JP6155937B2 - Trial reading content distribution system, server device, computer program, and content distribution method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a means for distributing electronic book content from an electronic book distribution source to a user device (user terminal) that is a customer via a network, and in particular, by allowing a user to read a part of the contents of an electronic book. The present invention relates to a content distribution system for trial reading, a server device, a computer program, and a content distribution method that arouse the user's desire to purchase.

  In recent years, with the spread of the Internet, electronic books that digitize characters and images on the Internet and provide books such as novels as electronic data have become widespread. As an example, these electronic books are distributed as electronic data to a user who purchased the electronic book by an electronic book commercial transaction system using a communication network. The user downloads the electronic data of the distributed electronic book to a browsing device owned by the user, displays the electronic data on the screen of the browsing device, and browses the electronic book.

  Also, since the format of electronic book data has not been standardized before, multiple formats (text / bitmap / HTML / PDF and other general-purpose formats, Many other original formats) existed. However, in recent years, a standard called EPUB (Electronic Publication) has appeared and is becoming one of the standard file formats of data for electronic books. The EPUB standard itself is an XML (Extensible Markup Language) format, and the EPUB format is included in the XML format.

  By the way, in the case of electronic books, a so-called trial reading (browsing) function is required in which a book in which a user is interested is actually picked up and checked in the same manner as selecting a book in a normal bookstore. It has been. In addition, unlike the trial reading of the actual book, the electronic book is suitable for the trial reading because there is no problem that the book read by the trial is physically damaged. There is a known method for realizing such a demand and encouraging purchase motivation by disclosing data of a book and allowing a user to read the contents before purchasing the electronic book.

  As a method of trial reading of an electronic book, a method in which a user who desires trial reading downloads a content for trial reading of a target product to a browsing device owned by the user and browses the content is common. In this case, these trial reading contents can usually be downloaded free of charge, but unlike actual products, there are some restrictions such as limited viewing range (page) and viewing time. There are many.

  In the past, the book data provider, such as the creator of an electronic book, can extract a part of the content of the electronic book as a product, or create in advance content data for exclusive use of trial reading that limits the time for which trial reading can be performed. Then, a method for distributing and browsing these contents for trial reading according to a request of a user who desires trial reading is known. Patent Document 1 discloses a method of storing electronic content data for reading for browsing the contents of a book to be sold in a limited manner in a content storage unit, transmitting the content based on a user's request, and allowing it to be read as a sample. ing.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, a data area surrounded by a predetermined tag describing information for copyright protection is created in the electronic book data for merchandise described in the XML format. A method is described in which a predetermined area is read by trial based on the description of XML format data (tag type). According to this, for example, a method for controlling conditions for trial reading for each chapter or part data is described.

  Patent Document 3 discloses that one content is divided into one or a plurality of independent parts (for example, issued content such as a page unit or a chapter unit) using an OPUB (Open Publication Format) specification of the EPUB standard. The method of dividing into the components of the above.

JP 2003-122968 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-52016 Special table 2012-529708 gazette

 As disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, a part of the data of the electronic book is created in advance as trial reading data in preparation for the case where the user desires trial reading, and this trial reading data is stored on the Internet. If it is provided to the user free of charge via the Internet, a trial reading service similar to the trial reading at the bookstore can be provided for the electronic book.

  However, in a method in which the content for trial reading as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is created in advance on the electronic book provider side, in order to provide the title of one electronic book, Two types of files for trial reading contents had to be created, and the burden on the production side was heavy, such as the burden of verifying each production and the normal display.

 On the other hand, as disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3, if sales product content is open XML format data represented by the EPUB standard, the sales product content data is used. It is relatively easy to create new content or set a unique tag for sales product content and specify part of the sales product content for trial reading without creating content for trial reading. be able to. However, for example, there is no concept of trial reading in the EPUB specification, so the provider of the electronic book sets the conditions for the trial reading part in its own method for the contents for trial reading and the contents for sale products including the trial reading part. It was necessary to set.

The present invention uses data in an open format as typified by the EPUB standard as electronic book data, so that the content for trial reading can be shared with the content for sales merchandise, reducing the content production load, and the user Can be used for both the conventional test reading content conforming to the EPUB standard and the sales product content with a test reading part, which is beneficial to both content creators and users. An object is to provide a content distribution system for trial reading. A content file conforming to the EPUB standard has a content configuration file in which the entire structure of the content is described (details will be described later).

  In order to solve the above problems, the first invention of the present application is a user in which a content distribution server that distributes content for trial reading of electronic book content and a content creator server are connected via a network, and are connected through the network. A content distribution system for trial reading that distributes content for trial reading to an apparatus, wherein the content distribution server acquires content of an electronic book including content for trial reading from a content creator server, and the content The content upload means for creating a setting document that describes what kind of test reading part is provided and the trial reading request specifying the product identifier from the user device, the location of the content of the target product Content information providing means for returning information and the content; A setting document providing means for receiving a setting document acquisition request specifying the location information of the content and returning the setting document; and a content for receiving the content configuration file acquisition request describing the entire structure of the content and returning the content configuration file of the content A server device comprising: a configuration file providing unit; and a page data providing unit that receives a page data acquisition request for requesting acquisition of content page data and returns the page data file, wherein the user device is a user Receives a trial reading request from the product, sends a trial reading request specifying the product identifier to the content distribution server, and receives the location information of the content of the target product, and specifies the location information of the content Send the settings document acquisition request A setting document acquisition unit that receives the setting document, a setting document analysis unit that specifies the content configuration file to be acquired by reading the received setting document, and a content configuration that specifies the specified content configuration file A content configuration file acquisition unit that transmits a file acquisition request and receives the content configuration file of the content, and transmits a page data acquisition request that sequentially acquires the page data of the content from the content of the acquired content configuration file. An apparatus including page data acquisition and display means for receiving and displaying a file. In this way, the user can perform trial reading without having to be aware of the type and structure of the content simply by designating a product (content) that the user wants to read.

  In the second invention of the present application, the setting document analysis unit specifies the content configuration file of the content for trial reading as the content configuration file to be acquired when the content for trial reading exists independently of the content for sale product A content distribution system for trial reading according to the first aspect of the present invention. By doing so, it is possible to specify a content configuration file to be read.

  In the third invention of the present application, the setting document analyzing unit is configured such that the content for sales product and the content for trial reading are common, and the content configuration file for sales product and the content configuration file for trial reading exist in the content. In this case, the content distribution file for trial reading of the content is specified as the content configuration file to be acquired, and the content distribution system for trial reading according to the first or second invention is characterized. By doing so, it is possible to specify a content configuration file to be read.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the setting document analysis means should acquire the content configuration file when the sales product content and the trial reading content are common and one content configuration file exists in the content. The content distribution system for trial reading according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the content distribution system is specified as a content configuration file. By doing so, it is possible to specify a content configuration file to be read.

  A fifth invention of the present application is a server device constituting the content distribution system for trial reading described in any one of the first to fourth inventions. This is an independent description of a server device constituting the content distribution system for trial reading.

  The sixth invention of the present application is a computer in which instructions for operating a computer device used by a user as a user device used in the content distribution system for trial reading according to any one of the first to fourth inventions are described. It is a program. This is an independent description of the computer program of the user device constituting the trial reading content distribution system.

  In the seventh invention of the present application, a content distribution server that distributes content for trial reading of electronic book content and a user device are connected via a network, and the content for test reading is distributed to a user device connected through the network. A method in which a user device receives a trial reading request for a product from a user and transmits a product identifier and a trial reading request to the content distribution server, and the content distribution server receives the request and performs processing. The step of transmitting the location information of the content of the product, the step of transmitting the location information of the content and the setting document acquisition request by the user device, and the content distribution server receiving the request and transmitting the setting document of the content Step and read the setting document received by the user device Identifying the format, transmitting the content configuration file acquisition request for the content, receiving the request by the content distribution server and transmitting the content configuration file of the content, and acquiring the user device A step of transmitting a page data acquisition request for sequentially acquiring the page data of the content from the content of the content configuration file, a step of receiving the request by the content distribution server and transmitting the page data file; A method for distributing content for trial reading, comprising: receiving and displaying a data file. By doing so, the user can perform trial reading of the product only by selecting the product to be trial-read using the user device.

  According to the present invention, by using open format data represented by the EPUB standard as electronic book data, the content for trial reading and the content for sale products can be shared, and the production load of the content is reduced. In addition, by making it possible to use conventional test reading content and test reading content that conforms to the EPUB standard, the user can perform test reading without being aware of the format of the test reading content.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of this embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the outline | summary of the content delivery server 100 in this embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the hardware of the content delivery server 100 in this embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the outline | summary of the user apparatus 200 in this embodiment, and a trial reading application. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram when a content configuration file of content for trial reading is created from a content configuration file of sales product content in the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram when a part of the components of the content configuration file of the sales product content is designated for trial reading in the present embodiment. It is a figure explaining the method for calculating automatically the range which can be displayed for test reading in this embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the exchange of the content creator server 300 and the content distribution server 100 in this embodiment. 7 is a flowchart of processing for creating a setting document related to content for trial reading by the DRM tool of the content upload unit 130. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exchange between a content distribution server 100 and a user / user device (user terminal) 200 in the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of pre-processing for analyzing a setting document and reading a page for trial reading by the setting document analysis unit 250. FIG.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of the present embodiment. Reference numeral 100 denotes a content distribution server device that distributes the contents of an electronic book to a user device (user terminal). The content distribution server 100 responds to a request related to trial reading from the user device (user terminal) 200 via the network 500 and provides the trial reading data to the user device (user terminal) 200. The content distribution server 100 transmits and receives information to and from the content creator server 300 via the network 500.

  Although the network 500 is shown in a simplified manner, it is a combination of a plurality of networks via a gateway such as the Internet, and is composed of a LAN (Local Area Network), a telephone line, a mobile communication network, and the like. This is to enable transmission / reception between the user device (user terminal) 200 and the content distribution server 100 and content creator server 300.

  In the present embodiment, the content distribution server 100 is assumed to function as an HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) server. Accordingly, the user device (user terminal) 200 and the content creator server 300 are provided with a web browser that can display an HTML document and send a request (HTTP request) through an input form, via a network such as the Internet, Using the WWW (World Wide Web) with the content distribution server 100, it is possible to browse web pages existing on the content distribution server and to send requests. Here, the request is a data string that the user device (user terminal) 200 requests the content distribution server 100 to perform some processing, and there are several types of requests depending on the content of the request. When it is described as a request below, the user device (user terminal) 200 is transmitted to the content distribution server 100 unless otherwise specified.

  Here, main devices of the present embodiment will be described. First, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the content distribution server 100. The content distribution server 100 is a server that provides a service for uploading and storing electronic book content from the content creator server 300 and distributing the electronic book content stored in the user device (user terminal) 200. As described above, the content database 180 storing the content data of the electronic book is provided (details will be described later). In addition, the content upload unit 130 corresponding to the content upload of the electronic book from the content creator server 300, the product identifier (ID) of the content from the user device (user terminal) 200 and the trial reading request are received, and the location information of the content Content information providing means 140 that accepts a setting document acquisition request for the content and setting document provision means 150 that provides the setting document (details will be described later), and a content configuration file acquisition request that accepts the content configuration file acquisition request. Content configuration file providing means 160 that provides details (to be described later), page data providing means 170 that accepts a content page data acquisition request and provides the page data file, and user device (user terminal) 200 Accepting a request through the network, transmitting and receiving means 110 and control means 120 for controlling integrating the means of these, it returns a response is provided to the request.

  The content database 180 in the above description is a database managed by the control unit 120 of the content distribution server 100, and data files, product identifiers (IDs), and content attributes (names and names) of all the contents handled by the content distribution server 100 are handled. Creator, date, etc.) are stored for index search. The setting document is created in advance by the content creator and embedded in the content data, or created in the content data by the DRM (copyright management) tool of the content upload unit 130 when the content is uploaded. In addition, it is a file in an XML format unique to each content to be added, and it is described in what form the portion for trial reading in the content of each electronic book is provided. In addition, the content configuration file corresponds to an OPF file in the case of an EPUB format file, for example, and defines metadata, information on the file constituting the content, information on the reading order, name, creator, date, and the like. In other words, it is a file in which information relating to the content itself is described, and an XML format file having contents suitable for grasping the structure of the entire content.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the content distribution server 100. The content distribution server 100 is a computer system as hardware. As shown in FIG. 3, the content distribution server 100 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, an input unit 103, a display unit 104, and a communication unit 105, which are connected via a bus 109. Note that the hardware configuration in FIG. 3 is merely an example, and various configurations can be adopted depending on purposes.

  The control unit 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The CPU calls a program stored in the storage unit 102, ROM, recording medium or the like to a work memory area on the RAM, executes it, drives and controls each device connected via the bus 109, and performs processing performed by the computer. Realize. The ROM is a non-volatile memory, and permanently stores programs such as a boot program and BIOS for the content distribution server 100, data, and the like. The RAM is a volatile memory, and temporarily stores a program, data, and the like loaded from the storage unit 102, ROM, recording medium, and the like, and includes a work area used by the control unit 101 for performing various processes.

  The storage unit 102 is an HDD (hard disk drive), and stores a program executed by the control unit 101, data necessary for program execution, an OS (operating system), and the like. Regarding programs, a control program corresponding to an OS (operating system), a program code that functions as the content upload unit 130, a program code that functions as the content information provision unit 140, a program code that functions as the setting document provision unit 150, and a content configuration A program code that functions as the file providing unit 160 and a program code that functions as the page data providing unit 170 are stored. These program codes are read by the control unit 101 as necessary, transferred to the RAM, and read and executed by the CPU to function as various means.

  The input unit 103 inputs data and has an input device such as a keyboard. An operation instruction, an operation instruction, data input, and the like can be performed on the content distribution server 100 via the input unit 103. The display unit 104 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel.

  The communication unit 105 includes a communication control device, a communication port, and the like, and is a wired or wireless communication interface that mediates communication between the content distribution server 100 and the network 500, and is connected between other computers via the network 500. Control communication with. The bus 109 is a path that mediates transmission / reception of control signals, data signals, and the like between the devices.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a trial reading application that is an application program of the user device (user terminal) 200 and the user device (user terminal) in the present embodiment. User device (user terminal) 200 transmits a request for trial reading to content distribution server 100, acquires electronic book data for trial reading from content distribution server 100, and user device (user terminal). 200 is displayed on the display unit. The trial reading application of the user device (user terminal) transmits a content product identifier (ID) and a trial reading request to the content distribution server 100 to acquire the location information of the target content, and the content of the target content. A setting document acquisition unit 240 that transmits location information and a setting document acquisition request to acquire the setting document, a setting document analysis unit 250 that reads the acquired setting document and specifies a format of the content, and a content configuration file acquisition request of the content The content configuration file acquisition means 260 for acquiring the content configuration file of the content by transmitting and transmitting the page data acquisition request for sequentially acquiring the page data of the content from the content of the acquired content configuration file to acquire the page data file display Page data acquisition and display means 270 and control means 220 for integrating and controlling these means, and the user device (user terminal) 200 receives a reply and data from the content distribution server 100 through the network, and performs a trial reading application. The transmission / reception means 210 is provided.

  Although not specifically illustrated, each of the user device (user terminal) 200 and the content creator server 300 has a hardware configuration in accordance with the content distribution server 100, and includes a display unit, a storage unit, An input unit such as a mouse is provided. In particular, the storage unit of the user device (user terminal) 200 stores a program to be executed, data necessary for program execution, an OS (operating system), and the like. Regarding the program, a control program corresponding to an OS (operating system), a program code that functions as the trial reading request unit 230, a program code that functions as the setting document acquisition unit 240, a program code that functions as the setting document analysis unit 250, and content A program code functioning as the configuration file acquisition unit 260 and a program code functioning as the page data acquisition display unit 270 are stored. These program codes are read as necessary by the control unit, transferred to the RAM, and read and executed by the CPU to function as various means. The communication unit of each device includes a communication control device, a communication port, and the like, and is a communication interface that mediates communication between each device and the network 500, and communicates with other computers via the network 500. Communication means for performing control is provided.

  Next, the processing flow of the present embodiment will be described. As described in the problem to be solved by the invention, the present invention uses the data in the open XML format represented by the EPUB standard as the data of the electronic book, so that the content for trial reading and the content for sale merchandise are used. One of the functions to reduce the content production load is common, and for both the conventional test reading content and the test reading portion of the e-book content that complies with the EPUB standard. Another feature is the provision of a test reading app that can be used. The processing flow according to the first to third inventions is included as part of this description.

  First, the first typical feature of the present embodiment, that is, sharing of content for trial reading and content for sale merchandise will be described. FIG. 5 is an example of creating a content configuration file of content for trial reading from a content configuration file of sales product content. It can be seen that a part of the page image of the page of the content configuration file of the content for sale product and the page file are extracted to generate a content configuration file for trial reading. In this way, it is possible to create a content structure file for trial reading with a small load from the content structure file of the content for sale merchandise. In this case, the content is one for sales merchandise, but there are substantially two content configuration files with different table of contents file names for sales merchandise and trial reading. This corresponds to the case where the content configuration file for exclusive trial reading is provided inside the content in the second invention.

  FIG. This is an example of specifying an attribute that is displayed even for trial reading as part of the content component file component of the sales merchandise content. Here, if a specific character string (in this example, a test readable flag) is added to the page display specification location of the page order specification block in the product content configuration file, the page may be used for test reading. It can be displayed. Also by this method, the portion for trial reading can be designated from the sales product content with a small load. In this case, the content is one for sales merchandise, and a single content configuration file for sales merchandise content also serves as a content configuration file for trial reading. This corresponds to the case of having a content configuration file having a test reading tag in the content in the third invention.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a method for automatically calculating the range that can be displayed for trial reading. Here, the “decimal number designation” method and the “page number designation” method are taken up as range designation methods. In the “decimal designation” method, specify a numeric value greater than 0 and less than or equal to 1 as the designated value, and test-read the number of pages obtained by multiplying the total number of pages of the content by the designated value (for example, round down after the decimal point) It can be browsed for use. In the “page number designation” method, an integer value of 1 or more is designated as a designated value, and pages corresponding to the numeric value can be browsed for trial reading. It is assumed that the range specification method and the specified value are described in the setting document. In this case as well, a single content configuration file for sales product content also serves as a content configuration file for trial reading.

As described above, by using XML format data as electronic book data, the first typical feature of the present embodiment is a method for realizing common use of content for trial reading and content for sale merchandise Introduced. In the present embodiment, the content registered in the content distribution server 100 includes two types of content for conventional sales products and trial reading, or the trial reading portion is changed to sales product content by any of the methods described above. It shall take the form contained. It is assumed that the content that is not so does not have a portion for trial reading.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing for registering content in the content database 180 of the content distribution server 100. The creator who wants to upload the content uploads the content of the electronic book created using, for example, the content creator server 300 to the content distribution server 100 (S10). Specifically, the content creator server 300 uploads content from the content creator server 300 to the content distribution server 100 using a file transfer function such as FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or HTTP. When the server 100 receives the content of the electronic book through the transmission / reception unit 110, the server 100 activates the content upload unit 130. The content upload request may be made from the content distribution server 100 side.

  When the content upload unit 130 of the content distribution server 100 receives the content of the electronic book from the content creator server 300, the content upload unit 130 uses the DRM (copyright management) tool of the content upload unit 130 to set the setting document related to the content for trial reading. Is created or added, and is registered in the content database 180 together with content data of the electronic book and content attributes (name, creator, date, etc.) (S11).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of processing for creating or appending a setting document related to content for trial reading by the DRM tool of the content upload unit 130. First, the content configuration file path description file that describes the storage location of the content configuration file in the uploaded content data does not have a description that it is a predetermined trial reading file, and the page in the content configuration file If there is no description indicating that it is a predetermined trial reading location in the page display designation location of the order designation block (S20), it is determined as a trial reading file preparation type, and a trial reading tag is added to a predetermined element of the setting document. A setting document is created (S21). If the content configuration file path description file in the uploaded content file includes a description indicating that it is a predetermined trial reading file (S22), it is determined as a trial reading content configuration file preparation type, and a predetermined element of the setting document is determined. A setting document in which a tag indicating “trial reading content configuration file preparation type” is added or an identifier is added is created (S23). If there is a description indicating a predetermined trial reading location in the page display designation location of the page order designation block in the content configuration file in the uploaded content file (S24), the product content configuration file common type Then, a setting document in which a tag indicating “commodity content configuration file common type” or an identifier is added to a predetermined element of the setting document is created (S25).

  If the uploaded content includes a setting document and the description includes a range specifying method and a specified value, it is determined as an automatic trial reading type (S26), and “automatic” is set in a predetermined element of the setting document. A tag indicating "trial reading type" is added (S27), and the type of automatic test reading type is determined (S28). Here, if the range designation method is the decimal designation type, the designated value is acquired from the setting document (S29), and a tag indicating that “decimal designation type” and the setting value are set in the setting document as a predetermined element of the setting document. Add a note (S30). If the range designation method is a page number designation type, a designated value is acquired from the setting document (S31), and a tag indicating that the page number designation type is set and a setting value as a predetermined element of the setting document. (S32).

  By confirming the contents of the setting document through the above processing, it is possible to specify in what form the portion for trial reading in the uploaded electronic book content is provided.

  Next, test reading that is compatible with both the conventional test reading content and the test reading portion of the content conforming to the EPUB standard, which is the second feature of the present embodiment. Describe the app.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the exchange between the content distribution server 100 and the user / user device (user terminal) 200. First, the user desires a trial reading using a user device (user terminal). As described above, the user device (user terminal) 200 is a trial reading application having a function of a web browser capable of displaying an HTML document with the content distribution server 100 and transmitting a request (HTTP request) through an input form. It has. Using this web browsing function, the user browses the web page, selects the content for which trial reading is desired, and requests trial reading (S50, may be done by pressing the trial reading button on the web page). . The trial reading application of the user device (user terminal) 200 activates the trial reading request unit 230 and sends a trial reading request specifying the product identifier (ID) of the requested content to the user device (user terminal) 200. It transmits to the content distribution server 100 via the transmission / reception means 210 (S51) and waits for a reply.

  When the content distribution server 100 receives the product identifier and the trial reading request from the user device (user terminal) 200 through the transmission / reception unit 110, the content distribution server 100 activates the content information providing unit 140, refers to the content database 180, and The location information (path) is transmitted to the user apparatus (user terminal) 200 through the transmission / reception means 110 (S52). When the trial reading request unit 230 of the user apparatus (user terminal) 200 receives the location information via the transmission / reception unit 210, the trial reading request unit 230 passes control to the setting document acquisition unit 240.

  The setting document acquisition unit 240 transmits a setting document acquisition request designating content location information to the content distribution server 100 via the transmission / reception unit 210 (S53), and waits for the setting document to be provided. When the content distribution server 100 receives a setting document acquisition request designating content location information from the user apparatus (user terminal) 200 through the transmission / reception unit 110, the content distribution server 100 activates the setting document provision unit 150 and refers to the content database 180. Then, the setting information of the content is transmitted to the user apparatus (user terminal) 200 through the transmission / reception means 110 (S54). When the trial reading setting document acquisition unit 240 of the user apparatus (user terminal) 200 receives the setting information via the transmission / reception unit 210, it passes control to the setting document analysis unit 250.

  The setting document analysis unit 250 reads and analyzes the contents of the received setting document (S55). FIG. 11 is a flowchart for performing preprocessing for analyzing a setting document and reading a page for trial reading. If there is no trial reading tag in the setting document (S70), the content is a trial reading file preparation type (S71), and the file name is stored as a content configuration file to be read from the content configuration file in the content.

  Further, if a tag indicating “trial reading content configuration file preparation type” is described in the setting document (S72), the content is determined to be a trial reading content configuration file preparation type (S73), and is used for trial reading. The file name is stored as the content configuration file to be read (S74). If a tag indicating “product content configuration file common type” is described in the setting document (S75), it is determined that the content is a product content configuration file common type (S76), and the content of the content for sale product is determined. The file name is stored as a content configuration file to be read.

  If the setting document has an “automatic test reading type” setting (S77) and a tag indicating “decimal designation type” is further described (S78), the content is specified as a decimal number in the automatic trial reading type. The file name is stored as a content configuration file to be read (S79) and the number of pages that can be read (can be read by trial) is calculated (S80). The number of pages is stored (S83). If the setting document has the setting of “automatic test reading type” (S77) and a tag indicating “page number designation type” is described (S81), the content is included in the automatic test reading type. The page name designation type is determined, and the file name is stored as the content configuration file to be read in the content configuration file of the sales merchandise content (S82), and the number of pages that can be read is stored (S83).

  When the content configuration file to be read is determined by the above procedure, control is passed to the content configuration file acquisition unit 260.

  The content configuration file acquisition unit 260 transmits a content configuration file acquisition request designating the name of the content configuration file to be read to the content distribution server 100 via the transmission / reception unit 210 (S56 in FIG. 10). Wait for reception. When the content distribution server 100 receives the content configuration file name and the content configuration file acquisition request from the user device (user terminal) 200 through the transmission / reception unit 110, the content distribution server 100 starts the content configuration file providing unit 160 and refers to the content database 180. Then, the content configuration file is transmitted to the user apparatus (user terminal) 200 through the transmission / reception means 110 (S57). When the content configuration file acquisition unit 260 receives the setting information via the transmission / reception unit 210, the content configuration file acquisition unit 260 passes control to the page data acquisition display unit 270.

  The page data acquisition / display unit 270 analyzes the acquired content configuration file and reads the first page. The order of pages to be read is specified by the normal page order specification block in the content configuration file, and the contents of one or more page display specification locations placed here may be read in order from the top. Accordingly, in order to read the first page, the file name of the page referred to in the first page display designated location and the designated page data acquisition request are transmitted to the content distribution server 100 via the transmission / reception means 210 (S58). Wait for the page data file to be served. When the content distribution server 100 receives the file name of the page and the specified page data acquisition request from the user device (user terminal) 200 through the transmission / reception unit 110, the content distribution server 100 activates the page data provision unit 170 and refers to the content database 180. The page data is transmitted to the user device (user terminal) 200 through the transmission / reception means 110 (S59). When the page data acquisition / display unit 270 of the user device (user terminal) 200 receives the page data via the transmission / reception unit 210, the page file is imaged and displayed on the display unit of the user device (user terminal) 200. (S60).

  When the user browses the test reading page displayed on the display unit of the user device (user terminal) 200 and desires to move to the next (or arbitrary) page, the user requests page turning (transition). (S61, may be performed by operating a page turning button on the web page). In accordance with this operation, the user apparatus (user terminal) 200 transmits the file name of the page referred to at the page display designation position to be fetched next and the specified page data acquisition request to the content distribution server 100 via the transmission / reception means 210. (S62) Wait for the first page data file to be provided. When the content distribution server 100 receives the file name of the page and the specified page data acquisition request from the user device (user terminal) 200 through the transmission / reception unit 110, the content distribution server 100 activates the page data provision unit 170 and refers to the content database 180. Then, the page data is transmitted to the user device (user terminal) 200 through the transmission / reception means 110 (S63). When the page data acquisition / display unit 270 of the user device (user terminal) 200 receives the page data via the transmission / reception unit 210, the page file is imaged and displayed on the display unit of the user device (user terminal) 200. (S64).

  The user can display the desired page on the display unit of the user device (user terminal) 200 by repeating the above-described operation until the trial reading is completed.

  According to the embodiments described so far, by using XML format data typified by the EPUB standard as the data of the electronic book, it is possible to use the content dedicated to trial reading created by the EPUB standard. Further, the content for trial reading and the content for sale merchandise can be shared, and the content production load can be reduced. Furthermore, by making it possible to use both the content for exclusive use of the trial reading and the content for the common sales product as the content for the trial reading, the user can make a trial reading without being aware of the format of the content for the trial reading. This makes it possible to provide a trial reading environment for electronic books that is beneficial to content creators and users.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible within the scope of the claims. For example, the same operation can be performed even if a limited text HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) format is used. Moreover, even if it is a stationary terminal such as a personal computer as the user apparatus (user terminal), the present invention can be similarly implemented.

100 content distribution server 110 transmission / reception means 120 control means 130 content upload means 140 content information provision means 150 setting document provision means 160 content configuration file provision means 170 page data provision means 180 content database 200 user device (user terminal)
230 Trial Reading Requesting Unit 240 Setting Document Acquisition Unit 250 Setting Document Analysis Unit 260 Content Configuration File Acquisition Unit 270 Page Data Acquisition Display Unit 300 Content Distribution Server 500 Network

Claims (7)

A content for trial reading in the content of electronic books is connected to a content distribution server and a content creator server via a network, and content for trial reading is distributed to a user device connected through the network. In the distribution system, the content distribution server acquires the content of the electronic book including the content for trial reading from the content creator server, and in what form the portion for trial reading of the content is provided Content uploading means for creating a setting document in which content information is written, content information providing means for receiving a trial reading request designating a product identifier from a user device and returning the location information of the content of the target product, and location information of the content Setting document acquisition request with specified A setting document providing unit that returns a receiving setting document, a content configuration file providing unit that receives a content configuration file acquisition request that describes the entire structure of the content, and returns a content configuration file of the content; and content page data A page data providing means for receiving a page data acquisition request for acquisition and returning the page data file, and a server device comprising:
The user device receives a trial reading request for a product from a user, transmits a trial reading request designating a product identifier to the content distribution server, and receives a location information of the content of the target product; , Sends a setting document acquisition request specifying the location information of the content, and receives a setting document acquisition means for receiving the setting document of the content, and specifies a content configuration file to be acquired by reading the received setting document and specifying the format of the content Setting document analysis means for performing content configuration file acquisition means for transmitting a content configuration file acquisition request specifying the specified content configuration file and receiving the content configuration file of the content, and content from the content of the acquired content configuration file Sequentially obtain page data of Page data acquisition and display means for transmitting a page data acquisition request and receiving and displaying a page data file of the page data, the content distribution system for trial reading characterized by comprising these devices .   The setting document analysis unit specifies a content configuration file of the content for trial reading as a content configuration file to be acquired when the content for trial reading exists independently of the content for sale merchandise. Item 2. A content distribution system for trial reading according to Item 1.   The setting document analysis means, when the content for sales product and the content for trial reading are common and the content configuration file for sales product and the content configuration file for trial reading exist in the content, the trial reading of the content The content distribution system for trial reading according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a content configuration file for use is specified as a content configuration file to be acquired.   The setting document analysis unit specifies the content configuration file as a content configuration file to be acquired when the content for sale product and the content for trial reading are common and one content configuration file exists in the content. The content distribution system for trial reading as described in any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by these.   The server apparatus which comprises the content distribution system for trial reading as described in any one of Claims 1-4.   A computer program that describes instructions for operating a computer device used by a user as a user device used in the content distribution system for trial reading according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   A method of distributing content for trial reading to a user device connected to a content distribution server that distributes content for trial reading of electronic book content and a user device via a network. The user device receives a trial reading request for the product from the user, transmits a product identifier and a trial reading request to the content distribution server, and the content distribution server receives the request to obtain the location information of the content of the target product. A transmitting step, a user device transmitting the location information of the content and a setting document acquisition request, a content distribution server receiving the request and transmitting the content setting document, and a user device Read the received settings document and specify the content format A step of transmitting a content configuration file acquisition request of the content, a step of receiving the request by the content distribution server and transmitting the content configuration file of the content, and the content of the content configuration file acquired by the user device A step of transmitting a page data acquisition request for sequentially acquiring the page data of the content, a step of receiving the request by the content distribution server and transmitting the page data file, and a page data file of the page data by the user device And a step of receiving and displaying the content of the trial reading content.

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