Systems and apparatus for expressing multimedia presentations corresponding to print media

Abstract

A media asset system and method is provided comprising a handheld reader having a sensor enabled to detect a discrete coded zone within a visual image, with the reader capable of producing an output signal corresponding to the discrete coded zone. An output device responds to the output signal with an audio output presentation corresponding to the discrete coded zone. Output is responsive to the reader's selection of output action, and may also be provided for in a video presentation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A media asset system, comprising:
 a surface containing a discrete coded zone within a visual image, wherein said discrete coded zone corresponds to a predetermined output presentation;   a handheld reader having a sensor enabled to detect said discrete coded zone, wherein said reader is capable of producing an output signal corresponding to said discrete coded zone;   an audio output device for presenting said predetermined output presentation, wherein said audio output device is responsive to said output signal corresponding to said discrete coded zone;   a memory having a plurality of files; and   a processor in communication with said sensor, said memory, and said output device, wherein said processor selects from said plurality of files a file corresponding to said discrete coded zone and initiates said predetermined output presentation of said file; and   a housing encompassing said handheld reader and said audio output device.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a video output device for presenting said predetermined output presentation. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said discrete coded zone is substantially imperceptible to the human eye. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said audio output device is external to said handheld reader. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said discrete coded zone contains a substance that is essentially invisible to the human eye, and wherein said substance is additionally perceptible by said sensor when illuminated by one or more wavelengths of light. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a charger station or cable for recharging said handheld reader. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising hardware and software capable of transmitting and downloading files for said handheld reader. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said discrete coded zone corresponds to an internet address, and said handheld reader is capable of sending to a receiver a signal containing data enabling said internet address to be accessed and said predetermined output presentation to be presented. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said discrete coded zone contains a trigger and wherein said predetermined output presentation corresponds to said trigger. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the trigger is selected from the group consisting of machine perceptible colors, symbols, patterns, characters, images, and words. 
     
     
         11 . A method for presenting a predetermined output presentation comprising the steps of:
 directing a beam of light at a discrete coded zone, causing said discrete coded zone to become additionally perceptible to a sensor of a handheld reader;   detecting said discrete coded zone using said sensor;   correlating said discrete coded zone to a file from a memory having a plurality of files selecting a file from said plurality of files corresponding to said discrete coded zone; and   presenting said predetermined output presentation through an audio output device in response to said reader's detection of said discrete coded zone.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of presenting said predetermined output presentation to a video output device in response to said reader's detection of said discrete coded zone. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said discrete coded zone contains a trigger and wherein said predetermined output presentation corresponds to said trigger. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the trigger is selected from the group consisting of machine perceptible colors, symbols, patterns, characters, images, and words.