WO2019053365A1 - Accessing an audio book associated with a paper book - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention concerns the authentication for authorising access, on a communication terminal, for a reader, to the audio version of a book in the possession of said reader, said method comprising: - transmitting, via said communication terminal, an electronic message intended for the publisher of said book or the manager of the software application installed on the telecommunication terminal, said electronic message comprising an item of ownership data containing at least one piece of information attesting to a regular possession of said book by the reader; - identifying said reader, via the communication terminal, to a computer platform followed by an assigning, by said platform, of an access right to said reader, said platform being connected to a database comprising at least one audio file associated with the audio version of said book; - generation of an access to the audio version of said book on said platform is generated by activating the software application installed on the communication terminal; and – downloading and/or a reading on said communication terminal of the audio version of the book.

Description

 ACCESS TO AN AUDIO BOOK ASSOCIATED WITH A PAPER BOOK

Preamble

 The present application incorporates in its entirety the text of the French patent application FR 17 58 395 filed on September 12, 2017, the priority of which is claimed.

Technical field and prior art

 The object of the present invention relates more particularly to the field of publishing and distribution of editorial content.

 One of the objects of the present invention is to make available to the public a simple and secure solution allowing readers to have access to an audio book following the acquisition of a book in paper version.

The Applicant has observed that despite the appearance of digital books (known as "ebooks"), the paper book is still highly appreciated by readers.

 This is explained by various reasons among which we can identify in particular:

 intellectual comfort;

 the extra attention compared to a digital reading;

 the ability to highlight interesting passages;

 - the pleasure of touch (tactile, tangible, sensual side of paper);

 the possibility of folding a page end;

 the preservation of the paper work;

 the possibility of loan to those around him;

 the possibility of reselling it;

 - the possibility of inserting a bookmark;

 the opportunity to better appreciate his level of advancement in reading;

 the absence of equipment (reading or tablet);

 the possibility of exchanging books with booksellers and librarians; or the possibility of obtaining a dedication from the author of the book.

At the same time, the audiobook is also experiencing significant growth.

 This enthusiasm of the general public for the audio book is quite unexpected, because initially this format was mainly intended for children and the elderly.

 This craze is due to the many practical advantages offered by this format, for example:

the possibility of doing something else while listening to the audio book (dishes, cleaning, DIY, driving, etc.); the ease of listening to the audiobook in different places (car, public transit, walking, in bed before sleeping); or

 the opportunity to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the book.

 The audiobook can be not only a source of relaxation, relaxation and entertainment but also a way of optimizing your available time in a multitasking approach.

 This support can also play a beneficial role in education or in learning a language.

 Many podcasts listeners like the audiobook.

The taste for the audio book is manifested by listening to this format thanks to tablets, "smartphones" and other digital media that are now part of everyday life.

 However, the audiobook does not come to replace the paper book.

 It is generally perceived by the reader as a chance to complete the paper reading.

The Applicant also noted that many readers would like to be able to read more in order to increase their experiences of emotions related to new reading, to relax and to increase their knowledge.

 Unfortunately, lack of time is often an obstacle to reading, whereas reading is often associated with pleasure.

 Therefore, enjoy a book, a work in its audio version when you are on the go is something really valuable and a source of progress.

 Nevertheless, the reader must generally choose between the paper book and the audiobook.

 This is a shame considering their rather complementary dimension as it was developed previously.

 If the reader wants to have access to both versions, he will usually have to buy the paper book and the audiobook on the other hand.

 But this is not practical and uneconomic.

 In addition to the loss of time associated with the act of purchase, this also represents an additional cost for the reader; such an additional cost may be a brake for the reader.

Coupled offers may exist but under varying conditions.

 The book is also a cultural product whose sale is often framed by specific rules. In France, for example, as in many other countries, there is a law on the single price of books.

However, the issue of transitioning from one format to another in respect of legal frameworks often arises. One of the technical problems that arises more precisely and that the present invention proposes, among others, to solve can be considered as the following: After having purchased in its paper form at first, how to facilitate access to a literary work in its dematerialized version and in particular in its audio version, without multiplying the acts of purchases for each version in the first access, all while maintaining a great speed of access in the following accesses and by finding a right balance between ease of access to the dematerialized version (for the benefit of the reader) and effective access control (for the benefit of the publisher)?

WO2014182085 A1 is known in the state of the art and discloses a solution for accessing digital content of the "ebook" type or audio book associated with a paper book.

