Game device and processing method

Abstract

To provide a processing method for an image.SOLUTION: A game device comprises an application execution unit 106 for executing a game, and a sharing processing unit 150 for performing processing for uploading or delivering a screen shot image or a game video of the game to a sharing server for providing sharing service in order to share the screen shot image or the game video with other users. The sharing processing unit 150 generates an input image indicating options of the sharing service.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to techniques for processing image data. [Background technology]

[0002] Various social networking services (SNS) are used as communication tools for large groups of people. Services that allow users to share videos they have created or captured are also becoming popular, and users can now share various information with other users on the network. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] In recent years, an environment has been established where multiple users can play games together via the Internet. Such game network services have already come to serve as communication tools, and there is a demand for the construction of a mechanism that allows efficient information sharing between friends or strangers. It is preferable to be able to share information efficiently not only in games but also in other types of network services to which multiple information processing devices are connected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In order to solve the above problems, a game device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a game device that performs a sharing process for game-related content, and includes an execution unit that executes the game, and a sharing processing unit that performs a process of uploading or distributing screenshot images or game videos to a sharing server that provides a sharing service in order to share the screenshot images or game videos with other users. The sharing processing unit generates an input image indicating options for the sharing service.

[0005] A processing method according to another aspect of the present invention includes a step of executing a game, and a step of performing a process of uploading or distributing screenshot images or game videos of the game to a sharing server that provides a sharing service in order to share the screenshot images or game videos with other users. The step of performing the uploading or distributing process generates an input image indicating a selection of the sharing service.

[0006] Any combination of the above components, and any transformation of the present invention into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc., are also effective as aspects of the present invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the input device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the rear side of the input device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the input device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an information processing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen displayed on an output device. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen displayed on an output device. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen superimposed on the game screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen superimposed on the game screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an editing screen superimposed on a game screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen superimposed on the game screen. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a content list screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] 1 shows an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system 1 includes an information processing device 10 which is a user terminal, a network server 5, and shared servers 9a and 9b, which are connected via a network 3 such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0009] The auxiliary storage device 2 is a large-capacity storage device such as a HDD (hard disk drive) or a flash memory, and may be an external storage device connected to the information processing device 10 via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like, or may be a built-in storage device. The output device 4 may be a television having a display for outputting images and a speaker for outputting sound, or may be a computer display. The output device 4 may be connected to the information processing device 10 by a wired cable or wirelessly. The information processing device 10 is wirelessly connected to an input device 6 operated by a user, and the input device 6 outputs operation information indicating the result of the user's operation to the information processing device 10. When the information processing device 10 receives the operation information from the input device 6, it reflects the information in the processing of the system software and application software, and causes the output device 4 to output the processing result.

[0010] The input device 6 is configured to have a plurality of input units such as a plurality of push-type operation buttons, an analog stick that can input an analog amount, and a rotary button. In the information processing system 1, the information processing device 10 is a game device that executes a game, and the input device 6 may be a device that supplies user operation information to the information processing device 10, such as a game controller. The camera 7, which is an imaging device, is provided near the output device 4 and captures an image of the space around the output device 4. Although an example in which the camera 7 is attached to the top of the output device 4 is shown in FIG. 1, the camera 7 may be disposed on the side of the output device 4, and in any case, the camera 7 is disposed at a position where it can capture an image of a user playing a game in front of the output device 4. The information processing device 10 has a function of performing face authentication of a user from an image captured by the camera 7.

[0011] Access point (hereinafter referred to as "AP") 8 has the functions of a wireless access point and a router, and information processing device 10 connects to AP 8 wirelessly or via wired connection to communicate with network server 5 and shared servers 9a and 9b on network 3.

[0012] The network server 5 provides a network service of a game to a user of the information processing system 1. The network server 5 manages a network account for identifying a user, and the user signs in to the network service provided by the network server 5 using the network account. By signing in to the network service from the information processing device 10, the user can register game save data and virtual awards (trophies) acquired during game play in the network server 5. In the information processing system 1, a plurality of users may participate in an online game using different information processing devices 10, and the network server 5 may function as a game server that manages game sessions.

[0013] 1, the network server 5 is represented as a server that aggregates these functions. Therefore, the network server 5 may be physically composed of multiple servers, and each server may be maintained and managed by an entity according to its respective function.

[0014] The shared servers 9a and 9b provide a service for sharing image data or information related to image data uploaded or distributed from the information processing device 10. For example, the shared server 9a may be a server that provides an SNS, and the shared server 9b may be a server that provides an image sharing (distribution) service. Hereinafter, when the shared servers 9a and 9b are not particularly distinguished from each other, they are simply referred to as "shared servers 9." The number of shared servers 9 in the information processing system 1 is not limited to the two shown in the figure, and there may be more than one. The information sharing service provided by the shared server 9 may be limited to registered members, or may be open to the public. In this embodiment, "sharing data or information" means making the data or information accessible (for example, viewable) by users other than the user who uploads or distributes the data or information to the shared server 9, and does not matter whether the users who can access the data or information are limited to specific members.

