Computer program, method and server device

Abstract

To provide a computer program, a method, and a server device, which distribute a video image to a terminal device of a user by an improved method.SOLUTION: A computer program is executed by at least one processor to enable at least one processor to function to: display a virtual space housing a public meeting space for releasing a moving image on the basis of operation data indicating a content of an operation of a user; display an entry available time zone including at least a public start time defined to the public meeting space to a rear end time obtained by adding a permission time to the public start time; determining whether or not the time when the public meeting space is selected as a meeting space to be entered on the basis of the operation data is included in the entry available time zone of the public meeting space; and receive the moving image defined to the public meeting space from a server device and display it if it is determined that the time when the public meeting space is selected is included in the entry available time zone.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this application relates to a computer program, a method, and a server device used to deliver video to a user's terminal device. [Background technology]

[0002] Known services that deliver videos to users' terminal devices include Google Play (Non-Patent Document 1), Bigscreen VR (Non-Patent Document 2), DAZN (Non-Patent Document 3), NetFlix (Non-Patent Document 4), and Disney+ (Non-Patent Document 5). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Google Play", [online], August 4, 2020, Google Inc., [Retrieved January 3, 2021], Internet (https: / / play.google.com / store?hl=ja) [Non-Patent Document 2] "Bigscreen VR", [online], February 20, 2020, BIG SCREEN, INC., [Retrieved January 3, 2021], Internet (https: / / www.bigscreenvr.com / ) [Non-Patent Document 3] "DAZN", [online], August 12, 2020, DAZN Limited, [Retrieved January 3, 2021], Internet (https: / / www.dazn.com / ja-JP / home) [Non-Patent Document 4] "NetFlix", [online], January 1, 2021, Netflix, Inc., [Retrieved January 3, 2021], Internet (https: / / www.netflix.com / jp / ) [Non-Patent Document 5] "Disney+", [online], June 11, 2020, Walt Disney Japan Co., Ltd., [Retrieved January 3, 2021], Internet (https: / / disneyplus.disney.co.jp / ) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Recently, there is a demand for more places to release content such as new movies and live shows. In addition, rather than simply distributing content to individuals, it may be important to have the experience (communication) of sharing the content among multiple users who watch the content.

[0005] Furthermore, by sharing the viewing of the same content (e.g., live distribution) among multiple users, communication related to the content can be realized among these multiple users. However, in this case, it is considered that the distribution of the content may not be stable due to the influence of the quality and state of the communication line between the server device and each user's terminal device. As a result, for example, when the distribution of the content starts at a fixed time, some users may not be able to access the content by the fixed time.

[0006] Therefore, the technology disclosed in this application provides a computer program, a method, and a server device for delivering video to a user's terminal device in an improved manner in order to address at least some of the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A computer program according to one embodiment can cause "at least one processor to function as follows: when executed by at least one processor, display a virtual space housing a public venue for publishing videos based on operation data indicating the content of a user's operation; display an allowed entry time period including at least the publication start time set for the public venue to a time end time obtained by adding an allowable time to the publication start time; determine whether the time when the public venue was selected as a venue to enter based on the operation data is included in the allowed entry time period for the public venue; and if it is determined that the time when the public venue was selected is included in the allowed entry time period, receive the video set for the public venue from a server device and display it." A method according to one embodiment can include "a method executed by at least one processor that executes computer-readable instructions, the processor executing the instructions to display a virtual space that accommodates a public venue for publishing videos based on operation data indicating the content of a user's operation, displaying an allowed entry time period that includes at least a time period from a publishing start time specified for the public venue to a time period obtained by adding an allowable time to the publishing start time, determining whether the time at which the public venue was selected as a venue to enter based on the operation data is included in the allowed entry time period for the public venue, and receiving and displaying the video specified for the public venue from a server device when it is determined that the time at which the public venue was selected is included in the allowed entry time period." A method according to another aspect can include "a method executed by at least one processor that executes computer-readable instructions, the method including the processor executing the instructions to transmit to a user's terminal device data regarding an allowed entry time period that includes at least the period from a publication start time set for a public venue for publishing videos contained in a virtual space to a final time obtained by adding an allowable time to the publication start time, determining whether the time at which the public venue was selected by the terminal device as a venue to enter is included in the allowed entry time period for the public venue, and transmitting the video set for the public venue to the terminal device when it is determined that the time at which the public venue was selected is included in the allowed entry time period." The server device in one embodiment can be "equipped with at least one processor, and is configured to transmit to a user's terminal device data regarding an allowed entry time period that includes at least the period from a publication start time set for a public venue for publishing videos contained in a virtual space to a final time obtained by adding an allowable time to the publication start time, determine whether the time when the public venue was selected by the terminal device as a venue to enter is included in the allowed entry time period for the public venue, and transmit the video set for the public venue to the terminal device if it is determined that the time when the public venue was selected is included in the allowed entry time period." [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a video distribution system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the terminal device 10 (server device 20) shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of functions possessed by each terminal device 10 shown in FIG. [Figure 4A]FIG. 4A is a block diagram showing an example of functions of main server device 20A shown in FIG. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a block diagram showing an example of functions of the moving image server device 20B shown in FIG. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a flow diagram showing an example of the operation performed in the video distribution system 1 shown in FIG. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a flow diagram showing an example of the operation performed in the video distribution system 1 shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a virtual space displayed by terminal device 10 included in moving image distribution system 1 shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the virtual space displayed by terminal device 10 included in moving image distribution system 1 shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a public venue accommodated in a virtual space displayed by terminal device 10 included in moving image distribution system 1 shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing an example of a range in which the playback position of a video displayed on terminal device 10 of each user is changed in video distribution system 1 shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing, in an enlarged scale, an example of a graph generated by server device 20 in moving image distribution system 1 shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] This specification has been described in terms of various representative embodiments, which are not intended to be limiting in any way. As used in this application, the singular forms "a," "the," "said," "the," "the," "the" and "it" can include the plural unless the plural is clearly not indicated. Additionally, the term "comprising" can mean "comprising" or "having." Furthermore, the terms "coupled," "coupled," "connected," "connected" or "connected" encompass mechanical, electrical, magnetic and optical ways of coupling, connecting or joining objects together, among other ways, and do not exclude the presence of intermediate elements between objects so coupled, coupled, coupled, connected, connected or connected.

[0010] The various systems, methods, and devices described herein should not be construed as being limited in any manner. Indeed, the present disclosure is directed to all novel features and aspects of each of the various disclosed embodiments, combinations of these various embodiments with each other, and combinations of portions of these various embodiments with each other. The various systems, methods, and devices described herein are not limited to a particular aspect, a particular feature, or a combination of such a particular aspect with a particular feature, nor do the products and methods described herein require that one or more particular advantages be present or problems be solved. Moreover, various features or aspects of the various embodiments described herein, or portions of such features or aspects, may be used in combination with each other.

[0011] Although operations of some of the various methods disclosed herein have been described in a particular order for convenience, it should be understood that description in such a manner encompasses rearranging the order of the operations, unless a particular order is required by specific text below. For example, operations described in a sequence may in some cases be rearranged or performed simultaneously. Furthermore, for purposes of simplicity, the accompanying drawings do not show the various ways in which the various items and methods described herein may be used with other items and methods. In addition, the present specification may use terms such as "generate," "generate," "display," "receive," "evaluate," and "deliver." These terms are high-level descriptions of the various actual operations that may be performed. The actual operations that correspond to these terms may vary depending on the particular implementation and may be readily discerned by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the disclosure herein.

[0012] Any theories of operation, scientific principles, or other theoretical descriptions presented herein in connection with the devices or methods of the present disclosure are provided for the purpose of better understanding and are not intended to limit the scope of the technology, and the devices and methods in the appended claims are not limited to devices and methods that operate in a manner described by such theories of operation.

[0013] Any of the various methods disclosed herein may be implemented and executed in a computer using computer-executable instructions stored on one or more computer-readable media (e.g., non-transitory computer-readable storage media, such as one or more optical media disks, volatile memory components, or non-volatile memory components), where the volatile memory components include, for example, DRAM or SRAM, and the non-volatile memory components include, for example, hard drives and solid-state drives (SSD). Additionally, the computer may include any computer available in the market, including, for example, smartphones and other mobile devices having hardware to perform computations.

[0014] Any such computer-executable instructions for implementing the techniques disclosed herein, along with any data generated and used during the implementation of the various embodiments disclosed herein, may be stored on one or more computer-readable media (e.g., non-transitory computer-readable storage media). Such computer-executable instructions may, for example, be part of a separate software application, or may be part of a software application accessed or downloaded via a web browser or other software application (such as a remote computing application). Such software may, for example, be executed on a single local computer (e.g., as a process executed on any suitable computer available on the market) or in a networked environment (e.g., the Internet, a wide area network, a local area network, a client-server network (such as a cloud computing network), or other such network) using one or more networked computers.

[0015] For clarity, only certain selected aspects of various software-based implementations are described. Other details that are well known in the art are omitted. For example, the techniques disclosed herein are not limited to a specific computer language or program. For example, the techniques disclosed herein may be implemented by software written in C, C++, Java, or any other suitable programming language. Similarly, the techniques disclosed herein are not limited to a specific computer or a specific type of hardware. Specific details of suitable computers and hardware are well known and need not be described in detail herein.

[0016] Moreover, any of the various such software-based embodiments (e.g., including computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform any of the various methods disclosed herein) may be uploaded, downloaded, or accessed in a remote manner by any suitable communication means, including, for example, the Internet, the World Wide Web, an intranet, a software application, cable (including fiber optic cable), magnetic communication, electromagnetic communication (including RF, microwave, and infrared communication), electronic communication, or other such communication means.

