KR20130099430A - Apparatus and method of managing game screenshot based on exif meta-data - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An apparatus and a method of managing game screenshots based on exchangeable information file (EXIF) metadata are provided to allow a game user to capture a game screen when playing an online game and easily post the captured image on a social network service together with contextual information of the online game. CONSTITUTION: An online game execution unit (110) connects to an online game server through a network and executes an online game. A screenshot generation unit (120) generates a screenshot image file by capturing a screen of the online game running by the online game execution unit. A metadata generation unit (130) generates metadata by acquiring contextual information of the online game at the time when the screenshot was generated, from the online game execution unit. The screenshot generation unit saves the generated metadata or a unique key corresponding to the generated metadata in the EXIF header of the generated screenshot image file. [Reference numerals] (100) Game screenshot managing device using EXIF metadata; (110) Online game execution unit; (120) Screenshot generation unit; (130) Metadata generation unit; (140) File transmitting unit; (150) Browser

Description

[0001] APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANAGING GAME SCREENSHOT BASED ON EXIF META-DATA [0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an online game technology, and more particularly, to a method for creating and communicating content related to an online game among users in a community established through a web or a social network service.

Over the past decade or so of online gaming, network infrastructure has become widespread worldwide, and computer hardware technology has also grown tremendously.

As a result, massively multiplayer online games have grown in quality as well as quality. Among them, Massively Multiplayer Online-game (MMO), which boasts thousands and tens of thousands of concurrent users, is the sum total of online games.

The online game environment is also rapidly changing due to changes in the Internet environment, such as the emergence of Web 2.0 and social network services. In the case of MMO, gamers are now more interested in collaborative play within the game, actively communicating with the Internet community associated with the game, or recruiting party members for collaborative play, .

However, since the online game played through the online game client software and the web bulletin board or the social network service accessed through the web browser or the smart phone are separated from each other, the gamer ends the online game, Or there is somewhat inconvenience in producing related contents.

Accordingly, in the recent online game industry, studies for linking an online game with a web environment or a social network outside the game are underway.

On the other hand, if we look at the communication between gamers from outside the online game, we will talk about what achievements are achieved in the online game and what kind of play they have played. In addition, Include a screenshot in posting posts.

However, in this case, the process of creating a posting form by reminding the gamer of the captured screen shot every time the player captures the screen shot when the screen shot is playing in which position of the game Because it requires a lot of effort, it hinders the activation of communication between gamers in the space outside the game.

Therefore, it is necessary to manage game screen shots more easily in case of posting postings outside the game, and to make it easy to recall the online game play contents at the time of generating the screen shots and make them available when creating posts Do.

[Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2009-0085195 "Thumbnail Image Generation Method and Apparatus" [Patent Document 2] Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 10-2006-0062680 "Medical Data Conversion Method Using Exchange Image File Format &

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem [8] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for capturing a play screen of an online game in the form of a screen shot, The present invention aims to provide a game screen shot management apparatus and method using EXIF metadata that enables easy identification and use of information about a corresponding screen shot when using the screen shot of EXIF metadata.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and system for storing EXIF metadata in which an image of an online game in which information related to game contents is stored in an EXIF header is stored in an external server, And a method for managing the game screen shot using the same.

Another object of the present invention is to solve a story about game play contents easily by using the metadata stored in the EXIF header of the screen shot at the time of including a screen shot stored in a local or external server when creating a post on a web or a social network And to provide a game screen shot management device using the EXIF metadata that enables the user to create and output content.

In order to achieve the above object, an apparatus for managing a game screen shot using EXIF metadata according to the present invention comprises an online game executing means for accessing an online game server through a network to execute an online game;

Screen shot generating means for generating a screen shot image file by capturing an online game screen being executed by the online game executing means;

And metadata generating means for acquiring online game situation information at a time of generating a screen shot from the online game executing means and generating metadata,

Wherein the screen shot generating means stores the generated metadata in an EXIF (EXchangeable Information File) header of the generated screen shot image file or stores a unique key corresponding to the generated metadata.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for managing a game screen shot using EXIF metadata, comprising the steps of: a) connecting a client to an online game server via a network to execute an online game;

120) a step 120 of generating a screen shot image file by capturing an online game screen on which a client is running according to a user's operation;

130 is a step 130 in which the client generates meta data by constructing the online game situation information at the time of creating the screen shot into a predetermined data format and then stores the generated metadata in an EXIF (EXchangeable Information File) header of the generated screen shot image file;

140 is a step 140 of the client accessing the game image server through the network and transmitting a screen shot image file in which metadata is stored in the EXIF header;

A step 150 of the game image server storing the provided screen shot image file in the account of the client;

A step 160 in which the game image server provides screen shot image files stored in the account of the client according to a request from the client; And

And a step 170 of generating a web post by uploading the screen shot image file and the online game situation information provided by the client from the game image server to the file server according to the user's operation.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a method of managing a game screen shot using EXIF metadata according to this embodiment of the present invention includes a step 110 'of a client accessing an online game server through a network to execute an online game;

120 > a step 120 ' of creating a screen shot image file by capturing an on-line game screen running by a client according to a user's operation;

130] a step 130 'in which the client generates meta data by configuring the online game situation information at the time of creating the screen shot into a predetermined data format and then stores the metadata in the EXIF (EXchangeable Information File) header of the generated screen shot image file;

140. The method of claim 140, wherein the client stores locally the image file of the screen shot in which the metadata is stored in the EXIF header.

A 150 'step of the client generating the web post including the screen shot image file by uploading the selected screen shot image file to the file server by the user selecting any one of the locally stored screenshot image files;

A step 160 'of judging whether or not the online game situation information exists by parsing the EXIF header of the uploaded screen shot image file and providing the same to the game image server if it exists; And

And the game image server stores the provided screen shot image file in the account of the client.

In order to achieve the above object, a method of managing a game screen shot using EXIF metadata according to the third embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: 210) a client accessing an online game server through a network to execute an online game;

220) a step 220 of generating a screen shot image file by capturing an online game screen being executed by a client according to a user's operation;

The client generates meta data by constructing the online game situation information at the time of creating the screen shot into a predetermined data format, generates a unique key corresponding to the created meta data, and outputs the EXIFable information file ) ≪ / RTI >

A client accessing the game image server through a network, and transmitting the screen shot image file storing the unique key in the EXIF header and the metadata corresponding to the unique key;

A step 250 in which the game image server stores the provided screen shot image file and metadata;

A step 260 in which the game image server provides a pre-stored screen shot image file according to a request from a client;

A step 270 in which the client fetches the unique key of the EXIF header of the screen shot image file provided by the client from the game image server and requests metadata corresponding to the game key to the game image server according to the user's operation;

280) a step 280 of the game image server providing meta data corresponding to the high value key according to a request from a client; And

And a step 290 of generating a web post by uploading the online game situation information obtained by parsing the provided screen shot image file and metadata provided by the client from the game image server to the file server according to the user's operation .

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of managing a game screen shot using EXIF metadata, comprising the steps of: 210) connecting a client to an online game server via a network to execute an online game;

220) a step 220 of generating a screen shot image file by capturing an online game screen being executed by a client according to a user's operation;

The client generates meta data by constructing the online game situation information at the time of creating the screen shot into a predetermined data format, generates a unique key corresponding to the created meta data, and outputs the EXIFable information file ) ≪ / RTI >

240. The method of any one of claims 23 to 24, wherein the client stores locally the screen shot image file in which the unique key is stored in the EXIF header.

The client selects any one of the locally stored screenshot image files so that the client uploads the metadata corresponding to the selected image stored in the EXIF header of the selected screen shot image file and the selected screen shot image file to the file server, A step 250 'of generating a web post including a shot image file;

260] If the unique key is present in the EXIF header of the uploaded screen shot image file, the step 260 'of providing the screen shot image file and the metadata to the game image server is performed. And

And storing the screen shot image file and the metadata provided by the game image server.

According to the present invention, a gamer can simply capture a game screen when playing an online game and use it to post a post on a web or a social network service using a screen shot created by the gamer.

At this time, it is possible to use a locally stored screen shot, or to create a post by calling a screen shot separately stored in an external server. By using the metadata stored in the EXIF header of the screen shot, Can be easily included in the content of the post.

You can also easily check which screenshots were created during gameplay by checking the screenshots captured during play of the online game in the form of an album on the web.

In addition to storing the metadata in the screen shot instead of directly storing the unique key, if the metadata corresponding to the high-key is stored in a separate server space, the advantage of using the screen shot using the metadata can be utilized, Can be blocked.

1 is a reference diagram for explaining a connection relationship between a client, an online game server, a file server, and a game image server,
2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a game screen shot management apparatus using EXIF metadata according to the present invention,
3 is a reference diagram for explaining an example of a screen shot, game information, and meta data of an online game,
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a screen for explaining a screen shot of an online game in the form of an album on a web through a client.
5 is a diagram illustrating a screen image for selecting a screen shot stored in a local or external server to generate a post through a client,
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a game screen shot management method using EXIF metadata according to an embodiment of the present invention in a time-series manner,
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a game screen shot management method using EXIF metadata according to the embodiment of the present invention in a time-series manner,
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a game screen shot management method using EXIF metadata according to the third embodiment of the present invention in a time-series manner,
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a game screen shot management method using EXIF metadata according to the embodiment of the present invention in a time-series manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings. In order to clarify the present invention, contents which are not related to the configuration of the present invention will be omitted, and the same reference numerals are used for the same components.

On the other hand, when an element is referred to as being "comprising" another element in the description of the invention or in the claims, it is not interpreted as being limited to only that element, Elements may be further included.

Also, in the description of the invention or the claims, the components named as "means", "parts", "modules", "blocks" refer to units that process at least one function or operation, Each of which may be implemented by software or hardware, or a combination thereof.

1, the client 1 connects to the online game server 2, the file server 3 and the game image server 4 via the network, respectively.

The online game server 2 provides an online game service to a plurality of clients 1 connected via a network.

That is, the clients 1 concurrently connected to the online game server 2 can play an online game together. To this end, the online game server 2 provides the client software for executing the online game with each of the clients 1, and data on the in-game state of the other clients 1 playing the game together are stored in mutual real- to provide. The online game server 2 may be a known online game server or an online game server group.

On the other hand, the file server 3 uploads various files from the client 1 connected via the network and stores them. For example, the user can execute the browser installed in the client 1 and access the file server 3, post the post on the Internet bulletin board provided by the file server 3, and post the online game screen shot including the online game screen shot. To this end, when the user selects a desired screen shot, the client 1 uploads the selected screen shot to the file server 3, and the file server 3 stores it. The file server 3 may also be a known file server or a web server.

The game image server 4 receives a screen shot from the client 1 or the file server 3 and stores the screen shot in the account of the client 1 so that the client 1 can view the client 1 in the form of an album .

FIG. 4 illustrates a screen shot displayed in the form of an album from the game image server 4 on the client 1 screen.

4, several screen shots captured by the user of the client 1 during online game play are displayed on the screen of the client 1, and a description is provided for each of the screen shots.

The client 1 is an entity that performs interaction with the online game server 2, the file server 3 and the game image server 4 as described above. Preferably, the client 1 plays an online game through the online game server 2 An online game client software that can be executed, and a web browser for connecting to the file server 3 and the game image server 4.

The client 1 may assume the form of a personal computer, but may also be in the form of a notebook, a smartphone, a tablet, or the like.

2, the game screen shot management apparatus 100 using the EXIF metadata according to the present invention can be implemented in the client 1 as described above.

The game screen shot management apparatus 100 using the EXIF metadata includes an online game execution unit 110, a screen shot generation unit 120, a metadata generation unit 130, a data transmission / reception unit 140, Respectively.

The online game execution means 110 connects to the online game server 2 via a network to execute the online game. Corresponds to the functionality of a typical online game client software.

On the other hand, the screenshot generating means 120 captures the game play screen according to the user's operation during the execution of the online game to generate a screenshot image file.

The generated screen shot image file is stored in a file format that supports EXIF (EXchangeable Information File) such as JPG or TIFF.

On the other hand, the meta data generation unit 130 acquires the online game situation information at the time when the screen shot is generated as the screen shot is generated by the screen shot generation unit 120.

Specifically, the online game execution means 110 collects various information about the player character that can be confirmed in the online game such as the name, ID, race, level, mounting equipment and item of the player character displayed on the screen at the time of generating the screen shot .

At this time, it is possible to acquire the information of the player character of the user of the client 1, but it is also possible to collect information of the player character of another user.

Further, the user player character may further collect information on the name, other party, and the like of the party to which the user has joined in the online game.

On the other hand, if the screen shot is generated while playing the Named Mob during the online game play, the metadata generating means 130 can collect more information about the mob from the online game executing means 110. [ The information collected may include various information related to the mob that can be identified in online games such as the name, level, and attribute of the mob.

Game location information of the player character of the user.

The online game situation information collected by the metadata generating means 130 may include at least some or all of the information listed above.

The meta data generation means 130 generates meta data by collecting the online game situation information from the online game execution means 110 and then constructing the meta data into a predetermined data format.

FIG. 3 exemplarily shows a screen shot of an online game, online game situation information, and metadata.

Under the screen shot of the online game shown in FIG. 3, the online game situation information on the screen shot of the online game is "{Character ID: 1234, Character Name: Hong Kil Dong, Party Member: {{Class: Suho, : 4321}], location: lentus, mob name: Basardi} ".

That is, the metadata generation unit 130 generates the online game situation information collected from the online game execution unit 110 as shown in FIG. 4, and then generates the metadata by encrypting the online game situation information. Of course, since the information handled in each game differs, the data format can also be determined differently for each game.

At this time, it is preferable to configure it in the form of JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) and then encrypt it. By configuring it in JSON format, it is possible to represent data more easily when compared with XML, so that capacity can be reduced and parsing can be done quickly.

On the other hand, information stored in the actual screen shot of an image file to the cost as illustrated in Figure 3 it can be seen represented as "wek1h23jh4g1hg2h36gh12g3h1g41hg21j34h6k2j346h1234g1y2g1y23g4i12h6o1i6oi367joihiugiy12g3i4u1g2iou6g1ygo1iu4op1iuqpoiwurkl1h2kj3g4j1hf2h3g4fo1i2yp6io1h46h234569283yr089f7ysahf89whfijgh1i23gh4819287y48712g4i1u2g341uy2g34ou12341".

The metadata generating means 130 collects the online game situation information, changes the data to a predetermined data format, and then encrypts the metadata to generate metadata to be actually stored in the screen shot image file as described above.

When the metadata is generated as described above, the screen shot generating unit 120 may store the generated metadata in an EXIF (EXchangeable Information File) header of the generated screen shot image file.

On the other hand, by constructing the metadata in the JSON format, the size of the data stored in the EXIF header can be optimized, and rapid parsing becomes possible.

The screen shot generating unit 120 may generate the unique key using the metadata instead of directly storing the metadata in the EXIF header, and then store the unique key. In this case, the risk of personal information leakage, which may occur when storing the metadata in the screen shot itself, is eliminated.

If the online game situation information at the time of generating the corresponding screen shot is stored in the metadata format or the unique key is stored in the EXIF header of the screen shot image file, the game screen shot management apparatus using the EXIF metadata according to the present invention 100 may store the generated screen shot image file locally and update it, or may store it on an external server through a network.

To this end, the game screen shot management apparatus 100 using the EXIF metadata according to the present invention may further include data transmission / reception means 140 for transmitting the screen shot image file to the game image server 4 via the network .

The data transmitting and receiving means 140 transmits the screen shot image file itself when the metadata is stored in EXIF of the screen shot image file and the screen shot image file and the metadata when the unique key is stored in the EXIF of the screen shot image file, To the server (4).

At this time, the data transmission / reception means 140 may further transmit the user account identification information of the online game executed by the online game execution means 110 to the game image server 4.

As a result, the game image server 4 stores the screen shot image file in the user's account, and allows each user to view the screen shot images generated in the online game as if they are viewing the photo album can do.

FIG. 4 illustrates a screen shot of a user viewing the photo album through the game screen shot management device 100 using the EXIF metadata according to the present invention.

On the other hand, the screen shot image file generated as described above is stored in the local or external game image server 4, and then the user can use the game screen shot management apparatus 100 using the EXIF metadata according to the present invention, You can create and post posts (messages in the case of social network services) via bulletin boards or social network services.

To this end, the game screen shot management apparatus 100 using the EXIF metadata according to the present invention further includes a browser 150 for accessing a web page existing on the web through a network.

At this time, the user can include the screen shot image generated by himself / herself in the generated post.

5 is a screen exemplary view for explaining how a screen shot stored in a local or an external server is selected in order to generate a post through a client. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the user selects one of the locally stored screen shots Or a screen shot stored in the game image server 4, as shown in FIG.

In the case where one of the screen shots stored in the game image server 4 is to be included in the post, the user accesses the game image server 4 using the browser 150, Request a list of.

If the game image server 150 provides a list of screen shot image files, the browser 150 displays them on the screen. The list of screen shot image files may be provided, for example, in the form of a photo album, and the user selects one of them.

Accordingly, the browser 150 downloads the screen shot image file selected by the user from the game image server 4, and includes the downloaded screen shot image file in the post.

At this time, the browser 150 obtains the online game situation information by parsing the metadata stored in the EXIF header of the screen shot image file, displays the acquired online game situation information on the screen, Provides an editable user interface. Accordingly, the user can modify the online game situation information stored in the EXIF header.

Meanwhile, when a unique key is stored in the EXIF header of the screen shot image file, the browser 150 provides the unique key of the screen shot image file to the game image server 4 to receive the metadata corresponding to the unique key , And obtains the online game situation information by parsing it. Thereafter, a user interface for displaying the acquired online game situation information on the screen and editing the acquired online game situation information is provided.

Meanwhile, the browser 150 may further automatically insert the acquired online game situation information into the post. For example, by parsing the metadata, the user can know from which position in the online game which player character is hunting a mob with whom the party member is, and this content can be automatically inserted into the post in text form. Accordingly, the user can easily create a post by simply selecting a screen shot image file to be inserted into the post.

On the other hand, the user may include any one of the screen shots stored locally on the client 1 in the post as illustrated in FIG.

In this case, the user selects a locally stored screen shot image file using the browser 150, and the browser 150 includes the selected screen shot image file in the post.

At this time, the browser 150 obtains the online game situation information by parsing the meta data stored in the EXIF header of the screen shot image file or the metadata corresponding to the genuine keyword stored in the EXIF header, displays the online game situation information, The online game situation information can be edited, or the acquired online game situation information can be automatically inserted into the post in a text form.

Hereinafter, a game screen shot management method using the EXIF metadata according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. FIG.

The game screen shot management method using the EXIF metadata according to the present invention is a method of managing a game screen shot using the EXIF metadata as shown in FIG. 1, in which the client 1 is connected to the online game server 2, the file server 3 and the game image server 4 via a network And exchanges data with each other.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, a process of selecting one of the screen shots of the online game stored in the game image server 4 by the user and including the screen shot in the post is described.

6, first, the client 1 accesses the online game server 2 via the network and executes the online game (S110).

Meanwhile, the client 1 captures an online game screen that is being executed according to a user's operation, and generates a screen shot image file (S120). At this time, it is preferably created in a file format such as JPG or TIFF that supports EXIF (EXchangeable Information File).

As the screen shot image file is created, the client 1 acquires the online game situation information at the time of generating the screen shot and configures the information into the predetermined data format, thereby generating the metadata. Then, the EXIF In the header (S130).

Thereafter, the client 1 accesses the game image server 4 via the network, and transmits a screen shot image file in which the metadata is stored in the EXIF header (S140).

Accordingly, the game image server 4 stores the provided screen shot image file in the account of the client 1 (S150).

At this time, in order to identify the account of the client 1, the game image server 4 may be further provided with the account identification information from the client 1. At this time, the account identification information is the same as the identification information of the online game account .

On the other hand, the game image server 4 provided with the screen shot image file from the client 1 stores the screen shot image file for each client 1 account, and stores the metadata stored in the EXIF header of the screen shot image file The online game situation information describing the corresponding screen shot can be obtained by fetching and parsing. Then, it can be provided in the form of a photo album as shown in FIG. 4 by displaying it in text form for each screen shot.

That is, when the user accesses through the browser 150 installed in the client 1, screen shots generated at the online game play of the user are provided as shown in FIG. 4, and by parsing the metadata, Explanations can be provided.

In particular, the user can request a list of his or her screen shots to the game image server 4 in order to create a post on the web or on a social network service using the client 1. In this case, the game image server 4 May provide a screen shot list of the user in the form of a photo album as illustrated in FIG.

As the user selects one of them, the game image server 4 provides screen shot image files stored in the account of the client (S160).

In operation S170, the client 1 generates a web post by uploading the screen shot image file and the content of the post received from the game image server 4 to the file server 3 according to the user's operation.

At this time, the client 1 can acquire the online game situation information by parsing the metadata of the EXIF header of the screen shot image file, and can automatically insert it into the contents of the post in the form of text. In this case, the client 1 uploads the content of the automatically inserted post together with the screen shot image file to the file server 3, and the file server 3 stores it.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a game screen shot management method using EXIF metadata according to the embodiment of the present invention in a time-series manner.

FIG. 7 illustrates this embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, a process of selecting one of screen shots of an online game stored locally by a user and including the selected screenshot in a post will be described.

During the execution of the online game (S110), the client 1 captures the online game screen according to the user's operation to generate the screen shot image file (S130), and the online game situation information at the time of generating the screen shot is stored in the predetermined data Format, and stores it in the EXIF header of the screen shot image file (S130), and stores it locally (S140 ').

On the other hand, if the user selects any one of the locally stored screen shot image files to generate a post on the web or on a social network service after the online game is terminated, and inputs the contents of the post, A web post including the screen shot image file is generated by uploading the shot image file and the contents of the post to the file server 3 at step S150 '.

At this time, the client 1 may acquire the online game situation information by parsing the metadata stored in the EXIF header of the screen shot image file, and may automatically input it into the contents of the text type post.

On the other hand, the file server 3 determines whether the online game status information exists by parsing the EXIF header of the uploaded screenshot image file, and provides it to the game image server (S160 ') if it exists. In this case, in order to specify the account of the client 1, the account identification information may be received from the client 1 and provided together with the game image server 4.

Accordingly, the game image server 4 stores the provided screenshot image file in the account of the client 1 (S170 '). The screen shot image file thus stored may be provided to the client 1 in the form of a photo album as illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a game screen shot management method using EXIF metadata according to the third embodiment of the present invention in a time-series manner.

The present invention shown in FIG. 8 describes a process in which a user selects one of screen shots of an online game stored in the game image server 4 and includes it in a post. The third embodiment of the present invention stores the unique key corresponding to the metadata instead of directly storing the metadata in the EXIF header of the generated screen shot.

8, first, the client 1 accesses the online game server 2 via the network and executes an online game (S210). During execution of the online game, the user selects the screen shot generating function, and the online game screen on which the client 1 is running is captured to generate the screen shot image file (S220).

At this time, the client 1 generates meta data by configuring the online game situation information at the time of screen shot creation into a predetermined data format.

Meanwhile, the client 1 generates a unique key using the generated metadata, and stores the generated unique key in the EXIF header of the generated screen shot image file (S230).

Thereafter, the client 1 accesses the game image server 4 through the network, and transmits the screen shot image file and the metadata corresponding to the unique key stored in the EXIF header (S240).

Accordingly, the game image server 4 stores the provided screen shot image file and metadata (S250). Preferably, a screen shot image file may be stored in the account of the client (1).

When a plurality of screen shot image files generated through this process and metadata corresponding to the high-quality keywords stored in the EXIF header of each screen shot image file are collected by the game image server 4, As illustrated, a screen shot of an online game on the web is provided to the client 1 in the form of an album.

On the other hand, the user accesses the game image server 4 to create a post including the screen shot image of his or her own on the Internet bulletin board, and selects one of them while viewing his screen shots as illustrated in FIG. 4 .

If there is a request from the client 1 in this way, the game image server 4 provides the client 1 with the user's selection among the previously stored screen shot image files (S260).

On the other hand, the client 1 provided with the screen shot image file extracts the unique key from the EXIF header of the provided screen shot image file. On the other hand, the client 1 requests the game image server 4 to request the meta data corresponding to the retrieved high value key (S270), and the game image server 4 provides the metadata to the client 1 in response to the request (S280).

The client 1 obtains online game situation information by parsing the provided metadata, and uploads the received online game situation information together with the provided screen shot image file to the file server 3 (S290).

Thereby, a screen shot image file generated at the time of online game play of the user and a web post including the online game play contents of the user at the time of generating the screen shot are generated.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a game screen shot management method using EXIF metadata according to the embodiment of the present invention in a time-series manner.

The present invention shown in FIG. 9 describes a process in which a user selects one of screen shots of an online game stored locally and generates a web post. The embodiment of the present invention stores the unique key corresponding to the metadata instead of directly storing the metadata in the EXIF header of the generated screen shot, unlike the embodiment of the present invention.

9, first, the client 1 accesses the online game server 2 via the network and executes the online game (S210). During execution of the online game, the user selects the screen shot generating function, and the online game screen on which the client 1 is running is captured to generate the screen shot image file (S220).

At this time, the client 1 generates meta data by configuring the online game situation information at the time of screen shot creation into a predetermined data format.

Meanwhile, the client 1 generates a unique key using the generated metadata, and stores the generated unique key in the EXIF header of the generated screen shot image file (S230).

Thereafter, the client 1 locally stores the screen shot image file in which the unique key is stored in the EXIF header (S240 ').

Meanwhile, after a plurality of screenshot images are stored locally in the client 1 through this process, the user may desire to create a post including a screenshot image generated at the time of playing his / her online game on a web bulletin board.

In this case, the user can select any one of the locally stored screenshot image files. Accordingly, the client 1 can store the selected screen shot image file and the metadata corresponding to the stored high-key in the EXIF header of the selected screen shot image file And uploads the web post to the file server 3 to generate a web post including the screen shot image file (S250 ').

Meanwhile, if there is a unique key in the EXIF header of the uploaded screen shot image file, the file server 3 provides the screen shot image file and the metadata to the game image server 4 (S260 ').

Accordingly, the game image server 4 stores the provided screen shot image file and metadata (S270 '). At this time, the client 1 is preferably provided with the account identification information of the client 1, and stores the screen shot image file and the metadata provided to the account of the client 1. As a result, a service can be provided so that a screen shot can be viewed in an album form as illustrated in FIG.

Meanwhile, the game screen shot management method using EXIF metadata according to the present invention can be embodied as computer readable code and recorded in a computer readable recording medium.

The computer-readable recording medium may include any type of medium in which data readable by a computer system is stored. Examples of the medium include a DVD-ROM, a CD-ROM, a hard disk, a USB memory, a flash memory And the like.

On the other hand, the expression to be recorded on the recording medium encompasses not only a case where a large amount is recorded on a recording medium, a case where it is distributed in the form of a package, a case where it is provided on a recording medium through a network in the form of a data packet.

In the above description, the expression "server" is used. However, in a distributed computing environment, it is common to divide a function or a load into a plurality of servers for processing. Therefore, a "server" does not necessarily refer to a single hardware component, And < / RTI >

In the above description, the network is referred to as a local area network (WAN), a wide area network (WAN), or an intranet, a virtual private network (VPN) Therefore, it should be interpreted as a broad concept including all kinds of network connection methods called WiBro, WiFi, and mobile communication network.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. . Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be determined only by the technical idea of the appended claims, and is not limited to the above embodiments.

The present invention can be applied to an on-line game technology field and an internet technology field.

1: Client
2: Online game server
3: File Server
4: Game image server
100: Game screen shot management device using EXIF metadata
110: Online game execution means
120: Screen shot generating means
130: Metadata generation means
140: Data transmission / reception means
150: Browser

Claims (20)

An online game execution means for accessing an online game server via a network to execute an online game;
Screen shot generating means for generating a screen shot image file by capturing an online game screen being executed by the online game executing means;
And metadata generating means for acquiring online game situation information at a time of generating a screen shot from the online game executing means and generating metadata,
Wherein the screen shot generating means stores the generated metadata in an EXIF (EXchangeable Information File) header of the generated screen shot image file or stores a unique key corresponding to the generated metadata. Game screen shot management device using. The method of claim 1,
Wherein the metadata generating means comprises: player character information displayed on the screen at the time of generating a screen shot from the online game executing means; party information registered by the player character in the online game; information of a mobile OBject displayed on the screen; Wherein the metadata is generated by acquiring on-line game situation information including at least one piece of information on the character's on-line game location information and configuring the on-line game situation information into a predetermined data format. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the meta data generating unit generates the metadata by constructing the acquired online game situation information in the form of JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) and then encrypting the meta data by using the EXIF metadata. The method of claim 1,
The generated metadata is stored in the EXIF header of the screen shot image file, and the screen shot image file is transmitted to the game image server via the network,
Or the inherent key corresponding to the generated metadata is stored in the EXIF header of the screen shot image file, the metadata corresponding to the genre stored in the generated screen shot image file and the screen shot image file is stored in the game image server And means for transmitting and receiving data,
Wherein the data transmission / reception means further transmits the account identification information of the online game executed by the online game execution means to the game image server. 5. The method of claim 4,
And a browser for accessing a web page existing on the web via a network,
The browser receives any one of the screen shot image files corresponding to the account identification information of the on-line game executed by the online game executing means from the game image server when creating the post on the web bulletin board, Game screen shot management device using EXIF metadata. The method of claim 5, wherein
The browser parses the metadata stored in the EXIF header of the screen shot image file included in the post to obtain online game situation information, displays the acquired online game situation information, and edits the acquired online game situation information Wherein the game screen shot management apparatus comprises: The method of claim 5, wherein
The browser fetches the unique key stored in the EXIF header of the screen shot image file included in the post and obtains the online game situation information by receiving metadata corresponding to the high value key from the game image server, The game screen shot management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the game screen shot management apparatus is provided with a user interface for displaying information and editing the acquired online game situation information. The method of claim 1,
And a browser for accessing a web page existing on the web via a network,
The browser is a screen shot image file stored locally at the time of creation of a post on a web bulletin board, and the metadata is stored in an EXIF (EXchangeable Information File) header by the screen shot generating means or a unique key Wherein the game program includes one of the stored screenshot image files in the post. The method of claim 8,
The browser parses the metadata stored in the EXIF header of the screen shot image file included in the post to obtain online game situation information, displays the acquired online game situation information, and edits the acquired online game situation information Wherein the game screen shot management apparatus comprises: The method of claim 8,
The browser fetches a unique key stored in the EXIF header of the screen shot image file included in the post, obtains meta data corresponding to the pre-existing key among the meta data corresponding to the pre-generated and stored pre-existing key, and parses the meta data Wherein the user interface provides the user interface for acquiring the online game situation information, displaying the acquired online game situation information, and editing the acquired online game situation information. A step 110 of the client accessing the online game server through the network to execute the online game;
120) a step 120 of generating a screen shot image file by capturing an online game screen on which a client is running according to a user's operation; And
And a step 130 in which the client generates the metadata by constructing the online game situation information at the time of generating the screen shot into a predetermined data format and then stores the generated metadata in an EXIF (EXchangeable Information File) header of the generated screen shot image file A method of managing a game screen shot using EXIF metadata. 11. The method of claim 10,
140 is a step 140 of the client accessing the game image server through the network and transmitting a screen shot image file in which metadata is stored in the EXIF header;
A step 150 of the game image server storing the provided screen shot image file in the account of the client;
A step 160 in which the game image server provides screen shot image files stored in the account of the client according to a request from the client; And
And generating a web post by uploading a screen shot image file provided by the client from the game image server to a file server according to a user's operation. Way. The method of claim 11,
140. The method of claim 140, wherein the client stores locally the image file of the screen shot in which the metadata is stored in the EXIF header.
A 150 'step of the client generating the web post including the screen shot image file by uploading the selected screen shot image file to the file server by the user selecting any one of the locally stored screenshot image files;
A step 160 'of judging whether or not the online game situation information exists by parsing the EXIF header of the uploaded screen shot image file and providing the same to the game image server if it exists; And
Further comprising a step 170 'of the game image server to store the provided screen shot image file in the account of the client. The method of claim 11,
In operation 130, it is determined whether the client receives the player character information displayed on the screen at the time of screen shot creation, the party information the player character subscribes to in the online game, the information of the mobile OBject displayed on the screen, Wherein the metadata is generated by acquiring on-line game situation information including at least one piece of information from the location information and configuring the on-line game situation information into a predetermined data format. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the metadata is generated by configuring the online game situation information acquired by the client in the form of JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) and then encrypting the generated online game situation information. 210, a client accesses an online game server through a network to execute an online game;
220) a step 220 of generating a screen shot image file by capturing an online game screen being executed by a client according to a user's operation;
The client generates meta data by constructing the online game situation information at the time of creating the screen shot into a predetermined data format, generates a unique key corresponding to the created meta data, and outputs the EXIFable information file ) Header of the EXIF metadata, and storing the EXIF metadata in the header of the game screen shot. 17. The method of claim 16,
A client accessing the game image server through a network, and transmitting the screen shot image file storing the unique key in the EXIF header and the metadata corresponding to the unique key;
A step 250 in which the game image server stores the provided screen shot image file and metadata;
260) a step 260 of the game image server to provide pre-stored screen shot image files according to a request from the client;
A step 270 in which the client fetches the unique key of the EXIF header of the screen shot image file provided by the client from the game image server and requests metadata corresponding to the game key to the game image server according to the user's operation;
280) a step 280 of the game image server providing meta data corresponding to the high value key according to a request from a client;
290 is a step of creating a web post by uploading the online game situation information obtained by parsing the provided screen shot image file and the provided metadata provided by the client from the game image server to the file server according to the user's operation Wherein the game screen shot management method comprises the steps of: 17. The method of claim 16,
240. The method of any one of claims 23 to 24, wherein the client stores locally the screen shot image file in which the unique key is stored in the EXIF header.
The client selects any one of the locally stored screenshot image files so that the client uploads the metadata corresponding to the selected image stored in the EXIF header of the selected screen shot image file and the selected screen shot image file to the file server, A step 250 'of generating a web post including a shot image file;
260] If the unique key exists in the EXIF header of the uploaded screen shot image file, the file server provides the screen shot image file and the metadata to the game image server. And
And storing the screen shot image file and the metadata provided by the game image server in step 270. The method as claimed in claim 27, 17. The method of claim 16,
In operation 230, it is determined whether the client receives the player character information displayed on the screen at the time of creating the screen shot, the party information the player character subscribes to in the online game, the information of the mobile OBject displayed on the screen, Wherein the metadata is generated by acquiring on-line game situation information including at least one piece of information from the location information and configuring the on-line game situation information into a predetermined data format. 17. The method of claim 16,
Wherein the metadata is generated by configuring the online game situation information acquired by the client in the form of JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) and then encrypting the generated online game situation information.

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