Computer program, method and server device

Abstract

To urge a viewer to view a moving image distributed by a distributor.SOLUTION: A first moving image including an animation of an avatar of a distributor generated on the basis of motion data on a motion of the distributor or the motion data, and a second moving image on a game generated by a terminal device of the distributor on the basis of operation data on an operation of the distributor using a received Web page are received through a communication line. It is determined whether or not object information is received on an acquisition game object that can be used by a viewer as a subsequent distributor in a specific game granted to the viewer by receiving the second moving image. When it is determined that the object information is received, a display is made to the effect that the acquisition game object can be used in the specific game.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this application relates to a computer program, a method, and a server device used for distributing video related to a game from a distributor's terminal device to each viewer's terminal device. [Background technology]

[0002] A service called Mirrativ (Non-Patent Document 1) is known as a service used for distributing video related to games from a distributor's terminal device to each viewer's terminal device.

[0003] In this service, a distributor can use a terminal device to distribute to multiple viewers' terminal devices a video including an animation of an avatar generated based on motion data related to the distributor's motion, and a video related to a game generated based on operation data related to the distributor's operation. The above-mentioned non-patent document 1 is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Mirrativ", [online], August 16, 2019, Mirrativ, Inc., [Retrieved June 25, 2020], Internet (https: / / apps.apple.com / jp / app / mirrativ-Mirrativ-Easy-game-distribution-on-your-smartphone / id1028944599) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Recently, there has been a need for a method for generating motivation among viewers to watch videos distributed by distributors.

[0006] Therefore, some embodiments disclosed in the present application provide a computer program, a method, and a server device that can encourage viewers to watch videos distributed by distributors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The computer program of one embodiment is characterized in that "when executed by at least one processor installed in a viewer's terminal device, it causes the at least one processor to function as follows: receive, via a communication line, a first video including an animation of the broadcaster's avatar generated based on action data related to the broadcaster's actions or the action data, and a second video related to a game generated by the broadcaster's terminal device using the received webpage based on operation data related to the broadcaster's operation; determine whether object information has been received regarding an acquired game object that is granted to the viewer by receiving the second video and can be used by the viewer as a subsequent broadcaster in a specific game; and if it is determined that the object information has been received, display a message indicating that the acquired game object is available in the specific game."

[0008] A method according to one embodiment is characterized in that "a method is executed by at least one processor that executes computer-readable instructions installed in a terminal device of a viewer, wherein the at least one processor executes the instructions to receive, via a communication line, a first video including an animation of the broadcaster's avatar generated based on action data related to the broadcaster's actions or the action data, and a second video related to a game generated by the broadcaster's terminal device using the received web page based on operation data related to the broadcaster's operation, determine whether or not object information has been received regarding an acquired game object that is granted to the viewer by receiving the second video and can be used by the viewer as a subsequent broadcaster in a specific game, and if it is determined that the object information has been received, display a message indicating that the acquired game object is available in the specific game."

[0009] A server device in one embodiment is characterized in that it "has at least one processor, and causes the at least one processor to function to distribute to a viewer's terminal device via a communication line a first video including an animation of the broadcaster's avatar generated based on action data related to the broadcaster's action or the action data, and a second video related to a game generated by the broadcaster's terminal device based on operation data related to the broadcaster's operation using a received webpage, and to transmit to the viewer's terminal device object information related to an acquired game object that is granted to the viewer by receiving the second video and can be used by the viewer as a subsequent broadcaster in a specific game."

[0010] A server device according to another embodiment includes at least one processor, the at least one processor receiving, via a communication line, a first video including an animation of an avatar of a broadcaster, which is generated based on action data related to the action of the broadcaster, or the action data, and a second video related to a game, which is generated by a terminal device of the broadcaster based on operation data related to the operation of the broadcaster using the received webpage, and determining whether or not the server has received object information related to an acquired game object that is granted to a viewer by receiving the second video and is available to the viewer as a subsequent broadcaster in a specific game, and if it is determined that the object information has been received, determining whether or not the server has received object information related to the acquired game object that is available to the viewer as a subsequent broadcaster in the specific game. the subsequent broadcaster's action data, a third video including an animation of an avatar of the subsequent broadcaster generated based on action data related to the action of the subsequent broadcaster, and a fourth video related to the specific game generated based on operation data related to the operation of the subsequent broadcaster using the received web page, to the terminal devices of the viewers via a communication line; and the web page including a computer program is transmitted to the terminal devices of the viewers via a communication line, the computer program causing the terminal devices of the viewers to function in a manner that displays the obtained game object in the specific game based on the object information.

[0011] A method according to another aspect is characterized in that "a method executed by at least one processor executing computer-readable instructions, wherein the at least one processor executes the instructions to distribute, via a communication line, a first video including an animation of a broadcaster's avatar generated based on action data related to the broadcaster's actions or the action data, and a second video related to a game generated by the broadcaster's terminal device based on operation data related to the broadcaster's operation using a received webpage, to a viewer's terminal device, and transmits object information to the viewer's terminal device related to an acquired game object that is granted to the viewer by receiving the second video and can be used by the viewer as a subsequent broadcaster in a specific game."

[0012] A method according to another aspect is a method executed by at least one processor that executes computer-readable instructions, the method comprising: receiving, via a communication line, a first video including an animation of an avatar of a broadcaster, the first video being generated based on motion data related to the broadcaster's motion, or the motion data; and a second video related to a game, the second video being generated by a terminal device of the broadcaster based on operation data related to the broadcaster's operation using a received webpage; determining whether or not object information related to an acquired game object that is granted to a viewer by receiving the second video and that can be used by the viewer as a subsequent broadcaster in a specific game is received; and determining that the object information has been received. the subsequent broadcaster displays a message that the acquired game object is available in the specific game, and a third video including an animation of the avatar of the subsequent broadcaster or the action data generated based on action data related to the action of the subsequent broadcaster, and a fourth video related to the specific game generated based on operation data related to the operation of the subsequent broadcaster using the received web page, are distributed to the terminal devices of the multiple viewers via a communication line; and the computer program causes the terminal devices of the viewers to display the acquired game object in the specific game based on the object information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [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 illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the terminal device 10 (server device 20) illustrated in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of the terminal device 10 illustrated in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functions of the server device 20 illustrated 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 diagram showing an example of a first moving image displayed on terminal device 10 used in moving image distribution system 1 shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the second moving image displayed on terminal device 10 used in moving image distribution system 1 shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the second moving image displayed on terminal device 10 used in moving image distribution system 1 shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on terminal device 10 of viewer B used in moving image distribution system 1 shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a fourth moving image displayed on terminal device 10 of each viewer in moving image distribution system 1 shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on terminal device 10 of each viewer (eg, user Z) used in moving image distribution system 1 shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] 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.

[0015] 1. Video distribution system configuration In short, the video distribution system disclosed in the present application allows a user who distributes (hereinafter referred to as "distributor") to use his / her terminal device to distribute a first video and a second video to a terminal device of a user who watches the video (hereinafter referred to as "viewer") via a communication line. The first video is a video including an animation of an avatar generated based on motion data related to the distributor's motion. The second video is a video related to a game generated based on operation data related to the distributor's operation.

[0016] Furthermore, a viewer who watches the second video distributed by the above distributor can obtain a game object (obtained game object) that can be used in a specific game as a subsequent distributor. The subsequent distributor can distribute a third video and a fourth video to the viewer's terminal device via a communication line. The third video is a video including an animation of an avatar generated based on motion data related to the motion of the subsequent distributor. The fourth video is a video related to the specific game generated based on operation data related to the operation of the subsequent distributor. The subsequent distributor can use the obtained game object in the specific game.

[0017] 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 connected to a communication line (communication network) not shown, and one or more server devices 20 connected to the communication line. Each terminal device 10 can be connected to one or more server devices 20 via the communication line.

[0018] 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, server devices 20A and 20B are shown as the one or more server devices 20, but one or more other server devices 20 may be used in the same way. Note that communication lines (not shown) may include, but are not limited to, a mobile phone network, a wireless LAN, a landline telephone network, the Internet, an intranet, and / or Ethernet (registered trademark), etc.

[0019] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the video distribution system 1 may also include one or more studio units 30 connected to a communication line. Each studio unit 30 may be connected to one or more server devices 20 or multiple terminal devices 10 via a communication line. Note that, although FIG. 1 shows, for example, studio units 30A and 30B as the one or more studio units 30, one or more studio units 30 other than these may be used in the same manner. Each studio unit 30 may have the same functions as the terminal device 10 or server device 20 described below.

[0020] For ease of explanation, the following description focuses on a case where one or more server devices 20 transmit and receive videos, gift information, and the like between each terminal device 10. Alternatively or in addition to this, it is also possible for one or more server devices 20 to transmit and receive videos, gift information, and the like between each studio unit 30, as described later. Furthermore, alternatively or in addition to this, it is also possible for the studio unit 30 to transmit and receive videos, gift information, and the like between each terminal device 10, as described later.

[0021] 1-1. Terminal device 10 The multiple terminal devices 10 may include one or more distributor terminal devices 10 (terminal device 10A in this example) and one or more viewers terminal devices 10 (terminal devices 10B to 10D in this example). Each terminal device 10 has a common configuration, and can function as either a terminal device for distributing a moving image (terminal device 10 of the distributor) or a terminal device for viewing a moving image (terminal device 10 of the viewer).

[0022] When each terminal device 10 operates as a terminal device for distributing moving images (terminal device of a distributor), it can execute an installed application for video distribution (which may be middleware or a combination of an application and middleware; the same applies below). As a result, each terminal device 10 can acquire motion data related to the motion of the distributor, and transmit a first video including an animation of a virtual character (avatar) changed according to the acquired data to the server device 20 (distribution server system 20A) via a communication line. Such a first video is distributed by the server device 20 (distribution server system 20A) via a communication line to a terminal device (terminal device of a viewer) 10 for receiving the video. Such a viewer's terminal device 10 can receive the video by executing an installed application for video viewing (which may be middleware or a combination of an application and middleware; the same applies below).

