JP2005107669A - Electronic manual providing method, and electronic manual providing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic manual providing method, and an electronic manual providing program capable of providing a highly convenient electronic manual to a user. <P>SOLUTION: A management computer 21 of a manual management system 20 receiving an electronic manual request extracts item data of an electronic manual on the basis of a user profile, and it carries out itemization on the basis of a purchase history. The management computer 21 determines an order of items on the basis of a browsing log recorded in a browsing log data storing part 25. Arrangement is changed in descending order of the number of times of browsing. Contents data of the electronic manual is created, and it is sent to a user terminal 10. The user carries out browsing of contents of the electronic manual by using the contents data. The management computer 21 records a browsing log in regard to the provided contents in the browsing log data storing part 25. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic manual providing method and an electronic manual providing program for providing an electronic manual that can be browsed efficiently.

  Conventionally, paper media are often used for manuals that describe handling methods and precautions for various products. However, the thickness of the manual may increase as the contents of descriptions increase due to high functionality and diversification of various products. Therefore, there are cases in which an electronic manual in which the contents of the manual are digitized is provided from the viewpoint of handling and saving paper resources. For example, an electronic manual providing method for providing an electronic manual obtained by digitizing a product manual to a terminal via a communication network is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Here, first, the electronic manual providing system accepts a request for providing an electronic manual for a specific product via a communication network. Then, the electronic manual of the product is selected according to the received provision request and provided to the terminal via the communication network. In this case, if the sender of the electronic manual provision request is the customer specified by the authentication information, the electronic manual provision system selects and provides the electronic manual for the product indicated in the product information associated with this customer. To do. Specifically, based on the product purchase history, an electronic manual regarding the difference between the product currently used by this customer and the product used previously is selected. Also, an electronic manual based on the attribute information is selected from the electronic manuals. Thereby, the user can acquire a necessary electronic manual in a short time without performing complicated operations. Furthermore, since an electronic manual regarding functional differences between the product used before and the product currently used is provided, it is possible to support early learning about how to handle the product currently used.
JP 2002-149874 A (FIGS. 5 and 6)

  Product manuals are necessary for the proper use of products. For this reason, it is necessary to provide it while considering user convenience. However, when an electronic manual is provided mainly based on customer information, an appropriate electronic manual may not be provided. For example, when a user uses an electronic manual for the first time, since there is no customer information, it is not always possible to provide a highly convenient electronic manual. The manual needs to be changed to reflect the usage status of the user.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic manual providing method and an electronic manual providing program capable of providing a user with a highly convenient electronic manual. There is to do.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is an electronic manual data storage means for recording content data for each item included in an electronic manual, and browsing history data for recording a browsing history of the electronic manual. A method for providing an electronic manual via a network using a manual management system comprising a storage means and a management computer, wherein the browsing history data when the management computer requests the electronic manual An editing process stage for executing the editing process of the electronic manual based on the browsing history recorded in the storage means, an electronic manual providing stage for providing the electronic manual subjected to the editing process for each item, and included in the electronic manual A browsing history record that records a browsing history in the browsing history data storage means for each item And summarized in that comprising the steps.

The invention according to claim 2 is the electronic manual providing method according to claim 1, wherein the editing process changes an arrangement of items of the electronic manual.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic manual providing method according to the first or second aspect, wherein the editing process changes a reproduction method of the electronic manual.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic manual providing method according to any one of the first to third aspects, the manual management system further includes a purchase history data storage unit that records a user's product purchase history. The electronic manual providing method includes a user authentication stage in which the management computer specifies a user who has requested the electronic manual, and the editing process further includes a product purchase history of the specified user. The gist is to calculate a difference between the request-target electronic manual extracted from the purchase history data storage means and the electronic manual of the product in which the purchase history is recorded, and to edit based on the difference.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic manual providing method according to the fourth aspect, the editing process is changed to an arrangement for displaying the items with the difference preferentially.

  The invention described in claim 6 comprises electronic manual data storage means for recording content data for each item included in the electronic manual, browsing history data storage means for recording the browsing history of the electronic manual, and a management computer. A program that provides an electronic manual via a network using a manual management system, and when the electronic computer is requested, the management computer stores the browsing history recorded in the browsing history data storage means. Editing processing means for executing editing processing of the electronic manual based on the electronic manual providing means for providing the electronic manual for which the editing processing has been performed for each item, and browsing history for each item included in the electronic manual Function as browsing history recording means for recording in data storage means The gist of the door.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is the electronic manual providing program according to the sixth aspect, wherein the editing process changes an arrangement of items of the electronic manual.
The invention according to claim 8 is the electronic manual providing program according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the editing process changes a reproduction method of the electronic manual.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic manual providing program according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, the manual management system further includes a purchase history data storage unit that records a user's product purchase history. The electronic manual providing program further causes the management computer to function as user authentication means for identifying a user who has requested the electronic manual, and the editing process further includes purchasing the product of the identified user. The gist is to extract the history from the purchase history data storage means, calculate the difference between the requesting electronic manual and the electronic manual of the product in which the purchase history is recorded, and edit based on the difference.

