Content providing system and content providing method

Abstract

To guide a user to actively grasp contents posted on a medium.SOLUTION: A content providing system includes: a medium attached with an access code in which access information that allows a terminal that has performed reading to access an address of a predetermined read-aloud content is encoded and voice speaking-person information indicating a voice speaking-person of voice recorded in the predetermined read-aloud content, at a position having a predetermined positional relationship with the access code; and a content server that stores the read-aloud content recorded in the voice of the voice speaking-person in association with the address, for the read-aloud content based on character notation contents posted on the medium, and transmits the read-aloud content associated with the accessed address to an access source terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a content providing system and a content providing method. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology is known in which a two-dimensional code that converts text information into audio is printed on a printed item such as a postal envelope, and raised protrusions are provided around the printed two-dimensional code, making it possible to identify the printed position of the two-dimensional code by feel (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-119813 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Depending on the content published in media such as printed matter, users may tend to skip reading it. Considering this, it is necessary to guide users to make it easier for them to actively understand the content published in the media.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to encourage users to proactively understand the content published in media. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention that solves the above-mentioned problem is a medium on which an access code is coded to access information that allows a terminal that has read the code to access an address of a predetermined reading content, and voice subject information indicating the voice subject of a voice recorded in the predetermined reading content at a position that has a predetermined positional relationship with the access code is attached, and I read the text aloudThe reading content recorded in the voice of the speaker is stored in association with the address; The user who has viewed the voice owner information uses a terminal The reading content associated with the accessed address is The aforementioned A content server that sends content to the terminal 、 Equipped with The content server stores a moving image format reading content in which still images containing information about the corresponding medium and information representing the corresponding voice actor are switched at predetermined intervals as the playback progresses. It is a content providing system.

[0007] Reading The device that performed the reading Stored on the content server an access code that encodes access information for accessing an address of a predetermined reading content; and voice subject information that indicates the voice subject of a voice recorded in the predetermined reading content at a position that has a predetermined positional relationship with the access code. a terminal carried by a user who has visually recognized the voice author information reads the access code from the medium to access the address of the reading content stored in the content server; Published in the above media I read the text aloud A content server that stores the reading content recorded in the voice of the speaker in association with the address. but This is a content providing method for transmitting a reading content associated with the accessed address to the access source terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effect of encouraging users to actively understand the content published in media. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a medium as a commercial printed matter in the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a medium as a package in the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a content providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a user terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a content server according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The content providing system of this embodiment will be described below. In the content providing system of this embodiment, a medium on which a text is published is used. A user can read a code attached to the medium with a user terminal (an example of a terminal) to play back the reading content corresponding to the medium on the user terminal. The reading content corresponding to the medium is a recording of a specific speaker reading the content created based on the text published on the medium. The user terminal may be, for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

[0011] The medium in this embodiment is a printed matter. Furthermore, the medium in this embodiment as a printed matter includes commercial printed matter. Commercial printed matter differs from books sold at general bookstores and is books, booklets, flyers, and the like used for specific commercial purposes. Specifically, commercial printed matter includes, for example, company brochures, product brochures, school guides, company guides, product catalogs, company histories, integrated reports, CSR reports, and the like. Furthermore, the medium of this embodiment as a printed matter includes packages such as product containers and packaging boxes.

[0012] In commercial printed matter and packaging such as those described above, the contents of sentences, instructions, and the like are written in text. The content of the text written in such commercial printed matter and packaging has the aspect of being unlikely to attract the attention of users. In addition, because the text printed on the packaging is quite small, users may not read the information even if it is important to read it. In this way, users tend to not read the text written in commercial printed matter, packaging, and other printed matter.

[0013] With this as a background, in this embodiment, a reading-aloud content is provided to a user, which is a recording of aloud reading of the contents published in a medium such as a commercial printed matter or a package. If the reading-aloud content is provided, the user can understand the written content published in the medium more easily than by reading sentences or characters by simply playing and listening to the reading-aloud content. In other words, the user can be encouraged to be proactive in understanding the written content published in the medium.

[0014] Furthermore, in the content providing system of this embodiment, audio recordings of famous people such as artists reading aloud are created as reading aloud content. By creating such reading aloud content, it is expected that users will be more proactive in listening to the reading aloud content and trying to understand the written content published in the medium.