[0023] Furthermore, when each terminal device 10 operates as a distributor's terminal device, it can execute a browser function incorporated in the installed video distribution application and / or execute an installed web browser application. This allows each terminal device 10 to receive a web page (HTML document) from the server device 20 (web server device 20B) and execute a game program included in this web page. By executing this game program, each terminal device 10 can generate a second video in which at least one game object is operated based on operation data related to the distributor's operation.

[0024] Furthermore, when each terminal device 10 operates as a distributor's terminal device, it can transmit the second moving image thus generated to the server device 20 (distribution server system 20A) via a communication line by executing the above-mentioned moving image distribution application. Such second moving images are also distributed by the server device 20 (distribution server system 20A) via a communication line to a terminal device (viewer's terminal device) 10 for receiving moving images that executes an installed moving image viewing application.

[0025] Furthermore, when each terminal device 10 operates as a distributor's terminal device, it can execute the video distribution application to receive, via the server device 20 (distribution server system 20A), gift information indicating that a gift will be given to the distributor and / or comment information indicating that a comment will be sent to the distributor from the terminal device 10 of a viewer watching the second video (distributed by the distributor's terminal device 10).

[0026] On the other hand, when each terminal device 10 operates as a terminal device for viewing videos (viewer's terminal device), it can receive the first video and / or the second video distributed by the distributor's terminal device 10 via the server device 20 (distribution server system 20A) by executing an installed video viewing application.

[0027] Furthermore, when each terminal device 10 operates as a viewer's terminal device, it can execute a video viewing application to send gift information indicating that a gift will be given to the broadcaster and / or comment information indicating that a comment will be sent to the broadcaster, to the broadcaster's terminal device 10A via the server device 20 (distribution server system 20A).

[0028] The above-mentioned video distribution application and video viewing application may be installed and executed on each terminal device 10 as a single integrated application, or as separate applications.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 1-2. Server device 20 FIG. 1 illustrates, as an example of one or more server devices 20, a distribution server system 20A and a web server device 20B.

[0031] The distribution server system 20A can distribute the first video and / or the second video transmitted by each terminal device (terminal device of each broadcaster) 10 to each terminal device (terminal device of each viewer) 10. Furthermore, the distribution server system 20A can transmit gift information indicating that a gift will be given to a certain broadcaster and / or comment information indicating that a comment will be sent to a certain broadcaster, transmitted by each terminal device (terminal device of each viewer) 10, to the terminal device 10 of that broadcaster.

[0032] In order to perform such operations, in one embodiment, the distribution server system 20A may include a distribution server device 20a, a database (DB) server device 20b, and a game API server device 20c, which are connected to each other via communication lines (including wireless lines and / or wired lines not shown).

[0033] The distribution server device 20a can distribute the first moving image and / or the second moving image transmitted by the terminal device 10 of each distributor to each terminal device 10. Furthermore, the distribution server device 20a can store gift information and / or comment information transmitted by the terminal device 10 of each viewer in the DB server device 20b.

[0034] The DB server device 20b stores the gift information and / or comment information received from the distribution server device 20a, and can read out and transmit the gift information and / or comment information inquired about by the game API server device 20c to the game API server device 20c.

[0035] When the game API server device 20c receives an inquiry about gift information and / or comment information from each broadcaster's terminal device 10, it can read the gift information and / or comment information for that broadcaster's terminal device 10 from the DB server device 20b and transmit it to that broadcaster's terminal device 10.

[0036] 1, for the purpose of distributing the load, the distribution server system 20A is shown to have three server devices, namely, a distribution server device 20a, a DB server device 20b, and a game API server device 20c. However, at least one of these three server devices may be integrated with at least one of the remaining server devices.

[0037] Next, the web server device 20B can transmit a web page (HTML, for example, a document created according to HTML5) incorporating a game program to each of the accessing terminal devices 10 of the distributors. The game program can cause the terminal device 10 that receives and decodes it to execute various operations related to the distribution of video, including the operations exemplified below. - Running the game An operation of transmitting a game screen generated in association with the execution of the game to the distribution server system 20A (distribution server device 20a) An operation of acquiring gift information and / or comment information sent to this distributor from the distribution server system 20A (game API server device 20c).

[0038] 1-3. Studio Unit 30 The studio unit 30 may be arranged in a studio, a room, a hall, or the like where a distributor (performer) distributes a video. The studio unit 30 may perform the same functions as the terminal device 10 and / or the server device 20, as described above.

[0039] 2. Hardware configuration of each device Next, an example of the hardware configuration of each of the terminal device 10, the server device 20, and the studio unit 30 will be described.

[0040] 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).

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] The main memory device 12 is referred to as "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, but is not limited to, a RAM (random access memory), a ROM (read only memory), and / or a flash memory.

[0044] 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 specific applications (video distribution applications, video viewing applications, etc.), web browser applications, 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] The output device 16 may include, but is not limited to, a display device, a touch panel, and / or a printer device.

[0047] 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 device 15 into the main storage device 12 and perform operations on the loaded instructions and data. This allows the central processing unit 11 to control the output device 16 via the input / output interface device 13, and also to transmit and receive various information to and from other devices (such as the server device 20, other terminal devices 10 and / or the studio unit 30) via the input / output interface device 13 and the communication line 2.

[0048] As a result, the terminal device 10 can execute at least one of the following exemplary operations (including various operations described in detail later) by executing a specific installed application. Actions necessary to distribute the first video and / or the second video Necessary operations for receiving gift information and / or comment information sent to the terminal device 10 by another terminal device 10 Necessary operations for receiving the first video and / or the second video distributed by another terminal device 10 Necessary operations for transmitting gift information and / or comment information to other terminal devices 10

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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 (distribution server device 20a, DB server device 20b, game API server device 20c, and web server device 20B) may be the same as the hardware configuration of each terminal device 10 described above. Therefore, reference characters for components of each server device 20 are shown in parentheses in Fig. 2.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] In such a hardware configuration, the central processing unit 21 can sequentially load instructions and data (computer programs) constituting a specific application stored in the auxiliary storage device 25 into the main storage device 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 device 23, and also to transmit and receive various information to and from other devices (such as the terminal devices 10 and / or the studio unit 30) via the input / output interface device 23 and the communication line 2.

[0054] This enables the server device 20 to execute at least one of the following operations (including various operations described in detail later): Operations necessary for distributing the first moving image and / or the second moving image transmitted by the terminal device 10 of each distributor to the terminal device 10 of each viewer; Necessary operations for transmitting gift information and / or comment information sent from each viewer's terminal device 10 to a certain distributor's terminal device 10 to the distributor's terminal device 10, etc.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 2-3.Hardware configuration of Studio Unit 30 As described above, the studio unit 30 can perform the same functions as the terminal device 10 and / or the server device 20. Therefore, the studio unit 30 can have the same hardware configuration as the terminal device 10 or the server device 20 described above.

[0057] 3. Functions of each device Next, an example of the functions of each of the terminal device 10, the server device 20, and the studio unit 30 will be described.

[0058] 3-1. Functions of terminal device 10 An example of the functions of the terminal device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram that illustrates an example of the functions of the terminal device 10 illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 10 may mainly include a first video generation unit 100, a communication unit 110, a determination unit 120, an object information processing unit 130, a second video generation unit 140, a display unit 150, a memory unit 160, a user interface unit 170, and a gift / comment processing unit 180.

[0060] (1) First moving image generator 100 The first moving image generating unit 100 can generate a first moving image (or a third moving image) including an animation of an avatar of a distributor based on motion data related to the distributor's motion. To achieve this, the first moving image generating unit 100 can include, for example, an acquisition unit 102 and a processing unit 104.

[0061] The acquisition unit 102 may include one or more first sensors 102a (not shown) that acquire data related to the broadcaster's body, and one or more second sensors 102b (not shown) that acquire audio data related to speaking and / or singing uttered by the broadcaster.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, the first sensor 102a can include an RGB camera that captures visible light and a near-infrared camera that captures near-infrared light. For example, a camera included in the True Depth camera of the iPhone X can be used as such a camera. The second sensor 102b can include a microphone that records audio.

[0063] First, regarding the first sensor 102a, the acquisition unit 102 captures an image of the body of the distributor using the first sensor 102a arranged close to the body of the distributor. This allows the acquisition unit 102 to generate data (e.g., an MPEG file) in which the images acquired by the RGB camera are associated with a time code (a code indicating the time of acquisition) and recorded over a unit time. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 102 can generate data (e.g., a TSV file) in which a predetermined number (e.g., 51) of numerical values ​​(e.g., floating-point numerical values) indicating depths acquired by the near-infrared camera are associated with the time code and recorded over a unit time. Note that a TSV file is a file in a format in which multiple pieces of data are recorded with tabs separating the data.

[0064] Concerning the near-infrared camera, specifically, a dot projector emits an infrared laser that forms a dot pattern onto the body of the performer, and the near-infrared camera captures the infrared dots projected and reflected from the body of the performer, and generates an image of the infrared dots thus captured. The acquisition unit 102 can compare a preregistered image of the dot pattern emitted by the dot projector with an image captured by the near-infrared camera. This allows the acquisition unit 102 to calculate the depth of each point (feature point) (e.g., each of 51 points / feature points) using the positional deviation of each point (feature point) in both images (the distance between each point / feature point and the near-infrared camera). The acquisition unit 102 can generate data in which the numerical value indicating the depth thus calculated is associated with the time code as described above and recorded over a unit time.

