Abstract:
A system and method for associating context-sensitive widgets in electronic publications, preferably eBooks. The publisher of the eBook tags certain sections of the electronic book as widget enabled, which allows the reader of the book to associate a widget with the tagged content. Preferably, the tags are generic to categories of widgets and the system allows a user to select one of several widgets in that category to associate with the content. Once the widget has been associated with the content by a user, the user can activate and run the widget, which is related to the content thereby providing a richer and highly personalized reading experience.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to digital publications, and more particularly to systems and methods for incorporating and using widgets in digital publications. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A “widget” is defined as a very small, stand-alone, application performing one or a few simple functions usually within a specific context. Widgets come in many shapes and sizes, but two of the most popular types today are Web widgets and Desktop widgets. Web widgets are intended for use on (embedding in) webpages. Desktop widgets are installed on local computers. Web widgets are applications that can be embedded into third party web sites by any user on a page where they have rights of authorship. Widgets allow users to turn personal content into dynamic web apps that can be shared on websites where the code can be installed. For example, a “Weather Report Widget” could report today&#39;s weather by accessing data from the Weather Channel. For website visitors to view the widget, it must be embedded in a webpage. Widgets have also been added to various operating systems, such as in a clock application. 
         [0003]    Web widgets may be considered as downloadable applications which look and act like traditional applications but are implemented using web technologies including JavaScript, Flash, HTML and CSS. Many widgets use and depend on web Application Programming Interfaces exposed either by the browser or by a widget engine. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention operates in connection with a reader for digital publication, such as electronic books, eBooks. Although the following description concentrates on the use of widgets in connection with eBooks, those skilled in the art understand that the use of widgets described herein is equally applicable to other digital publications such as electronic magazines, newspapers, journals Historically, eBooks have been static pieces of content, capable of providing a limited experience reflecting a dated vision of story telling. They lack the ability to deliver a personalized and enhanced content experience. In part, this is due to the slow pace with which digital publications are evolving, as compared to the rapid pace of the transformation of digital information in general. However, with the tremendous success of applications (“Apps”) and widgets within the mobile and online paradigms, eBooks are positioned for a fundamental transformation enabled by the present invention, know as Book Widgets. 
         [0005]    A “widget” is defined as a very small application performing one or a few simple functions usually within a specific context. With this definition, it is possible to define an App as a collection of widgets hence making the App “context-independent” i.e., it is not reliant on an external context of use. Book Widgets according to the present invention is a platform that allows readers to associate context-sensitive widgets with their eBooks thereby providing a richer and highly personalized reading experience. Some examples of Book Widgets are: Wine pairing widget, Timer widget, Ingredient substitution widget. Weather widget, and Subway schedule widget. These widgets surface within the content (and hence the context) of an eBook page in a designed and considered way. The present invention enriches the reading experience by providing highly personalized, dynamic, in-context features for readers of eBooks. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    For the purposes of illustrating the present invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred, it being understood however, that the invention is not limited to the precise form shown by the drawing in which; 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary cover a widget enabled eBook; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  depicts an exemplary use of a widget in association with an eBook; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates a video widget associated with specific content in an eBook; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  depicts new widgets that can be associated with content in an eBook; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  depicts a user&#39;s Library displaying the user&#39;s widgets; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  illustrates a user interface for obtaining new widgets; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a system according to the present invention; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  illustrates the components of an exemplary device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    A widget is defined as a very small application performing one or a few simple functions usually within a specific context. The Book Widgets of the present invention provides a platform that allows a user to associate a widget with specific content at a “widget-activated” point of an eBook and execute that widget under user control.  FIG. 1  illustrates the cover of an eBook  100  that contains widgets according to the present invention. The inclusion of at least one widget in the eBook  100  is signified by the emblem  105  displayed on the cover. The eBook  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is a cookbook and provides an example, as described below, of a Shopping List book widget that can be executed by the reader of the cook book  100  to assist her in generating a shopping list for preparing the meal described in a recipe in the cook book  100 . As appreciated by those skilled in the art, this Shopping List book widget is merely exemplary of a widget that can be associated with, and used in connection with an eBook to enhance the reading experience. 
