JP2013101456A - Electronic book device, electronic book processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic book device that enables a user to easily grasp what objects are arranged in two or more pages of an electronic book.SOLUTION: The electronic book device includes an electronic book information storage section 11 for storing electronic book information as information on an electronic book having two or more pages in which one or more objects are arranged respectively; a symbol acquisition section 13 which acquires symbols for the one or more objects arranged in the two or more pages of the electronic book information; and an output section 15 which arranges the symbols that the symbol acquisition section 13 acquires in different areas by the pages that the symbols correspond to, and outputs them.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing information of an electronic book.

  As an apparatus for browsing a conventional electronic book or the like, an electronic information memory storing electronic information having a plurality of page information in units of pages of a predetermined size, and electronic information stored in the electronic information memory, A touch panel that displays the page as a unit and inputs an operation related to browsing of the page information, and a display controller that controls display of the page information stored in the electronic information memory based on the operation content input to the touch panel The display controller includes a cache memory that temporarily stores page information determined to be displayed on the touch panel among the electronic information stored in the electronic information memory, and is currently displayed on the touch panel. The page information of the page number following the page number of the current page is stored in the cache memory. A continuous page prefetch control unit that stores data, and a page turning process control unit that performs page turning processing by selecting one page or a plurality of pages according to an operation on the touch panel. When a page turning operation of a plurality of pages is detected by the page turning processing control unit, there has been known one equipped with a multiple page turning deletion function for deleting page data in the plurality of pages from the cache memory (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-288208 (first page, FIG. 1 etc.)

  However, the conventional browsing device has a problem that it is difficult to easily grasp what kind of object is arranged on the page of the electronic book.

  For example, one or more pages of an electronic book are usually displayed with a size adjusted to fit within the monitor. For this reason, when the size of the screen of the browsing device is small, the size of the text becomes small, and the contents of the object may not be read. For this reason, even if multiple text objects are placed on one page, what kind of content is placed, what kind of attributes are placed, and so on. There was a problem that it was difficult to grasp. Moreover, since the objects are laid out and arranged on the page of the electronic book, there is a problem that it is difficult to grasp the whole image of the objects arranged on each page.

  Thus, conventionally, since it was not possible to easily grasp what object is arranged on each page of the electronic book, for example, the user can see what object is displayed on the page. In order to grasp, each part of the electronic book must be enlarged and displayed sequentially, and it takes a lot of time and effort to find the desired object, and when browsing the objects placed on the page of the electronic book There was a problem that the operability was poor and it was difficult to view.

  An electronic book apparatus according to the present invention includes an electronic book information storage unit that stores electronic book information that is information of an electronic book having two or more pages on which one or more objects are arranged, and two or more electronic book information. A symbol acquisition unit that acquires a symbol for one or more objects arranged on each page, and an output unit that outputs the symbol acquired by the symbol acquisition unit in a different area for each page corresponding to the symbol An electronic book device provided.

  With this configuration, it is possible to list the symbols of objects arranged on two or more pages, and to easily grasp what objects are arranged on two or more pages of the electronic book.

  The electronic book device according to the present invention further includes an attribute determination unit that determines an attribute of one or more objects respectively arranged on two or more pages in the electronic book device, and the symbol acquisition unit includes one or more symbol acquisition units. For each object, the electronic book device acquires a symbol corresponding to the attribute determined by the attribute determination unit.

  With this configuration, an appropriate symbol corresponding to the attribute can be output as the symbol of each object. Thereby, for example, it is possible to easily grasp the attributes and contents of the object from the symbols.

  In the electronic book device of the present invention, in the electronic book device, the attribute determination unit determines whether the attribute is an image or text for each of the one or more objects, and the symbol acquisition unit determines the attribute determination This is an electronic book device that acquires a thumbnail image of an object as a symbol for an object for which an attribute is determined to be an image by a section, and acquires a summary of the object as a symbol for an object for which the attribute is determined to be text.

With this configuration, thumbnail images can be output as symbols for image objects, and summaries can be output as symbols for text objects.
The contents of the object can be easily understood.

  The electronic book device of the present invention further includes an operation accepting unit that accepts a symbol designation that is a designation for a symbol output by the output unit in the electronic book device, and the output unit receives the symbol designation when the symbol designation is accepted. It is an electronic book apparatus which outputs the object which designation | designated shows.

  With this configuration, the contents of the object corresponding to the symbol can be confirmed instantaneously with a simple operation.

  In the electronic book device according to the present invention, in the electronic book device, the operation reception unit is a symbol that is a designation for a position other than on the symbol of one region among different regions for each page on which the symbol is arranged. The outside designation is further received, and the output unit is an electronic book device that outputs a page corresponding to an area including the position designated by the outside symbol designation when the outside symbol designation is accepted.

  With this configuration, a page on which an object corresponding to a symbol is arranged can be displayed with a simple operation.

  In the electronic book device of the present invention, in the electronic book device, the operation reception unit receives an operation of flicking an area where the symbol is arranged in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction, and the symbol acquisition unit receives the operation reception When the part accepts a flick operation, it acquires a symbol for an object placed on a page other than the page where the object corresponding to the currently displayed symbol is placed. In this electronic book device, the acquired symbols are divided into different regions for each page corresponding to the symbol and output.

  With this configuration, it is possible to intuitively change the page displayed using the symbol by a flick operation.

  The electronic book device of the present invention is an electronic book device in which the symbol acquisition unit automatically generates a symbol from an object.

  With this configuration, a symbol need not be prepared in advance, and any electronic book can be displayed using the symbol.

  The electronic book device according to the present invention is an electronic book device in which, in the electronic book device, the output unit does not output an object when a symbol is output to a different area for each page.

  With this configuration, even when the output area (for example, the display area) of a monitor or the like is narrow, the number of objects that can be recognized at one time by arranging symbols instead of the object is larger than when the object itself is displayed. It can be increased and the display area can be used effectively.

  The electronic book device according to the present invention is an electronic book device in which the symbol acquisition unit acquires symbols for all the objects respectively arranged on two or more pages.

  With this configuration, the objects arranged on the page can be shown as symbols without omission.

  According to the electronic book device and the like according to the present invention, it is possible to easily grasp what objects are arranged on two or more pages of the electronic book.

