Terminal device, program, display method, and content distribution system

Abstract

To display appropriate display components on each page in distributing a content including a plurality of pages.SOLUTION: The present invention is a terminal device that receives a content that is being displayed by a second terminal device of a content including a plurality of pages from an information processing system. The terminal device has: a communication unit that receives video data of a page being displayed by the second terminal device and access information to information relating to the page from the information processing system; and a display control unit that displays the video data received by the communication unit and a display component in which the access information received by the communication unit is embedded.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal device, a program, a display method, and a content distribution method. [Background technology]

[0002] Webinar services that distribute content related to products and services via a network are known. In webinar services, display components (e.g., buttons with links) that supplement the video and audio data included in the content or lead users to e-commerce sites for products, etc. may be displayed.

[0003] There is known a technology that can assign tag information to a specific partial region in a video (for example, see Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a database that lists the correspondence between region identification information assigned to a key region that provides a partial region in an image and link information for accessing related information of the partial region, and a technology that embeds link information in index information that lists the correspondence between the region identification information assigned to the key region and time information. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, when distributing content including multiple pages, there is a problem that appropriate display components are not displayed on each page. For the organizer of the webinar providing the content, the information that the participants want to access may differ depending on the page content. Also, it is considered that the information that the participants of the webinar want to access differs depending on the current page content.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a technique for displaying appropriate display components on each page when distributing content including a plurality of pages. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a terminal device that receives content displayed by a second terminal device from an information processing system, the content including a plurality of pages, and has a communication unit that receives video data of the page displayed by the second terminal device and access information relating to the page from the information processing system, and a display control unit that displays a display component that embeds the video data received by the communication unit and the access information received by the communication unit. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The present invention can provide a technique for displaying appropriate display components on each page when distributing content including multiple pages. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 13 is a diagram illustrating the contents and linked buttons displayed on the participant terminal. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system configuration of a content distribution system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an example of a computer. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information processing system, a host terminal, a participant terminal, and a viewer terminal. [Figure 5A] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of event information. [Figure 5B] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of link setting information. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an event creation screen (basic information) displayed on the organizer terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an event creation screen (explanatory materials) displayed on the organizer terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a link setting screen in which a button label and access information have not been input. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a link setting screen on which a button label and access information are input. [Figure 10]It is a diagram showing an example of a webinar hosting screen displayed on a host terminal and an example of a webinar participation screen displayed on a participant terminal. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing an example of a webinar hosting screen displayed on a host terminal and an example of a webinar participation screen displayed on a participant terminal. [Figure 12] It is a system configuration diagram as an example for explaining the flow of processing for an information processing system to create link setting information. [Figure 13] It is a flowchart diagram as an example for explaining the processing for a link setting information registration unit to save link setting information. [Figure 14] It is a system configuration diagram as an example for explaining the flow of processing for an information processing system to distribute video data of a page. [Figure 15] It is a flowchart diagram as an example for explaining the processing for an information processing system to distribute video data of a page. [Figure 16] It is a diagram showing an example of extended link setting information. [Figure 17] It is a diagram showing an example of a webinar participation screen displayed on a participant terminal based on the extended link setting information. [Figure 18] It is a diagram showing an example of a webinar participation screen displayed on a participant terminal. [Figure 19] It is a diagram showing functional configuration examples of an information processing system, a host terminal, a participant terminal, and a viewer terminal. [Figure 20] It is a diagram showing an example of an event list screen displayed on a host terminal. [Figure 21] It is a system configuration diagram as an example for explaining the flow of processing for an information processing system to copy an event. [Figure 22] It is a flowchart diagram as an example for explaining the processing for an information processing system to copy an event. [Diagram 23] It is a diagram showing an example of page switching information. [Figure 24] It is a system configuration diagram as an example for explaining the flow of processing for an information processing system to distribute video data of a page and record page switching information. [Diagram 25] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process in which the information processing system distributes video data of a page and stores page switching information. [Figure 26] 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of a process in which an information processing system distributes videos of webinars that have already been held. [Figure 27] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process in which an information processing system distributes a video that records video data and audio data to be distributed in a webinar. [Figure 28] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a video playback screen displayed by a viewer terminal, on which a transparent button with a link is superimposed. [Figure 29] FIG. 11 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of the flow of an information processing system distributing video data and audio data of a webinar when only audio data is recorded. [Diagram 30] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process in which an information processing system distributes video data (moving video) based on audio data distributed in a webinar. [Diagram 31] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a video playback screen displayed on a viewer terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an information processing system as one example of an embodiment of the present invention and a method of displaying a linked button performed by the information processing system will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [First embodiment] <Outline of link button display> First, an outline of a method for displaying a linked button in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining the content and linked buttons displayed by a participant terminal. In a webinar using explanatory materials including a plurality of pages, the information processing system of this embodiment causes a participant terminal to display a linked button in which access information (e.g., a URL) corresponding to each page included in the explanatory materials is embedded.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows an example of a webinar participation screen 230, 240 displayed by a participant terminal. FIG. 1(a) shows a webinar participation screen 230 displaying the first page of an explanatory material, and FIG. 1(b) shows a webinar participation screen 240 displaying the second page. The webinar participation screen 230 in FIG. 1(a) displays a page content 231 and a linked button 232 with a button label "Download the material here." The webinar participation screen 240 in FIG. 1(b) displays a page content 241 and a linked button 242 with a button label "Open product introduction page." Both of the linked buttons 232, 242 are linked (embedded) with access information. For example, the access information on the first page indicates the download destination of the material, but since the participant viewing the first page may not have downloaded the material, it is considered that the access information is appropriate for the participant viewing the first page. In addition, the access information on the second page indicates a product introduction page, but since participants viewing the second page may want to know a more detailed description of the product, this access information is considered appropriate for participants viewing the second page.

[0012] In this way, the information processing system 50 of this embodiment can display an appropriate button label and a button with a link to access information for each page of the explanatory materials, thereby improving the click rate at which participants click on the access information and is also expected to improve the closing rate.

[0013] <Terminology> The content is the substance of information that is explained in a webinar or the like. The content is, for example, electronic data (files) created by application software. In this embodiment, the term "explanatory material" is used as an example of the content.

[0014] A page is originally a side of a paper medium such as a book, magazine, or newspaper, but it can also be a side of electronic data. If the presentation material is in slide format, the page can also be called a slide.

[0015] The access information is information that allows a participant terminal or a viewer terminal to access information about a page. Information about a page only needs to have some relationship to the page contents, and can be set by the organizer. The access information can be, for example, a URL, a file path, a file name, etc.

[0016] A link is an abbreviation of "hyperlink," which means to display another page from a page on a web page. Therefore, a button with a link is a button with a link attached (a hyperlink embedded in it). A button is a display component that is designed to cause a certain action when pressed.

[0017] <System configuration example> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the content delivery system 100. In this embodiment, as an example, chapter creation of a video delivered by a SaaS (Software as a Service) type webinar service will be described. SaaS refers to a form in which software is not introduced to the user (client) side, but the user uses software running on the provider (server) side as a service via a network such as the Internet. However, video delivery may also be performed by PaaS (Platform as a Service) or IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service).

[0018] In the webinar service, the organizer explains by switching between pages of slide-formatted materials that the organizer has registered in advance in the information processing system 50. The main purpose of using the webinar is for the organizer to attract attendees by explaining their company's products at the webinar. The organizer of the webinar transmits the explanatory materials to the information processing system 50 along with basic information such as the event title and date and time. The explanatory materials are files consisting of multiple pages, such as PDF or PowerPoint. When the webinar is held, the information processing system 50 distributes video data for each page to the organizer terminal 11, and also distributes video data of the page displayed by the organizer terminal 11 to the participant terminal 12.

