Method, program and system for live streaming recommended content

Abstract

A method for live streaming recommended content from a content request includes live streaming first content from a first user, activating live reactions at the first user, and providing the content request at a second user when the live reactions are enabled. The method further includes determining second content, sending the content request indicating the second content, and receiving a confirmation at the second user indicating that the content request has been sent. The method further includes receiving, at the first user, the content request sent from the second user, approving the content request at the first user, and live streaming the second content corresponding to the content request from the first user after the content request is approved.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 048,158, filed October 20, 2022, entitled "Method and System for Live Streaming Recommended Content," the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] [Technical field] FIELD OF THE INVENTION Embodiments described herein relate generally to methods and systems for live streaming. More specifically, embodiments described herein relate to methods and systems for live streaming content recommended by one or more viewers interacting with a streamer. [Background technology]

[0003] Live streaming is becoming a central part of many users' online experiences. Typically, live streaming operates in a one-way live streaming mode: a streamer's device unilaterally pushes a stream to a live streaming platform, where the stream is transmitted by a transport part of the live streaming platform and distributed over a network such as a content delivery network. The live streaming media content is then pulled by a viewer's device, where the streaming media content is played and / or displayed. During the live streaming, one or more viewers may interact with the streamer, for example, using asynchronous instant messaging communication, for example, with text, emojis, gifts, likes, games, etc. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In one exemplary embodiment, a method for live streaming content from a content request includes live streaming first content from a first user, activating live reactions at the first user, and providing the content request at a second user when the live reactions are enabled. The method further includes determining second content, sending the content request indicating the second content, and receiving a confirmation at the second user indicating that the content request has been sent. The method further includes receiving, at the first user, the content request sent from the second user, approving the content request at the first user, and live streaming the second content corresponding to the content request from the first user after the content request is approved.

[0005] In another exemplary embodiment, a method for live streaming content from a content request includes: live streaming first content from a first user side and activating a live reaction at the first user side; receiving the content request sent from a second user side at the first user side; approving the content request at the first user side; and live streaming second content corresponding to the content request from the first user side after the content request is approved.

[0006] In yet another exemplary embodiment, a method for live streaming content from a content request includes receiving, at a second user side, live streaming of first content from a first user side; when a live reaction is activated, providing the content request at the second user side; determining second content; sending the content request indicating the second content; receiving, at the second user side, a confirmation indicating that the content request has been sent; and, after the content request is approved, receiving, at the second user side, live streaming of the second content corresponding to the content request.

[0007] It should be understood that many live streams may have low engagement from live audiences. Streamers may need variety in the content they can create, and viewers may want to be able to share their content with the streamer's followers. Features in the embodiments described herein allow each viewer to have the streamer live stream their recommended content, allowing more viewers to participate in the live stream and interact with the streamer and lowering the threshold for creating diverse live content. Features in the embodiments described herein may also allow streamers to live stream their real-time reactions (live reactions) to viewers' recommended content (e.g., videos, etc.). Viewers may submit their recommended content to the streamer's live stream, and the recommended content may be played during the live stream. Features in the embodiments described herein may further help improve the retention rate of live streams and increase streamer engagement. Features in the embodiments described in this disclosure may lower the barrier for live streamers to create diverse and engaging live content.

[0008] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the disclosed systems, methods, and various other aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the drawings represent exemplary boundaries. In some examples, one element may be designed as multiple elements, or multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be realized as an external component within another element, and vice versa. A non-limiting and non-exhaustive description is provided below with reference to the drawings. Components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed on illustrating principles. In the following detailed description, embodiments are described by way of example only, since various changes and modifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example live streaming system arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example process flow for live streaming viewer recommended content in response to a content request, according to at least some embodiments described herein. [Figure 3] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example streamer-side process flow for live streaming viewer recommended content, according to at least some embodiments described herein. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example viewer-side process flow for live streaming viewer recommended content, according to at least some embodiments described herein. [Figure 5A] FIG. 1 illustrates an example interface of a live streaming application on the streamer side, according to at least some embodiments described herein. [Figure 5B] FIG. 1 illustrates an example interface of a live streaming application at a viewer side, according to at least some embodiments described herein. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 illustrates another example interface for configuring or managing content requests at a viewer side, according to at least some embodiments described herein. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an example computer system applicable to implementing an electronic device arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In the following detailed description, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification. Throughout the specification and drawings, like reference numerals represent elements capable of performing the same, similar, or equivalent functions, unless the context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the description of each successive drawing may reference features of one or more previous drawings to provide a clearer context and a more substantive description of the present exemplary embodiments. However, the embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings, may be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a variety of different configurations. All of these configurations are expressly contemplated herein.

[0011] It should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure, which can be embodied in various forms. To avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail, well-known functions or structures are not described in detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details described herein should not be construed as limitations, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to utilize the present disclosure in its various forms in substantially appropriate structural details.

[0012] Additionally, the present disclosure may be described in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. It should be understood that such functional blocks may be realized by any number of hardware and / or software components configured to perform the specified functions.

[0013] The scope of the present disclosure should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given herein. For example, the steps recited in any method claim may be performed in any order and are not limited to the order recited in the claims. Also, no element is essential to the practice of the present disclosure unless specifically described herein as "critical" or "essential."

[0014] As referred to herein, the phrases “live stream” or “live streaming” may refer to streaming media broadcast in real time over a network such as the Internet. It should be understood that non-live media, such as video-on-demand, vlogs, and YouTube® videos, are technically streamed but are not live-streamed. The phrases “real-time” or “instant” may refer to a guaranteed level of responsiveness within a specified time constraint, typically milliseconds or microseconds, between an event and its response deadline. It should be understood that real-time typically refers to a human sense of time (as opposed to machine time) that appears instantaneous and describes various operations within computing or other processes that must guarantee a response time within a specified time (deadline). The phrases “media” or “multimedia” may refer to a form of communication that uses one or more of different content forms, such as text, audio, images, animation, video, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR), in a presentation, e.g., an interactive presentation.

[0015] As referred to herein, a "streamer," "live streamer," and / or "online streamer" may refer to a person using one or more user devices at the streamer's end to broadcast themselves (e.g., including, but not limited to, their voice, image, audio, video, view, etc.) to an audience online through a live stream in real time. A streamer may be an anchor, presenter, broadcaster, commentator, or any other suitable user. A "viewer" refers to a person with a device (e.g., one or more user devices at the viewer's end) that can receive and / or pull the live stream from the streamer and play the streaming media content. It should be understood that a streamer may broadcast themselves online through live streaming to multiple viewers.