Block diagram of an electronic book device in an embodiment of the present invention A flowchart for explaining the operation of the electronic book apparatus Conceptual diagram of the electronic book device The figure which shows the page information management information of the electronic book apparatus The figure which shows the object management information of the electronic book apparatus The figure which shows the position management information of the electronic book apparatus The figure which shows the example of a display of the page of the electronic book apparatus FIG. 8A shows an example of an image object of the electronic book apparatus (FIG. 8A), and FIG. 8B shows an example of a thumbnail image (FIG. 8B). The figure which shows the symbol management table | surface of the electronic book apparatus The figure which shows the example of a display of the electronic book apparatus The figure which shows the symbol position management table | surface of the electronic book apparatus The figure which shows the example of a display of the electronic book apparatus The figure which shows operation with respect to the electronic book apparatus The figure which shows the example of a display of the electronic book apparatus The figure which shows the example of a display of the electronic book apparatus The figure which shows an example of the object management information of the electronic book apparatus The figure which shows an example of the external appearance of the computer system in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows an example of a structure of the computer system

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an electronic book device and the like will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, since the component which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in embodiment performs the same operation | movement, description may be abbreviate | omitted again.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic book device 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The electronic book device 1 includes an electronic book information storage unit 11, an attribute determination unit 12, a symbol acquisition unit 13, an operation reception unit 14, and an output unit 15.

  The electronic book device 1 is a device for browsing electronic books. An electronic book is also called an electronic book, for example. The electronic book device 1 is realized by, for example, a so-called electronic book reader, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet information terminal, a mobile information terminal, a computer, or the like.

  The electronic book information storage unit 11 stores electronic book information that is information of an electronic book having two or more pages each having one or more objects arranged therein. An electronic book is a publication that can be displayed on a monitor of an electronic book device, for example. The electronic book is, for example, a book whose medium is an electronic medium. An electronic book has one or more pages. The electronic book information includes, for example, page information that is page information and an object arranged on the page indicated by each page information. In the present embodiment, the electronic book information storage unit 11 stores, for example, electronic book information having at least two pages on which one or more objects are arranged. One object may be arranged on each of a plurality of pages. The fact that the object is arranged may be that a link to the object is set on the page, or that the object is referenced from the page.

  An object is information such as text and images that are arranged and displayed on each page of an electronic book. An object may be considered as content displayed on a page of an electronic book. An object has attributes such as a data type, size, color, and font. Here, for the sake of explanation, a text object is referred to as a text object. An image object is referred to as an image object. The image object may be a still image or a moving image. The object may be audio information. The data type or file format of the object does not matter. The image object may be bitmap data or vector data. The character code of the text object is not limited. Further, for example, the object may have object identification information (hereinafter referred to as object identification information) for identifying the objects. The object identification information may be any information as long as the object can be identified. For example, information such as an object name, an object file name, a character string or a numeric string assigned to the object, and the like. But it ’s okay. Further, it may be information (for example, a path or URL) indicating the storage location of the object. The object identification information may be the object itself. Further, the object may have information indicating the attribute of the object such as the display style of the object (for example, information such as a font name and a font size). When an object is provided as information described in a markup language such as XML, an element part of information surrounded by tags may be considered as an object. In this case, a tag (tag name) given to the object may be considered as one of the attributes of the object. Of the information surrounded by tags, a block element may be considered as an object.

  The page information is information for dividing and outputting an object arranged (or displayed) on each page for each page, or for dividing and outputting. For example, when an object included in electronic book information is provided as information of each element of data in XML format, the page information is a predefined tag surrounding one or more objects arranged on one page. Also good. In this case, the page information reading order may be, for example, the data arrangement order. The page information may include information such as the page size and background color. Further, the page information may include information (for example, page number) indicating the page order or the like. The page information may be considered as information such as a mount on which an object is placed.

  The electronic book information may have position information indicating a position where each object is arranged in the page indicated by the page information in association with each object or page information. The position information is, for example, one or more of the four corners of the object in the page, or the coordinates of the center or center of gravity of the content information. Further, the position information may be information indicating the absolute positional relationship of each object with respect to the page, or may be information indicating the relative positional relationship of each object in the page. Further, the position information may include information on the size of the object arranged on the page. Further, the position information may be information indicating the position, size, etc. of the frame or box where the object is placed.

  The electronic book information storage unit 11 is preferably a non-volatile recording medium, but can also be realized by a volatile recording medium.

  The attribute determination unit 12 determines the attributes of one or more objects respectively arranged on two or more pages. Determining the attribute of an object may mean obtaining the attribute value of the object. The object attribute is, for example, the data type of the object. Examples of the data type of the object include an image and text. For example, the attribute determination unit 12 determines, for each of one or more objects, whether the data type that is an attribute is an image or text, and if the object is an image, acquires the data type of the image as an attribute To do. If the object is text, a data type called text is acquired as an attribute. The attribute of the object determined by the attribute determination unit 12 may be an attribute other than the data type. For example, the attribute of the object determined by the attribute determination unit 12 may be a file format of the object. The file format can be determined from, for example, an extension. The attribute of the object may be a tag (tag name) as described above. Further, the object attribute may be a character size of a text object, a character format such as a font name, or the like. The attribute of the object may be the presence / absence of a pre-designated character string included in the text object.

  The attribute determination unit 12 can usually be realized by an MPU, a memory, or the like. The processing procedure of the attribute determination unit 12 is usually realized by software, and the software is recorded on a recording medium such as a ROM. However, it may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit).

  The symbol acquisition unit 13 acquires a symbol for one or more objects respectively arranged on two or more pages of the electronic book information. The symbol is, for example, information on an object sample. For example, the symbol acquisition unit 13 may acquire symbols for all objects arranged on two or more pages. Further, a symbol may be acquired for an object having a predesignated attribute among objects arranged on two or more pages.

  The symbol is information representing an outline of the contents of the object, for example. The symbol is preferably information that allows the user to visually identify the corresponding object, for example. For example, the information is preferably identifiable information such as differences in contents between objects or differences in attributes. The symbol is, for example, information obtained by reducing an object. Moreover, the information which extracted only a part of object may be sufficient. Further, information obtained by reducing a part of the object may be used. When the object is a bitmap image, the amount of data (number of pixels) may be reduced during the reduction. When the object is a vector image or text, the symbol may be a bitmap image obtained by rasterizing these objects, or a data obtained by reducing the bitmap image to reduce the amount of data. . The symbol preferably has a smaller output size than the size at which the corresponding object is output (eg, displayed). When the object is audio information such as music information, the symbol is a piece of music information (such as a title of the audio information, or a music information that can be acquired from a so-called CDDB (Compact Disc DataBase) using an ID included in the audio information. Album title, song title, etc.).

  The symbol acquisition unit 13 may acquire the symbol for each object in any way. For example, the symbol acquisition unit 13 may generate a symbol from one or more objects respectively arranged on two or more pages. Further, for example, the symbol acquisition unit 13 may be configured such that the electronic book information has symbols for one or more objects arranged in advance on two or more pages in association with each object. You may acquire a symbol by reading the symbol matched with the 1 or more object each arrange | positioned at 2 or more pages from electronic book information. Further, the symbol acquisition unit 13 may appropriately read symbols stored in a storage medium (not shown) in association with each object. In the present embodiment, as an example, the symbol acquisition unit 13 will be described by taking as an example a case where a symbol is generated from one or more objects respectively arranged on two or more pages.

