Information processing device, method, program and system

Abstract

To increase the gifting motivation of users who watch an event held in a virtual space. [Solution] A program executed by a computer having a processor, the program causing the processor to execute the following steps: accepting an operation to offer a gift from a user watching an event held in a virtual space; determining whether the operation to offer the gift has been accepted under specified conditions; if it is determined that the operation to offer the gift has not been accepted under the specified conditions, generating gift recommendation information to recommend that the user offer a gift; and presenting the generated gift recommendation information to the user.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, a method, a program, and a system. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a technique for controlling the display of gifts placed in a virtual space in order to increase the gifting motivation of viewers of an event held in a virtual space or the like.

[0003] Patent document 1 describes how gifts provided by viewing users and placed in a virtual space disappear from the video content in the virtual space after a certain period of time, thereby increasing the viewing users' motivation to provide gifts by displaying new gifts within the video content. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-12045 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology in Patent Document 1 performs display control such that gifts provided by viewing users disappear from the virtual space after a certain period of time has passed, and for some viewing users, the disappearance of the gifts they provided may actually lead to a decrease in their motivation to gift.

[0006] The purpose of the present disclosure is to actively increase the gifting motivation of users watching events taking place in a virtual space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the program of the present disclosure is a program executed by a computer having a processor, and the program causes the processor to perform the following steps: accepting an operation to offer a gift from a user watching an event held in a virtual space; placing a gift object representing the gift in the virtual space in accordance with the accepted operation; determining whether the operation has been accepted under specified conditions; if it is determined that the operation has not been accepted under the specified conditions, generating gift recommendation information to recommend that the user offer a gift; and presenting the generated gift recommendation information to the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to actively increase the gifting motivation of users who watch an event taking place in a virtual space. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a system 1. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a terminal device 10. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a server 20. [Figure 4] 1 shows the data structure of a user information database stored in the storage unit of the server 20. [Figure 5] 1 shows the data structure of a gift information database stored in the storage unit of server 20. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a series of processes for presenting gift recommendation information to a user viewing an event. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a series of processes for extracting recommended gift information by referring to information about gifts offered at an ongoing event and presenting the recommended gift information to a user. [Figure 8]10 is an example of a screen when a user performs an operation to select performers of an event for which a gift is to be provided. [Figure 9] 10 is an example of a screen when information about gifts is presented to a user. [Figure 10] 10 is an example of a screen when gift recommendation information is presented to a user. [Figure 11] 10 is another example of a screen when gift recommendation information is presented to a user. [Figure 12] 10 is another example of a screen when gift recommendation information is presented to a user. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the basic hardware configuration of a computer 90. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings describing the embodiments, common components are designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be omitted. Note that the following embodiments do not unduly limit the content of the present disclosure described in the claims. Furthermore, not all components shown in the embodiments are necessarily essential components of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a precise illustration.

[0011] In the following description, a "processor" refers to one or more processors. The at least one processor is typically a microprocessor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), but may also be another type of processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The at least one processor may be single-core or multi-core.

[0012] Furthermore, the at least one processor may be a processor in the broad sense, such as a hardware circuit (for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) that performs part or all of the processing.

[0013] In the following explanation, information that produces an output for an input may be described using expressions such as "xxx table," but this information may be data of any structure, or may be a learning model such as a neural network that produces an output for an input. Therefore, an "xxx table" may be referred to as "xxx information."

[0014] Furthermore, in the following description, the configuration of each table is an example, and one table may be divided into two or more tables, or all or part of two or more tables may be one table.

[0015] In addition, in the following explanation, processing may be described using the "program" as the subject, but since a program is executed by a processor to perform specified processing while appropriately using a memory unit and / or an interface unit, etc., the subject of the processing may also be the processor (or a device such as a controller that has that processor).

[0016] The program may be installed in a device such as a computer, or may be stored in, for example, a program distribution server or a computer-readable (e.g., non-transitory) recording medium. Also, in the following description, two or more programs may be realized as one program, or one program may be realized as two or more programs.

[0017] Furthermore, in the following description, identification numbers are used as identification information for various objects, but other types of identification information (for example, identifiers including alphabetic characters or symbols) may also be used.

[0018] In addition, in the following description, when describing elements of the same type without distinguishing between them, reference symbols (or common symbols among the reference symbols) may be used, and when describing elements of the same type with distinction between them, the identification numbers (or reference symbols) of the elements may be used.

[0019] In the following description, the control lines and information lines are those that are considered necessary for the description, and do not necessarily represent all the control lines and information lines in the product. All components may be interconnected.

[0020] Each information processing device is configured by a computer equipped with an arithmetic unit and a storage device. The basic hardware configuration of the computer and the basic functional configuration of the computer realized by the hardware configuration will be described later. For each of the terminal device 10 and the server 20, descriptions that overlap with the basic hardware configuration and basic functional configuration of the computer will be omitted.

[0021] (First embodiment) <Summary> In the following embodiment, a technology will be described in which a user participating as a viewer in an event held in a virtual space performs an operation to provide a gift for a performer's performance at the event. Here, there are no limitations on the devices that can be used as appropriate when realizing the technology according to the present disclosure, and various devices can be used, including terminal devices such as smartphones and tablet terminals owned by users, as well as devices such as stationary personal computers (PCs) and head-mounted displays (HMDs).

[0022] The system 1 according to the present embodiment provides a technique that can increase the gifting motivation of users who participate as viewers in an event held in a virtual space.

[0023] <1 Overall system configuration> FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0024] 1, the system 1 includes a terminal device 10 and a server 20. The terminal device 10 and the server 20 are connected to each other via a network 80 for communication.

[0025] The terminal device 10 is a device used by a user to view an event held in a virtual space. The terminal device 10 is realized by a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet compatible with a mobile communication system. Alternatively, the terminal device 10 may be, for example, a stationary personal computer (PC) or a laptop PC. The terminal device 10 includes a communication IF (Interface) 12, an input device 13, an output device 14, a memory 15, a storage unit 16, and a processor 19. The server 20 includes a communication IF 22, an input / output IF 23, a memory 25, a storage 26, and a processor 29.

[0026] The terminal device 10 is communicatively connected to the server 20 via a network 80. The terminal device 10 is connected to the network 80 by communicating with communication devices such as a wireless base station 81 conforming to communication standards such as 5G and LTE (Long Term Evolution), and a wireless LAN router 82 conforming to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standard such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11.

[0027] The communication IF 12 is an interface for inputting and outputting signals so that the terminal device 10 can communicate with external devices. The input device 13 is an input device (e.g., a touch panel, a touch pad, a pointing device such as a mouse, a keyboard, etc.) for receiving input operations from a user. The output device 14 is an output device (e.g., a display, a speaker, etc.) for presenting information to a user. The memory 15 is for temporarily storing programs and data processed by the programs, etc., and is a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The storage unit 16 is a storage device for saving data, such as a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disc Drive). The processor 19 is hardware for executing an instruction set written in a program, and is composed of an arithmetic unit, registers, peripheral circuits, etc.

[0028] The server 20 is a device that manages a series of processes related to the system 1. For example, the server 20 stores information about users, information about gifts, etc. Furthermore, for example, in response to an operation by a user viewing an event held in a virtual space to provide a gift, the server 20 extracts recommended gift information to be recommended to the user, and presents the extracted recommended gift information to the user.

[0029] The communication IF 22 is an interface for inputting and outputting signals so that the server 20 can communicate with external devices. The input / output IF 23 functions as an interface with an input device for receiving input operations from a user and an output device for presenting information to the user. The memory 25 is for temporarily storing programs and data processed by the programs, etc., and is a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The storage 26 is a storage device for saving data, such as a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disc Drive). The processor 29 is hardware for executing an instruction set written in a program, and is composed of an arithmetic unit, registers, peripheral circuits, etc.

[0030] In this embodiment, each device (terminal device, server, etc.) can also be considered as an information processing device. That is, a collection of devices can be considered as one "information processing device," and system 1 can be formed as a collection of multiple devices. The way in which multiple functions required to realize system 1 according to this embodiment are allocated to one or multiple pieces of hardware can be determined appropriately in consideration of the processing capacity of each piece of hardware and / or the specifications required for system 1.

[0031] <1.1 Configuration of the terminal device 10> FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a terminal device 10 constituting the system 1 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 10 includes a plurality of antennas (antenna 111, antenna 112), wireless communication units (first wireless communication unit 121, second wireless communication unit 122) corresponding to the respective antennas, an operation reception unit 130 (including a touch-sensitive device 1301 and a display 1302), an audio processing unit 140, a microphone 141, a speaker 142, a position information sensor 150, a camera 160, a motion sensor 170, a storage unit 180, and a control unit 190. The terminal device 10 also has functions and configurations (e.g., a battery for storing power, a power supply circuit for controlling the supply of power from the battery to each circuit, etc.) that are not specifically shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the blocks included in the terminal device 10 are electrically connected by a bus or the like.

[0032] The antenna 111 emits a signal emitted by the terminal device 10 as a radio wave. The antenna 111 also receives a radio wave from space and provides the received signal to the first radio communication unit 121.

[0033] The antenna 112 emits a signal emitted by the terminal device 10 as a radio wave. The antenna 112 also receives a radio wave from space and provides the received signal to the second radio communication unit 122.

