JP7844161B2 - Server, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a server, an information processing method, and a program.

Conventionally, technologies for delivering user-viewable content (e.g., comics) to devices such as smartphones are generally known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Users who view such content can then interact with other users about the content via their devices on online community sites (e.g., chat rooms).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-200987

According to a first aspect of the present invention,
A server that communicates with a terminal,
A control unit that processes the creation of a community site based on the distribution of content,
It includes a communication unit that transmits information from a community site to the terminal.
According to a second aspect of the present invention,
A program executed by a server that communicates with a terminal,
Based on the distribution of content, the server's control unit generates the community site.
The server transmits information from the community site via its communication module.
According to a third aspect of the present invention,
A method for processing information on a server that communicates with a terminal,
Based on the distribution of content, the server's control unit generates the community site.
This includes transmitting information from a community site via the server's communication module.

This figure shows the configuration of a communication system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. This figure shows an example of a function realized by the communication unit of the terminal in this embodiment. This figure shows an example of a function realized by the terminal control unit in this embodiment. This figure shows an example of the information stored in the terminal in this embodiment. This figure shows an example of a function realized by the server's communication unit in this embodiment. This figure shows an example of a function realized by the server control unit in this embodiment. This figure shows an example of how a community site is displayed on a device. This figure shows an example of how a community site is displayed on a device. This figure shows an example of the information stored in the server in this embodiment. This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in this embodiment. This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the first modified example (1). This figure shows an example of how a community site is displayed on a terminal in the first modified example (2). This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the first modified example (2). This figure shows an example of the information stored in the server in the first modified example (5). This figure shows an example of the information stored in the terminal in the first modified example (5). This figure shows an example of how a community site is displayed on a terminal in the first modified example (6). This figure shows an example of a function realized by the server control unit in the second embodiment. This figure shows an example of information stored in the server in the second embodiment. This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by the server in the second embodiment. This diagram illustrates the server processing in the second modified example (1) in chronological order. This diagram illustrates the server's processing in chronological order in the second modified example (2). This figure shows an example of how the community site is displayed on a terminal in the second modified example (3). This figure shows an example of a function implemented by the server's control unit in the second modified example (4). This figure shows an example of the information stored on the server in the second modification (4). This figure shows an example of how the access restrictions for the second community site are displayed on a terminal in the second modified example (4). This figure shows an example of the information stored in the terminal in the second modified example (4). This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the second modified example (4). This figure shows an example of a function implemented by the server's control unit in the second modified example (6). This diagram illustrates the server processing in the second modified example (6) in chronological order. This figure shows an example of how a gift is displayed when it is sent from the second user to the first user in the second variation (6). This figure shows an example of the information stored in the server in the second modified example (6). This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the second modified example (6). This figure shows an example of how survey information is displayed on a terminal in the second modified example (7). This figure shows an example of the information stored on the server in the second modification (7). This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the second modified example (7). This diagram illustrates the server processing in the second modified example (8) in chronological order. This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the second modified example (8). This figure shows an example of the information stored in the server in the second modification (9). This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the second modified example (9). This figure shows an example of information display on a terminal in the third embodiment. This figure shows an example of information stored in the server in the third embodiment. This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the third embodiment. This figure shows an example of a function implemented by the server's control unit in the third modified example (1). This figure shows an example of how the question "Do you have a message for the member of the second community site?" is displayed on a terminal in the third modified example (1). This figure shows an example of how a message is displayed to a specific user within the second community site in the third variation (1). This figure shows an example of the information stored on the server in the third modification (1). This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the third modified example (1). This figure shows an example of how user movement information is displayed within the second community site in the third variation (3). This figure shows an example of how a message is displayed to a specific user within the second community site in the third variation (4). This figure shows an example of how the list of members of the second community site is displayed in the third variation (5). This figure shows an example of how the list of members of the first community site is displayed in the third variation (5). This figure shows an example of a function realized by the server control unit in the fourth embodiment. This figure shows an example of the information stored in the server in the fourth embodiment. This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fourth embodiment. This figure shows an example of how the list of community sites is displayed on a device when there are no viewing restrictions, as in the fourth modified example (1). This figure shows an example of how the list of community sites is displayed on a terminal when access is restricted, as in the fourth modified example (1). This figure shows an example of how the list of community sites is displayed on a terminal when access is restricted, as in the fourth modified example (1). This figure shows an example of how the list of community sites is displayed on a terminal when access is restricted, as in the fourth modified example (1). This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fifth embodiment. This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fifth modified example (1). This figure shows an example of hiding messages on the terminal in the fifth variation (2). This figure shows an example of hiding messages on the terminal in the fifth variation (2). This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fifth modified example (2). This figure shows an example of removing viewing restrictions on a terminal in the fifth variation (3). This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fifth modified example (3). This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the sixth embodiment. This is a diagram illustrating an example of its application to a chat room. This is a diagram illustrating an example of its application to a chat room.

<Compliance with Legal Matters>
Please note that the disclosures described herein are subject to compliance with the laws of the implementing country, including the confidentiality of communications, which are necessary for the implementation of these disclosures.

Embodiments for implementing the server, information processing method, and program related to this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

<System Configuration>
Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a communication system 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As disclosed in Figure 1, in the communication system 1, a server 10 and terminals 20 (terminals 20A, 20B, and 20C) are connected via a network 30. The server 10 provides a service to the terminals 20 owned by the user via the network 30 that enables the sending and receiving of messages between terminals 20. The number of terminals 20 connected to the network 30 is not limited.

Network 30 plays the role of connecting one or more terminals 20 to one or more servers 10. In other words, network 30 refers to a communication network that provides a connection path so that terminals 20 can send and receive data after connecting to servers 10.

One or more parts of network 30 may or may not be wired or wireless networks. Network 30 may include, but is not limited to, an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), part of the internet, part of a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a mobile phone network, an integrated service digital network (ISDN), wireless LAN, LTE (long term evolution), CDMA (code division multiple access), Bluetooth (registered trademark), satellite communications, or two or more combinations thereof. Network 30 may include one or more networks 30.

Terminal 20 (Terminal 20A, Terminal 20B, Terminal 20C) may be any information processing terminal capable of realizing the functions described in each embodiment. Terminal 20 includes, but is not limited to, smartphones, mobile phones (feature phones), computers (including, but is not limited to, desktops, laptops, tablets, etc.), media computer platforms (including, but is not limited to, cable, satellite set-top boxes, digital video recorders), handheld computer devices (including, but is not limited to, PDAs (personal digital assistants), email clients, etc.), wearable devices (including glasses-type devices, watch-type devices, etc.), or other types of computers or communication platforms. Terminal 20 may also be referred to simply as an information processing terminal.

Since the configurations of terminals 20A, 20B, and 20C are basically the same, the following explanation will focus on terminal 20. Furthermore, where necessary, the terminal used by user X will be referred to as terminal 20X, and user information associated with user X or terminal 20X in a given service will be referred to as user information X. User information refers to user information associated with the account used by the user in the given service. User information includes, but is not limited to, information entered by the user or assigned by the given service, such as the user's name, user icon image, user age, user gender, user address, user hobbies and preferences, and user identifier, and may include any one of these, a combination of these, or not.

Server 10 has the function of providing predetermined services to terminal 20. Server 10 can be any information processing device capable of realizing the functions described in each embodiment. Server 10 includes, but is not limited to, a server device, a computer (e.g., desktop, laptop, tablet, etc.), a media computer platform (e.g., cable, satellite set-top box, digital video recorder, etc.), a handheld computer device (e.g., PDA, email client, etc.), or other types of computers or communication platforms. Server 10 may also be referred to as an information processing device. If there is no need to distinguish between Server 10 and terminal 20, both Server 10 and terminal 20 may or may not be referred to as information processing devices.

<Hardware (HW) Configuration>
Using Figure 1, the hardware configuration of each device included in communication system 1 will be explained.

(1) Terminal Hardware Configuration The terminal 20 comprises a control unit 21 (CPU: central processing unit), a storage unit 28, a communication unit 22, an input/output unit 23, a display unit 24, a microphone 25, a speaker 26, and a camera 27. The hardware components of the terminal 20 are interconnected via bus B, not limited to but as an example. It is not mandatory for the hardware configuration of the terminal 20 to include all components. Not limited to but as an example, the terminal 20 may have a configuration in which individual components such as the microphone 25 and camera 27 are removed, or it may not.

The communication unit 22 transmits and receives various types of data via the network 30. Communication may be performed via wired or wireless connection, and any communication protocol may be used as long as communication between the two units is possible. The communication unit 22 has the function of communicating with the server 10 via the network 30. The communication unit 22 transmits various types of data to the server 10 according to instructions from the control unit 21. The communication unit 22 also receives various types of data transmitted from the server 10 and transmits it to the control unit 21. The communication unit 22 may also be simply referred to as the communication unit. Furthermore, if the communication unit 22 is composed of a physically structured circuit, it may be referred to as the communication circuit.

The input/output unit 23 includes a device for inputting various operations to the terminal 20, and a device for outputting the processing results processed by the terminal 20. The input/output unit 23 may have an integrated input and output section, or it may have separate input and output sections, or it may not have been integrated.

The input unit is implemented by any or a combination of any type of device capable of receiving user input and transmitting the input information to the control unit 21. The input unit includes, but is not limited to, hardware keys such as touch panels, touch displays, and keyboards, pointing devices such as mice, cameras (operation input via video), and microphones (operation input via voice).

The output unit is implemented by any or a combination of any type of device capable of outputting the processing results processed by the control unit 21. The output unit includes, but is not limited to, touch panels, touch displays, speakers (audio output), lenses (for example, 3D output or hologram output), printers, and the like.

The display unit 24 is implemented by any or a combination of any type of device capable of displaying data according to the display data written to the frame buffer. The display unit 24 includes, but is not limited to, touch panels, touch displays, monitors (including, but is not limited to, liquid crystal displays and OLEDs (organic electroluminescence displays)), head-mounted displays (HDMI), projection mapping, holograms, and devices capable of displaying images, text information, etc., in air (which may or may not be a vacuum). These display units 24 may or may not be capable of displaying data in 3D.

If the input/output unit 23 is a touch panel, the input/output unit 23 and the display unit 24 may be arranged facing each other and have substantially the same size and shape.

The control unit 21 has physically structured circuitry to execute functions realized by code or instructions contained within the program, and is implemented, not limited to, by a data processing device built into the hardware. Therefore, the control unit 21 may or may not be described as a control circuit.

The control unit 21 includes, but is not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a processor core, a multiprocessor, an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit), and an FPGA (field programmable gate array).

The storage unit 28 has the function of storing various programs and data necessary for the operation of the terminal 20. The storage unit 28 includes, but is not limited to, various storage media such as HDD (hard disk drive), SSD (solid state drive), flash memory, RAM (random access memory), and ROM (read-only memory). Furthermore, the storage unit 28 may or may not be referred to as "memory."

Terminal 20 stores program P in the storage unit 28, and by executing program P, the control unit 21 executes the processing of each part included in the control unit 21. In other words, program P stored in the storage unit 28 enables terminal 20 to implement the various functions executed by the control unit 21. Furthermore, this program P may or may not be referred to as a program module.

Microphone 25 is used for inputting audio data. Speaker 26 is used for outputting audio data. Camera 27 is used for acquiring video and image data.

(2) Server Hardware Configuration Server 10 comprises a control unit 11 (CPU), a storage unit 15, a communication unit 14 (interface), an input/output unit 12, and a display 13. The hardware components of Server 10 are interconnected via bus B, not limited to, but as an example. Note that it is not necessary for the hardware configuration of Server 10 to include all components. Not limited to, but as an example, the hardware configuration of Server 10 may include or not include the display 13.

The control unit 11 has physically structured circuitry to perform functions realized by code or instructions contained within the program, and is implemented, not limited to but for example, by a data processing device built into the hardware.

The control unit 11 is typically a central processing unit (CPU), but may also be a microprocessor, processor core, multiprocessor, ASIC, FPGA, or otherwise. In this disclosure, the control unit 11 is not limited to these.

The storage unit 15 has the function of storing various programs and data necessary for the operation of the server 10. The storage unit 15 is implemented using various storage media such as HDDs, SSDs, and flash memory. However, in this disclosure, the storage unit 15 is not limited to these. Furthermore, the storage unit 15 may or may not be referred to as "memory."

The communication unit 14 transmits and receives various types of data via the network 30. Communication may be performed via wired or wireless connection, and any communication protocol may be used as long as communication between the units is possible. The communication unit 14 has the function of communicating with the terminal 20 via the network 30. The communication unit 14 transmits various types of data to the terminal 20 according to instructions from the control unit 11. The communication unit 14 also receives various types of data transmitted from the terminal 20 and transmits it to the control unit 11. The communication unit 14 may also be simply referred to as the communication unit. Furthermore, if the communication unit 14 is composed of a physically structured circuit, it may be referred to as the communication circuit.

The input/output unit 12 is implemented by a device that inputs various operations to the server 10. The input/output unit 12 is implemented by any or a combination of any type of device capable of receiving user input and transmitting the input-related information to the control unit 11. Typically, the input/output unit 12 is implemented by hardware keys such as a keyboard or a pointing device such as a mouse. The input/output unit 12 may, but is not limited to, include, a touch panel, a camera (for operation input via video), or a microphone (for operation input via voice). However, in this disclosure, the input/output unit 12 is not limited to these.

The display 13 is typically implemented as a monitor (not limited to, but examples include a liquid crystal display or an OLED (organic electroluminescence display)). The display 13 may also be a head-mounted display (HDMI) or not. Furthermore, these displays 13 may or may not be capable of displaying data in 3D. However, the display 13 in this disclosure is not limited to these.

Server 10 stores program P in the storage unit 15, and by executing program P, the control unit 11 performs the processing of each part included in the control unit 11. In other words, program P stored in the storage unit 15 enables Server 10 to implement the various functions executed by the control unit 11. This program P may or may not be referred to as a program module.

In each embodiment of this disclosure, the implementation is described as occurring when the CPU of terminal 20 and/or server 10 executes program P.

Furthermore, the control unit 21 of terminal 20 and/or the control unit 11 of server 10 may implement each process not only with a CPU having a control circuit, but also with logic circuits (hardware) or dedicated circuits formed on an integrated circuit (IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, LSI (Large Scale Integration)), etc., or they may not. These circuits may also be implemented by one or more integrated circuits, and the multiple processes shown in each embodiment may or may not be implemented by a single integrated circuit. Also, LSIs are sometimes referred to as VLSI, Super LSI, Ultra LSI, etc., depending on the degree of integration. Therefore, the control unit 21 may or may not be described as a control circuit.

Furthermore, the program P (not limited to, but for example, a software program, a computer program, or a program module) of each embodiment of this disclosure may or may not be provided stored on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium is a "non-temporary, tangible medium" capable of storing the program P. Also, the program P may or may not be for implementing some of the functions of each embodiment of this disclosure. Furthermore, the program P may or may not be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the functions of each embodiment of this disclosure in combination with a program P already recorded on the storage medium.

The storage medium may include one or more semiconductor-based or other integrated circuits (ICs) (including, but not limited to, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)), hard disk drives (HDDs), hybrid hard drives (HHDs), optical disks, optical disk drives (ODDs), magneto-optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy diskettes, floppy disk drives (FDDs), magnetic tapes, solid-state drives (SSDs), RAM drives, secure digital cards, or drives, any other suitable storage medium, or any two or more suitable combinations thereof. The storage medium may, where appropriate, be volatile, non-volatile, or a combination of volatile and non-volatile. The storage medium is not limited to these examples and may be any device or medium capable of storing program P. Furthermore, the storage medium may or may not be referred to as memory.

The server 10 and/or terminal 20 can realize the functions of the multiple functional units shown in each embodiment by reading the program P stored in the storage medium and executing the read program P.

Furthermore, the program PDD of this disclosure may or may not be provided to the server 10 and/or terminal 20 via any transmission medium capable of transmitting the program (such as a communication network or broadcast waves). The server 10 and/or terminal 20, for example but not limited to this, realize the functions of the multiple functional units shown in each embodiment by executing the program P downloaded via the internet or the like.

Furthermore, each embodiment of this disclosure can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, where the program P is embodied by electronic transmission.

At least a portion of the processing on server 10 and/or terminal 20 may or may not be implemented by cloud computing consisting of one or more computers.

