Servers and computer programs

Abstract

We will realize a new way to enjoy live streaming. [Solution] The server includes a determination means for determining the user's attributes based on the user's answers to questions, and an enablement means for allowing the user, who has joined the live stream as a viewer, to use a gift specifically for the determined attribute in the live stream. The gift specifically for the determined attribute is a gift in which the effect corresponding to the attribute becomes more elaborate the more often the user uses it.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a server and a computer program.

Background Art

[0002] With the development of IT technology, the way of information exchange has changed. In the Showa era, one-way information transmission such as newspapers and televisions was mainly used. In the Heisei era, mobile phones and personal computers became popular, and the communication speed of the Internet was greatly improved. As a result, instant two-way communication services such as chat services emerged, and on-demand video distribution services were accepted with the reduction of memory costs. And now, in the Reiwa era, with the high functionality of smartphones and the further improvement of network speed represented by 5G, services that realize real-time communication by video, especially live streaming services, are rapidly increasing in popularity. Live streaming services are expanding their users, mainly young people, as services that allow everyone to share the same enjoyable time even when they are in different places.

[0003] ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

[0006] This disclosure was made in light of these challenges, and its purpose is to provide technology that can realize new ways of enjoying live streaming. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention relates to a server. This server includes determination means for determining the attributes of a user based on the user's answers to a question, and enabling means for enabling the user, who has joined a live stream as a viewer, to use a gift specifically for the determined attribute in the live stream. The gift specifically for the determined attribute is a gift whose effect becomes more elaborate the more often the user uses it.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is a computer program. This computer program enables a terminal to have the following functions: a function to receive from a user the selection of one of several options corresponding to multiple possible answers to a question; a function to notify the user of an attribute determined based on the selected option; and a function to receive instructions from the user to use a special gift for the determined attribute in a live stream in which the user is participating as a viewer.

[0009] Furthermore, any combination of the above components, or any substitution of components or expressions of the present invention between devices, methods, systems, computer programs, recording media storing computer programs, etc., are also valid embodiments of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this invention, a new way of enjoying live streaming can be realized. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a live streaming system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the functions and configuration of the user terminal. [Figure 3] This block diagram shows the functions and configuration of the server in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a data structure diagram showing an example of a stream database. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a data structure diagram showing an example of a user database. [Figure 6] Figure 3 is a data structure diagram showing an example of a gift database. [Figure 7] Figure 3 is a data structure diagram showing an example of a story database. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows the sequence of processes in the live streaming system related to the granting and use of type-specific upgrade gifts. [Figure 9] This is a representative screenshot of the personality type assessment questionnaire screen displayed on the user's terminal display. [Figure 10] This is a representative screenshot of the survey results screen displayed on the user's terminal display. [Figure 11] This is a representative screenshot of the grant notification displayed on the user's terminal screen. [Figure 12] This is a representative screenshot of the live streaming room screen displayed on the viewer's user device. [Figure 13] This is a representative screenshot of a live streaming room screen, where the gift area is superimposed and displayed on the viewer's user device screen. [Figure 14] This is a representative screenshot of a live streaming room screen with superimposed effects, as displayed on the viewer's user device screen. [Figure 15] This is a representative screenshot of a live streaming room screen with superimposed effects, as displayed on the viewer's user device screen. [Figure 16] This is a representative screenshot of a live streaming room screen where the story display area is superimposed on the viewer's user device display. [Figure 17]This is a representative screen diagram of a live distribution room screen on which a story development question area is superimposed and displayed on the display of the user terminal of the viewer. [Figure 18] This is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 19] This is a representative screen diagram of a live distribution selection screen displayed on the display of the user terminal of the user.

Embodiments of the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, the same or equivalent components, members, processes, and signals shown in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations are omitted as appropriate. Also, some members that are not important for explanation in each drawing are omitted from the display.

[0013] In the live distribution system according to the embodiment, a questionnaire is conducted for the user, the attributes of the user are determined based on the results of the questionnaire, and proposals or recommendations for viewing live distributions corresponding to the determined attributes are made. The live distribution system gives the user a dedicated upgrade gift corresponding to the determined attributes when a predetermined period such as one month has elapsed since the questionnaire was conducted. The user can enjoy gifting by using the dedicated upgrade gift in the live distribution entered as a viewer, and can also obtain a pleasant surprise when upgraded to have a luxurious effect. The dedicated upgrade gift is dedicated to the corresponding attribute, and the effect is different for each attribute, so the diversity of the upgrade gift can be realized, and a different gifting experience can be provided for each user attribute. Thereby, the charm of the live distribution can be enhanced. Also, by giving a dedicated upgrade gift using the results after a predetermined period has elapsed instead of just conducting the questionnaire, user retention is improved.

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a live streaming system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The live streaming system 1 provides a two-way live streaming service that allows broadcasters (also called streamers) LV and viewers (also called audiences) AU (AU1, AU2, ...) to communicate in real time. As shown in Figure 1, the live streaming system 1 comprises a server 10, a user terminal 20 on the broadcaster's side, and user terminals 30 (30a, 30b, ...) on the viewer's side. In addition to broadcasters who are broadcasting live streams and viewers who are watching live streams, there are also users who have logged into the live streaming platform but are neither broadcasting nor watching. Such users are called active users. Broadcasters, viewers, and active users are sometimes collectively referred to as users. The server 10 may be composed of one or more information processing devices connected to a network NW. User terminals 20 and 30 may be mobile terminals such as smartphones, tablet terminals, laptop PCs, recorders, portable game consoles, or wearable devices, or they may be stationary devices such as desktop PCs. Server 10, user terminal 20, and user terminal 30 are connected to each other via various wired or wireless networks (NW) to enable communication.

[0015] The live streaming system 1 involves a streamer (LV), a viewer (AU), and an administrator (not shown) who manages the server 10. A streamer (LV) is a person who broadcasts content in real time by recording or videotaping their own songs, talks, performances, fortune-telling, game commentary, etc., on their user terminal 20 and uploading it directly to the server 10. The administrator provides a platform for live streaming of content on the server 10 and mediates or manages real-time interactions between the streamer (LV) and the viewer (AU). Viewer (AU) accesses the platform on their user terminal 30 to select and watch desired content. During the live streaming of this content, viewer (AU) can perform actions such as commenting, showing support, or requesting fortune-telling via their user terminal 30. The streamer (LV) providing the content responds to such comments, support, and requests, and this response is transmitted to the viewer (AU) via video and / or audio, thus establishing two-way communication.

