FR3011113A1 - DISTRIBUTION OF DIGITAL BOOKS - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for distributing a digital book (LN) on a communication terminal (T), comprising the following steps: a supply (SO) of a card (200) comprising an activation code (C_ACT ) and a prerecorded identification code (C_ID) associated with a predetermined digital book (LN) in a database (DB1), an activation (S1) of the rights associated with said digital book (LN) using the code of activation (C_ACT), and an identification (S2) using the identification code (C_ID) to authorize the distribution on the communication terminal (T) of a computer file (F) corresponding to said digital book ( LN).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The object of the present invention relates to the field of distribution of digital books, such digital books being also known by the English expression "ebooks". More particularly, the object of the present invention proposes the design of a card associated with a digital book to enable the distribution of the computer file corresponding to this digital book on a communication terminal such as for example a "Smartphone". designating a phone, said intelligent, having the functions of a personal digital assistant, a digital camera and a laptop), a digital tablet, a digital reader or a computer. It is expected that such cards will be sold in bookstores. Thus, the present invention finds an advantageous application in the world of publishing by allowing booksellers to take advantage of the phenomenon, in full expansion, the digital book, and thus partially offset the steady decline in sales of books in paper format. Other advantageous applications may also be contemplated in the context of the present invention: for example, the distribution of other digital objects such as music albums, movies or any artwork of the mind in digital format. Previous Art Until now, digital books have escaped (at least partially) from the distribution network of booksellers: the distribution of digital books is done almost exclusively through virtual libraries (on the Internet). In addition, most of the distribution systems put in place are integrated and vertical; the players in this market sell both e-readers and digital books to attract their customers. These integrated systems include the Kindle® Reader distributed by Amazon®; this reader requires a specific file format. 30 Moreover, it is observed that a large majority of consumers prefer to buy in stores (especially bookstores) rather than finalizing their purchases on a website, both for reasons of conviviality and for reasons of security. online payments. The bookseller's wise advice is also appreciated by consumers in the final choice of a book.

In the same way, the book is, again and again, the most appreciated gift, especially during holiday periods such as Christmas. The dematerialization of the digital book prevents people from offering a digital book. The plaintiff observes, however, that there are already cards enabling the purchase of digital books in stores. These are primarily gift cards.

These cards are nevertheless simple purchase orders. The holder of such a card must go to the website of the sign where he bought the gift card, select a title in a digital bookstore containing several thousand titles, create a customer account and pay by means of the card, for example by entering a personal code on the card.

There are other alternative approaches: for example, some publishers offer the sale of digital books in the form of a card. At the time of payment at the cash register, the bookseller must stick on the back of the card a label, provided by the publisher, which contains a code associated with the book purchased. This code must then be entered on the publisher's website to allow access to the book.

In any event, the plaintiff submits that there is currently no viable solution to simply materialize and commercialize digital books in the physical sales outlets of the network of the French bookstore. SUMMARY AND OBJECT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention fits perfectly into this problem, and aims to improve the situation described above by offering the possibility to bookstores to offer the sale of digital books in their stores (regardless of their websites ), while ensuring the preservation of copyright and ensuring end-users have easy access to e-books. For this purpose, the present invention proposes a method of distributing a digital book on a communication terminal such as for example a "smartphone", a digital tablet, a digital reader or a computer.

Advantageously, the distribution method according to the present invention is implemented by computer means and comprises the provision of a card on which an activation code and an identification code appear. According to the present invention, each of its codes is indifferently on one and / or the other of the faces of the card. Preferably, this card is a semi-rigid card made for example of a material such as cardboard. This card also has a through hole on its upper part to allow its shelving, for example in the radius beautiful letters, at the head of the gondola or near a cash register in the store.

