JP2012069006A - Layout selection device, layout selection method, layout selection program, and computer-readable recording medium, and content display device and content generation method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a layout selection device that selects a suitable layout from among a plurality of layouts when a content composed of a document and an image is displayed.SOLUTION: A layout selection device 10 includes: a detection part 11 which detects the size and aspect ratio of a display area where a content is displayed and respective sizes and aspect ratios of a plurality of layouts used to display content; a calculation part 12 which calculates matching indexes, indicative of degrees of matching between the plurality of layouts and the display area when the content is displayed in the display area using the plurality of layouts, for the plurality of layouts using the respective sizes and aspect ratios; and a determination part 13 which compares the respective matching indexes of the plurality of layouts with one another to determine one of the plurality of layouts which should be selected when displaying the content in the display area.

Description

  The present invention relates to a layout selection device, a layout selection method, a layout selection program, a computer-readable recording medium, a content display device, and a content, which can select an optimal layout of the content when displaying content composed of documents and images. It relates to the creation method.

  In recent years, electronic book terminals have been commercialized and have begun to spread to ordinary households. Such an electronic book terminal can acquire electronic book data such as an electronic newspaper or an electronic magazine, for example, via wireless communication in accordance with an instruction from a user. In order to allow the user to read the electronic book data, a display screen as a display function and an input device as a user interface function are installed to receive instructions from the user.

  By the way, not only in such an electronic book terminal, but in a display device having a display screen for displaying content, such as a personal computer, a PDA, and a mobile phone, in general, the size of the display screen such as the aspect ratio and the number of inches is A wide variety. Regardless of the display screen on which the content created by the content creator is displayed, the content creator uses the optimal layout on the display screen, that is, the optimal appearance, to the display device user. Usually you want to show content.

  In consideration of such a situation, there is an image output method for efficiently outputting an image and video without destroying the content of the content on a display screen having a different aspect ratio, which is one of the indexes representing the display screen. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this image output method, a division pattern for dividing a display screen into a plurality of areas is defined in advance in association with the aspect ratio of the display screen, and the display screen to be output is divided into pieces corresponding to the aspect ratio. Divide into multiple regions according to the pattern. For example, when displaying one image as content on the display screen, a plurality of divided images are generated for each of the plurality of divided regions, and the generated divided images are output to the plurality of regions, respectively.

  For this reason, it is possible to efficiently use the entire display screen by determining the division pattern of the display screen in association with the aspect ratio of the display screen.

  Further, in this image output method, the display screen is divided so that the main region has a predetermined aspect ratio regardless of the aspect ratio of the display screen among a plurality of regions obtained by dividing the display screen. In the main area, an image having a predetermined aspect ratio is generated and output regardless of the aspect ratio of the display screen.

  For this reason, the main areas obtained by dividing display screens with different aspect ratios are made similar, and the same image is displayed in each main area, so that the images displayed in the main areas are aware of the aspect ratio of the display screen. Can be created and displayed in the main area without distortion or blur.

Japanese Patent No. 3761559 (registered on January 20, 2006)

  However, in the image output method of Patent Document 1, a division pattern for dividing the display screen into a plurality of regions is defined in advance in association with the aspect ratio of the display screen. For this reason, depending on how the display screen is divided, the layout may not be in the optimal appearance desired by the content creator.

  In addition, it is necessary to generate a divided image for each of the plurality of divided areas and output the divided images to each of the plurality of areas. For this reason, depending on how the divided images are generated, the layout may not be in the optimal appearance desired by the content creator.

  Furthermore, the “main area”, which is a display area for mainly displaying content to be displayed, is displayed with a predetermined aspect ratio regardless of the aspect ratio of the display screen. For this reason, it is impossible to display content in accordance with the aspect ratio of the display screen, and it has been difficult to display the content on each of various display screen display devices in an optimal manner.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a layout selection device, a layout selection method, a layout selection program, and a computer-readable program that can select an optimal layout from a plurality of layouts when displaying content including documents and images. And a content display device and a content creation method.

  In order to achieve the above object, a layout selection apparatus according to the present invention includes a size and an aspect ratio of a display area for displaying content, and a size and an aspect ratio of each of a plurality of layouts used when displaying the content. Detecting means for detecting, and a matching index representing a degree of matching between the used layout and the display area when the content is displayed on the display area using each of the plurality of layouts, By comparing each matching index of the plurality of layouts calculated by the calculation unit with a calculation unit that calculates each of the plurality of layouts using each size and aspect ratio detected by the detection unit , When displaying the content in the display area, And a determination means for determining whether to select a layout.

  According to this configuration, the size and aspect ratio of the display area for displaying the content and the sizes and aspect ratios of the plurality of layouts used when displaying the content are detected, and the display area and the layout of each layout are detected. A coincidence index is calculated for each of a plurality of layouts using each size and aspect ratio.

  This coincidence index is an index representing the degree of coincidence between each layout and the display area.

  Therefore, when the content is displayed in the display area, a layout having a high degree of matching with the display area can be determined as a layout to be selected by comparing the matching indexes of the respective layouts.

  For example, the content creator may wish to use the content created by himself / herself and display a plurality of layouts in advance.

  Even in such a case, when displaying the content, the optimum layout can be selected from a plurality of layouts.

  The calculation means enlarges / reduces each layout while keeping each layout within the display area among the long sides and short sides constituting the size of each layout with respect to each size of the plurality of layouts. After the enlargement / reduction with respect to the length before the enlargement / reduction of the specified coincidence side, the coincidence side that is the side that coincides with either the long side or the short side constituting the size of the display area is specified. A scaling ratio setting means for setting the ratio of the length of each of the plurality of layouts as a scaling ratio included in the coincidence index, and each aspect ratio of the display area and the plurality of layouts. Is converted into a conversion value that is a value in which one of the horizontal and vertical directions is 1, and the conversion value of the aspect ratio of the display area and the plurality of rays are converted. The difference between the converted value of the out preferably includes the aspect ratio difference setting means for setting for each of the plurality of layout as the aspect ratio difference included in the matching index.

  In this case, the degree of coincidence between each layout and the display area can be quantified using the enlargement / reduction ratio or the aspect ratio difference.

  For this reason, since the comparison indices of the respective layouts can be compared by numerical comparison, the matching indices can be compared efficiently and accurately.

  When the ratio when the lengths before and after the enlargement / reduction for the coincidence sides are equal is a reference value of the enlargement / reduction ratio, the determination means determines whether the enlargement / reduction ratios of the plurality of layouts set by the enlargement / reduction ratio setting means Between the plurality of layouts set by the aspect ratio difference setting means, and an enlargement / reduction ratio extracting means for extracting a layout having an enlargement / reduction ratio that matches the reference value or the closest enlargement / reduction ratio to the reference value. It is preferable to include an aspect ratio difference extracting unit that compares the aspect ratio differences and extracts a layout having the smallest aspect ratio difference.

