Information processing apparatus, display element display method, and management server

Abstract

The sharing processing unit 150 uploads the content image recorded in the image recording device 2a to the distribution server. The display processing unit 160 displays a display element indicating the uploaded content image. The sharing processing unit 150 acquires past distribution record data regarding the uploaded content image. The display processing unit 160 displays information of past distribution associated with the display element indicating the uploaded content image.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a technique for displaying display elements that indicate the content image to be uploaded. Background Technology

[0002] There is already widespread use of services that provide the sharing of content images created or captured by users. PTL1 discloses a distribution server that distributes video data published by users as well as video data edited by editing servers.

[0003] Reference List

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] PLT 1

[0006] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-198404

[0007] summary

[0008] Technical issues

[0009] Users can upload captured gameplay videos to a distribution server, which then distributes these uploaded videos of the games the users played. When these gameplay videos are distributed to a large number of viewers and receive high ratings from them, it will increase users' motivation to play and distribute their videos. Therefore, a scheme is desired that allows users to easily access their past distribution records of uploaded gameplay videos.

[0010] Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to implement a scheme for users to easily verify past distribution records of content images uploaded by users to a distribution server.

[0011] Problem Solution

[0012] To address the aforementioned problems and according to embodiments of this disclosure, an information processing apparatus connected to a distribution server is provided, comprising: a sharing processing unit configured to upload a content image recorded in a recording device to the distribution server; and a display processing unit configured to display a display element indicating the uploaded content image. The sharing processing unit acquires past distribution record data regarding the uploaded content image. The display processing unit displays information regarding past distribution records associated with the display element indicating the uploaded content image.

[0013] According to another embodiment of this disclosure, a method for displaying display elements is provided. The method includes the steps of uploading a content image recorded in a recording device to a distribution server, obtaining past distribution record data regarding the uploaded content image, displaying a display element indicating the uploaded content image, and displaying information about past distribution records associated with the display element.

[0014] According to another embodiment of this disclosure, a management server is provided, which is connected to an information processing device operated by a user and to a distribution server that distributes content images uploaded from the information processing device. The management server includes: an ID (identifier) ​​acquisition unit configured to acquire a combination of an image ID and an upload ID from the information processing device, wherein the image ID is set to the content image by the information processing device and the upload ID is assigned to the uploaded content image by the distribution server; an ID allocation unit configured to allocate metadata IDs to the combination of the image ID and the upload ID; and an ID transmission unit. The system comprises: a metadata ID transmission unit configured to transmit the metadata ID to the information processing device; a request receiving unit configured to receive a request from the information processing device to obtain past distribution record data including the metadata ID; a request sending unit configured to obtain the upload ID from the metadata ID included in the request before sending a request to the distribution server to obtain the past distribution record data including the upload ID; a data acquisition unit configured to obtain the past distribution record data from the distribution server; and a data transmission unit configured to transmit the image ID and the past distribution record data to the information processing device.

[0015] Even when the constituent elements summarized above or appropriate combinations of the above expressions of this disclosure are transformed between different forms (such as methods, apparatus, systems, recording media, and computer programs), they still constitute effective embodiments of this disclosure.

[0016] Brief description of the attached figures

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram depicting an information processing system as described in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram depicting the hardware configuration of an information processing device.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram depicting the functional blocks of an information processing device.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a diagram depicting the trimming and editing screen.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram depicting other functional blocks of an information processing device.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a sequence diagram of the process used to upload game videos.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram depicting the functional blocks of the management server.

[0024] Figure 8 It is a sequence diagram used to display the process of distributing records in the past.

[0025] Figure 9 This is a diagram of a screen displaying a list of game videos.

[0026] Description of the Implementation Examples

[0027] In an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a user records captured gameplay videos (i.e., game videos) to a recording device and uploads the game videos to a distribution server at any time. The distribution server then distributes the uploaded game videos to a large number of unspecified viewers.

[0028] The distribution server manages past distribution records, such as the number of times the game video was distributed and the number of comments from viewers (e.g., the number of times the "like" button was pressed), and displays the records associated with the game video on the video-sharing website. Users who have already uploaded game videos can access the distribution server to verify the distribution records of their game videos. If a user has uploaded a game video to multiple distribution servers, they must access each distribution server.