[0034] The first wireless communication unit 121 performs modulation / demodulation processing and the like for transmitting and receiving signals via the antenna 111 so that the terminal device 10 can communicate with other wireless devices. The second wireless communication unit 122 performs modulation / demodulation processing and the like for transmitting and receiving signals via the antenna 112 so that the terminal device 10 can communicate with other wireless devices. The first wireless communication unit 121 and the second wireless communication unit 122 are communication modules including a tuner, an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) calculation circuit, a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) calculation circuit, a high-frequency circuit, etc. The first wireless communication unit 121 and the second wireless communication unit 122 perform modulation / demodulation and frequency conversion of wireless signals transmitted and received by the terminal device 10, and provide the received signals to the control unit 190.

[0035] The operation reception unit 130 has a mechanism for receiving input operations from a user. Specifically, the operation reception unit 130 is configured as a touch screen and includes a touch-sensitive device 1301 and a display 1302. The touch-sensitive device 1301 receives input operations from a user of the terminal device 10. The touch-sensitive device 1301 detects the user's touch position on the touch panel, for example, by using a capacitive touch panel. The touch-sensitive device 1301 outputs a signal indicating the user's touch position detected by the touch panel to the control unit 190 as an input operation. The terminal device 10 may also be provided with a physical keyboard (not shown) that can be used for input, and may receive the user's input operations via the keyboard.

[0036] The display 1302 displays data such as images, videos, and text under the control of the control unit 190. The display 1302 is realized by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

[0037] The audio processing unit 140 modulates and demodulates audio signals. The audio processing unit 140 modulates a signal provided from the microphone 141 and provides the modulated signal to the control unit 190. The audio processing unit 140 also provides the audio signal to the speaker 142. The audio processing unit 140 is realized, for example, by a processor for audio processing. The microphone 141 accepts audio input and provides an audio signal corresponding to the audio input to the audio processing unit 140. The speaker 142 converts the audio signal provided from the audio processing unit 140 into audio and outputs the audio to the outside of the terminal device 10.

[0038] The position information sensor 150 is a sensor that detects the position of the terminal device 10, and is, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) module. The GPS module is a receiving device used in a satellite positioning system. In the satellite positioning system, signals are received from at least three or four satellites, and the current position of the terminal device 10 equipped with the GPS module is detected based on the received signals. The position information sensor 150 may be a transmitting / receiving device based on a communication standard used in a short-range communication system between information devices. Specifically, the position information sensor 150 uses the 2.4 GHz band, such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) module, to receive beacon signals from other information devices equipped with a Bluetooth (registered trademark) module.

[0039] The camera 160 is a device that receives light with a light receiving element and outputs the received light as a captured image. The camera 160 is, for example, a depth camera that can detect the distance from the camera 160 to a subject being photographed. Furthermore, the camera 160 acquires the body movements of the user using the terminal device 10, performers, etc. Specifically, for example, the camera 160 acquires the movement of the user's mouth and the movement of each part of the face (eyes, eyebrows, etc.). Any existing technology may be used to acquire the movements.

[0040] The motion sensor 170 is configured with a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, etc., and detects the tilt of the terminal device 10.

[0041] The storage unit 180 is configured with, for example, a flash memory or the like, and stores data and programs used by the terminal device 10. In one aspect, the storage unit 180 stores user information 1801 and the like. The information may be held in the storage unit 180 of the terminal device 10, or may be stored as a database in the storage unit 202 of a server (described later) and acquired via the network 80.

[0042] User information 1801 is information about a user who will be watching an event. The information about the user includes, for example, information about an identification ID, information about the user's name, information about the user's age, information about the user's gender, information about the user's contact information, information about the user's favorite performers, information about the total amount of gifts provided in the past, gift-giving record information about the gift-giving record at past events held in the virtual space, and log information representing the user's behavioral history at events held in the virtual space or other events. The events that the user watches may include various events held in the virtual space, such as live music events held in the virtual space, talk events held in the virtual space, merchandise sales events held in the virtual space, game events held in the virtual space, fashion show events held in the virtual space, conference events held in the virtual space, and exhibition events held in the virtual space.

[0043] The control unit 190 reads a program stored in the storage unit 180 and executes instructions included in the program to control the operation of the terminal device 10. The control unit 190 is, for example, an application processor. By operating in accordance with the program, the control unit 190 fulfills the functions of an input operation reception unit 1901, a transmission / reception unit 1902, a data processing unit 1903, and a notification control unit 1904.

[0044] The input operation receiving unit 1901 performs processing to receive a user's input operation on an input device such as the touch-sensitive device 1301. The input operation receiving unit 1901 determines the type of operation, such as whether the user's operation is a flick operation, a tap operation, or a drag (swipe) operation, based on information about the coordinates where the user has touched the touch-sensitive device 1301 with a finger or the like.

[0045] The transmitting / receiving unit 1902 performs processing for the terminal device 10 to transmit and receive data to and from an external device such as the server 20 in accordance with a communication protocol.

[0046] The data processing unit 1903 performs calculations on data that the terminal device 10 has received as input in accordance with a program, and outputs the calculation results to a memory or the like.

[0047] The data processing unit 1903 receives an input operation related to an event from a user and controls processing for executing various processes related to the event. For example, the data processing unit 1903 executes processing for transmitting various information related to the implementation of the event received from the user to a server or a terminal device of an administrator of the virtual space.

[0048] The notification control unit 1904 performs processing for displaying a display image on the display 1302, processing for outputting sound from the speaker 142, and processing for causing the camera 160 to generate vibrations.

[0049] <1.2 Functional configuration of server 20> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 20. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the server 20 functions as a communication unit 201, a storage unit 202, and a control unit 203.

[0050] The communication unit 201 performs processing for the server 20 to communicate with external devices.

[0051] The storage unit 202 stores data and programs used by the server 20. The storage unit 202 stores a user information database 2021, a gift information database 2022, gift recommendation information 2023, and the like.

[0052] The user information database 2021 is a database for storing various information about users who watch events held in virtual space. The various information about users includes, for example, information about an identification ID, information about the user's name, information about the user's age, information about the user's gender, information about the user's contact information, information about the number of events attended, information about favorite performers, information about the total amount of gifts offered at events held in virtual space (including past events and events currently being attended), gift-giving record information about the history of gift offerings at events held in virtual space (including past events and events currently being attended) (including the gift ID of the gift offered, the gift category, the timing (date and time) when the operation to offer the gift was accepted, the recipient (performer) to whom the gift was offered, etc.), and log information representing behavioral history at events held in virtual space or outside of the events. Details of each record held in the database will be described later.

[0053] The gift information database 2022 is a database for storing information about gifts that can be provided at an event (ongoing event) held in a virtual space by users participating as viewers in the event. Gifts are provided to performers, etc. in response to a user's request to support performers performing at the ongoing event, to liven up the event, etc. Information about gifts includes, for example, information about a gift ID that identifies the gift, information about the name of the gift, information about the gift category, information about the gift data type, information about gift content that is placed in the virtual space as an object that visually represents the gift, and information about the charge price required to provide the gift (including the charge amount in money or an alternative to money such as points). Here, gift content is primarily composed of video data and image data (including images moving within the virtual space), and is placed in the virtual space in a display manner that reflects the characteristics of the gift. Gift content (an object representing a gift) can be placed anywhere in the virtual space, but can also be placed at a specific position or a specific target. Specific positions include, for example, a specific position in the virtual space where the event being viewed by the user takes place, or a position corresponding to the head of an avatar object corresponding to a performer in the event being viewed by the user, which are pre-set positions. Specific targets also include, for example, a position corresponding to a body part (wrist, head, legs, back, etc.) of an avatar object corresponding to a performer in the event being viewed by the user, or a position corresponding to an object placed in the virtual space where the event being viewed by the user takes place, which are pre-set positions. For example, when gift content (an object representing a gift) is placed at a position corresponding to a body part of an avatar object, if the object is a wristwatch (gift), the object can be placed by wearing the object at a position corresponding to the wrist of the avatar object. For example, when gift content (an object representing a gift) is placed at a position corresponding to a body part of an avatar object, if the object represents a hat (gift), the object can be placed by wearing it at a position corresponding to the head of the avatar object. For example, when gift content (an object representing a gift) is placed at a position corresponding to a body part of an avatar object, if the object represents a backpack (gift), the object can be placed by wearing it at a position corresponding to the back of the avatar object. Note that gift content can include not only objects but also content consisting of text data and content consisting of music and audio data. Gifts can also include money or a means of payment in lieu of money, known as "tips."In this case, the tip may be provided to the event performers together with the gift content placed in the virtual space as an object, or may be provided to the event performers alone without the gift content. Furthermore, gift content is not limited to content provided directly to performers at an event. For example, when a user participates in an event by being placed in a virtual space as a user avatar, the gift content may be an object worn or held by the user avatar (e.g., an object representing a T-shirt, a hat, a towel, a glow stick, or the like, worn or held by the user avatar to support the event or performers at the event). In this case, the gift object corresponding to the gift content can be placed in the virtual space by having the user avatar wear or hold the gift object in response to a gift-off operation received from the user. The gift content may also be content that allows the user avatar to support the event or performers appearing at the event by performing a performance such as dancing, jumping, or waving in the virtual space. In this case, the gift object placed in the virtual space is an object related to a specific performance performed by the user avatar in response to a gift-off operation received from the user. Therefore, in this case, the gift object can be placed in the virtual space by having the user avatar perform a specific performance corresponding to the gift content in response to a gift-off operation received from the user. Gifts are primarily provided by users who are viewers of an event charging money or a means of payment in lieu of money (such as points). Charging refers, for example, to the act of paying a purchase amount set for the gift (including an index such as points equivalent to the purchase amount) in money or a means of payment in lieu of money in order to provide the gift. When a user charges, the purchase of the gift is confirmed and the gift is provided to the performer or other person to whom it is to be provided. Charging is not limited to this act, but can also include, for example, the act of purchasing in advance a special currency that can be used at the event in question using money or a means of payment in lieu of money, and then using the purchased special currency to make the payment. The details of each record held in the database will be described later.

