Patent Application
20130117702
This application claims, pursuant to 35 USC 119(a), priority to, and the benefit of the earlier filing date of, a Korean patent application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Nov. 8, 2011 and assigned Serial Number 10-2011-0115774, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for managing reading, and more particularly, to a method capable of managing a schedule associated with reading an electronic book using an electronic terminal, and an apparatus thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, an electronic book means a digital book in which information such as texts or images are recorded in an electronic medium such that users may use the electronic book as a book store. The user can read an electronic book using an electronic device with an electronic book reader function. In particular, the price of the electronic book is lower than that of a paper book. Further, the user may easily purchase and read a desired electronic book using an electronic terminal, which may be portable; for example, implemented as a portable electronic book reader or a tablet PC, anywhere and anytime. Accordingly, utilization of the electronic book tends to be continuously increasing.
In the meantime, the terminal may store a large amount of various electronic books. Accordingly, there is a need for efficient management with respect to stored electronic books. However, a conventional electronic device, such as a terminal in the prior art, provides only location information of a current reading page and location information separately bookmarked by the user, but does not provide a function capable of efficiently managing an electronic book. In addition, since terminals, such as portable electronic book readers and tablet PCs, are being provided with increasingly large storage capacities for storing many electronic books, there is an essential need for a function that allows a user to conveniently and easily read and manage many electronic books.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a method of managing reading that may efficiently manage stored electronic books, and an apparatus thereof.
The present invention further provides a function that allows a user to read stored electronic books.
The present invention further provides a function that monitors and guides a current situation of reading by a user.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method of managing reading using a terminal includes: setting a reading period with respect to an electronic book and a reading amount by dates of the reading period; monitoring an achievement rate of the reading amount while executing reading with respect to the electronic book; and displaying reading schedule information including the reading period and the achievement rate.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for managing reading using a terminal includes: a memory storing an electronic book; a controller setting a reading period with respect to the electronic book and a reading amount by dates of the reading period, and monitoring an achievement rate of the reading amount; and a display unit displaying a page of the electronic book and reading schedule information containing the reading period and the achievement rate.
The above features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings in detail. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. The same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. For the purposes of clarity and simplicity, detailed descriptions of well-known functions and structures incorporated herein may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention. Also, terms described herein, which are defined considering the functions of the present invention, may be implemented differently depending on user and operator's intention and practice. Therefore, the terms should be understood on the basis of the disclosure throughout the specification. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in varied and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.
Furthermore, although the drawings represent exemplary embodiments of the invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated or omitted in order to more clearly illustrate and explain the present invention.
Among the terms set forth herein, a terminal refers to any kind of device capable of processing data which is transmitted or received to or from any external entity. The terminal may display icons or menus on a screen to which stored data and various executable functions are assigned or mapped. The terminal may include a computer, a notebook, a tablet PC, a mobile device, and the like.
Among the terms set forth herein, a screen refers to a display or other output devices which visually display information to the user, and which optionally are capable of receiving and electronically processing tactile inputs from a user using a stylo, a finger of the user, or other techniques for conveying a user selection from the user to the output devices.
Among the terms set forth herein, an icon refers to a graphical element such as a figure or a symbol displayed on the screen of the device such that a user can easily select a desired function or data. In particular, each icon has a mapping relation with any function being executable in the device or with any data stored in the device and is used for processing functions or selecting data in the device. When a user selects one of the displayed icons, the device identifies a particular function or data associated with the selected icon. Then the device executes the identified function or displays the identified data.
Among terms set forth herein, data refers to any kind of information processed by the device, including text and/or images received from any external entities, messages transmitted or received, and information created when a specific function is executed by the device.
An apparatus of the present invention for managing reading is applicable to electronic devices of various forms with an electronic book reader function. In addition, the apparatus of the present invention for managing reading is applicable to a portable terminal such as a smart phone or a tablet PC. Hereinafter, for the purposes of illustration and discussion of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it is assumed that the apparatus for managing reading is a portable terminal. However, it is to be understood that the present invention may be implemented in any known electronic device for reading.
