Computer program

Abstract

To make live streaming further enjoyable by promoting interaction between a distributor and a viewer via a gift in the live streaming.SOLUTION: A computer program causes a terminal of a live streaming distributor to achieve functions of: transmitting moving image data relating to the live streaming to a server via a network; when a gift is used for the distributor, receiving input relating to the used gift by the distributor; and displaying, on a display during the live streaming, a result of determining whether or not to give an electronic value to the distributor and / or an amount of the electronic value to be given to the distributor according to a content of the received input.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a computer program, a terminal, and a server. [Background technology]

[0002] With the development of IT technology, the way information is exchanged has also changed. In the Showa era, one-way information transmission such as newspapers and television was the norm. In the Heisei era, mobile phones and personal computers became widespread and Internet communication speeds improved significantly, leading to the rise of instant two-way communication services such as chat services, and on-demand video distribution services became more popular as storage costs decreased. Now, in the Reiwa era, with the increasing functionality of smartphones and further improvements in network speeds such as 5G, services that enable real-time communication through video, especially live streaming services, are rapidly gaining recognition. Live streaming services are seeing an increase in users, especially among young people, as they allow everyone to share the same fun time even when they are far apart.

[0003] Gifts such as tips are an important element in live streaming and are also an important source of income for streamers. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that adds excitement to a stream by displaying a tipping effect image during the live streaming. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-017870 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Generally, when a viewer gives a gift during a live stream, the streamer receives a corresponding reward and an effect is displayed on the live stream screen. The streamer thanks the viewer who gave the gift during the live stream. This has become a common way of communication between streamers and viewers during live streams.

[0006] However, if the gift system is too rigid, viewers and streamers may become bored. In order to avoid rigidity, it is possible to increase the number of effects, but this will not change the gift system in the end, so it is not a fundamental solution.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these problems, and its purpose is to provide technology that can make live streaming more enjoyable by promoting interaction between broadcasters and viewers via gifts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention relates to a computer program, which realizes the following functions for a terminal of a live streamer: transmitting video data related to the live stream to a server via a network; receiving an input from the streamer related to the gift used when the gift is used on the streamer; and displaying the result of determining whether or not to grant electronic value to the streamer and / or the amount of electronic value to grant to the streamer according to the content of the received input on a display during the live stream.

[0009] Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a server comprising: a means for relaying transmission of video data relating to live distribution from a distributor's terminal to a viewer's terminal; a means for receiving a gift use signal indicating the use of a gift for the distributor from the viewer's terminal via a network during the live distribution; a means for transmitting a request signal requesting an input related to the used gift to the distributor's terminal via the network in response to the reception of the gift use signal; a means for receiving a response signal indicating the content of the input by the distributor from the distributor's terminal via the network; a means for determining whether or not to grant electronic value to the distributor and / or the amount of electronic value to be granted to the distributor in response to the content of the input indicated by the response signal; and a means for transmitting the determined result to the distributor's terminal and the viewer's terminal via the network during the live distribution.

[0010] In addition, any combination of the above components, or mutual substitution of the components or expressions of the present invention between an apparatus, a method, a system, a computer program, a recording medium storing a computer program, etc., are also valid aspects of the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, by promoting interaction between broadcasters and viewers through gifts during live broadcasts, live broadcasts can be made more enjoyable. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a live distribution system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing the functions and configuration of the user terminal of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing the functions and configuration of the server in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 4 is a data structure diagram showing an example of a stream DB in FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 4 is a data structure diagram showing an example of a user DB in FIG. 3. [Figure 6]4 is a data structure diagram showing an example of a gift DB in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing a series of processes in the live distribution system when a viewer uses a gift during live distribution. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming selection screen displayed on the display of a viewer's user terminal. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen displayed on the display of a viewer's user terminal. [Figure 10] A representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen with a gift area superimposed thereon, displayed on the display of a viewer's user terminal. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen displayed on the display of a user terminal of a broadcaster. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a representative screen image of a live streaming room screen with a jackpot effect superimposed thereon, as displayed on the display of the streamer's user terminal. [Figure 13] This is a representative screen image of a live streaming room screen with a non-jackpot effect superimposed, as displayed on the display of the streamer's user terminal. [Figure 14] A representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen with a gift area superimposed thereon, displayed on the display of a viewer's user terminal. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen displayed on the display of a user terminal of a broadcaster. [Figure 16] This is a representative screen image of a live streaming room screen displayed on the display of a broadcaster's user terminal, with a miss and no-reward effect superimposed. [Figure 17] This is a representative screen image of a live streaming room screen displayed on the display of a broadcaster's user terminal, with a miss and reward effect superimposed. [Figure 18] A representative screen image of a live streaming room screen with a winning effect superimposed thereon, as displayed on the display of a streamer's user terminal. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen with a next object superimposed thereon, as displayed on the display of a user terminal of a streamer. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen displayed on the display of a user terminal of a broadcaster. [Figure 21] A representative screen image of a live streaming room screen with a big victory effect superimposed thereon, as displayed on the display of the streamer's user terminal. [Figure 22] A representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen with a gift area superimposed thereon, displayed on the display of a viewer's user terminal. [Figure 23] FIG. 13 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen displayed on the display of a user terminal of a broadcaster. [Figure 24] A representative screen image of a live streaming room screen with a miss effect superimposed, as displayed on the display of a broadcaster's user terminal. [Diagram 25] A representative screen image of a live streaming room screen with a winning effect superimposed thereon, as displayed on the display of a streamer's user terminal. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen displayed on the display of a user terminal of a broadcaster. [Figure 27] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, the same or equivalent components, members, processes, and signals shown in each drawing will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted as appropriate. Also, some of the members that are not important for the explanation will be omitted in each drawing.

[0014] In the live streaming system according to the embodiment, when a viewer gives a gift during live streaming, the broadcaster is asked to make an input such as a selection. Whether or not to give a reward to the broadcaster and / or the amount of reward to be given is determined based on the content of the broadcaster's input. The result of this determination is notified to the viewer and the broadcaster during live streaming. This makes it possible to further activate the interaction between the viewer and the broadcaster through gifts. In addition to giving gifts, a conversation takes place between the broadcaster and the viewer about which choice should be made, and a more lively conversation takes place regarding the obtained results. As a result, the connection between the broadcaster and the viewer can be further enriched through live streaming.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a live distribution system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The live distribution system 1 provides an interactive live distribution service in which a distributor (also called a live streamer) LV and a viewer (also called an audience) AU (AU1, AU2, ...) can communicate with each other in real time. As shown in FIG. 1, the live distribution system 1 includes a server 10, a user terminal 20 on the distributor side, and a user terminal 30 (30a, 30b, ...) on the viewer side. The distributor and the viewer may be collectively referred to as users. The server 10 may be configured by one or more information processing devices connected to a network NW. The user terminals 20 and 30 may be, for example, mobile terminals such as smartphones, tablet terminals, laptop PCs, recorders, portable game consoles, and wearable devices, or may be stationary devices such as desktop PCs. The server 10, the user terminals 20, and the user terminals 30 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via various wired or wireless networks NW.

[0016] The live distribution system 1 involves a distributor LV, a viewer AU, and an administrator (not shown) who manages the server 10. The distributor LV is a person who transmits content in real time by recording and filming his / her own songs, talks, performances, fortune telling, game commentary, etc. on his / her own user terminal 20 and uploading the content to the server 10 as is. The administrator provides a platform for live distribution of content on the server 10, and also mediates or manages real-time exchanges between the distributor LV and the viewer AU. The viewer AU accesses the platform with the user terminal 30, selects desired content, and views it. During the live distribution of this content, the viewer AU performs operations to make comments, cheer, or request fortune telling through the user terminal 30, and the distributor LV providing the content responds to such comments, cheers, or requests, and the reactions are transmitted to the viewer AU by video and / or audio, thereby establishing two-way communication.