  The tenth aspect of the present invention is the electronic manual providing program according to the ninth aspect, wherein the editing process is changed to an arrangement for displaying the items with the difference preferentially.

(Function)
According to the invention described in claim 1 or 6, the manual management system includes electronic manual data storage means for recording content data for each item included in the electronic manual, and browsing history data for recording the browsing history of the electronic manual. A storage means and a management computer are provided. When the electronic manual is requested, the management computer executes the electronic manual editing process based on the browsing history recorded in the browsing history data storage means. Next, the electronic manual subjected to the editing process is provided for each item. Further, a browsing history is recorded in the browsing history data storage means for each item included in the electronic manual. For this reason, the browsing status of the electronic manual can be accumulated. By reflecting this browsing history in the electronic manual, a more convenient electronic manual can be provided to the user.

  According to the invention of claim 2 or 7, the editing process changes an arrangement of items of the electronic manual. For this reason, an easy-to-read electronic manual can be provided to the user.

  According to the invention described in claim 3 or 8, the editing process changes a reproduction method of the electronic manual. For this reason, an electronic manual with good operability can be provided to the user.

  According to the invention described in claim 4 or 9, the manual management system further comprises purchase history data storage means for recording the product purchase history of the user. Then, the management computer specifies a user who has requested the electronic manual. The editing process further extracts the product purchase history of the identified user from the purchase history data storage means, calculates a difference between the requesting electronic manual and the electronic manual of the product in which the purchase history is recorded, Editing is performed based on this difference. For this reason, an electronic manual suitable for the user can be provided based on the purchase history of the user.

  According to the invention described in claim 5 or 10, the editing process is changed to an array for displaying the items with the difference preferentially. For this reason, a difference can be grasped | ascertained efficiently with respect to a user.

  According to the present invention, a highly convenient electronic manual can be provided to a user.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, an electronic manual providing method and an electronic manual providing program for providing a product usage manual to a user will be described. Here, the manual management system 20 shown in FIG. 1 provides an electronic manual via the Internet I as a network.

  In this embodiment, a user who wishes to view an electronic manual uses a user terminal 10 as shown in FIG. The user terminal 10 includes input means such as a keyboard and a mouse, a display (display means), and the like. The user terminal 10 is a computer terminal that has a browser function for displaying an electronic manual and can be connected to the Internet.

  On the other hand, the manual management system 20 includes a management computer 21 as shown in FIG. The management computer 21 manages the electronic manual and provides the electronic manual to the user.

The management computer 21 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like (not shown), and performs processing described later (processing including an editing processing stage, an electronic manual providing stage, a browsing history recording stage, a user authentication stage, etc.). By executing the electronic manual providing program for this purpose, the management computer 21 functions as editing processing means, electronic manual providing means, browsing history recording means, user authentication means, and the like.

  The management computer 21 also includes a user data storage unit 22, a purchase history data storage unit 23 as a purchase history data storage unit, an electronic manual data storage unit 24 as an electronic manual data storage unit, and a browsing as a browsing history data storage unit. The log data storage unit 25 is connected.

  As shown in FIG. 2, user data 220 relating to a user profile of the electronic manual is recorded in the user data storage unit 22. This user data 220 is recorded when the user makes an application for using the electronic manual. The user data 220 includes data relating to a user identifier, an authentication code, age, and gender.

Data relating to an identifier for identifying a user is recorded in the user identifier data area.
Data relating to a code (authentication code) for authenticating the user is recorded in the authentication code data area. This authentication code is used when user authentication is performed when the manual management system 20 is accessed.
In the age data area and the sex data area, data relating to the age and sex regarding the user attributes is recorded.

  As shown in FIG. 3, purchase history data 230 relating to a purchase history (product purchase history) of a product purchased by a user is recorded in the purchase history data storage unit 23. This purchase history data 230 is recorded when the user purchases the target product of the electronic manual and registers the purchased product. The purchase history data 230 includes data relating to a user identifier, a purchased product identifier, a store identifier, and a purchase date.

