Content providing system, program and method

Abstract

To smoothly display electronic book data including multimedia cuts on a user terminal.SOLUTION: In a content providing system of the present invention, an electronic book includes a plurality of still picture cuts and at least one or more multimedia cuts, and a predetermined still picture cut is set with pre-reading information on a media file played back in the multimedia cuts. A viewer determines the presence or absence of the pre-reading information in reading processing of the still picture cuts, when determining the presence of the pre-reading information, transmits a media file distribution request, executes reading processing of the media file at a timing before the multimedia cuts are displayed in a display area, and performs playback processing of the media file read in advance in display processing of the multimedia cuts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a content browsing technique for displaying streaming electronic book data on a user terminal such as a smartphone. [Background technology]

[0002] E-books, which are digitalized versions of books, comics, and pocket books, can be viewed on general-purpose devices such as smartphones and tablet devices, or on dedicated e-book readers. E-books can be viewed using a pre-set viewer or by downloading / installing a viewer.

[0003] E-book distribution formats can be broadly divided into download and streaming formats. Both distribution formats have their advantages and disadvantages, but the communication functions (communication environment) of mobile devices such as smartphones (multi-function mobile phones) and tablet terminals are improving day by day, and because e-book data is not left on the terminal and copyright management is easy, streaming distribution of e-books is becoming more common. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6469875 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, e-book works, i.e., content, have become more diverse, for example, there are Webtoons that are read by scrolling vertically. Many Webtoons are designed to be viewed on smartphones or tablet devices, and manga works are generally color pages, and some even include music and animation.

[0006] It is expected that in the future, e-books containing multimedia cuts consisting of media files such as music files, audio files, background music files, video files, animated GIFs, animated PNG (APNG) files, etc. will become more common. This is because multimedia cuts allow for a variety of content presentation methods to be created.

[0007] However, the diversification of multimedia cuts is expected to lead to an increase in media files (increase in data capacity), and there is concern that the increase in data capacity will lead to a decrease in service quality.

[0008] Specifically, the viewer operates by sequentially playing media files sent via streaming in real time, but due to the large amount of data, it takes a long time to read them, and the playback of the media files cannot keep up, resulting in issues such as delays in the playback (display) process of multimedia cuts, or the files not being displayed at the appropriate time and getting stuck in the middle.

[0009] In particular, when the content cut before the multimedia cut is a still image cut with a small data capacity, the display process is smooth in response to screen scrolling until the multimedia cut is displayed, but when the multimedia cut is reached, the display operation suddenly slows down due to the large data capacity. This causes the user to feel a strong operational delay, resulting in a problem of lower user satisfaction.

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a content providing system, program, and method that can smoothly display electronic book data including multimedia cuts on a user terminal in a content providing service that provides electronic book data by streaming distribution. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] (1) A content providing system of the present invention includes a content distribution device that streams electronic books and a user terminal provided with a viewer for viewing the electronic books, wherein the electronic books include a plurality of still image cuts and at least one or more multimedia cuts, and pre-read information of media files to be played in the multimedia cuts is set in predetermined still image cuts.

[0012] The viewer reads the electronic book delivered by streaming and displays it in a predetermined display area, and determines whether or not pre-read information is present in the still image cut reading process. If it is determined that pre-read information is present, the viewer transmits a media file delivery request to the content delivery device and delivers the content. delivery The device receives a media file delivery request and transmits the corresponding media file to the user terminal. Then, the viewer executes a media file read process before the multimedia cut is displayed in the display area, and can play the media file that was read in advance during the display process of the multimedia cut.

[0013] (2) In (1) above, the media files played in the multimedia cut can be configured to include any one of a music file, an audio file, a background music file, an animated GIF, and an animated PNG (APNG), or two or more of these.

[0014] (3) In (1) or (2) above, the electronic book is a content in which still image cuts and multimedia cuts are arranged in order in the reading direction in response to scrolling for a viewer, and the pre-loading information can be configured to be set to a still image cut that is a predetermined number of cuts before the multimedia cut in the reading direction.

[0015] (4) In the above (1) to (3), the viewer transmits a media file delivery request to the content server when the still image cut for which pre-loading information is set is displayed in a display area at a predetermined rate or more, or when the still image cut for which pre-loading information is set is scrolled to a predetermined display position in the display area. delivery The device may be configured to transmit the

[0016] (5) In the above items (1) to (4), the electronic book may be a vertically long content in which still image cuts and multimedia cuts are arranged in order in the reading direction in response to vertical scrolling of the viewer.

[0017] (6) The above contents in (1) to (5) delivery The apparatus may be configured to further include a content registration unit that performs a process of setting pre-load information for the electronic book.

[0018] (7) The program of the present invention is executed on a user terminal for viewing an electronic book streamed from a content distribution device, and causes the user terminal to realize the following functions. In this case, the electronic book includes a plurality of still image cuts and at least one or more multimedia cuts, and pre-loading information for a media file to be played in the multimedia cut is set in a predetermined still image cut. The program has a first function of reading the electronic book streamed and displaying it in a predetermined display area, a second function of determining whether pre-loading information is present in the reading process of the still image cut displayed in the display area, and if it is determined that pre-loading information is present, transmitting a delivery request for the media file to the content distribution device, and a third function of transmitting the content. delivery Media based on the distribution request, distributed from the device a The display device includes a third function for receiving a file and reading the media file before the multimedia cut is displayed in the display area, and a fourth function for playing the media file that has been read in advance during the display process of the multimedia cut.

[0019] (8) The present invention is a method for viewing an electronic book that is streamed from a content distribution device on a user terminal, and includes the following steps. A content distribution device holds an electronic book including a plurality of still image cuts and at least one or more multimedia cuts, and pre-read information of a media file to be played in the multimedia cut is set in a predetermined still image cut; A step in which the user terminal reads the electronic book delivered by streaming and displays it in a predetermined display area; a step of the user terminal determining whether or not pre-read information is present in a reading process of a still image cut to be displayed in a display area, and transmitting a media file distribution request to the content distribution device when it is determined that the pre-read information is present; A content delivery device receives a request for delivery of a media file and delivers the corresponding media file. a Delivering the file to a user terminal; A step of reading a media file by the user terminal before the multimedia cut is displayed in the display area; and A step in which the user terminal performs a playback process of the media file that was previously loaded in the display process of the multimedia cut. Effect of the Invention

[0020] The present invention can execute a media file loading process before a multimedia cut is displayed in the display area of ​​a viewer, and can then execute a playback process of the pre-loaded media file during the subsequent display process of the multimedia cut.

[0021] This allows electronic book data including multimedia cuts to be displayed smoothly on a user terminal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration and functional blocks of a content providing system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of electronic book data according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram for explaining streaming distribution control of electronic book data including multimedia cuts and display control at a user terminal in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a content providing method according to the first embodiment. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THEINVENTION

[0023] (First embodiment) 1 to 4 are diagrams for explaining a content providing system according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a network configuration and functional blocks.

[0024] The content providing system of this embodiment provides an electronic book service for viewing electronic books on a user terminal 100. As described above, an electronic book is a piece of paperback book, manga, pocket book, etc., converted into electronic data, and is content that can be read page by page or cut by cut.

[0025] In the following explanation, Webtoon works are used as an example of e-books, but the present invention can be applied to the browsing of various contents provided as e-books, not limited to Webtoon. In addition to comics, the present invention can also include e-books that apply multimedia cuts to illustrations and titles of novels, synopsis descriptions of works, etc., and can be applied to all e-books that include multimedia cuts in streaming distribution.

[0026] The user terminal 100 is, for example, a portable mobile terminal such as a multi-function mobile phone like a smartphone or a tablet terminal, and is equipped with a wireless communication function. The communication unit 110 controls communication in a mobile communication network such as an IP network or a 4G / 5G / LTE line (mobile data communication via a mobile phone line). For example, the terminal is equipped with a Wi-Fi (wireless LAN) function or a mobile data communication function using a SIM card. Note that the terminal may or may not be equipped with a calling function. In addition, the user terminal 100 is equipped with a speaker 130 as an audio output device, a touch panel display input unit 140, and a memory unit 150.

[0027] The control unit 120 of the user terminal 100 includes a display control unit 121. The display control unit 121 is an electronic book viewing application including a viewer 121a for viewing electronic books. The viewer 121a reads electronic book data distributed by streaming from the content distribution device 300 and performs display and playback processing. The display and playback control of the viewer 121a will be described in detail later.

[0028] Note that viewer 121a may be provided as an electronic book viewing application including viewer 121a, or may be provided as a plug-in application for expanding the functionality of a browser. In this case, the browser is display control unit 121, and when an operation for viewing an electronic book is performed in the display control of the browser, viewer 121a, which is a plug-in application, is executed to display and play the electronic book.

[0029] The display control unit 121 including the viewer 121a may be pre-installed in the user terminal 100, or may be downloaded and installed from a predetermined application distribution server at any timing when the user reads an electronic book. In addition, when it operates as a plug-in, the viewer 121a may be downloaded or installed at the timing of the display control of the browser.

[0030] Content distribution device 300 distributes the corresponding electronic book data in a streaming manner in response to a distribution request from user terminal 100. Communication device 310 controls communication for streaming distribution via an IP network or a mobile communication network. Control device 320 includes a content registration unit 321 and a content distribution unit 322. Storage device 330 stores various information including the electronic book data.

[0031] Content registration unit 321 accepts registration of electronic book data to be distributed, and stores it in storage device 330. Content registration unit 321 also generates and provides a screen on which each registered electronic book can be viewed (selected) on user terminal 100. In other words, registered electronic books are made selectable by the user, and made available for streaming distribution.

[0032] Furthermore, content registration unit 321 can provide a function for setting pre-read information for multimedia cuts, which will be described later, in electronic book data.

[0033] The content delivery unit 322 delivers electronic book data in a streaming manner. In streaming delivery, electronic book data is divided into a predetermined number of packets and delivered, and the viewer 121a of the user terminal 100 reads and displays / plays the data in packets. The viewer 121a discards the packets (data) each time display / playback is completed, and controls the data so that they are not left in the storage area of ​​the user terminal 100.

[0034] An example of a packet unit is a unit of a plurality of cuts that make up electronic book data. The content delivery unit 322 can transmit data sequentially for each of the plurality of cuts that make up the electronic book data. The packet unit can be set arbitrarily. For example, packets can be divided by page unit of a comic book or novel.

[0035] In addition, in this embodiment, a mode in which electronic book data is composed of a plurality of cuts will be described as an example, but the size of the cuts is arbitrary. For example, the viewer 121a of the user terminal 100 has a predetermined display area (display range), and one cut may be approximately the same size as the size of the display area, or may be any size that allows multiple cuts to be displayed within the display area, or may be a cut larger than the display area. Also, in manga and the like, the word "frame" is sometimes used as a word corresponding to a cut. In this case, it is possible to include a mode in which one cut is composed of one frame, or one cut is composed of multiple frames.

[0036] In addition, in streaming distribution, one cut may not be one packet, but may be divided into multiple packets. hand The present invention can be configured so that one cut is distributed as one packet, or one packet can be distributed with multiple cuts included, and is not limited to one packet per cut.

[0037] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of electronic book data of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the electronic book data is composed of a plurality of cuts C1 to Cn, which are arranged in the direction of reading as a work. In other words, cut C1 is at the top, and each cut is arranged in order according to the flow of the work. The user can perform a scroll operation on the display area of ​​viewer 121a to sequentially view the cuts arranged in the direction of reading.

[0038] The electronic book data includes still image cuts and multimedia cuts. A still image cut is image data. A multimedia cut is a cut in which media data such as a music file, an audio file, a BGM file, an animated GIF, or an animated PNG (APNG) is played. A still image cut in which a music file or the like is played can be categorized as a multimedia cut. A multimedia cut is a cut that includes at least one or more media data, and can include a form in which a multimedia cut is composed of a plurality of media files that combine an animated GIF and a music file, for example. A multimedia cut (media file) is a data file with a larger data capacity than a still image cut in an image format file such as JPEG or PNG.

[0039] In the content providing system of this embodiment, when a multimedia cut is included in the electronic book data, a mechanism is introduced in which the timing of delivery of the media data constituting the multimedia cut is performed before the multimedia cut is displayed on the viewer 121a. In the example of Fig. 2, cut C9 is a multimedia cut, and "pre-loading information" is set for the still image cut C3 that precedes cut C9 in the cut order according to the vertical scroll direction.

[0040] The function of setting "pre-read information" for electronic book data can be provided by the content registration unit 321. For example, the content registration unit 321 can be configured to control the selection of any cut of the registered electronic book data via a predetermined screen and set the pre-read information. At this time, the pre-read information can be configured to be linked (associated) with the media data to be distributed in addition to setting the pre-read information.

[0041] The pre-read information is information that allows the viewer 121a to make a delivery request for media data of a multimedia cut to the content delivery device 300, and is read in the read process when the viewer 121a performs display and playback processing. The pre-read information is a trigger for making a delivery request, and if the electronic book data contains only one multimedia cut, a simple trigger will suffice, but if an electronic book contains multiple multimedia cuts, the pre-read information is configured to identify which multimedia cut's media data the delivery request should be made for, in other words, which multimedia cut's media data the content delivery device 300 should deliver. For example, the pre-read information can be configured to include cut identification information for the multimedia cut that is the subject of a delivery request, and the content delivery The cut identification information can be included in the delivery request sent to the device 300. delivery The device 300 can hold identification information of cuts for which pre-read information has been set, and the viewer 121a can include identification information of the read cut when transmitting a distribution request.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining streaming distribution control of electronic book data including multimedia cuts and display control in user terminal 100 (operation of viewer 121a).

[0043] Viewer 121a reads each packet of the streaming delivered electronic book data, and performs display and playback processing on the display area in the order in which reading is completed. In the example of FIG. 3, multiple cuts C1, C2, C3, and a part of cut C4 are displayed in the display area. The user can read each cut by scrolling vertically. In the case of Webtoons, electronic book data that supports vertical scrolling is created, and cuts are lined up vertically as reading proceeds.

[0044] The viewer 121a, in conjunction with scroll control of the display area by the touch panel display / input unit 140, requests the content distribution device 300 to distribute the next cut (a cut not yet distributed) corresponding to the cut currently displayed in the display area according to the detected amount of upward or downward scroll. The streaming distribution control can, for example, distribute up to several cuts ahead of the cut displayed in the display area.

[0045] The viewer 121a reads and displays each cut, and at this time checks whether or not pre-read information exists for each read cut. If it is determined that pre-read information exists, the viewer 121a transmits a delivery request for the media file of the subsequent multimedia cut C9 to the content server 121a. delivery The viewer 121a transmits the media files of the subsequent multimedia cuts that have not been streamed to the device 300. That is, in a work in which multiple cuts are arranged, the viewer 121a performs control so that the media files of the subsequent multimedia cuts that have not been streamed can be received in advance of the currently displayed cut, and the viewer 121a is brought into a state in which the reading process has been completed when the display / playback process of the multimedia cut is performed.

[0046] In this way, in an electronic book in which still image cuts and multimedia cuts are arranged in order in the reading direction in response to scrolling on a viewer 121a, pre-reading information is set to a still image cut that is a predetermined number of images before the multimedia cut in the reading direction, and a pre-delivery request and pre-reading process are performed on the multimedia cut based on the pre-reading information.

[0047] Note that the number of still image cuts before the multimedia cut to which pre-loading information is set is arbitrary, but when at least a still image cut for which pre-loading information is set is displayed in the display area (when it is determined whether or not there is pre-loading information), deliveryIt is possible to set an interval for the amount of cuts during which the media file of the multimedia cut is not automatically streamed from the device 300. In streaming distribution, display and playback processing is performed in the order of received packets, so delivery The device 300 can deliver packets of the next few cuts ahead of the cut currently displayed in the display area, thereby enabling smooth display and playback processing in the reading direction.

[0048] On the other hand, when a still image cut for which pre-read information is set is read and displayed, if the multimedia cut is located at an interval where the media file of the multimedia cut is already automatically delivered from the content delivery device 300, the viewer 121a will automatically read the media file and display the content. delivery It is possible to control not to perform distribution based on the pre-loaded information of the content distribution device 300. In other words, it is possible to configure so that pre-loaded information is set for still image cuts that are spaced apart at intervals such that the media files of the multimedia cuts are not automatically distributed from the content distribution device 300 when the still image cuts for which pre-loaded information is set are loaded and displayed.

