WO2000075803A1

WO2000075803A1 - Display control unit for electronic publication reader

Info

Publication number: WO2000075803A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/012894
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shang-Li Lee; Chung-Hsin Chu; Tung-Sheng Chang; Hsueh-Hung Lu; Chih-Nan Chen; Ching-Hao Fan; Cheng-Che Chen; Mu-Tan An
Original assignee: Dialogue Technology Corp.; An, Henry
Priority date: 1999-06-08
Filing date: 1999-06-08
Publication date: 2000-12-14
Also published as: AU4428799A

Abstract

A control unit (10) vividly mimicing a real page of a printed publication of any a size. The control unit (10) is used with a display apparatus (30) having a screen (21) and includes a data base (11) storing therein a first page data in an original format and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from the first page data, an interface (12) monitoring the data base (11), and a page reader (13) for translating at least one of the first page data and the second page data into a format to be displayed where all the screen area only displays the at least one page data without anything else.

Description

DISPLAY CONTROL UNIT FOR ELECTRONIC PUBLICATION READER

FIELD OF TFIE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a control unit, and more particularly to a unit for display control. BACKGROUND OF TFIE INVENTION

The computer technology, supported by continuous advance in the electronic engineering field, has successfully reduced the physical measurements of a computer. Nowadays one can enjoy much greater computation power within an even smaller footprint in the developing history of the computer technology. The recent data communication, wireless or wired, in long distance or short haul, provides ways of easy transfer of data, which can normally be carried out with a very less user's attention. The internet might be taken as one of the extreme cases among the applications based on these evolved technologies. Given all these are true, still there are far more people reluctant to own and take advantage of the expediency having been made possible by today's computer science. This holds especially true for today's printed material readers who read newspapers, magazines or the like, in a period of from half a day to months. An overwhelming proportion among them still relies on the physical paper media even facing before the fact that some efforts have been made on presenting popular information on a computer (e.g. a PC) over the internet. In summary, major drawbacks encountered so far for reading a printed material on a computer are: 1. The general-purpose user interface provided by today's computers is a barrier for most printed material readers, especially for those who are novice computer users. Training them to know how-to-use in connection with the computer facilities might be inevitable. Before and after the training, it is not seldom to find difficulties, complexities and obstacles for them to master in computer operation (regardless of the fact that there already exist many application softwares). The situation might be so also for the daily user of computer.

2. The human being is born to be a creature of habits and it is a culture to present an accustomed daily publication in a printed form. The sense of "featuring", "page", "close-up shot" and many others, from the preparation until the final form, of a printed material constitutes a core of the culture. Such culture has already been a part of our life. But it has been broken severely by today's computer-aided reading environment which is constructed by the user interface, the File operation, the Markup Language..., etc. This makes the reading environment become a totally unfamiliar one to readers used to read the printed material.

3. Some utilities do have now already offered for the computer-aided reading environment a viewing effect close to those of printed ones. The above mentioned barriers have however limited its virtue to benefit today's experienced computer users only.

4. The internet is supposed to be a way to get the information most up- to-date. It is also quite common to find the so-called "electronic newspaper" on the internet. One can subjectively imagine to get an updated "hot" information via the electronic newspaper, for instance. The fact is that the user can never exactly know when the press office will update which portion in the electronic newspaper which might be located until he or she really visits the relevant "Web Site". The assumed "real-time update" can thus easily get a less "hit-rate" at a high "access-rate". (How many updates to which extent for a single site can one find on today's internet-linked computers while strenuously keeping a rate of, say 30 minutes a time to access the relevant "homepage"?) This actually means that there is a low efficiency in using the resources, or the time and public resources like the communication bandwidth are wasted. Additionally, the user may also thus get frustrated through having paid so much attention to eventually find the information remained unchanged.

5. Furthermore, the sense of periodical delivery (one day for the printed daily newspaper, for instance.) is lost. The rule of information delivery on today's computer has also become strange to printed material's readers.

6. Existing computers normally are too heavy to carry, if not too small to be put into a desired use. This restrains their use by user optionally everywhere and therefore disqualifies themselves (i.e., present computers) as a real printed material reader's machine, which suffices for the purpose of reader's leisure well.

It is therefore tried by the Applicant to deal with the above situations encountered in the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a display control unit capable of maintaining the concept of "unit" (or page) of a printed material in a printed material reader's machine.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide a display control unit, which mostly preserves the accustomed culture in the printed material world in which the readers can continue to enjoy. It is further an object of the present invention to provide a display control unit, which enables the press industry to carelessly face the electronic era while having editing styles on the printed material maintained as much as possible. Styles above-mentioned include but are not limited to featuring (or special feature), making filler/stick- in/cut/insert, arranging various headings/square/page, doing transpose, ...etc..

It is yet an object of the present invention to provide a display control unit, which through a network interface equipment, can be used for downloading a complete or part of a printed material remotely.

It is still more an object of the present invention to provide a display control unit without damaging the reality that publishers can still work under a computerized printing environment for producing the printed material in computer format (e.g. SGML — ISO 8879 published in 1986) and deliver their publications at a frequency as exactly anticipated by the readers.

It is further another object of the present invention to provide a display control unit by which the delivery time of the printed material can be preset without an attentional connection in order that the public can have a highly effective communication.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a display control unit which makes possible the printed material reader's machine to have a concise system configuration to be thin, light and less power- consumption. The machine is therefore easy to carry and use anywhere.