[0016] As referred to herein, the phrases “artificial intelligence recommended content” or “AI recommended content” may refer to media content recommended by an AI algorithm, e.g., a content discovery tool of a live streaming platform, based on a user's viewing history, interaction history, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, a user (e.g., a live streamer, a viewer, etc.) may have their own AI-recommended content, which may be in a list or page (e.g., a “For You” page, etc.). A user's AI-recommended content page may include a personalized scrollable feed of content and may suggest or recommend new content to the user based on each user's behavior on the live streaming platform. The recommended new content may be based, for example, on the types of items the user has previously viewed, shared, and / or “liked.” A user's AI-recommended content page may include a customized content collection created by the live streaming platform to meet the user's interests or preferences, much of which may be based on the user's past behavior on the live streaming platform. Factors that influence what appears on a user's AI-recommended content page may include: (1) actions or interactions the user performs on the live streaming platform (including "likes," shares, comments, follows, user-created content, etc.); (2) video information (information associated with the video; e.g., live streaming platform recommendations may be based on sounds featured in the video, hashtags, subtitles, etc.); and / or (3) the user's device and account settings (including language preferences, country settings, device type, etc., so that the performance of the live streaming system can be optimized and / or local content can be recommended).

[0017] The phrase "augmenting" AI-recommended content (e.g., with viewer-recommended content) may refer to creating enhanced recommended content for a user (e.g., a streamer) that includes both the user's AI-recommended content and the user's viewer-recommended content (e.g., submitted by the viewer to the streamer based on the viewer's AI-recommended content, the viewer's bookmarks and / or "liked" content, etc.).

[0018] As referred to herein, the phrases "green-screen segmentation" or "green screen segmentation" or "segmentation" may refer to algorithms and / or techniques that can "cut out" humans from their backgrounds. In some exemplary embodiments, this technique can be used to "augment" a user (e.g., a streamer in a live stream, etc.) in front of a live stream of recommended content (e.g., media content from the user's AI recommended content page, the user's enhanced AI recommended content page, etc.), thereby live streaming both the user and the recommended content using green screen segmentation.

[0019] As referred to in this specification, the phrases "live reactions" or "live reactions" may refer to features, algorithms, and / or technologies that allow a live streamer to allow viewers to submit their own recommended content, allow viewers to determine recommended content and send content requests to the streamer indicating the recommended content, and allow streamers to react to the recommended content while live streaming the recommended content during the streamer's live streaming.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example live streaming system 100 arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0021] System 100 may include terminal devices 110, 120, 130, and 140, a network 160, and a server 150. It should be understood that FIG. 1 illustrates only an example number of terminal devices, networks, and servers. The embodiments described herein are not limited to the number of terminal devices, networks, and / or servers described. That is, the number of terminal devices, networks, and / or servers described herein is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0022] According to at least some embodiments, terminal devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 may be various electronic devices having a display screen with audio and / or video input and output and supporting live streaming, including, but not limited to, smartphones, tablet computers, e-book readers, MP3 (Movie Experts Group Audio Layer III) players, MP4 (Movie Experts Group Audio Layer IV) players, laptop computers, desk computers, and / or any other suitable electronic devices.

[0023] According to at least some example embodiments, network 160 may be a medium used to provide a communications link between terminal devices 110, 120, 130, 140 and server 150. Network 160 may be the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a local interconnect network (LIN), the cloud, etc. Network 160 may enable online activities of streamers and / or viewers and may be implemented with various types of connections, such as wired communications links, wireless communications links, fiber optic cables, etc.

[0024] According to at least some embodiments, server 150 may be a server for providing various services, such as a server of a live streaming platform for providing live streaming services to users using one or more of terminal devices 110, 120, 130, and 140. Server 150 may be implemented by a distributed server cluster including multiple servers, or may be implemented by a single server.

[0025] Users (e.g., streamers, viewers, etc.) may use one or more of terminal devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 to interact with server 150 over network 160, for example, to send and receive live streaming content. Various applications, for example, social media applications, video playback applications, may be installed on terminal devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 to facilitate live streaming interaction between devices over the network.

[0026] The method for live streaming content according to the embodiments described herein may be performed by the server 150 and / or the terminal devices 110, 120, 130, and 140, which may be referred to herein as user devices. Accordingly, the equipment for live streaming may be located in the server 150 and / or the terminal devices 110, 120, 130, and 140.

[0027] It should also be understood that if the live streaming is not performed remotely, the live streaming system may not include the network 160, but may include only the terminal devices 110, 120, 130 and 140 and / or the server 150.

[0028] It should further be understood that the terminal devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 and / or the server 150 may each include one or more processors, memory, and storage devices that store one or more programs. The terminal devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 and / or the server 150 may also each include an Ethernet connector, a wireless fidelity receiver, etc. The one or more programs, when executed by the one or more processors, may cause the one or more processors to perform the methods described in any embodiment described herein. It should also be understood that a computer-readable non-volatile medium may be provided according to the embodiments described herein. The computer-readable medium stores a computer program. The computer program, when executed by the processor, is used to perform the methods described in any embodiment described herein.

[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates an example process flow 200 for live streaming viewer recommended content in response to a content request, according to at least some embodiments described herein.

[0030] The process flow 200 disclosed herein may be performed by one or more processors (e.g., a processor of one or more of the terminal devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 of FIG. 1 , a processor of the server 150 of FIG. 1 , the central processor unit 705 of FIG. 7 , and / or any other suitable processor), unless otherwise specified. The directing processor may be in communication with other components of the live streaming system 100 of FIG. 1 .

[0031] Process flow 200 may also include one or more operations, acts, or functions, as indicated by one or more of blocks 210, 215, 220, 225, 230, 235, 245, 250, 255, and 260. Block 205 represents a set of operations, acts, or functions from a streamer side, e.g., a first user side, that performs and / or executes live streaming, while block 240 represents a set of operations, acts, or functions from a viewer side, e.g., a second user side, that receives the live streaming content. These various operations, functions, or acts may correspond, for example, to software, program code, or program instructions executable by a processor that cause these functions to be performed. Although shown as discrete blocks, obvious modifications may be made, such as reordering two or more of the blocks, adding more blocks, or dividing various blocks into additional blocks, combining them into fewer blocks, or eliminating them, depending on the desired implementation. Process flow 200 may begin at block 210.

[0032] In block 210 (Start Live Streaming), a processor may start live streaming, for example, based on an operation or action of the streamer. In an exemplary embodiment, the processor may be located in a user device at the streamer's side and / or in a server of a live streaming platform. The streamer may start live streaming for the streamer, for example, via an application installed on a device that supports live streaming (e.g., terminal devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 in FIG. 1). The audio and / or video input of the device may capture the streamer's live audio and / or video as a live stream, and the live stream may be pushed to a live streaming platform (e.g., installed and / or executed on a server such as server 150 in FIG. 1). The live stream may be transmitted, for example, by a transmission system of the live streaming platform and distributed, for example, via network 160 in FIG. 1. The live stream may be pulled by a viewer's device (e.g., terminal devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 in FIG. 1), and the streaming media content (i.e., the live stream) may be played on the viewer's device. Processing may proceed from block 210 to block 215.