[0017] In this specification, "live distribution" may mean a data transmission mode that realizes a state in which content recorded on a user terminal 20 of a distributor LV is played back and made viewable on a user terminal 30 of a viewer AU in substantially real time, or may mean distribution itself realized by such a transmission mode. Live distribution may be realized using existing live distribution technologies such as HTTP Live Streaming, Common Media Application Format, Web Real-Time Communications, Real-Time Messaging Protocol, and MPEG DASH. Live distribution includes a transmission mode in which a viewer AU can view content with a predetermined delay while a distributor LV is recording the content. The amount of delay is at least as large as the amount of communication between the distributor LV and the viewer AU. However, live distribution is distinguished from so-called on-demand distribution in which the entire recorded data of the content is temporarily stored on a server, and the data is provided to a user from the server at any time thereafter in response to a request from the user.

[0018] In this specification, "moving image data" refers to data including image data (also called video data) generated by the imaging function of the user terminals 20 and 30, and audio data (also called audio data) generated by the audio input function of the user terminals 20 and 30. The moving image data is played back on the user terminals 20 and 30, allowing users to view the content. In this embodiment, it is assumed that processing such as compression, decompression, encoding, decoding, transcoding, and other processing is performed to change the format, size, and specifications of the data from when the moving image data is generated on the distributor's user terminal until it is played back on the viewer's user terminal. Since the contents (e.g., moving images and audio) represented by the moving image data before and after such processing are substantially unchanged, this embodiment will be described assuming that the moving image data after such processing is the same as the moving image data before such processing. In other words, when moving image data is generated on the distributor's user terminal and then played back on the viewer's user terminal via the server 10, the moving image data generated on the distributor's user terminal, the moving image data passing through the server 10, and the moving image data received and played on the viewer's user terminal are all the same moving image data.

[0019] In the example of Fig. 1, a distributor LV is live-streaming a fortune telling. A user terminal 20 of the distributor LV records an image and sound of the distributor LV giving a fortune telling, generating video data, and transmits the video data to the server 10 via the network NW. The user terminal 20 also displays the recorded video image VD of the distributor LV on the display of the user terminal 20, thereby enabling the user to check the content of the distribution by the distributor LV.

[0020] The user terminals 30a, 30b of the viewers AU1, AU2 who have requested the platform to watch the live broadcast of the broadcaster LV each receive video data related to the live broadcast via the network NW, and play the received video data to display the videos VD1, VD2 on the display and output audio from the speaker. The videos VD1, VD2 displayed on each user terminal 30a, 30b are substantially identical to the video VD captured by the user terminal 20 of the broadcaster LV, and the audio output from each user terminal 30a, 30b is also substantially identical to the audio recorded by the user terminal 20 of the broadcaster LV.

[0021] The recording and recording in the user terminal 20 of the distributor LV and the playback of the video data in the user terminals 30a and 30b of the viewers AU1 and AU2 are performed substantially simultaneously. When one viewer AU1 inputs a comment on the content of the fortune-telling of the distributor LV to the user terminal 30a, the server 10 displays the comment in real time on the user terminal 20 of the distributor LV and also on the user terminals 30a and 30b of each viewer AU1 and AU2. When the distributor LV reads the comment and develops a talk over the content, the video and audio of the talk are output on the user terminals 30a and 30b of each viewer AU1 and AU2, and it is recognized that a conversation between the distributor LV and the viewer AU1 has been established. In this way, the live distribution system 1 realizes live distribution that enables two-way communication, not one-way.

[0022] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the functions and configuration of the user terminal 20 in Fig. 1. The user terminal 30 has the same functions and configuration as the user terminal 20. Each block shown in Fig. 2 and the following block diagrams can be realized in hardware terms by elements and mechanical devices such as a computer CPU, and in software terms by a computer program, etc., but here, functional blocks realized by the cooperation of these are depicted. Therefore, those skilled in the art who have read this specification will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various ways by combining hardware and software.

[0023] The distributor LV and the viewer AU download and install a live distribution application program (hereinafter, referred to as a live distribution app) according to this embodiment from a download site to the user terminals 20 and 30 via the network NW. Alternatively, the live distribution app may be pre-installed in the user terminals 20 and 30. When the live distribution app is executed by the user terminals 20 and 30, the user terminals 20 and 30 communicate with the server 10 via the network NW to realize various functions. Hereinafter, functions realized by the user terminals 20 and 30 (processors such as CPUs) executing the live distribution app will be described as functions of the user terminals 20 and 30. These functions are actually functions that the live distribution app causes the user terminals 20 and 30 to realize. Note that in other embodiments, these functions may be realized by a computer program written in a programming language such as HTML (HyperText Markup Language), which is transmitted from the server 10 to a web browser of the user terminals 20 and 30 via the network NW and executed by the web browser.

[0024] The user terminal 20 comprises a distribution unit 100 that generates video data recording the user's image and voice and provides it to the server 10, a viewing unit 200 that acquires the video data from the server 10 and plays it, and a gift effect DB 260. The user activates the distribution unit 100 when distributing and the viewing unit 200 when viewing. The user terminal on which the distribution unit 100 is active is the user terminal on the distributor side, that is, the user terminal on the generating side of the video data, and the user terminal on which the viewing unit 200 is active is the user terminal on the viewer side, that is, the user terminal on the playing side of the video data.

[0025] The delivery unit 100 includes an imaging control unit 102, an audio control unit 104, a video transmission unit 106, a delivery-side UI control unit 108, and a delivery-side communication unit 110. The imaging control unit 102 is connected to a camera (not shown in FIG. 2) and controls imaging by the camera. The imaging control unit 102 acquires image data from the camera. The audio control unit 104 is connected to a microphone (not shown in FIG. 2) and controls audio input by the microphone. The audio control unit 104 acquires audio data from the microphone. The video transmission unit 106 transmits video data including the image data acquired by the imaging control unit 102 and the audio data acquired by the audio control unit 104 to the server 10 via the network NW. The video transmission unit 106 transmits the video data in real time. That is, the generation of video data by the imaging control unit 102 and the audio control unit 104 and the transmission of the generated video data by the video transmission unit 106 are substantially performed simultaneously.

[0026] The distribution side UI control unit 108 controls the UI for the distributor. The distribution side UI control unit 108 is connected to a display not shown in FIG. 2, and displays a moving image on the display by playing back the moving image data to be transmitted by the moving image transmission unit 106. The distribution side UI control unit 108 is connected to input means such as a touch panel, a keyboard, and a display not shown in FIG. 2, and acquires input from the distributor via the input means. The distribution side UI control unit 108 superimposes a predetermined frame image on the moving image. The frame image includes various user interface objects (hereinafter simply referred to as objects) for receiving input from the distributor, comments input by the viewer, and information acquired from the server 10. The distribution side UI control unit 108 accepts, for example, a tap input on an object by the distributor.

[0027] The delivery-side communication unit 110 controls communication with the server 10 during live delivery. The delivery-side communication unit 110 transmits the contents of the input by the distributor acquired by the delivery-side UI control unit 108 to the server 10 via the network NW. The delivery-side communication unit 110 receives various types of information associated with the live delivery from the server 10 via the network NW.

[0028] The viewing unit 200 includes a viewing side UI control unit 202 and a viewing side communication unit 204. The viewing side communication unit 204 controls communication with the server 10 during live distribution. The viewing side communication unit 204 receives video data related to the live distribution in which the distributor and the viewers participate from the server 10 via the network NW.

[0029] The viewer-side UI control unit 202 controls the UI for the viewer. The viewer-side UI control unit 202 is connected to a display and a speaker (not shown in FIG. 2), and plays the received video data to display a video image on the display and output audio from the speaker. The output of an image on the display and audio from the speaker can be collectively referred to as "video data being played". The viewer-side UI control unit 202 is connected to input means (not shown in FIG. 2), such as a touch panel, a keyboard, or a display, and acquires input by the viewer through the input means. The viewer-side UI control unit 202 superimposes a predetermined frame image on the image of the video data acquired from the server 10. The frame image includes various objects for receiving input from the viewer, comments input by the viewer, and information acquired from the server 10. The viewer-side communication unit 204 transmits the contents of the input by the viewer acquired by the viewer-side UI control unit 202 to the server 10 via the network NW.