 In this document, the authentication of the book is done by reading an RFID-type electronic tag affixed to the book and containing identification information relating to the book. Once the identification information read by a dedicated module, they are transmitted to a central management server that will allow or not according to the identification information access to digital content stored in a database library type.

 In this document, it is necessary to provide a relatively heavy infrastructure to manage with a reading module of the RFID type and the affixing of an RFID electronic tag on each paper books.

 The Claimant further submits that, in this document, digital content could be accessed without having officially acquired the paper book.

Summary and object of the present invention

 The present invention aims to improve the situation described above.

 The object of the present invention makes it possible to remedy the various disadvantages above by providing an authentication solution that is simple to deploy and secure, facilitating the access of a digital content to the bearer of a paper book.

 More particularly, the present invention relates to an authentication method for authorizing access to a communication terminal for the benefit of a reader to the audio version of a book in possession of said reader.

 According to the present invention, the method is implemented by computer means and comprises the following steps:

 a transmission via said communication terminal of an electronic message to the publisher of said book or the software application manager installed on the telecommunication terminal, said electronic message comprising a property data item containing at least one piece of information attesting to a regular possession of said book by the reader;

an identification of said reader via the communication terminal with a computer platform followed by an allocation by said platform of a right of access to said reader, said platform being connected to a database comprising at least one file comprising digital data associated with the audio version of said book;

 a generation of access to the audio version of the book on the platform is generated by the activation of the software application installed on the communication terminal;

 a download and / or reading on the communication terminal of the audio version of the book.

 Advantageously, the property data includes a digital document such as for example a scanned invoice, a picture of the invoice or a book loan in the book library.

 Advantageously, the generation of access to the audio version of the book comprises the following steps:

 receiving a first sound input including a predetermined activation key word allowing the execution of a function of the software application and a voice command to indicate the function of the software application;

 a detection in the first sound input of the activation key word; storing on a digital medium the first sound input in response to detecting the activation keyword to execute the function.

 Advantageously, the method according to the present invention comprises pausing or stopping the software application on the communication terminal.

 Advantageously, the pausing or stopping of the software application comprises the following steps:

 receiving a second sound input including an activation key word, referred to as a pause, stop, accelerated play, rewind, or foreground key word to pause, stop, read in an accelerated manner, go forwards or backwards, said software application or the function of the software application being executed;

 a detection in the second sound input of said pause or stop activation key word;

 - A storage on a digital medium of said second sound input in response to the detection of the activation key pause or stop, forward or backward, accelerated reading.

Advantageously, the method according to the present invention comprises, in response to the transmission of the electronic message, the transmission by said editor or said manager to the communication terminal of a link and / or an identifier and / or an identification code for identifying said terminal and / or said reader and / or said paper book with the software application. Advantageously, the identification of the reader with the computer platform is carried out by means of identification information written on a label, on a sticker, on an adhesive label, on a paper affixed to or in the paper book or on a bookmark provided with said book.

 Advantageously, the generation of the access is achieved by means of at least one identification code written on a label, on a sticker, on a clear adhesive, on a paper affixed to or in the paper book or on a bookmark provided with said paper book.

 Advantageously, the computer platform storing the digital data and in particular the audio version of the paper book is of the platform type in the clouds.

 Advantageously, the communication terminal is of the smart mobile phone type, digital tablet, computer, television, virtual assistant connected to an Internet connection box or telephone link.

 Advantageously, the digital data relating to the content of said book are of the type photos, videos, podcasts or audio and / or video animations.

 Advantageously, the processing of the electronic message is performed by an optical character recognition technique of the OCR type.

 Advantageously, the generation of the access by the activation of the software application and / or the function to be executed of the application installed on the communication terminal is achieved by the recognition of the paper book and / or a code information in this book, codes, through a lens, to a sensor, adapted to acquire an image of the paper book, implanted on the communication terminal.

 In another version the method may comprise the generation of an access by the activation of the software application and / or the function to be performed of the application installed on the communication terminal by the entry of personal codes of activation, identification information specific to each paper copies using variable data printing on a label, on a sticker, on an adhesive label, on a paper affixed to or in the paper book or on a bookmark provided with said paper book.

 Advantageously, the generation of an access by the activation of the software application and / or the function to be performed of the application installed on the communication terminal by the recognition of the paper book, codes, information of identification specific to each paper copy using variable data printing on a label, sticker, sticker, paper on or in the paper book or on a bookmark provided with the book paper thanks to an objective implanted on the communication terminal.

 Advantageously, the access right is generated by the voice recognition of the user and / or following an oral exchange with the software application.

Advantageously, once the right of access obtained for a work, several readers are authorized to make voice or video calls after activation of said software application and voice command.

