Information processing apparatus, information processing method and program

Abstract

To satisfy the needs of users interested in a digital art content.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus comprises: a first memory unit for memorizing a digital art content including plural customizable parts; a second memory unit for memorizing use right information for determining whether or not any user has a use right to each of the plural parts; a determination unit, when a user requests customization of any part, for determining whether or not the user has a use right based on the use right information; and a customization unit, when the user has a use right, for executing the customization of the part in accordance with the customization request.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, transactions of various products have been carried out using an e-commerce system. With the advent of the broadband era, large-capacity contents such as digital art contents (illustrations, CG (Computer Graphics) models, manga, etc.) are also widely traded using the e-commerce system.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] At present when digital art contents are becoming widely penetrated, the number of enthusiastic users (so-called core users) who desire exclusive ownership and use of the characters appearing in the contents is increasing. For example, core users of an online card game have a desire to customize and collect a part of the illustration of the character drawn on the card and share it with their friends, but there is still no technology that can sufficiently meet such demands.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of satisfying the demands of users interested in digital art contents.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first storage unit that stores digital art content including a plurality of customizable parts, a second storage unit that stores usage right information for determining whether each of the plurality of parts has a usage right, a determination unit that determines whether a user has a usage right based on the usage right information when a customization request is made for any of the parts from the user, a customization unit that customizes the part in response to the customization request when the user has the usage right, and a first generation unit that generates first composite art content by synthesizing the customized parts.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to satisfy the demands of users who are interested in digital art content.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, those with the same reference numerals have the same or similar configurations.

[0010] <System Configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a content transaction support system 1 according to the present embodiment. The content transaction support system 1 includes a content management server 10 and a user terminal 20.

[0011] The content management server 10 and the user terminal 20 are interconnected via a communication network N. The communication network N means a communication path capable of data communication, and includes, in addition to a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection and a LAN (Local Area Network) such as Ethernet (registered trademark), communication networks such as a telephone communication network, a cable network, and the Internet, and also includes wired / wireless communication methods.

[0012] The content management server (information processing device) 10 is a server that manages digital art content that can be provided to users and provides a place (market) for trading the usage rights of digital art content. The content management server 10 may be composed of one or more servers, or may be configured using a cloud server.

[0013] In this embodiment, as digital art content, for example, digital works including characters (persons), ornaments, backgrounds, etc. that appear in animation works are assumed, but content including videos, music, etc. may also be used. Each digital art content can set and trade (transfer, etc.) the customization right (usage right) in part units. In this embodiment, as an example of the usage right, the right to color the digital art content and the right to transmit personal information are assumed (details will be described later), but the present invention is not limited to this, and it can be arbitrarily set and changed.

[0014] The user terminal 20 is a terminal used by a user who purchases and holds the usage right in part units for digital art content. As the user terminal 20, any terminal with a communication function can be used, such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, a personal computer (PC), and a notebook PC. The user can not only hold the usage right purchased in part units but also transfer it to other users through the content management server 10.

[0015] <Hardware Configuration> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the content management server 10. The content management server 10 includes a processor 11 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit), a memory, a storage device 12 such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and / or an SSD (Solid State Drive), a communication IF (Interface) 13 that performs wired or wireless communication, an input device 14 that receives input operations, and an output device 15 that outputs information. The input device 14 is, for example, a keyboard, a touch panel, a mouse, and / or a microphone, etc. The output device 15 is, for example, a display, a touch panel, and / or a speaker, etc.

[0016] <Functional Block Configuration> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional block configuration of the content management server 10. The content management server 10 includes a storage unit 100, a determination unit 110, a customization unit 120, a generation unit 130, a display control unit 140, and a rights processing unit 150.

