Information processing system, electronic device, image file playing method, and generation method

A reception unit receives an image file from other electronic device. A display processing unit displays an image related to acquisition of content together with a content image if content identification information is included in an acquired image file. The display processing unit displays, as an image relating to acquisition of content, a link button which permits access to a content server.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a technology for playing an image file.

BACKGROUND ART

A function called screenshot is known which stores image data on a display screen, generated by content during execution of the content, in a memory device in response to a user instruction. This function temporarily stores image data on a display screen in a memory device as the user performs a given operation while watching the screen being displayed. Then, as the user sets a filename and specifies an arbitrary storage location of a hard disk drive, the image file stored in the memory device is stored in the hard disk drive.

PTL 1 proposes a technology relating to screenshot and more specifically discloses a game console. The game console acquires identification information of a game program during execution of the game program, stores a game screen image generated during execution of the game program in association with the identification information, and displays the image associated with the identification information in accordance with user specification.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY

Technical Problem

A screenshot image captured during execution of content represents an execution status of the content by the user. Today's mobile electronic devices commonly have a communication function, allowing screenshot images to be exchanged between these electronic devices. Against the backdrop of such an environment available now, the present inventor proposes a technique for effectively using screenshot image data.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new technology relating to using screenshot image files.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the above problem, an information processing system according to a mode of the present invention includes first and second electronic devices. The first electronic device has a retention unit, a first display processing unit, an acceptance unit, an acquisition unit, a file generation unit, and a first transmission unit. The retention unit retains content identification information. The first display processing unit displays a content image. The acceptance unit accepts an instruction to acquire image data. The acquisition unit acquires display image data when the acceptance unit accepts an acquisition instruction. The file generation unit generates an image file that associates the content identification information retained by the retention unit with the acquired image data. The first transmission unit transmits the image file to the second electronic device. The second electronic device has a reception unit and a second display processing unit. The reception unit receives an image file from the first electronic device. The second display processing unit displays a content image using the acquired image file. The second display processing unit displays an image relating to acquisition of content together with a content image.

Another mode of the present invention is an electronic device. This electronic device includes a storage unit and a display processing unit. The storage unit stores a content image file. The display processing unit displays a content image using the stored image file. The display processing unit also displays an image relating to acquisition of content if the content image file has content identification information.

Still another mode of the present invention is an electronic device. This electronic device includes a retention unit, a display processing unit, an acceptance unit, an acquisition unit, and a file generation unit. The retention unit retains content identification information. The display processing unit displays a content image. The acceptance unit accepts an instruction to acquire image data. The acquisition unit acquires display image data when the acceptance unit accepts an acquisition instruction. The file generation unit generates an image file that associates the content identification information retained by the retention unit with the acquired image data.

Still another mode of the present invention is an image file playing method. This method includes the steps of storing a content image file and displaying a content image. The display step displays an image relating to acquisition of content if the content image file has content identification information.

Still another mode of the present invention is an image file generation method. This method includes the steps of retaining content identification information, displaying a content image, and accepting an instruction to acquire image data. This method also includes the steps of acquiring display image data when the acquisition instruction is accepted, and generating an image file that associates the retained content identification information with the acquired image data.

It should be noted that any combinations of the above elements and any conversions of expressions of the present invention between method, device, system, recording media, computer program and so on are also effective as modes of the present invention.

Advantageous Effect of Invention

The present invention provides a new technology relating to using a screenshot image file.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1illustrates an example of configuration of an information processing system1according to a working example. In the information processing system1, APs (Access Points)2have each functions of a wireless access point and a router. Each of electronic devices10connects to a network3such as the Internet via the AP2and a modem (not shown).

