Information processing equipment, methods, programs and systems

Abstract

To increase the desire of users to gift gifts when watching events held in virtual space. [Solution] A program that is executed by a computer equipped with a processor, the program causing the processor to execute the following steps: receiving an operation to offer a gift from a user viewing an event in an event held in a virtual space; determining whether or not the operation to offer a gift has been accepted under predetermined conditions; if it is determined that the operation to offer a gift has not been accepted under predetermined 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 apparatus, method, program, and system.

Background Art

[0002] In order to enhance the gifting motivation of viewing users of events held in a virtual space or the like, there is a technology for controlling the display of gifts arranged in the virtual space.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, in order to enhance the gift-providing motivation of viewing users, a gift arranged in a virtual space by the provision of a viewing user is made to disappear from the video content of the virtual space after a certain period of time has elapsed, so that a new gift is displayed within the video content.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 performs display control in which a gift provided by a viewing user disappears from the virtual space after a certain period of time has elapsed, and there is a risk that, depending on the viewing user, the disappearance of the gift provided by the user himself / herself may rather lead to a decrease in the gifting motivation.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to actively enhance the gifting motivation of users who view events held in a virtual space.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, a program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a program executed by a computer equipped with a processor, the program causing the processor to perform the following steps: receiving an operation from a user viewing an event in an event held in a virtual space to offer a gift; placing a gift object representing a gift in the virtual space in response to the received operation; determining whether the operation has been accepted under predetermined conditions; generating gift recommendation information to recommend that the user offer a gift if it is determined that the operation has not been accepted under predetermined conditions; and presenting the generated gift recommendation information to the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to actively increase the willingness of users to gift when they watch events held in a virtual space. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Block diagram showing the overall configuration of System 1. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the functional configuration of terminal device 10. [Figure 3] This figure shows the functional configuration of server 20. [Figure 4] This is the data structure of the user information database stored in the memory unit of server 20. [Figure 5] This is the data structure of the gift information database stored in the memory of server 20. [Figure 6] This flowchart illustrates a series of processes for presenting gift recommendation information to users watching an event. [Figure 7] This flowchart illustrates a series of processes that involve referencing information about gifts offered in ongoing events, extracting recommended gift information, and presenting that information to the user. [Figure 8]This is an example screen showing how a user selects performers for an event to which they will provide gifts. [Figure 9] This is an example screen for presenting gift information to a user. [Figure 10] This is an example screen for displaying gift recommendation information to users. [Figure 11] This is another example of a screen used to present gift recommendation information to users. [Figure 12] This is another example of a screen used to present gift recommendation information to users. [Figure 13] This is a block diagram showing the basic hardware configuration of computer 90. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings illustrating the embodiments, common components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations are omitted. The following embodiments are not intended to unduly limit the content of this disclosure as described in the claims. Not all components shown in the embodiments are necessarily essential components of this disclosure. Also, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a strict illustration.

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

[0012] Also, at least one processor may be a processor in a broad sense, such as a hardware circuit (e.g., FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)) that performs part or all of the processing.

[0013] Also, in the following description, although an expression such as "xxx table" may be used to describe information from which an output is obtained for an input, this information may be data of any structure or a learning model such as a neural network that generates an output for an input. Therefore, "xxx table" can be referred to as "xxx information".

[0014] Also, 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] Also, in the following description, when the "program" is used as the subject to describe a process, the program is executed by a processor to perform a defined process while appropriately using a storage unit and / or an interface unit, etc. Therefore, the subject of the process may be a processor (or a device such as a controller having that processor).

[0016] The program may be installed in a device such as a computer, or may be in, for example, a program distribution server or a computer-readable (e.g., non-temporary) 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] Also, in the following description, an identification number is used as identification information for various objects, but other types of identification information (e.g., an identifier including letters or symbols) may be adopted.

[0018] Furthermore, in the following explanations, when describing similar elements without distinction, a reference code (or a common code among reference codes) may be used, and when describing similar elements with distinction, the element's identification number (or reference code) may be used.

[0019] Furthermore, in the following explanation, only control lines and information lines deemed necessary for the explanation are shown, and not all control lines and information lines in the product are necessarily shown. All components may be interconnected.

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

[0021] (First Embodiment) <Overview> The following embodiments describe a technology for providing gifts to performers in an event held in a virtual space, where a user participating as a viewer provides gifts in response to the performers' performances. The devices used to implement the technology described herein are not limited to those described herein and can include various devices such as smartphones, tablet devices, stationary PCs (Personal Computers), and head-mounted displays (HMDs).

[0022] System 1 according to this embodiment provides a technology that can increase the desire of users to gift gifts when they participate as viewers in events held in a virtual space.

[0023] <1 System Configuration Diagram> Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of System 1 in the first embodiment.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, System 1 includes a terminal device 10 and a server 20. The terminal device 10 and the server 20 communicate with each other via a network 80.

[0025] Terminal device 10 is a device used by users to view events held in a virtual space. Terminal device 10 is implemented by a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet that supports a mobile communication system. Alternatively, terminal device 10 may be a stationary PC (Personal Computer), laptop PC, etc. Terminal device 10 includes a communication interface 12, an input device 13, an output device 14, memory 15, a storage unit 16, and a processor 19. Server 20 includes a communication interface 22, an input / output interface 23, memory 25, storage 26, and a processor 29.

[0026] Terminal device 10 is connected to server 20 via network 80 in a way that allows communication. Terminal device 10 is connected to network 80 by communicating with communication equipment such as a wireless base station 81 that supports communication standards such as 5G and LTE (Long Term Evolution), and a wireless LAN router 82 that supports wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standards such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11.

[0027] The communication interface 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, touchpad, mouse or other pointing device, keyboard, etc.) for receiving input operations from the user. The output device 14 is an output device (display, speaker, etc.) for presenting information to the user. The memory 15 is for temporarily storing programs and data processed by programs, etc., and is a volatile memory such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The storage unit 16 is a storage device for saving data, such as flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The processor 19 is hardware for executing the instruction set written in the program, and is composed of an arithmetic unit, registers, peripheral circuits, etc.

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

[0029] Communication IF22 is an interface for inputting and outputting signals so that the server 20 can communicate with external devices. Input / Output IF23 functions as an interface to an input device for receiving input operations from the user and an output device for presenting information to the user. Memory 25 is for temporarily storing programs and data processed by programs, etc., and is a volatile memory such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). Storage 26 is a storage device for saving data, such as flash memory or HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Processor 29 is hardware for executing the instruction set written in the 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, the collection of each device can be considered as a single "information processing device," and System 1 may be formed as a collection of multiple devices. The way in which the multiple functions required to realize System 1 according to this embodiment are distributed to one or more hardware can be appropriately determined in view of the processing capacity of each hardware and / or the specifications required for System 1.

[0031] <1.1 Configuration of terminal device 10> Figure 2 is a block diagram of the terminal device 10 that constitutes System 1 of Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 2, the terminal device 10 includes a plurality of antennas (antenna 111, antenna 112), wireless communication units corresponding to each antenna (first wireless communication unit 121, second wireless communication unit 122), 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 not specifically shown in Figure 2 (for example, a battery for maintaining power, a power supply circuit for controlling the supply of power from the battery to each circuit, etc.). As shown in Figure 2, each block included in the terminal device 10 is electrically connected by a bus or the like.

[0032] Antenna 111 radiates signals emitted by terminal device 10 as radio waves. Antenna 111 also receives radio waves from space and provides the received signals to first wireless communication unit 121.