 Advantageously, the activation of certain functions of the software application are activated by the voice recognition of the user, the speaker and / or following an oral exchange with the software application.

 Advantageously, the method according to the present invention comprises a reception of at least one sound notification in connection with the book.

 Correlatively, the object of the invention also relates to an authentication system comprising computer means configured to allow access to a communication terminal for the benefit of a reader to the audio version of a book in possession of said reader, said means being further configured for carrying out the technical steps of the method as described above.

Thus, the method is configured to allow the reader to have access to an audio or digital book following the acquisition of the book in paper version. This access can be made from a communication terminal such as for example a "smartphone", a digital tablet, a computer, a television connected to an Internet connection box, a personal assistant and any other object with a screen connected or not to the Internet.

 The digital part does not necessarily have to pay a supplementary price because the fact generating the right of access is the acquisition of the paper book previously paid.

 Access will be given after sending an item supporting acquisition or regular possession.

Preferably, this service is only accessible to purchasers of the paper book. It compensates for the possibly high price they are asked for in bookstores or on the internet when they buy online.

 Indeed, the objective of the present invention is also to contribute to the emergence of a new access method emphasizing simplicity through various existing techniques.

 In order to make the access easy for the reader / consumer and to secure the editor, it will be necessary, after connecting to an application for a communication terminal, to send either the scanned invoice or a photo of the invoice or a ticket of loan in library.

 The reader must therefore register on an application dedicated to mobile devices to send the relevant piece. The access is then delivered to him following the activation of this application.

 The application activates after recognizing and validating the transmitted document.

 After this step, it is possible for the reader to read the audio or digital version of the paper book. It may be possible for him to download this version on his communication terminal.

In another version of the access method and in the continuity of what has been developed, the recognition of the user, the reader and his access right and / or the terminal of the telecommunication makes it possible to benefit from access to the software application on the communication terminal.

 This recognition includes the implementation of the following steps:

 • Receiving a sound input including an activation word to activate said software application and a voice command to indicate the function of the software application;

 • Keyword detection for these steps;

 • Storing the sound input that includes the activation word of the software application and that of the activation of the application function in response to the detection of the activation keyword to execute the function of the software application. The audio signal is transformed using specific signal processing techniques. The characteristics of the vocal order will be extracted to reliably activate the desired function.

During audio playback, it must be possible to pause or stop the software application on the communication terminal by following these steps:

 • Receiving a sound input including an activation word to pause or stop said software application or the function of the software application being executed;

• Keyword detection for these steps;

 • Storing the sound input that includes the keyword pausing or stopping the software application and the keyword activating the application function in response to detecting the activation keyword for perform the function of the software application pausing or stopping the software application and / or pausing, stopping, going back, going ahead audio playback the artwork.

Similarly, during the audio or video playback, it can be commanded vocally to advance in the reading of the work, to go back, to go directly to a specific page, read faster. The user may also ask to read only for a limited period of time by defining and stating a term. Upon the occurrence of this term, the application will stop.

 This can be useful, for example when the user wants to listen to the book at night, lying in bed. Voice activation is easy at first, but turning it off requires awakening. But the urge to speak is usually absent if you are sleepy. If you fall asleep during playback, you will not use the battery excessively and unnecessarily with this term.

 It may also be asked to find some words from the book, some pages.

In certain hypotheses, the generation of the right of access is carried out by the emission by the publisher of the work destined for said communication terminal of a link or an identifier or again a code allowing the identification of said terminal or the user or the paper book with the software application.

 In other cases the identification of said reader is carried out by means of identification information written on a label, on a sticker, on an adhesive label, on a paper affixed to or in the paper book or on a mark. -page provided with said book.

 Alternatively, the generation of an access by the activation of the software application and / or the function to be performed of the application installed on the communication terminal is carried out by the recognition of the paper book and / or information written in this book, codes, through an objective, to a sensor, adapted to acquire an image of the paper book, implanted on the communication terminal. An automatic image processing can then be performed.

 In another version, the method may comprise the generation of an access by the activation of the software application and / or the function to be performed of the application installed on the communication terminal by the input of personal codes of the application. activation, of identification information specific to each paper copies by means of variable data printing on a label, on a sticker, on an adhesive label, on a paper affixed to or in the paper book or on a bookmark provided with said paper book.

 Alternatively, the request for the right of access by the purchaser or the borrower in the paper book library is effected by an electronic message. The processing of the electronic message comprising a document or an item attesting to a regular possession of said book such as for example a scanned invoice, a picture of the invoice or a loan ticket in the library of said book is performed by an optical recognition technique characters.