         [0016]      FIG. 2  depicts a page  110  in the eBook  100  for a specific recipe. As shown in this illustration, the page  110  contains an icon  105  that indicates that some content on this page  110  is “widget-activated.” In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the publisher of the eBook  100  has “tagged” the pertinent sections of the eBook  100  that are capable of being associated with a widget. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the icon  105  appears because the publisher has indicated by a tag in the eBook  100  that the Ingredients section  120  on page  110  is content that could be associated with a widget. In a preferred embodiment, the “tags” inserted by a publisher are not specific in identifying a specific widget that should be associated with particular content. Rather, the “tags” remain widget agnostic and provide a generic description of the content they are tagging. For example in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the publisher tag may generically describe the content  120  as “Ingredients” content. It is then up to the user, employing the reader software application to associate a specific widget with the tagged content, as further described below. 
         [0017]    In essence, the publisher activates portions of the eBook for book widget use. In this preferred embodiment, the maker of eBook reading devices or eBook software provides the publisher with a lexicon of book widget tags that the publisher can use. In the above example depicted in  FIG. 2 , the publisher of the cook book eBook  100  would select a “Ingredients” tag or a “Shopping list” widget tag (for example: shoppinglist_bookwidget.apk) from the lexicon of widget tags previously provided and then tag the Ingredients section  120  of the recipe  110  within the eBook  100 . In an alternative embodiment, the publisher can tag the content in an eBook with specific widgets. 
         [0018]    In the example illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the user taps on the icon  105  to see which portions of the content on page  110  are “widget-activated.” In example illustrated in  FIG. 2 , only the Ingredients section  120  is “widget-activated,” As appreciated by those skilled in the art, several sections of content on a particular page can be “widget-activated” For example, the publisher can also tag the title “Kick-Butt Chili”  125 . 
         [0019]    If the user has not previously associated a particular widget with a tagged section of content, when the user selects, taps on, a section of “widget-activated” content, the eReader software displays a list of the widgets that they user already owns or can purchase for use with the tagged content. The system has a description of a universe of widgets that can be used with “widget-activated” content. Using these descriptions and the tags supplied by the publisher, the system can determine which widgets are suitable for association with which tags. For example, with respect to the Ingredients “widget-activated” content  120  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , suitable widgets might include Shopping List widgets used to create a shopping list for the ingredients or Ingredients Description widgets that can provide photographs, the history and use of, and a general description of specific ingredients. 
         [0020]    As described above, when selecting specific “widget-activated” content, the system displays a list of the widgets that the user already owns that can be associated with the selected content. The user can then chose to associate one of the widgets she owns with the selected content. The selected widget is then associated with the tagged content and executed by the eReader device. In a preferred embodiment, each widget, when executed, is brought up in a separate window on the display of the user&#39;s device. In this preferred embodiment, the selected widget is thereafter associated with the selected content and whenever the user selects this specific content, the system executes the associated widget. This association between the selected widget and the selected content can be stored directly in the eBook electronic document. The user also has the option of changing the widget that is associated with the specific content. 
         [0021]    As also described above, when selecting a specific “widget-activated” section of content, the system displays a list of the widgets that the user can purchase or otherwise acquire (some widgets can be downloaded for free) that can be associated with the selected content. If the user selects to purchase or otherwise acquire a new widget, the system leads the user through the acquisition process and the new widget is downloaded and stored on the user&#39;s device, e.g., the user&#39;s mobile eReader device. The newly acquired widget is then associated with the tagged content and executed by the eReader device. 