  For example, the symbol acquisition unit 13 acquires (for example, generates) a symbol corresponding to the attribute determined by the attribute determination unit 12 for each of one or more objects arranged on two or more pages. Acquiring a symbol corresponding to an attribute is, for example, generating a symbol for each object in accordance with a rule specified for each attribute determined by the attribute determining unit 12. For example, the symbol acquisition unit 13 has rules specified for each attribute in advance. For example, the symbol acquisition unit 13 acquires a thumbnail image of an object as a symbol for an object whose attribute is determined to be an image by the attribute determination unit 12, and summarizes the object for an object whose attribute is determined to be text. As a symbol.

  A thumbnail image is an image obtained by reducing a part or the whole of an object. Note that the amount of data (number of pixels) may be reduced when acquiring thumbnail images. When the object is a vector image, the thumbnail image may be a reduced bitmap image obtained by rasterizing these objects. Moreover, the algorithm etc. at the time of acquiring a thumbnail image are not ask | required. Since the process of acquiring the thumbnail image is a known technique, a detailed description of the process is omitted here.

  It does not matter how the symbol acquisition unit 13 acquires a summary symbol from a text object. For example, the symbol acquisition unit 13 may perform morphological analysis on the text object and acquire one or more independent words from the morphemes obtained by the morphological analysis as a summary. In addition, characters of a predetermined number of characters (for example, five characters from the beginning) at a predetermined position of the text object may be acquired as a summary. In addition, for example, hierarchical clustering is performed on text objects, structuring is based on the similarity of vocabulary usage between clusters, and keywords that summarize each cluster are obtained as text object summaries. May be. In addition, an important phrase extracted from a text object using a machine learning technique may be used as a summary. In addition, a summary may be obtained using a function similar to the summary function installed in so-called word processor software. Since the process of acquiring the summary from the text object is a known technique, a detailed description thereof is omitted here. As for the processing for obtaining a summary by hierarchical clustering as described above, refer to the following non-patent literature, ““ Topic extraction and problem discovery by document clustering ”, [searched on October 31, 2011] Internet (URL: http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/sociotechnica/5/0/216/_pdf/-char/ja/) ". For the extraction of important phrases using machine learning techniques, refer to the following non-patent literature: "" Important phrase extraction of documents using Support Vector Machine-Toward the creation of summary sentences ", [Heisei Search on October 31, 2011], Internet (URL: http://www.utm.se.uec.ac.jp/~utsumi/paper/JSAI06-suzuki.pdf) ". Regarding the summarization function, refer to the following non-patent literature, "" Automatically summarize documents ", [October 31, 2011 search], Internet (URL: http://office.microsoft .com / en-us / word-help / HP005189680.aspx) ".

  The symbol acquisition unit 13 may acquire the summary acquired from the text object as a symbol composed of text, or a bitmap image obtained by rasterizing (bitmap) the acquired summary, or You may acquire what reduced this as a symbol.

  The symbol acquisition unit 13 may determine any two or more pages on which objects for acquiring symbols are arranged. Two or more pages before and after the currently displayed page may be determined, or two or more pages specified in advance (for example, the first page and the second page) may be determined. Even if two or more pages satisfying a predesignated condition (for example, the first page on which one or more objects are arranged and the second page on which one or more objects are arranged) are determined. good.

  For example, when the output unit 15 described later displays the symbols of one or more objects respectively arranged on two or more pages acquired by the symbol acquisition unit 13, the operation reception unit 14 described later performs a flick operation. May be acquired for an object placed on a page other than the page on which the object corresponding to the currently displayed symbol is placed. A flick operation is a touch panel that can be operated with a finger or a pen tip, an operation that slides the surface of a touch pad or trap pad in a predetermined direction with a finger or a pen tip, or an operation that quickly takes place It is. Here, the flick in the right direction is a flick that moves the finger in the right direction (that is, from left to right). The same applies to flicks in any of the left, top, and bottom directions.

  For example, when the operation receiving unit 14 performs a flick operation in the left-right direction or the up-down direction, the symbol acquisition unit 13 continues to a page on which an object corresponding to the currently displayed symbol is arranged. The symbols of one or more objects respectively arranged on two or more consecutive pages including are acquired. Note that the next symbol acquisition target for the flick operation to the left and the flick operation to the right is the page on which the object corresponding to the currently displayed symbol is placed. Thus, it is preferable to determine in different arrangement directions. In other words, it is preferable to be able to control whether the page from which the symbol is to be acquired is advanced or returned to the page corresponding to the current symbol depending on the direction of the flick operation. For example, when flicking leftward, a symbol corresponding to an object placed on two or more pages including the page next to the page on which the object corresponding to the currently displayed symbol is placed is acquired. When a flick operation is performed in the right direction, a symbol corresponding to an object arranged on two or more pages including a page before a page where an object corresponding to the currently displayed symbol is arranged is acquired. Alternatively, the left and right directions may be reversed in the left and right directions before and after the page on which the object for acquiring the symbol is arranged. The same applies to the case where the flick operation is up and down.

  Here, the previous and next two or more pages may or may not partially overlap with the previous two or more pages. For example, when the symbols are partially overlapped, if the currently displayed symbols are the symbols of the second and third page objects, the symbols displayed after the flick are, for example, the third and fourth pages. It becomes the symbol of the eye object. Also, when the symbols currently displayed are the symbols of the objects on the second and third pages, the symbols displayed after the flick are, for example, on the fourth and fifth pages. To be a symbol of the object.

  The symbol acquisition unit 13 can usually be realized by an MPU, a memory, or the like. The processing procedure of the symbol acquisition unit 13 is usually realized by software, and the software is recorded on a recording medium such as a ROM. However, it may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit).

  The operation receiving unit 14 receives a symbol designation that is a designation for the symbol output by the output unit 15. The symbol designation is, for example, an operation of performing one or more clicks, taps, or the like on one output symbol. Further, it may be a menu operation for designating a symbol.

  In addition, the operation receiving unit 14 further receives an out-of-symbol designation that is a designation for a position other than a symbol in one area among different areas for each page where the symbols output by the output unit 15 are arranged. The designation outside the symbol is an operation of performing one or more clicks or tapping on a position other than on the symbol in one area in a different area for each page where the symbol is arranged.

  In addition, the operation reception unit 14 receives an operation of flicking the region where the symbol output from the output unit 15 is arranged in the up-down direction or the left-right direction. Here, the area where the symbols are arranged is, for example, an area that is different for each page where the symbols are arranged. If only the area where the symbol is arranged is displayed on the monitor of the electronic book apparatus 1, a flick operation for any position on the monitor is accepted as a flick operation for the area where the symbol is arranged. Also good.