  In this case, since the matching indexes of the respective layouts can be compared based on the magnitude relation of the numerical values, the enlargement / reduction ratio matching the reference value, the enlargement / reduction ratio closest to the reference value, and the extraction of the smallest aspect ratio difference are extracted. Can be performed efficiently and accurately.

  The determining means extracts a first layout group including at least one layout from the plurality of layouts using any one of the enlargement / reduction ratio extracting means and the aspect ratio difference extracting means, and the first layout group When a plurality of layouts are included, a second layout group including at least one layout is extracted from the first layout group using one of the enlargement / reduction ratio extracting unit and the aspect ratio difference extracting unit. Is preferred.

  In this case, the first layout group including at least one layout is extracted from the plurality of layouts using either the enlargement / reduction ratio extracting unit or the aspect ratio difference extracting unit, and the plurality of layouts are included in the first layout group. In this case, a second layout group including at least one layout is extracted from the first layout group by using either the enlargement / reduction ratio extraction unit or the aspect ratio difference extraction unit.

  For this reason, the layout to be selected can be determined efficiently even using the scaling ratio and the aspect ratio difference, which are the two indexes.

  The determining means determines a layout to be selected based on whether each of the plurality of layouts is horizontal writing or vertical writing when a plurality of layouts are included in the second layout group. Is preferred.

  In this case, for example, when a layout to be displayed in the display area is instructed by the user, the layout can be determined based on the instruction.

  A content display device according to the present invention includes the above-described layout selection device and a display device that displays content in a display area using the layout selected by the layout selection device.

  According to this configuration, the size and aspect ratio of the display area for displaying the content and the sizes and aspect ratios of the plurality of layouts used when displaying the content are detected, and the display area and each layout are detected. A matching index is calculated for each of a plurality of layouts using the size and the aspect ratio of each.

  This coincidence index is an index representing the degree of coincidence between each layout and the display area.

  Therefore, when the content is displayed in the display area, a layout having a high degree of matching with the display area can be determined as a layout to be selected by comparing the matching indexes of the respective layouts.

  For example, the content creator may wish to use the content created by himself / herself and display a plurality of layouts in advance.

  Even in such a case, when displaying the content, the optimum layout can be selected from a plurality of layouts.

  The layout selection method according to the present invention includes a detection step of detecting a size and an aspect ratio of a display area for displaying content and each size and aspect ratio of a plurality of layouts used when displaying the content. When the content is displayed on the display area using each of the plurality of layouts, the matching index representing the degree of matching between the used layout and the display area is detected in the detection step. The content is displayed by comparing the calculation step for each of the plurality of layouts using each size and aspect ratio, and the matching indexes of the plurality of layouts calculated in the calculation step. Decide which layout to select from the multiple layouts when displaying in an area And a that decision process.

  According to this configuration, the size and aspect ratio of the display area for displaying the content and the sizes and aspect ratios of the plurality of layouts used when displaying the content are detected, and the display area and each layout are detected. A matching index is calculated for each of a plurality of layouts using the size and the aspect ratio of each.

  This coincidence index is an index representing the degree of coincidence between each layout and the display area.

  Therefore, when the content is displayed in the display area, a layout having a high degree of matching with the display area can be determined as a layout to be selected by comparing the matching indexes of the respective layouts.

  For example, the content creator may wish to use the content created by himself / herself and display a plurality of layouts in advance.

  Even in such a case, when displaying the content, the optimum layout can be selected from a plurality of layouts.

  A content creation method according to the present invention is a content creation method in which a layout is selected by the layout selection device described above, wherein a layout determination step of determining the plurality of layouts using the content content as a criterion, A layout information writing step of writing layout information representing the plurality of layouts determined in the layout determination step into the content.

  According to this configuration, the size and aspect ratio of the display area for displaying the content and the sizes and aspect ratios of the plurality of layouts used when displaying the content are detected, and the display area and each layout are detected. A matching index is calculated for each of a plurality of layouts using the size and the aspect ratio of each.

  This coincidence index is an index representing the degree of coincidence between each layout and the display area.

  Therefore, when the content is displayed in the display area, a layout having a high degree of matching with the display area can be determined as a layout to be selected by comparing the matching indexes of the respective layouts.

  For example, the content creator may wish to use the content created by himself / herself and display a plurality of layouts in advance.

  Even in such a case, when displaying the content, the optimum layout can be selected from a plurality of layouts.

  The layout selection device may be realized by a computer. In this case, a control program for the layout selection device that causes the layout selection device to be realized by the computer by operating the computer as the respective means, and A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded also falls within the scope of the present invention.

  The layout selection device of the present invention includes a detection unit that detects the size and aspect ratio of a display area for displaying content, and the size and aspect ratio of a plurality of layouts used when displaying the content, When each of the plurality of layouts is used to display the content in the display area, a matching index indicating a degree of matching between the used layout and the display area is detected by each of the detection means. The content is displayed in the display area by comparing the calculation means for calculating each of the plurality of layouts using the size and the aspect ratio and the matching indexes of the plurality of layouts calculated by the calculation means. Which layout should be selected from the plurality of layouts. And a determination means for constant for.

  Therefore, there is an effect that an optimum layout can be selected from a plurality of layouts when displaying content composed of documents and images.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an electronic book terminal provided with the layout selection apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structural example of a content. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating several layout data written in content data. It is explanatory drawing explaining the magnitude | size and aspect-ratio of a display area, (a) shows the case where the whole display screen of the said electronic book terminal is the said display area, (b) is the display screen of the said electronic book terminal. Among these, the area near the center is the display area, and (c) shows the area near the right corner of the display screen of the electronic book terminal is the display area. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating calculation of the matching parameter | index showing the degree of matching with each layout and a display area. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an expansion / contraction rate. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an aspect-ratio difference. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the said layout selection apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the said layout selection apparatus. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content data in which several layout data were written.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  A layout selection device according to the present invention detects the size and aspect ratio of a display area for displaying content, and the size and aspect ratio of a plurality of layouts used when displaying the content, and a plurality of layouts When the content is displayed on the display area using each of the above, the matching index indicating the degree of matching between the used layout and the display area is set, the size and aspect ratio of the display area, and the size of each of the plurality of layouts. And the aspect ratio are calculated for each of a plurality of layouts.

  Then, the layout selection device according to the present invention compares each matching index of the plurality of layouts calculated in this way, so that any layout from the plurality of layouts is displayed when the content is displayed in the display area. It is what determines what to choose.

  Here, a plurality of layouts means that a content creator who creates content consisting of documents and images such as electronic book data displays the content created by himself / herself in a display area, for example, the entire display screen of an electronic book terminal or the display screen thereof. This is a layout used for display when displayed in a partial area (hereinafter, the entire display screen and the partial area may be simply referred to as a “display area”).