 Alternatively, the telecommunication device comprises the generation of an access which is performed by the activation of the software application and the function to be performed of the application installed on the communication terminal by touch contact on a screen of the terminal , on an interface or on the terminal or by an input from a keyboard. Indeed, the desire to speak is not always present. Sometimes the circumstances, the context make the speech embarrassing or just unsuitable. This is why tactile contact remains essential in certain situations.

 In another version of the method, the access and / or the access right is generated by the voice recognition of the user and / or following an oral exchange with the software application. Speech recognition has made significant progress. A bilateral audio interface makes it possible to transmit and receive data on a telecommunication terminal according to a control signal. Once the user's voice is recognized, access to the work will be implemented. Also, the voice exchange with the software application may allow the user to provide information necessary for access that will be recognized by the software application.

Also, certain functions of the software application are activated by the voice recognition of the user, the speaker and / or following an oral exchange with the software application. Moreover, once the right of access and / or access obtained for a book several users will be able to make voice or video calls to exchange messages, podcasts, videos after activation of said software application and the command voice-activated for this (these) functions, as some features exist in some mobile applications that include an instant messaging system via the internet or in social networking sites.

 In another version of the method, it is possible to receive sound notifications directly or indirectly related to the book (proposal of similar books, events related to the work, membership of reading club, commercial offers, transactions, etc.) to which it is possible to respond including by voice command.

 A terminal may implement one or more variants of the method.

 The communication terminal allowing the realization of the method and its various variants, notably comprises a display, a processor which can execute programs, a microphone, a memory and programs. A program can consist of a software application that runs when the necessary conditions are met: audio input, touch, and so on.

 In general, the activation of the software application makes it possible to give the instructions to be given to the telecommunication terminal, in the continuity of the preceding developments. Thus, it is possible to activate the following functions of the software application:

Contacts / Phone / Video Conferencing / Email / Instant Messaging / Camera, Camera / Image Playback / Video Playback / Music Playback / Browser / Search Engine / Calendar, Calendar / Note Taking / Maps / Social Networking / Club Reading / Notifications, Recommendations / etc.

 Activation of the software application can be carried out within motorized vehicles, such as vehicles that already contain communication terminals, this may be possible in residential buildings or other in which terminals are integrated or dedicated to these spaces.

 The advantage is in particular to benefit in these spaces of a superior sound quality. Possible places: autonomous car, connected house.

 The described method may also be relevant in the framework of a foreign language learning book; the paper book is essential but listening is important and oral expression also.

 This process facilitates listening and speaking.

Indeed, thanks to voice recognition and the storage of words. The correct pronunciation can be checked and the learner will be able to gain confidence in himself, better measure his progress and practice the oral part. It is obviously interesting not to have to insert CD, to have to watch video or to have to perform an action other than that activating functions of a application once your status as a regular user has been recognized through the acquisition of the paper book. Users can then get in touch with others to practice the use of this language through language clubs, or bilateral voice discussions.

 These mechanisms of acquisition of the physical object and its reading after identification of the user and recognition of the prior purchase can be applied to other products. For example in music: acquisition of an album in a physical shop or online and activation of the content, a function of the software application, after recognition of the purchase and activation of the software application by touch or voice command.

 The authentication method may alternatively be based, after the first authentication / identification on several reciprocal or cumulative recognition factors: voice recognition, fingerprint recognition, OCR, face recognition, sending a unique code and entering this code Authentication to activate the application or activate the desired function of the software application.

 Voice input processing can be based on a variety of data analysis methods to better handle speech input and better distinguish the user's intent: speech recognition, ontology, natural language processing, data flow models.

 In summary, this note has described modes of implementation of the invention, a device for access to an audiobook and the numerical increase of an intellectual work as a result of the acquisition of a book in its paper format.

 It should be noted that in the context of the present invention, it is preferable to first purchase the paper book from the bookseller or online to have access to the online service. The paper book is still the gateway to the proposed digital growth and booksellers are an essential link in the book chain.

 Even if the process is open to buyers of a paper on the Internet, acquisitions in bookstores can be encouraged because booksellers have a vital role of proximity. They are not only actors of the urban territories, rural but also cultural, social, commercial actors. "A visit to a bookstore so often lifted my spirits and reminded me that there are good things in this world. " (Van Gogh).

 Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the described invention may be varied in a variety of ways and may be subject to many different embodiments of the previously developed methods. It is especially important to preserve the same "mechanics": the numerical increase of a physical object whose access right is generated by the communication of the proof of a data of property and the access is carried out with the means of the various techniques developed. Indeed, this scheme can be reproducible in many cases and have a wide field of application.

 Therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover all modifications of the invention which are in keeping with the spirit, continuity and scope of the invention.

Claims

Authentication method for authorizing access to a communication terminal for the benefit of a reader to the audio version of a book in possession of said reader,  said method implemented by computer means comprising the following steps: a transmission via said communication terminal of an electronic message to the publisher of said book or of the software application manager installed on the telecommunication terminal, said electronic message comprising a property data item containing at least information attesting to a regular possession of said book by the reader;  an identification of said reader via the communication terminal with a computing platform followed by an allocation by said platform of a right of access to said reader, said platform being linked to a database comprising at least one file comprising data digital associated with the audio version of said book; a generation of access to the audio version of said book on said platform is generated by the activation of the software application installed on the communication terminal; downloading and / or reading on said communication terminal of the audio version of the book. A method according to claim 1, wherein said property data comprises a digital document such as for example a scanned invoice, a picture of the invoice or a loan ticket in the library of said book. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein generating the access to the audio version of said book comprises the steps of:  receiving a first sound input including a predetermined activation key word allowing the execution of a function of the software application and a voice command to indicate said function of the software application;  a detection in the first sound input of said activation key word;  storing on a digital medium said first sound input in response to detecting the activation key word to perform said function. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which comprises pausing or stopping the software application on said communication terminal. The method of claim 4, wherein said pausing or stopping of the software application comprises the following steps:  receiving a second sound input including an activation key word, referred to as a pause, stop, accelerated play, rewind, or foreground key word to pause, stop, read in an accelerated manner, go forwards or backwards, said software application or the function of the software application being executed;  a detection in the second sound input of said pause or stop activation key word;  storing on a digital medium said second sound input in response to the detection of the activation key word pause or stop, forward or backward, accelerated reading. 6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprising, in response to the transmission of said electronic message, the transmission by said publisher or said handler to said communication terminal of a link and / or a identifier and / or an identification code for identifying said terminal and / or said reader and / or said paper book with the software application. 7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification of said reader to the computer platform is carried out by means of identification information written on a label, on a sticker, on an adhesive label, on a paper affixed to or in the paper book or on a bookmark provided with the book. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the generation of the access is carried out via at least one identification code written on a label, on a sticker, on a clear adhesive, on a paper affixed to or in the paper book or on a bookmark provided with the paper book. 9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer platform storing the digital data and in particular the audio version of the paper book is of the platform type in the clouds. 10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication terminal is of the smart mobile phone type, digital tablet, computer, television, virtual assistant connected to an Internet connection box or telephone link. 11. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the digital data relating to the content of said book are of the type photos, videos, podcasts or audio and / or video animations. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing of the electronic message is performed by an OCR type optical character recognition technique. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the generation of the access by the activation of the software application and / or the function to be performed of the application installed on the communication terminal is carried out by recognition of the paper book and / or code information in this book, codes, through a lens, to a sensor, adapted to acquire an image of the paper book, located on the communication terminal. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein generating an access by activating the software application and / or the function to be performed of the application installed on the communication terminal by the entry of personal activation codes, identification information specific to each paper copy by means of variable data printing on a label, sticker, sticker, paper affixed to or in the paper book or on a bookmark provided with the paper book. 15. The method as claimed in claim 1, which comprises generating an access by activating the software application and / or the function to be performed of the application installed on the communication terminal by the recognition. paper, code, identification information specific to each paper copy using variable data printing on a label, sticker, sticker, paper on or in the book paper or on a bookmark provided with said paper book through an objective implanted on the communication terminal. 16. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the access right is generated by the voice recognition of the user, the speaker and / or following an oral exchange with the software application. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the authentication, access or generation of an access right is based on one or more recognition tools including the following tools: voice input, voice recognition , face recognition, fingerprint recognition, OCR, sending a unique code and entering this code. 18. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, once the access right obtained for a book, several players are authorized to make voice or video calls after activation of said software application and voice command. 19. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the activation of certain functions of the software application are activated by the voice recognition of the user, the speaker and / or following an oral exchange with the application. software. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing of a voice input is based on one of these methods of analysis: speech recognition, ontology, automatic natural language processing, data flow model. . 21. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises receiving at least one sound notification in connection with the book. An authentication system comprising means configured to allow access on a communication terminal for the benefit of a reader to the audio version of a book in possession of said reader, said means being further configured for implementation. technical steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21.