US20080016133A1 - Electronic book cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The electronic book cover is made of a thick board which is strategically adapted to support an electronic device, such as a calculator or MP3 player. A cutout in the board receives the electronic device, and it is securely bolstered to the main block of book pages. The board is completely covered by an elastic skin, except in an opening where the device displays visual information. The cover also includes a keypad, labeled with various characters and symbols, which can be pressed to initiate the processing of preprogrammed functions by the electronic device. A layered switch circuit lies underneath the soft keypad and is comprised of two distinct layers: the first dielectric film layer has rows and columns of checkered conductive sections facing inward towards the book cover, and the second dielectric film layer has a pattern of disconnected electric contacts at locations facing the conductive sections and is superimposed in the keypad.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• A. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to the bookbinding field; it is a book cover with an electronic device embedded within it, such as a calculator.
• B. Description of the Prior Art
• Bookbinding functions to secure individual leaflets of paper, valuable writings, and/or drawings together, allowing for the extended preservation of such materials. Binding is also used to create presentations and organize valuable documents. Fast-setting glues and binding spines are utilized to create copies of books, blank journals, notebooks, and various types of personal planners.
• Electronic media was subsequently invented to enhance to convenience of these items. Personal digital assistant (PDA) devices can selectively store and view information through a user interface, which often includes a display device and keypad for input. Electronic calculators and organizers are classified as primitive forms of personal electronic devices because of their ability to process numerical calculations and store retrievable personal data. The accessibility and affordability of such devices greatly contributes to the universal nature of modern electronics. Calculators can now be manufactured on a single IC chip and are thus frequently integrated into common devices such as cellular phones. The embedded calculators can take advantage of the existing keypad and display interfaces on the cellular phone. The improved integration of additional memory devices and processors allows for the realization of various functions in thinner form factor within the electronic environment.
• An attempt to integrate traditional and current portable devices was made in U.S. Pat. No. 4,096,577, which outlines a simple checkbook with a calculator on its upper flap. More recently, a planner notebook was marketed to include a thin, clip-shaped calculator accessory. These devices, along with similarly designed products, use thin electronic devices in order to take up minimal space around the books or journals. However, it is important to note that the electronic devices are nothing more than additional attachments to the original product.
• There is currently a demand for an appropriate way to combine a bookbinding and electronic device in a method wherein productive synergy is created, benefiting the overall functionality of the compact handheld device.
• The present invention, in its most fundamental form, provides a book cover with a universal calculator embedded within the binding. The use of bookbinding ensures that the electronic device maintains its adherence to the book, and the two cannot be separated under any circumstance. The basic principle of present invention can be also applied to other modern compact media devices, such as mini MP3 players. It simply provides a seamless convergence of analog printed matter and digital multimedia so that the user can experience both physical and virtual functions of the device. Furthermore, the previously discussed book cover allows a user to experience the digital creations of others while simultaneously producing his own work on the same journal.
• According to the present invention, an electronic device with active and passive components (such as IC chips, processors, capacitors, switches and LCD displays) and an interactive keypad surface are added to the traditional bookbinding process. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a book cover and an electronic device which are united by a binding component, creating a book with added entertainment or creative functionality.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The electronic book cover, according to the present invention, uses the same traditional process for bookbinding, but the finished product serves as both an interactive novelty and a conventional book cover.
