Support method of streamers in streaming their songs

Abstract

To provide a method for supporting a distributor in efficiently distributing songs.SOLUTION: In a method for supporting song distribution by a distributor to a viewer, executed by a server terminal 100, a control unit of the server terminal 100 provides a function to a distributor terminal 200 of the distributor to initiate transmission of a request to a video distribution provider terminal 400 to share video data played by the distributor with a viewer terminal 300 of the viewer in real time, receives a song distribution request together with audio data from the distributor terminal 200, and transmits the received audio data to the viewer terminal 300.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates primarily to a method for assisting distributors in distributing songs. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, video distribution services have become popular, with the aim of allowing distributors to enjoy videos simultaneously with viewers and communicate with them.

[0003] For example, as an example of a technology related to game commentary, a technology has been disclosed in which a broadcaster communicates with a distribution server via a network, transmits game screen information of a game progressing on the broadcaster's terminal to the distribution server, and the distribution server generates distribution screen information including the game screen information and transmits the distribution screen information to a viewer terminal 400. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6659479 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires the distributor's terminal to generate playback video data and send it to the distribution server, which creates the problem of a computational processing load. In addition, the distributor must handle copyright rights processing for the playback video, making it difficult for the distributor to maintain motivation to continue distribution.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a method that enables a distributor to efficiently distribute content and maintains the distributor's motivation to continue distributing content. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A method for supporting song distribution by a distributor to a viewer, executed by a server terminal, wherein a control unit of the server terminal provides a function to the distributor's distributor terminal to initiate transmission of a request to a video distribution provider terminal to share video data played by the distributor with the viewer's viewer terminal in real time, receives a song distribution request together with audio data from the distributor terminal, and transmits the received audio data to the viewer terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a method that enables a distributor to efficiently distribute content and maintains the distributor's motivation to continue distributing content. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a system for supporting song distribution by distributors according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the server terminal 100 of FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a functional block diagram showing the distributor terminal 200 of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of user data stored in the server terminal 100. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of distributor data stored in the server terminal 100. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram showing an example of distribution data stored in server terminal 100. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for supporting song distribution by a distributor according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 shows an example of a distribution screen displayed on a viewer terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a promotion match according to a first embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the components shown in the embodiments are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0011] <Configuration> 1 is a block diagram showing a system for executing a method for supporting song distribution by a distributor according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This system 1 is managed, for example, by a song distribution provider that provides a live distribution application specialized for the distributor's singing (songs), and is composed of a server terminal 100 as a distribution terminal that transmits distribution data mainly consisting of video data recorded from the distributor's singing performance, a distributor terminal 200 managed by the distributor who distributes songs, a viewer terminal 300 for viewing the song distribution, and a video distribution provider terminal 400 managed by a video distribution provider different from the server terminal 100. For ease of explanation, each terminal is described as being a single terminal or a specific number of terminals, but the number of each is not limited.

[0012] The server terminal 100, the distributor terminal 200, the viewer terminal 300B, and the video distributor terminal 400 are connected to each other via a network NW1. The network NW is configured by the Internet, an intranet, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like.

[0013] The server terminal 100 and the video distribution provider terminal 400 may be, for example, a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer, or may be logically realized by cloud computing.

[0014] The distributor terminal 200 and the viewer terminal 300 are, for example, information processing devices such as personal computers and tablet terminals, but may also be configured as smartphones, mobile phones, PDAs, or the like.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of the server terminal 100 of Fig. 1. The server terminal 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit .

[0016] The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for communicating with the distributor terminal 200 via the network NW1, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

[0017] The storage unit 120 stores programs for executing various control processes and functions in the control unit 130, input data, etc., and is composed of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The storage unit 120 also has a viewer data storage unit 121 that stores various data related to viewers of song distribution, a distributor data storage unit 122 that stores various data related to song distributors, and a distribution data storage unit 123 that stores various data required by song distributors for distribution. Note that a database (not shown) storing various data may be constructed outside the storage unit 120 or the server terminal 100.

[0018] The control unit 130 controls the overall operation of the server terminal 100 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 120, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. Functions of the control unit 130 include an information receiving unit 131 that receives instructions and information from each terminal, and an information processing unit 132 that executes various processes related to distribution. The information receiving unit 131 and the information processing unit 132 are activated by a program stored in the storage unit 120 and executed by the server terminal 100, which is a computer (electronic calculator).

