JP7769259B2 - Information processing device, video distribution method, and video distribution program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, a video distribution method, and a video distribution program.

In recent years, the number of users watching movies, dramas, animations, and other videos using portable information processing devices such as smartphones and tablet devices has been increasing. As a result, technological development is underway to enable users to enjoy watching videos more.

Patent Document 1 discloses a video playback control method that allows a community of multiple users spread across large distances to share video, creating a sense of unity as if all users were gathered in one place and watching the same video together. The video playback control method described in Patent Document 1 prioritizes the execution of playback control commands sent by users with high favorability ratings within the community, based on comment evaluation information given by other users in response to comments entered by the user.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-163911

The video playback control method described in Patent Document 1 is intended for a community consisting of multiple users who are far apart, and is not intended for a community in which all users are gathered in close proximity to each other and watch the same video together.

In other words, there is a need for technology development that allows users to enjoy watching videos more even when they are all gathered in close proximity and watching the same video together. One concept behind this technology development is the ability to allow users gathered in close proximity to watch videos while communicating with each other.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide an information processing device, video distribution method, and video distribution program that can encourage users to watch videos while communicating with each other.

To solve the above problems, the information processing device, video distribution method, and video distribution program of the present invention employ the following means.

To solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is an "information processing device" that distributes video data to multiple information processing terminals, and includes: a group registration means that accepts registration of a group consisting of multiple information processing terminals located in close proximity; and a video data distribution means that distributes the video data to the multiple information processing terminals registered as the group, and the video data distribution means distributes group video data indicating videos that cannot be viewed unless registered as part of the group to the information processing terminals registered as part of the group.

To solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention, a "video distribution method," is a video distribution method for distributing video data to multiple information processing terminals, and includes a first step of accepting registration of a group consisting of multiple information processing terminals located in close proximity, and a second step of distributing the video data to the multiple information processing terminals registered as the group, wherein the second step distributes group video data indicating videos that cannot be viewed unless registered as part of the group to the information processing terminals registered as part of the group.

To solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention, a "video distribution program," causes a computer to function as: group registration means for accepting registration of a group consisting of multiple information processing terminals located in close proximity; and video data distribution means for distributing video data representing videos that cannot be viewed unless registered as part of the group to the information processing terminals registered as part of the group.

Various technical limitations may be added to the above-mentioned "information processing device," as exemplified below. Furthermore, technical limitations of the same nature may also be added to the processing steps executed by the "video distribution method" or the functions of the "video distribution program."

The video data distribution means distributes the group video data, which is played back simultaneously on multiple information processing terminals registered as the group to form a single video.

The video data distribution means distributes the group video data, which is a single video, when a user views the data by arranging multiple information processing terminals in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional manner.

The video data distribution means distributes the group video data so that at least one of the images and sounds played back is different on at least some of the information processing terminals registered as the group.

The video data distribution means then distributes the group video data distributed to some of the information processing terminals to other information processing terminals.

The video data distribution means distributes the group video data, which includes elements that cannot be viewed on information processing terminals not registered as part of the group, to the information processing terminals registered as part of the group.

The element is at least one of the image and sound to be reproduced.

The video data distribution means distributes the group video data when the viewing environment of the information processing terminal meets predetermined conditions.

The viewing environment is at least one of brightness and sound detected by the information processing terminal.

The group registration means acquires the location information of the information processing terminal via the information processing terminal, and registers as a group multiple information processing terminals that are within a predetermined range as the close distance.

The present invention has the effect of encouraging users to watch videos while communicating with each other.

