Systems and methods for memorization of an electronic publication

The present approach includes presenting an e-book having content, in which the content includes selected content and non-selected content. The method includes receiving a first prompt to hide the selected content of the e-book and hiding the selected content, in response to the first prompt, while presenting the non-selected content of the e-book. The method further includes receiving a second prompt to reveal the hidden content of the e-book and temporarily revealing the hidden content, in response to the second prompt, while presenting the non-selected content of the e-book.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic publications, such as electronic textbooks (e-textbooks) or other electronic books (e-books). More specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for aiding a reader in the study and/or memorization of electronic publications.

Electronic publications, such as electronic textbooks (e-textbooks) and other electronic books (e-books), are becoming a common feature in modern entertainment and education. In education, e-textbooks are gaining popularity due, in part, to the rising concerns over the cost and environmental impact associated with printing, distributing, revising, and disposing of paper textbooks. E-textbooks may also afford a more engaging multimedia experience for the reader than typical textbooks, potentially involving text, static images, dynamic images (e.g., 3D models, animated diagrams, and/or interactive charts), videos, audio clips, and so forth, woven together to immerse the reader in the topic. Like typical textbooks, students may be expected to study and/or memorize portions of the content of an e-textbook, for example, in preparation for a quiz or exam.

SUMMARY

The presently disclosed systems and methods enable a reader of an electronic publication, such as an electronic textbook (e-textbook) or other electronic book (e-book), to select portions of the content of the electronic publication for study. The content may include any textual content (e.g., text from the publisher, notes created by the reader, and/or dynamic text from an online source) or graphical content (e.g., static or dynamic images, animations, and/or videos). These selected portions of the content may be initially highlighted (e.g., visually differentiated) from the non-selected portions for study by the reader. Further, the reader may interact with the electronic publication to have these highlighted portions hidden (e.g., obscured by a mark, erased, or otherwise hidden) from view while the non-selected portions of the content remain visible. Using the visible content, the reader may attempt to recall the hidden content from memory. Then, the reader may interact with the a portion of the hidden content of the electronic publication to have that portion of the hidden content temporarily revealed. In certain embodiments, the revealed content may automatically return to a hidden state after a predetermined period of time has passed (e.g., based on a signal from a timer element). In other embodiments, the reader may interact with the revealed content, causing the revealed content to return to a hidden state. In certain embodiments, the highlighted portions of the content, and possibly surrounding non-selected portions of the content, may be automatically converted into a flash card format for further study by the reader.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

A reader of an electronic publication may interact with an electronic publication to initially consume information. The reader may also return to the electronic publication to study and/or memorize content as well. For example, a student may desire to study and/or memorize portions of the content of an e-textbook, for example, in preparation for an upcoming quiz or exam. As such, the student may, for example, initially read an assigned chapter of an e-textbook, and may further consider certain portions of the content particularly relevant. For example, the student may consider a particular term used in the text to be a likely source of a test question, or the student may consider a piece of content as key to understanding an overall concept. Accordingly, the student may interact with the e-textbook to highlight or otherwise emphasize or visually differentiate these identified portions of the content of the e-textbook. As set forth in detail below, the highlighted content may be any visual static or dynamic content of the e-textbook, such as text, notes, images, movies, or any other suitable visual content.

Once the reader has highlighted relevant portions of the electronic publication, the reader may subsequently return to these portions of the electronic publication for study. Presently disclosed embodiments enable the reader to hide selected portions of the content of the electronic publication (i.e., “hidelighting”) such that the reader may be able to view and study pages of the e-textbook with the critical information concealed from view. Furthermore, presently disclosed embodiments enable the reader to temporarily reveal the hidden portions of the e-textbook content. In this manner, present embodiments enable the reader to view the surrounding context of a critical piece of information that is hidden, allowing the reader to attempt to recall the hidden content before it is temporality revealed. By providing context for the reader to remember the hidden content, and by enabling the reader to determine whether they have correctly recalled the information by temporarily reviewing the hidden content, present embodiments may improve the reader's ability to memorize both the hidden content as well as the surrounding context content of the e-textbook.

