Abstract:
There is disclosed a method of presenting content, comprising: a first application facilitating the display of a set of content, at least part of the content being associated with a link to a second application, wherein on selection of the link, the second application is enabled and content associated with the second application is displayed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is the National Stage of International Application Serial No. PCT/EP2013/073986, filed Nov. 15, 2013, which claims the benefit of United Kingdom Application Serial No. GB1220654.6, filed Nov. 16, 2012, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to collaborative interactive activity among a plurality of interactive devices. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, related to collaborative interactive activity in a classroom environment. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Interactive devices are well-known in the art, and include interactive whiteboards. 
         [0006]    It is known to use interactive devices for collaborative activities. Typically collaborative activities allow multiple users to collaborate at a single interactive device. 
         [0007]    It is an aim of the invention to improve the possibilities for interactive collaboration amongst multiple users. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides a method of presenting content, comprising: a first application facilitating the display of a set of content, at least part of the content being associated with a link to a second application, wherein on selection of the link, the second application is enabled and content associated with the second application is displayed. 
         [0009]    The first application may be an application for displaying an electronic book, and the content is a story of an electronic book. 
         [0010]    The second application may be an application for running interactive content, and the interactive content is associated with content at which the link is displayed. 
         [0011]    The inputs provided in the interactive session associated with the running of the interactive application may be recorded by a third application. 
         [0012]    The inputs provided in the interactive session associated with the running of the interactive application may be stored in a database. 
         [0013]    The first application may be associated with a first user device and the second application may be associated with a second user device. 
         [0014]    The method may comprise controlling access to one or more of the first and second applications by any other device. The access to any application may be determined by rules for said application. 
         [0015]    The invention also provides a method for providing interactive content, comprising: establishing a network under the control of a computing device; connecting at least one further device to the network by registering with the hub device; running an application on at least one of the computing device, which application presents content to the user of the device; and displaying a link in association with at least part of said content, wherein on selection of said link by the user, the application establishes a communication session with an application running on another device, wherein the application running on the other device is an interactive application, the step of establishing a communication session comprising controlling access to an application running on a device by other devices by defining an access settings for each application running on each device. 
         [0016]    The invention provides a device presenting content, said device adapted to provide: a first application facilitating the display of a set of content, at least part of the content being associated with a link to a second application, wherein on selection of the link, the second application is enabled and content associated with the second application is displayed. 
         [0017]    The invention further provides a system for providing interactive content, the system adapted to: establish a network under the control of a computing device; connect at least one further device to the network by registering with the hub device; run an application on at least one of the computing device, which application presents content to the user of the device; and display a link in association with at least part of said content, wherein on selection of said link by the user, the application establishes a communication session with an application running on another device, wherein the application running on the other device is an interactive application, wherein to establish a communication session comprises controlling access to an application running on a device by other devices by defining an access settings for each application running on each device. 
         [0018]    Embodiments of the invention are based on the principle that: (i) a device is a hub of a network (preferably but not necessarily a personal area network); (ii) other devices can join/register with the network (preferably but not necessarily automatically); and (iii) users of registered devices can register with applications on other devices (or more specifically, an application running on a user&#39;s device can register with an application running on another device in the network). The process for applications registering with each other comprises some permission-based processing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0019]    The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates a network comprising a plurality of networked devices; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary implementation of devices in a network arrangement such as  FIG. 1 , in a classroom environment; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 3(   a ) and  3 ( b ) illustrate exemplary process flows in an embodiment of the invention for registering in a network; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 4(   a ) and  4 ( b ) illustrate information stored in a network connected device in an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 5(   a ) and  5 ( b ) illustrate process flows for accessing shared applications in an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 6(   a ) and  6 ( b ) illustrate implementation architectures of a user device and a hub device in an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  illustrates a further exemplary implementation of devices in a network arrangement; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  illustrates a further exemplary implementation of information stored in a network device in the arrangement of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  illustrates a flow process in accordance with the invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  illustrates communication in a particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  illustrates information flow in a particular embodiment of  FIG. 10 ; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  further illustrates information flow in the particular embodiment of  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    The invention is described herein by way of reference to exemplary implementations and preferred examples. In particular the invention is described in the context of collaborative working in a classroom environment, with users comprising students and/or teachers. The invention is not limited in its applicability to a classroom environment, and one skilled in the art will appreciate the broader applicability of the invention. 
