Server, information processing method and program

Abstract

To provide a server, an information processing method, and a program that, when various contributions are made by a user on contents of a specific content, provide the user with a community site suitable for the content.SOLUTION: In a communication system, a server that communicates with a terminal via a network 30 includes a communication unit that receives browsing information on a user of the terminal regarding browsing of a content that can be browsed on the terminal, and a control unit that selects a community site based on the browsing information. The communication unit transmits information on the community site selected by the control unit to the terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a technology has been generally known in which user-viewable content (e.g., manga) is delivered to a terminal such as a smartphone (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A user who has viewed such content can interact with other users about the content on a community site (e.g., a chat room) on the Internet via the terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-200987 Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, A server that communicates with a terminal, a communication unit that receives browsing information of a user of the terminal regarding browsing of content that can be viewed on the terminal; a control unit for selecting a community site based on the browsing information; The communication unit transmits information about the community site selected by the control unit to the terminal. According to a second aspect of the present invention, An information processing method for a server that communicates with a terminal, comprising: receiving, by a communication unit of the server, browsing information of a user of the terminal relating to browsing of content that can be viewed on the terminal; selecting a community site based on the browsing information by a control unit of the server; The method includes transmitting information about the community site selected by the control unit to the terminal by the communication unit. According to a third aspect of the present invention, A program executed by a server in communication with a terminal, receiving, by a communication unit of the server, browsing information of a user of the terminal relating to browsing of content that can be viewed on the terminal; selecting a community site based on the browsing information by a control unit of the server; The server transmits information about the community site selected by the control unit to the terminal through the communication unit. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, A program executed by an information processing device, performing control of acquiring browsing information related to browsing of content by a user by a control unit of the information processing device; A control unit controls the selection of a community site based on the browsing information; The information processing device executes control by the control unit to present information on the community site selected by the control unit to the user. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a server, a control unit for acquiring content information relating to content that can be viewed on the terminal; The control unit performs control to set a community site in which viewing by users who have not viewed a portion of the content corresponding to the content information is restricted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0005] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions realized by a communication unit of the terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions realized by a control unit of the terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions realized by a communication unit of the server in the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions realized by a control unit of the server in the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a community site presented on a terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a community site presented on a terminal. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a server according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the present embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the first modified example (1). [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a community site presented on a terminal in the first modified example (2). [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the first modified example (2). [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a server in the first modified example (5). [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a terminal in the first modified example (5). [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a community site presented on a terminal in the first modified example (6). [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions realized by a control unit of a server in the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a server in the second embodiment. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by a server in the second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the process by the server in the second modified example (1) in chronological order. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the process by the server in the second modified example (2) in chronological order. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of display on a terminal of a community site in the second modified example (3). [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions realized by a control unit of a server in a second modified example (4). [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a server in the second modified example (4). [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of display on a terminal of access restrictions on the second community site in the second modified example (4). [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a terminal in the second modified example (4). [Figure 27] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the second modified example (4). [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized by a control unit of a server in the second modified example (6). [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the process by the server in the second modified example (6) in chronological order. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example when a present is received from a second user to a first user in the second modified example (6). [Figure 31] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a server in the second modified example (6). [Figure 32] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the second modified example (6). [Figure 33] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of how questionnaire information is displayed on a terminal in the second modified example (7). [Figure 34] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a server in the second modified example (7). [Figure 35] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the second modified example (7). [Figure 36]FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the process by the server in the second modified example (8) in chronological order. [Figure 37] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the second modified example (8). [Figure 38] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a server in the second modified example (9). [Figure 39] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processes executed by each device in the second modified example (9). [Figure 40] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of information displayed on a terminal in the third embodiment. [Figure 41] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a server in the third embodiment. [Figure 42] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the third embodiment. [Figure 43] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions realized by a control unit of a server in a third modified example (1). [Figure 44] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a question displayed on a terminal asking whether there are any messages for members of the second community site in the third modified example (1). [Figure 45] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a message displayed to a specific user in the second community site in the third modified example (1). [Figure 46] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a server in a third modified example (1). [Figure 47] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the third modified example (1). [Figure 48] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of displaying user movement information within the second community site in the third modified example (3). [Figure 49] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a message displayed to a specific user in the second community site in the third modified example (4). [Figure 50] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of displaying a list of members of the second community site in the third modified example (5). [Figure 51] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of displaying a list of members of the first community site in the third modified example (5). [Figure 52] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions realized by a control unit of a server in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 53] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a server in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 54] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 55A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of displaying a list of community sites on a terminal when no viewing restrictions are imposed in a fourth modified example (1). [Figure 55B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of how a list of community sites is displayed on a terminal when browsing is restricted in the fourth modified example (1). [Figure 56A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of how a list of community sites is displayed on a terminal when browsing is restricted in the fourth modified example (1). [Figure 56B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of how a list of community sites is displayed on a terminal when browsing is restricted in the fourth modified example (1). [Figure 57] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 58] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the fifth modified example (1). [Figure 59] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of hiding a message on a terminal in the fifth modified example (2). [Figure 60] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of hiding a message on a terminal in the fifth modified example (2). [Figure 61] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the fifth modified example (2). [Figure 62] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of lifting the viewing restriction at the terminal in the fifth modified example (3). [Figure 63]13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the fifth modified example (3). [Figure 64] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 65] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of application to a chat room. [Figure 66] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of application to a chat room. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] <Compliance with legal matters> It should be noted that the disclosures set forth herein are subject to compliance with the laws of the country of implementation, such as communications privacy, as required for the implementation of the disclosures.

[0007] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment for implementing a server, an information processing method, and a program according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0008] <System configuration> Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As disclosed in Fig. 1, in the communication system 1, a server 10 and terminals 20 (terminal 20A, terminal 20B, terminal 20C) are connected via a network 30. The server 10 provides a service to the terminals 20 owned by users via the network 30, enabling the terminals 20 to send and receive messages between the terminals 20. The number of terminals 20 connected to the network 30 is not limited.

[0009] The network 30 serves to connect one or more terminals 20 and one or more servers 10. In other words, the network 30 refers to a communication network that provides a connection path so that the terminals 20 can connect to the server 10 and then transmit and receive data.

[0010] One or more portions of network 30 may or may not be a wired or wireless network. Network 30 may include, by way of example and not limitation, an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a portion of the Internet, a portion of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a cellular network, integrated service digital networks (ISDN), wireless LAN, long term evolution (LTE), code division multiple access (CDMA), Bluetooth, satellite communications, etc., or a combination of two or more thereof. Network 30 may include one or more networks 30.

[0011] The terminal 20 (terminal 20A, terminal 20B, terminal 20C) may be any information processing terminal capable of implementing the functions described in each embodiment. Examples of the terminal 20 include, but are not limited to, smartphones, mobile phones (feature phones), computers (such as, but not limited to, desktops, laptops, and tablets), media computer platforms (such as, but not limited to, cable and satellite set-top boxes and digital video recorders), handheld computer devices (such as, but not limited to, personal digital assistants (PDAs), email clients, and the like), wearable devices (such as, but not limited to, glasses-type devices and watch-type devices), and other types of computers or communication platforms. The terminal 20 may also be referred to as an information processing terminal.

[0012] Because the configurations of terminals 20A, 20B, and 20C are basically the same, the following description will focus on terminal 20. Furthermore, as necessary, the terminal used by user X will be referred to as terminal 20X, and user information in a predetermined service associated with user X or terminal 20X will be referred to as user information X. Note that user information is user information associated with an account used by the user in a predetermined service. User information includes, by way of example and without limitation, information associated with a user, such as the user's name, user icon image, user age, user gender, user address, user hobbies and interests, and user identifier, which is input by the user or assigned by the predetermined service, and may be any one or a combination of these.

[0013] The server 10 has a function of providing a predetermined service to the terminal 20. The server 10 may be any information processing device capable of implementing the functions described in each embodiment. Examples of the server 10 include, but are not limited to, a server device, a computer (such as, but not limited to, a desktop, laptop, or tablet), a media computer platform (such as, but not limited to, a cable or satellite set-top box or digital video recorder), a handheld computer device (such as, but not limited to, a PDA or email client), or other types of computers or communication platforms. The server 10 may also be referred to as an information processing device. When there is no need to distinguish between the server 10 and the terminal 20, the server 10 and the terminal 20 may or may not each be referred to as an information processing device.

[0014] <Hardware (HW) configuration> The HW configuration of each device included in the communication system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0015] (1) Hardware configuration of the terminal The terminal 20 includes a control unit 21 (CPU: central processing unit), a memory unit 28, a communication unit 22, an input / output unit 23, a display unit 24, a microphone 25, a speaker 26, and a camera 27. The HW components of the terminal 20 are connected to each other via a bus B, for example and not by way of limitation. It is not essential that the HW configuration of the terminal 20 includes all of the components. For example and not by way of limitation, the terminal 20 may or may not be configured such that individual components, such as the microphone 25, the camera 27, or multiple components, are detachable.

