Distribution server, distribution system, information processing method, and computer program

Abstract

To provide a distribution server that enables a distributor to manage the price and number of screen effects unique to the distributor. [Solution] The distribution server according to the embodiment includes an acquisition unit 110 that acquires information about the distributor, including information about distribution performed by the distributor, a determination unit 111 that determines whether the distributor satisfies the granting conditions based on the distributor information, and an assignment unit 113 that, if the distributor satisfies the granting conditions, associates the distributor's identification information with the screen production right and records the associated information in a memory unit 12.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a distribution server, a distribution system, an information processing method, and a computer program. [Background technology]

[0002] Many video distribution systems have implemented a function that allows viewers to add special effects to live streaming videos (live broadcast programs) provided by broadcasters. For example, broadcasters can increase engagement between viewers and broadcasters by creating screen effects with their own images and providing them to viewers watching their broadcast programs. Viewers can support their favorite broadcasters by purchasing their own screen effects. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-017525 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If a broadcaster is allowed to freely set the price and number of screen effects that include their own images, there is a possibility that the price range of the screen effects will be biased. In contrast, if the price and number of screen effects that can be produced are uniform for all broadcasters, the operator of the distribution system will not be able to control the price and number of screen effects that can be produced for each broadcaster. For example, if a broadcaster who frequently broadcasts live streams using many gifts can be granted the right to produce many original gifts, it will be possible to liven up the broadcaster's programs and increase the popularity of the distribution system.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a distribution server, distribution system, information processing method, and computer program that enable distributors to manage the prices and numbers of their own screen effects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The distribution server according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires information about a distributor, including information about distribution performed by the distributor; a determination unit that determines whether the distributor satisfies the granting conditions based on the information about the distributor; and a granting unit that, if the distributor satisfies the granting conditions, associates the distributor's identification information with the screen production right and records the associated information in a memory unit.

[0007] A distribution system according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes a distributor terminal that transmits live streaming data including video and audio, and a distribution server that acquires the live streaming data and distributes live video content data based on the live streaming data to a viewer terminal that has made a viewing request, wherein the distribution server includes an acquisition unit that acquires information about the distributor including information about the distribution performed by the distributor, a determination unit that determines whether the distributor satisfies the granting conditions based on the distributor information, and a granting unit that, if the distributor satisfies the granting conditions, associates the distributor's identification information with the screen production right and records them in a memory unit.

[0008] An information processing method according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is a method in which a processor acquires information about a distributor including information about distribution made by the distributor, determines whether the distributor satisfies the granting conditions based on the distributor information, and, if the distributor satisfies the granting conditions, associates the distributor's identification information with the production rights for screen presentation and records them in a memory unit. A computer program according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute the information processing method according to the third aspect. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a distribution server, a distribution system, an information processing method, and a computer program that enable distributors to manage the prices and numbers of their own screen effects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a distribution system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a gift creation right (source of a gift) granted to a distributor. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for granting a distributor the right to create a screen effect. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart outlining an example of a procedure for creating a unique screen presentation by a distributor. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a display screen of a distributor terminal when a distributor creates a unique screen presentation. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a display screen of a viewer terminal while viewing a real-time broadcast. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a distribution system according to an embodiment. The distribution system of this embodiment includes a distribution server 10, a distributor terminal 20, and a viewer terminal 30. The distribution server 10 can be communicatively connected to the distributor terminal 20 and the viewer terminal 30 via a network 100. Note that while FIG. 1 illustrates one distributor terminal 20 and three viewer terminals 30, the numbers of distributor terminals 20 and viewer terminals 30 are not limited to the numbers illustrated, and each may be zero.

[0012] The distributor terminal 20 may be, but is not limited to, an electronic device such as a computer that can be connected to a video source such as a video camera, a television set (including Internet television), a PC (Personal Computer), a mobile terminal (e.g., a tablet, smartphone, smartwatch, laptop, feature phone, portable game console, digital music player, e-book reader, etc.), a VR (Virtual Reality) terminal, an AR (Augmented Reality) terminal, etc.

[0013] The distributor terminal 20, for example, comprises at least one processor 21, a memory unit 22, a communication unit 23, an input unit 24, and an output unit 25, and is configured to be able to realize various functions by software or a combination of software and hardware.

[0014] The communication unit 23 includes, for example, one or more communication interfaces, and can transmit and receive information to and from the distribution server 10 via the network 100. The communication interface may be a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface.

[0015] The output unit 25 is connected to output devices such as a display and a speaker, and outputs information that can be visually or audibly recognized by the distributor. The output unit 25 may include an output device, or may be connected to an output device via the network 100 or short-range communication. The output unit 25 can, for example, cause the output device to output video data and audio data of the distributor's distribution content in a visually and audibly recognizable manner.

