Appatus for providing real-time online contents capable of interacting with user

Abstract

A real-time online content providing device capable of interacting with a user according to the present invention comprises: a content providing unit that provides predefined real-time online content to a user terminal connected via a network; a response information generating unit that analyzes user input information received from the user terminal during the process of providing the real-time online content and generates response information corresponding thereto; and a user interaction unit that provides the generated response information to the user terminal. Herein, the user interaction unit may enable the response information to be output through an interactive object displayed together with the real-time online content.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a content provision technology capable of performing interaction with a user through a virtual object output during the process of providing real-time online content. Background Technology

[0003] As the speed of wired and wireless networks and the performance of computing devices have improved significantly, a variety of online content that can be enjoyed in real time is being provided. Various online content that requires large amounts of data transmission, such as online game content that multiple users can play simultaneously and streaming broadcast content where streamers broadcast with a specific concept, can be easily accessed on personal computers or mobile devices.

[0004] Generally, users consume real-time online content by controlling game characters to play games or watching broadcast content. Meanwhile, most online content services provide features that allow users to communicate with broadcasters or other users via text or voice messages. However, currently available features are limited to conversations between users or between users and hosts, and they have limitations in providing new interest during the content consumption process. If interaction technology is developed that can induce new user engagement and enhance the loyalty of existing users by generating new interest during the online content delivery process, it could serve as a new revenue model for online content service providers. The problem to be solved

[0006] The present invention proposes a real-time online content delivery device capable of interacting with a user, which can provide new interest to the user by supporting communication with the user through an interactive object displayed together with real-time online content. means of solving the problem

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, a real-time online content providing device capable of interacting with a user according to the present invention comprises: a content providing unit that provides predefined real-time online content to a user terminal connected via a network; a response information generating unit that analyzes user input information received from the user terminal during the process of providing the real-time online content and generates response information corresponding thereto; and a user interaction unit that provides the generated response information to the user terminal.

[0009] Here, the user interaction unit may enable the response information to be output through an interactive object displayed together with the real-time online content.

[0010] In one embodiment, the interactive object may be implemented as a virtual character of a predefined shape.

[0011] In one embodiment, the virtual character may operate as a virtual streamer character that conducts a broadcast during the process of providing the real-time online content, or as a virtual assistant character that is displayed independently of the streamer and supports the streamer's broadcast.

[0012] In one embodiment, the virtual character may be implemented as at least one Non-Player Character (NPC) placed in the virtual environment of the game content during the process of providing real-time game content.

[0013] In one embodiment, the response information generation unit inputs message information received from the user terminal into a predefined conversation model and generates response information output from the conversation model as response information, and the user interaction unit can control the virtual character so that the virtual character outputs the response information as voice.

[0014] In one embodiment, the response information generation unit inputs message information received from the user terminal into a predefined deliberation model and can generate response information based on deliberation result information output from the deliberation model. Effects of the invention

[0016] According to the present invention, by supporting communication with the user through an interactive object displayed together with real-time online content, new interest can be provided to the user, thereby inducing the entry of new users and improving the loyalty of incoming users. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a real-time online content providing device capable of interacting with a user according to the present invention. FIGS. 2 to 4 are reference diagrams for explaining a method of providing streaming broadcast content through a real-time online content providing device according to the present invention. FIGS. 5 to 6 are reference diagrams for explaining a method of providing online game content through a real-time online content providing device according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. In the following description, identical components are given the same names and reference numerals for convenience of explanation.

[0020] The terms used in this invention have been selected to be as widely used as possible; however, in specific cases, terms have been arbitrarily selected by the applicant. Since the meanings of such terms are described in detail in the relevant description of the invention, this invention should be understood based on the meaning of the terms rather than their mere names.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a real-time online content providing device (100, hereinafter, content providing device) capable of interacting with a user according to the present invention.

[0022] The content providing device (100) is a computing device connected to a user terminal (e.g., personal computer, smartphone, tablet PC, etc.) via a network, and is configured to include a content providing unit (110), a response information generating unit (120), and a user interaction unit (130), as shown in FIG. 1. Here, the content providing device (100) may be implemented by being included in a server or personal computing device that can be managed by an online content service provider.

[0023] The content provider (110) provides predefined real-time online content to the user terminal.

[0024] In one embodiment, real-time online content may include at least one of streaming broadcast content, streaming video content, streaming music content, and online game content. For example, the content providing unit (110) may provide streaming broadcast content to a user terminal in real time by linking with a streaming broadcast service server. In another example, the content providing unit (110) may provide online game content to a user terminal in real time by linking with an online game service server.

[0025] The response information generation unit (120) analyzes user input information received from a user terminal during the process of providing real-time online content and generates response information therefor.

[0026] In one embodiment, user input information may correspond to message information input by a user. For example, user input information may correspond to a chat message input by a user during the process of providing streaming broadcast content. In this embodiment, the response information generation unit (120) may generate response information corresponding to the message information (chat message) using a predefined (or pre-trained) conversation model as response information for the user input information.

[0027] In another embodiment, user input information may correspond to game control information or message information input by a user. For example, user input information may correspond to character control signals or question messages input by a user during the process of providing online game content. Here, the response information generation unit (120) may generate game guide information (e.g., game strategy information based on game progress, etc.) corresponding to the user input information (character control signals or question messages) as response information for the user input information.

[0028] Meanwhile, various embodiments regarding user input information and response information according to the present invention will be described later.

[0029] The user interaction unit (130) provides response information generated by the response information generation unit (120) to the user terminal. Here, the user interaction unit (130) can enable the response information to be output through an interactive object that is displayed together with real-time online content.

[0030] The interactive object according to the present invention is a visualized object output to a user terminal, and from the user's perspective, it is recognized as an object that outputs response information corresponding to their input information.

[0031] In one embodiment, the interactive object may be implemented as a virtual character of a predefined shape. For example, the interactive object may be implemented as a virtual streamer character displayed during the playback of streaming broadcast content, or as an auxiliary progression character displayed independently of the virtual streamer character. As another example, the interactive object may be implemented as at least one Non-Player Character (NPC) placed in the virtual environment of the game content during the provision of online game content.

[0032] Hereinafter, the operation of a content providing device (100) according to various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0033] 1. Implementation example in streaming broadcast content

[0034] FIGS. 2 to 4 are reference diagrams for explaining a method of providing streaming broadcast content through a content providing device (100) according to the present invention.

[0035] According to the present embodiment, the content providing device (100) can provide an interaction function with the user during the process of providing streaming broadcast content.

[0036] In one embodiment, a virtual character functioning as an interactive object may be implemented as a virtual streamer character conducting a broadcast during the process of providing streaming broadcast content. For example, referring to FIG. 2, during the process of providing streaming broadcast content in which a streamer plays a game video and performs commentary on the game progress, explanation of strategies, etc., a virtual streamer character (210) visualized as a female character may be displayed together on a user terminal. At this time, the virtual streamer character (210) may operate to conduct a broadcast (commentary on the game progress, explanation of strategies, etc.) using a predefined (or pre-learned) voice output model or conversation model. When message information (e.g., "Today's broadcast is so fun~") is input from a user terminal during the broadcast process, the response information generation unit (120) inputs it into a predefined (or pre-trained) conversation model and can generate response information (e.g., "Thank you") output from the conversation model as response information. Here, the user interaction unit (130) can control the streamer character (210) so that the streamer character (210) outputs the response information generated by the response information generation unit (120) as voice. For example, the user interaction unit (130) can control the streamer character (210) to output the corresponding response text as voice by using a TTS (TEXT-TO-SPEECH) module that converts text into voice and a speech animation engine that renders the character's facial expression and mouth shape in response to pronunciation.

[0037] In another embodiment, a virtual character functioning as an interactive object may be implemented as a virtual auxiliary presenter character that is displayed independently of the streamer (or virtual streamer character) and supports the streamer (or virtual streamer character)'s broadcasting progress. For example, referring to FIG. 2, during the process of providing streaming broadcast content, a virtual auxiliary presenter character (220) visualized as a specific animal (e.g., a bird) may be output together to the user terminal. At this time, the virtual auxiliary presenter character (220) may operate to assist in the broadcasting progress (explaining game functions, explaining items, humor, providing general information, etc.) using a predefined (or pre-learned) voice output model or conversation model. As in the preceding embodiment, the response information generation unit (120) can generate response information corresponding to the user's chat message using a predefined (or pre-trained) conversation model, and the user interaction unit (130) can control the virtual auxiliary character (220) so that the virtual auxiliary character (220) outputs the generated response information as voice.

