CA2127698A1 - Method and apparatus for publication of information - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and devices for publication of newspapers and the like.
The system uses an electronic memory/display unit (24) which preserves the convenience of printed material, but which has the advantages of a computer display. The system utilizes a cable television (CATV) network to distribute the information. Data are transmitted over the system from a newspaper publication facility (2).
The newspaper publication facility is provided with a data processing facility (4) that transmits newspaper data (6) to a satellite transmitting facility (8). The transmitted data are provided to a cable television satellite receiving station (12) by way of satellite link (14). Signal generators (16) are coupled to the satellite link and provide appropriate signals to a CATV network transmission facility (18). Network transmission facility (18) transmits newspaper signals over a CATV line (20) to a plurality of subscriber facilities (22) with the electronic memory/display units.

Description

2~ ~ 2 ~ ) 8 P~/U~;93/00628 ME:THOI:) AND APPARAl~US FOR PUBL:[CATXON OF INFORMATION

COPYRIGHT NOTICE
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject ~o copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of computer devices and especially computer devices for publishing information such as text and graphics. In one specific embodlment, the invention provides a method and device for publication of materials such as newspapers, magazines, and the like.
The classical system for publication o~
; 20 newspapers and~magazines in paper form presents a number ; of difficulties.~;For example, the cost of the present ~: :
methods ~f print~ing~and~distribution ténd to be quite hi~h. ~his high~cost results from a number of factors including high~and~increasing labor costs, high material costs, and the~like~ It has been~estimated that the cost of printing~and delivering a newspaper is 50 to 60% of the cost of providing a~newspaper to the consumer.
Additional problems result from the environmental and moneta~y cost of disposing of used ! ' paper~products~such as newspapers. Approximately 1000 acres of trees~are~estimated to have been cut for the printing of a single~Sunday edition of the United State's newspapers. Recycling has been widely adop~ed, but about 66~ of all newspapers still continue to be deposited in landfills. Even when recycling has been adopted, it results in a degree of inconvenience to the consumer, a~d requires the construction of the infrastructure to WO93/1~66 PCT/US~3/0062~

2 ~ 2 1 fi 3 ,~1 2 implement the recycling program at substantial cost. The volume of waste generated by the newspaper industry is particularly disturbing when one considers that the a~erage reader actually reads only l0 to 20% of a 5 newspaper.
Other problems with conventional newspapers also exist. For example, ink rub-off is frequently a problem which has not been overcome. Further, advertisement in a newspaper is relatively inefficient from the advertiser's viewpoint since it is relatively untargeted. ~till further, timeliness of newspaper delivery is a problem since the content for a 6:00 A.M.
newspaper is typically set in large part by 8:00 P.M.
the preceding day. These time r~straints also create language barriers. Although a newspaper could ~uickly be translated into various languages, the time for actually printing the newspaper in various languages often makes timely distribution in multiple languages a practical impossibility.
Solutions have been proposed to the above-mentioned problems. For example, many commercial database services such as Dialog, Lexis/Nexis, and the like, provide various newspaper and wire services, as well as a variety of periodicals, typically over telephone COD unication lines. These systems also present certain difficulties, however. Important among these problems are the restraints i~posed by the speed with which information may be conveyed to the user over telephone lines. The data transmission speed of such systems is often only 1200 to 9600 baud, and speeds above ~-these rates are very di~ficult to implement over the conventional telephone system. This slow speed presents a number of problems. For example, the transmission of image data becomes impossible within practical terms.
Further, users are unlikely to use such systems for day-to-day news gathering since the slow speed of the device results in the ina~ility to "leaf through'l a newspaper in WO93/1~66 PCT/US93/00628 7 ~ 9 ~
a comfortable manner. Further, the user interfaces for such systems are typically designed in large part with conventional computer users in mind and are not amenable to usage by the average newspaper reader.
Other systems have also been proposed. For example, Fidler, "Newspaper Design 2000 and Beyond,"
American Press Institute J. Montgomery Curtis Memorial Seminar, September 1988, discusses an apocryphal system ~or distributing news. The system is described as being plugged into a news outlet next to a television. The user is putatively able to select from a variety of newspapers, and the system uses a tactile screen.
The system is preset to flag any stories that contain ;
references to a variety of subjects and includes graphical displays. Stories can be saved in a personal ` memory. While expressing a strong desire and need for such systems, Fidler does not provide a practical means for implementing the system~described therein.
Other~solutions~have also been proposed.
For examp~e, Scarr,~U.~K. Patent Application 2 185 361, :
discusses an "Intelligence~Handling System" which is another largely~apocryphal~publication system.
According to the system~discussed by Scarr, incoming information is~received~during off peak hours at rates lower than the~rates~;néeded for playback. It is proposed to use the system for;music, written materials such as newspapers, and the like~. ~A~transcoder is utilized which putatively serves as~an interface to one of several media such as conventional telephone, broadband, or the like.
30 ~ Information is stored on,;~for example, an optical disc ~` for later use. Again several problems remain, however.
For example, while the;system is proposed, Scarr provides little information~regarding how the system would actually be implemented. Furthermore, while Scarr . ~ ~
discusses in passing *he use of broadband transmission, there is no suggestion how such systems could be used to deliver a variety of possible subscriptions. Further, ::

WOg3~1~66 PCT/US93/00628 '~Z~ 4 there is no disclosure regarding an effective display system, a system using existing distribution channels, or the like.
From the above it is seen that an improved method and system for distributing information is desired, particularly news whi~h is now commonly distributed in the form of newspapers.

SUNMARY OF THE INVENTION
- - An improved method and device for publication of materials such as newspapers is provided by virtue of the present in~ention. The system provides for a portable viewing screen, which is operably coupled to a microprocessor an~: sufficient memory for storage of one or more editions of pexiodicals such as newspapers. It is to be understood that by~the term "periodical" it is intended to mean a publication that is distributed on a -~ regular and frequent basis to convey information of a select~type. Most common among periodicals to be distributed with the present method are~l'newspapers"
whioh are periodicals generated on a daily or other high-freque~ncy~basis~t~o distribute news to the public.
Text information is stored in, for example, `~
~- ASCII form while images are stored as bitmaps. The 25~ memory~display unit is~normally mounted in a base through which information is~transmitted to the memory for storage,~but the screen is removable from the base for viewing since the necessary information for reading a full edition of a periodical is stored in the memory in the display unit. m e base also serves as a connection for recharging batteries in the memory/display unit.
Informat~ion is transmitted to the system over ~roadband media and, in a preferred embodiment, over a conventional cable television system in which one channel is entirely or partially dedicated to newspaper transmission. According to one aspect of the invention, the channel transmits a common signal to a large number W~93/1~66 PCT/US93/00628 2~2 7f~ ~J~

of subscribers. The common signal contains the necessary data for presentation of a number of newspapers. The viewing device, however, permits the user to ~iew only those newspapers to which the user has subscribed.
Hence, according to preferred embodiments, only selected newspapers are stored in the memory, or the user is given access to only a portion of the newspapers stored in the memory.
According to one aspect of the invention, a high resolution touch screen is provided as a user interface. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the screen is a reflected light screen using surface acoustic waves for detection of input by the user.
Accordingly, in one e~bodiment the invention provides a publication system. The publication system includes means at a publisher's facility for producing a periodical pubIication ln digital form: means for transmitting said periodical publication in digital form over a satellite~link to a~cable television service provider; a memory and display system at a subscriber ~location ~or receiving and storing the publication from said cable television service provider and including a display for visuall~y~displaying the periodical.
According~to~another aspect, th~ invention ncludes a periodical~memory and display system for viewing periodicals. The systèm includes a base, said ~; base coupled to a broadband transmission line; and a memory and display system for inputting data~
representative of a periodical over said broadband transmission line, the memory display system removably mounted and electrically coupled to said ba~e, the memory and display system comprising: central processing means for inputting data and displaying the periodical on the display means, and memory means for storing substantially all of the periodical in digital form.
.