[0017] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that common components in the drawings are given the same reference numerals. Also, please note that components shown in one drawing may be omitted in another drawing for convenience of explanation. Furthermore, please note that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0018] 1. Video distribution system configuration In brief, in the video distribution system disclosed in the present application, first, a terminal device of a certain user can display a virtual space (e.g., a movie theater) that contains a venue (e.g., a screening room) for displaying videos based on operation data indicating the content of the operation of the user. Furthermore, the terminal device of the user can display an admission time period that includes at least the admission start time set for the venue and the end time obtained by adding an allowable time to the admission start time. Furthermore, when the time when the venue is selected as the venue to enter based on the operation data is included in the admission time period, the terminal device of the user can receive and display the video set for the venue from a server device.

[0019] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a video distribution system according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the video distribution system 1 can include a plurality of terminal devices 10 that can be connected to a communication line (communication network) 2, and at least one server device 20 that can be connected to the communication line 2. Each of the terminal devices 10 can be connected to each of the at least one server device 20 via the communication line 2.

[0020] 1 shows, for example, terminal devices 10A to 10D as the multiple terminal devices 10, but one or more other terminal devices 10 may be used in the same way. Similarly, in FIG. 1, for example, only one server device 20 is shown as at least one server device 20, but one or more other server devices 20 may be used in the same way. Note that the communication line 2 may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone network, a wireless network (e.g., RF connection via Bluetooth, WiFi (such as IEEE 802.11a / b / n), WiMax, cellular, satellite, laser, infrared), a landline network, the Internet, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), and / or an Ethernet network.

[0021] 1-1. Terminal device 10 Each terminal device 10 can execute an installed video viewing application (which may be middleware or a combination of an application and middleware; the same applies below). As a result, each terminal device 10 can display a virtual space accommodating at least one public venue for publishing videos, and the at least one public venue, based on operation data indicating the content of the user's operation, by communicating with the server device 20, for example. Also, each terminal device 10 can receive from the server device 20 and display a video corresponding to a public venue selected from the at least one public venue based on the operation data.

[0022] Each terminal device 10 is any terminal device capable of performing such operations, and may include, without being limited to, a smartphone, a tablet, a mobile phone (feature phone), and / or a personal computer, etc.

[0023] 1-2. Server device 20 1 shows an example in which server device 20 includes a main server device 20A and a moving image distribution server device 20B that are communicably connected to each other. The names "main server device" and "moving image distribution server device" are merely exemplary names and may be any names.

[0024] The main server device 20A can, for example, transmit image data relating to each public venue and virtual space to each terminal device 10. This allows each terminal device 10 to display each public venue and virtual space.

[0025] The video distribution server device 20B can store, for example, predetermined videos for each public venue. The video distribution server device 20B can distribute to the terminal device 20 a video corresponding to a public venue selected by the terminal device 20 from among the at least one public venue.

[0026] The server device 20 may include a main server device 20A and a video distribution server device 20B that are physically separated from each other and electrically connected to each other in order to distribute the load and achieve efficient processing. In another embodiment, the server device 20 may also include a main server device 20A and a video distribution server device 20B that are physically integrated with each other.

[0027] 2. Hardware configuration of each device Next, an example of the hardware configuration of each of the terminal device 10 and the server device 20 will be described.

[0028] 2-1. Hardware configuration of terminal device 10 An example of the hardware configuration of each terminal device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic example of the hardware configuration of the terminal device 10 (server device 20) shown in Fig. 1 (note that in Fig. 2, the reference symbols in parentheses are described in relation to the server device 20, as described later).

[0029] 2, each terminal device 10 can mainly include a central processing unit 11, a main memory device 12, an input / output interface device 13, an input device 14, an auxiliary memory device 15, and an output device 16. These devices are connected to each other by a data bus and / or a control bus.

[0030] The central processing unit 11 is referred to as a "CPU" and can perform operations on instructions and data stored in the main memory 12 and store the results of the operations in the main memory 12. Furthermore, the central processing unit 11 can control an input device 14, an auxiliary memory device 15, an output device 16, etc. via an input / output interface device 13. The terminal device 10 can include one or more such central processing units 11.

[0031] The main memory device 12 is referred to as a "memory" and can store instructions and data received from the input device 14, the auxiliary memory device 15, and the communication line 30 (such as the server device 20) via the input / output interface device 13, as well as the results of calculations by the central processing unit 11. The main memory device 12 can include computer-readable media such as, but not limited to, volatile memory (e.g., registers, cache, random access memory (RAM)), non-volatile memory (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), EEPROM, flash memory), and storage (e.g., hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), magnetic tape, optical media). As will be readily understood, the term "computer-readable recording medium" can include media for data storage such as memory and storage, as well as transmission media such as modulated data signals, i.e., transitory signals.

[0032] The auxiliary storage device 15 is a storage device having a larger capacity than the main storage device 12. It can store instructions and data (computer programs) constituting the above-mentioned video viewing application, web browser application, etc. Furthermore, the auxiliary storage device 15 can transmit these instructions and data (computer programs) to the main storage device 12 via the input / output interface device 13 by being controlled by the central processing unit 11. The auxiliary storage device 15 can include, but is not limited to, a magnetic disk device and / or an optical disk device, etc.

[0033] The input device 14 is a device that inputs data from the outside, and may include, but is not limited to, a touch panel, a button, a keyboard, a mouse, and / or a sensor, etc. The sensor may include, but is not limited to, one or more cameras, etc. and / or one or more microphones, etc., as described below.

[0034] The output device 16 may include, but is not limited to, a display device, a touch panel, and / or a printer device.

[0035] In such a hardware configuration, the central processing unit 11 can sequentially load instructions and data (computer programs) constituting a specific application stored in the auxiliary storage unit 15 into the main storage unit 12 and perform operations on the loaded instructions and data. This allows the central processing unit 11 to control the output unit 16 via the input / output interface unit 13, or to transmit and receive various data to and from other devices (e.g., the server unit 20 and / or other terminal devices 10) via the input / output interface unit 13 and the communication line 2. These various data can include, but are not limited to, data related to evaluation data described later (e.g., data identifying a video, data identifying the evaluation data, and data identifying the playback position in the video where the evaluation data is registered), and / or data related to a graph described later.

[0036] As a result, a terminal device 10 of a certain user can execute an installed video viewing application, etc., to perform at least one of the operations exemplified below (including various operations described in detail later), without being limited to these. An operation of receiving image data relating to the virtual space and each public venue contained in this virtual space from a server device 20 (for example, a main server device 20A). Using the received image data, an operation of displaying a virtual space based on operation data indicating the content of the operation of the certain user and / or operation data regarding the operation of the certain user. Using the received image data, an operation of displaying each public venue based on the above operation data and / or the above action data An operation of displaying an avatar of the certain user in the virtual space based on the operation data and / or the motion data. - Displaying an avatar of the certain user at each public venue based on the operation data and / or the motion data. An operation of generating position data indicating the position of the avatar of the certain user in the virtual space and / or each public venue based on the operation data and / or the motion data, and transmitting the position data to a server device 20 (e.g., the main server device 20A). An operation of receiving avatar data (image data of the avatar and / or position data of the avatar) related to the avatar of another user from a server device 20 (e.g., a main server device 20A). - Displaying avatars of other users in the virtual space based on the avatar data. - Displaying other users' avatars based on the above avatar data at each public venue An operation of receiving and displaying from the server device 20 (e.g., the main server device 20A) time period data relating to an admission permitted time period that includes at least the opening start time determined for each public venue and the end time obtained by adding an allowable time to the opening start time. An operation of receiving and displaying a message sent in a specific group to which the certain user belongs from a server device 20 (for example, the main server device 20A). An operation of receiving from a server device 20 (e.g., a video distribution server device 20B) a video corresponding to any one of the at least one public venues selected based on the operation data and displaying the video.

[0037] It should be noted that the terminal device 10 may include one or more microprocessors and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU) instead of or in addition to the central processing unit 11.

[0038] 2-2. Hardware configuration of server device 20 An example of the hardware configuration of each server device 20 will also be described with reference to Fig. 2. The hardware configuration of each server device 20 (main server device 20A and video distribution server device 20B) may be the same as the hardware configuration of each of the above-mentioned terminal devices 10. Therefore, reference characters for the components of each server device 20 are shown in parentheses in Fig. 2.

[0039] 2, each server device 20 can mainly include a central processing unit 21, a main memory device 22, an input / output interface device 23, an input device 24, an auxiliary memory device 25, and an output device 26. These devices are connected to each other by a data bus and / or a control bus.

[0040] The central processing unit 21, main memory device 22, input / output interface device 23, input device 24, auxiliary memory device 25 and output device 26 may be approximately the same as the central processing unit 11, main memory device 12, input / output interface device 13, input device 14, auxiliary memory device 15 and output device 16 included in each of the terminal devices 10 described above, respectively.

[0041] In such a hardware configuration, the central processing unit 21 can sequentially load instructions and data (computer programs) constituting a specific application (such as a video distribution application) stored in the auxiliary storage unit 25 into the main storage unit 22 and perform operations on the loaded instructions and data. This allows the central processing unit 21 to control the output device 26 via the input / output interface unit 23, and also to transmit and receive various data to and from other devices (such as the terminal devices 10) via the input / output interface unit 23 and the communication line 2. These various data can include, but are not limited to, data related to the evaluation data described later (which can include, for example, data identifying a video, data identifying the evaluation data, and data identifying the playback position in the video at which the evaluation data is registered), and / or data related to a graph described later.

