Terminal device and animation providing system

Abstract

To provide a terminal device and an animation providing system with excellent usability. [Solution] The terminal device comprises a display control unit that displays an animation on a screen of the display device based on animation data provided from a server, a reception unit that receives specific operations by the user via an input device at any one or more locations on the screen while the animation is being displayed, and a determination unit that determines clip information regarding the start and end of a clip into which a portion of the animation has been cut out in response to the specific operation.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a terminal device and an animation providing system. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a technology that enables viewing of content such as animation on a terminal device such as a smartphone, and it is also known that the terminal device generates a clip in which a part of the animation is cut out in response to a user operation.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a computer terminal that allows a user to generate a clip by pressing and releasing a clip button with a finger while content is being played back. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-150541 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, if the clip button remains on the screen, it will interfere with viewing the animation, resulting in a lack of usability.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to solve the problem of providing a terminal device and an animation providing system with excellent usability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a terminal device according to a preferred aspect of the present disclosure includes: a display control unit that displays an animation on a screen of a display device based on animation data provided from a server; and a reception unit that receives a specific operation by a user via an input device at any one or more locations on the screen while the animation is being displayed; During the display of the animation, without stopping the display of the animation, and a determining unit that determines clip information relating to the start and end of a clip from which a part of the animation has been cut out in response to the specific operation.

[0008] An animation providing system according to a preferred aspect of the present disclosure includes a terminal device and a server capable of communicating with the terminal device via a communication network, the terminal device including a display control unit that displays an animation on a screen of a display device based on animation data provided from the server, and a reception unit that receives specific operations by a user via an input device at any one or more locations on the screen while the animation is being displayed. This was done while the animation was being displayed, without stopping the animation. and a determination unit that determines clip information relating to the start and end of a clip from which a portion of the animation has been cut in response to the specific operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a terminal device and an animation providing system with excellent usability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an animation providing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an animation displayed on a screen of the display device of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a clip displayed on a screen of the display device of FIG. 2. [Figure 5]3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a position display bar displayed on a screen of the display device of FIG. 2. [Figure 6] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a clip list displayed on a screen of the display device of FIG. 2. [Figure 7] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an edit bar displayed on a screen of the display device of FIG. 2. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a specific operation by a user while a clip is being displayed. [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of clip information shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server in FIG. 1. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the animation data file shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a clip list file shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship information file shown in FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation related to clip processing. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation relating to displaying and editing a clip. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation related to display of a clip list. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation relating to display of a clip list in a first modified example. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a selection screen in a first modified example. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a specific operation by a user in a second modified example. [Figure 20] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation relating to clipping processing in a third modified example. [Figure 21] 10 is an example of a tool for clip processing displayed on the screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present disclosure. Therefore, various technically preferable limitations are applied to the embodiments. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below unless otherwise specified in the following description to the effect that the present disclosure is limited.

[0012] 1. First embodiment 1-1. Overall system configuration Figure 1 is a diagram showing an animation providing system according to a first embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the animation providing system 100 includes a server 10 and terminal devices 30-1, 30-2, ... 30-K, ... 30-N. N is an integer equal to or greater than 1. K is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than N. The animation providing system 100 is a client-server system. The terminal device 30 corresponds to a client.

[0013] In this embodiment, the multiple terminal devices 30-1 to 30-N have the same configuration. However, terminal devices with different configurations may be included. Furthermore, the multiple terminal devices 30-1 to 30-N communicate with each other via the server 10 and a communication network 50 such as the Internet. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the multiple terminal devices 30-1 to 30-N, they will be referred to as terminal devices 30. Furthermore, the owners of the terminal devices 30-1, 30-2, ... 30-K, ... 30-N will be referred to as users U1, U2, ... UK, ... UN. Furthermore, the owner of the terminal device 30 will be referred to as user U.

[0014] The server 10 provides animation to the plurality of terminal devices 30-1 to 30-N, and also provides clips of parts of the animation to the plurality of terminal devices 30-1 to 30-N.

[0015] In this embodiment, the user U watches the animation through streaming, in which the terminal device 30 receives data and simultaneously plays it back.

[0016] According to the animation providing system 100 of this embodiment, in addition to viewing animations, clips of cut-out portions of the animations can be viewed via the terminal device 30. A clip is a part of an animation and is a moving image like the animation. The length of a clip is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, approximately 1 to 120 seconds. Furthermore, the animation providing system 100 can perform clip processing. Clip processing is a process of cutting out a part of an animation to generate a clip. Furthermore, the animation providing system 100 can perform clip editing. Note that the animation providing system 100 does not necessarily have to be capable of clip editing.

[0017] 1-1a. Terminal device 30 Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device 30 in Fig. 1. The terminal device 30 has a viewer function that displays animation. Examples of the terminal device 30 include smartphones, mobile information terminals such as tablets, personal computers, and wearable devices.

[0018] The terminal device 30 includes a processing device 31, a storage device 32, a communication device 33, a display device 34, and an input device 35. The elements included in the terminal device 30 are connected to each other using one or more buses for communicating information.

[0019] The processing device 31 is a processor that controls the entire terminal device 30. The processing device 31 is configured using, for example, one or more chips. The processing device 31 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) that includes an arithmetic unit, registers, etc. Note that some or all of the functions of the processing device 31 may be realized using hardware such as a DSP, ASIC, PLD, FPGA, etc. The processing device 31 executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

[0020] The storage device 32 is a recording medium that can be read and written by the processing device 31. The storage device 32 stores a plurality of programs executed by the processing device 31 and various data files. Specifically, the storage device 32 stores an execution program P1 and clip information D20. When the processing device 31 executes the execution program P1, the processing device 31 performs the various functions described below. As will be described later, the clip information D20 is metadata including the start time, end time, and animation ID of the clip. Note that the clip information D20 only needs to be stored temporarily and does not need to be stored long-term.

[0021] The communication device 33 is hardware that serves as a transmitting / receiving device for communicating with the server 10. The communication device 33 is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module. The communication device 33 may include a connector for wired connection and an interface circuit corresponding to the connector. The communication device 33 may also include a wireless communication interface. Examples of the connector and interface circuit for wired connection include products that comply with wired LAN, IEEE1394, and USB. Examples of the wireless communication interface include products that comply with wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.

