JP2012103818A - Electronic book delivery system, electronic book delivery method, client device, electronic book delivery device, program, and information recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To update contents of an electronic book to be delivered to a user based upon a history of browsing of the electronic book by the user.SOLUTION: A client device 10 displays the electronic book, records the history of browsing of the displayed electronic book by the user, transmits the recorded history of browsing of the electronic book to an electronic book delivery server 20 together with user information, and transmits a delivery request for a new electronic book to the electronic book delivery server 20 together with the user information. The electronic book delivery server 20 associates and stores the transmitted history of browsing of the electronic book and the user information, acquires data associated with classification information selected out of pieces of classification information predetermined as to electronic books based upon the history of browsing of the electronic book stored associatively with the user information transmitted together with the delivery request when receiving the delivery request from the client device 10, updates the electronic book requested to be delivered based upon the acquired data, and delivers the updated electronic book to the client device 10.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic book distribution system, an electronic book distribution method, a client device, an electronic book distribution device, a program, and an information recording medium.

  There is a system for distributing an electronic book from a server to a client device via the Internet. For example, in Patent Document 1 below, when a user purchases a related book of an electronic book previously purchased from an online bookstore that has been used in the past, there is a system that allows easy access to the server of the online bookstore. It is disclosed.

JP 2009-193392 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, the electronic book newly distributed to the user cannot be updated to the content that matches the user's preference based on the browsing history of the user's electronic book.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is an electronic book capable of updating the contents of an electronic book newly distributed to a user based on the browsing history of the electronic book of the user. A distribution system, an electronic book distribution method, a client device, an electronic book distribution device, a program, and an information recording medium are provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electronic book distribution system according to the present invention includes a client device and an electronic book distribution device, and the client device obtains one or a plurality of electronic books, and the 1 Or for each of a plurality of electronic books, display means for displaying at least a part of the pages included in the electronic book, recording means for recording a user's browsing history related to the electronic book displayed on the display means, A transmission unit that transmits the browsing history of the electronic book recorded by the recording unit to the electronic book distribution apparatus together with the user information, and a distribution request for the electronic book different from the electronic book acquired by the acquisition unit together with the user information Distribution request means for transmitting to the electronic book distribution apparatus, wherein the electronic book distribution apparatus is transmitted by the transmission means. Storage means for storing an electronic book browsing history and user information in association with each other, and when a distribution request by the distribution request means is received, the information is stored in the storage means in association with the user information transmitted together with the distribution request. Data acquisition means for acquiring data associated with classification information selected from classification information predetermined for the electronic book based on the browsing history of the electronic book, and based on the data acquired by the data acquisition means An electronic book updating unit that updates the electronic book requested to be distributed by the distribution request unit; and a distribution unit that distributes the electronic book updated by the electronic book updating unit to the client device. And

  In one aspect of the present invention, the electronic book distribution device includes an electronic device related to the distribution request from among electronic books related to a browsing history stored in the storage unit in association with user information transmitted together with the distribution request. The data acquisition unit further includes a selection unit that selects an electronic book related to the book, and the data acquisition unit selects from the classification information predetermined for the electronic book based on the browsing history of the electronic book selected by the selection unit. The data associated with the classified information is acquired.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the selection unit includes an electronic book related to the distribution request from among electronic books related to a browsing history stored in the storage unit in association with the user information transmitted together with the distribution request. An electronic book having the same book name is selected.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the selection unit includes an electronic book related to the distribution request from among electronic books related to a browsing history stored in the storage unit in association with the user information transmitted together with the distribution request. An electronic book having the same book name and issued at a designated time is selected.

  In one aspect of the present invention, when the client device receives a page switching operation from the user, the client device switches the page displayed on the display unit, and receives the page enlargement operation from the user. A display control means for enlarging and displaying a part designated for the page displayed on the screen, and the browsing history of the user related to the electronic book recorded by the recording means is displayed on the display means for the electronic book. The displayed page and the history of the enlarged part are included.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the electronic book distribution device displays a page displayed on the display unit for each electronic book related to a browsing history stored in the storage unit in association with the user information transmitted together with the distribution request. And calculating means for calculating an evaluation value for each classification information predetermined for the page displayed on the display means and the enlarged portion for each electronic book based on at least one of the display time and the display count of the enlarged portion. And the data acquisition means selects classification information to be provided to the user based on an evaluation value calculated for each classification information, and acquires data associated with the selected classification information.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the calculating means sets a weight to be multiplied to the display time or the number of times of display of the enlarged portion to be larger than a weight to be multiplied to the display time or the number of times of display of the page, and Assume that an evaluation value for each classification information predetermined for the enlarged portion is calculated.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the electronic book includes a body page and an advertisement page, the data acquired by the data acquisition unit is advertisement data, and the electronic book update unit is acquired by the data acquisition unit The advertisement page of the electronic book is updated based on the advertisement data that has been posted.

  In the electronic book distribution method according to the present invention, the client device acquires one or more electronic books, and for each of the one or more electronic books, at least a part of the pages included in the electronic book is stored. A step of displaying on the display means, a recording step of recording the browsing history of the user related to the electronic book displayed on the display means, and the browsing history of the electronic book recorded in the recording step together with the information of the user A transmission step of transmitting to the distribution device; and a distribution request step of transmitting a distribution request of the electronic book different from the electronic book acquired in the acquisition step together with the user information, and the electronic book distribution device performs the transmission Storing the electronic book browsing history and the user information transmitted in the step in association with each other in the storage means; When the distribution request transmitted in the distribution request step is received, the electronic book is previously stored on the basis of the browsing history of the electronic book stored in the storage unit in association with the user information transmitted together with the distribution request. A data acquisition step for acquiring data associated with the classification information selected from the determined classification information, and the electronic book requested for distribution in the distribution request step is updated based on the data acquired in the data acquisition step. Performing an electronic book updating step, and a distributing step of distributing the electronic book updated in the electronic book updating step to the client device.