[0016] The communication unit 22 transmits and receives various data via the network 30. The communication may be performed either wired or wirelessly, and any communication protocol may be used as long as mutual communication is possible. The communication unit 22 has a function of communicating with the server 10 via the network 30. The communication unit 22 transmits various data to the server 10 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 21. The communication unit 22 also receives various data transmitted from the server 10 and transmits it to the control unit 21. The communication unit 22 may also be simply referred to as a communication unit. When the communication unit 22 is configured as a physically structured circuit, it may also be referred to as a communication circuit.

[0017] The input / output unit 23 includes a device for inputting various operations to the terminal 20 and a device for outputting processing results processed by the terminal 20. The input / output unit 23 may be an integrated input unit and an output unit, or may be separate input unit and output unit, or may not be so.

[0018] The input unit is realized by any one or combination of all types of devices that can accept input from a user and transmit information related to the input to the control unit 21. Examples of the input unit include, but are not limited to, hardware keys such as a touch panel, a touch display, and a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, a camera (for inputting operations via moving images), and a microphone (for inputting operations by voice).

[0019] The output unit is realized by any one or a combination of all kinds of devices that can output the processing results processed by the control unit 21. Examples of the output unit include, but are not limited to, a touch panel, a touch display, a speaker (audio output), a lens (for example, but not limited to, 3D (three dimensions) output or hologram output), a printer, etc.

[0020] The display unit 24 is realized by any one of all types of devices or a combination thereof that can display according to the display data written to the frame buffer. Examples of the display unit 24 include, but are not limited to, a touch panel, a touch display, a monitor (for example, but not limited to, a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display (OLED)), a head mounted display (HDM), projection mapping, a hologram, and a device that can display images, text information, etc. in air (which may or may not be a vacuum). Note that these display units 24 may or may not be capable of displaying display data in 3D.

[0021] When the input / output unit 23 is a touch panel, the input / output unit 23 and the display unit 24 may be disposed opposite each other and have approximately the same size and shape.

[0022] The control unit 21 has a circuit physically structured to execute the functions realized by the code or instructions contained in the program, and is realized by, for example and without limitation, a data processing device built into hardware. Therefore, the control unit 21 may or may not be expressed as a control circuit.

[0023] The control unit 21 includes, by way of example and not limitation, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a processor core, a multiprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0024] The storage unit 28 has a function of storing various programs and various data required for the operation of the terminal 20. The storage unit 28 includes, but is not limited to, various storage media such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, a random access memory (RAM), and a read only memory (ROM). The storage unit 28 may or may not be expressed as a memory.

[0025] Terminal 20 stores program P in storage unit 28, and by executing this program P, control unit 21 executes the processing of each unit included in control unit 21. In other words, program P stored in storage unit 28 causes terminal 20 to realize each function executed by control unit 21. Furthermore, this program P may or may not be expressed as a program module.

[0026] The microphone 25 is used to input audio data, the speaker 26 is used to output audio data, and the camera 27 is used to acquire video data.

[0027] (2) Server hardware configuration The server 10 includes a control unit 11 (CPU), a storage unit 15, a communication unit 14 (interface), an input / output unit 12, and a display 13. The components of the HW of the server 10 are connected to each other via a bus B, for example and not for limitation. Note that the HW of the server 10 does not necessarily have to include all the components as the configuration of the HW of the server 10. For example and not for limitation, the HW of the server 10 may or may not be configured so that the display 13 is detachable.

[0028] The control unit 11 has circuits physically structured to execute the functions realized by the codes or instructions contained in the program, and is realized by, for example and without limitation, a data processing device built into hardware.

[0029] The control unit 11 is typically a central processing unit (CPU), but may also be a microprocessor, a processor core, a multiprocessor, an ASIC, or an FPGA. In the present disclosure, the control unit 11 is not limited to these.

[0030] The storage unit 15 has a function of storing various programs and various data required for the operation of the server 10. The storage unit 15 is realized by various storage media such as an HDD, an SSD, and a flash memory. However, in the present disclosure, the storage unit 15 is not limited to these. Furthermore, the storage unit 15 may or may not be expressed as a memory.

[0031] The communication unit 14 transmits and receives various data via the network 30. The communication may be performed either wired or wirelessly, and any communication protocol may be used as long as mutual communication is possible. The communication unit 14 has a function of communicating with the terminal 20 via the network 30. The communication unit 14 transmits various data to the terminal 20 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 11. The communication unit 14 also receives various data transmitted from the terminal 20 and transmits it to the control unit 11. The communication unit 14 may also be simply referred to as a communication unit. When the communication unit 14 is configured as a physically structured circuit, it may also be referred to as a communication circuit.

[0032] The input / output unit 12 is realized by a device that inputs various operations to the server 10. The input / output unit 12 is realized by any one of or a combination of all types of devices that can accept input from a user and transmit information related to the input to the control unit 11. The input / output unit 12 is typically realized by hardware keys such as a keyboard or a pointing device such as a mouse. Note that the input / output unit 12 may or may not include, but is not limited to, a touch panel, a camera (for inputting operations via moving images), or a microphone (for inputting operations by voice). However, in the present disclosure, the input / output unit 12 is not limited to these.

[0033] The display 13 is typically realized by a monitor (for example, but not limited to, a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display (OLED)). The display 13 may or may not be a head-mounted display (HDM) or the like. These displays 13 may or may not be capable of displaying display data in 3D. However, in the present disclosure, the display 13 is not limited to these.

[0034] Server 10 stores program P in storage unit 15, and by executing this program P, control unit 11 executes the processes of each unit included in control unit 11. In other words, program P stored in storage unit 15 causes server 10 to realize each function executed by control unit 11. This program P may or may not be expressed as a program module.

[0035] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, the description will be given assuming that the CPU of the terminal 20 and / or the server 10 executes the program P to realize the present invention.

[0036] The control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and / or the control unit 11 of the server 10 may or may not realize each process not only by a CPU having a control circuit but also by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, LSI (Large Scale Integration)), or a dedicated circuit. These circuits may be realized by one or more integrated circuits, and multiple processes shown in each embodiment may or may not be realized by a single integrated circuit. LSIs may also be called VLSIs, super LSIs, ultra LSIs, etc. depending on the degree of integration. Therefore, the control unit 21 may or may not be expressed as a control circuit.

[0037] Furthermore, the program P (for example, but not limited to, a software program, a computer program, or a program module) of each embodiment of the present disclosure may or may not be provided in a state stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can store the program P in a "non-transitory tangible medium." The program P may or may not be intended to realize part of the functions of each embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the program P may or may not be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the functions of each embodiment of the present disclosure in combination with a program P already recorded on a storage medium.

[0038] The storage medium may include one or more semiconductor-based or other integrated circuits (ICs) (such as, by way of example and not limitation, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or application-specific ICs (ASICs)), hard disk drives (HDDs), hybrid hard drives (HHDs), optical disks, optical disk drives (ODDs), magneto-optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy diskettes, floppy disk drives (FDDs), magnetic tapes, solid-state drives (SSDs), RAM drives, secure digital cards, or drives, any other suitable storage media, or any suitable combination of two or more of these. The storage medium may be volatile, non-volatile, or a combination of volatile and non-volatile, where appropriate. The storage medium is not limited to these examples and may be any device or medium capable of storing the program P. Furthermore, the storage medium may or may not be referred to as memory.

[0039] The server 10 and / or the terminal 20 can implement the functions of the multiple functional units shown in each embodiment by reading out the program P stored in the storage medium and executing the read out program P.

[0040] Furthermore, the program PDD of the present disclosure may or may not be provided to the server 10 and / or the terminal 20 via any transmission medium capable of transmitting a program (such as a communication network or broadcast waves). The server 10 and / or the terminal 20, by way of example and not limitation, executes the program P downloaded via the Internet or the like to realize the functions of the multiple functional units shown in each embodiment.

[0041] In addition, each embodiment of the present disclosure may also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program P is embodied by electronic transmission.

[0042] At least a part of the processing in the server 10 and / or the terminal 20 may or may not be realized by cloud computing configured by one or more computers.

[0043] At least a part of the processing in the terminal 20 may or may not be performed by the server 10. In this case, at least a part of the processing of each functional unit of the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 may or may not be performed by the server 10.

[0044] At least a part of the processing in the server 10 may or may not be performed by the terminal 20. In this case, at least a part of the processing of each functional unit of the control unit 11 of the server 10 may or may not be performed by the terminal 20.

[0045] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the judgment configuration in the embodiments of the present disclosure is not essential, and a predetermined process may or may not be performed when the judgment condition is met, or when the judgment condition is not met.

[0046] The programs of the present disclosure are implemented using, for example and without limitation, scripting languages ​​such as ActionScript and JavaScript (registered trademark), object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Objective-C and Java (registered trademark), and markup languages ​​such as HTML5.