• This improved cover for bookbinding is comprised of three main components. The first is a supportive board used for binding a book with multiple pages; comprised of a face, back, four side edges and at least one void where the an active electronic device is installed. The electronic device has a rigid mount, which is fixed onto the void so that the visible display can be read through the void. The second component is an elastic skin that covers the entire face and board except for the void. The skin includes a keypad marked with various characters and symbols which can be pressed to initiate the processing of preprogrammed functions by the electronic device. The third component is a switch circuit with two distinct layers: the first dielectric film layer has rows and columns of checkered conductive sections facing inward towards the book cover, and the second dielectric film layer has a pattern of disconnected electric contacts at locations facing the conductive sections and is superimposed in the keypad. A perforated planar spacer separates the two dielectric film layers until a person presses the keypad, which makes an electrical contact between the second film and the first film. The second dielectric film has a circuit pattern of electric bus that communicates with the electric contacts by conductive through-holes. The fourth component is a bottom sheet, approximately the same size of the board, which covers the back of the board and elastic skin folds.
• The electronic device holds a processing chip, printed circuit board, and battery (replaceable and/or solar) on the rigid mount. The supportive board and bottom sheet may be comprised of cardboard materials of different thicknesses, and the elastic skin may be an opaque rubber sheet. The numerical characters and symbols on the keypad may be engraved, embossed or printed on the elastic skin. The dielectric films may be made of semi-rigid plastic sheets; each printed with conductive ink that provides circuit paths and contacts. The perforated planar spacer may be made of a sheet of sponge material with cutouts at perforations.
• In addition to a calculator, the electronic device may also include a digital clock and calendar function. If the keypad is modified into “QWERTY” style, the electronic device serves as a media player that records and reproduces audiovisual information.
• The embodiments of the invention will now be exemplified with reference to accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic book cover according to the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the book cover ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the book cover taken along line3-3 ofFIG. 1 showing the interior of the calculator in relation to other book components.
• FIG. 4 is an exploded cross sectional view taken along line4-4 ofFIG. 1 to show the individual layers to make up the switch circuit in the book cover.
• Similar reference numbers denote corresponding features throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
• For illustrative purposes, the invention will be described in the form of an electronic calculator, although it may be adapted to include clocks, calendars, LED signs, flash memory-based audio/video players, digital photo frames, and many other electronic commodities.
• With reference toFIG. 1, anelectronic book cover10 of the present invention is made of thick cardboard and bound to ablock12 of individual sheets. A vertical line of punched holes orslits14 near the bound edge16 is coupled with a metalbinding spine18 that threads theslits14, thus holding thesheets12 together. This “comb-bound” type of notebook increased in popularity due to the advent of desktop publishing at home offices and has proven to be a relatively simple method of binding a book.
• The traditional, more rigid method of binding abook cover10 involves a book block divided by a number of signatures threaded by yarn, wire or cable. The spine is flexibly connected to the book covers and stitched to the book block. In addition, glue is used to bolster the bond between the parts of the book. The implementation of this method is solely a matter of aesthetic taste.
• Asoft skin20 forms the exterior of thecover10 except for alarge opening22, though which ahousing24 for electronics is received. Thehousing24 has adisplay window26 for showing information such as the numerical result of acalculator28, and also doubles as thebook cover10. Thesoft skin20 may be made of a vinyl, leather or another like material, and it is marked with letters, numbers, andsymbols29. The characters are engraved and/or printed on theface20 so that a largemembrane keypad area30 is formed adjacent to thedisplay window26.
• InFIG. 2, the components of thebook cover calculator28 are described in further detail. Under the area of thekeypad30, there is a thinmultilayer switch circuit32. The thinmultilayer switch circuit32 is flexible and comprised of afirst dielectric layer34 with a localconductive cheker36 positioned underneath and asecond dielectric layer38 characterized by a double-sided conductive pattern. Facing opposite thefirst layer34 at itschecker36, thesecond layer38 has multipleconductive comb patterns40. Thecombs40 are aligned with corresponding characters/symbols29. Eachcomb40 is made of two staggered rows of teeth, which remain separated until a contact occurs between an island ofchecker36 that is positioned directly above the same teeth set.
