Information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing system and the like capable of improving convenience when providing publications.SOLUTION: According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system including at least one processor. This information processing system causes the processor to perform a specification display step and an instruction step. The specification display step causes a user terminal to display a page specification screen for specifying pages of a publication and a destination specification screen for specifying a destination. The instruction step instructs a first storage device, which has a function for storing and transmitting a page image group including a plurality of page images generated by reading pages of a publication, to transmit, to a destination specified on a destination specification screen, a page image indicating a page of the publication specified on a page specification screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a technology for acquiring image information and specified text information contained in a book and distributing the acquired image information and text information so that they are displayed in a display frame along with the electronic book. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-22408 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology of providing users with publications, including books, convenience would be improved if users could be provided with only the parts they want to read.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides an information processing system and the like that can improve the convenience when providing publications. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system including at least one processor. In this information processing system, the processor, in a specification and display step, causes a user terminal to display a page specification screen for allowing the user to specify a page of a publication and a destination specification screen for allowing the user to specify a destination. In an instruction step, the processor instructs a first storage device having functions for storing and transmitting a page image group including a plurality of page images generated by reading pages of the publication, to transmit page images indicating the pages of the publication specified on the page specification screen to the destination specified on the destination specification screen.

[0007] According to this embodiment, it is possible to improve convenience when providing publications. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a publication service system 1. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the library server 10. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the library terminal 30. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an activity diagram illustrating an example of a storage process. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the setting screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of accumulated information. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an activity diagram showing an example of a search process and a transmission process. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search result screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search result screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an excess page image. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a payment confirmation image. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a destination designation screen. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a displayed email. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the search result screen. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a payment confirmation image. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a delivery destination designation screen. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the search result screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various features shown in the following embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0010] Incidentally, the program for realizing the software appearing in one embodiment may be provided as a non-transitory computer-readable medium, or may be provided so that it can be downloaded from an external server, or may be provided so that the program is started on an external computer and its functions are realized on a client terminal (so-called cloud computing).

[0011] Furthermore, various information processing according to an embodiment may realize input and output corresponding to the input. Here, the form of information referenced in such information processing (hereinafter referred to as reference information) is not limited as long as an output is obtained as a result of the input. The reference information may be, for example, rule-based information such as a database, a lookup table, or a predetermined function (including a decision formula such as a regression formula constructed using a statistical method), a trained model that has previously trained the correlation between input and output, or a large-scale language model that can output a desired result by inputting a prompt.

[0012] In one embodiment, a "unit" may include, for example, a combination of hardware resources implemented by a circuit in the broad sense and software information processing that can be specifically realized by these hardware resources. In one embodiment, various information is handled, and this information is represented, for example, by physical values ​​of signal values ​​representing voltage and current, high and low signal values ​​as a binary bit set consisting of 0 or 1, or quantum superposition (so-called quantum bits), and communication and calculation can be performed on a circuit in the broad sense.

[0013] Furthermore, a circuit in the broad sense is a circuit realized by at least an appropriate combination of a circuit, circuitry, processor, memory, etc. The processor may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated circuit. That is, it includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (e.g., a simple programmable logic device (SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA)), etc.

[0014] <Embodiment> 1. System Configuration The system configuration according to the embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a publication service system 1. Fig. 1 shows an overview of each device provided in the publication service system 1 and the users who use those devices. Each overview will be explained as needed, with reference to other figures.

[0015] The publication service system 1 is an information processing system that processes information related to services provided regarding publications. A publication is a printed matter containing information, including text and images, published by a publishing company. Publications include books and magazines (periodicals), as well as books available for loan from libraries. Services provided regarding publications include, for example, a search service that searches for a section of a publication containing desired content, and a transmission service that transmits a page image showing a desired page of a publication. This transmission service falls within the category of public transmission to libraries, etc.

[0016] The publication service system 1 comprises a communication line 2, a scanning device 3, a library server 10, a server device 20, a library terminal 30, a provider terminal 40, and a user terminal 50. The publication service system 1 is managed and operated by a search service provider that provides the aforementioned search service and a library that provides a transmission service. In the example of Figure 1, the scanning device 3, the library server 10, and the library terminal 30 are devices managed and operated by the library, while the server device 20 and the provider terminal 40 are devices managed and operated by the search service provider.

[0017] The communication line 2 is not particularly limited, but may be configured, for example, by the Internet network. The communication line 2 may also include a local area network, a mobile communication network, a VPN (Virtual Private Network), etc. The communication line 2 mediates the exchange of data between devices connected to the line itself. In the example of FIG. 1, the communication line 2 is connected to the scanning device 3, the library server 10, and the server device 20 by wire, and to the library terminal 30, the business terminal 40, and the user terminal 50 by wireless. Note that the connection of each device to the communication line 2 may be wired or wireless.

[0018] The scanning device 3 is a scanner that reads each page of a publication and generates a page image. Publications scanned by the scanning device 3 include books in the library collection mentioned above. For example, a high-performance non-destructive book scanner is used as the scanning device 3, which automatically turns the pages as it scans a publication when it is set in place. "Non-destructive" means that pages can be read without destroying the publication, and it is possible to read library books and return them to the library as they are. The scanning device 3 may also be a feed-type scanner that reads cut publications (mainly magazines). In this case, the cut publications may be re-bound and reused.

[0019] The library server 10 is an information processing device that has a page image database DB1 that stores and accumulates page images generated by the scanning device 3, and performs information processing using the accumulated page images. The library server 10, for example, performs a page transmission process that transmits the accumulated page images to user U1 via communication line 2. User U1 is a user of the publication service system 1, and uses both the search service and transmission service described above.

[0020] Like the library server 10, the server device 20 is an information processing device that has a page image database DB2 that stores and accumulates page images generated by the scanning device 3, and performs information processing using the accumulated page images. For example, the server device 20 performs a search process to search the page images for locations that include a search phrase specified by the user U1. The page image databases DB1 and DB2 are synchronized periodically or irregularly to maintain the same accumulated page images.

[0021] The library terminal 30 is a terminal whose user is the administrator K1 of the library server 10, and is, for example, a personal computer or a tablet terminal. The administrator K1 has the authority to access the library server 10 and manages the page images stored in the page image database DB1. For example, the administrator K1 operates the scanning device 3 via the library terminal 30 to read publications and store the generated page images in the page image database DB1. The administrator K1 also performs settings for the stored page images.

[0022] The business operator terminal 40 is a terminal whose user is an administrator K2 of the server device 20, and is, for example, a personal computer or a tablet. The administrator K2 has the authority to access the server device 20 and manages the page images stored in the page image database DB2. The administrator K2, for example, performs settings for the stored page images in the same way as the administrator K1. Details of the setting work will be described later.