Further, the apparatus for managing reading according to the present invention may provide a function capable of setting a reading plan of stored electronic books, a function of monitoring and guiding a current situation of reading, and a function of analyzing a reading pattern of the user and recommending a book to the user based on the analyzed result.
The touch screen 110 is mounted in a front surface of the display unit 130, and generates and transfers a touch event to the controller 170 in response to a user operation with respect to the touch screen 110. The controller 170 may control the foregoing elements in response to the touch event. Here, the user operation may be classified into touch, tap, double tap, press, drag, drag & drop, and sweep. Here, the touch is an operation that the user pushes one point of a screen; the tap is an operation that contacts one point on the touch screen 110 with a finger, stylo, or other object and then separates, for example, the finger from the one point without movement of the finger from above the one point after touching the one point; the double tap is an operation that successively taps one point on the touch screen 110 twice; the press is an operation that has the finger contact and press a point on the touch screen 110 without movement of the finger after touching the one point longer than the tap operation; the drag is an operation that moves the finger in a predetermined direction on the touch screen 110 after one point on the touch screen is touched; the drag & drop is an operation that removes a finger from contacting the touch screen 110 after a drag operation; and the swing or flip is an operation that removes the finger from contacting the touch screen 110 after moving the finger at high speed while maintaining the contact with the touch screen 110 in a drag operation. As used herein the drag operation may also be called a scroll, and the swing operation may also be called flick. The controller 170 may classify and distinguish the swing and the drag operations based on the moving speed of the finger, stylo, or other device. The touch screen 110 may be implemented by including a resistive type, a capacitive type, an electromagnetic induction type, and/or a pressure type component known in the art.
The key input unit 120 may include a plurality of input keys and function keys for receiving an input of numeral or character information and for setting various functions. The function keys may include arrow keys, side keys, and short keys set and configured such that a certain function is performed when each respective function key is pressed or otherwise actuated. Further, the input unit 120 generates and transfers a key signal associated with user setting operations and function control of the portable terminal 100. The key signals may be classified into, for example, at least a power on/off signal, a volume control signal, and a screen on/off signal. The controller 170 controls the foregoing elements in response to the key signals. The key input unit 120 may be realized by a QWERTY key pad, a 3*4 key pad, or 4*3 key pad with a plurality of keys. Further, when a touch screen 110 of the portable terminal 100 is supported in the form of a full touch screen, the key input unit 120 may include only at least one side key for implementing a screen on/off operation to activate or deactivate the touch screen 110, and a power on/off operation for activating or deactivating the portable terminal 100, with the at least one side key provided in a side of a case of the portable terminal 100.
The display unit 130 converts image data from the controller 170 into, for example, an analog signal, and displays the analog signal. Alternatively, the image data may be converted into a digital signal for display by the display unit 130. That is, the display unit 130 may provide various screens according to utilization of the portable terminal 100, for example, a lock screen, a home screen, an application execution screen, a menu screen, a message creation screen, an Internet screen, and a key pad screen. In particular, the display unit 130 according to the present invention may provide an execution screen of an electronic book application under the control of the controller 170. The lock screen may be an image displayed when a screen of the display unit 130 becomes larger. If a certain touch event for lock release occurs, the controller 170 may switch a displayed image from the lock screen to a home screen or an application execution screen. The home screen may be an image including a plurality of application icons corresponding to a plurality of applications, respectively. If one icon is selected from a plurality of application icons by a user, the controller 170 may execute a corresponding application and switch the displayed image to an execution screen of the corresponding application. Further, the display unit 130 may divide a screen into a plurality of regions under the control of the controller 170 and display different screens on the divided regions. For example, the display unit 130 may divide the screen into a first region and a second region, display an application execution screen in the first region, and display a key pad screen in the second region.
