JP5755095B2 - Electronic book program and electronic book apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic book program and an electronic book device.

  In recent years, with the spread of mobile terminals, infrastructure for providing electronic book services has been improved. In such an electronic book service, for example, the user can browse the contents of the electronic book by downloading an electronic book containing data equivalent to the contents sold on a paper medium to the mobile terminal. is there. In addition, a service that utilizes the characteristics of an electronic book is also considered such that after an electronic book is downloaded to a mobile terminal, charging is performed according to the number of pages actually viewed by the user (for example, patent literature). 1).

JP 2003-337894 A

  As described above, although the electronic book service is becoming widespread, browsing of the electronic book is performed in units of electronic books downloaded in the same manner as in the case of books on paper media. Therefore, for example, when related contents are included in a plurality of electronic books, in order to view these related contents, it is necessary to select and browse each electronic book separately on the mobile terminal, which is inconvenient. is there.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to improve the browsing property of related contents included in a plurality of electronic books.

  An electronic book program according to one aspect of the present invention is an electronic book that stores a plurality of electronic books in which a plurality of contents are associated with attribute data indicating attributes of the contents on a computer capable of displaying information on a display. A function for displaying a list of books as a list of a plurality of electronic books on the display with reference to the storage unit, and an attribute list that is a list of a plurality of attributes of content included in the plurality of electronic books with reference to the electronic book storage unit Is displayed on the display, the content included in one electronic book selected by the user according to the book list is acquired from the electronic book storage unit and displayed on the display, and the user is selected according to the attribute list. The content included in the plurality of electronic books associated with the attribute data of one attribute is retrieved from the electronic book storage unit. It is intended for realizing a function to be displayed on the display by.

  In the present invention, the “part” does not simply mean a physical means, but includes a case where the function of the “part” is realized by software. Also, even if the functions of one “unit” or device are realized by two or more physical means or devices, the functions of two or more “units” or devices are realized by one physical means or device. May be.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the browsing property of the related content contained in a some electronic book can be improved.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the electronic book system which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of a portable terminal. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the various functions implement | achieved in a portable terminal. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the electronic book for 1 volume. It is a figure which shows an example of an initial screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the arrangement | sequence for table of contents. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen in the case of the display according to number. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen in the case of the display according to number. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen of the article list displayed when a chapter is selected. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the electronic book display process in a portable terminal.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electronic book system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic book system includes a mobile terminal 10 and an electronic book server 12. The mobile terminal 10 is an information processing apparatus such as a tablet computer or a smartphone, and can communicate with the electronic book server 12 via the network 14. The electronic book server 12 provides an electronic book service to the mobile terminal 10 and is configured by using one or a plurality of information processing apparatuses. In FIG. 1, only one portable terminal 10 is illustrated for the sake of simplicity, but the electronic book server 12 can provide an electronic book service to a plurality of portable terminals 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic book server 12 includes an electronic book distribution unit 20, an electronic book database (DB) 22, and a user account database (DB) 24. The electronic book distribution unit 20 can distribute an electronic book stored in the electronic book DB 22 to the mobile terminal 10 in response to a request from the mobile terminal 10. In the present embodiment, an electronic book of a separate volume encyclopedia that separates the contents of a certain theme into a plurality of issues will be described as an example. Further, the electronic book distribution unit 20 can acquire account information of the user of the mobile terminal 10 from the user account DB 24 and perform a payment process when distributing the electronic book to the mobile terminal 10.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 10 includes a CPU 30, a memory 32, an input interface (I / F) 34, a display 36, a communication interface (I / F) 38, and a power supply 40.

  The CPU 30 controls the mobile terminal 10 as a whole, and can implement various functions as will be described later by executing a program stored in the memory 32.

  The memory 32 is for storing programs, data, and the like, and is configured by a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, for example. The memory 32 may include a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing work data in addition to a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. In addition to the memory 32, the mobile terminal 10 may include a storage device such as a hard disk drive as a storage area for programs and data. The mobile terminal 10 may be configured to be able to use an external storage device connected via, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

  The input I / F 34 receives a user operation and outputs control information corresponding to the user operation, and includes, for example, a touch panel, various operation buttons, a microphone, a camera, and the like.

  The display 36 is for displaying various types of information so as to be visible to the user, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. Note that the mobile terminal 10 may include a dedicated processor for displaying information on the display 36. The mobile terminal 10 may be configured to be able to output image display data to an external display device.

