JP2008269431A - Content output device, content output method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sequentially output a content satisfying a condition among a plurality of contents, and to output residual contents as need arises. <P>SOLUTION: This content output device includes: a storage part 62 storing the plurality of contents; a controller for inputting an operation signal by a user; and a display control part 92 selecting one of the plurality of contents based on the operation signal input by the controller, to output the selected content on a screen, and sequentially output a part of the plurality of contents stored in the storage part 62 on the screen in a prescribed case. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content output device, a content output method, and a program.

  When selling content such as game software at a store, a video introducing the content may be displayed on a display device such as a television set at the store. In this way, the content can be strongly appealed to the store visitor.

  By preparing a moving image that introduces each of a large number of contents and sequentially displaying the moving images on the display device at the storefront, it becomes possible to introduce a large amount of content to the store visitor. However, some contents are for everyone who can enjoy from children to adults, while others are for limited users (for example, for users over a certain age). In some cases, it is not preferable to carelessly play a video introducing content for a limited user. Similarly, when a large number of still images and moving images are sequentially displayed on a home display device, there are images that are desirable to be displayed in that way, and others that are not desirable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to display content satisfying a condition among a plurality of images in order and to output the remaining images as necessary. An apparatus, a content output method, and a program are provided.

  In order to solve the above problems, a content output device according to the present invention includes a content storage unit that stores a plurality of contents, an operation signal input unit for a user to input an operation signal, and an input by the operation signal input unit. A first output control means for selecting one of the plurality of contents based on an operation signal to be output, and outputting the selected content to a screen; and in a predetermined case, stored in the content storage means Second output control means for sequentially outputting a part of the plurality of contents to the screen.

  The content output method according to the present invention selects one of a plurality of contents stored in the content storage means based on the operation signal input by the operation signal input means, and displays the selected content on the screen. And a second output control step of sequentially outputting a part of the plurality of contents stored in the content storage means to the screen in a predetermined case.

  Further, the program according to the present invention includes a content storage unit that stores a plurality of contents, an operation signal input unit for a user to input an operation signal, and the plurality of operations based on the operation signal input by the operation signal input unit. A first output control means for selecting one of the contents and outputting the selected content to the screen; in a predetermined case, a part of the contents stored in the content storage means is sequentially output to the screen This is a program for causing a computer to function as the second output control means. The program may be stored in a computer-readable information storage medium such as various magneto-optical disks.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a software display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. A software display device 10 shown in the figure is installed at a store of a game shop that sells game software such as a toy store, and introduces the contents of various game titles (game software) to customers. As shown in the figure, the software display apparatus 10 is configured such that a television receiver 14 and a game machine 16 that is a computer game system are accommodated in the front surface of the housing 12. A stand on which the operation device 18 connected to the machine 16 by a cable is placed is also provided. A visitor can operate the game machine 16 with the operation device 18 in his / her hand to project an image of an arbitrary game title on the television receiver 14 or play the trial version game content.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the software display device 10 is connected to a communication network 20 such as the Internet together with the software display device 10 installed in another store to constitute a software display system 26. The apparatus 10 can access the management server 22 via the communication network 20. A database 24 is connected to the management server 22, and the database 24 stores data to be displayed on the television receiver 14 of each software display device 10. Then, in response to a request from each software display device 10, the data is returned. In addition, each software exhibition apparatus 10 manages which game title an explanation image is displayed on the television receiver 14 or whether related contents are executed, and this information is stored in the communication network 20. To the management server 22. By accumulating this information in the database 24, the management server 22 can grasp the popularity of each title.

  3 to 8 show examples of menu screens displayed on the television receiver 14 of the software display apparatus 10. These screens are all generated based on data downloaded from the management server 22. As shown in FIG. 3, title image display areas 30-1 to 30-5 for displaying title images in which names of game titles and the like are displayed are arranged in the upper part of the menu screen. Among these, the title image display area 30-1 is provided at substantially the center of the screen and is larger (wider) than the other areas 30-2 to 30-5. For this reason, the title image displayed in the title image display area 30-1 stands out first. The title image display areas 30-2 to 30-5 are arranged around the title image display area 30-1, and are sequentially reduced in size, so that the title images displayed there are less conspicuous.

  A cursor 32 for identifying and displaying each image is displayed on the menu screen, and this cursor can be moved to an arbitrary image position using the cross key of the operation device 18. Then, when the determination button of the operation device 18 is pressed in a state where the image of an arbitrary title image display area is identified and displayed by the cursor 32, the title image displayed in that area is displayed in the title image display area 30-1. It can be made to. FIG. 4 shows the menu screen when the visitor moves the cursor 32 to the position of the title image display area 30-3 and presses the enter button on the menu screen shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, by the above operation, the title image displayed in the title image display area 30-3 is displayed in the title image display area 30-1, and conversely, is displayed in the title image display area 30-1. The displayed image is displayed in the title image display area 30-3. That is, the title images displayed in both areas are switched. As described above, in the software display apparatus 10, the store visitor can specify an arbitrary title image using the operation device 18 and project it in a large size in the approximate center of the screen.

  Stack images 34, 36, and 38 are arranged in the horizontal direction in the middle of the menu screen. These stack images 34, 36, and 38 represent a candidate group of images to be displayed in the title image display areas 30-1 to 30-5, and each stack image 34, 36, and 38 includes the stack image. The title image displayed in the title image display area 30-1 by selecting 34, 36, 38 is included. Here, the stack image 34 represents the title images of all the game titles received from the management server 22. The stack image 36 represents a recommended one (specified by a recommendation flag in the title list as will be described later) among the title images of all the game titles received from the management server 22. The stack image 38 represents an image related to other content. The visitor can move the cursor 32 to the positions of the stack images 34, 36, and 38. The titles displayed in the title image display areas 30-1 to 30-5 are moved by moving the cursor 32 to the position of any one of the stack images 34, 36, and 38 and pressing the enter button of the operation device 18. The image group can be replaced with another title image group (five of the images represented by the stack image selected by the cursor 32). That is, there are a large number of title images managed by the software display apparatus 10, and when all of them are displayed as a list, each image is displayed very small. Therefore, the software display apparatus 10 selects a predetermined number (in this case, five) from among the enormous number of title images according to the operation using the operation device 18 by the store visitor, and the title image display area 30- 1 to 30-5 is displayed. At this time, the title image is selected in accordance with the importance level of each title, and in accordance with the importance level of each title, the title image display areas 30-1 to 30-5 (that is, the title image display areas 30-1 to 30-5 to be displayed) Display position and size) are determined. In this way, important titles can be displayed more frequently in the title image display areas 30-1 to 30-5, and more important titles are displayed in a larger size and in a conspicuous position on the screen. You can

  FIG. 5 shows a menu screen on which the cursor 32 is displayed at the position of the stack image 36. As shown in the figure, when the cursor 32 is moved to one of the stack images 34, 36, and 38, the size of the title image displayed in the title image display areas 30-1 to 30-5 is slightly reduced. On the contrary, the stacked images 34, 36, and 38 are enlarged. By doing so, the store visitor is currently in an operation state of selecting any of the title images displayed in the title image display areas 30-1 to 30-5, or in an operation state of replacing those title image groups. It is possible to clearly recognize whether or not. Then, in the state of the menu screen shown in FIG. 5, when the store visitor presses the enter button of the operation device 18, the title image display areas 30-1 to 30-5 are displayed as shown in FIG. All title images can be replaced.

  Note that an acceleration sensor is built in the operation device 18, and the output of the acceleration sensor is input to the game machine 16 as a part of the operation signal together with the operation state of the direction key and the enter button. Therefore, the software display apparatus 10 also replaces the title image groups displayed in the title image display areas 30-1 to 30-5 even when it is determined from the operation signal that the operation device 18 has been swung in a predetermined direction. I have to. In this case, the title image corresponding to the previously selected stack image 34, 36, 38, or the image corresponding to the default stack image 36 if not selected is the title image display area 30-1 to 30-5. Is displayed. Further, on the menu screen, for example, an operation guidance image 42 that prompts the user to shake the operation device 18 is periodically displayed as shown in FIG.

  The stack image 38 represents a plurality of groups of images. When the stack image 38 is designated with the cursor 32 and the determination button is pressed, as shown in FIG. ˜38δ is expanded and displayed. When any one of these images 38α to 38δ is selected by the operation device 18, an image of content (not necessarily a game title) belonging to the selected group of images is displayed in the title image display area 30-. 1-30-5. 3 to 8, a telop display area is provided in the lower part of each menu screen. In this telop display area, a telop character string periodically transmitted from the management server 22 is displayed.

  When the title image displayed in the title image display area 30-1 provided at the upper center of the menu screen is identified and displayed by the cursor 32 and the determination button of the operation device 18 is pressed, details of the title corresponding to the title image are displayed. A detailed explanation screen showing the contents is displayed on the television receiver 14. FIG. 9 shows an example of this detailed explanation screen. As shown in the figure, on the detailed explanation screen, various information is displayed for the title designated by the visitor on the menu screen. That is, on the detailed explanation screen, an area 50 for displaying the title character string of the game software, an area 52 for displaying the release date and price, an area 54 for displaying an image showing the contents of the game software, and an explanation document for the game software A display area 56 is provided. In addition, a plurality of button images 58 are displayed at the left and right ends of the screen. An arbitrary button image 58 is identified and displayed by the cursor 32 movable by the operation device 18, and the content corresponding to the button image 58 is reproduced (executed) by pressing the enter button. Yes. This content (title-related content) is related to the title introduced on the detailed explanation screen. For example, a still image or a moving image obtained by capturing a screen during execution of the game software, trial version game software And promotional videos. A telop display area 60 is also provided in the lower part of the detailed explanation screen, and telops received from the management server 22 are displayed.

  In the software exhibition apparatus 10, an arbitrary title can be designated on the menu screen as described above, and a detailed explanation screen for the title can be displayed on the television receiver 14. In addition, by pointing an arbitrary button image 58 on the detailed description screen and pressing the enter button, the title related content corresponding to the button image 58 can be reproduced and output to the television receiver 14. Further, when the operation by the operation device 18 is not performed for a certain period of time, the title related content is automatically reproduced and output according to the automatic reproduction list prepared in advance. This automatic reproduction list is generated on the software exhibition apparatus 10 based on the rating of each title. Rating is information indicating the age at which a computer game can be purchased. In Japan, for example, by the Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO), in the United States by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), in Europe Is determined by, for example, Pan European Game Information (PEGI). The software exhibition apparatus 10 selects only the content related to the rating corresponding to the software exhibition apparatus 10 from the title-related contents managed by the software exhibition apparatus 10 and includes it in the automatic reproduction list. Yes. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 10, the software exhibition apparatus 10 does not automatically reproduce the title-related contents of all the titles in order, but automatically reproduces only those satisfying a predetermined rating condition. In this way, even if no one operates using the operation device 18, the image displayed on the television receiver 14 is changed, and thereby the effect of attracting customers can be measured. At this time, by appropriately setting the rating condition of the software display device 10, it is possible to prevent a problem that content for a specific person is automatically displayed to a visitor at a store. When the title-related content is played back, as shown in FIG. 10, a telop character string corresponding to the title-related content is displayed at the bottom of the screen.

  FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of the software display apparatus 10. As shown in the figure, the software display device 10 includes a storage unit 62, a communication unit 84, a performance management unit 86, an automatic playlist generation unit 88, a title image selection unit 90, a display control unit 92, and a no-operation time measurement unit 94. Is included. These functions are realized by executing a predetermined software exhibition program in the game machine 16 which is a computer system. This program may be supplied to the game machine 16 by various computer-readable information storage media, or may be downloaded from another computer such as the management server 22 via the communication network 20.

  The storage unit 62 is mainly configured by a hard disk storage device built in the game machine 16, for example. The storage unit 62 automatically receives the received data 64 from the management server 22 and the title-related content to be automatically played back in a no-operation state. A list 78, a priority list 80 for determining the display position and display size of each title image, and a screen template 82 describing each screen layout are stored. The received data 64 from the management server 22 includes title data 66 and telop data 68. The title data 66 is display information for all titles to be introduced by the software exhibition apparatus 10, and specifically includes a title list 70, basic title information 72, title image data 74, and title related content data 76.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the title list 70 describes the title IDs of all titles to be introduced by the software exhibition apparatus 10 (information for identifying each title), names of the titles, and recommendation flags. All titles whose title IDs are described in the title list 70 are associated with the stack image 34, and only the title with the recommendation flag 1 is associated with the stack image 36. The title basic information 72 is composed of data prepared for each title as shown in FIG. 13, and each data includes a title ID, a title name, identification information and name of a production company, identification information of a publisher, It includes information specifying the name, release date, price, number of players, rating, and title-related content data.

  The title image data 74 is the title image data of each title displayed on the menu screen and the detailed explanation screen. The title related content data 76 is data of content (moving image or still image, promotion video, trial version program, etc.) related to each title. The telop data 68 is telop character string data displayed in the telop display areas 40 and 60, and is periodically updated according to data received from the management server 22.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the automatic reproduction list 78 describes title IDs of titles that should automatically reproduce title-related content (for example, a promotion video in this case) when there is no operation, in the order in which they should be reproduced. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the priority list is described in association with the title ID of each title, the priority of the title, and the selection result that is the number of times the detailed explanation screen of the title is displayed. Is.

  The communication unit 84 accesses the management server 22 via the communication network 20 and downloads the latest received data 64 prepared for the own device among the data prepared for each software display device 10. Further, the telop data 68 is periodically updated. Further, the selection result data included in the priority list 80 is appropriately uploaded to the management server 22.

  The performance management unit 86 manages the priority list 80, monitors the operation content by the operation device 18, manages how many titles are instructed to display the detailed explanation screen, and gives priority to them. Recorded in the selection record column of the degree list 80. It should be noted that the number of times that the title-related content reproduction output is instructed by the operation device 18 may be recorded as the selection record. In addition, the result management unit 86 sets the priority of each title in a stepwise manner according to the range of values of the selection results so that the more frequently selected titles have higher priorities.

  The automatic reproduction list generator 88 generates an automatic reproduction list 78 when the title data is received by the communication unit 84. Specifically, the rating of each title in the title basic information 72 is read, and the title ID of the title whose rating satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, one indicating universal use) is sequentially described and automatically reproduced. A list 78 is generated and stored in the storage unit 62. In the automatic reproduction list 78, title IDs may be described in descending order of priority of titles identified thereby. By doing this, it is possible to reproduce and output title-related contents in order from the title with the highest priority.

  The title image selection unit 90 displays the title image display area 30-when the menu screen is displayed on the television receiver 14 or when the determination button is pressed while the stack images 34 and 36 are identified by the cursor 32. The title images to be displayed in 1 to 30-5 are selected from those related to the stack image selected by the user among the title images shown in the title list 70 (for example, the stack image 36 when not selected). , Based on the priority of each title. For example, the title image selection unit 90 refers to the priority list, and one title having a priority of 5, one having a priority of 4, one having a priority of 3, and a priority of 2 One title and one with a priority of 1, a total of five titles are selected, and the title images are selected to be displayed in the title image display areas 30-1 to 30-5. Alternatively, five titles may be selected in descending order of priority. Note that the title image selection unit 90 may select five titles in the order described in the title list 70 regardless of the priority list 80.

  The display control unit 92 controls the display contents of the television receiver 14. In particular, when the menu screen is displayed, the display control unit 92 reads the menu screen display template included in the screen template 82 and is selected by the title image selection unit 90. The title image is inserted into the title image display areas 30-1 to 30-5, and the telop character string included in the telop data 68 is inserted into the telop display area 40 to generate a menu screen. At this time, the display control unit 92 determines the display position (namely, display size) of the title image according to the priority of each title shown in the priority list 80. Specifically, the title images with the highest priority are displayed in order from the title image display areas 30-1 to 30-5. In this way, a title image of a title with a high priority can be made conspicuous on display. When the detailed explanation screen is displayed, the detailed screen display template included in the screen template 82 is read out, and the data included in the basic title information 72 is inserted into each of the areas 50, 52, 56, 60. The button image 58 is displayed according to the information of the title related content data included in the. Furthermore, the telop character string included in the telop data 68 is inserted into the telop display area 60 to complete the detailed explanation screen. Further, when any of the button images 58 is identified by the cursor 32 and the determination button is pressed when the detailed explanation screen is displayed, the display control unit 92 displays the title related content data corresponding to the button image 58 as the title. The related content data 76 is read out and reproduced and output.

  The no-operation time measuring unit 94 monitors the operation signal input by the operation device 18 and measures the time during which the input of the operation signal indicating that no operation is performed continues. When this time exceeds a predetermined time, the display control unit 92 is instructed to automatically reproduce the title related content. In response to this instruction, the display control unit 92 reads the automatic reproduction list 78, sequentially reads the title related content (promotion video) of the title identified by the title ID included in the list from the title related content data 76, It is output by the television receiver 14. When the title related content is sequentially played back for all the title IDs included in the automatic play list 78, or when the operation device 18 is operated by the store visitor, the display control unit 92 performs the title related content based on the automatic play list 78. The automatic playback of is stopped and the menu screen is displayed again. In addition, after the title related content is sequentially played back for all the title IDs included in the automatic playback list 78, the title related content may be played back again sequentially for each title ID included in the automatic playback list 78.

  According to the software exhibition apparatus 10 described above, a predetermined number of title images are selected from a number of title images in accordance with the operation of the operation device 18 by the store visitor on the menu screen, and titles having a predetermined position and size are selected. Since the images are displayed in the image display areas 30-1 to 30-5, a large number of title images can be displayed in a list little by little without excessively reducing the display size. In addition, since the size of each title image display area 30-1 to 30-5 is varied and it is determined which area is used to display the title image according to the importance of each title, the more important the title is more conspicuous. Thus, the title image can be displayed.

  Furthermore, according to the software display apparatus 10, title-related contents such as promotion videos are prepared for each of a large number of titles, and each of them is reproduced and output according to the operation of the operation device 18 by the store visitor. If no time continues for a predetermined time, only the title related content of the title for which the rating satisfying the predetermined condition is set is automatically reproduced and output. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the specific content from being reproduced unnecessarily, while allowing the store visitor to entertain any title-related content as necessary.

  It should be noted that a rating condition different from the rating condition that is a reference for generating the automatic play list 78 is set for the software display apparatus 10, and each title is determined based on whether or not the rating condition is satisfied. Whether the title image is displayed on the menu screen, whether the title image is displayed in the most prominent title image display area 30-1, whether the detailed explanation screen is displayed, whether the title-related content is reproduced or not. , Etc. may be controlled. In this way, even when the title-related content is played in accordance with the store visitor's operation, the playable content is limited by another rating condition.

It is an external appearance perspective view of the software display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is an overall view of a software exhibition system including a software exhibition apparatus and a management server. It is a figure which shows an example of the menu screen displayed with a software display apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the menu screen displayed with a software display apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the menu screen displayed with a software display apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the menu screen displayed with a software display apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the menu screen displayed with a software display apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the menu screen displayed with a software display apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the detailed description screen displayed with a software display apparatus. It is a figure explaining the automatic reproduction | regeneration order of a promotion video. It is a functional block diagram of a software display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the content of a title list typically. It is a figure which shows the content of title basic information typically. It is a figure which shows the content of an automatic reproduction | regeneration list | wrist typically. It is a figure which shows the content of a priority list | wrist typically.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Software display apparatus, 12 Case, 14 Television receiver, 16 Game machine, 18 Operation device, 20 Communication network, 22 Management server, 24 Database, 26 Software display system, 30-1-30-5 Title image display area, 32 cursor, 34, 36, 38 stack image, 40 telop display area, 42 operation guidance image, 50, 52, 54, 56 area, 58 button image, 60 telop display area, 62 storage unit, 64 received data, 66 title data , 68 telop data, 70 title list, 72 title basic information, 74 title image data, 76 title related content data, 78 auto play list, 80 priority list, 82 screen template, 84 communication unit, 86 results management unit, 88 Dynamic reproduction list generation unit, 90 title image selection unit, 92 display control unit, 94 no-operation time measurement unit.

Claims (11)

Content storage means for storing a plurality of contents;
Operation signal input means for the user to input an operation signal;
First output control means for selecting one of the plurality of contents based on an operation signal input by the operation signal input means, and outputting the selected content on a screen;
Second output control means for sequentially outputting a part of the plurality of contents stored in the content storage means to the screen in a predetermined case;
A content output apparatus comprising: The content output device according to claim 1,
The second output control means outputs content satisfying a predetermined condition;
A content output apparatus characterized by the above. The content output device according to claim 2,
A list storage means for storing a list of data for specifying each of the one or more contents selected from the plurality of contents based on the attributes of the contents;
The second output control means causes the content specified by the data in the list stored in the list storage means to be output;
A content output apparatus characterized by the above. The content output device according to claim 3.
A list generation unit configured to select one or a plurality of contents among the plurality of contents based on the attribute of each of the contents and to generate a list of data specifying the selected contents;
A content output apparatus characterized by the above. The content output device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The second output control means sequentially outputs contents to the screen when the input by the operation signal input means satisfies a predetermined condition.
A content output apparatus characterized by the above. The content output device according to claim 5, wherein
Further comprising a measuring means for measuring a time during which the operation signal is not continuously input by the operation signal input means,
The second output control means sequentially outputs the contents specified by the data in the list to the screen when the time measured by the measuring means is a predetermined time or more.
A content output apparatus characterized by the above. The content output device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The first output control means is selected in accordance with a plurality of title images respectively corresponding to any of the plurality of contents stored in the content storage means and an operation signal input by the operation signal input means. An identification image for identifying one of the title images is displayed on the screen, and one of the plurality of titles is selected according to the title image and the identification image.
A content output apparatus characterized by the above. The content output device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The attribute is information on the age of a person who may view each content.
A content output apparatus characterized by the above. The content output device according to claim 2,
The first output control means responds to an operation signal input by the operation signal input means, among the plurality of contents stored in the content storage means, that satisfies a condition different from the predetermined condition. Output
A content output apparatus characterized by the above. A first output control step of selecting one of a plurality of contents stored in the content storage unit based on an operation signal input by the operation signal input unit and outputting the selected content to a screen;
A second output control step of sequentially outputting a part of the plurality of contents stored in the content storage means to the screen in a predetermined case;
A content output method comprising: Content storage means for storing a plurality of contents;
Operation signal input means for a user to input an operation signal;
First output control means for selecting one of the plurality of contents based on an operation signal input by the operation signal input means and outputting the selected content on a screen;
A program for causing a computer to function as second output control means for sequentially outputting a part of the plurality of contents stored in the content storage means to the screen in a predetermined case.

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