JP7177526B2 - electronic library system - Google Patents

Description

Application of Patent Law Article 30, Paragraph 2 kiji. In the company's newspaper article published at is/689638612608009313, the all-you-can-read digital library invented by Seigo Ushijima was disclosed.

The present invention relates to an electronic library system.

Some electronic library systems lend electronic books to users and display them on the display units of terminals owned by the users. As a related technology, there is Patent Document 1.

JP 2004-287994 A

However, in the electronic library system, when it is attempted to simultaneously lend out the same electronic book to a relatively large number of users who belong to an organization (group) such as a school or a municipality (local government), the number of electronic books corresponding to the number of users is limited. It is conceivable to purchase books from a content provider, which is a company that provides electronic books, but there is a concern that this is difficult to achieve in terms of cost. In this way, if the same e-book can be lent to a relatively large number of users at the same time, it may become difficult to coordinate e-book fees between the operator of the e-library system and the content provider. There is

Therefore, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to reduce the fees for e-books between the operator of the e-library system and the content provider when it is possible to lend the same e-book to a relatively large number of users at the same time. is to facilitate the adjustment of

An electronic library system, which is one embodiment of the present invention, determines that a user belongs to a predetermined group, and displays an electronic book corresponding to the user's browsing request on the display unit of a terminal owned by the user. a management unit that associates the organization identification information that identifies the predetermined organization, the registration date of the predetermined organization, and the user identification information that identifies the user with each other and stores them in a storage unit; Prepare.

Further, the management unit may be configured to delete the group identification information and the user identification information corresponding to the predetermined group from the database when the registration period of the predetermined group reaches or exceeds a threshold.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention facilitates adjustment of electronic book fees between the management side of the electronic library system and the content provider when the same electronic book can be lent to a relatively large number of users at the same time. can.

It is a figure which shows an example of the electronic library system of embodiment. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of a management unit; It is a figure which shows an example of a registration screen. It is a figure which shows an example of an organization database, a user database, and a book database. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of another operation of the management unit; 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of a terminal; 4 is a flow chart showing an example of an operation of an operation unit; It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display part of a terminal side. It is a figure which shows an example of a hardware configuration.

Embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic library system according to an embodiment.

The electronic library system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a Web server 1 that manages information about users who are users of the electronic library system 10 and information about organizations to which the users belong, and a library server 2 that stores electronic books. and transmits and receives data to and from a terminal 3 owned by a user via a network 4 such as the Internet. The electronic library system 10 may be configured by including the Web server 1 and the archive server 2 in one server. Moreover, the terminal 3 shall be comprised by a personal computer, a smart phone, or a tablet.

The web server 1 includes a communication I/F 11 , an authentication section 12 , an organization database 13 , a user database 14 , a book database 15 , a management section 16 and an operation section 17 .

The management unit 16 includes an organization management unit 161 , a user management unit 162 , a book data management unit 163 and a system management unit 164 .

The operation unit 17 includes a book search unit 171 , a lending management unit 172 , a bookshelf management unit 173 and a statistics management unit 174 .

The library server 2 includes a communication I/F 21 , a reception section 22 , a book registration section 23 and a book display section 24 .

The book registration unit 23 includes a book registration unit 231 and an obfuscated conversion unit 232 .

The book display section 24 includes a book confirmation section 241 and an authentication confirmation section 242 .

The communication I/F 11 transmits data such as e-books from the web server 1 to the terminal 3 via the network 4, and also receives requests for reading e-books transmitted from the terminal 3 to the web server 1 via the network 4. Receive data. A copy of the e-book stored in the web server 16 is stored in advance in a cache server arranged on the network 4, and when a request for viewing the e-book is transmitted from the terminal 3 to the web server 16, The cache server may be configured to transmit the electronic book to the terminal 3 .

The authentication unit 12 determines whether the user who accessed the web server 1 belongs to a predetermined organization.

In the organization database 13, organization identification information for identifying an organization registered in the electronic library system 10 by the administrator, organization name information indicating the organization name, and registration date information indicating the organization registration date are associated with each other. stored as

The user database 14 stores user identification information for identifying a user, ID information indicating a login ID, password information indicating a password, group identification information, and electronic book identification information for identifying electronic books already lent by the user. are stored in association with each other.