[0033] Antenna 112 radiates signals emitted by terminal device 10 as radio waves. Antenna 112 also receives radio waves from space and provides the received signals to second wireless communication unit 122.

[0034] The first wireless communication unit 121 performs modulation and demodulation processing, etc., for the terminal device 10 to transmit and receive signals via the antenna 111 in order to communicate with other wireless devices. The second wireless communication unit 122 performs modulation and demodulation processing, etc., for the terminal device 10 to transmit and receive signals via the antenna 112 in order to communicate with other wireless devices. The first wireless communication unit 121 and the second wireless communication unit 122 are a communication module that includes 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 and demodulation, and frequency conversion, of the wireless signals transmitted and received by the terminal device 10, and provide the received signal to the control unit 190.

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

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

[0037] The audio processing unit 140 modulates and demodulates the audio signal. The audio processing unit 140 modulates the signal received 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 implemented, for example, by an audio processing processor. The microphone 141 receives an audio input and provides the audio signal corresponding to that audio input to the audio processing unit 140. The speaker 142 converts the audio signal received from the audio processing unit 140 into sound and outputs the sound to the outside of the terminal device 10.

[0038] The location 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. A GPS module is a receiving device used in a satellite positioning system. In a satellite positioning system, signals are received from at least three or four satellites, and the current position of the terminal device 10, which is equipped with a GPS module, is detected based on the received signals. The location information sensor 150 may also be a transmitting and receiving device based on a communication standard used in short-range communication systems between information devices. Specifically, the location information sensor 150 uses the 2.4GHz band, such as a Bluetooth® module, to receive beacon signals from other information devices equipped with a Bluetooth® module.

[0039] Camera 160 is a device that receives light using a photodetector and outputs it as an image. Camera 160 is, for example, a depth camera that can detect the distance from camera 160 to the object being photographed. Furthermore, camera 160 acquires the body movements of users, performers, etc., using the terminal device 10. Specifically, for example, camera 160 acquires the user's mouth movements and the movements of various parts of the face (eyes, eyebrows, etc.). Any existing technology may be used to acquire these movements.

[0040] The motion sensor 170 is composed of a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and the like, and detects the tilt of the terminal device 10.

[0041] The storage unit 180 is composed of, for example, flash memory and stores data and programs used by the terminal device 10. In certain situations, the storage unit 180 stores user information 1801, etc. This information is held in the storage unit 180 of the terminal device 10, or it may be stored as a database in the storage unit 202 of the server (described later) and retrieved via the network 80.

[0042] User information 1801 is information about the user who is viewing the event. User information includes, for example, information about the identification ID, the user's name, the user's age, the user's gender, the user's contact information, information about favorite performers, information about the total amount of gifts given in the past, gift provision history information regarding gifts given in past events held in the virtual space, and log information representing the user's activity history at events held in the virtual space or outside of such events. The events that the user is viewing are various events held in the virtual space, and may include, for example, 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, exhibition events held in the virtual space, etc.

[0043] The control unit 190 controls the operation of the terminal device 10 by reading the program stored in the memory unit 180 and executing the instructions contained in the program. The control unit 190 is, for example, an application processor. By operating according to the program, the control unit 190 performs the functions of an input operation receiving unit 1901, a transmitting / receiving unit 1902, a data processing unit 1903, and a notification control unit 1904.

[0044] The input operation receiving unit 1901 processes input operations from the user to an input device such as a touch-sensitive device 1301. Based on the coordinate information of the touch-sensitive device 1301 where the user's finger or the like has made contact, 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.

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

[0046] The data processing unit 1903 performs calculations on the data received as input by the terminal device 10 according to the program and outputs the calculation results to memory or the like.

[0047] The data processing unit 1903 receives input operations related to an event from the user and controls the processing to execute various processes related to the event. For example, the data processing unit 1903 executes the process of sending various information related to the execution of the event received from the user to the server or the terminal device of the virtual space administrator.

[0048] The notification control unit 1904 performs the following processes: displaying the image on the display 1302, outputting sound to the speaker 142, and generating vibrations in the camera 160.

[0049] <1.2 Functional Configuration of Server 20> Figure 3 shows the functional configuration of server 20. As shown in Figure 3, the server 20 functions as a communication unit 201, a storage unit 202, and a control unit 203.

[0050] The communications unit 201 performs processing to enable 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 the user information database 2021, the gift information database 2022, the gift recommendation information 2023, etc.

[0052] The User Information Database 2021 is a database for storing various information about users who view events held in virtual space. This information includes, for example, information about the user's identification ID, the user's name, the user's age, the user's gender, the user's contact information, the number of times the user has participated in an event, information about their favorite performers, information about the total amount of gifts provided at events held in virtual space (including past and current events), gift provision history information regarding gifts provided at events held in virtual space (including past and current events) (including the gift ID of the gift provided, the gift category, the timing (date and time) when the operation to provide the gift was accepted, the recipient (performer) to whom the gift was provided, etc.), and log information representing the user's activity history at or outside of events held in virtual space. Details of each record held in this database will be described later.

[0053] The Gift Information Database 2022 is a database for storing information about gifts that users participating as viewers in events held in virtual space can provide at those events (ongoing events). Gifts are provided to performers and others in response to user requests, for example, to support performers in the ongoing event or to liven up the event. Information about gifts includes, for example, information about the gift ID that identifies the gift, information about the gift name, information about the gift category, information about the gift data type, information about the 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 amount charged in cash or by means of means other than money, such as points). Here, gift content mainly consists of video data and image data (including images that move within the virtual space), and is placed in the virtual space in a display manner that represents the characteristics of the gift. Gift content (objects representing the gift) can be placed at any position in the virtual space, but can also be placed at specific positions or on specific targets. Specific positions include, for example, a specific position in the virtual space where the event the user is watching takes place, or a position corresponding to the head of an avatar object corresponding to a performer in the event the user is watching. Specific targets also include, for example, positions corresponding to parts of an avatar object corresponding to a performer in the event the user is watching (wrist, head, legs, back, etc.), or positions corresponding to objects placed in the virtual space where the event the user is watching takes place. For example, if the gift content (object representing the gift) is placed at a position corresponding to a part of an avatar object, and the object represents a wristwatch (gift), the object can be placed by attaching it to the position corresponding to the wrist of the avatar object. For example, when gift content (objects representing gifts) is placed at a location corresponding to a part of an avatar object, if the object represents a hat (gift), it can be placed by attaching it to the position corresponding to the head of the avatar object. Similarly, when gift content (objects representing gifts) is placed at a location corresponding to a part of an avatar object, if the object represents a backpack (gift), it can be placed by attaching it to the position corresponding to the back of the avatar object. Gift content can also include text data and music / audio data in addition to objects. Gifts can also include money or means equivalent to money, often referred to as "tips."In this case, the tip may be provided to the event performers, etc., along with gift content placed in the virtual space as an object, or it may be provided to the event performers, etc., independently without such gift content. Furthermore, gift content is not limited to content directly provided 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 (for example, an object representing a T-shirt, an object representing a hat, an object representing a towel, an object representing a glow stick, etc., worn or held by the user avatar to support the event or the performers at the event). In this case, in response to the operation of providing a gift received from the user, 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. Alternatively, the gift content may be content that allows the user avatar to support the event or the performers at the event by performing actions 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 the operation of providing a gift received from the user. Therefore, in this case, in response to the operation of providing a gift received from the user, the gift object can be placed in the virtual space by having the user avatar perform a specific performance corresponding to the gift content. Gifts are primarily provided by users, who are viewers of the event, through payment of money or equivalent means (such as points). Payment refers to the act of paying a set purchase price for a gift (including an indicator such as points equivalent to the purchase price) using money or equivalent means in order to provide the gift. When a user makes a payment, the purchase of the gift is confirmed and the gift is provided to the performer or other person to whom it is intended. Payment is not limited to this act; it can also include, for example, purchasing a special currency usable in the event in advance using money or equivalent means, and then paying using the purchased special currency. Details of each record held in the database will be described later.

