Server and method

Abstract

To appropriately evaluate the efforts of a live streamer during live streaming.SOLUTION: A server that provides a live streaming platform comprises: first determination means configured to determine, for streamers belonging to some ranks of multiple different ranks, whether to change the rank to which the streamer belongs based on a comparison result between a value of a cheering parameter indicating a degree of support for the streamer and values of cheering parameters for other streamers belonging to the same rank as the streamer; second determination means configured to determine, for streamers belonging to the remaining ranks of the multiple ranks, whether to change the rank to which the streamer belongs based on an evaluation result of the streamer's cheering parameter value independently of the cheering parameter values of other streamers; and granting means configured to perform processing for granting a reward to a streamer based on the rank to which the streamer belongs and a streaming duration of the streamer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a server and a method. [Background technology]

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

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a system for paying live video streamers an hourly wage. In Patent Document 1, streamers are ranked, a rank meter value is changed according to the streamer's ranking in terms of stream points within a rank band, and the streamer's rank is updated based on the streamer's rank meter value. Because it is an hourly wage system, even beginner streamers can earn a certain amount of compensation based on the duration of their streams and the standard compensation amount by continuing to stream live videos. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-021445 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7272570 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when the number of streamers in a rank or rank band is small, judging a streamer's rank update by ranking can result in judgments that do not reflect the streamer's actual effort or talent, because ranking judgments inevitably result in streamers receiving positive evaluations and streamers receiving negative evaluations.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these issues, and its purpose is to provide technology that can more appropriately evaluate the efforts of live broadcasters. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention relates to a server that provides a live streaming platform and includes: a first determination means that determines whether to change the rank of a streamer belonging to some of a plurality of different ranks based on a comparison result between a support parameter value indicating a degree of support for the streamer and the support parameter values ​​of other streamers belonging to the rank to which the streamer belongs; a second determination means that determines whether to change the rank of a streamer belonging to the remaining ranks based on a result of evaluating the support parameter value of the streamer independently of the support parameter values ​​of the other streamers; and an awarding means that performs processing to award a reward to the streamer based on the rank to which the streamer belongs and the duration of the stream by the streamer.

[0008] In addition, any combination of the above components, or mutual substitution of the components or expressions of the present invention between devices, methods, systems, computer programs, recording media storing computer programs, etc., are also valid aspects of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the efforts of live broadcasters can be more appropriately evaluated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a live distribution system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing the functions and configuration of the user terminal of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functions and configuration of the server in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a data structure diagram showing an example of a stream DB in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 4 is a data structure diagram showing an example of a user DB of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a data structure diagram showing an example of a gift DB in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a data structure diagram showing an example of a reference DB of FIG. 3. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a series of processes related to the payment of hourly wages in a live distribution system. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a representative screen of a live streaming room screen displayed on the display of a viewer's user terminal. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a representative screen diagram of a rank information display screen displayed on the display of a user terminal of a suspended broadcaster. [Figure 11] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, the same or equivalent components, parts, processes, and signals shown in each drawing will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted where appropriate. In addition, some of the parts that are not important for the explanation will be omitted in each drawing.

[0012] In a live streaming system according to an embodiment, broadcasters are paid an hourly wage. The hourly wage is calculated by multiplying the broadcaster's hourly rate (hourly remuneration rate) by the broadcaster's broadcasting time. The higher the broadcaster's rank, the higher the hourly wage. When a broadcaster receives support from users, such as gifts or cheers (free items that recover over time) during or outside of a live broadcast, the broadcaster's support score increases. When the daily cutoff time arrives, the system determines whether the broadcaster's rank will change based on the support score at that time. In this embodiment, a combination of relative and absolute evaluation is used to determine a broadcaster's rank. For example, for a lower rank with a relatively large number of broadcasters, relative evaluation is used. In this case, broadcasters are ranked by their support score, and the rank score of a broadcaster ranked in the top X% is increased. For a higher rank with a relatively small number of broadcasters, absolute evaluation is used. In this case, if a broadcaster's support score exceeds a threshold, which is a fixed value specific to that rank, the broadcaster's rank score is increased. The system increases the rank of the broadcaster when the rank score reaches a predetermined upper limit, and decreases the rank of the broadcaster when the rank score reaches a predetermined lower limit.

[0013] By using both relative and absolute evaluation when determining streamer ranks in this way, appropriate evaluation criteria can be introduced for each rank depending on the characteristics of the rank. This can encourage fair competition among streamers, improve the overall quality of streams, and provide a live streaming system in which hard-working streamers are more rewarded. For example, by adopting relative evaluation in ranks with a large number of members, some streamers will increase their rank scores and others will decrease with each closing, encouraging healthy competition among streamers. Furthermore, unlike absolute evaluation such as a fixed threshold, even if a streamer is currently ranked high, there is no guarantee that they will maintain their ranking until the closing date. In fact, as the closing date approaches, other streamers may increase their activity, causing their ranking to drop. This motivates the streamer to continue high-quality live streaming until the closing date. This can improve the overall quality of live streaming.

[0014] By adopting absolute evaluation for ranks with a small number of members, each streamer's effort is evaluated independently. In ranks with a small number of members, it is quite possible that most or all streamers are working hard. Therefore, introducing relative evaluation there is a risk that some streamers may experience a decrease in rank score despite their efforts. Conversely, if most or all streamers are not working hard, there is a risk that some streamers may experience an increase in rank score despite not working hard. Absolute evaluation suppresses or eliminates such inconveniences. For example, relatively high ranks tend to have a small number of streamers, and each streamer's quality, experience, and motivation are high. Therefore, introducing absolute evaluation allows for a more appropriate evaluation of streamer effort. Furthermore, since it is possible to set a correspondingly high threshold for high ranks, it is possible to motivate streamers to continuously deliver high-quality broadcasts, thereby improving the overall quality of live broadcasts.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a live streaming system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The live streaming system 1 provides an interactive live streaming service that allows real-time interaction between broadcasters (also referred to as live streamers) LV and viewers (also referred to as audiences) AU (AU1, AU2, ...). As shown in FIG. 1, the live streaming system 1 includes a server 10, a broadcaster-side user terminal 20, and a viewer-side user terminal 30 (30a, 30b, ...). In addition to broadcasters broadcasting live streams and viewers watching live streams, there are also users who log in to the live streaming platform but do not broadcast or watch. These users are called active users. Broadcasters, viewers, and active users may be collectively referred to as users. The server 10 may be configured with one or more information processing devices connected to a network NW. The user terminals 20 and 30 may be mobile devices such as smartphones, tablet devices, laptop PCs, recorders, portable game consoles, or wearable devices, or may be stationary devices such as desktop PCs. The server 10, the user terminal 20, and the user terminal 30 are connected to each other via various wired or wireless networks NW so that they can communicate with each other.

