Computer program products and methods for displaying digital looseleaf content

Computer program products and methods for displaying information relating to one or more digital looseleafs are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer program product includes a computer usable medium having computer readable instructions embodied therein. The computer readable instructions cause a processor to display of a first table of contents page of a digital looseleaf. In response to receipt of a user selection of a representation of an individual one of the plurality of main sections, a second table of contents page is displayed overtop the first table of contents page such that an edge portion of the first table of contents page is unobstructed by the second table of contents page. In response to receipt of a user input in the edge portion of the first table of contents page, an entirety of the first table of contents page is displayed.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present specification generally relates to looseleaf publications and, more particularly, to computer program products and methods for displaying digital looseleaf content on mobile computing devices.

Technical Background

Professionals, such as legal professionals, must often transport a large number of documents, such as looseleaf documents. Looseleaf documents or services (“looseleaf”) combine information pertaining to a particular topic, such as a legal topic, from various sources (e.g., court cases, laws, law reviews, and the like). Looseleafs are commonly made up of unbound pages that are maintained in a ring binder and separated into sections by topical guide cards. For example, a looseleaf document may be organized via guide cards by main sections with various levels of sub-sections depending on the topic. Looseleaf documents are frequently updated by publication of updated sections via a looseleaf service publisher. For example, a particular section of a looseleaf document may be updated when a rule of law changes, or new court decisions have an impact on legal practice. When a section of a looseleaf is updated, a professional may remove the pages of the old section within the binder and replace them with the pages of the new, updated section, for example.

However, the transport and organization of such looseleafs may be burdensome, particularly when the professional must travel to locations away from his or her home office (e.g., trials, depositions, conferences, client visits, and the like). The professional may not wish to take on the burden of traveling with a large number of looseleaf documents. However, the professional may be in need of looseleafs that he or she left at the office or home.

Accordingly, a need exists for alternative looseleaf solutions that are less burdensome on professionals and other users.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a computer program product includes a computer usable medium having computer readable instructions embodied therein for displaying information relating to one or more digital looseleafs. The computer readable instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to effect the display of a first table of contents page of a digital looseleaf on a computer display, wherein the digital looseleaf comprises hierarchically organized content, and the first table of contents page displays a representation of a plurality of main sections associated with the hierarchically organized content. In response to receipt of a user selection of a representation of an individual one of the plurality of main sections, the computer readable instructions cause the processor to effect display of a second table of contents page overtop the first table of contents page such that an edge portion of the first table of contents page is unobstructed by the second table of contents page, wherein the second table of contents page displays a representation of a plurality of first sub-sections associated with the selected representation of the individual one of the plurality of main sections. In response to receipt of a user input in the edge portion of the first table of contents page, the computer readable instructions cause the processor to effect display of an entirety of the first table of contents page.

In another embodiment, a method in a computer system for displaying information relating to a digital looseleaf includes presenting a first table of contents page of the digital looseleaf, wherein the digital looseleaf comprises hierarchically organized content, and the first table of contents page comprises a representation of a plurality of main sections associated with the hierarchically organized content. The method further includes, in response to receipt of a user selection of a representation of an individual one of the plurality of main sections, presenting a second table of contents page overtop the first table of contents page such that an edge portion of the first table of contents page is unobstructed by the second table of contents page, wherein the second table of contents page comprises a representation of a plurality of first sub-sections associated with the selected representation of the individual one of the plurality of main sections. The method also includes, in response to receipt of a user input in the edge portion of the first table of contents page, presenting an entirety of the first table of contents page.

