Information processing device, content display method and content display program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, a content display method, and a content display program, which enable more various expressions for a content displayed on a screen.SOLUTION: A portable terminal 3 displays comics formed by a plurality of consecutive still images on a screen. A comics display processing scrolls comics displayed on a screen 3a in one direction and performs a rotation notification for urging a user to execute horizontal rotation at a predetermined angle using the screen 3a as a reference surface at a predetermined notification timing according to the progress of the comics.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, a content display method, and a content display program. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART In recent years, online services such as websites (web pages, web services), online games, and application software (hereinafter referred to as "apps") that are distributed to information processing devices such as mobile terminals via computer networks have become widespread.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an image display device that enlarges and displays a specified range within a page (for example, one frame drawn within a page) on a display screen to display a manga, where one page is made up of multiple frames. To this end, the image display device disclosed in Patent Document 1 generates a display range switching list in which various parameters for sequentially switching the range to be displayed on the display screen are set, and the frames to be displayed, the coordinates of the display center, and the display magnification are set in association with the display order. As a result, the web page is displayed on the display screen while sequentially switching the display range according to the generated display range switching list.

[0004] Therefore, with the image display device disclosed in Patent Document 1, even if the web page is large, the user can comfortably view every corner of the web page without having to perform complicated controller operations such as scrolling up, down, left, and right or zooming in and out of the image. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-164862 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In recent years, manga that can be viewed on information processing devices are not just manga that have been imported as image data from paper media, but also manga that have been created as image data from the beginning with the intention of being distributed to information processing devices. Manga created with the intention of being distributed to such information processing devices are expected to be able to express a variety of expressions that could not be expressed on paper media.

[0007] The image display device disclosed in Patent Document 1 scrolls up, down, left, and right. Its purpose is to allow users to comfortably view manga that is page-by-page and frame-by-frame, captured from paper media as image data, but not to diversify the ways in which manga is expressed. Therefore, there is a need for technological development that enables more diverse ways of expressing content such as manga displayed on information processing devices.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an information processing device, a content display method, and a content display program that enable more diverse expressions for content displayed on a screen. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the information processing device, the content display method, and the content display program of the present invention employ the following means.

[0010] In order to solve the above problem, an "information processing device" which is one aspect of the present invention is an information processing device which displays content formed by a plurality of consecutive still images on a screen, and which is equipped with a scroll control means which scrolls the content displayed on the screen in one direction, and a rotation notification means which issues a rotation notification to prompt the user to perform a horizontal rotation of a predetermined angle with the screen as a reference plane at a predetermined notification timing according to the progress of the content.

[0011] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention, a "content display method," is a content display method for displaying content formed by a plurality of consecutive still images on a screen, and includes a first step of scrolling the content displayed on the screen in one direction, and a second step of issuing a rotation notification at a predetermined notification timing according to the progress of the content, to prompt the user to perform a horizontal rotation by a predetermined angle with the screen as a reference plane.

[0012] In order to solve the above problem, a "content display program" which is one aspect of the present invention causes a computer provided in an information processing device which displays content formed by a series of multiple still images on a screen to function as a scroll control means which scrolls the content displayed on the screen in one direction, and a rotation notification means which issues a rotation notification to prompt the user to perform a horizontal rotation of a predetermined angle with the screen as a reference plane at a predetermined notification timing according to the progress of the content.

[0013] Various technical limitations may be imposed on the above-mentioned "information processing device," as exemplified below. Furthermore, technical limitations of the same purport may be imposed on the processing steps executed by the "content display method" or the functions of the "content display program."

[0014] The rotation notification means displays a rotation notification image on the screen together with the content to prompt the user to rotate the screen as the rotation notification.

[0015] The content is added with rotation information indicating the timing to rotate the screen and the angle of rotation of the screen, and the rotation notification means performs the rotation notification based on the rotation information.

[0016] When the content displayed on the screen reaches a rotation timing for rotating the screen, the scroll control means does not display the still image on the screen after the rotation timing until it detects the rotation of the screen.

[0017] The scroll control means stops scrolling of the content when the content displayed on the screen reaches a rotation timing for rotating the screen.

[0018] The scroll control means scrolls the content in response to a user's operation using an indicator on the screen, controls the amount of movement of the still image in response to an inertial force based on the movement speed of the indicator, and continues scrolling the content in response to the inertial force even when the content displayed on the screen reaches the rotation timing for rotating the screen.

[0019] The scroll control means scrolls the still image at a predetermined speed.

[0020] The speed varies depending on the still image.

[0021] The scroll control means determines at a predetermined timing whether or not a predetermined condition for scrolling the content is satisfied, and scrolls the content when the condition is satisfied. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a more diverse range of expressions for content displayed on a screen. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a manga distribution system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a server according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a mobile terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram showing manga data showing a manga according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5]3 is a diagram showing a state of an image displayed on a screen from a user's viewpoint when the user performs a screen rotation operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a rotation notification image according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram relating to a manga display function of a mobile terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of manga display processing on the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An information processing device, a content display method, and a content display program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] [1. First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0026] [1-1. Manga distribution system configuration] 1 is a schematic diagram of a manga distribution system 1 according to this embodiment. The manga distribution system 1 includes a communication line 2, a plurality of mobile terminals 3, and a server 4.

[0027] The communication line 2 forms a computer network, and is, for example, a wide area communication line provided by an electric utility company.

[0028] The mobile terminal 3 is an information processing terminal such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, or laptop computer, and is used by the user to access online services delivered via the communication line 2. The mobile terminal 3 includes a touch panel display 3a that displays images, a speaker 3b that outputs sound, a microphone 3c that inputs sound, and a camera 3d that captures an image of a subject. Here, the touch panel display 3a includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a touch sensor. The LCD displays various images, and the touch sensor accepts various input operations performed using a pointing device such as a finger, a stylus, or a pen. In the following description, the touch panel display 3a is also referred to as a screen 3a.

[0029] The server 4 is an information processing device that distributes online services to the mobile terminal 3 via the communication line 2.

[0030] The manga distribution system 1 according to this embodiment distributes manga in the form of digital data from a server 4 to a mobile terminal 3 via a communication line 2 as one of its online services. The manga referred to here is an example of content formed from a series of still images, which are composed of pictures and have a story as a whole. The user views the manga distributed to the mobile terminal 3 using dedicated application software (hereinafter referred to as a "manga viewing app"). The manga viewing app is pre-installed on the mobile terminal 3. Note that the manga viewing app functions even when the mobile terminal 3 and the server 4 are not communicating (offline state) as long as manga data has been downloaded from the server 4 to the mobile terminal 3.

[0031] [1-2. Server configuration] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the server 4 according to this embodiment.

[0032] The server 4 according to this embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20, which is a main control unit that controls the overall operation of the server 4, a ROM in which various programs and various data are stored in advance, and (Read Only Memory) 22, RAM (Random Access Memory) 24 used as a work area when the CPU 20 executes various programs, and HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 26 as storage means for storing various programs and various data.

[0033] The HDD 26 stores manga data indicating manga to be distributed to the mobile terminal 3. Note that the storage means is not limited to the HDD 26, and may be, for example, another storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, such as a flash memory.

[0034] Furthermore, the server 4 is equipped with an operation input unit 28 consisting of a keyboard, mouse, etc., which accepts input of various operations, a monitor 30 such as a liquid crystal display device which displays various images, and an external interface 32 which is connected to other information processing devices such as a mobile terminal 3 via the communication line 2 and sends and receives various data to and from the other information processing devices.

[0035] The CPU 20, ROM 22, RAM 24, HDD 26, operation input unit 28, monitor 30, and external interface 32 are electrically connected to one another via a system bus 34. Therefore, the CPU 20 can access the ROM 22, RAM 24, and HDD 26, grasp the operation status of the operation input unit 28, display images on the monitor 30, and send and receive various data to and from other information processing devices, etc. via the external interface 32.

[0036] [1-3. Electrical configuration of mobile terminal] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the mobile terminal 3. As shown in FIG.

[0037] The mobile terminal 3 includes a main control unit 40, a main memory unit 42, an auxiliary memory unit 44, a communication unit 46, and an operation button 48 in addition to the components shown in FIG.

[0038] The main control unit 40 is, for example, a CPU, a microprocessor, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or the like, and controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 3.

[0039] The main storage unit 42 is configured with, for example, RAM or DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and is used as a work area when the main control unit 40 executes processes based on various programs.

[0040] The auxiliary storage unit 44 is, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, and stores various data such as images, as well as programs used in processing by the main control unit 40. The programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 44 include, for example, an operating system (OS) for implementing the basic functions of the mobile terminal 3, drivers for controlling various hardware, and programs for implementing email, web browsing, and various other functions. The auxiliary storage unit 44 also stores in advance a manga viewing application for displaying manga distributed from the server 4 on the touch panel display 3a.

[0041] The communication unit 46 is, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Controller), and has a function of connecting to the communication line 2. Note that the communication unit 46 may have, instead of or together with the NIC, a function of connecting to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a function of connecting to a wireless WAN (Wide Area Network), a function of enabling short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared communication, etc.