[0042] This allows the main server device 20A to execute, for example, at least one of the following operations (including various operations described in detail later), but is not limited to these. An operation of transmitting image data relating to the virtual space and each public venue contained in the virtual space to each terminal device 10 An operation of distributing a message sent by the terminal device 10 of each user belonging to a specific group to the terminal device 10 of each user belonging to the specific group. Receiving location data of the user's avatar from each terminal device 10 An operation of transmitting avatar data of other users (image data of the other avatars and / or position data of the other avatars) to the terminal device 10 of each user.

[0043] Similarly, the moving image distribution server device 20B can execute at least one of the following operations (including various operations described in detail later), without being limited thereto: An operation of distributing a video corresponding to a public venue selected by a terminal device 10 from among the at least one public venue to the terminal device 10. An operation of controlling the playback position of a video corresponding to any one of the public venues when the video is distributed to the terminal device 10 of each user belonging to a specific group generated for that public venue.

[0044] Note that the server device 20 may include one or more microprocessors and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU) instead of or in addition to the central processing unit 21.

[0045] 3. Functions of each device 3-1. Functions of the terminal device 10 Next, an example of functions possessed by the terminal device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of functions possessed by each terminal device 10 shown in Fig. 1.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 10 may include a communication unit 100, an operation / motion data generation unit 110, an image processing unit 120, a determination unit 130, a message processing unit 140, a playback control unit 150, a display unit 160, a memory unit 170, and a user interface unit 180.

[0047] (1) Communications Department The communication unit 100 can communicate various data used for watching moving images with the server devices 20 (main server device 20A and moving image distribution server device 20B).

[0048] For example, the communication unit 100 can transmit or receive at least one of the following data, without being limited to these:

[0049] (Data received by communication unit 100) Image data relating to a virtual venue that accommodates at least one public venue, transmitted by a server device 20 (e.g., a main server device 20A) Image data relating to each public venue transmitted by a server device 20 (e.g., the main server device 20A) Avatar data (avatar image data and / or avatar position data) relating to other users' avatars transmitted by the server device 20 (e.g., the main server device 20A) Time period data transmitted by the server device 20 (for example, the main server device 20A) regarding the admission permitted time period including at least the opening start time determined for each public venue and the end time obtained by adding the allowable time to the opening start time. A video corresponding to any one of the at least one public venues selected based on the operation data, the video being transmitted by the server device 20 (for example, the video distribution server device 20B). A message sent in a specific group to which the user of the terminal device 10 belongs, and sent by the server device 20 (for example, the main server device 20A).

[0050] (Data transmitted by communication unit 100) Position data indicating the position of the avatar of the user of the terminal device 10 in the virtual space and / or in each public venue based on the operation data and / or the action data, which is transmitted to the server device 20 (e.g., the main server device 20A). A message sent by the terminal device 10 to a specific group to which the user of the terminal device 10 belongs

[0051] (2) Operation / motion data generation unit 110 The operation / motion data generating unit 110 can generate operation data indicating the content of a user's operation and / or motion data related to the user's motion. The operation data can be data indicating the content of an operation input by a user via the user interface unit 180. Such operation data can include, but is not limited to, tapping, dragging, swiping on a touch panel, input by a mouse (click, etc.), input by a keyboard, etc.

[0052] The motion data may be data in which a digital representation of a motion of the user's body (face, etc.) is associated with a time stamp and recorded. The operation / motion data generating unit 110 may include, for example, a sensor unit 112 and a processing unit 114 in order to generate such motion data.

[0053] The sensor unit 112 may include one or more sensors 112a (eg, a camera 112a) that acquire data related to the user's body.

[0054] The one or more sensors 112a may include, for example, a radiation unit (not shown) that radiates infrared rays toward the face of the user, and an infrared camera (not shown) that detects infrared rays reflected from the face of the distributor. Alternatively, the one or more sensors 112a may include an RGB camera (not shown) that captures the face of the distributor, and an image processing unit (not shown) that processes the image captured by the camera.

[0055] The processing unit 114 can detect changes in the user's facial expression and changes in the user's relative position from a predetermined point in time (e.g., an initial point in time when detection started) using data detected by one or more sensors 112a. This allows the processing unit 114 to generate motion data indicating changes in the user's face, etc., in association with a timestamp. Such motion data may include, for example, data indicating which part of the user's face, etc., has changed and how, and how the user's relative position has changed, for each unit time identified by the timestamp.

[0056] In another embodiment, for example, the motion data may be acquired using a motion capture system. As will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, some examples of suitable motion capture systems that may be used with the devices and methods disclosed in this application include optical motion capture systems using passive or active markers or no markers, and inertial and magnetic non-optical systems. The motion data may be acquired using an image capture device (such as a CCD (charge-coupled device) or CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) image sensor) coupled to a computer that converts the motion data into video or other image data.

[0057] (3) Image processing unit 120 The image processing unit 120 can use image data relating to the virtual space received from the server device 20 (e.g., the main server device 20A) to draw the virtual space based on the operation data and / or operation data generated by the operation / motion data generating unit 110, and display the drawn virtual space on the display unit 160. Specifically, first, the image processing unit 120 can generate position data relating to the position (three-dimensional coordinates) and orientation (0 degrees to 360 degrees orientation centered on the Z axis) of the avatar of the user of the terminal device 10 in the virtual space (e.g., a movie theater, a live music venue, etc.) based on the operation data and / or operation data generated by the operation / motion data generating unit 110. For example, when the operation data and / or operation data indicate that the user is to move forward, the image processing unit 120 can generate position data in which the y coordinate of the user's avatar in the virtual space is increased. Alternatively, when the operation data and / or operation data indicate that the user is to change direction to the right (or left), the image processing unit 120 can generate position data in which the user's avatar is rotated 90 degrees to the right (or left).

[0058] Furthermore, the image processing unit 120 can read out image data corresponding to the position data (three-dimensional coordinates and orientation) of the user's avatar from image data regarding the virtual space and each public venue received from a server device (e.g., main server device 20A) and stored in the memory unit 170, and draw the virtual space or one of the public venues and display it on the display unit 160.

[0059] In this way, the image processing unit 120 can determine the three-dimensional coordinates and orientation of the user's avatar in the virtual space based on the operation data and / or the motion data, and can draw and display the virtual space using image data corresponding to the three-dimensional coordinates and orientation thus determined. At this time, the image processing unit 120 can draw and display an animation of the user's avatar walking in combination with the virtual space. In this way, the image processing unit 120 can generate and display an image in which the user's avatar moves based on the operation data and / or the motion data inside the virtual space or inside each public venue.

[0060] In one embodiment, the image processor 120 can display the virtual space or each public venue in combination with the user's avatar (from a third-person perspective). In another embodiment, the image processor 120 can display only the virtual space or each public venue (from a first-person perspective) without displaying the user's avatar.

[0061] Furthermore, the image processing unit 120 can display the virtual space or each public venue in combination with the avatar of the other user (from a first-person perspective or a third-person perspective) by the communication unit 100 periodically or intermittently receiving avatar data (image data of the avatar and / or position data of the avatar) related to the avatar of the other user from the server device 20 (e.g., the main server device 20A). Specifically, the avatar data related to the avatar of the other user indicates the three-dimensional coordinates and orientation of the avatar of the other user in the virtual space. By using such avatar data, the image processing unit 120 can arrange and display the avatar of the other user in the virtual space or each public venue at a position corresponding to the three-dimensional coordinates indicated by the avatar data, in the orientation indicated by the avatar data.

[0062] (4) Determination unit 130 The determination unit 130 can determine whether or not the time when the terminal device 10 selects one of at least one public venues (e.g., a screening room, a small live room, or a stage) contained in a virtual space (e.g., a movie theater, a live music venue, etc.) is included in the admission permitted time period determined for the public venue. Such a determination can be made, for example, by at least one of the following methods. The determination unit 130 compares the time at which one of the at least one public venues was selected based on the operation data and / or action data generated by the operation / motion data generation unit 110 with the entry time period set for that public venue. The server device 20 (e.g., the main server device 20A) makes the determination by comparing the time when any one of the at least one public venue was selected based on the operation data and / or action data generated by the operation / motion data generation unit 110 with the admission open time period set for the public venue, and transmits the result of the determination to the terminal device 10. The determination unit 130 can make the determination based on the result of the determination received from the server device 20.

[0063] (5) Message processing unit 140 The message processor 140 can execute various processes related to messages sent in a specific group to which the user of the terminal device 10 belongs. For example, the message processor 140 can transmit a message input by the user of the terminal device 10 via the user interface unit 180 to the server device 20 (e.g., the main server device 20A).

[0064] Furthermore, the message processor 140 can display on the display unit 160 a message that has been sent in a specific group to which the user of the terminal device 10 belongs and that has been received from a server device 20 (for example, the main server device 20A).

[0065] (6) Playback control unit 150 The playback control unit 150 can execute control over the playback position of a video corresponding to any one of the at least one public venues selected by the terminal device 10 and transmitted by the server device 20 (video distribution server device 20B).

[0066] Specifically, the playback control unit 150 can display an object (such as a seek bar) that can be combined with a video and allows the playback position of the video to be changed. Furthermore, when the position of the object is changed based on the operation data, the playback control unit 150 can play the video from the playback position corresponding to the changed position. Here, when a video corresponding to such a playback position is stored in the storage unit 170, the playback control unit 150 can read the video from the storage unit 170 and display it on the display unit 160. On the other hand, when a video corresponding to such a playback position is not stored in the storage unit, the playback control unit 150 can display a video received from a server device (e.g., video distribution server device 20B) via the communication unit 100 on the display unit 160.