With the foregoing in mind, a general description is provided below of suitable electronic devices that may be used by a reader to view and interact with an electronic publication. In particular,FIG. 1is a block diagram depicting various components that may be present in an electronic device suitable for presenting an electronic publication for reading and study, as described herein.FIGS. 2 and 3respectively illustrate perspective and front views of suitable electronic devices, which may be, as illustrated, a handheld electronic device (e.g., a tablet computer) or other mobile computing device (e.g., a laptop computer).

An example of an electronic device suitable for the techniques described herein may include various internal and/or external components. For example,FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating the components that may be present in such an electronic device8, allowing the electronic device8to function. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various functional blocks shown inFIG. 1may comprise hardware elements (including circuitry), software elements (including computer code stored on a computer-readable medium), or a combination of both hardware and software elements. It should further be noted thatFIG. 1is merely one example of a particular implementation and is merely intended to illustrate the types of components that may be present in a device8. For example, in the presently illustrated embodiment, these components may include a display10, I/O ports12, input structures14, one or more processors16, a memory device18, a non-volatile storage20, expansion card(s)22, a networking device24, and a power source26.

With regard to each of these components, the display10may be used to display various images generated by the device8. The display10may be an LCD, OLED-type display, or other suitable display device. Additionally, in certain embodiments of the electronic device8, the display10may be provided in conjunction with a touch-sensitive element, such as a touchscreen, that may be used as part of the control interface for the device8.

The I/O ports12may include ports configured to connect to a variety of external devices, such as a power source, headset or headphones, or other electronic devices (such as handheld devices and/or computers, printers, projectors, external displays, modems, docking stations, and so forth). The I/O ports12may support any interface type, such as a universal serial bus (USB) port, a video port, a serial connection port, an IEEE-1394 or Firewire™ port, a Thunderbolt™ port, an Ethernet or modem port, and/or an AC/DC power connection port.

The input structures14may include the various devices, circuitry, and pathways by which user input or feedback is provided to the processor16. Such input structures14may be configured to control a function of the device8, applications running on the device8, and/or any interfaces or devices connected to or used by the electronic device8. For example, the input structures14may allow a user to navigate a displayed user interface or application interface. Examples of the input structures14may include buttons, sliders, switches, control pads, keys, knobs, scroll wheels, keyboards, mice, touchpads, internal accelerometers, and so forth.

In certain embodiments, an input structure14and display10may be provided together, such as in the case of a touchscreen where a touch sensitive mechanism is provided in conjunction with the display10. In such embodiments, the user may select or interact with displayed interface elements via the touch sensitive mechanism. In this way, the displayed interface may provide interactive functionality, allowing a user to navigate the displayed interface by touching the display10.

User interaction with the input structures14, such as to interact with a user or application interface displayed on the display10, may generate electrical signals indicative of the user input. These input signals may be routed via suitable pathways, such as an input hub or bus, to the processor(s)16for further processing.

The processor(s)16may provide the processing capability to execute the operating system, programs, user and application interfaces (e.g., an e-book user interface), and any other functions of the electronic device8. The processor(s)16may include one or more microprocessors, such as one or more “general-purpose” microprocessors, one or more special-purpose microprocessors and/or ASICS, or some combination of such processing components. For example, the processor16may include one or more central processing units (CPUs), physics processors, graphics processors, video processors, audio processors and/or related chip sets.

The instructions or data to be processed by the processor(s)16may be stored in a computer-readable medium, such as a memory18. Such a memory18may be provided as a volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and/or as a non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM). The memory18may store a variety of information and may be used for various purposes. For example, the memory18may store firmware for the electronic device8(such as a basic input/output instruction or operating system instructions), various programs, applications, or routines executed on the electronic device8, user interface functions, processor functions, and so forth. In addition, the memory18may be used for buffering or caching during operation of the electronic device8.

The components may further include other forms of computer-readable media, such as a non-volatile storage20, for persistent storage of data and/or instructions. The non-volatile storage20may include flash memory, a hard drive, or any other optical, magnetic, and/or solid-state storage media. The non-volatile storage20may be used to store firmware, data files, software, hardware configuration information, and any other suitable data.

The embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1may also include one or more card or expansion slots. The card slots may be configured to receive an expansion card22that may be used to add functionality, such as additional memory, I/O functionality, or networking capability, to the electronic device8. Such an expansion card22may connect to the device through any type of suitable connector, and may be accessed internally or external to the housing of the electronic device8. For example, in one embodiment, the expansion card22may be a flash memory card, such as a SecureDigital (SD) card, mini- or microSD, CompactFlash card, Multimedia card (MMC), or the like.