In the user identifier data area, data relating to an identifier for specifying the user who purchased the target product of the electronic manual is recorded.
In the purchased product identifier data area, data for specifying the target product of the electronic manual purchased by the user is recorded.

In the store identifier data area, data relating to an identifier for specifying the store where the user purchased the target product is recorded.
In the purchase date data area, data for specifying the date on which the user purchased the target product is recorded.

  In the electronic manual data storage unit 24, as shown in FIG. 4, electronic manual data 240 relating to the contents of each electronic manual item is recorded. The electronic manual data 240 is recorded when a manual that can be provided to the user is prepared. The electronic manual data 240 includes a product identifier, an item identifier, a normal arrangement order, a level identifier, and data related to content.

In the product identifier data area, data for specifying the target product of the electronic manual is recorded.
In the item identifier data area, data relating to an identifier for specifying an item of the electronic manual is recorded. For example, regarding a video camera manual, there are items such as “recording method”, “reproduction method”, “reverse correction method”, and “manual focusing method”.

Data is recorded in the normal arrangement order data area in order to specify the normal arrangement order of items in the electronic manual. Normal electronic manuals are organized according to this order.
In the level identifier data area, data relating to an identifier relating to the difficulty level of this item is recorded. In the present embodiment, either the “Getting Started” flag or the “Detailed” flag is recorded. The electronic manual data 240 with the “Getting Started” flag recorded is for beginners, and the electronic manual data 240 with the “detailed” flag is recorded for experienced users.

  In the content data area, data relating to the content of this item is recorded. In this embodiment, electronic manual data 240 in which an “entry” flag is recorded and electronic manual data 240 in which a “detail” flag is recorded may be provided for the same item. In this case, contents for beginners and contents for experienced persons are prepared for the same item.

  As shown in FIG. 5, browsing log data 250 relating to an electronic manual viewed by the user is recorded in the browsing log data storage unit 25. The browsing log data 250 is recorded every time the user browses the electronic manual. The browsing log data 250 includes data related to product identifiers, item identifiers, and user identifiers.

In the product identifier data area, data for specifying the target product of the browsed electronic manual is recorded.
In the item identifier data area, data relating to an identifier for specifying an item of the viewed electronic manual is recorded.

In the user identifier data area, data relating to an identifier for identifying the user who browsed the items of the electronic manual is recorded.
A processing procedure for providing an electronic manual in the system configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the user accesses the manual management system 20 using the user terminal 10 (step S1-1). This access is performed via the Internet I. First, the user transmits a login request to the manual management system 20 using the user terminal 10. In this case, the management computer 21 of the manual management system 20 transmits login screen data to the user terminal 10. The user inputs a user identifier and an authentication code on the login screen. Then, the user terminal 10 transmits a login request to the manual management system 20. This login request includes data relating to the user identifier and the authentication code entered on the login screen.

  The management computer 21 of the manual management system 20 that has received the login request performs user authentication (step S1-2). Specifically, it is verified whether the user identifier and the authentication code included in the login request match the user data 220 recorded in the user data storage unit 22. If they match, user authentication is completed and login is permitted. If they do not match, a message to that effect is returned to the user terminal 10 and login is rejected.

Here, first, it is assumed that the user registers the purchased product. When the user authentication is completed, the management computer 21 of the manual management system 20 accepts the registration of the purchased product from the user terminal 10 (step S1-3). When registering a purchased product, the management computer 21 of the manual management system 20 transmits purchased product registration screen data to the user terminal 10. Specifically, the user inputs the product identifier of the purchased product, the identifier of the store that purchased the product (store identifier), and the purchase date on this purchased product registration screen. Then, the user terminal 10 transmits a purchased product registration request to the manual management system 20. In the purchase product registration request, data relating to the product identifier (purchased product identifier), the store identifier, and the purchase date input on the purchase product registration screen is recorded.

  The management computer 21 of the manual management system 20 that has received the purchase product registration request records the purchase history (step S1-4). Specifically, the purchase history data 230 including data relating to the user identifier specified by the user authentication, the purchased product identifier included in the purchased product registration request, the store identifier, and the purchase date is generated. Then, the management computer 21 records the generated purchase history data 230 in the purchase history data storage unit 23.

  Next, it is assumed that the user browses the electronic manual. This process is also executed based on user authentication. In this case, the user first requests an electronic manual using the user terminal 10 (step S1-5). This electronic manual request includes an identifier of a target product of the electronic manual. Here, it is assumed that an electronic manual request is made based on the purchased product registration in step S1-3. When requesting an electronic manual for a registered product, data relating to the product identifier is input to the user terminal 10 and transmitted.

