Patent Publication Number: US-2009235162-A1

Title: Method and system for providing enhanced virtual books

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the production of information content. More particularly, the present invention relates to the production of computer mediated interactive information content. 
     2. Background Art 
     The convenience and immediacy of modem electronic based information technologies are seductive, and have increasingly lured attention from print media, and especially books, which require more of our scarce time and attention to absorb. To the extent that electronic alternatives to the type of information previously available only in print enables us to acquire more information more efficiently, those advances represent a benefit to all, both as individuals and as a society. However, as we collectively turn with increasing frequency away from books and towards their electronic substitutes, we become estranged from an approach to knowledge and learning that has played a major role in shaping the foundations of our culture. 
     For those of us old enough to have developed a relationship with books, of necessity, in the natural course of coming into adulthood, books may provide an easy intimacy with the written word, not readily replaced by electronic information content, despite its utility. Such may not be the case for the young, however, for whom educational content, entertainment content, and even the means and mechanisms of literary communication are increasingly electronically based. To many of today&#39;s technologically proficient children and young adults, books may be unfamiliar or even relatively unknown. This is an undesirable state of affairs, however, because the relationship between books and human beings is special and symbolic, and transcends the sterile bounds of the data embodied within bookish bindings. To lose touch with books is to lose touch with a portion of ourselves. It is also to forget how we came to arrive at this present intellectually flourishing point in our civilization. 
     Today, books are being gradually supplanted by electronic information content for numerous valid and progressive reasons. For example, electronic information content enables great storage and distribution efficiencies, which are not likely to be sacrificed for the sake of nostalgia or tradition, nor should they be. In addition, growing awareness of the fragility of the Earth&#39;s ecosystem, and the toll taken by our collective endeavors on the limited sustainable resources available for harvesting, militate for approaches to information storage and communication that minimizes that environmental cost. However, conventional approaches to meeting the ever increasing need for speedy information exchange while also minimizing the use of consumables in managing and distributing that information fails to acknowledge the iconic status of books as both a literal and a literary manifestation of our culture&#39;s search for meaning and identity. 
     Accordingly, there is a need to overcome the drawbacks and deficiencies in the art by providing an information content option that allows users to discover or reconnect with the experience of enjoying books, while concurrently delivering the efficiencies and advantages of electronic documents. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There are provided methods and systems for providing enhanced virtual books, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a diagram of an exemplary system for providing enhanced virtual books, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a more detailed exemplary embodiment of a system for providing enhanced virtual books, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart presenting a method of providing enhanced virtual books, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a diagram of an exemplary system for providing enhanced virtual books stored on a computer readable medium, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart presenting a method of providing enhanced virtual books stored on a computer readable medium, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  shows a visual frame of an exemplary enhanced virtual book devoted to the Disney movie Cars, provided according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application is directed to a method and system for providing enhanced virtual books. The following description contains specific information pertaining to the implementation of the present invention. One skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be implemented in a manner different from that specifically discussed in the present application. Moreover, some of the specific details of the invention are not discussed in order not to obscure the invention. The specific details not described in the present application are within the knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art. The drawings in the present application and their accompanying detailed description are directed to merely exemplary embodiments of the invention. To maintain brevity, other embodiments of the invention, which use the principles of the present invention, are not specifically described in the present application and are not specifically illustrated by the present drawings. It should be borne in mind that, unless noted otherwise, like or corresponding elements among the figures may be indicated by like or corresponding reference numerals. 
       FIG. 1  shows a diagram of an exemplary system for providing enhanced virtual books, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , system  100  comprises virtual literature unit  120 , residing on enhanced virtual book server  110 , and storing virtual library  122  and enhanced virtual book interaction software  124 . Also shown in  FIG. 1  are packet network  128 , client computer  130 , and user  138 . 