The configuration may or may not involve the server 10 performing at least a portion of the processing on terminal 20. In this case, the configuration may or may not involve the server 10 performing at least a portion of the processing of each functional unit of the control unit 21 of terminal 20.

The configuration may or may not involve the terminal 20 performing at least a portion of the processing on the server 10. In this case, the configuration may or may not involve the terminal 20 performing at least a portion of the processing of each functional unit of the control unit 11 of the server 10.

Unless otherwise explicitly stated, the configuration of the determination in the embodiments of this disclosure is not mandatory. A predetermined process may be executed if the determination condition is met, or if the determination condition is not met, or it may not be.

Furthermore, the programs disclosed herein may be implemented using, but are not limited to, scripting languages such as ActionScript and JavaScript®, object-oriented programming languages such as Objective-C and Java®, and markup languages such as HTML5.

<First Embodiment>
In recent years, community sites that allow users to interact with other users over the internet on their devices have begun to spread. Community sites are websites or applications that have functions for information exchange and interaction among users. As applications, they are installed on computer devices such as mobile devices and personal computers. On community sites, for example, users with common hobbies, interests, and values can interact with each other via the internet, users who aim to have everyday conversations with each other, and users who aim to receive advice or sympathy for some kind of trouble.

A community site can be anything, such as a chat room, a community on a social networking service, or an electronic bulletin board, as long as it allows two or more users to communicate by posting messages (including text, audio, images, and videos). Furthermore, a community site may convert one user's voice into text and transmit it to another user, or convert a designated user's text input into the voice of a specific character or avatar and transmit it to other users. A community site may also allow multiple users to share a user's voice.

Community sites feature various posts made by users, sometimes focusing on specific content.

Therefore, it is desirable to be able to provide users with community sites that are suitable for their content.

The first embodiment is an embodiment in which, when the server 10 receives browsing information regarding content that can be viewed by a user on terminal 20A, the server 10 selects a community site based on the browsing information and transmits information about the community site to terminal 20A.
The description of the first embodiment is applicable to any of the other embodiments.

<Functional Configuration>
(1) Terminal Functional Configuration Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functions realized by the communication unit 22 of the terminal 20 in this embodiment.

As shown in Figure 2, the communication unit 22 includes a communication main processing unit 221 and an information transmission/reception unit 222.

The communication main processing unit 221 has the function of executing communication main processing, which is the process of sending and receiving content with the server 10, under the control of the control unit 21. For example, the communication main processing unit 221 has the function of sending information about content acquired by the user of terminal 20 to the server 10, and receiving information about content distributed from the server 10.

Content refers to materials that users can obtain for viewing, either for a fee or free of charge, such as comics, novels, videos, music, and games. However, content is not limited to these; it may include materials other than comics, novels, and videos.

The information transmission/reception unit 222 has the function of transmitting user browsing information of terminal 20 regarding content viewable on terminal 20 to server 10.

Browsing information refers to information about a user's browsing of content, such as whether or not a user has viewed the content. By receiving this browsing information, server 10 can recognize whether or not a user has viewed the content. In addition to information indicating whether or not a user has viewed the content, browsing information may or may not include information about the possibility of the user viewing the content, information about the amount of content the user has viewed (progress), and information about the content the user viewed.

The information transmission/reception unit 222 has the function of receiving information about community sites selected by the control unit 11 of the server 10 (hereinafter referred to as "community site information").

Community site information is information about a community site that is displayed on the display unit 24 of terminal 20. The community site information can be anything, as long as it allows the user of terminal 20 to recognize the existence of the community site through its display on the display unit 24. For example, the community site information could be information about links that the user can access to the community site, information about the name of the community site, or information about the name of the theme of the community site.

Figure 3 shows an example of a function realized by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 in this embodiment.

As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 21 includes a terminal main processing unit 211, an information transmission/reception processing unit 212, and a display processing unit 213.

The terminal main processing unit 211 has the function of executing terminal main processing, which is processing for comprehensively controlling the terminal 20, according to the terminal main processing program 281 stored in the storage unit 28.

For example, the terminal main processing unit 211 has the function of sending information about content acquired by the user on the terminal 20 to the server 10, and receiving information about content distributed from the server 10, via the communication unit 22.

Furthermore, the information transmission and reception processing unit 212 has the function of executing the process of transmitting user viewing information in the content to the server 10 via the communication unit 22.

The information transmission and reception processing unit 212 executes a process to send information to the server 10 as viewing information, indicating whether or not the user has viewed the content acquired on the terminal 20.

Furthermore, the information transmission/reception processing unit 212 has the function of receiving information from the server 10 via the communication unit 22, based on the community site selected by the control unit 11 of the server 10.

The display processing unit 213 performs the process of displaying the community site information received from the server 10 on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20.

Furthermore, the display processing unit 213 controls the presentation of community site information received from the server 10 to the user (see, for example, Figures 7 and 8 described later).

Figure 4 shows an example of the information stored in terminal 20 in this embodiment.

The memory unit 28 stores, for example, a terminal main processing program 281 that is read and executed by the control unit 21. The terminal main processing program 281 also includes, for example, an information transmission/reception program 282, which is read and executed by the control unit 21 as information transmission/reception processing, and a display processing program 283, which is executed as display processing, as subroutine programs.

Furthermore, the memory unit 28 stores user content browsing information 284 and community site information 285 received from the server 10.

(2) Server Functional Configuration Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functions realized by the communication unit 14 of the server 10 in this embodiment.
The communication unit 14 may include, but is not limited to, a communication main processing unit 141 and an information transmission/reception unit 142.

The communication main processing unit 141 has the function of executing communication main processing, which is the process of sending and receiving content with the terminal 20, under the control of the control unit 11. For example, the communication main processing unit 141 has the function of receiving information on content acquired by the user of the terminal 20, and transmitting information on content to be delivered to the terminal 20.

The information transmission/reception unit 142 has the function of receiving user browsing information transmitted by the terminal 20.

Furthermore, the information transmission/reception unit 142 has the function of transmitting community site information selected by the control unit 11. Specifically, if community site information is selected by the control unit 11, the information transmission/reception unit 142 transmits the community site information to the terminal 20; if community site information is not selected by the control unit 11, the information transmission/reception unit 142 does not transmit the community site information to the terminal 20.

Figure 6 shows an example of a function realized by the control unit 11 of the server 10 in this embodiment.

As shown in Figure 6, the control unit 11 includes a server main processing unit 111, an information transmission/reception processing unit 112, and a selection processing unit 113.

The server main processing unit 111 has the function of executing server main processing, which is the processing for comprehensively controlling the server 10, according to the server main processing program 151 stored in the storage unit 15. For example, the server main processing unit 111 has the function of receiving information on content acquired by the user of terminal 20, and transmitting information on content to be distributed to terminal 20.

The information transmission/reception processing unit 112 has the function of receiving user browsing information transmitted from the terminal 20 via the communication unit 14.

Furthermore, the information transmission/reception processing unit 112 has the function of transmitting the community site information selected by the selection processing unit 113 to the terminal 20 via the communication unit 14.

The selection processing unit 113 has the function of selecting a community site based on content viewing information of the user of terminal 20 received via the communication unit 14. For example, the selection processing unit 113 selects a community site from among several already created community sites in the messaging service provided by server 10.

The community sites selected by the selection processing unit 113 are those that contain information about content viewed by the user.

For example, if a user views content AA, the community site selected by the selection processing unit 113 will be a community site containing content related to content AA.

For example, suppose there are three community sites related to content AA: Site 1, Site 2, and Site 3. In this case, the selection processing unit 113 selects Site 1, Site 2, and Site 3.

When community site information is selected by the selection processing unit 113, the information transmission/reception processing unit 112 performs the process of transmitting the community site information to the terminal 20.

As a result, the community site information transmitted by the server 10 is received by terminal 20, and the community site information is presented to the user via terminal 20.

For example, suppose an application for viewing various types of content (such as an e-book reader for reading comics or books) is installed on terminal 20. As shown in Figure 7A, suppose the user selects content AA from the content selection screen of this application on terminal 20 and launches content AA. Figure 7A shows an example where content AB, content XY, content YZ, and content AA are available for selection on the content selection screen.

The content selection screen may or may not display the content in order of volume number, for example, if it is a series such as a manga or novel. When content AA is launched, it opens, allowing the user to view it. For example, if content AA is a manga with 112 pages, as shown in Figure 7B, the terminal 20 displays that the user has viewed 35 pages of content AA, as indicated by "35/112" in the lower right corner. In this case, the viewing information transmitted from terminal 20 to server 10 indicates that 35 pages have been viewed, and server 10 recognizes that the user was viewing content AA.

Here, let's assume that there are three community sites related to the content AA: Site 1, Site 2, and Site 3. In this case, the selection processing unit 113 selects Site 1, Site 2, and Site 3. Then, the communication unit 14 transmits this community site information to Terminal 20.

As a result, when terminal 20 receives community site information from server 10, information for the first site, second site, and third site is displayed on the user's terminal 20, as shown in Figure 7C. The timing of when the community site information is displayed on terminal 20 may be at the time terminal 20 receives the community site information, or it may be at a later time.

Figure 7C shows a button with the word "GO" displayed on the far right of each site. Users can access the corresponding site by tapping or clicking this button. Note that the button does not necessarily need to be displayed in Figure 7C.

Furthermore, in the examples shown in Figures 7A-C, community site information was transmitted based on the user having viewed at least a portion of the content. However, community site information may be transmitted even if the user has not viewed the content. For example, as shown in Figure 8A, suppose a user downloads content AA to an app from a website (download site) where content AA is available for download. In other words, suppose the user has obtained content AA.

As a result, as shown in Figure 8B, content AA is added to the list of content on the content selection screen of the application displayed on the user's terminal 20. This allows the server 10 to obtain viewing information indicating that the user can view content AA, and the selection processing unit 113 selects a community site. The selected community site information is then transmitted to the terminal 20.

Subsequently, for example, when using the app later, or when launching Content AA, the community site information will be displayed on the terminal 20, as shown in Figure 8C. The timing of the display of the community site information on the terminal 20 may be at the time the terminal 20 receives the community site information, or it may be at a later time.

Furthermore, if no community site related to content AA exists, the selection processing unit 113 will not select community site information. In this case, as described above, the process of transmitting community site information via the communication unit 14 by the information transmission/reception unit 142 will not be performed.

Furthermore, the selection processing unit 113 may or may not select community site information if the user has not viewed content AA in the browsing information. In this case, if the selection processing unit 113 does not select community site information, the process of transmitting community site information via the communication unit 14 by the information transmission/reception unit 142, as described above, will not be performed.

Figure 9 shows an example of the information stored in the server 10 in this embodiment.

The memory unit 15 stores, for example, a server main processing program 151 that is read and executed by the control unit 11. The server main processing program 151 also includes, for example, an information transmission/reception program 152, which is read and executed by the control unit 11 as information transmission/reception processing, and a selection processing program 153, which is executed as selection processing, as subroutine programs.

Furthermore, the memory unit 15 stores the browsing information 154 received from the terminal 20 and the community site information 155 selected by the selection processing unit 113.

<Information Processing>
Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in this embodiment. From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, respectively.

The following flowchart illustrates the process of this embodiment. Some steps in the flowchart may be omitted, or additional steps may be inserted. The same applies to other flowcharts in this specification.

First, as shown in Figure 10, the user performs an operation to acquire content via the input/output unit 23 of the terminal 20. As a result, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits content acquisition information via the communication unit 22 (step S101).

When server 10 receives content acquisition information, the control unit 11 of server 10 distributes the content information to terminal 20 (step S201).

When content information is delivered to terminal 20, the control unit 21 of terminal 20 transmits content viewing information to server 10 (step S102). Note that the control unit 21 of terminal 20 may or may not transmit content viewing information to server 10 after the user has acquired the content, depending on the progress of viewing.

The control unit 11 of the server 10, having acquired content viewing information, selects a community site related to the content (step S202).

Then, once a community site is selected, the control unit 11 of the server 10 sends information about the selected community site to the terminal 20 (step S203). If the control unit 11 of the server 10 finds no community site to select, steps S202 and S203 are skipped.

Upon receiving information from the community site, the control unit 21 of terminal 20 displays the community site information on the display unit 24 of terminal 20 (step S103). After steps S103 and S203, this control process ends. Note that if steps S202 and S203 are skipped, step S103 is also skipped, and this control process ends.

<Effects of the First Embodiment>
According to the first embodiment configured as described above, the communication unit 14 of the server 10 receives browsing information of the terminal 20 user regarding the browsing of content viewable on the terminal 20, and the control unit 11 of the server 10 selects a community site based on the user's content browsing information. Specifically, the control unit 11 of the server 10 selects a community site that contains information on content that the user has viewed or may view.

Then, the communication unit 14 of the server 10 transmits the information of the selected community site to the terminal 20, and the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 presents the information of that community site to the user via the display unit 24.

This allows us to guide users to community sites that are suitable for their content, making it easier for them to participate in those communities.

Furthermore, these effects may also lead to the following incidental effects.

For example, if a community site containing information the user is unaware of exists within the content, and information about the community site is not provided, the user may find that community site and mistakenly join it. In the first embodiment, another effect is that information about the community site selected by the control unit 11 of the server 10 is presented, making it easier for the user to join the appropriate community site. This prevents the user from mistakenly joining a community site containing information they are unaware of, thus suppressing the leakage of content information resulting from opening a community site.

Furthermore, since the community site selected by the control unit 11 is a community site related to the content, information about the community site is presented to the user. As a result, users who participate in the community site can improve their satisfaction with the content by posting and interacting with other users. Consequently, a beneficial service can be provided to the user.

Furthermore, by improving user satisfaction with the content, it becomes possible to encourage users to purchase (acquire) the rest of the content.

Furthermore, as user satisfaction with content improves, users may encourage non-participating users, who are registered on their devices but have not yet joined the community site, to participate. This can enrich user interaction within the community site by encouraging non-participating users to join.

Furthermore, as user satisfaction improves, users can expand their content purchase base by communicating content information to non-purchasing users registered on their devices.

<First variation (1)>
In the first embodiment, the communication unit 14 transmitted information about a community site selected by the control unit 11 even if the user was not viewing the content, as long as there was a possibility of viewing the content. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.
In the first modified example (1), the communication unit 14 (information transmission/reception unit 142) may transmit information from the community site to the terminal 20 based on the content viewed by the terminal 20.

In other words, for example, as shown in the example in Figure 7, when a user launches Content AA and actually views Content AA, the communication unit 14 transmits information about the community site to the terminal 20. In this case, the viewing information transmitted from the terminal 20 to the server 10 is information indicating that the user viewed Content AA.

As a result, similar to the first embodiment, if there are a first site, a second site, and a third site as community sites related to content AA, the selection processing unit 113 selects the first site, the second site, and the third site. Then, the communication unit 14 transmits this community site information to the terminal 20 based on the content viewing by the terminal 20.

As a result, the user's terminal 20 displays information from the first site, the second site, and the third site.

<Information Processing>
Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the first modified example (1). From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, respectively.

The following flowchart illustrates the process of this modified example. Some steps in the flowchart may be omitted, or additional steps may be inserted. These limitations also apply to other flowcharts in this specification.

First, as shown in Figure 11, the user performs an operation to acquire content via the input/output unit 23 of the terminal 20. As a result, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits content acquisition information via the communication unit 22 (step S101).

When server 10 receives content acquisition information, the control unit 11 of server 10 distributes the content information to terminal 20 (step S201).

When content information is delivered to terminal 20, the control unit 21 of terminal 20 determines whether or not the user has viewed the content (step S1011). If the determination shows that the user has not viewed the content (step S1011, NO), the process in step S1011 is repeated.

On the other hand, if the user views the content (step S1011, YES), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits content viewing information to the server 10 (step S102). The control unit 21 of the terminal 20 may or may not transmit content viewing information to the server 10 even before the user views the content, depending on the viewing progress.

The control unit 11 of the server 10, having acquired content viewing information, selects a community site related to the content (step S202). The control unit 11 of the server 10 may select the community site related to the content at the time the user views the content, or at the time the user acquires the content.

Then, once a community site is selected, the control unit 11 of the server 10 sends information about the selected community site to the terminal 20 (step S203). If the control unit 11 of the server 10 finds no community site to select, steps S202 and S203 are skipped. Furthermore, if the browsing information indicates that the user has not viewed any content, step S203 is also skipped.

Upon receiving information from the community site, the control unit 21 of terminal 20 displays the community site information on the display unit 24 of terminal 20 (step S103). After steps S103 and S203, this control process ends. If step S203 is skipped, step S103 is also skipped, and this control process ends.

<Effects of the first modified example (1)>
In the first modified example (1), the communication unit 14 transmits community site information to the terminal 20 based on the content viewed by the terminal 20.

This allows users to be guided to community sites containing information related to the content they have viewed, making it easier for them to participate in community sites.

Therefore, by further reducing the risk of users mistakenly joining community sites that contain information they are unaware of, information leaks resulting from opening community sites can be suppressed.

<First variation (2)>
In the first modified example (1), the communications unit 14 transmitted community site information to the terminal 20 based on the viewing of content, but this disclosure is not limited to this.
In the first modified example (2), the communication unit 14 (information transmission/reception unit 142) may transmit community site information to the terminal 20 based on the completion of content viewing by the terminal 20.

In the first modified example (2), the browsing information indicates whether or not the user has completed viewing the content.

For example, as shown in Figure 12, suppose a user who has acquired content AA completes viewing content AA on terminal 20. In this case, the viewing information transmitted from terminal 20 to server 10 will be information indicating that the user has completed viewing content AA. Content AA is, for example, a book with 112 pages. In the example shown in Figure 12A, the last page (page 112) of content AA contains the word "FIN," indicating the end of content AA.

As a result, similar to the first embodiment, if there are three community sites related to content AA—a first site, a second site, and a third site—the selection processing unit 113 selects the first site, the second site, and the third site. Then, the communication unit 14 transmits this community site information to the terminal 20 based on the content viewing activity.

As a result, as shown in Figure 12B, the user's terminal 20 displays information for the first site, the second site, and the third site. The timing of when the community site information is displayed on terminal 20 may be at the time terminal 20 receives the community site information, or it may be at a later time.

Furthermore, Figure 12B shows an example of guidance information: "Thank you for viewing. You can share your thoughts on the following website." The process of displaying information guiding users to participate in the suggested community site may or may not be executed.

<Information Processing>
Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the first modified example (2). From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, respectively.

The following flowchart illustrates the process of this modified example. Some steps in the flowchart may be omitted, or additional steps may be inserted. These limitations also apply to other flowcharts in this specification.

First, as shown in Figure 13, the user performs an operation to acquire content via the input/output unit 23 of the terminal 20. As a result, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits content acquisition information via the communication unit 22 (step S101).

When server 10 receives content acquisition information, the control unit 11 of server 10 distributes the content information to terminal 20 (step S201).

When content information is delivered to terminal 20, the control unit 21 of terminal 20 determines whether the user has finished viewing the content (step S1012). If the determination shows that the user has not finished viewing the content (step S1012, NO), the process in step S1012 is repeated.

On the other hand, if the user has finished viewing the content (step S1012, YES), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits the content viewing information to the server 10 (step S102). The control unit 21 of the terminal 20 may or may not transmit the content viewing information to the server 10 even before the user has viewed the content, depending on the progress of the viewing.

The control unit 11 of the server 10, having acquired content viewing information, selects a community site related to the content (step S202). The control unit 11 of the server 10 may select the community site related to the content either when the user has finished viewing the content or before the user has finished viewing the content.

Then, once a community site is selected, the control unit 11 of the server 10 sends information about the selected community site to the terminal 20 (step S203). If the control unit 11 of the server 10 finds no community site to select, steps S202 and S203 are skipped.

Upon receiving information from the community site, the control unit 21 of terminal 20 displays the community site information on the display unit 24 of terminal 20 (step S103). After steps S103 and S203, this control process ends. Note that if steps S202 and S203 are skipped, step S103 is also skipped, and this control process ends.

<Effects of the first modified example (2)>
In the first modified example (2), the communication unit 14 transmits community site information to the terminal 20 based on the completion of content viewing by the terminal 20.
This means that community site information is displayed only after the user has finished viewing the content, allowing the user to participate in the community site with a complete understanding of its contents.

Furthermore, since users have completed viewing the content, another benefit is that it effectively prevents them from inadvertently joining community sites that contain information they are unaware of. This further reduces the leakage of information related to the content that could result from opening community sites.

<First variation (3)>
In the first embodiment and the first modification (1), the browsing information was information indicating whether or not the user viewed the content, and in the first modification (2), the browsing information was information indicating whether or not the user completed viewing the content; however, the disclosure is not limited thereto.
In the first modified example (3), the browsing information may be information relating to the amount of content viewed by the user of terminal 20.

The amount of content viewed refers to the progress made in viewing the content, or the total amount of content viewed. For example, the amount of content viewed includes the amount viewed from the beginning to the end of the content, or the total amount viewed in cases where content was viewed partially. For instance, if the content consists of multiple pages or chapters, the viewing information includes the number of pages and page numbers viewed, and the number of chapters viewed and chapter numbers viewed. Furthermore, the number of pages and chapters viewed includes not only the total from the beginning to the point reached, but also the total number of pages or chapters viewed partially. If the content is a video (e.g., a movie or drama) or other content composed of time units, the viewing information includes information about the time range viewed. Furthermore, the time range information includes the total time range from the beginning to the point reached, as well as the total time range of partial viewing. Finally, if the content is one volume of a multi-volume set (multiple content pieces), such as a manga or novel, the viewing information includes information about the volume of the manga or novel viewed, in addition to the page count and page numbers mentioned above.

The selection processing unit 113 selects community sites related to the amount of content the user has viewed, for example, based on browsing information. Specifically, the selection processing unit 113 selects community sites that contain content related to the amount of content the user has viewed.

Furthermore, in this case, the selection processing unit 113 may or may not select community sites that contain only content related to the amount of content viewed by the user.

For example, suppose the browsing information pertains to the number of volumes of a novel that have been viewed. Let's say the latest volume is volume 5, and the user has read volumes 1 through 3. In this case, suppose there is a community site containing content from volumes 1 through 3, and another community site containing content from volume 4.

In this case, the selection processing unit 113 selects community sites containing the content of volumes 1-3, but does not select community sites containing the content of volume 4. As a result, the user is presented with community sites related to the sections they have viewed.

Furthermore, community sites containing content from multiple volumes, such as volumes 1-3, include community sites containing content from one volume, and community sites containing content from two or more volumes.

<Effects of the first modified example (3)>
In the first modified example (3), the browsing information is information about the amount of content viewed by the user of terminal 20.

This allows us to present users with community sites related to the parts of the content they have viewed and progressed through. As a result, it becomes easier for users to participate in community sites related to the parts of the content they have understood.

Incidentally, because each user views content to a different extent, users B and C, who have already viewed information that user A has not yet seen, may post messages on the community site. Therefore, if user A opens this community site, content information will be leaked to user A. In contrast, in the first modification (3), if the control unit 11 of the server 10 selects a community site that includes only content related to the amount of content viewed, such as content corresponding to the progress of content viewing, it is possible to prevent a user from mistakenly joining a community site that includes parts they have not yet viewed. As a result, the leakage of content information caused by opening a community site can be further suppressed.

Furthermore, the content includes manga or novels, and the viewing information includes information about the volume of the manga or novel that was viewed.

Comics or novels, which are often composed of multiple volumes, frequently constitute a single piece of content per volume. Since multiple pieces of content within each volume may share the same name, users are prone to mistakenly joining community sites corresponding to different volumes. However, in the first modified example (3) (first embodiment), since the browsing information is related to the volume number, the system selects a community site corresponding to the user's browsing information. As a result, it is possible to suppress users from mistakenly joining community sites corresponding to different volumes.

<First variation (4)>
In the first modification (3), the browsing information was information about the amount of content viewed by the user, but this disclosure is not limited to this.
In the first modified example (4), the browsing information may be information about the content viewed by the user of terminal 20.

The content viewed by users refers to a portion of the content itself, such as the central points or elements that are likely to capture the user's interest. For example, if the content is a series of stories (such as a comic, novel, or film), this would include keywords indicating important events, characters, or items within the story. Similarly, if the content is a news article or column, this would include the central points or conclusions presented within the article.

The selection processing unit 113 selects, for example, community sites related to the content the user has viewed, based on browsing information. Specifically, the selection processing unit 113 selects community sites that contain content related to the content the user has viewed.

Furthermore, in this case, the selection processing unit 113 may or may not select community sites that contain only content related to the content viewed by the user.

For example, suppose the content is a movie, and multiple community sites have been created. In this case, suppose there are community sites that discuss a particular scene from the movie, and other community sites that do not discuss that scene.

In this case, if the user is viewing that particular scene, the selection processing unit 113 selects a community site where that scene is being discussed. This makes it easier for the user to participate in community sites specifically focused on that particular scene.

Furthermore, if the user has not viewed that particular scene, the selection processing unit 113 selects a community site where that scene is not being discussed. This prevents the user from being presented with community sites containing information about a scene they are not yet aware of, thus preventing them from mistakenly joining a community site that contains information they have not viewed.

<Effects of the first modified example (4)>
In the first modified example (4), the browsing information is information about the content viewed by the user of terminal 20.

This allows us to present users with community sites that specialize in aspects of the content that tend to generate high levels of user engagement. As a result, by participating in these community sites and enjoying interactions with other users, we can contribute to increased user satisfaction.

Furthermore, by selecting community sites that only contain content related to what the user has viewed, it is possible to prevent users from accidentally joining community sites that include content they have not yet viewed. As a result, information leaks resulting from opening community sites can be further reduced.

<First variation (5)>
In the first embodiment and each of its modifications, it was only mentioned that the communication unit 14 transmits community site information selected by the control unit 11 to the terminal 20. However, in the first modification (5), the information transmission/reception unit 142 of the communication unit 14 transmits community site information, including identification information for identifying the community site, to the terminal 20.

The identification information is, for example, information used to distinguish a community site from other community sites in the messaging service provided by server 10. The identification information can be any information, as long as it allows terminal 20 to distinguish the community site selected by the selection processing unit 113 from the information of other community sites. The identification information may include, for example, information consisting only of a single number, alphabet, and symbol, or information consisting of multiple randomly selected numbers, alphabets, and symbols, or it may not include such information. Furthermore, flag information may or may not be used as identification information to distinguish whether or not a community site is selected.

The identification information is assigned to the community site information by, for example, the information transmission/reception processing unit 112, and then transmitted by the information transmission/reception unit 142.

Figure 14 shows an example of information stored in the server 10 in this embodiment.

The server main processing program 151 in the storage unit 15 includes, as a subroutine program, an assignment processing program 156 that executes the assignment process of assigning identification information to community site information. Furthermore, the storage unit 15 stores, for example (not limited to), the information shown in Figure 9, as well as identification information 157 that is assigned to community site information 155.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 15, the storage unit 28 of the terminal 20 stores, for example, the information shown in Figure 4, as well as identification information 286 assigned to the community site information 285.

<Effects of the first modified example (5)>
In the first modified example (5), the communication unit 14 may transmit community site information, including identification information for identifying the community site, to the terminal 20.

This makes it easier for terminal 20 to identify the community site selected by server 10 based on its identification information. As a result, the correct community site can be presented to terminal 20.

<First variation (6)>
In the first embodiment, a list of community sites was simply displayed, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.
In the first modified example (6), the display processing unit 213 may, for example, change the display order of the list of community sites according to the level of activity of the community sites.

For example, the display processing unit 213 changes the display order of community sites to show them in order of the number of participants.

For example, as shown in Figure 16, suppose the community sites selected by the server 10 are Site 1, Site 2, and Site 3. If, for instance, Site 3 had the most participants, followed by Site 1, and then Site 2, the display processing unit 213 will display the community sites in the order of Site 3, Site 1, and Site 2 from top to bottom. Figure 16A in Figure 16 shows the display order of the community sites before it is changed, while Figure 16B shows the display order after it has been changed.

While the number of participants is used as an example to illustrate the activity level of a community site, this disclosure is not limited to this. Any indicator that clearly shows the activity level of a community site is acceptable, such as the number of posts, user ratings, rankings, or search volume.

<Effects of the first modified example (6)>
In the first modified example (6), the display processing unit 213 changes the display order of the list of community sites according to the level of activity on each community site.

By doing so, in the first modified example (6), the number of users within the community site can be further increased, and the level of engagement in user-to-user interaction can be further promoted.

<Second Embodiment>
Community sites corresponding to the above-mentioned content are generally created by users who have viewed the content and become interested in it. However, for example, when the latest content is released, it has not yet been viewed by users. Therefore, a community site corresponding to the content may not exist until it is created by users.

The second embodiment is an embodiment that performs a process to generate a community site based on the distribution of content.
The description of the second embodiment is applicable to any of the other embodiments.

The communication unit 14 of the server 10 in the second embodiment, as an example and not an limitation, includes a communication main processing unit 141 and an information transmission/reception unit 142, similar to the first embodiment (see Figure 5). The communication main processing unit 141 has the same functions as in the first embodiment.

The information transmission/reception unit 142 has the function of transmitting community site information (community site information) generated by the control unit 11 of the server 10. Specifically, if community site information is generated by the control unit 11, the information transmission/reception unit 142 transmits the community site information to the terminal 20; if community site information is not generated by the control unit 11, the information transmission/reception unit 142 does not transmit the community site information to the terminal 20.

Figure 17 shows an example of a function realized by the control unit 11 of the server 10 in the second embodiment.

As shown in Figure 17, the control unit 11 includes a server main processing unit 111, an information transmission/reception processing unit 112, and a generation processing unit 114. The server main processing unit 111 has the same functions as in the first embodiment described above.

The information transmission/reception processing unit 112 has the function of transmitting community site information generated by the generation processing unit 114 to the terminal 20 via the communication unit 14.

The generation processing unit 114 performs the process of generating the community site based on the fact that the content has been delivered to the user.

Furthermore, the delivery of content to the user includes the delivery of content to the user's terminal 20 and the availability of content delivery to the user's terminal 20. The availability of content delivery to the user's terminal 20 includes the ability to select content on the page accessed by the user when acquiring the content, and, if a content delivery server exists separately from server 10, the transmission of information regarding the delivery of content from the content delivery server to server 10.

When the generation processing unit 114 initiates the community site generation process, the information transmission/reception unit 142 of the communication unit 14 transmits the community site information to the user's terminal 20.

For example, suppose a content download site updates its content, making it available for download on the user's device 20. In this case, at an appropriate time, such as when the content becomes available for download, the server 10 may create a community site related to the content and send information about the community site to the device 20.

This means that when a user retrieves content on device 20, the community site is automatically generated, eliminating the need for the user to create the community site themselves and ultimately improving user convenience.

Figure 18 shows an example of information stored in the server 10 in the second embodiment.

The memory unit 15 stores, for example, a server main processing program 151 that is read and executed by the control unit 11. The server main processing program 151 also includes, for example, an information transmission/reception program 152, which is read and executed by the control unit 11 as information transmission/reception processing, and a generation processing program 158, which is executed as generation processing, as subroutine programs.

Furthermore, the memory unit 15 stores the community site information 155 generated by the generation processing unit 114.

<Information Processing>
Figure 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow executed by the server 10 in the second embodiment.

As shown in Figure 19, the control unit 11 executes a process to make the content available for distribution (step S1201). This process includes, for example, making the content viewable to the user, and distributing the content to the user when the user acquires it.

The control unit 11 executes a process to generate a community site related to the content (step S1202). Then, the control unit 11 performs a process to send the community site information to the user (step S1203). After step S1203, this control terminates.

<Effects of the second embodiment>
In the second embodiment, a process is performed to generate a community site based on the distribution of content, and information about the community site is transmitted to the terminal 20.

This means that when content is distributed, a community site related to that content is automatically generated. Therefore, it eliminates the need for users to manually create community sites for their content, ultimately improving user convenience.

Furthermore, these effects may also lead to the following incidental effects.

Since the community site generated by the control unit 11 is a community site related to the content, it becomes easier for users who have viewed the content to participate in the community site. As a result, users can improve their satisfaction with the content by posting on the community site and interacting with other users. Consequently, a beneficial service can be provided to users.

Furthermore, the second embodiment may or may not have the functions of the first embodiment, etc.

<Second variation (1)>
In the second modified example (1), the generation processing unit 114 may perform a process to generate a second community site different from the first community site based on the fact that the second content was distributed before the first content. In other words, the generation processing unit 114 may generate a community site for content each time content is distributed. Specifically, the generation processing unit 114 generates the first community site when the first content is distributed, but if there is a second content that was distributed before the first content, it also generates the second community site when that second content is distributed. Therefore, the second community site may or may not be generated before the first community site is generated.

Content 1 and Content 2 are content with different release dates and content, and Content 1 is a continuation of Content 2. Content 1 and Content 2 may or may not be content included in multiple pieces of a series that constitutes a set of stories.

For example, if the content consists of multiple episodes, such as in a movie or drama, and the second content is episodes 1 through 5, then the first content would be, for example, episode 6 and beyond. Similarly, if the content consists of multiple volumes, such as in a manga or novel, and the second content is one of volumes 1 through 4, then the first content would be, for example, volume 5 and beyond.

The first community site is a community site related to the first content, and is generated based on the distribution of the first content.

The second community site is a community site related to the second content, and as described above, it is a community site generated based on the distribution of the second content.

For example, as shown in Figure 20, if the content consists of multiple volumes (e.g., five volumes) of manga or novels, the generation processing unit 114 may generate a community site for volume 4 based on the distribution of volume 4. For instance, the generation processing unit 114 generates the community site for volume 4 at the time of distribution of volume 4.

Furthermore, if the content for volume 5 becomes available for distribution after the content for volume 4, the generation processing unit 114 may generate a community site for volume 5 related to the content of volume 5, based on the distribution of the volume 5 content. For example, the generation processing unit 114 generates the community site for volume 5 at the time the content for volume 5 is distributed.

This will result in the creation of community sites related to each of the multiple content items. For example, it will be possible to prevent a user who has viewed the content of Volume 5 (which was released after Volume 4) from mistakenly joining the community site for Volume 4, which is related to the content of Volume 4.

Furthermore, the content of Volume 5 corresponds to Content 1, and the content of Volume 4 corresponds to Content 2. Also, the community site for Volume 5 corresponds to Community Site 1, and the community site for Volume 4 corresponds to Community Site 2. While the above example shows a community site for one volume, it is not limited to this; community sites for multiple volumes may or may not be generated. Also, while the above example shows a community site for Volume 5 being generated upon the distribution of Volume 5's content, it is not limited to this; community sites for multiple volumes beyond Volume 5 (e.g., Volumes 5-10) may or may not be generated.

<Effects of the second modified example (1)>
In the second variation (1), based on the fact that the second content, which is related to the first content and was distributed before the first content, is distributed, a second community site different from the first community site is generated, and information about the second community site is transmitted to the terminal 20.

This approach generates a separate community site for each piece of content, allowing for the creation of a community site corresponding to each piece of content. A potential side effect of this is that it may be easier to prevent users who have finished viewing the first piece of content from leaking information about it within the second community site. Furthermore, if multiple pieces of content constitute a series, there is a possibility that a user might mistakenly join a community site corresponding to past content (the second piece of content) and leak information about the latest content (the first piece of content). However, in the second modification (1), since a separate community site is generated for each piece of content, it is possible to make it easier to prevent such information leaks.

Furthermore, in some cases, new content may be released as a sequel to a series, and in these cases, a community site (second community site) related to the previous content may exist. Therefore, if a user who has viewed the latest content posts about it on the existing community site, the content may be leaked (spoiled) to users who have not viewed the latest content.

In the second variation (1), the first content is a continuation of the second content. A first community site related to the first content is automatically generated.

Therefore, by creating a first community site for users who can understand the content of the first content, it is possible to prevent users from leaking information about the first content on the second community site corresponding to the second content.

Furthermore, by appropriately guiding users who have viewed the first content to the first community site, it is possible to prevent users from joining older community sites (not limited to, but an example of the second community site) related to older content (not limited to, but an example of the second content) that was distributed before the first content. As a result, it becomes easier to prevent users from leaking content information on older community sites.

<Second variation (2)>
In the second modified example (2), the generation processing unit 114 may configure the first community site to include at least some of the messages entered into the second community site by users included in the second community site before the first content is distributed. In other words, messages from a community site generated in the past may be copied to the newly generated community site.

For example, the first content may be content delivered after the second content, similar to the second modified example (1), and the generation processing unit 114 may generate a first community site related to the first content and a second community site related to the second content.

At least some of the messages entered by users included in the second community site include messages that were posted to the second community site at the time the first community site was created, and messages that were posted to the second community site between the creation of the first community site and the first message posted.

For example, suppose a community site for the latest volume of a multi-volume manga series is created when the latest volume is released. In this case, as shown in Figure 21, if there were existing community sites for previous volumes, the messages posted on those sites will be copied and included when the new community site for the latest volume is created.

For example, suppose a community site for past volumes is created at time t1, and a community site for the latest volume is created at time t2. In this case, messages are posted and the content is updated on the community site for past volumes between time t1 and time t2. The updated messages from the community site for past volumes are copied and used to create the community site for the latest volume.

This allows users to transition from the community site for older volumes to the community site for the latest volume, while maintaining the flow of their conversations from the older volume's community site.

Furthermore, the content of the latest volume corresponds to Content 1, and the content of previous volumes corresponds to Content 2. Also, the community site for the latest volume corresponds to Community Site 1, and the community site for previous volumes corresponds to Community Site 2. While the above example shows a community site for one volume, it is not limited to this; community sites for multiple volumes may or may not be created. Also, while the above example shows a community site for the latest volume being created upon the distribution of the latest volume's content, it is not limited to this; community sites for subsequent volumes may or may not be created.

<Effects of the second variation (2)>
Furthermore, the first community site includes at least some of the messages entered into the second community site by users included in the second community site before the first content is distributed.

As a result, the first community site inherits the flow of the second community site. This allows users who have finished viewing the content of the first community site to join the first community site while continuing the conversation flow from the second community site, thus enabling a smooth transition into the first community site.

<Second variation (3)>
In the second modified example (3), the control unit 11 of the server 10 may allow users to move freely between the first community site and the second community site. In other words, a community site may be generated in such a way that it is possible to move to another community site from within the community site. Specifically, a predetermined community site may be generated in such a way that a link to directly access another community site exists at a predetermined location within the predetermined community site, and users can move to another community site simply by navigating to that predetermined location. Therefore, users can access another community site without having to exit the predetermined community site, search for another community site, and then access that community site.

For example, the first community site, similar to the second variation (2), is a community site related to the first content and is generated based on the distribution of the first content. The second community site, similar to the second variation (2), is a community site related to the second content, which is distributed before the first content, and is generated before the first community site.

For example, similar to the second variation (2), suppose the community site for the latest volume was created by copying some of the messages entered into the community site for previous volumes (see Figure 21).

For example, as shown in Figure 22, the content of posts changes at the point indicated by the dashed line L in the community site for the latest volume (see Figure 22A) and the community site for past volumes (see Figure 22B). The dashed line L indicates the point in time when the community site for the latest volume was created. Furthermore, posts above the dashed line L are from before the community site for the latest volume was created, while posts below the dashed line L are from after the community site for the latest volume was created.

Some users who have moved from the community site for older volumes to the community site for the latest volume may want to check the content of the older volume community site after the creation of the latest volume community site. In other words, some users may want to check messages posted to the older volume community site after time t2, which is after the creation of the latest volume community site, as shown in Figure 21.

To address such cases, the generation processing unit 114 may perform a process that allows the content of the community site for the latest volume to be moved to a location corresponding to the content of the community site for the previous volume.

The process involves automatically redirecting users to the community site for past volumes when they navigate to a section containing content related to past volumes, or by displaying a link to the community site for past volumes.

For example, in Figure 22A, the dashed line L on the community site for the latest volume contains a link to the community site for past volumes. Clicking this link automatically moves the screen to the dashed line L on the community site for past volumes, as shown in Figure 22B.

Furthermore, the dashed line L on the community site for past volumes may or may not contain a link to the community site for the latest volume. Figure 22B shows an example where a link to the latest volume's community site exists. Clicking the link to the latest volume's community site will move the screen to the dashed line L on the latest volume's community site, as shown in Figure 22C. This allows for free movement between the two community sites.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned sections on the community sites for the latest volume and previous volumes may or may not display a notice stating that the content of the community site will change between the time of creation and after creation.

<Effects of the second variation (3)>
In the second modification (3), a process is implemented that allows users to freely move between the first community site and the second community site.

In this way, by implementing a process that allows users to move between sections of the first community site containing content from the second community site and corresponding sections of the second community site, users can freely move between the two community sites. Specifically, users can easily access the second community site from within the first community site without having to leave the first community site and search for and access the second community site. Furthermore, as a consequence of this effect, users can easily check unviewed content on the second community site. As a result, user convenience can be improved.

<Second variation (4)>
In the second modification (4), control may be implemented to restrict a user's access to the second community site based on their viewing of the first content. In other words, to prevent a user who has viewed new content from leaking information about the new content within the community site for past content, access to the community site for past content may be restricted for the user.

For example, the first content may be content delivered after the second content, similar to the second modified example (1), and the generation processing unit 114 may generate a first community site related to the first content and a second community site related to the second content.

The communication unit 14 of the server 10 in the second modified example (4) includes, as an example and not an limitation, a communication main processing unit 141 and an information transmission/reception unit 142, similar to the second embodiment described above. The communication main processing unit 141 has the same functions as in the second embodiment described above.

The information transmission/reception unit 142 has the same functions as in the second embodiment described above, as well as the function of transmitting restriction processing information to the terminal 20 that restricts the user's access to the second community site.

The restriction processing information concerns setting commands that restrict users of terminal 20 from accessing the second community site. These setting commands may include, but are not limited to, commands that prevent users from accessing the second community site on terminal 20, commands that prohibit access to the second community site, commands that forcibly remove users from the second community site even if they access it, or commands that allow access to the second community site but prevent posting.

When terminal 20 receives this restriction processing information, which is the setting command, terminal 20 configures the system to restrict the user's access to the second community site. In other words, users who view new content are restricted from accessing the community site containing past content, for example, by being denied access or being unable to view posts.

Figure 23 shows an example of a function realized by the control unit 11 of the server 10 in the second modified example (4).

As shown in Figure 23, the control unit 11 includes a server main processing unit 111, an information transmission/reception processing unit 112, a generation processing unit 114, and a restriction processing unit 115. The server main processing unit 111 and the generation processing unit 114 have the same functions as in the second embodiment described above.

The information transmission/reception processing unit 112 has the same functions as in the second embodiment described above, as well as the function of transmitting restriction processing information based on the control performed by the restriction processing unit 115 to the terminal 20.

The restriction processing unit 115 performs control to restrict access to the second community site by users based on their access to the first content. This access restriction control, for example, involves sending a setting command to restrict access to the second community site to the user of the terminal 20.

Furthermore, access restrictions may be implemented when the user begins viewing the first content, while the user is viewing the first content, when the user finishes viewing the first content, or when the user joins the first community site.

For example, suppose a user who was participating in the second community site begins viewing the first content. In this case, if the user continues to participate in the second community site, there is a possibility that information from the first content may be leaked to the second community site.

For example, if a manga or novel consists of multiple volumes (e.g., five volumes), and a user who has viewed volume four joins the community site for volume four, then when volume five is released and the user begins viewing it, they may continue to participate in the community site for volume four, potentially posting information about volume five within that community site.

In the second modification (4), user access to the community site for Volume 4 is restricted, thus preventing users who have learned about the contents of Volume 5 from leaking information about Volume 5's contents within the community site for Volume 4.

Furthermore, the content of Volume 5 corresponds to Content 1, and the content of Volume 4 corresponds to Content 2. Also, the community site for Volume 5 corresponds to Community Site 1, and the community site for Volume 4 corresponds to Community Site 2. While the above example shows a community site for one volume, it is not limited to this; community sites for multiple volumes may or may not be generated. Also, while the above example shows a community site for Volume 5 being generated upon the distribution of Volume 5's content, it is not limited to this; community sites for multiple volumes beyond Volume 5 (e.g., Volumes 5-10) may or may not be generated.

Figure 24 shows an example of the information stored in the server 10 in the second modified example (4).

In the memory unit 15, the server main processing program 151 includes, as an example (not limited to), a program similar to that in the second embodiment, as well as a subroutine program, a browsing restriction processing program 159 for executing control to restrict browsing.

Furthermore, in addition to the same information as in the second embodiment, the storage unit 15 stores restriction processing information 160 related to the setting command for access restrictions, which is processed by the restriction processing unit 115.

The restriction processing information transmitted by the control unit 11 of server 10 is received by the information transmission/reception processing unit 212 of terminal 20. Upon receiving the restriction processing information, terminal 20 sets restrictions on access to the second community site.

When such settings are made, the display processing unit 213 performs display processing that restricts access to the second community site.

For example, as shown in Figure 25, the display processing unit 213 may apply a mosaic or other effect to posts on the second community site to prevent the user from viewing them. Alternatively, the display processing unit 213 may hide the link to join the second community site, preventing the user from accessing it, or it may forcibly remove the user if they can access it, or it may prevent the user from posting even if they can access it.

Figure 26 shows an example of the information stored in terminal 20 in the second modified example (4).

The memory unit 28 stores a terminal main processing program 281 similar to that in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the terminal main processing program 281 includes, as an example (not limited to), an information transmission/reception program 282, which is read by the control unit 21 and executed as a transmission/reception process for restriction processing information, and a display processing program 283, which is executed as a display process, as subroutine programs.

Furthermore, the storage unit 28 stores user content browsing information 284, community site information 285 received from server 10, and restriction processing information 287 received from server 10.

<Information Processing>
Figure 27 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the second modified example (4). From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, respectively.

The following flowchart illustrates the process of the second modified example (4). Some steps in this flowchart may be omitted, or additional steps may be inserted. These limitations also apply to other flowcharts in this specification.

First, as shown in Figure 27, when the user begins viewing the first content, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits information to the server 10 via the communication unit 22 indicating that viewing of the first content has been completed (step S1301). Note that in step S1301, the viewing information may be transmitted to the server 10 at an appropriate timing while the user is viewing the first content, or it may be transmitted to the server 10 when the user has finished viewing the first content.

When server 10 receives browsing information, the control unit 11 of server 10 sends a command to restrict access to the second community site (step S1401).

Upon receiving a restriction command at terminal 20, the control unit 21 of terminal 20 restricts access to the second community site (step S1302). After steps S1302 and S1401, this control terminates.

<Effects of the second variation (4)>
In the second modification (4), by restricting user access to the second community site based on the viewing of the first content, it is possible to prevent users who have finished viewing the first content from leaking information about the first content on the second community site related to the second content.

<Second variation (5)>
In the second modification (4), we focused on the restriction processing unit 115 restricting access to the second community site, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.
For example, the restriction processing unit 115 may or may not lift the access restriction after a certain period of time has elapsed. In other words, if a user who has viewed new content has had access restrictions placed on a community site for past content to prevent information leakage of the new content, those restrictions may be lifted after a certain period of time has elapsed.

The specified period is a flexible period (e.g., three months) that can be set as appropriate, such as the period between when the first content (the latest content) becomes available for distribution and when subsequent content becomes available, a period during which the novelty of the first content wears off.

For example, the first content may be content delivered after the second content, similar to the second modified example (1), and the generation processing unit 114 may generate a first community site related to the first content and a second community site related to the second content.

For example, even if the restriction processing unit 115 applies a mosaic effect to messages within the community site, as shown in Figure 25, after a certain period of time, this mosaic effect will be removed, and the messages will become viewable from the user's terminal 20.

Furthermore, from the perspective of preventing the leakage of information from the first content, the restriction processing unit 115 may, even after lifting the viewing restriction, continue to prohibit user posting on the second community site.

<Effects of the second variation (5)>
In the second modification (5), the restriction processing unit 115 lifts the viewing restriction after a certain period of time has elapsed. This allows the user to check messages posted to the second community site while the viewing restriction was in place. Furthermore, since the viewing restriction is in place for at least a certain period of time, the restriction is in place immediately after the user views the first content, which is the content about which the user is most likely to want to post a message, thus discouraging the user from posting a message to the second community site. As a result, the leakage of information from the first content can be suppressed.

<Second variation (6)>
If newly released content (an example of the first content, not limited content) is a continuation of previous content (an example of the second content, not limited content), then if a first user who has not yet viewed the newly released content joins a community site related to that content (an example of the first community site, not limited content), information about the newly released content will be leaked. Therefore, it is assumed that first users will not voluntarily join that community site until they have viewed the newly released content.

However, some first-time users, after finishing viewing past content, may choose not to purchase newly released content for various reasons. In such cases, users who previously joined the community site for the newly released content and had interacted with the first-time user to some extent on the community site for the past content may lose contact with the first-time user.

In the second modified example (6), control may be implemented to enable the first user in the second community site to view the first content based on the first input from the user of terminal 20 to the first user in the second community site. In other words, support may be provided to encourage users who met on a community site for past content to view new content. For example, new content may be gifted to a user who met on a community site for past content, enabling them to view the new content.

For example, the first content may be content delivered after the second content, similar to the second modified example (1), and the generation processing unit 114 may generate a first community site related to the first content and a second community site related to the second content.

Figure 28 shows an example of a function realized by the control unit 11 of the server 10 in the second modified example (6).

As shown in Figure 28, the control unit 11 includes a server main processing unit 111, an information transmission/reception processing unit 112, a generation processing unit 114, a restriction processing unit 115, and a viewable processing unit 117. The server main processing unit 111, the generation processing unit 114, and the restriction processing unit 115 have the same functions as in the second modified example (4) described above.

The information transmission/reception processing unit 112 has the same functions as in the second modified example (4) described above, as well as the function of transmitting viewable information to the terminal 20 based on the control performed by the viewable processing unit 117.

The information available for viewing includes information that enables the first user to view the first content, information that prompts the second user to provide initial input to enable the first user to view the first content, and information that enables the first user to view the first content once the initial input has been provided.

Information that would enable viewing could include, for example, information regarding purchasing the first content on behalf of the first user and then gifting the first content to the first user.

Furthermore, information that enables viewing may include, in addition to gifts, the second user contributing to the cost of the first content so that the first and second users can jointly purchase the first content, the second user purchasing a portion of the first content, or the first user purchasing the first content and then presenting another gift to the first user.

Other gifts may include points usable for a specified service, gifts, or expansions of free services in other content. Expansion of free services might include, for example, increasing the number of free reading slots or enabling trial readings if the other content is books such as manga.

User 1 is a user included in Community Site 2, and User 2 is a user who moved from Community Site 2 to Community Site 1. In other words, both User 1 and User 2 were included in the community site for past content, but as User 2 began viewing new content, User 2 moved from the community site for past content to the community site for new content.

The accessibility processing unit 117 performs the process of transmitting information via the communication unit 14 to the terminal 20 of the second user who has moved from the second community site to the first community site, enabling the first user to view the first content.

When the second user's terminal 20 receives information, as shown in Figure 29, the display processing unit 213 of the terminal 20 performs display processing that prompts the second user to input information to enable the first user to view the first content. For example, a display prompting the second user's terminal 20 to input information to recommend the first content as a gift is shown.

When the second user agrees to gift the first content to the first user on terminal 20 and makes an input to purchase the first content (first input), the information of the first input is transmitted to the server 10 via the communication unit 22 of terminal 20.

The accessibility processing unit 117 performs control to enable the first user to view the first content based on the first input to the first user. This control involves sending the first content to the first user's terminal 20, thereby presenting the first content to the first user. As a result, the first user becomes able to view the first content.

For example, when the second user makes the first input, as shown in Figure 30, the first user's terminal 20 displays a message indicating that the second user has sent a gift of the first content. The first user can obtain the first content by tapping or clicking on the text portion of the first content.

Furthermore, as the number of users who can view the first content (first users) increases, the scope of services that first users receive (for example, expanding the scope of trial reading) may or may not be expanded as information to enable the above-mentioned viewing.

Figure 31 shows an example of the information stored in the server 10 in the second modified example (6).

In the memory unit 15, the server main processing program 151 includes, as an example and not an exhaustive, a program similar to the second modified example (4), as well as a viewable processing program 163 as a subroutine program for controlling the viewable processing.

Furthermore, in addition to the same information as in the second modified example (4), the storage unit 15 stores viewable processing information 164 related to the viewable processing, which is processed by the viewable processing unit 117.

<Information Processing>
Figure 32 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the second modified example (6). From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the first terminal, the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, and the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the second terminal, respectively.

The following flowchart illustrates the process of the second modified example (6). Some steps in this flowchart may be omitted, or additional steps may be inserted. These limitations also apply to other flowcharts in this specification.

First, as shown in Figure 32, when the user of the first terminal completes viewing the first content and performs an operation to move to the first community site, the control unit 21 of the first terminal transmits information that the user has moved to the first community site to the server 10 via the communication unit 22 (step S1801).

When server 10 receives information that the user of the first terminal has moved to the first community site, the control unit 11 of server 10 sends input information to the first terminal to enable the first user of the second terminal to view the first community site (step S1901). The input information is, for example, information prompting the purchase of the first content as a gift.

In the first terminal, when the user of the first terminal agrees to the input information and makes an input to purchase the first content (first input), the control unit 21 of the first terminal transmits the information of the first input (step S1802). Note that this flowchart assumes that the user of the first terminal makes the first input.

Based on the reception of the first input, server 10 sends accessibility information to the first user on the second terminal (step S1902). The accessibility information is the information that grants access to the first community site by providing the first content.

Upon receiving information that the second terminal can view, the control unit 21 of the second terminal makes the first content viewable (step S2001). As a result, once the first user has finished viewing the first content, the first community site becomes accessible. After steps S1802, S1902, and S2001, this control process ends.

<Effects of the second variation (6)>
In this way, the second modified example (6) controls the first user to be able to view the first content based on the first input from the user of terminal 20 to the first user included in the second community site. As a result, the first user included in the second community site is made able to view the first content, and the relationship between the first user and the second user can be maintained in the first community site.

Furthermore, the first input includes input related to gifting the first content to the first user. In other words, the second user purchases the first content and gifts it to the first user, making it easier for the first user to view the content. As a result, the first user becomes more likely to participate in the first community site, thus facilitating the continuation of the relationship between the first and second users.

Furthermore, by encouraging second users to receive a free copy of the first content, it is possible to stimulate users' desire to purchase content, ultimately contributing to increased content sales.

<Second variation (7)>
In the second variation (7), information regarding a content survey may be sent to the user of terminal 20 based on the user viewing the distributed community site.

The control unit 11 of the server 10 in the second modified example (7) has the same configuration as the control unit 11 in the second embodiment.

The information transmission and reception processing unit 112 performs the process of transmitting information related to the content survey (survey information) to the terminal 20 via the communication unit 14, based on the fact that the user of the terminal 20 is viewing the distributed community site.

Upon receiving information about the survey, terminal 20 processes the display of the survey to users who have viewed content and attempted to navigate to the content's community site, or to users who have navigated to that community site.

The survey can be anything, including questions created by the content publisher, requests for opinions and evaluations of the content, popularity polls for characters within the content, and requests for feedback on the content's creator.

The survey information may be displayed, for example, when the user enters the community site, when they have finished viewing the content, while they are viewing the content, or while they are browsing the community site.

For example, as shown in Figure 33, suppose a user has finished viewing content AA (see Figure 33A) and has moved to a community site related to content AA. At that time, survey information is displayed on terminal 20 (see Figure 33B). This survey information consists of questions Q1, Q2, and Q3, to which the user answers with ○ or ×. By answering these questions and pressing the "submit" button, the survey results are sent to server 10.

Furthermore, the information transmission and reception processing unit 112 may or may not receive information from the user's survey results and extract key parts of the content, such as popular or interesting sections, from the collected survey results and present them to other users.

Furthermore, the extraction of the essential parts described above may be performed from messages posted on community sites, etc. Alternatively, the extraction of essential parts may be carried out by other processing units (for example, processing units related to artificial intelligence technology).

The information transmission/reception processing unit 112 may or may not perform the process of transmitting information that presents at least a portion of the survey results to other users. If the processing is performed to present at least a portion of the survey results to other users, the user may be given the option to choose whether or not to make the results public when responding to the survey.

Figure 34 shows an example of the information stored in the server 10 in the second modified example (7).

The server main processing program 151 in the memory unit 15 may, as an example and not an exhaustive one, include a program similar to that in the second embodiment, as well as a similar program as a subroutine program.

Furthermore, the memory unit 15 stores not only the same information as in the second embodiment, but also the questionnaire information 165 transmitted and received through the information transmission and reception process.

<Information Processing>
Figure 35 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the second modified example (7). From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, respectively.

The following flowchart illustrates the process of the second modified example (7). Some steps in this flowchart may be omitted, or additional steps may be inserted. These limitations also apply to other flowcharts in this specification.

First, as shown in Figure 35, when the user finishes viewing the content, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits information indicating that the content viewing is complete to the server 10 via the communication unit 22 (step S2101).

When server 10 receives browsing information, the control unit 11 of server 10 transmits survey information regarding the content (step S2201).

Upon receiving the survey information at terminal 20, the control unit 21 of terminal 20 transmits the survey responses according to the user's answers (step S2102). After steps S2102 and S2201, this control process ends.

<Effects of the second variation (7)>
According to the second modification (7), information regarding a content survey is sent to terminal 20 based on the user viewing the distributed community site. This allows for a survey to be conducted with the user, enabling direct collection of user opinions and feedback. As a result, it is possible to improve the service related to the content.

Furthermore, by extracting key content from the survey responses and presenting them to other users, content promotion and advertising can be carried out efficiently.

<Second variation (8)>
In the second embodiment, a community site related to the first content was generated at the time the first content was delivered. However, in the second modified example (8), a community site (third community site) related to content delivered before the first content may be generated.

Specifically, the first content is the latest content in the series, and the generation processing unit 114 may generate a fourth community site, different from the third community site, based on the distribution of the third content, which was distributed before the first content.

In other words, a community site for the latest installment in a series may be generated based on the release of the first installment, and a community site for previous installments may be generated each time a new installment of the series is released. In this case, users who have viewed the latest installment (not limited to a specific installment, but an example of the first content) will join the community site for the latest installment, while users who have not viewed the latest installment will join the community site related to the previous installments they have viewed (the community sites for previous installments mentioned above).

The third content corresponds to the first installment of a series. In the case of a manga or novel series consisting of multiple volumes, the third content corresponds to volume 1. Similarly, in the case of a film or drama series consisting of multiple episodes, the third content corresponds to episode 1.

The fourth community site is for the latest work mentioned above, and is generated when the third content is released. In other words, the fourth community site is related to the first content, which is the latest work.

In other words, the generation processing unit 114 generates a fourth community site for the latest content of the series based on the distribution of the initial content of the series.

Then, the generation processing unit 114 generates a third community site based on the distribution of the first content. The third community site is a community site for the aforementioned past works; for example, at the time of generation, it is a community site related to the content immediately preceding the first content.

In other words, in the second variation (8), a community site for previous works is created each time the latest installment of the series is released, and the community site related to the latest work is always the fourth community site.

For example, if the series is a drama, as shown in Figure 36, the content corresponding to the first episode (the initial content of the series) is distributed (time t3), and the server 10 generates a community site for the latest episode. At time t3, this community site corresponds to the fourth community site.

Next, let's assume that content corresponding to episode 2 is released (time t4). In this case, a community site for episode 1, which is a past work, is created. At time t4, the content corresponding to episode 2 becomes content 1, and the content corresponding to episode 1 becomes content 3, having been released before content 1. At time t4, the community site for the latest episode corresponds to the content corresponding to episode 2.

Next, let's assume that content corresponding to episode 3 is released (time t5). In this case, a community site for episode 2, which is a past work, is created. At time t5, the content corresponding to episode 3 becomes content 1, and the content related to episodes 1 and 2 becomes content 3, which was released before content 1. At time t5, the community site for the latest episode corresponds to the content corresponding to episode 3.

Therefore, users who have not viewed the latest work (Content 1) will not join the community site for the latest episode (Community Site 4), but will instead join the community site for past works related to the content they have already viewed (Community Site 3).

Furthermore, users who have not viewed the first content may be restricted from accessing the fourth community site. Similarly, users who have finished viewing the first content may be restricted from accessing the third community site.

<Information Processing>
Figure 37 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow executed by the server 10 in the second modified example (8).

The following flowchart illustrates the process of the second modified example (8). Some steps in this flowchart may be omitted, or additional steps may be inserted. These limitations also apply to other flowcharts in this specification.

As shown in Figure 37, the control unit 11 of the server 10 distributes the content of the first work (step S2301) and generates the community site for the latest work (step S2302). The content of the first work corresponds to the third content described above, and the community site for the latest work corresponds to the fourth community site described above.

After step S2302, the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines whether or not the latest content is available for distribution (step S2303). The latest content corresponds to the first content mentioned above.

If the determination shows that there is no content available for the latest release (step S2303, NO), the process in step S2303 is repeated. On the other hand, if there is content available for the latest release (step S2303, YES), the control unit 11 of server 10 generates a community site for past works (step S2304). This community site for past works corresponds to the third community site mentioned above.

Furthermore, the community site generated in step S2304 may be a community site for content from a previous work, for example, the one released immediately before the latest content distributed in step S2303.

Next, the control unit 11 of server 10 determines whether the series has ended (step S2305). If the determination is that the series has not ended (step S2305, NO), the process returns to step S2303. Note that a new community site for past works is generated each time step S2303 is repeated.

On the other hand, if the series concludes (step S2305, YES), this control terminates.

<Effects of the second variation (8)>
The second variation (8) is a community site related to content that was distributed before the first content, where the content is the first content, and the community site is a community site related to content that was distributed before the first content. Then, the community site is a third community site, and a fourth community site different from the first content is generated that was distributed before the first content.

This allows users to interact on a third community site, distinct from the fourth community site, until they view the first content. As a result, the leakage of information from the first content due to participation in the fourth community site can be suppressed.

Furthermore, the first content is the latest content in the series, the community site is the third community site, and based on the distribution of the first content in the series, a fourth community site will be generated for the latest content in the series.

This automatically generates community sites corresponding to past content, making it easier for users who start viewing the initial content after a significant portion of the series has been released to select a community site where content information will not be leaked.

<Second variation (9)>
The second variation (9) may send information to community sites related to content released before the latest content, notifying them that the latest content has been released when the latest content is released.

The control unit 11 of the server 10 in the second modified example (9) has the same configuration as the control unit 11 in the second embodiment.

Furthermore, the information transmission and reception processing unit 112 performs a process to send notification information to community sites related to content distributed before the latest content, informing them that the latest content has been distributed when the latest content is delivered.

The notification information, as described above, indicates that the latest content has been delivered. The notification information may also include a notice announcing the release date of the latest content.

Furthermore, since the generation processing unit 114 generates a community site related to the latest content, the notification information could, for example, be a notification stating that after viewing the latest content, the user will be redirected to the community site related to the latest content.

For example, the above notification information will be displayed on the user's device 20 when users are interacting with each other within a community site related to content released before the latest content is released, or when a user joins a community site.

Figure 38 shows an example of the information stored in the server 10 in the second modified example (9).

The server main processing program 151 in the memory unit 15 may, as an example and not an exhaustive one, include a program similar to that in the second embodiment, as well as a similar program as a subroutine program.

Furthermore, the storage unit 15 stores not only the same information as in the second embodiment, but also notification information 166 transmitted through the information transmission and reception process.

<Information Processing>
Figure 39 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow executed by the server 10 in the second modified example (9).

The following flowchart illustrates the process of the second modified example (9). Some steps in this flowchart may be omitted, or additional steps may be inserted. These limitations also apply to other flowcharts in this specification.

As shown in Figure 39, the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines whether or not the latest content has been delivered (step S2401). If the determination shows that the latest content has not been delivered (step S2401, NO), this control terminates.

On the other hand, if new content is available (step S2401, YES), the control unit 11 notifies the community site of previously distributed content (step S2402). After step S2402, this control process ends.

<Effects of the second variation (9)>
The second variation (9) sends information to community sites related to content released before the latest content, notifying them that the latest content has been released when the latest content is released.

This allows us to increase participation in community sites related to the content by notifying users when the latest content is released. As a result, it can lead to increased sales of the latest content and more active interaction among users within the community sites.

<Second variation (10)>
In the second embodiment, etc., a process was performed to generate a community site based on the distribution of content, but the timing of its generation was not mentioned.
In the second modified example (10), the generation processing unit 114 generates the community site at a predetermined timing when the content is delivered.