  The management computer 21 of the manual management system 20 that has received this request executes an electronic manual editing process (step S1-6). This process will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the present embodiment, first, the management computer 21 extracts data relating to the user profile and purchase history (step S2-1). Specifically, the management computer 21 extracts, from the user data storage unit 22 and the purchase history data storage unit 23, user data 220 and purchase history data 230 associated with the user identifier authenticated by the user, respectively.

  Next, the management computer 21 extracts a viewing log of the electronic manual of the target product (step S2-2). Specifically, the management computer 21 extracts browsing log data 250 associated with the product identifier included in the electronic manual request from the browsing log data storage unit 25.

  Next, the management computer 21 determines the level based on the user profile (step S2-3). Here, the management computer 21 determines the level based on the age included in the user profile extracted in step S2-1. For example, the age of 14 years or younger is determined as the “Introduction” level.

  Next, the management computer 21 extracts item data of the electronic manual of the target product (step S2-4). Here, the management computer 21 extracts the electronic manual data 240 of the target product based on the level determined in step S2-3.

  Next, the management computer 21 performs item classification based on the purchase history extracted in step S2-1 (step S2-5). In the present embodiment, the management computer 21 specifies related products for the requested product of the electronic manual from other products purchased by the user. And the item of the difference with the electronic manual of the related product of purchase history is calculated. If there is a related product, a rank is assigned to the item having the same function as the related product. On the other hand, priorities are assigned to items related to new functions (difference items) for related products.

  Furthermore, the management computer 21 determines the item order based on the browsing log extracted in step S2-2 (step S2-6). First, the management computer 21 calculates the number of browsing times for each item of the electronic manual. Here, the number of browsing is calculated by counting the user identifiers included in the browsing log data 250. And the calculated browsing frequency is compared for every item. And the arrangement | sequence of each item is changed in order with many browsing frequency. For items without browsing records, the item order is determined according to the normal arrangement order.

  And the management computer 21 produces | generates the index data of the electronic manual which arranged each item according to the determined item order (step S2-7). In the present embodiment, items are divided based on the purchase history of the user, and a table of contents including items arranged in descending order of browsing frequency is generated. This completes the electronic manual editing process.

  The management computer 21 that has finished the electronic manual editing process transmits the table of contents data to the user terminal 10 (step S1-7 in FIG. 6). This table of contents data includes link data for acquiring the contents of the electronic manual.

  The user uses this link data to browse the content of the desired item in the electronic manual (step S1-8). Specifically, when an item included in the table of contents data displayed on the user terminal 10 is clicked, the user terminal 10 makes a content request to the manual management system 20. The management computer 21 of the manual management system 20 that has received the content request extracts the requested content from the electronic manual data storage unit 24 and provides it to the user terminal 10.

  And the management computer 21 records a browsing log regarding the content provided to the user terminal 10 in the browsing log data storage unit 25 (step S1-9). Specifically, data relating to the user identifier is additionally recorded in the browsing log data 250 relating to the provided content. As described above, this browsing log is reflected in the editing process of the electronic manual. Steps S1-8 to S1-9 are continued until the session with the user terminal is terminated. As described above, the user can use the electronic manual via the user terminal 10.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
In the present embodiment, using the user terminal 10 that has received the table of contents data, the user browses the content of the desired item in the electronic manual. In this case, the management computer 21 of the manual management system 20 that has received the content request records a browsing log in the browsing log data storage unit 25 regarding the content provided to the user terminal 10. In this case, the browsing log data 250 recorded in the browsing log data storage unit 25 includes data on product identifiers, item identifiers, and user identifiers. For this reason, it can be reflected also in the content creation of an electronic manual.

  In the present embodiment, the management computer 21 of the manual management system 20 that has received a request for an electronic manual executes an electronic manual editing process. Here, the browsing log of the electronic manual of the target product is extracted. The management computer 21 determines the item order based on the extracted browsing log. Here, the management computer 21 calculates the number of times of browsing for each item of the electronic manual, and arranges the items in the order of the number of times of browsing. For this reason, the electronic manual edited according to the utilization condition of the electronic manual can be provided. Therefore, a highly convenient electronic manual can be provided to the user.

In the present embodiment, the management computer 21 of the manual management system 20 that has received a request for an electronic manual executes an electronic manual editing process. Here, the management computer 21 extracts data related to the user profile. Then, the management computer 21 determines the level based on the user profile, and extracts item data of the electronic manual of the target product. For this reason, the electronic manual according to a user's attribute can be provided. Therefore, a highly convenient electronic manual can be provided to the user.