  For example, content creators tend to dislike changing the layout of the content, that is, how the content is displayed, when the user of the electronic book terminal reads the content. The content creator expects to provide content to the user in the way he / she wants to see it.

  The plurality of layouts are prepared in advance by the content creator, and are created by the content creator in consideration of the content created by the content creator. As described above, a display device such as an electronic book terminal used when a user reads content has a variety of display area sizes and aspect ratios. The content creator prepares a plurality of layouts in advance so that the content is displayed in a layout desired by the user regardless of the size and aspect ratio of the display area.

  On the other hand, the coincidence index represents the degree of coincidence between each layout and the display area, as described above. Specifically, when the content is displayed in the display area, the degree of matching is highest when the layout used for the display and the display area completely match. When these sizes and aspect ratios are used as indices representing the layout and display area, the degree of matching is the highest when the sizes and aspect ratios match. The difference between at least one of the size and the aspect ratio between the layout and the display area is the lower the degree of matching described above.

  Here, the size of the layout and the display area can be expressed using, for example, the lengths of the long side and the short side of each of the rectangles. In addition, the aspect ratio can be expressed, for example, in the form of the ratio of “horizontal to vertical” or “vertical to horizontal”.

  The layout selection device calculates a matching index representing the degree of matching described above for each of a plurality of layouts prepared in advance by the content creator. The layout selection device compares the matching indexes and determines which layout should be selected from a plurality of layouts when displaying the content in the display area from the comparison result.

  Since the electronic book terminal includes such a layout selection device, an optimal layout can be selected from a plurality of layouts prepared in advance. Therefore, in any of the various display areas of the electronic book terminal, Content can be displayed in an optimal way.

  Note that the application of the layout selection device is not limited to an electronic book terminal, but may be provided in a personal computer that acquires content including documents and images by wireless communication and displays the content on a display screen. Moreover, you may provide in the apparatus which can be moved by being carried by the person. For example, a game machine, a mobile phone, a portable information terminal such as a PDA, a notebook personal computer, or the like. In either apparatus, the same effect can be achieved.

  Hereinafter, in an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic book terminal provided with a layout selection device will be described as an embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the electronic book terminal will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic book terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic book terminal (content display device) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an acquisition unit 21 that acquires content data, a designation unit 22 that specifies a display position of content, and content data. A parsing unit 23 that decomposes and decodes to generate layout data, a layout data storage unit 24 that stores layout data generated by the parsing unit 23, and a column layout generation that generates column layout data using the layout data Unit 25, a row layout generation unit 26 that generates row layout data based on the column layout data generated by column layout generation unit 25, a line that generates event data and is generated by line layout generation unit 26. Event data generation unit 27 assigned to layout data, and column A column data storage unit 28 that stores column data including layout data and line layout data, and a column processing unit 29 that performs column processing using the column data stored in the column data storage unit 28 are provided. ing.

  Furthermore, the electronic book terminal 1 includes a layout selection device 10 that selects any one layout from a plurality of layouts when the parsing unit 23 generates a plurality of layout data.

  Further, the electronic book terminal 1 further determines whether or not the column processing by the column processing unit 29 has been executed for all the contents to be displayed at the display position specified by the specifying unit 22. 30. When all the column processing of the content to be displayed at the display position is completed, the content display unit 31 that displays the content, and the image data required for the content when the content display unit 31 displays the content, A data generation unit 32 that generates audio data and the like, and a change unit 35 that changes layout data stored in the layout data storage unit 24 are provided.

  When the display position is designated, the acquisition unit 21 acquires content data to be displayed at the display position. This content data is content data that can be displayed by the content display unit 31 by converting a book into digital data, and includes moving image data, still image data, audio data, and the like. The acquisition unit 21 may be realized by a configuration in which content data is acquired by downloading to the electronic book terminal 1, or may be realized by a configuration in which content data is accessed and acquired on the Web without downloading. Also good.

  In addition, the acquisition unit 21 stores the minimum unit (block) data in the content data for a necessary area (layout) based on the above-described display position designation such as a user operation input or display from the previous display position. Only areas that need to be acquired). For example, in FIG. 2, which is a schematic diagram for explaining content data, the acquisition unit 21 [M−1], [M], [M], which is a designated display position among the content data 40 composed of N blocks. M + 1] is acquired in this order.

  The designation unit 22 designates the current display position based on the user's operation input or the previous display position. The designation unit 22 outputs the display position designated by the designation unit 22 to the acquisition unit 21. The designation unit 22 can use an input device as a user interface function, such as a keyboard, in order to designate a display position based on a user operation input. In addition, the designation unit 22 designates a temporary storage device for storing the previous display position, for example, a erasable semiconductor memory such as a flash memory or an SRAM, in order to designate the display position based on the previous display position. It only has to have.

  The parsing unit 23 parses, for example, decomposes and decodes the content data for one block acquired by the acquisition unit 21. The parsing unit 23 then lays out layout data (data relating to the number of columns, margins, line spacing, character spacing, etc.) that determines the overall layout, and line element data (layout change / enlargement of the font size in the content data). And data relating to ruby information) are read out (prepared).

  For example, the parsing unit 23 analyzes the data of the [M-1] block, and acquires and decodes layout data and row element data in the content data. The parsing unit 23 outputs the layout data and the row element data to the layout data storage unit 24 and stores them. The parsing unit 23 may read event information related to a link jump operation or the like. The parsing unit 23 may output the layout data to the layout selection device 10.

  Further, the parsing unit 23 may read layout data for determining the entire layout from an area (header area or the like) to be read first and store it in a storage unit such as the layout data storage unit 24.

  Here, the content data acquired by the acquisition unit 21 may have a plurality of layout data prepared in advance as described above. For example, in FIG. 3, six layout data for determining each of the six layouts A to F are held in one content data 50. Layouts A to F are, for example, the following layouts.

  (1) Layout A has an aspect ratio (horizontal to vertical) of 2: 1, a long side is a1, a short side is a2, and documents, images, and the like arranged in layout A are vertically written.

  (2) Layout B has an aspect ratio (horizontal to vertical) of 2: 1, a long side is b1, and a short side is b2. Documents, images, and the like arranged in layout B are horizontally written.

  (3) The layout C has an aspect ratio (horizontal to vertical) of 2: 1, a long side of c1, and a short side of c2. Documents, images, and the like arranged in the layout C are horizontally written.

  (4) Layout D has an aspect ratio (horizontal to vertical) of 1: 2, a long side of d1, and a short side of d2. Documents, images, and the like arranged in layout D are vertically written.

  (5) The layout E has an aspect ratio (horizontal to vertical) of 1: 2, a long side of e1, and a short side of e2, and documents, images, and the like arranged in the layout E are vertically written.

  (6) The layout F has an aspect ratio (horizontal to vertical) of 1: 1 and one side of f, and documents, images, and the like arranged in the layout F are horizontally written.

  Note that the document, image, and the like described above are not included in the layout data, but may have a data structure such as document data or image data.