1 is a configuration diagram of a video distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a server according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram relating to a video distribution function of the server according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing moving images displayed on group-registered mobile terminals according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of a plurality of mobile terminals when watching a group viewing video according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing moving images displayed on group-registered mobile terminals according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 10A and 10B are diagrams showing moving images displayed on group-registered mobile terminals according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of group viewing video distribution processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a video displayed on a mobile terminal registered in a group according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram relating to a video distribution function of a server according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of group viewing video distribution processing according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Below, an embodiment of an information processing device, video distribution method, and video distribution program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1. First embodiment
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[1-1. Configuration of video distribution system]
1 is a schematic diagram of a video distribution system 1 according to this embodiment. The video distribution system 1 includes a communication line 2, a plurality of mobile terminals 3, and a server 4.

Communication line 2 forms a computer network and is, for example, a wide-area communication line provided by an electric utility company.

The mobile terminal 3 is, for example, an information processing terminal such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, or laptop computer. The mobile terminal 3 is equipped with a touch panel display 3a for displaying images, a speaker 3b for outputting sound, a microphone 3c for inputting sound, and a camera 3d for capturing images of a subject. In order to play video data distributed from the server 4, as an example, dedicated application software is installed on the mobile terminal 3.

The server 4 is an information processing device that distributes video data to multiple mobile terminals 3 via the communication line 2. The video data represents video that has a story, such as an anime or drama, and progresses along the story. The server 4 distributes the video data to the mobile terminals 3, for example, by non-live streaming rather than live streaming. Upon receiving the video data, the mobile terminals 3 play the video data and display it on the touch panel display 3a, and output sound from the speakers 3b.

The multiple mobile devices 3 to which video data is distributed are located in close proximity and are registered on the server 4 as a group 5 (hereinafter referred to as "group registration"). That is, the multiple mobile devices 3 registered as a group display videos based on the video data distributed from the server 4 at the same time, in other words, synchronized, on their touch panel displays 3a. Then, each user of the mobile devices 3 registered as a group will watch the video at the same time.

In Figure 1, group 5 is made up of four mobile terminals 3, but this is just an example, and the number of mobile terminals 3 in group 5 is not limited as long as group 5 is made up of multiple mobile terminals 3. Furthermore, the types of mobile terminals 3 that make up group 5 are also not limited, and a mixture of smartphones, tablet terminals, laptops, etc. may be present.

[1-2. Server configuration]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the server 4 according to this embodiment.

The server 4 according to this embodiment comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20, which is the main control unit that controls the overall operation of the server 4; a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22 in which various programs and data are pre-stored; a RAM (Random Access Memory) 24, which is used as a work area when the CPU 20 executes various programs; and a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 26, which serves as storage means for storing various programs and data.

The HDD 26 stores information about the registered group 5 and video data to be distributed to the mobile terminal 3. Note that the storage means is not limited to the HDD 26 and may be other storage media, such as semiconductor memory such as flash memory.

Furthermore, the server 4 is equipped with an operation input unit 28, which is composed of a keyboard, mouse, etc. and accepts input for various operations, a monitor 30, such as a liquid crystal display device, that displays various images, and an external interface 32, which is connected to other information processing devices such as a mobile terminal 3 via a communication line 2 and sends and receives various data to and from other information processing devices, etc.

The CPU 20, ROM 22, RAM 24, HDD 26, operation input unit 28, monitor 30, and external interface 32 are electrically connected to one another via a system bus 34. Therefore, the CPU 20 can access the ROM 22, RAM 24, and HDD 26, grasp the operation status of the operation input unit 28, display images on the monitor 30, and send and receive various data to and from other information processing devices via the external interface 32.

[1-3. Video distribution function of the server according to this embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram relating to the video distribution function of the server 4 according to this embodiment.

The CPU 20 of the server 4 includes a group registration unit 40, a video data distribution unit 42, and a video distribution selection unit 44. Each function of the CPU 20 is realized by a program stored on the HDD 26.

The group registration unit 40 accepts registration of a group 5 consisting of multiple mobile devices 3 located in close proximity.