[0042] The operation buttons 48 are provided on the side of the mobile terminal 3, and include a power button for starting or stopping the mobile terminal 3, a volume adjustment button for adjusting the volume of the sound output by the speaker 3b, and the like.

[0043] The main control unit 40, main memory unit 42, auxiliary memory unit 44, communication unit 46, touch panel display 3a, speaker 3b, microphone 3c, camera 3d, and operation buttons 48 are electrically connected to one another via a system bus 49. Therefore, the main control unit 40 can access the main memory unit 42 and auxiliary memory unit 44, display images on the touch panel display 3a, grasp the operation status of the touch panel display 3a and operation buttons 48 by the user, input sound to the microphone 3c, output sound from the speaker 3b, control the camera 3d, and access various communication networks and other information processing devices via the communication unit 46.

[0044] [1-4. Manga display function on mobile devices] The mobile terminal 3 uses a function of the manga viewing app (hereinafter referred to as the "manga display function") to display the manga distributed from the server 4 on the screen 3a, allowing the user to view the manga. Note that the manga display function according to this embodiment scrolls the manga displayed on the screen 3a in only one of the vertical or horizontal directions of the screen 3a (the long or short axis direction of the screen 3a). In other words, the manga scrolls in one direction based on the screen 3a.

[0045] [1-4-1. Screen rotation operation] The manga display function according to this embodiment issues a rotation notification at a predetermined notification timing according to the progress of the manga, to prompt the user to perform a horizontal rotation by a predetermined angle with the screen 3a as the reference plane. When the rotation notification is issued, the user performs a screen rotation operation to horizontally rotate the screen 3a while reading the manga on the mobile terminal 3. Note that in the mobile terminal 3 according to this embodiment, the screen 3a is provided integrally and inseparably with the main body of the mobile terminal 3, and therefore in the following description, rotation of the screen 3a and rotation of the mobile terminal 3 are synonymous.

[0046] As a result, even if the scroll direction of the manga displayed on screen 3a is one direction, the manga display function allows the user to rotate screen 3a horizontally, thereby changing the scroll direction of the manga in various directions, such as up / down, left / right, or diagonal, relative to the user's viewpoint. In other words, the manga displayed on screen 3a is scrolled in a pseudo-vertical or horizontal direction, etc. Therefore, the manga display function enables a wider variety of expressions for the manga displayed on screen 3a, such as making the manga displayed on screen 3a appear to move like a video.

[0047] The screen rotation operation according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of manga data 50 representing a manga to be displayed on screen 3a. Manga data 50 is created on the assumption that the manga will be scrolled in only one direction and that screen rotation operations will also be performed. The example in FIG. 4 shows a form in which the manga is scrolled in the vertical direction (long axis direction) of screen 3a. Manga data 50 is made up of a plurality of still images 52. The size of still images 52 is such that the length in the horizontal direction (corresponding to the short axis direction of screen 3a) is constant, but the length in the vertical direction (corresponding to the long axis direction of screen 3a) can be determined freely by the manga artist.

[0049] Fig. 5 shows an image displayed on the screen 3a from the user's viewpoint as a result of the user performing a screen rotation operation. Note that the arrow S in Fig. 5 indicates the scrolling direction of the manga displayed on the screen 3a. Furthermore, the manga display function according to this embodiment turns off a function that automatically rotates the image displayed on the screen 3a in response to the horizontal rotation of the screen 3a (the so-called automatic rotation function of the screen 3a).

[0050] FIG. 5(A) shows a state in which the user holds the mobile terminal 3 with the top end 3t of the mobile terminal 3 facing upward from the user's viewpoint; in the following explanation, this state will be referred to as the forward holding state. In the forward holding state, the manga scrolls from top to bottom from the user's viewpoint. FIG. 5(B) shows a state in which the mobile terminal 3 is rotated 90° to the right from the forward holding state, so that the top end 3t of the mobile terminal 3 is located to the right of the user's viewpoint; in the following explanation, this state will be referred to as the right-rotation holding state. In the right-rotation holding state, the manga scrolls from right to left from the user's viewpoint. FIG. 5(C) shows a state in which the mobile terminal 3 is rotated 90° to the right from the right-rotation holding state (rotated 180° from the forward holding state), so that the top end 3t of the mobile terminal 3 is located downward from the user's viewpoint; in the following explanation, this state will be referred to as the reverse holding state. In the reverse holding state, the manga scrolls from bottom to top from the user's viewpoint.