[0067] As will be described later, the playback control unit 150 does not change the position of the object to an arbitrary position based on operation data, but can change the position of the object to at least one of the following positions, for example. Any position between the initial playback position of the video and the earliest playback position among the positions at which the video is being played by each of a plurality of users belonging to a specific group (to which the user of the terminal device 10 belongs). Any position between the initial playback position of the video and the latest playback position of the video if the video were to start at the scheduled time at the venue

[0068] (7) Display section 160 The display unit 160 can display various data used for viewing a video. For example, the display unit 160 can display an image generated by the image processing unit 120 (temporarily stored in the storage unit 170), a video received from the server device 20 (e.g., the video distribution server device 20B) via the communication unit 100, and the like.

[0069] (8) Storage section 170 The storage unit 170 can store various data used for watching videos.

[0070] (9) User interface unit 180 The user interface unit 170 can input various data used for watching videos through user operations. The user interface unit 170 can include, for example, but is not limited to, a touch panel, a pointing device, a mouse, and a keyboard.

[0071] 3-2. Functions of the Server Device 20 (1) Functions of the main server device 20A An example of functions of the main server device 20A will be described with reference to Fig. 4A. Fig. 4A is a block diagram showing an example of functions of the main server device 20A shown in Fig. 1.

[0072] 4A, the main server device 20A can include a communication unit 200, a storage unit 210, a group processing unit 220, and a message processing unit 230. Furthermore, the main server device 20A can also include a determination unit 240 as an option.

[0073] The communication unit 200 can communicate various data used in relation to video distribution with each user's terminal device 10. The communication unit 200 can communicate at least one of the following data with each user's terminal device 10, without being limited thereto: (Data transmitted by communication unit 200) Image data relating to the virtual space and each public venue contained within this virtual space Avatar data transmitted to a terminal device 10 of a certain user, which is different from the certain data and relates to an avatar of another user (avatar image data and / or avatar position data) Time period data on the time period during which admission is permitted, including at least the end time from the designated opening time for each venue to the opening time plus the allowable time. Messages sent by the terminal devices 10 of each user belonging to a specific group

[0074] (Data received by communication unit 200) Messages sent by the terminal devices 10 of each user belonging to a specific group Data transmitted from each terminal device 10, which indicates one of at least one open venues selected by that terminal device 10 as the venue to which the user should enter

[0075] The storage unit 210 is used in connection with video distribution, and can store various data received from the communication unit 200.

[0076] The group processing unit 220 can execute various processes related to the multiple groups generated for each public venue. For example, the group processing unit 220 can generate multiple groups for each public venue and manage which of the multiple groups each user belongs to.

[0077] The message processor 230 can execute processing such as sending a message received from the user's terminal device 10 to the entirety of a specific group to which the user belongs, among a plurality of groups managed by the group processor 220.

[0078] The determination unit 240 can execute the determination made by the determination unit 130 of the terminal device 10 described above, instead of the determination unit 130 or in parallel with the determination unit 130. Specifically, the determination unit 240 can make the determination by comparing the time at which any one of the at least one public venue was selected based on the operation data and / or action data generated by the operation / motion data generation unit 110 of the terminal device 10 with the entry permitted time period set for the public venue, and transmit the result of the determination to the terminal device 10. To achieve this, the determination unit 240 needs to receive data identifying the public venue selected as the venue to enter and data identifying the time at which the public venue was selected from the terminal device 10.

[0079] (2) Functions of the video distribution server device 20B An example of functions of the moving image distribution server device 20B will be described with reference to Fig. 4B. Fig. 4B is a block diagram showing an example of functions of the moving image server device 20B shown in Fig. 1.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 4B, the moving image distribution server device 20B may include a communication unit 300, a storage unit 310, and a playback control unit 320.

[0081] The communication unit 300 can communicate various data used in relation to video distribution with each user's terminal device 10. The communication unit 300 can communicate at least one of the following data with each user's terminal device 10, without being limited thereto: (Data transmitted by communication unit 300) A video corresponding to a public venue selected by the user's terminal device 10 as a venue to be entered from among the at least one public venue, and the video is transmitted to the user's terminal device 10. Data on a playback position selectable by the terminal device 10 of the user for a video corresponding to a public venue selected by the terminal device 10 of the user as a venue to be entered from among the at least one public venue, the data being transmitted to the terminal device 10 of the user.

[0082] (Data received by communication unit 300) Data for identifying a video corresponding to a public venue selected by the user's terminal device 10 as a venue to be entered from among the at least one public venue, the data being received from the user's terminal device 10 (the communication unit 300 can transmit the video identified by this data to the user's terminal device 10). Data for identifying the current playback position of the video transmitted from the terminal device 10 of each user receiving the video (using this data, the playback control unit 320 can recognize at which playback position the terminal device 10 of each user is playing the video). Data for identifying a playback position designated by the terminal device 10 of the user for a video corresponding to a public venue selected by the terminal device 10 of the user as a venue to be entered from among the at least one public venue, the data being received from the terminal device 10 of the user (the playback control unit 320 can transmit the video to the terminal device 10 of the user from the playback position identified by this data).

[0083] The storage unit 310 is used in connection with video distribution, and can store various data received from the communication unit 300.

[0084] The playback control unit 320 can recognize at what playback position each user's terminal device 10 is currently playing the video, using data identifying the current playback position of the video received from each user's terminal device 10 via the communication unit 300.

[0085] Furthermore, the playback control unit 320 can control the playback position of the video for each user's terminal device 10 receiving the video. Specifically, for example, the playback position of the video by each user's terminal device 10 can be controlled so that the video is played at at least one of the following playback positions: Any position between the initial playback position of the video and the earliest playback position among the positions at which the video is being played by each of a plurality of users belonging to a specific group (to which the user of the terminal device 10 belongs). Any position between the initial playback position of the video and the latest playback position of the video if the video were to start at the scheduled time at the venue

[0086] 4. Operation of video distribution system 1 A specific example of the operation performed in the video distribution system 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to Figures 5A and 5B. Figures 5A and 5B are flow diagrams showing an example of the operation performed in the video distribution system 1 shown in Figure 1.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 5A, first, in step (hereinafter referred to as "ST") 400, the terminal device 10A of a certain user (here, user A) can start up and execute a video viewing application.

[0088] Next, in ST402, terminal device 10A can receive image data relating to the virtual space and each public venue from server device 20 (e.g., main server device 20A) and store it in storage unit 170. Furthermore, terminal device 10A can use the received and stored image data to draw and display the virtual space and each public venue.

[0089] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a virtual space displayed by the terminal device 10 included in the video distribution system 1 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 6, a virtual space (here, a movie theater) 500 is displayed on the display unit 160 of the terminal device 10A. This virtual space 500 includes a plurality of public venues (here, screening rooms) 510 for publicly displaying videos. In this example, the plurality of public venues 510 may include, for example, five public venues 510A to 510E. Furthermore, in the virtual space 500, an avatar 520 of a user A may be displayed in combination with this space 500. The avatar 520 may also move and / or change according to operation data and / or motion data.

[0090] In the example shown in Fig. 6, the virtual space 500 is displayed from a third person perspective (TPS: Third Person Shooter). In another embodiment, the virtual space 500 may be displayed from a first person perspective (FPS: First Person Shooter). In this case, when displayed from the first person perspective, the avatar 520 of the user A is not displayed.

[0091] Returning to Fig. 5A, in ST404, the terminal device 10A can display a virtual space based on the operation data and / or the motion data. Specifically, each time the position (three-dimensional coordinates) and / or the orientation of the avatar 520 in the virtual space 500 changes, the terminal device 10A can read out image data related to the virtual space 500 and each public venue 510 corresponding to such position and / or orientation from the image data stored in the storage unit 170 based on the operation data and / or the motion data generated in response to the user A tapping or clicking on the user interface unit 180, and can draw and display the virtual space 500 and each public venue 510 using the read out image data.

[0092] In one embodiment, in ST402 described above, terminal device 10A can receive all image data relating to the virtual space 500 and each public venue 510 together from server device 20 and store it in storage unit 170. In another embodiment, terminal device 10A can receive and store only a portion of the image data relating to the virtual space 500 and each public venue 510 from server device 20, and can receive and store another portion of the image data again from server device 20 as necessary (for example, when the position and / or orientation of the avatar 520 has changed in accordance with the operation data and / or motion data).

[0093] Furthermore, when the position and / or orientation of the avatar 520 of the user A changes, the terminal device 10A can transmit position data regarding the avatar 520 in the virtual space 500, i.e., position data indicating the position (three-dimensional coordinates) and / or orientation (0 degrees to 360 degrees) of the avatar 520, to the server device 20 (main server device 20A). Alternatively, the terminal device 10A can transmit the position data regarding the avatar 520 to the server device 20 at every arbitrary unit time (for example, 5 to 15 seconds). This allows the server device 20 to recognize the position and orientation of the user A in the virtual space 500.

[0094] Furthermore, the server device 20 (main server device 20A) can similarly receive position data related to the avatars of the other users in the virtual space 500 from each of the terminal devices 10 of the other users. This allows the server device 20 to recognize the position and orientation of each user's avatar.

[0095] In this case, the server device 20 can also transmit position data on the avatars of the other users to the terminal device 10 of each user, for example, at any unit time. This allows the terminal device 10 of each user to recognize the positions and orientations of the avatars of the other users in the virtual space 500. This allows the terminal device 10A of user A (as well as other users) to draw and display the avatars 522, 524 of the other users in combination in the virtual space 500, as exemplified in FIG. 6.

[0096] Returning to FIG. 5A, next, in ST406, terminal device 10A can display data related to each of the multiple public venues 510. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a virtual space displayed by terminal device 10 included in video distribution system 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 shows an example in which, in the state shown in FIG. 6, user A taps or clicks on the forward portion of avatar 520, causing avatar 520 to move forward in virtual space 500 and arrive in front of reception counter 530. Data related to each public venue 510 is displayed on display board 532 of reception counter 530.