[0015] Furthermore, the content of the reading aloud content only needs to correspond to the content published in the corresponding medium. In other words, the content of the reading aloud content may be the entire content published in the corresponding medium read aloud. The content of the reading aloud content may also be a summary of the content published in the corresponding medium read aloud. The content of the reading aloud content may also be a digest of the main points of the content published in the corresponding medium read aloud. Furthermore, for example, the playback time of the reading aloud content may be approximately 5 minutes.

[0016] Fig. 1 shows an example of a medium 10-M as a commercial printed matter. An access code 11 is printed on the cover (front or back cover) of the medium 10-M as a printed matter shown in the figure. In the figure, an example is shown in which the access code 11 is a two-dimensional code. The reading content is stored in a content server. The user terminal can play the reading content by accessing the content server via a network. In this embodiment, the reading content may be played back by streaming playback. The access code 11 is coded information (an example of access information) for allowing a user terminal to access the reading content corresponding to the medium 10-M. The access code 11 may indicate the URL (an example of an address) of the reading content corresponding to the medium 10-M. The access code 11 may be, for example, a bar code or an A marker.

[0017] When the user causes the user terminal to read the access code 11, the user terminal can access the URL indicated by the read access code 11 and play back the read-aloud content.

[0018] Additionally, on the cover of the medium 10-M, a voice actor information area 12 is placed below the access code 11. The voice actor information area 12 is an area in which the voice actor of the corresponding reading content is shown to the user. In the example shown in the figure, the sentence "Listen to it in the voice of artist A!" indicates that artist A is the voice actor of the corresponding reading content. By looking at the information (an example of speaker information) displayed in the speaker information area 12 on the medium 10-M, the user can find out who the speaker of the corresponding reading content is.

[0019] When indicating the voice of the corresponding reading content, the voice presenter information area 12 may show the name of the voice presenter as in the example of Fig. 1, or may show a photograph, illustration, logo mark, etc. of the voice presenter. Also, if the voice presenter is, for example, a voice actor who reads aloud as a certain animated character to create the corresponding reading content, the voice presenter information area 12 may show the name of the character instead of the name of the voice actor.

[0020] The figure also shows an example in which the access code 11 and the speaker information area 12 are arranged adjacent to each other. With this arrangement, the user can intuitively understand that to access the speaker's reading content shown in the speaker information area 12, all they need to do is read the access code 11.

[0021] The locations where the access code 11 and the voice-control information area 12 are printed on the medium 10-M as a commercial printed matter are not limited to the cover. For example, the access code 11 and the voice-control information area 12 may be printed on the inside of the cover, on the spine, or on a specific page. Also, the access code 11 and the voice-control information area 12 may be printed apart from each other on the same page, rather than being close to each other as shown in Figure 1. Also, the access code 11 and the voice-control information area 12 may be printed on different covers or pages.

[0022] Furthermore, the access code 11 and the caller information area 12 may be attached to the medium 10-M by, for example, attaching a sticker or the like, instead of being attached to the medium 10-M by printing.

[0023] 2 shows an example of a medium 10-P as a package. The medium 10-P in the figure has a rectangular box shape. The shape of the medium as a package is not limited to the box shape shown in the figure, and may be, for example, a pouch shape.

[0024] The packaged medium 10-P in the figure has an access code 11 printed on one side. The figure also shows an example in which a voice guide area 12 is printed on one side of the medium 10-P that is different from the side on which the access code 11 is printed.

[0025] The positional relationship between the access code 11 printed on the medium 10-P and the voice instruction area 12 is not limited to the example shown in the figure. For example, the access code 11 and the user information area 12 may be printed on the same side. For example, a picture showing the product and information such as product ingredients and precautions are printed on the side of the medium 10-P as a package. For this reason, in the case of the medium 10-P as a package, it is necessary to print the access code 11 and the user information area 12 in a position other than the area where the picture, product ingredients, precautions, and other information are printed. In such a case, the access code 11 and the user information area 12 are printed on different sides of the same side. Alternatively, in the case of the medium 10-P as a package, the side on which to print the access code 11 and the voice guide area 12 may be determined taking into consideration the side that will face customers when displayed in a store.

[0026] Also, in the case of the medium 10-P as a package, the access code 11 and the voice guide area 12 may be attached by, for example, attaching a sticker instead of being attached by printing.

[0027] In the following description, when there is no particular distinction between the medium 10-M as a commercial printed matter and the medium 10-P as a package, they will be referred to as the medium 10.