[0054] Gift Recommendation Information 2023 is information intended to recommend or encourage users viewing an event to offer gifts. For example, Gift Recommendation Information 2023 may recommend or encourage users to offer optional or specific gifts. Gift Recommendation Information 2023 only needs to be information that users viewing the event can recognize, and may include, for example, information related to text, information related to objects (images, videos, etc.), and information related to audio / music (including information combining these types of information). Gift Recommendation Information 2023 can be information that encourages the provision of specific gifts. Even if users who are watching an event provide gifts, if those gifts do not match the event or the performances being held at the event, the event may lack excitement, and the users providing the gifts may not be able to fully enjoy the event. Therefore, by making Gift Recommendation Information 2023 information that encourages the provision of specific gifts, such as gifts that are appropriate for the event that the user is watching, it is possible to provide users with opportunities to provide gifts that they feel are worthwhile, thereby increasing user satisfaction with the event. Specific gifts may include gifts related to the event the user is watching, gifts related to the performances being held at the event, gifts related to the performers at the event, paid gifts, and paid gifts that exceed a certain purchase amount. Furthermore, Gift Recommendation Information 2023 can be information about pseudo-gift objects that represent pseudo-gifts placed virtually in the virtual space, without any action from viewers watching the event. For users watching the event, seeing a situation where gifts are actively being offered during the event, including gifts provided by other viewers, can increase their motivation to give gifts. On the other hand, if there are periods during the event when gifts are scarce, users' willingness to gift may decrease, potentially leading to a decline in their satisfaction with the event. Therefore, by making Gift Recommendation Information 2023 information about pseudo-gift objects that represent pseudo-gifts placed virtually in the virtual space, without any action from viewers watching the event, users can see that a certain number of gifts are being offered in the virtual space even when there are few gifts from viewers, thus increasing their willingness to gift. It is desirable that the pseudo-gift objects are the same as the gift objects that represent gifts that users can offer during the event, but they can also be unique gift objects different from those gift objects. Furthermore, Gift Recommendation Information 2023 may include information to support the provision of gifts, making it easier for users to offer gifts. For example, Gift Recommendation Information 2023 may include information explaining the process of offering gifts. This information may include, for example, information on the procedure for offering gifts, information on how to select gifts, information on how to purchase gifts, and information on the timing of offering gifts (e.g., effective timing for offering gifts to increase satisfaction with the event). This information may also include, for example, information on text, information on objects (images, videos, etc.), and information on audio / music (including information combining these). If a user watching an event is a novice viewer, they may not know how to offer gifts or when to offer them, and may miss the opportunity to offer gifts. Therefore, by including information explaining the process of offering gifts in Gift Recommendation Information 2023, an environment that makes it easier for users to offer gifts can be provided, thereby increasing user satisfaction with the event. Information explaining the process of offering gifts may be presented to the user at the same time as Gift Recommendation Information 2023, but it can also be presented to the user independently, without depending on the timing of Gift Recommendation Information 2023.

[0055] The control unit 203 is composed of, for example, a processor 29, and by performing processing according to the program, this processor 29 performs functions such as the reception control module 2031, the transmission control module 2032, the user information acquisition module 2033, the gift provision operation acceptance module 2034, the gift provision module 2035, the determination module 2036, the generation module 2037, the presentation module 2038, and the evaluation module 2039 as various modules.

[0056] The receive control module 2031 controls the process by which the server 20 receives signals from external devices according to a communication protocol.

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

[0058] The user information acquisition module 2033 controls a series of processes for acquiring information about users who view events held in the virtual space. User information includes, for example, information about an identification ID, the user's name, the user's age, the user's gender, the user's contact information, information about favorite performers, information about the total amount of gifts given in the past, gift provision history information regarding gifts given in past events held in the virtual space, and log information representing the user's activity history at or outside of events held in the virtual space. Specifically, for example, the user information acquisition module 2033 may acquire this 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 this information by referring to the user information database 2021 held in the storage unit 202 of the server 20. In addition, the user information acquisition module 2033 may acquire this information by directly receiving various information about the user from the first user.

[0059] The gift provision operation reception module 2034 controls a series of processes for receiving requests to provide gifts from users watching the event. Specifically, the gift provision operation reception module 2034 receives requests to provide gifts to the event performers via a terminal device 10 used by the user watching the event. In this case, the terminal device 10 sends information about the gift provision request received from the user to the server 20. The gift provision operation reception module 2034 on the server 20 receives this information from the terminal device 10. For example, when the server 20 receives this information from the terminal device 10, it sends information about gifts that can be provided at the event watched by the first user to the terminal device 10. Here, the act of providing a gift is an act performed by a user watching the event, and may include any act performed by the user to provide a gift to the event's performers or other participants. For example, the operation of providing a gift may include an operation performed by the user to specify a particular gift. In this case, for example, the user is presented with information about the gifts that can be provided at the event (information about the gift list), and the gift provision operation reception 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). For example, the operation to provide a gift may include an operation that requests the user to be presented with information about the gifts available at the event (information about the gift list). In this case, for example, the gift provision operation reception module 2034 receives an operation from the user requesting that the user be presented with information about the gifts available at the event the user is viewing (information about the gift list). The server 20 transmits the gift information (information about the gift list) to the terminal device 10 used by the user in response to the user's operation. The terminal device 10 displays the received confirmation information on the display 1302. For example, the operation to provide a gift may also include an operation to specify at least one gift from among the gifts available at the event. For example, the operation of providing a gift may include the operation of a user purchasing a specific gift. In this case, for example, the user is presented with information about the paid gifts that can be provided at the event (information about the gift list), and the gift provision operation reception module 2034 accepts an operation from the user to select at least one gift from the presented gift information (information about the gift list) and purchase the selected gift. The operation of purchasing a gift refers to the operation of making payment in the form of money or points or other means that substitute for money (money, etc.) in order to purchase the gift. Payment in the form of money, etc. may include payment made at the time of the gift purchase operation, as well as payment made using the amount charged in advance by the user in order to provide a gift (purchase a paid gift) (including the amount charged in the form of money or points or other means that substitute for money). For example, the operation of providing a gift may include an operation performed by a user to provide a gift specified by that user to event performers, etc. In this case, for example, the user is presented with information about the gift specified by the user, and the gift provision operation reception module 2034 receives the operation from the user to provide the gift specified by that user. For example, if the gift to be provided is a free gift, the gift will be provided to the event performers 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 will be provided to the event performers in the virtual space in response to the purchase operation (the operation to provide the gift). In some cases, the user's operation to purchase a gift does not correspond to the operation to provide a gift, and the gift purchased through that operation is temporarily stored as a purchased gift. In such cases, the user selects a gift to provide from the stored purchased gifts, and the gift will be provided to the event performers in response to the user's operation to provide the specified gift.