It is still further an object of the present invention to provide a display control unit enabling the reader's machine to have a strengthened mechanical construction, which allows the readers to use it without much care.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a control unit to be used with a display apparatus having a screen includes a data base storing therein a first page data in an original format and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from the first page data, an interface electrically connected to and monitoring the data base, and a page reader electrically connected to the data base and the interface for translating at least one of the first page data and the second page data into a format to be displayed where the screen only displays the at least one page data.

Preferably the at least one page data is switchable between an indistinct state and an original state.

Preferably only a portion of a certain nature, e.g. the size of characters, in the at least one page data can be clearly shown on the screen in the indistinct state.

Preferably the reader includes a protocol for coordinating between signals. By the protocol, the reader monitors how the screen should be controlled.

Preferably the present control unit further includes a page manipulator for manipulating how the at least one page data is to be displayed on the screen.

Certainly, the page manipulator can be a page-zooming controller controlling to which extent the at least one page data is to be zoomed. In this context, the page-zooming controller can control whether the at least one page data is continuously or steppedly zoomed. Alternatively, the page manipulator can be a page-panning controller controlling where the at least one page data is to be panned.

Alternatively again, the present data base can further store therein another first page data, and the page manipulator can be a page turner for turning between the first page data.

Preferably the data base is a run-time one and further stores therein a current viewing status.

Preferably the present control unit further includes a memory electrically connected to the interface for providing the data base the first page data, and a delivery manager electrically connected to the memory, by which manager the memory obtains the first page data through a network protocol.

Certainly, the present delivery manager down-loads the first page data from one of a local data bank and a remote data bank.

Preferably the present control unit further includes a control panel through which a command is inputted into the control unit, and a panel interface electrically connected between the control panel and the control unit.

Preferably the control panel includes a page-zooming key, a page- panning key, and/or a page-turning key.

Certainly, the first page data can be equivalent to a real page in a printed publication, e.g., a newspapaer, a magazine, a periodical, ...etc.. In this connection, the real entire page means an entire page regardless of how large the printed publication has a size.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a control unit to be used with a display apparatus having a screen includes a data base storing therein a first page data in an original format and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from the first page data, an interface electrically connected to and monitoring the data base, and a page reader electrically connected to the data base and the interface for translating at least one of the first page data and the second page data into a format to be displayed on the screen where through the converted abstract, the at least one page data is switchable between an indistinct state and an original state.

Preferably the screen only displays the at least one page data. Specifically, the display apparatus displays the at least one page data in a full screen style without any portion of the screen to be used for displaying anything else not belonging to the at least one page data.

Preferably the reader includes a protocol for coordinating between signals.

Certainly, the page manipulator can be a page-zooming and page- panning controller controlling to which extent the at least one page data is to be zoomed and panned.

Preferably if the data base further stores therein another first page data, the page manipulator can alternatively be or incorporates therein a page turner for turning between the first page data.

Preferably in this aspect and the other aspects described hereinafter, the present control unit also further includes a memory electrically connected to the interface for providing the data base the first page data, and a delivery manager electrically connected to the memory, by which manager the memory obtains the first page data through a network protocol.

Again, preferably in this aspect and the other aspects described hereinafter, the present control unit also further includes a control panel through which a command is inputted into the control unit, and a panel interface electrically connected between the control panel and the control unit.

Certainly, in this aspect and the other aspects described hereinafter, the first page data can also be equivalent to a real page in a printed publication, e.g., a newspapaer, a magazine, a periodical, ...etc.. In this connection, the real entire page means an entire page regardless of how large the printed publication has a size.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a control unit to be used with a display apparatus having a screen includes a data base storing therein a first page data in an original format and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from the first page data, an interface electrically connected to and monitoring the data base, and a page reader electrically connected to the data base and the interface for translating at least one of the first page data and the second page data into a format to be displayed, and having a protocol for coordinating between signals of the control unit.

Preferably the screen only displays the at least one page data. The present control unit further includes a page manipulator for manipulating how the at least one page data is to be displayed on the screen. Preferably in this aspect and the other aspects described hereinafter, the present page manipulator can be a page-zooming controller controlling to which extent the at least one page data is to be zoomed.

Preferably in this aspect and the other aspects described hereinafter, if the data base further stores therein another first page data, the page manipulator further includes a page turner for turning between the first page data.

Certainly, in this aspect and the other aspects described hereinafter, the present page manipulator can further incorporate therein a page- panning controller.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a control unit to be used with a display apparatus having a screen includes a data base storing therein a first page data in an original format and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from the first page data, an interface electrically connected to the data base for monitoring at least one of the first page data and the second page data to be displayed on the screen where the screen only displays the at least one page data, and a page manipulator for manipulating how the at least one page data is to be displayed on the screen.

Preferably in this aspect and the other aspects described hereinafter, the at least one page data is switchable between an indistinct state and an original state.

Preferably in this aspect, the present control unit further includes a page reader electrically connected to the data base and the interface for translating the at least one of the first page data and the second page data into a format to be displayed on the screen. Preferably the reader further includes a protocol for coordinating between signals.

Preferably in this aspect and the other aspects described hereinafter, the page manipulator is a page-zooming controller controlling to which extent the at least one page data is to be zoomed. If the data base further stores therein another first page data, the page manipulator can include a page turner for turning between the first page data. For diversity, the present page manipulator further incorporates therein a page-panning controller.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a control unit to be used with a display apparatus having a screen includes a data base storing therein a first page data in an original format and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from the first page data, an interface electrically connected to the data base for monitoring at least one of the first page data and the second page data to be displayed on the screen in which the at least one page data is switchable between an indistinct state and an original state, and a page manipulator for manipulating how the at least one page data is to be displayed on the screen.