[0023] The user terminal 50 is a terminal for which the user U1 is the user, and is, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. It is assumed that the user U1 has registered as a user to use the search service. The user terminal 50 accesses the server device 20 based on the authentication information of the user U1 (user ID, password, etc.), displays a screen for the search service, and accepts operations by the user U1.

[0024] A few more details about the servers (library server 10 and server device 20) and user terminals (library terminal 30, business operator terminal 40, and user terminal 50): By performing authentication processing to authenticate users, the server can restrict access to data and available functions, assign identification information to data entered by users to make them identifiable, and save settings made by users.

[0025] The server also executes display control processing for displaying on the user terminal screens, images, etc. related to the publication service system 1. For example, the server performs processing such as generating and transmitting an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) file as the display control processing, and causes the user terminal to display a web page showing the system screen, etc., using the browser function.

[0026] Alternatively, the user terminal may install an application program for using the publication service system 1, and the server may perform display control processing, such as generating and transmitting display data in the application. By performing these display control processing, the server displays various screens and images on the user terminal. In other words, the screens and images displayed on the display means of the user terminal can be rephrased as the screens and images displayed on the user terminal by the server.

[0027] 2. Hardware Configuration The hardware configuration according to the embodiment will be described below. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the library server 10. The library server 10 includes a control unit 11, a memory unit 12, a communication unit 13, and a bus 14. The bus 14 electrically connects the various units included in the library server 10.

[0028] (Control unit 11) The control unit 11 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) not shown. The control unit 11 realizes various functions related to the publication service system 1 by reading out predetermined programs stored in the storage unit 12. In other words, information processing by software stored in the storage unit 12 is specifically realized by the control unit 11, which is an example of hardware, and can be executed as each functional unit included in the control unit 11. These will be described in more detail in the next section. Note that the control unit 11 is not limited to being a single unit, and it may be implemented with multiple control units 11 for each function. It may also be a combination of these.

[0029] (Storage unit 12) The memory unit 12 stores various pieces of information defined above. This can be implemented, for example, as a storage device such as a solid state drive (SSD) that stores various programs and the like related to the publication service system 1 executed by the control unit 11, or as a memory such as a random access memory (RAM) that stores temporarily required information (arguments, arrays, etc.) related to program calculations. The memory unit 12 stores various programs, variables, etc. related to the publication service system 1 executed by the control unit 11.

[0030] (Communications Department 13) The communication unit 13 is configured to be able to transmit various electrical signals from the library server 10 to external components. The communication unit 13 is also configured to be able to receive various electrical signals from the external components to the library server 10. More preferably, the communication unit 13 has a network communication function, which allows various information to be communicated between the server device 20 and external devices via the communication line 2.

[0031] 3 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the library terminal 30. The library terminal 30 includes a control unit 31, a memory unit 32, a communication unit 33, an input unit 34, an output unit 35, and a bus 36. The bus 36 electrically connects the various units included in the library terminal 30.

[0032] (Input unit 34) The input unit 34 has keys, buttons, a touch screen, a mouse, etc., and receives input from the user. The input unit 34 may also have a microphone and have the function of receiving voice input from the user.

[0033] (Output section 35) The output unit 35 has a display, a speaker, etc., and displays visual information generated in a manner that is visible to the user, such as a screen, an image, an icon, or text, on the display surface of the display, and outputs sound including voice.

[0034] The server device 20 shown in Figure 2 has the same hardware configuration as the library server 10. For the server device 20, only the control unit 21 will be described, with a different reference number from the control unit 11 of the library server 10. The business operator terminal 40 and the user terminal 50 shown in Figure 3 have the same hardware configuration as the library terminal 30. For the business operator terminal 40, only the control unit 41 will be described, and for the user terminal 50, only the control unit 51 will be described, with a different reference number from the control unit 31 of the library terminal 30.

[0035] 3. Information Processing The following describes information processing according to the embodiment. In the following description, the library server 10, server device 20, library terminal 30, business operator terminal 40, and user terminal 50 are described as the subjects of each information processing, but this information processing is executed by at least one processor included in the publication service system 1, i.e., the processor included in the control unit of each device (control units 11, 21, 31, 41, and 51). First, the storage process for storing a group of page images will be described below with reference to FIG. 4 etc.

[0036] 4 is an activity diagram showing an example of the storage process. The storage process is initiated when the library terminal 30 displays an image for operating the scanning device 3. With a publication to be scanned set in the scanning device 3, the library terminal 30 accepts a scan operation by the administrator K1 (activity A11). This scan operation causes the scanning device 3 to perform a page reading process, and a page image showing the optically scanned page is output from the scanning device 3 to the library terminal 30.

[0037] Next, the library terminal 30 accepts a DB storage operation by the administrator K1 (activity A12). The DB storage operation is an operation for storing the generated page image in the page image database DB1 of the library server 10, and includes, for example, an operation for specifying a storage location for the page image. The library terminal 30 transmits the page image output from the scanning device 3 to the library server 10. The library server 10 stores and accumulates the transmitted page image in the storage location specified by the DB storage operation (activity A13).

[0038] Next, the library terminal 30 accepts a synchronization operation from the administrator K1 (activity A14). The synchronization operation is an operation for executing a synchronization process that synchronizes the page image database DB1 of the library server 10 with the page image database DB2 of the server device 20. When the library terminal 30 accepts the synchronization operation, it instructs the library server 10 to synchronize, and the library server 10 executes the synchronization process in accordance with the synchronization instruction (activity A15). At this time, the server device 20 also executes the synchronization process in conjunction with the library server 10 (activity A16).

[0039] After this, various settings are made for the synchronized page image group. This setting can be made on either the library server 10 or the server device 20. Below, we will first explain the case where the setting is made on the library server 10. First, the library terminal 30 accepts an operation by the administrator K1 to specify the publication to be set, and requests the page images of the specified publication to be set from the library server 10 (activity A21).

[0040] The library server 10 reads the page images of the publication to be requested and transmits them to the library terminal 30 (activity A22). The library terminal 30 displays a setting screen including the transmitted page images (activity A23). The library terminal 30 accepts the setting operations performed by the administrator K1 on the displayed setting screen and transmits the settings made by the setting operations to the library server 10 (activity A24). The library server 10 stores the transmitted setting contents in the page image database DB1 and reflects the settings (activity A25).