  The client device according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires one or more electronic books, a display unit that displays at least a part of pages included in the electronic book for each of the one or more electronic books, Recording means for recording the browsing history of the user related to the electronic book displayed on the display means, and transmitting means for transmitting the browsing history of the electronic book recorded by the recording means to the electronic book distribution device together with the user information; Based on the distribution request means for transmitting the electronic book distribution request different from the electronic book acquired by the acquisition means to the electronic book distribution apparatus together with the user information, and the browsing history of the electronic book associated with the user information. , Based on data associated with classification information selected from classification information predetermined for the electronic book Means for obtaining a new has been the electronic book from the electronic book delivery system, characterized in that it comprises a.

  The program according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires one or more electronic books, a display unit that displays at least a part of a page included in the electronic book for each of the one or more electronic books, Recording means for recording the browsing history of the user related to the electronic book displayed on the display means, transmitting means for transmitting the browsing history of the electronic book recorded by the recording means to the electronic book distribution apparatus together with the user information, and Based on the distribution request means for transmitting the electronic book distribution request different from the electronic book acquired by the acquisition means to the electronic book distribution apparatus together with the user information, and the browsing history of the electronic book associated with the user information, The electronic book is updated based on data associated with classification information selected from classification information determined in advance. And a program for causing a computer to function the electronic book as a means for obtaining from the electronic book delivery device.

  An information recording medium according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires one or more electronic books, and a display unit that displays at least part of pages included in the electronic book for each of the one or more electronic books. Recording means for recording the browsing history of the user related to the electronic book displayed on the display means, and transmitting means for transmitting the browsing history of the electronic book recorded by the recording means to the electronic book distribution apparatus together with the user information; , Based on the distribution request means for transmitting the electronic book distribution request different from the electronic book acquired by the acquisition means to the electronic book distribution apparatus together with the user information, and the browsing history of the electronic book associated with the user information. And updating the electronic book based on data associated with the classification information selected from the classification information determined in advance. The above is an information recording medium for recording a program for causing a computer to function the electronic book as a means for obtaining from the electronic book delivery device.

  An electronic book distribution apparatus according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires one or more electronic books, and a display unit that displays at least part of pages included in the electronic book for each of the one or more electronic books. And a recording means for recording the browsing history of the user related to the electronic book displayed on the display means, and a transmission for transmitting the browsing history of the electronic book recorded by the recording means to the electronic book distribution apparatus together with the information of the user An electronic book that distributes an electronic book to a client device, including: and a distribution request unit that transmits an electronic book distribution request different from the electronic book acquired by the acquiring unit to the electronic book distribution device together with the user information A storage device that is a distribution device and stores the electronic book browsing history and user information transmitted by the transmission unit in association with each other When the distribution request by the distribution request unit is received, the electronic book is determined in advance based on the browsing history of the electronic book stored in the storage unit in association with the user information transmitted together with the distribution request. A data acquisition means for acquiring data associated with the classification information selected from the classification information, and an electronic for updating the electronic book requested for distribution by the distribution request means based on the data acquired by the data acquisition means It includes a book update unit, and a distribution unit that distributes the electronic book updated by the electronic book update unit to the client device.

  The program according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires one or more electronic books, a display unit that displays at least a part of a page included in the electronic book for each of the one or more electronic books, Recording means for recording the browsing history of the user related to the electronic book displayed on the display means, and transmitting means for transmitting the browsing history of the electronic book recorded by the recording means to the electronic book distribution apparatus together with the user information; As an electronic book distribution device that distributes an electronic book to a client device, including a distribution request unit that transmits an electronic book distribution request different from the electronic book acquired by the acquisition unit to the electronic book distribution device together with the user information. A functioning computer is described by associating the browsing history of the electronic book transmitted by the transmitting means with the user information. The electronic book based on the browsing history of the electronic book stored in the storage unit in association with the user information transmitted together with the distribution request when the distribution request by the distribution request unit is received. Data acquisition means for acquiring data associated with classification information selected from classification information determined in advance, and an electronic book requested to be distributed by the distribution request means based on the data acquired by the data acquisition means Is an electronic book update means for updating the electronic book, and a program for causing the electronic book updated by the electronic book update means to function as a delivery means for delivering to the client device.

  An information recording medium according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires one or more electronic books, and a display unit that displays at least part of pages included in the electronic book for each of the one or more electronic books. A recording unit that records the browsing history of the user related to the electronic book displayed on the display unit, and a transmission unit that transmits the browsing history of the electronic book recorded by the recording unit to the electronic book distribution apparatus together with the user information. And an electronic book distribution that distributes the electronic book to a client device including: a distribution request unit that transmits an electronic book distribution request different from the electronic book acquired by the acquisition unit to the electronic book distribution device together with the user information. The computer functioning as a device associates the browsing history of the electronic book transmitted by the transmitting means with the user information. A storage unit that stores the electronic book based on the browsing history of the electronic book stored in the storage unit in association with the user information transmitted together with the distribution request when the distribution request by the distribution request unit is received. Data acquisition means for acquiring data associated with classification information selected from predetermined classification information for the book, and the electronic requested for distribution by the distribution request means based on the data acquired by the data acquisition means An information recording medium that records an electronic book updating unit that updates a book and a program for causing the electronic book updated by the electronic book updating unit to function as a distribution unit that distributes the electronic book to the client device.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the contents of an electronic book that is newly distributed to the user can be updated based on the browsing history of the user's electronic book.

It is a system configuration figure of an electronic book distribution system concerning this embodiment. It is a sequence diagram explaining an example of the process performed in an electronic book delivery system. It is a figure which shows an example of the 1st electronic book. It is a figure which shows an example of the 2nd electronic book in the state before being updated. It is a figure which shows an example of the 2nd electronic book in the state after updating. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the function with which the client apparatus and the electronic book delivery server were equipped. It is a figure which shows an example of browsing history data. It is a figure which shows an example of an electronic book table. It is a figure which shows an example of a classification | category information table. It is a figure which shows an example of a publication data table. It is a figure which shows an example of a browsing history table. It is a figure which shows an example of the evaluation value calculated about classification information.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In FIG. 1, the system block diagram of the electronic book delivery system 1 which concerns on this embodiment was shown. As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic book distribution system 1 includes a client device 10 and an electronic book distribution server 20, and the client device 10 and the electronic book distribution server 20 are mutually connected via a network 5 such as the Internet. Connected for data communication.

