Printed matter, printed-matter management device, information output system, and page identification method for printed matter

Printed matter including a viewed-page detection electrode provided to a primary surface of a first printed medium among a plurality of bound printed media, the viewed-page detection electrode being so disposed that, when the printed matter is closed, at least part of the electrode provided to a first page overlaps with an electrode provided to a second page facing the first page; a selected-area detection electrode provided to the primary surface and located at a position different from the viewed-page detection electrode; a first determination unit connected to the viewed-page detection electrode to determine a page that is currently open based on capacitance generated in the viewed-page detection electrode; and a second determination unit connected to the selected-area detection electrode to determine whether the selected-area detection electrode of the open page has been touched by a user based on capacitance generated in the selected-area detection electrode.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to printed matter or a printed matter device, a printed-matter management device, an information output system, and a page identification method for printed matter.

BACKGROUND

Augmented Reality (AR) technology is used today as a method of directly linking software on a computer with a printed medium. In AR technology, the computer is permitted to recognize a print surface as an image and give a real-time presentation of the information corresponding to the recognition by using software. Such a method is widely used as an effective method of presenting information, a method that takes advantage of both digital and analog processes without the need of mounting a special device to a printed medium. For example, this technology is used for presenting additional information, such as still or moving images, related to the content of a printed medium by use of software to supplement information in the content of the printed medium. This technology, however, forces the user to suffer the inconvenience of operating a computer, for image recognition of the print surface. In addition, since printed matter is recognized with a camera, lighting environments and the posture or the position of the user are restricted.

For example, PTL 1 discloses that, in a circumstance where a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag is added to each of a plurality of leaflets bound as printed media and where one leaflet is opened by the user, the photosensor related to the tag makes the rest of the RFID tags of the leaflets inactive to enable linkage of the printed medium with the RF sensor.

A possible method of achieving direct linkage between a printed medium and a computer may be to mount a sensor to the printed medium. If an electrode is disposed to each paper surface of the printed media, the contact state of the electrode changes conforming to the opening/closing of the page, which enables recognition of the opening/closing of the page.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, the detection method based such as on electrical connection/disconnection between electrodes may result in detecting a plurality of disconnection points. This may occur when there is a small space between the open page and the previous or the following page, or when the user inserts his/her finger into a page that is not opened during operation. In such a situation, it is difficult to detect the page that is actually viewed by the user. The user's operation of selecting a specific area of a page may be detected by providing a touch-sensor electrode on each paper surface. However, since there may be a large number of pages, the electrodes provided to the respective pages may interfere with one another, and an accurate value is unlikely to be acquired. It is thus needed to provide a method that can be embedded beneath the print surface of a page, and which can accurately detect opening/closing of a page and a touch on the page.

The present invention has been made in light of the above circumstances, and provides printed matter, a printed-matter management device, an information output system, and a page identification method for printed matter, which is able to more accurately detect the page number of a printed medium viewed by the user and the user's operation of selecting a specific area of the page, which is given versatility applicable to the existing printed media, and which detects the user's state of viewing bookbound printed media and performs computer processing using the printed media.

[Intended Solution to Problem]

An aspect of the present invention is printed matter including: a viewed-page detection electrode provided to a first primary surface of a first printed medium among a plurality of printed media bound as the printed matter, the viewed-page detection electrode being so disposed that, in a state where the printed matter has been closed, at least part of the electrode provided to a first page of the first printed medium overlaps with an electrode provided to a second page of a second printed medium facing the first page; a selected-area detection electrode provided to the primary surface so as to be located at a position different from that of the viewed-page detection electrode; a first determination unit connected to the viewed-page detection electrode to determine a page that is currently open among the plurality of printed media, based on capacitance generated in the viewed-page detection electrode; and a second determination unit connected to the selected-area detection electrode to determine whether the selected-area detection electrode of the open page of the printed medium has been touched by a user, based on capacitance generated in the selected-area detection electrode in a state where the printed matter is open.

An aspect of the present invention is the printed matter described above. In the printed matter, at least either of the viewed-page detection electrode and the selected-area detection electrode is formed by printing.

