Information processing apparatus

Abstract

To offer great convenience information to viewers who can be speech targets.SOLUTION: In a server 1 that manages a distributor terminal 2 used by a distributor to perform live streaming and a plurality of viewer terminals 3 used by viewers to join the live streaming, a state management section 111 determines whether the state of each of the plurality viewer terminals 3 is either one of a viewing state in which the viewer joins and views the live streaming by the distributor, a chatting candidate state in which the viewer joins the live streaming by distributor as a candidate to chat on the live streaming, or a chatting target state in which the viewer joins and chats on the live streaming by the distributor. A notification section 115 notifies a viewer terminal that has shifted from the viewing state to the chatting candidate state among the plurality of viewer terminals 3 managed by the state management section 111 that there is a possibility of shifting to the chatting target state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there are video distribution services that can be used with chats using characters and the like as well as live distribution. Due to the spread of such live distribution, a system has been proposed to allow people with little knowledge of the Internet to use a video live chat system (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, with only the conventional technologies including the technology described in the prior art document 1, in a live distribution where chats using characters and the like can be used in a small number against a large number (for example, one distributor against tens of thousands of viewers), the communication between the distributor and the viewers has not been sufficiently carried out. That is, in such a case, most of the chats do not catch the eye of the distributor, and the chats that continue the interaction have not been provided. Therefore, it is conceivable that the distributor and the viewers make a call like a video phone as well as a chat using characters and the like. However, for example, when one viewer who will be the call partner is selected in advance for the distributor before the distribution, the (subsequent) viewers who are not selected in the lottery may actually have a reduced desire to watch. Also, for example, when a lottery is conducted during the distribution and a call starts simultaneously with the lottery, the one viewer who will be the call partner may not be prepared or mentally prepared for the call.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide highly convenient information to viewers who can be a call target.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied is In an information processing apparatus that manages a first type of terminal used by a first type of user who performs live distribution and a plurality of second type of terminals used by a plurality of second type of users who participate in the live distribution, the state of each of the plurality of second type of terminals is a viewing state of viewing and participating in the live distribution by the first type of user, a chat candidate state of participating as a candidate for chatting in the live distribution by the first type of user, a chat target state of participating by chatting in the live distribution by the first type of user, state management means for managing which of the states it is in, notification means for notifying that there is a possibility of transitioning to the chat target state to a second type of terminal that has transitioned from the viewing state to the chat candidate state among the plurality of second type of terminals managed by the state management means; is provided.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide highly convenient information to viewers who can be a call target.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] In the following, when simply referred to as "image", it includes both "moving image" and "still image". Also, the "moving image" includes images displayed by each of the following first process to third process. The first process refers to a process of continuously switching and displaying a series of still images consisting of a plurality of images for each movement of an object (for example, an image of a natural person) in a planar image (2D image) over time. Specifically, for example, 2D animation, so-called para para manga-like processing corresponds to the first process. The second process refers to a process of setting motions corresponding to the respective motions of objects (for example, images of natural persons) in a stereoscopic image (3D model image) and changing and displaying the motions over time. Specifically, for example, 3D animation corresponds to the second process. The third process refers to a process of preparing videos (i.e., moving images) corresponding to the respective actions of objects (e.g., images of natural persons) and playing the videos over time. Here, the "video (i.e., moving image)" is composed of images such as a plurality of frames or fields (hereinafter referred to as "unit images"). In the following examples, the unit image will be described as a frame.

[0011] In a service using the information processing system to which the present invention is applied (hereinafter referred to as "this service"), a distributor can perform a live distribution. Note that the live distribution refers to a distribution performed in real time for various contents including chats. Also, the distributor is a subject that performs the live distribution, and in the present embodiment, it refers to a person who chats with one or more viewers. Further, the viewer refers to a person who views various contents (including chats) including the image live-distributed. That is, in the present embodiment, the content of the chat is live-distributed not only to the viewers who chat with the distributor but also to all viewers without limitation who view the content including the image as the content of the chat. That is, the chat in the present embodiment is a so-called public chat.

[0012] Here, in this specification, "chat" refers to communication in which messages and the like are exchanged in real time between multiple terminals through a network including the Internet as necessary. As means of communication, characters, voice, images (still images and moving images), etc. can be used. Chats using each of these means are respectively called "text chat", "voice chat", and "video chat". In the following description, a so-called video call combining video chat and voice chat is assumed, but it is not particularly limited thereto, and text chat and voice chat can also be adopted. Here, "voice chat" can include so-called "telephone". That is, when the network is a carrier network managed by a carrier of a mobile phone, so-called "telephone" can also be regarded as voice chat. Also, video chat and text chat can be combined, and message text can be superimposed on the image and scrolled for display.

[0013] In this embodiment, the live distribution is assumed to be viewed by n viewers (n is an integer value of 1 or more). Also, in this embodiment, a viewer can provide, as an image, to n viewers and the distributor by inputting text. That is, the text input by the viewer is provided to n viewers and the distributor in a form combining the above-described video chat and text chat. Thereby, the distributor can also conduct a live distribution with an arbitrary text as a topic by grasping the text input by the viewer. In addition, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the distributor can chat with a specific one of the n viewers. In particular, in this embodiment, the chat with the specific one viewer will be described as being performed in the form of a so-called video call using voice and images. Hereinafter, the one viewer who chats with the distributor will be referred to as the "chat target person". That is, the distributor can live-stream the text input by the n viewers and the chat with one of the n viewers as a public chat. In this case, the chat target person can continuously communicate in real time using the chat. That is, for example, the viewer who becomes the chat target person can talk to the distributor for a predetermined period of time. In addition, as will be described later, the method of selecting the chat target person is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, it is assumed that a method of selecting based on the instruction of the distributor is adopted. That is, the distributor selects the chat target person from one or more of the n viewers. Hereinafter, the viewer who is a candidate to be selected as the chat target person will be referred to as the "chat candidate".