[0033] In block 215 (Enable Live Reactions), the processor may enable or activate the live reactions or the live reaction feature, for example, based on the streamer's operation or action. In an exemplary embodiment, the processor may be located in a user device at the streamer and / or in a server of the live streaming platform. It should be understood that the streamer may enable or activate the live reactions feature through an interface (e.g., a graphical user interface (GUI), a command line, etc.) of the streamer's live streaming application. In an exemplary embodiment, activating the live reactions feature is performed after the streamer starts live streaming and / or during the streamer's live streaming. In an exemplary embodiment, a default configuration or setting of the live streaming application may be such that the live reactions feature is disabled during live streaming. It should also be understood that the streamer may disable or deactivate the live streaming feature at any time during live streaming (e.g., after the live streaming feature is activated) through the interface of the streamer's live streaming application to stop live streaming of viewer recommended content and / or prevent viewers from configuring or sending content requests. It should further be appreciated that the interface through which the streamer enables and / or disables the live reaction feature may not be visible to the viewer. Processing may proceed from block 215 to block 220.

[0034] In block 220 (pricing), a processor may set or determine a price or fee for viewers to send recommended content based on, for example, the streamer's operation or behavior. In an exemplary embodiment, the processor may be located in the user device at the streamer's side and / or in the server of the live streaming platform. It should be understood that the streamer may set the price or fee for viewers to send recommended content through the interface of the live streaming application. The price may specify the currency type used by the live streaming platform. In an exemplary embodiment, the price may range from zero (i.e., free) to an appropriate amount or the maximum amount allowed by the live streaming platform (e.g., 30,000 coins, etc.). The streamer may select a price from a predetermined price list (e.g., a list box, a drop-down list, etc.) or may input a customized price through the interface. In an exemplary embodiment, the price may be the price for one of the recommended contents from the viewer. In another exemplary embodiment, the price may be the price for a predetermined number of the recommended contents from the viewer. It should also be understood that prices for other services may be set by the streamer or the live streaming platform (see the description of FIG. 6 ). Further, it should be understood that the interface through which the streamer sets the price may not be visible to the viewer. Processing may proceed from block 220 to block 245.

[0035] In block 245 (Enable Live Reactions), the processor may enable the viewer to begin providing (e.g., configuring, etc.) a content request via an interface. In an exemplary embodiment, the processor may reside in a user device at the viewer's end and / or in a server of the live streaming platform. It should be understood that the viewer may begin providing (e.g., configuring, etc.) a content request via, for example, an interface of a live streaming application (which enables the viewer to receive and / or watch the live stream after the streamer starts the live streaming in block 210). It should also be understood that after the live reactions feature is disabled (either by a default setting of the streamer's live streaming application or by the streamer at any time during the live streaming if the live reactions feature is enabled), the interface through which the viewer begins a content request may be disabled or invisible to the viewer. Processing may proceed from block 245 to block 250.

[0036] In block 250 (price determination), a processor may determine or set a price or price based on, for example, a viewer's operation or behavior. In an exemplary embodiment, the processor may reside in a user device at the viewer's side and / or in a server of the live streaming platform. It should be understood that after a viewer initiates a content request via the interface (e.g., by clicking on an icon on a live streaming application indicating that a live reaction feature is available or enabled), the price set by the streamer in block 220 may be visible / displayed via the interface. The viewer may set a price or price via the interface relative to the price set by the streamer in block 220. In another exemplary embodiment, the viewer may set a price (i.e., a bid price) via the interface higher than the price set by the streamer in block 220, for example, by entering a customized price or selecting from a predetermined price list, in the hope that the streamer may be the first to select or approve the content request. It should also be understood that prices for other services may be set by the viewer (see description of FIG. 6). It should be further understood that the processor, for example, via a user interface or control logic, may prevent a viewer from setting a price lower than the price set by the streamer. Processing may proceed from block 250 to block 255.

[0037] In block 255 (Content Selection and Request Transmission), the processor may determine content based on, for example, the viewer's actions or behavior, and send a content request indicating the recommended content to the streamer. In an exemplary embodiment, the processor may reside in a user device at the viewer's end and / or in the live streaming platform's server. It should be understood that the viewer may select one or more recommended content items after determining or setting a price. In an exemplary embodiment, the recommended content may be videos from the viewer's list of bookmarked videos and / or "liked" videos. In another exemplary embodiment, the recommended content may be videos from the viewer's AI-recommended content page (e.g., the viewer's "For You" page, etc.). In yet another exemplary embodiment, the recommended content may include text, audio, images, animation, video, augmented reality, virtual reality, etc. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the recommended content may be content stored on, accessible by, or permitted by the live streaming platform. The viewer may optionally provide comments on the recommended content via the interface. The viewer may then, via the interface (e.g., by clicking a "send" icon), send a content request indicating the selected / recommended content to the streamer via the live streaming application. After the content request is sent, the viewer may receive confirmation that the content request has been sent via a notification (e.g., a display, a sound, etc.) from the viewer's live streaming application. Processing may proceed from block 255 to block 225.

[0038] During the processing in blocks 245, 250, and / or 255 (i.e., between blocks 220 and 225), the streamer may continue its live streaming (i.e., the live streaming in block 210) and / or live streaming of other content (see description of block 260). Viewer actions or behaviors via the interface in blocks 245, 250, and / or 255 may be invisible to the streamer.

[0039] In block 225 (Receive Notification), the processor may send a notification to the streamer regarding the content request in block 255. In an exemplary embodiment, the processor may be in the user device at the streamer and / or in the server of the live streaming platform. The notification to the streamer may be a display, sound, instruction, etc. from the streamer's live streaming application. The streamer may view the content request through an interface (e.g., GUI, etc.) of the streamer's live streaming application. Processing may proceed from block 225 to block 230.

[0040] It should be understood that multiple viewers may submit multiple content requests at the same time, or near the same time, or at different times. The content requests may be pipelined in a queue for execution by the streamer. In an exemplary embodiment, the content requests may be sorted or prioritized based on, for example, the order of receipt, the price or value (as set or determined by the viewer or streamer), the quality of the video (as determined by the live streaming platform's AI algorithm, which may take into account the following (e.g., number of followers, quality of following, etc.) of the viewer who recommended the content), whether the request was submitted by a friend, whether the request was submitted by another influencer or streamer, whether it was submitted by the highest bidder, etc.

[0041] In block 230 (Content Review), the processor displays the content request from the viewer to the streamer, e.g., via a display on the streamer's device, so that the streamer (or a user acting on behalf of the streamer) can review the content request. In an exemplary embodiment, the processor may reside in the user's device at the streamer and / or in the live streaming platform's server. It should be understood that the streamer may review the content request and / or preview recommended content (e.g., video, etc.) corresponding to the content request (e.g., the content request may include a link to the recommended content, the recommended content may be embedded within the content request, etc.), e.g., via an interface of the streamer's live streaming application. Processing may proceed from block 230 to block 235.