[0054] The gift recommendation information 2023 is information for recommending or encouraging a user watching an event to provide a gift. The gift recommendation information 2023 is, for example, information for recommending or encouraging a user to provide an arbitrary or specific gift. The gift recommendation information 2023 may be any information that can be recognized by a user watching an event, and may include, for example, information related to text, information related to objects (images, videos, etc.), information related to audio and music (including information that combines these pieces of information), etc. The gift recommendation information 2023 can be information encouraging the provision of a specific gift. Even if a user watching an event provides a gift, if the gift does not match the event or the performance being performed at the event, the event may lack excitement, and the user providing the gift may not be able to fully enjoy the event. Therefore, by using the gift recommendation information 2023 as information encouraging the provision of a specific gift, such as a gift that is suitable for the event being watched by the user, the user is provided with an opportunity to provide a gift that makes the user feel the value of the gift, and the user's satisfaction with the event can be increased. Specific gifts can include gifts related to the event being watched by the user, gifts related to the performance being performed at the event, gifts related to the performers of the event, paid gifts, paid gifts with a purchase price above a certain amount, etc. Furthermore, the gift recommendation information 2023 may be information about pseudo gift objects representing pseudo gifts placed in a virtual space in a simulated manner without being operated by a viewer watching the event. Users watching an event may be motivated to give gifts by seeing gifts being actively donated during the event, including gifts from other viewing users. On the other hand, if there is a period during the event when gifts are scarce, users' motivation to give gifts may decrease, resulting in a decrease in satisfaction with the event. Therefore, by using the gift recommendation information 2023 as information about pseudo gift objects representing pseudo gifts placed in a virtual space in a simulated manner without being operated by a viewer watching the event, users can visually see that a certain number of gifts have been donated in the virtual space even when gifts from viewing users are scarce, thereby increasing their motivation to give gifts. It is preferable that the pseudo gift objects be the same as the gift objects representing gifts that users can give during the event, but they may also be unique gift objects different from the gift objects. The gift recommendation information 2023 may also include gift offering support information to make it easier for the user to offer a gift. For example, the gift recommendation information 2023 may include information explaining the operation of offering a gift. The information explaining the operation of offering a gift may include, for example, information on the operation procedure for offering a gift, information on how to select a gift, information on how to purchase a gift, and information on the timing of offering a gift (e.g., effective timing for offering a gift to increase satisfaction with the event). The information explaining the operation of offering a gift may include, for example, information on text, information on objects (images, videos, etc.), information on audio and music (including combinations of these information), etc. If a user watching an event is a novice viewing user, they may miss an opportunity to offer a gift because they do not know how to offer a gift or the timing to offer a gift. Therefore, by including information explaining the operation of offering a gift in the gift recommendation information 2023, an environment that makes it easier for the user to offer a gift can be provided, thereby increasing the user's satisfaction with the event. The information explaining the operation of offering a gift may be presented to the user at the same time as the gift recommendation information 2023, but it may also be presented to the user independently, independent of the timing of presentation of the gift recommendation information 2023.

[0055] The control unit 203 is composed of, for example, a processor 29, and by this processor 29 performing processing according to a program, various modules such as a receiving control module 2031, a sending control module 2032, a user information acquisition module 2033, a gift offering operation reception module 2034, a gift offering module 2035, a judgment module 2036, a generation module 2037, a presentation module 2038, and an evaluation module 2039 are performed.

[0056] The reception control module 2031 controls the process by which the server 20 receives signals from external devices in accordance with a communication protocol.

[0057] The transmission control module 2032 controls the process in which the server 20 transmits signals to external devices in accordance with a communication protocol.

[0058] The user information acquisition module 2033 controls a series of processes for acquiring information about users viewing events held in virtual space. The user information includes, for example, information about an identification ID, information about the user's name, information about the user's age, information about the user's gender, information about the user's contact information, information about favorite performers, information about the total amount of gifts provided in the past, gift provision record information about the gift provision record at past events held in virtual space, and log information representing the user's behavioral history at events held in virtual space or other events. Specifically, for example, the user information acquisition module 2033 may acquire the information by receiving user information 1801 stored in the storage unit 180 from the terminal device 10 used by the user. Alternatively, the user information acquisition module 2033 may acquire the information by referencing the user information database 2021 stored in the storage unit 202 of the server 20. Alternatively, the user information acquisition module 2033 may acquire the information by directly receiving various pieces of user information from the first user.

[0059] The gift providing operation receiving module 2034 controls a series of processes for receiving an operation to provide a gift from a user watching an event. Specifically, the gift providing operation receiving module 2034 receives an operation to provide a gift to a performer of the event via the terminal device 10 used by the user watching the event. In this case, the terminal device 10 transmits information related to the gift providing operation received from the user to the server 20. The gift providing operation receiving module 2034 of the server 20 receives the information from the terminal device 10. For example, upon receiving the information from the terminal device 10, the server 20 transmits information related to gifts that can be provided at the event watched by the first user to the terminal device 10. Here, the operation of providing a gift is an operation performed by a user watching an event, and can include any operation performed by a user to provide a gift to a performer or the like of the event. For example, the operation of providing a gift may include an operation of the user specifying a specific gift. In this case, for example, information about gifts that can be provided at the event (information about a gift list) is presented to the user, and the gift providing operation receiving module 2034 receives an operation from the user to specify at least one gift from the presented information about gifts (information about the gift list). Furthermore, for example, the operation of providing a gift may include an operation performed by a user to request that information about gifts available at the event (information about a gift list) be presented to the user. In this case, for example, the gift providing operation receiving module 2034 receives an operation from the user to request that information about gifts available at the event the user is watching (information about a gift list) be presented to the user. In response to the operation from the user, the server 20 transmits the information about the gifts (information about the gift list) to the terminal device 10 used by the user. The terminal device 10 displays the received confirmation information on the display 1302. Furthermore, for example, the operation of providing a gift may include an operation to specify at least one gift from the gifts available at the event. For example, the operation of providing a gift may include an operation performed by a user to purchase a specific gift. In this case, for example, the user is presented with information (information on a gift list) about gifts that can be provided at an event for a fee, and the gift providing operation receiving module 2034 receives an operation from the user to designate at least one gift from the presented information (information on the gift list) and purchase the designated gift. The operation of purchasing a gift refers to an operation of making a payment by means (money, etc.) such as money or points that can be substituted for money to purchase a gift. Payment by money, etc. may include not only a payment at the time of the operation to purchase the gift, but also a payment made using an amount charged in advance by the user to provide the gift (purchase a gift for a fee) (including an amount charged by means (money, points, etc.) that can be substituted for money). For example, the operation of providing a gift may include an operation performed by a user to provide a gift designated by the user to a performer of an event. In this case, for example, the user is presented with information about the gift designated by the user, and the gift providing operation receiving module 2034 receives an operation from the user to provide the gift designated by the user. For example, if the gift to be provided is a free gift, the gift is provided to the performer of the event in response to the user's operation to provide the gift. For example, if the gift to be provided is a paid gift, the user's operation to purchase the gift corresponds to the operation to provide the gift, and the gift is provided to the performer of the event in the virtual space in response to the operation to purchase the gift (the operation to provide the gift). Note that the user's operation to purchase a gift may not correspond to the operation to provide the gift, and the gift purchased through the purchasing operation may be temporarily stored as a purchased gift. In such a case, the user selects a gift to be provided from the stored purchased gifts, and the gift is provided to the performer of the event in response to the operation to provide the specified gift from the user.

[0060] The gift providing module 2035 controls a series of processes for providing a gift in response to an operation to provide a gift from a user accepted by the gift providing operation accepting module 2034. Specifically, the gift providing module 2035 provides a gift to a performer of an event in response to an operation to provide a gift accepted from a user watching an event held in a virtual space. The gift providing module 2035 can provide a gift to an event performer by, for example, placing a gift object representing the gift in the virtual space. In this case, the gift providing module 2035 can place the object representing the gift at any position in the virtual space. However, if a placement position is preset for the object, the gift providing module 2035 can place the object representing the gift at the preset position (for example, a position near the avatar object corresponding to the performer providing the gift). Furthermore, if the virtual space is composed of multiple layers, the gift providing module 2035 can place the object representing the gift at any layer selected from the multiple layers. Furthermore, in this case, if the virtual space is composed of a three-dimensional space, the gift providing module 2035 can place the object representing the gift at any spatial position in the virtual space. The gift object representing the gift provided by the gift providing module 2035 can be placed in a lower-level section throughout the entire period of the event, or can be placed only for a specific period of the event. Furthermore, the gift object representing the gift provided by the gift providing module 2035 can be processed to disappear from the virtual space after a certain period of time has elapsed. The gift providing module 2035 can also provide gifts in a form other than gift objects, for example. Gifts in a form other than gift objects include gifts consisting of text data, gifts consisting of music or audio data, gifts equivalent to money or a means of substituting money, so-called "tips," etc. The gift providing module 2035 can also provide gifts in a manner other than directly to performers of an event. Such gifts can include, for example, an action performed by a user avatar corresponding to the user when the user avatar is placed in the virtual space. Actions performed by the user avatar include, for example, an action in which the user avatar wears or holds an object (e.g., an action in which the user avatar wears or holds an object representing a T-shirt, a hat, a towel, or a glow stick to cheer on a performer). In this case, the gift providing module 2035 reflects the state in which the object corresponding to the gift is worn or held by the user avatar in the virtual space. In this way, the gift providing module 2035 provides the gift to the performer by reflecting the action of the user avatar wearing or holding the object in the virtual space. Actions performed by the user avatar include, for example, a performance-related action in which the user avatar dances, jumps, waves, etc. in the virtual space. In this case, the gift providing module 2035 causes the user avatar in the virtual space to perform a performance corresponding to the gift. In this way, the gift providing module 2035 provides the gift to the performer by reflecting the action of the performance by the user avatar in the virtual space.