  The client device 10 requests the electronic book distribution server 20 to distribute the electronic book (for example, an electronic book purchase request), and receives the electronic book distributed from the electronic book distribution server 20 in response to the request. Further, the client device 10 displays the received electronic book in accordance with a user operation, records history data (browsing history data) related to the displayed electronic book, and stores the recorded browsing history data as user information. (It may be a user ID or an ID of the client device 10) and transmitted to the electronic book distribution server 20. In the present embodiment, the client device 10 includes a touch panel 12 that functions as a display unit and an input reception unit, and displays the contents of the electronic book on the touch panel 12.

  The electronic book distribution server 20 holds electronic book browsing history data for each user information based on data received from the client device 10 together with a plurality of electronic books. The electronic book distribution server 20 distributes the electronic book related to the distribution request to the client device 10 in response to the electronic book distribution request received from the client device 10. At this time, the electronic book distribution server 20 customizes the electronic book requested for distribution from the client device 10 based on the browsing history data of the electronic book held for the user related to the distribution request, and then distributes the electronic book to the client device 10. . Note that the electronic book in the present embodiment is data obtained by digitizing publications such as books and magazines. For example, a text page describing the contents of the electronic book and an advertisement are posted on the electronic book. An advertisement page may be included. The advertisement page is a page in which an advertisement display area is provided at least in part.

  Hereinafter, an example of processing performed in the electronic book distribution system 1 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram illustrated in FIG. 2.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the client device 10 receives an electronic book from the electronic book distribution server 20 (S1001), and stores the received electronic book in a memory.

  The client device 10 starts an electronic book browsing program, reads an electronic book selected by the user from among the electronic books stored in the memory (S1002), and reads the read electronic book (hereinafter, the first electronic book). Is displayed on the touch panel 12 (S1003).

FIG. 3 shows an example of the first electronic book. In the example of this sequence, the first electronic book is a periodicals (monthly publication). Specifically, the first electronic book has a magazine name “AAAA” and an issue date “October 2010”. To do. As shown in FIG. 3, the first e-book, as it contains pages 1 to M, representing each page as P _i.

  In the client device 10, when an operation for switching the page displayed on the touch panel 12 is received (S1004: Y), the page is switched and displayed (S1005), and a part of the page displayed on the touch panel 12 is enlarged. When the operation is accepted (S1006: Y), a part of the page is enlarged and displayed (S1007). For example, the page switching operation may be performed by an operation (so-called flick) of moving a finger in a direction of a desired page from a state in which the finger is in contact with the display area of the displayed page. May be performed by an operation (so-called pinch out) of widening the interval between each finger while keeping a plurality of fingers in contact with an enlarged display area of the displayed page.

  The client device 10 records the history data of the page and the enlarged portion displayed on the touch panel 12 (S1008). The history data of the page may include the display time and the number of times the page is displayed. The history data of the enlarged portion includes position information of the enlarged portion (for example, area information such as a coordinate range and upper left and lower right). ) And the display time and display count. The history data may include identification information (electronic book ID) for identifying electronic books with different contents.

  When the client device 10 determines that the transmission timing for transmitting the recorded history data to the electronic book distribution server 20 has not arrived (S1009: N), the client device 10 returns to S1004 and repeats the subsequent processing to transmit the above transmission When it is determined that the timing has arrived (S1009: Y), the recorded history data is transmitted to the electronic book distribution server 20 together with the user information (S1010). Note that the above transmission timing may be, for example, a timing at which browsing of an electronic book is ended, or in addition to a timing for starting / stopping an electronic book browsing program, or a predetermined time interval after displaying the electronic book. Elapses, timing of communication with the electronic book distribution server 20, timing when the number of recorded pages reaches a predetermined value, timing of browsing to a predetermined page (for example, all pages) of the electronic book, browsing electronic The timing at which the number of books reaches a predetermined value, other timing at which communication is possible, and the like may be used. Of course, in the case where browsing of the other electronic book stored in the memory is performed after the browsing of the first electronic book is finished in the client device 10, the other electronic book is the same as the first electronic book. The browsing history data may be recorded and the browsing history data may be transmitted to the electronic book distribution server 20.

  The electronic book distribution server 20 stores the history data received together with the user information from the client device 10 in association with the user information (S1011).

  After that, when the client device 10 receives a purchase request for a new electronic book (second electronic book) from the user (S1012), the electronic book distribution server 20 sends a distribution request for the second electronic book together with the user information. (S1013). In the example of this sequence, it is assumed that the second electronic book is the next issue of the first electronic book, that is, the magazine name “AAAA” and the publication date “November 2010”.

  The electronic book distribution server 20 adds to or updates the second electronic book related to the distribution request based on the history data of the first electronic book stored in association with the user information transmitted from the client device 10. Data (published data) is selected (S1014). The electronic book distribution server 20 stores the classification information of the publication data for each page of the electronic book and each part of the page, and selects the classification information of the publication data from the client device 10 based on the history data associated with the user information. Then, the publication data associated with the selected classification information is acquired. The publication data may be, for example, advertisement data indicating an advertisement to be published in an electronic book, or may be text data that is published in the text of the electronic book.

  In step S1014, the electronic book distribution server 20 selects an electronic book (for example, the first electronic book) having a given relationship with the second electronic book related to the distribution request among the history data stored in association with the user information. The history data may be extracted and the posting data may be selected based on the extracted history data. For example, the given relationship is that the electronic book name (magazine name) is the same, the electronic book name is the same, and the publication times are within a predetermined period (within a predetermined number), or electronic The book name may be the same, and the issue year and issue month may be the same.

