JP2003016000A - Content providing server, network terminal device, network system, method for providing and acquiring content, computer readable recording medium, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enlarge the way of enjoying a network terminal device by effective ly utilizing a memory in the network terminal device of a portable telephone etc. SOLUTION: When providing contents in the network terminal device B2 connected through a network B13, the whole contents are divided into a plurality of contents and stored, which are provided for every divided phase in response to a request from the network terminal device B2. Thereby, the memory in the network terminal device B2 is utilized effectively, which allows use of contents requiring a large memory capacity even in the network terminal device B2 where only a small memory capacity is arranged. Also, the way of enjoying games is enlarged which uses the network terminal device B2 by the use of printing results.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a content providing server, a network terminal device, a network system,
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a content providing method, a content obtaining method, a computer-readable recording medium, and a computer program, and more particularly, to a method suitable for executing content such as music, games, and moving images on a network terminal device such as a mobile phone terminal. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Mobile phones have rapidly become popular in recent years.
Also, it has become possible to connect to the Internet and receive music distribution, game distribution, and video distribution.

For this reason, the mobile phone has become useful as a voice call means and also as a tool for selecting and receiving contents. In short, it has various functions such as a game console, a videophone, or a music player.

For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-112915, an image printing body automatic issuing apparatus for printing a still image selected from a moving image by selecting a desired still image from a plurality of registered databases. Is proposed.

Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-306114, progress information is generated by the progress of a built-in game, and an object image generation program restores and prints an object image such as a character image based on the progress information. It is suggested to do so.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, the environment in which the user can enjoy more by printing an image based on the content received by the mobile phone is not yet established.

Specifically, when the prior art disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-112915 is applied to content reception by a mobile phone, an image desired by a user is selected from a large number of registered still images. It is necessary to make a selection, which is very troublesome for a mobile phone with few keys. Moreover, there is a problem that a memory for storing a large number of still images is required, which increases the product cost.

It has also been proposed to simply print the image associated with the received content.

On the other hand, when the technique proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-306114 is applied to content reception by a mobile phone, a large-capacity memory for storing a processing program for the entire game and an object image generation program is required. There is a problem that the product cost increases due to the necessity.

Also in this case, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-1129 is also used.
Similar to the prior art disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 15, the simple printing of the image associated with the received content has been proposed.

That is, since the conventional network terminal equipment lacks a device for effectively utilizing the small-capacity memory provided, it is possible to fully enjoy the functions of the network terminal equipment and enjoy them. There was a problem I couldn't do.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention makes it possible to construct a contents distribution environment in consideration of the memory capacity of a network terminal device when acquiring contents such as game software and still images via a network. With the goal.

It is another object of the present invention to enable still images to be printed according to the progress of a game even in a small capacity memory provided in a network device.

Another object of the present invention is to enable printing of game execution contents and the like in a network device such as a mobile phone provided with only a small capacity memory.

[0015]

A content providing server of the present invention is a content providing server that provides content to a network terminal device connected via a network, and stores the entire content divided into a plurality of phases. It is characterized in that the plurality of divided phases are sequentially transmitted in response to a request from the network terminal device. Another feature of the present invention is that in a content providing server that provides content to a network terminal device connected via a network, a content division storage means for dividing the content into a plurality of phases and storing the divided content. , A content transmission means for transmitting one of the plurality of phases stored in the content division storage means in response to a request from the network terminal device.

The network terminal device of the present invention is a network terminal device which obtains content from a content providing server by connecting to a network, wherein the content providing server provides the content in a phase in which the entire content is divided into a plurality of phases. It is characterized in that it is obtained and stored from a server, and a still image related to the obtained phase is obtained from the content providing server.

A network system of the present invention is characterized by having the content providing server described in any one of the above and the network terminal device described in any of the above.

The content providing method of the present invention is a content providing method for providing content to a network terminal device connected via a network, wherein the entire content is divided into a plurality of phases and stored.
It is characterized in that the plurality of divided phases are sequentially transmitted in response to a request from the network terminal device.

The content acquisition method of the present invention is a content acquisition method of acquiring content from a content providing server by connecting to a network, wherein the content providing server provides the content with a phase in which the entire content is divided into a plurality of phases. It is characterized in that it is obtained and stored from a server, and a still image related to the obtained phase is obtained from the content providing server. Another feature of the present invention is that, in a content acquisition method for acquiring content from a content providing server by connecting to a network, among the phases in which the entire content is divided into a plurality of pieces from the content providing server. A content acquisition process of acquiring one of the following, a content storage process of storing the content acquired by the content acquisition process in a storage medium, and a still image related to a phase stored in the storage medium by the content storage process, It is characterized by performing a still image acquisition process to be acquired from the content providing server.

A computer-readable recording medium of the present invention is characterized by recording a program for causing a computer to function as each of the above-described means. Another feature of the present invention is that a program for causing a computer to execute any one of the methods described above is recorded.

The computer program of the present invention is characterized by causing a computer to function as each of the above means. Another feature of the present invention is characterized by causing a computer to execute the method described in any one of the above.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (First Embodiment) The first embodiment of the network system of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
~ Will be described with reference to FIG. The present embodiment relates to a system for acquiring a game and still images from a game providing server using a network terminal device called a mobile phone.

Regarding access to the game providing server using such a network terminal device, for example, W
AP (Wireless Application Protocol) and i-mod
It is executed by a simplified protocol for mobile phones, which is standardized by a name such as e (registered trademark).

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the network system of this embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the radio base station B1
A communication line for wireless communication is set between the network terminal device B1 and the network terminal device B2, and a network terminal device B2 that can make a call or data communication with any other party through the communication line is prepared. The network terminal device B2 here accesses the site such as the home page of the Internet B13 as a network by the protocol described above and stores the game software and print data transmitted from the site in the built-in memory, and , It is configured to be able to transmit various data to the site.

Further, as a matter of course, the network terminal device B2 can communicate with any other party via a communication line as a mobile phone. Network terminal device B
2, print data can be transmitted to the small printer B5, and still images and messages obtained by accessing the site are transmitted. The small printer B5 prints print data on a card-sized print medium.

