JP2002215726A - Electronic newspaper distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely reduce a load at a newspaper company and easily realize a detailed distribution service by a delivery agent in an electronic newspaper distribution system. SOLUTION: This electronic newspaper distribution system for distributing an electronic newspaper to a user's terminal of a subscription user comprises a newspaper company server and a delivery agent server for every area. The newspaper company server comprises delivery agent registering means for registering and managing destination information in the delivery agent servers, and newspaper sending means for sending the electronic newspaper to the delivery agent servers registered in the delivery agent registering means. The delivery agent server comprises newspaper receiving means for receiving the electronic newspaper from the newspaper company, subscription contract registering means for registering and managing destination information in users' terminals, and newspaper distribution means for sending the electronic newspapers to users' terminals based on the destination information registered in the subscription contract registering means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for distributing electronic newspapers obtained by converting newspapers into electronic data to subscribed users.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Several proposals have been made for electronic newspaper systems. For example, JP-A-9-64
No. 976 discloses a GPS [globa
l positioning system], and provide articles and advertisements according to the current location area.
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-153052 describes a system in which a related article of a read article is automatically searched from articles in an electronic newspaper to notify the existence of the related article. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-305621 discloses a technique in which a read article in an electronic newspaper is displayed in a selectable manner so that the read article can be easily and quickly reread. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-330282 describes a system in which emergency information is stored in a server, and the server returns emergency information in response to a periodic information request from a user terminal.

[0003]

The prior art described above is a system for directly distributing an electronic newspaper from a newspaper company server to a user terminal. Therefore, the newspaper server has to distribute the electronic newspaper to an enormous number of subscribed users, and there is a problem that a communication load is large. In addition, the newspaper server has to centrally manage information of an enormous number of subscribed users, and there is a problem that a load on data management is large. Therefore,
An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic newspaper distribution system capable of reducing the load on a newspaper company server in view of the above-described problems.

[0004]

To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is configured as follows.

[0005] [Claim 1] The invention according to claim 1 is constituted by a system of a newspaper company server and a store server for each area, and distributes an electronic newspaper, which is an electronic data of a newspaper, to a user terminal of a subscribing user. System. This newspaper company server includes a store registration unit that registers and manages destination information of the store server, and a newspaper transmission unit that transmits an electronic newspaper to the store server based on the destination information registered in the store registration unit. Prepare. On the other hand, the store server is based on the newspaper receiving means for receiving the electronic newspaper from the newspaper company server, the subscription contract registration means for registering and managing the destination information of the user terminal, and the destination information registered in the subscription contract registration means. The electronic newspaper received by the newspaper receiving means,
Newspaper distribution means for transmitting to the user terminal.

[Claim 2] In the invention according to claim 2, in the electronic newspaper distribution system according to claim 1, the store server distributes the electronic advertisement obtained by converting the insert advertisement into electronic data to the user terminal. It is provided with an insert advertisement adding means for adding to the electronic newspaper.

[Claim 3] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic newspaper distribution system according to the second aspect, the insert advertisement adding means creates a list by arranging a plurality of hyperlinks of the electronic advertisement. List listings and electronic advertisements,
Add to the electronic newspaper distributed to the user terminal.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic newspaper distribution system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the newspaper company server is provided as an extra destination of the electronic newspaper. An external distribution destination collecting means for collecting the destination information held by the store server, and an extra distribution means for transmitting an extra of an electronic newspaper to the destination information collected by the extra distribution destination collecting means.

Claim 5 According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic newspaper distribution system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the store server distributes the electronic newspaper for a predetermined period. A stop request receiving unit for receiving stop request information from the subscribing user that the stop request is to be stopped over, the subscription contract registration unit sets a distribution stop period in the registration information of the user terminal according to the stop request information, and the newspaper distribution unit The distribution of the electronic newspaper is stopped to the user terminal whose distribution date and time falls in the distribution suspension period.

[Claim 6] The invention according to claim 6 is an electronic newspaper distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electronic newspaper has a process of editing and creating by a newspaper company. , The classification code of the article is added,
The store server includes selection request receiving means for receiving selection request information from the subscribing user to selectively distribute articles of the electronic newspaper, and the subscription contract registration means selects registration information of the user terminal according to the selection request information. An article classification code is set, and the newspaper distribution means selects an article corresponding to the classification code in the registration information of the user terminal from the electronic newspaper and distributes the article to the user terminal.