[0016] The input unit 24 is connected to input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, microphone, camera, etc., and acquires information input by the distributor operating the input devices. Note that the input unit 24 may include the input devices, or may be connected to the input devices via the network 100 or short-range communication.

[0017] The storage unit 22 may include a program memory and a data memory. The program memory is a non-transitory tangible storage medium that combines, for example, a non-volatile memory that can be written to and read from at any time, such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), with a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), and can store programs necessary for the processor 21 of the distributor terminal 20 to execute various control processes, etc.

[0018] The data memory is a tangible storage medium, for example, a combination of the nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), and can be used to store various data or information acquired and created during various processes. The data memory can also temporarily store programs executed by a processor to realize the operation of the distributor terminal 20 and data used by the processor. In this embodiment, the data memory of the storage unit 22 stores, for example, video data and audio data (distribution data) of content created by the distributor, distribution history information, still images, animated images, and audio data used for screen effects, icon images corresponding to screen effects, and the distributor's setting information.

[0019] The processor 21 is typically a central processing unit (CPU) and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU), but may also be a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), or the like.

[0020] The processor 21 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 22 to realize various functions for distributing video content via the distribution server 10. In this embodiment, the processor 21 may have a function for editing video data and audio data in response to an operation by a distributor to generate data for distribution.

[0021] In this embodiment, the processor 21 includes a video transmission unit 210 and a display processing unit 211. The video transmission unit 210 transmits, for example, pre-edited distribution data to the distribution server 10. The video transmission unit 210 also sequentially transmits live distribution data including video data and audio data acquired in real time by a camera and a microphone to the distribution server 10.

[0022] The display processing unit 211 sequentially generates display data for live video content that combines the video of the distributor, comments, and screen effects using, for example, content distribution data, comment information, and screen effect (gift) information transmitted from the distribution server 10, and displays the data on the display screen of the distributor terminal 20. For example, the display processing unit 211 may generate display data by overlaying images and text on the video of the distributor so that the text of the comments and animation of the screen effects are displayed above the video of the live video content (the layer on the viewer's side of the display screen).

[0023] In addition, the display processing unit 211 can display a web browser that has been launched in response to the distributor's operation on the screen, and display a web page on the screen using data obtained by connecting to a web server (not shown) via the network 100.

[0024] The distribution server 10 may be an electronic device such as a computer, for example, a personal computer (PC), but is not limited to this. The distribution server 10 may also be, for example, a so-called cloud server configured as a virtual device by multiple server computers. The distribution server 10 includes, for example, at least one processor 11, a memory unit 12, a communication unit 13, an input unit 14, and an output unit 15, and is configured to be able to realize various functions by software or a combination of software and hardware.

[0025] The communication unit 13 includes, for example, one or more communication interfaces, and can transmit and receive information between the distributor terminal 20 and the viewer terminal 30 via the network 100. The communication interface may be a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface.

[0026] The output unit 15 is connected to output devices such as a display and a speaker, and outputs information that is visually or audibly recognized by the server administrator to the output devices. Note that the output unit 15 may include an output device, or may be connected to the output device via the network 100 or short-range communication.

[0027] The input unit 14 is connected to input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, microphone, camera, etc., and acquires information input by the server administrator operating the input devices. The input unit 14 may include the input devices, or may be connected to the input devices via the network 100 or short-range communication.

[0028] The storage unit 12 may include a program memory and a data memory. The program memory is a non-transitory tangible storage medium that is a combination of non-volatile memory that can be written to and read from at any time, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and non-volatile memory such as a read only memory (ROM), and can store programs necessary for the processor 11 of the distribution server 10 to execute various control processes, etc.

[0029] The data memory is a tangible storage medium, for example, a combination of the nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), and can be used to store various data or information acquired and created during various processes. At least a portion of the data memory can be used as an area for temporarily storing data used by processor 21 to realize the operation of distribution server 10.

[0030] In this embodiment, the data memory of the storage unit 12 can store information about the broadcaster (including information about the broadcasts made by the broadcaster), information about the viewer, rules for creating screen effects (gifts) (including information about the maximum number of gifts that can be created), and conditions for granting screen effect creation rights (source of gifts). The broadcaster information includes the broadcaster's sales information, event participation information, the broadcaster's ranking information, the broadcaster's user level, the number of logins, the broadcaster's screen effect (gift) creation history, and information about the broadcaster's original screen effects (original gifts). Information about the broadcasts made by the broadcaster includes, for example, video and audio data of the broadcaster's video content, comment information and a history of screen effect (gift) display requests (purchase information) sent from the viewer terminal 30, broadcast history, the number of viewers and cumulative viewing time, the number of channel subscribers, and other information. The viewer information includes the viewer's viewing history, billing history, the viewer's user level, viewer ranking information (including contribution ranking), information about items owned by the user (including the source of gifts), and user registration information. Note that the term "user" may refer to both broadcasters and viewers.