[0016] The live streaming system 1 involves a broadcaster LV, a viewer AU, and an administrator (not shown) who manages the server 10. The broadcaster LV records and films content such as his or her own singing, talking, performance, fortune telling, and game commentary on his or her own user terminal 20 and uploads it directly to the server 10, thereby transmitting the content in real time. The administrator provides a platform for the live streaming of content on the server 10 and also mediates or manages real-time interactions between the broadcaster LV and the viewer AU. The viewer AU accesses the platform with a user terminal 30, selects desired content, and views it. During the live streaming of this content, the viewer AU performs operations via the user terminal 30 to comment, cheer, or request a fortune telling. The broadcaster LV, who provides the content, responds to such comments, cheers, or requests, and these responses are transmitted to the viewer AU via video and / or audio, thereby establishing two-way communication.

[0017] As used herein, "live streaming" may refer to a data transmission method that enables content recorded on a user terminal 20 of a distributor LV to be played back and viewed on a user terminal 30 of a viewer AU in substantially real time, or may refer to the distribution itself achieved by such a transmission method. Live streaming may be achieved using existing live streaming technologies such as HTTP Live Streaming, Common Media Application Format, Web Real-Time Communications, Real-Time Messaging Protocol, and MPEG DASH. Live streaming includes a transmission method in which a viewer AU can view content with a predetermined delay while the distributor LV is recording the content. The delay is at least long enough to enable communication between the distributor LV and the viewer AU. However, live streaming is distinct from on-demand distribution, in which the entire recorded content is temporarily stored on a server and then provided to users from the server at any time upon request.

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

[0019] As used herein, "stream duration" refers to a parameter associated with a live stream and refers to the length of time the live stream lasts. Stream duration is calculated regardless of whether the live stream has an audience. In this specification, "total broadcast time" is a parameter associated with a broadcaster, and is the time obtained by adding up the broadcast time of live broadcasts performed by the broadcaster in question over a specified period of time. In this specification, "viewing time" is a parameter associated with a pair of a viewer and a broadcaster, and refers to the length of time (view duration) that the viewer has watched the broadcaster's live broadcast. As used herein, "viewed duration" refers to a parameter associated with a broadcaster, which indicates the length of time that the broadcaster's live broadcast is viewed by viewers. The viewer in this case may be a randomly selected individual, a randomly selected subset of viewers, or all viewers. Alternatively, viewed duration may be an average calculated across viewers. Viewed duration is an indicator of the extent to which the broadcaster's live broadcast is viewed by viewers. In this specification, "total viewed time" is one aspect of viewed time, and is the time obtained by adding up the viewing time of all viewers who watched the live broadcast of the target broadcaster during a specified period.

[0020] For example, if viewer B watches a live stream by streamer A for 2 hours, viewer C watches for 3 hours, and viewer D watches for 4 hours during a given period, the results will be as follows: Viewer B's viewing time = 2 hours Viewer C's viewing time = 3 hours Viewer D's viewing time = 4 hours Total viewing time of Streamer A's live stream = 2 + 3 + 4 = 9 hours Average viewing time for streamer A's live stream = 9 / 3 = 3 hours Viewing time of broadcaster A's live broadcast: This may be the total viewing time or the average viewing time.

[0021] In the example of Fig. 1, a broadcaster LV is live streaming a talk. The user terminal 20 of the broadcaster LV records the image and audio of the broadcaster LV while he or she is talking, 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 broadcaster LV on the display of the user terminal 20, allowing the broadcast content by the broadcaster LV to be confirmed.

[0022] User terminals 30a and 30b of viewers AU1 and AU2 who have requested the platform to watch the live broadcast of broadcaster LV each receive video data related to the live broadcast via network NW, and play the received video data to display videos VD1 and VD2 on their displays and output audio from their speakers. The videos VD1 and VD2 displayed on each user terminal 30a and 30b are substantially identical to the video VD captured by user terminal 20 of broadcaster LV, and the audio output from each user terminal 30a and 30b is substantially identical to the audio recorded by user terminal 20 of broadcaster LV.

[0023] Audio and video recording on the user terminal 20 of the broadcaster LV and playback of video data on the user terminals 30a and 30b of viewers AU1 and AU2 are performed substantially simultaneously. When one viewer AU1 inputs a comment on the content of the broadcaster LV's conversation into the user terminal 30a, the server 10 displays the comment in real time on the user terminal 20 of the broadcaster LV and also on the user terminals 30a and 30b of each viewer AU1 and AU2. After reading the comment, the broadcaster LV expands the conversation by overlaying the content. The video and audio of the conversation are output to the user terminals 30a and 30b of each viewer AU1 and AU2, thereby recognizing that a conversation between the broadcaster LV and viewer AU1 has been established. In this way, the live streaming system 1 realizes live streaming that enables two-way communication, not one-way communication.

[0024] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functions and configuration of user terminal 20 in Figure 1. User terminal 30 has the same functions and configuration as user terminal 20. Each block shown in Figure 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 we depict functional blocks realized by the cooperation of these. 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.

[0025] The distributor LV and the viewer AU download and install a live streaming application program (hereinafter referred to as a live streaming app) according to this embodiment from a download site to the user terminals 20 and 30 via the network NW. Alternatively, the live streaming app may be pre-installed on the user terminals 20 and 30. When the user terminals 20 and 30 execute the live streaming app, the user terminals 20 and 30 communicate with the server 10 via the network NW and realize various functions. Hereinafter, functions realized by the user terminals 20 and 30 (or their processors, such as CPUs) executing the live streaming app will be described as functions of the user terminals 20 and 30. These functions are actually functions realized by the live streaming app on the user terminals 20 and 30. 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 on the user terminals 20 and 30 via the network NW and executed by the web browser.

[0026] 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 back, and a non-distribution processing unit 400 that processes requests from active users. A user activates the distribution unit 100 when distributing, the viewing unit 200 when viewing, and the non-distribution processing unit 400 when searching for a live broadcast they want to watch, viewing the profile of a broadcaster, or viewing archives. A user terminal on which the distribution unit 100 is active is on the broadcaster's side, i.e., the user terminal that generates the video data, a user terminal on which the viewing unit 200 is active is on the viewer's side, i.e., the user terminal that plays back the video data, and a user terminal on which the non-distribution processing unit 400 is active is the user terminal of an active user.

[0027] The distribution unit 100 includes an imaging control unit 102, an audio control unit 104, a video transmission unit 106, a distribution-side UI control unit 108, and a distribution-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 via 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 performed substantially simultaneously.

