Information processing apparatus and program

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of generating a synergistic effect on interest received by a user by distribution of contents of a plurality of media.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes a control unit that enables a second content that is a second medium and is associated with a first content in advance to be played when a condition set in advance for the first content that is a first medium is satisfied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to techniques for controlling the playing of media. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a known service that distributes a variety of different media content, such as games and videos, to a terminal device. A user can select the distributed content and play it on the terminal device. Patent Document 1 discloses a system that distributes games and movies to a terminal device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-135117 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the past, when content from multiple different types of media was distributed, the content from each media was unrelated and independent of each other, so even when content from multiple media was distributed, users sometimes could not feel a synergistic interest from it.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to generate a synergistic effect in terms of the interest that users get from the distribution of content from a plurality of media. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing device includes a control unit configured to control a plurality of content types of different media to be playable, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied for a first content type of first media, the control unit enables play of a second content type of second media that is pre-associated with the first content type.

[0007] A program according to one aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as a control unit that enables play of second content, which is a second medium and corresponds to the first content, when predetermined conditions are met regarding first content, which is a first medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a synergistic effect can be produced in terms of the interest that users get from the distribution of content from a plurality of media. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a content distribution system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a server device and a terminal device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal device in an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the terminal device in an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow of processing executed in a content distribution system in one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to these. The content distribution system is a system that distributes different types of media (e.g., videos and games) from a server device to a terminal device and enables the media to be played on the terminal device.

[0011] [Hardware configuration of content distribution system] The hardware configuration of a content distribution system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The content distribution system 1 is a client-server system, and mainly comprises a server device 10 and terminal devices 20, 21, and 22. The server device 10 and the terminal devices 20, 21, and 22 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network N. Note that although the content distribution system 1 shown in Fig. 1 is configured to include one server device and three terminal devices, the number of server devices and terminal devices included in the content distribution system 1 is not limited to this, and any number of devices may be included for each.

[0012] The network N is a communication network for communication between the server device 10 and the terminal devices 20, 21, and 22. For example, the network N may be the Internet, a LAN, a dedicated line, a packet communication network, a telephone line, an in-house network, another communication line, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the network N may be wired or wireless.

[0013] The server device 10 can be configured as a dedicated or general-purpose information processing device. The server device 10 mainly includes a control unit 101, a communication unit 104, and a storage unit 105. Although not shown, the server device 10 further includes components that are included in a general server device. The control unit 101 mainly includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102 and a memory 103. In the control unit 101, the CPU 102 controls the operation of the components of the server device 10 and realizes various functions by loading programs stored in the storage unit 105 or the like into the memory 103 and executing them. The communication unit 104 is a communication interface for communicating with various information processing devices such as the terminal devices 20, 21, and 22 via the network N. The storage unit 105 is configured as a storage device such as a hard disk. The storage unit 105 stores various programs and various data (information) required to execute processing in the control unit 101, as well as various data obtained as a result of processing by the control unit 101. The server device 10 may be configured by a single information processing device, or may be configured by a plurality of information processing devices distributed over a network.

[0014] The terminal devices 20, 21, and 22 are configured as information processing devices such as mobile phones (including smartphones), tablets, portable media players, game terminals, or laptop computers. The terminal devices 20, 21, and 22 may be configured as any information processing devices, but in this embodiment, they are configured as devices capable of playing multiple different types of media (for example, videos and games). Each of the terminal devices 20, 21, and 22 can also be identified as a system on its own. The hardware configuration of the terminal device 20 will be described below. Note that the configurations of the terminal devices 21 and 22 are similar to that of the terminal device 20, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0015] 1, the terminal device 20 mainly includes a control unit 201, a communication unit 204, a storage unit 205, an audio output unit 206, an image output unit 207, and an operation input unit 208. The control unit 201 mainly includes a CPU 202 and a memory 203. Note that FIG. 1 only shows the main components of the terminal device 20, and the terminal device 20 may also include other components that are included in a general information processing device.

[0016] The control unit 201 controls the operation of the components of the terminal device 20. For example, in the control unit 201, the CPU 202 loads a program stored in the storage unit 205 or the like into the memory 203 and executes it, thereby controlling the components of the terminal device 20 and realizing the functions of the terminal device 20. Details of the processing executed in the control unit 201 will be described later.

[0017] The communication unit 204 is a communication interface for communicating with various information processing devices such as the server device 10 via the network N. For example, the communication unit 204 receives data used in processing by the control unit 201 from the server device 10 and transmits data of the processing result by the control unit 201 to the server device 10.

[0018] The storage unit 205 is configured by a storage device such as a semiconductor storage device or a hard disk, etc. The storage unit 205 stores various programs and various data required for the control unit 201 to execute processing, as well as various data obtained as a result of processing by the control unit 201.

[0019] The audio output unit 206 outputs various sounds based on data relating to sounds and sound effects stored in the storage unit 205 (or received via the communication unit 204) under the control of the control unit 201.