<Seventh Aspect> According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic newspaper distribution system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the electronic newspaper has a process of editing and creating by a newspaper company. A hyperlink for requesting the purchase of photo data is added to the server, and the newspaper company server provides a purchase request receiving means for receiving a request for purchase of photo data by a hyperlink of the photo data from the subscribed user, and a photo data purchase request source. On the other hand, there is provided a photo delivery means for performing at least one of "data transmission using high-resolution data of photo data" and "delivery procedure of photo prints of photo data".

[0012]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
One embodiment according to the inventions described in 7 to 7 will be described.

<Description of System Configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electronic newspaper distribution system 11. As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic newspaper distribution system 11 of the present embodiment includes a newspaper company 12, a plurality of stores 13, a plurality of subscribed users 14,
And an advertisement production company 15.

A paper production system 21 is provided on the newspaper company 12 side. Report data created by reporters
The information is input to the page production system 21 via a communication line or an in-house network. The photograph data photographed by the photographer is once received by the photograph receiving system 22 via a communication line or an in-house network, and then input to the paper production system 21. The page data output from the page production system 21 is stored in the page server 24 via the gateway 23. Meanwhile, the photo receiving system 2
The photograph data received in 2 is stored in the photograph server 26 via the gateway 25.

Further, on the newspaper company 12 side, a newspaper company server 27 which is the center of the electronic newspaper distribution system 11 is provided. The newspaper company server 27 includes a store database 27a for managing registration information of the store 13 and a printer 27b. Also, the newspaper server 27
A signal is connected to a system (for example, a paper server 24, a photo server 26, etc.) related to paper production in the newspaper company 12 via an in-house network.

Such a newspaper company server 27 is signal-connected to a store server 31 provided in the store 13 for each region via a dedicated line 28, the Internet 29, a communication satellite 30, or the like. The store server 31 includes a subscription user database 31a for managing registration information of the subscription user 14 (user terminal 41), and a printer 31b.

This registration information has the following data fields. Destination information of user terminal 41 Date data of distribution suspension period Classification code of selected article Address information of subscribed user 14
Is connected to a user terminal 41 (a personal computer, a mobile phone, or the like) possessed by the subscribed user 14. In addition, the advertisement production company 15 is provided with an electronic advertisement obtained by converting the insert advertisement into electronic data to the store server 31 via a dedicated line, the Internet 29, or the like.

<< Correspondence with the Present Invention >> Hereinafter, the correspondence between the items described in the claims and the present embodiment will be described. It should be noted that the correspondence described here is an explanation for reference, and does not limit the present invention.
Regarding the correspondence between the items described in claim 1 and the present embodiment, the newspaper server corresponds to the newspaper server 27, the store registration means corresponds to the store database 27a, and the newspaper transmission means corresponds to the newspaper server 27. , The store server corresponds to the store server 31, and the newspaper receiving means receives the electronic newspaper from the newspaper server 27 of the store server 31. Function, the subscription contract registration means corresponds to the subscription user database 31a, the newspaper distribution means corresponds to the "function of transmitting the electronic newspaper to the user terminal 41" of the store server 31, and the user terminal corresponds to the user terminal 41.
Corresponding to Regarding the correspondence between the items described in claim 2 and the present embodiment, the insert advertisement adding unit corresponds to “the function of independently adding an electronic advertisement to an electronic newspaper” of the store server 31. Regarding the correspondence between the items described in claim 3 and the present embodiment, the insert advertisement adding means creates a list by arranging the hyperlinks of the electronic advertisement in the store server 31 and stores the list list and the electronic Function to add advertisements to electronic newspapers ”. Regarding the correspondence between the items described in claim 4 and the present embodiment, the extra distribution destination collecting means is “the store server 3” of the newspaper server 27.
No. 1 to the function of collecting destination information of extra-delivery destinations ”, and the extra-delivery means corresponds to the“ function of transmitting extras of electronic newspapers to extra-delivery destinations ”of the newspaper server 27. Regarding the correspondence between the items described in claim 5 and the present embodiment, the stop request receiving unit corresponds to the “function of receiving stop request information of the subscribed user 14” of the store server 31.
Regarding the correspondence between the items described in claim 6 and the present embodiment, the selection request receiving means corresponds to the “function of receiving selection request information of the subscribed user 14” of the store server 31. Regarding the correspondence between the items described in claim 7 and the present embodiment, the purchase request receiving means corresponds to the “function of receiving a purchase request for photo data via a hyperlink” of the newspaper company server 27, and the photo delivery means corresponds to This corresponds to the function of selling photo data to the purchase request source of the newspaper server 27.