[0016] In this specification, "live streaming" may mean a data transmission method that enables content recorded on the broadcaster LV's user terminal 20 to be played back and viewed on the viewer AU's user terminal 30 in substantially real time, or it may mean the streaming itself realized by such a transmission method. Live streaming may be realized using existing live streaming technologies such as HTTP Live Streaming, Common Media Application Format, Web Real-Time Communications, Real-Time Messaging Protocol, or MPEG DASH. Live streaming includes a transmission method that enables the viewer AU to view the content with a predetermined delay while the broadcaster LV is recording the content. Regarding the magnitude of the delay, at least a delay large enough for communication between the broadcaster LV and the viewer AU to take place is permitted. However, live streaming is distinguished from so-called on-demand streaming, where the entire data of the recorded content is temporarily stored on a server, and then the data is provided to the user from the server at any time requested by the user.

[0017] In this specification, "video data" refers to data that includes image data (also called video data) generated by the imaging function of user terminals 20 and 30, and audio data (also called audio data) generated by the audio input function of user terminals 20 and 30. The video data is played back on user terminals 20 and 30, enabling users to view the content. In this embodiment, it is assumed that between the time the video data is generated on the distributor's user terminal and the time it is played back on the viewer's user terminal, processing is performed to change the format, size, and specifications of the data, such as compression, decompression, encoding, decoding, and transcoding. Since the content represented by the video data (e.g., moving images and sound) does not substantially change before and after such processing, in this embodiment, the video data after such processing is described as being the same as the video data before such processing. That is, when video data is generated on the distributor's user terminal and then played back on the viewer's user terminal via the server 10, the video data generated on the distributor's user terminal, the video data passing through the server 10, and the video data received and played back on the viewer's user terminal are all the same video data.

[0018] In the example shown in Figure 1, the broadcaster LV is live-streaming a talk. The broadcaster LV's user terminal 20 generates video data by recording the image and sound of the broadcaster LV during the talk, and sends it to the server 10 via the network NW. In addition, the user terminal 20 displays the recorded video VD of the broadcaster LV on its display, allowing the broadcaster LV to confirm the content of the broadcast.

[0019] The user terminals 30a and 30b of viewers AU1 and AU2, who requested the platform to view the live stream of broadcaster LV, respectively receive video data related to the live stream via the network NW. By playing the received video data, they display video images VD1 and VD2 on their displays and output sound from their speakers. The video images VD1 and VD2 displayed on each user terminal 30a and 30b are substantially identical to the video image VD captured by broadcaster LV's user terminal 20, and the sound output by each user terminal 30a and 30b is substantially identical to the sound recorded by broadcaster LV's user terminal 20.

[0020] The recording and video recording on the broadcaster LV's user terminal 20 and the playback of video data on the viewer AU1 and AU2's user terminals 30a and 30b are performed substantially simultaneously. When one viewer AU1 inputs a comment on the content of the broadcaster LV's talk into user terminal 30a, the server 10 displays the comment in real time on the broadcaster LV's user terminal 20, as well as on the user terminals 30a and 30b of each viewer AU1 and AU2. When the broadcaster LV reads the comment and adds a comment over it, the video and audio of that conversation are output to the user terminals 30a and 30b of each viewer AU1 and AU2, and it is recognized that a conversation has taken place between the broadcaster LV and viewer AU1. In this way, the live streaming system 1 realizes live streaming that enables two-way communication rather than one-way communication.

[0021] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functions and configuration of user terminal 20 in Figure 1. User terminal 30 has the same functions and configuration as user terminal 20. Each block shown in Figure 2 and subsequent block diagrams can be realized in hardware terms by elements and mechanical devices such as the CPU of a computer, and in software terms by computer programs, etc., but here we are depicting functional blocks that are realized through the cooperation of these. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art who have read this specification that these functional blocks can be realized in various ways by combinations of hardware and software.

[0022] The broadcaster (LV) and viewer (AU) download and install the live streaming application program according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the live streaming app) from a download site via the network (NW) to the user terminals 20 and 30. Alternatively, the live streaming app may be pre-installed on the user terminals 20 and 30. When the live streaming app is executed by the user terminals 20 and 30, the user terminals 20 and 30 communicate with the server 10 via the network (NW) and realize various functions. Hereinafter, the functions realized by the execution of the live streaming app by the user terminals 20 and 30 (their CPUs or other processors) will be described as functions of the user terminals 20 and 30. These functions are actually functions that the live streaming app enables on the user terminals 20 and 30. In other embodiments, these functions may be realized by a computer program written in a programming language such as HTML (HyperText Markup Language), which is transmitted from the server 10 to the web browser of the user terminals 20 and 30 via the network (NW) and executed by that web browser.

[0023] The user terminal 20 includes a distribution unit 100 that generates video data recording the user's image and voice and provides it to the server 10, a viewing unit 200 that retrieves and plays the video data from the server 10, and an off-distribution processing unit 400 that processes requests from active users. Users activate the distribution unit 100 when distributing, the viewing unit 200 when viewing, and the off-distribution processing unit 400 when searching for a live stream to watch, viewing a streamer's profile, or viewing an archive. A user terminal with the distribution unit 100 active is the streamer's terminal, i.e., the user terminal that generates the video data; a user terminal with the viewing unit 200 active is the viewer's terminal, i.e., the user terminal that plays the video data; and a user terminal with the off-distribution processing unit 400 active is the user terminal of an active user.

[0024] The distribution unit 100 includes an image capture control unit 102, an audio control unit 104, a video transmission unit 106, a distribution-side UI control unit 108, and a distribution-side communication unit 110. The image capture control unit 102 is connected to a camera (not shown in Figure 2) and controls image capture by the camera. The image capture control unit 102 acquires image data from the camera. The audio control unit 104 is connected to a microphone (not shown in Figure 2) and controls audio input from the microphone. The audio control unit 104 acquires audio data from the microphone. The video transmission unit 106 transmits video data, including image data acquired by the image capture control unit 102 and audio data acquired by the audio control unit 104, to the server 10 via the network NW. The transmission of video data by the video transmission unit 106 is performed in real time. That is, the generation of video data by the image capture control unit 102 and the audio control unit 104, and the transmission of the generated video data by the video transmission unit 106, are performed substantially simultaneously.

[0025] The broadcast-side UI control unit 108 controls the UI for the broadcaster. The broadcast-side UI control unit 108 is connected to a display (not shown in Figure 2) and displays the video on the display by playing the video data that is to be transmitted by the video transmission unit 106. The broadcast-side UI control unit 108 is connected to input means such as a touch panel, keyboard, and display (not shown in Figure 2) and acquires input from the broadcaster through these input means. The broadcast-side UI control unit 108 superimposes a predetermined frame image onto the video. The frame image includes various user interface objects (hereinafter simply referred to as objects) for receiving input from the broadcaster, comments entered by viewers, and information acquired from the server 10. For example, the broadcast-side UI control unit 108 accepts tap input on objects by the broadcaster.

[0026] The broadcasting communication unit 110 controls communication with the server 10 during live streaming. The broadcasting communication unit 110 transmits the content of the input from the broadcaster, acquired by the broadcasting UI control unit 108, to the server 10 via the network NW. The broadcasting communication unit 110 receives various information associated with the live streaming from the server 10 via the network NW.

[0027] The viewing unit 200 includes a viewing-side UI control unit 202 and a viewing-side communication unit 204. The viewing-side communication unit 204 controls communication with the server 10 during live streaming. The viewing-side communication unit 204 receives video data related to live streaming involving broadcasters and viewers from the server 10 via the network NW.

[0028] The viewer-side UI control unit 202 controls the UI for the viewer. The viewer-side UI control unit 202 is connected to a display and speaker (not shown in Figure 2) and plays the received video data to display the video on the display and output the sound from the speaker. The simultaneous output of an image on the display and sound from the speaker can be said to be "playback of video data". The viewer-side UI control unit 202 is connected to input means such as a touch panel, keyboard, and display (not shown in Figure 2) and acquires input from the viewer through these input means. The viewer-side UI control unit 202 superimposes a predetermined frame image onto the video data image acquired from the server 10. The frame image includes various objects for receiving input from the viewer, comments entered by the viewer, and information acquired from the server 10. The viewer-side communication unit 204 transmits the content of the viewer input acquired by the viewer-side UI control unit 202 to the server 10 via the network NW.

[0029] The non-distribution processing unit 400 includes a non-distribution UI control unit 402 and a non-distribution communication unit 404. The non-distribution UI control unit 402 controls the UI for active users. For example, the non-distribution UI control unit 402 generates a live stream selection screen that displays a list of currently available live streams and accepts live stream selections from active users, and displays it on the display. The non-distribution UI control unit 402 generates a profile screen for any user and displays it on the display. The non-distribution UI control unit 402 plays back archives generated by recording past live streams.

[0030] The non-distribution communication unit 404 controls communication with the server 10 outside of live streaming. The non-distribution communication unit 404 receives information from the server 10 via the network NW for generating the live streaming selection screen, information for generating the profile screen, and archive data. The non-distribution communication unit 404 transmits the content of input by the active user to the server 10 via the network NW.

[0031] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the functions and configuration of the server 10 in Figure 1. The server 10 comprises a distribution information provision unit 302, a relay unit 304, a gift processing unit 308, a payment processing unit 310, an attribute determination unit 330, a dedicated upgrade gift enablement unit 332, a story provision unit 334, a story update unit 336, a stream DB 314, a user DB 318, a gift DB 320, and a story DB 338.

[0032] Figure 4 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the Stream DB314 in Figure 3. The Stream DB314 holds information about live streaming that is currently taking place. The Stream DB314 stores the Stream ID, which identifies the live stream on the live streaming platform provided by the Live Streaming System 1, the Streamer ID, which is the user ID that identifies the streamer of the live stream, and the Viewer ID, which is the user ID that identifies the viewers of the live stream, in association with each other.

[0033] In the live streaming platform provided by the live streaming system 1 according to this embodiment, when a user conducts a live stream, that user becomes a streamer, and when the same user watches a live stream conducted by another user, that user becomes a viewer. Therefore, the distinction between streamer and viewer is not fixed, and a user ID that was registered as a streamer ID at one time may be registered as a viewer ID at another time.

[0034] Figure 5 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the user DB318 in Figure 3. The user DB318 holds information about users. The user DB318 stores the following in association: a user ID that identifies the user, the points the user has, the rewards awarded to the user, the user type determined based on the user's responses to a survey, a type-specific upgrade gift ID that identifies an upgrade gift exclusive to that type, the number of type-specific upgrade gifts the user possesses, the number of times the user has used a type-specific upgrade gift, and the level of the type-specific upgrade gift for that user corresponding to the number of uses.

[0035] Points are electronic value that circulates within the live streaming platform. Users purchase points using credit cards or other payment methods. Rewards are electronic value defined within the live streaming platform and are an indicator used to determine the amount of money that streamers receive from the platform's administrators. On the live streaming platform, when viewers send gifts to streamers during or outside of live streams, the viewers' points are consumed, and the streamer's rewards increase accordingly.

[0036] Type-specific upgrade gifts are upgrade gifts that can only be used in live streams by users of the corresponding type. When used in a live stream, a type-specific upgrade gift will be displayed on the live stream screen with an effect corresponding to the corresponding type. Users of types other than the corresponding type of the type-specific upgrade gift cannot use that type-specific upgrade gift. Users whose type has not been determined cannot use any type-specific upgrade gifts.

[0037] An upgrade gift is a gift in which the effect becomes more elaborate the more often the user uses it. The elaborateness of the effect is defined by at least one of the following: the duration of the effect, its size, the size of the data, its appearance, its flashiness, the cost of producing the effect, and whether or not it is animated. For example, the longer the duration of the effect and the larger the size of the effect, the more elaborate the effect can be said to be. An upgrade gift may be implemented using, for example, the technology described in Non-Patent Document 1.

[0038] The type is an example of a user attribute. In this example, the user's type is determined to be one of three: "Fire," "Water," or "Earth." In other embodiments, gender, age, age group, and personality may be used as user attributes instead of or in addition to the type. For example, if personality is used, a dedicated upgrade gift may be set for each personality, such as positive, kind, or brave.

[0039] Figure 6 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the gift DB320 in Figure 3. The gift DB320 holds information about gifts that viewers can use during a live stream. A gift is electronic data or a digital item with the following characteristics: • Can be purchased with points or money, or given away for free. • Something that viewers can send to streamers. Sending a gift to a streamer is also called using a gift or throwing a gift. Some gifts require both purchase and use to occur simultaneously, while others allow viewers to use them at their own discretion after purchase. When viewers send gifts to streamers, the streamers receive appropriate rewards. • When a gift is used, effects associated with the gift may occur. For example, an effect corresponding to the gift may appear on the live streaming room screen.