[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, in the information processing system, the server 1, the distributor terminal 2, and each of the n viewer terminals 3-1 to 3-n are interconnected via a predetermined network N such as the Internet.

[0016] The server 1 provides an environment for live-streaming to the distributor terminal 2 and the viewer terminals 3-1 to 3-n.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the distributor terminal 2 is operated by the distributor U1. Also, it is assumed that each of the viewer terminals 3-1 to 3-n is operated by each of the viewers U2-1 to U2-n. When there is no need to distinguish each of the viewer terminals 3-1 to 3-n individually, they are collectively referred to as the "viewer terminal 3". Also, when collectively referred to as the "viewer terminal 3", the viewers U2-1 to U2-n are collectively referred to as the "viewer U2".

[0018] Here, as described above, the viewer U2 includes a chat candidate and a chat target. In this service, first, n viewers U2 participate in the live distribution as mere viewers. That is, the n viewers U2 can simply watch the live distribution and send text chats. Hereinafter, viewers among the viewers U2 who are not chat candidates or chat targets to be described later are collectively referred to as the "general viewer U2-a". Also, when collectively referred to as the "general viewer U2-a", the viewer terminals 3 used by the general viewer U2-a among the viewer terminals 3 are referred to as the "viewer terminal 3-a".

[0019] Next, in this service, m (where m is an integer value greater than or equal to 1 and less than n) viewers among the n viewers U2 are selected by lottery as chat candidates who are candidates to be selected as chat targets. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, among the n viewers U2, m viewers U2-b1 to U2-bm are selected by lottery as chat candidates. Hereinafter, each of the viewers U2-b1 to U2-bm selected as chat candidates is referred to as each of the chat candidates U2-b1 to U2-bm. Also, when there is no need to distinguish each of the chat candidates U2-b1 to U2-bm individually, they are collectively referred to as the "chat candidate U2-b". Also, when collectively referred to as the "chat candidate U2-b", the viewer terminals 3 used by the chat candidate U2-b among the viewer terminals 3 are referred to as the "viewer terminal 3-b".

[0020] Next, in this service, among the m chat candidate viewers U2-b, one viewer who has a call with the streamer is designated as the "chat target". That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, among the m chat candidate viewers U2-b, viewer U2-3 is designated as the chat target. Hereinafter, the one viewer U2 selected as the chat target is referred to as the "chat target U2-c". Also, when referring to the "chat target U2-c", the viewer terminal 3 used by the chat target U2-c among the viewer terminals 3 is referred to as the "viewer terminal 3-c".

[0021] In addition, in this service, the streamer U1 can designate a specific viewer (for example, a friend known from before or a natural person who has decided to chat during this stream) among the viewers U2 as a guest to the above-mentioned chat target. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, viewer U2-k, which is an example of a guest in the live stream, is included in the viewers U2. Although details will be described later, the viewer U2-k who is a guest is designated by the streamer U1 in the live stream and becomes a chat candidate.

[0022] In this way, in this service, m chat candidate viewers U2-b are selected from among n general viewers U2-a. Also, a chat target U2-c is designated from among the m chat candidate viewers U2-b. The chat target U2-c can chat with the streamer U1 in the form of a video call or the like.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server in the information processing system of FIG. 1.

[0024] The server 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, an output unit 16, an input unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20.

[0025] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to the programs recorded in the ROM 12 or the programs loaded from the storage unit 18 into the RAM 13. The RAM 13 also appropriately stores data and the like necessary for the CPU 11 to execute various processes.

[0026] The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are interconnected via a bus 14. An input / output interface 15 is also connected to this bus 14. An output unit 16, an input unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20 are connected to the input / output interface 15.

[0027] The output unit 16 is composed of a display, a speaker, etc., and outputs various information as images and sounds. The input unit 17 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and inputs various information.

[0028] The storage unit 18 is composed of a hard disk, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), etc., and stores various data. The communication unit 19 communicates with other devices (in the example of FIG. 1, the distributor terminal 2 and the viewer terminal 3) via a network N including the Internet.

[0029] A removable medium 31 made of a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, etc. is appropriately mounted on the drive 20. The program read from the removable medium 31 by the drive 20 is installed in the storage unit 18 as necessary. Also, the removable medium 31 can store various data stored in the storage unit 18 in the same manner as the storage unit 18.

[0030] Although not shown in the drawings, the distributor terminal 2 and the viewer terminal 3 of the information processing system in FIG. 1 have basically the same configuration as the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 2. However, the distributor terminal 2 or the viewer terminal 3 may have an imaging unit such as a camera or a touch panel as one of the input units.

[0031] Through the cooperation of the various hardware and various software of the server 1, the distributor terminal 2, and the viewer terminal 3 in FIG. 2 as described above, the following series of processes can be executed.

[0032] As described above, in this embodiment, the server 1 extracts one or more chat candidate users from among the viewers who view the public chat on the viewer terminal 3 by an arbitrary method (for example, lottery). The server 1 determines a chat target user from among the one or more extracted chat candidate users based on an instruction from the distributor terminal 2, for example. The server 1 executes various controls necessary to conduct a public chat between the viewer terminal 3 of the chat target user thus determined and the distributor terminal 2, and live-distributes predetermined content including the chat content to all viewer terminals 3-1 to 3-n.

[0033] Here, images (mainly the face images of the viewers) captured by the viewer terminals 3 of one or more chat candidate users U2-b who have not been selected as the chat target user are displayed in a list at least on the distributor terminal 2, and the distributor U1 side can select the chat target user at any time. By doing so, for example, in a live distribution where an idol talent or the like is the distributor U1, the distributor U1 can freely switch the dialogue with an arbitrary viewer U2 (if the distributor is a famous person such as an idol or an entertainer, the viewer is a fan) and place it on the live distribution. As a result, this service can create a sense of expectation in the viewing fans that "they may be selected someday", and thus can be an opportunity for more fans to become viewers of the live distribution.

[0034] In this way, as a series of processes for live distribution, the information processing system includes a series of processes related to the stage where the server 1 distributes images and chat contents to the viewer terminals 3 (hereinafter referred to as "distribution process"), and a series of processes related to the stage where the server 1 notifies the chat candidate U2-b that there is a possibility of becoming the chat target U2-c (hereinafter referred to as "notification process"). To realize such distribution process and notification process, the information processing system in FIG. 1 has a functional configuration as shown in FIG. 3.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server and the viewer terminals in the information processing system of FIG. 1. In FIG. 3, for simplicity of explanation, among the viewers U2, each of the viewer terminals 3-a, 3-b, and 3-c is shown as one. That is, in FIG. 3, the general viewer U2-a, the chat candidate U2-b, and the chat target U2-c are each shown as one person.

[0036] Hereinafter, first, assuming that the general viewer U2-a, the chat candidate U2-b, and the chat target U2-c are already determined, the distribution process will be described. Next, the notification process including the process of determining the chat candidate U2-b and the chat target U2-c from the general viewer U2-a will be described.

[0037] When the distribution process is executed, in the CPU 11 of the server 1, the state management unit 111, the chat management unit 112, and the distribution control unit 113 function.

[0038] The state management unit 111 manages the states of each of the viewer terminals 3. Details of the states of the viewer terminals 3 and the conditions for their transitions will be described later with reference to FIG. 4. Also, examples of the screens in the actual distributor terminal 2 and viewer terminals 3 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9.

[0039] That is, for example, the state management unit 111 manages the viewer terminal 3-a as being in a viewing state in which it participates in the live distribution by the distributor U1. Specifically, for example, as described above, the state management unit 111 can manage the viewer terminal 3-a used by the general viewer U2-a as being in a state in which it transmits text chat data and provides it to other viewer terminals 3.

[0040] Also, for example, the state management unit 111 manages the viewer terminal 3-b as being in a chat candidate state in which it participates as a candidate for chatting in the live distribution by the distributor U1. Specifically, for example, as described above, the state management unit 111 can manage the viewer terminal 3-b used by the chat candidate U2-b as being in a state in which it may transition to a chat target state described later. Also, the state management unit 111 can manage the viewer terminal 3-b used by the chat candidate U2-b as being in a state in which it transmits video chat data and provides it to other viewer terminals 3.

[0041] Also, for example, the state management unit 111 manages the viewer terminal 3-c as being in a chat target state in which it participates in chatting in the live distribution by the distributor U1. Specifically, for example, as described above, the state management unit 111 can manage the viewer terminal 3-c used by the chat target U2-c as being in a state in which it is the target of the chat by the distributor U1. Also, the state management unit 111 can manage the viewer terminal 3-c used by the chat target U2-c as being in a state in which it transmits video chat and voice chat (so-called video call) data and provides it to other viewer terminals 3.

[0042] In this way, the state management unit 111 can manage which state among the viewing state, the chat candidate state, and the chat target state each of the plurality of viewer terminals 3 is in.

[0043] As described above, in this service, the available chats of the viewer terminals 3-a to 3-c are different. That is, the viewer terminal 3-a is managed as a viewing state, and it is possible to send text chats during the live distribution. Also, the viewer terminal 3-b is managed as a chat candidate state, and it is possible to send video chats during the live distribution. Also, the viewer terminal 3-c is managed as a chat target state, and it is possible to send video chats and voice chats during the live distribution.

[0044] The chat management unit 112 manages the content of the chats sent from the distributor terminal 2 and the viewer terminals 3.

[0045] First, the distributor U1 shoots and voices himself / herself in order to conduct a live distribution using a moving image and voice of himself / herself shot as a chat. That is, the content of the video chat and voice chat of the distributor U1 is acquired via a camera and a microphone (not shown) provided in the distributor terminal 2. Also, the data of the content of the chat of the distributor U1 thus acquired is transmitted to the server 1. The chat management unit 112 manages the data of the content of the chat of the distributor U1 sent from the distributor terminal 2. That is, the chat management unit 112 manages the data of the content of the chat of the distributor U1 acquired via the communication unit 19 for distribution to the viewer terminals 3 and the like.

[0046] Also, the general viewer U2-a inputs text in order to send a text chat as a chat. That is, the content of the text chat of the general viewer U2-a is acquired via a keyboard (not shown) provided in the viewer terminal 3-a. Also, the data of the content of the chat of the general viewer U2-a thus acquired is transmitted to the server 1. The chat management unit 112 manages the data of the content of the chat of the general viewer U2-a sent from the viewer terminal 3-a. That is, the chat management unit 112 manages the data of the content of the chat of the general viewer U2-a acquired via the communication unit 19 for distribution to the distributor terminal 2 and the viewer terminals 3.

[0047] Also, the chat candidate U2-b takes a picture of themselves in order to send a video chat as a chat. That is, the content of the video chat of the chat candidate U2-b is acquired via a camera (not shown) provided in the viewer terminal 3-b. Further, the data of the content of the chat of the acquired chat candidate U2-b is transmitted to the server 1. The chat management unit 112 manages the data of the content of the chat of the chat candidate U2-b transmitted from the viewer terminal 3-b. That is, the chat management unit 112 manages the data of the content of the chat of the chat candidate U2-b acquired via the communication unit 19 in order to distribute it to the distributor terminal 2, the viewer terminal 3, etc.

[0048] Also, the chat target U2-c takes a picture of themselves or makes a sound in order to send a video chat and a voice chat as a chat. That is, the content of the video chat and the video chat of the chat target U2-c is acquired via a camera or a microphone (not shown) provided in the viewer terminal 3-c. Further, the data of the content of the chat of the acquired chat target U2-c is transmitted to the server 1. The chat management unit 112 manages the data of the content of the chat of the chat target U2-b transmitted from the viewer terminal 3-c. That is, the chat management unit 112 manages the data of the content of the chat of the chat candidate U2-b acquired via the communication unit 19 in order to distribute it to the distributor terminal 2, the viewer terminal 3, etc.

[0049] In this way, the chat management unit 112 manages the data of the content of various chats transmitted from each of the distributor terminal 2 and the viewer terminal 3 in order to distribute it to the distributor terminal 2 and the viewer terminal 3.

[0050] The distribution control unit 113 executes control to distribute the content of various chats as a live distribution to each of the viewer terminals 3. That is, for example, the viewer distribution control unit 121 to the chat target distribution control unit 123 can distribute the content of various chats as a live distribution by streaming the content of various chats in real time. Here, streaming is a method (technology) of transmitting and receiving data of content such as mainly audio and moving images via a network such as the Internet. For example, an information processing device that receives data of content in the streaming method performs downloading and playback of the data of content in parallel.

[0051] The distribution control unit 113 includes a viewer distribution control unit 121, a chat candidate distribution control unit 122, and a chat target distribution control unit 123. The distribution control unit 113 executes control to distribute the data of the content of the chat provided from the distributor terminal 2 and the viewer terminal 3 according to the state of each viewer terminal 3 managed by the state management unit 111. That is, the viewer terminal 3 acquires the data of various chats for which control to distribute by any one of the viewer distribution control unit 121 to the chat target distribution control unit 123 has been executed based on the state managed by the state management unit 111.

[0052] The viewer distribution control unit 121 executes control to distribute various chats provided from the distributor terminal 2 and the viewer terminal 3 to the viewer terminal 3-a. Here, there are n-m viewer terminals 3-a. Specifically, for example, when the distributor U1 is famous, a live distribution is viewed by 10,000 viewers U2. In such a case, when distributing as streaming to a large number of terminals, it is preferable to utilize the mechanism of a Content Delivery Network (hereinafter referred to as "CDN"). Note that the cost related to the use of CDN depends on the number of streams. Therefore, rather than distributing the above-mentioned various chats individually as streams to the viewer terminal 3-a, they may be synthesized as one video by the viewer distribution control unit 121 and then distributed as a stream. Thereby, the number of streams can be suppressed, and the cost related to the use of CDN can be reduced.

[0053] The chat candidate distribution control unit 122 executes control to distribute various chats provided from the distributor terminal 2 and the viewer terminal 3 to the viewer terminal 3-b. Here, there are m viewer terminals 3-b. Specifically, for example, about 10 chat candidates U2-b are selected by lottery. As described above, among the about 10 chat candidates U2-b selected by lottery, the chat candidate U2-b designated by the distributor U1 becomes the later chat partner U2-c. In such a case, in the case of distribution utilizing the CDN mechanism, a delay occurs in the distribution. Therefore, it is preferable that the distributor U1 and the chat candidate U2-b (and the chat partner U2-c) are connected to a single distribution server (not shown) and streamed. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the time lag when the chat candidate U2-b switches to the chat partner U2-c and the delay of video chat and voice chat due to distribution.

[0054] The chat partner distribution control unit 123 executes control to distribute various chats provided from the distributor terminal 2 and the viewer terminal 3 to the viewer terminal 3-c. Here, there is one viewer terminal 3-c. As described above, in the case of betrayal against the designated single chat partner U2-c, it is preferable that, as described above, it is connected to a single distribution server (not shown) and streamed. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the delay of video chat and voice chat due to distribution.

[0055] In this way, as a series of processes for live distribution, the server 1 can execute a distribution process in which the server 1 distributes images and chat contents to the viewer terminal 3. Also, as follows, the server 1 can execute a notification process of notifying the chat candidate U2-b that there is a possibility of becoming the chat partner U2-c.

[0056] When the notification process is executed, in the CPU 11 of the server 1, the state management unit 111, the lottery unit 114, the notification unit 115, and the chat partner designation acquisition unit 116 function. In the following description, it is assumed that the selected chat candidate U2-b (i.e., viewer terminal 3-b) is not present yet, and the designated chat target U2-c (i.e., viewer terminal 3-c) is also not present yet.