[0030] The gift effect DB 260 holds information on gift effects downloaded by the user terminal 20 from the server 10 via the network NW. The gift effect DB 260 holds a gift ID that identifies a gift, a result if the gift is a special gift (described later), and data (hereinafter referred to as effect data) for realizing an effect corresponding to the gift or result, in association with each other. The effect is a visual effect, an auditory effect, a tactile effect (e.g., vibration) that characterizes the gift, or a combination thereof. The visual effects include animation, images, and lighting / flashing. The auditory effects include sound effects and voice. The effect data is data for realizing such effects in the user terminal 20, and the user terminal 20 processes the effect data to realize such effects. The technology for realizing the effect data itself is publicly known, and will not be described in detail in this specification.

[0031] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing functions and a configuration of the server 10 of Fig. 1. The server 10 includes a distribution information providing unit 302, a relay unit 304, a gift processing unit 308, a payment processing unit 310, a stream DB 314, a user DB 318, and a gift DB 320.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the stream DB 314 in FIG. 3. The stream DB 314 holds information on live streaming currently being performed. The stream DB 314 holds a stream ID that identifies a live streaming in a live streaming platform provided by the live streaming system 1, a broadcaster ID that is a user ID that identifies a broadcaster of the live streaming, and a viewer ID that is a user ID that identifies a viewer of the live streaming, in association with each other. In the live streaming platform provided by the live streaming system 1 according to the present embodiment, when a user broadcasts live, the user becomes a broadcaster, and when the same user watches a live streaming broadcast by another user, the user becomes a viewer. Therefore, the distinction between broadcaster and viewer is not fixed, and a user ID that is registered as a broadcaster ID at one time may be registered as a viewer ID at another time.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the user DB 318 in FIG. 3. The user DB 318 holds information about users. The user DB 318 holds a user ID for identifying a user, points owned by the user, and rewards given to the user in association with each other. Points are electronic value circulated within the live streaming platform. Users purchase points by credit card or other payment means. Rewards are electronic value defined within the live streaming platform, and are an index for determining the amount of money that a broadcaster receives from the administrator of the live streaming platform. In the live streaming platform, when a viewer gives a gift to a broadcaster during or outside of a live streaming, the viewer's points are consumed, and the broadcaster's reward increases accordingly.

[0034] Fig. 6 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the gift DB 320 in Fig. 3. The gift DB 320 holds information about gifts that can be used by viewers in live distribution. A gift is electronic data that has the following characteristics. -Can be purchased with points or money, or given free of charge. Something that viewers can give to the streamer. Giving a gift to a streamer is also called using a gift or throwing a gift. In some cases, the purchase and use of the gift occur simultaneously as a set, while in other cases the viewer can use the gift at any time after purchasing it. When a viewer gives a gift to a distributor, the distributor is given an appropriate reward. Note that in this embodiment, depending on the input contents of the distributor, a reward may not be given. When a gift is used, an effect associated with the gift may occur. For example, an effect corresponding to the gift may appear on the live streaming room screen.

[0035] The gift DB320 holds a gift ID that identifies a gift, a given reward that is given to a distributor when the gift is given to the distributor, a reward point that is a reward to be paid when the gift is used, and a type of gift, in association with each other. A viewer can give a gift to a distributor by paying the reward points of a desired gift while watching a live broadcast. The payment of the reward points may be made by an appropriate electronic payment means, for example, the viewer may pay the reward points to the administrator. Alternatively, payment by bank transfer or credit card may be used. The relationship between the given reward and the reward points can be arbitrarily set by the administrator. For example, the given reward may be set to the reward points. Alternatively, the reward points may be set to points obtained by multiplying the given reward by a predetermined coefficient such as 1.2, or the reward points may be set to points obtained by adding a predetermined commission point to the given reward.

[0036] The type of gift indicates whether the gift is a normal gift or a special gift. Normal gifts and special gifts are different types of gifts. When a viewer uses a normal gift, a corresponding effect is displayed in the live broadcast and a corresponding reward is given to the broadcaster, but no input is required from the broadcaster. In contrast, a special gift is a gift that requires input from the broadcaster. When a viewer uses a special gift, the broadcaster is first requested to make a corresponding input. The reward and corresponding effect given to the broadcaster are determined according to the content of the input by the broadcaster. In other words, the effect resulting from giving a special gift changes depending on the content of the input by the broadcaster.

[0037] Returning to FIG. 3, when the distribution information providing unit 302 receives a notification from the user terminal 20 of the distributor via the network NW that live distribution will start, the distribution information providing unit 302 registers a stream ID that identifies the live distribution and a distributor ID of the distributor of the live distribution in the stream DB 314. When the distribution information providing unit 302 receives a request for providing information about live distribution from the viewing-side communication unit 204 of the viewing unit 200 of the user terminal 30 of the viewer via the network NW, the distribution information providing unit 302 refers to the stream DB 314 and generates a list of live distributions that can be currently viewed. The distribution information providing unit 302 transmits the generated list to the user terminal 30 that made the request via the network NW. The viewing-side UI control unit 202 of the user terminal 30 that made the request generates a live distribution selection screen based on the received list, and displays it on the display of the user terminal 30.

[0038] When the viewer's selection of live streaming on the live streaming selection screen is accepted, the viewer communication unit 204 of the user terminal 30 generates a streaming request including the stream ID of the selected live streaming and transmits it to the server 10 via the network NW. The streaming information providing unit 302 starts providing the live streaming specified by the stream ID included in the received streaming request to the requesting user terminal 30. The streaming information providing unit 302 updates the stream DB 314 so that the viewer ID of the stream ID includes the user ID of the viewer of the requesting user terminal 30.

[0039] The relay unit 304 relays the transmission of video data from the user terminal 20 of the distributor to the user terminal 30 of the viewer in the live distribution started by the distribution information providing unit 302. The relay unit 304 receives a signal indicating a user input by the viewer during the live distribution, i.e., during the playback of the video data, from the viewing side communication unit 204. The signal indicating the user input may be an object designation signal indicating the designation of an object displayed on the display of the user terminal 30, and the object designation signal includes the viewer ID of the viewer, the distributor ID of the distributor performing the live distribution that the viewer is viewing, and an object ID that identifies the object. If the object is a gift icon, the object ID is a gift ID. In that case, the object designation signal is a gift use signal indicating the use of a gift by the viewer for the distributor. Similarly, the relay unit 304 receives a signal indicating a user input by the distributor during the playback of the video data, for example, an object designation signal, from the distribution side communication unit 110 of the distribution unit 100 of the user terminal 20.

[0040] The gift processing unit 308 updates the user DB 318 so as to increase the distributor's reward according to the reward for the gift specified by the gift ID included in the gift use signal for the normal gift. The gift processing unit 308 refers to the gift DB 320 and specifies the reward corresponding to the gift ID included in the received gift use signal. The gift processing unit 308 updates the user DB 318 so as to add the specified reward to the reward corresponding to the distributor ID included in the gift use signal. The processing related to the special gift will be described later.

[0041] The payment processing unit 310 processes the payment of the value of the gift by the viewer in response to receiving the gift use signal for the normal gift. The payment processing unit 310 refers to the gift DB 320 and identifies the value points of the gift identified by the gift ID included in the gift use signal. The payment processing unit 310 updates the user DB 318 so as to subtract the identified value points from the points of the viewer identified by the viewer ID included in the gift use signal.