<< Explanation of Newspaper Distribution Operation >> FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of newspaper distribution by the electronic newspaper distribution system 11. Hereinafter, the operation of newspaper distribution will be described along the step numbers shown in FIG.

[Step S1] A layout person in the newspaper company 12 operates the page production system 21 to lay out article data and photo data on the page, and first produces page data for a paper newspaper. It should be noted that a nationwide advertisement ordered by the newspaper company 12 is added to the page data. The page data thus completed is sequentially transferred to a printing system (not shown) in a newspaper printing shop. On the other hand, the paper production system 21 converts the paper newspaper data into electronic newspaper data by applying the paper newspaper data to the screen layout of the electronic newspaper.

[Step S2] Paper production system 21
Extracts a classification code from article data. The classification code is added by the reporter to the article data in advance, and indicates the type of article (political article code, economic article code, home article code, keyword, etc.). The paper production system 21 adds the classification code extracted from the article data to, for example, the header information of the paper data.

[Step S3] The paper production system 21
Automatically generates a logical address of a photo purchase request web page for each photo data in the page data. The logical address is a combination of a domain name of a WWW server (not shown) that transmits a web page for requesting a photo and ID information of the photo data according to a predetermined rule. The paper production system 21 converts this logical address into
A hyperlink is added to the photograph data in the page data.

[Step S4] Paper production system 21
Completes an electronic newspaper for distribution at a store by combining the page data for a plurality of pages. The paper production system 21 stores the electronic newspaper in the newspaper server 27.

[Step S5] Upon receiving the electronic newspaper from the paper production system 21, the newspaper company server 27 determines the number of electronic newspapers. Here, when a normal number is assigned to the electronic newspaper, the newspaper company server 27
Determines that the electronic newspaper is a normally distributed electronic newspaper, and determines in step S
Operation is shifted to 7. On the other hand, if the electronic newspaper is assigned a number other than the usual number, the newspaper company server 27 determines that the number is out of the issue and shifts the operation to step S6.

[Step S6] Newspaper server 27
Is a subscription user 1 from the local store server 31
4 are collected as extra destinations. It is preferable that the store server 31 add a non-contracted user who has received the permission of the extra distribution to the extra distribution destination, for example, during the newspaper extension work of the distributor. Newspaper server 27
Transmits the extra information of the electronic newspaper via the Internet 29 or the like to the destination information of the extra distribution destination collected in this way. By repeating such processing, the newspaper company server 27 completes the distribution processing to the extra destination.

[Step S7] On the other hand, in the case of a normal electronic newspaper, the newspaper company server 27 stores
7a, the destination information of the store 13 is obtained. The newspaper company server 27 transmits an electronic newspaper to the destination information of the store 13 via the dedicated line 28, the Internet 29, or the communication satellite 30. By repeating such processing, the newspaper company server 27 completes the distribution processing to the store 13.

[Step S8] The store server 31 of the store 13 provided for each area is the newspaper server 27.
To receive electronic newspapers sent from.

[Step S9] Store server 31
Is the advertising production company 1 via the Internet 29 or the like.
5, the electronic data (electronic advertisement) of the insertion advertisement is received.

[Step S10] Store server 31
Arranges the headlines of the electronic advertisement in a list, and adds a hyperlink of the electronic advertisement to each headline to create a list.

[Step S11] Store server 31
Completes an electronic newspaper for a delivery area by combining a list, an electronic newspaper, and an electronic advertisement in this order.

[Step S12] Store server 31
Reads the registration information from the subscribed user database 31a and selects one item whose setting of the distribution suspension period in the registration information does not correspond to the distribution date and time.

[Step S13] Store server 31
Determines whether the classification code of the selected article is set for the selected registration information. If the classification code is not set, the store server 31
The operation moves to step S14. On the other hand, when the classification code has been set, the store server 31 shifts the operation to Step S15.