In yet another embodiment, a computer program product includes a computer usable medium having computer readable instructions embodied therein for displaying one or more digital looseleafs. The computer readable instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to effect the display of a representation of at least one of the one or more digital looseleafs on a computer display, and the display of an update summary of one or more digital looseleafs. In response to receipt of a user selection of the one or more digital looseleafs, the computer readable instructions cause the processor to effect the display of a first table of contents page of the selected digital looseleaf, wherein the selected digital looseleaf comprises hierarchically organized content, and the first table of contents page displays a representation of a plurality of main sections associated with the hierarchically organized content. In response to a user selection of a representation of an individual one of the plurality of main sections, the computer readable instructions cause the processor to effect the display of a second table of contents page overtop the first table of contents page such that an edge portion of the first table of contents page is unobstructed by the second table of contents page, wherein the second table of contents page displays a representation of a plurality of first sub-sections associated with the selected representation of the individual one of the plurality of main sections. In response to a user input in the edge portion of the first table of contents page, the computer readable instructions cause the processor to effect the display of an entirety of the first table of contents page.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the figures, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for the design, development, distribution and display of digital looseleafs in a digital looseleaf service e-reader application for display of content that is capable of being used on mobile electronic devices, such as tablet devices. Embodiments enable professionals to conveniently view looseleaf content on portable, compact tablet devices (as well as smart phones, laptop computers, netbook computers, and the like) when offline or online. Embodiments may enable legal organizations to lower costs of filing, managing and storing looseleaf publications, which may be organized and stored in the legal organization's library. Embodiments may also create a solution channel to package customized sets of content (at guide card level) to generate new revenue streams. Embodiments may also allow a user to quickly and efficiently review the table of contents of digital looseleafs by use of interactive table of content pages that are displayed in an overlapping arrangement. Accordingly, embodiments may take advantage of tablet devices to improve professionals' work efficiency, productivity, and satisfaction while working away from the office.

It is noted that the term “looseleaf” is used herein to describe looseleaf publications, looseleaf titles, or looseleaf services that are documents made up of individually updated content particular to a topic (e.g., a legal topic or a medical topic). Embodiments described herein allow users to view digital rather than paper looseleafs. Each digital looseleaf comprises content pages that are organized into sections (e.g., main sections and various sub-sections).

Referring now toFIG. 1, a schematic representation of a looseleaf that is composed of a plurality of content pages12A-12H from a variety of sources, such as laws, rules, legal opinions, journal articles, treatises, and the like, is illustrated. Although embodiments are described herein in the context of legal looseleafs, embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, embodiments may be directed toward looseleafs of any particular topic (e.g., contracts law). The content pages12A-12H are hierarchically organized into the looseleaf by sections (i.e., headings) of various levels. As an example and not a limitation, main sections are represented as roman numerals I, II, etc. inFIG. 1, first sub-sections are represented by capital letters A, B, etc., and second sub-sections are represented by lower case letters i, ii, etc. It should be understood that more or fewer main sections and sub-sections may be provided, and thatFIG. 1is provided for illustrative purposes only. In traditional looseleaf services, the main sections and various sub-sections may be provided on guide cards in a binder.

The content of a looseleaf is frequently updated. For example, some content of a looseleaf may be updated or added bi-weekly, weekly or even daily. For example, the content represented by content pages12A may have recently changed. Therefore, the old content represented by content pages12A may be replaced with new content represented by content pages12A. In this manner, the looseleaf is up to date with the most current information.

Embodiments of the present disclosure allow for the display of looseleaf titles and their content on mobile computing devices, such as laptops, tablets, smart phones, ultrabooks, netbooks, and the like. However, it should be understood that embodiments may also allow for the display of looseleafs on non-mobile computing devices, such as desktop computers, for example. Referring now toFIG. 2, an exemplary home screen101of a digital looseleaf e-reader application running on a mobile device is depicted. The home screen101may also be referred to as a “My Looseleafs” screen because it provides the names of available looseleafs, such as looseleafs stored locally on the mobile computing device, stored remotely (e.g., stored in the cloud), or looseleaf that are available for purchase from an online store. It should be understood that embodiments are not limited to the arrangement of graphical elements displayed throughout the figures as many other configurations are also possible. Additionally, as mobile computing devices such as tablets may be rotated between landscape mode and portrait mode, the graphical elements of the digital looseleaf application may have a different arrangement between the landscape and portrait modes.

In the illustrated embodiment, the home screen101includes a Store link115in an upper header portion of the screen. Selection of the Store link115by a user (e.g., mouse click, or tapping of the touch screen) may cause the mobile computing device to display an online store screen, such as the iTunes Store offered by Apple, Inc., the Google Play store offered by Google, Inc., or a proprietary online store that offers digital looseleafs for purchase.

