Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device capable of more appropriately providing distribution content, an information processing method, and an information processing program.SOLUTION: An information processing device 10 comprises acceptance unit 15A, a generation unit 15B, and a provision unit 15C. The acceptance unit accepts the specification of content according to a theme from a user. The generation unit generates a thumb nail of the specified content accepted by the acceptance unit 15A. The provision unit provides content where the thumb nail generated by the generation unit 15B is arranged on a board in a prescribed mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, techniques for distributing distribution content such as news articles are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for providing provided content including distribution content and each posted content for such distribution content.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above prior art, it is described that posted content can be posted for distribution content, but such posted content only remains to be viewed by users who wish to view it, and there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of the method of providing distribution content to which the posted content is associated.

[0005] The present application has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program capable of more appropriately providing distribution content.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information processing device according to the present invention comprises a reception unit, a generation unit, and a provision unit. The reception unit receives a user's selection of content according to a theme. The generation unit generates thumbnails of the selected content. The provision unit provides content in which the generated thumbnails are arranged on a board in a predetermined manner. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the system, the distributed content can be provided more appropriately. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of information processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 2A] Figure 2A shows an example of a board before new thumbnails are placed. [Figure 2B] Figure 2B shows an example of prohibiting the placement of new thumbnails. [Figure 2C] Figure 2C shows an example of allowing the placement of a new thumbnail. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of how to use the flip icon. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of highlighting when user icons are operated. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of a board. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of how additional thumbnails are highlighted. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing system. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the content provision processing procedure. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a computer running a program. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes in detail, with reference to the drawings, the embodiments for implementing the information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program relating to the present application (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments"). However, these embodiments do not limit the information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program relating to the present application.

[0010] [1. An example of information processing] First, an example of information processing according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of information processing according to the embodiment.

[0011] The information processing device 10 shown in Figure 1 is a server that provides a board function for posting thumbnails of distributed content to a virtual workspace, or so-called board, shared by multiple users U. Note that the information processing device 10 does not need to be a single device; it may be realized through the coordinated operation of multiple processing devices, such as a cloud system.

[0012] The terminal device 30 is a device that has the function of communicating with the information processing device 10 via a network NW (see Figure 2). Such a terminal device 30 can be used by a user U that utilizes the board function described above. For example, the terminal device 30 can be implemented as a smartphone, tablet device, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), notebook PC (Personal Computer), desktop PC, etc.

[0013] Here, in the information processing shown in FIG. 1, as an example of the above-described distributed content, an example is given in which the user U pastes a thumbnail of the content of a news article on the board. The distributed content is not limited to news articles and may be any web content. For example, it may be content of blog articles regarding stores such as restaurants and bookstores or local living, map content, EC (Electronic Commerce) service content, etc., or other content.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, first, the information processing apparatus 10 receives a designation of content corresponding to a theme from the user U (step S1).

[0015] For example, in FIG. 1, an example is given in which a highlight function that highlights a marked portion attached to a point that a user viewing a news article pays attention to is used for the designation of content.

[0016] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 30 of the user U receives a range designation corresponding to a portion that the user U pays attention to among the news article 300. The portion 310 for which the range designation is received from the user U in this way is, as an example, displayed in a highlight in which the color scheme of black text and white background is reversed.

[0017] In association with such a highlight portion 301, the number of users "2397 people" who made a range designation at the same point as the highlight portion 301 is displayed as the number of attention.

[0018] Furthermore, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) component 302 that scratches the text of the highlight portion 301 from the news article 300 is displayed in association with the highlight portion 301. For example, the GUI component 302 may be realized as an icon in which a cut-out command is schematized into a picture or a figure, or a balloon including explanatory text such as "Scratch from article".

[0019] When an operation on such a GUI component 302 is received, the information processing device 10 can accept the specification of a news article 300 as an example of content, and can also accept the highlighted portion 301 as the text to be clipped.