[0047] First Embodiment In recent years, community sites that allow users to interact with other users over the Internet using their devices have become increasingly common. Community sites are websites or applications that allow users to exchange information and interact with each other. As applications, they are installed on computer devices such as mobile devices and personal computers. On community sites, users who share common hobbies, interests, and values, who want to have everyday conversations, and who want to seek advice or sympathy for a problem can interact over the Internet.

[0048] The community site may be any type of site, such as a chat room, a social network service community, or an electronic bulletin board, as long as it allows two or more users to communicate with each other by posting messages (including text, audio, images, and videos). The community site may also convert the voice of one user into text and transmit it to another user, or convert the text input of a specific user into the voice of a specific character or avatar and transmit it to other users. The community site may also allow multiple users to share a user's voice.

[0049] Various posts are made by users on the community site, and some posts are about specific content.

[0050] For this reason, it is desirable to be able to provide users with a community site that is suited to the content.

[0051] In the first embodiment, when the server 10 receives browsing information regarding a user's browsing of content that can be viewed on the terminal 20A, the server 10 selects a community site based on the browsing information and transmits information about the community site to the terminal 20A. The description of the first embodiment is applicable to any of the other embodiments.

[0052] <Functional configuration> (1) Functional configuration of the terminal FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized by the communication unit 22 of the terminal 20 in this embodiment.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, the communication unit 22 includes a communication main processing unit 221 and an information transmitting / receiving unit 222.

[0054] The communication main processing unit 221 has a function of executing communication main processing, which is processing for transmitting and receiving content to and from the server 10, under the control of the control unit 21. For example, the communication main processing unit 221 has a function of transmitting to the server 10 acquisition information of content acquired by the user of the terminal 20 on the terminal 20, and receiving information on content distributed from the server 10.

[0055] The content may be, for example, manga, novels, videos, music, games, etc., which can be acquired by users for viewing with or without payment. Note that the content is not limited to these, and may be something other than manga, novels, and videos.

[0056] The information transmitting / receiving unit 222 has a function of transmitting to the server 10 browsing information of the user of the terminal 20 regarding browsing of content that can be viewed on the terminal 20 .

[0057] The viewing information is information related to a user's viewing of content, and is, for example, information indicating whether or not the user has viewed the content. By receiving this viewing information, the server 10 can recognize whether or not the user has viewed the content. Furthermore, the viewing information may or may not include, in addition to information indicating whether or not the user has viewed the content, information including the possibility that the user will view the content, information regarding the amount (progress) of the user's viewing of the content, and information regarding the content that the user has viewed.

[0058] The information transmitting / receiving unit 222 has a function of receiving information on the community site selected by the control unit 11 of the server 10 (hereinafter, community site information).

[0059] The community site information is information about a community site that is processed for display on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20. The community site information may be any information as long as the user of the terminal 20 can recognize the existence of the community site by being processed for display on the display unit 24. The community site information may be, for example, information about a link that allows the user to access the community site, information about the name of the community site, or information about the name of the theme of the community site.

[0060] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 in this embodiment.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 21 includes a terminal main processing unit 211, an information transmission / reception processing unit 212, and a display processing unit 213.

[0062] The terminal main processing unit 211 has a function of executing terminal main processing, which is processing for controlling the terminal 20 in an integrated manner, in accordance with a terminal main processing program 281 stored in the storage unit .

[0063] For example, the terminal main processing unit 211 has the function of executing, via the communication unit 22, processes such as transmitting acquisition information of content acquired by the user on the terminal 20 to the server 10 and receiving information of content distributed from the server 10.

[0064] The information transmission / reception processing unit 212 also has a function of executing a process of transmitting user browsing information on content to the server 10 via the communication unit 22.

[0065] The information transmission / reception processing unit 212 executes a process of transmitting information indicating whether or not the user has viewed the content acquired by the terminal 20 to the server 10 as viewing information.

[0066] The information transmission / reception processing unit 212 also has a function of receiving information on the community site selected by the control unit 11 of the server 10 from the server 10 via the communication unit 22 .

[0067] The display processing unit 213 performs processing to display the community site information received from the server 10 on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20 .

[0068] Furthermore, the display processing unit 213 performs control to present community site information received from the server 10 to the user (see, for example, FIGS. 7 and 8, which will be described later).

[0069] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the terminal 20 in this embodiment.

[0070] The storage unit 28 stores, as a non-limiting example, a terminal main processing program 281 that is read and executed by the control unit 21. The terminal main processing program 281 also includes, as subroutine programs, as a non-limiting example, an information transmission / reception program 282 that is read by the control unit 21 and executed as information transmission / reception processing, and a display processing program 283 that is executed as display processing.

[0071] The storage unit 28 also stores browsing information 284 for the user's content and community site information 285 received from the server 10.

[0072] (2) Server functional configuration FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized by the communication unit 14 of the server 10 in this embodiment. The communication unit 14 includes, for example and not by way of limitation, a communication main processing unit 141 and an information transmitting / receiving unit 142 .

[0073] The communication main processing unit 141 has a function of executing communication main processing, which is processing for transmitting and receiving content to and from the terminal 20, under the control of the control unit 11. For example, the communication main processing unit 141 has a function of receiving acquisition information of content acquired by the user of the terminal 20 on the terminal 20, and transmitting information of content to be distributed to the terminal 20.

[0074] The information transmitting / receiving unit 142 has a function of receiving the user's browsing information transmitted by the terminal 20.

[0075] The information transmitting / receiving unit 142 also has a function of transmitting community site information selected by the control unit 11. Specifically, when the community site information is selected by the control unit 11, the information transmitting / receiving unit 142 transmits the community site information to the terminal 20, and when the community site information is not selected by the control unit 11, the information transmitting / receiving unit 142 does not transmit the community site information to the terminal 20.

[0076] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized by the control unit 11 of the server 10 in this embodiment.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 11 includes a server main processing unit 111, an information transmission / reception processing unit 112, and a selection processing unit 113.

[0078] The server main processing unit 111 has a function of executing server main processing, which is processing for comprehensively controlling the server 10, in accordance with a server main processing program 151 stored in the storage unit 15. For example, the server main processing unit 111 has a function of receiving acquisition information of content acquired by the user of the terminal 20 on the terminal 20, and transmitting information of content to be distributed to the terminal 20.

[0079] The information transmission / reception processing unit 112 has a function of executing a process of receiving user browsing information transmitted from the terminal 20 via the communication unit 14 .

[0080] The information transmission / reception processing unit 112 also has a function of executing a process of transmitting the community site information selected by the selection processing unit 113 to the terminal 20 via the communication unit 14 .

[0081] The selection processing unit 113 has a function of selecting a community site based on content browsing information of the user of the terminal 20 received via the communication unit 14. The selection processing unit 113 selects a community site from multiple community sites that have already been created in the messaging service provided by the server 10, for example.

[0082] The community sites to be selected by the selection processing unit 113 are community sites that include information on content that the user has viewed.

[0083] For example, when a user browses content AA, the community site selected by the selection processing unit 113 is a community site that includes content related to content AA.

[0084] For example, if there are a first site, a second site, and a third site as community sites related to content AA, the selection processing unit 113 selects the first site, the second site, and the third site.

[0085] When the selection processing unit 113 selects the community site information, the information transmission / reception processing unit 112 performs processing to transmit the community site information to the terminal 20.

[0086] As a result, the terminal 20 receives the community site information transmitted by the server 10, and the community site information is presented to the user via the terminal 20.

[0087] For example, suppose that an application for viewing various content (such as an e-book reader for viewing comics and books) is installed on terminal 20. As shown in Fig. 7A, suppose that the user selects content AA from the content selection screen of this application on terminal 20 and launches content AA. The content selection screen shown in Fig. 7A shows an example in which content AB, content XY, content YZ, and content AA are selectable.

[0088] On the content selection screen, for example, in the case of a series of works such as manga or novels, the contents may or may not be arranged in order of volume number. When content AA is launched, content AA opens, allowing the user to view content AA. Content AA is, for example, a manga with 112 pages. In the example shown in FIG. 7B, as indicated by "35 / 112" in the lower right corner, the state in which the user is viewing page 35 of content AA, which consists of 112 pages, is displayed on terminal 20. In this case, the viewing information transmitted from terminal 20 to server 10 indicates that page 35 has been viewed, and server 10 recognizes that the user has viewed content AA.

[0089] Assume that a first site, a second site, and a third site exist as community sites related to content AA. In this case, the selection processing unit 113 selects the first site, the second site, and the third site. Then, the communication unit 14 transmits information about these community sites to the terminal 20.

[0090] As a result, when the terminal 20 receives the community site information from the server 10, information on the first site, the second site, and the third site is displayed on the user's terminal 20, as shown in Fig. 7C. The timing at which the community site information is displayed on the terminal 20 may be the timing at which the terminal 20 receives the community site information, or may be later than that.