The components depicted inFIG. 1also include a network device24, such as a network controller or a network interface card (NIC). In one embodiment, the network device24may be a wireless NIC providing wireless connectivity over any 802.11 standard; any 2G, 3G, or 4G cellular data standard; or any other suitable wireless networking standard. The network device24may allow the electronic device8to communicate over a network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), or the Internet. Further, the electronic device8may connect to and send or receive data with any device on the network, such as portable electronic devices, personal computers, printers, and so forth. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the electronic device8may not include a network device24. In such an embodiment, a NIC may be added as an expansion card22to provide similar networking capability as described above.

Further, the components may also include a power source26. In one embodiment, the power source26may be one or more batteries, such as a lithium-ion polymer battery or other type of suitable battery. The battery may be user-removable or may be secured within the housing of the electronic device8and may be rechargeable. Additionally, the power source26may include AC power, such as provided by an electrical outlet, and the electronic device8may be connected to the power source26via a power adapter. This power adapter may also be used to recharge one or more batteries, if present.

With the foregoing in mind,FIG. 2illustrates an electronic device8in the form of a handheld device30, here a tablet computer. By way of example, the handheld device30may be a model of an iPad®, iPod®, or iPhone® available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. It should be noted that while the depicted handheld device30is provided in the context of a tablet computer, other types of handheld devices (such as media players for playing music and/or video, personal data organizers, handheld game platforms, electronic books, handheld GPS navigation units, and/or combinations of such devices) may also be suitably provided as the electronic device8. Further, a suitable handheld device30may incorporate the functionality of one or more types of devices, such as a media player, a cellular phone, a gaming platform, an electronic book, a personal data organizer, and so forth.

For example, in the depicted embodiment, the handheld device30is in the form of a tablet computer that may provide various functionalities (such as the ability to take pictures, record audio and/or video, listen to music, play games, map travel routes, and so forth) in addition to viewing and interacting with electronic texts. As discussed with respect to the general electronic device ofFIG. 1, the handheld device30may allow a user to connect to and communicate through the Internet or through other networks, such as local or wide area networks. The handheld electronic device30, may also communicate with other devices using short-range connections, such as Bluetooth and near field communication.

In the depicted embodiment, the handheld device30includes an enclosure or body that protects the interior components from physical damage and shields them from electromagnetic interference. The enclosure may be formed from any suitable material such as plastic, metal, or a composite material and may allow certain frequencies of electromagnetic radiation to pass through to wireless communication circuitry within the handheld device30to facilitate wireless communication.

In the depicted embodiment, the enclosure includes user input structures14through which a user may interface with the device. Each user input structure14may be configured to help control a device function when actuated. For example, in a table computer implementation, one or more of the input structures14may be configured to invoke a “home” screen or menu to be displayed, to toggle between a sleep and a wake mode, adjust the volume of audible feedback, and so forth.

In the depicted embodiment, the handheld device30includes a display10in the form of an LCD32. The LCD32may be used to display a graphical user interface (GUI)34that allows a user to interact with the handheld device30. The GUI34may include various layers, windows, screens, templates, or other graphical elements that may be displayed in all, or a portion, of the LCD32. Generally, the GUI34may include graphical elements that represent applications and functions of the electronic device. The graphical elements may include icons36and other images representing buttons, sliders, menu bars, and the like. The icons36may correspond to various applications of the electronic device that may open upon selection of a respective icon36. Furthermore, selection of an icon36may lead to a hierarchical navigation process, such that selection of an icon36leads to a screen that includes one or more additional icons or other GUI elements. The icons36may be selected via a touchscreen included in the display10, or may be selected by a user input structure14, such as a wheel or button.

The handheld electronic device30also may include various input and output (I/O) ports12that allow connection of the handheld device30to external devices. For example, one I/O port12may be a port that allows the transmission and reception of data or commands between the handheld electronic device30and another electronic device, such as a computer. Such an I/O port12may be a proprietary port from Apple Inc. or may be an open standard I/O port.