         [0033]    Similarly use cases described herein to illustrate aspects and/or embodiments of the invention are set out in the context of educational use-cases in a classroom related environment. One skilled in the art will appreciate the broader applicability of such use cases, and alternative use cases. 
         [0034]    The invention is described in the following in an arrangement in which a dedicated hub device is provided. However the invention is not so limited, and in embodiments one or more devices may provide the hub functionality. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary network and devices connected to such network in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         [0036]    A wireless network is denoted by reference numeral  2 . The reference numeral  2  denotes the range of the wireless network such that wireless devices within the area  2  can transmit/receive signals to/from the wireless network, and devices outside the area  2  cannot connect transmit/receive signals to/from the wireless network. The invention is not limited to use in conjunction with a wireless network, and may be implemented with the provision of a wired network. However a wireless network is envisaged as the most useful implementation. In general the wireless network may be a communications network. 
         [0037]    In a particularly preferred implementation the wireless network is a personal area network, PAN. A PAN has particular advantages in embodiments of the invention due to its reliability and speed of operation. In implementations where speed of communication between networked devices is critical, the use of a PAN is advantageous. However any type of wireless network may be used for implementation of the invention, according to the requirements of the implementation. The speed of the network will be implementation dependent. 
         [0038]    Illustrated in  FIG. 1  within range of the wireless network  2  is a hub device  4  for this embodiment having an antenna  8  for wireless communication. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, as will be understood from the following description, the hub device acts as a hub for communications between other devices. In the described exemplary arrangement the hub device  4  generates and controls the wireless network  2 . 
         [0039]    Further illustrated in  FIG. 1  within range of the wireless network  2  is a plurality of user devices for this embodiment denoted by reference numerals  6   a,    6   b,    6   c  each having a respective antenna  10   a,    10   b,    10   c.  The users devices  6   a,    6   b,    6   c  are also respectively labelled ‘user device # 1 ’, ‘user device # 2 ’, and ‘user device # 3 ’ in the Figures. Each user device is preferably associated with at least one user, not shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0040]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , there is illustrated an exemplary implementation in which embodiments of the invention are described.  FIG. 2  illustrates, for the exemplary implementation, examples of the user devices of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 2  illustrates a classroom including an interactive electronic whiteboard  20  which represents ‘user device # 1 ’, a handheld interactive device  22  representing ‘user device # 2 ’, an interactive table  24  representing ‘user device# 3 ’, and a hub device  26  with associated antenna  28  corresponding to hub device  4  illustrated as positioned on a table  30 . 
         [0042]    Interactive electronic whiteboard  20  may be implemented in any number of ways, such devices being well-known in the art. In  FIG. 2  the interactive electronic whiteboard  20  is illustrated as a device having a vertically-orientated interactive display surface  40  on which images are displayed and user inputs may be detected. The interactive display surface  40  may be a touch sensitive surface and/or have an underlying electromagnetic grid for detecting an electromagnetic device on the surface. The interactive display surface  40  may be an emissive display surface and/or a surface onto which images are projected. In the arrangement of  FIG. 2  there is shown a projector device  42  positioned relative to the interactive display surface  40  by a boom arm  44 , for projecting images onto the display. A computer system, illustrated by reference numeral  45  in  FIG. 2 , may be connected to the interactive electronic whiteboard  20  for control purposes. 
         [0043]    In  FIG. 2  a single user  32  is illustrated as providing inputs at the surface  40 . It is known in the art that multiple users may provide inputs at a surface of an interactive electronic whiteboard, and the single user  32  of  FIG. 2  is exemplary. A single user may also provide multiple inputs, for example by the use of two hands to provide touch inputs. 
         [0044]    Embodiments of the invention are not limited to any particular type of interactive whiteboard or vertical interactive surface. 
         [0045]    Handheld interactive device  22  may be implemented in any number of ways, such devices being well-known in the art. In  FIG. 2  the handheld device  22  is illustrated as a tablet device, and has an interactive display surface  42  which is an emissive display and on which images are displayed and at which touch inputs can be detected. The handheld interactive device  22  may also be a mobile telephony device. 