An aspect of the present invention is the printed matter described above. In the printed matter, in a state where the printed matter has been closed, the viewed-page detection electrode provided to the first page of the first printed medium is disposed so as not to overlap with an electrode provided to a third page of a third printed medium not facing the first page of the first printed medium.

An aspect of the present invention is the printed matter described above. In the printed matter, the second determination unit determines that selected-area detection electrodes disposed to other pages than the open page determined to have been open by the first determination unit have not been touched by the user.

An aspect of the present invention is the printed matter described above. In the printed matter, a printed medium having printed content is bonded to at least part of the selected-area detection electrode.

An aspect of the present invention is the printed matter described above. In the printed matter, a booklet part including the plurality of printed media can be separated from an electronic circuit part including the first determination unit and the second determination unit.

An aspect of the present invention is the printed matter described above. In the printed matter, the electronic circuit part is a sticker electrode bonded to an exterior, which is additionally provided to the booklet part, and bonded to the plurality of printed media.

An aspect of the present invention is the printed matter described above. In the printed matter, the second determination unit is a grid electrode provided to a rear surface of a cover sheet of the booklet part or to the plurality of printed media of the booklet part.

An aspect of the present invention is a printed-matter management device including a reception unit receiving radio waves from a communication circuit of the printed matter described above; and an identification information input unit acquiring page identification information corresponding to an open page of the printed matter, based on a reception signal of the received radio waves.

An aspect of the present invention is the printed-matter management device described above. The device includes a content storage unit storing the page identification information and content; and an output unit outputting content corresponding to the acquired page identification information.

An aspect of the present invention is an information output system including the printed matter management device described above and an information output device. In the system, the information output device includes a reception unit receiving content transmitted from the printed matter management device, and a content output unit outputting the content.

An aspect of the present invention is a method of identifying a page of printed matter, the printed matter including: a viewed-page detection electrode provided to a primary surface of a first printed medium among a plurality of printed media bound as the printed matter, the viewed-page detection electrode being so disposed that, in a state where the printed matter has been closed, at least part of the electrode provided to a first page of the first printed medium overlaps with an electrode provided to a second page of a second printed medium facing the first page; a selected-area detection electrode provided to the primary surface so as to be located at a position different from that of the viewed-page detection electrode. The method includes: determining a page that is currently open among the plurality of printed media, based on capacitance generated in the viewed-page detection electrode, as decided by a first determination unit connected to the viewed-page detection electrode; and determining whether the selected-area detection electrode of the open page has been touched by a user, based on capacitance generated in the selected-area detection electrode in a state where the printed matter is open, as decided by a second determination unit connected to the selected-area detection electrode.

An aspect of the present invention is a wiring structure including a grid electrode provided to a rear surface of a cover sheet of the booklet part or to the plurality of printed media of the booklet part, wherein the wiring structure determines whether a selected-area detection electrode provided to an open page of printed matter has been touched by a user, based on capacitance generated in the selected-area detection electrode in a state where the printed matter is open.

Desired Advantageous Effects of the Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, printed matter includes a first determination unit connected to a viewed-page detection electrode to determine which page of printed media has been opened based on capacitance generated in the viewed-page detection electrode, and a second determination unit connected to a selected-area detection electrode to determine whether the selected-area detection electrode on the open page of the printed medium has been touched by the user, based on capacitance generated in the selected-area detection electrode in a state where the printed matter is open. With this configuration, the page number of a printed medium being viewed by the user and an operation of selecting a specific area of the page are detected with better and even high accuracy. Furthermore, the detection function described above is given improved versatility applicable to the existing printed media.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings, an information output system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, which is intended to be representative of the present invention. The representative embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and the design thereof could be appropriately changed by one skilled in the art. In the embodiment, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference characters, and duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an information output system1according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The information output system1includes an input device10, a receiving device20, an information management device30, and an information output device40. The receiving device20and the information management device30configure a printed matter management device.