[0060] The gift provision module 2035 controls a series of processes for providing a gift in response to a gift provision operation received by the gift provision operation reception module 2034 from a user. Specifically, the gift provision module 2035 provides a gift to the performers of an event held in a virtual space in response to a gift provision operation received from a user watching the event. The gift provision module 2035 can provide gifts to event performers by, for example, placing a gift object representing a gift in the virtual space. In this case, the gift provision module 2035 can place the gift object at any location in the virtual space, but if the object has a predetermined placement location, it can be placed at that predetermined location (for example, near the avatar object corresponding to the performer providing the gift). Furthermore, if the virtual space is composed of multiple layers, the gift provision module 2035 can place the gift object at any layer selected from those multiple layers. In this case, if the virtual space is composed of three-dimensional space, the gift provision module 2035 can place the gift object at any spatial location in the virtual space. The gift object representing a gift provided by the gift provision module 2035 can be placed in the lower layer section for the entire duration of the event, or it can be placed only for a specific period of the event. The gift object representing a gift provided by the gift provision module 2035 can also be made to disappear from the virtual space after a certain period of time has elapsed. Furthermore, the gift provision module 2035 can also provide gifts in forms other than gift objects. Gifts in forms other than gift objects include gifts consisting of text data, gifts consisting of music / audio data, and gifts equivalent to money or a means of payment, often referred to as "tips." Furthermore, the gift provision module 2035 can also provide gifts in ways other than those directly provided to the event performers. Such gifts may include actions performed by a user avatar when the user avatar is placed in the virtual space. Actions performed by the user avatar include, for example, actions in which the user avatar wears or holds an object (for example, an action in which the user avatar wears or holds an object representing a T-shirt, an object representing a hat, an object representing a towel, an object representing a glow stick, etc., to cheer on the performers). In this case, the gift provision module 2035 reflects the state in the virtual space where the user avatar is wearing or holding the object corresponding to the gift. In this way, the gift provision module 2035 provides the gift to the performers by reflecting the action of the user avatar wearing or holding an object in the virtual space. Actions performed by the user avatar may also include, for example, actions related to performances such as dancing, jumping, or waving in the virtual space. In this case, the gift provision module 2035 causes the user avatar in the virtual space to perform the performance corresponding to the gift. In this way, the gift provision module 2035 provides the gift to the performer by reflecting the action of the user avatar's performance in the virtual space.

[0061] The determination module 2036 controls a series of processes that determine whether an operation to offer a gift from a user has been accepted under predetermined conditions. Specifically, the gift offering operation acceptance module 2034 determines whether an operation to offer a gift from a user has been accepted under predetermined conditions. The predetermined conditions that the judgment module 2036 uses as a basis for judgment processing are the conditions for the generation module 2037 to generate gift recommendation information 2023. For example, the predetermined condition can be that a certain predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of the event the user is watching. The period immediately following the start of an event is a time for the user to enjoy watching the event and to choose gifts to give to the performers and others at the event. Therefore, if gift recommendation information is presented at such a time, the user may feel annoyed and may even decrease their willingness to gift. By setting the predetermined condition as that a certain 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 willingness to gift. Here, the predetermined period 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 music live concert, where the duration is predetermined and relatively long (for example, 2 hours), the predetermined period can be set to, for example, 15 to 30 minutes. Furthermore, for example, in the case of events where the duration of the event is not predetermined and which involve relatively short talks or casual conversations (e.g., 30 minutes), a fixed period can be set, for example, 1 to 10 minutes. Such a fixed period can be predetermined by the event organizer or the event participants. Furthermore, the predetermined condition may be that a certain period of time has elapsed since the user's previous gift offering operation was accepted during the period in which the event the user is viewing is taking place. Information regarding the timing of the acceptance of the previous gift offering operation is stored, for example, in the user information database 2021 as part of the gift offering history information, and based on this stored information, it is determined whether a certain period of time has elapsed since the previous gift offering operation was accepted. If gift recommendation information is presented to a user shortly after they have performed a gift offering operation, the user may feel annoyed and may actually decrease their willingness to gift. Therefore, by setting the predetermined condition that a certain period of time has elapsed since the user's previous gift offering operation was accepted during the period in which the event the user is viewing is taking place, it is possible to generate and present gift recommendation information to the user while maintaining the user's willingness to gift. A user's operation to provide a gift may include, for example, an operation in which the user specifies a particular gift that has been predetermined. In this case, for example, the user is presented with information about gifts that can be offered at the event (information about the gift list), and the gift provision operation reception module 2034 receives an operation from the user to specify at least one gift from the presented gift information (information about the gift list). The operation to provide a gift may also include an operation to request the user to present information about gifts that can be offered at the event the user is watching (information about the gift list). In this case, for example, the gift provision operation reception module 2034 receives an operation from the user to request the user to present information about gifts that can be offered at the event the user is watching (information about the gift list). The server 20 transmits the gift information (information about the gift list) to the terminal device 10 used by the user in response to the user's operation. The terminal device 10 displays the received confirmation information on the display 1302.For example, the operation of providing a gift may include the operation of specifying at least one gift from among the gifts available at the event. The operation of providing a gift may also include the operation of a user purchasing a specific gift. In this case, for example, the user is presented with information about the paid gifts available at the event (information about the gift list), and the gift provision operation reception module 2034 accepts an operation from the user to specify at least one gift from the presented gift information (information about the gift list) and purchase the specified gift. The operation of purchasing a gift refers to the operation of making payment in the form of money or points or other means that substitute for money (money, etc.) in order to purchase the gift. Payment in the form of money, etc. may include payment made at the time of the gift purchase operation, as well as payment made using the amount charged in advance by the user to provide a gift (purchase a paid gift) (including the amount charged in the form of money or points or other means that substitute for money). For example, the operation of providing a gift may also include the operation of a user providing the gift specified by the user to the performers, etc., at the event. In this case, for example, the user is presented with information about the gift specified by the user, and the gift provision operation reception module 2034 accepts an operation from the user to provide the gift specified by the user. For example, if the gift being offered is a free gift, the gift will be provided to the event performer upon the user's action of offering the gift. Similarly, if the gift being offered is a paid gift, the user's action of purchasing the gift is equivalent to the action of offering the gift, and the gift will be provided to the event performer upon the user's action of purchasing (offering) the gift. However, there are cases where the user's action of purchasing a gift does not constitute an action of offering a gift, and the purchased gift is temporarily stored as a purchased gift. In such cases, the user selects a gift from the stored purchased gifts, and the gift will be provided to the event performer upon the user's action of offering the specified gift. Furthermore, the predetermined condition can be set as the period during which a specific performance is taking place in an event that the user is watching. By offering a gift during the period when a specific performance is taking place in an event, the performance is further enhanced, and the user feels that it is worthwhile to offer a gift. Therefore, by setting the predetermined condition as the period during which a specific performance is taking place in an event that the user is watching, gift recommendation information can be generated and presented to the user at a time that is more likely to increase the user's desire to give gifts. Furthermore, the predetermined condition can be that the number of times a user has offered a gift during a specific period of the event they are watching is less than or equal to a predetermined number. Depending on the event, the more gifts viewers offer, the more exciting it can become, and as a result, viewers' satisfaction with the event can increase. Therefore, by setting the predetermined condition that the number of times a user has offered a gift during a specific period of the event they are watching is less than or equal to a predetermined number, gift recommendation information can be generated and presented to users in order to increase their satisfaction with the event. Furthermore, the predetermined condition may be that the user's number of event participations is below a predetermined number. When a user is a novice viewer or a user with relatively few event participations (a so-called beginner), they are often unfamiliar with giving gifts, and may not have the opportunity to enjoy the event through giving gifts, which could result in a lower level of satisfaction with the event. On the other hand, users who repeatedly participate in events and have a relatively high number of participations (a so-called repeater) are often familiar with the methods and effective timing of gift giving, and are expected to want to give gifts based on their own judgment without being presented with gift recommendation information. Therefore, by setting the predetermined condition that the user's number of event participations is below a predetermined number, gift recommendation information can be presented only to users who are unfamiliar with giving gifts, thereby creating opportunities for such users to give gifts and increasing their satisfaction with the event. Conversely, for users who repeatedly participate in events and have a relatively high number of participations, gift recommendation information will not be presented, thus avoiding the presentation of unnecessary gift recommendation information to such users and maintaining their willingness to gift.