[0042] In block 235 (Are conditions met?), the processor may grant approval to the content request or deny (or reject, block, etc.) the content request based on, for example, conditions, criteria, and / or actions or behavior of the streamer. In an exemplary embodiment, the processor may be in the user device at the streamer and / or the server of the live streaming platform. It should be understood that if the conditions are met, the streamer (or a user acting on behalf of the streamer) may approve the content request. If the conditions are not met, the streamer (or a user acting on behalf of the streamer) may deny the content request. The conditions may be any appropriate conditions set by the streamer (or a user acting on behalf of the streamer) or the live streaming platform. In an exemplary embodiment, the conditions may include, for example, personal preferences of the streamer (or a user acting on behalf of the streamer), maximum monetary profit, remaining time for live streaming versus video length, etc. It should be understood that the conditions may also be considered preferences. The streamer (or a user acting on behalf of the streamer) may approve or deny the content request, for example, through an interface of the streamer's live streaming application. If the content request is denied, processing may proceed from block 235 to any one of blocks 210, 215, 220, 225, and 230. If the content request is approved, processing may proceed from block 235 to block 260.

[0043] During the processing in blocks 225, 230, and / or 235, the streamer may continue its live streaming (i.e., the live streaming initiated in block 210) and / or live streaming of other content (see the description of block 260). The interface for the streamer's operations or actions in blocks 225, 230, and / or 235 may not be visible to the viewer. It should also be understood that after the content request is approved, the processor may distribute the price amount set or determined by the viewer from the viewer's account to the streamer's account or other appropriate account within the live streaming platform.

[0044] In block 260 (live stream and live reaction to content), a processor may perform live streaming of content recommended by a viewer (corresponding to the approved content request) during the streamer's live streaming (e.g., the live streaming started in block 210). In an exemplary embodiment, live streaming of the viewer-recommended content is performed during the streamer's live streaming and / or after the content request is approved. In an exemplary embodiment, the processor may be located in a user device at the streamer side and / or the viewer side and / or in a server of the live streaming platform. It should be understood that after the content request is approved, the processor may receive the recommended content (e.g., video, etc.) from, for example, the server or storage of the live streaming platform where the content is stored. It should also be understood that the streamer may react to the recommended content (within the streamer's live streaming) during the live streaming of the recommended content. It should further be understood that there may be two live streams. That is, the first live stream is the streamer's live stream initiated in block 210 (and / or the streamer's reactions to the live-streamed recommended content), and the second live stream is a live stream of recommended content. The recommended content may be the streamer's AI-recommended content (e.g., content from the streamer's "For You" page, the streamer's bookmarked and / or "liked" content / videos that may be live-streamed during the streamer's live stream, etc.), or the streamer's AI-recommended content augmented by or with content recommended by approved viewers. Viewers may receive and watch the live streams of the first live stream and / or the second live stream. Processing may proceed from block 260 to any one of blocks 210, 215, 220, 225, and 230.

[0045] The streamer may select or switch between layout types (reaction layout types) for live streaming of the first live stream and the second live stream, including a side-by-side layout (e.g., the first live stream is live streamed on the left side of the terminal device's display or screen and the second live stream is live streamed on the right side of the terminal device's display or screen, or vice versa), a top-bottom layout (e.g., the first live stream is live streamed on the top of the terminal device's display or screen and the second live stream is live streamed on the bottom of the terminal device's display or screen, or vice versa), a picture-in-picture layout (e.g., the first live stream is a floating window within the terminal device's display or screen (a window where the second live stream is live streamed), and a picture-in-picture layout (e.g., the first live stream is a floating window within the terminal device's display or screen). The first live stream may be live streamed in a floating window (over a window in which the first live stream is live streamed) within the display or screen of the terminal device, or the second live stream may be live streamed in a floating window (over a window in which the first live stream is live streamed) within the display or screen of the terminal device), segmentation (e.g., green screen segmentation, etc.), layout (e.g., a subject of the first live stream is "cut out" from the subject's background and the second live stream is live streamed in an area that replaces or covers the subject's background, or a subject in the second live stream is "cut out" from the subject's background and the first live stream is live streamed in an area that replaces or covers the subject's background), etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the subject is a person (e.g., the streamer, another person or object shown in the live stream, etc.). The streamer may select or switch between layout types for displaying or showing the first live stream and the second live stream, for example, via an interface of the streamer's live streaming application.

[0046] It should also be understood that in block 210, there may be either a streamer's live streaming or live streaming of the following two live streams: the first live stream is the streamer's live streaming (which may continue throughout the process from 210 to 260), and the second live stream is the streamer's live streaming of AI-recommended content (the recommended content may be live streamed one after another until all recommended content is live streamed or the streamer stops live streaming of the recommended content). The streamer may select or switch layout types for displaying or showing the first live stream and the second live stream, for example, via an interface of the streamer's live streaming application.

[0047] 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example streamer-side process flow 300 for live streaming viewer recommended content, according to at least some embodiments described herein. It should be understood that unless otherwise specified, the process flow 300 may be the same as or similar to block 205 of FIG. 2.

[0048] It should be understood that the processing flow 300 disclosed herein may be performed by one or more processors (e.g., a processor of one or more of the terminal devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 of FIG. 1, a processor of the server 150 of FIG. 1, the central processor unit 705 of FIG. 7, and / or any other suitable processor), unless otherwise specified.

[0049] Additionally, process flow 300 may include one or more operations, acts, or functions, as illustrated by one or more of blocks 305, 310, 315, 320, 325, 330, 335, 340, 345, and 350. These various operations, functions, or acts may correspond, for example, to software, program code, or program instructions executable by a processor that cause these functions to be performed. Although illustrated as discrete blocks, obvious modifications may be made, such as reordering two or more of the blocks, adding more blocks, or dividing various blocks into additional blocks, combining them into fewer blocks, or eliminating them, depending on the desired implementation. Process flow 300 may begin at block 305.

[0050] Block 305 (Start Live Streaming) may be the same as or similar to block 210 in FIG. 2 , where there is either a streamer's live streaming or live streaming of two live streams, where the first live stream is the streamer's live streaming and the second live stream is the streamer's live streaming of AI-recommended content. Processing may proceed from block 305 to block 310. Block 310 (Enable Live Reactions) may be the same as or similar to block 215 in FIG. 2 . Processing may proceed from block 310 to block 315. Block 315 (Set Pricing) may be optional and may be the same as or similar to block 220 in FIG. 2 . Processing may proceed from block 315 to block 320. It should be understood that processing may proceed from block 315 to block A of process flow 400 in FIG. 4 , and processing may proceed from block B of process flow 400 in FIG. 4 to block 320.

[0051] Block 320 (Receive Content Request) may be the same as or similar to block 225 of Figure 2. In another exemplary embodiment, block 320 may be the same as or similar to the combination of blocks 225 and 230 of Figure 2. Processing may proceed from block 320 to block 325. The combination of blocks 325 (Condition Met?), 330 (Reject Request), and 335 (Approve Request) may be the same as or similar to block 235 of Figure 2. If the content request is rejected, processing may proceed from block 330 to block 320 (or to any one of blocks 305, 310, and 315). If the content request is approved, processing may proceed from block 335 to block 340. It should be understood that processing may proceed from block 330 and / or block 335 to block C of process flow 400 of Figure 4.

[0052] Block 340 (receive content) may be optional. The combination of blocks 340 and 345 (request content live streaming) may be the same as or similar to block 260 of Figure 2. Processing may proceed from block 345 to block 350.