The book database 15 contains e-book identification information that identifies e-books stored in the archive server 2, title information that indicates the title of the e-book, author name information that indicates the author name of the e-book, and the name of the e-book. Description information indicating descriptions is stored in association with each other.

The organization management unit 161 manages various information stored in the organization database 13 .

The user management unit 162 manages various information stored in the user database 14 .

The book data management unit 163 manages various information stored in the book database 15 .

The system management unit 164 controls operations of the organization management unit 161 , the user management unit 162 and the book data management unit 163 .

The communication I/F 21 transmits data such as electronic books from the library server 2 to the terminal 3 via the network 4 and receives data transmitted from the terminal 3 to the library server 2 via the network 4 .

The reception unit 22 controls operations of the book registration unit 23 and the book display unit 24 according to data received by the communication I/F 21 .

The library registration unit 231 converts the electronic book into HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), encrypts it, and stores it.

The obfuscation conversion unit 232 adds furigana to the kanji characters of the electronic books stored in the library registration unit 231 .

The book confirmation unit 241 confirms electronic books stored in the library registration unit 231 .

The authentication confirmation unit 242 confirms the encrypted electronic book.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the management section 16 when various information is stored in the organization database 13, the user database 14, or the book database 15. As shown in FIG.

First, the management unit 16 displays a registration screen on a display unit (not shown) provided in the web server 16 (step S101).

Next, when various information is input to the registration screen by the administrator operating the Web server 1 (step S102: Yes), the management unit 16 stores the information in the organization database 13, the user database 14, or A registration process for storing in the book database 15 is executed (step S103). That is, when the organization name information and the user name information are input to the registration screen, the management unit 16 associates the organization identification information, the organization name information, and the registration date information with each other and stores them in the organization database 13. The information, user name information, login ID information, password information, and organization identification information are stored in the user database 14 in association with each other. Alternatively, when the title information, the author name information, and the descriptive text information are input to the registration screen, the management unit 16 associates the electronic book identification information, the title information, the author name information, and the descriptive text information with each other to create a book database. 15.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of a registration screen.

The registration screen S1 shown in FIG. 3(a) includes an entry field f11 in which organization name information can be entered, an entry field f12 in which a user name can be entered, and an entry field f12 in which a user name can be entered. and a registration button b11 for inputting an execution instruction to the management unit 16 .

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of the organization database 13. As shown in FIG.

The organization database 13 shown in FIG. 4A includes a field F11 for storing organization identification information, a field F12 for storing organization name information, a field F13 for storing registration date information, and a state of a deletion flag ( and a field F14 in which deletion flag information indicating (ON or OFF) is stored.

FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of the user database 14. As shown in FIG.

The user database 14 shown in FIG. 4(b) stores a feed F21 in which user identification information is stored, a field F22 in which user name information is stored, a field F23 in which login ID information is stored, and password information. a field F24 for storing group identification information of the group to which the user belongs; a field F26 for storing deletion flag information indicating the state of the deletion flag; has a field F27 that is

For example, on April 1, 2020, when the administrator operates the Web server 1, "○○ elementary school" is entered in the input field f11 of the registration screen S1 shown in FIG. When the registration button b11 is selected after "○○" is entered in the input field f12, the management unit 16 enters "S001" in the field F11 of the record R11 of the group database 13 shown in FIG. 4(a). "○○ elementary school" is stored in the field F12 of the record R11, "2020.4.1" is stored in the field F13 of the record R11, and "off" is stored in the field F14 of the record R11. Also, the management unit 16 stores "M001" in the field F21 of the record R21 of the user database 14 shown in FIG. 4(b), stores "○○" in the field F22 of the record R21, , "PW1" is stored in the field F24 of the record R21, "S001" is stored in the field F25 of the record R21, and "OFF" is stored in the field F26 of the record R21.