Further, the display unit 130 may be configured in the form of a flat panel display implemented by, for example, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), an Organic Light Emitted Diode (OLED), an Active Matrix Organic Light Emitted Diode (AMOLED), or any other known displays. Further, the display unit 130 may include a 3D implementing component for displaying a left eye image and a right eye image, and controlling the images such that a user feels a depth feeling from viewing the displayed left/right eye images. As known in the related art, the 3D implementing component may be divided, for example, into a glasses type and an auto-stereoscopic type. The glasses type includes a color filter type, a deflection filter type, and a shutter glass type, and the auto-stereoscopic type includes a lenticular lens type and a parallax barrier type.
The memory 140 may store an Operating System (OS), and applications and various data necessary for implementing and performing the present invention. The memory 140 may at least include a program area and a data area. The data area of the memory 140 may store data generated by the controller 170 according to the use of the portable terminal. Further, the data area may store the aforesaid screens for subsequent output from the display unit 130. Among the screens, the key pad screen and the menu screen may have various forms. That is, the key pad screen may be configured such as a 3*4 or a QWERTY key layout. Moreover, the menu screen may include a screen switch key (e.g., a return key for returning a screen to a previous screen), and a control key for controlling a currently executed application. Further, the keypad screen or the menu screen may be displayed to overlap a lock screen, an application execution screen, and a home screen. Further, the data area may temporarily store data by the user from messages, photographs, web pages, and documents for insertion of data. Further, the data area may store various setting values (e.g., screen brightness, presence of a vibration upon generation of a touch, presence of automatic screen rotation) for operating the portable terminal 100.
In particular, the data area of the memory 140 according to the invention may store a plurality of electronic books 141. The data area may store current reading situation information 142 with respect to a plurality of stored electronic books 141. Here, the current reading situation information 142 may contain read pages, read dates, non-read pages, and user input information. Here, the user input information is defined as information input by the user to a separate page. The user input information may be displayed simultaneously when a corresponding page is displayed. For example, the user input information may be data representing a memo, highlighted text, images, and book leaves. Further, the data area may store reading schedule information 143 with respect to a plurality of electronic books 141. The reading schedule information 143 may contain start and end dates of reading, alarm information, a reading amount (reading range) and an achievement rate by dates for a user of the terminal 100. Here, the achievement rate means a ratio of an actually read page amount to a planned reading amount for reading. For example, if the planned reading amount of today; that is, the current date, is 100 pages and the user reads 80 pages, the achievement rate of today is 80%. The achievement rate may include an achievement rate by dates and an achievement rate. Here, the average achievement rate means a ratio of a total amount of read pages to a total amount of an electronic book. Further, the data area may store a look-up table to determine a presence of reading of the page. The following Table 1 indicates an example of the look-up table.
in which the classifications are (A) skipped pages using a flick operation, (B) skipped pages using a tap operation, (C) skipped pages using text-to-speech (TTS), (D) skipped pages using a scroll bar, (E) skipped pages using multi-touch operations on the touch screen 110, (F) move to a list screen, (G) move to my notebook, and (H) move to a plan screen.
As illustrated in the look-up table, when a page is skipped from a currently displayed page to a previous or next page (that is, the page is skipped for each page), the controller 170 recognizes that a current page is read, but does not recognize that remaining page which is skipped is read, namely, page skip jumping from the current page to a certain page other than the previous or next page. Referring to Table 1, for example, if a flick is sensed, the controller 170 recognizes that a current page is read, and controls the display unit 130 to display a next or previous page. Further, the controller 170 updates reading schedule information 142 associated with reading recognition with respect to a current page. Further, if a tap is sensed at both ends of a page, namely, a left end or a right end of the current page, the controller 170 recognizes that the current page is read. Meanwhile, the portable terminal 100 according to the present invention may include a Text To Speech (TTS) function for converting a text into an audio signal, such as a computer-generated voice, and outputting the voice. That is, the controller 170 may control the terminal 100 such that a current page is converted into a voice, and the voice is output using the TTS function. In this case, when a voice, which is output with respect to the current page, is terminated, the controller 170 may control the terminal 100 such that a next page is displayed. Moreover, the controller 170 may recognize that the current page is read.
