Display control device, display control method, and computer program product

Abstract

A display control device, more suitably performs timing matching of a demander and a provider of a service. A processing portion displays a plurality of candidate times of a demander who desires a first service as a calendar form on a display unit. The processing portion displays a time of a second service provided by a second provider who is different from a first provider who provides the first service in a manner corresponding to the plurality of candidate times displayed as the calendar form.

Description

Cross-referencing with related applications

[0001] This application claims priority and interest in Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-225659, filed on December 20, 2024. The specification, claims, and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-225659 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to display control technology. Background Technology

[0003] Regarding services such as live streaming distribution, information processing devices that enable smoother communication between users are known (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-7042). Summary of the Invention The problem the invention aims to solve

[0004] However, it is generally difficult to ensure that the timing of service provision by service providers matches the timing desired by service demanders appropriately. In one aspect, the purpose of this disclosure is to more appropriately match the timing of service demanders with that of service providers. Solution for solving the problem

[0005] In one embodiment, the display control device includes a processing unit. The processing unit displays multiple candidate times for a user requesting the first service in a calendar format on the display unit. The processing unit also displays the time when a second service is provided by a second provider (different from the first provider of the first service) in a manner corresponding to the multiple candidate times displayed in calendar format. Invention Effects

[0006] Based on one aspect, it is possible to more appropriately match service demanders and suppliers on a timely basis. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a distribution system. Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a distribution server. Figure 3 This is an example of a registration screen for the first time period. Figure 4 This is an example of a registration screen showing the second time period. Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of the screen displayed in the first time period. Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of the screen displayed in the second time period. Figure 7This is a diagram illustrating an example of the first transmission method. Figure 8 This is a diagram showing an example of the display screen in the third time period. Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the second transmission method. Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of distribution control processing. Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device. Detailed Implementation

[0008] The embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 The distribution system includes a distribution server 101, viewer terminal devices 102-1 to 102-N (N is an integer greater than or equal to 2), and a distributor terminal device 103. Viewer terminal device 102-i (i = 1 to N) is the information processing device (computer) for viewer Ai, and distributor terminal device 103 is the information processing device for distributor L. Viewer terminal devices 102-i and distributor terminal device 103 can be portable terminal devices or personal computers. Portable terminal devices can also be smartphones, tablets, or laptops. The distribution server 101 communicates with viewer terminal devices 102-1 to 102-N and distributor terminal device 103 via a communication network 104. The communication network 104 is, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network). The communication network 104 can also be the Internet.

[0009] Distributor L inputs the content of the content to be distributed into distributor terminal device 103, and distributor terminal device 103 sends the input content to distribution server 101. The content of the content to be distributed can be video, images, sound, text, or a combination of these. The content of the content to be distributed can also be live-streamed content distributed in real time. Live-streamed content can be video and sound of distributor L speaking, performing, singing, playing musical instruments, etc., or video and sound of game distribution. Distributor L determines the distribution time period of the content and inputs it into distributor terminal device 103, and distributor terminal device 103 sends the input distribution time period to distribution server 101. Distributor L is an example of a person who determines the distribution time period of the content. Distribution server 101 distributes the content to the viewer terminal device 102-i of viewer Ai who wants to watch the content during the received distribution time period. Thus, each viewer Ai can watch the content output from viewer terminal device 102-i. Generally, when the timing of content distribution is inconsistent with the timing desired by the viewer, it is difficult for the viewer to watch the content distribution. This is not limited to live video distribution; it can also occur when various content is distributed to multiple viewers.

[0010] Figure 2 The distribution server 101 includes a processing unit 200, a communication unit 211, and a storage unit 215. The processing unit 200 includes an acquisition unit 212, a display control unit 213, and a distribution control unit 214. The processing unit 200 can be composed of a single CPU (Central Processing Unit) or multiple CPUs that jointly perform processing. The distribution server 101 is an example of a display control device. The communication unit 211 communicates with viewer terminal devices 102-1 to 102-N and the distributor terminal device 103 via a communication network 104. Each viewer terminal device 102-i displays a time slot registration screen containing multiple candidate time slots. Each candidate time slot represents a candidate time slot for the content to be distributed. Viewer Ai selects one or more candidate time slots from the multiple candidate time slots included in the time slot registration screen as the desired time slot. The viewer terminal device 102-i sends the desired time period information Bi, which represents the desired time period selected by the viewer Ai, to the distribution server 101.

[0011] Figure 3The time slot registration screen 301 in the viewer terminal device 102-i is in calendar display format, for example, including eight time slots for each day of the week from Sunday to Saturday. The eight time slots for each day of the week are: 5 PM to 6 PM, 6 PM to 7 PM, 7 PM to 8 PM, 8 PM to 9 PM, 9 PM to 10 PM, 10 PM to 11 PM, 11 PM to midnight, and midnight to 3 AM. Therefore, the time slot registration screen 301 contains 56 time slots. The 34 time slots marked with shade are selected as desired time slots. The viewer Ai can select these desired time slots, for example, by dragging the 34 shaded time slots. Figure 4 The time period registration screen 302 in the viewer terminal device 102-i and Figure 3 The time slot registration screen 301 is also a calendar display, containing eight time slots for each day of the week, from Sunday to Saturday. In the time slot registration screen 302, 36 time slots marked with "〇" or "△" are selected as desired time slots. Time slots marked with "〇" represent the viewer Ai's first desired time slot, and time slots marked with "△" represent the viewer Ai's second desired time slot. Here, time slot registration screens 301 and 302 display eight time slots for each day of the week, but are not limited to this; they could also be set to allow selection of any time slot within 24 hours via scrolling. Furthermore, while time slot registration screens 301 and 302 display a calendar based on weeks, they can also display by month or day.

[0012] The acquisition unit 212 acquires the desired time period information Bi by receiving desired time period information Bi from each viewer terminal device 102-i via the communication unit 211. Then, the acquisition unit 212 saves the desired time period information 221, including the received desired time period information B1 to desired time period information BN, to the storage unit 215. The display control unit 213 uses the desired time period information 221 to calculate the evaluation value for each time period. For example, the display control unit 213 can calculate the evaluation value for a given time period from the number of viewers Ai who desire that time period. In this case, the evaluation value can be the number of viewers Ai who desire that time period, or it can be the proportion of viewers Ai who desire that time period among those who desire to watch the content of distributor L. The more viewers Ai who desire a time period, the higher the evaluation value. By calculating the evaluation value for a time period from the number of viewers Ai who desire that time period, an evaluation value reflecting the number of viewers Ai who desire that time period can be obtained.

[0013] The display control unit 213 can also calculate the evaluation value using the number of viewers Ai desired for each time period and the weight Wi of each viewer Ai through weighted addition, etc. In this case, the sum of the weight Wi of the viewers Ai desired for that time period is used as the evaluation value. Therefore, the more viewers Ai with a large weight Wi there are in a time period, the higher the evaluation value. As the weight Wi, for example, the viewer Ai's interest in distributor L can be used. The viewer Ai's interest can be the number of times or the time that the viewer Ai has watched content previously distributed by distributor L. The viewer Ai's interest can also be the number of times or the time that the distribution schedule of distributor L is displayed in the program schedule that displays the distribution schedule of content that the viewer Ai is interested in. By calculating the evaluation value using the number of viewers Ai desired for each time period and the weight Wi of each viewer Ai, an evaluation value reflecting the different weight Wi for each viewer Ai can be obtained.

[0014] The display control unit 213 generates display information for each time period from the evaluation values ​​of that time period. For example, a color or pattern corresponding to the evaluation value of that time period is used as the display information for each time period. In this case, the display control unit 213 divides the distribution range of the evaluation values ​​into multiple numerical ranges and uses a color or pattern corresponding to the numerical range to which the evaluation value belongs as the display information for the time period with that evaluation value. When using color as display information, the color of each time period is changed according to the level of the evaluation value so that the evaluation value of each time period can be identified. For example, a darker color is used for a higher evaluation value, and a lighter color is used for a lower evaluation value. The display control unit 213 outputs the display information for each time period to the distributor terminal device 103 by sending it via the communication unit 211. The distributor terminal device 103 receives the display information for each time period from the distribution server 101 and displays a time period display screen. The time period display screen displays that time period using the display information for each time period. The time period display screen is an example of a screen viewed by the person who determines the distribution time period of the content. By sending display information corresponding to the evaluation values ​​of each time period to the distributor terminal device 103, the distributor terminal device 103 can display each time period in different forms according to the evaluation values, which can more appropriately help the distributor L decide on the distribution time periods. Furthermore, by using color or patterns as display information, the distributor L can easily visually distinguish each time period. By changing the color of each time period according to the evaluation value level, the distributor L can identify the evaluation value of each time period. Here, as display information, any display format that allows the distributor L to easily visually identify the time periods with high demand from the viewer Ai is acceptable; in addition to heatmap displays, gradient displays can also be used.

[0015] Figure 5The time period display screen 303 in the distributor terminal device 103 and Figure 3 Time period registration screen 301 and Figure 4 The time slot registration screen 302 also uses a calendar display format, for example, including eight time slots for each day of the week from Sunday to Saturday. These time slots are distinguished using three shades. The darkest shade is used for the four time slots from 9 PM to 3 PM on the 10th (Sunday), the five time slots from 7 PM to midnight on the 12th (Tuesday), the two time slots from 11 PM to 3 PM on the 13th (Wednesday), and the three time slots from 10 PM to 3 PM on the 15th (Friday). The second darkest shade is used for the two time slots from 11 PM to 3 PM on the 11th (Monday) and the four time slots from 8 PM to midnight on the 14th (Thursday). The lightest shade is used for the four time slots from 5 PM to 9 PM on the 10th (Sunday) and the eight time slots from 5 PM to 3 PM on the 16th (Saturday). Blank time slots have an evaluation value of 0 or less than a specified value. By using display information corresponding to the evaluation value to distinguish each time slot, it is easy to find the optimal distribution time slot. Distributor L selects a distribution time period from among the time periods displayed in the darkest color and inputs it into distributor terminal device 103. Distributor terminal device 103 then sends the input distribution time period to distribution server 101. Here, the time period display screen 303 displays eight time periods for each day of the week, but it is not limited to this; it can also be configured to allow selection of any time period within the 24 hours via scrolling. Furthermore, Figure 5 The time period display screen 303 displays a calendar in weekly units, but it can also display in monthly units and daily units.

[0016] The distribution control unit 214 receives a distribution time period from the distributor terminal device 103 via the communication unit 211, and distributes the content to the viewer terminal device 102-i of the viewer Ai who wants to watch the content during the received distribution time period. In the case of live distribution, the distribution control unit 214 receives the content sent in real time from the distributor terminal device 103 and distributes the received content to the viewer terminal device 102-i. By distributing content during any time period displayed in the darkest color, it is possible to distribute during periods when the viewer Ai has a high demand for the content from the distributor L, while simultaneously increasing the number of connections.

[0017] exist Figure 6 In the time period display screen 304 of the distributor terminal device 103, Figure 5The time slot display screen 303 also displays the distribution time slots of distributors H and S, who are other distributors. Distributor L can search for other distributors by using the search box 312 displayed in screen area 311, and click the checkboxes of the found distributors H and S to make the distribution time slots of distributors H and S overlap and be displayed on the time slot display screen 303 as the time slot display screen 304. The two time slots from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on the 10th (Sunday), the two time slots from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on the 11th (Monday), and the two time slots from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM on the 12th (Tuesday) are the distribution time slots of distributor H. The two time slots from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on the 14th (Thursday) and the two time slots from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM on the 15th (Friday) are also the distribution time slots of distributor H. The two time slots from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM on the 13th (Wednesday) and the two time slots from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM on the 16th (Saturday) are the distribution time slots of distributor S. For example, if the content of distributors H and S competes with the content of distributor L, and if distributor L's content is distributed during the distribution time of distributors H or S, some viewers A1 to AN may watch the content of distributors H or S. In this case, the number of viewers Ai watching distributor L's content will decrease, so distributor L avoids the distribution time of distributors H and S to determine the distribution time of its content. By displaying the distribution time of other distributors together, it is easy to identify the time period during which the number of simultaneous connections may decrease. Furthermore, the time period display screen 304 is not limited to displaying the distribution time periods of distributors H and S overlapping on the time period display screen 303; it may also display the distribution time periods of distributors H and S next to the distribution time period of distributor L. The time period display screen 304 can have any display format as long as it establishes a correspondence between the distribution time period of distributor L and the distribution time periods of distributors H and S in a way that makes the correlation easy to visually identify.

[0018] exist Figure 6The following describes the process from receiving desired time period information Bi from each viewer terminal device 102-i to distributing content to the viewer terminal device 102-i. First, the acquisition unit 212 receives the desired time period information Bi from each viewer terminal device 102-i via the communication unit 211 (step 601). Next, the display control unit 213 uses the desired time period information 221, which includes desired time period information B1 to desired time period information BN, to calculate the evaluation value for each time period (step 602), and generates display information from the evaluation values ​​for each time period (step 603). Then, the display control unit 213 sends the display information for each time period to the distributor terminal device 103 via the communication unit 211 (step 604). Next, the distribution control unit 214 receives the distribution time period determined by the distributor L from the distributor terminal device 103 via the communication unit 211 (step 605), and distributes content to the viewer terminal device 102-i within the received distribution time period (step 606).

[0019] The above describes the process from receiving the desired time period information Bi from each viewer terminal device 102-i to distributing the content to the viewer terminal device 102-i. According to this disclosure, multiple services can be efficiently adjusted. This configuration reduces the processing load and complexity on the server side compared to previous scheduling methods, thus improving the technical aspects of the scheduling system. Moreover, this disclosure provides the following technical benefits: it enables resource optimization, improves user convenience and system responsiveness, and enhances overall operational efficiency. The following describes the first or second sending method for the request function from the viewer to the distributor. A viewer Ai who wishes to change the distribution time period determined by distributor L can send a time request to distributor L requesting a change to the distribution time period using either the first or second sending method. Figure 7In the case of the first sending method described, the viewer Ai displays a time request input screen 322 on screen 321 of the viewer terminal device 102-i and inputs the request content. Thus, a time request is generated. The time request includes, for example, the viewer Ai's name, the original distribution time period, the changed distribution time period, a message to distributor L, and the remittance amount to distributor L. The viewer Ai's name is their real name, display name in the distribution system, etc. The viewer Ai pays the prescribed handling fee to the operator of the distribution system and sends the time request to the distribution server 101 using the viewer terminal device 102-i. The display control unit 213 sends the received time request to the distributor terminal device 103, and the distributor terminal device 103 displays the time request on the screen. Distributor L confirms the changed distribution time period, the message to distributor L, and the remittance amount included in the displayed time request to decide whether to change the distribution time period. Figure 8 In the time period display screen 305 of the distributor terminal device 103, Figure 6 The time period display screen 304 shows the revised distribution time period included in the received time request, along with the remittance amount included in the time request. For example, a remittance amount of 2000 yen is displayed for the time period from 6 PM to 7 PM on the 12th (Tuesday), a remittance amount of 1000 yen is displayed for the time period from 8 PM to 9 PM on the 14th (Thursday), and a remittance amount of 500 yen is displayed for the time period from 7 PM to 8 PM on the 15th (Friday). By displaying the remittance amount within the revised distribution time period, the benefits of changing the distribution time period can be easily identified, thus improving the convenience for the distributor L.

