JP2014016827A - Application management device, application management system, application management method and application management program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide further rich application experience in an application system providing an application via a network.SOLUTION: An application management device includes: an identification unit that identifies a user terminal group that is a group of user terminals used by the same user among plural user terminals, on the basis of identification information for identifying a user using a user terminal; plural application processing units each corresponding to each user terminal, that perform predetermined arithmetic processing on the basis of instruction information transmitted from each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group identified by the identification unit and that generate output information on the basis of a result of the arithmetic; and a transmission unit that transmits to each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group the output information generated by the plural application processing units for each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group.

Description

  The present invention relates to an application management apparatus, an application management system, an application management method, and an application management program.

  When using an application in a user terminal, an application program is installed in the user terminal in advance, the user terminal performs arithmetic processing based on the application program, and changes and displays the screen based on the calculation result. It is. On the other hand, there has been proposed an application system that uses an application via a network such as the Internet without installing an application program in a user terminal. For example, a user terminal connects to an application server via a network such as the Internet, and transmits instruction information input from the user to the application server. The application server performs predetermined calculation processing according to the instruction information transmitted from the user terminal, and distributes a screen reflecting the result based on the calculation result to the user terminal in real time. According to this, since the processes performed by the user terminal are only input and output, it is possible to display a screen based on the same calculation result as before without installing an application program. With such application systems, services such as desktop services and cloud games have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-182031 A

  However, in the application system as described above, although the calculation processing of the application is replaced with the application server, the result screen similar to the application that has been operating conventionally is displayed on the user terminal, and the function of the application itself It did not provide added value. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a richer application experience in an application system that provides applications via a network.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide a richer application experience in an application system that provides an application via a network.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a specific user terminal group is selected from other user terminal groups based on identification information for identifying the user from among user terminal groups including one or more user terminals used by the user. An identification unit for identifying, and performing predetermined calculation processing based on instruction information transmitted from each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group identified by the identification unit, and generating output information based on the calculation result. A plurality of application processing units corresponding to each of the user terminals, and the output information generated according to each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group by the plurality of application processing units, to the user terminal group An application management apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit to each of the included user terminals.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the application management apparatus includes a type determination unit that determines a type of the output unit based on type information indicating a type of the output unit included in the user terminal. Is characterized in that output information corresponding to the type of the output unit determined by the type determination unit is generated.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above application management apparatus, based on position information indicating a position of the output unit included in the user terminal, the relative relationship between the output units included in the user terminal included in the user terminal group. A position determination unit for determining a position is provided, and the application processing unit generates output information having content according to a relative position between the output units determined by the position determination unit.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above application management apparatus, the application processing unit includes a plurality of server devices that process the instruction information transmitted from the user terminal by the application processing unit, and the instruction information And a setting unit configured to set the number of server devices that process the instruction information based on the number of user terminals that transmit the information and information indicating the processing capability of each of the server devices. .

  In addition, according to one aspect of the present invention, in the application management apparatus, the position determination unit includes: the user terminal included in the user terminal group based on the position information acquired by the user terminal by the user's operation. A relative position between the output units is determined.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the application management apparatus, the user terminal group includes a first user terminal and a second user terminal, and the application processing unit receives the instruction from the first user terminal. In response to the information being transmitted, the content information corresponding to the content of the output information transmitted to the second user terminal is generated as the output information transmitted to the first user terminal. And

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the application management apparatus, the application processing unit transmits the output transmitted to the second user terminal in response to the instruction information being transmitted from the first user terminal. The information is generated by changing the contents of the information.

  One embodiment of the present invention is an application management system including a server apparatus having the above-described application management apparatus and a plurality of the user terminals.

  One embodiment of the present invention is a user terminal group that is a group of a plurality of user terminals used by the same user among the plurality of user terminals based on identification information for identifying a user who uses the user terminal. And a predetermined calculation process based on instruction information transmitted from each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group identified by the identification procedure, and generating output information based on the calculation result A plurality of application processing procedures corresponding to each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group, and the output generated according to each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group by the plurality of application processing procedures A transmission procedure for transmitting information to each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group. It is an application management method for the butterflies.

  One embodiment of the present invention is a group of a plurality of user terminals used by the same user among the plurality of user terminals based on identification information for identifying a user who uses the user terminal in a computer. An identification step for identifying a user terminal group, and a predetermined calculation process based on instruction information transmitted from each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group identified in the identification step, and an output based on the calculation result A plurality of application processing steps corresponding to each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group that generates information, and generated in accordance with each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group in the plurality of application processing steps. The output information is sent to each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group. An application management program for executing a transmission step of signal to.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a richer application experience in an application system that provides an application via a network.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the application system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows an example of the user terminal group information which the memory | storage part of this embodiment memorize | stores. It is a figure which shows an example of the output information which the application process part of this embodiment produces | generates. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the application system by this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the application system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart showing an example of output information synchronization according to the present embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the application system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the application system which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the application system which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention.

[First embodiment]
A first embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an application system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The application system 1 includes a plurality of user terminals 10 (user terminal 10-1, user terminal 10-2, user terminal 10-3,...) And applications connected to the plurality of user terminals 10 via the network 5. And a server 30. The application server 30 is an example of an application management device. Here, since the plurality of user terminals 10 have the same configuration, the description of “−1”, “−2”, etc. is omitted and described as the user terminal 10 unless otherwise distinguished. In the present embodiment, four user terminals 10 are shown and described, but any number of user terminals 10 may be connected to the network 5.
The network 5 is an information communication network configured by the Internet, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), a dedicated line, or a combination thereof.

Next, the configuration of the user terminal 10 will be described.
The user terminal 10 is a computer device used by a user. For example, a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet PC, a smartphone, a game machine, or the like can be applied. The user terminal 10 includes input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel, and accepts input of instruction information from the user. In addition, the user terminal 10 includes a communication unit that communicates with the application server 30 via the network 5, a storage unit that stores various types of information, and the like.

