U.S. patent application number 16/230204 was filed with the patent office on 2019-04-25 for communication terminal, communication method, program, and communication system..
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications Inc.. Invention is credited to Reiko Miyazaki, Tomoo Mizukami, Yasushi Okumura.
Application Number | 20190121823 16/230204 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50684391 |
Filed Date | 2019-04-25 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190121823 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miyazaki; Reiko ; et
al. |
April 25, 2019 |
Communication Terminal, Communication Method, Program, And
Communication System.
Abstract
There is provided a communication terminal including an
acquisition unit that acquires, from another communication
terminal, meta-information associated with content stored in the
other communication terminal, and a playlist management unit that
manages a playlist which is shared with the other communication
terminal and which is for playing back content corresponding to the
meta-information acquired from the other communication
terminal.
Inventors: |
Miyazaki; Reiko; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Okumura; Yasushi; (Tokyo, JP) ;
Mizukami; Tomoo; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sony Corporation
Sony Mobile Communications Inc. |
Tokyo
Tokyo |
|
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation
Tokyo
JP
Sony Mobile Communications Inc.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
50684391 |
Appl. No.: |
16/230204 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14439103 |
Apr 28, 2015 |
10223446 |
|
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PCT/JP2013/075767 |
Sep 24, 2013 |
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16230204 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 65/60 20130101;
H04N 21/482 20130101; H04N 21/2353 20130101; G06F 13/00 20130101;
G06F 16/639 20190101; H04L 67/10 20130101; H04N 21/26258 20130101;
H04N 21/4725 20130101; G06F 16/686 20190101; H04N 21/436 20130101;
H04N 21/4825 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 16/638 20060101
G06F016/638; G06F 16/68 20060101 G06F016/68; H04N 21/4725 20060101
H04N021/4725; H04N 21/235 20060101 H04N021/235; H04N 21/482
20060101 H04N021/482; H04L 29/08 20060101 H04L029/08; G06F 13/00
20060101 G06F013/00; H04N 21/436 20060101 H04N021/436; H04L 29/06
20060101 H04L029/06; H04N 21/262 20060101 H04N021/262 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 9, 2012 |
JP |
2012-247891 |
Claims
1.-17. (canceled)
18. A communication terminal comprising: an acquisition unit that
acquires, from another communication terminal, meta-information
associated with content stored in the other communication terminal;
and a playlist management unit that manages a playlist which is
shared with the other communication terminal and which is for
playing back content corresponding to the meta-information acquired
from the other communication terminal.
19. The communication terminal according to claim 18, wherein the
acquisition unit additionally acquires meta-information associated
with content stored in the communication terminal.
20. The communication terminal according to claim 19, wherein the
playlist management unit records, in the playlist, the
meta-information acquired by the acquisition unit, in association
with identification information of a user corresponding to the
other communication terminal or the communication terminal from
which the meta-information was acquired by the acquisition
unit.
21. The communication terminal according to claim 20, wherein the
playlist management unit additionally records, in the playlist, the
meta-information in association with a playback order in which to
play back the content corresponding to the meta-information.
22. The communication terminal according to claim 21, wherein when
the meta-information is acquired by the acquisition unit, the
playlist management unit records the meta-information in the
playlist in a manner that the playback order in which to play back
content corresponding to the acquired meta-information is at the
end of the playback order recorded in the playlist.
23. The communication terminal according to claim 20, wherein the
playlist management unit additionally records, in the playlist, the
meta-information in association with a playback time at which the
content corresponding to the meta-information was played back.
24. The communication terminal according to claim 18, further
comprising: a playlist transmitting unit that transmits the
playlist to the other communication terminal.
25. The communication terminal according to claim 24, wherein when
the playlist is updated by the playlist management unit, the
playlist transmitting unit transmits the updated playlist to the
other communication terminal.
26. The communication terminal according to claim 21, further
comprising: a playlist control unit that, following the playback
order recorded in the playlist, transmits an instruction to play
back content corresponding to the meta-information recorded in the
playlist to the other communication terminal storing the
content.
27. The communication terminal according to claim 26, wherein the
acquisition unit additionally acquires, from the other
communication terminal or the communication terminal, a playback
change request for changing playback from currently playing content
to content corresponding any of the meta-information among the
meta-information recorded in the playlist, and when the playback
change request is acquired by the acquisition unit, the playback
control unit changes playback from the currently playing content to
content specified by the playback change request.
28. The communication terminal according to claim 18, further
comprising: a playback information database operation unit that
causes a playback information database to store a captured image
captured by the communication terminal, a capture time of the
captured image, and identification information of a user of the
communication terminal in association with each other.
29. The communication terminal according to claim 18, wherein the
content is music.
30. The communication terminal according to claim 18, further
comprising: a content request unit that requests content
corresponding to the meta-information recorded in the playlist from
a content providing server that provides the content.
31. A communication terminal comprising: a storage unit that stores
one or more pieces of content; a transmitting unit that transmits
meta-information associated with content stored in the storage unit
to another communication terminal; a receiving unit that receives,
from the other communication terminal, a playlist which is shared
with the other communication terminal and which is for playing back
content corresponding to the meta-information; and a display unit
that displays a playlist screen based on the playlist.
32. A communication method comprising: acquiring, from another
communication terminal, meta-information associated with content
stored in the other communication terminal; and managing a playlist
which is shared with the other communication terminal and which is
for playing back content corresponding to the meta-information
acquired from the other communication terminal.
33. A program for causing a computer to function as: an acquisition
unit that acquires, from another communication terminal,
meta-information associated with content stored in the other
communication terminal; and a playlist management unit that manages
a playlist which is shared with the other communication terminal
and which is for playing back content corresponding to the
meta-information acquired from the other communication
terminal.
34. A communication system comprising: a first communication
terminal and a second communication terminal, wherein the first
communication terminal includes an acquisition unit that acquires,
from the second communication terminal, meta-information associated
with content stored in the second communication terminal, and a
playlist management unit that manages a playlist which is shared
with the second communication terminal and which is for playing
back content corresponding to the meta-information acquired from
the second communication terminal.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication terminal,
a communication method, a program, and a communication system.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Recently, mobile communication terminals such as mobile
phones are proliferating, enabling individuals to exchange
information with others with almost no restrictions on place. In
addition, there is also the development of information processing
technology that supports information sharing between acquaintances
and connections between people, such as social networking services
(SNS).
[0003] For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses technology that
acquires and manages information related to connections with users,
on the basis of a communication history of a mobile terminal. Also,
Patent Literature 2 discloses technology that estimates a person
having a high information propagation ability, on the basis of a
communication history of a communication terminal.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0004] Patent Literature 1: JP 2012-133735A [0005] Patent
Literature 2: JP 2012-064151A
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0006] However, the above technologies are unable to adequately
support joint activity by the users of multiple communication
terminals. For example, in the case of wanting to collectively
enjoy the playback of content in a place where many people gather,
such as at a party venue, it is desirable for an arbitrary
participant to be able to select the content to play back on the
spot, but this cannot be realized with the above technologies. In
addition, an arbitrary participant is unable to easily change the
content to play back at an arbitrary timing.
[0007] Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a new and
improved communication terminal, communication method, program, and
communication system able to support joint activity by the users of
multiple communication terminals.
Solution to Problem
[0008] To solve the problem, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure, there is provided a communication terminal
including an acquisition unit that acquires, from another
communication terminal, meta-information associated with content
stored in the other communication terminal, and a playlist
management unit that manages a playlist which is shared with the
other communication terminal and which is for playing back content
corresponding to the meta-information acquired from the other
communication terminal.
[0009] To solve the problem, according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure, there is provided a communication terminal
including a storage unit that stores one or more pieces of content,
a transmitting unit that transmits meta-information associated with
content stored in the storage unit to another communication
terminal, a receiving unit that receives, from the other
communication terminal, a playlist which is shared with the other
communication terminal and which is for playing back content
corresponding to the meta-information, and a display unit that
displays a playlist screen based on the playlist.
[0010] To solve the problem, according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure, there is provided a communication method
including acquiring, from another communication terminal,
meta-information associated with content stored in the other
communication terminal, and managing a playlist which is shared
with the other communication terminal and which is for playing back
content corresponding to the meta-information acquired from the
other communication terminal.
[0011] To solve the problem, according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure, there is provided a program for causing a
computer to function as an acquisition unit that acquires, from
another communication terminal, meta-information associated with
content stored in the other communication terminal, and a playlist
management unit that manages a playlist which is shared with the
other communication terminal and which is for playing back content
corresponding to the meta-information acquired from the other
communication terminal.
[0012] To solve the problem, according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure, there is provided a communication system
including a first communication terminal and a second communication
terminal. The first communication terminal includes an acquisition
unit that acquires, from the second communication terminal,
meta-information associated with content stored in the second
communication terminal, and a playlist management unit that manages
a playlist which is shared with the second communication terminal
and which is for playing back content corresponding to the
meta-information acquired from the second communication
terminal.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0013] According to the present disclosure described above, it is
possible to support joint activity by the users of multiple
communication terminals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a
configuration of a communication system according to the first
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a hardware
configuration of a first communication terminal according to the
same embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of
the same embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a function block diagram illustrating a
configuration of a first communication terminal according to the
same embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a function block diagram illustrating a
configuration of a second communication terminal according to the
same embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of
a configuration of a playlist according to the same embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of
a configuration of a playlist screen according to the same
embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a first sequence diagram illustrating operation
from app launch to content playback according to the same
embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a second sequence diagram illustrating operation
from app launch to content playback according to the same
embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a third sequence diagram illustrating operation
from app launch to content playback according to the same
embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a first sequence diagram illustrating operation
of changing playback content according to the same embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 12 is a second sequence diagram illustrating operation
of changing playback content according to the same embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a
configuration of a communication system according to a first
modification of the same embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 14 is a function block diagram illustrating a
configuration of a first communication terminal according to the
same modification.
[0028] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of
a configuration of a playlist table according to the same
modification.
[0029] FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of
a configuration of an image table according to the same
modification.
[0030] FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of
a configuration of an event review screen according to the same
modification.
[0031] FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram illustrating operation
according to the same modification.
[0032] FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a
configuration of a communication system according to a second
modification of the same embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 20 is a function block diagram illustrating a
configuration of a first communication terminal according to the
same modification.
[0034] FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of
a configuration of data managed by a music selling service
according to the same modification.
[0035] FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram illustrating operation
according to the same modification.
[0036] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a
configuration of a communication system according to the second
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of
a configuration of an event summary screen according to the same
embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 25 is a function block diagram illustrating a
configuration of an image processing device according to the same
embodiment.
[0039] FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of
a configuration of an appearance level table according to the same
embodiment.
[0040] FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of
captured images according to the same embodiment.
[0041] FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of
a method of evaluating a captured image group according to the same
embodiment.
[0042] FIG. 29 is a sequence diagram illustrating operation
according to the same embodiment.
[0043] FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a
configuration of a communication system according to the third
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0044] FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview
of the same embodiment.
[0045] FIG. 32 is a function block diagram illustrating a
configuration of a communication terminal and an image processing
device according to the same embodiment.
[0046] FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of
a configuration of a propagation information table according to the
same embodiment.
[0047] FIG. 34 is a sequence diagram illustrating operation
according to the same embodiment.
[0048] FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of
data registered in an information code according to the same
embodiment.
[0049] FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a
configuration of a communication system according to the fourth
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0050] FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview
of the same embodiment.
[0051] FIG. 38 is a function block diagram illustrating a
configuration of a first communication terminal according to the
same embodiment.
[0052] FIG. 39 is a function block diagram illustrating a
configuration of a second communication terminal according to the
same embodiment.
[0053] FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of
a configuration of a content sharing service screen according to
the same embodiment.
[0054] FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of
a configuration of a content sharing list according to the same
embodiment.
[0055] FIG. 42 is a sequence diagram illustrating operation during
a content sharing service according to the same embodiment.
[0056] FIG. 43 is a sequence diagram illustrating operation after a
content sharing service according to the same embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0057] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure
will be described in detail and with reference to the attached
drawings. The present disclosure may be carried out in various
embodiments, examples of which are described in detail from
sections (1. Detailed description of first embodiment) to (4.
Detailed description of fourth embodiment). In addition, the
detailed description of the embodiments in this section will be
given in the order indicated below. [0058] 1. Detailed description
of first embodiment [0059] 1-1. First embodiment [0060] 1-2. First
modification of first embodiment [0061] 1-3. Second modification of
first embodiment [0062] 2. Detailed description of second
embodiment [0063] 2-1. Basic configuration of image processing
system [0064] 2-2. Overview of second embodiment [0065] 2-3.
Configuration according to second embodiment [0066] 2-4. Operation
according to second embodiment [0067] 2-5. Advantageous effects
according to second embodiment [0068] 3. Detailed description of
third embodiment [0069] 3-1. Basic configuration of communication
system [0070] 3-2. Overview of third embodiment [0071] 3-3.
Configuration according to third embodiment [0072] 3-4. Operation
according to third embodiment [0073] 3-5. Advantageous effects
according to third embodiment [0074] 4. Detailed description of
fourth embodiment [0075] 4-1. Basic configuration of communication
system [0076] 4-2. Overview of fourth embodiment [0077] 4-3.
Configuration according to fourth embodiment [0078] 4-4. Operation
according to fourth embodiment [0079] 4-5. Advantageous effects
according to fourth embodiment
[0080] Note that, in this specification and the appended drawings,
structural elements that have substantially the same function and
structure are denoted with the same reference numerals, and
repeated explanation of these structural elements is omitted.
[0081] Also, in this specification and the appended drawings,
multiple structural elements having substantially the same function
and structure may in some cases be distinguished by different
letters appended to the same sign. For example, multiple elements
having substantially the same function and structure are
distinguished as the communication terminal 310a, the communication
terminal 310b, the communication terminal 310c, and so on as
necessary. On the other hand, when not particularly distinguishing
each of multiple structural elements having substantially the same
function and structure, only the same sign will be given. For
example, the communication terminal 310a, the communication
terminal 310b, and the communication terminal 310c will be simply
designated the communication terminal 310 when not being
particularly distinguished.
1. Detailed Description of First Embodiment
1-1. First Embodiment
[0082] First, a problem that the first embodiment attempts to solve
will be described. In the past, there has been developed technology
that acts as a method of playing back background music (BGM) at a
place where many people gather, such as a party venue, for example,
including (A) technology in which a subset of the participants,
such as the party organizer or a disc jockey (DJ) select and play
back music, and (B) technology that automatically plays music
continuously using a wired broadcast, subscription service, or the
like. However, the above technologies of (A) and (B) have the
following drawbacks. For example, not all of the participants are
able to select music on the spot, not all of the participants are
able to play back or change music at arbitrary timings, and in
addition, not all participants are able to search, listen to, and
purchase the music that was played at the party venue or the like
after the party ends, for example.
[0083] In addition, the technologies described in JP 2012-133735A
and JP 2012-064151A are unable to adequately support joint activity
by the users of multiple communication terminals. For example, in
the case of wanting to collectively enjoy the playback of content
in a place where many people gather, such as at a party venue, it
is desirable for an arbitrary participant to be able to select the
content to play back on the spot, but this cannot be realized with
the above technologies. In addition, an arbitrary participant is
unable to easily change the content to play back at an arbitrary
timing.
[0084] Thus, focusing on the above circumstances led to the
creation of a first communication terminal 110 according to the
first embodiment. The first communication terminal 110 according to
the first embodiment is able to support joint activity by the users
of multiple communication terminals.
[0085] Such a first communication terminal 110 (communication
terminal) according to the first embodiment is provided with:
[0086] A. a communication unit 1100 (acquisition unit) that
acquires, from a second communication terminal 120 (other
communication terminal), meta-information associated with content
stored in the second communication terminal 120; and [0087] B. a
playlist management unit 1102 that manages a playlist which is
shared with the second communication terminal 120 and which is for
playing back content corresponding to the meta-information acquired
from the second communication terminal 120.
[0088] In addition, a second communication terminal 120 according
to the first embodiment is provided with: [0089] C. a storage unit
1202 that stores one or more pieces of content; [0090] D. a
communication unit 1200 (transmitting unit) that transmits
meta-information associated with content stored in the storage unit
1202 to the first communication terminal 110 (other communication
terminal); [0091] E. a communication unit 1200 (receiving unit)
that receives, from the first communication terminal 110, a
playlist which is shared with the first communication terminal 110
and which is for playing back content corresponding to the
meta-information; and [0092] F. a display unit 1204 that displays a
playlist screen based on the playlist.
[0093] (1-1-1. Basic Configuration of Communication System)
[0094] Hereinafter, first, a basic configuration of such a
communication system according to the first embodiment will be
described with reference to FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the
communication system according to the first embodiment includes a
first communication terminal 110, a communication network 112, a
second communication terminal 120, and a playback device 130.
[0095] --First Communication Terminal 110--
[0096] The first communication terminal 110 is a communication
terminal connectable to the communication network 112 discussed
later. The first communication terminal 110 may be a mobile phone
such as a smartphone, a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA),
a digital still camera, a digital video camera, or a game console,
for example.