In addition, on March 1, 2021, the Web server 1 is operated by the administrator, and "XX Municipality" is entered in the input field f11 of the registration screen S1 shown in FIG. After "XX" is entered in the input field f12, when the registration button b11 is selected, the management unit 16 enters "S002" in the field F11 of the record R12 of the group database 13 shown in FIG. 4(a). "XX Municipality" is stored in the field F12 of the record R12, "2021.3.1" is stored in the field F13 of the record R12, and "OFF" is stored in the field F14 of the record R12. Also, the management unit 16 stores "M002" in the field F21 of the record R22 of the user database 14 shown in FIG. 4(b), stores "XX" in the field F22 of the record R22, , "PW2" is stored in the field F24 of the record R22, "S002" is stored in the field F25 of the record R22, and "OFF" is stored in the field F26 of the record R22.

Note that the registration screen S1 shown in FIG. 3A may be configured to be displayed on a display unit provided in a terminal (not shown) different from the terminal 3 connected to the network 4 . In this case, various information is transmitted from the terminal to the Web server 16 and stored in the organization database 13 and the user database 14 by operating the terminal by the administrator.

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing another example of the registration screen.

The registration screen S2 shown in FIG. 3B has an input field f21 for entering title information, an input field f22 for entering author name information, and an entry field f22 for entering description information. and a registration button b21 for inputting a registration process execution instruction to the management unit 16 when selected by the administrator.

FIG. 4C is a diagram showing an example of the book database 15. As shown in FIG.

The book database 15 shown in FIG. 4(c) stores a field F31 in which electronic book identification information is stored, a field F32 in which title information is stored, a field F33 in which author name information is stored, and description information. and field F34.

For example, when the Web server 1 is operated by the administrator, "○○ Zukan" is entered in the input field f21 of the registration screen S2 shown in FIG. ” is entered and “****” is entered in the entry field f23 of the registration screen S2, and then the registration button b21 is selected, the management unit 16 registers the book database 15 shown in FIG. "B001" is stored in the field F31 of the record R31, "○○ picture book" is stored in the field F32 of the record R31, "ΔΔ" is stored in the field F33 of the record R31, and "*" is stored in the field F34 of the record R31. ***” is stored.

Further, when the Web server 1 is operated by the administrator, "XX Biography" is entered in the entry field f21 of the registration screen S2 shown in FIG. ” is entered and “****” is entered in the entry field f23 of the registration screen S2, and then the registration button b21 is selected, the management unit 16 registers the book database 15 shown in FIG. "B002" is stored in the field F31 of the record R32, "XX biography" is stored in the field F32 of the record R32, "□□" is stored in the field F33 of the record R32, and "*" is stored in the field F34 of the record R32. ***” is stored.

Further, by operating the Web server 1 by the administrator, "△△ Story" is entered in the input field f21 of the registration screen S2 shown in FIG. ” is entered and “****” is entered in the entry field f23 of the registration screen S2, and then the registration button b21 is selected, the management unit 16 registers the book database 15 shown in FIG. "B003" is stored in the field F31 of the record R33, "△△ Story" is stored in the field F32 of the record R33, "○○" is stored in the field F33 of the record R32, and "*" is stored in the field F34 of the record R33. ***” is stored.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the management unit 16 when the organization database 13 and the user database 14 are updated. It is assumed that the management unit 16 executes the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 at regular time intervals.

First, the management unit 16 calculates a registration period corresponding to one record among all records in the organization database 13 (step S201). For example, the management unit 16 associates the period from the date stored in the field F13 of the record R11 of the organization database 13 shown in FIG. registration period.

Next, if the registration period is equal to or greater than the threshold (step S202: Yes), the management unit 16 switches the deletion flag of the record corresponding to the registration period from "off" to "on" (step S203). is smaller than the threshold (step S202: No), the deletion flag of the record corresponding to the registration period remains off. The above threshold is an arbitrary period predetermined by an administrator or the like.

Next, if the registration period has not been calculated for all the records in the organization database 13 (step S204: No), the management unit 16 returns to step S201 and calculates the registration period corresponding to the record for which the registration period has not been calculated. calculate.

On the other hand, if the management unit 16 has calculated the registration period for all the records in the organization database 13 (step S204: Yes), the management unit 16, among all the records in the organization database 13, determines the organization identification of the record whose deletion flag is ON. The deletion flag of the record in the user database 14 containing the information is switched from "off" to "on" (step S205).

Then, the management unit 16 deletes the record whose deletion flag is ON among all the records of the organization database 13 and the user database 14 (step S206).

