阅读说明：本技术 信息处理设备及安装方法 (Information processing apparatus and installation method ) 是由 马场俊介 砂山真 于 2020-03-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：玩法模式选择屏幕显示单元108显示针对与游戏软件70的安装相关的玩法模式的选择屏幕。安装运行单元110将游戏软件安装到存储设备中。当要首次安装游戏软件时,玩法模式选择屏幕显示单元108显示用于从多个玩法模式中选择要首先安装的玩法模式的第一选择屏幕。此后,玩法模式选择屏幕显示单元108显示用于选择不要安装的玩法模式或要安装的玩法模式的第二选择屏幕。(The play mode selection screen display unit 108 displays a selection screen for a play mode related to installation of the game software 70. The installation execution unit 110 installs game software into a storage device. When game software is to be installed for the first time, the play mode selection screen displaying unit 108 displays a first selection screen for selecting a play mode to be installed for the first time from among a plurality of play modes. Thereafter, the play mode selection screen display unit 108 displays a second selection screen for selecting a play mode not to be installed or a play mode to be installed.)

1. An information processing apparatus comprising:

a play mode selection screen image display section that displays a screen image for selecting a play mode relating to installation of game software; and

an installation execution section that installs the game software into the storage device, wherein,

when the game software is to be installed for the first time, the play mode selection screen image display section first displays a first selection screen image for selecting a play mode to be installed first from a plurality of play modes, and then displays a second selection screen image for selecting a play mode not to be installed or a play mode to be installed.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

when the game software that has been installed in the past is to be installed again, the play mode selection screen image display section displays a first selection screen image for selecting a play mode to be installed first after displaying the second selection screen image for selecting a play mode not to be installed or a play mode to be installed.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

a game execution section that executes a game, wherein,

the game software includes a plurality of groups, and when the installation execution section installs a file belonging to a first group of the game software, the game execution section is enabled to start the game, and

the game execution section is enabled to execute the game after the installation execution section installs a plurality of files enabling use of save data of a game that a user has played in the past.

4. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

a game selection screen image display section that displays a screen image for selecting game software to be deleted, if shortage of capacity of the storage device occurs when game software is to be installed, wherein,

the game selection screen image display section displays an option for deleting game software in units of play modes.

5. A method of installation comprising:

a step of displaying a first selection screen image for selecting a play mode to be installed first from among a plurality of play modes;

a step of displaying a second selection screen image for selecting a play mode not to be installed or a play mode to be installed; and

a step of installing game software on the basis of information input to the first selection screen image and the second selection screen image.

6. A program for causing a computer to execute:

a function of displaying a first selection screen image for selecting a play mode to be installed first from among a plurality of play modes;

a function of displaying a second selection screen image for selecting a play mode not to be installed or a play mode to be installed; and

installing a function of game software on the basis of information input to the first selection screen image and the second selection screen image.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a technique for installing game software.

Background

Traditionally, game software has been distributed and sold in the form of Read Only Memory (ROM) media such as optical, magneto-optical disks, or blu-ray disks. With the increase in data communication speed, it has recently become possible for servers to distribute image files of game software via the internet.

The game software includes a plurality of files for running the game, such as a boot file, a game program, and a plurality of files used by an Operating System (OS) of the game device. In recent years, the number of files included in game software has been increasing, and there is a trend toward larger and larger data sizes.

PTL 1 discloses a group structure in which game software is divided into a plurality of groups such that a program file and a data file required to start the game software belong to one of the groups (first group). According to the technique disclosed in PTL 1, if downloading and installation of all files belonging to a first group are completed, game software can be started even if files of a second group and subsequent groups are not installed. Files belonging to the second and subsequent groups may be downloaded in the background while the user is playing the game and may be installed into the secondary storage device. This reduces the waiting time of the user before the game starts.

Reference list

Patent document

[PTL 1]

U.S. patent application publication No.2014/201209

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

The increase in the data size of the game software consumes a large portion of the memory capacity of the memory device for the game device.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to efficiently install game software.

Solution scheme

In order to solve the above-described problems, an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a play mode selection screen image display section that displays a screen image for selecting a play mode related to installation of game software, and an installation execution section that installs the game software into a storage device. When game software is to be installed for the first time, the play mode selection screen image display section first displays a first selection screen image for selecting a play mode to be installed first from a plurality of play modes, and then displays a second selection screen image for selecting a play mode not to be installed or a play mode to be installed.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of installation, and the method includes: the game software installation method includes a step of displaying a first selection screen image for selecting a play mode to be installed first from a plurality of play modes, a step of displaying a second selection screen image for selecting a play mode not to be installed or a play mode to be installed, and a step of installing game software on the basis of information input to the first selection screen image and the second selection screen image.