[0019] The information receiving unit 131 receives information from the distributor terminal 200, the viewer terminal 300, etc. via the communication unit 110. For example, the information receiving unit 131 receives video data recorded in real time by the distributor at the distributor terminal 200 from the distributor terminal 200, and receives a distribution request.

[0020] The information processing unit 132 performs predetermined processing on the video data received from the distributor terminal 200, such as referencing the distribution data stored in the memory unit 120, generating distribution data for the viewer, and transmitting the distribution data to the viewer terminal 300.

[0021] The control unit 130 may also have a screen generation unit (not shown), which generates screen information to be displayed via the user interfaces of the distributor terminal 200 and the viewer terminal 300 upon request. For example, the control unit 130 generates a user interface by using image and text data (not shown) stored in the storage unit 120 as material and arranging various images and text in predetermined areas of the user interface based on predetermined layout rules. Processing related to the image generation unit may also be executed by a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0022] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the distributor terminal 200 of Fig. 1. The distributor terminal 200 includes a communication unit 210, a display operation unit 220, a storage unit 230, and a control unit 240.

[0023] The communication unit 210 is a communication interface for communicating with the server terminal 100 via the network NW, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP.

[0024] Display operation unit 220 is a user interface used for inputting instructions by the user and displaying text, images, etc. in accordance with input data from control unit 240, and is configured with a display, keyboard, and mouse if distributor terminal 200 is configured as a personal computer, and is configured with a touch panel, etc. if distributor terminal 200 is configured as a smartphone or tablet terminal. This display operation unit 220 is started up by a control program stored in storage unit 230 and executed by distributor terminal 200A, which is a computer (electronic calculator).

[0025] The storage unit 230 stores input data, programs for executing various control processes and functions in the control unit 240, and is composed of RAM, ROM, etc. The storage unit 230 also temporarily stores the contents of communication with the server terminal 100.

[0026] The control unit 240 controls the overall operation of the distributor terminal 200 by executing the programs stored in the storage unit 230, and is composed of a CPU, a GPU, etc. The distributor terminal 200 also includes a camera and a microphone (not shown), and the distributor uses the camera and microphone to record (sound) the distributor's video data and audio data including singing and conversation, and stores the video data (hereinafter referred to as video data) for song distribution in the storage unit 230 of the distributor terminal 200. The configuration of the viewer terminal 300 is substantially the same as that of the distributor terminal 200, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of viewer data stored in the server terminal 100. As shown in FIG.

[0028] The viewer data 1000 shown in Fig. 4 stores various data related to the viewer. For convenience of explanation, Fig. 4 shows an example of one viewer (e.g., a viewer identified by user ID "10001" corresponding to the user of the viewer terminal 300), but information on multiple viewers can be stored. The various data related to the viewer can include, but are not limited to, basic data about the viewer (e.g., user name, contact information (email address, phone number), payment information (credit card number, bank account information, etc.)), coin data (data related to points for using digital content or services such as gifts in a live streaming application), and other viewing data (viewing history, followed live streamers (distributors), sent likes, sent comments, experience points, etc.).

[0029] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the distributor data stored in the server terminal 100. As shown in FIG.

[0030] The broadcaster data 2000 shown in Figure 5 stores various data related to the broadcaster. For ease of explanation, Figure 5 shows an example of one broadcaster (e.g., a broadcaster identified by user ID "20001" corresponding to the user of the broadcaster terminal 200), but information on multiple broadcasters can be stored. The various data related to the broadcaster can include, but are not limited to, basic data about the broadcaster (e.g., user name, contact information (email address, phone number), payment information (credit card number, bank account information, etc.)), song diamond data (here, song diamond refers to a reward that can be obtained in exchange for the broadcaster's singing in a live broadcasting application, and song diamond data includes the number of points corresponding to the reward), and other broadcasting data required for broadcasting (broadcast history, follower viewers, number of likes, number of comments, gifts and number of gifts, live score, experience points, league, etc.).

[0031] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of service data stored in the server terminal 100. As shown in FIG.