[Step S14] Store server 31
Reads the destination information of the user terminal 41 from the registration information and transmits the electronic newspaper completed in step S11 to the user terminal 41. After such transmission is completed, the store server 31 shifts the operation to step S16.

[Step S15] Store server 31
Reads the classification code from the registration information. The store server 31 removes articles that do not correspond to the classification code from the electronic newspaper for the delivery area, and reorganizes the electronic newspaper for selective distribution. Next, the store server 31 reads the destination information of the user terminal 41 from the registration information, and transmits the reorganized electronic newspaper to the user terminal 41. It is preferable that the reorganized electronic newspaper be buffer-recorded in the store server 31 in preparation for another registration information having the same classification code. In this case, the store server 31
Can eliminate the second and subsequent restructuring operations.

[Step S16] Here, the store server 31 determines whether or not processing has been completed for all pieces of registration information. If the processing has not been completed, the store server 31 returns to step S12 and repeats the distribution processing. When the processing is completed, the store server 31
Ends the operation. By the series of operations described above,
The distribution process of the newspaper spanning the newspaper server 27 and the store server 31 is completed.

<< Distribution Order Receiving Operation by the Store Server 31 >> FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the distribution order processing by the store server 31. Hereinafter, the operation of receiving an order related to newspaper distribution from the subscribed user 14 will be described along the step numbers shown in FIG.

[Step S21] The newspaper company 12 publishes a web page for receiving newspaper distribution on the Internet via a predetermined WWW server (not shown).

[Step S22] Subscriber 14
Accesses this web page via the user terminal 41. At this time, the subscribed user 14 inputs a user ID and password registered in advance on the web page, and receives user authentication. The WWW server, based on the result of the user authentication,
The store server 31 in charge of 4 is determined. Since the user ID and the password are stored in the user terminal 41, the second and subsequent IDs are omitted.

[Step S23] Subscriber 14
Inputs the "distribution suspension period" and the "selection article classification code" on this web page. The input result and the user authentication result are transmitted via the Internet 29 to the store server 3 in charge of the subscribed user 14.
1 is sent.

[Step S24] Store server 31
Determines whether the received request information is an electronic newspaper stop request. In the case of a stop request, the store server 31
Shifts the operation to Step S25. On the other hand, if the request is not a stop request, the store server 31 shifts the operation to step S26.

[Step S25] Store server 31
Determines the user terminal 41 of the stop request source based on the received user authentication result. Store server 31
Retrieves the registration information of the user terminal 41 from the subscription user database 31a, and sets a distribution suspension period in the registration information.

[Step S26] Store server 31
Determines whether the received request information is an article selection request. In the case of a selection request, the store server 31 shifts the operation to step S27. On the other hand, if the request is not a selection request, the store server 31 shifts the operation to step S28.

[Step S27] Store server 31
Determines the user terminal 41 of the selection request source based on the received user authentication result. Store server 31
Retrieves the registration information of the user terminal 41 from the subscription user database 31a, and sets the classification code of the selected article in the registration information.

[Step S28] Store server 31
Executes data update of the subscribed user database 31a in accordance with address change and other request information. With the series of operations described above, the order receiving operation for newspaper distribution is completed.

<< Operation of Selling Photos by Newspaper Server 27 >> FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining operations of selling photos by the newspaper server 27. Hereinafter, the operation of selling photos will be described along the step numbers shown in FIG.

[Step S31] Subscriber 14
Opens and reads the electronic newspaper received from the store server 31 on the viewing software. If there is photo data desired to be purchased in the electronic newspaper, the subscribed user 14 operates a hyperlink of the photo data to access a web page for photo purchase. A WWW server (not shown) managing this web page acquires the ID information of the photo data embedded in the logical address of the hyperlink.

[Step S32] Subscriber 14
Inputs a user ID and a password registered in advance on a web page and receives user authentication. Since the user ID and the password are stored in the user terminal 41, the second and subsequent IDs are omitted.

[Step S33] Subscriber 14
Can select the sales form of photo data (print order / data transmission) and sales channel (purchase directly from newspapers / purchase from dealers) through input operations on this web page.
Order, number of prints, print size, etc. The WWW server transmits the order information, the user authentication result, and the ID information of the photograph data to the Internet 29.
And transmits it to the newspaper server 27.