The input device10is operated by the user. The input device10transmits individual identification information provided to a printed medium held by the user, detects the user's viewing information (page identification information and touch), and transmits a signal that contains page identification information. The input device10may also be termed printed matter hereinafter. The receiving device20transmits a signal to the input device10querying as to information transmission and receives radio waves transmitted from a communication circuit of the input device10in reply to the query. The information management device30outputs content to the information output device40. The content corresponds to the page identification information of the radio waves received by the receiving device20. The information output device40displays the content outputted from the information management device30on a screen or audibly outputs the content. The information output device40can be, for example, a display device, a lighting device, a projector, a speaker, a toy, or other machine devices.

A further description will be given of the information output system1.

FIGS. 2A and 2Bare schematic block diagrams illustrating functions of the input device10. The input device10is mounted to bookbound printed matter. At least one input device10is provided to an item of printed matter, such as one input device per one item of printed matter. As shown inFIG. 2A, the input device10includes a booklet part801including a plurality of printed media, and an electronic circuit part802including a capacitance sensor circuit811(first determination unit and second determination unit). Alternatively, the input device10may be configured to include a booklet part801, an electronic circuit part802, and printed matter. Alternatively, it may be so configured that the printed matter includes a booklet part801and an electronic circuit part802. Examples of the printed matter include books, magazines, brochures, catalogs, and ledger sheets.

As shown inFIG. 2B, the electronic circuit part802incorporates therein the capacitance sensor circuit811, a communication circuit812, an acceleration sensor813, a microcomputer814, a battery815, and the like.

The electronic circuit part802is mounted to any portion of the printed matter, e.g., the cover sheet or the spine, excluding pages of the printed matter. The microcomputer814of each electronic circuit part802stores individual identification information that identifies the electronic circuit part802among a plurality of electronic circuit parts802. With a capacitance detection technique being applied, the capacitance sensor circuit811of each electronic circuit part802detects page identification information, based on the capacitance generated in a viewed-page detection electrode and a selected-area detection electrode of the booklet part801. The electronic circuit part802includes the communication circuit812, and transmits a signal including individual identification information, page identification information, and selected-area identification information through the communication circuit812. The acceleration sensor813calculates a reference value for use when the capacitance sensor circuit811makes a determination.

The viewed-page detection electrode and the selected-area detection electrode are provided to each page of the printed media, and are connected to the capacitance sensor circuit811of the electronic circuit part802. Referring toFIGS. 3 to 10, a specific description will be given of installation of the viewed-page detection electrode, the selected-area detection electrode, and the capacitance sensor circuit811.

FIG. 3is a schematic perspective view illustrating an appearance of printed matter120.FIG. 4is a schematic perspective view illustrating another example of an appearance of printed matter120.

As shown inFIG. 3, the input device10is configured by a booklet part801and an electronic circuit part802installed on the spine of the booklet.

As shown inFIG. 4, the booklet part801and the electronic circuit part802may be separably mounted to the input device10. In this case, a spine903of the booklet should be provided in the form of a connector, such as an edge connector, so as to be connectable to the electronic circuit part802. Thus, the booklet part801of low manufacturing cost may be prepared for each item of content, while the electronic circuit part802of high manufacturing cost may be reused.

FIG. 5is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of electrodes disposed to a printed medium of the input device10.

Viewed-page detection electrodes202and203and selected-area detection electrodes204for detecting a touch operation on a specific area are disposed to a printed medium201. These electrodes have wiring extending to the spine, for connection to respective terminals of the capacitance sensor circuit811. These electrodes and the wiring are provided on a first primary surface of the printed medium201, such as paper or a PET film, by printing using an electrically conductive ink.

The viewed-page detection electrodes202and203are disposed to every pair of opposing pages so as to be located on the respective pages and at least partially overlap with each other when these pages are closed.

FIG. 6is a perspective view illustrating an example of electrodes disposed to a printed medium of the input device10.

To connect electrodes302(viewed-page detection electrodes202and203, and selected-area detection electrode204) disposed to each printed medium201to a touch sensor circuit board304configuring the capacitance sensor circuit811, terminals are disposed for each page so as not to overlap with each other, and bonded using a double-sided tape303that is conducted only in the Z-axis direction (thickness direction of the printed matter). Contact points between the electrodes and the terminals may be adhered by use of a conductive adhesive or by pressure bonding. The terminals of the touch sensor circuit board304are disposed so as to connect with the terminals of the respective printed media201. The input device10has a rear surface which is similarly provided with the double-sided tape303and the terminals of the touch sensor circuit board304.