[0065] Next, regarding the second sensor 102b, the acquisition unit 102 acquires audio related to speech and / or singing uttered by the distributor using the second sensor 102b arranged in close proximity to the distributor's body. This allows the acquisition unit 100 to generate data (e.g., an MPEG file) recorded over a unit time in association with a time code. In one embodiment, the acquisition unit 102 can acquire audio data related to speech and / or singing uttered by the distributor using the second sensor 102b at the same time as acquiring data related to the distributor's body using the first sensor 102a. In this case, the acquisition unit 102 can generate data (e.g., an MPEG file) recorded over a unit time in association with the same time code, including an image acquired by the RGB camera and audio data related to speech and / or singing uttered by the distributor using the second sensor 102b.

[0066] The acquisition unit 102 can output the data generated in this manner related to the distributor's body (MPEG files, TSV files, etc.) and / or audio data related to the speaking and / or singing uttered by the distributor (MPEG files, etc.) to the processing unit 104.

[0067] Note that, although a case has been described here in which the first sensor 102a includes an RGB camera and an infrared camera, the first sensor 102a may also include, for example, any of the following (A) to (C). (A) A camera that detects infrared light emitted by an infrared laser and reflected off the performer's face. (B) Multiple RGB cameras capturing visible light images (C) A single camera capturing visible light images

[0068] In the above case of (A), the acquisition unit 102 can calculate the depth of each feature point in the streamer's body by the same method as described above. In the above case of (B), the acquisition unit 102 can calculate the depth of each feature point in the streamer's body using multiple images captured by multiple RGB cameras. In the above case of (C), the acquisition unit 102 can calculate the depth of each feature point in the streamer's body from an image captured by a single camera by using deep learning or the like. In addition, in the above case of (C), the acquisition unit 102 may calculate the depth of each feature point in the performer's body by performing an analysis process (image processing, etc.) on the image captured by a single camera.

[0069] The processing unit 104 can generate a moving image including animation of a virtual character (an avatar of the distributor) based on the data related to the distributor's body from the acquisition unit 102. Regarding the moving image of the virtual character itself, the processing unit 104 can generate the moving image of the virtual character by causing a rendering unit (not shown) to perform rendering using various information (e.g., geometry information, bone information, texture information, shader information, blend shape information, etc.) stored in a character data storage unit (not shown).

[0070] Furthermore, the processing unit 104 can use data about the broadcaster's body from the acquisition unit 102 (data about the depth of each feature point on the performer's body) to generate videos in which the avatar's facial expressions, etc. are changed (for example, a video in which the avatar's facial expressions change in sync with the movement of the performer's mouth and eyes, i.e., a video in which the avatar's facial expressions change in lip-sync and eye-tracking to the performer's face) using various well-known techniques.

[0071] It should be noted that any other known technology may be used to generate the first video including animation of the distributor's avatar based on motion data relating to the distributor's motion, including a technology called "Blend Shapes" described on the website identified by the following URL: https: / / developer.apple.com / documentation / arkit / arfaceanchor / 2928251-blendshapes The contents of this website are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0072] When using this technique, the processing unit 104 can adjust the parameters of one or more feature points corresponding to the distributor's movements among a plurality of feature points on the distributor's upper body (face, etc.), thereby enabling the processing unit 104 to generate a moving image of a virtual character that follows the distributor's movements.

[0073] (2) Communications Department 110 The communication unit 110 can communicate various information required for distribution and / or viewing of a video between the distribution server system 20A and the web server device 20B. For example, when the terminal device 10 operates as the terminal device 10 of a certain distributor (e.g., distributor A), the communication unit 110 can access the web server device 20B and receive a web page (HTML document) or the like including a game program required for execution of a game or the like. Furthermore, when the terminal device 10 operates as the terminal device of distributor A, the communication unit 110 can receive object information from the distribution server system 20A. Here, the object information can include information on a game object (acquired game object) available in a specific game that is granted to distributor A and / or viewer B by a viewer (e.g., viewer B) viewing the second video distributed by distributor A. Specifically, for example, the object information can include the following information. Information that identifies the game object (acquired game object) Information to identify the user (distributor A and / or viewer B) to whom the acquired game object was granted Information that identifies the particular game for which the Game Object is available

[0074] Furthermore, when the terminal device 10 operates as a terminal device of distributor A, the communication unit 110 can transmit the first video and / or the second video to the distribution server system 20A, and receive gift information and / or comment information, etc. sent to distributor A from the distribution server system 20A.

[0075] Furthermore, when the terminal device 10 operates as the terminal device of viewer B, the communication unit 110 can receive the first video and / or the second video transmitted by the terminal device 10 of distributor A from the distribution server system 20A, and transmit gift information and / or comment information for distributor A to the distribution server system 20A.

[0076] Furthermore, when the terminal device 10 operates as the terminal device of the viewer B, the communication unit 110 can receive object information from the distribution server system 20A. Here, the object information can include information on a game object (acquired game object) that is available in a specific game and that is granted to the viewer B as a result of the viewer B viewing the second video distributed by the distributor A. Specifically, for example, the object information can include the following information: Information that identifies the game object (obtained game object) Information that identifies the particular game for which the Game Object is available

[0077] (3) Determination unit 120 When the terminal device 10 operates as the terminal device of the viewer B, the determination unit 120 can determine whether or not object information has been received. Here, the object information is information about a game object (acquired game object) that is granted to the viewer B by receiving the second video distributed by the terminal device 10 of the distributor A and that can be used by the viewer B as a subsequent distributor in a specific game.

[0078] If the determining unit 120 determines that object information has been received, it can cause the display unit 150 to display a message to the effect that the acquired game object is available for use in a particular game.

[0079] (4) Object information processing unit 130 When the terminal device 10 operates as the terminal device of distributor A, upon receiving object information from the distribution server system 20A, the object information processing unit 130 can identify, for example, the following information using the object information thus received: Game Object (Get Game Object) -Users who were given the acquired game object (Distributor A and / or Viewer B) Get game objects available for a specific game Parameters set for the acquired game object (for example, if the acquired game object is a point or reward, the value of that object. If the acquired game object is an item, equipment, character, etc., the value, attack power, defense power, mobility, etc.)

[0080] When the terminal device 10 operates as the terminal device of viewer B, upon receiving object information from the distribution server system 20A, the object information processing unit 130 can use the object information thus received to identify, for example, the following information: Game Object (Get Game Object) Get game objects available for a specific game Parameters set for the acquired game object (for example, if the acquired game object is a point or reward, the value of that object. If the acquired game object is an item, equipment, character, etc., the value, attack power, defense power, mobility, etc.)

[0081] As a result, the object information processing unit 130 can display on the display unit 150 which game object can be used in which game to present to the viewer. An example is shown in FIG. 11. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the display unit 150 of the terminal device 10 of the viewer user Z can display an outline of the first video and / or the second video (which may be a video to be distributed) distributed by a plurality of distributors in a thumbnail display format. For distributor A, an avatar 130a of distributor A, information 130b (distributor A) specifying the handle name of distributor A, information 130c (plant growing game II) specifying the game being distributed by distributor A, and information 130d (magic seed) specifying the game object distributed (granted) by viewing this video, etc., can be displayed. Furthermore, information 130e (plant growing game II) specifying the game in which the game object distributed by viewing this video can be used may be displayed. In addition, when user Z selects an object or the like corresponding to distributor A, a screen showing details of the second video being distributed by distributor A (e.g., comments from distributor A, information about distributor A, information about the game being distributed, etc.) may then be displayed on the display unit 130 of user Z's terminal device 10. This screen may also display information 130d (magic seed) specifying the game object that will be distributed (granted) by viewing this video, as illustrated in FIG. 11. In addition to this, information 130e (plant growing game II) specifying the game in which the game object distributed by viewing this video can be used may be displayed. This allows each viewer to efficiently find and collect game objects (items, etc.) that he or she desires.

[0082] Furthermore, when the terminal device 10 executes a game to distribute the second moving image (fourth moving image), the object information processing unit 130 can recognize whether the acquired game object can be used in the game (in this case, the terminal device 10 can use the acquired game object identified according to the object information in the game, according to the parameters set for the acquired game object).

[0083] (5) Second moving image generating unit 140 The second moving image generating unit 140 can generate a second moving image (or a fourth moving image) related to the game based on operation data related to an operation of a distributor, using a web page received from the web server device 20B.

[0084] Specifically, the second moving image generating unit 140 executes a game program embedded in a web page received from the web server device 20B. This enables the second moving image generating unit 140 to render a second moving image (game moving image) related to the game, based on operation data indicating an operation of a distributor inputted by the user interface unit 180 and at least one game object whose associated control parameters are calculated by the control parameter calculation unit 130.

[0085] (6) Display section 150 The display unit 150 can display various information required for distribution and / or viewing of moving images. For example, the display unit 150 can display the first moving image (third moving image) and / or the second moving image (fourth moving image) to be distributed, and / or the first moving image (third moving image) and / or the second moving image (fourth moving image) that have been received, etc.

[0086] (7) Storage section 160 The storage unit 160 can store various information required for distribution and / or viewing of videos.

[0087] (8) User interface unit 170 The user interface unit 170 can input various information required for distribution and / or viewing of a video through user operations. For example, the user interface unit 170 can input operation data from the distributor indicating the content of the distributor's operations when playing a game, and output the data to the second video generation unit 140.

[0088] (9) Gift / Comment Processing Unit 180 The gift / comment processor 180 can process gift information and / or comment information transmitted and received in relation to the distribution and / or viewing of a video. For example, when the terminal device 10 operates as the terminal device 10 of a distributor A (or a subsequent distributor B), the gift / comment processor 180 can process gift information and / or comment information sent to the distributor A (or the subsequent distributor B).

[0089] Furthermore, when the terminal device 10 operates as the terminal device 10 of the viewer B, the gift / comment processing unit 180 can process gift information and / or comment information to be transmitted by this viewer.

