JP2014071749A - Content server device, program and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a server device or the like capable of eliminating dissatisfaction of a user subscribing an electronic book, and appropriately providing and selling an electronic book divided by unit sentence through improving convenience thereof.SOLUTION: A content server device 30 divides an electronic book into MC (micro contents) each comprising a unit sentence, and generates MC data. While identifying the MC from a communication terminal, if subscription thereof is requested, the content server device 30 determines related MC relating to the MC to be distributed, according to similarity between each of the MC, and recommends the related MC to a user through the communication terminal.

Description

  The present invention relates to a content server device, a program, and a communication system that provide an online store service that sells text content on a network.

  In recent years, with the development of network technologies such as WWW (World Wide Web) and the advance of information communication terminal devices (hereinafter referred to as “communication terminal devices”) represented by personal computers (PCs), smartphones, and the like, networks have been developed. And online sales using online stores are booming. In particular, recently, not only music data but also electronic publications (electronic books) have been sold as contents, and have begun to spread in general.

  Since sales using such electronic book networks and online stores are usually performed on a magazine and book basis, the user may be interested only in the contents of a part of a book or magazine. However, it is necessary to purchase the entire book including unnecessary parts.

  For example, from a book that collects quotes and maxims, subscribe only to the description of some quotes (eg, “chapter”, “section”, “section”, “eyes”) (ie, purchase and read) Even if you want to subscribe, or if you want to subscribe only to the case of “exhaustion of rights” from the collection of legal cases concerning intellectual property rights, there is a need to subscribe to the entire book Yes, as with ordinary books, it does not enjoy the convenience of data.

  Therefore, recently, an electronic book is divided into units such as “chapter”, “section”, “section”, “eyes” (hereinafter referred to as “unit sentence”), and the divided units are divided. There is a system for selling an electronic book for each sentence (for example, Patent Document 1) and a method for dividing an electronic book into unit sentences at an appropriate position in order to sell the electronic book in this way. It has been proposed (Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-150004 A JP 2007-48155 A

  However, in the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to sell and subscribe to only a part of the divided unit sentence, but other units related to the unit sentence are available. If there is a sentence, if you do not understand the meaning of the unit sentence corresponding to the subscribed part without reading the chapters before and after, or if the contents related to the subscribed part are in multiple chapters or sections In the case of being scattered, it is impossible to grasp the unit text related to the unit text that the user wants to subscribe to when purchasing the content, and even if only the purchased unit text is subscribed, the meaning is accurately understood You may not be able to subscribe to the book.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to eliminate the dissatisfaction of a user who subscribes to an electronic book and improve the convenience of the electronic book divided into unit sentences. It is to provide a content server device or the like that can accurately provide and sell.

  (1) In order to solve the above-described problem, a content server device according to the present invention provides content data configured by combining a plurality of unit sentences to a communication terminal device connected via a network. A server device for managing a content database in which the content data is recorded in association with content identification information for identifying the content data; and a calculation unit for calculating a similarity between the unit sentences And determining means for determining whether or not the similarity satisfies a predetermined condition, and when it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the determined unit sentences are related as mutually related unit sentences. A unit for determining, and when a delivery request specifying one unit sentence is made from the communication terminal device, the unit When there is a distribution unit that distributes partial content data corresponding to a chapter to a corresponding communication terminal device and a related unit text corresponding to the specified unit text, the partial content data corresponding to the related unit text And recommending means for recommending to a user of the communication terminal device.

  With this configuration, the content server device according to the present invention provides the user with unit sentences (micro contents (MC)) in which full contents such as electronic books are divided into predetermined units such as chapters or sections. When distribution based on sales, etc., for example, it is based on an objective index obtained by calculation processing of similarity, not a subjective index such as advertisement of a provider who provides an electronic book or a user review. Since other unit sentences can be recommended, unrelated unit sentences in a single electronic book can be excluded and only related unit sentences can be recommended according to the standard of unification.

  Therefore, the content server device according to the present invention can provide recommendation information that allows a user to accurately determine whether or not there is a relevance between unit sentences when one unit sentence is distributed. Therefore, it is possible to reliably provide all the information of the unit text to the user, so that the dissatisfaction of the user who subscribes to the e-book is removed and the convenience of the e-book divided into unit sentences is improved. Can be offered and sold to.

  (2) Further, the content server apparatus according to the present invention divides the content data for each predetermined sentence unit, and generates the partial content data corresponding to the unit sentence that is a sentence for each sentence unit. Is further provided.

  With this configuration, the content server device according to the present invention can generate a unit sentence if there is a full content, and therefore can easily and accurately generate partial content data in the unit sentence.

  (3) Further, the content server device according to the present invention has a configuration in which the content data is data corresponding to an electronic book, and the unit sentence is a chapter or a section of the electronic book. Yes.

  With this configuration, the content server device according to the present invention distributes only a partial content (micro content) corresponding to a chapter or section that the user desires to subscribe to when selling an electronic book, It is possible to reliably provide the user with all the information of the unit sentences necessary for distributing the sentences.