[0091] In Figure 7C, a button with the word "GO" is displayed on the far right of each site, and the user can access the corresponding site by tapping or clicking the button. Note that the button does not necessarily have to be displayed in Figure 7C.

[0092] 7A to 7C, community site information is transmitted based on the fact that the user has viewed at least a portion of the content, but community site information may be transmitted even if the user has not viewed the content. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, assume that the user downloads content AA to an app from a website (download site) from which content AA can be downloaded. In other words, assume that the user has acquired content AA.

[0093] 8B, content AA is added to the list of content on the content selection screen of the app displayed on the user's terminal 20. As a result, the server 10 acquires viewing information indicating that the user can view content AA, the selection processing unit 113 selects the community site, and the selected community site information is transmitted to the terminal 20.

[0094] Thereafter, for example, when the app is subsequently used, when content AA is launched, etc., the community site information is displayed on terminal 20 as shown in Fig. 8C. The timing at which the community site information is displayed on terminal 20 may be the timing at which terminal 20 receives the community site information, or may be later than that timing.

[0095] Furthermore, if there is no community site related to the content AA, the selection processing unit 113 does not select the community site information. In this case, as described above, the information transmitting and receiving unit 142 does not transmit the community site information via the communication unit 14.

[0096] Furthermore, if the viewing information indicates that the user has not viewed content AA, the selection processing unit 113 may or may not select the community site information. In this case, if the selection processing unit 113 does not select the community site information, the information transmitting / receiving unit 142 does not transmit the community site information via the communication unit 14, as described above.

[0097] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the server 10 in this embodiment.

[0098] The storage unit 15 stores, as a non-limiting example, a server main processing program 151 that is read and executed by the control unit 11. The server main processing program 151 also includes, as subroutine programs, as a non-limiting example, an information transmission / reception program 152 that is read by the control unit 11 and executed as information transmission / reception processing, and a selection processing program 153 that is executed as selection processing.

[0099] The storage unit 15 also stores browsing information 154 received from the terminal 20 and community site information 155 selected by the selection processing unit 113.

[0100] <Information Processing> 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in this embodiment. From the left, the flowchart shows an example of processing executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of processing executed by the control unit 11 of the server 10.

[0101] The following flowcharts illustrate the processing of this embodiment, and some steps may not be executed or additional steps may be inserted in the following flowcharts. This also applies to other flowcharts in this specification.

[0102] 10, the user first performs an operation to acquire content via the input / output unit 23 of the terminal 20. This causes the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 to transmit content acquisition information via the communication unit 22 (step S101).

[0103] When the server 10 receives the content acquisition information, the control unit 11 of the server 10 distributes the content information to the terminal 20 (step S201).

[0104] When the content information is delivered to the terminal 20, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits the content viewing information to the server 10 (step S102). Note that the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 may or may not transmit the content viewing information to the server 10 after the user acquires the content, depending on the progress of the viewing.

[0105] The control unit 11 of the server 10 that has acquired the content viewing information selects a community site related to the content (step S202).

[0106] After selecting the community site, the control unit 11 of the server 10 transmits information about the selected community site to the terminal 20 (step S203). If the control unit 11 of the server 10 does not have a community site to select, the processes of steps S202 and S203 are skipped.

[0107] When the information about the community site is received, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 displays the information about the community site on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20 (step S103). After steps S103 and S203, this control ends. Note that if the processes of steps S202 and S203 are skipped, the process of step S103 is also skipped, and this control ends.

[0108] <Effects of the first embodiment> According to the first embodiment configured as described above, the communication unit 14 of the server 10 receives browsing information of the user of the terminal 20 regarding browsing of content that can be browsed on the terminal 20, and the control unit 11 of the server 10 selects a community site based on the user's content browsing information. Specifically, the control unit 11 of the server 10 selects a community site that includes information on content that the user has browsed or may browse.

[0109] Then, the communication unit 14 of the server 10 transmits information about the selected community site to the terminal 20, and the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 presents the information about the community site to the user via the display unit 24.

[0110] This allows the user to be guided to a community site that is suitable for the content, allowing the user to easily participate in the community site.

[0111] Furthermore, the following additional effects can be expected from such effects.

[0112] For example, if a content contains a community site that includes information that the user is not aware of, and the information about the community site is not provided, the user may search for that community site and mistakenly join it. Another effect of the first embodiment is that information about the community site selected by the control unit 11 of the server 10 is presented, making it easier for the user to join an appropriate community site. This prevents the user from mistakenly joining a community site that includes information that the user is not aware of, thereby preventing information leakage of the content that may result from opening the community site.

[0113] Furthermore, since the community site selected by the control unit 11 is a community site related to the content, information about the community site is presented to the user. As a result, users who participate in the community site can post on the community site and interact with other users, thereby improving the user's satisfaction with the content. As a result, it is possible to provide useful services to users.

[0114] Furthermore, by increasing the user's satisfaction with the content, the user's desire to purchase (acquire) the next part of the content can be increased.

[0115] Furthermore, as users' satisfaction with the content improves, they may encourage non-participating users who are registered on their devices but have not yet joined the community site to join, which can lead to more fulfilling interactions between users on the community site by encouraging non-participating users to join the community site.

[0116] Furthermore, as user satisfaction improves, the user can transmit information about the content to users who have not purchased the content and who are registered on the user's terminal, thereby expanding the range of people who purchase the content.

[0117] <First Modification Example (1)> In the first embodiment, the communication unit 14 transmitted information about the community site selected by the control unit 11 if there was a possibility that the content could be viewed, even if the user was not viewing the content, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. In the first modified example (1), the communication unit 14 (information transmitting / receiving unit 142) may transmit information about the community site to the terminal 20 based on the content being viewed by the terminal 20.

[0118] 7, when a user launches content AA and actually views the content AA, the communication unit 14 transmits information about the community site to the terminal 20. In this case, the viewing information transmitted from the terminal 20 to the server 10 is information indicating that the user has viewed the content AA.

[0119] As a result, similarly to the first embodiment, when a first site, a second site, and a third site exist as community sites related to content AA, the selection processing unit 113 selects the first site, the second site, and the third site. Then, the communication unit 14 transmits this community site information to the terminal 20 based on the browsing of the content by the terminal 20.

[0120] As a result, information on the first site, the second site, and the third site is displayed on the user's terminal 20.

[0121] <Information Processing> 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the first modified example (1). From the left, the flowchart shows an example of processing executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of processing executed by the control unit 11 of the server 10.

[0122] The following flowchart illustrates the process of this modified example, and some steps in the flowchart may not be executed, or additional steps may be inserted. This also applies to other flowcharts in this specification.

[0123] 11, the user first performs an operation to acquire content via the input / output unit 23 of the terminal 20. As a result, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits content acquisition information via the communication unit 22 (step S101).

[0124] When the server 10 receives the content acquisition information, the control unit 11 of the server 10 distributes the content information to the terminal 20 (step S201).

[0125] When content information is delivered to terminal 20, control unit 21 of terminal 20 determines whether or not the user has viewed the content (step S1011). If the determination result shows that the user has not viewed the content (step S1011, NO), the process of step S1011 is repeated.

[0126] On the other hand, if the user has viewed the content (step S1011, YES), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits content viewing information to the server 10 (step S102). Note that the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 may or may not transmit the content viewing information to the server 10 even before the user views the content, depending on the progress of the viewing.

[0127] The control unit 11 of the server 10 that has acquired the content viewing information selects a community site related to the content (step S202). Note that the control unit 11 of the server 10 may select a community site related to the content at the timing when the user views the content, or at the timing when the user acquires the content.

[0128] Then, after the community site is selected, the control unit 11 of the server 10 transmits information about the selected community site to the terminal 20 (step S203). If the control unit 11 of the server 10 does not have a community site to select, the processes of steps S202 and S203 are skipped. If the viewing information indicates that the user has not viewed the content, the process of step S203 is skipped.

[0129] When the information about the community site is received, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 displays the information about the community site on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20 (step S103). After steps S103 and S203, this control ends. Note that if the processing of step S203 is skipped, the processing of step S103 is also skipped, and this control ends.

[0130] <Effects of the first modified example (1)> In the first modified example (1), the communication unit 14 transmits community site information to the terminal 20 based on the browsing of content by the terminal 20.

[0131] This allows the user to be guided to a community site that includes community site information related to the content that the user has viewed, thereby allowing the user to easily participate in the community site.

[0132] This further reduces the risk of users accidentally joining a community site that contains information that the user is not aware of, thereby reducing the risk of information leakage from content that may result from opening a community site.

[0133] <First Modification Example (2)> In the first modified example (1), the communication unit 14 transmits community site information to the terminal 20 based on the browsing of content, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. In the first modified example (2), the communication unit 14 (information transmitting / receiving unit 142) may transmit the community site information to the terminal 20 based on the completion of browsing of the content by the terminal 20.

[0134] The viewing information in the first modified example (2) is information indicating whether or not the user has completed viewing the content.