W093/1~66 PCr/US93/0062 21~ 6~ ~ 6 A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the inventions herein may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the attached drawings. ~ ;
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ' .
Fig. l is an oYerall drawing illustrating a newspaper publishing system; :
Fig. ~ illustrates the news distribution process;
Fig. 3 illustrates a subscriber memory/display assembly;
Figs. 4a to 4e illustrate the mechanical features of a subscriber memory/display assembly;
~5 Fig. 5 provides an electrical block diagram of a subscriber memory/display assembly:
Figs. 6a to 6d are flowcharts illus~rating op~ration of the memory/display assembly. In particular, FigsO 6a to ~b illustrate operation of the system ~rom ..
the user perspe¢tive, while Figs. 6c to 6d illustrate operation of the software:in the device;
- ~ .
: Figs. 7a::to 7c ge~eraIly illustrate other ~
applications of the system including a "shopping channel" .~.
(Fig. 7a), use of:~the subscriber receiYer and ~isplay in a computer system (Fig. 7b), and a facsimile machi~e ~Fig. 7c);
Fig. 8 illustrates the electronic hardware confi~uration of a:demon~tration system;
~ Figs. 9a to 9e arç flow charts illustrating the software.used in the demonstration system; and Figs~ lOa to lOk ( Copyright l991, Raychem Corporation, all ~ights reserved) illustrat~ the sequence of screens viewed by a user in a typical user session.

WO93/1~66 PCT/US93/00628 ~127~
7 ~:
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

CONTENTS
I. General :
II. System Details: Data Transmission A. Newspaper Facilities B. Cable Television Facilities :~
III. System Details: User Facilities A. Hardware Description B. So~tware Description IV. Exemplary Applications V. Example User Sessions A. Hardware and Software Used In Demonstration lS B. Screen Sequences During Typical User Ses ions ~
' ' "
I. General The present invention provides a system and devices for publication of newspapers, books, catalogs, documents, maps, and the like, using an el~ctronic display which preserves the convenience of printed :~:
material, but which has the advantages:of a computer display. It will~be:understood that while the disclosure her~in relates:primarily to the publication of periodicals such as~newspapers by way of example, the : invention is:~ot so~limited and will find a Yariety of ~:
addi ional uses suoh as in the publication of magazines, books, catalogs, yellow pages, maps, coupons and the like.
: ~ The approach des ribed herein largely eliminates the need for paper, ink, postage, and delivery~of newspapers. Since 50 to 60% of the cost of newspapers are for paper, ink, printing, postage, and delivery, the cost of publication can be radically reduced. Additionally, because the system is paper-free, .. ,.,:,, WOg3/1~66 PCT/US93/00628 r~ ~13 ~) 8 more information can be delivered more quickly than through the use of conventional publication systems.
The invention provides for the use of a combination of a cable television (~ATV) network to distribute the informa*ion and a portable subscriber memory/display unit. The subscriber display unit (preferably uses a reflected light display) illuminated by ambient light for power conservation with a surface acoustic wave touch screen interface. Liquid crystal displays are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,047 ~Ferguson) incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Surface acoustic wave touch screen are illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 4,880,665 (Adler et al.), also incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
The interface is user friend}y, easy to read, and uses low power as compared to lighted systems, while remaining portable. ~ ~
, .
Fig. l is an~overall block diagram illustrating ~ the system disclosed herein according to one aspect of the i m ention.~Data are~transmitted over the system from;a newspaper publication facility 2. T~e newspaper publication facility~is~provided with a data processing facility 4 that~transmits newspaper data 6 to a satellite ~ transmitting ~acility~;8;using applications software 10.
-~ 25 The transmitted data are provided to a cable television satellite receiving station 12 by way of sateilite link 14.~ Signal generators 16 are coupled to the satellite~link and provide appropriate signals to a CATV network transmission facility 18. As shown in Fig. l, a plurality of;signals will be provided to the CATV~transmission~facil~ity, such signals representative of, for example, several different newspapers, several Ianguage versions~of a single newspaper, or the li~e.
Network transmission facility 18 transmits newspaper si~nals over a CATV line 20 to a plurality of subscriber faciIities 22.
: :

WO93/1~6 2 1 % 7 6 ~ 8 PCT/US93/0062~

Each subscriber facility is provided with a memory/display unit 24 which is used to store and display one or more newspapers for a subscriber's use. The memory/display unit will generally be provided with a base in which a viewing screen (otherwise referred to herein as a memory/display unit) is removably mounted.
The base is hard-wired to the cable television system.
When the user desires to read a newspaper, data are downloaded from the cable television system, through the base, and into the viewing screen where the data are stored in, for example, a lM DRAM or larger. The user may then remove the memory/display from the base and view the newspaper at a location remote from the base.
~he system herein preferably provides for sufficient memory that several newspaper~ or several versions of a single newspaper are transmitt~d over the cable system. Accordingly, it is not necessary for the CATV provider to transmit "custom" signals to a particular user. The subscriber memory~display unit is appropriately programmed to either a) only accept those papers into memory for~which the user has subscribed;
; or b) accept all of the data transmitted by the CATV
service, but only~display newspapers for which the user has bought a subscription. In addition, for a given newsp2~er, the memory/display unit will in some embodiments only acoept~or display selected portions of the newspaper for a~given user. For example, based on the zip co~e or other identifying information of the subscriber, only certain advlertisements may be displayed or accessible. ~he user may also customize the memory/display such that only selected sections are displayed such as *he front section, sports section, and the like.
~ It is important in periodical distribution to 35 ensure that only paying subscribers will have access to the periodicals. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention the system performs a check before providing i:

WOg3/1546~ 10 PCI`/~J593/00628 user access to ensure that the user is a paying subscriber. The newspaper distribution service precedes the broadcast of the newspaper over the broadband media with a series of numbers or other characters indicative of a- list of or associated with paying subscribers. Such information will be region-specific according to one embodiment of the invention, such as cable service provider-specific, to reduce the number of authorization numbers which must be distributed. Each memory/display unit is provided with sufficient read-only ~emory, for example, to store at least identifying data associated with that particular memory/display unit. The data indicative of the authorized users are compared to the identifying data in the memory/display unit and the user is provided access to the incoming data only when the data have adequate agreement.
Fig. 2 illustrates in greater detail the hardware and process by~which information reaches the cabIe service provider. Information sources 30, such as local newspapers~ ;transmit various news items to satellites ~or collection at~a national news room 32.
This~information~is~supplemented with various national advertising at the~national;news room. The combined information from~the~national news~room is transmitted by satellite via~one~of tw* paths. According to a first path, thé combined~news information is transmitted to a regional news room~34~which supplements the combined information with local advertising or news. This ` localized signal~is then transmitted via, for example, mic~owave link to local cable plants 36a, b, and c.
: ~ :
According to a second~path, the information is transmitted dire~tly from;the national news room via satel}ite-to a local cable plant 36d, which optionally supplements the signal with local advertising.
Digital data transmission techniques for CATV
lines are known in the art and described in, for example, Hideshima et al., I'Digital Audio and Data Transmission ~ ` ~
.

W~93~1~66 2 ~ 2 7 ~ Y ~ PCT/US93/00628 System for CATV Line," incorporated by reference herein ,' for all purposes.