However, although a page skip is achieved for each page of a set of pages, the controller 170 may not recognize that a page skip using a scroll bar is read. Here, the scroll bar is displayed to overlap the current page, and may indicate entire pages. The user may operate a scroll bar to skip a page and to jump to a certain page. Further, the scroll bar may include location information, read parts, non-read parts, and location of a final page of a planned amount for reading for a specific day, such as today. In the meantime, if a multi-touch operation is sensed, the controller 170 may perform a page skip from a current page to a specific different page. Here, the multi-touch operation means an operation in which a user touches a plurality of points on the touch screen 110. For example, if an operation (namely, multi-touch) involves moving a finger at high speed for flipping in a state such that a user simultaneously touches two points, the controller 170 may control the terminal 100 such that a first page of a next chapter is displayed in a current page. Further, if a flick is simultaneously detected at three points on the touch screen 110, the controller 170 may move a current page to the nearest book-marked page. As illustrated above, the controller 170 may not recognize that a page skip, which jumped to a certain page using multi-touch, is read. In addition, the controller 170 may not recognize that movement of the current page to a list screen, a new notebook screen, and a reading plan screen is read. Here, the new notebook screen may be a screen displaying information which the user inputs with respect to an electronic book. If generation of a touch event with respect to user input information is sensed on the new notebook screen, for example, when a tap with respect to a memo is sensed, the controller 170 may control the terminal 100 such that a corresponding page of a memo, in which a tap is performed, is displayed.
The look-up table as illustrated above is merely an example for determining the presence of recognition of a reading page, but such an example, does not restrict the present invention. That is, reading recognition conditions may involve various conditions, for example, user input information, or a determination of a time as well as a page skip. Specifically, when the user inputs user input information in a current page and then moves to a list or a certain page other than moving one page unit, the controller 170 may recognize that the current page is read. That is, if the user input information is input in the current page, the controller 170 recognizes that the current page is “reading recognition” although there is a certain page skip afterward. Further, the reading recognition time such as one minute may be set. That is, if a time is displayed on the current page for the reading recognition time or longer, the controller 170 may recognize that the current page is the “reading recognition”.
The program area of the memory 140 may store an operating system (OS) for booting the portable terminal 100 and for operating the foregoing elements, and applications for supporting various user functions, for example, a web browser accessing an Internet server, an MP3 user function for playing other sound sources, an image output function for displaying photographs, and a moving image playback function. In addition, the program area may store an electronic book application 144 and a TTS program 145. Here, the electronic book application 141 may include a routine for managing a reading schedule, a current reading situation, a reading recommendation, and a routine executing reading. Further, the electronic book application 144 may further include a routine associated with the TTS program 145 for performing TTS on an electronic book. Further, the electronic book application 144 may include a routine to perform the TTS function by itself, for example, to perform TTS on notes or other text available in the terminal 100 but which are not part of an electronic book. The electronic book application 144 may further include a routine associated with an alarm application. The alarm application is application for outputting an audio and/or visual alarm such as an audio and/or visual message through an output device, such as the speaker SPK and/or the display unit 130, and/or vibrating the terminal 100 using a vibrating unit included in the terminal 100, such as included in or connected to the controller 170, at a time determined by the user, for example, at a reading time. When the portable terminal 100 is initially powered up and booted, the alarm application may be automatically executed. That is, the electronic book application 144 may be automatically executed at a predetermined reading time.