[0097] The first communication terminal 110 has a hardware
configuration as illustrated in FIG. 2, for example. As illustrated
in FIG. 2, the first communication terminal 110 is equipped with a
central processing unit (CPU) 1150, read-only memory (ROM) 1152,
random access memory (RAM) 1154, an internal bus 1156, an interface
1158, an input device 1160, an output device 1162, a storage device
1164, an image capture device 1166, and a communication device
1168.
[0098] The CPU 1150 is realized as an example of the playlist
management unit 1102 and the playback control unit 1110 of the
first communication terminal 110 discussed later, for example. The
CPU 1150 functions as a computational processing device and control
device, and controls overall operation inside the first
communication terminal 110 by following various programs. The CPU
1150 may be a microprocessor.
[0099] The ROM 1152 stores information such as programs and
computational parameters used by the CPU 1150. In addition, the RAM
1154 temporarily stores information such as programs used during
execution by the CPU 1150, and parameters that change as
appropriate during such execution. The CPU 1150, the ROM 1152, and
the RAM 1154 are interconnected by the internal bus 1156 realized
as a CPU bus or the like.
[0100] The interface 1158 connects the input device 1160, the
output device 1162, the storage device 1164, the image capture
device 1166, and the communication device 1168 to the internal bus
1156. For example, the input device 1160 exchanges data with the
CPU 1150 and the like via the interface 1158 and the internal bus
1156.
[0101] The input device 1160 is made up of an input means by which
a user inputs information, such as a touch panel, a button, a
microphone, or a switch, for example, and an input control circuit
that generates an input signal on the basis of input from the user,
and outputs to the CPU 1150. By operating the input device 1160, a
user of the first communication terminal 110 is able to input
various data and instruct the first communication terminal 110 to
perform processing operations, for example.
[0102] The output device 1162 includes a display device such as a
liquid crystal display (LCD) device, an organic light-emitting
diode (OLED) device, or indicator light, for example. Additionally,
the output device 1162 includes an audio output device such as a
speaker or headphones. For example, the display device displays
captured images, generated images, and the like. Meanwhile, the
audio output device converts audio data or the like into sound, and
outputs the sound.
[0103] The storage device 1164 is a device used for data storage,
realized as an example of the storage unit 1104 of the first
communication terminal 110 discussed later, for example. The
storage device 1164 may include a storage medium, a recording
device that records data to the storage medium, a readout device
that reads out data from the storage medium, a deletion device that
deletes data recorded to the storage medium, and the like. The
storage device 1164 stores programs executed by the CPU 1150 and
various data.
[0104] The image capture device 1166 is realized as an example of
the image capture unit 1116 of the first communication terminal 110
discussed later, for example. The image capture device 1166
includes a lens and an image sensor such as a charge-coupled device
(CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor,
for example. The image capture device 1166 has a function of
forming an external image on the image sensor through the lens, and
capturing a still image or a moving image.
[0105] The communication device 1168 is a communication interface
realized by a communication device or the like that connects to the
communication network 112 discussed later, for example. The
communication device 1168 is realized as an example of the
communication unit 1100 of the first communication terminal 110
discussed later, for example. Also, the communication device 1168
may be a communication device supporting wireless LAN, or a
communication device supporting Long Term Evolution (LTE).
[0106] Note that the hardware configuration of the first
communication terminal 110 is not limited to the foregoing
configuration. For example, although not illustrated in FIG. 2, the
first communication terminal 110 may also include a Global
Positioning System (GPS) receiver function, a clock function, an
acceleration sensor, a gyroscope, a barometric sensor, a
geomagnetic sensor, and the like.
[0107] --Communication Network 112--
[0108] The communication network 112 is a wired or wireless
transmission channel for information transmitted from a device
connected to the communication network 112. For example, the
communication network 112 may encompass a public network such as
the Internet, a telephone network, or a satellite communication
network, and various local area networks (LANs) or wide area
networks (WANs) including Ethernet (registered trademark).
Additionally, the communication network 112 may also encompass a
dedicated network such as an Internet Protocol virtual private
network (IP-VPN).
[0109] --Second Communication Terminal 120--
[0110] The second communication terminal 120 is a communication
terminal connectable to the communication network 112. The second
communication terminal 120, similarly to the first communication
terminal 110, may be a mobile phone such as a smartphone, a tablet,
a PDA, a digital still camera, a digital video camera, or a game
console, for example. In addition, the second communication
terminal 120 may also have a hardware configuration similar to the
first communication terminal 110 discussed earlier.
[0111] --Playback Device 130--
[0112] The playback device 130 is a device that supports Digital
Living Network Alliance (DLNA), for example, and plays back content
such as music and video. The playback device 130 includes an audio
output device such as a speaker, for example. The playback device
130 may also include a display device such as a liquid crystal
display (LCD) device or an OLED device, for example.
[0113] (1-1-2. Overview of First Embodiment)
[0114] The above thus describes a basic configuration of a
communication system according to the first embodiment. Next, an
overview of the first embodiment made up of the communication
system discussed above will be described with reference to FIG.
3.
[0115] Herein, an example of applying the first embodiment to a
situation in which a user possessing the first communication
terminal 110 and multiple users possessing the second communication
terminal 120 gather at a facility such as a party venue, and
collectively enjoy content played back by the playback device 130,
will be described as an example.
[0116] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the present example presupposes a
situation in which the first communication terminal 110 and the
second communication terminal 120 are able to share and display the
same playlist screen 150. Also, a playlist that forms the basis of
the playlist screen 150 is managed by the first communication
terminal 110, and in addition, is shared between the first
communication terminal 110 and the second communication terminal
120.
[0117] On the playlist screen 150, a user of the first
communication terminal 110 or a user of the second communication
terminal 120 are able to submit content stored in the user's own
terminal as playback content at respectively arbitrary timings. For
example, if a user of the second communication terminal 120 adds
content stored in the user's own terminal to the playlist screen,
the first communication terminal 110 acquires meta-information such
as a content name and an artist name associated with the relevant
content from the second communication terminal 120. Subsequently,
the first communication terminal 110 adds the relevant
meta-information to the playlist, and updates the relevant
playlist.
[0118] In addition, content submitted to the playlist screen is
played back in the registered order on the playlist, such as by
being transmitted in a streaming format from the communication
terminal where the relevant content is stored to the playback
device 130, for example (S11, S12).
[0119] As discussed earlier, according to the first embodiment, the
first communication terminal 110 acquires, from the second
communication terminal 120, meta-information associated with
content stored in the second communication terminal 120.
Additionally, the first communication terminal 110 manages a
playlist which is shared with the second communication terminal 120
and which is for playing back content corresponding to the
meta-information acquired from the second communication terminal
120. For this reason, by receiving an instruction from the second
communication terminal 120 and updating the relevant playlist, the
first communication terminal 110 is able to appropriately control
the type of content to play back as well as the playback timing.
Consequently, the first communication terminal 110 is able to
support joint activity by the first communication terminal 110 and
the (one or more) second communication terminal 120.
[0120] (1-1-3. Configuration According to First Embodiment)
[0121] (1-1-3-1. First Communication Terminal 110)
[0122] The foregoing thus describes an overview of the first
embodiment. Next, a configuration according to the first embodiment
will be described in detail.
[0123] FIG. 4 is a function block diagram illustrating a
configuration of the first communication terminal 110 according to
the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first
communication terminal 110 according to the first embodiment
includes a communication unit 1100 (acquisition unit), a playlist
management unit 1102, a storage unit 1104, a stored information
operation unit 1106 (acquisition unit), a playlist transmitting
unit 1108, a playback control unit 1110, a display unit 1112, an
input unit 1114 (acquisition unit), and an image capture unit
1116.
[0124] The communication unit 1100 transmits and receives various
information to and from the second communication terminal 120 or
the playback device 130 via the communication network 112. For
example, the communication unit 1100 receives, from the second
communication terminal 120, meta-information associated with
content stored in the second communication terminal 120. Also, the
communication unit 1100 receives, from the second communication
terminal 120, a playback change request for changing playback from
the currently playing content to content corresponding to any of
the meta-information recorded in the playlist. Also, the
communication unit 1100, under control by the playback control unit
1110 discussed later, transmits content stored in the storage unit
1104 to the playback device 130 in a streaming format, for example.
Note that the above content is music or video, for example. Also,
the music is not limited to songs performed or sung by human
beings, and may also be sound effects, such as the sound of
applause, for example.
[0125] The playlist management unit 1102 manages a playlist which
is shared with the second communication terminal 120 and which is
for playing back content corresponding to meta-information acquired
from the second communication terminal 120.
[0126] For example, the playlist management unit 1102 records, in a
playlist, meta-information acquired by the communication unit 1100
or the stored information operation unit 1106 in association with
identification information of the user corresponding to the second
communication terminal 120 or the current device itself from which
the relevant meta-information was acquired. Also, the playlist
management unit 1102 additionally records, in a playlist, acquired
meta-information in association with a playback order in which to
play back content corresponding to the relevant meta-information.
Also, when meta-information is acquired, the playlist management
unit 1102 records the meta-information in the playlist so that the
playback order in which to play back content corresponding to the
relevant meta-information is at the end of the playback order
recorded in the playlist. Note that the functions of the playlist
management unit 1102 discussed above will be later described in
detail.
[0127] At this point, an example of a configuration of a playlist
(a playlist 140) will be described with reference to FIG. 6. As
illustrated in FIG. 6, in the playlist 140, a meta-information
(content name) column 1400, a meta-information (artist name) column
1402, an account column 1404, and a playback order column 1406 are
recorded in association with each other, for example. Herein, in
the account column 1404, the user whose submitted the relevant
content to the playlist, or in other words, the account of the user
of the second communication terminal that transmitted the
meta-information to the first communication terminal 110, is
recorded. Also, in the playback order column 1406, the playback
order in which to play back the relevant content is recorded. For
example, the data illustrated on the second row of FIG. 6 indicates
that the content name is "Song 1", the artist name is "Artist A",
the account name that submitted the relevant content is "Akko", and
the playback order of the relevant content is "1st".
[0128] The storage unit 1104 stores information such as a playlist
recorded by the playlist management unit 1102, and content or
software downloaded by the user, for example.
[0129] The stored information operation unit 1106 acquires data
from the storage unit 1104 or records data to the storage unit
1104, according to an instruction from the playlist management unit
1102. For example, the stored information operation unit 1106
acquires, from the storage unit 1104, meta-information associated
with content stored in the storage unit 1104. In addition, the
stored information operation unit 1106 causes the storage unit 1104
to store a playlist recorded by the playlist management unit
1102.
[0130] The playlist transmitting unit 1108 transmits a playlist to
the second communication terminal 120. In addition, when the
playlist is updated by the playlist management unit 1102, the
playlist transmitting unit 1108 transmits the updated playlist to
the second communication terminal 120. Note that the playlist
transmitting unit 1108 may also be incorporated into the first
communication terminal 110 to realize the above functions.
[0131] The playback control unit 1110, following the playback order
recorded in the playlist, transmits an instruction to play back
content corresponding to meta-information recorded in the playlist
to the second communication terminal 120 storing the relevant
content via the communication unit 1100. In addition, when the
communication unit 1100 or the input unit 1114 acquires a playback
change request, the playback control unit 1110 instructs the
communication terminal storing the content specified by the
playback change request so that playback changes from the currently
playing content to the relevant specified content.
[0132] The display unit 1112 displays various display screens, such
as a playlist screen, for example.
[0133] At this point, an example of a configuration of a playlist
screen (a playlist screen 150) will be described with reference to
FIG. 7. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the playlist screen 150 includes,
for example, a thumbnail 1500 of content recorded in the playlist,
a meta-information display field 1502 of the relevant content, an
account field 1504 of the submitter of the relevant content, an
indicator display 1506 of the currently playing content, and a
display screen selection button 1508. Herein, the display unit 1112
may display in the thumbnail 1500 a thumbnail acquired from the
first communication terminal 110 or the second communication
terminal 120, or display a thumbnail acquired from a designated
webpage on the basis of the meta-information of the relevant
content. In addition, the display unit 1112 may also display, in
the meta-information display field 1502 and the account field 1504,
respectively corresponding items from the playlist 140 illustrated
in FIG. 6, for example. In addition, the display screen selection
button 1508 may be a button for toggling the display of display
screens provided for different content to play back, such as a
screen for pictures and a screen for music, for example.
[0134] The input unit 1114 receives various operations from the
user. For example, the input unit 1114 receives the playback change
request discussed earlier.
[0135] The image capture unit 1116 has a function of forming an
external image on an image sensor through a lens, and capturing a
still image or a moving image. For example, the image capture unit
1116 may capture a face image of the user of the first
communication terminal 110.
[0136] Note that, according to the first embodiment, it is also
possible to provide a computer program causing hardware such as the
CPU 1150, ROM 1152, and RAM 1154 built into the first communication
terminal 110 to exhibit the same functionality as the respective
components of the first communication terminal 110 discussed above.
Also, a storage medium having such a computer program stored
therein is also provided.
[0137] The above thus describes a configuration of the first
communication terminal 110 according to the first embodiment, but
the configuration is not limited to the configuration discussed
above. For example, the image capture unit 1116 may not be
included. Also, one or more of any of the storage unit 1104, the
stored information operation unit 1106, the display unit 1112, the
input unit 1114, and the image capture unit 1116 may be provided in
another device.
[0138] (1-1-3-2. Second Communication Terminal 120)
[0139] Also, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the second communication
terminal 120 according to the first embodiment includes a
communication unit 1200 (transmitting unit, receiving unit), a
storage unit 1202, a display unit 1204, an input unit 1206, and an
image capture unit 1208.
[0140] The communication unit 1200 transmits and receives various
information to and from the first communication terminal 110 or the
playback device 130 via the communication network 112. For example,
the communication unit 1200 transmits meta-information associated
with content stored in the storage unit 1202 discussed later to the
first communication terminal, or receives a playlist from the first
communication terminal 110.
[0141] The storage unit 1202 stores information such as a playlist
received from the first communication terminal 110, and content or
software downloaded by the user, for example.
[0142] The display unit 1204 displays various display screens, such
as a playlist screen, for example.
[0143] The input unit 1206 receives various operations from the
user. For example, the input unit 1206 receives the playback change
request discussed earlier.
[0144] The image capture unit 1208 has a similar function as the
image capture unit 1116 in the first communication terminal
110.
[0145] (1-1-4. Operation According to First Embodiment)
[0146] (1-1-4-1. Operation from App Launch to Content Playback)
[0147] The above thus describes a configuration according to the
first embodiment. Next, operation according to the first embodiment
will be described. First, operation from app launch to content
playback according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG.
8 is a first sequence diagram illustrating operation from app
launch to content playback according to the first embodiment.
[0148] As illustrated in FIG. 8, first, the user of the first
communication terminal 110 downloads an application for using the
communication system according to the first embodiment from a
designated Uniform Resource Locator (URL). Subsequently, the
storage unit 1104 stores the relevant application (S101). Next, the
relevant application launches in response to a user operation on
the input unit 1114 (S103).
[0149] Similarly, the user of the second communication terminal 120
downloads the relevant application from a designated URL.
Subsequently, the storage unit 1202 stores the relevant application
(S102). Next, the relevant application launches in response to a
user operation on the input unit 1206 (S104).
[0150] After that, as a result of the user operating the relevant
application via the input unit 1114, the first communication
terminal 110 starts a certain event for playing back content on the
relevant communication system (S105).
[0151] Note that although the above describes an example in which
the first communication terminal 110 starts an event using an
application downloaded from a designated URL, the present
disclosure is not limited to such an example. For example, the
first communication terminal 110 may access a designated web server
in the relevant communication system, and start an event on a web
page provided by the relevant web server.
[0152] Next, the playlist management unit 1102 generates a playlist
corresponding to the relevant event (S106).
[0153] Next, the first communication terminal 110 generates a QR
code (registered trademark) including an URL, for example, for
making use of the relevant event (S107).
[0154] Next, the display unit 1112 displays the generated QR code
(registered trademark). In addition, in response to a user
operation on the input unit 1206, the image capture unit 1208 of
the second communication terminal 120 reads the relevant QR code
(registered trademark) displayed on the first communication
terminal 110 (S108).
[0155] Next, in response to a user operation on the input unit
1206, the URL included in the relevant QR code (registered
trademark) is accessed, and a notification of event participation
is transmitted to the first communication terminal 110 (S109).
[0156] After the first communication terminal 110 receives the
notification of event participation, the playlist transmitting unit
1108 transmits the playlist generated in S106 to the second
communication terminal 120 via the communication unit 1100
(S110).
[0157] Next, in response to a user operation on the input unit
1114, the image capture unit 1116 captures a face image of the user
of the first communication terminal 110 (S111). Similarly, in
response to a user operation on the input unit 1206, the image
capture unit 1208 captures a face image of the user of the second
communication terminal 120 (S112). Note that the face images
captured in S111 and S112 are used to display the relevant users on
a playlist screen, for example. In addition, the operation in S111
or S112 may also be omitted.
[0158] Similarly, in response to a user operation on the input unit
1206, the image capture unit 1208 captures a face image of the user
of the second communication terminal 120 (S112). Note that the
operation in S112 may also be omitted.
[0159] --Operation of Updating Playlist with Meta-Information
Stored in Second Communication Terminal 120--
[0160] FIG. 9 is a first sequence diagram for describing operation
after S112. FIG. 9 illustrates operation in which the first
communication terminal 110 receives meta-information of content
stored in the second communication terminal 120 from the second
communication terminal 120, and records the relevant
meta-information in a playlist. Note that for the sake of
convenience, even if multiple second communication terminals 120
exist, the following description will focus on an arbitrary one
from among the multiple second communication terminals 120.
[0161] As illustrated in FIG. 9, after S112, the display unit 1112
of the first communication terminal 110 uses the relevant
application to display a playlist screen based on the playlist
(S113). Similarly, the display unit 1204 of the second
communication terminal 120 uses the relevant application to display
a playlist screen based on the playlist (S114).
[0162] Next, the user of the second communication terminal 120
operates the input unit 1206 to select desired content to be played
back on the playback device 130 from among content stored in the
storage unit 1202 (S115).
[0163] Next, the communication unit 1200 transmits meta-information
corresponding to the selected content, and the account of the user
of the second communication terminal 120, to the first
communication terminal 110 (S116).
[0164] Next, the playlist management unit 1102 of the first
communication terminal 110 records, in the playlist, the
meta-information and the account received from the second
communication terminal 120 in association with each other. Also,
the playlist management unit 1102 may additionally record, in the
playlist, the relevant meta-information in association with a
playback order in which to play back the content corresponding to
the relevant meta-information. Also, the playlist management unit
1102 may record the relevant meta-information in the playlist so
that the playback order in which to play back the content
corresponding to the relevant meta-information is at the end of the
playback order recorded in the playlist. Next, the stored
information operation unit 1106 causes the storage unit 1104 to
store the updated playlist (S117).
[0165] Next, the playlist transmitting unit 1108 transmits the
updated playlist to all second communication terminals 120 via the
communication unit 1100 (S118). Note that the operation from S115
to S118 may be repeated multiple times.
[0166] Next, the playback control unit 1110, following the playback
order recorded in the playlist, transmits an instruction to play
back content corresponding to meta-information recorded in the
playlist to the second communication terminal 120 storing the
respective content via the communication unit 1100 (S119).
[0167] When the second communication terminal 120 receives the
relevant playback instruction, the communication unit 1200 of the
second communication terminal 120 transmits the relevant content
stored in the storage unit 1202 to the playback device 130 in a
streaming format, for example. Subsequently, the playback device
130 plays back the received content (S120).
[0168] --Operation of Updating Playlist with Meta-Information
Stored in First Communication Terminal 110--
[0169] FIG. 10 is a second sequence diagram for describing
operation after S112. FIG. 10 illustrates operation in which the
first communication terminal 110 records meta-information of
content stored in the first communication terminal 110 in a
playlist.
[0170] As illustrated in FIG. 10, immediately after S112, the first
communication terminal 110 and the second communication terminal
120 use the relevant application to display a playlist screen,
similarly to S113 and S114 in FIG. 9 (S113, S114).
[0171] Next, the user of the first communication terminal 110
operates the input unit 1114 to select desired content to be played
back on the playback device 130 from among content stored in the
storage unit 1104 (S121).
[0172] Next, the playlist management unit 1102 records, in the
playlist, meta-information corresponding to the selected content in
association with the account of the user of the first communication
terminal 110. Also, the playlist management unit 1102 may
additionally record, in the playlist, the relevant meta-information
in association with a playback order in which to play back the
content corresponding to the relevant meta-information. Also, the
playlist management unit 1102 may record the relevant
meta-information in the playlist so that the playback order in
which to play back the content corresponding to the relevant
meta-information is at the end of the playback order recorded in
the playlist. Next, the stored information operation unit 1106
causes the storage unit 1104 to store the updated playlist
(S122).
[0173] Next, the playlist transmitting unit 1108 transmits the
updated playlist to all second communication terminals 120 via the
communication unit 1100 (S123). Note that the operation from S121
to S123 may be repeated multiple times.
[0174] Next, the playback control unit 1110, following the playback
order recorded in the playlist, transmits the content corresponding
to the meta-information recorded in the playlist and stored in the
storage unit 1104 to the playback device 130 in a streaming format,
for example, via the communication unit 1100. Subsequently, the
playback device 130 plays back the received content (S124).
[0175] The above thus describes operation after S112 with reference
to FIGS. 9 and 10, but operation is not limited to the operation
discussed above. For example, the operation from S115 to S117 in
FIG. 9 and the operation from S121 to S123 in FIG. 10 may also be
combined, or processed in parallel.
[0176] (1-1-4-2. Operation of Changing Playback Content)
[0177] --Operation of Changing Playback Content According to
Request from Second Communication Terminal 120a--
[0178] Next, operation of changing playback content according to
the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a first sequence
diagram illustrating operation of changing playback content
according to the first embodiment.
[0179] Note that FIG. 11 illustrates operation in which a second
communication terminal 120a changes playback from content stored in
the second communication terminal 120a to content stored in a
second communication terminal 120b. Also, FIG. 11 presupposes a
situation in which the playback device 130 is currently playing
back content transmitted from the second communication terminal
120a in a streaming format, for example (S131).
[0180] As illustrated in FIG. 11, while the playback device 130 is
currently playing back certain content, the user of the second
communication terminal 120a operates the input unit 1206 to select
desired content to be played back on the playback device 130 from
among the content displayed on the playlist screen other than the
currently playing content (S132). Note that for the sake of
convenience, the description herein supposes that the content
selected in S132 is stored in the second communication terminal
120b.
[0181] Next, the communication unit 1200 transmits meta-information
of the content selected in S132, and a playback change request for
changing playback to the relevant content, to the first
communication terminal 110 (S133).
[0182] Next, the playlist management unit 1102, on the basis of the
playback change request received from the second communication
terminal 120a, updates the playlist so that the content
corresponding to the received meta-information comes first in the
playback order. Note that the playlist management unit 1102 changes
the playback order of the currently playing content according to a
predetermined rule, such as changing the playback order to last, or
to second place, for example. Next, the stored information
operation unit 1106 causes the storage unit 1104 to store the
updated playlist (S134).
[0183] Next, the playlist transmitting unit 1108 transmits the
updated playlist to all second communication terminals 120, such as
the second communication terminal 120a and the second communication
terminal 120b, for example, via the communication unit 1100
(S135).
[0184] Next, the playback control unit 1110 transmits, to the
second communication terminal 120 storing the currently playing
content (in FIG. 11, the second communication terminal 120a) via
the communication unit 1100, an instruction to stop the
transmission of content to the playback device 130. Subsequently,
when the second communication terminal 120a receives the relevant
instruction, the communication unit 1200 of the second
communication terminal 120a stops the transmission of the playing
content (S136).
[0185] Next, the playback control unit 1110, on the basis of the
updated playlist, transmits an instruction to play back the content
with the playback order changed to first to the second
communication terminal 120b storing the relevant content, via the
communication unit 1100 (S137).
[0186] When the second communication terminal 120b receives the
relevant playback instruction, similarly to S120 in FIG. 9, the
communication unit 1200 of the second communication terminal 120b
transmits the relevant content stored in the storage unit 1202 of
the second communication terminal 120b to the playback device 130
in a streaming format, for example. Subsequently, the playback
device 130 plays back the received content (S138).
[0187] --Operation of Changing Playback Content According to
Request from First Communication Terminal 110--
[0188] FIG. 12 is a second sequence diagram illustrating operation
of changing playback content according to the first embodiment.
Note that FIG. 12 illustrates operation in which the first
communication terminal 110 changes playback from content stored in
the second communication terminal 120a to content stored in the
second communication terminal 120b. Also, similarly to FIG. 11,
FIG. 12 presupposes a situation in which the playback device 130 is
currently playing back content transmitted from the second
communication terminal 120a (S131).
[0189] As illustrated in FIG. 12, while the playback device 130 is
currently playing back certain content, the user of the first
communication terminal 110 operates the input unit 1114 to select
desired content to be played back on the playback device 130 from
among the content displayed on the playlist screen other than the
currently playing content (S142). Note that for the sake of
convenience, the description herein supposes that the content
selected in S142 is stored in the second communication terminal
120b.
[0190] Next, the playlist management unit 1102 updates the playlist
so that the content specified in S142 comes first in the playback
order. Next, the stored information operation unit 1106 causes the
storage unit 1104 to store the updated playlist (S143).
[0191] Note that the subsequent operation (S144 to S147) is similar
to S135 to S138 illustrated in FIG. 11. Consequently, description
thereof is omitted herein.
[0192] The above thus describes operation of changing playback
content with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, but operation is not
limited to the operation discussed above. For example, the
operation from S132 to S134 in FIG. 11 and the operation from S142
to S144 in FIG. 12 may also be processed in parallel.
[0193] (1-1-5. Advantageous Effects According to First
Embodiment)
[0194] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the
first communication terminal 110 acquires, from the second
communication terminal 120, meta-information associated with
content stored in the second communication terminal 120.
Additionally, the first communication terminal 110 manages a
playlist which is shared with the second communication terminal 120
and which is for playing back content corresponding to the
meta-information acquired from the second communication terminal
120. For this reason, by receiving a request from the second
communication terminal 120 and updating the relevant playlist, the
first communication terminal 110 is able to appropriately control
the type of content to play back as well as the playback timing.
Consequently, the first communication terminal 110 is able to
support joint activity by the first communication terminal 110 and
the (one or more) second communication terminal 120.
[0195] For example, at a party venue or the like, any participant
from among the gather participants is able to add meta-information
corresponding to content stored in the second communication
terminal 120 that he or she possesses to the playlist on the spot,
and thereby cause the playback device 130 to play back the relevant
content. In addition, any participant is able to use the second
communication terminal 120 that he or she possesses to change the
playback by selecting desired content from the playlist, and
thereby change the content played back on the playback device 130
at arbitrary timings. In this way, it is possible for all
participants to jointly select and change the content to play back,
and collectively enjoy the playback of content.
[0196] In addition, when the playlist is updated, the first
communication terminal 110 transmits the updated playlist to all
second communication terminals 120. For this reason, since each
user of the second communication terminal 120 is always able to
acquire the most up-to-date playlist, users of the second
communication terminal 120 are able to share and enjoy the
operation of playing back and changing content among each other in
real-time.
[0197] In addition, the sharing between the first communication
terminal 110 and the second communication terminal 120, and between
second communication terminals 120, is only a playlist in which
meta-information is recorded, while the content itself is not
shared among the communication terminals. For this reason, it is
possible to protect the copyright of the content.
[0198] In addition, by combining a captured image captured during
the event by the first communication terminal 110 or the second
communication terminal 120 with the meta-information of music and
playback order of the relevant music recorded in the playlist, the
user of the first communication terminal 110 is able to apply the
combined information to the creation of various video. For example,
the user of the first communication terminal 110 may create a video
recording the circumstances of the event, a slideshow with added
BGM, or the like, and share the video or the like with users of the
second communication terminal 120.
[0199] In addition, the first communication terminal 110 and the
second communication terminal 120 do not require special functions,
and a device available to general users, such as a smartphone, for
example, may be used. For this reason, there is an advantage of
realizing the relevant communication system with a low-cost
configuration, without using expensive devices.
1-2. First Modification of First Embodiment
[0200] Next, a first modification of the first embodiment will be
described. According to the first modification, for example, after
the end of an event that was held, participants of the relevant
event are able to review information related to the circumstances
of the relevant event and content that was played back at the
relevant event.
[0201] (1-2-1. Basic Configuration of Communication System)
[0202] Hereinafter, first, a basic configuration of a communication
system according to the first modification will be described with
reference to FIG. 13. As illustrated in FIG. 13, compared to the
first embodiment, a communication system according to the first
modification additionally includes a playback information database
160 and a display device 170.
[0203] --Playback Information Database 160--
[0204] The playback information database 160 is a storage device
for storing information such as a playlist or image file
transmitted from the first communication terminal 110, or an image
file transmitted from the second communication terminal 120. The
playback information database 160 includes the playlist table 162
illustrated in FIG. 15 and the image table 164 illustrated in FIG.
16, for example.
[0205] At this point, an exemplary configuration of the playlist
table 162 will be described with reference to FIG. 15. As
illustrated in FIG. 15, in the playlist table 16, a
meta-information (content name) column 1620, a meta-information
(artist name) column 1622, an account column 1624, a playback date
column 1626, and a playback time column 1628 are recorded in
association with each other, for example. Herein, in the account
column 1624, the account of the user who submitted the relevant
content to the playlist is recorded, similarly to the first
embodiment discussed earlier. Also, in the playback date column
1626, the date when the relevant content was played back is
recorded. Also, in the playback time column 1628, the time when the
relevant content was played back is recorded. For example, the data
illustrated on the second row of FIG. 15 indicates that the content
name is "Song 1", the artist name is "Artist A", the account name
that submitted the relevant content is "Akko", the date when the
relevant content was played back is "2012/10/26", and the time when
the relevant content was played back is "20:05".
[0206] Next, an exemplary configuration of the image table 164 will
be described with reference to FIG. 16. As illustrated in FIG. 16,
in the image table 164, an image file name column 1640, an account
column 1642, an email address column 1644, a capture date column
1646, and a capture time column 1648 are recorded in association
with each other, for example. Herein, in the account column 1642,
the account of the user who transmitted the relevant image file to
the playback information database 160 is recorded. Herein, in the
email address column 1644, the email address of the user who
transmitted the relevant image file to the playback information
database 160 is recorded. Also, in the capture date column 1646,
the date when the relevant image file was captured is recorded.
Also, in the capture time column 1648, the time when the relevant
image file was captured is recorded. For example, the data
illustrated on the second row of FIG. 16 indicates that the image
file name is "Image 1", the account name of the user who
transmitted the relevant image file is "Akko", the email address of
the relevant user is "aa@jp.com", the date when the relevant image
file was captured is "2012/10/26", and the time when the relevant
image file was captured is "20:00".
[0207] --Display Device 170--
[0208] The display device 170 is a device for displaying a display
screen transmitted from a device connected to the communication
network 112. For example, the display device 170 is able to display
an event review screen transmitted from the playback information
database 160, discussed later.
[0209] At this point, an example of a configuration of an event
review screen (an event review screen 180) will be described with
reference to FIG. 17. The event review screen 180 displays a list
of information related to content that was played back at an event
venue, for example, in time slots during which a still image or a
moving image was captured by an event participant. For this reason,
there is an advantage in that an event participant may reference
the event review screen 180 after the event ends, and more easily
recall information related to content that was played back during
the event.
[0210] As illustrated in FIG. 17, for example, the event review
screen 180 includes an image capture time display field 1800, an
image display field 1802, a content playback time display field
1804, a content submitter face image display field 1806, a content
meta-information display field 1808, and a content thumbnail 1810.
Herein, the image capture time display field 1800 displays the time
at which the image displayed in the image display field 1802 was
captured at an event venue, for example.
[0211] The above thus describes a basic configuration of a
communication system according to the first modification, but the
configuration is not limited to the configuration discussed above.
For example, the playback device 130 or the display device 170 may
also not be included.
[0212] (1-2-2. Configuration According to First Modification)
[0213] (1-2-2-1. First Communication Terminal 110)
[0214] The above thus describes a basic configuration of a
communication system according to the first modification. Next, a
configuration according to the first modification will be described
in detail.
[0215] FIG. 14 is a function block diagram illustrating a
configuration of the first communication terminal 110 according to
the first modification. As illustrated in FIG. 14, compared to the
first embodiment, the first communication terminal 110 according to
the first modification additionally includes a playback information
database operation unit 1118.
[0216] The playback information database operation unit 1118
transmits, to the playback information database 160 via the
communication unit 1100, a captured image captured by the image
capture unit 1116, a capture time of the relevant captured image,
and identification information of the user of the first
communication terminal 110, thereby causing the playback
information database 160 to store the above three pieces of
information in association with each other. Note that the playback
information database operation unit 1118 may cause the
communication unit 1100 to transmit to the playback information
database 160 not the captured image itself that was captured by the
image capture unit 1116, but instead meta-information corresponding
to the relevant captured image, such as information indicating the
owner of the relevant captured image.
[0217] In addition, the playlist management unit 1102 according to
the first modification has, in addition to the functions provided
in the first embodiment, an additional function of recording, in
the playlist, meta-information received from the second
communication terminal 120, in association with a playback time
when the content corresponding to the relevant meta-information was
played back, for example. Note that the functions of the other
structural elements are similar to the first embodiment.
[0218] (1-2-2-2. Second Communication Terminal 120)
[0219] The configuration of the second communication terminal 120
according to the first modification is similar to the first
embodiment. Consequently, description thereof is omitted
herein.
[0220] (1-2-3. Operation According to First Modification)
[0221] Next, operation according to the first modification will be
described. FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram illustrating operation
according to the first modification.
[0222] As illustrated in FIG. 18, at an event venue, for example,
first, in response to an operation by the user of the first
communication terminal 110, the image capture unit 1116 captures a
picture of the surroundings as a still image or a moving image
(S151). Similarly, in response to an operation by the user of the
second communication terminal 120, the image capture unit 1208
captures a picture of the surroundings as a still image or a moving
image (S152).
[0223] Next, the playback information database operation unit 1118
transmits, to the playback information database 160 via the
communication unit 1100, a captured image captured by the image
capture unit 1116, a capture time of the relevant captured image,
and identification information of the user of the first
communication terminal 110 (S153). Subsequently, the playback
information database 160 associates and stores the captured image,
the capture time of the relevant captured image, and the account
received from the first communication terminal 110 (S154).
[0224] Next, the communication unit 1100 of the first communication
terminal 110 transmits a playlist stored in the storage unit 1104
to the playback information database 160 (S155). Subsequently, the
playback information database 160 stores the playlist received from
the first communication terminal 110 (S156).
[0225] Next, the communication unit 1100 of the second
communication terminal 120 transmits the captured image that was
captured in S152 and the account of the user of the second
communication terminal 120 to the playback information database 160
(S157). Subsequently, the playback information database 160
associates and stores the captured image, the capture time of the
relevant captured image, and the account received from the second
communication terminal 120 (S158).
[0226] Next, after the event ends, for example, when the user of
the first communication terminal 110 desires to view an event
review screen related to the relevant event, the communication unit
1100 of the first communication terminal 110 transmits, to the
playback information database 160, information related to the
relevant event which is input by the user into the input unit 1114,
such as the date and time of the event, for example (S159).
[0227] Next, the playback information database 160 transmits, to
the first communication terminal 110, an event review screen as
illustrated in FIG. 17, for example, based on the event-related
information received from the first communication terminal 110
(S160). Note that, as a modification of S160, the playback
information database 160 may also transmit an event review screen
based on the event-related information received from the first
communication terminal 110 to the display device 170.
[0228] Next, similarly to S159 the communication unit 1200 of the
second communication terminal 120 transmits, to the playback
information database 160, information related to the relevant event
which is input by the user into the input unit 1206, such as the
date and time of the event, for example (S161).
[0229] Next, similarly to S160, the playback information database
160 transmits, to the second communication terminal 120, an event
review screen based on the event-related information received from
the second communication terminal 120 (S162). Note that, as a
modification of S162, the playback information database 160 may
also transmit an event review screen based on the event-related
information received from the second communication terminal 120 to
the display device 170.
[0230] The above thus describes operation according to the first
modification, but operation is not limited to the operation
discussed above. For example, the operation from S153 to S158 may
be processed in parallel rather than sequentially. Also, the
operation from S159 to S162 likewise may be processed in
parallel.
[0231] Also, in S153 and S157, the first communication terminal 110
and the second communication terminal 120, instead of transmitting
the captured image itself to the playback information database 160,
may also transmit meta-information corresponding to the relevant
captured image, such as information indicating the owner of the
relevant captured image, for example, to the playback information
database 160. In this modification, in S160 and S162, the playback
information database 160 generates an event review screen that
includes meta-information corresponding to the relevant captured
image instead of the captured image itself, and then transmits the
relevant event review screen to the first communication terminal
110 or the second communication terminal 120. Subsequently, in the
case of desiring to reference the captured image itself, the first
communication terminal 110 and the second communication terminal
120 requests permission to access the communication terminal
holding the relevant captured image, on the basis of the
meta-information displayed on the received event review screen.
According to this modification, since the captured image itself is
not saved in the playback information database 160, the first
communication terminal 110 and the second communication terminal
120 are unable to directly access a captured image captured or
stored by another communication terminal. For this reason, it is
possible to sufficiently protect the copyright of the captured
image.
[0232] Also,
[0233] (1-2-4. Advantageous Effects According to First
Modification)
[0234] As described above, according to the first modification, the
first communication terminal 110 records, in a playlist,
meta-information received from the second communication terminal
120, in association with a playback time when the content
corresponding to the relevant meta-information was played back, for
example. Subsequently, the first communication terminal 110 causes
the playback information database 160 to store a captured image, a
capture time of the relevant captured image, and identification
information of the user in association with each other, and
additionally causes the playback information database 160 to store
the playlist. For this reason, the user of the first communication
terminal 110 or the second communication terminal 120 is able to
acquire, from the playback information database 160, information
including the captured image, the capture time of the relevant
captured image, the playback time of the content, and the
meta-information of the relevant content, like an event review
screen, for example. Consequently, there is an advantage in that
the relevant user may reference information like an event review
screen after an event in which the user participated ends, for
example, and more easily recall information related to content that
was played back during the relevant event.
[0235] For example, after the event ends, the user of the first
communication terminal 110 or the second communication terminal 120
is able to satisfy needs such as wanting to remember the name of a
song that was playing when a certain photo was being displayed, or
wanting to listen to that music again.
1-3. Second Modification of First Embodiment
[0236] Next, a second modification of the first embodiment will be
described. According to the second modification, an event
participant is able to purchase or view content played back at an
event venue, for example, during the relevant event or after the
event ends.
[0237] (1-3-1. Basic Configuration of Communication System)
[0238] Hereinafter, first, a basic configuration of a communication
system according to the second modification will be described with
reference to FIG. 19. As illustrated in FIG. 19, compared to the
first embodiment, a communication system according to the second
modification additionally includes a music selling service 190
(content providing server).
[0239] --Music Selling Service 190--
[0240] The music selling service 190 is an information processing
device for selling content such as music, for example, to a device
connected to the communication network 112. In the music selling
service 190, multiple pieces of content are recorded in association
with information related to each piece of content, and the price of
each piece of content.
[0241] At this point, an example of data registered in the music
selling service 190 will be described with reference to FIG. 21. As
illustrated in FIG. 21, in the music selling service 190,
meta-information (content name) 1900, meta-information (artist
name) 1902, and a price 1904 are recorded in association with each
other, for example. For example, the data illustrated on the second
row of FIG. 21 indicates that the content name is "Song 1", the
artist name is "Artist A", and the price of the relevant content is
"500 yen".
[0242] The above thus describes a basic configuration of a
communication system according to the second modification, but the
configuration is not limited to the configuration discussed above.
For example, the playback information database 160 according to the
first modification may also be included.
[0243] (1-3-2. Configuration According to Second Modification)
[0244] (1-3-2-1. First Communication Terminal 110)
[0245] The above thus describes a basic configuration of a
communication system according to the second modification. Next, a
configuration according to the second modification will be
described in detail.
[0246] FIG. 20 is a function block diagram illustrating a
configuration of the first communication terminal 110 according to
the second modification. As illustrated in FIG. 20, compared to the
first embodiment, the first communication terminal 110 according to
the second modification additionally includes a content request
unit 1120. Note that the functions of the other structural elements
are similar to the first embodiment.
[0247] The content request unit 1120 requests the music selling
service 190 to provide content corresponding to arbitrary
meta-information recorded in a playlist.
[0248] (1-3-2-2. Second Communication Terminal 120)
[0249] The configuration of the second communication terminal 120
according to the second modification is roughly similar to the
first embodiment. However, the configuration is not limited to such
a configuration, and functionality similar to the content request
unit 1120 of the first communication terminal 110 additionally may
be included, for example.
[0250] (1-3-3. Operation According to Second Modification)
[0251] Next, operation according to the second modification will be
described. FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram illustrating operation
according to the second modification.
[0252] As illustrated in FIG. 22, at an event venue for example,
first, the user of the first communication terminal 110 operates
the input unit 1114 to select desired content for purchase or
viewing from among the content displayed on a playlist display
screen (S171). Subsequently, the content request unit 1120 acquires
meta-information corresponding to the content selected by the user
from the playlist, and transmits the relevant meta-information to
the music selling service 190 via the communication unit 1100
(S172).
[0253] Next, the music selling service 190 searches to determine
whether or not the content corresponding to the meta-information
received from the first communication terminal 110 is registered in
the service itself (S173). Subsequently, the music selling service
190 transmit a result of the relevant search to the first
communication terminal 110 (S174).
[0254] If the relevant content is registered in the music selling
service 190, and in addition, the user of the first communication
terminal 110 desires to purchase or view the relevant content, the
user of the first communication terminal 110 inputs into the input
unit 1114 payment information for paying compensation to the music
selling service 190, for example. Subsequently, the communication
unit 1100 transmits the input payment information to the music
selling service 190 (S175).
[0255] Next, the music selling service 190, on the basis of the
payment information received from the first communication terminal
110, conducts a designated payment process related to the sale or
the like of the relevant content to the first communication
terminal 110. Subsequently, if the payment process completes
successfully, the music selling service 190 transmits the relevant
content to the first communication terminal 110 (S176).
[0256] The above thus describes operation according to the second
modification, but operation is not limited to the operation
discussed above. For example, by performing similar operation
between the music selling service 190 and the second communication
terminal 120 instead of the first communication terminal 110, the
purchasing or viewing of content by the second communication
terminal 120 may also be conducted.
[0257] (1-3-4. Advantageous Effects According to Second
Modification)
[0258] As described above, according to the second modification,
the first communication terminal 110 is able to request the music
selling service 190 to purchase or view content corresponding to
meta-information recorded in a playlist, and settle payment with
the music selling service 190. For this reason, if the user of the
first communication terminal 110 desires to purchase or view
content that was added to the playlist by any second communication
terminal 120 at an event venue, for example, the user of the first
communication terminal 110 is able to purchase or view the relevant
content during the relevant event or after the event ends.
2. Detailed Description of Second Embodiment
[0259] The foregoing thus describes the first embodiment. Next, a
second embodiment will be described. First, a problem that the
second embodiment attempts to solve will be described. In the
related art, technology has been developed that creates and
provides a photo album, slideshow, or the like by gathering
captured images captured by multiple participants at an event or
the like into a single location, such as a cloud service. However,
the above technology is still unable to realize the following
functions (A) to (D).
[0260] (A) Extracting an image group from among the multiple
captured images captured by event participants so that all event
participants are evenly included.
[0261] (B) Creating a photo album, for example, for effectively
communicating the atmosphere of the event. For example, displaying
the number of participants of the event, or presenting a display
reflecting conditions such as the lighting of the event.
[0262] (C) Providing information about the venue where the event
was held, or a facility such as a store, together with a photo
album, for example.
[0263] (D) Providing functionality that leads to profits for the
store where the event was held, or giving some kind of benefit to
participants who submitted a captured image.
[0264] Also, the technologies described in JP 2012-133735A and JP
2012-064151A are unable to provide useful support when it is
desirable to choose some images from among multiple captured
images. For example, when multiple captured images are captured in
a place where many people gather, such as at an event venue, it is
desirable to choose a group of images that evenly includes the
event participants from among the multiple captured images, but
this cannot be realized with the above technology. Also, a group of
images that includes a specific person such as the organizer of the
event cannot be automatically chosen.
[0265] Thus, focusing on the above circumstances led to the
creation of an image processing device 210 according to the second
embodiment. The image processing device 210 according to the second
embodiment is able to provide useful support when it is desirable
to choose some images from among multiple captured images.
[0266] Such an image processing device 210 according to the second
embodiment is provided with: [0267] A. a person recognition unit
2104 that recognizes people included in each of multiple captured
images; [0268] B. an image evaluation unit 2106 that evaluates one
or more captured image groups extracted from among the multiple
captured images, on the basis of a degree of appearance of each
person of interest recognized by the person recognition unit 2104;
and [0269] C. an image selection unit 2108 that selects a captured
image group having the highest result of the evaluation by the
image evaluation unit 2106.
2-1. Basic Configuration of Image Processing System
[0270] Hereinafter, first, a basic configuration of such an image
processing system according to the second embodiment will be
described with reference to FIG. 23. As illustrated in FIG. 23, the
image processing system according to the second embodiment includes
a communication terminal 200, a communication network 112, and an
image processing device 210. Note that the communication network
112 is similar to the first embodiment.
[0271] --Communication Terminal 200--
[0272] The communication terminal 200 is a device connectable to
the communication network 112. The communication terminal 2000 may
be a mobile phone such as a smartphone, a tablet, a PDA, a digital
still camera, a digital video camera, or a game console, for
example. In addition, the communication terminal 200 may also have
a hardware configuration similar to the first communication
terminal 110 according to the first embodiment.
[0273] --Image Processing Device 210--
[0274] The image processing device 210 is a device that conducts
image processing on the basis of a captured image received from a
device connected to the communication network 112, such as the
communication terminal 200, for example. The image processing
device 210 may have a hardware configuration similar to the first
communication terminal 110 according to the first embodiment, but
may also have differences, such as not including the input device
1160 or the image capture device 1166, for example.
[0275] The above thus describes a basic configuration of an image
processing system according to the second embodiment, but the
configuration is not limited to the configuration discussed above.
For example, the playback information database 160 or the display
device 170 according to the first modification of the first
embodiment may also be included.
2-2. Overview of Second Embodiment
[0276] Next, an overview of the second embodiment made up of the
image processing system discussed above will be described with
reference to FIG. 24. Herein, as an example, a case will be
described in which a user possessing the communication terminal 200
participates in an event such as a party, and subsequently, after
the relevant event ends, the user desires to review the conditions
of the relevant event, such as who participated in the relevant
event, for example.
[0277] FIG. 24 is an example of a configuration of a group image
generated by the image processing device 210 from multiple captured
images received from the communication terminal 200, for example
(an event summary screen 220). As illustrated in FIG. 24, the event
summary screen 220 includes, for example, a group image display
field 2200, an event information display field 2202, an event
facility position display field 2204, and an event facility
captured image display field 2206.
[0278] Herein, in the group image display field 2200, there is
displayed a group of captured images (hereinafter designated a
captured image group) extracted on the basis of a degree of
appearance of persons recognized from each of multiple captured
images captured during the relevant event. Herein, the degree of
appearance may be a value according to the number of captured
images that include a person of interest from among a certain
captured image group, or a value for each captured image that
depends on a degree of noticeability of the person of interest in
each captured image.
[0279] For example, FIG. 24 illustrates an example in which a
captured image group for which the degree of appearance of each
person of interest is the most equal, or in other words, a captured
image group in which the persons recognized from multiple captured
images are the most evenly included (the captured image group made
up of the captured image 2200a to the captured image 2200e) has
been selected.
[0280] Also in the event information display field 2202, the date
when the relevant event was held is displayed together with the
number of persons recognized from the relevant multiple captured
images, as illustrated in FIG. 24. Note that in the event
information display field 2202, instead of the number of persons
recognized from the relevant multiple captured images, information
such as the number of people who accessed a webpage related to the
relevant event provided by the organizer of the relevant event, or
the number of people who transmitted an email to an email address
for providing information related to the relevant event may be
displayed, for example.
[0281] Also, in the event facility position display field 2204,
position information of a relevant facility is displayed, such as a
map indicating the position of the facility where the relevant
event was held, for example. Also, in the event facility captured
image display field 2206, captured images of a relevant facility
provided by the operator of a facility such as a store where the
relevant event was held are displayed, such as the captured image
2206a to the captured image 2206c, for example. Note that captured
images of the relevant facility may be provided to the event
organizer by the operator of the relevant facility before the event
is held. Consequently, the event organizer is able to provide
captured images of the relevant facility to likely participants of
the event in advance, and thus may entice participation in the
event.
[0282] As discussed above, according to the second embodiment, the
image processing device 210 recognizes a person included in each of
multiple captured images, and evaluates one or more captured image
groups extracted from the multiple captured images, on the basis of
a degree of appearance of each recognized person of interest.
Subsequently, the image processing device 210 selects the captured
image group having the highest result of the relevant evaluation,
and generates a group image. For this reason, the image processing
device 210 is able to provide useful support when it is desirable
to choose some images from among multiple captured images. For
example, the image processing device 210 is able to select a
captured image group from among multiple captured images that were
captured during an event so that recognized persons are included as
evenly as possible.
2-3. Configuration According to Second Embodiment
[0283] (2-3-1. Image Processing Device 210)
[0284] The foregoing thus describes an overview of the second
embodiment. Next, a configuration according to the second
embodiment will be described in detail.
[0285] FIG. 25 is a function block diagram illustrating a
configuration of an image processing device 210 according to the
second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 25, the image processing
device 210 according to the second embodiment includes a
communication unit 2100, a storage unit 2102, a person recognition
unit 2104, an image evaluation unit 2106, an image selection unit
2108, a group image generation unit 2110, a hue analysis unit 2112,
a service information decision unit 2114, and an access management
unit 2116.
[0286] The communication unit 2100 transmits and receives various
information to and from the communication terminal 200 via the
communication network 112. For example, the communication unit 2100
receives a captured image from the communication terminal 200, and
transmits service information decided by the service information
decision unit 2114 discussed later to the communication terminal
200 possessed by a person who submitted a captured image.
[0287] The storage unit 2102 stores a captured image received from
the communication terminal 200, for example, and various software
such as software for controlling the operation of the image
processing device 210, for example.
[0288] The person recognition unit 2104 uses face recognition
technology, for example, to recognize people included in each of
multiple captured images stored in the storage unit 2102, for
example. Herein, a captured image may be a still image or a moving
image.
[0289] The image evaluation unit 2106 evaluates one or more
captured image groups extracted from among multiple captured images
stored in the storage unit 2102, for example, on the basis of a
degree of appearance of each person of interest recognized by the
person recognition unit 2104. Herein, each person of interest is a
person included in at least one of the relevant multiple captured
images, for example.
[0290] In addition, the image evaluation unit 2106 may also more
highly evaluate a captured image group in which the degree of
appearance for each person of interest is more equal. In addition,
the image evaluation unit 2106 may also more highly evaluate a
captured image group that is close to a target distribution in
which the degree of appearance of a specific person of interest is
prominent. Note that the specific person of interest may be the
organizer of the event, a famous person, the bride and groom in a
wedding ceremony, the subject of a birthday party, a performer at a
concert, or an athlete at a sports event, for example.
[0291] At this point, an example of an image evaluation method by
the image evaluation unit 2106 will be described with reference to
FIGS. 26 to 28. First, the image evaluation unit 2106 (1) for each
person of interest, computes a degree of appearance for each
captured image stored in the storage unit 2102, for example.
[0292] FIG. 26 is an example of a list display (degree of
appearance table 230) of frequencies computed by the image
evaluation unit 2106. As illustrated in FIG. 26, in the degree of
appearance table 230, a person of interest name column 2300, an
image file name column 2302, and a noticeability column 2304 are
recorded in association with each other, for example. Herein, in
the person of interest name column 2300, the account name of each
person of interest, or identification information for a person of
interest such as the name of a person of interest, is recorded, for
example. In the image file name column 2302, the name of an image
file depicting the person of interest recorded in the person of
interest name column 2300 is recorded. Also, in the noticeability
column 2304, a computed value of the degree to which the person of
interest recorded in the person of interest name column 2300 is
noticeable in the image file recorded in the image file name column
2302 is recorded. Herein, the noticeability may be the magnitude of
the image area of the person of interest in a captured image, or a
degree of expression such as a smile by the person of interest, for
example.
[0293] For example, the data illustrated on the second row of FIG.
26 indicates that the person of interest name is "A", the image
file name is "Image 1", and that the noticeability of the person of
interest "A" in the relevant image file ("Image 1") is computed to
be "1.0".
[0294] Additionally, FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram
illustrating, for each captured image 240, associations between a
person of interest 2400 and a noticeability 2402 of the person of
interest in each captured image. For example, FIG. 27 indicates
that the "Image 1" 240a contains the persons of interest "A" and
"B", and that the noticeability of the person of interest "A" in
the "Image 1" 240a is "1.0", while the noticeability of the person
of interest "B" in the "Image 1" 240a is "1.2".
[0295] Next, the image evaluation unit 2106 (2) evaluates one or
more captured image groups extracted from among multiple captured
images, on the basis of the degree of appearance of each person of
interest computed with the method discussed above. FIG. 28 is an
explanatory diagram for explaining the evaluation by the image
evaluation unit 2106 of captured image groups extracted from the
three images illustrated in FIG. 27.
[0296] The image group column 2500 in FIG. 28 indicates the set of
captured images included in each captured image group. Note that
FIG. 28 illustrates an example of presupposing that each captured
image group includes two or more captured images.
[0297] Also, the degree of appearance column 2502 in FIG. 28
illustrates the degree of appearance of each person of interest in
the captured image group indicated in the image group column 2500.
Note that FIG. 28 illustrates an example in which the degree of
appearance of each person of interest in each captured image group
is treated as the total value, for each person of interest, of the
noticeability computed for the captured images included in the
relevant captured image group.
[0298] Also, the variance of degree of appearance column 2504
indicates, for each captured image group, a variance value of the
degree of appearance which is computed from the degree of
appearance of each person of interest. The variance of degree of
appearance column 2504 indicates how much the degree of appearance
of each person of interest indicated in the degree of appearance
column 2502 varies in each captured image group.
[0299] For example, the data illustrated on the second row of FIG.
28 indicates a captured image group including "Image 1", "Image 2",
and "Image 3", in which a person of interest "A" is computed to
have a degree of appearance of "2.0", a person of interest "B" a
degree of appearance of "1.8", and a person of interest "C" a
degree of appearance of "1.0", and in which the variance value of
the degree of appearance is computed to be "0.51".
[0300] In the example illustrated in FIG. 28, the image evaluation
unit 2106 more highly evaluates a captured image group in which the
degree of appearance for each person of interest is more equal, for
example. In other words, the image evaluation unit 2106 mostly
highly evaluates the captured image group having the smallest
variance of degree of appearance column 2504, or in other words,
the captured image group (Image 1, Image 3) illustrated on the
fourth row of FIG. 28.
[0301] In addition, the image evaluation unit 2106 may also more
highly evaluate a captured image group that is close to a target
distribution in which the degree of appearance of a specific person
of interest is prominent. For example, if the specific person of
interest is "D" in FIG. 28, the image evaluation unit 2106 may most
highly evaluate a captured image group for which the degree of
appearance of "D" is relatively high and the variance of degree of
appearance column 2504 is relatively small, such as the captured
image (Image 1, Image 2, Image 3) illustrated on the second row of
FIG. 28, for example.
[0302] Next, the description of a configuration of the image
processing device 210 will continue with reference to FIG. 25
again. After the evaluation by the image evaluation unit 2106
discussed above, the image selection unit 2108 selects the captured
image group having the highest result of the relevant
evaluation.
[0303] The group image generation unit 2110 combines and arranges
the captured images included in the captured image group selected
by the image selection unit 2108, and thereby generates a group
image like on the event summary screen 220 illustrated in FIG. 24,
for example. Note that the group image may be a still image, or a
moving image such as a slideshow, for example.
[0304] Herein, the group image generation unit 2110 may also
display a captured image containing more persons of interest more
largely in the relevant group image. In addition, the group image
generation unit 2110 may also display a captured image containing a
specific person of interest as discussed above more largely in the
relevant group image, or display such a captured image in the
center of the relevant group image like the captured image 2200c in
FIG. 24, for example. In addition, the group image generation unit
2110 may also display a captured image that was captured more
clearly more largely in the relevant group image, or in a prominent
area, such as in the center, for example.
[0305] In addition, if the captured images are images captured by
participants of an event, the group image generation unit 2110 may
additionally arrange, in the group image, a display indicating the
number of participants of the relevant event, like the event
information display field 2202 illustrated in FIG. 24, for example.
Herein, the method of computing the number of participants of the
relevant event may involve the group image generation unit 2110
computing the total number of persons included in at least one of
the multiple captured images, or counting the number of persons who
accessed a predetermined URL, such as a webpage related to the
relevant event.
[0306] In addition, if the captured images are images captured by
participants of an event, the group image generation unit 2110 may
additionally arrange, in the group image, a display indicating the
position of a facility where the relevant event was conducted, like
the event facility position display field 2204 illustrated in FIG.
24, for example.
[0307] In addition, if the captured images are images captured by
participants of an event, the group image generation unit 2110 may
additionally arrange, in the group image, captured images of a
facility where the relevant event was conducted, like the event
facility captured image display field 2206 illustrated in FIG. 24,
for example. At this point, the group image generation unit 2110
may also select captured images of the facility to arrange in the
group image according to a time slot during which the relevant
event was conducted. For example, if the time slot during which the
relevant event was conducted is at night, the group image
generation unit 2110 selects captured images that capture the
relevant facility at nighttime.
[0308] In addition, the group image generation unit 2110 may also
select a theme color of the group image, such as a background color
of the event information display field 2202 illustrated in FIG. 24,
for example, on the basis of an analysis result from the hue
analysis unit 2112 discussed later. Note that the functions of the
group image generation unit 2110 discussed above will be later
described in detail.
[0309] The hue analysis unit 2112 analyzes the hue of multiple
captured images stored in the storage unit 2102, for example. Note
that, as discussed above, an analysis result from the hue analysis
unit 2112 is used by the group image generation unit 2110.
[0310] The service information decision unit 2114 decides service
information to provide to a person who submitted a captured image
included in a captured image group selected by the image selection
unit 2108. For example, the service information decision unit 2114
decides a number of points or coupons, or a type of benefit, to be
provided to a person who submitted a captured image by the
organizer of the event or the operator of the event venue,
according to the number of submitted captured images.
[0311] The access management unit 2116 manages the provision, to a
participant of an event, of access information including URL
information of a server for uploading a captured image and
participant identification information. Additionally, the access
management unit 2116 authenticates a person who accesses the
relevant server on the basis of access information used by the
person accessing the relevant server. Herein, the server for
uploading a captured image may be the image processing device 210
itself, or another device such as the playback information database
160, for example.
[0312] Note that, according to the second embodiment, it is also
possible to provide a computer program causing hardware such as a
CPU, ROM, and RAM built into the image processing device 210 to
exhibit the same functionality as the respective components of the
image processing device 210 discussed above. Also, a storage medium
having such a computer program stored therein is also provided.
[0313] The above thus describes a configuration of an image
processing device 210 according to the second embodiment, but the
configuration is not limited to the configuration discussed above.
For example, one or more of any of the communication unit 2100, the
storage unit 2102, the group image generation unit 2110, the hue
analysis unit 2112, the service information decision unit 2114, and
the access management unit 2116 may be provided in another
device.
2-4. Operation According to Second Embodiment
[0314] The above thus describes a configuration according to the
second embodiment. Next, operation according to the second
embodiment will be described. FIG. 29 is a sequence diagram
illustrating operation according to the second embodiment.
[0315] As illustrated in FIG. 29, first, the user of the
communication terminal 200 accesses a site for uploading a captured
image, provided by the image processing device 210 (S201).
[0316] More specifically, the communication terminal 200 may, for
example, access the URL of a website provided by the organizer of
an event, the operator of a facility where the event is held, or
the like, scan a QR code (registered trademark) displayed on the
relevant website, and then access the relevant upload site by
accessing a URL included in the relevant QR code (registered
trademark). Alternatively, the communication terminal 200 may
transmit a blank email to an email address provided in information
from the above organizer or the like, scan a QR code (registered
trademark) included in a reply email to the relevant blank email,
and then access the relevant upload site by accessing a URL
included in the relevant QR code (registered trademark).
[0317] Subsequently, the access management unit 2116 of the image
processing device 210 authenticates the person who accessed the
relevant upload site, on the basis of access information used when
the communication terminal 200 accesses the relevant upload site
(S202). Herein, the relevant access information may be information
such as a user ID included in the QR code (registered trademark)
discussed above, for example.
[0318] Next, the communication unit 2100 transmits an
authentication result from the access management unit 2116 to the
communication terminal 200 (S203). Note that, if authentication by
the access management unit 2116 fails, the image processing device
210 may stop communication with the communication terminal 200
immediately after S203, and not execute the operation after
S203.
[0319] Next, if authenticated by the image processing device 210,
the communication terminal 200, in response to an operation by the
user of the communication terminal 200, captures a face image of
the relevant user (S204). Note that the face image may also be used
to visually display the submitter of each captured image in a group
image like the event summary screen 220, by superimposing the face
image on a captured image submitted by the relevant user in a tag
format or the like, for example. In addition, the operation in S204
may also be omitted.
[0320] Next, the communication terminal 200 transmits the face
image captured in S204 to the relevant upload site (S205).
[0321] Next, the communication terminal 200 captures an image that
includes a participant of an event, during the event, for example
(S206).
[0322] Next, the communication terminal 200 transmits the captured
image and an account for using the relevant upload site to the
relevant upload site. Subsequently, the storage unit 2102 of the
image processing device 210 stores the captured image transmitted
to the relevant upload site (S207).
[0323] Next, the person recognition unit 2104 of the image
processing device 210 recognizes people included in multiple
captured images stored in the storage unit 2102 (S208).
[0324] Next, as discussed earlier, the image evaluation unit 2106
evaluates one or more captured image groups extracted from among
multiple captured images stored in the storage unit 2102, on the
basis of a degree of appearance of each person of interest
recognized by the person recognition unit 2104 (S209).
[0325] Next, the image selection unit 2108 selects the captured
image group having the highest evaluation result from the image
evaluation unit 2106. Subsequently, the group image generation unit
2110 combines and arranges the captured images included in the
captured image group selected by the image selection unit 2108, and
thereby generates a group image (S210).
[0326] Next, the communication unit 2100 transmits the generated
group image to the communication terminal 200. Subsequently, the
communication terminal 200 displays the received group image
(S211).
[0327] Next, the service information decision unit 2114 decides
service information to provide to the user of the communication
terminal 200, according to the number of captured images
transmitted from the communication terminal 200 to the upload site,
for example. Subsequently, the communication unit 2100 transmits
the decided service information to the communication terminal 200
(S212). Note that the operation in S212 may also be omitted.
[0328] The above thus describes operation according to the second
embodiment, but operation is not limited to the operation discussed
above. For example, if the relevant communication system includes
the display device 170, in S211, the communication unit 2100 may
also transmit the group image to the display device 170 instead of
the communication terminal 200, and the display device 170 may then
display the relevant group image.
[0329] According to this modification, by having the display device
170 display the relevant group image, many people, such as
participants of an event, for example, are able to view the group
image together, and there is an advantage in being able to share
the circumstances of an even with many people. Also, by displaying
a submitted captured image on the display device 170 in the middle
of the event, the image processing device 210 is expected to
exhibit an advantageous effect of enticing participants of the
relevant event to submit more captured images.
2-5. Advantageous Effects According to Second Embodiment
[0330] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the
image processing device 210 recognizes a person included in each of
multiple captured images, and evaluates one or more captured image
groups extracted from the multiple captured images, on the basis of
a degree of appearance of each person of interest recognized by
facial recognition technology, for example. Subsequently, the image
processing device 210 selects the captured image group with the
highest results of the relevant evaluation. For this reason, the
image processing device 210 is able to provide useful support when
it is desirable to choose some images from among multiple captured
images.
[0331] For example, the image processing device 210 is able to
select a captured image group from among multiple captured images
that were captured during an event such as a party so that
recognized persons are included as evenly as possible, and generate
a group image. For this reason, an event participant may reference
the group image generated by the image processing device 210 after
the relevant ends, and thereby review the circumstances of the
relevant event, such as who participated in the relevant event.
[0332] Additionally, from among multiple captured images, the image
processing device 210 may highly evaluate a captured image with a
higher degree of appearance of a specific person of interest, such
as the central person of an event, for example. Subsequently, the
image processing device 210 may present a display featuring the
specific person of interest, such as by displaying an image
containing the specific person of interest in the center of the
group image, for example. For this reason, by referencing the
relevant group image, an event participant is able to more clearly
recall the circumstances of the relevant event.
[0333] In addition, the image processing device 210 places, in the
group image, a display indicating the number of persons included in
at least one of the multiple captured images, or the number of
persons who accessed a URL such as a webpage related to the
relevant event, for example. For this reason, by referencing the
relevant group image after the event ends, a viewer of the group
image is able to perceive the excitement or other atmosphere of the
event.
[0334] In addition, the image processing device 210 may place, in
the group image, captured images depicting the interior or exterior
of a facility where an event is held, for example. Also, if
captured images of the event are captured at night, for example,
the image processing device 210 may select and place, in the group
image, captured images of the facility where the event is held
according to the time when the captured images were captured, such
as by selecting captured images depicting the relevant facility at
night. Consequently, since the group image may represent the
atmosphere of the event in a unified way overall, by referencing
the relevant group image, a person referencing the group image is
able to more strongly perceive the ambience of the event.
[0335] In addition, since an operator of a facility such as a store
where an event is held may clearly communicate the atmosphere of
the relevant facility by using submitted captured images on a
webpage or the like for the relevant facility, the promotional
advantages of the webpage or the like may be increased, and an
improvement in the profits of the relevant facility may be
anticipated.
[0336] In addition, the image processing device 210 analyzes the
hue of multiple captured images, and selects a theme color of the
group image on the basis of the analysis result. For this reason,
by referencing the relevant group image, a person referencing the
group image is able to more clearly perceive the atmosphere of the
event.
[0337] In addition, the image processing device 210 decides service
information to provide to a user of the communication terminal 200
according to the number of captured images submitted from the
communication terminal 200, for example, and transmits the relevant
service information to the communication terminal 200. For this
reason, since a greater number of coupon points may be given to
persons who submit a greater number of captured images, for
example, an advantageous effect of enticing event participants to
submit more captured images may be anticipated.
3. Detailed Description of Third Embodiment
[0338] The foregoing thus describes the second embodiment. Next,
the third embodiment will be described. First, a problem that the
third embodiment attempts to solve will be described. In the past,
in order to quickly propagate a QR code (registered trademark) to
many people, a method of putting up a poster or the like with the
QR code (registered trademark) printed thereon in a prominent place
was adopted. However, with the relevant method, printing and
putting up posters is burdensome, and the work of a user scanning a
QR code (registered trademark) from a poster is inconvenient.
Consequently, a simpler method is desirable.
[0339] In addition, the technologies described in JP 2012-133735A
and JP 2012-064151A are unable to support the clear indication of
individual transmission histories of information in association
with users. For example, at a place where many participants gather,
such as a party venue, a history of how information was transmitted
among which users, and in what order, cannot be ascertained.
[0340] Thus, focusing on the above circumstances led to the
creation of a communication terminal 310 according to the third
embodiment. The communication terminal 310 according to the third
embodiment is able to support the clear indication of individual
transmission histories of information in association with
users.
[0341] Such a communication terminal 310 according to the third
embodiment is provided with: [0342] A. an information acquisition
unit 3102 that acquires, from another communication terminal 310,
first information that includes connection information for
connecting to a communication service and identification
information of a user of the other communication terminal 310; and
[0343] B. an information generation unit 3104 that, on the basis of
the first information acquired by the information acquisition unit
3102, generates second information that includes the connection
information and identification information of a user of the current
terminal.
[0344] Also, an information processing device 320 (service
management device) according to the third embodiment is provided
with: [0345] C. a communication unit 3200 (receiving unit) that
receives identification information of a user of a communication
terminal 310a (first communication terminal) and identification
information of a user of a communication terminal 310b (second
communication terminal) from the communication terminal 310b, which
is a communication terminal that received the propagation of
connection information of a communication service and
identification information of a user of the current terminal from
the communication terminal 310a; and [0346] D. a graph generation
unit 3202 that generates a social graph that indicates a
relationship between the user of the communication terminal 310a
and the user of the communication terminal 310b.
[0347] [3-1. Basic Configuration of Communication System]
[0348] Hereinafter, first, a basic configuration of such a
communication system according to the third embodiment will be
described with reference to FIG. 30. As illustrated in FIG. 30, the
communication system according to the third embodiment includes a
communication terminal 310, a communication network 112, and an
information processing device 320. Note that the communication
network 112 is similar to the first embodiment.
[0349] --Communication Terminal 310--
[0350] The communication terminal 310 is a device connectable to
the communication network 112. The communication terminal 3100 may
be a mobile phone such as a smartphone, a tablet, or a PDA, for
example. In addition, the communication terminal 310 may also have
a hardware configuration similar to the first communication
terminal 110 according to the first embodiment. Also, the
communication terminal 310 may furthermore include a short-range
wireless communication function, in addition to the hardware
configuration according to the first communication terminal 110
discussed earlier.
[0351] In addition, the communication terminal 310 may also be a
service management device capable of providing a communication
service to another communication terminal 310 or the like, for
example. Herein, the communication service may be a service for
sharing content with another communication terminal, or a content
playback service as described in the first embodiment, for example.
In addition, the communication terminal 310 may also include the
functionality of an access point for connecting another
communication terminal 310 or the like to a predetermined wireless
LAN via Wi-Fi, for example.
[0352] --Information Processing Device 320--
[0353] The information processing device 320 is a device
connectable to the communication network 112. Also, the information
processing device 320 may have a hardware configuration similar to
the first communication terminal 110 according to the first
embodiment, but may also have differences, such as not including
the input device 1160 or the image capture device 1166, for
example. In addition, the information processing device 320 may
also be a service management device capable of providing a
communication service as discussed above to multiple communication
terminals 310, for example. Also, the information processing device
320 may be identical to one of the communication terminals 310.
3-2. Overview of Third Embodiment
[0354] Next, an overview of the third embodiment made up of the
communication system discussed above will be described with
reference to FIG. 31. Herein, as an example, a case will be
described in which respective users possessing a communication
terminal 310a to a communication terminal 310d desire to
participate in a party, and in addition, the respective users
desire to participate in an event held by the communication
terminal 310a on a communication service provided by the
information processing device 320, for example.
[0355] First, the event organizer "A", using the communication
terminal 310a in his or her possession, provides first information
that includes connection information for connecting to the relevant
communication service and the user identification information of
"A", such as a QR code (registered trademark), for example, to
another party participant "B", who may be a friend of the organizer
"A", for example (S31). Next, the relevant person "B", using the
communication terminal 310b in his or her possession, scans and
acquires the relevant first information from the communication
terminal 310a (S32).
[0356] Subsequently, the communication terminal 310b connects to
the relevant communication service using the connection information
included in the acquired first information, and transmits the user
identification information of "A" and the user identification
information of "B" to the information processing device 320.
Subsequently, the information processing device 320 generates a
social graph indicating a relationship between "A" and "B".
[0357] Next, the communication terminal 310b, on the basis of the
acquired first information, generates second information that
includes the relevant connection information and the user
identification information of "B", such as a QR code (registered
trademark), for example. Subsequently, the relevant person "B" uses
the communication terminal 310b to provide the relevant second
information to other party participants "C" and "D", for
example.
[0358] Next, the relevant persons "C" and "D", using the
communication terminal 310c and the communication terminal 310d in
their respective possession, scan and acquire the relevant second
information from the communication terminal 310b.
[0359] Subsequently, the communication terminal 310c and the
communication terminal 310d respectively connect to the relevant
communication service using the connection information included in
the acquired second information, and transmit the user
identification information of "B" and their own user identification
information to the information processing device 320. Next, the
information processing device 320 adds, to the generated social
graph, a social graph indicating a relationship between "B" and
"C", and a social graph indicating a relationship between "B" and
"D". Note that the social graph 330 illustrated on the right side
of FIG. 31 is the final social graph updated by the above
process.
[0360] As discussed above, according to the third embodiment, the
communication terminal 310b acquires, from another communication
terminal 310a, first information that includes connection
information for connecting to a communication service and
identification information of a user of the other communication
terminal 310a. Also, the communication terminal 310b, on the basis
of the acquired first information, generates second information
that includes the relevant connection information and
identification information of the user of the current terminal
itself. For this reason, the communication terminal 310b is able to
acquire the relevant connection information in association with
identification information of the user of the other communication
terminal 310a from the other communication terminal communication
terminal 310a, and propagate the relevant connection information in
association with identification information of the user of the
communication terminal 310b to another communication terminal 310c.
Consequently, it is possible to support the clear indication of
individual transmission histories of information in association
with users, in a format such as the social graph 330, for
example.
3-3. Configuration According to Third Embodiment
[0361] (3-3-1. Communication Terminal 310)
[0362] The foregoing thus describes an overview of the third
embodiment. Next, a configuration according to the third embodiment
will be described in detail. FIG. 32 is a function block diagram
illustrating a configuration of a communication terminal 310 and an
information processing device 320 according to the third
embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 32, the communication terminal
310 according to the third embodiment includes a communication unit
3100, an information acquisition unit 3102, an information
generation unit 3104, a transmission control unit 3106, an
information propagation unit 3108, a storage unit 3110, and an
input unit 3112.
[0363] The communication unit 3100 transmits and receives various
information to and from the information processing device 320 via
the communication network 112. For example, the communication unit
3100 transmits identification information of a user of another
communication terminal 310, which is the source from which the
information acquisition unit 3102 discussed later acquires the
first information, in association with identification information
of the user of the current terminal, to the information processing
device 320.
[0364] The information acquisition unit 3102 acquires, from another
communication terminal 310, first information that includes
connection information for connecting to a communication service
and identification information of a user of the relevant other
communication terminal 310. Herein, the connection information may
include address information of a service management device that
manages the relevant communication service, such as another
communication terminal 310 or the information processing device
320, for example, and identification information of the relevant
communication service. In addition, the connection information may
also include an identifier of a predetermined access point
connected to the relevant communication service, such as another
communication terminal 310, for example, and authentication
information for connecting to the predetermined access point.
Additionally, the first information may also be an information code
such as a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode, for
example.
[0365] Also, if the first information is an information code, the
information acquisition unit 3102 may also acquire first
information displayed on another communication terminal 310 via
image capture. In addition, the information acquisition unit 3102
may also acquire the first information from another communication
terminal 310 via short-range wireless communication.
[0366] The information generation unit 3104, on the basis of the
first information acquired by the information acquisition unit
3102, generates second information that includes the connection
information discussed above and identification information of the
user of the current terminal. Herein, the second information may
also be an information code such as a QR code (registered
trademark) or a barcode, for example.
[0367] The transmission control unit 3106 causes the communication
unit 3100 to transmit the identification information of the user of
another communication terminal 310 and the identification
information of the user of the current terminal to the service
management device discussed above. In addition, the transmission
control unit 3106 may also cause the communication unit 3100 to
transmit the identification information of the user of another
communication terminal 310 and the identification information of
the user of the current terminal immediately after the information
acquisition unit 3102 acquires the first information, for
example.
[0368] The information propagation unit 3108 propagates second
information generated by the information generation unit 3104 to
another communication terminal 310. Also, if the second information
is an information code, the information propagation unit 3108 may
also propagate the second information by displaying the second
information on the communication terminal 310, for example. In
addition, the information propagation unit 3108 may also propagate
the second information to another communication terminal 310 via
short-range wireless communication.
[0369] The storage unit 3110 stores various information such as
first information acquired by the information acquisition unit
3102, and various software such as software for controlling the
operation of the communication terminal 310, for example.
[0370] The input unit 3112 receives various operations from the
user. For example, the input unit 3112 receives operations such as
an instruction operation to acquire first information with the
information acquisition unit 3102, and an instruction operation to
propagate second information with the information propagation unit
3108.
[0371] Note that, according to the third embodiment, it is also
possible to provide a computer program causing hardware such as a
CPU, ROM, and RAM built into the communication terminal 310 to
exhibit the same functionality as the respective components of the
communication terminal 310 discussed above. Also, a storage medium
having such a computer program stored therein is also provided.
[0372] The above thus describes a configuration of the
communication terminal 310 according to the third embodiment, but
the configuration is not limited to the configuration discussed
above. For example, one or more of any of the communication unit
3100, the transmission control unit 3106, the information
propagation unit 3108, the storage unit 3110, and the input unit
3112 may be provided in another device. In addition, functions
similar to the structural elements of the information processing
device 320 discussed later may also be included in the
communication terminal 310.
[0373] (3-3-2. Information Processing Device 320)
[0374] Also, as illustrated in FIG. 32, a information processing
device 320 according to the third embodiment includes a
communication unit 3200, a graph generation unit 3202, and a
storage unit 3204.
[0375] The communication unit 3200 transmits and receives various
information to and from the communication terminal 310 via the
communication network 112. For example, the communication unit 3200
receives identification information of the user of a communication
terminal 310a and identification information of the user of a
communication terminal 310b from a communication terminal 310b,
which is a communication terminal that received the propagation of
first information from the communication terminal 310a.
[0376] The graph generation unit 3202 generates a social graph
indicating a relationship between the user of the communication
terminal 310a (first communication terminal) and the user of the
communication terminal 310b (second communication terminal)
received by the communication unit 3200. In addition, if the
communication unit 3200 receives identification information of the
user of the communication terminal 310b and identification
information of the user of a communication terminal 310c (third
communication terminal) from the communication terminal 310c, which
is a communication terminal that received the propagation of first
information from the communication terminal 310b, the graph
generation unit 3202 may also add, to the above social graph, a
graph indicating a relationship between the user of the
communication terminal 310b and the user of the communication
terminal 310c.
[0377] The storage unit 3204 stores various software, such as
software for controlling the operation of the information
processing device 320, for example. In addition, the storage unit
3204 associates and records the identification information of the
user of the other communication terminal 310a, which is the
propagation source of the first information, and the identification
information of the user of the communication terminal 310b, which
were received from the communication terminal 310b, in a
propagation information table 322 as illustrated in FIG. 33, for
example, and additionally stores the propagation information table
322.
[0378] At this point, an example of the configuration of the
propagation information table 322 will be described with reference
to FIG. 33. As illustrated in FIG. 33, in the propagation
information table 322, a connecting person ID column 3220, a
propagation source ID column 3222, and a propagation destination ID
column 3224 are recorded in association with each other. For
example, the data illustrated on the third row of FIG. 33 indicates
that the communication unit 3200 received, from a communication
terminal 310b whose user has the identification information "B",
"A" as identification information of the user of another
communication terminal 310a, which is the propagation source of the
first information. Also, the relevant data indicates that the
communication unit 3200 received, from a communication terminal
310d whose user has the identification information "D", the fact
that second information generated by the communication terminal
310b was propagated to the relevant communication terminal
310d.
[0379] The above thus describes a configuration of an information
processing device 320 according to the third embodiment, but the
configuration is not limited to the configuration discussed above.
For example, the storage unit 3204 may also be provided in another
device.
3-4. Operation According to Third Embodiment
[0380] The above thus describes a configuration according to the
third embodiment. Next, operation according to the third embodiment
will be described. FIG. 34 is a sequence diagram illustrating
operation according to the third embodiment.
[0381] As illustrated in FIG. 34, first, in response to a user
operation on the input unit 3112, the communication terminal 310a
activates an application for using a relevant communication service
downloaded in advance (S301). Subsequently, in response to a user
operation on the input unit 3112, the communication terminal 310a
holds an event on the relevant communication service (S302).
[0382] Next, the information generation unit 3104 of the
communication terminal 310a generates first information that
includes connection information for connecting to the relevant
communication service and identification information of the user of
the communication terminal 310a (S303). Note that the first
information may also be an information code such as a QR code
(registered trademark), for example.
[0383] At this point, an example of data included in the first
information generated in S303 (information code 340a) will be
described with reference to FIG. 35. As illustrated in FIG. 35, the
information code 340a includes, as the connection information, an
SSID 3400a, a wireless LAN password 3402a, a service provider
address 3404a, and event information 3406a. Additionally, the
information code 340a includes a propagator ID 3408a. For example,
the information code 340a illustrated in FIG. 35 indicates that
"ACSPNT01" is included as the ID (SSID) of an access point on a
wireless LAN, "192.168.0.11" as the IP address of the service
provider, "5003@asda" as the event information, which is an
identifier of the relevant event, for example, and "A" as
identification information of the user of the communication
terminal 310 that generated the relevant information code 340a.
[0384] Next, a communication terminal 310b, which is a different
communication terminal from the communication terminal 310a,
activates an application for using a relevant communication service
downloaded in advance, in response to a user operation on the input
unit 3112 (S304).
[0385] Next, the information acquisition unit 3102 of the
communication terminal 310b acquires the first information from the
communication terminal 310a (S305). At this point, if the first
information is an information code, the information propagation
unit 3108 of the communication terminal 310a may display the first
information on the communication terminal 310a, for example, and
the information acquisition unit 3102 of the communication terminal
310b may acquire the displayed first information via image
capture.
[0386] Next, in response to a user operation on the input unit
3112, the communication unit 3100 of the communication terminal
310b connects to the relevant communication service on the basis of
the connection information included in the acquired first
information. Subsequently, in response to a user operation on the
input unit 3112, the communication terminal 310b participates in
the event held by the communication terminal 310a on the relevant
communication service (S306).
[0387] Next, the communication unit 3100 of the communication
terminal 310b transmits identification information of the user of
the communication terminal 310a, which is the source from which the
information acquisition unit 3102 acquired the first information,
in association with identification information of the user of the
current terminal, to the information processing device 320.
Subsequently, the graph generation unit 3202 of the information
processing device 320 generates a social graph that indicates a
relationship between the user of the communication terminal 310a
and the user of the communication terminal 310b (S307).
[0388] Next, the information generation unit 3104 of the
communication terminal 310b, on the basis of the first information
acquired by the information acquisition unit 3102, generates second
information that includes the relevant connection information and
identification information of the user of the communication
terminal 310b (S308). Note that the first information may also be
an information code such as a QR code (registered trademark), for
example.
[0389] At this point, an example of data included in the second
information generated in S308 (information code 340b) will be
described with reference to FIG. 35. As illustrated in FIG. 35, the
information code 340b may include information similar to the
connection information included in the information code 340a as
connection information, for example. Also, the propagator ID 3408b
includes "B", which is identification information of a user related
to the communication terminal 310 that generated the relevant
information code 340b.
[0390] Next, a communication terminal 310c, which is a different
communication terminal from the communication terminal 310a and the
communication terminal 310b, activates an application for using a
relevant communication service downloaded in advance, in response
to a user operation on the input unit 3112 (S309).
[0391] Next, the information acquisition unit 3102 of the
communication terminal 310c acquires the second information from
the communication terminal 310b (S310). At this point, if the
second information is an information code, the information
propagation unit 3108 of the communication terminal 310b may
display the second information on the communication terminal 310b,
for example, and the information acquisition unit 3102 of the
communication terminal 310c may acquire the displayed second
information via image capture.
[0392] Next, in response to a user operation on the input unit
3112, the communication unit 3100 of the communication terminal
310c connects to the relevant communication service on the basis of
the connection information included in the acquired second
information. Subsequently, in response to a user operation on the
input unit 3112, the communication terminal 310c participates in
the event held by the communication terminal 310a on the relevant
communication service (S311).
[0393] Next, the communication unit 3100 of the communication
terminal 310c transmits identification information of the user of
the communication terminal 310b, which is the source from which the
information acquisition unit 3102 acquired the second information,
in association with identification information of the user of the
current terminal, to the information processing device 320.
Subsequently, the graph generation unit 3202 of the information
processing device 320 adds, to the social graph generated in S307,
a graph that indicates a relationship between the user of the
communication terminal 310b and the user of the communication
terminal 310c (S312).
[0394] The above thus describes operation according to the third
embodiment, but operation is not limited to the operation discussed
above. For example, the operation in S308 may also be conducted
between S305 and S306. As another example, if the communication
terminal 310a additionally includes the functionality of the
information processing device 320, in S307 and S312, the
communication terminal 310b and the communication terminal 310c may
also transmit the user identification information discussed above
to the communication terminal 310a instead of the information
processing device 320.
3-5. Advantageous Effects According to Third Embodiment
[0395] As described above, according to the third embodiment, the
communication terminal 310b acquires, from another communication
terminal 310a, first information that includes connection
information for connecting to a communication service and
identification information of a user of the other communication
terminal 310a. Also, the communication terminal 310b, on the basis
of the acquired first information, generates second information
that includes the relevant connection information and
identification information of the user of the current terminal
itself. For this reason, the communication terminal 310b is able to
acquire the relevant connection information in association with
identification information of the user of the other communication
terminal 310a from another communication terminal, and propagate
the relevant connection information in association with
identification information of the user of the communication
terminal 310b to another communication terminal 310c. Consequently,
it is possible to support the clear indication of individual
transmission histories of information in association with users, in
a format such as the social graph 330, for example.
[0396] Also, the communication terminal 310 transmits
identification information of a user of the communication terminal
310 that is the propagation source of the first information, and
identification information of the user of the current terminal to
the information processing device 320, either at the same time or
immediately after connecting to a communication service on the
basis of the first information acquired from another communication
terminal 310. For this reason, the information processing device
320 is able to generate and update a social graph dynamically
according to connections to the communication service by the
communication terminals 310, and thus individual transmission
histories of information may be visualized dynamically.
[0397] Also, the user of the communication terminal 310 may acquire
a social graph generated by the information processing device 320
from the information processing device 320 after an event ends, for
example, and thereby an overview of event participants, or utilize
the social graph as reference data for estimating relationships
among participants.
[0398] Also, if the first information is an information code, the
communication terminal 310 acquires first information displayed on
another communication terminal 310 via image capture. For this
reason, the user of the communication terminal 310 is able to
capture an image of the information code more quickly and easily
compared to the case of capturing an image of an information code
printed on paper, such as a poster, for example.
[0399] Also, as a general rule, the communication terminal 310
propagates second information that includes only connection
information for connecting to the communication service and
identification information of the identification information of the
current terminal to another communication terminal 310. For this
reason, since important information such as personal information is
not shared between communication terminals 310, there is almost no
risk of important information being leaked or used without
authorization.
[0400] In addition, if a communication terminal 310 does not
acquire first information from another communication terminal 310,
that communication terminal 310 is unable to connect to the
relevant communication service as a general rule. For this reason,
a person who is ineligible to join the communication service is
unable to connect to the relevant communication service, for
example, and thus a highly secure communication service may be
realized.
4. Detailed Description of Fourth Embodiment
[0401] The foregoing thus describes the third embodiment. Next, the
fourth embodiment will be described. First, a problem that the
fourth embodiment attempts to solve will be described. In the past,
services for sharing photos and data have been developed, but such
sharing services always require users to go through user
registration, and also log into the relevant sharing service with a
username and password pair. For this reason, a user is burdened
with the above work of registration and login, and also becomes
unable to login if the user forgets his or her password.
Particularly, for applications in which the user wants to "share
data just this time", the above work of registration and login may
impose a large burden on the user in some cases.
[0402] In addition, the technologies described in JP 2012-133735A
and JP 2012-064151A are unable to adequately support the reviewing
of usage details for a communication service after the relevant
communication service ends, and for example, are unable to support
the reviewing of details of usage on a communication service
temporarily provided at a party venue or the like after the
relevant communication service ends.
[0403] Thus, focusing on the above circumstances led to the
creation of a first communication terminal 410 (communication
terminal) according to the fourth embodiment. The first
communication terminal 410 according to the fourth embodiment is
able to support the reviewing of usage details for a communication
service after the relevant communication service ends.
[0404] Such a first communication terminal 410 according to the
fourth embodiment is provided with: [0405] A. a communication unit
4100 (acquisition unit) that acquires service identification
information associated with a communication service from an
information processing device 430 that manages shared content;
[0406] B. a user identification information issuing unit 4102 that
issues service user identification information associated with the
service identification information to a second communication
terminal 420 (other communication terminal); and [0407] C. a
transmission control unit 4104 that causes the communication unit
4100 to transmit the service identification information, and the
service user identification information issued by the user
identification information issuing unit 4102, to the information
processing device 430.
[0408] Also, a second communication terminal 420 (communication
terminal) according to the fourth embodiment is provided with:
[0409] D. a service usage request unit 4202 that requests usage of
a communication service from a first communication terminal 410
(other communication terminal); [0410] E. a communication unit 4200
(receiving unit) that receives, from the first communication
terminal 410, service identification information of the
communication service and service user identification information
associated with the service identification information; and [0411]
F. a transmission control unit 4204 that causes the communication
unit 4200 to transmit meta-information corresponding to content
stored in the current terminal to the first communication terminal
410.
4-1. Basic Configuration of Communication System
[0412] Hereinafter, first, a basic configuration of a such a
communication system according to the fourth embodiment will be
described with reference to FIG. 36. As illustrated in FIG. 36, the
communication system according to the fourth embodiment includes a
first communication terminal 410, a second communication terminal
420, a communication network 112, and an information processing
device 430. Note that the communication network 112 is similar to
the first embodiment.
[0413] --First Communication Terminal 410--
[0414] The first communication terminal 410 is a communication
terminal connectable to the communication network 112. The first
communication terminal 410 may be a mobile phone such as a
smartphone, a tablet, a tablet personal computer (PC), a PDA, a
digital still camera, a digital video camera, or a game console,
for example. In addition, the first communication terminal 410 may
also have a hardware configuration similar to the first
communication terminal 110 according to the first embodiment. In
addition, the first communication terminal 410 may also include the
functionality of an access point for connecting the second
communication terminal 420 or the like to a predetermined wireless
LAN via Wi-Fi, for example.
[0415] --Second Communication Terminal 420--
[0416] The second communication terminal 420 is a communication
terminal connectable to the communication network 112. The second
communication terminal 420 may be a mobile phone such as a
smartphone, a tablet, a laptop PC, a PDA, a digital still camera, a
digital video camera, or a game console, for example. In addition,
the first communication terminal 410 may also have a hardware
configuration similar to the first communication terminal 110
according to the first embodiment.
[0417] --Information Processing Device 430--
[0418] The information processing device 430 is a device that
manages content shared between the first communication terminal 410
and the second communication terminal 420. Also, the information
processing device 320 may have a hardware configuration similar to
the first communication terminal 110 according to the first
embodiment, but may also have differences, such as not including
the input device 1160 or the image capture device 1166, for
example.
4-2. Overview of Fourth Embodiment
[0419] Next, an overview of the fourth embodiment made up of the
communication system discussed above will be described with
reference to FIG. 37. Herein, an example will be described in
which, on a local network provided by a predetermined access point
such as the first communication terminal 410, for example, a person
A possessing the first communication terminal 410 desires to
organize a content sharing service, and in addition, a person B and
a person C possessing the second communication terminal 420 desire
to participant in the relevant content sharing service.
[0420] In such a situation, first, the first communication terminal
410 acquires service identification information associated with the
relevant content sharing service from the information processing
device 430 installed outside of the relevant local network, for
example. Next, the first communication terminal 410 uses the
acquired service identification information to organize a content
sharing service on the relevant local network. Subsequently, the
first communication terminal 410 issues service user identification
information associated with the relevant service identification
information to the persons B and C possessing the second
communication terminal 420 who desire to participate in the
relevant content sharing service. Different service user
identification information is issued per person.
[0421] Next, the relevant content sharing service is used among the
three persons A, B, and C, and content such as captured images
respectively owned by each person is shared, for example (S41).
[0422] Next, when the relevant content sharing service ends, for
example, the first communication terminal 410 transmits the
relevant service identification information, a list of service user
identification information issued to the second communication
terminal 420, and context of the relevant content sharing service,
such as a captured image, for example, to the information
processing device 430 (S42). After that, the first communication
terminal 410 ends the relevant content sharing service. Note that
the information processing device 430 may provide a service
(hereinafter designated the parent service) that stores usage
details such as the context of the relevant content sharing
service.
[0423] Next, the second communication terminal 420 possessed by the
person B, after separating from the relevant local network, for
example, transmits the relevant service identification information
and the service user identification information issued by the first
communication terminal 410 to the information processing device 430
via the communication network 112, for the purpose of reviewing the
above context of the content sharing service (S43).
[0424] After that, if the information processing device 430
confirms that the person B is a user of the relevant content
sharing service by matching the information received in S42, the
information processing device 430 permits the second communication
terminal 420 possessed by the person B to reference the relevant
context and the like, for example (S44).
[0425] As discussed above, according to the fourth embodiment, the
first communication terminal 410 acquires service identification
information associated with a communication service from a
information processing device 430 that manages shared content, and
issues service user identification information associated with the
relevant service identification information to the second
communication terminal 420. Subsequently, the first communication
terminal 410 transmits the relevant service identification
information, and the service user identification information issued
to the second communication terminal 420, to the information
processing device 430. For this reason, a user of the second
communication terminal 420 may transmit the relevant service
identification information and the service user identification
information issued by the first communication terminal 410 to the
information processing device 430 via the communication network
112, thereby enabling the information processing device 430 to
ensure the identity of a user of the relevant communication service
even after the communication service ends. Consequently, the first
communication terminal 410 is able to support the maintaining of
connections made between users on the relevant communication
service, even after the relevant communication service ends.
4-3. Configuration According to Fourth Embodiment
[0426] (4-3-1. First Communication Terminal 410)
[0427] The foregoing thus describes an overview of the fourth
embodiment. Next, a configuration according to the fourth
embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 38 is a function block
diagram illustrating a configuration of the first communication
terminal 410 according to the fourth embodiment. As illustrated in
FIG. 38, the first communication terminal 410 according to the
fourth embodiment includes a communication unit 4100 (acquisition
unit), a user identification information issuing unit 4102, a
transmission control unit 4104, a storage unit 4106, a service
history acquisition unit 4108, an input unit 4110, and a display
unit 4112.
[0428] The communication unit 4100 transmits and receives various
information to and from the second communication terminal 420 and
the information processing device 430 via the communication network
112. For example, the communication unit 4100 receives service
identification information associated with a communication service
from the information processing device 430. Herein, the
communication service is a service for sharing content, for
example. Also, the content may be text information, music, or
images, for example.
[0429] In addition, the communication unit 4100 receives, from the
second communication terminal 420, meta-information corresponding
to content stored in the relevant second communication terminal
420, and service user identification information issued to the
relevant second communication terminal 420. In addition, the
communication unit 4100 receives, from the second communication
terminal 420, a provision request for service user identification
information corresponding to meta-information stored in the storage
unit 4106 discussed later. In addition, the communication unit
4100, under control by the transmission control unit 4104 discussed
later, transmits received service identification information to the
second communication terminal 420.
[0430] The user identification information issuing unit 4102 issues
service user identification information associated with received
service identification information to the second communication
terminal 420. In addition, the user identification information
issuing unit 4102 may additionally issue the above service user
identification information to the first communication terminal
410.
[0431] The transmission control unit 4104 causes the communication
unit 4100 to transmit the receiver service identification
information, and the service user identification information issued
by the user identification information issuing unit 4102, to the
information processing device 430. In addition, the transmission
control unit 4104 may also cause the communication unit 4100 to
transmit the above service identification information to the second
communication terminal 420. In addition, if the provision request
discussed above is received from the second communication terminal
420, the transmission control unit 4104 may also cause the
communication unit 4100 to transmit service user identification
information corresponding to meta-information specified by the
relevant provision request to the second communication terminal
420. In addition, the transmission control unit 4104 may also cause
the communication unit 4100 to transmit meta-information stored in
the storage unit 4106 discussed later, and service user
identification information corresponding to the relevant
meta-information, to the information processing device 430. Note
that the functions of the transmission control unit 4104 discussed
above will be described later in detail.
[0432] The storage unit 4106 stores meta-information received from
the second communication terminal 420 and service user
identification information issued to the relevant second
communication terminal 420 in association with each other, for
example. In addition, the storage unit 4106 may also store
meta-information corresponding to content stored in the storage
unit 4106 and service user identification information issued to the
first communication terminal 410 in association with each other. In
addition, if the transmission control unit 4104 causes the
communication unit 4100 to transmit the above meta-information and
the above service user identification information to the
information processing device 430, the storage unit 4106 may delete
the relevant meta-information and the relevant service user
identification information stored in the storage unit 4106.
[0433] The service history acquisition unit 4108 acquires, from the
information processing device 430, meta-information stored in the
information processing device 430 and service user identification
information corresponding to the relevant meta-information.
[0434] The input unit 4110 receives various operations from the
user. For example, the input unit 4110 receives a user operation
that activates an application for using a communication
service.
[0435] The display unit 4112 displays various display screens, such
as a display screen generated by an application for using a
communication service, such as a content sharing service, for
example.
[0436] At this point, FIG. 40 will be referenced to describe an
example of a display screen from an application for using a content
sharing service (content sharing service screen 440). As
illustrated in FIG. 40, the content sharing service screen 440
includes a display screen selection button 4400, a content display
field 4402, and a content owner face image display field 4404.
Herein, the display screen selection button 4400 may be a button
for toggling the display of display screens provided for different
content to play back, such as a screen for pictures and a screen
for music, for example. Note that although FIG. 40 illustrates an
example in which the type of content to share is captured images,
the configuration is not limited to such an example, and the
content to share may also be music, movies, chat content, or the
like. As another example, if the content to share is music, on the
content display field 4402, a thumbnail related to the relevant
content may also be displayed, for example. Additionally, the
content sharing service screen 440 may also be generated on the
basis of a content sharing list 432 as illustrated in FIG. 41,
which is stored in the storage unit 4106, for example.
[0437] Next, an example of a configuration of the content sharing
list 432 will be described with reference to FIG. 41. As
illustrated in FIG. 41, in the content sharing list 432, a
meta-information (content name) column 4320, a meta-information
(artist name) column 4322, and a content owner account column 4324
are recorded in association with each other, for example. Herein,
in the content owner account column 4324, the account of the user
who submitted the relevant content to the relevant content sharing
service is recorded. For example, the data illustrated on the
second row of FIG. 41 indicates that the content name is "Song 1",
the content type is "Music", and the account name of the owner of
the relevant content is "Akko".
[0438] Note that, according to the fourth embodiment, it is also
possible to provide a computer program causing hardware such as a
CPU, ROM, and RAM built into the first communication terminal 410
to exhibit the same functionality as the respective components of
the first communication terminal 410 discussed above. Also, a
storage medium having such a computer program stored therein is
also provided.
[0439] The above thus describes a configuration of the first
communication terminal 410 according to the fourth embodiment, but
the configuration is not limited to the configuration discussed
above. For example, one or more of any of the storage unit 4106,
the service history acquisition unit 4108, the input unit 4110, and
the display unit 4112 may be provided in another device.
[0440] (4-3-2. Second Communication Terminal 420)
[0441] Also, as illustrated in FIG. 39, the second communication
terminal 420 according to the fourth embodiment includes a
communication unit 4200 (receiving unit), a service usage request
unit 4202, a transmission control unit 4204, a storage unit 4206, a
service history acquisition unit 4208, an input unit 4210, and a
display unit 4212.
[0442] The communication unit 4200 transmits and receives various
information to and from the first communication terminal 410 and
the information processing device 430 via the communication network
112. For example, the communication unit 4200 receives, from the
first communication terminal 410, service identification
information of a communication service and service user
identification information associated with the relevant service
identification information. In addition, the communication unit
4200, under control by the transmission control unit 4204 discussed
later, transmits the above service identification information and
the above service user identification information received from the
first communication terminal 410 to the information processing
device 430.
[0443] The service usage request unit 4202 requests usage of a
communication service from the first communication terminal 410 via
the communication unit 4200.
[0444] The transmission control unit 4204 controls the
communication unit 4200 to transmit various information to the
first communication terminal 410 and the information processing
device 430. For example, the transmission control unit 4204 causes
the communication unit 4200 to transmit meta-information of content
stored in the storage unit 4206 to the first communication terminal
410.
[0445] The storage unit 4206 stores various information such as the
above service identification information and the above service user
identification information received by the communication unit 4200,
and various software such as an application for using a
communication service, for example.
[0446] Note that the functions of the service history acquisition
unit 4208, the input unit 4210, and the display unit 4212 are
similar to the service history acquisition unit 4108, the input
unit 4110, and the display unit 4112 in the first communication
terminal 410, respectively.
[0447] The above thus describes a configuration of the second
communication terminal 420 according to the fourth embodiment, but
the configuration is not limited to the configuration discussed
above. For example, one or more of any of the service usage request
unit 4202, the service history acquisition unit 4208, and the input
unit 4210 may also be provided in another device.
4-4. Operation According to Fourth Embodiment
[0448] (4-4-1. Operation of Content Sharing Service)
[0449] The above thus describes a configuration according to the
fourth embodiment. Next, operation according to the fourth
embodiment will be described. First, operation during a
communication service according to the fourth embodiment will be
described. Note that, as an example, the following describes
operation in the case in which the communication service is a
content sharing service.
[0450] FIG. 42 is a sequence diagram illustrating operation during
a content sharing service according to the fourth embodiment. As
illustrated in FIG. 42, first, in response to a user operation on
the input unit 4110, the first communication terminal 410 activates
an application for using a content sharing service downloaded in
advance (S401).
[0451] Next, in response to a user operation on the input unit
4110, the communication unit 4200 requests the information
processing device 430 for service identification information for a
content sharing service that the user desires to organize on a
certain local network (S402).
[0452] Next, the information processing device 430 issues service
identification information of the relevant content sharing service
on the basis of the above request received from the first
communication terminal 410, and subsequently transmits the relevant
service identification information to the first communication
terminal 410 (S403).
[0453] Next, in response to a user operation on the input unit
4110, the first communication terminal 410 uses the relevant
service identification information to start a content sharing
service on the relevant local network (S404).
[0454] Next, the user identification information issuing unit 4102
issues service user identification information associated with the
service identification information received in S403 to the first
communication terminal 410 (S405). Subsequently, the storage unit
4106 stores the service identification information received in S403
and the service user identification information issued in S405 in
association with each other (S406).
[0455] Next, in response to a user operation on the input unit
4210, the second communication terminal 420 activates an
application for using a content sharing service downloaded in
advance (S407).
[0456] Next, the service usage request unit 4202 of the second
communication terminal 420 requests usage of the content sharing
service organized by the first communication terminal 410 from the
first communication terminal 410 via the communication unit 4200
(S408).
[0457] Next, the user identification information issuing unit 4102,
on the basis of the above request received from the second
communication terminal 420, issues service user identification
information, which is different from the service user
identification information issued in S405, to the second
communication terminal 420. Subsequently, the storage unit 4106
stores the service identification information received in S403 and
the service user identification information issued to the second
communication terminal 420 in association with each other
(S409).
[0458] Next, the transmission control unit 4104 causes the
communication unit 4100 to transmit the service identification
information stored in the storage unit 4106 and the service user
identification information issued in S409 to the second
communication terminal 420. Subsequently, the storage unit 4206 of
the second communication terminal 420 stores the service
identification information and the service user identification
information received from the first communication terminal 410 in
association with each other (S410).
[0459] At this point, if multiple second communication terminals
420 are connected to the relevant local network, the operation from
S407 to S410 may be repeated a number of times equal to the number
of second communication terminals 420 connected to the relevant
local network.
[0460] Next, the first communication terminal 410 and the second
communication terminal 420 display the content sharing service
screen illustrated in FIG. 40, for example, share content stored in
each terminal, chat, and the like (S411).
[0461] More specifically, if content is submitted by the second
communication terminal 420, for example, first, the communication
unit 4100 of the first communication terminal 410 receives, from
the second communication terminal 420, meta-information
corresponding to content stored in the second communication
terminal 420, and service user identification information issued to
the second communication terminal 420. Subsequently, the storage
unit 4106 stores the meta-information and the service user
identification information received from the second communication
terminal 420 in association with each other, like in the content
sharing list illustrated in FIG. 41, for example.
[0462] Also, if content is submitted by the first communication
terminal 410, the storage unit 4106 of the first communication
terminal 410 similarly stores meta-information corresponding to the
relevant content and the service user identification information
issued to the first communication terminal 410 in association with
each other.
[0463] Also, if the second communication terminal 420a desires to
play back music owned by another user, for example, first, the
communication unit 4100 of the first communication terminal 410
receives a provision request for the service user identification
information issued to the communication terminal that owns the
relevant music (assumed to be the second communication terminal
420b herein for the sake of convenience). Subsequently, the
transmission control unit 4104 causes the communication unit 4100
to transmit the service user identification information of the
second communication terminal 420b stored in the storage unit 4106
to the second communication terminal 420a. Consequently, the second
communication terminal 420a is able to request the second
communication terminal 420b to transmit the relevant music in a
streaming format, or request playback by a playback device
connected to the relevant local network, for example.
[0464] Next, when the content sharing service ends, for example,
the transmission control unit 4104 of the first communication
terminal 410 causes the communication unit 4100 to transmit the
service identification information, a list of service user
identification information issued in S405 and S409, and context of
the relevant content sharing service, which are stored in the
storage unit 4106, to the information processing device 430
(S412).
[0465] After that, the information processing device 430 stores the
service identification information, the list of service user
identification information, and the context of the relevant content
sharing service, which were received from the first communication
terminal 410, in association with each other (S413).
[0466] (4-4-2. Operation of Review after Content Sharing
Service)
[0467] Next, operation of a review after a content sharing service
according to the fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 43 is a
sequence diagram illustrating operation of a review after a content
sharing service according to the fourth embodiment. Note that FIG.
43 presupposes that the first communication terminal 410 and the
second communication terminal 420 have separated from the above
local network as a general rule.
[0468] At this point, if the user of the first communication
terminal 410 desires to review the context of the content sharing
service in S411 of FIG. 42, as illustrated in FIG. 43, first, in
response to a user operation on the input unit 4110, the first
communication terminal 410 activates the application for using a
content sharing service as discussed earlier (S421).
[0469] Next, in response to a user operation on the input unit
4110, the service history acquisition unit 4108 causes the
communication unit 4100 to transmit the service identification
information of the relevant content sharing service, the service
user identification information issued to the current terminal, and
meta-information corresponding to the desired content to reference,
for example, which are stored in the storage unit 4106, to the
information processing device 430 via the communication network 112
(S422). At this point, the service history acquisition unit 4108
may also not cause the communication unit 4100 to transmit the
above meta-information to the information processing device
430.
[0470] Next, the information processing device 430, according to
the above information received from the first communication
terminal 410, transmits the context of the relevant content sharing
service, and the identification information of the communication
terminal of the owner of the content corresponding to the received
meta-information (assumed to be the second communication terminal
420b herein for the sake of convenience), for example, to the first
communication terminal 410 (S423). At this point, if
meta-information is not received in S422, the information
processing device 430 may also not transmit the identification
information of the communication terminal of the owner of the above
content to the first communication terminal 410.
[0471] Note that, as a modification of S423, the information
processing device 430, according to the above information received
from the first communication terminal 410, may also transmit a
group image like the event summary screen 220 illustrated in FIG.
24, for example, to the first communication terminal 410. According
to this modification, the user of the first communication terminal
410 is able to review in a format in which the details of shared
content, such as captured images, for example, are briefly
summarized.
[0472] Next, in response to a user operation on the input unit
4110, the communication unit 4100 of the first communication
terminal 410 requests the second communication terminal 420b to
display or play back content, for example (S424).
[0473] Next, the second communication terminal 420b, according to
the request received from the first communication terminal 410,
displays the relevant content on the first communication terminal
410, or transmits the relevant content in a stream format, for
example (S425).
[0474] Next, if the user of the second communication terminal 420a
similarly desires to review the context of the content sharing
service, in response to a user operation on the input unit 4210,
the second communication terminal 420a activates the application
for using a content sharing service as discussed earlier
(S426).
[0475] Next, in response to a user operation on the input unit
4210, the service history acquisition unit 4208 causes the
communication unit 4200 to transmit the service identification
information of the relevant content sharing service, the service
user identification information issued to the current terminal, and
meta-information corresponding to the desired content to reference,
for example, which are stored in the storage unit 4206, to the
information processing device 430 via the communication network 112
(S427). At this point, the service history acquisition unit 4208
may also not cause the communication unit 4200 to transmit the
above meta-information to the information processing device
430.
[0476] Next, the information processing device 430, according to
the above information received from the second communication
terminal 420a, transmits the context of the relevant content
sharing service, and the identification information of the
communication terminal of the owner of the content corresponding to
the received meta-information (assumed to be the second
communication terminal 420b herein for the sake of convenience),
for example, to the second communication terminal 420a (S428). At
this point, if meta-information is not received in S427, the
information processing device 430 may also not transmit the
identification information of the communication terminal of the
owner of the above content to the second communication terminal
420a.
[0477] Note that, as a modification of S428, similarly to S423, the
information processing device 430, according to the above
information received from the second communication terminal 420a,
may also transmit a group image like the event summary screen 220
illustrated in FIG. 24, for example, to the second communication
terminal 420a.
[0478] Next, in response to a user operation on the input unit
4210, the communication unit 4200 of the second communication
terminal 420a requests the second communication terminal 420b to
display or play back content, for example (S429).
[0479] Next, the second communication terminal 420b, according to
the request received from the second communication terminal 420a,
displays the relevant content on the second communication terminal
420a, or transmits the relevant content in a stream format, for
example (S430).
[0480] The above thus describes operation of a review after a
content sharing service with reference to FIG. 43, but operation is
not limited to the operation discussed above. For example, the
operation from S421 to S425 and the operation from S426 to S430 may
be processed in parallel instead of being processed in the order
illustrated in FIG. 43.
[0481] In addition, before S421, for example, the information
processing device 430 may also cause the first communication
terminal 410 and the second communication terminal 420 to register
with a parent service managed by the information processing device
430, for example. Additionally, as part of the process of
registering with the relevant parent service, the information
processing device 430 may also cause the user of the first
communication terminal 410 and the second communication terminal
420 to register more personal information, such as the user's name,
age, and occupation, for example. According to this modification,
since the information processing device 430 is able to collect more
personal information related to the relevant user, there is an
advantage of utilizing such information for advertising and
marketing, for example, or enabling easier introduction of paid
service functionality.
4-5. Advantageous Effects According to Fourth Embodiment
[0482] As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the
first communication terminal 410 acquires service identification
information associated with a communication service from a
information processing device 430 that manages shared content, and
issues service user identification information associated with the
relevant service identification information to the second
communication terminal 420. Subsequently, the first communication
terminal 410 transmits the relevant service identification
information, and the service user identification information issued
to the second communication terminal 420, to the information
processing device 430. For this reason, a user of the second
communication terminal 420 may transmit the relevant service
identification information and the service user identification
information issued by the first communication terminal 410 to the
information processing device 430 via the communication network
112, thereby enabling the information processing device 430 to
ensure the identity of a user of the relevant communication service
even after the communication service ends. Consequently, the first
communication terminal 410 is able to support the maintaining of
connections made between users on the relevant communication
service, even after the relevant communication service ends.
[0483] For example, if the communication service is a content
sharing service, the user of the second communication terminal 420
is able to review or re-share context such as captured images and
chat content, for example, that were shared with the first
communication terminal 410 or another second communication terminal
420, even after the communication service ends.
[0484] Also, if the communication service is a content sharing
service, the information shared between the first communication
terminal 410 and the second communication terminal 420, or between
two second communication terminals 420, may be just
meta-information corresponding to content and service user
identification information, as discussed above. For this reason,
since the content itself is not shared, it is possible to protect
the copyright of content such as music, for example.
[0485] Also, the information that is provided to the first
communication terminal 410 and another second communication
terminal 420 in order for the second communication terminal 420 to
use the communication service is, as a general rule, just service
identification information and service user identification
information acquired from the first communication terminal 410. For
this reason, the second communication terminal 420 does not publish
personal information such as identification information of the
current terminal or private information, for example, to the first
communication terminal 410 and another second communication
terminal 420, and thus there is almost no risk of personal
information being used without authorization. Consequently, the
user of the second communication terminal 420 is able to use the
communication service casually and without hesitation. Also, there
is an advantage in that the user of the first communication
terminal 410 may anticipate that more users of the second
communication terminal 420 will participate in the communication
service, because of the above reasons.
[0486] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have
been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings,
whilst the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples,
of course. A person skilled in the art may find various alterations
and modifications within the scope of the appended claims, and it
should be understood that they will naturally come under the
technical scope of the present disclosure.
[0487] Additionally, the present technology may also be configured
as below.
(1)
[0488] A communication terminal including: [0489] an acquisition
unit that acquires, from another communication terminal,
meta-information associated with content stored in the other
communication terminal; and [0490] a playlist management unit that
manages a playlist which is shared with the other communication
terminal and which is for playing back content corresponding to the
meta-information acquired from the other communication terminal.
(2)
[0491] The communication terminal according to (1), wherein [0492]
the acquisition unit additionally acquires meta-information
associated with content stored in the communication terminal.
(3)
[0493] The communication terminal according to (2), wherein [0494]
the playlist management unit records, in the playlist, the
meta-information acquired by the acquisition unit, in association
with identification information of a user corresponding to the
other communication terminal or the communication terminal from
which the meta-information was acquired by the acquisition unit.
(4)
[0495] The communication terminal according to any one of (1) to
(3), wherein [0496] the playlist management unit additionally
records, in the playlist, the meta-information in association with
a playback order in which to play back the content corresponding to
the meta-information. (5)
[0497] The communication terminal according to any one of (1) to
(4), wherein [0498] when the meta-information is acquired by the
acquisition unit, the playlist management unit records the
meta-information in the playlist in a manner that the playback
order in which to play back content corresponding to the acquired
meta-information is at the end of the playback order recorded in
the playlist. (6)
[0499] The communication terminal according to any one of (1) to
(5), wherein [0500] the playlist management unit additionally
records, in the playlist, the meta-information in association with
a playback time at which the content corresponding to the
meta-information was played back. (7)
[0501] The communication terminal according to any one of (1) to
(6), further including: [0502] a playlist transmitting unit that
transmits the playlist to the other communication terminal. (8)
[0503] The communication terminal according to (7), wherein [0504]
when the playlist is updated by the playlist management unit, the
playlist transmitting unit transmits the updated playlist to the
other communication terminal. (9)
[0505] The communication terminal according to (4), further
including: [0506] a playlist control unit that, following the
playback order recorded in the playlist, transmits an instruction
to play back content corresponding to the meta-information recorded
in the playlist to the other communication terminal storing the
content. (10)
[0507] The communication terminal according to (9), wherein [0508]
the acquisition unit additionally acquires, from the other
communication terminal or the communication terminal, a playback
change request for changing playback from currently playing content
to content corresponding any of the meta-information among the
meta-information recorded in the playlist, and [0509] when the
playback change request is acquired by the acquisition unit, the
playback control unit changes playback from the currently playing
content to content specified by the playback change request.
(11)
[0510] The communication terminal according to any one of (1) to
(10), further including: [0511] a playback information database
operation unit that causes a playback information database to store
a captured image captured by the communication terminal, a capture
time of the captured image, and identification information of a
user of the communication terminal in association with each other.
(12)
[0512] The communication terminal according to any one of (1) to
(11), wherein the content is music.
(13)
[0513] The communication terminal according to any one of (1) to
(12), further including: [0514] a content request unit that
requests content corresponding to the meta-information recorded in
the playlist from a content providing server that provides the
content. (14)
[0515] A communication terminal including: [0516] a storage unit
that stores one or more pieces of content; [0517] a transmitting
unit that transmits meta-information associated with content stored
in the storage unit to another communication terminal; [0518] a
receiving unit that receives, from the other communication
terminal, a playlist which is shared with the other communication
terminal and which is for playing back content corresponding to the
meta-information; and [0519] a display unit that displays a
playlist screen based on the playlist. (15)
[0520] A communication method including: [0521] acquiring, from
another communication terminal, meta-information associated with
content stored in the other communication terminal; and [0522]
managing a playlist which is shared with the other communication
terminal and which is for playing back content corresponding to the
meta-information acquired from the other communication terminal.
(16)
[0523] A program for causing a computer to function as: [0524] an
acquisition unit that acquires, from another communication
terminal, meta-information associated with content stored in the
other communication terminal; and [0525] a playlist management unit
that manages a playlist which is shared with the other
communication terminal and which is for playing back content
corresponding to the meta-information acquired from the other
communication terminal. (17)
[0526] A communication system including: [0527] a first
communication terminal and a second communication terminal, wherein
[0528] the first communication terminal includes [0529] an
acquisition unit that acquires, from the second communication
terminal, meta-information associated with content stored in the
second communication terminal, and [0530] a playlist management
unit that manages a playlist which is shared with the second
communication terminal and which is for playing back content
corresponding to the meta-information acquired from the second
communication terminal.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0530] [0531] 110 first communication terminal [0532] 112
communication network [0533] 120 second communication terminal
[0534] 130 playback device [0535] 160 playback information database
[0536] 170 display device [0537] 190 music selling service [0538]
200 communication terminal [0539] 210 image processing device
[0540] 310 communication terminal [0541] 320 information processing
device [0542] 410 first communication terminal [0543] 420 second
communication terminal [0544] 430 information processing device
[0545] 1100 communication unit [0546] 1102 playlist management unit
[0547] 1104 storage unit [0548] 1106 stored information operation
unit [0549] 1108 playlist transmitting unit [0550] 1110 playback
control unit [0551] 1112 display unit [0552] 1114 input unit [0553]
1116 image capture unit [0554] 1118 playback information database
operation unit [0555] 1120 content request unit [0556] 1150 CPU
[0557] 1152 ROM [0558] 1154 RAM [0559] 1156 internal bus [0560]
1158 interface [0561] 1160 input device [0562] 1162 output device
[0563] 1164 storage device [0564] 1166 image capture device [0565]
1168 communication device [0566] 1200 communication unit [0567]
1202 storage unit [0568] 1204 display unit [0569] 1206 input unit
[0570] 1206 display unit [0571] 1208 image capture unit [0572] 2100
communication unit [0573] 2102 storage unit [0574] 2104 person
recognition unit [0575] 2106 image evaluation unit [0576] 2108
image selection unit [0577] 2110 group image generation unit [0578]
2112 hue analysis unit [0579] 2114 service information decision
unit [0580] 2116 access management unit [0581] 3100 communication
unit [0582] 3102 information acquisition unit [0583] 3104
information generation unit [0584] 3106 transmission control unit
[0585] 3108 information propagation unit [0586] 3110 storage unit
[0587] 3112 input unit [0588] 3200 communication unit [0589] 3202
graph generation unit [0590] 3204 storage unit [0591] 4100
communication unit [0592] 4102 user identification information
issuing unit [0593] 4104 transmission control unit [0594] 4106
storage unit [0595] 4108 service history acquisition unit [0596]
4110 input unit [0597] 4112 display unit [0598] 4200 communication
unit [0599] 4202 service usage request unit [0600] 4204
transmission control unit [0601] 4206 storage unit [0602] 4208
service history acquisition unit [0603] 4210 input unit [0604] 4212
display unit
* * * * *