Abstract:
A backlit storybook for the visually impaired comprises an audio and visual storybook including a book, a base, and an integral backlight. Each page of the book comprises images or words. The book is placed upon the base to enable each individual page to backlight the images and words to provide a high-contrast lighted character pattern easily readable by those with impaired vision. The system further includes a speaker for audio to play a corresponding narration and indicates when different pages should be turned.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are currently no applications co-pending with the present application. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to electronic books, and in particular, to electronic books which illuminate for visually impaired persons. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Storybooks have been known and enjoyed by people for many years. People who are visually impaired require the use of Braille or spoken word to understand books. Yet many people who have partial vision loss which enables them to see light perception utilize specialized tools to visually understand a storybook. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide storybooks for the visually impaired. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,427,387, issued in the name of Tomita, describes a toy which assists in drawing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,393, issued in the name of Rosenwinkel et al., describes a light box drawing toy. 
     U.S. Patent No. 2010/0277443, issued in the name of Yamazaki et al., describes an electronic book with flexible pages. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more disadvantages. Many are not suited for interaction between user and device. Another problem is that many of the devices are not for reading or listening to a story. Accordingly, there exists a need for a storybook for the visually impaired without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for storybooks for the visually impaired which provides a user interface and interaction between the visually impaired person and the device. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present embodiments of the invention to solve at least one (1) of these problems. The inventor has addressed this need by developing a storybook for the visually impaired. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a backlit story book which is suited for persons who are visually impaired. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a control base and at least one (1) book. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to retain the book mechanically and electrically and provide electronics to provide the audio and illumination of the book. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the control base with a handle for grasping and transporting. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a recess upon the control base for securing the book. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the control base with a connection fitting to provide a mechanical and electrical connection to the book. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the control base with control buttons and an illumination device to enable the book to animate. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the book with embedded circuitry to enable narration of the book to be broadcasted by the control base. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the book with a plurality of illuminated etches which outlined characters who correspond to the story and the audio. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the book with illumination jacks and illumination devices to illuminate the book. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the book with a binding, a front cover, a rear cover, and a plurality of pages. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the binding with a microchip which retains information about the book which are transferred to the control base. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the pages with fiber optics to illuminate each page. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a cover to protect the control base. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of engaging the binding of a book with the connection fitting on the control base, powering the system, illuminating each page, and looking and listening to the storybook. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a backlit story book for the visually impaired  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a control base  20 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the control base  20 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a front cut-away perspective view of the control base  20 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a book  50 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear open perspective view of the book  50 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a front open perspective view of the book  50 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an electrical block diagram of the backlit story book for the visually impaired  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of the control base  20  and a cover  70 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 10  is another front perspective view of the control base  20  depicting the cover  70  as being attached, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  backlit story book for the visually impaired 
               20  control base 
               22  handle 
               23  recess 
               24  slot 
               25  battery compartment 
               26  battery 
               27  speaker 
               28  activation button 
               29  volume increase button 
               30  volume decrease button 
               31  previous button 
               32  next button 
               33  microprocessor 
               34  first circuit 
               35  second circuit 
               36  illumination device 
               37  standoff 
               38  connection fitting 
               39  insertion port 
               40  USB port 
               41  cable 
               42  interior portion 
               50  book 
               51  binding 
               52  illumination jack 
               53  USB jack 
               54  microchip 
               55  fiber optic 
               56  front cover 
               57  rear cover 
               58  indicia 
               59  page 
               60  etch 
               61  illumination 
               62  front sheet 
               63  rear sheet 
               70  cover 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 10 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a backlit story book (herein described as the “system”)  10 , which provides a means for enhancing features of a book  50  particularly suited for persons who are visually impaired. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the system  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The system  10  comprises a control base  20  and at least one (1) book  50 . The control base  20  and the book  50  work together to provide a visually and audibly appealing means of reading a story. The control base  20  comprises control buttons  28 ,  29 ,  30 ,  31 ,  32  and an illumination device  36  to enable the book  50  to animate. Circuitry which is embedded within the book  50  enables narration of the book  50  to be broadcasted by the control base  20 . The book  50  includes a plurality of etches  60  which correspond to a particular story and the audio. The etches  60  are illuminated to enable the visually impaired to see an outlined character which corresponds to the story and audio. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a front perspective view of the control base  20 ,  FIG. 3 , a rear perspective view of the control base  20 , and  FIG. 4 , a front cut-away perspective view of the control base  20 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The control base  20  includes a generally rectangular shape which is fabricated from a durable plastic. The control base  20  retains the book  50  mechanically and electrically and also provides electronics to provide the audio and illumination of the book  50 . 