[0031] The conditions for granting the screen production right may be that the broadcaster's information (including information about the broadcaster's broadcast), such as the broadcaster's user level, number of logins, ranking, broadcast history, sales information (including a history of gifts given to the broadcaster by viewers), number of viewers of the broadcasted video, number of channel subscribers, total number of viewers (cumulative), total viewing time (cumulative), etc., meet a predetermined condition (e.g., exceed a threshold). For example, the conditions for granting the screen production right may be set so that the screen production right is granted to a broadcaster whose user level, sales, etc. exceed a threshold. Multiple thresholds may be set for each value to be judged (user level, sales, ranking, etc.), and the higher the user level or sales, the more expensive (more expensive) the screen production right will be granted to the broadcaster associated with that value. Furthermore, the conditions may be set so that multiple screen production rights or multiple types of screen production rights are granted to a broadcaster at once.

[0032] For example, the screen production rights (the source of the gift) may be used as a prize item in an event held by the operator of the distribution system. In that case, the condition for granting the screen production rights may be that the performance or ranking in the event exceeds a threshold. Furthermore, the broadcaster may be able to purchase the screen production rights as an item. In this case, a limit may be placed on the number of screen production rights that the broadcaster can purchase, or the types of screen production rights that can be purchased may be limited.

[0033] The conditions for granting screen production rights may vary depending on the number of rights previously granted to the broadcaster or the broadcaster's past use of screen production rights, and there may also be conditions for granting that are temporarily set for events, etc. For example, if the operator can adjust the conditions for granting screen production rights to adjust the type, number, and price range of gifts used, various screen effects can be used to further liven up live streaming in the distribution system.

[0034] There may be a limit on the number of screen production rights a broadcaster can receive and the number of original gifts a broadcaster can create. The upper limit on the number of screen production rights a broadcaster can receive and the upper limit on the number of original gifts a broadcaster can create may be determined based on information about the broadcaster (including information about the broadcaster's broadcasts), such as the broadcaster's user level, ranking, broadcast history, sales information (including the history of gifts given by viewers), the number of viewers of the broadcasted videos, the number of channel subscribers, the total number of viewers (cumulative), and the total viewing time (cumulative). The upper limit on the number of screen production rights a broadcaster can receive and the upper limit on the number of original gifts a broadcaster can create may be set for each price and type of original gift. The upper limit on the number of screen production rights a broadcaster can receive may be included, for example, in the conditions for granting the screen production rights, and the upper limit on the number of original gifts a broadcaster can create may be included, for example, in the gift creation rules.

[0035] For example, if a broadcaster can receive more screen production rights by increasing their user level, sales, etc., a broadcaster who has already received the maximum number of screen production rights (gift source) is expected to try to increase their sales and level by broadcasting more frequently to make their broadcast more exciting or by making efforts to make their broadcast more interesting. Also, for example, if a broadcaster can create more original gifts by increasing their user level, sales, etc., a broadcaster who has obtained gift source and has already created the maximum number of original gifts is expected to try to increase their sales and level by broadcasting more frequently to make their broadcast more exciting or by making efforts to make their broadcast more interesting. These efforts will help to liven up the entire broadcasting system.

[0036] The data memory may be built into the distribution server 10 or may be externally attached to the distribution server 10. The data memory may also include a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD).

[0037] The processor 11 is typically a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and / or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), but may also be a microcomputer, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc. The processor 21 can realize various functions of the distribution server 10 by executing programs stored in the storage unit 22.

[0038] In this embodiment, when data for live distribution is included in data transmitted from the distributor terminal 20, the processor 11 acquires comment information and a gift display request (including purchase information) transmitted from the viewer terminal 30, generates live video content data, and transmits the live video content data to the viewer terminal 30 in response to a viewing request, thereby distributing real-time content (live video content). The viewing request from the viewer terminal 30 may include at least identification information for the viewer terminal 30 or the viewer, and identification information for the content.

[0039] In this embodiment, the live video content is content that is delivered in real time by sequentially transmitting video data and audio data from the distributor terminal 20 to the delivery server 10 and using the data acquired by the delivery server 10.