It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and the expression of the present invention obtained by conversion between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, and the like is also effective as a mode of the present invention.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a view depicting an information processing system according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a view depicting a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the file configuration of game software.

Fig. 4 is a view depicting an example of a specific file configuration of game software.

Fig. 5 is a view depicting an example of a relationship between a group and a file.

Fig. 6 is a view depicting an example of a group file.

Fig. 7 is a view depicting functional blocks of the information processing apparatus.

Fig. 8 is a view depicting an example of a first selection screen image for selecting a play mode.

Fig. 9 is a view depicting an example of a second selection screen image for selecting a play mode.

Fig. 10 is a view depicting an example of a second selection screen image for selecting a play mode.

Fig. 11 is a view depicting an example of a first selection screen image for selecting a play mode.

Fig. 12 is a view depicting an example of the download confirmation screen image.

Fig. 13 is a view depicting an example of a screen image for notification of insufficient available capacity.

Fig. 14 is a view depicting an example of a screen image for selecting a game to be uninstalled.

Fig. 15 is a view depicting an example of a screen image for selecting a play mode to be uninstalled.

Fig. 16 is a view depicting an example of a screen image for selecting a game to be uninstalled.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1 depicts an information handling system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system 1 includes an information processing apparatus 10, a network server 5, and a content server 12, which distribute digital content and are connected to each other through a network 3 such as the internet or a Local Area Network (LAN). The content server 12 retains digital content such as game software and distributes it to the information processing apparatus 10.

An access point (hereinafter referred to as "AP") 8 has functions of a wireless access point and a router, and the information processing apparatus 10 establishes connection with the AP 8 by wireless connection or wired connection to connect and communicate with the network server 5 and the content server 12 on the network 3.

The information processing apparatus 10 establishes connection with the input apparatus 6 operated by the user through wireless connection or wired connection, and the input apparatus 6 outputs information of the operation performed by the user to the information processing apparatus 10. When the information processing device 10 accepts operation information from the input device 6, it reflects the operation information on the processing of the OS (system software) or game software, and causes the output device 4 to output the processing result. In the information processing system 1, the information processing device 10 may be a terminal device such as a game device or a personal computer that runs game software, and the input device 6 may be a device such as a game controller that provides information of operations performed by a user to the information processing device 10. The user can operate the OS and the game software by logging in the OS of the information processing apparatus 10.

The web server 5 is maintained and managed by an operation entity of the information processing system 1, and provides a web service to a user of the information processing system 1. The web server 5 manages a web account for identifying each user, and each user logs in to a web service provided by the web server 5 using his web account. By logging in to the web service from the information processing apparatus 10, the user can receive distribution of digital content from the content server 12, and can record saved data of a game or the like into the web server 5. It should be noted that the content server 12 may have a user management function of the web server 5. Although the digital content may be various application software, in the following description, a case in which the digital content is game software is specifically described.

The secondary storage apparatus 2 is a mass storage apparatus such as a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or a Solid State Drive (SSD), and may be a built-in storage apparatus or an external storage apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus 10 through a Universal Serial Bus (USB) or the like. The output device 4 may be a television set including a display that outputs an image and a speaker that outputs sound, or may be a head-mounted display. The output device 4 may be connected to the information processing device 10 by a wired cable or by a wireless connection.

The input device 6 includes a plurality of input portions such as a plurality of push-type operation buttons, an analog stick capable of inputting an analog quantity, and a rotary button. A camera 7 as an imaging device is provided on the near side of the output device 4, and captures an image of the space around the output device 4. Although fig. 1 depicts an example in which the camera 7 is attached to an upper portion of the output device 4, the camera 7 may be arranged in other ways at a side portion of the output device 4. In any case, the camera 7 is disposed at a position where an image of a user playing a game in front of the output device 4 can be captured. The camera 7 may be a stereo camera. The information processing apparatus 10 has a function of performing face authentication on the user based on the image captured by the camera 7 to allow the user to log in to the information processing apparatus 10.

Fig. 2 depicts a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 10. The information processing apparatus 10 includes a main power button, a power-on Light Emitting Diode (LED)21, a standby LED 22, a system controller 24, a clock 26, an apparatus controller 30, a media driver 32, a USB module 34, a flash memory 36, a wireless communication module 38, a wired communication module 40, a subsystem 50, and a main system 60.