The RF communication unit 150 performs a call function to process a speech call, a moving call, and/or performs a data communication with other entities or devices under the control of the controller 170. To do this, the RF communication unit 150 may include an RF transmitter for up-converting a frequency of a signal for transmission and amplifying the signal, and an RF receiver for low-noise-amplifying a received signal and down-converting a frequency of the signal. Further, the RF communication unit 150 may include a mobile communication module (e.g., a 3-Generation mobile communication module, a 3.5-Generation mobile communication module, a 4-Generation mobile communication module, or the like), a near distance communication or near field communication (NFC) module (e.g., a Wi-Fi module), or a digital broadcasting module (e.g., DMB module). In particular, the RF communication unit 150 performs wireless communication with an on-line book store under the control of the controller 170.
The audio processor 160 performs a function that transmits an audio signal provided from the controller 170 to the speaker SPK and transfers an audio signal such as a voice provided from the microphone MIC to the controller 170. That is, the audio processor 160 converts voice/sound data into an audible sound through the speaker SPK and outputs the audible sound under the control of the controller 170. The audio processor 160 converts an audio signal such as a voice received from the microphone MIC into a digital signal, and transfers the digital signal to the controller 170.
The controller 170 controls an overall operation of the portable terminal 100, controls signal flow between internal elements of the portable terminal 100, and performs a function for processing data. Further, the controller 170 may control a power supply from a battery or other power sources to internal elements of the terminal 100. Moreover, the controller 170 may execute various applications stored in the program area. In particular, the controller 170 according to the present invention may include an electronic book application unit as illustrated in
Hereinafter, it is assumed that the electronic book application unit may be configured inside the controller 170. Referring to
The reading manager 171 performs a function for generally managing a reading schedule that allows the user to perform planned reading. The following is a detailed description of the management function.
The reading manager 171 sets a reading schedule. If a touch event is associated with a request for setting a reading schedule from the touch screen 110, the reading manager 171 controls the display unit 130 to display a reading schedule setting screen. Here, the reading schedule setting screen includes a reading start date setting menu, a reading end date setting menu, an alarm setting menu, a reading amount setting menu organized by dates, and the like. If the touch event is associated with termination of setting the reading schedule, the reading manager 171 stores reading schedule information in the memory 140, which is set through the reading schedule setting screen.
The reading manager 171 monitors and guides a current reading situation to the user. Specifically, the reading manager 171 collects current reading situation information including page information read from the reading executor 172, and stores the collected current reading information in the memory 140. Further, the reading manager 171 calculates an achievement rate by date and an average achievement rate based on the collected current reading situation information, namely, an amount of a read page. Moreover, if a touch event associated with a request for the collected current reading situation information is sensed, the reading manager 171 controls the terminal 100 such that the current reading situation information is output to the user through the display unit 130.
The reading manager 171 analyzes a reading pattern of the user based on the current reading information. Specifically, the reading manger 171 classifies stored electronic books by categories such as literature, newspapers, magazines, cartoons, and professional books. Further, the reading manager 117 may sub-divide the electronic books. For example, in the case of the literature category, the reading manager 171 may sub-divide the electronic books by genres such as novels, collections, and poems. The reading manager 171 calculates a reading rate of the user by categories or genres based on the stored reading information and the current reading situation information. Moreover, the reading manager 171 stores the calculated reading rate information in the memory 140.
The reading manager 171 also provides recommended book information to the user based on the analyzed reading pattern. Specifically, the reading manager 171 controls the RF communication unit 150 to transmit genre or category information of a book having the highest reading rate to an on-line book store. That is, the reading manager 171 requests the recommended book information from the on-line book store. If the requested recommended book information is received from the on-line book store, the reading manager 171 stores the recommended book information in the memory 140. In the meantime, if the touch event associated with a request of a recommended book is sensed, the reading manager 171 may control the terminal 100 such that the recommended book information is displayed. In addition, the reading manager 171 may control the terminal 100 such that reading rate information is displayed together with the recommended book information.
