Information processing equipment, methods, programs and systems

Abstract

To increase the willingness of viewers to gift items at events held in virtual space. [Solution] A program that is executed by a computer having a processor and memory, The program causes the processor to perform the following steps: receiving a gift offering operation from a user watching an event held in a virtual space to offer a gift to the event's performers; providing the gift to the performers in response to the received gift offering operation; generating reaction information for the gift based on first information regarding the performance being performed by at least the avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performers; and causing the avatar object or an event object associated with the avatar object to perform a reaction in accordance with the generated reaction information.

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 desire of viewers of events held in a virtual space or the like, there is a technique in which an avatar object corresponding to an event performer reacts according to the provided gift.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a technique in which an avatar object corresponding to an event performer generates a predetermined expression or pose in response to a gift provided by a viewer.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, although the technique of Patent Document 1 controls the reaction of the avatar object corresponding to the performer based on the gift provided by the viewer, if a reaction that is not suitable for the performance being carried out by the avatar object at the time of gift provision occurs, the viewer who provided the gift may feel discomfort, which may also lead to a decrease in the gifting desire.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to actively enhance the gifting desire of users who view an event 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 having a processor and memory, wherein the memory stores reference performance information relating to a performance performed by an arbitrary avatar object, and reference reaction information relating to a reaction performed by the arbitrary avatar object, which is at least associated with the reference performance information, and the program causes the processor to perform the following steps: receiving a gift provision operation from a user viewing an event held in a virtual space to provide a gift to a performer of the event; providing the gift to the performer in response to the received gift provision operation; generating reaction information for the gift by referring to the reference reaction information stored in the memory from first information relating to a performance performed by an avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performer; and causing at least one of the avatar object and an event object associated with the avatar object to perform a reaction in accordance with the generated reaction information. [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 is the data structure of the reaction information database stored in the memory of server 20. [Figure 7] This flowchart illustrates a series of processes that cause avatar objects corresponding to performers to react to gifts provided by users watching the event. [Figure 8] This is another flowchart illustrating a series of processes that cause avatar objects corresponding to performers to react to gifts provided by users watching the event. [Figure 9] This flowchart illustrates a series of processes that allow users to specify when a gift should be delivered. [Figure 10] This flowchart represents a series of processes that accept requests from performers to restrict the generation of reaction information. [Figure 11] This is an example screen showing how a user selects performers for an event to which they will provide gifts. [Figure 12] This is an example screen showing the user selecting a gift. [Figure 13] This is an example screen showing that gifts have been provided to the performers. [Figure 14] This is an example screen showing a situation where a new gift has been provided to a performer. [Figure 15] This is another example screen showing that a new gift has been provided to a performer. [Figure 16] This is another example screen showing that a new gift has been provided to a performer. [Figure 17] This diagram shows the basic hardware configuration of computer 90.

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

[0011] Also, in the following description, a "processor" refers to one or more processors. At least one processor is typically a microprocessor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), but may also be another type of processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). 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, expressions 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] Furthermore, in the following explanation, the subject of the process may sometimes be "program," but since a program is executed by a processor and performs defined processes using the memory and / or interface as appropriate, the subject of the process may also be the processor (or a device such as a controller that has that processor).

[0016] The program may be installed on a device such as a computer, or it may reside on a program distribution server or a computer-readable (e.g., non-temporary) recording medium. Furthermore, in the following description, two or more programs may be implemented as a single program, or one program may be implemented as two or more programs.

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

[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 who view events held in a virtual space or by performers of events. 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, and information about the reactions of avatar objects corresponding to event performers (reaction information). Also, for example, Server 20 generates reaction information for avatar objects in response to operations from users who provide gifts while watching an event held in the virtual space.

[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 reaction information database 2023, and the like.

[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, information about the user's membership status if the user is a member for event viewing, information about the number of times the user has participated in an event, information about their favorite performers, information about the total amount of gifts provided in events held in virtual space (including past and current events), gift provision history information regarding gifts provided in 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 in 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, if gift content (an object representing a gift) is to be placed at a position corresponding to a part of an avatar object, and the object is a hat (gift), then the object can be placed by attaching it to the position corresponding to the head of the avatar object. For example, if gift content (an object representing a gift) is to be placed at a position corresponding to a part of an avatar object, and the object is a backpack (gift), then the object can be placed by attaching it to the position corresponding to the back of the avatar object. Gifts include gifts that are represented in ways other than gift objects. Gifts that are represented in ways other than gift objects include, for example, gifts consisting of text data, gifts consisting of music or audio data, and gifts that are equivalent to money or a means of payment, often referred to as "tips." Gifts also include those that are not directly provided to the event performers. Such gifts may include actions performed by a user avatar when the user's avatar is placed in the virtual space. Actions performed by a user avatar include, for example, actions in which the user avatar attaches or holds an object (for example, an action in which the user avatar attaches 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 performer). In this case, in response to the operation of providing the gift received from the user, the state in which the user avatar in the virtual space is attached or held with the object corresponding to the gift is reflected. In this way, the gift is provided to the performer by the reflection of the action of attaching or holding an object to the user avatar in the virtual space. Actions performed by a user avatar also include, for example, actions related to performances such as dancing, jumping, or waving in the virtual space. In this case, in response to the operation of providing the gift received from the user, the user avatar in the virtual space performs the performance corresponding to the gift. In this way, the gift is provided to the performer by the reflection of the action of the user avatar's performance in the virtual space. 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] The Reaction Information Database 2023 is a database for storing information about reactions performed by at least one of the avatar objects corresponding to event performers and the event objects associated with the avatar objects. Information about reactions includes, for example, information about the identification ID, information about the target of the reaction, information about the performed reaction, information about the reference performance, information about the reference gift conditions, information about the reference performer conditions, information about the reference viewer user conditions, etc. Information regarding the target of a reaction represents the target to which the reaction should be performed. This information includes information indicating that the target is an avatar object corresponding to a performer, and information indicating that the target is an event object associated with the avatar object. An event object is an object already placed in the virtual space of an event, or an object newly placed in the virtual space, that performs some kind of reaction to a gift provided by a user. An event object associated with an avatar object is a gift object that is somehow associated with the avatar object corresponding to the performer who received the gift, and is an object that can be easily identified by the user who provided the gift as being associated with the avatar object to which the gift was provided. Examples of event objects associated with an avatar object include event objects that are located within a predetermined distance from the avatar object or that appear within a predetermined distance, event objects that have characteristics associated with the avatar object (such as an event object with an image associated with the avatar object, or an event object with a color scheme or image color associated with the avatar object), and other event objects that have characteristics that visually or audibly indicate their association with the avatar object. In this embodiment, the reaction information database 2023 is described as including both information indicating that it is an avatar object corresponding to a performer and information indicating that it is an event object associated with the avatar object, as information representing the target for which a reaction should be performed. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the reaction information database 2023 may store either information indicating that it is an avatar object corresponding to a performer or information indicating that it is an event object associated with the avatar object. Information regarding the execution of a reaction refers to the reaction to be performed on an avatar object corresponding to a performer who has received a gift from a viewer, or on an event object associated with that avatar object. Information regarding the reaction includes, for example, information regarding the type of reaction. If the target of the reaction is an avatar object corresponding to a performer, the information regarding the type of reaction represents the type of reaction, such as a reaction using the avatar object's motion, a reaction using an object other than the avatar object's motion that the avatar object is wearing, a reaction using voice / music, or a reaction using a message. Information regarding the reaction also includes, for example, in the case of a reaction using the avatar object's motion, information regarding the specific motion performed by the avatar object, such as the avatar object dancing, waving, bowing, jumping, making eye contact with the user who provided the gift, or closing one eye. Furthermore, when the target of a reaction is an avatar object corresponding to a performer and an associated event object, the information regarding the type of reaction includes, for example, information representing the type of reaction such as a reaction caused by the motion of the event object (including objects already placed in the virtual space and objects newly placed in the virtual space), a reaction caused by a change in the display manner of the event object, a reaction caused by the sound / music associated with the event object, and a reaction caused by the message associated with the event object. The motion of the event object includes, for example, the motion of a lighting object (event object) placed behind the avatar object corresponding to the performer who received the gift illuminating the avatar object, the motion of a fireworks object being launched as an event object behind the avatar object corresponding to the performer who received the gift, and the motion of a heart object being displayed as an event object above the head of the avatar object corresponding to the performer who received the gift. Furthermore, the reaction information may include reaction evaluation information that represents a scale of the reaction of the performers appearing at the event to the gifts provided by the user. Even if a performer who receives a gift from a user reacts to the gift, the scale of that reaction may vary, and if a special gift is provided to a performer, the performer may give a more grateful reaction to the user who provided the gift compared to when other gifts are provided. Reaction evaluation information can include, for example, numerical evaluation information. In this case, the reaction evaluation information is set so that a higher number indicates a larger scale of reaction (greater gratitude expressed to the user). When the target of the reaction is an avatar object corresponding to the performer, the value is set as follows: for example, "10" for a performer's dance motion, "8" for a performer's jump motion, "7" for a performer's bow motion, "6" for a performer's wave motion, "5" for a performer's smiling motion, "4" for a performer's closing one eye motion, "3" for an audio reaction (for example, an audio saying "thank you"), "2" for a message reaction (for example, a message displaying "thank you"), and so on. Reference performance information refers to the performance performed by the avatar object corresponding to any performer. This information includes, for example, reference performance category information and reference performance behavior information. Reference performance information is stored in association with information about the executed reaction. The reference performance category information is information about the performance performed by the avatar object corresponding to any performer, and is information about the type of performance. The performance type information includes, for example, information representing the type of performance performed by the avatar object corresponding to the performer, such as singing (including up-tempo singing, slow-tempo singing, ballad singing, etc.), dancing (including up-tempo dancing, slow-tempo dancing, etc.), talking (including talking between performers, talking with viewers, etc.), theater, and performing arts. The reference performance type information is information that is referenced when generating reaction information to a gift based on information about the performance performed by the avatar object corresponding to the performer (first information) at the time when a gift is provided to the performer by a user watching an event held in the virtual space. Specifically, by referencing the reference performance category information corresponding to the first information (information about the category of performance performed by the avatar object), information about the execution reaction associated with the reference performance category information can be generated as reaction information to the gift. Reference performance action information refers to information about the performance performed by the avatar object corresponding to any performer, and is information about the specific actions of that performance. Performance action information includes, for example, information about the specific actions that the performer performs in each category of performance, such as singing without movement, singing with movement, singing with jumping, singing with dancing, singing with waving, singing with raising, dancing with singing, dancing without singing, dancing primarily with hands, dancing primarily with feet, dancing with full-body movement, dancing with rotation, talking with waving, talking with raising, talking with movement, talking with jumping, etc. Reference performance action information is information referenced when generating reaction information to a gift based on information about the performance performed by the avatar object corresponding to the performer (first information) at the time when a gift is provided to the performer by a user watching an event held in a virtual space. Specifically, by referring to reference performance action information corresponding to the first piece of information (information about the actions of the performance being performed by the avatar object), information about the execution reaction associated with that reference performance action can be generated as reaction information to the gift. In this case, to determine which reference performance action the first piece of information corresponds to, it is also possible to divide the performance being performed by the avatar object into actions, determine the information about the performance being performed by the avatar object at the time the gift is provided to the performer based on the divided actions, and then refer to the reference performance action information corresponding to the determined performance information.Since performances by avatar objects typically combine various actions such as singing and dancing within a single performance, dividing a continuous performance into individual actions (e.g., raising the right hand, extending the left index finger, spreading the legs, jumping to waist height) allows for the generation of more accurate reaction information. Reference performance information can be stored in the reaction information database 2023 to correspond to this divided information about the performance performed by the avatar object (first information). When the performance performed by an object is divided into actions in this way, information about the action performed by the avatar object (first information) can be identified for each divided action (for example, by the specific module 2039 described later), and information about the reference performance action corresponding to the identified first information can be referenced. Reference gift conditions information represents the gift conditions offered to any performer. Reference gift conditions information is stored in association with the information on the executed reaction and the reference reaction. Information representing gift conditions includes, for example, information on the type of gift (gifts represented by a specific object, gifts equivalent to tips, gifts represented by actions performed by an avatar object corresponding to a viewer user, etc.), information on the category of the gift (general gifts, limited gifts that can only be offered at a specific event, gifts that can only be offered during a specific period of the event, limited gifts that can only be offered to a specific performer, gifts that can only be offered to a specific viewer user, etc.), and information on the amount of the gift (specific amount of money charged, free, etc.). Reference performer criteria information represents the performer criteria for any performer receiving a gift. This information is stored in association with information about the performed reaction and the referenced reaction. Examples of performer criteria include information about the performer's affiliation, preferred gifts, areas of expertise, and typical reactions. Information regarding referential viewing user conditions represents the viewing user conditions for users who view the event. This information is stored in association with information regarding executed reactions and reference reactions. Information representing performer conditions includes, for example, information about the user's age, information about the user's gender, information about the user's membership status if the user is a member for event viewing, information about the number of times the event has been attended, information about favorite performers, information about the total amount of gifts provided in events held in the virtual space (including past and ongoing events), gift provision history information regarding gifts provided in events held in the virtual space (including past and ongoing 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 history of actions in or outside of events held in the virtual space.