II. sYstem Details: _User Facilities A. Hardware Description Fig. 3 is an isometric view of a user memory/display system, 400. While Fig. 4a is a side view of the screen from the left side, Fig. 4b is a top view, Fig. 4c is a view from the right side. As shown, the memory/display unit includes a body with a first generally rectangular portion 402 and a second, displaced rectangular portion partially extending from the first portion. The second porti~n is in the form of a rectangular box which intersects the rectangular rectangular box formed by the first portion. The second portion provides the appearance of having a relatively thin cross section, while providing a reasonably thick region in the center for placement of larger components.
As shown, the device requires only a single dial 406 which may be used, for example, as an on/off/contrast button, or this~ button may be eliminat~d entirely or serve merely as a decorative item over a loudspeaker.
Optionally, the display may be packaged in the non-breakable exterior pod or shell.
Figs. 4f;and 4g a~e cross-sectional views and of a creén display~aooording to various embodiments of the in~ention. According to a preferred embodiment, the display is a liquid arystal display, such as the display described in U.S.,Pat.,4,~35,,Q47 ('04,7), incorporated herein by reference ~or all purposes. Such displays have the advantages of be~ing twice as bright as conventional ; LCD displays, while having quick response times, and low power usage.
According to preferred embodiments, the touch screen is a surfa~e acoustic wave touch screen such as the one disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,880,665 $'665), incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. The W093/1~66 PCTJUS93/00628 ~ si9~ 12 combination of the NCAP display with the surface acoustic wave touch screen provides a substantially brighter display than conventional touch screen/display combinations since fewer layers of glass, p? astics, or other materials are required than in most conventional touch screen displays. Moreover, the speed of response is sufficient to allow for graphics displays which include motion.
Fig. 4d illustrates one embodiment of the touch screen which provides for surface acoustic wave transducers 410 mounted on a touch screen surface 412.
Between an LCD screen 414 and the touch screen 412, a gel layer 416 is provided which optically couples the SAW screens and the LCD. LCD controller board 418 provides appropriate driving inputs to the LCD screen in accordance with the description in U.S. Patent No. 4,435,047. ~ig.~ 4e illustrates another, preferred, embodiment of the~ nvention in which drivers 420 are connected by way~of flexprint cable 422 to a display 424 such as the one;~described in '047 having surface acoustic wave transducers 426 mounted thereon.
~As~described~in~'047, the light scattering ; display system (otherwise referred to herein as reflective light di~splay)~ provides for a clear display 25 with low~power;dissipation, particularly when an ~-illuminatlon systèm~is~not utilized. Such displays generally~operate~by~allowing light to enter or not enter for subsequent reflection off of a reflective material depending upon whether~an electric field is applied by electrodes. Hence, light is either reflected or not reflected off of~the back of the display depending on the voltage appIied to the crystals. The liquid crystals generally take the form of encapsulated balls or the like which are deposited or otherwise applied to the electrodes. Preferably, the liquid crystal molecules are of the nematic type~, and, preferably, have a pleochroic dye dissolved therein. Such crystals will generally , :

WO~3/15466 PCT/US93/00628 2 ~ fi ~3 ~) absorb or block light when no field is applied, but permit light to be transmitted in increasing amounts when a field is applied. The liguid crystals preferably have a posi*ive dielectric anisotropy and are encased in a material which indices a distorted alignment in the crystals. The encapsulating medium preferably has a dielectric constant at least as great as the lower dielectric con~tant of the liquid crystal material and preferably has substantially the same index of refraction.
Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the electronics components of the memory/display system and its associated base. The memory/display unit includes the portable body ~OO which is removably mounted in a base 502. On the surface of the memory display unit, the touchscreen faces the user and includes a touchscreen layer 504, a display layer 506, and electronics layer 508. The screen is driven by a screen interface 510 which communicates with the rest of the system by way of data bus 512. The system operates under the direction of a controller 514 such as a conventional microprocessor such as a 68HC11 ~ade~by Motorola. Power is provîded to the system by way~of a battery/power management system 516 of the type used~ in many conventional small computer systems. Data are input to and stored upon semiconductor memorv 518 and processed~by the microprocessor and screen interface for display on the screen. In some embodiments both dynamic or static, and ROM memory are provided in the semiconductor~memory section 518. The dynamic memory (DRAM) or static memory (SRAM~ will be used primarily for storage of data related to the particular periodical to be displayed, while the ROM ~such as PROM or EEPROM) is used for storage of a control program for operation of the microprocessor. ~ccording to most preferred embodiments of the invention, the DRAM has a size of between about 8 and 16 megabytes, while the ROM will have a size of between about 512K and 1 Meg. Obviously, as wog3rl~6 -1~9~ 14 PCT/US~3/00628 the technology advances, larger and faster memory chips will- be available to further enhance the features available in the system. Edge connector 530 provides a removable mechanical connection between the memory/
display unit bus and the base via a SCSI port 528.
Additional, direct connections may be provided between the controller and the screen interface, the controller and the sound generator, the controller and the edge connector, and between the edge connector and the battery/power management unit.
Optionally, a magnetic or optical disk drive 520 is provided for storage of user-selected articles for later display or printing. According to some aspects of the invention, the drive may serve as a memory buffer for downloading of information to the DRAM. In some embodiments a sound generator 522, loudspe~ker 524, and headpbone jack 526 are~provided so that the system may provide various~audible responses in addition to the visual representation of the periodical in display.
The base is provided with edge connector 532 for connection~to the~edge connector 530. Communications ~` within the base~also take~advantage of a small computer system bus 534 which interfaces with the edge connector via~a;SCSI port 536.~Like~the~memory/display unit, ~25 operations~in the~base~are~conducted under the control of a microprocessor~5~36.~An optional keyboard-connector 538 and printer connector 540 are provided for connection to a conventiona1~computer keyboard and printer, respectively. Power is supplied to the system with a power connector 542 wh~ich in one embodiment provides ;`~ conventional AC or DC power. If AC power is provided, appropriate conversion is required in the power management unit 544. Data are input via a 75 ohm CATV
connector 546, or~similar connector for connection to a broadband media such as cable television.
Data are input from the CATV connector to a .
~ tuner/IF (intermediate frequency)/VSB (Vestigal Sideband 2 ,~7~8 Modulation) filter/detector system 548 such as a TPS7 made by Mitsumi Electric Co. Ltd. Outgoing video data from the system 548 are transmitted over a CATV high speed serial port adaptor to a demodulator 550. Data from thé demodulator are transmitted for clock recovery system 552, framing system 554, error correction/
detection system 556, and data selection system 558.
Data and timing information are temporarily stored when necessary in buffer 560 for transmission to the memory/display unit.

B. Software Description The electronic newspaper system herein has several components - the memory/display unit, the base unit, the Local News~Diributors, Regional N~wsrooms, and a National Newsroo~. One or more memory~display (M/D) units and a single base unit are provided for each subscriber. The system uses an integrated high contrast display and touchscreen which serves as a portable news screen. One or more M/D units can be assigned to a base unit which is attached to an individual user's TV cable;
it captures and stores information which is broadcast over the cable linke intended~for that unit.
Content is~produced in the national and regiona~ newsrooms. ~The national newsroom produces : .
content for national and international newspapers, and regional newsrooms~provide production facilities for local news and advertisements. The national content is downloaded to the regional newsrooms via satellite.
Local news distributors reside at the cable TV headends;
they receive content from the Regional Newsroom and broadcast it over the cable network for pickup by the individual base units. The local distributors preferably have no production facilities.
The function of the M/D unit is to present the information downloaded from the base unit to the user in an appropriate format. As part of presenting the WO93/1~66 PCT/US93/00628 ~z~ 6~ 16 information to the user, the MfD unit allows the user to customize the presentation of the information by allowing zooming, pans, scrolling, searches, and reorganization of the data. Per~ormance of these functions requires the following functions:
1. Hardware Control. Firmware provides control of M/D unit hardware: the display, touchscreen, memory, etc.
~ . Maintenance. Firmware provides for verification of its sanity and verification of the operability of the hardware. The M/~ unit informs the user of any problems and gives instructions for appropriate action by the user.

