JP2001325401A - Method and system for book service and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To read books even if not going to a library. SOLUTION: By receiving data from user terminal equipment through the Internet 13, stock books are retrieved and carried out, the correspondent page of the book is opened and the image thereof is picked up. Then, these image data are transmitted through the Internet to the user terminal equipment 12 so that a general user can read the book while staying at home or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention stores a program for a computer of a book service method for providing data service of the contents of a book, a book service system for realizing the book service method, and a host processor of the book service system. Information storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, a public library or the like, which is the headquarters of collections, discloses a plurality of types of books held to the public. Therefore, when a general user wants to view a book,
If you go to the library or the like, you can browse the desired book, but there are cases where the desired book is not stored in the library.

[0003] At present, libraries and the like also provide a book search service using the Internet, and this search service allows ordinary users to check library books at home. For example, a library generally builds a database by registering various types of data of a collection of books in a higher-level processing device such as a server device, and further establishes a homepage with this higher-level processing device to display a book search service screen. They may be available.

In this case, a general user accesses a library homepage via the Internet from a user terminal device such as a personal computer owned by the user,
Input necessary data into the book search service screen. Then, based on the input data, the upper-level processing device of the library retrieves various data of the collection from the database and returns the data to the user terminal device. , Author name, publisher name, publication date, etc. can be confirmed.

[0005] The book search data service described above is also implemented in a large bookstore that is the headquarters of the collection.
In this case, since the general user can check various data of the book without going to the bookstore, the book can be purchased by mail order as desired.

[0006]

By using the book search data service of a library or bookstore as described above, it is possible to acquire various data of a book without going to a library or the like. However, it is still necessary to go to the library to read the book, and to the bookstore to check the contents of the book before purchasing it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and realizes a book service method and a book service method in which a general user can check the contents of a book without going to the headquarters. It is an object of the present invention to provide at least one of a book service system and an information storage medium storing a program for a computer of a higher-level processing device of the book service system.

[0008]

A book service system for realizing a book service method according to the present invention is installed in a library headquarters holding a plurality of types of books, and is a user terminal device owned by a general user. And mutually communicate data via the Internet.

In the book service system, since various data of the book is registered, when various data for searching the book is received from the user terminal device via the Internet, based on the received data and the registered data. Search for books. Further, when various data for browsing a book is received from the user terminal device via the Internet, the corresponding page of the book located at the browsing position is opened and imaged based on the received data. Then, the captured image data is transmitted to the user terminal device via the Internet, so that a general user can search for a desired book without going to the collection headquarters, and a desired page of the searched book can be searched. Can be confirmed.

[0010] In the book service method of the book service system described above, when data for sending a book is received from the user terminal device which has transmitted the image data via the Internet, the book is provided based on the received data. Can also be sent. In this case, the general user can confirm the contents of the desired book and then order the book as desired.

Note that the book collection headquarters referred to in the present invention may be any place that holds a plurality of types of books and provides various services related to the books to general users for free or for a fee. And bookstores.

The various means referred to in the present invention may be formed so as to realize their functions. For example, dedicated hardware for generating a predetermined function, a computer provided with a predetermined function by a program , Predetermined functions realized inside the computer by the program, combinations thereof, and the like.

The information storage medium referred to in the present invention may be hardware in which a program for causing a computer to execute various processes is stored in advance as software. Fixed ROM (Read Only Memory) or HDD (Hard
Disc Drive), CD (Compact Disc) -ROM or FD (Flo
ppy Disc).

The computer referred to in the present invention may be any device that can read a program composed of software and execute a corresponding processing operation.
(Central Processing Unit)
M, RAM (Random Access Memory), I / F (Interfac
Devices such as e) to which various devices are connected as necessary are allowed. Note that causing the computer to execute various operations corresponding to software in the present invention also allows the computer to control operations of various devices.

[0015]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described below with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, a data processing system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a book service system 11 and a user terminal device 12, which are connected to each other via the Internet 13, which is a communication network.

The user terminal device 12 comprises a computer system privately owned by a general user, and can perform data communication with the book service system 11 and the like via the Internet 13. As shown in FIG. 2, the book service system 11 includes a server device 15 as an upper processing device, an automatic warehouse 16, and a browsing system 17,
It is located in the library, which is the headquarters of the collection.

The automatic warehouse 16 includes a book shelf (not shown) corresponding to book holding means, a robot arm (not shown) corresponding to a part of book carrying-out means, and the like. Can be held, and the book can be carried out to the browsing position of the browsing system 17.