In addition to handheld devices30, such as the depicted tablet computer ofFIG. 2, an electronic device8may also take the form of a computer or other type of electronic device. Such computers may include computers that are generally portable (such as laptop, notebook, and tablet computers) as well as computers that are generally used in one place (such as conventional desktop computers, workstations and/or servers). In certain embodiments, the electronic device8in the form of a computer may be a model of a MacBook®, MacBook® Pro, MacBook Air®, iMac®, Mac® mini, or Mac Pro® available from Apple Inc. By way of example, an electronic device8in the form of a laptop computer50is illustrated inFIG. 3, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The depicted computer50includes a housing52, a display10(such as the depicted LCD32), input structures14, and input/output ports12.

In one embodiment, the input structures14(such as a keyboard and/or touchpad) may be used to interact with the computer50, such as to start, control, or operate a GUI or applications (e.g., an electronic book application) running on the computer50. For example, a keyboard and/or touchpad may allow a user to navigate a user interface or application interface displayed on the LCD32.

As depicted, the electronic device8in the form of computer50may also include various input and output ports12to allow connection of additional devices. For example, the computer50may include an I/O port12, such as a USB port, Thunderbolt® port, or other port, suitable for connecting to another electronic device, a projector, a supplemental display, and so forth. In addition, the computer50may include network connectivity, memory, and storage capabilities, as described with respect toFIG. 1. As a result, the computer50may store and execute a GUI and other applications (e.g., an electronic book application having a user interface).

With the foregoing in mind,FIGS. 5-8illustrate an embodiment of a page70of an e-textbook, such as might be presented on the electronic device8(e.g., tablet computer30and/or laptop computer50). In particular,FIGS. 5-8illustrate the page70of the e-textbook during various stages of the embodiment of the “hidelighting” process60illustrated inFIG. 4. As such,FIGS. 5-8may generally incorporate a number of common elements as well as distinct elements corresponding to the particular portion of the process60being illustrated.

The “hidelighting” process60illustrated inFIG. 4begins with the electronic device8(e.g., tablet computer30and/or laptop computer50) presenting (block62) an electronic publication (e.g., a portion of an e-textbook or other suitable electronic document or publication) to a reader. For example, the electronic device8may present a page70of an e-textbook, as illustrated inFIG. 5. The illustrated page70of the e-textbook has a number of different types of content, including textual content (e.g., text element72) and graphical elements (e.g., interactive image74and movie76), all pertaining to the basics of the biological cell in the depicted example. It should be appreciated that these types of content are merely non-limiting examples and that any static or dynamic (e.g., changing, regularly updated, and/or interactive) content of an electronic publication may be suitable for use with the present technique.

The text element72may include descriptive text explaining a particular concept. The contents of text element72may be static or dynamic. For example, based on newer or updated versions of the e-textbook, the contents of the text element72may automatically be updated through communication with a remote server. Additionally, for example, the contents of the text element72may also be interactive such that a reader may be able to select or indicate a particular term from the contents of the text element72and have a definition of the term be automatically presented (e.g., from a dictionary in an appendix of the e-textbook). Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the text element72may include links (e.g., hyperlinks or other navigational links) that a reader may use to access other materials (e.g., via the Internet) related to a particular topic.

The illustrated interactive image74of the page70includes a number of interactive elements78that may be used to instruct the reader. For example, the depicted interactive image74includes interactive elements78pertaining to the various steps of biological cell division. Using a user input structure14of the electronic device8(e.g., a touchscreen, touchpad, mouse, or other suitable input device) a reader may interact with the interactive element78of the interactive image74. Upon receiving user interaction, the interactive elements78may alter the appearance of the interactive element (e.g., alter the appearance of the element and/or present additional information regarding the element). In certain embodiments, the interactive image74may be animated and, accordingly, the appearance of the interactive78may be altered on a regular time interval in order to convey the steps of a process (e.g., cell division, nitrogen cycle, electrical circuits, and so forth) to the reader. In other embodiments, the page70of the e-textbook may, additionally or alternatively, include static images that may not substantially change appearance with user interaction, with the notable exception of the “hidelighting” process discussed below.