3. User Interface. Ideally, the information that is loaded into the M/D unit information or a program that tells the M/D unit how to operate on the dta that is downloaded as well~as the data it~elf. This allows the M/D unit to adapt to different type~ of information and new features as required in the ~uture. There is a resident user interface that allows the user to interact with the unit in the absence of a more sophsticated program. Thi~ software allows the user to perform diagnostic tests.~

4. M/D Unit Database. This software allows ~-the u2er to customize~interaction with the M/D unit~ It ~ ,.
is the storage and~implementation of data regarding user ;
preferences, such~as~order~of presentation, pruning of unwanted information,~etc.

5. Command_Inter~reter. The command interpreter software allows the M/D unit to respond to intelligent data.;~ Intelligent data includes direction as ~;~ to how to operate on the data as well as the data itself.
This intelligent data may include formatting and action information and code to be executed at a specified time.
~`; 35 6. Expandable Code. The M/D Unit's main loop ~-of code has the capabi~ity to grow. Code can be downloaded to the M/D;Unit with instrustions to execute WO93/1~4~6 PCT/US~3/00628 7 ~ ~3 Y~

the code with each pass through the main loop. When this "hook't in the main loop is assigned to the downloaded code, the M/D unit creates another '~hook" available for more downloaded code~ The N/D unit performs integrity checks on this downloaded code and, in case a problem arises, advises the user if the M/D unit should be returned to the Base Unit for refresh.
7. Bu_lt-In Features. This software includes simple user features that are always resident in the unit such as the ability to zoom, scroll, auto format, and search. The zoom/auto format ~eature is implemented using techniques such as adjusting the page margins, appending `filler' articlcs or ads, proportional spacing of text, and implementing hyphenation rules. Basic features that are required of all units are included in this software.
8. Base Unit Interface. This software allows the M/D unit ta detect the base unit personality type and to communicate with~the base unit. The base unit may or may not have a microcontroller attached to the unit. If not, the M/D unit~ is able to execute the base unit's embedded firmware;~to perform base unit functions.
- The function of the base unit is to capture and store targted information broadcast over the CATV
network. In addition, the captured informa~ion must be transferréd to the~M/D unit when it is attached to the base unit. To perform these functions, the base unit software or firmware includes the following modules:
~ 1. Hardware Control. The firmware controls !
all base unit electronics icluding optional printer and hard dis~
2. News Room Interface. The software provides control for selecting and capturing data -~ transmitted by the local news distributor. In doing this, the base unit f-irmware must conform to standard communication protocol including performing error detection and correction in firmware if necessary.

WO~3/1~66 PCT~US93~00628

6~ 18 3. M/D Unit Interface. The base unit communicates with the M/D unit to provide transfer of data and commands captured from the CATV link. If there is no microcontroller in the base unit, the embedded firmwars is executable by M/D unit control.
4. Maintenance. The base unit firmware provides for the execution of simple tests to verify its sanity and ability to operate.
5. Security. The base unit firmware responds to commands captured over the CATV link that modify its behavior~ It limits the information the base unit and the individual M/D units attached to it can received based on subscription lists broadcast over the cable.
The local news distributor resides at the CATV
headend and functions as a ~TV controller fur the M/D
unit sy~tem cable chann~l. Software used to provide this function include:
l. ews Room Interface. Thi~ software controls communications with the regional news room.
It includes hardware control, protocol handling, verification and capturing of data trans~itted from the regional news~room.
2. Teletext Insertion. This module controls , the insertiQn of the data received from the regional news room onto the cable channel. This i~cIudes insertion of he CATV link protocol and error detection informatîon, --header information~for~each~frame, an~ a periodic time , .
stamp frame with the latest versions of each newspaper.
N~ws room so~tware provides production facilities for the M/D unit content. Text and graphics from remote information providers are captured over a high-speed link. Animation, sound, and content modifications are added; and the content is compressed and transmitted. The national news room transmits content to the regional news rooms, and regional news rooms append local modified and compressed content before transmitting to local news distributors. Content .

WO93/1~66 PCT/US93/0062~

modifications may include appending reference information based on key word searches of an extensive database. The news room software includes the following components:
l. Inter~a~e to Remote Information Providers.
This includes interfacing to and providing protocol conversion for electronic versions of newspapers, magazines, and electronic databases.
2. Productlon Facilities. This software allows the operator to reformat, modify, and examine the content. Modifications include adding animation, stillg raphics, sound, games, and additional text and pictures.
3. Data Conversion. The text, graphics, and commands to be sent to the M/D unit are compressed for transmission.
lS 4. Maintenance. This module provides for local and remote diagnostics for verification of the operation of the M/D unit news system.
5. Interface to News Rooms. This software includes hardware control of the high speed interface to other ~ews Rooms~as well as communications protocol, and verification and capturing of data and commands.
6. Reference ~atabase. This is an extensive database of text, gra~phics, sound, games, etc., which the software searches using keywords form the newspaper to append related in-*epth information to the content.
-Figs. 6a~to~6d are flowcharts illustrating operation of the user~memory/d~splay assembly sofware.
In particularl Figs. 6a to 6b illustrate operation of the system from the user perspective, while Figs. 6c to 6d illus~rate the softwaxe in the device.
As shown in Fig. 6a, the system first performs a power-on sequence during which the user will observe a brief pause. In Fig. 6, ellipses indicate a "button"
which is pushed. Parenthetical indicates a description 3~ of the fun~tionality of the button. At step 604 the user will see the first page of the newspaper displayed. If the user has not installed the memory/display in the W093/15466 ~16~ PCI/US93/i~0628 base; the system will, as shown in the bottom portion of Fig. 6a, display a "loading" movie during the time when news is being downloaded from the base, as shown in step 606. ``~
As indicated in the bottom portion o~ Fig. 6a, the user may use one of several "navigation" buttons to control operation of the memory/display unit. In particular, the user may strike an "undo" button as shown in step 608, which reverses the immediately preceding 10 operation of the user in the event that an error has bee~ -;
made. The user may also at any time strike the "front page" button as shown in step 610 to move the system back to display of the front page of the newspaper. The user may also at any time strike the "sections" button as æhown in step 612 to move the screen to a display of the various sections available. The user may also use "back"
and "next" buttons as shown in steps 614 and 616 to move the system to a next~page or previous page.
~ If the user initiates the "next" operation from ~he front page or~suoaeeding page of the new~paper, the ; screen will~simply~move to the next page of the paper, as shown in step 618.~ If the usér presses the "section"
button, the screen~will display a decorated listing of the various sections of the paper 620a to 620g such as news, weather and~sports, a~ well as a "olippings"
section which allows the saving and later display of seleoted articles,~and a; "customize" setting which allows the user to screen advertising, articles, and the liXe.
By pressing the region of ~he screen indicating one of the newspaper sections, the screen will move to that section of the newspaper. As in other operations, from the sections display, the user may press the front page button to return to the front page of the paper, or the ~` ; undo button to return to a previous display.
The user may alternatively read and select an article or ad as shown at step 622 by pressing the region of the screen with the article. By pressing a "related"