[0040] The processor 11 also includes an acquisition unit 110, a determination unit 111, a granting unit 112, a content sending unit 113, and a gift management unit 114. The acquisition unit 110 can acquire information transmitted from the broadcaster terminal 20 and the viewer terminal 30, information stored in the memory unit 12, and information input by the input unit 14. For example, the acquisition unit 110 can acquire a request for gift production, gift materials, and information necessary for gift production transmitted from the broadcaster terminal 20, as well as a request for gift display transmitted from the viewer terminal 30.

[0041] The determination unit 111 can, for example, refer to gift creation rules to determine whether the materials, etc. of the gift transmitted from the broadcaster terminal 20 conform to the rules. Furthermore, the determination unit 111 can, for example, refer to the broadcaster's broadcast history, user level, etc. to determine whether the conditions for granting the broadcaster the right to create an original gift (the source of the gift) are met.

[0042] The granting unit 112 grants, for example, the right to create an original gift to a broadcaster who satisfies the granting conditions. The granting unit 112 also grants an original gift that conforms to the gift creation rules to the broadcaster (creator). In the distribution system of this embodiment, the right to create an original gift is recorded in the storage unit 12 as an item that serves as the source of the gift created by the broadcaster, in association with information on the source of the gift and the broadcaster's identification information, and the broadcaster is granted the right to create an original gift. The broadcaster can create their own original gift by consuming the source of the gift that they have been granted.

[0043] The information on the source of the gift may include information such as the type of gift that can be produced, the price and expiration date of the produced gift (the period during which original gifts can be produced using the rights), the sales deadline and the number of gifts that can be sold (maximum number), etc. The price of the gift may be, for example, a value set in legal tender, a value set in points (pt) used to pay for the distribution system, or even zero (free).

[0044] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a gift creation right (source of a gift) granted to a distributor. For example, gift origins can be granted to broadcasters as different items depending on the value of the gift that can be produced using the production rights granted. Figure 2 shows an example of two gift origin icons corresponding to the value in points (pt) used for payment in the distribution system. The right to produce a gift sold to viewers for 300 pt is the "300 pt gift origin," and the right to produce a gift sold to viewers for 900 pt is the "900 pt gift origin."

[0045] In addition, the types of gifts that can be created using gift templates may include, for example, gifts that can be used for live video content (live broadcast programs) distributed in real time by the creator, and gifts that can be used for live video content (live broadcast programs) distributed in real time by the creator and other broadcasters. For example, if a viewer who has acquired a broadcaster's unique screen effects uses those screen effects on other broadcasters' programs, the broadcaster can appeal to many viewers through the unique screen effects.

[0046] Furthermore, gifts produced by Gift Moto may be free or paid for. For example, gifts provided free of charge may have limitations on the period or number of times that viewers can use them, and gifts provided free of charge may have different presentations or effects than gifts provided free of charge.

[0047] The source of a gift may also be the right to produce a series of multiple gifts. For example, the source of a gift may be the right to produce gifts that are offered to viewers through a lottery (gacha) in which viewers pay a fee. Furthermore, the source of a gift may be the right to produce an original gacha (a set of gifts) that includes multiple original gifts from the streamer.

[0048] The content sending unit 113 generates content data using information on the distribution data (including live distribution data) sent from the distributor terminal 20 and information on comments and gifts sent from the viewer terminal 30, and sends the content data to the distributor terminal 20 and the viewer terminal 30. The content sending unit 113 associates the distribution data sent from the distributor terminal 20 with the distributor's identification information and records it in the storage unit 12, and also records and updates information such as the viewing history, number of views, and viewing time of the video content based on the distribution data in the recording unit 12.

[0049] The gift management unit 114 manages original gifts created by distributors and gifts acquired by viewers. For example, when a distributor uses (consumes) the source of a gift to create his or her own original gift, the gift management unit 114 deletes (or makes unusable) the source of the used gift from the memory unit 12, and records information about the created original gift in the memory unit 12 in association with the distributor's identification information.

[0050] The gift (screen effect) production request transmitted from the broadcaster terminal 20 to the distribution server 10 may include, for example, the broadcaster's identification information, information on the source of the gift to be consumed, and time information.

[0051] The gift management unit 114 also acquires, from the viewer terminal 30, a gift display request (purchase information) for screen effects or the like transmitted from the viewer terminal 30 viewing the live video content, and records and manages the gift purchase history for each viewer viewing the live video content in the storage unit 12. The gift management unit 114 can acquire list information of gifts acquired by the viewer by referring to the storage unit 12.