  The electronic book distribution server 20 updates the electronic book requested to be distributed from the client device 10 based on the selected posting data (S1015), and distributes the updated electronic book to the client device 10 (S1016).

FIG. 4 shows an example of the second electronic book in a state before being updated in S1015. In the e-book illustrated in FIG. 4, as it contains pages 1 to N, representing each page as P _i. At this time, in the example shown in FIG. 4, P ₁ , P ₂ , P _{n + 1 and the} like are body pages of the electronic book, and P _n , P _{n + m and the} like are advertisement pages on which advertisements are described. In the initial state of the electronic book, a default advertisement may be placed on the advertisement page, or no advertisement may be placed.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the second electronic book after the advertisement page is updated in S1015. The electronic book shown in FIG. 5 is an example in which an advertisement page included in an electronic book related to a distribution request is updated based on selected advertisement data. In this example, it is assumed that the classification information “shoes” is selected based on the history data received from the client device 10 and the advertisement data about the shoes is acquired as the posting data. Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 5, both the advertising pages of P _n and P _{n + m} are updated to shoe advertisements. As described above, in the example of FIG. 5, both the advertisement pages of P _n and P _{n + m} are updated. However, either one of the advertisement pages may be updated, and there are a plurality of received advertisement data (for example, “ When the advertisement of shoes A and shoes B is obtained for “shoes”), different advertisements may be displayed for P _n and P _{n + m} , or the same advertisement may be displayed for both. .

  The above is a series of processes performed in the electronic book distribution system 1 based on the sequence shown in FIG. Hereinafter, an example of functions provided in the client device 10 and the electronic book distribution server 20 in order to realize the above-described processing will be described with reference to a functional block diagram shown in FIG.

  First, functions provided in the client device 10 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the client apparatus 10 includes an electronic book storage unit 100, an electronic book acquisition unit 102, an operation information reception unit 104, a display unit 106, a display control unit 108, a browsing history data recording unit 110, and browsing history data. A transmission unit 112, an electronic book distribution request unit 114, and an electronic book reception unit 116 are provided.

  The function of each unit provided in the client device 10 includes a control unit such as a CPU, a storage unit such as a memory, a communication unit such as a communication interface that transmits and receives data to and from an external device, and a computer including hardware such as the touch panel 12. It may be realized by reading and executing a program stored in a computer-readable information storage medium. The program may be supplied to the client apparatus 10 by an information storage medium such as an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, a magneto-optical disk, or a flash memory, or may be supplied to the client apparatus 10 via a data communication network such as the Internet. It may be supplied.

  The electronic book storage unit 100 is realized by a storage unit such as a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk, and stores an electronic book. The electronic book stored in the electronic book storage unit 100 may be an electronic book received from the electronic book distribution server 20, or may be an electronic book acquired from another device or an information recording medium.

  The electronic book acquisition unit 102 reads and acquires the electronic book selected by the user among the electronic books stored in the electronic book storage unit 100.

  The operation information receiving unit 104 receives information on operations performed by the user on the client device 10. In the present embodiment, the operation information receiving unit 104 detects a user's contact position and a change in the contact position with respect to the touch panel 12 provided in the client device 10, and the user is based on the detected contact position and the change in the contact position. The operation information is determined. For example, the operation information receiving unit 104 may receive various operations such as an electronic book selection operation, a page switching operation displayed for the electronic book, and an enlargement operation for enlarging a part of the page displayed for the electronic book. For example, the electronic book selection operation may be an operation of tapping any electronic book included in the list of electronic books displayed on the touch panel 12, and the page switching operation is a touch panel displaying the displayed page. 12 may be performed by an operation (so-called flick) of moving the finger in the direction of the desired page from a state in which the finger is in contact with the page 12, and the page enlargement operation is performed on the touch panel 12 displaying the displayed page. It is good to carry out by operation (what is called pinch out) which expands the space | interval of each finger | toe with the several finger | toe contacted. Of course, each operation method is not limited to the above, and other methods may be used. For example, each page of an electronic book is provided with a display object (icon, button, etc.) for proceeding to the next page, a display object for returning to the previous page, a display object for instructing enlargement / reduction, and the like. By selecting (for example, pressing), page switching and page enlargement / reduction operations may be performed.

  The display unit 106 is realized by a display such as the touch panel 12, for example, and displays a part of a page included in the electronic book selected based on the operation received by the operation information receiving unit 104. For example, the display unit 106 may display the electronic book one page at a time, or may display the electronic book as a spread page. The client device 10 is provided with a triaxial acceleration sensor, detects the tilt of the client device 10 based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor, and displays the electronic book one page at a time according to the detected tilt, You may make it switch whether to display with a spread page.

  The display control unit 108 performs control so that the page of the electronic book displayed on the display unit 106 is switched or enlarged according to the user operation received by the operation information receiving unit 104. Specifically, when the operation information receiving unit 104 receives an operation of switching the page displayed on the display unit 106, the display control unit 108 switches the displayed page to be displayed on the display unit 106. When the operation information receiving unit 104 receives an operation for enlarging a part of the page displayed on the display unit 106, the display control unit 108 enlarges a part of the page specified by the operation. Are displayed on the display unit 106.

  The browsing history data recording unit 110 records browsing history data including the history of the page and the enlarged portion of the electronic book displayed on the display unit 106 and the identification information (electronic book ID) of the displayed electronic book. For example, when the entire page is displayed on the display unit 106, the browsing history data recording unit 110 records the page information and the display time of the page in association with each other. Further, when a part of the page is enlarged and displayed on the display unit 106, the browsing history data recording unit 110 records information on the enlarged portion and the display time of the enlarged portion in association with each other. The information on the enlarged portion may include page information and position information on the enlarged portion on the page (coordinate information, area information, enlarged object information, etc.).

