WO2012039435A1 - Electronic book reading device, electronic book data creation device, electronic book reading method, electronic book data creation method, electronic book system, data structure of electronic book, program, and recording medium thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A terminal device according to the present invention displays an electronic book obtained by digitizing a book in which a plurality of articles appeared on a plurality of pages. Specifically, the terminal device according to the present invention is capable of switching the display from the state in which image data indicating a page is displayed on a screen into the state in which text data indicating articles appeared on the page is displayed on an article basis.

Description

Electronic book browsing device, electronic book data creation device, electronic book browsing method, electronic book data creation method, electronic book system, data structure of electronic book data, program, and recording medium thereof

The present invention relates to an electronic book browsing device, an electronic book data creation device, an electronic book browsing method, an electronic book data creation method, an electronic book system, a data structure of electronic book data, a program, and a recording medium thereof.

In recent years, various information has been provided in the form of electronic data. As an example of such electronic data, there is an electronic book obtained by digitizing a book supplied by paper.

An electronic book is a paper book (hereinafter referred to as a paper book) that is generally stored as printed characters or photographs, and the page is spread by a paper book by a predetermined electronic book terminal device. It is what is displayed. The electronic book is displayed as if the paper book is expanded and the page is being read one by one by sliding and displaying the text (image) for one page by a predetermined button.

For example, in a terminal device for an electronic book, there is a method of displaying information while maintaining the layout using an electronic book using image data indicating the same paper surface as a paper book. However, since a general electronic book terminal device has portability, the size of a display unit is limited, and when a paper surface similar to a paper book is displayed as a whole, the user's visibility is remarkably high. It will decline. For this reason, the user must frequently perform an operation of finding and enlarging a desired article from the displayed paper, which is inconvenient.

On the other hand, a method has been proposed in which text data for a book is sequentially displayed on the display unit within the range of the maximum number of characters that the display unit can display at a time, in order to provide an easy-to-read display on a terminal device for an electronic book. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). However, such a display method has a problem that it is not suitable for an article having a characteristic layout such as a magazine or a newspaper.

In order to solve the above-described problem, there is a method of switching each display using an electronic book in which image data indicating a page is associated with text data of an article on the page.

Japanese Patent Publication “Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-197088” (released on July 12, 2002)

A conventional data structure of electronic book data and a display method using the electronic book terminal device will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 18A shows image data for an electronic book in a conventional electronic book terminal device, and FIG. 18B shows the text data.

18 (a) and 18 (b), image data and text data are created corresponding to each page of the electronic book. Further, image data and text data are associated with each page.

The electronic book terminal device can switch the display of image data or text data as shown by the arrows in FIGS. 18A and 18B for the electronic book data having the above-described data structure. Specifically, the conventional electronic book terminal device can sequentially display image data for each page of the electronic book. In addition, in a state where certain image data is displayed, when a user's instruction to switch to the text mode is received, it is possible to display text data associated with the image data.

However, the conventional data structure of electronic book data and the display method thereof have the following problems.

For example, Article 2 and Article 3 are posted on the same page due to the configuration of the electronic book. Therefore, when the conventional electronic book terminal device displays image data corresponding to the page on which the article 2 and the article 3 are posted, when the user inputs an instruction to switch to the text mode, the article 2 and the article 3 are displayed. Contains text data. That is, since the texts of the article 2 and the article 3 are displayed on the screen of the conventional electronic book terminal device, it is difficult for the user to understand the separation of the articles.

In addition, due to the paper structure of the e-book, Article 4 is published over 3 pages. Therefore, when the electronic book terminal device displays image data corresponding to a page in the middle of the article 4, when the user inputs an instruction to switch to the text mode, the text data including the middle of the article 4 is displayed. The That is, in this case, even if the user wants to read the text of the article 4 from the beginning, the text of the article 4 is not displayed on the screen from the beginning. In addition, since text data is created in units of pages, one article text is cut into pages, making it difficult for the user to read.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic book browsing apparatus and an electronic book that are easy to read for each article while enabling display switching between an image mode and a text mode. Browsing method, program and recording medium thereof, and electronic book data creation device, electronic book data creation method, electronic book data creation program for creating electronic book data with improved readability for each article, and stored the same It is to realize a recording medium and an electronic book data structure.

In order to solve the above problems, an electronic book browsing apparatus according to the present invention is an electronic book browsing apparatus in which a book in which a plurality of articles are posted on a plurality of papers is digitized, and represents each of the papers. Image data, text data representing each character information of the article, and association information in which the data representing the article posted at the top of each page of the text data is associated with the image data corresponding to the article Including an acquisition means for acquiring electronic book data, a display means for displaying the image data or the text data on a screen, and the image data included in the electronic book data acquired by the acquisition means is displayed on the screen. When the image data is displayed, the image data is associated with the image data by referring to the association information included in the acquired electronic book data. And the text data is characterized in that a display switching means capable of switching the display by way, the display means is displayed on the screen.

The association information included in the electronic book data associates image data representing each page with text data representing each article. For example, when a plurality of articles are posted on one page, image data representing the page is associated with text data representing an article posted at the top of the page. When one article is published over a plurality of pages, image data representing each page and text data representing the article are associated with each other. When one article is published on one page, image data representing the page and text data representing the article are associated with each other on a one-to-one basis. The electronic book browsing apparatus according to the present invention acquires such association information as one book of electronic book data together with the image data and the text data.

According to the said structure, the electronic book browsing apparatus which concerns on this invention can switch a display from image data to text data suitably by referring the said correlation information contained in the electronic book data acquired by the acquisition means. it can. Specifically, even if a plurality of articles are posted on one page, since the displayed text is divided in units of articles, the user can easily determine the article breaks and is easy to read. Further, even if one article is posted across a plurality of pages, the displayed text is one continuous sentence, so that the user can easily read the article.

That is, according to the electronic book browsing apparatus of the present invention, the user can easily browse for each article.

The electronic book browsing method according to the present invention is an electronic book browsing method obtained by digitizing a book in which a plurality of articles are published on a plurality of paper surfaces, each of the image data representing each of the paper surfaces, and each of the articles. E-book data including text data representing the character information and association information associating data representing the article posted at the top of each of the text data with image data corresponding to the article. An acquisition step of acquiring, a display step of displaying the image data or the text data on the screen, and the association information included in the electronic book data acquired by the acquisition step when the image data is displayed on the screen. By referring to the display process, the text data associated with the image data is displayed on the screen. It is characterized in that it comprises a display switching step of switching a display that.

According to the above method, the same effects as those described above with respect to the electronic book browsing apparatus according to the present invention can be obtained.

An electronic book data creation apparatus according to the present invention is an electronic book data creation apparatus that creates electronic book data obtained by digitizing a book in which a plurality of articles are published on a plurality of papers in order to solve the above-described problem. , Image data representing each of the pages, text data representing each piece of character information of the article, data representing an article posted at the top of each page of the text data, and an image corresponding to the article An acquisition unit that acquires association information associated with data, and a generation unit that generates the electronic book data by combining the association information, the image data, and the text data acquired by the acquisition unit. It is characterized by having prepared.

The association information included in the electronic book data associates image data representing each page with text data representing character information of each article. For example, when a plurality of articles are posted on one page, image data representing the page is associated with text data representing an article posted at the top of the page. When one article is published over a plurality of pages, image data representing each page and text data representing the article are associated with each other. When one article is published on one page, image data representing the page and text data representing the article are associated with each other on a one-to-one basis.

According to the electronic book data created by the electronic book data creation device according to the present invention, the display from the image data to the text data can be suitably switched from the association information included in the electronic book data. For example, in an electronic book browsing apparatus for browsing electronic book data, even if a plurality of articles are posted on one page of paper by the electronic book data having the above structure, the image data representing the page is switched. Since the text data is created by dividing each article, the user can easily distinguish the article break and is easy to read. In addition, even if one article is published across multiple pages, the text data switched from any image data representing the page represents the article as one continuous sentence. The user can easily read the article.

That is, according to the electronic book data created by the electronic book data creation device according to the present invention, the user can easily browse every article in the electronic book browsing device that displays the electronic book data. .

Moreover, the electronic book data creation method according to the present invention is an electronic book data creation method for creating electronic book data obtained by digitizing a book in which a plurality of articles are published on a plurality of papers, each representing the above-mentioned papers. Image data, text data representing each character information of the article, and association information in which the data representing the article posted at the top of each page of the text data is associated with the image data corresponding to the article And a creation step of creating a combination of the association information, the image data, and the text data acquired by the acquisition step as the electronic book data.

According to the above method, the same effects as those described above with respect to the electronic book data creation device according to the present invention can be obtained.

Further, the electronic book browsing device and the electronic book data creation device may be realized by a computer. In this case, an electronic book browsing program and electronic book data for realizing the electronic book browsing device and the electronic book data creation device in a computer by operating the computer as each means constituting the electronic book browsing device and the electronic book data creation device The creation program and the computer-readable recording medium storing the electronic book browsing program and the electronic book data creation program also fall within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is an electronic book browsing device obtained by digitizing a book in which a plurality of articles are published on a plurality of paper surfaces, image data representing each paper surface, text data representing character information of each article, and the text An acquisition means for acquiring electronic book data including association information that associates data representing an article posted at the top of each page of paper with image data corresponding to the article, and the image data or the text data. When the display means for displaying on the screen and the image data included in the electronic book data acquired by the acquiring means are displayed on the screen, the association information included in the electronic book data is referred to, The display by the display means can be switched so that the text data associated with the image data is displayed on the screen. And a possible display switching means. According to the electronic book browsing apparatus of the present invention, the user can easily browse for each article.

5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a display method of electronic book data according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 5A illustrates an image file corresponding to the first to fifth pages, and FIG. 5B illustrates the first to fifth pages. The text file of each article published in is shown. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the data preparation apparatus and terminal device which concern on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the electronic book data produced by the data production apparatus shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the data preparation part of the data preparation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the correlation file of an image and a text. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the terminal device shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed in the terminal device shown in FIG. 2, and its reproduction | regeneration order. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed in the terminal device shown in FIG. 2, and its reproduction | regeneration order. It is a figure for demonstrating the screen transition from a table of contents screen. It is a figure which shows the other example of the data structure of the electronic book data shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of the screen shown in FIG.4 and FIG.5, and its reproduction | regeneration order. It is a figure which shows the modification of the reproduction | regeneration order of the screen shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of the data structure of the electronic book data shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed in the terminal device shown in FIG. 2, (a) shows one screen of the said terminal device, (b) shows another screen of the said terminal device. It is a figure which shows the other example of the screen displayed in the terminal device shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of the screen displayed in the terminal device shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the further another example of the screen displayed in the terminal device shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the display method of the electronic book data which concerns on a prior art example, (a) has shown the image data for electronic books in the terminal device for conventional electronic books, (b) has shown the text data.

An electronic book system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

[1. E-book system)
(1-1. Configuration of electronic book system)
First, the configuration of the electronic book system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the electronic book system 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic book system 100 includes a data creation device (electronic book data creation device) 10 that creates electronic book data, and a terminal device (electronic book browsing device) 20 that displays the electronic book data. It consists of

The electronic book system 100 is a system that handles digital data, that is, an electronic book. In this embodiment, data for electronic books (hereinafter referred to as original data) created by a publisher or the like is supplied to the data creation device 10 via a network or the like.

The data creation device 10 creates electronic book data having a predetermined data structure based on the supplied original data for electronic books. The data creation device 10 provides the created electronic book data to the terminal device 20 via the network 30.

The terminal device 20 displays an electronic book based on the electronic book data provided from the data creation device 10. Specifically, an image mode and a text mode are set in the terminal device 20, and the terminal device 20 displays an electronic book for each page in the image mode, and displays an electronic book for each article in the text mode.

(1-2. Original data for electronic books)
The electronic book described in the present embodiment has a plurality of paper pages composed of text, images, or a combination thereof, and includes a plurality of articles. Note that an article means, for example, a text or an image having a content corresponding to each heading (table of contents), and a section of one article is arbitrarily set at the time when the article is supplied to the data creation apparatus 10.

Hereinafter, original data for an electronic book supplied to the data creation device 10 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the original data for the electronic book includes an image file group 50a, a text file group 60a, and an association file 80. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating original data for an electronic book and a data creation unit 15 of the data creation device 10 to which the original data is input, as will be described in detail later.

The image file group 50a includes a plurality of image files. Here, the image file is data representing the paper surface of the electronic book as an image, and is created for each page of the electronic book. For example, an image file representing an M page paper surface as an image is hereinafter referred to as an M page image file.

In the present embodiment, description will be made using a JPEG format image file. In the present invention, the image file is not limited to the JPEG format, and any other format may be used as long as the data represents one page of paper as an image. A plurality of image files included in the image file group 50a may be collected as PDF data. In this case, individual image files are generated from the PDF data by the data creation unit 15 described later.

The text file group 60a includes a plurality of text files. Here, the text file is data representing character information of articles included in the electronic book, and is created by being divided for each article. For example, a text file representing character information of the Nth article is hereinafter referred to as an article N text file. In the present embodiment, description will be made using an HTML format text file, but the present invention is not limited to this.

Note that the electronic book described in this embodiment includes at least five pages of paper and includes four articles. In addition, Article 1 is published on the first page, Article 2 and Article 3 are published on the second page, and Article 4 is published on the third to fifth pages. It shall be.

That is, the original data for the electronic book described in the present embodiment includes the image files (00001.jpg to 00005.jpg) of the first to fifth pages, and the text files (0000a.html to 0000d.html) of articles 1 to 4. ).

The association file 80 is a table for associating the image file included in the image file group 50a with the text file included in the text file group 60a. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the association file 80. Details of the association file 80 will be described with reference to FIG.

Here, the text file representing the character information of the article posted on the paper represented by the image file is referred to as “corresponding text file”. In the original data of the electronic book described in this embodiment, the text file (0000a.html) of article 1 corresponds to the image file (00001.jpg) of the first page. The image file (00002.jpg) of the second page corresponds to the text file (0000b.html) of article 2 and the text file (0000c.html) of article 3. The text files (0000d.html) of article 4 correspond to the image files (00003.jpg to 00005.jpg) on the third to fifth pages, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the association file 80, the path item to the image file lists the image file of each page in the same page order as the paper book. Lists the text files of each article in the order they are posted on the page.

In the association file 80, the path to the text file of the article with the earliest publication order among the text files corresponding to the image file is described in the line in which the path to each image file is described. As a result, the association file 80 associates each image data with the text data of the article posted at the top of the page represented by the image data.

If there are a plurality of text files corresponding to an image file, the path to the text file of the second and subsequent articles in the plurality of corresponding text files is described as the path to the image file. It is described in the line after the line. As a result, the association file 80 holds the relationship between each image data and the text file corresponding to the image data.

For example, the path (0000a.html) to the text file of article 1 is described in the same line as the path (00001.jpg) to the image file on the first page.

In the same line as the path to the image file for two pages (00002.jpg), the path to the text file for article 2 (0000b.html) of the text file for article 2 and each text file for article 3 is shown. Are listed. On the other hand, the path to the text file of article 3 (0000c.html) is described in the next line, and the column of the path to the image file in the adjacent column of the line is blank.

Also, the path to the text file of article 4 (0000d.html) is described in the same line as the path of the image file on pages 3 to 5 (00003.jpg to 0005.jpg).

In addition, when the electronic book includes a page on which only articles having no character information are posted, there is no corresponding text file in the image file of this page. In this case, in the association file 80, “NULL” is described in the “path to the corresponding text file” item in the same line as the column in which the path to the image file of the page is described.

The data creation device 10 receives input of original data for electronic books as described above, and creates data for electronic books (hereinafter referred to as electronic book data) having a predetermined data structure based on the original data. To do. The data structure of the electronic book data will be described in detail later.

(1-3. Electronic book browsing method)
Next, an electronic book browsing method by the terminal device 20 that enables the electronic book data created by the data creation device 10 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

(A) and (b) of FIG. 1 are diagrams for explaining a browsing method of electronic book data. 1A shows an image file corresponding to the first to fifth pages of the electronic book described in this embodiment, and FIG. 1B shows the first to fifth pages. The text file of each article published on paper is shown. Also, FIG. 1A shows the page configuration of each page of the electronic book.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the electronic book data created by the data creation device 10 includes 00001.jpg to 00005.jpg as image files for the first to fifth pages, and article 1 There are 0000a.html to 0000d.html as text files of ˜4.

As shown by the arrows in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the terminal device 20 to which the electronic book data created by the data creation device 10 is input can sequentially display each image file in the image mode. In text mode, each text file can be displayed in order. Furthermore, when the terminal device 20 receives an instruction to switch from the image mode to the text mode in a state where the image file is displayed, the terminal device 20 can switch the display so that the corresponding text file is displayed.

[2. Data creation device]
(2-1. Configuration of data creation device)
Next, the configuration of the data creation device 10 will be described below with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the data creation device 10 includes a data acquisition unit 11, a control unit 12, a storage unit 13, and a communication unit 14.

The data acquisition unit 11 is an interface for receiving original data for an electronic book from an external server such as a publisher via the Internet.

The control unit 12 includes a preprocessor, a memory, and the like, and operates according to a control program stored in the storage unit 13, for example. Specifically, the control unit 12 functions as a data creation unit 15 described later.

The data creation unit 15 creates electronic book data having a predetermined data structure based on the original data for the electronic book received by the data acquisition unit 11. Details of the data creation unit 15 will be described later. The electronic book data created by the data creation unit 15 is stored in the storage unit 13.

The storage unit 13 includes a RAM or a ROM, and has a work area for storing input data, temporary data, and processing data.

The communication unit 14 is an interface that transmits and receives data to and from the terminal device 20 via the network 30. For example, when the communication unit 14 receives a request for electronic book data, it transmits the electronic book data stored in the storage unit 13 to the terminal device 20.

(2-2. Creation processing of electronic book data)
Next, electronic book data creation processing by the data creation device 10 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the data creation unit 15.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, the original data (image file group 50a, text file group 60a, and association file 80) for the electronic book received by the data acquisition unit 11 is input to the data creation unit 15. Next, the data creation unit 15 performs the following processing.

The imaging unit 151 receives the input of the image file group 50, and performs image generation to generate individual image files when the image files are input as PDF data. At this time, the imaging unit 151 may adjust the image size, resolution, and the like of the image file according to the display format of the terminal device 20.

The text expression conversion unit 152 receives an input of the text file group 60a, converts an html tag or the like into another tag for an output format, or deletes it.

The table of contents extracting unit 153 extracts a character string (character string information) surrounded by a specific tag (for example, a tag indicating the headline of an article) from each text file of the text file group 60a for the table of contents, and a table of contents adding unit 154 Output to.

The table of contents adding unit 154 receives the input of the association file 80, and adds the character string extracted by the table of contents extracting unit 153 to the association file 80. In addition, the table of contents adding unit 154 adds a number (number information) that defines the display order of the image file to the association file 80 in accordance with the page order of the electronic book.

Assume that the association file 80 subjected to the above processing is the database 40.

The text data generation unit 155 generates a dedicated text file when “path to the corresponding text file” is described as NULL in the association file 80 (when there is no text file corresponding to the image file). To the text file group 60a. The dedicated text file is information (notification information) for notifying the user that there is no text in the article, and is hereinafter referred to as a notification file.

Also, the text data generation unit 155 creates a management file 70 (management information) that defines the display order of the notification file and the text file included in the text file group 60a. The text data generation unit 155 may create the management file 70 by adding the order of the notification files to the management file included in the original data.

For example, in the configuration of the electronic book in the present embodiment, it is assumed that an article 5 having no text is posted on the sixth page. In this case, in the association file 80, since “Path to the corresponding text file” of the path to the image file on the sixth page (00006.jpg) is described as NULL, the text data generation unit 155 notifies the File (0000e.html) is created. In addition, the text data generation unit 155 creates the management file 70 so that the created notification file (0000e.html) is displayed next to the text file (0000d.html) of the article 4.

The link embedding unit 156 refers to the association file 80 and embeds, for each text file in the text file group 60a, a link to an image file (corresponding image file) of a page on which the article of the text file is posted. In particular, the link embedding unit 156 preferably describes the link at the beginning and the end of the data of each text file.

For example, description will be made based on the association file 80 shown in FIG. In the configuration of the electronic book in the present embodiment, article 1 is posted on the first page. The link embedding unit 156 refers to the association file 80 to embed a link to the image file (00001.jpg) on the first page at the beginning and end of the text file (0000a.html) of article 1.

Also, Article 2 and Article 3 are published on the second page. The link embedding unit 156 refers to the association file 80 to embed a link to the image file (00002.jpg) on the second page at the beginning and end of the text file (0000b.html) of article 2. Similarly, the link embedding unit 156 embeds a link to the image file (00002.jpg) on the second page at the beginning and end of the text file (0000c.html) of article 3.

On the other hand, in article 4, one article spans multiple image data. Therefore, the link embedding unit 156 refers to the association file 80 to link the image file (00003.jpg) of the first page on which the article 4 is posted to the beginning of the text file (0000d.html) of the article 4. Embed. The link embedding unit 156 describes the link of the image file (00005.jpg) of the last page on which the article 4 is placed at the end of the text file (0000d.html) of the article 4.

Note that the link embedding unit 156 also applies to the notification file (0000e.html) the image file that causes the text data generation unit 155 to create the notification file (same as “NULL” in the association file 80). Describe the link to the image file (00006.jpg) with the path on the line.

The image file group 50a and the text file group 60a that have undergone the above processing are referred to as an image file group 50 and a text file group 60.

The archiver 157 collectively outputs the created database 40, image file group 50, text file group 60, and management file 70 as electronic book data for one book.

(2-3. Data structure of electronic book data)
Next, the data structure of the electronic book data created by the data creation device 10 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the electronic book data 110 for one book created by the data creation unit 15.

As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic book data 110 includes a database 40 that holds information on the association file 80, an image file group 50, a text file group 60, and a management file 70.

The database 40 is divided into items of a number 41, a path 42 to an image file, a path 43 to a corresponding text file, and a character string 44 for a table of contents.

In the item of number 41, numbers are sequentially assigned to the paths of the image files described in the item of the path 42 to the image file.

In addition, the image file included in the image file group 50 and the text file included in the text file group 60 are associated with the items of the path 42 to the image file and the path 43 to the corresponding text file. Specifically, a text file (corresponding text file) of an article posted on the page of the image file is associated with each image file.

Also, in the section of the text string 44 for the table of contents, a text string for the table of contents used when displaying a table of contents screen to be described later is described for each article (for each text file).

The image file group 50 includes image files that have been processed by the data creation device 10.

The text file group 60 includes article files that have been processed by the data creation device 10. In each article file, a link to the corresponding image file is embedded. The text file group 60 may include the notification file described above.

The management file 70 is a table that defines the order for displaying the text files (including the notification file) included in the text file group 60.

Note that FIG. 10 shows an image file (00006.jpg) and a notification file (0000e.html) for the sixth page, which is “page without text”, in the electronic book data 110 shown in FIG. FIG.

[3. Terminal device]
(3-1. Appearance structure of terminal device)
First, the external configuration of the terminal device 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the terminal device 20.

As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal device 20 includes a display 121 for displaying a paper image of an electronic book and article text. The display 121 is preferably configured as a touch panel display.

Further, the terminal device 20 includes a feed button 122, a return button 123, and a device 124 for moving the cursor. The forward button 122 and the return button 123 are operated when the paper image displayed on the display 121 is sent to the next page or returned to the previous page in the image mode. The feed button 122 and the return button 123 are also operated when scrolling the article text or moving the display to the previous and next articles in the text mode. The device 124 is preferably configured as a track pointer, and may be, for example, a cross key or a trackball.

Further, the terminal device 20 may include a power button 125.
(3-2. Internal configuration of terminal device)
Next, the internal configuration of the terminal device 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 again.

As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 20 includes a control unit 23, an input unit 22, a storage unit 24, a display unit 25, and a communication unit 21.

The control unit 23 includes a preprocessor, a memory, and the like, and operates according to a control program stored in the storage unit 24, for example. Specifically, the control unit 23 functions as a display control unit 26 and a mark display unit 27 described later.

The display control unit 26 refers to the electronic book data database 40 and the management file 70, and outputs the image file or text file stored in the storage unit 24 to the display unit 25.

The mark display unit 27 refers to the database 40 of the electronic book data, and displays the text mark stored in the storage unit 24 on the display unit 25 when there is a text file corresponding to the image file being displayed.

When the control unit 23 receives an instruction related to switching between the image mode / text mode from the input unit 22, the display control unit 26 and the mark display unit 27 function in accordance with the selected mode.

The input unit 22 includes a feed button 122, a return button 123, a device 124, a touch panel of the display 121, and the like, and outputs an instruction input by the user to the control unit 23. For example, when the feed button 122 and the return button 123 are pressed, a tap operation on the touch panel, or the like, the input unit 22 receives an instruction to turn a page (change screen). Further, the input unit 22 receives an instruction for switching the display mode by a tap operation on the touch panel or the like. In addition, this invention is not restricted to this, You may comprise by a cursor key etc.

The storage unit 24 includes a RAM or a ROM, and has a work area for storing input data, temporary data, and processing data. For example, in the storage unit 24, electronic book data provided from the data creation device, a mark indicating that there is a text (referred to as a text mark), and a mark indicating return to an image (hereinafter referred to as an image mark). ) Etc. are stored.

The display unit 25 includes a display 121 and the like, and displays data stored in the storage unit 24.

The communication unit 21 is an interface that transmits and receives data to and from the data creation device 10 via the network 30. For example, the electronic book data transmitted from the communication unit 14 of the data creation device 10 is received by the communication unit 21 of the terminal device 20 and stored in the storage unit 24.

(3-3. Display processing)
Next, the display process of the electronic book in the terminal device 20 is demonstrated with reference to FIG.3, FIG7 and FIG.8.

In the following description, after the terminal device 20 receives the electronic book data created by the data creation device 10 as described above, that is, after the electronic book data is stored in the storage unit 24 of the terminal device 20. The processing of the terminal device 20 will be described.

7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams showing the reproduction order of the image file and the text file by the terminal device 20, and the arrows 200 and 300 shown in FIG. 7 follow the arrows 200 and 300 shown in FIG. 8, respectively. . 7 and 8 show a screen (image mode screen) on which the image file is displayed in the upper row, and a screen (text mode screen) on which the text file is displayed in the lower row.

<Display image mode>
First, a process in which the terminal device 20 displays the image file (00001.jpg) of the first page of the electronic book in the image mode will be described.

For example, it is assumed that the user performs an operation of selecting one electronic book data among the electronic book data stored in the storage unit 24.

The input unit 22 receives an instruction to display the electronic book by the user and outputs it to the control unit 23. In response to this, the display control unit 26 refers to the row of the first number (No. 1) of the number 41 of the database 40, and based on the path 42 to the image file in the row, the image file (page 1) 00001.jpg) is output to the display unit 25. Similarly, the mark display unit 27 is No. Referring to line 1, it is confirmed whether or not information is described in the section of the path 43 to the corresponding text file. In this embodiment, since the path (0000a.html) to the text file of article 1 is described, the mark display unit 27 outputs the text mark to the display unit 25.

The display unit 25 displays the image file (00001.jpg) and the text mark 131 of the first page on the display 121. As a result, a screen 201 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. According to the above processing, the user can know whether or not switching to the text mode is possible by confirming the presence of the text mark 131.

In the above description, the display of the first page has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the previous browsing information is stored, the display is performed from the page where the previous browsing has been completed. Also good.

<Screen transition in image mode>
Next, screen transition processing in the image mode will be described. In the image mode, when the user performs a button operation on the feed button 122 or a tap operation on the screen, the screen transitions in the order indicated by the arrow 200 in FIGS.

Hereinafter, a case where the user performs an operation of turning the page in a state where the screen 201 illustrated in FIG. 7 is displayed, that is, in a state where the image file (00001.jpg) of the first page is displayed will be described.

First, the input unit 22 receives a screen transition instruction by a user operation and outputs it to the control unit 23. In response to this, the display control unit 26 refers to the section of the path 42 to the image file in the number (No. 2) next to the number (No. 1) referred to so far in the database 40. In this embodiment, no. In the item of the path 42 to the image file in the second row, the image file (00002.jpg) of the second page is described. The display control unit 26 outputs the image file (00002.jpg) of the second page from the image file group 50 to the display unit 25 based on the referenced path.

In addition, the mark display unit 27 similarly has the No. Referring to line 2, it is confirmed whether or not information is described in the section of the path 43 to the corresponding text file. In the present embodiment, since the path to the text file (0000b.html) of article 2 is described, the mark display unit 27 outputs the text mark to the display unit 25.

The display unit 25 displays the image file (00002.jpg) and the text mark 131 of the second page on the display 121. As a result, the screen transitions from the screen 201 displaying the first page to the screen 202 displaying the second page, and the page of the electronic book is turned.

In the above description, the screen transition from the first page to the second page is described as an example, but the same processing may be performed for the screen transition from another page to the next page.

According to the above processing, the user can turn the pages of the electronic book in order. Further, the user can know whether or not switching to the text mode is possible by confirming the presence of the text mark 131.

Note that the terminal device 20 may transition the screen in the direction opposite to the arrow 200 in FIGS. 7 and 8 when the user performs a return operation such as an operation of the return button 123 or a tap operation on the screen. For example, when a return operation is accepted in a state where an image file of a certain page is displayed, the terminal device 20 may display the image file of the previous page by referring to the database 40.

<Switch to text mode>
Next, screen transition processing when switching from the image mode to the text mode will be described.

In the image mode, when the user taps the text mark 131, the screen transitions from the screen of the paper that has been displayed until then to a screen that displays the text of the article posted on the paper (text mode). .

(1) When one article is published in one page First, in the state where the screen 201 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, that is, in the state where the image file (00001.jpg) of the first page is displayed, the user A case where the switching operation to the text mode is performed will be described. In addition, the article 1 is published on the 1st page on the paper surface structure of the electronic book in this embodiment.

First, the input unit 22 receives an instruction to switch to the text mode by a user operation and outputs it to the control unit 23. In response to this, the display control unit 26 refers to the path 43 to the corresponding text file in the row of the number (No. 1) referred to so far in the database 40. In this embodiment, no. The text file (0000a.html) of article 1 is described in the section of the path 43 to the corresponding text file in line 1. The display control unit 26 outputs the text file (0000a.html) of the article 1 from the text file group 60 to the display unit 25 based on the referenced path. The display unit 25 displays the text file (0000a.html) of article 1 on the display 121. As a result, the screen transitions from the screen 201 displaying the first page of paper in the image mode to the screen 301 displaying the text of the article 1 in the text mode.

Note that, on the screen 301, the data of the text file (0000a.html) of the article 1 is not displayed at a time because of the size of the display 121 and the easy-to-read text size. In this case, the display unit 25 may change the screen so that the data of the text file (0000a.html) of the article 1 is displayed in order, as will be described later.

The above processing is the same when the user performs a switching operation to the text mode in a state where image files of other pages are displayed.

(2) When a plurality of articles are published on one page Next, in a state where the screen 202 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, that is, in a state where the image file (00002.jpg) on the second page is displayed, the user A case will be described in which the switching operation to the text mode is performed. In addition, the article 2 and the article 3 are published on the 2nd page on the paper surface structure of the electronic book in this embodiment.

The input unit 22 receives an instruction to switch to the text mode by a user operation and outputs it to the control unit 23. In response to this, the display control unit 26 refers to the path 43 to the corresponding text file in the row of the number (No. 2) referred to so far in the database 40.

Here, as can be seen from the database 40 shown in FIG. Only the text file (0000b.html) of article 2 is described in the section of the path 43 to the corresponding text file in line 2.

Therefore, the display control unit 26 outputs the text file (0000b.html) of the article 2 from the text file group 60 to the display unit 25 based on the referenced path. The display unit 25 displays the text file (0000b.html) of article 2 on the display 121. As a result, the screen transitions from the screen 202 that displays the page of the second page in the image mode to the screen 303 that displays the text of the article 2 in the text mode.

(3) When one article is posted across a plurality of pages Next, the screen 203, screen 204, or screen 205 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed, that is, 3 to 5 pages. A case will be described in which the user performs a switching operation to the text mode while any of the eye image files (00003.jpg to 00005.jpg) is displayed. Note that the article 4 is posted across the third to fifth pages because of the configuration of the electronic book in the present embodiment.

The input unit 22 receives an instruction to switch to the text mode by a user operation and outputs it to the control unit 23. In response to this, the display control unit 26 refers to the path 43 to the corresponding text file in the row of the number (No. 3, 4, or 5) referred to so far in the database 40.

Here, as can be seen from the database 40 in FIG. The text file (0000d.html) of article 4 is described in the section of the path 43 to the corresponding text file in lines 3 to 5 respectively.

Therefore, the display control unit 26 outputs the text file (0000d.html) of the article 4 from the text file group 60 to the display unit 25 based on the referenced path. The display unit 25 displays the text file (0000d.html) of the article 4 on the display 121. As a result, the screen transitions from any of the screen 203, screen 204, or screen 205 that displays the third to fifth pages in the image mode to the screen 305 that displays the text of the article 4 in the text mode. .

The display control unit 26 may output to the display unit 25 a mark (image mark) indicating return to the image when there is a file corresponding to the text file.

According to the above processing, when switching from the image mode to the text mode, the text is displayed in units of articles, so that the user can easily determine the separation of articles. Further, since the text displayed in the text mode is a continuous sentence for each article, the user can easily read the article.

<Screen transition in text mode>
Next, screen transition processing in the text mode will be described. In the text mode, when the user performs a button operation on the feed button 122 or a tap operation on the screen, the screen changes in the order indicated by the arrow 300 in FIGS.

First, the transition of the screen in one article will be explained.

For example, on the screen 301 shown in FIG. 7, the data of the text file (0000a.html) of article 1 is not displayed at a time because of the relationship between the size of the display 121 and the easy-to-read text size. When the input unit 22 receives a screen transition instruction from the user while the screen 302 is displayed, the display unit 25 sequentially displays the data of the text file (0000a.html) of the article 1. At this time, the entire screen may be switched or the text may be scrolled. According to such processing, the last part of the data of the text file (0000a.html) of article 1 is finally displayed. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the screen 301 that displays the beginning of the text of the article 1 transitions to a screen 302 that displays the end of the text of the article 1.

Next, the screen transition from the screen displaying the text of one article to the screen displaying the text of the next article will be described.

For example, in a state where the screen 301 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, that is, in a state where the data of the text file (0000a.html) of the article 1 is displayed to the end, the input unit 22 receives a screen transition instruction from the user. When the input unit 22 outputs a screen transition instruction to the control unit 23, the display control unit 26 responds to the text file on the next line of the text file (0000a.html) displayed so far in the management file 70. Refer to the path to (0000b.html). The display control unit 26 outputs the text file (0000b.html) of the article 2 from the text file group 60 to the display unit 25 based on the referenced path. The display unit 25 displays the text file (0000b.html) of article 2 on the display 121. As a result, the screen transitions from the screen 302 displaying the text of the article 1 to the screen 303 displaying the text of the article 2.

In the text mode, the screen transitions in the order indicated by the arrow 300 by repeating the above processing.

Note that the terminal device 20 may change the screen in the direction opposite to the arrow 300 in FIGS. 7 and 8 when the user performs a return operation such as an operation of the return button 123 or a tap operation on the screen. For example, when a return operation is received in a state where the first part of a text file of an article is displayed, the terminal device 20 may display the text file of the previous article by referring to the management file 70. .

<Switch to image mode>
Next, processing when switching from the text mode to the image mode will be described.

As described above, the data creation device 10 describes the link to the image file corresponding to the text file at the beginning and end of the data of each text file. Therefore, a link character string (for example, a character string “to article image” on the screen 301 in FIG. 7) is displayed on the display 121 at positions before and after the article text. When the user taps the link character string, the input unit 22 receives an instruction to jump to the link file and outputs it to the control unit 23. Under the control of the control unit 23, the display unit 25 displays “corresponding image file”.

It should be noted that the detailed processing contents of the link technology that the corresponding file is displayed when the user designates a link character string can be used in the conventional technology, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, how the screen changes based on the link data described by the data creation device 10 will be described.

For example, the link of the image file (00001.jpg) of the first page is described at the beginning and the end of the data of the text file (0000a.html) of article 1. Therefore, the screen 301 or the screen 302 showing the article 1 can transition to the screen 201 that displays the first page.

Similarly, each of the text file (0000b.html) of article 2 and the text file (0000c.html) of article 3 has a link to the image file (00002.jpg) on the second page at the beginning and end of the data. is described. Therefore, the screen 303 for displaying the text of the article 2 or the screen 304 for displaying the text of the article 3 can transition to the screen 202 for displaying the second page.

On the other hand, at the beginning of the data of the text file (0000d.html) of article 4, the link of the image file (00003.jpg) on the third page, which is the page on which the first article 4 is posted, is described. Further, at the end of the data of the text file (0000d.html) of the article 4, a link of the image file (00005.jpg) on the fifth page, which is the page on which the last of the article 4 is posted, is described. Therefore, the screen 305 for displaying the text of the article 4 can transition from the first link to the screen 203 for displaying the page of the third page, and the screen 305 for displaying the page of the fifth page from the last link. can do.

According to the above processing, the terminal device 1 can switch from the text mode to the image mode in accordance with the user's feeling.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned process, The terminal device 20 may have the jump history at the time of switching from image mode to text mode. For example, when the return button 123 is operated after switching to the text mode, the terminal device 20 returns the display to the jump source page by referring to the jump history regardless of which article text is displayed. May be performed.

(3-3. Display processing from the table of contents)
Next, screen transition processing when an image file is displayed from the table of contents screen will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining screen transition from the table of contents screen 400.

The display control unit 26 can generate the table of contents screen 400 by referring to the table of contents character string 44 in the database 40 of the electronic book data 110 shown in FIG. The display control unit 26 outputs the generated table of contents screen 400 to the display unit 25.

When the user selects a desired table of contents while the display unit 25 displays the table of contents screen 400, the table of contents selection information by the user is input to the input unit 22. In response to this, the display control unit 26 refers to the image file corresponding to the selected table of contents information from the database 40 and outputs the image file to the display unit 25. Thereby, the display unit 25 displays the image file of the page on which the article corresponding to the table of contents selected by the user is posted.

For example, in the table of contents screen 400, when the user selects "weather in the weather" (article 1), the display control unit 26 displays an image file (00001) corresponding to the text file (0000a.html) on the same line as this character string. .jpg). As a result, a screen 201 for displaying the first page on which the article 1 is posted is displayed.

Further, when “today's fortune” is selected by the user on the table of contents screen 400, the display control unit 26 refers to the image file (00002.jpg) corresponding to the text file (0000b.html) on the same line as this character string. To do. On the other hand, when “Weekend weather” is selected by the user on the table of contents screen 400, the display control unit 26 selects an image file (00002.jpg) corresponding to the text file (0000c.html) on the same line as the character string. refer. In either case, a screen 203 for displaying the page 2 on which the articles 2 and 3 are posted is displayed. That is, when a plurality of articles are posted on one page, the image file of the same page is displayed regardless of the table of contents of any article.

When the user selects “Special feature of the week” on the table of contents screen 400, the display control unit 26 refers to the image file (00003.jpg) corresponding to the text file (0000d.html) on the same line as the character string. To do. As a result, a screen 203 for displaying the page of the third page, which is the first page on which the article 4 is posted, is displayed. That is, when one article is published over a plurality of pages, when the table of contents of the article is selected, the image file of the first page on which the article is published is displayed.

According to the above processing, the user can easily see a desired article from the table of contents screen.

(3-4. Article without text)
Next, processing when displaying “page without text” included in the electronic book in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the playback order of image files and text files by the terminal device 20. In the following description, it is assumed that an article 5 having no text is posted on the sixth page of the electronic book in the present embodiment.

As shown by the arrow 200 in FIG. 11, the process when the screen is changed from the screen 205 displaying the page 5 page to the screen 206 displaying the page 6 page is almost the same as the above-described process.

For example, during the transition process to the screen 206, the display control unit 26 in the database 40, No. The image file (00006.jpg) of the sixth page is output to the display unit 25 by referring to the item for the path to the image file in line 6.

In addition, the mark display unit 27 has a No. Refer to the item of the path 43 to the text file in line 6. However, here, no. Since “NULL” is described in the section of the path 43 to the text file in line 6, the mark display unit 27 does not output the text mark 131 to the display unit 25. That is, since the text mark 131 is not displayed on the screen 206, the user can be notified that switching to the text mode cannot be performed.

If it is possible to switch to the text mode by using another button instead of the text mark 131, it is assumed that the user performs the switching operation to the text mode while the screen 206 is displayed. At this time, as shown in FIG. Since “NULL” is described in the path 43 to the text file in line 6, the display control unit 26 does not output the text file, and switching to the text mode is not performed.

Further, as shown by the arrow 300 in FIG. 11, the process when the screen is changed from the screen 307 displaying the text of the article 4 to the screen 307 displaying the text of the article 5 is substantially the same as the above-described process. .

For example, the display control unit 26 refers to the path of the file (0000e.html) next to the text file (0000d.html) displayed so far in the management file 70 during the screen transition processing to the screen 307. . The display control unit 26 outputs a notification file (0000e.html) from the text file group 60 to the display unit 25 based on the referenced path. The display unit 25 displays the notification file (0000e.html) on the display 121.

Here, the notification file (0000e.html) is a file created by the data creation device 10 as described above, and is information for notifying the user of a page on which only articles having no text are posted. .

Thus, as shown in FIG. 11, the screen transitions from the screen 307 displaying the text of the article 4 to the screen 308 notifying that the text does not exist in the article.

Note that the notification file (0000e.html) may include a thumbnail of the image file (00006.jpg) on the sixth page.

According to the above processing, even when the user proceeds to read the article in the text mode, the user can notice the existence of a page on which only the article without the text is posted by looking at the screen 308.

[4. (Modification)
(4-1. Clickable map)
In the case where a plurality of articles are published on one page due to the configuration of the electronic book, a clickable map technique may be used to switch from the image mode to the text mode.

In the following, description will be made with reference to FIG. 12 by taking as an example the page of the second page on which article 2 and article 3 are posted. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modification example of the reproduction order of the image file and the text file by the terminal device 20.

In the data creation device 10, the data creation unit 15 acquires area information indicating the positions and ranges of the articles 2 and 3, and stores them in the text file (0000b.html) of the article 2 and the text file of the article 3 ( 0000c.html) and link information associated with each. Further, the data creation unit 15 incorporates the created link information into the electronic book data 110 and outputs it.

In the terminal device 20, the display control unit 26 performs a screen transition process for switching from the image mode to the text mode by referring to the link information. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, when the user performs an operation of selecting the article 2, the display control unit 26 refers to the link information, so that the text file (0000b.html) of the article 2 is obtained. Output to the display unit 25. In addition, when the user performs an operation of selecting the article 3, the display control unit 26 outputs the text file (0000c.html) of the article 3 to the display unit 25 by referring to the link information.

According to the above processing, the terminal device 20 displays only the text of the article desired by the user when switching from the image mode to the text mode even when a plurality of articles are posted on one page. Can do. Therefore, according to the above process, the terminal device 1 can switch from the text mode to the image mode in accordance with the user's sense.

(4-2. Blank page processing)
When the terminal device 20 displays the spread page, the data creation device 10 may create the electronic book data so as to enable easy display for the user. Note that “display a spread page” means that two pages of image files are displayed at a time on the screen.

Specifically, when creating the electronic book data 110, the data creation unit 15 of the data creation device 10 creates a database 40 by inserting blank rows into the association file 80. The data creation unit 15 adds “white page image file (white page .jpg)” (blank page data) stored in the storage unit 13 to the input image file group 50a. The image file group 50 is created.

For example, if the number of paths to a text file that is the same path is an odd number in the item 43 “path to corresponding text file” 43 of the association file 80, the data creation unit 15 passes the path to the text file. Insert a blank line below the line that contains. As a result, the terminal device 20 can prevent the image files of pages on which different articles are posted from being displayed at once on the spread page.

In the data creation device 10, the standard for the data creation unit 15 to create a blank row in the database 40 is not limited to the above-described example, but may be any other standard. That is, the database 40 may adjust the spread page by the terminal device 20 according to other arbitrary criteria.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the data creation device 10 creating blank rows in the database 40. That is, blank lines may be inserted in advance in the association file 80 provided by the publisher or the like, and blank lines in the association file 80 may be reflected in the database 40 as they are.

Next, a blank page display process in the terminal device 20 will be described. The terminal device 20 is included in the image file group 50 when the database 40 refers to a number in which “path to image file” is blank and “path to corresponding text file” is blank. Display the white page image file (white page .jpg).

In the following description, the terminal device 20 displays an image file for one page when held vertically by the user, and displays an image file for two pages when held horizontally. And Moreover, in the following description, a screen transition process when the electronic book data 110 illustrated in FIG. 13 is input to the terminal device 20 will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the electronic book data 110. In FIG. 13, the text file group 60 and the like are not shown.

For example, when the terminal device 20 is held vertically by a user and the image file (00001.jpg) of the first page is displayed, the input unit 22 receives a screen transition instruction by a user operation. In response to this, the display control unit 26 refers to the section of the path 42 to the image file of the number (No. 2) next to the number (No. 1) referred to so far in the database 40. In the database 40 shown in FIG. The term of the path 42 to the image file in the second line and the term of the path 43 to the corresponding text file are blank. For this reason, the display control unit 26 outputs the image file for white page (for white page.jpg) from the image file group 50 to the display unit 25. As a result, the display unit 25 displays the white page image file (blank page) on the display 121. Through the above-described processing, the terminal device 20 can transition from the screen 201 illustrated in FIG. 14A to the screen 206 illustrated in FIG.

If the terminal device 20 is held vertically by the user, the terminal device 20 may not display a blank page, and may proceed to display the next page of the blank page (a page that is not a blank page).

Further, it is assumed that the input unit 22 receives a spread display instruction when the user changes the terminal device 20 from portrait to landscape while the screen 201 in FIG. 14A is displayed. In response to this, the display control unit 26 refers to the term of the path 42 to the image file and the corresponding text in each of the number (No. 1) and the next number (No. 2) that have been referred to so far in the database 40. Refer to the section of the path 43 to the file. As a result, the display control unit 26 outputs the first page image file (00001.jpg) and the white page image file (white page .jpg) from the image file group 50 to the display unit 25. Accordingly, the display unit 25 can display the image file for the first page and the image file for white page side by side on the screen, for example.

Through the above processing, the terminal device 20 can display the image file of the same article at a time on the spread page and not display the image file of different articles at a time.

The white page image file is not limited to a file indicating a white page, and may be an image file of a page that can express that there is no information. The display control unit 26 is not limited to outputting a white page image file when the database 40 refers to a number in which the path to the image file and the path to the corresponding text file are not described. Processing that does not output anything may be performed.

(4-3. About text mark setting)
In the above description, the text mark 131 is always displayed together when displaying an image file in which the corresponding text exists. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and whether or not the text mark 131 is displayed. ON / OFF setting is possible. When the display of the text mark 131 is set to be ON in the terminal device 20, the mark display unit 27 displays the text mark 131 together when displaying an image file in which the corresponding text exists. . On the other hand, when set to OFF, the text mark 131 is not displayed even when any image file is displayed.

Further, in the terminal device 20, the display control unit 26 may enlarge and display the image file, but in this case as well, the mark display unit 27 preferably displays the text mark 131 at a position that does not change. When the display control unit 26 displays a spread page, the mark display unit 27 preferably displays the text mark 131 corresponding to each page.

(4-4. Buttons displayed on the screen)
In the data creation device 10, when creating the electronic book data 110, the data creation unit 15 stores information on the background and operation buttons (button images with links) set to be displayed on the screen of the terminal device 20. It may be added to the data 110. For example, the operation buttons include a button for switching the display mode, a button for switching the displayed article or screen, and the like. Below, the case where the information regarding the switch button for switching from text mode to image mode is added to the electronic book data 110 is demonstrated.

In the terminal device 20, the mark display unit 27 can display the switching button on the screen based on the information regarding the switching button included in the electronic book data 110. As a result, a screen 401 as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed. On the screen 401, a switching button 142 for jumping from the text file to the image file is arranged below the article area 140 where the article text is displayed. That is, according to this modification, the switching button 142 is always displayed on the screen in the text mode. The terminal device 20 can switch from the text mode to the image mode in response to a pressing operation of the switching button 142 by the user.

Here, in the description of “3-3. Display processing” described above, switching from the text mode to the image mode is performed by the user using linked characters (for example, “to article image” on the screen 301 in FIG. 7) arranged before and after the article text. This is done by pressing the “character string”. In this method, there is a possibility that the link character is not displayed when the middle of the article text is displayed on the screen. In this case, in order to perform the switching operation to the image mode, the link character is first displayed. You must transition the screen until.

On the other hand, according to this modification, regardless of which part of the article text is displayed on the screen, the user can switch to the image mode at any time by pressing the switch button 142 on the screen. Can do.

In the terminal device 20, the mark display unit 27 displays a button 141 for moving to the next article and a button 143 for moving to the previous article based on the setting information included in the electronic book data 110. May be. The terminal device 20 can switch the article displayed on the screen in units of articles in response to the pressing operation of the button 141 or 143 by the user.

It should be noted that the specific method for switching to the image mode and switching the article to be displayed in the terminal device 20 is the same as described above, and will not be described.

Further, the setting of various buttons displayed on the screen is not limited to that shown in FIG. The data creation device 10 can arbitrarily set the position and design of buttons on the screen or the background of the screen. For example, the data creation device 10 may add information for the vertical screen and information for the horizontal screen to the electronic book data 110 regarding the operation buttons. In the terminal device 20, the mark display unit 27 may switch and display the screen 401 shown in FIG. 15 and the screen 402 shown in FIG. 16 according to the held direction based on the information.

(4-5. About Dog Year)
In the present embodiment, the terminal device 20 may perform a page turning process by receiving a “turning operation” on the touch panel by the user in the image mode. The “turning operation” is, for example, an operation based on an operation in which a user's finger is brought into contact with the touch panel and then immediately played in an arbitrary direction. Here, whether the page turning process is to display the previous page or the previous page depends on the direction of the “turning operation” by the user. For example, if the e-book is configured as a “right-bound” book, an operation to flip the left page to the right (a flip operation on the left side) displays the subsequent page, and an operation to flip the page from the right to the left. The previous page is displayed by (turning the right side). Conversely, if the electronic book is configured as a “left-binding” book, the previous page is displayed by the left-side turning operation, and the subsequent page is displayed by the right-side turning operation.

Generally, unlike a paper book, an electronic book is difficult to determine the direction of turning a page at a glance. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is preferable that a dog-ear (turning mark) is arranged on the “turned side” for displaying the back page on the screen displayed by the terminal device 20. The dog year is arranged at the lower left of the screen when the electronic book is bound right, and is arranged at the lower right of the screen when the electronic book is bound left. In the example illustrated in FIG. 17, since the dog year 144 is disposed at the lower left of the screen 403, the electronic book is bound rightward, and the rear page is displayed when the user performs a left-side turning operation.

The specific processing is as follows.

First, the original data for an electronic book supplied from an external server such as a publisher includes, in addition to an image file, a text file, and the like, binding information indicating whether the electronic book is “right binding” or “left binding” Let's say. In the data creation device 10 to which the original data for the electronic book is input, the data creation unit 15 uses the binding information included in the original data to generate information about the dog year arranged at the lower right or lower left of the screen as the electronic book. Add to data 110. In the terminal device 20, the mark display unit 27 displays the dog year on the screen based on the dog year information included in the electronic book data 110.

It should be noted that the terminal device 20 may correspond to the binding information of the electronic book instead of the data creation device 10. That is, the binding information included in the original data for the electronic book is input to the terminal device 20 as it is included in the electronic book data. In the terminal device 20, the mark display unit 27 displays a dog year on the screen according to the binding information included in the electronic book data.

It should be noted that the display position of the dog ear on the screen is not limited to the lower right or the lower left, and may be any position that can indicate an appropriate turning operation direction to the user. Further, the shape of the dog ear is not limited to that shown in FIG. 17 and can be arbitrarily set.

(4-6. Others)
In addition, the paper surface structure of the electronic book demonstrated in this embodiment is an illustration, and does not show any limitation. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be suitably used in the case of handling an electronic book composed of a plurality of papers and having a plurality of articles posted thereon.

In the present embodiment, the terminal device 20 may also have a data creation function that the data creation device 10 has. Specifically, the terminal device 20 may create and manage electronic book data by providing the data acquisition unit 11 and the data creation unit 15.

[5. Program and recording medium]
Finally, each block of the electronic book system 100 may be realized by hardware by a logic circuit formed on an integrated circuit (IC chip) or by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit). May be.

In the latter case, the electronic book system 100 includes a CPU that executes instructions of a program that realizes each function, a ROM (Read Memory) that stores the program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that expands the program, the program, A storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing various data is provided. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium on which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the electronic book system 100, which is software that implements the functions described above, is recorded so as to be readable by a computer. This can also be achieved by supplying the electronic book system 100 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

Examples of the recording medium include tapes such as magnetic tapes and cassette tapes, magnetic disks such as floppy (registered trademark) disks / hard disks, and disks including optical disks such as CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. IC cards (including memory cards) / optical cards, semiconductor memories such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM, or PLD (Programmable logic device) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) Logic circuits can be used.

Alternatively, the electronic book system 100 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited as long as it can transmit the program code. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network (Virtual Private Network), telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication network, etc. can be used. The transmission medium constituting the communication network may be any medium that can transmit the program code, and is not limited to a specific configuration or type. For example, even in the case of wired lines such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) line, infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth (registered trademark), IEEE 802.11 wireless, HDR ( It can also be used by wireless such as High Data Rate, NFC (Near Field Communication), DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), mobile phone network, satellite line, and terrestrial digital network.

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

[6. (Additional information)
In addition, when the display means displays the image data, the electronic book browsing apparatus according to the present invention has the image data when the text data is associated with the image data in the association information. It is preferable to further include mark display means for displaying a text mark on the screen on which is displayed.

According to the above configuration, when the electronic book browsing device displays image data, it is possible to alert the user that there is text data of an article published in the image data.

Further, in the electronic book browsing apparatus according to the present invention, the electronic book data notifies the user of the presence of the image data regarding the image data not associated with the text data in the association information among the image data. Notification information, and management information for managing the display order of the notification information and the text data,
It is preferable that the display switching unit can switch the display by the display unit so that the text data and the notification information are sequentially displayed by referring to the management information.

According to the above configuration, the electronic book browsing apparatus displays the notification information instead of the text data for an article on which no text is posted by referring to the management information. For this reason, even when the user sequentially reads only the text data, it is possible to notice the existence of a page having no article text.

Further, in the electronic book browsing apparatus according to the present invention, the association information included in the electronic book data acquired by the acquisition unit is number information that defines a display order of the image data and blank page data representing a blank page. And a spread display control means for controlling the display means so that the image data and the blank page data in a continuous display order are simultaneously displayed on the screen based on the number information. Preferably it is.

According to the above configuration, the electronic book browsing apparatus can display a spread page so that the user can easily see the page. For example, in the number information, if the number of pages on which a certain article is posted is an odd number, if it is defined that blank page data is displayed after image data representing the page, the electronic book browsing apparatus It is possible not to display the paper with different articles at the same time.

In the electronic book browsing apparatus according to the present invention, the electronic book data further includes binding information indicating whether the electronic book is right-bound or left-bound,
When the display means is displaying the image data, it is preferable to further include a turning mark display means for displaying a turning mark indicating the direction of the “turning operation” by the user on the screen based on the binding information. .

According to the above configuration, the user can easily perform a “turning operation” for turning a desired page on the electronic book browsing apparatus according to the present invention.

Further, the electronic book data creation device according to the present invention further includes an image link creation means for describing link information to the image data representing the page on which an article corresponding to the text data is posted for each text data. It is preferable to provide.

According to the above configuration, for example, when the electronic book browsing device displays text data of an article among the electronic book data created by the electronic book data creation device according to the present invention, based on the link information. The display can be switched to display the image data of the paper on which the article is posted.

Furthermore, in the electronic book data creation device according to the present invention, the image link creation means, when an article is posted across a plurality of papers, with respect to the beginning of the character information of the article represented by the text data, The link information that links to the image data representing the first page on which the article corresponding to the text data is posted is described, and the article corresponding to the text data with respect to the end of the character information of the article represented by the text data It is preferable to describe link information that links to the image data that represents the last page on which is posted.

According to the above configuration, the electronic book browsing apparatus can switch the display from text data to image data in accordance with the user's sense.

Also, the electronic book data creation device according to the present invention extracts table-of-contents character string information from each text data, and adds the character string information to the association information acquired by the acquisition unit. Is preferably further provided.

According to the above configuration, when the electronic book data created by the electronic book data creation device according to the present invention is input to the electronic book browsing device, the electronic book browsing device uses the table of contents screen based on the character string for the table of contents. Can be displayed. In addition, when the user selects a desired table of contents from the table of contents screen, the electronic book browsing apparatus displays image data or text data corresponding to an article corresponding to the user desired table of contents based on the association information. be able to.

Further, in the electronic book data creation device according to the present invention, the association information includes information indicating a correspondence relationship between each image data and the text data representing an article posted on a paper surface represented by the image data. It is preferable to further comprise a text link creating means for allocating a clickable map linked to the text data representing the article to each of the articles posted on the paper represented by the image data based on the association information.

According to the above configuration, the electronic book browsing apparatus can switch the display from text data to image data in accordance with the user's sense.

In addition, the electronic book data creation apparatus according to the present invention creates notification information for notifying the user of the presence of the image data regarding the image data not associated with the text data in the association information among the image data. Notification information creating means; and management information creating means for creating management information for defining the display order of the text data and the notification information. The creating means stores the notification information and the management information for the one book. Are preferably included in the electronic book data.

According to the above configuration, when the electronic book data created by the electronic book data creation device according to the present invention is input to the electronic book browsing device, the electronic book browsing device refers to the management information so that the text is stored. For an article not published, the notification information is displayed instead of the text data. For this reason, even when the user sequentially reads only the text data, it is possible to notice the existence of a page having no article text.

The electronic book data creation device according to the present invention further includes number information creation means for creating number information that defines the display order of the image data and blank page data representing a blank page based on the association information. The creating means preferably includes the number information in the electronic book data for one book.

According to the above configuration, the electronic book data can be created so that the electronic book browsing device can display the spread pages in an easy-to-view manner. For example, in the number information, if the number of pages on which a certain article is posted is an odd number, if it is defined that blank page data is displayed after image data representing the page, the electronic book browsing apparatus It is possible not to display the paper with different articles at the same time.

In addition, the electronic book data creation device according to the present invention provides a button for jumping from the text data of each article to the image data representing the page on which the article corresponding to the text data is posted. It is preferable to further include setting information creating means for creating setting information to be displayed on the electronic book data, and the creating means preferably includes the setting information in the electronic book data.

According to the above configuration, when the electronic book data created by the electronic book data creation device according to the present invention is input to the electronic book browsing device, the electronic book browsing device displays the button while displaying the text data. It can always be displayed above. For this reason, the user can perform the display switching operation to the image data at any time by pressing the button displayed on the screen.

Moreover, in the electronic book data creation device according to the present invention, the acquisition unit further acquires binding information indicating whether the electronic book is right-bound or left-bound, and is based on the binding information by a user. The apparatus further comprises second setting information creating means for creating second setting information for displaying a mark indicating the direction of the “turning operation” on the screen, and the creating means stores the second setting information in the electronic form. It is preferable to include in book data.

According to the above configuration, when the electronic book data created by the electronic book data creation device according to the present invention is input to the electronic book browsing device, the user turns the desired page to the electronic book browsing device. The “turning operation” can be easily performed.

Further, in the data structure of the electronic book data according to the present invention, it is preferable that each text data includes link information to the image data representing a page on which an article corresponding to the text data is posted. According to the above configuration, for example, when the electronic book browsing device displays text data of an article among the electronic book data according to the present invention, based on the link information, the page on which the article is posted is displayed. The display can be switched to display image data.

The present invention can be used in an electronic book browsing device that displays electronic books.

10 Data creation device (electronic book data creation device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Data acquisition part 12 Control part 13 Storage part 14 Communication part 15 Data preparation part (Creation means, text link creation means, number information creation means)
20 Terminal device (electronic book browsing device)
21 Communication Department (Acquisition means)
22 Input unit 23 Control unit 24 Storage unit 25 Display unit (display means)
26 Display control unit (display switching means, text screen switching means, spread display control means)
27 Mark display section (text mark display means, turning mark display means)
30 network 40 database (association information)
50 image file group 60 text file group 70 management file (management information)
80 Association file (association information)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Electronic book system 110 Electronic book data 121 Display 122 Send button 123 Return button 124 Device 131 Text mark 151 Imaging part 152 Text expression conversion part 153 Table of contents extraction part (table of contents information creation means)
154 Contents addition part (table of contents information creation means)
155 Text data generation unit (notification information creation means, management information creation means)
156 Link embedding unit (image link creating means)
157 Archiver

Claims (23)

1. An electronic book browsing device that is an electronic version of a book with multiple articles on multiple pages,
   Image data representing each of the pages, text data representing each character information of the article, data representing an article posted at the top of each page of the text data, and image data corresponding to the article Acquisition means for acquiring electronic book data including association information associated with
   Display means for displaying the image data or the text data on a screen;
   When the image data included in the electronic book data acquired by the acquisition unit is displayed on the screen, the image data is associated with the image data by referring to the association information included in the acquired electronic book data. An electronic book browsing apparatus comprising: a display switching unit capable of switching display by the display unit so that the text data is displayed on the screen.
2. When the display means is displaying the image data, if the text data is associated with the image data in the association information, a text mark is displayed on the screen on which the image data is displayed. The electronic book browsing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a text mark display unit.
3. The electronic book data manages notification information for notifying the user of the presence of image data that is not associated with the text data in the association information, and the display order of the notification information and the text data. Management information, and
   The display switching means switches the display by the display means so that the text data and the notification information are sequentially displayed by referring to the management information. Electronic book browsing device.
4. The association information included in the electronic book data acquired by the acquisition means includes number information that defines a display order of the image data and blank page data representing a blank page,
   A spread display control means for controlling the display means is further provided so that the image data and the blank page data in a continuous display order are simultaneously displayed on the screen based on the number information. The electronic book browsing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. The electronic book data further includes binding information indicating whether the electronic book is bound right or left,
   When the display means displays the image data included in the electronic book data acquired by the acquisition means, the direction of the “turning operation” by the user is determined based on the binding information included in the electronic book data. 5. The electronic book browsing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a turning mark display unit configured to display a turning mark to be displayed on a screen.
6. An electronic book data creation device for creating electronic book data obtained by digitizing a book having a plurality of articles published on a plurality of papers,
   Image data representing each of the pages, text data representing each character information of the article, data representing an article posted at the top of each page of the text data, and image data corresponding to the article Obtaining means for obtaining association information associated with
   An electronic book data creation apparatus comprising: creation means for creating the electronic book data by combining the association information, the image data, and the text data acquired by the acquisition means.
7. 7. An image link creating means for describing, for each of the text data, link information to the image data representing a page on which an article corresponding to the text data is posted. The electronic book data creation apparatus described.
8. The above image link creation means, when an article is published across multiple pages,
   First link information linked to the image data representing the first page on which an article corresponding to the text data is posted with respect to the beginning of the character information of the article represented by the text data;
   The second link information linked to the image data representing the last page on which the article corresponding to the text data is posted is described with respect to the end of the character information of the article represented by the text data. The electronic book data creation apparatus according to claim 7.
9. It further comprises table of contents information creation means for extracting character string information for the table of contents from each of the text data, and adding the character string information to the association information included in the electronic book data acquired by the acquisition means. The electronic book data creation device according to any one of claims 6 to 8.
10. The association information includes information indicating a correspondence relationship between each of the image data and the text data representing an article posted on a paper surface represented by the image data,
    And further comprising a text link creating means for allocating a clickable map linked to the text data representing the article for each of the articles posted on the paper represented by the image data based on the association information. The electronic book data creation apparatus according to claim 9.
11. Among the image data, notification information creating means for creating notification information for notifying the user of the presence of the image data that is not associated with the text data in the association information;
    Management information creating means for creating management information that defines the display order of the text data and the notification information,
    The electronic book data creation device according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the creation unit creates the electronic book data by further combining the notification information and the management information.
12. Number information creating means for creating number information defining the display order of the image data and blank page data representing a blank page based on the association information,
    The electronic book data creation device according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the creation means creates the electronic book data by further combining the number information.
13. The creation means further combines the electronic book data by further combining button images with links for jumping from each text data of the article to the image data representing the paper on which the article corresponding to the text data is posted. The electronic book data creation device according to claim 6, wherein the electronic book data creation device according to claim 6 is created.
14. The acquisition means further acquires binding information indicating whether the electronic book related to the electronic book data is right-bound or left-bound,
    14. The electronic book data according to any one of claims 6 to 13, wherein the creating means creates the electronic book data by further combining marks indicating the direction of the "turning operation" by the user based on the binding information. The electronic book data creation apparatus as described in the item.
15. An electronic book data creation device for creating electronic book data obtained by digitizing a book having a plurality of articles published on a plurality of papers, and an electronic book browsing for viewing the electronic book data created by the electronic book data creation device An electronic book system comprising a device,
    The electronic book data creation device is the electronic book data creation device according to any one of claims 6 to 14, and the electronic book browsing device is the electronic book data according to any one of claims 1 to 5. An electronic book system, which is a book browsing device.
16. An electronic book browsing method that digitizes a book with multiple articles on multiple pages,
    Image data representing each of the pages, text data representing each character information of the article, data representing an article posted at the top of each page of the text data, and image data corresponding to the article An acquisition step of acquiring electronic book data including association information associated with
    A display step of displaying the image data or the text data on a screen;
    When the image data included in the electronic book data acquired by the acquisition step is displayed on the screen, the text data associated with the image data is displayed on the screen by referring to the association information. The electronic book browsing method characterized by including the display switching process which switches the display by the said display process.
17. An electronic book data creation method for creating electronic book data obtained by digitizing a book having a plurality of articles published on a plurality of papers,
    Image data representing each of the pages, text data representing each character information of the article, data representing an article posted at the top of each page of the text data, and image data corresponding to the article An acquisition step of acquiring association information associated with
    A book data creation method comprising: creating a combination of the association information, the image data, and the text data as the electronic book data.
18. An electronic book browsing program for causing a computer to function as the electronic book browsing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electronic book browsing program causes the computer to function as each of the above means.
19. 15. An electronic book data creation program for causing a computer to function as the electronic book data creation device according to any one of claims 6 to 14, wherein the electronic book data creation program causes the computer to function as each of the above means.
20. A computer-readable recording medium storing the electronic book browsing program according to claim 18.
21. A computer-readable recording medium storing the electronic book data creation program according to claim 19.
22. A data structure of electronic book data obtained by digitizing a book in which multiple articles are published on multiple pages,
    Image data representing each of the pages, text data representing each character information of the article, data representing an article posted at the top of each page of the text data, and image data corresponding to the article The data structure of the electronic book data characterized by including the correlation information which linked | related.
23. 23. The data structure of electronic book data according to claim 22, wherein each of the text data includes link information to the image data representing a page on which an article corresponding to the text data is posted.

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