Preferably the screen only displays the at least one page data.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a control unit to be used with a display apparatus having a screen includes a data base storing therein a first page data in an original format, another the first page data and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from the first page data, an interface electrically connected to the data base for monitoring at least one of the first page data and the second page data to be displayed on the screen where the screen only displays the at least one page data, and a page turner for turning between the first page data.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a control unit to be used with a display apparatus having a screen includes a data base storing therein a first page data in an original format, another the first page data and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from the first page data, an interface electrically connected to the data base for monitoring at least one of the first page data and the second page data to be displayed on the screen in which the at least one page data is switchable between an indistinct state and an original state, and a page turner for turning between the first page data.

Preferably the screen only displays the at least one page data.

The present invention may best be understood through the following descriptions with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematical view showing a basic block diagram for a preferred embodiment of a display control unit according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematical view showing a detailed blcok diagram for a preferred embodiment of a display control unit in Fig. 1 according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a simplified schematical view for illustrating to a greater detail how a preferred embodiment of a display control unit in Fig. 1 according to the present invention works;

Fig. 4 is another schematical view for illustrating to a further greater detail how a preferred embodiment of a display control unit in Fig. 1 according to the present invention works;

Fig. 5 is a schematical flow chart showing how a protocol in a preferred embodiment of a page reader of a preferred embodiment of a display control unit according to the present invention works;

Fig. 6 is a schematical view showing how a preferred embodiment of a real page display or a printed material reader's machine incorporating therein a preferred embodiment of a display control unit according to the present invention looks like;

Fig. 7A is a schematical view showing an example of a target page to be read by a preferred embodiment of a printed material reader's machine incorporating therein a preferred embodiment of a display control unit according to the present invention;

Figs. 7B ~ 7D are schematical views respectively showing that the target page in Fig. 7 A is manipulated into three states by a preferred embodiment of a printed material reader's machine incorporating therein a preferred embodiment of a display control unit according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in Fig. 1. a preferred embodiment of a display control unit 10 according to the present invention is adapted to be used with a display apparatus 30 having a hardware structure 20 including a display or screen 21, a control panel 22, a power source 23, e.g. a battery, a CPU 24 and a memory 25 storing therein display control unit 10. Contol unit 10 generally includes a data base 1 1 storing therein a first page data in an original format and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from the first page data, a user interface 12 electrically connected to and monitoring data base 22, and a page reader 13 electrically connected to data base 1 1 and interface 12 for translating at least one of the first page data and the second page data into a format to be displayed on display 21 where screen 21 , with its entire display area, only displays the at least one page data without anything else.

In such display apparatus 30, the at least one page data is preferably switchable between an indistinct state in which only a portion of a certain nature, e.g. characters having a size larger than a specific level, in the at least one page data can be clearly shown on screen 21, and an original state in which a portion of a manipulated form, e.g. the area having been magnified, of the at least one page data can be desiredly presented on screen 21. Generally page reader 13 includes a protocol for coordinating between signals in order monitor how screen 21 should be controlled and will be described in detail later. Through such display apparatus 30, one can easily down-loads the first page data in a real page style from one of a local data bank and a remote data bank through a communication device 40.

A preferred embodiment of a display apparatus 30 incorporating therein the present display control unit 10 is shown in Fig. 2, in which there is shown a display apparatus 30 further including a page manipulator 14 for manipulating how the at least one page data is to be displayed on screen 21. Page manipulator 14 can be a page-zooming controller 141 1 controlling to which extent or scale the at least one page data is to be zoomed. We can design page-zooming controller 141 1 and control panel 22 to control whether the at least one page data should be continuously or steppedly zoomed. Generally, it is preferable to incorporate into page manipulator 14 a page-panning controller 1412 for controlling where the at least one page data is to be panned. We can design page-panning controller 1412 and control panel 22 to control at which speed and direction the at least one page data should be panned. Page-zooming controller 141 1 and page-panning controller 1412 cooperatively form a complete page zoom & pan controller 141. Generally the printed publication has more than one page to be stored in data base 1 1 so that page manipulator 14 preferably includes therein a page turner 142 for turning between (first data) pages. We can design page-turner 142 and control panel 22 to perform the functions, such as "TURN PAGE FORWARD/FORWARD" at a normal or specified speed, "GO TO COVER/BOTTOM PAGE," "SWAP PAGE," ...etc..

Data base 11 can be constructed in memory, preferably is a runtime one and further stores therein a current viewing status. The present display control unit 10 further includes a delivery manager 15 electrically connected to the memory ( 1 1), by which manager 15 the memory (1 1) obtains the first page data through a network protocol. Generally speaking, the present display apparatus 30 further includes a control panel 22 through which a command is inputted into control unit 10, and a panel interface 18 electrically connected between control panel 22 and control unit 10. It is at the designer's option that in addition to a page-zooming key, a page-panning key and a page-turning key, control panel 22 can further include (a) CLOSE/OPEN key(s) for opening/closing a printed material, e.g. book, newspaper, magazine or any kind of articles or periodicals. Data base 1 1 stores therein many real entire pages each of which means an entire page of the printed material regardless of how large the printed publication has a size.