[0028] 3 shows an example of the overall configuration of the content providing system of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the content providing system of this embodiment includes a user terminal 100 and a content server 200. The user terminal 100 is a terminal that is owned by a user and that is used by the user to play back the reading content. The content server 200 is a server that provides reading-aloud content. The content server 200 stores the reading-aloud content in association with a URL. When the user terminal 100 accesses the URL of the reading-aloud content, the content server 200 transmits the reading-aloud content of the accessed URL in a stream to the accessing user terminal 100. The accessing user terminal 100 plays back the streamed reading-aloud content. Steps 1 to 4 shown in FIG. 3 will be described later.

[0029] 4 shows an example of the configuration of the user terminal 100. The functions of the user terminal 100 shown in the figure are realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) provided in the user terminal 100 as hardware executing a program. The user terminal 100 includes a communication unit 101, an imaging unit 102, a control unit 103, a storage unit 104, an operation unit 105, and a display unit 106.

[0030] The communication unit 101 communicates with the content server 200 via the network. The imaging unit 102 captures an image and generates a captured image.

[0031] The control unit 103 executes various controls in the user terminal 100. The control unit 103 realizes a code reading function using the captured image generated by the imaging unit 102. That is, the control unit 103 extracts a code included in the captured image generated by the imaging unit 102 and acquires information indicated by the extracted code. The control unit 103 executes control according to the information acquired from the code. Specifically, if the code extracted from the captured image is the access code 11, the control unit 103 acquires the URL indicated by the access code 11. The control unit 103 accesses the acquired URL and performs streaming playback of the read-aloud content of the accessed URL.

[0032] The storage unit 104 stores various types of information related to the user terminal 100. For example, if the reading aloud content accessed by the user terminal 100 is downloadable, the downloaded reading aloud content may be stored in the storage unit 104.

[0033] The operation unit 105 corresponds to an operator provided in the user terminal 100 or an input device connected to the user terminal 100. The control unit 103 executes control in accordance with an operation performed on the operator or input device in the operation unit 105. The display unit 106 includes a display device and displays an image under the control of the control unit 103 . The user terminal 100 of this embodiment may include a touch panel as the operation unit 105 and the display unit 106, which can be operated by the user touching it with an operating object such as a finger.

[0034] 5 shows an example of the configuration of the content server 200 of this embodiment. The functions of the content server 200 shown in the figure are realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) provided in the content server 200 as hardware executing a program. The content server 200 includes a communication unit 201 , a control unit 202 , and a storage unit 203 . The communication unit 201 communicates with the user terminal 100 via a network. The control unit 202 executes control in the content server 200 .

[0035] The storage unit 203 stores information related to the content server 200. The storage unit 203 includes a content storage unit 231. The content storage unit 231 stores reading aloud content such that the location is managed by a URL.

[0036] The procedure for providing reading content in the content providing system of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3 again. The procedure for providing reading content will be described according to steps 1 to 4 in Fig. 3. In describing Fig. 3, an example will be given in which a user attempts to play reading content corresponding to a medium 10-M that is a certain commercial printed matter.

[0037] Step 1: The user is intrigued by the speaker information area 12 printed on the medium 10-M in his or her possession and decides to listen to the reading-aloud content. The user then uses the code reading function of the user terminal 100 he or she owns to cause the user terminal 100 to read the access code 11 printed on the medium 10-M. The user terminal 100 reads the access code 11 in response to the operation. That is, the user terminal 100 extracts the access code 11 from the captured image captured by the imaging unit 102, and obtains the URL of the corresponding reading-aloud content from the extracted access code 11.

[0038] In response to acquiring the URL of the reading-aloud content as described above, the user terminal 100 may display a confirmation screen for the user to confirm whether or not to access the acquired URL. The confirmation screen may include, for example, a button for instructing access and a button for instructing cancellation of access. In this case, the user may operate the confirmation screen by operating the button for instructing access if they intend to listen to the reading-aloud content, or by operating the button for instructing cancellation of access if they no longer intend to listen to the reading-aloud content.

[0039] Step 2: In response to an operation to instruct access on the confirmation screen, for example, the user terminal 100 accesses the URL acquired in step 1. Note that if the confirmation screen is not displayed, the user terminal 100 may access the URL in step 2 in response to the URL of the reading aloud content being acquired in step 1. In this case, the user terminal 100 requests the reading content from the content server 200 by specifying the URL acquired in step 1.

[0040] Step 3: The content server 200 reads out the reading content of the URL specified in the request in step 2 from the content storage unit 231, and transmits the read reading content in a streaming manner to the user terminal 100 that has made the request.

[0041] Step 4: The user terminal 100 performs streaming playback of the reading content transmitted in streaming from the content server 200 in step 3. The reading content of this embodiment may be in the form of a moving image. In the case of reading content in the form of a moving image, the image may be, for example, a still image displaying information about the corresponding medium 10 and information representing the speaker. Such still images may be switched at a certain playback time as the playback progresses. Furthermore, the image of reading content in the form of a moving image may be, for example, an animation that changes in accordance with the content of the speaker's reading.

[0042] Furthermore, if the reading content of this embodiment is in the form of a video, the content server 200 may be a server that supports a video content distribution service. In this case, the reading content may be registered via a website provided by the video content distribution service. In this case, the user terminal 100 may stream the reading content on an installed web browser or a video viewing application compatible with the video content distribution service.

[0043] Furthermore, the reading content registered in the content server 200 may be made available for distribution on websites operated by companies, organizations, etc. associated with the artist as the voice actor, such as the production company to which the corresponding artist as the voice actor belongs. Furthermore, a URL link may be set so that the reading content registered in the content server 200 can be distributed on websites, etc. of the company that operates the content providing system of this embodiment.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the medium 10 is exemplified as a physical medium such as a commercial printed matter or a package. However, the medium 10 may be electronic, such as a web page or file data. In this case, the access code 11 and the user information area 12 may be placed in a predetermined position on the web page or file page. The user uses the user terminal 100 to read the access code 11 placed on a web page or file page displayed on a display monitor or the like. In this case, a link to the URL of the corresponding reading content may be embedded in correspondence with the access code 11 placed on the web page or file page. In this case, the user can play the reading content on the PC by operating an input device of the PC displaying the web page or file on a display monitor or the like and clicking on the area where the access code 11 is placed on the displayed web page or file page.

[0045] Note that a program for implementing the functions of the user terminal 100, content server 200, etc. described above may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be loaded into a computer system and executed to perform the processing of the user terminal 100, content server 200, etc. Here, "loading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program on a computer system. The term "computer system" here includes hardware such as an operating system and peripheral devices. The term "computer system" may also include multiple computer devices connected via a network, including the Internet, a WAN, a LAN, a dedicated line, and other communication lines. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as floppy disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. Thus, a recording medium storing a program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The term "recording medium" also includes internal or external recording media accessible from a distribution server for distributing the program. The program code stored on the distribution server's recording medium may be different from the program code executable on the terminal device. In other words, the format in which the program is stored on the distribution server does not matter as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form that is executable on the terminal device. The program may be divided into multiple parts, each of which may be downloaded at different times and then combined on the terminal device, or each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes a storage medium that stores a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) within a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network. The program may also be one that realizes part of the functions described above.Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, that is, a so-called differential file (differential program). [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10 (10-M, 10-P) medium, 11 access code, 12 voice main information area, 100 user terminal, 101 communication unit, 102 imaging unit, 103 control unit, 104 storage unit, 105 operation unit, 106 display unit, 200 content server, 201 communication unit, 202 control unit, 203 storage unit, 231 content storage unit

Claims

1. A medium on which is attached an access code that encodes access information that allows the terminal that performed the reading to access the address of a predetermined reading content, and voice subject information that indicates the voice subject of the voice recorded in the predetermined reading content at a position that has a predetermined positional relationship with the access code; a content server that stores a reading content recorded in the voice of the speaker for the reading content of the text published on the medium, in association with an address, and transmits the reading content associated with the address accessed by the terminal held by the user who viewed the speaker information to the accessing terminal; Equipped with The content server stores the reading content in a moving image format in which still images containing information about the corresponding medium and information representing the corresponding speaker are switched at predetermined intervals as the playback progresses. Content delivery system.

2. The access code and the voice subject information attached to the medium are arranged adjacent to each other on the medium. The content providing system according to claim 1 .

3. A medium is provided with an access code, which encodes access information that allows the terminal that performed the reading to access the address of a predetermined reading content stored in a content server, and voice subject information indicating the voice subject of the voice recorded in the predetermined reading content at a position that has a predetermined positional relationship with the access code, and a terminal carried by a user who visually recognizes the voice subject information reads the access code to access the address of the reading content stored in the content server, A content server that stores the reading content recorded in the voice of the speaker in association with an address for the reading content of the text published on the medium transmits the reading content associated with the accessed address to the access source terminal. How content is provided.

Images