[0061] The determination module 2036 controls a series of processes for determining whether an operation to provide a gift from a user has been accepted under predetermined conditions. Specifically, the gift offering operation acceptance module 2034 determines whether an operation to provide a gift from a user has been accepted under predetermined conditions, and whether the operation has been accepted under predetermined conditions. The predetermined condition that serves as the criterion for the determination module 2036 to perform the determination process is the condition that the generation module 2037 uses to generate the gift recommendation information 2023. For example, the predetermined condition may be that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of the event the user is watching. The period immediately after the start of the event is a time when the user enjoys watching the event and selects gifts to give to the event's performers. Therefore, if gift recommendation information is presented at such a time, the user may feel annoyed and may actually reduce their motivation to give gifts. Therefore, by setting the predetermined condition to that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of the event the user is watching, gift recommendation information can be generated and presented to the user while maintaining the user's motivation to give gifts. Here, the predetermined period of time can be arbitrarily determined depending on the type of event, the duration of the event, etc. For example, in the case of an event such as a live music concert, which has a predetermined duration and is relatively long (e.g., two hours), the predetermined period of time can be set to, for example, 15 to 30 minutes. For example, if the event duration is not set in advance and the event is a relatively short talk or chat event (e.g., 30 minutes), the fixed period can be set to, for example, 1 to 10 minutes. Such a fixed period can be set in advance by the event organizer or the event performers. The predetermined condition may be a predetermined period of time having elapsed since the previous gift-giving operation was accepted during the period in which the event being viewed by the user is being held. Information regarding the timing of the acceptance of the previous gift-giving operation is stored, for example, as part of the gift-giving record information in the user information database 2021. Based on the stored information, it is determined whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the previous gift-giving operation was accepted. If gift recommendation information is presented to a user shortly after the user has accepted a gift-giving operation, the user may feel annoyed and may be less motivated to give gifts. Therefore, by setting the predetermined condition to a period of time having elapsed since the previous gift-giving operation was accepted during the period in which the event being viewed by the user is being held, gift recommendation information can be generated and presented to the user while maintaining the user's motivation to give gifts. The user's gift-giving operation may include, for example, the user specifying a specific gift. In this case, for example, information about gifts that can be provided at the event (information about the gift list) is presented to the user, and the gift providing operation receiving module 2034 receives an operation from the user to specify at least one gift from the presented information about gifts (information about the gift list). The operation to provide a gift may also include, for example, an operation to request the user to present information about gifts that can be provided at the event the user is watching (information about the gift list). In this case, for example, the gift providing operation receiving module 2034 receives an operation from the user to request the user to present information about gifts that can be provided at the event the user is watching (information about the gift list). In response to the user's operation, the server 20 transmits the information about the gifts (information about the gift list) to the terminal device 10 used by the user. The terminal device 10 displays the received confirmation information on the display 1302.For example, the operation of providing a gift can include an operation of designating at least one gift from among gifts available at the event. The operation of providing a gift can also include an operation of a user purchasing a specific gift. In this case, for example, the user is presented with information about gifts available at the event (information about a gift list), and the gift providing operation receiving module 2034 accepts an operation from the user to designate at least one gift from the presented information about the gifts (information about the gift list) and purchase the designated gift. The operation of purchasing a gift refers to an operation of making a payment by means (money, etc.) such as money or points that can be substituted for money to purchase a gift. Payment by money, etc. can include not only a payment at the time of the operation of purchasing the gift, but also a payment made using an amount charged by the user in advance (including an amount charged by means of money or points that can be substituted for money) to provide the gift (purchase a paid gift). For example, the operation of providing a gift can also include an operation by a user to provide a gift designated by the user to a performer, etc. at the event. In this case, for example, the user is presented with information about the gift designated by the user, and the gift providing operation receiving module 2034 accepts an operation from the user to provide the gift designated by the user. For example, if the gift to be provided is a free gift, the gift is provided to the event performer in response to the user's operation to provide the gift. Alternatively, if the gift to be provided is a paid gift, the user's operation to purchase the gift corresponds to the operation to provide the gift, and the gift is provided to the event performer in response to the operation to purchase the gift (the operation to provide the gift). Note that the user's operation to purchase the gift does not correspond to the operation to provide the gift, and the gift purchased through the purchasing operation may be temporarily stored as a purchased gift. In such cases, the user selects a gift to be provided from the stored purchased gifts, and the gift is provided to the event performer in response to the user's operation to provide the designated gift. The predetermined condition can also be a period during which a specific performance is being performed at an event that the user is watching. By providing a gift during a period during which a specific performance is being performed at an event, the performance is further enhanced, and the user can feel that providing a gift is worthwhile. Therefore, by setting the predetermined condition to be a period during which a specific performance is being performed at an event that the user is watching, gift recommendation information can be generated and presented to the user at a time that will further increase the user's motivation to give a gift. The predetermined condition may be that the number of times an operation to provide a gift is received from a user during a specific period of the event the user is watching is less than or equal to a predetermined number. Depending on the event, the more gifts are received from viewing users, the more exciting the event may be, and as a result, the viewing users' satisfaction with the event may also increase. Therefore, by setting the predetermined condition to be that the number of times an operation to provide a gift is received from a user during a specific period of the event the user is watching is less than or equal to a predetermined number, gift recommendation information can be generated and presented to the user to increase the user's satisfaction with the event. The predetermined condition can also be when the user has participated in an event a predetermined number of times or less. Users who are beginners as viewing users or who have participated in events relatively infrequently (so-called beginners) are often unfamiliar with gift-giving and therefore do not have the opportunity to enjoy the event through gift-giving, which may result in a lower level of satisfaction with the event. On the other hand, users who repeatedly participate in events a relatively large number of times (so-called repeat visitors) are often familiar with gift-giving procedures, such as gift-giving methods and effective timing, and are likely to want to give gifts of their own accord even without receiving gift recommendation information. Therefore, by setting the predetermined condition to when the user has participated in an event a predetermined number of times or less, gift recommendation information can be presented only to users who are unfamiliar with gift-giving, thereby creating opportunities for gift-giving for the user and increasing the user's satisfaction with the event. On the other hand, gift recommendation information is not presented to users who repeatedly participate in events a relatively large number of times, avoiding the presentation of gift recommendation information that is of little use to the user and maintaining the user's motivation to give gifts.

[0062] The generation module 2037 controls a series of processes for generating gift recommendation information for recommending a user to provide a gift when the determination module 2036 determines that an operation to provide a gift from the user has not been accepted under predetermined conditions. Specifically, the generation module 2037 generates gift recommendation information 2023 when the determination module 2036 determines that the gift providing operation acceptance module 2034 has not accepted an operation to provide a gift from the user under predetermined conditions. The gift recommendation information 2023 is information for recommending or encouraging a user watching an event to provide a gift. The gift recommendation information 2023 is, for example, information for recommending or encouraging a user to provide an arbitrary or specific gift. The gift recommendation information 2023 may be any information that can be recognized by a user watching an event, and may include, for example, information related to text, information related to objects (images, videos, etc.), information related to audio and music (including information combining these pieces of information), etc. Furthermore, generation module 2037 can generate information about pseudo gift objects that represent pseudo gifts that are placed in a virtual space in a pseudo manner, regardless of operations by viewers watching the event, as gift recommendation information 2023. For example, generation module 2037 may generate information about pseudo gift objects when the number of viewers watching the event is equal to or greater than a certain number.

[0063] The presentation module 2038 controls a series of processes for presenting to the user the gift recommendation information generated by the generation module 2037. Specifically, the presentation module 2038 presents to the user the gift recommendation information 2023 generated by the generation module 2037. In this case, the server 20 transmits the gift recommendation information 2023 to the terminal device 10 used by the user. The terminal device 10 displays the received gift recommendation information 2023 on the display 1302. When the gift recommendation information generated by the generation module 2037 is information related to a pseudo gift object, the presentation module 2038 can present the gift recommendation information to the user by arranging the pseudo gift object in the virtual space. In this case, for example, when the number of viewers watching the event is equal to or greater than a certain number, the presentation module 2038 may present the gift recommendation information to the user by arranging the pseudo gift object in the virtual space.