The illustrated home screen101further includes a Settings button118that causes the mobile computing device to display a settings screen (not shown) that allows for a user to select various settings, such as, without limitation, font type, font size, display brightness, default launch page when the digital looseleafs application is launched, etc. In some embodiments, the Store link115and the Settings button118may be present on every screen that is displayed.

The illustrated home screen101provides a graphical representation of the digital looseleaf titles that are available to the user, either locally or for download. In the exemplary embodiment depicted inFIG. 2, “Mitchell's Uniform Civil Procedure” digital looseleaf100A and “Wordsworth's Criminal Law” digital looseleaf100B are shown. As shown inFIG. 2, the “Wordsword's Criminal Law” digital looseleaf100B has not been downloaded, as indicated by the Download button114B that is present. The user may download this particular digital looseleaf100B by selecting the Download button114B. As an example and not a limitation the particular digital looseleaf100B may have been previously purchased by the user, but not yet downloaded to his or her mobile computing device. Alternatively, the particular digital looseleaf100B may be available for purchase and displayed in the home screen101. An update icon116may be provided to provide an indication that an update is available.

An options menu110A,110B is provided for each digital looseleaf100A,100B, respectively. As described in more detail below, the options menu110A,110B allows a user to view to the table of contents of the particular digital looseleaf (“Table of Contents” link111), view previously entered annotations of the particular digital looseleaf (“My Annotations” link112), and view the index of the particular digital looseleaf (“Index” link113) directly from the home screen101. In some embodiments, the user may be able to horizontally scroll the portion of the home screen that depicts the graphical representation of the digital looseleafs to reveal graphical representations of additional digital looseleafs. For example, the user may slide his or her finger across the touch screen on the displayed digital looseleafs100A,100B from the right to the left to move the displayed digital looseleafs to the left and cause the display of the mobile computing device to display graphical representations of additional digital looseleafs that are positioned to the right of the displayed digital looseleafs100A,100B. It should be understood that the graphical representations of digital looseleafs may also be scrolled from left to right, and by use of a mouse or other user input device.

In embodiments, each graphical representation of a digital looseleaf100A,100B includes an information button117that provides information about the particular digital looseleaf100A,100B when selected by the user. Information such as publisher information, update information, information regarding the content of the digital looseleaf, current version number of the digital looseleaf, and the like may be displayed.

In the exemplary home screen101depicted inFIG. 2, a Recent History portion120of the home screen101is provided to give the user a glimpse of recently viewed pages of various digital looseleafs. The Recent History portion120may contain recent history summaries121A-121D that provide information regarding the recently viewed digital looseleafs, such as the pages viewed, the data and time viewed, and portion of text of the pages viewed, etc. The Recent History portion120may also be configured to allow a user to scroll left and right to view additional recent history summaries. Selection of a recent history summary121A-121D may cause the mobile computing device to display the particular digital looseleaf content page described in the selected recent history summary121A-121D. Accordingly, the home screen101may allow the user to quickly view recently viewed digital looseleaf content.

Having introduced an example home screen101of a digital looseleaf e-reader application above, a system200of producing, distributing and displaying digital looseleaf content is schematically illustrated inFIG. 3A. The diagram illustrating the system200depicted inFIG. 3Ais described from left to right. It should be understood that the system200depicted inFIG. 3Ais for illustrative purposes only, and that other system configurations are possible. Information regarding subscriptions for looseleaf content (either traditional paper looseleafs or digital looseleafs) may be stored at a subscription repository or system206. Such information may include, but is not limited to, looseleaf titles, subscription type (annual subscription, monthly subscription, charge per issue (CPI) subscription, and the like), credential information, mobile computing device ID, etc. The subscription information may be provided to a subscription management system (block210) that is managed by personnel208, such as administrators, customer relations personnel, e-commerce personnel, account managers, and the like. For example, personnel may set up and maintain digital looseleaf e-reader accounts within the subscription management system. The subscription management system210, which may be provided on a computing device, such as a server computing device, provides information to delivery service module block212configured to electronically deliver digital looseleafs to customers, as described below.