[0020] Under the control of the control unit 201, the image output unit 207 outputs and displays an image based on image data stored in the storage unit 205 (or received via the communication unit 204).

[0021] The operation input unit 208 receives an operation input from the user and outputs a control signal corresponding to the operation input to the control unit 201 .

[0022] [Functional configuration of server device and terminal device] With reference to FIG. 2, the functions of the server device 10 and the terminal devices 20, 21, and 22 will be described.

[0023] The server device 10 includes, as its main functional components, a database 110 and a distribution control unit 111. The database 110 stores various data, such as data necessary for processing executed by the server device 10 and data generated by the processing. The database 110 also includes data related to content of various media to be distributed to the terminal devices 20, 21, and 22. The content of various media includes content of multiple different types of media, such as games and videos. The data related to content includes, for example, game content data, video content data (e.g., content data for animation or movies), content link data, content distribution condition data, etc.

[0024] The distribution control unit 111 controls distribution of content to terminal devices such as the terminal device 20 based on content distribution conditions stored in the database 110. For example, when a predetermined condition for video content (first content) is satisfied, the distribution control unit 111 can distribute game content (second content) that is pre-associated with the first content of the video to the terminal device 20 and make it playable. The pre-set condition for the first content may include, for example, at least one of the following conditions: (1) The first content becomes playable on the terminal device 20. (2) Play of the first content on the terminal device 20 has ended. (3) A preset time for the first content has been reached (for example, one day before or one day after the first content becomes playable).

[0025] Regarding (1), the distribution control unit 111 may control the distribution of the second content when the distribution of the first content starts. Regarding (2), the distribution control unit 111 may control the distribution of the second content when the server device 10 receives, from the terminal device 20, information indicating that play of the first content on the terminal device 20 has ended.

[0026] The association between the first content and the second content can be set in any manner (e.g., by an administrator or automatically based on preset conditions). For example, the first content and the second content can be associated so that a character or item appearing in a video of the first content also appears in the game of the second content. The first content and the second content can also be associated so that the story of the video of the first content is related to the story of the game of the second content. Such association allows a user who plays (watches) a video to play a game related to the video they watched, even though the game is a different medium from the video. As a result, compared to playing multiple unrelated contents of different media, a user who plays multiple related contents of different media can gain greater interest due to the synergistic effect of the contents.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a preset condition regarding a first content is satisfied, the distribution control unit 111 distributes a second content that is pre-associated with the first content to the terminal device 20 and makes the second content playable. As a result, the second content can be made playable at an appropriate timing for a user who has played (or will play) the first content. From this perspective as well, the user can obtain a higher level of interest due to the synergistic effect of the first content and the second content.

[0028] Note that, although the above describes an example in which, when a predetermined condition is satisfied for video content, corresponding game content is delivered to the terminal device 20 and made playable, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a predetermined condition is satisfied for game content, corresponding video content may be delivered to the terminal device 20 and made playable. Furthermore, media is not limited to videos and games, and may include other media (e.g., music). In other words, when a predetermined condition is satisfied for first content, which is a first medium, the delivery control unit 111 makes second content, which is a second medium and is pre-associated with the first content, playable.

[0029] 2, the terminal device 20 includes, as its main functional components, a display control unit 211 and a play control unit 212. The terminal devices 21 and 22 also have the same functional components as the terminal device 20.

[0030] The display control unit 211 displays a screen for instructing the user to start playing content of multiple different types of media distributed via the server device 10 on the image output unit 207 (display unit) of the terminal device 20, in order to enable the content of the multiple different types of media to be played on the terminal device 20. That is, when a preset condition is satisfied for a first content that is a first medium, the display control unit 211 enables the second content that is a second medium and that is pre-associated with the first content to be played.

[0031] The play control unit 212 controls the play of content such as a game or video selected by the user in accordance with the screen displayed under the control of the display control unit 211. The control of the play is performed in accordance with a story according to the content data and operation instructions by the user.

[0032] An example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 20 under the control of the display control unit 211 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. In the figure, screen 30 displays buttons 31, 32, and 33, each corresponding to game content. Buttons 31 and 32 are buttons corresponding to game content that the user can play. Button 33 is displayed grayed out and corresponds to game content that is scheduled to be distributed (scheduled for release) but is not currently playable. In other words, button 33 is displayed in a state where the corresponding content is not playable. The user can select (e.g., tap) button 31 or 32 to play the game.

[0033] The display control unit 211 controls the display of the screen based on the content data and content status data that the terminal device 20 has received from the server device 10. For example, when the terminal device 20 is receiving playable content data corresponding to buttons 31 and 32 in the display of the screen 30, the display control unit 211 controls the display of buttons 31 and 32. Furthermore, when the terminal device 20 receives data indicating that content corresponding to button 33 is scheduled to be distributed (or after the content corresponding to buttons 31 and 32 has been distributed), the display control unit 211 displays the button 33 grayed out.

[0034] The conditions for game content to become playable may include, for example, at least one of the following: (1) the corresponding video content (first content) becomes playable (viewable) on the terminal device 20; (2) play of the first content on the terminal device 20 has finished; and (3) a preset time for the first content has arrived (for example, one day before or one day after the first content becomes playable).

[0035] Furthermore, specific control of the display of the grayed-out button 33 is performed, for example, as follows. First, the date and time when the content (second content) corresponding to the button 33 will be distributed (i.e., when it will become playable) is set in advance. The display control unit 211 displays the button 33 on the screen 30 in a state where the second content cannot be played (grayed out and cannot be selected) for a predetermined period (e.g., three days) before the distribution date and time. Furthermore, after the distribution date and time, the display control unit 211 displays the button 33 on the screen 30 in a state where the second content can be played (grayed out and can be selected).

[0036] Furthermore, although the screen 30 shows the playable game content, the screen 30 may also display buttons for instructing the playing of video content corresponding to each game content.

[0037] Each game content may be configured to include sub-contents, for example, the game content may include three to four sub-contents.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a screen 40 for selecting subcontent of a game, which is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 20 under the control of the display control unit 211. For example, when the button 31 in FIG. 3 is selected by the user, the screen 40 in FIG. 4 is displayed to select subcontent included in the content corresponding to the button 31. The screen 40 displays buttons 41 corresponding to playable subcontent. The user can select the button 41 to play the subcontent. When play of the subcontent corresponding to the button 41 is completed (the game is cleared), the subsequent subcontent becomes playable. The screen 50 displays a button 42 corresponding to the subsequent subcontent. The user can play the corresponding subcontent by selecting the button 42.

[0039] [Processing flow] The flow of the content distribution process executed by the server device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Each processing step is controlled by the control unit 101, in that the CPU 102 loads a program stored in the storage unit 105 or the like into the memory 103 and executes it. Note that the details of each processing step have already been described with reference to Fig. 2, and therefore will not be described here.

[0040] In step S11, the control unit 101 determines whether a preset condition is satisfied for the content (first content) included in the first medium. Examples of the condition are as described above. When the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S12; if the condition is not satisfied, the determination of step S11 is performed again. In step S12, the control unit 101 controls the distribution of content (second content) that is the second medium and that is associated with the first content in advance to the terminal device 20, and makes the content playable (i.e., changes the status of the second content to a playable state). Examples of the association between the first content and the second content have been described above.

[0041] Although the processing executed by the server device 10 has been described above with reference to Fig. 5, it can be considered that the terminal device 20 also executes processing similar to that shown in Fig. 5. That is, when a preset condition for content distribution is satisfied (Yes in step S11), the control unit 201 performs control so that the second content distributed from the server device 10 (i.e., content that is second media and that is previously associated with the first content) is made playable (i.e., the status of the second content is changed to a playable state).

[0042] As described above, according to this embodiment, a user who has played a first content of a first medium can play a second content of a second medium different from the first content, but related to the first content. As a result, compared to when a user plays multiple unrelated content of different media, a user who plays multiple related content of different media can gain greater interest due to the synergistic effect of the content.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a preset condition regarding a first content is satisfied, the control unit 101 or the control unit 201 enables play of a second content that is pre-associated with the first content. As a result, the second content can be made playable at an appropriate timing for a user who has played (or will play) the first content. From this perspective, the user can obtain a higher level of enjoyment due to the synergistic effect between the first content and the second content.

[0044] [Variations] The program for implementing the content distribution system 1 (or the server device 10 and the terminal device 20) in this embodiment can be installed or loaded onto a computer through various recording media such as optical disks such as CD-ROMs, magnetic disks, and semiconductor memories, or by downloading via a communication network, etc.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various other forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The above-described embodiment is merely an example in all respects and should not be construed as limiting. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 Content distribution system, 10 Server device, 101 Control unit, 102 CPU, 103 Memory, 104 Communication unit, 105 Storage unit, 20, 21, 22 Terminal device, 201 Control unit, 202 CPU, 203 memory, 204 communication unit, 205 storage unit, 206 Audio output unit, 207 image output unit, 208 operation input unit

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising a control unit that enables play of a second content that is a second medium and that is pre-associated with the first content when a pre-set condition is met with respect to the first content that is a first medium.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the condition includes that the first content is in a playable state.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the condition includes completion of play of the first content.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the condition includes reaching a preset time.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the first medium is a video and the second medium is a game.

6. A date and time is set on the first media, 6. The information processing device of claim 5, wherein the control unit displays the second content on the game selection screen in an unplayable state during a predetermined period before the date and time, and displays the second content on the game selection screen in a playable state after the date and time.

7. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the first medium is a game, and the second medium is a video.

8. Computer, A program for functioning as a control unit that enables the play of second content, which is a second medium and corresponds to the first content, when a predetermined condition is met regarding the first content, which is a first medium.

Images