[0019] 2, in the content distribution system 100, a host terminal 11 (an example of a second terminal device), one or more participant terminals 12, and one or more viewer terminals 13 can communicate with an information processing system 50 via a communication network N. The communication network N may include, for example, a LAN in a facility where the host terminal 11, the participant terminals 12, and the viewer terminals 13 are located, and may further include the Internet constructed by a provider network or the like. The communication network N may also include a telephone line network.

[0020] The information processing system 50 is one or more information processing devices. A webinar service (application) runs on the information processing system 50. The webinar service has the following functions. The webinar service live-streams video data and audio data in which the host gives an explanation while switching between pages of an explanatory material to the participant terminals 12. The webinar service can also record the video data and audio data along with the live streaming to create a video. As described below, a video does not necessarily have to be created at the time of the live streaming. The webinar service distributes video (or non-video) based on the video data and audio data of the distributed explanatory materials to the viewer terminal 13 (on-demand distribution).

[0021] In the case of live distribution, the information processing system 50 transmits the audio data transmitted from the organizer terminal 11 and the video data of the page of the explanatory material displayed by the organizer terminal 11 to the participant terminal 12 connected to the information processing system 50. In the case of on-demand distribution, the information processing system 50 transmits the video data of the webinar video or page requested by the viewer terminal 13 to the viewer terminal 13.

[0022] In addition, in the case of live distribution, the information processing system 50 can also perform remote communication between users at multiple locations. The information processing system 50 provides a remote communication service for so-called online seminars and video conferences between the organizer terminal 11 and the participant terminal 12. In online seminars, participants' remarks may be restricted, but the mechanisms of online seminars and remote communication may be almost the same. The information processing system 50 transmits and receives video data and audio data between the organizer terminal 11 and the participant terminal 12 at each location via the communication network N. At the location where the organizer is located, the organizer terminal 11 captures images (surrounding images separate from the explanatory materials) and collects audio data such as remarks, converts them into digital signals, and transmits them to the information processing system 50. The information processing system 50 transmits digital signals of images and remarks to one or more participant terminals 12 communicating in the same session. The participant terminal 12 displays images on a display and outputs audio from a speaker. Similar digital signals are also transmitted from the participant terminal 12, so that the organizer and participants can communicate in both directions. The organizer can also restrict comments from participant terminals 12, or allow only arbitrary participant terminals 12 to make comments.

[0023] The information processing system 50 may be realized by cloud computing or may be realized by a single information processing device. Cloud computing refers to a form in which resources on a network are used without being aware of specific hardware resources. The information processing system 50 may exist on the Internet or on-premise.

[0024] In addition, the functions of the information processing system 50 may be distributed among multiple information processing devices, or there may be multiple information processing systems 50 with the same functions, and the number of information processing systems 50 that deliver videos may be increased or decreased depending on the processing load.

[0025] The host terminal 11, the participant terminal 12, and the viewer terminal 13 are, for example, PCs (Personal Computers) or smart devices. There is no clear definition of a smart device, but it refers to a smartphone or tablet terminal that does not include an existing computer such as a PC or a server. Both the PC and the smart device can connect to the information processing system 50 using either a web browser or a client application dedicated to the information processing system 50. When a web browser is executed on the organizer terminal 11, the participant terminal 12, and the viewer terminal 13, the organizer terminal 11, the participant terminal 12, and the viewer terminal 13 execute a web application provided by the information processing system 50. A web application is software or a mechanism thereof that operates by cooperation between a program written in a programming language (e.g. JavaScript (registered trademark)) that runs on the web browser and a program on the web server side. The organizer terminal 11, the participant terminal 12, and the viewer terminal 13 can dynamically change web pages using the web application.

[0026] The organizer terminal 11, the participant terminal 12, and the viewer terminal 13 are not limited to PCs or smart devices, and may be any terminal device on which a web browser or a dedicated client application runs in the information processing system 50. The organizer terminal 11, the participant terminal 12, and the viewer terminal 13 may be any device that has a communication function and can be connected to the communication network N. The organizer terminal 11, the participant terminal 12, and the viewer terminal 13 may be a game machine, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a wearable PC, an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral), a PJ (Projector), an electronic whiteboard (a whiteboard with an electronic whiteboard function), etc. Also, there may be a plurality of organizer terminals 11, participant terminals 12, and viewer terminals 13.

[0027] The host terminal 11 is a terminal device operated by the host of the webinar, and the participant terminal 12 is a terminal device operated by the participants of the webinar. The viewer terminal 13 is a terminal device operated by a viewer who watches the video of the webinar or the video data of the explanatory materials after the webinar ends. The host is the person who holds the webinar, and in this embodiment, the person who gives the explanation while switching between pages. The host is also the person who live-distributes the video data and audio data.

[0028] A participant is, for example, a participant who participates in a webinar in real time. A participant may apply to participate in a webinar in advance, or may participate without applying in advance. When advance application is required, a method is known in which the participant terminal 12 receives an invitation email from the information processing system 50 and connects to a URL described in the invitation email to participate in the webinar. In the case of on-demand distribution, a viewer connects to a specified website and streams a video to view video and audio. In addition, in the case of on-demand distribution, a viewer can connect to a specified website and view video data and audio data of a page that is switched at the same timing as when the webinar is held.

[0029] For either live or on-demand broadcasts, participants or viewers may log into the information processing system 50 using existing authentication methods.

[0030] A participant is a potential customer who is expected by the organizer to purchase a product, for example. However, a participant can be anyone who participates in a webinar, and the type of person who is a participant is considered to depend on the content of the webinar. For example, a participant would be a student in an online class, or a trainee in an online seminar.

[0031] A viewer may be anyone who wishes to view the webinar video or the video data of the page. The organizer or participants send the URL for viewing the video to viewers they wish to recommend to view the webinar by email or the like. This allows the viewer to connect the viewer terminal 13 to the URL and view the webinar video or the video data of the explanatory materials.

[0032] <Hardware configuration example> The information processing system 50, the organizer terminal 11, the participant terminal 12, and the viewer terminal 13 in Fig. 2 are realized by, for example, a computer having a hardware configuration shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a computer. As shown in Fig. 3, the computer 500 includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, an HD 504, an HDD controller 505 (Hard Disk Drive), a display 506, an external device connection I / F 508 (Interface), a network I / F 509, a bus line 510, a keyboard 511, a pointing device 512, an optical drive 514, and a media I / F 516.

[0033] Among these, the CPU 501 controls the operation of the entire computer. The ROM 502 stores programs such as IPL used to drive the CPU 501. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The HD 504 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls reading and writing of various data from and to the HD 504 under the control of the CPU 501. The display 506 displays various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, a character, or an image. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, the external device is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a printer. The network I / F 509 is an interface for data communication using a communication network. The bus line 510 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 3.

[0034] Moreover, the keyboard 511 is a type of input means having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The optical drive 514 controls reading and writing of various data from an optical storage medium 513, which is an example of a removable storage medium. The optical drive 514 is a CD, DVD, Blu-Ray (registered trademark), etc. The media I / F 516 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from a storage medium 515, such as a flash memory.

[0035] <Function block diagram> Next, functions of the content distribution system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing system 50, the organizer terminal 11, the participant terminal 12, and the viewer terminal 13.