[0051] That is, still image 52A in Fig. 4 is created on the assumption that the user will hold mobile terminal 3 in a normal holding position and view the manga, as shown in Fig. 5(A). Still image 52B in Fig. 4 is created on the assumption that the user will hold mobile terminal 3 in a clockwise holding position and view the manga, as shown in Fig. 5(B). Still image 52C in Fig. 4 is created on the assumption that the user will hold mobile terminal 3 in a reverse holding position and view the manga, as shown in Fig. 5(C). That is, still images 52 constituting manga data 50 are arranged in an orientation corresponding to the rotation of screen 3a (mobile terminal 3), assuming that the user will perform a screen rotation operation.

[0052] 5 is an example. For example, an image created assuming that the user rotates the portable terminal 3 by 45° from the normal holding state and holds it diagonally, and scrolling diagonally, may be displayed on the screen 3a.

[0053] [1-4-2. Rotational notification] The cartoon display function issues a rotation notification at a predetermined notification timing to prompt the user to rotate the screen 3a. As an example, the cartoon display function according to this embodiment displays a rotation notification image 54 on the screen 3a together with a cartoon to prompt the user to rotate the screen 3a, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. When the rotation notification image 54 is displayed on the screen 3a, the user rotates the mobile terminal 3 in response to the display of the rotation notification image 54 and continues viewing the cartoon. The rotation angle is expressed, for example, by combining a range from 0 to 180° with the rotation direction.

[0054] 6(A), the rotation notification image 54 according to this embodiment is composed of an arrow image 54A indicating the rotation direction of the screen 3a (mobile terminal 3) and a number image 54B indicating the rotation angle, and is displayed superimposed on the manga at one of the four corners of the screen 3a. The display position of the rotation notification image 54 according to this embodiment is the top edge of the screen 3a in the scrolling direction of the manga. Because the user's line of sight is directed in the scrolling direction of the manga, displaying the rotation notification image 54 at the top edge of the scrolling direction of the manga allows the user to recognize the rotation notification image 54 naturally and without any sense of discomfort.

[0055] The configuration and display position of the rotation notification image 54 are not limited to this, and other configurations and display positions are possible as long as the user can recognize the rotation notification. For example, as shown in Fig. 6(B), the rotation notification image 54 may be configured with a terminal schematic image 54C and an arrow image 54A indicating the mobile terminal 3. The terminal schematic image 54C is displayed so that the user can recognize the rotation state that the user should maintain. Furthermore, the rotation notification image 54 may be highlighted, for example, by flashing, to make it easier for the user to recognize.

[0056] Here, rotation information indicating the rotation timing and rotation angle of the screen 3a is added to the manga data 50. The manga display function then notifies the user of the rotation based on the rotation information added to the manga (manga data 50) distributed from the server 4. This allows the manga display function to prompt the user to rotate the screen 3a through simple processing. The rotation timing and rotation angle of the screen 3a are determined in accordance with the intentions of the manga artist.

[0057] The rotation information will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Arrows A1 and A2 shown in Fig. 4 indicate rotation timing. As an example, the rotation timing is between still image 52A and still image 52B, and between still image 52B and still image 52C, but the present invention is not limited to this and the rotation timing may be midway through one still image 52. Note that the rotation timing is, as an example, represented by coordinates based on the beginning of manga data 50.

[0058] The notification timing according to this embodiment is the same as the rotation timing when the user rotates the screen 3a, but is not limited to this. The notification timing may be set to a timing before the rotation timing, for example, a predetermined number of pages or a predetermined number of frames before the rotation timing.

[0059] If the notification timing is set to a timing before the rotation timing, the manga display function, for example, displays a countdown until the rotation timing is reached so that the user can clearly recognize the rotation timing, and after the rotation timing is reached, highlights the rotation notification image 54 until the screen 3a is rotated. The countdown display, for example, displays the number of pages or frames remaining until the rotation timing is reached. The highlighting of the rotation notification image 54 is, for example, by changing the color of the rotation notification image 54, enlarging the rotation notification image 54, flashing the rotation notification image 54, etc.

[0060] In addition, if the user rotates the screen 3a at a rotation angle greater than the rotation angle notified by the rotation notification image 54, the rotation notification image 54 may be updated so that the rotation state of the screen 3a becomes an appropriate rotation state for the scrolling direction of the manga.

[0061] In addition, when the manga displayed on the screen 3a reaches the rotation timing, the manga display function may perform a process (hereinafter referred to as "rotation detection process") that does not display the still image 52 (manga scene) after the rotation timing on the screen 3a until the rotation of the screen 3a is detected.

[0062] In other words, the manga display function transitions the manga scene displayed on screen 3a to the next scene only when it detects rotation of screen 3a after the manga reaches the rotation timing, but the next scene is not displayed when it does not detect rotation of screen 3a. In other words, since the next scene is still image 52 created in accordance with the rotation of screen 3a, by performing the rotation detection process, the user can view the manga at an appropriate rotation angle of screen 3a according to the manga scene.

[0063] In addition, the rotation detection process may transition the manga scene displayed on screen 3a to the next scene if the detected actual rotation angle of screen 3a matches the rotation angle indicated by the rotation information, or may transition the manga scene displayed on screen 3a to the next scene if rotation of screen 3a is detected regardless of the detected rotation angle.

[0064] [1-4-3. Scrolling Operation] The manga display function scrolls the manga in response to a user's operation using a pointer on the screen 3a. Note that the pointer according to this embodiment is, for example, the user's finger.

[0065] When scrolling a manga displayed on the screen 3a, the user moves (swipes or flicks) their finger touching the screen 3a in the scrolling direction, for example. As described above, the scrolling direction according to this embodiment is from the top end 3t to the bottom end 3u of the mobile terminal 3 as a reference, but is not limited to this and may be from right to left. The manga display function scrolls the manga when the screen 3a (touch panel display 3a) detects a swipe or flick (hereinafter referred to as a "scrolling operation") while a manga is displayed on the screen 3a.

[0066] The manga display function also changes the scrolling speed of the manga according to the speed at which the user's finger moves when performing the scrolling operation. That is, the faster the finger moves, the greater the amount of scrolling of the manga still image 52.

[0067] The manga display function according to this embodiment performs scroll stop control to stop scrolling of the manga when the rotation timing of the manga displayed on screen 3a is reached. In other words, the manga display function according to this embodiment does not scroll the manga any further unless the manga is rotated at the rotation timing. Therefore, the user can view the manga in a scroll state that is in line with the intention of the manga artist.

[0068] Furthermore, the user may perform a scrolling operation in the opposite direction (hereinafter referred to as a "backward scrolling operation") to return the manga to its original state. When a backward scrolling operation is performed and the manga displayed on screen 3a reaches the rotation notification timing, rotation notification image 54 may be displayed in a position different from that of a normal scrolling operation (hereinafter referred to as a "forward scrolling operation").

[0069] 5(B), when a forward scroll operation causes the rotation notification image 54 to be displayed in the upper left of the screen 3a, a backward scroll operation causes the rotation notification image 54 to be displayed in the upper right of the screen 3a. That is, when a backward scroll operation is performed, the rotation notification image 54 is displayed in the left-right reverse position compared to when a forward scroll operation is performed. Note that rotation information indicating the rotation timing and rotation angle corresponding to the backward scroll operation is added to the manga data 50, and the manga display function may display the rotation notification image 54 on the screen 3a based on the rotation information when a backward scroll operation is performed.

[0070] [1-4-4. Inertial Scrolling] The manga display function according to this embodiment changes the amount of scrolling of the still images 52 that make up the manga in response to inertial force based on the moving speed of the user's finger performing the scrolling operation. Specifically, the faster the moving speed of the user's finger, the more the manga continues to scroll even after the finger is removed from the screen 3a. Note that the inertial force referred to here is a pseudo-inertial force that is predetermined according to the moving speed of the user's finger, and this inertial force decreases over time, i.e., with the amount of scrolling after the finger is removed from the screen 3a. In the following description, scrolling due to inertial force is referred to as inertial scrolling.

[0071] Here, the manga display function may perform a scroll continuation control that continues scrolling the manga according to inertial force even when the rotation timing of the manga displayed on the screen 3a is reached. That is, the scroll continuation control does not prevent the manga from scrolling any further unless the screen 3a is rotated at the rotation timing, but rather continues scrolling if inertial force is being generated, even when the rotation timing is reached. Therefore, the scroll continuation control enables smooth scrolling according to the user's scrolling operation.

[0072] If the user is unable to rotate the screen 3a in time with the rotation timing, the scrolling direction that the user perceives may differ from the scrolling direction of the manga, which may cause the user to feel uncomfortable. For this reason, if the rotation timing is reached but the screen 3a is not rotated and the manga continues to scroll due to the scroll continuation control, the manga display function highlights the rotation notification image 54 by flashing it, enlarging it, or otherwise displaying it, to more strongly urge the user to rotate the screen 3a.

[0073] Whether to use the scroll stop control or the scroll continue control may be determined by, for example, a user setting, or may be preset according to the desires of the manga artist. Furthermore, a single manga may use both scroll stop control and scroll continue control. For example, if still image 52C contains a conversation that is important to the manga's story, scroll stop control is performed to stop the scrolling. On the other hand, in a scene where it is desired to express the sense of speed in the manga, scroll continue control is performed to allow the manga to progress without stopping the scrolling.

[0074] [1-4-5. Condition Scroll] The manga display function according to this embodiment may determine at a predetermined timing (hereinafter referred to as "condition detection timing") whether a predetermined condition for scrolling the manga (hereinafter referred to as "scroll condition") is met, and may scroll (progress) the manga if the scroll condition is met. Note that the manga display function does not scroll the manga if the scroll condition is not met at the condition detection timing.

[0075] The manga display function scrolls the manga when, for example, an instruction is issued to the user from the mobile terminal 3 as a scrolling condition and an input according to the instruction is made to the mobile terminal 3. The instruction to the user from the mobile terminal 3 is displayed, for example, on the screen 3a. That is, the condition detection timing occurs after the instruction is displayed on the screen 3a. The timing at which the condition detection timing occurs may also be displayed on the screen 3a together with the instruction.

[0076] As an example, the instruction to the user from the mobile terminal 3 is associated with the story of a manga. For example, a scene in which the main character of the manga turns around is set as a predetermined timing, and the manga is scrolled when the user actually holds the mobile terminal 3 and turns around together with the mobile terminal 3 during this scene. The scrolling condition in this case is that the acceleration sensor included in the mobile terminal 3 detects acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value. That is, the manga is scrolled when the user turns around together with the mobile terminal 3 that they are holding at the condition detection timing, and the acceleration sensor included in the mobile terminal 3 detects acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value that satisfies the scrolling condition.

[0077] In addition, in a configuration in which the mobile terminal 3 is a head mounted display device (HMD) and manga is displayed on the display, if the user turns around at the condition detection timing, it may be determined that the scrolling condition is met and the manga display function may scroll the manga.

[0078] In this way, the manga display function that performs conditional scrolling requires a new user operation to scroll the manga, and therefore allows for a highly interactive manga presentation for the user.

[0079] [1-4-6. Effects] The manga according to this embodiment may be given various effects (image effects). The effects are given to parts of the manga, and for example, parts of the manga scenes (parts of the still images 52 that make up the manga) change dynamically due to the effects.

[0080] The scene (still image 52) to which the effect is applied is set in advance together with the content of the effect. The cartoon display function executes the effect set for the scene when the scene to which the effect is set is displayed on the screen 3a.

[0081] More specifically, some of the images that make up the manga may be moving images, and the manga display function may have an effect in which, when the moving image is displayed by scrolling, playback of the moving image begins, and when playback of the moving image ends, scrolling to the next still image 52. In other words, the manga may include moving images between still images 52.

[0082] Furthermore, as an effect of the cartoon display function, a predetermined still image 52 may be enlarged or reduced, slightly vibrated up and down and left and right, or rotated, etc. Furthermore, as an effect of the cartoon display function, a predetermined still image 52 displayed on the screen 3a may be faded out and the next still image 52 may be faded in, so that the still image is displayed on the screen 3a.

[0083] Furthermore, as an effect, the cartoon display function may superimpose another still image on a predetermined still image 52. For example, after a still image 52 including a person is displayed, a still image showing a speech bubble may be displayed superimposed on the still image 52, or a still image showing another person may be displayed.

[0084] In addition, a part of the still image 52 constituting the manga is provided with a pseudo depth direction with respect to the screen 3a. The cartoon display function may display a plurality of still images 52 arranged in a pseudo-depth direction of the screen 3a in sequence on the screen 3a as an effect. In other words, this effect displays a plurality of still images 52 in sequence on the screen 3a as if they were a picture-story show.

[0085] In this way, the manga display function that applies effects allows for a greater variety of expressions for manga.

[0086] [1-5. Functional block of manga display function] 7 is a functional block diagram relating to the manga display function of a manga viewing application installed on the mobile terminal 3 according to this embodiment. The main control unit 40 provided in the mobile terminal 3 includes a manga display control unit 60, a scroll control unit 62, a rotation notification unit 64, a rotation determination unit 66, and an effect control unit 68. The processes executed by each function provided in the main control unit 40 are realized by programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 44.

[0087] The manga display control unit 60 displays the manga distributed from the server 4 on the screen 3a.

[0088] The scroll control unit 62 scrolls the manga displayed on the screen 3a in one direction in response to an operation on the screen 3a by a pointer. The scroll control unit 62 performs scroll stop control, scroll continuation control, rotation detection processing, etc.

[0089] The rotation notification unit 64 displays the rotation notification image 54 on the screen 3a at notification timing according to the progress of the manga. The rotation notification unit 64 also performs rotation notification based on rotation information added to the manga (manga data) distributed from the server 4. Note that if the screen 3a rotates after displaying the rotation notification image 54 on the screen 3a, the rotation notification unit 64 stops displaying the rotation notification image 54.

[0090] The rotation determination unit 66 determines whether or not the screen 3a, that is, the mobile terminal 3, has been rotated. The rotation of the mobile terminal 3 is detected by various sensors provided in the mobile terminal 3, such as an acceleration sensor and a gyro.

[0091] When a scene (still image 52) for which an effect has been set is displayed on the screen 3a, the effect control unit 68 applies the effect to the scene.

[0092] [1-6. Manga display process flowchart] 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of manga display processing executed by the main control unit 40 provided in the mobile terminal 3. A program (manga viewing application) for executing the manga display processing is stored in advance in a predetermined area of ​​the auxiliary storage unit 44.

[0093] First, in step 100, the manga display control unit 60 displays the manga distributed from the server 4 on the screen 3a.

[0094] In the next step 102, the scroll control unit 62 detects whether or not a scroll operation has been performed on the screen 3a by the user.

[0095] In step 104, the scroll control unit 62 scrolls the manga displayed on the screen 3a.

[0096] In the next step 106, the rotation notification unit 64 determines whether the cartoon displayed on the screen 3a has reached the notification timing for the rotation notification image 54, and if the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 108, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 114.

[0097] In step 108, the rotation notification unit 64 displays the rotation notification image 54 on the screen 3a.

[0098] In the next step 110, the rotation determination unit 66 determines whether or not the screen 3a (portable terminal 3) has rotated, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 112. On the other hand, if the determination is negative, the process returns to step 108, and the rotation notification unit 64 continues to display the rotation notification image 54.

[0099] In step 112, the rotation notification unit 64 stops displaying the rotation notification image 54 on the screen 3a, thereby making the rotation notification image 54 non-displayable.

[0100] In the next step 114, the effect control unit 68 determines whether or not an effect has been set for the manga scene displayed on the screen 3a, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 116, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 118.

[0101] In step 116, the effect control unit 68 executes the effect set for the cartoon scene displayed on the screen 3a.

[0102] In step 118, the manga display control unit 60 determines whether the manga displayed on screen 3a has ended, and if the determination is affirmative, the manga display process ends, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 102 and the manga display continues. Note that, as an example, the manga display control unit 60 determines that the manga has ended when the manga displayed on screen 3a cannot be scrolled any further.

[0103] As described above, the mobile terminal 3 according to this embodiment displays on the screen 3a a manga formed from a series of multiple still images 52. The manga display process scrolls the manga displayed on the screen 3a in one direction, and issues a rotation notification at a predetermined notification timing according to the progress of the manga, prompting the user to perform a horizontal rotation by a predetermined angle with the screen 3a as the reference plane.

[0104] As a result, even if the scrolling direction of the manga displayed on the screen 3a of the mobile terminal 3 is one direction, by having the user rotate the screen 3a horizontally, the scrolling direction of the manga can be changed to various directions such as up, down, left, right, or diagonal, based on the user's viewpoint. Therefore, the mobile terminal 3 can, for example, express the manga displayed on the screen 3a in a way that gives the impression of movement, like a moving image, and as a result, more diverse expressions can be made for the manga displayed on the screen 3a.

[0105] [2. Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0106] The configurations of the manga distribution system 1, server 4, and mobile terminal 3 according to this embodiment are the same as those of the manga distribution system 1, server 4, and mobile terminal 3 according to the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0107] The manga display function according to this embodiment scrolls still images 52 at a predetermined speed (hereinafter referred to as the "scroll speed"). That is, the manga display function according to this embodiment automatically scrolls (hereinafter referred to as the "automatic scroll") the manga displayed on screen 3a based on the scroll speed. The scroll speed is set in manga data 50, for example, for each still image 52. Scroll control unit 62 then reads the scroll speed set in manga data 50 and scrolls still images 52 displayed on screen 3a at the read scroll speed. However, this is not limiting, and a fixed scroll speed may be set for the entire manga data 50, or a plurality of consecutive still images 52 may be grouped and a scroll speed may be set for each group.

[0108] Furthermore, the manga display function according to this embodiment performs either scroll stop control or scroll continuation control.

[0109] The scroll stop control according to this embodiment stops automatic scrolling of the manga until the screen 3a rotates when it is time to rotate the manga displayed on the screen 3a, and resumes automatic scrolling of the manga after the screen 3a has rotated. The scroll continuation control according to this embodiment continues automatic scrolling even when it is time to rotate the manga displayed on the screen 3a, regardless of whether the user rotates the screen 3a or not.

[0110] In the manga display function according to this embodiment, the notification timing of the rotation notification image 54 is set to a timing before the rotation timing. To enable the user to clearly recognize the rotation timing, the manga display function displays, for example, a countdown together with the rotation notification image 54 until the rotation timing is reached, and after the rotation timing is reached, highlights the rotation notification image 54 until the screen 3a is rotated. The countdown display displays, for example, the number of pages, number of frames, or time remaining until the rotation timing is reached. Highlighting of the rotation notification image 54 may, for example, involve changing the color of the rotation notification image 54, enlarging the rotation notification image 54, or flashing the rotation notification image 54.

[0111] In this way, the manga display function of this embodiment displays a countdown along with the rotation notification image 54, allowing the user to recognize the rotation timing in advance, so that the user can smoothly rotate the screen 3a in accordance with the rotation timing even in automatic scrolling.

[0112] The scrolling speed may vary depending on the scene (still image 52) in the manga. For example, the scrolling speed may be relatively fast in a scene where a sense of speed is desired, and relatively slow in a scene depicting magnificent nature. This allows for more diverse depictions in the manga.

[0113] Furthermore, the manga display function according to this embodiment may perform automatic scrolling in some scenes (still images 52), and perform scrolling by a user's scrolling operation (hereinafter referred to as "manual scrolling") in other scenes. In this case, the manga display function may, for example, display a countdown on screen 3a indicating the timing for automatic scrolling or manual scrolling, or may display on screen 3a that the scrolling state of the manga displayed on screen 3a is automatic scrolling or manual scrolling.

[0114] 3. Other Embodiments Although the present invention has been described above using the above-mentioned embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above-mentioned embodiments. Various modifications or improvements can be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the gist of the invention, and such modifications or improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

[0115] For example, in the above embodiment, the content is described as a manga, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the still images 52 constituting the content may be a novel composed of text.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the rotation notification is performed by the rotation notification image 54 displayed on the screen 3a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the rotation notification may be performed by sound. In this case, the rotation angle, rotation direction, and rotation timing may be notified by sound, or sound and the rotation notification image 54 may be combined.

[0117] In addition, in the above embodiment, the manga display functions were described as inertial scrolling, conditional scrolling, and effect functions, but the manga display function may not have these functions, or may have only some of these functions.

[0118] Furthermore, the flow of the manga display process described in the above embodiment is also one example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be rearranged within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 3. Mobile terminals (information processing devices) 3a screen 52 still images 54 Rotational notification image 62 Scroll control unit (scroll control means) 64 Rotational notification unit (rotational notification means)

Claims

1. Information processing device for displaying content formed by a plurality of consecutive still images on a screen And, Scroll control means for scrolling the content displayed on the screen in one direction. and, a rotation notification for prompting a user to perform a horizontal rotation by a predetermined angle with the screen as a reference plane; a rotational notification means for performing notification at a predetermined timing according to the progress of the content; An information processing device comprising:

2. The rotation notification means is configured to notify a user of a rotation of the screen.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a known image is displayed on the screen together with the content.

3. The content indicates a rotation timing for rotating the screen and a rotation angle of the screen. Rotation information is added, The rotation notification means performs the rotation notification based on the rotation information.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1.

4. The scroll control means controls the content displayed on the screen to rotate the screen. When the rotation timing for rotating the screen is reached, the rotation timing is not reached until the rotation of the screen is detected.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the still image after the last still image is not displayed on the screen. Information processing device.

5. The scroll control means controls the content displayed on the screen to rotate the screen. A claim in which scrolling of the content is stopped when a rotation timing is reached.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1.

6. The scroll control means moves the display to the previous position in response to a user's operation using a pointer on the screen. The content is scrolled, and the stationary state is changed in response to an inertial force based on the moving speed of the pointer. Controlling the amount of image movement and the amount of rotation of the content displayed on the screen Even if the scrolling timing is reached, the scrolling of the content continues according to the inertial force.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1.

7. The scroll control means is configured to scroll the still image at a predetermined speed.

7. The information processing device according to claim 1.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the speed varies depending on the still image.

9. The scroll control means is configured to scroll the content when a predetermined condition for scrolling the content is satisfied. If the condition is met, the content is 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus scrolls the displayed image.

10. A content table that displays content formed by a series of still images on a screen. A method of displaying a a first step of scrolling the content displayed on the screen in one direction; a rotation notification for prompting a user to perform a horizontal rotation by a predetermined angle with the screen as a reference plane; a second step of notifying the user at a predetermined timing according to the progress of the content; A content display method comprising:

11. Information processing device for displaying content formed by a plurality of consecutive still images on a screen The computer equipped with Scroll control means for scrolling the content displayed on the screen in one direction. and, a rotation notification for prompting a user to perform a horizontal rotation by a predetermined angle with the screen as a reference plane; a rotational notification means for performing notification at a predetermined timing according to the progress of the content; A content display program that functions as a

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