FIG. 7is a perspective view illustrating a relationship between selected-area detection electrodes respectively provided to an opened page and the adjacent page. In general, the capacitance sensor circuit811repeatedly charges and discharges the electrodes to evaluate the characteristics change. As shown inFIG. 7, when a selected-area detection electrode204of a page is disposed so as to overlap with a selected-area detection electrode204aof a second page, the selected-area detection electrode204aof the second page is also subjected to the repeated charge and discharge of the capacitance sensor circuit811. As in the case of the selected-area detection electrodes204and204awhich are parallel disposed in a very small distance, application of electric charge to the selected-area detection electrodes204amay greatly affect the selected-area detection electrodes204whose capacitance is desired to be measured. Thus, it is difficult to accurately detect the capacitance. In this regard, based on the detection of a viewed page, electrical connection of the selected-area detection electrodes204aof other pages is temporarily interrupted from the capacitance sensor circuit811to improve detection accuracy of the capacitance sensor circuit811(second determination unit) that determines whether the viewed page has been touched by the user. The capacitance sensor circuit811may be connected to electrodes on a page basis to switch the operation by the capacitance sensor circuit811, or the capacitance sensor circuit811may be disconnected from electrodes on an electrode basis by use of a switch, such as an analog switch, a bidirectional multiplexer, or a relay. In the absence of a full contact of the user's finger with the selected-area detection electrode204, the user's touch thereon may be determined to have occurred based on the capacitance change due to the approach of the user's finger403thereto.

FIG. 8is a plan view illustrating an example of electrodes disposed to a printed medium of the input device10.

When there is a printed medium201for a page and there is a viewed-page detection electrode202, viewed-page detection electrodes of other pages are disposed so as not to overlap with each other, just as the viewed-page detection electrodes202ashown inFIG. 8. All the viewed-page detection electrodes are disposed in an area501of the printed medium201close to the spine (disposed to the spine side), while the selected-area detection electrodes204for selecting an area are disposed outside the area501. Thus, interference is prevented between the viewed-page detection electrodes202and the selected-area detection electrodes204when they are evaluated by the capacitance sensor circuit811.

FIG. 9is a perspective view illustrating an example of bonding a printed medium on which content is printed to a printed medium on which electrodes are printed.

A viewed-page detection electrode202and selected-area detection electrodes204are disposed to a printed medium which is a sheet-like substrate601having electrode patterns. On the substrate601, a printed medium, i.e. a sheet of paper or a film603with a design604being printed, is bonded.

Thus, the printed medium of the printed matter on which content is printed is configured as shown inFIG. 9to conceal the electrodes without impairing designability.

FIG. 10is a perspective view illustrating a cross sectional structure of the printed media shown inFIG. 9i.e. the printed medium on which electrodes are printed and the printed medium on which content is printed. The printed medium that is the sheet-like substrate601having electrode patterns has upper and lower surfaces that serve as first primary surfaces. On the upper and lower surfaces, respective printed media are bonded, each being the sheet of paper or the film603on which the design604, or content, is printed. The substrate601may be inkjet paper in which a conductive ink layer is shared between the upper and lower surfaces, with neither side serving as a first primary surface. In this case, the electrode patterns may be in a matrix so that the user's touch on either the upper or lower surface can be detected.

The capacitance sensor circuit811detects a viewed page by evaluating the capacitance change of the viewed-page detection electrode202.

FIG. 11is a timing diagram illustrating a method of detecting a viewed page by using the capacitance sensor circuit811(first determination unit). InFIG. 11, the vertical axis represents a capacitance C, and the horizontal axis represents time T. As shown inFIG. 11, the capacitance sensor circuit811determines which page of the printed media has been opened when the capacitance of the viewed-page detection electrode202decreases below a reference value and then falls below a value that is lower by a threshold b than the reference value (reference value-b).

In the timing diagram, the time when a capacitance C of the viewed-page detection electrode202falls below the value that is lower by the threshold b than the reference value (reference value-b) is taken to be time T0 when a viewed page is opened.