[0135] For example, as shown in Fig. 12, it is assumed that a user who has acquired content AA has completed viewing content AA on terminal 20. In this case, the viewing information transmitted from terminal 20 to server 10 is information indicating that the user has completed viewing content AA. Content AA is, for example, a book with 112 pages, and in the example shown in Fig. 12A, the last page (page 112) of content AA has the word "FIN" written on it, indicating the end of content AA.

[0136] As a result, similar to the first embodiment, when a first site, a second site, and a third site exist as community sites related to content AA, the selection processing unit 113 selects the first site, the second site, and the third site. Then, the communication unit 14 transmits this community site information to the terminal 20 based on the content being viewed by the terminal 20.

[0137] 12B, information on the first site, the second site, and the third site is displayed on the user's terminal 20. The timing at which the community site information is displayed on the terminal 20 may be the timing at which the terminal 20 receives the community site information, or may be later than that timing.

[0138] 12B shows an example of guidance information such as "Thank you for browsing. You can share your thoughts on the following site." The process of presenting information inviting users to participate in the presented community site may or may not be executed.

[0139] <Information Processing> 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the first modified example (2). From the left, the flowchart shows an example of processing executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of processing executed by the control unit 11 of the server 10.

[0140] The following flowchart illustrates the process of this modified example, and some steps in the flowchart may not be executed, or additional steps may be inserted. This also applies to other flowcharts in this specification.

[0141] 13, the user first performs an operation to acquire content via the input / output unit 23 of the terminal 20. As a result, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits content acquisition information via the communication unit 22 (step S101).

[0142] When the server 10 receives the content acquisition information, the control unit 11 of the server 10 distributes the content information to the terminal 20 (step S201).

[0143] When the content information is delivered to the terminal 20, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 determines whether or not the user has finished viewing the content (step S1012). If the determination result shows that the user has not finished viewing the content (step S1012, NO), the process of step S1012 is repeated.

[0144] On the other hand, when the user has completed viewing the content (step S1012, YES), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits the content viewing information to the server 10 (step S102). Note that the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 may or may not transmit the content viewing information to the server 10 even before the user has viewed the content, depending on the progress of the viewing.

[0145] The control unit 11 of the server 10 that has acquired the content viewing information selects a community site related to the content (step S202). Note that the control unit 11 of the server 10 may select the community site related to the content when the user has completed viewing the content, or may select the community site related to the content before the user has completed viewing the content.

[0146] After selecting the community site, the control unit 11 of the server 10 transmits information about the selected community site to the terminal 20 (step S203). If the control unit 11 of the server 10 does not have a community site to select, the processes of steps S202 and S203 are skipped.

[0147] When the information about the community site is received, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 displays the information about the community site on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20 (step S103). After steps S103 and S203, this control ends. Note that if the processes of steps S202 and S203 are skipped, the process of step S103 is also skipped, and this control ends.

[0148] <Effects of the first modified example (2)> In the first modified example (2), the communication unit 14 transmits the community site information to the terminal 20 based on the completion of browsing of the content by the terminal 20. As a result, the community site information is displayed only when the user has finished viewing the content, allowing the user to participate in the community site with a complete understanding of the content.

[0149] In addition, since the user has already viewed the content, another effect is that it is possible to reliably prevent the user from accidentally joining a community site that contains information about the content that the user is not aware of, thereby further preventing the leakage of content information that may result from opening a community site.

[0150] <First Modification (3)> In the first embodiment and the first variant (1), the viewing information is information indicating whether or not the user has viewed the content, and in the first variant (2), the viewing information is information indicating whether or not the user has completed viewing the content, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. In the first modified example (3), the viewing information may be information relating to the amount of viewing of content by the user of the terminal 20.

[0151] The amount of content viewed refers to the progress of content viewing or the total amount of content viewed. For example, the amount of content viewed includes the amount of content viewed from the beginning of the content to the end of the viewing, or the total amount of content viewed when the content is viewed locally. For example, if the content is composed of multiple pages or chapters, the viewing information includes information on the number of pages and page numbers viewed, the number of chapters and chapter numbers viewed, and the total number of pages and chapters viewed. The number of pages and the number of chapters viewed include the number of pages viewed from the beginning to the portion viewed, as well as the total number of pages or chapters partially viewed. If the content is composed of time units such as a video (e.g., a movie or a drama), the viewing information includes information on the range of time viewed. The information on the range of time viewed includes the range of time from the beginning to the portion viewed, as well as the total time range of time partially viewed. If the content is one of multiple volumes (multiple content), such as a manga or novel, the viewing information includes information on the number of volumes of the manga or novel viewed, in addition to the number of pages and page numbers.

[0152] The selection processing unit 113 selects a community site related to the amount of content viewed by the user, for example, based on the viewing information. Specifically, the selection processing unit 113 selects a community site including content related to the amount of content viewed by the user.

[0153] In this case, the selection processing unit 113 may or may not select a community site that includes only content related to the amount of content viewed by the user.

[0154] For example, if the viewing information is information regarding the number of volumes of a novel that have been viewed, and the latest volume is volume 5, the user may have viewed volumes 1 to 3. In this case, for example, suppose there is a community site that includes the contents of volumes 1 to 3, and another community site that includes the contents of volume 4.

[0155] In this case, the selection processing unit 113 selects the community site containing the contents of volumes 1 to 3, but does not select the community site containing the contents of volume 4. As a result, the user is presented with community sites related to the portion they have browsed.

[0156] In addition, community sites that include the content of multiple volumes, such as volumes 1 to 3 as described above, include community sites that include the content of one of the multiple volumes, and community sites that include the content of two or more of the multiple volumes.

[0157] <Effects of the first modified example (3)> In the first modified example (3), the viewing information is information relating to the amount of viewing of content by the user of the terminal 20.

[0158] This allows the user to be presented with a community site related to the portion of the content that the user has browsed and progressed through, making it easier for the user to participate in a community site for the portion of the content that the user has grasped.

[0159] However, since each user has a different degree of content viewing, there is a possibility that user B or user C, who has already viewed the content, may post a message to the community site about information that user A has not yet viewed. Therefore, when user A opens this community site, content information is leaked to user A. In contrast, in the first modified example (3), if the control unit 11 of the server 10 selects a community site that includes only content related to the amount of content viewed, such as content corresponding to the progress of content viewing, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally joining a community site that includes a portion that the user has not yet viewed. As a result, it is possible to further prevent content information from being leaked when the user opens a community site.

[0160] Furthermore, the content includes a manga or a novel, and the viewing information includes information regarding the number of volumes of the manga or novel that have been viewed.

[0161] Manga or novels, which tend to consist of multiple volumes, often have one content per volume, and multiple contents in each of the multiple volumes exist with the same name, making it easy for users to mistakenly join a community site corresponding to a different volume. However, in the first modified example (3) (first embodiment), the viewing information is information related to the number of volumes, so a community site corresponding to the user's viewing information is selected. As a result, it is possible to prevent users from mistakenly joining a community site corresponding to a different volume.

[0162] <First Modification (4)> In the first modified example (3), the viewing information is information regarding the amount of content viewed by the user, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. In the first modified example (4), the viewing information may be information relating to the content viewed by the user of the terminal 20.

[0163] The content viewed by a user is a portion of the content written in the content, such as the central content of the content or content that is likely to attract the user's interest. For example, if the content is a series of stories such as a manga, novel, or movie, the content may be keywords indicating important events, important characters, important items, etc. in the story. Also, if the content is a news article or some kind of column article, the content may be the central content or content indicating the conclusion of the article.

[0164] The selection processing unit 113 selects a community site related to the content viewed by the user based on the viewing information, for example. Specifically, the selection processing unit 113 selects a community site including content related to the content viewed by the user.

[0165] In this case, the selection processing unit 113 may or may not select a community site that includes only content related to the content viewed by the user.

[0166] For example, suppose that the content is a movie and multiple community sites have been created, and in this case, there are community sites where a certain scene from the movie is being discussed, and community sites where that scene is not being discussed.

[0167] In this case, when the user is browsing that one scene, the selection processing unit 113 selects a community site where that one scene is a hot topic. This makes it easier for the user to participate in a community site that specializes in that one scene.

[0168] Furthermore, if the user has not viewed that scene, the selection processing unit 113 selects a community site that is not a topic of discussion about that scene. This prevents community sites containing information about a scene that the user has not yet grasped from being presented, making it possible to prevent the user from mistakenly participating in a community site that contains information that the user has not viewed.

[0169] <Effects of the first modified example (4)> In the first modified example (4), the viewing information is information relating to the content viewed by the user of the terminal 20.

[0170] This allows users to be presented with a community site that specializes in parts of the content that are likely to generate excitement among users. As a result, by participating in the community site, users can enjoy interacting with other users on the community site, which contributes to improving user satisfaction.

[0171] Furthermore, when selecting a community site that includes only content related to the content that the user has viewed, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally joining a community site that includes a portion that the user has not yet viewed, thereby further preventing information leakage of content that may result from opening the community site.

