E-Book Ink Annotation Sharing With Book-Based Coordinates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to effectively share ink annotations, such as handwritten notes and illustrations, across different electronic book terminals with varying display settings and pen compatibility, preserving the creative value and pen-based input.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for sharing ink annotations that include stroke data sets and metadata, enabling identification and display of annotations on different terminals by using user and book identifiers, and applying rendering effects to mimic pen-based input, even with differing display settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ink annotations are shared across different electronic book terminals with varying display settings, then the accessibility and sharing capability is improved, but the visual consistency and recognition of handwritten input deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the annotation data from device-specific coordinate systems to standardized book coordinate systems. The stroke data is converted to use book page coordinates rather than terminal display coordinates, allowing the same annotation to be rendered consistently across terminals with different display resolutions, font sizes, and column settings. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction by enabling wide sharing capability while maintaining visual consistency through coordinate system standardization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ink annotations are stored separately from the electronic book management system, then the sharing flexibility is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating ink annotation data from electronic book management. Annotations are stored as independent data structures with their own coordinate system and metadata, rather than being embedded within the book management system. This segmentation allows annotations to be shared independently across different terminals and books, providing sharing flexibility while managing complexity through clear data separation and standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by creating a standardized annotation data structure that can be applied across different electronic books, terminals, and users. The stroke data format with book-based coordinates serves as a universal representation that works regardless of the specific terminal or book, enabling flexible sharing without requiring separate systems for different scenarios. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity by using a single standardized system for all annotation sharing needs.
3Measurement precision
If annotations use device-specific coordinate systems, then the rendering accuracy on the originating terminal is improved, but the compatibility across different terminals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by reversing the traditional approach: instead of converting annotations from a universal coordinate system to device-specific coordinates for display, the system stores annotations directly in book coordinate systems that are independent of any terminal. This inversion eliminates the need for coordinate transformation during sharing, maintaining rendering accuracy on the originating terminal while achieving universal compatibility across all terminals that display the same book content.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic book terminal includes a display device capable of displaying an electronic book; a touch sensor that detects a finger; a pen sensor that detects a pen; and an integrated circuit, which is coupled to the display device, the touch sensor and the pen sensor. The integrated circuit, in operation: displays text of the electronic book on the display device; detects, using the touch sensor or the pen sensor, user operation which indicates a place of an annotation for the text; makes a determination as to which one of the touch sensor or the pen sensor has detected the user operation; and outputs place data indicating the place of the annotation in a manner capable of identifying a result of the determination as to which one of the touch sensor or the pen sensor has detected the user operation.