The reference value may vary as the input device10is continued to be used, due to page deformation, electrode deterioration, or the like. When the user is in the state of not holding the input device10, the input device10is considered to be in an inactive state, with all the pages of the printed medium being closed. While the input device10is in such an inactive state, acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor813of the input device10is 0. In this case, the reference value is updated based on an average of the reference values at the time of the acceleration being 0 to accurately calculate the reference value and improve reliability of detecting a viewed page. The reference value is calculated by the microcomputer814.

The capacitance sensor circuit811detects a selected area of a viewed page by evaluating the capacitance change of the selected-area detection electrode204.

FIG. 12is a timing diagram illustrating a method of detecting a selected area of a viewed page by using the capacitance sensor circuit811(second determination unit). InFIG. 12, the vertical axis represents a capacitance C, and the horizontal axis represents time T. As shown inFIG. 12, when a page is opened at time T0, the first determination unit carries out viewed-page detection to determine the currently viewed page.

Immediately after the opening of the page, the capacitance of the selected-area detection electrode204is disturbed. Therefore, the processing halts for a predetermined suspension time period t. Then, the capacitance C of each selected-area detection electrode204is retained as a reference value at time (T0+t). When the capacitance C of the selected-area detection electrode204increases above a preset threshold by a high value a (reference value+a) compared to this reference value (time T1), it is determined that the selected-area detection electrode204has been touched by the user. When the capacitance C of the selected-area detection electrode204decreases below the preset threshold by the high value a (reference value+a) compared to this reference value (time T2), it is determined that the user's touch on the selected-area detection electrode204has been released.

FIG. 13is a timing diagram illustrating another method of detecting a selected area of a viewed page by using the capacitance sensor circuit811(second determination unit). InFIG. 13, the vertical axis represents a capacitance C, and the horizontal axis represents time T. Immediately after the opening of a page, the capacitance of the selected-area detection electrode204is disturbed. Therefore, the processing halts for a predetermined suspension time period t. Then, a moving average of the capacitance C of each selected-area detection electrode204is retained as a reference value at time (T0+t). When the capacitance C of the selected-area detection electrode204increases above the preset threshold by the high value a (reference value+a) compared to this reference value (time T2), it is determined that the selected-area detection electrode204has been touched by the user.

In such a detection method, a selected area on a viewed page is detected using the moving average value A of the capacitance as a reference value, without fixing a reference value as described referring toFIG. 12.

Use of this method can reduce the influence of temperature and other environmental changes on the detection.

In this way, the capacitance sensor circuit811(second determination unit) detects the selected-area detection electrode204that has been selected to thereby detect the page and the area touched by the user, and outputs the detection result to the communication circuit812as selected-area identification information.

The printed matter (120) thus includes: a viewed-page detection electrode (202) that is provided to a first primary surface of a printed medium among a plurality of printed media (201) bound as printed matter, and disposed such that, in a closed state of the printed matter, at least part of the electrode provided to the page of the printed medium overlaps with an electrode (203) provided to a page of a printed medium facing the page of the former printed medium; a selected-area detection electrode (204) that is provided to the first primary surface at a position different from that of the viewed-page detection electrode (202); a first determination unit (capacitance sensor circuit811) that is connected to the viewed-page detection electrodes (202,203), and determines which page of the printed media has been opened, based on capacitance generated in the viewed-page detection electrode; and a second determination unit (capacitance sensor circuit811) that is connected to the selected-area detection electrode (204), and determines whether a selected-area detection electrode in an open page of the printed matter has been touched by the user, based on capacitance generated in the selected-area detection electrode in a state where the printed matter is open.

According to the embodiment described above, the page number of a printed medium viewed by the user and the operation of selecting a specific area can be detected using a capacitance sensor, without impairing the designability inherent in the printed medium. The receiving device20transmits a signal to the input device10querying as to information transmission and receives radio waves transmitted from a communication circuit of the input device10in reply to the query. The information management device30outputs content to the information output device40. The content corresponds to the page identification information of the radio waves received by the receiving device20. The information output device40displays the content outputted from the information management device30on a screen or audibly outputs the content. Thus, in the information output device40, the information corresponding to the open page of the printed matter120is outputted.