[0015] 1, an information processing device 10 executes a game, and a user plays the game by operating an input device 6. To play the game, the user logs into the OS (system software) of the information processing device 10, and also signs into a network service provided by the network server 5 in order to save game save data and trophies awarded for completing missions in the game on the network server 5. Users who log into the system software are managed by user accounts registered in the information processing device 10.

[0016] FIG. 2 shows the external configuration of the input device 6. A user operates the input device 6 by holding the left grip part 78b with the left hand and holding the right grip part 78a with the right hand. A direction key 71, which is an input part, analog sticks 77a and 77b, and four types of operation buttons 76 are provided on a housing top surface 79 of the input device 6. Different shapes are marked in different colors on the four types of buttons 72 to 75 in order to distinguish each of them. That is, a red circle is marked on the O button 72, a blue X is marked on the X button 73, a purple square is marked on the □ button 74, and a green triangle is marked on the △ button 75. A touch pad may be provided on the flat area between the direction key 71 and the operation buttons 76 on the housing top surface 79.

[0017] A function button 80 is provided between the two analog sticks 77a, 77b. The function button 80 is used to turn on the power of the input device 6 and at the same time activate a communication function that connects the input device 6 and the information processing device 10. When the main power of the information processing device 10 is turned off, if the function button 80 is pressed, the information processing device 10 accepts the connection request transmitted from the input device 6 as an instruction to turn on the main power, and the main power of the information processing device 10 is turned on. After the input device 6 is connected to the information processing device 10, the function button 80 is also used to cause the information processing device 10 to display a menu screen.

[0018] The SHARE button 81 is provided to the left of the left analog stick 77b. The SHARE button 81 is used to input instructions from the user to the system software in the information processing device 10. The OPTION button 82 is provided to the right of the right analog stick 77a. The OPTION button 82 is used to input instructions from the user to the application (game) software executed in the information processing device 10. Both the SHARE button 81 and the OPTION button 82 may be formed as push buttons.

[0019] 3 shows the external configuration of the rear side of the input device 6. A light-emitting unit 85 having a horizontally long, substantially rectangular shape is provided on a housing rear surface 86 of the input device 6. The light-emitting unit 85 has red (R), green (G), and blue (B) LEDs, and lights up according to light emission color information transmitted from the information processing device 10. On the housing rear surface 86, an upper button 83a, a lower button 84a, an upper button 83b, and a lower button 84b are provided at positions symmetrical on the left and right sides in the longitudinal direction. The upper button 83a and the lower button 84a are operated by the index finger and the middle finger of the user's right hand, respectively, and the upper button 83b and the lower button 84b are operated by the index finger and the middle finger of the user's left hand, respectively. As shown in the figure, light emitting section 85 is provided between the row of upper button 83a and lower button 84a on the right side and the row of upper button 83b and lower button 84b on the left side, so that it is not hidden by the index finger or middle finger operating each button, and camera 7 can suitably capture an image of the lit light emitting section 85. Upper button 83 may be configured as a push button, and lower button 84 may be configured as a pivotally supported trigger button.

[0020] 4 shows the internal configuration of the input device 6. The input device 6 includes a wireless communication module 90, a processing unit 91, a light emitting unit 85, and a vibrator 98. The wireless communication module 90 has a function of transmitting and receiving data to and from the wireless communication module of the information processing device 10. The processing unit 91 executes a desired process in the input device 6.

[0021] The processing unit 91 has a main control unit 92, an input receiving unit 93, a light emission control unit 94, a three-axis acceleration sensor 95, a three-axis gyro sensor 96, and a drive control unit 97. The main control unit 92 transmits and receives necessary data to and from the wireless communication module 90.

[0022] The input reception unit 93 receives operation information from input units such as the directional key 71, the operation buttons 76, the analog stick 77, the function buttons 80, the SHARE button 81, the OPTION button 82, the upper button 83, and the lower button 84, and sends it to the main control unit 92. The main control unit 92 supplies the received operation information to the wireless communication module 90, and the wireless communication module 90 transmits it to the information processing device 10 at a predetermined timing. The main control unit 92 may convert the received operation information into predetermined control information as necessary.

[0023] The light emission control unit 94 controls the emission of the red LED 87, green LED 88, and blue LED 89 that constitute the light emission unit 85. When the information processing device 10 transmits light emission color information that specifies the light emission color of the light emission unit 85, the light emission color information received by the wireless communication module 90 is passed to the main control unit 92, and the main control unit 92 notifies the light emission control unit 94 of the light emission color information. This enables the light emission control unit 94 to light up the light emission unit 85 in the specified light emission color.

[0024] The vibrator 98 includes an eccentric motor and is provided to vibrate the entire input device 6. When the wireless communication module 90 receives a vibration control signal from the information processing device 10, it supplies the vibration control signal to the main control unit 92, and the main control unit 92 operates a drive control unit 97 that vibrates the vibrator 98 based on the vibration control signal. The drive control unit 97 may be configured as a switch for driving the vibrator 98, or may be configured as a PWM control unit that varies the duty ratio of the supply voltage.

[0025] The triaxial acceleration sensor 95 detects acceleration components in three axial directions of X, Y and Z of the input device 6. The triaxial gyro sensor 96 detects angular velocities in the XZ, ZY and YX planes. The main control unit 92 receives detection value information from the triaxial acceleration sensor 95 and the triaxial gyro sensor 96, and the wireless communication module 90 transmits the detection value information together with operation information such as button input to the information processing device 10 at a predetermined cycle.