For example, assume that the threshold is "365 days" and the current update timing is "2021.4.1".

First, the management unit 16 calculates "365 days" as the registration period corresponding to the record R11 of the organization database 13 shown in FIG. 4(a), and calculates "31 days" as the registration period corresponding to the record R12. .

Next, since the registration period corresponding to the record R11 is equal to or greater than the threshold and the registration period corresponding to the record R12 is less than the threshold, the management unit 16 sets the deletion flag information stored in the field F14 of the record R11 to "OFF." ” to “ON”, and the deletion flag information stored in the field F14 of the record R12 remains “OFF”.

Next, the management unit 16 switches the deletion flag information stored in the field F26 of the record R21 containing "S001" stored in the field F11 of the record R11 from "OFF" to "ON", and The deletion flag information stored in field F26 of R22 remains "off".

Then, the management unit 16 deletes the record R11 and the record R21.

Note that the record deletion work may be performed manually by the user.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the terminal 3. As shown in FIG.

First, the terminal 3 displays a login screen transmitted from the web server 1 on the display unit (not shown) (step S301), and transmits the login ID and password entered by the user on the login screen to the web server 1 (step S301). step S302).

Next, if the user authentication fails, that is, if the terminal 3 determines that the user does not belong to a predetermined group (group stored in advance in the group database 13) (step S303: No) , the process returns to step S301 to display the login screen on the display unit.

On the other hand, when the user authentication is successful, that is, when it is determined that the user belongs to a predetermined group (step S303: Yes), the terminal 3 displays the initial screen transmitted from the web server 1 on the display unit. (step S304), and if the user has entered a search condition on the initial screen (step S305: Yes), the search result screen based on the search result is received from the web server 1 and displayed on the display unit (step S306).

Next, when the user does not select the lending button on the search result screen (step S307: No), the terminal 3 returns to step S304 to display the initial screen on the display unit, and the user selects the lending button on the book information screen. is selected (step S307: Yes), a lending process execution instruction based on the selection result is transmitted to the Web server 1 (step S308).

Further, when the user selects the bookshelf button on the initial screen (step S305: No, step S309: Yes), the terminal 3 receives the bookshelf screen corresponding to the user from the Web server 1 and displays it on the display unit ( step S310).

Next, when the user does not select the electronic book on the bookshelf screen (step S311: No), the terminal 3 returns to step S304, displays the initial screen on the display unit, and displays the electronic book on the bookshelf screen. If so (step S311: Yes), the book information screen based on the selection result is received from the web server 1 and displayed on the display unit (step S312).

Next, when the user selects the browsing start button on the book information screen (step S313: Yes), the terminal 3 causes the display unit to display the browsing screen transmitted from the web server 1 (step S314).

Next, if the user does not select the end-of-reading button on the viewing screen (step S315: No), the terminal 3 continues to display the viewing screen on the display unit, and the user presses the end-of-reading button on the viewing screen. is selected (step S315: Yes), the process returns to step S304 to display the initial screen on the display unit.

Further, when the user selects the return button on the book information screen (step S313: No, step S316: Yes), the terminal 3 transmits a return processing execution instruction to the Web server 1 (step S317), and then performs step S304. to display the initial screen on the display unit.

If the user does not select the browse start button and the return button on the book information screen (step S313: No, step S316: No), the terminal 3 returns to step S304 and displays the initial screen on the display unit.

When the user selects the logout button on the initial screen (step S305: No, step S309: No, step S318: Yes), the terminal 3 terminates the connection between the web server 1 and the terminal 3. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the operation unit 17. As shown in FIG.

First, when the operation unit 17 receives login ID information and password information transmitted from the terminal 3 (step S401: Yes), the login ID information and password information that match the received login ID information and powered information are stored in the user database. 14, that is, whether the user has been successfully authenticated (step S402).

Next, when the operation unit 17 determines that the user authentication has succeeded, that is, when it determines that the user belongs to a predetermined group (step S402: Yes), the operation unit 17 transmits the initial screen to the terminal 3 ( step S403).

Next, when the operation unit 17 receives the search conditions transmitted from the terminal 3 (step S404: Yes), the operation unit 17 executes search processing based on the received search conditions (step S405), and displays a search result screen including the search results. to the terminal 3 (step S406).

