JP2014186752A - Social network service system, image display method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image display device which allows efficient browsing of works by automatically grouping categories according to the number of accesses to posted works.SOLUTION: An image display device categorizes image data posted on an SNS server, and categories form a hierarchical structure. A first hierarchy has two major categories of natural objects C1 and artificial objects C2, and a second hierarchy includes subordinate concepts such as persons C10, animals C11, landscapes C12 and flowers C13. According to the number of accesses to works by users, works having an especially large number of accesses are categorized in such a way as vehicle/vessel/aircraft selections C11S, landscape selections C12S, .... Therefore, a list of categorized works can be displayed while suitably increasing or decreasing the number of categories according to the popularity of works among users, allowing the users to browse works more efficiently.

Description

  The present invention relates to a network system, a social network service system, an image display method, and a program that display an image posted by a user in an easy-to-view manner according to the access status of the user.

In recent years, membership-based communication services (social network services, hereinafter referred to as SNS) have become widespread. The SNS system is generally configured in a semi-lattice structure, and is a network in which a set of predetermined units called actors is used as a node and an edge that is a relationship between the nodes is constructed. A technique for automatically grouping actors according to keywords has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In such an SNS, members often show photographs stored on a server via a network (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Hereinafter, when a user uploads a photo to a server and then publishes the photo as it is or image-processed on the Internet, it is called a “work”.
Furthermore, a technique for evaluating a work posted on the net has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3). According to the technique described in Patent Document 2, it is possible to quickly and easily perform exchange of works between users and evaluation of the works.
However, when a large number of users submit a large number of works to the server, the number of works that can be displayed at one time is limited, and the viewability of these works deteriorates.

  Therefore, it is possible to classify works into multiple categories to make it easier for users to access their desired works. Techniques for appropriately generating categories and organizing and integrating have also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 4).

JP 2006-99753 A JP 2008-242039 A JP 2009-181262 A JP 2007-264985 A

However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, keyword groups and names associated therewith are simply grouped in correspondence with each other. In the technique described in Patent Document 3, categories are simply set according to the number of works. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not always convenient for the user.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in SNS and the like, an SNS system and an image display for efficiently displaying works stored on a server via a network and categorizing them according to user interests. An object is to provide a method and a program.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is an uploading method for storing image data uploaded from the terminal in a network system for uploading image data from a plurality of user terminals to a server and publishing images between users. Image storage means, work storage means for storing a plurality of image data stored in the uploaded image storage means as works for release, and classification for classifying the plurality of works stored in the work storage means into a plurality of categories Means, display control means for displaying the plurality of works by category on the display device of the terminal, access means for selecting and accessing works from the terminal, and receiving the access from the terminal to determine the number of accesses Counting means for counting and works classified in the above categories The work is divided into a group of works whose counted number of accesses is equal to or more than a predetermined number and a group of other works, and one of the divided work groups is classified into another category different from the above category, There is provided a network system characterized by comprising category dividing means for integrating or deleting categories according to the number of works belonging to the category.
The invention described in claim 5 is a member-based social network service system that uploads image data from a plurality of member terminals to a server and publishes images among users who are members. Image data uploaded from the member terminals An upload image storage means for storing the image data, a work storage means for storing a plurality of image data stored in the upload image storage means as they are as a public work, or by performing image processing, and a plurality of pieces stored in the work storage means Classification means for classifying works into a plurality of categories, display control means for displaying a list of the plurality of works on the display device of the member terminal by category, and access means for selecting and accessing works from the member terminal; , The number of accesses Dividing into the above-mentioned group of works and other work groups, one of the divided work groups is classified into a different category different from the above-mentioned category, and according to the number of works belonging to each of the above-mentioned categories. And a category dividing means for integrating or deleting categories, and providing a membership-based social network service system.
The invention according to claim 7 is an image display method executed by a computer of the server of a network system that uploads image data from a plurality of user terminals to a server and publishes images between users, and is uploaded from the terminal A storage step of storing a plurality of image data as a public work as it is or image processing, a classification step of classifying the work into any of a plurality of categories, and display of the plurality of works by the category on the terminal A display step for displaying on the device, a counting step for receiving the access of the work from the terminal and counting the number of accesses, and a work classified in each category of the work whose counted access count is a predetermined number or more. Divide it into a group and a group of other works. A division step of classifying any one of the groups into a different category different from the category and integrating or deleting the categories according to the number of works belonging to each category. It is to provide.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the image data uploaded from the terminal can be used as a public work or the image data uploaded to the server computer for uploading the image data from a plurality of user terminals to the server and publishing the image among users A process for storing a plurality of works, a classification process for classifying the works into one of a plurality of categories, a process for displaying the plurality of works in a category on the display device of the terminal, and works from the terminals A process of receiving the access, a process of counting the number of accesses upon receiving the access, a work classified into each category, a group of works whose counted access number is a predetermined number or more, and other works And divide the group into one of the divided groups. With classified into different separate category, the there is provided a program characterized by realizing a process for integration or deletion of the categories according to the number of pieces that belong to each category, a.
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in a server in a network system that uploads image data from a plurality of user terminals to a server and publishes an image among users, an uploaded image storage unit that stores the image data uploaded from the terminal , Work storage means for storing a plurality of image data stored in the upload image storage means as works for release, and classification means for classifying the work stored in the work storage means into any of a plurality of categories, Display control means for displaying the plurality of works by category on the display device of the terminal, counting means for receiving the access from the terminal and counting the number of accesses, and works classified in each category, A group of works whose counted access count is greater than or equal to a predetermined number; It is divided into groups of other works, and one of the divided work groups is classified into a different category different from the above category, and the category is integrated or deleted according to the number of works belonging to each category. A server characterized by comprising category dividing means for performing the above.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to display a list of categorized works while appropriately increasing or decreasing the category according to the degree of popularity of the user with respect to the works, so that the user can efficiently view the works.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the network type | system | group of the SNS system in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the server which implement | achieves the SNS site in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the attribute information of the user ID in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the attribute information of image ID in this Embodiment. It is process drawing for showing the exchange of data between the terminal and the server in the present embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the server regarding the download of the image in this Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the concept classified into a category. It is a figure for demonstrating the state which grouped the category with many accesses in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process of categorization. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the category maintenance process in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the category check process in this Embodiment. The image of the display screen in the terminal in this Embodiment is shown.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network system of an SNS system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 10 denotes an SNS site including the server 11, which is connected to a plurality of user terminals via the Internet 500. The terminal may be a smartphone or a normal personal computer. The user has various members to be described later. 1-1 is a free member terminal, 1-2 is a paying member terminal, and 1-3 is a premium member terminal.