  The content data 50 holds six layout data for determining such six layouts A to F, respectively. As described above, the six layouts A to F are prepared in advance by the creator of the content data 50, and are used when a document, an image, or the like included in the content data 50 is displayed. It is a layout.

  Such layout data is written in the content data as shown in FIG. 10, for example. The content data shown in FIG. 10 includes (600 pixels, 1024 pixels) layout (for vertical display two-column horizontal writing article), (800 pixels, 1366 pixels) layout (vertical display two-column horizontal writing article), (1366) Pixel (800 pixels) layout (for horizontal display 2-column horizontal writing articles), (600 pixels, 400 pixels) layout (horizontal display 2-column horizontal writing articles), (600 pixels, 400 pixels) layout (horizontal display) Five pieces of layout data (layout information) such as two-column vertical writing articles) are written.

  Such layout data is created in advance by the content creator and written in the content data, for example. Naturally, the content creator creates these multiple layouts based on the content and writes them in the content data.

  When the content data includes a plurality of layout data in this way, the parsing unit 23 acquires and decodes all the layout data, and outputs them to the layout data storage unit 24.

  The layout data storage unit 24 stores the row element data acquired and decoded by the parsing unit 23. The layout data storage unit 24 stores a plurality of layout data acquired and decoded by the parsing unit 23. From there, one layout data is selected by the layout selection device 10 as will be described later. In the layout data storage unit 24, for example, in the example of FIG. 3, layout data for determining any one of the layouts A to F is selected by the layout selection device 10.

  If a plurality of layout data acquired and decoded by the parsing unit 23 is output to the layout selection device 10, the layout data storage unit 24 stores one layout data selected by the layout selection device 10. To do. The layout data storage unit 24 receives layout data for determining any one of the layouts A to F from the layout selection device 10 and stores it.

  In addition, the layout data storage unit 24 can be appropriately selected and used from, for example, a magnetic disk device such as a hard disk drive or a known storage device such as a semiconductor memory.

  The column layout generation unit 25 uses the layout data stored in the layout data storage unit 24 to generate column layout data indicating the entire layout at the display position specified by the specification unit 22. In this column layout data, for example, settings such as two columns, font size 10 dots, margin 0 dots, line spacing: 50% of the standard font size, and character spacing 0 dots are set. The column layout data also holds text data and image data allocation information.

  In addition, the column layout generation unit 25 may perform an operation of assigning multimedia data such as moving images and sounds, and various types of event information such as link movements generated by the event data generation unit 27 to corresponding row elements. .

  The row layout generation unit 26 refers to the column layout generated by the column layout generation unit 25 and uses the row element data acquired and decoded by the parsing unit 23 to generate row layout data indicating the layout of each row. Generate.

  The column data storage unit 28 stores column layout data and row layout data generated in this way as column data. For example, the column data storage unit 28 can be appropriately selected from a magnetic disk device such as a hard disk drive or a known storage device such as a semiconductor memory.

  Note that the column layout generation unit 25 needs to acquire information again when the changing unit 35 switches layout data set in the content or when the user switches the setting. New layout data is acquired from the layout data storage unit 24.

  The column processing unit 29 arranges each row in each column using the column data stored in the column data storage unit 28, and executes column processing. The column processing unit 29 outputs the column processing result to the layout determination unit 30.

  The layout determination unit 30 determines whether all layouts in the currently displayed area have been generated. If the layout has not been completed, the acquisition unit 21 is notified accordingly. The acquisition unit 21 receives the notification and acquires content data of the next block. This operation is repeated until all layouts in the display area are generated. In the example of FIG. 2, until all the layouts [M−1], [M], and [M + 1] are generated, that is, all layouts in the area currently displayed by the layout determination unit 30 are displayed. The generation of the layout is repeated until it is determined that it has been generated.

  The content display unit 31 actually displays elements such as characters and images based on the generated layout. Here, there may be multimedia data such as moving images and sounds that are linked with links or set as row elements, or image data that needs to be displayed as row elements. In that case, the content display unit 31 obtains the data generated by the data generation unit 32 and then reproduces audio / video and displays an image.

  The data generation unit 32 converts data coded by various codecs, which is necessary for display and reproduction of images and audio data required in the layout, into a reproducible format. Specifically, the media data generation unit 33 and the image decoding unit 34 generate and control multimedia data, and convert (decode) the image data into displayable data. Then, the data generation unit 32 outputs the converted data to the content display unit 31.

(Layout selection device 10)
The layout selection device 10 detects a size and an aspect ratio of a display area for displaying content and each size and aspect ratio of a plurality of layouts used when displaying the content. In addition, when the content is displayed on the display area using each of the plurality of layouts, the matching index indicating the degree of matching between the used layout and the display area is determined for each size and aspect detected by the detecting unit. When the content is displayed in the display area by comparing the calculation unit (calculation unit) 12 for each of the plurality of layouts using the ratio and the matching indexes of the plurality of layouts calculated by the calculation unit 12 And a determination unit (determination means) for determining which layout should be selected from a plurality of layouts It is equipped with a 3 and.

(Detector 11)
The detection unit 11 detects the size and aspect ratio of the display area for displaying content from the content display unit 31. The display area detected by the detection unit 11 may be the entire display screen (not shown) of the electronic book terminal 1 or may be a part of the display area. In short, the display area detected by the detection unit 11 means a display area where the content acquired by the acquisition unit 21 should be displayed by the content display unit 31.

  For example, the detection unit 11 detects the size and aspect ratio of the display area shown in FIG. FIG. 4A shows a case where the entire display screen 60a of the electronic book terminal 1a is the above display area. 4B shows a case where the area 61b near the center of the display screen 60b of the electronic book terminal 1a is the above display area, and FIG. 4C shows the display screen of the electronic book terminal 1c. A region 61c in the vicinity of the right corner of 60c shows the display region described above.

  Each electronic book terminal 1a-1c has the following display areas, for example.

  (1) The display area (display screen) 60a of the electronic book terminal 1a has an aspect ratio (vertical to horizontal) of 2: 1, a long side of A1, and a short side of A2. Note that documents, images, and the like arranged in the display area 60a may be written horizontally or vertically. However, the initial setting is generally either horizontal writing or vertical writing.

  (2) The electronic book terminal 1b has an aspect ratio (vertical to horizontal) of 2: 1, a long side is B1, and a short side is B2. Note that documents, images, and the like arranged in the display area 61b may be written horizontally or vertically. However, the initial setting is generally either horizontal writing or vertical writing.

  (3) The electronic book terminal 1c has an aspect ratio (vertical to horizontal) of 1: 2, a long side of C1, and a short side of C2. Note that documents, images, and the like arranged in the display area 61c may be written horizontally or vertically. However, the initial setting is generally either horizontal writing or vertical writing.