The host system 60 includes a host Central Processing Unit (CPU), a memory as a main storage device, a memory controller, a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), and the like. The GPU is mainly used for arithmetic operation processing of game programs. These functions may be configured as a system on a chip and formed on a single chip. The main CPU has a function of running game software recorded in the secondary storage device 2 or the ROM medium 44.

The sub-system 50 includes a sub-CPU, a memory as a main storage device, a memory controller, and the like, but does not include a GPU, nor has a function of running a game program. The number of circuit gates of the sub-CPU is smaller than that of the main CPU, and the operation power consumption of the sub-CPU is lower than that of the main CPU. The sub-CPU also operates when the main CPU is in a standby state, and its operation function is limited so as to suppress power consumption to be low.

The main power button 20 is a button for performing operation input by a user, and is provided on the front surface of the housing of the information processing apparatus 10, and is operated for turning on or off the power supply to the main system 60 of the information processing apparatus 10. The power-on LED 21 is turned on when the main power button 20 is turned on, and the standby LED 22 is turned on when the main power button 20 is turned off.

System controller 24 detects a user depression of main power button 20. If the main power supply button 20 is pressed while the main power supply is in the on state, the system controller 24 acquires the pressing operation as an "on instruction". If the main power supply button 20 is pressed while the main power supply is in the off state, the system controller 24 acquires the pressing operation as an "off instruction".

The clock 26 is a real time clock and generates current date and time information to provide to the system controller 24, the subsystem 50 and the main system 60.

The device controller 30 is configured as a large scale integrated circuit (LSI) that runs information transfer between devices such as a south bridge chip. As depicted in fig. 2, devices such as a system controller 24, a media drive 32, a USB module 34, a flash memory 36, a wireless communication module 38, a wired communication module 40, a subsystem 50, and a host system 60 are connected to the device controller 30. The device controller 30 absorbs the difference in electrical characteristics between devices and the difference in data transfer speed to control the timing of data transfer.

The media drive 32 is a drive device that accepts and drives a ROM medium 44, in which ROM medium 44 application software of a game and the like are recorded to read out programs, data and the like from the ROM medium 44. In the following description, although programs and data are sometimes collectively referred to as data without being specifically distinguished from each other, the term "data" is also used as a term representing elements for a configuration file. The ROM medium 44 is a read-only recording medium such as an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, or a blu-ray disc.

In this embodiment, the game software recorded in the ROM medium 44 is entirely copied and installed in the secondary storage device 2. The main system 60 runs game software installed in the secondary storage device 2.

The USB module 34 is a module connected to an external device through a USB cable. The USB module 34 may be connected to the secondary storage device 2 and the camera 7 through USB lines. The flash memory 36 is a secondary storage device for configuring internal storage. The wireless communication module 38 communicates with the input device 6 by wireless communication using a communication protocol such as bluetooth (registered trademark) protocol or IEEE 802.11 protocol, for example. It should be noted that the wireless communication module 38 may support a digital mobile telephone system. The wired communication module 40 communicates with an external device through wired communication, and is connected to the network 3 through the AP 8.

Returning to fig. 1, the content server 12 distributes game software to the information processing apparatus 10. The game software includes a plurality of files for running the game, such as a boot file, a game program, and a plurality of files used by the OS of the information processing apparatus 10, and the content server 12 supplies the information processing apparatus 10 with image files of the game software originally recorded on the ROM medium 44. The game program is a program necessary for running the game, and the game is played by running the game program. The start-up file is a program for starting up the game program, and when the start-up file is executed, the game program is called and executed. The file used by the OS includes, for example, a game icon image or the like to be displayed on the menu screen image of the information processing apparatus 10.

The game software has a tree directory structure, and the startup file is included in the root directory of the highest layer. The sub-directories of the lower layer are classified for each file type, and form, for example, a sub-directory for a three-dimensional (3D) model, a sub-directory for a texture, a sub-directory for a script, and the like. Each subdirectory includes a corresponding file, and a plurality of 3D model files are included in the subdirectory for 3D models, a plurality of texture files are included in the subdirectory for textures, and a plurality of script files are included in the subdirectory for scripts. For example, the subdirectory for texture includes a texture file for scene 1 of the game, a texture file for scene 2 of the game, a texture file for scene 3 of the game, and the like.