The group registration unit 40, for example, acquires location information of the mobile terminal 3 via the mobile terminal 3, and registers multiple mobile terminals 3 that are within a predetermined range defined as close proximity (for example, within 10 m, hereinafter referred to as the "close proximity range") as a group 5. Along with the location information of the mobile terminal 3, a user ID (identification) is also acquired. The user ID is used as the ID to be entered on the login screen when the user receives a video distribution service.

Whether or not there is a mobile terminal 3 within the close range can be determined by, for example, a single mobile terminal 3 designated as a host.
(hereinafter referred to as the "host terminal") is located within a diameter of 10 m, and this is determined based on whether or not a mobile terminal 3 located within the close distance range is within the close distance range. More specifically, the host mobile terminal 3 first logs in to the video distribution service, which initiates the registration of the group 5, and the other mobile terminals 3 then apply for permission to join the registered group 5. The host terminal determines whether or not to grant the permission application from the other mobile terminals 3, and the group registration unit 40 determines whether or not the distance between the host terminal and the other mobile terminals 3 is within the close distance range.

Only when the group registration unit 40 determines that the other mobile terminal 3 is within the close proximity range will the group registration unit 40 permit the other mobile terminal 3 to be registered in group 5, in accordance with the permission of the host terminal. On the other hand, when the group registration unit 40 determines that the other mobile terminal 3 is not within the close proximity range, the group registration unit 40 will not permit the other mobile terminal 3 to be registered in group 5, even if the host terminal permits it.

The group registration unit 40 may register a group 5 by registering only the user ID, without obtaining the location information of the mobile terminal 3. In this case, the permission request from another mobile terminal 3 is approved or rejected only by the host terminal.

The video data distribution unit 42 distributes video data to multiple mobile terminals 3 registered in a group. As an example, the video data distribution unit 42 distributes video data to all mobile terminals 3 registered in the group. Note that the video data is distributed, for example, by streaming playback.

The video data distribution unit 42 according to this embodiment can distribute video data to mobile terminals 3 that are not registered in a group. On the other hand, the video data distribution unit 42 distributes video data (hereinafter referred to as "group video data") indicating videos that cannot be viewed unless the mobile terminals 3 are registered in a group to mobile terminals 3 that are registered in a group.

In the following description, video data distributed to mobile devices 3 that are not registered in a group is referred to as normal video data. In the video distribution system 1 according to this embodiment, videos that can be viewed by playing back normal video data are complete, and users can understand the progress of the video by simply playing back the normal video data.

The process of distributing group video data is called group viewing video distribution processing. As an example, the group viewing video distribution processing according to this embodiment switches from regular video data to group video data as the video progresses and distributes it to mobile devices 3 registered in the group.

The timing at which the video progress switches from normal video data to group video data is called a group viewing branch. Note that for mobile devices 3 that are not registered in a group, even when a group viewing branch is reached, the distribution of normal video data continues without switching from normal video data to group video data.

The video distribution selection unit 44 selects video data to be distributed by the video data distribution unit 42 and reads it from the HDD 26. In other words, for a mobile device 3 registered in a group, if the progression of the video reaches a group viewing branch, the video distribution selection unit 44 selects group video data, reads it from the HDD 26, and distributes it to the video data distribution unit 42. On the other hand, if the progression of the video does not reach a group viewing branch, the video distribution selection unit 44 selects normal video data, reads it from the HDD 26, and distributes it to the video data distribution unit 42.

[1-4. Details of group viewing video distribution process according to this embodiment]
The group viewing video distribution process according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

Figure 4 shows an example of a video 50 displayed on mobile devices 3A to 3D registered in a group during group viewing branching.

The group viewing video distribution process described using Figure 4 distributes group video data that is played simultaneously on multiple mobile devices 3A-3D registered in a group to create a single video 50, with different videos being played on all mobile devices 3. Note that the example in Figure 4 assumes that when the video progresses to a group viewing branch, the user will view the video by arranging multiple mobile devices 3A-3D in a flat plane.