     According to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , user  138  may utilize client computer  130  and packet network  128  to access enhanced virtual book interaction software  124  in virtual literature unit  120 . User  138  may then use virtual book interaction software  124  to browse virtual library  122 , interact with its contents by previewing and/or selecting one or more enhanced virtual books stored in virtual library  122 , and further interact with dynamic rich media content contained within each of those enhanced virtual books, for example. In effect, enhanced virtual book interaction software  124  enables user  138  to interact with electronically stored and delivered dynamic rich media content having the “look” and “feel” of a real book, thus capturing some of the aesthetic characteristics associated with enjoyment of a real book, but providing that experience in virtual form. It is noted that although client computer  130  is represented as a personal computer (PC) in  FIG. 1 , in other embodiments client computer  130  may be another type of personal communication device such as a mobile telephone, a digital media player, personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless computer, or a gaming console, for example. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , enhanced virtual book interaction software  124 , which may be an Extensible Markup Language (XML) based application, for example, can be accessed through packet network  128 . In that instance, enhanced virtual book interaction software  124  may comprise a web application, accessible over a packet network such as the Internet. Alternatively, enhanced virtual book interaction software  124  may reside on a server supporting a local area network (LAN), for instance, or included in another type of limited distribution network. In another embodiment, virtual literature unit  120  containing virtual library  122  and enhanced virtual book interaction software  124 , may comprise a high-definition computer readable storage medium such as a high-definition digital video disc (HD DVD), Blu-ray disc, or other high-definition optical disc, for example. Analogously, in another embodiment, virtual library  122  may reside on a server supporting a LAN or other limited distribution network. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 2  provides a more detailed embodiment showing exemplary system  200  for providing enhanced virtual books. System  200 , in  FIG. 2 , includes client computer  230  receiving a data transfer via communication link  228  from enhanced virtual book server  210 . As may be seen from  FIG. 2 , enhanced virtual book server  210  includes virtual literature unit  220 , which stores virtual library  222  and enhanced virtual book interaction software  224   a.  Also shown in  FIG. 2  are electronic library  212 , enhancing translation module  214 , vocal library  216 , and dictionary  218 , all residing on enhanced virtual book server  210 . Client computer  230  corresponds to client computer  130 , in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , client computer  230  comprises controller  232 , web browser  234 , and client memory  236 . 
     Enhanced virtual book server  210  and virtual literature unit  220 , in  FIG. 2 , correspond respectively to enhanced virtual book server  110  and virtual literature unit  120 , in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , virtual literature unit  220  includes virtual library  222  and enhanced virtual book interaction software  224   a,  corresponding to virtual library  122  and enhanced virtual book interaction software  124 , in  FIG. 1 . Electronic library  212 , enhancing translation module  214 , vocal library  216 , and dictionary  218  have no analogues appearing in  FIG. 1 . Although the embodiment of  FIG. 2  shows vocal library  216  and dictionary  218  residing outside of virtual literature unit  220 , that representation is exemplary only, and in another embodiment, vocal library  216  and dictionary  218  may reside in virtual literature unit  220 .  FIG. 2  further shows enhanced virtual book interaction software  214   b,  also not shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In the present embodiment, interactive software application  214   b  is located in client memory  236 , having been received from rich multimedia interaction host server  210  via communication link  216 , and is used to facilitate access to the contents of virtual library  222 . In another embodiment, however, enhanced virtual book interaction software  224   b  does not exist as a local asset of client computer  230 . Instead, in that embodiment, enhanced virtual book interaction software  224   a  is a web application residing on enhanced virtual book server  210  and facilitating access to content stored available there. 
     Returning to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  in which enhanced virtual book interaction software is imported to be a local asset, communication link  228  may represent download of enhanced virtual book interaction software  224   a  over a packet network, for example. In another embodiment, communication link  228  may represent transfer of enhanced virtual book interaction software  224   a  from a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other portable computer readable storage medium. Once transferred, enhanced virtual book interaction software  224   b  may be stored in client memory  236  and run locally on client computer  230 . It is noted that communication link  228  is shown as a two-way communication, to correspond to ongoing communication with virtual library  222 , vocal library  216 , and dictionary  218 , residing on enhanced virtual book server  210 . 
     Controller  232  may be the central processing unit for client computer  230 , for example, in which role controller  232  runs the client computer operating system, launches web browser  234 , and facilitates execution of enhanced virtual book interaction software  224   b.  Web browser  234 , under the control of controller  232 , may execute enhanced virtual book interaction software  224   b  to enable a user of client computer  230  to interact with on or more enhanced virtual books. 