The reading executor 172 performs a function for executing reading of an electronic book. Specifically, the reading executor 172 reads out a page of an electronic book from the memory 140 and controls the terminal 100 such that the read page is displayed. If a touch event associated with a page skip is sensed, the reading executor 172 executes the page skip. In this case, the reading executor 172 determines whether the executed page skip is a page skip corresponding to reading recognition with reference to the look-up table as illustrated in Table 1. When the executed page skip is a page skip corresponding to reading recognition, the reading executor 172 transfers corresponding page information to the reading manager 171. Here, reading recognition conditions may be the presence of a page skip, whether the user separately inputs the current page as illustrated above, and whether a current page is displayed for a preset reading recognition time or greater.
Further, the reading executor 172 controls the TTS converter 173. That is, the reading executor 172 may control the terminal 100 such that text information of an electronic book is output as computer-generated audio simulating a voice. Specifically, if a touch event is associated with a request for TTS, the reading executor 172 transfers texts of the read electronic book to the TTS converter 173. Accordingly, the TTS converter 172 converts provided texts into sound data and outputs the sound data to the audio processor 160 for output as audio in the form of a voice output to simulate a voice. In this case, if the voice output for one page is terminated, the reading executor 172 executes a page skip. Moreover, the reading executor 172 recognizes that a page, in which the voice output has been terminated, is read by the user, and transfers the information to the reading manager 172.
The portable terminal 100 described herein may further include various additional modules known in the art. That is, when the portable terminal 100 is a communication terminal, the terminal 100 may include components that are not mentioned herein but which may be included or implemented, such as a near distance or near field communication (NFC) module for near distance or near field communication, an interface for exchanging data in a wired communication configuration or in a wireless communication configuration of the portable terminal 100, an Internet communication module communicating with the Internet to perform an Internet-based function such as searching or browsing as well as E-mail applications, and a digital broadcasting module for receiving and broadcasting digital broadcasting information, such as multimedia output to the user of the terminal 100. Since the structural elements and components of the terminal 100 can be variously changed according to convergence trends of digital devices and manufacturers' design, the examples mentioned herein are not exhaustive, and it is to be understood that any known components may be included in the terminal 100. However, the portable terminal 100 may include structural elements equivalent to the exemplary structural elements described here. Further, the terminal 100 of the present invention may be substituted by specific constructions and components in the described arrangements of elements according to the description herein. This can be easily understood to those skilled in the art.
Hereinafter, a method of managing reading according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention is described based on the various elements of the portable terminal 100 described herein in connection with
If the reading schedule setting icon is selected while a selected page is being displayed in step 303, the reading manager 171 controls the terminal 100 such that a corresponding screen is displayed. However, when a touch event corresponding to a different function, other than the reading schedule setting icon, is sensed in step 303, the method performs the different function corresponding to other touch events or inputs. For example, if a page skip is sensed in step 303, the reading executor 172 executes the page skip.
While the reading schedule setting screen is being displayed, the reading manager 171 sets a reading schedule in step 304. That is, the reading manager 171 sets a start date and an end date of reading, sets a reading alarm time by dates, and sets a reading amount by dates according to a sensed touch event. Next, the reading manager 171 controls the terminal 100 such that set reading schedule information is displayed in step 305. Next, the reading manager 171 determines whether setting a reading schedule is terminated in step 306. When setting reading schedule is not terminated yet as the determination result, the process returns to step 304 and the reading manager 171 sets a reading schedule. However, if termination of setting the reading schedule (e.g., a tap is detected with respect to a storage button icon) is sensed, the reading manager 171 stores the set reading schedule information in the memory 140 in step 307. Next, the controller 170 determines whether the electronic book application 144 is terminated in step 308. When the electronic book application 144 is not terminated, the process returns to step 302; otherwise, the method ends.