[0017] The storage unit 100 can be realized by using the storage device 12 provided in the content management server 10. Further, the determination unit 110, the customization unit 120, the generation unit 130, the display control unit 140, and the rights processing unit 150 can be realized by the processor 11 of the content management server 10 executing a program stored in the storage device 12. Further, the program can be stored in a storage medium. The storage medium storing the program may be a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium (Non-transitory computer readable medium). The non-transitory storage medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a storage medium such as a USB memory or a CD-ROM.

[0018] The storage unit 100 includes a user management database (DB) 101, a digital art content DB 102, and a usage right information DB 103.

[0019] The user management DB 101 stores personal information of each user who uses the content management server 10. The personal information includes, for example, account information (user ID, password, etc.) of each user used to access the content management server 10, the name, address, phone number, email address, etc. of each user. The user management database DB 101 also stores history information indicating the usage record of each user in this system 1 (for example, the transaction status of the usage right of digital art content, etc.).

[0020] The digital art content DB (first storage unit) 102 stores various digital art contents that can be traded with each user.

[0021] Figure 4 is an image diagram of the digital art content AC. The digital art content (illustration) AC illustrated in Figure 4 is composed of characters (persons) appearing in the animation work, character ornaments, and backgrounds.

[0022] Figure 5 is an image diagram of each part Pc, Pd, Pb constituting the digital art content AC. As shown in Figure 5, the digital art content AC is subdivided according to attributes such as characters (persons), ornaments, and backgrounds. Specifically, if it is a character, it is divided into character parts Pc that constitute a person (attribute) such as hair and face... If it is an ornament, it is divided into decoration parts Pd that constitute character ornaments (attributes) such as hats and mantles... If it is a background, it is divided into background parts Pb that constitute the background (attribute) of the illustration such as background 1-1 and background 1-2...

[0023] Each part Pc, Pd, Pb has a customization permission (usage right) set respectively, and can be made into cards for transactions (such as transfers). For example, if it is a character part Pc, it is traded as a character card. If it is a decoration part Pd, it is traded as a decoration card. If it is a background part Pb, it is traded as a background card. The number of sales and sales methods of each card can be set arbitrarily. For example, as the number of sales, the character card can be set to 30, the decoration card to 80, the background card to 500, etc. Also, as the sales method, the operator of the content management server 10 or the like can set a fixed price or an auction method.

[0024] Figure 6 is an image diagram for explaining the details of the specifications of each card. As shown in FIG. 6, the specifications of each card differ for each attribute. For example, for character cards, coloring is prohibited, while for decoration cards, although coloring is permitted, the degree of freedom in coloring is low (for example, there are about three selectable colors for coloring), and for background cards, coloring is permitted and the degree of freedom in coloring is high (for example, there are six or more selectable colors for coloring), and so on. In addition, the splitting methods of the respective parts Pc, Pd, Pb, the number of printed copies, etc. are set to differ for each attribute, but how these items are set is arbitrary.

[0025] FIG. 7 is an image diagram when coloring is performed according to the attribute of each card. When a character card is selected from the cards acquired by the transaction, since coloring of the card is prohibited, a message indicating that coloring is not possible is displayed on the user terminal 20 (see A in FIG. 7).

[0026] On the other hand, when a decoration card is selected, since the degree of freedom in coloring of the card is set low, the selectable colors are limited to three, and this is displayed on the user terminal 20 (see B in FIG. 7).

[0027] Also, when a background card is selected, since the degree of freedom in coloring of the card is set high, the selectable colors are expanded to six or more, and this is displayed on the user terminal 20 (see C in FIG. 7).

[0028] FIG. 8 is an image diagram of the digital art content AC before and after coloring. Specifically, the left side of FIG. 8 shows the digital art content before coloring, and the right side of FIG. 8 shows the digital art content after coloring. In the following description, for convenience, the digital art content before coloring is referred to as the original art content ACo, and the digital art content after coloring is referred to as the colored composite art content ACs.