Video 50A1 displayed on mobile terminal 3D is a video 50 that is displayed by playing normal video data, i.e., a video 50 that is also displayed on mobile terminals 3 that are not registered in a group. On the other hand, videos 50B1-1 to 50B1-3 displayed on mobile terminals 3A to 3C are videos 50 that are displayed by playing group video data. Therefore, videos 50B1-1 to 50B1-3 are videos that cannot be viewed on mobile terminals 3 that are not registered in a group.

In the example of Figure 4, videos 50B1-1 to 50B1-3 display the background of video 50A1, and by combining videos 50B1-1 to 50B1-3 with video 50A1, a video with a wider angle of view is created compared to when only video A1 is played. By viewing videos 50B1-1 to 50B1-3 simultaneously with video 50A1, the user can understand them as a single video.

In this way, the group viewing video distribution process described using Figure 4 allows users to view videos by arranging multiple mobile devices 3 registered in a group, thereby encouraging users to watch videos while communicating with each other.

In addition, the mobile device 3 to which the group video data is delivered is, as an example, randomly determined by the video data delivery unit 42.

In addition, in the example of Figure 4, the number of mobile terminals 3 registered in the group matches the number of mobile terminals 3 required to create one video 50 (hereinafter referred to as the "required number of terminals"). However, there may be cases where the number of mobile terminals 3 registered in the group does not match the required number of terminals.

If the number of mobile devices 3 registered in a group is greater than the required number of devices, for example, one mobile device 3 may be used to play each group's video data, and two or more mobile devices 3 may be used to play normal video data. Also, if the number of mobile devices 3 registered in a group is less than the required number of devices, at least one mobile device 3 may be used to play normal video data, and some of the multiple group's video data may be played on other mobile devices 3.

Note that while Figure 4 illustrates a configuration in which multiple mobile terminals 3 registered as a group are arranged in a plane (two-dimensionally), this is not limiting and multiple mobile terminals 3 registered as a group may also be arranged in a three-dimensional (three-dimensional) configuration, as shown in Figure 5. In the example of Figure 5, two mobile terminals 3 are arranged so that the major axes of the other two mobile terminals 3 are approximately perpendicular to each other, but the three-dimensional arrangement is not limited to this.

By arranging multiple mobile terminals 3 in a three-dimensional manner, it is possible to provide the user with a three-dimensional field of view, for example, in a video set in a dungeon such as a cave or labyrinth.

Figure 6 shows a case where different images are played on at least some of the mobile devices 3A to 3D registered in a group.

Video 50A2 displayed on mobile terminals 3A, 3C, and 3D is video 50 that is displayed by playing normal video data, i.e., video 50 that is also displayed on mobile terminals 3 that are not registered in a group. On the other hand, video 50B2 played on mobile terminal 3B is video 50 that is displayed by playing group video data. In other words, video 50B2 displayed on mobile terminal 3B is a video that cannot be viewed on mobile terminals 3 that are not registered in a group.

In the example of Figure 6, video 50B2 also displays a person who is conversing with the person displayed in video 50A2; in other words, video 50B2 is a video with a different camera angle than video 50A2. By simultaneously viewing video 50B2, a user watching video 50A2 can clearly see who the person in video 50A2 is conversing with.

As shown in Figure 6, group viewing branching where the camera angles are different is called angle branching. Examples of angle branching include a close-up of the main character in the same scene on some of the mobile devices 3, a foreshadowing event being displayed on some of the mobile devices 3, or a scene in which multiple characters respond individually to a call and one character is displayed on each mobile device 3.

Note that angle branching does not necessarily require lining up multiple mobile terminals 3 as shown in Figure 4. Each user of a mobile terminal 3 may only watch the video being played on their own mobile terminal 3.

Figure 7 shows how group video data distributed to some mobile devices 3 during angle branching is subsequently distributed to other mobile devices 3.