As shown in Fig. 2, the present display apparatus 30 further includes a system call interface 16 and an embedded OS (operating system) 17 used for managing hardware components and other system internal functions and performing housekeeping works. As can be known, real page user interface 12 is the center of display apparatus 30 for maintaining the current status regarding the viewing of the document, the display, the signals from control panel 22, ...etc., and may alternatively directly access control panel 18 depending upon the required response time. Panel interface 18 continuously monitors the input and/or status from control panel 22, reports to OS 17, and presents what are monitored to the upper layer software including system call interface 16, page reader 13, ...etc.. Typical items monitored are all or a part of above-mentioned functions provided by control panel 22. System call interface 16 is a layer provided by OS 17 and can be in different forms of software interrupts. Alternatively, system call interface 16 can be a gate for exchanging requests and services among OS 17, panel interface 18 and the upper layer software. It goes without saying that display apparatus 30 can have many other system functions 50 provided by other application programs (APs) 51 as is well-known in the art.

Page reader 13 accepts commands issued by user interface 12 and performs jobs accordingly by sending requests to a printed material document reader which has been in common use in the market as of today's date. Such reader, in its usual performance, does all related "reading" operations over the selected document file, and can further call for the system service through system call interface 16 during operation. Upon receiving answers from the document reader, page reader 13 updates user interface 12 to the most recent state. Typical requests and subsequent handling that page reader 13 does are full or partial functions including "SELECT" a document for display, "OPEN" or "CLOSE" a document, "DISPLAY" a document, ...etc..

Delivery manager 15 manages the document transfer between the document provider and the user, and can be so designed to include all or a part of the following or the other functions:

1) Scheduled request for update:

I) A specified time is set on the present display apparatus first. Once this set time arrives, the present display apparatus starts connecting the document provider and gets an updated document therefrom.

II) An alarm may be generated by the present reader's machine if the relevant link can not be built up or the preset time has passed.

2) Immediate request for update: If desired, the reader's machine can be designed to start connecting the document provider for getting an updated document therefrom.

3) Conditional update:

I) The document provider can set a contracted time period for the end user to download documents or information by the present reader's machine. The actual downloading can be performed provided that the present reader's machine can be successfully connected to the document provider.

II) Similarly, an alarm may be generated by the present reader's machine if the relevant link can not be built up or the preset time has passed.

4) On-line update: We can then construct the present display apparatus to perform the information exchange continuously over the connected line between the reader's machine and the document provider.

5) Subscription: A user account management system that may include account identification, security control, payment, or others commonly happened in today's electronic commerce can be designed to be used with the present display apparatus.

Referring back to Fig. 1 , it is to be noted that according to the underlying principle of the present display apparatus:

1) Basic and major components such as display 21 , control panel 22, power source 23, CPU 24, memory 25, and related control circuits or even the communication device 40 can respectively have different forms to duly reflect the contemporary technology evolution.

2) For easy operation in a portable environment, the power consumption of all components is preferred to be as low as possible.

3) So far as memory 25 is concerned, the non-volatile type one is preferred but other low power ones might equally be preferred. Preferably memory 25 should be properly designed and/or selected with regard to its physical dimension, power and other factors, which might influence the availability of its portability.

4) As regards CPU 24, a performance requirement, which guarantees an appropriate response to the user operation at a "real time" basis, is preferred to be met. Other factors regarding CPU 24 should also be properly designed and/or selected with regard to its physical dimension, power and other factors, which might influence the availability of its portability too. ) As to display 21, a graphical type one, which can display at a pixel level, is preferable. Its display area is preferred to be large enough to contain a full page of a targeted material in a pleasant way for reader's viewing. Again, other factors regarding display 21 should be properly designed and/or selected with regard to its physical dimension, power and other factors, which might influence the availability of its portability also.

6) With respect to communication device 40, its ability of importing files remotely is necessary. This may be offered through using the public telephone line (of any type), or using a local link accessing files already stored nearby. The communication session can be initiated either locally (by the present display machine 30) or remotely (by the document provider). To have a performance requirement, which guarantees a successful transfer within the user's patience, is preferred. Certainly, other factors regarding communication device 40 should also be properly designed and/or selected with regard to its physical dimension, power and other factors, which might influence the availability of its portability.

7) As for power source 23, e.g. a battery, capable of guaranteeing a long enough operation time is preferred. The operation time can be referred to in the battery industry. Other factors regarding power source 23 should also be properly designed and/or selected with regard to its physical dimension, power and other factors, which might influence the availability of its portability.

8) So far as control panel 22 is concerned, an optionally maneuverable operation, which mimics the situation in reading a printed material reading (e.g. newspaper, magazine, periodical...), should be provided. Some operations especially required for document reading on a computer should preferably be added. Preferred functions on control panel 22 includes those for exercising CLOSE/OPEN in a full copy of the material (one book or newspaper, ...etc.), TURN PAGE FORWARD/BACKWARD, ZOOM IN/OUT and PANNING. Referring now to Fig. 3, we will exemplarily explain how the present display apparatus 30 turns a page of the printed material therein as follows:

1) Control panel 22 scans for receiving a signal generated thereby;

2) The user presses an appropriate key to generate a code, e.g. the 'FI ' to signal an interrupt for issuing, e.g. a "turn to the former page" command;

3) Panel interface 18 picks up the interrupt;

4) Panel interface 18 checks to validate the panel status;

5) Panel interface 18 sends the "turn to the former page" command to page turner 142;

6) Page turner 142 checks and updates its page data;

7) Page turner 142 prepares for display updateby by getting information about first page/second page acoordingly;

8) Page turner 142 sends the 'FT code to real page user interface 12;

9) Real page user interface 12 updates its status;

10) Page turner 142 initiates a system call to OS 17 for updating screen 21 ; and

1 1 ) The OS and other device drivers 60 updates screen 21 to show the former page.