[0172] <First Modification (5)> In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, it was only mentioned that the communication unit 14 transmits the community site information selected by the control unit 11 to the terminal 20, but in the first modified example (5), the information transmission / reception unit 142 of the communication unit 14 transmits the community site information including identification information for identifying the community site to the terminal 20.

[0173] The identification information is, for example, information for distinguishing the community site from multiple community sites in the messaging service provided by the server 10. The identification information may be any information as long as it allows the terminal 20 to distinguish the information on the community site selected by the selection processing unit 113 from the information on other community sites. The identification information may or may not include, for example, information consisting only of a single number, alphabet, and symbols, or information consisting of multiple randomly selected numbers, alphabets, and symbols. Furthermore, flag information may or may not be used as identification information to identify whether or not the community site is selected.

[0174] The identification information is assigned to the community site information by the information transmission / reception processing unit 112, for example, and is then transmitted by the information transmission / reception unit 142.

[0175] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the server 10 in this embodiment.

[0176] The server main processing program 151 in the storage unit 15 includes, as a subroutine program, an assignment processing program 156 that executes an assignment process of assigning identification information to community site information. In addition to the information shown in FIG. 9, the storage unit 15 also stores, by way of example and not limitation, identification information 157 that is assigned to community site information 155.

[0177] 15, in addition to the information shown in FIG. 4, identification information 286 assigned to community site information 285 is stored in the storage unit 28 of the terminal 20, for example and not by way of limitation.

[0178] <Effects of the first modified example (5)> In the first modified example (5), the communication unit 14 may transmit to the terminal 20 community site information including identification information for identifying the community site.

[0179] This makes it easier for the terminal 20 to identify, by the identification information, that the community site is selected by the server 10. As a result, the terminal 20 can be presented with an accurate community site.

[0180] <First Modification (6)> In the first embodiment, a list of community sites is simply displayed, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. In the first modified example (6), the display processing unit 213 may change the display order of the list of community sites depending on the popularity of the community sites, for example.

[0181] For example, the display processing unit 213 changes the display order of the community sites in descending order of the number of participants in the community sites.

[0182] For example, as shown in Fig. 16, assume that the community sites selected by the server 10 are a first site, a second site, and a third site. For example, if the third site has the most participants, followed by the first site and the second site, the display processing unit 213 displays the community sites in the order of the third site, the first site, and the second site from top to bottom. Fig. 16A in Fig. 16 is a diagram before the display order of the community sites is changed, and Fig. 16B in Fig. 16 is a diagram after the display order of the community sites has been changed.

[0183] Although the number of participants in a community site is used as an example of the popularity of the community site, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and any indicator can be used as long as it is an indicator that can determine the popularity of the community site, such as the number of posts to the community site, user ratings and rankings of the community site, number of searches, etc.

[0184] <Effects of the first modified example (6)> In the first modified example (6), the display processing unit 213 changes the display order of the list of community sites depending on the popularity of the community site.

[0185] By doing so, in the first modified example (6), the number of users in the community site can be further increased, and the lively dialogue between users can be further promoted.

[0186] Second Embodiment Community sites corresponding to the above-mentioned content are generally created by users who have viewed the content and become interested in it. However, for example, when the latest content is distributed, the content has not yet been viewed by users. Therefore, a community site corresponding to the content may not exist until it is created by a user.

[0187] The second embodiment is an embodiment in which a process for generating a community site is performed based on the distribution of content. The contents of the second embodiment are applicable to any of the other embodiments.

[0188] The communication unit 14 of the server 10 in the second embodiment has, by way of example and not limitation, a communication main processing unit 141 and an information transmitting / receiving unit 142, similar to the first embodiment (see FIG. 5). The communication main processing unit 141 has the same functions as the first embodiment.

[0189] The information transmitting / receiving unit 142 has a function of transmitting information about the community site (community site information) generated by the control unit 11 of the server 10. Specifically, when the community site information is generated by the control unit 11, the information transmitting / receiving unit 142 transmits the community site information to the terminal 20, and when the community site information is not generated by the control unit 11, the information transmitting / receiving unit 142 does not transmit the community site information to the terminal 20.

[0190] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized by the control unit 11 of the server 10 in the second embodiment.

[0191] 17, the control unit 11 has a server main processing unit 111, an information transmission / reception processing unit 112, and a generation processing unit 114. The server main processing unit 111 has the same functions as in the first embodiment.

[0192] The information transmission / reception processing unit 112 has a function of executing a process of transmitting the community site information generated by the generation processing unit 114 to the terminal 20 via the communication unit 14.

[0193] The generation processing unit 114 performs processing to generate a community site based on the content distributed to the user.

[0194] Note that content being delivered to a user includes content being delivered to the user's terminal 20 and content being available for delivery to the user's terminal 20. Content being available for delivery to the user's terminal 20 includes content being selectable on a page accessed by the user when acquiring content, and, in the case where a content delivery server exists separately from the server 10, information regarding the delivery of content from the content delivery server to the server 10.

[0195] When the generation processing unit 114 performs control to generate the community site, the information transmitting / receiving unit 142 of the communication unit 14 transmits the community site information to the terminal 20 of the user.

[0196] For example, suppose that content is updated at a content download site and becomes available for download to the user's terminal 20. In this case, at an appropriate timing, such as when the content becomes available for download, the server 10 may generate a community site related to the content and transmit information about the community site to the terminal 20.

[0197] This means that when a user acquires content on terminal 20, the community site has already been automatically generated, saving the user the trouble of generating the community site, thereby improving user convenience.

[0198] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the server 10 in the second embodiment.

[0199] The storage unit 15 stores, as a non-limiting example, a server main processing program 151 that is read and executed by the control unit 11. The server main processing program 151 also includes, as subroutine programs, as a non-limiting example, an information transmission / reception program 152 that is read by the control unit 11 and executed as information transmission / reception processing, and a generation processing program 158 that is executed as generation processing.

[0200] The storage unit 15 also stores community site information 155 generated by the generation processing unit 114.

[0201] <Information Processing> FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the server 10 in the second embodiment.

[0202] 19, the control unit 11 executes a process to enable content distribution (step S1201). This process includes, for example, a process to enable the user to view the content, and a process to distribute the content to the user when the user acquires the content.

[0203] The control unit 11 executes a process to generate a community site related to the content (step S1202). Then, the control unit 11 executes a process to transmit information about the community site to the user (step S1203). After step S1203, this control ends.

[0204] <Effects of the second embodiment> In the second embodiment, a process of generating a community site is performed based on the distribution of content, and information about the community site is transmitted to the terminal 20.

[0205] This means that when content is distributed, a community site related to the content is automatically generated, which saves users the trouble of creating a community site for the content, thereby improving user convenience.

[0206] Furthermore, the following additional effects can be expected from such effects.

[0207] Since the community site generated by the control unit 11 is a community site related to the content, it becomes easier for users who have viewed the content to participate in the community site. As a result, users can post on the community site and interact with other users, thereby improving users' satisfaction with the content. As a result, it is possible to provide useful services to users.

[0208] The second embodiment may or may not have the functions of the first embodiment and the like.

[0209] <Second Modification Example (1)> In a second modified example (1), the generation processing unit 114 may perform processing to generate a second community site different from the first community site based on the distribution of second content that was distributed before the first content. That is, the generation processing unit 114 may generate a community site for content each time that content is distributed. Specifically, the generation processing unit 114 generates the first community site when the first content is distributed, but if there is second content that was distributed before the first content, the generation processing unit 114 also generates the second community site when the second content is distributed. Therefore, the second community site may or may not be generated before the first community site is generated.

[0210] The first content and the second content are content that are distributed at different times and have different contents, and the first content is content that is a continuation of the second content. The first content and the second content may or may not be content that is included in multiple content related to a series of works that make up a continuous story.

[0211] For example, if the multiple contents are a movie or drama consisting of multiple episodes, and the second content is episodes 1 to 5, the first content is, for example, episodes 6 and onward. Also, if the multiple contents are a manga or novel consisting of multiple volumes, and the second content is any one of volumes 1 to 4, the first content is, for example, volume 5 and onward.

[0212] The first community site is a community site related to the first content, and is generated based on the distribution of the first content.

[0213] The second community site is a community site related to the second content, and is a community site that is generated based on the distribution of the second content, as described above.

[0214] 20, if the multiple contents are a manga or novel consisting of multiple volumes (e.g., five volumes), the generation processing unit 114 may generate a community site for volume 4 related to the content of volume 4 based on the distribution of the content of volume 4. For example, at the time when the content of volume 4 is distributed, the generation processing unit 114 generates a community site for volume 4.

[0215] Then, when the content of volume 5 becomes available for distribution after the content of volume 4, the generation processing unit 114 may generate a community site for volume 5 related to the content of volume 5 based on the distribution of the content of volume 5. For example, the generation processing unit 114 generates a community site for volume 5 at the timing when the content of volume 5 is distributed.