Figure 7 (A) shows the manner in which video is displayed on mobile terminal 3B when group video data is being played. In the example of Figure 7 (A), a notification image 52 such as "Original screen displayed" is displayed so that the user can recognize that the video displayed on mobile terminal 3B is an original video 50B3 different from the other mobile terminals 3A, 3C, and 3D. In addition, a share button 54 for sharing the video is displayed on mobile terminal 3B.

If a user notices that the video displayed on their mobile terminal 3B is not displayed on the other mobile terminals 3A, 3C, and 3D, they can tap the share button 54 to display the same video as their own on the other mobile terminals 3A, 3C, and 3D.

In other words, when the share button 54 is tapped, the server 4 also distributes the group video data to the other mobile terminals 3A, 3C, and 3D. As an example, as shown in FIG. 7(B), the other mobile terminals 3A, 3C, and 3D to which the new group video data has been distributed may display a video 50B3 in which the group video data has been played, superimposed on a video 50A3 in which normal video data has been played, using a wipe 56, or may switch from playing normal video data to playing group video data.

The group viewing video distribution process shown in Figures 6 and 7 distributes group video data to some of the mobile devices 3B registered in the group, so users of the other mobile devices 3A, 3C, and 3D will need to communicate with the user of mobile device 3B to watch video 50B3 played back from the group video data. Therefore, the group viewing video distribution process can encourage users to watch videos while communicating with each other. Furthermore, users of the other mobile devices 3A, 3C, and 3D may not be able to watch the video played back from the group video data in just one viewing. Therefore, it is expected that users will want to view the video a second time by lining up multiple mobile devices 3A-3D. Therefore, the group viewing video distribution process can encourage users to watch videos while communicating with each other.

Furthermore, the group viewing video distribution process may distribute group video data so that at least one of the images and sounds played back is different. That is, the sounds output by some mobile devices 3 may be different from the sounds output by other mobile devices 3. Furthermore, the images and sounds played back on some mobile devices 3 may be different from those played back on other mobile devices 3.

For example, a scream from one of the characters in a video may be output from some of the mobile devices 3 that are not registered in a group, and then a video in which the other characters turn around may be played on all of the mobile devices 3. Note that because the scream is not output to the mobile devices 3 that are not registered in a group, even if a video in which the other characters turn around is then played, the user watching the video may not immediately understand what has happened.

If the audio from some of the mobile devices 3 is different from the audio from other mobile devices 3, the users of the other mobile devices 3 will inevitably know this because they are in close proximity. As a result, the users of the other mobile devices 3 will communicate with the users of some of the mobile devices 3 to find out what the audio is. Furthermore, since it is expected that users will want to view multiple mobile devices 3 side by side the second time they watch a video, the group viewing video distribution process can encourage users to communicate with each other while watching a video.

[1-5. Group viewing video distribution process flow according to this embodiment]
8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the group viewing video distribution process according to this embodiment, which is executed by CPU 20 of server 4. A program for executing the group viewing video distribution process is pre-stored in a predetermined area of HDD 26. The group viewing video distribution process is started together with the start of distribution of regular video data.

First, in step 100, the distribution video selection unit 44 determines whether the video has progressed to a group viewing branch, and if the determination is affirmative, proceeds to step 102; if the determination is negative, proceeds to step 110.

In step 102, the distribution video selection unit 44 determines whether the mobile terminal 3 is registered in a group, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 104, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 106.

In step 104, the distribution video selection unit 44 selects group video data and normal video data according to the group viewing branch, and proceeds to step 108. The selected group video data and normal video data are distributed by the video data distribution unit 42 to the mobile devices 3 registered in the group.

In step 106, the distribution video selection unit 44 selects only normal video data, and the process proceeds to step 108. The selected normal video data is distributed by the video data distribution unit 42 to mobile devices 3 that are not registered in the group.