FIG. 3 depicts a conceptual diagram of a file configuration of game software. As depicted in fig. 3, the game software 70 in this embodiment includes a plurality of files and is logically divided into a plurality of groups 72. Each file belongs to at least one of the plurality of groups 72, and at least one file belongs to each group 72. In the game software 70 depicted in fig. 3, the first group 72a exists as the top group, and the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth groups 72b, 72c, 72d, 72e, and 72f exist as the subsequent groups. It should be noted that the seventh and subsequent groups 72 may follow the sixth group 72 f. Each group is identified by a group number, such as "first" or "second".

Files included in the plurality of subdirectories belong to each of the logically divided groups. In other words, each group includes files of different types, and is set so that files required when the information processing apparatus 10 runs a specific unit such as a scene or a stage in a game belong to the group.

The program files and data files required to start the game software 70 belong to a first group 72 a. Accordingly, in the case where the information processing device 10 is to acquire the game software 70 from the content server 12, if all files belonging to the first group 72a are downloaded, the information processing device 10 can immediately start the game software 70 even if the files of the second group 72b and subsequent groups are not downloaded. It should be noted that after the information processing apparatus 10 acquires all the files belonging to the first group 72a and starts the game software 70, it downloads the files belonging to the subsequent group 72 in the background. In this way, by downloading the minimum files required to run the game first and allowing the game to run upon completion of the downloading of those files, the download latency of the user can be reduced. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the game software 70 recorded on the ROM medium 44 and the game software 70 downloaded from the content server 12 or the like each have a data structure having the same file and the same directory configuration.

FIG. 4 depicts an example of a particular file configuration of game software. The first group 72a includes a plurality of files to be downloaded first in the game software 70, and here, a game parameter file, a group file, a start file, and a basic file (essential file) are indicated.

Here, the game parameter file is a file used by the OS of the information processing apparatus 10, and includes, for example, information such as a title Identification (ID) and a display resolution, icon image data, and the like.

The group file is a definition file describing in which group each file is included. While the group file may be represented by, for example, extensible markup language (XML), it may be represented in other ways by another programming language and may be represented in any format. The group file describes a plurality of groups that need to be installed when a play mode (play mode) provided in a game is to be executed.

The start-up file is a program for starting up a game program. Further, the basic files include program files required to run the game, common files used in the entire game, and the like.

In the case where the information processing apparatus 10 downloads the game software 70 from the content server 12, it can start the game if it acquires and installs all files belonging to the first group 72 a. Conversely, the first set 72a includes a plurality of files required by the user to play the portion of the game. Here, the game play (game play) herein may include a setting operation to be performed by the user at the time of game start, such as deciding a character or deciding a game difficulty level. In other words, the first set 72a includes a number of files needed to initiate the game and establish a state in which the user may perform at least some operations. For example, game play that may be run using the files included in the first group 72a may be only an initial setting for the game, or may be a setting that causes the game to be played to its first stage. Depending on the game manufacturer.

In the example depicted in fig. 4, the plurality of files for scene 1 belong to the second group 72b, the plurality of files for scene 2 belong to the third group 72c, and the plurality of files for scene 3 belong to the fourth group 72 d. In particular, the plurality of files in each group includes a program, a 3D model file for a specific scene, a texture file, a script file, and the like, and includes files included in a plurality of subdirectories of a directory structure.

FIG. 5 depicts an example of a relationship between a group and a file. Here, it is depicted that files a to N belong to the group 72. As depicted in fig. 5, each file belongs to one of the plurality of groups 72, and at least one file belongs to each group 72.

Fig. 6 depicts an example of a group file. As described above, the group file may be represented by XML, or may be represented by another program language. In fig. 6, group files are depicted, in which the correspondence between groups and files is represented in the form of a table for easy understanding. When the information processing device 10 downloads each file of the game software 70, it may refer to the group file to determine whether the downloading of all files belonging to a certain group is completed. For example, with respect to the first group 72a, by referring to the group files, the information processing apparatus 10 can recognize that the files belonging to the first group 72a are the files A, B, C, D, E and F, and therefore, if these files are recorded in the secondary storage apparatus 2, the information processing apparatus 10 determines that the downloading of all the files belonging to the first group 72a is completed. It should be noted that the group file may be any one of files a to F. Since the game software 70 includes a plurality of groups in this manner, the information processing apparatus 10 downloads files in units of groups.

In the game software 70, a plurality of play modes are often provided in order to provide various ways to enjoy the game. Depending on the game type, there are various play modes, and for example, for a battle type game, a game manufacturer provides a one-player play (SP) mode in which a game is played by one player, a player-to-player (PvP) mode in which players compete against each other, a player-to-enemy (PvE) mode in which a plurality of players collaborate with each other against a non-player character (NPC), and the like.

In the game software 70 of this embodiment, a plurality of groups for running each play mode are defined. With regard to the above-described play patterns, a plurality of groups for running the SP pattern, a plurality of groups for running the PvP pattern, and a plurality of groups for running the PvE pattern are defined. A plurality of groups for each play mode are defined in a group file.

In the information processing system 1 of this embodiment, before starting downloading the game software 70, the user selects a play mode that the user wants to play first from among a plurality of play modes. The information processing apparatus 10 downloads a group for running a play mode selected by the user in preference to (i.e., earlier than) a group of other play modes, and installs them into the secondary storage apparatus 2.

Fig. 7 depicts functional blocks for running an installation process of the information processing apparatus 10. Here, the installation process is a process for storing the game software 70 into the secondary storage device 2 so as to be executable. In this embodiment, although the information processing apparatus 10 downloads the game software 70 from the content server 12 and installs the game software 70 into the secondary storage apparatus 2, it may otherwise acquire the game software 70 from the ROM medium 44 and install the game software 70 into the secondary storage apparatus 2.

The information processing apparatus 10 includes an accepting section 100, a game execution section 102, a group determination section 104, a download execution section 106, a play mode selection screen image display section 108, an installation execution section 110, a progress status display section 112, a notification section 114, and a game selection screen image display section 116. Although the components mentioned are implemented as hardware components, implemented by the CPU of any computer, memory, programs loaded in memory, storage devices, etc., in fig. 7, functional blocks are depicted which are implemented by their cooperation. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that the functional blocks described above may be implemented in various forms of hardware only, software only, or a combination of hardware and software.

The accepting unit 100 accepts operation information of an operation performed by a user on the input device 6. The download execution section 106 downloads the game software 70 from the content server 12, and accumulates the amount of data that has been downloaded during the download.

The secondary storage device 2 is used as a storage device for storing a plurality of files configuring the game software 70. The downloading of the game software 70 is executed in units of groups. For example, in the case where the files X, Y and Z belong to the group S, if a request for downloading the group S is generated, the files X, Y and Z are downloaded from the content server 12, and all the files X, Y and Z belonging to the group S are installed into the secondary storage device 2.

The progress status display section 112 has a function of displaying the installation progress status on the output device 4. In this embodiment, since the download execution section 106 downloads the game software 70 for each play mode, the progress status display section 112 displays the progress status of the play mode installation in the form of a single progress bar on the output device 4.

The installation and execution unit 110 installs the downloaded game software 70 in the secondary storage device 2. The game execution unit 102 executes the game by using the installed game software 70. As described hereinabove, if the game software 70 in the first group is installed, the game execution section 102 can immediately execute the game. It should be noted that, in the embodiment, although the game is indicated as an example of the application, the game execution section 102 may have a function of executing an application other than the game application.

A specific installation process in the information processing apparatus 10 is described.

When the user purchases the game software, the receiving unit 100 receives an address of a sales site of the game software and causes the output device 4 to display the sales site. If the user operates the input device 6 to select desired game software, a billing process is executed, and license information is given to the information processing device 10. Then, the download execution unit 106 transmits a download request including designation information (title ID) of the game to be downloaded to the content server 12.

The content server 12 receives the download request, and transmits screen image data for causing the play mode of the game to be selected, together with response information for permitting the download, to the information processing apparatus 10. The accepting section 100 receives the screen image data, and the play mode selection screen image displaying section 108 displays a screen image for selecting a play mode related to downloading the game software 70 on the output device 4. It should be noted that in this embodiment, since the downloaded software is installed into the secondary storage device 2 and is executed, the play mode selection screen image display section 108 displays a screen image for selecting a play mode related to the installation of the game software 70 on the output device 4 from the viewpoint of game execution.

< first time game software is installed >)

Fig. 8 depicts an example of a first selection screen image for selecting a play mode. When the game software 70 is first installed, the play mode selection screen image display section 108 displays a first selection screen image for allowing the user to select a play mode to be first installed from among a plurality of play modes on the output device 4. The first selection screen image displays a message "select a play mode to be downloaded first", and the user operates the input device 6 to move the focus frame 200 and select the play mode that the user wants to play first. In this example, the "SP mode" is selected. After selecting the play mode, the user moves the focus frame 200 to a Graphical User Interface (GUI) indicated as "OK", and operates a decision button of the input device 6. The play mode selection screen image display section 108 receives an operation of the GUI and displays a second selection screen image on the output device 4.

Fig. 9 depicts an example of a second selection screen image for selecting a play mode. In the information processing system 1 of this embodiment, it is not necessary to install all the play modes of the game software 70, and a design for installing only the play mode desired by the user is provided.

The play mode selection screen image display section 108 displays a second selection screen image for selecting a play mode not to be installed or a play mode to be installed on the output device 4. When the game software 70 is first installed, the play mode selection screen image display section 108 first displays the first selection screen image and then displays the second selection screen image on the output device 4.

A message "select play mode not to be downloaded" is displayed on the second selection screen image, and the user operates the input device 6 to move the focus frame 200 and select play mode not to be installed. In this example, the user determines that "PvP mode" is not possible to play, and selects "PvP mode" as the play mode not to be downloaded. It should be noted that if the user determines that it is possible to play all play modes, the user may not select any one play mode.

It should be noted that if the user selects "SP mode" on the first selection screen image, it has been decided that "SP mode" is the play mode to be downloaded first. At this time, since it is necessary to download the "SP mode", the second selection screen image may be displayed so that the user cannot select the "SP mode" to avoid an erroneous operation by the user.

Further, on the second selection screen image, a message "select play mode to download" may be displayed instead of the message "select play mode not to download". In this case, the user operates the input device 6 to move the focus frame 200, and selects a play mode to be installed, but does not select a play mode not to be installed. In this way, on the second selection screen image, the user can select a play mode not to be installed or a play mode to be installed. Thereafter, the user moves the focus frame 200 to the GUI indicated as "download", and operates the decision button of the input device 6.

The accepting section 100 acquires selection information of a play mode input on the first selection screen image and the second selection screen image, and presents it to the download executing section 106. In this example, information to download the SP mode first and information to download the SP mode and the PvE mode are supplied to the download execution section 106 as selection information of the play mode.

When the downloading process starts, the group determination unit 104 determines the first group 72a of the game software 70 as a target to be downloaded first. The download execution unit 106 transmits a download request including information (group specifying information) specifying the group decided by the group decision unit 104 to the content server 12.

Upon receiving the download request including the group designation information, the content server 12 transmits a file belonging to the group 72 of the game software 70 designated by the group designation information to the information processing apparatus 10. In the information processing apparatus 10, the download execution section 106 downloads the file of the game software 70 transmitted thereto.

When the content server 12 transmits a file included in the first group 72a, the download execution section 106 downloads the file, and the installation execution section 110 installs the downloaded file into the secondary storage device 2. As a result, the game execution unit 102 starts the game. The group determination section 104 determines a group of game software 70 to be downloaded next, and the download execution section 106 transmits a download request including information specifying the determined group to the content server 12.

The first group 72a includes a group file that describes which group the file belongs to and describes a plurality of groups that need to be installed when each play mode is to be run. The group decision section 104 refers to the group file to specify a group of the play mode (SP mode) selected by the user so as to be installed first. The order of downloading is decided according to the order of the group numbers, and in particular, the group decision section 104 may decide to have a smaller number of groups as targets to be downloaded earlier.

The download execution unit 106 transmits a download request including the designation information of the group designated by the group determination unit 104 to the content server 12. The content server 12 receives the download request including the group designation information, and transmits the file belonging to the group 72 of the game software 70 designated by the group designation information to the information processing apparatus 10. It should be noted that the sequence number of the play pattern to be downloaded second or later may be decided in advance.

In this embodiment, the download execution section 106 downloads the game files in the order of the SP mode and then the PvE mode, and the installation execution section 110 installs the game files into the secondary storage device 2. Since the download execution section 106 does not download the PvP mode selected by the user that is not necessary to be installed, the installation execution section 110 does not install the game file of the PvP mode into the secondary storage device 2, and thus waste of the storage capacity can be avoided.

< when the game software is to be reinstalled >

The user may uninstall (delete) the game software from the secondary storage device 2 for various reasons. For example, in the case where new game software cannot be installed due to insufficient available capacity of the secondary storage device 2, the user temporarily unloads game software that has not been played recently from the secondary storage device 2 in order to increase the available capacity. As long as the license information is valid, the user can freely re-install the unloaded game software into the secondary storage device 2 at any time.

In the re-installation process of the game software, the content server 12 receives a download request from the information processing apparatus 10, and transmits screen image data for allowing the user to select a play mode of the game to the information processing apparatus 10 together with response information for permitting the download. The content server 12 has stored therein the play mode before the information processing device 10 completely uninstalls the game software 70, and reflects the stored content on the screen image data. In brief, the content server 12 has stored therein the play mode that has been installed in the information processing device 10 to the end, and reflects the play mode on the screen image data to be provided at the time of re-download. In this example, the SP mode and the PvE mode are stored as having been installed to the last play mode.

The accepting section 100 receives the screen image data, and the play mode selection screen image displaying section 108 displays a screen image for selecting a play mode related to the re-download of the game software 70 on the output device 4.

Fig. 10 depicts an example of a second selection screen image for selecting a play mode. As depicted in fig. 9, the second selection screen image is a screen image for selecting a play mode not to be installed or a play mode to be installed. When the game software 70 that has been installed in the past is to be installed again, the play mode selection screen image display section 108 displays the second selection screen image on the output device 4 before the first selection screen image.

As depicted in fig. 10, the PvP mode is in a selected state by default. This is based on the fact that the PvP mode was not installed in the secondary storage device 2 in the past, and the content server 12 generates screen image data of a state in which the PvP mode is selected, according to an estimation that the possibility that the PvP mode is possibly installed this time is also low. It should be noted that if the user desires to play the PvP mode this time, it is sufficient for the user to deselect the PvP mode.

It should be noted that there may be instances where some play patterns have been partially offloaded before game software 70 is completely offloaded. For example, there may be a case where after the SP mode and the PvE mode are installed, the PvE mode has been uninstalled. In this case, the likelihood that the user may not play the PvE mode in the future is high. In this case, the second selection screen image may not display the option for the PvE mode.

Since the PvP mode is selected from the beginning, the user can be reminded that the PvP mode has not been installed in the past. On the second selection screen image, the user operates the input device 6 to move the focus frame 200 and selects a play mode not to be installed. After selecting a play mode not to be installed, the user moves the focus frame 200 to the GUI indicated as "OK", and operates the decision button of the input device 6. The play mode selection screen image display section 108 receives an operation of the GUI and displays a first selection screen image on the output device 4.

Fig. 11 depicts an example of a first selection screen image for selecting a play mode. As also depicted in fig. 8, the first selection screen image is a screen image for selecting a play mode to be installed first from among a plurality of play modes. When the game software 70 that has been installed in the past is to be installed again, the play mode selection screen image display section 108 displays the first selection screen image on the output device 4 after it displays the second selection screen image.

As depicted in fig. 11, the first selection screen image does not include the option depicted in fig. 10 for the PvP mode selected on the second selection screen image. In the case where the play mode selection screen image display section 108 displays the second selection screen image before the first selection screen image on the output device 4, the options to be included in the first selection screen image may be reduced.

The user operates the input device 6 to move the focus frame 200 and select a play mode that the user wants to play first. In this example, the "SP mode" is selected. After selecting the play mode, the user moves the focus frame 200 to the GUI displayed as "download" and operates the decision button of the input device 6.

The accepting section 100 acquires selection information of a play mode input on the second selection screen image and the first selection screen image, and supplies it to the download executing section 106. In this example, information to download the SP mode first and information to download the SP mode and the PvE mode are supplied to the download execution section 106 as play mode selection information. The download execution part 106 downloads files required for the respective play modes according to the above-described procedure, and the installation execution part 110 installs the files into the secondary storage device 2.

It should be noted that when the game software 70 is to be newly installed, saved data at the time of a past game interruption is sometimes retained in the information processing apparatus 10 or the network server 5. In this case, the download execution part 106 may download a plurality of files that make it possible to use saved data of a game that the user has played in the past, so that the game execution part 102 can execute the game after the installation execution part 110 installs the download files.

For example, in the case of saving the play data of the data retention stage N, the group decision section 104 specifies a group necessary for the play stage N, and the download execution section 106 downloads a file included in the specified group from the content server 12. Although the installation execution section 110 sequentially installs the download files into the secondary storage device 2, the game execution section 102 cannot start the game until all files necessary for the play phase N are installed. After the installation execution part 110 installs all files required for the play phase N, the game execution part 102 gets the game started, and the user gets to select a game icon for starting the game.

During the download, the progress status display section 112 displays a progress bar indicating the download progress status in the download confirmation screen image.

Fig. 12 depicts an example of a download confirmation screen image. In this example, the download progress status of "ABC battle" is indicated. The progress status display part 112 may represent the download progress status of the mode in the form of a single progress bar. By viewing the progress bar, the user can know at which time the download of the game file for each play mode is completed. It should be noted that in a case where the user does not view the download confirmation screen image, when the installation of the play mode is completed, the notification section 114 may display pop-up information indicating that the installation has been completed on the output device 4. For example, in the case where the main screen image is displayed on the output device 4 or in the case where the user is playing a different game and the game screen image is displayed on the output device 4, the notification section 114 may display pop-up information indicating that the installation of each play mode of "ABC battle" has been completed, so that the user can know that the play mode is ready.

It should be noted that, when the user selects a play mode to be installed on the second selection screen image, the download execution section 106 issues an inquiry about the amount of data to be downloaded to the content server 12. The download execution section 106 starts the download process if the amount of data to be downloaded is smaller than the available capacity of the secondary storage device 2.

On the other hand, if the amount of data to be downloaded is larger than the available capacity of the secondary storage device 2, the download execution section 106 gives a notification to the user in this regard.

Fig. 13 depicts an example of a screen image giving notification of insufficient available capacity. In this case, the user is given two options. One option is to cancel the download, and the other option is to uninstall (delete) the already installed game software, thereby increasing the available capacity of the secondary storage device 2. In this example, although the amount of data for the "ABC battle" is 22GB, the available capacity is 18GB less. If the user wants to perform the installation, the user moves the focus frame 200 to the GUI displayed as "uninstall already installed game(s)", and operates a decision button of the input device 6.

Fig. 14 depicts an example of a screen image for selecting a game to be offloaded. If the capacity of the auxiliary storage device 2 is short, the game selection screen image display section 116 displays a screen image for selecting game software to be deleted. In this example, the game selection screen image display section 116 displays a list of game titles installed in the secondary storage device 2 and the data sizes of the respective game titles on the output device 4. For example, the games may be arranged from the top in order starting with the earliest date and time of last play. When the user decides to uninstall one or more game titles, then the data size of the game title is accumulated and displayed in the accumulation size display field 122.

Before selecting game software to be uninstalled, an uninstall button 120 provided in the lower right corner of the screen image is displayed in an inoperable state. The unload button 120 is placed in an operable state when the cumulative sum of the data sizes of the game software to be unloaded exceeds the capacity shortage (18 GB). When the user moves the focus frame 200 to the game title and operates the selection button of the input device 6, a screen image for selecting a play mode to be unloaded is displayed.

Fig. 15 depicts an example of a screen image for selecting a play mode to offload. The game selection screen image display section 116 displays a list of play modes of the selected game title and the data sizes of the respective play modes on the output device 4. In brief, the game selection screen image display section 116 displays options for deleting game software in units of play modes. When the user decides to uninstall one or more play modes, the data size of the one or more play modes is accumulated and displayed in the accumulation size display field 122.

Fig. 16 depicts an example of a screen image for selecting a game to be offloaded. As a result of the decision to uninstall the game software, the running total of the data size exceeding the capacity shortage is displayed in the running size display field 122. If the size of the data to be deleted exceeds the capacity shortfall, the unload button 120 is placed in an operable state. When the user moves the focus frame 200 to the GUI displayed as "uninstall" and operates the decision button of the input device 6, the selected game software or play mode is deleted from the secondary storage device 2, and a state in which "ABC battle" can be installed is established. When the uninstall button 120 is operated, the installation execution section 110 uninstalls the selected software or play mode from the secondary storage device 2, and installation of "ABC battle" can be started.

The present invention has been described on the basis of the embodiments. The embodiment is exemplary, and those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications are possible with respect to the combination of components, processes, and the like of the embodiment, and such modifications also fall within the scope of the present invention. Although the embodiments have been described with a game as an example of an application, any other type of application may be applied.

Although the embodiment has been described with respect to an example in which game software 70 to be installed is downloaded, the game software 70 may be otherwise provided by the ROM medium 44. Also in this case, by installing the game files in units of groups by the installation execution section 110, an efficient installation process is implemented.

Industrial applicability

The invention can be used in the technical field of installing software.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1: information processing system

2: auxiliary storage device

10: information processing apparatus

12: content server

70: game software

100: receiving part

102: game running part

104: group determination unit

106: download operation unit

108: playing mode selection screen image display part

110: installation and operation part

112: progress status display unit

114: notification part

116: a game selection screen image display section.