[0053] Block 350 (Reaction Layout Switching) may be optional. In block 350, the processor may enable the streamer to switch the reaction layout, for example, based on the streamer's operation or behavior. The streamer may select or switch a layout type (reaction layout type) for live streaming of the first live stream and the second live stream. Layout types include a side-by-side layout, a top-bottom layout, a picture-in-picture layout, a segmentation (e.g., green screen segmentation) layout, etc. The streamer may select or switch the layout type, for example, via an interface of the streamer's live streaming application for displaying or presenting the live streaming of the first live stream and the second live stream. Processing may proceed from block 350 to block 320. In another exemplary embodiment, processing may proceed from block 250 to any one of blocks 305, 310, and 315.

[0054] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example viewer-side process flow 400 for live streaming viewer recommended content, according to at least some embodiments described herein. It should be understood that unless otherwise specified, the process flow 400 may be the same as or similar to block 240 of FIG. 2.

[0055] The processing flow 400 disclosed herein may be performed by one or more processors (e.g., a processor of one or more of the terminal devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 of FIG. 1, a processor of the server 150 of FIG. 1, the central processor unit 705 of FIG. 7, and / or any other suitable processor), unless otherwise specified.

[0056] Process flow 400 may also include one or more operations, acts, or functions, as represented by one or more of blocks 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, 435, and 440. These various operations, functions, or acts may correspond, for example, to software, program code, or program instructions executable by a processor that cause these functions to be performed. Although shown as discrete blocks, obvious modifications may be made, for example, two or more of the blocks may be rearranged, more blocks may be added, or various blocks may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated depending on the desired implementation. Process flow 400 may begin at block 405.

[0057] Block 405 (Initiate Content Request) may be the same as or similar to block 245 of Figure 2. Processing may proceed from block 405 to block 410. Block 410 (Determine Price) may be optional and may be the same as or similar to block 250 of Figure 2. Processing may proceed from block 410 to block 415. The combination of blocks 415 (Determine Content), 420 (Provide Comments), 425 (Send Content Request), and 430 (Receive Notification) may be the same as or similar to block 255 of Figure 2. It should be understood that processing may proceed from block 425 to block B of process flow 300 of Figure 3. Processing may proceed from block 430 to block 435.

[0058] Block 435 (Request Approval) may be optional. It should be understood that processing may proceed to block 435 from block C of process flow 300 in Figure 3. If the content request is denied (e.g., by the streamer, etc.) via block 435, processing may proceed from block 430 to block 405, and if the content request is approved (e.g., by the streamer, etc.), processing may proceed from block 430 to block 440.

[0059] In block 440 (Receive Live Streaming Recommended Content), the processor may transmit to the viewer (e.g., via the viewer's terminal device) the first live stream (the streamer's live stream and / or the streamer's reactions to the live streamed recommended content) and the second live stream (the live stream of recommended content, which may include the streamer's AI recommended content and / or the streamer's AI recommended content augmented by or with content recommended by approved viewers). The viewer may receive and watch the first live stream and / or the second live stream. Processing may proceed from block 440 to block 405.

[0060] 5A and 5B illustrate an example interface 500 of a live streaming application on a streamer side and an example interface 501 of a live streaming application on a viewer side, respectively, according to at least some embodiments described herein.

[0061] It should be understood that interfaces 500 and 501 (including interfaces 505-555 and 560-590) and / or other interfaces disclosed herein may be displayed by one or more processors (e.g., a processor of one or more of terminal devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 of FIG. 1, a processor of server 150 of FIG. 1, central processor unit 705 of FIG. 7, and / or any other suitable processor) via one or more output devices (e.g., the output devices of FIG. 7, etc.), unless otherwise specified.

[0062] As referred to herein, the phrase "interface" may refer to a form of user interface that allows a user to interact with, for example, an electronic device via, for example, icons, indicators, etc. It should be understood that an interface may refer to a visual method of interaction with a device utilizing items such as windows, icons, menus, buttons, dialog boxes, text fields, etc. used by an application. It should also be understood that each of interfaces 505-555 and 560-590 may include or show a screenshot of the live streaming content as a background within the corresponding layout / content area.

[0063] Modifications may be made to interfaces 505-590, for example, two or more of the interfaces may be rearranged, more interfaces may be added, and various interfaces may be split into additional interfaces, combined into fewer interfaces, or removed, depending on the desired implementation.

[0064] It should further be understood that the interfaces 500 and 501 may include a graphical user interface (GUI), a command line, or any other suitable interface. The GUIs 505-555 of the live streaming application may be displayed on a terminal device at the streamer side. The GUIs 560-590 of the live streaming application may be displayed on a terminal device at the viewer side. The GUIs 505-555 and 560-590 may represent user interfaces of the process flow 200 of FIG. 2. It should also be understood that in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the dotted arrows indicate a time order or sequence, and the dotted block arrows may indicate a time order or sequence and / or a control flow or logic order or sequence (e.g., between the GUI 500 on the streamer side and the GUI 501 on the viewer side).

[0065] In an exemplary embodiment, a streamer may start their live streaming (first live stream) via GUI 505 (e.g., by clicking on an icon or the like). In an exemplary embodiment, a streamer may start live streaming by clicking on a "Go LIVE" icon or the like via GUI 505 (after which GUI 510 may be displayed). A streamer may also start managing a live stream of their recommended content (second live stream) via GUI 510 (e.g., by clicking on an icon or the like during the live streaming of the first live stream). In an exemplary embodiment, a streamer may manage live reactions or the live reaction feature by clicking on a "FYP Live React" icon or the like via GUI 510 (after which GUI 515 may be displayed).

[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, the streamer may further initiate managing the streamer's live streaming of AI-recommended content (which may be live-streamed during the streamer's live streaming after the "function to stream AI-recommended content" is initiated) or the streamer's live streaming of AI-recommended content augmented by or with approved viewer-recommended content, and / or cancel or close management of a second live stream via GUI 515 (e.g., by clicking on an icon or the like during the live streaming of the first live stream). Also, in an embodiment, the streamer may start streaming the streamer's AI-recommended content during the streamer's live streaming by clicking on a "Start streaming your FYP" icon or the like via GUI 515 (after which GUI 520 may be displayed).

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, the streamer may enable live streaming of the streamer's AI-recommended content via GUI 520 (which displays both the live streaming of the first live stream and the live streaming of the second live stream only to the streamer, with the live streaming of the second live stream not yet visible to the viewer).

[0068] After an action (e.g., swiping the screen) is performed via GUI 520 (after which GUI 525 may be displayed), the streamer may begin live streaming of the streamer's AI-recommended content via GUI 525 (which will cause the streamer to display both the live streaming of the first live stream and the live streaming of the second live stream, with the live streaming of the second live stream also being visible to the viewer at this point).

[0069] GUI 565 (displaying both the live streaming of the first live stream and the live streaming of the second live stream to the viewer) is on the viewer side and may be the same as or similar to GUI 525. That is, when a streamer starts live streaming of the streamer's AI-recommended content via GUI 525, the viewer may receive and watch the live streaming of the first live stream and the live streaming of the second live stream via GUI 565. Before a streamer starts live streaming of the streamer's AI-recommended content via GUI 525, the viewer may not have received any live streaming (e.g., on the viewer side via GUI 560 before the viewer started any live streaming), or may have received and watched only the live streaming of the first live stream (e.g., after the viewer started live streaming of the first live stream).