It is to be noticed that the above-described procedure only illustrates how page turner 142 performs one of its basic functions. Similarly, other functions page manipulator 14 is to perform can likewise be devised.

As shown in Fig. 4, we will exemplarily describe in the following what the present display apparatus 30 can perform for the purpose of understanding a preferred embodiment of the present invention only:

1) So far as the printed quality is concerned, a quality that an image can be faithfully displayed as it is on its original form such as that of the newspaper, magazine, or any kind of periodical is contemplated. The essential features include the existence of the sense of document presentation unit (e.g. 'page'), no restriction on any predefined elements (e.g. fonts), and the capability that allows the reader to manipulate at an elemental basis (e.g. fonts).

2) Interrupts from control panel 22 can, for examples only, be:

A) 'F 1 ' — "Turn to the former page";

B) 'F2' — "Turn to the next page";

C) 'F3' 'XX' — "Zoom in" by 'XX' times;

D) 'F4' 'XX' — "Zoom out" by 'XX' times;

E) 'F5' 'AA' 'BB' — "Pan from the origin" by ( AA , BB);

F) 'F6' 'AA' 'BB' — "Transmit the clipped path";

G) 'F8' — "Select/Cancel the overlapped magnification."

3) System calls between page manipulator 14 and OS 17 can include:

A) initialize Display>;

B) <Refresh Display>;

C) <Put Pixel>;

D) <Pixel operations

4) Updated events occurred in the present Printed Material Run-time Data Base 11 can include: A) Document property;

B) Current page;

C) Cursor location;

D) Magnification factor;

E) Frame structure (for visual effects).

5) Printed Material Run-time Data Base 1 1 can be a space containing the following areas, for example:

A) An area to save documents of the printed quality in their original formats;

B) An area to save converted abstracts converted from each respective display unit for faster display or related viewing effects in display 21 ; and

C) An area to save the current viewing status (e.g. page reference, zoom factor, cursor location, other selected marks, ...etc.).

6) The functions the present user interface 12 performs can include, for example only:

A) Reading the documents from a document cabinet 70;

B) Converting and preparing the document to be stored in run-time data base 11 ;

C) Monitoring the 'current viewing status' saved in the run-time data base 11 , preparing a necessary change for the viewing effect and updating it in the run-time data base 11 ;

D) Taking a document out of run-time data base 11.

7) Functions the present page reader 13 performs can include, for example only:

A) Reading the contents inside run-time data base 11 according to the 'current viewing status'; B) Translating the contents into a format for OS 17 to display in display 21 having no portion thereof used for displaying thereon an image not belonging to said contents.

8) Functions the present page turner 142 performs can include, for example only:

A) Upon receiving a signal from control panel 22 requesting the page change, updating run-time data base 11 into the 'current viewing status';

B) Sending a message optionally to printed material reading user interface 12 to inform the change;

C) Sending a message to page reader 13 for the display coordination;

D) Issuing a system call optionally in case pager turner 142 assumes the right to do the display by itself.

9) Functions the present Zoom & Pan controller 141 performs can include, for example only:

A) Upon receiving a signal from control panel 22 requesting a Zoom or Pan operation, updating run-time data base 11 into the 'current viewing status';

B) Sending a message optionally to real page user interface or Printed Material Reading User Interface 12 to inform the change;

C) Sending a message to page reader 13 for the display coordination;

D) Issuing a system call optionally in case pager turner 142 has assumed the right to do the display by itself.

Referring now to Fig. 5, there is shown a flowchart showing what a coordination protocol in page reader 13 performs. Specifically, after the coordination protocol is started, checking whether there is a requesting signal. If yes, determining: 1) Whether it is a consulting signal <CNSLT> for consulting the display status? If yes, replying with the current display usage signal <INFO>;

2) Whether it is a getting signal <GET> for getting the display approval? If yes, checking the display usage in page reader 13 to decide whether there is a display usage conflict? If no, replying with a request-grant signal <GRANT>. If yes, replying with a request-deny signal <DNY>.

3) Whether it is a display-usage releasing signal <RLSE>? If yes, updating the display usage into the new status;

4) Whether it is a request canceling signal <CNCL>? If yes, collecting and updating the display usage;

5) Whether the one which makes the request has already assumed the right to do work by itself? If yes, giving the right immediately.