  In addition, the operation reception unit 14 may receive an operation for outputting a symbol as described above, an operation for displaying one or more pages of an electronic book corresponding to electronic book information, and the like. Further, an operation for turning the displayed page may be accepted. Note that an operation for displaying a page of an electronic book or the like, an operation for turning a page, and the like are well-known techniques, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The reception described here is a concept including reception of information input from an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and a track pad, reception of information transmitted through a wired or wireless communication line, and the like. The input means may be anything such as a menu screen such as a mouse, touch panel, or track pad. The operation reception unit 14 can be realized by a device driver of an input unit such as a mouse, a touch panel, or a track pad, or control software for a menu screen.

  The output unit 15 arranges and outputs the symbols acquired by the symbol acquisition unit 13 in different regions for each page corresponding to the symbol. The page corresponding to the symbol is a page on which an object corresponding to the symbol is arranged.

  An area different for each page is, for example, an area provided for each page and is an area that can be distinguished for each page. The region that is different for each page is, for example, a region that can be visually identified as a region of a different page by the user. For example, the region that differs for each page is a region that is separated for each page by an image (for example, an image of a fence or a shelf), characters, or the like indicating lines or divisions. Alternatively, different areas for each page include areas surrounded by frame lines, images, etc. for each page, areas with different background colors for each page, and shapes designated in advance for each page (for example, rectangles, , A rounded rectangle or the like) is an area in which images are arranged. In addition, an area in which an image designated in advance (for example, an image showing a paper page, a notebook, or the like) may be an area corresponding to each page.

  The output unit 15 displays, for example, symbols corresponding to one page arranged in an area corresponding to the one page according to a rule specified in advance. There is no limitation on the arrangement method. For example, they may be arranged in a matrix or a list. For example, symbols may be sequentially arranged in a predetermined order in each cell of a matrix having a predetermined row and column. Further, the symbols may be arranged in one horizontal row (or one vertical row), and when the symbols do not fit in the monitor or the like, the symbols may be displayed in a plurality of columns with line breaks. As an arrangement method, for example, an arrangement method of data, icons, etc. in a computer or a smartphone can be used.

  Further, the output unit 15 may arrange symbols corresponding to each object so that the relative positional relationship between the objects is maintained. The fact that the relative positional relationship is maintained means that, for example, the vertical / horizontal positional relationship between the symbols is the same as the vertical / horizontal positional relationship of the object corresponding to each symbol. For example, when the object B is located directly under the object A, the symbol of the object B is arranged directly under the symbol of the object A. In addition to this, it is arranged so that the relative positional relationship is maintained that the ratio of the distance between symbols is the same as the ratio of the distance between objects corresponding to these symbols. You may think that. For example, if the distance between the object A and the object B is 100 pixels and the distance between the object A and the object C is 50 pixels, the distance between the symbol of the object A and the symbol of the object B, the symbol of the object A, and the object C Each symbol is output so that the ratio of the distance to the symbol becomes 2: 1.

  Further, the output unit 15 may output the plurality of symbols to be output at a size having the same ratio as the size ratio between objects corresponding to the plurality of symbols. For example, if the size ratio between the object A and the object B is 3: 1, the symbol of the object A and the symbol of the object B are output in a size with a ratio of 3: 1.

  In addition, the output unit 15 may output the symbols corresponding to each object arranged in an area corresponding to each page so that the relative positional relationship between the object and the page is maintained.

  Further, the output unit 15 is configured so that the size ratio between the output symbol and the area corresponding to the page is the same as the size ratio between the object corresponding to the symbol and the page where the object is arranged. The symbol and the area corresponding to the page may be output.

  Note that when a part of the symbol cannot be displayed on the monitor due to a large number of symbols corresponding to the objects arranged on the page, the part may not be displayed on the monitor. In this case, a portion that is not displayed may be displayed by a predesignated operation received by the operation receiving unit 14.

  The output unit 15 outputs the object indicated by the symbol designation when the operation accepting unit 14 accepts the symbol designation. Specifically, the output unit 15 reads an object corresponding to the symbol indicated by the symbol designation from the electronic book information, and outputs the read object. When outputting an object, the object may be output as it is, or a template stored in a storage medium (not shown) or the like is read in advance, and the object read from the electronic book information is arranged on this template. It may be output. The object may be displayed so as to be superimposed on the output symbol. Further, when outputting an object, only a part of the object may be output or the entire object may be displayed.

  The output unit 15 outputs a page corresponding to the region including the position designated by the outside symbol designation when the operation accepting unit 14 accepts the outside symbol designation. Specifically, the operation reception unit 14 reads out page information corresponding to the area including the position designated by the designation outside the symbol and the object arranged on the page indicated by the page information from the electronic book information, and reads the page information A page on which an object corresponding to the page is arranged is generated and displayed. The page may be displayed so as to overlap the output symbol or the like, or may be displayed by replacing the output symbol or the like.

  Further, the output unit 15 reads out one or more pieces of page information specified by this operation in response to an operation for displaying one or more pages received by the operation receiving unit 14, and displays each page indicated by the page information. A page on which the objects arranged on this page are arranged is generated and output. Further, the output unit 15 may display the page after turning according to the operation of turning the page received by the operation receiving unit 14. In addition, since the process which the output part 15 displays a page, the process which displays the page after a page is turned, etc. are well-known techniques, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  Note that the output unit 15 may not output the object when the symbol is output to a different area for each page. By doing this, even when the output area (for example, the display area) of a monitor or the like is small, the number of objects that can be recognized at one time can be reduced by representing the object with symbols smaller in size than the object. This can be increased compared to the case of display, and the display area can be used effectively.

  The output described here is a concept including display on a display, projection using a projector, transmission to an external device, accumulation in a recording medium, delivery of a processing result to another processing device or another program, etc. It is. The output unit 15 may be considered as including or not including an output device such as a display. The output unit 15 can be realized by driver software for an output device or driver software for an output device and an output device.

  Next, the operation of the electronic book apparatus 1 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. Here, a case where the symbol acquisition unit 13 acquires a symbol from an object will be described as an example.

  (Step S <b> 101) The operation receiving unit 14 determines whether an operation for outputting a symbol has been received for one piece of electronic book information stored in the electronic book information storage unit 11. If accepted, the process proceeds to step S102. If not accepted, the process proceeds to step S122.

  (Step S102) The symbol acquisition unit 13 determines two or more pages to be output pages of symbols. For example, when no page is currently displayed, two or more pages specified by default are determined as pages to be output with symbols. On the other hand, for example, when one or more pages of one electronic book information are currently displayed, two or more pages including the one or more pages are determined as symbols output pages. For example, when only one page is currently displayed, this one page, the next succeeding page, and the next page are determined as pages to be output. Note that this determination rule may be other rules.