[0062] The generation module 2037 controls a series of processes to generate gift recommendation information to recommend that a user provide a gift when the determination module 2036 determines that an operation to provide a gift from a 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 provision operation acceptance module 2034 has not accepted an operation to provide a gift from a user under predetermined conditions. Gift recommendation information 2023 is information to recommend or encourage users viewing the event to provide a gift. Gift recommendation information 2023 is, for example, information to recommend or encourage users to provide an arbitrary or specific gift. Gift recommendation information 2023 can be any information that users viewing the event can recognize, and may include, for example, information about text, information about objects (images, videos, etc.), information about audio / music (including information combining these types of information), etc. Furthermore, the generation module 2037 can generate information about pseudo-gift objects, which represent pseudo-gifts that are placed in a virtual space without any action from viewers watching the event, as gift recommendation information 2023. For example, the generation module 2037 may generate information about pseudo-gift objects when the number of viewers watching the event exceeds a certain level.

[0063] The presentation module 2038 controls a series of processes for presenting the gift recommendation information generated by the generation module 2037 to the user. Specifically, the presentation module 2038 presents the gift recommendation information 2023 generated by the generation module 2037 to the user. In this case, the server 20 sends 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. If the gift recommendation information generated by the generation module 2037 is information about a pseudo-gift object, the presentation module 2038 can present the gift recommendation information to the user by placing the pseudo-gift object in the virtual space. In this case, for example, the presentation module 2038 may present the gift recommendation information to the user by placing the pseudo-gift object in the virtual space when the number of viewers watching the event exceeds a certain level.

[0064] The evaluation module 2039 controls a series of processes that evaluate 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 operations where users or other viewers offer gifts. The number of gift objects placed in the virtual space is one indicator of the excitement level of the event; the more gift objects placed there are, the more exciting the event is, and the higher the satisfaction level of viewers watching the event is assumed to be. On the other hand, if there are few gift objects placed in the virtual space, it may give the impression that the event is not exciting, which may decrease the satisfaction level of viewers watching the event and reduce their willingness to offer gifts. Therefore, by evaluating the number of gift objects placed in the virtual space, the evaluation module 2039 can generate gift recommendation information 2023 to recommend that users offer gifts, depending on the evaluation result. Specifically, if the evaluation module 2039 evaluates that the number of gift objects placed is below a predetermined number, the generation module 2037 generates gift recommendation information. Evaluation module 2039 can evaluate the number of gift objects placed in the virtual space over the entire duration of an event, as well as the number of gift objects placed in the virtual space during a specific period of the event. Furthermore, 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> Figure 4 shows the data structure of the user information database 2021 stored by server 20.

[0066] As shown in Figure 4, the user information database 2021 includes items such as "User ID", "User Name", "Age", "Gender", "Contact Information", "Number of Event Participations", "Favorite Performer", "Total Amount Spent", "Gift Provision History", and "Remarks".

[0067] The "User ID" field is information that identifies the user viewing an event held in a virtual space.

[0068] The "User Name" field contains information indicating the user's name. In this case, the record may also hold information about the name (handle name) the user uses in the virtual space, in addition to the user's real name.

[0069] The "Age" field contains information indicating the user's age.

[0070] The "Gender" field indicates the user's gender.

[0071] The "Contact Information" field contains information that shows the user's contact details. This information includes the user's address, phone number, etc.

[0072] The "Event Attendance Count" item indicates the number of times a user has participated in (including viewing) events in the past. This information includes, for example, the total number of times a user has participated in all events, the number of times a user has participated in each type of event, and the number of times a user has participated in each performer's event.

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

[0074] The item "Total Amount Spent" is information that shows the total amount of money a user has spent on past events held in the virtual space, including money equivalent to charges for providing gifts to performers, money paid as participation fees for events, and money paid for purchasing items and goods related to events. The total gift amount may include not only money paid by the user but also means of payment that can be used in lieu of money (such as points).

[0075] The item "Gift Provision History Information" is information that shows a user's history of providing gifts in past events held in the virtual space. This information includes the total number of gifts provided by the user in the past, the number of gifts provided by each type of gift, the number of gifts provided for each event the user participated in (including viewing), the number of gifts provided for each performance held in an event the user participated in (including viewing) (the number of gifts provided by the user at the time a specific performance was being held), information about the gift ID of the gift provided, information about the timing (date and time) when the gift provision operation was accepted, and information about the recipient (performer) to whom the gift was provided.

[0076] The "Remarks" field is used to store information if there are any special notes or other details in the user's information. Server 20 may, for example, record any other information that needs to be stored in the record.

[0077] Figure 5 shows the data structure of the gift information database 2022 stored by server 20.

[0078] As shown in Figure 5, the gift information database 2022 includes items such as "Gift ID," "Gift Name," "Category," "Data Type," "Charging Price," and "Remarks."

[0079] The "Gift ID" field is information that identifies the gifts available for events held in the virtual space.

[0080] The item "Gift Name" contains information indicating the name of the gift.

[0081] The "Category" field contains information indicating the category of the gift. This information includes, for example, gifts applicable to all events, gifts limited to specific events, gifts limited to specific performers when a particular performer is performing, and user-exclusive gifts that can only be provided by specific users.

[0082] The "Data Type" field indicates the type of data related to the gift content representing the gift. This information includes, for example, data types such as video data, image data, music / audio data, and text data.

[0083] The "Charging Price" item contains information about the price charged to purchase the gifts necessary to provide them. This information includes not only the specific monetary amount charged, but also information corresponding to monetary amounts in the case of alternative means such as points. In the case of free gifts that do not require payment, this information includes indications such as "0 yen" or "free."

[0084] The "Remarks" field is used to store information if there are any special notes or other details in the gift information. Server 20 may, for example, record any other information that needs to be stored in the record.

[0085] <3 Example of Operation> The following describes the series of processes that System 1 performs when presenting gift recommendation information to users viewing events held in a virtual space.

[0086] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing a series of processes for presenting gift recommendation information when a user viewing an event held in a virtual space has not submitted a gift offer under predetermined conditions. However, the operation flow is not limited to this in this disclosure. That is, the terminal device 10 may perform all of the processes, or the server 20 may perform all of the processes.

[0087] In step S601, the system accepts an operation to provide a gift from a user viewing an event held in a virtual space. For example, the gift provision operation reception module 2034 accepts an operation to specify a gift for an event performer who is the recipient of the gift, via a terminal device 10 used by a 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 an event performer who is the recipient of the gift, on a predetermined operation screen displayed on the display 1302. The gift provision operation accepted by the gift provision operation reception module 2034 in this step is, for example, an operation by the user to specify a particular gift. The gift provision operation may also be, for example, an operation by the user to request that information about gifts available at the event (information about the gift list) be presented to the user. The gift provision operation may also be, for example, an operation by the user to purchase a particular gift. The gift provision operation may also be, for example, an operation by the user to provide the gift specified by the user to an event performer, etc. In this case, the terminal device 10 transmits information about the gift provision operation received from the user to the server 20. The gift provision operation reception module 2034 receives the information from the terminal device 10. Note that if the user has not yet performed a gift provision operation and the gift recommendation information 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 the gift to the event performers in response to the gift provision operation received from the user in step S601. For example, the gift provision module 2035 provides the gift to the event performers by placing the gift object representing the gift specified by the user in the virtual space of the gift object, in response to the gift provision operation received from the user. Note that if the user has not yet performed a gift provision operation, and gift recommendation information, described later, is presented to the user, this step can be omitted.