The following table tabulates, for purpose of a more clear illustration only, a possible scenario the coordination protocol according to the present invention executes:

Referring back again to Figs. 1 and 2, following the teaching, suggestion and enlightenment of the display control unit 10 according to the present invention, we can diversify the infrastructure of a display control unit 10 according to the present invention for purpose of illustration to a further extent only in the following aspects:

1) A control unit 10 to be used with a display apparatus 30 having a screen 21 includes a data base 1 1 storing therein a first page data in an original format and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from the first page data, an interface 12 electrically connected to and monitoring data base 1 1 , and a page reader 13 electrically connected to data base 1 1 and interface 12 for translating at least one of the first page data and the second page data into a format to be displayed on screen 21 where through the converted abstract, the at least one page data is switchable between an indistinct state and an original state. Preferably screen 21 only displays the at least one page data with nothing else. More preferably page reader 13 includes a protocol for coordinating between signals;

2) A control unit 10 to be used with a display apparatus 30 having a screen 21 includes a data base 1 1 storing therein a first page data in an original format and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from the first page data, an interface 12 electrically connected to and monitoring data base 1 1 , and a page reader 13 electrically connected to data base 1 1 and interface 12 for translating at least one of the first page data and the second page data into a format to be displayed, and having a protocol for coordinating between signals of control unit 10. Preferably the at least one page data is switchable between an indistinct state and an original state. Certainly, screen 21 may only displays the at least one page data.

3) A control unit 10 to be used with a display apparatus 30 having a screen 21 includes a data base 1 1 storing therein a first page data in an original format and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from the first page data, an interface 12 electrically connected to data base 1 1 for monitoring at least one of the first page data and the second page data to be displayed on screen 21 where screen 21 only displays the at least one page data, and a page manipulator 14 for manipulating how the at least one page data is to be displayed on screen 21. Preferably the at least one page data is switchable between an indistinct state and an original state. Certainly, the present control unit may further include a page reader 13 electrically connected to data base 1 1 and interface 12 for translating the at least one of the first page data and the second page data into a format to be displayed on screen 21. In such page reader 13, it might preferably further include a protocol for coordinating between signals therein.

4) A control unit 10 to be used with a display apparatus 30 having a screen 21 includes a data base 1 1 storing therein a first page data in an original format and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from the first page data, an interface 12 electrically connected to data base 1 1 for monitoring at least one of the first page data and the second page data to be displayed on screen 21 in which the at least one page data is switchable between an indistinct state and an original state, and a page manipulator 14 for manipulating how the at least one page data is to be displayed on screen 21. Preferably screen 21 only displays the at least one page data. Control unit 10 may further include a page reader 13 electrically connected to data base 1 1 and interface 12 for translating at least one of the first page data and the second page data into a format to be displayed on screen 21. Page reader 13 might further include a protocol for coordinating between signals. 5) A control unit 10 to be used with a display apparatus 30 having a screen 21 includes a data base 1 1 storing therein a first page data in an original format, another first page data and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from the first page data, an interface 12 electrically connected to data base 1 1 for monitoring at least one of the first page data and the second page data to be displayed on screen 21 where screen 21 only displays the at least one page data, and a page turner 142 for turning between the first page data. Preferably the at least one page data is switchable between an indistinct state and an original state. Generally the present control unit 10 further includes a page reader 13 electrically connected to data base 11 and interface 12 for translating the at least one of the first page data and the second page data into a format to be displayed on screen 21. Page reader 13 often further includes a protocol for coordinating between signals. ) A control unit 10 to be used with a display apparatus 30 having a screen 21 includes a data base 1 1 storing therein a first page data in an original format, another first page data and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from the first page data, an interface 12 electrically connected to data base 1 1 for monitoring at least one of the first page data and the second page data to be displayed on screen 21 in which the at least one page data is switchable between an indistinct state and an original state, and a page turner 142 for turning between the first page data. It might be advisable that screen 21 only displays the at least one page data. Normally, it might also be advisable to further incorporate into the present control unit 10 a page reader 13 electrically connected to data base 1 1 and interface 12 for translating at least one of the first page data and the second page data into a format to be displayed on screen 21. Again, it is advisable to further includes in page reader 13 a protocol for coordinating between signals.

In any of the above-referenced aspects of display control unit 10 according to the present invention, we can devise the display apparatus 30 incorporating therein the present display control unit 10 to any a specific purpose without departing in any way from the underlying principle mentioned above.

It is the turn of Fig. 6 which should be briefly described. We can construct a display apparatus 30, as shown, more compact than a note book computer in the market nowadays, which includes control unit 10, and display hardware 20 as above-mentioned. It is to be noticed that control panel 22 therein can be a couple of keys on display hardware 20. Attention should be directed to the fact that the idea, concept or principle of the present invention can be implemented in any a personal computer extensively put into use all over the world by intentionally incorporating therein any a preferred embodiment of a display control unit 10 according to the present invention. Under such circumstance, we can define several keys in the keyboard for a desk top personal computer to serve as control panel 22. This serves as an example to explain how a display control unit 10 according to the present invention can be modified.

Referring now to Figs. 7A ~ 7D, Fig. 7A is a schematical view showing an example of a target page to be read by a preferred embodiment of a printed material reader's machine or a real page display 30 incorporating therein a preferred embodiment of a display control unit 10 according to the present invention. Figs. 7B ~ 7D are schematical views respectively showing that the target page in Fig. 7A is manipulated into three states by a preferred embodiment of a real page display or printed material reader's machine 30 incorporating therein a preferred embodiment of a display control unit 10 according to the present invention.

While the invention has been described in terms of what are presently conedgered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention need not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures. Therefore, the above description and illustration should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A control unit adapted to be used with a display apparatus having a screen comprising: a data base storing therein a first page data in an original format and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from said first page data; an interface electrically connected to and monitoring said data base; and a page reader electrically connected to said data base and said interface for translating at least one of said first page data and said second page data into a format to be displayed where said screen only displays said at least one page data.

2. A control unit according to claim 1 wherein said at least one page data is switchable between an indistinct state and an original state.