W093/1~66 PCT/US93/00628 2~27fi9~

button on the display the user will be ;-irovided with a related section of the newspaper on the display as shown at step 624. By pressing a "clip" button on the display, the user may save the ~elected article for later use as shown in step 626. By pressing the "next" button, the screen will move to the next page of the paper containing that particular article as shown in step 628. By pressing an optional "ear" button, the screen will play an associ~ted audio presentation as shown in step 630, and by pressing a "movie" button, the screen will display motion in, for example, an associated picture in the article as shown in step 632. An optional "slide" button in an article display will move the associated picture incrementally through time as shown in step 634.
Fig. 6b illustrates operation when the "headline" feature is accessed by the user. As shown, the user may touch a headline and see the headline story at step 636. The paper will also display the page of the newspaper containing the article with the selected headline at step 638. The headlines are used as reference handles~for the~articles. When the user is at the "clippings" or "related" pages, only the headlines appear. If the user touches a headline, it indicates that it has been selected~by reversing its black/white pattern, and the user~is then shown the page where the artîc e is first seen in the paper. The user can then chose to ~ollow that article, or anything else that appears interesting~.
Fig. 6b~also illustrates operation of the screen when the chartbutton is selected from, for example, the classified, market wat~h, or weather pages.
If the chartbutton is selected by the user from the chartbutton page, the system will display graphics for the button in the window and words inside the button at step 640. If the user selects the custom button in the chartbutton pagej the system will display the customize page for the particular topic in use at that time at step W093/1~66 PCT~US93/00628 ?,~?. 2a 642. If the user selects the movie button, the system displays a series of frames of graphics in that window at step 644. If the user uses the slide button, graphics are frame advanced in the window as the slide is moved at ;~
step 646. From the chartbutton page, the user may also use the next button, the previous button, the clip button or the related button, in which case the respective functions of these buttons, which have been described elsewhere, are carried out.
Operation of the custom feature is also illustrated in Fig. 6b, which may be accessed in the news, sports, business, weather, or classified sections.
As usual, any of the navigation buttons may be used in the ~ustom feature. If the custom button is pressed, the screen displays various custom features for that particular category at step 648. For example, if the user selects the custom button.in the news display, the user may be able to select the order of display of the newspaper sections (for exa~pIe, the sports section may 20 be selected for;the~initia} display) or the like. If -the return button is struck, the system returns to the previous screen at step 650. If the user selects the done button on this screen, the system returns to the page from which the custom feature was entered and stores the~new custom features~at step 652. If the scroll arrows aré-selected,~ the;system scrolls the dispiay up or down one selection~in step 654. If the scroll window button is used in~the custom feature, the system adds or removes a check mark from~the current selection in question at step~656.
Fig. 6c illustrates the overa~l architecture of exemplary software used in the memory/display unit. The software includes three primary modules, i.e., a module 601 for providing the user with appropriate audioJvideo information, a module 603 for controlling internal system functions, and a module 605 for collecting data from the base unit.

WO 93/1S4~i6 P~l`/US93/00628 6 9 ~

~ he module for internal system functions provides for power on initialization 607. Such initialization procedures will include initialization of the touch screen, initialization of the RAM, and a self test. The internal system functions will also include a module for run time d agnostics 609 including RAM tests, checking for stack overrun, logging of errors, and checking of an EEPROM checksum.
For normal operation of the system, the internal system functions will include software for execution of downloaded code, as shown in box 611, a command interpreter 613, and code 615 for monitoring of user input. The~code;for monitoring user input will include code for reading and storing keyboard input (when the optional keyboard is attached) and for reading and converting data entered on;the touchscreen display. The command interpreter~will include code for rotation of the display in either a landscape or portrait mode, for enabling various~modes of~operation such as a PC mode, for downloading fonts, for creating and adding graphics objects to a stored library, and for enabling execution of downloaded code.~
Operation of the~software for the memory/
display unit is shown~in Fig. 6d. At step 617 a variety of irAitialization~procedurès are conducted of the type , commonly used by~those;of skill in the art. At step 619 an initial def~ault~screen is displayed by the system.
A first loop then~begins in which at step 621 the system determines if the unit is attached to the base unit.
If so,~at step 623 the system determines if the system .
is~set for a newspaper personality (as opposed to a PC
personality or the~like). If so, at step 625 the system updates the memory ts contain the most current news according to preferences set by the user. If the unit 35~ is not set for the newspaper personality, the unit then downloads information from memory for performance of code : :~

:
:
WO93/15466 PCT/US93/006~8 according to the designated personality type at step 627.
The first loop is then completed.
After completion of the ~irst loop, the ~ystem checks in a second loop to see if there are any new commands embedded in the data from the newsroom at step 629. If so, at step 631 the system call~ a coDmand interpreter. After ~alling the command interpreter, or if there are no commands from the newsroom, the second loop is complete.
The system then begins to monitor for user input to the screen at step 633. At step 635, when there is an active object the system executes the appropriate code for the particular object type requested at step 637. An object is active if the user has touched a displayed representation of the object. For instance, if the user touches a headline on the display, the encapsulated code module associated with that headline object is invoked. The object may be inactivated upon a retuL-n of the object code to the main loop, or the code may return to the main loop and the object remain active~
This happens, for instance, when the user selects an article to read. ~The object code will be invoked to place an active indicator at the top of the article then return to the main loop until the user is ready to proceed. Every time through the main loop, the active object code will be called until the user de-selects the article. If there is~not an active object, or upon compIetion, the system determines if there is any downloaded code to execute at step ~39 and, if so,~at step 641 executes the downloaded code embedded in the intelligent data, continuou~ly checking for additional downloaded code. If;there is no downloaded code for execution, or upon ~ompletion thereof, the system checks ~; to determine if a new page is to be displayed at step 643. If so, the system initializes the new page at step 645. Upon completion thereof, the system performs a run diagnostic test at step 647 and if any problems are W093~1~66 PCT~US93/00628 2l2~ 3~

noted, at step 649 the user is advised. The system then restarts the main loop.

IV. Exemplary ApPlications Fig. 7a illustrates an additional application of the system herein. The system used in Fig. 7a is applied to a "shopping channel" in which a user may use the same hardware as that disclosed above ~or catalog shopping. In this case the information transmitted over the cable line will be tailored for a user to view a catalog such as a catalog distributed by a major retailer. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7a, a retailer 701 uses transmission equipment 700 similar to that described in connec~ion with newspaper publication.
The equipment includes catalog data 702 and is run by application software 704. In this parti~ular embodiment, the catalog data are loaded onto a compact disc 706 and distributed to the~cable television service provider.
This system will be utilized in applications where time restraints are not severe.
The cable television service provider will download data from the disc, and transmit them using a signal generator~16. As with the previous embodiment, the cable service provider will transmit the necessary data over the CATV~;line 20 to various subscribers.
Those who have~requested access;to the particular catalog in question~will be ab~e to download the data into the memory/display unit described aboYe for viewing.
The user may then place orders to the retailer over a conventional telephone system 708. Alternatively, downloading can be~automated by providing a direct link from the display/memory unit to the telephone lines.
Such ordering systems may also be used in connection with the dispIay of telephone directories on the screen to place direct orders to retailers.
Fig. 7b illustrates another application of ~-;~ the -system. In this embodiment, the memory/display WO93/1~66 PCT/US93/00628 ~ ~h~ &~ 26 unit- is alternatively used as a personal computer, simply by dropping the memory/display unit into a PC
stand 718 which is connected to a keyboard 720. Since the memory/display unit includes most of the attributes of a personal computer (i.e., sufficient memory, a microprocessor, and the like) the memory/display may be used as a personal computer with an extremely high resolution display through appropriate programming.
The stand 718 may contain or be connected to accessories such as a hard disk drive, floppy disk drive, various interfaces, a printer 72l, and the like.
Fig. 7c illustrates application of the memory/
display unit as a facsimile machine. According to this aspect of the invention, the memory/display unit is place* in a stand 722,~which includes appropriate interfaces for receiving a facsimile messages over a conventional telephone~connection 7~4. According to this aspect of the invention, bitmaps of a facsimile image are downloaded~by~the stand 722 to the memory in 20 the memory/display~unit.~- The user may then scan through -the facsimile in the~same ~manner as a newspaper.
It will~be~apparent that other applications of the system~will;be~;~possible.~ For example, while reading the newspaper it will be~readily possible to display a videc crossword~puzzle, to~which a user will input vari~us words, and later have the puzzle scored based on input time and~ac~curacy.~Other more complex video games may~also accompany a;newspaper according to some embodiments.
V. ExamPle User Sessions .: ~
A. Hardware~and Software Used In Demonstration Fig. 8;il~lustrates the electronic hardware configuration of a system used to demonstrate the efficacy of the invention. As shown therein the demonstration system is based on a Macintosh portable :