  Further, when the plurality of layout data obtained and decoded by the parsing unit 23 is read from the layout data storage unit 24, the detection unit 11 detects the size and aspect ratio of each layout data. For example, in the case of FIG. 3, the sizes and aspect ratios of the six layouts A to F as described above are detected. In addition to the size and aspect ratio of each layout, the detection unit 11 may detect whether each layout is horizontal writing or vertical writing from each layout.

(Calculation unit 12)
The calculation unit 12 receives the size and aspect ratio of the display area and the sizes and aspect ratios of the plurality of layouts detected by the detection unit 11 from the detection unit 11. For each layout, the calculation unit 12 calculates the degree of matching between each layout and the display area when the content is displayed on the display area using each layout, that is, the above-described matching index.

  For example, when the calculation unit 12 receives the size and aspect ratio of the display area 60a in FIG. 4A and the sizes and aspect ratios of the layouts A to F in FIG. 4, as illustrated in FIG. When content is displayed on the display area 60a using the layouts A to F, a coincidence index representing the degree of coincidence between each layout and the display area is calculated.

  The calculation unit 12 calculates an enlargement / reduction ratio and an aspect ratio difference, which will be described later, and an enlargement / reduction ratio setting unit (enlargement / reduction ratio setting unit) 14 that sets the enlargement / reduction ratio for each of a plurality of layouts. The aspect ratio difference setting unit (aspect ratio difference setting means) 15 is set.

(Enlargement / reduction ratio setting unit 14 and aspect ratio difference setting unit 15)
The following two indices can be used as the coincidence index described above.

(1) Enlargement ratio and reduction ratio (hereinafter simply referred to as “enlargement / reduction ratio”)
(2) Aspect Ratio Difference First, the scaling ratio will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows a case where content is displayed in the display area 60a of FIG. 4A using the layout D of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, when the layout D is used, the layout D is smaller than the display area 60a, so that the layout D needs to be enlarged. Therefore, the layout D may be enlarged as shown in FIG. However, this enlargement process is executed while maintaining the aspect ratio of the layout D.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6C, this enlargement process may be executed until the long side d1 of the layout D coincides with the short side A2 of the display area 60a.

  In this case, the enlargement / reduction ratio is the ratio of the length before and after the enlargement of the long side d1 of the layout D when the long side d1 of the layout D coincides with the short side A2 of the display region 60a. That is, in the case of FIG. 6, the enlargement / reduction ratio is “length of A2 / length of d1”. Such a case is referred to as “long side match (fit)”.

  Of course, in other layouts, the layout may be enlarged until the short side of each layout matches the short side of the display area 60a. Such a case is called “short side match (fit)”.

  Furthermore, although the case where the layout is smaller than the display area 60a is described in FIG. 6, it is needless to say that the layout may be larger than the display area 60a. In this case, layout reduction processing is required, and in the reduction processing, the layout may be reduced until the short side of each layout coincides with the short side of the display area 60a.

  Even when this reduction process is performed, the enlargement / reduction ratio is the same as that of the layout when either the long side or the short side of the layout matches the long side or the short side of the display region 60a. It is the ratio of the length before and after the reduction of the side.

  That is, the enlargement / reduction ratio is the size of the display area 60a when the respective layouts are enlarged / reduced while the layouts are accommodated in the display area 60a among the long sides and the short sides constituting the size of each layout. This is the ratio of the length after enlargement / reduction to the length before enlargement / reduction for the specified coincidence side, with the coincidence side being the side that coincides with either the long side or the short side constituting the height.

(Expansion / reduction ratio determination procedure)
Here, the procedure for determining the enlargement / reduction ratio will be described. Here, the case where the long side of the display area is A1, the short side is A2, the long side of the layout is B1, and the short side is B2 is taken as an example.

  With respect to the layout, the long side fit and the short side fit as described above are respectively performed. In that case, the expansion / contraction rate at the time of long side fitting is compared with the expansion / contraction rate at the time of short side fitting. Depending on the magnitude relationship between A1 and A2 in the display area and B1 and B2 in the layout, one of the following processes (1) to (5) is performed.

  (1) If both A1 and A2 in the display area are smaller than B1 and B2 in the layout, both the long side and the short side are reduced. In this case, in order to fit B1 of the layout in the display area, a reduction ratio at the time of long side fitting is selected. When the reduction ratios at the long side fit and the short side fit are compared, the reduction ratio at the long side fit becomes larger, but the reduction ratio at the long side fit is selected.

  (2) When both A1 and A2 in the display area are larger than B1 and B2 in the layout, both the long side and the short side are enlarged. In this case, in order to fit B1 of the layout in the display area, an enlargement ratio at the time of long side fitting is selected. In addition, if the enlargement ratio at the time of long side fit is compared with the long side, the enlargement ratio at the time of long side fit becomes small. Therefore, the enlargement ratio at the time of long side fitting is selected.

  (3) When B1 of the layout is larger than A1 of the display area and B2 of the layout area is smaller than A2 of the display area, a reduction ratio at the time of long-side fitting is selected to fit B1 of the layout in the display area.

  (4) When B2 of the layout is smaller than A1 of the display area and B1 of the layout is larger than A2 of the display area, the reduction ratio at the time of long-side fitting is selected in order to fit the layout area B1 in the display area.

  (5) When the layout B1 is smaller than the display area A1 and the layout B2 is larger than the display area A2, the reduction ratio at the time of short-side fitting is selected in order to fit the layout B1 in the display area.

  In this way, the scaling ratio determined for each layout is compared, and the smallest scaling ratio is determined. As a result, the layout having the smallest enlargement / reduction ratio in the content data can be selected.

  In practice, the reduction ratio must be compared with the enlargement ratio by its reciprocal. For example, when the display area is 100: 100, layout A is 50:50, and layout B is 200: 200, the enlargement ratio of layout A is 200%. On the other hand, layout B has a reduction rate of 50%. Here, if the enlargement ratio and the reduction ratio are compared as they are, the reduction ratio is always selected. Therefore, when the reduction ratio is calculated, it is necessary to take the reciprocal and compare the reciprocal with the enlargement ratio. In this case, the reduction ratio of the layout B described above is 200.

  Next, the aspect ratio difference will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 shows a case where content is displayed using the layout D of FIG. 3 in the display area 60a of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the aspect ratio (horizontal to vertical) of the layout D is “1: 2”, and the aspect ratio (horizontal to vertical) of the display area 60a is “2: 1”. For example, if the vertical length is “1”, the aspect ratio of the layout D is “0.5”, and the aspect ratio of the display area 60a is “2”. That is, the converted values of the aspect ratios with the vertical length being “1” are the above “0.5” and “2”.

  The aspect ratio difference is a difference between such converted values. Usually, by converting the aspect ratio represented by an integer ratio in this way, the difference between the two can be easily calculated.

