The product (platform-system) offers to the user the opportunity to produce interactive books rapidly, based on traditionally printed books, without developing special software and without specialized knowledge. Also, the interactive material is able to work on different types of equipment, such as computers, Laptops, Tablet PCs and mobile devices in general. Finally, this interactive book can be encrypted (DRM) with Adobe technology and consequently: i.)it can be distributed with complete control regarding the author’s copyright ii)its sale can be also via online e-bookstores, because of its digital character and the fact that it can’t be copied as it is locked (DRM).This new product has been developed by using modern and innovative technologies, such as technology of book digitization. DRM technology by Adobe for encrypting-“ locking “of e-books and technology for being linked to Apple i Pad, Android and Windows mobile tablets and smartphones.
The new product meets the needs of companies and individuals involved in the sector of education and the relevant field of educational books, for the creation of interactive content, so that they can respond to the new educational methods that arise from the use of new technology (internet, tablets, smartphones, etc.). By using the system edubooks4all, there is reduction of the cost of digitization systems, staff and technology for the creation of interactive material as well as minimization of the cost for dealing with cases of infringements on the writer’s copyright in electronic environment.
The product has been aimed at publishers, educational and academic institutions, private schools and educational institutes of all levels and it has been offered as a permanent pre-paid license and optional charge of continuous support and also as a service (SaaS) charged based on usage parameters.
The main components of the Product are:
Builder: This is the software application for the creation of the I.D.E. content. It combines an easy-to-use interface with powerful and sophisticated authoring features to enable non-technical users to create engaging educational content on any topic or process. The application empowers authors and learning professionals to create interactive content, quizzes and assessments tests, in very fast and simple way. Builder allows the creation of smoothly flowing virtual “pages” of the content in a mashup of text, videos, illustrations and animations that can be manipulated by the trainee to suit its learning needs. Interactive content created with the Builder can be accessed on almost every existing hardware/operating system to achieve the cross-platform feature of product.
Desktop Player: This software application is available in desktop PCs (Microsoft Windows) and Apple Mac. It is a product for trainees utilizing the I.D.E. content.
Mobile Player: With the evolution of iPad and the introduction of new tablets PC’s from all the major computer manufactures, e-book reading in general is shifting from desktop devices to tablet PC’s with Apple iOS and Google Android operating systems. Microsoft has also its mobile operating system (Windows). Therefore the main modules of the new Platform are the mobile applications enabling consumers to access the I.D.E. content created with the Builder in any mobile device.
Portal: Any content created with the Builder have to be published on a dedicated web portal. This portal is part of the dissemination channels, our customer will be using to distribute / sale the created I.D.E. content. This portal is offered as an optional module because in many cases the customer would prefer to use his existing web portal to enable distribution of the content. The portal is a white-label product as well, and it has the functionalities of an e-commerce web site. This software have the features of an online store and it has been developed in two versions: one for desktop web browsers and a 2nd for mobile devices (mobile store) in order to provide a comfortable browsing experience to users having mobile devices with small screens (smartphones)
DRM: The protection of the intellectual rights of any produced I.D.E. content is a key factor affecting significantly the success of this Information System. Authors and Publishers of educational content, do not want to make the same mistakes the music industry made. Digital rights management (DRM), the technologies, tools and processes that protect intellectual property during digital content commerce, is a vital building block of the new Platform. DRM creates an essential foundation of trust between authors and consumers that is a prerequisite for robust market development.
Using Adobe Content Server 4 software, we can encrypt and manage the rights on the digital files our customers can distribute/sell (using the Platform), in either PDF or EPUB format. By supporting PDF and EPUB — open, industry-standard formats — the Adobe eBook Platform eliminates the constraints of proprietary file formats and distribution strategies.
For the rest of the I.D.E. content, a proprietary DRM is applied to prevent unauthorized distribution of copyrighted works.
HUB: The new Platform’s communication software hub is responsible for interfaces between the Player (desktop and mobile), the Portal, as well as the DRM System. It is also the communication port between the Customer‘s existing web site the new platform, when part of the full solution is deployed. It is consisted of a large number of web services to enable the integration existing websites, 3rd party systems, content delivery networks and payment gateways.
Console: The Administration Console module allows administrators of the Platform to upload the I.D.E. content, create and manage their metadata (ex. Book title, author, subject, tags, and publication date), secure the digital files with the Digital Rights Management System, track downloads and handle all administration tasks.
Cloud: End-users accessing the I.D.E. content, have the ability to add personal notes, bookmark pages and highlight passages. All this information is stored locally in their reading device. To implement a cross-platform strategy we have to put in place a special feature for storing all this information in our Reader’s Cloud Profile using a dedicated user account in our Cloud Service. This enables any reader to retrieve all stored information associated with any I.D.E. content, in all devices he may be using to access the content. Stored information can be ‘private’, for personal use, or ‘public’ to share with friends.