If the electronic book is selected in step 402 while the bookshelf screen is being displayed, the reading executor 172 controls the terminal 100 such that a page of the selected electronic book is displayed in step 403. However, if in step 402, a touch event for selecting the electronic book icon is not sensed, the method performs a function corresponding to other touch events or inputs. Referring back to step 403, if a touch event associated with a request of addition information is sensed, the reading executor 172 reads additional information of a corresponding electronic book from the memory 140 and controls the terminal 100 such that the read additional information is displayed in step 404. That is, the additional information contains current reading situation information 142. Moreover, if a reading schedule of a corresponding electronic book is set, the additional information may further contain reading schedule information 143.
Next, if a touch event associated with a page skip is detected in step 405, the reading executor 172 executes the page skip. Otherwise, if no touch event for a page skip is detected in step 405, the method proceeds to step 408. As illustrated previously, the page skip means an action that moves to a previous page, a next page, a list, a bookmark, etc., and may include a notebook screen, a reading plan screen or a first page of a next chapter. In the meantime, in a case where the TTS function is executed, if speech output with respect to a current page is terminated, the reading executor 172 may execute a page skip from a current page to a next page. Further, referring to step 405, once step 405 is performed, the reading executor 172 determines whether the page skip corresponds to “reading recognition” in step 406. Depending on the determination result, if no page skip corresponding to reading recognition is determined, the method proceeds to step 408; however, when the page skip is a page skip moving from the previous page to the next page, the reading executor 172 sets reading situation information with respect to the current page. Then, the reading manager 171 collects corresponding information from the reading executor 172, and updates current reading situation information and schedule information in step 407. In meantime, although the page skip is a page skip moving a previous or next page, when the page skip moves within a preset threshold time, the reading executor 172 may not recognize that the current page is read. That is, this case is a case where the user does not read a current page and simply skims the page, so skimming a page typically takes less time than reading a page.
The threshold time may be set differently by fields of a book. For example, a threshold time of a cartoon is set shorter. A threshold time of a novel is set longer than that of the cartoon. For example, a threshold time of the novel is 10 seconds and a threshold time of the cartoon is 5 seconds.
Next, the reading executor 172 determines whether reading is terminated in step 408. Depending on the determination result, when the reading is not terminated, the reading executor 172 returns to step 405. However, if a touch event requesting termination with respect to reading corresponding electronic book is sensed, the method proceeds to step 409. The controller 170 determines whether the electronic book application 144 is terminated in step 409. Depending on the determination result, when the electronic book application 144 is not terminated, the process returns to step 402 to repeat and continue the method; otherwise, the method ends.
Next, the reading manger 171 provides recommended book information to the user in step 504, based on the analyzed reading pattern determined in step 503. That is, the reading manager 171 controls the RF communication unit 150 to request recommended book information from an on-line book store, and controls the terminal 100 such that recommended book information is received from the on-line book store. Next, the reading manager 171 determines whether a recommended function is terminated in step 505. Depending on the determination result, when the recommended function is not terminated, the reading manager 171 returns to step 504. However, if a touch event requesting termination of the recommended function is sensed in step 505, the method proceeds to step 506. The controller 170 then determines whether the electronic book application 144 is terminated in step 506. Depending on the determination result, when the electronic book application 144 is not terminated in step 506, the method proceeds to step 502; otherwise, the method ends.
Hereinafter, a method of managing reading and an apparatus thereof according to the invention will be described with reference to example diagrams of a plurality of screens.
Further, the display unit 130 may display reading schedule information 606 under the control of the controller 170. That is, the reading schedule setting screen 600 may further include reading schedule information 606 set by the menus. For example, the display unit 130 may display a title of a chapter planned for reading by dates. In this case, since the display region may have a maximum display size, schedule information of all dates may not be displayed in some embodiments of the present invention. Alternatively, larger displays or scrollable windows may be provided to display and select schedule information of all dates. Accordingly, the user operates the touch screen 110 to display schedule information set in another date. That is, an upward or downward drag operation is sensed in a region of the touch screen 110 on which the reading schedule information is displayed, and the controller 170 controls the terminal 100 such that another date is set, and schedule information is set in the other date.