     Implementation of system  200  enables provision of an enhanced virtual book to a user of client computer  230 . In one embodiment, an electronic document corresponding to an electronic version of a book, such as a Portable Document Format (PDF) file version of a book, may be selected from electronic library  212  for conversion to an enhanced virtual book to be stored virtual library  222 . Conversion may result from operation of enhancing translation module  214  configured to produce the enhanced virtual book from the electronic book selected from electronic library  212 . Conversion may include translating a selected PDF file into a dynamic rich media format, such as a Flash movie, for example. Enhanced virtual book interaction software  224   a  or  224   b,  depending on whether the implementation supports online or local application, is configured to provide a user interface enabling a user of client computer  230  to navigate through the enhanced virtual book. As a result, the user may experience a virtual simulation of the experience of reading and enjoying a real book. 
     To further replicate the look and feel of the real experience, in one embodiment the enhanced virtual book may be displayed as a simulated three-dimensional scalable spread image of a book having turnable pages. For the purposes of the present application, a spread image is an image of an opened book, which shows both the respective left and right page leaves concurrently. Navigation through the enhanced virtual book may include advancing or retreating through the pages of the volume by manually turning the pages forward or backward, as with a real book, by means of a computer mouse, for example, clicking and holding a corner of the page and flipping or dragging to the next. The enhancements included in an enhanced virtual book may include enabling a user to hear the pronunciation of any of a plurality of words of text in the volume by reference to vocal library  216 . In addition, enhancements may include enabling a user to learn the definition of any of a plurality of words of text in the virtual volume by reference to dictionary  218 . 
     Moreover, in some embodiments, system  200  may provide special features associated with particular enhanced virtual books selected from virtual library  222 . For example, an enhanced virtual book may include a special feature enabling the user of client computer  230  to go behind the page of a story to discover (i.e. see text or listen to audio describing) selected thoughts of one or more characters of the enhanced virtual book. Those selected thoughts may not be apparent within the text of the volume, but their accessibility may be indicated by changes in the appearance of a display cursor over a particular character. For example, the cursor may transform into a thought bubble over a character for which behind the page thoughts are available. 
     Another type of special feature may enable the user of client computer  230  to experience a page being brought to life by viewing a display that transitions from a sketch of the page, to a pencil drawing of the page and its characters, to the final full color page. By virtue of another special feature, the user of client computer  230  may participate in building a page of the enhanced virtual book by completing an unfinished illustration on the page, for example by coloring in a pencil drawing of the page. In yet another type of special feature, the user of client computer  230  may be encouraged to participate in the writing process by supplementing text appearing on one or more pages of the enhanced virtual book. That special feature may enable the user to produce alternative story lines, or alternative endings to existing story lines, for example. 
     The present invention will now be further described by  FIG. 3 , which presents flowchart  300  describing an exemplary method of providing enhanced virtual books. Certain details and features have been left out of flowchart  300  that are apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. For example, a step may consist of one or more substeps or may involve specialized equipment or materials, as known in the art. While steps  310  through  370  in  FIG. 3  are sufficient to describe a particular embodiment of the present method, other embodiments may utilize steps different from those shown in flowchart  300 , or may include more, or fewer steps. 
     Continuing with step  310  of flowchart  300  and referring to  FIG. 2 , step  310  comprises identifying an electronic book for conversion to the enhanced virtual book. Step  310  may occur as the result of an automated comparison operation performed through enhancing translation module  214  in which the contents of electronic library  212  are compared to the contents of virtual library  222 . Electronic books found to be present in electronic library  212 , but not having corresponding enhanced virtual books stored in virtual library  222  may be identified for conversion on that basis, for example. 
