Computer system, content viewing system and program

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of ensuring visibility of provided content while receiving a viewer's action for provision of the content.SOLUTION: A server system 1100 includes: a viewer action reception control part 245 for receiving a viewer's action from each viewing user; an action display body display control part 247 for performing control for displaying an action display body corresponding to a viewer's action on a user terminal by transmitting action information of the viewer's action received by the viewer action reception control part 245 to each viewing user's user terminal; and a grouping processing part 251 for dividing viewing users into plural groups. The action display body display control part 247 has a display control part 249 for each group for performing display control of an action display body for each group divided by the grouping processing part 251.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer system for providing content to a viewer terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] Known technologies for live streaming of content such as videos include technologies that allow viewers to comment on the content to express their praise for the content or support the video poster (distributor) and provide monetary rewards to the distributor (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In particular, the provision of rewards from viewers to distributors is also called "tipping," after the donations from spectators to street performers. When a viewer performs an action (viewer action) such as tipping or posting a comment, an action display object corresponding to the content viewing screen appears, and the posted content is reflected on the viewing screen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-17146 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to viewer actions, for example, if it is a tip, the distributor is given income according to the amount of the tip, which has the effect of encouraging further video posting. On the other hand, for viewers, it brings joy to self-expression by publicly expressing one's will and position to other viewers, such as by praising or cheering, and the effect of tipping is expected to be that tipping will attract more tipping, etc., and liven up the atmosphere. However, if the atmosphere becomes lively and the number of posts such as tipping increases, the number of action displays displayed on the viewing screen will also increase, which could lead to a problem of worsening the visibility of the essential content.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a technique capable of ensuring the visibility of provided content while accepting viewer actions in response to the provision of content. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first invention for solving the above problem is a computer system that provides given entertainment content (hereinafter referred to as "content") to a viewer terminal of each viewer, comprising: a viewer action reception control means (e.g., the viewer action reception control unit 245 of FIG. 12) that receives viewer actions from each viewer; an action display object display control means (e.g., the action display object display control unit 247 of FIG. 12) that transmits action information of the viewer action received by the viewer action reception control means to the viewer terminal of each viewer, thereby controlling the display of an action display object corresponding to the viewer action on the viewer terminal; and a grouping means (e.g., the grouping processing unit 251 of FIG. 12) that divides the viewers into a plurality of groups, wherein the action display object display control means has a group-by-group display control means (e.g., the group-by-group display control unit 249 of FIG. 12) that controls the display of the action display object for each group divided by the grouping means.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the present invention, a viewer action of a viewer watching content can be accepted, and when a viewer action is accepted, a corresponding action display object can be displayed on a viewer terminal. Also, viewers of the content can be divided into a plurality of groups. When the viewers are divided into groups, the display of the action display object can be controlled for each group. This makes it possible to ensure the visibility of the content being provided while accepting viewer actions in response to the provision of content.

[0008] Further, a second invention is a computer system of the first invention, in which the group-based display control means displays, on the viewer terminal of the viewer belonging to the group, the action display body corresponding to the viewer action performed by a viewer belonging to a group divided by the grouping means.

[0009] According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a viewer action is accepted, an action display object of the viewer action can be displayed on the viewer terminal of each viewer in the group to which the viewer who performed the viewer action belongs.

[0010] Further, a third invention is a computer system of the first or second invention, in which the group-based display control means performs the group-based display control by selecting and sending the action information of the viewer actions accepted by the viewer action acceptance control means to the viewer terminal.

[0011] According to the third aspect of the present invention, by selectively transmitting action information of viewer actions made by viewers to each viewer terminal, it is possible to realize display control for each group of action display objects.

[0012] In addition, a fourth invention is a computer system of the first or second invention, in which the group-based display control means performs the group-based display control by transmitting to the viewer terminal display discrimination information that differs for each group, allowing the viewer terminal to determine whether or not to display the action display body corresponding to each viewer action.

[0013] According to the fourth invention, by transmitting display determination information to each viewer terminal for determining whether or not to display an action display object for a viewer action performed by a viewer, display control for each group of action display objects can be realized.

[0014] A fifth invention is a computer system of the first invention, in which the group-based display control means performs display control for each group by varying the display mode of the action display body for each group divided by the grouping means.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the action display object can be displayed in a display mode according to the group to which the viewer who performed the viewer action belongs.

[0016] A sixth invention is the computer system according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, wherein the grouping means determines whether or not to execute grouping based on the number of viewers currently viewing the content.

[0017] According to the sixth invention, viewers can be divided into groups depending on the number of viewers currently viewing the content.

[0018] The seventh invention is, In the computer system of any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, the grouping means determines whether or not to execute grouping based on a processing load status of the computer system.

[0019] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, viewers can be divided into groups according to the processing load status of the computer system.

[0020] An eighth invention is the computer system of any one of the first to seventh inventions, wherein the grouping means executes grouping based on a first grouping criterion based on the number of viewers currently viewing the content.

[0021] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, viewers can be divided into groups depending on the number of viewers currently viewing the content.

[0022] Further, a ninth invention is a computer system of any of the first to eighth inventions, wherein the grouping means performs grouping based on a second grouping criterion based on the reception status of the viewer action by the viewer action reception control means.

[0023] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, viewers can be divided into groups depending on the acceptance status of viewer actions.

[0024] A tenth aspect of the present invention is the computer system of any one of the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, wherein the grouping means executes grouping based on a third grouping criterion based on a processing load status of the computer system.

[0025] According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, viewers can be divided into groups according to the processing load status of the computer system.

[0026] In addition, an eleventh invention is a computer system of any of the first to tenth inventions, further comprising a spec information acquisition means (e.g., the user management unit 210 of FIG. 12) for acquiring spec information of the viewer terminal of each viewer, and the grouping means performs grouping based on a fourth grouping criterion based on the spec information of the viewer terminal of each viewer.

[0027] According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, viewers can be divided into groups according to the specification information of the viewer terminal of each viewer.

[0028] In addition, a twelfth invention is a computer system of any of the first to eleventh inventions, wherein the grouping means performs grouping based on a fifth grouping criterion based on the viewer action history of each viewer.

[0029] According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, viewers can be divided into groups according to the viewer action history of each viewer.

[0030] A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the computer system according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects of the present invention, wherein the grouping means performs grouping based on sixth grouping criteria based on viewer information of each viewer.

[0031] According to the thirteenth aspect, the viewers can be divided into groups according to the viewer information of each viewer.

[0032] A 14th invention is a computer system of the 13th invention, wherein the viewer information includes interest information of the viewer that has been pre-registered for the content, and the sixth grouping criterion is a criterion based on the interest information.

[0033] According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, viewers can be divided into groups by using interest information of the viewers as the viewer information.

[0034] A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is a computer system according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, wherein the viewer information includes billing information indicating whether the viewer is a paying viewer or a non-paying viewer, and the sixth grouping criterion is a criterion based on the billing information.

[0035] According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, viewers can be divided into groups by using, as viewing information, billing information indicating whether the viewer is a paying viewer or a non-paying viewer.

[0036] In addition, a 16th invention is a computer system of any of the 1st to 15th inventions, further comprising a group integrating means (e.g., the group integrating unit 253 in FIG. 12) that integrates multiple groups divided by the grouping means into one group.

[0037] According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the divided groups of viewers can be integrated.

[0038] In addition, a 17th invention is a computer system of any of the 1st to 16th inventions, further comprising a notification control means (e.g., the notification control unit 255 in FIG. 12) that executes control to cause the viewer terminal to issue a notification when the group-by-group display control is being performed by the group-by-group display control means.

[0039] According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to inform the viewer that the display control for each group of action display objects is being performed.

[0040] In addition, an 18th invention is a computer system of any of the 1st to 17th inventions, further comprising a group-by-group action superiority / inferiority notification control means (for example, the group-by-group action superiority / inferiority notification control unit 257 in Figure 12) that dynamically calculates superiority / inferiority based on the viewer actions of viewers belonging to each group divided by the grouping means, and notifies the viewer terminal of the viewer.

[0041] According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the relative merits of each group based on the viewer's actions can be calculated at any time and notified to the viewer.

[0042] A 19th invention is a content viewing system (e.g., the content viewing system 1000 in FIG. 1) comprising a computer system of any of the 1st to 18th inventions (e.g., the server system 1100 in FIG. 1) and the viewer terminal (e.g., the user terminal 1500 in FIG. 1).

[0043] According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize a content viewing system that exhibits the same effects as any one of the first to eighteenth aspects of the present invention.

[0044] Further, a twentieth aspect of the present invention is a program for a computer, which is a viewer terminal communicating with a server system that provides given entertainment content (hereinafter referred to as "content") to the viewer terminal of each viewer, to control the display of the content, wherein the server system comprises: viewer action reception control means for receiving viewer actions from each viewer; grouping means for dividing the viewers into a plurality of groups; and action display object display control means for transmitting action information of the viewer actions received by the viewer action reception control means to the computer, thereby controlling the computer to display an action display object corresponding to the viewer action, and the action display object display control means controls the computer to display, for each of the viewer actions, an action display object corresponding to the viewer action. 18) that performs display control for each group by transmitting to the computer, for each group divided by the grouping means, display discrimination information for the computer to discriminate whether or not to display the action display body, and the program (e.g., viewing program 504A in FIG. 18) for causing the computer to function as action information acquisition means (e.g., action information acquisition unit 277 in FIG. 18) that acquires the action information from the server system, display discrimination information acquisition means (e.g., display discrimination information acquisition unit 279 in FIG. 18) that acquires the display discrimination information from the server system, and terminal-side display control means (e.g., action display body synthesis unit 271 in FIG. 18) that controls the display of the action display body based on the action information acquired by the action information acquisition means, based on the display discrimination information.

[0045] According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, the server system can obtain action information of viewer actions performed by each viewer, and can also obtain display discrimination information thereof. Then, based on the obtained display discrimination information, it can be determined whether or not to display an action display object, and if it is to be displayed, the action display object can be displayed based on the action information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0046] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a content viewing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of a user terminal. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating distribution of gameplay videos. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is another diagram illustrating distribution of gameplay videos. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the screen configuration of a support character registration screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen configuration of a viewing screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of a comment display body. [Figure 8] 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of a group setting process. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of group settings. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a reconfiguration procedure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is another diagram illustrating the procedure of resetting. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of user management data. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of distribution management data. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a user terminal in the first embodiment. [Figure 16] 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the server system in the first embodiment. [Figure 17] 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by a user terminal in the first embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a user terminal according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0047] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, in the description of the drawings, the same parts are given the same reference numerals.