         [0046]    In  FIG. 2  a single user  34  is illustrated as providing inputs at the surface  42 . It is more typical for such a device that a single user will provide inputs. Such a device may be considered a personal device. A single user may also provide multiple inputs, for example by the use of two fingers to provide touch inputs. 
         [0047]    Interactive table  24  may be implemented in any number of ways, such devices being well-known in the art. In  FIG. 2  the interactive table is illustrated as having a horizontally disposed interactive display surface  46  which is an emissive display and on which images are displayed and at which touch inputs can be detected. 
         [0048]    In  FIG. 2  two users  36  and  38  are illustrated as providing inputs at the surface  46 . It is known in the art that one or more users may provide inputs at a surface of an interactive table, and the two users  36  and  38  of  FIG. 2  are exemplary. A single user may also provide multiple inputs, for example by the use of two hands or two fingers to provide touch inputs. 
         [0049]    The exemplary hub device  26 , for the purpose of the described examples, is a computing device having wireless access point functionality, to provide the wireless network hosting and control to allow the various user devices of  FIG. 2  to communicate in accordance with embodiments of the invention, as described further below. However the functionality provided by the hub device  26  may be provided by one of the user devices, and a dedicated hub device is not a requirement. For the purposes of explanation, however, a dedicated hub device is described. 
         [0050]    The wireless network  2  provides a communication network for connecting a plurality of computing devices, comprising in the described embodiment the user devices illustrated in  FIG. 2  (and  FIG. 1 ). The communications network is established under the control of one of the computing devices, such as a dedicated hub device as illustrated in  FIG. 2  (and  FIG. 1 ) where it is provided. 
         [0051]    At least one further user device is connected to the network  2  by registering with the hub device  26 . The at least one further user device may be any one of the illustrated user devices. Thus in order to join the wireless network  2 , each user device must register with the hub device. With reference to  FIG. 3(   a ), a process at the hub device  26  for establishing the wireless network and registering a user device with the network is illustrated, and with reference to  FIG. 3(   b ) a process for a user device to register with the hub is illustrated. 
         [0052]    In a step  50  of  FIG. 3(   a ), the hub device  26  is enabled. On being enabled, as denoted by step  52  of  FIG. 3(   a ), the wireless network  2  is established. It can be noted that the hub device  26  is not required to be additionally connected to any other network. The purpose of the network established by the hub device is to interconnect the user devices of  FIG. 2  (and  FIG. 1) . 
         [0053]    With reference to  FIG. 3(   b ), in a step  51  a user device having wireless capability is switched on and set to detect the presence of wireless networks as known in the art. In a step  53  it is determined whether a network is detected. If not, then the process iterates through steps  51  and  53 . If a wireless network is detected, then in a step  55  the user device sends a request to join the network to the hub device. With reference to  FIG. 3(   a ), the hub device receives the request to join in a step  54 . 
         [0054]    In accordance with known techniques, the steps  51  to  55  of  FIG. 3(   b ) may be initiated manually under the control of the user of the user device. In an alternative arrangement the steps  51  to  55  of  FIG. 3(   b ) may occur automatically without user control. In a particular preferred embodiment, the identity of the wireless network established by the hub device  26  may include an identifier identifying the wireless network of being a certain type. The user device may be adapted to automatically look for wireless network of that type, and attempt to register with wireless networks of that type. 
         [0055]    In a step  56  of  FIG. 3(   a ) and a step  57  of  FIG. 3(   b ), the hub device and the user device communicate to allow an appropriate procedure for the use device to join and/or/register with the wireless network  2 , in accordance with a particular implementation. As known in the art, this may involve the user device being required to provide a password. As known in the art the user device may have registered with the network previously, and have a pre-stored password, or the user may have to manually provide a password. The mechanism by which a user device connects with the wireless network is outside the scope of the present invention. 
         [0056]    On successful registration of the user device with the network, the hub device transmits an acknowledgement that the request has been accepted and the user device has joined the network to the user device, as denoted by step  58  in  FIG. 3(   a ). As denoted by step  59  in  FIG. 3(   b ), the use device receives the acknowledgement as a conformation that it has joined the network from the hub device. 