  (4) Further, in the content server device according to the present invention, the calculation unit may calculate a similarity between one unit sentence and unit sentences corresponding to before and after the unit sentence in the overall configuration of the content. It has a configuration for calculating at least.

  With this configuration, the content server device according to the present invention can always determine the relevance for unit sentences positioned before and after the overall configuration of the content that is generally said to be highly related. It is possible to reliably provide the user with information on unit sentences necessary for purchasing unit sentences.

  (5) Moreover, the content server apparatus which concerns on this invention has a structure in which the said calculation means calculates the said similarity based on the appearance frequency of each word which comprises the text contained in the said content.

  With this configuration, the content server apparatus according to the present invention can calculate the similarity between unit sentences based on the appearance frequency of words. And only relevant unit sentences can be recommended.

  (6) Moreover, the content server apparatus which concerns on this invention, when the said delivery means receives the purchase request of the said unit sentence via the said communication terminal device from the said user, the partial content data corresponding to the said unit sentence It is configured to distribute to the corresponding communication terminal device.

  With this configuration, the content server device according to the present invention can reliably provide the user with all the information of the unit sentence necessary for purchasing one unit sentence.

  (7) In order to solve the above-described problem, a program according to the present invention provides a content server device that provides content data configured by combining a plurality of unit sentences to a communication terminal device connected via a network. Management means for managing a content database in which the content data is recorded in association with content identification information for identifying the content data, a calculation means for calculating a similarity between the unit sentences, and the similarity is A determination unit that determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied; a determination unit that determines, when it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the determined unit sentences as related unit sentences that are related to each other; and the communication When a distribution request specifying one unit sentence is made from the terminal device, the partial container corresponding to the unit sentence Distribution means for distributing the data to the corresponding communication terminal device, and if there is a related unit text corresponding to the specified unit text, the partial content data corresponding to the related unit text is stored in the corresponding communication terminal device. It has a configuration that allows it to function as a recommendation means to recommend to the user.

  With this configuration, the program according to the present invention provides the user with unit sentences (micro contents (MC)) in which full contents such as electronic books are divided into predetermined units such as chapters or sections and sells them. When performing distribution based on, etc., for example, it is not related to subjective indicators such as advertisements of users who provide electronic books or user reviews, but based on objective indicators obtained by calculation processing of similarity Therefore, it is possible to recommend unrelated unit sentences in a single electronic book and recommend only relevant unit sentences.

  Therefore, the program according to the present invention can provide recommendation information that allows a user to accurately determine whether or not there is a relevance between unit sentences when delivering one unit sentence, and a necessary unit. Since all the information of the text can be provided to the user without fail, the dissatisfaction of the user who subscribes to the e-book is removed, and the e-book divided into unit sentences is accurately provided to enhance the convenience. And can be sold.

  (8) In order to solve the above-described problem, a communication system according to the present invention is connected to a communication terminal device and a communication terminal device via a network, and is configured by combining a plurality of unit sentences for the corresponding communication terminal device. And a content server device that provides the content data, and the content server device manages a content database in which the content data is recorded in association with content identification information for identifying the content data A management unit; a calculation unit that calculates a similarity between the unit sentences; a determination unit that determines whether or not the similarity satisfies a predetermined condition; A determining means for determining the determined unit sentences as related unit sentences that are related to each other; and the communication terminal device When a distribution request specifying one unit sentence is made, distribution means for distributing partial content data corresponding to the unit sentence to the corresponding communication terminal device, and a related unit sentence corresponding to the specified unit sentence And a recommendation unit that recommends the partial content data corresponding to the related unit sentence to the user of the corresponding communication terminal device.

  With this configuration, the communication system according to the present invention provides the user with unit sentences (micro contents (MC)) in which full contents such as e-books are divided into predetermined units such as chapters or sections and the like. When distribution based on sales etc. is performed, for example, it is related based on an objective index obtained by calculation processing of similarity, not a subjective index such as advertisement of a provider who provides an electronic book or a user review. Since other unit sentences can be recommended, unrelated unit sentences in a single electronic book can be excluded and only related unit sentences can be recommended according to the standard of unification.

  Therefore, the communication system according to the present invention can provide recommendation information that allows a user to accurately determine whether or not there is a relevance between unit sentences when delivering one unit sentence. Since all the information of the unit text can be provided to the user without fail, the dissatisfaction of the user who subscribes to the e-book is removed, and the convenience of the e-book divided into unit sentences is improved accurately. Can be offered and sold.

  The content server device, the program, and the communication system of the present invention can provide recommendation information that allows a user to accurately determine whether or not there is a relevance between unit sentences when distributing one unit sentence. In addition to being able to reliably provide all necessary information on the unit text to the user, the user's dissatisfaction with subscribing to an e-book is eliminated, and the convenience is increased for each unit sentence. Electronic books can be provided and sold accurately.

It is a system configuration figure showing the composition of the communications system in a first embodiment concerning the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the content server apparatus in one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data recorded on the user management database in the content server apparatus in one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data recorded on the content data database in the content server apparatus in one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data recorded on the micro content data database in the content server apparatus in one Embodiment. It is an image figure which shows notionally the content data division | segmentation process performed with the content server apparatus in one Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content data division | segmentation process performed with the content server apparatus in one Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows each process of the content server apparatus at the time of the electronic book sale in one Embodiment, and a communication terminal device. It is a figure which shows an example of the recommendation information shown in the communication terminal device of one Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the following embodiments, a content server device, a program, and a communication system according to the present invention are applied to a communication system having a communication terminal device and a server device connected to the communication terminal device via a network. This is an embodiment when applied.