[0040] Gift DB320 stores a gift ID that identifies a gift, a reward given to the streamer when the gift is sent to the streamer, a consideration point that must be paid when using the gift, and a gift type, all associated with each other. Viewers can send a gift to the streamer while watching a live stream by paying the consideration points for the desired gift. This payment of consideration points may be made by an appropriate electronic payment method, for example, by the viewer paying the consideration points to the administrator. Alternatively, payment may be made by bank transfer or credit card. The relationship between the reward and consideration points can be arbitrarily set by the administrator. For example, the reward may be set to equal the consideration points. Alternatively, the consideration points may be set to the points obtained by multiplying the reward by a predetermined coefficient such as 1.2, or the consideration points may be set to the points obtained by adding a predetermined fee point to the reward.

[0041] The gift type indicates whether the gift is a regular gift or a type-specific upgrade gift. If it is a type-specific upgrade gift, the corresponding type is also retained. In the example in Figure 6, the type "Fire" is given a type-specific upgrade gift "UPG1", with a reward of "300" and a corresponding point value of "500". The type "Water" is given a type-specific upgrade gift "UPG2", with a reward of "300" and a corresponding point value of "500". The type "Earth" is given a type-specific upgrade gift "UPG3", with a reward of "300" and a corresponding point value of "500".

[0042] Figure 7 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the story DB338 in Figure 3. The story DB338 holds stories associated with a user type and the number of times that user has used a type-specific upgrade gift that is exclusive to that type. The story DB338 associates a type-specific upgrade gift ID that identifies the type-specific upgrade gift, a threshold for the number of uses set for that type-specific upgrade gift, and a story corresponding to the level of that type-specific upgrade gift. Multiple thresholds are set for a single type-specific upgrade gift, and the level of the type-specific upgrade gift is determined according to the threshold. In the example in Figure 7, the type-specific upgrade gift "UPG1" has three thresholds set: "20", "100", and "500". If a user of the "Fire" type uses the type-specific upgrade gift "UPG1" 0 to 20 times, the level of that user's type-specific upgrade gift will be "1". If the number of uses is 21 to 100, the level of that user's type-specific upgrade gift will be "2". If the number of uses is 101 to 500, the level of that user's type-specific upgrade gift will be "3". If the number of uses is 501 or more, the level of that user's type-specific upgrade gift will be "4".

[0043] The story content corresponds to the corresponding type and the level of the dedicated upgrade gift. In the example in Figure 7, the story corresponding to the type "Fire" and level "1" of the type-specific upgrade gift "UPG1" is "You, who have a fire aptitude, have found a fire dragon egg..."

[0044] Returning to Figure 3, when the distribution information provision unit 302 receives notification from the broadcaster's user terminal 20 via the network NW that a live broadcast will be started, it registers the stream ID that identifies the live broadcast and the broadcaster ID of the broadcaster of the live broadcast in the stream DB 314. When the distribution information provision unit 302 receives a request for information about live broadcasts from the non-distribution communication unit 404 of an active user's terminal via the network NW, it refers to the stream DB 314 and generates a list of live broadcasts that are currently viewable. The distribution information provision unit 302 sends the generated list to the requesting user terminal via the network NW. The non-distribution UI control unit 402 of the requesting user terminal generates a live broadcast selection screen based on the received list and displays it on the user terminal's display.

[0045] When the user terminal's non-distribution UI control unit 402 receives a live stream selection from an active user on the live stream selection screen, it generates a distribution request containing the stream ID of the selected live stream and sends it to the server 10 via the network NW. The distribution information provision unit 302 begins providing the live stream, identified by the stream ID included in the received distribution request, to the requesting user terminal. The distribution information provision unit 302 updates the stream DB 314 so that the viewer ID of the stream ID includes the user ID of the active user on the requesting user terminal. As a result, the active user becomes a viewer of the selected live stream.

[0046] The relay unit 304 relays the transmission of video data from the broadcaster's user terminal 20 to the viewer's user terminal 30 in a live broadcast initiated by the distribution information provision unit 302. The relay unit 304 receives signals from the viewer-side communication unit 204 indicating user input by the viewer during the live broadcast, i.e., while the video data is being played back. The signals indicating user input may also be object specification signals indicating the specification of an object displayed on the user terminal 30's display, and such object specification signals include the viewer's viewer ID, the broadcaster ID of the broadcaster conducting the live broadcast that the viewer is watching, and an object ID that identifies the object. If the object is a gift icon, the object ID becomes the gift ID. In that case, the object specification signal becomes a gift usage signal indicating the viewer's use of a gift to the broadcaster. Similarly, the relay unit 304 receives signals indicating user input by the broadcaster during the video data playback, such as object specification signals, from the broadcaster-side communication unit 110 of the distribution unit 100 of the user terminal 20.

[0047] The gift processing unit 308 updates the user database 318 to increase the distributor's reward according to the reward granted for the gift identified by the gift ID included in the gift usage signal. The gift processing unit 308 refers to the gift database 320 and identifies the reward granted corresponding to the gift ID included in the received gift usage signal. The gift processing unit 308 updates the user database 318 to add the identified reward granted to the reward corresponding to the distributor ID included in the gift usage signal.

[0048] If the gift identified by the gift ID included in the gift usage signal is a type-specific upgrade gift, the gift processing unit 308 updates the user DB 318 by subtracting the number of type-specific upgrade gifts used from the number of owned items corresponding to the user ID matching the viewer ID included in the gift usage signal, and adding that number to the usage count. In the example in Figure 5, if the gift usage signal indicates that user "VR1" has used one type-specific upgrade gift "UPG1", the gift processing unit 308 updates the number of owned items corresponding to user ID "VR1" in the user DB 318 from "10" to "9", and the usage count from "85" to "86".

[0049] The gift processing unit 308 may be configured to compare the type-specific upgrade gift ID, which is stored in the user DB 318 in association with the viewer ID included in the gift usage signal, with the type-specific upgrade gift ID included in the gift usage signal, to determine whether a type-specific upgrade gift is usable. If they match, it performs the update process described above; otherwise, it returns an error without performing the update.