  In the present embodiment, the management computer 21 of the manual management system 20 that has received a request for an electronic manual executes an electronic manual editing process. Here, the management computer 21 extracts data related to the purchase history. Then, the management computer 21 classifies items based on the purchase history. In the present embodiment, the management computer 21 specifies a related product of the request target product of the electronic manual from other products purchased by the user. If there is a related product, a rank is assigned to the item having the same function as the related product. On the other hand, priorities are assigned to items related to new functions for related products. For this reason, an electronic manual corresponding to the purchase history of the user can be provided.

In addition, you may change each said embodiment as follows.
In the above embodiment, table of contents data is generated in the electronic manual editing process. Instead of this, the content of the edited item may be provided to the user terminal 10. Since the user profile and purchase history are taken into consideration in the editing process, an electronic manual from which unnecessary contents are deleted can be provided.

  In the above embodiment, table of contents data is generated in the electronic manual editing process. In this case, an electronic manual including a moving image may be provided. In the editing process of the electronic manual, the playback method may be changed based on the browsing log, such as changing the playback speed or inserting a pause. Thus, it is possible to provide an electronic manual with good operability reflecting the browsing situation.

  In the above embodiment, the electronic manual is edited based on the user's age and purchase history. The present invention is not limited to this, and editing may be performed using a store identifier. Thereby, an electronic manual can be provided according to the situation of a store.

The system schematic of embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing of the data recorded on the user data storage part. Explanatory drawing of the data recorded on the purchase history data storage part. Explanatory drawing of the data recorded on the electronic manual data storage part. Explanatory drawing of the data recorded on the browsing log data storage part. Explanatory drawing of the process sequence of this embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the process sequence of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... User terminal, 20 ... Manual management system, 21 ... Management computer, 23 ... Purchase history data storage part as purchase history data storage means, 24 ... Electronic manual data storage part as electronic manual data storage means, 25 ... Viewing A browsing log data storage unit as history data storage means.

Claims (10)

An electronic manual data storage means for recording content data for each item included in the electronic manual, a browsing history data storage means for recording the browsing history of the electronic manual, and a manual management system comprising a management computer, and a network A method of providing an electronic manual via
The management computer is
When there is a request for the electronic manual, an editing process stage for executing the electronic manual editing process based on the browsing history recorded in the browsing history data storage means;
An electronic manual providing stage for providing the electronic manual for which the editing process has been performed for each item;
A browsing history recording step of recording a browsing history in the browsing history data storage means for each item included in the electronic manual. The electronic manual providing method according to claim 1, wherein the editing process changes an arrangement of items of the electronic manual. The electronic manual providing method according to claim 1, wherein the editing process changes a reproduction method of the electronic manual. The manual management system further comprises purchase history data storage means for recording the product purchase history of the user,
The electronic manual providing method includes:
The management computer includes a user authentication step of identifying a user who has requested the electronic manual;
The editing process further includes:
Extracting the product purchase history of the identified user from the purchase history data storage means;
Calculate the difference between the requested electronic manual and the electronic manual of the product for which the purchase history is recorded,
The electronic manual providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein editing is performed based on the difference. The electronic manual providing method according to claim 4, wherein the editing process changes to an arrangement for preferentially displaying items with the difference. An electronic manual data storage means for recording content data for each item included in the electronic manual, a browsing history data storage means for recording the browsing history of the electronic manual, and a manual management system comprising a management computer, and a network A program that provides an electronic manual via
The management computer,
When there is a request for the electronic manual, editing processing means for executing editing processing of the electronic manual based on the browsing history recorded in the browsing history data storage means,
An electronic manual providing means for providing the edited electronic manual for each item; and a browsing history recording means for recording a browsing history in the browsing history data storage means for each item included in the electronic manual. A featured electronic manual providing program. 7. The editing process changes an arrangement of items in the electronic manual.
Electronic manual provision program described in. The electronic manual providing program according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the editing process changes a reproduction method of the electronic manual. The manual management system further comprises purchase history data storage means for recording the product purchase history of the user,
The electronic manual providing program is:
Allowing the management computer to further function as user authentication means for identifying a user who has requested the electronic manual;
The editing process further includes:
Extracting the product purchase history of the identified user from the purchase history data storage means;
Calculate the difference between the requested electronic manual and the electronic manual of the product for which the purchase history is recorded,
The electronic manual providing program according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein editing is performed based on the difference. The electronic manual providing program according to claim 9, wherein the editing process changes an array having the difference to an array for displaying with priority.

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