  Here, the conversion with the vertical length set to “1” is performed, but of course, the conversion may be performed with the horizontal length set to “1”. In short, it is sufficient that the direction (vertical or horizontal) to be “1” is the same regardless of which of the display area 60a and each layout is converted.

  That is, the aspect ratio difference is converted from the horizontal / vertical ratio represented by each aspect ratio of the display area 60a and each layout into a converted value that is a value in which either horizontal or vertical is 1. This is the difference between the converted value of the aspect ratio of the area 60a and the converted value of each layout.

  In this way, the calculation unit 12 sets the enlargement / reduction ratio for each of the plurality of layouts using the enlargement / reduction ratio setting unit 14, and sets the aspect ratio difference for each of the plurality of layouts using the aspect ratio difference setting unit 15. .

(Determining unit 13)
When the calculation unit 12 receives the enlargement / reduction ratio and aspect ratio difference set for each of the plurality of layouts using the enlargement / reduction ratio setting unit (enlargement / reduction ratio setting unit) 14 and the aspect ratio difference setting unit 15, the determination unit 13 The ratios and the aspect ratio differences are compared. Using the comparison result, the determination unit 13 determines a layout to be selected when displaying the content in the display area from a plurality of layouts.

  The determination unit 13 includes an enlargement / reduction rate extraction unit (enlargement / reduction rate extraction unit) 16 that compares the enlargement / reduction rates of the layouts, and an aspect ratio difference extraction unit (aspect ratio difference extraction unit) 17 that compares the aspect ratio differences of the layouts. And have.

(Expansion / reduction ratio extraction unit 16 and aspect ratio difference extraction unit 17)
The coincidence index includes a scaling ratio and an aspect ratio difference. For this reason, as described above, the determination unit 13 includes the enlargement / reduction rate extraction unit 16 that compares the enlargement / reduction rates of the layouts and the aspect ratio difference extraction unit 17 that compares the aspect ratio differences of the layouts. ing.

  When comparing the enlargement / reduction ratios set for the respective layouts, the enlargement / reduction ratio extraction unit 16 first sets a ratio when the above-described coincidence sides are equal before and after enlargement / reduction as a reference value. Since the coincident side is the same before and after enlargement / reduction, a layout having an enlargement / reduction ratio equal to the reference value does not require enlargement / reduction processing.

  That is, if a layout whose enlargement / reduction ratio matches this reference value is used, it is not necessary to enlarge or reduce the size, and the content can be displayed in the display area in the layout. Of course, even if the enlargement / reduction ratios do not match, it is needless to say that the closer to the reference value, the more the content can be displayed in the layout closer to the original layout.

  When receiving the enlargement / reduction ratio set for each layout, the enlargement / reduction ratio extraction unit 16 sets such a reference value, and extracts the enlargement / reduction ratio that matches the reference value from the enlargement / reduction ratio of each layout. The enlargement / reduction ratio extraction unit 16 extracts the enlargement / reduction ratio closest to the reference value if there is no enlargement / reduction ratio that matches the reference value in the enlargement / reduction ratio of each layout.

  When the aspect ratio difference extraction unit 17 receives the aspect ratio difference set for each layout, the aspect ratio difference extraction unit 17 extracts the smallest aspect ratio difference among the aspect ratio differences of each layout.

  The smaller the aspect ratio difference, the closer the layout aspect ratio and the display area aspect ratio are. Of course, if the aspect ratio difference is zero, the layout and the display area have the same aspect ratio.

  Therefore, by using the layout having the smallest aspect ratio difference, the content can be displayed in the display area with a layout close to the original layout.

  When the aspect ratio difference extraction unit 17 receives the aspect ratio difference set for each layout, the aspect ratio difference extraction unit 17 extracts the smallest aspect ratio difference among the aspect ratio differences of each layout.

  In this way, the determination unit 13 uses the enlargement / reduction rate extraction unit 16 to extract the enlargement / reduction rate that matches the reference value or the enlargement / reduction rate closest to the reference value from the enlargement / reduction rate of each layout, and the aspect ratio. The difference extraction unit 17 is used to extract the smallest aspect ratio difference from the aspect ratio differences of each layout.

  Then, the determination unit 13 should select which layout from a plurality of layouts using the enlargement / reduction rate extracted by the enlargement / reduction rate extraction unit 16 and the aspect ratio difference extracted by the aspect ratio difference extraction unit 17. To decide. The determination unit 13 uses the extraction result of the enlargement / reduction ratio extraction unit 16 and the extraction result of the aspect ratio difference extraction unit 17 to determine one layout as described below (the layout selection device 10). The operation will be described below.

(Operation of Layout Selection Device 10)
Next, the operation of the layout selection device 10 will be described.

  As described above, the coincidence index can use the scaling ratio and the aspect ratio difference. For this reason, in the layout selection device 10, for example, which of the enlargement / reduction ratio and the aspect ratio difference has priority is selected based on an instruction from the user.

  Instead of the instruction from the user, it may be specified in advance in the content data, and either one may be prioritized based on the instruction from the content data. Or you may make it prescribe | regulate beforehand in the electronic book terminal 1 and give priority to either based on the instruction | indication from the electronic book terminal 1. FIG.

  Below, the case where priority is given to the aspect ratio difference will be described first, and then the case where priority will be given to the scaling ratio will be described.

(Aspect ratio difference has priority)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the layout selection apparatus 10 when priority is given to the aspect ratio difference.

  In FIG. 8, first, the detection unit 11 detects the size and aspect ratio of a display area for displaying content from the content display unit 31. In addition, the detection unit 11 detects the size and aspect ratio of the display area (step S101).

  Next, upon receiving the detection result of the detection unit 11, the calculation unit 12 sets the enlargement / reduction ratio for each of the plurality of layouts using the enlargement / reduction ratio setting unit 14, and uses the aspect ratio difference setting unit 15 to change the aspect ratio difference. Is set for each of a plurality of layouts (step S102). Since the operations of the enlargement / reduction ratio setting unit 14 and the aspect ratio difference setting unit 15 in step S102 have been described above, description thereof will not be repeated here.

  Next, when receiving the enlargement / reduction ratio and aspect ratio difference set for each of the plurality of layouts, the determination unit 13 uses the aspect ratio difference extraction unit 17 to select an aspect ratio that is zero among the aspect ratio differences of each layout. It is determined whether or not there is a difference (step S103).

  If there is an aspect ratio difference that is zero (step S103 YES) and there is one aspect ratio difference that is zero (step S104 NO), the determination unit 13 should select a layout that has the aspect ratio difference. (Step S105), and the operation of the layout selecting apparatus 10 is finished.

  On the other hand, if there are a plurality of aspect ratio differences that are zero in step S104 (YES in step S104), the priority object is changed from the aspect ratio difference to the enlargement / reduction ratio, and the process proceeds to step S106 described later. If there are a plurality of aspect ratio differences that are zero in this step S104, the layouts having these aspect ratio differences are classified as the first layout group.

