JP2001222631A - Copyrighted matter distribution system, and device and method for information processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain serial content data in synchronism with the serial publication of a novel by the electronic distribution of a serial story and to edit the serial content data. SOLUTION: In an information processing system in which a central computer 2 which distributes a copyrighted matter, a novelist computer 4 which provides a serial story and a consumer computer 1 which subscribes to the serial story are connected to the inernet, the novelist computer 4 registers the publication of the serial matter on the center computer 2. Then the center computer 2 receives serial content data of the serial matter from the novelist computer 4 and stores the data additionally to serial contents having been stored while relating them to the registered serial matter. At a request from the consumer computer 1, the content data of the serial matter are sent in units of the received serial content data to the consumer computer 1. The consumer computer 1 edits the sent content data by inserting a comment, an illustration, etc., and sends the resulting edited data to the center computer 2, which holds them.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copyrighted work distribution system and method for distributing a copyrighted work, and more particularly to a system and method suitable for electronically distributing serialized contents whose contents are completed by a plurality of publications. The present invention relates to a copyrighted work distribution system, an information processing apparatus, and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a serial novel published in a newspaper or the like, the novel is divided into a plurality of parts and serialized in units of one episode. If it is popular when the serialization is completed, it is edited by the publisher and published as a book or the like. Also, at present, sentences such as novel books are digitized via a net, and the data is sent to an electronic terminal for sale.

[0003]

In general, electronic data is distributed as a book, and a serialized article is not distributed in synchronization with the serialized book.

[0004] In a serial novel of a newspaper or the like, a book may be issued after the book is completed, but it takes time from the completion to the publication. Even if a publisher edits the serialized novel into a book and distributes it electronically, the editing will still take time.

Further, in the conventional distribution of electronic novel contents, it is impossible for the reader to change the contents such as inserting an illustration or comment. In particular, in serial novels, there is a considerable time lapse between each episode, so it is convenient to be able to make notes on things that come to mind as you read through each episode.

An object of the present invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and it is an object of the present invention to enable a purchaser to edit an electronically distributed work. I do.

Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to acquire each serialized content that is sequentially posted by electronic distribution of serialized content, and to edit the serialized content by a purchaser. Is to make it possible.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems To achieve the above object, a serialized article distribution system according to one aspect of the present invention has, for example, the following configuration. That is, a work distribution system including a central information processing device that distributes a work, a providing device that provides the work, and an acquisition device that acquires the work, wherein the central information processing device is provided by the providing device. Registration means for registering the publication of the work in the device, reception means for receiving the content data of the work from the providing device, and storage means for storing information content associated with the work registered by the registration means Transmitting means for transmitting content data of the literary work to the obtaining apparatus in response to a request from the obtaining apparatus; andediting means for performing desired editing on the content data transmitted by the transmitting means in the obtaining apparatus. Holding means for acquiring edited data obtained by editing the serialized content data from the acquisition device, and retaining the edited data in association with the user of the acquisition device.

Preferably, in the work distribution system, the work is a serialized product, the content data received by the receiving means represents serialized content, and the content data received by the receiving means is registered in the registration It further includes serial storage means for additionally storing serial content already stored in association with the work registered by the means.

[0010] Preferably, in the system for distributing a copyrighted work, the transmitting means transmits, in response to a request from the acquisition device, content data of the copyrighted work in units of serialized content received by the receiving means. Transmit to the acquisition device.

Further, an information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object has, for example, the following configuration.
That is, an information processing apparatus that can be connected to a providing device that provides a work and an acquisition device that acquires the work, and that distributes the work provided by the providing device to the acquisition device, Registering means for registering publication of a work from the providing device, receiving means for receiving content data of the work from the providing device, and storing information content associated with the work registered by the registration means; Storage means, transmission means for transmitting the content data to the acquisition device in response to a request from the acquisition device, and acquisition of the edited data obtained by adding desired editing to the content data transmitted by the transmission means Holding means for acquiring from the device and retaining the information in association with the user of the acquiring device.

Preferably, the literary work is a serialized product, the content data received by the receiving means represents serialized content, and the content data received by the receiving means is replaced with the content registered by the registration means. It further comprises a serial storage means for additionally storing serial contents already stored in association with the object.

Preferably, the transmitting means transmits the content data of the literary work to the obtaining apparatus in units of serialized content received by the receiving means in response to a request from the obtaining apparatus.

[0014]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiment, a serial novel will be described as an example of serialized articles. In addition, the content of each series is referred to as serialized content, and when the serialized material is a serialized novel, the serialized content is a unit of sentences of each episode. In the application of the present invention, serialized articles are not limited to novels, but may be those that the author divides and publishes multiple times with the intention of serializing, for example, it is possible to serialize photographs and music. . Here, if the photographs are serialized, the serialized article is a photo book, and the serialized contents will be individual photographs. Also, if music is serialized, the serialized material will be a music album, and the serialized content will be each song included in it. Further, in the copyrighted work distribution system described below, the distribution of serialized works (serialized novels) will be described. However, if the number of serializations is set to one and the copyrighted work is distributed, the completed copyrighted work can be distributed. Therefore, the present embodiment can be applied to the distribution of a normally completed work.

FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an outline of a serialized article distribution system according to this embodiment. The central computer 2 stores serialized novels uploaded from the novelist computer 4 (novelist), and also searches for and downloads novels based on requests from the consumer computer 1 (readers). In addition, the central computer 2 performs an appropriate billing process in registration of a novel, distribution of a novel to a reader, and the like. Further, the central computer 2 requests the bookbinding machine 5 to bind the novel based on a request from the reader. In addition,
The credit credit / settlement server 3 is used for billing with a novelist or a reader and for credit approval.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the central computer 2. In FIG. 1B, the CPU 401
Executes various controls in the central computer 2 according to a control program stored in the RAM 102 or the ROM 103. The RAM 202 stores a control program to be executed by the CPU 201 and provides a work memory area for the CPU 201. The ROM 203 stores a control program executed by the CPU 201 and various data. 204 is a network interface,
In the present embodiment, the connection to the Internet is taken.

Reference numeral 205 denotes an external storage device, which will be described later with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7G. Various data (novel personal data 206, reader personal data 207, novel data) necessary for serialized article distribution control of this embodiment. 208, personal edit data 2
09, novel reading status data 210, price data 211,
The novel merchant data 212) is stored.

In FIG. 1A, the reader communicates with the central computer 2 using a computer connected to the central computer 2 via, for example, the Internet (hereinafter, the computer used by the reader is referred to as a consumer computer 1). . As will be described later, on the consumer computer 1, editing processing such as inserting illustrations and inserting comments can be performed on the novel data to be subscribed. The novelist uses a computer also connected to the central computer 2 via the Internet (hereinafter, the computer used by the novelist is referred to as a novelist computer 4) to register data of the novel that he / she wants to serialize in the central computer 2. I do.

FIG. 1C is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a novelist computer or a consumer computer. CP
U401 executes the control program stored in RAM402 or ROM403. The storage device 404 is composed of, for example, a hard disk and stores various data.
The input device 405 performs various inputs such as an instruction to purchase a novel. The output device 406 generally includes a display device, and displays the content of the purchased novel.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram functionally showing an online charging system between a central computer and a consumer computer according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the online charging system connects the consumer computer 1 and the central computer 2 via a network, and realizes online buying and selling of serial novels. The central computer 2 connects to the credit credit / settlement server 3 via a communication line, and performs online credit and settlement for the consumer computer 1 as a subscriber.

Incidentally, even when a plurality of consumers are connected to the network, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the consumer computer 1 and the central computer 2 with regard to the buying and selling of novels. For simplicity, FIG. 2 shows only one consumer computer 2 as a user.

As shown in FIG. 2, the consumer computer 1 includes a novel selection and personal account, a password input unit 11, a novel / key request unit 12, a novel and decryption key receiving unit 1,
3, novel decoding unit 14, decoding completion notification unit 15, editing unit 1
6, a comment encryption unit 17 and a comment / key transmission unit 18 are provided.

The novel / key request unit 12 makes a subscription request and a key request to the central computer 2 using the information inputted by the novel selection and account / password input unit 11, and also authenticates the result of the subscription request. receive. The novel and decryption key receiving unit 13 receives the encrypted novel data from the central computer 2 and receives the decryption key from the central computer 2.

The novel decryption unit 14 decrypts the encrypted novel received by the novel and decryption key receiving unit 13 by using the decryption key received together to decrypt the novel. The decoding completion notifying unit 15 sends a decoding completion notification to the central computer 2 in response to the normal decoding completion of the novel decoding unit 14.

The editing unit 16 adds and edits comments and illustrations to the received novel. The comment encryption unit 17
The comment and illustrations added by the editing unit 16 are received and encrypted using the encryption key. The comment / key transmitting unit 18 transmits an encrypted comment and a decryption key to the central computer 2 in response to a key request from the central computer 2.

Although illustration and detailed description are omitted, in the communication between the consumer computer and the central computer 2, not only encryption technology but also security technology in electronic commerce is applied. As an example of the security technology, SET (Secure Electronic Transactions) is preferable, but not limited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 2, the central computer 2 includes an authentication unit 21, a novel / key transmission unit 22, a novel encryption unit 27, a novel database 23, a key database 24,
Accounting unit 25 and accounting log database 26, price database 28, temporary novel database 29, comment / key request unit 30, comment and decryption key receiving unit 31, comment decryption unit 32, decryption completion notification unit 33, personal editing database 34, comment A database 35 is provided.

The novel / key transmitting unit 22 instructs the novel database 23 to distribute the encrypted novel when the subscription is permitted by the authentication of the authentication unit 21 (indicated by OK in the figure), and the consumer computer 1 In response to the key request of the novel / key request unit 12, the distribution of the decryption key corresponding to the novel to be distributed is instructed to the key database 24. The novel encryption unit 27
The novel data received from the novel provider and stored in the temporary novel database 29 is received and encrypted, and the encrypted novel and a decryption key for decrypting the novel are stored in the novel database 23 and the key database 24, respectively. Register to have a correspondence. Note that the authentication unit 21 authenticates a personal account, a password, and the like input from the consumer computer using the reader personal database 39b.

The novel database 23 stores the novel encryption unit 2
7, the novel data encrypted in accordance with the distribution instruction of the novel / key distribution unit 22 is transmitted to the consumer computer 1 (the novel and key reception unit 1).
Deliver to 3). The key database 24 registers the decryption key of the novel data encrypted by the novel encryption unit 27, and stores the decryption key corresponding to the predetermined encrypted novel data according to the distribution instruction of the novel / key transmission unit 22. The content is distributed to the consumer computer 1 (the novel and key receiving unit 13).

The billing unit 25 performs billing processing for the subscriber (consumer computer 1) on the billing log database 26 when the decryption completion notification is received from the decryption completion notification unit 15 of the consumer computer. Further, the authentication unit 21 receives the billing information from the billing log database 26 and further transmits the billing information to the consumer computer 1 together with the authentication result. Prevent multiple charges.