[0064] The evaluation module 2039 controls a series of processes for evaluating the number of gift objects placed in the virtual space when gift objects representing gifts are placed in the virtual space. Specifically, the evaluation module 2039 evaluates the number of gift objects representing gifts placed in the virtual space in response to gift-giving operations by the user or other viewing users. The number of gift objects placed in the virtual space is one indicator of the excitement of an event. The greater the number of gift objects placed, the greater the excitement of the event and the higher the satisfaction of viewing users who watch the event with the event. On the other hand, if the number of gift objects placed in the virtual space is small, the event may appear less exciting, which may reduce the satisfaction of viewing users who watch the event with the event and reduce their motivation to give gifts. Therefore, the evaluation module 2039 evaluates the number of gift objects placed in the virtual space, and based on the evaluation result, it is possible to perform a process for generating gift recommendation information 2023 for recommending users to give gifts. Specifically, if the evaluation module 2039 evaluates that the number of gift objects placed is equal to or less than a predetermined number, the generation module 2037 performs a process for generating gift recommendation information. The evaluation module 2039 can evaluate the number of gift objects placed in the virtual space over the entire period of the event as the number of gift objects placed in the virtual space, but can also evaluate the number of gift objects placed in the virtual space during a specific period of the event. Furthermore, the evaluation module 2039 can evaluate the number of gift objects representing a specific gift as the number of gift objects placed in the virtual space.

[0065] <2 Data Structure> FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of the user information database 2021 stored in the server 20. As shown in FIG.

[0066] As shown in Figure 4, the user information database 2021 includes the items "User ID", "User name", "Age", "Gender", "Contact information", "Number of events attended", "Favorite performers", "Total amount charged", "Gift provision history information", "Notes", etc.

[0067] The item "user ID" is information for identifying a user who will be viewing an event held in a virtual space.

[0068] The item "user name" is information indicating the user's name. In this case, the record may hold not only the user's real name but also information on the name (handle name) used by the user in the virtual space.

[0069] The item "age" is information indicating the age of the user.

[0070] The item "gender" is information indicating the gender of the user.

[0071] The item "contact information" is information indicating the user's contact information, including the user's address, telephone number, etc.

[0072] The item "Event Participation Count" is information indicating the number of events the user has participated in (including viewing) in the past. Information indicating the number of events participated in includes, for example, information indicating the total number of times the user has participated in all events the user has participated in, information indicating the number of times the user has participated in each type of event the user has participated in, information indicating the number of times each performer has participated in the event the user has participated in, etc.

[0073] The item "Favorite Performers" is information indicating performers that the user has registered in advance as performers. The information about the performers stored in the record is, for example, information about at least one performer selected by the user from information about multiple performers registered in advance (including performers who have appeared in events held in virtual space in the past as well as performers who may appear in the future). The information about the performers includes, for example, the names of the performers, information about the performers' affiliations, etc.

[0074] The "Total Charges" item is information that indicates the total amount of money paid by the user at past events held in virtual space, such as money equivalent to the charges paid when providing gifts to performers, money paid as participation fees for the event, and money paid when purchasing goods and merchandise related to the event. The total gift amount can include money paid by the user as well as money that can be used in place of money (points, etc.).

[0075] The item "gift giving record information" is information indicating the record of gifts given by the user at past events (past events) held in the virtual space. The information indicating the record of gift giving includes information indicating the total number of gifts given by the user in the past, information indicating the number of gifts given by each type of gift given by the user in the past, information indicating the number of gifts given by each event that the user has participated in (including watched), information indicating the number of gifts given by each performance being held at an event that the user has participated in (including watched), information indicating the number of gifts given by the user at the time a specific performance was being held, information regarding the gift ID of the gift given, information regarding the timing (date and time) when the operation to give the gift was accepted, information regarding the recipient (performer) to whom the gift was given, etc.

[0076] The item "Notes" is information that is stored when there are special notes, etc. in the user information. For example, if there is information that needs to be stored other than the above items, the server 20 may record it in the record.

[0077] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the data structure of the gift information database 2022 stored in the server 20. As shown in FIG.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 5, the gift information database 2022 includes the items "gift ID," "gift name," "category," "data type," "charged price," and "remarks," among others.

[0079] The item "gift ID" is information that identifies gifts that can be provided in an event held in virtual space.

[0080] The item "gift name" is information indicating the name of the gift.

[0081] The item "Category" is information indicating the category of the gift, such as gifts for all events, gifts limited to specific events, gifts limited to specific performers when a specific performer appears, and user-limited gifts that can only be given to specific users.

[0082] The "data type" field contains information indicating the type of data related to the gift content representing the gift. The information indicating the data type includes, for example, video data, image data, music / audio data, text data, etc.

[0083] The "Charged Price" item is information about the charged price for purchasing the gift required to provide the gift. The charged price information includes information about the specific amount of the charge equivalent to money, as well as information corresponding to money in the case of points or other means of payment. In addition, in the case of a free gift that does not require a charge, information expressed as "0 yen" or "free" is included.

[0084] The item "Notes" is information that is stored when there are special notes in the gift information. For example, if there is information that needs to be stored other than the above items, the server 20 may record it in the record.

[0085] <3 Example of operation> The following describes a series of processes that are executed when the system 1 presents gift recommendation information to users viewing an event held in a virtual space.

[0086] 6 is a flowchart showing a series of processes for presenting gift recommendation information when a gift-giving operation is not accepted under predetermined conditions from a user viewing an event held in a virtual space. Note that, in the present disclosure, the operational flow is not limited to this. That is, the terminal device 10 may execute the entire series of processes, or the server 20 may execute the entire series of processes.

[0087] In step S601, an operation to provide a gift is accepted from a user viewing an event held in a virtual space. For example, the gift providing operation receiving module 2034 accepts an operation to specify a gift for a performer of the event to whom the gift is to be provided, via the terminal device 10 used by the user viewing the event. Specifically, for example, the control unit 190 of the terminal device 10 used by the user accepts an operation to specify a gift for the performer to whom the gift is to be provided, on a predetermined operation screen displayed on the display 1302. The gift providing operation accepted by the gift providing operation receiving module 2034 in this step is, for example, an operation to specify a specific gift performed by the user. The gift providing operation may also be, for example, an operation performed by the user to request that information regarding gifts available at the event (information regarding a gift list) be presented to the user. The gift providing operation may also be, for example, an operation performed by the user to purchase a specific gift. The gift providing operation may also be, for example, an operation performed by the user to provide a gift specified by the user to a performer of the event. In this case, the terminal device 10 transmits information regarding the gift providing operation accepted from the user to the server 20. The gift providing operation receiving module 2034 receives the information from the terminal device 10. Note that, in a situation where the user has never performed an operation to provide a gift, if gift recommendation information, which will be described later, is presented to the user, this step can be omitted.

[0088] In step S651, the control unit 203 of the server 20 provides a gift to the performers of the event in response to the gift providing operation received from the user in step S601. For example, the gift providing module 2035 provides the gift to the performers of the event by placing a gift object representing the gift specified by the user in the virtual space in response to the gift providing operation received from the user. Note that this step can be omitted when the user has never performed an operation to provide a gift and gift recommendation information, which will be described later, is presented to the user.

[0089] In step S652, the control unit 203 of the server 20 determines whether the operation to provide a gift by the user in step S651 has been accepted under a predetermined condition. For example, the determination module 2036 determines whether the operation to provide a gift from the user has been accepted under a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is, for example, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of the event watched by the user. The predetermined condition is, for example, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the previous operation to provide a gift was accepted during the period during which the event watched by the user is being held. The predetermined condition is, for example, when a predetermined specific performance is being performed during the event watched by the user. The predetermined condition is, for example, when the user has participated in the event a predetermined number of times or less. Note that there may be cases where no operation to provide a gift has been accepted from the user before the processing of this step. In such cases, the processing of steps S601 and S651 is omitted, and the processing executed by the system 1 starts from step S652.

[0090] In step S653, when it is determined in step S651 that the operation to provide a gift by the user has not been accepted under the predetermined conditions, the control unit 203 of the server 20 generates gift recommendation information 2023 for recommending that the user provide a gift. For example, when the determination module 2036 determines that the gift providing operation acceptance module 2034 has not accepted the operation to provide a gift from the user under the predetermined conditions, the generation module 2037 generates the gift recommendation information 2023.

[0091] In step S654, the control unit 203 of the server 20 presents to the user the gift recommendation information 2023 generated by the generation module 2037. For example, the presentation module 2038 presents the gift recommendation information 2023 generated by the generation module 2037 to the user watching the event. In this case, the server 20 transmits the gift recommendation information 2023 to the terminal device 10 used by the user. The terminal device 10 displays the received gift recommendation information 2023 on the display 1302.

[0092] By this processing, gift recommendation information 2023 for recommending the giving of gifts is presented to users viewing the event, thereby increasing the gifting motivation of users viewing the event held in virtual space. In particular, if the user is a beginner viewing user or a user who has participated in events relatively infrequently (so-called beginners), presenting the gift recommendation information provides an opportunity for the user to enjoy the event by giving a gift, thereby increasing the user's satisfaction with the event.

[0093] 7 is a flowchart showing a series of processes for generating gift recommendation information according to the number of gift objects placed in a virtual space during an event held in the virtual space. Note that, in the present disclosure, the operational flow is not limited to this. That is, the terminal device 10 may execute the entire series of processes, or the server 20 may execute the entire series of processes.