[0042] The operation of the live distribution system 1 configured as above will now be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a series of processing steps in the live distribution system 1 when a viewer uses a gift during live distribution. The relay unit 304 receives a gift use signal indicating the use of a gift from the viewer-side communication unit 204 of the viewer's user terminal 30 (S202). The gift processing unit 308 determines the type of gift specified by the gift ID included in the gift use signal, i.e., the type of gift used by the viewer (S204). The gift processing unit 308 refers to the gift DB 320 and acquires the type of gift specified by the gift ID included in the gift use signal. If it is determined that the acquired type is normal, i.e., that the gift used is a normal gift (normal in S204), the reward granting process and payment process are performed as described above (S206). Thereafter, the gift processing unit 308 generates a normal gift processing completion signal including the gift ID of the used normal gift, and transmits it to the user terminal 20 of the live distribution distributor and the user terminal 30 of the viewer via the network NW. The distribution side communication unit 110 of the distributor's user terminal 20 receives the normal gift processing completion signal, and the distribution side UI control unit 108 obtains effect data specified by the gift ID included in the signal from the gift effect DB 260. The distribution side UI control unit 108 displays an effect on the display based on the obtained effect data. The same process is performed in the viewer's user terminal 20, and an effect corresponding to the used normal gift is displayed on the display. This effect may be the same as or correspond to the effect displayed on the distributor's user terminal 20.

[0043] When the type acquired in step S204 is special, that is, when it is determined that the gift used is a special gift (special in S204), the payment processing unit 310 performs a payment process for the special gift (S208). The payment processing unit 310 refers to the gift DB 320 and specifies the value points of the special gift. The payment processing unit 310 updates the user DB 318 so as to subtract the specified value points from the points of the viewer specified by the viewer ID included in the gift use signal. The gift processing unit 308 generates a request signal requesting an input related to the special gift and transmits it to the user terminal 20 of the distributor via the network NW (S210). The gift processing unit 308 includes the gift ID of the special gift used by the viewer in the request signal. In the user terminal 20 of the distributor, the distributor performs the requested input, and a response signal indicating the content of the input is generated. The gift processing unit 308 receives the response signal from the user terminal 20 of the distributor via the network NW (S212).

[0044] The gift processing unit 308 judges whether or not repetition is necessary (S214). If it is judged that repetition is necessary, the process returns to step S210. If it is judged that repetition is not necessary, the process proceeds to step S216. If the special gift is a special gift that requires multiple inputs, it is judged that repetition is necessary if the number of inputs made up to that point has not reached a specified number, and it is judged that repetition is not necessary if the specified number of inputs has been reached. Alternatively, in the case of a special gift that repeats input if it wins and stops input otherwise, it is judged that repetition is necessary if the content of the input included in the response signal received in step S212 corresponds to a win, and it is judged that repetition is not necessary otherwise. In this way, the gift processing unit 308 can request multiple inputs. In addition, the delivery side UI control unit 108 of the user terminal 20 of the deliverer is configured to be able to accept multiple inputs.

[0045] The gift processing unit 308 determines the reward to be given to the broadcaster according to the content of the input indicated by the response signal received in step S212 (S216). The gift processing unit 308 determines whether to give a reward to the broadcaster and / or the amount of reward to be given to the broadcaster according to the content of the input indicated by the response signal. For example, the response signal indicates the option selected by the broadcaster, and the gift processing unit 308 determines whether to give a reward (win or lose) and the amount of reward according to the option. Alternatively, the response signal indicates the number of inputs or taps per unit time, and the gift processing unit 308 determines whether to give a reward and the amount of reward according to the number of taps.

[0046] The gift processing unit 308 updates the user DB 318 so that the reward determined in step S216 is given to the broadcaster (S218). The gift processing unit 308 updates the user DB 318 so that the reward determined is added to the reward corresponding to the broadcaster ID included in the gift use signal received in step S202.

[0047] The gift processing unit 308 transmits the result determined in step S216 to the user terminal 20 of the distributor and the user terminal 30 of the viewer via the network NW during the live distribution (S220). The gift processing unit 308 generates a result notification signal including whether or not to grant a reward to the distributor and / or the amount of reward to be granted to the distributor, which was determined in step S216, and transmits the result notification signal to each user terminal 20, 30 via the network NW. The distribution side communication unit 110 of the user terminal 20 of the distributor receives the result notification signal, and the distribution side UI control unit 108 acquires effect data specified by the result included in the signal from the gift effect DB 260. The distribution side UI control unit 108 displays an effect on the display based on the acquired effect data. The same process is performed in the user terminal 20 of the viewer, and an effect corresponding to the determined result is displayed on the display. This effect may be the same as or corresponding to the effect displayed on the user terminal 20 of the distributor.

[0048] (One of the options is a special gift that corresponds to a big win) 8 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming selection screen 600 displayed on the display of the viewer's user terminal 30. The live streaming selection screen 600 includes thumbnails 602 showing each live streaming in the list of currently viewable live streaming received from the server 10. The viewer-side UI control unit 202 generates the live streaming selection screen 600 based on the list of live streaming acquired from the server 10, and displays it on the display.

[0049] FIG. 9 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen 608 displayed on the display of the viewer's user terminal 30. When the viewer taps the thumbnail 602 on the live streaming selection screen 600 of FIG. 8, the live streaming room screen 608 of FIG. 9 is displayed on the display. The live streaming room screen 608 displays a video image generated by the user terminal 20 of the broadcaster in real time. The live streaming room screen 608 has a video image 610 of the broadcaster obtained by playing the video data received from the server 10, a gift object 612, a comment input area 616, a comment display area 618, and a viewing end button 620. The viewer-side UI control unit 202 generates the live streaming room screen 608 by superimposing other objects, i.e., the gift object 612, the comment input area 616, the comment display area 618, and the viewing end button 620, on the video image 610 obtained by playing the video data.

[0050] The comment display area 618 may include comments entered by the viewer, comments entered by other viewers, and notifications from the system. The notifications from the system may include information indicating who gave which gift to the broadcaster, and information regarding the result included in the result notification signal. The viewer-side UI control unit 202 generates a comment display area 618 including the comments of other viewers received from the server 10 and notifications from the system, and includes the generated comment display area 618 in the live broadcasting room screen 608.

[0051] The comment input area 616 accepts input of a comment by a viewer. The viewer-side communication unit 204 generates a comment input signal including the comment input in the comment input area 616, and transmits the signal to the server 10 via the network NW. Additionally, the viewer-side UI control unit 202 updates the comment display area 618 so as to display the comment input in the comment input area 616.

[0052] The view end button 620 is an object for receiving an instruction from the viewer to stop viewing the live broadcast.

[0053] When a tap on the gift object 612 is detected, the viewer UI control unit 202 of the user terminal 30 generates a gift information request and transmits it to the server 10 via the network NW. When the relay unit 304 of the server 10 receives the gift information request, the relay unit 304 refers to the gift DB 320 to identify the gift ID of a usable gift. The server 10 generates gift information including the identified gift ID and transmits it to the requesting user terminal 30. The viewer UI control unit 202 of the user terminal 30 generates a gift area 622 for accepting gift selection based on the received gift information. The gift area 622 includes a gift object 624 of a normal gift and a gift object 626 of a special gift identified by the gift ID included in the received gift information. The viewer UI control unit 202 causes the generated gift area 622 to be displayed on the live streaming room screen 608.

[0054] 10 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen 608 with a gift area 622 superimposed thereon, displayed on the display of the viewer's user terminal 30. The gift area 622 includes a gift object 624 of a normal gift and a gift object 626 of a special gift. When a viewer taps on the gift object 626 in the gift area 622 on the live streaming room screen 608 of FIG. 10, the viewer's UI control unit 202 of the user terminal 30 accepts the viewer's designation of the gift object 626. The viewer's communication unit 204 generates a gift use signal including the gift ID of the special gift represented by the designated gift object 626, and transmits the gift use signal to the server 10.