The browsing system 17 includes a book operation mechanism 18 corresponding to a part of book operation means and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera 1 corresponding to a part of image pickup means.
Consists of nine. The book operation mechanism 18 opens each page of the book arranged at the browsing position with a robot arm (not shown) or the like, and the CCD camera 19 images the page of the book arranged and opened at the browsing position. Generate image data.

The server device 15 comprises a so-called computer system, and includes the Internet 13 and the automatic warehouse 16.
And the browsing system 17. Server device 1
5 is a user terminal device 12 via the Internet 13
And the like, and can perform automatic control of the automatic warehouse 16 and the browsing system 17.

The server device 15 includes a CPU 101 as hardware that is a main component of the computer.
This CPU 101 is connected to the RO via a bus line 102.
M103, RAM 104, HDD 105, FDD (FD Drive) 107 into which FD 106 is exchangeably mounted, CD-
CD drive 10 in which ROM 108 is exchangeably loaded
9, keyboard 110, mouse 111, display 1
12, the communication I / F 113, and other hardware are connected.

In the server device 15 of this embodiment, the RO
M103, RAM104, HDD105, interchangeable F
Hardware such as D106 and a replaceable CD-ROM 108 corresponds to the information storage medium, and at least one of them stores control programs and various data necessary for various operations as software.

For example, a control program for causing the CPU 101 to execute various processing operations includes an FD 106 and a CD-RO.
It is stored in advance in M108. Such software is installed in the HDD 105 in advance,
When the server device 15 starts up, it is copied to the RAM 104 and
Read by PU101.

As described above, when the CPU 101 reads an appropriate program and executes various processing operations,
As shown in FIG. 1, the server device 15 of the present embodiment
Various means such as a database means 21, a search receiving means 22, a book searching means 23, a book carrying out means 24, a browsing receiving means 25, a book operating means 26, an image capturing means 27, and an image transmitting means 28 are logically implemented as various functions. I have it.

The database means 21 corresponds to a storage area constructed in the HDD 105 or the like so that the CPU 101 can recognize it in accordance with a control program in the RAM 104 or the like, and various data of books are registered in the data. The registration data is composed of data for managing the books stored in the automatic warehouse 16, for example, the title of the book, the author name,
It consists of the publisher name, publication date, etc.

The search / reception means 22 corresponds to the function of the CPU 101 recognizing the data received by the communication I / F 113 in accordance with the control program stored in the RAM 104 or the like. Receive various data for book search.

More specifically, the server device 15 always opens a library homepage on the Internet 13, and this homepage presents a search service for books stored in the library. Therefore, when a general user who accesses the homepage with the user terminal device 12 selects execution of the search service, a search input screen in a predetermined format is transmitted from the server device 15 to the user terminal device 12.

In this search input screen, input items such as book titles and author names are set as data, and when a general user inputs various data from the user terminal device 12 to the input items, the input data is used for search. Is received by the server device 15 as the various data.

The book search means 23 corresponds to the function of the CPU 101 executing predetermined data processing corresponding to the control program stored in the RAM 104 or the like. Search for books based on and.

The book carrying-out means 24 corresponds to the function of the CPU 101 for controlling the operation of the automatic warehouse 16 in accordance with the control program held in the RAM 104 or the like. To the automatic warehouse 16 using a robot arm or the like.

The browsing / receiving means 25 corresponds to a function in which the CPU 101 recognizes data received by the communication I / F 113 in accordance with a control program held in the RAM 104 or the like. Receive various data for browsing books.

More specifically, when the possession of the searched book is confirmed as described above, this is transmitted from the server device 15 to the user terminal device 12 by a display message of a homepage or the like.
, And a browsing input screen in a predetermined format is also transmitted. In this browsing input screen, input items of the number of pages and instruction icons such as “to the next page” and “to the previous page” are set as data, and the input data is used as various data for browsing by the server device 15. Is received.

The book operating means 26 corresponds to the function of the CPU 101 for controlling the operation of the book operating mechanism 18 in accordance with the control program stored in the RAM 104 or the like. The corresponding page of the placed book is released to the book operation mechanism 18.

The image pickup means 27 corresponds to a function of controlling the operation of the CCD camera 19 by the CPU 101 in accordance with a control program held in the RAM 104 or the like.
The camera 19 is caused to take an image to generate image data.