[1] Communication System First, the configuration and outline of the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing the configuration of the communication system 1 in the present embodiment. In order to prevent the figure from becoming complicated, only some users are shown in FIG. That is, in the actual communication system 1, there are a larger number of users (electronic book subscribers) and communication terminal devices than are displayed.

  The communication system 1 of the present embodiment is a system that allows a user to access the content server device 30 and subscribe to an electronic book on an online store by using the communication terminal device 10.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the user can subscribe to each unit sentence (hereinafter referred to as “micro content” or “MC”) obtained by dividing an electronic book (hereinafter also referred to as “full content”). ing.

  Normally, if you divide an e-book for each MC and try to sell it in MC units, which are text units, there may be other MCs related to the MC, and in such cases There is a need to subscribe to other related MCs at once. On the other hand, there are many MCs that are not related to other parts even if they are one electronic book such as a collection of short stories or magazines as a whole. In such a case, it is necessary to refer to the advertisement or user review of the provider providing the e-book, but it is a reference to some extent, but there is a limit as an objective index. Buyers often regret their purchases.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when selling an e-book in MC units, if there is another MC related to the MC that the user wants to subscribe to, the objective index is used to Other MCs are recommended as related contents to the user of the communication terminal device 10.

  In order to realize the above function, the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment includes, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of communication terminal devices 10 each possessed by a user (subscriber), a network 20, and an electronic book for each MC. The content server device 30 that provides the content of the content and the base station BS connected to the network 20.

  The network 20 is configured by interconnecting, for example, a public telephone network including a mobile telephone network and an IP (Internet Protocol) network, and the communication terminal apparatus 10 is connected to the network via the base station BS. It has become. However, the configuration of the network 20 is not limited to this.

  The communication terminal device 10 is a communication terminal device that can be carried by a user such as a tablet information terminal device, a smartphone, a portable game machine, an electronic book reader, or the like. Communication terminal apparatus 10 is communicatively connected to network 20 via base station BS.

  In addition, the communication terminal device 10 includes resource data for the WWW system described in a markup language such as XML (extensible Markup Language), and a unique URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicating a network address of the resource data. And a browsing function for performing data communication with the content server device 30.

  Then, the communication terminal device 10 displays the content corresponding to the resource data so that the user can browse based on the resource data received from the content server device 30 using the browsing function, and based on the user's operation. In order to purchase the content data corresponding to the electronic book desired by the user by logging in to the electronic book sales site operated by the content server device 30 while accessing the content server device 30 via the base station BS. Process.

The communication terminal apparatus 10 is, for example, a PDF (Portable Document).
A book viewer function that allows users to view data in a format that can be used for electronic books such as Format, PNG (Portable Network Graphics), SVG (Scrambled Vector Graphics), or EPUB (Electronic Publication). When an electronic book is purchased from an online store constructed in the content server device 30, the content data is recorded, and the corresponding book is displayed based on the content data.

  Note that the communication terminal apparatus 10 may be equipped with a flash memory of about 8 GB (gigabytes) to several tens of GB, and may have a bookshelf function. For example, the communication terminal apparatus 10 may be on the network 20 by a cloud server service or the like. The bookshelf function may be realized using the bookshelf server device provided in (1).

  The content server device 30 has various databases (hereinafter referred to as “DB”) in order to operate an online store (sales site) of electronic books, and is requested by a user in response to a request from the communication terminal device 10. Electronic books to be distributed for each content (one book or magazine unit content (hereinafter referred to as “full content”)) or for each MC divided into a plurality of full contents. .

  In particular, the content server device 30 divides content data of a full content corresponding to an electronic book sold on an online store into a plurality of MCs to generate MC data corresponding to each MC, and MC units (that is, units) In each sentence), the electronic book is sold, and the MC data subscribed by the user can be distributed to the corresponding communication terminal device 10.

  Further, the content server device 30 calculates the similarity between the MCs at the time of generating the MC data, and if the similarity satisfies a predetermined condition such that the similarity exceeds a predetermined threshold value, both are regarded as related MCs. In addition to performing association, data management and sales thereof, when the purchase of the associated MC is executed, another MC associated with the MC (hereinafter referred to as “purchase MC”) (hereinafter referred to as “related MC”). Is provided as recommendation information to a user who wishes to purchase via the communication terminal device 10.

Note that the content server device 30 may change the predetermined condition based on the attributes of the MC such as the genre of the MC to be distributed or the attributes of the purchaser such as the age, sex, or preference of the purchaser. In this case, the threshold value may be changed based on such information. Further, the shopping cart of this embodiment is the same as that of a conventional online store, and therefore details thereof are omitted.