[0057] The status management unit 111 manages the status of each viewer terminal 3. The function of the status management unit 111 in the notification process is basically the same as the function of the status management unit 111 in the distribution process. When there are no chat candidates U2-b and chat targets U2-c as described above, the status management unit 111 manages the status of each viewer terminal 3 as a viewing status.

[0058] The lottery unit 114 selects m viewer terminals 3 out of n viewer terminals 3-a as viewer terminals 3-b. That is, the lottery unit 114 determines m viewer terminals 3-b by random lottery. The lottery by the lottery unit 114 may be performed by selecting each of the n viewer terminals 3-a with an equal probability, or may be performed with an unequal probability. Specifically, for example, the lottery by the lottery unit 114 may improve the winning probability of the viewer terminal 3-a that satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, the condition that an operation for improving the winning probability in the lottery has been performed). Note that the lottery by the lottery unit 114 may be executed at a predetermined interval (for example, every minute), or may be executed by a predetermined operation by the distributor U1.

[0059] Information regarding the viewer terminal 3-b selected and won by the lottery unit 114 is provided to the status management unit 111. Thereby, the status management unit 111 manages the viewer terminal 3-a that has been managed as a viewing status as a chat candidate status. Thereby, as described in the above distribution process, the control of the distribution of the viewer terminal 3-b switches from the control of the distribution by the viewer distribution control unit 121 to the control of the distribution by the chat candidate distribution control unit 122.

[0060] The notification unit 115 notifies a viewer terminal 3 that has transitioned from a viewing state to a chat candidate state among the plurality of viewer terminals 3 managed by the state management means 111 that it may transition to a chat target state. That is, the notification unit 115 notifies the chat candidate U2-b that there is a possibility of transitioning to the chat target state by performing a predetermined display on a display unit (not shown) of the viewer terminal 3-b or playing a predetermined sound from a speaker (not shown). As a result, the chat candidate U2-b can prepare for and mentally prepare for the call. That is, for example, the chat candidate U2-b, who is a fan of the distributor U1, can feel a sense of excitement or nervousness that they may be able to make a call next.

[0061] The chat target person designation acquisition unit 116 can acquire information for specifying the viewer terminal 3 designated by the distributor U1 among the viewer terminals 3-b. That is, for example, the video chat of the chat candidate U2-b is displayed on the distributor terminal 2. The distributor U1 views the video chat of the chat candidate U2-b displayed on the distributor terminal 2 and selects the viewer terminal 3-b that they want to use as the subsequent distributor terminal 3-c. Information regarding the subsequent distributor terminal 3-c input to the distributor terminal 2 is transmitted to the server 1. The chat target person designation acquisition unit 116 acquires the information regarding the subsequent distributor terminal 3-c transmitted from the distributor terminal 2.

[0062] The information regarding the viewer terminal 3-c acquired by the chat target person designation acquisition unit 116 is provided to the state management unit 111. As a result, the state management unit 111 manages the viewer terminal 3-b that was managed as the chat candidate state as the chat target state. As a result, as described in the above distribution process, the control of the distribution of the viewer terminal 3-b switches from the control of the distribution by the chat candidate distributor control unit 122 to the control of the distribution by the chat target person distributor control unit 123.

[0063] In this way, the server 1 can execute a notification process of notifying the chat candidate U2-b that there is a possibility of becoming the chat target person U2-c. In the above description, the chat candidate U2-b is assumed to be selected from the general viewer U2-a, but it is not particularly limited thereto. That is, for example, as described with reference to FIG. 1, a friend that the distributor U1 has known before or a natural person who has been determined to chat during this distribution can be designated as the above-described chat target as a guest. In this case, the viewer U2-k who is a guest becomes the chat candidate U2-b by a predetermined operation of the distributor U1 or the like instead of by lottery. Also in this case, the notification process may be executed in the same manner as described above. That is, for example, the server 1 can notify the viewer U2-k who is a guest that there is a possibility of becoming the chat target U2-c because the viewer U2-k has been invited to participate in the live distribution as a guest by the distributor U1.

[0064] As described above, in order to realize the distribution process and the notification process, the functional configuration of the server 1 in FIG. 1 has been described with reference to FIG. 3. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, each state of the viewer terminal 3 and examples of the screens of the distributor terminal 2 and the viewer terminal 3 in each of the states will be described.

[0065] In FIG. 4, each state is indicated by one ellipse and is discriminated by a symbol including “S” drawn in the ellipse. The state transition from one state to another state is executed when a predetermined condition (hereinafter referred to as “state transition condition”) is satisfied. In FIG. 4, such a state transition condition is represented by attaching a symbol including “A” to an arrow indicating the transition from one state to another state.

[0066] In the present embodiment, the viewing state S1 becomes the basic state. An example of the screen displayed on the display unit of the viewer terminal 3-a in the viewing state S1 will be described later with reference to FIG. 5.

[0067] In the viewing state S1, as described above in the description of the notification process, when the viewer terminal 3-a wins the lottery by the lottery unit 114, the state transition condition A1 is satisfied. Then, the state transitions to the chat candidate state S2. In this case, as described above in the explanation of the notification process, the server 1 notifies the chat candidate U2-b that there is a possibility of transitioning to the chat target state. An example of the screen displayed on the display unit of the viewer terminal 3-b in the chat candidate state S2 will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

[0068] In the chat candidate state S2, as described above in the explanation of the notification process, when specified by the distributor U1, the state transition condition A2 is satisfied. An example of the screen displayed on the display unit of the distributor terminal 2 used when the distributor U1 specifies will be described later with reference to FIG. 7. Then, the state transitions to the chat target state S3. An example of the screen displayed on the display unit of the viewer terminal 3-c in the chat target state S3 will be described later with reference to FIG. 8. An example of the screen displayed on the display unit of the distributor terminal 2 used when the distributor U1 chats with the chat target U3-c will be described later with reference to FIG. 9.