[0028] 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 (not shown in FIG. 2) such as a touch panel, keyboard, or display, and acquires input from the distributor via these 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 entered by viewers, 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.

[0029] The distribution-side communication unit 110 controls communication with the server 10 during live distribution. The distribution-side communication unit 110 transmits the contents of input by the distributor acquired by the distribution-side UI control unit 108 to the server 10 via the network NW. The distribution-side communication unit 110 receives various types of information associated with the live distribution from the server 10 via the network NW.

[0030] 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 viewers participate from the server 10 via the network NW.

[0031] The viewer-side UI control unit 202 controls the UI for viewers. The viewer-side UI control unit 202 is connected to a display and a speaker (not shown in FIG. 2 ) and plays received video data to display video images on the display and output audio from the speaker. The output of images 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 devices (not shown in FIG. 2 ), such as a touch panel, keyboard, and display, and acquires input from viewers via these input devices. The viewer-side UI control unit 202 superimposes a predetermined frame image on an image of video data acquired from the server 10. The frame image includes various objects for receiving input from viewers, comments entered by the viewers, and information acquired from the server 10. The viewer-side communication unit 204 transmits the content of the viewer's input acquired by the viewer-side UI control unit 202 to the server 10 via the network NW.

[0032] The non-broadcast processing unit 400 includes a non-broadcast UI control unit 402 and a non-broadcast communication unit 404. The non-broadcast UI control unit 402 controls the UI for active users. For example, the non-broadcast UI control unit 402 generates a live broadcast selection screen that displays a list of live broadcasts that can currently be joined and accepts live broadcast selections by active users, and displays this on the display. The non-broadcast UI control unit 402 generates a profile screen for any user and displays it on the display. The non-broadcast UI control unit 402 plays archives created by recording and filming past live broadcasts.

[0033] The non-broadcast communication unit 404 controls communication with the server 10 outside of live broadcasting. The non-broadcast communication unit 404 receives information for generating a live broadcast selection screen, information for generating a profile screen, and archive data from the server 10 via the network NW. The non-broadcast communication unit 404 transmits the contents of input by active users to the server 10 via the network NW.

[0034] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the functions and configuration of server 10 of Fig. 1. 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, a gift DB 320, a support score updating unit 330, a low rank management unit 332, a high rank management unit 334, a reward granting unit 336, and a criteria DB 338.

[0035] Figure 4 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the stream DB 314 in Figure 3. The stream DB 314 stores information about live streaming currently being performed. The stream DB 314 stores, in association with each other, a stream ID that identifies a live streaming on the live streaming platform provided by the live streaming system 1, a broadcaster ID that is a user ID that identifies the broadcaster of the live streaming, and a viewer ID that is a user ID that identifies the viewer of the live streaming.

[0036] In the live streaming platform provided by the live streaming system 1 according to this embodiment, when a user performs a live stream, that user becomes a streamer, and when the same user watches a live stream broadcast by another user, that user becomes a viewer. Therefore, the distinction between streamer and viewer is not fixed, and a user ID registered as a streamer ID at one time may be registered as a viewer ID at another time.

[0037] Fig. 5 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the user DB 318 of Fig. 3. The user DB 318 holds information about users. The user DB 318 holds, in association with each other, a user ID that identifies a user, points owned by the user, a reward granted to the user, a cheering score of the user, a rank score of the user, a rank of the user, a total broadcast time of the user today, a total viewed time of the user today, a pause flag that is information indicating whether the user is paused in the round to which the user currently belongs (hereinafter referred to as the current round), the remaining number of pause tickets owned by the user, and a return rate related to profit sharing of the user.

[0038] Points are electronic value circulated within the live streaming platform. Users purchase points using credit cards or other payment methods. Rewards are electronic value defined within the live streaming platform and are an indicator used to determine the amount of money a broadcaster receives from the administrator of the live streaming platform. On the live streaming platform, when a viewer gives a gift to a broadcaster during or outside of a live streaming session, the viewer's points are consumed, and the broadcaster's reward increases by the amount calculated by multiplying the gift points by the redemption rate. In this embodiment, the redemption rate for a broadcaster is set regardless of the broadcaster's rank, rank score, or support score. For example, the redemption rate may be set based on a contract between the broadcaster and the administrator. The redemption rate may be different for each broadcaster, or it may be the same for each broadcaster.

[0039] The support score is a support parameter that indicates the degree of support from other users to the user as a broadcaster. In this embodiment, a numerical value called the support score is used as the support parameter, but in other embodiments, the support parameter may be the value and / or number of points earned, the number of comments received, the value and / or number of gifts received, the viewing time, or any combination thereof, or a parameter calculated based on at least one of them.

[0040] A streamer's Support Score represents the strength of other users' engagement with the streamer. The value of the streamer's Support Score is updated based on the support activities of other users toward the streamer. Support activities include, for example, gifting and commenting both inside and outside of live streams, watching live streams, and sharing the streamer and live streams. The value of the streamer's Support Score varies depending on the amount of gifts the streamer receives during live streams, the amount of gifts received outside of live streams, the number and / or frequency of comments posted on the streamer's live streams, the number and / or frequency of comments posted outside of live streams, for example, on the streamer's timeline or in direct messages with the streamer, the amount of time the streamer is watched, the number of cheers sent on the streamer's live streams, the number of viewers (total, average, etc.), the number of shares, the number of viewers who sent gifts, etc. In one example, the formula for calculating the Support Score is set so that the more gifts the streamer receives both inside and outside of live streams, the more comments, the more time they are watched, and / or the more cheers they receive, the higher the Support Score value. The support score may increase or decrease based on support activity. For example, if a streamer does not receive any support activity within a certain period of time, the streamer's support score may decrease.

[0041] A streamer's support score may vary depending on the attributes of the other users who support them. For example, the support score may be set so that a streamer who receives support from a larger number of users will have a higher support score value for the same amount of support activity than a streamer who receives support from a small number of specific users. For example, if a streamer receives a gift of 1,000 points from one user, the support score may be +10, and if a streamer receives 200 points each from five users, the support score may be +15.

[0042] In the live streaming platform according to this embodiment, the rank score and rank are updated periodically. The period may be one day, one week, one month, or one year. Hereinafter, a period is defined as one day, and one period is referred to as a round. The cutoff timing for updating the rank score and rank is midnight, when the cheering scores for the rounds up to that point are finalized and the cheering scores are reset to the initial value (0) for the next round.

[0043] The streamer's rank score is maintained or changed based on the support score value determined at the end of each round. The streamer's rank score is updated by evaluating the streamer's support score value according to the criteria for each rank stored in the criteria DB 338 described below.