[Step S34] Newspaper server 27
Acquires high-resolution photo data from the photo server 26 based on the ID information of the ordered photo data.

[Step S35] Here, the newspaper company server 27 determines the sales form of the photograph data. If a print order is made, the newspaper server 27 proceeds to step S
The operation is shifted to 38. On the other hand, when the subscribed user 14 desires to transmit the photograph data, the newspaper server 2
7 shifts the operation to step S36.

[Step S36] Newspaper server 27
Refers to the store server 31 in charge of the subscribed user 14 to obtain the destination information of the user terminal 41.

[Step S37] Newspaper server 27
Transmits high-resolution photo data to the destination information of the user terminal 41. After the completion of such data transmission, the newspaper company server 27 shifts its operation to step S45.

[Step S38] Here, the newspaper company server 27 determines the sales route of the photo print. If you purchase directly from a newspaper, the newspaper server 27
Shifts the operation to Step S39. On the other hand, when purchasing from a store, the newspaper company server 27 proceeds to step S4.
The operation is shifted to 2.

[Step S39] Newspaper server 27
Prints the photo data with the photo print printer 27b in accordance with the ordered print size and the number of prints.

[Step S40] Newspaper server 27
Refers to the store server 31 in charge of the subscribed user 14 to obtain the address information of the subscribed user 14.

[Step S41] Newspaper server 27
Prints the destination sticker on the sticker printing printer 27b according to the acquired address information. After such sticker printing, the newspaper server 27 moves the operation to step S45. The person in charge of the newspaper company 12 puts this address sticker on an envelope and arranges mailing of a photo print.

[Step S42] Newspaper server 27
Will send the photo data, order information and user authentication results,
Transfer to the store server 31 responsible for the subscribed user 14

[Step S43] Store server 31
Prints the photo data with the photo print printer 31b according to the ordered print size and the number of prints.

[Step S44] Store server 31
Retrieves the address information of the subscribed user 14 from the subscribed user database 31a based on the user authentication result. The store server 31 prints the address sticker on the sticker printing printer 31b according to the searched address information. After printing such a sticker, the store server 31
Notifies the newspaper server 27 of the operation completion. According to this notification, the newspaper server 27 shifts its operation to step S45. The person in charge of the store 13 puts this address sticker on an envelope and arranges mailing of a photo print.

[Step S45] Newspaper server 27
Sends billing information to the store server 31 that is in charge of the subscribed user 14 and requests collection of money for photo sales. With the series of operations described above, the operation of selling photos is completed.

<< Effects of this Embodiment >> In this embodiment, the newspaper company server 27 outsources the distribution of electronic newspapers to the store server 31. Therefore, the communication line of the newspaper company server 27 is not occupied by the user distribution of the electronic newspaper, and the communication load can be reduced. In the present embodiment, the registration information of the subscribed user 14 is
Distributed management is performed on the store server 31 side. Therefore, the newspaper company server 27 has a huge number of subscribed users 14
It is not necessary to centrally manage data, and the load on data management can be reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, on the side of the store server 31, an electronic advertisement obtained by converting the insert advertisement into electronic data is added to the electronic newspaper to create an electronic newspaper for the delivery area. Therefore, on the newspaper server 27 side, the work of replacing the electronic advertisement for each area is released, and the work load can be reduced. In this embodiment, a list of electronic advertisements is added to an electronic newspaper. Therefore, the subscribing user 14 can quickly access the electronic advertisement via the hyper list of the list.

Further, in the present embodiment, the newspaper company server 27 extracts the destination information of the extra destination from the store server 31, and transmits the extra of the electronic newspaper to the destination information. Therefore, the extras of the electronic newspaper are stored in the store server 3
It is possible to quickly distribute the work without the work time on one side.

In this embodiment, the store server 3
One side receives a detailed distribution order from the subscribed user 14. Therefore, it is not necessary for the newspaper server 27 to manage these distribution orders, and the work load of the newspaper server 27 can be reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, a purchase request for photo data is received from the subscribed user 14 using a hyperlink of the photo data. Accordingly, the subscribed user 14 can quickly and accurately transmit the order of the photograph data to the newspaper server 27.