The radio base station B1 performs radio communication with each terminal device B2 under the control of the control station B11 prepared by the operator of the radio telephone line. When each network terminal device B2 accesses the internet B13, it is connected to the carrier side server B12 connected to the wireless base station B1 by dial-up and then accesses the internet B13 connected to this server B12. is there.

Although only one radio base station B1 is shown here for simplification of description, the service area is actually composed of a plurality of base stations, and the carrier side server B12 also has, for example, There may be more than one for each area.

A large number of servers are connected to the Internet B13, and not only a screen for providing the network terminal device B2 but also a server for holding a screen for providing devices such as a personal computer that can be connected to the Internet are connected. As one of them, a game providing server B14 arranged as a content providing server is connected, and the game is provided for a fee or free of charge according to a request from the network terminal device B2.

The game providing server B14 stores a control unit (not shown) that controls at high speed, a game list B19 that stores a list of stored games together with the addresses of the respective games, and various game software. In addition to the game software storage unit B17 that is running, a print image storage unit B16 that stores a still image for printing,
Information regarding the user who provides the game is stored in the user information storage unit B18.

In addition, a credit company server B15 is connected to the Internet B13 in order to perform a charging process in the electronic commerce of this game sale.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a memory map showing the stored contents stored in the game providing server B14. In FIG. 2, the game list B19 includes a name M50 for each game, a game capacity M51, and an address M5.
Remember 2 each.

Characteristically, the game capacity M51
Does not store the total capacity of the specified game, but stores the value obtained by adding the number of bytes of the phase with the largest capacity in each phase divided into multiple stages that make up the entire game and the number of bytes of the common program. is doing.

For example, if the capacity of Phase 3 is the largest in game 1 and is 70 Kbytes, and the capacity of the common program is 20 Kbytes, it is stored as 90 Kbytes. The game capacity M51 will be described later with reference to FIG. 7, and is used in the network terminal device B2 to determine whether or not there is a free memory capacity.

The game software storage section B17 shows an area in which a game common control program M60 (for example, a behavior pattern of the main character of the game is stored as a common object) and a game program for each phase are stored for each game. A program M62 for each phase, a corresponding print image address M63 that stores the address of the print image related to each phase, and a user rank storage unit that stores the rank and execution time of the user for each phase together with the address M61. It is composed of M64.

As described above, the game software storage section B17 and the game list B19 constitute the function of the content division storage means.

The print image storage section B16 stores a still image (print image) M70 for printing at the address indicated by the corresponding print image address M63.

Here, what is important is that the storage form of the game providing server B14 is hierarchically stored, and the address of the game list B19 is one game in the game software storage unit B17. The phase address M61 specifies the game program address for each phase in the game, and the corresponding print image address M63 is
Specifies the address of the print image associated with each phase.

That is, when the user purchases game software from the game list B19, the game providing server B14 transmits a program for each phase, which is a part of the game software, and relates to the transmitted program for each phase. The print images to be stored are stored in association with each other.

Therefore, the print image relating to the program for each phase can be transmitted in response to a request from the terminal device B2. This is one of the features of this embodiment, and thereby realizes one of the configurations of the network system of this embodiment.

In this way, the print image storage section B16 and the game software storage section B17 constitute a still image storage means.

The user information storage section B18 has a user number M.
For each 80, the user's name M81 and information about the user (phone number, address, E-Mail address, etc.) M8
2 and the number of prints M84 executed by the user are stored.

In this way, in the user information storage section B18,
An image transmission number storage means is configured.

With the above contents, the game providing server B
Reference numeral 14 stores game software and information about the user. The content stored in the game providing server B14 is not limited to the above, and for example, screen information when selling the game, a buffer for temporarily storing the charged amount, and the like are also stored. .

Next, the configuration of the network terminal device B2 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First,
The reception system of the network terminal device B2 will be described. A transmission / reception processing unit B21 connected to the antenna B20.
Then, a signal of a predetermined channel transmitted from the base station B1 is received and converted into an intermediate frequency signal (or baseband signal).

The converted received signal is supplied to the modulation / demodulation processing unit B2.
2 and performs demodulation processing based on the transmission method to detect transmission data. The transmission data detected by the modulation / demodulation processing unit B22 is supplied to the data processing unit B23, and data extraction is performed based on data types such as audio data, control data, game software data, and image data.

The voice data extracted by the data processing unit B23 is supplied to the digital-analog converter B24 to be converted into an analog voice signal, and the converted voice signal is supplied to the speaker B25 to emit a sound.

The control data extracted by the data processing unit B23 at the time of reception and the data such as the game software and the still image are supplied to the control unit B30 which controls the operation of each unit of the network terminal device B2, and the control unit B30. Performs processing based on the supplied data.

The structure of the transmission system is the microphone B2.
The audio signal output by 7 is converted into an analog-digital converter B2.
6 to provide digital audio data, and this digital audio data is supplied to the data processing unit B23 to form a data structure for transmission. In this case, additional processing such as control data is also performed if necessary.

The data for transmission generated by the data processing unit B23 is supplied to the modulation / demodulation processing unit B22, where modulation processing for transmission is performed, and the modulated transmission signal is sent to the transmission / reception processing unit B21 in a predetermined channel. The frequency is converted into a signal, and the frequency-converted signal is wirelessly transmitted from the antenna B20.

Further, the data that needs to be transmitted under the control of the control means B30 is supplied from the control means B30 to the data processing section B23, and the transmission processing is performed in the same manner as the voice data.

The control means B30 decodes the microprogram and executes it step by step, and the ROM storing the microprogram.
And a RAM or the like that stores data necessary for calculation.

A memory B31 is connected to the control means B30 through a bus line B40. Memory B3
1 is provided with a storage area for data required for general mobile phone terminals such as data required for communication control and telephone directory data, and a storage area for data for accessing a site such as a URL, Also, a storage area for data transmitted from the site such as game software and still image data is prepared.

FIG. 4 shows the contents stored in the memory B31.
It will be explained later together with. The network terminal device B2 has a display unit B28 including a liquid crystal display panel or the like.
With the control means B30, the display necessary for a wireless telephone terminal such as a telephone number and text mail can be performed.
Images related to the game are displayed while the game is being executed, and images and control messages are displayed when a still image is desired to be printed.