The illustrated movie76of the page70of the e-textbook may be any suitable movie or video file. For example, the illustrated movie76pertains to biological cell division. In certain embodiments, upon presenting the page70to the reader, the movie76may automatically play without user interaction. In other embodiments, the movie76may be responsive to interactions from user input structures14in order to play, pause, stop, or otherwise control the presentation of the movie76. In other embodiments, the interactive image74may operate in conjunction with the movie76such that the portions of the movie76presented to the reader correspond to a reader's interaction with other content (e.g., the interactive element78of the interactive image74).

Turning once again toFIG. 4, the next step in the illustrated “hidelighting” process60involves the electronic device8receiving (block64) one or more selections from the reader corresponding to portions of the content (e.g., the various textual and graphical elements) of the electronic publication. That is, the reader may utilize a user input structures14of the electronic device8(e.g., a touchscreen, touchpad, mouse, or other suitable input structure14) to select or highlight particular terms. In certain embodiments, the reader may interact with the e-textbook (e.g., via user inputs14) by selecting a single word, a phrase or group of words, portions of an image or movie, and so forth, using a touch, a swipe, a mouse click, or other suitable input gesture. For example,FIG. 6illustrates the page70of the electronic publication illustrated inFIG. 5, in which the reader is providing input79(e.g., via a user input structure14) to select and highlight a portion of the text element72.

Turning once more toFIG. 4, once the electronic device8has received one or more content selections from the reader, the electronic device may highlight (block65) the selected portions of the content when displaying the electronic publication to the reader. For example, turning again toFIG. 6, the page70has various portions of the content highlighted. The page70illustrated inFIG. 6includes a text element72having a number of terms that have been selected based on input (e.g., input79) received from the reader. By specific example, the illustrated text element72includes highlighting of the terms: cell(s), cell wall, and cell membrane. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the appearance of the highlighting may vary across different implementations. For example, in certain embodiments, the selected portions of the content80may be visually differentiated so that they appear as if they have been marked over with an actual highlighter. In other embodiments, the selected portion of the content80may be highlighted by a dashed box (e.g., illustrated inFIG. 6), or other suitable visual distinction from the remainder of the content of the page70. Additionally, in certain embodiments, different highlighter colors may be used by the reader to distinguish between different types of highlighted content. For example, the reader may use differing colors to denote relative priority (e.g., red for the most important concepts, blue for the next most important concepts, and so forth), group topics (e.g., red is for biology and blue is for chemistry), group assignments (e.g., red is material for the first exam, blue is for the second exam, etc.), and so forth.

The page70of the e-textbook may also include elements created by the reader. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 6, page70includes a reader note82created by the reader (e.g., via user input structures14) to provide additional information for study (e.g., based on information received in lecture or from another source) to supplement the contents of the page70. The note82illustrated inFIG. 6include a supplemental fact regarding biological cells. Like the text element72, portions of the reader note82may be selected by the reader (e.g., using one or more user input devices14) to provide highlighted content80.

Similarly, the interactive image74illustrated inFIG. 6includes certain interactive elements78that have been selected as highlighted content80. Like the text element72, the reader may utilize a user input structures14of the electronic device8(e.g., a touchscreen, touchpad, mouse, or other suitable input structure14) to select and highlight particular terms that appear important to the reader. In particular, the illustrated interactive image74has three particular phases of cell division selected as highlighted content80, namely prophase, anaphase, and cytokinesis. For example, during lecture, an instructor may inform the reader these particular phases of cell division may be included in an upcoming exam and, accordingly, the reader may select the interactive elements78corresponding to the phases from the interactive image74as highlighted content80for later review.

Additionally, the reader may also utilize the user input devices14to select portions of the movie76as highlighted content80. For example, in certain embodiments, the reader may highlight portions of a frame of the movie, portions of a series of frames of the movie, entire frames of the movie, or the entire movie itself. The illustrated movie76includes a portion of a series of frames having been selected as highlighted content80. For example, for the movie76the highlighted content80may represent a particular portion of the cell (e.g., an organelle of the cell) that is illustrated through portions of the biological cell division process illustrated in the movie76.

The next step in the “hidelighting” process60illustrated inFIG. 4involves the electronic device8receiving (block66) instructions to hide the selected content. That is, after initially selecting portions of the content of the page70(e.g., in block64) to produce the highlighted content80(e.g., in block65), the reader may initially study the page70with the highlighted content80visible. However, subsequently, the reader may select (e.g., via an input structure14) to have some or all of the highlighted content80hidden from view while the remainder of the page70continues to be visible to the reader. For example, the reader may select an option to hide all or a portion of the highlighted content during a study session.