[0090] 3-2. Functions of the server device 20 An example of the functions of the server device 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram that illustrates an example of the functions of the server device 20 illustrated in Fig. 1. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the server device 20 can mainly include a communication unit 200, a storage unit 210, a gift / comment processing unit 220, and an object information management unit 230. These may be included in any one of the distribution server device 20a, the DB server device 20b, and the game API server device 20c that constitute the distribution server system 20A, or may be included in at least one of the server devices of the distribution server device 20a, the DB server device 20b, and the game API server device 20c in a duplicated and / or distributed manner.

[0091] The communication unit 200 can communicate various information required for distribution and / or viewing of videos between the terminal device 10 of the distributor and / or the terminal device 10 of the viewer. For example, when the server device 20 operates as a distribution server system 20A, it can receive a first video (third video) and / or a second video (fourth video) from the terminal device 10 of each distributor (each subsequent distributor) and distribute it to the terminal device 10 of each viewer. When the server device 20 operates as a web server device 20B, it can transmit a web page incorporating a game program to the terminal device 10 of each distributor (each subsequent distributor) that has accessed it.

[0092] The storage unit 210 can store various information required for distribution and / or viewing of videos and received from the communication unit 200, the gift / comment processing unit 220, and / or the viewing management unit 230.

[0093] The gift / comment processor 220 can process gift information and / or comment information sent from each viewer to each broadcaster (each subsequent broadcaster).

[0094] The object information management unit 230 can manage (generate, set, etc.) at least one of the following pieces of information for each distributor and each viewer, but is not limited to these: (a1) A viewer who starts watching (receiving) a second video streamed by each streamer (a2) The game object granted to the broadcaster due to the event described in (a1) above, and the specific game in which the game object can be used (a3) The game object granted to the viewer as a result of the event described in (a1) above, and the specific game in which the game object is available (b1) A viewer who has completed viewing (receiving) the second video distributed by each distributor (b2) The game object granted to the streamer as a result of the event described in (b1) above, and the specific game in which the game object is available (b3) The game object granted to the viewer as a result of the event described in (b1) above, and the specific game in which the game object is available (c1) at least one parameter related to viewing by viewers of the second video distributed by each distributor; (c2) A game object granted to the broadcaster due to the event of (c1) above, and a specific game in which the game object is available, determined according to the at least one parameter. (c3) determining a game object to be given to the viewer due to the event of (c1) above, the game object being determined according to the at least one parameter, and a specific game in which the game object is available;

[0095] In relation to (c1) above, the at least one parameter may include, for example, the following parameters: - The timing (date and time, etc.) when the viewer watched the second video The total amount of time the viewer watched the second video - Information indicating that the viewer has given a gift, comment, and / or rating to the streamer

[0096] Furthermore, the game objects granted to the viewer (acquired game objects) may include, for example, items, equipment, points, rewards, coins, cards, and / or characters.

[0097] Furthermore, the object information management unit 230 can use the information managed in this manner to transmit object information to a broadcaster and / or a viewer who has been granted a game object (acquired game object) that can be used in a particular game.

[0098] The distribution server system 20A (particularly, the distribution server device 20a) is provided to fulfill the function of distributing the second moving image (fourth moving image) transmitted by the terminal device 10 of each distributor to each of the terminal devices 10 of multiple viewers. Therefore, the distribution server system 20A (particularly, the distribution server device 20a) can recognize when the second moving image (fourth moving image) transmitted by the terminal device 10 of which distributor was distributed to which viewer's terminal device 10. Furthermore, the distribution server system 20A (particularly, the distribution server device 20a) can also recognize when gift information, comment information, and / or evaluation information, etc. was transmitted from which viewer's terminal device 10 to which distributor's terminal device 10. Therefore, the distribution server system 20A (particularly the distribution server device 20a) can manage the various pieces of information listed above by managing such distribution history (logs).

[0099] When the server device 20 operates as the web server device 20B, the gift / comment processing section 220 and the object information management section 230 may be omitted.

[0100] 3-3. Functions of Studio Unit 30 As described above, the studio unit 30 can perform the same functions as the terminal device 10 and / or the server device 20. Therefore, the studio unit 30 can have the functions of the terminal device 10 described with reference to Fig. 3 and / or the functions of the server device 30 described with reference to Fig. 4.

[0101] 4. Overall operation of video distribution system 1 Next, the overall operation of 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.

[0102] First, referring to FIG. 5A, in step (hereinafter referred to as “ST”) 302, in accordance with an operation of a distributor (distributor A here), terminal device 10 (terminal device 10A here) launches and executes a video distribution application.

[0103] Next, in ST304, terminal device 10A generates a first moving image including an animation of an avatar of distributor A based on the motion data related to the motion of distributor A. As a result, as illustrated in Fig. 6, a first moving image 404 including an animation of an avatar 402 of distributor A is displayed on display unit 150 of terminal device 10A.

[0104] Returning to FIG. 5A, the terminal device 10A further transmits the generated first video 404 to the distribution server device 20a of the distribution server system 20A. The distribution server device 20a can receive a request signal requesting the first video 404 distributed by the terminal device 10A of distributor A from the terminal device 10 of each viewer who is accessing the distribution server device 20a by executing a video viewing application (note that the terminal device 10 of each viewer can transmit the request signal by selecting the distribution of distributor A via a screen illustrated in FIG. 11 as an example). In response to this request signal, the distribution server device 40a can distribute the first video 404 received from the terminal device 10A to the terminal device 10 of each viewer who is executing the video viewing application. This allows the distribution server device 20a (the object information management unit 230) to manage the date and time, etc., when the first video 404 distributed by distributor A (and / or distributed in the past) was viewed by each viewer. In this way, the first moving image 404 as shown in FIG. 6 is also displayed on the display unit 150 of the terminal device 10 of each viewer.

[0105] Next, in ST306, distributor A taps icon 406 (see FIG. 6) called "Game" displayed on display unit 150 of terminal device 10A. In response to this, terminal device 10A executes a browser function installed in the video distribution application. As a result, in ST308, terminal device 10A can access web server device 20B while executing the video distribution application (i.e., after distributing first video 404 to terminal devices 10 of each viewer). Thus, terminal device 10A can receive an HTML5 document incorporating a game program from web server device 20B.

[0106] Next, in ST310, the terminal device 10A executes the game program embedded in the received HTML5 document to generate a video related to the game (a second video). An example of the second video 500 thus generated by the terminal device 10A is shown in FIG.

[0107] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a second video displayed on the terminal device 10 used in the video distribution system 1 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 shows, as an example, a second video 500 relating to a plant growing game in which a distributor A grows plants in a garden.

[0108] In this game, broadcaster A can grow and harvest plants (e.g., plant 506) by planting seeds in a number of locations 504 (16 locations are shown in FIG. 7 as an example) prepared in his / her garden 502. Furthermore, by growing a number of plants, animals (e.g., animal 508) appear and take up residence in broadcaster A's garden 502. Game objects corresponding to such animals that have taken up residence can be stored (registered) in association with broadcaster A in the memory unit 160 (and / or memory unit 210) as game objects owned by broadcaster A.

[0109] Next, returning to FIG. 5A, in ST312, the terminal device 10A transmits the second moving image (game screen) 500 generated in ST310 to the distribution server device 20a of the distribution server system 20A (note that while the terminal device 10A transmits the second moving image 500 to the distribution server device 20a of the distribution server system 20A, the terminal device 10A may stop transmitting the first moving image 404 or may transmit the first moving image 404). The distribution server device 20a distributes the second moving image received from the terminal device 10A to the terminal device 10 of each viewer who is executing a moving image viewing application to receive the first moving image 404 (note that, when the distribution server device 20a receives not only the second moving image 500 but also the first moving image 404 from the terminal device 10A, it may transmit only the second moving image 500 or both the second moving image 500 and the first moving image 404 to the terminal device 10 of each viewer). This allows the distribution server device 20a (the object information management unit 230) to manage the date and time and the total time each viewer viewed the second video being distributed (and / or distributed in the past) by distributor A. In this way, the second video 500 can also be displayed on the display unit 150 of each viewer's terminal device 10 (for example, in a state where the second video 500 is placed over the first video 404 to hide the first video 404 as illustrated in FIG. 6).

[0110] Next, in ST314, a case will be considered in which a viewer (here, viewer B) viewing the second video 500 transmitted by the terminal device 10A presents a certain gift (here, G1 as an example) to the distributor A. The viewer B can operate the terminal device 10B to select the gift G1 from a plurality of gifts prepared and select a command to give it to the distributor A. Note that such a command selection can be executed via a user interface (not shown) displayed on the terminal device 10B. In this way, the terminal device 10B can transmit gift information indicating that the gift G1 will be given to the distributor A to the distribution server device 20a of the distribution server system 20A. This gift information can include, for example, receiver identification information identifying the receiver of the gift (distributor A), gift identification information identifying the gift (gift G1), and sender identification information identifying the sender of the gift (viewer B).

[0111] Viewer B can also operate the terminal device 10B to send a comment to distributor A. In this case, terminal device 10B can send comment information to distribution server device 20a. The comment information can include receiver identification information that identifies the receiver of the comment (distributor A), comment content information that stores the content of the comment, and sender identification information that identifies the sender of the comment (viewer B). In addition, in ST316 to ST324 described below, the procedure by which the gift information transmitted by the terminal device 10 of each viewer is received by the terminal device 10 of distributor A will be described. However, by applying a similar procedure to comment information, the comment information transmitted by the terminal device 10 of each viewer can be received by the terminal device 10 of distributor A. In this case, in ST316 to ST324 described below, "gift identification information" and "gift information" can be read as "comment content information" and "comment information", respectively.

[0112] In ST316, the distribution server device 20a can store the gift information received from the terminal device 10B in the DB server device 20b. For example, the DB server device 20b can store, as the gift information, the number identification information for identifying which gift has been given, the gift identification information, and the sender identification information in association with the recipient identification information.