[0094] In step S751, the control unit 203 of the server 20 evaluates the number of gift objects placed in the virtual space during the event viewed by the user. For example, the evaluation module 2039 evaluates the number of gift objects representing gifts placed in the virtual space in response to gift-offering operations from the user viewing the event or other viewing users. In this case, for example, the evaluation module 2039 can evaluate the number of gift objects placed in the virtual space over the entire duration of the event as the number of gift objects placed in the virtual space. For another example, the evaluation module 2039 can evaluate the number of gift objects placed in the virtual space during a specific period of the event. For another example, the evaluation module 2039 can evaluate the number of gift objects representing a specific gift as the number of gift objects placed in the virtual space.

[0095] In step S752, when the evaluation module 2039 evaluates that the number of arranged gift objects is equal to or less than a predetermined number and the determination module 2036 determines that the gift providing operation receiving module 2034 has not accepted an operation to provide a gift from the user under the predetermined conditions, the control unit 203 of the server 20 generates gift recommendation information 2023. For example, when the evaluation module 2039 evaluates that the number of arranged gift objects is equal to or less than a predetermined number and the determination module 2036 determines that the gift providing operation receiving module 2034 has not accepted an operation to provide a gift from the user under the predetermined conditions, the generation module 2037 generates gift recommendation information 2023 for recommending the user to provide a gift.

[0096] In step S753, the control unit 203 of the server 20 presents to the user the gift recommendation information 2023 generated by the generation module 2037. For example, the presentation module 2038 presents the gift recommendation information 2023 generated by the generation module 2037 to the user watching the event. In this case, the server 20 transmits the gift recommendation information 2023 to the terminal device 10 used by the user. The terminal device 10 displays the received gift recommendation information 2023 on the display 1302.

[0097] By this processing, when the number of gift objects placed in the virtual space is small, gift recommendation information 2023 is presented to the user, thereby increasing the gifting motivation of users watching an event taking place in the virtual space.

[0098] In one aspect, the server 20 may perform processing to cause the gift recommendation information 2023 presented by the presentation module 2038 to disappear after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. By performing such processing, the gift recommendation information 2023 presented to the user will no longer be displayed on the display 1302 of the terminal device 10 used by the user after the predetermined period of time has elapsed. This means that there is no risk that the visibility of the event being viewed will be impaired due to the gift recommendation information 2023 continuing to be displayed, and the user can concentrate on viewing the event.

[0099] In one aspect, server 20 may perform processing to limit the presentation of gift recommendation information 2023 when the remaining time of the event being viewed by the user is within a certain time. Gift recommendation information 2023 is presented to provide the user with an opportunity to give a gift and increase the user's satisfaction with the event. However, even if gift recommendation information 2023 is presented at a timing when the remaining time of the event is limited, there is a risk that the user will not be given an opportunity to give a gift that will provide high satisfaction. Therefore, by performing such processing, gift recommendation information 2023 is presented only during a period when the user can provide a gift that will provide high satisfaction, thereby increasing the user's satisfaction with the event.

[0100] In some cases, even when the server 20 determines that a user's gift-giving operation has not been accepted under a predetermined condition and generates gift recommendation information, the server 20 may restrict the process of presenting the generated gift recommendation information to the user under certain conditions. A specific condition may be, for example, when a specific performance is taking place at an event. For example, a main performance or a performance positioned as the climax of an event may be content that a user watching the event wants to concentrate on. Presenting gift recommendation information to the user during such a performance may be annoying to the user, which may reduce their motivation to give gifts or their satisfaction with the event. Therefore, even when gift recommendation information is generated, restricting the process of presenting the generated gift recommendation information to the user under certain conditions can increase the user's satisfaction with the event. In this case, instead of restricting the process of presenting the generated gift recommendation information to the user under certain conditions, the server 20 may perform a process of delaying the timing of presenting the gift recommendation information to the user. Specifically, the server 20 can temporarily restrict the process of presenting the gift recommendation information to the user when the event is under certain conditions, and present the gift recommendation information to the user when the certain conditions are no longer met. This process restricts the presentation of gift recommendation information to the user when the main performance or the climax performance of the event is taking place, thereby increasing the user's satisfaction with the event.

[0101] In one aspect, server 20 may have a gift recommendation information database storing multiple pieces of gift recommendation information 2023 in storage unit 202, and generation module 2037 may perform processing to generate gift recommendation information 2023 by referencing information stored in the gift recommendation information database based on information about the user (information about the number of times the user has participated in the event, information about the gift giving record, etc.). By performing such processing, gift recommendation information 2023 suited to each user is generated and presented to the user, which can effectively increase the user's motivation to give gifts and increase the user's satisfaction with the event through opportunities to give gifts.

[0102] <4 Screen example> Figures 8 and 9 are diagrams showing examples of various screens that are displayed during a series of processes in which a user who uses the system 1 disclosed in the present invention to watch an event held in a virtual space performs an operation to provide a gift to the performers of the event based on operational input from the user.

[0103] FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen when a user viewing an ongoing event being held in a virtual space performs an operation to select a performer of the event to whom a gift is to be provided.

[0104] 8, the control unit 190 of the terminal device 10 used by the user displays a performer list display area 801, a performer selection operation display area 802, etc. on the display 1302. Note that this screen does not need to be displayed on the entire surface of the display 1302. For example, this screen can be displayed on a portion of the display 1302. Furthermore, for example, this screen can be displayed on the display 1302 in a semi-transparent manner so that an event such as a live concert can be seen. In this way, the user can operate the screen while enjoying an event such as a live concert.

[0105] The performer list display area 801 displays a list of performers for the event. The control unit 190 of the terminal device 10 used by the user displays, for example, images 8011 and performer names 8012 of all performers appearing in the event in the performer list display area 801. The information on the image 8011 and performer name 8012 of each performer functions as a button that can be pressed by the user or other operational input. When the control unit 190 receives operational input from the user, such as pressing the image, the control unit 190 executes processing to select a performer to whom a gift will be provided.

[0106] The performer selection operation display area 802 displays information for the user to select and confirm a performer to whom a gift is to be provided. The control unit 190 of the terminal device 10 used by the user displays a performer selection list 8021, a gift provision button 8022, etc. in the performer selection operation display area 802.

[0107] The performer selection list 8021 displays information about performers that the user can select as recipients of a gift in a pull-down menu. The display method for performer information is not limited to this. When the control unit 190 receives operational input from the user to select a performer included in the list, it executes a process to select a performer to whom a gift will be provided. Note that the performer selection operation display area 802 displays the text "You can also select by clicking on the image," and the process to select a performer to whom a gift will be provided can also be executed by operational input such as pressing the image 8011 and performer name 8012 of each performer described above.

[0108] The gift providing button 8022 is a button for the user to confirm the performer to whom the gift is to be provided and to perform the operation of providing the gift. When the control unit 190 receives an operation input from the user, such as pressing the button, the control unit 190 executes the operation of providing the gift.

[0109] FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen when information about gifts, including recommended gift information, is presented to a user viewing an ongoing event being held in a virtual space.

[0110] 9, the control unit 190 of the terminal device 10 used by the user displays an explanatory text display area 901, a gift list display area 902, a gift selection operation display area 903, etc. on the display 1302. Note that this screen does not need to be displayed on the entire surface of the display 1302. For example, this screen can be displayed on a portion of the display 1302. Furthermore, for example, this screen can be displayed on the display 1302 in a semi-transparent manner so that an event such as a live concert can be seen. In this way, the user can operate the screen while enjoying an event such as a live concert.

[0111] The explanatory text display area 901 displays explanatory text etc. that the user can refer to in order to check information related to the determination result. For example, the explanatory text display area 901 displays information about the performer to whom the user has selected to receive a gift.

[0112] The gift list display area 902 displays a list of gifts presented to a user viewing an ongoing event. The control unit 190 of the terminal device 10 used by the user displays, for example, gift images (objects representing gifts) 9021 and gift names 9022 in the gift list display area 902. Information on each object 9021 and gift name 9022 functions as a button that accepts an operational input such as being pressed by the user. When the control unit 190 accepts an operational input such as pressing the image from the user, it executes a process for selecting a gift.

[0113] The gift selection operation display area 903 displays information for a user to perform an operation to confirm a gift to be provided. The control unit 190 of the terminal device 10 used by the user displays a gift selection list 9031, a confirmation button 9032, etc. in the gift selection operation display area 903.

[0114] The gift selection list 9031 displays information about gifts provided by the user in a pull-down menu. The display method for gift information is not limited to this. When the control unit 190 receives an operation input from the user to select a gift included in the list, it executes a gift selection process. Note that the gift selection operation display area 903 displays the text "You can also select by clicking on the image," and the gift selection process can also be executed by an operation input such as pressing the image of each object and the gift name information described above.

[0115] The confirm button 9032 is a button for confirming a gift selected by a user operation. When the control unit 190 receives an operation input from the user, such as pressing the button, the control unit 190 executes a process for confirming (designating) the selected gift.

[0116] 10 to 12 are diagrams showing examples of gift recommendation information screens that are presented to users who use the system 1 disclosed in the present invention and watch an event held in a virtual space.

[0117] FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen displaying gift recommendation information presented to a user viewing an event held in a virtual space.

[0118] 10, the control unit 190 of the terminal device 10 used by the user displays a gift recommendation text display area 1001, a selection operation display area 1002, and the like on the display 1302. Note that this screen does not need to be displayed on the entire surface of the display 1302. For example, this screen can be displayed on a portion of the display 1302. Furthermore, for example, this screen can be displayed on the display 1302 in a semi-transparent manner so that an event such as a live concert can be seen. In this way, the user can operate the screen while enjoying the event such as a live concert.