  The communication I / F 38 is for transmitting / receiving data to / from other information processing apparatuses such as the electronic book server 12 via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or a mobile phone communication network. It includes a modulation / demodulation module. Note that the mobile terminal 10 may be configured to be able to transmit and receive data to and from other information processing apparatuses by wired connection using a cable.

  The power supply 40 supplies power when the mobile terminal 10 operates, and includes, for example, a rechargeable battery or a power supply circuit.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of various functions implemented in the mobile terminal 10. The mobile terminal 10 includes an electronic book acquisition unit 50, an electronic book storage unit 52, and an electronic book display unit 54. The electronic book display unit 54 includes an initial screen display unit 60, issue list display unit 62, chapter list display unit 64, issue display unit 66, chapter display unit 68, display switching unit 70, and search unit 72. Consists of. Each of these units can be realized, for example, by using a storage area on the memory 32 or by executing a program stored in the memory 32 by the CPU 30.

  The electronic book acquisition unit 50 can download the electronic book from the electronic book DB 22 and store it in the electronic book storage unit 52 by accessing the electronic book server 12 via the network 14. Here, the electronic book is data configured so that the content of the book can be browsed electronically on the mobile terminal 10.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the data structure of one electronic book. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the electronic book includes table of contents data and page data. The table of contents data includes a page identifier for identifying each page in one electronic book, and the page data includes a page identifier and page contents. The table of contents data is stored in the electronic book storage unit 52 so that it can be identified which book (issue) data. For example, the table of contents data may be stored in a folder that can identify a book (issue), or may be given a file name that can identify a book (issue).

  As shown in FIG. 4C, the page identifier includes information indicating the chapter, the position of the article within the chapter, and the arrangement position within the article, and the page identifier is different for each page. It is a code system. The “chapter” indicates a system of articles indicated by page contents (contents), and is attribute data indicating attributes of the page contents. The “position of the article within the chapter” is information for identifying the article in the chapter indicated by the page content. In the separate encyclopedia, there may be articles with the same chapter across multiple issues. Therefore, “the position of the article within the chapter” is not only for identifying the position of the article within the chapter in the electronic book for one issue but also for identifying the position of the article within the chapter across the electronic books of the multiple issues. Used for. The “arrangement position in the article” is information for identifying the page number in the article in the case of an article composed of a plurality of pages.

  As shown in FIG. 4D, the page content is information of each content such as text, image, moving image, and sound, and includes information such as the file name of each content and the display position within the page.

  Note that the data structure of the electronic book illustrated in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and any structure can be adopted as long as the content included in the electronic book is associated with attribute data indicating the attribute of the content. . In the present embodiment, chapters are used as an example of content attributes. However, the attributes are not limited to these, and arbitrary attributes can be used. For example, it is possible to use data types such as text, images, moving images, and audio as content attributes. In the present embodiment, the electronic book is downloaded to the electronic book storage unit 52 of the mobile terminal 10, but part or all of the electronic book data may not be downloaded to the mobile terminal 10. For example, the electronic book server 12 stores information for identifying an electronic book purchased by each user in the user account DB 24, and when the user browses the electronic book with the mobile terminal 10, the electronic book server 12 transmits necessary data to the mobile terminal 10. It is good also as delivering to. For example, the structure which the electronic book which the user purchased is preserve | saved on the server different from the electronic book server 12 may be sufficient.

  Returning to FIG. 3, when an electronic book browsing program is activated, the initial screen display unit 60 displays an initial screen when browsing the electronic book on the display 36. FIG. 5 shows an example of the initial screen displayed by the initial screen display unit 60. This initial screen 100 is for browsing an electronic book of a separate volume encyclopedia, and includes a display area 102 for selecting a number and a display area 104 for selecting a chapter. The initial screen display unit 60 can also display a menu for starting other processes such as search in the display area 110. For example, the menu includes a “Home” button for returning to the initial screen, a “Search” button for searching for an electronic book stored in the electronic book storage unit 52 by a keyword, and the like for returning to the previous state. A “return” button is provided.

  The display area 102 displays a list of issues (book list) for selecting issues to be browsed from among a plurality of issues. The issue list is generated when the initial screen display unit 60 calls the issue list display unit 62 (book list display unit). The issue list display unit 62 can obtain, for example, thumbnail images showing the titles and outlines of issues that have been released from the electronic book server 12 and display them in the issue list. In addition, the issue list display unit 62 can display the issue list so that it can be identified whether or not the user has purchased each issue. As an example, the issue list display unit 62 may display thumbnail images of light colors for issues that have not been purchased.