  If there is no aspect ratio difference that is zero in step S103 (NO in step S103), the determination unit 13 uses the aspect ratio difference extraction unit 17 and this time, the aspect ratio difference of each layout is closest to zero. An aspect ratio difference is extracted (step S107).

  If there is one aspect ratio difference closest to zero (NO in step S108), the determination unit 13 determines a layout having the aspect ratio difference as a layout to be selected (step S105), and the operation of the layout selection device 10 is performed. finish.

  On the other hand, if there are a plurality of aspect ratio differences closest to zero in step S108 (YES in step S108), the priority target is changed from the aspect ratio difference to the enlargement / reduction ratio, and the process proceeds to step S106 described later. If there are a plurality of aspect ratio differences closest to zero in step S108, layouts having these aspect ratio differences are classified as the first layout group.

  The determination unit 13 uses the enlargement / reduction rate extraction unit 16 to determine whether or not there is an enlargement / reduction rate that matches the reference value among the enlargement / reduction rates of the layouts included in the first layout group (step S106).

  If there is an enlargement / reduction ratio that matches the reference value (YES in step S106) and there is one enlargement / reduction ratio that matches the reference value (NO in step S109), the determination unit 13 should select a layout having the enlargement / reduction ratio. The layout is determined (step S110), and the operation of the layout selection device 10 is completed.

  On the other hand, if there are a plurality of enlargement / reduction ratios that match the reference value in step S109 (YES in step S109), the process proceeds to step S111 described later. If there are a plurality of enlargement / reduction ratios that match the reference value in step S109, the layouts having these enlargement / reduction ratios are classified as the second layout group.

  If there is no enlargement / reduction rate that matches the reference value in step S106 (NO in step S106), the determination unit 13 uses the enlargement / reduction rate extraction unit 16 and this time is closest to the reference value among the enlargement / reduction rates of each layout. An enlargement / reduction ratio is extracted (step S112).

  If there is one enlargement / reduction ratio closest to the reference value (NO in step S113), the determination unit 13 determines a layout having the enlargement / reduction ratio as a layout to be selected (step S110), and the operation of the layout selection device 10 ends. To do.

  On the other hand, if there are a plurality of enlargement / reduction ratios closest to the reference value in step S113 (YES in step S113), the process proceeds to step S111 described later. If there are a plurality of enlargement / reduction ratios closest to the reference value in step S113, the layout having these enlargement / reduction ratios is classified as the second layout group.

  When a plurality of layouts are included in the second layout group, the determination unit 13 determines the layout to be selected from either horizontal writing or vertical writing based on an instruction from the user among the layouts. (Step S111).

  In this step S111, when vertical writing or horizontal writing is set in the layout data, the setting of the layout data has priority over the instruction from the user.

  Specifically, first, if the vertical writing or horizontal writing setting is omitted in the layout data, the initial setting of the display area described above is read, and vertical writing or horizontal writing is displayed according to the initial setting. . Of course, in this case, the setting can be changed from the electronic book terminal 1 side.

  If the layout data setting and the display area initial setting are different, the display area setting is changed according to the layout data setting. In this case, setting change from the electronic book terminal 1 side is impossible.

  Further, when there are two layout data of vertical writing and horizontal writing, vertical writing or horizontal writing is displayed according to the initial setting of the display area. In this case, setting change from the electronic book terminal 1 side is possible.

  Note that if a plurality of layout data remain even after performing the vertical writing and horizontal writing comparison processing, the third layout group is classified. In this case, for example, layout data in which the reduction ratio is set among the above-described enlargement / reduction ratios may be selected from the third layout group.

  Further, when there are a plurality of the same layouts up to the reduction ratio among the enlargement / reduction ratios in the third layout group, any one of them may be selected.

  In this way, the operation of the layout selection device 10 is completed.

(Expansion / contraction ratio has priority)
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the layout selection device 10 when priority is given to the enlargement / reduction ratio.

  In FIG. 9, first, the detection unit 11 detects the size and aspect ratio of a display area for displaying content from the content display unit 31. The detection unit 11 detects the size and aspect ratio of the display area (step S201).

  Next, upon receiving the detection result of the detection unit 11, the calculation unit 12 sets the enlargement / reduction ratio for each of the plurality of layouts using the enlargement / reduction ratio setting unit 14, and uses the aspect ratio difference setting unit 15 to change the aspect ratio difference. Is set for each of a plurality of layouts (step S202). Since the operations of the enlargement / reduction ratio setting unit 14 and the aspect ratio difference setting unit 15 in step S202 have been described above, description thereof will not be repeated here.

  Next, when the determination unit 13 receives the enlargement / reduction rate and aspect ratio difference set for each of the plurality of layouts, the enlargement / reduction rate extraction unit 16 uses the enlargement / reduction rate extraction unit 16 to adjust the enlargement / reduction rate that matches the reference value. Is determined (step S203).

  If there is an enlargement / reduction rate that matches the reference value (YES in step S203) and there is one enlargement / reduction rate that matches the reference value (NO in step S204), the determination unit 13 selects a layout having the aspect ratio difference. The layout to be determined is determined (step S205), and the operation of the layout selection device 10 ends.

  On the other hand, if there are a plurality of enlargement / reduction ratios matching the reference value in step S204 (YES in step S204), the priority object is changed from the enlargement / reduction ratio to the aspect ratio difference, and the process proceeds to step S206 described later. If there are a plurality of enlargement / reduction ratios matching the reference value in step S204, the layouts having these enlargement / reduction ratios are classified as the first layout group.

  If there is no enlargement / reduction rate that matches the reference value in the above step S203 (NO in step S203), the determination unit 13 uses the enlargement / reduction rate extraction unit 16 and this time is closest to the reference value among the enlargement / reduction rates of each layout. An enlargement / reduction ratio is extracted (step S207).

  If there is one enlargement / reduction ratio closest to the reference value (NO in step S208), the determination unit 13 determines a layout having the enlargement / reduction ratio as a layout to be selected (step S205), and the operation of the layout selection apparatus 10 ends. To do.

  On the other hand, if there are a plurality of aspect ratio differences closest to the reference value in step S208 (YES in step S208), the priority object is changed from the enlargement / reduction ratio to the aspect ratio difference, and the process proceeds to step S206 described later. If there are a plurality of enlargement / reduction ratios closest to the reference value in step S208, the layouts having these enlargement / reduction ratios are classified as the first layout group.

  The determination unit 13 uses the aspect ratio difference extraction unit 17 to determine whether there is an aspect ratio difference that is zero among the aspect ratio differences of the layouts included in the first layout group (step S206).

  If there is an aspect ratio difference that is zero (step S206 YES) and there is one aspect ratio difference that is zero (step S209 NO), the determining unit 13 should select a layout that has the aspect ratio difference. (Step S210), and the operation of the layout selecting apparatus 10 is completed.