[0029] In the information processing system, the information processing device retrieves past distribution records of game videos from an external server and displays a thumbnail of each game video associated with information about its past distribution records. This allows distribution users to easily verify the past distribution records of uploaded game videos without needing to access the distribution server. Note that images uploaded by users are not limited to game videos, and other types of content images can also be uploaded. Content images can be videos and still images.

[0030] Figure 1 An information processing system 1, as described in one embodiment of this disclosure, is depicted. The information processing system 1 includes an information processing apparatus 10 serving as a user terminal, distribution servers 12a, 12b, and 12c (hereinafter referred to as "distribution server 12" unless otherwise specifically indicated) for distributing user-uploaded content images, and a management server 14. The information processing system 1 can be configured as an image sharing system.

[0031] Access point (hereinafter referred to as "AP") 8 functions as both a wireless access point and a router. Information processing device 10 is connected to AP 8 via wired or wireless means and is communicatively connected to distribution server 12 and management server 14 on network 3.

[0032] Information processing device 10 is connected to input device 6 operated by a user via wired or wireless means. Input device 6 outputs information about the operations performed by the user to information processing device 10. Upon receiving operation information from input device 6, information processing device 10 reflects the received information in system software and game software, and causes output device 4 to output the processing result. In information processing system 1, information processing device 10 may be a game console (i.e., a game control console) that executes the game, and input device 6 may be a game controller or a similar device that provides operation information from the user to information processing device 10. Note that the input device may alternatively be an input interface, such as a keyboard or mouse.

[0033] Auxiliary storage device 2 can be a high-capacity recording device used as an internal recording device, such as an HDD (hard disk drive) or SSD (solid-state drive). Alternatively, auxiliary storage device 2 can be an external recording device connected to information processing device 10, for example, via USB (Universal Serial Bus). Output device 4 can be a television set with a display for outputting images and speakers for outputting sound. Output device 4 can be connected to information processing device 10 via cable or wirelessly.

[0034] Camera 7, used as an imaging device, is positioned near output device 4 and captures images of the space surrounding output device 4. Although Figure 1 An example is depicted where camera 7 is mounted on top of output device 4; alternatively, camera 7 may be located beside or below the output device. In any case, camera 7 is positioned for imaging a user located in front of output device 4. Camera 7 may be a stereo camera.

[0035] Distribution server 12 provides an image sharing service that distributes content images uploaded from information processing device 10. Distribution server 12 distributes stored content images on demand based on requests from viewing users. Although Figure 1 Three distribution servers 12a, 12b and 12c are specified, but the number of distribution servers 12 in the information processing system 1 is only one.

[0036] Distribution server 12 manages past distribution records for each content image to be distributed in the form of metadata. This past distribution record data can include various performance and evaluation data regarding distribution, such as the total number of distributions, the number of distributions in the most recent week, the number of ratings from viewers, and comments from viewers. Distribution server 12 enhances the attractiveness of the image-sharing website by creating a popularity ranking of content images using the past distribution record data for each content image.

[0037] The management server 14 retrieves past distribution record data regarding content images based on a request from the information processing device 10, and transmits the retrieved data to the information processing device 10. In the information processing system 1, the information processing device 10 retrieves past distribution record data generated by the distribution server 12 through the management server 14. When the management server 14 allows the exchange of past distribution record data between the distribution server 12 and the information processing device 10, an image sharing system, for example, that can flexibly handle changes to the specifications of the distribution server 12, can be implemented.

[0038] Figure 2 The hardware configuration of the information processing device 10 is described. The information processing device 10 is configured with a main power button 20, a power-on LED (light-emitting diode) 21, a standby LED 22, a system controller 24, a clock 26, a device controller 30, a media driver 32, a USB module 34, a flash memory 36, a wireless communication module 38, a wired communication module 40, a subsystem 50, and a main system 60.

[0039] The main system 60 includes a main CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory and memory controller constituting the main storage device, and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The GPU is primarily used for arithmetic processing in the game program. The main CPU has the function of activating the system software and executing the game program installed on the auxiliary storage device 2 within the environment provided by the system software. The subsystem 50 includes a sub-CPU, and memory and memory controller including the main storage device, but does not include a GPU.

[0040] The main CPU has the function of executing the game program installed on the auxiliary storage device 2 or ROM medium 44, while the sub-CPU does not have such a function. However, the sub-CPU has the function of accessing the auxiliary storage device 2 and sending and receiving data to and from the management server 14. The sub-CPU is configured to have only these limited processing functions and therefore operates at a lower power consumption than the main CPU. These functions of the sub-CPU are activated when the main CPU is in standby mode.

[0041] The main power button 20 is an input section for executing user input. It is located on the front surface of the housing of the information processing device 10 and is operated to turn the power supply to the main system 60 of the information processing device 10 on or off. When the main power button 20 is turned on, the power-on LED 21 is illuminated. When the main power button is turned off, the standby LED 22 is illuminated. The system controller 24 detects the user pressing the main power button.

[0042] Clock 26 is a real-time clock that generates the current date and time information and supplies the generated information to system controller 24, subsystem 50 and main system 60.

[0043] Device controller 30 is configured as an LSI (Large-Scale Integrated Circuit), such as a Southbridge, to perform information transfer between devices. As shown, device controller 30 connects to devices such as system controller 24, media driver 32, USB module 34, flash memory 36, wireless communication module 38, wired communication module 40, subsystem 50, and main system 60. Device controller 30 absorbs differences in the electronic characteristics and data transfer rates of the various devices, thereby controlling the timing of data transfer between them.

[0044] Media drive 32 is a drive device that loads ROM medium 44 containing application software (such as games) and their licensing information. This drive device drives the loaded ROM medium 44 to read the programs and data stored thereon. ROM medium 44 is a read-only recording medium, such as an optical disc, magneto-optical disc, or Blu-ray disc.

[0045] USB module 34 is a module that connects to external devices via a USB cable. USB module 34 can also connect to auxiliary storage device 2 and camera 7 via a USB cable. Flash memory 36 is an auxiliary storage device that constitutes internal storage. Wireless communication module 38 communicates wirelessly with input device 6, for example, by using communication protocols such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and IEEE 802.11. Wired communication module 40 communicates with external devices via a wired connection, for example, by connecting to network 3 via AP 8.

[0046] The information processing device 10 of this embodiment has the function of recording game videos played by the user to the auxiliary storage device 2, and the function of uploading the recorded game videos to the distribution server 12 for sharing purposes. In the following paragraphs, reference will be made primarily to... Figure 3 Explain the function of recording game videos, and will mainly refer to... Figure 5 The description includes a function for sharing game videos. In these figures, the elements described as functional blocks for performing various processes of the information processing apparatus 10 can be configured as hardware using circuit blocks, memory, and other LSIs, or as software implemented using a program loaded into memory. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be implemented solely by hardware, solely by software, or by a combination of both in different forms, and are not limited to any such form.

[0047] Figure 3Functional blocks for implementing the game video recording function of the information processing device 10 are described. The information processing device 10 includes a processing unit 100 and a communication unit 102. The processing unit 100 includes game software 110, an event information generation unit 120, an event information transmission unit 122, an output processing unit 130, a recording control unit 132, a ring buffer 134, a video acquisition unit 136, a receiving unit 138, and a trimming processing unit 140. The receiving unit 138 receives information from operations performed by the user on the input device 6. The image recording device 2a may be formed from a portion of the recording area of ​​the auxiliary storage device 2.

[0048] The game software 110 includes at least a game program, image data, and audio data. Based on operation information from the user's input device 6, the game program performs arithmetic processing for moving the player character in virtual space. The output processing unit 130 generates image and audio data for the ongoing game within the game software 110 and causes the output device 4 to output the generated data. The output processing unit 130 may include a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) for performing rendering processing.

[0049] In the information processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the output processing unit 130 generates game image data and audio data, causes the output device 4 to output the generated image and audio data, and also provides the generated data to the recording control unit 132. In the following paragraphs, the game image data and audio data will be collectively referred to as "game video" or "game video data". The information processing apparatus 10 has the function of recording the game video generated by the output processing unit 130 in the background. The recording control unit 132 records the game video data to the ring buffer 134.

[0050] The ring buffer 134 is configured by setting the start and end addresses of the recording area in the auxiliary storage device 2. The ring buffer can be preset when the information processing device 10 is loaded. The recording control unit 132 records the game video data output from the output processing unit 130 along with time information (i.e., timestamps) into the ring buffer 134.