The digital looseleaf titles may be published and packaged at the digital looseleaf preparation module202. As an example and not a limitation, digital looseleafs may be packaged and encrypted into digital looseleaf extended markup language (“XML”) files for distribution via the delivery service module212. It should be understood that embodiments are not limited to XML files, and that other file formats may be utilized. The content of the digital looseleaf XML files may be provided by a variety of sources, such as the original publishers of the looseleaf. The packaged digital looseleaf XML files may be stored in a digital looseleaf repository204that is accessed by the delivery service module212. The packaging, encrypting and validating of digital looseleaf XML files, as well as their storage, may be provided by one or more computer server devices, for example. In some embodiments, the digital looseleaf preparation module202may be configured to automatically generate a table of contents based on existing and recently updated content. For example, a particular digital looseleaf title may have been updated by inclusion of a new sub-section. During digital looseleaf preparation, the digital looseleaf preparation module202may automatically update the table of contents associated with the particular digital looseleaf title to include reference to the new sub-section. In this manner, the table of contents for each digital looseleaf title is always up to date.

The delivery service module212receives subscription information from the subscription management system210, and accesses the digital looseleaf repository204. The delivery service module212, which may be a combination of hardware and software of a computer server device, for example, retrieves digital looseleaf XML files from the digital looseleaf repository204for each subscriber according to the subscription information from the subscription management system210. The delivery service module212may allow a user to download digital looseleaf titles according to his or her subscription, as well as provide the user with updates to his or her digital looseleaf titles when they are available. For example, customer X may receive “Mitchell's Uniform Civil Procedure” digital looseleaf100A and “Wordsworth's Criminal Law” digital looseleaf100B according to his or her subscription (e.g., he or she has purchased these titles from an e-store, or these titles are available according to terms of his or her subscription). The delivery service module212may allow user X to then download these titles as well as receive updates.

The system200depicted inFIG. 3Ashows a first, second and third mobile computing device214A-214C that are used by end-users (i.e., customers). As shown inFIG. 3A, the mobile computing devices214A-214C may be configured as tablet devices (mobile computing devices214A and214B) as well as a laptop device (mobile computing device214C). The mobile computing device may be any device capable of running the digital looseleaf e-reader application. The delivery service module212may be coupled to the individual mobile computing devices214A-214C by a communications network, such as the Internet via wired and/or wireless connections. Users may receive digital looseleafs from the delivery service module212, as well as provide information to the subscription management system210via the communications network and the delivery service module212. The mobile computing device214A-214C may be communicatively coupled to one or more online stores216A-216C to purchase digital looseleafs depending on the type of mobile computing device. Exemplary online stores include, but are not limited to, the iTunes store offered by Apple, Inc., Google Play offered by Google, Inc., as well as proprietary online stores. Users may access the online stores216A-216C to purchase digital looseleaf content as well as manage their subscriptions, for example.

FIG. 3Bschematically depicts exemplary components of an example mobile computing device214operable to execute the digital looseleaf e-reader applications described herein. It should be understood that the components of the mobile computing device214depicted inFIG. 3Bare provided for illustrative purposes only as the mobile computing device may take on many forms. Accordingly, it should be understood that the components illustrated inFIG. 3Bare merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

The mobile computing device may include a processor230, input/output hardware232, network interface hardware234, a data storage component236(which may store digital looseleaf data238as well as other data239) and a memory component241. The memory component241may be configured as volatile and/or nonvolatile computer readable medium and, as such, may include random access memory (including SRAM, DRAM, and/or other types of random access memory), flash memory, registers, and/or other types of storage components. Additionally, the memory component241may be configured to store operating logic242(e.g., the operating system of the mobile device), and digital looseleaf application logic244(each of which may be embodied as computer readable program code, firmware, or hardware, as an example). A local interface246is also included inFIG. 3Aand may be implemented as a bus or other interface to facilitate communication among the components of the mobile computing device214. It should be understood that the memory component241and the data storage component236may be configured as a single computer readable medium component rather than distinct computer readable medium components.