[0069] Also, in the chat target state S3, when the distributor U1 ends the chat with the chat target U2-c or reselects another chat candidate U2-b, the state transition condition A3 is satisfied. Then, the state transitions to the viewing state S1.

[0070] Also, in the chat candidate state S2, when the distributor U1 does not specify the chat target U2-c or re-performs the lottery for the chat candidate U2-b, the state transition condition A4 is satisfied. Then, the state transitions to the viewing state S1.

[0071] FIG. 5 is a screen example showing an example of the display unit of the viewer terminal in the viewing state of FIG. 4. The owner of the viewer terminal 3 in the description of FIGS. 5 to 9 has the user name "Abc". Therefore, in the following description, the user with the user name "Abc" is referred to as user Abc. The same applies to users with other user names (for example, user names "Def", "Ghi", etc.). The screen example shown in FIG. 5 is a screen example of the viewer terminal 3-a in the viewing state. That is, the screen example in FIG. 5 is a screen example when the chat candidate U2-b is being selected by the lottery unit 114 and the viewing terminal 3-a used by the user Abc is in the viewing state.

[0072] In the area R11 of the screen of the viewer terminal 3-a, the video chat of the distributor U1 is displayed. In the area R12 of the screen of the viewer terminal 3-a, the image of the user Abc who is the owner of the viewer terminal 3-a and the user name "Abc" are displayed. In the area R13 of the screen of the viewer terminal 3-a, the text chat of the user Def who is a viewer U2 different from the user Abc is displayed. Also, below the area R13, the text chats of the users Ghi and Jkl are displayed. In this text chat, regardless of the lottery of the chat candidate U2-b or the video chat with the chat target U2-c, the text chat input by the general viewer U2-a is displayed. In the area R14 of the screen of the viewer terminal 3-a, the character string "Lottery in progress" is shown. That is, the display of "Lottery in progress" is a display indicating that the chat candidate U2-b is being selected by the lottery unit 114 as described in the explanation of the notification process. In the area R15 of the screen of the viewer terminal 3-a, the video chat of the chat candidate U2-b is displayed. However, since the chat candidate U2-b does not exist during the lottery, an icon indicating that the lottery is in progress is displayed.

[0073] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the viewer terminal in the chat candidate state of FIG. 4. The screen example shown in FIG. 6 is a screen example of the viewer terminal 3-b in the chat candidate state S2. That is, the screen example shown in FIG. 6 is a screen example when the state of the viewing terminal 3-b used by the user Abc is the chat candidate state S2 by being selected as the chat candidate U2-b as a result of the lottery by the lottery unit 114.

[0074] In the area R21 of the screen of the viewer terminal 3-b, the character string "You might win!!" is displayed. That is, the display of "You might win!!" indicates that the chat candidate U2-b has been selected by the lottery section 114 as a result of the lottery as described in the explanation of the notification process. In other words, the display of "You might win!!" is a display for notifying that there is a possibility of transitioning to the chat target state. In the area R22 of the screen of the viewer terminal 3-b, the video chat of the chat candidate U2-b is displayed. In the example of FIG. 6, the icons of four chat candidates U2-b are displayed as the chat candidate U2-b. As a result, in the area R23 of the screen of the viewer terminal 3-b, the video chat of the user Abc, who is one of the chat candidates U2-b, is displayed.

[0075] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the distributor terminal in the chat candidate state of FIG. 4. The screen example shown in FIG. 7 is an example of the screen of the distributor terminal 2 when there is a viewer terminal 3-b in the chat candidate state and there is no viewer terminal 3-c in the chat target state. That is, the screen example of FIG. 7 is an example of the screen when the video chat including the user Abc who has been selected as the chat candidate U2-b as a result of the lottery by the lottery section 114 is displayed.

[0076] In the area R31 of the screen of the distributor terminal 2, the video chats of four chat candidates U2-b and the like are displayed. In the area R31 of the screen of the distributor terminal 2, a re-lottery button B31, a cancel button B32, a chat target designation button B33, and the like are displayed. The distributor U1 can re-lottery the chat candidate U2-b by tapping the re-lottery button B31. In addition, the distributor U1 can cancel the mode of selecting the chat candidate U2-b by tapping the cancel button B32 and continue the distribution alone without selecting a call partner. Also, the distributor U1 can specify the user Abc corresponding to the chat target button B33 as the chat target U3-c by tapping the chat target designation button B33. In this way, the distributor U1 can view the video chat of the chat candidate U2-b and specify the chat target U2-c.

[0077] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the viewer terminal in the chat target state of FIG. 4. The screen example shown in FIG. 8 is an example of the screen of the chat target terminal 3-c when the viewer terminal 3-b used by the user Abc is specified by the distributor U1.