[0048] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a content viewing system 1000 according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the content viewing system 1000 includes a server system 1100 and a user terminal 1500 owned by a user, which are connected to each other via a network N so as to be able to perform data communication with each other.

[0049] The network N refers to a communication path that allows data communication. In other words, the network N includes a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection, a LAN (Local Area Network) using Ethernet (registered trademark), etc., as well as a telephone communication network, a cable network, the Internet, and other communication networks, and the communication method can be either wired or wireless.

[0050] The server system 1100 is a computer system that distributes content and the like, and includes a main device 1101, a keyboard 1106, a touch panel 1108, and a storage 1140. The main device 1101 is equipped with a control board 1150.

[0051] The control board 1150 is equipped with various microprocessors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1151, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), various IC memories 1152 such as a VRAM, RAM, and ROM, and a communication device 1153. Note that a part or the whole of the control board 1150 may be realized by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or an SoC (System on a Chip).

[0052] The server system 1100 realizes, by the control board 1150 performing calculations based on predetermined programs and data, (1) a user management function for registering users 2 and managing information about registered users 2, (2) a game provision function for enabling online games to be played on the user terminal 1500, (3) a distribution service function for allowing an unspecified number of people to enjoy given content (entertainment content) simultaneously, (4) a viewer action function for enabling viewers (hereinafter also referred to as "viewing users") 2 viewing the content to take viewer actions, and (5) a payment function for billing processing.

[0053] In this embodiment, an example of live distribution is shown as the distribution service function, in which content is provided (distributed) to the user terminal 1500 according to a distribution schedule. More specifically, the content to be distributed is a gameplay video, and a gameplay video of an online game being played by a user (video poster) 2 (hereinafter also referred to as a "distributing user") on the user terminal 1500 is distributed. That is, in this embodiment, the gameplay video of the distributing user 2 is live distributed to the user terminal 1500 of the viewing user 2 by the distribution service function.

[0054] The server system 1100 manages a content publishing site to realize the distribution service function. However, the publishing site may be managed using an external video publishing management server. The video publishing management server is an external server for operating and managing an existing video publishing site (a website that accepts video submissions from an unspecified number of video contributors via the Internet, etc., and provides the submitted videos to an unspecified number of viewers in a streaming format). In this case, the server system 1100 communicates with the video publishing management server 1200 to automatically post the content, thereby publishing it.

[0055] The viewer action function is a function that accepts viewer actions from viewers during live distribution of content (gameplay video) and reflects the accepted viewer actions on the viewing screen (see FIG. 6). In this embodiment, an example of accepting the posting of comments as viewer actions is shown. This can be realized by accepting input of comments that appropriately include images such as illustrations and photographs (also called stamps, etc.) in addition to text (letters, numbers, and symbols). With this viewer action function, the viewing user 2 can send various comments at any time, such as comments expressing their impressions of the content and comments of support for the distributing user 2, while watching the live distribution.

[0056] The settlement function is a function by which user 2 purchases points equivalent to virtual currency (hereinafter simply referred to as "currency points"), and server system 1100 cooperates with an external electronic settlement server operated by an electronic settlement service provider or the like in response to a request from user terminal 1500 to carry out the procedure for purchasing currency points (billing process). During the billing process, the electronic settlement server responds to an inquiry from server system 1100 and performs a process of settling the purchase amount of currency points with user 2's credit card, prepaid card, or the like. Then, server system 1100 grants user 2 currency points equivalent to the purchase amount settled by the electronic settlement server.

[0057] In FIG. 1, the server system 1100 is depicted as a single server device, but it may be configured such that multiple server devices connected online share one or multiple of the above-mentioned functions. For example, (2) the game providing function, (3) the distribution service function, and (4) the viewer action function are realized by separate server devices connected online. The server system 1100 may also be configured to include multiple blade servers sharing each function, connected to each other via an internal bus so that data communication is possible. It may also be configured such that multiple independent server devices installed at separate locations communicate data via a network N to function as the server system 1100 as a whole.

[0058] 1 illustrates two user terminals 1500 for user 2, but in actual operation, there will be a plurality of distributor users (distributor users) 2, each of which operates a user terminal 1500 to access the server system 1100. Similarly, there will be a plurality of viewer users (viewing users) 2, each of which uses a user terminal 1500 to access the server system 1100.

[0059] Here, the user terminal 1500 is a computer system that is used individually by the user 2 to play online games and view content such as gameplay videos, and is a terminal device (electronic device) that can access the server system 1100 via the network N. The user terminal 1500 in this embodiment is a device known as a smartphone, but may also be a portable game device, a tablet computer, a personal computer, or the like.

[0060] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal 1500 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal 1500 includes a direction input key 1502, a home key 1504, a touch panel 1506 that functions as an image display device and a contact position input device, a built-in battery 1509, a speaker 1510, a microphone 1512, a camera 1520, a control board 1550, and a memory card reader 1542 that can read and write data to a memory card 1540 that is a computer-readable storage medium. In addition, a power button, a volume control button, etc. that are not shown in the figure are also provided. An IC card reader or the like that can read and write data contactlessly to an IC card type credit card or prepaid card that can be used to pay tip amounts, etc. may be provided.

[0061] The control board 1550 is equipped with various microprocessors such as a CPU 1551, a GPU, and a DSP, various IC memories 1552 such as a VRAM, a RAM, and a ROM, a wireless communication module 1553 for wireless communication with a mobile phone base station or a wireless communication base station connected to the network N, and an interface circuit 1557. The interface circuit 1557 includes a circuit for receiving signals from the direction input key 1502 and the home key 1504, a driver circuit for the touch panel 1506, an output amplifier circuit for outputting an audio signal to the speaker 1510, an audio signal generating circuit for generating an audio signal collected by the microphone 1512, a circuit for inputting image data of an image captured by the camera 1520, and a signal input / output circuit for the memory card reader 1542. Each of these elements mounted on the control board 1550 is electrically connected to each other via a bus circuit or the like, and is connected so as to be able to read and write data and transmit and receive signals. Note that a part or all of the control board 1550 may be configured with an ASIC, an FPGA, or an SoC.

[0062] In the control board 1550, the IC memory 1552 stores a game client program and various setting data required to execute the game client program. The IC memory 1552 also stores a viewing program for enabling viewing of content and posting of comments to realize the function of a viewer terminal, and various setting data required to execute the viewing program. The game client program, the viewing program, and the like are downloaded from the server system 1100 at an appropriate timing. The game client program, the viewing program, and the like may be read from a separately obtained storage medium such as a memory card 1540. The CPU 1551 and the like execute the game client program and the viewing program to perform arithmetic processing, and control each part of the user terminal 1500 in response to operation inputs to the touch panel 1506, the directional input key 1502, and the home key 1504, thereby enabling the user 2 to play a game, view content, and the like.

[0063] [About streaming gameplay videos] 3 and 4 are diagrams for explaining the distribution of gameplay videos, which are content. In this embodiment, gameplay videos of a distributor user are distributed to viewing users. As described above, the game played by user 2 on user terminal 1500 is an online game executed in a client-server system in which server system 1100 is the game server.

[0064] 3, information related to the game progress and information related to the display of the game screen W1 is generated by the server system 1100 and is provided to the user terminal 1500 as appropriate. The user terminal 1500 functions as a terminal for operation input and game screen display. That is, the user terminal 1500 displays the game screen W1 based on the information provided by the server system 1100, and transmits operation input information to the server system 1100 one by one. The server system 1100 progresses the game based on the operation input information transmitted from the user terminal 1500.

[0065] The server system 1100 also generates and stores play data 520 while controlling the progress of the game. The play data 520 is generated for each game play and is constantly updated during play to describe the latest status of the game. For example, one piece of play data 520 stores time-series data of operation input information (operation input time-series data) 525 transmitted from the user terminal 1500 during the game, and time-series data of progress status information indicating the progress status of the game at each time (progress time-series data) 526, together with a game play ID 521, a play date and time 522, a user account 523 of the user playing the game, etc.

[0066] The operation input time series data 525 stores operation input information from the user terminal 1500 (for example, various information describing the input, such as the type, position, direction, amount of operation, force, and input time) in association with time information indicating the time when the operation input was made (for example, date and time, elapsed time from the start of game play, number of frames drawn on the game screen, etc.).The progress status time series data 526 stores game progress information at each moment during the game (for example, the stage number being played, the battle round, the win / loss results for each round, the type of player character, the position and posture of the player character, parameter values ​​indicating the status, etc.) in association with time information.

[0067] The server system 1100 also generates and stores play replay data 530 based on the play data 520. The play replay data 530 is also generated for each game play. The play replay data 530 is a data group that stores various data constituting the play data 520 in chronological order. Therefore, the original game play can be reproduced by reading out the data stored in the play replay data 530 in chronological order. In this embodiment, the server system 1100 updates and generates the play replay data 530 in real time during game play, and generates a game play video 10 that reproduces the game play based on the latest play replay data 530 as a distributed game play video 571 (see FIG. 14 ) and distributes it to the user terminal 1500, thereby realizing so-called live distribution. However, based on this play replay data 530, a replay video of gameplay with a time delay from live, such as so-called catch-up playback, can be generated and distributed as distributed gameplay video 571, or a replay video in which gameplay is reproduced after the gameplay has ended can be generated and distributed as distributed gameplay video 571. In that sense, play replay data 530 may be called "replay data."

[0068] When user 2 live-distributes a gameplay video as a distributor (distributing user), the server system 1100 generates a gameplay video 10 that reproduces the gameplay as a distributed gameplay video 571 (see FIG. 14) based on play reproduction data 530 related to the gameplay of the user 2, as shown in FIG. 4. The server system 1100 then live-distributes the generated gameplay video 10 to the user terminal 1500 of the viewing user (viewing user) 2.

[0069] [About viewing content] To view the content (game play video) distributed as described above, the viewing user accesses the public site with the user terminal 1500, selects the game play video to view, and registers the viewer. At that time, the viewing user also selects a character to support (support character) and registers his / her interest information.