[0113] In ST318, while the terminal device 10A of the distributor A is executing the game, the terminal device 10A can inquire of the game API server device 20c at predetermined intervals whether new gift information has been received for the distributor A. For example, if the terminal device 10A has received one piece of gift information from the game API server device 20c since the start of the game, the terminal device 10A can inquire of the game API server device 20c whether there is a second or subsequent piece of gift information.

[0114] In ST320, the game API server device 20c can request the second and subsequent gift information for the distributor A from the DB server device 20b in response to an inquiry from the terminal device 10A. When the DB server device 20b can search for the second and subsequent number identification information as the number identification information stored in association with the distributor A (recipient identification information), the DB server device 20b can transmit the gift identification information and sender identification information corresponding to each of the second and subsequent number identification information as the second gift information to the game API server device 20c. Here, a case is considered in which the DB server device 20b can search for only the second number identification information. In this case, the DB server device 20b can transmit the gift identification information and sender identification information corresponding to this second number identification information as the second gift information to the game API server device 20c. In response to this, the game API server device 20c can transmit the second gift information to the terminal device 10A of the distributor A.

[0115] Next, referring to Fig. 5B, in ST322, the terminal device 10A that has received the second gift information can execute a game based on the second gift information. The terminal device 10A can execute a game based on at least one of the following pieces of information, for example: A gift that is uniquely identified by the gift identification information included in the gift information (here, gift G1) The sender identified by the sender identification information included in the gift information (here, viewer B) Comment content information included in the comment information The sender identified by the sender identification information included in the comment information (here, viewer B)

[0116] As a result, the terminal device 10A generates a second video 500 including at least one game object generated based on the gift information and / or the comment information. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, information 510 indicating that a gift of "10 points" has been given to the distributor A may be displayed in the second video 500 based on the gift information received from the terminal device 10 of the viewer D. Furthermore, information (comment information) indicating that a gift equivalent to "10 points" has been given to the distributor A by the viewer D may be transmitted from the distribution server system 20A to the terminal device 10 of the distributor A. This information (comment information) may be displayed by the terminal device 10A in an area (such as a window) that is visible only to the distributor A, or may be displayed in an area that is visible to both the distributor A and each viewer. Furthermore, based on the comment information received from the terminal device 10B of the viewer B, a comment content 512 of "The animals are cute" may be displayed in the second video 500 together with information 514 identifying the viewer B.

[0117] The terminal device 10A has received two pieces of gift information from the game API server device 20c so far (the terminal device 10A identifies how many pieces of gift information have been received so far while the game is being played). Therefore, in the next period, the terminal device 10A can inquire of the game API server device 20c about the presence or absence of the third or subsequent pieces of gift information.

[0118] Next, returning to FIG. 5B, in ST324, terminal device 10A can distribute the second moving image 500 thus generated to each viewer's terminal device 10 via distribution server system 20A in a manner similar to that in ST312.

[0119] Next, in ST326, distribution server device 20a (object information management unit 230 and communication unit 200) of distribution server system 20A can generate object information and transmit it to terminal device 10A of distributor A and / or terminal device 10 of each viewer. As described above in "3-1.(2)", the object information can include information on a game object (acquired game object) that can be used in a specific game that is granted to distributor A and / or the viewer as a result of each viewer viewing the second video distributed by distributor A.

[0120] The distribution server device 20a (the object information management unit 230 thereof) can select an acquired game object to be given to each viewer from among a plurality of game objects. As an example, the distribution server device 20a (the object information management unit 230 thereof) can select a predetermined game object from among a plurality of game objects, or can select an acquired game object according to various factors. For example, the distribution server device 20a (the object information management unit 230 thereof) can select an acquired game object having a high value proportional to the ranking of the distributor, the total distribution time of the distributor, the total number of viewers, and / or the total viewing time of the viewers, from among the plurality of game objects. Alternatively, the distribution server device 20a (the object information management unit 230 thereof) can select a game object designated by distributor A from among the plurality of game objects (this aspect will be described in "5." below).

[0121] It should be noted that the multiple game objects may include, but are not limited to, items, equipment, points, rewards, coins, cards, and / or characters.

[0122] The terminal device 10A of the distributor A that has received the object information can recognize that a game object that can be used in a specific game has been given to the distributor A and each viewer. As a result, the terminal device 10A of the distributor A can display information 600 in the second video 500, as illustrated in FIG. 8, indicating that a seed, which is one of the game objects that can be used in a specific game (e.g., "Plant Growing Game II"), has been given to the viewer B and the viewer D (and also the distributor A) who have watched the second video. This second video 500 can be displayed on the display units of the terminal devices 10 of the distributor A and each viewer (here, for example, the viewer B and the viewer D). Thus, the distributor A and each viewer can recognize that the gifted seed can be used in a specific game (here, "Plant Growing Game II") that will be played later.

[0123] Furthermore, in ST328, the terminal device 10 of each viewer who received the object information can also recognize that a game object usable in a specific game has been granted to each viewer. Specifically, taking the terminal device 10B of viewer B as an example, the terminal device 10B can first determine whether or not it has received the object information. If it determines that it has received the object information (terminal device 10B has actually received the object information in ST326, and therefore can determine that it has received the object information), it can use this object information to display on the display unit 150 that the granted game object (acquired game object) is usable in a specific game.

[0124] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, terminal device 10B of viewer B can display on display unit 150 information 602 indicating that a seed, which is one of the game objects available in a particular game (here, "Plant Growing Game II"), has been granted to viewer B who viewed the second video, as information specific to that viewer (here, viewer B). The process described in relation to ST328 can be executed not only in terminal device 10B of viewer B, but also in the terminal devices 10 of each viewer that receives the object information.

[0125] 5B, if terminal device 10A continues the game in ST330, it can repeat the above-mentioned processing from ST308 onwards. On the other hand, if terminal device 10A does not continue the game, the processing ends.

[0126] After this, the user who was a viewer of the second video 500 becomes a broadcaster (subsequent broadcaster), plays the specific game identified by the object information, and can use the acquired object in the specific game. Below, a case where viewer B, among the viewers of the second video 500, becomes a subsequent broadcaster will be described.

[0127] In ST332, in accordance with the operation of subsequent distributor B, terminal device 10B thereof starts up and executes the video distribution application.

[0128] Next, in ST334, the terminal device 10B of the viewer B can first determine whether or not it has received the object information. If it has determined that it has received the object information (in fact, since the terminal device 10B has received the object information in ST326, it can determine that it has received the object information), it can use this object information to display on the display unit 150 that the granted game object (the acquired game object) is available for use in a specific game. The display mode is arbitrary, and may be, for example, the mode described with reference to FIG. 9. This allows the subsequent distributor B to recognize, for the first time or again, that the acquired object can be used in the specific game (for example, "Plant Growing Game II") when the subsequent distributor B plays the game by looking at the information displayed on the display unit 150 based on the object information.

[0129] From here on, the operations performed in the video distribution system 1 in ST336 may be basically the same as those in ST304 to ST330 described above, so detailed explanations thereof will be omitted. The difference is that a subsequent distributor B, not distributor A, distributes a new first video and a new second video to each viewer. The new first video and new second video distributed by the subsequent distributor can be referred to as a third video and a fourth video, respectively, to distinguish them from the first video and the second video distributed by distributor A.

[0130] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a fourth moving image displayed on each viewer's terminal device 10 used in the moving image distribution system 1 shown in FIG. 1. Here, a case will be described in which the game executed by distributor A and distributed as the second moving image and the game executed by subsequent distributor B and distributed as the fourth moving image are the same ("Plant Growing Game II"). However, the two may be the same or different. In particular, when the two are different games, they may be games belonging to different genres.

[0131] As illustrated in FIG. 10, in the plant growing game II, the subsequent distributor B can plant and grow a seed 704, which is an acquired object, in his / her garden 702. This state is distributed to each viewer's terminal device 10 as a fourth video 700 by the terminal device 10B. Note that the terminal device 10B can recognize that the seed 704 can be used in the plant growing game II by the object information processing unit 130 of the terminal device 10B, or can recognize by receiving a notification of this from the object information management unit 230 of the distribution server device 20a and / or the web server device 20 (which shares the information managed by the object information management unit 230).

[0132] 5. Variations In the various embodiments described above, a case has been described in which the second video 500 distributed by the distributor is viewed (received) by the viewer, and thus an acquired game object available in a specific game is granted to both the viewer and the distributor. This allows the viewer to obtain a game object available in the specific game that the viewer will later play as a subsequent distributor, and thus may be encouraged to actively watch the second video 500 distributed by the distributor. Meanwhile, the distributor may also obtain a game object available in the specific game that the viewer will later play by having any viewer view his / her second video 500, and thus may be encouraged to give notice of the distribution of the second video 500 via SNS, a website, email, and / or telephone, etc., before the distribution of the second video 500 that the distributor plans to distribute, so that any viewer can view the second video 500.

[0133] However, in another embodiment, when a viewer watches (receives) the second video 500 distributed by the distributor, an acquired game object that can be used in a particular game may be granted "only" to that viewer.

[0134] In addition, in the various embodiments described above, when a game object is granted to both the broadcaster and each viewer, the same game object is granted to both the broadcaster and each viewer. However, the game object granted to the broadcaster and the game object granted to each viewer may be the same or different.

[0135] Furthermore, a game object given to a viewer when the viewer watches (receives) a second video distributed by a certain distributor (e.g., a first distributor) may be the same as or different from a game object given to a viewer when the viewer watches (receives) a second video distributed by another distributor (e.g., a second distributor). When the two game objects are different, each viewer is encouraged to move around and watch second videos distributed by multiple distributors in order to obtain a game object that he or she desires or satisfies. This is expected to increase the total number of viewers who watch second videos and / or the total viewing time in the entire video distribution system 1.