  Also, the related MC recommendation method is arbitrary. For example, when confirming the contents of the shopping cart, the MC related to the MC in the shopping cart is displayed, for example, “related to the text you are trying to subscribe to” Other texts to be displayed include the following: Do you want to purchase them together? A sample corresponding to the relevant MC may be displayed.

  With this configuration, in the communication system 1 of the present embodiment, the full content data configured by combining a plurality of sentences such as an electronic book is divided into predetermined units such as chapters or sections, and the division is performed. When providing and selling users to each micro content (MC), the objective is determined by the calculation process of similarity, not a subjective index such as advertisement or user review of the provider providing the electronic book Other relevant micro-contents can be recommended on the basis of a metric, so a unified standard eliminates unrelated micro-contents in a single e-book and recommends only relevant micro-contents be able to.

  Therefore, in the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide recommendation information that allows the user to accurately determine the presence or absence of relevance, and to obtain micro content necessary for purchasing one micro content. Since all information can be reliably provided to the user, it is possible to remove the dissatisfaction of the user who subscribes to the full content such as an electronic book, and to provide and sell the micro content accurately by improving its convenience. it can.

[2] Server Device [2.1] Configuration of Server Device Next, the configuration of the content server device 30 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the content server device 30 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 shows an example of data recorded in the user management DB 331 provided in the content server device 30 of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of data recorded in the content DB 332 provided in the content server device 30 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 illustrates an MCDB 333 provided in the content server device 30 of the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data recorded on this.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the content server device 30 of the present embodiment includes a communication control unit 310 connected to the network 20, a ROM / RAM 320 functioning as various memories, a recording device 330 having various DBs, A server management control unit 340 that controls the entire device; an MC generation process that divides the full content into MCs and records them in the recording device 330; MC subscription management by the user in response to a request from the communication terminal device 10; And a data processing unit 350 that executes other processing. The above-described units are connected to each other by a bus B, and data transfer is performed between the components.

  The communication control unit 310 is a predetermined network interface, establishes a communication channel with the communication terminal device 10, and exchanges various data.

  Various programs necessary for driving the content server apparatus 30 are recorded in the ROM / RAM 320. The ROM / RAM 320 is used as a work area when various processes are executed.

  The recording device 330 is configured by an HDD or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and at least a user management DB 331, a content DB 332, an MCDB 333, and a dictionary DB 334 are provided in the recording area. For example, the content DB 332 of this embodiment is a content database according to the present invention.

The user management DB 331 is a database for managing online store users (subscribers). For example, as shown in FIG. 3, (1) a user ID for identifying each user,
(2) the account name of the user,
(3) Cart information,
(4) Password and
(5) Credit card information as a cash alternative for settlement;
(6) electronic money information;
Are recorded in association with each other.

  In particular, FIG. 3 shows an account name “taro”, cart information “MC1, MC2, MC3”, password “***”, card information “cardA”, and the user indicated by the user ID “101”. The example illustrates that the electronic money information “remaining amount ¥ 10000” is associated with the information.

  Note that credit card information is not necessary when electronic money is used for payment, and electronic money information is not necessary when credit card information is used. However, it is necessary to charge or deposit electronic money in advance by transfer, prepaid, coupon, gift card or the like.

  The content DB 332 is a database for managing content data corresponding to an electronic book. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, “Life of XX” is associated with a book ID for identifying each electronic book. Etc., and the content data main body of the full content corresponding to the book are recorded.

The MCDB 333 is a database for managing each MC data into which the full content is divided. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, (1) the book ID of the electronic book to which each MC belongs (that is, the full content) and ,
(2) MCID for identifying each MC;
(3) Sequential number (SQ number),
(4) In the full content, the MCID of the previous MC corresponding to the MC before the MC on editing (that is, on the structure of the content),
(5) Similarity with previous MC,
(6) In the full content, on the editing (that is, on the structure of the content), the MCID of the subsequent MC that falls after the corresponding MC,
(7) Similarity with the back MC,
(8) MCID of related MC related to each MC;
(9) MC data body of each MC;
(10) Price information indicating the price of the MC;
Are recorded in association with each other.

  In particular, FIG. 5 shows that the full content of the electronic book indicated by the book ID “101” is “MC101-1”, “MC101-2”, “MC101-3”, “MC101-4”, “MC101-5”. The full content of the electronic book indicated by the book ID “102” is divided into two MCs “MC102-1” and “MC102-2”. It shows the state.

  The sequential number is a serial number that is assigned in order from the MC corresponding to the head of the full content when the full content is divided for each micro content, and the full number of each MC is determined by this sequential number. It is possible to specify a structural position in the content. Further, each MC has a context defined based on the position in the configuration in the full content, and the front MC and the back MC are defined based on this context.

  The dictionary DB 334 is a database in which dictionary data in which general vocabulary such as nouns, particles, auxiliary verbs, onomatopoeia and onomatopoeia and onomatopoeia and registered ending vocabulary are registered is recorded and used when executing content data division processing.

  The server management control unit 340 is mainly configured by a central processing unit (CPU), and integrally controls each unit of the content server device 30 by executing a program.

  The data processing unit 350 realizes various functions by executing various applications. In addition, the data processing unit 350 executes content data division processing for dividing full content into micro content and sales distribution processing for executing sales and distribution of micro content based on user instructions at a given timing. .

