Content distribution system and server device

Abstract

To provide a content distribution system or the like capable of preventing a viewer from becoming an object of ill feeling from another viewer.SOLUTION: A content distribution system includes: a parameter changing part for changing viewer parameters correlated to respective viewers on the basis of reaction behavior to a viewer designated by a performer; and a performance control part for providing a viewer correlated with at least viewer parameters with a performance corresponding to the changed viewer parameters. The performance control part determines whether a performance corresponding to changed viewer parameters is provided to another viewer other than a viewer correlated with the changed viewer parameters on the basis of the viewer information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a content distribution system and a server device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a system has been known that allows a viewer to support a performer appearing in content being viewed by operating a terminal and submitting a tip or the like (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-182546 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such a system, the performer may respond to the posts made by the viewer, which serves as a motivation for the viewer to continue posting. However, if only certain viewers receive positive responses from the performer, or conversely, if there are viewers who receive negative responses from the performer, that viewer may become the target of ill feelings such as jealousy or resentment from the other viewers.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a content distribution system and a server device that can prevent a viewer from becoming the target of negative reactions from other viewers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The present invention relates to a content distribution system that distributes content that progresses based on the behavior of a performer to terminals of multiple viewers, the content distribution system including a parameter change unit that changes a viewer parameter associated with each viewer based on a reaction behavior toward the viewer designated by the performer, and a performance control unit that provides a performance according to the changed viewer parameter to at least the viewer associated with the viewer parameter, the performance control unit determining whether or not to provide the performance to other viewers than the viewer associated with the changed viewer parameter based on information about the viewer. The present invention also relates to a server device that includes the above-mentioned units. The present invention also relates to a program that causes a computer to function as the above-mentioned units. The present invention also relates to a computer-readable information storage medium that stores the above-mentioned program.

[0007] According to the present invention, the viewer parameters of a viewer are changed based on the performer's responsive behavior toward the viewer, and when providing a performance according to the viewer's viewer parameters to at least that viewer, it is determined whether or not to provide the same performance to other viewers based on the viewer's information, thereby making it possible to prevent a viewer from becoming the target of bad feelings from other viewers.

[0008] (2) In the content distribution system, the server device, the program, and the information storage medium according to the present invention, the reaction behavior may be a reaction behavior to an operation of a terminal by the viewer.

[0009] (3) In the content distribution system, the server device, the program, and the information storage medium according to the present invention, the parameter change unit changes at least the viewing content that is the target of the reaction behavior. The viewer parameters associated with the viewer may be modified.

[0010] (4) In the content distribution system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the performance control unit may provide the performance when the viewer operates a terminal.

[0011] (5) In addition, the content distribution system, server device, program, and information storage medium of the present invention may further include an information receiving unit that receives postings of information to the content or the performers based on the viewer's operation of a terminal (a computer may further function as the information receiving unit).

[0012] According to the present invention, when a performer reacts in response to information posted by a viewer, the viewer's viewer parameters are changed and the viewer is provided with a performance according to the viewer parameters, and at that time, it is determined whether or not to provide the performance to other viewers based on the viewer's information, so that it is possible to motivate the viewer to post information while preventing the viewer from becoming the target of negative feelings from other viewers.

[0013] (6) In addition, in the content distribution system, server device, program, and information storage medium of the present invention, the information accepting unit may accept the posting of the posted information when the viewer consumes the consideration that the viewer owns.

[0014] (7) In the content distribution system, the server device, the program, and the information storage medium according to the present invention, the effect may be an effect related to the posted information.

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to motivate viewers to post information.

[0016] (8) In the content distribution system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the performance control unit may perform the performance that is easier for the viewer to recognize the higher the viewer parameter is.

[0017] (9) In the content distribution system, the server device, the program, and the information storage medium according to the present invention, the viewer information is the viewer information associated with the changed viewer parameters and the other viewer information, and the performance control unit: The performance may be provided to other viewers who have a predetermined relationship between the viewer and the viewer information associated with the changed viewer parameters, and the performance may not be provided to other viewers who do not have the predetermined relationship.

[0018] According to the present invention, a presentation according to a viewer's viewer parameters is not provided to other viewers whose information does not have a predetermined relationship with the viewer, thereby preventing the viewer from becoming the target of negative reactions from other viewers.

[0019] (10) Furthermore, in the content distribution system, server device, program, and information storage medium of the present invention, the viewer information is the viewer parameters, and the performance control unit may provide the performance to other viewers whose viewer parameters have approximately the same relationship as the viewer associated with the changed viewer parameters, and may not provide the performance to other viewers who do not have approximately the same relationship.

[0020] According to the present invention, by not providing a performance according to a viewer's viewer parameters to other viewers who do not have approximately the same relationship with the viewer in question, it is possible to prevent a viewer from becoming the target of negative reactions from other viewers.

[0021] (11) Furthermore, in the content distribution system, server device, program, and information storage medium of the present invention, the viewer information is information regarding whether the viewers are in a peer relationship with each other, and the performance control unit may provide the performance to other viewers who are in a peer relationship with the viewer associated with the changed viewer parameters, and may not provide the performance to other viewers who are not in a peer relationship.

[0022] According to the present invention, a presentation according to a viewer's viewer parameters is not provided to other viewers who are not in a friendly relationship with the viewer, thereby preventing the viewer from becoming the target of negative reactions from other viewers.

[0023] (12) In the content distribution system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the content may be content relating to a character operated by the actor.

[0024] (13) In addition, in the content distribution system, server device, program, and information storage medium of the present invention, the parameter change unit may change the viewer parameters to different contents depending on whether the actor performs the reaction action by operating the character or not.

[0025] (14) In the content distribution system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the parameter change section may change the viewer parameters in different ways depending on the character selected by the viewer.

[0026] (15) In addition, in the content distribution system, server device, program, and information storage medium of the present invention, the parameter change unit may vary the changes to the viewer parameters depending on the combination of the character selected by the viewer and the character used by the actor in the reaction behavior.

[0027] (16) In addition, in the content distribution system, server device, program, and information storage medium of the present invention, the parameter change unit may further include an information receiving unit that receives operations by the viewer on the character selected by the viewer (or may further cause the computer to function as the information receiving unit).

[0028] (17) In addition, in the content distribution system, server device, program, and information storage medium of the present invention, the parameter change unit may change the content of the viewer parameters depending on what kind of reaction behavior the actor performs using the character selected by the viewer.

[0029] (18) In the content distribution system, server device, program, and information storage medium of the present invention, the parameter change unit may vary the content of the change to the viewer parameters depending on the combination of the character selected by the viewer or performer and the action to be performed by the character. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block diagram of a server according to the embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a distribution screen displayed on a display unit of the terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a distribution screen displayed on a display unit of the terminal. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of table information for managing viewer parameters of viewers. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a distribution screen displayed on a display unit of the terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a distribution screen displayed on a display unit of the terminal. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the content distribution system according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] The present embodiment will be described below. Note that the present embodiment described below does not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiment are necessarily necessary configurations of the present invention.

[0032] 1. Configuration Fig. 1 shows a content delivery system according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the system is configured with a plurality of terminals 10 and a server 20 (server device). That is, as shown in Fig. 1, the content delivery system according to the present embodiment is configured such that the server 20 that provides a service and the terminals 10 (10A, 10B, 10C, etc.) can be connected to a network.

[0033] The server 20 is an information processing device that distributes content that progresses based on the actions of performers (distributors) to the viewer's terminal 10 in response to a request from the viewer's terminal 10. The server 20 can be composed of one or more servers (a distribution server, a relay server, a game processing server, an authentication server, a billing server, a database server, etc.).

[0034] Content that progresses based on the actions of the performer may be a live video of the performer's own actions, a live video of a character moving within a virtual space in response to the performer's actions, or a live video of a game being played by the performer (game content).

[0035] The server 20 executes processes such as distributing content data to the viewer terminal 10, accepting information from the viewer terminal 10 (posted information, etc.) and information from the performer terminal 10 (information related to reaction behavior), and providing performances associated with the content to the viewer terminal 10. The server 20 also manages information such as the account information of the performers and viewers, the parameters of the performers and viewers, and in-game currency and items that the performers and viewers can use.

[0036] The terminal 10 is an information processing device such as a mobile terminal (smartphone, PC, game device, etc.), a personal computer (PC), a game device, an image generating device, etc., and is a device that can be connected to the server 20 via a network such as the Internet (WAN) or a LAN. The communication line between the terminal 10 and the server 20 may be wired or wireless.