[0070] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the screen configuration of the support character registration screen. As shown in FIG. 5, the support character registration screen displays support character options along with the title of the online game related to the gameplay video to be viewed, the distribution schedule, the user name of the distributor, etc., and accepts a support character selection operation to select one of them. In FIG. 5, assuming the battle game exemplified in FIG. 3 and the like, two characters C21 and C23 that will compete are displayed as options. If the battle game is a player-to-player battle, the registration of the support character here can be said to be the registration of the player to be supported (two players A and B in FIG. 5). The viewing user touches one of the characters C21 and C23, and then touches the viewing button B2 to perform the viewer registration operation. Then, the operation information of the viewer registration operation is transmitted to the server system 1100, and the server system 1100 sets necessary data, etc., and the viewer registration (registration of the support character) is completed.

[0071] The content to be registered as interest information is not limited to the character (player) to be supported, and can be set appropriately according to the content to be viewed. For example, if the content is a gameplay video of a game in which teams compete against each other, such as a soccer game, the team to be supported may be registered as interest information, and if the content is a video of a live performance in a virtual three-dimensional space by an idol group made up of multiple characters, the favorite member may be registered as interest information.

[0072] Once viewer registration is completed in the above manner, the viewing screen is displayed. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the screen configuration of the viewing screen. For example, as shown in Fig. 6, the viewing screen includes a content display section 20, a content input operation section 30, a group display section 40, and a group-specific excitement level display section 50.

[0073] The content display unit 20 displays the content (game play video) to be viewed for which the viewer has registered. On the other hand, the content input operation unit 30 has an input field I3 for the viewing user to input a comment, and a post button B3 for confirming the input content in the input field I3 and posting the comment. The viewing user can post a comment as a viewer action by inputting and editing the comment to be posted in the input field I3 and touching the post button B3 to post the comment. Therefore, on the viewing screen, the viewing user can input comments at any time while watching the content for which the viewer has registered, and post the comment at the desired timing.

[0074] When a viewing user performs a viewer action in the above-described manner, an action display body corresponding to the viewer action is displayed on the viewing screen. In this embodiment, a comment posted as a viewer action is accepted, and therefore a display body (comment display body) describing the content of the comment is displayed on the content display unit 20 as an action display body.

[0075] More specifically, in this embodiment, viewing users viewing the same content are divided into groups at least for each cheering character. In some cases, there may be multiple groups for each cheering character. Then, when a comment is posted within the group to which the user belongs (the group to which the user belongs) (i.e., when the user posts a comment, either the user himself or another viewing user who belongs to the same group as the user himself), the comment display body is displayed on the content display unit 20. Even if a viewing user viewing the same content posts a comment, if the user belongs to a different group, the comment is not subject to display and the comment display body is not displayed.

[0076] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific display example of the comment display body 6 in the content display section 20. In FIG. 7, anything other than the comment display body 6 is shown with a broken line. For example, the comment display body 6 appears from the right end of the content display section 20 as shown in FIG. 7. Then, it moves to the left end so as to cross the content display section 20 at a predetermined moving speed (arrow A4 in FIG. 7) and is displayed on the content of the content display section 20 for a predetermined time. When multiple posts are made at the same time, each comment display body 6 appears vertically lined up at the right end of the content display section 20 and moves horizontally to the left end. The comment display body 6 may be configured to be displayed fixedly at the appearance position for a predetermined time. It is preferable to set the appearance position so as not to overlap with the comment display body 6 being displayed. For example, the comment display body 6 may be displayed so as to fill up from the right end of the content display section 20. Also, the movement speed of the comment display body 6 does not have to be the same for all of them. The viewing user who posts may be able to change the settings as to whether or not the comment display body 6 moves at a slower speed than the standard speed. Also, the viewing user who posts may be able to change the settings of the display form (color, font, etc.) of the comment display body 6. A given fee may be required for these setting changes.

[0077] 6, the group to which the viewing user (own user) of the own terminal belongs is displayed on the belonging group display unit 40. According to this, when the group to which the viewing user belongs is changed by the group setting process described later, the display on the belonging group display unit 40 is updated as needed, and the viewing user is notified of the group to which he or she belongs.

[0078] The group-specific excitement level display section 50 displays the latest excitement level for each group in a ranking format. In this embodiment, the number of comments posted (the most recent number of posts) during the most recent past predetermined time (for example, the last 1 minute or 5 minutes) is used as the excitement level. For this purpose, the server system 1100 repeatedly calculates the most recent number of posts for each group at a predetermined time interval, generates ranking data, and updates the display of the group-specific excitement level display section 50 each time. For example, at the time of FIG. 6, two groups G11 and G13 exist for the character C21, while one group G2 exists for the character C23, and it is possible to confirm the ranking of one's own group (group G13 in the example of FIG. 6) among the three groups G11, G13, and G2, and the difference with other groups (groups G11 and G2 in the example of FIG. 6).

[0079] In addition, the number of most recent posts may not be displayed in a ranking format, but may be displayed in a graph showing the time change of the number of most recent posts by group. This allows the trend of the most recent comment posts in each group to be understood and comparisons between groups to be made. In addition, the total number of comments posted by group may be counted and displayed as the degree of excitement. This allows the total number of posts in each group to be understood and comparisons between groups to be made.

[0080] [detail] If the number of viewing users viewing the same live broadcast increases, the number of comments posted may increase. Also, if the atmosphere becomes lively, the number of comments posted may increase rapidly due to a concentration of comments posted. In this embodiment, when a comment is posted, the comment display body 6 appears on the content display unit 20 and is displayed moving, or is displayed at the appearance position for a predetermined time. Therefore, if the number of comments posted actually increases, the content display unit 20 may be filled with the display of the comment display body 6, which may interfere with viewing of the content. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the number of comments posted suddenly increases, the viewing users are divided into groups to suppress deterioration of the visibility of the content.

[0081] For this purpose, the server system 1100 performs the following processes for each content being live-streamed: viewer action reception control process for receiving viewer actions from viewing users, group setting process for setting groups and allocating viewing users, and group-based display control process for controlling the display of comment displays by group. Each process will be explained below by focusing on one content (hereinafter referred to as "content of interest").

[0082] 1. Viewer action reception control process The server system 1100 starts a viewer action reception control process in accordance with the start of live distribution of the content of interest, and receives viewer actions from the viewing users who have registered as viewers. Specifically, the server system 1100 detects a comment posting operation performed on the user terminal 1500 of the corresponding viewing user, thereby receiving the viewer action.

[0083] 2. Group setting process In the group setting process, the server system 1100 sets groups and manages groups related to the content of interest, while allocating the viewing users of the content of interest to one of the existing groups, and determines the group (group to which each viewing user belongs). In this embodiment, each time a group is initially set, reset, or merged, the viewing users are selected to belong to the corresponding group, thereby grouping the viewing users. For grouping, multiple grouping criteria are used. In this embodiment, grouping is performed based on a first grouping criterion based on the number of viewers, a second grouping criterion based on the acceptance status of viewer actions, a fourth grouping criterion based on the specification information of the user terminal 1500, and a sixth grouping criterion based on viewer information.

[0084] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of group setting processing, and Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of group setting, showing, from the left in Fig. 9, the initial setting, re-setting, and integration of groups over time after the start of live distribution.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 8, in the group setting process, first, the initial setting of the group is performed (step S331). For example, the initial setting of the group is performed by creating a group for each type of character that can be registered as a cheering character. In the example of FIG. 9, a group G0 for the character C21 and a group G6 for the character C23 are created. Each of the groups G0 and G6 is a group to which a viewing user who has registered the corresponding character C21 or character C23 as a cheering character (in other words, a viewing user whose interest information satisfies a predetermined equality condition) belongs. In FIG. 9, the group related to the character C21 is indicated by a dashed line, and the group related to the character C23 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0086] Here, in this embodiment, the groups set in the grouping process are of two types: a group with no limit on the number of viewing users that can belong to it (hereinafter referred to as a "group with no member limit"), and a group with a fixed number of members (Na people in FIG. 9 and the like) (hereinafter referred to as a "group with a member limit"). In the initial setting, each of the groups G0 and G6 is created as a group with a member limit.

[0087] The specific number of members of the limited-number-of-members group may be set as appropriate, but it is advisable to set it based on the processing capacity of the user terminal 1500 that satisfies the low-spec condition described later. For example, assuming a case where comments are posted intensively, the limit Na is set based on the number of posts that the corresponding terminal device can stably process.

[0088] Returning to FIG. 8, once the initial group settings have been made, the system waits for viewer registration. If a viewer has been registered (step S333: YES), the viewing user who has registered is assigned to one of the existing groups based on the registered support character at that time, and the group to which the viewing user belongs is determined (step S335). For example, if a viewing user X registers as a viewer at time T1 immediately after the initial settings shown in FIG. 9 and registers character C21 as a support character, the viewing user X will belong to group G1. This process realizes grouping of viewing users using criteria based on interest information (type of support character), which is an example of viewer information.

[0089] Now, in the initial setting, groups G0 and G6 are created as groups with a number of people limit. Therefore, when the number of viewing users increases and each group G0 or G6 reaches its capacity, viewing users who register as viewers after that will no longer have a place to belong. On the other hand, even if the capacity has not been reached, if the atmosphere becomes lively and the number of comments posted increases, the above-mentioned problem of deterioration in visibility will occur. Therefore, in the grouping process, after the initial setting, as shown in FIG. 8, satisfaction of the re-setting conditions is monitored for each existing group (step S337).

[0090] In this embodiment, the reset condition is set as "either the first condition or the second condition is satisfied." The first condition is set as "the group with a limited number of members exceeds the capacity Na, or the number of viewing users who use terminal devices that satisfy the low specification condition as the user terminal 1500 among the viewing users belonging to the group with no limited number of members exceeds half of the capacity Na of the group with a limited number of members," and the second condition is set as "the number of comments posted in the group during the most recent past predetermined time exceeds the threshold Tm for determining a large number of comments," etc.

[0091] Here, whether or not the user terminal 1500 satisfies the low specification condition is set in advance by acquiring the specification information from the user terminal 1500 of each viewing user. For example, when a user registers, the specification information is acquired by accepting input of the CPU and memory capacity installed in the user terminal 1500 to be used, version information of the OS (Operating System), etc. It may also be configured to accept input of model information such as the model number of the user terminal 1500, and have the server system 1100 collect the specification information from the manufacturer's site, etc. based on the accepted model information.

[0092] On the other hand, the specifications of the terminal device to be considered as low specs are defined in advance as low spec conditions. Then, it is determined from the acquired specification information whether the low spec conditions are met, and this is set as the low spec terminal flag (ON: satisfies low spec conditions / OFF: does not satisfy) 545 of the user terminal 1500 shown in Fig. 13. Note that, in the case of a configuration in which input of model information is accepted, the model numbers of the terminal devices to be considered as low specs may be listed in advance, and the low spec terminal flag 545 may be set by checking the accepted model number.