         [0022]    In the example illustrated in the  FIG. 2 , the user had previously associated the Ingredients content  120  with a particular shopping widget  130 , a Shopping List widget from an online ordering grocery store, Freshdirect™. When the a “widget-activated” Ingredients list  120  that is displayed on the recipe page  100  is selected by the user, the system launches the Freshdirect™ Shopping List book widget  130  which is opened in a separate window. In the particular example depicted in  FIG. 2 , the particular widget  130  automatically populates the user&#39;s Fresh Direct™ shopping cart with the ingredients required to cook the selected recipe depicted in page  110 . The particular widget  130  allows the user to modify the shopping list, check availability for the selected ingredients, check the total price if all of the ingredients are purchased, select a delivery window, and place the order, all without leaving the specific page  110  of the eBook  100 . 
         [0023]    eBooks can have several pre-installed widgets and widgets that are available for purchase and download. Users are able to remove widgets, add new widgets, and depending on the usage rights, be able to use widgets across eBooks. 
         [0024]    The use of widgets in eBooks according to the present invention is guided, in part, by two principles. First, a widget used in an eBook preferably does not detract from the reading experience by taking the user away from the eBook page. The widget preferably operates in a small window displayed on the same page that the reader is viewing. Second, a widget enhances the reading experience of the user by adding value to the experience by operating within the context of the eBook. 
         [0025]    In the preferred embodiment, the maker of eBook reading devices or eBook software works with a network of third party developers to create book widgets that can be made available to users and publishers alike. In an exemplary scenario, an eBook user opens an eBook, arrive at a recipe, discovers the available shopping list widgets, and acquires, purchases, and downloads the desired shopping list widget. Alternatively, if eBook user already has a shopping list widget on their device the user can associate the resident widget with the “widget-activated” content. 
         [0026]    The following is example code for the tag associated with the Ingredients section  120  in the above example depicted in  FIG. 2 : 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 &lt;metadata&gt; 
               
               
                  &lt;meta property=“shopping-list-book-widget-href” 
               
               
                 &gt;Files/kickbuttchili_ingredients.xhtml&lt;/meta&gt; 
               
               
                  &lt;meta property=“shopping-list-book-widget-itemref” &gt;kbc_ing&lt;/meta&gt; 
               
               
                 &lt;/metadata&gt; 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0027]      FIG. 3  illustrates a widget  140  used for cooking tips. In the example illustrated in this Figure, the recipe found on a page  150  in the eBook describes a recipe for grilled steak. On a portion of the page is an instruction  160  to “grill until medium rare,” This phrase  160  on the page  150  is widget-activated, and when clicked, tapped, selected, by the user will launch the cooking tip widget  140 . Specifically, this widget provides further cooking instructions as to how a steak is grilled medium rare. The widget  140  can even play a short video  170  further instructing a user how to accomplish a medium rare grilling of a steak. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  illustrates the system informing the user that a new widget is available in association with the information being displayed on the eBook page being viewed. As previously described, the user can tap on icon  105  to see the “widget-activated” content on a page. In the example depicted on  FIG. 4 , the title  180  is “widget-activated,” As the user clicks on the title  180 , a description of the new widget  190  is launched. This specific widget  190  is one that pairs particular recipes, foods, with other recipes, foods. As described above, if the user is interested, she can click on the price button  195  to purchase, download, store and execute the widget  190 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  illustrates the “home” user interface page  300  of the eBook user&#39;s library that contains a tab  310  that, when selected, displays all of the user&#39;s widgets  330 . Interface page  300  contains tabs that the user can tap to view all of the items available on her device or through her account, such as books, magazines or newspapers. By tapping on the widget tab  310 , the lower part of the page is populated with all of the widgets  330  to which the user has rights. The user interface page  300  further has a selectable link  320  that the user can tap to go to a site for purchasing or otherwise downloading additional widgets. If the user taps on this link  320 , she is brought to a “Widget Shop” page  340  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , on the Widget Shop page  340 , the maker of the eBook reading device or eBook software has an area  350  that can make personalized recommendations to the user for widgets, based, at least in part, on the eBooks and or widgets that the system knows the user owns. In area  360 , the user can scroll (horizontally in the embodiment shown in this figure) different categories of widgets, such as Top Selling Widgets. In area  370 , the user can perform a word search for a specific type of widget for which she is looking. 