[0037] An example of a functional block diagram of the server 20 of this embodiment is shown in Fig. 2. Note that the server of this embodiment may have a configuration in which some of the components (units) of Fig. 2 are omitted.

[0038] The storage unit 270 stores programs and various data for causing a computer to function as each unit of the processing unit 200, and also functions as a work area for the processing unit 200, and the function can be realized by a hard disk, RAM, etc. The storage unit 270 includes a storage unit 272 (for example, a database).

[0039] The storage unit 272 stores information on performers (distributors) and viewer information on viewers registered in the content distribution system of this embodiment. For example, the storage unit 272 stores viewer information such as viewer name (viewer account), password, and destination information (IP address, etc.) of the terminal 10 in association with viewer identification information (viewer ID, terminal ID used by the viewer, etc.) of each of a plurality of viewers. The storage unit 272 also stores information on the peer relationship (friend relationship) between the viewer and the viewer. ) (information as to whether the viewers are friends with each other) as viewer information. The storage unit 272 also stores information on items and virtual currency owned by the viewer as viewer information in association with the viewer identification information. The storage unit 272 also stores viewer parameters (viewer parameters) as viewer information in association with the viewer identification information.

[0040] The communication unit 296 performs various controls for communicating with the terminal 10 and other servers, and the functions thereof can be realized by hardware such as various processors or communication ASICs, or programs.

[0041] The processing unit 200 (processor) performs various processes such as viewer information management, login / logout processing, and communication control processing based on data, programs, etc. transmitted from the terminal 10 and received via the communication unit 296. The processing unit 200 performs various processes using the storage unit 270 as a work area. The functions of the processing unit 200 can be realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.) and ASIC (gate array, etc.), or by programs. The processing unit 200 includes a content distribution unit 210, an information receiving unit 212, a parameter change unit 214, and a performance control unit 216.

[0042] The content distribution unit 210 performs a process of distributing content that progresses based on the actions of the performer to multiple viewer terminals 10. For example, if the content is a live video of the performer's actions, the content distribution unit 210 sequentially receives image data and recorded audio data captured at the performer's terminal 10 from the performer's terminal 10, and transmits the data as distribution data to the viewer's terminal 10. Also, if the content is a live video of a character operated by the performer, the content distribution unit 210 sequentially receives image data (images viewed from a virtual camera in a virtual space in which a character that moves in response to the performer's operation or in synchronization with the performer's actions is placed) and recorded audio data generated at the performer's terminal 10 from the performer's terminal 10, and transmits the data as distribution data to the viewer's terminal 10. Furthermore, when the content is a live video of a game being played by an actor (player), the content distribution unit 210 sequentially receives from the game server data of game images and game sounds generated by the game server based on operation data from the actor's terminal 10 (or generates data of game images and game sounds based on operation data from the actor's terminal 10), and sequentially transmits the data as distribution data to the viewer's terminal 10. Note that instead of directly distributing the distribution data to the viewer's terminal 10, the distribution data may be distributed to the viewer's terminal 10 via a distribution server.

[0043] The information accepting unit 212 performs a process of accepting information posted to content or performers based on the viewer's operation of the terminal 10. The posted information is, for example, virtual currency (tips), items (stamps, etc.) owned by the viewer, comments entered by the viewer, etc. The information accepting unit 212 may accept the posted information when the viewer consumes a consideration (virtual currency, etc.) owned by the viewer. In addition, when the content to be distributed is a live video of a character operated by a performer, the information accepting unit 212 may accept an operation by the viewer on a character selected by the viewer (posting information posted to the character, touching the character, etc.).

[0044] The parameter change unit 214 changes the viewer parameters associated with each viewer based on the reaction behavior toward the viewer designated by the performer. The reaction behavior toward the viewer may be an operation of simply selecting a viewer (for example, an operation of pressing one of the buttons assigned to each viewer, an operation of selecting a display item showing the viewer's name, the viewer's icon or avatar, or information posted by the viewer (such as a tip) displayed on the display unit of the performer's terminal 10), or an operation of selecting and evaluating a viewer (for example, specifying "like" or "dislike," giving a score, etc.). The reaction behavior toward the viewer may be an operation to read the viewer's name or posted information (comments) posted by the viewer. In this case, the voice of the performer recorded on the performer's terminal 10 may be recognized to identify the viewer who is the target of the reaction behavior. The viewer's name or posted information may be read out by a button operation. The reaction behavior toward the viewer may be a gesture toward the viewer (for example, making a gaze at the viewer, pointing at the viewer, or waving at the viewer). In this case, the image of the performer captured on the performer's terminal 10 may be recognized to identify the viewer who is the target of the reaction behavior. The reaction behavior toward the viewer may be a gesture toward the viewer's avatar. The reaction behavior toward the viewer may be a reaction behavior toward the viewer's operation of the terminal 10 (such as posting of posted information), or may be a reaction behavior performed regardless of the operation by the viewer.

[0045] Furthermore, the parameter change unit 214 may change (for example, increase) a viewer parameter associated with a viewer who is the target of the reaction behavior, or may change (for example, decrease) a viewer parameter associated with a viewer other than the viewer who is the target of the reaction behavior, or may perform both. The change of the viewer parameter may be a point-adding type from a reference point, or a point-deducting type from a reference point. Furthermore, it may be determined whether to increase or decrease the viewer parameter, or the amount of change of the viewer parameter, depending on the reaction behavior. For example, when a performer selects a viewer as a reaction behavior and performs an operation to specify "Like", the viewer parameter of the viewer may be increased (or the viewer parameter of the viewer other than the viewer may be decreased), and when a performer selects a viewer and performs an operation to specify "Dislike", the viewer parameter of the viewer may be decreased (or the viewer parameter of the viewer other than the viewer may be increased). Furthermore, when a performer selects a viewer as a reaction behavior and performs an operation to give a score (rating), the amount of increase in the parameter of the viewer may be increased as the score increases (the rating increases). Furthermore, the viewer parameter may be a parameter that changes every time a reaction behavior is performed, or a parameter (level) that changes every time the parameter reaches a predetermined value (threshold value).

[0046] The performance control unit 216 performs control to provide a performance according to the viewer parameters changed by the parameter change unit 214 to at least the viewer associated with the viewer parameters (transmits instruction data instructing to perform the performance to the terminal 10 of the viewer). The performance according to the viewer parameters may be a performance related to the posted information posted by the viewer. For example, a performance may be performed to change the appearance of a display object showing the posted information (throws, comments, etc.) displayed on the display unit of the terminal 10 of the viewer, or a performance may be performed to change the sound effect played on the terminal 10 when the viewer posts the posted information. The performance control unit 216 may perform a performance that is easier for the viewer to recognize as the viewer's viewer parameters are higher. For example, the higher the viewer's viewer parameters are, the more flashy (luxurious) the display object showing the viewer's viewer name (or icon or avatar) or posted information (throws, comments, etc.) of the viewer may be. Also, if the viewer parameter of a viewer is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a sound effect may be played when the viewer posts posted information. Also, the performance control unit 216 may provide the performance when the viewer operates the terminal 10, or may provide the performance automatically regardless of the viewer's operation (for example, provide the performance for a predetermined period of time when the viewer parameter is changed), or may provide the performance at all times.

[0047] In addition, the production control unit 216 controls the viewer parameters changed by the parameter change unit 214. Based on the viewer information of each viewer, the performance control unit 216 determines whether or not to provide a performance according to the data to other viewers other than the viewer associated with the viewer parameters. For example, the performance control unit 216 may provide the performance to other viewers whose viewer information has a predetermined relationship with the viewer associated with the changed viewer parameters (for example, the viewer parameters are approximately the same as the viewer, the viewer is a friend, or the viewer has the same attributes (age, sex, etc.)) and may not provide the performance to other viewers who do not have the predetermined relationship. In addition, when the performance according to the viewer parameters of the viewer is not provided to other viewers, the performance control unit 216 may provide a default performance other than the performance or a different performance to the other viewers.

[0048] 2. Method of the Present Invention Next, the method of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The content distribution system of this embodiment is configured so that content that progresses based on the actions of a performer is distributed to the terminals 10 of multiple viewers, and when the performer performs a reactionary action against a viewer, the viewer parameters of the viewer are changed, and a performance according to the changed viewer parameters is provided to the viewer.

[0049] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a distribution screen displayed on the display unit of the viewer and performer terminals 10. A content image CI of the content to be distributed is displayed on the distribution screen DS. Here, a live video of the performer PF is displayed as the content image CI. In addition, the distribution screen DS displays icons IC of the viewers currently viewing the content. Here, an icon IC of each of the four viewers "A" to "D" is displayed.

[0050] Each viewer can post information to the performer (content). Here, as a posting of information, a tip can be made, and an input area IA for specifying the amount of the tip is displayed on the distribution screen DS. When a viewer inputs the amount of the tip in the input area IA and operates the execute button RB, the virtual currency held by the viewer is consumed (decreased) by the input amount ("100" in the example shown in FIG. 3), and the virtual currency held by the performer is increased by the input amount. When a viewer makes a tip, as shown in FIG. 4, a tip object MO indicating the tip by the viewer is displayed on the distribution screen DS in association with the icon IC of the viewer who made the tip. Here, viewer "A" made a tip, so a tip object MO is displayed above the icon IC of viewer "A."

[0051] Here, the performer may react to the viewer in response to the donation by the viewer. For example, the performer reacts to the viewer by performing an operation to select the icon IC of the viewer displayed on the distribution screen DS on the performer's terminal 10. The performer may also react to the viewer by performing a gesture to specify the viewer. When the performer reacts to the viewer, the points (parameters) managed in association with the viewer increase by a predetermined value. When the viewer's points reach a threshold, the level of the viewer (an example of a viewer parameter) increases. The point threshold is set for each level, and the higher the level, the higher the threshold. The performer may also react to the viewer regardless of the donation by the viewer. Therefore, when a reaction is performed to a viewer who has donated money (the viewer has donated money within a predetermined time period prior to the time when the reaction is performed to the viewer), the increase in the viewer's points may be greater than when a reaction is performed to a viewer who has not donated money (the viewer has not donated money within a predetermined time period prior to the time when the reaction is performed to the viewer).

[0052] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of table information for managing viewer parameters (levels) of the viewer. This table information is stored in the storage unit 272 as viewer information. Table information 300 stores viewer name 320, points 330, and level 340 in association with viewer ID 310. In this example, viewer "A" and viewer "C" are at level "2," and viewer "B" and viewer "D" are at level "1."

[0053] In this embodiment, a performance according to the level of the viewer is provided to the viewer. For example, when the level of the viewer "A" becomes "2" due to the performer's reaction behavior, a performance according to the level "2" is provided to the viewer "A". In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, a performance is performed in which the appearance of the throwing object MO associated with the viewer "A" is made flashy (to be easily recognized) according to the level "2" on the distribution screen DS displayed on the terminal 10 of the viewer "A". Here, a performance is performed in which an effect image EI is superimposed on the throwing object MO. The higher the level of the viewer, the more flashy the appearance of the viewer's throwing object MO becomes. Note that, instead of a performance in which the appearance of the viewer's throwing object MO is made flashy, a performance may be performed in which the appearance of the viewer's icon IC is made flashy, or a performance may be performed in which the sound effect played when the viewer performs a throwing (operates the execution button RB) is made luxurious (or a sound effect is played when the throwing is performed). Such a performance can motivate the viewer to throw a throwing coin. The effect may be provided to the viewer when the viewer performs a predetermined operation on the terminal 10, or may be provided continuously.

[0054] Here, in this embodiment, whether or not the performance (performance according to the level of the viewer) to be provided to a viewer is provided to other viewers other than the viewer is determined based on the viewer information of each viewer. For example, the performance to be provided to a viewer may be provided to other viewers at the same level as the viewer, and not provided to other viewers at a different level than the viewer. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the viewer at the same level as the viewer "A" is the viewer "C", so the terminal 10 of the viewer "C" displays a distribution screen DS as shown in FIG. 6 (a distribution screen in which a performance related to the coin-throwing object MO of the viewer "A" is performed), and the terminals 10 of the viewer "B" and the viewer "D" display a distribution screen DS as shown in FIG. 4 (a distribution screen in which a performance related to the coin-throwing object MO of the viewer "A" is not performed). Note that the distribution screen DS displayed on the performer's terminal 10 may or may not reflect the performance.