By further example, in certain embodiments, the reader may choose to hide a particular group of highlighted content based on the aforementioned color coding. That is, the reader may select to have all of the red highlighting hidden, in which the red highlighting corresponds to the most important topics, a particular subject, or material for a particular exam. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the reader may provide an amount of time that the reader desires the content to remain hidden (e.g., for the study session, for a designated period of time, until a prompt is received from the reader, until the electronic device8is powered down, etc.)

The next step in the “hidelighting” process60illustrated inFIG. 4involves the electronic device8hiding (block68) the highlighted portions80of the content of the page70when presenting the electronic publication to the reader. For example, turning toFIG. 7, the page70illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6is illustrated once more. In contrast toFIG. 6, instead of the highlighted content80, the page70ofFIG. 7includes hidden content84. In other words, the page70ofFIG. 7has the portions of the text element72, the interactive image74, and the movie76that were previously highlighted (e.g., highlighted content80) now hidden from the reader's view (e.g., hidden content84). That is, the illustrated hidden content84generally corresponds to all or some of the highlighted content80selected by the reader in block64.

In particular, the page70ofFIG. 7includes hidden content84in the form of hidden textual content in the text element72and user notes82, as well as hidden graphical content of the interactive image74and the movie76. It should be appreciated that the appearance of hidden content84may vary with implementation. For example, the hidden content84may be disposed behind an opaque box, as illustrated. In other embodiments, the hidden content84may appear to have been marked through with an opaque marker. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the visibility of the hidden content84may vary over time. That is, after initially selecting the highlighted content80, with each subsequent viewing of the page70, the highlighted content80may become increasingly less visible, encouraging the reader to memorize the highlighted content80before it becomes completely hidden content84. For the interactive image74and the movie76, in certain embodiments, portions of the image or graphic outside of the hidden content84may function normally (e.g., play, animate, etc.) with the hidden content84removed from the reader's view.

With the foregoing in mind,FIG. 9include the process90by which an electronic device8may utilize the page70ofFIGS. 7 and 8to assist a reader in studying and or memorizing the hidden content84. The illustrated process90begins with the electronic device8(e.g., tablet computer30and/or laptop computer50) that is presenting the page70ofFIG. 7to the reader receiving (block92) a first input corresponding to a portion of the hidden content84. For example, the reader may use one of the user input structures14(e.g., a touchscreen, touchpad, mouse, or other suitable input structure14) to select or interact with a particular portion of the hidden content84. By specific example, as illustrated, a reader may use a finger86to swipe88a portion of the hidden content84of the interactive image74.

Upon receiving the first input, the electronic device8may temporarily reveal (block94) the hidden content corresponding to the received first input of the reader. That is, once the user has used an input structure14to select a particular portion of the hidden content84, the hidden content84may temporarily be visible to the reader. For example, once a reader has utilized a touch, tap, swipe, or other suitable gesture on a touchscreen input structure14that indicates a selection of the first hidden content84of text element72, the electronic device8may gradually reveal or immediately reveal the underlying information. For example, in certain embodiments, the hidden content84may be gradually made visible (e.g., fade in or materialize) over the block or mark hiding the content or the block or mark hiding the content may gradually become more transparent (e.g., fade out or dissolve) to reveal the underlying content. Likewise, in response to the reader prompt, the block or mark may simply be removed, gradually or otherwise, to reveal the previously hidden content. By specific example, as illustrated inFIG. 8, once the reader has used the finger86to swipe88the hidden content84of the interactive image74, the portion of the hidden content84becomes the revealed content89, which is visible to the reader. It should be appreciated that present embodiments enable the reader to view this revealed content in the context of the original material of the page70, potentially enhancing the reader's ability to retain the information.