  (Step S103) The symbol acquisition unit 13 substitutes 1 for the counter m.

  (Step S104) The symbol acquisition unit 13 assigns 1 to the counter n.

  (Step S <b> 105) The symbol acquisition unit 13 detects the nth object arranged on the mth page of two or more pages to be output of one electronic book information.

  (Step S106) The attribute determination unit 12 determines whether or not the object detected in step S105 is an image object. If it is an image object, the process proceeds to step S107, and if it is not an image object, the process proceeds to step S108. Here, if it is not an image object, it is assumed that the object is a text object. Whether or not it is an image object is determined by, for example, the presence or absence of an extension of the image object.

  (Step S107) The symbol acquisition unit 13 acquires a thumbnail image of an image object as a symbol. For example, a rectangular area having a specified aspect ratio is cut out from an image object, and the sampled image is resampled so that the number of pixels in the aspect ratio is equal to the number of pixels specified in advance. get.

  (Step S108) The symbol acquisition unit 13 acquires the summary of the object detected in step S105 as a symbol.

  (Step S109) The symbol acquisition unit 13 uses the thumbnail image acquired in step S107 or the summary acquired in step S108 as the symbol of the nth object, the object identification information of the nth object, and the mth page. The information is temporarily stored in a storage medium such as a memory (not shown) in association with the page identification information.

  (Step S110) The symbol acquisition unit 13 increments the value of the counter n by 1.

  (Step S111) The symbol acquisition unit 13 determines whether the nth object is arranged on the mth page. If so, the process proceeds to step S105. If not, the process proceeds to step S112.

  (Step S112) The symbol acquisition unit 13 increments the value of the counter m by 1.

  (Step S113) The symbol acquisition unit 13 determines whether or not the page determined as the output target in Step S102 includes the mth page. If there is, the process returns to step S104, and if not, the process proceeds to step S114.

  (Step S114) The output unit 15 outputs the symbol information accumulated in step S109 to an area for each page indicated by the page information associated with each symbol.

  (Step S115) The operation receiving unit 14 determines whether a symbol designation has been received. If accepted, the process proceeds to step S119. If not accepted, the process proceeds to step S116.

  (Step S116) The operation reception unit 14 determines whether or not designation outside the symbol has been received. If accepted, the process proceeds to step S121. If not accepted, the process proceeds to step S117.

  (Step S117) The operation receiving unit 14 determines whether or not a flick operation in a predetermined direction (for example, front, back, left, and right) has been received. If accepted, the process proceeds to step S118. If not accepted, the process returns to step S115.

  (Step S118) The symbol acquisition unit 13 determines a page that is continuous with the page on which the current symbol is displayed as a page to be output. Then, the process returns to step S103. In addition, when there is an overlapping page between the page determined here and the page that has been determined as an output target in the past, it is arranged on the overlapping page in the subsequent process of acquiring a symbol, etc. For an existing object, a symbol acquired and accumulated in the past may be used without newly acquiring a symbol.

  (Step S119) The output unit 15 acquires an object corresponding to the symbol designated by the symbol designation from the electronic book information. Then, the acquired object is output.

  (Step S120) The output unit 15 determines whether or not to end the output of the object. For example, when the operation reception unit 14 performs an operation to end the output of the object, the end of the output is determined. When the output is finished, the process returns to step S115, and the symbol displayed immediately before is output as it is. If not, the process returns to step S120.

  (Step S121) The output unit 15 acquires the page identification information of the page corresponding to the position designated by the designation outside the symbol, reads the page information indicated by the page identification information from the electronic book information, and the page indicated by the page information Generate and output a page with objects. Then, the process returns to step S101.

  (Step S122) The operation receiving unit 14 determines whether or not the page is currently being output by the output unit 15. If it is output, the process proceeds to step S123. If it is not output, the process proceeds to step S125.

  (Step S123) The operation reception unit 14 determines whether an operation of turning the currently displayed page has been received. If accepted, the process proceeds to step S124. If not accepted, the process returns to step S101.

  (Step S124) The output unit 15 outputs the page after the page is turned. For example, the page information of the page after the page is turned is read from the electronic book information, and the page generated by arranging the object corresponding to the page on the page indicated by the read page information is output. Then, the process returns to step S101.

  (Step S125) The operation receiving unit 14 determines whether an operation for outputting one or more pages has been received. If accepted, the process proceeds to step S126. If not accepted, the process returns to step S101.

  (Step S126) The output unit 15 outputs the page indicated by the operation received in step S125. Then, the process returns to step S101.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the process is terminated by powering off or a process termination interrupt.

  Hereinafter, a specific operation of the electronic book device 1 in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the electronic book apparatus 1. Here, a case where the electronic book apparatus 1 is a multi-function mobile phone called a so-called smartphone will be described as an example. The electronic book apparatus 1 is assumed to be capable of touch panel operation. However, the electronic book apparatus 1 may be another apparatus.

  Here, for example, it is assumed that electronic book information downloaded by the user operating the electronic book device 1 via the Internet or the like is accumulated in the electronic book information storage unit 11.

  FIG. 4 is page information management information for managing page information of electronic book information stored in the electronic book information storage unit 11. In the page information management information, “electronic book ID” is identification information of electronic book information, and here, it is assumed that it is a file name of electronic book information. Here, it is assumed that electronic book information having a file name “bk001” is stored. “Page ID” is identification information of page information, and here also serves as the page number of the page. “Page attribute” is information indicating page attributes such as page width and height, background color, and the like.

  FIG. 5 shows object management information for managing objects arranged on the page of the electronic book information stored in the electronic book information storage unit 11. The object management information has items of “electronic book ID”, “object ID”, and “object”. The “electronic book ID” corresponds to the “electronic book ID” in FIG. “Object ID” is identification information of an object, and “Object” indicates an object. For text objects, the value of “object” indicates the text object itself, and for the image object, the value of “object” indicates a link to the image object file.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing position management information for managing position information where an object is arranged in the electronic book information stored in the electronic book information storage unit 11. The position management information has items of “electronic book ID”, “page ID”, “object ID”, “position”, and “size”. The “electronic book ID”, “page ID”, and “object ID” correspond to the above-mentioned “electronic book ID”, “page ID”, and “object ID”, respectively. “Position” indicates the coordinates (x, y) of the center of the object arranged in the page. “Size” indicates the size (height, width) of an object arranged on the page. Note that this “size” may be considered as the size of the arrangement area of the object. Here, it is assumed that x1 to x12, y1 to y12, h1 to h12, and w1 to w12 are values specified in advance. Here, it is assumed that the coordinates are (0, 0) in the upper left corner, the right direction is the positive direction of the x axis, and the lower direction is the positive direction of the y axis.