         [0057]    In accordance with the invention and its embodiments, functionality is provided to allow each user device to make available content and/or control of applications running on the user device to other user devices in the network. Each user device is associated with one or more applications, and each user device may allow access to is application by other user devices, and may access the applications of other user devices. Such access is preferably controlled, such that there are access settings associated with each application or application content which permit/restrict access. 
         [0058]    Thus, an application is run on at least one of the computing devices; and access to an application running on a device by other devices is controlled by defining access settings for each application running on each device, as will now be further described. 
         [0059]    An example is described. 
         [0060]    It is assumed that ‘user device # 1 ’, in the exemplary scenario the interactive electronic whiteboard  20  of  FIG. 1 , is registered with the network  2 . A number of applications are running on the interactive electronic whiteboard  20 , under the control of the computer  46  with which it is associated. For example, two applications ‘IEW application # 1 ’ and ‘IEW application # 2 ’ are running on the interactive electronic whiteboard  20 . 
         [0061]    With reference to  FIGS. 4(   a ) and  4 ( b ), there are illustrated tables associated with the interactive electronic whiteboard  20  and reflecting in particular the application status of the interactive electronic whiteboard  20 . 
         [0062]    As shown in  FIG. 4(   a ) a first table  60  represents applications running on interactive electronic whiteboard itself. 
         [0063]    In a first column  62  headed ‘own applications’ there is listed an identity of the current applications running on the interactive electronic whiteboard  20 . This column lists in two rows ‘JEW application # 1 ’ and ‘JEW application # 2 ’. 
         [0064]    In a second column  64  of the first table there is illustrated the access permissions associated with each of the interactive electronic whiteboard applications. The interactive electronic whiteboard  20  may set the access permissions according to any number of criteria. For example access may be public, requiring no authorisation. Access may be restricted by password. Access may be restricted by type of device. Access may be restricted by type of user. 
         [0065]    In a third column  66  of the first table there is illustrated the user devices that are currently provided with access to each of the applications. 
         [0066]    In a fourth column  68  of the first table there is illustrated the type of access that the user devices in the third column have. The access may, for example, be restricted to ‘read only’, or may allow control of the application. 
         [0067]    Access to an application running on a device may allow one device to assume control of another. 
         [0068]    As shown in  FIG. 4(   b ) a second table  70  represents applications running on other user devices that the interactive electronic whiteboard has been granted access to. 
         [0069]    In a first column  72  headed ‘shared applications’ there is listed an identity of the current applications running on other user devices and to which the interactive electronic whiteboard  20  has access. 
         [0070]    In a second column  74  of the second table there is illustrated the identities of the user device associated with each of the shared applications for the interactive electronic whiteboard  20 . 
         [0071]    In a third column  76  of the second table there is illustrated the type of access which the interactive electronic whiteboard  20  is permitted for each application. The access may, for example, be restricted to ‘read only’, or may allow control of the application. 
         [0072]    It will be understood that each user device connected to the wireless network will typically have tables as shown associated in  FIGS. 4(   a ) and  4 ( b ) associated therewith. Whilst the exact tables shown may not be provided, functionality consistent with these tables will be provided. 
         [0073]    The creation and management of exemplary tables as shown in  FIGS. 4(   a ) and  4 ( b ) is now further described with reference to  FIGS. 5(   a ) and  5 ( b ). 
         [0074]    It is assumed that each of the user devices shown in  FIG. 2  is present in vicinity of the network and connected to the network.  FIG. 5(   a ) illustrates the process, once registered with the network, associated with accessing applications running on devices in the network from the perspective of a user device requesting access.  FIG. 5(   b ) illustrates the process from the perspective of a user device running the application to which access is requested. 
         [0075]    In a step  80  of  FIG. 5(   a ), following registration in the network, the user device receives a list of devices connected in the network and applications running on those devices which are available for access. In a preferred arrangement the hub device stores a mirror of the tables of  FIGS. 4(   a ) and  4 ( b ) of each user device, and provides the list to of availability devices and applications based on the mirrored tables. 
         [0076]    Preferably the information provided to a user device also includes the access information associated with each application. In one embodiment the hub device provides a list of all the applications on all the devices to the user devices. In other embodiments the hub device may only provide a list of the applications to which a user device receiving the list has access. 
         [0077]    Preferably the information provided to a user device also includes the type of access permitted. 
         [0078]    In a step  82  of  FIG. 5(   b ), the user device then selects a desired application. In a typical implementation, the selection will take place by a user selecting the application from a list or information displayed in a user interface of the user device. 
         [0079]    In a step  81  of  FIG. 5(   b ), a user device on which an application is running, which may be referred to as a host device, monitors for requests to access the application. It is assumed for this example the user device associated with the process of  FIG. 5(   a ) selects in step  82  an application which is running on a user device associated with the process of  FIG. 5(   b ), a request for access to which is received in step  83 . 
         [0080]    In a step  85  of  FIG. 5(   b ), the host device determined whether the application to which access is requested has access setting such that access is public, i.e. unrestricted. If so, then access is allowed in step  87 . 
         [0081]    If access is not public, then in a step  89  of  FIG. 5(   b ) it is determined whether access to the application is allowed for devices of a particular type or characteristic. If so, and the device making the request meets the characteristic, then access is allowed in step  87 . 
         [0082]    If access is not determined based on a device type or characteristic, or if the device making the request is not of the correct type or does not possess the correct characteristic, in step  93  of  FIG. 5(   b ) it is determined whether access is password protected. 
         [0083]    If so, then in step  95  of  FIG. 5(   b ) the host device transmits a request for the password to the requesting device. In a step  84  of  FIG. 5(   a ), the requesting device determines that a request for a password has been received, and then in step  86  transmits a password. 
         [0084]    In a step  97  of  FIG. 5(   b ) the host device determines if the requesting device has transmitted a password. If so, then in step  99  it is determined whether the password is correct. If so, the process in the host device in  FIG. 5(   b ) progresses to step  87 , and if not the process progresses to step  101 . 
         [0085]    If in step  93  it is determined that the application is not associated with password access, then the process in the host device moves on to step  101 . 
         [0086]    In step  101  it is determined to reject the access request. In step  87  it is determined to allow the access request. Following either of steps  101  and  87  the process in the host device proceed in  FIG. 5(   b ) to step  103 , and a notification concerning the request is transmitted to the requesting device. If the request has been allowed, following step  87  the host device also updates its own applications table, corresponding to  FIG. 4(   a ). 
         [0087]    In step  88  of  FIG. 5(   a ), the requesting device awaits notification from the host device, and upon receipt in step  100  determines if the request has been allowed. If the request has been allowed, the requesting device updates its shared applications table, corresponding to  FIG. 4(   b ). If the request is not allowed, then following step  90  in  FIG. 5(   a ) the process in the requesting device is terminated in step  92 . 
         [0088]    The process described with reference to  FIGS. 5(   a ) and  5 ( b ) may be dynamic, with each user device receiving updates information as other user devices open and close applications. A user device may receive a list of current available applications by sending a request to the hub device, the selection of a further application at any time following the process described hereinabove. 
         [0089]    In the event that any change is made to a table of any user device corresponding to the table so  FIGS. 4(   a ) and  4 ( b ), the user device preferably transmits an update message to the hub device to notify the hub device of the change. 
         [0090]    When a user device is first connected in the network, a list of applications running on the user device is provided to the hub device so as it may be made available to the other user devices. 
         [0091]      FIG. 6(   a ) illustrates an exemplary architecture of a hub device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, such as hub device  4  of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0092]      FIG. 6(   b ) illustrates an exemplary architecture of a user device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, such as one of the user devices  6   a,    6   b,    6   c  of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0093]    In the foregoing embodiment there has been described an arrangement in which a distinct hub is provided. This is described for illustration purposes, and in other embodiments a distinct hub is not provided. The functionality of the hub may be provided in a user device, or may be distributed between multiple user devices. In a particular embodiment the functionality of the hub may be dynamic, being provided by different user devices at different times, and/or spread amongst different user devices at different times. In practice the function of the hub may be achieved by a server, and the operation of the server may be provided on one user device or distributed on several user devices. 