[0041] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a settings screen. A settings tab B11 is displayed on the settings screen C1 shown in FIG. 5. The settings tab B11 is an operation image for switching between settings screens for each setting item. In the example of FIG. 5, the settings screen for the item "Settings 1" is selected on the settings tab B11. In "Settings 1," a summary setting field D11, a provision format setting field D12, and a publication information setting field D13 are displayed. The summary setting field D11 is an input field for inputting a summary of the publication, such as the title and publication date. The publication information setting field D13 is an input field for inputting publication information. The publication information is information such as the number of pages, weight, and size of the publication to be set.

[0042] The provision form setting field D12 is an input field for entering whether or not each provision form of the publication is acceptable. In the publication service system 1, publications are provided in the forms of mail lending, electronic transmission, and delivery of printed matter. "Mail lending" is a form of providing a publication by sending the original publication by mail for lending. "Electronic transmission" is a form of providing a publication by sending page images to a destination specified by the user (the destination of the electronic data). "Printed matter delivery" is a form of providing a publication by sending a printed matter with printed page images to a destination specified by the user (the destination of the printed matter). Note that "transmission" refers to sending electronic data, and "delivery" refers to sending a physical object such as a printed matter.

[0043] Since some publications can be provided in all formats, while others can only be provided in certain formats, the administrator K1 sets whether each publication can be provided in each format. The library server 10 associates the settings entered in the setting fields with the page images and stores them in the page image database DB1.

[0044] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the settings screen. On the settings screen C2 shown in Fig. 6, "Settings 2" is selected in the settings tab B11. In "Settings 2," number input fields D21, D22, D23, and D24 and a page image display field D25 are displayed. In the page image display field D25, a page image P21 of the publication to be set is displayed, and by operating the display page designation button B21, the page image of the designated page number can be displayed.

[0045] The page numbers referred to here are numbers assigned to page images in order starting from the first page. For example, if there are 600 page images, page numbers from "1" to "600" are assigned in order. In publications, page numbers are not assigned to covers, etc., so the page numbers that indicate the order of page images (hereinafter referred to as "image page numbers") often differ from the page numbers shown in the publication (hereinafter referred to as "actual page numbers"). Therefore, a print page number that matches the actual page number is assigned to each page image as follows:

[0046] The number input field D21 is an input field for the start page number, and the number input field D22 is an input field for the end page number. The number input field D21 is an input field for the start print page number. The start page number is the image page number from which the assignment of print page numbers starts. The end page number is the image page number from which the assignment of print page numbers ends. The start print page number is the print page number to be assigned to the page image of the start page number.

[0047] The page images of the publication displayed in the page image display field D25 are assigned consecutive print page numbers starting from the input print page start number, from the input start page number to the input end page number. For example, if the input start page number is "2," the input end page number is "600," and the input print page start number is "1," the library server 10 stores the consecutive print page numbers from "1" to "599" in the page image database DB1, corresponding to the page image with the image page number "2" in order.

[0048] The administrator K1 inputs the page numbers in the number input fields D21, D22, and D23 while looking at the page image P21, and the library server 10 can assign print page numbers that match the actual page numbers. Therefore, for example, if the last print page number and the actual page number are different, it is possible to notice defects such as missing page images.

[0049] The number input field D24 is an input field for inputting identification information that identifies a part of a publication that represents a series of coherent contents and can be divided from other parts (hereinafter referred to as a "divisible part"), and the page number range of the divisible part. The identification information is expressed, for example, by "chapter" or "section" as shown in the example in Fig. 6. However, without being limited to this, a title or the like given to the divisible part may be input as the identification information, or the beginning of the divisible part may be input as the identification information.

[0050] Also, for example, the page ranges of divisible parts may overlap, such as "Chapter 1" and "Section 1" of Chapter 1 shown in Figure 6. Also, for example, if the last page of "Chapter 1" and the first page of "Chapter 2" are the same page, they may overlap. The library server 10 stores the identification information of the divisible part entered in the number input field D24 in the page image database DB1 in association with the page image (represented by the range of page numbers) representing that divisible part.

[0051] Next, the administrator K1 selects the "Character Recognition" tab included in the setting tab B11 and performs an operation to instruct the library terminal 30 to recognize characters included in the page image of the publication. Upon receiving this operation, the library terminal 30 instructs the library server 10 to perform character recognition (activity A26). In accordance with this instruction, the library server 10 executes character recognition processing to recognize characters from the page image of the publication to be set (activity A27).

[0052] Character recognition may be performed using well-known OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology or AI (Artificial Intelligence) OCR technology. When recognizing characters, the library server 10 also performs a process of cutting out the recognized character portion from the page image and saving it as a character image. The library server 10 associates string information showing the recognized characters arranged side by side and the cut-out character image with each page image and stores them in the page image database DB1.

[0053] After completing the above tasks, the administrator K1 performs a synchronization operation to synchronize the page image databases DB1 and DB2. In this case, the library terminal 30 accepts the synchronization operation (activity A28), and the library server 10 executes synchronization processing in conjunction with the server device 20 (activity A29). The processing of activities A21 to A29 described above is also executed in the server device 20 and the business terminal 40 in the same manner as activities A31 to A39.

[0054] Note that the process shown in Fig. 4 is an example and is not limited to this. For example, the synchronization process may be performed automatically at a predetermined timing (after working hours every day, etc.) instead of or in addition to the timing operated by the administrator. Furthermore, the character recognition process may be performed before the setting operation or immediately after the scanning process. An example of the accumulated information accumulated in the page image databases DB1 and DB2 by the above accumulation process is shown in Fig. 7.

[0055] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of stored information, which shows "publication ID," "summary information," "provision format setting," "publication information," "page image ID," "print page number," "divisible portion information," "character information," and the like stored in the synchronized page image databases DB1 and DB2.

[0056] The publication ID is identification information assigned to the publication in which the page image is stored. The summary information, provision settings, and publication information are information set on the setting screen C1 shown in Figure 5, and are stored in association with each publication ID. The page image ID is identification information assigned to each scanned page image.

[0057] The print page number and divisible portion information are information set on the setting screen C2 shown in FIG. 6, and are stored in association with each page image ID. The divisible portion information includes identification information for the divisible portion (such as "Chapter 1" and "Chapter 1 Section 1" in the example of FIG. 6) and the page range. The character information is information about characters recognized by the character recognition process shown in FIG. 4, and is stored in association with each page image ID. The character information includes character string information represented by the sequence of recognized characters, and character images (images cut out from the page image) showing each recognized character.

[0058] Next, the above-mentioned search processing and transmission processing will be described with reference to FIG. 8 and other figures. 8 is an activity diagram showing an example of search processing and transmission processing. In the search processing, first, the user terminal 50 accesses the server device 20 and displays a search screen in response to an operation by the user U1 (activity A41). Next, the user terminal 50 accepts a search term input by the user U1 and transmits the input search term to the server device 20 (activity A42). The server device 20 searches for the transmitted search term from the character string information stored in the page image database DB2 (activity A43).

