JP2007094877A - Communication system, communication terminal device, control method for it, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrict storage of a screen image, which displays an image corresponding to a user, by a communication partner side when its storage is not desired by the user. <P>SOLUTION: A second screen image, which includes a user image satisfying a predetermined condition at least among user images corresponding to a user associated with at least another communication terminal device among a plurality of communication terminal devices (game devices 12) and is restricted in display output of a user image not satisfying the predetermined condition in comparison with the user image satisfying the predetermined condition, is generated to be stored as an image data file. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system, a communication terminal device, a communication terminal device control method, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art A communication system that includes a plurality of communication terminal devices (for example, personal computers, home game machines, etc.) connected to a communication network and that allows users of the plurality of communication terminal devices to communicate is generally known. . For example, a chat system and a network game system are known that display an image of a communication partner imaged by a camera unit provided in another communication terminal device on the screen of each communication terminal device. According to such a communication system, the user can communicate while looking at the other person's figure.
JP 2001-350706 A

  Incidentally, some communication terminal devices have a function (screen capture function) for saving a screen image displayed on a monitor as an image data file. In a communication system configured to include such a communication terminal device, a user may not want to save a screen image displaying his / her appearance on the communication partner side. Therefore, in the communication system as described above, when the user does not want to save the screen image on which the user's figure is displayed on the communication partner side, the saving of the screen image on which the user's figure is displayed is a communication. It is desirable to be restricted on the other side.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the purpose of the present invention is when the user does not want to save the screen image on which the image corresponding to the user is displayed on the communication partner side. An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system, a communication terminal device, a control method for the communication terminal device, and a program that enable the saving of the screen image on which the figure is displayed to be restricted on the communication partner side.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a communication system according to the present invention includes a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to a communication network, and a communication system for a user related to the plurality of communication terminal devices to perform communication, The communication terminal device includes a display unit that displays a first screen image including a user image corresponding to a user related to at least one other communication terminal device of the plurality of communication terminal devices, and the display unit includes the first screen image. When one screen image is displayed, a determination unit that determines whether or not an operation signal indicating a predetermined image storage instruction operation is input from the operation unit, and a user associated with the at least one other communication terminal device The user image corresponding to the user includes at least a user image satisfying the predetermined condition, and the display output of the user image not satisfying the predetermined condition is limited as compared with the user image satisfying the predetermined condition. Generation means for generating a second screen image according to the determination result by the determination means, and image data file storage control means for storing the second screen image generated by the generation means in the storage means as an image data file It is characterized by including these.

  In addition, a communication terminal device according to the present invention includes a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to a communication network, and a communication terminal device included in a communication system for a user related to the plurality of communication terminal devices to communicate. Display means for displaying a first screen image including a user image corresponding to a user related to at least one other communication terminal device among the plurality of communication terminal devices; and the first screen image on the display means. Is displayed, a determination unit that determines whether or not an operation signal indicating a predetermined image storage instruction operation is input from the operation unit, and a user corresponding to the user related to the at least one other communication terminal device. A second screen including at least a user image satisfying a predetermined condition of the images, wherein display output of the user image not satisfying the predetermined condition is limited compared to a user image satisfying the predetermined condition Generation means for generating an image according to a determination result by the determination means; and an image data file storage control means for storing a second screen image generated by the generation means as an image data file in a storage means. It is characterized by that.

  In addition, a communication terminal device control method according to the present invention includes a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to a communication network, and communication included in a communication system for a user related to the plurality of communication terminal devices to communicate. In the method for controlling a terminal device, a step for causing a display unit to display a first screen image including a user image corresponding to a user related to at least one other communication terminal device among the plurality of communication terminal devices; A determination step for determining whether or not an operation signal indicating a predetermined image storage instruction operation is input from the operation means when the first screen image is displayed on the display means; and the at least one other No A user image corresponding to a user associated with a communication terminal device includes at least a user image satisfying a predetermined condition, and a display output of a user image not satisfying the predetermined condition as compared to a user image satisfying the predetermined condition A generation step for generating a second screen image in which the image is limited in accordance with the determination result of the determination step, and the second screen image generated by the generation step is stored as an image data file in the storage means And an image data file storage control step.