[0097] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the terminal device 10A can display, for each publication venue 510, at least the publication start time (the time when publication of the moving image starts) and the end time obtained by adding the allowed time to the publication start time. For example, the terminal device 10A can display, for a public venue called Screen 1, a public release start time of "12:00" (the time when public release of "Movie 1" starts) and a rear end time of "13:00" (the latest time at which entry to this public venue is permitted) obtained by adding an allowable time (for example, one hour, but this can be set arbitrarily) to the public release start time. That is, the terminal device 10A can display an admission permitted time slot that includes at least the public release start time ("12:00") to the rear end time (13:00). In this case, each user can recognize that entry to the public venue ("Screen 1") is permitted at least during the time slot (admission permitted time slot) from 12:00 to 13:00.

[0098] Although not shown in Fig. 7, when entry to the public venue is possible at a time before the public opening start time, the terminal device 10A can also display a front end time indicating the time before the public opening start time at which entry is possible. In the above example, the terminal device 10A can also display "11:30", for example, 30 minutes before the public opening start time (can be set arbitrarily). In this case, each user can recognize that entry to the public venue ("screen 1") is possible at least during the time period from 11:30 to 13:00 (the time period when entry is possible).

[0099] 7, the terminal device 10A can also display the time (viewing end time) indicating until what time each user who has entered the public venue can view the video at the public venue. In the above example, the terminal device 10A can display that each user who has entered the public venue ("Screen 1") can view "Movie 1" until "18:50".

[0100] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 7, a plurality of admission start times may be set for a public venue called "Screen 1." For example, in addition to the above-mentioned "12:00," public start times such as "14:00" and "16:00" may be set for a public venue called "Screen 1." Similarly, for each of these public start times, the rear end time (and further, the front end time and viewing end time) may be displayed.

[0101] Here, we have used the public venue "Screen 1" as an example for explanation, but this explanation also applies to each of the public venues "Screen 2" to "Screen 5" in the same way.

[0102] FIG. 7 shows an example in which three publication start times ("12:00", "14:00", and "16:00") are set for the same publication venue called "Screen 1". A user who enters "Screen 1" with a publication start time of "12:00" cannot simultaneously enter "Screen 1" with a publication start time of "14:00" or "16:00". Thus, although these three publication venues are named "Screen 1", they can be considered to be different publication venues. Thus, it can be said that multiple publication venues are distinguished from each other not only from the perspective of virtual locations (names) but also from the perspective of publication start times.

[0103] Returning to Fig. 5A, in ST408, user A can select one of the multiple public venues displayed in ST406 as the venue to enter. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 7, user A can select the venue to enter from among 15 public venues (= 5 public venues × 3 public disclosure times) by tapping on the name of one of the videos, etc.

[0104] Alternatively, user A may have avatar 520 walk around virtual space 500 as illustrated in FIG. 6 and move avatar 520 to the entrance of a desired public venue, thereby selecting the venue as the venue to enter. Public venues 510A to 510E illustrated in FIG. 6 may correspond to "screen 1" to "screen 5" illustrated in FIG. 7, respectively. In one embodiment, when the current time is any one of "11:30" to "13:00", user A may select the public venue specified by "screen 1" and the public start time ("12:00") by moving avatar 520 to the entrance of public venue 510A. Similarly, when the current time is any one of "13:30" to "14:00", user A may select the public venue specified by "screen 2" and the public start time ("14:00") by moving avatar 520 to the entrance of public venue 510B.

[0105] In one embodiment, a limit on the number of users may be set for each public venue. When the total number of users who have entered the public venue reaches the limit, no users will be able to enter the public venue thereafter. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the limit on the number of users may be displayed in association with each public venue. Thus, setting a limit on the number of users for each public venue means setting a limit on the number of terminal devices 10 that simultaneously connect to the server device 20 to view videos published by the public venue. This allows the server device 20 to control the communication load on the server device 20.

[0106] Returning to Fig. 5A, in ST410, terminal device 10A can determine whether the time at which user A selected the public venue to enter in ST408 is included in the available entry time slot corresponding to that public venue. In another embodiment, terminal device 10A can cause server device 20 to perform the above determination by transmitting data identifying the public venue selected by user A and data identifying the time at which the public venue was selected by user A to server device 20 (e.g. main server device 20A). In this case, terminal device 10A can determine whether the time at which the public venue to enter was selected is included in the available entry time slot corresponding to that public venue by receiving data indicating the result of the determination from server device 20.

[0107] If terminal device 10A or server device 20 determines that the time when the public venue to be entered is selected is not included in the admission permitted time period corresponding to that public venue, the process returns to ST404 (or ST402) described above.

[0108] On the other hand, if the terminal device 10A or the server device 20 determines that the time at which the public venue to enter is selected is included in the admission permitted time period corresponding to that public venue, the process proceeds to ST412.

[0109] In ST412, the terminal device 10A can draw and display the interior of the public venue selected in ST408. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a public venue contained in a virtual space displayed by the terminal device 10 included in the video distribution system 1 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 8 shows an example in which the interior of "screen 1" exemplified in Fig. 7 is displayed.

[0110] The terminal device 10A can display the inside of the public venue 510A from a third-person perspective, as shown in Fig. 8. The terminal device 10A can change and display the position and / or orientation of the avatar 520 based on operation data and / or motion data. In another embodiment, the terminal device 10A can also display the public venue 510A from a first-person perspective in which the avatar 520 is not displayed.

[0111] In addition, if a seat is designated for each user, when user A sits in the designated seat, the terminal device 10A can display the inside of the public venue 510A from the viewpoint of that seat in a third-person or first-person perspective. In this case, the terminal device 10A can display the screen area 540 and the area between the screen area 540 and the seat (including the avatars and the seats of other users) as the inside of the public venue 510A. This allows user A to have an experience of being in an actual movie theater.

[0112] As shown in Fig. 8, the terminal device 10A can also display avatars 526, 528, etc. of other users who have entered the public venue 510A as if they are seated in a seat 550. This can be realized by the terminal device 10A receiving position data on the avatars of other users from the server device 20, for example, at unit time intervals, as described with reference to Fig. 6.

[0113] Returning to FIG. 5A, next, in ST414, terminal device 10A or server device 20 can select a group (specific group) to which user A should belong from among a plurality of groups generated for the public venue that user A has entered.

[0114] In a first example, the server device 20 (e.g., the main server device 20A) can cause a user who has entered a public venue to generate a new group to which the user should belong together with its name, title, or theme (hereinafter referred to as "name, etc.") via the user interface unit 180 of the terminal device 10. For example, a user who has entered a public venue can generate a group having a name, etc., of "Suspense Fans Only" via the user interface unit 180 of the terminal device 10 and belong to the group. To achieve this, the server device 20 can store and manage, for each public venue, data identifying a group, data identifying the name, etc., of the group, and data identifying a user who belongs to the group, in association with each other.

[0115] In this first example, consider a case where a plurality of groups have already been generated by a plurality of users. In this case, the server device 20 presents the plurality of groups already generated for the public venue that the user A has entered to the terminal device 10A of the user A, and allows the user A to select which group to belong to. The user A can belong to one of the plurality of groups (specific group) by selecting the group through the user interface unit 180 of the terminal device 10A.

[0116] In the second example, the server device 20 (e.g., the main server device 20A) can generate a plurality of groups, each of which is assigned an entry time slot, for each public venue. For example, for a public venue identified by "Screen 1" and a public disclosure time ("12:00"), the server device 20 can generate a plurality of groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 corresponding to time slot 1 (e.g., "11:30" to "11:44"), time slot 2 (e.g., "11:45" to "11:59"), time slot 3 (e.g., "12:00" to "12:14"), and time slot 4 (e.g., "12:15" to "12:29"), respectively, during which users entered the public venue. To achieve this, the server device 20 can store and manage, for each public venue, data identifying a group, data identifying a time slot assigned to the group, and data identifying users belonging to the group, in association with each other.

[0117] In this second example, when user A enters a public venue specified by "Screen 1" and the public disclosure time ("12:00"), if the time of entry into the public venue is, for example, 11:46, the terminal device 10A of user A can display that the group to which user A should belong (specific group) is the group corresponding to time period 2. The terminal device 10A or the server device 20 can determine which group user A belongs to. When the terminal device 10A makes such a determination, the terminal device 10A needs to receive and acquire from the server device 20 the data stored by the server device 20 as described above regarding the public venue that user A entered. When the server device 20 makes such a determination, the terminal device 10A needs to transmit data identifying the public venue that user A entered and data identifying the time that user A entered the public venue to the server device 20.

[0118] In a third example, the server device 20 (e.g., the main server device 20A) can generate a plurality of groups for each public venue, each of which is assigned at least one attribute. For example, the server device 20 can generate, for each public venue, group 1 to which attribute 1 is assigned, group 2 to which attribute 2 is assigned, group 3 to which attribute 3 is assigned, and group 4 to which attribute 4 is assigned. Note that the attribute assigned to each group may be one attribute or multiple attributes. Each attribute may be selected from a group including age, sex, favorite genre, occupation, address, domicile, blood type, star sign, personality, and the like. To achieve this, the server device 20 can store and manage, for each public venue, data identifying a group, data identifying at least one attribute assigned to the group, and data identifying users belonging to the group in association with each other. Also, the server device 20 can register at least one attribute for each user in advance.

[0119] In this third example, when user A enters a public venue specified by "Screen 1" and a public disclosure time ("12:00"), a group corresponding to (matching) at least one attribute registered in advance by the terminal device 10A or the server device 20 for the user A may be selected from among a plurality of groups as a group (specific group) to which the user A belongs. The terminal device 10A or the server device 20 may determine which group the user A belongs to. When the terminal device 10A makes such a determination, the terminal device 10A needs to receive and acquire data stored by the server device 20 as described above regarding the public venue that the user A entered from the server device 20. When the server device 20 makes such a determination, the terminal device 10A needs to transmit data identifying the public venue that the user A entered (and further data identifying the attributes registered for the user A as necessary) to the server device 20.

