Information processing device, information processing method, and computer program

Abstract

An information processing device 12 comprises a display control unit, an audio information acquisition unit, and an audio reproduction control unit. The display control unit in the information processing device 12 causes a display device 14 to display a screenshot image showing a scene of a game being executed. The audio information acquisition unit in the information processing device 12 acquires, from a music distribution server 20, information related to audio to be reproduced when the screenshot image is displayed. The audio reproduction control unit in the information processing device 12 reproduces the audio based on the information acquired by the audio information acquisition unit, when the screenshot image is displayed.

Description

Information processing device, information processing method, and computer program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to data processing technology, and more particularly to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a computer program.

[0002] While a game application is running, screenshot images showing scenes from the game may be saved.

[0003] A user may view screenshot images, and the present inventor has devised a technology that can improve the user's interest when viewing screenshot images. One object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that can improve the user's interest when viewing screenshot images.

[0004] In order to solve the above problem, an information processing device of one aspect of the present disclosure includes a display control unit that displays a screenshot image, an audio information acquisition unit that acquires information regarding audio to be played when the screenshot image is displayed, and an audio playback control unit that plays audio based on the information acquired by the audio information acquisition unit when the screenshot image is displayed.

[0005] Another aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing method, in which an information processing device displays a screenshot image, acquires information regarding audio to be played when the screenshot image is displayed, and plays audio based on the acquired information when the screenshot image is displayed.

[0006] Any combination of the above components, or conversion of the expression of the present disclosure between a system, a computer program, a recording medium storing a computer program, etc., is also valid as an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to increase the interest when viewing screenshot images.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a game system according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing functional blocks of an information processing device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a media gallery screen; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of switching SS images to be displayed; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of display of search results for music information; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a game system according to a second embodiment; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a game system according to a third embodiment; FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing functional blocks of an information processing device according to a third embodiment; and FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing functional blocks of an information processing device according to a fourth embodiment.

[0009] In the following embodiments, a technique is proposed for selecting audio to be played back based on input information related to screenshots capturing scenes from a game being executed, and playing back the selected audio.

[0010] 1 shows the configuration of a game system 10 according to a first embodiment. The game system 10 is an information processing system including an information processing device 12, a display device 14, a controller 16, and a music distribution server 20.

[0011] The functions of the components in the information processing device 12, the controller 16, and the music distribution server 20 may be implemented in circuitry or processing circuitry, including general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), a CPU (a Central Processing Unit), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, configured or programmed to perform the functions described herein. A processor is considered to be a circuitry or processing circuitry that includes transistors and other circuits. A processor may also be a programmed processor that executes a program stored in a memory.

[0012] In this specification, a circuit, unit, or means is hardware that is programmed to realize or performs the described functions, which may be any hardware disclosed herein or any hardware known to be programmed to realize or perform the described functions.

[0013] If the hardware is a processor considered to be a type of circuitry, the circuitry, means, or unit is a combination of hardware and software used to configure the hardware and / or processor.

[0014] The information processing device 12 includes a computer capable of executing system software and various application software. The application software includes a game application (e.g., a video game). The information processing device 12 in the first embodiment is a stationary game console, but may also be a PC, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a portable game console, or the like.

[0015] The controller 16 is an operation device that accepts operations input by a user to system software and application software executed by the information processing device 12. The controller 16 is connected to the information processing device 12 via a wired or wireless connection, and sequentially transmits operation information indicating operations input by the user to the information processing device 12.

[0016] The controller 16 includes a speaker and can output sound based on the audio signal transmitted from the information processing device 12. The controller 16 also includes a vibrator and can vibrate the vibrator in a manner based on the haptic signal transmitted from the information processing device 12.

[0017] The display device 14 has a display for outputting images and a speaker for outputting sound. The display device 14 may be a television or a computer display. The display device 14 is connected to the information processing device 12 via a wired or wireless connection. When the information processing device 12 receives operation information provided by the controller 16, it reflects the operation information in the processing of the system software and application software, causes the display device 14 to display an image related to the processing result, and causes the speaker of the display device 14 to output sound related to the processing result.

[0018] The music distribution server 20 provides various music data to requesting client devices (including the information processing device 12 in the first embodiment). The music distribution server 20 may be a device of a provider that provides digital music distribution services. The information processing device 12 is connected to the music distribution server 20 via a communication network 22 that includes a LAN, a WAN, and the Internet.

[0019] 2 is a block diagram showing functional blocks of the information processing device 12 of the first embodiment. Each block shown in the block diagram in this specification can be realized in terms of hardware by a computer processor (e.g., a CPU), memory, and other elements, electronic circuits, and mechanical devices, and in terms of software by a computer program, etc. However, the functional blocks shown here are realized by the cooperation of these elements. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various ways by combining hardware and software.

[0020] The information processing device 12 includes a processing unit 30, a storage unit 32, and a communication unit 34. The processing unit 30 executes various data processing operations. The storage unit 32 stores data referenced or updated by the processing unit 30. The communication unit 34 communicates with external devices via wired or wireless communication in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol. The processing unit 30 transmits and receives data to and from the display device 14, the controller 16, and the music distribution server 20 via the communication unit 34.

[0021] The storage unit 32 includes a game data storage unit 40 and an SS data storage unit 42. The game data storage unit 40 stores data related to game applications. The SS data storage unit 42 stores data related to images saved as screenshots. Images saved as screenshots may also be called screenshot images, screen capture images, or screen dump images, and will hereinafter be referred to as "SS images."

[0022] An SS image can be said to be an image showing a scene from an application (e.g., a game) running on the information processing device 12, or can be said to be an image captured from content (scenes from various applications or games) displayed on the display device 14. In the first embodiment, the SS data storage unit 42 stores an SS image in association with identification information of the game application from which the SS image was captured (specifically, information on the game title).

[0023] The processing unit 30 includes a display control unit 50, an audio playback control unit 52, a game execution unit 54, a screenshot unit 56, and an audio information acquisition unit 58. The function of at least one of these functional blocks may be implemented in a computer program (e.g., system software and / or application software). This computer program may be installed in the storage of the information processing device 12. The processor of the information processing device 12 may perform the functions of these functional blocks by reading this computer program into main memory and executing it.

[0024] The display control unit 50 controls the content displayed on the display device 14 by transmitting a control signal instructing the content to be displayed to the display device 14. The audio reproduction control unit 52 controls the audio content to be output from the speaker of the display device 14 by transmitting a control signal instructing the audio content to be output to the display device 14. Note that the speaker may be provided in a device separate from the display device 14. The audio reproduction control unit 52 may control the audio content to be output from the speaker provided in the separate device.

[0025] The game execution unit 54 progresses the game by reading and executing game application data stored in the game data storage unit 40. The game execution unit 54 generates image data showing game scenes. The display control unit 50 causes the display device 14 to display the images showing game scenes by transmitting control signals to the display device 14 instructing the display device 14 to display the images generated by the game execution unit 54.

[0026] The game executing unit 54 also generates sound data corresponding to the game scene. The sound playback control unit 52 transmits a control signal to the display device 14 to instruct the display device 14 to output the sound generated by the game executing unit 54, thereby causing the sound corresponding to the game scene to be output from the speaker of the display device 14.

[0027] The screenshot unit 56 functions as an image storage unit, and when predetermined screenshot conditions are met, generates a screenshot image showing a game scene displayed on the display device 14 at that time, and stores the screenshot image in the screenshot data storage unit 42. In the first embodiment, the screenshot unit 56 determines that the screenshot conditions are met when predetermined operation information instructing a screenshot is input from the controller 16. In addition, in the first embodiment, when generating a screenshot image, the screenshot unit 56 obtains information about the title of the game being executed from the game execution unit 54. The screenshot unit 56 associates the screenshot image with the game title information and stores the associated image in the screenshot data storage unit 42.

[0028] The display control unit 50 causes the display device 14 to display SS images, which are stored in the SS data storage unit 42 and show scenes from the game being played.

[0029] The audio information acquisition unit 58 acquires information relating to audio to be played when a SS image is displayed (hereinafter also referred to as "related audio information"). In the first embodiment, the audio information acquisition unit 58 searches for related audio information using game title information associated with the SS image to be displayed, which is stored in the SS data storage unit 42. The timing at which the audio information acquisition unit 58 acquires the related audio information may be the timing at which the SS image is saved, or the timing at which the SS image is displayed.

[0030] When a SS image is displayed, the audio playback control unit 52 plays audio based on the related audio information acquired by the audio information acquisition unit 58. The audio based on the related audio information may be, for example, a song related to the title of the game shown in the SS image, or a song related to a scene of the game shown in the SS image. In the first embodiment, the audio playback control unit 52 outputs the audio based on the related audio information from a speaker of the display device 14. However, as a modified example, the audio playback control unit 52 may output the audio based on the related audio information from a speaker of the controller 16, or from a speaker provided separately from the display device 14 and the controller 16.

[0031] The operation of the game system 10 of the first embodiment will be described. The game execution unit 54 of the information processing device 12 executes a game application selected by the user and progresses the game in response to user operations input to the controller 16 (hereinafter simply referred to as "user operations"). The display device 14 displays game scenes showing the results of the game execution by the game execution unit 54. The screenshot unit 56 of the information processing device 12 generates a SS image showing a game scene displayed on the display device 14 in response to a user operation instructing a screenshot, and stores the SS image in association with title information of the game being executed in the SS data storage unit 42.

[0032] In response to a user's operation, the display control unit 50 of the information processing device 12 reads data of one or more SS images stored in the SS data storage unit 42 and displays a media gallery screen on the display device 14, in which the one or more SS images are arranged side by side. FIG. 3 shows an example of the media gallery screen. The media gallery screen 100 of FIG. 3 includes two SS images 102 (A-1, A-2) depicting scenes from game title A, two SS images 102 (B-1, B-2) depicting scenes from game title B, and three SS images 102 (C-1, C-2, C-3) depicting scenes from game title C. The user selects an SS image 102 that they wish to view in an enlarged display (full-screen display in the first embodiment) from among the SS images 102 displayed on the media gallery screen 100.

[0033] When a specific SS image 102 is selected on the media gallery screen 100, the audio information acquisition unit 58 of the information processing device 12 acquires game title information associated with the selected SS image 102 from the SS data storage unit 42. The acquired game title information is, for example, information indicating game title A, game title B, or game title C, and is hereinafter also referred to as the "selected title." The audio information acquisition unit 58 uses an API (Application Programming Interface) provided by the music distribution server 20 to request the music distribution server 20 to search for music information (e.g., album information) related to the selected title.

[0034] The music distribution server 20 transmits to the information processing device 12 the search results for music information using the selected title transmitted from the information processing device 12. The audio information acquisition unit 58 of the information processing device 12 acquires music information related to the selected title as the search results by the music distribution server 20.

[0035] When a specific SS image 102 is selected on the media gallery screen 100, the display control unit 50 of the information processing device 12 causes the display device 14 to display the selected SS image 102 in full screen.

[0036] In parallel with this, the audio playback control unit 52 of the information processing device 12 uses the API provided by the music distribution server 20 to send a distribution request specifying the music information acquired by the audio information acquisition unit 58 to the music distribution server 20. The music distribution server 20 transmits (e.g., streaming) music data of the specified music to the information processing device 12. The audio playback control unit 52 uses the music data transmitted from the music distribution server 20 to output the audio of the music related to the selected title from the speaker of the display device 14.

[0037] For example, when a SS image 102 showing a scene from game title A is selected on the media gallery screen 100, the selected SS image 102 is displayed full screen and music related to game title A is played. When a SS image 102 showing a scene from game title B is selected on the media gallery screen 100, the selected SS image 102 is displayed full screen and music related to game title B is played.

[0038] The audio information acquisition unit 58 may acquire multiple pieces of music information related to the selected title as search results from the music distribution server 20. In this case, the audio playback control unit 52 may transmit to the music distribution server 20 a distribution request specifying the music information with the highest search ranking among the multiple pieces of music information included in the search results.

[0039] Furthermore, when a predetermined switching condition is satisfied, the display control unit 50 of the information processing device 12 switches the SS image 102 to be displayed full-screen from a first SS image 102 to a second SS image 102 different from the first SS image 102. The audio playback control unit 52 of the information processing device 12 switches the music to be played in response to the switching of the SS image 102 to be displayed full-screen. The switching condition may be the input of a predetermined user operation, or the elapse of a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds) since the display of the first SS image 102 began. Furthermore, the display control unit 50 may sequentially switch the multiple SS images 102 to be displayed full-screen in the order in which the multiple SS images 102 are arranged according to a predetermined criterion (e.g., in order of oldest creation date and time).

[0040] 4 shows an example of switching the SS image 102 to be displayed. Here, every time a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds) elapses, the SS image 102 to be displayed full screen is switched in the order of A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2, and C-1 in FIG. 3. The audio information acquisition unit 58 refers to the SS data storage unit 42 to determine whether the SS image 102 before the switch and the SS image 102 after the switch are associated with the same game title.

[0041] If the SS image 102 before switching and the SS image 102 after switching are associated with the same game title, the audio information acquisition unit 58 skips the search process for music information. The audio playback control unit 52 continues playing the music before switching the SS image 102 even after switching the SS image 102. In other words, the audio playback control unit 52 skips changing the music.

[0042] On the other hand, if the SS image 102 before switching and the SS image 102 after switching are associated with different game titles, the audio information acquisition unit 58 acquires new music information related to the game title associated with the SS image 102 after switching from the music distribution server 20. In response to switching of the SS image 102, the audio playback control unit 52 ends playback of the music before switching of the SS image 102 and starts playback of a new music related to the game title associated with the SS image 102 after switching.

[0043] The information processing device 12 of the first embodiment can enhance the enjoyment of viewing SS images. For example, the information processing device 12 can play audio that corresponds to the title of the game depicted in the SS image, enhancing the sense of realism in the game world. Furthermore, the information processing device 12 can switch the audio to be played in conjunction with switching between SS images (changing the game title), thereby enhancing the enjoyment of viewing multiple SS images.

[0044] A modified example will be described below. The audio information acquisition unit 58 of the information processing device 12 may analyze the SS images stored in the SS data storage unit 42 to acquire scene information, and may use the scene information to search for related audio information.

[0045] For example, the data of each game stored in the game data storage unit 40 may include feature information for each scene, which is determined by the game developer, for identifying the scene, and scene information describing the scene. The audio information acquisition unit 58 may compare the feature information extracted from the SS images with the feature information for each scene to identify the scene depicted in the SS images and acquire scene information related to the scene. Furthermore, the video of each game scene may include text describing the scene. In this case, the audio information acquisition unit 58 may acquire the text describing the scene included in the video as scene information using OCR (Optical Character Recognition). The scene information may include the name of a field (e.g., Town A, Palace B, Labyrinth C, etc.) and the name of an opponent in battle (e.g., boss name, etc.).

[0046] The audio information acquisition unit 58 may request the music distribution server 20 to search for music information related to scene information (e.g., a set of game title information and scene information) acquired from the SS image. The audio information acquisition unit 58 may acquire search results for music information related to scene information acquired from the SS image from the music distribution server 20. According to the information processing device 12 of this modified example, when viewing the SS image, audio that matches the game scene depicted in the SS image can be played back, thereby enhancing the sense of realism in the game world.

[0047] Another modified example will be described. When displaying the SS image 102 full screen, the display control unit 50 of the information processing device 12 may display search results for music information related to the game title or scene information, acquired from the music distribution server 20, in a portion of the screen. FIG. 5 shows an example of the display of search results for music information. In the example of FIG. 5, when displaying the SS image 102 of A-1 full screen, the display control unit 50 displays search results 104 (music 001, music 002, ...) for music information related to the game title A to which the SS image 102 is associated, superimposed on the SS image 102.

[0048] The audio playback control unit 52 may transmit a music distribution request to the music distribution server 20, specifying music information selected by the user from the plurality of pieces of music information indicated by the search results 104. The audio playback control unit 52 may use music data transmitted from the music distribution server 20 in response to the music distribution request to output the audio of the music selected by the user from the speaker of the display device 14. According to the information processing device 12 of this modified example, when viewing SS images, audio that is appropriate for the title or scene of the game shown in the SS images and that is selected by the user can be reproduced, thereby enhancing the sense of realism in the game world.

[0049] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described, focusing on differences from the first embodiment. Components of the second embodiment that are the same as or equivalent to those of the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and descriptions that overlap with those of the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0050] 6 shows the configuration of the game system 10 of the second embodiment. The game system 10 of the second embodiment further includes a UDS (Universal Data System) 24 in addition to the components of the first embodiment.

[0051] The UDS 24 stores related music information registered by game developers. The related music information is information that associates a game's progress status (activity) with music information corresponding to the progress status. The game's progress status includes, for example, "tutorial," "battle in progress," and mission identification information. The music information includes, for example, music identification information (e.g., a combination of an album ID and a track ID). The UDS 24 stores multiple pieces of related music information corresponding to multiple games (game titles).

[0052] The information processing device 12 of the second embodiment has the same functional blocks as the information processing device 12 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2. The audio information acquisition unit 58 refers to the related music information stored in the UDS 24 and acquires audio information that is pre-associated with the progress of the game when the SS image was captured.

[0053] The operation of the game system 10 of the second embodiment will be described. A game developer pre-registers related music information in the UDS 24, which defines music corresponding to each activity of a target game. When a user inputs a screenshot instruction, the screenshot unit 56 of the information processing device 12 generates a screenshot image. In parallel with this, the audio information acquisition unit 58 of the information processing device 12 acquires the current game progress status (in other words, the progress status at the time of generating the screenshot image) from the game execution unit 54. The audio information acquisition unit 58 acquires music information associated with the current game progress status from the related music information stored in the UDS 24. The audio information acquisition unit 58 associates the acquired music information with the screenshot image generated by the screenshot unit 56 and stores it in the screenshot data storage unit 42.

[0054] When a specific SS image 102 is selected on the media gallery screen 100, the audio playback control unit 52 of the information processing device 12 acquires music information associated with the selected SS image 102 from the SS data storage unit 42. The audio playback control unit 52 transmits a music distribution request specifying the acquired music information to the music distribution server 20. The audio playback control unit 52 uses the music data transmitted from the music distribution server 20 to output the audio of the music associated with the selected SS image 102 from the speaker of the display device 14.

[0055] According to the information processing device 12 of the second embodiment, when viewing an SS image, audio can be played that is in line with the progress of the game at the time the SS image was taken, in other words, audio that is in line with the content depicted in the SS image, thereby enhancing the sense of realism in the game world.

[0056] Third Embodiment A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described, focusing on differences from the first embodiment. Components of the third embodiment that are the same as or equivalent to those of the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and descriptions that overlap with those of the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0057] Fig. 7 shows the configuration of a game system 10 according to a third embodiment. In addition to the components of the game system 10 according to the first embodiment, the game system 10 according to the third embodiment further includes a management server 26. Although not shown in Fig. 7, the game system 10 according to the third embodiment also includes a plurality of information processing devices 12 operated by different users.

[0058] The management server 26 is a server connected to a plurality of information processing devices 12 via the communication network 22. The management server 26 stores information (hereinafter also referred to as "played song summary information") that compiles the playback status of songs on a plurality of information processing devices 12. The played song summary information includes (1) the title of the game currently being played or the game title corresponding to the SS image currently being viewed, (2) the ID of the played song (e.g., a combination of an album ID and a track ID), and (3) the number of times the song has been played. In other words, the played song information indicates the number of times each combination of game title and song has been played.

[0059] 8 is a block diagram showing functional blocks of the information processing device 12 of the third embodiment. The information processing device 12 of the third embodiment includes a playback status notification unit 60 in addition to the functional blocks of the information processing device 12 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

[0060] The playback status notification unit 60 notifies the management server 26 of the playback status of audio (music in the third embodiment) while a game is being played or while SS images are being viewed (for example, while SS images are being displayed full screen). The audio information acquisition unit 58 acquires information about audio to be played when SS images are being displayed, based on the results of tallying up the audio (music in the third embodiment) being played while a game is being played or while SS images are being viewed.

[0061] The operation of the game system 10 of the third embodiment will now be described. The playback status notification unit 60 of each of the information processing devices 12 acquires information about the music being played by the audio playback control unit 52 while at least one of the game is being played and the SS images is being viewed. The playback status notification unit 60 of each of the information processing devices 12 transmits to the management server 26 playback music information including the title of the game being played on the device itself or the game title corresponding to the SS images being viewed, and the ID of the music being played.

[0062] The management server 26 receives a plurality of pieces of played music information transmitted from a plurality of information processing devices 12, and updates the played music tally information based on the plurality of pieces of played music information. Specifically, the management server 26 increments the number of plays in the played music tally information associated with the pair of game title and music ID indicated by the played music information.

[0063] When a specific SS image 102 is selected on the media gallery screen 100, the audio information acquisition unit 58 of the information processing device 12 acquires game title information (selected title) associated with the selected SS image 102 from the SS data storage unit 42. The audio information acquisition unit 58 requests the management server 26 to search for song information related to the selected title based on the played song summary information.

[0064] The management server 26 identifies the song with the most plays among the songs linked to the selected title in the played song tally information, and transmits information about that song as a search result to the information processing device 12. The audio information acquisition unit 58 of the information processing device 12 acquires information about the song with the most plays (such as a song ID) as a search result. Thereafter, the audio playback control unit 52 of the information processing device 12 executes the same song playback process as in the first embodiment.

[0065] The information processing device 12 of the third embodiment can set the audio for viewing SS images based on the audio playback status in other people's environments. For example, a user viewing a SS image can be provided with music that many people are playing while playing a game related to the SS image or while viewing SS images that depict the same game. This can increase the enjoyment of viewing SS images.

[0066] As a modified example, the management server 26 may transmit to the information processing device 12 a pair (or pairs) of songs and play counts associated with the selected title in the played song tally information. The display control unit 50 of the information processing device 12 may display the search result 104 when the SS image 102 is displayed full-screen, as in the modified example of the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 5 . The search result 104 may arrange multiple pieces of song information associated with the selected title in descending order of play count. The audio playback control unit 52 of the information processing device 12 may cooperate with the song distribution server 20 to play a song selected by the user from the multiple pieces of song information indicated in the search result 104.

[0067] Fourth Embodiment A fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described, focusing on differences from the first embodiment. Components of the fourth embodiment that are the same as or equivalent to those of the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and descriptions that overlap with those of the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0068] The configuration of the game system 10 of the fourth embodiment is similar to that of the game system 10 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing functional blocks of an information processing device 12 of the fourth embodiment. The information processing device 12 of the fourth embodiment includes a reward providing unit 62 in addition to the functional blocks of the information processing device 12 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2.

[0069] The reward provision unit 62, as a reward provision unit, provides a virtual reward (hereinafter referred to as a "trophy") to the user when acquisition conditions (which can also be called grant conditions) are met. When a trophy is provided to the user, the screenshot unit 56 stores in the SS data storage unit 42 a SS image depicting a game scene in which the acquisition conditions are met (for example, a mission completion scene). Hereinafter, the SS image captured and stored in conjunction with the provision of a trophy is also referred to as a "trophy SS image."

[0070] In the fourth embodiment, when a trophy SS image is displayed, a dedicated song associated with the trophy (hereinafter also referred to as "trophy dedicated song") is played. The audio information acquisition unit 58 acquires information about the trophy dedicated song as information about the audio to be played when the trophy SS image is displayed.

[0071] A common trophy song may be defined across multiple game titles. In this case, information about the trophy song may be stored in the game data storage unit 40 as common data across multiple game titles. When a trophy SS image is selected on the media gallery screen 100, the audio information acquisition unit 58 may read information about the common trophy song (e.g., a pair of an album ID and a track ID) from the game data storage unit 40 and pass it to the audio playback control unit 52. The audio playback control unit 52 may cooperate with the music distribution server 20 to play the common trophy song, as in the first embodiment.

[0072] In another configuration, a trophy-specific song may be defined for each game title. Information on multiple trophy-specific songs corresponding to multiple game titles may be stored in the game data storage unit 40. When a trophy SS image is selected on the media gallery screen 100, the audio information acquisition unit 58 may read information on the trophy-specific song for the game title (selected title) corresponding to the selected trophy SS image from the game data storage unit 40 and pass it to the audio playback control unit 52. The audio playback control unit 52 may cooperate with the music distribution server 20 to play the trophy-specific song for the selected title, as in the first embodiment.

[0073] In yet another configuration, when a trophy-specific music piece is defined for each game title, information on multiple trophy-specific music pieces corresponding to multiple game titles may be registered in the UDS 24 described in the second embodiment by the developer of each game. When a trophy SS image is selected on the media gallery screen 100, the audio information acquisition unit 58 may acquire information on the trophy-specific music piece for the game title (selected title) corresponding to the selected trophy SS image from the UDS 24 and pass it to the audio playback control unit 52. The audio playback control unit 52 may cooperate with the music distribution server 20 to play the trophy-specific music piece for the selected title, as in the first embodiment.

[0074] According to the information processing device 12 of the fourth embodiment, by playing trophy-specific music when a trophy SS image is displayed, the user can feel a sense of accomplishment in winning the trophy and enjoy viewing the trophy SS image. Note that the music data for the trophy-specific music may be stored in local storage (e.g., the game data storage unit 40) of the information processing device 12, and the audio playback control unit 52 may play the music data for the trophy-specific music stored in the local storage when a trophy SS image is displayed.

[0075] The present disclosure has been described above based on the first to fourth embodiments. Each embodiment is an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component and each treatment process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0076] Any combination of the above-described examples and modifications is also useful as an embodiment of the present invention. A new embodiment resulting from a combination will have the combined effects of the combined examples and modifications. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that the functions to be performed by each constituent element in the claims can be realized by each component shown in the examples and modifications, either individually or in combination.

[0077] The technical ideas described in the above embodiments and modified examples can be expressed as the technologies of the following items. [Technology 1] An information processing device comprising a circuit configured to display a screenshot image, acquire information related to audio to be played when the screenshot image is displayed, and play audio based on the information acquired by the audio information acquisition unit when the screenshot image is displayed. [Technology 2] The information processing device described in Technology 1, wherein the screenshot image shows a game scene, and the circuit searches for audio information related to the game using information about a game title associated with the screenshot image. [Technology 3] The information processing device described in Technology 1, wherein the screenshot image shows a game scene, and the circuit analyzes the screenshot image to acquire scene information, and searches for audio information related to the game using the scene information. [Technology 4] The information processing device described in Technology 1, wherein the screenshot image shows a game scene, and the circuit acquires audio information that is pre-associated with the progress of the game at the time the screenshot image was taken. [Technology 5] The information processing device according to Technology 1, wherein the screenshot image depicts a game scene, and the circuit acquires information about the audio to be played based on a compilation of audio played while the game is being played or while the screenshot image is being viewed. [Technology 6] The information processing device according to Technology 1, wherein the circuit provides a virtual reward to a user when an acquisition condition is met, and the circuit saves a screenshot image depicting a game scene where the acquisition condition is met when the virtual reward is provided, and the circuit acquires information about audio associated with the virtual reward as information about audio to be played when the screenshot image saved in conjunction with the provision of the virtual reward is displayed.[Technology 7] The information processing device according to Technology 1, wherein the circuit switches the screenshot image to be displayed from a first screenshot image to a second screenshot image different from the first screenshot image when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and the circuit switches the audio to be played in accordance with the switching of the screenshot image to be displayed. [Technology 8] An information processing method in which an information processing device displays a screenshot image, acquires information regarding audio to be played when the screenshot image is displayed, and plays audio based on the acquired information when the screenshot image is displayed. [Technology 9] A computer program for causing an information processing device to display a screenshot image, acquire information regarding audio to be played when the screenshot image is displayed, and play audio based on the acquired information when the screenshot image is displayed.

[0078] The present invention can be applied to information processing devices, information processing systems, and the like.

[0079] 10 Game system, 12 Information processing device, 42 SS data storage unit, 50 Display control unit, 52 Audio playback control unit, 56 Screenshot unit, 58 Audio information acquisition unit, 60 Playback status notification unit, 62 Reward provision unit.

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising: a display control unit that displays a screenshot image; an audio information acquisition unit that acquires information regarding audio to be played when the screenshot image is displayed; and an audio playback control unit that plays audio based on the information acquired by the audio information acquisition unit when the screenshot image is displayed.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the screenshot image shows a scene from a game, and the audio information acquisition unit searches for audio information related to the game using information on the game title associated with the screenshot image.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the screenshot image shows a scene from a game, and the audio information acquisition unit analyzes the screenshot image to acquire scene information, and uses the scene information to search for audio information related to the game.

4. An information processing device as described in claim 1, wherein the screenshot image shows a scene from a game, and the audio information acquisition unit acquires audio information that is pre-associated with the progress of the game at the time the screenshot image was taken.

5. The information processing device of claim 1, wherein the screenshot image shows a scene from a game, and the audio information acquisition unit acquires information about the audio to be played based on a compilation of audio played while the game is being played or while the screenshot image is being viewed.

6. An information processing device as described in claim 1, further comprising: a reward provision unit that provides a virtual reward to a user when an acquisition condition is met; and an image storage unit that, when the virtual reward is provided, stores a screenshot image showing a scene from a game in which the acquisition condition is met, wherein the audio information acquisition unit acquires audio information associated with the virtual reward as information regarding audio to be played when the screenshot image saved in conjunction with the provision of the virtual reward is displayed.

7. The information processing device of claim 1, wherein the display control unit switches the screenshot image to be displayed from a first screenshot image to a second screenshot image different from the first screenshot image when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and the audio playback control unit switches the audio to be played in accordance with the switching of the screenshot image to be displayed.

8. An information processing method, in which an information processing device displays a screenshot image, acquires information regarding audio to be played when the screenshot image is displayed, and plays audio based on the acquired information when the screenshot image is displayed.

9. A computer program for causing an information processing device to display a screenshot image, acquire information regarding audio to be played when the screenshot image is displayed, and play audio based on the acquired information when the screenshot image is displayed.

Images