WO93~ 6 PCT/US93/00628 3 ~

computer 802 connected to a remote interface 804 that drives a remote display 806.
The computer ~02 is connected to the interface ~04 via a conventional video port 808, an RS-422 modem port 810, and a speaker jack 812. Power is provided to the interface by way of an ac to dc power supply ~14. In the interface, an RS422/RS232 converter serves as an interface to provide appropriate RS 232 signals to the remote display. A line driver circuit 816 serves as an interface to provide appropriate video signals to a multiple twisted pair data cable 820, along with the RS
232 signals.
Signals are input to the remote terminal display from the flat cable by way of a remote adaptor board 820. Video signals are provided to the touch screen/LCD panel combination by way of a video data line receiver circuit and timing logic circuit 822, while audio is provided to the speaker/earphone jack by way of an 8 ohm audio;a~mplifier 824. The audio loudness may be adjusted by way~of an external manual potentiometer. An RS232 touchscreen controller 826 such as an IntelliTouch .
~; Seria} Controller made by Elegraphics provides appropriate user input to the system ~y way of the touch screen.
- Figs.~ ga;~to 9g are flow charts illustrating the software used in~a demonstration system.
~MacroMind;Director 2.0 (Copyright 1986-1989 by MacroMind, Inc.)~multimedia software is used to provide a demonstration of the newspaper applicaton for the M/D
unit. The application software runs on a Macintosh Portable computer with 4 Megabytes of RAM.
There~are~some basic concepts inherent in the Macro~ind Director application software. The overall concept ~or the programmer is that of creating a movie.
A cast of charact~ers is created using built-in draw or text features ~f the program, or they may be imported after being created using other application software.

WOg3/1~66 PCT/US93/00628 3~ 28 The cast can be graphics or text. The graphic cast is positioned on a 'stag~' by the programmer by dragging the cast member from the cast window to the stage. Any one view of the stage is a 'frame' in the movie.
The movie that is created is controlled ~y using the 'score' which allows specification of timing, sound, and script for each frame and the display transition from one frame of the movie to another.
Twenty-four 'sprites^ are the maximum number allowed in any one frame of the movie. A cast member is called a 'sprite' onc~ it is place don the stage.
Using a built-in macro language called Lingo, the programmer can switch cast members or change the positions of sprites on the stage. The Lingo macros allow the programmer to control other aspects of the movie also such as movement from one frame of the movie to another in an arbitrary order, pausing to wait for user input through the portable computer's built-in mouse or through a peripheral input device such as the M/D
20 unit's touchascreen, etc. The Lingo amcros are actually text cast members and may be associated with speci~ic frames of the movie by using the script sprite in the score. ~ ;
The user~interface consists of a display, a speak~r and volume control and a touchscreen. The user interacts with the~M/D unit by touching the surface of the display (touchscreen) in specific locations indicated by selectable objects on the display. Selectable objects ~ay appear as buttons, articles or ads, or text. The ob~ects are created using MacroMind Director factories as described in the following section. The user will recéive video or audio feedback when a selectable object i~ touched.
There are two types of buttons. One type of button when touched appears to depress then return to an undepressed sta~e. There may be other visual results of the button touch depending on the button's function.

W093/1~66 2 ~ ~ 7 ~

Another type o~ button appears to be a blank rectangular object until touched. Touching will result in words appearing in the button's rectangular area and pictures specifically related to the button in a picture window on the display. There also may be buttons within buttons.
Some rectangular buttons may appear to have several selectable sections, and the user will get different results depending on which section is touched.
News articles, ads, and pictures also are selectable. Touching an article will result in an active article indicator appearing in the upper left corner of the ar*icle block and in article-specific navigation, related, and clip buttons appearing on the display. Also connected to some articles, pictures or ads are movie, lS slide, and!or sound buttons. Touching one of these buttons will create visual changes in the display or .
produce a sound an& will also activate the article, if --~
one, associated with the button.
Text objects also may be selected. One type of text object is a~headl;ine which when touched will be ;~ ~ displayed in reverse~video~tben returned to normal video before the object's~function is implemented. Another type of text object is a selection available in a scroll window. When this~ob~ect is touched, a check mark is ~displayed ~or cleared~ to the left of the object.
Games and~other types of entertainment may :: : :
provide comp}etely~;different interfaces, so the types of selectable objects are not limited to those described above.
Factories~are created by the programmer when . .
several objects~exist~which have similar characteristics - such as deprssable;buttons with different functions.
Each object created by a specific factory has its own set of traits ~instance variables) connected directly to the object. Macros can~be~called for factory objects without these variables being passed since the system 'knows' what they are. The software routines associated with ;

W093/15466 PCT/US93/0~628 p~ 6~) o factories are called IMethods'. If the methods for each ~actory are named alike, the main software loop can call these methods for an object and the correct factory will be entered automatically. Factories allow the software to be more compact and efficient.
Fig. 9a illustrates the overall architecture of ~he software used in the display system. The software includes modules which may be grouped into one of 7 general categories. ~he first group of modules relate to the establishment of the layout of the screen as shown in group 902. The files in this group include mNew which is generally directed to the creation of system factory objects and initial page layout arrays. mCkStatus checks to *etermine when a user has pressed a button which may be either a system or object-specific navigation button on the screen. mDoSomething is used to implement functionæ of the system navigation buttons.
The next major group of modules are referred to ;~
as the "button" modules 904. The button modules include a file named mNew~which creates a button on the screen which appears to depress when touched. The file mDeactivate makes a button aPpear to ~e undepressed/
while the file~mActivate makes the button appear to be depressed. mCkSta~us checks for the user's pressing of a button while mDoSome~hing implements the function of various buttons;~when they are activated by the user pressing the screen. ~ ~-The third group of modules is referred to herein as the array modules 906. This group includes a file named mNew which creates objects to be used to store system information. As used herein an "object" is an encapsulated code~module that has its own set of methods (macros) and instance variables. An instance variable available only to the object with which it is associated.
There may be several objects that have ~ariables of the same names, but each object will have different values for its variables. An object is rreated for each article WO93/1~K6 PCT/US93/00628 ~2~)$