  Further, a program according to the present invention includes a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to a communication network, and a communication terminal device included in a communication system for a user related to the plurality of communication terminal devices to communicate, for example, A program for causing a computer such as a personal computer, a home game machine, a portable game machine, an arcade game machine, a mobile phone, or a personal digital assistant (PDA) to function, and at least one of the plurality of communication terminal devices Display means for displaying a first screen image including a user image corresponding to a user related to two other communication terminal devices, and a predetermined image storage instruction when the first screen image is displayed on the display means Determination means for determining whether or not an operation signal indicating an operation is input from the operation means; at least a user image satisfying a predetermined condition among user images corresponding to a user related to the at least one other communication terminal device; And generating a second screen image in which display output of the user image that does not satisfy the predetermined condition is limited compared to a user image that satisfies the predetermined condition, according to a determination result by the determination unit And a program for causing the computer to function as image data file storage control means for storing the second screen image generated by the generation means in the storage means as an image data file.

  An information storage medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable information storage medium recording the above program. A program distribution apparatus according to the present invention is a program distribution apparatus that includes an information storage medium that records the program, reads the program from the information storage medium, and distributes the program. A program distribution method according to the present invention is a program distribution method that includes an information storage medium storing the program, reads the program from the information storage medium, and distributes the program.

  The present invention relates to a communication system that includes a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to a communication network, and allows users of the plurality of communication terminal devices to communicate. In the present invention, the first screen image is displayed on each communication terminal device. The first screen image includes a user image corresponding to a user related to at least one other communication terminal device among the plurality of communication terminal devices. In the present invention, when the first screen image is displayed, it is determined whether or not an operation signal indicating a predetermined image storage instruction operation is input from the operation means. Then, a second screen image is generated according to the determination result. The second screen image includes at least a user image that satisfies a predetermined condition among user images corresponding to a user related to at least one other communication terminal device, and a display output of the user image that does not satisfy the predetermined condition is output. It is a screen image limited in comparison with a user image that satisfies the predetermined condition. The generated second screen image is stored in the storage means as an image data file. According to the present invention, when a screen image saving instruction operation is performed, “at least a user image satisfying a predetermined condition among user images corresponding to a user related to another communication terminal device, Compared to a user image that satisfies the condition, a “screen image in which the display output of the user image that does not satisfy the predetermined condition is limited” is stored. As a result, if the user does not want to save the screen image on which the image corresponding to the user is displayed on the communication partner side, the communication partner side restricts the storage of the screen image on which the user is displayed. Can be achieved.

  In the aspect of the invention, the second screen image includes a user image that does not satisfy the predetermined condition among user images corresponding to a user related to the at least one other communication terminal device. The user image that does not satisfy the predetermined condition included in the second screen image may be subjected to predetermined image processing that is not performed on the user image that satisfies the predetermined condition. In this way, when a screen image saving instruction operation is performed, “a user image that includes a user image corresponding to a user related to another communication terminal device and does not satisfy the predetermined condition is satisfied by the user who satisfies the predetermined condition”. A screen image "that has been subjected to image processing that has not been applied to the image" is stored. As a result, when the user does not want to save the screen image on which the image corresponding to himself / herself is displayed on the communication partner side, the screen image stored on the communication partner side is the image corresponding to the user. It is possible to perform predetermined image processing (for example, mosaic image processing).

  In the aspect of the invention, the second screen image includes a user image that does not satisfy the predetermined condition among user images corresponding to a user related to the at least one other communication terminal device. It may not be possible. In this way, when a screen image save instruction operation is performed, “a user image corresponding to a user related to another communication terminal device includes a user image satisfying a predetermined condition, and the predetermined condition is satisfied. A screen image that does not include an unsatisfactory user image "is stored. As a result, when the user does not want to save the screen image on which the image corresponding to the user is displayed on the communication partner side, the screen image stored on the communication partner side includes the image corresponding to the user. Can be prevented from being included.

  When a screen image saving instruction operation is performed, “a user image corresponding to a user related to another communication terminal device is included in a user image that does not satisfy the predetermined condition, and a user image that satisfies the predetermined condition”. When saving a “screen image that has not been subjected to image processing”, an extra image (for example, an image that has been subjected to mosaic processing) is included in the saved screen image, so the save instruction The user who performed the operation may feel uncomfortable. In this respect, if the above is performed, the stored screen image does not include an extra image, and thus such a fear can be eliminated.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the communication terminal device includes first and second image buffers, and means for forming the first screen image in the first image buffer. Displays the first screen image formed in the first image buffer, and the generation unit generates a first screen formed in the first image buffer according to a determination result by the determination unit. Means for forming an image in the second image buffer, and a predetermined image for a region of the first screen image formed in the second image buffer that is related to the user image that does not satisfy the predetermined condition; By performing the process, the second screen image is formed in the second image buffer, and the image data file storage control means is formed in the second image buffer. A second screen image may also be stored in the storage means as the image data file. In this way, the second screen image can be generated by a relatively simple process.

  In the aspect of the invention, the communication terminal device includes an imaging unit, and the user image corresponding to the user related to the communication terminal device is an image based on an image captured by the imaging unit included in the communication terminal device. It may be. In this way, each user can enjoy communication while looking at the image captured in the communication terminal device of the communication partner, and a screen image on which the image captured in the own communication terminal device is displayed. For a user who does not want to be saved on the communication partner side, it is possible to limit the saving of the screen image on which the image captured by the user's communication terminal device is displayed on the communication partner side. .

  In one aspect of the present invention, the communication terminal device includes user specifying information acquisition means for acquiring user specifying information for specifying at least one of users related to the at least one other communication terminal device, The predetermined condition may be a condition indicating whether or not the user image corresponds to the user specified by the user specifying information. In this way, by setting the user identification information so as to identify the user who is allowed to save the screen image on which the image corresponding to the user is displayed on the communication partner side, the appearance of the user who does not allow the saving is displayed. The saving of the screen image is restricted at the communication partner side.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, the present invention is applied to a network game system that is an embodiment of “a communication system that includes a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to a communication network and allows users related to the plurality of communication terminal devices to communicate”. The case will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a network game system (communication system) according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the network game system 10 includes a plurality of game devices 12 (communication terminal devices). The game devices 12 are all connected to a communication network 16 such as the Internet, and can exchange data with each other.

  The game apparatus 12 is a computer system including a microprocessor, a main memory, a hard disk storage device, a disk reading device, a peripheral device interface, a communication interface, an operation unit, an image processing unit, a monitor, and the like. Here, the disk reading device is for reading the storage content of an optical disk (information storage medium) such as a DVD-ROM. The peripheral device interface is an interface for connecting peripheral devices, and is, for example, a USB interface. The communication interface is an interface for connecting the game apparatus 12 to the communication network 16. The image processing unit includes a VRAM and draws a game screen on the VRAM based on image data sent from the microprocessor. Then, the image processing unit converts the content into a video signal and outputs it to the monitor at a predetermined timing. The game apparatus 12 is configured by, for example, a conventionally known personal computer, home game machine, portable game machine, portable information terminal, or mobile phone.

  In the present embodiment, the camera unit 14 is connected to the peripheral device interface of the game apparatus 12 via a predetermined cable. The camera unit 14 includes, for example, a known digital camera, and inputs black and white, grayscale, or color photographed images every predetermined time (for example, 1/60 seconds). The camera unit 14 is used for photographing the player. That is, the camera unit 14 is installed with the lens facing the player. Thus, the image of the player acquired every predetermined time is input to the game apparatus 12 in real time.

  In the network game system 10 having the above configuration, a network game is provided in which a plurality of players (users) participate simultaneously through the communication network 16. In the following, a game (for example, a mahjong game or a role-playing game in which four players have an adventure by forming a party) provided by four players as one group is provided by the network game system 10. I will explain that.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a screen image (game screen image) displayed on the monitor of the game apparatus 12. As shown in the figure, the screen image 20 includes three other player image areas 22. Each of the other player image areas 22 is associated with one of the other players in the same group so as not to overlap. In each of the other player image areas 22, an other player image 24 corresponding to the player associated with the other player image area 22 is displayed. Specifically, an image photographed in the game device 12 (camera unit 14) of the player associated with the other player image area 22 is displayed. For this reason, in the network game system 10, the player can enjoy the game while watching the appearance of other players in the group. The screen image 20 includes a game situation image representing the game situation together with the other player images 24, but is omitted here.

  The network game system 10 (game device 12) has a screen capture function. That is, in each game apparatus 12, the player can save the screen image 20 displayed on the monitor as an image data file by performing a predetermined screen capture instruction operation (for example, pressing a predetermined key on the keyboard). ing.

  Further, the network game system 10 has a screen capture restriction function. The screen capture restriction function is a function that allows each player to restrict screen capture executed on the game device 12 of another player in the same group. More specifically, this is a function in which each player can refuse to save the screen image 20 on which his / her appearance is projected in the game apparatus 12 of another player.

  In the game provided by the network game system 10, for example, a message image as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the monitor of each game device 12 before the game is started. This message image 30 is used to inquire the player whether or not to use the screen capture restriction function. When each player refuses to save the screen image 20 on which his / her appearance is displayed in the game apparatus 12 of another player (when the screen capture restriction function is used), the player clicks the “Yes” button 32. Instruct. On the other hand, each player instructs the “No” button 34 when the screen capture restriction function is not used. The selection result of each player is notified to game devices 12 of other players in the same group. As a result, each game apparatus 12 holds the selection results of other players in the same group.

  Note that the selection of whether to use the screen capture restriction function may be performed at any timing. For example, by allowing each player to specify in advance whether or not to use the screen capture restriction function, the specified content may be notified to the game device 12 of another player at the start of the game. Further, for example, whether or not to use the screen capture restriction function may be specified during the game.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the screen image 20a stored by the screen capture function. In the figure, the player corresponding to the other player image area 22a selects that the screen capture restriction function is used, and the player corresponding to the other player image areas 22b and 22c selects that the screen capture restriction function is not used. An example is shown. As shown in the figure, in the screen image 20a in this case, among the other player image areas 22a, 22b, and 22c, the other player image area 22a corresponding to the player who has selected to use the screen capture restriction function is blacked out. It is. In the screen image 20a in this case, image processing such as mosaic image processing may be performed on the other player image area 22a.

  As described above, in the network game system 10, each player is displayed on the game screen so that each player can enjoy the game while watching the other players. However, the screen image on which one's own figure is projected can be refused to be stored in the game apparatus 12 of another player.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram mainly showing functions related to the present invention among the functions realized in each game apparatus 12. As shown in the figure, each game device 12 includes an imaging unit 40, a captured image transmission unit 42, a captured image reception unit 44, an other player image storage unit 46, a first screen image generation unit 48, Display unit 52, selection reception unit 54, selection result transmission unit 56, other player selection result reception unit 58, other player selection result storage unit 60, determination unit 62, and second screen image generation unit 64 (generation Means), an image data file storage control unit 68, and an image data file storage unit 70. These functions are realized by each game device 12 executing a game program supplied via an information storage medium such as a DVD-ROM or a communication network 16 such as the Internet.

  The imaging unit 40 is realized mainly by the camera unit 14, for example. The captured image transmission unit 42 is realized mainly by a communication interface, for example. The captured image transmission unit 42 transmits the moving image captured by the imaging unit 40 to the game devices 12 of other players in the group. In this case, the captured image transmission unit 42 transmits the identification information (hereinafter referred to as player ID) of the player related to the captured image together with the captured image by the imaging unit 40. For example, identification information of the game apparatus 12 may be used as the player ID. That is, in this case, the identification information of the game device 12 that is the transmission source may be transmitted as the player ID.

  The captured image reception unit 44 is realized mainly by a communication interface, for example, and acquires a captured image by the imaging unit 40 of another game apparatus 12. That is, the captured image transmitted by the captured image transmission unit 42 of the other game device 12 is received. Further, the other player image storage unit 46 is realized mainly by the main memory, for example, and stores the other player images 24 of other players in the same group. The other player image storage unit 46 stores the other player image 24 in association with each player ID of another player in the same group. When the captured image receiving unit 44 receives a combination of a player ID and a captured image from another game apparatus 12, the captured image receiving unit 44 newly stores the other player image 24 stored in the other player image storage unit 46 in association with the player ID. The image is updated based on the received captured image. Here, the “image based on the captured image” may be, for example, the captured image itself or an image obtained by performing predetermined image processing on the captured image.

  The first screen image generation unit 48 is realized mainly by, for example, a microprocessor and an image processing unit. The first screen image generation unit 48 generates a screen image 20 for display. As described above (see FIG. 2), the display screen image 20 includes the other player image (user image) received from the other game device 12 and stored in the other player image storage unit 46. The first screen image generation unit 48 includes an other player image area information storage unit 49 and a first image buffer 50.

  The other player image area information storage unit 49 stores an other player image area table. FIG. 6 shows an example of the other player image area table. As shown in the figure, the other player image area table includes an “other player image area ID” field, an “other player image area” field, and a “player ID” field. In the “other player image area ID” field, identification information for uniquely identifying the other player image area 22 is stored. The “other player image area” field stores information for specifying the other player image area 22 (for example, the position coordinates of the upper left and lower right vertices of the other player image area 22). In the “player ID” field, one of the player IDs of other players in the group is stored so as not to overlap.

  The first screen image generation unit 48 generates a display screen image 20 on the first image buffer 50 based on the stored contents of the other player image area table. That is, the first screen image generation unit 48 stores images based on the other player images 24 stored in association with the respective players in the other player image storage unit 46 in the other player image regions 22 associated with the respective players. A drawn screen image is generated on the first image buffer 50.

  The display unit 52 is realized mainly by a monitor, and displays the screen image 20 generated by the first screen image generation unit 48. The display unit 52 displays the screen image 20 generated on the first image buffer 50.

  The selection receiving unit 54 is realized mainly by a microprocessor, for example. The selection result transmission unit 56 is realized mainly by a communication interface, for example. For example, the selection receiving unit 54 displays a message image 30 as shown in FIG. 3 on the monitor, guides the player to select whether or not to use the screen capture restriction function, and receives the selection result of the player. Then, the selection result transmitting unit 56 transmits the selection result received by the selection receiving unit 54 to the game devices 12 of other players in the same group. In this case, the selection result transmission unit 56 transmits the player ID of the player related to the selection result together with the selection result.

  The other player selection result receiving unit 58 is realized mainly by a communication interface, for example. The other player selection result receiving unit 58 receives the selection result of the other player transmitted from the selection result transmitting unit 56 of the other game device 12.

  The other player selection result storage unit 60 is realized mainly using the main memory, for example. The other player selection result storage unit 60 stores the selection results of other players received by the other player selection result reception unit 58. That is, the other player selection result storage unit 60 stores a selection result as to whether to use the screen capture restriction function in association with another player. The other player selection result storage unit 60 stores, for example, another player selection result table as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the other player selection result table includes a “player ID” field and a “screen capture restriction function use flag” field. The “screen capture restriction function use flag” field stores information indicating whether or not the player has selected to use the screen capture restriction function. In this field, “0” or “1” is stored, and “1” indicates that the player has selected to use the screen capture restriction function. That is, the other player selection result table (user specifying information) is information that specifies a player who does not use the screen capture restriction function among other players in the group.

  The determination unit 62 is realized mainly by a microprocessor, for example. When the screen image 20 is displayed on the display unit 52, the determination unit 62 receives an operation signal indicating a screen capture instruction operation (predetermined image storage instruction operation) from an operation unit (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or a game controller). It is determined whether or not it has been done.

  The second screen image generation unit 64 is realized mainly by a microprocessor and an image processing unit. The second screen image generation unit 64 includes a second image buffer 66 that is different from the first image buffer 50. The second screen image generation unit 64 generates a storage screen image 20 a on the second image buffer 66 according to the determination result by the determination unit 62.

  Here, the storage screen image 20a includes at least the other player image 24 that satisfies the predetermined condition among the other player images 24 stored in the other player image storage unit 46, and the other player that satisfies the predetermined condition. It is a screen image in which the display output of the other player image 24 that does not satisfy the predetermined condition is limited compared to the image 24.

  The “predetermined condition” in the present embodiment is a condition as to whether or not the player image 24 is a player who does not use the screen capture restriction function. In other words, the condition is whether or not the player image 24 is the other player of the player whose value in the “screen capture restriction function use flag” field is “0”. Therefore, the “other player image 24 satisfying the predetermined condition” is the other player image 24 of the player who does not use the screen capture restriction function, and the “other player image 24 not satisfying the predetermined condition” is the screen capture restriction. It is the other player image 24 of the player using a function.

  For example, the storage screen image 20a is a screen image that includes the other player image 24 that satisfies the predetermined condition and does not include the other player image 24 that does not satisfy the predetermined condition. More specifically, the other player image area 22 corresponding to the player whose value of the “screen capture restriction function use flag” field is “0” is stored in the other player image storage unit 46 in association with the player. A predetermined image (for example, an image in which each pixel is black) is displayed in the other player image area 22 corresponding to the player in which the other player image 24 is drawn and the value of the “screen capture restriction function use flag” field is “1”. Is a screen image drawn.

  Further, for example, the storage screen image 20a includes the other player image 24 that does not satisfy the predetermined condition together with the other player image 24 that satisfies the predetermined condition, and the other player image 24 that does not satisfy the predetermined condition includes the predetermined condition. May be a screen image that is subjected to predetermined image processing that is not performed on the other player image 24 that satisfies the above. More specifically, the other player image area 22 corresponding to the player whose value of the “screen capture restriction function use flag” field is “0” is stored in the other player image storage unit 46 in association with the player. The other player image storage unit 46 is associated with the other player image area 22 corresponding to the player in which the other player image 24 is drawn and the value of the “screen capture restriction function use flag” field is “1”. May be a screen image in which an image on which the mosaic image processing has been performed is drawn on the other player image 24 stored in FIG.

  For example, the second screen image generation unit 64 forms the screen image 20 formed in the first image buffer 50 on the second image buffer 66 according to the determination result by the determination unit 62. Thereafter, the second screen image generation unit 64 sets the value of the “screen capture restriction function use flag” field in the other player image area 22 included in the screen image 20 formed in the second image buffer 66 to “1”. Predetermined image processing is performed on the other player image area 22 corresponding to the player. In this way, a screen image 20a for storage is formed in the second image buffer 66. The “predetermined image processing” is, for example, a process for updating the color information of the pixels included in the other player image area 22 to be processed to predetermined color information (for example, black), a predetermined process for the other player image area 22 to be processed This is processing for overwriting or translucent synthesis of images, mosaic image processing, and the like. The second screen image generation unit 64 may generate the storage screen image 20a directly on the second image buffer 66 without being based on the screen image 20 formed in the first image buffer 50. .

  The image data file storage control unit 68 is realized mainly by a microprocessor. The image data file storage unit 70 is realized mainly by a hard disk storage device, for example. The image data file storage control unit 68 stores the screen image 20a generated on the second image buffer 66 in the image data file storage unit 70 as an image data file.

  Here, processing executed in each game device 12 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart mainly showing processing related to the present invention among processes executed at predetermined time intervals (1/60 seconds in the present embodiment) in each game device 12. This process is realized by the game device 12 executing a game program read from an information storage medium such as a DVD-ROM or a game program supplied via the communication network 16.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in this process, first, the captured image transmission unit 42 transmits an image captured by the imaging unit 40 to another game device 12 in the group (S101). Further, the captured image reception unit 44 determines whether or not the captured image transmitted from the captured image transmission unit 42 of the other game apparatus 12 has been received (S102). When the captured image reception unit 44 receives the captured image, the captured image is stored in the other player image storage unit 46 as the other player image 24 (S103).

  Then, the first screen image generation unit 48 is based on the other player image 24 stored in the other player image storage unit 46 and the contents of the other player image region table stored in the other player image region information storage unit 49. Then, the screen image 20 for display is formed on the first image buffer 50 (S104). The screen image 20 formed in the first image buffer 50 is displayed and output on the display unit 52.

  Next, the determination unit 62 determines whether a screen capture instruction operation has been performed (S105). When it is determined that the screen capture instruction operation has been performed, the second screen image generation unit 64 copies the screen image 20 formed on the first image buffer 50 onto the second image buffer 66 (S106).

  Next, the second screen image generation unit 64 refers to the other player selection result table and determines whether or not there is a player whose value of the “screen capture restriction function use flag” field is “1” (S107). . When such a player exists, the second screen image generation unit 64 refers to the other player selection result table and specifies the other player image area 22 corresponding to the player (S108). Then, the second screen image generation unit 64 performs predetermined image processing on the other player image area 22 specified in S104 of the screen image 20 formed in the second image buffer 66 (S109).

  When the processing of S108 and S109 is completed, or when it is determined in S107 that there is no player whose “screen capture restriction function use flag” field value is “1”, the image data file storage control unit 68 Stores the screen image 20a formed on the second image buffer 66 as an image data file in the image data file storage unit 70 (S110).

  Note that the processing (S101 to S104) relating to the update of the screen display may be executed after the processing relating to the screen capture (S105 to S110). In this case, in the process of S106, the screen image 20 formed in the first image buffer 50 in the process executed in the previous frame (1/60 seconds before) is copied to the second image buffer 66.

  According to the network game system 10 described above, each player can enjoy the game while watching the appearance of other players displayed on the screen, and the screen image on which his / her appearance is displayed is the other player. It becomes possible to refuse to be saved in the game device 12 of the above.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

  For example, the network game system 10 may include a game server, and data exchange between the game apparatuses 12 may be performed via the game server.

  For example, the game provided by the network game system 10 may be a game in which two players are played as one group. For example, a Go game or a shogi game may be used, or a battle game such as a soccer game may be used. In this case, the screen image 20 may include one other player image area 22.

  Further, for example, the other player image 24 included in the screen images 20 and 20a may not be an image captured by the camera unit 14, but may be a still image of a player that is captured in advance and stored in each game device 12. Also good.

  For example, the present invention is not limited to the network game system 10. The present invention is applicable to communication systems other than the network game system (for example, a chat system).

It is a figure showing the whole network game system composition concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen image displayed. It is a figure which shows an example of a message image. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen image preserve | saved. It is a functional block diagram of the game device included in the network game system according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of an other player image area table. It is a figure which shows an example of another player selection result table. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with a game device.

Explanation of symbols

  10 Network game system, 12 Game device, 14 Camera unit, 16 Communication network, 20, 20a Screen image, 22, 22a, 22b, 22c Other player image area, 24 Other player image, 30 Message image, 32 “Yes” button, 34 “No” button, 40 imaging unit, 42 captured image transmission unit, 44 captured image reception unit, 46 other player image storage unit, 48 first screen image generation unit, 49 other player image area information storage unit, 50 first image Buffer, 52 display unit, 54 selection receiving unit, 56 selection result transmission unit, 58 other player selection result receiving unit, 60 other player selection result storage unit, 62 determination unit, 64 second screen image generation unit, 66 second image buffer 68 image data file storage control unit, 70 image data File storage unit.

Claims (9)

In a communication system that includes a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to a communication network, and a user related to the plurality of communication terminal devices communicates,
The communication terminal device
Display means for displaying a first screen image including a user image corresponding to a user related to at least one other communication terminal device among the plurality of communication terminal devices;
A determination unit that determines whether or not an operation signal indicating a predetermined image storage instruction operation is input from the operation unit when the first screen image is displayed on the display unit;
Of the user images corresponding to the user related to the at least one other communication terminal device, the image includes at least a user image satisfying a predetermined condition, and satisfies the predetermined condition compared to a user image satisfying the predetermined condition Generating means for generating a second screen image in which display output of the user image that is not restricted is limited according to a determination result by the determination means;
Image data file storage control means for storing the second screen image generated by the generating means in the storage means as an image data file,
A communication system characterized by this. The communication system according to claim 1,
The second screen image includes a user image that does not satisfy the predetermined condition among user images corresponding to a user related to the at least one other communication terminal device,
The user image that does not satisfy the predetermined condition included in the second screen image is subjected to predetermined image processing that is not performed on the user image that satisfies the predetermined condition.
Communication system characterized by The communication system according to claim 1,
The communication system, wherein the second screen image does not include a user image that does not satisfy the predetermined condition among user images corresponding to a user related to the at least one other communication terminal device. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The communication terminal device
First and second image buffers;
Means for forming the first screen image in the first image buffer;
The display means displays a first screen image formed in the first image buffer;
The generating means includes means for forming a first screen image formed in the first image buffer in the second image buffer according to a determination result by the determining means, and the second image buffer. The second screen image is formed in the second image buffer by performing predetermined image processing on an area related to the user image that does not satisfy the predetermined condition of the first screen image formed in the second screen image. ,
The image data file storage control means stores the second screen image formed in the second image buffer as the image data file in the storage means.
A communication system characterized by this. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The communication terminal device includes an imaging unit,
The user image corresponding to the user related to the communication terminal device is an image based on an image captured by an imaging unit included in the communication terminal device.
A communication system characterized by this. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The communication terminal device includes user specifying information acquisition means for acquiring user specifying information for specifying at least one of users related to the at least one other communication terminal device,
The predetermined condition is a condition as to whether or not the user image corresponds to a user specified by the user specifying information.
A communication system characterized by this. In a communication terminal device included in a communication system including a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to a communication network, and a user related to the plurality of communication terminal devices communicate.
Display means for displaying a first screen image including a user image corresponding to a user related to at least one other communication terminal device among the plurality of communication terminal devices;
A determination unit that determines whether or not an operation signal indicating a predetermined image storage instruction operation is input from the operation unit when the first screen image is displayed on the display unit;
Among the user images corresponding to the user related to the at least one other communication terminal device, the image includes at least a user image satisfying a predetermined condition, and satisfies the predetermined condition compared to a user image satisfying the predetermined condition Generating means for generating a second screen image in which display output of the user image that is not restricted is limited according to a determination result by the determination means;
Image data file storage control means for storing the second screen image generated by the generating means in the storage means as an image data file;
A communication terminal device comprising: In a control method of a communication terminal device included in a communication system including a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to a communication network, and a user related to the plurality of communication terminal devices communicating,
A step for causing a display means to display a first screen image including a user image corresponding to a user related to at least one other communication terminal device among the plurality of communication terminal devices;
A determination step for determining whether or not an operation signal indicating a predetermined image storage instruction operation is input from the operation means when the first screen image is displayed on the display means;
Of the user images corresponding to the user related to the at least one other communication terminal device, the image includes at least a user image satisfying a predetermined condition, and satisfies the predetermined condition compared to a user image satisfying the predetermined condition A generation step for generating a second screen image in which display output of the user image that is not limited is limited according to a determination result by the determination step;
An image data file storage control step for storing in the storage means the second screen image generated by the generating step as an image data file;
A control method for a communication terminal device, comprising: A program for causing a computer to function as a communication terminal device included in a communication system that includes a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to a communication network, and in which a user related to the plurality of communication terminal devices communicates,
Display means for displaying a first screen image including a user image corresponding to a user related to at least one other communication terminal device among the plurality of communication terminal devices;
A determination unit that determines whether an operation signal indicating a predetermined image storage instruction operation is input from the operation unit when the first screen image is displayed on the display unit;
Of the user images corresponding to the user related to the at least one other communication terminal device, the image includes at least a user image satisfying a predetermined condition, and satisfies the predetermined condition compared to a user image satisfying the predetermined condition Generating means for generating a second screen image in which display output of the user image that is not limited is limited according to a determination result by the determination means; and
Image data file storage control means for storing the second screen image generated by the generating means in the storage means as an image data file;
A program for causing the computer to function as

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