Next, if the operation unit 17 does not receive the lending process execution instruction (step S407: No), it returns to step S403, transmits the initial screen to the terminal 3, and if it receives the lending process execution instruction (step S407: Yes). ), a lending process for permitting lending (reading) of the electronic book selected by the user is executed (step S408).

Further, when the operation unit 17 receives information indicating that the bookshelf button has been selected after transmitting the initial screen to the terminal 3 (step S404: No, step S409: Yes), the operation unit 17 displays the electronic book on loan to the user. The bookshelf screen containing the contents is transmitted to the terminal 3 (step S410).

Next, if the operation unit 17 does not receive the selection result of the electronic book (step S411: No), it returns to step S403, transmits the initial screen to the terminal 3, and receives the selection result of the electronic book (step S411: : Yes), the book information screen based on the selection result is transmitted to the terminal 3 (step S412).

Next, when the operation unit 17 receives information indicating that the browsing start button has been selected (step S413: Yes), the operation unit 17 transmits the browsing screen to the terminal 3 (step S414), and the browsing end button is selected. When the information indicating that the terminal 3 has received the information (step S415: Yes), the process returns to step S403 and the initial screen is transmitted to the terminal 3.

Further, when the operation unit 17 receives information indicating that the return button has been selected after transmitting the book information screen to the terminal 3 (step S413: No, step S416: Yes), the lending target from the user database 14 After executing the return process for deleting the electronic book identification information (step S417), the process returns to step S403 and the initial screen is transmitted to the terminal 3. FIG.

Further, when the operation unit 17 receives information indicating that the logout button has been selected after transmitting the initial screen to the terminal 3 (step S404: No, step S409: No, step S418: Yes), the web server 1 and terminate the connection with the terminal 3.

Here, FIG. 8(a) is a diagram showing an example of a login screen, FIG. 8(b) is a diagram showing an example of an initial screen, and FIG. 8(c) is a diagram showing an example of a search result screen. FIG. 8(d) is a diagram showing an example of a bookshelf screen, FIG. 8(e) is a diagram showing an example of a book information screen, and FIG. 8(f) is a viewing screen It is a figure which shows an example.

The login screen S3 shown in FIG. 8A has an input field f31 into which login ID information can be entered, an input field f32 into which password information can be entered, and a login button b31.

In the initial screen S4 shown in FIG. 8B, one category can be selected from a plurality of categories of electronic books ("all", "encyclopedia", "biography", "story", etc.). It has a selection field f41, an input field f42 for entering a keyword, a search button b41, a bookshelf button b42, and a logout button b43.

The search result screen S5 shown in FIG. 8(c) includes a display field f51 for displaying title information, a display field f52 for displaying author name information, a display field f53 for displaying description information, and a lending button. b51.

The bookshelf screen S6 shown in FIG. 8D includes display fields f61a and f61b in which title information is displayed, display fields f62a and f62b in which author name information is displayed, display fields f63a in which explanatory text information is displayed, It has f63b and selection buttons b61a and b61b.

The book information screen S7 shown in FIG. 8E includes a display field f71 for displaying title information, a display field f72 for displaying author name information, a display field f73 for displaying description information, and a browse button. b71 and a return button b72.

The viewing screen S8 shown in FIG. 3(f) has a display field f81 in which an electronic book is displayed, and an end-of-reading button b81.

First, the terminal 3 causes the display unit to display the login screen S3.

Next, in the terminal 3, as shown in the example of FIG. 8A, the user inputs "ID1" as login ID information in the input field f31 and "PS1" as password information in the input field f32. After that, when the login button b31 is selected, "ID1" and "PS1" are transmitted to the web server 1. FIG. The operation unit 17 of the Web server 1 stores the received "ID1" and "PS1" in the login ID information stored in the field f23 and the field f24 of the record R21 of the user database 14 shown in FIG. If it matches the password information stored in the terminal 3, it is determined that the user has been successfully authenticated, and the initial screen S4 is sent to the terminal 3.

Next, the terminal 3 causes the display unit to display the initial screen S4.