[0036] <<Organizer's terminal>> The organizer terminal 11 has a communication unit 21, a display control unit 22, and an operation reception unit 23. Each of these functional units is a function or means realized by the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 3 executing instructions contained in one or more programs installed in the organizer terminal 11. This program may be a web browser or a dedicated client application. For example, when a web browser is used in the organizer terminal 11, the program is a web browser and a web application transmitted from the information processing system 50. When a client application of the information processing system 50 is used in the organizer terminal 11, the program is the client application of the information processing system 50.

[0037] The communication unit 21 transmits and receives various types of information to and from the information processing system 50. In this embodiment, the communication unit 21 receives various types of screen information displayed by Web applications and client applications, video data of explanatory materials, and the like from the information processing system 50. The communication unit 21 receives video data of pages from the information processing system 50. In addition, the communication unit 21 transmits operation information of the organizer (page switching, etc.) and audio data to the information processing system 50.

[0038] The display control unit 22 interprets screen information of various screens and displays it on the display 506. The operation receiving unit 23 receives various operations on the various screens displayed on the display 506 by the organizer.

[0039] <<Participant's terminal>> The participant terminal 12 has a communication unit 31, a display control unit 32, and an operation reception unit 33. Each of these functional units is a function or means realized by the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 3 executing instructions contained in one or more programs installed in the participant terminal 12. This program may be a web browser or a dedicated client application. For example, when a web browser is used in the participant terminal 12, the program is the web browser and a web application transmitted from the information processing system 50. When a client application of the information processing system 50 is used in the participant terminal 12, the program is the client application of the information processing system 50.

[0040] The communication unit 31 (an example of a second communication unit) transmits and receives various information to and from the information processing system 50. In this embodiment, the communication unit 31 receives various screen information displayed by a Web application or a client application, as well as video data, audio data, and the like of a page from the information processing system 50.

[0041] The display control unit 32 interprets screen information of various screens and displays it on the display 506. The operation receiving unit 33 receives various operations on the various screens displayed on the display 506 by the participants.

[0042] <<Viewer device>> The viewer terminal 13 has a communication unit 41, a display control unit 42, and an operation reception unit 43. Each of these functional units is a function or means realized by the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 3 executing instructions contained in one or more programs installed in the viewer terminal 13. This program may be a web browser or a dedicated client application. For example, when a web browser is used in the viewer terminal 13, the program is the web browser and a web application transmitted from the information processing system 50. When a client application of the information processing system 50 is used in the viewer terminal 13, the program is the client application of the information processing system 50.

[0043] The communication unit 41 transmits and receives various types of information to and from the information processing system 50. In this embodiment, the communication unit 41 receives various types of screen information and videos displayed by a Web application or a client application from the information processing system 50. The communication unit 41 receives video data of a webinar or explanatory materials from the information processing system 50. The communication unit 41 also transmits viewer operation information (for example, start or stop of distribution, advance a certain number of seconds, rewind a certain number of seconds, etc.) to the information processing system 50.

[0044] The display control unit 42 interprets screen information of various screens and displays it on the display 506. The operation receiving unit 43 receives various operations on the various screens displayed on the display 506 by the viewer.

[0045] <<Information Processing System>> The information processing system 50 has a communication unit 51, a screen generation unit 52, a video distribution unit 53, an audio distribution unit 54, a link setting information registration unit 55, an access information identification unit 56, a moving image creation unit 57, a moving image distribution unit 58, a recording unit 59, and an information storage unit 60. Each of these functional units is a function or means realized by the CPU 501 shown in Fig. 3 executing an instruction included in a program installed in the information processing system 50. The information storage unit 60 is formed in the HD 504, the RAM 503, etc. shown in Fig. 3.

[0046] The communication unit 51 (an example of a first communication unit) transmits and receives various information between the organizer terminal 11, the participant terminal 12, and the viewer terminal 13. In this embodiment, the communication unit 51 transmits various screen information displayed by the Web application or the client application to the organizer terminal 11, the participant terminal 12, and the viewer terminal 13. The communication unit 51 receives operation information of the organizer (page switching) and audio data from the organizer terminal 11. The communication unit 51 also transmits video data of a page explained in the webinar to the organizer terminal 11. The communication unit 51 also transmits video data of the page and audio data to the participant terminal 12. The communication unit 51 also transmits video data of a video or a page to the viewer terminal 13, and receives viewer operation information (for example, start distribution, stop distribution, advance a certain number of seconds, go back a certain number of seconds, etc.) from the viewer terminal 13.

[0047] The screen generation unit 52 generates screens to be displayed by the organizer terminal 11, the participant terminal 12, and the viewer terminal 13. When the organizer terminal 11, the participant terminal 12, or the viewer terminal 13 executes a Web application, the screen information is created using HTML, XML, CSS (Cascade Style Sheet), JavaScript, or the like. Therefore, the screen information may be referred to as a Web application. When the organizer terminal 11, the participant terminal 12, or the viewer terminal 13 executes a client application, the screen information is held by the organizer terminal 11, the participant terminal 12, or the viewer terminal 13, and the information to be displayed is transmitted in XML or the like. Note that video data is transmitted separately from the screen information.

[0048] The video distribution unit 53 distributes the video data of the page to the organizer terminal 11 and the participant terminals 12 participating in the webinar. For example, an IP address is registered for the participant terminals 12 participating in the webinar, and the video distribution unit 53 distributes the video data to this IP address. The audio distribution unit 54 distributes the audio data sent from the organizer terminal 11 to the participant terminals 12 participating in the webinar.

[0049] The link setting information registration unit 55 receives the registration of access information such as a URL and button labels transmitted from the organizer terminal 11, and stores them in the information storage unit 60 as link setting information. Details will be described later.

[0050] The access information specifying unit 56 specifies and acquires the access information associated with the page number and the button label from the link setting information in response to the page switching operation transmitted from the organizer terminal 11.

[0051] The video creation unit 57 creates a webinar video to be distributed to the viewer terminal 13. There are the following two methods for creating the video. (i) A method of creating a video by recording video data and audio data distributed in the webinar (ii) A method of recording only audio data, distributing the audio data to the viewer terminal 13, and acquiring the content of the next page at the time when the page is switched based on the page switching information (described later), and distributing the audio data and the video data of the page. The video distribution unit 58 distributes the video created by the video creation unit 57 or the video data of the page to the viewer terminal 13. In the case of video distribution, the video distribution unit 58 transmits the frames constituting the video to the viewer terminal 13 at a predetermined frame rate. In the case of distributing the video data of the page, the video distribution unit 58 distributes the video data of the page to the viewer terminal 13 while switching it based on the page switching information while distributing the audio data.

[0052] The recording unit 59 stores the video created by the video creation unit 57 (in the case of (i) above) or only the audio data (in the case of (ii) above) in the information storage unit 60. In addition, the recording unit 59 stores the event information, explanatory materials, and link setting information registered by the organizer terminal 11 in the information storage unit 60.

[0053] As described above, the event information, explanatory materials, link setting information, and video (or only audio data) are stored in the information storage unit 60. The information storage unit 60 may be included in the information processing system 50 or may be located on an accessible network.