[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, transmission control module 2032, user information acquisition module 2033, gift provision operation reception module 2034, gift provision module 2035, generation module 2036, execution module 2037, presentation module 2038, identification module 2039, detection module 2040, specification operation reception module 2041, restriction module 2042, restriction operation reception module 2043, etc.

[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 an 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 is placed in the virtual space in response to the user's operation to provide the gift. For example, if the gift to be provided is a paid gift, the user's operation to purchase the gift corresponds to the operation to provide the gift, and the gift is placed 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 is placed in the virtual space 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 gifts to performers in an event viewed by a user, in response to a gift provision operation received by the gift provision operation reception module 2034. Specifically, the gift provision module 2035 provides gifts to performers in an event, in response to a gift provision operation received from a user viewing an event held in a virtual space. 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). In this case, 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 generation module 2036 controls a series of processes for generating reaction information to a gift, based on first information regarding the performance of at least the avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performer. Specifically, the generation module 2036 refers to the information stored in the reaction information database 2023 (information regarding reference performance and information regarding execution performance associated with that information) and generates reaction information to a gift, based on first information regarding the performance of at least the avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performer by the gift provision module 2035. The first piece of information is, for example, information about the type of performance. This information includes, for example, information representing the type of performance performed by the avatar object corresponding to the performer, such as singing (including up-tempo singing, slow-tempo singing, ballad singing, etc.), dancing (including up-tempo dancing, slow-tempo dancing, etc.), talking (including talking between performers, talking with viewers, etc.), theater, and entertainment. For example, information about the type of performance can be pre-set for certain periods within an event. For example, this applies when an event is pre-set into multiple parts for certain periods, such as a singing part, a talking part, and a dancing part. In this case, the first piece of information is determined by which pre-set part (period) the timing of when the gift is provided to the performer falls under. Alternatively, for example, information about the type of performance can be specified by the performer during the event. For example, an event performer can, through their own actions, specify a particular period within the event as a singing part, a talking part, a dancing part, etc. In this case, the first piece of information is determined by which part (period) specified by the performer corresponds to the timing of when the gift is provided to the performer. The first type of information is, for example, information about the actions of the performance. For example, this includes information about the specific actions that the performer will take in each category of performance, such as singing actions without movement, singing actions with movement, singing actions with jumping, singing actions with dancing, singing actions with waving, singing actions with raising, dancing actions with singing, dancing actions without singing, dancing actions primarily involving the hands, dancing actions primarily involving the feet, dancing actions with full-body movement, dancing actions with rotation, talking actions with waving, talking actions with raising, talking actions with movement, and talking actions with jumping. It should also be possible to set information about the actions of the performance for each detailed movement of the avatar object (such as raising the right hand, extending the left index finger, spreading both legs, jumping to waist height, etc.).

[0062] The first information used in the processing of the generation module 2036 can be, for example, information detected by the detection module 2040, which will be described later. In this case, the generation module 2036 can generate reaction information based on the first information detected by the detection module 2024. Alternatively, the first information used in the processing of the generation module 2036 can be, for example, information pre-set for each time slot of the event. Specifically, a performance type is set for each time slot in the event, and the first information is information regarding the performance type corresponding to the time slot of the event at the time when the gift is provided to the performer. In this case, the generation module 2036 can generate reaction information based on the first information (information regarding the performance type) corresponding to the time slot of the event at the time when the gift is provided to the performer.

[0063] The generation module 2036 generates reaction information to a gift based on first information regarding at least the performance being performed by the avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performer, but the timing of when the gift is provided to the performer can be set arbitrarily. The timing of when the gift is provided to the performer can be, for example, when the provision of the gift to the performer is completed. If the gift is represented as a gift object, the timing of when the gift provision is completed can be when the gift object is placed. In this case, if the gift object is a dynamic object that moves within the virtual space, it can be when the gift object is placed within a predetermined distance from the avatar object corresponding to the performer receiving the gift. If the gift is a gift equivalent to money or a means of payment equivalent to money, known as a "tip," it can be when the completion of the tip is displayed or notified. If the gift is an action performed by a user avatar corresponding to a user, it can be when the action is reflected in the virtual space. In addition to the above, the timing of when the gift is provided to the performer can also be when the user completes the operation to provide the gift.

