Patent Publication Number: US-2007113271-A1

Title: System and method for providing visible physical feedback

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to methods of providing visible physical feedback; in particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a method of providing visible physical feedback for an electronic system, for example for consumer digital audio equipment, for video recorders and for DVD-type records. Moreover, the invention also relates to user cards indicative of data content suitable for use with said system. Furthermore, the invention also relates to systems providing visible feedback according to said method.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      In recent years, items of electronic equipment have become increasingly complex, especially those whose user interfaces are based on digital technology including associated digital displays. Such interfaces frequently each employ a keyboard for user data entry, a digital display such as a LCD for providing user information and a microprocessor coupled to the display for presenting information thereon and also connected to the keyboard for receiving information therefrom; the microprocessor is also coupled to other parts of associated apparatus to be controlled. Moreover, such interfaces are customarily incorporated into contemporary digital recording apparatus such as video recorders, DVD&#39;s, audio recorders and similar electronic consumer items. In operation, text is entered through the keyboard, and users are often obliged to browse through lists describing content presented on the display. Thus, such contemporary digital apparatus frequently present to their users complex menu structures; such structures are not very intuitive to a large group of potential users who may be unfamiliar with operating computer systems in general.  
      Such a problem has been appreciated in the prior art. For example, in a published U.S. Pat. No. 6,201,772, there is described use of cards for disc reproduction apparatus. There is described a set of cards including a card with an identification mark for commanding access to a designated track number and another card with an identification mark for commanding access to an index number of a disc having recorded information thereon used in a disk reproduction apparatus. The cards include a pattern of holes for the identification marks used to command access to portions of the disk and for commanding specific operations on the disk. Thus, rather than using a complex microprocessor interface comprising data entry keyboard and associated visual data display, the user is capable of controlling the aforementioned reproduction apparatus without needing to use a keyboard for data entry.  
      Similarly, in another U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,437, there is described an audio apparatus having a control function for use with cards. The apparatus is controllable with a card having at least one operation identifying feature related to a specific reproduction operation. On respective surfaces of the card, there are provided first and second items of visual data corresponding to the reproduction operation, for example “random play”. The apparatus has a card inlet for receiving the card, an optical sensor for detecting the at least one feature, and a system controller for controlling the apparatus to realise the reproduction operation identified by the at least one feature. The at least one feature preferably corresponds to one or more holes formed in the card.  
      The inventor has appreciated that digital recorders are usually controlled through software-based menu structures providing lists of user options on an associated display, for example lists of possible programme material which is susceptible to being replayed. Although these interfaces are quite usable to people who are familiar with computers, there remains a large group of people who are of an opinion that digital interfaces contemporarily provided on consumer electronic apparatus are too complex. In particular, digital interfaces are found to be cumbersome when managing content, for example text on digital devices is entered through a keyboard, and users are obliged to browse through lists describing content. Thus, contemporary digital interfaces provided on many contemporary electronic consumer equipment are not intuitive.  
      The inventor has appreciated, in a manner akin to known art described in the foregoing, that a potential solution to the aforementioned problem of contemporary digital interfaces is provided by using a digital interface based on physical cards, in particular cards having a size similar to contemporary audio minidiscs and contemporary debit cards used for making payments. However, the inventor has devised a card-type interface which is believed to surpass known card-type interfaces.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      A first object of the present invention is to provide a digital interface for use in interfacing users to associated electronic apparatus.  
      A second object of the present invention is to provide a method of controlling electronic apparatus by using a card interface.  
      A third object of the present invention is to provide a card suitable for use in a digital interface for use in interfacing users to associated electronic apparatus.  
      According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing visible physical feedback for an electronic system, characterized in that the method includes the steps of:  
      (a) providing the system with computing means, a data store coupled to said computing means for at least one of inputting data and outputting data content from the store, and token interfacing means coupled to said computing means for interfacing to at least one data token detachable from the system, said at least one token for representing data content in the store; and  
      (b) on performing an operation of at least one of deleting, reading, writing, and rearranging data content associated with said at least one token, arranging for the system to read from said at least one token ( 80 ) using the token interfacing means ( 60 ,  70 ) details of said data content to identify said data content and/or to record on said at least one token using the token interfacing means one or more details of said operation so that said one or more details are optically readable from said at least one token when user-inspected, thereby enabling said at least one token to be a representation in tangible form of corresponding data content stored in the data store.  
      The invention is of advantage in that the system is capable of functioning to provide its users with an intuitive indication of data content in a manner akin to conventional data carriers, for example high-fidelity systems susceptible to replaying audio CD&#39;s, and yet able to handling remotely downloaded data content, for example from the Internet.  
      Preferably, in the method, the token interfacing means is subdivided into spatial sub-regions, each sub-region being associated with a specific type of corresponding operation on the data content represented by said at least one token when presented in spatial proximity of said sub-region.  
      Preferably, in the method, the token interfacing means is arranged to be capable of handling a pack comprising a plurality of said at least one token and performing said operation on at least one token in the pack.  
      Preferably, in the method, the computing means is arranged so as to prevent said data content from being subject to at least a sub-set of said operation when its corresponding token is spatially remote from the token interfacing means. Such an arrangement is of advantage in that the system is capable of appearing to its users to perform intuitively in a manner akin to a conventional recording and/or playback apparatus where data carriers presented thereto physically convey substantial data content. Preferably, in the method, said at least one token is provided with:  
      (a) a first region susceptible to being user-marked with user optically-readable information; and  
      (b) a second region susceptible to presenting information optically, said second region being arranged to be written to from the system for providing a user optically-readable indication of data content associated with said token.  
      Preferably, in the method, the system is arranged to interrogate said at least one token when spatially presented to the system for indicating to the system user-preferred data content to be subject to said operation. Such near proximity is capable of seeming to users of the system that said one or more tokens are susceptible of bearing substantial data to and/or from the system in a manner akin to contemporary audio/visual equipment such as CD players/recorders and DVD players/recorders.  
      Preferably, in the method, said at least one token is arranged to be interrogated from the system by at least one of: radio interrogation, optical interrogation, contact electrical interrogation, and magnetically-coupled electrical interrogation. At least a subset of such interrogation approaches is capable of being at least one of inexpensive and robust.  
      Preferably, in the method, said at least one token is provided with a unique identification code for use in enabling the system to identify said at least one token and thereby data content associated with said at least one token. By way of the code and the system itself bearing a record of data content corresponding to the code, the system is capable of associated data content stored within the system with presentation of the code to the system.  
      Preferably, in the method, said at least one token is provided with at least one corresponding region which is susceptible to being electronically programmed by the system to present visual information provided from the system, said visual information being related to data content associated with said at least one token. Such an electronically programmable visual-display region is of advantage in that the users of the system are capable of readily appreciating on rapid visual inspection data content represented by said at least one token. More preferably, in the method, said at least one region is provided with electrically-writable ink for use in providing user-readable visual information of data content associated with said at least one token. The use of electrically-writable ink is especially beneficial as it enables the system to erase, write and modify visual content present on said at least one token, thereby resulting in the system functioning in a manner akin to a contemporary DVD and/or CD recording/replaying apparatus. Most preferably, in the method, said at least one token is implemented in the form of at least one substantially plastics material planar substrate.  
      According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data token indicative of corresponding data content for use with a method according to the first aspect of the present invention.  
      According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pack of tokens comprising a plurality of tokens for use with a method according to the first aspect of the present invention.  
      According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic system for providing visible user physical feedback via at least one data token, characterized in that the system includes:  
      (a) computing means;  
      (b) a data store coupled to said computing means for at least one of inputting data and outputting data content from the store; and  
      (c) token interfacing means coupled to said computing means for interfacing to said at least one data token detachable from the system, said at least one token for representing data content in the store,  
      the system being arranged to perform operations including at least one of delete, read, write, and rearrange data content associated with said at least one token to read from said at least one token ( 80 ) using the token interfacing means ( 60 ,  70 ) details of said data content to identify said data content and/or to record on said at least one token using the token interfacing means one or more details of said operations so that said one or more details are optically readable from said at least one token when user-inspected, thereby enabling said at least one token to be a representation in tangible form of corresponding data content stored in the data store.  
      Preferably, in the system, the token interfacing means is subdivided into spatial sub-regions, each sub-region being associated with a specific type of corresponding operation on the data content represented by said at least one token when presented in spatial proximity of said sub-region.  
      Preferably, in the system, the computing means is arranged so as to prevent said data content from being subject to at least a sub-set of said operation when its corresponding token is spatially remote from the token interfacing means.  
      Preferably, in the system, the token interfacing means is arranged to be capable of handling a pack comprising a plurality of said at least one token and performing said operation on at least one token in the pack.  
      Preferably, in the system, said at least one token is provided with:  
      (a) a first region susceptible to being user-marked with user optically-readable information; and  
      (b) a second region susceptible to presenting information optically, said second region being arranged to be written to from the system for providing a user optically-readable indication of data content associated with said token.  
      Preferably, the system is arranged to interrogate said at least one token when spatially presented to the system for indicating to the system user-preferred data content to be subject to said operation.  
      Preferably, in the system, said at least one token is arranged to be interrogated from the system by at least one of: radio interrogation, optical interrogation, contact electrical interrogation, and magnetically-coupled electrical interrogation.  
      Preferably, in the system, said at least one token is provided with a unique identification code for use in enabling the system to identify said at least one token and thereby data content associated with said at least one token.  
      Preferably, in the system, said at least one token is provided with at least one corresponding region which is susceptible to being electronically programmed by the system to present visual information provided from the system, said visual information being related to data content associated with said at least one token.  
      Preferably, in the system, said at least one region is provided with electrically-writable ink for use in providing user-readable visual information of data content associated with said at least one token. More preferably, said at least one token is implemented in the form of at least one substantially plastics material planar substrate.  
      According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data token for use with a system according to the third aspect of the present invention. It will be appreciated that features of the invention are capable of being combined in any combination without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAGRAMS  
      Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrams wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an apparatus, namely a system, operable according to the method of the invention; and  
       FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of a card for use with the system of  FIG. 1 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
      In devising the present invention, the inventor has appreciated that when cards are employed as an interface for controlling electronic apparatus, for example for consumer electronic devices such as video and/or audio digital recorders, it is desirable to be able to print or otherwise present information on the cards to allow users to easily browse through content represented by the cards. Such printing enables users to sift through the cards in a manner akin to sifting through a collection of books, current CD&#39;s and older LP&#39;s. In a contemporary context where audio and/or video programme material is recorded in data files, such cards are envisaged by the inventor as being representative of digitally stored data also known as digital content.  
      By allowing users to write on the cards envisaged by the inventor, a more intuitive interface is offered to users not accustomed to computer-based interfaces providing complex menu-type lists on small and often difficult-to-read pixel displays.  
      The inventor has appreciated that the cards are usable, for example, for interfacing hard disc audio and/or digital recording equipment with DVD writers. When using the cards for such purpose such as transferring digital content from an item of recording equipment to a DVD writer, a user is capable of instructing transfer of the content by placing the card representing the content in or onto the DVD writer. If multiple functions are provided in one apparatus, for example a video tape recorder/player is collocated spatially together with a DVD recorder/player, such apparatus is susceptible to being provided with sensors in different regions thereof susceptible to detecting near proximity of the card for instructing various desired functions such as data content transfer, data content retrieval for replay, data content storage for recording, data content merging for creating compilations and data content editing, and data deletion for content erasing purposes. Thus, the user is capable of invoking one of more of these functions by physically placing the card corresponding to the content on various parts of the apparatus. In certain respects, as far as the user is concerned, the card is representative of the content and is therefore more easy to understand intuitively. For example, placing the card on a “trashcan” symbol provided on an outer surface of the apparatus is detected by a sensor in close proximity to the “trashcan” symbol, whereas placing the card on a CD symbol is detected by another sensor and results in transfers of the data content to a writable DVD within the apparatus.  
      Although the apparatus elucidated above is capable of providing a solution especially for managing content that is already recorded, it is not so optimally disposed for coping when actually recording the content. Moreover, it is does not address an issue of recording new content, managing such content and providing a readily readable index system for such new content.  
      If the content corresponds to a series of data items, for example a plurality of tracks on an audio CD, the user is able simply to apply an operation to all tracks by encircling an “all episode” region of the apparatus otherwise a particular function selected, for example “erase”, will act on each selected track individually. Such encircling is beneficially achieved by using a pen-like device capable of activating a pressure-sensitive pixel switch matrix on the apparatus. Beneficially, the pen-like device is also susceptible to being used to identify individual tracks to be acted upon by the apparatus.  
      The apparatus is optionally arranged so that, on recording content, it generates a card in its output tray corresponding to data content which has just been recorded. In this respect, the card is operable as a form of physical token to represent associated content data in tangible form. Thus, the card so recorded is capable of bearing a representation of information presented in a programme guide of the apparatus at a time of recording data content. Preferably, the apparatus is arranged to include a card handling mechanism so that it can be loaded with a pack of such cards in blank form, namely without any content yet specified thereon. On the apparatus being instructed to download content, for example from a web-site in the Internet, the apparatus is operable to download the content and then record it in its internal memory; moreover, the apparatus is then also operable to record corresponding details and identification on a corresponding card from the pack and then pass this recorded card to an output tray of the apparatus where the user is able to collect the card and add it to his/her library of such cards, for example in a manner akin to a conventional collection of CD&#39;s. The library of cards is susceptible to being browsed through when the user desires to identify specific content to replay. Moreover, the cards are preferably of a physical size which is easy to manipulate by hand, for example as in a size substantially akin to a conventional debit card, namely in the order of 85 mm long, 54 mm wide and 0.6 mm thick.  
      In certain respects, the apparatus is akin to a contemporary printer linked to a contemporary personal computer where blank sheets of paper are fed into the printer and then printed out with a short abstract corresponding to a corresponding but much longer text document stored on disc memory of the computer; a user of the computer is able to place the sheet of paper bearing the abstract in a folder with abstracts of other documents. Subsequently, when the user wishes to access content, the user is able to browse through the paper sheets in the folder and read their abstracts. On identifying an abstract of interest, the user is able to read a reference name and/or number from the abstract to key this name and/or number into the computer and thereby find corresponding much longer content on the personal computer. In this analogy, the inventor has appreciated that the user will prefer to browse through the physical sheets in the folder rather than viewing a display screen of the personal computer bearing a long list of content names, especially if the display screen is small and of relatively poor resolution. The present invention is further evolved in that the apparatus is itself capable of interrogating reference details for stored content from one or more cards spatially presented to it without the user needing to intervene other than spatially presenting the one or more cards to appropriate spatial regions of the apparatus equipped with suitable sensors.  
      The present invention is especially applicable where future video and audio equipment includes relatively large amounts of memory and also employs efficient contemporary signal compression techniques. It is therefore possible, in a manner akin to a lap-top computer storing numerous programs and data files, for the apparatus to store a multiplicity of different video films and audio albums. Rather than using a keyboard and display to access such content, for example as employed in a contemporary lap-top computer to access data files and programs, the user of the apparatus is able to employ the aforementioned cards as physical representations of various data content stored in the apparatus. Such a representation is especially pertinent where the apparatus is capable of being coupled to the Internet for downloading data content therefrom, for example latest popular music songs and associated video clips. Unlike conventional audio CD&#39;s which are bought from retailers where data content is conveyed by way of the purchased data carrier, namely an imprinted metallic layer bearing laser-readable data in each CD bought, downloading data content from the Internet does not provide such a physical data carrier. Thus, the aforementioned cards of the invention are then very suitable as a tangible representation of the data content downloaded from the Internet, especially for those users who have become habitually used to handling physical DVD&#39;s and CD&#39;s having printed cover labels indicative of data content.  
      The aforementioned card of the invention is preferably reusable. For example, the cards include an area where users are able to write on them with ball-point pens or similar hand-writing tools. Alternatively, or additionally, the apparatus includes an ink jet printer for writing on the cards when corresponding content is first stored in the apparatus. Yet further, the cards can be provided with at least one visible surface thereon including an “e-ink”, namely a material whose visual contrast is reversibly alterable electronically.  
      “E-inks” are contemporarily known. E-inks derive in one example from research undertaken by Bell Laboratories, a development unit of Lucent Technologies and E-Ink Corporation. For electronic paper-like displays, E-Ink&#39;s electronic ink and Lucent&#39;s active-matrix drive circuits are susceptible to being printed on plastic substrates, for example cards associated with the present invention. E-ink&#39;s electronic ink utilizes the principle of electrophoresis where the ink includes millions of minute “switchable” polymer micro-capsules. Each transparent micro-capsule comprises several hundred positively-polarised sub-micron solid spheres of titanium dioxide and negatively-polarised black particles suspended in a clear fluid. A published international patent application no. WO 00/36560 (PCT/US99/30212) provides a further description of this e-ink technology.  
      Alternatively, Philips Research in Eindhoven, for example as reported in the Financial Times September 2003, has developed an electronic paper capable of displaying moving images. Oil and water form the basis of the electronic paper, the paper exploiting a characteristic that oil and water are immiscible. In a technique known as electrowetting, image display pixels are created in which coloured oil separates from water under influence of an applied electric field. There is thus included inside each pixel a substantially transparent electrode covered with a hydrophobic coating operable to repel water. When the electric field is applied to the electrode, a surface of the electrode begins to attract water molecules causing the oil to be displaced laterally within the pixel thereby revealing a white backing sheet. To allow a full range of colours to be displayed, each display pixel is arranged to comprise three sub-pixels, each sub-pixel including two primary-coloured oils in an associated pixel chamber including upper and lower water-repelling surfaces. Such pixels are operable to show primary colours and black, or to show white when biased so as to reflect red, green and blue light. Such electronic paper is capable of switching within a time interval of 10 msec and is capable of giving rise to displays a factor of four times brighter than conventional liquid crystal devices. Inks suitable for such electronic paper are described in recently published international patent applications no. WO 03/005116 (PCT/US02/20805) and WO 03/016992 (PCT/US02/26075), both patent applications having Philips Corp. named as Applicant.  
      The present invention is pertinent because it is directed at a fundamental shift in a way in which audio and visual content are anticipated to be increasingly distributed in future. Whereas users are presently aware of CD audio shops selling CD&#39;s, video shops selling DVD&#39;s and video rental shops selling video cassettes, they are also aware that such retailing outlets may decline in popularity in future as increasing amounts of audio and video data content is transferred, for example by pirating as well as bona fide authorised distribution, via the Internet and similar communication networks.  
      In order to further elucidate the present invention, embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrams. In  FIG. 1 , there is shown an schematic diagram of the aforementioned apparatus indicated generally by  10 ; the apparatus  10  is effectively a data-handling system. The apparatus  10  comprises a plastic enclosure  15  housing a bi-directional Internet interface modem (I/O)  20  for communicating with the Internet (INT), a DVD recorder/player (DVD)  30 , a data store (DS)  40 , a computer interface (CINT)  50 , a transducer panel (TRP)  60  and a card writer/reader (KWR)  70  capable of writing and reading data from a removable card (KD)  80 . The computer interface  50  is coupled to the interface modem  20 , to the DVD recorder/player  30 , to the data store  40 , to the transducer panel  60  and to the card writer/reader  70  as illustrated in a star-like configuration connectively centred on the computer interface  50 . Unlike conventional computer devices, the transducer panel  60  presented on an exterior surface of the apparatus  10  accessible to a user of the apparatus  10  is devoid of conventional keyboards and displays which so often render contemporary computer-based equipment so difficult to use for many computer-inexperienced individuals.  
      The data store  40  is preferably at least one of a proprietary optical memory, a high-capacity magnetic hard-disc memory and a solid-state memory. When the store  40  is implemented as optical memory, it is preferably implemented in Blu-Ray relatively shorter wavelength proprietary optical technology, for example as being developed by Philips Corp.  
      In operation, the computer interface  50  is capable of being instructed by the user presenting the card  80 , or similar cards thereto, to the card writer/reader  70  to perform various operations, for example:  
      (a) download data content from the Internet into the data store  40 ;  
      (b) erase an area of memory in the data store  40 ;  
      (c) transfer data between the data store  40  and the DVD recorder/player  30 ;  
      (d) erase an area of a disc inserted into the DVD recorder/player  30 ;  
      (e) rearrange data stored within the data store  40 , for example when making compilations for subsequent storage on a DVD disc inserted into the DVD recorder/player  30 ; and  
      (f) where the card  80  is implemented in e-ink, at least one of erase and write information to the card  80 , for example to provide an indication of modified associated data content.  
      As described in the foregoing, the apparatus  10  is capable of including a card handling mechanism (not shown) so that a pack of cards similar to the card  80  can be handled by the apparatus  10 . The pack of cards can include one or more blank cards which the apparatus  10  is able to customize by recording content indicative data thereon to represent corresponding data content stored in the data store  40 . Thus, a user of the apparatus  10  is capable to visiting a retailing store and purchasing a pack of blank cards compatible with the apparatus  10 . The user can then load the pack of cards into the handling mechanism of the apparatus  10  and then subsequently download from the Internet or other similar communication network one or more items of content which are then stored in the data store  40 . For each item of content stored in the data store  40 , the apparatus  10  is operable to record corresponding content-indicative information onto an associated card of the pack loaded into the handling mechanism; at least a first part of the information is interpretable by the apparatus  10  and at least a second part of the information is interpretable by the user. If required, as described in the foregoing, the user can add further information which is further intelligible to the user, for example personal details using an indelible ink pen, for example a felt-tip pen and/or ball-point pen.  
      The apparatus  10  is also capable of reading when the blank card with content details recorded therein is subsequently presented to the apparatus  10 . Each card  80  is capable of representing one or more items of content, for example an individual sound track or a plurality of sound tracks associated by the user together to provide a music album. Thus, each blank card  80  when customized is capable of representing at least one item of content.  
      The card handling mechanism is also capable of being configured to read a pack of cards having recorded thereon details of corresponding content stored in the data store  40 . In consequence, the apparatus  10  is operable to play corresponding content as, for example, a sequence of presentations and/or medley. Such presentations and/or medley can be made in a sequence corresponding to a sequence that the pack of cards have when placed in the handling mechanism. Optionally, the apparatus  10  can be arranged to play content specified in the pack of cards in a pseudo-random sequence. Moreover, the apparatus  10  is also susceptible to being configured to cyclically repeat one or more items of content, for example where the apparatus  10  is employed as part of an advertising system, for example in a main window of retailing premises.  
      The card  80  will now be described in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 2 .  
      In  FIG. 2 , the card  80  is shown in perspective view and comprises a plastic substrate  100  formed during manufacture to provide a user-writable note-pad region (NP)  110  susceptible to be hand-written upon to receive user&#39;s notes, for example using a ball-point pen. Moreover, the card  80  further includes an e-ink display (DSP)  120  fabricated using e-ink technology as described in the foregoing. Furthermore, the card  80  includes an electronic module (EL)  130  electrically coupled to the display  120 , for example by way of printed electrically-conductive connection tracks. Optionally, the module  130  includes an inductively couplable antenna for non-contact interfacing to the card  80 . Beneficially, the note-pad region (NP)  110  is electronically erasable and the user is able to write upon the region  110  by using a special pen operable to cause electrically-reversible colour change thereon.  
      As described in the foregoing, the card  80  is preferably of a physical size akin to a conventional CD, audio minidisc or debit card.  
      If required, the note-pad region  110  and the display  120  are susceptible to being arranged to be spatially co-incident, namely overlaid rather than being two separate distinct regions.  
      In operation, in order to play pre-stored music from the data store  40 , the user applies power to the apparatus  10  and then sifts through his/her selection of cards  80  to find one whose label information, namely as presented on the display  120  and/or on the note-pad region  10 , corresponds to music desired to be played. The user then places the selected card  80  over a play transducer region  200  of the transducer panel  60  bearing a symbol thereon corresponding to play. The panel  60  senses presence of the card  80  over the play transducer region  200  and passes such information to the computer interface  50  which then supervises retrieval of corresponding data content from the data store  40  and decodes it, where appropriate, to provide an output at a terminal OUT which the user can connect, for example, to a hi-fi sound system comprising one or more power amplifiers and associated loudspeakers. Optionally, the apparatus  10  can be provided with an internal amplifier for driving headphones. Alternatively, or additionally, the apparatus  10  can be provided with an internal amplifier and at least one in-built loudspeaker for producing acoustic sound. When the user removes the card  80  from the play transducer region  200 , the panel  60  detects such removal and passes corresponding information to the computer interface  50  which then terminates readout of data content from the data store  40 .  
      Similar considerations pertain to a DVD inserted into the DVD recorder/player  30  where the card  80  can be used as a key to play the DVD. For example, the DVD is susceptible to being a compilation of several thousand compressed audio tracks, for example in contemporary MP3 format, which is inserted into the DVD recorder/player  30  each time the user desires to listen to audio programme material. One or more particular preferred tracks on the DVD are then selected by placing the card  80  corresponding to the desired one or more tracks over a play symbol of the play transducer region on the panel  60 . The user then primary associates the one or more particular tracks with the card  80  rather than the DVD which is merely inserted when audio programme material in general is to be replayed. Were it not for the cards  80  in combination with the panel  60 , the apparatus  10  would have to be supplied with a display and keyboard to select audio tracks with menu-like lists to select amongst which is awkward and laborious as elucidated in the foregoing. Such an alternative arrangement is appreciated by the inventor as being awkward to use and not intuitive in nature.  