         [0031]      FIG. 7  shows components of a system according to the present invention. User  405  is an authorized user of the system and uses her local device  430  for the reading of digital content. Many of the functions of system are carried out on server  450 . As appreciated by those skilled in the art, many of the functions described herein can be divided between the server  450  and the user&#39;s local device  430 . Further, as also appreciated by those skilled in the art, server  450  can be considered a “cloud” with respect to the user and her local device  430 . The cloud can actually be comprised of several servers performing interconnected and distributed functions. For the sake of simplicity in the present discussion, only a single server  450  will be described. The user  405  can connect to the server  450  via the Internet  440 , a telephone network  445  (e.g., wirelessly through a cellphone network) or other suitable electronic communication means. User  405  has an account on lending server  450 , which authorizes user  405  to use the system. 
         [0032]    Associated with the user&#39;s  405  account is the user&#39;s digital locker  420  located on the server  450 . As further described below, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, digital locker  420  contains links to copies of digital content  425  previously purchased (or otherwise legally acquired) by user  405 . 
         [0033]    Indicia of rights to all copies of digital content  425  owned by user  405 , including digital content  425 , e.g., an eBook, is stored by reference in the user&#39;s digital locker  420 . Digital locker  420  is a remote online repository that is uniquely associated with the user&#39;s  405  account. As appreciated by those skilled in the art, the actual copies of the digital content  425  are not necessarily stored in the user&#39;s locker  420 , but rather the locker  420  stores an indication of the rights of the user to the particular content  425  and a link or other reference to the actual digital content  425 . Typically, the actual copy of the digital content  425  is stored in another mass storage (not shown). The digital lockers  420  of all of the users who have purchased a copy of a particular digital content  425  would point to this copy in mass storage. Of course, back up copies of all digital content  425  are maintained for disaster recovery purposes. Although only one example of digital content  425  is illustrated in this Figure, it is appreciated that the lending server  450  can contain millions of files  425  containing digital content. It is also contemplated that the server  450  can actually be comprised of several servers with access to a plurality of storage devices containing digital content  425 . As further appreciated by those skilled in the art, in conventional licensing programs, the user does not own the actual copy of the digital content, but has a license to use it. Hereinafter, if reference is made to “owning” the digital content, it is understood what is meant is the license or right to use the content. 
         [0034]    Similarly, all of the widgets owned by user  405  contain references in the user&#39;s digital locker  420  to the widget library  460 . Although shown in  FIG. 7  as appearing as residing on server  450 , as known to those skilled in the art, the widgets  460  can also be stored on servers of the third party vendors of widgets. 
         [0035]    User  405  can access his or her digital locker  420  using a local device  430 . Local device  430  is an electronic device such as a personal computer, an c-book reader, a smart phone or other electronic device that the user  405  can use to access the server  450 . In a preferred embodiment, the local device has been previously associated, registered, with the user&#39;s account using user&#39;s account credentials. Local device  430  provides the capability for user  405  to download user&#39;s copy of digital content  425  via his or her digital locker  420 . After digital content  425  is downloaded to local device  430 , user  405  can engage with the downloaded content locally, e.g., read the book, listen to the music or watch the video. 
         [0036]    In a similar vein, all of the user&#39;s widgets  460 , including those that have been associated with their digital content  425  can be downloaded, stored and executed on the user&#39;s local device  430 . 