  The SNS site 10 has a work posting community 12 and image data uploaded from a user via the terminals 1-1, 1-2, 1-3... (Image data of a photograph taken mainly by a digital camera) ) And image processing such as conversion of uploaded image data into painting-like images, etc., and uploaded image data and image data after image processing are published as works 208 on the net, and other Can be viewed by the user. The work contribution community 12 conceptually shows what is actually developed on the server 11 of the SNS site 10. As will be described in detail later, the plurality of works 208 are classified into a plurality of categories C and also as a select layer CS.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of the configuration of the server 11 that realizes the SNS site 10. The server 11 is provided with a member area 100, a common area 200, and a control area 300.
The member area 100 is an area provided for each registered member, and has a user ID 102 for identifying the member and various attribute information 104 for each user correspondingly.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the attribute information 104 is a name 104A, a handle name 104B, a gender 104C, an age 104D, a region 104E, a member type 104F, and other user-specific information 104G. The membership type 104F includes a free member who has just registered for free, a paid member who has registered for a fee, and a premium member who has paid a special membership fee.

Reference numeral 106 denotes an upload image buffer area in which image data of a photograph uploaded by the user is stored, reference numeral 108 denotes a work buffer area in which painting-like images (works) converted into pictures on the SNS site 10 are stored, and reference numeral 110 denotes another user. This is the download work buffer area where you download and store your work.
The common area 200 is an area provided in common to all users, and includes a work area 202 in which a number of works obtained by converting an image uploaded by the user into a painting style are stored. The work area 202 is divided into a plurality of categories as will be described later.
Each work stored in the work area 202 stores an image ID 204 for identifying the work and attribute information 206 of the work together with image data 208.

As shown in FIG. 4, the attribute information 206 includes a user ID 206A indicating the contributor of the work, date information 206B such as a creation date or a posting date, image type information 206C such as the size of image data, the type of image tone, Browsing request number (access count) information 206D indicating the number of times the work has been viewed, download number information 206E indicating the number of times the work has been downloaded, point information 206F indicating the evaluation of the work, and what the work is related to For example, tag information 206G with tags such as person, nature, flower, morning glory,..., Category information 206H indicating to which category the work belongs, and other work-specific information 206I are stored.
The user ID 206A can identify the creator of the work, and can determine whether the creator is a free member, a paid member or a premium member. Further, the work can be classified into categories by the tag information 206G. In addition, it is possible to know in which category the work is classified by the category information 206H.

The control area 300 includes a painting conversion processing unit 302, a parameter table 304, a display control unit 308, an evaluation control unit 310, a member management unit 312, and a category classification unit 314.
The painting conversion processing unit 302 performs a painting conversion process for converting the image data stored in the upload image buffer area 106 into painting-like image data. The parameter table 304 stores parameters for picture conversion that the picture conversion processing unit 302 refers to in the picture conversion process. The display control unit 308 stores a control program for displaying works on the screen.
The evaluation control unit 310 evaluates the work stored in the work buffer area 106 of the member area 100 according to the number of accesses and gives points for each work. The member management unit 312 manages members based on the user ID and controls services for free members, paid members, and premium members. The member management unit 312 also manages the SNS function of the SNS site 10.

Further, the server 11 is provided with a CPU 20 and a display buffer 30. The CPU 20 controls the entire server 11 and performs various processes necessary for displaying a list of many works on the Internet. Further, the CPU 20 includes a graphic accelerator 22 for performing advanced graphic processing. With this graphic accelerator 22, it is possible to display images by category as will be described later only by specifying some conditions from the driver software. Note that the above-described driver software is, for example, a well-known open GL with high versatility and an extension library for using the open GL.
The display buffer 30 is a working memory for developing a display image when the CPU 20 displays a large number of works as a list.

Hereinafter, specific operations of the image display system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to flowcharts.
First, referring to FIG. 5, when uploading, displaying, browsing, and downloading images between the terminals 1-1, 1-2, 1-3,... And the server 11 of the SNS site 10. The process will be described.

When the user is a member (paid member or premium member), the user accesses the SNS site 10 from his / her terminal 1 (step SB1). The server 11 authenticates the user ID 102 by the user's login (step SC1). When the server 11 is confirmed to be a member, the server 11 transmits the member's page so that the member can view it (step SC2).
When the member opens his / her page, the member uploads an image (step SB2). The uploaded image is stored in the upload image buffer area 106 of the member area 100 of the server. When the member requests picture conversion of the image (step SB3), the server 11 performs a picture conversion process (step SC3), and the converted image, that is, the work is stored in the work buffer area 108.

  The member may enjoy the converted work as it is, but will post it if he / she wants to make it available to other users (step SB4). The submitted work is transferred from the work buffer area 108 in the member area 100 to the work area 202 in the common area 200 and stored. Note that the attribute information 206 as described in FIG. 4 is also added to the works in the work area 202. When a user submits a work, the user adds a tag such as a person, nature, a flower, a morning glory,. These tags are prepared in advance on the SNS site 10.

The works in the work area 202 are displayed as a list by the server 11 as necessary (step SC4).
The CPU 20 of the server 11 cooperates with the graphic accelerator 22 in accordance with the display control program of the display control unit 308 to create display data in the display buffer 30 so that it can be displayed on the member terminal or another user's terminal. When displaying the list, thumbnails are created by appropriately reducing the works in the work area 202. At this time, as shown in a display image in FIG. 12, a plurality of works are classified and displayed on the screen by category. As will be described later, FIG. 9 shows a state where a plurality of works are classified and stored as categories C1, C2, C12, C13,... Although a large number of works are actually stored, the display control unit 308 controls the display so that one screen can be displayed on the screen and sends it to the display buffer 30. , ... can be viewed.

FIG. 12 shows a display image of the display screen 400 of an arbitrary terminal (eg, 1-1). As shown in the figure, thumbnails of a plurality of works are displayed in categories such as natural systems, landscapes, flowers, artifacts, buildings, and vehicles. The display screen 400 is a touch panel, and the work can be selected by touching the thumbnail of the work. The selection is confirmed by double touch, a browsing request is issued (step SB5), and the main image of the selected work is displayed on the entire screen (step SC5).
Reference numeral 405 denotes a GOOD button, which is touched when a user likes the selected work, and GOOD points are added to the work.

  In the figure, 401 on the display screen 400 is a key for scrolling the display in the upper layer direction, and 402 is a key for scrolling in the lower layer direction. Reference numerals 403 and 404 are keys for scrolling the works in the horizontal direction in order to view different works within the same hierarchy. Therefore, if the first and second layers are displayed, the scroll keys 403 and 404 are operated to display other works in the categories of natural system, landscape, flower, artifact system, building, and vehicle. When the scroll key 402 is pressed, works of three layers and four layers are displayed. If the scroll key 401 is pressed, works in the second hierarchy, the first hierarchy, and the upper hierarchy are displayed. These are ingenuity due to the fact that many works cannot be displayed on one screen, and other display modes may be used.

As described above, by requesting browsing from the terminal (step SB5), it is possible to browse the main image of any work displayed in a list. When there is a viewing request, the server 11 displays the main image of the requested work (step SC5) and adds points to the work that has been requested to be browsed (step SC6).
Further, the member can press the GOOD button 405 indicating that he likes the viewed work (step SB6). When the GOOD button is pressed, the server adds points of attribute information of the viewed work (step SC6). This increases the evaluation of the work.
Further, the member can request download of the viewed work (step SB7). When a download request is received from the member, the server 11 permits the download as necessary (step SC7), and the member can download the viewed work only when the download is permitted (step SB8). The downloaded work is stored in the download work buffer 110 in the member area 100.
The server 11 also adds points to the work even when there is a download request (step SC8).

On the other hand, a user other than the member, that is, a free member, browses the works stored in the work area 202 of the common area 200 in a list by accessing the SNS site 10 as appropriate (step SA1). Can do. Furthermore, the free member can also browse the main image of any work displayed in a list by requesting browsing (step SA2).
Then, when the work viewed by the free member likes the GOOD button (step SA3), the server 11 also adds points to the viewed work (step SC6).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing related to download in the server 11. 6 is performed by the CPU 20, the evaluation control unit 310, and the member management unit 312 of the server 11.
In the server 11, when a work to be downloaded is designated by a normal paid member or premium member (step SC201), the member management unit 312 determines whether the user is a paid member or a premium member (step SC202). If it is a premium member, the process immediately proceeds to step SC207 described later.
On the other hand, in the case of a paid member who is not a premium member, the points corresponding to the evaluation of the work are read from the attribute information 206 of the corresponding work (step SC203), and the points held from the attribute information of the member who is going to download at the same time Is read (step SC204).
Next, the payment point is calculated from the difference between the point (equivalent to the price) of the work and the point held by the member (step SC205), and if it is satisfied, the process proceeds to step SC207, but is insufficient. Since the work cannot be downloaded, the process returns to step SC201 to allow the user to select another work.

In the server 11, when the work can be downloaded, the CPU 20 reads the work designated by the user from the work buffer area 108 of another user who is the creator of the work (step SC207), and the evaluation control unit 310 adds points to the creator of the work and the work (step SC208). In other words, for regular paid members or premium members, the evaluation of the work increases as more of their work is downloaded, and points are also added to the point area of the attribute information of the user ID of the member who is the author, and the member possesses It is a mechanism to increase points.
Thereafter, in the server 11, the CPU 20 performs a town load process for storing the work read in step SC207 in the download work buffer 110 of the user who requested the download (step SC209).

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the concept of category classification. This category classification is executed by the flowchart of FIG.
The category C is configured in a hierarchical state as indicated by Ch. For example, the category C is classified into a natural system C1, an artificial system C2,. The natural system C1 is classified into a person C10, an animal C11, a landscape C12, a flower C13,... In the hierarchy 2, and when attention is paid to the flower C13, it is classified into a sunflower C131, a rose C132, a morning glory C133,. Is done.
Further, when paying attention to the morning glory C133, it is classified into red C1311, blue C1312, yellow C1313,.
Similarly, the animal C11 is a dog C111, a cat C112,..., The artifact system C2 is a building C21, a vehicle C22, a bridge C23, a tower C24,..., And the vehicle C22 is a train C221, a car C222, a motorcycle C223, It is classified as. This is just an example, and it may be classified into more layers and categories.

The number Cmax shown on the right of the first to sixth layers indicates the maximum number of works that can be classified into the category, and Cmin indicates the minimum number.
These categories are prepared in advance together with tag information, and are identified by tags. That is, when a user submits a work to the SNS site 10, the user himself selects a tag. For example, when posting a picture of a blue morning glory, the tags of natural system, flowers, morning glory, and blue are checked. It is also possible for the user himself to attach a new tag that is not prepared in the SNS site 10. For example, a tag that comes up such as summer or morning may be added. When a tag of a lower hierarchy is attached, the SNS site 10 automatically gives a tag of an upper hierarchy to the work. Tag information for the work is attached to 206G.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a state in which categories having a large number of accesses in the present embodiment are checked and grouped to generate a category select CS. This category check is executed according to the flowchart of FIG. Although the concept of categorization is shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, a category select CS is generated according to the number of accesses from two layers of categories.

  For example, works that are classified into the category animal C11 are sequentially checked, and works whose access number is a predetermined number or more (for example, 100 accesses / day or more) are grouped into one group and classified into the category animal select C11S. Similarly, a category view selection C12S is generated from the category view C12, a category flower select C13S from the category flower C13, a category building select C21S from the category building C21, and a category C22S from the category vehicle C22. In category person C10, category bridge C23, and category tower C24, category select CS is not generated because there is no work accessed more than a predetermined number. For the sake of convenience, the category selection CS of the two layers of the category natural system C1 is called a natural category selection C1S, and the category selection CS of the two layers of the category artifact C2 is called C2S. Moreover, the horizontal hierarchy of the category select CS is called a select layer, and the same code CS is given for convenience.

  Note that the category select CS is generated from the category of two layers, but this is an example, and the category select CS may be generated from three layers or four layers. Further, the “predetermined number of accesses” may be changed for each layer, or the “predetermined number of accesses” may be changed according to the number of works classified in the category. For example, it is conceivable that among the works classified in the category, works with the top 10% of accesses are transferred to the category select CS.

Also, the number of accesses is checked in units of categories, not in units of works. For example, if the total number of accesses of category morning glory C133 in FIG. 7 is larger than the total number of accesses of other categories in the same hierarchy, sunflower C131 and rose C132, category morning glory C133 may be a category select CS.
In FIG. 8, the category selection CS of one layer is combined into a natural category selection C1S and an artifact category selection C2S. This is a device for making the display easier to see. The program is executed by a program stored in the display control unit 308.
The category configuration shown in FIG. 7 and the category configuration shown in FIG. 8 are not contradictory, FIG. 7 shows the concept of categorization, and FIG. 8 shows the present embodiment. The general SNS semi-lattice structure allows overlapping between groups.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart for explaining the categorization process. The CPU 20 executes this process according to the program stored in the category classification unit 314.
First, a work submission is received (step S102). This corresponds to step SB4 in FIG.
Subsequently, the category of the posted work is identified (step S104). That is, it identifies where the work falls into the category shown in FIG. And it classify | categorizes into each category memory | storage area C1, C2, ... as shown in FIG. 9 of the work area 202 (step S106). The category names C1, C2,... And the category storage areas C1, C2,. As described above, the storage area may not be physically separated.

Further, information on which category is classified is recorded as category information 206H (step S108). Note that the identification method here identifies the tag information if the user himself / herself has tagged the category with the work (206G in FIG. 4). Moreover, you may identify by image recognition. Various methods for recognizing a subject by image recognition from image data have been developed. Recognizing “blue morning glory” is possible. Since the image recognition method itself is not the gist of the present invention, it is omitted.
The “blue morning glory” is only up to 3 levels at present, and if the 4th level does not exist yet, the work is classified as a category morning glory (C133 in FIG. 7).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the category maintenance process. The CPU 20 executes this process according to the program stored in the category classification unit 314.
For example, the category maintenance process is periodically performed once a day or once a week.
First, existing categories are checked in order (step S202). Then, the number N of works classified in the category is detected (step S204). If the number N of works is equal to or less than Cmax, the process proceeds to step S206. In step S206, it is determined whether the number N of works classified in the category is zero. Since the user can delete or publish the work he has posted, the number of works may decrease. If it is zero, the category is deleted (step S207). Then, the process proceeds to step S213.

  If the number N of works is Cmin <N <Cmax in step S204, the process proceeds to step S213 without doing anything. In step S213, the category into which the work is classified may be changed by category deletion in step S207, category integration in step S212, which will be described later, category division in step S216, or the like, and is a feature of the present embodiment. Since the category select CS may be generated in step S202, the category information 206H of each work is updated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S206 that the number N of works classified in that category is not zero, the number N of works already classified in that category is determined to be Cmin or less in step S204. The category is integrated (step S212). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S213, where the category information 206H is updated, and it is determined in step S214 whether all the category checks have been completed. If not completed, the process proceeds to the next category (step S220). If completed, the flow becomes END.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S204 that the number N of works classified into the category is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, that is, the number of works equal to or greater than the maximum number of each layer indicated by Cmax in FIG. In step S216, category division processing is performed.

Next, details of step S216 for performing category division in FIG. 10 will be described. This processing is also executed by the CPU 20 in accordance with the program stored in the category classification unit 314.
For the category specified in step S202 of FIG. 10, it is determined that the number N of works classified in that category in step S204 is a predetermined number, that is, the maximum number Cmax of works that can be classified in that category. For example, in the case of category flower C13, the number N of works exceeds 500, and in the case of category morning glory, the number of works N exceeds 250. Therefore, this category is divided to generate a category one level below.

  As a specific method, a number of categories configured in advance in a tree shape are prepared. These categories are initially empty and invisible to the user, but once the work is classified, the categories are generated and visible. For example, a category structure partially shown in FIG. 7 is prepared from the beginning. That is, the category itself is prepared such that the first layer is natural C1, the second layer is a flower C13, the third layer is a morning glory C133, the fourth layer is a red C131,... It has become. And if the number N of works classified into the category flower C13 exceeds 500, the tags attached to those works are classified and distributed to the sunflower C131, rose C132, morning glory C133. However, not only the maximum number Cmax but also the minimum number Cmin of works that can be classified into the category is set for each category. If the minimum number Cmin is reached, a new category is generated. Stay on.

For example, in category flower C13, if there are 50 or more works that can be classified into category morning glory C133, which is Cmin, category morning glory C133 is generated as a new category. If the number of works that can be classified as sunflowers is less than 50, currently the works of sunflowers are still classified in the category flower C13. Similarly, if there are 50 or more works classified as roses, a category rose C132 is generated.
Similarly, if the work classified into the category morning glory C133 exceeds Cmax of 250 in 3 layers, it is divided into 4 layers of category red C1311, blue C1312, and yellow C1313, but the number of works N is 4 layers. Those that are less than the minimum number Cmin of 20 remain in the category morning glory C133. If there are 25 works for red, 50 for blue, and 8 works for yellow, category red C1311 and blue C1312 are newly generated, and category yellow C1313 is not generated at this time.

Next, details of step S212 for performing category integration in FIG. 10 will be described. This processing is also executed by the CPU 20 in accordance with the program stored in the category classification unit 314.
Since the number N of works changes every day due to user submissions and deletions, the number of works classified into categories may be reduced. For the category specified in step S202 in FIG. 10, it is determined in step S204 that the number N of works classified into that category is a predetermined number, that is, the minimum number Cmin of works that can be classified into that category. Moreover, it is determined in step S208 that the number of accesses is less than or equal to a predetermined number, and in step S210 that the points are also less than or equal to a predetermined value.
For example, in the case of category flower C13, the number of works N is 100 or less, and in the case of category morning glory C133, the number of works N is 50 or less. Therefore, this category is integrated with other categories and absorbed into a category one level higher.

Specifically, it is assumed that the number N of works classified into the category red C1311 located in the lower hierarchy of the category morning glory C133 has become 19. Then, since Cmin is 20 or less, it is integrated into category morning glory C133, which is an upper layer. At this time, if the number N of works classified into the category blue C1312 of the parallel hierarchy is 20 or more, C1312 is maintained. Similarly, if category yellow C1313 in the parallel hierarchy is 20 or less, it is integrated with category red C1311 and absorbed by category morning glory C133 in the upper hierarchy.
As described above, the category of works can be adaptively changed according to evaluation information such as the number of works, the number of accesses, and points.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of the category check (step S202) in FIG. This processing is also executed by the CPU 20 in accordance with the program stored in the category classification unit 314.
First, the number of accesses of works classified in the category is checked (step S302). Here, if the number of accesses is a predetermined number or more, for example, 100 accesses / day, the process proceeds to step S306. If there is no category select CS yet, a new category select CS is generated as shown in FIG. In step S308, the work is classified into the category select CS (step S310). If the category select CS has already been made, the process proceeds directly to step S310 to classify the work into the category select CS.
Then, it is determined whether or not all the works classified in the category have been checked (step S312). If in the middle, the process returns to step S302, and if completed, the process ends (step S314).
By such processing, the grouping shown in FIG. 8 can be realized.

  As a result, for example, a display screen as shown in FIG. 12 can be obtained on the display unit 400 of the terminal 1-1.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these, The invention described in the claim and its equal range are included.

[Explanation of terms]
The terminology in this embodiment will be explained.
In the present embodiment, when a user uploads image data such as a photograph to a server, and the image data is displayed as it is or processed on the network as “works”.
In the present embodiment, the number of accesses to a work is counted as one even if a user ID is accessed multiple times a day.
In the present embodiment, the number of works accessed includes the number of work browsing requests and the number of work downloads.
In the present embodiment, the number of accesses of a work is the number of accesses of one work, and the number of accesses of a category is the total or average of the numbers of accesses of all works included in the category.
In the present embodiment, the total number of accesses of works is the cumulative total or average within a predetermined period, such as one day, one week, or one month.
In the present embodiment, the work browsing request selects one work from a plurality of works whose thumbnails are listed on the screen and requests enlargement display (requests a thumbnail main image). That means.
In the present embodiment, the number of downloaded works refers to the number of downloaded main images of works selected and browsed.
In the present embodiment, the number of evaluations of a work refers to the number of times the user has pressed a prepared “GOOD button” for the work. However, one user ID is counted once even if the GOOD button is pressed several times a day.
In the present embodiment, the evaluation information of a work is a point that is added when a user accesses, requests browsing, downloads, or presses a GOOD button for a given work. Information indicating that the user is interested.
In this embodiment, the user and the member agree. Free members, paid members, and premium members are collectively referred to as users.
In the present embodiment, the thumbnail and the reduced image are the same, and the main image means a work or uploaded image data body. When the main image is displayed on the screen, the size is generally reduced, so that the work, the image, or the image data is simply displayed.
In the present embodiment, a category refers to a type classified as a whole according to a certain standard.

In the present embodiment, the category changing process is performed once a day or once a week, but may be performed every time a work is posted and classified.
In the present embodiment, the work is a picture-converted photograph uploaded by the user, but the original photograph may be used as it is, or may be subjected to image processing such as trimming or red-eye correction.
In this embodiment, the categories are classified as natural, artificial, human, animal, landscape, flower, sunflower, rose, morning glory, red, blue, yellow, etc., but are not limited to this. For example, the first layer may be classified by color, or may be classified by atmosphere (soft, hard, bright,...).

[Effect of the embodiment]
According to the present embodiment, the number of works to be classified is determined for each category hierarchy, and when the number of works exceeds that, the category hierarchy automatically increases, and conversely when the number decreases, the hierarchy becomes higher. Since there are few posts, there are few categories and the user can see the work easily.

The invention described in the claims of the present application will be added below.
[Claim 1]
In a social network service system that uploads image data from multiple user terminals to a server and publishes images between users,
Upload image storage means for storing image data uploaded from the terminal;
Work storage means for storing a plurality of image data stored in the upload image storage means as they are as public works or by image processing;
Classification means for classifying a plurality of works stored in the work storage means into a plurality of categories;
Display control means for displaying a list of the plurality of works according to the category on the display device of the terminal;
Browsing request means for selecting a work from the terminal and requesting browsing;
A determination means for receiving a browsing request from the terminal and counting the number of browsing requests and detecting whether a user ID is a member;
Transmission means for transmitting the work to the terminal according to the determination result of the determination means;
The works classified into each category are divided into a group of works whose number of browsing requests is a predetermined number or more and a group of other works, and one of the divided work groups is different from the category Categorizing means for classifying into different categories;
A social network service system characterized by comprising
[Claim 2]
The social network service system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing is painting-like conversion processing.
[Claim 3]
In an SNS image display method for uploading image data from a plurality of user terminals to a server and publishing an image between users,
A step of storing a plurality of image data uploaded from the terminal as a work for publication as it is or after image processing;
Classifying the plurality of works into a plurality of categories;
A step of displaying a list of the plurality of works on the display device of the terminal according to the category;
Receiving a work browsing request from the terminal;
Receiving the browsing request and counting the number of browsing requests;
The works classified into each category are divided into a group of works whose number of browsing requests is a predetermined number or more and a group of other works, and one of the divided work groups is different from the category Categorizing into another category;
An image display method comprising:
[Claim 4]
To the computer of the SNS server that uploads image data from multiple user terminals to the server and publishes images between users,
A process of storing a plurality of image data uploaded from the terminal as a work for release as it is or image processing,
A process of classifying the plurality of works into a plurality of categories;
Processing to display a list of the plurality of works on the display device of the terminal according to the category;
Processing to receive a work browsing request from the terminal;
A process of receiving the browsing request and counting the number of browsing requests;
The works classified into each category are divided into a group of works whose number of browsing requests is a predetermined number or more and a group of other works, and one of the divided work groups is different from the category A process to categorize into another category;
A program characterized by realizing.

1-1, 1-2, 1-3 terminal 10 SNS site 11 server 12 work contribution community 20 CPU
22 Graphic accelerator 30 Display buffer 100 Member area 102 User ID
104 Attribute information 104E Member type 106 Uploaded image buffer area 108 Work buffer area 110 Downloaded work buffer area 200 Common area 202 Work area 204 Image ID
206 Attribute information 206A User ID
206D Number of browsing requests (number of accesses)
206E Download count 206F Point information 206G Tag information 206H Category information 208 Image data (works)
300 Control Area 302 Painting Conversion Processing Unit 304 Parameter Table 308 Display Control Unit 310 Evaluation Control Unit 312 Member Management Unit 314 Category Classification Unit 400 Terminal Display Screen 401, 402 Scroll Keys Up and Down Hierarchical Direction 403, 404 Scroll key 405 GOOD button 500 Internet C, C1, C2, C11, C12, C13, C111, C112 ... Category Ch Category hierarchy Cmin Minimum number of works that can be classified into each category Cmax Category can be classified into each hierarchy Maximum number of works CS Category selection (select layer)

Claims (18)

In a network system that uploads image data from multiple user terminals to a server and publishes images between users,
Upload image storage means for storing image data uploaded from the terminal;
Work storage means for storing a plurality of image data stored in the upload image storage means as works for release,
Classification means for classifying a plurality of works stored in the work storage means into a plurality of categories;
Display control means for displaying the plurality of works by the category on the display device of the terminal;
Access means for selecting and accessing works from the terminal;
Counting means for receiving the access from the terminal and counting the number of accesses;
The works classified into each category are divided into a group of works whose counted access count is a predetermined number or more and a group of other works, and one of the divided works is defined as the category. Are grouped into different categories,
Category dividing means for integrating or deleting categories according to the number of works belonging to each category,
A network system characterized by comprising:   The network system according to claim 1, wherein the work storage unit stores the image data stored in the upload image storage unit as it is.   The network system according to claim 1, wherein the work storage unit stores the image data stored in the upload image storage unit after image processing. The category is hierarchized into a plurality of hierarchies,
The category dividing means includes
Extracting works having a predetermined number of accesses or more from each category of the plurality of hierarchies, and generating new categories (C1S, C2S) by grouping the works classified into the extracted plurality of hierarchies. The network system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. In a membership-based social network service system that uploads image data from multiple member terminals to a server and publishes images among users who are members,
Upload image storage means for storing image data uploaded from the member terminal;
Work storage means for storing a plurality of image data stored in the upload image storage means as they are as public works or by image processing;
Classification means for classifying a plurality of works stored in the work storage means into a plurality of categories;
Display control means for displaying a list of the plurality of works on the display device of the member terminal according to the category;
An access means for selecting and accessing a work from the member terminal;
Divide the works classified into each category into a group of works with a predetermined number of accesses or more and a group of other works, and one of the divided works is different from the above category. As well as categorizing
Category dividing means for integrating or deleting categories according to the number of works belonging to each category,
A membership-based social network service system characterized by The category is hierarchized into a plurality of hierarchies,
The category dividing means includes
Extracting works having a predetermined number of accesses or more from each category of the plurality of hierarchies, and generating new categories (C1S, C2S) by grouping the works classified into the extracted plurality of hierarchies. The membership social network service system according to claim 5. In an image display method executed by a computer of the server of a network system that uploads image data from a plurality of user terminals to a server and publishes an image between users,
A storage step of storing a plurality of image data uploaded from the terminal as it is as a public work or image processing,
A classification step of classifying the work into any of a plurality of categories;
A display step of displaying the plurality of works on the display device of the terminal according to the category;
A counting step of receiving the work access from the terminal and counting the number of accesses;
The works classified into each category are divided into a group of works whose counted access count is a predetermined number or more and a group of other works, and one of the divided works is defined as the category. Are grouped into different categories,
A dividing step of integrating or deleting categories according to the number of works belonging to each category or the number of works;
A method comprising the steps of:   The method according to claim 7, wherein the classification step is performed when the image data is uploaded.   The method according to claim 7, wherein the dividing step is performed at a predetermined maintenance timing.   10. The method according to claim 7, wherein in the dividing step, another category different from the category is created across a plurality of categories. The category is hierarchized into a plurality of hierarchies,
The dividing step includes
Extracting works having a predetermined number of accesses or more from each category of the plurality of hierarchies, and generating new categories (C1S, C2S) by grouping the works classified into the extracted plurality of hierarchies. 10. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that On the server computer that uploads image data from multiple user terminals to the server and publishes images between users,
A process of storing a plurality of image data uploaded from the terminal as a work for release as it is or image processing,
A classification process for classifying the work into one of a plurality of categories;
Processing to display a list of the plurality of works on the display device of the terminal according to the category;
A process of receiving work access from the terminal;
Receiving the access and counting the number of accesses;
The works classified into each category are divided into a group of works whose counted access count is a predetermined number or more and a group of other works, and one of the divided works is defined as the category. Are grouped into different categories,
Processing for integrating or deleting categories according to the number of works belonging to each category;
A program characterized by realizing. In a server in a network system that uploads image data from multiple user terminals to the server and publishes images between users,
Upload image storage means for storing image data uploaded from the terminal;
Work storage means for storing a plurality of image data stored in the upload image storage means as works for release,
Classification means for classifying the work stored in the work storage means into any of a plurality of categories;
Display control means for displaying the plurality of works by the category on the display device of the terminal;
Counting means for receiving the access from the terminal and counting the number of accesses;
The works classified into each category are divided into a group of works whose counted access count is a predetermined number or more and a group of other works, and one of the divided works is defined as the category. Are grouped into different categories,
Category dividing means for integrating or deleting categories according to the number of works belonging to each category,
A server characterized by comprising:   14. The server according to claim 13, wherein the work storage unit stores the image data stored in the upload image storage unit as it is or after image processing.   The server according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the category is hierarchized into a plurality of hierarchies, and a lower limit or an upper limit of the number of works classified in each hierarchy is determined.   15. The server according to claim 13, wherein another category different from the category is created across a plurality of categories. The category is hierarchized into a plurality of hierarchies,
The category dividing means includes
Extracting works having a predetermined number of accesses or more from each category of the plurality of hierarchies, and generating new categories (C1S, C2S) by grouping the works classified into the extracted plurality of hierarchies. The server according to claim 13.   The category dividing means classifies works whose number of accesses counted by the counting means is a predetermined number of times or more among works classified into a plurality of categories in the same hierarchy into the different category. The server according to any one of claims 13 to 15.

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