In the meantime, the user may correct a set reading schedule using the reading schedule information 606. That is, the controller 170 may control the terminal 100 such that menus 607 and 608 for correcting schedule information are displayed by dates. Here, as illustrated, the correction menus 607 and 608 may be displayed with an arrow mark or icon indicating a correction direction. If a tap with respect to a first correction menu 607 in an upward direction is sensed, the controller 170 may merge a chapter or a page planned for reading with a previous day at a corresponding day. Further, the controller 170 may advance a schedule from a termination day of reading to the corresponding day for each day. If a tap with respect to a second correction menu 608 in a downward direction is sensed, the controller 170 may merge a chapter or a page planned for reading with a next day at a corresponding day. Further, the controller 170 may delay a schedule from a start day of reading to a later day for each originally scheduled day. In the meantime, in an exemplary embodiment, the controller 120 may not adjust the schedule, but instead may make the corresponding day empty as a day without a reading plan. If a tap with respect to the storage button 609 is sensed, the controller 170 may control the terminal 100 such that a reading plan screen as illustrated in
Next, referring to
In the meantime, the reading plan screen 700 may include an icon 706 for executing reading, an icon 707 for correcting a reading schedule, and an icon 708 for sharing reading schedule information. Here, if a tap with respect to the reading execution icon 706 is sensed, the controller 170 may control the terminal 100 such that a reading execution screen as illustrated in
Referring to
The description of
Meanwhile, a method for providing a user interface in a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention as described above may be implemented in an executable program command form by various computer means and be recorded in a computer readable recording medium. In this case, the computer readable recording medium may include a program command, a data file, and a data structure individually or a combination thereof. In the meantime, the program command recorded in a recording medium may be specially designed or configured for the present invention or be known to a person having ordinary skill in a computer software field to be used. The computer readable recording medium includes Magnetic Media such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, or a magnetic tape, Optical Media such as Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) or Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), Magneto-Optical Media such as floptical disk, and a hardware device such as ROM. RAM, flash memory storing and executing program commands. Further, the program command includes a machine language code created by a complier and a high-level language code executable by a computer using an interpreter. The foregoing hardware device may be configured to be operated as at least one software module to perform an operation of the present invention, and a reverse operation thereof is the same.
In addition, the above-described apparatus and methods according to the present invention can be implemented in hardware, firmware or as software or computer code that can be stored in a recording medium such as a CD ROM, a RAM, a ROM, a floppy disk, DVDs, a hard disk, a magnetic storage media, an optical recording media, or a magneto-optical disk or computer code downloaded over a network originally stored on a remote recording medium, a computer readable recording medium, or a non-transitory machine readable medium and to be stored on a local recording medium, so that the methods described herein can be rendered in such software that is stored on the recording medium using a general purpose computer, a digital computer, or a special processor or in programmable or dedicated hardware, such as an ASIC or FPGA. As would be understood in the art, the computer, the processor, microprocessor controller or the programmable hardware include memory components, e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash, etc. that may store or receive software or computer code that when accessed and executed by the computer, processor or hardware implement the processing methods described herein. In addition, it would be recognized that when a general purpose computer accesses code for implementing the processing shown herein, the execution of the code transforms the general purpose computer into a special purpose computer for executing the processing shown herein.
As mentioned above, in a method of managing reading and an apparatus thereof according to the invention, the present invention provides elements, steps, and features capable of efficiently managing stored electronic books. Specifically, the present invention provides a method and apparatus that may enhance the reading of the stored electronic books by a user, and allowing the user to monitor and guide a current situation of reading by the user.
Although a method and an apparatus for managing reading according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it should be clearly understood that many variations and modifications of the basic inventive concepts herein taught which may appear to those skilled in the present art will still fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2011-0115774 | Nov 2011 | KR | national |