<< Supplementary Items of the Embodiment >> In the above-described embodiment, various selections can be made for the destination information of the user terminal 41. For example, for a user terminal 41 that is always connected to a communication environment such as the Internet and has a fixed IP address or logical address, the IP address or logical address may be used as destination information.
For other user terminals 41, the mail address of the subscribed user 14 may be used as the destination information.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the newspaper server 27 starts collecting destination information after completion of the extra issue. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the newspaper company 12 decides to issue an extra issue, the newspaper company server 27 may start collecting destination information in advance. In this case, the start time of extra delivery can be further advanced than collecting destination information after waiting for extra completion.

In the above-described embodiment, an order for selecting an article is received from the subscribed user 14. A function may be added to the article selection to accept a selection order for an electronic advertisement from the subscribed user 14. In this case, a desired electronic advertisement can be selectively delivered to the subscribed user 14. As a result, various services such as distribution of only electronic advertisements can be individually provided to the subscribed users 14.

Further, a function is added to this article selection,
An order may be received from the advertiser for selective distribution of an electronic advertisement. In this case, it is possible to effectively distribute the electronic advertisement only to a specific region or a specific user desired by the advertiser.

[0070]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the electronic newspaper distribution system according to the first aspect manages the destination information of the user terminal on the store server side, and outsources the distribution of the electronic newspaper to the store server side. Therefore, the following advantages are obtained as compared with the conventional example. The newspaper server only needs to transmit the electronic newspaper to the store server, and the communication load can be reduced. The destination information of the user terminal is managed in a distributed manner at the store server for each region. Therefore, it is unnecessary for the newspaper server to manage the destination information of a large number of user terminals, and the data management load can be reduced. The store server for each region independently manages the destination information of the user terminal. Therefore, as part of the management of the destination information, a distribution management system for each subscribed user can be easily added and constructed on the store server side. As a result, a detailed distribution service rooted in the region can be easily realized. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to surely reduce the load on the newspaper server and easily realize a detailed distribution service by the store server.

<Claim 2> The electronic newspaper distribution system according to claim 2 entrusts the operation of adding the electronic data of the insert advertisement to the store server side. Therefore, on the newspaper server side, the work of replacing the electronic advertisement for each region is released, and the work load can be reduced. In addition, a store that operates a store server can independently provide an advertising service that is rich in the content rooted in the region.

[Claim 3] Normally, in a paper newspaper, an insertion advertisement is inserted into the newspaper, so that there is an advantage that the subscriber first obtains the insertion advertisement when opening the newspaper. However, when the inserted advertisement is converted into electronic data and added to an electronic newspaper, the advantage that the inserted advertisement is easily accessible is lost. Thus, in the electronic newspaper distribution system according to the third aspect, the store server creates a list of electronic advertisements and adds the list to the electronic newspaper. This list makes it easier for the headline of the electronic advertisement to be noticed by the subscriber. Also, the subscribing user can instantly access the electronic advertisement via the hyper list of the list.

<Claim 4> In the electronic newspaper distribution system according to the fourth aspect, the newspaper server downloads the destination information of the extra destination from the store server and transmits the extra of the electronic newspaper to the destination information. Usually, such extras are about one sheet of paper, and the data amount is small. Therefore, even if the newspaper server distributes the extra user to the user, the communication load does not increase so much. In addition, it is possible to perform extra-high-speed distribution by omitting the processing on the store server side (such as adding an electronic advertisement). On the other hand, the store can routinely register the extra delivery destination in the store server. Therefore, in the event of an emergency, an extra distribution destination on the retailer side (especially non-contract users targeted for newspaper expansion)
It is possible to transmit the extras of the electronic newspaper to the public.

<Claim 5> In the electronic newspaper distribution system according to the fifth aspect, the suspension of the distribution of the electronic newspaper (for example, the suspension during the travel of the subscribed user) is managed by the store server for each region. Therefore, it is not necessary for the newspaper company server to manage the suspension of distribution, and the work load on the newspaper company server can be reduced. In addition, the store operating the store server can efficiently collect money by predicting the absence period of the subscribed user based on the stop request information of the subscribed user.

<Claim 6> In the electronic newspaper distribution system according to the sixth aspect, the selective transmission of the article is performed by the store server for each area. Therefore, it is not necessary for the newspaper server to select an article to be selectively transmitted for each of a large number of subscribed users, and the work load on the newspaper server can be reduced.