[0055] Also, the performance provided to a viewer may be provided to other viewers who are in a peer relationship with the viewer (or have the same attributes), and not provided to other viewers who are not in a peer relationship with the viewer (or have different attributes). For example, if viewer "A" and viewer "B" are in a peer relationship, the terminal 10 of viewer "B" may display a distribution screen DS as shown in FIG. 6, and the terminals 10 of viewer "C" and viewer "D" may display a distribution screen DS as shown in FIG. 4. Also, when it is determined based on the level of each viewer whether or not the performance provided to a viewer is provided to other viewers other than the viewer, the determination criterion may be changed depending on whether or not the viewer is in a peer relationship with the other viewers. For example, if the viewer and the other viewers are not in a peer relationship, the performance provided to the viewer may be provided to the other viewers only if the level of the viewer is the same as that of the other viewers, and if the viewer and the other viewers are in a peer relationship, the performance provided to the viewer may be provided to the other viewers if the difference between the level of the viewer and the level of the other viewers is within a predetermined value. In addition, the viewing history of each viewer (such as the number of times a viewer has been viewed in the past and the cumulative viewing time) may be managed as viewer information, and the performance provided to a viewer may be provided to other viewers with a shorter viewing history than the viewer in question, but not provided to other viewers with the same or greater viewing history as the viewer in question.

[0056] In this way, according to the present embodiment, the viewer parameters of the viewer are changed based on the performer's reaction to the viewer, and a performance according to the viewer parameters is provided to the viewer. When providing the performance, the performance is not provided to other viewers who are not in a specific relationship with the viewer (not at the same level as the viewer, not in a friendship with the viewer), thereby preventing the viewer from becoming the target of ill feelings from other viewers and giving the viewer motivation to donate.

[0057] In the above example, a live video of the performer's actions is distributed as an example of the content that progresses based on the performer's actions. However, the content may be a content related to a character that acts in a virtual space based on the performer's operation (for example, a character that acts in synchronization with the performer's actions, or a character that appears in a game that the performer is playing). In this case, the performer may perform a reaction action (a reaction action using a character) to the viewer by performing an operation to make the character perform a gesture such as pointing at the viewer, or may perform a reaction action (a reaction action without using a character) to the viewer by performing an operation such as specifying the viewer without operating the character, or both may be possible. Here, the change content of the viewer parameter (points, level) of the viewer may be different between the case where the performer performs a reaction action to the viewer by operating the character and the case where the performer performs a reaction action to the viewer without operating the character. For example, the amount of increase in the viewer parameter may be different between the case where the former reaction action is performed and the case where the latter reaction action is performed, or whether the viewer parameter is increased or decreased may be changed.

[0058] Furthermore, the number of characters appearing in the content may be multiple. Each of the multiple characters may move based on the operation of a different performer, or may move based on the operation of a single performer. In this case, the viewer may be able to give a tip to a character selected from the multiple characters. In the example shown in FIG. 7, two characters CR (CRa, CRb) are displayed in the content image CI. After inputting the amount of tipping in the input area IA, the viewer can tip the input amount to the character CRa by operating the execution button RBa corresponding to the character CRa, and can tip the input amount to the character CRb by operating the execution button RBb corresponding to the character CRb. In this case, the change contents of the viewer parameters (points, level) of the viewer may be different between a case where the performer performs a reaction behavior toward the viewer using the character CRa in response to the viewer's tipping to the character CRa and a case where the performer performs a reaction behavior toward the viewer using the character CRb in response to the viewer's tipping to the character CRb. For example, the amount of increase in the viewer parameter may be changed, or whether the viewer parameter is increased or decreased may be changed depending on the parameters (attributes, etc.) of the character CR selected as the target of the donation. In addition, if the viewer is allowed to donate to the content itself in addition to donating to the character CR, the change in the viewer parameter of the viewer may be different between the case where the performer reacts to the viewer in response to the viewer donating to the character CR and the case where the performer reacts to the viewer in response to the viewer donating to the content.

[0059] Also, the change contents of the viewer parameters (points, level) of the viewer may be made different depending on the combination of the character CR selected by the viewer as the target of the coin donation and the character CR used by the performer in the reaction action toward the viewer. For example, when the character CR selected by the viewer as the target of the coin donation and the character CR used by the performer in the reaction action match, or when the combination of the two corresponds to a predetermined combination, the increase amount of the viewer parameters may be made large, and when the two do not match or the combination of the two does not correspond to a predetermined combination, the increase amount of the viewer parameters may be made small or the viewer parameters may be decreased.