[0051] The recording control unit 132 records game video data into the circular buffer 134 in sequence from the starting address to the predetermined address, and when the ending address is reached, it begins to overwrite the starting address and subsequent addresses, then repeats this process. For example, the circular buffer 134 is set to record 60 minutes of game video, and a timestamp is appended to the recorded game video. While the game video is being recorded into the circular buffer 134 in the background, the user can edit desired scenes from the playback video recorded up to 60 minutes ago and save the edited scenes to the image recording device 2a. As will be discussed later, the user can upload the saved game video to the distribution server 12.

[0052] When a predetermined event occurs during gameplay, the game program outputs an event code indicating the event that has occurred. The event information generation unit 120 obtains the event code from the game software 110 and generates event information by appending time information (timestamp) indicating the time when the event occurred to the event code.

[0053] Game developers can incorporate various events into the game. Each event is assigned an event code. Before outputting the event code and game data, the game program can append game data indicating the game's state at the time the event occurs to the event code representing that event. Here, the game data includes information about the location of the event and the opponents in the game. For example, when a battle with an enemy boss begins, the game program can append game data indicating the battle location and the enemy boss's character ID to the event code indicating the start of the battle, and then output the event code and game data together. After acquiring the event code and game data, the event information generation unit 120 generates event information by appending time information indicating the time when the event occurred.

[0054] The event information generation unit 120 provides the generated event information to the event information transmission unit 122. The event information transmission unit 122 then transmits the provided event information to the management server 14 via the communication unit 102. For this purpose, the management server 14 collects event information about all events that occur during gameplay.

[0055] During game execution, receiving unit 138 receives recording-related instructions from the user. When the user operates the appropriate button on input device 6, receiving unit 138 receives this operation as a recording instruction to video acquisition unit 136 to save up to 60 minutes of game video (video clips) from ring buffer 134 to image recording device 2a. Note that the recording time of the video clips can be preset by the user within a maximum time range of 60 minutes. Note that the user can operate input device 6 to set the start point of the game video to be saved, and operate input device 6 again to set the end point of the game video as the desired game scene ends. Video acquisition unit 136 can then save the game video defined by the start and end points to image recording device 2a. When the game video is saved to image recording device 2a, video acquisition unit 136 sets an image ID that identifies the saved game video. The image ID is always set to uniquely identify each game video saved to image recording device 2a.

[0056] After the game ends, the user can edit the game video recorded on the image recording device 2a. For example, the user can use the input device 6 to set the start and end points of the scenes to be saved in the 60-minute game video recorded on the image recording device 2a.

[0057] Figure 4 A trimming and editing screen 200 is depicted. On the trimming and editing screen 200, a user can edit game videos stored in the image recording device 2a. For example, if there is a time limit set for videos that can be uploaded to the distribution server 12, the user can operate the input device 6 to specify a start and end point for trimming the game video to a length suitable for uploading. When the receiving unit 138 receives the start and end points specified by the user, the trimming processing unit 140 trims the game video recorded in the image recording device 2a to the time length defined by the start and end points, and overwrites the image recording device 2a with the trimmed game video. At this time, the image ID remains unchanged. It should be noted that regardless of whether it is uploaded or not, the user can edit the game video to trim the desired game scene.

[0058] As described above, users can save edited game videos to image recording device 2a. Users can then upload the game videos saved in image recording device 2a to distribution server 12 for sharing with other viewers.

[0059] Figure 5The functional blocks of the information processing device 10, primarily used for implementing the function of sharing game videos, are described. The information processing device 10 includes a processing unit 100 and a communication unit 102. The processing unit 100 includes a receiving unit 138, a sharing processing unit 150, and a display processing unit 160. The sharing processing unit 150 includes an uploading unit 152 and an acquisition unit 154. The display processing unit 160 includes a thumbnail display unit 162 and an information display unit 164. The receiving unit 138 receives operation information from the user's input device 6.

[0060] The user uploads the game video from the upload screen to the distribution server 12. Specifically, on the upload screen, the user selects the game video to upload and the desired distribution server 12. This causes the upload unit 152 to upload the game video to the distribution server 12.

[0061] Figure 6 This is a timing diagram of the process for uploading game videos. When the user selects the game video to be uploaded and the distribution server 12 as the upload destination, the receiving unit 138 receives the operation of selecting the game video and the distribution server 12 (S10). The uploading unit 152 uploads the game video to the selected distribution server 12 (S12).

[0062] After acquiring the game video from the information processing device 10, the distribution server 12 assigns an upload ID to the acquired game video, transmits the upload ID to the information processing device 10 (S14), and begins distributing the game video (S18). The commencement of distribution here signifies the state that allows viewing users to access the distribution server 12 to watch the relevant game video. When the distribution server 12 begins distributing the game video, the game video is shared. In addition to information identifying the distribution server 12, the upload ID may also include information identifying the content to be distributed by the distribution server 12 (i.e., the content ID to be distributed).

[0063] In the information processing device 10, the uploading unit 152 obtains the upload ID from the distribution server 12 (S16). The uploading unit 152 then transmits a combination of the image ID of the uploaded game video and the upload ID sent from the distribution server 12 to the management server 14 (S20).

[0064] Figure 7 The functional blocks of the management server 14 are depicted. The management server 14 includes a control unit 210 and a communication unit 212. The control unit 210 includes an ID acquisition unit 220, an ID allocation unit 222, an ID transmission unit 224, a request receiving unit 226, a request transmission unit 228, a data acquisition unit 230, a data transmission unit 232, and a metadata ID recording unit 234.

[0065] exist Figure 7In this document, the elements described as functional blocks for performing various processes of the management server 14 can be configured to use hardware such as circuit blocks, memory, and other LSIs, or software, for example, implemented by using a program loaded into memory. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be implemented solely by hardware, solely by software, or by a combination of both in different forms, and are not limited to any of these forms.

[0066] In the management server 14, the ID acquisition unit 220 acquires a combination of image ID and upload ID from the information processing device 10. The image ID is set to the game video by the information processing device 10, and the upload ID is assigned to the uploaded game video by the distribution server 12 (S22). The ID allocation unit 222 assigns a metadata ID to the combination of image ID and upload ID, and records the assigned metadata ID to the metadata ID recording unit 234 (S24). At the same time, the ID transmission unit 224 transmits the assigned metadata ID to the information processing device (S26). In the information processing device 10, the acquisition unit 154 acquires the metadata ID assigned to the combination of image ID and upload ID from the management server 14 (S28), and records the associated image ID and metadata ID to the image recording device 2a (S30).

[0067] As described above, the process of uploading the game video is complete. In response to a viewer's request, distribution server 12 distributes the uploaded game video to the requesting user. Distribution server 12 manages past distribution records (such as the number of game video distributions and the number of reviews from viewers) and displays records related to the game videos. Distribution server 12 can use past distribution record data for each content image to create a popularity ranking of the content images. This allows viewers accessing distribution server 12 to know which content images are popular. For example, if expecting to watch a video related to a game of interest, a viewer can enter the game's name into the search service provided by distribution server 12. Distribution server 12 can then be arranged to display thumbnails of multiple distributed videos in descending order of distribution quantity.

[0068] Users who upload game videos can verify the past distribution records of their uploaded game videos by accessing distribution server 12. However, some users may find it cumbersome to have to access distribution server 12. In cases where a game video is distributed from multiple distribution servers 12, it is necessary to access each of the distribution servers 12 to verify the past distribution records. Therefore, information processing system 1 provides a solution that allows users to easily verify the past distribution records of their uploaded game videos.

[0069] Figure 8 This is a sequence diagram illustrating the process of displaying information about past distribution records. The following explains the scenario where a user displays a list of game videos stored in the image recording device 2a. When displaying the video list, the information processing device 10 acquires past distribution record data and displays information about the acquired past distribution records associated with display elements (e.g., thumbnails) indicating the game videos. This allows the user to verify the past distribution record information without needing to operate the input device 6 to access the distribution server 12.

[0070] When a user instructs the display of a list of game videos accumulated in the image recording device 2a, the receiving unit 138 receives an instruction to display the list of game videos (S40). For example, if six display elements (thumbs up) are displayed on the screen of the output device 4, the thumbnail display unit 162 in the display processing unit 160 determines the image IDs of the six game videos and obtains the metadata IDs associated with those six image IDs from the image recording device 2a (S42). Note that if a game video is uploaded to multiple distribution servers 12, the image ID of the game video may be associated with multiple metadata IDs.

[0071] The thumbnail display unit 162 provides the acquired multiple metadata IDs to the shared processing unit 150. The acquisition unit 154 transmits a request to the management server 14 to acquire past distribution record data including multiple metadata IDs (S44).

[0072] In the management server 14, the request receiving unit 226 receives a request from the information processing device 10 to obtain past distribution record data including metadata IDs (S46). The metadata ID recording unit 234 records the metadata IDs assigned to the image ID and the upload ID. By referring to the content recorded in the metadata ID recording unit 234, the request transmission unit 228 obtains the upload ID from the metadata IDs included in the received acquisition request (S48). As described above, each upload ID includes information identifying the distribution server 12. The request transmission unit 228 identifies the distribution server 12 according to the upload ID and transmits a request to each identified distribution server 12 to obtain past distribution record data including the upload ID (S50).

[0073] Upon receiving a request to retrieve past distribution record data, distribution server 12 extracts information including the information identifying the distribution content in the upload ID (i.e., the distribution content ID), and searches for past distribution record data about the identified distribution content (S52). Distribution server 12 then transmits the past distribution record data about the distribution content to management server 14 (S54).

[0074] In the management server 14, the data acquisition unit 230 acquires past allocation record data sent from the allocation server 12 (S56). The data transmission unit 232 transmits past distribution record data associated with the image ID to the information processing device 10 (S58).

[0075] In the information processing apparatus 10, the acquisition unit 154 acquires past allocation record data associated with the image ID (S60) and provides the acquired data to the display processing unit 160. This allows the display processing unit 160 to display information about past allocation records generated from past allocation record data associated with display elements indicating game videos (S62).

[0076] Figure 9 An exemplary list display screen depicting game videos stored in image recording device 2a is shown. This list display screen is also referred to as a gallery screen. Thumbnail display unit 162 displays six display elements indicating six game videos on this gallery screen. The number of display elements displayed on the gallery screen can be determined according to the user's needs. Information display unit 164 displays information about past distribution records associated with the display elements indicating uploaded game videos. Here, thumbnails 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d, 300e, and 300f are displayed as display elements representing game videos.

[0077] Since the gallery screen displays thumbnails 300 of game videos stored in the image recording device 2a, thumbnails 300 of uploaded game videos and thumbnails 300 of unuploaded game videos can coexist on the screen. Figure 9 In the example, thumbnails 300b and 300f represent thumbnails 300 of the uploaded game video.

[0078] Information display unit 164 displays past distribution record information 304 indicating the number of distributions associated with thumbnail 300b. In this example, past distribution record information 304 indicates that the number of distributions of the game video represented by thumbnail 300b exceeds one million. Furthermore, information display unit 164 displays past distribution record information 308 associated with thumbnail 300f, indicating that a large number of highly rated reviews have been received from viewing users. Viewing past distribution record information 304 and 308 allows users to easily verify past distribution records and has increasing motivation to play games and distribute their videos.

[0079] The information display unit 164 can display best performance information from various past distribution record data. In addition to presenting information about excellent past distribution records, the information display unit 164 can also display information about less successful past distribution records. Verifying various information about such past distribution records allows users to analyze viewing preferences of users, etc.

[0080] Furthermore, the information display unit 164 can display information related to events included in the game video, associated with thumbnails 300a and 300d. As described above, the event information transmission unit 122 transmits event information generated during gameplay to the management server 14. Therefore, when the start and end times of a given game video are known to the management server 14, the management server 14 can identify events occurring within that game video. In this example, the information display unit 164 displays event information 302 associated with thumbnail 300a indicating the acquisition of a trophy as a virtual prize, and event information 306 associated with thumbnail 300d indicating the occurrence of a hat trick.

[0081] As described above, when the thumbnail display unit 162 displays a thumbnail 300 of the game video stored in the image recording device 2a, the information display unit 164 displays information about past distribution records or information related to events associated with the thumbnail. Viewing such information motivates users to play the game more and more.

[0082] This disclosure has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that these embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications can be made to combinations of various components and processes, and such modifications are also within the scope of this disclosure.

[0083] For example, management server 14 can include comments from viewing users in the past distribution record data to be transmitted. In this case, information display unit 164 can view comments from viewing users associated with thumbnail 300.

[0084] Industrial applicability

[0085] This disclosure can be applied to techniques for displaying elements that indicate uploaded content images.

[0086] Reference Symbol List

[0087] 1: Information Processing System

[0088] 2a: Image recording device

[0089] 10: Information processing device

[0090] 12a, 12b, 12c: Distribution servers

[0091] 14: Management Server

[0092] 100: Processing Unit

[0093] 102: Communication Unit

[0094] 110: Game Software

[0095] 120: Event Information Generation Unit

[0096] 122: Event Information Transmission Unit

[0097] 130: Output Processing Unit

[0098] 132: Recording control unit

[0099] 134: Ring Buffer

[0100] 136: Video Acquisition Unit

[0101] 138: Receiving Unit

[0102] 140: Pruning Processing Unit

[0103] 150: Shared Processing Unit

[0104] 152: Upload Unit

[0105] 154: Acquisition Unit

[0106] 160: Display Processing Unit

[0107] 162: Thumbnail display unit

[0108] 164: Information Display Unit

[0109] 210: Control Unit

[0110] 212: Communication Unit

[0111] 220: ID Acquisition Unit

[0112] 222: ID Allocation Unit

[0113] 224: ID Transmission Unit

[0114] 226: Request Receiving Unit

[0115] 228: Request for Transmission Unit

[0116] 230: Data Acquisition Unit

[0117] 232: Data transmission unit

[0118] 234: Metadata ID Record Unit

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus connected with a distribution server and a management server, comprising: a sharing processing unit configured to upload a content image recorded in a recording device to the distribution server; and a display processing unit configured to display a display element indicating the uploaded content image, wherein: the sharing processing unit acquires past distribution record data about the uploaded content image, the display processing unit displays information of a past distribution record associated with the display element indicating the uploaded content image, and after acquiring an upload ID assigned to the uploaded content image from the distribution server, the sharing processing unit transmits a combination of the upload ID and an image ID to the management server, the image ID being set to the content image by the recording device, the sharing processing unit further acquiring a metadata ID assigned to the combination of the image ID and the upload ID from the management server.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display processing unit displays a thumbnail of the content image as the display element.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sharing processing unit records the image ID and the metadata ID associated with each other to the recording device.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display processing unit acquires the metadata ID associated with the image ID of the content image in the recording device, the sharing processing unit transmits a request to the management server to acquire the past distribution record data including the metadata ID, the sharing processing unit further acquiring the past distribution record data from the management server, and the display processing unit displays information related to the past distribution record generated from the past distribution record data and associated with the display element indicating the content image.

5. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the display processing unit displays information about an event included in the content image associated with the display element indicating the content image.

6. A display element display method for displaying a display element indicating a content image, the method comprising: uploading a content image recorded in a recording device to a distribution server; acquiring past distribution record data about the uploaded content image; displaying a display element indicating the uploaded content image; displaying information of a past distribution record associated with the display element; and after acquiring an upload ID assigned to the uploaded content image from the distribution server, the acquiring includes transmitting a combination of the upload ID and an image ID to a management server, wherein the image ID is set to the content image by the recording device, the acquiring further includes acquiring a metadata ID assigned to the combination of the image ID and the upload ID from the management server.

7. A program product comprising computer instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform: uploading a content image recorded in a recording device to a distribution server; acquiring past distribution record data regarding the uploaded content image; displaying a display element indicating the uploaded content image; displaying information regarding a past distribution record associated with the display element; and after acquiring, from the distribution server, an upload ID assigned to the uploaded content image, the acquiring includes transmitting a combination of the upload ID and an image ID to a management server, wherein the image ID is set to the content image by the recording device, the acquiring further includes acquiring, from the management server, a metadata ID assigned to the combination of the image ID and the upload ID.

8. A management server connected with an information processing apparatus operated by a user and with a distribution server that distributes a content image uploaded from the information processing apparatus, the management server comprising: an ID acquiring unit configured to acquire a combination of an image ID and an upload ID from the information processing apparatus, the image ID being set to the content image by the information processing apparatus, the upload ID being assigned to the uploaded content image by the distribution server; an ID assigning unit configured to assign a metadata ID to the combination of the image ID and the upload ID; an ID transmitting unit configured to transmit the metadata ID to the information processing apparatus; a request receiving unit configured to receive, from the information processing apparatus, a request to acquire past distribution record data including the metadata ID; a request transmitting unit configured to acquire, from the metadata ID included in the acquisition request, the upload ID before transmitting, to the distribution server, a request to acquire the past distribution record data including the upload ID; and a data transmitting unit configured to transmit the image ID and the past distribution record data to the information processing apparatus. ​ ​

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