In particular, the data processing unit 350
(1) While managing the content DB 332 in which full content is associated with a content ID and recorded as full content data,
(2) The sentence corresponding to the full content is divided into predetermined sentence units, and MC data corresponding to the micro contents (MC) that are sentences for each sentence unit is generated,
(3) Calculate the similarity between MCs,
(4) Determine whether the similarity satisfies a predetermined condition,
(5) When it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the determined MCs are determined as related MCs that are related to each other;
(6) When a delivery request designating one MC is made from the communication terminal device 10, MC data corresponding to the MC is delivered to the corresponding communication terminal device 10,
(7) When there is a related MC corresponding to the MC, each process of recommending the MC data of the related MC to the user of the corresponding communication terminal device 10 is executed.

  Specifically, the data processing unit 350 manages and sells an MC data generation unit 360 that executes content data division processing at a given timing, and sales of electronic books including MC and full content in an online store. And a sales management unit 370 that performs various controls at the time.

  The MC data generation unit 360 includes at least a content division unit 361, an MC data management unit 362, a similarity calculation unit 363, a related MC specifying unit 364, and a DB management unit 365. The sales management unit 370 includes at least a data distribution unit 371, a cart control unit 372, and an electronic payment management unit 373.

  For example, the content dividing unit 361 of the present embodiment constitutes a dividing unit according to the present invention, and the similarity calculation unit 363 constitutes a calculating unit and a determining unit according to the present invention. Further, for example, the related MC specifying unit 364 of the present embodiment constitutes a determination unit according to the present invention, and the DB management unit 365 constitutes a management unit according to the present invention. Further, for example, the data distribution unit 371 of the present embodiment constitutes a distribution unit and a recommendation unit according to the present invention.

  The details of the MC data generation unit 360 and the sales management unit 370 in the data processing unit 350 of this embodiment will be described later.

[2.2] MC Data Generation Unit Next, the MC data generation unit 360 in the data processing unit 350 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an image diagram conceptually showing content data division processing executed in the content server device 30.

The MC data generation unit 360, at a predetermined timing,
(1) A division process that divides a sentence corresponding to a full content into predetermined unit sentences and generates partial content data (ie, MC data) corresponding to the unit sentence (ie, MC) (2) Allocation process for performing sequential number allocation and MCID allocation for MC data (3) Similarity calculation process for calculating similarity with other MC for each MC based on each MC data (4) The related MC specifying process for specifying the related MC in each MC based on the similarity is executed.

  The content dividing unit 361 divides the full content into unit sentences based on a predetermined sentence structure delimiter according to a predetermined protocol, and generates MC data corresponding to each unit sentence. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the content dividing unit 361 divides the full content titled “XX Life” divided into chapters 1 to 4 into unit sentences for each chapter.

  FIG. 6 is an example in accordance with a protocol for dividing into chapters. For example, a page, a headline, a predetermined font size, or a predetermined character string (for example, a blank having a predetermined number of characters or more exists) in a sentence. And the like may be divided as dividing points.

  The MC data management unit 362 assigns sequential numbers sequentially to the MC data obtained by dividing the full content, with the top of the book being “1”, and the corresponding previous MC and subsequent MC. For example, in the case illustrated in FIG. 6, the MC data management unit 362 performs “1” for the MC of the first chapter (first MC), “2” for the MC of the second chapter (second MC), and MC of the third chapter. Assign a sequential number of “3” to (3rd MC) and “4” to the MC (4th MC) of Chapter 4.

  Then, the MC data management unit 362 assigns an MCID to the MC data generated by the content division unit 361. Note that the format of the MCID is arbitrary, and for example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, it may be assigned in a format in which a book ID and a sequential number are combined.

  The similarity calculation unit 363 performs morphological analysis using the dictionary stored in the dictionary DB 334 to detect a keyword (word), and identifies another MC similar to each MC based on the detected keyword. .

  Specifically, the similarity calculation unit 363 generates a TF-IDF (Term Frequency-) based on the number of appearances of the keyword detected by the morphological analysis in the entire full content and the number of appearances of the keyword for each MC. Each value of (Inverse Document Frequency) is calculated. That is, the similarity calculation unit 368 calculates, for each keyword (Keyj), the ratio Keyn (TF / IDF) of the number of appearances Keyj (TF) in each MC data based on the reciprocal number (IDF) of the total number of appearances Keyj. Here, “j” indicates a keyword identification number.

  Then, the similarity calculation unit 368 calculates the distance in the vector space between each MC data, and calculates the similarity between each MC and another MC. For example, the similarity calculation unit 368 calculates the cosine similarity sim between each MC and another MC according to (Equation 1).

  “A” is a vector of the appearance ratio of keywords in the target MC as shown in (Expression 2), and “B” is the appearance ratio of keywords in other MCs similarly shown in (Expression 3). Vector. “N” indicates a sequential number of MC, and “m” indicates a sequential number excluding “n”.