     An upper portion of the control base  20  includes an ergonomic handle  22  which enables a user to grasp for transporting the control base  20  to a desired location. The handle  22  is preferably molded into the control base  20  and can be positioned at various location as desired by the manufacturer. An upper surface of the control base  20  includes a rectangular recess  23  which provides a position for the book  50  to be electrically and mechanically secured. The recess  23  is slightly larger than the dimensions of an open book  50  and includes a slot  24  and a connection fitting  38 . The slot  24  is depicted along a lateral inner edge of the recess  23 . The slot  24  enables a rear cover  57  of the book  50  to be slid within to partially secure the book  50  via friction fit. 
     The connection fitting  38  provides a mechanical and electrical connection to the book  50 . The connection fitting  38  includes a plurality of insertion ports  39  and a USB port  40 . The connection fitting  38  is mounted to a second circuit board  35  housed within an interior portion  42  (see  FIG. 4 ) with a pair of common standoffs  37 . Each insertion port  39  provides a removably attachable attachment to a respective illumination jack  52  upon the book  50 . The interconnection of the illumination jacks  52  to the insertion ports  39  further secure the book  50  to the control base  20 . The insertion ports  39  align with an illumination device  36  which are positioned below the insertion ports  39  and fixed upon the second circuit  35 . The illumination devices  36  are preferably light emitting diodes (LED&#39;s) and each illumination device  36  corresponds to a page  59  of the book  50 ; therefore, the number of pages  59  equals the number of illumination devices  36  and the number of insertion ports  39 . The USB port  40  provides an electrical connection between the second circuit  35  and a USB jack  53  upon the book  50 . The connection of the USB port  40  to the USB jack  53  enables data to be transferred from a microchip  54  within the book  50  to the second circuit  35 , and further to a first circuit  34 . 
     The interior portion  42  of the control base  20  encloses the circuits  34 ,  35  which are also interconnected with a common cable  41 . The second circuit  35  transmits the data inserted into the USB port  40  to the first circuit  34  which enables user manipulation via a plurality of buttons  28 ,  29 ,  30 ,  31 ,  32 . The data transferred is preferably narration of the respective story, illumination sequences and patterns, timing sequences, or the like. Each book  50  would possess particular data which corresponds to the story. The first circuit  34  includes a microprocessor  33  which controls the data input from the book  50  and controls the buttons  28 ,  29 ,  30 ,  31 ,  32 . An activation button  28  activates and deactivates the current from a battery  26  to the circuits  34 ,  35 . The battery  26  is preferably a user replaceable electrochemical cell located within a battery compartment  25  on a rear surface of the control base  20 . A volume increase button  29  and a volume decrease button  30  manipulate the sound broadcasted from a speaker  27 . The speaker  27  is a common electro-acoustic transducer which produces sound in response to the audio signal transferred from the book  50 . The speaker  27  broadcasts the narration of the book  50  along with associated commands such as prompts to turn a page  59 . A previous button  31  and a next button  32  increment or decrement the narration according to a desired page  59 . The buttons  28 ,  29 ,  30 ,  31 ,  32  are preferably pushbutton switches, yet other switching devices may be utilized without limiting the scope of the system  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a front perspective view of the book  50 ,  FIG. 6 , a rear open perspective view of the book  50 , and  FIG. 7 , a front open perspective view of the book  50 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The book  50  works in conjunction with the control base  20 . Preferably the system  10  would be purchased with a control base  20  and a couple books  50  and the option of the user to purchase different books  50  as desired. The books  50  are provided with common story themes found on the market today. In a closed position the book  50  measures approximately ten-and-a-half (10½) inches in length and eight (8) inches in width. 
