JP5180238B2 - Server apparatus and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an application of an information processing apparatus.

  In recent years, as information processing apparatuses that perform information processing such as Internet connection and web browsing, in addition to personal computers (PCs), mobile devices such as smartphones have increased, and these information processing apparatuses are also referred to as client terminals (simply referred to as “terminals”). Also called). In these terminals, the display screen at the time of startup or standby is called a desktop, and on the desktop, an icon for starting an application (which means not only an application program but also an entire program in this application) is displayed. The background image of icon display is called wallpaper.

  There are many requests to change the background image of the terminal in order to adapt the appearance of the desktop as described above to the user's own preference. For example, in Patent Document 1, an image downloaded as appropriate from a server is displayed as a wallpaper as a desktop background. Proposing technology.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-242688

  When a user executes an application, the application can be immediately executed from the desktop by placing an icon of the application on the desktop. However, when the application is placed on the desktop, the icon overlaps the background image, so even if the desktop background can be changed to the desired image as in Patent Literature, a part of the background image is hidden by the icon. The desktop look could n’t match the user ’s preferences.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to change the appearance of the desktop without changing the background.

  Based on the above object, according to one aspect (1) of the present invention, in a server device that distributes an application to a client terminal via a communication network, a plurality of images based on division of one original image are used as icons. Is stored as a set associated with an application executable by the client terminal, and the icon and the application set stored in the icon storage means in response to a request from the client terminal And a distribution means for distributing.

  As an aspect (7) that captures the above aspect from the viewpoint of a method, in an information processing method using a server device that distributes an application to a client terminal via a communication network, a plurality of images based on division of one original image are displayed as icons. Each icon is stored in advance in a predetermined icon storage unit as a set associated with an application executable by the client terminal, and stored in the icon storage unit in response to a request from the client terminal A distribution step of distributing a set of an icon and the application is included.

  A mode (6) related to each of the above modes is a set of applications in which a plurality of applications for controlling client terminals are combined, and a plurality of images based on division of one original image are associated with the applications as icons, respectively. It is characterized by combining two or more.

  According to the present invention, as described above, each image segmented by cutting out a single original image in a grid pattern or the like is distributed to the terminal as an application icon, so that the terminal can change the icon based on the one image. You can download and collect applications and arrange them on the desktop to complete and display a single image. As a result, the entire image can be expressed with icons arranged as a substitute for the background image without changing the background, and the appearance of the desktop can be changed.

  According to another aspect (2) of the present invention, in any one of the above aspects, the icon storage unit stores position information representing a position on the screen display in association with each icon, and the distribution unit (step ) Distributes the position information corresponding to the icon together with the icon.

  As an aspect (4) grasping the above aspect as a system, in the information processing system having the server device and the client terminal in any one of the above aspects, the client terminal is based on the position information of each icon. A position determination unit that determines a position where the icon is arranged in the screen display of the client terminal, and an icon display unit that displays the icon distributed from the server device at the position determined by the position determination unit. Features.

  In this way, each icon is distributed together with position information representing the position on the screen, and the icons are arranged on the terminal side based on the position information, so that the user of the terminal can manually work like a puzzle based on the design This eliminates the burden of trial and error on the arrangement and improves usability.

  According to another aspect (3) of the present invention, in any one of the above aspects, the server device includes reservation distribution means for distributing reservation data for reserving a position where the icons are arranged in the screen display. Features.

  According to another aspect (5) of the present invention, in the information processing system including the server device and the client terminal according to any one of the above aspects, the client terminal corresponds to the icon of the application distributed from the server device. The icon is displayed based on the reservation data at the position represented by the position information.

  In this way, reservation data for reserving the screen display position is distributed from the server, and each time an actual icon based on image division is downloaded, the icon is displayed based on the reservation data of the position indicated by the position information. By continuing, the image that combines the icons is surely completed. In particular, if the reservation data is visually displayed, it is easy to visually understand the number of icons to be collected and how many of them are collected, which leads to improvement of user motivation and usability.