[0060] Also, depending on what kind of reaction action the performer takes using the character CR selected by the viewer as the target of the coin donation, the change content of the viewer parameter (points, level) of the viewer may be changed. For example, depending on the type of gesture (wink, point, wave, etc.) of the character CR in the reaction action, the amount of increase in the viewer parameter may be changed, or whether the viewer parameter is increased or decreased may be changed.

[0061] Also, the change contents of the viewer parameter may be varied according to the combination of the character CR selected by the viewer or performer and the action (gesture) performed by the character CR. For example, the increase amount of the viewer parameter may be set for each combination of the character CR and the gesture, and in the reaction action in response to the coins, when the character CRa winks, the increase amount of the viewer parameter may be larger than when the character CRa waves its hand, and when the character CRb waves its hand, the increase amount of the viewer parameter may be larger than when the character CRa winks.

[0062] The above-mentioned method for the case where multiple characters appear in the content can also be applied to the case where multiple performers appear in the content (a live video of multiple performers PF is displayed in the content image CI). For example, the change contents of the viewer parameters of the viewer may be made different between a case where a first performer reacts to a viewer in response to a viewer's donation to the first performer and a case where a second performer reacts to a viewer in response to a viewer's donation to the second performer. The change contents of the viewer parameters of the viewer may be made different depending on a combination of the performer selected by the viewer as the target of the donation and the content of the performer's reaction to the viewer (operation content, type of gesture, etc.).

[0063] 3. Processing Next, an example of the processing of the content distribution system (server 20) of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 8. First, the content distribution unit 210 starts distribution of content that progresses based on the actions of a performer to multiple viewers' terminals 10 (step S10). For example, video data captured by the performer's terminal 10 is acquired and distributed as distribution data to the multiple viewers' terminals 10.

[0064] Next, the information accepting unit 212 judges whether or not posted information (e.g., information related to posting of a tip or a comment) has been received from the viewer's terminal 10 (step S11), and if posted information has been received (Y in step S11), processes the received posted information (step S12). For example, if a tip is received as posted information, the virtual currency held by the viewer who posted the information is decreased by the amount of the tip, and the virtual currency held by the performer is increased by the amount of the tip.

[0065] Next, the parameter modification unit 214 judges whether or not a reaction behavior toward a viewer designated by the performer is detected (step S13). For example, when operation information designating a viewer is received from the performer's terminal 10, it is judged that a reaction behavior toward the viewer has been performed. When a reaction behavior toward a viewer is detected (Y in step S13), the parameter modification unit 214 changes the viewer parameter associated with the viewer (step S14). Here, the parameter modification unit 214 may determine an increase amount of the viewer parameter of the viewer depending on whether or not the detected reaction behavior is toward the viewer who posted the shared information.

[0066] Next, the performance control unit 216 determines whether or not to provide a performance according to the viewer's parameters to other viewers other than the viewer based on the viewer information of each viewer (such as viewer parameters and information specifying peer relationships), and if so, to which other viewers will the performance be provided (schedule The content distribution unit 210 then determines whether to end the content distribution (step S17), and if the content distribution is to be continued (N in step S17), the process proceeds to step S11.

[0067] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, a term cited as a broadly defined or synonymous term in the description in the specification or drawings can be replaced with a broadly defined or synonymous term in other descriptions in the specification or drawings.

[0068] For example, the content distribution system may be composed of a user terminal (viewer's terminal), a content distribution server (video distribution server, game server, etc.) that performs processing to distribute content, and a posting server that performs processing related to posts by viewers. In this case, the user terminal communicates with the content distribution server to send and receive information related to content (information related to games, etc.), and communicates with the posting server to perform processing related to posts. The posting server and the content distribution server communicate with each other, and the posting server obtains information related to content from the content distribution server, and the content distribution server obtains information related to posts from the posting server. Even if the posting server does not execute content distribution, it can reflect effects according to the posted content in the content, or change the posted content according to the result of the content (game result, etc.) by communicating with the content distribution server. Regarding the distribution screen (a screen in which the image of the content is combined with the information related to the post (tipping object, etc.)), the user terminal may perform a display process of combining the image of the content with the information related to the post based on information obtained from the content distribution server and the posting server, respectively, or the content distribution server or the posting server may perform the combination before displaying it on the user terminal. The content distribution system may be configured with only a user terminal and a posting server. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 10 terminal, 20 server, 200 processing unit, 210 content distribution unit, 212 information reception unit, 214 parameter change unit, 216 performance control unit, 270 memory unit, 272 storage unit, 296 communication unit

Claims

1. A content distribution system that distributes content that progresses based on the actions of a performer to terminals of multiple viewers, a parameter changing unit that changes a viewer parameter associated with each of the viewers based on a reaction behavior toward the viewers designated by the performer; a performance control unit that provides a performance according to the changed viewer parameter to the viewer associated with at least the changed viewer parameter; The performance control unit: A content distribution system characterized in that it determines whether or not to provide the performance to viewers other than the viewer associated with the changed viewer parameters based on information about the viewer.

2. In claim 1, A content distribution system, wherein the reaction behavior is a reaction behavior to an operation of a terminal by the viewer.

3. In claim 1 or 2, The parameter change unit is A content distribution system, comprising: a content distribution unit that changes at least said viewer parameters associated with said viewer who has become the target of said reaction behavior.

4. In any one of claims 1 to 3, The performance control unit: A content distribution system that provides the performance when the viewer operates a terminal.

5. In any one of claims 1 to 4, A content distribution system further comprising an information receiving unit that receives information posted to the content or the performer based on the viewer's operation of a terminal.

6. In claim 5, The information receiving unit is A content distribution system, comprising: a content distribution unit that accepts posting of the posted information when the viewer consumes a consideration owned by the viewer.

7. In claim 5 or 6, The content distribution system, wherein the presentation is related to the posted information.

8. In any one of claims 1 to 7, The performance control unit: A content distribution system, characterized in that the higher the viewer parameter, the easier the viewer can recognize the presentation.

9. In any one of claims 1 to 8, the viewer information is information of the viewer associated with the changed viewer parameter and information of other viewers, The performance control unit: A content distribution system characterized in that the performance is provided to other viewers who have a predetermined relationship between the viewer and the viewer's information associated with the changed viewer parameters, and the performance is not provided to other viewers who do not have the predetermined relationship.

10. In claim 9, the viewer information is the viewer parameters, The performance control unit: A content distribution system characterized in that the performance is provided to other viewers whose viewer parameters are approximately the same as the viewer associated with the changed viewer parameters, and the performance is not provided to other viewers whose viewer parameters are not approximately the same as the viewer associated with the changed viewer parameters.

11. In claim 10, The information about the viewers is information about whether the viewers are friends with each other, The performance control unit: A content distribution system characterized in that the performance is provided to other viewers who are friends with the viewer associated with the changed viewer parameters, and the performance is not provided to other viewers who are not friends with the viewer.

12. In any one of claims 1 to 11, A content distribution system, wherein the content is content related to a character operated by the actor.

13. In claim 12, The parameter change unit is A content distribution system characterized in that the changes to the viewer parameters are made different when the actor performs the reaction action by operating the character and when the actor performs the reaction action without operating the character.

14. In claim 12 or 13, The parameter change unit is Changing the viewer parameters in response to the character selected by the viewer. A content distribution system characterized in that the contents are differentiated.

15. In any one of claims 12 to 14, The parameter change unit is A content distribution system, characterized in that the changes to the viewer parameters are varied depending on the combination of the character selected by the viewer and the character used by the actor in the reaction behavior.

16. In any one of claims 12 to 15, The parameter change unit is A content distribution system further comprising an information receiving unit that receives an operation by a viewer with respect to the character selected by the viewer.

17. In any one of claims 12 to 16, The parameter change unit is A content distribution system, characterized in that the content of changes to the viewer parameters is varied depending on what reaction behavior the actor performs using the character selected by the viewer.

18. In any one of claims 12 to 17, The parameter change unit is A content distribution system, characterized in that the content of the change in the viewer parameters is varied according to a combination of the character selected by the viewer or the performer and an action to be performed by the character.

19. A server device that distributes content that progresses based on the actions of a performer to terminals of multiple viewers, a parameter changing unit that changes a viewer parameter associated with each of the viewers based on a reaction behavior toward the viewers designated by the performer; a performance control unit that provides a performance according to the changed viewer parameter to the viewer associated with at least the changed viewer parameter; The performance control unit: A server device characterized in that it determines whether or not to provide the performance to viewers other than the viewer associated with the changed viewer parameters based on information about the viewers.

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