  When the MC data is distributed, the related MC specifying unit 364 determines whether or not there is a similarity satisfying a predetermined condition. Specifically, the related MC specifying unit 364 determines whether or not the calculated similarity between the requesting MC to be purchased and another MC. It is determined whether there is an MC having a threshold value X or more. In particular, the related MC specifying unit 364 compares the similarity sim calculated by (Equation 1) with a predetermined threshold Z, and determines an MC that is equal to or higher than the threshold (for example, 0.4 or higher) as an MC related to the MC. Specify the MCID of. However, the related MC specifying unit 364 does not register any MC as a related MC when there is no MC equal to or greater than the threshold value Z.

  The DB management unit 365 manages a content DB 332 recorded in association with a content ID for identifying full content data. Further, when the MCID of each MC, the sequential number, and the MCID of the related MC are determined, the DB management unit 365 determines the related MC together with the MCID of the MC data corresponding to the sentences before and after each MC data of the DB management unit 365. Are stored in the MCDB 333 in association with each other.

[2.3] Sales Management Unit Next, the sales management unit 370 in the data processing unit 350 of the present embodiment will be described.

  When the MC that the user desires to subscribe is specified by the user, the data distribution unit 371 distributes the MC and reads the MCID of the related MC stored in the MCDB 333 and recommends the related MC on the sales site. Present it to the user as information.

  The cart control unit 372 controls data so as to put the designated MC into the shopping cart on a predetermined page in accordance with a user instruction via the communication terminal device 10. At this time, the cart control unit 372 temporarily records the MCID of the MC placed in the cart in the ROM / RAM 320. In addition, when an instruction to subscribe the related MCs simultaneously is given via the communication terminal device 10, the cart control unit 372 additionally records the MCIDs of the related MCs in the ROM / RAM 320.

  The electronic payment management unit 373 calculates the total amount of the subscription target MC based on the price information corresponding to the MCID of the MC placed in the shopping cart (that is, the MCID recorded in the ROM / RAM 320), and cash alternative means To make payment based on electronic money or credit card information. Note that the payment method using credit card information or the like is the same as that of a conventional online store, and therefore the details are omitted.

[3] Operation of Communication System [3.1] Content Data Division Processing Next, specific processing executed in the communication system of the present embodiment will be described using FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing content data division processing.

  This operation is a process executed in the MC data generation unit 360 of the content server device 30 based on an instruction from the content provider.

  First, when the MC data generation unit 360 detects an instruction of a content provider that specifies content data of a full content that is a basis for generating MC data by dividing through an operation unit (not illustrated), the MC data generation unit 360 corresponds (step S101). For example, MC data is generated by dividing the full content into unit sentences in the form as illustrated in FIG. 6, for example (step S102).

  Next, the MC data generation unit 360 assigns a sequential number to each generated MC data and assigns a unique MCID (step S103).

  Next, the MC data generation unit 360 executes the morphological analysis and the appearance frequency of each keyword for each MC while identifying the MCID and the subsequent MCID of the previous MC in each MC, and the similarity between the MCs The degree is calculated (step S104).

  Next, the MC data generation unit 360 records the sequential number, the MCID, the previous MCID, the subsequent MCID, and the respective similarities in association with each other in the MCDB 333 (step S105), and ends this operation.

[3.2] Operation at the time of MC sales Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the communication terminal device 10 when purchasing an electronic book as a full content in MC units at the sales site of the content server device 30 Each process of the content server device 30 will be described. 8 is a flowchart showing processing at the time of selling electronic books in the communication terminal device 10 and the content server device 30, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed in the communication terminal device 10 of the present embodiment. It is.

  In this operation, it is assumed that a predetermined communication terminal device 10 is logged in by accessing an online store provided by the content server device 30 based on a user instruction, and is formed by resource data using a browser function. It is assumed that the purchase page can be browsed. Further, in this operation, since the settlement that starts when the purchase of MC is confirmed is the same as the conventional one, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The configuration of the purchase page is arbitrary, and for example, a sample image of MC data may be displayed as a thumbnail. Further, the title of the electronic book may be displayed, and when any of the electronic books is selected, an MC sample corresponding to the electronic book may be displayed.

  First, when the communication terminal apparatus 10 detects selection of an MC that the user desires to subscribe (step S201), the communication terminal apparatus 10 purchases the MC together with the user ID and the MCID of the MC that desires to subscribe (hereinafter simply referred to as “purchase request”). .) Is transmitted to the content server device 30, and the process shifts to a reception standby state (step S202). At this time, when the communication terminal device 10 desires to acquire information related to the related MC based on the user's instruction, the communication terminal device 10 is referred to as an information acquisition request related to the related MC (hereinafter referred to as “related MC acquisition request”) together with the purchase request. ) To the server device 30.

  Next, in the content server device 30, when the sales management unit 370 receives the purchase request including the MCID and the user ID transmitted from the communication terminal device 10 via the communication control unit 310 (step S301), the sales management unit 370 specifies the purchase request. The MC corresponding to the MCID (hereinafter referred to as “purchase request MC”) is electronically placed in the user's shopping cart corresponding to the user ID, and the MCID purchase list recorded in the ROM / RAM 320 is stored in the MCID. (Step S302).