[0052] A gift (screen effect) display request sent from viewer terminal 30 to distribution server 10 may include, for example, identification information of the live video content, identification information of the screen effect, identification information of the viewer who requested the screen effect, and time information. If the gift requires payment, the gift display request may further include payment information. The payment information may include, for example, at least one of information on a credit card, a bank account, and electronic money. The gift management unit 114 can perform payment processing with a payment server (not shown) using the payment information.

[0053] The payment for the gift purchase may be made between the viewer terminal 30 and a payment server (not shown). In this case, payment information may be omitted from the gift display request. Furthermore, the payment process is omitted when a viewer requests the display of a gift that has already been purchased, when a viewer requests the display of a free gift, or when a viewer acquires a gift by consuming points (already purchased) that can be used in the video distribution service provided by the distribution server 10.

[0054] Furthermore, gift management unit 114 manages the history of gifts such as screen effects sent in response to live video content and the senders of such gifts. Based on a gift display request sent from viewer terminal 30, gift management unit 114 associates, for example, the identification information of the viewer who sent the gift, the identification information of the live video content and the distributor, the identification information of the screen effect corresponding to the gift, and the time information when the gift was sent in storage unit 12, and manages the sent gifts.

[0055] For example, the gift management unit 114 may use the gift history stored in the memory unit 12 to calculate a ranking of viewers who have contributed most to the live video content, such as a ranking of viewers who have sent the most gifts to the live video content and / or a ranking of viewers who have contributed the most to the live video content (total of purchase amounts, points, etc.). The gift management unit 114 may also calculate the number of gifts or the total amount (or total number of points) sent to live video content distributed during a predetermined period, and calculate a ranking of the number of gifts or the total amount of gifts for each broadcaster of multiple live video content distributed during that period. The gift management unit 114 may, for example, record and manage the calculated rankings in the memory unit 12.

[0056] The distribution server 10 can transmit screen presentation (gift) information, including identification information for the screen presentation and user information such as the username, ranking, and contribution level of the viewer who requested (purchased) the display of the screen presentation, together with the live distribution data to the viewer terminal 30 that is watching the live video content to which the gift was sent.

[0057] The viewer terminal 30 may be, for example, an electronic device such as a computer, for example, a television set (including Internet television), a PC (Personal Computer), a mobile terminal (for example, a tablet, smartphone, smartwatch, laptop, feature phone, portable game console, digital music player, e-book reader, etc.), a VR (Virtual Reality) terminal, an AR (Augmented Reality) terminal, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0058] The viewer terminal 30, for example, comprises at least one processor 31, a memory unit 32, a communication unit 33, an input unit 34, and an output unit 35, and is configured to be able to realize various functions by software or a combination of software and hardware.

[0059] The communication unit 33 includes, for example, one or more communication interfaces, and is capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from the network 100. The communication interface may be a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface.

[0060] The output unit 35 is connected to output devices such as a display and a speaker, and outputs information that can be visually or audibly recognized by the viewer. The output unit 35 may include an output device, or may be connected to an output device that is connected to the viewer terminal 30 via the network 100. The output unit 35 can, for example, cause the output device to output video and audio based on display data of the distribution content generated by the processor 31 (described later) in a visually and audibly recognizable manner.

[0061] The input unit 34 is connected to input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, microphone, camera, etc., and acquires information input by the viewer operating the input devices. The input unit 34 may include an input device, or may be connected to an input device connected to the viewer terminal 30 via the network 100. The input unit 34 can acquire input information such as comment data input by the viewer operating the input device, and provide it to the processor 31.

[0062] The storage unit 32 may include a program memory and a data memory. The program memory is a non-transitory tangible storage medium that combines, for example, a non-volatile memory that can be written to and read from at any time, such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), with a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), and can store programs necessary for the processor 31 of the viewer terminal 30 to execute various control processes, etc.

[0063] The data memory is a tangible storage medium that combines, for example, the nonvolatile memory described above with a volatile memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), and can be used to store various data or information acquired and created during various processes. The data memory can also temporarily store programs executed by a processor to realize the operation of the viewer terminal 30, data used by the processor, and the like.

[0064] In this embodiment, the data memory of storage unit 32 stores information such as image data and audio data used to display video content, still or animated images used for gift screen effects, icon images corresponding to the screen effects, a history (gift catalog) of acquired screen effect (my gift) information, viewer setting information, and assets (points, electronic money information, etc.) that the viewer can use in the video distribution service. Note that the history information, etc. stored in the data memory may be temporarily saved and then deleted sequentially, or may be updated sequentially.

[0065] The processor 31 is typically a central processing unit (CPU) and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU), but may also be a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), or the like.