Further, the control means B30 is provided with an operation section B32 composed of various keys such as a power ON key, an input key, a transmission key, a mode key, and a cursor set key, and the operation information of this operation section B32 can be judged. It is as a configuration.

The interface circuit B35 is a circuit for transmitting a print signal to the external printer B5, and is one of the short-distance wireless transmission standards, BlueTooth (registered trademark).
It is provided with a circuit configuration for performing transmission / reception control based on the standard.

In this embodiment, BlueToot
Although the print signal is transmitted by short-distance wireless communication based on the h (registered trademark) standard, other interface standards such as RS-232C, USB, parallel transfer Centronics, or infrared transmission / reception standard IrDA are used. It may be configured by an interface using, for example.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a memory map showing the contents of the memory B31. In FIG. 4, the input character storage unit M1 stores numerical values and characters input using the input keys of the operation unit B32. In the mobile phone, only the numerical keys are provided as keys, but by pressing the conversion key, the alphabet can be input, and the URL for connecting to the Internet can also be input.

The URL storage unit M3 is used for the game providing server B.
It stores the URLs of 14 homepages, the URLs of other homepages, the URLs of search sites, etc.
As will be described later, the mobile phone, which is the network terminal device B2, transmits this URL as an identifier for accessing various homepages by connecting to the network.

The account number storage unit M4 stores the account number to be transmitted when connecting to the credit card company server B15 via the Internet B13 and performing account transfer or the like.

The game storage unit M5 stores, in a limited storage area, specific phases of a plurality of games transmitted from the game providing server B14 and common software. The game storage unit M5 also stores a still image to be printed.

The game list storage section M6 stores information about the stored games in a list format. The game name storage unit M20 stores the game name, and the game URL storage unit M21 acquires the game U.
Remember the RL. This URL is stored in the URL of the game providing server B14 with an extension for specifying the game added, and is used to acquire the game program for the next phase when the execution of the game for the specific phase is completed. To use.

The phase number storage section M22 stores the phase number of the game software stored in the game storage section M5. The game address storage unit M23 is a unit that stores the start address of the game software stored in the game storage unit M5. The execution time storage unit M24 is a part that stores the execution time of the game.

With the above contents, the memory B31 of the network terminal device B2 stores information and programs relating to the game. However, in addition to the contents described above, various variables, telephone numbers for redialing, and telephone numbers are stored. It remembers books and so on. Also, an e-mail (registered trademark) number or the like may be stored. The processing contents of each storage unit will be described with reference to the flowcharts described later.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the appearance of a mobile phone as the network terminal device B2. In FIG. 5, the same parts as those in the above-mentioned drawing are described with the same reference numerals.

The antenna B20 is usually placed on the upper part of the mobile phone, and receives a signal of a predetermined channel from the base station B1. The speaker B25 is located at a portion that corresponds to the ear of the caller when making a mobile phone call,
Microphone B27 is arranged so as to be located near the portion corresponding to the mouth of the caller.

The display portion B28 is arranged on the upper surface of the mobile phone. The operation unit B32 includes a dial key group B60 provided with numerical keys, a power ON key B61, a transmission key B62, and a WWW key B6 for setting a web connection mode.
3, a game key B65 for setting the game mode, and a cursor set key B64 which serves as a set key when pressed down and up and down.

Further, in the operation section B32, a conversion key B66 for enabling the dial key B60 to be inputted in alphabet is arranged. Further, a connection terminal B67 to a cradle (pedestal) for charging the internal battery is provided, and the network terminal device B2 which is a mobile phone is configured to be inserted into the cradle (pedestal), and the cradle and the AC adapter are It is electrically connected to receive power supply.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the processing flow at the time of game acquisition in the network terminal device B2. In FIG. 6, in step S1, the WWW key B63
To set the WWW connection mode, and step S2
Then, the URL of the game providing server B14 is input. Here, the URL may be input using the key of the operation unit B32, or the URL of the game providing server B14 may be stored in advance in the search site URL storage unit M3 to call the URL.

By transmitting this URL, the game providing server B14 is connected in step S3, and in step S4, the network terminal device B2 describes the game name and capacity of the game list B19 from the game providing server B14. Received list.

The list of game names of the received game list B19 is displayed on the display section B28, and in step S5,
The user selects a desired game by operating the cursor set key B64, and the UR corresponding to the selected game is selected.
Create L.

In step S6, it is determined whether or not there is an empty area in the memory for storing the selected game. Specifically, the capacity is received as information associated with the game name of the selected game in step S4, and it is determined whether the acquired capacity can be stored in the empty area of the memory B31.

As described with reference to FIG. 2, the game capacity M51 is not the capacity of the specified whole game, but the number of bytes of the phase having the largest capacity in the divided phases and the number of bytes of the common program are added. It has become a value.

If there is no free area in the memory for storing the game, a message indicating that there is no free area is displayed in step S7, and the process ends without receiving the game software.

Although not shown, after the user finishes, the user performs an operation such as erasing a part of the stored game software in order to secure an empty area of the memory for receiving the game.

If it is determined in step S6 that the memory B31 has an empty area for storing the specified game, the number of prints M84 stored in the user information storage section B18 of the game providing server B14 is determined in step S8. By referring to this, it is determined whether the number is 10 or more.

In the present embodiment, printing related to the game is repeatedly executed, and the user who has printed 10 times or more can purchase the content at a discount. In this embodiment, the discount amount is 10
Although the price is reduced by half for each printing, the printing rate may be changed every five times or the discount rate may be increased or decreased according to the number of times. It may also be free for a fixed number of times. Alternatively, a discount may be provided when a specific character is printed.

As described above, if the user prints the game, the user can see the print result. As a result, the word-of-mouth advertising effect of the game can be expected.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, when a new game is acquired, it can be purchased at a discount.

In step S9, a billing process is performed. In this billing process, the credit card server B receives the billing amount for the selected game and uses the URL stored in the URL storage unit M3 for the payment.
15 is connected via the Internet B13, the user's account is designated by the account number M4 stored in the account number storage unit M4, and the user's account is operated by operating the keys provided in the operation unit B32. Enter the code. As a result, the user's account is opened and money is transferred to the account number specified by the game providing server B14.