The electronic device10has a wireless communication function and connects to a server5on the network3via one of the APs2. The server5is a content server that retains and manages content such as game programs and movie data. The electronic device10has a communication function based on wireless LAN (Local Area Network) system and may communicate with the server5in infrastructure mode. Alternatively, the electronic device10may communicate with the server5by a communication system used for mobile phones such as the third generation mobile communication system. In this case, the electronic device10communicates with the server5via base stations having a wide communication area, thus allowing the user to use the electronic device10outdoors as well. It should be noted that the electronic device10may be a portable terminal device or alternatively a stationary terminal device. Further, the electronic device10may connect to the network3in a wired manner. In the information processing system1, the user has a user account that identifies himself or herself and signs in to the network services provided by the server5using the user account.

The electronic device10according to the present working example displays, on a display device, a link button that permits access to the server5. In the electronic device10, the link button is associated with content and used to acquire content retained by the server5. The electronic device10retains address information of the server5on the network3. When the link button is manipulated, the electronic device10can access the server5. When accessing the server5, the electronic device10transmits content identification information (hereinafter referred to as a “content ID”) to the server5. Upon receipt of the content ID, the server5transmits, to the electronic device10, data for generating a page (acquisition page) that is used to acquire content. The electronic device10displays the acquisition page on the display device using this data. The user can download the content to the electronic device10, for example, by pressing a purchase button.

A description will be given below of appearance and circuit configurations of the electronic device according to the present working example. The electronic device described below is a portable game console. However, the electronic device may be other type of portable terminal device. It should be noted that the electronic device10may be not only a portable terminal device but also a stationary terminal device in the information processing system1.

[Configuration of the Front Face]

FIG. 2(a)illustrates the front face of the electronic device10. The electronic device10is formed with a horizontally long enclosure. The left and right areas thereof held by the user each have an arc-shaped outer frame. A rectangular touch panel50is provided on the front face of the electronic device10. The touch panel50includes a display device20and a transparent front touch pad21. The transparent front touch pad21covers the front face of the display device20. The display device20is an organic EL (Electro-Liminescence) panel and displays an image. It should be noted that the display device20may be other display means such as liquid crystal panel. The front touch pad21is a multi-touch pad having a function of detecting a plurality of points touched at the same time. The touch panel50is configured as a multi-touch screen.

A triangle button22a, a circle button22b, a cross button22c, and a square button22d(hereinafter referred to as “controller buttons22” when referred to collectively) are provided on the right side of the touch panel50. Each of these buttons is located at one of the vertices of a rhombus. An up key23a, a left key23b, a down key23c, and a right key23d(hereinafter referred to as “directional keys23” when referred to collectively) are provided on the left side of the touch panel50. The user can input eight directions, i.e., up, down, left, right and diagonal directions, by manipulating the directional keys23. A left stick24ais provided below the directional keys23. A right stick24bis provided below the controller buttons22. The user tilts the left stick24aor the right stick24b(hereinafter referred to as the “analog sticks24” when referred to collectively) to input the direction and the tilting amount. An L button26aand an R button26bare provided on the left and right top portions of the enclosure. The controller buttons22, the directional keys23, the analog sticks24, the L button26a, and the R button26bmake up manipulation means manipulated by the user.

A front camera30is provided near the controller buttons22. A left speaker25aand a right speaker25b(hereinafter referred to as the “speakers25” when referred to collectively) are provided, respectively, on the left side of the left stick24aand on the right side of the right stick24bto output sound. Further, a HOME button27is provided below the left stick24a, and a START button28and a SELECT button29are provided below the right stick24b.

[Configuration of the Rear Face]

FIG. 2(b)illustrates the rear face of the electronic device10. A rear camera31and a rear touch pad32are provided on the rear face of the electronic device10. The rear touch pad32is configured as a multi-touch pad as is the front touch pad21. The electronic device10is equipped with two cameras and two touch pads, one each on each of the front and rear faces.

[Configuration of the Upper Face]

FIG. 3(a)illustrates the upper face of the electronic device10. As described earlier, the L button26aand the R button26bare provided, respectively, on the left and right edges of the upper face of the electronic device10. A power button33is provided to the right side of the L button26a. The user turns ON or OFF the power by pressing and holding the power button33for a given period of time (e.g., two seconds). It should be noted that the electronic device10offers a power control function that puts the electronic device10into a suspend state if the manipulation means is not manipulated for a given period of time or more (non-manipulation time). When the electronic device10is in the suspend state, the user can bring the electronic device10from the suspend state back to an awake state by pressing and holding the power button33for a short period of time (e.g., two seconds or less).