[0022] The display device 34 is a device that displays images and text information. The display device 34 displays various images under the control of the processing device 31. For example, various display panels such as a liquid crystal display panel and an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display panel are suitably used as the display device 34.

[0023] The input device 35 receives operations from the user U. For example, the input device 35 includes a keyboard, a touchpad, a touch panel, or a pointing device such as a mouse.

[0024] In this embodiment, for example, the display device 34 includes a touch panel and also serves as the input device 35. For this reason, hereinafter, it may be stated that the display device 34 receives instructions from the user U.

[0025] The processing device 31 reads and executes the execution program P1 from the storage device 32. As a result, the processing device 31 functions as a display control unit 311, a reception unit 312, a determination unit 313, and a communication control unit 314.

[0026] The display control unit 311 controls the display of the display device 34. The display control unit 311 starts up an animation viewer. The animation viewer may be a browser viewer that allows animations to be viewed on a browser, or an application viewer that allows animations to be viewed on an application.

[0027] For example, the display control unit 311 causes the display device 34 to display the animation A1 of FIG. 3 based on the animation data D10 provided by the server 10. The display control unit 311 causes the display device 34 to display the clip A2 of FIG. 4 based on the clip data D2 provided by the server 10. Furthermore, for example, the display control unit 311 causes the display device 34 to display a position display bar T1 of FIG. 5 indicating the position, i.e., the time, of clip A2 in the animation A1. For example, the display control unit 311 causes the display device 34 to display a clip list A3 of FIG. 6 based on a clip list file F20 provided by the server 10. Note that the clip list A3 is a list of multiple clips A2. For example, the display control unit 311 causes the display device 34 to display an edit bar T4 of FIG. 7 for editing clip A2.

[0028] FIG. 3 is an example of animation A1 displayed on screen SC of display device 34 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an example of clip A2 displayed on screen SC of display device 34 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, display device 34 has a screen SC on which various images are displayed. In FIG. 3, animation A1 is displayed on screen SC. In FIG. 4, clip A2 is displayed on screen SC. Note that an identification mark may be added to either animation A1 or clip A2 so that user U can instantly tell which is displayed on screen SC.

[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a position display bar T1 displayed on the screen SC of the display device 34 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 5, the display control unit 311 displays the position display bar T1 while the animation A1 is being displayed. The position display bar T1 is a seek bar indicating the position of the clip A2. In addition to a main bar indicating the time axis, the position display bar T1 includes a playback point T11, two clip portions T12 and T13, and two clip display bubbles T14 and T15. The playback point T11 indicates the current playback position of the animation A1. In the example of FIG. 5, two clips A2 have been generated for the animation A1. The clip portions T12 and T13 each indicate the position, i.e., time, of the clip. A clip display bubble T14 is provided corresponding to the clip portion T12. The clip display bubble T14 displays the contents of the clip portion T12 as an image. For example, the clip display bubble T14 displays the first scene of the clip portion T12 as an image. Similarly, a clip display balloon T15 is provided corresponding to the clip portion T13. The clip display balloon T15 shows the contents of the clip portion T13 as an image. For example, the clip display balloon T15 shows the first scene of the clip portion T13 as an image. Note that the clip display balloons T14 and T15 do not have to be displayed all the time, and may be displayed by a tap operation or the like by the user U.

[0030] FIG. 6 is an example of a clip list A3 displayed on the screen SC of the display device 34 of FIG. 2. The screen SC shown in FIG. 6 displays the clip list A3, which is a list of multiple clips A2. The clip list A3 includes multiple clips A2 and titles corresponding to each clip A2. To the right of each clip A2, for example, content such as a title arbitrarily designated by the user U is displayed to make each clip A2 easier to identify. For example, FIG. 7 displays three clips A2 titled "X1," "X2," and "X3." Note that the titles may be omitted. Furthermore, for example, the clip list A3 is configured so that multiple clips A2 can be viewed by scrolling up and down.

[0031] 7 is an example of an edit bar T4 displayed on the screen SC of the display device 34 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the display control unit 311 displays the edit bar T4 along with the display of the clip A2. The edit bar T4 is a GUI that the user uses to edit the clip A2. The edit bar T4 has a clip portion T41 that indicates the time length of the clip A2. The time length of the clip portion T41 can be changed by an operation by the user U.

[0032] The reception unit 312 shown in FIG. 2 receives instructions from the user U via the input device 35 or the display device 34. For example, the reception unit 312 receives a specific operation for clip processing by the user U while the animation A1 is being displayed on the display device 34. The specific operation is a touch operation by the user U at one or more arbitrary locations on the screen SC. The touch operation is an operation in which the user U's finger Uf touches the screen SC. Furthermore, the reception unit 312 receives an instruction for clip editing by the user U while the animation A1 is being displayed on the display device 34.

[0033] 8 is a diagram illustrating a specific operation performed by the user U while clip A2 is being displayed. When the user U wants to perform clip processing, that is, when the user U wants to cut out a part of animation A1 and generate clip A2, the user U performs a specific operation on the screen SC.

[0034] In the example of FIG. 8, the specific operation by the user U is a long press operation for a certain period of time on an arbitrary position on the screen SC with the user U's finger Uf. For example, the specific operation includes a start instruction to start clip processing in response to an operation on an arbitrary position on the screen SC by the user U, and an end instruction to end clip processing in response to a release of the operation on the arbitrary position by the user U. The start of contact with the finger Uf is the start instruction to start clip processing, and the release of contact with the finger Uf is the end instruction to end clip processing. In other words, the duration of contact that the finger Uf has with the screen SC corresponds to the length of time of the clip A2.

[0035] The display device 34 detects the contact of the finger Uf with the screen SC and the contact position using a touch sensor. The accepting unit 312 then accepts the start of contact, the duration of contact, and the position of the finger Uf and determines that it is a long press.

[0036] Furthermore, the aforementioned arbitrary location on the screen SC may be any location within the screen SC. Therefore, there is no need to display buttons or the like within the screen SC for clipping processing. Note that the finger Uf includes the thumb. Furthermore, as long as the specific operation can be performed, some member may be interposed between the finger Uf and the screen SC. Furthermore, the specific operation may be performed by a part of the user U other than the finger Uf.

[0037] The determination unit 313 determines the clip time of the animation A1 in accordance with the specific operation by the user U accepted by the acceptance unit 312. The determination unit 313 generates the clip information D20 of FIG.