The image transmitting means 28 corresponds to the function of the CPU 101 controlling the operation of the communication I / F 113 and the like in accordance with the control program stored in the RAM 104 and the like.
The image data generated by the D camera 19 is transmitted to the user terminal device 12 via the Internet 13.

As described above, the data communication between the server device 15 and the user terminal device 12 via the Internet 13 is executed in real time on the homepage of the library.
The data transmission of the image data described above is also executed as a display screen of the library homepage.

The various means as described above are realized by using hardware such as a keyboard 110 and a display 112 as necessary. The main means thereof corresponds to software stored in an information storage medium such as a RAM 104. This is realized by the function of the CPU 101, which is the hardware of the computer.

Such software can register various data of a book in the HDD 105 or the like, for example.
Receiving various data for book search from the user terminal device 12 via the Internet 13 by the communication I / F 113 or the like; searching for a book based on the received data and registered data; Automatic warehouse 16
From the holding position to the browsing position of the browsing system 17.
Receiving various data for browsing the book via the interface, opening the corresponding page of the book arranged at the browsing position to the book operation mechanism 18 based on the received data,
The corresponding page of the opened book is imaged by the CCD camera 19 to generate image data, and the generated image data is transmitted to the user terminal device 12 via the Internet 13 from the communication I / F 113 or the like. A control program for causing the CPU 101 or the like to execute processing operations such as data transmission as a display screen or the like is stored in an information storage medium such as the RAM 104.

A book service method using the book service system 11 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described below. First, as described above, the books stored in the library are stored in the automatic warehouse 16, and various data of the books are managed by the server device 15.

In such a state, the server device 15 always establishes a library homepage on the Internet 13, and the homepage presents a search service for books stored in the library. Therefore, when a general user who accesses the homepage with the user terminal device 12 selects execution of the search service, a search input screen of a predetermined format is displayed and output on the homepage.

In this search input screen, input items such as a book title and an author name are set as data. When a general user inputs various data from the user terminal device 12 to the input items, FIG. As shown, the data is received by the server device 15 of the library as various data for search (step S1).

Then, the server device 15 searches for a book based on the received data and the registered data (Step S).
2) If the collection of the book is not confirmed, an error message such as "The book you are looking for is not stored in this museum" is transmitted to the user terminal device 12 and the processing operation is terminated (step S3). , S4).

On the other hand, when the possession of the book is confirmed (step S3), various data of the retrieved book is transmitted to the user terminal device 12 as a display screen of the homepage (step S5). Various data of a desired book can be confirmed by the display image of the terminal device 12.

At this time, since the book browsing service is also presented on the homepage, if this is selected by the general user on the user terminal device 12, the data is received by the server device 15 as a browsing request (step S7). The server device 15 controls the operation of the automatic warehouse 16 to carry out the inspected book from the holding position to the browsing position of the browsing system 17 (step S8).

Further, since the server device 15 transmits a browsing input screen as a display screen of a home page to the user terminal device 12, when a general user inputs data such as the number of pages on the browsing input screen with the user terminal device 12,
This is received by the server device 15 as browsing data (step S9).

Then, the server device 15 controls the operation of the book operation mechanism 18 based on the received data and releases the corresponding page of the book located at the browsing position (step S).
10). Next, the operation of the CCD camera 19 is also controlled to image the corresponding page of the opened book (step S11),
The image data is transmitted to the user terminal device 12 as a display screen of the homepage (step S12).

For this reason, the general user can use the user terminal 1
A desired page of a desired book can be browsed by the display image 2. Since the page image of this book is displayed on the above-mentioned browsing input screen, the general user can change the “number of pages”, “to the next page”, “to the previous page” or the like by the user terminal device 12. When the input operation is performed, each page of the book can be continuously browsed (steps S9 to S13).

The book service system 11 of the present embodiment
As described above, if the general user accesses the library server device 15 with the user terminal device 12 as described above, the general user can browse the book without going to the library, which is the collection headquarters.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be briefly described below with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, the same portions as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same names and reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

The book service system 31 of the present embodiment
As shown in FIG. 5, an automatic packing device 32 and a label creating device 33 are further added to the same configuration as the book service system 11 described above, and these are also added to a server device 34 which is a higher-level processing device. It is connected. The automatic packing device 32 packs the book, and the label creating device 33 creates a shipping label and attaches it to the packed book.

The server device 34 is the same as the server device 15 described above.
Since the hardware configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the installed programs are partially different, as shown in FIG. 6, a sending / receiving means 35 and a book sending means 36 are added as logical functions. The sending / receiving means 35 transmits the image data of the open page of the book from the user terminal device 12 which has transmitted the image data.
Various kinds of data for sending a book are received via the Internet 13, and the book sending unit 36 sends the book receiving unit 3
The book is sent out by the operation control of the automatic packing device 32 and the label producing device 33 based on the received data of No. 5.

In the book service system 31 of the present embodiment, as in the above-described book service system 11, the page image of the book is remotely operated by a general user as shown in FIG. The data is transmitted to the terminal device 12 (steps S1 to S13), and a book dispatch service is also presented on the display screen of the homepage.

When the general user selects this from the user terminal device 12, the display image of the home page becomes an input screen for the shipping data. Here, the general user specifies the address of the shipping destination and the payment method of the shipping fee. Can be entered. This input data is received by the server device 34 as dispatch data (step S1).
5) The server device 34 controls the operation of the automatic packing device 32 and the label producing device 33 to send out the book (step S16).

In this case, since the automatic warehouse 16 transfers the book from the browsing position of the browsing system 17 to the packing position of the automatic packing device 32, the automatic packing device 32 packs the transferred book. On the other hand, the label creating device 33 creates a shipping label according to the shipping data, and affixes the shipping label to the packed book.

The book packed in this way and having the shipping label attached thereto is carried out to a predetermined shipping position by the automatic warehouse 16, and for example, a contracted courier dispatches the book at the shipping position. For this reason, in the book service method by the book service system 31 of the present embodiment, as described above, the general user can use the book lending service without going to the library which is the headquarters of the collection.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but allows various modifications without departing from the gist of the invention. For example, in the above embodiment, a library is exemplified as the collection headquarters, but this may be a bookstore. In this case, the general user can check the contents of the book without visiting the bookstore, and can purchase a book whose contents have been checked, for example.

In the case where the collection headquarters is a public institution such as a library as described above, it is preferable to execute the above-mentioned book browsing service by remote control free of charge. In the case of, for example, the book browsing service by remote control can be a paid business.

Further, in the above embodiment, it is exemplified that various means are logically realized as various functions of the server devices 15 and 34 by reading the control program stored as software in the RAM 104 or the like and operating the CPU 101. did. However, it is also possible to form each of these various means as unique hardware, and it is also possible to store a part of the various means as software in the RAM 104 or the like and form a part as hardware.

In the above embodiment, the software installed in advance in the HDD 105 from the CD-ROM 108 or the like is stored in the RAM 10 when the server devices 15 and 34 are activated.
4 is assumed to be read by the CPU 101, and the software stored in the RAM 104 is assumed to be read. It is also possible to keep.

Further, software is stored in the FD 106 or the CD-ROM 108 which is an information storage medium that can be handled alone, and the FD 106 and the
Although it is possible to install software in the AM 104, it is also possible for the CPU 101 to directly read the software from the FD 106 or the like and execute the processing operation without performing such installation.

That is, when the various means of the server devices 15 and 34 of the present invention are realized by software, the software only needs to be in a state where the CPU 101 can read and execute the corresponding operation. Further, the method of supplying the software described on the information storage medium to the CPU 101 is not limited to loading the information storage medium directly into the server devices 15 and 34.

It is also possible to form a control program for realizing the various means as described above by combining a plurality of software. In this case, the information storage medium as a single product includes the server of the present invention. Only the minimum necessary software for realizing the devices 15 and 34 needs to be stored.

For example, the CD-RO is installed in the server device 15 or 34 on which the existing operating system is mounted.
In a case where application software is provided by an information storage medium such as M108, the server devices 15 and 3 of the present invention are used.
Since the software for implementing the various means of the fourth aspect is realized by a combination of application software and an operating system, the software depending on the operating system can be omitted from the application software of the information storage medium.

[0063]

According to the book service method of the book service system of the present invention, a corresponding page of a book is opened and imaged by receiving data from the user terminal of a general user via the Internet, and the image data thus picked up is transmitted to the Internet. By transmitting data to the user terminal device through the, the general user can check the desired page of the desired book without going to the headquarters, so that the desired book can be remotely stored while at home. You can browse by operation.

In the book service method of the book service system described above, the book is sent out by receiving data from the user terminal of the general user via the Internet so that the general user can confirm the contents of the desired book. Then, the desired book can be obtained as desired, so that the desired book can be obtained by remote control while staying at home or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a logical structure of a book service system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a physical structure of the book service system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a physical structure of a server device that is a higher-level processing device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a book service method by the book service system.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a physical structure of a book service system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a logical structure of the book service system.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a book service method by the book service system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11, 31 Book service system 12 User terminal device 13 Internet 15, 34 Server device which is a higher-order processing device 21 Database means 22 Search / receive means 23 Book search means 24 Book unloading means 25 Browsing / receiving means 26 Book operation means 27 Image capturing means 28 Image transmitting means 35 Sending and receiving means 36 Book sending means 101 CPU as a main body of a computer 103 ROM as an information storage medium 104 RAM as an information storage medium HDD 106 as an information storage medium FD 108 as an information storage medium Information storage medium CD-ROM

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A book service method by a book service system installed in a collection headquarters holding a plurality of types of books and mutually communicating data with a user terminal device owned by a general user via the Internet, Various data of the book are registered as data, and various data for searching for the book are received from the user terminal device via the Internet. Based on the received data and the registration data, the book is registered. Searching, receiving various data for browsing the book from the user terminal device via the Internet, and opening and capturing a corresponding page of the book located at the browsing position based on the received data. A book server for transmitting the captured image data to the user terminal device via the Internet; Screw method. 2. When the various data for sending out the book is received from the user terminal device which has transmitted the image data through the Internet, the book is sent out based on the received data.
Books service method described in. 3. A book service system which is installed in a collection headquarters holding a plurality of types of books and mutually communicates data with a user terminal device owned by a general user via the Internet. A book holding unit that holds a book, a database unit in which various data of the book is registered, and a search receiving unit that receives various data for searching the book from the user terminal device via the Internet, A book search means for searching for the book based on the received data of the search and reception means and the registration data of the database means; and carrying out the book searched by the book search means from the book holding means to a predetermined browsing position. Means for carrying out the book, and various data for browsing the book from the user terminal device via the Internet. Browsing receiving means for receiving data from the browsing receiving means, book operating means for opening a corresponding page of the book located at the browsing position based on the received data of the browsing receiving means, and the book opened by the book operating means Image capturing means for capturing the corresponding page and generating image data, and image transmitting means for transmitting the image data generated by the image capturing means to the user terminal device via the Internet. Book service system. 4. A sending and receiving means for receiving, via the Internet, various data for sending the book from the user terminal device which has transmitted the image data, and a sending and receiving means based on the receiving data of the sending and receiving means. 4. The book service system according to claim 3, further comprising a book sending means for sending a book. 5. The book holding means and the book unloading means, each of which comprises the database means, the search receiving means, the book searching means, the browsing receiving means, and the image transmitting means, at least some of which are separate. 4. The book service system according to claim 3, further comprising a higher-level processing device that integrally controls the book operation unit and the book operation unit. 6. The book holding means and the book unloading means, each of which includes the database means, the search and reception means, the book search means, the browsing reception means, and the image transmission means, at least part of which is separate. 5. The data processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a higher-level processing device that integrally controls the book operation means, the sending / receiving means, and the book sending means. 7. An information storage medium storing computer-readable software of the high-order processing device according to claim 5, wherein the data of the various data of the book is stored. Receiving various data for searching the book via the Internet, searching for the book based on the received data and the stored data, causing the searched book to be sent out to the book unloading means. Receiving various data for browsing the book from the user terminal device via the Internet, causing the book operation means to open a corresponding page of the book based on the received data, Causing the image capturing means to capture an image of the corresponding page of the book, Information storage medium to the data transmission data to the user terminal device via the Internet, the program for causing the computer to perform a is stored. 8. An information storage medium storing computer-readable software of the higher-level processing device according to claim 6, wherein the user terminal device stores various data of the book. Receiving various data for searching the book via the Internet, searching for the book based on the received data and the stored data, and causing the searched book to be sent out to the book unloading means. Receiving various data for browsing the book from the user terminal device via the Internet, causing the book operation means to open a corresponding page of the book based on the received data, Causing the image capturing means to capture an image of the corresponding page of the book, Transmitting data to the user terminal device via the Internet via the Internet; receiving data via the Internet from the user terminal device which has transmitted the image data, various data for sending out the book; An information storage medium storing a program for causing the computer to execute sending the book to the book sending unit based on data.