Each time a novelist updates a novel, the price database 28 increases the amount of novels read in a lump, raises the lump sum, and sends it to the accounting section 25. The comment / key request unit 30 requests the consumer computer 1 for a key used to decrypt the encrypted comment (or illustration). The comment and decryption key receiving unit 31 receives the encrypted comment and decryption key from the consumer computer 1. The comment decryption section 32 decrypts the comment and the encrypted comment received by the decryption key receiving section 31 using the decryption key received together to decrypt the comment.
The decoding completion notifying unit 33 sends a decoding completion notification to the consumer computer 1 in response to the normal decoding completion of the comment decoding unit 32. The personal editing database 34 receives the editing data and sends it to the temporary novel database 29,
The data is immediately encrypted by the novel encryption unit 27 and stored in the comment database 35.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram functionally showing the online charging system between the central computer and the novelist computer according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the novelist computer 4
Include a novel selection and novelist account, a password input unit 41, a serial application request unit 42, a novel / key distribution unit 43,
A novel database 44 and a key database 45 are provided.

The serial application request unit 42 registers a new serial novel and uploads serial novel data.
Novel selection and novelist account, password input unit 41
The authentication information (the novelist account and the password) is sent to the central computer 2 (authentication unit 21). When authentication is obtained by the serial application requesting unit 42, the novel / key distribution unit 43 gives an instruction to the novel database 44 and the key database 45, and sends the encrypted novel data and its decryption key to the central computer 2.

On the other hand, the central computer 2 has an authentication unit 21, a novel / decryption key receiving unit 37, a novel decryption unit 38,
It has a novelist database 39a. The authentication unit 21 authenticates the applicant in response to the novelist's registration request from the serialized application request unit 42, and registers the applicant in the novelist database 39a. The novelist is authenticated with reference to the novelist database 39a. The novel and decryption key receiving unit 37 receives the encrypted novel data and the decryption key transmitted from the novelist computer 4. The novel decryption unit 38 converts the encrypted novel data received by the novel and decryption key reception unit 37 into
The novel is decrypted using the decryption key received by the novel and decryption key receiving unit 37 and stored in the temporary novel database 29.
As described above, the novel data stored in the temporary novel database 29 is encrypted again by the novel encryption unit 27 and stored in the novel database 23.

The operation of the serial novel distribution system according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described in detail below.

FIGS. 4A to 4E are flowcharts showing the control procedure of the serial novel distribution system according to the present embodiment.
When the consumer computer 1 or the novelist computer 4 is connected to the central computer 2, the processing shown in FIG. 4A starts. First, in step S1, a menu screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on each computer of a novelist or a consumer. Then, in step S2,
It is monitored whether or not the menu is selected from the menu.

In FIG. 5, a button 52 is a button for applying for serialization of novels. When an instruction of this button is detected, the process proceeds from step S3 to the process for serially applying for novels (FIG. 4B). Register novels serialized by a novelist computer. The button group 51 is a menu button group for a subscriber to search and purchase a desired novel, and when any one of these buttons is instructed,
The process proceeds from step S4 to a novel serial application application process (FIG. 4C).

The button 53 is used to acquire a taste portion of a serial novel to which a subscription has already been applied, or to reread a read portion. When the instruction of the button 53 is detected, the process proceeds to the novel subscription process (FIG. 4D). Further, the button 54 is a button for the novelist to upload additional serialized contents after the novel in which the serialization is already registered. When this button 54 is instructed, the novel serialization updating process (FIG. 4E)
The processing moves to.

When the button 52 is instructed, the process proceeds from step S3 to step S11 in FIG. 4B. In step S11, a menu for novel registration is displayed. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of a novel registration menu. The button 61 is a button for registering a new novelist. When this button is designated, the process proceeds to step S14 via steps S12 and S13, and registration of a new novelist (member registration) is performed. Do.

In step S14, a screen for registering a novelist (FIG. 6 (b)) is displayed, and the name, address, and settlement information (bank name and account number) are input (step S15). Here, the account number is required to reduce the membership fee and the publication fee of the novel and to deposit a subscription fee from readers of the published novel.

In step S16, based on the information input in step S15, credit credit / settlement server 3
To confirm the applicant's credit. If the credit cannot be confirmed, the process proceeds to step S19, a warning is displayed to that effect, the registration process is terminated, and the process returns to step S1.

On the other hand, if the credit is confirmed in step S16, the process proceeds to step S17, where a novelist account and a password are given to the applicant, and the novelist personal data is registered in the novelist database and registered. Charge the fee. Note that this billing process is performed by the billing unit 25 and the billing log database 26 shown in FIG. 2, and details thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. FIG. 7A shows a data configuration example of the novelist personal data in the novelist database 39a (FIG. 3).
Thereafter, the process returns to step S11, and the menu screen shown in FIG. 6A is displayed again. The database having each data configuration shown in FIGS. 7A to 7G is provided in the central computer 2.

On the menu screen shown in FIG. 6A, a button 62 is a button for registering a new serial novel. When this button is designated, a new serial novel is registered. To step S2
Proceed to 1.

In step S21, a new serial novel registration screen (not shown) is displayed. On this screen, input of a novelist account and password is required. In step S22, based on the novelist account and password input from the new novel novel registration screen, registration verification and credit confirmation are performed. If the result is OK, the process proceeds from step S23 to step S24. In step S24, a screen (not shown) for inputting relevant data of a novel to be serialized is displayed, and a novelist is prompted to input the data. Here, the novel-related data includes, for example, a title and a comment on the novel.

In step S25, a novel ID is assigned to the new serial novel and registered in the novel database. FIG. 7C shows a data configuration example of novel data in the novel database. At this point, a novelist account, a novel number, a title, and a comment among the novel data in FIG. 7C are registered. Also, the system determines a key for encryption and decryption, and registers it as key information. In the present embodiment, in order to identify a serial novel, a novelist account and a novel number are used, and these are connected by a hyphen to be a novel ID (for example, the second novel in FIG. 7C is the novel account 1 , Novel number 2 and the novel ID is 1-2). When the registration of a new serial novel is completed as described above, the process returns to step S11, and a novel registration menu as shown in FIG. 6A is displayed again. If the result of step S23 is NG, a warning to that effect is displayed in step S26, the registration process is terminated, and the process returns to step S1. If the return button 63 is instructed, the process returns from step S27 to step S1.

When transmitting the serialized contents of the serialized novels registered as described above, by pressing the “update novel serialized” button 54 on the menu screen of FIG.
The processing of FIG. 4E is started (step S6).

When button 54 is instructed, the process proceeds to step S31. In step S31, an initial screen for updating the contents of the existing serialization is displayed. In step S32, the applicant is prompted to enter a novelist account and password. Based on the input information, registration is verified, and the account is confirmed. Perform collation. That is, the serialization application request unit 42 sends the novelist account and password to the authentication unit 21,
The authentication unit 21 refers to the novelist database 39a and performs registration collation and the like. Here, if the registration collation or the account confirmation and collation cannot be obtained, the process proceeds from step S33 to step S34, a warning is displayed to that effect, the process is executed, and the process returns to step S1.

On the other hand, if the confirmation of the trust and the authentication of the registration have been obtained, the process proceeds from step S33 to step S35 to prompt the input of the novel ID assigned to the novel to be updated.
In the present embodiment (FIG. 3), the authentication unit 21 notifies the serialization application unit 42 of the authentication result. If the authentication is obtained, the serial application unit 42 transmits the novel ID of the novel designated to the authentication unit 21. Is done. Then, in step S36, it is checked whether or not the specified novel ID exists as a serialized novel of the novelist. This check is achieved by the authentication unit 21 and the novel / decryption key receiving unit 37. If there is no novel, the process proceeds from step S36 to step S37. After the novelist computer 4 displays a warning to that effect, the process proceeds to step S3.
5 and prompt for the novel ID again.

If there is a serialized novel with the specified novel ID, the flow advances from step S36 to step S38 to update the serialized content. Here, updating of the serialized contents means additionally registering the new serialized contents in the serialized novel contents data. That is, the novel / key distribution unit 43 in the novelist computer 4 acquires data for additional updating and a decryption key from the novel database 44 and the key database 45 and sends them to the central computer 2. In the central computer 2, the transmitted signal is received by the novel / decryption key receiving unit 37, the novel data received by the novel decryption unit 38 is decrypted by the received decryption key, and this is stored in the temporary novel database 29. Hereinafter, description will be given along the flowchart of FIG. 4E. In step S38, the novelist computer transmits a new serialized content (new serialized portion) to the central computer and information indicating whether or not the update is the last one. By this data transmission, in step S39,
The central computer changes the package price in the price database shown in FIG. 7F. This is because the number of serializations has increased. Then, in step S40, the novel contents of the novel data of FIG. 7C are updated (the newly transmitted data is encrypted and additionally stored), and a column indicating whether or not it is the last time is changed as necessary. Will be updated. Also, the number of serializations in the novel detail database is updated.

The above is the processing relating to the registration of the novelist, the registration of the serial novel, and the updating of the content of the serial novel by the novelist computer. In the above processing, the authentication function and the encryption function at the time of storing the novel data and the like are as described above with reference to FIG.

Next, processing on the reader side will be described.

When any one of the buttons 51 is designated on the menu screen shown in FIG. 5, step S in FIG.
4 to step S41 in FIG. 4C. In step S41, a search screen (not shown) for inputting search conditions as necessary is displayed. This is because, for example, when “Top 10 Popular Novels” in the button group 51 is selected, it is not necessary to input further search conditions, but when “Search by Genre” is selected, the desired genre is updated. This is because it is necessary to input as a search condition. Alternatively, it is also necessary to search for two search items, “genre” and “novelist”.

In step S42, further search conditions are input to the search screen displayed in step S41, and in step S43, a novel is searched using the search conditions given by the above operations. Then, in step S44, the search result of the novel is displayed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a search result. As a search result, the novelist's name and novel ID are displayed together with the title and comment included in the novel-related data registered by the novelist when the serial novel is registered. Further, in the example of FIG. 8, the number of accesses and the subscription fee are presented.

If there is no novel desired by the subscriber in the search results, the subscriber can instruct the user to restart the search. In this case, the process returns from step S45 to step S1, and redisplays the menu screen.

On the other hand, there is a “subscribe button” for each serialized novel in the search results, and it is possible to apply for a subscription to a desired novel from the search results. When the application button is instructed, the process proceeds from step S46 to step S47, and displays a subscription application screen (not shown). Here, the subscription application screen has a button for registering a new reader, and when this button is selected, the process proceeds from step S48 to step S49, where an input form of reader information as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed, Prompt for required information. When data is entered in this form, step S
At 50, a credit check of a credit card or the like is performed. This confirmation is performed by the credit / payment server 3 as described above.

When the trust is confirmed, the process proceeds from step S50 to step S51, where a personal account and a password are issued to the applicant, and the applicant is registered in the reader personal database 39b. FIG. 7B
The following shows an example of the data configuration of the reader personal data in the reader personal database. Thereafter, the process returns to step S47,
The subscription application screen is displayed.

If the authentication fails in step S50, a warning to that effect is issued, and the process returns to step S1.

On the other hand, if reader registration has already been completed,
Since the personal account and the password are input on the above-mentioned subscription application screen, the account and the password are collated and the trust is confirmed using the personal account and the password (step S).
53). If the verification is passed and the credit is confirmed, the process proceeds from step S54 to step S55, where the purchase of the specified novel is executed.

In this case, the settlement is performed based on the credit card number, and there are two methods of charging: "division" and "collective". "Batch" is to collectively purchase all of the series up to that point (for example, if the series is completed at the time of purchase, it will be all of the series). In addition, "division" means that each episode of the series is specified as a unit,
To buy.

In step S55, when a novel is purchased, it is a new purchase, so a new data record is created and registered in the reading status database. In the case of the second or subsequent purchase, the existing data record is updated. In the reading status database, for example, a personal account, a novel ID, information indicating how far the novel has been purchased, a reading start date, and a distribution method (whole or divided) are registered.

Subsequently, in step S56, the novel data designated to be purchased is read, and the novel is displayed on the screen of the consumer computer. At this time, as described above, the novel data is encrypted for security protection, sent to the consumer computer together with the decryption key, and decrypted on the consumer computer.

In step S57, the reader instructs whether or not to edit the novel. If an edit is to be made, the process proceeds to step S72; otherwise, the process returns to step S1.

If it is determined in step S54 that the confirmation of trust and the verification of registration have not been obtained, the process proceeds to step S58, a warning to that effect is issued, and the process returns to step S1.

In the above processing, the authentication function of the consumer computer by the data of the central computer,
The data encryption and decryption functions are as described above with reference to FIG.

In the menu of FIG. 5, when the button 53 is designated, it is possible to reread a novel that has already been purchased or to purchase a new serialized part of a novel that has already been partially purchased. When the button 53 is instructed, the process proceeds to step S61 in FIG. 4D.

In step S61, the applicant is made to input a personal account and a password on a predetermined input screen (not shown), and the registration is verified. Here, if the verification of the account and the password fails, the process proceeds from step S62 to step S74, a warning to that effect is issued, and the process returns to step S1.

On the other hand, if the collation is successful, step S
Proceed to 63 to display a list of serial novels currently subscribed by the reader having the personal account. Information for this display can be obtained by referring to the novel reading status data (FIG. 7E). Then, when the desired novel is designated and the instruction to reread the contents of the purchased part is given, the process proceeds from step S64 to step S65, where the purchased part of the specified novel is read, and in step S66, the purchased part is read. Display the contents. At this time, if personal editing has been performed, the content is also obtained from the personal editing database and displayed. Then, the process proceeds to step S70 (described later).

On the other hand, if the user has instructed to subscribe to the unpurchased part, the flow advances to step S68 via steps S64 and S67. In step S68, the trust of the user in the personal account input in step 61 is confirmed.
That is, it is checked whether or not settlement by credit card is possible. If the credit cannot be confirmed (for example, if the balance is insufficient), the process proceeds to step S75, a warning to that effect is issued, and the process returns to step S63.

If the credit is confirmed in step S68, the flow advances to step S69 to perform a purchase process. That is, the specified portion of the specified serial novel is purchased, and the novel reading status data (FIG. 7E) is updated. Then, the serial novel is read (in this case, only the newly purchased serial content may be read, all the serial content purchased in the past may be read, or the desired serial content range May be specified), and the content is displayed in step S70.

Thereafter, if there is an instruction for editing, the process proceeds from step S71 to step S72, where the editing is performed.

Here, the editing does not change the contents of the novel, but merely adds a simple comment or inserts an illustration. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of editing by inserting a comment. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 103 denotes an area for displaying a novel, and 101 denotes the content of the novel. This novel cannot be edited. 10
Reference numeral 2 denotes a comment added by the reader through the editing process. In this way, when editing is added, FIG.
The contents are stored in the personal edit database 34 as personal edit data as shown in FIG. In FIG. 7D,
Although only comments are mentioned as edit data, when an illustration is inserted, the insertion position of the illustration and image information are stored.

When the end of the present process is instructed, the present process is ended via step S73, and the process returns to step S63.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are flowcharts for explaining the details of the subscription process between the consumer computer and the central computer. This processing shows a case where the contents of the serialized articles are read all at once up to the current serial number.
The processing shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to steps S53 to S53 in FIG.
Processing corresponding to step 58 and steps S61 and S6 in FIG. 4D.
Processes corresponding to 8 to S75 are extracted and described in more detail.

In step S101, the consumer computer 1 transmits a personal account, a password, and a novel ID to the central computer 2 (in FIG. 2, the novel /
This corresponds to the key request unit 12 sending a subscription request to the authentication unit 21). In step S102, the central computer 2 checks whether the received data matches the personal account and password registered in the personal database, the novel ID of the novel reading status database. This is performed by the authentication unit 21 with reference to the reader database 39b. Here, if the match is not confirmed, the processing is appropriately returned.

If a match is obtained in step S102, the flow advances to step S103, and the credit computer (credit credit / settlement server 3) checks the credit. In this example, the authentication unit 21 refers to the credit / settlement server 3 to check whether the designated bank has sufficient cash.
If there is not enough money in the designated bank, step S105
To display on the consumer computer.