[0050] The payment processing unit 310 processes the payment of the gift by the viewer in response to the receipt of the gift usage signal, in the case of a regular gift. The payment processing unit 310 refers to the gift DB 320 and identifies the gift value points identified by the gift ID included in the gift usage signal. The payment processing unit 310 updates the user DB 318 to subtract the identified gift value points from the viewer's points identified by the viewer ID included in the gift usage signal.

[0051] The payment processing unit 310, with regard to type-specific upgrade gifts, accepts and processes the payment from the viewer in the same manner as described above if the viewer uses a type-specific upgrade gift when they do not possess any of the gift items.

[0052] The attribute determination unit 330 determines the user's attributes based on the user's answers to the questions. The attribute determination unit 330 generates survey information that includes questions about how to enjoy live streaming, the user's personality and preferences, the personality of the streamer the user likes, and the streaming style the user prefers, as well as multiple answer choices corresponding to multiple possible answers to the questions, and transmits it to the user's terminal via the network NW. The administrator prepares the questions and answer choices in advance and registers them with the server 10.

[0053] The attribute determination unit 330 receives response information, including the options selected by the user, from the user's terminal via the network NW. The attribute determination unit 330 refers to a given rule or lookup table (not shown) and determines the user's type based on the response information. In one example, there is a one-to-one correspondence between options and types, and the type corresponding to the option selected by the user is determined as the user's type. In other examples, a machine learning model may be used to determine the user's type from the options. The attribute determination unit 330 registers the determined type in the user DB 318.

[0054] The attribute determination unit 330, upon the expiration of a predetermined period of time since the user's response to the questions, refers to the gift database 320, identifies the type-specific upgrade gift ID of the determined type, and registers the identified type-specific upgrade gift ID in the user database 318. The initial value of the number of items held is set to 0. The attribute determination unit 330 measures the time elapsed since the survey was conducted using a timing means such as a timer. When that time exceeds a threshold (such as one week or one month), the attribute determination unit 330 registers the type-specific upgrade gift ID of the determined type in the user database 318. As a result, for a predetermined period of time after the survey is conducted, the gift information generated in response to the gift information request described later does not include information on type-specific upgrade gifts, and therefore the user cannot yet use type-specific upgrade gifts.

[0055] The distribution information provision unit 302 recommends live streams to a user based on the user's answers to a question, which are obtained by the attribute determination unit 330. For example, if the user's type is determined to be "Fire" based on the user's answers to a question, the distribution information provision unit 302 generates a list of live streams from broadcasters classified as the same type "Fire" by referring to the user DB 318 (identification of broadcaster types) and the stream DB 314 (identification of live streams by identified broadcasters), and sends the generated list as a recommendation list to the user's terminal.

[0056] The dedicated upgrade gift enablement unit 332 enables users who participate in a live stream as viewers to use type-specific upgrade gifts that are specific to their user type during the live stream. When the dedicated upgrade gift enablement unit 332 receives a gift information request from a viewer's terminal of the live stream via the network NW, it refers to the gift DB 320 and the user DB 318 to identify the gift ID of the gift available to the requesting viewer. With respect to type-specific upgrade gifts, the dedicated upgrade gift enablement unit 332 refers to the user DB 318 to identify the type-specific upgrade gift ID corresponding to the viewer ID of the requesting viewer included in the gift information request, the number of gifts it possesses, the number of times it has been used, and its level. The dedicated upgrade gift enablement unit 332 refers to the gift DB 320 to identify the gift ID of a regular gift. The dedicated upgrade gift enablement unit 332 generates gift information including the identified set of (type-specific upgrade gift ID, number of gifts possessed, number of uses, level) and the gift ID of a regular gift, and sends it to the requesting user terminal.

[0057] The dedicated upgrade gift enablement unit 332 prevents users participating in a live stream as viewers from using type-specific upgrade gifts that are only available to users of a type other than their own. This is achieved by the dedicated upgrade gift enablement unit 332 referring to the user database 318 regarding type-specific upgrade gifts and identifying the type-specific upgrade gift ID corresponding to the viewer ID. Type-specific upgrade gift IDs that do not correspond to a viewer ID are not identified, meaning they are not included in the gift information and therefore cannot be used on the user's terminal.

[0058] The Dedicated Upgrade Gift Enabling Unit 332 performs a process to grant a user a type-specific upgrade gift when a predetermined period has elapsed since the user answered a question. The Dedicated Upgrade Gift Enabling Unit 332 measures the time elapsed since the attribute determination unit 330 conducted the questionnaire using a timing means such as a timer. When the time exceeds a threshold (such as one week or one month), the Dedicated Upgrade Gift Enabling Unit 332 updates the user DB 318 to add a predetermined value (such as 10, 20, or 30) to the number of type-specific upgrade gifts held by the user. Once the update is complete, the Dedicated Upgrade Gift Enabling Unit 332 sends a notification to the user terminal of the recipient user via the network NW indicating that a type-specific upgrade gift has been granted.

[0059] The story provider 334 provides the user with a story associated with the user's type and the number of times the user has used a type-specific upgrade gift exclusive to that type. When the story provider 334 receives a story request from the user's terminal via the network NW, it reads the story from the story DB 338 that corresponds to the type-specific upgrade gift ID and level included in the story request. The story provider 334 generates a story response containing the read story and sends it to the requesting user's terminal via the network NW.

[0060] The story update unit 336 updates stories based on user interaction, that is, it adds new stories or modifies existing stories. The story update unit 336 receives preference information from the user's terminal via the network, indicating the user's preferences for stories. When the number of times a user has used a type-specific upgrade gift exceeds "100," which is the threshold for moving from level 2 to level 3, the story update unit 336 sends a question about the development of a level 3 story and multiple options corresponding to multiple possible answers to that question to the user's terminal via the network. The story update unit 336 receives preference information, including the answer to the question, i.e., the options selected by the user, from the user's terminal via the network. The options indicate the story development desired by the user. The story update unit 336 sends the preference information collected from multiple users to the administrator's terminal. The story update unit 336 accepts the registration of a new story or the modification of an existing story based on the preference information from the administrator and updates the story DB 338 with the received content. Here, the generation of new stories or the modification of existing stories is performed by the administrator. Alternatively, the story update unit 336 may input desired information collected from multiple users into a machine learning model, obtain a new story output from the machine learning model, and register it in the story DB 338. The machine learning model that generates stories may be implemented using known machine learning techniques.

[0061] The operation of the live streaming system 1 with the above configuration will now be explained. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the sequence of processes in the live streaming system 1 regarding the granting and use of type-specific upgrade gifts. Server 10 sends questionnaire information for a type diagnostic questionnaire to the user's terminal (S202). Server 10 receives response information showing the user's selection results (S204). Server 10 determines the user's type based on the selection results (S206). Server 10 sends a list of live streams corresponding to the determined type to the user's terminal (S208). The user terminal displays thumbnails of the live streams from the received list as recommendations from the administrator on the live stream selection screen.

[0062] Server 10 determines whether one month has passed since the survey was conducted in step S202 (S210). If one month has passed (Y in S210), Server 10 grants the user a type-specific upgrade gift corresponding to the user's type (S212). Server 10 notifies the user's user terminal that a type-specific upgrade gift has been granted (S214).

[0063] Server 10 determines whether a user has used a type-specific upgrade gift for their type in a live stream in which the user is participating as a viewer (S216). If it has been used (Y in S216), Server 10 updates the usage count of the type-specific upgrade gift that was used (S218). Server 10 determines whether the usage count has reached the threshold for leveling up (S220). If it has not reached the threshold (N in S220), the process returns to step S216. If it has reached the threshold (Y in S220), Server 10 performs the level-up process. Server 10 identifies the level value after leveling up and updates the user DB 318 with the identified level value. For example, in the example in Figure 5, if the number of times user "VR1" has used the type-specific upgrade gift "UPG1" changes from "100" to "101", server 10 refers to the threshold in story DB338 to determine that the level value after leveling up is "3", and updates user DB318 so that the level of user "VR1"'s type-specific upgrade gift "UPG1" changes from "2" to "3". After that, the process returns to step S216.

[0064] Figure 9 is a representative screen view of the type diagnosis questionnaire screen 700 displayed on the user's terminal display. The user terminal receives questionnaire information from the attribute determination unit 330, generates the type diagnosis questionnaire screen 700 based on the received questionnaire information, and displays it on the display. The type diagnosis questionnaire screen 700 has text representing the question and multiple objects 702, 704, and 706 corresponding to multiple choices.

[0065] When the user terminal detects a tap or click on any of the multiple objects 702, 704, or 706, it identifies the option corresponding to the tapped or clicked object as the option selected by the user. The user terminal generates response information including the option selected by the user and transmits it to the attribute determination unit 330 via the network NW.

[0066] Figure 10 is a representative screen view of the survey results screen 708 displayed on the user's user terminal display. The distribution information provision unit 302 sends an explanatory text corresponding to the user type determined based on the response information, and a recommendation list corresponding to that type, to the user's user terminal. The user terminal generates the survey results screen 708 based on the received information and displays it on the display. The survey results screen 708 includes an explanatory text corresponding to the user type and an object 710 that serves as a link to the list of recommended live streams.

[0067] Figure 19 is a representative screen view of the live streaming selection screen 600 displayed on the user's terminal display. When the user terminal detects a tap on object 710 in Figure 10, it generates the live streaming selection screen 600 based on the recommended live streaming list obtained from server 10 and displays it on the screen. The live streaming selection screen 600 includes thumbnails 602 representing each live streaming in the recommended list.

[0068] Figure 11 is a representative screen view of the grant notification 712 displayed on the user's terminal screen. When the user terminal receives a notification from the server 10 indicating that a type-specific upgrade gift has been granted, it displays a grant notification 712, which is a push notification that displays the corresponding text, on its screen.

[0069] Figure 12 is a representative screen view of the live streaming room screen 608 displayed on the viewer's user terminal 30. The live streaming room screen 608 displays video generated on the broadcaster's user terminal 20 in real time. The live streaming room screen 608 includes the broadcaster's video 610 obtained by playing video data received from the server 10, a gift object 612, a comment input area 616, a comment display area 618, and an end-viewing button 620. The viewer-side UI control unit 202 generates the live streaming room screen 608 by superimposing other objects, namely the gift object 612, the comment input area 616, the comment display area 618, and the end-viewing button 620, onto the video 610 obtained by playing video data.

[0070] The comment display area 618 may include comments entered by viewers, comments entered by other viewers, and notifications from the system. Notifications from the system may include information indicating who sent which gifts to the broadcaster. The viewer-side UI control unit 202 generates a comment display area 618 that includes comments from other viewers and notifications from the system received from the server 10, and includes the generated comment display area 618 in the live streaming room screen 608.

[0071] The comment input area 616 accepts comments from viewers. The viewer-side communication unit 204 generates a comment input signal including the comment entered in the comment input area 616 and transmits it to the server 10 via the network NW. Simultaneously, the viewer-side UI control unit 202 updates the comment display area 618 to display the comment entered in the comment input area 616.

[0072] The "End Viewing" button 620 is an object that receives instructions from viewers to stop watching the live stream.

[0073] When the viewer-side UI control unit 202 of the user terminal 30 detects a tap on the gift object 612, it generates a gift information request and sends it to the server 10 via the network NW. When the server 10's dedicated upgrade gift enablement unit 332 receives the gift information request, it generates the gift information as described above and sends it to the requesting user terminal 30. Based on the received gift information, the viewer-side UI control unit 202 of the user terminal 30 generates a gift area 622 for accepting gift selection. The gift area 622 includes a gift object 624 of the type-specific upgrade gift identified by the type-specific upgrade gift ID included in the received gift information. The viewer-side UI control unit 202 displays the generated gift area 622 on the live streaming room screen 608.

[0074] Figure 13 is a representative screen view of the live streaming room screen 608, which is displayed on the display of the viewer's user terminal 30, with the gift area 622 superimposed. The gift area 622 includes a gift object 624 representing a type-specific upgrade gift exclusive to the viewer's type, the number of type-specific upgrade gifts held and their price 632, the number of times the type-specific upgrade gift has been used and the threshold for the next level up 634, the level of the type-specific upgrade gift 642, and an object 640 for requesting the story of the type-specific upgrade gift.

[0075] In the live streaming room screen 608 of Figure 13, when a viewer taps a gift object 624 in the gift area 622, the viewer-side UI control unit 202 of the user terminal 30 accepts the viewer's designation of the gift object 624. The viewer-side UI control unit 202 generates a type-specific upgrade gift and an effect corresponding to its level, which are represented by the designated gift object 624. The viewer-side UI control unit 202 displays the generated effect on the live streaming room screen 608. Simultaneously, the viewer-side communication unit 204 generates a gift usage signal including the type-specific upgrade gift ID of the type-specific upgrade gift represented by the designated gift object 624 and sends it to the server 10. The server 10 sends this effect display instruction signal, which includes the type-specific upgrade gift ID, to the broadcaster's user terminal 20 and the user terminals of other viewers, so that the same effect is displayed on the user terminals of the broadcaster and other viewers participating in the live stream.