FIG. 14is a conceptual diagram illustrating a relationship between the input device10and the receiving device20. Within a range where communication can be established between the input device10and the receiving device20, the user operates the input device10to open the user's desired page. When the input device10receives a query signal from the receiving device20within a range of establishing communication therewith, the individual identification information stored in the microcomputer814of the input device10, for example, is sent in reply (transmitted) to the receiving device20from the communication circuit812. In this case, the receiving device20can identify the input device10and the page that is currently opened or closed, based on the individual identification information received from the input device10and the page identification information received with the identification information.

FIG. 15is a schematic functional block diagram illustrating functions of the receiving device20, the information management device30, and the information output device40.

The receiving device20includes a reception unit210. The reception unit210receives radio waves transmitted via the communication circuit812of the printed matter120, and outputs the radio waves to the information management device30as a reception signal. The reception unit210also has a function of receiving radio waves transmitted from a plurality of items of printed matter120. The information management device30includes an identification information input unit311, a viewing-information management unit312, a viewing-information storage unit313, content storage unit314, content control unit315, and a communication unit316.

The identification information input unit311acquires page identification information corresponding to the open page of the printed matter based on the signal received from the receiving device20. The identification information input unit311may receive a plurality of reception signals from the receiving device20that has received reception signals from a plurality of different items of printed matter. In this case, the identification information input unit311acquires respective pieces of page identification information, based on the reception signals. The identification information input unit311also acquires individual identification information included in the reception signal. The viewing-information management unit312associates the individual identification information and the page identification information acquired by the identification information input unit311with the time of acquiring the page identification information (or the time of receiving the signal from the receiving device20), for storage in the viewing-information storage unit313. The viewing-information management unit312is configured to have a clock function to provide the current time. The viewing-information storage unit313stores the information outputted from the viewing-information management unit312. For example, the viewing-information storage unit313associates individual identification information, page identification information, and time with one another and stores the associated information. The content storage unit314stores content, such as images (still or moving images) or sounds. The content control unit315uses, as a basis, the individual identification information, the page identification information, and the time acquired by the viewing-information management unit312to read content corresponding to these pieces of information from the content storage unit314, for transmission to the information output device40via the communication unit316. The communication unit316communicates with the receiving device20and the information output device40to transmit/receive various pieces of information.

The reception unit410receives content outputted from the information management device30.

The output unit411has a display screen, a speaker, and the like, and displays an image on the display screen or outputs sounds from the speaker, regarding the content received by the reception unit410.

FIG. 16is a diagram illustrating an example of content stored in the content storage unit314.

The content refers to the information in which the viewing information (information identifying the open page of the printed matter and the area selected by a touch) is associated with the content. For example, if the viewing information is N1, the information N1 indicates that the page currently viewed is the first page, which is yet to be touched by the user, and indicates association with content A. Such information is stored in the content storage unit314for each piece of individual identification information.

FIG. 17is a sequence diagram illustrating operation of the information output system1.

When viewing a print surface of the input device10, the user brings the input device10within a range of establishing communication with the receiving device20. The receiving device20transmits query information to an IC chip110(step S101). The query information is cyclically transmitted. Upon receiving the query information from the receiving device20, the input device10transmits reply information that contains identification information included in the IC chip110in reply to the query information (step S102). Upon receiving the reply information (step S103), the receiving device20transmits the received reply information to the information management device30(step S104). The information management device30acquires individual identification information and page identification information from the received reply information, and then acquires the time of receiving the reply information (steps S105, S106). Then, the information management device30stores the acquired individual identification information, page identification information, and time, as viewing information (step S107). Then, the information management device30reads content corresponding to the individual identification information, the page identification information and the time from the content storage unit314(step108), and transmits the read content to the information output device40(step109). Upon receiving the content from the information management device30(step S110), the information output device40outputs the content by displaying it on the display screen or audibly outputting it from the speaker (step S111).

According to the embodiment described above, opening or closing of any page of the input device10triggers an output of the content corresponding to the open page. Thus, the user can perceive both the information printed on the printed matter and the outputted content.