• Aplanar spacer42 withrectangular perforations44 is attached to both the underside offirst layer34 and the opposing surface ofsecond layer38. This setup yields two distinctive on-off switch positions, which lie between firstconductive checker36 and second conductive combs40. An economical choice for the material of theplanar spacer42 is a sheet of sponge with mutiple cut-outs.
• On the opposing side of thesecond dielectric layer38 lies amultiple circuit bus46, which is depicted by dotted lines that lead the switchingcomb contacts40 to anelectronic unit50. Typically, the dielectric characteristic of thelayer38 bars its opposing conductive patterns from contact, but the strategic placement of multipleconductive holes48 electrically communicate the opposite patterns. Depending on the circuit pattern for specific electronic functions, a section ofcircuit bus46 may be connected bymultiple comb contacts40 that share aconnection area52.
• Bus46 connects to anelectronic processor54, which serves to decipher the numbers and operators inputted by the user via thekeypad area30.Processor54 is connected to a printed circuit board (PCB)55 and powered by abattery56 throughwires58. Thebattery56 is accesible through a slide-open door (not shown) installed inelectronic unit50 for ease of replacement. An auxiliarysolar battery60 may also be connected to theprocessor54 to extend the life of thebattery56. A printedcircuit62 onPCB55 is connected to aribbon cable64, which is then connected to adisplay65 for showing the user inputs atkeypad30 and the calculation results of theprocessor54.
• Theswitch circuit assembly32 andelectronic unit50 are bonded locally to arectangular cardboard66 with a large rectangular thru-hole68 for receiving theelectronic unit50 next to theswitch circuit32.Unit50 can be made on a plastic substrate for supporting theprocessor54 andbatteries56,60, and it typically has four corner screw posts70.Unit50 is attached tocardboard66 by aplate member72 with fourscrew holes74 that are aligned with the screw posts70 ofunit50; a middle opening76 exposes thedisplay65.Plate member72 can be made about the thickness of paper and glued to the inner surface ofcardboard66.
• On top of theswitch circuit32 andelectronic unit50, asoft skin20 is laid to extend slightly over the side edges ofcardboard66 so that the overhang may be folded at tworectangular lines78,79 around the cardboard edges. Abottom sheet82 that is the same size of thecardboard66 is glued to the bottom of thecardboard66, and thus covering the folded edges ofsoft skin20.
• FIG. 3 clearly shows in cross section the positional relations of electronic components ofunit50 inbook cover10, which is bound to bookblock12 complete with anopposite book cover100.
• A spiral binding spine102 (partially shown) threads theentire book1 at the aligned slits14 in order to tie thebook1 together. Theelectronic unit50 rests inhole68 ofbook cover10 as thehousing24 is fastened with a screw ontounit50.Plate member72 is thus clipped permanently in place.
• InFIG. 4,book cover10 is shown in an expanded cross section perpective. This shows the connection betweenswitch circuit32 andelectronic unit50, which includesfirst layer34 andsecond layer38. The two layers are normally electrically isolated by the interposedspacer42, but a person can intimate contact between thelayers34,38 by pressing the softkey face20 and one of theperforations44. This creates a key signal.
• The key signal is transmitted by theconductive holes48 to thebus46, which leads to theelectronic unit50. Theentire book cover10 is structurally supported bycardboard66, over which asoft skin20 extends to form turned edges104.Bottom sheet82 is bonded toedges104, and the bottom ofcardboard66 completesbook cover10.
• The electronic book cover is the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and it has been shown and described with several modifications thereof discussed. Persons skilled in this art will readily appreciate that various additional changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined and differentiated by the following claims.
CALL OUT LIST OF ELEMENTS
• 1: Book
• 10: Book Cover
• 12: Book Block
• 14: Slit
• 18: Binding Spine
• 20: Soft skin
• 22: Opening
• 24: Electronics Housing
• 26: Display Window
• 28: Calculator
• 29: Character/Symbol
• 30: Keypad Area
• 32: Switch Circuit
• 34: First Layer
• 36: Checker
• 38: Second Layer
• 40: Comb Contact
• 42: Spacer
• 44: Perforations
• 46: Bus
• 48: Conductive Hole
• 50: Electronic Unit
• 52: Connection Area
• 54: Processor
• 55: PCB
• 56: Battery
• 58: Wire
• 60: Solar Battery
• 62: Printed Circuit
• 64: Ribbon Cable
• 65: Display
• 66: Cardboard
• 68: Thru-hole
• 70: Post
• 72: Plate Member
• 74: Screw Hole
• 76: Opening
• 82: Bottom Sheet
• 100: Back Cover
• 102: Binding Spine
• 104: Turned Edge