  It should be noted that other categories (for example, a method for an apparatus, a program for a method, etc.) corresponding to each of the above aspects and more specific aspects described below are also included in the present invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to change the appearance of the desktop without changing the background.

The functional block diagram which shows the structure of embodiment of this invention. The figure which illustrates each information (data) in the embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the process sequence in embodiment of this invention. The figure which illustrates the original image in embodiment of this invention. The conceptual diagram which shows the remaining part which cut out the image of the icon from the original image in embodiment of this invention. The figure which illustrates the row and column regarding the icon arrangement position in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the example of a display in embodiment of this invention. The conceptual diagram which shows the example which represents the positional information on the icon arrangement | sequence in embodiment of this invention by a position coordinate. The figure which illustrates the reservation data in embodiment of this invention. The figure which illustrates the icon arrangement | sequence based on the row | line | column and column in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the example of a display in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the example of a display in embodiment of this invention.

  Next, modes for carrying out the present invention (referred to as “embodiments”) will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that assumptions common to those already described in the background art and problems are omitted as appropriate.

[1. Constitution〕
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 (configuration diagram), a server device 1 that distributes an application to a client terminal (hereinafter also simply referred to as “terminal”) T via a communication network N, and a terminal T The present invention relates to an information processing system. Here, the terminal T is an information processing apparatus (for example, a PC (personal computer) or a mobile phone terminal apparatus) that accesses a web page provided by the server apparatus 1 via the communication network N. One is shown, but many are actually used.

  The server device 1 includes, as a general computer configuration, at least an arithmetic control unit 6 such as a CPU, a storage device 7 such as an external storage device (HDD or the like) or a main memory, and a communication network (Internet or mobile phone). Communication means 8 (gateway server, LAN adapter, etc.) with N). Each terminal T includes at least an input device E such as a touch panel and a display device D such as a liquid crystal display panel or organic EL (electroluminescence) in addition to the general computer configuration as described above. Note that communication between the server apparatus 1 and the terminal T (indicated by broken arrows in the figure) is performed in the communication network N.

  In the server device 1 and the terminal T, predetermined computer programs (not shown) stored (installed) in advance in the storage device 7 control the arithmetic control unit 6, so that elements (11 , 13, 32, 33, etc.). Among these elements, information storage means is realized in any format such as various files and databases (also referred to as “DB”), temporary storage of variables such as arrays, register values, and system setting values in the storage device 7. For example, in the case of a configuration in which the program is expanded to a volatile main memory, the program is saved to an external storage device or the like while the program using the storage unit is not executed, and restored to the main memory when the program is resumed. The

  Among these storage means, the icon storage means 15 of the server device 1 uses a plurality of images based on the division of one original image as an icon i (FIGS. 2 (1) and (2)), and each icon i is assigned to a terminal. T is a means stored as a pair with an executable application ((3) in FIG. 2). The icon is an image, and includes an image representing characters. Each means other than the storage means is a processing means for realizing / executing a function / action of information processing described below.

[2. Action)
An example of the operation procedure for the present embodiment configured as described above is shown in FIG. First, the icon in the icon storage means 15 may be created manually and stored in advance, but in this embodiment, the server device 1 or another device creates the icon from the original image by the following information processing. It shall be.

[2-1. Create icon)
Here, FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of storing a plurality of images cut out from one original image as icons in combination with an application. That is, in this example, based on one original image G (for example, FIG. 4) stored in the original image storage unit 11, the division processing unit 13 of the server device 1 uses a plurality of images based on the division of the original image G. (FIG. 2 (1)), a plurality of cut-out images are set as icons i (step S11, FIG. 2 (2)), and each icon i is set as an icon associated with an application executable by the terminal T. It memorize | stores in the memory | storage means 15 (step S12, FIG. 2 (3)). Here, the specific aspect memorize | stored as a set of an icon and an application is free, for example, you may memorize | store an icon as one element contained in an application file.

  The original image stored in the original image storage unit 11 is stored in advance by the server device 1, but may be an image uploaded from the terminal T. In this case, an image desired by the user (for example, an image taken by a camera) is divided as an original image and associated with an application, so that an application using the divided image as an icon can be downloaded.

  Further, “based on division” of one original image means that there may be a portion that is not used, such as a surplus frame generated by cutting out the original image in a rectangle or the like. For example, in the example of this embodiment, the remaining part (FIG. 5) which cut out the image of the substantially square icon part from the original image G of FIG. 4, FIG. 2 (1) is not used. Of course, as another example, the cutout may not be generated or may be insignificant, and the original image may be used as an icon image by simply cutting the original image in a grid pattern. It should be noted that it is also possible to determine an area with individual characters as an area to be cut out from an image in which characters are arranged, and to cut out each area as an icon.

  Further, in the present embodiment, cutting out of a rectangle or the like is performed based on the number of pixels such as the icon display size and the interval (reference numeral K in FIGS. 2 and 12) predetermined for the terminal T (FIG. 2 (1)). ). In the present embodiment, the four corners of the rectangle are lacking in a round shape. However, the shape of the icon is not limited to a rectangle, and an icon having a shape obtained by cutting out an image of a circle or other shapes may be used.

  As a result of storing the icons of the images cut out as described above in combination with the application (FIG. 2 (3)), the icon storage means 15 includes a plurality of applications for controlling the terminal T, and includes a single original image. A set of applications characterized in that a plurality of images based on the division are combined and associated with the application as icons is stored. The combination of these applications is to visually recognize the entire configuration of one original image or an image equivalent thereto when the icons are arranged in a predetermined positional relationship on the terminal T (for example, FIG. 12).

  Further, the icon storage unit 15 stores position information representing a position on the screen display in association with each icon. For example, the position information in the example of FIG. 2 (3) includes the identification information “X” of the original image, and the row number and column number (“1-1”, “1-2”, etc.) indicating the arrangement position on the screen display. Is included. These row numbers and column numbers represent one of the positions where a predetermined number (for example, 16) of icons are arranged in a predetermined screen area of the terminal T as illustrated in FIG. ing.

[2-2. (Distribution of icons etc.)
First, prior to the distribution of icons, the server device 1 displays a message on the terminal T that a single original image can be completed by combining icons of a plurality of applications, thereby allowing the user to display a plurality of icons. Encourage application collection.

  When there is a request from the terminal T (step S21 in FIG. 3, step S13: “YES”), first, the reservation distribution means 43 of the server device 1 first asks the terminal that has requested an icon for the application set. On the other hand (step S14: "YES"), the reservation data for reserving the position where the icons are arranged in the screen display is distributed together with the first icon to be transmitted to the terminal prior to distribution of the icons or in the set. (Step S15), this is received by the download means 31 such as a web browser at the terminal T (Step S22).

  Here, the reservation data for reserving the position may be data that does not specifically display on the screen, but simply prevents the placement of other icons at the position, Data with some kind of display such as a dashed frame may be used. For example, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the front of the handy-type terminal T, and on the screen display D2 of the display device D, 16 gray icon-like reservation displays R with broken-line frames are displayed. In this case, the reservation data is data including the ID of the original image, that is, identification information and the number of icons arranged. For example, there are 16 sets of applications identified by the identification information “X”, and each icon is vertically 4 It is shown that they should be arranged in 4 by 4 pieces.

  Then, in response to a request from the terminal T (step S13: “YES”), the distribution unit 17 of the server device 1 sets the combination of the icon and application stored in the icon storage unit 15 to the position information corresponding to the icon. The download means 31 of the terminal T receives these icons, applications, and position information (step S23) and stores them in the icon storage means 32.

  The arrangement position of the icons in the reservation data and the position information is not limited to the row and column numbers but may be position coordinates on the screen. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the upper left corner on the screen area where icons can be placed is the origin (0, 0), and the position coordinates of the upper left corner where each icon indicated by a broken line is placed are (0, 0). It can be expressed as (50, 0), (100, 0), (0, 50). If such position coordinates are included in reservation data and position information related to icons, an arbitrary icon arrangement other than equal intervals can be realized. FIG. 9 shows an example of reservation data representing the arrangement position of each icon with such position coordinates.

[2-3. (Positioning and icon display on the terminal)
In the terminal T that has received the icon, the application, and the position information as described above, the position determination unit 33 displays the screen display D2 of the terminal based on the position information simultaneously distributed for each icon distributed from the server device 1. In step S24, the position where the icons are arranged is determined.

  As a specific example, let us consider a case where an icon distributed as part of a set is accompanied by position information such as “1-3” and “2-4”, but no reservation information exists for the set. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 10, each icon is displayed in a row and a column of the position information so that the maximum number of rows and columns appearing in the position information of the distributed icon are displayed on the screen at equal intervals. In the example of “1-3”, “2-4”), it may be displayed at a position corresponding to. In this case, the first downloaded icon in the set is displayed at an arbitrary position, and when the already downloaded icon, that is, the existing icon is downloaded and the second and subsequent icons are downloaded, the position information line of each icon is displayed. A relative position with respect to an existing icon may be obtained based on the number of columns.

  Then, the icon display means 35 displays the application icon distributed and downloaded from the server device 1 at the position determined by the position determination means 33 and the reservation data at the position represented by the position information corresponding to the icon. Based on this, the screen is displayed (step S25). For example, in the screen display D2 of FIG. 11, several reservation displays R are replaced with icons i1 to i7.

  The application and icon download as described above are repeated, and as shown in FIG. 12, when all icons (for example, i1 to i16) constituting the set are prepared, the original original image can be completed and displayed. . In this state, the execution unit 36 executes the corresponding application by instructing the icon to execute the application by a tapping operation or the like. Note that the reservation display R is not simply reservation data, but an icon corresponding to the application, and a message such as “Collect applications and complete the image! Such an operation may be performed.

[3. effect〕
As described above, in the present embodiment, by distributing each image divided by, for example, cutting out a single original image in a grid pattern to the terminal as an application icon, the terminal uses an icon application based on the one image. Can be downloaded and collected, and arranged on the desktop to complete and display a single image. As a result, even in a terminal that cannot change the background image, the entire image can be expressed with icons arranged as a substitute for the background image, and the appearance of the desktop can be changed.

  In addition, the application provider needs to advertise the application in order to have the user download and use it, but the user has been prompted to collect (collect) icons to complete the original image. By giving to, the download of each application corresponding to the icon can be promoted.

  In the present embodiment, each icon is distributed together with position information indicating the position on the screen (step S16 in FIG. 3), and the icons are arranged on the terminal side based on the position information (in FIG. 3). In steps S24 and S25), it is possible to eliminate the burden of the user of the terminal manually trying and arranging the arrangement like a puzzle based on the picture, and to improve usability.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, reservation data for reserving the screen display position is distributed in advance from the server (step S15 in FIG. 3), and the position information is updated each time an actual icon based on image division is downloaded. By displaying based on the reservation data of the position to represent (step S25 in FIG. 3), the completion of the image combining the necessary number of icons is ensured.

  In particular, if the reservation data is visually displayed as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 11, it is easy to visually understand the number of icons to be collected and how many of them are collected, and the user's motivation and usability Leads to improvement. Further, even when the reservation data is not visually displayed, there is an effect of securing a space for arranging all icons constituting the set.

[4. Other embodiments]
In addition, said each embodiment is only an illustration, and this invention includes what is illustrated below and other embodiment other than that. For example, the present invention is not limited to smartphones as illustrated in FIGS. 7, 11, and 12, but may be applied to other types of client terminals such as personal computers and PDAs, that is, information processing apparatuses. Further, the process of creating an icon from the original image and each means (for example, 11 and 13) may be realized in a device separate from the server device 1 or may be omitted because it is not essential. .

  In addition, the processing and means (for example, 33) for distributing the position information together with the icons and determining the position based on the position information are not essential and can be omitted, and the distributed icons can be manually operated by the user in the manner of a puzzle. If the arrangement is made by rearranging, an entertaining element can be added. Further, the processing and means relating to the reservation data are not essential and can be omitted.

  The icon and the application may be directly associated with each other. For example, the icon and the application may be indirectly associated with each other by a shortcut indicating a storage destination of the application program.

  In addition, elements such as each unit described in the above embodiment may be realized by other information processing mechanisms such as an electronic circuit based on a wired logic or the like without being limited to an arithmetic control unit of a computer. Further, each configuration diagram, data diagram, flowchart diagram, and the like are merely examples, and the presence / absence of each element, its order, specific contents, and the like can be changed as appropriate. Further, for example, the server device 1 may be realized not only by a plurality of server computers, but also by calling an external platform or the like with an API (Application Program Interface) or network computing depending on functions. The configuration can be changed flexibly.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Server apparatus 6 Arithmetic control part 7 Storage apparatus 8 Communication means 11 Original image storage means 13 Division processing means 15, 32 Icon storage means 17 Distribution means 31 Download means 33 Position determination means 35 Icon display means 36 Execution means 43 Reservation distribution means D Display device D2 Screen display E Input device i (i1-i16) Icon N Communication network R Reservation display T Client terminal

Claims (7)

In a server device that distributes applications to a client terminal via a communication network,
Icon storage means for storing a plurality of images based on a division of one original image as icons and storing each icon as a set associated with an application executable by the client terminal;
In response to a request from the client terminal, a distribution unit that distributes the combination of the icon and the application stored in the icon storage unit;
Reservation delivery means comprising data representing an arrangement position for arranging the icons on the screen display of the client terminal, and delivering reservation data used when the client terminal arranges the icons on the screen display. And
The icon storage means stores, for each icon, position information representing the arrangement position on the screen display of the icon,
The server device , wherein the distribution unit distributes the position information corresponding to the icon together with the icon . The reservation data, the server apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a data for preventing placement of other icons to position the icon. The reservation data, the server apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a data for displaying such a specific appearance of icons and dashed box. In the information processing system which has a server device given in any 1 paragraph of Claims 1-3, and a client terminal,
The client terminal is
Based on the position information of each icon, position determination means for determining a position where the icon is arranged in the screen display of the client terminal ;
The icon distributed from the server device is displayed on the screen at the position determined by the position determination means based on the reservation data representing the arrangement position for arranging the icons on the screen display received from the server device. Icon display means;
An information processing system comprising: Based on the reservation data, further comprising means for performing a reservation display indicating an arrangement position of the icons at an arrangement position where the icons are arranged on the screen display;
The icon display means replaces the reservation display with the icon when the icon distributed from the server device is displayed on the screen.
The information processing system according to claim 4. An information processing system comprising the server device according to claim 1 and a client terminal.
The said client terminal displays the icon based on the said reservation data of the position which the said position information represents corresponding to the icon of the said application delivered from the said server apparatus. The information processing system characterized by the above-mentioned. In an information processing method using a server device that distributes an application to a client terminal via a communication network,
A plurality of images based on the division of one original image are used as icons, and each icon is stored in advance in a predetermined icon storage unit as a set associated with an application executable by the client terminal,
A distribution step of distributing a set of the icon and the application stored in the icon storage unit in response to a request from the client terminal ;
A reservation distribution step that includes data representing an arrangement position at which the icons are arranged on the screen display of the client terminal, and that distributes reservation data used when the client terminal arranges the icons on the screen display. ,
The icon storage means stores, for each icon, position information representing the arrangement position on the screen display of the icon,
The information processing method characterized in that the distribution step distributes the position information corresponding to the icon together with the icon .

Images