  In addition, the user terminal 10 includes an unillustrated display unit including a display for displaying information and an unillustrated audio output unit including a speaker for outputting audio as output units, and the application via the network 5. Based on the image information and sound information supplied from the server 30, the image and sound are output. Here, the user terminal 10 includes an output unit corresponding to the type of the user terminal 10. When the user terminal 10 is a PC, the user terminal 10 includes, for example, a display unit including a relatively large display and an audio output unit including a relatively high output speaker. Further, when the user terminal 10 is a smartphone, for example, a display unit including a relatively small display and an audio output unit including a relatively low output speaker are provided.

  Here, the user terminal 10 uses an application service provided by the application server 30 connected via the network 5. In the present embodiment, the user terminal 10 transmits instruction information input from the user to the application server 30, and displays a screen that reflects a result of application calculation processing performed by the application server 30 in accordance with the transmitted instruction information. Then, it is received from the application server 30 as a moving image in a streaming format and displayed on the display. The instruction information transmitted from the user terminal 10 to the application server 30 is information indicating a login request to the application server 30, an application start request, or an operation corresponding to various functions of the application. For example, the user terminal 10 transmits a login request including a terminal ID for identifying the user terminal and a user ID (an example of identification information) for identifying the user to the application server 30 as instruction information. Thus, the user can use the application without installing the application program in the user terminal 10. The user can use one or a plurality of user terminals 10 as the user terminal group G. This user terminal group G is a group of user terminals 10 used by the same user. In the present embodiment, a description will be given assuming that the user U1 uses the user terminal 10-1, the user terminal 10-2, and the user terminal 10-3, and the user U2 uses the user terminal 10-4. In this case, the user terminals 10-1 to -3 are the user terminal group G (user terminal group G001) used by the user U1. Further, the user terminal 10-4 is a user terminal group G (user terminal group G002) used by the user U2. As described above, there may be one user terminal included in the user terminal group.

  In this embodiment, when a login request is made based on the terminal ID and the user ID, it is determined whether or not a terminal group ID has already been assigned for the user ID, and the terminal group ID has already been assigned. If there is, the terminal ID and the application (AP) processing unit ID corresponding to the terminal group ID are stored in the storage unit 31 described later in association with the terminal group ID. On the other hand, when the terminal group ID is not assigned to the user ID that has accepted the login request, a new terminal group ID is assigned, and the terminal group ID, the terminal ID, and the AP processing unit ID corresponding to the terminal group ID are stored later. The processing is stored in the unit 31. In addition, a plurality of user terminals 10 included in the same user terminal group G are assigned terminal IDs based on the order of the user terminals 10 that have logged in, and are among the user terminals 10 included in the same user terminal group G. Therefore, the user terminal 10 having the smallest terminal ID value is the user terminal 10 that has logged in the earliest among them. And the arrangement information of the user terminal 10 is set on the assumption that the user terminal 10 having the smallest terminal ID value is arranged in front of the user. Similarly, among the plurality of user terminals 10 included in the same user terminal group G, the user terminal 10 having the smallest terminal ID value next to the user terminal 10 in front of the user is on the left side of the user, and the user terminal on the left side of the user The arrangement information of each user terminal 10 is set on the assumption that the user terminal 10 having the next smallest terminal ID value is placed on the right side (right hand side) of the user. Specifically, it is assumed that the user terminal 10-1 is arranged in front of the user, the user terminal 10-2 is arranged on the left side (left hand side) of the user, and the user terminal 10-3 is arranged on the right side of the user. The arrangement information of the user terminal 10 is set. In addition, the arrangement information of the user terminal 10 is not limited to the case where it is determined in advance based on the values of the terminal IDs of the plurality of user terminals 10 included in the same user terminal group G as described above. The arrangement information may be dynamically set by automatically detecting the position of the terminal 10.

Next, the configuration of the application server 30 will be described.
The application server 30 is a computer device that provides an application service that allows the user terminal 10 to use an application via the network 5, and includes a storage unit 31, an identification unit 32, a reception unit 33, an application control unit 34, A unit 37 and a synchronization unit 38 are provided.

  The storage unit 31 stores various types of information that are referred to in order for the application server 30 to operate. For example, the storage unit 31 stores an application program for executing an application in advance. The storage unit 31 stores user terminal group information for managing the user terminal group G. The user terminal group information stored in the storage unit 31 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a table showing an example of user terminal group information stored in the storage unit 31 of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the storage unit 31 displays a user ID, a terminal group ID for identifying the user terminal group G, a terminal ID for identifying the user terminal 10, and a display unit of the user terminal 10 in this embodiment. And an AP processing unit ID for identifying the AP processing unit 35 that generates the image to be stored. The AP processing unit 35 will be described later.

  For example, the storage unit 31 includes a user ID (U001) of a user who operates the user terminal 10-1, a terminal group ID (G001) of the user terminal 10-1, and a terminal ID (T001) of the user terminal 10-1. The AP processing unit ID (AP01) of the AP processing unit 35-1 that generates an image to be displayed on the display unit of the user terminal 10-1 is stored in association with each other. Similarly, the storage unit 31 includes a user ID (U001) of a user who operates the user terminal 10-2, a terminal group ID (G001) of the user terminal 10-2, and a terminal ID (T002) of the user terminal 10-2. And the AP processing unit ID (AP02) of the AP processing unit 35-2 that generates an image to be displayed on the display unit of the user terminal 10-2 are stored in association with each other. The storage unit 31 also includes a user ID (U001) of a user who operates the user terminal 10-3, a terminal group ID (G001) of the user terminal 10-3, and a terminal ID (T003) of the user terminal 10-3. The AP processing unit ID (AP03) of the AP processing unit 35-3 that generates an image to be displayed on the display unit of the user terminal 10-3 is stored in association with each other. The storage unit 31 also includes a user ID (U002) of a user who operates the user terminal 10-4, a terminal group ID (G002) of the user terminal 10-4, and a terminal ID (T004) of the user terminal 10-4. The AP processing unit ID (AP04) of the AP processing unit 35-4 that generates an image to be displayed on the display unit of the user terminal 10-4 is stored in association with each other.

With reference to FIG. 1 again, the description of the configuration of the application server 30 will be continued.
The receiving unit 33 receives instruction information transmitted from the user terminal 10. For example, the receiving unit 33 receives a login request transmitted from the user terminal 10 via the network 5 when logging in to the application server 30 as instruction information.

  The identification unit 32 identifies a user terminal group G, which is a group of user terminals 10 used by the same user, from among the plurality of user terminals 10 based on a user ID that identifies a user who uses the user terminal 10. . Specifically, the identification unit 32 acquires the login request received by the reception unit 33. At this time, when the reception unit 33 receives login requests from the plurality of user terminals 10, the identification unit 32 acquires the plurality of login requests. Next, the identification unit 32 extracts a terminal ID and a user ID included in the acquired login request. Next, the identification unit 32 generates a terminal group ID that is a unique value for each user identified by the extracted user ID, and associates the generated terminal group ID with the user ID. Next, the identification unit 32 stores, as user terminal group information, a terminal ID associated with a user ID that matches each other among the extracted user IDs and a terminal group ID associated with the user ID. Write to 31. In this manner, the identification unit 32 generates user terminal group information for identifying the user terminal group G, and identifies the user terminal group G based on the user terminal group information.

  The application control unit 34 performs a predetermined calculation process based on instruction information transmitted from each of the plurality of user terminals 10 and generates a moving image based on the calculation result, and a plurality of applications corresponding to each user terminal 10 (AP) processing unit 35 (AP processing unit 35-1, AP processing unit 35-2, AP processing unit 35-3,...) Is provided. Here, since the plurality of AP processing units 35 have the same configuration, the description of “−1”, “−2”, and the like will be omitted and described as the AP processing unit 35 unless otherwise distinguished. When the application control unit 34 receives instruction information, which is an application use request, from the user terminal 10 via the reception unit 33, the application control unit 34 reads an application program stored in advance in the storage unit 31, and executes an application execution instance. A certain AP processing unit 35 is generated in its own storage area. The application control unit 34 generates the same number of AP processing units 35 as that of the user terminals 10 in order to generate one AP processing unit 35 for one user terminal 10 that uses the application. That is, the application control unit 34 generates each AP processing unit 35 corresponding to each user terminal 10.

  The application (AP) processing unit 35 performs predetermined calculation processing based on instruction information transmitted from the user terminal 10 corresponding to itself, and generates a moving image based on the calculation result. The arithmetic processing performed by the AP processing unit 35 is, for example, processing for providing an application such as a game or desktop service. For example, sports games such as racing games, action games such as fighting games, shooting games such as FPS (First Person shooter), role playing games, puzzle games, simulation games, and the like can be applied to this game. Alternatively, the AP processing unit 35 may execute an application such as office software such as word processing software, spreadsheet software, or presentation software.

  The AP processing unit 35 performs predetermined calculation processing based on instruction information transmitted from each of the user terminals 10 included in the user terminal group G identified by the identification unit 32, and generates output information based on the calculation result. . Next, an example of output information generated by the AP processing unit 35 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of output information generated by the AP processing unit 35 of the present embodiment. As an example, the AP processing unit 35 generates an image of a running road in a racing game as shown in FIG. AP process part 35-1 produces | generates the image d1-1 which shows the center part of the traveling path displayed on the display part with which the user terminal 10-1 is provided. Similarly, the AP processing unit 35-2 displays an image d1-2 showing the left road side portion of the traveling road displayed on the display unit included in the user terminal 10-2, and the AP processing unit 35-3 displays the user terminal 10-. 3 respectively generate images d1-3 indicating the right road side portion of the traveling road displayed on the display unit included in 3.

  As described above, the AP processing unit 35 renders an application screen using a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) provided in the application server 30, and generates a frame image that changes with time series. Then, the AP processing unit 35 associates the generated frame image with its own AP processing unit ID and outputs it to the transmission unit 37. The AP processing unit 35 continuously generates the frame image and transmits the generated frame image to the transmission unit 37 to generate a moving image that is a continuous frame image.

With reference to FIG. 1 again, the description of the configuration of the application server 30 will be continued.
The synchronization unit 38 synchronizes the degree of processing progress of the AP processing unit 35 with each other. Specifically, the AP processing unit 35 outputs a synchronization signal to the synchronization unit 38 when the instruction information transmitted by the user terminal 10 included in the user terminal group G identified by the identification unit 32 is acquired. This synchronization signal is a signal that synchronizes the degree of processing progress of the AP processing unit 35. The synchronization signal may be instruction information transmitted by the user terminal 10 or information indicating that the instruction information transmitted by the user terminal 10 has been acquired. When the synchronization signal output from the AP processing unit 35 is input, the synchronization unit 38 corresponds to the AP processing unit 35 (that is, included in the same user terminal group G) corresponding to the user terminals 10 included in the same user terminal group G. The instruction information is output to the other AP processing units 35 among the AP processing units 35). As described above, the AP processing unit 35 performs predetermined calculation processing based on the instruction information transmitted from each of the user terminals 10 included in the user terminal group G identified by the identification unit 32, and outputs based on the calculation result. Generate information. Therefore, when the instruction information is input to the AP processing unit 35, the instruction information is output from the synchronization unit 38, so that other AP processing units included in the same user terminal group G perform processing in synchronization with each other. Proceed to generate output information. The synchronization unit 38 may be provided in the application control unit 34 separately from the AP processing unit 35 or may be provided by the AP processing unit 35 itself. For example, the AP processing unit 35 has the configuration of the synchronization unit 38 described above, and outputs the instruction information to other AP processing units included in the same user terminal group G when the instruction information is input. Accordingly, the output information may be generated in synchronization with each other. Further, without providing the synchronization unit 38, each of the AP processing units 35 corresponding to the user terminals 10 included in the group of user terminals G may be synchronized by, for example, PtoP (Peer to Peer) communication.

  The transmission unit 37 transmits output information generated according to each of the user terminals 10 included in the user terminal group G by the AP processing unit 35 to each of the user terminals 10 included in the user terminal group G. Specifically, the transmission unit 37 transmits the frame image generated by the AP processing unit 35. Here, the transmission part 37 transmits a moving image by a streaming format. Streaming is a transfer and playback method in which moving image data corresponding to time series is sequentially played back while being received. Thereby, the screen which changes according to instruction information can be displayed on the user terminal 10.

  Next, an operation example of the application system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation example of the application system 1 according to the present embodiment.

  When instruction information indicating a login request is input to the user terminal 10-1 by the user U1, the user terminal 10-1 connects to the application server 30 and transmits a login request (step S10-1).

  Similarly, when instruction information indicating a login request is input to the user terminal 10-2 by the user U1, the user terminal 10-2 connects to the application server 30 and transmits a login request (step S10-2). Similarly, when instruction information indicating a login request is input to the user terminal 10-3 by the user U1, the user terminal 10-3 connects to the application server 30 and transmits a login request (step S10-). 3)

  In each of steps S10-1 to S-3, when the reception unit 33 of the application server 30 receives the login request transmitted from the user terminal 10-1, the identification unit 32 is based on the login request received by the reception unit 33. Then, user terminal group information is generated and written in the storage unit 31.

  Next, when instruction information indicating an application use start request is input to the user terminal 10-1 by the user U1, the user terminal 10-1 connects to the application server 30 and transmits a use start request (step). S20). Here, the application use start request is, for example, a game start request.

  When the reception unit 33 of the application server 30 receives the use start request transmitted from the user terminals 10-1 to -3, the application control unit 34 corresponds to the AP processing unit 35- corresponding to the user terminals 10-1 to -3. 1 to -3 are generated (steps S30-1 to S-3).

  The AP processing units 35-1 to 35-3 perform predetermined calculation processing according to the instruction information transmitted from the user terminals 10-1 to 3, generate a frame image based on the calculation result, and output the frame image to the transmission unit 37. Is started (steps S40-1 to S-3).

  The AP processing units 35-1 to 35-3 output the generated frame images to the transmission unit 37 (Steps S50-1 to S-3).

  The transmission unit 37 buffers the frame images output from the AP processing units 35-1 to 35-3, encodes the bit rate suitable for moving image distribution, and starts processing to generate a streaming format moving image (step S 60). ).

  The synchronization unit 38 synchronizes the degree of processing progress in the AP processing units 35-1 to -3 (step S70).

  The transmission unit 37 transmits the moving image to the user terminals 10-1 to -3 in the streaming format (steps S80-1 to -3).

  As described above, the application system 1 of this embodiment includes the identification unit 32, the application (AP) processing unit 35, the transmission unit 37, and the synchronization unit 38. The identification unit 32 identifies a user terminal group G, which is a group of user terminals 10 used by the same user, from a plurality of user terminals 10 based on a user ID that identifies a user who uses the user terminal 10. To do. Further, the AP processing unit 35 performs predetermined arithmetic processing based on the instruction information transmitted from each of the user terminals 10 included in the user terminal group G identified by the identification unit 32 according to each of the user terminals 10. Then, output information based on the calculation result is generated. Further, the synchronization unit 38 synchronizes the processing progress of the AP processing unit 35 with each other. In addition, the transmission unit 37 transmits output information generated according to each of the user terminals 10 included in the user terminal group G by the plurality of AP processing units 35 to each of the user terminals 10 included in the user terminal group G. To do.

  Thereby, even if the user terminal 10 does not have a function such as a rendering engine, the application system 1 of the present embodiment displays the high-quality video generated by the AP processing unit 35 on the display unit of the user terminal 10. Application. In addition, when the user uses a plurality of user terminals 10, the application system 1 uses a multi-screen corresponding to a plurality of display units by logging in to the plurality of user terminals 10 with the same user ID. A game can be provided to the user. Furthermore, since the application system 1 can synchronize the display timing between the multi-screens, it can reduce the deviation of the moving image playback timing between the multi-screens. In this way, the application system 1 can provide a richer application experience.

  Further, in the application system 1 of the present embodiment, the user can play a game with the plurality of user terminals 10. For this reason, even if the communication between the application server 30 and a part of the user terminals 10 included in the user terminal group G is interrupted by the other user terminals 10 included in the user terminal group G, the application system 1 Can continue to provide games.

  Furthermore, since the application system 1 according to the present embodiment generates the AP processing unit 35 according to the number of user terminals 10 used by the user, the number of user terminals 10 is within the processing capacity of the application server 30. Can be further increased. Therefore, since the application system 1 can further increase the number of screens displayed to the user, it is possible to increase the expressive power of the game screen. That is, the application system 1 can provide the application by increasing the number of user terminals 10 included in the user terminal group G and further enriching the expression.

  The AP processing unit 35 transmits the instruction information to the second user terminal 10 (for example, the user terminal 10-2) in response to the instruction information being transmitted from the first user terminal 10 (for example, the user terminal 10-1). The content information corresponding to the content of the output information may be generated as the output information transmitted to the first user terminal 10. That is, the application system 1 outputs the output information output to the second user terminal (for example, the user terminal 10-2) when the user operates the first user terminal 10 (for example, the user terminal 10-1). The output destination can be switched to output to the user terminal 10-1. Thereby, the application system 1 can change the output destination of output information, even if a user does not operate the several user terminal 10. FIG.

  The AP processing unit 35 transmits the instruction information to the second user terminal 10 (for example, the user terminal 10-2) in response to the instruction information being transmitted from the first user terminal 10 (for example, the user terminal 10-1). The content of the output information to be generated may be changed. That is, the application system 1 can change the content of the output information output to the user terminal 10-2 without operating the user terminal 10-2 when the user operates the user terminal 10-1. it can. For example, the application system 1 can set the sound volume output from the user terminal 10-2 based on the output information by the user operating the user terminal 10-1. Thus, the application system 1 can change the contents of the output information of each user terminal 10 without the user operating the plurality of user terminals 10.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the structure same as each structure in 1st Embodiment mentioned above, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted. The application system 1a of the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the application system 1a includes a timer unit 39 and a setting unit 40.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the application system 1a according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The application system 1a includes a plurality of user terminals 10 (user terminal 10-1, user terminal 10-2, user terminal 10-3,...) And applications connected to the plurality of user terminals 10 via the network 5. And a server 30a.

  The application server 30a includes a transmission unit 37a, a timing unit 39, and a setting unit 40 in addition to the storage unit 31, the identification unit 32, the reception unit 33, the application control unit 34, and the synchronization unit 38. ing.

  The timer unit 39 is synchronized with a reference time generator (not shown) (for example, an NTP server). In addition, each user terminal 10 included in the same user terminal group G has a timer (not shown) synchronized with a reference time generated by a reference time generator (not shown). In the present embodiment, the application server 30a and each user terminal 10 included in the same user terminal group G are configured to synchronize with a reference time generation device (not shown), but are not limited thereto. For example, the user terminals 10 included in the same user terminal group G as the application server 30a may communicate with each other and synchronize their timekeeping units.

  The setting unit 40 acquires information indicating the reference time from the time measuring unit 39, and indicates an output timing at which information based on the output information is output from the output unit of the user terminal 10 based on the acquired information indicating the reference time. Information is set in the output information generated by the AP processing unit 35. Specifically, the setting unit 40 acquires information indicating the reference time acquired from the time measuring unit 39. Next, the setting unit 40 sets output timing information indicating the timing at which the output information generated by the AP processing unit 35 is output by the user terminal 10 based on the acquired information indicating the reference time. This output timing information may be information indicating the time output from the output unit of the user terminal 10 (information specifying the output time), or a predetermined time from the reference time added to the output information. It may be information indicating that output is performed after the elapse of time (information indicating how much the output is delayed from a reference time (for example, generation time of the output information)). Then, the setting unit 40 adds the set output timing information in association with the output information generated by the AP processing unit 35, and outputs it to the transmission unit 37a.

  The transmission unit 37 a transmits the output information associated with the output timing information by the setting unit 40 to each of the user terminals 10. The user terminal 10 outputs the output information at an output timing based on the output timing information associated with the output information transmitted by the transmission unit 37a.

Next, an operation in which the timing at which the output information is output from the user terminal 10 is synchronized with the output timing set in the output information by the setting unit 40 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a timing diagram illustrating an example of synchronization of output timing of output information according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, as an example, each AP processing unit 35 is supported based on image information generated by a plurality of AP processing units 35 (AP processing unit 35-1, AP processing unit 35-2, and AP processing unit 35-3). An operation in which a plurality of user terminals 10 (user terminal 10-1, user terminal 10-2, and user terminal 10-3) display an image will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the AP processing unit 35-1 performs a predetermined calculation process from time t0 to time t1 based on instruction information transmitted from the user terminal 10 corresponding to itself. Next, the AP processing unit 35-1 generates moving image information based on the calculation result as output information from time t1 to time t2. Here, the output information includes output timing information that is set by the setting unit 40 and that indicates the timing at which the output information is output by the user terminal 10. As an example, the output timing information is information indicating that the timing output by the user terminal 10 is between time t7 and time t8. Next, the transmission unit 37a encodes the generated moving image information in a streaming format from time t2 to time t3. Next, the transmission unit 37a transmits the encoded moving image information to the user terminal 10-1 from time t3 to time t4. Next, the user terminal 10-1 receives the encoded moving image information from time t4 to time t5. Next, based on the output timing information included in the received moving image information, the user terminal 10-1 waits for display until reaching the timing for outputting the received moving image information. Specifically, the user terminal 10-1 waits for display from time t5 to time t7 based on output timing information indicating that the output timing is between time t7 and time t8. Next, the user terminal 10-1 displays an image (moving image) based on the received moving image information from time t7 to time t8.

  Similarly to the AP processing unit 35-1 and the user terminal 10-1, the AP processing unit 35-2 and the user terminal 10-2 are connected to the AP processing unit 35-3 and the user terminal 10 as shown in FIG. -3 generates an image (moving image) as shown in FIG. 6C and displays the generated image (moving image). Here, the output information generated by the AP processing unit 35-2 and the AP processing unit 35-3 also includes output timing information set by the setting unit 40 as the output timing from the time t7 to the time t8. . Thereby, both the user terminal 10-2 and the user terminal 10-3 display the image (moving image) based on the received moving image information from the time t7 to the time t8. Therefore, the user terminal 10-1, the user terminal 10-2, and the user terminal 10-3 all display images (moving images) based on the received moving image information from time t7 to time t8. In this way, the application system 1a of the present embodiment is a case where the AP processing unit 35-1, the AP processing unit 35-2, and the AP processing unit 35-3 generate images (moving images) at different times t. Even if it exists, an image (moving image) is displayed at the same timing in each user terminal 10. That is, the application system 1a of this embodiment synchronizes the timing at which output information is output in each user terminal 10. In addition, although each AP process part 35 operate | moved by the process timing which corresponded from the time t0 to the time t8 here, the case where the process timing by each AP process part 35 was synchronized (matched) was demonstrated. Not limited. For example, the timing at which the AP processing unit 35-1 starts processing for generating moving image information (for example, time t1) and the timing at which the AP processing unit 35-2 starts predetermined calculation processing do not match. May be. The timing (for example, time t7 to time t8) at which the images (moving images) generated by each AP processing unit 35 are displayed coincides with each other, thereby synchronizing the output timing of moving images and sounds for each user terminal 10. Can be made.

  As described above, the application system 1a according to the present embodiment includes the timer unit 39, the setting unit 40, and the transmission unit 37a. The timer unit 39 acquires information indicating the reference time. Further, the setting unit 40 outputs, based on the information indicating the reference time acquired from the time measuring unit 39, the output timing at which the AP processing unit 35 generates the output timing at which the information based on the output information is output from the output unit of the user terminal 10. Set to information. In addition, the transmission unit 37 a transmits the output information in which the setting unit 40 sets the output timing to each of the user terminals 10. Thereby, even if the communication time between the application server 30a and the user terminal 10 and the calculation time in the user terminal 10 are different for each user terminal 10, the application system 1a can output the video and audio output by the user terminal 10 to the user terminal. Every 10 can be synchronized. Therefore, the application system 1a provides a user with a game that is difficult to establish unless the output timing of the video and audio for each user terminal 10 is synchronized (for example, a music game that operates each user terminal 10 according to music). can do.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the structure same as each structure in 1st Embodiment mentioned above, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted. The application system 1b of the present embodiment is different from the above-described embodiments in that it includes a type determination unit 41 and a position determination unit 42.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the application system 1b according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The application system 1b includes a plurality of user terminals 10 (user terminal 10-1, user terminal 10-2, user terminal 10-3,...) And applications connected to the plurality of user terminals 10 via the network 5. And a server 30b.

  In addition to the storage unit 31, the identification unit 32, the reception unit 33, the transmission unit 37, and the synchronization unit 38, the application server 30b includes an application control unit 34b, a type determination unit 41, and a position determination unit 42. I have.

  The type determining unit 41 determines the type of the output unit based on the type information indicating the type of the output unit included in the user terminal 10. Specifically, the type determination unit 41 acquires type information from the user terminal 10 via the network 5 and the reception unit 33, and determines the type of the output unit included in the user terminal 10 based on the acquired type information. judge. Here, the type of output unit is, for example, the size of the display, the number of pixels, the number of speakers, or the maximum output value.

  The position determination unit 42 determines a relative position between output units included in the user terminals 10 included in the user terminal group G based on position information indicating the position of the output unit included in the user terminal 10. Specifically, the position determination unit 42 acquires the coordinates of the relative position where each user terminal 10 is installed, which is input by the user to each user terminal 10, and based on the acquired position information of each user terminal 10. The relative position between the user terminals 10 is determined.

  The application control unit 34 b generates a plurality of AP processing units 35 b corresponding to each of the user terminals 10. The AP processing unit 35b generates output information corresponding to the type of the output unit determined by the type determining unit 41. Specifically, for example, when the type determination unit 41 determines that the output unit of the user terminal 10 is a large display, the AP processing unit 35b compares the definition of the frame image output to the small display with Thus, a frame image with high definition is generated as output information. For example, when the type determination unit 41 determines that the output unit of the user terminal 10 is a high-quality speaker, the AP processing unit 35b compares the bit rate output to the low-quality speaker. Audio information having a high bit rate is generated as output information. Further, the AP processing unit 35b generates output information having contents corresponding to the relative positions between the output units determined by the position determining unit 42. Specifically, for example, when the output information is an image of a running road in a race game, the relative position between the output units determined by the position determination unit 42 indicates that three user terminals 10 are arranged side by side. Generates an image of the traveling road divided into three horizontal screens as output information.

  As described above, the application system 1b of this embodiment includes the type determination unit 41 and the AP processing unit 35b that generates output information corresponding to the type of the output unit determined by the type determination unit 41. The type determining unit 41 determines the type of the output unit based on the type information indicating the type of the output unit included in the user terminal 10. In addition, the application system 1b includes a position determination unit 42 and an AP processing unit 35b that generates output information having contents corresponding to the relative positions between the output units determined by the position determination unit 42. This position determination part 42 determines the relative position between the output parts which the user terminal 10 contained in the user terminal group G has based on the positional information which shows the position of the output part which the user terminal 10 has.

  By having the type determination unit 41, the application system 1 b can change the content of the output information according to the type of the output unit that the user terminal 10 has. For example, when the user terminal 10 is a PC or the like and has a display unit including a large display, the application system 1b generates a moving image including detailed information as output information. Further, for example, when the user terminal 10 is a smartphone or the like and has a display unit including a small display, the application system 1b generates a moving image including simplified information as output information. Thus, since the application system 1b of this embodiment can change the content of the moving image displayed according to the kind of user terminal 10, while being able to widen the range of the production of a game, an image is too small. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of display problems such as difficulty in viewing.

  Moreover, by having the position determination part 42, the application system 1b can change the structure of the moving image to output according to the position of the output part which the user terminal 10 has. For example, when three display units of the user terminal 10 are installed side by side in the horizontal direction, the application system 1b generates, as output information, a moving image configured to display a panorama display for three horizontal screens. In addition, for example, when two display units of the user terminal 10 are installed side by side in the vertical direction, the application system 1b displays the surrounding scenery on the upper display unit and the driver's seat on the lower display unit. A video that displays each of the instruments is generated. Thus, since the application system 1b of this embodiment can change the content of the moving image displayed according to the kind of user terminal 10, the range of the production of a game can be expanded.

  The position determination unit 42 may determine the relative position between the output units included in the user terminals 10 included in the user terminal group G based on the position information acquired by the user terminal 10 by the user's operation. Specifically, the application system 1b specifies the position of the user terminal 10 by GPS (Global Positioning System). In this case, the position determination unit 42 acquires the position information of the user terminal 10 specified by the user terminal 10 by GPS from each user terminal 10 via the network 5 and the reception unit 33, and acquires each user terminal 10 acquired. Based on the position information, the relative positions between the user terminals 10 are determined. Thereby, the application system 1b can automatically acquire the position information of the user terminal 10 without the user inputting the position information of the user terminal 10. The application system 1b may specify the position of the user terminal 10 using a position sensor. Even if comprised in this way, the application system 1b can acquire the positional information on the user terminal 10 automatically, without a user inputting the positional information on the user terminal 10. FIG.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the structure same as each structure in 1st Embodiment mentioned above, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted. The application system 1c of the present embodiment is different from the above-described embodiments in that it includes a server setting unit 43 (setting unit).

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an application system 1c according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The application system 1 c includes a plurality of user terminals 10 (user terminal 10-1, user terminal 10-2, user terminal 10-3,...) And a plurality of user terminals 10 connected via a network 5. Application server 30c. Hereinafter, an example in which the application system 1c includes the application server 30c-1 and the application server 30c-2 will be described.

  The application server 30c-1 includes an application control unit 34c-1 and a server setting unit 43 in addition to the storage unit 31, the identification unit 32, the reception unit 33, the transmission unit 37, and the synchronization unit 38. ing. The application server 30c-2 includes an application control unit 34c-2.

  The server setting unit 43 sets the number of application servers 30c that process the instruction information based on the number of user terminals 10 that transmit the instruction information and information indicating the processing capability of each application server 30c. Specifically, the server setting unit 43 first acquires an upper limit value that is preset in each application server 30c and that is the upper limit value of the number of AP processing units 35c that can be generated in each application server 30c. Next, the server setting unit 43 acquires the number of user terminals 10 with which the receiving unit 33 is communicating via the network 5 from the receiving unit 33. Next, when the number of acquired user terminals 10 in communication increases, the server setting unit 43 determines whether or not the upper limit value set in the application server 30c-1 is exceeded. When determining that the upper limit value is not exceeded, the server setting unit 43 causes the application control unit 34c-1 of the application server 30c-1 to generate the AP processing unit 35c. On the other hand, when determining that the upper limit value is exceeded, the server setting unit 43 causes the application control unit 34c-2 of the application server 30c-2 to generate the AP processing unit 35c-2-1.

  The application control unit 34c-1 can generate at least one application (AP) processing unit 35c-1, and processes instruction information transmitted from the user terminal 10 by the AP processing unit 35c-1. Similarly, the application control unit 34c-2 can generate at least one AP processing unit 35c-2, and processes the instruction information transmitted from the user terminal 10 by the AP processing unit 35c-2. The configurations of the AP processing unit 35c-1 and the AP processing unit 35c-2 are the same as those of the AP processing unit 35.

  As described above, the application system 1 c according to this embodiment includes the server setting unit 43. The server setting unit 43 sets the number of application servers 30c that process the instruction information based on the number of user terminals 10 that transmit the instruction information and information indicating the processing capability of each application server 30c. Thereby, since the application system 1c can distribute the processing load to the plurality of application servers 30c, even when the number of user terminals 10 increases, processing delay or processing stop due to an increase in processing load The frequency of occurrence of problems can be reduced.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the structure same as each structure in each embodiment mentioned above, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an application system 1d according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In each embodiment mentioned above, although the application server 30 (or application server 30a-30c) showed the example provided with each structure of the transmission part 37 from the memory | storage part 31, the application system 1 (or application system 1a ~) is shown. Each configuration included in 1c) depends on a cloud environment, a network environment, the scale of the number of users, the number of hardware prepared to configure the application system 1 (or application systems 1a to 1c), specifications, etc. It can be distributed or aggregated in any number of computer devices. The application system 1d of the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the application system 1, but as an application server 30d (application control system), a storage server 131, an identification server 132, a reception server 133, and a plurality of application control servers 134 (application control server 134-1, application control server 134-2,...), Transmission server 137, and synchronization server 138. In the present embodiment, the application server 30d is an example of an application management apparatus.

  The storage server 131 has the same configuration as the storage unit 31 in the first embodiment. The reception server 133 has the same configuration as that of the reception unit 33 in the first embodiment. The application control server 134 has the same configuration as that of the application control unit 34 in the first embodiment. The transmission server 137 has the same configuration as the transmission unit 37 in the first embodiment. The synchronization server 138 has the same configuration as that of the synchronization unit 38 in the first embodiment. Even with such a configuration, an application similar to that of the first embodiment described above can be provided. In addition, you may provide the setting server of the structure similar to the setting part 40 in 2nd Embodiment, the determination server provided with the kind determination part 41 in 3rd Embodiment, and the position determination part 42, etc. By doing so, it is possible to provide applications similar to those in the second embodiment and the third embodiment, respectively.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the specific structure is not restricted to that embodiment, The design of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, etc. are included. Each embodiment may be implemented by combining the above-described embodiments.

  In the above-described embodiment, the terminal group ID and the user ID are handled separately, but the user ID may be used as the terminal group ID.

Note that the method of associating the terminal group ID and the terminal ID is not limited to the method described in the first embodiment, and for example, the following methods (1) to (3) can be employed.
(1) In the above embodiment, the user ID and the terminal ID are acquired from the user terminal 20, but in addition to this, an application ID that identifies an application that makes a login request is acquired, and the application ID and the user ID The terminal group ID may be specified or assigned based on the above. In this case, the storage unit 31 (or the storage server 131) stores an application ID in association with the terminal group ID, terminal ID, and AP processing unit ID. With this configuration, when the application to be activated is different, the user can receive provision of the application service with a different combination of terminals.
(2) A screen that allows the user to operate the relationship between the terminal and the group separately from the application that makes the login request or within the application is allocated, and the specific terminal is allocated to the specific terminal group by the user's operation. Or a specific terminal can be deleted from a specific terminal group, or a new terminal group can be created. The information operated on this screen is transmitted to a device that manages the relationship between the terminal such as an application server and the terminal group, and is stored in the storage unit (or storage server). With this configuration, it is possible to freely combine terminals used in a specific application, and it is possible to create a plurality of terminal groups even in the same application, thereby improving user convenience. .
(3) In the above embodiment, the terminal group ID is created in response to the login request. However, after the user logs out, the terminal group ID and the terminal ID information associated therewith remain and the login flag is set. It is good also as a structure which memorize | stores AP process part ID which specifies the corresponding AP process part while turning ON the login flag about the terminal ID when a login request | requirement is performed from a user.

  The units included in the application server 30 (or the application servers 30a to 30d) may be realized by downloading a program for realizing the function of each unit from another device. The function may be realized by a program included in the apparatus.

  Note that the user terminal 10 in each of the above embodiments may be realized by downloading a program for realizing the function of each unit of the user terminal 10 from another device. The function may be realized by a program included in the apparatus.

  In addition, each part with which this application server 30 (or application server 30a-30d) is provided may be implement | achieved by exclusive hardware, and each part with which this server apparatus is provided is memory and CPU (central processing unit). Device), and a program for realizing the function of each unit included in the application server 30 (or the application servers 30a to 30d) may be loaded into a memory and executed to realize the function. .

  Further, a program for realizing the function of each unit included in the application server 30 (or the application servers 30a to 30d) is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into a computer system. In other words, processing by each unit included in the server device may be performed by executing the processing. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.

The “computer system” includes a function of providing information in the form of a so-called web page written in a markup language and a function of displaying the information on a browser.
The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Furthermore, the “computer-readable recording medium” dynamically holds a program for a short time like a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In this case, a volatile memory in a computer system serving as a server or a client in that case, and a program that holds a program for a certain period of time are also included. The program may be a program for realizing a part of the functions described above, and may be a program capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d ... Application system, 5 ... Network, 10 ... User terminal, 30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d ... Application server (server apparatus), 31 ... Memory | storage part, 32 ... Identification part, 33 ... Receiving part 34 ... Application control part 35 ... Application processing part 37 ... Transmitting part 38 ... Synchronizing part 39 ... Time measuring part 40 ... Setting part 41 ... Type determining part 42 ... Position determining part 43 ... Server setting unit 131 ... Storage server 132 ... Identification server 133 ... Reception server 134 ... Application control server 135 ... AP processing unit 137 ... Transmission server 138 ... Synchronization server

Claims (10)

An identification unit that identifies a specific user terminal group from other user terminal groups based on identification information that identifies the user from among one or more user terminals that are used by the user,
For each of the user terminals that performs predetermined calculation processing based on instruction information transmitted from each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group identified by the identification unit, and generates output information based on the calculation result A plurality of corresponding application processing units,
A transmission unit that transmits the output information generated according to each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group by the plurality of application processing units to each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group;
An application management apparatus comprising: A type determination unit that determines the type of the output unit based on type information indicating the type of the output unit of the user terminal;
The application processing unit
The application management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein output information corresponding to the type of the output unit determined by the type determination unit is generated. A position determination unit that determines a relative position between the output units included in the user terminals included in the user terminal group based on position information indicating a position of an output unit included in the user terminal;
The application processing unit
The application management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein output information having content corresponding to a relative position between the output units determined by the position determination unit is generated. A plurality of server devices that have the application processing unit and process the instruction information transmitted from the user terminal by the application processing unit;
A setting unit configured to set the number of the server apparatuses that process the instruction information based on the number of the user terminals that transmit the instruction information and information indicating the processing capability of each of the server apparatuses. The application management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the application management apparatus is characterized in that: The position determination unit
The relative position between the output units of the user terminals included in the user terminal group is determined based on the position information acquired by the user terminal by the user operation. Application management device. The user terminal group includes a first user terminal and a second user terminal,
The application processing unit
In response to the instruction information being transmitted from the first user terminal, information of contents corresponding to the contents of the output information transmitted to the second user terminal is transmitted to the first user terminal. It generates as output information. The application management apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-5 characterized by the above-mentioned. The application processing unit
The application according to claim 6, wherein the output information transmitted to the second user terminal is changed and generated in response to the instruction information being transmitted from the first user terminal. Management device. A server apparatus comprising the application management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7;
A plurality of the user terminals;
An application management system comprising: An identification procedure for identifying a user terminal group that is a group of a plurality of user terminals used by the same user among the plurality of user terminals based on identification information for identifying a user who uses the user terminal;
Included in the user terminal group that performs predetermined calculation processing based on instruction information transmitted from each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group identified by the identification procedure, and generates output information based on the calculation result A plurality of application processing procedures corresponding to each of the user terminals,
A transmission procedure for transmitting the output information generated according to each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group by the plurality of application processing procedures to each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group;
An application management method comprising: On the computer,
An identification step for identifying a user terminal group that is a group of a plurality of user terminals used by the same user among a plurality of the user terminals based on identification information for identifying a user who uses the user terminal;
Included in the user terminal group that performs predetermined calculation processing based on instruction information transmitted from each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group identified in the identification step, and generates output information based on the calculation result A plurality of application processing steps corresponding to each of the user terminals,
Transmitting the output information generated according to each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group in the plurality of application processing steps to each of the user terminals included in the user terminal group; Application management program to let you.

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