Advantageously, the activation code and the identification code appearing on the card are prerecorded and associated with a digital book (or more precisely with an identifier of a book such as for example its title) in a first database. This first database is connected to a central server that provides access to a website serving as an interface between the client (or more precisely its communication terminal) and the digital library on which are stored the computer file or files corresponding to each one. eBooks offered in the eBook catalog. The skilled person will understand here that these codes can also be associated with several digital books, for example a series of several volumes or 20 books of the same collection or the same author. This association identification code / activation code / digital book is previously generated at the central server and this first database. Only this database knows the link between these two codes, this link allowing access to the digital book. Advantageously, the distribution method comprises an activation, at a third-party management server, of the rights associated with the digital book by an optical reading of the activation code. More particularly, this code is activated when its status is activated. Typically, this code is activated when its status is "OK", and it is deactivated when its status is "NOK". This status information is preferably managed at a second database to which the management server is connected.

It is here the management server that manages the activation of reading rights associated with the digital book. This activation advantageously comprises the transmission of an activation command to the central server. Reading rights are therefore activated when an activation order has been received by the central server from the management server. Preferably, this activation is made possible by an optical reading of the activation code, for example with an optical reader such as a scanner; this reading is done at the level of the payment box, for example at the bookseller's. In an advantageous variant, the activation code is a bar code encoding an alphanumeric code consisting for example of 19 characters. Advantageously, the activation of the rights associated with the digital book is carried out via the third-party management server (remote): either directly from the cashier system of the bookseller if it is connected to the third-party management server, 15 - or via software installed on a computer at the point of sale connected to the Internet. In an advantageous variant, the activation of the rights associated with the digital book generates the triggering of a countdown at the first database, so that the distribution of the digital book is authorized for a predetermined duration, preferably equal to 1 year. Of course, other durations can be envisaged so that the rights remain active: 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, 2 years, etc. Preferably, this countdown is triggered upon receipt by the central server of the activation order. Advantageously, the distribution method comprises, following the activation of the rights, an identification to authorize the distribution of the digital book; this identification is done using the identification code. Advantageously, this identification comprises the entry of the identification code on a dedicated website from a communication terminal, this web site being accessible via the central server.

Preferably, the identification further comprises a comparison of the entered identification code with the identification code recorded on the first database. It is also advantageously provided a verification during which it is verified in the first database that the rights have been activated before triggering the distribution process (for example by downloading). This verification involves, for example, checking that an activation order has been received for the activation code associated with the identification code entered. According to the present invention, the distribution is performed by a remote distribution server connected to a digital book distribution platform, forming a digital library and storing a plurality of computer files each corresponding to a predetermined digital book. Those skilled in the art will understand here that the distribution is allowed when the result of the comparison is positive, that is to say when there is correspondence between the two codes. The distribution is therefore authorized after checking the rights activation status and the identification code entered on the dedicated website. Advantageously, the identification code is an alphanumeric code, which is preferably covered with a scratch film. This additional film enhances security and limits fraud. Thus, thanks to this succession of technical steps, characteristic of the present invention, a person buys in a library a card associated with a digital book. The bookseller then activates this card using an appropriate optical reading means to read the activation code. Once the read rights are activated by a third-party management server, the cardholder only has to enter the identification code on the dedicated website to obtain via the central server and a digital library the digital book. bought. The present invention therefore makes it possible to materialize the act of purchasing a digital book, and furthermore provides security means for obtaining the digital book.