[0020] exist Figure 9In the case of the second sending method described, the time request includes, for example, the name of the viewer Ai, the distribution period before the change, the distribution period after the change, and a message to the distributor L. The viewer Ai purchases virtual coins 411 from the operator of the distribution system and uses the virtual coins 411 to purchase a time request 412. Then, the viewer Ai uses the viewer terminal device 102-i to send the time request 412 to the distribution server 101. The display control unit 213 sends the time requests 412 received from one or more viewer terminal devices 102-i to the distributor terminal device 103. The distributor terminal device 103 displays each time request 412 and the total earned points on the screen. The total earned points represent the sum of the points allocated to each time request 412. The points allocated to each time request 412 are not notified to the distributor L. The distributor L can exchange the total earned points for money by notifying the operator of the total earned points. The operator receives a handling fee equal to the difference between the total amount of virtual coins 411 paid by the viewer Ai for purchasing time request 412 and the total amount of points earned as indicated by the distributor L. Distributor L confirms the changed distribution time periods included in each displayed time request 412, the message sent to distributor L, and the displayed total points earned to decide whether to change the distribution time periods.

[0021] Furthermore, the viewer Ai can select any time request 412 from a variety of time requests 412 with different prices and send it to the distributor L. The higher the price of the time request 412, the more points are allocated to that time request 412. Figure 9 In the example, the viewer selects the Gold Belt time request 412 from four types: Gold Belt, Silver Belt, Bronze Belt, and Normal Belt. The Gold Belt time request 412 costs 1500 virtual coins (411 units). The Silver Belt time request 412 costs 500 coins, the Bronze Belt time request 412 costs 250 coins, and the Normal Belt time request 412 costs 50 coins. The viewer Ai purchases one unit of virtual coins 411 from the operator for 2 yen. The Gold Belt time request 412 awards 1500 points. The Silver Belt time request 412 awards 500 points, the Bronze Belt time request 412 awards 250 points, and the Normal Belt time request 412 awards 50 points.

[0022] This disclosure relates to content distribution, but is not limited to it. For example, it can also be applied to matching the time periods of service demanders and service providers. In other words, it can generally be applied to matching the time periods between service demanders and providers. Furthermore, Figure 1The configuration of the distribution system described is merely an example; some components may be omitted or modified depending on the purpose or conditions of the distribution system. For instance, the display control device may also be implemented as a device independent of the distribution server 101. When the display control device is implemented as a device independent of the distribution server 101, the display control device includes... Figure 2 The communication unit 211, acquisition unit 212, display control unit 213, and storage unit 215 are included. Figure 2 The configuration of the distribution server 101 is just one example, and some components may be omitted or changed depending on the configuration or conditions of the distribution system. For example, if the display control device is implemented as a device independent of the distribution server 101, the communication unit 211, the acquisition unit 212, the display control unit 213, and the storage unit 215 may be omitted. Figure 6 The flowchart is just an example, and some parts can be omitted or changed depending on the structure or conditions of the distribution system. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The time period registration screen shown and Figure 5 , Figure 6 as well as Figure 8 The time period display shown is just one example; the time period registration screen and time period display screen will vary depending on the purpose or conditions of the distribution system. Figure 7 and Figure 9 The sending method shown is just one example; the viewer Ai can also use other sending methods to send time requests.

[0023] Figure 7 Information processing devices are used as Figure 2 The distribution server 101 includes a CPU 701, a memory 702, an input device 703, an output device 704, an auxiliary storage device 705, a media drive device 706, and a network connection device 707. These components are hardware and are interconnected via a bus 708. The memory 702 is, for example, a semiconductor memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory), which stores programs and data used for processing. The memory 702 can also be used as... Figure 2 The storage unit 215 operates. The CPU 701 (processor) executes programs, for example, by utilizing the memory 702, and as... Figure 2 The processing unit 200 performs operations. The CPU 701, for example, executes programs using the memory 702, and also acts as... Figure 2The acquisition unit 212, display control unit 213, and distribution control unit 214 operate. The input device 703, such as a keyboard or pointing device, is used for inputting instructions or information from operators or users. The output device 704, such as a display device, printer, or speaker, is used for outputting queries or instructions to operators or users and for outputting processing results. The processing results can also be displayed as a time period. The auxiliary storage device 705 is, for example, a disk drive, optical disk drive, magneto-optical disk drive, magnetic tape drive, or flash memory. The auxiliary storage device 705 can also be a hard disk drive or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The information processing device can save programs and data to the auxiliary storage device 705 and load them into the memory 702 for use. The auxiliary storage device 705 can also be used as… Figure 2 The storage unit 215 operates. The media drive device 706 drives the portable recording medium 709 and accesses its recorded content. The portable recording medium 709 can be a storage device, floppy disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, etc. The portable recording medium 709 can also be a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, etc. Operators or users can save programs and data to the portable recording medium 709 and load them into the memory 702 for use. Thus, the computer-readable recording medium that stores programs and data for processing is a physical (non-transitory) recording medium such as the memory 702, auxiliary storage device 705, or portable recording medium 709. The network connection device 707 is a communication device that connects to the communication network 104 and performs data conversion accompanying the communication. The information processing device can receive programs and data from external devices via network connection device 707 and load them into memory 702 for use. Network connection device 707 can also serve as... Figure 2 The communications unit 211 is operating.

[0024] Furthermore, the information processing device does not need to include Figure 7 All components can be omitted depending on the purpose or conditions. For example, if an interface with an operator or user is not required, the input device 703 and output device 704 can be omitted. The media drive device 706 can also be omitted if the portable recording medium 709 is not used. Figure 1 The viewer terminal devices 102-1 to 102-N and the distributor terminal device 103 are capable of using with Figure 7The same information processing device. When the display control device is implemented as a device independent of the distribution server 101, it can be used as a display control device with... Figure 7 The same information processing apparatus. Although the disclosed embodiments and their advantages have been described in detail, those skilled in the art can make various changes, additions, and omissions without departing from the scope of this disclosure as expressly set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A display control device, characterized in that, It includes a processing unit, the processing unit The display unit shows multiple candidate times for users who wish to use the first service as a calendar. The time when the second service is provided by a second supplier, different from the first supplier providing the first service, is displayed in a manner corresponding to multiple candidate times displayed in the form of a calendar.

2. The display control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The processing unit The second supplier is designated from among a plurality of candidates that are different from the first supplier. The time when the second service is provided by the second supplier is displayed in a manner corresponding to multiple candidate times displayed in the form of the calendar.

3. The display control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The processing unit Obtain desired time information representing the desired time for each of the multiple users of the first service from among a plurality of candidate times for the provision time period of the first service. Based on the desired time information, the evaluation values ​​of each of the multiple time periods are calculated, and the display information corresponding to the evaluation values ​​of each of the multiple time periods is displayed in the display unit in the form of a calendar.

4. The display control device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The processing unit calculates the evaluation value for each of the plurality of times based on the number of people who want each time and the weight of those people who want each time.

5. The display control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The processing unit On the screen where the first provider views the first service during the specified time period, the multiple times and the corresponding evaluation values ​​for each of the multiple times are displayed.

6. The display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The display information corresponding to the evaluation values ​​of the multiple time periods represents the color or pattern corresponding to the evaluation values ​​of the multiple time periods.

7. The display control device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The processing unit The output displays information with colors that change according to the rating level, so that the rating values ​​for each of the multiple time periods can be identified.

8. The display control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The processing unit The times for providing the second service are displayed in an overlapping manner across multiple candidate times displayed in the calendar format.

9. A display control method, characterized in that, The computer performs the following processing: The display unit shows multiple candidate times for users who wish to use the first service as a calendar. The time when the second service is provided by a second supplier, different from the first supplier providing the first service, is displayed in a manner corresponding to multiple candidate times displayed in the form of a calendar.

10. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer will perform the following processing: The display unit shows multiple candidate times for users who wish to use the first service as a calendar. The time when the second service is provided by a second supplier, different from the first supplier providing the first service, is displayed in a manner corresponding to multiple candidate times displayed in the form of a calendar.

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