[0044] A broadcaster's rank is maintained or fluctuates based on the updated rank score value at the end of each round. A broadcaster's rank is maintained or fluctuates based on the updated rank score value of the broadcaster. In this embodiment, when the updated rank score value of a broadcaster reaches 2, the broadcaster's rank increases by 1 and the rank score is reset to the initial value (0). When the updated rank score value of a broadcaster reaches -2, the broadcaster's rank decreases by 1 and the rank score is reset to the initial value (0). In all other cases, the rank is maintained (does not change). The rank can also be said to be an indicator of a user's performance as a broadcaster on the live streaming platform.

[0045] Today's total broadcast time is the cumulative broadcast time of the broadcaster in the current round. Today's total watch time is the broadcaster's total watch time for the current round.

[0046] A pause ticket is a digital item distributed to each user. A set number of pause tickets are distributed to each user by the administrator periodically, for example, once a month or once a year. When a streamer uses a pause ticket specifying a certain round, the streamer is excluded from the rank score and rank update process for the specified round. In other words, the streamer's rank score and rank will be maintained for the specified round. When a streamer uses a pause ticket specifying the next round, the number of remaining pause tickets for that streamer is decremented by one. When the next round begins, the pause flag corresponding to that streamer will be set to Y.

[0047] Fig. 6 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the gift DB 320 in Fig. 3. The gift DB 320 stores information about gifts that viewers can use in live broadcasts. A gift is an electronic item or electronic data that has the following characteristics: ·Can be purchased with points or money, or given for free. Something that viewers can give to the streamer. Giving a gift to a streamer is also called using a gift or throwing a gift. Some gifts are purchased and used at the same time, while others can be used at any time by the viewer after purchase. When viewers give gifts to streamers, the streamer will receive a corresponding reward. 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.

[0048] The gift DB 320 stores a gift ID identifying a gift, an granted reward, which is the base reward value awarded to a broadcaster when the gift is given to the broadcaster, an granted support score, which is the value of the support score awarded to the broadcaster when the gift is given to the broadcaster, and value points, which are the value of the gift that must be paid when using the gift, in association with each other. Viewers can give a gift to a broadcaster by paying the value points for the desired gift while watching a live broadcast. These value points may be paid using an appropriate electronic payment method, such as by the viewer paying value points to the administrator. Alternatively, payment may be made by bank transfer or credit card. The administrator can arbitrarily set the relationship between the granted reward and value points. For example, the granted reward may be set equal to the value points. Alternatively, the value points may be set to the points obtained by multiplying the granted reward by a predetermined coefficient such as 1.2, or the value points may be set to the points obtained by adding a predetermined handling fee point to the granted reward. In this embodiment, when a viewer gives a gift to a broadcaster, the value obtained by multiplying the gift's reward by the broadcaster's payout rate is added to the broadcaster's payout. For example, if the gift "GFT1" in Figure 6 is given to a broadcaster and the broadcaster's payout rate is 0.4 (40%), the broadcaster will be given a reward of 80 (base value) x 0.4 = 32.

[0049] There are three types of gifts: those that increase the streamer's reward but do not contribute to the support score (GFT1 and GFT2 in Figure 6); those that increase the streamer's reward and also increase the support score (SUP1 in Figure 6); and those that do not contribute to the streamer's reward but increase the support score (SUP2 in Figure 6). By providing different types of gifts with different contributions to rewards and support scores, support through gifting can be strategically implemented. For example, even if two gifts (GFT2 and SUP2 in Figure 6) are given with the same value of points, if the streamer is in danger of dropping in rank in the current round, a gift that contributes more to the support score (SUP2) will be appreciated. Conversely, if the streamer is certain to maintain their rank in the current round, a gift that contributes more to rewards (GFT2) will be appreciated. Users (viewers) can gain satisfaction and enjoyment by giving gifts that streamers will appreciate.

[0050] FIG. 7 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the criteria DB 338 in FIG. 3. The criteria DB 338 stores criteria for evaluating the value of a streamer's support score and determining whether to increase or decrease the rank score. For each of the six ranks from 0 to 5, the criteria DB 338 stores the hourly wage for that rank, the conditions for the rank score to be +1, the conditions for not changing the rank score, and the conditions for the rank score to be -1. The hourly wage is the rate at which streaming time is converted into compensation, and the higher the rank, the higher the hourly wage.

[0051] The criteria stored in the criteria DB 338 include relative criteria and absolute criteria. Relative criteria are set for the low ranks of the six different ranks, i.e., rank 0, rank 1, rank 2, and rank 3. Absolute criteria are set for the high ranks of the six different ranks, i.e., rank 4 and rank 5. The high ranks are set higher than the low ranks, and there is no overlap between them.

[0052] When using relative criteria, the streamer's support score is compared with the support scores of other streamers in the same rank to determine whether the streamer's rank score will be increased or decreased. In the example of Figure 7, all streamers in Rank 2 are ranked by their support scores, and the rank scores of the top 30% of streamers are increased by +1, the rank scores of the bottom 30% are decreased by -1, and the rank scores of the remaining 40% of streamers are left unchanged.

[0053] When absolute standards are used, the rank score of a broadcaster is determined to increase or decrease based on the evaluation result of the broadcaster's support score, regardless of the support scores of other broadcasters. In this embodiment, as a method of evaluation without regard to the support scores of other broadcasters, a comparison result of the broadcaster's support score with a threshold value that is a constant specific to the rank to which the broadcaster belongs is described. However, in other embodiments, a comparison result of the difference between the support score value in the previous round and the support score value in the current round with a threshold value may be used, or a comparison result of the increase rate of the support score with a threshold value may be used. In the example of Figure 7, for each broadcaster belonging to rank 4, if the broadcaster's support score value is 4000 or more, the rank score of the broadcaster is increased by +1; if the support score value is 2000 or more but less than 4000, the rank score is not increased or decreased; and if it is less than 2000, the rank score is decreased by -1.

[0054] Returning to FIG. 3 , upon receiving a notification from the user terminal 20 of the broadcaster via the network NW that a live broadcast is about to begin, the broadcast information providing unit 302 registers a stream ID identifying the live broadcast and the broadcaster ID of the broadcaster of the live broadcast in the stream DB 314. Upon receiving a request for information about a live broadcast from the non-broadcast communication unit 404 of the user terminal of an active user via the network NW, the broadcast information providing unit 302 references the stream DB 314 and generates a list of live broadcasts that are currently available for viewing. The broadcast information providing unit 302 transmits the generated list to the user terminal that made the request via the network NW. The non-broadcast UI control unit 402 of the user terminal that made the request generates a live broadcast selection screen based on the received list and displays it on the display of the user terminal.