[0054] <<Event information>> FIG. 5A shows an example of event information. Event information is information about an event, and can be set by the organizer. Note that a webinar may be referred to as an event, meaning an "event to be held." Each item of the event information will be described below. -Event ID is identification information that identifies the event (webinar). The organizer is information that identifies the person who registered the event. The organizer is registered in the information processing system 50 and is identified by the organizer ID (an email address in the figure). -Cover page is the image that will be displayed on the cover page of the event (the screen that is displayed by default when a webinar is held). · The event title is the subject (title) of the event. The date and time is the date and time when the event is scheduled to take place (or may have already taken place). The description is a description of the event that the organizer sets at their discretion. The link setting information ID is identification information for the link setting information used in the event.

[0055] <<Link setting information>> FIG. 5B shows an example of link setting information. The link setting information is information in which a page number is associated with a button label and access information. The button label is the label of a linked button displayed on the screen displayed by the host terminal 11, the participant terminal 12, and the viewer terminal 13 when a webinar is held. By looking at the button label, the host, the participant, or the viewer can understand what information will be displayed when the linked button is pressed. The access information indicates the storage destination of the information displayed by the host terminal 11, the participant terminal 12, or the viewer terminal 13 when the linked button is pressed. In other words, the access information is the link destination of the page. The access information may be, for example, a URL, but may also be a file path, a file name, etc. Note that multiple pieces of access information may be associated with one page.

[0056] <Create an event> In this embodiment, a webinar provided by the webinar service may be called an event. Video data and audio data are distributed within this event. The organizer of the webinar registers basic information such as the event title and date and time, as well as explanatory materials, on the event creation screen of the webinar service. When the webinar is held, the organizer provides explanations while switching between pages of explanatory materials. First, a method for creating an event will be explained while showing the event creation screen displayed on the organizer terminal 11.

[0057] 6 shows an example of an event creation screen (basic information) 200 displayed by the organizer terminal 11. The event creation screen (basic information) 200 is displayed by pressing a basic information tab 201. The event creation screen (basic information) 200 has an organizer field 203, an image addition field 204, an event title field 205, an event date and time field 206, and a description input field 207. The organizer column 203 displays information about the organizer, such as the organizer's name. In the Add Image field 204, the organizer can add an image to be displayed on the cover of the event (the screen that is initially displayed when a webinar is held). In the event title field 205, the organizer can input the event title. The date and time of the event is entered in the date and time field 206. The date and time of the event entered in the date and time field may be written in the event guide sent to the participant terminal 12 by e-mail or the like, for example. The event organizer can enter a description of the event in the description input field 207.

[0058] Fig. 7 shows an example of the event creation screen (explanatory material) 210 displayed by the organizer terminal 11. The event creation screen (explanatory material) 210 is displayed by pressing the explanatory material tab 202. The event creation screen (explanatory material) 210 displays the contents 211 of a file specified by the user. In Fig. 7, the first page of a material called "ABC.pdf" is displayed.

[0059] 6 is transmitted in file format to the information processing system 50, and the information processing system 50 distributes the video data to the organizer terminal 11. This is because access to local files may be prohibited as a security policy of the Web browser. Similarly, when a webinar is held, the information processing system 50 holds the explanatory materials, and distributes the explanatory materials page by page to the organizer terminal 11 and the participant terminal 12.

[0060] Various information registered on the screens such as those shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is stored in the information storage unit 60 as event information.

[0061] <Link Settings> Next, the link setting information will be described with reference to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. In this embodiment, the organizer designates arbitrary access information on each page of the explanatory material as shown in Fig. 7, so that the participant terminal 12 or the viewer terminal 13 can display the access information while the video data is being distributed (while the webinar is being held) and when the viewer views the video or video data.

[0062] 8 and 9 are examples of a link setting screen 250 on which the organizer sets a button label and access information. FIG. 8 shows a link setting screen 250 on which a button label and access information have not been input, and FIG. 9 shows a link setting screen 250 on which a button label and access information have been input. The link setting screen 250 has a button label input field 252, an access information input field 253, and a color setting field 254 in association with a page thumbnail 251. The organizer sets the button label by inputting any character string, number, symbol, alphabet, etc. in the button label input field 252. The organizer sets the access information in the access information input field 253. The organizer sets the button color of the linked button using the radio buttons in the color setting field 254.

[0063] The button label entered in the button label input field 252, the access information entered in the access information input field 253, and the button color set in the color setting field 254 are transmitted to the information processing system 50 and stored as the link setting information shown in FIG. 5B.

[0064] By performing a predetermined operation, the organizer can display multiple button label input fields 252 and access information input fields 253 on one page. In this case, multiple buttons with links are displayed on one page.

[0065] <Webinar hosting> Next, the webinar opening screen 220 and the webinar participation screen 230 displayed by the organizer terminal 11 will be shown and the button labels displayed on these will be described.

[0066] FIG. 10(a) shows an example of a webinar hosting screen 220 displayed by the host terminal 11. When the host inputs an operation to start an event created on the screens such as those in FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, each page content 221 of the explanatory material registered when the event was created is displayed. These pages may be referred to as slides. At the start of the event, the information processing system 50 transmits, for example, the first page of the explanatory material to the host terminal 11. The page number displayed at the start of the event is arbitrary and may be set by the host.

[0067] The organizer can use the page forward button 223 to move forward one page of the explanatory materials, and the page back button 222 to move back one page of the explanatory materials. The webinar holding screen 220 also displays the current page number 224a and the total number of pages 224b. The information processing system 50 transmits video data of the page specified by the page forward button 223 and the page back button 222 to the organizer terminal 11 and the participant terminal 12. The organizer may input the page number itself. The organizer explains the contents of the displayed page by voice or chat. The organizer can end the webinar by pressing the end button 225. Two-way distribution may also be used, in which the voices of the participants are distributed simultaneously.

[0068] 10(a) displays the first page of the explanatory materials, and therefore displays a linked button 226 saying "Download materials here" that is set on the link setting screen 250. The position of the linked button 226 is just an example, and it may be placed to the right, left, or top of the page content 221.

[0069] Fig. 10(b) shows an example of a webinar participation screen 230 displayed by the participant terminal 12. As shown in Fig. 10(b), page content 231 that is the same as page content 221 displayed by the organizer terminal 11 and voice data of the organizer are live-streamed to multiple participant terminals 12. In this way, the same page as the page displayed by the organizer terminal 11 is displayed in real time on the participant terminal 12. Note that since participants cannot switch pages, the participant terminal 12 does not display the page forward button 223, the page back button 222, etc.

[0070] 10(b) also displays a linked button 232 saying "Download materials here" that is set on the link setting screen 250. When a participant presses this linked button 232, the web browser that is accessing the webinar service (the web browser running on the participant terminal 12) displays the website accessed using the access information in a new window or a new tab.

[0071] Next, as shown in FIGS. 11(a) and (b), when the organizer presses the page forward button 223, the page of the explanatory materials changes, and the webinar hosting screen 220 and the webinar participation screen 230 display the contents of the second page of the explanatory materials. 11(a) shows a webinar hosting screen 260 (second page of the explanatory materials) displayed by the organizer terminal 11, and Fig. 11(b) shows a webinar participation screen 240 (second page of the explanatory materials) displayed by the participant terminal 12. In both cases, page contents 261, 241 of the second page of the explanatory materials are displayed, and therefore linked buttons 262, 242 saying "Open product purchase page" set on the link setting screen 250 are displayed.

[0072] In this way, by displaying a button label (button with link) that matches the page of the explanatory materials being explained in the webinar, it is possible to expect an improvement in the click rate at which participants press the linked button 242.

[0073] <Creating link setting information> Next, a method for creating link setting information will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a system configuration diagram illustrating the flow of processing in which the information processing system 50 creates link setting information.

[0074] S1: The display control unit 22 of the organizer terminal 11 displays the link setting screen 250. The organizer sets button labels and access information for each page. In response to the organizer's operation, the communication unit 21 transmits the link setting information (button labels, access information) to the information processing system 50.

[0075] S2: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives the link setting information (button label, access information). The link setting information registration unit 55 of the information processing system 50 stores the link setting information in the information storage unit 60 in association with the event information.

[0076] FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating the process in which the link setting information registration unit 55 stores the link setting information.

[0077] The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives link setting information (button label, access information) from the organizer terminal 11 (S101).

[0078] The link setting information registration unit 55 of the information processing system 50 stores the link setting information (button label, access information) in the information storage unit 60 in association with the event information (S102).

[0079] <Delivery of page video data> Next, the delivery of video data of a page in a webinar will be described in detail with reference to Figures 14 and 15. Figure 14 is a system configuration diagram illustrating the flow of processing in which information processing system 50 delivers video data of a page.

[0080] S11: The display control unit 22 of the host terminal 11 displays an arbitrary page on the webinar opening screen 220. When the host switches the page, the communication unit 21 transmits a switching operation (page forward, page back, arbitrary page number, etc.) to the information processing system 50.

[0081] S12: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives a page switching operation. The video distribution unit 53 identifies the page number based on the switching operation and acquires the page from the explanatory materials. The access information specifying unit 56 of the information processing system 50 identifies the page number based on the switching operation and specifies the button label and access information associated with the page number with the link setting information. The access information specifying unit 56 acquires the button label and access information of the specified page from the link setting information.

[0082] S13: The video distribution unit 53 of the information processing system 50 distributes, via the communication unit 51, the video data of the page specified by the switching operation, and the button label and access information of the page to the organizer terminal 11. The video data of the page to be transmitted may be image data such as JPEG in which the page content is converted into an image, or one page of the explanatory materials such as a pdf file. When the video data is transmitted, the button label and access information may be attached separately from the video data as metadata, or may be transmitted in a manner that constitutes the pixels of the video data.

[0083] The communication unit 21 of the organizer terminal 11 receives the video data of the page, and the button label and access information of the page. The display control unit 22 creates a linked button that embeds the access information and displays the button label, and displays the video data (page content) and the linked button on the display 506. Thereby, the webinar hosting screen 220 is displayed. Such processing may be performed by JavaScript executed by a web browser. This JavaScript is transmitted to the organizer terminal 11 as the screen information of the webinar hosting screen 220.

[0084] S14 S15: The video distribution unit 53 of the information processing system 50 distributes the video data of the page specified by the switching operation, the button label, and the access information to the participant terminal 12. The communication unit 31 of the participant terminal 12 receives the video data of the page, the button label of the page, and the access information of the page, and the display control unit 32 creates a linked button that displays the button label with the access information embedded therein, and displays the video data and the linked button on the display 506. This causes the webinar participation screen 230 to be displayed. This processing may be performed by JavaScript executed by the Web browser. This JavaScript is transmitted to the participant terminal 12 as screen information of the webinar participation screen 230. In this way, the participant terminal 12 can display the page contents of the explanatory materials in real time.

[0085] FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating a process in which the information processing system 50 distributes video data of a page.

[0086] The information processing system 50 repeats the processes of steps S202 to S205 until the webinar ends (S201).

[0087] The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives a page switching operation (page forward, page back, any page number, etc.) from the organizer terminal 11 (S202).

[0088] Next, the video delivery unit 53 and the access information identification unit 56 identify a page number based on the switching operation. The video delivery unit 53 acquires the page from the explanatory material. The access information identification unit 56 acquires the button label and access information of the identified page from the link setting information (S203).

[0089] The video distribution unit 53 of the information processing system 50 transmits the video data of the page designated by the switching operation, the button label, and the access information to the organizer terminal 11 (S204).

[0090] Similarly, the video distribution unit 53 transmits the video data of the page designated by the switching operation, the button label, and the access information to the participant terminal 12 (S205).

[0091] <Extended link setting information> The organizer may specify the color of the button label in the link setting information. The organizer may specify the button label in the organizer's image color, or adjust the visibility of the button label. The organizer may also choose not to set a button label and access information for any page. In this case, the button with the link will not be displayed while the participant terminal 12 is displaying that page.

[0092] FIG. 16 is an example of extended link setting information. In FIG. 16, differences from FIG. 5B may be mainly explained. The link setting information in FIG. 16 has a button color item. The button color indicates the color of the button label displayed on each page. The button color is set by the organizer on the link setting screen 250.

[0093] In addition, in the link setting information in Fig. 16, two button labels and two pieces of access information are set on the first page. Therefore, on the webinar participation screen based on the link setting information in Fig. 16, two buttons with links are displayed on the first page.

[0094] 16, the first button label on the first page is set to orange, the second button label to blue, and the button label on the fourth page to red. Therefore, on the webinar participation screen, the buttons with links on these pages are displayed in orange, blue, or red.

[0095] The information processing system 50 transmits video data of the page displayed by the organizer terminal 11 and multiple pieces of access information for one page to the participant terminal 12. The information processing system 50 also transmits the color of the linked button together with the access information to the participant terminal 12. When the information processing system 50 transmits video data of a page for which access information is not set in the link setting information to the participant terminal 12, it does not transmit access information related to the page to the participant terminal.

[0096] FIG. 17 shows an example of the webinar participation screen 230, 240, 270, 280 displayed by the participant terminal 12 based on the extended link setting information. In the explanation of FIG. 17, the difference from FIG. 10(b) and FIG. 11(b) will be mainly explained. The first page of the webinar participation screen 230 in FIG. 17(a) displays two linked buttons 232, 235. Although it is difficult to understand because the figure is in black and white, the linked button 232 is displayed in orange and the linked button 235 is displayed in blue. The button label of the linked button 232 is "Download materials here," and the button label of the linked button 235 is "Open product introduction page." Since participants can press both linked buttons 232, 235, an improvement in the click rate of participants can be expected.

[0097] In the link setting information of FIG. 16, access information and button labels are not set on the second and third pages, so no linked buttons are displayed on the webinar participation screen 240 on the second page of FIG. 17(b) and the webinar participation screen 270 on the third page of FIG. 17(c). This allows participants to concentrate on the webinar, and the linked buttons are more likely to attract attention on pages where they are displayed. One linked button 282 is displayed on the webinar participation screen 280 on the fourth page of FIG. 17(d). The button label of the linked button 282 is "Buy Product Now." Although it is difficult to understand because the image is in black and white, the linked button 282 is displayed in red, making it easier to attract participants' attention.

[0098] In this way, organizers can expect to increase participants' click-through rates by changing the color of link buttons for each page or setting the display or non-display of link buttons.

[0099] <Major Effects> The information processing system 50 of this embodiment can display an appropriate button label and a button with a link to access information for each page of the explanatory materials, thereby improving the click rate at which participants click on the access information and is also expected to improve the closing rate.

[0100] [Second embodiment] Because the page switching of the explanatory materials is performed by the organizer, once the page is switched, the participants cannot press the linked buttons of the previous pages. Therefore, in this embodiment, the participant terminal 12 displays a list of the linked buttons that have been displayed on the previous pages together with the contents of the current page.

[0101] In this embodiment, the hardware configuration diagram of FIG. 3 and the functional block diagram of FIG. 4 described in the above embodiment can be used.