      Similar considerations pertain when reading out data content from the data store  40  which preferably has a data capacity in excess of a DVD, for example in a manner of a hard disk unit in a contemporary portable lap-top computer which is often not detachable from the lap-top computer.  
      In order to register that a particular card  80  corresponds to particular corresponding content stored on a DVD inserted into the DVD recorder/player  30  or on the data store  40 , the user inserts the card  80  into the card writer/reader  70  which then records indicative reference data in the electronic module  130  and optionally also on the display  120 . The card  80  is coupled electrically to the card writer/reader  70  by at least one of electrical contacts, inductive loop coupling and radio-frequency radiation. Such coupling in the case of radio-frequency radiation is beneficially implemented by way of proprietary Blue-Tooth technology which is becoming an international standard for which standard mass-produced components such as Blue-Tooth integrated circuit transponders are becoming widely available from numerous vendors. As a further option, optical coupling may additionally, or alternatively, be employed.  
      If required, the electronic module  130  can be omitted from the card  80  to save cost to provide a corresponding basic card, each such basic card being provided with a unique code on manufacture. For example, the card  80  can be rendered as a standard item including laser-severable conductive links which are preferentially severed to provide each card  80  with a unique serial number. Moreover, connection to the severable links can be implemented inductively whereas connection directly to the display  120  is preferably implemented by way of electrical contact pads. Moreover, the display  120  is preferably arranged to retain visual information thereon after disconnection from the apparatus  10 . Information is then writable or erasable from the display  120  when the card  80  is coupled to the card writer/reader  70 . Moreover, when the card  80  is presented to the panel  60 , its serial number can be read inductively from the panel  60 . The computer interface  50  is capable then of associating the serial number of the card  80  so rendered with one or more particular items, for example, stored in the data store  40 ; moreover, the user is informed of what data content the card  80  is associated by way of information presented on the display  120  of the card  80 . Thus, by circumventing a need to include the electronic module  130 , the cost of manufacturing the card  80  is susceptible to being reduced.  
      As an alternative to employing conductive links which are susceptible to being interrogated electronically, a printed bar code can be used on the card wherein the panel  60  is then arranged to include one or more optical sensors capable of reading such a bar code. Thus in a simple implementation, the card includes a substrate, an e-ink display coupled to electrical contact pads and an optical bar code susceptible to being interrogated optically.  
      The apparatus  10  is capable of being implemented as a miniature portable device, physically akin to a mobile telephone in physical size. Alternatively, it may be implemented in the manner of a domestic high-fidelity unit susceptible to being mounted on a shelf or table surface. As a further alternative, the apparatus  10  is susceptible to being adapted for automotive use. As a consequence of the cards  80  themselves not including corresponding data content but such data content being stored remotely from the cards  80 , the apparatus  10  is beneficial in assisting to prevent pirating of data content as merely copying the content of the cards  80  provides multiple “keys” for operating the apparatus  10  rather than copying of substantially data content.  
      It will appreciated that embodiments of the invention described in the foregoing are susceptible to being modified without departing from the scope of the invention.  
      For example, at least one of the data store  30  and the DVD recorder/player (DVD)  40  are susceptible to being arranged to output data therefrom and/or input data thereto directly. Such a modified form of the apparatus  10 , the computer interface  50  is thereby bypassing other than supervising data transfer within the apparatus  10  and recording it visibly on the card  80  where appropriate, for example to list later-added data content.  
      The invention resides in each and every novel characteristic feature and each and every combination of characteristic features. Reference numerals in the claims do not limit their protective scope. Use of the verb “to include” and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements other than those stated in the claims. Use of the article “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.  
      ‘Means’, as will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, are meant to include any hardware (such as separate or integrated circuits or electronic elements) or software (such as programs or parts of programs) which perform in operation or are designed to perform a specified function, be it solely or in conjunction with other functions, be it in isolation or in co-operation with other elements. The invention can be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the system claim enumerating several means, several of these means can be embodied by one and the same item of hardware.