[0055] When the non-delivery UI control unit 402 of the user terminal accepts the active user's selection of a live stream on the live stream selection screen, it generates a delivery request including the stream ID of the selected live stream and transmits it to the server 10 via the network NW. The delivery information providing unit 302 begins providing the live stream identified by the stream ID included in the received delivery request to the requesting user terminal. The delivery information providing unit 302 updates the stream DB 314 so that the viewer ID of the stream ID includes the user ID of the active user of the requesting user terminal. As a result, the active user becomes a viewer of the selected live stream.

[0056] The relay unit 304 relays the transmission of video data from the broadcaster's user terminal 20 to the viewer's user terminal 30 during live streaming initiated by the streaming information providing unit 302. The relay unit 304 receives, from the viewer-side communication unit 204, a signal indicating a user input by a viewer during live streaming, i.e., playback of video data. The signal indicating user input may be an object designation signal indicating designation of an object displayed on the display of the user terminal 30. The object designation signal includes the viewer ID of the viewer, the broadcaster ID of the broadcaster performing the live streaming being viewed by the viewer, and an object ID identifying the object. If the object is a gift icon, the object ID becomes a gift ID. In this case, the object designation signal becomes a gift use signal indicating the viewer's use of a gift for the broadcaster. If the object is a cheer icon, the object designation signal becomes a cheer use signal indicating the viewer's use of a cheer for the broadcaster. Similarly, the relay unit 304 receives, from the broadcaster-side communication unit 110 of the broadcasting unit 100 of the user terminal 20, a signal indicating a user input by a broadcaster during playback of video data, for example, an object designation signal.

[0057] The gift processing unit 308 updates the user DB 318 to increase the distributor's reward according to the granted reward and return rate of the gift identified by the gift ID included in the gift use signal. The gift processing unit 308 refers to the gift DB 320 and identifies the granted reward corresponding to the gift ID included in the received gift use signal. The gift processing unit 308 updates the user DB 318 to add a value obtained by multiplying the identified granted reward by the return rate to the reward corresponding to the distributor ID included in the gift use signal.

[0058] In response to receiving the gift use signal, the payment processing unit 310 processes the payment of the gift value by the viewer. 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 to deduct the identified value points from the points of the viewer identified by the viewer ID included in the gift use signal.

[0059] The support score updating unit 330 updates the value of a support score for a broadcaster based on support activities performed by viewers for the broadcaster during the broadcaster's live broadcast. When the support score updating unit 330 receives a gift use signal from a user terminal of a viewer of the ongoing live broadcast, it references the gift DB 320 and identifies the granted support score corresponding to the gift ID included in the received gift use signal. The support score updating unit 330 updates the user DB 318 to add the value of the identified granted support score to the support score corresponding to the broadcaster ID included in the gift use signal. When the support score updating unit 330 receives a cheer use signal from a user terminal of a viewer of the ongoing live broadcast, it identifies the granted support score (a predetermined value such as 1, 10, or 50) corresponding to the use of a cheer. The support score updating unit 330 updates the user DB 318 to add the value of the identified granted support score to the support score corresponding to the broadcaster ID included in the cheer use signal. When the support score updating unit 330 receives a comment input signal (described later) from a user terminal of a viewer of an ongoing live broadcast, it identifies an assigned support score (a predetermined value such as 1, 2, or 3) corresponding to the comment input. The support score updating unit 330 updates the user DB 318 so as to add the identified assigned support score value to the support score corresponding to the broadcaster ID included in the comment input signal. The support score updating unit 330 periodically acquires the total viewed time for each user today, for example, once every 30 minutes or once every hour, and identifies an assigned support score (calculated at a predetermined rate such as 1 per hour) corresponding to the acquired total viewed time. The support score updating unit 330 updates the user DB 318 so as to add the identified assigned support score value to the support score of each user. In other embodiments, the relationship between the update amount of each of gifts, comments, cheers, and viewed time and the support score can be arbitrarily set by an administrator.

[0060] The support score update unit 330 updates the support score of a broadcaster based on support activities performed by other users for the broadcaster when the broadcaster is not providing live streaming. Support activities performed by other users when the broadcaster is not providing live streaming, i.e., outside of live streaming, include gifting outside of live streaming and cheers outside of live streaming.

[0061] The live streaming platform according to this embodiment is configured to allow other users to give gifts (hereinafter referred to as non-streaming gifts) and cheers (hereinafter referred to as non-streaming cheers) to a broadcaster when the broadcaster is not providing a live stream. Non-streaming gifts and non-streaming cheers may be realized using, for example, the technology described in Patent Document 2. When the support score update unit 330 receives a non-streaming gift use signal indicating the use of a non-streaming gift from the user terminal of an active user, it references the gift DB 320 and identifies the granted support score corresponding to the gift ID included in the received non-streaming gift use signal. The support score update unit 330 updates the user DB 318 to add the value of the identified granted support score to the support score corresponding to the recipient user ID included in the non-streaming gift use signal. When the support score update unit 330 receives a non-streaming cheer use signal indicating the use of a non-streaming cheer from the user terminal of an active user, it identifies the granted support score (a predetermined value such as 1, 10, or 50) corresponding to the use of the cheer. The cheer score update unit 330 updates the user DB 318 to add the value of the identified granted cheer score to the cheer score corresponding to the recipient user ID included in the non-broadcast cheer use signal.

[0062] Even if the support score update unit 330 receives a pause ticket from a broadcaster, it continues updating the support score based on the support activities performed for the broadcaster in the round specified in the pause ticket. This process is independent of the rank to which the broadcaster belongs, and is independent of whether the support activities were performed during or outside of the live broadcast. For example, even if the support score update unit 330 receives a pause ticket specifying the next round from a high-ranking broadcaster, it continues updating the support score based on gifting and / or cheers performed for the broadcaster outside of the live broadcast in the next round. As a result, the support score for the broadcaster will fluctuate even during the rounds during which the broadcaster is paused.

[0063] When the end of a round comes, the low rank management unit 332 decides whether or not to change the rank of a low-ranked broadcaster based on the comparison result between the support score value earned by the broadcaster in that round and the support score values ​​earned by other broadcasters in the same rank as the broadcaster.

[0064] When the end of a round arrives, the low rank management unit 332 refers to the user DB 318, extracts the user IDs and support scores of users whose rank is 0 to 3 and whose inactive flag is N, and generates an evaluation target list for each rank. The low rank management unit 332 sorts the user IDs included in the evaluation target list by support score. The low rank management unit 332 refers to the criteria DB 338 and applies a relative criterion corresponding to the rank to the sorted evaluation target list for that rank, thereby identifying users whose rank scores should be increased by 1, users whose rank scores should be decreased by 1, and users whose rank scores should not increase or decrease. The low rank management unit 332 updates the rank scores by reflecting the identified changes in the rank scores in the user DB 318.

[0065] For each user whose rank is 0 to 3 and whose inactive flag is N, if the updated rank score reaches the upper limit, the low rank management unit 332 increments the rank of the user by 1 and resets the rank score to 0. If the updated rank score reaches the lower limit, the low rank management unit 332 decrements the rank of the user by 1 and resets the rank score to 0. If the updated rank score is between the lower limit and the upper limit, the low rank management unit 332 decides not to change the rank to which the user belongs.

[0066] When the low rank management unit 332 receives a suspension ticket specifying a round from a low-ranked broadcaster, it does not change the rank of the broadcaster based on the comparison results for the specified round. When the round ends, the low rank management unit 332 identifies users whose rank is 0 to 3 and whose suspension flag is Y, and excludes the identified users from being targets for updating their rank scores and ranks in that round. As a result, the rank scores and ranks of the excluded users are maintained and not updated.

[0067] When the end of a round arrives, the high rank management unit 334 determines whether or not to change the rank of a high-ranking broadcaster based on the results of evaluating the support score value of the broadcaster, regardless of the support score values ​​of other broadcasters.

[0068] When the end of a round arrives, the high rank management unit 334 refers to the user DB 318, extracts the user IDs and support scores of users whose rank is either 4 or 5 and whose inactive flag is set to N, and generates an evaluation target list for each rank. The high rank management unit 334 refers to the criteria DB 338 and applies the absolute criteria corresponding to the rank individually to each user included in the evaluation target list for that rank to determine whether to increment or decrement the rank score of that user by 1, decrement or decrement by 1, or leave the rank score unchanged. For each user ID included in the evaluation target list for a certain rank, the high rank management unit 334 compares the support score of that user ID with a threshold value that is a constant specific to that rank and is stored in the criteria DB 338. The high rank management unit 334 determines whether to increment or decrement the rank score if the support score is equal to or greater than the threshold value of +1, decrement or decrement the rank score if the support score is less than the threshold value of -1, and leave the rank score unchanged otherwise. The high rank management unit 334 updates the rank score by reflecting the change in the determined rank score in the rank score of the user DB 318.

[0069] For each user whose rank is either 4 or 5 and whose inactive flag is N, if the updated rank score reaches the upper limit, the high rank management unit 334 increases the rank of the user by 1 and returns the rank score to 0. If the updated rank score reaches the lower limit, the high rank management unit 334 decreases the rank of the user by 1 and returns the rank score to 0. If the updated rank score is between the lower limit and the upper limit, the high rank management unit 334 decides not to change the rank to which the user belongs.

[0070] When the high rank management unit 334 receives a pause ticket specifying a round from a high-ranking broadcaster, it does not change the rank of the broadcaster in the specified round. When the round ends, the high rank management unit 334 identifies users whose rank is either 4 or 5 and whose pause flag is set to Y, and excludes the identified users from being targets for updating their rank scores and ranks in that round. As a result, the rank scores and ranks of the excluded users are maintained and not updated.

[0071] When the round ends, the reward granting unit 336 performs processing to grant the broadcaster an amount of reward based on the broadcaster's rank and the broadcasting time of the broadcaster, before updating the rank score and rank. The reward granting unit 336 performs processing to grant the broadcaster an amount of reward that increases the longer the broadcaster's broadcasting time, in accordance with the hourly wage that increases the higher the broadcaster's rank.

[0072] The reward granting unit 336 identifies, for each user registered in the user DB 318, the hourly wage corresponding to the user's rank and the total broadcast time in the closed round. The reward granting unit 336 identifies the hourly wage corresponding to the rank by referring to the reference DB 338. An upper limit (e.g., 3 hours) is set for the total broadcast time. If the total broadcast time registered in the user DB 318 exceeds this upper limit, the reward granting unit 336 uses the upper limit as the total broadcast time. For each user, the reward granting unit 336 calculates the hourly wage in the closed round by multiplying the identified hourly wage by the identified total broadcast time. The reward granting unit 336 updates the user DB 318 so that the calculated hourly wage value for the user is added to the user's reward.

[0073] The operation of the live distribution system 1 configured as above will now be described. 8 is a flowchart showing a series of processes related to the awarding of hourly wages in the live distribution system 1. The server 10 determines whether the cutoff time for the round has arrived (S202). If it has not arrived (N in S202), the server 10 determines whether a cheering activity for the broadcaster (user) has been detected (S204). If it has not been detected (N in S204), the process returns to step S202. If it has been detected (Y in S204), the server 10 updates the cheering score of the broadcaster who has been cheered on (S206). Thereafter, the process returns to step S202.

[0074] When the round cutoff time arrives (Y in S202), the server 10 calculates the amount of reward to be awarded to the broadcaster based on the broadcaster's broadcasting time and the hourly wage according to the broadcaster's rank, and awards the calculated amount of reward to the broadcaster (S208). The server 10 updates the rank score of broadcasters belonging to low ranks based on the comparison of the support scores between broadcasters (S210). The server 10 determines whether to change the rank of broadcasters belonging to low ranks based on the updated rank score (S212).

[0075] The server 10 updates the rank score of the high-ranking broadcaster based on the result of comparing the support score with a rank-specific and fixed threshold (S214). The server 10 determines whether to change the rank of the high-ranking broadcaster based on the updated rank score (S216).

[0076] The server 10 resets the support score, broadcast time, and total viewed time of each broadcaster to their initial values ​​(S218). The server 10 starts the next round (S220). After that, the process returns to step S202.

[0077] 9 is a representative screen diagram of a live streaming room screen 608 displayed on the display of a viewer's user terminal 30. The live streaming room screen 608 displays video generated by the broadcaster's user terminal 20 in real time. The live streaming room screen 608 includes a video 610 of the broadcaster obtained by playing video data received from the server 10, a gift icon 612, a comment input area 616, a comment display area 618, an end viewing button 620, and a cheer object 622. The viewer-side UI control unit 202 generates the live streaming room screen 608 by superimposing other objects, namely the gift icon 612, the comment input area 616, the comment display area 618, the end viewing button 620, and the cheer object 622, on the video 610 obtained by playing the video data.

[0078] 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. The viewer UI control unit 202 generates a comment display area 618 including comments from other viewers received from the server 10 and notifications from the system, and includes the generated comment display area 618 on the live streaming room screen 608.

[0079] The comment input area 616 accepts comments entered by viewers. The viewer-side communication unit 204 generates a comment input signal including the comment entered in the comment input area 616 and transmits the signal to the server 10 via the network NW. At the same time, the viewer-side UI control unit 202 updates the comment display area 618 to display the comment entered in the comment input area 616.