In step 108, the video data distribution unit 42 distributes the video data selected in step 104 or step 106 to the mobile terminal 3.

In the next step 110, the distribution video selection unit 44 determines whether the video distribution has ended, and if the determination is negative, the process returns to step 100, and if the determination is positive, the group viewing video distribution process ends.

As explained above, the group viewing video distribution process according to this embodiment distributes group video data indicating videos that cannot be viewed without group registration to group-registered mobile devices 3. Therefore, in order to view videos played using group video data, multiple users' mobile devices 3 must be registered as a group and the users must watch the videos in close proximity to each other. Therefore, the group viewing video distribution process can encourage users to watch videos while communicating with each other.

[2. Second embodiment]
A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

The configuration of the video distribution system 1 and server 4 according to this embodiment is similar to the configuration of the video distribution system 1 and server 4 according to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, so a detailed description will be omitted.

Note that the video data distribution unit 42 according to this embodiment distributes group video data that includes elements (hereinafter referred to as "group viewing elements") that cannot be viewed on mobile devices 3 that are not registered in the group to mobile devices 3 that are registered in the group.

[2-1. Details of the group viewing video distribution process according to this embodiment]
The group viewing video distribution process according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 9. In the example shown in Figure 9, the group viewing element is an image. In the group viewing video distribution process according to this embodiment, as an example, the same video data is distributed to all mobile terminals 3 registered in the group at the group viewing branch, and the same video is played. In other words, in the group viewing video distribution process according to this embodiment, the group viewing element is viewable on all mobile terminals 3 registered in the group, but this is not limiting, and the group viewing element may be viewable only on some mobile terminals 3 registered in the group.

Figure 9 (A) shows video 50A4 displayed on a mobile device 3 that is not registered in a group, while Figures 9 (B) and (C) show videos 50B4-1 and 50B4-2 displayed on a mobile device 3 that is registered in a group.

In Figure 9 (B), image 70 included in video 50B4-1 is a group viewing element, and users cannot view image 70 on mobile devices 3 that are not registered in the group.

Note that in the group viewing video distribution process according to this embodiment, when a group viewing branch is reached, group video data in which the group viewing elements can be viewed is distributed to all mobile devices 3 registered in the group, while regular video data in which the group viewing elements cannot be viewed is distributed to mobile devices 3 that are not registered in the group.

In addition, the group video data may have image processing applied to the group viewing element, and the image processing may be made available to be disabled on the mobile device 3. In other words, when the video progresses to a group viewing branch, mobile devices 3 that are not registered in the group will play the video without disabling the image processing of the group video data, while mobile devices 3 that are registered in the group will play the video with the image processing disabled from the group video data. Note that the image processing may be any image processing that indicates the presence of a group viewing element, such as mosaic processing or filling in with a predetermined color. This allows the user to recognize that they are watching a video that has been image processed when playing back group video data on a mobile device 3 that is not registered in the group. This type of image processing can encourage the user to register the mobile device 3 as a group.

In Figure 9 (C), the range 72 indicated by the dashed line in video 50B4-2, which has an enlarged angle of view compared to video 50A4 (hereinafter referred to as the "enlarged image range"), is the group viewing element. In other words, users cannot view the enlarged image range 72 on mobile devices 3 that are not registered in the group.

In the group viewing video distribution process according to this embodiment, the viewability of group viewing elements may be controlled by changing the playback size of the group video data. That is, when the progression of the video reaches a group viewing branch, mobile devices 3 that are not registered in the group will play the video by enlarging the playback size (vertical and horizontal dimensions) of the group video data so that the enlarged image area 72 cannot be viewed. On the other hand, mobile devices 3 that are registered in the group will play the video without enlarging it so that the enlarged image area 72 can be viewed.

The group viewing element may also be sound played from group video data. In this case, when the sound that is the group viewing element is played on a mobile device 3 that is not registered in the group, a censoring sound (a beep) is superimposed on it to prevent the user from hearing it.