[0078] In the area R41 of the screen of the viewer terminal 3-c, the video chat of the distributor U1 is displayed. In the area R42 of the screen of the viewer terminal 3-c, the video chat of the user Abc, who is the chat target U2-c, is displayed superimposed on the video chat of the distributor U1. In the area R43 of the screen of the viewer terminal 3-c, the character string "You've got it! On the phone!" is shown. That is, the display of "You've got it! On the phone!" is a display indicating that the user Abc has been specified as the chat candidate U2-c by the distributor U1 as described in the explanation of the notification process. In the area R44 of the screen of the viewer terminal 3-c, the video chat of the chat candidate U2-b is displayed. In the example of FIG. 8, the icons of three chat candidates U2-b excluding the user Abc who has already been set as the chat target are displayed.

[0079] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the distributor terminal in the chat target state of FIG. 4. The screen example shown in FIG. 9 is an example of the screen of the distributor terminal 2 when there is a viewer terminal 3-c in the chat target state. That is, the screen example of FIG. 9 is an example of the screen when the video chat including the user Abc specified as the chat target U2-b by the distributor U1 is displayed.

[0080] In the area R51 of the screen of the distributor terminal 2, the video chat of the distributor U1 is displayed. In the area R52 of the screen of the distributor terminal 2, the video chat of the user Abc who is the chat target U2-c is displayed superimposed on the video chat of the distributor U1. Below the area R52 of the screen of the distributor terminal 2, a button B51 for returning to single-person distribution is displayed. When the distributor U1 taps this button B51, the state of the distributor terminal 3-c used by the user Abc who is the chat target U2-c transitions to the viewing state S1. In the area R53 of the screen of the distributor terminal 2, the video chat of the chat candidate U2-b is displayed. In the example of FIG. 8, the icons of three chat candidates U2-b are displayed, excluding the user Abc who has already been set as the chat target. In the area R53 of the screen of the distributor terminal 2, a re-selection button B52 is displayed. The distributor U1 can re-select the chat candidate U2-b by tapping the re-selection button B31.

[0081] As described above, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9, each state of the viewer terminal 3 and examples of the screens of the distributor terminal 2 and the viewer terminal 3 in each of the states have been described.

[0082] In this way, in this service, the chat candidate U2-b is selected from the general viewer U2-a, or the chat target U2-c is specified. At this time, as described above, the notification unit 115 of the server 1 enables the chat candidate U2-b to recognize that it has been specified as the chat candidate U2-b. That is, the chat candidate U2-b can obtain a sense of excitement or nervousness regarding whether it will be further specified as the chat target U2-c. In addition, for example, a viewer U2-k who is a guest, such as a friend the distributor U1 has known before or a natural person who has decided to chat during this distribution, can be notified by the notification unit 115 of the server 1 that they have been designated by the distributor U1 in the live distribution and are candidates for chatting. In this way, the notification unit 115 of the server 1 can provide highly convenient information to viewers who can be call targets. That is, a viewer who has received such a notification can prepare for and mentally prepare for a call.

[0083] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, etc. within the range that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0084] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the present service in which the distributor U1 and the chat partner U2-c perform a video chat is applied, but it is not particularly limited thereto. Furthermore, the chats that the distributor U1, the general viewer U2-a, the chat candidate U2-b, and the chat partner U2-c can send are not limited to the above examples, and text chats, video chats, voice chats, etc. can be sent in any combination.

[0085] Also, for example, the distribution in this embodiment may be a broadcast by television or radio, and the chat in this embodiment may be a phone call. In a broadcast by television or radio, it is possible to notify a person whose viewing status (whether they are currently watching the broadcast or not) is unknown that they may be a chat (call) target.

[0086] Also, for example, the method of extracting the chat candidate U2-b from the general viewer U2-a is not limited to a random lottery. That is, for example, an algorithm in which it is selected by the manager of the distributor U1 or the producer of the live distribution may be adopted.

[0087] For example, when selecting a chat candidate U2-b from the general viewer U2-a by random lottery, the winning probability may be varied based on, for example, the history of each action of the general viewer U2-a. Specifically, for example, the winning probability of the general viewer U2-a who has purchased a specified product can be increased. Also, for example, the winning probability of the viewer U2-a who has watched a drama in which the distributor U1 has appeared can be increased.

[0088] For example, the above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware, or can also be executed by software, a mobile application, or a web service. In other words, the functional configuration of FIG. 3 is merely illustrative and is not particularly limited. That is, it is sufficient that the server is provided with a function capable of executing the above-described series of processes as a whole, and the functional blocks used for realizing this function are not particularly limited to the example of FIG. 3. Also, the location of the functional blocks is not particularly limited to FIG. 3 and may be arbitrary. For example, the functional blocks of the server 1 may be transferred to the viewer terminal 3 or the like. Conversely, the functional blocks of the viewer terminal 3 may be transferred to the server or the like. Also, one functional block may be configured by hardware alone, software alone, or a combination thereof.

[0089] For example, when the series of processes are executed by software, the program constituting the software is installed in a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium. The computer may be a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware. Also, the computer may be a computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs, such as a general-purpose smartphone, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, or a personal computer in addition to a server.

[0090] For example, a recording medium containing such a program is not only constituted by a removable medium (not shown) distributed separately from the apparatus main body in order to provide the program to the user, but also constituted by a recording medium or the like provided to the user in a state pre-installed in the apparatus main body.

[0091] Note that in this specification, the step of describing a program recorded on a recording medium includes not only processing that is performed in time series according to the order thereof, but also processing that is executed in parallel or individually, even if it is not necessarily processed in time series. Also, in this specification, the term "system" shall mean the entire apparatus constituted by a plurality of devices, a plurality of means, or the like.

[0092] In other words, it suffices that the information processing system to which the present invention is applied has the following configuration, and various embodiments can be adopted.

[0093] That is, an information processing apparatus (for example, the server 1 in FIG. 3) to which the present invention is applied In an information processing apparatus that manages a first type of terminal (for example, the distributor terminal 2 in FIG. 1) used by a first type of user (for example, the distributor U1 in FIG. 1) who performs live distribution and a plurality of second type of terminals (for example, the viewer terminals 3-1 to 3-n in FIG. 1) used by a plurality of second type of users (for example, the viewers U2-1 to U2-n in FIG. 1) who participate in the live distribution, the states of each of the plurality of second type of terminals are a viewing state (for example, the viewing state S1 in FIG. 4) of viewing and participating in the live distribution by the first type of user, a chat candidate state (for example, the chat candidate state S2 in FIG. 4) of participating as a candidate for chatting (for example, one-on-one video chat and voice chat) in the live distribution by the first type of user, a chat target state (for example, the chat target state S3 in FIG. 4) of chatting and participating in the live distribution by the first type of user, State management means (for example, the state management unit 111 in FIG. 3) that manages which of the states it is in, Among the plurality of second-type terminals managed by the state management means, a second-type terminal that has transitioned from the viewing state to the chat candidate state (for example, the viewer terminal 3 that satisfies the state transition condition A1 in FIG. 4), notification means (for example, the notification unit 115 in FIG. 3) that notifies that there is a possibility of transitioning to the chat target state (for example, the possibility of satisfying the state transition condition A2 in FIG. 4), An information processing apparatus having the above is sufficient.

[0094] Thereby, the notification means can provide highly convenient information to the second-type users who can be chat targets. For example, for the second user who can be a chat target, it is possible to provide the possibility of transitioning to the chat target state in a highly convenient form, for example, by a display such as "You might be selected!!". The second-type user who has received such notification can prepare for the call and be mentally prepared.

[0095] Furthermore, among the plurality of second-type terminals managed by the state management means, the second-type terminal that transitions from the viewing state to the chat candidate state is A second-type terminal determined by at least one of the selection of the first-type user and a predetermined algorithm (for example, an algorithm determined by random lottery or an algorithm determined by the selection of the producer of the distribution).

[0096] Thereby, when a second-type terminal used by the second-type user transitions to the chat candidate state due to a reason that cannot be operated by the second-type user, the second-type user is notified that there is a possibility of transitioning to the chat target state. For example, when a second-type user who was simply a general viewer becomes a chat candidate, it is possible to notify that there is a possibility of becoming a chat target. In this way, when it is notified that there is a possibility of transitioning to the chat target state, the second-type user can prepare for the call and be mentally prepared.

[0097] Furthermore, the predetermined algorithm can be an algorithm determined by random selection.

[0098] In this way, the second type of user can get a sense of excitement and anticipation by being notified that there is a possibility of luckily transitioning to the chat target state by lottery.

[0099] Furthermore, among the plurality of second type terminals, the second terminal transitioning to the chat target state can be designated by the first type of user.

[0100] In this way, the second type of user is expected to appeal, such as through video chat, in order to be designated by the first type of user. In this way, it is expected that the live distribution will be enlivened by the second type of user who can be the target of the chat.

Explanation of Signs

[0101] 1 ··· Server, 2 ··· Distributor terminal, 3 ··· Viewer terminal, 11 ··· CPU, 19 ··· Communication unit, 111 ··· State management unit, 112 ··· Chat management unit, 113 ··· Distribution control unit, 121 ··· Viewer distribution control unit, 122 ··· Chat candidate distribution control unit, 123 ··· Chat target distribution control unit, 114 ··· Lottery unit, 115 ··· Notification unit, 116 ··· Chat target designation acquisition unit

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus that functions as the second type of terminal and communicates with another information processing apparatus that manages a first type of terminal used by a first type of user who performs live distribution and a plurality of second type of terminals used by a plurality of second type of users who participate in the live distribution, wherein the other information processing apparatus manages which of the following states the state of the information processing apparatus itself is in: a viewing state in which the information processing apparatus watches and participates in the live distribution by the first type of user, a chat candidate state in which the information processing apparatus participates as a candidate for chatting in the live distribution by the first type of user, and a chat target state in which the information processing apparatus chats and participates in the live distribution by the first type of user; and data including the content of the chat provided from each of the first type of terminal and the second type of terminal in the chat target state is synthesized into different moving image data for each state and distributed to each of the plurality of second type of terminals. In this case, moving image output control means for receiving and outputting control of the moving image data of the state of the information processing apparatus itself; character information whose content varies according to the state of the information processing apparatus managed by the other information processing apparatus, including first character information indicating the viewing state in the viewing state, second character information indicating the possibility of transitioning to the chat target state in the chat candidate state, and third character information indicating the chat target state in the chat target state. When the character information is transmitted from the other information processing apparatus as the content of the notification, notification content output means for outputting the content of the notification; comprising an information processing apparatus.

2. Among the plurality of second type of terminals including the information processing apparatus managed by the other information processing apparatus, the second type of terminal that transitions from the viewing state to the chat candidate state is the second type of terminal determined by at least one of the selection by the first type of user and a predetermined algorithm, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The predetermined algorithm is an algorithm determined by random lottery, The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. Among the plurality of second type of terminals including the information processing apparatus, the second terminal that transitions to the chat target state is designated by the first type of user, The information processing apparatus according to claims 1 to 3.

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