  For example, when the object shown in FIG. 5 is arranged on the first page of the electronic book information whose electronic book ID is “bk001” shown in FIG. 4 as indicated by the location management information shown in FIG. This image is as shown in FIG. In the figure, each object ID is displayed in association with an object arranged on the page.

  First, for the electronic book information whose file name is “bk001”, the user displays one or more objects arranged on each of two or more pages as symbols before displaying one or more pages. If a predetermined operation is performed, the operation reception unit 14 receives this display operation.

  When the symbol acquisition unit 13 performs an operation to display a symbol in a state where the page information is not displayed, the page information whose page numbers (that is, page IDs) are “1” and “2” according to default settings. Are determined as pages to be output.

  Next, the attribute determination unit 12 determines the attribute of the object for each object arranged on the page indicated by the page information whose “page ID” is “1”. The object arranged on the page indicated by the page information whose “page ID” is “1” is the object indicated by the “object ID” of the record whose “page ID” is “1” in the location management information of FIG. The “object ID” is an object from “0001” to “0006”.

  First, the attribute determination unit 12 reads “0001” which is the value of the “object ID” of the top record among the records whose “page ID” is “1” in the location management information of FIG. Then, the attribute of the object which is the value of “object” of the record whose “object ID” is “0001” among the records of the object management information in FIG. 5 is determined. Since the value of the “object” in the record with the “object ID” of “0001” in FIG. 5 is not information of the link having the file name of the image file with the extension, the attribute determining unit 12 It is determined that the attribute is “text”. That is, this object is determined to be a text object.

  Since the attribute determination unit 12 determines that the attribute of the object whose “object ID” is “0001” is text, the symbol acquisition unit 13 acquires a summary of the text. Here, for example, a summary is acquired using a system called “GetSen Japanese sentence summary extraction system” shown below. For an explanation of this system, refer to the following non-patent literature, "" GetSen Japanese text summary extraction system ", [November 2, 2011 search], Internet (URL: http: //www.ryo .com / 2005/06/01/39 /) ". For example, the summary acquired from the text object “product name: BS602 specification: one-segment price: 32,000 yen” by the symbol acquisition unit 13 with the “object ID” “0001” is “product name: BS602”. Suppose. The symbol acquisition unit 13 uses this summary “product name: BS602” as an object ID “0001” as a symbol for an object whose “object ID” is “0001” on a page whose “page ID” is “1”. , Temporarily stored in a storage medium (not shown) in association with the page ID “1”.

  Next, the attribute determination unit 12 sets “0002” which is the value of “object ID” of the second record from the top among the records whose “page ID” is “1” in the location management information of FIG. And the attribute of the object having the value of “object” in the record having “0002” as the “object ID” in the record of the object management information in FIG. 5 is determined. Since the value of “object” in the record having “0002” as the “object ID” in FIG. 5 is information on the link having the file name of the image file with the extension, the attribute determining unit 12 determines the object. It is determined that the attribute is “image”. That is, this object is determined to be an image object.

  Since the attribute determination unit 12 determines that the attribute of the object whose “object ID” is “0002” is an image, the symbol acquisition unit 13 acquires a thumbnail image for this image. Since the process of acquiring the thumbnail image is known, the description thereof is omitted here.

  For example, if the image object whose “object ID” is “0002” is an image as shown in FIG. 8A, the symbol acquisition unit 13 acquires a thumbnail image as shown in FIG. The

  The symbol acquisition unit 13 obtains a thumbnail image obtained for an object whose “object ID” is “0002”, and a thumbnail image obtained for the object whose “object ID” is “0002” for a page whose “page ID” is “1”. The symbols are temporarily stored in a storage medium (not shown) in association with the object ID “0002” and the page ID “1”. Here, it is assumed that a file name in which a character string “small” is inserted before the extension of the file name of the original image is given to the thumbnail image.

  Next, the attribute determination unit 12 sets “0003” which is the value of “object ID” of the third record from the top among the records whose “page ID” is “1” in the location management information of FIG. And the attribute of the object whose value is “object” of the record whose “object ID” is “0003” in the record of the object management information in FIG. 5 is determined in the same manner as described above. Here, the attribute determination unit 12 determines that the attribute of this object is “text”.

  Since the attribute determination unit 12 determines that the attribute of the object whose “object ID” is “0001” is text, the symbol acquisition unit 13 acquires a summary of this text in the same manner as described above. Here, it is assumed that a summary “the latest model with a large screen” is acquired. The symbol acquisition unit 13 uses this summary “latest model equipped with a large screen” as a symbol for an object whose “object ID” is “0003” for a page whose “page ID” is “1”. “0003” and the page ID “1” are temporarily stored in a storage medium (not shown).

  Similarly, the attribute determination unit 12 determines the attribute of the remaining objects with the “object ID” “0004” to “0006” of the record whose “page ID” is “1”, and the symbol acquisition unit. 13 acquires a symbol according to the attribute determined by the attribute determination unit 12 and temporarily stores it in a storage medium (not shown).

  Next, since the process of acquiring the symbols for the objects arranged on the page whose “page ID” is “1” has been completed, next, the “page ID” which is the remaining page to be output is “2”. As for the objects arranged on the page, symbols are sequentially obtained in the same manner as described above.

  FIG. 9 is a symbol management table for managing symbols acquired and accumulated by the symbol acquisition unit 13. The symbol management table has items of “symbol ID”, “page ID”, “object ID”, and “symbol”. “Symbol ID” is identification information for managing symbols. “Page ID” is the page identification information of the page on which the object corresponding to the symbol is arranged, and “Object ID” is the object identification information of the object corresponding to the symbol. “Symbol” indicates a symbol. For symbols that are thumbnail images, links to the symbols are shown.

  The output unit 15 outputs the symbols for the objects respectively arranged on the two pages to be output acquired by the symbol acquisition unit 13 to different regions for each page. Here, the symbol associated with the page ID “1” and the symbol associated with the page ID “2” managed by the symbol management table shown in FIG. Place in each area and output. Here, it is assumed that the text symbols are arranged and output in a predetermined area, for example, a rectangular area. In addition, when it does not enter the area designated in advance, some of the characters that do not enter may be omitted or replaced with characters such as “...”.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the symbols of objects arranged on two or more pages are output in the electronic book apparatus 1. In the figure, a dividing line 101 is for dividing pages. The areas 201 and 202 divided by the dividing line 101 are areas corresponding to the page IDs “1” and “2”, respectively, and the page number 102 corresponds to the page where each symbol is arranged. The value of “Page ID”.

  FIG. 11 is a symbol position management table for managing positions where symbols output by the output unit 15 are arranged. The symbol position management table has items of “symbol ID”, “coordinates”, and “(height, width)”. The “symbol ID” corresponds to the “symbol ID” in FIG. “Coordinates” are the coordinates of the position where the symbol is arranged, and here indicate the coordinates of the upper left corner of the symbol. “(Height, width)” is the height and width of the output symbol.