[0064] The reaction information generated by generation module 2036 is information for determining what reaction (an action to express gratitude to the user who provided the gift) should be performed by at least one of the avatar object corresponding to the performer who received the gift, or the event object associated with the avatar object. The reaction information includes, for example, information indicating the target to which the reaction should be performed. This information may include, for example, information indicating that it is the avatar object corresponding to the performer, or information indicating that it is an event object. An event object is an object already placed in the virtual space of an event, or an object newly placed in the virtual space, which performs some kind of reaction to a gift provided by a user. The reaction information also includes, for example, information regarding the type of reaction. If the target of the reaction is the avatar object corresponding to the performer, the information regarding the type of reaction may include, for example, information indicating the type of reaction such as a reaction using the avatar object's motion, a reaction using an object other than the avatar object's motion, a reaction using voice / music, or a reaction using a message. In this case, the reaction information includes, for example, information about the specific motions performed by the avatar object in the case of a reaction based on the avatar object's motion, such as the avatar object dancing, waving, bowing, jumping, making eye contact with the user who provided the gift, or closing one eye.Furthermore, when the target of a reaction is an avatar object corresponding to a performer and an associated event object, the reaction information represents the type of reaction, such as a reaction caused by the motion of the event object (including objects already placed in the virtual space and objects newly placed in the virtual space), a reaction caused by a change in the display manner of the event object, a reaction caused by the sound / music associated with the event object, or a reaction caused by the message associated with the event object. The motion of the event object includes, for example, a motion in which a lighting object (event object) placed behind the avatar object corresponding to the performer who received the gift illuminates the avatar object, a motion in which a fireworks object is launched as an event object behind the avatar object corresponding to the performer who received the gift, or a motion in which a heart object is displayed as an event object above the head of the avatar object corresponding to the performer who received the gift. Thus, by having the avatar object and its associated event object perform a reaction, the generation module 2036 can perform a reaction without affecting the avatar object's motion. The reaction information can generate not only reaction information to be performed by either the avatar object or the event object associated with the avatar object, but also reaction information to be performed by both the avatar object and the event object. Furthermore, the reaction information may include reaction evaluation information that represents the scale of the reaction of the performers appearing in the event to the gift provided by the user. Even if a performer who receives a gift from a user reacts to the gift, the scale of that reaction can vary, and if a special gift is provided to a performer, the performer may give a reaction that expresses greater gratitude to the user who provided the gift compared to when other gifts are provided. Reaction evaluation information can include, for example, numerical evaluation information.In this case, the reaction evaluation information is set so that a higher number indicates a larger scale of reaction (expressing greater gratitude to the user). When the target of the reaction is an avatar object corresponding to the performer, for example, the value is set as follows: "10" for a performer dancing motion, "8" for a performer jumping motion, "7" for a performer bowing motion, "6" for a performer waving motion, "5" for a performer making a smiling face motion, "4" for a performer closing one eye motion, "3" for an audio reaction (e.g., an audio saying "thank you"), "2" for a message reaction (e.g., a message displaying "thank you"), and so on.

[0065] The generation module 2036 can generate reaction information to gifts by referring to information other than the first information regarding the performance being performed by the avatar object corresponding to the performer. For example, the generation module 2036 may further generate reaction information to gifts based on information about gifts provided to the performer. In this case, the generation module 2036 generates reaction information to gifts based on the first information and information about gifts. Information about gifts includes, for example, information about the name of the gift, information about the category of the gift, information about the data type of the gift, information about the gift content 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 cash, such as points). When generating reaction information, information about gifts is referred to in addition to the first information, so reaction information is generated that takes into account the content and nature of the gifts provided to the performer. As a result, users who have expressed their willingness to gift can expect appropriate reaction information from the performer, and their willingness to gift can be increased. For example, generation module 2036 may also generate reaction information to gifts based on information about the performer receiving the gift. In this case, generation module 2036 generates reaction information to gifts based on the first information and information about the performer receiving the gift. Information about the performer includes, for example, information about the performer's name, the performer's affiliation, the performer's preferred gifts, the performer's specialty performances, and the performer's typical reactions. When generating reaction information, information about the performer receiving the gift is referenced in addition to the first information, so reaction information that takes into account the performer's characteristics, preferences, etc., is generated. As a result, users who have expressed their willingness to gift can expect more appropriate reaction information from the performer, and the user's willingness to gift can be increased. For example, generation module 2036 may also generate reaction information to gifts based on information about the user providing the gift. In this case, generation module 2036 generates reaction information to gifts based on the first information and information about the user providing the gift. Information about the user includes, for example, information about the user's name, information about the user's age, information about the user's gender, information about the user's contact information, information about the user's membership status if the user is a member for event viewing, information about the number of times the user has participated in an event, information about their favorite performers, information about the total amount of gifts provided in events held in virtual space (including past events and events currently being participated in), gift provision history information regarding the history of providing gifts in events held in virtual space (including past events and events currently being participated in) (including the gift ID of the gift provided, the category of the gift, the timing (date and time) when the operation to provide the gift was accepted, the recipient of the gift (performer), etc.), log information representing the history of activities in or outside of events held in virtual space. When generating reaction information, in addition to the first piece of information, information about the user providing the gift is also referenced. This allows for the generation of reaction information that takes into account the user's preferences, membership status, and gift-giving history. As a result, users who express a willingness to gift can expect more appropriate reaction information from the performers, thereby increasing their willingness to gift. Furthermore, when generating reaction information, the information referenced in addition to the first information—information about gifts provided to performers, information about performers receiving gifts, and information about users providing gifts—can be combined. Specifically, the generation module 2036 can generate reaction information to gifts based on the first information and any or all combinations of the information about gifts provided to performers, information about performers receiving gifts, and information about users providing gifts.

[0066] Execution module 2037 controls a series of processes that cause an avatar object or an event object associated with an avatar object to perform a reaction according to the generated reaction information. Specifically, execution module 2037 causes an avatar object or an event object associated with an avatar object corresponding to a performer who has received a gift to perform a reaction according to the reaction information generated by generation module 2036. For example, if the reaction information generated by generation module 2036 is a reaction to be performed by an avatar object corresponding to a performer, and the reaction information relates to the avatar object waving its hand, execution module 2037 will cause the avatar object to perform the waving motion as a reaction. In this case, execution module 2037 can consider the actions and motions that the avatar object is performing at the time it is causing the avatar object to perform the reaction. For example, if the avatar object is performing a motion of raising its right arm upwards at the time it is causing the avatar object to perform the reaction, execution module 2037 can cause the avatar object to perform a waving motion using that raised right arm. For example, when an avatar object is in the middle of a conversation, the execution module 2037 can perform a reaction at a point when the conversation has paused (for example, when one part of the conversation has ended).For example, if the reaction information generated by the generation module 2036 is reaction information to be performed by an avatar object corresponding to a performer and an associated event object, and the reaction information concerns a motion where a fireworks object is launched as an event object behind the avatar object corresponding to the performer who received the gift, then the execution module 2037 will execute the motion in which the fireworks object is launched behind the avatar object performing in the event.

[0067] The presentation module 2038 controls a series of processes for presenting reactions performed by an avatar object or an event object associated with the avatar object to the user who provided the gift. Specifically, the presentation module 2038 presents the reactions performed by the avatar object or an event object associated with the avatar object by the execution module 2037 by displaying them on the display 1302 of the terminal device 10 used by the user. In this case, the presentation module 2038 can present the reaction to all event viewers, including the user who provided the gift, or it can present it only to the user who provided the gift. If gifts are frequently provided during the event, presenting all the reactions of the performers who received gifts to all viewers may result in a cluttered and unnatural display of reactions on the display 1302 of the terminal device 10 used by the user. Therefore, by presenting the reactions performed by the avatar object only to the user who provided the gift, the user can enjoy reactions without feeling unnatural.