The printed matter120may be used as a user interface, and the user may operate the software on the information management device30. This means that, in addition to the output of the content, the software on the information management device30may be implemented according to the open page, or a command corresponding to a function on the software may be inputted. For example, this may be achieved by providing a storage unit and a control unit to the information management device30. The storage unit may store page identification information and processes to be executed. The control unit may read the process corresponding to the page identification information acquired from the storage unit and execute the read process.

According to the embodiment described, the user can intuitively operate software on the computer by carrying out a general operation of viewing a printed medium, without a special operation of causing the computer to recognize the printed medium.

According to the embodiment described above, the user can carry out an operation such as of acquiring additional information related to the item, by touching an electrode disposed to a specific area of the page.

The embodiment described above is accomplished without impairing designability of a bookbound printed medium. In addition, since the computer is wirelessly and simultaneously linked to a plurality of printed media, the present system can be used in a wide range of application.

According to the embodiment described above, as shown inFIG. 3 or 4, the electronic circuit part802is provided to the spine of the printed matter120.FIG. 18is a schematic perspective view illustrating an appearance of a printed matter120A. The printed matter120A may be partially provided with an electronic circuit part802A. For example, as shown inFIG. 18, the electronic circuit part802A may be installed in the front or rear of a hard cover.

FIG. 19is a schematic perspective view illustrating an appearance of a printed matter120B. As another mode, an electronic circuit part802B may be a sticker electrode that can be attached to a predetermined area. For example, inFIG. 19, the first determination unit connected to the viewed-page detection electrode is provided near the binder part for adding a hard cover (exterior)701to the booklet part801, while the second determination unit connected to the selected-area detection electrode is provided to a plurality of printed media702. The sticker electrode may be formed, for example, by conductive ink printing. Thus, the booklet part801can be separated from the electronic circuit part802B which includes the first and second determination units.

FIGS. 20A and 20Bare a set of diagrams including a schematic perspective view of an appearance of printed matter120C. The printed matter120C makes use of the characteristics that a capacitance change can be detected over a page. As shown inFIG. 20A, a wiring structure705, in which an electrode704is disposed in a grid form, is provided to a rear surface of a book cover703(or a rear surface of the booklet part) to detect a selected area of each page. This means that the second determination unit connected to the selected-area detection electrode is provided to the rear surface of the book cover703(or the rear surface of the booklet part).

As shown inFIG. 20B, rows and columns of electrode segments are closely disposed in the configuration pattern of the grid electrode704to enable area selection as is done on a touch panel. For example, a position on the XY plane can be detected from a relationship of the row and column numbers with the capacitance intensity. For example, the wiring of each row may be connected to an input terminal for determining a lateral position of the sensor, and the wiring of each column may be connected to an input terminal for determining a vertical position of the sensor. The wiring of the grid electrode704may be provided to the book cover703by conductive ink printing or the like.

This eliminates the need for disposing selected-area determination electrodes so as not to overlap with each other across the pages. Thus, the degree of freedom is enhanced in terms of the positions of the selectable areas.

As a matter of course, the second determination unit in the form of a grid electrode may be provided in a plurality of printed media702, instead of the configuration described above.

The information management device30in the embodiment described above may be embodied by a computer. In this case, a program that achieves this function may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium so that the computer system can read and run the program recorded on the recording medium. The computer system herein refers to one that includes an operating system (OS) and hardware such as peripheral devices. The computer-readable recording medium refers to a storage device such as a flexible disk, a magneto optical disk, a ROM, a portable medium such as a CD-ROM, or a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. The computer-readable recording medium may include a medium that dynamically retains a program in a short period of time, such as a communication line that transmits a program through a network such as the internet or a telecommunication line such as a telephone line, or a medium that retains the program for a given period of time in that case, such as a volatile memory of a computer system that serves as a server or a client. The above program may be one that implements part of the function described above, or may be one that implements the function in combination with a program recorded in advance in a computer system, or may be one that implements the function by use of a programmable logic device such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

The embodiments of the present invention have been specifically described so far with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configurations should not be limited to these embodiments but should include designs within the scope not departing from the spirit of the invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST