Method and apparatus for identifying a page of a plurality of pages, and relaying the identity of the page to a computer

摘要

A manual ( 1 ) comprising a binder ( 6 ) and pages ( 3 ) releasably retained in the binder ( 6 ) comprises apparatus ( 2 ) for identifying an opened page ( 3 ) and for transmitting the identity of the page ( 3 ) to a computer ( 4 ). The apparatus ( 2 ) comprises a carrier member ( 15 ) which carries a plurality of photo sensors ( 16 ) for reading a binary identity code ( 17 ) along an edge of each page ( 3 ) for identifying the page. A plurality of input keys (37) on the carrier member ( 15 ) carry identifying symbols ( 40 ) which correspond to identifying symbols ( 41 ) provided on the pages ( 3 ) adjacent passages of text for facilitating inputting of select signals for operating the computer ( 4 ) to display additional data on a visual display unit ( 5 ) relating to the passage identified by the corresponding identifying symbol. A microprocessor in the carrier member ( 15 ) reads signals from the photo sensors ( 16 ) and the input keys ( 37 ) for identifying an open page ( 3 ) of the manual ( 1 ) and for identifying the passage for which additional data is to be displayed on the visual display unit ( 5 ). The microprocessor transmits a signal through a radio transmitter in the carrier member ( 15 ) to a radio receiver ( 35 ) of the computer ( 4 ), and the computer ( 4 ) is operated to display the additional data. The additional data which corresponds to the manual ( 1 ) is typically provided on a CD-ROM and is read into and stored in the computer ( 4 ). The apparatus ( 2 ) permits ready display of additional data relating to subject matter of a passage of text in the manual ( 1 ).