3. A control unit according to claim 2 wherein only a portion of a certain nature in said at least one page data can be clearly shown on said screen in said indistinct state.

4. A control unit according to claim 1 wherein said reader includes a protocol for coordinating between signals.

5. A control unit according to claim 4 wherein by said protocol said reader monitors how said screen should be controlled.

6. A control unit according to claim 1, further comprising a page manipulator for manipulating how said at least one page data is to be displayed on said screen.

7. A control unit according to claim 6 wherein said page manipulator is a page-zooming controller controlling to which extent said at least one page data is to be zoomed.

8. A control unit according to claim 7 wherein page-zooming controller controls whether said at least one page data is continuously or steppedly zoomed.

9. A control unit according to claim 6 wherein said page manipulator is a page-panning controller controlling where said at least one page data is to be panned.

10. A control unit according to claim 6 wherein: said data base further stores therein another said first page data; and said page manipulator is a page turner for turning between said first page data.

1 1. A control unit according to claim 10 wherein said data base is a runtime one and further stores therein a current viewing status.

12. A control unit according to claim 10 wherein said page manipulator incorporates therein a page-zooming controller.

13. A control unit according to claim 1 , further comprising: a memory electrically connected to said interface for providing said data base said first page data; and a delivery manager electrically connected to said memory, by which manager said memory obtains said first page data through a network protocol.

14. A control unit according to claim 13 wherein said delivery manager down-loads said first page data from one of a local data bank and a remote data bank.

15. A control unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a control panel through which a command is inputted into said control unit; and a panel interface electrically connected between said control panel and said control unit.

16. A control unit according to claim 15 wherein said control panel includes a page-zooming key.

17. A control unit according to claim 15 wherein said control panel includes a page-panning key.

18. A control unit according to claim 15 wherein said control panel includes a page-turning key.

19. A control unit according to claim 1 wherein said first page data is equivalent to a real page in a printed publication.

20. A control unit according to claim 19 wherein said real entire page means an entire page regardless of how large said printed publication has a size.

21. A control unit adapted to be used with a display apparatus having a screen comprising: a data base storing therein a first page data in an original format and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from said first page data; an interface electrically connected to and monitoring said data base; and a page reader electrically connected to said data base and said interface for translating at least one of said first page data and said second page data into a format to be displayed on said screen where through said converted abstract, said at least one page data is switchable between an indistinct state and an original state.

22. A control unit according to claim 21 wherein said screen only displays said at least one page data.

23. A control unit according to claim 22 wherein said reader includes a protocol for coordinating between signals.

24. A control unit according to claim 21 , further comprising a page manipulator for manipulating how said at least one page data is to be displayed on said screen.

25. A control unit according to claim 24 wherein said page manipulator is a page-zooming and page-panning controller controlling to which extent said at least one page data is to be zoomed and panned.

26. A control unit according to claim 24 wherein: said data base further stores therein another said first page data; and said page manipulator is a page turner for turning between said first page data.

27. A control unit according to claim 26 wherein said page manipulator incorporates therein a page-zooming and page-panning controller.

28. A control unit according to claim 21 , further comprising: a memory electrically connected to said interface for providing said data base said first page data; and a delivery manager electrically connected to said memory, by which manager said memory obtains said first page data through a network protocol.

29. A control unit according to claim 21, further comprising: a control panel through which a command is inputted into said control unit; and a panel interface electrically connected between said control panel and said control unit.

30. A control unit according to claim 21 wherein said first page data is equivalent to a real entire page in a printed publication.

31. A control unit adapted to be used with a display apparatus having a screen comprising: a data base storing therein a first page data in an original format and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from said first page data; an interface electrically connected to and monitoring said data base; and a page reader electrically connected to said data base and said interface for translating at least one of said first page data and said second page data into a format to be displayed, and having a protocol for coordinating between signals of said control unit.

32. A control unit according to claim 31 wherein said at least one page data is switchable between an indistinct state and an original state.

33. A control unit according to claim 31 wherein said screen only displays said at least one page data.

34. A control unit according to claim 31 , further comprising a page manipulator for manipulating how said at least one page data is to be displayed on said screen.

35. A control unit according to claim 34 wherein said page manipulator is a page-zooming controller controlling to which extent said at least one page data is to be zoomed.

36. A control unit according to claim 35 wherein: said data base further stores therein another said first page data; and said page manipulator further includes a page turner for turning between said first page data.

37. A control unit according to claim 36 wherein said page manipulator further incorporates therein a page-panning controller.

38. A control unit according to claim 31 , further comprising: a memory electrically connected to said interface for providing said data base said first page data; and a delivery manager electrically connected to said memory, by which manager said memory obtains said first page data through a network protocol.

39. A control unit according to claim 31 , further comprising: a control panel through which a command is inputted into said control unit; and a panel interface electrically connected between said control panel and said control unit.

40. A control unit according to claim 31 wherein said first page data is equivalent to a real entire page in a printed publication.

41. A control unit adapted to be used with a display apparatus having a screen comprising: a data base storing therein a first page data in an original format and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from said first page data; an interface electrically connected to said data base for monitoring at least one of said first page data and said second page data to be displayed on said screen where said screen only displays said at least one page data; and a page manipulator for manipulating how said at least one page data is to be displayed on said screen.

42. A control unit according to claim 41 wherein said at least one page data is switchable between an indistinct state and an original state.