         [0094]    In the foregoing embodiment an arrangement is described in which applications are associated with the physical user devices with which they are assisted. This is achieved, in the foregoing embodiment, by the use of tables associated with individual user devices. In practice, such an association may be onerous. 
         [0095]    In general, an application which may be controlled or accessed by one or more users may be termed an object, and control of the application or object may be termed a session. 
         [0096]    In an alternative embodiment the object may be hidden or not hidden on the server. The session which controls the object can be moved between user devices. For example, if a current host leaves the classroom, and hence the wireless area, another user device may take responsibility for hosting the session: i.e. the session moves to another user device. In such a scenario, each session has a unique identifier which identifies which user device is currently the host for the session. 
         [0097]    This may involve the user device that is leaving sending a message to the network requesting another user device to assume responsibility for the session. When a user device is to leave a classroom, for example, whichever user device within the classroom that receives and responds to the message may take the session over for the device that is leaving. However the default operation may be that the session will ‘die’. The message from a user device that a user device is leaving may go to all user devices, those user devices that have access to the session, or one particular user device according to implementation requirements. For example, there may be master server within the network which will receive the message. This master server may define rules for the session. These rules may state that a user device should always pass on a session to the next available server. In a preferred embodiment, a master user device for a session is the user device which currently hosts the session, so the master user devices are distributed. When a user device leaves, the rules for that user device may determine the user device to which the session is to be transferred. 
         [0098]    A current host device has the ability to change the rules. The rules may define any characteristics of the session. 
         [0099]    The server does not have to be a host device. 
         [0100]    The functionality of a server session and a user device are preferably separated. 
         [0101]    In a preferred embodiment the servers may have the ability to see each other, but sessions may not. Sessions can only be exchanged from one user device to another is access rights permit such. 
         [0102]    Sessions can be hierarchical. Sessions are an efficient way to keep connection of user devices managed and manage the joining of existing devices. 
         [0103]    In embodiments, there may be provided multiple sessions for each user, with different access levels for each user. 
         [0104]      FIGS. 7 and 8  describe a further embodiment of the invention consistent with the foregoing. However one skilled in the art will appreciate that the implementation of the invention may be achieved in a number of ways. 
         [0105]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , in this illustrative example there are three user devices  6   a,    6   b,    6   c  labelled ‘user device # 1 ’, ‘user device # 2 ’, and ‘user device # 3 ’. Each user device potentially has one or more applications associated with it. The applications may be any software which can run on the device, including software which controls an interactive whiteboard. In the example shown, the first user device  6   a  has one application termed ‘appl  1 ’ denoted by reference numeral  1   a,  the second user device  6   b  has two applications ‘app  2 ’ and ‘app  4 ’ denoted by reference numerals  1   b  and  1   d,  and the third user device  6   c  has one application ‘appl  3 ’ denoted by reference numeral  1   c.    
         [0106]    In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, each user device is the host for the session associated with an application (object) running on that user device, and has a table which defines the access parameters for that application. In addition, the table for each user device defines the permissions for that user device to access objects of other user devices. This is illustrated in  FIG. 8  with example to the user device # 2 , denoted by reference numeral  6   b.    
         [0107]      FIG. 8  shows an exemplary table for the second user device  6   b.  It can be seen that the table has headings ‘object’, ‘session host’, ‘user(s)’, and ‘type of access’. The ‘object’ column lists every application to which that user device has access. There may be other applications in the network, but only those applications are listed to which the user device has access. For each application or object, the ‘session host’ column defines the user device which is the host for that object. In accordance with this embodiment, the host will be the user device on which the application is running The ‘user(s)’ column defines those user devices which are associated with that application, and the ‘type of access’ column defines what type of access is permitted for that user. 
         [0108]    As shown, the type of access may vary, and will be determined by the access requested and the host device. For example, only one device may have full control of an application at any time, and once full control is given any further user device requesting access is given only road-only rights. 
         [0109]    The type of access may be more sophisticated. For example, the type of access may define that a user device is allowed full access once full access is completed by another device. The type of access may define that full access is given to another device once full access is completed by another device. The type of access may also define sending messages to user devices to advise that a type of access for the user is changed or become available. 
         [0110]    An important aspect of the present invention is that rules are defined within a session for an object. These rules may be reflected in the ‘type of access’ column. 