FIG. 7 shows an example of browsing history data recorded by the browsing history data recording unit 110. In the example of the browsing history data shown in FIG. 7, the identification information (electronic book ID) of the electronic book displayed on the display unit 106, the displayed page information (page number), the displayed part (display part), the display Time and recording date and time are recorded in association with each other. For example, the browsing history data recording unit 110 displays “upper” when the enlarged display portion (display portion) on the touch panel 12 is above the horizontal half of the page, “lower” when it is below the horizontal half, and above the horizontal half. If it falls to the left of the vertical half, the area information on the page of the display part may be determined, such as “upper left”, and the determined area information may be stored in the display part column. Coordinate range (for example, [(x ₁ , y ₁ ), (x ₂ , y ₂ )] in the page coordinate system (for example, the upper left corner of the page is the origin, the horizontal direction is the X axis, and the vertical direction is the Y axis) In this case, a rectangular area in which the upper left corner is (x ₁ , y ₁ ) and the lower right corner is (x ₂ , y ₂ ) may be stored in the display portion column. Note that the browsing history data recorded by the browsing history data recording unit 110 is not limited to the above-described one, and for example, the number of times displayed on the display unit 106 is recorded instead of or in addition to the display time. It is good to do.

  The browsing history data transmission unit 112 transmits the browsing history data recorded by the browsing history data recording unit 110 to the electronic book distribution server 20. The browsing history data transmission unit 112 determines whether or not the transmission timing of browsing history data has arrived, and when determining that the transmission timing has arrived, the historical data recorded by the browsing history data recording unit 110 so far May be transmitted to the electronic book distribution server 20. For example, the transmission timing may be a timing at which browsing of an electronic book is ended (that is, a displayed electronic book is closed). In addition, an electronic book distribution request timing, an activation of an electronic book browsing program Stop timing, timing at which a predetermined time interval has elapsed since the electronic book was displayed, timing to communicate with the electronic book distribution server 20, timing at which the number of recorded pages reached a predetermined value, predetermined for the electronic book It may be the timing of browsing up to another page (for example, all pages), other communication possible timing, and the like. The browsing history data transmission unit 112 transmits unsent browsing history data among the browsing history data recorded by the browsing history data recording unit 110 to the electronic book distribution server 20 every time the transmission timing comes. As good as

  When the operation information receiving unit 104 receives an electronic book distribution request operation from the user, the electronic book distribution request unit 114 requests the electronic book distribution server 20 to distribute the electronic book related to the distribution request operation. At this time, the electronic book distribution request unit 114 transmits the electronic book identification information (electronic book ID) related to the distribution request and distribution request data including the user information to the electronic book distribution server 20. For example, the client device 10 may acquire an electronic book list that can be distributed from the electronic book distribution server 20 and make a distribution request for an electronic book selected by the user from the acquired electronic book list.

  The electronic book receiving unit 116 receives the electronic book distributed from the electronic book distribution server 20 in response to the distribution request from the electronic book distribution request unit 114. The electronic book received by the electronic book receiving unit 116 may be stored in the electronic book storage unit 100. Note that the electronic book distributed from the electronic book distribution server 20 is updated by the posting data selected based on the browsing history data transmitted to the electronic book distribution server 20 when the client device 10 requests distribution. Yes.

  Next, functions provided in the electronic book distribution server 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the electronic book distribution server 20 includes an electronic book data storage unit 200, a browsing history data receiving unit 202, a browsing history data storage unit 204, an electronic book distribution request receiving unit 206, a publication data selecting unit 208, An electronic book update unit 210 and an electronic book transmission unit 212 are provided.

  The functions of the above-described units included in the electronic book distribution server 20 are performed by a computer having hardware such as a control unit such as a CPU, a storage unit such as a memory, and a communication unit such as a communication interface that transmits and receives data to and from an external device. It may be realized by reading and executing a program stored in a readable information storage medium. The program may be supplied to the electronic book distribution server 20 by an information storage medium such as an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, or the electronic book via a data communication network such as the Internet. It may be supplied to the distribution server 20.

  The electronic book data storage unit 200 stores data related to electronic books that can be distributed by the electronic book distribution server 20. For example, the data stored in the electronic book data storage unit 200 includes electronic book entity data, an electronic book table (to be described later), a classification information table, a publication data table, and the like.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of an electronic book table stored in the electronic book data storage unit 200. As shown in FIG. 8, the electronic book table includes an electronic book identification information (electronic book ID), an electronic book name, electronic book issue time information, an electronic book genre, and a thumbnail image for displaying an electronic book list. Are stored in association with each other. The electronic book data storage unit 200 stores electronic book entity data in association with each electronic book ID. Note that the electronic book according to the present embodiment may include a text page and an advertisement page for placing an advertisement.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a classification information table for each electronic book stored in the electronic book data storage unit 200. As shown in FIG. 9, the classification information table includes identification information (electronic book ID) of an electronic book, a page number of the electronic book, a display part (entire or part) of the page, and a display part of the page. Related classification information is stored in association with each other. The classification information is information indicating the classification of data (publication data) to be published in an electronic book, the classification related to the advertisement data to be published in the electronic book advertisement page, and the content to be published in the main page of the electronic book. It is good also as information containing at least one of the classification concerning. Also, for example, the data stored in the display part is “up” if the display part is above the horizontal half of the page, “bottom” if the display part is below the horizontal half, and above the horizontal half and above the vertical half. If it corresponds to the left, the display range is the coordinate range in the page coordinate system of the display part (for example, the upper left corner of the page is the origin, the horizontal direction is the X axis, and the vertical direction is the Y axis). May be stored.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a publication data table storing publication data corresponding to each classification information stored in the electronic book data storage unit 200. As shown in FIG. 10, in the publication data table, publication data identification information (publishing data ID), publication data type (advertisement or text), publication data keywords, publication data data are associated with classification information. Information on the format (format information) of posted data for storing the format, size, and the like is stored. The actual data of the publication data is stored in the electronic book data storage unit 200 in association with the publication data ID.

  The browsing history data receiving unit 202 receives user information and browsing history data transmitted by the browsing history data transmitting unit 112 of the client device 10.