[Claim 7] Generally, photographic data added to an electronic newspaper is subjected to resolution thinning, irreversible compression, and monochrome conversion in order to reduce the data amount. For this reason, newspaper publishers are often asked to sell photos by users who subscribe to higher-quality photo data. However, in order to receive a photo order by telephone, it is difficult to specify the photo data in the electronic newspaper and it is difficult to receive the photo order efficiently and accurately. Therefore, claim 7
In the electronic newspaper distribution system described in (1), an order for photo data is received from a subscribed user using a hyperlink of photo data on the newspaper company server side. Therefore, the subscribing user can efficiently and accurately transmit the photo data order to the newspaper server via the hyperlink without any trouble.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electronic newspaper distribution system 11.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of newspaper distribution by the electronic newspaper distribution system 11.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a distribution order receiving process performed by a store server 31;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of selling a photo by a newspaper company server 27;

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Electronic Newspaper Distribution System 12 Newspaper Company 13 Retailer 14 Subscriber 15 Advertising Production Company 21 Paper Production System 22 Photo Receiving System 23 Gateway 24 Paper Server 25 Gateway 26 Photo Server 27 Newspaper Company Server 27a Retailer Database 28 Private Line 29 Internet 30 Communication satellite 31 Store server 31a Subscription user database 41 User terminal

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 7/173 610 H04N 7/173 610Z F term (Reference) 5B050 BA10 BA15 CA05 CA08 FA19 GA08 5C064 BA07 BB10 BC01 BC03 BC04 BC06 BC18 BC23 BD02 BD08

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A system for systematically distributing an electronic newspaper obtained by converting a newspaper into electronic data to a user terminal of a subscribing user, the system comprising a newspaper server and a store server for each region, wherein the newspaper server comprises: A store registration unit for registering and managing the destination information of the store server; and a newspaper transmitting unit for transmitting the electronic newspaper to the store server based on the destination information registered in the store registration unit. A store server for receiving the electronic newspaper from the newspaper company server; a subscription registration unit for registering and managing destination information of the user terminal; and the destination registered in the subscription contract registration unit. Newspaper distribution means for transmitting the electronic newspaper received by the newspaper reception means to the user terminal based on the information. Electronic newspaper delivery system according to claim. 2. The electronic newspaper distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the store server adds an electronic advertisement obtained by converting an insert advertisement into electronic data to the electronic newspaper distributed to the user terminal. An electronic newspaper distribution system comprising: 3. The electronic newspaper distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the insert advertisement adding unit creates a list by arranging a plurality of hyperlinks of the electronic advertisement, and stores the list and the electronic advertisement in the list. An electronic newspaper distribution system which is added to the electronic newspaper distributed to a user terminal. 4. The electronic newspaper distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the newspaper company server has destination information held by the store server as an extra destination of the electronic newspaper. An external distribution destination collecting means for collecting the electronic newspaper, and an extra distribution means for transmitting an extra of the electronic newspaper to the destination information collected by the extra distribution destination collecting means. . 5. The electronic newspaper distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the dealer server stops the distribution of the electronic newspaper for a predetermined period. Comprising a stop request receiving means for receiving from the subscribed user, the subscription contract registration means, according to the stop request information,
The distribution stop period is set in the registration information of the user terminal, and the newspaper distribution unit stops distribution of the electronic newspaper to the user terminal whose distribution date and time corresponds to the distribution stop period. Newspaper distribution system. 6. The electronic newspaper distribution system according to claim 1, wherein an article classification code is added to the electronic newspaper in a process of editing and creating by the newspaper company. The sales server includes a selection request receiving unit that receives selection request information for selectively distributing articles of the electronic newspaper from the subscribing user, wherein the subscription contract registration unit according to the selection request information,
Set the classification code of the selected article in the registration information of the user terminal, the newspaper distribution means, select the article corresponding to the classification code in the registration information of the user terminal from the electronic newspaper, the user terminal An electronic newspaper distribution system characterized by distribution. 7. The electronic newspaper distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic newspaper has a hyperlink for requesting purchase of photographic data in a process of editing and creating by the newspaper company. The newspaper server has: a purchase request receiving unit that receives a request for purchase of the photo data from the subscribed user by a hyperlink of the photo data; and An electronic newspaper distribution system, comprising: a photo delivery unit that performs at least one of "data transmission using high-resolution data of photo data" and "procedure for delivering a photo print of the photo data".