         [0037]    In a preferred embodiment, local device  430  includes a non-browser based device interface that allows user  405  to initiate the functionality of the system in a non-browser environment. Through the device interface, the user  405  is automatically connected to the server  450  in a non-browser based environment. This connection to the server  450  is a secure interface and can be through the telephone network  445 , typically a cellular network for mobile devices. If user  405  is accessing his or her digital locker  420  using the Internet  440 , local device  430  also includes a web account interface. Web account interface provides user  405  with browser-based access to his or her account and digital locker  420  over the Internet  440 . Using either of these two interfaces, the user is able to read their content  425  and execute their widgets  460  remotely. 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary local device  430 . As appreciated by those skilled the art, the local device  430  can take many forms capable of operating the present invention. As previously described, in a preferred embodiment the local device  430  is a mobile electronic device, and in an even more preferred embodiment device  430  is an electronic reader device. Electronic device  430  can include control circuitry  500 , storage  510 , memory  520 , input/output (“I/O”) circuitry  530 , communications circuitry  540 , and display  550 . In some embodiments, one or more of the components of electronic device  430  can be combined or omitted, e.g., storage  510  and memory  520  may be combined. As appreciated by those skilled in the art, electronic device  430  can include other components not combined or included in those shown in  FIG. 8 , e.g., a power supply such as a battery, an input mechanism, etc. 
         [0039]    Electronic device  430  can include any suitable type of electronic device. For example, electronic device  430  can include a portable electronic device that the user may hold in his or her hand, such as a digital media player, a personal e-mail device, a personal data assistant (“PDA”), a cellular telephone, a handheld gaming device, a tablet device or an eBook reader. As another example, electronic device  130  can include a larger portable electronic device, such as a laptop computer. As yet another example, electronic device  430  can include a substantially fixed electronic device, such as a desktop computer. 
         [0040]    Control circuitry  500  can include any processing circuitry or processor operative to control the operations and performance of electronic device  430 . For example, control circuitry  500  can be used to run operating system applications, firmware applications, media playback applications, media editing applications, or any other application. Control circuitry  500  can drive the display  550  and process inputs received from a user interface, e.g., the display  550  if it is a touch screen. 
         [0041]    Orientation sensing component  505  include orientation hardware such as, but not limited to, an accelerometer or a gyroscopic device and the software operable to communicate the sensed orientation to the control circuitry  500 . The orientation sensing component  505  is coupled to control circuitry  500  that controls the various input and output to and from the other various components. The orientation sensing component  505  is configured to sense the current orientation of the portable mobile device  430  as a whole. The orientation data is then fed to the control circuitry  500  which control an orientation sensing application. The orientation sensing application controls the graphical user interface (GUI), which drives the display  550  to present the GUI for the desired mode. 
         [0042]    Storage  510  can include, for example, one or more tangible computer storage mediums including a hard-drive, solid state drive, flash memory, permanent memory such as ROM, magnetic, optical, semiconductor, paper, or any other suitable type of storage component, or any combination thereof. Storage  510  can store, for example, media content, e.g., eBooks, music and video files, application data, e.g., software for implementing functions on electronic device  430 , firmware, user preference information data, e.g., content preferences, authentication information, e.g., libraries of data associated with authorized users, transaction information data, e.g., information such as credit card information, wireless connection information data, e.g., information that can enable electronic device  430  to establish a wireless connection), subscription information data, e.g., information that keeps track of podcasts or television shows or other media a user subscribes to, contact information data, e.g., telephone numbers and email addresses, calendar information data, and any other suitable data or any combination thereof. The instructions for implementing the functions of the present invention may, as non-limiting examples, comprise non transient software and/or scripts stored in the computer-readable media  510 . 
         [0043]    Memory  520  can include cache memory, semi-permanent memory such as RAM, and/or one or more different types of memory used for temporarily storing data. In some embodiments, memory  520  can also be used for storing non transient data used to operate electronic device applications, or any other type of data that can be stored in storage  510 . In some embodiments, memory  520  and storage  510  can be combined as a single storage medium. 