Next, as in the example of FIG. 8B, the terminal 3 selects "all" in the selection field f41 and inputs "story" as a keyword in the input field f42, and then presses the search button b41. is selected, the “story” is transmitted to the web server 16 . When the received "story" matches part of the title information stored in the field f32 of the record R33 of the book database 15 shown in FIG. "△△ story" as title information stored in field f32, "○○" as author name information stored in field f33, and "***" as descriptive text information stored in field f34. *” (search result screen S<b>5 shown in FIG. 8C ) is sent to the terminal 3 .

Next, the terminal 3 causes the display unit to display the search result screen S5.

Next, when the user selects the rent button b51 on the search result screen S5, the terminal 3 transmits a rent processing execution instruction to the web server 16. FIG. When the operation unit 17 of the web server 16 receives the lending process execution instruction, the e-book identification information "B003" stored in the field f31 of the record R33 of the book database 15 shown in FIG. 4(b) is stored in the field f27 of the record R21 of the user database 14, the initial screen S4 shown in FIG. In the example of the user database 14 shown in FIG. 4(b), since "B001" and "B003" are stored in the field f27 of the record R21, the user can access the e-books of "○○ illustrated book" and "△△ story". is being rented out.

On the other hand, when the user selects the bookshelf button b42 on the initial screen S4 shown in FIG. When the operation unit 17 of the web server 16 receives the information that the bookshelf button b42 has been selected, the e-book identification information stored in the field f27 of the record R21 of the user database 14 shown in FIG. "B001" and "B003" are read. Then, the operation unit 17 stores "○○ illustrated book" stored in the field f32 of the record R31 of the book database 15 shown in FIG. The stored "△△", "****" stored in the field f34, "△△ story" stored in the field f32 of the record R33, and " ◯◯” and “****” stored in the field f34 (bookshelf screen S6 shown in FIG. 8D) is transmitted to the terminal 3.

Next, the terminal 3 causes the display unit to display the bookshelf screen S6.

Next, when the user selects the selection button b61a on the bookshelf screen S6, the terminal 3 transmits information to the Web server 16 indicating that the selection button b61a has been selected. When receiving the information indicating that the selection button b61a has been selected, the Web server 16 stores "○○ picture book" stored in the field f32 of the record R31 of the book database 15 shown in FIG. The book information screen (book information screen S7 shown in FIG. 8(e)) including "ΔΔ" stored in the field f34 and "****" stored in the field f34 is transmitted to the terminal 3.

Next, the terminal 3 causes the display unit to display the book information screen S7.

Next, when the user selects the browse start button b71 on the book information screen S7, the terminal 3 transmits information to the Web server 16 indicating that the browse start button b71 has been selected. When the operation unit 17 of the Web server 16 receives the information indicating that the browsing start button b71 has been selected, it reads out the e-book of the XX illustrated book from the book registration unit 23, and displays the reading screen ( A viewing screen S8) shown in FIG. 8(f) is transmitted to the terminal 3.

Next, the terminal 3 causes the display unit to display the browsing screen S8.

Next, when the user selects the viewing end button b81 on the viewing screen S8, the terminal 3 transmits to the web server 16 information indicating that the viewing end button b81 has been selected. When the operation unit 17 of the web server 16 receives the information indicating that the browsing end button b81 has been selected, it transmits the initial screen S4 shown in FIG. 8B to the terminal 3. FIG.

On the other hand, when the return button b72 on the book information screen S7 is selected by the user, the terminal 3 transmits information to the Web server 16 indicating that the return button b72 has been selected. When the operation unit 17 of the web server 16 receives the information indicating that the return button b72 has been selected, it deletes "B001" stored in the field f27 of the record R21 of the user database 14 shown in FIG. 4(b). After that, the initial screen S4 shown in FIG. 8B is transmitted to the terminal 3. FIG.

As described above, in the electronic library system 10 of the embodiment, the number of users and the period for which electronic books can be borrowed are managed for each organization to which the users belong. The rationale can be clarified. For example, "the number of users belonging to a specified organization" x "the number of types of e-books that can be lent to a specified organization" x "the charge (unit price) for one e-book set by the content provider" x Calculating a "registration period" can define a subscription agreement for a given entity. Therefore, even if the number of users belonging to a predetermined group is relatively large, it is possible to facilitate the adjustment of electronic book fees between the management side of the electronic library system 10 and the content provider.