[0055] 11 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen 650 displayed on the display of the broadcaster's user terminal 20. When a special gift is used on the broadcaster, the live streaming room screen 650 is configured to accept the broadcaster's selection of one of four objects 658, 660, 662, 664 related to the special gift.

[0056] When a broadcaster starts live streaming on the user terminal 20, a live streaming room screen is displayed on the display. This live streaming room screen displays the video generated by the broadcaster's user terminal 20 in real time. In response to the gift use signal transmitted in relation to FIG. 10, the broadcasting side communication unit 110 of the broadcaster's user terminal 20 receives a request signal from the server 10 via the network NW. The broadcasting side UI control unit 108 superimposes and displays multiple objects corresponding to the special gift identified by the gift ID included in the received request signal on the live streaming room screen. The live streaming room screen 650 in FIG. 11 has a video 652 of the broadcaster obtained by playing video data generated by the broadcaster's user terminal 20, a comment display area 654, a broadcast end button 656, multiple objects 658, 660, 662, 664 corresponding to the special gifts, and an explanatory text 666. In the example of FIG. 11, a total of four treasure chest-shaped objects are displayed, and the broadcaster is prompted to select one of them. A text prompting such a selection is displayed in the explanatory text 666.

[0057] The video image 652 is substantially the same as the video image 610 of the live streaming room screen 608 displayed on the display of the user terminal 30 of the viewer. The comment display area 654 is substantially the same as the comment display area 618 of the live streaming room screen 608 displayed on the display of the user terminal 30 of the viewer. That is, the comment display area 654 provides the broadcaster with messages from viewers of the live streaming during a period when the broadcaster can accept the selection of one of the multiple objects corresponding to the special gift. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, while four objects 658, 660, 662, and 664 are displayed on the broadcaster's live streaming room screen 650 and the broadcaster is wondering which one to choose, the viewer can send a message through a comment such as "the bottom left is good" or "it was the top right before, so I'll go right this time too". In response to such a message, the broadcaster can say, "no, I'll go bottom right this time". In this way, by updating the comment display area 654 while the object is being displayed, it is possible to promote interaction and communication between the viewer and the broadcaster.

[0058] When the broadcaster taps one of the four treasure chest-shaped objects 658, 660, 662, and 664 on the live broadcast room screen 650 in FIG. 11, the broadcasting side UI control unit 108 accepts the tapped object as an object designated by the broadcaster. The broadcasting side communication unit 110 generates a response signal including information identifying the tapped object, i.e., the object designated by the broadcaster, and transmits it to the server 10 via the network NW. The gift processing unit 308 of the server 10 judges whether or not the jackpot is reached based on the information included in the response signal. In this example, one of the four treasure chest-shaped objects is set to correspond to the jackpot. The gift processing unit 308 determines the reward so that the broadcaster is given a larger reward when the jackpot is determined than when the jackpot is determined not to be reached. For example, when the points for the special gift are 300pt, the reward may be set to 300pt when the jackpot is not reached, and 30,000pt when the jackpot is reached.

[0059] The gift processing unit 308 generates a result notification signal including information indicating the result of the judgment, i.e., whether it is a jackpot or not, and transmits it to each user terminal 20, 30 via the network NW. The distribution side communication unit 110 of the user terminal 20 of the distributor receives the result notification signal, and the distribution side UI control unit 108 acquires effect data of an effect corresponding to a jackpot from the gift effect DB 260 if the signal includes information indicating a jackpot. Otherwise, the distribution side UI control unit 108 acquires effect data of an effect corresponding to a non-jackpot from the gift effect DB 260. The distribution side UI control unit 108 displays an effect on the display based on the acquired effect data. The same process is performed in the user terminal 20 of the viewer, and an effect corresponding to the determined result is displayed on the display.

[0060] FIG. 12 is a representative screen diagram of a live distribution room screen 650 with a jackpot effect 668 superimposed thereon, which is displayed on the display of the user terminal 20 of the distributor. This live distribution room screen 650 displays the amount of reward to be given to the distributor, determined according to the object selected by the distributor, during live distribution. This live distribution room screen 650 includes a jackpot effect 668 and a jackpot text 670. The jackpot effect 668 is an effect corresponding to a jackpot, and is displayed in response to the distributor tapping the jackpot object on the live distribution room screen 650 of FIG. 11. The jackpot text 670 includes text indicating that the distributor has won a jackpot and the number of points to be awarded. The comment display area 654 of FIG. 12 is updated to newly display a system message 672 indicating that the viewer has given the distributor a special gift. The jackpot effect 668, the jackpot text 670, and the system message 672 are also displayed on the live distribution room screen displayed on the display of the user terminal 30 of the viewer.

[0061] FIG. 13 is a representative screen diagram of a live distribution room screen 650 with a non-jackpot effect 674 superimposed thereon, which is displayed on the display of the user terminal 20 of the distributor. This live distribution room screen 650 displays the amount of reward to be given to the distributor, determined according to the object selected by the distributor, during live distribution. This live distribution room screen 650 includes a non-jackpot effect 674 and a non-jackpot text 676. The non-jackpot effect 674 is an effect corresponding to the case where there is no jackpot, and is displayed in response to the distributor tapping an object other than the jackpot object on the live distribution room screen 650 of FIG. 11. The non-jackpot effect 674 is different from the jackpot effect 668. The non-jackpot text 676 includes text indicating that the distributor did not win the jackpot and the number of points to be awarded. The comment display area of ​​FIG. 13 is similar to the comment display area 654 of FIG. 12. The non-jackpot effect 674, the non-jackpot text 676 and the system message 672 are also displayed on the live distribution room screen displayed on the display of the user terminal 30 of the viewer.

[0062] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the amount of reward granted to the broadcaster varies depending on which object is specified on the live streaming room screen 650 of Figure 11, and the effect that is displayed together with the text indicating the amount of reward granted to the broadcaster also varies depending on the amount of reward granted to the broadcaster.

[0063] (A special type of gift that gives rewards if you win a certain number of times in a row) 14 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen 708 with a gift area 722 superimposed thereon, displayed on the display of the viewer's user terminal 30. The gift area 722 includes a gift object 624 of a normal gift and a gift object 726 of a special gift. When a viewer taps on a gift object 726 in the gift area 722 on the live streaming room screen 708 of FIG. 14, the viewer's UI control unit 202 of the user terminal 30 accepts the viewer's designation of the gift object 726. The viewer's communication unit 204 generates a gift use signal including a gift ID of the special gift represented by the designated gift object 726, and transmits the signal to the server 10.

[0064] 15 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen 750 displayed on the display of the broadcaster's user terminal 20. This live streaming room screen 750 is configured to accept the broadcaster's selection of one of four objects 758, 760, 762, 764 related to the special gift when the special gift is used on the broadcaster.

[0065] In response to the gift use signal transmitted in relation to FIG. 14, the delivery-side communication unit 110 of the user terminal 20 of the distributor receives a request signal from the server 10 via the network NW. The delivery-side UI control unit 108 superimposes a plurality of objects corresponding to the special gift identified by the gift ID included in the received request signal on the live streaming room screen. The live streaming room screen 750 of FIG. 15 has a video image 652 of the distributor obtained by playing video data generated by the user terminal 20 of the distributor, a comment display area 654, a distribution end button 656, a plurality of objects 758, 760, 762, 764 corresponding to the special gift, and an explanatory text 766. In the example of FIG. 15, a total of four treasure chest-shaped objects are displayed, and the distributor is prompted to select one of them. A text prompting such a selection and a text indicating the content of the challenge are displayed in the explanatory text 766.

[0066] In this example, as in the example of FIG. 11, by updating the comment display area 654 while an object is being displayed, it is possible to promote interaction and communication between the viewer and the distributor.