  Note that an unpurchased issue may or may not be selectable. In a case where an unpurchased issue can be selected, the issue list display unit 62 may display detailed information on the selected issue or display a screen for transitioning to a purchase process for the selected issue. In addition, the issue list display unit 62 may determine a purchased issue by referring to the electronic book storage unit 52, or may determine a purchased issue by making an inquiry to the electronic book server 12. It is good. In addition, when determining the purchased issue by referring to the electronic book storage unit 52, for example, the purchased issue is determined based on the presence or absence of the table of contents data of the electronic book stored in the electronic book storage unit 52. It is good as well.

  The display area 104 displays a chapter list (attribute list) for selecting a chapter to be browsed from among a plurality of chapters. The chapter list is generated when the initial screen display unit 60 calls the chapter list display unit 64 (attribute list display unit). The chapter list display unit 64 can display, for example, thumbnail images that show the titles and outlines of the chapters included in the separate volume encyclopedia in the chapter list. The thumbnail images of each chapter may be included in advance in the electronic book browsing program, or may be acquired from the electronic book server 12. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the chapter list display unit 64 can employ any user interface for supporting chapter selection, such as displaying thumbnail images of a plurality of chapters so as to be scrollable to the left and right.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the issue-specific display unit 66 (book-specific display unit) acquires content included in the electronic book of the issue selected in the issue list from the electronic book storage unit 52 and displays the content on the display 36. Specifically, the issue-specific display unit 66 acquires the table of contents data of the selected issue from the electronic book storage unit 52, and stores it in the table of contents array that is an array showing the page configuration. The table of contents array is temporary data generated when an electronic book is displayed, and can be stored in the memory 32. FIG. 6 shows an example of the structure of the table of contents arrangement. As shown in FIG. 6, in the table of contents array, page identifiers of pages selected as display targets are stored in the page display order. The issue-specific display unit 66 can display content for each page by acquiring page data from the electronic book storage unit 52 using the page identifier stored in the table of contents array as a key.

  7 and 8 show examples of screens displayed by the issue-specific display unit 66. FIG. FIG. 7 is an example of a page screen including a table of contents of the issue selected in the issue list. The page data of the table of contents includes information (page identifier) for jumping to each article in the issue. The issue-specific display unit 66 can display the selected article on the display 36 by acquiring the page data of the article selected in the table of contents from the electronic book storage unit 52 using the page identifier as a key. For example, when the article “basic information” is selected in the table of contents shown in FIG. 7, the issue-specific display unit 66 acquires the page identifier of the article “basic information” from the page data of the table of contents, and By acquiring the page data from the electronic book storage unit 52, the selected article can be displayed, for example, as shown in FIG. In addition to the jump from the table of contents, the issue-specific display unit 66 can change the display target page according to the page turning operation. As the page turning operation, for example, an arbitrary method such as an operation of turning a page on the touch panel (flick) can be employed. Moreover, the display part 66 according to number can display the information which shows that the display according to number is performed, for example, as shown in the display area 120 of the screen of FIG. As will be described later, when the chapter display is performed, information indicating that the chapter display is performed can be displayed in the display area 120.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the chapter display unit 68 (attribute display unit) acquires the page data of the chapter selected in the chapter list from the electronic book storage unit 52, and displays the content included in the acquired page data on the display 36. To display. Specifically, the chapter display unit 68 searches the page data stored in the electronic book storage unit 52 for page data including information indicating the selected chapter in the page identifier. When the same chapter exists in a plurality of issues, the page data of the selected chapter in the plurality of issues is searched. Then, the chapter-specific display unit 68 stores the page identifier of the retrieved page data in the table of contents array. At this time, the chapter-specific display unit 68 can store the page identifiers in the table of contents array so that the page order is in accordance with “the position of the article within the chapter” and “the arrangement position within the article”. . The chapter display unit 68 can display content for each page by acquiring page data from the electronic book storage unit 52 using the page identifier stored in the table of contents array as a key. Further, the chapter display section 68 can display information indicating that chapter display is being performed, for example, in the display area 120 of the screen of FIG.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of an article list screen displayed when a chapter is selected. For example, when the chapter “Vehicle organization” is selected, the chapter display unit 68 can display a list of articles of the chapter “Vehicle organization” included in a plurality of issues. Data such as thumbnail images and text for displaying the list of articles may be included in advance in a program for browsing electronic books, or may be included in page data. In addition, necessary data may be acquired from the electronic book server 12 when a list of articles is displayed. The chapter display unit 68 can acquire the page data of the article selected in the article list from the electronic book storage unit 52, and can display the content as in FIG. Note that the chapter display unit 68 may display the content by acquiring the page data of the selected chapter from the electronic book storage unit 52 without displaying the list of articles. The chapter display unit 68 not only displays the chapter selected from the chapter list but also when a user operation for instructing switching to the chapter display is performed during issue display. It is possible to display by chapter. This point will be described later.