[0216] This allows a community site related to each of the multiple contents to be generated, making it possible to prevent, for example, a user who has viewed content from volume 5, which was distributed after the content from volume 4, from mistakenly joining the community site for volume 4, which is related to content from the past volume 4.

[0217] Note that the content of volume 5 corresponds to the first content, and the content of volume 4 corresponds to the second content. The community site for volume 5 corresponds to the first community site, and the community site for volume 4 corresponds to the second community site. Also, in the above example, a community site for one volume is shown, but this is not limited to this, and community sites for multiple volumes may or may not be generated. Also, in the above example, a community site for volume 5 is generated by distributing the content of volume 5, but this is not limited to this, and community sites for multiple volumes after volume 5 (e.g., volumes 5 to 10) may or may not be generated.

[0218] <Effects of the second modified example (1)> In the second variant example (1), a second community site different from the first community site is generated based on the distribution of second content related to the first content that was distributed before the first content, and information about the second community site is transmitted to the terminal 20.

[0219] By doing so, a community site is generated for each of the plurality of contents, and therefore a community site corresponding to each of the contents can be generated. As an additional effect of this effect, it is considered that it may be easier to prevent a user who has finished viewing a first content from leaking information about the first content within the second community site. Furthermore, when a plurality of contents constitute a series, there is a possibility that a user may mistakenly join a community site corresponding to an older content (second content) and leak information about the latest content (first content). However, in the second modified example (1), a community site is generated for each of the plurality of contents, and therefore it is considered that it may be easier to prevent such information leakage.

[0220] In addition, depending on the content, the latest content may be distributed as a sequel to a series, and in this case, a community site (second community site) related to the previous content may exist. Therefore, if a user who has viewed the latest content posts about that content on an existing community site, the content may be leaked (spoiled) to users who have not viewed the latest content.

[0221] In the second modified example (1), the first content is a continuation of the second content, and a first community site related to the first content is automatically generated.

[0222] Therefore, by generating a first community site for users who can understand the details of the first content to participate in, it is possible to prevent users from leaking information about the first content on the second community site corresponding to the second content.

[0223] Furthermore, by appropriately guiding users who have viewed the first content to the first community site, it is possible to prevent users from participating in an old community site (an example of a second community site, not limited to the first content) related to old content (an example of a second content, not limited to the first content) that was distributed before the first content. As a result, it is possible to more easily prevent users from leaking content information on the old community site.

[0224] <Second Modification Example (2)> In a second modified example (2), the generation processing unit 114 may cause the first community site to include at least a portion of a message entered into the second community site by a user included in the second community site before the first content is distributed. In other words, a message from a previously generated community site may be copied to a newly generated community site.

[0225] For example, the first content may be content that is distributed after the second content, as in the second variant example (1), and the generation processing unit 114 may generate a first community site related to the first content and a second community site related to the second content.

[0226] At least some of the messages entered by users and included in the second community site include messages that were posted to the second community site at the time the first community site was created, messages that were posted to the second community site between the time the first community site was created and the time the first message was posted, etc.

[0227] For example, suppose a community site for a multi-volume manga is created when the latest volume is released. In this case, if there is a community site for a previous volume related to an older volume than the latest volume, as shown in Figure 21, the community site for the latest volume will be created with messages posted on the community site for the older volume copied.

[0228] For example, a community site for past volumes may be generated at time t1, and a community site for the latest volume may be generated at time t2. In this case, messages are posted and the content is updated on the community site for past volumes between time t1 and time t2. The community site for the latest volume is generated with the messages updated on the community site for past volumes copied.

[0229] This allows a user to participate in the community site for the latest volume while continuing the flow of conversation on the community site for the past volume when moving from the community site for the past volume to the community site for the latest volume.

[0230] Note that the content of the latest volume corresponds to the first content, and the content of previous volumes corresponds to the second content. Also, the community site for the latest volume corresponds to the first community site, and the community site for previous volumes corresponds to the second community site. Also, in the above example, a community site for one volume is shown, but this is not limited to this, and community sites for multiple volumes may or may not be generated. Also, in the above example, a community site for the latest volume is generated by distributing the content of the latest volume, but this is not limited to this, and community sites for multiple volumes after the latest volume may or may not be generated.

[0231] <Effects of the second modified example (2)> Additionally, the first community site includes at least a portion of a message entered into the second community site by a user included in the second community site before the first content is distributed.

[0232] As a result, the first community site takes over the flow of the second community site, allowing a user who has completed viewing the first content to participate in the first community site while taking over the flow of the dialogue on the second community site, thereby enabling smooth participation in the first community site.

[0233] <Second Modification Example (3)> In the second modified example (3), the control unit 11 of the server 10 may allow a user to freely move between the first community site and the second community site. In other words, a community site may be generated so that a user can move to another community site within the community site. Specifically, a predetermined community site may be generated so that a link that allows direct access to the other community site exists at a predetermined location within the predetermined community site, and the user can move to the other community site simply by switching screens at that predetermined location. Therefore, a user can access another community site without having to exit the predetermined community site, search for the other community site, and access it.

[0234] For example, the first community site is a community site related to the first content, similar to the second modified example (2), and is generated based on the distribution of the first content. The second community site is a community site related to the second content, which is distributed before the first content, similar to the second modified example (2), and is generated before the first community site.

[0235] For example, as in the second modified example (2), it is assumed that the community site for the latest volume is a copy of part of a message entered on the community site for the previous volume (see FIG. 21).

[0236] For example, as shown in Figure 22, the posted content changes at the dashed line L on the community site for the latest volume (see Figure 22A) and the community site for previous volumes (see Figure 22B). The dashed line L indicates the point in time when the community site for the latest volume was created. The area above the dashed line L indicates posts made before the community site for the latest volume was created, and the area below the dashed line L indicates posts made after the community site for the latest volume was created.

[0237] Some users who move from the community site for past volumes to the community site for the latest volume may want to check the content of the community site for past volumes after the community site for the latest volume is created. In other words, some users may want to check messages posted to the community site for past volumes after time t2 in Figure 21, which is after the community site for the latest volume is created.

[0238] To deal with such cases, the generation processing unit 114 may perform processing that allows a portion of the community site for the latest volume that contains the content of the community site for previous volumes to be moved to a portion that corresponds to the portion of the community site for previous volumes.

[0239] The processing involves automatically moving to the community site for past volumes when the user moves to a location that includes the content of the community site for past volumes, or adding a link to the community site for past volumes.

[0240] For example, in Figure 22A, at the dashed line L on the community site for the latest volume, there is a link to the community site for past volumes, and when this link is clicked, the screen will automatically move to the dashed line L on the community site for past volumes shown in Figure 22B.

[0241] Furthermore, the area marked with dashed line L on the community site for previous volumes may or may not have a link to the community site for the latest volume. The example shown in FIG. 22B shows an example in which a link to the community site for the latest volume exists. When the link to the community site for the latest volume is clicked, the screen will move to the area marked with dashed line L on the community site for the latest volume shown in FIG. 22C. This allows for free movement between the two community sites.

[0242] In addition, the above-mentioned locations on the community site for the latest volume and the community site for past volumes may or may not display information that the content of the community site will change between the time of generation and after generation.

[0243] <Effects of the second modified example (3)> In the second modified example (3), a process is performed in which the user can freely move between the first community site and the second community site.

[0244] In this way, by performing processing that allows a portion of the first community site containing content of the second community site to be moved to a portion corresponding to the portion of the second community site, it is possible to freely move between the two community sites. Specifically, it is possible to easily access the second community site from within the first community site without having to exit the first community site and search for and access the second community site. Furthermore, in conjunction with this effect, the user can easily check unconfirmed content on the second community site. As a result, it is possible to improve user convenience.

[0245] <Second Modification Example (4)> In the second modified example (4), control may be performed to restrict a user's access to the second community site based on the access to the first content. That is, in order to prevent a user who has accessed new content from leaking information about the new content within the community site for past content, the user's access to the community site for past content may be restricted.

[0246] For example, the first content may be content that is distributed after the second content, as in the second variant example (1), and the generation processing unit 114 may generate a first community site related to the first content and a second community site related to the second content.

[0247] The communication unit 14 of the server 10 in the second modified example (4) has, by way of example and not limitation, a communication main processing unit 141 and an information transmitting / receiving unit 142, similar to the second embodiment. The communication main processing unit 141 has the same functions as the second embodiment.

[0248] The information transmitting / receiving unit 142 has the same functions as those in the second embodiment, and also has the function of transmitting to the terminal 20 restriction processing information that restricts the user from viewing the second community site.

[0249] The restriction processing information is information related to a setting command that restricts the user of terminal 20 from viewing the second community site. The setting command that restricts the user of terminal 20 from viewing the second community site may be, or may not be, a command to prevent the user from viewing the second community site itself on terminal 20, to disable access to the second community site, to forcibly leave the second community site even if the user accesses it, or to disable posting to the second community site even if the user can access it.