Claims (19)

1. An electronic book cover comprising:

a board for use in binding a book block having a plurality of writing sheets, the board having a face, a back, four side edges and at least one void to accommodate an active electronic device installed therein;

the electronic device including a rigid mount fixed onto the board about the void and having a visible display through the void;

an elastic skin for covering the face and a part of the board except the void, the skin having a keypad of key areas marked with various characters and symbols to be typed into the electronic device for processing preprogrammed functions; and

a layered switch circuit mounted between the elastic skin and supportive board.

2. The electronic book cover ofclaim 1, wherein the elastic skin is made of an opaque rubber sheet.

3. The electronic book cover ofclaim 1, wherein the numerical characters and symbols are formed by embossing on the elastic skin.

4. The electronic book cover ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second dielectric films are made of semi-rigid plastic sheets printed with conductive ink to provide circuit paths and contacts.

5. The electronic book cover ofclaim 1, wherein the perforated planar spacer is made of a sheet of sponge with cutouts at perforations.

6. The electronic book cover ofclaim 1, wherein the layered switch circuit has a first dielectric film with rows and columns of checkered conductive sections facing inwardly of the book cover, a second dielectric film has a pattern of disconnected electric contacts at locations facing the conductive sections and superimposing the key areas, and a perforated planar spacer for normally isolating the first and second dielectric films but yielding to typing depressions for locally making electrical contacts at the second film by the first film and the second dielectric film also having at its opposite face a circuit pattern of electric bus communicating with the electric contacts by conductive through-holes; and further comprising a bottom sheet of substantially the same size of the board for covering the back of the board as well as the elastic skin folds therein.

7. The electronic book cover ofclaim 6, wherein the electronic device includes a processing chip, printed circuit board, a replaceable battery and/or a solar battery all mounted on the rigid mount.

8. The electronic book cover ofclaim 6, wherein the supportive board and bottom sheet are provided by cardboard of different thickness.

9. The electronic book cover ofclaim 6, wherein the elastic skin is made of an opaque rubber sheet.

10. The electronic book cover ofclaim 6, wherein the numerical characters and symbols are formed by embossing on the elastic skin.

11. The electronic book cover ofclaim 6, wherein the first and second dielectric films are made of semi-rigid plastic sheets printed with conductive ink to provide circuit paths and contacts.

12. The electronic book cover ofclaim 6, wherein the perforated planar spacer is made of a sheet of sponge with cutouts at perforations.

13. The electronic book cover ofclaim 6, wherein the electronic device is a media player, which records and reproduces sound and visual information.

14. An electronic calculator comprising:

a board, the board having a face, a back, four side edges and at least one void to accommodate an electronic calculating unit installed therein;

the calculating unit having a processing chip, printed circuit board and at least one power source all mounted on a rigid housing fixed onto the board about the void and having a visible display through the void;

an elastic skin for covering the face and a part of the board except the void, the skin having a keypad of key areas marked with numerical characters and symbols to be typed into the electronic device for processing calculation functions;

a layered switch circuit having a first dielectric film with rows and columns of checkered conductive sections facing inwardly of the book cover, a second dielectric film having a pattern of disconnected electric contacts at locations facing the conductive sections and superimposing the key areas, and a perforated planar spacer for normally isolating the first and second dielectric films but yielding to typing depressions for locally making electrical contacts at the second film by the first film and the second dielectric film also having at its opposite face a circuit pattern of electric bus communicating with the electric contacts by conductive through-holes; and

a bottom sheet of substantially the same size of the board for covering the back of the board as well as the elastic skin folds therein.

15. The electronic calculator ofclaim 14, wherein the supportive board and bottom sheet are provided by cardboard of different thickness.

16. The electronic calculator ofclaim 14, wherein the elastic skin is made of an opaque rubber sheet.

17. The electronic calculator ofclaim 14, wherein the numerical characters and symbols are formed by embossing on the elastic skin.

18. The electronic calculator ofclaim 14, wherein the first and second dielectric films are made of semi-rigid plastic sheets printed with conductive ink to provide circuit paths and contacts.

19. The electronic calculator ofclaim 14, wherein the perforated planar spacer is made of a sheet of sponge with cutouts at perforations.

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