[0068] The specific module 2039 controls a series of processes that identify a first piece of information at the time a gift is provided to a performer. Specifically, the specific module 2039 identifies a first piece of information at the time a gift is provided to a performer by the gift provision module 2035, which concerns at least the performance being carried out by the avatar object corresponding to the performer. The first piece of information regarding a performance identified by specific module 2039 is, for example, information about the type of performance. This information includes, for example, information representing the type of performance performed by an avatar object corresponding to a performer, such as singing (including up-tempo singing, slow-tempo singing, ballad singing, etc.), dancing (including up-tempo dancing, slow-tempo dancing, etc.), talking (including talking between performers, talking with viewers, etc.), theater, and entertainment. For example, information about the type of performance can be pre-set for certain periods within an event. For example, this applies when an event is pre-set into multiple parts for certain periods, such as a singing part, a talking part, and a dancing part. In this case, the first piece of information is determined by which pre-set part (period) the timing of the gift being provided to the performer falls under. Alternatively, for example, information about the type of performance can be specified by the performer during the event. For example, an event performer can, through their own actions, specify a particular period within the event as a singing part, a talking part, a dancing part, etc. In this case, the first piece of information is determined by which part (period) specified by the performer corresponds to the timing of when the gift is provided to the performer. The first piece of information about a performance identified by specific module 2039 is, for example, information about the actions of the performance. For example, this includes information about the specific actions that the performer takes in each category of performance, such as singing actions without movement, singing actions with movement, singing actions with jumping, singing actions with dancing, singing actions with waving, singing actions with raising hands, dancing actions with singing, dancing actions without singing, hand-based dancing, foot-based dancing, dancing actions with full-body movement, dancing actions with rotation, talking actions with waving, talking actions with raising hands, talking actions with movement, and talking actions with jumping. Information about the actions of the performance can also be set for each detailed movement of the avatar object (e.g., raising the right hand, extending the left index finger, spreading both legs, jumping to waist height). In this case, the specific module 2039 can identify the performance being performed by the avatar object for each detailed movement, and the generation module 2036 can generate reaction information to the gift by referring to the information stored in the reaction information database 2023 (information about reference performance and information about execution performance associated with that information) based on the performance information (first information) identified by the specific module 2039 for each detailed movement. The specific module 2039 can also identify the first piece of information detected by the detection module 2040, which will be described later. The timing at which a gift is provided to a performer when specific module 2039 identifies the first piece of information can be arbitrarily set. For example, the timing at which a gift is provided to a performer can be the timing when the provision of the gift to the performer is completed. If the gift is represented as a gift object, the timing when the gift provision is completed can be the timing when the gift object is placed. In this case, if the gift object is a dynamic object that moves within the virtual space, the timing can be the timing when the gift object is placed within a predetermined distance from the avatar object corresponding to the performer receiving the gift. If the gift is a gift equivalent to money or a means of payment equivalent to money, known as a "tip," the timing can be the timing when it is displayed or notified that the tip provision has been completed. If the gift is an action performed by a user avatar corresponding to a user, the timing can be the timing when the action is reflected in the virtual space. In addition to the above, the timing at which a gift is provided to a performer can also be the timing when the user completes the operation to provide the gift.

[0069] The detection module 2040 controls a series of processes for detecting a first piece of information at the time a gift is provided to a performer. Specifically, the detection module 2040 detects a first piece of information regarding the performance being performed by at least the avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time a gift is provided to the performer by the gift provision module 2035. The first piece of information regarding the performance identified by the detection module 2040 is, for example, information about the type of performance. Information about the type of performance includes, for example, information representing the type of performance performed by the avatar object corresponding to the performer, such as singing (including up-tempo singing, slow-tempo singing, ballad singing, etc.), dancing (including up-tempo dancing, slow-tempo dancing, etc.), talking (including talking between performers, talking with viewers, etc.), acting, and performing arts. For example, information about the type of performance can be pre-set for each period in the event. For example, this applies when the event is pre-set to be divided into multiple parts for each period of the event, such as a singing part, a talking part, and a dancing part. In this case, the first piece of information is determined by which pre-set part (period) the timing of the gift being given to the performer falls within. For example, information regarding the type of performance can be specified by the performer during the event. For instance, an event performer can designate specific periods within the event as singing, talking, dancing, etc. In this case, the first piece of information is determined by which part (period) the performer designates the timing of the gift being given within. The first piece of information could also be, for example, information regarding the actions of the performance.For example, this includes information about the specific actions that performers take within each performance category, such as singing actions without movement, singing actions with movement, singing actions with jumping, singing actions with dancing, singing actions with waving, singing actions with raising hands, dancing actions with singing, dancing actions without singing, hand-based dancing, foot-based dancing, full-body dancing, dancing actions with rotation, talking actions with waving, talking actions with raising hands, talking actions with movement, and talking actions with jumping. The timing at which the gift is provided to the performer when the detection module 2040 detects the first piece of information can be arbitrarily set. The timing at which the gift is provided to the performer can be, for example, the timing at which the provision of the gift to the performer is completed. If the gift is represented as a gift object, the timing at which the gift provision is completed can be the timing at which the gift object is placed. In this case, if the gift object is a dynamic object that moves within the virtual space, the timing at which the gift object is placed within a predetermined distance from the avatar object corresponding to the performer receiving the gift can be the timing at which the gift object is placed within a predetermined distance from the avatar object corresponding to the performer receiving the gift. If the gift is a gift equivalent to money or a means of payment equivalent to money, known as a "tip," the timing at which the completion of the tip provision is displayed or notified can be the timing at which the completion of the tip provision is displayed or notified. If the gift is an action performed by a user avatar corresponding to a user, the timing at which the action is reflected in the virtual space can be the timing at which the action is reflected in the virtual space. In addition to the above, the timing at which the gift is provided to the performer can also be the timing at which the user completes the operation to provide the gift.

[0070] The designated operation reception module 2041 controls a series of processes that receive an operation from a user to specify the timing at which the gift will be placed in the virtual space. Specifically, the designated operation reception module 2041 receives an operation to specify the timing at which the gift will be placed in the virtual space via a terminal device 10 used by a user viewing the event. In this case, the terminal device 10 sends information about the operation to specify the timing at which the gift will be placed in the virtual space, which it received from the user, to the server 20. The designated operation reception module 2041 on the server 20 receives this information from the terminal device 10. The timing at which the gift specified by the user will be placed in the virtual space, as received by the designated operation reception module 2041, includes, for example, the timing at which a specific singing performance is taking place, the timing at which a singing performance is taking place and a specific motion (e.g., a jumping motion, a moving motion, a hand-raising motion, etc.) is taking place, the timing at which a specific dance performance is taking place, the timing at which talk is taking place, etc. In this way, by allowing users to specify when gifts are placed in the virtual space, it is possible to make the avatar object corresponding to the performer perform the reaction that the user who provided the gift expects, thereby increasing users' desire to give gifts.

[0071] The restriction module 2042 controls a series of processes that restrict the generation of reaction information or the execution of reactions in response to that information. Specifically, the restriction module 2042 restricts the generation of reaction information by the generation module 2036 or the execution of reactions in response to that reaction information, depending on certain conditions. For example, the restriction module 2042 can restrict the generation of reaction information by the generation module 2036 in response to a restriction operation received by the restriction operation reception module 2043 (described later) to restrict the generation of reaction information from performers or the execution of reactions in response to that reaction information. Alternatively, the restriction module 2042 can restrict the generation of reaction information by the generation module 2036 or the execution of reactions in response to that reaction information during a predetermined period in an event. For example, a period may be predetermined during which a specific performance such as singing or dancing is taking place by a performer, or during a period when a performer is talking, where the generation of reaction information may result in an unnatural performance. The restriction module 2042 can then restrict the generation of reaction information by the generation module 2036 or the execution of reactions in response to that reaction information during that period in the event.

[0072] The restriction operation reception module 2043 controls a series of processes for receiving restriction operations from performers to restrict the generation of reaction information or the execution of reactions in response to that information. Specifically, the restriction operation reception module 2043 receives restriction operations to restrict the generation of reaction information from the terminal device 10 of the event performers. In this case, the terminal device 10 sends information about the restriction operation to restrict the generation of reaction information that it received from the user to the server 20. The restriction operation reception module 2043 on the server 20 receives this information from the terminal device 10. Performers may want to react to gifts themselves depending on the situation of the event. In such cases, performers can perform restriction operations to restrict the generation of reaction information or the execution of reactions in response to that information.

[0073] <2 Data Structure> Figure 4 shows the data structure of the user information database 2021 stored by server 20.

[0074] As shown in Figure 4, the user information database 2021 includes items such as "User ID", "User Name", "Age", "Gender", "Contact Information", "Membership Status", "Number of Events Attended", "Favorite Performer", "Total Amount Spent", "Gift Provision History", "Log", and "Remarks".

[0075] The "ID" field is information that identifies users who are viewing events held in a virtual space.

[0076] 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.

[0077] The "Age" field contains information indicating the user's age.

[0078] The "Gender" field indicates the user's gender.

[0079] The "Contact Information" field contains information that shows the user's contact details. This information includes the user's address, phone number, etc.

[0080] The "Membership Status" field contains information about the user's membership status when they are a member for event viewing. This information includes, for example, information representing the member's rank, such as S, A, B, or C.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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).

[0084] The item "Gift Provision History" 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.

[0085] The "Log" item refers to information about logs representing events held in the virtual space or user activity outside of those events. Log information includes, for example, information about past events held in the virtual space in which the user participated; information about user reactions (reactions different from providing gifts) to performers at past events held in the virtual space; information about purchase history of content, goods, services, etc., other than gifts provided to performers at past events held in the virtual space; information about access history to websites etc. set up at past events held in the virtual space; and information about the sending and receiving history of messages etc. made by the user at past events held in the virtual space.

[0086] The "Remarks" field is used to store information if there are any special notes or other important details in the user's information. Server 20 may, for example, record any other information that needs to be stored in the record.

[0087] Figure 5 shows the data structure of the gift information database 2022 stored by server 20.