  Returning to FIG. 3, when a user operation for instructing switching to chapter-specific display is performed during display by issue by the issue-specific display unit 66, the display switching unit 70 jumps to the jump destination chapter specified by the user operation. Execute the process to switch to the chapter display. Here, as a user operation for instructing switching to the chapter-specific display, for example, an operation for jumping to a certain chapter or article or a menu displayed in the display area 110 on the screen of the issue-specific display shown in FIG. For example, “previous” or “next” page operation at. Note that the user operation for instructing switching to the chapter-specific display is not limited to this, and any user operation that can specify a chapter can be adopted.

  For example, when a user operation for jumping to the chapter “Vehicle organization” or an article in the chapter is performed on the screen of FIG. 8, the display switching unit 70 belongs to the selected chapter or the selected article. The page data of the chapter to be executed (jump destination chapter) is extracted, and switching to the chapter display is instructed to the chapter display section 68. Further, for example, when the “next” button for proceeding to the next page is pressed in the display area 110 of the screen of FIG. 8, the display switching unit 70 causes the chapter to which the displayed page belongs (jump destination chapter). Page data is extracted, and the chapter display unit 68 is instructed to switch to chapter display.

  When the switching from the display switching unit 70 to the chapter display is instructed, the chapter display unit 68 displays the chapter specified by the instruction from the display switching unit 70 in the same manner as when a chapter is selected from the initial screen. Perform chapter display.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the search unit 72 provides a function of searching page data stored in the electronic book storage unit 52. For example, when the “search” button is pressed in the display area 110, the search unit 72 displays a screen for inputting a keyword for searching. Then, the search unit 72 can search page data including a keyword input on this screen and display the search result. When a page is selected from the search results, the chapter display unit 68 can display the content of the selected page.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an electronic book display process in the mobile terminal 10. This process is started, for example, when an electronic book browsing program is activated on the mobile terminal 10.

  First, the initial screen display unit 60 displays an initial screen as illustrated in FIG. 5 (S1001). At this time, the initial screen display unit 60 activates the issue list display unit 62 and the chapter list display unit 64. The issue list display unit 62 can obtain thumbnail images of issues that have been released by accessing the electronic book server 12, for example. For example, the issue list display unit 62 can confirm that each issue has not been purchased by referring to the electronic book storage unit 52, and can display the issue list using thumbnail images corresponding to the purchase state. The chapter list display unit 64 can display a chapter list using thumbnail images of each chapter. Then, when the issue number to be viewed is selected from the issue list (S1002: issue number), the initial screen display unit 60 activates the issue number display unit 66 to display the electronic book of the selected issue. . On the other hand, when a chapter to be browsed is selected from the chapter list (S1002: by chapter), the initial screen display unit 60 activates the chapter display unit 68 to display the electronic book of the selected chapter. .

  When the issue-specific display unit 66 is activated from the initial screen display unit 60, the table of contents for the issue selected in the issue list on the initial screen is placed in the table of contents (S1003). Then, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the issue-specific display unit 66 displays the page contents included in the electronic book by issue according to the page identifier stored in the table of contents array (S1004).

  When the display switching unit 70 accepts a user operation for jumping to a chapter or article (S1005: Y) in the state where the number-specific display is performed, the page data of the jump destination chapter is extracted (S1006), The chapter display unit 68 is instructed to display the chapter or article selected as the jump destination by chapter (S1007). As a result, the processing shifts to the chapter-specific display processing (S1009) in the chapter-specific display section 68.

  When the chapter to be browsed is selected in the chapter list on the initial screen and the chapter display unit 68 is activated (S1002: by chapter), the chapter display unit 68 is selected with reference to the electronic book storage unit 52. The page data belonging to the chapter is extracted (S1008). Then, the chapter display unit 68 stores the page identifier of the extracted page data in the table of contents array (S1009), and the page contents included in the electronic book by chapter according to the page identifier stored in the table of contents array. Is displayed (S1010). When jumping to an article in a chapter is selected in the issue-specific display, the display switching unit 70 transfers the page identifier of the first page of this article to the chapter-specific display unit 68. Then, the chapter display unit 68 can start chapter display from the first page of the article delivered from the display switching unit 70.