In step S10, discount charge processing is performed. The discounted billing amount for the selected game is received, the same process as step S9 is performed, and the discounted amount is remitted from the user's account to the account number designated by the game providing server B14.

The process of discounting and charging as described above is one of the features of this embodiment and one of the means for realizing the network system of this embodiment.

As described above, the processing in steps S9 and S10 is performed by the charging means configured as a program by the computer system of the game providing server B14.

In step S11, the variable N is set to 1. This variable N stores the phase number of the game software divided into a plurality of parts, and is set to 1 to indicate that the phase of the game software to be stored is the first phase.

In recent years, many game softwares with a large sales volume have story-like ones such as Final Fantasy (registered trademark) and Dragon Quest (registered trademark).
The program capacity is huge compared to simple game software.

In order to store all of these game software in the network terminal device B14 such as a mobile phone, it is necessary to mount a memory having a large capacity and not only the cost becomes high, but also the reception time of the game software is very high. It becomes long, the call charge becomes high, and the user has to wait while receiving the call, which is frustrating.

In the present embodiment, since the game software is divided into a plurality of pieces to be received, such drawbacks can be eliminated.
This is a feature of this embodiment and one of means for realizing the network system of this embodiment.

In step S12, the game list storage unit M
6 is set. The game name of the game selected in step S5, the URL corresponding to the selected game, the phase number set to 1 in step S11, the address for storing the game software are set, and the execution time of the game is set to 0 hours. Set to 0 minutes and 0 seconds and store.

In step S13, the URL corresponding to the game created in step S5 is transmitted, and step S1
At 4, the first phase of the game software is received. Also,
The game common control software is similarly received for each game.

The processing in step S14 is performed by the content transmission means programmed by the computer system of the game providing server B14 and the content acquisition means programmed by the computer system of the network terminal device B2.

In step S15, the received game software is stored in the game software storage unit M5. The storage location of the game software is the address M23 in the game list storage unit M6.
Store in the position specified by. The processing in step S15 is performed by the content storage means.

With the above control, the Internet B13
Then, the game providing server B14 is connected to the game providing server B14 to select the game software, and the purchase process ends.

8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the flow of the game execution processing. In FIG. 8, step S
At 20, the game key B65 is operated to enter the game mode, and at step S21, the game name M20 stored in the game list storage M6 is called and displayed on the display B28.

At step S22, the cursor set key B
64 is used to select the game and step S23
Then, the phase number of the selected game is stored in the variable N.

In the example of FIG. 4, when the user selects the game B, the phase number M2 of the game list storage unit M6.
2 stores "3", and this "3" is stored in the variable N.

The variable N for storing the phase number is used when the print image receiving process is performed in step S46, which will be described later, or when the game software of the next phase is received in step S53.

In step S24, the variable X is set to "0". This variable X is a variable for determining whether or not the game for each phase has been executed to the end, and is used in the determination in step S33 described later.

In step S25, the game list storage unit M
The execution time M24 stored in 6 is transferred to the timer B29, and the timer is started in step S26. This makes it possible to time the game while it is running. The processing in steps S25 and S26 is performed by the execution time counting means configured by the computer system of the network terminal device B2.

As will be described later, in the present embodiment, the time during which the game is executed is attached to the image associated with each phase of the game so that the image can be generated and printed.

By doing so, the user's name and execution time are printed on the printed image, so that not only can the printed matter be freely carried around to a third party, but also the execution time of the game can be specified. You can show it to a third party and explain the difficulty when the execution time is long, or you can brag about what you did earlier when the execution time was short.

By printing the name of the user and the execution time of the game in this way, the way of enjoying the game can be expanded.

At step S27, the game software storage unit M
The game selected from 5 is executed. Specifically, in this embodiment, a method of moving a process to an address of an instruction group of a game program and executing each instruction to execute a game is performed.

As another method, decryption software for decrypting a high-level language such as JAVA (registered trademark) language, which is also beginning to be provided in a mobile phone in recent years, is provided, and the high-level language is translated and executed by controlling the decryption software. You may execute the game by the method.

In step S28, it is determined whether or not the game process of the specific phase of the selected game is finished. If it is finished, the variable X is set to 1 in step S29, and then step S31 and thereafter are executed. If the game process is not finished, it is determined in step S30 whether or not an interruption interrupt has been performed.

As a concrete example of the case where the interruption interruption is carried out, when a call is made to the network terminal device B2 which is a mobile phone, when a mail is received, or when the ON key B61 is pressed, the user's intention is decided. It is when the game was interrupted by.

When such an interruption interruption is performed, the processing of step S31 and thereafter is executed, and when the game is continued, the processing of steps S27, S28 and S30 is repeated.

When the game is interrupted or ended, in step S31, the time counting of the timer B29 is stopped, and in step S32, the value of the counted timer is used as the game execution time, and the execution time of the game list storage section M6 is set. Stored in the memory part of M24.

In step S33, it is determined whether the variable X is 1. When the game execution of the specific phase is completed, the variable X is set to 1 in step S29,
The processing after step S40 shown in FIG. 8 described later is performed. On the other hand, when the game is interrupted, the variable X remains set to 0 in step S24, and this game execution process is ended.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing when the execution of the game of the specified phase is completed in the specified game. In FIG. 8, in step S40, the game providing server B14 is connected, and in step S41, a game end notification is given to the game providing server B14.
The process in step S41 is performed by the content end notifying means configured by the computer system of the network terminal device B2.

Specifically, the contents stored in the game URL storage unit M21 of the game list storage unit M6 designates the URL of the game providing server B14 and the finished game and phase, indicating that the game has finished. The code is included and the game providing server B14 is connected via the Internet B13.

By transmitting this end notice,
The address M61 of the specific phase indicated by is selected and temporarily stored. When a print image is received in step S48 described later, one of the print images is selected from the print images M70 designated by the corresponding print image address M63 related to the specific phase.