[0067] When the broadcaster taps one of the four treasure chest-shaped objects 758, 760, 762, 764 on the live broadcasting room screen 750 in Fig. 15, the broadcasting side UI control unit 108 accepts the tapped object as an object designated by the broadcaster. The broadcasting side communication unit 110 generates a response signal including information identifying the tapped object, i.e., the object designated by the broadcaster, and transmits it to the server 10 via the network NW. The gift processing unit 308 of the server 10 determines whether the response signal is a hit or a miss based on the information included in the response signal. In this example, one of the four treasure chest-shaped objects is set to correspond to a hit, and the rest to correspond to misses.

[0068] When it is determined that the gift processing unit 308 has won, it increments the number of consecutive wins by 1. The initial value of the number of consecutive wins is set to 0. When it is determined that the gift processing unit 308 has lost, or when the number of consecutive wins reaches a specified upper limit, it determines the reward so that the more consecutive wins there are, the more reward is given to the distributor. For example, when the points for a special gift are 300 points, the reward may be 0 for up to two consecutive wins, 3000 points for three wins, 5000 points for four wins, and 10000 points for five wins.

[0069] The gift processing unit 308 generates a result notification signal including information indicating the result of the judgment, and transmits it to each user terminal 20, 30 via the network NW. As a result of the judgment in the gift processing unit 308, one of the following states is realized, so the result notification signal includes specific information for identifying the realized state. State 1: A state in which a hit has been determined and the number of consecutive hits after increment has not reached the specified number. In this case, the result notification signal includes the number of consecutive hits and becomes a request signal that requests the distributor to enter the next input. State 2: A state in which a hit has been determined and the number of consecutive hits after increment has reached the specified number. State 3: A state determined to be a miss. In this case, the result notification signal includes the reward to be given to the distributor (reward = 0 indicates that no reward will be given).

[0070] The distribution side communication unit 110 of the distributor's user terminal 20 receives the result notification signal, and the distribution side UI control unit 108 acquires effect data of the effect corresponding to the state specified by the specific information included in the signal from the gift effect DB 260. The distribution side UI control unit 108 displays the effect on the display based on the acquired effect data. The same process is performed in the viewer's user terminal 20, and the effect corresponding to the determined result is displayed on the display.

[0071] FIG. 16 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen 750 with a loss and no reward effect 770 superimposed thereon, displayed on the display of the user terminal 20 of the distributor. This live streaming room screen 750 displays the result of whether or not to grant a reward to the distributor, determined according to the object selected by the distributor, during live streaming. This live streaming room screen 750 includes a loss and no reward effect 770 and a loss and no reward text 772. The loss and no reward effect 770 is an effect corresponding to the case of no reward in state 3. The loss and no reward text 772 includes text indicating that the distributor has lost and no reward will be granted. The comment display area 654 in FIG. 16 is updated to newly display a system message 774 indicating that the viewer has given a special gift to the distributor but the distributor has lost. The loss and no reward effect 770, the loss and no reward text 772, and the system message 774 are also displayed on the live streaming room screen displayed on the display of the user terminal 30 of the viewer. The distribution-side UI control unit 108 stops displaying the multiple selectable objects on the live distribution room screen 750 in FIG. 16, thereby stopping the acceptance of object selection.

[0072] FIG. 17 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen 750 with a miss and reward effect 776 superimposed thereon, which is displayed on the display of the user terminal 20 of the broadcaster. This live streaming room screen 750 displays the result of determining whether or not to give a reward to the broadcaster and the amount of reward to be given to the broadcaster according to the object selected by the broadcaster during live streaming. This live streaming room screen 750 includes a miss and reward effect 776 and a miss and reward text 778. The miss and reward effect 776 is an effect corresponding to the case of a reward in state 3. The miss and reward text 778 includes text indicating the number of wins (i.e., the number of consecutive wins) the broadcaster had before winning and the amount of reward to be given. The comment display area 654 in FIG. 17 is updated to newly display a system message 780 indicating that the viewer has given the broadcaster a special gift and a system message 782 indicating that the broadcaster has obtained a reward in relation to the special gift. The miss and reward effect 776, the miss and reward text 778, and the system messages 780, 782 are also displayed on the live streaming room screen displayed on the display of the viewer's user terminal 30. The streaming side UI control unit 108 stops accepting selection of objects by stopping the display of multiple selectable objects on the live streaming room screen 750 in FIG.

[0073] FIG. 18 is a representative screen diagram of a live distribution room screen 750 with a winning effect 784 superimposed thereon, displayed on the display of the user terminal 20 of the distributor. This live distribution room screen 750 displays the winning / losing result determined according to the object selected by the distributor during live distribution. This live distribution room screen 750 includes a winning effect 784 and a winning text 786. The winning effect 784 is an effect corresponding to state 1. The winning text 786 includes text indicating that the distributor has won. The comment display area 654 in FIG. 18 is updated to newly display a system message 780 indicating that the viewer has given the distributor a special gift. The winning effect 784, the winning text 786, and the system message 780 are also displayed on the live distribution room screen displayed on the display of the user terminal 30 of the viewer.

[0074] Fig. 19 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen 750 with a next object 788 superimposed thereon, which is displayed on the display of the broadcaster's user terminal 20. When the broadcaster taps on the screen of the live streaming room screen 750 of Fig. 18, the live streaming room screen 750 of Fig. 19 is displayed. The live streaming room screen 750 of Fig. 19 displays a next object 788 and a system message 780 to inform the broadcaster that the next inning or round will begin.

[0075] Fig. 20 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen 750 displayed on the display of the broadcaster's user terminal 20. When the broadcaster taps on the screen of the live streaming room screen 750 of Fig. 19, the live streaming room screen 750 of Fig. 20 is displayed. This live streaming room screen 750 is configured to display four new objects 790, 792, 794, and 796 by the broadcaster and accept the selection of one of them if the broadcaster has won in the previous round held on the live streaming room screen 750 of Fig. 15.

[0076] The live streaming room screen 750 in FIG. 18 is displayed in response to the broadcaster's user terminal 20 receiving a result notification signal including specific information for identifying the state 1. The broadcaster's user terminal 20 is configured to treat such a result notification signal as a request signal. The broadcasting side UI control unit 108 superimposes a plurality of objects 790, 792, 794, 796 corresponding to the special gift and the number of consecutive wins specified by the gift ID included in the received request signal on the live streaming room screen. The live streaming room screen 750 in FIG. 20 includes four new treasure chest-shaped objects 790, 792, 794, 796 different from the four treasure chest-shaped objects 758, 760, 762, 764 in FIG. 15, and an explanatory text 798. The broadcaster is prompted to select one of these four treasure chest-shaped objects 790, 792, 794, 796. The explanatory object 798 displays text indicating how many more wins are required until the number of consecutive wins reaches a specified number. In the live streaming room screen 750 of FIG. 20, by updating the comment display area 654 while the object is being displayed, it is possible to promote interaction and communication between the viewer and the broadcaster. For example, communication is realized in which the viewer posts praising the broadcaster for his / her good luck or posts a prediction of the next winning chance, and the broadcaster reads the post and comments on it. When the broadcaster taps one of the four treasure chest-shaped objects 790, 792, 794, and 796 on the live streaming room screen 750 of FIG. 20, the same process as that described in relation to FIG. 15 is performed. As a result, the round of object selection is repeated until the broadcaster draws a losing draw or the number of consecutive winning attempts reaches a prescribed number.

[0077] FIG. 21 is a representative screen diagram of a live distribution room screen 750 with a big win effect 730 superimposed thereon, which is displayed on the display of the user terminal 20 of the distributor. This live distribution room screen 750 displays the result of determining whether or not to give a reward to the distributor and the amount of reward to be given to the distributor, according to the object selected by the distributor, during live distribution. This live distribution room screen 750 includes a big win effect 730 and a big win text 732. The big win effect 730 is an effect corresponding to state 2. The big win effect 730 is different from the miss and reward effect 776, and is larger, has a longer duration, or is more luxurious than it. The big win text 732 includes text indicating that the number of consecutive wins has reached a specified number, that is, that all selections have been hit, and the amount of reward to be awarded. The comment display area 654 in FIG. 21 is updated to newly display a system message 780 indicating that the viewer has given the distributor a special gift and a system message 734 indicating that the distributor has won all selections. The big win effect 730, big win text 732 and system messages 780, 734 are also displayed on the live distribution room screen displayed on the display of the user terminal 30 of the viewer.