         [0111]    A user device preferably periodically broadcasts its presence. At the same time, a user device listens for broadcast messages. This allows user devices to join networks and sessions, and for sessions to be created, without specific requests to establish sessions. When a user device first joins a network, the user may be provided with a list of objects which it can request an association with. The implementation of this will be system specific. 
         [0112]    The invention is described herein in the context of the system architecture described in the foregoing. Whilst the invention may be advantageously implemented in such a system architecture, the invention is not limited to such an architecture. Whilst the system architecture described in the foregoing provides a particularly advantageous architecture in which to implement the invention and maximise the benefits associated with the invention, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be implemented using other system architectures which allow for communication between devices as required by this invention and set out in the following description. 
         [0113]    Embodiments of the invention concern the implementation of active links to third party content embedded in the content of an electronic or digital book (an ‘ebook’). The link is preferably included in the authoring of the content. 
         [0114]    An electronic or digital book offers consumers the ability to interact with content with the promise, in an educational environment, of a richer study experience. These books tend to reside in silos, with little opportunity for collaboration, and data analysis is restricted. 
         [0115]    For example, a handheld user device such as device  22  of  FIG. 2  may have an ebook application, and content comprising ebooks. The ebook application is used to read the ebook content. The handheld user device  22  is preferably able to download ebooks via network access, such as access to the Internet. 
         [0116]    In accordance with the invention, an ebook is authored with active links to content which might reside external to the ebook itself In a particular preferred example, the content is provided by one of the other user devices connected in the network  2 . When a user reads the ebook on the handheld user device  2 , associated with certain displayed content will be an active link. On selection of the active link some additional content relevant to the displayed content is displayed on the user device, and this content may be obtained by following the link to a further device, and receiving the content from the further device. 
         [0117]    A particular non-limiting example is now described with reference to  FIG. 9 . 
         [0118]    In a step  200  a teacher device transmits to a student device, preferably a plurality of student devices in a classroom, an ebook related to a homework exercise. The ebook includes active links to third party content. The third party content may also be transmitted with the ebook to the student devices. 
         [0119]    In a step  202  the student device receives the homework assignment ebook, and also receives the interactive content if transmitted. 
         [0120]    In a step  204  the student carries out the homework assignment on their user device. This will involve selecting active links at certain points in the ebook, and receiving additional content on selection of those active links either by accessing the interactive content provided by the teacher with the ebook, or by accessing such content via a network such as the Internet. If the student homework assignment is alternatively a classroom assignment, then the interactive content may be accessed via one of the other user devices in the network  2  or other network. 
         [0121]    In addition, the interactive nature of the content typically may require the user to provide content which is captured by the user device in an application associated with the interactive content, and separate to the ebook itself. 
         [0122]    In a step  206  the student device, after completion of the homework assignment, transmits the completed interactive session to the teacher device. 
         [0123]    In a step  208 , the interactive content provided by the student user may be analysed. The analysis of the data may be used to identify weaknesses which the student needs to address, and store statistical information. 
         [0124]    This process therefore advantageously enables self-paced learning. 
         [0125]    An exemplary implementation is in a classroom environment where school children are learning about dinosaurs for example. Each student has a user device on which is running an ebook with pictures of dinosaurs. The ebook includes at least one active link, upon selection of which the student is invited to draw their own dinosaur. On completion of the interactive task, the dinosaur picture is transmitted to a central user device, such as the electronic interactive whiteboard  20 , together with dinosaur drawings from other student user devices. All the drawings may then be displayed on the display  40 . In a further extension of the interactive nature of the exercise, the students may be then invited to use their user devices to vote for the best dinosaur drawing. 
         [0126]    In the foregoing, it is mentioned that in carrying out a homework exercise a user device may collaborate with another user device in a network. If the rule defines such, however, a user device may collaborate with another user device in a network within the Internet. 
         [0127]    For example, the rules associated with a homework application provided to a user device by a teacher device may define additional user device which a given user device may collaborate. These additional user devices may be the user device of other students in the class group. The teacher may define the entire class group or users within the class group to collaborate with a user device. Outside of the classroom, a current user device and additional user devices may only be accessible by the Internet. A teacher device may set a rule which allows a user to collaborate with another user deice via the Internet without providing general access to the Internet. The user device may be able to collaborate via the Internet to particular user devices and only those user devices via the internet. Thus a user device may be provided with a ‘white list’ of other user devices defined by the teacher device. The invention thus provides a private or dedicated communication mechanism on a public network. 