[0066] By executing the programs stored in the storage unit 32, the processor 31 can realize various functions for displaying video content data received from the distribution server 10. For example, the processor 31 can display the video content distributed from the distribution server 10 and transmit to the distribution server 10 comment information or a gift display request input in response to a viewer's operation.

[0067] In this embodiment, the processor 31 includes a gift display request unit 310 and a display processing unit 300. In response to an operation by a viewer, the gift display request unit 310 makes a request to display screen effects for the live video content that the viewer is viewing.

[0068] The display processing unit 300 sequentially generates display data for live video content that combines the video of the distributor, comments, and screen effects using the content distribution data, comment information, and screen effect (gift) information transmitted from the distribution server 10, and displays the data on the display screen of the viewer terminal 30. For example, the display processing unit 300 may generate display data by overlaying images and text on the video of the distributor so that the text of the comments and animation of the screen effects are displayed above the video of the live video content (the layer on the viewer's side of the display screen).

[0069] Note that the screen effects (gifts) transmitted for live video content may include multiple types of effects. For example, if the live video content includes multiple video layers, the screen effects may be animations superimposed on the display layer of the video of the live video content displayed on the screen, images moving on the display layer of the video of the live video content, or audio output from the speakers of the viewer terminal 30 and the distributor terminal 20. Screen effects for live video content may be classified, for example, so that they are displayed on different display layers depending on the price paid by the viewer. For example, screen effects with a high price may be displayed on the topmost display layer above the video of the live video content, and screen effects with a low price may be displayed on the layer immediately above the video of the live video content (e.g., the same display layer as comments and text information). The display processing unit 300 can display screen effects with corresponding images and effects using identification information for the images and effects included in the screen effect information.

[0070] Next, an example of a procedure for a distributor to create an original screen presentation (gift) in the distribution system of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for granting a distributor the right to create a screen effect.

[0071] First, the acquisition unit 110 of the processor 11 acquires broadcaster information (including broadcast-related information) stored in the storage unit 12 (step SA1). The acquisition unit 110 may acquire information about broadcasters who participated in a specific event, for example, after the event has ended, or may periodically acquire broadcaster information. The acquisition unit 110 may also acquire broadcaster information in response to a request from the broadcaster terminal 20 for the granting of a gift production right. The acquisition unit 110 may access the storage unit 12 to acquire the broadcaster information, or may acquire information from the broadcaster terminal 20 by requesting the broadcaster information from the broadcaster terminal 20.

[0072] Next, the judgment unit 111 of the processor 11 determines, based on the information about the distributor acquired by the acquisition unit 110, whether the distributor meets the conditions for being granted an item (gift source) corresponding to the right to create a gift (step SA2).

[0073] For example, when the user level of the broadcaster reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold, the determination unit 111 can determine that the condition for granting the broadcaster a gift corresponding to the threshold has been satisfied. Furthermore, the determination unit 111 can determine that the condition for granting the broadcaster a gift corresponding to the threshold has been satisfied when, for example, the broadcaster's total broadcast time reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold based on the broadcaster's broadcast history, the number of broadcasts or live broadcasts reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold, or the cumulative viewing time or number of views by viewers reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold. Furthermore, the determination unit 111 can determine that the condition for granting the broadcaster a gift corresponding to the threshold has been satisfied when, for example, the broadcaster's sales reach or exceed a predetermined threshold.

[0074] An upper limit may also be set for the number of gift points that can be granted to a broadcaster. The upper limit may be set for each gift point price, or may be set for each user level, number of logins, broadcast history, or sales threshold of the broadcaster granting the gift points. An upper limit may also be set for the number of gift points that can be granted to a broadcaster in a predetermined period. If the number of gift points granted has reached the upper limit, the determination unit 111 can determine that the gift point granting conditions are not met, even if the granting conditions are met for the broadcaster's information.

[0075] If the determination unit 111 determines that the granting conditions are not met (step SA2, No), information on other distributors may be acquired, and a determination may be made as to whether the granting conditions are met for the other distributors.

[0076] If the judgment unit 111 determines that the granting conditions are met (step SA2, Yes), the granting unit 112 associates the information on the source of the gift that corresponds to the met granting conditions with the identification information of the distributor and records them in the memory unit 12, and grants the gift production right to the distributor (step SA3).

[0077] Next, an example of a procedure for a distributor to create an original gift using the gift creation right (gift source) will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart outlining an example of a procedure for creating a unique screen presentation by a distributor. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a display screen of a distributor terminal when a distributor creates a unique screen presentation.

[0078] The distributor can start creating an original gift by selecting the "Create New" button in the "niconico Creator's Gift Studio" menu displayed on the display screen of the distributor terminal 20.

[0079] The "niconico Creators Gift Studio" may be, for example, a web page displayed in a web browser, or may be displayed as an application downloadable to the broadcaster terminal 20. The "niconico Creators Gift Studio" includes a menu A1, a section A2 for displaying messages from the management, a section A3 for displaying the number of gifts created and the number of gifts that can be created, and a section A4 for managing gifts created by the broadcaster. By operating the "niconico Creators Gift Studio," the broadcaster can send messages to the distribution server 10, view messages from the distribution server 10, upload materials (images and audio) for creating original gifts, and manage the original gifts that have already been created.

[0080] When a broadcaster operates the broadcaster terminal 20 to start creating an original gift, a request for creating the gift is transmitted to the distribution server 10. The acquisition unit 110 acquires the request for creating the gift transmitted from the broadcaster terminal 20 (step SB1).

[0081] In response to a request from the broadcaster terminal 20, the acquisition unit 110 acquires information on the source of the gift owned by the broadcaster from the storage unit 12 (step SB2). Based on the information on the source of the gift acquired by the acquisition unit 110, the gift management unit 114 requests the distributor to select the type of gift to be produced (the source of the gift to be consumed) on the production screen to which the distributor is logged in (step SB3).

[0082] In response to a request from the distribution server 10, options are displayed on the display screen of the distributor terminal 20, for example, and the distributor can select an option corresponding to the gift they wish to create, thereby transmitting the type of gift to be created (the basis of the gift to be consumed) to the distribution server 10.

[0083] The gift management unit 114 accesses the memory unit 12 to obtain the materials and information necessary for the gift selected by the distributor, and requests the necessary materials and information on the production screen to which the distributor is logged in (step SB4).

[0084] In response to a request from the distribution server 10, for example, an input field for materials and information to be uploaded is displayed on the display screen of the distributor terminal 20, and the distributor can input materials such as images and sounds required to create an original gift, as well as information such as the background color of the gift and image operation settings, and send the necessary information to the distribution server 10.

[0085] The acquisition unit 110 acquires the materials and information sent by the broadcaster and provides them to the determination unit 111. The determination unit 111 refers to the gift creation rules stored in the storage unit 12 and examines whether the materials sent by the broadcaster conform to the rules (step SB5). The determination unit 111 may determine whether the images and audio conform to formal rules (such as the size, format, and clarity of the image data and audio data), or may determine whether the content of the images and audio is appropriate for the screen presentation of the broadcast (whether it contains inappropriate information). If the determination unit 111 determines that the materials do not conform to the rules, a final examination may be conducted by the operator of the broadcast system.

[0086] If the determination unit 111 ultimately determines that the materials and information sent by the distributor do not conform to the rules (step SB6, No), it notifies the distributor in the message field A2 of "niconico Creators Gift Studio" that the review has been completed and presents the review results in response to the distributor's operation (step SB9). If the distributor then wishes to continue creating the original gift, the process returns to step SB4 and requests the materials and information again.

[0087] If the judgment unit 111 determines that the materials and information sent by the distributor ultimately comply with the rules (step SB6, No), it notifies the message field A2 of the "niconico Creators Gift Studio" that the review has been completed and presents the review results in response to the distributor's operation (step SB7).

[0088] Next, the gift management unit 114 uses the materials and information provided by the distributor to create an original gift for the distributor, associates the information about the created gift with the distributor's identification information, records it in the memory unit 12, and provides the gift to the distributor (step SB8).

[0089] The gift management unit 114 displays the gifts provided to the distributor in the management column A4 of the "niconico Creators Gift Studio," and updates the display by increasing the number of gifts produced in the display column A3 by 1 and subtracting 1 from the number of gifts that can be produced. As described above, streamers can create original gifts by consuming gift funds.

[0090] When viewers are watching a streamer's real-time broadcast (live program), they can obtain the streamer's originals that are displayed in the gift section. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a display screen of a viewer terminal while viewing a real-time broadcast.

[0091] While viewing a real-time broadcast by a broadcaster, a viewer can operate the viewer terminal 30 to select the gift mark GB on the display screen DYP to display the gift selection screen GA. The gift selection screen GA displays, for example, a list of gift icons that the viewer can purchase. The viewer can select the icon corresponding to the gift they wish to purchase from the displayed gift list, confirm the terms of use, and complete the purchase procedure to send a gift (screen effect) to the broadcaster's real-time broadcast. That is, the gift display request unit 310 of the viewer terminal 30 transmits information about the gift selected by the viewer to the distribution server 10 and requests the display of a screen effect for the live video content the viewer is viewing.

[0092] If viewers can use gifts they have previously purchased (My Gifts), they can select the My Gifts tab on the gift selection screen GA to display a list of My Gifts and select a gift (screen effect) from My Gifts to send to the real-time broadcast.

[0093] Also, if there is a gacha (lottery) available for purchase, viewers can enter the lottery by purchasing the gacha and send a randomly selected gift (screen effect) to the broadcaster's real-time broadcast.

[0094] The acquisition unit 110 of the distribution server 10 acquires the gift information sent from the viewer terminal 30, and the content transmission unit 113 generates content data using the information on the distribution data (including real-time distribution data) sent from the distributor terminal 20 and the information on the comments and gifts sent from the viewer terminal 30, and transmits the content data to the distributor terminal 20 and the viewer terminal 30.

[0095] The display processing unit 300 of the viewer terminal 30 uses the content distribution data, comment information, and screen effect (gift) information transmitted from the distribution server 10 to sequentially generate display data for live video content that combines the video of the distributor, comments, and screen effects, and displays the data on the display screen DYP of the viewer terminal 30. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the display processing unit 300 displays a screen effect in which, for example, an image P falls from the top of the display screen DYP due to a gift given by a viewer (including other viewers).

[0096] According to the distribution server 10 and distribution system described above, the distribution server 10 grants the distributor the right to create screen effects (gifts) with the distributor's own images as an item, allowing the distribution system operator to adjust the type and number of original gifts that can be produced. This prevents bias in the price range of the original gifts produced and makes it possible to adjust the price range and number of original gifts that can be produced depending on the distributor's distribution status. As a result, it is possible to liven up the distributor's program and increase the popularity of the distribution system.

[0097] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a distribution server, a distribution system, an information processing method, and a computer program that enable distributors to manage the prices and numbers of their own screen effects.

[0098] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combinations, in which case the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combining selected elements from the disclosed elements. For example, if the problem can be solved and the desired effect can be obtained even if some elements are deleted from all elements shown in the embodiments, the configuration from which these elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 10...Distribution server, 11...Processor, 110...Acquisition unit, 111...Determination unit, 112...Giving unit, 113...Content transmission unit, 114...Gift management unit, 12...Memory unit, 13...Communication unit, 14...Input unit, 15...Output unit, 20...Distributor terminal, 21...Processor, 210...Video transmission unit, 211...Display processing unit 22...Memory unit, 23...Communication unit, 24...Input unit, 25...Output unit, 30...Viewer terminal, 31...Processor, 300...Display processing unit, 310...Gift display request unit, 32...Memory unit, 33...Communication unit, 34...Input unit, 35...Output unit, 100...Network, A1...Menu, A2...Message display column, A2...Message column, A3...Display column

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires information about a distributor, including information about distributions made by the distributor; a determination unit that determines whether the distributor satisfies the granting conditions based on the information of the distributor; The distribution server includes an assigning unit that associates the identification information of the distributor with the screen production right and records it in a storage unit in accordance with whether the distributor satisfies the assigning conditions.

2. The distribution server according to claim 1 , wherein the screen effect production right includes at least one of information on a price for the screen effect and information on a type of the screen effect.

3. The distribution server according to claim 1 , wherein the conditions for granting the bonus are conditions that must be satisfied by at least one of the user level of the distributor, the distribution history of the distributor, the ranking, and the results of the distributor in events held by the distribution server.

4. The acquisition unit further includes a function of acquiring a production request for the screen effect, The distribution server of claim 1 further comprises a gift management unit that, in response to a request to produce the screen effect, consumes the screen effect production rights granted to the distributor to produce the screen effect for the distributor, and records information about the produced screen effect in the memory unit in association with the distributor's identification information.

5. a broadcaster terminal for transmitting live broadcast data including video and audio; a distribution server that acquires the live distribution data and distributes data of live video content based on the live distribution data to a viewer terminal that has made a viewing request, The distribution server an acquisition unit that acquires information about a distributor, including information about distributions made by the distributor; a determination unit that determines whether the distributor satisfies the granting conditions based on the information of the distributor; and a granting unit that, when the distributor satisfies the granting conditions, associates the identification information of the distributor with the screen production right and records the association in the storage unit. Delivery system.

6. The processor: Obtain information about the broadcaster, including information about the broadcasts made by the broadcaster; Determine whether the distributor satisfies the conditions for granting the service based on the information of the distributor; This information processing method associates the distributor's identification information with the screen production right and records them in a storage unit in accordance with whether the distributor satisfies the granting conditions.

7. A computer program causing a computer to execute the information processing method according to claim 6.

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