[0032] 6 stores various data related to the live streaming service. The service data can include, but is not limited to, music data provided to streamers, gift data related to digital content (including animation data) given as gifts from viewers to streamers, league information (including information about exclusive events) related to leagues in which streamers compete for rankings and on which streamer remuneration is calculated, and other streaming data necessary for streaming (including data related to rules for managing streamer promotion, remuneration, etc.).

[0033] <Processing flow> A process flow of a method for supporting song distribution, which is executed by the system 1 of this embodiment, will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for supporting song distribution by a distributor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] First, as a premise, a viewer who uses the song distribution live application accesses the server terminal 100 using a web browser or application on the viewer terminal 300, and registers a user account for the viewer by inputting basic data about the user (e.g., user name, contact information (email address, telephone number), payment information (credit card number, bank account information, etc.) etc.) via a predetermined form. The information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 stores the received basic information in the viewer data storage unit 121 of the memory unit 120 as viewer data 1000. Similarly, a distributor who distributes songs accesses the server terminal 100 using a web browser or application on the distributor terminal 200, and registers a user account for the distributor by inputting basic data about the user (e.g., user name, contact information (email address, telephone number), payment information (credit card number, bank account information, etc.) etc.) via a predetermined form. The information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 stores the received basic information in the distributor data storage unit 122 of the memory unit 120 as distributor data 2000.

[0035] First, in step SQ101, when a distributor wants to distribute a video of themselves singing along to a video provided by a video distributor, they search for a desired video (e.g., a music video) on the user interface screen of distributor terminal 200 within the video distribution site of the video distributor, which is displayed via an API, and then select, by tapping or otherwise, the "Simultaneous Viewing" button displayed on the user interface screen, thereby transmitting a simultaneous viewing request for the searched video to video distributor terminal 400, which is managed by the video distributor, via distributor terminal 200. Next, in step SQ102, video distributor terminal 400 transmits the searched video to distributor terminal 200 and viewer terminal 300 in response to a request from distributor terminal 200.

[0036] Next, in step SQ103, the distributor sings along with the video being played on the user interface screen of the distributor terminal 200, and transmits a request (song distribution request) to the server terminal 100 to distribute video data recording the distributor singing. At this time, in step SQ104, the distributor can mute or lower the volume of the vocals in the video (music video) on the control screen for the video transmitted from the video distributor terminal, which is displayed on the user interface screen of the distributor terminal 200, and then sing. Then, in step SQ105, the distributor terminal 200 transmits a vocal volume adjustment request to the video distributor terminal 400. In step SQ106, the video distributor terminal 400 controls the volume of the video audio to be disabled or lowered in response to the volume adjustment request, and transmits the video data. This allows the distributor to disable the audio of the video data transmitted from the video distribution provider terminal 400 at the distributor terminal 200, and transmit only the audio data collected by the microphone installed in the distributor terminal 200 to the server terminal 100.