  Next, the sales management unit 370 determines whether or not the related MC acquisition request is included in the received purchase request (step S303). At this time, if the sales management unit 370 determines that the related MC acquisition request is included in the purchase request, the sales management unit 370 proceeds to the process of step S304 and determines that the related MC acquisition request is not included in the purchase request. If so, the process proceeds to step S307.

  Next, when the sales management unit 370 determines that the related MC acquisition request is included in the purchase request, whether or not the MC data generation unit 360 has a similarity having a predetermined condition, specifically, In step S304, it is determined whether or not there is an MC whose similarity to the purchase request MC is equal to or greater than a threshold value X.

  At this time, if the MC data generation unit 360 determines that there is an MC whose similarity with the purchase request MC is greater than or equal to the threshold value X, the process proceeds to step S305, where the similarity with the purchase request MC is the threshold value. If it is determined that there is no MC equal to or greater than X, the process proceeds to step S307. Further, the MC data generation unit 360 may use a predetermined threshold as the threshold X, or information registered in advance such as the user's age, sex, taste, hobby, etc., and can be specified by the user ID. A variable threshold value may be used based on attribute information indicating an attribute of a simple user or attribute information indicating an attribute of the MC such as the genre of the MC.

  Next, when the sales management unit 370 determines that there is an MC whose similarity with the purchase request MC is greater than or equal to the threshold X in the MC data generation unit 360, the sales management unit 370 recommends the MC having the similarity as a related MC. Resource data including recommendation information for allowing the user to proceed with the settlement procedure is generated (step S305), and the process proceeds to step S308.

  Next, when the sales management unit 370 determines in the process of step S303 that the information acquisition request regarding the related MC is not included in the purchase request, or in the process of step S304, the MC data generation unit 360 purchases the information. If it is determined that there is no MC whose similarity with the request MC is equal to or greater than the threshold value X, resource data only for allowing the user to proceed with the settlement procedure is generated (step S307), and the process proceeds to step S308.

  Next, the sales management unit 370 transmits resource data for advancing the settlement procedure to the user via the communication control unit 310 together with the recommendation information, and shifts to a reception standby state (step S308).

  Next, when the communication terminal device 10 receives resource data for advancing the payment procedure (step S211), the communication terminal device 10 obtains only information related to the payment procedure to which recommended information for recommending the related MC is added or only information related to the payment procedure. It is displayed (step S212).

  Next, when the communication terminal apparatus 10 detects a user operation via an operation unit (not shown) (step S213), the communication terminal apparatus 10 determines whether the user operation is a purchase request for other content or an operation for which a payment procedure is desired. (Step S214).

  At this time, if the communication terminal device 10 determines that the user operation is a purchase request for other content, the communication terminal device 10 transmits a purchase request to the content server device 30 together with the user ID and the MCID of the MC that wants to subscribe ( The process proceeds to step S214) and step S203.

  On the other hand, when the communication terminal device 10 determines that the user operation is not a purchase request for other content, that is, when it is determined that the user operation is a request for a payment procedure, the communication terminal device 10 transmits a payment request to the content server device 30. And shifts to a reception standby state (step S215).

  Next, in the content server device 30, when the sales management unit 370 receives the purchase request or the settlement request transmitted from the communication terminal device 10 (step S311), the sales management unit 370 determines which request is made (step S312).

  At this time, if the sales management unit 370 determines that the request transmitted from the communication terminal device 10 is a purchase request, the sales management unit 370 proceeds to the process of step S303. On the other hand, if the sales management unit 370 determines that the request is not a request transmitted from the communication terminal device 10 but a settlement request, the sales management unit 370 distributes the MC placed in the shopping cart to the corresponding communication terminal device 10 (step). S313), the settlement processing executed while interlocking with the corresponding communication terminal device 10 is started (step S314), and this operation is terminated.

  Next, when the communication terminal device 10 receives the MC transmitted from the content server device 30 (step S221), the communication terminal device 10 starts a settlement process that is executed while being stored inside and interlocked with the content server device 30 (step S221). S222) This operation is terminated.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, “first frustration” and “words that changed fate” in response to “Meeting with a teacher” of MC “Chapter 2” in the content “Life of XXX” Is assumed to be registered as a related MC with a similarity equal to or greater than a threshold. In this case, when the communication terminal apparatus 10 transmits a purchase request for “meeting with a teacher” to the content server apparatus 30, the sales management unit 370 in the content server apparatus 30 performs “first setback” and “fate”. The recommended information is transmitted to the corresponding terminal device 10 as the recommended information.

  On the other hand, upon receiving such recommendation information, the communication terminal device 10 changed the “first setback” and “fate” together with the “meeting with the teacher” as well as the payment information as shown in FIG. Recommendation information recommending the purchase of a word is presented to the user so that it can be viewed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the similarity of any other MC to the MC “XX as a poet” in the content “XX life” is not equal to or greater than the threshold, and any MC Is assumed to be not registered as a related MC. In this case, when the communication terminal device 10 transmits a purchase request of “XX as a poet” to the content server device 30, the sales management unit 370 in the content server device 30 does not transmit any recommendation information. In the communication terminal device 10, only the settlement information of the MC is displayed.