[0070] Although GUIs 525 and 565 show pictures in a picture-in-picture layout, it should be understood that a streamer may select or switch between different layouts.

[0071] In an exemplary embodiment, a streamer may manage the live reaction or live reaction feature by clicking on an "FYP Live React" icon or the like via GUI 525 (after which GUI 530 may be displayed), and the streamer may further initiate managing (e.g., stopping) the streamer's live streaming of AI-recommended content, managing the streamer's live streaming of AI-recommended content augmented with approved viewer recommended content, and / or canceling or closing management of a second live stream via GUI 530 (e.g., by clicking on an icon or the like during the live streaming of a first live stream).

[0072] In an exemplary embodiment, a streamer may manage their enhanced AI-recommended content by clicking on a “Manage FYP by viewers” ​​icon or the like via GUI 530 (GUI 535 may then be displayed). In an exemplary embodiment, a streamer may configure live streaming of their AI-recommended content enhanced by or with content recommended by approved viewers via GUI 535. Through GUI 535, the streamer may enable (allow content requests from viewers) or disable (do not allow content requests from viewers) the “live react” or “live reaction” feature, set a price for content requests (to zero, such as by entering a customized price, by selecting a predetermined price from a list, etc.), or cancel or close configuration / management of the live reaction feature or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, after allowing or enabling content requests from viewers and setting a price, the streamer clicks on a “Confirm” icon or the like to confirm the setting via GUI 535. The streamer may continue live streaming (eg, the first live stream and / or the second live stream).

[0073] After the streamer enables or allows content requests from the viewer via GUI 535, the viewer may initiate a content request, for example, by clicking on an icon, via GUI 570 (which displays to the viewer the live streaming of the first live stream and / or the live streaming of the second live stream at the viewer's end). In an exemplary embodiment, the viewer may manage or configure the content request via GUI 570 by clicking on a "Send Your Video" icon (which may then display GUI 575).

[0074] In an exemplary embodiment, via GUI 575, the viewer may view the prices set by the streamer, and the viewer may set the price (i.e., the reserve price) to the price set by the streamer, select a price (higher than the reserve price) from a predetermined price list, enter a customized price (i.e., a bid price higher than the reserve price) in the hope that the streamer may first select or approve the viewer's request, or cancel or close the configuration or management of the content request by, for example, clicking on an icon. In an exemplary embodiment, via GUI 575, the viewer's AI-recommended content list (and / or the viewer's bookmarked and / or "liked" content / video list, etc.) may be displayed, and the viewer may select content (e.g., a video, etc.) from the viewer's content list by, for example, clicking on an icon. In an exemplary embodiment, the viewer may select content via GUI 575 by clicking on a "+" icon (after which GUI 580 may be displayed).

[0075] In an exemplary embodiment, via GUI 580, the viewer may select content from the viewer's AI-recommended content list and / or the viewer's bookmarked and / or "liked" content list, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the viewer may confirm the content selection (zero selection, single selection, or multiple selection) via GUI 580 by clicking on an "X" icon, etc. (after which GUI 585 may be displayed).

[0076] In an exemplary embodiment, via GUI 585, the viewer may provide comments on the selected content (i.e., viewer recommended content from the viewer's content list) and may cancel or close the configuration or management of the content request, for example, by clicking on an icon or the like. By clicking on a "Send" icon or the like, the viewer may send a content request to the streamer via GUI 585 indicating the viewer's set price, the viewer's recommended content, the viewer's comments, etc. (GUI 590 may then be displayed). It will be understood that the live streaming of the first live stream and / or the second live stream may still be displayed at the viewer's end via GUIs 575, 580, and 585.

[0077] In an exemplary embodiment, via GUI 590 (showing the live stream of the first live stream and / or the second live stream), the viewer may receive confirmation or notification that the content request has been submitted.

[0078] In an exemplary embodiment, after the viewer submits a content request, the viewer may receive a notification corresponding to the viewer's content request via GUI 540 (displaying the live streaming of the first live stream and / or the second live stream at the streamer's side). In an exemplary embodiment, the streamer may manage the live reaction or live reaction feature by clicking on an "FYP Live React" icon or the like via GUI 540 (which may then display GUI 545).

[0079] In an exemplary embodiment, each content request from a viewer may be displayed via GUI 545. Each content request may include the viewer's identification information, the viewer's comments on the recommended content, a price set by the viewer, a preview icon for the requested content for the streamer (or any suitable user acting on the streamer's behalf) to preview the content, an icon for the streamer to approve the request, an icon for the streamer to deny the request, etc. Via GUI 545, content requests may be sorted, for example, in descending or ascending order, by, for example, recency, viewer or streamer-set price, recommendation, etc. The streamer may approve any content request if conditions set by the streamer, e.g., by the live streaming platform, are met. If the conditions are not met, the streamer may deny any content request. The streamer may cancel or close the configuration or management of the content request, for example, by clicking on an icon, etc. via GUI 545.

[0080] In an exemplary embodiment, via GUI 545, the streamer may approve the content request by, for example, clicking on an "Approve" icon (after which GUI 550 may be displayed). The content corresponding to the approved content request may be queued to be live-streamed one after the other as a second live stream, with or without the streamer's AI-recommended content in a queue, in a certain order (e.g., order of approval time, order of viewers, or order of the streamer's set price, etc.). Via GUI 545, the streamer may also reject (or deny, block, etc.) the content request by, for example, clicking on a "Deny" icon (after which GUI 550 may be displayed). The rejected content request may be removed from the content request list visible to the streamer, or may remain. The streamer may cancel or close the configuration or management of the content request by, for example, clicking on an icon or the like via GUI 550 (after which GUI 555 may be displayed).

[0081] In an exemplary embodiment, a first live stream and a second live stream may be live streamed via GUI 555. The streamer may change the layout of the first live stream and the second live stream, for example, by clicking on a "Change layout" icon. In live streaming the first live stream, the streamer may react to a second live stream (e.g., viewer recommended content) that is also being live streamed.

[0082] 6 illustrates another example interface 600 for configuring or managing content requests at a viewer, in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein. In an example embodiment, interface 600 may include a GUI, a command line, or any other suitable interface.