  Further, although not shown here, area management information for managing an area corresponding to a page with a page ID “1” where a symbol is arranged and an area corresponding to a page with a page ID “2”. Are stored in a storage medium (not shown) by the output unit 15 or the like. In this area management information, the position (for example, upper left coordinates of each area) and the size (for example, height and width) of the two areas corresponding to the page IDs “1” and “2” separated by the dividing line 101 are included. ) Is managed in association with the value of “page ID”.

  Here, it is assumed that the user taps (slaps) the symbol 105 that is one symbol with a finger on the screen on which symbols as shown in FIG. 10 are arranged.

  The operation accepting unit 14 accepts coordinates of a position tapped with a finger (for example, (x20, y20)), and whether the coordinates are positions on any symbol in the symbol position management table shown in FIG. Specifically, the coordinates of the tapped position and the symbols indicated by “coordinates” and “(height, width)” of each record in the symbol position management table of FIG. 11 to determine whether the tapped coordinate is an area occupied by any symbol, where the tapped coordinate is the symbol position management shown in FIG. Assume that it is determined that it is within the area indicated by the “coordinates” and “(height, width)” of the record whose “symbol ID” is “0003”. Symbol with “symbol ID” “0003” It is determined that the designated symbol designation has been received, and the symbol ID “0003” is acquired.

  Since the operation accepting unit 14 accepts the symbol designation, the output unit 15 receives the symbol ID “0003” indicated by the symbol designation. The output unit 15 receives “symbol ID” of the object management information shown in FIG. The value of “object” is acquired, and the acquired value of the object is displayed on the monitor.

  FIG. 12 is a display example showing a state in which the output unit 15 displays an object corresponding to the symbol designated by the symbol designation on the monitor. Here, the object is displayed so as to overlap the image displayed immediately before as one window.

  Here, when the user taps the button 121 for ending the display of the object with a finger, the display of the object disappears and the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG.

  Next, on the screen on which the symbols as shown in FIG. 10 are arranged, the user removes the area 202 corresponding to the page whose “symbol ID” is “2” as shown in FIG. Suppose that the area is tapped (tapped) with a finger.

  The operation accepting unit 14 accepts the coordinates of the position tapped with a finger (for example, (x21, y22)), and whether these coordinates are positions on any of the symbols in the symbol position management table shown in FIG. Here, if it is determined that the position is not on any of the symbols, the operation receiving unit 14 then determines that the coordinates of the position tapped with the finger are the area management information ( It is determined whether or not the coordinates are in any one of the areas indicated by (not shown), where the coordinates of the tapped position are the pages whose “page ID” is “2”. Since it is determined that the coordinates are within the corresponding area, the operation reception unit 14 determines that the designation outside the symbol has been received, and acquires the page ID “2”.

  The output unit 15 acquires the page ID “1” acquired by the operation receiving unit 14 because the operation receiving unit 14 has received designation outside the symbol, and the page indicated by the page ID “2” is the currently displayed symbol. Instead of this screen. For example, the output unit 15 reads page information whose “page ID” is “2” from the page information management information illustrated in FIG. 4. Further, the position management information whose “page ID” is “2” is read from the position management information shown in FIG. Further, the value of “object ID” is read from each acquired position management information, and the value of “object” (that is, object) indicated by the read “object ID” is read from the object management information shown in FIG. Then, each read object is arranged at a position indicated by the position management information corresponding to each object on the page indicated by the page information acquired above, and a page having “2” as the “page ID” is generated. Then, the output unit 15 outputs the generated page. Here, it is displayed on the monitor.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the output unit 15 displays a page having “page ID” “2” in response to an out-of-symbol instruction.

  If, for example, an operation for turning the page is performed on the electronic book device 1 in a state where this page is displayed, the output unit 15 displays the page after being turned, as in a normal electronic book device. Etc. are displayed. However, detailed description of the same processing as that of a normal electronic book apparatus is omitted here.

  Similarly to the state shown in FIG. 14, when any page of the electronic book information is displayed, an operation for displaying an object placed on two or more pages as a symbol is performed. The acquisition unit 13 determines two or more pages including the page output immediately before as the pages to be output with symbols. Then, the symbol acquisition unit 13 and the output unit 15 perform the same processing as described above, thereby including the symbols of the objects arranged on two or more pages including the page displayed immediately before, as shown in FIG. A screen like this is displayed.

  Here, in the state shown in FIG. 10, if the user performs an operation of flicking the monitor (that is, on the touch panel) upward (that is, from the bottom to the top), the operation reception unit 14 moves upward. Accepts flicking to.

  Since the operation accepting unit 14 accepts the upward flick operation, the symbol obtaining unit 13 includes two or more pages including the next page that is continuous with respect to a plurality of pages that are the display target of the current symbol (here Then, page 2) is set as a symbol display target. Of the current display target pages, the page with the largest page number is the page with the “page ID” of “2”, so the symbol acquisition unit 13 selects the page with the “page ID” of “2”. Two pages that have the largest page number are set as pages to be displayed, with the next page “page ID” being “3” being the page with the largest page number. That is, the symbol acquisition unit 13 determines a page with a “page ID” of “2” and a page with a “page ID” of “3” as symbol display targets.

  The symbol acquisition unit 13 performs a process for acquiring a symbol for an object arranged on each page determined as a display target in the same manner as described above. However, here, the symbols for the objects arranged on the page having the “page ID” of “2” have already been acquired, and the “page ID” is already “2” according to the symbol management table shown in FIG. Since the symbol for the page “” is managed, the symbol acquisition unit 13 acquires a symbol for each object arranged on the page whose “page ID” is “3”.

  The output unit 15 assigns symbols for objects placed on two pages whose “page IDs” are “2” and “3”, which are output targets acquired by the symbol acquisition unit 13, to different areas for each page. The screens arranged in the above are displayed in place of the display shown in FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a screen on which symbols of objects arranged on two pages, which are output by the output unit 15 in response to an upward flick operation, are arranged.

  In the state shown in FIG. 15, when the user performs an operation of flicking downward, the symbol acquisition unit 13 displays two or more pages including the previous page continuous to the page currently set as the display target (here Then, page 2) is determined as a symbol display target. And the symbol acquisition part 13 and the output part 15 perform the process similar to the above, and the screen on which the symbol as shown in FIG. 10 was displayed is displayed.