[0059] When a search term is searched, the server device 20 reads information associated with character information including the searched term (divisible portion information, character information, etc.) from the page image database DB2 (activity A44). Next, the server device 20 generates a search result screen using the read character image, etc., and transmits the screen data to the user terminal 50 (activity A45). The user terminal 50 displays the search result screen indicated by the transmitted screen data (activity A46).

[0060] Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of a search result screen. The search result screen C3 shown in Figure 9 displays a search menu B31, a search term input field D31, and search result display fields D32 and D33. The search menu B31 allows the user to select the type of publication to be searched, and in the example of Figure 9, a "cross-search" that searches all types of publications has been selected. The search term used in the search is displayed in the input field D31.

[0061] Display field D32 includes display fields D321, D322, and D323. Display field D321 displays the title of a publication containing the searched word or phrase. Display field D322 displays a combination of identification information "Chapter 1..." and a page range of "(pages xx1 to xx2)", and a combination of identification information "Section 1..." and a page range of "(pages xx3 to xx4)". Display field D323 displays character images of a predetermined number of characters containing the searched word or phrase, arranged in the same order as the original sentence.

[0062] Display column D33 includes display columns D331, D332, and D333. Like display column D32, each display column displays the title of the publication, identification information and page range of the divisible portion, and a character image of a predetermined number of characters. FIG. 9 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the character image displayed in display column D333. As shown in the figure, each character in display column D333 is represented by a character image M31. A character string represented by arranging character images M31 is also referred to as a character string image. Note that these search results are only a partial list, and other search results can be displayed by scrolling.

[0063] User U1 performs an operation to select one of the displayed search results. The user terminal 50 accepts the selection operation and notifies the server device 20 of the selected search result (activity A47). In this case, the server device 20 returns to A44 and reads out information stored in the page image database DB2 in association with the publication indicated by the notified search result. The server device 20 generates a search result screen using the read information (A45), and the user terminal 50 displays the generated search result screen (A46).

[0064] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a search result screen. The search result screen C4 shown in FIG. 10 displays a search term input field D41, a search result display field D32, a provision format setting display field D42, page-related information D43, a link button B41 to an EC site, a page specification field B42, and a cart button B43. The input field D41 displays the search term used in the search. The display field D32 includes a display field D324 in addition to the display fields D321, D322, and D323 shown in FIG. 9. The display field D324 displays an overview of the publication indicated by the summary information (such as the publication date and author) and a page image of the cover.

[0065] The link button B41 is a link to open the page selling the selected publication on the EC (Electronic Commerce) site that sells the publication. The display field D42 indicates whether the selected publication can be provided by "electronic transmission," among the settings for the form of provision. In the example of FIG. 10, it is indicated that "electronic transmission" is possible. Therefore, the selected publication can be provided by transmitting a page image of the page specified by user U1.

[0066] The page-related information D43 indicates the total number of pages of the publication ("pages 1 to 599" in the example of FIG. 10) and the remaining number of pages for which electronic transmission can be requested ("xxx pages" in the example of FIG. 10) as reference information for specifying the pages desired to be provided by electronic transmission. Electronic transmission in the publication service system 1 is carried out within the range permitted for public transmission to libraries, etc., as described above (for example, less than half of the total number of pages), and the server device 20 displays the difference between the number of pages that fit within that range and the specified number of pages as the remaining number of pages.

[0067] The specification field B42 is an input field for user U1 to specify the page images that he or she wishes to obtain by electronic transmission, and the start page number and end page number of the specified page are entered here. User U1, for example, refers to the page numbers of the divisible portion displayed in the display field D322 when making entries in the specification field B42. In the example of FIG. 10, by entering "xx1" displayed in the display field D322 as the start page number and "xx2" as the end page number, the page of "Chapter 1" can be specified. Furthermore, by entering "xx3" as the start page number and "xx4" as the end page number, the page of "Section 1" of "Chapter 1" can be specified.

[0068] When the cart button B43 is operated with a page number entered in the specification field B42, the user terminal 50 accepts this operation as a page number input operation and transmits the input page number and publication ID as specification data to the server device 20 (activity A51). Upon receiving the transmitted specification data, the server device 20 checks the page number of the specified page from the page number indicated in the received specification data (activity A52). If there are page images of the same publication that have already been transmitted, the server device 20 checks the cumulative number of pages including these, and if the number exceeds the number of pages that can be requested for electronic transmission as described above, it displays an excess page number image indicating this on the user terminal 50.

[0069] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an excessive page count image. In the example of FIG. 11, an excessive page count image D44 is displayed superimposed on the search result screen C4. The excessive page count image D44 displays a character string saying, "Failed to add to cart. The number of pages exceeds the number that can be specified. Please reduce the number of pages.", urging the user to reduce the number of pages and specify them. After viewing the excessive page count image D44, user U1 presses the close button to return to the search result screen C4 and specify the page number again.

[0070] If the total number of pages is equal to or less than the number of pages that can be requested for electronic transmission in A52, the server device 20 executes a point calculation process based on the received specified data (activity A53). The point calculation process is a process for calculating points equivalent to the compensation required for electronic transmission of the publication.

[0071] The compensation referred to here is the compensation for public transmission to libraries, etc., as mentioned above, and the calculation method is stipulated in the Guidelines for Compensation for Public Transmission to Libraries, etc. (officially called the "Compensation Regulations for Public Transmission to Libraries, etc."). Specifically, the compensation is calculated according to the type of publication and the number of pages. The server device 20 identifies the type of publication from the publication ID indicated by the specified data, calculates the compensation according to the identified type and the number of pages indicated by the specified data, and calculates the points equivalent to the compensation.

[0072] The points referred to here are points that can be used in the publication service system 1 and are virtual currency purchased by the user U1. The value of one point is, for example, 1 yen, but is not particularly limited, and there are also no particular limitations on how points can be obtained or used. Points may be purchased, for example, within the site of a search service provided by the server device 20, or may be shared with points that can be used in other services.

[0073] The server device 20 generates a payment confirmation image to confirm the approval of the payment of the calculated points, and transmits image data showing the generated payment confirmation image to the user terminal 50 (activity A54). The user terminal 50 displays the payment confirmation image shown in the transmitted image data (activity A55).

[0074] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a payment confirmation image. In the example of Fig. 12, a payment confirmation image C5 is displayed superimposed on the search result screen C4 shown in Fig. 10. The payment confirmation image C5 includes publication information D51, a specified page image D52, point information D53, and a register button B51. The publication information D51 is information (such as the title) about the publication to be electronically transmitted. The specified page image D52 indicates the page (start page number and end page number) specified by user U1.

[0075] The point information D53 indicates the total number of specified pages and the points equivalent to the compensation for the specified pages. When the user U1 sees the displayed points and decides that he or she is willing to spend that many points, he or she operates the register button B51. The user terminal 50 accepts the operation of the register button B51 as an operation of consenting to the use of points, and notifies the server device 20 of this (activity A56).

[0076] When the server device 20 is notified that the point use has been approved, it generates a destination designation screen for designating a destination for electronic transmission and transmits the screen data to the user terminal 50 (activity A61). The user terminal 50 displays the destination designation screen indicated by the transmitted screen data (activity A62).

[0077] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a destination designation screen. The destination designation screen C6 shown in Fig. 13 displays a destination input field D61, a display field D62 for information regarding electronic transmission, a display field D63 for notes, and a confirm button B61. In the input field D61, the destination desired by the user U1 as the destination to which the page image is to be sent is input. In the publication service system 1, an email address is used as the destination of the page image.

[0078] Display field D62 displays information about the publication, pages, and points specified by user U1. Display field D63 displays notes to be noted when requesting electronic transmission. User U1 checks these and, if there are no problems, operates the confirm button B61. The user terminal 50 accepts these operations as confirmation operations for the electronic transmission, and transmits transmission request data to the server device 20 requesting transmission of the page image to the entered destination (activity A63).

[0079] When the server device 20 receives the transmitted transmission request data, it transmits instruction data to the library server 10 instructing it to transmit a page image showing a page of the specified publication to the destination indicated in the transmission request data (activity A64).When the library server 10 receives the transmitted instruction data, it reads the page image indicated by the instruction data from the page image database DB1 (activity A71).

[0080] Next, the library server 10 executes mail processing to generate an email to receive the read page image (activity A72). The library server 10, for example, generates a folder accessible to user U1 and stores the read page image in the created folder. The library server 10 then generates a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for the folder and generates an email containing the generated URL in the body of the email.

[0081] The library server 10 then sends the generated email to the address indicated by the instruction data. The user terminal 50 has an email display function (which may be a dedicated app or a browser) for displaying emails sent to the address specified by the user. The user terminal 50 uses the email display function to display the email sent from the library server 10 (activity A73).

[0082] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a displayed e-mail. The e-mail screen C7 shown in FIG. 14 displays a subject D71 "Sending page image from library [via search service]" and a body D72 including a download link. When user U1 operates the download link to download the page image, the user terminal 50 displays the downloaded page image (activity A74). Note that the server device 20 may attach the page image directly to the e-mail. Alternatively, the server device 20 may convert the page image into a PDF (Portable Document Format) file or the like before transmitting it.

[0083] As described above, the server device 20 functions as an example of a designation display unit that displays a page designation screen and a destination designation screen on a user terminal. The page designation screen is a screen for designating a page of a publication, and examples thereof include the search result screen C3 shown in FIG. 9 and the search result screen C4 shown in FIG. 10. The search result screen C3 allows a publication to be designated, and the search result screen C4 allows a page of that publication to be designated. The destination designation screen is a screen for designating a destination, and an example thereof is the destination designation screen C6 shown in FIG. 13. Both screens are displayed on the user terminal 50, which is an example of a user terminal.

[0084] The server device 20 also functions as an example of an instruction unit that instructs the first storage device to transmit a page image to a destination specified on the destination specification screen. The page image here refers to an image showing a page of a publication specified on the page specification screen. The first storage device is a device that has the function of storing and transmitting a page image group including multiple page images generated by reading pages of a publication, and the library server 10 is an example of such a device. The library server 10 stores the page image group in a page image database DB1.

[0085] With the server device 20 functioning as described above, the user U1 can acquire electronic data of a publication page by page, which improves the convenience of providing publications compared to services that allow acquisition of publications by the entire volume, for example. Also, compared to services that digitize and distribute all the text in a publication, the publication service system 1 transmits page images read from the publication as is, which reduces the effort required to prepare the publication for transmission.

[0086] Although an email address is specified as the destination on the destination specification screen described above, the destination may be, for example, the user U1's SNS account, a facsimile number, or the IP address of the user terminal 50. In any case, the page image, which is electronic data, is sent and delivered to the user U1, so the page image can be received more quickly than if it were sent by mail, etc.

[0087] The server device 20 also functions as an example of a search display unit that displays an input field for search conditions on a user terminal. For example, the server device 20 displays an input field D31 for search conditions on a search result screen C3 shown in FIG. 9 on a user terminal 50, which is an example of a user terminal. These search conditions are conditions for searching for a desired page from a publication. The server device 20 (an example of a specification display unit) then displays search results based on the input search conditions on a page specification screen. These search results include the page numbers of the searched pages.

[0088] For example, on a search result screen C4, which is an example of a page specification screen, the server device 20 displays the page numbers (start page number and end page number) of the divisible portion containing the searched term in a display field D322 together with a page specification field B42. According to this embodiment, the user U1 can input the page numbers into the specification field B42 while looking at the displayed page numbers, which makes it easier to specify the page that the user wants to view compared to when the search results are not displayed on the page specification screen.

[0089] The publication service system 1 (an example of an information processing system) further includes a second storage device. The second storage device is a device having a function of storing a group of page images, and an example of the second storage device is the server device 20. The server device 20 stores the group of page images in a page image database DB2.

[0090] The server device 20 functions as an example of a synchronization unit that synchronizes the page images stored in the first storage device with the page images stored in the second storage device. For example, at A16 and A39 shown in Fig. 4, the server device 20 performs synchronization processing in conjunction with the library server 10 to synchronize the page images stored in the page image database DB1 with the page images stored in the page image database DB2.

[0091] Then, the server device 20 (an example of a designation display unit) displays the search results, which are searched from the group of page images stored in the second storage device (its own device) based on the search conditions, on a page designation screen. The server device 20 searches for the search term from the character information of the group of page images stored in its own device at A43 shown in Fig. 8. According to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the search load on the first storage device (library server 10).

[0092] Furthermore, the synchronization process described above allows the search results from the second storage device to be matched with the results of a search on the first storage device. Therefore, when a page searched by the second storage device is designated as a target page for electronic transmission, the page image of the designated page is always stored in the first storage device as well, so the first storage device can read and transmit the page image of the designated page from the page image group stored in its own device.

[0093] Furthermore, the second storage device (server device 20) stores character string information recognized from a group of page images stored in the device itself. The server device 20 stores, for example, the character string information shown in FIG. 7. When a character string is input as a search condition, the server device 20 displays a character string image including the input character string on a page specification screen as a search result. The character string image referred to here is an image in which character images of pages including the input character string are cut out from page images and arranged.

[0094] For example, the server device 20 displays a string of characters by arranging multiple character images M31 in display fields D323 and D333 shown in FIG. 9. Characters read from a page image using technology such as OCR may be incorrect. In contrast, character images extracted from a page image accurately represent the original characters, and therefore, a string of characters formed by arranging character images also accurately represents the original string. This embodiment allows accurate strings to be displayed as search results.

[0095] Although the character images are images of individual characters, they may be images representing two or more characters. Furthermore, the server device 20 may extract and display a portion of the page image that corresponds to the search result as a single image, and in this case, accurate search results can still be displayed. However, by extracting the character images in units of one or several characters, the character arrangement can be made different from that of the original text. For example, it is possible to change the line breaks to match the size of the search result screen, or to change vertically written character strings to be displayed horizontally.

[0096] Publications provided by the publication service system 1 include library books. In this case, the server device 20 functions as an example of a fee display unit that displays the transmission fee, including compensation, on the user terminal. The compensation referred to here is the compensation required for public transmission to a library or the like, as described above, and is an amount corresponding to the number of pages of the publication specified on the page specification screen and the type of the publication.

[0097] Then, when payment of the displayed transmission fee is approved, the server device 20 (an example of an instruction unit) issues an instruction to transmit the page image. The server device 20 calculates points equivalent to the compensation at A53 shown in FIG. 8. In the example of FIG. 8, the calculated points also correspond to the transmission fee. In other words, the transmission fee does not include anything other than the compensation, and by paying the points equivalent to the compensation, the page image can be provided by electronic transmission. According to this embodiment, payment including the compensation can be made, and the above-mentioned guidelines for public transmission compensation for libraries, etc. can be complied with.

[0098] Furthermore, the server device 20 (an example of an instruction unit) instructs transmission of page images when the number of pages of the publication specified on the page specification screen is equal to or less than a threshold. In A52 shown in Fig. 8, the server device 20 sets the number of pages for which electronic transmission can be requested as a threshold, and when the cumulative number of specified pages for the same publication is equal to or less than the threshold, performs processing from A53 onwards and executes the transmission instruction processing of A64. According to this embodiment, by setting the threshold in accordance with the above guidelines, it is possible to avoid unduly harming the interests of copyright holders.

[0099] <Variation: Sending printed materials / loaning by mail> The server device 20 may also perform processing related to the provision of publications in a form other than electronic transmission, such as the aforementioned delivery of printed matter and mail lending. In this case, the library server 10 (an example of a first storage device) further has a function of printing the page image group. The library server 10 may, for example, print the page image group from a printer directly connected to the library server 10, or may print the page image group from a printer connected via the communication line 2.

[0100] Next, the server device 20 (an example of a fee display unit) displays on the user terminal the shipping fee for the printed matter according to the number of pages of the publication specified on the page specification screen. The server device 20 calculates the weight of the printed matter from the number of pages of the publication indicated by the publication information read in A44 shown in FIG. 8, for example, and calculates the shipping fee for the printed matter based on the calculated weight and, for example, postal rates (a flat rate nationwide). Here, the shipping fee is calculated assuming that the size of the printed matter is a uniform size (for example, A4 size or B4 size). The server device 20 may also calculate the shipping fee according to the size of the publication indicated by the publication information.

[0101] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing another example of a search result screen. In the search result screen C4 shown in Fig. 15, in addition to the page specification field B42 and cart button B43 shown in Fig. 10, a print delivery request button B44 and a mail loan request button B45 are displayed. When the request button B44 is operated, the server device 20 calculates points equivalent to a delivery fee according to the number of pages specified in the specification field B42, and displays a payment confirmation image for confirming approval of payment of the calculated points.

[0102] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a payment confirmation image. The payment confirmation image C8 shown in FIG. 16 displays a display field D81 for information about the publication to be sent, and a cashier button B81. In addition to information such as the title of the publication, the display field D81 also displays "zzz points" equivalent to the calculated shipping fee. When user U1 sees the displayed points and decides that they are willing to spend that many points, they press the cashier button B81. When this operation is performed, the server device 20 causes a shipping destination designation screen to be displayed on the user terminal 50.

[0103] Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a destination specification screen. The destination specification screen C9 shown in Fig. 17 displays an input field D91 for the destination, a display field D92 for information about the publication to be provided, a display field D93 for notes, and a confirm button B91. The input field D91 is used to input the destination (address, etc.) desired by user U1 to receive the printed material. The display field D92 displays information such as the title of the publication, the specified start page number and end page number, the total number of pages, and points equivalent to the shipping fee.

[0104] The display field D93 displays important points to note when requesting delivery of printed matter. User U1 checks these and, if there are no problems, operates the Confirm button B91. The user terminal 50 accepts these operations as an operation to agree to pay the displayed delivery fee. When payment of the displayed delivery fee is agreed to, the server device 20 functions as an example of a delivery processing unit that executes delivery processing to send printed matter of the publication page specified on the page specification screen.

[0105] The sending process includes, for example, a process of instructing the library server 10 to print the page image to be sent and a process of notifying the library administrator K1 that the page image has been printed. The sending process may also include a process of instructing the printing of an address sheet for sending the printed matter to a specified address. According to this embodiment, printed matter can be provided page by page more easily than when the sending process is not performed.

[0106] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 15, search results from the search service can be used for both the electronic transmission of page images and the delivery of printed materials. According to the guidelines for public transmission compensation for libraries, etc., compensation is required for electronic transmission but not for the delivery of printed materials. Therefore, user U1 can choose between electronic transmission and paying the compensation if urgent, or delivery of printed materials and avoid paying the compensation if he can wait.

[0107] Next, a case where a book is loaned by mail will be described. First, the server device 20 (an example of a fee display unit) displays on the user terminal a loan fee according to the size and weight of the original of the publication specified on the page specification screen. For example, when the mail loan request button B45 is operated on the search result screen C4 shown in FIG. 15, the server device 20 calculates points equivalent to the loan fee according to the weight of the original of the publication specified in the specification field B42.

[0108] Specifically, the server device 20 calculates the postage fee for the original based on, for example, postal regulations (nationwide flat rate) assuming that the size of the packaging material used for mailing is uniform, similar to the shipping fee for printed materials. The server device 20 calculates the rental fee as points equivalent to the calculated postage fee or the fee plus a handling fee. Note that the server device 20 may also calculate the rental fee according to the size of the original of the publication indicated by the publication information. The server device 20 displays a payment confirmation image (for example, payment confirmation image C8 shown in FIG. 16) to confirm the approval of payment of the calculated points.