[0093] The latter part of the first condition is judged using the number of viewing users whose low spec terminal flag 545 is "ON". The second condition is judged using the latest number of recent posts calculated at the predetermined time interval for updating the display of the excitement level in the group-specific excitement level display unit 50.

[0094] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 8, if there is a group that satisfies the resetting condition (step S337: YES), the group is reset (step S339). For example, when focusing on group G7 in FIG. 9, it is divided into a group with no number of members and a group with a number of members in response to the resetting condition being satisfied, and is reset as groups G8 and G9. In addition, the type of group G6 is changed from a group with a number of members to a group with no number of members in response to the resetting condition being satisfied, and is reset as group G7. Through the process here, grouping of viewing users is realized using a criterion based on the number of viewers, a criterion based on the acceptance status of viewer actions, and a criterion based on specification information. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, if the group is reset, the affiliation of the related viewing users is changed (step S341).

[0095] 10 and 11 are diagrams explaining the specific reconfiguration procedures, with FIG. 10 showing reconfiguration when the first condition is met, and FIG. 11 showing reconfiguration when the second condition is met.

[0096] First, when group G11, which is a group with a limited number of members, meets the first condition, if there is no viewing user with low spec terminal flag 545 "ON" (a viewing user using a terminal device with specifications that meet the low spec condition as user terminal 1500) among the viewing users belonging to the group, the type is changed from the original group with a limited number of members to a group without a limited number of members, and the group is reset as group G21, as shown in the flow at the top left of Fig. 10. This is because there is no need to limit the number of members in groups of such viewing users. After the resetting, the group to which all viewing users who belonged to group G11 belong is changed to group G21.

[0097] On the other hand, when there is a viewing user in group G11 whose low-spec terminal flag 545 is "ON", grouping is performed according to the number of the corresponding viewing users. Specifically, for example, when the number of the viewing users is less than half the number of the capacity Na of the group with a limited number of people, as shown in the second flow on the left side of FIG. 10, the viewing users are re-set as a group G31 which is a group without a limited number of people and a group G33 which is a group with a limited number of people. In this case, the viewing users who belonged to group G11 and whose low-spec terminal flag 545 is "ON" are assigned to group G33, and the remaining viewing users are assigned to either group G31 or G33, and the belonging destination of each is changed from group G11 to group G31 or group G33. All the remaining viewing users may be assigned to group G31, or the number of viewing users belonging to each group G31 and G33 may be assigned so as to be close to equal.

[0098] On the other hand, when there are viewing users with the low-spec terminal flag 545 "ON" in the group G11 which is a group with a limited number of people or the group G13 which is a group without a limited number of people, and the number of the viewing users exceeds half of the capacity Na, the viewing users are replaced and reset to two groups with a limited number of people, groups G41 and G43, as shown in the flow in the third row and the bottom row on the left side of FIG. 10. In that case, the viewing users who belonged to the group G11 or group G13 are assigned to one of the groups G41 and G43, and their respective affiliations are changed from the groups G11 and G13 to the groups G41 and G43. For example, each viewing user is divided into half and assigned to each group G41 and G43. Note that, when there are many viewing users with the low-spec terminal flag 545 "OFF" and the number of the two groups with a limited number of people exceeds the capacity, for example, one additional group without a limited number of people may be set, and the related viewing users may be assigned according to the low-spec terminal flag 545.

[0099] Next, if group G15, which is a group with a member limit, or group G17, which is a group without a member limit, meets the second condition, the groups are reconfigured by splitting them into two groups. This reduces the number of viewing users belonging to one group, thereby reducing the number of recent posts, thereby preventing a deterioration in the visibility of the content.

[0100] Specifically, if there are no viewing users in group G15, etc., whose low-spec device flag 545 is "ON," they are replaced and reconfigured with two groups with no member limit, groups G51 and G53, as shown in the flow toward the top right of Figure 11.

[0101] On the other hand, when there is a viewing user whose low spec terminal flag 545 is "ON", grouping is performed according to the number of the viewing users in the same manner as when the first condition is met. That is, when the number of viewing users is less than half the capacity Na of the group with limited number of people, the group is replaced and reset to group G61, which is a group with no capacity of number of people, and group G63, which is a group with limited number of people, as shown in the flow toward the middle part on the right side of Fig. 11. When the number of viewing users exceeds half the capacity Na, the group is replaced and reset to two or more groups with limited number of people (two groups G71, G73, as shown in the flow toward the lower part on the right side in the example of Fig. 11).

[0102] In either case, the affiliated organization of the related viewing user is changed in the same manner as in the case where the first condition is met.

[0103] In addition, when a group is re-set to be divided into multiple groups, the allocation of related viewing users is not limited to a method of allocating the number of users equally. For example, the number of most recent posts for each related viewing user may be counted, and each viewing user may be allocated to each group so that the total number of most recent posts for each group approaches the same number.

[0104] Return to FIG. 8. In the group setting process, the server system 1100 monitors whether the integration condition is satisfied during live distribution, in addition to monitoring step S337 (step S345). In this embodiment, the server system 1100 monitors whether the integration condition is satisfied for a combination of two groups (hereinafter referred to as a "pair") whose interest information (e.g., cheering characters) satisfies a predetermined equality condition, and performs integration determination. In the state of FIG. 9, for example, integration determination is performed for the pair of group G2 and group 3, or the pair of group G8 and group 9. Note that integration determination may be performed for a combination of three or more groups. Furthermore, integration determination may be performed for a combination of groups that are divided / derived from the same group when tracing the origin (root) of the groups.

[0105] In this embodiment, the integration condition is set as "both of the paired groups satisfy the third condition and also satisfy the fourth condition."The third condition is set as "if the paired groups include a group with a limited number of members, the number of viewing users belonging to the group is equal to or less than half the capacity Na," and the fourth condition is set as "the number of most recent posts of the group is below the small number determination threshold Tf," etc.

[0106] Then, as shown in FIG. 8, if there is a pair of groups that satisfy the integration condition (step S345: YES) among the groups of the pair that are the object of integration judgment, the pair of groups are integrated into one group (step S347). In that case, the group of the viewing user that belongs to the pair of groups is changed to the group after integration. Specifically, if there is no viewing user with the low-spec terminal flag 545 "ON", the groups are integrated into a group without a number of people limit. On the other hand, if there is a viewing user with the low-spec terminal flag 545 "ON", the groups are integrated into a group without a number of people limit if the number of related viewing users does not exceed the capacity Na of the group with a number limit, and if it does exceed the capacity, the groups are integrated into a group with a number limit. For example, when the pair of group G2 and group G3 in FIG. 9 is focused on, it is replaced with one group with a number limit in response to the integration condition being satisfied, and is integrated into group G4.

[0107] Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 8, until the live distribution ends (step S349: NO), the process returns to step S333 and repeats the above-mentioned processing for the existing groups. Here, consider a case where viewing user Y registers as a viewer at time T2 shown in Fig. 9. If the support character of viewing user Y is character C21, the server system 1100 selects one of the three groups G2, G3, and G5 that exist for character C21 at that time to determine the group to which viewing user Y belongs. For example, in the same manner as dividing the viewing users into groups and then allocating them, the group may be determined so that the number of groups is equal, or the group may be determined so that the number of most recent posts is close to the same.

[0108] During live distribution, the processes of steps S333 to S347 are repeated. Therefore, even if groups are combined because they satisfy the combination condition (steps S345 to S347), if it is determined in step S337 that the combined group subsequently satisfies the resetting condition, the groups may be regrouped by the resetting process (step S339).

[0109] 3. Group display control processing In the group-specific display control process, the server system 1100 performs group-specific display control in which the comment display body to be displayed as the action display body is different for each group set in the group setting process. In this embodiment, the server system 1100 performs control in which the comment display body corresponding to the comment posted by the viewing user is displayed on the user terminal 1500 of the viewing user belonging to the group. In concrete terms, when the server system 1100 receives a viewer action (posting of a comment) in the viewer action reception control process, the server system 1100 sets the content of the posted comment as action information. Then, according to the group to which the viewing user who is the subject of the action belongs, the server system 1100 transmits the action information to the user terminal 1500 of each viewing user belonging to the group. On the other hand, when the user terminal 1500 receives the action information, the server system 1100 composites the display of the comment display body with the game play video being viewed, and controls the display on the content display unit 20. Through the process here, the server system 1100 realizes control in which the user terminal 1500 of each viewing user displays the comment display body of the comment posted in each group to which the user belongs.

[0110] [Function configuration] 1. Server system Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the server system 1100 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 12, the server system 1100 according to this embodiment includes an operation input unit 100s, a server processing unit 200s, an image display unit 390s, a sound output unit 392s, a communication unit 394s, and a server storage unit 500s.

[0111] The operation input unit 100s is for inputting various operations for system management, maintenance, etc., and can be realized by, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. In FIG.

[0112] The server processing unit 200s can be realized by a processor, which is an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU, GPU, ASIC, or FPGA, or an electronic component such as an IC memory, and controls input and output of data between each unit of the device including the operation input unit 100s and the server storage unit 500s. Then, various types of arithmetic processing are performed based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100s, data received from the user terminal 1500, etc., and the operation of the server system 1100 is centrally controlled. In FIG. 1, the control board 1150 and its CPU 1151 correspond to this.

[0113] This server processing unit 200s includes a user management unit 210, a billing processing unit 220, a game management unit 230, a content provision control unit 241, a viewer registration control unit 243, a viewer action reception control unit 245, an action display unit display control unit 247, a group setting unit 250, an alarm control unit 255, a group-by-group action superiority / inferiority notification control unit 257, a timing unit 280s, an image generation unit 290s, a sound generation unit 292s, and a communication control unit 294s.

[0114] The user management unit 210 performs processes related to user registration and manages data of each user (player) linked to a user account. For example, it can execute processes such as a process of assigning a unique user account to a user, a registration information management process for registering and managing personal information for each user account, a specification information management process for acquiring and managing specification information of the user terminal 1500 used, and a usage history management process for managing login and logout history, etc. Of course, it can also appropriately include management processes for other data linked to user accounts.

[0115] The billing processor 220 performs billing processing in response to a user's purchase operation of currency points, and grants the user currency points equivalent to the purchase amount.

[0116] The game management unit 230 performs various controls for executing the online game on the user terminal 1500. Since the multiplayer game of this embodiment is a client-server type online game, the game management unit 230 performs control for providing data necessary for game play while communicating with the user terminal 1500. In addition, the game management unit 230 generates and manages the storage of play data 700, and generates and manages the storage of play reproduction data 530 based on the play data 520.