The processor230may include any processing component configured to receive and execute computer readable code instructions (such as from the data storage component236and/or memory component241). The input/output hardware232may include a graphics display device, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, and/or other device for receiving, sending, and/or presenting data. The network interface hardware234may include any wired or wireless networking hardware, such as a modem, LAN port, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) card, WiMax card, mobile communications hardware, and/or other hardware for communicating with other networks and/or devices, such as the delivery service module212.

As illustrated inFIG. 3B, the data storage component236may store digital looseleaf data238, which in at least one embodiment includes digital looseleaf documents (e.g., digital looseleaf XML files). The digital looseleaf documents may be directed to different topics, such as legal subjects, for example. Other data239may be stored in the data storage component236to provide support for functionalities described herein.

Included in the memory component241may be the operating logic242, and the digital looseleaf application logic244. The operating logic242may include an operating system and/or other software for managing components of the mobile computing device214(e.g., iOS provided by Apple, Inc. or Android provided by Google, Inc.). The operating logic may also include computer readable program code for displaying the graphical user interface. Similarly, the digital looseleaf application logic244may reside in the memory component241and may be configured to facilitate display of electronic digital looseleafs in an e-reader environment.

Referring now toFIG. 4, an exemplary login screen102of a digital looseleaf e-reader application is illustrated. A user may provide his or her credentials into the login screen102to gain access to the digital looseleaf e-reader application and associated digital looseleafs. For example, the login screen102may prompt the user to enter his or her user name or e-mail address into a user name text field122, and a password into a password text field123. These credentials may be verified locally on the mobile computing device214. If the mobile computing device214is connected to the Internet, the credentials may be checked against the subscription management system212. As an example and not a limitation, if it is the first time that the user has signed in, the user may be prompted to change his or her password. The new password and device ID may then be associated with the user's mobile computing device214. If the credentials cannot be verified, an error message may be shown and an option to reset the password by e-mail may be presented to the user on the display of the mobile computing device214.

After the credentials of the user have been verified, the home screen (i.e., My Looseleafs screen) is displayed to the user. Referring now toFIG. 5, an example home screen101′ is illustrated. The home screen101′ depicted is an alternative embodiment of the home screen101depicted inFIG. 2. It should be understood that other configurations are also possible. In the home screen101′ depicted inFIG. 5, the graphical representations of digital looseleafs100A′-100D′ are arranged vertically. When a user taps or otherwise selects an individual digital looseleaf100A′-100D′, a summary126that is associated with the selected digital looseleaf may be displayed. The summary126may display information that is relevant to the selected digital looseleaf, such as Recent History127(content pages recently viewed by the user), Recent Bookmarks128(recent bookmarks saved by the user) and Recent Highlights129(recent text highlighted by the user using annotation functionality). More information may also be provided in the summary126display. Selection of the entries provided in the summary126display by the user may cause the relevant content (e.g., recently viewed content page, bookmarked content page, highlighted text of a content page) to be displayed.

In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 5, a status119displays that there are updates for digital looseleafs available for download. A user may download a digital looseleaf, as well as any updates, by selecting the Download button114(or update button) associated with a digital looseleaf.

Referring toFIG. 6, selection (e.g., double tapping, double clicking or other method) a graphical representation of a digital looseleaf100A′-100D′ causes the mobile computing device214to display a digital looseleaf table of contents screen103for the selected digital looseleaf. Generally, the example table of contents screen103displays the title of the selected digital looseleaf (e.g., “Conner's Uniform Civil Procedure”), a navigation button130to return the user to the home screen, a search text field133(e.g., a text prompt) for receiving a user-entered search query, a first table of contents page140, option buttons134,136, and138and update summary137.

The search text field133prompts a user to enter a search query to search for terms within the selected digital looseleaf. For example, as shown inFIG. 8A, the user has entered the phrase “service of a document” into the search text field133, which then displays a content page150containing this phrase.

Still referring toFIG. 6, an information button139may also be provided to display miscellaneous information, such as publication information, description of the digital looseleaf, last update date of the digital looseleaf, current version number of the digital looseleaf, etc. Additionally, the update summary137may provide the user with update information at a glance. The functional buttons of the illustrated embodiment include a table of contents button134, which displays the table of contents page(s) of the selected digital looseleaf. It is noted that the table of contents button134is selected in the illustrated main screen such that the first table of contents page140is displayed. As described in more detail below, the functional buttons also include an annotations button136that, when selected by the user, provides annotation functionalities, and an index button138, that displays index information regarding the selected digital looseleaf.

