuous core sheet by means of flexible conductive ink and wherein perforations are provided in said core sheet matching the sites of said multiplicity of visual signal means to make them visible from the front side.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method described in claim 21, 22, 23, 25 or 26, wherein each of said multiplicity of visual signal means incorporated into said modular circuit board layer and visible to a user through said printed information sheets is selected from the group consisting of light emitting diodes, thermochromic elements, and electro-illuminating ink.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method described in claim 27, wherein said visual signal means incorporated into said modular circuit board layer and visible to a user through said printed information sheets consists of light emitting diodes that are manufactured by bonding semiconductor die chips directly into said circuit board layer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method described in claim 21, 22, 23, 25 or 26, further comprising the step of providing apertures in said printed information sheets laminated onto said modular core sheets for communicating visual information to a user, wherein said apertures overlap said multiplicity of visual signal means, thereby rendering said visual signal means visible to the user through said apertures.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method described in claim 21, 22, 23, 25 or 26, further comprising the step of providing translucent portions in said printed information sheets laminated onto said modular core sheets for communicating visual information to a user, wherein said translucent portions overlap said multiplicity of visual signal means, thereby rendering said visual signal means visible to the user through said translucent portions.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method described in claim 21, 22, 23, 25 or 26, further comprising the step of providing a multiplicity of pressure switches incorporated into said circuit board layer for connection with said sequence control means to provide the user with predetermined alternative progression options selected by applying pressure on recognizable features corresponding to said pressure switches in said printed information sheets.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method described in claim 21, 22, 23, 25 or 26, further comprising the steps of applying anisotropic conductive material on said circuit board layer to cover said electrical connections, and sandwiching said anisotropic conductive material between said modular core sheets to provide electrical contact between each pair of abutting connections in said spine.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
87 words
The method described in claim 21, 22, or 23, further comprising the steps of providing a fan-like spine having flexible conductive circuitry printed thereon for receiving said multiplicity of modular core sheets, and of sandwiching each core sheet between corresponding flaps in said spine, whereby said electrical connections in each core sheet become coupled to corresponding electrical connections in said fan-like spine, and whereby the flexible conductive circuitry in said fan-like spine forms continuous electrical paths to said power source, sequence control means and synchronization control means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method described in claim 21, 22, 23, 25 or 26, wherein said power source consists of a battery.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method described in claim 21, 22, 23, 25 or 26, wherein said audio signal means coupled to said voice synthesizer means for communicating said audio information to a user consists of a speaker.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method described in claim 21, 22, 23, 25 or 26, wherein said audio signal means coupled to said voice synthesizer means for communicating said audio information to a user consists of headphones.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method described in claim 21, 22, 23, 25 or 26, wherein said switching means for activating said sequence control means at a page being viewed by a user consists of an electromechanical switch that extends from said circuit board layer through said printed information sheet laminated onto said core sheet to initiate the operation of the electronic book when it is opened at that page.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method described in claim 21, 22, 23, 25 or 26, wherein said switching means for activating said sequence control means at a page being viewed by a user consists of a photo-sensitive switch that extends from said circuit board layer through said printed information sheet laminated onto said core sheet to initiate the operation of the electronic book when it is opened at that page.