[0117] The content provision control unit 241 performs various processes for realizing live distribution of content (game play video). In this embodiment, the content provision control unit 241 generates a game play video from the play reproduction data 530 generated and stored at any time by the game management unit 230, and controls the distribution of the game play video 571 to the user terminal 1500 of the viewing user. In addition, the content provision control unit 241 also manages the distribution schedule.

[0118] The viewer registration control unit 243 performs viewer registration control processing for each content before or during live distribution, and registers a viewing user of the content. In this embodiment, when a viewer registration operation on the user terminal 1500 is detected, the viewer registration control unit 243 performs processing to add the user account of the viewing user to the viewing user account list 575 in the distribution management data 560 of the corresponding live distribution, and to associate the character ID (supporting character ID) 583 of the cheering character registered during the viewer registration operation with the user account 581 of the viewing user, and to add it as the viewing user-specific cheering character setting 580 of the viewing user.

[0119] The viewer action reception control unit 245 is a functional unit that performs viewer action reception control processing and receives viewer actions from users viewing content being live-streamed. In this embodiment, a comment posting operation on the user terminal 1500 is detected, and a comment posted by the viewing user is accepted.

[0120] The action display object display control unit 247 transmits action information of the viewer action accepted by the viewer action acceptance control unit 245 to the user terminal 1500 of each viewing user of the corresponding content, and controls display of an action display object (a comment display object in this embodiment) corresponding to the viewer action on the user terminal 1500. In this embodiment, the content of the posted comment is transmitted to the user terminal 1500 as action information at any time.

[0121] The action display object display control unit 247 has a group-based display control unit 249. The group-based display control unit 249 is a functional unit that performs group-based display control processing for the corresponding content, and performs group-based display control to change the action display object (comment display object) to be displayed for each existing group set for the content by the group setting unit 250. In this embodiment, the viewing users are divided into groups at least for each cheering character by the group setting unit 250. Therefore, from the beginning of the live distribution, the group-based display control unit 249 performs group-based display control processing and performs group-based display control of the action display object. Specifically, the group-based display control unit 249 transmits action information of the viewer action to the user terminal 1500 of each viewing user belonging to the group based on the group to which the action-subject viewing user belongs. By the processing here, action information of the viewer action performed by the viewing users at any time is selected according to the grouping of each viewing user, and is transmitted to each user terminal 1500.

[0122] It is also possible to configure the viewing users not to be grouped at the beginning of the live distribution, but to perform grouping when the number of viewing users exceeds a predetermined number, the number of most recent posts exceeds a predetermined number, etc. In this case, the group-based display control unit 249 performs group-based display control processing after the grouping. For viewer actions before grouping, the action display unit display control unit 247 transmits the action information to the user terminals 1500 of all viewing users.

[0123] The group setting unit 250 is a functional unit that performs group setting processing for each content being live-streamed, and includes a grouping processing unit 251 and a group integration unit 253. The grouping processing unit 251 divides the viewing users into a plurality of groups for each corresponding content. In this embodiment, the initial group setting is performed by creating a group for each cheering character, and the satisfaction of the resetting conditions is monitored to reset the groups as needed. The group integration unit 253 also monitors the satisfaction of the integration conditions to integrate the groups as needed.

[0124] The notification control unit 255 controls the user terminal 1500 to notify that the group-by-group display control unit 249 is performing group-by-group display control. In this embodiment, the notification control unit 255 notifies the user terminal 1500 of each viewing user of the group (for example, group ID) to which the viewing user belongs at the setting timing when the group setting unit 250 sets the group. The group setting timing includes the timing of initial setting, re-setting, and integration of the group. Meanwhile, in the user terminal 1500, the belonging group display control unit 273 described later updates the display of the belonging group display unit 40 upon receiving the notification. By the control here, the viewing user can confirm the group to which he or she belongs on the viewing screen. Also, in this embodiment, in the user terminal 1500 of each viewing user, the comment display body of the comment posted in the group to which the user belongs is displayed on the content display unit 20. Therefore, the display of the belonging group on the belonging group display unit 40 can notify the viewing user that the display control of the content display unit 20 for the group is being performed.

[0125] The group-specific action superiority / inferiority notification control unit 257 dynamically calculates superiority / inferiority based on viewer actions for each existing group set by the group setting unit 250, and notifies the user terminal 1500. In this embodiment, the group-specific action superiority / inferiority notification control unit 257 calculates the most recent number of posts for each group, with the timing of a predetermined time interval as the update timing. Then, the group-specific action superiority / inferiority notification control unit 257 ranks them to generate ranking data of the excitement level, and transmits it to each user terminal 1500. Meanwhile, in the user terminal 1500, the ranking display control unit 275, which will be described later, updates the display of the group-specific excitement level display unit 50 using the ranking data transmitted here.

[0126] The timekeeping unit 280s uses a system clock to keep track of the current date and time, time limit, and the like.

[0127] The image generating unit 290s generates images relating to system management of the server system 1100 and outputs them to the image display unit 390s.

[0128] The sound generation unit 292s is realized by executing an IC or software that generates or decodes audio data, and generates or decodes audio data such as operation sounds and BGM related to the system management and video distribution of the server system 1100. Audio signals related to system management are output to the sound output unit 392s.

[0129] The communication control unit 294s performs communication connection and data processing for data communication with an external device (eg, the user terminal 1500) via the communication unit 394s, and realizes data exchange with the external device.

[0130] The image display unit 390s displays various screens for system management and the like based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 290s. For example, this can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a projector, or a head mounted display. In FIG. 1, this corresponds to the touch panel 1108.

[0131] The sound output unit 392s emits the sound signal input from the sound generation unit 292s. In FIG. 1, this corresponds to a speaker (not shown) provided in the main device 1101 or the touch panel 1108.

[0132] The communication unit 394s realizes communication by connecting to the network N. For example, it can be realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack of a wired communication cable, a control circuit, etc. In FIG. 1, the communication device 1153 corresponds to this.

[0133] In the server storage unit 500s, programs for operating the server system 1100 and realizing various functions of the server system 1100, data used during execution of the programs, etc. are stored in advance or temporarily stored each time processing is performed. For example, it can be realized by IC memory such as RAM or ROM, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or DVD, etc. In FIG. 1, this corresponds to the IC memory 1152 and the storage 1140.

[0134] Also stored in the server storage unit 500s are a server program 501, a distribution game client program 503, a distribution viewing program 505, game setting data 510, play data for each game play 520, play reproduction data for each game play 530, user management data 540, and distribution management data 560. In addition, necessary data such as timers, counters, various tables, thresholds, flags, etc. are appropriately stored.

[0135] The server program 501 is a program for causing the server processing unit 200s to function as a user management unit 210, a billing processing unit 220, a game management unit 230, a content provision control unit 241, a viewer registration control unit 243, a viewer action reception control unit 245, an action display body display control unit 247, a group setting unit 250, a notification control unit 255, and a group-specific action superiority / inferiority notification control unit 257. Note that the server program 501 may also include programs for causing the server processing unit 200s to function as an image generation unit 290s, a sound generation unit 292s, and a communication control unit 294s, as appropriate.

[0136] The distribution game client program 503 is the original of the game client program 502 (see FIG. 15) that is downloaded to the user terminal 1500.

[0137] The delivered viewing program 505 is the original of the viewing program 504 (see FIG. 15) that is downloaded to the user terminal 1500.

[0138] Game setting data 510 stores various setting data necessary for executing the online game of this embodiment, such as character setting data that defines the type of each character appearing in the game, various ability parameter values, model data, motion data used for movement control, object definition data related to various game objects such as items that the player can obtain during the game, and stage setting data related to the setting of the game stage.

[0139] User management data 540 is prepared for each user who has completed user registration, and stores various data for management related to the user. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 13, one user management data 540 includes a user account (player ID) 541 of the corresponding user, payment medium ledger data 543, low spec terminal flag 545, play history data 547, video posting data 549, and viewing data 551. In addition, the data includes save data related to the online game play status, personal information such as age, sex, and birthday, etc.

[0140] The payment medium ledger data 543 stores information on the balance of electronic payment medium (currency points in this embodiment) associated with the user, such as the purchase date and time of currency points and the history of the number of purchases (charged amount), the consumption date and time of currency points and the history of the number of consumptions, etc. If the user is a paid member of a distribution service, the monthly charge amount, etc. are also stored.

[0141] Play history data 547 stores the date and time when the user played an online game, the play time, the play level indicating the user's experience as a player, and the like.

[0142] Video posting data 549 stores video posting history data, which includes a broadcast ID and broadcast date and time, etc., for each piece of content (game play video) posted by the user as a broadcast user, as well as a video posting level, etc. The video posting level indicates the user's experience as a broadcast user, and is updated from time to time according to the number of times content has been live-broadcast, etc.

[0143] The viewing data 551 stores viewing history data in which a distribution ID, viewing date and time, etc. are set for each piece of content (game play video) viewed by the user as a viewing user, posting history data of comments posted as viewer actions while viewing the content, viewing level, etc. The viewing level indicates the experience value of the user as a viewing user, and is updated from time to time according to the number of times the content has been viewed, the total viewing time, the number of viewer actions, etc.

[0144] The distribution management data 560 is generated for each live distribution, and stores various data describing the status of the distribution. For example, as shown in Fig. 14, one distribution management data 560 includes a distribution ID 561 of the live distribution, a distribution schedule 563 of the live distribution, a distribution user account 565 of the live distribution, a play ID (distribution play ID) 567 of the online game related to the live distribution, a title (distribution title) 569 of the game, a distributed game play video 571 which is the content of the live distribution, a live distribution flag 573 (ON: live distribution in progress / OFF: distributed) indicating whether the content is being live distributed or not, a viewing user account list 575 of the content, a support character setting for each viewing user 580, posting record data 585, group management data 590, and ranking data 599.

[0145] The cheering character setting for each viewing user 580 is prepared for each viewing user of the content, and stores the user account 581 and cheering character ID 583.

[0146] Posting history data 585 is generated each time a viewing user posts a comment as a viewer action during the live distribution. One piece of posting history data 585 stores comment content data (comment text, etc.) of the comment, which is action information, the user account of the viewing user who took the action, the timing of the posting operation, the group ID of the group to which the viewing user belonged at the time of the posting operation, etc. The timing of the posting operation is specified, for example, by the elapsed time from the start of the distributed gameplay video 571 (distributed play video time).