As described above, the content of looseleafs is hierarchically organized main sections and multiple layers of sub-sections. In paper looseleafs, the main sections and sub-sections are denoted by guidecards within a looseleaf binder. In the digital looseleafs described herein, the main sections and sub-sections are displayed in multiple table of contents pages. InFIG. 6, a first table of contents page140displaying a plurality of main sections142of the selected digital looseleaf is displayed. The main sections142represent the top-most level sections of the selected digital looseleaf. Exemplary main section titles are shown inFIG. 6. It should be understood that the main sections will depend on the content of the particular digital looseleaf. A scroll indicator141may be provided on the first table of contents page140(as well as subsequent table of contents pages) to indicate a position within the first table of contents page140.

Selection of an individual main section within the first table of contents page140may cause a second table of contents page to be displayed overtop of the first table of content page unless there are no sub-sections under the selected main section. If there are no sub-sections under a selected main section (or sub-section), the content page including the text associated with the selected main section (or sub-section) is displayed. Referring now toFIG. 7, a table of contents screen103with several table of contents pages displayed is illustrated. The first table of contents page140that was depicted inFIG. 6is partially visible on the left side of the display. As an example, the user has selected the “Other Legislation” main section as indicated by dashed enclosed region144. A second table of contents page143A displaying a plurality of sub-sections associated with the selected main section (e.g., “Other Legislation”) is displayed overtop the first table of contents page140such that a majority of the first table of contents page140to be obstructed. However, an edge portion145of the first table of contents page140is still visible and unobstructed by the second table of contents page143A. Similarly, a third table of contents page143B is displayed overtop the second table of contents page143A (in response to selection of a sub-section of the second table of contents page143A) such that an edge portion146of the second table of contents page143A is visible, and a fourth table of contents page143C is displayed overtop the third table of contents page143B (in response to a selection of a sub-section of the second table of contents page143B) such that an edge portion147of the third table of contents page143B is visible.

The overlapping arrangement of the table of contents pages140,143A-143C allows a user to visualize the organization of desired portions of the digital looseleaf without the use of a large hierarchical tree that may be difficult to display on a mobile computing device display. Only the content relevant to the user is displayed on the screen of the mobile computing device via the overlapping table of content pages. A user may move back to a previous table of contents page by touching (or clicking) its edge portion (e.g., edge portion145,146or147) and therefore quickly navigate to desired content without being required to navigate many different screens. For example, the user may decide to view the content of a “Defamation” sub-section under the “Other Legislation” main section from the view depicted inFIG. 7. He or she may touch (or click) the edge portion146of the second table of contents page143A that is unobstructed by the third table of contents page143B, and then select a “Defamation” sub-heading, followed by one or more sub-headings presented on one or more additional table of contents pages.

Sub-sections that do not have subsequent sub-sections associated with them are configured as content links that, when selected by the user, displays the appropriate content page of the selected sub-section rather than additional table of content pages. Accordingly, a user may drill down to the desired content using the overlapping table of contents pages. Still referring toFIG. 7, and as an example, selection of the “DIVISION 3 COSTS DISCLOSURE” sub-section on the fourth table of contents page143C may cause the content page of this selected sub-section to be displayed because there are no more sub-sections associated with it.

The text of an opened digital looseleaf may be searched in any screen having the search text field133. In the illustrated embodiment, the user has typed “Service of a document” into the search text field133, which has highlighted the phrase152in the text of the content page screen104. Referring now toFIG. 8B, a results menu190may be displayed when a user enters a search query into the search text field133. The results menu190may be displayed over the current screen that is displayed. In the illustrated embodiment, the results menu190is shown as overlapping the content page screen104because the user entered text into the search text field133of a contents page screen104. After the user has entered some text into the search text field133, a list of search results192may be shown. The user may scroll through the list of search results192using the touch-screen, mouse or other input device. A scroll indicator196may be provided to give visual feedback as to the displayed position within the results menu190. Additionally, a “Narrow by” menu194may be provided to allow the user to narrow his or her search results to a particular category of content, such as legislation content, commentary content, forms and procedures, statutes, and the like. When a user selects one of these categories in the “Narrow by” menu, only results meeting the selected category will be displayed in list of search results192. Selection of one of the results in the list of search results192brings up the corresponding content page screen104.