[0109] Then, when user U1 operates the register button B81, the server device 20 displays a delivery destination designation screen (for example, delivery destination designation screen C9 shown in FIG. 17) on the user terminal 50. In the case of mail lending, the destination (address, etc.) desired by user U1 as the destination to which the original copy of the publication is to be delivered is entered in the input field D91 shown in FIG. 17. The user terminal 50 accepts operation of the confirm button B91, etc. as an operation to agree to payment of the displayed lending fee.

[0110] The server device 20 functions as an example of a loan processing unit that executes a loan process to loan the publication specified on the specified screen when payment of the displayed loan fee is approved. The loan process includes, for example, a process of instructing printing of an address sheet for sending the original to the specified address and a process of notifying the library administrator K1 that a mail loan request has been made. This embodiment makes it easier to loan the original of the publication than if the loan process were not performed. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 15, search results from the search service can be used for both electronically sending page images and sending the original.

[0111] In addition, when sending printed matter or lending by mail, the fee may vary depending on the distance to the destination, for example, when using a courier service. In this case, the server device 20 first displays the destination input field D91 shown in Fig. 17 and calculates the fees (sending fee and lending fee) based on the input destination.

[0112] <Variation: Automatic input> The input of page numbers may be automated. For example, the server device 20 (an example of a designation display unit) displays a screen (for example, the search result screen C4 shown in FIG. 10) including an input field for the page number of a publication as a page designation screen. Then, when one of the displayed search results is selected, the server device 20 displays the page number included in the selected search result as the page number entered in the input field.

[0113] Fig. 18 is a diagram showing another example of a search result screen. In addition to the buttons shown in Fig. 10, the search result screen C4 shown in Fig. 18 displays input buttons B46 and B47 for inputting page numbers indicating divisible portions. Input button B46 is associated with the page of "Chapter 1," and input button B47 is associated with the page of "Section 1" of "Chapter 1."

[0114] For example, when input button B46 is operated, server device 20 displays the start page number ("xx1") and end page number ("xx2") of the "Chapter 1" page associated with that button in page specification field B42. When input button B47 is operated, server device 20 displays the start page number ("xx3") and end page number ("xx4") of the "Section 1" page associated with that button in page specification field B42. This embodiment reduces the effort required to input numeric values ​​compared to inputting numeric values ​​into each input field.

[0115] Furthermore, input of addresses for sending printed materials and lending by mail may be automated. For example, the server device 20 functions as an example of an authentication unit that authenticates a user based on authentication information input from a user terminal. This authentication information can include an email address as user identification information. If the user's email address is used as the authentication information, the server device 20 (an example of a designation display unit) displays a destination designation screen with that email address as the destination.

[0116] The server device 20 stores, for example, the user's email address as authentication information. When the cashier button B51 on the payment confirmation image C5 shown in Fig. 12 is operated, the stored email address is read out, and when the destination designation screen C6 shown in Fig. 13 is displayed, the read email address is pre-entered in the input field D61. This configuration reduces the effort required to designate a destination compared to when the user U1 is required to enter an email address.

[0117] <Example of variation: Variation of composition> The configuration (overall configuration, hardware configuration, functional configuration, etc.) shown in Figure 1 etc. is an example, and other configurations are possible as long as they are not inconvenient for implementation. In particular, the above configuration complies with the guidelines for public transmission compensation for libraries, etc., but if these guidelines are revised in the future, the configuration may also be changed to comply with the revised guidelines. Furthermore, the configuration may also be changed when providing publications in a form that does not fall under public transmission for libraries, etc. (for example, providing with the necessary consent of relevant rights holders such as copyright holders).

[0118] For example, the overall configuration of the publication service system 1 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 1. For example, either administrator K1 or K2 may serve as the administrator of the library server 10 and the server device 20. In this case, the administrator may be an employee of both the library and the search service provider. Note that the administrator is not limited to a regular employee, but may also be an outsourced employee.

[0119] Furthermore, in the example of Fig. 1, the library and the search service provider are separate entities, but a single entity may manage and operate the publication service system 1. In that case, the library server 10 and the server device 20 may be set up separately, or may be integrated into a single server device. In either case, user U1 can obtain electronic data of publications page by page, which improves the convenience of providing publications, as in the example of Fig. 1 etc.

[0120] Furthermore, the search process performed by the server device 20 is not limited to a search using a word as a search condition, but may be a search process using an image as a search condition or a search condition that narrows down the search target, etc. Furthermore, the library server 10 may have a function of using the information stored in the page image database DB1 to display, for example, a screen for managing the lending and return status for library staff.

[0121] Furthermore, the library server 10 and the server device 20 may each be distributed across two or more devices, or may be provided in the form of SaaS (Software as a Service) or a cloud computing system, etc. In short, as long as the necessary information processing is performed in the entire publication service system 1, the devices that execute this information processing may have any configuration.

[0122] The output destination of information or data (hereinafter referred to as "information, etc.") may be another device, a display, a memory unit (including an internal memory unit and an external memory unit), an email address, an account of another system, etc. Acquisition of information, etc. includes not only acquisition of information, etc. transmitted from another device, but also acquisition of information, etc. generated by one's own device.

[0123] The above-described embodiments are based on information processing devices such as the library server 10, the server device 20, the library terminal 30, the business terminal 40, and the user terminal 50, and information processing systems such as the publication service system 1 that include these devices and terminals. However, the embodiments may also be based on information processing methods. The information processing methods include the same steps as those executed by the information processing systems. The embodiments may also be based on programs. The programs cause a computer to execute the same steps as those executed by the information processing systems.

[0124] <Additional Notes> Furthermore, it may be provided in the following aspects.

[0125] (1) An information processing system having at least one processor, wherein the processor, in a designation display step, displays on a user terminal a page designation screen for designating a page of a publication and a destination designation screen for designating a destination, and, in an instruction step, instructs a first storage device having the function of storing and transmitting a group of page images including multiple page images generated by reading pages of a publication to transmit the page image indicating the page of the publication designated on the page designation screen to the destination designated on the destination designation screen.

[0126] According to this embodiment, it is possible to improve convenience when providing publications.

[0127] (2) In the information processing system described in (1) above, in the search display step, the processor displays an input field for search conditions on the user terminal, the search conditions being conditions for searching for a desired page from the publication, and in the specification display step, displays search results based on the entered search conditions on the page specification screen, and the search results include the page number of the searched page.

[0128] According to this aspect, it is possible to easily specify the page that the user wants to view.

[0129] (3) In the information processing system described in (2) above, in the designation display step, the processor displays a screen including an input field for the page number of the publication as the page designation screen, and when one of the displayed search results is selected, the page number included in the selected search result is displayed as the page number entered in the input field.