     The exemplary method of flowchart  300  continues with step  320 , which comprises designating graphical assets for inclusion in the enhanced virtual book. Designation of graphical assets in step  320  may correspond to determining the size and shape of a simulated three-dimensional scalable spread image of the enhanced virtual book to be provided. In one embodiment, the simulated three-dimensional scalable spread image of the enhanced virtual book includes turnable pages. In that embodiment, designation of graphical assets may include selection of appropriate visual cues to enable a reader to intuitively navigate through the enhanced virtual book by means of page turning. In addition, designation of graphical assets may include illumination of the text appearing in the enhanced virtual book by accompanying visual images. Such visual images may be designated on the basis of selection criteria applied in enhancing translation module  214 , or in compliance with metadata contained by the electronic book undergoing conversion, for example. 
     In the embodiments described earlier in relation to  FIG. 2 , in which an enhanced virtual book offers special features such as allowing a user to go behind the page to discover selected thoughts of some of the characters by viewing text or hearing audio describing them, and/or bring a page to life by viewing transitions from sketch to pencil to color, and/or participating in the writing process, for example, step  320  may correspond to designation of appropriate graphical assets to support those special features. For example, going behind the page may require designation of appropriate visual transformation of a cursor in relation to character, perhaps by forming a thought bubble when hovering over the character, to cue a user that additional thought content may be accessed for that character. 
     Flowchart  300  continues with step  330 , comprising translating the electronic book into a dynamic rich media format to produce a translated virtual book. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , translation is performed by enhancing translation module  214 . Step  330  may correspond to translation of a PDF file identified in electronic library  212  in step  310 , to Flash media format, for example. 
     Continuing with step  340  of flowchart  300  and  FIG. 2 , step  340  comprises determining pronunciations of selected words in the translated virtual book produced in step  330 , by reference to vocal library  216 . The selected words may form a plurality of the words included in the translated virtual book, and be determined according to data embedded by enhancing translation module  214 . In one embodiment, the selected words may be determined dynamically by enhanced virtual book interaction software  224   a  or  224   b.  In any event, step  340  provides a user with the ability to designate a selected word  15  utilizing enhanced virtual book interaction software  224   a  or  224   b,  and listen to its corresponding spoken entry obtained from vocal library  216 . 
     Step  350  of flowchart  300  comprises assigning definitions of selected words in the translated virtual book by reference to dictionary  218 . As was the case for determination of selected pronunciations in step  340 , in step  350  the selected words may form a plurality of the words included in the translated virtual book, and be determined according to data embedded by enhancing translation module  214 , or be determined dynamically. In one embodiment, the plurality of words determined in step  340  and the plurality of words assigned in step  350  comprise the same plurality of words. In one embodiment, substantially all of the words displayed in the completed enhanced virtual book have their pronunciation determined by reference to vocal library  216 , and have their definitions assigned by reference to dictionary  218 . 
     Moving now to step  360  of flowchart  300 , step  360  comprises integrating the graphical assets designated in step  330 , the plurality of pronunciations determined in step  340 , and the plurality of definitions assigned in step  350 , with the translated virtual book produced in step  330 , thereby providing the enhanced virtual book. The enhanced virtual book may then be stored in virtual library  222  and accessed by means of enhanced virtual book interaction software  224   a  or  224   b.  In subsequent step  370 , the enhanced virtual book may be sent to a remote device, such as client computer  230  in  FIG. 2 , for display to a user. In one embodiment, the user may utilize controls local to client computer  230  to navigate through the provided enhanced virtual book. For example, the pages of an enhanced virtual book may be turned in response to commands received from the remote device, such as mouse commands from client computer  230 . 
     It is noted that the remote device utilized by a user to view and navigate through the enhanced virtual book provided according to embodiments of the present invention may comprise a variety of personal communication devices, as previously described. As a result, a user may employ a corresponding variety of local commands, such as mouse commands, touch screen commands, keyboard commands, and the like, to access and navigate through an enhanced virtual book. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 4  shows a diagram of exemplary system  400  for providing enhanced virtual books stored on a computer readable medium, according to one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  shows system  400  comprising high-definition optical disc  420 , multimedia presentation system  434  including high-definition optical disc player  430  and high-definition television (HD TV) display  436 , and multimedia presentation system remote controller  440 . Also shown in  FIG. 4 , are multimedia presentation system remote controller features, including volume controls  444   a  and  444   b,  channel controls  446   a  and  446   b,  and “next” button  114 . 