A game card slot34is a port into which a game card is inserted.FIG. 3(a)shows that the game card slot34is covered with a slot cover. It should be noted that an LED lamp may be provided near the game card slot34to flash when the game card is accessed. An accessory terminal35is designed for connection with a peripheral device (accessory).FIG. 3(a)shows that the accessory terminal35is covered with a terminal cover.A minusbutton36aand a plus button36bare provided between the accessory terminal35and the R button26bto adjust the sound volume.

[Configuration of the Lower Face]

FIG. 3(b)illustrates the lower face of the electronic device10. A memory card slot37is a port into which a memory card is inserted.FIG. 3(b)shows that the memory card slot37is covered with a slot cover. An audio input and output terminal38, a microphone39, and a multi-use terminal40are provided on the lower face of the electronic device10. The multi-use terminal40supports USB (Universal Serial Bus) and permits connection to other device via a USB cable.

[Configuration of the Left Side Face]

FIG. 3(c)illustrates the left side face of the electronic device10. A SIM card slot41, a SIM card insertion port, is provided on the left side face of the electronic device10.

[Circuit Configuration of the Electronic Device]

FIG. 4illustrates a circuit configuration of the electronic device10. The elements are connected to each other by a bus92. A wireless communication module71includes a wireless LAN module that is compliant with a communication standard such as IEEE802.11b/g and connects to an external network via the AP2. It should be noted that the wireless communication module71may have a Bluetooth (registered trademark) protocol communication function. A mobile phone module72supports the third generation digital mobile phone system compliant with the IMT-2000 (International Mobile Telecommunication 2000) standard defined by the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) and connects to a mobile phone network4. A SIM card74is inserted into the SIM card slot41. A unique ID number used to identify the telephone number of the mobile phone is stored in the SIM card74. As the SIM card74is inserted into the SIM card slot41, the mobile phone module72can communicate with the mobile phone network4.

A CPU (Central Processing Unit)60executes, for example, a program loaded into a main memory64. A GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)62performs calculations necessary for image processing. The main memory64includes, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) and stores a program or data used by the CPU60. A storage66includes, for example, a NAND-type flash memory and is used as a built-in auxiliary storage device.

A motion sensor67detects the motion of the electronic device10. A geomagnetic sensor68detects triaxial geomagnetism. A GPS control unit69receives signals from a GPS satellite and calculates the current position. Each of the front camera30and the rear camera31captures an image and inputs image data. Each of the front camera30and the rear camera31includes a CMOS image sensor (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Image Sensor).

The display device20is an organic EL display device and has light-emitting elements each of which emits light when a voltage is applied to its cathode and anode. In power saving mode, a lower-than-normal voltage is applied between the electrodes, thus putting the display device20into a dimmed state and minimizing power consumption. It should be noted that the display device20may be a liquid crystal display panel having a backlight. In power saving mode, it is possible to put the liquid crystal display panel into a dimmed state and minimize power consumption by reducing the light intensity of the backlight.

In an interface90, a controller unit70includes a variety of manipulation means of the electronic device10, namely, the controller buttons22, the directional keys23, the analog sticks24, the L and R buttons26aand26b, the HOME button27, the START button28, the SELECT button29, the power button33, and the minus and plus buttons36aand36b. Each of the front touch pad21and the rear touch pad32is a multi-touch pad. The front touch pad21is overlaid on the surface of the display device20. The speakers25output sound generated by various functions of the electronic device10. The microphone39inputs sound surrounding the electronic device10. The audio input and output terminal38inputs stereo sound from an external microphone and outputs stereo sound to an external headphone or other device.

A game card76storing a game file is inserted into the game card slot34. The game card76has a writable storage area. When the game card76is placed in the game card slot34, data is written or read by a media drive. A memory card78is inserted into the memory card slot37. When placed in the memory card slot37, the memory card78is used as an external auxiliary storage device. The multi-use terminal40can be used as a USB terminal. A USB cable80is connected to the multi-use terminal40for exchange of data with other USB device. A peripheral device is connected to the accessory terminal35.

The electronic device10according to the present working example has a function to capture a screenshot and generate an image file during execution of content and also has a function to play a screenshot image file. A description will be given below of these functions.

FIG. 5illustrates functional blocks for implementing the image file generation function of the electronic device10. The configuration illustrated inFIG. 5is implemented, in terms of hardware components, by an arbitrary CPU, a memory, a program loaded into the memory of computer and so on. Here, the functional blocks implemented as a result of coordinated operation of these components are shown. Therefore, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be implemented in a variety of ways including hardware alone, software alone, and a combination thereof.

In the electronic device10, a content execution unit100executes content, and a display processing unit106displays a content image on the display device20. The content execution unit100executes a game program in response to user manipulation input and generates game image data. More specifically, the content execution unit100installs a virtual camera in a three-dimensional game space and moves the virtual camera in response to user manipulation input, thus generating game image data projected from the virtual camera onto a virtual screen. The generated game image data is supplied to a frame buffer of the display processing unit106. The display processing unit106displays the game image on the display device20.

As described earlier, the content execution unit100may execute content such as movie data. In this case, the execution of content means the decoding and playing of the content. The display processing unit106displays decoded image data on the display device20.

When the content execution unit100begins to execute content in response to user instruction, a management unit102acquires the content ID from the content and causes a retention unit104to retain the content ID. The management unit102causes the retention unit104to retain the ID of content executed in the foreground of the electronic device10, i.e., content displayed on the display device20. At this time, the management unit102acquires attribute information such as content name from the content and causes the retention unit104to retain this information.

Content being executed may supply various pieces of information to the management unit102. If content being executed is a game program, the game program supplies the progress status to the management unit102. If the game includes a plurality of stages, the game program supplies the stage number on which the user is playing to the management unit102. If the stage number changes, the game program notifies the stage number after the change to the management unit102. The management unit102causes the retention unit104to retain the notified stage number. As a result, the retention unit104retains the content ID, content attribute information, and the progress status of the content.

Further, content being executed supplies, to the management unit102, an instruction indicating whether or not to prohibit the electronic device10from acquiring display image data. The acquisition of display image data corresponds to capturing a so-called screenshot. That is, content notifies the electronic device10of the instruction as to whether or not to prohibit screenshot capture. This instruction is set in advance in the content by the content creator. For example, an instruction to prohibit acquisition of display image data is set in game scenes that are desirably disclosed only to players. An instruction to permit acquisition of display image data is set in game scenes that may be disclosed to other parties. Then, the game program notifies the instruction to the management unit102when a game scene with an instruction set therein is displayed. In addition, if content is a movie, it is basically likely that an instruction to prohibit acquisition of display image data is often set in all the scenes. However, it is likely that an instruction to permit acquisition of display image data is often set at least in scenes from trailer videos displayed as publicity. In any case, the instruction as to whether or not to prohibit screenshot capture is determined by the content creator.

Each time an instruction is switched from prohibition to permission or vice versa, content notifies the instruction to the management unit102. This instruction may be represented as a flag value. For example, a flag value of “0” may be an instruction to prohibit acquisition of image data, and a flag value of “1” may be an instruction to permit acquisition of image data. The management unit102may cause the retention unit104to retain this instruction. Alternatively, the management unit102may notify this instruction to an image data acquisition unit122adapted to capture a screenshot.

FIG. 6illustrates a content image displayed on the display device20by the display processing unit106.FIG. 6illustrates a game screen. The user moves a character in the game space by manipulating an input unit such as the controller unit70or the front touch pad21.

In the electronic device10, the image data acquisition unit122and an image file generation unit124generate a screenshot image file. When the user makes a given input to the controller unit70with a content image appearing on the display device20, an acceptance unit120accepts an instruction to acquire image data. This instruction to acquire image data is an instruction to capture a so-called screenshot. For example, if the HOME button27and the START button28are pressed and held simultaneously for a given period of time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) or more, the acceptance unit120accepts an instruction to capture a screenshot.

Upon acceptance of an instruction to acquire image data, the acceptance unit120issues a capture instruction to the image data acquisition unit122. At this time, the content execution unit100suspends the execution of the content. Upon receipt of the capture instruction, the image data acquisition unit122acquires the image data of the display image available in the frame buffer of the display processing unit106, compressing the data in a given format such as JPEG.

The image file generation unit124acquires the content ID, content attribute information, and the progress status of the content retained by the retention unit104and generates an image file that associates the above pieces of information with the image data compressed by the image data acquisition unit122. The image file generation unit124may generate a single image file by embedding the content ID retained by the retention unit104and other information in an Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) file and combining the Exif file and the image data. The image file generation unit124stores the generated image file in a storage unit130. The storage unit130may be any one of the memory card78, the storage66, and the main memory64. At this time, the image file generation unit124automatically determines a filename using the content title and stores the file in a screenshot folder in the storage unit130. When the image file is stored in the storage unit130, the content execution unit100resumes the execution of the content.

The above image data acquisition process is performed on the assumption that screenshot capture is permitted by the content. As described above, the content may notify an instruction to permit acquisition of image data to the management unit120. Alternatively, unless notified of an instruction to prohibit acquisition of image data by the content, the electronic device10may determine that screenshot capture is permitted. That is, screenshot capture may be not prohibited when the image data acquisition process is initially set up, and acquisition of image data may be prohibited only when the content notifies an instruction to prohibit acquisition of image data.

When the management unit102accepts an instruction to prohibit acquisition of image data from the content, the image data acquisition unit122is prohibited from acquiring image data. Upon receipt of an instruction to prohibit acquisition of image data from the management unit102, the image data acquisition unit122does not respond to an instruction to acquire image data from the acceptance unit120until the prohibition is cancelled. When the management unit102accepts an instruction to permit acquisition of image data from the content and notifies the image data acquisition unit122, the prohibition of acquisition of image data is cancelled. This allows the image data acquisition unit122to capture a screenshot. It should be noted that if the management unit102causes the retention unit104to retain an instruction to prohibit acquisition of image data as described above, the image data acquisition unit122decides, upon receipt of an acquisition instruction from the acceptance unit120, not to respond to the acquisition instruction after verifying that the instruction to prohibit acquisition of image data is included in the retention unit104.

FIG. 7illustrates a message to the effect that screenshot capture is not allowed. If the acceptance unit120accepts an instruction to acquire image data when the content issues an instruction to prohibit acquisition of image data, the image data acquisition unit122notifies the display processing unit106that screenshot capture is not allowed. In response to this notice, the display processing unit106displays a notification image134on the display device20. The notification image134indicates that the acquisition of image data is not allowed. This makes the user aware that screenshot capture is prohibited. It should be noted that if the management unit102is notified of an instruction to permit acquisition of image data by the content after the display processing unit106displays the notification image134once, the display processing unit106may display, on the display device20, a notification image indicating that screenshot capture is now allowed. It should be noted that if the notification image134indicating that screenshot capture is prohibited has not been displayed even once, the user is not aware that screenshot capture is prohibited. Therefore, the display processing unit106may not display, on the display device20, a notification image indicating that screenshot capture is now allowed.

A case has been shown above in which only one piece of content is executed in the foreground. However, there are cases in which a plurality of pieces of content are executed in the foreground. For example, one of such cases is that the screen of the display device20is divided into two parts, and a piece of content is executed in each of the divided screens. The management unit102manages the content ID, content attribute information, and the progress status of the content for each of a plurality of pieces of content and causes the retention unit104to retain these pieces of information. If an instruction to capture a screenshot is input from the user at this time, the image file generation unit124includes information on the plurality of pieces of content in an Exif file and combines the Exif file and the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit122, thus generating a single image file.

It should be noted that while two pieces of content are executed at the same time, it may be clear that one of the two pieces of content is main content, and that the other pieces of content is subordinate content. For example, if one chats with his or her friend while a game is executed, the game program is main content, and the chat application is subordinate content. If there is a main-subordinate relationship between a plurality of pieces of content installed in the electronic device10, the management unit102may maintain a main-subordinate relationship. If the main content and the subordinate content are executed at the same time, the management unit102may notify the image file generation unit124of this relationship. As a result, the image file generation unit124may not include information on the subordinate content and include only information on the main content in an Exif file when generating the Exif file.

A screenshot image file is generated and stored in the storage unit130as described above. The user can transmit the image file to the electronic device10of his or her friend by attaching the image file, for example, to an e-mail. A transmission unit132transmits the image file to the other electronic device10.

FIG. 8illustrates functional blocks for implementing a function to play a screenshot image file in the electronic device10. The configuration illustrated inFIG. 8implements a function to receive and play a screenshot image file. The configuration illustrated inFIG. 8is implemented, in terms of hardware components, by an arbitrary CPU, a memory, a program loaded into the memory of the computer and so on. Here, the functional blocks implemented as a result of coordinated operation of these components are shown. Therefore, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be implemented in a variety of ways including hardware alone, software alone, and a combination thereof. It should be noted that both of the configurations illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 8are included in the single electronic device10.

A reception unit150receives a screenshot image file from the other electronic device10. The received image file is stored in a storage unit152. The storage unit152may be any one of the memory card78, the storage66, and the main memory64.

The user selects an image file from an input unit such as the front touch pad21or the controller unit70. When an acceptance unit162accepts the image file selection operation, a display processing unit164reads the specified image file from the storage unit152and displays a content image. At this time, the display processing unit164serves as a so-called viewer.

FIG. 9illustrates a content image displayed using an image file. The display processing unit164displays an image related to acquisition of content if a content ID is included in the image file. In the present working example, an image relating to acquisition of content is a link button174that permits access to the server5. When the user taps the link button174, the acceptance unit162recognizes that the link button174has been selected. An acquisition request generation unit166generates a request to acquire content. This acquisition request includes a content ID. The acquisition request generation unit166retains address information of the server5in the network3and generates a packet including this address information and acquisition request. This packet is transmitted from a transmission unit170to the server5.

It should be noted that a case is shown inFIG. 9in which the link button174is overlaid on a content image. However, the link button174may be displayed as one of the items included in an option menu. For example, copying and deletion of the content image may be included as other items in the option menu. Further, the option menu may be overlaid on the content image by tapping a given button (not shown) on the screen.

FIG. 10illustrates functional blocks of the server5. The server5includes a reception unit190, a content search unit192, a content DB194, a transmission unit196, and an associated content table198. The content DB194stores a plurality of pieces of content.

When the reception unit190receives a packet including a content ID from the electronic device10, the content search unit192verifies whether or not the piece of content identified by the content ID included in the packet exists in the content DB194. Upon verification that the piece of content exists in the content DB194, the content search unit192generates data for generating a page for acquiring the piece of content (acquisition page configuration data). The transmission unit196transmits this data to the electronic device10. In the electronic device10, the display processing unit164displays the acquisition page on the display device20. A purchase button used to purchase content is available on the acquisition page. When the user selects the purchase button, the transmission unit170transmits a purchase request to the server5, and the server5transmits the piece of content to the electronic device10. This allows the user to readily download the piece of content played by other user by using a screenshot captured by the other user.

In the information processing system1, on the other hand, the server5is available for each region. The whole world is divided into several regions according, for example, to language. Therefore, even when the title is the same, the content IDs are different if the regions are different. The associated content table198manages IDs of pieces of content having the same title on a region-by-region basis. For example, the associated content table198retains, in a table form, the fact that a piece of content having content ID “AAAA” in region “X” is the same as a piece of content having content ID “BBBB” in region “Y.”

If region “Y” exists in the server5, and when the reception unit190receives, from the electronic device10, a request to acquire a piece of content whose content ID is “AAAA,” the content search unit192recognizes from the associated content table198that the same title sold in region “Y” has content ID “BBBB.” Therefore, the content search unit192generates acquisition page configuration data for the piece of content which is different from content ID included in acquisition request but identified by the associated content ID. Then, the transmission unit196transmits this data to the electronic device10. This makes it possible to notify to the user of the electronic device10that the piece of content identified by the content ID associated with the content ID of the image file exists. It should be noted that the associated content table198may retain content IDs associated with the titles which are closely resembling rather than identical.

The present invention has been described based on an embodiment. It is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this embodiment is illustrative, that the combination of the elements and the processes can be modified in various ways, and that such modification examples also fall within the scope of the present invention.

In the working example, the management unit102causes the retention unit104to retain information such as content ID of content running in the foreground. For example, however, if additional content such as DLC (Download Content) is also used, the retention unit104may also retain information such as content ID of DLC. When a screenshot is captured, the image file generation unit124may generate an image file by also including DLC information in an Exif file.

If a plurality of content IDs are included in an image file, the display processing unit164displays the plurality of link buttons174on the display device20. At this time, the user can readily select the link button174if a target content title appears on each of the link buttons174.

It should be noted that an example has been described with reference toFIG. 9in which the link button174is overlaid on a content image when an image file is played. However, if the electronic device10already has the piece of content of the display image, it is not necessary to display the link button174. For example, if the electronic device10which has captured a screenshot plays the image data of that screenshot, the electronic device10normally has the piece of content in question. Therefore, it is not necessary to display the link button174. After the screenshot is played, a content execution unit172may automatically start and execute that piece of content. At this time, the content execution unit172may refer to the progress status of the game included in the screenshot image file and execute the piece of content from the stage number identified by the progress status.

In the above case, a content start button may be overlaid on the content image rather than the link button174. When the user taps the content start button, the acceptance unit162recognizes that the content start button has been selected, and the content execution unit172starts that piece of content. It should be noted that the content start button may be displayed as one of the items in an option menu. For example, copying and deletion of the content image may be included as other items in the option menu. Further, the option menu may be overlaid on the content image by tapping a given button (not shown) on the screen.

Still further, if a plurality of content IDs are included in an image file, items appropriate to each content ID may be included in the option menu. For example, if a screenshot is captured while a grand slam tournament, installed as an additional piece of content, is played in a tennis game, the image file generation unit124generates an image file that includes the tennis game content ID and the additional content ID. In the other electronic device10, the reception unit150receives this image file, and the display processing unit164displays the content image.

At this time, if the other electronic device10has the tennis game and the additional piece of content, the tennis game start button is displayed as an item in the option menu. If the user starts the tennis game here, the tennis game may acquire the content ID of the additional piece of content so that the user can play the grand slam tournament. It should be noted that the additional content start button may also be displayed so that when this item is tapped, the tennis game acquires the content ID of the additional piece of content so that the user can play the grand slam tournament. It should be noted that if the other electronic device10has the tennis game, but not the additional piece of content, the link button174of the additional piece of content may be displayed as a menu item. If the other electronic device10has neither the tennis game nor the additional content, the link button174of the tennis game may be displayed as a menu item. It should be noted that if the other electronic device10has the tennis game, but not the additional content, the tennis game start button may be displayed together with the link button174of the additional piece of content as menu items.

It should be noted that if a screenshot is captured within a given period of time, the image file generation unit124may include, for a limited time only, a special content ID associated with content in an image file. This content ID is received from the server5in advance. It should be noted that a special URL may be received from the server5rather than a special content ID. If the content image is displayed using this image file, the server5may supply a page that gives the user a benefit when the user taps the link button174. It should be noted that the image file generation unit124includes a content ID in an image file as usual if a screenshot is captured outside a given period of time.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to the field of image processing.