[0089] In step S652, the control unit 203 of the server 20 determines whether the user's operation to provide a gift in step S651 has been accepted under predetermined conditions. For example, the determination module 2036 determines whether the user's operation to provide a gift has been accepted under predetermined conditions. The predetermined conditions are, for example, that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of the event the user is viewing. Another predetermined condition is that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the previous operation to provide a gift during the period in which the event the user is viewing is being held. Yet another predetermined condition is that a predetermined specific performance is taking place during the event the user is viewing. Yet another predetermined condition is that the number of times the user has participated in the event is less than or equal to a predetermined number. It is possible that no operation to provide a gift from the user has been accepted before the processing of this step. In that case, the processing executed by system 1 will omit the processing of steps S601 and S651 and will start from the processing of step S652.

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

[0091] In step S654, the control unit 203 of the server 20 presents the gift recommendation information 2023 generated by the generation module 2037 to the user. For example, the presentation module 2038 presents the gift recommendation information 2023 generated by the generation module 2037 to the user viewing the event. In this case, the server 20 sends 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] This process presents users watching the event with gift recommendation information (2023) encouraging them to give gifts, thereby increasing their willingness to gift when watching events held in a virtual space. In particular, if a user is new to watching events or has participated in events relatively few times (a so-called beginner), presenting gift recommendation information gives them an opportunity to enjoy the event through gifting, thus increasing their satisfaction with the event.

[0093] Figure 7 is a flowchart representing a series of processes that generate gift recommendation information according to the number of gift objects placed in the virtual space during an event conducted in the virtual space. However, the operation flow is not limited to this in this disclosure. That is, the terminal device 10 may perform all of the processes, or the server 20 may perform all of the 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 an event viewed by a user. For example, the evaluation module 2039 evaluates the number of gift objects representing gifts placed in the virtual space in response to operations by the user viewing the event and other viewing users offering gifts. 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. Alternatively, for example, the evaluation module 2039 can evaluate the number of gift objects placed in the virtual space during a specific period of the event. Furthermore, for 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, the control unit 203 of the server 20 generates gift recommendation information 2023 if the evaluation module 2039 evaluates that the number of placed gift objects is less than or equal to a predetermined number, and the determination module 2036 determines that the gift provision operation reception module 2034 is not accepting an operation to provide a gift from a user under predetermined conditions. For example, the generation module 2037 generates gift recommendation information 2023 to recommend that the user provide a gift if the evaluation module 2039 evaluates that the number of placed gift objects is less than or equal to a predetermined number, and the determination module 2036 determines that the gift provision operation reception module 2034 is not accepting an operation to provide a gift from a user under predetermined conditions.

[0096] In step S753, the control unit 203 of the server 20 presents the gift recommendation information 2023 generated by the generation module 2037 to the user. For example, the presentation module 2038 presents the gift recommendation information 2023 generated by the generation module 2037 to the user who is viewing the event. In this case, the server 20 sends 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] This process allows users to receive gift recommendation information (2023) when the number of gift objects placed in the virtual space is small, thereby increasing the desire of users to gift when viewing events held in the virtual space.

[0098] In certain situations, the server 20 may perform a process to make the gift recommendation information 2023 presented by the presentation module 2038 disappear after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. By performing such a process, 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 a predetermined period of time has elapsed. As a result, there is no risk that the visibility of the event being viewed will be hindered by the continued display of the gift recommendation information 2023, and the user can concentrate on viewing the event.

[0099] In certain situations, server 20 may restrict the display of gift recommendation information 2023 if the remaining time for the event being viewed by the user is within a certain time frame. Gift recommendation information 2023 is displayed to provide users with opportunities to offer gifts and to increase their satisfaction with the event. However, if gift recommendation information 2023 is displayed when there is limited time remaining in the event, it may not be possible to provide users with a satisfactory opportunity to offer gifts. By performing this processing, gift recommendation information 2023 is displayed only during periods when users can offer gifts that are highly satisfactory, thereby increasing users' satisfaction with the event.

[0100] In certain situations, even if server 20 determines that an operation to offer a gift from a user has not been accepted under predetermined conditions and generates gift recommendation information, it may restrict the process of presenting the generated gift recommendation information to the user under specific conditions. Specific conditions could include, for example, when a particular performance is taking place at an event. For instance, the main performance or a performance positioned as the climax of an event may be content that users watching the event want to focus on. Presenting gift recommendation information to users at the time such performances are taking place may annoy them and could actually decrease their willingness to gift 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 specific conditions can increase user satisfaction with the event. In this case, the server 20 may, under certain conditions, restrict the process of presenting the generated gift recommendation information to the user, or instead delay 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 then present the gift recommendation information to the user when those conditions are no longer met. By doing so, the presentation of gift recommendation information to the user is restricted when the main performance or climactic performance of the event is taking place, thereby increasing the user's satisfaction with the event.

[0101] In a given scenario, the server 20 may have a gift recommendation database in its memory unit 202 that stores multiple gift recommendation pieces 2023, and the generation module 2037 may perform a process to generate gift recommendation pieces 2023 by referring to the information stored in the gift recommendation database based on information about the user (such as information about the number of times the user has participated in an event and information about the user's gifting history). By performing such a process, gift recommendation pieces 2023 that are appropriate for each user are generated and presented to the user, thereby effectively increasing the user's willingness to give gifts and increasing the user's satisfaction with the event through opportunities to give gifts.

[0102] <4 Screen Examples> Figures 8-9 show examples of various screens displayed during a series of processes that use System 1 disclosed in the present invention to provide gifts to performers of an event held in a virtual space, based on user input from a user watching the event.

[0103] Figure 8 shows an example screen for when a user watching an ongoing event in a virtual space selects an event participant to whom they will provide a gift.

[0104] In Figure 8, the control unit 190 of the terminal device 10 used by the user displays a list of performers 801, a performer selection operation display area 802, etc., on the display 1302. This screen does not need to be displayed across the entire surface of the display 1302. For example, it can be displayed on only a portion of the display 1302. Alternatively, it can be displayed on the display 1302 semi-transparently, allowing the live event or other event to be visible. In this way, the user can operate the screen while enjoying the live event or other event.

[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 for each performer's image 8011 and performer name 8012 functions as a button that accepts user input, such as pressing it. When the control unit 190 receives user input, such as pressing the image, it executes a process to select the performer who will provide the gift.

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

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

[0108] The gift provision button 8022 is a button used by the user to identify the performer to whom a gift will be provided and to perform the operation to provide the gift. When the control unit 190 receives an operation input from the user, such as pressing the button, it executes the operation to provide the gift.

[0109] Figure 9 shows an example screen for presenting gift information, including recommended gift information, to users viewing an ongoing event taking place in a virtual space.

[0110] In Figure 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 across the entire surface of the display 1302. For example, this screen can be displayed on only a portion of the display 1302. Alternatively, for example, this screen can be displayed on the display 1302 in a semi-transparent manner so that events such as live performances are visible. In this way, the user can operate the screen while enjoying events such as live performances.