[0147] Group management data 590 is prepared for each existing group and stores various data for management of the group. Specifically, one group management data 590 includes group ID 591 of the corresponding group, group type 593 indicating whether the group is a group with no limit on the number of members or a group with a limit on the number of members, viewing user list 595 belonging to the group, and most recent post number transition data 597.

[0148] The most recent post count transition data 597 stores the most recent post counts calculated for a group at a predetermined time interval by the group-based action superiority / inferiority notification control unit 257 in chronological order of calculation.

[0149] Ranking data 599 is generated by group-specific action superiority / inferiority notification control unit 257, and stores rankings of existing groups ranked by the most recent number of posts.

[0150] 2. User Device 15 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a user terminal 1500 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the user terminal 1500 includes an operation input unit 100, a device processing unit 200, an image display unit 390, a sound output unit 392, a communication unit 394, and a device storage unit 500.

[0151] The operation input unit 100 is for the user to input various operations, and can be realized by, for example, a button switch, a joystick, a touch pad, a track ball, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a CCD module, etc. In Fig. 2, this corresponds to the direction input key 1502, the home key 1504, and the touch panel 1506.

[0152] The device processing unit 200 can be realized by a processor, which is an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU, GPU, ASIC, or FPGA, or an electronic component such as an IC memory, and controls input and output of data between each unit of the device including the operation input unit 100 and the device storage unit 500. Then, it performs various arithmetic processing based on a predetermined program or data, an operation input signal from the operation input unit 100, data received from the server system 1100, and the like, and generally controls the operation of the user terminal 1500. In FIG. 2, this corresponds to the control board 1550 and its CPU 1551. And, the device processing unit 200 in this embodiment includes a user terminal arithmetic unit 260, a timer unit 280, an image generation unit 290, a sound generation unit 292, and a communication control unit 294.

[0153] The user terminal calculation unit 260 executes various calculation processes to cause the user terminal 1500 to function as a terminal for playing a game (game terminal) and also as a terminal (viewer terminal) for accessing the server system 1100 and viewing content (game play video). For example, the user terminal calculation unit 260 includes an operation signal transmission control unit 261 and an image display control unit 270.

[0154] The operation signal transmission control unit 261 performs processing for transmitting various data and request information to the server system 1100 in response to an operation input to the operation input unit 100 .

[0155] The image display control unit 270 performs control for displaying a game screen, a viewing screen, and the like based on various data and the like received from the server system 1100. The image display control unit 270 includes an action display body synthesis unit 271, an affiliated group display control unit 273, and a ranking display control unit 275.

[0156] When the action display body synthesis unit 271 receives action information from the server system 1100, it performs a display body appearance process, synthesizes the display of the action display body (in this embodiment, a comment display body) with the game play video separately distributed from the server system 1100, and controls the display on the content display unit 20.

[0157] When the affiliated group display control unit 273 receives a notification of an affiliated group from the server system 1100 , it stores it as a currently affiliated group 507 in the terminal storage unit 500 and controls the display on the affiliated group display unit 40 .

[0158] When the ranking display control unit 275 receives ranking data from the server system 1100 , it stores the ranking data in the terminal storage unit 500 as a current excitement level ranking 508 , and controls display on the group-specific excitement level display unit 50 .

[0159] In this embodiment, images of the game play video on the game screen and viewing screen are generated by the server system 1100, but it is also possible to generate them by the user terminal 1500. In this case, the image display control unit 270 acquires the operation input time-series data 525 and the play reproduction data 530 from the server system 1100, and generates the game play video by executing the game program (game client program 502) based on these data. In generating the game play video, the image display control unit 270 may perform the arrangement of objects in the virtual three-dimensional space, the attitude control of the objects, etc., and the image generation unit 290 may perform the rendering process of the 3DCG.

[0160] The image generation unit 290 cooperates with the image display control unit 270 to generate various image data, and controls the generation and output of image signals for displaying those images on the image display unit 390. In FIG. 2, this corresponds to a GPU mounted on the control board 1550.

[0161] The sound generation unit 292 is realized, for example, by a digital signal processor (DSP), a processor such as a voice synthesis IC, an audio codec for playing audio files, etc., and generates audio signals such as sound effects, operation sounds, background music, etc., and outputs them to the sound output unit 392.

[0162] The communication control unit 294 performs communication connection and data processing for data communication with an external device (eg, the server system 1100) via the communication unit 394, and realizes data exchange with the external device.

[0163] The image display unit 390 displays various screens such as a viewing screen based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 290. For example, this can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a projector, or a head mounted display. In FIG. 2, this corresponds to the touch panel 1506.

[0164] The sound output unit 392 is realized by a device that outputs (emits) sound based on the audio signal input from the sound generation unit 292. In FIG.

[0165] The communication unit 394 realizes communication by connecting to the network N. For example, it can be realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA, a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, etc. In FIG. 2, the wireless communication module 1553 corresponds to this.

[0166] In the terminal storage unit 500, programs for operating the user terminal 1500 and realizing the functions of the user terminal 1500, data used during execution of the programs, etc. are stored in advance, or temporarily stored each time processing is performed. For example, this can be realized by IC memory such as RAM or ROM, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, or an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or DVD. In Fig. 2, this corresponds to the IC memory 1552 and the memory card 1540. A configuration using online storage is also possible.

[0167] The terminal storage unit 500 also stores a game client program 502 for enabling the user terminal 1500 to function as a game terminal, and a viewing program 504 for enabling the user terminal 1500 to function as a viewer terminal. These may be dedicated client programs, or may be configured with a web browser program and a plug-in that enables interactive image display. In this embodiment, the game client program 502 is a copy of a distribution game client program 503 (see FIG. 12) provided by the server system 1100, and the viewing program 504 is a copy of a distribution viewing program 505 (see FIG. 12) provided by the server system 1100.

[0168] The terminal storage unit 500 also stores action display object display control data 506, a current group 507, and a current excitement level ranking 508.

[0169] The action display object display control data 506 stores various data describing the display status of each action display object (comment display object) being displayed on the content display unit 20 by being synthesized with the game play video by the action display object synthesis unit 271. For example, in addition to the action information (content of the comment in this case) received from the server system 1100, the data stores the placement position coordinates, display size, movement speed, etc.

[0170] [Processing flow] 1. Server system 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing related to live distribution of content (game play video) performed by the server system 1100 in this embodiment, focusing on the live distribution of one content of interest. The processing described here is realized by the server processing unit 200s reading and executing the server program 501. Prior to this processing, a distribution schedule 563 is set.

[0171] 16, in the server system 1100, the viewer registration control unit 243 first starts a viewer registration control process (step S1). The viewer registration control unit 243 monitors the viewer registration operation in the user terminal 1500, and performs viewer registration of the content of interest as needed.

[0172] Furthermore, the group setting unit 250 starts the group setting process described with reference to Fig. 8 etc. (step S3). In the group setting unit 250, the grouping processing unit 251 performs initial setting and re-setting of groups, and the group integration unit 253 integrates groups, thereby determining and changing the group to which each viewing user belongs as needed.

[0173] Thereafter, the game management unit 230 starts controlling the game progress related to the game play of the distributor user in accordance with the distribution schedule 563, and starts storing necessary data as play replay data 530 while saving and rewriting the necessary data in play data 520. Then, the content provision control unit 241 starts generating distributed game play video 571 based on the play replay data 530, and starts live distribution (step S5).

[0174] Then, when live distribution starts, the viewer action reception control unit 245 starts a viewer action reception control process, and detects a comment posting operation performed on the user terminal 1500 by receiving a posting request. Then, when a posting request is received from the user terminal 1500 of any viewing user (step S7: YES), the group-based display control unit 249 performs group-based display control process. Specifically, first, the group management data 590 is referenced, and based on the group to which the action subject viewing user belongs, the user terminals 1500 of each viewing user belonging to the group are selected as destinations (step S9). Then, the comment content data received together with the posting request in step S7 is transmitted as action information to the destination user terminal 1500 selected in step S9 (step S11). Through this process, the action information of the received viewer action is transmitted to the user terminals 1500 of all viewing users in the group to which the action subject viewing user belongs.

[0175] Furthermore, the notification control unit 255 monitors the timing of group setting in the group setting process started in step S3. Then, at the timing when the group is set (step S13: YES), the notification control unit 255 notifies the user terminal 1500 of each viewing user of the group to which the viewing user belongs (step S15).

[0176] In addition, the group-specific action superiority notification control unit 257 monitors the update timing at every predetermined time interval. Then, when the update timing arrives (step S17: YES), the group-specific action superiority notification control unit 257 calculates the number of most recent posts by group, generates ranking data of the degree of excitement (step S19), and transmits it to each user terminal 1500 (step S21).

[0177] Thereafter, the process returns to step S7 and repeats the above-mentioned processing until the live distribution ends (step S23: NO).

[0178] 2. User Device 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing related to viewing a live broadcast in this embodiment at the user terminal 1500. The processing described here is realized by the terminal processing unit 200 reading and executing the viewing program 504.

[0179] As shown in FIG. 17, first, a login process is executed in the user terminal 1500 (step S31).

[0180] Thereafter, if a predetermined operation (operation related to selection of the content to be viewed or viewer registration) for viewing the live distribution of the content (game play video) is detected (step S33: YES), the image display control unit 270 controls the display of the viewing screen (step S209). Then, upon receiving the live distribution of the content from the server system 1100 (step S5 in FIG. 16), the image display control unit 270 starts displaying the content on the content display unit 31 (step S35).

[0181] During viewing of the live broadcast, a comment posting operation is accepted. If a posting operation is detected (step S37: YES), the operation signal transmission control unit 261 transmits the posted comment content data to the server system 1100 to notify the posting request (step S39). If action information in response to the posting request (more specifically, a posting request from the user himself or another user who belongs to the same group) is received from the server system 1100 (step S41: YES), the action display body synthesis unit 271 performs a display body appearance process and controls the display of the action display body (comment display body) on the content display unit 20 (step S43).

[0182] Furthermore, if a notification of a group to which the user belongs is received from the server system 1100 (step S45: YES), the group display control unit 273 controls the display of the received group to be the current group 507 on the group display unit 40 (step S47).

[0183] Furthermore, when ranking data is received from the server system 1100 (step S49: YES), the ranking display control unit 275 controls the display of the received ranking data as the current excitement level ranking 508 on the group excitement level display unit 50 (step S51).

[0184] Thereafter, the process returns to step S37 and repeats the above-mentioned processing until the live distribution ends (step S53: NO).