In addition, in the electronic library system 10 of the embodiment, when the registration period is equal to or greater than the threshold, since it is configured to automatically delete the information about the organization and the user corresponding to the registration period, the administrator manually Compared to deleting information about users, the man-hours of the administrator can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the web server 1, archive server 2, or terminal 3. As shown in FIG.

A hardware configuration for realizing the Web server 1, archive server 2, or terminal 3 includes, for example, a processor 101, a memory 102, a storage device 103, a reading device 104, a communication interface 106, and an input/output interface 107. The processor 101 , memory 102 , storage device 103 , reader 104 , communication interface 106 and input/output interface 107 are connected to each other via bus 108 .

The processor 101 may be, for example, a single processor, a multiprocessor, or a multicore. The processor 101 provides a part or all of the functions of the Web server 1, the archive server 2, or the terminal 3 described above by executing a program describing the procedure of the operation flow described above, for example, using the memory 102. . For example, the processor 101 of the web server 1 operates as the management unit 16 and the operation unit 17 by reading and executing programs stored in the storage device 103 .

The memory 102 is, for example, a semiconductor memory and may include a RAM area and a ROM area. The storage device 103 is, for example, a hard disk, a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, or an external storage device. Note that RAM is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory. Also, ROM is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory.

Reader 104 accesses removable storage medium 105 according to instructions from processor 101 . The removable storage medium 105 is implemented by, for example, a semiconductor device, a medium for inputting/outputting information by magnetic action, a medium for inputting/outputting information by optical action, or the like. The semiconductor device is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. A medium for inputting and outputting information by magnetic action is, for example, a magnetic disk. Media for inputting and outputting information by optical action include, for example, CD-ROMs, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs (Blu-ray is a registered trademark), and the like. CD is an abbreviation for Compact Disc. DVD is an abbreviation for Digital Versatile Disk.

The storage device 103 stores, for example, an organization database 13, a user database 14, and a book database 15. FIG.

Communication interface 106 communicates with other devices via wired or wireless communication according to instructions from processor 101 . Communication interface 106 is an example of communication unit I/F 11 or communication I/F 21 described above.

Input/output interface 107 may be, for example, an interface between an input device and an output device. The input device is, for example, a device such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel that receives instructions from the user. The output device is, for example, a display unit such as a display and an audio device such as a speaker.

Each program according to the embodiment is provided to the processor 101 in the following form, for example.
(1) It is pre-installed in the storage device 103 .
(2) provided by removable storage medium 105;
(3) provided by a server such as a program server;

Note that the hardware configuration for realizing the Web server 1, the archive server 2, or the terminal 3 described with reference to FIG. 9 is an example, and the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, some of the configurations described above may be deleted, and new configurations may be added.

Moreover, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various improvements and modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 Web server 2 Library server 3 Terminal 4 Network 10 Electronic library system 11 Communication I/F
12 authentication unit 13 organization database 14 user database 15 book database 16 management unit 17 operation unit 21 communication I/F
22 reception unit 23 book registration unit 24 book display unit 161 organization management unit 162 user management unit 163 book data management unit 164 system management unit 171 book search unit 172 lending search unit 173 bookshelf management unit 174 statistics management unit 231 library registration unit 232 obfuscation Conversion unit 241 Book confirmation unit 242 Authentication confirmation unit

Claims (2)

an operation unit that, after determining that the user belongs to a predetermined group, displays the electronic book corresponding to the user's viewing request on the display unit of the terminal owned by the user;
a management unit that stores group identification information identifying the predetermined group, registration date of the predetermined group, and user identification information identifying the user in a database in association with each other;
with
The management unit manages the lendable period during which the electronic book can be borrowed for each organization to which the user belongs, and when the registration period from the registration date of the predetermined organization to the current date exceeds the lendable period, deleting the organization identification information and the user identification information corresponding to the predetermined organization from the database;
An electronic library system characterized by: The electronic library system according to claim 1,
The management unit calculates the number of users belonging to the predetermined organization x the number of types of e-books that can be lent to the predetermined organization x the fee for one e-book set by the content provider who provides the e-book x The calculation result of the registration period shall be the fee for the subscription contract for the predetermined organization.
An electronic library system characterized by:

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