[0037] Next, in the process of step SQ107, the server terminal 100 transmits the video data received from the distributor terminal 200 to the viewer terminal 300 in response to the song distribution request. At this time, there may be differences in timing between the video data (music video) transmitted from the video distributor terminal 400 and played on the viewer terminal 300, and the song distribution video data (singing (audio) data) transmitted from the distributor terminal 200 via the server terminal 100. In particular, there may be cases where the audio data sounds faster than the playback speed of the music video (voice start) or slower than the playback speed of the music video (voice delay). Using 1) the time lag between the timing of live streaming and the timing of viewing due to this singing, and 2) the current playback time of the video data being distributed by the video distribution provider (if 10 seconds have been played, that indicates that 10 seconds have been played), as base values, viewer terminal 300 transmits these base values ​​to server terminal 100, and server terminal 100 stores the received base values ​​in distribution data 3000 in service data storage unit 123 of memory unit 120. Then, in step SQ108, based on the base values, the viewer performs an operation to reduce the running or delay of the vocal audio (adjust the singing delay) on the control screen for the video transmitted from the video distribution provider terminal, which is displayed on the user interface screen of viewer terminal 300 (for example, taps (selects) the "Reduce Running" or "Reduce Delay" button and specifies detailed values ​​for synchronizing the timing of streaming and video playback), and viewer terminal 300 adjusts the singing delay in response to the viewer's operation. Here, the control screen on viewer terminal 300 may present this function to the viewer as "video delay adjustment" rather than "vocal delay adjustment," allowing the viewer to intuitively adjust the detailed value. Then, in step SQ109, viewer terminal 300 transmits the detailed value adjusted when performing vocal delay adjustment to server terminal 100, and in step SQ110, server terminal 100 stores the received detailed value in distribution data 3000 in service data storage unit 123 of memory unit 120, thereby updating the detailed value.The server terminal 100 transmits basic and adjustment values ​​to the viewer terminal 300 in advance for later audio delay adjustment at the viewer terminal 300. The viewer terminal 300 can then adjust the vocal delay based on the basic and detailed values ​​acquired from the server terminal 100. Thus, according to this example, the server terminal 100 for song video distribution utilizes the resources of a third-party video distribution site without distributing music videos. This adjusts the vocal delay caused by the discrepancy between the timing of video playback received from a third-party video distribution site at the viewer terminal 300 and the timing of song video playback received from the distributor terminal 200 via the server terminal 100. This allows distributors to distribute audio while enjoying stress-free simultaneous video viewing with viewers. Furthermore, as described above, song distributors can allow viewers to play videos distributed from third-party video distribution sites without using their own servers, thereby reducing the risk of copyright infringement.

[0038] As an example of a method for livening up a song broadcast by a broadcaster, as shown in Fig. 8, a viewer can purchase digital content such as an animation effect by spending coins on a viewer terminal 300 as a gift to support the broadcaster's singing performance, and the server terminal 100 can display the digital content purchased by the viewer on the broadcaster terminal 200 and multiple viewer terminals 300. As a method for further livening up the effect, as shown in Figs. 8(a) to 8(c), depending on the price of the digital content, the server terminal 100 can display the digital content on each terminal in a manner in which the size of the digital content is changed (for example, as shown in Fig. 8(b)), or in a predetermined manner (for example, as shown in Fig. 8(c)).

[0039] In addition, as an incentive for the broadcaster to continue singing, a reward that can be earned by singing can be awarded. The server terminal 100 detects the broadcaster's singing as an event and awards a reward (hereinafter, "song diamonds") by updating the reward data (song diamond data) of the broadcaster data 2000 stored in the storage unit 120. Here, methods for detecting the broadcaster's singing as an event include, but are not limited to, the playback of a song or the detection of the broadcaster's singing voice. In addition, the song diamonds are determined based on the league and meter to which the broadcaster belongs. The song diamonds can be determined by multiplying the number of songs the broadcaster has sung, the song diamond unit price (the unit price of diamonds that can be earned according to the number of songs sung, which is set for each league), and the song diamond multiplier (the multiplier applied to the song diamonds that can be earned, and which is determined according to the value of the promotion battle meter, the number of songs sung in a day, and the excitement on that day). In addition, the song diamonds can also be calculated based on the number of songs for which song diamond acquisition rights are consumed, rather than the number of songs sung per day. Here, song diamond acquisition rights are rights that allow song diamonds to be exchanged for cash, and can be acquired by collecting a certain number of diamonds. For example, this can be achieved when 1,000 diamonds or more are acquired. In other words, song diamond acquisition rights can only be used for the number of songs owned by the distributor. For example, if a distributor has sung 10 songs that are 3 minutes or longer and only has song diamond acquisition rights for 5 songs, the amount consumed will be equivalent to 5 songs. Also, even if a distributor has a large number of diamond acquisition rights, the number of song diamond acquisition rights that can be used per day can be set to, for example, 10 songs. Also, for songs with short singing times, the number of diamond acquisition rights consumed per song can be set to be lower.

[0040] Here, the term "league" refers to a grade determined based on the streamer's experience points, which are determined based on the streamer's live score (a score determined based on viewer reaction information (e.g., comments, views, likes, use of animated items, etc.) obtained through live streaming). As shown in Figure 9(a), streamers aim to reach higher leagues by streaming songs in leagues corresponding to their grade. As shown in Figure 9(b), the meter indicates the amount of experience points needed to advance. For example, there are three levels of experience points that can be earned: +1, +2, and +3. The divisions between these levels are called "borders." The border can be determined based on the streamer's league by comparing it with the live scores earned by streamers across the entire song streaming service. The position of the pin in Figure 9(b) indicates the current + range and indicates how close or far the streamer is from the border. When the deadline arrives, the border will change to a "calculating" status, and the streamer will earn experience points corresponding to the pin's position a few minutes later. By accumulating these experience points, the streamer can advance to the next league. The three numbers indicated by check marks below the meter are called guaranteed values, and it is possible to configure the system so that if the live score exceeds these values, the corresponding experience points will be acquired without fail. The server terminal 100 stores the live score, experience points, league to which the broadcaster belongs, and other broadcasting data acquired by the broadcaster by day and by quarter as broadcaster data 2000 stored in the broadcaster data storage unit 122 in the memory unit 120, and can manage the progress (status).

[0041] Returning to the discussion of leagues, streamers will compete in promotion matches every day. A key feature of this example is that streamers cannot be demoted (negated) and can be promoted in a one-way manner. Instead, on the first day of each month's tenth (the 1st, 11th, and 21st), all streamers can start in the league five leagues below the previous tenth. This allows streamers to set goals for each tenth, eliminates the daily risk of demotion, and allows them to stream and support at their own pace. League promotion matches are held daily, and streamers can earn experience points based on the total amount of support, known as live scores. The ten-day period is set here because it increases fairness, as some streamers are active on weekdays and others on weekends. Furthermore, streamers can continue streaming while maintaining their motivation to be promoted by checking the promotion match meter to see how much experience points they can earn in the league promotion matches. Streamers can also earn +1, +2, or +3 experience points depending on the position of the pin on the meter in Figure 9(b), and can be promoted to a new league based on that experience. Experience points remaining after promotion can be carried over; for example, a player can move up three leagues with 3 experience points. While +1 experience point is usually sufficient for promotion, +2 can be required when trying to catch up with the previous season, and +3 can be required when trying to overtake. To avoid requiring streamers to continue streaming every day, the optimal solution is to set the experience points required for promotion in the remaining days to 3 if they have earned + experience points 8 or more times during a season, so that it is optimal to take a break and start again in the next season.

[0042] In addition to the leagues, events can be offered to maintain streamers' motivation to continue streaming songs, allowing streamers to earn points (e.g., "pearls") that can be exchanged for predetermined rewards (prizes). Events can be held, for example, three times over two months, for a few days (four days) each in the early and late stages of odd-numbered months and the middle of even-numbered months. Streamers can earn many pearls by ranking highly during the event period. They can also exchange "pearls," which are victory points earned in events where their live scores reach a certain value during the event, for prizes. After the Pearl Cup ends, streamers can exchange the pearls they earn as event rewards for original songs, gift certificates, and other rewards using a predetermined exchange form displayed on the streamer's terminal 200. In this event, streamers can gradually earn pearls by managing the pearls they receive as payment for streaming songs by season (early, mid, and late seasons). The pearls they earn do not disappear after the event, but can be saved for future events.

[0043] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, they can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made. These embodiments, modifications, and omissions, substitutions, and modifications are included in the technical scope of the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1 System 100 Server terminal, 110 Communication unit, 120 Memory unit, 130 Control unit, 200 Distributor terminal, 300 Bot terminal, 400 Server terminal, NW1 Network

Claims

1. A method for supporting song distribution by a distributor to a viewer, executed by a server terminal, comprising: The control unit of the server terminal providing a function to activate a distributor terminal of the distributor to transmit to a video distribution business terminal a request to share video data played by the distributor with a viewer terminal of the viewer in real time; receiving a song distribution request together with the audio data from the distributor terminal; The method further comprises transmitting the received audio data to the viewer terminal.

2. 10. The method of claim 1, The method, wherein the video data is a video distributed by a video distribution company terminal.

3. 10. The method of claim 1, The method, wherein the video data is played back at the viewer terminal together with the audio data.

4. 10. The method of claim 1, A method in which the control unit of the server terminal controls the playback position of the video data and the playback position of the audio data to be synchronized in response to a request from the viewer terminal.

5. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the audio data includes singing by the broadcaster, and the control unit of the server terminal awards a reward when the singing time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time.

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