     The book  50  includes a binding  51 , a front cover  56 , a rear cover  57 , and a plurality of pages  59 . The front cover  56  and rear cover  57  include indicia  58  such as titles, illustrations, book information, or the like and they also protect the pages  59 . The covers  56 ,  57  and pages  59  are attached to the binding  51  with common book binding techniques and also electrically connected with a plurality of fiber optics  55  (see herein below). The book  50  is fabricated from materials such as a thick compressed and bonded paper in various colors, yet other materials such as vinyl or the like may be utilized without limiting the scope of the system  10 . The binding  51  also includes a microchip  54  which retains information about the book  50 , narration of the story, and other associated prompts which are transferred to the control base  20 . 
     An outer intermediate portion of the binding  51  includes a plurality of illumination jacks  52  which interconnect with the insertion ports  39  and the USB jack  53  which interconnects to the USB port  40 . The insertion ports  39  connected to the illumination jacks  52  are common fiber optic snap connectors and the USB jack  53  connected to the USB port  40  is a standard universal serial bus male to female sockets. Each illumination jack  52  is interconnected to a length of fiber optics  55  which are further routed to a desired page  59  (see herein below). 
     Each page  59  is comprised of a front sheet  62  and a rear sheet  63  which are bonded together with adhesive. The fiber optics  55  are positioned between the sheets  62 ,  63 . Each sheet  62 ,  63  includes an etch  60  which corresponds to a silhouette of a character or object in the associated story. Each etch  60  is a through-hole cut through the entire page  59 . The fiber optics  55  are positioned between each sheet  62 ,  63  along the perimeter edge of each etch  60  to enable the fiber optics  55  to create an illumination  61  and further enable the user to recognize the shape. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an electrical block diagram of the system  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The control base  20  receives current from the battery  26 . The battery  26  enables the activation button  28  to be depressed and simultaneously transmit current to the volume buttons  29 ,  30 , previous and next buttons  31 ,  32 , the speaker  27 , the microprocessor  33 , and illumination devices  36 . With a binding  51  of a book  50  connected to the connection fitting  38  the illumination devices  36  transmit illumination  61  to each fiber optic  55  which illuminates the etches  60  on a single page  59 . Current is also transmitted to the USB jack  53  and microchip  54  within the binding  51 . The illumination of each fiber optic  55  is controlled by the microchip  54  which includes various setting and prompts to enable the fiber optics  55  to illuminate  61  at a desired time, particularly when the user is at the associated page  59 . Preferably, the narration broadcasted through the speaker  27  will advise the user when to turn to the next page  59  which will activate the respective illumination device  36  and concurrently enable the respective fiber optic  55  to illuminate  61 . The user can also depress the previous button  31  or next button  32  to change pages as desired. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a front perspective view of the control base  20  and the cover  70  and  FIG. 10 , another front perspective view of the control base  20  depicting the cover  70  as being attached, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. A cover  70  is also provided with the system  10  to protect the control base  20  from water, debris, or the like during transportation or storage. The cover  70  is depicted as a “C”-shaped durable pliable plastic material which is placed upon the front surface of the control base  20  and partially upon the rear surface of the control base  20 . The cover  70  is slightly larger than the width of the control base  20  to enable a sliding placement thereupon. It is known that other cover  70  attachment means can be utilized without limiting the scope of the system  10 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the system  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the system  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the system  10 ; positioning the control base  20  on a level surface; replacing batteries  26  within the battery compartment  25  as desired; engaging the binding  51  of a desired book  50  with the connection fitting  38 ; depressing the activation button  28  to power the system  10 ; listening to the narration broadcasted from the speaker  27  and looking at the illuminated  61  etches  60  on the pages  59  of the book  50 ; utilizing the buttons  29 ,  30 ,  31 ,  32  to increase the volume or go through the pages  59  as desired; placing the cover  70  upon the control base  20  as needed; and, allowing visually impaired children to enjoy a storybook regardless of their vision capability in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.