In step S42, the value of the timer B29 is transmitted, and the game providing server B14 determines the rank of the execution time for each phase of the game based on the timer value and stores it in the user rank storage unit M64. Step S4
In 3, the network terminal device B2 receives the order.

The processing in step S42 is performed by the execution time notifying means configured by the computer system of the network terminal device B2.
The process in step S43 is performed by the content execution time receiving means, the execution time rank determining means, and the execution time rank transmitting means which are programmed by the computer system of the game providing server B14.

At step S44, the execution time represented by the timer B29 and the ranking of the received game for each phase are displayed on the display section B28 so that the user can execute the game earlier than the other players. Please refer to.

In this embodiment, the user is informed of the ranking in each phase of the game, but a quiz regarding the progress of the game and a standard execution time are determined and the achievement level is numerically indicated. You may keep it like this. As described above, in the present embodiment, the game providing server B14 provides the user with information so that the user's interest increases each time the game phase ends.

In step S45, it is determined by the user whether or not to print. If printing is to be performed, the process proceeds to step S46.

In step S46, the display screen associated with the print image is selected and displayed based on the characters used in the game and the display contents during the game.

Specifically, among the character images for display used in the game program for each phase, the marked images are sequentially displayed. The mark attached to this character image indicates that a print image exists in the print image storage unit B16 of the game providing server B14.

As another method, low resolution display images may be stored in the game providing server B14 and received at the end of the game and sequentially displayed.

In step S47, the print image to be selected is selected. Since the resolution of the display unit B28 is very rough as compared with the print image, in the present embodiment, first, the character images used in the game are sequentially displayed, and additional information for designating the print image selected by the user is included. By creating the URL and transmitting it to the game providing server B14, a print image is requested.

When the game providing server B14 receives the request for the print image, it is temporarily stored in step S41 shown in FIG.
In addition to designating the specific phase based on the address M61 of the specific phase shown in, the user selects one of the corresponding print image addresses M63 based on the URL received as the print image request, and selects one of the corresponding print images M70 It is designated and transmitted to the network terminal device B2.

For example, when the game execution of the phase 3 of the game B is completed, the fact that the phase 3 of the game B is completed is received in step S41, and the request for the fifth image is received in step S47. Game B Phase 3
And the corresponding print image address M63 is designated to designate the fifth print image M70. The processing in step S47 is performed by the still image transmitting means configured by the computer system of the game providing server B14.

In step S48, the network terminal device B2 receives the designated print image from the game providing server B14. The print image is received, for example, in a data format compressed by the JPEG compression method which is a standard for compressing a still image.

The still image for printing received in step S48 is overwritten and stored in the game software storage section B17, and the stored game software is erased for this reason.

For example, the still image for printing received in step S48 when the game execution of the phase 3 of the game B is finished is stored in the place where the phase 3 of the game B was stored, and the phase 3 of the game B is stored. The game program in is deleted for this reason.

As described above, the processing in step S48 is
This is performed by the still image acquisition means configured by the computer system of the network terminal device B2.

In step S49, the execution time stored in the timer on the received still image and the step S43
A process for generating a print image is performed by incorporating the order information received in step 1. The process in step S49 is performed by the image synthesizing unit configured by the computer system of the game providing server B14.

The generated print image is processed in step S50.
Then, the data is wirelessly transmitted to the printer B5, and the printing process is performed by the printer B5 in step S51. Step S46
After the printing process in step S51 is completed, or when the user does not want to print in step S45, the processes in step S52 and subsequent steps are executed.

At step S52, 1 is added to the variable N.
This variable N is a variable that stores the phase number of the game program. For example, in the process of step S52 after the completion of the phase 3 of the game B, the variable N
Becomes 4 by adding 1 to the phase number 3.

In step S53, the game providing server B1
4 to obtain the game program of the phase indicated by the variable N. When the execution of the phase 3 of the game B is completed, the game program of the phase 4 is obtained.

The processing in step S53 is performed by the content transmission means programmed by the computer system of the game providing server B14 and the content acquisition means programmed by the computer system of the network terminal device B2.

Although not shown, step S52
When the Nth phase is the final phase of the game in the process (1), the variable N is set to 1 in order to obtain the game program from the first phase again. In addition, the game program of the desired phase may be made available by the user's selection.

At step S54, the contents of the game list are modified. Specifically, the phase number M22 is set to the value of the variable N, and the execution time M24 is cleared.

At step S55, the obtained game program is stored in the game software storage section B17. The processing in step S55 is performed by the content storage means.

When the user does not want to print at step S45, the obtained game program is overwritten and stored in the place where the game program which has been executed is stored. For example, when the game execution of the phase 3 of the game B is completed, the program of the phase 4 of the game B is overwritten and stored.

On the other hand, when the user wants to print in step S45, the memory of the finished game program is stored.
The print image is overwritten and stored in step S48, and the game program of the new phase is overwritten and stored in step S55. This is the end of the game execution process.

Steps S46 to S5 described above
Although the printing process in the present embodiment is performed by the process 1 described above, this process realizes an embodiment in which a still image can be printed according to the progress of the game even with a small memory capacity.

That is, the still image for printing received at the end of one phase in the execution of the game is overwritten in the storage portion in which the game software was stored. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider the increase of the memory for the print image in the mobile phone which is the network terminal device B2, and it is possible to prevent the cost increase and the weight increase of the device due to the addition of the memory. Becomes

In addition to the above, the above-described printing processing from step S46 to step S51 realizes that the way of enjoying can be expanded by printing.

As described in step S49, the execution time for each phase of the game is pasted on the received print image, and the order information received from the game providing server B14 is pasted to generate print data.

As a result, the user can carry the printed execution time and rank and show it to a third party at any time. If the execution time is short and the rank is high, the user can be proud of it. it can.

Also, when a third party is also playing the same game, it can be enjoyed by comparing the running times and rankings. Also, if the execution time is unexpectedly high,
It is possible to explain the explanation to a third party.

In this way, by making it possible to print the image and information associated with the progress of the game, the printed image can be carried and carried at any time to share the enjoyment with a third party.
It is possible to further expand the fun of the game.

In the present embodiment, the still image related to the game, the execution time, and the rank are printed, but the description about the characters appearing in the game and the attack contents in the game are added. Of course, the name of the game, the phase number, the name of the user, the execution end date, etc. may be printed.

As described above, in the present embodiment,
The case where the network terminal device B2 is a mobile phone has been described. Here, the characteristic configuration of the network system according to the present embodiment will be described collectively.

First, the entire content is divided into a plurality of phases and transmitted from the game providing server B14 to the network terminal device B2 for each phase. When the game for each phase is completed, the printing for the phase is completed. The still image can be received to realize the network system of the present embodiment.

Further, the network system of this embodiment is realized by not performing the charging process after the second phase after the purchase of the game software.

Then, it is possible to realize the network system of the present embodiment by enabling the discount billing process for the newly purchased game software according to the number of prints.

Further, a game program of a specific phase is stored in the game software storage section B17, and when the program of that phase ends, the still image for printing and the game program of the next phase are overwritten and stored in the same area. Thus, the network system of this embodiment is realized.

Also, the execution time of the game software and the execution order of the game software can be printed together with the still image,
The network system of this embodiment is realized.

In this embodiment, the case where the network terminal device B2 is a mobile phone has been described. However, the network terminal device B2 may be a personal computer, a game machine, a PDA or the like which can be connected to the network, or a digital one. It may be a form in which a game function is incorporated on the TV.

Further, in the present embodiment, the fee is charged when the game is selected and the game of the first face is obtained, so that the fee-charging process which the user has to perform is minimized to make it complicated. However, the fee is not charged when the first phase is transmitted, and the second phase is transmitted.
You may make it charge by control of the game provision server B14 at the time of transmission of a phase.

As a result, the user can experience the fun of the game in the first phase game, and by making many users experience it for free, the number of users who purchase the game can be increased.

Further, as a method of increasing the number of users who purchase the game, it is possible to incorporate a device for discounting the charge amount when purchasing the game when the purchase user introduces a third party. Thus, various applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present embodiment.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the network system of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. In addition, in this embodiment, since FIGS. 1 to 6 can be realized by the same configuration as the above-described first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. To do.

In this embodiment, the game providing server B14
The present invention relates to a system capable of acquiring a still image when entering a game mode when acquiring a game and a still image from.

In this embodiment, for example, when a game of Go is played on a mobile phone, it may be printed before the game of Go is started in order to obtain the game of Go and think variously. Unlike the first embodiment, the print processing can be performed at the start of the game.

Further, unlike the first embodiment, the present embodiment eliminates the process of measuring the progress time of the game by the timer B29, and regards a game in which it is not necessary to measure the time like Tsumego. We are taking action.

9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the processing flow of game execution in the present embodiment. In FIG. 9, in step S70, the game key B65 is operated to enter the game mode, and in step S71, the game name stored in the game list storage unit M6 is called,
It is displayed on the display unit B28.

At step S72, the cursor set key B
64 is used to select the game, and step S73
Then, the phase number of the selected game is stored in the variable N. For example, if the third phase of the Tsumego game is stored and the user selects this, the phase number M22 of the game list storage unit M6 stores “3”,
The variable N stores this “3”.

A variable N that stores this phase number M22
Is used when the game software of the next phase is received in step S95 described later.

In step S75, it is determined by the user whether or not to print. If printing is to be performed, the process proceeds to step S76. In the present embodiment, step S7
Each time the game mode is set to 0, the user is made to determine whether to print before the game starts. This is because, in the case of a game that requires a certain amount of thinking when playing the game regardless of time, some users may want to print before the game ends.

In step S76, the display screen associated with the print image is selected and displayed based on the display contents used in the game. For example, in the Tsumego game,
Display one Go among multiple Go questions.

In step S77, a selection is made as to which print image to use. Since the resolution of the display unit B28 is much rougher than that of the printed image, in the present embodiment, first, those are selected and displayed based on the display contents used in the game, and the display image selected by the user is dealt with. Send the image for printing to the network terminal device B2,
The signal is received in step S78. The processing in step S77 is performed by the image transmitting means configured as a program by the computer system of the game providing server B14.

The still image for printing received in step S78 is overwritten and stored in the game software storage section B17, and the stored game software is erased for this reason. For example, the still image for printing received in step S78 is
It is stored in the place where the game of Go was stored, and the game of Go is erased for this reason.

In this way, the processing in step S78 is
This is performed by the still image acquisition means configured by the computer system of the network terminal device B2.

In step S79, a process of generating a print image by synthesizing information that increases the enjoyment by printing on the received still image is performed.

For example, in the game of Go, although not shown, the correct answer rate of the game of Go is stored and is combined with the printed image together with the user's name. Also, a hint of the game of Go and a level representing the difficulty, which are obtained together with the game of Go in advance, are combined with the print image. The processing in step S79 is
This is performed by the image synthesizing means configured by the computer system of the game providing server B14.

The generated print image is wirelessly transmitted to the printer B5 in step S80, and the printing process is performed by the printer B5 in step S81. Step S82
In step S78, the still image for printing is overwritten in the storage unit in which the game is stored. Therefore, the erased game software is received again, and the portion in which the still image is stored is overwritten.

The processing in step S82 is performed by the content transmission means programmed by the computer system of the game providing server B14 and the content acquisition means and content storage means programmed by the computer system of the network terminal device B2. Be seen.

After the printing process from step S76 to step S82 is completed, or when the user does not want to print in step S75, the process after step S90 shown in FIG. 11 is executed.

At step S90, the game software storage unit M
The game selected from 5 is executed. Specifically, in this embodiment, a method of moving a process to an address of an instruction group of a game program and executing each instruction to execute a game is performed.

In step S91, it is determined whether or not the game process of the specific phase of the selected game is finished. If it is finished, the process from step S93 is executed, and if the game process is not finished, in step S92. , Determine whether or not a suspend interrupt has occurred.

As a concrete example of the case where the interruption interruption is carried out, when a call is made to the network terminal device B2 which is a mobile phone or when a mail is received, or when the user presses the ON key B61, It is when the game was interrupted by.

When such an interruption interruption is performed, the process flow of the game execution is ended, and when the game is continued, the processes of steps S90, S91 and S92 are repeated.

When the Nth phase game is over,
In the process of step S93, the game providing server B14 is connected, and in step S94, a game end notification is given to the game providing server B14. The processing in step S94 is performed by the content end notifying means configured by the computer system of the network terminal device B2.

At step S95, 1 is added to the variable N.
This variable N is a variable that stores the phase number of the game program. For example, phase 3 of the Tsume Go game.
In the process of step S95 after the execution of the above, the variable N becomes 4 by adding 1 to 3.

In step S96, the game providing server B1
The game program of the phase indicated by the variable N is obtained from 4. When the execution of Phase 3 of the Tsumego game is completed, the Tsumego game of Phase 4 is acquired. This step S9
The processing in 6 is performed by the content transmission means programmed by the computer system of the game providing server B14 and the content acquisition means programmed by the computer system of the network terminal device B2.

At step S97, the contents of the game list are modified. Specifically, the phase number M22 is set to the value of the variable N.

In step S98, the obtained game program is stored in the game software storage section B17. The obtained game program is overwritten and stored in the place where the finished game program was stored. For example, when the execution of the game of Phase 3 of the Tsumego game ends,
The phase 4 program of the Tsumego game is overwritten and stored.

In this way, the processing in step S98 is
This is performed by the content storage means. This is the end of the game execution process.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the printing is performed before the execution process of the game selected by the user. Therefore, for example, as in the Tsumego game, some thought can be exercised before the game starts. In the case of a game that requires it, you will be able to think various things by looking at the print contents before starting the game. Therefore, how to enjoy the game
It will be possible to expand more.

In the present embodiment as well, as in the first embodiment, still images can be printed by the network terminal device B2 having a small memory capacity, and by printing, the way of enjoying the game is expanded. We have realized a network system that enables you to do so.

Further, as in the first embodiment, it is needless to say that the charging process may be performed for each phase of the game, or the execution time of the game may be timed to notify the rank of the execution time. Yes.

(Other Embodiments of the Present Invention) In order to operate the various devices in order to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, a computer in an apparatus or system connected to the various devices is operated in the above-described embodiment. Supply the program code of software to realize the function of
What is carried out by operating the above various devices according to a program stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is also included in the scope of the present invention.

Further, in this case, the program code itself of the software realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and a means for supplying the program code to the computer,
For example, a recording medium storing such program code constitutes the present invention. As a recording medium for storing the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-RO.
M, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

Moreover, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the supplied program code by the computer, but also the OS (operating system) or other OS in which the program code is operating in the computer. Needless to say, the program code is also included in the embodiments of the present invention when the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized in cooperation with application software or the like.

Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer,
The present invention is also applicable when the CPU or the like included in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. Needless to say, it is included in.

As described above, according to each of the above-described embodiments, since the large capacity content is divided and received, the large capacity can be achieved without increasing the memory capacity of the network terminal device that executes the content. Can accept and execute the content of.

Further, since the billing process is performed only when the first stage of the content divided into a plurality of pieces is received, the billing process which the user has to perform can be minimized. , It has the effect of reducing complexity.

Further, since the discount billing is possible according to the number of times of printing, the number of times of printing by the user can be promoted, and the effect of advertising the content by word of mouth can be promoted.

Further, when the still image is received, the content is overwritten and stored in the place where the content was stored, so that there is an effect of further preventing an increase in the memory capacity of the network terminal device.

Further, since the execution time when the game is executed is attached to the print image, it is possible to promote the expansion of the way of enjoying by printing.

[0193]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to construct a content distribution environment in which the memory capacity of the network terminal device is taken into consideration when the contents such as game software and still images are acquired via the network.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a network system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a memory map showing stored contents of the game providing server according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a network terminal device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a memory map showing stored contents of the network terminal device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an external view of a network terminal device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when a game is acquired in the network terminal device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for executing a game in the network terminal device according to the first embodiment.

8 is a flowchart showing a flow of game execution processing in the network terminal device according to the first embodiment following FIG. 7. FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of game execution processing in the network terminal device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of game execution processing in the network terminal device according to the second embodiment following FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

B2 network terminal B5 printer B13 Internet B14 Game provision server B16 Print image storage unit B17 Game software storage B18 User information storage section B19 Game List

Claims (41)

[Claims] 1. A content providing server for providing content to a network terminal device connected via a network, wherein the entire content is divided into a plurality of phases and stored, and the divided phases are stored in the network. A content providing server, which sequentially transmits in response to a request from a terminal device. 2. A still image is stored in association with each phase of the plurality of divided contents, and stored in association with the provided phase in response to a request from a network terminal device that provided the phase. The content providing server according to claim 1, wherein the still image is transmitted. 3. A content providing server for providing content to a network terminal device connected via a network, wherein the content dividing storage unit stores the content by dividing it into a plurality of phases, and the content dividing storage unit stores the content. A content providing server, comprising: a content transmitting means for transmitting one of a plurality of stored phases in response to a request from the network terminal device. 4. A still image storage unit that stores a still image in association with each of the plurality of phases, and a still image stored in the still image storage unit in response to a request from the network terminal device. The content providing server according to claim 3, further comprising a still image transmitting unit for transmitting. 5. The content providing server according to claim 4, wherein the still image stored in the still image storage means is a print image. 6. The charging device according to claim 3, further comprising a charging device for charging at least one of the contents of the first phase and the second phase or later transmitted by the contents transmitting device. The content providing server according to item 1. 7. The charging means charges for the first phase of the content.
The content providing server described in. 8. An image transmission number storage means for storing the number of times a still image is transmitted by the still image transmission means, wherein the billing means sells according to the number of transmissions stored in the image transmission number storage means. The content providing server according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the amount of money is discounted. 9. A content execution time receiving means for receiving the time when the phase transmitted by the content transmitting means is executed from each network terminal device transmitting the phase, and each network received by the content execution time receiving means. 9. The content according to any one of claims 3 to 8, further comprising: an execution time rank determining unit that compares the execution times of the terminal devices and determines the rank in order from the one having the shortest execution time. Offering server. 10. The content providing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising execution time rank transmission means for transmitting the rank determined by the execution time rank determination means in response to a request from a corresponding network terminal device. server. 11. By connecting to a network,
In a network terminal device that obtains content from a content providing server, a phase obtained by dividing the entire content into a plurality of pieces is obtained from the content providing server and stored from the content providing server, and a still image related to the obtained phase is stored. A network terminal device characterized by being obtained from a content providing server. 12. By connecting to a network,
In a network terminal device that obtains content from a content providing server, a content obtaining unit that obtains one of the phases obtained by dividing the entire content into a plurality of pieces from the content providing server; and a content obtained by the content obtaining unit. A network terminal device, comprising: a content storage unit that stores the content; and a still image acquisition unit that acquires a still image related to a phase stored in the content storage unit from the content providing server. 13. A content end notifying unit for notifying the content providing server that the execution of the phase stored in the content storing unit has been completed, and the still image obtaining unit is configured to operate by the content end notifying unit. The network terminal device according to claim 12, wherein a still image is obtained from the content providing server in response to the end notification. 14. The network terminal device according to claim 12, wherein the image obtained by the still image obtaining means is a print image. 15. The still image obtained by the still image obtaining means is stored in the same area as a storage area of a phase stored in the content storage means. The network terminal device according to the item. 16. The storage area is overwritten and stored in the same area of the content storage means each time the content acquisition means acquires the phase and the still image acquisition means acquires the still image. The network terminal device according to. 17. The execution time counting means for measuring the execution time of the phase acquired by the content acquisition means, and the execution time of the phase measured by the execution time measuring means at the same time as the end notification by the content end notifying means, The network terminal device according to any one of claims 12 to 16, further comprising an execution time notifying unit that notifies the content providing server. 18. The network terminal according to claim 17, further comprising image synthesizing means for synthesizing the execution time measured by the execution time measuring means with a still image stored in the still image storage means. apparatus. 19. A network comprising the content providing server according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and the network terminal device according to any one of claims 11 to 18. system. 20. A content providing method for providing content to a network terminal device connected via a network, wherein the entire content is divided into a plurality of phases and stored, and the divided phases are divided into the network. A content providing method characterized in that the content is sequentially transmitted in response to a request from a terminal device. 21. A still image is stored in association with each phase of the plurality of divided contents, and stored in association with the provided phase in response to a request from a network terminal device that provided the phase. 21. The content providing method according to claim 20, wherein the still image being transmitted is transmitted. 22. A content providing method for providing content to a network terminal device connected via a network, comprising: a content division storage process for dividing the content into a plurality of phases and storing the storage medium; and the content division storage. A content providing method characterized by performing a content transmission process of transmitting one of a plurality of phases stored in a storage medium by a process in response to a request from the network terminal device. 23. The still image storage process of storing a still image in a storage medium in association with each of the plurality of phases; and the still image stored in the storage medium by the still image storage process, the network terminal device. 23. The content providing method according to claim 22, further comprising: a still image transmission process of transmitting in response to a request from the user. 24. The content providing method according to claim 23, wherein the still image stored in the storage medium by the still image storage processing is a print image. 25. The billing process for billing at least one of the contents of the first phase or the second phase or later transmitted by the contents transmission process. The method for providing contents according to item 1. 26. The content providing method according to claim 25, wherein the charging process charges a first phase of the content. 27. An image transmission number storage process of storing the number of times a still image is transmitted by the still image transmission process in a storage medium, wherein the billing process is a transmission stored in the storage medium by the image transmission number storage process. 27. The content providing method according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the sales amount is discounted according to the number of times. 28. A content execution time reception process of receiving the time of executing the phase transmitted by the content transmission process from each network terminal device that transmitted the phase, and each network received by the content execution time reception process. 28. Content according to any one of claims 22 to 27, characterized in that execution time ranking determination processing is performed in which the execution times in terminal devices are compared and the ranking is determined in order from the one with the shortest execution time. How to provide. 29. The content providing apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising an execution time rank transmission process of transmitting the rank determined by the execution time rank determination processing in response to a request from a corresponding network terminal device. Method. 30. By connecting to a network,
In a content acquisition method for acquiring content from a content providing server, a phase obtained by dividing the entire content into a plurality of parts is obtained from the content providing server and stored from the content providing server, and a still image related to the obtained phase is stored. A method for acquiring content, which is characterized in that the content is acquired from a content providing server. 31. By connecting to a network,
A content acquisition method of acquiring content from a content providing server, comprising: a content acquisition process of acquiring one of the phases obtained by dividing the entire content into a plurality of pieces from the content providing server; and a content acquired by the content acquisition process. Content characterized by performing a content storage process of storing in a storage medium and a still image acquisition process of acquiring a still image related to a phase stored in the storage medium by the content storage process from the content providing server. how to get. 32. Content end notification processing for notifying the content providing server that the execution of the phase stored in the storage medium by the content storage processing is completed, and the still image acquisition processing is the content end notification. 32. The content acquisition method according to claim 31, wherein a still image is acquired from the content providing server in response to an end notification by processing. 33. The content acquisition method according to claim 31, wherein the image acquired by the still image acquisition process is a print image. 34. The still image obtained by the still image obtaining process is stored in the same area as the phase storage area stored in the storage medium by the content storing process. The method for obtaining content according to any one of items. 35. The phase obtained by the content obtaining process and each time the still image obtained by the still image obtaining process is obtained, the contents are overwritten and stored in the same area of the storage medium to be stored. The content acquisition method according to claim 34. 36. An execution time counting process for measuring an execution time of a phase acquired by the content acquisition process, and an execution time of a phase measured by the execution time measuring process at the same time as an end notification by the content end notification process, The content acquisition method according to any one of claims 31 to 35, further comprising: execution time notification processing for notifying the content providing server. 37. The image synthesizing process for synthesizing the execution time measured by the execution time measuring process with the still image stored in the storage medium by the still image storing process. How to get content. 38. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as each unit according to any one of claims 1 to 18 is recorded. 39. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 20 to 37. 40. A computer program for causing a computer to function as each unit according to any one of claims 1 to 18. 41. A computer program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 20 to 37.