or each headline on a page, and an object is created for each button on a page of the newspaper. Pointers for these objects are stored in the array objects "articles"
and "buttons". mClearObj disposes of objects whose names are stored in an array. mPutUndo stores the state of the display for a first in first out stack. mGetUndo retrieves the state of the display from an undo log.
mPutQ stores information in a general purpose circular queue, while mGetQ retrieves information from the general purpose circular queue. mShowClip retrieves clip log information from the gensral purpose queue.
The fourth group of modules are rePerred to as the select modules 908 and include a file named mNew which creates selectable objects such as newspaper articles that may have associated sound, movie, or slide buttons. mClearObj~dlsposes of button objects whose names are stored in the "buttons" array created by a select factory object. mDeactivate makes select objects appear to be unselected by covering object specific navigation buttons and~removing an active indicator.
"
mActivate makes~select~objects appear to be selected by displaying object~specific navigation~buttons and an active indicator.~mCkStauts checks to see if a select object or any associated~sound, movie, or slide buttons have ~een pressed.~ mDoSomething implements functions of object~spécific navigation buttons if pressed when selected objects~are~active.~
The headline~files 910 include a file named mNew which creates headline obj~cts whose function is to provide another method of navigation through the newspaper. The~"headline" objects appear to the user as a list of headlines with no pictures or article text.
When the user touches a~headline, it appears in reverse video. The display;~t~en changes to show the page of the ;;~ 35 newspaper where the article with that headline appears.
Figs. 9b to 9g illustrate operation of the software system shown in Fig. 9a. Fig. 9b illustrates WO93/1~66 PCT/US93/00628 6~ 32 the initial procedures conducted during power up. At step 902 the system disposes of pointers to existing factory objects. At step 904 the system creates a page layout instance and at step 906 determines if a touchscreen is attached. If so, the system opens a serial port for touchscreen output at step 907. If not, or after opening the serial port, the system initializes certain power-on variables at step ~o9 and initializes a page on the display at step 911 and then returns~
Fig. 9c illustrates the overall scheme for displaying the paper. At step 913 the system checkæ to determine if an abort flag is set and, if so, the system deteirmines if the touchscreen is attached at step 917, and closes the touchscreen serial port if so. The system then removes the pointers to factory objects and their related instance variables from memory, and displays the ending page on the~screen.
If the abort flag is not set, the system determines if the touchscreen is attached at step 917.
If not, the system performs the monitor routine at step ~19. If the touchscreen is connected, at step 921 the system determines if the unit is in the base unit. If so at step 923 the system~begins looping through display of the paper or the "movie" to be displayed at step 925 and returns upon completion to check if the base is attached.
- If the base is not attached, the system determines if the mouse is down at step 927. If so, the abort flag to end the~session is set at step 929. The system then proceeds to the monitor routine as per step 919o At step 927 the system determines if the selection flag is set which indicates a selection has been made and if so proceeds to the l'select," "headline,"
'chartbutton,'' or "custom" routines described elsewhere herein. When the selection is made by the user, the pointer to the seIected object is saved. This pointer is used to call the correct routine. If the selection flag is not set, or upon completion of the relevant routine, WO93/1~66 PCT/US93/00628 2~7~

the system determines if a new page flag is set at step 929 and if so performs the initpage routine described elsewhere.
Fig. 9d illustrates the monitor routine. At step ~31 the system reads the touchscreen serial port if a touch is being made to the bottom of the display at step 933. If so, the system checks for system navigation buttons at step 935. The system then checks at step 937 to determine if the touched button was a navigation button. If so, at step 939 the routine is called to process the selected navigaion button - "Next", "Back", "Sections", "Front Page", or "Undo". If not, the system checks to see if an obiect-specific button is already active at step 941 (i.e., a button related to the particular display) and if so, checks the top of article button at step 943. At step ~45 the system determines if a button is active. If not, at step 947 the system determines if a custom button is pressed. If not, the . . .
system determines if the done button is pressed at step 20 949. If not, th system checks for sel~3ctioh of factory obj ects at step 951: . Upon answering yes or no to any of these questions, the system then returns to the calling routine .
Fig. 9e illustrates the InitPa~e ( ) operation.
Each time the u er makes~a selection which requires the display of a new page, the routine InitPage is called.
This routi~e clears~all~of the variables connected with the display of the current page then sets these variables properly for the new page t~ be displayed depending upon the type of selections available to the user on the new page. The page pointer is moved to the correct frame nu~ber and the display is refreshed to show the contents of the new page.

B. Screen Sequences Durina Tv~ical User Sessions Figs. lOa to l0j illustrate the sequence of screens viewed by a user in a typical user session.

WO93/1~66 PCT/USg3/00628 ~ 34 In particular, Fig. 10a illustrates the screen display during a boot-up phase after the device is turned on.
During this phase of operation, the device will be placed in the stand which provides connection to the cable television line. Initialization procedures are conducted within the device, and data are downloaded from the cable television line to memory of the device. Accordingly, the device displays the "loading" indication.
Optionally, a battery charge display 1002 is provided to give an indication of the charge level in the batteries of the memory/display unit.
Fig. 10b illustrates the first screen display which is provided to the user after or during downloading of the data to the memory. Using conventional broadband signals, it is expected that the necessary data for a newspaper may be downloaded in less than about 60 seconds. According to preferred embodiments, the first page of the paper is dispIayed while the remainder of the paper is being loaded to provide the illusion of immediate response. From this stage on, the user may remove the device fr~m the stand since all necessary data are contained within~the memory of the memory/display unit. As shown, the display is very similar to the front page of a typical newspaper.
.
The *~isplay provides various graphics 1008, text sections 1~10, and a control section 1012. The control section l0i2 provides a control scheme which enables the user to fllp through the newspaper in much the same manner as a conventional paper newspaper, and at the same time the interface is sufficiently simple that it ~an be used by a computer illiterate user. The con~rol section gènerally includes a "related articles"
section 1009, and a "general use'l section 1011. The articles specific section 1009 provides for movement within an article of interest, while the general section provides for movement more generally within the newspaper.

WO~3/1~66 PCT/US93/00628

7 ~

In particular, the general control section 1011 includes a "button" 1014 for moving from whatever page is currently displayed to the front page (obviously, this button will have ~o effect in the page display shown in Fig. 10b). It will be understood that while the description herein makes reference to "buttons" in the control section, these are actually regions of the screen with graphical displays resembling buttons, which are activated by touching the SAW-type screen.
The general control section also includes a "next" button 1016. The function of the next button is to move the screen display to the next page of the newspaper. A "sections" button 1018 in the general control section moves the display to a display which lists the various sections of the newspaper for selection by the user such as the sports, classified, and weather sections. A "back"~button 1019 moves the display to the previous page of the newspaper. An "undo" button 1020 reverses the previous action of the user.
In the articles-specific section 1009, a page ~orward button and page~back button 1022 and 1024, respectively, provide for paging forward within a particular article of interest. If, for example, the user desires to read~more of the "Fiber optics..." story, the user initially~presses the portion of the screen which contains the~"Fiber Optics..." story. The screen ~ ~ display will then~automatically move to the next page ; containing a portion of this story. To continue reading additional pages of the "Fiber Opti~s..." sto~y or move back to previous pages containing this story, the user then uses the page forward and page back buttons 1022 and 1024.
The related specific section 100~ also contains a l'saved" button 1026. When pressed, the presently selected article is copied to permanent memory such as a ~` hard disc in the unit.

W~93/1~66 ~ PCT/~593/~0628 The related articles section further contains a related articles button 1028. After the user has ;
selected an article by pressing the region of the screen displaying that article, pressing the related articles 5 button will provide a listing of all articles in that ;
edit-ion of the paper which relate to this story.
Fig. 10c illustrates the screen display after the user presses the region of the screen in Fiy. 10b ~:
containing the "Fiber optics..." story. As shown, the screen automatically moves to the next page of the newspaper which contains this story. If the user wishes to continue to read this story, the user would press the next page button 1022.
This page also illustrates additional features of the system. In region 1032, the first frame of a cartoon is shown. A button 1034 is displayed next to the cartoon. Pressing the button 1034 will change the cartoon to display the next frame thereof, but will not otherwise alter the screen~display. As shown in this page, advertisements 1036 are also readily provided.
Of course, it will be`readily possible to make the advertisements and other portions of the paper "dynamic."
For example, the advertisement shown in region 1036 may .
readily be programmed to have the man~therein move his arm,~ GL-~ the text could alternate between a display of the store name and the store address/phone number. This type of advertising could be~expected to draw far greater consumer response than the static advertisements in a paper newspaper. iFurthermore, a particular user's ! ' geographic information or other identifying data could be entered into the memory/display unit in which case certain advertisements which have been downloaded into ~emory would be preferentially displayed for a particular user~ For example, if the zip code of the user is entered in RAM or ROM before delivery, and the zip code is in a rural location, advertisements related to farming or the like would be preferentially displayed W093~1~66 PCT/US93/00628 ~2~S'~

while different advertisements would be displayed for users having a city zip code.
Fig. lOd illustrates the screen display when the "sections" button i5 pressed. As shown, the screen now displays the upper corner of the various sections of the newspaper, in this case the sports, classified, and weather sections. The screen also allows access to a "customize" ~eature and a "market watch" feature, which are ~escribed in greater detail below. From the screen in Fig. lOd the user may, for example, press the "sports," "weather," or "classified" section of the display, in which ca~e the screen will move to the front page of the sports section, such as shown in Fig. lOe, the weather section as shown in Fig. lOf and lOg, or the classified section, as shown in Fig. lOh. Each of these sections has been "customized" using the procedure illustrated below.
As with other sections of the newspaper, the user may, for example, scroll forward a page, back a page, or move to~the next page within the sports section as shown in Fig. lOe. The weather displays shown in Figs. lOf and lOg il1ustrate other important features of the system. In particular, the weather screen has motion and frame buttons 1040~and 1042, respectively. When the ~5 user presses the motion button 1040, the weather display moves the display through time in a continuous fashion to show, for example,~ the~clouds moving across the screen.
When the user presses the frame button 1042, the screen is moved to a next frame of time which may be, for example, one day later. By using the time bar 1044, the user may display the weather at a selected time in the future. For example, the user may press "Tues" to show the weather situation in the next Tuesday. As shown, the time scale is more finely divided for the upcoming 24 hour period than for later times. Fig. lOg illustrates the weather screen after the user has pressed the motion or frame buttons to movei to a later time.
. .

W093/1~66 PCT/US93/0062X

~ ?,~ 38 Fig. lOh illustrates features of the classified section. This section has been customized by the user to show houses within a particular price ranqe and geographic location. As shown, the user is presented with a list of addresses in section 1050. Upon pressing one of the addresses, the section 105~ displays a photograph and complete description of the listing.
Similarly, the user herein has identified cars within a particular price range to be displayed in section 1054 and jobs of a certain category to be displayed in section 1056.
Fig. lOi illustrates the screen display after the user selects the "market watch" feature in the sections display. This section has also been customized by the user. In this case, the user has customized the screen to illustrate companies in a particular category (biotech) and other general information.
Fig. lOj illustrates the customization screen, entered by striking "customize" in the sections display.
The search system is based on the concept of keywords associated with each article or its classified entry.
Fortunately it will be able to describe most of the contents of a paper with;relatively few keywords. The computer in the~display wil~l simply match keywords based on entries to the customization section by the customer In the~customize screen the relevant keywords are~displayed, and the~user is~allowed to select desired areas of interest. For example, when the subscriber customizes classified ads, the user is presented with a list like: can, have, plane, pets, etc. If house is selectèd the area will be presented with ads in the home section. Price ranges, locations and the like may be selected with another level of customization.
Fig. lOk illustrates a typical game which may be played by a user in which various blocks are re-arranged to complete a puzzle.

:

WO93/1~66 PCT/US93/00628 ~ 7f~9$
39 ::
The above description is illustrative and not ~:
restrictive. Many variations of tihe invention will ~:~
become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of this disclosure. Merely by way of example the system may be used to view material other than newspapers such as magazines, catalogs, and the like. The scope of tihe invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

:: :

, ~ , ~: :': ' ~'~

Claims (17)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A publication system comprising:
a) means at a publisher's facility for producing a periodical publication in digital form;
b) means for transmitting said periodical publication in digital form over a satellite link to a cable television service provider;
c) a memory and display system at a subscriber location for receiving and storing said publication from said cable television service provider and including a display for visually displaying said periodical.

2. A publication system as recited in claim 1 wherein said publication is transmitted to said subscriber location over a television channel dedicated to periodical delivery.

3. A publication system as recited in claim 2 wherein said television channel is dedicated to newspaper delivery.

4. A publication system as recited in claim wherein a plurality of common publications are simultaneously transmitted over a single channel to a plurality of subscribers.

5. A publication system as recited in claim 4 wherein said memory and display system inputs said plurality of publications for storage in said memory.

6. A publication system as recited in claim 4 wherein said memory and display system comprises. means for blocking said user from viewing at least one of said plurality of publications.

7. A publication system as recited in claim 4 wherein said memory and display system stores only a selected portion of said publications in said memory.

8. A publication system as recited in claim 1 wherein said display is a portable display.

9. A publication system as recited in claim 1 wherein said display is battery powered.

10. A publication system as recited in claim 1 wherein said memory and display system further comprises a means for communicating over a telephone line and further comprising a remote location for receiving orders over said telephone line.

11. A publication system as recited in claim 1 wherein said memory and display system comprises:
a) a base, said base coupled to a cable television line from said cable television service provider; and b) a memory and display unit for inputting data representative of a periodical over said cable television line, said memory and display unit removably mounted and electrically coupled to said base, said memory and display unit further comprising:
i) central processing means for inputting data and displaying data on said display; and ii) memory means for storing substantially all of said periodical in digital form.

12. A publication system as recited in claim 11 wherein said display comprises a reflective light display and a surface acoustic wave touch screen.

13. A publication system as recited in claim 12 wherein said reflective light display comprises liquid crystals in an encapsulant.

14. The publication system as recited in claim 13 wherein said liquid crystals are nematic with a positive dielectric anisotropy and said encapsulant has a dielectric constant as gret as the lower dielectric constant of said crystal.

15. A periodical memory and display system for viewing periodicals comprising:
a) a base, said base coupled to a broadband transmission line; and b) a memory and display system for inputting data representative of a periodical over said broadband transmission line, said memory display system removably mounted and electrically coupled to said base, said memory and display system comprising:
i) central processing means for inputting data and displaying said periodical on said display means; and ii) memory means for storing substantially all of said periodical in digital form.

16. A display and user input system comprising:
a) a reflective light display screen; and b) a surface acoustic wave touch screen adjacent said reflective light display screen, said surface acoustic wave touch screen operably coupled to provide input to digital processing means.

17. A method of operating an electronic periodical display system comprising the steps of:
a) displaying a plurality of control features on a screen said control features comprising page forward, page back, and periodical sections controls;

b) when a user touches a region of a screen displaying an article of a periodical, moving said display to a next page containing another portion of said article;
c) when a user touches said page forward control feature, moving said display to a next page of said periodical;
d) when a user touches said page back control feature, moving said display to a previous page of said periodical;
e) when a user touches said periodical sections control, displaying a set of sections available within said periodical; and f) when a user touches a region of said screen with one of said set of sections, displaying a first page of said section.