  In this specific example, structured data in XML format may be used instead of the object management information shown in FIG. For example, XML format data as shown in FIG. 16 may be used. Here, the data enclosed by one “item” tag is the data for one object, the data enclosed by the “object” tag in one “item” tag, and the “object ID” The data enclosed by the “” tag indicates an object and an object ID for one object. Further, data surrounded by an “electronic book ID” tag indicates an electronic book ID.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since symbols of one or more objects respectively arranged on two or more pages of an electronic book can be acquired and the acquired symbols can be output to different areas for each page, While maintaining the page image, each object placed on the page can be shown in a form that is easy to recognize as a symbol, and it is easy to see what objects are placed on two or more pages of an e-book. It becomes possible to do. Thereby, the operativity at the time of browsing the object arrange | positioned on the page of an electronic book can be improved, for example.

  In each of the above embodiments, each process (each function) may be realized by centralized processing by a single device (system), or by distributed processing by a plurality of devices. May be.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the electronic book apparatus is a stand-alone has been described. However, the electronic book apparatus may be a stand-alone apparatus or a server apparatus in a server / client system. In the latter case, the output unit or the reception unit receives an input or outputs a screen via a communication line.

  In each of the above embodiments, each component may be configured by dedicated hardware, or a component that can be realized by software may be realized by executing a program. For example, each component can be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

  In addition, the software which implement | achieves the electronic book apparatus in each said embodiment is the following programs. In other words, this program sets a computer that can access an electronic book information storage unit in which electronic book information, which is information on an electronic book having two or more pages each having one or more objects arranged, is stored. A symbol acquisition unit that acquires a symbol for one or more objects arranged on two or more pages, and an output that outputs the symbols acquired by the symbol acquisition unit in different regions for each page corresponding to the symbol This is a program for functioning as a part.

  In the program, the functions realized by the program do not include functions that can be realized only by hardware. For example, a function that can be realized only by hardware such as a modem or an interface card in an acquisition unit that acquires information or an output unit that outputs information is not included in the function realized by the program.

  Further, the computer that executes this program may be singular or plural. That is, centralized processing may be performed, or distributed processing may be performed.

  FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an external appearance of a computer that executes the program and realizes the electronic book device according to the embodiment. The above-described embodiment can be realized by computer hardware and a computer program executed on the computer hardware.

  In FIG. 17, a computer system 900 includes a computer 901 including a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) drive 905, an FD (Floppy (registered trademark) Disk) drive 906, a keyboard 902, a mouse 903, a monitor 904, and the like. Is provided.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the computer system 900. In FIG. 18, in addition to the CD-ROM drive 905 and the FD drive 906, a computer 901 is connected to an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 911, a ROM 912 for storing a program such as a bootup program, and the MPU 911. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 913 that temporarily stores program instructions and provides a temporary storage space, a hard disk 914 that stores application programs, system programs, and data, and an MPU 911 and a ROM 912 are interconnected. And a bus 915. The computer 901 may include a network card (not shown) that provides connection to the LAN.

  A program that causes the computer system 900 to execute the functions of the electronic book device or the like according to the above embodiment is stored in the CD-ROM 921 or the FD 922, inserted into the CD-ROM drive 905 or the FD drive 906, and stored in the hard disk 914. May be forwarded. Instead, the program may be transmitted to the computer 901 via a network (not shown) and stored in the hard disk 914. The program is loaded into the RAM 913 when executed. The program may be loaded directly from the CD-ROM 921, the FD 922, or the network.

  The program does not necessarily include an operating system (OS), a third party program, or the like that causes the computer 901 to execute the functions of the electronic book device according to the above embodiment. The program may include only a part of an instruction that calls an appropriate function (module) in a controlled manner and obtains a desired result. How the computer system 900 operates is well known and will not be described in detail.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible, and it goes without saying that these are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the electronic book device or the like according to the present invention is suitable as a device for browsing an electronic book, and is particularly useful as a device for outputting an object arranged in the electronic book so as to be easily browsed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic book apparatus 11 Electronic book information storage part 12 Attribute determination part 13 Symbol acquisition part 14 Operation reception part 15 Output part

Claims (11)

An electronic book information storage unit in which electronic book information, which is information of an electronic book having two or more pages in which one or more objects are arranged, is stored;
A symbol acquisition unit that acquires symbols for one or more objects respectively disposed on two or more pages of the electronic book information;
An electronic book device comprising: an output unit that arranges and outputs symbols acquired by the symbol acquisition unit in different regions for each page corresponding to the symbol. An attribute determining unit that determines attributes of one or more objects respectively disposed on the two or more pages;
The electronic book device according to claim 1, wherein the symbol acquisition unit acquires a symbol corresponding to the attribute determined by the attribute determination unit for each of the one or more objects. The attribute determination unit determines whether the attribute is an image or text for each of the one or more objects;
The symbol obtaining unit obtains a thumbnail image of the object as a symbol for the object whose attribute is determined to be an image by the attribute determining unit, and summarizes the object for the object whose attribute is determined to be text. The electronic book device according to claim 2, which is acquired as a symbol. An operation receiving unit that receives a symbol designation that is a designation for a symbol output by the output unit;
The electronic book device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs an object indicated by the symbol designation when the symbol designation is received. The operation accepting unit further accepts designation outside the symbol which is designation for a position other than on the symbol of one region, among different regions for each page where the symbol is arranged,
5. The electronic book apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs a page corresponding to an area including a position specified by the outside-symbol designation when receiving the outside-symbol designation. The operation accepting unit accepts an operation of flicking an area where a symbol is arranged in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction,
The symbol acquisition unit acquires a symbol for an object arranged on a page other than the page where the object corresponding to the currently displayed symbol is arranged when the operation accepting unit accepts a flick operation. ,
The electronic book device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit divides the symbols acquired by the symbol acquisition unit into different regions for each page corresponding to the symbols. The electronic book device according to claim 1, wherein the symbol acquisition unit automatically generates a symbol from an object. The electronic book apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit does not output an object when a symbol is output to a different area for each page. The electronic book device according to claim 1, wherein the symbol acquisition unit acquires symbols for all the objects respectively arranged on two or more pages. An electronic book performed using an electronic book information storage unit that stores electronic book information, which is information of an electronic book having two or more pages in which one or more objects are respectively arranged, a symbol acquisition unit, and an output unit A processing method,
A symbol acquisition unit that acquires symbols for one or more objects respectively disposed on two or more pages of the electronic book information;
An electronic book processing method comprising: an output unit configured to arrange and output a symbol acquired by the symbol acquisition unit in a different area for each page corresponding to the symbol. A computer capable of accessing an electronic book information storage unit in which electronic book information, which is information of an electronic book having two or more pages each having one or more objects arranged therein, is stored;
A symbol acquisition unit that acquires symbols for one or more objects respectively disposed on two or more pages of the electronic book information;
A program for causing a symbol acquired by the symbol acquisition unit to function as an output unit that arranges and outputs in a different area for each page corresponding to the symbol.

Images