[0111] The explanatory text display area 901 displays explanatory text and other information that the user can refer to to confirm the judgment result. For example, the explanatory text display area 901 displays information about the performer to whom the user has selected as the recipient of the gift.

[0112] The gift list display area 902 displays a list of gifts offered to users viewing an ongoing event. The control unit 190 of the user's terminal device 10 displays, for example, a gift image (an object representing a gift) 9021 and a gift name 9022 in the gift list display area 902. The information for each object 9021 and gift name 9022 functions as a button that accepts user input, such as pressing it. When the control unit 190 receives user input, such as pressing the image, it executes a process to select a gift.

[0113] The gift selection operation display area 903 displays information for the user to confirm the gift they have selected. The control unit 190 of the terminal device 10 used by the user displays the gift selection list 9031, the 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 format. The method of displaying the gift information is not limited to this. When the control unit 190 receives an input from the user to select a gift from the list, it executes the process of selecting the gift. The gift selection operation display area 903 displays the text "You can also select by clicking on the image," and the process of selecting a gift can also be executed by inputting an operation such as clicking on the image and gift name information of each object as described above.

[0115] The confirmation button 9032 is a button used to confirm the gift selected by the user. When the control unit 190 receives an input from the user, such as pressing this button, it executes a process to confirm (specify) the selected gift.

[0116] Figures 10-12 show examples of screens displaying gift recommendation information presented to users viewing events held in a virtual space using System 1, as disclosed in the present invention.

[0117] Figure 10 shows an example of a screen displaying gift recommendation information for users viewing an event held in a virtual space.

[0118] In Figure 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, etc., on the display 1302. Note that this screen does not need to be displayed across the entire display 1302. For example, this screen can be displayed on only a portion of the display 1302. Alternatively, for example, this screen can be displayed on the display 1302 in a semi-transparent manner so that events such as live performances are visible. In this way, the user can operate the screen while enjoying events such as live performances.

[0119] The gift recommendation text display area 1001 displays text encouraging users to send gifts to events held in the virtual space. The information displayed in the gift recommendation text display area 1001 corresponds to the gift recommendation information 2023. The gift recommendation text display area 1001 displays text encouraging the sending of gifts, such as "Isn't it time to send a gift?"

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

[0121] The first selection list 10021 is a button for the user to select an action to provide a gift. This button contains information about text that will be displayed, for example, "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 action to provide a gift. Once this process is executed, information for the user to perform the action to provide a gift is displayed on the display 1302.

[0122] The second selection list 10022 is a button for the user to choose not to send a gift. This button contains information about the text that will be displayed, for example, "Don't send now." When the control unit 190 receives an input from the user, such as pressing this button, it executes a process to confirm (specify) the selection not to send a gift.

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

[0124] Figure 11 shows another example of a screen displaying gift recommendation information for users viewing an event held in a virtual space. This example illustrates a screen that displays gift recommendation information suggesting the provision of a specific gift.

[0125] In Figure 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 across the entire surface of the display 1302. For example, this screen can be displayed on only a portion of the display 1302. Alternatively, for example, this screen can be displayed on the display 1302 in a semi-transparent manner so that events such as live performances are visible. In this way, the user can operate the screen while enjoying events such as live performances.

[0126] The gift recommendation text display area 1101 displays text and other information that recommends giving gifts to users who are watching an event held in a virtual space. The information displayed in the gift recommendation text display area 1101 corresponds to the gift recommendation information 2023. The gift recommendation text display area 1001 displays text that recommends giving gifts, for example, "Why not send the following gift that is perfect for the event you are watching?"

[0127] The recommended gift display area 1102 displays a list of recommended gifts for users viewing events held in the virtual space. The information displayed in the recommended gift display area 1102 corresponds to the recommended gift information 2023. For example, the recommended gift display area 1102 displays information about three gifts, each displaying 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 reviewed the gift recommendation information 2023 (information displayed in the gift recommendation text display area 1101 and the recommended gift display area 1102) to decide whether or not to perform the operation to provide a gift. The control unit 190 of the terminal device 10 used by the user displays the first selection list 11031, the second selection list 11032, the third selection list 11033, the fourth selection list 11034, the third selection list 11035, etc., in the selection operation display area 1103.

[0129] The first selection list 11031 is a button 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 the text that will be 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. Once this process is executed, information for the user to perform the operation to provide Gift A is displayed on the display 1302.

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

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

[0132] The fourth selection list 11034 is a button for the user to select an operation to provide a gift other than the gifts displayed in the recommended gift display area 1102. This button contains information related to the text displayed, for example, "Send another gift." When the control unit 190 receives an operation input from the user, such as pressing this button, it executes a process to confirm (specify) the selection of an operation to provide another gift. Once this process is executed, 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 choose not to send a gift. This button contains information about the text that will be displayed, for example, "Don't send now." When the control unit 190 receives an input from the user, such as pressing this button, it executes a process to confirm (specify) the selection not to send a gift.

[0134] Figure 12 shows another example of a screen displaying gift recommendation information for users viewing an event held in a virtual space. This example describes a screen that displays information about pseudo-gift objects, which represent pseudo-gifts that are placed virtually in the virtual space, without any action from the viewer watching the event, as gift recommendation information.

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

[0136] The performer display area 1201 displays performances and other content by performers participating in an event held in the virtual space. In this example screen, three performers are displayed as avatar objects 12011. The performer display area 1201 also displays gift objects representing gifts provided by users watching the event and other users who offer gifts. In this example screen, two types of gift objects 12012 and 12013 are displayed. Furthermore, the performer display area 1201 displays pseudo-gift objects 12014 representing pseudo-gifts placed in the virtual space without any action from users watching the event or other users. Information regarding pseudo-gift objects 12014 corresponds to gift recommendation information 2023. Pseudo-gift objects 12014 are displayed in a way that prevents users watching from realizing they are pseudo-gifts.

[0137] <5 Basic Hardware Configuration of a Computer> Figure 13 is a block diagram showing the basic hardware configuration of computer 50. Computer 50 comprises at least a processor 501, main memory 502, auxiliary memory 503, and a communication interface 591. These are electrically connected to each other by a communication bus 521.

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

[0139] Main memory 502 is used to temporarily store programs and data processed by programs, etc. For example, it is a volatile memory such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

[0140] Auxiliary storage device 503 is a storage device for storing data and programs. Examples include flash memory, HDD (Hard Disc Drive), magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, semiconductor memory, etc.

[0141] The IF591 communication interface is an interface for inputting and outputting signals for communication with other computers via a network using wired or wireless communication standards. A network consists of various mobile communication systems, such as the internet, LANs, and wireless base stations. For example, a network includes 3G, 4G, and 5G mobile communication systems, LTE (Long Term Evolution), and wireless networks that can connect to the internet via designated access points (e.g., Wi-Fi®). When connecting wirelessly, communication protocols include, for example, Z-Wave®, ZigBee®, and Bluetooth®. When connecting via a wired connection, the network also includes connections made directly via USB (Universal Serial Bus) cables, etc.

[0142] Furthermore, by distributing all or part of each hardware configuration across multiple computers 50 and connecting them to each other via a network, the computers 50 can be virtually realized. Thus, the concept of computer 50 includes not only a computer 50 housed in a single enclosure or case, but also a virtualized computer system.

[0143] <6. Basic Functional Configuration of Computer 50> The functional configuration of the computer realized by the basic hardware configuration of computer 50 (Figure 13) is described below. The computer comprises at least one functional unit: a control unit, a memory unit, and a communication unit.

[0144] Furthermore, the functional units of computer 50 can also be realized by distributing all or part of each functional unit across multiple computers 50 interconnected via a network. The term "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 when the processor 501 reads various programs stored in the auxiliary storage device 503, loads them into the main memory device 502, and executes processing according to those programs. The control unit can realize various functional units that perform 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 memory unit is implemented by a main memory 502 and an auxiliary memory 503. The memory unit stores data, various programs, and various databases. The processor 501 can also reserve memory areas corresponding to the memory unit in the main memory 502 or the auxiliary memory 503 according to the program. The control unit can also cause the processor 501 to perform operations such as adding, updating, and deleting data stored in the memory unit according to the various programs.

[0147] A database, specifically a relational database, is used to manage and link together tabular data sets called masters, which are structurally defined by rows and columns. In a database, tables are called tables, masters are called masters, the columns of tables are called columns, and the rows of tables are called records. In a relational database, relationships can be established and linked between tables and masters. Typically, each table and master has a primary key column to uniquely identify records, but setting a primary key column is not mandatory. The control unit can instruct 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 memory unit, the information processing device and information processing system related to this disclosure can be considered to have been manufactured.

[0148] Furthermore, the databases and masters in this disclosure may include any data structures (lists, dictionaries, associative arrays, objects, etc.) in which information is structurally defined. Data structures also include data that can be considered as data structures by combining data with functions, classes, methods, etc., written in any programming language.

[0149] The communication unit is implemented by the communication IF 591. The communication unit provides the functionality to communicate with other computers 50 via the network. The communication unit can receive information transmitted from other computers 50 and input it to the control unit. The control unit can cause the processor 501 to perform information processing on the received information according to various programs. The communication unit can also transmit information output from the control unit to other computers 50.

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

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

[0152] Furthermore, the program code for the software that implements the functions of the embodiment 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 computer's processor may read and execute the program code stored in the storage means or storage medium.

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

[0154] <7 Variations> Modifications of this embodiment will now be described. That is, the following embodiments may be adopted. (1) An information processing device, which may have this program pre-installed, or may install it afterward, or may store such a program on an external non-temporary storage medium, or may run on cloud computing. (2) A method in which a computer is made to function as an information processing device, and the program may be pre-installed on the information processing device or installed thereafter, or such program may be stored on an external non-temporary storage medium or run on cloud computing.

[0155] While several embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, these embodiments can be implemented in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications are permitted without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents.

[0156] <Note> The details described in each of the above embodiments are noted below.

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

[0158] (Note 2) The program described in Appendix 1, where the specified condition is that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of the event.

[0159] (Note 3) The program described in Appendix 1, wherein the specified condition is that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the last operation was accepted during the period in which the event is being performed.

[0160] (Note 4) The program described in Appendix 1, where the specified conditions are the period during which a predetermined specific performance is taking place at the event.

[0161] (Note 5) The program described in Appendix 1, wherein the specified condition is that the number of times an operation is accepted during a predetermined specific period of the event is less than or equal to a specified number.

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

[0163] (Note 7) The gift recommendation information is information that encourages the provision of specific gifts, as described in Appendix 6.

[0164] (Note 8) The program, as described in Appendix 1, further causes the processor to perform the 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 response to an received operation, and generates gift recommendation information (S752) when the number of placements is evaluated to be less than or equal to a predetermined number.

[0165] (Note 9) The gift recommendation information is information about pseudo-gift objects that represent pseudo-gifts that are placed in a virtual space virtually, without any action from viewers watching the event, and the program described in Appendix 1 presents the gift recommendation information to the user by placing the pseudo-gift objects in the virtual space.

[0166] (Note 10) The program described in Appendix 9, which places a pseudo-gift object in a virtual space when the number of viewers watching the event exceeds a certain number.

[0167] (Note 11) A method to be performed by a computer having a processor and memory, wherein the processor is made to perform the following steps in an event held in a virtual space: receiving an operation to offer a gift from a user viewing the event (S601); determining whether the operation has been accepted under predetermined conditions (S652); if it is determined that the operation has not been accepted under predetermined conditions, generating gift recommendation information to recommend that the user offer a gift (S653); and presenting the generated gift recommendation information to the user (S654).

[0168] (Note 12) An information processing device comprising a control unit and a storage unit, wherein the control unit has a function (S601) for receiving an operation to offer a gift from a user viewing an event in an event conducted in a virtual space, a function (S652) for determining whether the operation has been accepted under predetermined conditions, a function (S653) for generating gift recommendation information to recommend that the user offer a gift if it is determined that the operation has not been accepted under predetermined conditions, and a function (S654) for 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, 503 Auxiliary memory, 521 Communication path, 591 Communication IF, 1801 User information, 1901 Input operation reception unit, 1902 Transmit / receive unit, 1903 Data processing unit, 1904 Notification control unit, 1302 Display, 140 Audio processing unit, 141 Microphone, 142 Speaker, 150 Location information sensor, 160 Camera, 170 Motion sensor, 2021 User information database, 2022 Gift information database, 2023 Gift recommendation information, 2031 Receiving control module, 2032 Transmission control module, 2033 User information acquisition module, 2034 Gift provision operation acceptance module, 2035 Gift provision module, 2036 Judgment module, 2037 Generation module, 2038 Presentation module, 2039 Evaluation module

Claims

1. A program that is executed by a computer having a processor, wherein the program is executed by the processor, In an event held in a virtual space, the process includes accepting an operation from a user viewing the event to offer a gift, The steps include determining whether the above operation is accepted under predetermined conditions, If it is determined that the operation has not been accepted under the predetermined conditions, the step of generating gift recommendation information to recommend the provision of the gift to the user, A program that performs the steps of presenting the generated gift recommendation information to the user.

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

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

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

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

6. The aforementioned gift is a specific gift predetermined, The program according to claim 1, which generates gift recommendation information for the user if the operation relating to the specific gift has not been accepted under the predetermined conditions.

7. The program according to claim 6, wherein the gift recommendation information is information that encourages the provision of the specific gift.

8. The program further provides the processor with: When a gift object representing the gift is placed in the virtual space in response to the received operation, the system performs the step of evaluating the number of gift objects to be placed in the virtual space. The program according to claim 1, which generates the gift recommendation information when the number of arrangements is evaluated to be less than or equal to a predetermined number, and when it is determined in the determination step that the operation has not been accepted under the predetermined conditions.

9. The gift recommendation information is information about a pseudo-gift object that represents a pseudo-gift that is placed in the virtual space virtually without any action from viewers watching the event, The program further provides the processor with: The program according to claim 1, which performs the step of presenting the gift recommendation information to the user by placing 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, if the number of viewers viewing the event is a certain number or more, the pseudo-gift object is placed in the virtual space.

11. A method performed by a computer comprising a processor and memory, The aforementioned processor, In an event held in a virtual space, the process includes accepting an operation from a user viewing the event to offer a gift, The steps include determining whether the above operation is accepted under predetermined conditions, If it is determined that the operation has not been accepted under the predetermined conditions, the step of generating gift recommendation information to recommend the provision of the gift to the user, A method for performing the steps of presenting the generated gift recommendation information to the user.

12. An information processing device comprising a control unit and a storage unit, The control unit, In an event held in a virtual space, a function is provided to accept the operation of providing gifts from users who are watching the event, A function to determine whether the above operation has been accepted under predetermined conditions, A function to generate gift recommendation information to recommend the provision of the gift to the user when it is determined that the operation has not been accepted under the predetermined conditions, An information processing device having a function to present the generated gift recommendation information to the user.

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