[0088] As shown in Figure 5, the gift information database 2022 includes fields such as "ID", "Gift Name", "Category", "Data Type", "Content", "Charging Price", and "Remarks".

[0089] The "ID" field is information that identifies the gifts available for events held in the virtual space.

[0090] The item "Gift Name" contains information indicating the name of the gift.

[0091] The "Category" field contains information indicating the category of the gift. This information includes, for example, gift object-type gifts, tip-type gifts, wearable gifts that are attached to a user avatar, and performance-type gifts in which a user avatar performs.

[0092] 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.

[0093] The "Content" item contains information about the gift content, which is placed in the virtual space as an object that visually represents the gift.

[0094] 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."

[0095] 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.

[0096] Figure 6 shows the data structure of the reaction information database 2023 stored by server 20.

[0097] As shown in Figure 6, the reaction information database 2023 includes items such as "ID", "Reaction Target", "Executed Reaction", "Reference Performance", "Reference Gift Conditions", "Reference Viewer Conditions", "Reference Performer Conditions", and "Remarks".

[0098] The "ID" field is used to identify reaction information.

[0099] The "Reaction Target" field contains information that indicates the target to which a reaction should be performed. This information includes whether the target is an avatar object corresponding to a performer or an event object. An event object is an object already placed in the virtual space of an event, or an object that will be newly placed in the virtual space, and which will perform some kind of reaction to a gift provided by a user.

[0100] The item "Execution Reaction" is information about the reaction to be performed on the avatar object corresponding to the performer who has received a gift from a viewer user, or on an event object associated with the avatar object. Information about the reaction includes, for example, information about the type of reaction. If the target of the reaction is the avatar object corresponding to the performer, the information about the type of reaction represents the type of reaction, such as a reaction using the avatar object's motion, a reaction using an object other than the avatar object's motion that the avatar object is wearing, a reaction using voice / music, or a reaction using a message. Information about the reaction also includes, for example, in the case of a reaction using the avatar object's motion, information about the specific motion performed by the avatar object, such as the avatar object dancing, waving, bowing, jumping, making eye contact with the user who provided the gift, or closing one eye.

[0101] The "Reference Performance" item contains information about the performance performed by the avatar object corresponding to any performer. This information includes, for example, information about the reference performance category and information about the reference performance behavior. The reference performance category information is information about the performance performed by the avatar object corresponding to any performer, and is information about the type of performance. The information about the type of performance includes, for example, information representing the type of performance performed by the avatar object corresponding to the performer, such as singing (including up-tempo singing, slow-tempo singing, ballad singing, etc.), dancing (including up-tempo dancing, slow-tempo dancing, etc.), talking (including talking between performers, talking with viewers, etc.), theater, and performing arts. Reference performance action information refers to information about the performance performed by an avatar object corresponding to any performer, and is information about the specific actions of that performance. Performance action information includes, for example, information about the specific actions that a performer performs in each category of performance, such as singing without movement, singing with movement, singing with jumping, singing with dancing, singing with waving, singing with raising, dancing with singing, dancing without singing, dancing primarily with hands, dancing primarily with feet, dancing with full-body movement, dancing with rotation, talking with waving, talking with raising, talking with movement, talking with jumping, etc.

[0102] The item "Reference Gift Conditions" is information that represents the gift conditions offered to any performer. This information includes, for example, information about the type of gift (gifts represented by specific objects, gifts equivalent to tips, gifts represented by actions performed by avatar objects corresponding to viewer users, etc.), information about the gift category (general gifts, limited gifts that can only be offered at specific events, gifts that can only be offered during specific periods of events, limited gifts that can only be offered to specific performers, gifts that can only be offered to specific viewer users, etc.), and information about the amount of the gift (specific amount, free, etc.).

[0103] The item "Reference Viewer Conditions" refers to information about the reference performer conditions, which represent the performer conditions for any performer receiving a gift. This information includes, for example, information about the performer's affiliation, the performer's preferred gifts, the performer's strengths in performance, and the performer's typical reactions.

[0104] The item "Reference Performer Conditions" refers to information about the viewing user conditions for users who view the event. Information representing performer conditions includes, for example, information about the user's age, information about the user's gender, information about the user's membership status if the user is a member for viewing the event, information about the number of times the event has been attended, information about favorite performers, information about the total amount of gifts provided in events held in the virtual space (including past and current events), gift provision history information regarding the history of gifts provided in events held in the 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 history of activities in or outside of events held in the virtual space.

[0105] The "Remarks" field is used to store information if there are any special notes or other details in the reaction information. Server 20 may, for example, record any other information that needs to be stored in the record.

[0106] <3 Examples of Operation> The following describes a series of processes in which System 1 causes the avatar object corresponding to the performer who received the gift to react in response to an operation by a user who is watching an event held in a virtual space to provide a gift.

[0107] Figure 7 is a flowchart representing a series of processes in which, in response to an operation by a user watching an event held in a virtual space to provide a gift, a gift is provided to the performer, reaction information to the gift is generated based on first information regarding the performance of at least the avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performer, and the avatar object is instructed to perform a reaction according to the generated reaction information. However, the operation flow in this disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the terminal device 10 may perform all of the series of processes, or the server 20 may perform all of the series of processes.

[0108] In step S701, 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 acceptance module 2034 accepts an operation to specify a gift for a 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 a 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 acceptance 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 the performer of the event. 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.

[0109] In step S751, the control unit 203 of the server 20 provides a gift to the performer in response to the operation to provide a gift received from the user in step S601. For example, the gift provision module 2035 provides the gift to the event performer by placing a gift object representing the gift in the virtual space. The gift provision module 2035 can also provide gifts in forms other than gift objects. For example, the gift provision module 2035 can provide gifts in forms other than gift objects, such as 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 "tipping." The gift provision module 2035 can also provide gifts in forms other than those directly provided to the event performer. Such gifts may include, for example, actions performed by a user avatar when a user avatar corresponding to a user is placed in the virtual space. Actions performed by user avatars include, for example, actions in which the user avatar attaches or holds an object (for example, an action in which the user avatar attaches 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., in order to cheer on a performer). In this case, the gift provision module 2035 reflects the state in the virtual space where the user avatar is attached or holding the object corresponding to the gift. In this way, the gift provision module 2035 provides the gift to the performer by reflecting the action of attaching or holding an object to the user avatar in the virtual space. Actions performed by user avatars also include, for example, actions related to performances in the virtual space, such as dancing, jumping, and waving. 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.

[0110] In step S752, the control unit 203 of the server 20 generates reaction information for the gift based on first information regarding the performance performed by at least the avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performer in step S751. For example, the generation module 2036 refers to the information stored in the reaction information database 2023 (information regarding reference performance and information regarding execution performance associated with that information) and generates reaction information for the gift based on first information regarding the performance performed by at least the avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performer by the gift provision module 2035. The first piece of information is, for example, information about the type of performance. This information includes, for example, information representing the type of performance performed by the avatar object corresponding to the performer, such as singing (including up-tempo singing, slow-tempo singing, ballad singing, etc.), dancing (including up-tempo dancing, slow-tempo dancing, etc.), talking (including talking between performers, talking with viewers, etc.), theater, and entertainment. For example, information about the type of performance can be pre-set for certain periods within an event. For example, this applies when an event is pre-set into multiple parts for certain periods, such as a singing part, a talking part, and a dancing part. In this case, the first piece of information is determined by which pre-set part (period) the timing of when the gift is provided to the performer falls under. Alternatively, for example, information about the type of performance can be specified by the performer during the event. For example, an event performer can, through their own actions, specify a particular period within the event as a singing part, a talking part, a dancing part, etc. In this case, the first piece of information is determined by which part (period) specified by the performer corresponds to the timing of when the gift is provided to the performer. The first type of information is, for example, information about the movements of the performance. This includes information about the specific movements that performers make in each category of performance, such as singing movements without movement, singing movements with movement, singing movements with jumping, singing movements with dancing, singing movements with waving, singing movements with raising, dancing movements with singing, dancing movements without singing, dance movements primarily involving the hands, dance movements primarily involving the feet, dance movements involving full-body movement, dance movements involving rotation, talking movements with waving, talking movements with raising, talking movements with movement, and talking movements with jumping.

[0111] In step S753, the control unit 203 of the server 20 causes the avatar object or an event object associated with the avatar object to perform a reaction according to the reaction information generated in step S752. For example, the execution module 2037 causes the avatar object corresponding to the performer who received the gift to perform a reaction according to the reaction information generated by the generation module 2036. For example, if the reaction information generated by the generation module 2036 is information about the avatar object waving its hand, the execution module 2037 causes the avatar object to perform the waving motion as a reaction.

[0112] In the above example of operation, after processing in step S751, the control unit 203 of the server 20 may perform a process to detect first information regarding the performance being performed by at least the avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performer. For example, the detection module 2040 detects first information regarding the performance being performed by at least the avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performer. Then, in step S752 of the above example of operation, the control unit 203 of the server 20 may perform a process to generate reaction information for the gift based on the first information detected by the detection module 2040. For example, the generation module 2036 generates reaction information for the gift based on the first information detected by the detection module 2040.

[0113] Through this process, reaction information is generated based on first information regarding the avatar object's performance at the time the gift is offered, and the avatar object is instructed to perform a reaction according to the generated reaction information. As a result, a reaction appropriate to the performance of the avatar object is executed, which can actively increase the desire of users watching events in the virtual space to give gifts.

[0114] Figure 8 is a flowchart representing a series of processes in which, in response to an operation by a user watching an event held in a virtual space to provide a gift, a gift is provided to the performer, first information is identified regarding the performance being performed by at least the avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performer, reaction information to the gift is generated based on the identification result, and the avatar object is instructed to perform a reaction according to the generated reaction information. However, the operation flow in this disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the terminal device 10 may perform all of the series of processes, or the server 20 may perform all of the series of processes.

[0115] In step S801, the system accepts an operation to offer a gift from a user viewing the event held in the virtual space. For example, the gift offering operation acceptance module 2034 accepts an operation via the terminal device 10 used by the user viewing the event to specify a gift for the performer to whom the gift is to be offered. This step performs the same processing as step S701 in the above example.

[0116] In step S851, the control unit 203 of the server 20 provides the gift to the performer in response to the operation to provide the gift received from the user in step S601. For example, the gift provision module 2035 provides the gift to the event performer by placing a gift object representing the gift in the virtual space. This step performs the same process as step S711 in the above example of operation.

[0117] In step S852, the control unit 203 of the server 20 identifies first information relating to the performance performed by at least the avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performer in step S851. For example, the specific module 2039 identifies first information relating to the performance performed by at least the avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performer by the gift providing module 2035.

[0118] In step S853, the control unit 203 of the server 20 generates reaction information based on the first information identified in step S852. For example, the generation module 2036 refers to the information stored in the reaction information database 2023 (information about reference performance and information about execution performance associated with that information) and generates reaction information for the gift based on the first information identified in step S852.

[0119] In step S854, the control unit 203 of the server 20 causes the avatar object or an event object associated with the avatar object to perform a reaction according to the reaction information generated in step S853. For example, the execution module 2037 causes the avatar object corresponding to the performer who received the gift to perform a reaction according to the reaction information generated by the generation module 2036. This step performs the same processing as step S753 in the above example.

[0120] In the above example of operation, after processing in step S851, the control unit 203 of the server 20 may perform a process to detect first information regarding the performance being performed by at least the avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performer. For example, the detection module 2040 detects first information regarding the performance being performed by at least the avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performer. Then, in step S852 of the above example of operation, the control unit 203 of the server 20 may perform a process to identify the first information based on the detection result by the detection module 2040. For example, the generation module 2036 identifies the first information based on the detection result by the detection module 2040.

[0121] This process identifies first information regarding the avatar object's performance at the time the gift is offered, generates reaction information based on the identification result, and causes the avatar object to perform a reaction according to the generated reaction information. As a result, a reaction appropriate to the performance of the avatar object is executed, which can actively increase the desire of users watching events in the virtual space to give gifts.

[0122] Figure 9 is a flowchart representing a series of processes that accept an operation to provide a gift from a user viewing an event held in a virtual space, along with an operation to specify the timing at which the gift is placed in the virtual space. Note that 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.

[0123] In step S901, the system accepts an operation to offer a gift from a user viewing the event held in the virtual space. For example, the gift offering operation acceptance module 2034 accepts an operation via the terminal device 10 used by the user viewing the event to specify a gift for a performer who is the recipient of the gift. This step performs the same processing as steps S701 and S801 in the above example.

[0124] In step S902, the control unit 203 of the server 20 receives a specification operation from the user to specify the timing at which the gift will be placed in the virtual space. For example, the specification operation receiving module 2041 receives a specification operation to specify the timing at which the gift will be placed in the virtual space via a terminal device 10 used by a user viewing the event.

[0125] In step S901, the gift is provided to the performer in response to the operation to provide the gift received from the user, and in step S902, the gift is provided to the performer in response to the specified operation received from the user. For example, the gift provision module 2035 provides the gift to the performer of the event by placing a gift object representing the gift in the virtual space based on the timing specified by the user when the gift is placed in the virtual space.

[0126] This process allows users to specify when gifts are placed in the virtual space, enabling them to trigger the expected reaction from the avatar object corresponding to the performer, thereby increasing users' desire to gift.

[0127] Figure 10 is a flowchart representing a series of processes that restrict the generation of reaction information in response to an operation that restricts the generation of reaction information received from performers in an event held in a virtual space. However, the operation flow in this disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the terminal device 10 may perform all of the processes, or the server 20 may perform all of the processes.

[0128] In step S1001, the control unit 203 of the server 20 receives an operation from the performer to restrict the generation of reaction information. For example, the restriction operation reception module 2043 receives an operation to restrict the generation of reaction information via the terminal device 10 used by the event performer.

[0129] In step S1051, the generation of reaction information is restricted in response to an operation to restrict the generation of reaction information from the performer. For example, the restriction module 2042 restricts the generation of reaction information by the generation module 2036 in response to an operation to restrict the generation of reaction information received from the performer.

[0130] This process allows performers to restrict the generation of reaction information themselves when they want to react to gifts according to the event situation, thus enabling them to provide the user who provided the gift with the reaction they want.

[0131] In a given scenario, the server 20 may generate reaction information to a gift by referring to information other than the first piece of information, in addition to the first piece of information concerning the performance being performed by the avatar object corresponding to the performer. For example, the generation module 2036 constituting the server 20 may further generate reaction information to a gift based on information about the gift provided to the performer. In this case, the generation module 2036 generates reaction information to a gift based on the first piece of information and information about the gift. Information about the gift includes, for example, information about the name of the gift, information about the category of the gift, information about the data type of the gift, information about the gift content 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 cash, such as points). When generating reaction information, information about the gift is referred to in addition to the first piece of information, so that reaction information is generated that takes into account the content and nature of the gift provided to the performer. As a result, users who have expressed their willingness to gift can expect appropriate reaction information from the performer, and their willingness to gift can be increased. For example, generation module 2036 may also generate reaction information to gifts based on information about the performer receiving the gift. In this case, generation module 2036 generates reaction information to gifts based on the first information and information about the performer receiving the gift. Information about the performer includes, for example, information about the performer's name, the performer's affiliation, the performer's preferred gifts, the performer's specialty performances, and the performer's typical reactions. When generating reaction information, information about the performer receiving the gift is referenced in addition to the first information, so reaction information that takes into account the performer's characteristics, preferences, etc., is generated. As a result, users who have expressed their willingness to gift can expect more appropriate reaction information from the performer, and the user's willingness to gift can be increased. For example, generation module 2036 may also generate reaction information to gifts based on information about the user providing the gift. In this case, generation module 2036 generates reaction information to gifts based on the first information and information about the user providing the gift. Information about the user includes, for example, information about the user's name, information about the user's age, information about the user's gender, information about the user's contact information, information about the user's membership status if the user is a member for event viewing, information about the number of times the user has participated in an event, information about their favorite performers, information about the total amount of gifts provided in events held in virtual space (including past events and events currently being participated in), gift provision history information regarding the history of providing gifts in events held in virtual space (including past events and events currently being participated in) (including the gift ID of the gift provided, the category of the gift, the timing (date and time) when the operation to provide the gift was accepted, the recipient of the gift (performer), etc.), log information representing the history of activities in or outside of events held in virtual space. When generating reaction information, in addition to the first piece of information, information about the user providing the gift is also referenced. This allows for the generation of reaction information that takes into account the user's preferences, membership status, and gift-giving history. As a result, users who express a willingness to gift can expect more appropriate reaction information from the performers, thereby increasing their willingness to gift. Furthermore, when generating reaction information, the information referenced in addition to the first information—information about gifts provided to performers, information about performers receiving gifts, and information about users providing gifts—can be combined. Specifically, the generation module 2036 can generate reaction information to gifts based on the first information and any or all combinations of the information about gifts provided to performers, information about performers receiving gifts, and information about users providing gifts.

[0132] In certain situations, the server 20 may control the timing of executing a reaction in accordance with reaction information generated by the avatar object, based on first information regarding the performance being performed by the avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performer. Depending on the content of the performance being performed by the avatar object (for example, a performance with a lot of movement), if the avatar object is made to execute a reaction immediately after the gift is provided, a motion gap may occur between the performance of the avatar object immediately before the gift was provided and the reaction, which may appear unnatural to the user. For example, the execution module 2037 of the server 20 may, based on first information regarding the performance being performed by the avatar object corresponding to the performer, restrict the execution of the reaction until the performance transitions to one where the motion gap between the reaction to be executed is reduced, and then allow the avatar object to execute the reaction at the timing when the performance transitions to one where the motion gap between the reaction to be executed is reduced. As a result, the user who provided the gift can see a reaction that does not feel unnatural in response to the gift, thereby increasing satisfaction with the gift and boosting the user's willingness to gift.

