JP2003058544A - Electronic book providing system, electronic book providing method, and electronic display device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] When providing data of an electronic book to an electronic display device capable of giving a feeling of “turning” a page, when reading is resumed after being interrupted in the middle of reading But
To be able to provide data for multiple pages from the page read up to the previous time. A service providing server is provided for each user.
The “reading book number” and the “open page data number” which is the page being read are stored and managed in the user database 11. When a data transmission request is received from a user, if a "book number under reading" corresponding to the user is stored, a "book number under reading" corresponding to the user,
Read the "open page data number" and specify the book content corresponding to this "book number being read",
From the designated book content, data for ten pages after the “open page data number” is acquired and transmitted to the user's electronic book device 3 that is the request source via the network 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic book providing system for transmitting electronic book data via a network to an electronic display device having a plurality of paper-like page display media, a program therefor, and an electronic display device. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electronic books (digitalization) such as newspapers, magazines and books have been increasingly developed, and character information and image information are stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and an IC card to be electronically published. Attach the recording medium to an electronic display device called an e-book player to view the contents of the e-book, or download the e-book data to a personal computer (personal computer) via the Internet from a service center such as an electronic library for viewing. Is starting to appear. This kind of electronic book player has a structure in which the main body of the device and the display device can be connected and foldable, and when the keyboard (page switching key) on the main body of the device is operated, the data of the next page or the previous page is displayed. Is switched and displayed on the display screen. That is, the page is switched every time the electronic book data is viewed on one page, and the electronic book data is switched and displayed page by page while operating the next page key and the previous page key. .

[0003]

However, since the electronic book player is almost the same in appearance as a general notebook type personal computer, it is far from the appearance image of newspapers, magazines, and books, and also paper. There is no such feeling, and it is uncomfortable to switch pages by key operation because of many years of practice, and many people could not get the feeling that they are reading a book. Furthermore, when pages are switched, "flickering" occurs on the screen for a moment, which is also a major cause of discomfort. Thus, for many years, newspapers,
For those who read magazines and books as paper books, e-book players have a feeling of discomfort in terms of appearance, operation, handling, and display state, and they cannot get out of their long-standing habits. There is a tendency to avoid using by players. In addition, even if digitalization has progressed, it is only recently, and during that transition period,
This means buying paper books rather than electronic books, which may affect the spread of electronic publishing. It is also considered to download and receive e-book data from a service center such as an electronic library to the e-book player via the Internet. However, in this type, when reading is resumed after reading is interrupted. Then, if the data is retransmitted from the first page, the reader cannot know which page was read last time. Therefore, if the reader himself specifies the page in the middle of reading until the last time and requests data transmission from that page, when reading is resumed, it is possible to read from the continuation of the page previously read. . In this case, each time the reading is interrupted, the page in the middle of reading at that time may be noted or the page in the middle of reading may be marked so that the page in the middle of reading can be designated when the reading is resumed. However, making a note of the page in the middle of reading or marking the page in the middle of reading each time the reading is interrupted imposes a heavy burden on the reader, and if the user forgets the note or the marking, it is already read. The data is transmitted from a certain first page, and it takes a lot of time and effort to find the page that was read until the last time.

An object of the first invention is to provide an electronic display device capable of giving a feeling of "turning pages" by a plurality of paper-like page display media bound in a booklet form via a network. In an electronic book providing system that transmits electronic book data, when providing electronic book data, even when the reading is restarted after being interrupted in the middle of reading, a plurality of pages from the page read until the last time are read. It is to be able to provide data. A second object of the present invention is, in an electronic display device capable of obtaining a feeling of "turning" a page by a plurality of paper-like page display media bound in a booklet, after the reading is interrupted during the reading, This is to enable displaying data for a plurality of pages from the page read until the last time even when resuming.

The means of the present invention are as follows. The invention according to claim 1 (the first invention) is equivalent to the number of page display media via a network for an electronic display device having a plurality of paper-like page display media bound in a booklet form. In the electronic book providing system for transmitting the electronic book data for the number of pages to be read, for each user who owns the electronic display device, the book identification information in the middle of reading and the middle reading page of the book are used as the reading management information. Management information storage means for storing,
When a book data transmission request is received from the user,
The reading means for reading the book identification information corresponding to the user and the halfway reading page of the book from the management information storage means, and the corresponding electronic book based on the book identification information read by the reading means, Acquiring means for acquiring the data for a plurality of pages after the read middle reading page from the designated electronic book, and the data for a plurality of pages acquired by the acquiring means on the side of the user who is the request source. And a transmitting means for transmitting to the electronic display device.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the invention, an electronic display device capable of obtaining the feeling of "turning pages" by means of a plurality of paper-like page display media bound in a booklet is connected via a network. In an e-book providing system that transmits data of an e-book, it is possible to provide data for a plurality of pages from the page read until the last time, even when the book is resumed after being interrupted during reading.
The user who owns the electronic display device does not need to be aware of what book and where he / she has been reading each time he / she interrupts reading, and the electronic display device has such a management function. It does not have to be provided, and when the reading is resumed, it is possible to continue reading from the page that was being read when the reading was interrupted.

Furthermore, a program for causing a computer to realize the main functions shown in the invention described in claim 1 is provided (the invention described in claim 10), and
The present invention provides an electronic book providing method for performing processing in accordance with the main procedure shown in the above-mentioned invention of claim 1 (invention of claim 11).

The first invention may be as follows. An electronic display device having a plurality of paper-like page display media bound in a booklet form, and a book management device for transmitting electronic book data corresponding to the number of page display media are connected via a network In the electronic book providing system described above, the electronic display device updates open page information indicating which page is currently opened each time the page display medium is turned over, and each page display medium is updated. When all are closed, the open page information is read and transmitted to the book management device, and the book management device receives the open page information transmitted from the electronic display device, and also receives the open page information. The information is written in the management information storage means as a reading intermediate page corresponding to the user (the invention according to claim 2). Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect similar to that of the invention described in claim 1, for a user who owns the electronic display device, the book management device side displays the page in the middle of reading. In order to manage, it is not necessary to perform a special operation, and it is only necessary to perform the page-turning operation of the page display medium and the operation of closing all the page-display mediums in the same manner as when handling a paper book.

The management information storage means, for each user who owns the electronic display device, reads each book identification information and the halfway-reading page of each book corresponding to a plurality of books that are being read before. When read-out information is stored as management information and a book data transmission request is received from the user, the reading unit reads book identification information corresponding to the book read last time from the plurality of books associated with the user. And the page in the middle of reading of the book are retrieved and read from the management information storage means (the invention according to claim 3). Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect similar to that of the invention described in claim 1, when a plurality of books are being read in parallel while being interrupted, reading is resumed. At this time, the book that was being read immediately before is automatically selected from the plurality of books that are being read, and it is possible to start reading from the page during the reading.