[0136] Note that, attention is focused on a case where a game object granted to a viewer by viewing (receiving) the second video distributed by a first distributor is different from a game object granted to a viewer by viewing (receiving) the second video distributed by a second distributor. The game object granted to each viewer by viewing the second video of the first distributor may be determined by the first distributor himself / herself, or may be determined by the server device (the object information management unit 230) based on information managed by the server device. In addition, a game object selected by the first distributor himself / herself or an operator of the video distribution system 1 from a group of game objects owned by the first distributor may be granted to each viewer. Alternatively, a game object selected by the first distributor himself / herself or an operator of the video distribution system 1 from a group of game objects owned by each viewer may be granted to the first distributor. The above matters applicable to the first distributor are similarly applicable to the second distributor. The method by which the game objects to be granted to each viewer as a result of the viewer watching the second video of the first broadcaster (or second broadcaster) are selected by the first broadcaster (or second broadcaster) himself / herself will be described later.

[0137] Furthermore, when the server device (the object information management unit 230) grants game objects (acquired game objects) to a viewer watching the second video distributed by a distributor, it is possible to select (and / or set) at least one acquired game object from among multiple game objects based on the viewer's degree of involvement in watching the second video. Specifically, the at least one acquired game object may be selected and / or set based on, for example, any of the following elements: (a) The timing (date, time, etc.) when the viewer viewed the second video (b) the total amount of time that such viewer watched that second video; (c) Gift information, comment information, and / or rating information sent by the viewer to the broadcaster while watching the second video (particularly the total number of such information, etc.)

[0138] With regard to (a) above, for example, when a viewer watches the second video during a time period when the total number of viewers of the second video is generally small (early morning, late night, etc.), a better acquired game object (i.e., one that allows the specific game to be played advantageously when used in the specific game) may be selected, and further, the parameters of the acquired game object may be set better (i.e., so that the specific game can be played advantageously when used in the specific game). This prevents the use of the video distribution service provided by video distribution system 1 from concentrating at a specific time.

[0139] Alternatively, if the viewer watches the second video during a campaign, a better acquiring game object may be selected, and the parameters of the acquiring game object may be better set.

[0140] With regard to (b) above, if the viewer watches the second video for a longer period of time, a better acquired game object may be selected, and the parameters of that acquired game object may be set better (i.e., so that when used in that particular game, it will enable that particular game to be performed advantageously).

[0141] With regard to (c) above, the greater the total amount of gift information, comment information and / or rating information sent by the viewer to the broadcaster while watching the second video, the better the acquired game object may be selected, and further, the better the parameters of the acquired game object may be set (i.e., so that when used in the particular game, it will enable the particular game to be played advantageously).

[0142] In any of the above cases (a) to (c), selection of a better acquired game object means that an acquired game object (more powerful / convenient / expensive item / equipment / points / character, etc.) is selected so that the viewer can advantageously play the specific game when he / she uses the acquired game object in the specific game as a subsequent broadcaster. Also, setting the parameters of the acquired game object better means that the parameters of the acquired game object are set (for example, the value / amount / attack power / defense power / stamina, etc. of the item / equipment / points / character, etc. are set higher) so that the viewer can advantageously play the specific game when he / she uses the acquired game object in the specific game as a subsequent broadcaster.

[0143] In the various embodiments described above, the case where distribution server device 20a transmits object information to terminal device 10 of each viewer (i.e., grants a game object to each viewer) in ST326 shown in Fig. 5B has been described. However, distribution server device 20a can transmit object information separately to each viewer at any of the following timings. The timing when the distribution server device 20a “starts” distribution of the second moving image to the terminal device 10 of the viewer The timing when the distribution server device 20a “completes” the distribution of the second moving image to the terminal device 10 of the viewer The timing at which the viewer "performs a predetermined action" in relation to viewing the second moving image while the distribution server device 20a is distributing the second moving image to the terminal device 10 of the viewer.

[0144] Here, "performing a predetermined action" can mean performing at least one of the actions exemplified below. (x) The viewer viewed the second video at a predetermined time (date, time, etc.) (y) the total time that the viewer watched the second video exceeded a threshold; (z) The total number of gift information, comment information, and / or rating information sent by the viewer to the distributor while watching the second video exceeds a threshold.

[0145] Furthermore, the object information may be transmitted to the viewer from (the distribution server device 20a of) the distribution server system 20 to the terminal device 10 of the viewer via a function (such as a chat function) that enables communication of messages between (the distribution server device 20a of) the distribution server system 20 and the terminal device 10 of the viewer. An example of this chat function is shown in FIG. 9, which was previously referred to. By transmitting the object information to the terminal device 10 of the viewer via such a chat function, the terminal device 10 can display information 602 in a chat window 604 as shown in FIG. 9, using the received object information. Note that, by using this chat function, the terminal device 10 can also transmit and receive messages 606 to and from other viewers (viewer Y in this case) and / or distributors (distributor A in this case).

[0146] Alternatively, the object information may be transmitted to the viewer's terminal device 10 as information included in the second moving image, information included in the first moving image, and / or information included in the motion data. Here, the "motion data" may be transmitted from the distributor's terminal device 10 to the viewer's terminal device 10 via the distribution server system 20. The viewer's terminal device 10 that receives this "motion data" can generate the first moving image using this "motion data" in the same manner as the distributor's terminal device 10 generates the first moving image (see 3-1.(1) above).

[0147] In the various embodiments described above, the distributor's terminal device 10 has been described as receiving an HTML (particularly HTML5) document with a game program embedded therein from the web server device 20B in order to generate a video related to a game (a second video). However, instead of receiving an HTML document with a game program embedded therein from the web server device 20B, the distributor's terminal device 10 can also generate a second video including a screen related to a game by executing an installed video distribution application and receiving necessary information from a data server device (not shown) (or any server device (not shown) included in the distribution server system 20A).

[0148] In the various embodiments described above, the terminal device 10 of the distributor may be a smartphone or the like used by a general user, or may be a dedicated terminal device installed in a studio, etc. In this case, at least one of the server devices among the distribution server device 20a, the DB server device 20b, and the game API server device 20c (and further the web server device 20B) included in the distribution server system 20A may be installed together with the dedicated terminal device in the studio, etc.

[0149] In addition, in the various embodiments described above, a case has been described in which the terminal device 10 of the distributor generates a first moving image including an animation including an avatar of the distributor based on motion data related to the distributor's motion and audio data related to the distributor's voice, and transmits this first moving image to the server device 20. However, the terminal device 10 of the distributor may transmit motion data related to the distributor's motion and audio data related to the distributor's voice to the server device 20, and the server device 20 may generate a moving image based on the motion data and audio data and distribute it to the terminal device 10 of each viewer. This can reduce the amount of information transmitted from the terminal device 10 of the distributor to the distribution server system 20A.

[0150] Alternatively, the distributor's terminal device 10 may transmit motion data related to the distributor's motion and audio data related to the distributor's audio to a separately provided server device, and this separate server device may generate a video based on the motion data and audio data and return it to the distributor's terminal device 10, which may then transmit the received video to the server device 20. This may reduce the amount of information transmitted from the distributor's terminal device 10 to the separately provided server device 20.

[0151] Furthermore, the terminal device 10 of the distributor may transmit motion data related to the distributor's motion and audio data related to the distributor's audio to each of the viewers' terminal devices 10 via the server device 20 or the separately provided server device, and each of the viewers' terminal devices 10 may generate (render) and display a video based on the received motion data and audio data (this method is sometimes called "client rendering"). This makes it possible to reduce the amount of information transmitted from the server device 20 or the separately provided server device to each of the viewers' terminal devices 10.

[0152] In either of the above cases, the generation of a moving image based on the motion data and audio data transmitted by the distributor's terminal device 10 may be shared among at least two of the server device 20, the separate server device, and each viewer's terminal device 10. In either case, the device responsible for generating the moving image may receive and store information (images, etc.) about the avatar to be operated from, for example, the server device 20, etc.

[0153] Furthermore, in either case, the gift information, comment information, and / or information regarding the evaluation transmitted by each viewer's terminal device 10 can be transmitted by any method to the device responsible for generating the video among the server device 20, the separate server device, and each viewer's terminal device 10. As a result, the device generating the video can execute processing based on the received gift information (e.g., displaying a gift object in the video), execute processing based on the received comment information (e.g., displaying a comment in the video), and / or execute processing based on the received information regarding the evaluation (e.g., displaying the evaluation in the video). In either case, the device generating the video can receive and store information (e.g., images) corresponding to various gifts used from, for example, the server device 20, etc.

[0154] In the various embodiments described above, the operations of each of the terminal devices 10 described above can be similarly executed by a studio unit 30 having a configuration similar to that of the terminal device 10. In this case, the studio unit 30A illustrated in FIG. 1 can have a function similar to that of the terminal device 10 for distributing moving images. Similarly, the studio unit 30B illustrated in FIG. 1 can have a function similar to that of the terminal device 10 for watching moving images. Furthermore, the operations of each of the server devices 20 described above can also be similarly executed by a studio unit 30 having a configuration similar to that of the server device 20.

[0155] Generally, when a game program is installed in the terminal device 10 or when a game program is incorporated in a video distribution application installed in the terminal device 10, in order to execute a new game, the terminal device 10 needs to install a new game program or a video distribution application incorporating a new game program. In this case, from the viewpoint of the game program creator, it is necessary to prepare game programs corresponding to each of a plurality of OSs, which increases the number of steps required for creating the game program. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of the user, it is necessary to download a new game program and / or update an existing game program in order to obtain a new game, which increases communication load, communication costs, time, and effort.