         [0044]    I/O circuitry  530  can be operative to convert, and encode/decode, if necessary analog signals and other signals into digital data. In some embodiments, I/O circuitry  530  can also convert digital data into any other type of signal, and vice-versa. For example, I/O circuitry  530  can receive and convert physical contact inputs, e.g., from a multi-touch screen, i.e., display  550 , physical movements, e.g., from a mouse or sensor, analog audio signals, e.g., from a microphone, or any other input. The digital data can be provided to and received from control circuitry  500 , storage  510 , and memory  520 , or any other component of electronic device  430 . Although I/O circuitry  530  is illustrated in  FIG. 8  as a single component of electronic device  130 , several instances of I/O circuitry  530  can be included in electronic device  430 . 
         [0045]    Electronic device  430  can include any suitable interface or component for allowing a user to provide inputs to I/O circuitry  530 . For example, electronic device  430  can include any suitable input mechanism, such as a button, keypad, dial, a click wheel, or a touch screen, e.g., display  550 . In some embodiments, electronic device  430  can include a capacitive sensing mechanism, or a multi-touch capacitive sensing mechanism. 
         [0046]    in some embodiments, electronic device  430  can include specialized output circuitry associated with output devices such as, for example, one or more audio outputs. The audio output can include one or more speakers, e.g., mono or stereo speakers, built into electronic device  430 , or an audio component that is remotely coupled to electronic device  430 , e.g., a headset, headphones or earbuds that can be coupled to device  430  with a wire or wirelessly. 
         [0047]    Display  550  includes the display and display circuitry for providing a display visible to the user. For example, the display circuitry can include a screen, e.g., an LCD screen, that is incorporated in electronic device  430 . In some embodiments, the display circuitry can include a coder/decoder (Codec) to convert digital media data into analog signals. For example, the display circuitry or other appropriate circuitry within electronic device  430  can include video Codecs, audio Codecs, or any other suitable type of Codec. 
         [0048]    The display circuitry also can include display driver circuitry, circuitry for driving display drivers, or both. The display circuitry can be operative to display content, e.g., media playback information, application screens for applications implemented on the electronic device  430 , information regarding ongoing communications operations, information regarding incoming communications requests, or device operation screens, under the direction of control circuitry  500 . Alternatively, the display circuitry can be operative to provide instructions to a remote display. 
         [0049]    Communications circuitry  540  can include any suitable communications circuitry operative to connect to a communications network and to transmit communications, e.g., data from electronic device  430  to other devices within the communications network. Communications circuitry  540  can be operative to interface with the communications network using any suitable communications protocol such as, for example, Wi-Fi, e.g., a 802.11 protocol, Bluetooth, radio frequency systems, e.g., 900 MHz, GHz, and 5.6 GHz communication systems, infrared, GSM, GSM plus EDGE, CDMA, quadband, and other cellular protocols, VOIP, or any other suitable protocol. 
         [0050]    Electronic device  430  can include one more instances of communications circuitry  540  for simultaneously performing several communications operations using different communications networks, although only one is shown in  FIG. 8  to avoid overcomplicating the drawing. For example, electronic device  430  can include a first instance of communications circuitry  540  for communicating over a cellular network, and a second instance of communications circuitry  540  for communicating over Wi-Fi or using Bluetooth. In some embodiments, the same instance of communications circuitry  540  can be operative to provide for communications over several communications networks. 
         [0051]    In some embodiments, electronic device  430  can be coupled to a host device such as digital content control server  450  for data transfers, synching the communications device, software or firmware updates, providing performance information to a remote source, e.g., providing riding characteristics to a remote server, or performing any other suitable operation that can require electronic device  130  to be coupled to a host device. Several electronic devices  430  can be coupled to a single host device using the host device as a server. Alternatively or additionally, electronic device  430  can be coupled to several host devices, e.g., for each of the plurality of the host devices to serve as a backup for data stored in electronic device  430 . 
         [0052]    Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and other uses will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the gist and scope of the disclosure.