  As described above, in the communication system 1 of the present embodiment, content data configured by combining a plurality of sentences such as an electronic book is divided into predetermined units such as chapters or sections, and the division is performed. When a unit sentence (micro content (MC)) is provided and sold to a user, it is not a subjective index such as advertisement of a provider who provides an electronic book or a user review, but a calculation process of similarity It is possible to recommend other related unit sentences based on the objective index obtained by, so that unrelated unit sentences in a single e-book can be excluded and related unit sentences in a single e-book. Can only recommend.

  Therefore, in the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide recommendation information that allows the user to accurately determine the presence or absence of relevance, and the unit sentences necessary for purchasing one unit sentence. Since all information can be provided to users without fail, the dissatisfaction of users who subscribe to e-books is removed, and the e-books divided into unit sentences are accurately provided and sold to enhance their convenience. can do.

[4] Modification [4.1] Modification 1
In the above embodiment, each DB is provided in the content server device 30 for management and control. However, the computer systems that manage and control each DB are operated by separate computer systems. You may do it.

[4.2] Modification 2
Further, in the above embodiment, the configuration is such that the related MC is specified by calculating the similarity between all the MCs. However, only the similarity between the previous and subsequent MCs may be calculated for each MC. . By adopting this configuration, it is possible to specify whether or not it is necessary to subscribe to the preceding and succeeding MCs while reducing the amount of calculation.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication system 10 ... Communication terminal device 30 ... Content server apparatus 310 ... Communication control part 320 ... ROM / RAM
331 ... User management DB
332 ... Content DB
333 ... MC data DB
334… Dictionary DB
350 ... Data processing unit 360 ... MC data generation unit 361 ... Content division unit 362 ... MC data management unit 363 ... Similarity calculation unit 364 ... Related MC specifying unit 365 ... DB management unit 370 ... Sales management unit 371 ... Data distribution unit 372 … Cart control unit 373… Electronic payment management unit

Claims (8)

A content server device that provides content data configured by combining a plurality of unit sentences to a communication terminal device connected via a network,
Management means for managing a content database in which the content data is recorded in association with content identification information for identifying the content data;
Calculating means for calculating the similarity between the unit sentences;
Determination means for determining whether or not the similarity satisfies a predetermined condition;
When it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the determining unit that determines the determined unit sentences as related unit sentences that are related to each other;
A delivery means for delivering partial content data corresponding to the unit text to the corresponding communication terminal device when a delivery request specifying one unit text is made from the communication terminal device;
When there is a related unit sentence corresponding to the specified unit sentence, a recommendation unit that recommends the partial content data corresponding to the related unit sentence to the user of the corresponding communication terminal device;
A content server device comprising: The content server apparatus according to claim 1,
A content server apparatus, further comprising a dividing unit that divides the content data into predetermined sentence units and generates the partial content data corresponding to a unit sentence that is a sentence for each sentence unit. The content server device according to claim 1 or 2,
The content server apparatus, wherein the content data is data corresponding to an electronic book, and the unit text is a chapter or a section of the electronic book. The content server apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The content server device, wherein the calculating means calculates at least a similarity between one unit sentence and unit sentences corresponding to the front and rear of the unit sentence in the overall configuration of the content. In the content server apparatus of any one of Claims 1-4,
The content server apparatus, wherein the calculation means calculates the similarity based on an appearance frequency of each word constituting a sentence included in the content. In the content server apparatus of any one of Claims 1-5,
A content server device that delivers partial content data corresponding to a unit text to a corresponding communication terminal device when the distribution means receives a purchase request for the unit text from the user via the communication terminal device. A content server device that provides content data configured by combining a plurality of unit sentences for a communication terminal device connected via a network,
Management means for managing a content database in which the content data is recorded in association with content identification information for identifying the content data;
Calculating means for calculating the similarity between the unit sentences;
Determination means for determining whether the similarity satisfies a predetermined condition;
A determination means for determining, when it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the determined unit sentences as related unit sentences related to each other;
When a distribution request specifying one unit sentence is made from the communication terminal device, distribution means for distributing partial content data corresponding to the unit sentence to the corresponding communication terminal device, and corresponding to the specified unit sentence Recommending means for recommending partial content data corresponding to the related unit sentence to the user of the corresponding communication terminal device when the related unit sentence exists
A program characterized by functioning as A communication terminal device;
A content server device connected to a communication terminal device via a network and providing content data configured by combining a plurality of unit sentences for the corresponding communication terminal device;
With
The content server device is
Management means for managing a content database in which the content data is recorded in association with content identification information for identifying the content data;
Calculating means for calculating the similarity between the unit sentences;
Determination means for determining whether or not the similarity satisfies a predetermined condition;
When it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the determining unit that determines the determined unit sentences as related unit sentences that are related to each other;
A delivery means for delivering partial content data corresponding to the unit text to the corresponding communication terminal device when a delivery request specifying one unit text is made from the communication terminal device;
When there is a related unit sentence corresponding to the specified unit sentence, a recommendation unit that recommends the partial content data corresponding to the related unit sentence to the user of the corresponding communication terminal device;
A communication system comprising:

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