  The browsing history data storage unit 204 stores the user information received by the browsing history data receiving unit 202 in association with the browsing history data.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a browsing history table stored in the browsing history data storage unit 204. In the example shown in FIG. 11, for each user information (user ID), a browsing history table recorded with respect to identification information (electronic book ID) of one electronic book is collectively managed. Each browsing history table may store the electronic book ID, the displayed page information (page number), the displayed portion (display portion), and the display time in association with each other. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 11 shows an example in which a browsing history table is provided for each electronic book ID and each browsing history table is grouped for each user ID. However, the table configuration is not limited to this, and a single table includes a plurality of browsing history tables. Information on the browsing history table about the user may be held.

  The electronic book distribution request receiving unit 206 receives an electronic book distribution request from the client device 10. In the present embodiment, the electronic book distribution request receiving unit 206 receives distribution request data including user information (user ID) together with identification information (electronic book ID) of the electronic book related to the distribution request from the client device 10.

  The posting data selection unit 208 receives an electronic book distribution request based on browsing history data stored in the browsing history data storage unit 204 in association with user information included in the distribution request data received by the electronic book distribution request receiving unit 206. The posting data to be added to or updated in the electronic book related to the distribution request received by the unit 206 is selected. Hereinafter, an example of the publication data selection process by the publication data selection unit 208 will be described.

  The posting data selection unit 208 includes, among browsing history data (browsing history table) stored in the browsing history data storage unit 204 in association with user information included in the distribution request data received by the electronic book distribution request receiving unit 206. Browsing history data that satisfies a given condition is extracted. As an example of the given condition, the electronic book (distribution target book) of the electronic book ID included in the distribution request data and the browsing history table recorded for the same electronic book name (magazine name), distribution It is a browsing history table recorded for electronic books whose target book and electronic book name are the same and whose issue dates are within a predetermined period (within a predetermined number), and the distribution target book and electronic book name are the same In addition, it is a browsing history table recorded for an electronic book at a time when an issue time (issue date) is specified, or a browsing history table recorded for an electronic book whose genre is the same as the distribution target book. Etc. Of course, the given condition may include a case where only the match of user information is a condition.

  The posting data selection unit 208 sequentially executes the following processing for each of the extracted browsing history tables. First, the publication data selection unit 208 selects one unprocessed browsing history table (attention table), and the corresponding classification information table from the electronic book data storage unit 200 based on the electronic book ID included in the attention table. Refer to Next, the publishing data selection unit 208 selects one unprocessed record (target record) included in the target table, and sets each page number and display part included in the target record based on the classification information table. Identify the classification information that falls under. For example, for the electronic book ID = D0001, page number = 2, display part = upper group in the browsing history table shown in FIG. 11, the classification information = shoe is specified from the classification information table shown in FIG. In the case where a coordinate range (recorded coordinate range) is stored in the display part of the browsing history table, it corresponds among the coordinate ranges (set coordinate range) stored in the classification information table (FIG. 9). It is good also as selecting the record in which the coordinate range to store is stored. At this time, the publishing data selection unit 208 extracts, for example, a set coordinate range in which the electronic book ID and the page number for the recorded coordinate range are common, and the overlap with the recorded coordinate range is the largest among the extracted set coordinate ranges. May be selected, or the ratio of overlapping with the recording coordinate range may be selected to be greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

  Next, the posting data selection unit 208 calculates an evaluation value of classification (genre) information associated with the referenced classification information table for each page and an enlarged portion of each page included in the browsing history table (FIG. 11). The evaluation value of the classification information is obtained by, for example, adding the display time (or the number of display times) stored in the record of interest * the weight of the page (or enlargement part) for the page (or the enlarged portion) stored in the record of interest. That's good. When the weight of the page is 1, the weight of the enlarged portion is w (> 1), and the value of w may be a fixed value or a variable value according to the enlargement ratio. Then, the posted data selection unit 208 adds the evaluation value calculated for the classification information to the total of the evaluation values calculated so far for the classification information, and finishes the process for the record of interest. Then, the posting data selection unit 208 repeats the process in the same manner using an unprocessed record in the attention table as a new attention record, and executes the process until there is no unprocessed record in the attention table. Further, the posting data selection unit 208 repeats the above-described processing in the same manner by using an unprocessed table among the extracted browsing history tables as a new attention table, and executes processing until there is no unprocessed table in the browsing history table. .

  The publication data selection unit 208 selects classification information whose calculated evaluation value is within a predetermined rank or larger than a threshold value, and sets the selected classification information as a publication data ID associated with the publication data table. Acquire such publication data.

  12 shows a browsing history table corresponding to a given condition (user ID = “U0001”, electronic book name = “AAAA”) in the browsing history table shown in FIG. 11 in the classification information table shown in FIG. An example of the evaluation value calculated for each classification information calculated below is shown. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the evaluation value is calculated with the weight for the enlarged portion set to w = 3. Then, under the example shown in FIG. 12, when selecting the classification information having the maximum evaluation value, the classification information “shoes” is selected. Then, based on the example of the publication data table shown in FIG. 10, the publication data selection unit 208 acquires the publication data (advertisement data) of the publication data IDs “AD0002” and “AD0003” associated with the classification information “shoes”. To do.

  The electronic book update unit 210 updates the content of the electronic book related to the distribution request based on the publication data selected by the publication data selection unit 208. For example, when the selected publication data is advertisement data, the electronic book update unit 210 updates at least one of advertisement pages included in the electronic book related to the distribution request based on the advertisement data. Or an advertisement page based on the advertisement data may be added. In addition, when the selected publication data is text data, the electronic book update unit 210 may add the text data to the electronic book related to the distribution request, or one of the electronic books related to the distribution request. It is good also as replacing the page of a part by the said text data.

  The electronic book transmission unit 212 transmits the electronic book updated by the electronic book update unit 210 to the client device 10 that has requested distribution of the electronic book.