Advantageously, the distribution of the digital book includes a download on the communication terminal of the computer file corresponding to the digital book associated with the identification code on the card. Advantageously, the identification comprises an additional entry, from the communication terminal, of an electronic address on the dedicated website. Preferably, this electronic address is stored in the first database (and is associated with the corresponding identification and activation codes). This does not require the creation of a customer account, but is only intended to ensure the protection of copyright by sending the computer file (or the corresponding download link) on this address. Advantageously, the distribution of the digital book includes transmission on the electronic address: - the computer file corresponding to the digital book associated with the identification code, and / or - a hypertext link (or download link) giving access to the file computer science on the digital library. Advantageously, the dedicated website is accessible following reading of a two-dimensional matrix code by the communication terminal, this two-dimensional matrix code appearing on the card taking for example the form of a "QR code®" or a "flash code®". It should be understood here that access to the dedicated website is possible by "flashing" such a code. In a variant, the dedicated website is accessible through a software application previously installed on the communication terminal. Preferably, this application is configured to allow the management, reading, and display of the computer file corresponding to the digital book. Such an application thus ensures the different functionalities directly on the communication terminal. Correlatively, the object of the present invention relates to a computer program which includes instructions adapted to the execution of the steps of the method as described above, this in particular when said computer program is executed by a computer. or at least one processor. Such a computer program can use any programming language, and be in the form of a source code, an object code, or an intermediate code between a source code and an object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form. Similarly, the subject of the present invention relates to a computer-readable or processor-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for the execution of the steps of the method as described below. above . On the one hand, the recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may comprise storage means, such as a ROM, for example a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit-type ROM, or a magnetic recording means, for example a diskette of the type " floppy disc "or a hard drive. On the other hand, this recording medium can also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal can be conveyed via an electric or optical cable, by conventional radio or radio or by self-directed laser beam or by other ways. The computer program according to the invention can in particular be downloaded to an Internet type network. Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the method in question.

The present invention also relates to a computer system for distributing a digital book comprising computer means for carrying out the technical steps of the method described above. More particularly, the system according to the present invention comprises: an activation computer module configured to activate rights associated with the digital book following receipt of an activation code, and an identification computer module configured to compare an identification code stored in a first database with an identification code entered on a dedicated website from a communication terminal, to allow the distribution of said digital book on the communication terminal. ,.

According to the present invention, the identification and activation codes appear on the card and are prerecorded and associated with the digital book in a first database connected to the identification computer module. The present invention also relates to a card for carrying out the steps of the distribution method as described above. According to the present invention, the card comprises: an activation code capable of being read by an optical reader and whose optical reading activates the rights associated with a digital book, and a prerecorded identification code associated with said digital book in a first database, and whose entry on a dedicated website from a communication terminal authorizes the distribution on the communication terminal of said digital book. Thus, thanks to these different technical, functional and structural characteristics, the object of the present invention makes it possible to remedy the disadvantages identified in the field of the digital book by offering the possibility to a person to buy in bookstore a digital book and to access this book easily and securely. Brief description of the appended figures Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description below, with reference to Figures 1 to 3a-3b appended which illustrate an embodiment having no limiting character and in which: the FIG. 1 represents a schematic view of the architecture of a distribution computer system according to an advantageous exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 represents a flowchart illustrating the distribution method according to an advantageous exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and FIGS. 3a and 3b show a schematic view of the respectively front and back sides of a card according to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention comprising an activation code and an identification code.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE OF IMPLEMENTATION A method for distributing digital books according to an exemplary embodiment as well as the distribution system and the associated card will now be described in the following with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3a-3b.

For the record, materializing digital books to allow booksellers to offer for sale such books to their customers is one of the objectives of the present invention. Another objective of the present invention is to provide customers with easy and secure access to digital books, while respecting the copyright associated with these books. For this purpose, as illustrated in Figures 3a and 3b, the present invention provides for the design of a card 200, which is semi-rigid and is intended to be sold in bookstores. This card 200, which corresponds to a digital book LN, will soon be marketed under the trademark "Cartelib" ®, this attractive card 200 is intended to increase the visibility of digital books LN on strategic locations in the bookstore. in the example described here and illustrated in FIG. 3a, at least one of the faces of this card 200 (preferably the front, referenced "RECT" in FIG. 3a) illustrates a cover of the book (referenced "COVER" on the Figure 3a) with its title (referenced "TITLE" in Figure 3a) and possibly extracts, a summary and / or press comments (referenced "COMMENT" in Figure 3a). In addition to this conventional information (title, extract, etc.) that is found on most books, in the example described here and illustrated in Figure 3b, the card 200 advantageously comprises on the other side (preferably the back, referenced "VERS" on the figure 3 a) at least: an activation code C ACT, and an identification code C ID. It is also planned to present on this same face the different steps to be performed to use the card 200. These steps 1), 2), 3), 4) and 5) correspond to a guide of use of the card, this guide to the person who bought the card and tells him the steps to take to obtain the digital book.