In step S104, the central computer 2 makes the first subscription from the novel reading status database.
Find out if it is the second time. If the processing in FIG. 11 is performed as a part of the processing in FIG. 4B, the subscription is the first time, and the process proceeds to step S106.
The central computer stores the novel subscription start date in the novel reading status database, and the process proceeds to step S107.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 104 that the subscription is not the first subscription, then in step S 107,
The central computer 2 transmits to the consumer computer 1 all the novel content data that has been encrypted and updated at that time (the novel database 23 and the key database 24).
In step S108, the consumer computer 1 decrypts the received data and displays the content on the screen (the novel and decryption key receiving unit 13, the novel decryption unit 14, and the decryption completion notification unit 15). In step S109, the central computer 1
Requests the withdrawal of the registered credit number shell when becoming a member (decryption completion notification unit 15, charging unit 2)
5). Then, in step S110, the fact that the central computer has been charged is stored in the novel reading status database (charging unit 25, charging log database 26).

Next, in step S111, the edited and encrypted version is transmitted by the consumer computer to the central computer 2 (editing section 16, comment encrypting section 1).
7, comment / key transmission unit 18). In step S112, the central computer stores the received data in the personal edit database (comment and decryption key receiving unit 31, comment decryption unit 32, decryption completion notification unit 33, personal edit database 34). In step S113, the central computer checks from the registered contents of the novel database whether or not it is the last round.

In the case of the last round, the process proceeds from step S113 to step S116. In step S116, the central computer asks the consumer computer whether to make a book now. Then, in step S117, if the response to this is YES, the process proceeds to step S118, where the central computer transmits all data to the bookbinding computer. The data sent at this time is
These are data stored in personal edit data (FIG. 7D) and novel data (FIG. 7C). In step S119, the central computer deletes the personal editing database and the novel reading status database corresponding to the novel.

On the other hand, if it is not the last time, the process proceeds from step S113 to step S114, and the central computer 2 inquires of the consumer computer 1 whether to continue the subscription of the novel. If the subscription is to be continued, the process branches from step S115 to a distribution continuation process. If the subscription is not continued, the process branches from step S115 to the data discarding process.

In the above, the processing in which the serialized contents are read up to the current content at once is described. On the other hand, when the serialized articles are read one by one, that is, when the serialized articles are read separately, steps S108 and S10 in FIG.
Step S120 is inserted as shown in FIG. Even when the serialized articles are read in a batch, if serialization is ongoing, thereafter, the process shifts to divisional reading.

In step S120, the central computer checks whether or not the display contents have been displayed in the past. If not, the process proceeds to step S109, and billing corresponding to the reading is performed. In addition, if the content has been displayed in the past, steps S109 and S110 are skipped to prevent duplication of charging for the read content.

FIG. 11B shows a process of sending a completed serial novel to a bookbinding machine for bookbinding, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is conceivable to save a completed serialized novel in a memory card attached to a consumer computer, and attach the memory card to a bookbinding machine installed in a convenience store or the like to perform bookbinding. In this case, the processing shown in steps S116 to S119 in FIG. 11B is replaced with steps S131 to S133 in FIG.

In step S131, the central computer 2 transmits all data and the composite key subjected to the tamper-proofing means to the consumer computer 1. The data transmitted at this time are the personal edit data (FIG. 7D) and the data stored in the novel data (FIG. 7C). And step S
At 132, the central computer 2 deletes the personal editing database and the novel reading status database of the serialized article. Thereafter, in step S133, the consumer computer saves the novel data on a memory card.

Now, the operation of the bookbinding computer that has received the novel data transmitted by the process of step S118 in FIG. 11B will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the bookbinding computer according to the present embodiment.

In step S141, the bookbinding computer receives data such as personal data, edition number, and novel contents. In step S142, it is determined from the received version number data whether the processing is the first edition. If the processing is the first edition, the bookbinding computer searches for and prepares the author's signature in step S143. In step S144, the bookbinding computer performs bookbinding, and performs mailing in step S145. By fully automating the above processing, bookbinding can be bound and sent without being seen by the bookbinding company. Whether or not it is the first edition can be determined based on the serialization start date of the novel detailed data (FIG. 7G), the deadline date, the reading start date of the novel reading status data (FIG. 7E), and the like. Also, the author's signature is stored as image data and printed at the time of bookbinding, or a sticker with the signature printed is prepared and attached at the time of bookbinding. For example, various methods can be used.

Next, a description will be given of a process in which novel data stored in a memory card is bound by a dedicated binding machine. Such a bookbinding machine is desirably installed in, for example, a convenience store. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the bookbinding machine. It should be noted that the memory card stores data such as a personal password, novel contents, and edition number in the process of step S133.

In step S152, the bookbinding computer reads data from the memory card. Next, in step S153, the consumer is prompted to enter a password. When the password is entered, the password is checked against the password read from the memory card to check whether the two match. If they do not match, step S154
Then, the process proceeds to step S155, a warning to that effect is displayed, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S154 that the passwords match, the flow advances to step S156 to check whether the data read from the memory card is the first edition. If it is the first edition, the process proceeds to step S157,
Search for and prepare a signature. In step S158, bookbinding is performed based on the contents of the novel stored in the memory card.

Also, since the storage capacity of the central processing computer is limited, the amount of data of novel contents that can be stored is naturally limited. Therefore, in order to store new serialized articles, it is necessary to delete old serialized articles. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for deleting serials from the novel database.

First, in step S161, the central computer checks the number of accesses during a certain period after the end of the serialization, even if the serialization has ended. If the number of times is smaller than the set number of accesses, the process proceeds from step S162 to step S163, and data related to the novel is deleted from the novel database or the like.