[0102] <Webinar participation screen displayed on participant's device> FIG. 18 shows an example of the webinar participation screens 230, 240, 270, 280 displayed by the participant terminal 12. In the explanation of FIG. 18, the differences from FIG. 10(b) and FIG. 11(b) will be mainly explained. The webinar participation screens 230, 240, 270, 280 of FIG. 18(a) to (d) respectively display the page contents 231, 241, 271, 281 of the first to fourth pages of the explanatory materials. It is assumed that the organizer switches the pages in order from the first page. The first page of the webinar participation screen 230 of FIG. 18(a) displays the page contents 231 and the linked button 232 in the same manner as FIG. 10(b).

[0103] Next, the second page of the webinar participation screen 240 in FIG. 18(b) displays the thumbnail 243a and the linked button 243b of the first page, and the linked button 242. Next, the third page of the webinar participation screen 270 in FIG. 18(c) displays the thumbnail 243a and the linked button 243b of the first page, and the thumbnail 244a and the linked button 244b of the second page. The linked button 272 is also displayed on the webinar participation screen 270. Next, the fourth page of the webinar participation screen 280 in FIG. 18(d) further displays the thumbnail 245a and the linked button 245b of the third page. The linked button 282 is also displayed on the webinar participation screen 280.

[0104] In order to display buttons with links to pages previously displayed by the participant terminal 12 in this manner, the display control unit 32 only needs to retain the button labels and access information transmitted from the information processing system 50. The display control unit 32 displays the retained past button labels and access information in predetermined locations on the webinar participation screens 230, 240, 270, and 280. The same applies to thumbnails of previously displayed pages.

[0105] When the organizer goes back to the previous page (for example, from page 3 to page 2), the display control unit 32 of the participant terminal 12 may display linked buttons for all previously displayed pages. For example, if the participant terminal 12 is displaying page 2 after displaying page 3, linked buttons for pages 1 to 3 are displayed as linked buttons for past pages. This allows the participant to press a previously displayed linked button at any time. Alternatively, the display control unit 32 of the participant terminal 12 may display linked buttons for pages with page numbers smaller than the current page. For example, if the participant terminal 12 is displaying page 2 after displaying page 3, only the linked button for page 1 is displayed as a linked button for past pages. This reduces the number of linked buttons displayed on the screen, improving visibility.

[0106] <Major Effects> In this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the participant terminal 12 displays the linked buttons of the previously displayed pages together with the contents of each page, so that even if the viewer switches pages, the participant can press the linked buttons of the previous pages. Therefore, the click rate of the participants is improved, and an improvement in the contract rate can be expected.

[0107] [Third embodiment] In some use cases, the organizer may hold multiple webinars with the same content on different dates. In response to such needs, the webinar service of this embodiment provides the organizer with a function to copy any event.

[0108] When the organizer copies an event, the basic information such as the event title and date and time, explanatory materials, and link setting information are inherited from the original. After copying, the organizer can hold a webinar with the same content as the original on a different date and time by changing the date and time. The organizer can also edit the link setting information of the duplicated event to specify different button labels and access information depending on the date of the event.

[0109] <Function block diagram> Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an information processing system 50, a host terminal 11, a participant terminal 12, and a viewer terminal 13. In the explanation of Fig. 19, differences from Fig. 4 will be mainly explained. The information processing system 50 of this embodiment has an event copying unit 61. The event copying unit 61 copies the event information of the copy source as shown in Fig. 5A in response to the operation of the host.

[0110] <Screen example> FIG. 20 is an example of an event list screen 290 displayed by the organizer terminal 11. Since the organizer is logged in to the information processing system 50, the event list screen 290 displays a list of events set by the organizer. For one event, a cover thumbnail 291, a status 292, a start date and time 293, a title 294, a number of applicants 295, and a setting button 301 are displayed. The cover thumbnail 291, the start date and time 293, and the title 294 are set by the organizer on the event creation screen 200 and the event creation screen (explanatory material) 210. The number of applicants 295 is counted by the application reception system associated with the event. The status 292 indicates the status of the event (not yet started, open to the public, started, canceled). The information processing system 50 accepts a start operation, an end operation, and a cancellation operation of the webinar from the organizer terminal 11 and automatically sets it.

[0111] Furthermore, when the organizer presses the setting button 301 or hovers the mouse over the setting button 301, an edit button 297, a copy button 298, and a delete button 299 are displayed. The edit button 297 is a button that allows the organizer to edit the registered event information, and the copy button 298 is a button that allows the organizer to duplicate an event with the same content as the registered event information. The delete button 299 is a button that allows the organizer to delete the registered event information.

[0112] 20, the organizer has pressed the copy button 298 for the event 300, and so an event 310 that has been duplicated from the event 300 is displayed. It can be seen that the dates and times of the events 300 and 310 are different, and that the event 300 has already been held, but the event 310 is currently open to the public (a webinar is currently being held).

[0113] <Event copy> Copying an event will be described with reference to Fig. 21. Fig. 21 is a system configuration diagram illustrating the flow of processing in which the information processing system 50 copies an event.

[0114] S21: The display control unit 22 of the organizer terminal 11 displays the event list screen 290. The organizer specifies the event to be copied and presses the copy button 298. The operation acceptance unit 23 accepts the press, and the communication unit 21 sends an event copy request (the event ID of the event to be copied) to the information processing system 50.

[0115] S22: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives the event copy request. The event copy unit 61 of the information processing system 50 copies the event information of the copy source (see FIG. 5A), assigns a new event ID, and stores the copied event information in the information storage unit 60.

[0116] FIG. 22 is a flow chart illustrating the process in which the information processing system 50 copies an event.

[0117] The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives an event copy request (the event ID of the copy source) from the organizer terminal 11 (S301).

[0118] The event copy unit 61 of the information processing system 50 copies the event information of the copy source, and stores the copied event information in the information storage unit 60 (S302).

[0119] [Fourth embodiment] In this embodiment, a method for displaying a button with a link in a video distribution of a webinar will be described. (i) A method for creating a video by recording the video and audio data delivered during a webinar (ii) A method in which only audio data is recorded, and while distributing the audio data to the viewer terminal 13, the contents of the next page are obtained at the time the page is switched based on page switching information (described later), and the audio data and video data of the page are distributed. Incidentally, (ii) is not called a moving image because it stores audio data, but in this embodiment, it may be called a moving image for convenience.

[0120] That is, as in (i) and (ii), if the video creation method is different, the distribution method will also be different. Also, the fact that page switching information (page number and display start time) is recorded when the webinar is held is the same in (i) and (ii), and the method of displaying linked buttons that match the pages of the explanatory materials can be the same. This is because the linked buttons are displayed separately from the video display area. However, in this embodiment, the explanation also takes into account the case where the linked buttons are superimposed on the video display area.

[0121] In addition, this embodiment will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of Fig. 19. However, the information storage unit 60 stores page switching information.

[0122] <Delivery of page video data and recording of page switching information> First, page switching information regarding a page switching operation performed by the host in a webinar will be described with reference to FIG. 23. FIG. 23 shows an example of page switching information. The page switching information is information in which a display start time, a page number of an explanatory material, and supplementary explanations are associated with each other. The switching information records which page the host switched to and how much time had elapsed since the start of the webinar (display start time) during the webinar. When the video creation unit 57 receives a page switch from the host terminal 11, it stores the current display start time and the page number after the switch in association with each other.

[0123] According to Figure 23, page 1 was displayed at 00:00, switched to page 2 at 03:53, switched to page 3 at 8:21, returned to page 2 at 13:40, switched to page 3 at 16:18, switched to page 4 at 18:57, and the webinar ended at 25:02.