[0039] 2. Implementation Examples in Online Game Content

[0040] FIGS. 5 to 6 are reference diagrams for explaining a method of providing online game content through a content providing device (100) according to the present invention.

[0041] According to this embodiment, the content providing device (100) can provide an interaction function with the user during the process of providing online game content. Meanwhile, redundant content among the embodiments described in 1 above is omitted, but it is of course applicable to this embodiment as well.

[0042] In one embodiment, a virtual character functioning as an interactive object may be implemented as at least one Non-Player Character (NPC) placed in the virtual environment of the game content during the process of providing online game content. For example, referring to FIG. 5, during the process of providing online game content (e.g., MMO RPG), an NPC (230, e.g., pet, guide character, enemy character, etc.) defined to perform predefined actions according to the game progress, in addition to the game character operated by the user, may be provided. At this time, the NPC (230) may operate to interact with the user using a predefined (or pre-learned) voice output model or conversation model.

[0043] When game control information (e.g., character control signal) is input from a user terminal during the game progress, the response information generation unit (120) determines the game progress status based on the game control information and can generate game guide information (e.g., general game information, game mission information, and game strategy information, etc.) corresponding to the game progress status as response information. Here, the user interaction unit (130) can control the NPC (230) so that the NPC (230) outputs the game guide information generated by the response information generation unit (120) as voice.

[0044] In one embodiment, the game guide information may include at least one of general game information, game mission information, and game strategy information. For example, the response information generation unit (120) may generate general game information (e.g., company, game introduction, character control method, character characteristics, etc.), game mission information (e.g., list of tasks to be performed until mission completion, detailed description of a specific mission, etc.), and game strategy information (e.g., play strategy in a specific situation, items to use against a specific enemy, movement path, attack method, etc.) in response to the game progress or a user's question, and the user interaction unit (130) may control the NPC (230) so that the generated game guide information is output as voice by the NPC (230). Meanwhile, the conversation function and conversation deliberation function described in 1 above may also be applied in this implementation example.

[0046] The present invention as described above can be implemented as a program instruction to implement it, and a recording medium that can be read by a computer recording such program instruction is, for example, a ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical media storage device, etc.

[0047] In addition, a computer-readable recording medium that records a program as described above may be distributed among networked computer devices, so that computer-readable code can be stored and executed in a distributed manner. In this case, one or more of the multiple distributed computers may execute some of the functions presented above and transmit the results to one or more of the other distributed computers, and the computer that receives the results may also execute some of the functions presented above and provide the results to other distributed computers.

[0048] Furthermore, terms such as "include," "compose," or "have" described above, unless specifically stated otherwise, mean that the relevant component may be inherent; therefore, they should be interpreted as allowing for the inclusion of additional components rather than excluding them. All terms, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, unless otherwise defined. Commonly used terms, such as those defined in advance, should be interpreted in accordance with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in the present invention.

[0049] The foregoing description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to make various modifications and variations within the scope of the essential characteristics of the present invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to explain, not limit, the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0050] 100: Real-time online content delivery device 110 : Content Provider 120 : Response information generation unit 130 : User Interaction Section 210 : Virtual streamer character 220: Virtual Support Progression Character 230 : NPC

Claims

Claim 1 A real-time online content providing device capable of interacting with a user, comprising: a content providing unit that provides predefined real-time online content to a user terminal connected via a network; a response information generating unit that analyzes user input information received from the user terminal during the process of providing the real-time online content and generates response information corresponding thereto; and a user interaction unit that provides the generated response information to the user terminal; wherein the user interaction unit is characterized by enabling the response information to be output through an interactive object displayed together with the real-time online content. Claim 2 A real-time online content providing device according to claim 1, wherein the interactive object is implemented as a virtual character of a predefined shape. Claim 3 A real-time online content providing device according to paragraph 2, wherein the virtual character operates as a virtual streamer character conducting a broadcast during the process of providing the real-time online content, or operates as a virtual auxiliary character that is displayed independently of the streamer and supports the streamer's broadcasting. Claim 4 A real-time online content providing device, characterized in that, in paragraph 2, the virtual character is implemented as at least one NPC (Non-Player Character) placed in a virtual environment of the game content during the process of providing real-time game content.

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