  According to the electronic book distribution system 1 described above, it is possible to update the contents to be posted on the electronic book newly distributed to the user based on the browsing history of the user's electronic book. By doing so, it is possible to guess the user's preference based on the browsing mode of the electronic book browsed by the user in the past, and customize the posted content of the electronic book newly delivered to the user according to the guessed preference. In addition, according to the electronic book distribution system 1, among the electronic book browsing histories recorded for the user related to the distribution request, the electronic book related to the electronic book related to the distribution request (for example, the electronic book name is the same and the publication time is the same). The content to be posted in the electronic book related to the distribution request can be updated using the browsing history within a predetermined range. Further, according to the electronic book distribution system 1, the part of the electronic book that the user has expanded and viewed is evaluated as an object that is particularly interesting to the user, and the electronic contents including the posted content selected based on the evaluation result Books can be provided to users.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the browsing history data recorded by the browsing history data recording unit 110 includes only the identification information (electronic book ID) of the electronic book browsed by the user without including the history of the page and the enlarged portion of the electronic book. May be. In such a case, the electronic book data storage unit 200 stores the publication data for each classification information (genre) associated with the electronic book ID, and the publication data selection unit 208 associates with the user information received from the client device 10. Based on each electronic book ID included in each browsing history data stored in this manner, an evaluation value for the classification information associated with each electronic book ID may be calculated. Then, the publication data selection unit 208 may update the electronic book requested to be distributed from the client device 10 based on the publication data associated with the classification information selected based on the calculated evaluation value.

  Further, the electronic book in the present invention includes a sample electronic book (sample page) obtained by extracting a part of pages of the electronic book provided from the electronic book distribution server 20 in response to a user request before purchasing the electronic book. That's good.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which a tablet computer having the touch panel 12 is used as the client device 10 has been described. However, the client device 10 includes a stationary or portable personal computer, a mobile phone, a portable information terminal, a game Of course, a machine or the like may be used.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic book delivery system, 5 Network, 10 Client apparatus, 12 Touch panel, 20 Electronic book delivery server, 100 Electronic book storage part, 102 Electronic book acquisition part, 104 Operation information reception part, 106 Display part, 108 Display control part, 110 Browsing history data recording unit, 112 Browsing history data transmission unit, 114 Electronic book distribution request unit, 116 Electronic book receiving unit, 200 Electronic book data storage unit, 202 Browsing history data receiving unit, 204 Browsing history data storage unit, 206 Electronic book A distribution request reception unit, 208 a publication data selection unit, 210 an electronic book update unit, and 212 an electronic book transmission unit;

Claims (15)