[0020] Figure 1 shows an example where the specification of content to be pasted onto the board is accepted in conjunction with the highlighting function, but it is not limited to this. For example, a GUI component such as an icon that accepts the command to paste onto the board may be provided in the comment section of the news article 300.

[0021] Next, the information processing device 10 generates a thumbnail 400 of the content specified in step S1 (step S2).

[0022] For example, in the example shown in Figure 1, a thumbnail 400 of the content of news article 300 is generated. In this case, the thumbnail 400 may include the following elements from news article 300. For example, the thumbnail 400 may include the title of news article 300, "Player XX hits a massive 136m home run for his 26th!", the photo 330, the text of the highlighted section 310, etc. Furthermore, a symbol that can identify the user U who scratches the content of news article 300, such as a user icon 400A, may be added to the thumbnail 400.

[0023] Then, the information processing device 10 provides content in which the thumbnails 400 generated in step S2 are arranged on the board WB1 in a predetermined manner (step S3).

[0024] One aspect of a "board" is that it may be made public to an unspecified number of users on a network. For example, a "board" may be implemented as content placed on a website such as a portal site or bulletin board, organized by theme. Another aspect is that a "board" may be made public to a specific group. In this case, a "board" may be implemented as content placed on a web page generated by a Social Networking Service (SNS) or web conferencing software, organized by theme.

[0025] For example, in the example shown in Figure 1, the board WB1 on which the thumbnail 400 generated in step S2 is placed is displayed on the terminal device 30. If a thumbnail 402 exists on a lower layer than the thumbnail 400 placed on board WB1, i.e., on the front layer, a flip icon 400B, which is a schematic representation of the command to flip over the thumbnail 400 placed on the upper layer, i.e., the back layer, is added to the thumbnail 400.

[0026] The processing performed in steps S1 to S3 above enables the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment to provide distributed content more appropriately. For example, in the case of a board where thumbnails of distributed content are posted, posts related to the theme are made by thumbnail. Therefore, compared to existing SNS, existing bulletin boards, and other existing news site comment sections where themes are shared mainly through comments and links, the density of information shared among users can be improved because information with high overview value is aggregated on a single board.

[0027] [1.1. Theme Determination] At any time between the execution of step S1 and the execution of step S3, the information processing device 10 can receive a request from user U via terminal device 30 to specify the theme of the board on which the new thumbnail will be placed.

[0028] One way to specify a theme for a board in this way is to accept a request for the position where a new thumbnail should be placed on the board where the new thumbnail is to be pasted.

[0029] For example, one scenario is when user U displays the destination board on terminal device 30 and then calls a command to paste the new thumbnail by right-clicking or long-tapping at the desired location on the destination board.

[0030] In this case, the information processing device 10 can accept a theme set on the destination board as a user specification, and can also accept the position on the destination board where the above command was invoked as the position for placing the new thumbnail.

[0031] Note that the theme of the board to which the image is pasted does not necessarily have to be specified in conjunction with the location where the new thumbnail is pasted. For example, the theme of the board to which the image is pasted can be specified individually by accepting the selection of a theme from a list of themes for each board.

[0032] At this time, the information processing device 10 can determine whether the theme of the destination board specified by user U matches the theme of the content specified by user U in step S1.

[0033] As an example, the information processing device 10 determines whether there are any words in the content specified by user U in step S1 that are identical or similar to words included in the theme of the board specified by user U, such as meta tags.

[0034] For example, in the example shown in Figure 1, the news article 300 specified by user U in step S1 includes tags such as "sports," "baseball," and "XX player." On the other hand, the theme of the board specified by user U is "XX player." In this case, the name "XX player," which is identical to the name "XX player" included in the theme of the board specified by user U, exists in the tags included in the web page of news article 300. Therefore, it is determined that the theme of the board specified by user U and the theme of the content specified by user U in step S1 match. In this case, it is permitted to place the new thumbnail 400 on board WB1 with the theme "XX player." However, if there is no word in the tags included in the web page of news article 300 that is identical or similar to the name "XX player" included in the theme of the board specified by user U, the placement of the new thumbnail 400 on board WB1 with the theme "XX player" is prohibited.

[0035] In this example, the label for a named word in the theme is "PERSON (person's name)," but the labels for other named words in the theme are not limited to people's names; they may be other labels, such as organization names, place names, or others. For example, if the theme of the board specified by user U is "Today's News," the label for the named word "Today" will be "DATE ​​(date expression)." In this case, a theme match or mismatch can be determined by whether the date of "Today" in the theme of the board specified by user U matches the publication date of the news article 300 specified by user U in step S1, which is "June 27th."

[0036] [1.2. Placing New Thumbnails] If, during the execution of step S3 above, the placement of a new thumbnail overlaps with the placement of an already placed thumbnail, the information processing device 10 can restrict the position in which the new thumbnail is placed, in order to suppress a decrease in the visibility of the already placed thumbnail.

[0037] For example, the information processing device 10 can prohibit the placement of a new thumbnail that overlaps a predetermined range from the beginning of the text contained in an already placed thumbnail.

[0038] Figure 2A shows an example of a board before the placement of a new thumbnail. Figure 2A shows board WB0 before the placement of the new thumbnail 400. As shown in Figure 2A, board WB0 has seven thumbnails 401 to 407 placed on it.

[0039] For each of these seven thumbnails 401 to 407, a predetermined range from the beginning of the text, i.e., the dashed frame shown in Figure 2A, is set as a no-placement area for new thumbnails. For example, the no-placement area may be set from the first character up to a predetermined number of characters, or it may be set from the first character up to a predetermined number of pixels.

[0040] Figure 2B shows an example of prohibiting the placement of a new thumbnail. In Figure 2B, the prohibited placement area of ​​board WB0 is shown with a cutout, and the overlapping area between the new thumbnail 400 and the prohibited placement area is indicated by diagonal hatching. As shown in Figure 2B, if the new thumbnail 400 and the prohibited placement area overlap, the placement of the new thumbnail 400 is prohibited.

[0041] Figure 2C shows an example of allowing the placement of a new thumbnail. In Figure 2C, the prohibited placement area of ​​board WB0 is shown cut out. As shown in Figure 2C, the placement of the new thumbnail 400 is permitted if the new thumbnail 400 and the prohibited placement area do not overlap.

[0042] As shown in Figure 2B, if a new thumbnail 400 overlaps with a prohibited placement area, the placement of the new thumbnail 400 does not necessarily have to be rejected. For example, the new thumbnail 400 may be moved to a position where it does not overlap with the prohibited placement area and then placed there.

[0043] Furthermore, while Figures 2A and 2C show examples where a predetermined range from the beginning of the text is set as a no-placement area, other areas, such as photos or titles, can also be set as no-placement areas.

[0044] [1.3. Flip icon] As mentioned above, if overlapping between thumbnails is permitted outside of the prohibited placement area, subsequent thumbnails may be placed on top of layers of thumbnails that were previously placed on board WB1.

[0045] For example, in the example shown in Figure 1, the newly placed thumbnail 400 is placed on top of the already placed thumbnail 402. A flip icon 400B, which is a schematic representation of the command to flip over the thumbnail 400, can be added to the thumbnail 400 that is placed on top of the already placed thumbnail 402.

[0046] Figure 3 shows an example of how to operate the flip icon 400B. Figure 3 shows an example of how the flip icon 400B, which has been added to the thumbnail 400 shown in Figure 1, is operated. As shown in Figure 3, when the flip icon 400B of thumbnail 400 is dragged, the edge of the thumbnail 400 to which the flip icon 400B belongs is flipped up in the direction of the drag operation. By flipping up the edge of thumbnail 400 in this way, the thumbnail 402 that exists in the layer below thumbnail 400 can be exposed.

[0047] Figure 3 shows an example of flipping up a thumbnail in the upper layer of overlapping thumbnails, but the method of exposing a thumbnail in the lower layer is not limited to this. For example, the system could accept an operation to hide a thumbnail in the upper layer, or an operation to move a thumbnail in the lower layer to the upper layer.

[0048] [1.4. User Icons] Each thumbnail placed on the board is marked with a symbol, such as a user icon, that identifies the user U who placed the thumbnail. When an operation on such a user icon is received, the information processing device 10 can highlight the thumbnails placed on the board that were placed by the same user as the user corresponding to the user icon.

[0049] Figure 4 shows an example of highlighting when a user icon is manipulated. Figure 4 shows an example where an operation is accepted on user icon 404A of thumbnail 404, out of eight thumbnails 400 to 408.

[0050] As shown in Figure 4, when an operation is received on the user icon 404A of thumbnail 404, the thumbnail pasted onto board WB1 by the same user as the user corresponding to user icon 404A is highlighted.

[0051] For example, in Figure 4, as just one example, the outlines of four thumbnails—thumbnail 404, thumbnail 402, thumbnail 403, and thumbnail 407—are displayed with thick lines. This allows thumbnails 402-404 and thumbnail 407 to be emphasized more than the other thumbnails.

[0052] Furthermore, if a second operation is received on the user icon 404A of thumbnail 404, the thumbnail pasted onto board WB1 by the same user corresponding to user icon 404A will be further highlighted.

[0053] In other words, it is also possible to change the layer displaying the thumbnail pasted onto board WB1 by the same user corresponding to user icon 404A to the forefront, i.e., the top layer.

[0054] For example, the layer containing thumbnail 404 is brought to the forefront and displayed, so the area that was previously covered by thumbnails 405 and 406, which were displayed on the layer above thumbnail 404, is exposed, resulting in thumbnail 404 being emphasized.

[0055] Note that Figure 4 shows examples of how highlighting is achieved by displaying a thick border or changing the layer to the front, for the sake of explanation, but highlighting may be achieved by other methods. For example, highlighting may be achieved by flashing or inverting the display, or by changing the color or size of the font or background.

[0056] [1.5. Highlighting of additional thumbnails] When the information processing device 10 receives a display request from user U via terminal device 30 to display the board, it can highlight the additional thumbnails that have been added to the board since the last display request received from user U. Note that the term "display request" here does not necessarily involve user U adding new thumbnails; it may include cases where only the board is viewed.

[0057] The following is merely an example, but we will consider a case where the board displayed when user U previously requested to display the information is board WB1 as shown in Figure 1, and the board displayed when user U made the current request to display the information is board WB2 as shown in Figure 5.

[0058] Figure 5 shows an example of a board. As shown in Figure 5, when the current display request is received from user U, board WB2 with 15 thumbnails 400-414 attached is displayed on user U's terminal device 30. At this time, the thumbnails added from board WB1, which was displayed when the previous display request was received from user U, are highlighted, as shown in Figure 6.

[0059] Figure 6 shows an example of highlighting additional thumbnails. For ease of explanation, Figure 6 schematically represents all additional thumbnails added from the board displayed when the previous display request was received, in order to improve the visibility of the thumbnails that are being highlighted.

[0060] As shown in Figure 6, of the thumbnails 400-414 included in board WB2 displayed when this display request is received, the additional thumbnails 408-414 are highlighted. This highlighting allows user U to distinguish between read and unread thumbnails when viewing the board.

[0061] [1.6. Posting Rules] When a thumbnail is pasted, the information processing device 10 pastes the thumbnail onto the board according to predetermined pasting rules. As an example of such pasting rules, a rule can be set that pastes thumbnails to lower layers, i.e., to back layers, depending on the order in which the user U pastes them, or to paste thumbnails to higher layers depending on the order in which they are pasted. In other words, it is possible to prohibit subsequent thumbnails from being pasted on a lower layer than previously pasted thumbnails.

[0062] [1.7. Inserting Advertisements] The content that can be placed on the board is not necessarily limited to content placed by user U. For example, the information processing device 10 can also place advertising content related to the theme set on the board. In this case, the information processing device 10 can prohibit placing advertising content on top of thumbnails placed by user U. However, it may be permitted to place advertising content on top of thumbnails placed by user U.

[0063] In addition, the information processing device 10 can also allow the placement of advertising content on top of thumbnails pasted by user U, where the elapsed time since pasting is greater than or equal to a threshold.

[0064] [2. Information Processing Systems] Figure 7 shows an example of the configuration of the information processing system 1. As shown in Figure 7, the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment comprises an information processing device 10 and terminal devices 30A to 30N.

[0065] The information processing device 10 and the terminal devices 30A to 30N are connected to each other wirelessly or via wired connections through a network NW, enabling communication between them. The network NW can be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet. Note that the number of terminal devices 30A to 30N shown in Figure 7 is merely an example and not an exhaustive limit.

[0066] In the following, when terminal devices 30A to 30N are not distinguished, they may simply be referred to as terminal device 30.

[0067] The configuration of the information processing device 10 will be described in detail below.

[0068] [3. Information Processing Device 10] Figure 8 shows an example of the configuration of the information processing device 10. As shown in Figure 8, the information processing device 10 comprises a communication unit 11, a storage unit 13, and a control unit 15.

[0069] [3.1. Communications Section 11] The communication unit 11 is connected to the network NW by wire or wireless connection and transmits and receives information with terminal devices 30 and the like. For example, the communication unit 11 is implemented by a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like.

[0070] [3.2. Storage section 13] The memory unit 13 is implemented by, for example, semiconductor memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or flash memory, or by storage devices such as hard disks or optical discs. Various programs and setting data are stored in this memory unit 13.

[0071] [3.2.1. Board Information 13A] Board information 13A refers to information about the board. For example, board information 13A includes the items "Board ID (IDentification)" and "Theme," and these items are related to each other.

[0072] "Board ID" refers to the identification information of the board. "Theme" refers to the subject that is attached to the board, or the so-called theme, which can be defined by, for example, a word or a frame.

[0073] By associating these board IDs and themes, boards and themes can be managed in a one-to-one correspondence. Note that board information 13A may include items other than those mentioned above. For example, board information 13A may include items such as the person who sets the theme, as well as the date and time the theme was set. Furthermore, theme setting can be permitted to all users, or it can be restricted to those affiliated with the business providing the board function, or it can be restricted to specific users, for example, users whose evaluation value is above a certain threshold.

[0074] [3.2.2. Thumbnail Information 13B] Thumbnail information 13B refers to information about the thumbnails that are pasted onto the board. For example, thumbnail information 13B includes the items "Thumbnail ID," "Board ID," "User ID," "Pasting Location," and "Size," and these items are related to each other.

[0075] "Thumbnail ID" refers to the identification information of the thumbnail. "Board ID" is the identification information of the board, and in this case, it refers to the board ID of the board to which the thumbnail is pasted. "User ID" is the identification information of the user, and in this case, it refers to the user who specified the content from which the thumbnail was generated. "Paste Position" refers to the position on the board where the thumbnail is pasted, and can be expressed, for example, as a representative point of the thumbnail, such as a vertex, center, or centroid. "Size" refers to the size of the thumbnail, and can be expressed, for example, as width and height, or as the length of the diagonal.

[0076] [3.3. Control Unit 15] Returning to the explanation of Figure 8, the control unit 15 is a controller and includes, for example, a microcomputer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM, input / output ports, and various circuits. Alternatively, the control unit 15 may be composed of hardware such as an integrated circuit (ASIC) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0077] The control unit 15 comprises a receiving unit 15A, a generation unit 15B, and a supply unit 15C.

[0078] [3.3.1. Reception area 15A] The reception unit 15A receives content specifications from the user according to the theme. For example, as illustrated in step S1 of Figure 1, the reception unit 15A receives a range specification from the user U via the user U's terminal device 30 that corresponds to the part of the news article 300 that the user U is interested in. The part 310 for which the range specification from the user U has been received is displayed as a highlight with the colors of black text and a white background inverted, for example. Furthermore, a GUI component 302 for scratching the text of the highlighted part 301 from the news article 300 is displayed in association with the highlighted part 301. For example, the GUI component 302 may be implemented as an icon that schematically represents the clipping command as a picture or diagram, or as a callout containing explanatory text such as "Scratch from article". When an operation on such a GUI component 302 is received, the reception unit 15A can receive the specification of the news article 300 as an example of content, and the highlighted part 301 as the text to be clipped.

[0079] [3.3.2. Generation unit 15B] The generation unit 15B generates a thumbnail of the content specified by the reception unit 15A. For example, the generation unit 15B generates a thumbnail 400 of the content of the news article 300, as illustrated in step S2 of Figure 1. At this time, the thumbnail 400 may include the following elements from the news article 300. For example, the thumbnail 400 may include the title of the news article 300, "Player XX hits a massive 136m home run for his 26th!", the photo 330, the text of the highlighted section 310, etc. Furthermore, a symbol that can identify the user U who scratches the content of the news article 300, such as a user icon 400A, may be added to the thumbnail 400.

[0080] [3.3.3.Providing Department 15C] The providing unit 15C provides content in which the thumbnails generated by the generation unit 15B are arranged on the board in a predetermined manner. For example, as illustrated in step S3 of Figure 1, the providing unit 15C displays the board WB1 on which the thumbnails 400 generated by the generation unit 15B are arranged on the terminal device 30. If a thumbnail 402 exists on a lower layer than the thumbnail 400 arranged on the board WB1, i.e., on the front layer, a flip icon 400B, which is a schematic representation of a command to flip over the thumbnail 400 located on a higher layer, i.e., on the back layer, is added to the thumbnail 400.

[0081] [4. Operation of the information processing device 10] Next, the operation of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be explained using Figure 9. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the content provision processing procedure.

[0082] As shown in Figure 9, the reception unit 15A receives a request from the user U for content according to the theme (step S101). Next, the generation unit 15B generates a thumbnail of the content requested in step S101 (step S102).

[0083] Subsequently, the providing unit 15C receives a specification for the placement position on the destination board where the new thumbnail generated in step S102 will be pasted (step S103).

[0084] Then, the supply unit 15C determines whether the theme of the destination board specified in step S103 matches the theme of the content specified in step S101 (step S104).

[0085] If the themes of both match (step S104 Yes), the providing unit 15C determines whether the new thumbnail generated in step S102 overlaps a predetermined range from the beginning of the text contained in the pasted thumbnail (step S105).

[0086] The determination in step S105 may be implemented as follows, for example. For instance, the providing unit 15C identifies the placement of the pasted thumbnail from the pasting position and size included in each data entry containing the board ID of the destination board specified in step S103 among the thumbnail information 13B. Furthermore, the providing unit 15C sets a predetermined range from the beginning of the text contained in the pasted thumbnail as a prohibited area for placing new thumbnails. Then, the providing unit 15C determines whether the placement of the new thumbnail specified in step S103 overlaps with the prohibited area.

[0087] If the new thumbnail overlaps a predetermined range from the beginning of the text contained in the pasted thumbnail (step S105Yes), the providing unit 15C performs the following processing. That is, the providing unit 15C corrects the pasting position of the new thumbnail generated in step S102 to a position that does not overlap with the placement prohibition area (step S106). If the new thumbnail does not overlap a predetermined range from the beginning of the text contained in the pasted thumbnail (step S105No), the processing in step S106 is skipped.

[0088] Then, the providing unit 15C places the new thumbnail generated in step S102 at the attachment position specified in step S103 on the destination board specified in step S103, or at the attachment position corrected in step S106 (step S107).

[0089] Subsequently, the provisioning unit 15C provides the content, in which a new thumbnail is placed on the board in step S107, to the terminal device 30 (step S108), and terminates the process.

[0090] [5. Effects] The information processing device 10 comprises a reception unit 15A, a generation unit 15B, and a provision unit 15C. The reception unit 15A receives the user's selection of content according to a theme. The generation unit 15B generates thumbnails of the specified content. The provision unit 15C provides the content by arranging the generated thumbnails on a board in a predetermined manner. Therefore, the distributed content can be provided more appropriately.

[0091] [6. Variant Example] The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and various modifications are possible. The following describes some variations of the above embodiment.

[0092] Furthermore, among the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically by known methods. In addition, the processing procedures, specific names, and various data and parameters shown in the above document and drawings can be changed at will unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each figure is not limited to the information shown.

[0093] Furthermore, the components of each illustrated device are functionally conceptual and do not necessarily need to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the specific forms of distribution and integration of each device are not limited to those shown, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads and usage conditions.

[0094] Furthermore, the embodiments described above can be combined as appropriate, as long as the processing content is not contradictory.

[0095] Furthermore, the terms "section, module, unit" used above can be replaced with "means" or "circuit." For example, the acquisition unit 51 can be replaced with acquisition means or acquisition circuit.

[0096] [7. Hardware Configuration] The information processing device 10 in the above-described embodiment is realized by a computer 100 having a configuration such as that shown in Figure 10 executing a program.

[0097] Figure 10 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a computer running a program. Computer 100 includes a CPU 101, RAM 102, ROM 103, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 104, communication interface (I / F) 105, input / output interface (I / F) 106, and media interface (I / F) 107.

[0098] The CPU 101 operates based on programs stored in the ROM 103 or HDD 104, and controls various parts. The ROM 103 stores boot programs executed by the CPU 101 when the computer 100 starts up, as well as programs that depend on the computer 100's hardware.

[0099] The HDD 104 stores programs executed by the CPU 101 and data used by those programs. The communication interface 105 corresponds to the communication unit 41 and receives data from other devices via the network N and sends it to the CPU 101, and transmits the data generated by the CPU 101 to other devices via the network N.

[0100] The CPU 101 controls output devices such as displays and printers, and input devices such as keyboards and mice, via the input / output interface 106. The CPU 101 acquires data from input devices via the input / output interface 106. The CPU 101 also outputs the generated data to output devices via the input / output interface 106.

[0101] The media interface 107 reads a program or data stored in the recording medium 108 and provides it to the CPU 101 via the RAM 102. The CPU 101 loads the program from the recording medium 108 onto the RAM 102 via the media interface 107 and executes the loaded program. The recording medium 108 is, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or PD (Phase Change Rewritable Disk), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

[0102] When the computer 100 functions as an information processing device 10, the CPU 101 of the computer 100 executes a program loaded onto the RAM 102 to realize the functions of the receiving unit 15A, the generating unit 15B, and the providing unit 15C shown in Figure 8.

[0103] The CPU 101 of computer 100 reads and executes these programs from the recording medium 108, but as another example, these programs may be obtained from other devices via a network NW.

[0104] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are illustrative examples, and the present invention can be implemented in various other forms with modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, starting with the embodiments described in the disclosure lines of the invention.

[0105] [8. Effects] The information processing device 10 comprises a reception unit 15A, a generation unit 15B, and a provision unit 15C. The reception unit 15A receives the user's selection of content according to a theme. The generation unit 15B generates thumbnails of the specified content. The provision unit 15C provides the content by arranging the generated thumbnails on a board in a predetermined manner. Therefore, the distributed content can be provided more appropriately.

[0106] Furthermore, the provisioning unit 15C places the thumbnail generated by the generation unit onto the board if the theme of the content specified by the user matches the theme of the board. This prevents thumbnails outside the theme from being placed on the board.

[0107] Furthermore, the providing unit 15C prohibits the placement of thumbnails generated by the generation unit 15B so that they overlap with a predetermined range from the beginning of the text contained in thumbnails already placed on the board. This prevents other thumbnails from overlapping the beginning of the text, which could hinder the understanding of the thumbnail's content.

[0108] Furthermore, the specified range corresponds to the range from the first character of the text to a specified number of characters, or from the first character of the text to a specified number of pixels. This allows for the proper definition of areas that should not overlap with other thumbnails.

[0109] Furthermore, the providing unit 15C adds an operation icon to the second thumbnail that is superimposed on the first thumbnail among the thumbnails placed on the board, and when it receives an operation on the operation icon, it exposes the first thumbnail. In this way, it is possible to display the parts that have been hidden due to other thumbnails overlapping.

[0110] Furthermore, the display unit 15C performs a function that flips up the thumbnail portion to which the operation icon has been added in the direction in which the operation icon is dragged. This provides an operation feel similar to that of paper media.

[0111] Furthermore, the provisioning unit 15C places a thumbnail on the board that has a user icon attached to it, which identifies the user who requested the placement of content on the board. This makes it possible to identify the user who placed the thumbnail.

[0112] Furthermore, the provisioning unit 15C highlights thumbnails placed on the board that were requested to be placed on the board by the same user as the user icon that received the operation. This allows the user to easily identify all thumbnails posted by the user specified in the operation.

[0113] Furthermore, the providing unit 15C brings to the front the layer of the thumbnails that have been requested to be placed on the board by the same user as the user icon that received the operation, among the thumbnails placed on the board. This improves the visibility of thumbnails posted by the user specified in the operation.

[0114] Furthermore, when the service unit 15C receives a display request from a user to display a board, it highlights the thumbnails of the additional items that have been added since the last display request from the user. This allows users to distinguish between read and unread thumbnails when viewing the board.

[0115] Furthermore, the distribution unit 15C places advertising content related to the theme set on the board. This helps to prevent the provision of advertising content unrelated to the theme. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 1. Information Processing System 10 Information Processing Devices 11 Communications Department 13 Storage section 13A Board Information 13B Thumbnail Information 15 Control Unit 15A Reception Desk 15B Generation part 15C supply department 30 Terminal devices

Claims

1. A reception desk that accepts requests from users to specify the range of content to be distributed according to the theme, A generation unit that generates thumbnails for the specified range of distributed content, A provisioning unit that provides content by placing the generated thumbnails on a website or web page in a predetermined manner. An information processing device characterized by comprising:

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the providing unit places the thumbnail generated by the generating unit on the website or web page when the theme of the content specified by the user matches the theme of the website or web page.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the providing unit prohibits the placement of a thumbnail generated by the generating unit in a predetermined range from the beginning of the text contained in the thumbnail already placed on the website or web page.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the predetermined range corresponds to a range from the first character of the text to a predetermined number of characters, or a range from the first character of the text to a predetermined number of pixels.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the providing unit adds an operation icon to a second thumbnail superimposed on a first thumbnail among the thumbnails placed on the Web site or Web page, and when an operation is received on the operation icon, it exposes the first thumbnail.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the providing unit performs a display in which the portion of the thumbnail to which the operation icon is added is flipped up in the direction in which the operation icon is dragged.

7. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the providing unit places a thumbnail on the website or web page that has a user icon attached to it that identifies a user who requests the placement of content on the website or web page.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the providing unit highlights the thumbnails placed on the website or web page that were requested to be placed on the website or web page by the same user as the user corresponding to the user icon that received the operation.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the providing unit changes the layer of the thumbnails placed on the website or web page, in which the user corresponding to the user icon that received the operation has requested the placement of content on the website or web page, to the front and displays it.

10. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the providing unit receives a display request from the user for the display of the website or web page, it highlights the additional thumbnails that were added from the website or web page that was displayed when the previous display request from the user was received.

11. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the providing unit places advertising content related to a theme set on the website or web page on the website or web page.

12. A method of information processing performed by a computer, A process for receiving requests from users to specify the range of content to be delivered according to the theme, The generation process for generating thumbnails for selected streaming content, A provision process that provides content by placing the generated thumbnails on a website or web page in a predetermined manner. An information processing method characterized by including

13. A procedure for receiving requests from users to specify the range of content to be distributed according to the theme, The generation procedure for generating thumbnails for selected streaming content, A provision procedure for providing content in which generated thumbnails are placed on a website or web page in a predetermined manner. An information processing program characterized by causing a computer to execute it.

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