In the embodiment described here, on the recommendations of his bookseller, the person U buys the card 200 which corresponds to the digital book LN she wants to read (or offer). In this example, the computer file F (preferably in ePub format) corresponding to this digital book LN is recorded on a digital library BB (or distribution platform); it is understood here that it is possible to provide several computer formats F for the same book. This digital library BB is managed for example by an e-distributor, and is powered by an editor or e-publisher (not shown here). According to the present invention, several BB libraries can intervene and be associated with this new distribution chain. Similarly, several editors or e-publishers can intervene. One of the objectives of the present invention is to secure the transmission of the computer file F associated with the purchased LN book to its end user; it should be noted here that according to the present invention the end user may be the person U who bought the card 200 in bookstores, or another person to whom this card 200 has been offered. The invention provides an innovative distribution system 100 comprising computer means (illustrated in FIG. 1) exploiting the C ACT activation and C ID identification codes on the card 200. To adapt to the system 100 proposed by the present invention. invention, the bookseller must be equipped with a computerized cash register or an ORD computer terminal comprising an optical reader LO such as a scanner; any other optical reader may be considered in the context of the present invention. In this example, when going to the cash register, the bookseller therefore presents the card 25 200, during a step SO, in front of his reader LO. This causes the activation code C ACT to be read. In the example described here, this activation code C ACT is a bar code encoding an alphanumeric code composed for example of 19 characters. As illustrated in FIG. 1, once read, the activation code C ACT is sent to a remote management server SG. In the example described here, this server SG is connected to an activation computer module 10 and a second database DB2 in which is stored a plurality of activation codes and the status associated with each activation code. Those skilled in the art will understand here that this status is either "OK" or "NOK": the "OK" status corresponds to an activated code and the "NOK" status corresponds to a deactivated code.

The second database DB2 therefore administers the read rights associated with the digital book, this without knowledge of the digital book as such, because this database knows only the activation code and its status, and does not the link between this code and the book. In the example described here, the management server SG is administered in the context of the present invention by a third party, it is it that allows, from any physical point of sale, to immediately activate the rights associated with the LN digital book. In the example described here, the activation computer module 10 thus makes it possible to activate the rights associated with the digital book: by verifying that the activation code C ACT is still valid, that is, neither expired nor already used, and updating the status of this activation code C ACT, that is to say in the "OK" status. By default, it is preferable that, in this second database DB2, the rights are disabled (status "NOK") to prevent fraudulent access to books.

After activation, the module 10 of the management server SG returns to the library confirmation of the activation, and simultaneously an activation command 0 ACT is sent to the computer server S NUMERILIB to supply the first database DB1 indicating that the rights associated with the LN book are enabled. Preferably, the reception of this activation command 0 ACT triggers at the computer server S NUMERILIB a countdown CLK which authorizes the provision of the digital book LN for a predetermined period (1 week, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, etc.). When the countdown reaches zero, a signal is returned to the management server SG to indicate that the rights are expired.

Thus, according to the present invention, to access the digital book LN and obtain the computer file F corresponding to said LN book, it is imperative to activate (once), via the management server SG, the read rights on said book LN; this is made possible by the checkout at the bookseller's (after payment) thanks to a simple optical reading of the C ACT activation code. Once the reading rights on the LN book are activated, the person in possession of the card can identify himself using the identification code C ID on the card 200 (possibly after scratching). In the example described here, this identification S2 is a dedicated website from a communication terminal T (preferably a computer connected to the Internet, a digital tablet or a digital reader with a 3G connection). Alternatively, this web site is accessible directly by an optical reading of the two-dimensional C 2D matrix code on the map, typically a "flash code®" or a "QR code®"; this reading can therefore be done via the dedicated means of the communication terminal (integrated camera for example). Alternatively, it is possible to access this website via a dedicated software application, which can be installed under "Android®" or under "Apple®". This dedicated website is managed by the central server S NUMERILIB which is connected to a first DB1 database on which are stored for each of the digital books LN of the proposed catalog an activation code C ACT and an identification code C ID. This association is characteristic of the present invention. This server is also connected to an identification computer module 20 which is configured to compare the entered identification code with the identification code registered in the first DB1 database. In the example described here, if the result of this comparison is positive, that is to say if there is a match between the two codes and the associated rights are activated and still valid, the module 20 transmits to the distribution platform (or digital library BB) concerned an authorization order 0 AUTOR to transmit the computer file F corresponding to the digital book LN. It is thus understood that it is not possible to receive the digital book LN from the single identification code C ID, this identification code can still be read on the card 200 by a malicious person. Book distribution requires both activation and identification.

For more precaution, the identification code C ID is possibly covered with a scratch film. In the example described here, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, the library BB thus receives, via an SD distribution server, a signal 0 AUTOR indicating an order to authorize the distribution of the digital book LN. In the example described here, there is provided on the dedicated site an additional field in which the person who owns the card is asked to enter an email address EM. In the example described here, this EM address is stored in the database DB1 and is transmitted to the library to ensure the management of digital copyright (preferably with Adobe) and to allow the sending on this address EM the file F corresponding to the digital book LN. Thus, in the example described here, during a determined activation period (for example 1 year from the date of purchase), the cardholder 200 can go to the server S NUMERILIB and trigger the download of the LN digital book without account creation: it is sufficient to indicate an EM email address for sending the download link. The card 200 according to the present invention, marketed under the trademark "Cartelib" ®, is a digital book materialized with immediate activation at the cash register.

This activation is immediate: the download is possible immediately after payment in cash. It allows the end customer to buy an LN digital book at a physical point of sale and download immediately the computer file F corresponding to his book, on the medium of his choice (computer, reader, digital tablet, "Smartphone"). without creating an account. The present invention makes it possible to materialize the digital book LN, and the digital objects generally. By proposing the combined use of an activation code C ACT and a identification code C ID, the present invention furthermore provides computer means for securing the transmission of the computer files F associated with the digital books LN. which limits the risk of counterfeiting and guarantees the copyright associated with books.

It is also provided encrypted and secure transmission of the file to the communication terminal. The present invention thus provides the possibility for booksellers to enter the digital book market from which they were excluded until now. With the present invention, booksellers can exercise their consulting business with their customers, and sell 200 cards materializing digital books. The purchase of a 200 card from a bookseller finally allows you to hand deliver a digital book LN, for example to a friend at whom we are invited, a patient in hospital, a teenager always in front of his computer, a child who is bored by a car, etc. Finally, this card 200 allows any point of sale, including the independent bookstore, to market digital books in the form of a card. It must be emphasized that it is not limited to a cash register system or a closed circuit. It is accessible to all outlets wishing to market this product. Preferably, the identification code that allows the download is not generated randomly. It does not appear on a separate label or ticket, and it is not activated manually, as can be found in the state of the art.

Preferably, this card 200 is refundable until the time of download. The present invention aims to introduce booksellers on the e-book market and to strengthen them in their role of advising their customers; the establishment of such a system allows them to resist their competitors on the Internet. This card is a real hybrid product that is at the intersection of digital and physical and makes a place in bookstores for digital books. It should be observed that this detailed description relates to a particular embodiment of the present invention, but in no case this description is of any limiting nature to the object of the invention; on the contrary, its purpose is to remove any imprecision or misinterpretation of the claims that follow.

Claims (15)

REVENDICATIONS1. A method of distributing a digital book (LN) implemented by computer means and comprising the following steps: - a supply (SO) of a card (200) comprising an activation code (C ACT) and a code identification numbers (C ID) prerecorded and associated with a digital book (LN) in a first database (DB1) connected to a central server (S NUMERILIB), - an activation (51), at a server of third party management (SG), rights associated with said digital book (LN) by an optical reading of the activation code (C ACT) and - an identification (S2) comprising: a) an entry of said identification code (C ID) shown on the card (200), said entry being made from a communication terminal (T) on a dedicated website accessible via the central server (S NUMERILIB), and b) a comparison of said code of identification entered with the identification code registered in the first database (DB1) for a utoriser the distribution on said communication terminal (T) of said digital book (LN), said distribution being performed by a remote distribution server (SD) connected to a digital library (BB) storing a plurality of computer files (F) ) each corresponding to a predetermined digital book (LN). 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the activation code (C ACT) is a bar code encoding an alphanumeric code consisting of 19 characters. 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the identification code (C ID) is an alphanumeric code, which is preferably covered with a scratch film. 4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the activation (Si) comprises the transmission by the management server (SG) of an activation command (0 ACT) to the central server (S NUMERILIB). Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the comparison of said entered identification code with the identification code recorded in the first database (DB1) is positive, said identification (S2) includes transmission by the central server (S NUMERILIB) of an authorization order (0 AUT) to the distribution server (SD). 6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the distribution of said digital book (LN) comprises a download by the communication terminal (T) of the computer file (F) corresponding to the digital book (LN) associated with the identification code (C ID) on the card (200). 7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification (S2) comprises an additional entry, from the communication terminal (T), of an electronic address (EM) on the dedicated website. The method according to claim 7, wherein said entered electronic address (EM) is stored in the first database (DB1), and is associated with the identification (C ID) and activation (C ACT) codes. 9. The method of claim 7 or 8, wherein the distribution of said digital book (LN) comprises the transmission on the electronic address (EM): - the computer file (F) corresponding to the digital book (LN) associated with the code d identification (C ID), and / or - of a hypertext link giving access to said computer file (F) on the digital library (BB). 30 The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the activation (Si) of the rights associated with said digital book (LN) generates the triggering of a countdown timer (CLK) at the level of the first database (DB1). ) so that the distribution of the digital book (LN) is allowed for a predetermined duration, preferably equal to 1 year. 11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dedicated website is accessible after reading a two-dimensional matrix code (C 2D) by said communication terminal (T), said two-bit matrix code. dimensions (C 2D) shown on the map (200). A computer program (PG) having instructions adapted for performing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 when said computer program is executed by at least one processor. A computer-readable recording medium (CI) on which a computer program (PG) is recorded including instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11. 14. Computer system for distributing (100) a digital book (LN) for carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, said system (100) comprising: a computer module of activation (10) configured to activate rights associated with said digital book (LN) following receipt of an activation code (C ACT), and - an identification computer module (20) configured to authorize the distribution of the book digital signal (LN) on a communication terminal (T) following an entry of an identification code (C ID) on a dedicated website from said communication terminal (T) and a comparison of said identification code entered with an identification code stored in a first database (DB1), said identification (C ID) and activation (C ACT) codes appearing on the card (200) and being pre-recorded and associated with said digital book ( LN) in said first database (DB1) co connected to said identification computer module (20). 15. Card (200) for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, said card (200) comprising: an activation code (C ACT) adapted to be read by an optical reader (LO) and whose optical reading activates the rights associated with a digital book (LN), and a prerecorded identification code (C ID) and associated with said digital book (LN) in a first database (DB1), and whose entry on a dedicated website from a communication terminal (T) authorizes the distribution on said communication terminal (T) of said digital book (LN).