For example, the generation processing unit 114 may generate a community site when content is delivered to a user. Alternatively, the generation processing unit 114 may generate a community site when there is a notification that content will be delivered to a user. Furthermore, if a community site corresponding to the content has not been generated for a certain period after the content has been delivered to the user, the generation processing unit 114 may generate a community site based on the determination result if it is possible to determine whether a community site containing information about the content exists on a predetermined network. In this case, if the generation processing unit 114 determines that a community site does not exist, it may perform a process to generate a community site related to the content. Here, the generation processing unit 114 may determine whether a community site related to the content exists on multiple different networks (or on an SNS or platform). For example, at least some of the multiple different networks may be operated by different businesses, or they may not. For example, if a community site related to the content exists on any of the multiple different networks, including the predetermined network, the generation processing unit 114 may choose not to generate a community site, or it may not. On the other hand, if a community site related to the content does not exist on any of the multiple different networks, including the predetermined network, the generation processing unit 114 may or may not generate a community site. Furthermore, if a community site related to the content does not exist on some of the multiple different networks, including the predetermined network, the generation processing unit 114 may generate a community site on the network where the community site does not exist. Also, regardless of whether a community site related to the content exists on multiple different networks (or on an SNS, or on a platform), the generation processing unit 114 may determine whether it exists on a specific network (or on an SNS, or on a platform) and, if it does not exist, may or may not generate a community site on that specific network.

The absence of a community site containing information about the content on the specified network means, for example, that no community sites related to the content exist at all. Furthermore, the absence of a community site related to the content on the specified network may or may not include cases where only community sites that have not had any posts for a certain period since the last post exist.

<Effects of the second variation (10)>
In the second modified example (10), the generation processing unit 114 generates the community site at a predetermined timing when the content is delivered.

This allows community sites to be generated at appropriate times, making it easier for users to participate in the community sites at the right time based on their content viewing status.

<Third Embodiment>
In the third embodiment, the control unit 11 controls the communication unit 14 to send information to terminal 20 that a different user has moved to a different community site when a user different from the user of terminal 20, which is included in the community site, moves to a different community site. In other words, when user A moves from one community site to another, information that the user has moved to another community site is notified to user B, who is participating in the one-to-one community site.

In the third embodiment, the control unit 11 of the server 10 includes, for example, a server main processing unit 111, an information transmission/reception processing unit 112, and a selection processing unit 113, similar to the first embodiment (see Figure 6). The server main processing unit 111 and the selection processing unit 113 have the same functions as in the first embodiment.

The information transmission/reception processing unit 112, in addition to having the same functions as in the first embodiment, acquires information on the movement history of community sites of other users different from the user from the other user's terminal. Based on the movement history information, the information transmission/reception processing unit 112 sends information to the user's terminal 20 that the other user has moved to another community site.

For example, suppose users A and B are members of a community site as shown in Figure 40A. If user A moves to another community site, information such as "User A has moved to another community site" will be displayed within the community site at the time user A joins the other community site, as shown in Figure 40B. In Figure 40, the information about user A's move is displayed at the time of the move, but the information may or may not be displayed after a certain period of time has elapsed since user A moved.

Furthermore, User A's movement information may be displayed to all users participating in the community site, or it may be displayed only to specific users. These specific users may include users with a long history of participation in the community site, users who have interacted with User A, etc., or they may not.

Figure 41 shows an example of information stored in the server 10 in the third embodiment.

The memory unit 15 stores, for example, the server main processing program 151, which is read and executed by the control unit 11. Furthermore, the server main processing program 151 includes, for example, a program similar to that in the first embodiment as a subroutine program.

Furthermore, the storage unit 15 stores not only the same information as in the first embodiment, but also movement history information 167 indicating the movement history of the user, etc.

<Information Processing>
Figure 42 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the third embodiment. From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the first terminal, the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, and the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the second terminal, respectively.

The following flowchart illustrates the process of the third embodiment. Some steps in this flowchart may be omitted, or additional steps may be inserted. These limitations also apply to other flowcharts in this specification.

First, as shown in Figure 42, the user of the first terminal performs an operation to exit the community site via the input/output unit 23 of the first terminal (step S601). As a result, the control unit 21 of the first terminal transmits information via the communication unit 22 indicating that the user of the first terminal has moved to a different community site.

When server 10 receives information that the user of the first terminal has moved away from the community site, the control unit 11 of server 10 transmits movement information indicating that the user of the first terminal has moved to the second terminal (step S701).

Upon receiving movement information at the second terminal, the control unit 21 of the second terminal displays the user's movement information from the first terminal (step S801). After steps S601, S701, and S801, this control process ends.

<Effects of the Third Embodiment>
In the third embodiment, if a user different from the user of terminal 20, who is included in the community site, moves to a different community site, the communication unit 14 transmits information to terminal 20 that the different user has moved to a different community site.

This allows users to see where other users have moved, making it easier for users to recognize other users' destinations.

Furthermore, by moving to another user's site, users can deepen their interactions with other users within that community site.

<Third variation (1)>
For example, as in the second modified example (1), a related community site may be generated each time content is distributed. In such cases, users may frequently move between community sites. Therefore, users may want to continue interacting with specific users they met in the previous community site.

Therefore, the third modification (1) may implement control to continue communication with a specific user with whom the user has previously interacted on a community site. Specifically, the third modification (1) may implement control to send a message sent from terminal 20 to a user included in the second community site to the second community site, based on the user of terminal 20 viewing the first content.

For example, the first content may be content delivered after the second content, similar to the second modified example (1), and the generation processing unit 114 may generate a first community site related to the first content and a second community site related to the second content.

Figure 43 shows an example of a function realized by the control unit 11 of the server 10 in the third modified example (1).

As shown in Figure 43, the control unit 11 includes a server main processing unit 111, an information transmission/reception processing unit 112, a generation processing unit 114, and a message processing unit 116. The server main processing unit 111 and the generation processing unit 114 have the same functions as in the second embodiment described above. Note that if the server 10 does not need to generate a community site, the generation processing unit 114 may not be provided.

The information transmission/reception processing unit 112 has the same functions as in the second embodiment described above, as well as the function of transmitting message information based on control performed by the message processing unit 116 to the terminal 20.

The message information is the information of messages sent by users to members of the second community site. Members of the second community site are users (specific users) included in the second community site.

The message processing unit 116 controls the transmission of messages sent from terminal 20 to users (specific users) included in the second community site, based on the user's viewing of the first content on terminal 20.

The message processing unit 116 controls whether or not to send the above message via the display processing unit 213 of the user's terminal 20 when the user views the first content and attempts to move away from the second community site. Specifically, when the user moves away from the community site, a message is displayed asking, for example, whether or not there are any messages for members of the second community site.

For example, as shown in Figure 44, within the second community site, the user's terminal 20 displays the above question, and a list of members of the second community site is shown. Figure 44 shows a list of members such as User B and User C. In Figure 44, for example, tapping or clicking the "YES" button to the right of User B or User C allows the user to select the corresponding user.

In response, when a user specifies a particular user and enters a message to that user into terminal 20, the message processing unit 116 processes the message information and sends it to the specific user's terminal 20. As a result, the message arrives at the specific user's terminal 20. This message may be displayed, for example, within the second community site, or it may be displayed directly to the specific user's account.

For example, if User A sends the message "We will now move to the first community site" to a specific user, the message will be displayed on the second community site screen on the specific user's terminal 20, as shown in Figure 45. This message will not be displayed on the terminals 20 of users other than the specific user.

Figure 46 shows an example of the information stored in the server 10 in the third modified example (1).

The server main processing program 151 in the memory unit 15 includes, for example, a program similar to that in the second embodiment, as well as a message processing program 161 as a subroutine program for controlling message processing.

Furthermore, in addition to the same information as in the second embodiment, the storage unit 15 stores message processing information 162 related to message processing by the message processing unit 116.

<Information Processing>
Figure 47 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the third modified example (1). From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the first terminal, the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, and the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the second terminal, respectively.

The following flowchart illustrates the process of the third variant (1). Some steps in this flowchart may be omitted, or additional steps may be inserted. These limitations also apply to other flowcharts in this specification.

First, as shown in Figure 47, when the user of the first terminal finishes viewing the first content, the control unit 21 of the first terminal transmits information indicating that viewing of the first content has been completed to the server 10 via the communication unit 22 (step S1501).

Next, the user of the first terminal sends a message to a specific user of the second terminal via the input/output unit 23 of the first terminal (step S1502). As a result, the control unit 21 of the first terminal transmits the message information of the first terminal user via the communication unit 22.

When the server 10 receives browsing information and message information from the user of the first terminal, the control unit 11 of the server 10 sends a message to a specific user of the second terminal within the community site (step S1601).

When the second terminal receives message information, the control unit 21 of the second terminal displays the message from the user of the first terminal (step S1701). After steps S1502, S1601, and S1701, this control terminates.

<Effects of the third modified example (1)>
In the third modified example (1), based on the user of terminal 20 viewing the first content, control is performed to send a message to the second community site that was sent from terminal 20 and is included in the second community site to the second community site.

This allows other users in the second community site to be notified when a user moves to the first community site. As a result, other users in the second community site can track the user's whereabouts, making it easier to maintain relationships with that user.

<Third variation (2)>
In the third modification (2), the specific user included in the second community site to which the message is sent in the third modification (1) may be determined based on the relationship with the user of terminal 20. The relationship with the user of terminal 20 may be, for example, the level of closeness with the specific user, or it may be based on the user's own decision, or it may simply be a specific user with whom the user has had interaction experience.

The term "dialogue experience" here refers to situations such as when one user and a specific user send a message to the other, or when a user and a specific user send messages to each other, specifying the recipient.

The level of intimacy with a specific user is determined, for example, by the frequency of interactions (replies to messages, responses) within the second community site exceeding a certain number, or by whether the user is registered as a friend on their device 20.

For example, in Figure 44, the users shown as a list are those determined based on their relationship with the user.

<Effects of the third variation (2)>
In the third variation (2), the users included in the second community site to which the message is sent are determined based on the relationship with the user of terminal 20. This makes it easier to maintain a relationship with a specific user by determining whether or not a message can be sent based on the level of intimacy.

<Third variation (3)>
In the third variation (3), the display processing unit 213 may display information indicating where the user has moved, in addition to the message.

In other words, the message processing unit 116 may perform control to send information indicating that the user of terminal 20 has moved to the first community site to users included in the second community site when the user of terminal 20 moves to the first community site.

For example, as shown in Figure 48, when user A moves to the first community site, the screen of the second community site displayed on the terminal 20 of users included in the second community site will show information such as "User has moved to the first community site" along with a message.

Furthermore, users other than the user who sent the message may or may not see information indicating the user's location.

<Effects of the third variation (3)>
In the third modification (3), when the user of terminal 20 moves to the first community site, control is implemented to send information indicating that the user of terminal 20 has moved to the first community site to the users (specific users) included in the second community site. As a result, the specific user will see both the message and the information indicating that the user has moved to the first community site, making it easier for the specific user to understand where the user has moved to.

<Third variation (4)>
In the third variation (4), the information indicating that the user has moved to the first community site in the third variation (3) may include information for changing the display manner of the user information of the terminal 20 displayed on the second community site.

Specifically, the message processing unit 116 may control the display of information indicating that the user has moved to the first community site on the second community site.

The control used to change the display mode can be any control that differentiates it from the display mode of other users, such as changing the color of User A's messages or the color of User A's icon, as shown in Figure 48. Figure 49 shows examples of controls that change the display mode. For example, Figure 49A shows an example where User A's messages are underlined. Figure 49B shows an example where the color of User A's icon is changed. Figure 49B shows an example where the icons of each user are displayed in the member list of a community site, with User A's icon appearing darker than the icons of Users B and C. The color of the icon to be changed can be any color, as long as it is distinguishable from other users. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 65B and 66 later, when the community site is a chat room, the color of the icon representing a user may be changed, for example, to the icon of User A in Figure 49B.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 49B, a message from a user moving to another community site (User A in Figure 49B) may or may not be displayed in a location visible to other users within the community site, such as the member list. In the example shown in Figure 49B, a message indicating the user is moving to another community site is displayed in a manner recognizable to other users, such as a "note," but this is not the only option; simply displaying a message is also acceptable.

<Effects of the third variation (4)>
In the third modification (4), the information indicating that the user has moved to the first community site includes information for changing the display manner of the user information of terminal 20 that is displayed on the second community site. This makes it easier for other users to understand that the user is not on the second community site and that the user has moved to the first community site.

<Third variation (5)>
In the third modified example (5), the control unit 11 may process the first community site to display a list of users included in the second community site (see Figure 50), or it may process the second community site to display a list of users who have moved to the first community site (see Figure 51).

Furthermore, the message processing unit 116 may use the above list to process and send messages to the users displayed in the list.

The above message may be a simple message, a pre-written phrase, an emoji, or a stamp indicating a reaction, in order to prevent the leakage of information from the first content. Furthermore, the user receiving the message may be allowed to send a simple response.

Furthermore, the above message does not need to be sent if it concerns the leakage of information from the primary content (for example, if it contains specific keywords).

<Effects of the third variation (5)>
Furthermore, by displaying a list of users included in each community site, it becomes easier for users to understand which users belong to which community site.

<Fourth Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the community site information selected by the control unit 11 of the server 10 was community site information to be presented to the user, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.
In the fourth embodiment, the control unit 11 of the server 10 sets restrictions on access to the community site based on the user's content viewing information. In other words, to prevent users who view a large amount of content from leaking content information, access to the community site is restricted for those users.

In the fourth embodiment, the control unit 11, as shown in Figure 52, includes a server main processing unit 111, an information transmission/reception processing unit 112, and a restriction processing unit 115. The server main processing unit 111 has the same functions as in the first embodiment and the like.

The restriction processing unit 115 sets restrictions on access to the community site based on content viewing information. The viewing information, as in the first embodiment, is information about user viewing of the content, such as the amount of content viewed by the user.

Specifically, the restriction processing unit 115, when the content viewing information of the user of terminal 20 changes from first viewing information to second viewing information, controls the user of terminal 20 to restrict access to the community site based on the setting to restrict access to the community site.

Secondary browsing information indicates a larger amount of browsing than primary browsing information. For example, if the content is a movie or drama with a predetermined duration, secondary browsing information will represent a longer duration than primary browsing information. Similarly, if the content is a book with multiple chapters, secondary browsing information will represent chapters later than those covered in primary browsing information (for example, if primary browsing information covers chapters 1-4, secondary browsing information will cover chapter 5 and beyond).

As a user progresses through content viewing, and their viewing information changes from initial viewing information to second viewing information, the user gains access to information they did not have at the time of initial viewing.

In this case, if a user with second access information posts information obtained through their second access information on a community site where only other users (first access information) are present, this constitutes information leakage to other users.

The restriction processing unit 115 selects a community site from among the community sites related to the content that contains only the content of the first browsing information.

The restriction processing unit 115 configures the terminal 20 to restrict access to the selected community site. Specifically, the restriction processing unit 115, for example, transmits a setting command to restrict access to the community site to the terminal 20 via the communication unit 14.

Settings to restrict access to community sites include, for example, settings that completely prevent users from accessing the community site, settings that forcibly remove users from the community site even if they access it, and settings that allow access to the community site but prevent posting.

When browsing restrictions are set via a configuration command, users of terminal 20 will be restricted from accessing the community sites related to those restrictions.

For example, a community site that a user could participate in until their content viewing information became their first viewing information becomes a community site where user access is restricted once the viewing information becomes their second viewing information. Therefore, the user will no longer be able to access the community site.

For example, suppose a book consists of five chapters, and a community site exists for users who have viewed up to chapter 3. In this case, the first viewing information would indicate chapters 1-3. The second viewing information would, for example, indicate chapter 4. If a user views up to chapter 4 and remains a member of the community site, posting information related to chapter 4 could lead to information leakage to other users who have only viewed up to chapter 3. Therefore, restricting user access to the community site can prevent such information leakage.

Figure 53 shows an example of information stored in the server 10 in the fourth embodiment.

Similar to each embodiment, the server main processing program 151 is stored in the storage unit 15. Furthermore, the server main processing program 151 includes, as an example (not limited to), an information transmission/reception program 152, which is read by the control unit 11 and executed as information transmission/reception processing, and a viewing restriction processing program 159, which performs control to restrict viewing, as subroutine programs.

Furthermore, the memory unit 15 stores the browsing information 154 received from the terminal 20, the community site information 155 selected by the restriction processing unit 115, and the restriction processing information 160 related to the browsing restriction setting command issued by the restriction processing unit 115.

<Information Processing>
Figure 54 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow executed by the server 10 in the fourth embodiment.

The following flowchart illustrates the process of the fourth embodiment. Some steps in this flowchart may be omitted, or additional steps may be inserted. These limitations also apply to other flowcharts in this specification.

As shown in Figure 54, the control unit 11 of the server 10 receives browsing information from the terminal 20 (step S301). Next, the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines whether the browsing information is information subject to browsing restrictions (step S302). Specifically, the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines whether the browsing information has changed from first browsing information to second browsing information. For example, as in the above example, if the first browsing information is information indicating chapters 1 to 3, and the second browsing information is information indicating chapter 4, in step S302, if the user's browsing information has switched from information indicating chapters 1 to 3 to information indicating chapter 4, it is determined that the browsing information is information subject to browsing restrictions.

If the determination determines that the browsing information is not restricted (step S302, NO), this control terminates. On the other hand, if the browsing information is restricted (step S302, YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10 sets the browsing restriction (step S303). After step S303, this control terminates. Furthermore, if the process in step S303 has already been performed, the determination in step S302 may be NO, or the processes in steps S302 and S303 may be skipped.

<Effects of the fourth embodiment>
The fourth embodiment configured as described above performs control to restrict access to the community site based on content viewing information. Specifically, the second embodiment performs settings to restrict access to the community site by the user of terminal 20 based on settings that restrict content viewing by the user of terminal 20.

This restricts access to content for users who have finished viewing it, thereby preventing users from posting content that other users have not yet viewed. As a result, it helps prevent the leakage of content information to other users.

<Fourth variation (1)>
In the fourth embodiment, the control restricting access to the community site was a setting that prevented users from accessing the community site related to the access restriction, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.
The fourth modification (1) includes a control that restricts access to a community site, which causes the display of information on the restricted community site, as shown on terminal 20, to differ from the display of information on the community site that is not restricted.

In other words, when the restriction processing unit 115 issues a command to set a viewing restriction, the way information on the restricted community site is displayed on the terminal 20 will differ from how information on the unrestricted community site is displayed.

For example, as shown in Figure 55A, suppose there is a page that allows access to the community site for Content AA. Let's assume that there are two community sites for Content AA: Site 4 and Site 5. Site 4 is a community site for viewers who have viewed Content AA up to the first viewing information. Site 5 is a community site for viewers corresponding to the second viewing information for Content AA.

Here, if the user's browsing volume falls under the second browsing information category, access to the fourth site will be restricted. In this case, as shown in Figure 55B, the display unit 24 will, for example, hide the display corresponding to the fourth site.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 56A, community sites with restricted access (fourth site) may be underlined, while community sites without access restrictions (fifth site) may not be underlined. Alternatively, the color of the text indicating the community sites may be different.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 56B, the display of the button for accessing community sites (the "GO" portion shown in Figure 56B) may be varied. In Figure 56B, for example, the button for community sites with restricted access is black, while the button for community sites without restricted access is white.

<Effects of the fourth modified example (1)>
In the fourth modified example (1), the control that restricts access to the community site includes a control that makes the display manner of information on the restricted community site, as displayed on terminal 20, different from the display manner of the community site that is not restricted.

This makes it easier for users to choose community sites without access restrictions. As a result, it helps prevent users from mistakenly joining community sites with access restrictions, and consequently, it helps prevent the leakage of information that users are unaware of within the community site.

<Fifth Embodiment>
In the fourth embodiment, access to the community site was restricted for users who frequently view content in order to prevent them from leaking information about the content, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.
The fifth embodiment is a configuration that controls access to a community site based on content viewing information, and controls the accessibility of content on the community site based on the content viewing information of the user of terminal 20. In other words, it restricts the content a user views in order to prevent the leakage of content information for users who view little content.

The control unit 11 of the server 10 in the fifth embodiment is the same as the control unit 11 in the fourth embodiment. The restriction processing unit 115 in the fifth embodiment controls the restrictions on viewable content (posted information) on the community site based on content viewing information by the user of the terminal 20.

Controls regarding restrictions on content viewable on community sites include, for example, settings that prevent users from accessing the community site, settings that forcibly remove users from the community site even if they access it, and settings that allow access to the community site but prevent posting.

The restriction processing unit 115 determines, for example, whether it is necessary to restrict the content that can be viewed, based on the user's browsing information. For example, the restriction processing unit 115 determines, based on the user's browsing information, whether there are community sites in which users who have viewed more content than the user are participating. The amount of content viewed by each user may be determined, for example, based on browsing information obtainable from each user's terminal 20.

The restriction processing unit 115 will restrict access to a community site if it detects that a user with a greater content viewing volume than the user is participating in that community site.

Community sites where users view more content than regular users are more likely to contain information that users are unaware of, potentially leading to information leaks for users.

For example, suppose a book consists of five chapters, and there's a community site where users who have read up to chapter three participate. In this case, if a beginner user who has just started reading the content joins the community site, the posts made by users who have read up to chapter three are likely to contain information that the beginner user is unaware of. In other words, this could lead to the leakage of information from the content for the beginner user.

In contrast, in the fifth embodiment, access to such community sites is disabled, thus preventing information leaks for the aforementioned novice users.

The information stored in the server 10 in the fifth embodiment is, for example, similar to the information stored in the server 10 in the fourth embodiment (see Figure 53).

<Information Processing>
Figure 57 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fifth embodiment. From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, respectively.

The following flowchart illustrates the process of the fifth embodiment. Some steps in this flowchart may be omitted, or additional steps may be inserted. These limitations also apply to other flowcharts in this specification.

As shown in Figure 57, the control unit 11 of the server 10 receives browsing information from the terminal 20 (step S2501). Next, the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines, based on the browsing information, whether or not it is necessary to restrict the content that can be viewed on the community site (step S2502).

If the determination indicates that content restriction is not necessary (step S2502, NO), this control process terminates. On the other hand, if content restriction is necessary (step S2502, YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10 configures the settings to restrict access (step S2503). After step S2503, this control process terminates.

<Effects of the Fifth Embodiment>
The fifth embodiment controls the restrictions on the content that can be viewed on the community site based on the content viewing information of the user of terminal 20.

This restricts access to community sites containing information that users have not viewed, thus preventing information leaks to users.

<Fifth variation (1)>
In the fifth embodiment, etc., access to the user's community site was restricted based on the user's content viewing information on terminal 20, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.
In the fifth modification (1), the control unit 11 of the server 10 acquires content information about content viewable on the terminal 20 and sets up a community site in which viewing is restricted to users who have not viewed the portion of the content corresponding to the content information.

The control unit 11 of the server 10 in the fifth modified example (1) is the same as the control unit 11 in the fourth and fifth embodiments. The restriction processing unit 115 in the fifth modified example (1) acquires content information regarding content viewable on the terminal 20 and sets up a community site where viewing is restricted to users who have not viewed the portion of the content corresponding to the content information.

Content information includes, if the content is a video composed of time units, the content's duration; and if the content is a book consisting of multiple pages, chapters, or volumes, the content's page number, chapter number, and volume number.

User access restrictions, similar to those in the fifth embodiment, include controls such as settings that prevent users from accessing community sites related to access restrictions, settings that forcibly remove users from community sites even if they access them, and settings that prevent posting even if users can access community sites.

Specifically, the restriction processing unit 115 configures the community site so that users who have not yet viewed the portion of the content corresponding to the content information are restricted from viewing that portion of the content.

For example, if the content information is from page 70 onwards in a 120-page book, and a user who has only viewed up to page 50 tries to join the community site related to that book, and information from page 70 onwards has been posted, then that information will be leaked.

In the fifth modified example (1), in such cases, the user's access to the community site is blocked, and their ability to view content information is restricted, thus preventing information leakage.

<Information Processing>
Figure 58 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fifth modified example (1). From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, respectively.

The following flowchart illustrates the process of the fifth modified example (1). Some steps in this flowchart may be omitted, or additional steps may be inserted. These limitations also apply to other flowcharts in this specification.

First, as shown in Figure 58, the user performs an operation to join the community site via the input/output unit 23 of the terminal 20 (step S901). As a result, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits the user's browsing information via the communication unit 22 (step S902).

Upon receiving browsing information on server 10, the control unit 11 of server 10 determines whether or not the community site contains content that the user has not viewed (step S1001).

If the determination shows that the content does not contain any unviewed portions (step S1001, NO), this control process terminates. On the other hand, if the content does contain unviewed portions (step S1001, YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10 sends a command to restrict the user from viewing the unviewed portions (step S1002).

Upon receiving a command at terminal 20, the control unit 21 of terminal 20 restricts access to the community site's content that the user has not yet viewed (step S903). If terminal 20 has not received the restriction command in step S1002, the process in step S903 is skipped. After steps S903 and S1002, this control process ends.

<Effects of the fifth modified example (1)>
The fifth modification (1) involves obtaining content information about content viewable on terminal 20 and performing control to set up a community site where viewing is restricted to users who have not viewed the portion of the content corresponding to the content information.

According to this, if a user who has not viewed the portion of the content corresponding to the content information attempts to join a community site containing that content information, their access will be restricted, thus preventing the leakage of information that the user has not viewed.

<Fifth variation (2)>
In the fifth modified example (2), the control regarding restrictions on viewable content on the community site may be a control that hides content on the community site that is not viewable by the user.

The restriction processing unit 115 determines, based on browsing information, whether or not to restrict the user's access to content on the community site. For example, if there are other users in the community site that the user has joined who have viewed more content than the user, the restriction processing unit 115 will restrict the access to content on the community site. Specifically, the restriction processing unit 115 executes a process to send a setting command to the terminal 20 via the communication unit 14 to hide the inaccessible content.

When terminal 20 receives a setting command, the display processing unit 213 performs display processing, such as blurring messages from other users who have viewed more content than the user. The display processing unit 213 may also hide the messages.

For example, suppose the amount of information viewed by users A and B is a first predetermined amount, and the amount of information viewed by user C is a second predetermined amount, which is greater than the first predetermined amount. For example, if the content is a book consisting of five chapters, and the first predetermined amount is chapter 2, then the second predetermined amount would be chapters 3 and beyond. In this case, for example, as shown in Figure 59, suppose user B posts a message on a designated community site, and then user C posts a message (see Figure 59A).

User C may post information that Users A and B are unaware of. Therefore, if User A, who has joined the community site, views User C's posts, there is a possibility that information not known to User A may be leaked based on those posts.

In the fifth modification (2), as shown in Figure 59B, a display process is performed to apply a mosaic effect to User C's message, so User C's message becomes invisible to User A's display unit 24.

If other users' messages are blurred or obscured, users who join later may wonder what the message is about.

Therefore, for example, messages may be hidden. For instance, as shown in Figure 60, in a community site where user C's message was originally posted (see Figure 60A), user C's post is hidden from user A's terminal 20 (see Figure 60B). This allows user A to immediately post a message in response to user B's message without any suspicion.

<Information Processing>
Figure 61 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fifth modified example (2). From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, respectively.

The following flowchart illustrates the process of the fifth variant (2). Some steps in this flowchart may be omitted, or additional steps may be inserted. These limitations also apply to other flowcharts in this specification.

First, as shown in Figure 61, the user performs an operation to join the community site via the input/output unit 23 of the terminal 20 (step S401). As a result, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits the user's browsing information via the communication unit 22 (step S402).

When server 10 receives browsing information, the control unit 11 of server 10 determines whether there are users in the community site who have exceeded a predetermined browsing limit (step S501). The predetermined browsing limit is, for example, a pre-set limit. For example, if the content is a book consisting of 5 chapters, and the predetermined browsing limit is 3 chapters, then if a user has viewed 2 chapters, it is determined that this user's browsing limit has not exceeded the predetermined limit. On the other hand, if a user has viewed 4 chapters, it is determined that this user's browsing limit has exceeded the predetermined limit.

If the determination shows that no users exceed the predetermined viewing limit (step S501, NO), this control process terminates. On the other hand, if there are users exceeding the predetermined viewing limit (step S501, YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10 sends a setting command to the terminal 20 to hide messages from users exceeding the predetermined viewing limit (step S502).

When terminal 20 receives a configuration command, the control unit 21 of terminal 20 hides the configuration command message on the community site (step S403). If terminal 20 has not received the configuration command in step S502, the process in step S403 is skipped. After steps S403 and S502, this control process ends.

<Effects of the fifth modified example (2)>
In the fifth variation (2), the control regarding restrictions on viewable content on the community site is a control that hides content within the community site that is not viewable by the user.

This prevents users from viewing other users' messages, thus reducing the risk of information leaks about content that the user has not viewed.

<Fifth variation (3)>
In the fifth modified example (3), the restriction processing unit 115 may lift the restriction on viewing content (posted information) within the community site as the user's viewing volume increases.

In other words, when the content viewing information of the user of terminal 20 changes from first viewing information to second viewing information, the restriction processing unit 115 may perform control to transmit information about the content that the user of terminal 20 can now view to terminal 20 via the communication unit 14, based on the second viewing information. The second viewing information indicates a greater amount of viewing than the first viewing information, similar to the fourth embodiment.

For example, as shown in Figure 62, suppose that when User A, whose browsing information was the first browsing information, joined the community site, User C's message, whose browsing information was the second browsing information, was blurred (see Figure 62A). For example, if the content is a 121-minute movie, and the first browsing information indicates that the user viewed up to the 50-minute mark, then the second browsing information indicates that the user viewed up to the 51-minute mark or later. Since User B's browsing information is the first browsing information, User B's message is displayed on terminal 20.

As User A continues to view the content, and their viewing information changes from the first viewing information to the second viewing information, the mosaic effect on User C's message is removed (see Figure 62B).

The display unit 24 may or may not display a message indicating that the restriction on viewing content (messages) within the community site has been lifted.

By the way, once the viewing restrictions are lifted, these messages become outdated, and depending on their content, they may not be of interest to the user.

Therefore, the display unit 24 may or may not display messages sorted by user rating (for example, by the number of "likes").

<Information Processing>
Figure 63 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fifth modified example (3). From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, respectively.

The following flowchart illustrates the process of the fifth variant (3). Some steps in this flowchart may be omitted, or additional steps may be inserted. These limitations also apply to other flowcharts in this specification.

First, as shown in Figure 63, the user performs an operation to join the community site via the input/output unit 23 of the terminal 20 (step S404). As a result, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits the user's browsing information via the communication unit 22 (step S405).

Upon receiving browsing information on server 10, the control unit 11 of server 10 determines whether or not there are hidden messages within the community site (step S503).

If the determination shows no hidden messages (step S503, NO), this control terminates. On the other hand, if there are hidden messages (step S503, YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines whether the user's browsing information is information that should have the browsing restriction lifted (step S504).

If the determination determines that the viewing information is not information that would lift the viewing restriction (step S504, NO), this control process terminates. On the other hand, if the viewing information is information that would lift the viewing restriction (step S504, YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10 sends a command via the communication unit 14 to unhide the message (step S505).

Upon receiving a setting command at terminal 20, the control unit 21 of terminal 20 unhides the message related to the command on the community site (step S406). If terminal 20 has not received the unhide command in step S505, the process in step S406 is skipped. After steps S406 and S505, this control terminates.

<Effects of the fifth modified example (3)>
The fifth modification (3) involves a control mechanism where, when the user of terminal 20 changes from the first viewing information to the second viewing information, the communication unit 14 transmits information about the content that the user of terminal 20 can now view to terminal 20, based on the second viewing information. This removes the restriction on viewing content (posted information) within the community site as the user's viewing volume increases. In other words, by removing the restriction on viewing messages within the community site based on the user's viewing information, the user can understand what kind of messages were being posted at the time the viewing restriction was in place. This can encourage the user to further subscribe to manga (content).

Furthermore, when lifting the message viewing restriction, sorting the messages by user rating (highest first) can increase user satisfaction among those who have read the content until the restriction is lifted.

<Fifth variation (4)>
In the fifth embodiment, access to messages within the community site was restricted, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.
The fifth modified example (4) allows the restriction on viewing messages to be lifted if the user wishes to view them.

In this case, for example, a message may appear asking the user if they want to remove the viewing restriction when they click or tap on the message that is currently restricted.

For example, when a user clicks or taps the mosaic area in Figure 62A, a prompt appears asking whether the user wants to remove the mosaic. If the user agrees to this prompt, the mosaic area may be removed, as shown in Figure 62B.

<Effects of the fifth modified example (4)>
The fifth modified example (4) removes the message viewing restriction if the user wishes to view the message.

This allows us to provide services that meet the user's needs.

Furthermore, by displaying a message asking the user if they wish to cancel their viewing, it is possible to obtain the user's consent regarding the potential leakage of content information.

<Sixth Embodiment>
In the sixth embodiment, the control unit 11 of the server 10 performs control to delete a community site or delete messages within a community site.

Within community sites, messages may only be shared on the same or similar topics. Therefore, if such messages continue indefinitely, the community site's history will become repetitive, potentially leading to a stagnation of discussion.

For example, suppose that at a certain point in time, the relationship between the first and second characters in a particular piece of content becomes a topic of discussion among users who viewed the content on a community site.

Later, as time passes and at a different point in time, users who viewed the content at that time may again discuss the relationship between the first and second characters within the community site. In other words, the same topic will be repeated endlessly.

In the sixth embodiment, for example, the community site itself is deleted, or messages within the community site are deleted, after a certain period of time has elapsed. This makes it possible to prevent the topics within the community site from becoming stagnant, as described above.

<Information Processing>
Figure 64 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow executed by the server 10 in the sixth embodiment.

As shown in Figure 64, the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines whether a certain period of time has elapsed since the community site was created (step S1101).

If the determination shows that a certain period has not elapsed (step S1101, NO), the process in step S1101 is repeated. On the other hand, if a certain period has elapsed (step S1101, YES), the control unit 11 deletes the community site (step S1102). After step S1102, this control process ends.

<Effects of the 6th Embodiment>
According to the sixth embodiment, it is possible to suppress the endless repetition of the same message within a community site.

<Sixth variation>
Furthermore, the sixth modification involves implementing control to integrate multiple community sites.

In community sites, multiple community sites may be created for the same topic, potentially confusing users who are unsure which community site to join.

<Effects of the sixth variation>
In the sixth modification, control is implemented to integrate multiple community sites. This prevents users from becoming confused about which community site to join, as described above, thus making it easier to integrate multiple community sites and participate in them.

<Other variations>
Other variations include presenting content related to other works by the same author, or presenting content related to relatively popular works published around the same time as the content.

<Effects of other variations>
Other variations include presenting content related to other works by the same author, or presenting content related to relatively popular works published around the same time as the content. These variations can stimulate users' desire to purchase the content from various perspectives.

<Other>
Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the server 10 distributed the content, but there may be a separate server for distributing the content.

Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the community site may include one of the following: a chat room, a community on a social networking service, or an electronic bulletin board. In the second embodiment, the community site may also include, in addition to the above, communities on video sites, etc.

Here, we will explain an application example in a community site, for example, in a chat room. A chat room is a user interface provided by server 10 that allows information sent and received between users of the messaging service to be displayed on the user's terminal.

Chat rooms are generally formed between users who recognize each other through the messaging service provided by server 10, with mutual consent. However, it is also possible to create chat rooms that an unspecified number of users can freely join. Such chat rooms, which an unspecified number of users can freely join, are sometimes referred to as open chats.

An open chat is a group chat in which multiple users can participate anonymously. "Participating anonymously" here means that users can join the chat room using a username different from the username registered on the messaging service server 10. While open chats allow anyone to participate, their high degree of anonymity makes it difficult to judge the credibility of message content.

In such open chats, users can become aware of its existence (not limited to this, but for example, by seeing an advertisement or article describing an open chat related to a advertised product or how to join it), and then either join on their own initiative or by being invited by another user already in the chat room.

The existence of an Open Chat group is recognized by users, for example, through searches using keywords, searches by selecting categories, or by obtaining QR codes (registered trademarks) or URLs from other users. Open Chat groups include free-to-join chat rooms, chat rooms requiring administrator approval, and password-protected chat rooms. Free-to-join chat rooms can be joined freely by any user. Chat rooms requiring administrator approval require administrator approval for user participation. For example, a user may join a chat room after answering a question set by the administrator and receiving administrator approval. Password-protected chat rooms require users to enter a password to join. Passwords are set by administrators or other designated personnel.

Users can interact with other users over the internet via their devices by opening a chat room. For example, when a chat room related to content is created, multiple users who have viewed the content can share their thoughts and exchange information about the content within the chat room.

In particular, Open Chats have themes set for each chat room, such as casual conversation, hobby topics, or industry discussions where users want to talk honestly. This makes it easier for users to engage in lively message exchanges with other users in the chat room, and to maintain those conversations over the long term.

Therefore, it is expected that applying each of the above embodiments to a chat room will lead to more active communication between users within the chat room.

For example, in the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 65, the selected chat room is displayed on the user's terminal 20. In Figure 65A, the first chat room, the second chat room, and the third chat room are displayed, and a button labeled "GO" is displayed at the far right of each site. Pressing this button allows the user to join the corresponding chat room.

Here, for example, if a user tries to join a second chat room and presses the button for the second chat room, as shown in Figure 65B, the chat room corresponding to the second chat room will be displayed to the user, and the user will be able to post a message. In other words, in this embodiment, it becomes easier for users to join chat rooms, improving user convenience.

Furthermore, in chat rooms where a user participates, information that the user is unaware of may be posted by users with a higher viewing volume than the user. In such cases, as shown in Figure 66, processing to hide the message, such as in the second modified example (4) or the fifth modified example (2), can be applied.

By doing so, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the leakage of information that the user is unaware of.

Furthermore, because the message field in a chat room is relatively compact, even if some messages are hidden, users can easily join the conversation immediately. Also, if a user has a large number of hidden messages, it can pique users' curiosity about the content, stimulating their desire to further explore the content. As a result, users' desire to purchase content is increased, leading to more active interaction within the chat room.

Furthermore, while the content in each of the above embodiments can be applied to various types of content, it is particularly applicable to content that provides users with relatively common topics, such as manga or novels. Manga and novels often consist of multi-volume series, and the content itself often spans multiple volumes. Therefore, if a user who has not yet viewed the latest volume mistakenly joins a community site corresponding to the latest volume, information about the latest volume is likely to be leaked.

In contrast, in each embodiment, by guiding users to appropriate community sites, the aforementioned information leaks can be further suppressed.

While embodiments of this disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art will find it easy to make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, and not as an limitation, the functions included in each means, step, etc., can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple means or steps, etc., can be combined into one or divided. Furthermore, the configurations shown in each embodiment may be combined as appropriate.

1 Communication System 10 Server 11 Control Unit 12 Input/Output Unit 13 Display 14 Communication Unit 15 Storage Unit 20 Terminal 21 Control Unit 22 Communication Unit 23 Input/Output Unit 24 Display Unit 25 Microphone 26 Speaker 27 Camera 28 Storage Unit 30 Network 111 Server Main Processing Unit 112 Information Transmission/Reception Processing Unit 113 Selection Processing Unit 114 Generation Processing Unit 115 Restriction Processing Unit 116 Message Processing Unit 117 Viewable Processing Unit 141 Communication Main Processing Unit 142 Information Transmission/Reception Unit 151 Server Main Processing Program 152 Information Transmission/Reception Program 153 Selection Processing Program 154 Viewing Information 155 Community Site Information 156 Assignment Processing Program 157 Identification Information 158 Generation Processing Program 159 Viewing Restriction Processing Program 160 Restriction Processing Information 161 Message Processing Program 162 Message processing information 163 Viewable processing program 164 Viewable processing information 165 Questionnaire information 166 Notification information 167 Movement history information 211 Terminal main processing unit 212 Information transmission/reception processing unit 213 Display processing unit 221 Communication main processing unit 222 Information transmission/reception unit 281 Terminal main processing program 282 Information transmission/reception program 283 Display processing program 284 Browsing information 285 Community site information 286 Identification information 287 Restriction processing information

Claims (25)

A server that communicates with a terminal,
A control unit that processes the creation of a community site based on the distribution of content,
The system includes a communication unit that transmits information from the community site to the terminal ,
When the control unit generates a first community site based on the distribution of the first content, it includes the content of the second community site related to the second content that was distributed before the first content in the first community site, performs a process in the first community site that allows the content to be moved to the corresponding location in the second community site, and further performs a process in the second community site that allows the content to be moved to the corresponding location in the first community site . A server that communicates with a terminal,
A control unit that processes the creation of a community site based on the distribution of content,
The system includes a communication unit that transmits information from the community site to the terminal ,
The aforementioned content is the first content,
The aforementioned community site is the first community site,
The control unit generates a second community site different from the first community site based on the fact that a second content related to the first content has been delivered, which was delivered before the first content.
The communication unit transmits the information of the second community site to the terminal.
The control unit performs control to send a message to the second community site, which is included in the second community site and sent from the terminal, to the second community site based on the terminal user viewing the first content . A server that communicates with a terminal,
A control unit that processes the creation of a community site based on the distribution of content,
The system includes a communication unit that transmits information from the community site to the terminal ,
The aforementioned content is the first content,
The aforementioned community site is the first community site,
The control unit generates a second community site different from the first community site based on the fact that a second content related to the first content has been delivered, which was delivered before the first content.
The communication unit transmits the information of the second community site to the terminal.
The control unit, when the user of the terminal moves to the first community site, performs control to send information indicating that the user of the terminal has moved to the first community site to users included in the second community site. A server that communicates with a terminal,
A control unit that processes the creation of a community site based on the distribution of content,
The system includes a communication unit that transmits information from the community site to the terminal ,
The aforementioned content is the first content,
The aforementioned community site is the first community site,
The control unit generates a second community site different from the first community site based on the fact that a second content related to the first content has been delivered, which was delivered before the first content.
The communication unit transmits the information of the second community site to the terminal.
The control unit performs control to enable the first user to view the first content based on a first input from the terminal user to the first user included in the second community site. A server that communicates with a terminal,
A control unit that processes the creation of a community site based on the distribution of content,
The system includes a communication unit that transmits information from the community site to the terminal ,
The aforementioned content is the first content,
The aforementioned community site is a community site related to content distributed prior to the first content,
The aforementioned first content is the latest content in the series.
The aforementioned community site is the third community site,
The control unit generates a fourth community site for the latest content of the series based on the distribution of the first content of the series. The server according to claim 2 ,
The users included in the second community site to which the message is sent are determined based on their relationship with the user of the terminal. The server according to claim 3 ,
The information indicating that the user has moved to the first community site includes information for changing the display of the user information of the terminal user displayed on the second community site. The server according to claim 4 ,
The first input includes an input relating to presenting the first content to the first user. A server according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The aforementioned community site is a community site related to the distributed content. A server according to any one of claims 2 to 4 ,
The first community site includes at least a portion of the messages entered into the second community site by users included in the second community site before the first content is delivered. A server according to any one of claims 2 to 4 ,
The control unit performs control to restrict access to the second community site based on the viewing of the first content. A server according to any one of claims 2 to 4 ,
The first content mentioned above is a continuation of the second content mentioned above. A server according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The communications unit transmits information regarding a survey about the content to the terminal based on the fact that the terminal user has viewed the distributed community site. The server according to claim 5 ,
The aforementioned community site is the third community site,
The control unit generates a fourth community site, which is different from the third community site, based on the distribution of a third content related to the first content, which was distributed before the first content. A server according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
Community sites include any one of the following: chat rooms, social networking service communities, online bulletin boards, or video site communities. A program executed by a server that communicates with a terminal,
Based on the distribution of content, the control unit of the server generates the community site,
The server performs the following actions: transmitting information from the community site via the server's communication unit .
When the control unit generates a first community site based on the distribution of the first content, the server performs the following actions: it includes the content of the second community site related to the second content that was distributed before the first content in the first community site, and it performs a process in the first community site that allows the content to be moved to the corresponding location in the second community site, and it performs a process in the second community site that allows the content to be moved to the corresponding location in the first community site . A program executed by a server that communicates with a terminal,
Based on the distribution of content, the control unit of the server generates the community site,
The server performs the following actions: transmitting information from the community site via the server's communication unit.

The aforementioned content is the first content,
The aforementioned community site is the first community site,
Based on the fact that the control unit has delivered a second content related to the first content that was delivered before the first content, it generates a second community site that is different from the first community site,
The communication unit transmits information from the second community site to the terminal,
Based on the terminal user's viewing of the first content, the server performs the following actions: the control unit controls the transmission of messages sent from the terminal to the second community site, which are included in the second community site, to the second community site . A program executed by a server that communicates with a terminal,
Based on the distribution of content, the control unit of the server generates the community site,
The server performs the following actions: transmitting information from the community site via the server's communication unit .
The aforementioned content is the first content,
The aforementioned community site is the first community site,
Based on the fact that the control unit has delivered a second content related to the first content that was delivered before the first content, it generates a second community site that is different from the first community site,
The communication unit transmits information from the second community site to the terminal,
The server performs the following control operation: when the user of the terminal moves to the first community site, the control unit sends information indicating that the user of the terminal has moved to the first community site to the users included in the second community site . A program executed by a server that communicates with a terminal,
Based on the distribution of content, the control unit of the server generates the community site,
The server performs the following actions: transmitting information from the community site via the server's communication unit .
The aforementioned content is the first content,
The aforementioned community site is the first community site,
Based on the fact that the control unit has delivered a second content related to the first content that was delivered before the first content, it generates a second community site that is different from the first community site,
The communication unit transmits information from the second community site to the terminal,
The server performs the following actions based on a first input from the terminal user to the first user included in the second community site, which is performed by the control unit, to enable the first user to view the first content . A program executed by a server that communicates with a terminal,
Based on the distribution of content, the control unit of the server generates the community site,
The server performs the following actions: transmitting information from the community site via the server's communication unit .
The aforementioned content is the first content,
The aforementioned community site is a community site related to content distributed prior to the first content,
The aforementioned first content is the latest content in the series.
The aforementioned community site is the third community site,
Based on the distribution of the first content of the series by the control unit, the server performs the creation of a fourth community site for the latest content of the series . A method for processing information on a server that communicates with a terminal,
Based on the distribution of content, the control unit of the server generates the community site,
This includes transmitting information from the aforementioned community site via the communication unit of the server ,
When the control unit generates a first community site based on the distribution of the first content, it includes including the content of the second community site related to the second content distributed before the first content in the first community site, performing a process in the first community site that allows the location containing the content to move to the corresponding location in the second community site, and performing a process in the second community site that allows the location containing the content to move to the corresponding location in the first community site .
A method for processing information on a server that communicates with a terminal,
Based on the distribution of content, the control unit of the server generates the community site,
This includes transmitting information from the aforementioned community site via the communication unit of the server,
The aforementioned content is the first content,
The aforementioned community site is the first community site,
Based on the fact that the control unit has delivered a second content related to the first content that was delivered before the first content, it generates a second community site that is different from the first community site,
The communication unit transmits information from the second community site to the terminal,
The control unit also performs control to send a message to the second community site, which is included in the second community site, to the second community site, based on the user of the terminal viewing the first content . A method for processing information on a server that communicates with a terminal,
Based on the distribution of content, the control unit of the server generates the community site,
This includes transmitting information from the aforementioned community site via the communication unit of the server,
The aforementioned content is the first content,
The aforementioned community site is the first community site,
Based on the fact that the control unit has delivered a second content related to the first content that was delivered before the first content, it generates a second community site that is different from the first community site,
The communication unit transmits information from the second community site to the terminal,
The control unit also performs control to send information indicating that the user of the terminal has moved to the first community site to users included in the second community site when the user of the terminal moves to the first community site . A method for processing information on a server that communicates with a terminal,
Based on the distribution of content, the control unit of the server generates the community site,
This includes transmitting information from the aforementioned community site via the communication unit of the server,
The aforementioned content is the first content,
The aforementioned community site is the first community site,
Based on the fact that the control unit has delivered a second content related to the first content that was delivered before the first content, it generates a second community site that is different from the first community site,
The communication unit transmits information from the second community site to the terminal,
The control unit performs control to enable the first user to view the first content based on a first input from the user of the terminal to the first user included in the second community site . A method for processing information on a server that communicates with a terminal,
Based on the distribution of content, the control unit of the server generates the community site,
This includes transmitting information from the aforementioned community site via the communication unit of the server,
The aforementioned content is the first content,
The aforementioned community site is a community site related to content distributed prior to the first content,
The aforementioned first content is the latest content in the series.
The aforementioned community site is the third community site,
This includes generating a fourth community site for the latest content of the series based on the distribution of the first content of the series by the control unit .