[0078] In this way, the distributor's UI control unit 108 of the distributor's user terminal 20 displays the result determined according to the contents of the multiple inputs received. The number of consecutive wins is determined by the distributor's multiple object selections, and whether or not a reward will be given to the distributor and the amount to be given are determined according to the determined number of consecutive wins.

[0079] (High and low type special gift) 22 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen 808 with a gift area 822 superimposed thereon, displayed on the display of the viewer's user terminal 30. The gift area 822 includes a gift object 624 of a normal gift and a gift object 826 of a special gift. When a viewer taps on a gift object 826 in the gift area 822 on the live streaming room screen 808 of FIG. 22, the viewer's UI control unit 202 of the user terminal 30 accepts the viewer's designation of the gift object 826. The viewer's communication unit 204 generates a gift use signal including a gift ID of the special gift represented by the designated gift object 826, and transmits the gift use signal to the server 10.

[0080] 23 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen 850 displayed on the display of the broadcaster's user terminal 20. This live streaming room screen 850 is configured to accept the broadcaster's selection of one of three objects 858, 860, 862 related to the special gift when the special gift is used on the broadcaster.

[0081] In response to the gift use signal transmitted in relation to FIG. 22, the delivery-side communication unit 110 of the user terminal 20 of the distributor receives a request signal from the server 10 via the network NW. The delivery-side UI control unit 108 superimposes a plurality of objects corresponding to the special gift identified by the gift ID included in the received request signal on the live distribution room screen. The live distribution room screen 850 in FIG. 23 has a comment display area 654, a plurality of objects 858, 860, 862 corresponding to the special gift, an explanatory text 866, a status display area 864, a playing card object 861 turned up for the high-and-low game, and a playing card object 863 turned down. In the example of FIG. 23, an object 858 corresponding to the high option of the high-and-low game, an object 860 corresponding to the low option, and an object 862 corresponding to the retire option are displayed, and the distributor is prompted to select one of them. The high object 858 and the low object 860 each display the odds (multiplication factor) when the option is selected and the winner is selected. A text prompting the viewer to select one of these three objects and a text indicating the giver of the special gift are displayed in the explanatory text 866. The status display area 864 displays the amount of points currently bet by the broadcaster. The initial value of the points bet by the broadcaster may be set to a value corresponding to the points in exchange for the special gift given by the viewer.

[0082] In this example, as in the example of FIG. 11, by updating the comment display area 654 while an object is being displayed, it is possible to promote interaction and communication between the viewer and the distributor.

[0083] When the broadcaster taps one of the three option objects 858, 860, and 862 on the live broadcast room screen 750 in FIG. 23, the broadcasting side UI control unit 108 accepts the tapped object as an object designated by the broadcaster. The broadcasting side communication unit 110 generates a response signal including information identifying the tapped object, i.e., the object designated by the broadcaster, and transmits the response signal to the server 10 via the network NW. The gift processing unit 308 of the server 10 judges whether the bet is a win, a miss, or a retirement based on the information included in the response signal. In this example, if the number that appears when the face-down playing card object 863 is turned face-up is larger than the number written on the face-up playing card object 861, the high is a win, and if the numbers are the same or smaller, the low is a win. The gift processing unit 308 judges the broadcaster to have selected the correct one of the high and low as a win, and judges the bet to have not selected as a loss. If retirement is selected, the gift processing unit 308 grants the points that the broadcaster has bet at that time to the broadcaster as a reward, and ends the processing related to the special gift.

[0084] If the gift processing unit 308 determines that the bet is a win, it increases the points bet by the streamer by multiplying the points bet by the multiplier determined by the option (high or low) selected by the streamer. For example, if the streamer selects high with a multiplier of 1.2 times when the bet is 300 points and wins, the streamer's next points will be 300 x 1.2 = 360. If the gift processing unit 308 determines that the bet is a loss, it does not give a reward to the streamer and ends the processing related to the special gift.

[0085] The gift processing unit 308 generates a result notification signal including information indicating the result of the judgment, and transmits it via the network NW to each user terminal 20, 30. The result notification signal includes information indicating whether the result was a win or a loss, and, in the case of a win, the updated amount of bet points.

[0086] The distribution side communication unit 110 of the distributor's user terminal 20 receives the result notification signal, and the distribution side UI control unit 108 obtains effect data of the effect corresponding to whether the result was a win or a loss from the gift effect DB 260, which is included in the signal. The distribution side UI control unit 108 displays the effect on the display based on the obtained effect data. The same process is performed in the viewer's user terminal 20, and the effect corresponding to the determined result is displayed on the display.

[0087] FIG. 24 is a representative screen diagram of a live distribution room screen 850 with a failure effect 870 superimposed thereon, which is displayed on the display of the user terminal 20 of the distributor. This live distribution room screen 850 displays the result of whether or not to grant a reward to the distributor, determined according to the object selected by the distributor, during live distribution. In particular, the live distribution room screen 850 of FIG. 24 corresponds to the case where the result notification signal indicates a failure. This live distribution room screen 850 includes a failure effect 870, a failure text 872, and a low object 860, which is the object selected by the distributor in FIG. 23. The objects 858 and 862 of the other options that were not selected are not displayed on the live distribution room screen 850 of FIG. 24. The failure effect 870 includes a trump object 861 that is turned face up, which is the same as that displayed on the live distribution room screen 850 of FIG. 23, a trump object 865 that turns the turned face up trump object 863, and a status display area 864. The status display area 864 includes text indicating that the bet points have become 0 as a result of the determination of a loss. The loss text 872 includes text indicating that the broadcaster's prediction was a loss and that no reward will be awarded. The comment display area 654 in FIG. 24 is updated to newly display a system message 874 indicating that the viewer gave the broadcaster a special gift but the broadcaster's prediction was a loss. The loss effect 870, the loss text 872, and the system message 874 are also displayed on the live broadcasting room screen displayed on the display of the viewer's user terminal 30. The broadcasting side UI control unit 108 stops accepting the selection of objects by stopping the display of multiple selectable objects on the live broadcasting room screen 850 in FIG. 24.

[0088] FIG. 25 is a representative screen diagram of a live distribution room screen 850 with a winning effect 884 superimposed thereon, which is displayed on the display of the user terminal 20 of the distributor. This live distribution room screen 850 displays the winning / losing result determined according to the object selected by the distributor during live distribution. In particular, the live distribution room screen 850 of FIG. 25 corresponds to the case where the result notification signal indicates a winning. This live distribution room screen 850 includes a winning effect 884, a winning text 886, and a high object 858, which is the object selected by the distributor in FIG. 23. The objects 860 and 862 of the other options that were not selected are not displayed on the live distribution room screen 850 of FIG. 25. The winning effect 884 includes a face-up playing card object 861 that is the same as that displayed on the live distribution room screen 850 of FIG. 23, a playing card object 865 that turns the face-up playing card object 863 that was turned face-up, and a status display area 864. The status display area 864 includes text indicating the amount of bet points that has increased as a result of the determination of a win. The win text 886 includes text indicating that the broadcaster's prediction was correct. The comment display area 654 in FIG. 25 is updated to newly display a system message 880 indicating that the viewer has given the broadcaster a special gift. The win effect 884, the win text 886, and the system message 880 are also displayed on the live streaming room screen displayed on the display of the viewer's user terminal 30.

[0089] Fig. 26 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen 850 displayed on the display of the broadcaster's user terminal 20. When the broadcaster taps on the screen of the live streaming room screen 850 of Fig. 25, the live streaming room screen 850 of Fig. 26 is displayed. The configuration of the live streaming room screen 850 of Fig. 26 is the same as the configuration of the live streaming room screen 850 of Fig. 23, except that the information content has been updated.

[0090] In the above-mentioned embodiment, examples of the storage unit are a hard disk and a semiconductor memory. Furthermore, based on the description in this specification, it will be understood by those skilled in the art who have read this specification that each unit can be realized by a CPU (not shown), an installed application program module, a system program module, a semiconductor memory that temporarily stores the contents of data read from a hard disk, or the like.

[0091] According to the live distribution system 1 of this embodiment, when a viewer gives a special gift to a distributor, the distributor is asked to input information, and whether or not a reward is given to the distributor and the amount of the reward are determined according to the content of the input. This allows more interactions between the distributor and the viewer, such as discussions about which option to choose and praise for a hit, rather than being limited to an exchange in which the viewer gives a gift and the distributor expresses gratitude. This makes it possible to further strengthen the connection between the distributor and the viewer.

[0092] Furthermore, in the live distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment, whether or not to grant a reward and / or the amount of the reward can be determined according to the content of multiple inputs. This increases the flexibility of gift design and provides a more enjoyable gift experience for distributors and viewers.

[0093] The hardware configuration of an information processing device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 27. Fig. 27 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device according to this embodiment. The illustrated information processing device 900 can realize, for example, each of the server 10 and the user terminals 20 and 30 in this embodiment.

[0094] The information processing device 900 includes a CPU 901, a read only memory (ROM) 903, and a random access memory (RAM) 905. The information processing device 900 may also include a host bus 907, a bridge 909, an external bus 911, an interface 913, an input device 915, an output device 917, a storage device 919, a drive 921, a connection port 925, and a communication device 929. The information processing device 900 further includes an imaging device (not shown) such as a camera. The information processing device 900 may also have a processing circuit such as a digital signal processor (DSP) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) instead of or in addition to the CPU 901.

[0095] The CPU 901 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls the overall operation or a part of the operation in the information processing device 900 according to various programs recorded in the ROM 903, the RAM 905, the storage device 919, or the removable recording medium 923. For example, the CPU 901 controls the overall operation of each functional unit included in the server 10 and the user terminals 20 and 30 in this embodiment. The ROM 903 stores programs and arithmetic parameters used by the CPU 901. The RAM 905 temporarily stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 901 and parameters that change appropriately during the execution. The CPU 901, the ROM 903, and the RAM 905 are mutually connected by a host bus 907 constituted by an internal bus such as a CPU bus. Furthermore, the host bus 907 is connected to an external bus 911 such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus via a bridge 909.

[0096] The input device 915 may be, for example, a device operated by a user, such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a button, a switch, or a lever, or may be a device that converts a physical quantity into an electric signal, such as a sound sensor such as a microphone, an acceleration sensor, a tilt sensor, an infrared sensor, a depth sensor, a temperature sensor, or a humidity sensor. The input device 915 may be, for example, a remote control device that uses infrared or other radio waves, or an external connection device 927 such as a mobile phone that supports the operation of the information processing device 900. The input device 915 includes an input control circuit that generates an input signal based on information input by the user or a sensed physical quantity and outputs the input signal to the CPU 901. The user operates the input device 915 to input various data to the information processing device 900 or to instruct a processing operation.

[0097] The output device 917 is configured with a device capable of visually or audibly notifying the user of acquired information. The output device 917 can be, for example, a display such as an LCD, a PDP, or an OELD, an audio output device such as a speaker or a headphone, or a printer device. The output device 917 outputs the results obtained by the processing of the information processing device 900 as a video such as text or an image, or as a sound such as audio.

[0098] The storage device 919 is a data storage device configured as an example of a storage unit of the information processing device 900. The storage device 919 is configured, for example, with a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a semiconductor storage device, an optical storage device, or a magneto-optical storage device. The storage device 919 stores programs and various data executed by the CPU 901, and various data acquired from the outside.

[0099] The drive 921 is a reader / writer for a removable recording medium 923 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and is built into or externally attached to the information processing device 900. The drive 921 reads out information recorded on the attached removable recording medium 923 and outputs the information to the RAM 905. The drive 921 also writes information onto the attached removable recording medium 923.

[0100] The connection port 925 is a port for directly connecting a device to the information processing device 900. The connection port 925 can be, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, an IEEE 1394 port, a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) port, or the like. The connection port 925 may also be an RS-232C port, an optical audio terminal, an HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port, or the like. By connecting an external connection device 927 to the connection port 925, various types of data can be exchanged between the information processing device 900 and the external connection device 927.

[0101] The communication device 929 is, for example, a communication interface configured with a communication device for connecting to a network NW. The communication device 929 can be, for example, a communication card for a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or WUSB (Wireless USB). The communication device 929 may also be a router for optical communication, a router for ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), or a modem for various communications. The communication device 929 transmits and receives signals, for example, between the Internet and other communication devices using a predetermined protocol such as TCP / IP. The communication network NW connected to the communication device 929 is a network connected by wire or wirelessly, for example, the Internet, a home LAN, infrared communication, radio wave communication, or satellite communication. The communication device 929 realizes a function as a communication unit.

[0102] An imaging device (not shown) such as a camera is a device that captures real space and generates a captured image using an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) and various members such as a lens for controlling the formation of a subject image on the imaging element. The imaging device may capture a still image or a moving image.

[0103] The above describes the configuration and operation of the live streaming system 1 according to the embodiment. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component and each process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0104] In the embodiment, as examples of determining whether or not to grant electronic value to a distributor and / or the amount of electronic value to be granted to the distributor, (1) whether or not a jackpot is reached, (2) the reward is determined based on the number of consecutive wins, and (3) the challenge continues until the distributor misses or retires. As another example, it may be configured so that there is no repetition, and only one of multiple objects is won, and the others are not rewarded. As yet another example, it may be configured so that the number of attempts that can be made is determined, and the reward to be granted is determined based on how many times the object is won. For example, it may be configured so that a treasure chest as shown in FIG. 11 is selected five times, and the reward to be granted is determined based on the number of hits among them.

[0105] In an embodiment, the probability of winning may be set higher if the viewer follows the distributor or is subscribed to the distributor's subscription service than if they do not.

[0106] In the embodiment, a case has been described in which multiple inputs are sequentially received, but the present invention is not limited to this, and multiple inputs may be received at once.

[0107] In the embodiment, the special gift may be configured so that the larger the reward points of the special gift, the easier it is to obtain a reward. For example, the larger the reward points, the more times the player can try or the more objects that can be won.

[0108] The conversion rates from gift points to given rewards in the embodiments are merely examples, and may be set appropriately by, for example, an administrator of the live distribution system.

[0109] The technical ideas of the embodiments may be applied to virtual live streaming and live commerce, in which an avatar that moves in sync with the streamer's movements is used instead of an image of the streamer.

[0110] In the processing procedures described in this specification, particularly in the processing procedures described using flow diagrams and flowcharts, it is possible to omit some of the steps that make up the processing procedures, to add steps that are not explicitly stated as steps that make up the processing procedures, and / or to rearrange the order of the steps, and processing procedures in which such omissions, additions, or changes in order have been made are included within the scope of this disclosure as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0111] At least a part of the functions realized by the server 10 may be realized by a device other than the server 10, for example, the user terminals 20 and 30. At least a part of the functions realized by the user terminals 20 and 30 may be realized by a device other than the user terminals 20 and 30, for example, the server 10. For example, the superimposition of a predetermined frame image onto an image of video data performed at a viewer's user terminal may be performed at the server 10 or at a distributor's user terminal.

Claims

[Claim 1] On the devices of live stream viewers, The live stream includes a function to accept instructions from viewers to use gifts, A computer program for implementing a function that displays the progress of a random game, in which the live streamer becomes the player, in real time on the display of the terminal, which was started by the use of the aforementioned gift.

Images