         [0128]    The invention provides a user device to run two applications simultaneously: an eBook application and interactive application. If the interactive application determines that a current eBook is too simplistic or advanced for a user, which can be determined by the interactive session, a follow-up eBook for the user may be more advanced or simplistic. 
         [0129]    When accessing an eBook, the content provided by an interactive link can vary according to the level of ability or interest of the user. Thus multiple users in the same class room may receive the same homework, including the same eBook, but the interactive links provided in that eBook may link to different content according to ability. 
         [0130]    This can be partly described by reference to the following Figures. 
         [0131]    In  FIG. 10 , there is shown a teacher  100  distributing a lesson comprising an eBook to each of three students, student # 1 , student # 2 , student # 3 , denoted by reference numerals  104   a,    104   b,    104   c.  The distribution of the eBook is illustrated by reference numeral  106 . Each student receives the same book in this example. 
         [0132]    Each student additionally receives the identity of an interactive session from the teacher, which the teacher distributes according to their abilities. The first student  104   a  receives instruction for a first session ‘sess # 1 ’, and the second and third students receive instructions for a second session ‘sess # 2 ’. 
         [0133]    The carrying out of the interactive learning session by the first student is illustrated in  FIG. 11 . A first page  110  of the eBook is read, and then as denoted by arrow  104  a second page  106  of the eBook is read. On page  2  of the eBook the user is provided with interactive content as denoted by reference numeral  108 . The interactive content may be associated with the content of the book, and may for example test the user&#39;s understanding of the topic described in the eBook. 
         [0134]    Responsive to a user selecting the interactive content  108 , the application running the eBook may generate a message ‘session’ which is sent to the interactive application to start an interactive application. In accordance with the instruction from the teacher, the session started is ‘sess # 1 ’. On termination of the interactive session, the interactive application may return an ‘end’ message to the application running the eBook, and the eBook application will continue. 
         [0135]    As denoted in  FIG. 11 , this may result as denoted by the arrow  116  of a further page  118  of the eBook being displayed. 
         [0136]    The carrying out of the interactive learning session by the second student is illustrated in  FIG. 12 . A first page  110  of the eBook is read, and then as denoted by arrow  104  a second page  106  of the eBook is read. This is consistent with the arrangement of  FIG. 11 , and all user devices carrying out the homework. 
         [0137]    On page  2  of the eBook the user is provided with interactive content as denoted by reference numeral  108 . The interactive content may be associated with the content of the book, and may for example test the user&#39;s understanding of the topic described in the eBook. This again is consistent with  FIG. 11 . 
         [0138]    Responsive to a user selecting the interactive content  108 , the application running the eBook may generate a message ‘session’ which is sent to the interactive application to start an interactive application. Again, this is consistent with  FIG. 11 . 
         [0139]    In accordance with the instruction from the teacher, the session started is ‘sess # 2 ’ however. The second user thus carries out an interactive session which is different from the first stunt. 
         [0140]    On termination of the interactive session, the interactive application may return an ‘end’ message to the application running the eBook, and the eBook application will continue. As denoted in  FIG. 12 , this may result as denoted by the arrow  116  of a further page  118  of the eBook being displayed. The operation after the interactive session is consistent with  FIG. 11 . 
         [0141]    Thus the arrangement of  FIGS. 10 to 12  shows how two students may access and use the same eBook, but the interactive content of each student may differ. 
         [0142]    Where the student devices are enabled to interact collaboratively, as discussed hereinabove, the interactive session enabled may define rules which determine which other user devices may be collaborated with, and the nature of such collaboration. 
         [0143]    There has thus been described a collaborative interactive system in accordance with various embodiments. One skilled in the art will appreciate that different aspects of different embodiments may be combined in order to achieve the present invention. The present invention is not limited to aspects of the foregoing embodiments as set out. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be implemented in different ways. The protection afforded by the present invention is set out in the appended claims.