Furthermore, if the progress of a video being played on a mobile device 3 that is not registered in a group reaches a group viewing branch, a notification may be given, such as by displaying a message indicating that the group viewing element cannot be viewed.

As explained above, the group viewing video distribution process according to this embodiment distributes group video data, including elements that cannot be viewed on mobile devices 3 that are not registered in the group, to group-registered mobile devices. Therefore, in order to view videos played using group video data, the mobile devices 3 of multiple users must be registered in a group and the users must watch the videos in close proximity to each other. Therefore, the group viewing video distribution process can encourage users to watch videos while communicating with each other.

3. Third embodiment
A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

The configurations of the video distribution system 1 and server 4 according to this embodiment are similar to those of the video distribution system 1 and server 4 according to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, and therefore will not be described further.

[3-1. Video distribution function of the server according to this embodiment]
FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram relating to the video distribution function of the server 4 according to this embodiment.

The CPU 20 of the server 4 includes a group registration unit 40, a video data distribution unit 42, and a video distribution selection unit 44, as well as a viewing environment determination unit 80.

The viewing environment determination unit 80 determines whether the viewing environment of the mobile terminal 3 satisfies predetermined conditions (hereinafter referred to as "group viewing conditions"). The group viewing conditions are determined according to the group viewing branch.

The viewing environment is information detected by the mobile terminal 3, such as brightness and sound. Brightness is detected by the camera 3d provided on the mobile terminal 3, and sound is detected by the microphone 3c provided on the mobile terminal 3. In other words, the mobile terminal 3 transmits brightness information and sound information indicating the viewing environment to the server 4. The mobile terminal 3 that detects the viewing environment is, for example, a host terminal. Note that the viewing environment may include the time of day and weather in addition to brightness and sound.

The viewing environment may also include the user's operation state on the mobile device 3. The user's operation state may be, for example, a touch operation on the touch panel display 3a of the mobile device 3 or a shake operation (shaking the mobile device 3) on the mobile device 3. The user's operation state on the mobile device 3 is detected by the touch panel display 3a, an acceleration sensor, etc., and the strength and number of touch operations and shake operations are also detected. Note that the strength and number of touch operations and shake operations may be values for each mobile device 3 registered in a group, or may be a combined value for multiple mobile devices 3. The number of mobile devices 3 that simultaneously performed touch operations or shake operations may also be included in the group viewing conditions. In this way, detecting sound, touch operations, and shake operations as the viewing environment detects the excitement level of users watching the video.

It is possible that the sound of the video being played may also be input to microphone 3c. Therefore, the mobile terminal 3 may cancel the video sound from the sound information acquired by microphone 3c by superimposing sound information that is in the opposite phase to the video sound onto the sound information acquired by microphone 3c. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 3 may cancel not only the sound of the video, but also noise around the mobile terminal 3. Examples of noise include the sound of cars running and trains.

When the viewing environment of the mobile terminal 3 satisfies the group viewing conditions, the distribution video selection unit 44 selects the group video data to be distributed by the video data distribution unit 42 and reads it from the HDD 26. In other words, when the viewing environment of the mobile terminal 3 satisfies the group viewing conditions, the video data distribution unit 42 distributes the group video data.

[3-2. Group viewing conditions]
Examples of group viewing conditions are described below.

For example, if the group viewing condition is a brightness above a first threshold, and the progress of the video reaches a group viewing branch and the brightness detected on the mobile device 3 is above the first threshold, the dark video will become brighter and group video data in which previously invisible images become visible will be distributed. This group viewing condition is applied, for example, to a cave scene.

Furthermore, if the group viewing condition is set to a brightness below a second threshold, and the progress of the video reaches a group viewing branch and the brightness detected on the mobile device 3 is below the second threshold, the bright video will become dark and group video data in which previously invisible images become visible will be distributed. This group viewing condition is applied, for example, to scenes in which ghosts appear.

In addition, if the group viewing condition is set to sound (user voice) equal to or greater than a third threshold, and the video progresses to a group viewing branch and the sound detected on the mobile device 3 is equal to or greater than the third threshold, group video data in which previously inaudible sound can be heard is distributed. This group viewing condition is applied, for example, to concert scenes, etc.

In addition, if the group viewing condition is set to sound below a fourth threshold (user voice), and the video progresses to a group viewing branch and the sound detected on the mobile device 3 is below the fourth threshold, group video data in which previously inaudible sound can be heard is distributed. This group viewing condition is applied, for example, to scenes in which bird sounds are output.

In addition, before reaching the group viewing branch, a notification such as displaying the group viewing conditions may be made to the mobile devices 3 registered in the group.

[3-3. Group viewing video distribution process flow according to this embodiment]
Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of group viewing video distribution processing according to this embodiment, which is executed by CPU 20 included in server 4. Note that the same steps in Fig. 11 as those in Fig. 8 are assigned the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 8, and their description will be omitted in part or in whole.

In step 102, the distribution video selection unit 44 determines whether the mobile terminal 3 is registered in a group, and if the determination is affirmative, proceeds to step 200; if the determination is negative, proceeds to step 106.

In step 200, the viewing environment determination unit 80 determines whether the viewing environment satisfies the group viewing conditions according to the group viewing branch, and if the determination is affirmative, proceeds to step 202, and if the determination is negative, proceeds to step 106.

In step 202, the distribution video selection unit 44 selects group video data according to the group viewing branch, and proceeds to step 108.

As described above, the group viewing video distribution process according to this embodiment distributes group video data when the viewing environment of the mobile device 3 satisfies the group viewing conditions. Therefore, since users need to communicate with each other to satisfy the group viewing conditions, the group viewing video distribution process can encourage users to watch videos while communicating with each other.

4. Other Embodiments
Although the present invention has been described above using the above-mentioned embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above-mentioned embodiments. Various modifications or improvements can be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the gist of the invention, and such modifications or improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

Furthermore, some of the processing performed by the server 4 in each of the above embodiments may be performed by the mobile terminal 3 to which the video 50 is distributed.

Furthermore, the various processing flows described in each flow in the above embodiments are merely examples, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be rearranged, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

3. Mobile terminal (information processing terminal)
4. Server (information processing device)
5 Group 40 Group registration unit (group registration means)
42 Video data distribution unit (video data distribution means)
50 videos

Claims (4)

registering a plurality of terminals including a first terminal and a second terminal into a group;
displaying a second video on the second terminal while displaying a first video on the first terminal;
displaying, on the second terminal, a notification image indicating that the second video is different from the first video ;
When the second terminal receives a sharing operation, the second video is displayed on the first terminal .
Information processing device. a processor registering a plurality of terminals including a first terminal and a second terminal into a group;
a processor causes the second terminal to display a second video while causing the first terminal to display a first video ;
a processor causing the second terminal to display a notification image indicating that the second video is different from the first video ;
When the processor receives a sharing operation on the second terminal, the processor causes the second video to be displayed on the first terminal .
Information processing methods. A plurality of terminals including a first terminal and a second terminal are registered in a group, and a second video is displayed on a display while a first video is displayed on the first terminal;
displaying on the display an announcement image indicating that the second moving image is different from the first moving image ;
causing a computer to execute a process of accepting a sharing operation for the second video from a user;
When a sharing operation is received from the user, the second video is displayed on the first terminal .
program. A server, a first terminal, and a second terminal are provided,
The server
registering a plurality of terminals including the first terminal and the second terminal into a group;
displaying a second video on the second terminal while displaying a first video on the first terminal;
displaying, on the second terminal, a notification image indicating that the second video is different from the first video ;
When the second terminal receives a sharing operation, the second video is displayed on the first terminal .
Information processing system.