[0080] The view end button 620 is an object for receiving an instruction from the viewer to stop viewing the live broadcast.

[0081] When a tap on the gift icon 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. Upon receiving the gift information request, the relay unit 304 of the server 10 refers to the gift DB 320 to identify the gift ID of an available gift. The server 10 generates gift information including the identified gift ID and transmits it to the requesting user terminal 30. Based on the received gift information, the viewer UI control unit 202 of the user terminal 30 generates a gift area for accepting gift selection. The gift area includes a gift object of the gift identified by the gift ID included in the received gift information. The viewer UI control unit 202 displays the generated gift area on the live streaming room screen 608. When a viewer taps a gift object in the gift area, the viewer UI control unit 202 of the user terminal 30 accepts the viewer's designation of the gift object. The viewer UI control unit 202 generates an effect corresponding to the gift represented by the specified gift object. The viewer-side UI control unit 202 displays the generated effect on the live streaming room screen 608. In addition, the viewer-side communication unit 204 generates a gift use signal including the gift ID of the gift represented by the specified gift object and transmits the signal to the server 10.

[0082] When a tap on the cheer object 622 is detected, the viewer-side communication unit 204 of the user terminal 30 generates a cheer use signal and transmits it to the server 10.

[0083] FIG. 10 is a representative screen diagram of a rank information display screen 630 displayed on the display of a user terminal 20 of a suspended broadcaster. When the user terminal 20 receives a request from a broadcaster to view rank information, it generates a rank information request signal including the broadcaster's user ID and transmits it to the server 10 via the network NW. Upon receiving the rank information request signal, the broadcast information providing unit 302 obtains from the user DB 318 the support score, rank score, rank, today's total broadcast time, today's total viewed time, suspended flag, and number of remaining suspended tickets, all of which are stored in association with the user ID included in the signal. The broadcast information providing unit 302 generates a rank information response signal including the obtained information and transmits it to the requesting user terminal 20 via the network NW. The user terminal 20 generates a rank information display screen 630 based on the information included in the received rank information response signal and displays it on its display. The rank information display screen 630 has a rank display area 632 that displays the broadcaster's current rank, a rank score display area 634 that displays the broadcaster's current rank score, a detailed information display area 636 that displays the broadcaster's status, and a start broadcast button 638.

[0084] The information displayed in the detailed information display area 636 differs depending on whether the broadcaster is on hiatus in the current round, i.e., whether the hiatus flag included in the rank information response signal is Y or N. If the hiatus flag is N, the detailed information display area 636 displays the current progress in the current round based on a relative or absolute standard. If the hiatus flag is Y ( FIG. 10 ), the detailed information display area 636 includes information 640 indicating that the broadcaster is on hiatus in the current round, the number of paused tickets 642 currently held by the broadcaster, a cheer score value 644 acquired through cheering activities for the broadcaster up to this point in the current round, and the time remaining until the current round's closing time 646. If the broadcaster is not live streaming in the current round, the cheer score value 644 is the cheer score value acquired through gifting and cheers outside of the live stream. The detailed information display area 636 displays text indicating that the broadcaster can obtain the cheer score value 644 if they resume streaming after ending their hiatus in the current round. This allows, for example, if a streamer unexpectedly receives a large amount of non-streaming gifts while on hiatus, the streamer can more reliably take advantage of the chance to rank up or earn rank points by seeing the display in the detailed information display area 636, starting streaming again, and participating in rank updates. Additionally, if a streamer is thinking of ending their hiatus for some reason, they can be encouraged to resume live streaming by being informed that they have already accumulated support scores.

[0085] When the user terminal 20 detects that the distribution start button 638 has been tapped, the user terminal 20 generates a notification to the effect that live distribution will start, and transmits the notification to the server 10 via the network NW.

[0086] In the above-described embodiments, examples of the DB 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 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.

[0087] According to the live streaming system 1 of this embodiment, relative evaluation is used for ranks with a relatively large number of broadcasters, and absolute evaluation is used for ranks with a relatively small number of broadcasters. This allows broadcaster evaluation to be optimized according to the characteristics of the rank.

[0088] Furthermore, the live streaming system 1 according to the present embodiment provides broadcasters with a hybrid compensation system that combines revenue distribution from gifting with an hourly wage. Revenue distribution is a piecework-based compensation system calculated by multiplying the amount of gifting received by the broadcaster by a payout rate (ratio). The payout rate is determined for each broadcaster and may vary between broadcasters, but is unrelated to their rank, rank score, or support score. By adopting such a hybrid compensation system, a live streaming platform can be provided that is more tolerant of differences in broadcaster personalities and allows broadcasters to easily develop earning strategies. For example, by setting a high payout rate even for a low rank, broadcasters who prefer to earn a lot in one big win rather than earning little by little can be more easily accepted. Furthermore, even if the payout rate is low, broadcasters can steadily accumulate support scores to increase their rank, making it easier to accept broadcasters who prefer to earn a lot little by little.

[0089] Furthermore, in the live streaming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the cheering score of a broadcaster is updated based on cheering activities performed for the broadcaster when the broadcaster is not providing a live stream. This allows viewers to contribute to the broadcaster's rank improvement both during and outside of the live stream, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in viewers' cheering.

[0090] Furthermore, in the live streaming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the broadcaster's cheering score continues to be updated even during a round in which the broadcaster is on hiatus. Therefore, when the broadcaster changes his / her mind and resumes his / her hiatus, the broadcaster can effectively utilize the cheering activities he / she has received outside of the live streaming. Furthermore, even if the broadcaster changes his / her mind during the latter half of a round, if the cheering score has already been accumulated, it is easier to resume the broadcast.

[0091] The hardware configuration of an information processing device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 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 according to this embodiment.

[0092] The information processing device 900 includes a CPU 901, a read-only memory (ROM) 902, and a random-access memory (RAM) 903. 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 also includes an imaging device (not shown) such as a camera. The CPU 901 is an example of a hardware configuration for realizing functions realized by the components described herein. The functions described herein may be realized by circuits programmed to realize the described functions. Circuits programmed to realize the functions described herein include a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a general-purpose processor, an application-specific processor, an integrated circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and / or a combination thereof. In this specification, a unit that achieves a specific function may be realized as a circuit programmed to achieve that function.

[0093] The CPU 901 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and control unit, and controls all or part of the operations within the information processing device 900 in accordance with various programs recorded in the ROM 902, RAM 903, storage device 919, or removable recording medium 923. For example, the CPU 901 controls all of the operations of the functional units included in the server 10 and the user terminals 20 and 30 in this embodiment. The ROM 902 stores programs and calculation parameters used by the CPU 901. The RAM 903 temporarily stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 901, as well as parameters that change as appropriate during the execution. The CPU 901, ROM 902, and RAM 903 are interconnected by a host bus 907, which is an internal bus such as a CPU bus. The host bus 907 is further connected to an external bus 911, such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus, via a bridge 909.

[0094] The input device 915 may be, for example, a device operated by a user, such as a mouse, keyboard, touch panel, button, switch, or lever, or may be a device that converts physical quantities into electrical signals, 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 externally connected device 927 such as a mobile phone that supports 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 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 processing operations.

[0095] The output device 917 is configured by a device that can notify the user of acquired information visually or audibly. The output device 917 can be, for example, a display such as an LCD, PDP, or OELD, an audio output device such as a speaker or headphones, or a printer. The output device 917 outputs the results obtained by processing by the information processing device 900 as video such as text or images, or as sound such as audio.

[0096] 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, by 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, as well as various data acquired from the outside.

[0097] The drive 921 is a reader / writer for a removable recording medium 923 such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or semiconductor memory, and is built into or externally attached to the information processing device 900. The drive 921 reads information recorded on the attached removable recording medium 923 and outputs it to the RAM 903. The drive 921 also writes information to the attached removable recording medium 923.

[0098] 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, or a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) port. The connection port 925 can also be an RS-232C port, an optical audio terminal, or a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) (registered trademark) port. By connecting an external device 927 to the connection port 925, various types of data can be exchanged between the information processing device 900 and the external device 927.

[0099] 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, such as the Internet, a home LAN, infrared communication, radio wave communication, or satellite communication. The communication device 929 also functions as a communication unit.

[0100] 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 components such as a lens for controlling the formation of a subject image on the imaging element. The imaging device may capture still images or moving images.

[0101] 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.

[0102] In the embodiment, the case where the change in rank score is determined from the cheering score and the change in rank is determined depending on the magnitude of the rank score has been described, but this is not limiting, and for example, the change in rank may be determined directly by relatively or absolutely evaluating the cheering score. In this case, the frequency of rank changes can be increased.

[0103] In the embodiment, the case was described in which the return rate is determined for each broadcaster and may differ between broadcasters, but is unrelated to the rank, rank score, or support score. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, the return rate may be a uniform value that is not dependent on the broadcaster, or the return rate may be determined according to the rank.

[0104] The conversion rates from gift points to rewards in the embodiments are merely examples, and may be set appropriately by, for example, an administrator of the live distribution system.

[0105] The technical concept of the embodiments may be applied to virtual live streaming or live commerce, in which an avatar that moves in synchronization with the streamer's movements is used instead of the streamer's image. Furthermore, in the embodiments, a case has been described in which a server relays video data related to a live stream generated on the streamer's user terminal and transmits it to the viewer's user terminal, but this is not limited to this. For example, the technical concept of the embodiments may be applied when a virtual streamer is set up instead of an actual streamer. The virtual streamer is, for example, an AI virtual streamer whose appearance is an avatar, whose voice is generated by a TTS (Text-To-Speech) engine, and whose remarks are obtained from a machine learning model that uses viewer comments as input. In this case, the streamer's user terminal does not exist, and the streamer's processing is performed by the server.

[0106] In the processing procedures described in this specification, particularly in processing procedures described using flow diagrams and flowcharts, it is possible to omit some of the processes (steps) that make up the processing procedures, to add processes that are not explicitly stated as processes that make up the processing procedures, and / or to change the order of the processes, and processing procedures in which such omissions, additions, or changes in order have been made are also included within the scope of this disclosure as long as they do not deviate from the intent of this disclosure.

[0107] At least some 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 some 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 on a viewer's user terminal may be performed on the server 10 or on the distributor's user terminal.

Claims

1. A server that provides a live streaming platform, a first determination means for determining whether to change the rank of a broadcaster who belongs to a certain rank among a plurality of different ranks, based on a comparison result between a support parameter value indicating the degree of support for the broadcaster and support parameter values ​​of other broadcasters who belong to the rank to which the broadcaster belongs; a second determination means for determining whether to change the rank of a broadcaster belonging to the remaining ranks among the plurality of ranks, based on a result of evaluating the support parameter value of the broadcaster, regardless of the support parameter values ​​of other broadcasters; A server comprising: a granting means for performing processing to grant a distributor an amount of reward based on the rank to which the distributor belongs and the length of time the distributor has been broadcasting.

2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the granting means performs processing to grant a reward to a broadcaster at a rate that increases the higher the rank of the broadcaster, and the longer the broadcaster's broadcast time, the greater the reward.

3. The server according to claim 2 , wherein the remaining rank is higher than the rank of the part of the data.

4. The server described in claim 1, wherein the second determination means determines whether or not to change the rank to which a broadcaster belongs, for a broadcaster belonging to one of the remaining ranks among the plurality of ranks, based on the result of comparing the value of the support parameter acquired by the broadcaster within a predetermined second period with a threshold value which is a constant specific to the rank to which the broadcaster belongs.

5. the first determination means determines whether to change the rank of a broadcaster who belongs to a certain rank among the plurality of ranks, based on a comparison result between a support parameter value acquired by the broadcaster within a predetermined first period and a support parameter value acquired by other broadcasters who belong to the rank to which the broadcaster belongs within the first period; The server of claim 4 , wherein the length of the second period is different from the length of the first period.

6. The server according to claim 1, further comprising a parameter update means for updating the value of a support parameter of a broadcaster based on support activities performed for the broadcaster when the broadcaster is not providing live broadcasting.

7. a parameter update means for updating a value of a support parameter of the broadcaster based on a support activity performed for the broadcaster when the broadcaster is not providing live streaming; when the second determination means receives a pause request specifying the second period from a broadcaster belonging to one of the remaining ranks, the second determination means does not change the rank of the broadcaster based on the comparison result for the second period; The server described in claim 4, wherein the parameter update means continues to update the support parameters based on support activities carried out for the broadcaster during the second period, even if it receives a pause request specifying the second period from a broadcaster belonging to one of the remaining ranks among the plurality of ranks.

8. A method executed on a server providing a live streaming platform, comprising: For a broadcaster who belongs to a certain rank among a plurality of different ranks, determining whether to change the rank to which the broadcaster belongs based on a comparison result between a support parameter value indicating the degree of support for the broadcaster and support parameter values ​​of other broadcasters who belong to the rank to which the broadcaster belongs; For a broadcaster belonging to the remaining ranks among the plurality of ranks, determining whether to change the rank to which the broadcaster belongs based on a result of evaluating the support parameter value of the broadcaster regardless of the support parameter values ​​of other broadcasters; and performing a process to award the broadcaster an amount of compensation based on the rank to which the broadcaster belongs and the broadcasting time of the broadcaster.

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