[0120] In this manner, when the group (specific group) to which user A should belong is selected, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, an object 602 corresponding to the name of the specific group, "Suspense Fans Only", may be displayed.

[0121] Returning to FIG. 5A, next, in ST416, for the specific group selected in ST414 as the group to which user A should belong, every time a message is transmitted by the terminal device 10 of any user belonging to this specific group, the terminal device 10A can receive the message from the server device 20 (e.g., the main server device 20A) and display the message. In addition, the terminal device 10A can also transmit a message input by user A via the user interface unit 180 to the server device 20. In this case, the message can be transmitted by the server device 20 to the terminal devices 10 of each user belonging to the specific group (including the terminal device 10A of user A). In this way, each user belonging to the specific group can communicate with each other about a video (content) made public in a public venue to which the user has entered, along with the progress of the video, in other words, can communicate while sharing the same content, by exchanging messages with each other in real time.

[0122] In the present application, the "real-time method" refers to a method in which, when a message is sent from a terminal device 10 of a certain user to the server device 20, the message is sent from the server device 20 to each terminal device 10 without intentionally causing substantial delays, except for delays and failures that occur in the communication line 2, and delays and failures that occur in the processing by the server device 20 and / or the terminal device 10. In such a real-time method, every time a message is sent from the terminal device 10 of any user who has already entered the public venue, the message is sent by the server device 20 not only to the terminal devices 10 of the users who have already entered, but also to the terminal device 10 of a new user who has just entered the public venue at that same timing. In other words, the latest message can always be sent by the server device 20 not only to the terminal devices of the users who have already entered the public venue, but also to the terminal device 10 of a new user who has entered the public venue later than those users. This is because importance is placed on real-time communication between all users who have entered the public venue.

[0123] As illustrated in Fig. 8, messages sent by users X, W, A, and Q belonging to a specific group called "Suspense Fans Only" are transmitted, for example, together with the transmission time, to the terminal devices 10 of the users belonging to this specific group via the server device 20. As a result, as illustrated in Fig. 8, messages 610A-610D sent by users X, W, A, and Q can be displayed in a chat area 610 in the terminal device 10A of user A in combination with the transmission time, for example, from top to bottom in chronological order.

[0124] 5B, in ST418, user A's terminal device 10A can receive and display a video ("Movie 1") designated for the public venue that user A has entered from server device 20 (e.g., video distribution server device 20B). Here, main server device 20A transmits data identifying user A and data identifying the public venue that user A has entered (and data identifying the time when user A entered the public venue, as necessary) to video distribution server device 20B, whereby video distribution server device 20B can distribute the video ("Movie 1") designated for the public venue to user A's terminal device 10A.

[0125] In one embodiment, the server device 20 (for example, the video distribution server device 20B) can distribute the video to the terminal device 10A of the user A by streaming from the initial playback position (0 hours, 0 minutes, 0 seconds). This allows the terminal device 10A to play and display the video from the initial playback position. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the terminal device 10A can display the video in a screen area 540 arranged in the center of the public venue 510A. The terminal device 10A can also display the video in a full-screen manner, for example, according to an operation by the user A via the user interface unit 180. Even in this case, the chat area 610 can still be displayed.

[0126] Returning to FIG. 5B, next, in ST420, the terminal device 10A can change the playback position of the video based on the operation data. Specifically, if each user belonging to a specific group is allowed to play a video from any playback position, the playback positions of the terminal devices 10 of each user belonging to the specific group may vary significantly between users, making it difficult for each user belonging to the specific group to substantially share the same video along the progression of the video. Therefore, in one embodiment, each user belonging to the specific group can change the playback position of the video within the following range.

[0127] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing an example of a range in which the playback position of a video displayed by each user's terminal device 10 is changed in the video distribution system 1 shown in Fig. 1. For the sake of simplicity, Fig. 9 shows an example in which the users belonging to a specific group are four users X, Y, Z, and A.

[0128] 9, the current playback position of the same video ("Movie 1") is shown for each of users X, Y, and Z. For example, the current playback positions of users X, Y, and Z are (1 hour 35 minutes 48 seconds), (1 hour 15 minutes 3 seconds), and (2 hours 12 minutes 10 seconds), respectively. Since user A has just entered this public venue 510A, the current playback position of user A is assumed to be the initial playback position (0 hours 0 minutes 10 seconds).

[0129] In the first example, the terminal device 10 of each user (including the terminal device 10A of user A) can change the playback position of this video between the initial playback position and the earliest playback position among the positions at which each of the multiple users belonging to the specific group is playing the video. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the earliest playback position among the multiple users is the playback position of user Z (2 hours 12 minutes 10 seconds). Therefore, the terminal device 10 of each user (including the terminal device 10A of user A) can change the playback position of this video in the range 700 between (0 hours 0 minutes 0 seconds) and (2 hours 12 minutes 10 seconds). As a result, none of the users can change the playback position of this video to a playback position beyond (2 hours 12 minutes 10 seconds) by themselves.

[0130] To achieve this, the terminal device 10 of each user can transmit the current playback position of the video to the server device 20 (e.g., video distribution server device 20) for each arbitrary unit time. This allows the server device 20 to identify the current playback position of the video for all users belonging to the specific group, and furthermore, the earliest playback position in this specific group. The server device 20 can notify the terminal device of each user belonging to the specific group of the earliest playback position in this specific group for each arbitrary unit time. As a result, the terminal device 10 of each user can change the playback position of this video between the initial playback position and the earliest playback position notified by the server device 20 for each unit time.

[0131] In the second example, each user's terminal device 10 (including user A's terminal device 10A) can change the playback position of this video between the initial playback position and the latest playback position of this video when playback of this video starts on time at the release start time in this public venue 510A. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the latest playback position of this video when playback of this video starts on time at the release start time (12:00) is (2 hours 49 minutes 27 seconds). Therefore, each user's terminal device 10 (including user A's terminal device 10A) can change the playback position of this video in the range 710 between (0 hours 0 minutes 0 seconds) and (2 hours 49 minutes 27 seconds). As a result, neither user can change the playback position of this video to a playback position beyond (2 hours 49 minutes 27 seconds) by themselves.

[0132] To achieve this, the server device 20 (for example, the video distribution server device 20B) can acquire and store the latest playback position of a video set for the public venue 510A when the video starts on time at the scheduled release start time. The server device 20 (video distribution server device 20B) is responsible for distributing videos, and is therefore able to constantly recognize such latest playback position. Furthermore, the server device 20 can notify the terminal device of each user belonging to the specific group of the latest playback position at any unit time. As a result, the terminal device 10 of each user can change the playback position of the video between the initial playback position and the latest playback position notified by the server device 20 at each unit time.

[0133] In both the first and second examples, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the terminal device 10A of the user A can display a seek bar function 750 for changing the playback position of the video. The seek bar function 750 can include, for example, an object 750A arranged at the current playback position in the playback time period of the entire video, characters ("00:00:10") 750B indicating the current playback position of the video, and characters ("02:12:10") 750C indicating the earliest playback position (in the case of the first example) or characters ("02:49:27") 750C indicating the latest playback position (in the case of the second example). The seek bar function 750 can also include an object 750D indicating a changeable area extending between the current playback position of the video and the earliest playback position (in the case of the first example) or the latest playback position. Here, the terminal device 10A can display the characters 750C ("02:12:10") indicating the earliest playback position (in the case of the above first example) or the characters ("02:49:27") indicating the latest playback position (in the case of the above second example) 750C, and the object 750D indicating the changeable area, using the earliest playback position (in the case of the above first example) notified by the server device 20 every unit time or the latest playback position (in the case of the above second example) notified every unit time.

[0134] User A can change the playback position of the video by changing the position of object 750A within the range between (00:00:00) and (02:12:10) via user interface unit 180. This allows terminal device 10A to change the playback position of the video based on operation data generated via user interface unit 180. Note that characters ("02:12:10") 750C indicating the earliest playback position (in the case of the above first example) or characters ("02:49:27") 750C indicating the latest playback position (in the case of the above second example), and object 750D indicating the changeable area change over time.

[0135] It should be noted that user A can also temporarily stop the playback of the video by tapping on some object (eg, object 750A) via user interface unit 180.

[0136] Returning to Fig. 5B, next, in ST422, user A of terminal device 10A can register at least one piece of evaluation data for the video being viewed in association with the playback position of the video. The at least one piece of evaluation data is data indicating an evaluation of a specific playback position of the video, and may include, for example, evaluation data such as "Like!", "This is important", "Pay attention to this when watching", and / or "The best", without being limited to these.

[0137] When the playback position that the user A wishes to rate arrives, the user A can register such evaluation data in association with the playback position by selecting an object displayed by the terminal device 10A via the user interface unit 180. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, when the user A wishes to rate arrives, the user A can tap the "Like!" button 760A or the "Important" button 760B. In response to this, the terminal device 10A can transmit, for example, data identifying the video, data identifying the evaluation data, and data identifying the playback position in the video at which the evaluation data is registered, to the server device 20 (for example, the video distribution server device 20B). This allows the server device 20 to register (store) the evaluation data for the video in association with the playback position.

[0138] The server device 20 can receive and store data identifying a video, data identifying rating data, and data identifying a playback position in the video at which the rating data is registered, from the terminal device 10 of each user belonging to a specific group (to which user A belongs), in a similar manner. Using such data, the server device 20 can generate a graph in which the rating data is associated with the playback position of the video.