     High-definition optical disc  420 , which may correspond to virtual literature unit  220 , in  FIG. 2 , may be a Blu-ray disc or HD DVD, for example containing a plurality of high-definition dynamic rich media segments corresponding respectively to enhanced virtual books. In addition, high-definition optical disc  420  may store instructions comprising an enhanced virtual book interaction software, corresponding to enhanced virtual book interaction software  224   a,  in  FIG. 2 , which, when executed by high-definition optical disc player  430 , cause a selected enhanced virtual book to be displayed on HD TV display  436 . It is noted that although the embodiment of  FIG. 4  describes storage of enhanced virtual books and enhanced virtual book interaction software on high-definition optical disc  420 , more generally those contents may reside on any computer readable medium suitable for storage of high-definition dynamic rich media content. 
     According to the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , a user of multimedia presentation system  434  may utilize high-definition optical disc player  430  and HD TV display  436  to view the contents of a virtual library stored on high-definition optical disc  420 , select an enhanced virtual book from that library, and read the enhanced virtual book. Moreover, a user may utilize multimedia presentation system remote controller  440  to navigate through the book, for example by depressing next button  442  to execute a highlighted onscreen command, or to advance or retreat through the turnable pages of an enhanced virtual book. In one embodiment, high-definition optical disc  420  may also have stored thereon a vocal library, and/or dictionary (not shown in  FIG. 4 ), corresponding respectively to vocal library  216  and dictionary  218 , in  FIG. 2 . 
     The use and operation of system  400  will be further described by reference to  FIG. 5 , which presents flowchart  500  of a method of providing enhanced virtual books stored on a computer readable medium, according to on embodiment of the present invention. Certain details and features have been left out of flowchart  500  that are apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. For example, a step may comprise one or more substeps or may involve specialized equipment or materials, as known in the art. While steps  510  through  550  indicated in flowchart  500  are sufficient to describe one embodiment of the present method, other embodiments may utilize steps different from those shown in flowchart  500 , or may include more, or fewer steps. 
     Step  510  of flowchart  500  comprises launching a virtual library presenting the enhanced virtual books available on high-definition optical disc  420 . Step  510  may occur, for example, under the direction of an enhanced virtual book interaction software activated by insertion of high-definition optical disc  420  in to high-definition optical disc player  430  by a user. Launching the virtual library stored on high-definition optical disc  420  enables a user to view the contents of high-definition optical disc  420  and select an available enhanced virtual book for viewing. 
     Continuing with step  520  of flowchart  500 , step  520  comprises receiving an input designating a selected enhanced virtual book. A user of multimedia presentation system  434  may designate a selected enhanced virtual book from the virtual library displayed as a result of step  510 , by highlighting an icon corresponding to that item of high-definition dynamic rich media content appearing on HD TV display  436 , for example. A selection made by means of controls on high-definition optical disc player  430 , or multimedia presentation system remote controller  440  can cause the designating input to be received by the enhanced virtual book interaction software active on high-definition optical disc player  430 . 
     In step  530 , the enhanced virtual book interaction software identifies the selected enhanced virtual book from among the high-definition dynamic rich media segments stored on high-definition optical disc  420 . In one embodiment, high-definition optical disc  420  may comprise ten high-definition dynamic rich media segments corresponding to ten distinct enhanced virtual books available for reading by a user of multimedia presentation system  434 , for example. Following identification of the appropriate high-definition dynamic rich media segment in step  530 , the selected enhanced virtual book may be displayed in step  540 . Display of the selected enhanced virtual book may comprise presentation of a Flash movie including a simulated three-dimensional, scaled, spread image of the enhanced virtual book having turnable pages, for example. 