[0124] Fig. 24 is a system configuration diagram for explaining the flow of processing in which information processing system 50 distributes video data of a page and records page switching information. Note that the explanation of Fig. 24 will mainly explain the differences from Fig. 14. In Fig. 24, steps S16 and S17 have been added.

[0125] S16: The moving image creation unit 57 of the information processing system 50 stores the page switching information in the information storage unit 60 every time the moving image creation unit 57 acquires the page switching information from the organizer terminal 11.

[0126] S17: The video creation unit 57 also saves the video or audio data. There are two ways to save the video: saving the video data and audio data, and saving only the audio data. In the former case, the video creation unit 57 creates a video from the video data and audio data of the page distributed to the participant terminal 12 when receiving the audio data from the organizer terminal 11. The size of the video file increases according to the duration of the webinar. The video can be created using an existing method, but for example, the video creation unit 57 periodically captures the video data of the page distributed to the organizer terminal 11, PCM samples the audio data, and converts the video data and audio data into a predetermined video format (AVI, MP4, MOV, MPEG, MKV, WMV, FLV, ASF, etc.). In the latter case, the video creation unit 57 converts only the audio data into an audio format such as mp3.

[0127] Incidentally, the processes of steps S16 and S17 can be performed after S11, and therefore may be performed in parallel with steps S12 to S15. Fig. 25 is a flow chart for explaining a process in which the information processing system 50 distributes video data of a page and stores page switching information. Note that the explanation of Fig. 25 may mainly explain the differences from Fig. 15. In Fig. 25, steps S206 and S207 are added.

[0128] In step S206, the video creation unit 57 stores the page switching information in the information storage unit 60 (S206).

[0129] Next, the moving image creating unit 57 stores the video data and audio data (moving image) or only the audio data in the information storage unit 60 (S207).

[0130] <<Video playback If you save the video>> Next, on-demand distribution of a webinar will be described with reference to Fig. 26 and Fig. 27. Fig. 26 is a system configuration diagram illustrating the flow in which information processing system 50 distributes a video of a webinar that has already been held.

[0131] S31: The viewer connects the viewer terminal 13 to the information processing system 50 and inputs an operation to play the video of the webinar. For example, the viewer presses the URL of the video of the webinar notified by email. The communication unit 41 of the viewer terminal 13 specifies the identification information of the webinar and sends a video playback request to the information processing system 50.

[0132] S32: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives the video playback request, and the video creation unit 57 acquires the video from the information storage unit 60. This video includes audio data and video data.

[0133] S33: The moving image creation unit 57 acquires the link setting information and the page switching information from the information storage unit 60.

[0134] S34: Next, the video creation unit 57 superimposes a transparent linked button on the video based on the page switching information. The position of the superimposition is preferably the same as that of the linked button on the webinar participation screen 230 or the like displayed during distribution. Also, although access information is embedded in the transparent linked button, the transparent linked button does not need to have a button label because it is not visible to the viewer. When the display start time of the page switching information arrives, the video creation unit 57 updates the access information of the transparent linked button.

[0135] S35: The video distribution unit 58 continues to distribute the video. The video distribution unit 58 superimposes transparent buttons with links on the frames constituting the video and distributes them to the viewer terminal 13 at a predetermined frame rate. The communication unit 41 of the viewer terminal 13 receives the frames of the video and plays them by streaming. Any video distribution protocol may be used, and examples of such protocols include HLS, RTMP, WebRTC, and MPEG-DASH.

[0136] 27 is a flowchart illustrating a process of distributing a video in which video data and audio data to be distributed in a webinar are recorded by the information processing system 50. The information processing system 50 repeats the processes of steps S402 to S404 until playback of the video in the webinar ends (S401).

[0137] Based on the page switching information, the video creation unit 57 determines whether or not the display start time has arrived since the start of video distribution (S402).

[0138] If the determination in step S402 is Yes, the process proceeds to step S403, and if the determination is No, the process proceeds to step S404.

[0139] In step S403, video creation unit 57 generates a transparent button with a link (S403). That is, video creation unit 57 specifies the page number after switching based on the page switching information, obtains access information associated with this page number from the link setting information, and sets it in the transparent button with a link.

[0140] Next, the video delivery unit 58 superimposes a transparent button with a link on the video and delivers it (S404). The communication unit 41 of the viewer terminal 13 receives the video frames, and the display control unit 42 performs streaming playback. The display control unit 42 displays a transparent button with a link superimposed on the same position as the button with a link on the video.

[0141] 28 shows a video playback screen 320 on which a transparent linked button is superimposed, displayed by the viewer terminal 13. The video playback screen 320 displays page content 321, similar to the webinar participation screen 230, but it is a video. When only the area in which the page content 321 is displayed is a video, the linked button 323 is displayed as part of the web page (composed of HTML, etc.).

[0142] On the other hand, when the linked button 323 is displayed as part of a moving image, a transparent linked button 323 is superimposed on the position of the linked button within the moving image.

[0143] In either case, when a viewer presses the linked button 323, the web browser of the viewer terminal 13 accesses the information registered by the organizer based on the access information and displays the information. This is expected to improve the viewer click rate.

[0144] <<Video playback and audio data saved>> Next, we will explain how to play back video when only audio data is saved during a webinar. Note that video data of a webinar when only audio data is saved is not strictly speaking a video.

[0145] FIG. 29 is a system configuration diagram illustrating the flow in which the information processing system 50 distributes video data and audio data of a webinar when only audio data is recorded.

[0146] S41: The viewer connects the viewer terminal 13 to the information processing system 50 and inputs an operation to play the video of the webinar. For example, the viewer clicks on the URL of the webinar video notified by email. The communication unit 41 of the viewer terminal 13 specifies the identification information of the webinar and sends a video playback request to the information processing system 50.

[0147] S42: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives the video playback request, and the video creation unit 57 obtains the audio data and explanatory materials from the information storage unit 60.

[0148] S43: Furthermore, the moving image creation unit 57 acquires link setting information and page switching information from the information storage unit 60.

[0149] S44: After starting the delivery of the audio data, the video creation unit 57 acquires the page number after switching from the page switching information and acquires the page content corresponding to the page number from the explanatory material each time the display start time acquired from the page switching information arrives. The video creation unit 57 also acquires the button label and access information corresponding to the page number from the link setting information.

[0150] S45: The video distribution unit 58 continues to distribute the audio data. The video distribution unit 58 also distributes the video data of the acquired page, the button label corresponding to this page, and the access information to the viewer terminal 13. The communication unit 41 of the viewer terminal 13 receives the video data of the page, the button label, and the access information. The display control unit 42 of the viewer terminal 13 creates a linked button that displays a button label with embedded access information, and causes the video data and the linked button to be displayed on the display 506. This processing may be performed by JavaScript executed by the Web browser. This JavaScript is transmitted to the viewer terminal 13 as screen information for a video playback screen 330 as shown in FIG. 31.

[0151] 30 is a flowchart illustrating the process of distributing video data (moving image) based on audio data distributed in a webinar by the information processing system 50. The information processing system 50 repeats the processes of steps S502 to S505 until playback of the moving image of the webinar ends (S501).

[0152] The moving image creating unit 57 determines, based on the page switching information, whether or not the display start time has arrived after the start of distribution of the audio data (S502).

[0153] If the determination in step S502 is Yes, the process proceeds to step S503, and if the determination is No, the process returns to step S502.

[0154] In step S503, the video creation unit 57 acquires the page number corresponding to the display start time from the page switching information (S503).

[0155] Next, the video creation unit 57 acquires a button label and access information corresponding to the acquired page number from the link setting information (S504).

[0156] The video delivery unit 58 transmits the video data of the page, the button label, and the access information to the viewer terminal 13 (S505). The display control unit 42 of the viewer terminal 13 causes the display 506 to display the video data and the button with the link.

[0157] Fig. 31 is an example of a video playback screen 330 displayed by the viewer terminal 13. The video playback screen 330 displays page content 331 and a linked button 332. While the video playback screen 320 in Fig. 28 displays a video, the video playback screen 330 is a web page (web application). Therefore, the video playback screen 330 has a similar configuration to the webinar participation screens 230 and 240 in Figs. 10(b) and 11(b).

[0158] <Major Effects> According to this embodiment, even when a viewer plays a webinar video on demand, a button with a link is displayed on each page, thereby improving the viewer's click rate (conversion rate).

[0159] [Other application examples] The above describes the best mode for carrying out the present invention using examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples in any way, and various modifications and substitutions can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0160] For example, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the explanatory materials are registered in advance in the information processing system 50, but the explanatory materials may be held in the organizer terminal 11. The organizer terminal 11 acquires video data of the explanatory materials page by page from its own device and transmits the data to the participant terminals 12 via the information processing system 50.

[0161] In addition, in this embodiment, a webinar has been described as an example, but a webinar may be called an online seminar, or may be called by any other name, such as an online meeting, e-learning, online lecture, or training session, etc.

[0162] Moreover, the configuration examples in Fig. 4 and the like are divided according to main functions to facilitate understanding of the processing by the organizer terminal 11, the participant terminal 12, the viewer terminal 13, and the information processing system 50. The method of dividing the processing units and their names do not limit the present invention. The processing by the organizer terminal 11, the participant terminal 12, the viewer terminal 13, and the information processing system 50 can also be divided into more processing units depending on the processing content. Also, one processing unit can be divided so as to include more processes.

[0163] Additionally, the devices described in the examples are merely one of several computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the information processing system 50 includes a plurality of computing devices, such as a server cluster. The computing devices are configured to communicate with each other via any type of communication link, including a network, shared memory, etc., and perform the processes disclosed herein.

[0164] Each function of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and a device such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (digital signal processor), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or a conventional circuit module designed to execute each function described above.

[0165] Embodiments of the present invention provide significant improvements in computer power and functionality. These improvements allow users to utilize computers that provide more efficient and robust interaction with tables, which are ways of storing and presenting information in information processing devices. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention provide a better user experience through the use of more efficient, powerful and robust user interfaces. Such user interfaces provide better interaction between humans and machines.

[0166] <Additional Notes> [Appendix 1] A terminal device that receives content that includes a plurality of pages and that is being displayed by a second terminal device from an information processing system, a communication unit that receives video data of a page displayed on the second terminal device and access information for information on the page from the information processing system; a display control unit that displays a display component in which the video data received by the communication unit and the access information received by the communication unit are embedded; A terminal device having the above configuration. [Appendix 2] the communication unit receives video data of a page displayed on the second terminal device and a plurality of pieces of access information for one of the pages; The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays a plurality of display components in which the video data and a plurality of pieces of access information received by the communication unit are embedded. [Appendix 3] The information processing system includes: link setting information in which the access information is associated with identification information of a page included in the content; when receiving video data of a page displayed on the second terminal device and for which the access information is not set in the link setting information, the communication unit does not receive the access information related to the page, 3. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the video data without displaying the display component. [Appendix 4] the communication unit stores one or more pieces of access information relating to the page previously received from the information processing system; The terminal device according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, wherein the display control unit displays, together with the video data of the page displayed by the second terminal device, a display component having embedded therein the access information to information relating to the page, and one or more of the display components having embedded therein the stored access information. [Appendix 5] the communication unit stores a thumbnail of the video data of the page previously received from the information processing system; The terminal device according to claim 4, wherein the display control unit causes one or more of the display components to be displayed in association with the thumbnail and in which the stored access information is embedded. [Appendix 6] the display control unit causes the display component to display a button label transmitted from the information processing system; The terminal device according to any one of appendix 1 to 5, wherein the button label is an arbitrary character string set by a user of the second terminal device. [Appendix 7] the display control unit causes the display component to be displayed in a color designated by the information processing system; The terminal device according to any one of appendixes 1 to 6, wherein the color is an arbitrary color set by a user of the second terminal device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0167] 11 Host terminal 12 Participant terminals 13 Viewer terminal 50 Information Processing Systems 100 Content Delivery System [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0168] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-018198

Claims

1. A terminal device that receives content that includes a plurality of pages and that is being displayed by a second terminal device from an information processing system, a communication unit that receives video data of a page displayed on the second terminal device and access information for information on the page from the information processing system; a display control unit that displays a display part in which the video data received by the communication unit and the access information received by the communication unit are embedded; A terminal device having the above configuration.

2. the communication unit receives video data of a page displayed on the second terminal device and a plurality of pieces of access information for one of the pages; The terminal device according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit displays a plurality of display parts in which the video data and the plurality of pieces of access information received by the communication unit are embedded, respectively.

3. The information processing system includes: link setting information in which the access information is associated with identification information of a page included in the content; when receiving video data of a page displayed on the second terminal device and for which the access information is not set in the link setting information, the communication unit does not receive the access information related to the page, The terminal device according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit displays the video data without displaying the display parts.

4. the communication unit stores one or more pieces of access information relating to the page previously received from the information processing system; The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays a display component having embedded therein access information for information relating to the page displayed by the second terminal device together with the video data of the page, and one or more of the display components having embedded therein the stored access information.

5. the communication unit stores a thumbnail of the video data of the page previously received from the information processing system; The terminal device according to claim 4 , wherein the display control unit causes one or more of the display parts, in which the stored access information is embedded, to be displayed in association with the thumbnail.

6. the display control unit causes the display component to display a button label transmitted from the information processing system; The terminal device according to claim 1 , wherein the button label is an arbitrary character string set by a user of the second terminal device.

7. the display control unit causes the display component to be displayed in a color designated by the information processing system; The terminal device according to claim 1 , wherein the color is an arbitrary color set by a user of the second terminal device.

8. A terminal device that receives content displayed by a second terminal device from an information processing system, the content including a plurality of pages, a communication unit that receives video data of a page displayed on the second terminal device and access information for information on the page from the information processing system; a display control unit that displays a display component in which the video data received by the communication unit and the access information received by the communication unit are embedded; A program to function as a

9. A terminal device that receives content displayed by a second terminal device from an information processing system, the content including a plurality of pages, receiving from the information processing system image data of a page displayed on the second terminal device and access information relating to the page; a process of displaying a display component in which the received video data and the received access information are embedded; How to display.

10. A content distribution system in which an information processing system distributes content displayed by a second terminal device among content including a plurality of pages to a terminal device, The information processing system includes: a first communication unit that receives a page switching operation of the content from the second terminal device; an access information identifying unit that identifies the access information associated with the identification information of the page switched by the second terminal device based on link setting information in which the identification information of the page is associated with access information for information regarding the page; a video distribution unit that distributes the video data of the page displayed by the second terminal device and the identified access information to the second terminal device, The terminal device a second communication unit that receives video data of the page displayed on the second terminal device and the access information from the information processing system; a display control unit that displays a display component in which the video data received by the second communication unit and the access information received by the second communication unit are embedded; A content delivery system having:

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