[0139] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a graph generated by the server device 20 in the video distribution system 1 shown in FIG. 1 in a partially enlarged manner. The graph shown in FIG. 10 can show, for example, the total number of first evaluation data (here, "Like!") and the total number of second evaluation data (here, "This is important") registered for each unit time period (here, one minute time period) in a video. The server device 20 can generate the graph shown in FIG. 10 by calculating the total number of first evaluation data and the total number of second evaluation data registered by all users belonging to the specific group for each unit time period. Note that FIG. 10 shows the total number of each evaluation data for each unit time period (one aspect of the playback position) of one minute as an example. The unit time period (playback position) can be selected from a group including 1 second, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 50 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and 15 minutes.

[0140] The server device 20 can generate or update such a graph for each arbitrary unit time, and transmit the graph thus generated or updated to the terminal devices 10 of each user belonging to the specific group.

[0141] Returning to FIG. 5B, next, in ST424, terminal device 10A of user A can display (or hide) the graph received from server device 20 for each unit time in combination with screen area 540 (and chat area 610) illustrated in FIG. 8. This allows user A to watch the relevant part of the video more carefully while recognizing that the playback position (30 minutes to 32 minutes) of the video is a part that was favorably evaluated by many users belonging to the specific group. User A can also watch the relevant part of the video more carefully while recognizing that the playback position (33 minutes to 35 minutes) of the video is a part that attracted the attention of many users belonging to the specific group.

[0142] Next, in ST426, user A notices that the playback position of this video (30 minutes to 31 minutes) is a part that was rated particularly well by many users (rated as exciting), and taps, etc., the bar indicating the total number of first ratings extending vertically at this playback position or the text indicating this playback position (00:30:00), thereby enabling terminal device 10A to play and display this video from this playback position.

[0143] Similarly, user A notices that the playback position of this video (from 33 minutes to 34 minutes) is a part that was rated particularly well (rated as important) by many users, and taps, for example, the bar extending vertically at this playback position indicating the total number of second ratings or the text indicating this playback position (00:33:00), thereby enabling terminal device 10A to play and display this video from this playback position.

[0144] Next, in ST428, the terminal device 10A of the user A can generate and update a message list in which messages transmitted by the user A to the specific group are associated with the time at which the messages were transmitted (i.e., the playback position of the video), for example, at any unit time. Once the terminal device 10A generates such a message list, the terminal device 10A can display (or hide) the message list in combination with the screen area 540 (and the chat area 610) illustrated in FIG. 8. By viewing such a message list, the user A can recognize what message was transmitted to the specific group at which playback position of the video. Furthermore, when there is a noteworthy message among the messages transmitted by the user A, the user A can tap the message or the playback position displayed in association with the message, and the terminal device 10 can play and display the video by going back to such a playback position at which the user A transmitted the message.

[0145] Terminal device 10A can transmit (data relating to) the generated message list to server device 20 and store it, for example, so that the message list can be used when viewing the same video again later. Terminal device 10A can receive (data relating to) the message list stored in server device 20 from server device 20 by making a request to server device 20, and display it.

[0146] Next, in ST430, terminal device 10A can stop the playback of the video by playing the video up to its final playback position. After this, user A is allowed to use terminal device 10A to watch the same video again until a certain period of time has elapsed. This certain period ends, for example, at 18:50 here, as described in relation to FIG. 7. Specifically, for example, "Movie 1" released at the release venue selected by user A is a 2.5 hour content. If user A starts watching "Movie 1" right at the release start time and never stops the playback, "Movie 1" will end at 2:30 p.m. However, user A can still watch "Movie 1" again until 6:50 p.m.

[0147] The reason for allowing the video to be viewed again within such a certain period of time is to ensure that even if User A is unable to view the video after entering the public venue due to various reasons including, but not limited to, a malfunction of terminal device 10A or a deterioration in the communication environment, User A will be able to finish viewing the same video in its entirety.

[0148] Finally, in ST432, terminal apparatus 10A of user A can end the playback of this video.

[0149] Although the above has been described taking as an example the operations performed between the terminal device 10A of user A and the server device 20, similar operations can also be performed between the terminal devices 10 and the server device 20 of other users.

[0150] For the sake of simplicity, ST416 to ST430 are described as being executed in this order. However, it should be understood that in practice, at least some of the operations of ST416 to ST430 may be executed in parallel with each other or repeatedly in an unspecified order with respect to each other. It should also be noted that at least some of the operations of ST416 to ST430 may not be executed.

[0151] Furthermore, in the various embodiments described above, the case where a plurality of public venues are accommodated in the virtual space has been described. However, it is also possible that only one public venue is accommodated in the virtual space.

[0152] Also, in the example shown in Fig. 7, a case has been described in which video release progresses in the same cycle for each unit time (2 hours in Fig. 7) in multiple release venues. That is, in a release venue called "Screen 1," video release begins at "12:00," "14:00," and "16:00," respectively, and in a release venue called "Screen 2," video release similarly begins at "12:00," "14:00," and "16:00," respectively. However, it is also possible for video release to occur in separate cycles in multiple release venues.

[0153] As described above, the technology disclosed in the present application can set an admission time period that includes at least the time period from the start time of admission to the end time obtained by adding an allowable time to the start time of admission for a public venue contained in a virtual space. A video set for this public venue can be made public only to users who enter this public venue (select this public venue) at a time included in the admission time period. This allows freedom in the time at which all users who enter this public venue start watching the video, while ensuring to a certain extent that at least a plurality of users among all users who enter this public venue watch the video at substantially the same time (including substantially the same time in a broad sense that includes a certain degree of variation).

[0154] In addition, multiple users who have entered one public venue are further divided into multiple groups, and only multiple users belonging to the same group are allowed to exchange messages while watching a video. This allows multiple users with common interests and / or attributes to enjoy the same video while exchanging messages. Furthermore, by limiting the number of users who exchange messages in this way, users can communicate easily and smoothly. Furthermore, by a user who has already finished watching a video sending a message mentioning the ending of the video, it is possible to some extent to reduce the inconvenience of the ending of the video being notified to a user who has just started watching the video or a user who has not yet finished watching the video.

[0155] As would be easily understood by a person skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, the various examples described above may be appropriately combined with each other in various patterns, unless a contradiction occurs.

[0156] In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the invention disclosed herein may be applied, it is to be understood that the illustrated embodiments are merely preferred examples and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the claimed invention to these preferred examples. In fact, the scope of the claimed invention is defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, we claim the grant of a patent as our invention to all that falls within the scope of the claimed invention.

[0157] 5. Various Aspects The computer program of the first aspect can cause "at least one processor to function as follows: when executed by at least one processor, display a virtual space that accommodates a public venue for publishing videos based on operation data indicating the content of a user's operation; display an allowed entry time period that includes at least the publication start time set for the public venue and a final time obtained by adding an allowable time to the publication start time; determine whether the time when the public venue was selected as a venue to enter based on the operation data is included in the allowed entry time period for the public venue; and if it is determined that the time when the public venue was selected is included in the allowed entry time period, receive the video set for the public venue from a server device and display it."

[0158] The computer program according to the second aspect can "cause the at least one processor to function to receive the video from the server device and play it from an initial playback position" as in the first aspect.

[0159] The computer program of the third aspect can "cause the at least one processor to function so as to display messages sent and received between the certain user and other users who belong to a specific group among the multiple groups generated for the public venue" in the second aspect above.

[0160] The computer program of the fourth aspect can be configured in the third aspect above as follows: "the specific group is at least one of a group selected by the certain user out of a plurality of groups each generated by a user, a group out of a plurality of groups each assigned an entrance time slot and assigned an entrance time slot corresponding to the time that the certain user entered the public venue, or a group out of a plurality of groups each assigned attribute data and assigned attribute data corresponding to the attribute data registered for the certain user."

[0161] The computer program of the fifth aspect can, in the fourth aspect above, "cause the at least one processor to function to display an object that changes the playback position of the video for the certain user between the initial playback position and the earliest playback position among the positions at which each of the multiple users belonging to the specific group is playing the video."

[0162] The computer program of the sixth aspect can, in the fourth aspect above, "cause the at least one processor to function to display an object that changes the playback position of the video for the certain user between the initial playback position and the latest playback position of the video if playback of the video were to start on time at the release start time in the release venue."

[0163] The computer program of the seventh aspect can "cause the at least one processor to function to display the message in a real-time manner without synchronizing with playback of the video" in any of the third to sixth aspects.

[0164] A computer program according to an eighth aspect, in any of the second to seventh aspects, can cause the at least one processor to function as follows: "to register any one of at least one evaluation data indicating an evaluation of the video in association with a playback position of the video that can be registered by at least one user among a plurality of users including the certain user and other users, selected based on the operation data, and to display a graph generated in association with the playback position of the video using the at least one evaluation data registered by the at least one user."

[0165] The computer program of the 9th aspect can cause the at least one processor to function in the above 8th aspect such that "the graph displays, in correspondence with each of a plurality of playback positions, a total number of the at least one evaluation data registered for the playback position, and plays the video from a playback position corresponding to one total number selected based on the operation data from the total numbers included in the graph."

[0166] The computer program of the 10th aspect can, in any of the 2nd to 9th aspects, "cause the at least one processor to function as follows: display a message list in which at least one message sent by the certain user is registered in correspondence with the playback position of the video, and play the video from a playback position corresponding to one message selected based on the operation data from the at least one message included in the message list."

[0167] The computer program of the 11th aspect can, in any of the first to tenth aspects, "cause the at least one processor to function to allow the video to be played for a certain period of time from the point at which the video has been played up to the last playback position."

[0168] The computer program of the 12th aspect can "cause the at least one processor to function to display an avatar of the certain user in the virtual space based on the operation data" in any of the first to 11th aspects.

[0169] The computer program of the 13th aspect can, in any of the first to 11th aspects, "cause the at least one processor to function such that, when it is determined that the selected time is included in the open entry time slot, an avatar of the certain user is displayed in the public venue based on the operation data."

[0170] The computer program of the 14th aspect can, in any of the first to 13th aspects, "cause the at least one processor to function to display the entry time period including the beginning time before the opening start time set for the public venue and the end time of the opening."

[0171] The computer program of the 15th aspect, in the first aspect above, can cause the at least one processor to function as follows: "display the virtual space accommodating a plurality of public venues for publishing videos based on the operation data; display, for at least one of the plurality of public venues, an allowed entry time period that includes at least the period from the publishing start time set for the at least one public venue to a final time obtained by adding an allowable time to the publishing start time; determine whether the time at which one of the at least one public venues was selected based on the operation data is included in the allowed entry time period for the one public venue; and if it is determined that the time at which the one public venue was selected is included in the allowed entry time period, receive and display a video from the server device."

[0172] The computer program of the 16th aspect may be configured as in the 15th aspect above, where "the multiple public venues include at least a first public venue, a second public venue, and a third public venue, the time interval between the public start time set for the first public venue and the public start time set for the second public venue is the same as the time interval between the public start time set for the second public venue and the public start time set for the third public venue, and the one public venue is any of the first public venue, the second public venue, and the third public venue."

[0173] The computer program of the 17th aspect can be any of the first to 16th aspects, wherein "the at least one processor includes a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU)."

[0174] The computer program of the 18th aspect can "cause the at least one processor to function to receive data regarding the entry time slots from a server device via a communication line" in any of the first to seventeenth aspects.

[0175] The method of the 19th aspect can include "a method executed by at least one processor that executes computer-readable instructions, the processor executing the instructions to display a virtual space that accommodates a public venue for publishing videos based on operation data indicating the content of a user's operation, displaying an allowed entry time period that includes at least the publication start time set for the public venue to a final time obtained by adding an allowable time to the publication start time, determining whether the time at which the public venue was selected as a venue to enter based on the operation data is included in the allowed entry time period for the public venue, and if it is determined that the time at which the public venue was selected is included in the allowed entry time period, receiving the video set for the public venue from a server device and displaying it."

[0176] The method according to the 20th aspect may be the same as the 19th aspect above, wherein "the at least one processor includes a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU)."

[0177] The method of the 21st aspect may be the same as the 19th aspect or the 20th aspect above, and "further include receiving data regarding the permitted entry times from a server device via a communication line."

[0178] The method of the 22nd aspect can be "a method executed by at least one processor that executes computer-readable instructions, the method including, by executing the instructions, transmitting to a user's terminal device data regarding an allowed entry time period that includes at least the period from a publication start time set for a public venue for publishing videos contained in a virtual space to a final time obtained by adding an allowable time to the publication start time, determining whether the time when the public venue was selected by the terminal device as a venue to enter is included in the allowed entry time period for the public venue, and transmitting the video set for the public venue to the terminal device when it is determined that the time when the public venue was selected is included in the allowed entry time period."

[0179] A method according to a 23rd aspect may be the same as that according to the 22nd aspect above, where "the at least one processor includes a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU)."

[0180] The method of the 24th aspect may be the same as in the 22nd or 23rd aspect above, and "further include transmitting data regarding the entry time slots to the terminal device via a communication line."

[0181] The server device of the 25th aspect can be configured to "have at least one processor, and to transmit to a user's terminal device data regarding an allowed entry time period that includes at least the period from a publication start time set for a public venue for publishing videos contained in a virtual space to a final time obtained by adding an allowable time to the publication start time, determine whether the time when the public venue was selected by the terminal device as a venue to enter is included in the allowed entry time period for the public venue, and if it is determined that the time when the public venue was selected is included in the allowed entry time period, transmit the video set for the public venue to the terminal device."

[0182] The server device of the 26th aspect can be the same as the 25th aspect above, where "the at least one processor includes a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU)."

[0183] The server device in the 27th aspect can be configured in the 25th or 26th aspect above such that "the at least one processor is configured to transmit data regarding the entry time slots to the terminal device via a communication line."

[0184] As described above, according to various aspects, it is possible to provide a computer program, a method, and a server device for delivering video to a user's terminal device in an improved manner. [Explanation of symbols]

[0185] 1. Video distribution system 2. Communication lines (communication networks) 10, 10A~10D Terminal equipment 20 Server device 20A Main server device 20B Video distribution server device 100 Communications Department 110 Operation / motion data generation unit 120 Image Processing Unit 130 Judgment section 140 Message Processing Unit 150 Playback control section 160 Display section 170 Storage section 180 User Interface Section 200 Communications Department 210 Storage section 220 Group Processing Unit 230 Message Processing Unit 240 Judgment section

Claims

1. When executed by at least one processor, displaying a virtual space accommodating a plurality of publishing venues for publishing videos based on operation data indicating the content of an operation by a certain user; Selecting one of the plurality of public venues based on the operation data; Displaying information about the selected public venue; A group selected from a plurality of groups, a group created by said one user via a user interface; Groups based on time of entry into the selected public venue; or The plurality of groups are each assigned an attribute for the public venue, and information regarding the group that is assigned an attribute corresponding to the attribute registered for the certain user is displayed; A computer program product causing the at least one processor to function to receive from a server device and display a video defined for the public venue.

2. When executed by at least one processor, displaying a virtual space accommodating a plurality of publishing venues for publishing videos based on operation data indicating the content of an operation by a certain user; Selecting one of the plurality of public venues based on the operation data; Displaying information about the selected public venue; Displaying information about a selected group from among multiple groups; receiving a video determined for the public venue from a server device and displaying the video; registering evaluation data for the video in association with a playback position of the video in response to an operation by the certain user via a user interface; receiving from the server device and displaying a graph showing the total number of the evaluation data registered by the users belonging to the selected group for each unit time period in the video; A computer program characterized by causing at least one processor to function to display the video from a playback position corresponding to the unit time period or the total number shown in the graph, the unit time period or the total number being specified by the certain user via the user interface.

3. 3. The computer program product of claim 2, further comprising: causing the at least one processor to transmit to a server device data identifying the video, data identifying the rating data, and data identifying the playback position in the video at which the rating data was registered.

4. 4. The computer program product according to claim 2, further comprising: a computer program causing the at least one processor to function so as to receive from the server device and display the graph, the graph being updated every unit time.

5. generating and updating a message list that records messages sent by the user to the selected group in association with the time the messages were sent; 5. A computer program product as claimed in claim 1, which causes the at least one processor to function in such a way that

6. 6. The computer program product of claim 5, further comprising: causing the at least one processor to: show or hide the message list in combination with a screen area in which the animation is displayed.

7. 7. The computer program product of claim 5 or 6, which causes the at least one processor to function to display the video from a playback position of the video corresponding to a time selected by the certain user via a user interface among the times displayed in the message list.

8. 8. A computer program product as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising: causing the at least one processor to transmit the message list to the server device for storage.

9. 9. The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising: causing the at least one processor to: receive from the server device and display the list of messages stored on the server device by sending a request to the server device.

10. At least one processor Displaying a virtual space accommodating a plurality of publishing venues for publishing videos based on operation data indicating the contents of operations performed by a certain user; selecting one of the plurality of public venues based on the operation data; displaying information about the selected public venue; A group selected from a plurality of groups, a group created by said one user via a user interface; Groups based on time of entry into the selected public venue; or Displaying information about the plurality of groups, each of which is assigned an attribute for the public venue, the group being assigned an attribute corresponding to an attribute registered for the certain user; and receiving from a server device and displaying a video defined for the public venue.

11. At least one processor Displaying a virtual space accommodating a plurality of publishing venues for publishing videos based on operation data indicating the contents of operations performed by a certain user; selecting one of the plurality of public venues based on the operation data; Displaying information about the selected public venue; Displaying information regarding a selected group from among a plurality of groups; Receiving the video specified for the public venue from a server device and displaying it; registering evaluation data for the video in association with a playback position of the video in response to an operation by the certain user via a user interface; receiving from the server device and displaying a graph showing the total number of the evaluation data registered by the users belonging to the selected group for each unit time period in the video; and A method comprising: displaying the video from a playback position corresponding to the unit time period or the total number indicated in the graph, the unit time period or the total number being specified by the certain user via the user interface.

12. A means for displaying a virtual space accommodating a plurality of publishing venues for publishing videos based on operation data indicating the contents of an operation by a certain user; A means for selecting one of the plurality of public venues based on the operation data; means for displaying information about the selected public venue; A group selected from a plurality of groups, a group created by said one user via a user interface; Groups based on time of entry into the selected public venue; or a means for displaying information about the plurality of groups, each of which is assigned an attribute for the public venue, the group being assigned an attribute corresponding to an attribute registered for the certain user; A communication system comprising: a means for receiving a video designated for the public venue from a server device and displaying the video.

13. A means for displaying a virtual space accommodating a plurality of publishing venues for publishing videos based on operation data indicating the contents of an operation by a certain user; A means for selecting one of the plurality of public venues based on the operation data; means for displaying information about the selected public venue; means for displaying information regarding a selected group from among the plurality of groups; A means for receiving a video designated for the public venue from a server device and displaying the video; a means for registering evaluation data for the video in association with a playback position of the video in response to an operation by the certain user via a user interface; a means for receiving from the server device and displaying a graph showing the total number of the evaluation data registered by the users belonging to the selected group for each unit time period in the video; and a means for displaying the video from a playback position corresponding to the unit time period or the total number specified by the certain user via the user interface among the unit time period and the total number shown on the graph.

Images