[0026] 5 shows a functional block diagram of the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 includes a main power button 20, a power ON LED 21, a standby LED 22, a system controller 24, a clock 26, a device controller 30, a media drive 32, a USB module 34, a flash memory 36, a wireless communication module 38, a wired communication module 40, a subsystem 50, and a main system 60.

[0027] The main system 60 is configured to have a main CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the subsystem 50 is configured to have a sub-CPU. The main CPU and the sub-CPU operate exclusively; that is, while the main CPU is activated and in an active state, the sub-CPU is in a standby state, and while the sub-CPU is activated and in an active state, the main CPU is in a standby state. While the main power supply of the information processing device 10 is on, the main CPU executes various processes such as applications in an environment generated by the system software, while the sub-CPU is in a sleep state. On the other hand, when the main power supply of the information processing device is turned off, the main CPU activates the sub-CPU and the main CPU goes to sleep. In this way, the main CPU and the sub-CPU operate exclusively.

[0028] The main power button 20 is an input unit through which a user performs an operation input, and is provided on the front of the housing of the information processing device 10. The main power button 20 is operated to turn on or off the power supply to the main system 60 of the information processing device 10. Hereinafter, when the main power is on, it means that the main system 60 is in an active state, and when the main power is off, it means that the main system 60 is in a standby state. The power ON LED 21 lights up when the main power button 20 is on, and the standby LED 22 lights up when the main power button 20 is off. Note that the main power is turned on / off by a short press of the main power button 20, and when the main power button 20 is pressed and held, the system power of the information processing device 10 is turned off and the power supply to the information processing device 10 is stopped.

[0029] The system controller 24 detects a user's pressing of the main power button 20. When the main power button 20 is pressed while the main power is in the off state, the system controller 24 acquires the pressing operation as an "on instruction," and when the main power button 20 is pressed while the main power is in the on state, the system controller 24 acquires the pressing operation as an "off instruction." As described above, the on / off of the main power can be controlled from the input device 6, and when the function button 80 of the input device 6 is pressed while the main power is in the off state, the system controller 24 acquires the button operation as an "on instruction."

[0030] When the system controller 24 receives an ON command, it notifies the subsystem 50 in the active state of the detection result, turns off the standby LED 22, and turns on the power ON LED 21. At this time, the subsystem 50 starts up the main system 60 and enters standby mode. On the other hand, when the system controller 24 receives an OFF command, it notifies the main system 60 in the active state of the detection result, turns off the power ON LED 21, and turns on the standby LED 22. At this time, the main system 60 starts up the subsystem 50 and enters standby mode.

[0031] While the main CPU has the function of executing game programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 2, the sub-CPU does not have such a function. However, the sub-CPU has the function of accessing the auxiliary storage device 2 and the function of sending and receiving information to and from the network server 5. The sub-CPU is configured with only such limited processing functions, and therefore can operate with less power consumption compared to the main CPU.

[0032] The clock 26 is a real-time clock that generates current date and time information and supplies it to the system controller 24 , the subsystem 50 , and the main system 60 .

[0033] The device controller 30 is configured as an LSI (Large-Scale Integrated Circuit) that executes the transfer of information between devices, like a south bridge. As shown in the figure, devices such as the system controller 24, media drive 32, USB module 34, flash memory 36, wireless communication module 38, wired communication module 40, subsystem 50, and main system 60 are connected to the device controller 30. The device controller 30 absorbs differences in electrical characteristics and data transfer speeds of the respective devices and controls the timing of data transfer.

[0034] The media drive 32 is a drive device that drives a ROM medium 44 on which application software such as games is recorded and reads out programs, data, and the like from the ROM medium 44. The ROM medium 44 is a read-only recording medium such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a Blu-ray disk.

[0035] The USB module 34 is a module that connects to an external device via a USB cable. The USB module 34 may be connected to the auxiliary storage device 2 and the camera 7 via a USB cable. The flash memory 36 is an auxiliary storage device that constitutes an internal storage. The wireless communication module 38 wirelessly communicates with, for example, the input device 6 using a communication protocol such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) protocol or IEEE802.11 protocol. The wireless communication module 38 may be compatible with a 3rd Generation digital mobile phone system that complies with the IMT-2000 (International Mobile Telecommunication 2000) standard defined by the ITU (International Telecommunication Union). The wired communication module 40 communicates with an external device via a wired communication and connects to the network 3 via, for example, the AP 8.

[0036] The main system 60 includes a main CPU, a memory and memory controller serving as a main storage device, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The GPU is mainly used for arithmetic processing of game programs. These functions may be configured as a system-on-chip and formed on a single chip. The main CPU has a function of starting up system software and executing applications installed in the auxiliary storage device 2 in the environment provided by the system software.

[0037] The subsystem 50 includes a sub-CPU, a memory serving as a main storage device, a memory controller, and the like, but does not include a GPU. The number of circuit gates of the sub-CPU is smaller than that of the main CPU, and the operating power consumption of the sub-CPU is smaller than that of the main CPU. As described above, the sub-CPU operates while the main CPU is in standby mode, and its processing functions are limited in order to keep power consumption low. The sub-CPU and the memory may be formed on separate chips.

[0038] 6 shows an internal configuration of the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 includes a processing unit 100, a communication unit 102, and a reception unit 104. The processing unit 100 includes an application execution unit 106, an image generation unit 110, a recording unit 130, a sharing processing unit 150, and a user management unit 170. The image generation unit 110 generates image data to be displayed on the output device 4, and includes a game image generation unit 112, a menu image generation unit 114, a recorded content image generation unit 116, and a screenshot generation unit 118. The recording unit 130 records the image data and / or information related to the image data generated by the image generation unit 110, and includes a recording control unit 132, a write / read unit 134, a ring buffer 136, and a content recording unit 138. The sharing processing unit 150 performs processing for sharing the image data and / or information related to the image data generated by the image generation unit 110 with other users, and has an input image generation unit 152, an edited image generation unit 154, a setting holding unit 156, an upload processing unit 158, a distribution processing unit 160, a recording instruction unit 162, and a content acquisition unit 164. The user management unit 170 holds the user account of the logged-in user and the device ID of the input device 6 in association with each other. When a user is playing a game, the user management unit 170 identifies and stores the user who is playing the game.

[0039] 6, each element described as a functional block performing various processes can be configured in hardware as a circuit block, memory, or other LSI, and in software as a program loaded into memory, etc. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware alone, software alone, or a combination thereof, and are not limited to any one of them.

[0040] In the information processing system 1 of this embodiment, the communication unit 102 receives information on the user's operation of the input unit of the input device 6 (hereinafter, also referred to as "operation information"), and transmits content generated or acquired by the processing unit 100 to the shared server 9. Here, the content includes at least image data and / or information related to the image data generated by the image generation unit 110. The communication unit 102 has a configuration that combines the functions of the wireless communication module 38 and the wired communication module 40 shown in FIG. 5, where the wireless communication module 38 is responsible for communication with the input device 6, and the wired communication module 40 is responsible for communication with the network server 5 and the shared server 9.

[0041] The reception unit 104 is provided between the communication unit 102 and the processing unit 100, and transmits data or information between the communication unit 102 and the processing unit 100. When the reception unit 104 receives operation information of an input unit provided in the input device 6 via the communication unit 102, the reception unit 104 supplies the operation information to one or more of the application execution unit 106, the image generation unit 110, the shared processing unit 150, and the user management unit 170 in the processing unit 100.

[0042] When the main power button 20 is pressed by the user while the main power of the information processing device 10 is off, the main system 60 is started. The main system 60 supplies an instruction to generate a menu image to the menu image generating unit 114, and the menu image generating unit 114 generates a menu image in which game icon images and the like are arranged. Note that when the main power of the information processing device 10 is on and the user presses the function button 80 of the input device 6, the menu image generating unit 114 may generate a menu image. The function of the menu image generating unit 114 is realized by system software.

[0043] FIG. 7 shows an example of a menu screen displayed on the output device 4. The menu screen is displayed when the user selects a game to play or when browsing the activities of other users. The category selection area 204 displays the menu categories prepared in the information processing device 10. The game icon display area 200 displays a list of game icons that the logged-in user can play in the horizontal direction of the screen. The user can scroll this list to the right or left by operating the input device 6. In the game icon display area 200, a focus area 210 is set at a predetermined position. When the user places a game icon of interest in the focus area 210, an icon related to the game is displayed in the related icon display area 202, and related information is displayed in the related information display areas 206 and 208. When the user operates the input unit of the input device 6 to place the icon of the game to be played in the focus area 210 and then presses a predetermined enter key, the reception unit 104 shown in FIG. 6 receives the operation information as a game execution command, and the application execution unit 106 executes the game.

[0044] In the related information display area 206, related information of the game arranged in the focus area 210 is displayed, for example, a video related to the game is displayed. The displayed video may be a gameplay video of the game stored in the shared server 9 or a live video distributed from the shared server 9. In the related information display area 208, related information of the game arranged in the focus area 210 is displayed, for example, a list of friends who are playing the game may be displayed. The menu image generation unit 114 generates such a menu image and displays it on the output device 4.

[0045] When a game execution command is input by the user, the application execution unit 106 executes the game program arranged in the focus area 210. In this example, a game titled "SAMURAI" starts. The user management unit 170 specifies which user among the users logged in to the information processing device 10 will play the game. For example, when user A starts a game and logged-in users B and C join the game, it is stored that users A, B, and C are playing the game.

[0046] In this embodiment, the application execution unit 106 executes a game program, but may execute other types of application programs. The application execution unit 106 performs calculation processing to move a game character in a virtual space based on operation information input by a user to the input device 6. Here, the application execution unit 106 may be the application (game program) itself. The game image generation unit 112 may be a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) that executes rendering processing, etc., and receives the processing result by the application execution unit 106, and generates image data of the application (game) to be displayed on the output device 4. FIG. 8 shows an example of a game screen displayed on the output device 4.

[0047] In the information processing device 10, the recording unit 130 has a function of recording, in the background, images displayed on the output device 4. As shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the image generating unit 110 has a function of generating at least menu image data and game image data and displaying them on the output device 4, and the recording unit 130 records these image data in the background.

[0048] The recording control unit 132 controls the writing and reading of data by the writing / reading unit 134. The writing / reading unit 134 writes data to the ring buffer 136 and the content recording unit 138, or reads data from the ring buffer 136. Background recording in the recording unit 130 is performed in the ring buffer 136. The recording control unit 132 sets a start address and an end address of a storage area in the auxiliary storage device 2 to generate the ring buffer 136. This ring buffer area may be set in advance when the information processing device 10 is shipped. The recording control unit 132 records image data generated by the image generating unit 110 in the ring buffer 136. The recording control unit 132 records image data in the ring buffer 136 from the start address in a predetermined address order, and when recording up to the end address is completed, returns to the start address and overwrites the image data, and repeats this process. By recording the display image data in the background, when the user makes a great play in a game, for example, the game image can be recorded and uploaded to the shared server 9, and by recording using the ring buffer method, the capacity of the auxiliary storage device 2 is not used without limit. For example, the recording capacity of the ring buffer 136 is set so that about 15 minutes of video can be recorded.

[0049] The sharing processing unit 150 of this embodiment provides a mechanism for sharing image data and / or information related to the image data generated by the image generating unit 110 with other users. This sharing processing is executed when a user operates a specific input unit provided in the input device 6.

[0050] Returning to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the multiple input units provided in the input device 6 can be classified into three types from the viewpoint of inputting operation information to the information processing device 10. (Type 1) The first type is an input unit for inputting operation information for the system software of the information processing device 10, specifically, the function button 80 and the SHARE button 81. Operation information for the function button 80 and the SHARE button 81 is provided only to the system software, not to the application software. Here, the system software means software for managing / controlling the computer hardware of the information processing device 10 and supporting the operation and use of the information processing device 10. Moreover, the application software means software that directly has a function for carrying out the work that the user wants to execute in the environment constructed by the system software. Typically, the system software includes an OS, and the application software includes game software. (Type 2) The second type is an input unit for inputting operation information for application software of the information processing device 10, and specifically corresponds to the OPTION button 82. The operation information of the OPTION button 82 is provided only to the application software, and is not provided to the system software. (Third Type) The third type is an input unit for inputting operation information to either the system software or application software of the information processing device 10, and specifically corresponds to the directional key 71, the operation button 76, the analog stick 77, the upper button 83, and the lower button 84. When a menu screen (see FIG. 7) generated by the system software is being displayed, the operation information of the input unit of the third type is provided to the system software, while when a game screen (see FIG. 8) generated by the application software is being displayed, the operation information of the input unit of the third type is provided to the application software. In this way, the operation information of the input unit of the third type is provided to the generating entity of the screen displayed on the output device 4.

[0051] When the reception unit 104 receives operation information of a first type of input unit out of the three types of input units, specifically, the SHARE button 81, the sharing processing unit 150 performs processing for sharing the image data or information related to the image data generated by the image generating unit 110 with other users. This sharing processing is not performed when the reception unit 104 receives operation information of the second and third types of input units, but is performed only when the reception unit 104 receives operation information of the first type of input unit.

[0052] Hereinafter, a sharing process that occurs when the user operates the SHARE button 81 while the game screen shown in FIG. 8 is being displayed will be described. As described above, while the game screen is being displayed, the ring buffer 136 of the recording unit 130 records the game image data generated by the game image generation unit 112. When the reception unit 104 receives operation information of the SHARE button 81, the recording instruction unit 162 supplies an instruction to capture a screenshot to the screenshot generation unit 118, and also supplies an instruction to stop background recording to the recording control unit 132. As a result, the screenshot generation unit 118 captures a screenshot of the game image at the time when the capture instruction is received, and the recording control unit 132 stops recording the image data in the ring buffer 136 at the time when the recording stop instruction is received.

[0053] When generating image data of a screenshot, the screenshot generating unit 118 is provided with information related to the screenshot from the game, and associates the related information with the image data. The related information here is attribute information (meta information) of the game, such as the title ID, title name, stage name, and character name included in the screenshot, of the game being played, and may further include information on the user playing the game. The recording control unit 132 is also provided with information related to the image data recorded in the ring buffer 136 from the game, and associates the related information with the image data. The related information here is attribute information, such as the title ID, title name, stage name, and character name included in the image data, of the game, and may include information on the user playing the game. Since the ring buffer 136 stores image data for a maximum of 15 minutes, the stage of the game may be changed or the characters appearing in the game may be changed during the 15 minutes. Therefore, whenever the attribute information of the game changes, the game notifies the recording control unit 132 of the changed attribute information, and the recording control unit 132 may associate the notified attribute information with the image data recorded in the ring buffer 136 at the time of receiving the notification.

[0054] At this time, the input image generation unit 152 generates an input image showing options for sharing game image data or information related to game image data. On the input screen displayed on the output device 4, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) and text fields are arranged for the user to operate the input device 6 to input predetermined information. For ease of explanation, hereinafter, "game image data or information related to game image data" may be collectively referred to as "content." In the input image, a GUI for selecting the content to be the target of the sharing process is displayed.

[0055] 9 shows an example of an input screen superimposed on a game screen. Three options for content sharing are displayed on the input screen 220. "Upload Screenshot" is a GUI for specifying uploading image data of a screenshot, "Upload Video" is a GUI for specifying uploading image data recorded in the ring buffer 136, and "Video Streaming" is a GUI for specifying live broadcast of game play video. The user operates the input device 6 to select one of the GUIs and presses the Enter key, thereby executing the selected sharing process.

[0056] 10 shows an example of an input screen that is superimposed on the game screen when "Upload Video" is selected. An input screen 222 shows options related to content sharing, and shows a service selection field 230 for inputting information on which of the content sharing services provided by a plurality of sharing servers 9 is to be selected. In this example, three options are presented: shared service A, shared service B, and shared service C, and these sharing services may be operated by different business entities, or may be operated by a single business entity and offer different service types.

[0057] The user inputs the game title in the title input field 226. As described above, the game title name is associated with the image data, and the input image generating unit 152 may input the game title name associated with the image data in advance in the title input field 226. The user can input a text comment about the gameplay video in the comment input field 228. When content is uploaded to a sharing service, it is considered that other users will be more interested in the content by viewing the comments displayed on the sharing site, and therefore inputting a comment is important in the sharing service.

[0058] The edit button 224 is used to edit up to 15 minutes of image data recorded in the ring buffer 136. When the edit button 224 is selected, an edit screen for editing the image data is displayed on the output device 4.

[0059] FIG. 11 shows an example of an editing screen superimposed on a game screen. In the editing screen 240, the user can determine the length of the video data to be uploaded. Specifically, the user determines the start point 244 and end point 246 of the video data up to 15 minutes, and determines the video data between the start point 244 and the end point 246 as the video data to be uploaded. The user can freely move the start point 244 and the end point 246 by operating the input device 6. The video data is played in the image display area 248, and the user determines the start point 244 and the end point 246 of the video data to be uploaded by operating an indicator 250 such as a play button, a fast-forward button, or a fast-rewind button. The left end of the image display area 248 indicates the beginning of the video data, and the right end indicates the end of the video data. When the user places the cursor at any position in the image display area 248, an image at the corresponding position on the time axis may be displayed. The time information 242 indicates the time information of the image being played in the image display area 248. The user sets start point 244 and end point 246 and presses the Enter key to end image editing and return to input screen 222 shown in Fig. 10. Recording control unit 132 stores the addresses of start point 244 and end point 246 that are set for the image data recorded in ring buffer 136.

[0060] When the maximum 15-minute recorded data includes play images of multiple stages in a game, some kind of mark may be set at the break between stages and displayed on the editing screen 240. This allows the user to find the break between stages without playing the recorded gameplay video, facilitating the process of setting the start point 244 and the end point 246. At this time, an image at the break between stages may be displayed in the image display area 248 in association with the mark.

[0061] In addition, information that prohibits recording may be embedded in a game to prevent spoilers. For example, information that prohibits recording is set in highlights of the game, such as special stages and boss battle scenes. Hereinafter, a scene or stage that is prohibited from recording is called a "prohibited section." When the recording control unit 132 receives the recording prohibition information from the game, it does not record game image data in the prohibited section in the ring buffer 136. Therefore, when a user presses the SHARE button 81 to upload video data, a situation may occur in which the video data is not recorded because it is actually a prohibited section. Therefore, when a recording prohibited section is included in the capture section of the image data recorded in the ring buffer 136, it is preferable that a message indicating that an unrecorded scene exists is displayed on the editing screen 240. In addition, in the prohibited section, a mark indicating that it is a prohibited section may also be displayed on the game screen displayed on the output device 4.

[0062] 10, the user selects the upload button 232. This causes the content acquisition unit 164 to generate an image data acquisition request to the recording unit 130, and the recording control unit 132 uses the addresses of the set start point 244 and end point 246 to cause the content acquisition unit 164 to read the edited image data recorded in the ring buffer 136 from the write / read unit 134. This causes the content acquisition unit 164 to acquire the edited image data.

[0063] When the content acquisition unit 164 acquires the image data (content), the upload processing unit 158 ​​uploads the content to the shared server 9 that provides the shared service selected in the service selection field 230 of the input screen shown in Fig. 10. This allows the user's gameplay video to be shared, and it is expected that the popularity of the game will increase as it is seen by many people.

[0064] 10 and 11 show screens displayed when "Upload Video" is selected on the input screen 220 shown in FIG. 9. When "Upload Screenshot" or "Video Streaming" is selected on the input screen 220, the input image generating unit 152 similarly generates an input image showing options for sharing content. When "Upload Screenshot" is selected, the upload processing unit 158 ​​uploads image data of a screenshot to the shared server 9, while when "Video Streaming" is selected, the distribution processing unit 160 encodes the game image generated by the game image generating unit 112 and distributes it by stream to the shared server 9. At this time, comments input by the user and attribute information of the game are displayed on the sharing site, so that other users can quickly find images that interest them.

[0065] When the receiving unit 104 receives operation information of the SHARE button 81, the input image generating unit 152 displays an input screen 220 for selecting the content to be shared on the output device 4, as shown in FIG. 9, but a different input screen may also be displayed.

[0066] FIG. 12 shows an example of an input screen superimposed on a game screen. In the input screen 260, a choice is displayed between performing a sharing process of image data or performing a saving process of image data. When the sharing processing unit 150 accepts the operation information of the SHARE button 81, the sharing process is executed, but since the operation information of the SHARE button 81 is not provided to the game, the progress of the game is not stopped. As described above, in the sharing process, since the input screen, the editing screen, etc. are superimposed on the game screen, a situation occurs in which the user cannot actually operate the game. Therefore, the user can capture the video data for the time being and continue the game by selecting the saving process of image data in the input screen 260. The editing process and the upload process of the video data may be performed, for example, after the user pauses the progress of the game or ends the game.

[0067] Since the progress of the game is not temporarily stopped by the operation information of the SHARE button 81, the user may set in advance the contents of the sharing process for the operation information of the SHARE button 81 in advance to realize a quick sharing process. The setting storage unit 156 stores information on a sharing service selected in a service selection field 230 shown in FIG. 10, for example. The selection of this sharing service is performed in advance by the user, and the setting storage unit 156 stores information identifying the sharing service selected by the user. The service selection field 230 shown in FIG. 10 presents options for uploading video data, and it is preferable that the user selects in advance a sharing service to be used when uploading a screenshot or a sharing service to be used when streaming, for example, and information identifying the selected sharing service is stored in the setting storage unit 156 as setting information.

[0068] In this case, when the reception unit 104 receives the operation information of the SHARE button 81, the sharing processing unit 150 determines which setting information of the sharing process to adopt from among the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 156 according to the operation status of the SHARE button 81. The operation status of the SHARE button 81 is typically distinguished by a short press and a long press, but in the present embodiment, when three sharing processes are prepared, namely, a screenshot upload process, a captured video upload process, and a gameplay video streaming delivery, the operation status such as a short press, a long press, and a double press are associated with the sharing process. For example, when the SHARE button 81 is pressed short, the upload processing unit 158 ​​performs a screenshot image upload process according to the setting information, when the SHARE button 81 is pressed long, the upload processing unit 158 ​​performs a captured video upload process according to the setting information, and when the SHARE button 81 is pressed twice, the delivery processing unit 160 performs a game image streaming delivery process. This allows the user to upload or deliver content without interrupting the game progress just by operating the SHARE button 81, making it easier to realize the content sharing process.

[0069] The setting storage unit 156 may associate a predetermined sharing process with a process showing options for sharing, for the operation status of the SHARE button 81. For example, when the operation status of the SHARE button 81 is distinguished between a short press and a long press, a short press operation is associated with a screenshot image upload process, and a long press operation is associated with an input image generation process for selecting either a capture video upload process or a game image streaming delivery process. In this case, when the SHARE button 81 is short pressed, the upload processing unit 158 ​​performs a screenshot image upload process according to the setting information, and when the SHARE button 81 is long pressed, the input image generation unit 152 generates a GUI for selecting either "Upload Video" or "Video Streaming" shown in FIG. 9 and displays it on the output device 4. Even in this case, the setting storage unit 156 associates the short press operation of the SHARE button 81 with the screenshot image upload process and stores it, so that the upload processing unit 158 ​​can upload the screenshot image to the shared server 9 when the short press operation is received without requiring any other input from the user.

[0070] Although the case where the game image data is shared in the information processing device 10 has been described, the menu image data shown in FIG. 7 may also be shared and uploaded or distributed to the shared server 9. When the user presses the SHARE button 81 while a game icon with the title "SAMURAI" is displayed in the focus area 210 on the menu screen, the icon image data with the title "SAMURAI" and / or information about the icon image data may be posted to a sharing site and shared among multiple users. The information about the game icon image data includes attribute information of the game, and further includes related information such as the game sales site and user A's playing record. By making such information viewable on the sharing site, for example, a friend of user A can know that user A is interested in the "SAMURAI" game, and can be motivated to play the game together with user A.

[0071] 12, when the user selects to locally save the captured image data, the recording instruction unit 162 generates a recording request for the captured image data to the recording unit 130. In this embodiment, when the reception unit 104 receives operation information of the SHARE button 81, the recording instruction unit 162 supplies an instruction to capture a screenshot to the screenshot generation unit 118, and also supplies an instruction to stop background recording to the recording control unit 132. Thereafter, the input image generation unit 152 displays the input screen shown in FIG. 12 on the output device 4, and when the user selects to save the captured image data in the auxiliary storage device 2, the recording instruction unit 162 supplies a recording request for the captured image data to the recording unit 130.

[0072] The recording control unit 132 acquires image data of the screenshot generated by the screenshot generation unit 118, and records it in the content recording unit 138 by the write / read unit 134. The recording control unit 132 also reads out image data recorded in the ring buffer 136 by the write / read unit 134, and records it in the content recording unit 138. Note that since the image data of the screenshot can be generated from the image data recorded in the ring buffer 136, the recording control unit 132 may be configured not to record the image data of the screenshot in the content recording unit 138.

[0073] The recording control unit 132 records the content (image data) in association with the logged-in user. For example, when three users, users A, B, and C, are playing the "SAMURAI" game, if any user presses the SHARE button 81, the recording control unit 132 records the image data in the ring buffer 136 in association with the user accounts of users A, B, and C. The logged-in users who are playing the game are stored in the user management unit 170, and therefore the recording control unit 132 obtains information on the users who are playing the game from the user management unit 170 and associates it with the image data. The recorded content image generation unit 116 is a content browser, which generates a content list image recorded in the content recording unit 138 and displays it on the output device 4.

[0074] 13 shows a content list screen. In this example, the recorded content image generating unit 116 generates a content list image for each game title, but it is also possible to generate a content list image for each user. On the content list screen, for each piece of content, a user icon 270 of the user who was playing when the content was generated is displayed. This allows the user to know the other users who played the game together. When the content is uploaded to the shared server 9, user information is also uploaded, and the names of the users who played together may be displayed on the sharing site together with comments, etc.

[0075] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. These embodiments are merely illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component and each treatment process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1 information processing system, 4 output device, 5 network server, 6 input device, 9 shared server, 10 information processing device, 20 main power button, 81 SHARE button, 100 processing unit, 102 communication unit, 104 reception unit, 106 application execution unit, 110 image generation unit, 112 game image generation unit, 114 menu image generation unit, 116 recorded content image generation unit , 118···screenshot generation unit, 130···recording unit, 132···recording control unit, 134···write / read unit, 136···ring buffer, 138···content recording unit, 150···sharing processing unit, 152···input image generation unit, 154···edited image generation unit, 156···setting retention unit, 158···upload processing unit, 160···distribution processing unit, 162···recording instruction unit, 164···content acquisition unit, and 170···user management unit.

Claims

1. A game device that performs a sharing process for game-related content, An execution unit for executing a game; a sharing processing unit that performs a process of uploading or distributing screenshot images or game videos to a sharing server that provides a sharing service in order to share the screenshot images or game videos with other users; the sharing processing unit generates a first input image showing options regarding sharing of content, the first input image including uploading a captured game video as one option; the sharing processing unit generates a second input image indicating an option of a sharing service after one of the options regarding sharing of the content is selected; A game device comprising:

2. A game device that performs a sharing process for game-related content, An execution unit for executing a game; a sharing processing unit that performs a process of uploading or distributing screenshot images or game videos to a sharing server that provides a sharing service in order to share the screenshot images or game videos with other users; the sharing processing unit generates a first input image showing options regarding content sharing, the first input image including a live broadcast of a game video as one option; the sharing processing unit generates a second input image indicating an option of a sharing service after one of the options regarding sharing of the content is selected; A game device comprising:

3. A game device that performs a sharing process for game-related content, An execution unit for executing a game; a sharing processing unit that performs a process of uploading or distributing screenshot images or game videos to a sharing server that provides a sharing service in order to share the screenshot images or game videos with other users; the sharing processing unit generates a first input image showing options regarding sharing of the content, the first input image including options of uploading a captured game video and distributing a live broadcast of the game video; the sharing processing unit generates a second input image indicating an option of a sharing service after one of the options regarding sharing of the content is selected; A game device comprising:

4. running a game; A step of uploading or distributing the screenshot images or game videos to a sharing server that provides a sharing service in order to share the screenshot images or game videos with other users; The steps for uploading or distributing the data are as follows: generating a first input image showing options regarding content sharing, the first input image including uploading a captured game video as one option; generating a second input image showing the sharing service option after one of the options related to sharing the content is selected; A processing method comprising:

5. running a game; A step of uploading or distributing the screenshot images or game videos to a sharing server that provides a sharing service in order to share the screenshot images or game videos with other users; The steps for uploading or distributing the data are as follows: generating a first input image showing options regarding content sharing, the first input image including a live broadcast of a game video as one option; generating a second input image showing the sharing service option after one of the options related to sharing the content is selected; A processing method comprising:

6. running a game; A step of uploading or distributing the screenshot images or game videos to a sharing server that provides a sharing service in order to share the screenshot images or game videos with other users; The steps for uploading or distributing the data are as follows: generating a first input image showing options regarding content sharing, the first input image including options of uploading a captured game video and distributing a live broadcast of the game video; generating a second input image showing the sharing service option after one of the options related to sharing the content is selected; A processing method comprising:

7. On the computer, The ability to run games; A program for implementing a function of uploading or distributing screenshot images or game videos to a shared server that provides a sharing service in order to share the screenshot images or game videos with other users, The function that processes uploading or distribution is A function of generating a first input image showing options regarding sharing of content, the first input image including uploading a captured game video as one option; generating a second input image showing the sharing service option after one of the options related to sharing the content is selected; A program characterized by:

8. On the computer, The ability to run games; A program for implementing a function of uploading or distributing screenshot images or game videos to a shared server that provides a sharing service in order to share the screenshot images or game videos with other users, The function that processes uploading or distribution is A function of generating a first input image showing options regarding content sharing, the first input image including a live broadcast of a game video as one option; generating a second input image showing the sharing service option after one of the options related to sharing the content is selected; A program characterized by:

Images