  On the other hand, if there are a plurality of enlargement / reduction ratios matching the reference value in step S209 (YES in step S209), the process proceeds to step S211 described later. If there are a plurality of aspect ratio differences that are zero in step S209, the layout having these aspect ratio differences is classified as the second layout group.

  If there is no aspect ratio difference that is zero in step S206 (NO in step S206), the determination unit 13 uses the aspect ratio difference extraction unit 17 and this time, the closest to zero among the aspect ratio differences of each layout. An aspect ratio difference is extracted (step S212).

  If there is one aspect ratio difference closest to zero (NO in step S213), the determination unit 13 determines a layout having the aspect ratio difference as a layout to be selected (step S210), and the operation of the layout selection device 10 is performed. finish.

  On the other hand, if there are a plurality of aspect ratio differences closest to zero in step S213 (YES in step S213), the process proceeds to step S211 described later. If there are a plurality of aspect ratio differences closest to zero in step S213, the layouts having these aspect ratio differences are classified as the second layout group.

  When a plurality of layouts are included in the second layout group, the determination unit 13 determines the layout to be selected from either horizontal writing or vertical writing based on an instruction from the user among the layouts. (Step S211).

  In step S211, as in the case of step S111, when vertical writing or horizontal writing is set in the layout data, the setting of the layout data has priority over the instruction from the user.

  In this way, the operation of the layout selection device 10 is completed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the electronic book terminal 1 uses the size and aspect ratio of the display area for displaying the content, and the sizes and aspects of the plurality of layouts used when displaying the content. And a matching index is calculated for each of a plurality of layouts using the size and aspect ratio of each of the display area and each layout. This coincidence index is an index representing the degree of coincidence between each layout and the display area.

  Therefore, when the content is displayed in the display area, a layout having a high degree of matching with the display area can be determined as a layout to be selected by comparing the matching indexes of the respective layouts.

  Therefore, when displaying content, an optimal layout can be selected from a plurality of layouts.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Finally, each block of the layout selection device 10 may be configured by hardware logic, or may be realized by software using a CPU as follows.

  That is, the layout selection device 10 includes a CPU (central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, and a RAM (random access memory) that expands the program. And a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. An object of the present invention is a recording medium on which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the layout selection device 10 which is software for realizing the above-described functions is recorded so as to be readable by a computer. This can also be achieved by supplying the data to the layout selection device 10 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and a compact disk-ROM / MO / MD / digital video disk / compact disk-R. A disk system including an optical disk, a card system such as an IC card (including a memory card) / optical card, or a semiconductor memory system such as a mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM can be used.

  Further, the layout selection device 10 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Also, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention is suitable for an electronic book terminal, a game machine, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant such as a PDA, or a notebook personal computer that acquires contents including documents and images by wireless communication and displays them on a display screen.

1, 1a, 1b, 1c Electronic book terminal (content display device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Layout selection apparatus 11 Detection part (detection means)
12 Calculation unit (calculation means)
13 Determination unit (determination means)
14 Enlargement / reduction ratio setting unit (enlargement / reduction ratio setting means)
15 Aspect ratio difference setting section (Aspect ratio difference setting means)
16 Enlargement / reduction ratio extraction unit (enlargement / reduction ratio extraction means)
17 Aspect ratio difference extraction unit (Aspect ratio difference extraction means)
40, 50 Content (content data)
60a Display area (display screen)
61b, 61c Display area

Claims (10)

Detection means for detecting the size and aspect ratio of a display area for displaying content, and the size and aspect ratio of each of a plurality of layouts used when displaying the content;
When each of the plurality of layouts is used to display the content in the display area, a matching index indicating a degree of matching between the used layout and the display area is detected by each of the detection means. Calculating means for calculating for each of the plurality of layouts using a size and an aspect ratio;
By comparing each matching index of the plurality of layouts calculated by the calculation means, it is determined which layout should be selected from the plurality of layouts when the content is displayed in the display area. A layout selecting device. The calculating means includes
Regarding each size of the plurality of layouts, among the long side and the short side constituting the size of each layout, the respective layouts are accommodated within the display area, and the respective layouts are enlarged or reduced, Identifies a matching edge that is one of the long and short edges that make up the size of the display area, and the ratio of the length after scaling to the length before scaling for the specified matching edge Scaling ratio setting means for setting the scaling ratio included in the matching index for each of the plurality of layouts,
With respect to each aspect ratio of the display area and the plurality of layouts, the aspect ratio represented by each aspect ratio is converted into a conversion value that is a numerical value in which either one of the horizontal and the vertical is 1. Aspect ratio difference setting means for setting the difference between the converted value of the aspect ratio of the display area and each converted value of the plurality of layouts as the aspect ratio difference included in the coincidence index for each of the plurality of layouts. The layout selection device according to claim 1. The determining means includes
When the ratio when the lengths before and after enlargement / reduction for the coincidence side are equal is the reference value of the enlargement / reduction ratio, the enlargement / reduction ratio setting means sets the enlargement / reduction ratios to compare the enlargement / reduction ratios. An enlargement / reduction ratio extracting means for extracting a layout having the enlargement / reduction ratio that matches the reference value or the closest enlargement / reduction ratio to the reference value;
The aspect ratio difference extracting unit that compares the aspect ratio differences of the plurality of layouts set by the aspect ratio difference setting unit and extracts a layout having the smallest aspect ratio difference. 3. The layout selection device according to 2. The determining means includes
Extracting a first layout group including at least one layout from the plurality of layouts using any one of the enlargement / reduction ratio extraction unit and the aspect ratio difference extraction unit;
When a plurality of layouts are included in the first layout group, a second including at least one layout from the first layout group using either one of the enlargement / reduction ratio extraction unit and the aspect ratio difference extraction unit The layout selection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a layout group is extracted.   The determining means determines a layout to be selected based on whether each of the plurality of layouts is horizontal writing or vertical writing when a plurality of layouts are included in the second layout group. The layout selection device according to claim 4. The layout selection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A content display device comprising: a display device that displays content in a display area using the layout selected by the layout selection device. A detection step of detecting a size and an aspect ratio of a display area for displaying content and each size and aspect ratio of a plurality of layouts used when displaying the content;
When each of the plurality of layouts is used to display the content in the display area, a matching index representing a degree of matching between the used layout and the display area is detected in each of the detection steps. A calculation step of calculating for each of the plurality of layouts using a size and an aspect ratio;
By comparing each matching index of the plurality of layouts calculated in the calculation step, it is determined which layout should be selected from the plurality of layouts when the content is displayed in the display area. A layout selecting method.   The layout selection program for operating a computer as each means in the layout selection apparatus of any one of Claims 1-5.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the layout selection program according to claim 8 is recorded. A method for creating content in which a layout is selected by the layout selection device according to claim 1,
A layout determination step for determining the plurality of layouts using the content as a determination criterion;
And a layout information writing step of writing layout information representing the plurality of layouts determined in the layout determination step into the content.

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