     Moving on to step  550  of flowchart  500 , step  550  comprises enabling navigation through the selected enhanced virtual book by multimedia presentation system remote controller  440 . Step  550  corresponds to allowing a user to turn the pages of the enhanced virtual book, activate any enhancements or special features available with the enhanced virtual book, as described previously, and interact with those enhancements and special features, by means of multimedia presentation system remote controller  440 . For example, volume controls  444   a  and  444   b  may be utilized to regulate an audio narrative included in the enhanced virtual book, or increase or reduce the loudness of pronunciations provided by a vocal library. In one embodiment, next button  442  may be depressed to execute a page turning command, while channel controls  446   a  and  446   b  may be utilized to navigate forward or back through the book a chapter at a time, rather than a page at a time. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 6  shows visual frame  600  of exemplary enhanced virtual book  650  devoted to the Disney movie Cars, provided according to one embodiment of the present invention. Enhanced virtual book  650  shown in visual frame  600  may be presented as a Flash movie, for example. As may be understood from  FIG. 6 , enhanced virtual book  650  is displayed as a simulated three-dimensional image, scaled to simulate a real book. The pages of enhanced virtual book  650 , represented by page  652 , are turnable, so that a user can navigate forward or backward through enhanced virtual book  650  by entering appropriate commands, for example by a computer mouse connected to client computer  230  the system of  FIG. 2 , or by means of inputs to multimedia presentation system remoter controller  440 , in  FIG. 4 . 
     Also shown in visual frame  600  are command links enabling a user to navigate away from enhanced virtual book  650  by selecting the “back to the library” option  622 , or going back to the user&#39;s bookshelf through option  654 . In some embodiments, such as the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the library and user bookshelf may comprise substantially the same content, in which case one or the other option may not be shown. In other embodiments, however, such as the online version of the system for providing enhanced virtual books described in relation to  FIG. 2 , a user may purchase or rent enhanced virtual books from virtual library  222 , and have the selected subset of virtual library  222  copied from that location to a user bookshelf stored either on enhanced virtual book server  210 , or on client computer  230 . 
     Additional features of enhanced virtual book  650  are shown by speak-a-word feature  616  and easy dictionary feature  618 . As may be seen from  FIG. 6 , in the instantiation of enhanced virtual book  650  captured by visual frame  600 , both speak-a-word feature  616  and easy dictionary feature  618  are turned off. Either or both features may be activated by inputs provided from a user, through a computer mouse click, touch screen contact, or keyboard or remote controller command, for example. Once activated, a subsequent user input selection of a word of text, such as the word “lawyer”  666 , would result in pronunciation of the word and/or display of the word meaning, according to corresponding respective entries in vocal library  216  and dictionary  218 , shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Special features available to a reader of enhanced virtual book  650  are shown in  FIG. 6  by “bring to life” feature  662  and “I can write” feature  664 . As previously described, “bring to life” feature  662  corresponds to enabling the user to experience page  652  and its facing page being brought to life by viewing a display that transitions from a sketch of the pages, to a pencil drawing of the pages and its characters, to the final full color display. Also as previously described, “I can write” feature  664  corresponds to encouraging the user to participate in the writing process by supplementing text appearing on page  652  or its facing page. Other embodiments may include additional special features to enhance the reading experience and encourage a user to interact with enhanced virtual book  650 .  FIG. 6 , while by no means providing a comprehensive picture of enhanced virtual books, reveals some of the variety, complexity, and contextual relevance achieved by the embodiments disclosed herein. 
     Thus, the present application discloses a method and system for providing virtual enhanced books. By translating an electronic book into a dynamic rich media format having integrated graphical assets, the present disclosure describes a virtual book that simulates many of the aesthetically pleasing characteristics of a real book. By enhancing the virtual book with features providing guidance to the correct pronunciation and meaning of words appearing in the virtual book, one disclosed embodiment empowers a user by providing access to learning tools. By further offering special features enabling a user to interact with and engage the creative processes of producing literary or graphical content, various embodiments disclosed in the present application encourage a user to seek out new content, to learn, and to create. Thus, the present disclosure describes a method and system providing information content in a form that preserves the experience of enjoying books, while concurrently delivering the efficiencies and advantages available from modem electronic documents. 
     From the above description of the invention it is manifest that various techniques can be used for implementing the concepts of the present invention without departing from its scope. Moreover, while the invention has been described with specific reference to certain embodiments, a person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. It should also be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is capable of many rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention.