JP7656019B2 - Content distribution system, computer system, and content distribution method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a content distribution system that distributes content including at least video provided by a providing user to the user terminal of each viewing user.

There are known social networking services (SNS) that allow users to send text and images using functions called chat and text functions (see, for example, Patent Document 1), as well as content distribution services.

Using chat and text functions can promote communication between users. For example, in the case of a video distribution service, users can send and post text messages while watching a video, creating a virtual experience that makes it feel as if everyone is watching the video together.

When chat or text functions allow the sending of images in addition to text, the sending of those images is sometimes called "image posting." For example, by sending (in this case also called posting) images of characters with dialogue in speech bubbles or images of characters performing actions that express joy, anger, sadness, happiness, etc., it is possible to succinctly express feelings and thoughts that cannot be expressed in words.

The various user experiences provided by these functions for sending text and images can be said to have become an indispensable standard in recent years for social networking services (SNS) and content distribution services.

JP 2017-91393 A

The present invention aims to provide technology that utilizes text and image transmission functions to enrich the user experience.

The first invention for solving the above problem is a content distribution system (e.g., streaming server 1100 in FIG. 1) that distributes content including at least video provided by a providing user to a user terminal (e.g., user terminal 1500 in FIG. 1) of each viewing user, in which the user terminal includes a content display unit that displays the content, and a viewing screen that allows a user to perform a call operation while viewing is displayed, and the content distribution system is equipped with a cheering point calculation means (e.g., cheering point calculation unit 213 in FIG. 9) that calculates cheering points related to the content based on at least the call operation, and an event control means (event control unit 225 in FIG. 9) that generates an event that, when an event generation condition including at least a condition based on the call operation is satisfied, can calculate a larger cheering point for the same call operation when the event occurs than when the event does not occur.

According to the first invention, it is possible to calculate support points related to content based on a call operation by a viewing user who is viewing the content. Then, when an event occurrence condition including a condition based on the call operation is satisfied, it is possible to generate an event that can calculate a larger support point for the same call operation than if the event had not occurred (i.e., more support points can be earned than when the event does not occur). Therefore, it is possible to encourage each viewing user to make a call operation in order to increase the support points related to the content being viewed by generating an event, and it is possible to increase the communication power. This provides a user experience in which multiple viewing users gather together to enjoy the content, giving the viewing users a sense of excitement and excitement.

As a second invention, the event control means may configure the content distribution system of the first invention to determine whether the event occurrence condition is satisfied by including in the event occurrence condition that a state in which a chain condition is satisfied, including at least a continuity recognition condition for recognizing the continuity of the call operation based on the timing at which the call operation is performed, continues for a predetermined period of time or longer.

According to the second invention, when viewing users who are viewing content make continuous outgoing operations and these reach a certain scale, an event can be generated. For example, when multiple viewing users make outgoing operations one after another and the number of operations reaches 10, it is possible to generate an event that allows users to earn more cheering points than if the event did not occur. This makes it possible to further enhance the sense that viewing users are all working together to liven up the content, and to further improve the user experience.

As a third invention, the content distribution system of the second invention may be configured such that the chain condition further includes that the multiple outgoing call operations to be judged satisfy a relatedness determination condition for determining the relatedness between the outgoing call operations.

According to the third invention, the linkage conditions can include the relationship between transmission operations, for example, the condition of the relationship of the contents (transmission contents) transmitted by the transmission operation (relationship determination condition). Therefore, instead of generating an event when any contents are continuously transmitted until a certain scale is reached, an event can be generated when related contents are continuously transmitted on a certain scale. Furthermore, by making the relationship a condition, the complexity and fun of selecting the transmission contents to satisfy the condition is added, and the transmission operation itself can be one of the user experiences.

As a fourth invention, the content distribution system described in the second or third invention may be configured to include a chain notification control means (e.g., the chain notification control unit 221 in FIG. 9) that controls notification to the user terminal of the current continuation status of the state in which the chain condition is satisfied.

According to the fourth invention, the viewing user can be shown how long the outgoing operation that satisfies the chain condition has been continuing at the present time, thereby making the viewing user aware of the occurrence of an event.

As a fifth invention, the content distribution system may be configured as any one of the second to fourth inventions, in which the event control means changes the end time of the event based on the state in which the chain condition is satisfied during the generated event.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the end time of a generated event can be changed based on the state where a chain condition is satisfied during the event. For example, if the state where a chain condition is satisfied continues during the generated event, it is possible to extend the end time of the event.

As a sixth invention, the content distribution system may be configured as any one of the first to fifth inventions, in which the event control means determines that the event condition is satisfied when the total number of the outgoing call operations reaches a predetermined number.

According to the sixth invention, an event can be generated when many outgoing call operations are performed by viewing users who are viewing content. In this case, an event can be generated earlier by each viewing user repeatedly performing outgoing call operations, rather than by only one of the viewing users performing many outgoing call operations. This makes it possible to further increase the desire of each viewing user to promote the content, and to further improve the user experience.

As a seventh invention, the content distribution system of any one of the first to sixth inventions may be configured such that there are multiple types of the calling operation, some of the multiple types are associated with the providing user or the content, and the event control means has a means for determining whether the event condition is satisfied based on the calling operation of the associated type.

According to the seventh invention, an event can be generated based on the user who provides the content being viewed or on the type of outgoing call operation associated with the content.

As an eighth invention, the content distribution system of any of the first to seventh inventions may be configured to include a ranking calculation means (e.g., the ranking calculation unit 227 in FIG. 9 or the ranking calculation unit 227A in FIG. 25) that calculates a ranking for each providing user or each piece of content based on at least the support points.

According to the eighth invention, it is possible to calculate a ranking of support points earned by distributed content by providing user or by content.

As a ninth invention, the content distribution system of the eighth invention may be configured to include a first viewing user privilege granting means (e.g., the first privilege granting processing unit 229 in FIG. 9) that determines whether or not to grant a privilege to the viewing user based on the result of the ranking, and if it is determined that a privilege should be granted, grants a privilege to each viewing user according to the performance of the calling operation of the viewing user.

According to the ninth invention, for example, it is possible to give a bonus to a viewing user who has viewed a content with a high ranking according to the performance of the calling operation while viewing the content. In other words, rather than giving a bonus to all viewing users of the content with a high ranking, it is possible to give a luxurious bonus to a viewing user who contributed to the acquisition of the support points. Alternatively, a bonus can be given only to such viewing users.

As a tenth invention, the content distribution system of the first to ninth inventions may be configured such that the event control means determines, for each group made up of viewing users of the content being viewed, whether the event occurrence condition is satisfied based on the calling operation of viewing users belonging to the group, and controls the occurrence of the event on a group-by-group basis.

According to the tenth invention, it is possible to determine whether an event occurrence condition is satisfied on a group-by-group basis based on the outgoing operation of a viewing user belonging to the group, and control the occurrence of an event on a group-by-group basis.

Also, as an eleventh invention, the cheering point calculation means may be configured to configure the content distribution system of the tenth invention, which includes a group ranking means (e.g., the ranking calculation unit 227A in FIG. 25) that calculates the cheering points for each group and ranks the groups based on the cheering points for each group.

According to the eleventh invention, the support points can be calculated for each group based on the person who performed the call operation. Then, the groups can be ranked in order of the support points.

As a twelfth invention, the content distribution system of the tenth invention may be configured to include a second viewing user privilege granting means (e.g., a second privilege granting processing unit 233A in FIG. 25) that determines whether or not to grant a privilege to a viewing user belonging to a group based on the ranking of the group ranked by the group ranking means, and when it is determined that a privilege should be granted, grants a privilege to each viewing user belonging to the group according to the performance of the calling operation of the viewing user.

According to the twelfth invention, for example, it is possible to give a special reward to viewing users who belong to a group with a high ranking and who contributed to the acquisition of support points.

As a thirteenth invention, the support point calculation means may be configured to calculate the support points for each of the viewing users, and the content distribution system may be configured to include a viewing user ranking means (e.g., the ranking calculation unit 227A in FIG. 25) that ranks the viewing users based on the support points for each of the viewing users.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to calculate cheering points for each viewing user based on the operator of the outgoing call operation. Then, it is possible to rank the viewing users in order of the cheering points.

As a 14th invention, the content distribution system of the 13th invention may be configured to include a third viewing user benefit granting means (e.g., the third benefit granting processing unit 235A in FIG. 25) that determines the viewing user to which a benefit is to be granted and the benefit to be granted based on the ranking of the viewing users ranked by the viewing user ranking means, and grants the determined benefit to the viewing user to whom the benefit is to be granted.

According to the fourteenth invention, the viewing user to whom the privilege is to be granted and the privilege to be granted can be determined according to the ranking of the viewing user. For example, a more luxurious privilege can be granted to a viewing user with a higher ranking than to a viewing user with a lower ranking.

As a fifteenth invention, the content distribution system may be configured as any one of the first to fourteenth inventions, in which the event control means generates the event when the provider user performs a generation instruction operation, regardless of whether the event generation condition is satisfied or not.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, an event can be generated in response to a generation instruction operation by a providing user. An event may be generated immediately in response to the generation instruction operation.

As a sixteenth invention, the content distribution system of the fifteenth invention may be configured to include a fee collection means (e.g., the fee collection processing unit 223 of FIG. 9) that collects a fee for the generation instruction operation from the providing user.

According to the sixteenth invention, it is possible to collect a fee from the providing user and accept the generation instruction operation.

As a seventeenth invention, the content distribution system may be configured as any one of the first to sixteenth inventions, in which the event control means generates the event when the viewing user performs a paid generation instruction operation that generates the event in exchange for the viewing user's consumption of a specific item or virtual currency, regardless of whether the event generation condition is satisfied or not.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, an event can be generated in response to a paid event generation instruction operation by a viewing user. In addition, the event can be generated in exchange for the consumption of a specific item or virtual currency.

As an 18th invention, the content distribution system may be configured as any one of the 1st to 17th inventions, in which there are multiple types of the calling operation, and the cheering point calculation means calculates the cheering points according to the type of the calling operation.

According to the eighteenth invention, the support points can be calculated according to the type of call operation.

As a 19th invention, a computer system (e.g., the content providing system 1000 in FIG. 1) may be configured that includes a user terminal of each viewing user and a content distribution system according to any one of the first to eighteenth inventions.

The term "computer system" here means a system consisting of a single computer, or a system consisting of multiple computers connected in a communicable manner. According to the 19th invention, a computer system that achieves the same effect as the first invention can be realized.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a content providing system. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of a user terminal. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen configuration of a viewing screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a popup displayed when an allocation change operation is performed. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining conditions for generating a continuous combo. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining conditions for generating a combo combination. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example in which a relation is determined to exist; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a viewing screen during a fever time. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a streaming server according to the first embodiment. 4 is a diagram showing an example of programs and data stored in a server storage unit of the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of transmission image definition data. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of relevance determination condition definition data. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of combination combo scale requirement definition data. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of fever time definition data. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of user management data. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of distribution management data. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the viewing terminal. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a providing terminal. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a streaming server. 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the streaming server subsequent to FIG. 19 . 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the streaming server following FIG. 20 . 6 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the viewing terminal. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a providing terminal. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a viewing screen in the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a streaming server 1100 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of programs and data stored in a server storage unit of the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a chat screen display when the present invention is applied to a chat function of a social networking service. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another display example of the chat screen.

Below, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, in the description of the drawings, the same parts are given the same reference numerals.

First Embodiment
1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a content providing system 1000 to which the present invention is applied. The content providing system 1000 is a computer system that provides a distribution service for allowing an unspecified number of people to enjoy content such as multimedia content at the same time. Although streaming distribution will be described as an example of content distribution, other methods of distribution may of course be used. The content providing system 1000 includes a streaming server 1100 and a plurality of user terminals 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ..., 1500T), which are connected to each other via a communication line 9 so that they can communicate data with each other.

The communication line 9 refers to a communication path that allows data communication. In other words, the communication line 9 includes a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection, a LAN (Local Area Network) such as Ethernet (registered trademark), a telephone communication network, a cable network, the Internet, and other communication networks, and the communication method can be either wired or wireless.

The streaming server 1100 is a computer system that realizes a content distribution system that distributes content including at least video provided from the user terminal 1500 (1500T) of the providing user 2 (2t) to the user terminals 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) of each viewing user 2 (2a, 2b, ...).

Specifically, the streaming server 1100 includes a main unit 1101, a keyboard 1106, a touch panel 1108, and a storage 1140. The main unit 1101 includes a control board 1150 on which electronic components such as a processor, which is an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1151, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), various IC memories 1152 such as a VRAM, RAM, or ROM, and a communication device 1153 are mounted. Note that a part or all of the control board 1150 may be realized by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-programmable gate array), or a SoC (System on a Chip).

The streaming server 1100 performs calculations based on a predetermined program and data using the control board 1150,
1) User management functions related to user registration, etc.;
2) Content distribution service function;
3) a user transmission service function for distributing text and images (e.g., images for transmission) transmitted (or posted) from the user terminal 1500;
4) An online shopping function that enables the user to purchase images and other items online that can be sent using the user sending service function;
Of course, it is also possible to configure the device to realize functions other than those described above. For example, it may be possible to realize a social networking service function, a chat function as part of the social networking service function, and the like.

The distribution service function is a function that acquires content such as video data from the user terminal 1500T of the providing user 2t, who is a user who provides the content, and distributes the acquired content to the user terminal 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) of the viewing user 2 (2a, 2b, ...), who is a user who has registered as a viewer, in a format that allows viewing in parallel with the downloading of the content file.

The user transmission service function is a function that distributes text and transmission images transmitted from the user terminal 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) of the viewing user 2 (2a, 2b, ...) to the user terminal 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) of each viewing user 2 (2a, 2b, ...) and the user terminal 1500T of the providing user 2t, and displays the transmission content at the distribution destination.

The online shopping function is a function for purchasing images to be transmitted, etc., by consuming virtual currency equivalent points (hereinafter simply referred to as "currency points") held by the viewing user 2, and in response to a request from the user terminal 1500, it cooperates with an external electronic payment server operated by an electronic payment company, etc., to carry out the currency point purchase procedure (billing process). During the billing process, the electronic payment server responds to an inquiry from the streaming server 1100 and performs a process of settling the purchase amount of the currency points with the user's credit card, prepaid card, etc. Then, the streaming server 1100 grants the user currency points equivalent to the purchase amount settled by the electronic payment server.

The streaming server 1100 is not limited to the standalone configuration shown in FIG. 1, but may be configured with multiple blade servers each assigned to a different function, connected to each other via an internal bus for data communication. Alternatively, multiple independent servers installed in separate locations may be configured to communicate data via the communication line 9, functioning as a whole as the streaming server 1100.

User terminal 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ..., 1500T) is a computer system used by user 2 (2a, 2b, ..., 2t), and by changing the program it executes, it functions as a providing terminal that creates content to be provided for distribution, or a viewing terminal that enables viewing of distributed content. In the example of FIG. 1, user terminal 1500T corresponds to the providing terminal, and user terminals 1500a and 1500b correspond to the viewing terminals. Note that user terminal 1500 in this embodiment is a device known as a smartphone, but it may also be a portable game device, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a wearable computer, etc.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of a smartphone, which is an example of a user terminal 1500. As shown in Figure 2, the user terminal 1500 is equipped with a directional input key 1502, a home key 1504, a touch panel 1506 that functions as an image display device and a contact position input device, a built-in battery 1509, a speaker 1510, a microphone 1512, an image sensor module 1520, a control board 1550, and a memory card reader 1542 that can read and write data to a memory card 1540 that is a computer-readable storage medium. In addition, a power button, a volume control button, etc. (not shown) are provided. In addition, an IC card reader that can contactlessly read and write data to an IC card-type credit card or prepaid card that can be used to pay for game play may be provided.

The control board 1550 is equipped with various microprocessors such as a CPU 1551, a GPU, and a DSP, various IC memories 1552 such as a VRAM, a RAM, and a ROM, a wireless communication module 1553 for wireless communication with a mobile phone base station or a wireless LAN base station connected to the communication line 9, and an interface circuit 1557. The interface circuit 1557 includes a circuit for receiving signals from the direction input key 1502 and the home key 1504, a driver circuit for the touch panel 1506, an output amplifier circuit for outputting a sound signal to the speaker 1510, an audio signal generation circuit for generating a signal of the sound collected by the microphone 1512, a circuit for inputting image data of an image captured by the image sensor module 1520, and a signal input/output circuit for the memory card reader 1542. Each of these elements mounted on the control board 1550 is electrically connected via a bus circuit or the like, and is connected so that data can be read and written and signals can be transmitted and received. Note that a part or all of the control board 1550 may be configured with an ASIC, an FPGA, or a SoC.

In this control board 1550, the IC memory 1552 stores a video providing program (e.g., a providing terminal program that enables the creation and provision of content) for realizing the function as a providing terminal, a viewing program (e.g., a viewing terminal program that enables the viewing of distributed content and the transmission of text and images for transmission) for realizing the function as a viewing terminal, and data required to execute these programs. The CPU 1551 etc. then executes the providing terminal program and the viewing terminal program to perform calculation processing, and controls each part of the user terminal 1500 in response to operational inputs to the touch panel 1506, directional input keys 1502, and home key 1504, thereby enabling the user terminal 1500 to provide/view/etc. content.

In this embodiment, the user terminal 1500 is configured to download the providing terminal program, the viewing terminal program, and various setting data from the streaming server 1100, but it may also be configured to read them from a storage medium such as a memory card 1540 obtained separately.

3 is a diagram showing an example of the screen configuration of a viewing screen for viewing content. In a user terminal 1500 that is executing a viewing program, a viewing screen W1 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on a touch panel 1506. The viewing screen W1 may be, for example,
1) An additional information display unit 31 that displays additional information of a content being distributed and being viewed (hereinafter also referred to as a “distributed content”);
2) a content display unit 32 that displays the distribution content;
3) a text transmission operation unit 33 for inputting text and performing a transmission operation (text transmission operation);
4) an image transmission operation icon 34 for performing a transmission operation (image transmission operation) of the transmission image 8;
5) a general-purpose display unit 35;
6) A transmission content display unit 36 that displays the avatar 4 (4a, 4b, ...) of each viewing user 2 (2a, 2b, ...) and the contents of the text and transmission image 8 operated for transmission;
7) a shopping icon 37 for instantly purchasing the transmission image 8 online;
Includes.

The additional information displayed on the additional information display unit 31 may include, for example, the title, genre, shooting date and time, shooting location, information about the subject, a situation description, profile information of the providing user 2t, a message from the providing user 2t, etc. Furthermore, if the distributed content is a gameplay video, the additional information may include the gameplay content and the game status (for example, information about the game stage and location being played, equipment information, the name of the enemy character, the progress of the game, the player level, the time remaining or elapsed until the stage is cleared, the names of rare items that can be obtained, etc.).

The additional information may be set by the providing user 2t himself/herself before providing the distribution content, or may be set by the operator of the distribution service. In the case of a gameplay video, the additional information may be automatically acquired and set from the play information of the game being played. In this embodiment, the providing user 2t sets his/her own profile information in advance as information about the providing user 2t. The profile information includes, for example, items such as age, sex, date of birth, and place of origin, as well as items related to hobbies and tastes, such as likes and dislikes, such as favorite animals, favorite foods, favorite colors, and favorite music genres.

The content display unit 32 displays images of content that includes at least video (for example, live broadcasts of musical performances or entertainment by the providing user 2t, gameplay played by the providing user 2t, live broadcasts of gameplay or edited videos of recorded gameplay, video works filmed and edited by the providing user 2t, etc.).

The text transmission operation unit 33 includes an input field for inputting text (letters, numbers, symbols) such as a comment or message to be transmitted, and a transmission execution operation icon for transmitting the text in the input field.

The image transmission operation icon 34 is a one-touch operation icon that allows you to pre-assign the transmission image 8 to be transmitted. By simply touching the image transmission operation icon 34 once, the transmission image 8 that has been assigned and set will be transmitted (posted).

The image 8 for transmission is an image prepared by the operator of the distribution service and given to the viewing user 2 free of charge or for a fee. Each viewing user 2 can obtain or purchase an image 8 for transmission and use it for transmission. The transmitted image 8 for transmission is consumed from the number owned by the viewing user 2.

Here, any type of transmission image 8 currently owned by the viewing user 2 can be assigned to the image transmission operation icon 34. As a result, although the same icon is in the same position on the viewing screen W1, different transmission operations can be performed by changing the transmission image 8 assigned.

Specifically, when a predetermined assignment change operation (for example, a two-finger touch operation on the image transmission operation icon 34) is performed, a pop-up display W3 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the viewing screen W1. The pop-up display W3 displays the transmission images 8 (8a, 8b, ...) owned by the viewing user 2 along with the number of images owned by type and the number of points added. The number of points added is set in advance for each type of transmission image 8. For example, a higher point number can be set for an image with a higher selling price. The viewing user 2 can set the assignment of a transmission image 8 to the image transmission operation icon 34 by touching any of the transmission images 8 in this pop-up display W3. A check mark 40 indicating the selection state is displayed on the display of the currently assigned transmission image 8.

The type of image 8 to be transmitted can be set appropriately, and is not limited to still images, but may be images that change such as animated GIFs (Graphic Interchange Format). Basically, the image 8 to be transmitted is designed in various ways to be an item of communication between viewing users 2. These include images 8 to be transmitted that are designed to show messages evaluating the distributed content (e.g., good, no good, interesting, not interesting, amazing, cool, ...), messages of support or appreciation to the providing user 2t (e.g., hang in there, calm down, ...), and predetermined expressions of intent by the sender (e.g., evaluation messages such as good and interesting, or I'm cheering for you, hang in there, ...).

Therefore, when an image transmission operation is performed with a transmission image 8 with a design including such a message or expression of intent assigned to the image transmission operation icon 34, the operation becomes a message transmission operation or a default transmission operation showing a default expression of intent.

For example, the transmission image 8 assigned to the image transmission operation icon 34 can be a graphic figure with a motif of a natural object such as a flower or a star, like transmission images 8a, 8b, and 8c. Flowers and stars are suitable for transmitting at times when you want to express a positive intention such as joy, fun, or good feelings toward the target. Alternatively, the graphic figure may be a large text motif that is not displayed in text. It is also possible to prepare a series of multiple types of transmission images 8 that have the same shape but different sizes, color schemes, etc. (for example, a spring flower series, a summer flower series, etc.).

The transmission image 8 assigned to the image transmission operation icon 34 can be an image of a character holding some kind of item, such as transmission images 8d and 8e (in the example of FIG. 4, a cheering item with a star on the end of a stick that is held in the hand and waved), a character playing music, such as transmission images 8k, 8m, and 8n shown in FIG. 7(c), or an image of a character making some kind of pose or action (for example, blowing a kiss, smiling, looking disappointed, etc.). Different characters can be of different types even if they are holding the same item. Also, different characters can be of different types even if they are performing the same action.

The transmission image 8 assigned to the image transmission operation icon 34 can also include an image containing words or phrases within it, like transmission image 8f. A character can be represented with a speech bubble, designed to make it look as if the character is speaking the word or phrase. Of course, the word or phrase can be an onomatopoeia, such as a sound effect in manga. For example, an image could be created in which a surprised character is accompanied by the word "Astonished!", and an excited character is accompanied by the word "Exciting!".

In this embodiment, the image 8 (8a, 8b, ...) to be transmitted is prepared in advance by the operator of the distribution service, but the configuration may also allow the user to use an image created by the user himself. Of course, it is not limited to graphic designs, illustrations, and fonts, and real-life images may also be used.

In this embodiment, when the viewing user 2 touches the image transmission operation icon 34 to which the transmission image 8 is assigned and set as described above, and the transmission image 8 is transmitted (i.e., when the viewing user 2 performs an image transmission operation), the added points are added to the support points related to the distribution content. Therefore, if many viewing users perform many image transmission operations between the start and end of the distribution, the support points are added accordingly, and the distribution content can acquire many support points. Also, the greater the added points of the transmission images 8 transmitted by each image transmission operation, the more points are added, and ultimately many support points are accumulated. In other words, the support points represent the degree of excitement or popularity of the distribution related to the distribution content when it is considered as a program, stage, or performance.

Returning to FIG. 3, the general-purpose display unit 35 is an area that is used without a fixed purpose, such as displaying various notifications and effects. In this embodiment, it is mainly used to display cheering points and displays related to fever time that occurs when a certain event occurrence condition is met. Specifically, the general-purpose display unit 35 includes a cheering point display unit 351 that displays the current value of cheering points.

In addition, the general-purpose display unit 35 displays a combo gauge 353 for indicating the current continuation status of the image transmission operations that satisfy the chain condition of the "continuous combo" described below (the current number of chains related to the continuous combo: the number of continuous combo chains) when Fever Time occurs. The combo gauge 353 is displayed and controlled so that the gauge value becomes full when the number of chains related to the continuous combo reaches a reference value, and when the reference value is reached, Fever Time occurs. The reference value is set in advance as the scale condition of the continuous combo occurrence condition described below. Therefore, the viewing user 2 can know from the combo gauge 353 how many more image transmission operations need to be chained before Fever Time occurs, and can perform image transmission operations while being aware of the occurrence of Fever Time.

In addition, when fever time is not occurring, the general display section 35 displays the forced occurrence item 355 owned by the viewing user 2 as an icon. Although details will be described later, the forced occurrence item 355 is a specific item that can be purchased at its selling price in exchange for spending currency points, and can be used by touching the icon.

The transmission content display section 36 displays the avatars 4 (4a, 4b, ...) of the viewing users 2 (2a, 2b, ...) of the distributed content. The text transmitted from the viewing users 2 is displayed in the speech bubbles 5 (5b, 5c) indicating that the avatars 4 (4b, 4c) of the viewing users 2 are speaking. The transmission image 8 transmitted from the viewing user 2 (viewing user 2a in FIG. 3) is displayed as if it were popping out of the avatar 4 (4a) of the viewing user 2 (2a) or as if the avatar 4 (4a) had taken it out. In this embodiment, the text and transmission image 8 are displayed on the transmission content display section 36 for a specified display time and then erased. However, the transmission image 8 may be configured to be displayed as the background of the transmission content display section 36 until the end of the distribution.

When the shopping icon 37 is touched, a sales screen pops up displaying a list of communication images 8 for sale, and the user can purchase the desired communication image 8 at the sales price in exchange for spending currency points. Additionally, the sales screen also allows the user to purchase forced generation items 355.

As shown in FIG. 3, the viewing screen W1 configured as described above is laid out so that the avatars 4 of each viewing user 2 are displayed in front of (below) the content display section 32, providing users with the feeling that they are gathered together to watch the distributed content.

In addition, by displaying the text sent by each viewing user 2 in a speech bubble 5 on the avatar 4 and displaying a transmission image 8 from the avatar 4, it creates an atmosphere as if everyone is watching the distributed content together, expressing their own thoughts, and talking to friends. Because the transmission image 8 does not need to be read one by one like text, it is possible to instantly, symbolically, and succinctly convey what the viewing user 2 is feeling and thinking. It also has a greater effect on livening up the atmosphere than text.

In this way, the viewing screen W1 is designed to make it easy for the providing user 2t who provides the distribution content and the viewing users 2 (2a, 2b, ...) who view it to have the feeling that they are working together to liven up a single live stage or performance.

In this embodiment, the user transmission service function of text and images is used to increase the transmission power of each viewing user 2, thereby providing new added value that further increases the sense of unity and solidarity between viewing users 2.

[principle]
When a text or image is sent from the user terminal 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) of each viewing user who is viewing a distribution content, information on when and what was sent, i.e., information on the sending record, is accumulated in the streaming server 1100. The streaming server 1100 also counts image sending operations based on the sending record, and updates and manages the support points related to the distribution content. Then, the sending record and the current value of the support points are simultaneously transmitted to the user terminals 1500 of all viewing users via the streaming server 1100, and are displayed on each viewing screen W1 (the sending content display unit 36 and the support point display unit 351). The support points are also transmitted to the user terminal 1500 of the providing user, and are displayed on the providing screen.

Therefore, when an event occurrence condition is met, including a condition based on an image transmission operation, the streaming server 1100 performs control (event control) to generate a fever time as an event to liven up the viewing atmosphere of the distributed content.

In this embodiment, image transmission operations are reflected in the cheering points, and the event occurrence conditions are determined for image transmission operations to cause fever time to occur, but text transmission operations may also be reflected in the cheering points. Event occurrence conditions (successive combo conditions, combined combo occurrence conditions, operation count conditions) may also be determined for text transmission operations.

1. Event occurrence conditions In this embodiment, a plurality of event occurrence conditions are determined in advance, and a fever time occurs each time any of the event occurrence conditions is satisfied. In this embodiment, for example, the event occurrence conditions include four conditions: a continuous combo occurrence condition, a combination combo occurrence condition, a number of operations condition, and a forced occurrence condition.

(1) Conditions for consecutive combos/combined combos Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining conditions for consecutive combos, and Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining conditions for combined combos. The streaming server 1100 determines, as an event occurrence condition, the occurrence of a "call combo" (short for a combination of user calls) in which calls of the same or different callers for calls of images 8 are linked to a predetermined scale or greater. In this embodiment, two types of call combos, "consecutive combos" and "combined combos", are recognized as occurrences of the call combos.

The occurrence of an outgoing combo is determined to be positive (determined) when the state that satisfies the chain condition continues long enough to meet the scale requirement.

First, as shown in Figure 5, the chain condition for a continuous combo is determined to be met if there is continuity in the timing of the transmission (transmission timing).

When the time difference between transmission timings is equal to or less than a predetermined "continuity certification time difference Δt", a positive "continuity exists" determination is made. The continuity certification time difference Δt can be set as appropriate. For example, it is preferable to set it to around 5 to 30 seconds. Note that the continuity certification time difference Δt can be a common value for all distribution services, or different values can be applied depending on the additional information, such as the genre of the distributed content.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6, the chain condition for a combination combo is determined to be met if there is continuity in the timing of calls and if the contents of those calls are related. The determination of the relationship is made for multiple call contents that are determined to have "continuity" and is made based on whether or not there are commonalities between those multiple call contents and the patterns they create. In other words, if there is a relationship between the call operations, it is determined to be "related."

Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining examples of what is determined to be related. Figures 7(a) to (f) show examples of different types of messages that are determined to be related, and show examples of the content of messages that are determined to have continuity that is the subject of the determination of relatedness (continuous message content) arranged from left to right in the order of their sending. Note that the examples and the number of message content arranged are for convenience of illustration, and are not limited to these in actual operation.

For example, as shown in Figs. 7(a) to 7(d), if multiple transmission contents having continuity have something in common, they are determined to be related. In the example of Fig. 7(a), all are transmission images 8a, and since they are of the same type, they are determined to be related. The commonality is not limited to the type of transmission image 8. It may also be the color scheme or shape of multiple transmission images 8 that are considered to be transmission contents having continuity. In the case of color scheme, it may be the main color scheme that shows the largest area, or the color system of the color scheme that ranks high in area occupancy. The conditions for relevance may be determined by focusing on the commonality of the overall external shape, such as a circle, a triangle, or a square.

You can also look at commonalities in the depicted content. For example, as in FIG. 7(b), if the characters depicted in the transmission image 8 are different but have the same poses and actions, it can be determined that there is a relationship.

Also, as shown in FIG. 7(c), even if the characters, poses, and actions are strictly different, but the poses and actions have a common theme, they can be determined to be related. In the example of FIG. 7(c), they are determined to be related because they have a common theme of playing music. In addition, when certain actions such as "waving a flag," "shouting into a megaphone," and "clapping" are combined, they can also be determined to be related because of the common theme of the action "cheering." Furthermore, they can also be determined to be related if the characters depicted in the transmission image 8 form a single group motion as a whole (for example, a wave motion used for cheering at a stadium).

Furthermore, by focusing on the text contained in the image, as shown in FIG. 7(d), if the meaning of the text contained in the image 8 for sending is the same or there is a common theme, it can be determined that there is a relationship. In the example of FIG. 7(d), both mean "cute," so they are determined to be related.

It is also possible to determine that there is a relationship between consecutive messages if a pattern is formed when the messages are arranged in the order in which they were sent (the order in which they were sent) or if a specific series is completed.

For example, in the example of FIG. 7(e), there is no commonality among all the contiguous transmission contents, but since transmission image 8f and transmission image 8b form a time series pattern in which they are transmitted alternately in the order of transmission, they are considered to be related. The content of the time series pattern that is considered to be related can be set as appropriate.

Also, in the example of FIG. 7(f), the transmission images 8a, 8b, 8s, and 8t are all different types, but because they form a specific "flower" series, they can be determined to be related.

Next, the scale requirement is judged as positive if the number of times the chain condition is continuously satisfied (in other words, the number of chains) reaches a reference value. Specifically, the reference value for consecutive combos (consecutive combo reference value) is set to "10 chains" as shown in FIG. 5. However, it is not limited to 10 chains, and the number of chains of 2 or more chains can be set as appropriate. On the other hand, the reference value for combination combos (combination combo reference value) is determined in advance for each relationship that can be recognized by the chain condition. The relationship between the relationship and the reference value can be set in advance. For example, the reference value can be set to a different number of chains depending on the relationship, such as "10 chains" for the relationship in FIG. 7(a) and "5 chains" for the relationship in FIG. 7(b). In addition, for relationships that are recognized when specific actions are aligned, the number of combinations of those actions can be set as the reference value. In the example of FIG. 6, the reference value is "3 chains", and if there is continuity in the transmission of three different transmission images that have a common theme of music performance, the occurrence of a combination combo is recognized.

The continuity determination time difference Δt may be multiplied by a reference value, and the length of time that satisfies the chain condition may be used as the scale condition. For example, in the case of a continuous combo, the scale condition may be satisfied when the time length reaches "10 x Δt", and in the case of a combination combo, the scale condition may be satisfied when the time length reaches "3 x Δt".

(2) Operation Count Condition The streaming server 1100 determines the total number of image transmission operations (total number of transmission operations) by all viewing users as the event occurrence condition. For example, the number of image transmission operations from the start of distribution of the distribution content is counted, and when it exceeds a reference value (total number of transmission operations reference value), it determines that the operation count condition is met. In this embodiment, the number of viewing users multiplied by a predetermined number (e.g., 20 times) is set as the reference value. However, it may be a fixed value regardless of the number of viewing users.

(3) Compulsory occurrence condition The compulsory occurrence condition is a condition for immediately generating a fever time regardless of the operation status of the image transmission operation. In the present embodiment, the compulsory occurrence condition includes a condition related to the operation of the viewing user and a condition related to the operation of the providing user.

First, the condition related to the operation of the viewing user 2 is that "the viewing user 2 has performed a paid generation instruction operation." In this embodiment, a touch operation of the forced generation item 355 on the general-purpose display unit 35 is accepted as a paid generation instruction operation, and a fever time is generated in exchange for consuming the forced generation item 355.

The configuration is not limited to generating fever time through the use of a forced generation item 355 acquired or purchased by the viewing user, but may also be such that a forced generation button is placed on the general-purpose display unit 35 or the like, and touch operation of the button is accepted as a paid generation instruction operation. In other words, when the viewing user touches the forced generation button, fever time may be generated in exchange for consuming currency points equivalent to the selling price of the forced generation item 355.

On the other hand, the condition related to the operation of the providing user 2t is that "the providing user 2t has performed a generation instruction operation." The generation instruction operation is, for example, received by placing a fever generation button on the providing screen displayed on the user terminal 1500 of the providing user 2t during distribution and performing a touch operation on the button. When this generation instruction operation is performed, a fee is collected from the providing user. The fee can be collected by generating a fever time in exchange for spending currency points held by the providing user.

In more detail, a limit is set for the number of times that the generation instruction operation can be performed, such as once per provision of one piece of content or once per specified time period (e.g., one hour), and once the generation instruction operation is performed, the button becomes unselectable until the limit is lifted. The button also becomes unselectable when fever time occurs. Therefore, the providing user cannot perform the generation instruction operation carelessly, and the timing of the operation is one strategy for earning many cheering points. In this embodiment, the limit is set to once per provision of one piece of content.

2. Event Control When the streaming server 1100 satisfies the event occurrence condition, it generates a fever time in which a larger cheering point can be calculated than when the event does not occur. In this embodiment, when an image transmission operation is performed when a fever time occurs, the added point number of the transmitted transmission image 8 is multiplied by a predetermined number (for example, 1.5) and added to the cheering point. By using this event control, if an image transmission operation is performed when a fever time occurs, a larger cheering point can be earned than when the fever time does not occur.

The length of the fever time (fever time length) is determined in advance for each event occurrence condition, and can be extended. In this embodiment, if the chain conditions for a continuous combo continue to be met even after the fever time occurs, the end time of the fever time is extended by a time length (extension time length) according to the number of chains Cs after the fever time occurs.

In addition, if the operation count condition is met during fever time, the end time of fever time will be extended by a specified extension time length. In this embodiment, the extension time length is fixed (e.g., 15 seconds).

When the streaming server 1100 generates a fever time, it displays a visual effect on the viewing screen to indicate that fever time is in progress. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the viewing screen W11 during fever time. As shown in FIG. 8, when fever time occurs, a notice informing the user that fever time is in progress and a notice of the remaining time of fever time are displayed on the general display unit 35. In addition, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 8, the appearance of the transmission image 8 transmitted from the viewing user 2 (viewing user 2a in FIG. 8) during fever time is changed from when fever time is not in progress, and the appearance is displayed in a more spectacular manner, for example. Note that the display location of the notification on the general display unit 35 may be anywhere within the screen. In addition, a visual effect may be displayed, such as changing the background of the viewing screen W11 to a background for fever time.

3. Rankings As described above, the support points represent the degree of excitement or popularity of the distributed content. Therefore, the streaming server 1100 calculates the rankings based on the support points at a predetermined cycle, for example, once a month or once a week. In this embodiment, the rankings are calculated at a monthly cycle. The rankings are targeted at the contents distributed within the cycle (here, the past month), but may also be targeted at all the contents that have been distributed.

Specifically, the streaming server 1100 reads out the maximum cheering points for each providing user from among the content provided by each providing user during the period of the cycle, and calculates a ranking by providing user (providing user ranking) by arranging the read out maximum values in descending order. In addition, the streaming server 1100 calculates a ranking by content (content ranking) by arranging the content distributed during the period of the cycle in order of the cheering points.

Then, the streaming server 1100 executes a process (first benefit granting process) of granting a benefit to the providing user based on the ranking by providing user and granting a benefit to the viewing user based on the ranking by content.

The content of the benefit to be given can be set as appropriate. Specifically, the benefit may be an item (such as an item that allows a specific image 8 to be used for communication for a certain period of time free of charge), a coupon, a lottery ticket, points that can be used as currency points, etc.

More specifically, the benefits to be granted for each ranking in the ranking by user and the ranking by content are set in advance. For example, the number of items, points, etc. granted may be set to increase as the ranking becomes higher, or the types of items, etc. granted may be increased. Furthermore, items of higher value may be granted as the ranking becomes higher, or a combination of these may be set. Furthermore, the ranking for which benefits are granted may be appropriately limited, for example, from 1st to 10th place.

Then, the provision users based on the ranking by providing users are given the benefit of the ranking corresponding to each providing user. On the other hand, the provision users based on the ranking by content are given the benefit of the ranking corresponding to each providing user. On the other hand, the viewer users who viewed the corresponding content are given the benefit of the ranking. Specifically, the image transmission operations performed during viewing are tallied for each viewing user, and the benefits are divided so that more benefits (or more valuable benefits) are given to viewing users with a high transmission record (high number of image transmission operations). The division ratio may be determined based on the number of image transmission operations. Alternatively, the total number of points added to the support points by the image transmission operations may be calculated for each viewing user, and this may be used as the transmission record to determine the division ratio. In other words, any distribution method may be used as long as it distributes more benefits to viewing users who contributed to the acquisition of support points.

Note that the configuration may be such that rewards are given not only to providing users but also to viewing users based on the ranking of each providing user. For example, rewards may be shared among viewing users of content that has earned the support points of a providing user with a high ranking.

As described above, in this embodiment, a fever time occurs when the event occurrence condition is satisfied. When an image transmission operation is performed when this fever time occurs, more cheering points are added than when an image transmission operation is performed when the fever time does not occur. Therefore, for the purpose of the point addition, each viewing user can cooperate with each other while watching the transmission images 8 from other viewing users displayed on the combo gauge 353 and the transmission content display unit 36, and can perform image transmission operations that satisfy the chain conditions of continuous combos and combination combos while appropriately changing the allocation settings of the transmission images 8 to the image transmission operation icons 34. In addition, in order to achieve the operation count condition, the viewing user can individually repeat the image transmission operation, or sometimes use a forced generation item to perform a paid generation instruction operation to generate a fever time. Alternatively, the viewing user can perform an image transmission operation during a fever time generated by a distribution content providing user performing a transmission instruction operation, and contribute to the acquisition of the cheering points. Therefore, it is possible to easily get a sense of cheering a lot on the providing user and a sense of excitement in the place, and it is possible to bring about new added value that further enhances the sense of unity and solidarity among the viewing users.

In addition, in this embodiment, the ranking by providing user and the ranking by content are calculated at a predetermined cycle (for example, once a month) based on the support points acquired by the distributed content. Then, the providing user of the content is given a privilege corresponding to its ranking position based on the ranking result of the ranking by providing user. On the other hand, the viewing user of the content is given a privilege according to its ranking position based on the ranking result of the ranking by content. At that time, the privilege is distributed to each viewing user according to the transmission record (number of times an image transmission operation was performed) when the content was viewed. In other words, a large number of privileges are distributed to viewing users with a high transmission record, or a high-value privilege is distributed. Therefore, the viewing user can aim to acquire more support points by performing an image transmission operation or a paid generation instruction operation while viewing, aiming for the ranking of the content provided by the providing user he likes (supports) or the content of his favorite genre, etc., and the privilege granted therewith. Also, the providing user can perform a generation instruction operation at the time of providing (distributing) the content, aiming for the ranking of the content provided by him/herself and the privilege granted therewith, and encourage the viewing user to perform an image transmission operation.

[Functional configuration]
1. Streaming Server Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a streaming server 1100 in the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 9, the streaming server 1100 includes an operation input unit 100s, a server processing unit 200s, an image display unit 390s, a sound output unit 392s, a communication unit 394s, and a server storage unit 500s.

The operation input unit 100s is used to input various operations for system management, maintenance, etc., and can be realized by, for example, a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc. In FIG. 1, this corresponds to the keyboard 1106.

The server processing unit 200s can be realized by a processor, which is an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU, GPU, ASIC, or FPGA, or an electronic component such as an IC memory, and controls the input and output of data between each part of the device including the operation input unit 100s and the server storage unit 500s. It performs various arithmetic processing based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100s, data received from the user terminal 1500, etc., and generally controls the operation of the streaming server 1100. In Figure 1, this corresponds to the control board 1150 and its CPU 1151.

The server processing unit 200s includes a user management unit 202, an online shopping management unit 204, a delivery service management unit 206, an avatar display control unit 208, an outgoing service management unit 210, a timing unit 280s, an image generation unit 290s, a sound generation unit 292s, and a communication control unit 294s.

The user management unit 202 performs processes related to user registration and manages the data of each registered user linked to a user account. For example, it can perform processes such as assigning unique user accounts to registered users, registration information management processes for registering and managing personal information for each user account, ledger management processes for electronic payment media (e.g., virtual currency points) consumed in the payment of billing elements (e.g., online shopping, etc.), usage history management processes for managing login and logout history, and creation and editing of avatars 4. Of course, it can also appropriately include management processes for other data linked to user accounts.

The online shopping management unit 204 is responsible for controlling online shopping, and can be realized by appropriately using known online shopping technology. In this embodiment, the viewing user can purchase transmission images, forced generation items, etc. through online shopping.

The distribution service management unit 206 performs various processes to realize a content distribution service. For example, it can execute processes such as management of content distribution schedules, management of viewing users, acquisition of content data for distribution from a providing terminal, and distribution processes. Of course, other processes can also be included as appropriate.

The avatar display control unit 208 controls the display of an avatar for each viewing user on the message content display unit 36 of each viewing user's user terminal 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...), which is the viewing terminal.

The outgoing service management unit 210 performs various processes to realize a user outgoing service in parallel with the distribution service. This outgoing service management unit 210 includes a outgoing content display control unit 212, a support point calculation unit 213, an event occurrence condition determination unit 215, a chain notification control unit 221, a consideration collection processing unit 223, an event control unit 225, a ranking calculation unit 227, and a first benefit granting processing unit 229.

The transmission content display control unit 212 receives from the viewing terminal the input of a transmission operation (text transmission operation/image transmission operation) for the distribution content, and controls the display of the transmission content related to the transmission operation on the transmission content display unit 36 of each viewing terminal. This control realizes the display of text in a speech bubble 5 on the transmission content display unit 36 of the viewing terminal, and the appearance of a transmission image 8. Note that if the streaming server 1100 intends to distribute the image itself displayed as the transmission content display unit 36, the transmission content display control unit 212 may generate the image.

The cheering point calculation unit 213 receives input of an image transmission operation from the viewing terminal, and executes a process (cheering point calculation process) of tallying up the image transmission operation and updating and managing the cheering points.

The event occurrence condition determination unit 215 determines the event occurrence conditions, which are the consecutive combo occurrence condition, the combination combo occurrence condition, the operation count condition, and the forced occurrence condition. This event occurrence condition determination unit 215 includes a consecutive combo determination unit 217 that determines the consecutive combo occurrence condition, and a combination combo determination unit 219 that determines the combination combo occurrence condition.

The continuous combo determination unit 217 executes a process (continuous combo determination process) to determine whether a continuous combo has occurred and whether the continuous combo occurrence conditions are met.

The combination combo determination unit 219 executes a process (combination combo determination process) to determine whether a combination combo has occurred and whether the combination combo occurrence conditions are met.

When fever time is not occurring, the chain notification control unit 221 controls the general-purpose display unit 35 of each viewing terminal to display a combo gauge 353 whose gauge value is the current continuous combo chain number 619 (see FIG. 16) that is set and updated in the continuous combo determination process.

The payment collection processing unit 223 performs processing to collect payment when a providing user performs a generation instruction operation. For example, it consumes a predetermined number of currency points from the providing user who performed the generation instruction operation, and updates the payment medium ledger data 592.

The event control unit 225 performs event control and generates a fever time when an event occurrence condition is satisfied, including a condition based on an image transmission operation (in this embodiment, a continuous combo occurrence condition, a combination combo occurrence condition, a number of operations condition, and a forced occurrence condition).

The event control unit 225 includes a fever time extension processing unit 226. The fever time extension processing unit 226 determines whether the state in which the chain condition of the continuous combo is satisfied continues even after the fever time is generated in response to the satisfaction of the continuous combo occurrence condition, and extends the fever time end time 633 according to the chain number Cs after the fever time is generated. Specifically, during the fever time, while the state in which the chain condition of the continuous combo is satisfied continues, the number of continuous combo chains is counted and the current continuous combo chain number 619 is updated. Then, at the fever time end time 633, the extension time length is determined according to the extension setting of the fever time definition data 580, and the fever time end time 633 is updated. That is, the difference between the current continuous combo chain number 619 and the applied continuous combo reference value 703 is calculated as the chain number Cs, and the extension time length multiplied by a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) is added to the fever time end time 633 to update it. In addition, when the operation count condition is met during fever time, the fever time extension processing unit 226 reads the extension time length from the extension setting of the fever time definition data 580 and updates the fever time end time 633. It is preferable to set an upper limit on the extension time.

The ranking calculation unit 227 calculates rankings based on support points at a predetermined interval, such as once a month. In this embodiment, rankings by provider user and rankings by content are calculated.

The first benefit granting processing unit 229 executes a first benefit granting process that grants a benefit to a providing user based on the ranking by providing user and grants a benefit to a viewing user based on the ranking by content.

The timing unit 280s uses the system clock to measure the current date and time, time limit, etc.

The image generation unit 290s generates images related to system management of the streaming server 1100, and outputs them to the image display unit 390s.

The sound generation unit 292s is realized by executing an IC or software that generates or decodes audio data, and generates or decodes audio data such as operation sounds and background music related to the system management and video distribution of the streaming server 1100. Audio signals related to system management are output to the sound output unit 392s.

The communication control unit 294s performs communication connection and data processing for data communication with an external device (e.g., the user terminal 1500) via the communication unit 394s, and realizes data exchange with the external device.

The image display unit 390s displays various screens for system management and the like based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 290s. For example, this can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, or a head-mounted display. In FIG. 1, this corresponds to the touch panel 1108.

The sound output unit 392s emits the sound signal input from the sound generation unit 292s. In FIG. 1, this corresponds to a speaker (not shown) provided in the main device 1101 or the touch panel 1108.

The communication unit 394s connects to the communication line 9 to realize communication. For example, it can be realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, etc. In FIG. 1, this corresponds to the communication device 1153.

The server storage unit 500s stores in advance or temporarily stores each time processing is performed programs for operating the streaming server 1100 and implementing the various functions of the streaming server 1100, as well as data used during execution of these programs. For example, this can be implemented by IC memory such as RAM or ROM, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, or an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or DVD. In FIG. 1, this corresponds to the IC memory 1152.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing examples of programs and data stored in the server storage unit 500s of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the server storage unit 500s stores a server program 503, a distribution viewing terminal program 505, a distribution providing terminal program 507, sales product management data 509, outgoing service initial setting data 510, user management data 590, distribution management data 600, successive combo condition settings 700, combination combo condition settings 710, operation count condition settings 720, application rate 730, ranking data 740, and current date and time 900. In addition, other necessary data such as image data of background images of the viewing screens W1 and W11 and material data for creating and editing avatars are appropriately stored.

The server program 503 is a program for causing the server processing unit 200s to function as the user management unit 202, the online shopping management unit 204, the delivery service management unit 206, the avatar display control unit 208, and the outgoing service management unit 210. Note that programs for causing the server processing unit 200s to function as the image generation unit 290s, the sound generation unit 292s, and the communication control unit 294s may also be included as appropriate.

The distribution providing terminal program 507 is original data of an application program downloaded to the user terminal 1500 used as a providing terminal, and executing this enables the user terminal 1500 to function as a providing terminal. Note that the distribution providing terminal program 507 can also be configured to be included in a game program that enables the execution of a game that has a live distribution function implemented.

The distribution viewing terminal program 505 is original data of an application program that is downloaded to the user terminal 1500 to be used as a viewing terminal, and executing this enables the user terminal 1500 to function as a viewing terminal.

Sales item management data 509 is data for defining and managing items (items for sale) sold through online shopping. For example, sales item management data 509 stores data on items that can be purchased, in association with the number of items in stock, the amount charged (corresponding to the amount debited from an electronic payment medium), etc.

The outgoing service initial setting data 510 stores various initial setting data for user outgoing services. In this embodiment, it includes outgoing image definition data 520, event occurrence condition data 530, fever time definition data 580, and bonus definition data 543.

The transmission image definition data 520 is data that defines the transmission image 8. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, one transmission image definition data 520 includes the transmission image type 521, the transmission image data 523, the added points 525, the selling price 527, and the display duration 529 from when the transmission image is displayed on the transmission content display unit 36 until it disappears.

The event occurrence condition data 530 is data that defines the event occurrence condition, and includes continuity determination condition definition data 531, relevance determination condition definition data 540, consecutive combo scale requirement definition data 550, combination combo scale requirement definition data 560, and operation count condition definition data 570.

The continuity certification condition definition data 531 defines the conditions for determining that temporally adjacent image transmission operations have continuity. In this embodiment, a continuity certification time difference Δt (see FIG. 5) is defined. Note that the continuity certification condition definition data 531 is not limited to a configuration in which one continuity certification time difference Δt is defined, and if it is desired to vary the continuity certification conditions depending on the content of the distribution content, such as genre, for example, different continuity certification time differences Δt may be defined in association with each selection condition (for example, genre).

The relevance determination condition definition data 540 stores data that defines the conditions for determining relevance. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, one piece of relevance determination condition definition data 540 includes a unique relevance ID 541, a selection condition 542 that describes the conditions under which the definition data is selected and applied, and a relevance determination condition 544.

The selection conditions 542 include, for example, a genre condition 542a, a providing user condition 542b, a subject condition 542c, a situation condition 542d, and a viewing user number condition 542e, and are described as AND conditions or OR conditions. All of these conditions included in the selection conditions 542 may include "not set."

The genre condition 542a is a condition regarding the genre of the distribution content. For example, it is possible to prepare a relatedness determination condition that is applied only during "live broadcast."

The providing user conditions 542b are conditions regarding information about the providing user. For example, conditions can be set regarding the providing user's profile information such as age, sex, and likes, player level and title in a specific game title, and the providing user's ranking position in the distribution service.

The subject condition 542c is a condition about the main subject of the distribution content. For example, the providing user himself/herself, children, animals, food, cars, teams, game characters, etc., and their proper names can also be included. In that case, multiple proper names may be defined as AND conditions or OR conditions.

The situation condition 542d is a condition regarding the situation of the contents of the distributed content. The information accompanying the content may include, for example, situation descriptions such as "I tried playing (song title)", "I tried dancing to (ending theme of program name)", "I opened (product name)", "I cleared the difficult part of the stage of (game title)", and "I beat the boss character of the fourth stage of (game title)". The situation condition 542d may be defined by setting keywords contained therein.

Number of viewing users condition 542e is a condition regarding the number of viewing users of the distributed content.

The relevance determination condition 544 is written as an AND condition or an OR condition of a commonality condition 544a and a series condition 544b. Any of these conditions included in the relevance determination condition 544 may include "not set."

The commonality condition 544a defines the requirements that should be common to the images 8 to be transmitted, which are the transmission contents of multiple image transmission operations that have continuity. For example, it is possible to set a list of types of images to be transmitted that have in common, common text contained (drawn) in the images 8 to be transmitted, main color schemes, and lists of subject types that are recognized as being common. Note that when determining the relevance not only for image transmission operations but also for text transmission operations, it is sufficient to define the requirements that should be common between the texts that are the transmission contents, and between the images 8 to be transmitted and text. In that case, the main color scheme can be applied to the font color of the transmitted text as well as the images 8 to be transmitted.

More specifically, for example, by defining a list of communication image types with the same main color scheme (e.g., red) as commonality condition 544a, while setting "favorite color is red" as providing user condition 542b, a relatedness determination condition can be defined that determines that there is relatedness when the main color scheme of each communication image 8 that is considered to have continuity matches the providing user's favorite red color, thereby making it possible to associate the providing user with the communication image 8.

Series condition 544b defines a combination of images 8 to be transmitted, which are the transmission contents of multiple image transmission operations that have continuity. For example, it may be a list of image types to be transmitted related to the combination, a list of main color schemes related to the combination, a list of text contained (depicted) in images 8 to be transmitted related to the combination, etc., and the order of transmission of these may also be included in the definition. Note that, when determining the relevance not only for image transmission operations but also for text transmission operations, it is possible to define, for example, combinations of keywords contained in the transmitted text, combinations of image types to be transmitted and text (keywords), etc.

More specifically, for example, if there is a series of communication images 8 titled "Flowers of the Four Seasons," by defining a list of the communication image types that make up the series, it is possible to define a condition for determining that there is a relationship when the communication images 8 of flowers of the four seasons are transmitted in chronological order. Also, by setting the constituent colors of the rainbow as a list of the main color scheme so that the order of transmission is the same as the order of their arrangement in a rainbow, it is possible to define a condition for determining that there is a relationship, regardless of what is depicted in each communication image 8 that is considered to have continuity, as long as they form the same color pattern as the rainbow when arranged in the order of transmission.

Alternatively, by defining a list of communication image types that include the action of playing music as the series condition 544b, while setting "music performance" as the genre condition 542a, a relatedness determination condition can be defined that determines that each communication image 8 that is determined to have continuity is related if it is a communication image 8 that matches the genre of the distribution content, thereby making it possible to associate the distribution content with the communication image 8.

Returning to FIG. 10, the continuous combo scale requirement definition data 550 defines the scale requirements required to recognize the occurrence of a continuous combo. In this embodiment, a continuous combo reference value (e.g., 10 consecutive chains) is defined. Note that if you want to vary the scale requirements depending on the content of the distributed content, such as the genre, for example, you can prepare multiple continuous combo scale requirement definition data that are associated with relationship conditions similar to the selection conditions 542 of the relatedness recognition condition definition data 540.

The combination combo scale requirement definition data 560 stores data that defines the scale requirements required when determining whether a combination combo occurs. As shown in FIG. 13, for example, one combination combo scale requirement definition data 560 includes a unique scale requirement ID 561, a corresponding relationship ID 563 that stores a corresponding relationship ID 541, and a combination combo reference value 565, and is associated with the relationship determination condition definition data 540 by the corresponding relationship ID 563.

The operation count condition definition data 570 defines the reference value for the total number of outgoing operations. In this embodiment, the reference value for the total number of outgoing operations is set as the number of viewing users x a predetermined number (20 times).

As shown in FIG. 14, the fever time definition data 580 stores a magnification (e.g., 1.5x) 581 to be applied when fever time occurs, and stores the fever time length and extension setting in association with each event occurrence condition (continuous combo occurrence condition, combination combo occurrence condition, operation count condition, and forced occurrence condition). The fever time length is the time length of the fever time that occurs when the corresponding event occurrence condition is satisfied. The extension setting stores the extension time length for the consecutive combo occurrence condition and the operation count condition under which the fever time can be extended. For example, the extension time length for the consecutive combo occurrence condition is defined as the time length obtained by multiplying the chain number Cs by a predetermined time (3 seconds in FIG. 14). On the other hand, the extension time length for the operation count condition is set as a fixed length (15 seconds in FIG. 14). Note that the magnification 581 is not limited to a value that is uniformly applied to each event occurrence condition as shown in the example, but may be configured to set a separate value for each type of event occurrence condition.

The bonus definition data 543 includes bonus definition data 543 for the providing user and bonus definition data 543 for the viewing user. In the bonus definition data 543 for the providing user, the content of the bonus to be granted to the corresponding providing user is set in association with each ranking position in the ranking by providing user. On the other hand, in the bonus definition data 543 for the viewing user, the content of the bonus to be granted (shared) to the viewing user of the corresponding content is set in association with each ranking position in the ranking by content.

User management data 590 is prepared for each registered user. One user management data 590 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, a unique user account 591, payment medium ledger data 592, avatar setting data 593, a list of images for possession for transmission 594, a number of possession forced occurrence items 595, and transmission log data 596.

The payment medium ledger data 592 stores information on the balance of the electronic payment medium (currency points in this embodiment) linked to the user, such as the purchase date and time and number of currency points purchased (charged amount), and the consumption date and number of currency points consumed.

Avatar setting data 593 stores the setting data for the user's avatar 4.

The owned transmission image list 594 stores the number of transmission images 8 owned by the user in association with the type of transmission image 8 owned by the user.

Transmission log data 596 is created each time the user performs a transmission operation (text transmission operation/image transmission operation) as a viewing user. One piece of transmission log data 596 stores, for example, the transmission date and time, the distribution title of the transmission target, the user account of the providing user who provided the content of the transmission target, the transmission content (transmitted text and type of image for transmission), etc.

The distribution management data 600 is prepared for each distribution and stores various data describing the distribution status. As shown in FIG. 16, for example, one distribution management data 600 includes a distribution title 601, a distribution schedule 603, content data 605, additional information 607, viewing user management data 609, avatar display management data 611, text transmission record data 613, image transmission record data 615, current support points 617, current continuous combo chain number 619, current combination combo chain number 621, current total transmission operation number 623, occurrence instruction operation flag 625, and fever time occurrence status data 630. In addition, for example, background data defining the background of the viewing screen (for example, viewing screen W1 and viewing screen W11) and material data for performing various performance displays during fever time are stored.

The viewing user management data 609 stores various data related to the viewing users who have registered as viewers of the content related to the distribution (distribution content). For example, it stores access information (e.g., IP address) for connecting to the user terminal 1500 of each viewing user via the communication line 9 in association with the user accounts of all the viewing users who have registered as viewers.

The avatar display management data 611 stores various data describing the display status of each viewing user's avatar in the message content display unit 36. For example, the avatar data, position coordinates, display size, etc. are set in association with the user account of each viewing user.

Image transmission history data 615 is created each time a viewing user performs an image transmission operation on the viewing terminal. One image transmission history data 615 includes the user account of the viewing user who is the sender, the transmission timing, the transmission content data (the transmitted image data for transmission), and its display duration (a copy of display duration 529).

Text transmission history data 613 is created each time a viewing user performs a text transmission operation on the viewing terminal. One piece of text transmission history data 613 includes the user account of the viewing user who is the sender, the transmission timing, the transmission content data (transmitted text, font, font size, etc.), and its display duration.

The occurrence instruction operation flag 625 stores whether or not a generation instruction operation has been performed by the providing user (yes: ON/no: OFF). The event occurrence condition determination unit 215 initializes the occurrence instruction operation flag 625 to "OFF" when content distribution begins, and accepts occurrence instruction operations from the providing user only while the occurrence instruction operation flag 625 is "OFF". Then, when it receives from the providing terminal that a generation instruction operation has been input, it updates the occurrence instruction operation flag 625 to "ON".

The fever time occurrence status data 630 stores a fever time occurrence flag (ON when occurring/OFF when not occurring) 631 and the fever time end time 633.

Returning to FIG. 10, the continuous combo condition setting 700 includes an applied continuity certification condition 701 and an applied continuous combo reference value 703. In this embodiment, since the continuity certification condition is fixed, the applied continuity certification condition 701 is copied with the continuity certification condition definition data 531. The applied continuous combo reference value 703 is copied with the continuous combo scale requirement definition data 550.

The combination combo condition setting 710 includes an applied continuity certification condition 711, an applied relevance certification condition 713, and an applied combination combo reference value 715. Continuity certification condition definition data 531 is copied to the applied continuity certification condition 711. The relevance ID 541 of definition data searched for as matching the selection condition 542 from among multiple types of relevance certification condition definition data 540 is copied to the applied combination combo reference value 715. The combination combo reference value 565 of the combination combo scale requirement definition data 560 in which the relevance ID of the applied relevance certification condition 713 is set as the corresponding relevance ID 563 is copied.

The operation count condition definition data (reference value for total number of outgoing operations) 570 is copied to the operation count condition setting 720.

The applied multiplier 730 is set to "normal" when fever time is not occurring, and is set to the multiplier 581 of the fever time definition data 580 when fever time occurs.

The ranking data 740 stores the ranking results of the ranking by user provided and the ranking results of the ranking by content calculated at a predetermined interval by the ranking calculation unit 227.

2. Viewing terminal Fig. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a user terminal 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) serving as a viewing terminal. As shown in Fig. 17, the user terminal 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) serving as a viewing terminal includes an operation input unit 100, an imaging unit 102, a sound collection unit 104, a device processing unit 200, an image display unit 390, a sound output unit 392, a communication unit 394, and a terminal storage unit 500.

The operation input unit 100 allows the user to input various operations, and can be realized by, for example, a button switch, a joystick, a touch pad, a trackball, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, etc. In FIG. 2, this corresponds to the direction input key 1502, the home key 1504, and the touch panel 1506.

The imaging unit 102 receives light from the subject to be photographed, converts it into an electrical signal, generates digital image data, and outputs it to the device processing unit 200. For example, it can be realized by a lens, a mechanical shutter, a shutter driver, a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD image sensor module or a CMOS image sensor module, a digital signal processor (DSP) that reads the amount of charge from the photoelectric conversion element and generates image data, an IC memory, etc. In FIG. 2, this corresponds to the image sensor module 1520.

The sound collection unit 104 converts the collected sound into an electrical signal and outputs it. In FIG. 2, this corresponds to the microphone 1512.

The device processing unit 200 can be realized by a processor, which is an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU, GPU, ASIC, FPGA, or other electronic components such as IC memory, and controls data input/output between each unit of the device including the operation input unit 100 and the device storage unit 500. It performs various arithmetic processing based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100, data received from the streaming server 1100, and the like, and generally controls the operation of the user terminal 1500 as a viewing terminal. In FIG. 2, this corresponds to the control board 1550 and its CPU 1551. In this embodiment, the device processing unit 200 of the viewing terminal includes a viewing terminal arithmetic unit 260, a timer unit 280, a sound generation unit 292, and a communication control unit 294.

The viewing terminal calculation unit 260 includes an operation signal transmission control unit 262 and a viewing screen display control unit 264.

The operation signal transmission control unit 262 performs processing to transmit various data and request information to the streaming server 1100 in response to operation input to the operation input unit 100.

The viewing screen display control unit 264 performs control to display the viewing screens W1 and W11 based on various data received from the streaming server 1100.

The sound generation unit 292 is realized by, for example, a processor such as a DSP or a voice synthesis IC, an audio codec capable of playing audio files, etc., and generates sound signals for sound effects, background music, and various operation sounds related to video distribution, and outputs them to the sound output unit 392.

The communication control unit 294 establishes a communication connection and processes data for data communication with an external device (e.g., the streaming server 1100) via the communication unit 394, and realizes data exchange with the external device.

The image display unit 390 displays various screens such as viewing screens W1 and W11 based on the image signal input from the viewing screen display control unit 264. For example, this can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, or a head-mounted display. In this embodiment, this corresponds to the touch panel 1506 in FIG. 2.

The sound output unit 392 outputs background music and the like based on the sound signal input from the sound generation unit 292. In FIG. 2, this corresponds to the speaker 1510.

The communication unit 394 connects to the communication line 9 to realize communication. For example, it can be realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA, a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, etc. In FIG. 2, this corresponds to the wireless communication module 1553.

The terminal storage unit 500 stores in advance or temporarily stores each time processing is performed programs for operating the user terminal 1500 as a viewing terminal and realizing the functions of the user terminal 1500 as a viewing terminal, and data used during execution of these programs. For example, this can be realized by IC memory such as RAM or ROM, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, or an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or DVD. In FIG. 2, this corresponds to the IC memory 1552 and the memory card 1540.

The terminal storage unit 500 of the viewing terminal also stores a viewing terminal program 504, a received distribution data group 800, a transmission image allocation setting 802, and a current date and time 900. Of course, other programs and data can also be stored as appropriate.

The viewing terminal program 504 is a program for causing the terminal processing unit 200 to function as the viewing terminal calculation unit 260. In this embodiment, it is a copy of the distribution viewing terminal program 505 (see FIG. 10) provided by the streaming server 1100.

The received distribution data group 800 stores various distribution data received from the streaming server 1100 during distribution.

The transmission image allocation setting 802 indicates the allocation of the transmission image 8 to the image transmission operation icon 34. Specifically, it stores the transmission image type of the assigned transmission image 8.

3. Providing Terminal Fig. 18 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the user terminal 1500 (1500T) serving as the providing terminal. In Fig. 18, the same components as those of the user terminals 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) serving as the viewing terminals are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the user terminal 1500 (1500T) serving as a providing terminal, the device processing unit 200 performs various calculation processes based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100, data received from the streaming server 1100, etc., and controls the operation of the user terminal 1500 as a providing terminal. The device processing unit 200 of the providing terminal includes a providing terminal calculation unit 270, a timing unit 280, a sound generation unit 292, and a communication control unit 294.

The provider terminal calculation unit 270 includes an operation signal transmission control unit 272, a content provision control unit 274, and a provider screen display control unit 276.

The operation signal transmission control unit 272 performs processing to transmit various data and request information to the streaming server 1100 in response to operation input to the operation input unit 100.

The content provision control unit 274 performs processes related to the generation of content data for distribution and control of provision to the streaming server 1100. In the case of live distribution, it realizes the function of a live streaming encoder, encoding images captured by the imaging unit 102 one by one and controlling provision to the streaming server 1100.

The provision screen display control unit 276 performs control for displaying the provision screen. The provision screen is an operation screen that accepts various operations for live distribution of content, and also serves as a monitor screen for monitoring the distribution status.

The terminal storage unit 500 stores in advance or temporarily stores each time processing is performed programs for operating the user terminal 1500 as a provision terminal and realizing the functions of the user terminal 1500 as a provision terminal, and data used during execution of these programs. For example, this can be realized by IC memory such as RAM or ROM, magnetic disks such as hard disks, optical disks such as CD-ROM or DVD, etc.

The terminal storage unit 500 of the providing terminal also stores a providing terminal program 506, a received distribution data group 800, provided content data 810, and a current date and time 900. Of course, other programs and data can also be stored as appropriate.

The providing terminal program 506 is a program for causing the device processing unit 200 to function as the providing terminal calculation unit 270. In this embodiment, it is a copy of the distribution providing terminal program 507 (see FIG. 10) provided by the streaming server 1100.

The received distribution data group 800 stores various distribution data received from the streaming server 1100 when providing content.

The provided content data 810 includes a distribution title at the time of registration 811, a distribution schedule at the time of registration 813, additional information at the time of registration 815, and content data to be provided 817. The distribution title at the time of registration 811, distribution schedule at the time of registration 813, and additional information at the time of registration 815 each store setting data when the distribution registration procedure is performed as a providing user. The content data to be provided 817 is original data of the content to be distributed.

[Process flow]
19 to 21 are flowcharts showing the flow of processing related to live distribution of content in the streaming server 1100. The processing described here is realized by the server processing unit 200s reading and executing the server program 503. Note that the calculation of the provider user ranking and the content ranking by the ranking calculation unit 227 and the granting of a privilege based on these rankings by the first privilege granting processing unit 229 (first privilege granting processing) are performed at predetermined intervals separately from this processing.

Here, it is assumed that the content distribution title, distribution schedule, and additional information have already been set by the providing user as part of the distribution registration procedure. It is also assumed that the viewing user has already completed a separate login procedure for their viewing device.

First, the distribution service management unit 206 initializes the distribution management data 600 (step S100). Note that the distribution title 601, distribution schedule 603, and additional information 607 have already been set in conjunction with the distribution registration procedure. Since the content data 605 is a live distribution, it is not stored until the start of distribution. If it is not a live distribution, data of previously prepared content will be stored.

Next, the distribution service management unit 206 starts distribution of various distribution data to the viewing terminal and the providing terminal based on the viewing user management data 609, such as avatar display management data 611, text transmission record data 613, image transmission record data 615, current cheering points 617, current continuous combo chain count 619, current combination combo chain count 621, current total number of transmission operations 623, generation instruction operation flag 625, fever time occurrence status data 630, possessed transmission image list 594, possessed forced occurrence item count 595, etc. (Step S102: Distribution α). The distribution timing can be, for example, when the distribution data is added, deleted, or updated, or when a new viewing user is registered, but it may also be distributed at a predetermined interval.

Then, the distribution service management unit 206 monitors the reception of a viewing request (step S104). When a viewing user selects a distribution title that he or she wishes to view on a user terminal 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) functioning as a viewing terminal and performs a predetermined viewing operation, the viewing request is transmitted to the streaming server 1100 together with information such as the user account.

When this viewing request is received (YES in step S104), the distribution service management unit 206 creates new viewing user management data 609 and registers the user of the viewing terminal as a viewing user (step S106).

Then, the avatar display control unit 208 creates new avatar display management data 611 so that the avatar related to the viewing user is displayed in the message content display unit 36 (step S108).

As described above, since the distribution of the avatar display management data 611 has started in step S102, the newly created avatar display management data 611 is also distributed to the viewing terminal. The viewing terminal updates the display of each avatar based on this data. As a result, on the viewing screen W1, it appears as if a new virtual viewer has appeared in front of the screen.

This makes the virtual experience of watching a broadcast together richer, fostering a sense of unity among viewers. This sense of unity among viewers leads to a desire to work together to liven up the viewing environment, which in turn encourages viewers to actively share information, and ultimately becomes one of the factors that enable the broadcast service of this embodiment to provide a more enjoyable and fulfilling user experience than conventional broadcast services.

Then, the online shopping management unit 204 monitors whether a purchase request has been received (step S110). The purchase request is sent to the streaming server 1100 when the viewing user performs a predetermined purchase operation (e.g., an operation on the shopping icon 37 in FIG. 3) on the viewing terminal.

When this purchase request is received (YES in step S110), the online shopping management unit 204 executes processes related to online shopping, such as purchasing a transmission image or a forced generation item (step S112). With this purchase, the list of transmission images 594 owned by the viewing user who made the purchase request and the number of forced generation items 595 owned are updated, and these are also delivered to the viewing terminal.

The outgoing service management unit 210 also monitors the receipt of a text outgoing request (step S114). When a viewing user performs a text outgoing operation on the viewing terminal, the text outgoing request is sent to the streaming server 1100 together with information such as the user account and the outgoing content (text).

When this text transmission request is received (YES in step S114), the transmission service management unit 210 creates text transmission history data 613 for the received new transmission content, and creates and updates transmission log data 596 for the requesting viewing user (step S116).

In this way, even before the live broadcast, viewers can send out text messages and purchase images to send, allowing them to freely discuss their expectations for the live performance before it begins and to prepare images to send when the live performance begins.

After that, when the scheduled start time of the live distribution arrives (YES in step S118), the distribution service management unit 206 starts the live distribution of the content (step S120). This process starts the reception of content data from the providing terminal and distribution to the viewing terminal.

When content distribution has started, the continuous combo determination unit 217 starts the continuous combo determination process (step S122). In the continuous combo determination process started here, first, the continuity certification condition definition data 531 is stored in the applied continuity certification condition 701, and the continuous combo scale requirement definition data 550 is stored in the applied continuous combo reference value 703. In addition, the current continuous combo chain number 619 is initialized to "0".

Then, in the continuous combo determination process, the following process is performed each time an image transmission request is received. First, based on the applicable continuity determination condition (continuity determination time difference Δt) 701, it is determined whether or not the time difference in transmission timing from the previous transmission result data 636 is Δt or less. If it is less than Δt, the current continuous combo chain number 619 is incremented by one and updated. If the current continuous combo chain number 619 then reaches the applicable continuous combo reference value 703 and satisfies the scale requirement, it is determined that the continuous combo occurrence condition is met. Note that if it exceeds Δt, the current continuous combo chain number 619 is set to "0".

The combination combo determination unit 219 also starts the combination combo determination process (step S124). In the combination combo determination process started here, first, the continuity determination condition definition data 531 is stored in the applied continuity determination condition 711. Next, definition data that matches the selection condition 542 is searched for among the multiple relevance determination condition definition data 540, and the searched relevance determination condition definition data 540 is stored in the applied relevance determination condition 713. Then, the multiple combination combo scale requirement definition data 560 is searched for definition data in which the relevance ID of the applied relevance determination condition 713 is set as the corresponding relevance ID 563, and the combination combo reference value 565 of the searched combination combo scale requirement definition data 560 is stored in the applied combination combo reference value 715. Also, the current combination combo chain number 621 is initialized to "0".

Then, in the combination combo determination process, the following process is performed each time an image transmission request is received. That is, first, based on the applicable continuity determination condition (continuity determination time difference Δt) 711, it is determined whether the time difference between the transmission timing and the previous transmission result data 636 is Δt or less. If it is Δt or less, it is determined whether the current transmission image 8 and the previous transmission image 8 satisfy the relatedness determination condition of the applicable relatedness determination condition 713, and if so, the current combination combo chain number 621 is updated by incrementing it by one. If the current continuous combo chain number 619 reaches the applicable combination combo reference value 715 and satisfies the scale requirement, it is determined that the combination combo occurrence condition is met. Note that if it exceeds Δt, the current continuous combo chain number 619 is set to "0".

The event occurrence condition determination unit 215 also stores the operation count condition definition data 570 in the operation count condition setting 720 (step S126).

The cheering point calculation unit 213 also starts the cheering point calculation process (step S128). In the cheering point calculation process started here, the cheering point calculation unit 213 monitors the reception of an image transmission request. When the viewing user performs an image transmission operation on the viewing terminal, the image transmission request is transmitted to the streaming server 1100 together with the user account and the transmission image type of the transmission image 8, which is the transmission content. A configuration in which the image data of the transmission image 8 itself is transmitted may also be used.

Then, each time an image transmission request is received, the added points number 525 of the transmission image 8 is adjusted by multiplying it by the applied magnification 730 and added to the cheering points. In step S178 described later, the applied magnification 730 during fever time is changed from "normal" to, for example, "1.5 times" for fever time. Therefore, during fever time, the added points number is multiplied by 1.5 and added to the cheering points.

After that, as shown in FIG. 20, the online shopping management unit 204 monitors whether a purchase request has been received (step S130). If a purchase request has been received (YES in step S130), the online shopping management unit 204 executes a process related to online shopping (step S132).

The outgoing service management unit 210 also monitors the receipt of a text outgoing request (step S134). If a text outgoing request is received (YES in step S134), it creates text outgoing record data 613 for the new outgoing content received, and creates and updates outgoing log data 596 for the viewing user who made the request (step S136).

The outgoing service management unit 210 also monitors the receipt of an image outgoing request (step S138). If an image outgoing request is received (YES in step S138), image outgoing record data 615 is created for the new outgoing content received, and outgoing log data 596 for the requesting viewing user is created and updated (step S140). Also, one outgoing outgoing image 8 is consumed, and the list of images in possession for outgoing transmission 594 is updated (step S142).

In addition, when the event occurrence condition determination unit 215 determines that the event occurrence condition is satisfied, the event control unit 225 performs event control to generate fever time. That is, first, when it is determined that the consecutive combo occurrence condition is satisfied in the consecutive combo determination process started in step S122, or when it is determined that the combination combo occurrence condition is satisfied in the combination combo determination process started in step S124 (YES in step S144), the fever time occurrence flag 631 is determined. Then, if the fever time occurrence flag 631 is "OFF" and fever time is not occurring (YES in step S146), the fever time occurrence flag 631 is updated to "ON" (step S148), and the fever time length corresponding to the consecutive combo occurrence condition or combination combo occurrence condition determined to be satisfied in step S144 is read from the fever time definition data 580, and the fever time end time 633 is set (step S150). Then, the process proceeds to step S178 in FIG. 21.

Next, if the current total number of outgoing operations 623 reaches the operation count condition setting 720 (step S152: YES), the fever time occurrence flag 631 is judged. If the fever time occurrence flag 631 is "OFF" (step S154: YES), it is updated to "ON" (step S156), and the fever time length corresponding to the operation count condition is read from the fever time definition data 580 to set the fever time end time 633 (step S158). On the other hand, if the fever time occurrence flag 631 is "ON" (step S154: NO), the extension time length corresponding to the operation count condition is read from the fever time definition data 580, and the read extension time length is added to the fever time end time 633 to update it (step S160). Then, proceed to step S178.

Next, as shown in FIG. 21, if a notification is received that a paid generation instruction operation has been accepted at the viewing terminal (step S162: YES), one forced generation item is consumed to update the number of held forced generation items 595 (step S164). Then, the fever time generation flag 631 is updated to "ON" (step S166), and the fever time length corresponding to the paid generation instruction operation, which is the forced generation condition, is read from the fever time definition data 580, and the fever time end time 633 is set (step S168). Then, the process proceeds to step S178.

Next, if a notification is received that the generation instruction operation has been accepted at the providing terminal (step S170: YES), the consideration collection processing unit 223 performs processing to collect currency points equivalent to the consideration for the generation instruction operation from the providing user (step S172). After that, the event control unit 225 updates the fever time occurrence flag 631 to "ON" (step S174), reads out the fever time length corresponding to the generation instruction operation of the forced occurrence condition from the fever time definition data 580, and sets the fever time end time 633 (step S176). Then, the process proceeds to step S178.

Then, in step S178, the event control unit 225 stores the multiplier 581 in the applied multiplier 730.

During fever time, the event control unit 225 monitors the fever time end time 633. When the fever time end time 633 is reached (YES in step S180), if the fever time is due to the condition for consecutive combos being satisfied (YES in step S182), the chain count Cs is used to calculate the extended time length, which is then added to the fever time end time 633 to update it (step S184). On the other hand, if the fever time is not due to the condition for consecutive combos being satisfied (YES in step S180), or if the extended time length calculated in step S184 is 0 (i.e., the chain count Cs is 0) and the fever time is not extended (YES in step S186), the applied multiplier 730 is returned to "normal" (step S188).

After that, the process returns to step S130 in FIG. 20 and repeats the above process until distribution is completed (NO in step S190). Then, when distribution is completed (YES in step S190), the process ends.

22 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing related to viewing of content in the user terminal 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) that serves as a viewing terminal. The processing described here is realized by the terminal processing unit 200 reading and executing the viewing terminal program 504.

As shown in FIG. 22, the viewing terminal first executes a login process (step S300). After that, when a predetermined viewing operation (including selection of the content to be viewed) for viewing the content distribution is detected (YES in step S310), the operation signal transmission control unit 262 transmits a viewing request to the streaming server 1100 (step S312: communication A). In response to the viewing request, the streaming server 1100 registers the user of the viewing terminal as a viewing user and starts distribution of various distribution data for displaying the viewing screens W1 and W11 to the viewing terminal (distribution α). Then, in the viewing terminal, the viewing screen display control unit 264 receives these and stores them in the received distribution data group 800, and starts displaying the viewing screen (step S314). The display of the viewing screen started here realizes the display of the viewing screen W1 when fever time is not occurring and the display of the viewing screen W11 when fever time is occurring.

In addition, when a purchase operation of a sales item such as a transmission image 8 or a forced generation item is detected (YES in step S320), the operation signal transmission control unit 262 sends a purchase request to the streaming server 1100 (step S322: Communication B).

When the operation signal transmission control unit 262 detects a text transmission operation (YES in step S330), it executes a text input/editing process (step S332) and transmits a text transmission request together with the input text to the streaming server 1100 (step S334: communication C). When it detects an image transmission operation in which the image transmission operation icon 34 is touched once (YES in step S336), it transmits an image transmission request together with the selected image type for transmission to the streaming server 1100 (step S338: communication D).

Here, the viewing terminal starts display control of the viewing screens W1 and W11 based on various distribution data in step S314 as described above. Therefore, in steps S330 and S336, the contents of the transmission that the viewing user has operated to send on the viewing terminal or another viewing terminal are displayed on the transmission contents display section 36. Specifically, the newly sent text is displayed in a speech bubble 5 from the sender's avatar 4, or the newly sent transmission image 8 is displayed as if it were appearing from the sender's avatar 4. Note that the display of the transmission contents that exceeds the display duration is erased one by one.

In addition, if a paid generation instruction operation is detected by touching the forced generation item 355 on the general-purpose display unit 35 (YES in step S340), a notification to that effect is sent to the streaming server 1100 (step S342: Communication E).

When the viewing terminal detects an operation to change the assignment of the image for transmission to the image transmission operation icon 34 (YES in step S350), it executes an assignment change process including display control of the pop-up display W4 to change the image for transmission assignment setting 802 (step S352).

After that, the process returns to step S320 and repeats the above process until the distribution is completed (NO in step S360). Then, when the distribution is completed (YES in step S360), the process ends.

23 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing related to the provision of content in the user terminal 1500 (1500T) that serves as the providing terminal. The processing described here is realized by the terminal processing unit 200 reading and executing the providing terminal program 506. Note that if the content is to be live broadcast content of game play video, it is assumed that a separate game program is being executed.

As shown in FIG. 23, the viewing terminal first executes a login process (step S500). After that, the provision screen display control unit 276 starts display control of the provision screen (step S502).

Then, the content provision control unit 274 sets the distribution title, distribution schedule, and additional information of the content to be provided and performs the registration procedure process (step S504). Then, when the scheduled distribution time arrives, the provision of the content is started (step S506: communication F). In this embodiment, since live distribution is assumed, for example, in the case of live distribution using live action, the content provision control unit 274 sequentially creates content data by adding audio collected by the audio collection unit 104 to the video captured by the imaging unit 102, and performs live streaming encoding of the content and transmits it to the streaming server 1100. In the case of live distribution of gameplay video, content data is sequentially created by adding game audio to video captured from the game screen. In the case of video data or the like that the content is prepared in advance, it is uploaded to the streaming server 1100 without waiting for the scheduled distribution time.

In addition, if a touch operation to instruct a fever occurrence button on the provision screen is detected (YES in step S508), a notification to that effect is sent to the streaming server 1100 (step S510: communication G).

When content distribution is complete (YES in step S512), the process ends.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, in a content distribution service, by utilizing the text and image transmission function, it is possible to provide a more enjoyable and fulfilling user experience than conventional services, thereby improving the distribution service.

Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment, the support points related to the distribution content are totaled for the image transmission operations of all viewing users to generate the fever time. Alternatively, the viewing users may be divided into groups, support points may be calculated for each group, and the fever time may be generated for each group.

Figure 24 is a diagram showing an example of a viewing screen when fever time is not occurring in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, it is assumed that content in which multiple characters C1 (C1-1 to C1-3) appear is distributed, and that each character C1 is provided as a video of dancing to music, and the viewing user 2 can register a favorite character (fan character) C from among the characters C1 prior to the distribution of the content.

First, in this embodiment, the streaming server 1100 counts the image transmission operations performed on the user terminal 1500 of each viewing user 2 from the start to the end of distribution for each operating subject (viewing user 2), and updates and manages individual support points (support points by viewing user). In addition, the viewing users 2 are divided into groups according to which character C1 each viewing user 2 is a fan of, and the image transmission operations of the viewing users 2 belonging to each group are counted for each group, and the support points by group (support points by group) are updated and managed. In FIG. 24, the group G1 of the viewing users 2a, 2c, and 2e of the avatars 4a, 4c, and 4e who have registered as fans of the character C1-1 and the group G2 of the viewing users 2b, 2f, and 2g of the avatars 4b, 4f, and 4g who have registered as fans of the character C1-3 are illustrated by being surrounded by dashed lines. In this case, for example, the group support points of the group G1 are calculated based on the image transmission operations performed by the three viewing users 2a, 2c, and 2e.

Therefore, the viewing screen includes, in the general display section 35, a viewer-specific cheering point display section 3511 for the viewing user 2 (viewing user 2a in FIG. 24) and a group-specific cheering point display section 3513 for the group G1 to which the viewing user 2 (2a) belongs. The general display section 35 also displays a combo gauge 3531 indicating the number of consecutive combo chains based on the image transmission operation of the viewing user 2, and a combo gauge 3533 indicating the number of consecutive combo chains based on the image transmission operations of each of the viewing users 2a, 2c, and 2e of the group G1 to which the viewing user 2 (2a) belongs.

The streaming server 1100 then determines the continuous combo occurrence conditions, combined combo occurrence conditions, and operation count conditions on a group basis, and generates fever time for each group. As for the conditions related to the operation of the viewing users 2 that are forced occurrence conditions, when any viewing user 2 performs a paid transmission instruction operation, fever time is generated for the group to which that viewing user 2 belongs. In other words, when fever time is generated for a certain group, the number of added points for the transmission image 8 transmitted by the viewing user 2 that belongs to that group is multiplied by the applicable magnification (e.g., 1.5 times) and added to the viewing user-specific support points and group-specific support points.

At that time, the viewing user 2 involved in the occurrence of the fever time is specified as the viewing user to be adjusted. For example, if the fever time is caused by satisfying the continuous combo occurrence condition, the viewing user 2 to be adjusted who performed the image transmission operation related to the continuous combo is specified. For example, if the continuous combo occurs by the two viewing users 2a and 2c repeating the image transmission operation, and the viewing user 2e does not perform an image transmission operation even once during that time, the viewing users 2a and 2c are set as the viewing users to be adjusted. Then, for the identified viewing user 2 to be adjusted, the applied multiplier is further increased. In the above example, for the viewing user 2a and the viewing user 2c, a predetermined value (for example, 0.3) is added to the applied multiplier (1.5 times) to adjust it. Then, if the viewing user 2a or the viewing user 2c performs an image transmission operation during the fever time, the added points of the transmitted transmission image 8 are multiplied by 1.8 and added to their viewing user support points and group support points. On the other hand, if viewing user 2e performs an image transmission operation during fever time, the applied magnification remains at 1.5x.

Next, in this embodiment, when the distribution of the content ends, the streaming server 1100 calculates a ranking by viewing user (ranking by viewing user) by arranging each viewing user 2 in the order of viewing user support points, and calculates a ranking by group (ranking by group) by arranging each group in the order of group support points.

Then, the streaming server 1100 executes a process (second benefit granting process) of granting a benefit to the viewing user 2 based on the group ranking. That is, in the second benefit granting process, first, it is determined whether or not to grant a benefit to the viewing user 2 of each group based on the ranking position in the group ranking. Then, the benefit is granted to the viewing user 2 for which it is determined that a benefit should be granted. For example, a benefit can be granted only to the viewing user 2 belonging to the group ranked first. Note that it is possible to set up to which ranking position the benefit is granted as appropriate. The benefit to be granted may be set in advance in correspondence with the ranking position.

At that time, the bonus is allocated to each viewing user 2 based on the transmission record (the number of image transmission operations, the total value of the added points added to the support points by the image transmission operations, etc.) of the viewing user 2 for whom it was determined that the bonus should be awarded. The distribution (splitting) can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

The streaming server 1100 also executes a process (third bonus granting process) of granting a bonus to viewing user 2 based on the viewing user ranking. That is, in the third bonus granting process, it is first determined whether or not to grant a bonus to each viewing user 2 based on the ranking position in the viewing user ranking. Then, the bonus is granted to viewing user 2 for which it is determined that a bonus should be granted. The ranking position up to which a bonus is granted can be set appropriately, as in the second bonus granting process, and the bonus to be granted can also be set in advance in association with the ranking position.

[Functional configuration]
Fig. 25 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the streaming server 1100 in the second embodiment, and Fig. 26 is a diagram showing an example of programs and data stored in the server storage unit 500s in the second embodiment. In each of Figs. 25 and 26, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in Fig. 25, in this embodiment, the outgoing service management unit 210A of the server processing unit 200s includes a group setting unit 211A, an outgoing content display control unit 212, a cheering point calculation unit 213A, an event occurrence condition determination unit 215A, a chain notification control unit 221, a consideration collection processing unit 223, an event control unit 225A, a ranking calculation unit 227A, a second privilege granting processing unit 233A, and a third privilege granting processing unit 235A.

When content distribution starts, the group setting unit 211A performs a process of dividing the viewing users who have registered as viewers into groups. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, the grouping may be performed by the viewing user registering a specific character that is being distributed, or the viewing user may select the group to which he or she belongs. The group setting unit 211A then assigns a group ID to each group, and generates group setting data 750A by associating each group ID with the user account of the viewing user who belongs to the corresponding group.

The cheering point calculation unit 213A calculates cheering points for each viewing user by tallying up the image sending operations for each viewing user, and calculates cheering points for each group by tallying up the image sending operations for each group.

The event occurrence condition determination unit 215A determines the event occurrence condition on a group basis, rather than targeting all viewing users as in the above embodiment.

When the event occurrence condition determination unit 215A determines that the event occurrence condition is met, the event control unit 225A generates a fever time for the group. This event control unit 225A includes a fever time extension processing unit 226 and an application magnification adjustment unit 231A.

The applied magnification adjustment unit 231A identifies the viewing user to be adjusted who was involved in the occurrence of the fever time, and adjusts the applied magnification 730 to be applied to the image transmission operation of the adjustment target user during the fever time.

At the end of the distribution of the content, the ranking calculation unit 227A calculates the ranking for each viewing user based on the support points for each viewing user, and calculates the ranking for each group based on the support points for each group.

The second bonus granting processing unit 233A executes a second bonus granting process that grants bonuses to viewing users based on the group rankings.

The third bonus granting processing unit 235A executes a third bonus granting process that grants bonuses to viewing users based on the rankings of the viewing users.

As shown in FIG. 26, server storage unit 500s stores server program 503A, distribution viewing terminal program 505, distribution providing terminal program 507, sales item management data 509, origination service initial setting data 510, user management data 590, distribution management data 600A, successive combo condition settings 700, combination combo condition settings 710, operation count condition settings 720, group setting data 750A, application rate 730A, ranking data 740A, and current date and time 900. In addition, other necessary data such as image data of the background image of the viewing screen and material data for creating and editing avatars are stored as appropriate.

The distribution management data 600A can be realized with a data configuration roughly similar to that of the distribution management data 600 of the embodiment described above and shown in FIG. 16, but the current cheering points 617 are set to the current values of the cheering points by viewing user and the cheering points by group, and the current total number of outgoing operations 623 is set to the current value of the total number of outgoing operations for each group. In addition, fever time occurrence status data 630 is prepared for each group.

The group setting data 750A stores information about the grouping of each viewer user set by the group setting unit 211A.

The applied multiplier 730A stores the applied multiplier for each viewer user. When fever time is not occurring, the applied multiplier for all viewing users is set to "same multiplier" in this applied multiplier 730A. On the other hand, when fever time occurs, the applied multiplier for viewing users belonging to the corresponding group is set to "1.5x", and a predetermined value (e.g. 0.3) is further added to the applied multiplier for the viewing users to be adjusted, making it "1.8x".

Ranking data 740A stores the ranking results of the ranking by viewing user and the ranking by group calculated by the ranking calculation unit 227A at the end of the distribution of the content.

[Process flow]
The process related to the live distribution of content in the streaming server 1100 of the second embodiment can be performed in a procedure generally similar to the process procedure of the above embodiment shown in Figs. 19 to 21. However, in this embodiment, when the distribution of content starts, the viewing users who are registered as viewers are divided into groups. In addition, in the cheering point calculation process after the distribution starts, cheering points by viewing user and cheering points by group are calculated. Then, each process such as determining the event occurrence condition and controlling the event is performed for each group, and a fever time is generated on a group basis. In addition, when the distribution of content ends, rankings by viewing user and rankings by group are calculated, and a second privilege granting process and a third privilege granting process are sequentially executed to grant (share) the privilege to the viewing user 2 to be granted.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the first embodiment. In addition, it is possible for viewing users to cheer on specific characters (e.g., characters) individually in the distributed content, or for viewing users who cheer on the same character to form a group and cheer on that character together, thereby enhancing the sense that viewing users are all working together to liven up the content, and further improving the user experience.

The forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and components can be added, omitted, or modified as appropriate.

[Modification 1]
For example, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, an example was given in which a distribution service is realized in a client-server type computer system, but it may be realized in a computer system in which a plurality of user terminals 1500 are connected peer-to-peer to each other. In that case, one of the user terminals 1500 is made to function as the streaming server 1100. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which the functions of the distribution service management unit 206 are shared among a plurality of user terminals 1500.

[Modification 2]
Furthermore, each of the above-described embodiments can also be applied to other services as long as the services are accessed simultaneously by a plurality of users and each user can send and receive text or images.

For example, the screen portion below the general-purpose display section 35 of the viewing screen can be a chat screen that applies the chat function of a social networking service. Figures 27 and 28 show examples of such a display.

On the left side of the lower chat screen 38, the avatar 4a of the viewing user 2a who is using the user terminal 1500 on which the screen is displayed is displayed, and the text sent by the viewing user 2a is displayed in a speech bubble 5a, while the transmission image 8 sent by the viewing user 2 appears from the avatar 4. On the other hand, on the right side of the chat screen 38, the avatars 4b of the other viewing users 2b, etc. are displayed, and the text sent by them is displayed in a speech bubble 5, while the transmission image 8 sent by the image transmission operation appears from the avatar 4. In this modified example, the background of the chat screen 38 is appropriately changed to special background data during fever time, and the appearance display of the transmission image 8 sent by each viewing user 2 is produced.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 28, a content screen 39 consisting of the additional information display section 31, the content display section 32, and the general display section 35 of the viewing screen may be displayed in the center of the chat screen 38. As in the case of FIG. 27, on both sides of the content screen 39, the avatar 4a of the viewing user 2a using the user terminal 1500 on which the screen is displayed and the avatar 4b of another viewing user 2b are displayed, and text is displayed in a speech bubble 5 and an image 8 for transmission is displayed. The display position of the content screen 39 is fixed and is always displayed in the center of the chat screen 38, while the avatars 4, speech bubbles 5, and image 8 for transmission displayed on both sides, as shown by dashed lines, are scrolled when a new transmission operation is performed.

1000...Content providing system 1100...Streaming server 200s...Server processing unit 202...User management unit 204...Online shopping management unit 206...Distribution service management unit 208...Avatar display control unit 210, 210A...Transmission service management unit 212...Transmission content display control unit 213, 213A...Support point calculation unit 215, 215A...Event occurrence condition determination unit 217...Continuous combo determination unit 219...Combined combo determination unit 221...Chain notification control unit 223...Compensation collection processing unit 225, 225A...Event control unit 226...Fever time extension processing unit 227, 227A...Ranking calculation unit 229...First privilege granting processing unit 211A...Group setting unit 233A...Second privilege granting processing unit 235A...Third privilege granting processing unit 500s...Server memory unit 503, 503A...Server program 505...Viewing terminal program for distribution 507...Providing terminal program for distribution 509...Sales item management data 510...Originating service initial setting data 590...User management data 600, 600A...Distribution management data 700...Continuous combo condition setting 710...Combined combo condition setting 720...Operation count condition setting 730, 730A...Applied magnification 740, 740A...Ranking data 750A...Group setting data 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ..., 1500T)...User terminal 100...Operation input unit 102...Imaging unit 104...Sound collection unit 200...Terminal processing unit 262, 272...Operation signal transmission control unit 264...Viewing screen display control unit 274...Content provision control unit 276...Providing screen display control unit 390...Image display unit 392: Sound output section 394: Communication section 500: Terminal storage section 504: Viewing terminal program 506: Provision terminal program 800: Received distribution data group 802: Image allocation setting for transmission 810: Provided content data 811: Distribution title at time of registration 813: Distribution schedule at time of registration 815: Additional information at time of registration 817: Content data for transmission 9: Communication line 2 (2a, 2b, ..., 2t)... User W1, W11... Viewing screen 31: Additional information display section 33: Text transmission operation section 34: Image transmission operation icon 35: General display section 36: Transmission content display section 37: Shopping icon 38: Chat screen 4 (4a, 4b, ...)... Avatar 8: Transmission image

Claims (11)

A content distribution system that distributes content including at least video provided by a providing user to a user terminal of each viewing user, comprising:
the user terminal includes a content display unit that displays the content, and a viewing screen on which a user can perform a call operation while viewing the content is displayed;
An event control means for generating an event when a given event generation condition is satisfied;
Equipped with
the event control means changes the end time of the event based on a state in which a chain condition including at least a continuity determination condition for determining the continuity of the call operation based on the timing at which the call operation is performed is satisfied.
Content delivery system. the event control means determines whether the event occurrence condition is satisfied by including in the event occurrence condition that the state in which the chain condition is satisfied has continued for a predetermined period of time or more.
The content distribution system according to claim 1 . The linkage condition further includes that the plurality of calling operations to be judged satisfy a relation determination condition for determining a relation between the calling operations.
3. A content distribution system according to claim 1 or 2 . a chain notification control means for controlling notification of a current continuation status of the state in which the chain condition is satisfied to the user terminal;
The content distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: the event control means determines that the event occurrence condition is satisfied when the total number of the call origination operations reaches a predetermined number.
The content distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . There are a plurality of types of the calling operation, and some of the plurality of types are associated with the providing user or the content;
the event control means has a means for determining whether or not the event occurrence condition is satisfied based on the associated type of call operation.
A content distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . A content distribution system that distributes content including at least video provided by a providing user to a user terminal of each viewing user, comprising:
the user terminal includes a content display unit that displays the content, and a viewing screen on which a user can perform a call operation while viewing the content is displayed;
An event control means for generating an event when a given event generation condition is satisfied;
Equipped with
the event control means determines whether the event occurrence condition is satisfied for each group made up of viewing users of the content being viewed, and controls the occurrence of the event.
Content delivery system. A computer system comprising a user terminal of each viewing user and the content distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . the user terminal displays the content display unit and an avatar display unit displaying an avatar of the viewing user on the viewing screen.
9. The computer system of claim 8. A content distribution method for distributing content including at least video provided by a providing user to a user terminal of each viewing user, comprising the steps of:
the user terminal includes a content display unit that displays the content, and a viewing screen on which a user can perform a call operation while viewing the content is displayed;
generating an event when a given event generation condition is satisfied;
changing an end time of the event based on a state in which a chain condition including at least a continuity determination condition for determining continuity of the call operation based on the timing of the call operation is satisfied ;
Content delivery methods including: A content distribution method for distributing content including at least video provided by a providing user to a user terminal of each viewing user, comprising the steps of:
the user terminal includes a content display unit that displays the content, and a viewing screen on which a user can perform a call operation while viewing the content is displayed;
generating an event when a given event generation condition is met;
Including,
The generating of the event includes determining whether the event generating condition is satisfied for each group made up of viewing users of the content being viewed, and controlling the generation of the event.
Content delivery methods.

Images