[0049] The viewer 121a may issue a delivery request based on pre-loaded information when the still image cut for which pre-loaded information is set is displayed at a predetermined ratio or more in the display area of ​​the viewer 121a. For example, the timing may be when 1 / 3 or more of the cut is displayed in the display area. Another timing may be when the still image cut for which pre-loaded information is set is scrolled to a predetermined display position in the display area. delivery Alternatively, the pre-read information may be transmitted to the device 300. In this case, the pre-read information may be transmitted, for example, to the timing when the top end of the cut C3 for which pre-read information is set is moved to the top end of the display area by scrolling, or when the cut C3 is displayed in the center area of ​​the display area.

[0050] As described above, the viewer 121a discards packets (data) each time display / playback is completed, and controls so as not to leave them in the storage area on the user terminal 100 side, but can control so that the media files of the multimedia cut are not discarded immediately after display / playback, but are temporarily held. For example, when a multimedia cut is played even once (or when pre-reading of the media files is completed), the media files constituting the multimedia cut are stored as cache in the user terminal 100, and are controlled so as not to be discarded until a certain time (for example, several tens of minutes or hours after the multimedia cut C9 is played or pre-read). With this configuration, smooth display / playback of the media files can be realized even if a browsing operation is performed in which an arbitrary still image cut is viewed and then the multimedia cut C9 is played again after the multimedia cut C9 is played, as long as the multimedia cut C9 has been played.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the content providing system of this embodiment.

[0052] The content distribution device 300 performs a process of registering electronic book data for streaming distribution, and a process of setting pre-read information for electronic book data including multimedia cuts (S301, S302).

[0053] If the viewer 121a for viewing electronic books is not installed in the user terminal 100, the user terminal 100 downloads and installs an electronic book viewing application including the viewer 121a (S101). The electronic book viewing application can be downloaded from a predetermined application download site.

[0054] When an electronic book viewing application is selected by a user operation, the user terminal 100 connects to the content distribution device 300. The content distribution device 300 provides the user terminal 100 with a selection screen of registered electronic books, i.e., a selection screen of viewable electronic books (S303). The user selects an electronic book that he / she wishes to view on the selection screen provided by the content distribution device 300 (S102). The display control unit 120 (electronic book viewing application) of the user terminal 100 transmits a streaming distribution request for the selected electronic book, and starts the viewer 121a when the electronic book is selected (S103).

[0055] content delivery The device 300 (content delivery unit 322) starts streaming delivery of the selected electronic book (S304). The viewer 121a of the user terminal 100 reads each packet in the order in which it was received, and performs display and playback processing of the cuts that have been read in the display area of ​​the viewer 121a (S104). At this time, if a multimedia cut is included, playback processing of the media file is also performed.

[0056] The viewer 121a judges whether pre-read information is set in the process of reading in the cut to be displayed in the display area (S105). If it is determined that pre-read information is not set, the viewer 121a transmits a streaming distribution request for the cut to be read next in association with the movement of the cut in the display area according to the scroll operation (S108), and transmits the content delivery The device 300 performs streaming delivery based on a delivery request in response to the scroll operation (S306). The user terminal 100 returns to step S104 to read packets received in sequence and perform display / playback processing until viewing is completed (NO in S109). When viewing is completed (when an operation to close the viewer 121a is performed) (YES in S109), the viewer 121a is closed (S110).

[0057] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S105 that the pre-read information has been set (YES in S105), a delivery request for the media file of the multimedia cut set in the pre-read information is transmitted (S106). delivery When the device 300 receives the delivery request based on the pre-read information, it pre-delivers the corresponding media file (S305).The user terminal 100 performs pre-read processing of the received media file (S107).

[0058] When streaming electronic book data is viewed on a user terminal such as a smartphone, the content providing system of this embodiment sets pre-read information if the data contains multimedia cuts, allowing the multimedia cuts to be displayed and played back smoothly. This allows the display and playback of multimedia cuts to be performed at a timing optimized for the purpose of the presentation.

[0059] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the display area of ​​the viewer 121a may be scrolled by an automatic scroll function provided in the viewer 121a in addition to a user's operation.

[0060] In addition, each function of the user terminal 100 and the content distribution device can be realized by a program, and computer programs prepared in advance to realize each function are stored in an auxiliary storage device, and a control unit such as a CPU reads the program stored in the auxiliary storage device into a main storage device, and the control unit executes the program read into the main storage device, thereby operating the functions of each unit.

