A New Technology for Content Repurposing[i]

 

Somatic Digital is a technology company serving the publishing industry by enabling it to easily develop exciting, easy-to-use interactive books, and other printed materials, from pre-existing or new content. These interactive books seamlessly connect to a virtually limitless amount of digital content delivered via computer or TV from websites, DVDs or CDs.

 

Operating in either a wireless or tethered mode, and with both Macs and PCs, its flagship product OneBook ­ a unique book cover ­ allows a user to make this connection simply by touching any of the following ³touch user interface² (TUI) icons on normally printed pages in a book housed within the cover. The company is working in concert with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in Geneva, Switzerland to have the collection of icons approved as an International Standard. With the press of a finger or a (head-mounted) pointer, the person activates a touch sensitive membrane enclosed within the book cover. This pressure elicits an electronic response that results in presentation of selected digital content integrated with content on the printed page.

 

Press for video

Press for captioned video

Press for audio

Press for text

Press for picture

Press to listen (for Braille)

Press for formula

Press for math problem

Press for Sign Language

Press for animation

Press for presented question

Press for Definition

Press to send email

Press to connect to WWW

Press to indicate new page

 

A book may be configured so that only one side of a page is activated by touch while the other is reserved for writing (e.g., for doing problems in a workbook, for taking notes, or for spelling or writing practice). Regardless of its configuration, the paper page becomes alive, functioning as a universal remote control that, at the readerıs command, turns information sources on and off, literally at the push of a paper button. As a result, individuals of all ages, both with and without special needs, have the ability to use the same printed text and, through various complementary assistive technologies, benefit from presentation of associated digital content.

 

For example, in a single elementary school classroom, sitting side by side (inclusion) and using the same materials, children with disabilities may be educated with children who are not disabled. And to the extent that one of those students has an Individualized Educational Plan, the book can be customized to meet prescribed learning content modifications. To leave no child behind requires connecting 100% of students to content. It requires making content accessible in a way that recognizes and complements a childıs unique capabilities, preferences and needs, including those driven by visual, auditory, physical, cognitive, and socio-economic impairments. Somatic Digital offer publishers and schools the ability to do exactly that: provide each student a tailor-made, self-directed learning experience designed to yield the desired learning results. It delivers on the promise of content reuse by producing customized materials from a single text ­ ³in once - out many²­ and on the need to comply with legal requirements for delivery of a NIMAS-aligned XML file of the book. And, while meeting studentsı, legal and professional requirements, it coincidently reduces the workload burden on teachers.

 

Beyond the schoolroom, the TUI-activated technology can make reading and learning any content more fun, more memorable and more productive. From instructional manuals, to travel guides, to yearbooks and annual reports, to historical novels, Somatic Digital helps deliver to the reader a new perspective on the subject. With the help of Somatic Digitalıs technology, touching becomes the key that integrates print and digital. . .opening the door to the digital world to all, transporting the reader and transforming the reading process.

 

More information on how the TUI-activated technology as used by a publisher may be found on a Somatic Digital clientıs website at http://touchsmart.net/PilotBook


[i] Repurposing is the process of converting, modifying, or otherwise changing the presentation style of a digital file. For example, repurposing occurs when software is applied to a text file to allow it to be read aloud (text to voice), or to be shown on the computer screen (text to html). Similarly, when a digital file is TUI-ized (i.e., when the file is made capable of being accessed by pressing a TUI icon), repurposing occurs. The TUI-ization process does not necessarily result in transformation of the original source file.   For example, the owner of a digital video may want it shown in the original format when the TUI icon is pressed. Although in this instance the file itself would not be modified, its location will have to be mapped to the content database.  Therefore, the file mapping process, which is required in order to pull up the content upon activation of the TUI, is a form of repurposing.