43. A control unit according to claim 41, further comprising a page reader electrically connected to said data base and said interface for translating said at least one of said first page data and said second page data into a format to be displayed on said screen.

44. A control unit according to claim 43 wherein said reader further includes a protocol for coordinating between signals.

45. A control unit according to claim 41 wherein said page manipulator is a page-zooming controller controlling to which extent said at least one page data is to be zoomed.

46. A control unit according to claim 44 wherein: said data base further stores therein another said first page data; and said page manipulator is a page turner for turning between said first page data.

47. A control unit according to claim 46 wherein said page manipulator incorporates therein a page-panning controller.

48. A control unit according to claim 41, further comprising: a memory electrically connected to said interface for providing said data base said first page data; and a delivery manager electrically connected to said memory, by which manager said memory obtains said first page data through a network protocol.

49. A control unit according to claim 41, further comprising: a control panel through which a command is inputted into said control unit; and a panel interface electrically connected between said control panel and said control unit.

50. A control unit according to claim 41 wherein said first page data is equivalent to a real entire page in a printed publication.

51. A control unit adapted to be used with a display apparatus having a screen comprising: a data base storing therein a first page data in an original format and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from said first page data; an interface electrically connected to said data base for monitoring at least one of said first page data and said second page data to be displayed on said screen in which said at least one page data is switchable between an indistinct state and an original state; and a page manipulator for manipulating how said at least one page data is to be displayed on said screen.

52. A control unit according to claim 51 wherein said screen only displays said at least one page data.

53. A control unit according to claim 51, further comprising a page reader electrically connected to said data base and said interface for translating at least one of said first page data and said second page data into a format to be displayed on said screen.

54. A control unit according to claim 53 wherein said reader further includes a protocol for coordinating between signals.

55. A control unit according to claim 51 wherein said page manipulator is a page-zooming controller controlling to which extent said at least one page data is to be zoomed.

56. A control unit according to claim 51 wherein: said data base further stores therein another said first page data; and said page manipulator is a page turner for turning between said first page data.

57. A control unit according to claim 51 wherein said page manipulator is a page-panning controller.

58. A control unit according to claim 51, further comprising: a memory electrically connected to said interface for providing said data base said first page data; and a delivery manager electrically connected to said memory, by which manager said memory obtains said first page data through a network protocol.

59. A control unit according to claim 51 , further comprising: a control panel through which a command is inputted into said control unit; and a panel interface electrically connected between said control panel and said control unit.

60. A control unit according to claim 51 wherein said first page data is equivalent to a real entire page in a printed publication.

61. A control unit adapted to be used with a display apparatus having a screen comprising: a data base storing therein a first page data in an original format, another said first page data and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from said first page data; an interface electrically connected to said data base for monitoring at least one of said first page data and said second page data to be displayed on said screen where said screen only displays said at least one page data; and a page turner for turning between said first page data.

62. A control unit according to claim 61 wherein said at least one page data is switchable between an indistinct state and an original state.

63. A control unit according to claim 61 , further comprising a page reader electrically connected to said data base and said interface for translating said at least one of said first page data and said second page data into a format to be displayed on said screen.

64. A control unit according to claim 63 wherein said reader further includes a protocol for coordinating between signals.

65. A control unit according to claim 61 , further comprising a page manipulator for manipulating how said at least one page data is to be displayed on said screen.

66. A control unit according to claim 65 wherein said page manipulator is a page-zooming controller controlling to which extent said at least one page data is to be zoomed.

67. A control unit according to claim 66 wherein said page manipulator incorporates therein a page-panning controller.

68. A control unit according to claim 61 , further comprising: a memory electrically connected to said interface for providing said data base said first page data; and a delivery manager electrically connected to said memory, by which manager said memory obtains said first page data through a network protocol.

69. A control unit according to claim 61 , further comprising: a control panel through which a command is inputted into said control unit; and a panel interface electrically connected between said control panel and said control unit.

70. A control unit according to claim 61 wherein said first page data is equivalent to a real entire page in a printed publication.

71. A control unit adapted to be used with a display apparatus having a screen comprising: a data base storing therein a first page data in an original format, another said first page data and a second page data of a converted abstract converted from said first page data; an interface electrically connected to said data base for monitoring at least one of said first page data and said second page data to be displayed on said screen in which said at least one page data is switchable between an indistinct state and an original state; and a page turner for turning between said first page data.

72. A control unit according to claim 71 wherein said screen only displays said at least one page data.

73. A control unit according to claim 71 , further comprising a page reader electrically connected to said data base and said interface for translating at least one of said first page data and said second page data into a format to be displayed on said screen.

74. A control unit according to claim 73 wherein said reader further includes a protocol for coordinating between signals.

75. A control unit according to claim 71, further comprising a page manipulator for manipulating how said at least one page data is to be displayed on said screen.

76. A control unit according to claim 75 wherein said page manipulator is a page-zooming controller controlling to which extent said at least one page data is to be zoomed.

77. A control unit according to claim 75 wherein said page manipulator is a page-panning controller.

78. A control unit according to claim 71, further comprising: a memory electrically connected to said interface for providing said data base said first page data; and a delivery manager electrically connected to said memory, by which manager said memory obtains said first page data through a network protocol.

79. A control unit according to claim 71 , further comprising: a control panel through which a command is inputted into said control unit; and a panel interface electrically connected between said control panel and said control unit.

80. A control unit according to claim 71 wherein said first page data is equivalent to a real entire page in a printed publication.