[0076] Figure 14 is a representative screen view of the live streaming room screen 608, as displayed on the viewer's user terminal 30, with effect 644 superimposed. Figure 14 shows effect 644 of the Level 1 type exclusive upgrade gift.

[0077] Figure 15 is a representative screen view of the live streaming room screen 608, where effect 646 is superimposed and displayed on the viewer's user terminal 30 screen. Figure 15 shows effect 646, a level 2 type exclusive upgrade gift. Effect 646 in Figure 15 has a longer duration and is larger in size compared to effect 644 in Figure 14. Effect 644 in Figure 14 does not include animation, while effect 646 in Figure 15 includes a fire-breathing animation. Thus, effect 646 in Figure 15 is more elaborate than effect 644 in Figure 14.

[0078] Figure 16 is a representative screen view of the live streaming room screen 608, where the story display area 648 is superimposed and displayed on the viewer's user terminal 30. In the live streaming room screen 608 of Figure 13, when a viewer taps an object 640 in the gift area 622, the viewer-side UI control unit 202 of the user terminal 30 accepts the viewer's designation of the object 640. The viewer-side communication unit 204 generates a story request including the type-specific upgrade gift ID and viewer ID corresponding to the designated object 640 and sends it to the story provider unit 334. Upon receiving the story request, the story provider unit 334 performs the processing described above and sends a story response to the requesting user terminal 30. The viewer-side UI control unit 202 of the user terminal 30 generates a story display area 648 based on the received story response. The viewer-side UI control unit 202 displays the generated story display area 648 on the live streaming room screen 608. The story display area 648 displays the story included in the received story response.

[0079] Figure 17 is a representative screen view of the live streaming room screen 608, where the story development question area 652 is superimposed and displayed on the display of the viewer's user terminal 30. The viewer-side communication unit 204 of the user terminal 30 receives questions and multiple choices regarding the story development, which are sent from the story update unit 336 in accordance with the level-up of the user's type-specific upgrade gift. The viewer-side UI control unit 202 generates the story development question area 652 based on the received questions and multiple choices and displays it on the live streaming room screen 608. The story development question area 652 has text representing the question, multiple choices 650 that can be selected alternately in radio button format, and a send button 654. When the viewer selects one of the multiple choices 650 and taps the send button 654, the viewer-side communication unit 204 generates desired information including the selected choice and sends it to the story update unit 336.

[0080] In the embodiments described above, examples of DBs include hard disks and semiconductor memory. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art who have read this specification that each component can be realized based on the description herein by a CPU (not shown), modules of installed application programs, modules of system programs, and semiconductor memory for temporarily storing the contents of data read from the hard disk.

[0081] According to the live streaming system 1 of this embodiment, users can use a dedicated upgrade gift of a type determined based on the results of a survey, thereby providing a gifting experience that is tailored to the user's preferences.

[0082] Furthermore, in the live streaming system 1 according to this embodiment, the results of a survey conducted for the purpose of recommending live streams are reused to award type-specific upgrade gifts, or the results of a survey conducted for the purpose of awarding type-specific upgrade gifts are reused to recommend live streams. Therefore, the effort required of users to answer surveys is reduced, while the appeal of live streaming can be conveyed to users from multiple angles.

[0083] Furthermore, in the live streaming system 1 according to this embodiment, after conducting a survey and recommending live streams, a type-specific upgrade gift is distributed after a predetermined period has elapsed. Therefore, it is possible to bring back viewers who stopped watching live streams after the survey ended by distributing gifts.

[0084] Furthermore, in the live streaming system 1 according to this embodiment, a story is provided for each type-specific upgrade gift, and for each level of that gift. This allows, for example, to depict episodes in which a character corresponding to the user's type meets and grows with their respective monsters. Here, using the type-specific upgrade gift corresponds to raising the monsters. Through this phase, viewers can enjoy how the bond between the character and the monsters is formed and easily empathize with their growth.

[0085] The upgrade gift system has a high affinity with the growth story, allowing users to be drawn into the world of the story without feeling any sense of incongruity.

[0086] Referring to Figure 18, the hardware configuration of the information processing device according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 18 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device according to this embodiment. The illustrated information processing device 900 can, for example, realize the server 10 and user terminals 20 and 30 in this embodiment.

[0087] The information processing device 900 includes a CPU 901, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 902, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 903. The information processing device 900 may also include a host bus 907, a bridge 909, an external bus 911, an interface 913, an input device 915, an output device 917, a storage device 919, a drive 921, a connection port 925, and a communication device 929. Furthermore, the information processing device 900 may include an imaging device (not shown), such as a camera. The CPU 901 is an example of a hardware configuration for realizing the functions realized by the components described herein. The functions described herein may be realized by circuits programmed to realize such functions. Circuits programmed to realize the functions described herein include a CPU (a Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a general-purpose processor, an application-specific processor, an integrated circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and / or a combination thereof. In this specification, a unit that performs a particular function may be implemented as a circuit programmed to perform that function.

[0088] The CPU 901 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and control unit, controlling the overall operation or a part of the operation within the information processing unit 900 according to various programs recorded in the ROM 902, RAM 903, storage device 919, or removable recording medium 923. For example, the CPU 901 controls the overall operation of each functional unit included in the server 10 and user terminals 20 and 30, respectively, in this embodiment. The ROM 902 stores programs and arithmetic parameters used by the CPU 901. The RAM 903 temporarily stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 901 and parameters that change as appropriate during its execution. The CPU 901, ROM 902, and RAM 903 are interconnected by a host bus 907, which is composed of internal buses such as the CPU bus. Furthermore, the host bus 907 is connected to an external bus 911, such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus, via a bridge 909.

[0089] The input device 915 may be a device operated by the user, such as a mouse, keyboard, touch panel, buttons, switches, and levers, or it may be a device that converts physical quantities into electrical signals, such as a sound sensor like a microphone, an acceleration sensor, a tilt sensor, an infrared sensor, a depth sensor, a temperature sensor, or a humidity sensor. The input device 915 may also be a remote control device that uses infrared or other radio waves, or it may be an external connection device 927 such as a mobile phone that is compatible with the operation of the information processing device 900. The input device 915 includes an input control circuit that generates an input signal based on information input by the user or a physical quantity sensed and outputs it to the CPU 901. By operating this input device 915, the user inputs various data to the information processing device 900 or instructs it to perform processing operations.

[0090] The output device 917 is comprised of a device capable of notifying the user of acquired information visually or audibly. The output device 917 may be, for example, a display such as an LCD, PDP, or OLED, an audio output device such as a speaker and headphones, or a printer. The output device 917 outputs the results obtained from the processing of the information processing device 900 as text or images, or as sound.

[0091] The storage device 919 is a data storage device configured as an example of the storage unit of the information processing device 900. The storage device 919 is composed of, for example, a magnetic storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a semiconductor storage device, an optical storage device, or a magneto-optical storage device. This storage device 919 stores programs executed by the CPU 901, various data, and various data acquired from external sources.

[0092] The drive 921 is a reader / writer for removable recording media 923, such as magnetic disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, or semiconductor memory, and is either built into or external to the information processing device 900. The drive 921 reads information recorded on the installed removable recording media 923 and outputs it to the RAM 903. The drive 921 also writes data to the installed removable recording media 923.

[0093] The connection port 925 is a port for directly connecting equipment to the information processing device 900. The connection port 925 may be, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, an IEEE1394 port, or a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) port. Alternatively, the connection port 925 may be an RS-232C port, an optical audio terminal, or an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port. By connecting an external device 927 to the connection port 925, various types of data can be exchanged between the information processing device 900 and the external device 927.

[0094] The communication device 929 is a communication interface composed of, for example, a communication device for connecting to a network NW. The communication device 929 may be, for example, a communication card for wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth®, or WUSB (Wireless USB). Alternatively, the communication device 929 may be a router for optical communication, a router for ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), or a modem for various types of communication. The communication device 929 sends and receives signals, for example, to the Internet or other communication devices using a predetermined protocol such as TCP / IP. The communication network NW connected to the communication device 929 is a network connected by wire or wireless, and may be, for example, the Internet, a home LAN, infrared communication, radio wave communication, or satellite communication. The communication device 929 performs the function of a communication unit.

[0095] An imaging device such as a camera (not shown) is a device that captures real space and generates an image using various components such as an image sensor, such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), and a lens for controlling the imaging of a subject onto the image sensor. The imaging device may capture still images or it may capture moving images.

[0096] The configuration and operation of the live streaming system 1 according to this embodiment have been described above. This embodiment is illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in combinations of each component and each process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of this disclosure.

[0097] In this embodiment, we described a case where a type-specific upgrade gift is granted and made available for purchase after a predetermined period has elapsed since the survey was conducted, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the type-specific upgrade gift may be granted or made available for purchase immediately after the survey is conducted.

[0098] In this embodiment, the amount of type-specific upgrade gifts initially granted may be the amount necessary to advance from level 1 to level 2. In this case, users can experience the upgrade without paying any price, thus making them aware of the benefits of the upgrade.

[0099] In this embodiment, we described a case where a story is set for each type-specific upgrade gift and for each level, but we are not limited to this, and a story may also be set for each user. In this case, a unique story is created for each user through interaction, questions, and answers, and by sharing such stories, users can enjoy the element of surprise and diversity.

[0100] In this embodiment, we described a case where the number of uses of a type-specific upgrade gift is counted per user and regardless of the distributor to whom it is used. However, we are not limited to this, and the number of uses may also be counted per user-distributor pair.

[0101] The conversion rate from gift points to awarded rewards in this embodiment is just one example, and these rates may be set as appropriate by, for example, the administrator of the live streaming system.

[0102] The technical concept of this embodiment may also be applied to virtual live streaming or live commerce that uses an avatar that moves in sync with the streamer's movements instead of the streamer's image. Furthermore, although this embodiment describes a case where the server relays video data related to the live stream, generated on the streamer's user terminal, to the viewer's user terminal, it is not limited to this. For example, the technical concept of this embodiment may be applied when setting up a virtual streamer instead of an actual streamer. The virtual streamer is, for example, an AI virtual streamer whose appearance uses an avatar, whose voice is composed of a TTS (Text-to-Speech) engine, and whose speech content is obtained from a machine learning model that takes viewer comments as input. In this case, there is no streamer user terminal, and the processing on the streamer's side is performed on the server.

[0103] In the processing procedures described herein, particularly those described using flowcharts, it is possible to omit some of the steps constituting the processing procedure, to add steps not explicitly included as constituting the processing procedure, and / or to change the order of such steps. Processing procedures with such omissions, additions, or changes in order are included within the scope of this disclosure, provided they do not deviate from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0104] At least some of the functions implemented by server 10 may be implemented by devices other than server 10, such as user terminals 20 and 30. At least some of the functions implemented by user terminals 20 and 30 may be implemented by devices other than user terminals 20 and 30, such as server 10. For example, the superposition of a predetermined frame image onto an image of video data performed on the viewer's user terminal may be performed on server 10 or on the broadcaster's user terminal.

Claims

1. A determination means for determining the user's attributes based on the user's answers to a question, The system includes means for enabling a user who participates in a live stream as a viewer to use a gift specifically for a determined attribute within the live stream, The server provides a gift specifically for a determined attribute, where the more times the user uses the gift, the more elaborate the effect corresponding to that attribute becomes.

2. The enabling means is the server according to claim 1, which prevents a user who has participated in a live stream as a viewer from using a gift designated for an attribute other than the determined attribute in the live stream.

3. The enabling means performs a process to grant the user a gift exclusive to the determined attribute, triggered by the elapsed time since the user answered the question, according to claim 1.

4. The server according to claim 3, further comprising a recommendation means for recommending live streaming to a user based on the user's answer to a question.

5. The server according to claim 1, further comprising means for providing the user with a story associated with a determined attribute and the number of times the user has used a gift specifically for that attribute.

6. A means for receiving information indicating the user's preferences regarding the story from the user's terminal via the network, The server according to claim 5, further comprising means for storing a story updated based on the aforementioned information.

7. The server according to claim 6, wherein the information is an answer to a question regarding the development of a story that was sent to the user's terminal when the number of times a gift dedicated to an attribute determined by the user exceeded a threshold.

8. A feature that allows users to specify one of several options corresponding to multiple possible answers to a question, A function to notify the user of the attributes determined based on the specified selections, A computer program to implement on a terminal a function that accepts instructions to use a special gift based on determined attributes in a live stream in which the aforementioned user participates as a viewer.

Images