[0083] In an exemplary embodiment, GUI 600 may comprise some or all of the functionality of GUIs 575 and / or 585 of Figure 5B. In an exemplary embodiment, GUI 600 also includes functionality for the viewer to set or determine, e.g., via a processor in the user device at the viewer's end and / or in the live streaming platform's server, a price for displaying a link to viewer-recommended content when such content is live streamed (after the streamer approves the corresponding content request and the link is activated, e.g., by a processor in the user device at the streamer's end and / or in the live streaming platform's server), thereby enabling any viewer receiving and / or watching a live stream of such content to click on the link and directly play the content (instead of watching it live streamed), e.g., via a processor in the user device at the viewer's end and / or in the live streaming platform's server. In an exemplary embodiment, GUI 600 may further include functionality for the viewer to set or determine, e.g., via a processor in a user device at the viewer's end and / or in the live streaming platform's server, a price for accumulating a number of actions such as "likes" (indicating popularity), thereby allowing "likes" given by viewers to content during the live streaming of the content (as the second live stream) to be accumulated for that content, e.g., by a processor in a user device at the streamer's or viewer's end and / or in the live streaming platform's server.In an exemplary embodiment, GUI 600 may also include functionality for the viewer to set or determine, e.g., via a processor in the user device at the viewer's end and / or in the live streaming platform's server, a price for recording the streamer's reactions to the live-streamed viewer-requested content as new content (e.g., video, etc.), thereby enabling, e.g., a processor in the user device at the streamer's end and / or in the live streaming platform's server, the live streaming of the first live stream (the streamer and / or their reactions to the second live stream) and the live streaming of the second live stream (the viewer-recommended content) to be recorded as new content. GUI 600 may further include other functionality for the viewer to pay, such that the higher the price the viewer pays, the greater the exposure of the viewer-recommended content.

[0084] Corresponding to GUI 600 (rather than GUI 575 and / or GUI 585), GUI 500 (e.g., GUIs 535, 545, 550, 555, etc.) may be modified or enhanced to include corresponding functions on the streamer side. In an exemplary embodiment, through an interface similar to modified GUI 555, during the live streaming of a first live stream (the streamer and / or its reactions to the second live stream) and the live streaming of a second live stream (the viewer recommended content and / or the streamer's AI recommended content), a viewer may click on a link on the second live stream to directly play the recommended content (instead of watching it through the live streaming) and accumulate "likes" (representing popularity) for the recommended content by taking an action of giving a "like" to the recommended content.

[0085] 7 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary computer system 700 applicable for implementing an electronic device (e.g., one of the servers or terminal devices shown in FIG. 1) arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein. It should be understood that the computer system shown in FIG. 7 is provided for illustrative purposes only, and does not limit the functionality and application of the embodiments described herein.

[0086] As shown, computer system 700 may include a central processing unit (CPU) 705. CPU 705 may perform various operations and processes based on programs stored in read-only memory (ROM) 710 or programs loaded from storage device 740 into random access memory (RAM) 715. RAM 714 may also store various data and programs required for the operation of system 700. CPU 705, ROM 710, and RAM 720 may be connected to each other via bus 720. Input / output (I / O) interface 725 may also be connected to bus 720.

[0087] Components connected to the I / O interface 725 may further include an input device 730 including a keyboard, mouse, digital pen, drawing pad, etc.; an output device 735 including a display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a speaker, etc.; a storage device 740 including a hard disk, etc.; and a communication device 745 including a network interface card such as a LAN card, a modem, etc. The communication device 745 may perform communication processing via a network, such as the Internet, a WAN, a LAN, a LIN, the cloud, etc. In one embodiment, a driver 750 may also be connected to the I / O interface 725. Removable media 755 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, etc. may be mounted in the driver 750 as needed so that a computer program read from the removable media 755 may be installed in the storage device 740.

[0088] It should be understood that the processes described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2-4 and / or the GUIs of FIGS. 5 and 6 may be implemented as a computer software program. A computer program product may include a computer program stored on a computer-readable non-volatile medium. The computer program includes program code for executing the methods illustrated in the flowcharts and / or GUIs. In this embodiment, the computer program may be downloaded and installed from a network via the communication device 745 or from a removable medium 755. When executed by the central processing unit (CPU) 705, the computer program can implement the functions defined in the methods in the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0089] Embodiments disclosed herein can enable viewers to submit content (e.g., videos, etc.) to another person's (e.g., streamer's) enhanced AI-recommended content list or page. Embodiments disclosed herein can be useful for integrating segmentation algorithms with live streaming (or live feeds), integrating AI-recommended content lists or pages with live streaming, generating new user interface logic, increasing live streaming retention, enabling microtransactions (e.g., purchasing in-app currency redeemable for in-app goods and / or services) to submit content for streamers to react to, integrating communities into live streaming functionality, enabling a pipeline for submitting content to streamers for reactions, applying effects to live content, and / or increasing viewer engagement with live streaming.

[0090] The embodiments disclosed herein may also help increase engagement and a sense of community, provide streamers with new forms of revenue streams for monetization, and / or provide new ways for viewers to gain followers. The embodiments disclosed herein may further help with safety considerations. In an exemplary embodiment, a streamer may determine whether viewer-recommended content videos need to be approved before they are displayed on a live stream, or may disable the live reaction feature entirely. In an exemplary embodiment, a "do not allow requests from particular viewer(s)" option may be implemented or configured on the streamer's side. In an exemplary embodiment, a streamer may assign stream moderators to review viewer-recommended content to streamline the streamer's reaction process to maximize profits.

[0091] It should be understood that the disclosed and other solutions, examples, embodiments, modules, and functional operations described herein may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed herein and their structural equivalents, or in any combination of one or more of these. The disclosed and other embodiments may be implemented as one or more computer program products, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a computer-readable medium, for execution by or control of the operation of a data processing device. The computer-readable medium may be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, a composition of matter affecting a machine-readable propagated signal, or a combination of one or more of these. A "data processing device" includes all devices, apparatuses, and machines for processing data, including, for example, a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers. An apparatus may include, in addition to hardware, code that creates the execution environment for the computer programs being discussed, such as code constituting processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or any combination of one or more of these.

[0092] A computer program (also referred to as a program, software, software application, script, or code) may be written in any type of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and may be deployed in any form, such as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file in a file system. A program may be stored within a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program, or in multiple associated files (e.g., files storing one or more modules, subprograms, or portions of code). A computer program may be deployed to be executed on one computer, or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communications network.

[0093] The processes and logic flows described herein may be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows may also be performed by, and may be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, such as field programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits, etc.

[0094] Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general-purpose and special-purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Typically, a processor receives instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random-access memory, or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Typically, a computer also includes, or is operably coupled to, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, such as magnetic, magneto-optical, or optical disks. However, a computer need not have such devices. Computer-readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media, and memory devices, including, for example, semiconductor memory devices such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, dedicated logic circuitry.

[0095] It should be understood that different features, variations, and multiple different embodiments have been shown and described in various details. In this application, descriptions, sometimes with respect to specific embodiments, are done so for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit or suggest that only one particular embodiment or particular embodiment has been contemplated. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to any single particular embodiment or variation listed. Numerous modifications, variations, and other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art, and are intended and indeed covered by the present disclosure. It is indeed intended that the scope of the present disclosure should be determined by proper legal interpretation and construction of the disclosure, including equivalents, as understood by those skilled in the art reliant on the full disclosure as it exists at the time of filing.

[0096] Aspects:

[0097] It will be understood that any one of aspects 1 to 15, 16 to 19, and 20 to 26 may be combined.

[0098] Aspect 1. A method for live streaming content from a content request, the method including: live streaming first content from a first user; activating live reactions at the first user; providing the content request at a second user when the live reactions are activated; determining second content; sending the content request indicating the second content; receiving at the second user a confirmation indicating that the content request has been sent; receiving at the first user the content request sent from the second user; approving the content request at the first user; and live streaming the second content corresponding to the content request from the first user after the content request is approved.

[0099] Aspect 2. The method of aspect 1, further comprising deactivating the live reaction at the first user after the live reaction is activated.

[0100] Aspect 3. The method of aspect 1 or aspect 2, further comprising rejecting the content request at the first user if a condition is not met.

[0101] Aspect 4. The method of any one of aspects 1 to 3, further comprising receiving, at the first user side, the second content for live streaming after the content request is approved.

[0102] Aspect 5. The method of any one of aspects 1 to 4, further comprising reacting to the second content at the first user side during the live streaming of the second content.

[0103] Aspect 6. The method of aspect 5, further comprising switching between reaction layout types at the first user side to live stream the second content, the reaction layout types including a side-by-side layout, a top-bottom layout, a picture-in-picture layout, and a segmentation layout.

[0104] Aspect 7. The method of any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the live streaming of the first content is live streaming of a first user.

[0105] Aspect 8. The method of any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein the second content is a video determined by a second user.

[0106] Aspect 9. The method of any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein activating the live reaction includes setting a price at the first user to an amount for accepting the content request.

[0107] Aspect 10. The method of aspect 9, wherein the price range is from 0 to a first amount in a currency type.

[0108] Aspect 11. The method of aspect 9, further comprising distributing the amount from the second user side to the first user side after the content request is approved.

[0109] Aspect 12. The method of any one of aspects 1-11, further comprising: pipelining content from multiple content requests; and sorting the content by time, price, or recommendations.

[0110] Aspect 13. The method of any one of aspects 1 to 12, further comprising recording the live streaming of the first content and the live streaming of the second content as new content.

[0111] Aspect 14. The method of any one of aspects 1 to 13, further comprising enabling a link to the second content during the live streaming of the second content.

[0112] Aspect 15. The method of any one of aspects 1 to 14, further comprising accumulating a number of actions on the second content during the live streaming of the second content.

[0113] Aspect 16. A method for live streaming content from a content request, the method including: live streaming first content from a first user side; activating a live reaction at the first user side; receiving, at the first user side, the content request sent from a second user side; approving the content request at the first user side; and live streaming, from the first user side, second content corresponding to the content request after the content request is approved.

[0114] Aspect 17. The method of aspect 16, further comprising reacting to the second content at the first user during the live streaming of the second content.

[0115] Aspect 18. The method of aspect 17, further comprising: at the first user side, switching between reaction layout types to live stream the second content, the reaction layout types including a side-by-side layout, a top-bottom layout, a picture-in-picture layout, and a segmentation layout.

[0116] Aspect 19. The method of any one of aspects 16-18, further comprising: pipelining content from multiple content requests; and sorting the content by time, price, or recommendations.

[0117] Aspect 20. A method for live streaming content from a content request, the method including: receiving, at a second user side, live streaming of first content from a first user side; providing the content request at the second user side when live reactions are activated; determining second content; sending the content request indicating the second content; receiving, at the second user side, a confirmation indicating that the content request has been sent; and receiving, at the second user side, live streaming of the second content corresponding to the content request after the content request is approved.

[0118] Aspect 21. The method of aspect 20, wherein providing the content request includes providing a comment along with the second content.

[0119] Aspect 22. The method of aspect 20 or aspect 21, wherein providing the content request includes determining a price for the content request, and determining the price for the content request includes setting the price to a reserve price or setting the price to a bid price.

[0120] Aspect 23. The method of aspect 22, further comprising, if the content request is approved, allocating the price amount from the second user side to the first user side.

[0121] Aspect 24. The method of any one of aspects 20 to 23, further comprising recording the live streaming of the first content and the live streaming of the second content as new content.

[0122] Aspect 25. The method of any one of aspects 20 to 24, further comprising enabling a link to the second content during the live streaming of the second content.

[0123] Aspect 26. The method of any one of aspects 20 to 25, further comprising accumulating a number of actions on the second content during the live streaming of the second content.

[0124] The terms used herein are intended to describe particular embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. The terms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural unless expressly indicated otherwise. The terms "comprises" and / or "comprises," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components.

[0125] With respect to the foregoing description, it should be understood that changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of the materials of construction employed, and the shape, size and arrangement of parts, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The specification and described embodiments are exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. 1. A method for live streaming content from a content request, comprising: Live streaming a first content from a first user; activating a live reaction at the first user; providing the content request at a second user when the live reaction is activated; determining second content, sending the content request indicating the second content, and receiving confirmation at the second user that the content request has been sent; receiving, at the first user side, the content request sent from the second user side; Approving the content request at the first user; After the content request is approved, live streaming the second content corresponding to the content request from the first user; A method comprising:

2. and deactivating the live reaction at the first user after the live reaction is activated. The method of claim 1.

3. and if a condition is not met, rejecting the content request at the first user. The method of claim 1.

4. and receiving, at the first user, the second content for live streaming after the content request is approved. The method of claim 1.

5. and reacting to the second content at the first user during the live streaming of the second content. The method of claim 1.

6. and further comprising: switching between reaction layout types at the first user side to live stream the second content; The reaction layout types include a side-by-side layout, a top-bottom layout, a picture-in-picture layout, and a segmentation layout. The method of claim 5.

7. the live streaming of the first content is a live streaming of a first user; The method of claim 1.

8. the second content is a video determined by a second user; The method of claim 1.

9. activating the live reaction includes determining, at the first user, a price for accepting the content request. The method of claim 1.

10. The price specifies a currency type; 10. The method of claim 9.

11. and after the content request is approved, distributing the price amount from the second user side to the first user side.

10. The method of claim 9.

12. Pipelining content from multiple content requests; sorting the content by time, price, or recommendations; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

13. 1. A method for live streaming content from a content request, comprising: Live streaming a first content from a first user; activating a live reaction at the first user; receiving, at the first user side, the content request sent from a second user side; Approving the content request at the first user; After the content request is approved, live streaming second content corresponding to the content request from the first user; A method comprising:

14. and reacting to the second content at the first user during the live streaming of the second content. The method of claim 13.

15. and further comprising: switching between reaction layout types at the first user side to live stream the second content; The reaction layout types include a side-by-side layout, a top-bottom layout, a picture-in-picture layout, and a segmentation layout.

15. The method of claim 14.

16. Pipelining content from multiple content requests; sorting the content by time, price, or recommendations; The method of claim 13 further comprising:

17. 1. A method for live streaming content from a content request, comprising: receiving, at a second user, live streaming of the first content from the first user; providing the content request at the second user when a live reaction is activated; determining second content, sending the content request indicating the second content, and receiving confirmation at the second user that the content request has been sent; After the content request is approved, receiving, at the second user, live streaming of the second content corresponding to the content request; A method comprising:

18. providing the content request includes providing a comment along with the second content; 18. The method of claim 17.

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