The management information storage means, for each user who owns the electronic display device, reads each book identification information and the halfway-reading page of each book corresponding to a plurality of books that are being read before. When the book information is stored as management information and a book data transmission request is received from the user, a book menu during reading is created based on the book identification information for a plurality of books corresponding to the user from the management information storage unit. In the case where a menu item arbitrarily selected from the book menu in the middle of reading is transmitted from the electronic display device, the reading means transmits it to the electronic display device of the requesting user. From the plurality of books associated with the user, the book identification information corresponding to the selected menu item and the halfway reading page of the book are retrieved from the management information storage unit and read. (Invention described in claim 4). Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effect similar to that of the invention described in claim 1, when a plurality of books are being read in parallel while being interrupted, reading is resumed. At this time, the user can start reading from the page in the middle of reading by simply selecting the desired book from the plurality of books in the middle of reading.

The management information storage means, for each user who owns the electronic display device, reads each book identification information and the halfway-reading page of each book corresponding to a plurality of books that are being read before. When the book data is stored as management information and a transmission request for book data is received from the user, the reading unit displays the book identification information for the plurality of books associated with the user and the middle reading page of each book. Is read from the management information storage means, a plurality of corresponding books are designated based on each book identification information read by the reading means, and the read data of each reading intermediate page is read. The data is acquired from each designated book and the acquired data is transmitted to the electronic display device of the requesting user (the invention according to claim 5). Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 5, in addition to the effect similar to that of the invention described in claim 1, in the case where a plurality of books are read in parallel while being interrupted, the reading is resumed. At this time, the user can be provided with each data corresponding to the page in the middle of reading of each book as a material for the user to select a desired book from a plurality of books in the middle of reading.

When the user selects and designates arbitrary data from among the data corresponding to the pages in the middle of reading for the plurality of books, the electronic display device on the user side is selected. Specifies the corresponding book based on the selection contents transmitted from the device, acquires data for a plurality of pages from the specified book after the reading page, and transmits the data to the electronic device of the requesting user. (Invention of Claim 6). Therefore, according to the invention of claim 6, in addition to having the same effect as that of the invention of claim 1,
In the case where a plurality of books are being read in parallel while being interrupted in the middle, when resuming the reading, the user compares the contents of each data corresponding to the halfway-reading pages of the plurality of books being read. A desired book can be selected, and the selected book can be started to be read from the halfway page of the reading.

The invention according to claim 7 (the second invention) is
Having a plurality of paper-like page display media bound in a booklet,
An electronic display device for displaying data for a plurality of pages transmitted from a book management device connected via a network on each page display medium, at the time of or immediately before a request to stop reading an electronic book. The page information for specifying the data displayed on the open page display medium is set as a reading middle page, and a transmitting unit for transmitting to the book providing center, and the reading middle page is managed for each user. Receiving means for receiving a plurality of pages of data including a reading-in-progress page corresponding to the user, which is transmitted in response to a request to send an electronic book to the book providing center; It also comprises a control means for storing and managing the correspondence relationship between each page display medium and the page information when the received data for a plurality of pages are sequentially allocated and displayed on each page display medium. It is.

Therefore, according to the second aspect of the invention, in the electronic display device in which a plurality of paper-like page display media bound in a booklet can give a feeling of "turning pages", the reading is interrupted during reading. Even after resuming reading after that, data for multiple pages from the page previously read can be displayed, and the user who owns the electronic display device can stop reading every time the reading is interrupted. In addition, it is not necessary to be aware of what books were read up to where, and it is not necessary to provide such a management function on the electronic display device side. It becomes possible to continue reading from the page that was being read from time to time.

Further, the present invention provides a program for causing a computer to realize the main functions shown in the above-mentioned invention of claim 7 (invention of claim 12).

The second invention may be as follows. The transmission request for the electronic book is made in conjunction with the turning operation of the page display medium, and at that time,
This is performed by adding the user information (the invention according to claim 8). Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 8, in addition to the effect similar to that of the invention described in claim 7, it is possible to make a transmission request for an electronic book with the sense of "turning" the page, so that a paper book It is possible to handle it in the same way as.

When all of the page display media are closed, the reading stop request is issued (the invention according to claim 9).
Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 9, in addition to the effect similar to that of the invention described in claim 7, it is possible to make a reading stop request with the feeling of closing the book. It becomes possible to handle.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (First Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Figure 1
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electronic book service system in this embodiment. This electronic book service system provides a service of distributing electronic book (electronic book) data to member users via a wide area network, and this service providing server 1
Is connected to an electronic display device (hereinafter referred to as an electronic book device) 3 as an electronic book player possessed by each user via a network (Internet) 2 and stores various electronic books. It is connected to the managed electronic book content server 4.

When the member user receives a transmission request for an electronic book arbitrarily selected by the member user, the service providing server 1
The electronic book data is downloaded to the requesting electronic book device 3 and provided. In this case, the service providing server 1 is configured to transmit and provide data for a plurality of pages from the pages that have been read until the last time even when the reading is restarted after being interrupted during the reading. The service providing server 1 is provided with a user database 11 described later, and the electronic book content server 4 is provided with an electronic book content group 12.
Is provided.

In this embodiment, for example,
Digitized (packetized) data is transmitted and received between the service providing server 1 and the electronic book device 3 by the HTTP protocol or the like using the TCP / IP communication protocol, and is coded. The data including the control information is used to recognize the necessary processing contents and cooperate with each other to perform the data processing. As for the server, the service providing server 1 has various server functions such as a database server function and a Web server function, and the electronic book device 3 has a Web browser function.

2A and 2B are external perspective views conceptually showing the entire electronic book apparatus 3. FIG. 2A shows a state in which the book is open, and FIG. 2B shows a state in which the book is closed. FIG. The electronic book device 3 is a book-shaped device having a B5 size as a whole and displays electronic book data such as magazines and books. It is driven by a battery as a power source and can be carried anywhere. A book player. The apparatus main body 301 includes a plurality of (six in this embodiment) paper-like page display media 302.
Are stacked and bound in a book shape, and the apparatus main body 301 is provided with a binding margin portion 303 for fixing one end portion (the left end portion in the drawing) of a plurality of paper-like page display media 302. The binding margin portion 303 has electronic components such as a display controller 304 (see FIG. 4) built therein.
Each paper-like page display medium 3 is adhered and fixed to the binding margin portion 303, or the paper margin page 303 sandwiches each paper-like page display medium 302.
02 and the binding margin portion 303 may be fixed in any structure. Further, although not shown, a connection portion that is electrically connected to the binding margin portion 303 is provided at the left end of each paper-like page display medium 302. The electrical connection structure between the page display medium 302 and the binding margin portion 303 such as connecting via a lead wire or connecting via a printed wiring is arbitrary.

This electronic book device 3 is a device main body 301 in which a plurality of paper-like page display media 302 are bound in a book form.
And a display controller 304 for assigning and displaying the externally supplied data in the electronic book to each paper-like page display medium 302 in the page order thereof are integrated, and the overall shape is approximated to a paper book. . Here, the first paper page display medium 302 is the other paper page display medium 3
It is formed slightly wider in the horizontal direction than 02.
The wide portion 305 has various buttons (touch keys) 3
06 is arranged. In addition, this wide part (operation part) 3
Functions of various buttons 306 arranged in 05 will be described later.

FIG. 3 shows six paper page display media 302.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which are overlapped with each other and a partially enlarged view thereof. Here, the six paper page display media 302 are thin members that are entirely made of a flexible member (a synthetic resin material such as vinyl) having flexibility. Turn over ”
And, the whole is bent like paper. And
Except for the first and sixth pages, the second to fifth page display media 3
Display devices 307 each having a rectangular shape are arranged on both front and back surfaces of No. 02, and the first and sixth page display media 302 have a rectangular display device 306 on only one side thereof. Are arranged.

That is, a total of ten display devices 307 are arranged on the six page display media 302. The display device 307 is a rectangular device slightly smaller than the size of the page display medium 302, and has an integral structure embedded in the page display medium 302 so that its display surface is similar to the medium surface. . Here, when the serial numbers are sequentially assigned to the ten display devices 307 from the beginning, the serial numbers (screen numbers) are “1 to 1”.
In this way, ten display devices 307 can be specified by the corresponding screen numbers “1 to 10”, but since one page of data is allocated to one display device 307, 10 display devices 3
07 is the screen number and page numbers "1-10" depending on the case.
Shall be specified by.

Each display device 307 has a pair of film-like substrates (for example, a pair of film-like substrates, which are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval).
The toner-like fine powder 309 is enclosed between the plastics 308, and a voltage is applied between the film substrates 308 to control the fine powder 309 to display data. The thickness of one display device 307 is 200 μm.
It is very thin, up to 300 μm, and even if a total of 10 display devices 307 are spelled, the entire apparatus main body 301 is thin, has flexibility like paper, and can display by applying a minute voltage. At the same time, after the data is displayed on the page display medium, the display content can be retained without requiring power.

Further, the first paper-like page display medium 302
In each of the other page display media 302 except the above, an optical sensor 310 is arranged at the right corner on the front surface side. That is, the even-numbered display devices 307 (2, 4, 6,
(8th and 10th), an optical sensor 310 is arranged near the display device 307 (upper right part), and the optical sensor 310 is a light receiving sensor for detecting the presence or absence of external light. It is a sensor for detecting which page (display device 307) is currently opened by receiving external light when the display medium 302 is turned over. That is, the even-numbered display devices 30
By arranging the optical sensors 310 near 7 respectively, it is possible to detect that the paper-shaped page display medium 302 is opened, and depending on which position the optical sensor 310 is turned on, which page (display) Device 3
07) is opened.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the binding margin portion 303. The binding margin portion 303 has a hollow cylindrical shape as a whole and is entirely made of a hard synthetic resin member. The display controller 3 is provided in the hollow portion.
04 and a communication device 312 with a lot antenna 311
And other electronic components are built in compactly. Further, the binding margin portion 303 is provided with an insertion portion 314 to which a stick type recording medium 313 for recording electronic book data is detachably mounted. Furthermore, the binding margin portion 303 has
A paper-like page display medium 30 having a built-in battery 315
2, the display controller 304, the optical sensor 310, the communication device 312, and other electronic components are driven by using the battery 315 as a power source. The battery 315 may be a primary battery or a secondary battery.

FIG. 5 shows an even numbered paper-like page display medium 3.
02 shows a state in which the first page display medium 302 is opened. For example, when the first page display medium 302 is opened, the first page display device arranged on the back side of the first page display medium 302 is shown. 307 and the display device 307 of the second page arranged on the front surface side of the second page display medium 302 are spread pages. Further, when the second page display medium 302 is opened, the display device 307 of the third page arranged on the back side of the second sheet and the fourth page arranged on the front side of the third page. The eye display device 307 serves as a facing page. Further, when the third page display medium 302 is opened, the fifth page display device 307 and the fourth page display device 307 arranged on the back side of the third page are displayed.
Display device 3 on page 6 arranged on the front side of the first sheet
07 is the double-page spread (hereinafter the same).

On the other hand, various buttons (touch keys) 306 are arranged on the wide portion 305 provided on the first page display medium 302.
Are those that can be operated with the paper page display medium 302 open, and include the menu button 306A and the save button 3.
06B, a read button 306C, and a delete button 306D. The menu button 306A is a button for requesting the service providing server 1 to transmit a content menu corresponding to the type of electronic book. The save button 306B is a button for instructing to save the display data, the read button 306C is a button for instructing to read and display the saved data, and a delete button 306D.
Is a button for instructing deletion of stored data.

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the contents of the user database 11 provided on the service providing server 1 side. The user database 11 stores and manages user information registered as members.
"D", "Last book number", "Reading book number (1)", "Open page data number (1)", "Reading book number (2)", "Open page data number (2)"
It has each item of. "Last book number" is
The book content number indicates the book (last book) that was read last time. "Reading book number (1),
(2) ... "," Open page data number (1), (2)
"..." is information corresponding to each book in the middle of reading when a plurality of books are being read in parallel while being interrupted. That is, “book number during reading (1), (2) ...” is a book content number indicating a book in the middle of reading, and “open page data number (1), (2). Inside, the page number of the data being displayed is shown, and in the case of interruption during reading, the page number of the data being displayed at the time of interruption (page under reading) is shown.

FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the contents of the screen / page correspondence table 316 provided on the electronic book device 3 side. The screen / page correspondence table 316 manages the current display data displayed on each display device 307, and displays a total of 10 display devices 307 arranged on each paper-like page display medium 302. "Screen number" of serial number assigned sequentially according to the arrangement order
And the page number of the data displayed on the display device 307 are associated with each other.

Further, the electronic book device 3 stores and manages the "open number". This “open number” is the “screen number” detected by the optical sensor 310, that is, the “screen number” of the display device 307 located on the right side of the currently opened paper-like page display medium 302. As described above, the optical sensor 310
Is an even number in the display device 307, so the “open number” is an even number. That is, the first optical sensor 3 arranged on the second page display medium 302
10 detects the second page, the second optical sensor 310 arranged on the third page display medium 302 detects the fourth page, and the following optical sensors 310 are 6, 8, and 10. Detect page.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the basic components of the electronic book device 3. The CPU 321 is a central processing unit that controls the overall operation of the electronic book device 3 according to the operating system and various application software in the storage unit 322. Storage unit 32
Reference numeral 2 denotes an operating system and various application software, and also a recording medium such as a user ID, a server access number, etc., which will be described later, magnetically, optically, a semiconductor memory or the like, and a drive system thereof. Have Although this recording medium is a fixed medium such as a hard disk, it may be a portable medium such as a CD-ROM, a floppy desk, a RAM card, a magnetic card that can be detachably mounted.

The display RAM 323 stores and holds 10 pages of display data downloaded and received from the service providing server 1 side, and the 10 pages of display data are arranged in each paper-like page display medium 302. Of the 10 display devices 307, the corresponding page display device 307
Is displayed and output. The work RAM 324 is a work area for storing "saved page data" in addition to the "screen / page correspondence table 316" and "open number" described above. The display controller 304 described above is a CPU
321, storage unit 322, display RAM 323, work R
The configuration includes the AM 324.

On the other hand, the CPU 321 is connected to the input section 325, which is an input / output peripheral device, the above-described optical sensor 310, communication device 312, and stick type recording medium 313 via a bus line. The CPU 321 controls those operations according to the program.
The input unit 325 includes the menu button 306A, the save button 306B, the read button 306C, and the delete button 3 described above.
In addition to 06D, it has a power switch and the like. Communication device 3
12 performs data communication with the service providing server 1 via the network 2. The CPU 321 fetches a part or all of the program stored in the recording unit 322 from another device side via the communication device 312,
It is also possible to perform new registration or additional registration in the recording unit 322. Further, the program / data may be stored and managed by the external device side, and the CPU 321 may directly access and use the program / data on the external device side via the communication device 312.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the basic components of the service providing server 1. Since the service providing server 1 is also substantially the same as the constituent elements of the electronic book device 3 described above, the description thereof will be omitted. However, the service providing server 1 has C as a basic constituent element.
PU 101, storage device 102, storage medium 103, RAM
104, input unit 105, display unit 106, transmission control unit 10
It is configured to have 7.

Next, the operation algorithm of the electronic book service system in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. Here, each function described in these flowcharts is stored in the form of a readable program code, and the operation according to this program code is sequentially executed. Further, it is possible to sequentially execute the operation according to the above-mentioned program code transmitted via the communication device.
This is the same in other embodiments described later, and it is also possible to execute the operation peculiar to this embodiment by utilizing a program / data externally supplied via a transmission medium in addition to the recording medium.

9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the operation on the electronic book device 3 side, which is started when the power is turned on. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation on the service providing server 1 side, which is started to be executed in response to a request from the electronic book device 3. First, when the electronic book device 3 detects that the first page display medium 302 is opened by the optical sensor 310,
The "user ID" previously assigned by the service providing server 1 is read out, the "server access number" is read out, and an open request is transmitted to the service providing server 1 together with this "user ID" (step A1 in FIG. 9). ).

When the service providing server 1 receives the user ID and the open request transmitted from the electronic book device 3, the service providing server 1 starts executing the flow of FIG. 11 and stores the user database 11 based on the received “user ID”. Search and get the corresponding user record (step B
1). Then, it is checked whether or not the "reading book number" is set in this user record (step B2). Here, when the first page display medium 302 is opened to read a new electronic book on the electronic book device 3 side, the “reading book number” corresponding to the user is not set yet. If the reading is suspended and then continued, the set state is set. That is,
The “book number during reading” is set when the reading is interrupted and is book identification information for designating the original book when the interrupted reading is restarted.

When the first page display medium 302 is opened to read a new book on the electronic book device 3 side, the service providing server 1 lists the contents of various electronic books (book catalog). A new book content menu indicating the above is transmitted to the requesting electronic book device 3 (step B3). Then, on the electronic book device 3 side,
When an arbitrary item (desired book) is selected from this new book content menu, the selected menu item is received (step B4), and if the selected item has a lower menu (step B5), The process returns to step B3 to send the subordinate menu to the request source.

Here, when the electronic book device 3 receives the content menu transmitted from the service providing server 1 (step A2 in FIG. 9), the first page display medium currently opening this content menu. 302, that is, pop-up display is performed on the display device 307 of the first page (step A3). In this state, when any item is specified by the user from this content menu in order to select the desired electronic book (step A
4) The number corresponding to the selected menu item is transmitted to the service providing server 1 (step A5).

The service providing server 1 accesses the electronic book content server 4, reads out the content corresponding to the menu item selected as described above (step B6 in FIG. 11), and reads 10 pages from the first page. Data is extracted (step B7). Then, the book number assigned to this selected content is acquired, and this is set in the user database 11 corresponding to the user as the “reading book number”, and the initial value “0” is set as the “open page number”. Is set (step B8). Further, by setting this "book number during reading" as the "last book number" corresponding to the user, the "last book number" in the user database 11 is updated (step B9). Then, after the content data of 10 pages from the first page extracted as described above is transmitted to the requesting electronic book device 3 (step B
13) and waits for the next request (step B14).

When the electronic book device 3 receives the content data from the service providing server 1 (step A6 in FIG. 9), each page data is converted into display dot data, which is expanded and arranged on the display RAM 323, and the corresponding data is displayed. The display device 307 is to be assigned and displayed (step A
7) In this case, the content data for 10 pages from the first page is sequentially allocated and displayed on the 10 display devices 307 according to the page order. Then, the display device 30
The correspondence between the screen number of 7 and the page number of the page data is displayed on the screen.
It is set in the page correspondence table 316 (step A8).
In this case, the data page numbers “1 page” to “10 pages” correspond to the screen numbers “1” to “10” and the screen / page correspondence table 3
It is set to 16.

FIG. 12A is a development view when the content data for 10 pages from the first page is allocated and displayed on 10 display devices 307 according to the page order. In the figure, P1 to P10 indicate page numbers corresponding to ten display devices 307, and (1) to (10)
Indicates the page number of the content data. Further, in the figure, "first and second sheets" to "fifth and sixth sheets" indicate which page display medium 302 is in the spread state.

In this state, whether or not the page display medium 302 is opened is checked according to the response signal from the optical sensor 310 (step A9). Since the first page display medium 302 is now open, Optical sensor 3
The number of the display device 307 opened according to the response signal from 10 is acquired (step A14), and this screen number is stored and held as an "open number" (step A15). In this case, since the first and second page display media 302 are in the spread state, “2” is stored and held as the “open number”.

The page display medium 30 currently opened
Check if 2 is closed (Step A1
6) If closed, another page display medium 302
Check if the file has been opened (Step A1)
7). In other words, steps A16 and A17 are determination steps for checking whether the page has been turned. If the page has been turned, the steps A14 and A1 described above are performed.
The same process as 5 is performed and the "open number" is held (steps A18 and A19). In this case, when the second and third page display media 302 are in the spread state,
"4" is stored and held as the "open number".

Next, moving to the flow of FIG. 10, it is judged whether the "open number" is "10" (step A22), "8" (step A28) or "6" (step A3).
2). Since the "open number" is "4" now, the process returns to step A16 in FIG. That is, after reading the data of the first and second pages, turn over the page display medium 302,
The above operation is repeated until the data on the third and fourth pages are read. Here, if the page display medium 302 is further turned over and the third and fourth page display media 302 are opened, the "open number" becomes "6". Is detected. Then, the page number of the data displayed on the display device 307 with the screen number "6" is compared with the page number of the data displayed on the display device 307 with the screen number "7" (step A33). Checks whether the page numbers are continuous (step A34). In this embodiment, as will be described later in detail, since the display data is updated at the screen numbers “6” and “7” as a boundary, the continuity of page numbers at this position is a boundary. I try to check. Now, as shown in FIG. 12A, the page numbers of the data of screen numbers "6" and "7" are "6" and "7", and since they are continuous, the process returns to step A16 of FIG. .

Furthermore, when the page display medium 302 is turned over and the fourth and fifth page display media 302 are opened,
Since the "open number" is "8", this is detected in step A28 of FIG. 10 and the process moves to step A28, but in this case also, the above steps A33, A
The same processing as 34 is performed (steps A29 and A3).
0). Also in this case, since the continuation of page numbers is detected, the process returns to step A16 in FIG.

Next, the page display medium 302 is further flipped,
When the fourth and fifth page display media 302 are opened, the "open number" is "10", so that this is detected in step A22 of FIG. 10 and step A23.
Then, the page number of the data currently displayed on the display device 307 corresponding to the open number is acquired, and the transmission request for the next 6 pages following this page number is issued to the service providing server 1 (step A24). . That is, in this embodiment, when the final sixth page display medium 302 is opened, in other words, when the tenth page display device 307 is opened, a display data update request is issued. I am going to do it for 1.

When the service providing server 1 receives the page data transmission request in the next request waiting state (step B14 in FIG. 11) (step B15), the requested number of data is read from the requested page from the content currently being read. It is acquired (step B16) and transmitted to the request source (step B1).
3). When the electronic book device 3 receives each data (step A25 in FIG. 10), each received data is assigned and displayed in the page order from the top display device 307 (step A26). And screen / page correspondence table 3
The contents of 16 are also updated according to the updates of the displayed contents (step A27).

FIG. 12B is a development view in which data of 6 pages from 11th page to 16th page is allocated and displayed from the top display device 307 in that page order. That is, in the display state shown in FIG. 12A, in order to see the data of the final 9th and 10th pages, the last page display medium 3 is displayed.
When 02 is opened, a display state as shown in FIG. In the figure, the broken line indicates the position of the display device 307 corresponding to the "open number" (hereinafter the same). Further, in this case, the data of pages 7 and after are not updated and the display remains unchanged.

In this state, data reading is completed from the 11th page to the 14th page, and the third and fourth page display media 3 are read.
When 02 is opened, the "open number" is "6"
Therefore, the process proceeds to step A32 in FIG. 10, but in this case, since the page number discontinuity is detected (step A3).
4), following the page number of the data displayed on the display device 307 of screen number "6", a transmission request for the next four pages and subsequent pages is sent to the service providing server 1 (step A).
35).

In this case, 1 from the service providing server 1
Since the data from page 7 to page 20 are sent,
When these four pages of data are received (step A36),
Each received data is assigned and displayed on the display device 307 of screen number "7" and thereafter (step A37). Then, the contents of the screen / page correspondence table 316 are also updated according to the updates of the display contents (step A38). FIG. 12 (C)
Is a development view in which four pages of data from page 17 to page 20 are allocated and displayed on the display device 307 of screen number "7" and thereafter, and the display content after screen number "7" is 7 The data is updated from page 10 to page 17 to page 20.

On the other hand, in the display state shown in FIG. 12B, when the page display medium 302 is turned backward by one sheet, the fourth and fifth page display mediums 302 are in a spread state.
The "open number" becomes "8" and the process moves to step A27 in FIG. In this case, since page number discontinuity is detected (steps A29 and A30), a transmission request for 6 pages before the previous page following the page number of the data displayed on the display device 307 of screen number "7" is requested. To the service providing server 1 (step A31). In this case, since the data from the first page to the sixth page are transmitted from the service providing server 1, when the data for the six pages is received (step A25), each received data is displayed at the top of the display device 307. From page to page, the pages are allocated and displayed (step A26). Then, the contents of the screen / page correspondence table 316 are also updated according to the updates of the display contents (step A2).
7). FIG. 12D is a development view when one page display medium 302 is reversed in the display state shown in FIG. 12B, and the display contents from the beginning to the screen number “6” are as follows.
The data on pages 11 to 16 is reverted to the data on pages 1 to 6 and updated.

Further, in the display state shown in FIG. 12C, when the final page is reached, the "open number" becomes "10", and therefore the above steps A22 to A27 are executed. FIG. 12D is a development view when the final page is reached in the display state shown in FIG. 12C, and the display contents from the top to the screen number “6” are from page 11 to page 16
The data on pages 1 to 26 are updated.

On the other hand, in the electronic book device 3, when instructing to change to another electronic book during reading, the menu button 306A is operated (step A20). Then, the electronic book device 3 requests the service providing server 1 to send a new content menu during reading (step A21). When the service providing server 1 receives the menu transmission request (step B19 in FIG. 11),
The user database 11 is accessed to acquire all the "reading book numbers" corresponding to the user (step B20), the "book name" corresponding to each "reading book number", and each "reading book". A book list menu including the "book name" and the "book name" of the new book is created (step B21). Then, this book name list menu is transmitted to the electronic book device 3 of the requesting user (step B22). FIG. 13 shows a book name list menu, and has contents in which each "book name" during reading and the "book name" of a new book are associated with a menu number (serial number).

As a result, when the desired book name is selected from the menu on the electronic book apparatus 3 side, the book currently being read can be changed to another book. When the service providing server 1 receives the menu number selected by the user (step B23), the service providing server 1 determines whether the book is a new book (step B24). If a new book is selected, the process proceeds to step A3 and the new book content menu is displayed. Is sent to the request source, but when the book being read is selected (step B24), the book number corresponding to the selection menu number is acquired from the user database 11 (step B25), and this book number is corresponded to the user. "Last book number" in the user database 11 by setting it as the "last book number" of
Is updated (step B26).

When all the reading is finished or the reading is interrupted, all the page display media 302 are closed (book is closed). Here, when all the page display media 302 are closed for a certain period of time, step A in FIG.
This is detected at 10 and it is determined that the reading has ended. In this case, it is checked whether or not the "open number" is stored (step A11). If the "open number" is not stored, only a close request is sent to the service providing server 1 (step A13), but "open" If the "number" is stored, the page number of the data displayed on the display device 307 corresponding to the "open number" is added to the close request and transmitted to the service providing server 1 (step A12).

When the service providing server 1 receives the close request from the electronic book device 3 (step B17 in FIG. 11), the service providing server 1 checks the received contents, and if the page number of the data is added to the close request. The page number is set as the "open page data number" and stored in the user database 11 in association with the "reading book number" (step B18). This "open page data number" is used as information for acquiring the data on and after this page when the user resumes reading.

When the first page display medium 302 is opened to resume the reading after the reading is interrupted, the electronic book device 3 sends the service providing server 1 together with the user ID to the service providing server 1 as described above. Send open request (Fig. 9)
Step A1). In this case, on the service providing server 1 side, after receiving the user ID and the open request (step B1), the presence or absence of the "reading book number" corresponding to this user ID is checked (step B2). Since it is now when the reading is resumed, the previously set "book number being read" is stored as it is, so the process proceeds to step B10 to perform the process of obtaining the "last book number".

Then, the book content corresponding to the "last book number" is read from the content server 4 (step B11), the "open page data number" corresponding to the "last book number" is acquired from the user database 11, and this book content is acquired. Data for 10 pages, that is, the data for 10 pages after that including the "open page data number" which is the page in the middle of reading is extracted (step B
12) and transmits to the electronic book device 3 of the requesting user (step B13). For example, if the "open page data number" is 12, the data from page 12 to page 22 is extracted and transmitted. After that, the same operation as described above is performed.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the service providing server 1 stores and manages the “reading book number” and the “open page data number” in the user database 11 for each user. If a "reading book number" corresponding to the user is stored when a data transmission request is received, it is determined that reading is resumed, and the book content associated with this "reading book number" is displayed. Since the data for 10 pages after the "open page data number" is acquired from the specified book contents and transmitted to the electronic book device 3 of the requesting user, the process is interrupted during reading. Later, even when the reading is resumed, the data for 10 pages from the page previously read can be provided, and the user can read the data every time the reading is interrupted. It is not necessary to be aware of how far the register was read, and it is not necessary to provide such a management function on the electronic book device 3 side. It is possible to continue reading from the page you were on. In this case, the electronic book device 3
Is required to have the minimum necessary functions, which is advantageous in terms of size and thickness reduction and cost.

On the other hand, the electronic book apparatus 3 uses the small number of page display media 302 even if the electronic book has an enormous number of pages, and views the data individually in the page order with a feeling of "turning pages". In addition to the fact that the next page of the currently opened page is not blank and the next data is displayed in advance, page switching is unnecessary, and there is no flicker at page switching, and data is updated. It is also natural, and the display state is not uncomfortable as compared with a paper book, and it can be handled in substantially the same way as a paper book.

Each time the page display medium 302 is turned over, the electronic book device 3 updates the open page data number indicating which page is currently opened, and when each page display medium is closed, The open page data number is read and transmitted to the service providing server 1, and the service providing server 1
Receives the open page data number transmitted from the electronic book device 3 and manages the received open page data number as a reading-in-progress page corresponding to the user. Server 1
There is no need to perform any special operation to allow the user to manage the pages in the middle of reading. With the same feeling as when handling a paper book, the operation of turning the page display medium and the operation of closing all page display media are performed. All you have to do is

When reading a plurality of books in parallel while interrupting a plurality of books in the middle, when restarting the reading, the service providing server 1 reads the last book from the plurality of books in the middle of reading. Since the book that has been read is automatically selected and data corresponding to 10 pages from that reading page is provided to the user, the book that was being read immediately before can be read from that reading page. Also, since a book name list menu showing a plurality of books in the middle of reading is created and transmitted to the request source user, when reading a plurality of books in parallel while interrupting in the middle,
When resuming the reading, the user can start reading from the page in the middle of reading only by selecting the book desired by the user from the plurality of books in the middle of reading.

In the electronic book apparatus 3, when the first sheet is opened while the power is off, the power is turned on and
Since the open request is transmitted to the service providing server 1 together with the user ID, the request for transmitting the book data can be made as if the page is "turned", and it can be handled like a paper book. It will be possible. When all the page display media are closed while the power is on, that is, when the electronic book device 3 is closed, the power is turned off and the service providing server 1 Since the close request is transmitted, the reading stop request can be issued as if the book is closed, and the book can be handled like a paper book.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 (A) and 14. In addition, in the first embodiment described above, in the case where a plurality of books are read in parallel while being interrupted,
When resuming reading, a book name list menu showing a plurality of books in the middle of reading is created and transmitted to the request source user. However, the second embodiment corresponds to a plurality of books in the middle of reading. Then, the data (actual data for one page) corresponding to the middle reading page of each book is read and each data is transmitted to the requesting user as selection candidate data. Here, basically the same components in both embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the characteristic part of the second embodiment will be mainly described below.

Here, in FIG. 6 (A) showing the contents of the user database 11, the corresponding page data shown on the right side of the figure is unique to the second embodiment. For each "open page data number"
Corresponding data, that is, data corresponding to the page in the middle of reading (actual data for one page) is stored and stored in another memory area. That is, when you interrupt the reading process,
In the second embodiment, the data of the page in the middle of reading is saved, and when the reading is resumed, each saved data is read and transmitted to the user.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation on the service providing server 1 side which is started to be executed in response to a request from the electronic book device 3 in the second embodiment. First, the service providing server 1 executes the processing (steps C1 to C8) corresponding to the processing (steps B1 to B9) shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 described above. That is, when the electronic book device 3 side opens the first page display medium 302 to read a new book, the service providing server 1 transmits the new book content menu to the requesting electronic book device 3. Then, (step C3), when an arbitrary item is designated by the user from this content menu, the content corresponding to the selected menu item is read (step C5), and data for 10 pages from the first page is extracted. (Step C6).

Then, the book number assigned to this selected content is acquired, and this is set in the user database 11 corresponding to the user as the "reading book number", and the "open page number" is set to the initial value. "0" is set (step C7). Further, by setting this "book number during reading" as the "last book number" corresponding to the user, the "last book number" in the user database 11 is updated (step C8). Then, after the content data for 10 pages from the first page extracted as described above is transmitted to the requesting electronic book device 3 (step C15), the next request is awaited (step C16).

When the service providing server 1 receives a page data transmission request in the next request waiting state (step C16) (step C17), it acquires the requested number of data from the requested page from the content currently being read ( Step C1
8) Then, this is transmitted to the request source (step C15). Further, when the service providing server 1 receives the menu transmission request (step C22), it creates and transmits a new book content menu accordingly (step C3).

Further, when the close request is received from the electronic book device 3 (step C19), the service providing server 1 checks the received contents, and if the page number of the data is added to the close request, The page number is set as the "open page data number" and stored in the user database 11 in association with the user and the "book number being read" (step C20). And
The data (last page data) corresponding to this "open page data number" is read out and stored (step C2).
1). That is, every time the electronic book device 3 is closed,
The open page data at that time is saved.

When the first page display medium 302 is opened to restart the reading after the reading is interrupted, the electronic book device 3 sends the user ID to the service providing server 1 together with the user ID as described above. Send an open request. Then, on the service providing server 1 side, the user ID,
After receiving the open request (step C1), the presence or absence of the "reading book number" corresponding to this user ID is checked (step C2). Now that the reading has been resumed, the previously set "reading book number" is stored as is, so the process moves to step C9, and the "last reading book number" is sequentially read from the "last book number". The last page data corresponding to each "open page data number" is read out (see FIG. 6A).

By this, a series of menu numbers is added to the last page data corresponding to each "reading book number" and transmitted to the electronic book device 3 of the requesting user (step C10). Here, on the electronic book device 3 side, the last page data for each reading book transmitted from the service providing server 1 is stored in a predetermined page display medium 302.
When the user selects and specifies arbitrary data from the plurality of last page data, the selected page contents are transmitted to the service providing server 1.

That is, on the electronic book device 3 side,
During reading, the last page data for each book has a predetermined page display medium 3
In the state of being displayed in order from 02, the user confirms each data content while turning the page display medium 302,
When the data desired to resume reading is found, a predetermined button is operated to instruct the selected data. For example, when the desired selection data is instructed by pressing the menu button 306A and the save button 306B at the same time, the electronic book device 3 acquires the menu number associated with the selection data and transmits it to the service providing server 1. To do.

When the service providing server 1 receives the menu number (page selection content) corresponding to the selected data (step C11), it acquires the "reading book number" corresponding to the selected page from the user database 11 (step C12). ,
The book content corresponding to the "book number being read" is read from the content server 4 (step C13), and data for 10 pages is extracted from the data corresponding to the "open page data number" (step C14). Then, in order to set this "book number during reading" to the "last book number", after updating the "last book number" (step C8), 10 pages from the data corresponding to the "open page data number" Of the data is transmitted to the electronic book device 3 of the requesting user (step C15).

As described above, in the second embodiment, when the service providing server 1 is reading a plurality of books in parallel while interrupting the books in the middle, when restarting the reading, the service providing server 1 does As the data for the user to select a desired book from a plurality of books, each data corresponding to the page in the middle of reading of each book is transmitted to the electronic book device 3 on the side of the user. When selecting a desired book from a plurality of books, the user can select the book while comparing the data contents of the pages in the middle of each reading, so that the selection becomes more reliable, and the selected book is selected. You can start reading the book from the middle of the reading.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the service providing server 1 accesses the electronic book content server 4 connected via the network 2 to read the content designated by the user. However, if the service providing server 1 stores and manages the electronic book content group, the user-specified content may be read by accessing the electronic book content group. Further, although the service providing server 1 is configured to provide the electronic book content, the service providing server 1 may be one that transmits and provides data such as newspapers, reports, and files in addition to the electronic book. Further, in addition to text information and image information such as photographs, voice information and music information may also be transmitted and provided. In this case, a speaker may be built in the electronic book device 3 or a speaker may be connected to the electronic book device 3.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the electronic book apparatus 3 exemplifies the paper-like page display medium 302 in which the display device 307 is embedded. However, the display device 307 itself constitutes the paper-like page display medium 302. Good. In this case, the display device 307 may be provided with margins of a predetermined size at the top, bottom, left and right, and the display device may be structurally divided into a device on the front surface side and a device on the back surface side. Further, the electronic book device 3 spells six page display media 302, but the number can be increased according to cost reduction and thinning of the paper-like page display medium 302, but in this case, portability is achieved. It is preferable to set it in a range that does not impair In addition, the display device 307 of each of the above-described embodiments, between the pair of film substrates 308,
Although the fine powder 309 is enclosed, it may be a thin liquid crystal device, an EL (electroluminescence) device, or the like, and the point is that it is a paper-shaped thin device.

On the other hand, a recording medium (for example, a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a RAM card, etc.) in which the program code for executing each of the above-mentioned means is recorded may be provided to the computer.
That is, for a recording medium having a program code that can be read by a computer and having an electronic display device having a plurality of paper-shaped display media bound in a booklet,
A function of transmitting electronic book data for the number of pages corresponding to the number of display media via a network, and book identification information during reading and a reading page of the book for each user who owns the electronic display device. Is stored and managed as reading management information, a function of reading book identification information corresponding to the user and a halfway reading page of the book when a request for transmitting book data is received from the user, and the read book. While specifying the corresponding electronic book based on the identification information, the function of acquiring data for a plurality of pages following the read middle reading page from the specified electronic book, and the acquired data for a plurality of pages A computer-readable recording medium in which a program for realizing the function of transmitting to the electronic display device of the requesting user is recorded may be provided.

A recording medium having a computer-readable program code, which is a plurality of pages of booklet-like data transmitted from a book management device connected via a network. And the page information for specifying the data displayed on the page display medium opened at that time or immediately before the reading stop request of the electronic book at the time of the reading stop request of the electronic book. As a function of transmitting to the book providing center, when a request for transmitting an electronic book is made to the book providing center that manages the reading middle page for each user, the electronic book is transmitted in response to the request. A function of receiving a plurality of pages of data including a reading halfway page corresponding to the user, and sequentially allocating and displaying the received plurality of pages of data on each page display medium. If allowed, the may be a computer which records a program for realizing a function for storing and managing the correspondence between the page information with each page display medium to provide a recording medium readable.

[0082]

According to the first invention (the invention according to claim 1), it is possible to obtain a feeling of "turning" a page by a plurality of paper-like page display media bound in a booklet form. In an electronic book providing system that transmits electronic book data to an electronic display device via a network, even when the reading is restarted after being interrupted in the middle of reading, a plurality of pages from the page read until the last time are read. The user who can provide the data and who owns the electronic display device does not need to be aware of what book and where he / she was reading each time reading was interrupted, and the electronic display device was not used. It is not necessary to provide such a management function on the side, and when reading is resumed, it becomes possible to continue reading from the page that was being read when the reading was interrupted. According to a second invention (an invention according to claim 7), in an electronic display device capable of obtaining a feeling of "turning" a page by a plurality of paper-like page display media bound in a booklet, Even when reading is resumed after being interrupted during reading, data for multiple pages can be displayed from the page previously read, and the user who owns the electronic display device can read the data during reading. It is not necessary to be aware of what books were read up to and how many books were read each time it was interrupted, and it is not necessary to provide such a management function on the electronic display device side. ,
It is possible to continue reading from the page that was being read when the reading was interrupted.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing an electronic book service system.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view conceptually showing the entire electronic book device 3, (A) showing a state in which the book is opened,
FIG. 3B is an external perspective view showing a state in which the book is closed.

3A and 3B are a schematic cross-sectional view and a partially enlarged view of a state in which six paper page display media 302 are superposed.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a binding margin portion 303.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state where an even-numbered paper-like page display medium 302 is opened.

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the contents of a user database 11 provided on the service providing server 1 side,
(B) is a screen provided on the electronic book device 3 side.
The figure which showed the content of the page correspondence table 316.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing basic components of the electronic book device 3.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing basic components of the service providing server 1.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation on the electronic book device 3 side, which is started when the power is turned on.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation on the electronic book device 3 side, following FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation on the service providing server 1 side, which is started to be executed in response to a request from the electronic book device 3.

12A to 12E are display development views showing a display transition state of which page is assigned to which display device in response to a page turning operation.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a book name list menu screen.

[FIG. 14] In the second embodiment, the service providing server 1 whose execution is started in response to a request from the electronic book device 3.
6 is a flowchart showing the operation on the side.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Service providing server 2 network 3 e-book devices 4 Electronic book content server 11 user database 12 Electronic book content group 101, 321 CPU 102 storage device 103 storage medium 104 RAM 107 Transmission control unit 302 Paper page display medium 304 display controller 307 display device 310 Optical sensor 312 Communication device 316 screen / page correspondence table 322 storage 323 Display RAM

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G06F 12/00 545 G06F 12/00 545F

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An electronic display device having a plurality of paper-like page display media bound in a booklet, and transmitting electronic book data for the number of pages corresponding to the number of page display media via a network. In the electronic book providing system, a management information storage unit that stores, as reading management information, book identification information in the middle of reading and a reading middle page of the book for each user who owns the electronic display device, Reading request for reading the book identification information corresponding to the user and the book reading page of the book from the management information storage means when the request for sending the book data is received from the reading information, and the book identification information read by the reading means. And an acquisition unit that specifies a corresponding electronic book based on the above, and acquires data for a plurality of pages after the read middle reading page from the specified electronic book. Electronic book providing system characterized by comprising a transmitting means for transmitting data for a plurality of pages obtained by a step to the electronic display device of the user side which is the request source, a. 2. An electronic display device having a plurality of paper-like page display media bound in a booklet, and a book management device for transmitting electronic book data corresponding to the number of page display media. An electronic book providing system connected via a network, wherein the electronic display device updates open page information indicating which page is currently opened each time the page display medium is turned over, When all the page display media are closed, the open page information is read and transmitted to the book management device, and the book management device receives the open page information transmitted from the electronic display device. 2. The electronic book providing system according to claim 1, wherein the received open page information is written in the management information storage means as a reading intermediate page corresponding to the user. 3. The management information storage means, for each user who owns the electronic display device, corresponds to a plurality of books that are being read before, and includes book identification information and a halfway reading page of each book. Is stored as the reading management information, and the reading means receives the book data transmission request from the user, the reading unit reads the book corresponding to the book read last time from the plurality of books associated with the user. 2. The electronic book providing system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information and the reading middle page of the book are searched and read from the management information storage means. 4. The management information storage means stores, for each user who owns the electronic display device, each book identification information and a halfway reading page of each book corresponding to a plurality of books that are being read before. Is stored as reading management information, and when a request to transmit book data is received from the user, a book menu in the middle of reading is displayed based on the book identification information for a plurality of books corresponding to the user from the management information storage unit. When the menu item is created and transmitted to the electronic display device of the requesting user, and the menu item arbitrarily selected from the book menu in the middle of reading is transmitted from the electronic display device, the reading means. Searches the management information storage means for the book identification information corresponding to the selected menu item and the reading middle page of the book from the plurality of books associated with the user, and reads the book identification information. The electronic book provision system according to claim 1, characterized in that as. 5. The management information storage means, for each user who owns the electronic display device, corresponds to a plurality of books that are being read before, each book identification information, and a halfway reading page of each book. Is stored as the reading management information, and when a reading request of the book data is received from the user, the reading means reads the book identification information of the plurality of books associated with the user and the reading of each book. Pages are searched and read from the management information storage means, a plurality of corresponding books are designated based on the book identification information read by the reading means, and the read halfway reading data of each book. Is obtained from each of the designated books, and each obtained data is transmitted to the electronic display device of the requesting user,
The electronic book providing system according to claim 1, characterized in that. 6. When the user selects and designates arbitrary data from among the data corresponding to the pages in the middle of reading for the plurality of books, the electronic data of the user is selected. The corresponding book is specified based on the selection content transmitted from the display device, and data for a plurality of pages from the middle of the reading page is acquired from the specified book, and is sent to the electronic device of the requesting user. The electronic book providing system according to claim 5, characterized in that the electronic book is transmitted. 7. A plurality of pages of paper-like page display media bound in a booklet form, and data for a plurality of pages transmitted from a book management device connected via a network are displayed on each of the page display media. An electronic display device for displaying, when requesting to stop reading an electronic book, page information for specifying data displayed on the page display medium that was open at that time or immediately before, as a mid-reading page, When a transmission request for an electronic book is issued to the transmission means for transmitting to the book providing center and the book providing center that manages the reading middle page for each user, it is transmitted in response to the request. When receiving means for receiving data for a plurality of pages including a reading-in-progress page corresponding to the user and for sequentially displaying the received data for a plurality of pages on each page display medium,
An electronic display device comprising: a control unit that stores and manages the correspondence between each page display medium and the page information. 8. The transmission request for the electronic book is made in conjunction with the turning operation of the page display medium, and at the same time, the user information is added. 7. The electronic display device according to 7. 9. The electronic display device according to claim 7, wherein the reading stop request is issued when all of the page display media are closed. 10. An electronic book for a computer, the electronic display device having a plurality of paper-shaped display media bound in a booklet form, and the number of pages corresponding to the number of the display media via a network. A function of transmitting data, a function of storing and managing book identification information during reading and a reading page of the book as reading management information for each user who owns the electronic display device, and transmission of book data from the user When a request is received, a function of reading the book identification information corresponding to the user and the page in the middle of reading of the book, and specifying the corresponding electronic book based on the read book identification information, and the specified electronic book Of a plurality of pages following the read middle reading page and a function of transmitting the acquired plurality of pages of data to the electronic display device of the requesting user Program for, to realize. 11. An electronic device for transmitting electronic book data corresponding to the number of display media via a network to an electronic display device having a plurality of paper-like display media bound in a booklet form. A method for providing a book, wherein book data from the user is stored and managed as book management information, for each user who owns the electronic display device, book identification information in the middle of reading and a page in the middle of reading of the book. When a request to send is received, the book identification information corresponding to the user and the reading middle page of the book are read out, the corresponding electronic book is designated based on the read book identification information, and the designated electronic book A plurality of pages of data following the read middle reading page are acquired from the above, and the plurality of pages of data are transmitted to the electronic display device of the requesting user. E-book provides a method which is characterized. 12. A function of displaying a plurality of pages of data transmitted from a book management device connected to a computer via a network on a plurality of paper-like page display media bound in a booklet form. And a function of transmitting the page information for specifying the data displayed on the page display medium opened at that time or immediately before the reading stop request to the book providing center when the electronic book reading stop request is made. When a request for sending an electronic book is made to the book providing center that manages the mid-reading page for each user, the mid-reading page corresponding to the user transmitted in response to the request is sent. A function to receive data for multiple pages including
A program for realizing a function of storing and managing a correspondence relationship between each page display medium and the page information when the received data for a plurality of pages are sequentially allocated and displayed on each page display medium.