Including a client device and an electronic book distribution device,
The client device is
Obtaining means for obtaining one or more electronic books;
Display means for displaying at least a part of pages included in the electronic book for each of the one or more electronic books;
Recording means for recording a user's browsing history related to the electronic book displayed on the display means;
Transmitting means for transmitting the browsing history of the electronic book recorded by the recording means to the electronic book distribution device together with the information of the user;
A delivery requesting means for sending a delivery request for an electronic book different from the electronic book obtained by the obtaining means to the electronic book delivery apparatus together with the information of the user,
The electronic book distribution device includes:
A storage unit that associates and stores the browsing history of the electronic book and the user information transmitted by the transmission unit;
When the distribution request by the distribution request unit is received, the electronic book is predetermined based on the browsing history of the electronic book stored in the storage unit in association with the user information transmitted together with the distribution request. Data acquisition means for acquiring data associated with the classification information selected from the classification information;
Based on the data acquired by the data acquisition means, electronic book update means for updating the electronic book requested for distribution by the distribution request means;
A distribution means for distributing the electronic book updated by the electronic book update means to the client device. The electronic book distribution device includes:
A selection unit that selects an electronic book related to the electronic book related to the distribution request from electronic books related to the browsing history stored in the storage unit in association with the user information transmitted together with the distribution request; ,
The data acquisition means acquires data associated with classification information selected from classification information predetermined for the electronic book based on a browsing history of the electronic book selected by the selection means. The electronic book delivery system according to claim 1. The selecting means selects an electronic book having the same book name as the electronic book related to the distribution request from among the electronic books related to the browsing history stored in the storage means in association with the user information transmitted together with the distribution request. The electronic book distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the electronic book distribution system is selected. The selection means has the same book name as the electronic book related to the distribution request among the electronic books related to the browsing history stored in the storage means in association with the user information transmitted together with the distribution request. The electronic book distribution system according to claim 3, wherein an electronic book issued at a designated time is selected. The client device is
When a page switching operation is received from the user, the page displayed on the display unit is switched. When a page enlargement operation is received from the user, a specified part of the page displayed on the display unit is displayed. It further includes display control means for displaying an enlarged image,
The user's browsing history related to the electronic book recorded by the recording unit includes a page displayed on the display unit and a history of an enlarged portion of the electronic book. The electronic book distribution system described in 1. The electronic book distribution device includes:
Based on at least one of the display time and the number of times of display of the page and the enlarged portion displayed on the display means for each electronic book related to the browsing history stored in the storage means in association with the user information transmitted together with the distribution request. And calculating means for calculating an evaluation value for each classification information predetermined for the page and the enlarged portion displayed on the display means for each electronic book,
The data acquisition unit selects classification information to be provided to the user based on an evaluation value calculated for each classification information, and acquires data associated with the selected classification information. 5. The electronic book distribution system according to 5. The calculating means sets a weight to be multiplied to the display time or the number of times of display of the enlarged portion larger than a weight to be multiplied to the display time or the number of times of display of the page, and is predetermined for the page and the enlarged portion. The electronic book distribution system according to claim 6, wherein an evaluation value for each classification information is calculated. The electronic book includes a body page and an advertisement page,
The data acquired by the data acquisition means is advertising data,
The electronic book distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the electronic book update unit updates an advertisement page of the electronic book based on the advertisement data acquired by the data acquisition unit. . The client device is
An acquisition step of acquiring one or more electronic books;
For each of the one or more electronic books, displaying at least a part of a page included in the electronic book on a display unit;
A recording step of recording a user's browsing history related to the electronic book displayed on the display means;
A transmission step of transmitting the browsing history of the electronic book recorded in the recording step to the electronic book distribution device together with the information of the user;
A distribution request step of transmitting a distribution request for the electronic book different from the electronic book acquired in the acquisition step together with the information of the user, and
An electronic book distribution device
Storing the browsing history of the electronic book transmitted in the transmission step and the information of the user in association with each other in a storage unit;
When the distribution request transmitted in the distribution request step is received, the electronic book is previously stored on the basis of the browsing history of the electronic book stored in the storage unit in association with the user information transmitted together with the distribution request. A data acquisition step for acquiring data associated with the classification information selected from the defined classification information;
An electronic book update step for updating the electronic book requested for distribution in the distribution request step based on the data acquired in the data acquisition step;
A distribution step of distributing the electronic book updated in the electronic book update step to the client device. An electronic book distribution method comprising: Obtaining means for obtaining one or more electronic books;
Display means for displaying at least a part of pages included in the electronic book for each of the one or more electronic books;
Recording means for recording a user's browsing history related to the electronic book displayed on the display means;
Transmitting means for transmitting the browsing history of the electronic book recorded by the recording means to the electronic book distribution device together with the information of the user;
A delivery requesting means for sending a delivery request for an electronic book different from the electronic book obtained by the obtaining means to the electronic book delivery device together with the user information;
Based on the browsing history of the electronic book associated with the user information, the electronic book updated based on the data associated with the classification information selected from the predetermined classification information for the electronic book Means for acquiring from a distribution device. Obtaining means for obtaining one or more electronic books;
Display means for displaying at least a part of pages included in the electronic book for each of the one or more electronic books;
Recording means for recording a user's browsing history related to the electronic book displayed on the display means;
Transmitting means for transmitting the browsing history of the electronic book recorded by the recording means to the electronic book distribution device together with the information of the user;
A delivery requesting means for sending a delivery request for an electronic book different from the electronic book obtained by the obtaining means to the electronic book delivery device together with the user information;
Based on the browsing history of the electronic book associated with the user information, the electronic book updated based on the data associated with the classification information selected from the predetermined classification information for the electronic book A program for causing a computer to function as means for obtaining from a distribution device. Obtaining means for obtaining one or more electronic books;
Display means for displaying at least a part of pages included in the electronic book for each of the one or more electronic books;
Recording means for recording a user's browsing history related to the electronic book displayed on the display means;
Transmitting means for transmitting the browsing history of the electronic book recorded by the recording means to the electronic book distribution device together with the information of the user;
A delivery requesting means for sending a delivery request for an electronic book different from the electronic book obtained by the obtaining means to the electronic book delivery device together with the user information;
Based on the browsing history of the electronic book associated with the user information, the electronic book updated based on the data associated with the classification information selected from the predetermined classification information for the electronic book An information recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as means for obtaining from a distribution apparatus is recorded. Obtaining means for obtaining one or more electronic books;
Display means for displaying at least a part of pages included in the electronic book for each of the one or more electronic books;
Recording means for recording a user's browsing history related to the electronic book displayed on the display means;
Transmitting means for transmitting the browsing history of the electronic book recorded by the recording means to the electronic book distribution device together with the information of the user;
An electronic book distribution device that distributes an electronic book to a client device, including: a distribution request unit that transmits an electronic book distribution request different from the electronic book acquired by the acquisition unit to the electronic book distribution device together with the user information. There,
A storage unit that associates and stores the browsing history of the electronic book and the user information transmitted by the transmission unit;
When the distribution request by the distribution request unit is received, the electronic book is predetermined based on the browsing history of the electronic book stored in the storage unit in association with the user information transmitted together with the distribution request. Data acquisition means for acquiring data associated with the classification information selected from the classification information;
Based on the data acquired by the data acquisition means, electronic book update means for updating the electronic book requested for distribution by the distribution request means;
Distribution means for distributing the electronic book updated by the electronic book update means to the client device;
An electronic book distribution apparatus comprising: Obtaining means for obtaining one or more electronic books;
Display means for displaying at least a part of pages included in the electronic book for each of the one or more electronic books;
Recording means for recording a user's browsing history related to the electronic book displayed on the display means;
Transmitting means for transmitting the browsing history of the electronic book recorded by the recording means to the electronic book distribution device together with the information of the user;
As an electronic book distribution device that distributes an electronic book to a client device, including a distribution request unit that transmits an electronic book distribution request different from the electronic book acquired by the acquisition unit to the electronic book distribution device together with the user information. A functioning computer
A storage unit that associates and stores the browsing history of the electronic book and the user information transmitted by the transmission unit;
When the distribution request by the distribution request unit is received, the electronic book is predetermined based on the browsing history of the electronic book stored in the storage unit in association with the user information transmitted together with the distribution request. Data acquisition means for acquiring data associated with the classification information selected from the classification information;
Based on the data acquired by the data acquisition means, electronic book update means for updating the electronic book requested for distribution by the distribution request means;
The program for functioning as a delivery means to deliver the electronic book updated by the electronic book update means to the client device. Obtaining means for obtaining one or more electronic books;
Display means for displaying at least a part of pages included in the electronic book for each of the one or more electronic books;
Recording means for recording a user's browsing history related to the electronic book displayed on the display means;
Transmitting means for transmitting the browsing history of the electronic book recorded by the recording means to the electronic book distribution device together with the information of the user;
As an electronic book distribution device that distributes an electronic book to a client device, including a distribution request unit that transmits an electronic book distribution request different from the electronic book acquired by the acquisition unit to the electronic book distribution device together with the user information. A functioning computer
A storage unit that associates and stores the browsing history of the electronic book and the user information transmitted by the transmission unit;
When the distribution request by the distribution request unit is received, the electronic book is predetermined based on the browsing history of the electronic book stored in the storage unit in association with the user information transmitted together with the distribution request. Data acquisition means for acquiring data associated with the classification information selected from the classification information;
Based on the data acquired by the data acquisition means, electronic book update means for updating the electronic book requested for distribution by the distribution request means;
An information recording medium on which a program for causing the electronic book updated by the electronic book updating means to function as distribution means for distributing to the client device is recorded.

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