[0119] Gift recommendation text display area 1001 displays text, etc., recommending the giving of gifts to users viewing an event held in virtual space. The information displayed in gift recommendation text display area 1001 corresponds to gift recommendation information 2023. Gift recommendation text display area 1001 displays text, such as "Why not send a gift now?", that recommends the giving of gifts.

[0120] The selection operation display area 1002 displays information for a user to perform an operation to confirm whether or not to perform an operation to provide a gift after checking the gift recommendation information 2023. The control unit 190 of the terminal device 10 used by the user displays a first selection list 10021, a second selection list 10022, a third selection list 10023, etc. in the selection operation display area 1002.

[0121] The first selection list 10021 contains buttons for the user to select an operation to provide a gift. This button contains information related to text that is displayed, for example, as "Send a gift." When the control unit 190 receives an operation input from the user, such as pressing the button, it executes a process to confirm (specify) the selection of the operation to provide a gift. When this process is executed, for example, information for the user to perform an operation to provide a gift is displayed on the display 1302.

[0122] The second selection list 10022 contains buttons for the user to select not to perform the operation of providing a gift. This button contains information about text that displays, for example, "Not now." When the control unit 190 receives an operation input from the user, such as pressing the button, it executes a process of confirming (specifying) the selection not to perform the operation of providing a gift.

[0123] The third selection list 10023 contains buttons for the user to select an operation to confirm a method for providing a gift. This button contains information related to text that is displayed, for example, "Confirm how to send a gift." When the control unit 190 receives an operation input from the user, such as pressing the button, it executes a process to confirm (specify) the selection of the operation to confirm a method for providing a gift. When this process is executed, for example, information explaining how to provide a gift is displayed on the display 1302.

[0124] 11 shows another example of a screen displaying gift recommendation information to a user viewing an event held in a virtual space. In this example, a screen displaying gift recommendation information recommending the provision of a specific gift will be described.

[0125] 11, the control unit 190 of the terminal device 10 used by the user displays a gift recommendation text display area 1101, a recommended gift display area 1102, a selection operation display area 1103, etc. on the display 1302. Note that this screen does not need to be displayed on the entire surface of the display 1302. For example, this screen can be displayed on a portion of the display 1302. Furthermore, for example, this screen can be displayed on the display 1302 in a semi-transparent manner so that an event such as a live concert can be seen. In this way, the user can operate the screen while enjoying an event such as a live concert.

[0126] Gift recommendation text display area 1101 displays text, etc., recommending the provision of a gift to users viewing an event held in virtual space. The information displayed in gift recommendation text display area 1101 corresponds to gift recommendation information 2023. Gift recommendation text display area 1101 displays text recommending the provision of a gift, such as, "Why not send the following gift that is perfect for the event you are viewing?"

[0127] Recommended gift display area 1102 displays a list of gifts recommended to users viewing an event held in virtual space. The information displayed in recommended gift display area 1102 corresponds to recommended gift information 2023. Recommended gift display area 1102 displays, for example, information about three gifts, each of which displays a gift image (an object representing the gift) 11021 and a gift name 11022.

[0128] The selection operation display area 1103 displays information for a user who has checked the gift recommendation information 2023 (the information displayed in the gift recommendation text display area 1101 and the recommended gift display area 1102) to perform an operation to confirm whether or not to perform an operation to provide a gift. The control unit 190 of the terminal device 10 used by the user displays a first selection list 11031, a second selection list 11032, a third selection list 11033, a fourth selection list 11034, a third selection list 11035, etc. in the selection operation display area 1103.

[0129] The first selection list 11031 contains buttons for the user to select an operation to provide "Gift A" from the gifts displayed in the recommended gift display area 1102. This button contains information related to text that is displayed, for example, "Send Gift A." When the control unit 190 receives an operation input from the user, such as pressing the button, it executes a process to confirm (specify) the selection of the operation to provide Gift A. When this process is executed, for example, information for the user to perform an operation to provide Gift A is displayed on the display 1302.

[0130] The second selection list 11032 contains buttons for the user to select an operation to provide "Gift B" from among the gifts displayed in the recommended gift display area 1102. This button contains information related to text that is displayed, for example, "Send Gift B." When the control unit 190 receives an operation input from the user, such as pressing the button, it executes a process to confirm (specify) the selection of the operation to provide Gift A. When this process is executed, for example, information for the user to perform an operation to provide Gift B is displayed on the display 1302.

[0131] The third selection list 11033 contains buttons for the user to select an operation to provide "Gift C" from among the gifts displayed in the recommended gift display area 1102. This button contains information related to text that is displayed, for example, "Send Gift C." When the control unit 190 receives an operation input from the user, such as pressing the button, it executes a process to confirm (specify) the selection of the operation to provide Gift A. When this process is executed, for example, information for the user to perform an operation to provide Gift C is displayed on the display 1302.

[0132] The fourth selection list 11034 contains buttons for the user to select an operation to provide a gift other than the gift displayed in the recommended gift display area 1102. This button contains information related to text that is displayed, for example, as "Send another gift." When the control unit 190 receives an operation input from the user, such as pressing the button, it executes a process to confirm (specify) the selection of the operation to provide another gift. When this process is executed, for example, information for the user to perform an operation to provide a gift is displayed on the display 1302.

[0133] The fifth selection list 10035 is a button for the user to select not to perform the operation of providing a gift. This button contains information about text that displays, for example, "Not sending now." When the control unit 190 receives an operation input from the user, such as pressing the button, it executes a process of confirming (specifying) the selection not to perform the operation of providing a gift.

[0134] 12 shows another example of a screen displaying gift recommendation information presented to a user viewing an event held in a virtual space. This screen display shows gift recommendation information related to pseudo gift objects representing pseudo gifts placed in a virtual space in a pseudo manner, without any operation by the viewer viewing the event.

[0135] In FIG. 12, the control unit 190 of the terminal device 10 used by the user displays the performer display area 1201 and the like on the display 1302.

[0136] Performer display area 1201 displays performances and the like by performers appearing in an event held in a virtual space. In this example screen, three performers are displayed as avatar objects 12011. Performer display area 1201 also displays gift objects representing gifts provided by operations of the user viewing the event and other viewing users providing gifts. In this example screen, two types of gift objects 12012 and 12013 are displayed. Performer display area 1201 also displays pseudo gift object 12014 representing a pseudo gift placed in the virtual space without operations of the user viewing the event and other viewing users. Information related to pseudo gift object 12014 corresponds to gift recommendation information 2023. Pseudo gift object 12014 is displayed so that the viewing user does not know that it is a pseudo gift.

[0137] <5. Basic computer hardware configuration> 13 is a block diagram showing the basic hardware configuration of a computer 50. The computer 50 includes at least a processor 501, a main storage device 502, an auxiliary storage device 503, and a communication IF 591 (interface), which are electrically connected to one another by a communication bus 521.

[0138] The processor 501 is hardware for executing an instruction set written in a program, and is composed of an arithmetic unit, registers, peripheral circuits, and the like.

[0139] The main storage device 502 is used to temporarily store programs, data to be processed by the programs, etc. For example, it is a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

[0140] The auxiliary storage device 503 is a storage device for saving data and programs, such as a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a semiconductor memory.

[0141] The communication IF 591 is an interface for inputting and outputting signals for communicating with other computers via a network using a wired or wireless communication standard. A network is composed of the Internet, a LAN, various mobile communication systems constructed by wireless base stations, etc. For example, networks include 3G, 4G, and 5G mobile communication systems, LTE (Long Term Evolution), and wireless networks (e.g., Wi-Fi (registered trademark)) that can connect to the Internet via a predetermined access point. In the case of a wireless connection, communication protocols include, for example, Z-Wave (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), and Bluetooth (registered trademark). In the case of a wired connection, networks also include those that are directly connected using a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, etc.

[0142] It should be noted that the computer 50 can be virtually realized by distributing all or part of each hardware configuration across multiple computers 50 and interconnecting them via a network. In this way, the computer 50 is a concept that includes not only a computer 50 housed in a single housing or case, but also a virtualized computer system.

[0143] <6 Basic functional configuration of computer 50> The following describes the functional configuration of the computer realized by the basic hardware configuration (FIG. 13) of the computer 50. The computer includes at least the functional units of a control unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit.

[0144] The functional units of the computer 50 can also be realized by distributing all or part of the functional units among multiple computers 50 interconnected via a network. The computer 50 is a concept that includes not only a single computer 50 but also a virtualized computer system.

[0145] The control unit is realized by the processor 501 reading out various programs stored in the auxiliary storage device 503, loading them into the main storage device 502, and executing processing in accordance with the programs. The control unit can realize functional units that perform various types of information processing depending on the type of program. In this way, the computer is realized as an information processing device that performs information processing.

[0146] The storage unit is realized by a main storage device 502 and an auxiliary storage device 503. The storage unit stores data, various programs, and various databases. Furthermore, the processor 501 can allocate a storage area corresponding to the storage unit in the main storage device 502 or the auxiliary storage device 503 in accordance with the programs. Furthermore, the control unit can cause the processor 501 to execute processes for adding, updating, and deleting data stored in the storage unit in accordance with the various programs.

[0147] A database refers to a relational database, which manages data sets called masters and tables in a tabular format structurally defined by rows and columns, by relating them to each other. In a database, a table is called a table, a master, a column in a table is called a column, and a row in a table is called a record. In a relational database, relationships between tables and masters can be set and associated. Typically, each table and each master has a column set as a primary key to uniquely identify a record, but setting a primary key to a column is not essential. The control unit can cause the processor 501 to add, delete, or update records in specific tables and masters stored in the storage unit according to various programs. Furthermore, by storing data, various programs, and various databases in the storage unit, it can be considered that the information processing device and information processing system according to the present disclosure have been manufactured.

[0148] Note that the databases and masters in this disclosure may include any data structure in which information is structurally defined (such as a list, dictionary, associative array, or object). The data structure also includes data that can be considered as a data structure by combining data with functions, classes, methods, etc. written in any programming language.

[0149] The communication unit is realized by the communication IF 591. The communication unit realizes a function of communicating with other computers 50 via a network. The communication unit can receive information transmitted from other computers 50 and input the information to the control unit. The control unit can cause the processor 501 to execute information processing on the received information in accordance with various programs. Furthermore, the communication unit can transmit information output from the control unit to other computers 50.

[0150] Furthermore, the above-described configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, etc. may be partially or entirely implemented in hardware, for example, by designing them as integrated circuits. The present invention can also be realized by software program code that implements the functions of the embodiments. In this case, a storage medium on which the program code is recorded is provided to a computer, and a processor included in the computer reads the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and the storage medium on which it is stored constitute the present invention. Examples of storage media for providing such program code include flexible disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, hard disks, SSDs, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-Rs, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory cards, and ROMs.

[0151] Furthermore, the program code that realizes the functions described in this embodiment can be implemented in a wide range of program or script languages, such as assembler, C / C++, perl, Shell, PHP, and Java (registered trademark).

[0152] Furthermore, the program code of the software that realizes the functions of the embodiments may be distributed via a network and stored in a storage means such as a computer's hard disk or memory, or in a storage medium such as a CD-RW or CD-R, and the processor of the computer may read and execute the program code stored in the storage means or storage medium.

[0153] The functions performed by the components described herein may be implemented in circuitry or processing circuitry, including general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), a CPU (a Central Processing Unit), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, programmed to perform the described functions. A processor includes transistors and other circuits and is considered to be circuitry or processing circuitry. A processor may also be a programmed processor that executes programs stored in memory. In this specification, a circuitry, unit, or means is hardware that is programmed to realize or performs the described functions, which may be any hardware disclosed herein or any hardware known to be programmed to realize or perform the described functions. If the hardware is a processor considered to be a type of circuitry, the circuitry, means, or unit is a combination of the hardware and software used to configure the hardware and / or processor.

[0154] <7 Variations> A modification of this embodiment will be described below. That is, the following aspects may be adopted. (1) An information processing device in which the program may be pre-installed or may be installed later, or such a program may be stored on an external non-transitory storage medium or may be run using cloud computing. (2) A method in which a computer functions as an information processing device, and the program may be pre-installed on the information processing device or may be installed later, or such a program may be stored on an external non-transitory storage medium, or may be operated using cloud computing.

[0155] Although several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, these embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications are intended to be included in the scope of the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims, as well as in the scope and spirit of the inventions.

[0156] <Additional Notes> The matters described in the above embodiments will be supplemented below.

[0157] (Appendix 1) A program executed by a computer having a processor 29 and a memory 25, the program causing the processor 29 to execute the following steps: accepting an operation to offer a gift from a user watching an event held in a virtual space (S601); determining whether the operation has been accepted under specified conditions (S652); if it is determined that the operation has not been accepted under the specified conditions, generating gift recommendation information for recommending the user to offer a gift (S653); and presenting the generated gift recommendation information to the user (S654).

[0158] (Appendix 2) 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the event started.

[0159] (Appendix 3) 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the previous operation was accepted during the period in which the event is being held.

[0160] (Appendix 4) 2. The program of claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a period during which a specific, predetermined performance is taking place at the event.

[0161] (Appendix 5) 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that the number of times operations are accepted is equal to or less than a predetermined number of times during a predetermined specific period of the event.

[0162] (Appendix 6) The program described in Appendix 1 generates gift recommendation information for a user when the gift is a predetermined specific gift and an operation related to the specific gift is not accepted under specified conditions.

[0163] (Appendix 7) 7. The program of claim 6, wherein the gift recommendation information is information encouraging the provision of a particular gift.

[0164] (Appendix 8) The program further causes the processor to execute a step (S751) of evaluating the number of gift objects to be placed in the virtual space when gift objects representing gifts are placed in the virtual space in accordance with the received operation, and generates gift recommendation information (S752) if the number of gift objects is evaluated to be less than or equal to a predetermined number.

[0165] (Appendix 9) A program as described in Appendix 1, in which the gift recommendation information is information regarding a pseudo-gift object representing a pseudo-gift that is placed in a virtual space in a pseudo manner without any operation by a viewer watching the event, and the gift recommendation information is presented to the user by placing the pseudo-gift object in the virtual space.

[0166] (Appendix 10) 10. The program according to claim 9, wherein a pseudo-gift object is placed in a virtual space when the number of viewers watching the event is equal to or greater than a certain number.

[0167] (Appendix 11) A method executed by a computer having a processor and a memory, wherein the processor executes the following steps: accepting an operation to offer a gift from a user watching an event held in a virtual space (S601); determining whether the operation has been accepted under specified conditions (S652); if it is determined that the operation has not been accepted under the specified conditions, generating gift recommendation information for recommending that the user offer a gift (S653); and presenting the generated gift recommendation information to the user (S654).

[0168] (Appendix 12) An information processing device comprising a control unit and a memory unit, wherein the control unit has a function (S601) of accepting an operation to offer a gift from a user watching an event held in a virtual space, a function (S652) of determining whether the operation has been accepted under specified conditions, a function (S653) of generating gift recommendation information for recommending the user to offer a gift when it is determined that the operation has not been accepted under the specified conditions, and a function (S654) of presenting the generated gift recommendation information to the user. [Explanation of symbols]

[0169] 10 terminal device, 12 communication interface, 13 input device, 14 output device, 15 memory, 16 storage unit, 19 processor, 20 server, 22 communication interface, 23 input / output interface, 25 memory, 26 storage, 29 processor, 50 computer, 80 network, 501 processor, 502 main memory device, 503 auxiliary memory device, 521 communication path, 591 communication IF, 1801 user information, 1901 input operation acceptance unit, 1902 transmission / reception unit, 1903 data processing unit, 1904 notification control unit, 1302 display, 140 audio processing unit, 141 microphone, 142 speaker, 150 position information sensor, 160 camera, 170 motion sensor, 2021 user information database, 2022 gift information database, 2023 gift recommendation information, 2031 reception control module, 2032 Transmission control module, 2033 user information acquisition module, 2034 gift offering operation reception module, 2035 gift offering module, 2036 judgment module, 2037 generation module, 2038 presentation module, 2039 evaluation module

Claims

1. A program executed by a computer having a processor, the program causing the processor to: receiving an operation to provide a gift from a user viewing an event held in a virtual space; determining whether the operation is accepted under a predetermined condition; generating gift recommendation information for recommending the user to provide the gift when it is determined that the operation has not been accepted under the predetermined condition; and presenting the generated gift recommendation information to the user.

2. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of the event.

3. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the previous operation was accepted during the period in which the event is being implemented.

4. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a period during which a predetermined specific performance is being performed at the event.

5. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that the number of times the operation is accepted is equal to or less than a predetermined number of times during a predetermined specific period of the event.

6. The gift is a predetermined specific gift, The program according to claim 1 , further comprising generating the gift recommendation information for the user when the operation regarding the specific gift is not accepted under the predetermined condition.

7. The program according to claim 6 , wherein the gift recommendation information is information encouraging the user to provide the specific gift.

8. The program further causes the processor to When gift objects representing the gifts are placed in the virtual space in response to the received operation, a step of evaluating the number of gift objects to be placed in the virtual space is executed; The program according to claim 1 , wherein the gift recommendation information is generated when the number of placements is evaluated to be less than a predetermined number and when the operation is determined in the determining step to not be accepted under the predetermined conditions.

9. the gift recommendation information is information about a pseudo gift object representing a pseudo gift that is placed in the virtual space in a pseudo manner without being operated by a viewer watching the event; The program further causes the processor to: The program according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of presenting the gift recommendation information to the user by arranging the pseudo gift object in the virtual space.

10. The program according to claim 9 , wherein in the step of presenting the gift recommendation information to the user, the pseudo gift object is placed in the virtual space if the number of viewers watching the event is equal to or greater than a certain number.

11. 1. A method implemented by a computer having a processor and a memory, comprising: The processor: receiving an operation to provide a gift from a user viewing an event held in a virtual space; determining whether the operation is accepted under a predetermined condition; generating gift recommendation information for recommending the user to provide the gift when it is determined that the operation has not been accepted under the predetermined condition; and presenting the generated gift recommendation information to the user.

12. An information processing device including a control unit and a storage unit, The control unit A function of accepting an operation to provide a gift from a user viewing an event held in a virtual space; a function of determining whether the operation is accepted under a predetermined condition; a function of generating gift recommendation information for recommending the user to provide the gift when it is determined that the operation has not been accepted under the predetermined conditions; and a function of presenting the generated gift recommendation information to the user.

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