[0133] In certain situations, when multiple avatar objects corresponding to multiple performers are performing in an event held in a virtual space, the server 20 may have the avatar objects corresponding to other performers who have not received gifts perform reactions, in addition to the avatar object corresponding to the performer who received the gift. For example, the execution module 2037 of the server 20 may have the avatar object corresponding to the performer who received the gift perform a reaction according to the reaction information generated, and also have the avatar objects corresponding to other performers who have not received gifts perform reactions related to or incidental to that reaction. This allows the user who provided the gift to see the reaction from the avatar object corresponding to the performer who received the gift (the main reaction), as well as reactions from other avatar objects that are related to or incidental to the main reaction, thereby increasing satisfaction with the gift and encouraging users to give gifts.

[0134] <4 Screen Examples> Figures 11-12 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.

[0135] Figure 11 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.

[0136] In Figure 11, the control unit 190 of the terminal device 10 used by the user displays a list of performers 1101, a performer selection operation display area 1102, 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 still visible. In this way, the user can operate the screen while enjoying events such as live performances.

[0137] The performer list display area 1101 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 11011 and performer names 11012 of all performers appearing in the event in the performer list display area 1101. The information for each performer's image 11011 and performer name 11012 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.

[0138] The performer selection operation display area 1102 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 11021, the gift provision button 11022, etc., in the performer selection operation display area 802.

[0139] The performer selection list 11021 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 1102 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 11011 and performer name 11012 of each performer as described above.

[0140] The gift provision button 11022 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.

[0141] Figure 12 shows an example screen for presenting gift information, including recommended gift information, to users viewing an ongoing event taking place in a virtual space.

[0142] In Figure 12, the control unit 190 of the terminal device 10 used by the user displays an explanatory text display area 1201, a gift list display area 1202, a gift selection operation display area 1203, 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.

[0143] The explanatory text display area 1201 displays explanatory text and other information that the user can refer to in order to confirm information about the recipient of the gift they have selected. For example, the explanatory text display area 1201 displays information about the performer to whom the user has selected to receive the gift.

[0144] The gift list display area 1202 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) 12021 and a gift name 12022 in the gift list display area 1202. The information for each object 12021 and gift name 12022 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.

[0145] The gift selection operation display area 1203 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 12031, the confirmation button 12032, etc., in the gift selection operation display area 1203.

[0146] The gift selection list 12031 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 1203 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.

[0147] The confirmation button 12032 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.

[0148] Figures 13-16 illustrate example screens when, using System 1 disclosed in the present invention, an avatar object corresponding to a performer reacts to a gift provided by a user watching an event held in a virtual space.

[0149] Figure 13 shows a state where gifts have been provided by users who are watching an event held in a virtual space.

[0150] In Figure 13, the control unit 190 of the terminal device 10 used by the user displays the performer display area 1401, etc., on the display 1302.

[0151] The performer display area 1401 displays performances and other actions taken by performers participating in an event held in a virtual space. In this example screen, two performers are displayed: a first avatar object 1411 and a second avatar object 1412. In this example screen, the two avatar objects are performing, for example, a singing performance. The performer display area 1401 also displays gift objects representing gifts already provided by users watching the event and other users who provide gifts. In this example screen, multiple gifts have been provided to the second avatar object 1412, and a gift object 1421 representing the provided gifts is placed near the second avatar object 1412. In this example screen, the first avatar object 1411 is performing a performance immediately before receiving a gift, and is performing at the time the gift is received. That is, the performance performed by the first avatar object in this example screen corresponds to the performance performed by at least the avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time when gifts from users watching the event are provided to the performer. Specifically, in this example screen, the first avatar object is shown performing with one arm raised.

[0152] Figure 14 shows the state in which a new gift has been provided by a user watching an event held in a virtual space. Figure 14 shows the state in Figure 13 in which a new gift has been provided to the performer.

[0153] In Figure 14, the control unit 190 of the terminal device 10 used by the user displays the performer display area 1401, etc., on the display 1302.

[0154] The performer display area 1401 displays performances and other actions taken by performers participating in an event held in the virtual space. In this example screen, two performers are displayed: the first avatar object 1411 and the second avatar object 1412. In this example screen, a new gift is offered to the first avatar object 1411, and a gift object 1422 representing that gift is placed near the first avatar object 1411 (in this case, above the first avatar object 1411's head). In this example screen, the first avatar object 1411, which corresponds to the performer who received the gift, is shown waving. That is, as shown in Figure 13, the first avatar object was performing with one arm raised (a singing performance) just before receiving the gift, or in other words, at the moment of receiving the gift. However, after receiving the gift, it uses the raised arm to wave, expressing gratitude and joy for the gift. Thus, if a gift is provided while an avatar object is performing a singing performance, for example, the avatar object corresponding to the performer who received the gift (the first avatar object 1411) can be made to perform a waving reaction. Furthermore, when performing the waving reaction, the avatar can be made to use the arm that was raised at the time the gift was provided. By performing such a reaction, the user who provided the gift can confirm the performer's gratitude and joy for the gift, as well as confirm that the avatar object's reaction is natural and doesn't feel out of place.

[0155] Figure 15 shows the state in which a new gift has been provided by a user watching an event held in a virtual space. Figure 15 shows the state in Figure 13 in which a new gift has been provided to the performer.

[0156] In Figure 15, the control unit 190 of the terminal device 10 used by the user displays the performer display area 1401, etc., on the display 1302.

[0157] The performer display area 1401 displays performances and other actions taken by performers participating in an event held in the virtual space. In this example screen, two performers are displayed: the first avatar object 1411 and the second avatar object 1412. In this example screen, a new gift is offered to the first avatar object 1411, and a gift object 1422 representing that gift is placed near the first avatar object 1411 (in this case, above the first avatar object 1411's head). In this example screen, the first avatar object 1411, which corresponds to the performer who received the gift, is shown to perform a jump reaction. That is, as shown in Figure 13, the first avatar object was performing a performance with one arm raised (a singing performance) immediately before receiving the gift, or in other words, a performance at the time of receiving the gift. However, upon receiving the gift, it performs a jump reaction to express gratitude and joy for the gift. In this way, if a gift is provided while an avatar object is performing a singing performance, for example, the avatar object corresponding to the performer who received the gift (the first avatar object 1411) can be made to perform a jump reaction on the spot. By performing such a reaction, the user who provided the gift can confirm the performer's gratitude and joy for the gift, and can also confirm that the avatar object has performed a natural reaction.

[0158] Figure 16 shows a state where a new gift has been provided by a user watching an event held in a virtual space, and illustrates an example of having the avatar object and its associated event object perform a reaction to the gift. Figure 14 shows the state in Figure 13 where a new gift has been provided to the performer.

[0159] In Figure 16, the control unit 190 of the terminal device 10 used by the user displays the performer display area 1401, etc., on the display 1302.

[0160] The performer display area 1401 displays performances and other actions taken by performers participating in an event held in the virtual space. In this example screen, two performers are displayed: the first avatar object 1411 and the second avatar object 1412. In this example screen, a new gift is offered to the first avatar object 1411, and a gift object 1422 representing that gift is placed near the first avatar object 1411 (in this case, to the right of the first avatar object 1411's head). In this example screen, the first avatar object 1411, which corresponds to the performer who received the gift, is shown waving. In this example screen, a fireworks object (event object) 1431 is launched from behind the first avatar object 1411, which received the new gift, and the motion of it exploding above the first avatar object 1411's head is performed as a reaction to the gift. By enabling such reactions, users who provide gifts can confirm the performers' gratitude and joy for the gift, while also seeing natural reactions without affecting the avatar object's motion.

[0161] <5 Basic Hardware Configuration of a Computer> Figure 16 is a block diagram showing the basic hardware configuration of computer 50. Computer 50 includes at least a processor 501, main memory 502, auxiliary memory 503, and a communication IF 591 (interface). These are electrically connected to each other by a communication bus 521.

[0162] 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.

[0163] 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).

[0164] 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.

[0165] 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.

[0166] 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.

[0167] <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.

[0168] 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.

[0169] 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.

[0170] 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.

[0171] 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.

[0172] 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.

[0173] 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.

[0174] 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.

[0175] 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).

[0176] 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.

[0177] 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.

[0178] <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.

[0179] 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.

[0180] <Note> The details described in each of the above embodiments are noted below.

[0181] (Note 1) A program executed by a computer having a processor and memory, the program causing the processor to perform the following steps: receiving a gift offering operation from a user viewing an event taking place in a virtual space to offer a gift to an event performer; providing a gift to the performer in response to the received gift offering operation; generating reaction information for the gift based on first information relating to the performance of at least an avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performer; and causing at least one of the avatar object and the event object associated with the avatar object to perform a reaction in accordance with the generated reaction information.

[0182] (Note 2) The program, as described in Appendix 1, further causes the processor to perform the step of identifying first information regarding the timing at which a gift is provided to a performer, and generates reaction information based on the identified first information.

[0183] (Note 3) The program, as described in Appendix 1, further includes the step of causing the processor to detect first information regarding the timing at which a gift is provided to the performer, and to execute the program to generate reaction information based on the detected first information.

[0184] (Note 4) The program, as described in Appendix 3, causes the processor to perform the step of identifying the first detected information, and generates reaction information based on the identified first information.

[0185] (Note 5) The first piece of information is the program described in Appendix 1, which is information regarding the type of performance.

[0186] (Note 6) The program described in Appendix 5 contains information about the type of performance, which is pre-set for a certain period of time within the event.

[0187] (Note 7) The program described in Appendix 5 includes information about the type of performance, which will be specified by the performers during the event.

[0188] (Note 8) The first piece of information is the program described in Appendix 1, which contains information about the performance operation.

[0189] (Note 9) The program described in Appendix 1 further generates reaction information based on information about gifts provided to the performers, in the step of generating reaction information.

[0190] (Note 10) The program described in Appendix 1 further generates reaction information based on information about the performers who will receive the gifts, in the step of generating reaction information.

[0191] (Note 11) The program described in Appendix 1, which, in the step of generating reaction information, further generates reaction information based on information about the user providing the gift.

[0192] (Note 12) The program described in Appendix 1 is such that the timing at which a gift is provided to a performer is the timing at which a gift object representing the gift is placed in the virtual space.

[0193] (Note 13) The program described in Appendix 12, wherein, when the gift object is a dynamic object that moves within a virtual space, the timing at which the gift is provided to the performer is the timing at which the gift object is positioned within a predetermined distance from the avatar object corresponding to the performer receiving the gift.

[0194] (Note 14) The program described in Appendix 1, in which a gift is an action performed by a user avatar when a user avatar corresponding to a user is placed in a virtual space.

[0195] (Note 15) The timing at which gifts are provided to performers is the timing at which actions are reflected in the virtual space, as described in Appendix 14 of the program.

[0196] (Note 16) The program, as described in Appendix 1, causes the processor to perform a step in which it receives a specified operation from the user, which specifies the timing at which the gift will be placed in the virtual space, and provides the gift to the performer according to the received specified operation.

[0197] (Note 17) The program described in Appendix 16 accepts an operation from the user to specify the timing at which a gift will be placed in the virtual space, which is the timing at which a specific performance will be performed by an avatar object corresponding to a performer.

[0198] (Note 18) The program is the program described in Appendix 1, which causes the processor to perform the steps of: receiving a restriction operation from a performer to restrict the generation of reaction information, and restricting the generation of reaction information in accordance with the received restriction operation.

[0199] (Note 19) The program, as described in Appendix 1, further causes the processor to perform a step of restricting the generation of reaction information for a predetermined period in the event.

[0200] (Note 20) The program, as described in Appendix 1, further causes the processor to perform the step of presenting the reaction performed by the avatar object to the user who provided the gift.

[0201] (Note 21) The program described in Appendix 19 displays the reaction performed by the avatar object only to the user who provided the gift.

[0202] (Note 22) A method performed by a computer equipped with a processor, the method comprising: receiving a gift offering operation from a user viewing an event taking place in a virtual space to offer a gift to an event performer; providing a gift to the performer in response to the received gift offering operation; generating reaction information for the gift based on first information relating to the performance being performed by at least an avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performer; and causing at least one of the avatar object and the event object associated with the avatar object to perform a reaction in accordance with the generated reaction information.

[0203] (Note 23) An information processing device comprising a control unit, the control unit having a function to receive a gift provision operation from a user viewing an event held in a virtual space to provide a gift to an event performer; a step of providing a gift to the performer in response to the received gift provision operation; a function of generating reaction information to the gift based on first information relating to the performance being performed by at least one avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performer; and a function of causing at least one of the avatar object and the event object associated with the avatar object to perform a reaction in accordance with the generated reaction information. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0204] 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 reception module, 2035 Gift provision module, 2036 Generation module, 2037 Execution module, 2038 Identification module, 2040 Detection module, 2041 Presentation module, 2041 Specified operation reception module, 2042 Restriction module, 2043 Restriction operation reception module

Claims

1. A program that is executed by a computer having a processor and memory, The program is provided to the processor: A step of receiving a gift offering operation from a user who is watching an event held in a virtual space, to offer a gift to the performer of the said event, The steps include providing the gift to the performer in response to the accepted gift provision operation, A step of generating reaction information to the gift based on first information relating to at least the performance being performed by the avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performer, A program that causes at least one of the avatar object and the event object associated with the avatar object to perform a reaction corresponding to the generated reaction information.

2. The program further provides the processor with: The step of identifying the first information at the time when the gift is provided to the performer is performed, The program according to claim 1, which generates reaction information based on the identified first information.

3. The program further provides the processor with: The steps include detecting the first information at the time the gift is provided to the performer, and executing the following: The program according to claim 1, which generates reaction information based on the detected first information.

4. The program further provides the processor with: The step of identifying the detected first information is performed, The program according to claim 3, which generates reaction information based on the identified first information.

5. The program according to claim 1, wherein the first information is information relating to the type of performance.

6. The program according to claim 3, wherein information regarding the type of performance is set in advance for a certain period of time in the event.

7. The program according to claim 3, wherein the information relating to the type of performance is specified by the performer during the event.

8. The program according to claim 1, wherein the first information is information relating to the operation of the performance.

9. The program according to claim 1, wherein in the step of generating the reaction information, the program further generates the reaction information based on information about the gift provided to the performer.

10. The program according to claim 1, wherein in the step of generating the reaction information, the program further generates the reaction information based on information about the performer who receives the gift.

11. The program according to claim 1, wherein in the step of generating the reaction information, the program further generates the reaction information based on information about the user who provides the gift.

12. The program according to claim 1, wherein the timing at which the gift is provided to the performer is the timing at which a gift object representing the gift is placed in the virtual space.

13. If the gift object is a dynamic object that moves within the virtual space, The program according to claim 12, wherein the timing at which the gift is provided to the performer is the timing at which the gift object is positioned within a predetermined distance from the avatar object corresponding to the performer receiving the gift.

14. When a user avatar corresponding to the user is placed in the virtual space, The program according to claim 1, wherein the gift is an action performed by the user avatar.

15. The program according to claim 14, wherein the timing at which the gift is provided to the performer is the timing at which the action is reflected in the virtual space.

16. The program further provides the processor with: The user performs a step of receiving a specification operation that specifies the timing at which the gift will be placed in the virtual space, as the timing for providing the gift. The program according to claim 1, which provides the gift to the performer in response to the specified operation that has been received.

17. The program according to claim 16, which receives an operation from the user to specify the timing at which a particular performance is performed by the avatar object corresponding to the performer, as the timing at which the gift is placed in the virtual space.

18. The program further provides the processor with: The steps include receiving a restriction operation from the performer to restrict the generation of the reaction information or the execution of the reaction in accordance with the reaction information, The program according to claim 1, which causes the program to perform the steps of: restricting the generation of reaction information or the execution of the reaction in accordance with the reaction information in response to the restriction operation received.

19. The program further provides the processor with: The program according to claim 1, which causes the program to perform the step of restricting the generation of reaction information or the execution of the reaction in accordance with the reaction information during a predetermined period in the event.

20. The program further provides the processor with: The program according to claim 1, which causes the program to perform the step of presenting the reaction performed by the avatar object to the user who provided the gift.

21. The program according to claim 20, wherein the reaction performed by the avatar object is presented only to the user who provided the gift.

22. A method performed by a computer equipped with a processor, The aforementioned processor, A step of receiving a gift offering operation from a user who is watching an event held in a virtual space, to offer a gift to the performer of the said event, The steps include providing the gift to the performer in response to the accepted gift provision operation, A step of generating reaction information to the gift based on first information relating to at least the performance being performed by the avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performer, A method for causing at least one of the avatar object and the event object associated with the avatar object to perform a reaction corresponding to the generated reaction information.

23. An information processing device comprising a control unit, The control unit, A function that accepts gift-giving operations from users who are watching an event held in a virtual space, allowing them to send gifts to the performers of the said event, The steps include providing the gift to the performer in response to the accepted gift provision operation, A function to generate reaction information to the gift based on first information relating to at least the performance of the avatar object corresponding to the performer at the time the gift is provided to the performer, An information processing device having a function to cause at least one of the avatar object and the event object associated with the avatar object to perform a reaction in accordance with the generated reaction information.

Images