Referring now toFIG. 9, embodiments may allow a user to annotate portions of his or her digital looseleafs. Selection of the annotations button136may cause the mobile computing device214to display an annotations screen105. The annotations screen105displays all of the saved annotations that the user has made in the selected digital looseleaf. Annotations may be in the form of highlighted text, notes, audio notes, and the like. For example, a user may select portions of text with his or finger, or using a mouse. The selected text may be highlighted and saved for later display. Additionally, text may be copied to the clipboard memory, pages and paragraphs may be bookmarked for later access, and pages may be e-mailed/shared. These annotation options may be provided in a pop-up or other menu (not shown).

In some embodiments, the user may select to display both highlighted text and notes, only highlighted text, or only notes using selection options160. In the illustrated embodiments, the annotation screen105is set to display both highlighted text and notes. Portion162of the annotations screen105displays the section (i.e., main section or sub-section) in which the highlighted text or note appears. Annotation indicators165A and165B correspond to notes, while annotation indicators167A-167C correspond to highlighted text. Portion164of the annotations screen105displays a preview of the text of the highlights text, or a preview of the saved notes. Portion166of the annotations screen105displays the date on which the highlighted text was selected or the date on which the note was created and saved.

FIG. 10illustrates an example of a note170corresponding to selected text of a content page screen104. The note170may be created by selecting text within the content page screen104and selecting an add note option from a menu, for example. In the illustrated embodiment, the note is graphically represented by a sticky note that appears overtop the content page screen104, and has a note text region174, an options region172, and a date region171that displays the date on which the note170was created. The user may type text into the text region174of the note. The options region172may provide the user with various options, such as editing the text of the note170after it has been saved, copying the text of the note to the clipboard memory of the mobile computing device, sending the text of the note170in an e-mail, or deleting the note170. Other options are also possible. In some embodiments, a corner176of the note170appears to peel back to give the appearance of a real sticky note. The user may, for example, remove the note170from content page screen104by touching the corner176and moving his or her finger toward the opposite top corner to “peel” the sticky note170off of the screen and reveal the underlying content page screen104. A graphical representation179of the note170may appear next to the paragraph of the text associated with the note170to indicate to the user that a note regarding the particular paragraph is saved. User selection of the graphical representation179of the note170may cause the note170to reappear on the display as shown inFIG. 10.

Referring now toFIG. 11, selection of the index button138may cause the mobile computing device214to display the index screen106. A user may operate the index screen106as an index of a book to search for certain key words and concepts. Index terms and phrases are provided in a results list184. In the illustrated embodiment, an alphabet portion180is displayed that provides the letters of the alphabet. It is noted that if a letter does not appear as the first letter of a term or phrase in the index, it is not displayed in the alphabet portion (e.g., the letter “z” in the illustrated embodiment). A user may also choose to scroll a results list184rather than using the alphabet portion to jump to terms having a certain letter.

In some embodiments, selection of a letter causes an additional selection menu182to be displayed that lists the letter chosen as well as second letter options (e.g., “da,” “de,” “di,” etc.) of index terms and phrases having the selected letter as the first letter. Selection of a first and second letter in the additional selection menu182causes a results list184to be updated with index terms and phrases having the selected first and second letters (e.g., selection of “do” in the illustrated embodiment causes “documents” to appear in the results list184). Selecting an item in the results list184may take the user directly to the content page screen associated with the item selected.

It should be understood that embodiments described herein enable professionals to conveniently view frequently updated looseleaf content on mobile computing devices, such as tablets and laptop computers, when offline or online. Embodiments may enable legal organizations to lower costs of filing, managing and storing looseleaf publications, which may be organized and stored in the legal organization's library. Embodiments also allow a user to quickly and efficiently review the table of contents of digital looseleafs by use of interactive table of content pages that are displayed in an overlapping arrangement.