[0130] According to this aspect, the effort required for inputting numerical values ​​can be reduced.

[0131] (4) In the information processing system described in (2) or (3) above, the information processing system further includes a second storage device having the function of storing the group of page images, and in the synchronization step, the processor synchronizes the group of page images stored in the first storage device with the group of page images stored in the second storage device, and in the designation display step, displays search results searched from the group of page images stored in the second storage device based on the search conditions on the page designation screen.

[0132] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the first storage device from being burdened with searches.

[0133] (5) In the information processing system described in (4) above, the second storage device stores character string information recognized from the group of page images stored in the device itself, and in the identification step, when a character string is input as the search condition, the processor displays a character string image including the input character string on the page designation screen as the search result, and the character string image is an image in which characters of pages including the input character string are cut out from the page image and arranged.

[0134] According to this aspect, it is possible to display accurate character strings as search results.

[0135] (6) In the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (5) above, the publications include library books, and the processor, in the fee display step, causes the user terminal to display the number of pages of the publication specified on the page specification screen and a transmission fee including compensation according to the type of publication, and in the instruction step, gives an instruction to send the information processing system if payment of the displayed transmission fee is approved.

[0136] According to this embodiment, it is possible to make a payment including compensation.

[0137] (7) In the information processing system described in (6) above, the first storage device further has a function of printing the group of page images, and the processor, in the fee display step, displays on the user terminal a shipping fee for the printed matter corresponding to the number of pages of the publication specified on the page specification screen, and in the shipping processing step, if payment of the displayed shipping fee is approved, executes shipping processing to send the printed matter of the pages of the publication specified on the page specification screen.

[0138] According to this aspect, printed matter can be easily provided in units of pages.

[0139] (8) In the information processing system described in (6) or (7) above, the processor, in the fee display step, displays on the user terminal a rental fee corresponding to the weight of the original of the publication specified on the page specification screen, and in the rental processing step, executes rental processing to rent the publication specified on the page specification screen if payment of the displayed rental fee is agreed to.

[0140] According to this embodiment, the original copy of the publication can be easily lent out.

[0141] (9) In the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (8) above, in the instruction step, the processor instructs the transmission of the page image if the amount of pages of the publication specified on the page specification screen is less than or equal to a threshold value.

[0142] According to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent unjust harm to the interests of copyright holders.

[0143] (10) In the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (9) above, in the authentication step, the processor authenticates the user based on authentication information input from the user terminal, and the authentication information can use an email address as user identification information, and in the designation display step, if the user's email address is used as the authentication information, the information processing system displays the destination designation screen with the email address as the destination.

[0144] According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce the effort required to specify a destination.

[0145] (11) An information processing method, in which a processor included in an information processing system executes each step of the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (10) above.

[0146] According to this embodiment, it is possible to improve the convenience of distributing publications.

[0147] (12) A program that causes a computer to execute each step of the information processing system according to any one of (1) to (10) above.

[0148] According to this embodiment, it is possible to improve the convenience of distributing publications. Of course, this is not the case. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined in any desired manner.

[0149] Finally, while various embodiments of the present invention have been described, these are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiments may be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The embodiments and their modifications are intended to be included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 1: Publication service system 2: Communication line 3: Scanning device 10: Library server 11: Control section 20: Server device 21: Control unit 30: Library terminal 31: Control unit 40: Operator terminal 41: Control unit 50: User terminal 51: Control unit

Claims

1. An information processing system including at least one processor, the processor: In the designation display step, a page designation screen for designating a page of the publication and a destination designation screen for designating a destination are displayed on the user terminal; In the instruction step, a first storage device having a function of storing and transmitting a page image group including a plurality of page images generated by reading pages of a publication is instructed to transmit the page images indicating the pages of the publication specified on the page specification screen to a destination specified on the destination specification screen. Information processing system.

2. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, the processor: In the search display step, an input field for search conditions is displayed on the user terminal; the search conditions are conditions for searching for a desired page from the publication, In the specifying and displaying step, a search result based on the input search criteria is displayed on the page specifying screen, The search results include the page numbers of the searched pages. Information processing system.

3. 3. The information processing system according to claim 2, the processor: In the designation display step, a screen including an input field for the page number of the publication is displayed as the page designation screen, and when one of the search results displayed is selected, the page number included in the selected search result is displayed as the page number entered in the input field. Information processing system.

4. 3. The information processing system according to claim 2, a second storage device having a function of storing the group of page images; the processor: In the synchronization step, the group of page images stored in the first storage device is synchronized with the group of page images stored in the second storage device; In the designation and display step, a search result obtained by searching the group of page images stored in the second storage device based on the search conditions is displayed on the page designation screen. Information processing system.

5. 5. The information processing system according to claim 4, the second storage device stores character string information recognized from the group of page images stored in the second storage device; the processor: In the specifying step, when a character string is input as the search condition, a character string image including the input character string is displayed on the page specification screen as the search result; The character string image is an image in which character images of a page including the input character string are arranged, the character images being cut out from the page image. Information processing system.

6. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, said publications include library collections; the processor: In the fee display step, a transmission fee including a compensation fee according to the number of pages of the publication specified on the page specification screen and the type of the publication is displayed on the user terminal; In the instruction step, the instruction for transmission is given if the payment of the displayed transmission fee is approved. Information processing system.

7. 7. The information processing system according to claim 6, the first storage device further has a function of printing the group of page images; the processor: In the fee display step, a delivery fee for the printed matter corresponding to the number of pages of the publication specified on the page specification screen is displayed on the user terminal; In the delivery processing step, if payment of the displayed delivery fee is approved, delivery processing is executed to deliver a printed copy of the page of the publication specified on the page specification screen. Information processing system.

8. 7. The information processing system according to claim 6, the processor: In the fee display step, a rental fee corresponding to the weight of the original of the publication specified on the page specification screen is displayed on the user terminal; In the lending processing step, if the payment of the displayed lending fee is approved, a lending process is executed to lend the publication designated on the page designation screen. Information processing system.

9. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, the processor: In the instruction step, when the number of pages of the publication specified on the page specification screen is equal to or less than a threshold, an instruction to transmit the page images is given. Information processing system.

10. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, the processor: In the authentication step, the user is authenticated based on authentication information input from the user terminal; The authentication information may include an email address as user identification information, In the designation display step, if an email address of the user is used as the authentication information, the destination designation screen is displayed with the email address as the destination. Information processing system.

11. An information processing method, comprising: The processor of the information processing system Executing each step of the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 10. Information processing methods.

12. A program, A computer is caused to execute each step of the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 10. program.

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