[0156] In contrast, in the technology disclosed in the present application, the distributor's terminal device 10A does not execute a game program installed in the terminal device 10A in order to execute a game, but calls up a browser function incorporated in a video distribution application, receives a web page (HTML document, particularly HTML5 document) from the web server device 20B using the browser function, and executes the game program incorporated in the web page. This allows the distributor's terminal device 10A to easily execute a new game. Therefore, when providing a new game, the creator of the game program only needs to incorporate a new game program into the web page (HTML document, particularly HTML5 document) transmitted by the web server device 20B, thereby reducing the number of steps required to create a new game program. In addition, the user does not need to download a new game program in order to receive the provision of a new game, thereby reducing communication load, communication costs, time, and labor.

[0157] In the various embodiments described above, while the terminal device 10A of the distributor A executes a video distribution application to communicate with the distribution server system 20A and distributes a first video, the terminal device 10A executes a browser function incorporated in the video distribution application to execute a program included in a web page received from the web server device 20B, and distributes a second video to the terminal devices 10 of the viewers via the distribution server system 20A. However, this configuration is merely one example.

[0158] For example, the terminal device 10A of the distributor A can distribute the second video without distributing the first video. Specifically, in the first example, the terminal device 10A of the distributor A can execute a video distribution application and execute a browser function built into the video distribution application to execute a program included in a web page received from the web server device 20B (without distributing the first video using the video distribution application), thereby distributing the second video to each viewer's terminal device 10 via the distribution server system 20A. In this configuration, the distributor A can distribute only the second video showing the state of the game he or she is playing, rather than distributing the first video based on his or her own performance.

[0159] In the second example, the terminal device 10A of the distributor A executes the installed game application to access the distribution server system 20A, which also functions as a game server device, and can distribute the screen of the game being executed to each of the viewers' terminal devices 10 via the distribution server system 20A. In the first and second examples, the terminal device 10A of the distributor A can generate a second video using gift information and / or comment information, etc., received from the distribution server system 20A, as in the various embodiments described above.

[0160] Furthermore, in the third example, in the first example or the second example, the terminal device 10A of the distributor A can transmit the operation data of the distributor A to the web server device 20B or the distribution server system 20A without generating a game screen. In this case, the web server device 20B or the distribution server system 20A can generate a game screen using the operation data, and the distribution server system 20A can distribute a second video including the generated game screen to each viewer's terminal device 10. In this third example, when the web server device 20B generates a game screen, the web server device 20B can use gift information and / or comment information, etc. received from the distribution server system 20A. When the distribution server system 20A generates a game screen, the distribution server system 20A can use gift information and / or comment information, etc. managed by itself.

[0161] Also, in the various embodiments described above, in relation to ST326, it has been described that when the second moving image distributed by distributor A is viewed by each viewer, (the object information management unit 230 of) distribution server device 20a can select, from among a plurality of game objects, a game object designated by distributor A himself / herself as an acquired game object to be granted to each viewer. In this regard, for example, terminal device 10 of distributor A and (the object information management unit 230 of) distribution server device 20a can execute processing in accordance with the following procedure.

[0162] (1) First, distributor A can use his / her terminal device 10A to access distribution server device 20a (the object information management unit 230 thereof) of distribution server system 20A before, during, or after distribution of the second moving image. (2) The distribution server device 20a (its object information management unit 230) can transmit information regarding the group of distributable game objects set by the management of the video distribution system 1 and / or the group of game objects owned by distributor A to the terminal device 10A of distributor A. The "group of game objects" here can include, but is not limited to, items, equipment, points, rewards, coins, cards, and / or characters. (3) Distributor A can use terminal device 10A to select game objects that he / she wishes to distribute to each viewer from among the game objects displayed on terminal device 10A in accordance with the received information. This enables terminal device 10A to transmit information regarding the game objects selected by distributor A to distribution server device 20a (the object information management unit 230 thereof). (4) The distribution server device 20a (its object information management unit 230) can transmit, based on the received information, to the terminal device 10 of distributor A, information regarding the compensation for distributing the selected game object to distributor A (e.g., whether compensation is required, the amount of compensation, etc.). (5) After confirming the information displayed by the terminal device 10A in accordance with the received information, if a payment is required, the distributor A can pay the payment using the terminal device 10A by coin payment, point payment, credit card payment, and / or prepaid card payment, etc. In terms of coin payment, each user including distributor A can purchase coins (the name is not limited to this) in advance using the terminal device 10 via the video distribution system 1. Distributor A can pay the consideration by selecting to consume coins corresponding to the consideration using the terminal device 10A. In terms of point payment, each user, including distributor A, can obtain points (the name is not limited to this) for free by watching videos distributed by other distributors and / or by distributing their own videos via the video distribution system 1. Distributor A can pay the consideration by selecting to consume points corresponding to the consideration using his / her terminal device 10A.

[0163] In addition, in the various embodiments described above, a case has been described in which the distribution server device 20a of the distribution server system 20A transmits object information to the terminal device 10A of the distributor and / or the terminal device 10 of each viewer in ST326. However, in another embodiment, the distribution server device 20a (the object information management unit 230 thereof) may be configured to allow an operator on the management side of the video distribution system 1 and / or the distributor A himself to switch whether to actually distribute (distribution on) or not (distribution off) one or more acquired game objects set by the management side of the video distribution system 1 and / or the distributor A himself via, for example, a user interface. In this case, the distribution server device 20a (the object information management unit 230 thereof) can transmit only one or more acquired game objects set as distribution on among the multiple acquired game objects to the terminal device 10A of the distributor and / or the terminal device 10 of each viewer in ST326.

[0164] The various embodiments described above may be used in combination with one another unless a contradiction or disadvantage arises.

[0165] As described above, according to the technology disclosed in the present application, a viewer is given a game object that can be used when playing a specific game as a subsequent distributor, when the viewer watches (receives) the second video distributed by the distributor. Therefore, the viewer can be encouraged to watch the second video. Furthermore, the viewer is given a better game object by taking a more proactive action when watching the second video. Therefore, the viewer can be encouraged to watch the second video more proactively. As a result, it is possible to promote the use of the video distribution system by viewers.

[0166] In this way, the technology disclosed in this application can provide a computer program, a method, and a server device that can encourage viewers to watch videos distributed by distributors.

[0167] The computer program of the first aspect can cause the at least one processor to function as follows: "When executed by at least one processor installed in a viewer's terminal device, the computer program can cause the at least one processor to function as follows: receive, via a communication line, a first video including an animation of the broadcaster's avatar generated based on action data related to the broadcaster's actions, or the action data, and a second video related to a game generated by the broadcaster's terminal device using the received web page based on operation data related to the broadcaster's operation; determine whether object information has been received regarding an acquired game object that is granted to the viewer by receiving the second video and can be used by the viewer as a subsequent broadcaster in a specific game; and if it is determined that the object information has been received, display a message indicating that the acquired game object is available in the specific game." The computer program of the second aspect, in the above-mentioned first aspect, can cause the at least one processor to "distribute via a communication line to terminal devices of multiple viewers a third video including an animation of the avatar of the subsequent broadcaster or the action data generated based on action data related to the action of the subsequent broadcaster, and a fourth video related to the specific game generated based on operation data related to the operation of the subsequent broadcaster using a received web page, and display the acquired game object in the specific game based on the object information." The computer program of the third aspect can, in the first or second aspect above, "cause the at least one processor to function to receive the object information via a function enabling communication of messages between a server device that receives the second video from the distributor's terminal device and distributes it to the viewer's terminal device and the viewer's terminal device." In the computer program of the fourth aspect, in any of the first to third aspects above, "the acquired game objects may include items, equipment, points, rewards, coins, cards and / or characters." In the computer program of the fifth aspect, in any of the first to fourth aspects, "the acquired game object may be selected from among a plurality of game objects by the distributor, or may be selected by a server device that receives the second video from the distributor's terminal device and distributes it to the viewer's terminal device." In the computer program of the sixth aspect, in any of the first to fifth aspects, "the specific game may be the same as or different from the game distributed by the distributor." In the computer program of the seventh aspect, in any of the first to sixth aspects, "the acquired game object may be set based on the viewer's degree of involvement in watching the second video." In the computer program of the eighth aspect, as in the seventh aspect above, "the acquired game object may be set based on at least one of the timing when the viewer watches the second video, the total time the viewer watches the second video, and the grant information sent by the viewer's terminal device to the broadcaster's terminal device indicating that a gift, comment and / or rating will be granted to the broadcaster." In the computer program of the 9th aspect, in any of the 1st to 8th aspects above, "the acquired game object may be an acquired game object that is granted to the broadcaster by playing the game and is usable by the broadcaster in the particular game." In the computer program of the 10th aspect, in any of the 1st to 8th aspects above, "the acquired game object granted to the viewer by receiving the second video distributed by the distributor may be the same as or different from the acquired game object granted to the viewer by receiving the second video distributed by another distributor different from the distributor." In the computer program according to the eleventh aspect, in any one of the first to tenth aspects, "the communication line may include the Internet." In the computer program of the 12th aspect, in any of the 1st to 11th aspects, "the at least one processor may include a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU)." The method according to the thirteenth aspect is a method executed by at least one processor executing computer-readable instructions installed in a terminal device of a viewer, By executing the instructions, the at least one processor can receive, via a communication line, a first video including an animation of the broadcaster's avatar generated based on action data related to the broadcaster's actions or the action data, and a second video related to a game generated by the broadcaster's terminal device using the received webpage based on operation data related to the broadcaster's operation, determine whether or not it has received object information related to an acquired game object that is granted to the viewer by receiving the second video and can be used by the viewer as a subsequent broadcaster in a specific game, and if it is determined that it has received the object information, display a message indicating that the acquired game object is available in the specific game. In the method according to the fourteenth aspect, in the thirteenth aspect, "the communication line may include the Internet." In the method of the 15th aspect, in the 13th aspect or the 14th aspect, "the at least one processor may include a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU)." A server device according to the 16th aspect may be "equipped with at least one processor, and the at least one processor may be configured to distribute to a viewer's terminal device via a communication line a first video including an animation of the broadcaster's avatar generated based on action data related to the broadcaster's action or the action data, and a second video related to a game generated by the broadcaster's terminal device based on operation data related to the broadcaster's operation using the received webpage, and to transmit to the viewer's terminal device object information related to an acquired game object that is granted to the viewer by receiving the second video and can be used by the viewer as a subsequent broadcaster in a specific game." In the server device of the 17th aspect, as in the 16th aspect above, "the at least one processor may be configured to grant the acquired game object to the viewer in response to the server device starting distribution of the second video to the viewer's terminal device, the server device completing distribution of the second video to the viewer's terminal device, or the viewer performing a predetermined action related to viewing of the second video while the server device is distributing the second video to the viewer's terminal device." In the server device according to the eighteenth aspect, in the sixteenth aspect or the seventeenth aspect, "the communication line includes the Internet." In the server device of the 19th aspect, in any of the 16th to 18th aspects, "the at least one processor may include a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU)." A server device according to a twentieth aspect includes at least one processor, the at least one processor receiving, via a communication line, a first video including an animation of an avatar of a broadcaster, which is generated based on action data related to the action of the broadcaster, or the action data, and a second video related to a game, which is generated by the broadcaster's terminal device based on operation data related to the operation of the broadcaster using the received web page, and determining whether or not the server has received object information related to an acquired game object that is granted to a viewer by receiving the second video and can be used by the viewer as a subsequent broadcaster in a specific game, and if it is determined that the object information has been received, determining whether or not the server has received object information related to the acquired game object. and transmitting, via a communication line to a terminal device of a plurality of viewers, a third video or the action data indicating that the subsequent broadcaster is available for use in a specific game, the third video including an animation of the avatar of the subsequent broadcaster generated based on action data regarding the action of the subsequent broadcaster, and a fourth video regarding the specific game generated based on operation data regarding the operation of the subsequent broadcaster using the received web page, the third video including the animation of the avatar of the subsequent broadcaster generated based on action data regarding the action of the subsequent broadcaster, the fourth video regarding the specific game generated based on operation data regarding the operation of the subsequent broadcaster using the received web page, the fourth video including the animation of the avatar of the subsequent broadcaster generated based on the operation data regarding the operation of the subsequent broadcaster using the received web page, the fourth video including the animation of the subsequent broadcaster's operation in the specific game ... In the server device according to the twenty-first aspect, in the twentieth aspect, "the communication line can include the Internet." In the server device of the 22nd aspect, in the 20th aspect or the 21st aspect, "the at least one processor may include a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU)." The method of the 23rd aspect can be "a method executed by at least one processor that executes computer-readable instructions, wherein the at least one processor executes the instructions to distribute to a viewer's terminal device via a communication line a first video including an animation of the broadcaster's avatar generated based on action data related to the broadcaster's actions or the action data, and a second video related to the game generated by the broadcaster's terminal device based on operation data related to the broadcaster's operation using the received webpage, and transmit object information to the viewer's terminal device related to an acquired game object that is granted to the viewer by receiving the second video and can be used by the viewer as a subsequent broadcaster in a specific game." The method of the 24th aspect can be the same as that of the 23rd aspect above, in which "the object information is transmitted to the viewer's terminal device as any one of information contained in the second video, information contained in the first video, and information contained in the action data." In the method according to the twenty-fifth aspect, "the communication line includes the Internet" in the twenty-third or twenty-fourth aspect. In the method of the 26th aspect, in any of the 23rd to 25th aspects, "the at least one processor may include a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU)." A method according to a 27th aspect is a method executed by at least one processor that executes computer-readable instructions, the method comprising: receiving, via a communication line, a first video including an animation of an avatar of a broadcaster, which is generated based on action data related to the action of the broadcaster, or the action data; and a second video related to a game, which is generated by a terminal device of the broadcaster based on operation data related to the operation of the broadcaster using a received webpage; determining whether or not object information has been received regarding an acquired game object that is granted to a viewer by receiving the second video and is usable by the viewer as a subsequent broadcaster in a specific game; and determining whether or not the object information has been received. If so, a web page including a computer program is transmitted via a communication line to the terminal devices of the viewers configured to display the fact that the acquired game object is available for use in the specific game, and to the terminal devices of the viewers via a communication line a third video including an animation of the avatar of the subsequent broadcaster generated based on action data related to the action of the subsequent broadcaster or the action data, and a fourth video related to the specific game generated based on operation data related to the operation of the subsequent broadcaster using the received web page, and the computer program causes the terminal devices of the viewers to function in the following manner: In the method according to the twenty-eighth aspect, in the twenty-seventh aspect, "the communication line may include the Internet." In the method of the 29th aspect, in the 27th aspect or the 28th aspect, "the at least one processor may include a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU)." [Explanation of symbols]

[0168] 1. Video distribution system 10 Terminal Equipment 10A Distributor's terminal device 10B, 10C, 10D Viewer's terminal device 20 Server device 20A Distribution Server System 20a Distribution server device 20b Database (DB) server device 20c Game API server device 20B Web server device 30 Studio Units 100 First video generation unit 110 Communications Department 120 Judgment section 130 Object Information Processing Unit 140 Second video generation unit 150 Display section 200 Communications Department 210 Storage section 220 Gift / Comment Processing Section 230 Object Information Management Unit

Claims

1. When executed by at least one processor installed in a terminal device of a certain user, receiving, from a server device, first information relating to a group of game objects including game objects that can be distributed to other users; transmit second information to the server device regarding a target game object to be distributed to the other user, the target game object being selected by the certain user from the group of game objects displayed on a display unit based on the first information; receiving, from the server device that identified the target game object based on the second information, third information regarding a fee to be charged to the certain user for distributing the target game object; execute a process of paying the consideration identified based on the third information; transmitting a video relating to a game, which is generated based on operation data relating to an operation of the certain user, to a terminal device of the other user, thereby allowing the target game object to be granted to the other user who has received the video; 23. A computer program product comprising: a computer program product configured to cause the at least one processor to function in a manner such that

2. The computer program of claim 1 , wherein the group of game objects that can be distributed to other users includes a first group of game objects set by an operating organization of a system including the server device, and / or a second group of game objects owned by the certain user.

3. executing a process of paying the consideration before, during, or after the transmission of the certain video; 3. A computer program product as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, which causes the at least one processor to function as follows:

4. The computer program product according to claim 1 , wherein the game objects include items, equipment, points, rewards, coins, cards and / or characters.

5. The process of paying the consideration includes: The certain user consumes coins acquired for a fee; The user consumes points acquired by watching a video distributed by another user and / or by the user distributing a video; and Making payments using credit cards, 5. A computer program according to claim 1, comprising at least one of the following:

6. By having the certain user switch between allowing distribution of the target game object and prohibiting distribution of the target game object via a user interface, The computer program product according to claim 1 , further comprising: causing the at least one processor to function so as to permit or prohibit the distribution of the target game object to the other user.

7. A computer program as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the target game object granted to the other user upon receiving the certain video is a different game object from the game object granted to the certain user upon receiving the certain video by the other user.

8. transmitting the certain video to the terminal device of the other user, allowing the terminal device of the other user that has received the certain video to generate another video relating to a game that utilizes the target game object based on operation data relating to an operation of the other user; 8. A computer program product as claimed in claim 1, which causes the at least one processor to function in such a way that

9. 1. A method performed by at least one processor executing computer readable instructions on a terminal device of a user, the method comprising: Execution of the instructions by the at least one processor results in: receiving, from a server device, first information relating to a group of game objects including game objects that can be distributed to other users; transmitting, to the server device, second information relating to a target game object to be distributed to the other user, the target game object being selected by the certain user from the group of game objects displayed on a display unit based on the first information; receiving, from the server device that identified the target game object based on the second information, third information regarding a fee to be charged to the certain user for distributing the target game object; executing a process of paying the consideration identified based on the third information; and transmitting a video relating to a game, which is generated based on operation data relating to an operation of the certain user, to a terminal device of the other user, thereby allowing the target game object to be granted to the other user who receives the video; The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

10. A server device including at least one processor and connectable to a terminal device of a user and a terminal device of another user, The at least one processor: transmitting first information about a group of game objects including a game object distributable to the other users to a terminal device of the certain user, thereby causing the terminal device of the certain user to select, based on the first information, a target game object to be distributed to the other users from the group of game objects displayed on the terminal device of the certain user; receiving second information about the target game object from a terminal device of the certain user; identifying the target game object based on the second information; transmitting third information relating to a fee to be charged to the certain user for distributing the target game object to the certain user's terminal device, thereby executing a process of paying the fee identified based on the third information to the certain user's terminal device; receiving a video relating to a game, which is generated based on operation data relating to an operation of the certain user, from a terminal device of the certain user and transmitting the video to a terminal device of the other user, thereby allowing the target game object to be granted to the other user who has received the video; A server device configured as described above.

11. 1. A method for executing computer readable instructions on a server device, the server device including at least one processor and connectable to a terminal device of a user and a terminal device of another user, the method comprising: Execution of the instructions by the at least one processor results in: transmitting first information relating to a group of game objects including a game object distributable to the other users to a terminal device of the certain user, and causing the terminal device of the certain user to select, based on the first information, a target game object to be distributed to the other users from the group of game objects displayed on the terminal device of the certain user; receiving second information about the target game object from a terminal device of the certain user; identifying the target game object based on the second information; transmitting third information regarding a fee to be charged to the certain user for distributing the target game object to the certain user's terminal device, thereby executing a process of paying the fee identified based on the third information to the certain user's terminal device; and receiving a video relating to a game, which is generated based on operation data relating to an operation of the certain user, from a terminal device of the certain user and transmitting the video to a terminal device of the other user, thereby allowing the target game object to be granted to the other user who has received the video; The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

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