[0038] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the clip information D20 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 9, the clip information D20 includes a clip ID, an animation ID, a first position, a second position, a title, and a terminal ID.

[0039] The clip ID is an identifier for the clip information D20. The animation ID is an identifier for identifying the animation A1 being played when a clip processing instruction is issued. The terminal ID is an identifier for identifying the terminal device 30 on which the specific operation is performed. It is assumed that a user U watches a clip A2 based on another user U's clip information D20. Therefore, the terminal ID makes it possible to identify which user U owns the terminal device 30 on which the clip information D20 was determined. The first position is the start time of a start instruction to start clip processing, specifically the position of the animation data D10 corresponding to the start time. The second position is the end time of an end instruction to end clip processing, specifically the position of the animation data D10 corresponding to the end time. The title is specified by the user U to make the clip A2 easier to identify. The clip information D20 does not need to include all of the requirements shown in FIG. 9 and may include other requirements.

[0040] In the example of FIG. 9, for example, the clip information D20 includes information indicating a period of a start time of "352 seconds" and an end time of "441 seconds" in the animation A1 with the animation ID "an0001." The example of FIG. 9 indicates that an instruction to start the specific operation is given at 352 seconds in the animation A1, and an instruction to end the specific operation is given at 441 seconds. In other words, the finger Uf starts to touch the screen SC at 352 seconds in the animation A1, and the finger Uf is released from touching the screen SC at 441 seconds. The example of FIG. 9 also indicates that the clip information D20 is information generated by a specific operation being performed on the terminal device 30 with the terminal ID "30-1."

[0041] 2 causes the communication device 33 to transmit and receive various types of information. As a result, the various types of information are transmitted to the server 10. The terminal device 30 also receives the various types of information from the server 10. For example, the communication control unit 314 causes the communication device 33 to transmit clip information D20. Furthermore, for example, the communication control unit 314 causes the communication device 33 to receive animation data D10, clip data D2, and a clip list file F20.

[0042] 1-1b. Server 10 Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server 10 in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 10, the server 10 includes a processing device 11, a storage device 12, a communication device 13, a display device 14, and an input device 15. The elements of the server 10 are connected to each other using one or more buses for communicating information.

[0043] The processing device 11 is a processor that controls the entire server 10. The processing device 11 is configured using, for example, one or more chips. The processing device 11 is configured using, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) including an arithmetic unit, registers, etc. Some or all of the functions of the processing device 11 may be realized using hardware such as a DSP, ASIC, PLD, and FPGA. The processing device 11 executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

[0044] The storage device 12 is a recording medium that can be read and written by the processing device 11. The storage device 12 also stores multiple programs executed by the processing device 11 and various data files. Specifically, the storage device 12 stores a control program P2, an animation data file F10, a clip list file F20, clip data D2, and a related information file F30. The processing device 11 performs the various functions described below by executing the control program P2. Note that the clip data D2 only needs to be stored temporarily and does not need to be stored long-term. Therefore, the clip data D2 does not need to be stored in the storage device 12 after its transmission.

[0045] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the animation data file F10 shown in Fig. 10. The animation data file F10 shown in Fig. 10 includes multiple pieces of animation data D10-1, D10-2, D10-3, ... D10-β. When there is no need to distinguish between the multiple pieces of animation data D10-1 to D10-β, they will be referred to as animation data D10.

[0046] For example, if there are multiple episodes, the animation data D10 is provided for each episode, such as episode 1, episode 2, etc.

[0047] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the clip list file F20 shown in Fig. 10. The clip list file F20 in Fig. 12 is a list file of clip information D20. The clip list file F20 is a collection of multiple pieces of clip information D20 provided from multiple terminal devices 30. As shown in Fig. 12, the clip list file F20 includes multiple pieces of clip information D20-1, D20-2, D20-3, ... D20-γ. Note that when there is no need to distinguish between the multiple pieces of clip information D20-1 to D20-γ, they will be referred to as clip information D20.

[0048] The clip information D20 includes a clip ID, an animation ID, a first position, a second position, a title, and a terminal ID. Note that the clip information D20 does not necessarily include all of the requirements shown in Fig. 12, and may include other requirements.

[0049] Clip information D20-1 in the example of FIG. 12 corresponds to clip information D20 in FIG. 11 described above. For example, clip information D20-1 includes information indicating that clip information with a title of "X1" was generated for terminal ID "30-1." Clip information D20-1 includes information indicating a period of animation ID "an0001" with a start time of "352 seconds" and an end time of "441 seconds." Clip information D20-2 includes information indicating that clip information with a title of "X2" was generated for terminal ID "30-1." Clip information D20-2 includes clip information for a period of animation ID "an0001" with a start time of "722 seconds" and an end time of "851 seconds." Clip information D20-3 includes information indicating that clip information with a title of "X3" was generated for terminal ID "30-1." Clip information D20-3 includes clip information for the animation ID "an0002" with a start time of "458 seconds" and an end time of "529 seconds." Clip information D20-γ includes information indicating that clip information with a terminal ID of "30-K" and a title of "No. 1" was generated. Clip information D20-K includes clip information for the animation ID "an0001" with a start time of "442 seconds" and an end time of "518 seconds."

[0050] Moreover, the clip data D2 shown in FIG. 10 is data generated by cutting out a part of the animation data D10 based on the clip information D20.

[0051] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship information file F30 shown in FIG. 10. The relationship information file F30 in FIG. 13 is a database that includes relationships for each terminal device 30. Specifically, the relationship information file F30 includes following and follower relationships for each terminal device 30. Following refers to establishing a connection that allows a user to know the activities of other users U other than the user himself / herself. A follower refers to a user U who follows the user. For example, using the relationship information file F30, a user U can view clip A2 based on clip information D20 of another user U. For example, using the relationship information file F30, a user U can prioritize viewing clip A2 of a user U whom the user U follows.

[0052] The relationship information file F30 includes, for example, information indicating that the terminal device 30-1 is following the terminal device 30-2 and information indicating that the terminal device 30-2 has no followers. Also, for example, the relationship information file F30 includes information indicating that the terminal device 30-2 is following the terminal device 30-K and information indicating that the follower of the terminal device 30-2 is the terminal device 30-1. Also, for example, the relationship information file F30 includes information indicating that the terminal device 30-K is following the terminal device 30-2 and information indicating that the followers of the terminal device 30-K are the terminal devices 30-2 and 30-K.

[0053] The communication device 13 shown in FIG. 10 is hardware serving as a transmitting / receiving device for communicating with the terminal device 30. The communication device 13 is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module. The communication device 13 may include a connector for wired connection and an interface circuit corresponding to the connector. The communication device 13 may also include a wireless communication interface. Examples of the connector and interface circuit for wired connection include products that comply with wired LAN, IEEE1394, and USB. Examples of the wireless communication interface include products that comply with wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.

[0054] The display device 14 is a device that displays images and text information. The display device 14 displays various images under the control of the processing device 11. For example, various display panels such as a liquid crystal display panel and an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display panel are suitably used as the display device 14.

[0055] The input device 15 receives operations from an administrator of the server 10. For example, the input device 15 includes a keyboard, a touchpad, a touch panel, or a pointing device such as a mouse. If the display device 14 includes a touch panel, the display device 14 may also serve as the input device 15.

[0056] The processing device 11 reads and executes the control program P2 from the storage device 12. As a result, the processing device 11 functions as a generation unit 111, a communication control unit 112, a relationship registration unit 113, a management unit 114, and a display control unit 115.

[0057] The generation unit 111 generates clip data D2, which is part of the animation data D10, based on the clip information D20 in the clip list file F20. For example, the clip data D2 is generated each time a request is provided from the terminal device 30.

[0058] The communication control unit 112 causes the communication device 13 to transmit and receive various types of information to and from the terminal device 30. For example, the communication control unit 112 causes the communication device 13 to receive clip information D20. Furthermore, for example, the communication control unit 112 causes the communication device 13 to transmit all or part of the animation data D10, clip data D2, and clip list file F20.

[0059] The relationship registration unit 113 associates and registers two or more terminal devices 30 as follow and follower relationships. The relationship registration unit 113 generates a relationship information file F30 shown in FIG.

[0060] The management unit 114 stores various types of information in the storage device 12 and identifies predetermined information from the various types of information stored in the storage device 12. For example, the management unit 114 registers clip information D20 provided from the terminal device 30 in a clip list file F20. Furthermore, for example, the management unit 114 identifies specific animation data D10 from multiple pieces of animation data D10 in response to an instruction from a user U.

[0061] The display control unit 115 controls the display of the display device 14. The display control unit 115 may also control the display of the screen SC of the terminal device 30.

[0062] 1-2. Operations related to clip processing 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation related to the clipping process. The operation related to the clipping process, that is, the operation related to the generation of a clip A2 obtained by cutting out a part of the animation A1, will be described with reference to FIG.

[0063] In step S101, the reception unit 312 receives an instruction from the user U to start viewing the animation A1 via the display device 34. At this time, the display control unit 311 launches an animation viewer. Before launching the animation viewer, the display control unit 311 may display a button on the screen SC that prompts the user U to select viewing in a browser or viewing in an app. For example, in response to the user U selecting the button, the display control unit 311 launches the animation viewer that corresponds to the selection.

[0064] In step S102, the communication control unit 314 causes the communication device 33 to transmit a request to view the animation A1.

[0065] In step S103, the communication control unit 112 of the server 10 causes the communication device 13 to transmit the animation data D10 identified by the management unit 114 in response to the viewing request. The viewing request includes an animation ID, and the server 10 transmits the animation data D10 corresponding to the animation ID to the terminal device 30. The communication control unit 314 causes the communication device 33 to receive the animation data D10.

[0066] In step S104, the display control unit 311 displays the animation A1 based on the animation data D10 on the display device 34. For example, the animation A1 shown in Fig. 3 is displayed on the screen SC.

[0067] In step S100, the accepting unit 312 accepts a specific operation while the animation A1 is being displayed. Step S100 includes step S105 and step S106 in this order.

[0068] In step S105, the receiving unit 312 receives an instruction to start clipping. As described above, for example, the receiving unit 312 receives the instruction to start clipping by detecting the start of contact of a finger Uf with an arbitrary point on the screen SC as shown in Fig. 8. The time when this start instruction is received corresponds to the first position described above.

[0069] In step S106, the receiving unit 312 receives an instruction to end the clipping process. As described above, for example, the receiving unit 312 receives the instruction to end the clipping process by detecting that the finger Uf has released contact with any one location on the screen SC. The time at which this instruction to end the clipping process is received corresponds to the second position described above.

[0070] In step S107, the determination unit 313 determines clip information D20 including the start instruction time and the end instruction time of clip processing. As described above, for example, the determination unit 313 generates clip information D20 shown in Fig. 9. The period during which the user U keeps his / her finger Uf in contact with any one position is the period from the first position to the second position, i.e., the period of clip A2.

[0071] In step S108, the communication control unit 314 causes the communication device 33 to transmit the clip information D20. In step S109, the management unit 114 of the server 10 stores the clip information D20 in the clip list file F20. A clip A2 is generated based on the clip information D20.

[0072] Through the above operations, clip information D20 for generating clip A2 from animation A1 is determined. As described above, in step S104, display control unit 311 displays animation A1 on screen SC of display device 34 based on animation data D1 provided from server 10. In step S100, reception unit 312 receives a specific operation by user U on any one or more locations on screen SC while animation A1 is being displayed. In step S107, determination unit 313 determines clip information D20 related to the start and end of clip A2, which is a cut-out of part of animation A1, in response to the specific operation.

[0073] As described above, terminal device 30 includes display control unit 311, reception unit 312, and determination unit 313, and is therefore able to determine clip information D20 for generating clip A2 from animation A1. Clip A2 can then be generated using this clip information D20.

[0074] In particular, the receiving unit 312 accepts a specific operation by the user U at one or more arbitrary locations on the screen SC while the animation A1 is being displayed. Therefore, if the user U wants to generate a clip A2, the user U can issue an instruction to the terminal device 30 to generate the clip A2 without using a clip button. Therefore, the terminal device 30 does not need to display a clip button on the screen SC to instruct clip processing. The user U can issue an instruction to clip processing by simply touching a desired location on the screen SC with their finger Uf. Because the clip button is not displayed on the screen SC, the clip button's continued display on the screen SC prevents the clip button from interfering with the viewing of the animation A1. Therefore, for the user U who wants to concentrate on the animation A1, the terminal device 30 of this embodiment and the animation providing system 100 including the same offer excellent usability.

[0075] Furthermore, the action of touching a desired location on the screen SC with a finger Uf is a very simple operation. Therefore, for example, users U of a wide range of ages are unlikely to feel uncomfortable when using the terminal device 30. Furthermore, because a portion of the animation A1 can be easily clipped with such a simple operation, the risk of the clip processing instruction interfering with viewing the animation A1 can be reduced. Therefore, the terminal device 30 of this embodiment allows a large number of users U to easily generate a clip A2 while comfortably viewing the animation A1.

[0076] Furthermore, the specific operation by the user U to instruct clip generation can be performed while the animation A1 is being displayed. In other words, the user U can instruct clip generation while watching the animation A1 as usual. This eliminates the need to stop the animation A1 in order to generate clip A2. Therefore, viewing the animation A1 and generating clip A2 can be performed simultaneously, resulting in excellent usability.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the receiving unit 312 receives a specific operation on any one location on the screen SC, thereby receiving an instruction from the user U for clip processing. Specifically, the receiving unit 312 receives a start instruction to start clip processing in response to an operation on any one location on the screen SC by the user U, and an end instruction to end the clip processing in response to a release of the operation on the any one location by the user. In other words, the receiving unit 312 detects a long press on any one location on the screen SC and receives the duration of the long press.

[0078] The user U can instruct clip processing and the duration of clip A2 by long pressing any one location on the screen SC. The long pressing operation is an extremely simple operation among the operations of contacting with a finger Uf. Because the user U can instruct clip processing and the duration of clip A2 by long pressing, there is no need for him / her to remember complicated operations for clip processing. This makes it extremely easy to use.

[0079] 1-3. Display and editing operations for Clip A2 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation related to the display and editing of clip A2. Steps S201 to S208 show an example of the operation related to the display of clip A2, and steps S209 to S214 show an example of the operation related to the editing of clip A2.

[0080] In step S201, the display control unit 311 causes the display device 34 to display an animation A1 based on the animation data D10. For example, the animation A1 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the screen SC. Note that the animation A1 is displayed on the screen SC by the same operations as in steps S101 to S103 described above. Furthermore, the communication control unit 314 receives clip information D20 associated with the animation data D10 in addition to the animation data D10.

[0081] In step S202, the receiving unit 312 receives an instruction to display a position display bar T1 indicating time in the clip A2. For example, the receiving unit 312 receives the instruction to display the position display bar T1 by detecting a tap operation in which a finger Uf lightly touches the screen SC. Note that this instruction is not limited to a tap operation and may be another touch operation such as a double tap operation.

[0082] In step S203, the display control unit 311 displays a position display bar T1 on the screen SC of the display device 34. For example, even if the position display bar T1 is displayed, the animation A1 continues to be played. Note that if multiple pieces of clip information D20 correspond to one piece of animation data D10, the communication control unit 314 receives the multiple pieces of clip information D20.

[0083] For example, consider a case where two clips A2 are generated by the clip processing operation described above. In this case, the communication control unit 314 receives two pieces of clip information D20 for the two clips A2 associated with the animation data D10. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the position display bar T1 displays clip portions T12 and T13 indicating the two clips A2 associated with the animation A1.

[0084] In step S204, the receiving unit 312 receives the selection of a specific clip A2 for the position display bar T1. Specifically, for example, the user U selects one specific clip A2 by performing an operation to select either clip portion T12 or clip portion T13 shown in Fig. 5. Note that the user U may also select one specific clip by performing an operation to select either one of two clip display balloons T14 and T15.

[0085] In step S205, the communication control unit 314 transmits a viewing request for clip A2 to the communication device 33. The viewing request includes, for example, a clip ID indicating clip information D20 for generating clip A2 and the terminal ID of the terminal device 30.

[0086] In step S206, generation unit 111 identifies clip information D20 in response to the viewing request for clip A2, and generates clip data D2 in which a portion of animation data D10 is cut out based on clip information D20. In this embodiment, clip data D2 is not stored in storage device 12 after transmission. However, if clip data D2 is stored in storage device 12 for a long period of time, management unit 114 may identify clip data D2 in step S206 based on the clip ID included in the viewing request for clip A2.

[0087] In step S207, the communication control unit 112 causes the communication device 13 to transmit the clip data D2. The communication control unit 314 causes the communication device 33 to receive the clip data D2.

[0088] In step S208, the display control unit 311 displays the clip A2 based on the clip data D2 on the display device 34. For example, the clip A2 shown in Fig. 4 is displayed on the screen SC.

[0089] By the operations in steps S201 to S208 described above, clip A2 is displayed on screen SC.

[0090] In step S209, the accepting unit 312 detects a double-tap operation in which the finger Uf lightly touches the screen SC twice, and accepts an instruction to display the edit bar T4. Note that this instruction is not limited to a double-tap operation, and may be another touch operation.

[0091] In step S210, the display control unit 311 displays the edit bar T4 on the display device 34. For example, the edit bar T4 shown in Fig. 7 is displayed on the screen SC.

[0092] In step S211, the receiving unit 312 receives a clip editing instruction by detecting a touch operation of the finger Uf on the edit bar T4. For example, the user U issues an instruction to change the duration of clip A2 by operating the clip portion T41 of the edit bar T4 shown in FIG.

[0093] In step S212, the determination unit 313 generates new clip information D20 indicating the new clip A2. For example, when a touch operation indicating that the user U has finished editing is received, or when no contact of the finger Uf with the screen SC is detected for a certain period of time, the determination unit 313 generates new clip information D20.

[0094] In step S213, the communication control unit 314 causes the communication device 33 to transmit the new clip information D20. In step S214, the management unit 114 stores the new clip information D20 in the clip list file F20.

[0095] Through the operations in steps S209 to S214, clip A2 is edited.

[0096] As described above, in step S205, the communication control unit 314 transmits a request to view clip A2 to the server 10 via the communication device 33. In step S207, the communication control unit 314 acquires clip data D2, which is a portion of the animation data D10 cut out based on the clip information D20, from the server 10 in response to the request to view clip A2. In step S208, the display control unit 311 displays clip A2 on the screen SC based on the clip data D2.

[0097] In this way, the terminal device 30 can display the clip A2 based on the clip information D20 generated by the user U at the terminal device 30. Therefore, the user A can not only generate the clip A2, but also view the clip A2.

[0098] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the receiving unit 312 receives a request from the user U to view clip A2 while animation A1 is being played. Therefore, when the user U wants to view clip A2 while viewing animation A1, the user U can switch from viewing animation A1 to viewing clip A2. Being able to switch from viewing animation A1 to viewing clip A2 in this way provides excellent usability.

[0099] Also, as described above, in step S202, the reception unit 312 receives an instruction from the user U to display on the screen SC a position display bar T1 that indicates the position of the clip A2 based on the clip information D20 while the animation A1 is being displayed. In step S203, the display control unit 311 displays on the screen SC a position display bar T1 that indicates the position of the clip A2 while the animation A1 is being displayed.

[0100] Since the position display bar T1 is displayed while the animation A1 is being displayed, the animation A1 is not stopped. While viewing the animation A1, the user can refer to the position display bar T1 to find the desired clip A2, so viewing of the animation A1 is not interrupted.

[0101] Furthermore, for example, the location display bar T1 may include not only the clip A2 associated with the terminal ID of the user's own terminal device 30, but also the clip A2 associated with the terminal ID of the terminal device 30 of another user in the following and follower relationship. Therefore, the location display bar T1 may have a clip portion indicating the location of the clip A2 associated with the terminal ID of the user's own terminal device 30 and a clip portion indicating a portion of the clip A2 associated with the terminal ID of the terminal device 30 of the other user in the following and follower relationship. For example, in response to a command from the user U, the location display bar T1 may display, in addition to the clip A2 associated with the terminal ID of the user's own terminal device 30, the clip A2 associated with the terminal ID of the terminal device 30 of the other user in the following and follower relationship. The server 10 refers to the relationship information file F40 and identifies the clip information D20 associated with the terminal ID of the terminal device 30 of the other user in the following and follower relationship. The server 10 then transmits the clip information D20 to the terminal device 30.

[0102] By displaying clips A2 associated with the terminal IDs of the terminal devices 30 of other users who are in a following or follower relationship in the position display bar T1, a user can build a community with others by viewing the clips A2 displayed in the position display bar T1. Also, for example, clips A2 based on clip information D20 determined by the terminal device 30 of a following user U may be preferentially displayed in the position display bar T1. By displaying clips preferentially, a user U can easily form a community with the users U he or she follows.

[0103] As described above, in step S211, the reception unit 312 receives editing of clip A2 in response to an operation on the screen SC by the user U. After generating clip A2, the start and end positions of clip A2 can be fine-tuned, so that instructions for generating clip A2 can be easily given while viewing the animation A1 described above.

[0104] 1-4. Clip list display operations FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation related to display of the clip list A3.

[0105] 16, the display control unit 311 causes the display device 34 to display an animation A1 based on the animation data D10. For example, the animation A1 shown in Fig. 3 is displayed on the screen SC. Note that the animation A1 is displayed on the screen SC by the same operations as those in steps S101 to S103 described above.

[0106] In step S302, the receiving unit 312 receives an instruction to display the clip list A3 by detecting a double-tap operation of the finger Uf on the display device 34. Note that the display instruction is not limited to a double-tap operation, and may be another touch operation.

[0107] In step S303, the communication control unit 314 causes the communication device 33 to transmit a request to display the clip list A3.

[0108] In step S304, the communication control unit 112 transmits part or all of the clip list file F20. The communication control unit 314 causes the communication device 33 to receive the data of the clip list A3. Specifically, the communication control unit 112 transmits data of the clip list A3, which includes one or more pieces of clip information D20 corresponding to the terminal ID of the terminal device 30 that has requested to display the clip list A3, from the clip list file F20. Furthermore, for example, the communication control unit 112 may also transmit data of the clip list A3, which includes one or more pieces of clip information D20 corresponding to the terminal IDs of other terminal devices 30 that are in a following or follower relationship, to the terminal device 30 that has requested to display the clip list A3.

[0109] In step S305, the display control unit 311 causes the display device 34 to display a clip list A3 based on part or all of the clip list file F20. For example, the clip list A3 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the screen SC. Note that the clip list A3 includes clips A2 based on the animation A1 that was viewed in step S302. However, the clip list A3 may also include clips A2 based on other animations A1.

[0110] In step S306, the receiving unit 304 detects a touch operation of the finger Uf on a specific clip A2 in the clip list A3, thereby receiving a display request for the specific clip A2. In step S307, the communication control unit 314 transmits the display request for the specific clip A2.

[0111] In step S308, generation unit 111 identifies clip information D20 in response to the display request for clip A2, and generates clip data D2 in which a portion of animation data D10 has been cut out based on clip information D20. In this embodiment, clip data D2 is not stored in storage device 12 after transmission. However, if clip data D2 is stored in storage device 12 for a long period of time, management unit 114 may identify clip data D2 in step S308 based on the clip ID included in the viewing request for clip A2.

[0112] In step S309, the communication control unit 112 causes the communication device 13 to transmit the clip data D2. The communication control unit 314 of the terminal device 30 causes the communication device 33 to receive the clip data D2.

[0113] In step S310, the display control unit 311 causes the display device 34 to display the clip A2 based on the clip data D2.

[0114] After step S310, for example, editing of clip A2 from step S209 onwards can be carried out.

[0115] As described above, in step S302, the receiving unit 312 receives an instruction from the user U to display a clip list A3 including a plurality of clips A2 on the screen SC. In step S303, the display control unit 311 displays the clip list A3 on the screen SC.

[0116] For example, displaying the clip list A3 is more effective when there are multiple clips A2 than displaying the position indicator bar T1 described above. When there are multiple clips A2, the positions of the multiple clips A2 may be mixed up in the position indicator bar T1, making it difficult to visually identify them. In contrast, the clip list A3 is configured so that multiple clips A2 can be visually identified by scrolling up and down, for example. Therefore, with the clip list A3, multiple clips A2 can be visually identified without being mixed up. Furthermore, since playback of the animation A1 can be stopped to view multiple clips A2, this is effective when you want to concentrate on selecting one clip A2 from multiple clips A2.

[0117] Furthermore, the clip list A3 may include other clips A2 generated by other terminal devices 30. In this case, in step S302, the reception unit 312 receives an instruction from the user U to display on the screen SC the clip list A3 including the other clips A2 generated by the other terminal devices 30. In step S303, the display control unit 311 displays the clip list A3 on the screen SC.

[0118] In this way, the clip list A3 can include not only clips A2 associated with the terminal ID of the user's own terminal device 30, but also clips A2 associated with the terminal IDs of the terminal devices 30 of other users in a following or following relationship. By displaying clips A2 associated with the terminal IDs of the terminal devices 30 of other users in a following or following relationship in the clip list A3, a user can build a community with others through viewing the clips A2 displayed in the clip list A3. For example, clips A2 based on clip information D20 determined by the terminal device 30 of a user U being followed may be preferentially displayed in the clip list A3. By displaying clips preferentially, a user U can easily form a community with the users U they follow.

[0119] 2. Variations The preferred embodiment has been described above. The preferred embodiment can be modified in various ways. Specific examples of modifications that can be applied to the preferred embodiment described above are given below.

[0120] 2-1. First modified example Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation related to displaying clip list A3 in modified example 1. Fig. 17 is a modified example of Fig. 16. In modified example 1, clip list A3 can be displayed when animation A1 ends, rather than while animation A1 is being displayed.

[0121] 17, the determination unit 313 detects the end of the animation A1. In step S313, the display control unit 311 causes the display device 34 to display a selection screen A4 for selecting whether or not to edit the clip A2 when the animation A1 ends.

[0122] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a selection screen A4 in the first modified example. The selection screen A4 shown in FIG. 18 is configured to allow the user U to select whether or not to edit clip A2. For example, the selection screen A4 has a button B41 labeled "Edit" and a button B42 labeled "Edit Later." When button B41 is selected, clip A2 can be edited immediately. When button B42 is selected, clip A2 is not edited. However, editing at a later time is possible.

[0123] 17, the reception unit 312 receives an instruction from the user U on the selection screen A4. If the reception unit 312 receives an instruction on the button B41 on the selection screen A4, i.e., an instruction to display the clip list A3, in step S314, the communication control unit 314 transmits a request to the server 10 to display the clip list A3 in step S303.

[0124] In this modified example, as described above, in step S313, the display control unit 324 displays on the screen SC a selection screen A4 that allows the user U to select whether or not to edit clip A2 when animation A1 ends. In step S314, the reception unit 312 receives an instruction from user U to edit clip A2 via the selection screen A4. According to this modified example, after viewing animation A1 is finished, clip list A3 for clip A2 can be viewed. Therefore, for example, after viewing animation A1 is finished, clip A2 related to animation A1 can be edited at a leisurely pace. This provides excellent usability, as it meets the user U's desire to concentrate on viewing animation A1.

[0125] 2-2. Second modified example Fig. 19 is a diagram for explaining a specific operation by the user U in the second modified example. As shown in Fig. 19, the specific operation by the user U is performed by touching any two points on the screen SC.

[0126] In this modification, in step S105 in Fig. 14 described above, the receiving unit 312 receives an instruction to start clipping processing by detecting the start of contact of the finger Uf at any two points on the screen SC. Also, in this modification, in step S106 in Fig. 14 described above, the receiving unit 312 receives an instruction to end clipping processing by detecting the release of contact of the finger Uf at any two points on the screen SC.

[0127] In this manner, in this modification, the receiving unit 312 receives a start instruction to start clip processing in response to simultaneous operations on any two locations on the screen SC by the user U, and a stop instruction to end clip processing in response to cancellation of the simultaneous operations on any two locations on the screen SC by the user U. For example, simultaneous contact on two locations on the screen SC is performed on both sides of the center of the screen SC. Such simultaneous contact on two locations on the screen SC makes it less likely that the user U will make an erroneous operation than contact on a single location on the screen SC.

[0128] 2-3.Third Modification Fig. 20 is a diagram for explaining a specific operation by a user U in a third modified example. Fig. 20 is a modified example of Fig. 14. This modified example further includes steps S111, S112, S113, and S114 in addition to the steps in Fig. 14.

[0129] 20, the receiving unit 312 receives an instruction to display a tool T2 for clipping. For example, the receiving unit 312 receives the instruction to display the tool T2 by detecting a tap operation in which a finger Uf lightly touches the screen SC. Note that the method of the display instruction may be a touch operation other than a tap operation in which a finger Uf lightly touches the screen SC.

[0130] Fig. 21 shows an example of a tool T2 for clip processing displayed on the screen SC. For example, the display control unit 311 displays the tool T2 in Fig. 21 for switching between accepting and not accepting an instruction to start clip processing from the user U while the animation A1 is being displayed.

[0131] As shown in Fig. 21, the display control unit 311 displays a tool T2, which is a button, while the animation A1 is being displayed. The tool T2 is a button for switching between accepting and not accepting an instruction to start clip processing from the user U while the animation A1 is being displayed. The position and shape of the tool T2 are not limited to the example shown in the figure and are arbitrary. The tool T2 may also be configured as a GUI (Graphical User Interface) other than a button.

[0132] In step S112, the display control unit 311 displays the tool T2 for clip processing on the display device 34. Furthermore, for example, even if the tool T2 is displayed, the animation A1 continues to be played back.

[0133] In step S113, the receiving unit 312 detects a press on tool T2 and receives an instruction from user U to switch from unacceptable to acceptable a clip processing start instruction. In step S114, for example, the display control unit 311 causes the display device 34 to display a clip processing screen so that clip processing is possible for animation A1. Note that, for example, the clip processing screen is the same screen as animation A1. The difference between whether or not it is a clip processing screen is whether or not clip processing is possible. Furthermore, by pressing tool T2 again, the clip processing start instruction is switched from acceptable to unacceptable.

[0134] If tool T2 is pressed and clip processing is possible, then in step S100, the reception unit 312 receives a specific operation from the user U. If tool T2 is pressed and clip processing is impossible, then even if the reception unit 312 detects a long press operation, it does not determine that this is a specific operation. In other words, it does not receive an instruction to generate clip A2.

[0135] The existence of tool T2, which is a button for switching between accepting and not accepting an instruction to start clip processing from user U, can prevent user U from accidentally issuing an instruction to generate clip A2.

[0136] 2-4.Other modifications In the above-described embodiment, the user U watches the cartoon through streaming, in which the terminal device 30 receives data and simultaneously plays it. However, the terminal device 30 may download the animation data D10 and the clip data D2 from the server 10 and play them. Furthermore, the clip data D2 may be generated by the terminal device 30.

[0137] Even if an account used on one terminal device 30 is used on another terminal device 30, various information is linked to the account.

[0138] Furthermore, the instruction to play and edit the clip A2 is not limited to an instruction given by the user U touching the screen SC, but may be an instruction given by voice.

[0139] 3.Other (1) In the first embodiment and the modified example described above, ROM and RAM are given as examples of storage device 12 and storage device 32, but other suitable storage media may also be used, such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks (e.g., compact disks, digital versatile disks, Blu-ray (registered trademark) disks), smart cards, flash memory devices (e.g., cards, sticks, key drives), CD-ROMs (Compact Disc-ROMs), registers, removable disks, hard disks, floppy (registered trademark) disks, magnetic strips, databases, servers, and other suitable storage media.

[0140] (2) In the first embodiment and its modifications described above, the described information, signals, etc. may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be mentioned throughout the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0141] (3) In the first embodiment and the modified examples described above, input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, a memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to another device.

[0142] (4) In the first embodiment and the variants described above, the determination may be made based on a value (0 or 1) represented using one bit, a Boolean value (true or false), or a comparison of numerical values ​​(e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0143] (5) The order of the process procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. illustrated in the first embodiment and the modifications described above may be changed as long as it is consistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0144] (6) Each function illustrated in Figures 2 and 10 is realized by any combination of hardware and / or software. Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the method for realizing each functional block. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are connected directly or indirectly (for example, by wire, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. A functional block may also be realized by combining software with the single device or multiple devices.

[0145] (7) The programs exemplified in the first embodiment and the modifications described above should be broadly construed to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., regardless of whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or by other names.

[0146] Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0147] (8) In the first embodiment and its modifications described above, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0148] (9) The information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or corresponding other information.

[0149] (10) In the first embodiment and the modified examples described above, the server 10 and the terminal devices 30-1 to 30-N may be mobile stations (MS). Those skilled in the art may refer to a mobile station as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other appropriate term. In the present disclosure, terms such as "mobile station," "user terminal," "user equipment (UE)," and "terminal" may be used interchangeably.

[0150] (11) In the first embodiment and the modified examples described above, the terms "connected" and "coupled," or any variations thereof, refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be a physical coupling or connection, a logical coupling or connection, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "access." As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using at least one of one or more electric wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, as well as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency range, microwave range, and optical (both visible and invisible) range, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0151] (12) In the first embodiment and the modified examples described above, unless otherwise specified, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on." In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0152] (13) As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like. Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0153] (14) In the first embodiment and its modifications described above, when "include," "including," and variations thereof are used, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, the term "or" used in this disclosure is not intended to mean an exclusive or.

[0154] (15) In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are plural.

[0155] (16) In this disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "combined" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0156] (17) The first embodiment and the modified examples described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. Notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to explicit notification, but may be implicit (e.g., not notifying the predetermined information).

[0157] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0158] It is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the first embodiment and the modified examples described in this specification. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description in this specification is intended as an illustrative explanation and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure. In addition, configurations selected from the first embodiment and the modified examples exemplified in this specification may be combined. [Explanation of symbols]

[0159] 10...server, 11...processing device, 12...storage device, 13...communication device, 14...display device, 15...input device, 30...terminal device, 31...processing device, 32...storage device, 33...communication device, 34...display device, 35...input device, 50...communication network, 100...animation providing system, 111...generation unit, 112...communication control unit, 113...relationship registration unit, 114...management unit, 115...display control unit, 304...reception unit, 311...display control unit, 312...reception unit, 313...determination unit, 314...communication control unit, A1...animation, A2...clip, A3...clip list, A4...selection screen, D10...animation data, D2...clip data, D20...clip information, F10...animation data file, F20...clip list file, F30...relationship information file, SC...screen, T1...position display bar, T2...tool, T4...edit bar, U...user.

Claims

1. a display control unit that displays animation on a screen of the display device based on animation data provided from the server; a receiving unit that receives a specific operation by a user via an input device at any one or more locations on the screen while the animation is being displayed; a determination unit that determines clip information relating to the start and end of a clip obtained by cutting out a part of the animation in response to the specific operation while the animation is being displayed, without stopping the display of the animation; A terminal device comprising:

2. a communication control unit that transmits a request to view the clip to the server via a communication device; the communication control unit acquires, from the server, clip data in which a portion of the animation data has been cut out based on the clip information in response to the request to view the clip; the display control unit displays the clip on the screen based on the clip data. The terminal device according to claim 1 .

3. the accepting unit accepts editing of the clip in response to an operation on the screen by the user via the input device. The terminal device according to claim 2 .

4. the receiving unit receives, as the specific operation, a start instruction for starting a clip process in response to an operation by the user on an arbitrary one location on the screen, and an end instruction for ending the clip process in response to a release of the operation by the user on the arbitrary one location. The terminal device according to claim 1 .

5. the receiving unit receives, as the specific operation, a start instruction to start clip processing in response to simultaneous operations on any two positions on the screen by the user, and an end instruction to end the clip processing in response to cancellation of the simultaneous operations on the any two positions on the screen by the user. The terminal device according to claim 1 .

6. the receiving unit receives an instruction from the user to display the position of the clip while the animation is being displayed; the display control unit causes a position display bar indicating the position of the clip to be displayed on the screen while the animation is being displayed. The terminal device according to claim 1 .

7. the display control unit displays, on the screen at the end of the animation, a selection screen for selecting whether or not to edit the clip; the accepting unit accepts an instruction from the user to edit the clip via the selection screen. The terminal device according to claim 1 .

8. the receiving unit receives an instruction from the user to display a clip list of a plurality of clips including the clip on the screen; the display control unit causes the clip list to be displayed on the screen. The terminal device according to claim 1 .

9. the receiving unit receives an instruction from the user to display on the screen a clip list including other clips generated by other terminal devices; the display control unit causes the clip list to be displayed on the screen. The terminal device according to claim 1 .

10. A terminal device; a server capable of communicating with the terminal device via a communication network; the terminal device has a display control unit that displays animation on a screen of a display device based on animation data provided by the server; a receiving unit that receives a specific operation by the user via an input device at any one or more locations on the screen while the animation is being displayed; a determination unit that determines clip information relating to the start and end of a clip from which a part of the animation is cut in response to the specific operation while the animation is being displayed, without stopping the display of the animation; An animation providing system comprising:

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