  When the chapter display is performed, the display switching unit 70 receives the user operation for jumping to the issue display by pressing the “return” button or the like (S1011: Y), and the displayed page belongs. The table of contents data of the issue is put in the table of contents array (S1012). Then, the display switching unit 70 instructs the number display unit 66 to display the number (S1013). In response to this instruction, the issue display unit 66 displays the page contents included in the electronic book by issue according to the page identifier stored in the table of contents array, as in the case where the issue is selected from the initial screen. (S1004).

  The electronic book system of this embodiment has been described above. In the present embodiment, page data of each page of an electronic book sold by issue is stored in the electronic book storage unit 52 in association with information identifying the chapter to which each page belongs. Therefore, in the portable terminal 10, for example, when browsing an electronic book in which an article of a certain chapter is published over a plurality of issues such as a separate encyclopedia, the issue is not only browsed by issue, which is a purchased unit. You can browse by chapter. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the viewability of related content included in a plurality of electronic books.

  Further, in this embodiment, a list of issues for selecting the issue to be browsed and a list of chapters for selecting the chapter to be browsed are simultaneously displayed on the initial screen. Therefore, according to a user's request | requirement, the browsing by issue display or the browsing by chapter display can be started.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when a user operation for instructing jumping to a chapter or an article in a chapter is performed in a state where the issue-specific display is performed, the chapter specified by the user operation is displayed. It is possible to switch. Thereby, for example, when there is a chapter that the user is interested in in the issue being browsed, it is possible to browse the articles in that chapter across the issue. Furthermore, in this embodiment, after switching from the display by issue to the display by chapter, it is also possible to return to the display by issue. Thereby, the operativity of the user in the display according to issue and the display according to chapter can be improved.

  Note that this embodiment is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed / improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

  For example, although not described in the present embodiment, the display switching unit 70 displays the chapter by chapter so that when another chapter is selected during chapter-by-chapter display, the display switches to the chapter-by-chapter display for the other chapter. The display unit 68 may be controlled. This can be performed in the same manner as the transition from the display by issue to the display by chapter in the present embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Portable terminal 12 Electronic book server 14 Network 20 Electronic book delivery part 22 Electronic book database 24 User account database 30 CPU
32 Memory 34 Input Interface 36 Display 38 Communication Interface 40 Power Supply 50 Electronic Book Acquisition Unit 52 Electronic Book Storage Unit 54 Electronic Book Display Unit 60 Initial Screen Display Unit 62 List Display Unit 64 Chapter List Display Unit 66 Display Unit by 66 Chapter 68 Display unit 70 Display switching unit 72 Search unit

Claims (5)

To a computer that can display information on the display,
A function of displaying a list of books as a list of a plurality of electronic books on a display by referring to an electronic book storage unit that stores a plurality of electronic books configured by associating a plurality of contents with attribute data indicating content attributes When,
A function of referring to the electronic book storage unit and displaying an attribute list which is a list of a plurality of attributes of content included in the plurality of electronic books on the display;
A function of acquiring content included in one electronic book selected by the user according to the book list from the electronic book storage unit and displaying the content on the display;
A function of acquiring content included in a plurality of electronic books associated with attribute data of one attribute selected by the user according to the attribute list from the electronic book storage unit and displaying the content on the display;
An e-book program for realizing An electronic book program according to claim 1,
The book list and the attribute list can be displayed on the display at the same time.
E-book program. The electronic book program according to claim 1 or 2,
In the computer,
In a state where the content included in the one electronic book selected by the user is displayed on the display, the attribute specified by the user operation is specified in response to the user operation instructing switching to browsing for each attribute. A function of acquiring content included in a plurality of electronic books associated with attribute data from the electronic book storage unit and displaying the content on the display.
An electronic book program for further realization. It is an electronic book program as described in any one of Claims 1-3,
The attribute is a chapter in an electronic book.
E-book program. A book that displays a list of books as a list of a plurality of electronic books on a display with reference to an electronic book storage unit that stores a plurality of electronic books configured by associating a plurality of contents with attribute data indicating content attributes A list display section;
An attribute list display unit that refers to the electronic book storage unit and displays an attribute list that is a list of a plurality of attributes of content included in the plurality of electronic books on the display;
A display unit for each book that acquires content included in one electronic book selected by the user according to the book list from the electronic book storage unit and displays the content on the display;
Display according to attribute which acquires the content contained in the several electronic book matched with the attribute data of one attribute selected from the user according to the said attribute list from the said electronic book memory | storage part, and displays it on the said display And
An electronic book device comprising: