JP2012248149A - System for sharing electronic book and other document - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for sharing electronic books and other documents that allows plural electronic book terminals to share additional information when one user has the plural electronic book terminals and that allows each user to individually manage the electronic books and similar documents.SOLUTION: A system for sharing electronic books and other documents includes plural information terminals, and a server for managing sharing of electronic books and other documents connected to the plural information terminals via a network. The server for managing sharing of electronic books and other documents registers additional information on the shared electronic books and other documents in a user group for each user and performs management by user group.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic book sharing system in a server / client system via a network, for example, a user group management method for additional information of a shared electronic book.

  In a conventional electronic book sharing system, a management means for displaying additional information added to a shared electronic book between different users has been realized, and a presentation system using the management means has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

  This is because an additional information management server for managing additional information is provided on the network, and when the electronic book terminal is connected to the additional information management server, the additional information management server transmits the additional information to the electronic book terminal. Sharing.

  In addition, there has been proposed one in which a user can individually add, edit, and delete additional information for a shared electronic book (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  This is because each user can add additional information individually to a shared electronic book by providing an additional information storage unit inside the electronic book terminal of each user and managing the additional information inside the terminal. Is.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-023423 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-101971

  However, according to the technique of Patent Document 1, since additional information is added to a shared electronic book, the user cannot add additional information individually, and additional information of other users can be added together. There is a problem that an electronic book is browsed in the displayed state.

  Further, according to the technique of Patent Document 2, the problem that the user cannot add additional information individually can be solved. However, since each electronic book terminal has an additional information storage unit, when one user has a plurality of electronic book terminals, there is a problem in that the additional information cannot be shared between the electronic book terminals. is there.

  Therefore, the present invention enables sharing of additional information between electronic book terminals when one user possesses a plurality of electronic book terminals in a shared electronic book in which a plurality of users exist. It is intended to enable individual management.

(1) In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention has a plurality of information terminals and an electronic book sharing management server connected to the plurality of information terminals via a network in an electronic book sharing system. The electronic book sharing management server has a function of performing user group registration for each user and managing the additional information of the shared electronic books for each user.

  As described above, by providing a function of performing user group registration for each user and managing the additional information of the shared electronic books for each user group, one user can have a plurality of electronic book terminals. When possessed, it is possible to share additional information between these electronic book terminals and to manage each user individually.

(2) Also, in the above (1), the electronic book sharing management server may register a user group for a user who requests upload or download of additional information on the shared electronic books. It has the function to determine permission / denial of

  As described above, by providing the user who requests upload or download to the electronic book sharing management server with a function for determining permission / rejection of user group registration, management according to the importance of additional information is possible. become.

(3) Further, in the above (1) or (2), the present invention is characterized in that the electronic book sharing management server has a function of providing browsing restrictions for each user and each additional information.

  As described above, by providing the electronic book sharing management server with a function of providing browsing restrictions for each user and each additional information, information management according to the grade of the user sharing the additional information becomes possible.

(4) Also, in the present invention, in any of the above (1) to (3), the electronic book sharing management server inputs and outputs upload request information and download request information with the network. A processing unit, a user group management unit that manages each user who has requested upload or download for each user group, a user group information storage unit that stores user group information, and storage and download requests for additional information requested for upload. And a data processing unit that extracts the additional information, and an additional information storage unit that stores the additional information requested to be uploaded.

  In this way, by providing the electronic book sharing management server with a user group management unit that manages each user who has requested upload or download for each user group, and a user group information storage unit that stores user group information, Users can be managed in units of user groups.

(5) Further, in the above (4), the user group information storage unit stores the browsing restriction information for each user, and the additional information storage unit stores each uploaded additional information. The browsing restriction information is added and stored.

  In this way, the browsing restriction function is stored by saving the browsing restriction information for each user in the user group information saving unit and adding the browsing restriction information to the additional information uploaded to the additional information saving unit. Can be realized.

(6) Further, according to the present invention, in the above (5), the electronic book sharing management server determines whether or not the electronic book sharing management server provides a browsing restriction for each electronic book to which the additional information requested to be uploaded is added. It further has an electronic book browsing restriction information storage unit for storing.

  As described above, by providing the electronic book browsing restriction information storage unit, it is easy to add the browsing restriction information to the electronic books.

  According to the disclosed electronic book sharing system, even when a user has a plurality of electronic book terminals, the additional information of the electronic books can be individually managed for each user.

1 is a system configuration diagram of an electronic book sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a management flow of user group information in the electronic book sharing system of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a management flow of user group information when a refusal step is provided. It is a user group registration permission / rejection flow. It is explanatory drawing of the information processing flow in upload of the additional information in the electronic book sharing system of Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the information processing flow in the download of the additional information in the electronic book sharing system of Example 1 of this invention. It is a conceptual system block diagram at the time of applying the electronic book sharing system of Example 1 to an educational institution. It is an electronic book sharing system block diagram of Example 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the information processing flow in upload of the additional information in the electronic book sharing system of Example 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the information processing flow in the download of the additional information in the electronic book sharing system of Example 2 of this invention.

Here, with reference to FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 4, the electronic book sharing system of embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an electronic book sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a plurality of information terminals 11 _{1 to} 11 _n and a plurality of information terminals 11 _{1 to} 11 _n are connected via a network 12. The electronic book sharing management server 20 has a function of managing the plurality of information terminals 11 _{1 to} 11 _n as a user group.

The electronic book sharing management server 20 includes an input / output processing unit 21, a user group management unit 22, a user group information storage unit 23, a data processing unit 24, an additional information storage unit 25, and an electronic book storage unit 26. The input / output processing unit 21 exchanges information with each of the information terminals 11 _{1 to} 11 _n via the network 12. The user group management unit 22 manages user group information of each information terminal 11 _{1 to} 11 _n input via the input / output processing unit 21.

As management of user group information, it is confirmed whether or not the input predetermined information terminal 11 _i is already registered in a predetermined user group, and whether or not to newly register in another user group. Process. Moreover, you may provide the function which performs the certification | authentication of accepting joining to the existing user group as needed.

FIG. 2 is a management flow of user group information in the electronic book sharing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. When a predetermined information terminal 11 _i makes a user group registration request, the user group management unit 22 With reference to the group information storage unit 23, it is confirmed whether or not the information terminal 11 _{i that} has requested the user group registration is registered as a user group.

  If the user group is registered, the user is confirmed whether to register with another user group, and if not registered, the user group registration process is terminated. When registering in another user group, user registration is performed in the same procedure as when the user group is not registered.

  When the user group is not registered, the user group management unit 22 confirms with the user whether to create a new user group or register a user group that already exists. When a new user group is created, the user group is created by setting authentication means such as a user name and a password for registering in the user group.

  When registering in a user group that already exists, the user group management unit 22 performs user registration using the authentication means set when the user group is created. At this time, a step of refusing registration in an existing user group according to the type of electronic book may be provided. For example, if the electronic book is a normal electronic book, there is no need to provide a step of refusal. However, if the electronic book is a form or document such as a notification table or a test sheet, a third party A step of refusing registration may be provided in order to limit the browsing of the user.

FIG. 3 is a management flow of user group information when a rejection step is provided. When a predetermined information terminal 11 _i makes a user group registration request, the user group management unit 22 sets the user group information storage unit 23 to Referring to the information terminal 11 _i that requested the user group registration, it is confirmed whether or not the user group is registered.

  If the user group is registered, the user is confirmed whether to register with another user group, and if not registered, the user group registration process is terminated.

  When registering to another user group, user group registration permission / rejection determination is performed, and when registration is rejected, user group registration is terminated. On the other hand, in the case of registration permission, user registration is performed by the same procedure as that when the registration is not allowed.

  When the user group is not registered, the user group management unit 22 confirms with the user whether to create a new user group or register a user group that already exists. When a new user group is created, the user group is created by setting authentication means such as a user name and a password for registering in the user group.

  FIG. 4 is a user group registration permission / rejection flow. First, it is confirmed whether or not another user exists in the authenticated user group. If there is no user, registration is permitted.

When other users exist, the user group management unit 22 transmits a registration request to the user group manager of the user group. The user group manager who has received the registration request determines whether or not to permit registration, and returns the result to the user group management unit 22. If the answer of the user group manager is permitted, registration is permitted. If the answer is denied, the registration rejection answer is transmitted to the user of the predetermined terminal 11 _i and the user group registration process is terminated.

  Thereby, the user group manager can prevent leakage of personal information and the like by refusing registration of an inconvenient third party. Note that the user who has created a new user group or the user registered in the registered user group when there is no other user is registered in the user group manager.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, after the user group management unit 22 performs a predetermined confirmation process or registration process, the data processing unit 24 performs an upload in response to an upload request or download request from a predetermined information terminal 11 _i. The additional information requested or downloaded is stored in the additional information storage unit 25, or the additional information is extracted. The additional information in this case is typically an underline, comment, or tag for a book, but in the case of a form or document such as a notification table or test sheet, it is an answer, commentary, evaluation result, etc. .

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of information terminals are managed as a user group. Therefore, even when one user operates different information terminals at home and work, By registering in the same user group, additional information of a predetermined electronic book can be shared.

  In addition, even when different users such as instructors, students, and parental users operate different information terminals, by adding each information terminal to the same user group, a predetermined notification table or test sheet can be added. Information can be shared.

  At this time, if there is a registration request for an existing user group, adding a step of refusal allows unauthorized disclosure of personal information such as test results and evaluation scores on notification tables to unspecified third parties This can be prevented.

  Further, by providing a grade for the additional information that can be accessed by each user among users registered in the same user group, it is possible to manage the additional information according to the user's status and the like. For example, additional information uploaded by students and subordinates can be downloaded by all users registered in the same user group including the lecturer and supervisor, but the additional information uploaded by the lecturer and supervisor is the importance of the additional information, etc. Download restrictions can be set according to the level.

Next, on the premise of the user group management flow shown in FIG. 2 or 3, the electronic book sharing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an information processing flow in uploading additional information in the electronic book sharing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. First,
a. A predetermined user operates the information terminal 11i to input additional information for a predetermined electronic book.
b. The information terminal 11 _i transmits the input additional information as transmission information together with a request content (new registration request, request for joining an existing user group, request for uploading additional information), a book data name and a user name (information terminal number). Transmit to the network 12.
c. The network 12 transmits the transmission information to the electronic book sharing management server 20 at the designated address.
d. The input / output processing unit 21 of the electronic book sharing management server 20 receives transmission information from a predetermined information terminal 11 _i via the network 12.
e. The user group management unit 22 refers to the user group information storage unit 23 and searches for the user group to which the electronic book terminal 11 _i that transmitted the transmission information belongs. If there is a new registration request or a request to join an existing user group, registration processing is performed according to the management flow of FIG.

f. The user group management unit 22 adds the detected user group information to the additional information and outputs it to the data processing unit 24.
g. The data processing unit 24 stores the input additional information in the additional information storage unit 25 together with the electronic book data, the user name, and the user group name.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an information processing flow in downloading additional information in the electronic book sharing system of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. First,
a. The predetermined user operates the predetermined information terminal 11 _i to input a download request for additional information related to the predetermined book A.
b. The information terminal 11 _i transmits a download request for additional information related to the predetermined book A to the network 12 as the download request information together with the book data name and the user name.
c. The network 12 transmits download request information to the electronic book sharing management server 20 at the specified address.
d. The input / output processing unit 21 of the electronic book sharing management server 20 receives download request information from a predetermined information terminal 11 _i via the network 12.
e. The user group management unit 22 refers to the user group information storage unit 23 and searches for the user group to which the electronic book terminal 11 _i that transmitted the download request information belongs.

f. When there is only one detected user group, the user group management unit 22 adds the detected user group information to the download request information and outputs it to the data processing unit 24. In addition, when the information terminal 11 _i is registered in a plurality of user groups and there are a plurality of detected user groups, the user is asked which user group additional information is to be downloaded, and the selected user group information Is added to the download request information and output to the data processing unit 24.

g. The data processing unit 24 extracts additional information of the target user group from the additional information storage unit 25 based on the input user group information and download request information.
h. The data processing unit 24 outputs the extracted additional information of the target user group to the input / output processing unit 21.
i. The input / output processing unit 21 transmits the extracted additional information of the target user group to the network 12 as download information.
j. The network 12 receives the transmitted download information.
k. The network 12 transmits the download information to the information terminal 11 _i that is the request source.

When a plurality of information terminals are registered in the selected user group, all the additional information uploaded from all registered information terminals is downloaded. Therefore, even when the same user operates the information terminal 11 _k at the workplace and operates the information terminal 11 _i at home, it is possible to share the additional information uploaded by either of the information terminals 11 _k and 11 _i. it can.

  Alternatively, even if an instructor and a student or an boss and a subordinate use different information terminals, the information uploaded by each other can be shared with each other by registering with the same user group.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual system configuration diagram when the electronic book sharing system of the first embodiment is applied to an educational institution. School terminal ₃₁ 1 to 31 ₄ are assigned to each student userA~userD respectively, create a separate user groups as GroupA~GroupD each student. Information added by each student userA to userD is managed for each user group GroupA to GroupD on the additional information management server 30. As a user group manager in this case, an instructor who needs to be registered in the user group of all students is registered.

When the student user A has an electronic book terminal at home, the additional information management server 30 is accessed via the Internet 33 and authenticated by the means set when the user group is created, so that the student user A home terminal 34 ₁ Is registered in the user group GroupA. By doing so, the additional information of the student userA is shared between the school side and the home side, and the additional information can be added / edited / deleted by either terminal. At this time, since the terminal sharing the additional information is only the terminal registered in the user group Group A, it is not reflected in the additional information of the other students userB to userD.

By using this system, information added to the textbook during the lecture can be displayed on the home side terminals 34 _{1 to} 34 ₃ . For example, the textbook by electronic book of may be stored in an electronic book server 35, each student userA~userD downloads the textbook data from an electronic book server 35 to the school terminal ₃₁ 1 to 31 _4.

Each student userA~userD from school terminal ₃₁ 1 to 31 _4, adds additional information to the downloaded textbook data, and uploads the additional information management server 30. The home side terminals 34 _{1 to} 34 ₃ download textbook data from the electronic book server 35 of the school via the Internet. In addition, the additional information management server 30 registers the user group of the home side terminals 34 _{1 to} 34 ₃ in its own user group, and then downloads the additional information to the home side terminals 34 _{1 to} 34 ₃ , so that the school side the additional information of the terminal ₃₁ 1 to 31 ₄ can be displayed on the home side terminal ₃₄ 1 to 34 _3.

  Also, by making the exams conducted at school into electronic books, it is possible to exchange responses and scoring results only by uploading / downloading additional information. A test sheet is created in an electronic book format and stored in the electronic book server 35. Each student userA to userD downloads test sheet data from the electronic book server 35 to the terminal.

  Each student userA to userD writes an answer on the downloaded test form data and uploads it to the additional information management server 30. By registering the instructor terminal 32 in the user group of all students in advance, the instructor can check the answers of the students userA to userD simply by downloading additional information.

Furthermore, if the instructor fills in the scoring results on the test form data in which the answer is written and uploads it to the additional information management server 30, each student user A to user D downloads the additional information after scoring. , You can check the scoring results. Moreover, if the home side terminals 34 _{1 to} 34 ₃ are registered in the user group, the scoring results can be confirmed by the home side terminals 34 _{1 to} 34 ₃ .

Next, the electronic book sharing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. This second embodiment is based on the importance of the additional information when downloading the additional information. Accordingly, a download restriction is provided accordingly, and here it will be described as an example applied to an educational institution. Figure 8 is an electronic book such sharing system configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention, it is obtained by adding a custody terminal 36 ₁ to 36 ₃ student parental authority in the system configuration diagram shown in FIG. The parental terminal ₃₆ 1 to 36 _3, registered in the respective home side terminal ₃₄ 1 to 34 ₃ and the same user group of students.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an information processing flow in uploading additional information in the electronic book sharing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. First,
a. A predetermined user operates the information terminal 11 _i to determine additional information for a predetermined electronic book and how much additional information can be browsed, and input browsing restriction information. Here, a notification table will be described as an example of electronic books.
b. The information terminal 11 _i receives the input additional information and browsing restriction information, request contents (new registration request, request to join an existing user group, additional information upload request), book data name and user name (information terminal number). At the same time, it is transmitted to the network 12 as transmission information. It should be noted that the lowest level browsing restriction information that anyone can browse is added to the additional information uploaded by the lowest person such as a student.
c. The network 12 transmits the transmission information to the electronic book sharing management server 20 at the designated address.
d. The input / output processing unit 21 of the electronic book sharing management server 20 receives transmission information from a predetermined information terminal 11 _i via the network 12.
e. The user group management unit 22 refers to the user group information storage unit 23 and searches for the user group to which the electronic book terminal 11 _i that transmitted the transmission information belongs.

f. The user group management unit 22 refers to the electronic book browsing restriction information storage unit 27 to search for whether or not the book requested to be uploaded has a browsing restriction. The user group information detected by the user group information storage unit 23 is added to the additional information and the browsing restriction information and output to the data processing unit 24. If no browsing restriction is provided, the user group information is added to the additional information and output to the data processing unit 24.
g. The data processing unit 24 stores the input additional information and browsing restriction information in the additional information storage unit 25 together with the electronic book data, the user name, and the user group name.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an information processing flow in downloading additional information in the electronic book sharing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. First,
a. The predetermined user operates the predetermined information terminal 11 _i to input a request for downloading additional information related to the predetermined notification table.
b. The information terminal 11 _i transmits a download request for additional information related to a predetermined notification table to the network 12 as download request information together with the book data name (notification table name) and the user name.
c. The network 12 transmits download request information to the electronic book sharing management server 20 at the specified address.
d. The input / output processing unit 21 of the electronic book sharing management server 20 receives download request information from a predetermined information terminal 11 _i via the network 12.
e. The user group management unit 22 refers to the user group information storage unit 23 and searches for the user group to which the electronic book terminal 11 _i that transmitted the download request information belongs.

f. When the number of detected user groups is one, the user group management unit 22 adds user group information including browsing restriction information designated in advance for each detected user to the download request information, and sends it to the data processing unit 24. Output. In addition, when the information terminal 11 _i is registered in a plurality of user groups and there are a plurality of detected user groups, the user is confirmed which additional group information is to be downloaded, and the selected viewing restriction information Is added to the download request information and output to the data processing unit 24.

g. The data processing unit 24 extracts additional information of the target user group from the additional information storage unit 25 based on the input user group information and download request information. At this time, the additional information which can be browsed by comparing the level of the browsing restriction information attached to each additional information stored in the additional information storage unit 25 with the level of the browsing restriction information attached to the download request information. Take out only.
h. The data processing unit 24 outputs the extracted additional information of the target user group to the input / output processing unit 21.
i. The input / output processing unit 21 transmits the extracted additional information of the target user group to the network 12 as download information.
j. The network 12 receives the transmitted download information.
k. The network 12 transmits the download information to the information terminal 11 _i that is the request source.

  In this case, if the user who requested the download is a lecturer, all the additional information added to the predetermined notification table can be extracted. If the user who requested the download is a parent, additional information other than non-public information (for example, information on the social status of the parent) owned by the school can be extracted. Further, if the student requested the download, only the additional information that the instructor intends to disclose to the student can be extracted.

  As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, since browsing restrictions are provided according to the level of additional information and the level of the user, a lot of additional information including confidential information is given to one electronic book. And sharing management of electronic books becomes easy.

  When such an additional information management system is applied to a company, if the level of additional information that can be requested for download according to the job title is set in the plan of a predetermined project, etc. Information can be provided, and additional information including management information close to a trade secret can be downloaded at the same time as the position increases.

11 _{1 to} 11 _n information terminal 12 network 20 electronic book sharing management server 21 input / output processing unit 22 user group management unit 23 user group information storage unit 24 data processing unit 25 additional information storage unit 26 electronic book storage unit 27 electronic book Class browsing restriction information storage unit 30 Additional information management server 31 _{1 to} 31 ₄ School side terminal 32 Instructor terminal 33 Internet 34 _{1 to} 34 ₃ Home side terminal 35 Electronic book server 36 _{1 to} 36 ₃ Parent terminal

Claims (6)

Multiple information terminals,
An electronic book sharing management server connected to the plurality of information terminals via a network;
The electronic book sharing management server has a function of registering a user group for each user and managing the additional information of the shared electronic books on a user group basis. system.   The electronic book sharing management server has a function of determining permission / denial of user group registration for a user who requests upload or download of additional information on the shared electronic books. The electronic book sharing system according to claim 1.   The electronic book sharing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic book sharing management server has a function of providing browsing restrictions for each user and each additional information. The electronic book sharing management server includes an input / output processing unit that exchanges upload request information and download request information with the network;
A user group management unit for managing each upload request or download request for each user group;
A user group information storage unit for storing user group information;
A data processing unit for storing additional information requested for upload and retrieving additional information requested for download;
The electronic book sharing system according to claim 1, further comprising: an additional information storage unit that stores additional information requested to be uploaded. The user group information storage unit stores the browsing restriction information for each user,
The electronic book sharing system according to claim 4, wherein the additional information storage unit adds the browsing restriction information to each uploaded additional information and stores the additional information.   The electronic book sharing management server further includes an electronic book browsing restriction information storage unit that stores browsing restriction information indicating whether or not to provide a browsing restriction for each electronic book to which the additional information requested to be uploaded is added. The electronic book sharing system according to claim 5, wherein:

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