Although the present embodiment has been described with particular reference to the distribution of serials, the present invention can also be applied to the case where a complete work is distributed from the beginning. In this regard,
As described at the beginning of this embodiment, it is apparent that, for example, by setting the number of serializations to 1, the system of this embodiment can be used for distribution of a complete work from the beginning.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the form in which the consumer computer directly accesses the central computer to read the copyrighted work has been described. However, a distribution computer is interposed between the central computer and the consumer computer. It is needless to say that the present invention includes such a form. In this case, the distribution computer accesses the central computer to acquire the novel, and distributes the novel to the consumer computer.
Further, in such a form, if the distribution computer performs registration of a large number of consumer computers (readers) and confirms trust, etc., the central computer may perform a security check with the distribution computer. Will be. That is, each distribution computer has reader personal data (FIG. 7B), novel reading status data (FIG. 7E), etc., and the distribution computer can register the reader and check the account. Can be reduced.

It is clear that the editing operation by the reader as described in step S72 of FIG. 4D is possible even in the case where the above-described distribution computer is interposed, and the present invention provides such a method. Needless to say, various forms are included. Further, in this case, it is also possible to put personal editing data (FIG. 7D) holding the editing contents of each reader on a computer for distribution.

[0097]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It becomes possible to edit the electronically distributed work by the purchaser.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to acquire serialized contents which are sequentially posted by electronic distribution of serialized articles, and to edit the serialized contents by a purchaser. Becomes

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to quickly bind a serialized article that has been serialized and provide it to a purchaser.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an outline of a serialized article distribution system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a central computer 2.

FIG. 1C is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a novelist computer or a consumer computer.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram functionally illustrating an online charging system between a central computer and a consumer computer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram functionally showing an online charging system between a central computer and a novelist computer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the serial novel distribution system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the serial novel distribution system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4C is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the serialized novel distribution system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4D is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of the serialized novel distribution system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4E is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the serialized novel distribution system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of a menu screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a menu screen.

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of data used in serialized article distribution control according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of data used in serialized article distribution control according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of data used in serialized article distribution control according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7D is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of data used in serialized article distribution control according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7E is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of data used in serialized article distribution control according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7F is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of data used in serialized article distribution control according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7G is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of data used in serialized article distribution control according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a novel search result.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a personal account registration operation screen.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of editing by inserting a comment.

FIG. 11A is a flowchart illustrating details of a subscription process between a consumer computer and a central computer.

FIG. 11B is a flowchart illustrating details of a subscription process between a consumer computer and a central computer.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the processing shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B;
It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of performing an installment payment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process of storing serialized contents in a memory card instead of the bookbinding process illustrated in FIG. 11B.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the bookbinding computer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the bookbinding machine that performs bookbinding from the content stored in the memory card.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure for deleting serialized articles from the novel database.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 15/21 330 F term (Reference) 5B009 QB18 SA14 VC01 5B049 CC05 EE05 FF07 GG02 GG10 5B089 GA12 GA21 HA01 JA01 JB22 LB14

Claims (34)

[Claims] 1. A work distribution system comprising: a central information processing device that distributes a work; a providing device that provides a work; and an acquisition device that acquires a work. Registration means for registering the publication of the work in the central information processing device; receiving means for receiving the content data of the work from the providing device; and storing information content associated with the work registered by the registration means. Storage means for transmitting, in response to a request from the obtaining apparatus, transmitting means for transmitting the content data of the work to the obtaining apparatus, and adding desired editing to the content data transmitted by the transmitting means in the obtaining apparatus Editing means, and holding means for acquiring edited data obtained by editing the serialized content data from the acquisition device, and holding the edited data in association with the user of the acquisition device. Copyrighted work distribution system for the butterflies. 2. The work is a serialized work, the content data received by the receiving means represents serialized content, and the content data received by the receiving means is associated with the work registered by the registration means. 2. The copyrighted work distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising a serialization storage unit for additionally storing serialization contents already stored. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the transmitting unit transmits the content data of the copyrighted work to the obtaining device in units of serialized content received by the receiving unit in response to a request from the obtaining device. The copyrighted work distribution system according to claim 2. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection between the central information processing device and the providing device and the connection between the central processing device and the acquisition device are made via the Internet. The described copyrighted work distribution system. 5. The copyrighted work distribution according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition device further includes a display unit that controls display based on the content data transmitted by the transmission unit. system. 6. The copyrighted work distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the editing unit prohibits editing of the content data itself transmitted by the transmission unit. 7. The copyrighted work distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the editing unit inserts text into a blank portion of a desired page. 8. The copyrighted work distribution system according to claim 1, wherein said editing means inserts an image into a margin of a desired page. 9. A book whose publication or serialization has been completed by the providing device is bound in accordance with a request from the acquisition device based on edited data of the copyrighted work held in the holding means, and provided. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a bookbinding unit for delivering the booklet to an owner of the apparatus.
The copyrighted work distribution system according to any of the above. 10. For a work whose posting or serialization has been completed from the providing device, edited data of the work held in the holding means is attached to the obtaining device in response to a request from the obtaining device. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for downloading to a memory card.
4. The copyrighted work distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 11. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a charging unit configured to charge a subscription fee specified in the serialized content when transmitting the content of the copyrighted work to the acquisition device.
The copyrighted work distribution system according to any of the above. 12. A work distribution method in an information processing system comprising a central information processing device for delivering a work, a providing device for providing the work, and an acquiring device for acquiring the work, wherein A registration step of registering the publication of the work in the central information processing apparatus from the providing apparatus; a reception step of receiving the content data of the work from the providing apparatus; and a registration step associated with the work registered in the registration step. A storage step of storing information content; a transmission step of transmitting content data of the literary work to the acquisition apparatus in response to a request from the acquisition apparatus; An editing step of editing the serialized content data, acquiring edited data obtained by editing the serialized content data from the acquisition device, and holding the edited data in association with the user of the acquisition device. Work distribution method characterized by comprising the step. 13. The work is a serialized work, the content data received in the receiving step represents serialized content, and the content data received in the receiving step is associated with the work registered in the registration step. 13. The work distribution method according to claim 12, further comprising a serial storage step of additionally storing the serial content already stored. 14. The transmitting step of transmitting, in response to a request from the obtaining device, the content data of the literary work to the obtaining device in units of serialized content received in the receiving process. The copyrighted work distribution method according to claim 13. 15. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the connection between the central information processing device and the providing device and the connection between the central processing device and the acquisition device are made by the Internet. The described copyright distribution method. 16. The acquisition apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a display step of controlling display based on the content data transmitted in said transmission step.
The copyrighted work distribution method described in any of the above. 17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the editing step prohibits the editing of the content data transmitted in the transmitting step. 18. The literary work distribution method according to claim 12, wherein the editing step inserts a text into a blank portion of a desired page. 19. The literary work distribution method according to claim 12, wherein the editing step inserts an image into a blank portion of a desired page. 20. A book whose publication or serialization has been completed by the providing device is bound in accordance with a request from the acquisition device on the basis of edited data of the work held in the holding step and provided. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising a bookbinding step of delivering the book to an owner of the apparatus. 21. With respect to a work whose posting or serialization has been completed from the providing device, edited data of the work held in the holding step is attached to the acquisition device in response to a request from the acquisition device. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of downloading to a memory card.
15. The work distribution method according to any one of 2 to 14. 22. The system according to claim 12, further comprising a charging step of charging a subscription fee defined in the serialized content when transmitting the content of the copyrighted work to the acquisition device. Copyright distribution method. 23. An information processing device connectable to a providing device for providing a work and an acquisition device for acquiring the work, and an information processing device for distributing the work provided by the providing device to the acquisition device. Registration means for registering publication of a work from the providing device; receiving means for receiving content data of the work from the providing device; and information content associated with the work registered by the registration means. Storage means for storing, in response to a request from the acquisition device, transmission means for transmitting the content data to the acquisition device; and edited data obtained by adding desired editing to the content data transmitted by the transmission means. And a holding unit for acquiring the information from the acquisition device and holding the acquired information in association with the user of the acquisition device. 24. The work is a serialized work, the content data received by the receiving means represents serialized contents, and the content data received by the receiving means is associated with the work registered by the registration means. 24. The information processing apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising a serial storage unit for additionally storing serial contents already stored. 25. The transmission device according to claim 25, wherein, in response to a request from the acquisition device, the content data of the work is transmitted to the acquisition device in units of serialized content received by the reception device. The information processing device according to claim 23. 26. An output unit for outputting, in response to a request from the acquisition device, the entire edited data of the serialized article held by the holding unit, for a work whose publication or serialization has been completed from the providing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 23 to 25, further comprising: 27. An information processing apparatus that is connectable to a providing apparatus that provides a work and an acquisition apparatus that acquires the work, and that distributes the work provided by the providing apparatus to the acquisition apparatus. A control method, comprising: a registration step of registering publication of a work from the providing apparatus; a receiving step of receiving content data of the work from the providing apparatus; and a registration step associated with the work registered in the registration step. A storing step of storing the information content obtained, a transmitting step of transmitting the content data to the acquiring apparatus in response to a request from the acquiring apparatus, and a desired edit is added to the content data transmitted in the transmitting step. A method of acquiring edited data from the acquisition device and retaining the edited data in association with a user of the acquisition device. 28. The work is a serialized work, the content data received in the receiving step represents serialized contents, and the content data received in the receiving step is associated with the work registered in the registration step. 28. The control method for an information processing apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising a serial storage step of additionally storing serial contents already stored. 29. The transmitting step of transmitting, in response to a request from the obtaining apparatus, the content data of the literary work to the obtaining apparatus in units of serialized content received in the receiving step. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 28. 30. An output step of outputting the entire edited data of the serialized material held in the holding step in response to a request from the acquisition device for a work whose posting or serialization has been completed from the providing device. 30. The control method for an information processing apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising: 31. A computer which can be connected to a providing device for providing a work and an acquisition device for acquiring the work, for distributing the work provided by the providing device to an external acquisition device. A computer-readable medium storing a control program, the control program comprising: a code of a registration step of registering publication of a work from the providing device; and a receiving step of receiving content data of the work from the providing device. A code of a storage step of storing information content associated with the copyrighted work registered in the registration step, and a transmission step of transmitting the content data to the acquisition apparatus in response to a request from the acquisition apparatus. A code and edited data obtained by adding desired editing to the content data transmitted in the transmitting step from the acquisition device, and providing the acquired data to the user of the acquisition device. Computer readable medium; and a code retaining step for retaining in association. 32. The copyrighted work is a serialized product, the content data received in the receiving step represents serialized content, and the control program registers the content data received in the receiving step in the registration step. 4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising a code for a serialization storage step for additionally storing the serialized content already stored in association with the copyrighted work.
2. The computer-readable medium according to claim 1. 33. The transmitting step of transmitting, in response to a request from the obtaining device, the content data of the work to the obtaining device in units of serialized content received in the receiving process. The computer-readable medium of claim 32. 34. An output step of outputting the entire edited data of the serialized material held in the holding step in response to a request from the acquisition device for a work whose posting or serialization is completed from the providing device. A computer readable memory according to any of claims 31 to 33, further comprising: