Abstract: A wearable digital media device comprising an integrated circuit configured to send and receive content on receipt of a serial identification number unique to the personal digital media device, a processor and a display screen. The personal digital media device's processor utilizes a radio frequency integrated circuit to send and receive content with, for example, a personal computer or other host processing device. The personal digital media device is configured and outfitted to be worn by the user, for example, as a watch, a pendent, or attached to a user's book bag.

Abstract: A method for sharing among a plurality of collectors certain information related to collectable items in the form of digital audio files in order to facilitate the reading aloud of audio messages associated with a unique data carrier on a collectible item using at least one handheld electronic aid, at least one computer, at least one server, and a network by which said computers and servers are integrated.

Abstract: A system and method for the inputting of characters for processing by very small electronic devices based on correlated movement of such a device by the user to access groupings of certain characters and the subsequent choice by said user of the proper character to be entered by touch screen input. In the preferred embodiment each of the twenty six letters of the Roman alphabet are intelligently marshaled into a default grouping and three selectable groupings, each of which being easily accessible by a user simply by moving the electronic device in a prescribed manner.

Abstract: A data carrier carries at least one identifier capable of being read by an electronic aid and is used by associating content in the form of a digital audio recording with an identifier coded on a data carrier to be read out loud by an aid. Such content is based on the words entered on the pages of a printed book. Such data carriers may be generated directly by the use of circuitry for recording contained in said electronic aid or generated indirectly by recording said content and storing the resultant digital files in memory on a computer, and thereafter uploading said files into memory of a server that may be accessed by the intended user of an electronic aid through a network by downloading said files into a handheld electronic aid for use with correlated data carriers on the pages of such book.

Abstract: A digital media device comprising an integrated circuit configured to send and receive content on receipt of a serial identification number unique to the personal digital media device, a processor and a display screen. The personal digital media device's processor utilizes a radio frequency integrated circuit to send and receive content with, for example, a personal computer or other host processing device.

Abstract: A substantially transparent label that uses substantially transparent attachments to attach the label to an object where the label carries at least one identifier capable of being read by an electronic aid. The label with the identifiers is an example of a data carrier. A data carrier can be used by associating an audio recording with an identifier on a data carrier with the use of an electronic aid. The data carrier can be divided into a series of segments, each having at least one identifier. Each segment can be attached to a plurality of identical tangible objects. Each segment can be read with an electronic aid to recite the stored audio information.

Abstract: An audio speaker comprises three modules stacked on one another to form a tower. The bottom module generates a magneto-strictive output that is coupled to the structure on which the bottom module stands to cause audio signal radiation from that structure. The top module has an upwardly facing cone speaker that radiates audio signals primarily in the upper audio frequency range. These two audio signal radiations combine to provide a more comprehensive frequency range signal than is normally obtained at the small size of the tower. An intermediate module plays media such as an audio card. The modules are releasably held together by embedded magnets in the adjacent facing surfaces of the modules. Signal information is transmitted between modules by terminals on adjacent facing surfaces. The upwardly facing surface has a set of recessed spring loaded upwardly extending terminals. The mating terminals on the downwardly facing surface are flush with the surface contact terminals.

Abstract: A hand held electronic device that aids a student to learn spelling provides a spoken audible word through a speaker together with the spelling of the word on a display screen. The spelling and pronunciation is entered, preferably by a parent or known teacher, to provide a comfort level for the student. The learning is tested by one or more game like routines in which the student responds to the spoken word output of the device by entering the spelling through a keyboard.

Abstract: An audio speaker comprises three modules stacked on one another to form a tower. The bottom module generates a magneto-strictive output that is coupled to the structure on which the bottom module stands to cause audio signal radiation from that structure. The top module has an upwardly facing cone speaker that radiates audio signals primarily in the upper audio frequency range. These two audio signal radiations combine to provide a more comprehensive frequency range signal than is normally obtained at the small size of the tower. An intermediate module plays media such as an audio card. The modules are releasably held together by embedded magnets in the adjacent facing surfaces of the modules. Signal information is transmitted between modules by terminals on adjacent facing surfaces. The upwardly facing surface has a set of recessed spring loaded upwardly extending terminals. The mating terminals on the downwardly facing surface are flush with the surface contact terminals.

Abstract: A reading light such as is clipped onto the back of a book has two illuminating color zones; one being yellow/white and the other being blue/white. These are provided by separate LEDs. These LEDs are mounted on one or more arms which can be pivoted from a closed state to a deployed state. A manual switch allows the user to switch between the two different colors of illumination or select both at the same time. This approach enhances user comfort in reading the illuminated material. Certain materials and certain ambient light favor the use of a yellow/light illumination color while other materials and other conditions favor the use of a blue/white illumination color. This provides visual comfort for the user who can select which of the light color ranges is most comfortable and can select both if that provides greater comfort.

Abstract: A technique for providing simplified and more flexible text recovery in an electronically stored text. The text storage device is of the hand-held type and may accommodate the text of the entire bible, for example. The user may access the stored text in a read or search mode. The device is programmed to perform certain functions automatically, such as: selecting search or read mode; accommodating different syntax formulations; providing a fixed screen map of respective different portions of the text; and visually indicating specific words of a search to which a search will be limited. Expanded flexibility is also programmed into the device which includes: optionally expanding searches to cover both different forms of the same words and unrelated words having the same meaning; providing assistance to the user upon request which takes into account the current operational phase; and providing the capability of tagging a preselected location in the text for simplified access during reacquisition.

Abstract: The number of opcode functions exceeds the number of opcodes available by virtue of a technique employing dual function opcodes wherein the second function is executed when a particular resolving flag is put into a set state and otherwise the first function is executed. Furthermore, a generic push opcode and a generic pop opcode are employed without any register pointer designations so that a series of push operations can be performed using a single opcode and a series of pop operations can be performed using a single opcode. The utility of the processor is further enhanced by incorporating a series of handler opcodes that permits simulating on the instruction set of the processor a program designed for a different instruction set. A special simulator opcode called a jump vector opcode is employed to control the operation of reading in the target opcode, applying an algorithm that provides the host processor address for corresponding handler opcodes and jumping to those addresses.

Abstract: An electronic reference device provides the ability to access all members of any one of a plurality of groups of data items in response to a user input of any one member of the group being accessed. The reference device includes a memory having a data item list, a token uniquely identifying each member of the data item list, and a plurality of groups of the data item list. Certain members of said data item list being a member of one or more of the groups and certain members of the data item list being a member of none of the groups. An ordered search list consists of each member of the data item list which is a member of at least one of the groups. A delta value is associated with each member of the ordered search list. The sum of the delta values up through any one of the members of the ordered search list provides the value of the token for the corresponding member of the data item list. Each member of the search list has a next-entry pointer identifying another member of the search list.

Abstract: A hand held electronic book machine has a platform with a keyboard and a display for displaying text. The book machine further includes a database mounted to the platform. The database has a first memory portion storing text of a prose work and a second memory portion storing predetermined information relevant to the prose work. The database may be permanently mounted to the platform or, more preferably, removably mounted to the platform for enabling the use of the platform with different databases storing text and ancillary information for different prose works. The book machine also comprises an electronic scrolling mechanism operatively connected to the first memory portion of the database and to the display for scrolling the text on the display. Operator actuated selection componentry is operatively connected to the second memory portion of the database and to the display for permitting operator selection of portions of the predetermined information to be displayed on the display.

Abstract: A hand held electronic music reference machine includes a platform having a keyboard and a display for displaying text. A database removably or permanently mounted to the platform has a first memory portion storing, for each of a multiplicity of songs, selected lyrics and identification information including a title. The database has a second memory portion storing a segment from each of the songs. A user actuated selection component is operatively connected to the first memory portion of the database and to the display for permitting operator selection of a song from a list of song titles shown on the display and inducing display of the lyrics stored in the first memory portion for the selected song. In addition, a user actuated audio production element provided on the platform is operatively coupled to selection component and the database for enabling an audible reproduction of the segment stored in the second memory portion for the selected song.

Abstract: A hand held electronic book is adapted to receive any number of replaceable cartridges. Each cartridge holds an alternate text and requires a separate set of functions. A predetermined set of function keys on the keyboard of the electronic book at predetermined positions are color coded. Each cartridge of a set of replaceable cartridges has the same number of similarly positioned and similarly color coded key-like designations. These designations provide an indication of the new function that the corresponding key on the keyboard has when the book accesses the cartridge involved. Thus color and position are the codes used to select the function indicated on the cartridge to the key on the keyboard that performs the function.

Abstract: A technique for providing simplified and more flexible text recovery in an electronically stored text. The text storage device is of the hand-held type and may accommodate the text of the entire bible, for example. The user may access the stored text in a read or search mode. The device is programmed to perform certain functions automatically, such as: selecting search or read mode; accommodating different syntax formulations; providing a fixed screen map of respective different portions of the text; and visually indicating specific words of a search to which a search will be limited. Expanded flexibility is also programmed into the device which includes: optionally expanding searches to cover both different forms of the same words and unrelated words having the same meaning; providing assistance to the user upon request which takes into account the current operational phase; and providing the capability of tagging a preselected location in the text for simplified access during reacquisition.

Abstract: A number of memory locations are reserved in computer memory to store pointers which indicate an address within streams of sequentially arranged data. The data stream to be scanned is selected. To scan the information stored within the data stream, a single register is provided to increment the pointer corresponding to that data stream. The pointer information is then incremented and stored into the reserved memory location. The process of selecting, scanning, incrementing, and storing may repeat for each data stream to which access is sought.