[0185] As described above, according to this embodiment, viewing users who view content can be divided into a plurality of groups. For example, when live distribution starts, viewing users who have the same cheering character can be divided into groups so that each group can easily get excited. On the other hand, when there is a group that satisfies a resetting condition, such as a sudden increase in the number of comments posted, the groups can be further divided to prevent the deterioration of visibility of the content. Specifically, viewer actions such as posting comments on the provision of content are accepted, but the display control of the action display body is performed for each group to which the viewing user belongs. This makes it possible to ensure the visibility of the provided content while increasing the effect of exciting the consciousness of the viewing user as a fellow viewer for each group to which the viewing user belongs.

[0186] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same components as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0187] In the first embodiment, when a viewer action is received from a viewing user, the destination of the action information is selected according to the group to which the viewing user belongs. In the second embodiment, the action information itself is sent to the user terminals 1500 of all viewing users, while the user terminal 1500 determines whether or not to display an action display (comment display) based on the action information.

[0188] In this case, the server system 1100 can realize many configurations similar to those in Fig. 12. However, in this embodiment, when a viewer action is accepted by the viewer action acceptance control unit 245, the action display body display control unit 247 transmits action information of the viewer action to the user terminals 1500 of all viewing users. In addition, when the action display body display control unit 247 transmits the action information, the group-specific display control unit 249 transmits to each user terminal 1500 display discrimination information for the user terminal 1500 to determine whether or not to display an action display body (comment display body). For example, based on the group to which the viewing user who is the subject of the action belongs, the group ID of the group is transmitted to each user terminal 1500 as display discrimination information.

[0189] 18 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a user terminal 1500A in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, the user terminal 1500A includes an operation input unit 100, a device processing unit 200, an image display unit 390, a sound output unit 392, a communication unit 394, and a device storage unit 500.

[0190] In the device processing unit 200 , the image display control unit 270 includes an action information acquisition unit 277 , a display discrimination information acquisition unit 279 , an action display object synthesis unit 271 , a belonging group display control unit 273 , and a ranking display control unit 275 .

[0191] The action information acquisition unit 277 receives and acquires action information from the server system 1100 at any time. Also, the display determination information acquisition unit 279 receives and acquires display determination information (group ID) from the server system 1100 at any time.

[0192] The action display body synthesis unit 271 controls the display of an action display body (comment display body) based on the action information acquired by the action information acquisition unit 277, based on the display discrimination information acquired by the display discrimination information acquisition unit 279. Specifically, when the action information and the display discrimination information are transmitted from the server system 1100, the action information acquisition unit 277 acquires the action information, and the display discrimination information acquisition unit 279 acquires the display discrimination information, if the group ID, which is the display discrimination information, matches the group ID of the current belonging group 507, it determines that the action display body (comment display body) is to be displayed. In this case, it performs a display body appearance process in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and controls the display of the action display body (comment display body) on the content display unit 20. When the group ID acquired as the display discrimination information does not match the group ID of the current belonging group 507, it determines that the action display body (comment display body) is not to be displayed, and does not perform the display body appearance process.

[0193] Also stored in the terminal storage unit 500 are a game client program 502, a viewing program 504A, action display object display control data 506, a current group 507, and a current excitement ranking 508. The viewing program 504A is a program for realizing the function of the user terminal 1500A as a viewer terminal.

[0194] According to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-described first embodiment. In addition, since the user terminal 1500 determines whether or not to display an action display body (comment display body), the processing that is performed by the server system 1100 in the first embodiment can be shared among the user terminals 1500, and the processing load of the server system 1100 can be reduced.

[0195] The forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and constituent elements can be added, omitted, or modified as appropriate.

[0196] [Variation 1] For example, the criteria used to set the groups into which the viewing users are divided are not limited to the criteria exemplified in the above embodiment. As another example, a criterion based on the processing load status of the server system 1100 may be used as a third grouping criterion to perform grouping of the viewing users. Here, the number of most recent posts exemplified as the reception status of the viewer action in the first embodiment also represents the processing load status of the server system 1100, since the processing load of the server system 1100 is low while the number is small and becomes high when the number is large. Therefore, a number to be used as a threshold value from the viewpoint of judging the level of the processing load of the server system 1100 may be set, and the viewing users may be grouped by using whether or not the threshold value has been exceeded as a criterion based on the processing load status.

[0197] Alternatively, a functional unit for monitoring the processing load status (operation status) of the server system 1100 may be added to the server system 1100, and when the server system 1100 is in a high load state, some or all of the groups may be divided into multiple groups. For example, the grouping may be performed for groups whose number of users satisfies a predetermined number of users condition. The number of users condition may be set as "the number of users exceeds a predetermined number", etc. In this way, when the server system 1100 is in a high load state, all groups may be groups whose number of users is equal to or less than a predetermined number. In this case, the number of viewer actions that can be accepted for each group and the number of action display bodies that can be displayed may be limited. For example, the acceptance of viewer actions may be stopped at any time on a group-by-group basis so that the number of viewer actions per predetermined time interval does not exceed a predetermined upper limit number in each group. Also, control may be performed on a group-by-group basis to not display action display bodies for some viewer actions so that the number of action display bodies being displayed in each group does not exceed a predetermined upper limit number of display.

[0198] Also, a fifth grouping criterion based on the history of viewer actions may be used. For example, based on the comment posting history data managed as viewing data 551 in user management data 540, viewing users with a large number of posts may be grouped into groups and viewing users with a small number of posts, or viewing users with a large number of posts may be grouped into groups that include a mixture of viewing users with a large number of posts and viewing users with a small number of posts.

[0199] In the first embodiment described above, an example was shown in which a criterion based on interest information was used, but viewing users may be grouped using criteria based on viewer information other than interest information, such as the viewing user's gender or age. For example, the viewing users may be divided into a male group and a female group, or into a group of elementary school students and a group of junior high school students. The viewing users may be grouped according to whether or not they are friends with the distribution user, whether or not they are subscribed to the distribution user's channel, etc. The viewing users may also be grouped according to whether or not they are viewing users who have purchased a viewing ticket for the content of interest in advance and viewed it, whether or not they have been viewing the content of interest since the start of distribution, etc.

[0200] Alternatively, the viewing users may be grouped using criteria based on billing information indicating whether the viewing users are paying viewers or non-paying viewers. For example, the viewing users may be grouped according to whether they are paid members who pay a monthly fee. In addition, if tipping is accepted as a viewer action, the viewing users may be grouped according to whether they have a tipping posting history, or each viewing user may be divided into two or more groups according to the amount of tipping (total amount).

[0201] [Variation 2] In the first embodiment, an example was shown in which viewing users are divided into groups using whether the user terminal 1500 satisfies a low specification condition as a criterion based on the specification information. In contrast, each viewing user may be divided into three or more groups based on the processing capacity according to the specification information of the user terminal 1500. In this case, a capacity is set for each group according to its processing capacity. Then, groups may be reset as needed using the reset condition of exceeding the capacity, and each group may be further divided to change the group to which the viewing user belongs.

[0202] [Variation 3] It is also possible to configure a configuration in which the content of viewer actions that can be accepted for each group is restricted. For example, this can be realized by setting restrictions for each group, such as a group that can only post comments, a group that can only post tips, and a group that can post both.

[0203] Also, the number of action display objects displayed may be limited for each group so that the number of action display objects being displayed does not exceed the maximum number that can be displayed at one time. The maximum number may be the same for all groups, or may vary depending on the group, such as making the maximum number of action display objects for a group with a limited number of members smaller than the maximum number of action display objects for a group without a limited number of members.

[0204] In addition, when comments are posted, it is possible to configure settings such as the number of characters in the comment, the type of characters that can be used, the size and type of font used when displaying the comment, and the display time length to be different for each group.

[0205] [Variation 4] In addition, in the above embodiments, a configuration has been described in which the user terminal 1500 performs processes such as synthesizing the display of action display bodies (comment display bodies) with content (game play video) distributed from the server system 1100, displaying the belonging group in the belonging group display section 40, and displaying the excitement level in the group-specific excitement level display section 50, but a configuration in which these processes are performed by the server system 1100 is also possible.

[0206] In this case, the resetting conditions can also include a condition regarding the area of ​​the action display body (comment display body) displayed on the content display unit 20. For example, the area condition can be set as "the ratio of the area of ​​all action display bodies being displayed to the entire area of ​​the content display unit 20 exceeds a predetermined ratio," and the ratio is calculated for each group during live distribution to monitor whether the resetting conditions are satisfied. This makes it possible to divide viewing users into groups when the content display unit 20 is actually becoming filled with the display of comment display bodies 6.

[0207] [Variation 5] Furthermore, in a configuration in which the process of synthesizing the display of action display objects (comment display objects) is performed by the server system 1100, the display mode of the action display object may be varied depending on the group to which the viewing user who is the subject of the action belongs, thereby performing display control for each group. For example, this can be realized by setting the display mode of the action display object for each group in advance, such as changing the display color depending on the group to which the user belongs. In that case, unlike the above embodiment, the action display object is displayed for all viewer actions performed by the viewing user regardless of the group to which the user belongs, but since the action display object is displayed in a different color for each group, it is possible to distinguish the group to which the viewing user who is the subject of the action belongs.

[0208] In addition, in a configuration in which the server system 1100 performs a process of synthesizing the display of action display bodies (comment display bodies), the server system 1100 generates a viewing screen to be displayed on each user terminal 1500 for each viewing user. Therefore, based on the group to which the viewing user of the display destination user terminal 1500 belongs (hereinafter referred to as the "display destination group"), a display mode of the action display body related to the post in the display destination group and a display mode of the action display body related to the post in a group other than the display destination group can be made different, so that display control for each group can be performed. Specifically, compared with the action display body of the viewer action made by the viewing user of the display destination group, the size of the action display body of the viewer action made by the viewing user belonging to the other group may be made smaller, or the display time length may be made shorter. The types of shapes, etc. of both may be made different. Alternatively, the number of action display bodies related to the post in a group other than the display destination group that can be displayed at one time may be limited. This can prevent a situation in which the post in the display destination group is buried in a large number of posts in other groups and becomes difficult to see.

[0209] [Variation 6] Also, when there are two or more existing groups, the viewing users may be reassigned to each group when a predetermined condition is met. For example, the variation in the number of most recent posts by group may be monitored, and the viewing users may be reassigned when the variation becomes large. Specifically, when the difference in the number of most recent posts by group exceeds a predetermined threshold, the viewing users are reassigned to each group so that the difference becomes closer to the same. This makes it possible to modify the composition of each group as needed so that the level of excitement is the same among the existing groups.

[0210] [Variation 7] In the above embodiment, the posting of a comment on the content is exemplified as a viewer action, but the configuration may be such that the viewing user can post a tip in exchange for consuming currency points. For example, the viewing user may pay any amount of currency points to post a tip, or a plurality of types of tip items with different prices may be prepared, and the viewing user may purchase a desired tip item and use it to post a tip. Tips that can be performed for free may also be included. Alternatively, a configuration may be such that a tip can be added to a comment and posted. In that case, the action information may include the amount of tip, the type of tip item used, and the like. A plurality of different types of action display bodies may also be prepared, and an action display body of a form according to the posted content may be displayed.

[0211] [Other variations] In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which a viewer action by a viewing user is accepted for each content being live-delivered, but a configuration may be adopted in which viewer actions are accepted not only during live delivery. The content to be delivered is also not particularly limited. For example, the content may be a live broadcast of a performance or entertainment by a delivery user, or a video work filmed and edited by a delivery user.

[0212] In the above embodiment, the number of most recent posts by group is calculated as a ranking based on the viewer actions of each group, and the number is displayed in a ranking format. However, a configuration may be adopted in which a bonus is given to users of each group based on the ranking data at the end of the live distribution. This can be realized by setting in advance a list of bonuses to be given by ranking. For example, the higher the ranking, the more luxurious the bonus is set. Alternatively, a bonus may be given to users of a group in which the winning character of a game related to the live distribution is used as a cheering character. [Explanation of symbols]

[0213] 1000...Content viewing system 1100...Server system 100s…Operation input section 200s…Server processing section 210...User Management Department 220...Charge processing unit 230…Game Management Department 241…Content provision control unit 243... Viewer registration control unit 245... Viewer action reception control unit 247...Action display body display control unit 249...Group display control unit 250…Group setting section 251...Grouping processing unit 253…Group Integration Department 255…Notification control unit 257...Group action priority notification control unit 290s…Image generation section 292s…sound generation section 294s…Communication control section 390s...Image display section 392s…Sound output section 394s…Communication Department 500s…Server storage 501...Server program 503...Streaming game client program 505...Streaming viewing program 510...Game setting data 520...Play data 530...Play replay data 540...User management data 543: Payment medium ledger data 545...Low spec device flag 547...Play history data 549...Video posting data 551... Viewing data 560…Distribution management data 563…Distribution Schedule 565...Distribution user account 571...Streaming gameplay video 575... Viewer account list 580…Support character settings for each viewing user 585...Posting performance data 590...Group management data 595...Affiliated viewing user list 597...Latest posting number trend data 599…Ranking data 1500, 1500A...User terminal 100...Operation input section 200...Terminal processing section 260...user terminal computing unit 261...Operation signal transmission control unit 270...Image display control unit 271...Action display body synthesis unit 273...Group display control unit 275...Ranking display control unit 277…Action information acquisition unit 279…Display discrimination information acquisition unit 290...Image generation unit 292...Sound generation section 294…Communication control unit 390...Image display section 392…Sound output section 394…Communications Department 500…Device memory section 502 - Game client program 504... Viewing Programs 506...Action display body display control data 507…Current group 508...Current popularity ranking N…Network 2. User 20…Content display section 30...Content input operation section 40...Group name display section 50…Group excitement level display section 6...Comment display

Claims

1. A computer system for providing given entertainment content (hereinafter referred to as "content") to the viewer terminals of each viewer, viewer action reception control means for receiving viewer actions from each viewer, action display body display control means for performing control to display an action display body corresponding to the viewer action on the viewer terminal by transmitting action information of the viewer action received by the viewer action reception control means to the viewer terminal of each viewer, grouping means for dividing the viewers into a plurality of groups, comprising: The action display body display control means is group-specific display control means for performing display control of the action display body for each group divided by the grouping means, and by transmitting, for each group, different display determination information for the viewer terminal to determine whether to display the action display body corresponding to the viewer action for each viewer action, group-specific display control means for performing group-specific display control is provided. A computer system.

2. The group-specific display control means causes the viewer terminal of the viewers belonging to the group to display the action display body corresponding to the viewer action performed by the viewers belonging to the group divided by the grouping means. The computer system according to claim 1.

3. The group-specific display control means performs group-specific display control by selecting and transmitting the action information of the viewer action received by the viewer action reception control means to the viewer terminal. The computer system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The grouping means determines whether to perform grouping based on the number of viewers watching the content. The computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The grouping means determines whether to perform grouping based on the processing load status of the computer system. The computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The grouping means performs grouping based on a first grouping criterion based on the number of viewers watching the content. The computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The grouping means executes grouping based on a second grouping criterion based on the reception status of the viewer action by the viewer action reception control means. The computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A computer system for providing given entertainment content (hereinafter referred to as "content") to the viewer terminals of each viewer, viewer action reception control means for receiving viewer actions from each viewer; action display body display control means for performing control to display an action display body corresponding to the viewer action on the viewer terminal by transmitting the action information of the viewer action received by the viewer action reception control means to the viewer terminal of each viewer; grouping means for dividing the viewers into a plurality of groups based on a grouping criterion based on the processing load status of the computer system; comprising The action display body display control means has group-specific display control means for performing display control of the action display body for each group divided by the grouping means. Computer system.

9. specification information acquisition means for acquiring the specification information of the viewer terminals of each viewer, further comprising The grouping means executes grouping based on a third grouping criterion based on the specification information of the viewer terminals of each viewer. The computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The grouping means performs grouping based on a fourth grouping criterion based on the history of the viewer actions of each viewer. The computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The grouping means performs grouping based on a fifth grouping criterion based on the viewer information of each viewer. The computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The viewer information includes the viewer's interest information registered in advance with respect to the content. The fifth grouping criterion is a criterion based on the interest information. The computer system according to claim 11.

13. The viewer information includes billing information indicating whether the viewer is a paying viewer or a non-paying viewer. The fifth grouping criterion is a criterion based on the billing information. The computer system according to claim 11.

14. Group integration means for integrating a plurality of groups divided by the grouping means into one group. The computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising the same.

15. Notification control means for executing control to display the group of the viewer on the viewer terminal when the display control for each group by the group-by display control means is being performed. The computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising the same.

16. A computer system for providing given entertainment content (hereinafter referred to as "content") to the viewer terminals of each viewer, Viewer action reception control means for receiving viewer actions from each viewer, Action display body display control means for performing control to display an action display body corresponding to the viewer action on the viewer terminal by transmitting the action information of the viewer action received by the viewer action reception control means to the viewer terminal of each viewer, Grouping means for dividing the viewers into a plurality of groups, Group-by action superiority notification control means for dynamically calculating the superiority or inferiority based on the viewer actions by the viewers belonging to the group for each group divided by the grouping means and notifying the viewer terminal of the viewer. Comprising The action display body display control means includes group-by display control means for performing display control of the action display body for each group divided by the grouping means. Computer system.

17. A content viewing system comprising the computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 16 and The viewer terminal. Comprising.

18. A program for a computer, which is a viewer terminal that communicates with a server system that provides given entertainment content (hereinafter referred to as "content") to the viewer terminals of each viewer, for controlling the display of the content, The server system is Viewer action reception control means for receiving viewer actions from each viewer, Grouping means for dividing the viewers into a plurality of groups, Action display body display control means for performing control to cause the computer to display an action display body corresponding to the viewer action by transmitting action information of the viewer action received by the viewer action reception control means to the computer, comprising: The action display body display control means is group-by-group display control means for performing group-by-group display control by transmitting, to the computer for each group divided by the grouping means, display determination information for the computer to determine whether or not to display the action display body corresponding to the viewer action for each viewer action, and has group-by-group display control means for performing the group-by-group display control by transmitting, to the computer, the display determination information for the computer to determine whether or not to display the action display body corresponding to the viewer action for each viewer action, with the display determination information being different for each group. Action information acquisition means for acquiring the action information from the server system, Display determination information acquisition means for acquiring the display determination information from the server system, Terminal-side display control means for performing display control of the action display body based on the action information acquired by the action information acquisition means, based on the display determination information, A program for causing the computer to function as such.

19. A program for a computer, which is a viewer terminal that communicates with a server system that provides given entertainment content (hereinafter referred to as "content") to the viewer terminals of each viewer, for controlling the display of the content, The server system comprises viewer action reception control means for receiving viewer actions from each viewer, grouping means for dividing the viewers into a plurality of groups based on grouping criteria based on the processing load status of the server system, and action display body display control means for performing control to cause the computer to display an action display body corresponding to the viewer action by transmitting action information of the viewer action received by the viewer action reception control means to the computer, comprising: The action display body display control means has group-by-group display control means for performing group-by-group display control by transmitting, to the computer for each group divided by the grouping means, display determination information for the computer to determine whether or not to display the action display body corresponding to the viewer action for each viewer action. Action information acquisition means for acquiring the action information from the server system. Display determination information acquisition means for acquiring the display determination information from the server system. Terminal-side display control means for performing display control of the action display body based on the action information acquired by the action information acquisition means based on the display determination information. A program for causing the computer to function as such.

20. A program for a computer, which is a viewer terminal that communicates with a server system that provides given entertainment content (hereinafter referred to as "content") to the viewer terminals of each viewer, for controlling the display of the content, The server system includes: Viewer action reception control means for receiving viewer actions from each viewer; Grouping means for dividing the viewers into a plurality of groups; Group-by-group action superiority / inferiority notification control means for dynamically calculating the superiority / inferiority based on the viewer actions by the viewers belonging to the group for each group divided by the grouping means and notifying the computer of the viewer of the superiority / inferiority; Action display body display control means for performing control to cause the computer to display an action display body corresponding to the viewer action by transmitting the action information of the viewer action received by the viewer action reception control means to the computer; and includes: The action display body display control means has group-by-group display control means for performing group-by-group display control by transmitting, to the computer for each group divided by the grouping means, display determination information for the computer to determine whether or not to display the action display body corresponding to the viewer action for each viewer action. Action information acquisition means for acquiring the action information from the server system. Display determination information acquisition means for acquiring the display determination information from the server system. Terminal-side display control means for performing display control of the action display body based on the action information acquired by the action information acquisition means, based on the display determination information, Means for performing display control based on the notification by the group-specific action superiority / inferiority notification control means, A program for causing the computer to function as such.

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