The process90continues when the electronic device8receives (block96) a second input corresponding to the temporarily revealed hidden content84. In certain embodiments, the second input may correspond to input provided by the reader via a user input structure14. For example, after initially selecting a particular portion of the hidden content84to reveal in blocks92and94, the electronic device8may receive another input from the reader via the user input structure14indicating the readers desire to return the revealed portion of the hidden content84back to a hidden state. As illustrated inFIG. 8, in certain embodiments, the first input from the reader via a touchpad or touchscreen user input structure14in block92may correspond to a swipe88in a first direction (e.g., a swipe from bottom to top or a swipe from right to left). Accordingly, the input from the reader indicating the reader's desire to re-hide the revealed content may correspond to a swipe91in a second direction, different than the first (e.g., a swipe from top to bottom or a swipe from left to right). It should be appreciated that, in certain embodiments, the system may be state-dependent so that the same input or gesture by the reader may be used to both reveal and re-hide the content. It should also be appreciated that swiping represents one example of a gesture that may be used, and that similar strategies may be utilized with other type of suitable gestures (e.g., tapping, dragging, or other suitable gesture) or inputs (e.g., clicking with the mouse, providing accelerometer or gyroscopic input by moving the entire electronic device8, and so forth).

In other embodiments, the second input described by block96of the process90may correspond to an input that is provided by a software or hardware timer element. For example, in the configuration settings for the e-textbook application and/or the electronic device8, the reader may have the option to specify a certain amount of time that the reader desires the hidden content84to be revealed before returning to a hidden state. For example, the amount of time may be a flat value provided by the reader, such as a length of time to reveal hidden content (e.g., in seconds). In certain embodiments, the reader may choose a numerical value (e.g., 1-5 seconds) for an amount of time per word (or screen area percentage) that hidden content should be revealed before being restored to a hidden state. In other embodiments, the reader may set of values for the amount of time that hidden content is revealed based on the difficulty of certain subject matter (e.g., reveal math equations longer than other content), which may correspond to different colors of highlighting, as discussed above. In still other embodiments, the user may set a program for the amount of time to reveal hidden content, in which the hidden content may be revealed the greatest length of time the first time it is revealed, and may be revealed for a reduced length of time with each subsequent viewing. Accordingly, once the specified amount of time has passed after reviewing the hidden content84, the timer may supply and input to the e-textbook software and/or electronic device82to return the revealed content to a hidden state. This timer may be implemented in the form of software and/or hardware timekeeping mechanisms.

Accordingly, once the electronic device8has received the second input either from the reader or from some automated timing mechanism, the electronic device8may hide (e.g., re-hide) (block98) the temporarily revealed portion of the hidden content84. In certain embodiments, the electronic device8may gradually or immediately re-hide the underlying information. For example, in certain embodiments, the temporarily revealed hidden content84may be gradually made invisible (e.g., fade out or dissolve) or a block or mark may move into the foreground (e.g., fade in or materialize) to obstruct the content from view. It should be appreciated that once the temporarily revealed content is once more hidden, the reader may once again use a user input structure14to provide the first input of block92to repeat the process again. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the reader may interact with more than one portion of the hidden content84, and the process90may ensue for each piece of the hidden content that is temporarily revealed. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the reader may also gradually unselect content (e.g., unselect portions of the highlighted content) previously selected by the reader for study as the reader feels that he or she is ready to discontinue study of this content.

Additionally, present embodiments also enable the automatic export of highlighted content80and surrounding contextual information into a flash card format. For example,FIGS. 10 and 11illustrate an example of a flash card100having a hidden side102and a revealed side104, in which only one of the two sides may be visible to the reader at any point in time. In certain embodiments, the contents of the flash card100may be automatically populated based on selections made by the reader when selecting highlighted content84in block64. Similar to the hidden content84illustrated inFIG. 7, the reader may use a user input structure14to provide a first gesture to change the flash card100from the hidden state102to the revealed state104. By specific example, as illustrated inFIG. 10the reader may use a finger106and an input structure14(e.g., a touchpad or touchscreen) to provide an input swipe108to transform the flash card100to the revealed state104. Furthermore, once the flash card100is in the revealed state104, the reader may provide a different or the same gesture (e.g., swipe110) to change the flash card100back to the hidden state102. In other embodiments, the input to change the appearance of the flash card100from the revealed state104back to the hidden state102may be provided by a timer mechanism, as discussed above with respect to block96ofFIG. 9. It should be appreciated that any number of suitable animations (e.g., flipping, rotating, dissolving, or other suitable animation) may be used to provide the flash card100with a particular look and feel as it is transitioning between the hidden state102and the revealed state104.