[0061] The above program can also be provided to a computer in a state in which it is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include optical disks such as CD-ROMs, phase-change optical disks such as DVD-ROMs, magneto-optical disks such as MO (Magnet Optical) and MD (Mini Disk), magnetic disks such as floppy (registered trademark) disks and removable hard disks, and memory cards such as Compact Flash (registered trademark), Smart Media, SD memory cards, and memory sticks. Also included as recording media are hardware devices such as integrated circuits (IC chips, etc.) specially designed and configured for the purpose of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 100 user terminals 110 Communications Department 120 Control section 121 Display control unit 121a Viewer 130 Speakers 140 Touch panel display and input unit 150 Storage section 300 Content distribution device 310 Communication Equipment 320 Control device 321 Content Registration Department 322 Content Distribution Department 330 Storage device

Claims

1. A content providing system including a content distribution device that streams electronic books and a user terminal provided with a viewer for viewing the electronic books, The electronic book includes a plurality of still image cuts and at least one or more multimedia cuts, and pre-read information of a media file to be played in the multimedia cut is set in a predetermined still image cut; the viewer reads the electronic book that is being streamed and displays it in a predetermined display area, and determines whether or not the pre-read information is present in the still image cut reading process, and when it is determined that the pre-read information is present, transmits a delivery request for the media file to the content delivery device; the content distribution device accepts a request for distribution of the media file and transmits the corresponding media file to a user terminal; A content provision system characterized in that the viewer executes a reading process of the media file before the multimedia cut is displayed in the display area, and performs a playback process of the media file that was previously read in the display process of the multimedia cut.

2. The content providing system of claim 1, wherein the media files played in the multimedia cut include any one of a music file, an audio file, a background music file, an animated GIF, and an animated PNG (APNG), or two or more of these.

3. the electronic book is a content in which the still image cuts and the multimedia cuts are arranged in order in a reading direction in response to scrolling of the viewer, 3. The content providing system according to claim 1, wherein the pre-read information is set for the still image cut a predetermined number of times before the multimedia cut in the reading forward direction.

4. A content provision system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the viewer sends a distribution request for the media file to the content distribution device when the still image cut for which the pre-loading information is set is displayed at a predetermined rate or more in the display area, or when the still image cut for which the pre-loading information is set is scrolled to a predetermined display position in the display area.

5. A content provision system as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the electronic book is a vertically long content in which the still image cuts and the multimedia cuts are arranged in order in the reading direction in response to vertical scrolling of the viewer.

6. 6. The content providing system according to claim 1, wherein the content distribution device further comprises a content registration unit that performs a process of setting the pre-read information in the electronic book.

7. A program executed on a user terminal for reading an electronic book streamed from a content distribution device, the program comprising: The electronic book includes a plurality of still image cuts and at least one or more multimedia cuts, and pre-read information of a media file to be played in the multimedia cut is set in a predetermined still image cut; a first function of reading the electronic book delivered by streaming and displaying it within a predetermined display area; a second function of determining whether or not the pre-loaded information is present in a read process of the still image cut to be displayed in the display area, and transmitting a delivery request for the media file to the content delivery device when it is determined that the pre-loaded information is present; a third function of receiving the media file based on the distribution request distributed from the content distribution device and reading the media file at a timing before the multimedia cut is displayed in the display area; A fourth function of performing a playback process of the media file that has been previously loaded in the display process of the multimedia cut; A program to achieve this.

8. A method for viewing an electronic book streamed from a content distribution device on a user terminal, comprising: The content distribution device holds an electronic book including a plurality of still image cuts and at least one or more multimedia cuts, and pre-read information of a media file to be played in the multimedia cut is set in a predetermined still image cut; a step of reading the electronic book that is streamed and displaying it in a predetermined display area by the user terminal; a step of the user terminal determining whether or not the pre-loaded information is present in a reading process of the still image cut to be displayed in the display area, and transmitting a delivery request for the media file to the content delivery device when it is determined that the pre-loaded information is present; the content distribution device receiving a request for distribution of the media file and distributing the corresponding media file to the user terminal; A step of reading the media file by the user terminal at a timing before the multimedia cut is displayed in the display area; The user terminal performs a playback process of the media file that has been previously loaded in the display process of the multimedia cut; The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

Images