[0029] As already described, in the present embodiment, restrictions (constraint conditions regarding customization) are provided for the coloring of each part according to the attributes. Therefore, even if users (fans) scattered around the world perform coloring, it is possible to realize unprecedented participatory art without destroying the worldview of the original art content ACo, and it is possible to create coloring composite art content ACs as fan art. Note that "fan art" refers to a work based on characters, decorations, backgrounds, etc. created by others.

[0030] Returning to FIG. 3, the usage right information DB (second storage unit) 103 determines whether each of the parts Pc, Pd, Pb has a customization right (usage right), and stores usage right information indicating the content of the customization right (for example, the type of coloring, etc.). For example, for a certain decorative part Pd, a usage right to color (selectable colors: specific three colors) is set for a certain user (user ID: U1), and for a certain background part Pb, a usage right to color (selectable colors: six or more colors) is set for another user (user ID: U2), and so on. Each usage right information is set and updated by the right processing unit 150 for each of the parts Pc, Pd, Pb that are the transaction targets.

[0031] When there is a customization request from the user for any of the parts Pc, Pd, Pb, the determination unit 110 determines whether the user has the customization right based on the usage right information. For example, when there is a customization request for a certain decorative part Pd in a specific color (for example, red) from a certain user, the determination unit 110 refers to the usage right information DB 103 and determines whether the user has the right to color the certain decorative part Pd in the specific color.

[0032] When the user has the customization authority, the customization unit 120 performs the customization of each part Pc, Pd, and Pb in response to the customization request. In the present embodiment, restrictions (constraint conditions regarding customization) on the coloring of each part Pc, Pd, and Pb are provided according to the attributes. Therefore, the customization unit 120 performs coloring for each card corresponding to each part Pc, Pd, and Pb within the range of the set restrictions regarding coloring (see A to C in FIG. 7 above).

[0033] The generation unit 130 includes a first generation unit 131 and a second generation unit 132. The first generation unit 131 generates color-combined art content (first combined art content) ACs by combining the customized parts Pc, Pd, and Pb. Specifically, when the coloring is performed by the customization unit 120, the first generation unit 131 generates color-combined art content ACs as shown in FIG. 8 by combining the colored parts Pc, Pd, and Pb. The second generation unit 132 receives the individual information transmitted by each user and generates the following transmitted combined art content (second combined art content) based on the received individual information.

[0034] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are image diagrams for explaining the generation process of the transmitted combined art content ACt. In the present embodiment, the user who has the customization authority (usage right) for each part Pc, Pd, and Pb can not only color but also transmit information (individual information) regarding himself / herself.

[0035] As an example, as shown in FIG. 9, the user can select a character (e.g., a character avatar) CHs that the user likes from among a plurality of characters CH appearing in the original art content ACo, input link destination information (such as a URL) IF to various SNSs, or input a comment CM for the original art content ACo. When the user completes the input of the personal information, the user presses the OK button B1. Of course, the personal information that the user can transmit is not limited to these, and may be configured to include various other information. By enabling each user to transmit personal information in this way, it is possible to activate the content community.

[0036] When the second generation unit 132 receives the input of personal information from each user, as shown in FIG. 10, the received personal information is superimposed on the corresponding parts Pc, Pd, Pb, and the parts Pc, Pd, Pb after the superimposition are combined to generate the transmitted composite art content Act.

[0037] Specifically, the second generation unit 132 generates the transmitted composite art content Act by arranging the character CHs and the comment CM selected by the user having the customization authority for each part Pc, Pd, Pb.

[0038] The display control unit 140 controls the display content of each user terminal 20 according to an instruction input by each user. As an example, the display control unit 140 switches the display for each user terminal 20 between the color-painted composite art content ACs and the transmitted composite art content Act according to the input instruction (see FIG. 11).

[0039] The right processing unit 150 conducts a transaction (such as buying and selling) of the usage right of the digital art content AC with each user. When the right processing unit 150 conducts a transaction of the usage right of the digital art content AC, the history information indicating the transaction content (that is, the usage record of each user) is registered in the user management database DB101.

[0040] Not only can usage rights be set for each part of the digital art content AC, but usage rights can also be set for the digital art content (i.e., the colored composite art content) AC itself after synthesis. Also, the number of times of setting usage rights may be once or multiple times. When setting usage rights multiple times, for example, after holding the first usage right (such as coloring) setting event, the second usage right setting event may be held after a predetermined period.

[0041] When the usage right of any part of the digital art content AC is transferred from one user to another user, the customization unit 120 performs recustomization (for example, changing the color of the part) of the part in response to the customization request by the other user. Also, the usage right setting event may be arbitrarily held by the operator who operates the system 1, or may be held irregularly, for example, in response to requests from each user.

[0042] Next, the processing flow in the content transaction support system 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing flow related to the use of the digital art content AC. In the following description, it is assumed that for the digital art content AC, the user purchases the usage right from the content management server 10 and the usage right setting is performed normally.

[0043] The user logs in to the content management server 10 using the user terminal 20 and makes a customization request for the digital art content (illustration) AC (step S1). The customization request includes, in addition to account information (such as user ID and password), customization detail information (specifically, coloring for the digital art content AC, or information indicating the transmission of individual information, etc.).

[0044] When the content management server 10 receives a customization request from the user terminal 20, it refers to the usage right information stored in the usage right information DB 103 and determines whether the user has the customization right (usage right) (step S2).

[0045] When the content management server 10 determines based on the usage right information that the user does not have the customization right (step S2: NO), it notifies the user that the customization request is rejected (step S3). On the other hand, when the content management server 10 determines that the user has the customization right (step S2: YES), it notifies the user that the customization request is permitted (step S4). The content management server 10 refers to the customization detail information included in the customization request and grasps the content of the customization desired by the user (for example, coloring of digital art content AC or transmission of individual information, etc.) (step S5).

[0046] When the content management server 10 grasps the content of the customization desired by the user, it customizes the digital art content AC based on the customization detail information. For example, if the content of the customization desired by the user is coloring of the digital art content AC, it colors the parts (for example, decorative parts Pd) for which the user has the customization right with the specific color selected by the user (step S6 → step S7). The content management server 10 generates colored composite art content ACs by synthesizing the colored parts (step S8) and displays them on the display of the user terminal 20 of the user (step S9).

[0047] On the other hand, if the content of the customization desired by the user is transmission of individual information, the content management server 10 requests the user to input (transmit) individual information (for example, link destination information to SNS, comments, etc.) (step S6 → step S10).

[0048] The user inputs personal information using the user terminal 20 (step S11). The content management server 10 receives the personal information input by the user (step S12). When the content management server 10 receives the input of personal information, it superimposes the received personal information on the corresponding part. The content management server 10 generates the transmission composite art content ACt by synthesizing the superimposed parts (step S13), and displays the generated transmission composite art content ACt on the display of the user terminal 20 of the user (step S14).

[0049] When the content management server 10 receives an instruction to switch the display content from the user terminal 20, it switches the display for the user terminal 20 between the colored composite art content ACs and the transmission composite art content ACt according to the switching instruction (see FIG. 10).

[0050] As described above, according to this embodiment, regarding the digital art content AC, users scattered around the world can perform coloring, transmission of personal information, etc. based on the customization authority (usage right) of each purchased part.

[0051] Regarding coloring, since restrictions are provided according to the attributes of each part, it is possible to create the colored composite art content ACs as fan art without destroying the worldview of the original art content ACo.

[0052] Also, by enabling each user to transmit personal information, it is possible to activate the content community.

[0053] In addition, some benefits may be given to each user who has purchased the right to use the digital art content AC. For example, POAP (Proof Of Attendance Protocol) may be given to all the purchasing users, or rare acrylic stand-style illustrations may be given to specific users by lottery. Of course, the content of the benefits, the conditions for granting the benefits, the timing of granting the benefits, etc. can be arbitrarily set and changed according to system design, etc.

[0054] B. Others For the digital art content AC, an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) issued on the blockchain may be used to prove the owner. As an example, the content management server 10 sets a predetermined number of exclusive customization rights (usage rights) for the digital art content ACs and manages the set usage rights as NFTs on the blockchain.

[0055] Specifically, the content management server 10 connects to a blockchain network (not shown) and generates a transaction for including information related to the setting of usage rights (for example, the usage right of the digital art content AC) that reflects the established transaction result in a new block. When the transaction is approved in the blockchain network, a new block is added. The blockchain data including the information related to the setting of usage rights is distributed and managed by the nodes of the blockchain network. In this way, the information (for example, user ID, etc.) that proves the owner of the usage right of the digital art content AC to be traded is managed by the blockchain of the blockchain network, thereby ensuring the exclusivity of the usage right for one digital art content AC.

[0056] The embodiments described above are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and are not for limiting and interpreting the present invention. The flowcharts, sequences, each element included in the embodiments, and their arrangements, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, etc. described in the embodiments are not limited to those exemplified and can be changed as appropriate. Note that Ethereum may be used for the blockchain.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0057] 1... Content transaction support system, 10... Content management server, 11... Processor, 12... Storage device, 13... Communication IF, 14... Input device, 15... Output device, 20... User terminal, 100... Storage unit, 101... User management DB, 102... Digital art content DB, 103... Usage right information DB, 110... Judgment unit, 120... Customization unit, 130... Generation unit, 140... Display control unit, 150... Right processing unit, AC... Digital art content, Pc... Character parts, Pd... Decoration parts, Pb... Background parts, ACo... Original art content, ACs... Coloring composite art content, ACt... Transmitted composite art content, CH, CHs... Character, IF... Link destination information, CM... Comment

Claims

1. A first storage unit that stores digital art content including a plurality of customizable parts; A second storage unit that stores usage right information for determining whether each of the plurality of parts has a usage right; A determination unit that determines whether the user has a usage right based on the usage right information when the user makes a customization request for any of the parts; A customization unit that customizes the part in response to the customization request when the user has the usage right; An information processing apparatus comprising: a first generation unit that generates first composite art content by synthesizing the customized parts.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the usage right is transferable, and when the usage right of any of the parts is transferred from the user to another user, the customization unit re-customizes the part in response to the customization request of the other user.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein attributes are set for each of the plurality of parts, and the customization unit customizes the part according to the attribute.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein constraint conditions regarding customization of the part are set for each attribute, and the customization unit performs the customization within the range of the set constraint conditions.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a second generation unit that receives individual information transmitted by the user having the usage right for each part, superimposes the received individual information on the corresponding part, and generates second composite art content by synthesizing the superimposed parts.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a display control unit that controls display on a display device, wherein the display control unit switches the display on the display device between the first composite art content and the second composite art content according to an input instruction.

7. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, An information processing apparatus that sets the usage right for the digital art content and manages the set usage right as a non-fungible token on a blockchain.

8. A computer comprising a first storage unit that stores digital art content including a plurality of customizable parts, and a second storage unit that stores usage right information for determining whether each of the plurality of parts has a usage right, The computer is configured to When there is a customization request from a user for any of the parts, a determination unit that determines whether the user has a usage right based on the usage right information; When the user has the usage right, a customization unit that customizes the part in response to the customization request; A program for causing the computer to function as a first generation unit that generates first synthesized art content by synthesizing the customized parts.

9. A computer comprising a first storage unit that stores digital art content including a plurality of customizable parts, and a second storage unit that stores usage right information for determining whether each of the plurality of parts has a usage right, When there is a customization request from a user for any of the parts, a determination step of determining whether the user has a usage right based on the usage right information; When the user has the usage right, a customization step of customizing the part in response to the customization request; A method including a first generation step of generating first synthesized art content by synthesizing the customized parts.

Images