[0250] When the restriction processing information, which is the setting command information, is received by terminal 20, a setting is made on terminal 20 to restrict the user's viewing of the second community site. That is, for a user who has viewed new content, viewing is restricted by, for example, prohibiting access to the community site for past content or prohibiting viewing of posts.

[0251] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized by the control unit 11 of the server 10 in the second modified example (4).

[0252] 23, the control unit 11 has a server main processing unit 111, an information transmission / reception processing unit 112, a generation processing unit 114, and a restriction processing unit 115. The server main processing unit 111 and the generation processing unit 114 have the same functions as those in the second embodiment.

[0253] The information transmission / reception processing unit 112 has the same function as that of the second embodiment, and also has the function of transmitting restriction processing information to the terminal 20 based on the control performed by the restriction processing unit 115.

[0254] The restriction processing unit 115 performs control to restrict browsing by users of the second community site based on browsing of the first content. The control to restrict browsing is, for example, control to perform a transmission process of a setting command to restrict browsing of the second community site to users of the above-mentioned terminals 20.

[0255] In addition, the control to restrict viewing may be performed when the user starts viewing the first content, when the user is viewing the first content, when the user has completed viewing the first content, or when the user has joined the first community site.

[0256] For example, if a user who has been participating in the second community site starts viewing the first content, if the user continues to participate in the second community site, there is a possibility that information about the first content may be leaked within the second community site.

[0257] For example, if the multiple contents are a manga or novel consisting of multiple volumes (e.g., five volumes), and a user who has viewed the contents of volume 4 is participating in a community site for volume 4, when the contents of volume 5 are distributed and the user begins viewing the contents of volume 5, the user may continue to participate in the community site for volume 4 and post information about the contents of volume 5 within the community site for volume 4.

[0258] In the second variant (4), users are restricted from viewing the community site for volume 4, which makes it possible to prevent information about the content of volume 5 from being leaked within the community site for volume 4 by users who have learned the contents of volume 5.

[0259] Note that the content of volume 5 corresponds to the first content, and the content of volume 4 corresponds to the second content. The community site for volume 5 corresponds to the first community site, and the community site for volume 4 corresponds to the second community site. Also, in the above example, a community site for one volume is shown, but this is not limited to this, and community sites for multiple volumes may or may not be generated. Also, in the above example, a community site for volume 5 is generated by distributing the content of volume 5, but this is not limited to this, and community sites for multiple volumes after volume 5 (e.g., volumes 5 to 10) may or may not be generated.

[0260] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the server 10 in the second modified example (4).

[0261] The server main processing program 151 in the storage unit 15 includes, as a subroutine program, a view restriction processing program 159 for executing control to restrict viewing, in addition to the same programs as those in the second embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0262] In addition to the same information as in the second embodiment, the storage unit 15 stores restriction processing information 160 related to a command to set access restrictions issued by the restriction processing unit 115.

[0263] The restriction processing information transmitted by the control unit 11 of the server 10 is received by the information transmission / reception processing unit 212 of the terminal 20. When the terminal 20 receives the restriction processing information, restrictions on viewing the second community site are set.

[0264] When such a setting is made, the display processing unit 213 performs a display process that restricts viewing of the second community site.

[0265] 25, the display processing unit 213 applies mosaic processing or the like to posts on the second community site to prevent the user from viewing the posts. Furthermore, the display processing unit 213 may hide the link for joining the second community site to prevent the user from accessing the second community site, or may force the user to leave even if the user can access the second community site, or may prevent the user from posting even if the user can access the second community site.

[0266] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the terminal 20 in the second modified example (4).

[0267] The storage unit 28 stores a terminal main processing program 281 similar to that of the first embodiment. The terminal main processing program 281 includes, as subroutine programs, an information transmission / reception program 282 that is read by the control unit 21 and executed as a transmission / reception process for restriction processing information, and a display processing program 283 that is executed as a display process, by way of example and not limitation.

[0268] The storage unit 28 also stores browsing information 284 for the user's content, community site information 285 received from the server 10, and restriction processing information 287 received from the server 10.

[0269] <Information Processing> 27 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the second modified example (4). From the left, the flowchart shows an example of processing executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of processing executed by the control unit 11 of the server 10.

[0270] The following flowchart illustrates the process of the second modified example (4), and some steps in the flowchart may not be executed, or additional steps may be inserted. This also applies to other flowcharts in this specification.

[0271] 27, when the user starts viewing the first content, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits, as viewing information, information indicating that viewing of the first content has been completed to the server 10 via the communication unit 22 (step S1301). Note that in step S1301, the viewing information may be transmitted to the server 10 at an appropriate timing while the user is viewing the first content, or may be transmitted to the server 10 at a timing when the user has completed viewing of the first content.

[0272] When the server 10 receives the viewing information, the control unit 11 of the server 10 transmits a command to restrict viewing of the second community site (step S1401).

[0273] When the command to restrict access is received by terminal 20, control unit 21 of terminal 20 restricts access to the second community site (step S1302). After steps S1302 and S1401, this control ends.

[0274] <Effects of the second modified example (4)> In the second variant (4), by restricting a user's viewing of the second community site based on the viewing of the first content, it is possible to prevent a user who has completed viewing the first content from leaking information about the first content on the second community site related to the second content.

[0275] <Second Modification Example (5)> In the second modified example (4), attention is focused on the restriction processing unit 115 restricting the viewing of the second community site, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the restriction processing unit 115 may or may not lift the restriction on viewing after a certain period of time has passed. That is, if a user who has viewed new content has restricted the user's viewing on a community site for past content in order to prevent information leakage of the new content, the restriction may be lifted after a certain period of time has passed.

[0276] The certain period of time can be set as appropriate (e.g., three months), for example, such as the period from when the first content (the latest content) becomes available for distribution to when content newer than the first content becomes available for distribution, during which the novelty of the first content wears off.

[0277] For example, the first content may be content that is distributed after the second content, as in the second variant example (1), and the generation processing unit 114 may generate a first community site related to the first content and a second community site related to the second content.

[0278] For example, even if the restriction processing unit 115 applies mosaic processing as shown in FIG. 25 to messages within a community site, after a certain period of time, the mosaic processing is removed and the messages can be viewed from the user's terminal 20.

[0279] Furthermore, from the perspective of preventing information leakage of the first content, restriction processing unit 115 may continue to prohibit users from posting on the second community site even after lifting the restriction on viewing.

[0280] <Effects of the second modified example (5)> In the second modified example (5), the restriction processing unit 115 lifts the viewing restriction after a certain period of time has elapsed. This allows the user to check messages posted to the second community site while the viewing restriction is in effect. Furthermore, since the viewing restriction is in effect for at least a certain period of time, the viewing restriction is in effect immediately after viewing the first content, which is the first content that the user is most likely to want to post a message about, and therefore the user can be prevented from posting messages to the second community site. As a result, the leakage of information about the first content can be prevented.

[0281] <Second Modification Example (6)> If the newly distributed content (an example of the first content, not limited to the first content) is a continuation of past content (an example of the second content, not limited to the first content), if a first user who has not viewed the newly distributed content joins a community site (an example of the first community site, not limited to the first content) related to that content, information about the newly distributed content will be leaked. Therefore, it is considered that the first user will not willingly join the community site until he or she views the newly distributed content.

[0282] However, there is a possibility that, after viewing the past content, the first user may not purchase the newly distributed content for some reason, which may result in a loss of communication between the first user and the user who previously joined the community site for the newly distributed content and who had some interaction with the first user on the community site for the past content.

[0283] In a second modified example (6), control may be performed to enable a first user included in the second community site to view the first content based on a first input from the user of terminal 20 to a first user included in the second community site. That is, support may be provided to encourage a user who has met on a community site for past content to view new content. For example, new content may be presented to a user who has met on a community site for past content, allowing the user to view the new content.

[0284] For example, the first content may be content that is distributed after the second content, as in the second variant example (1), and the generation processing unit 114 may generate a first community site related to the first content and a second community site related to the second content.

[0285] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized by the control unit 11 of the server 10 in the second modified example (6).

[0286] 28, the control unit 11 has a server main processing unit 111, an information transmission / reception processing unit 112, a generation processing unit 114, a restriction processing unit 115, and a viewable processing unit 117. The server main processing unit 111, the generation processing unit 114, and the restriction processing unit 115 have the same functions as those in the second modified example (4) above.

[0287] The information transmission / reception processing unit 112 has a function of transmitting the viewable information to the terminal 20 based on the control performed by the viewable processing unit 117, in addition to the same function as in the second modified example (4) above.

[0288] The viewable information includes information for enabling the first user to view the first content, information for prompting the second user to make a first input to enable the first user to view the first content, and information for enabling the first user to view the first content when the first input is made.

[0289] An example of information that allows browsing is information about purchasing the first content on behalf of the first user and giving the first content to the first user as a gift.

[0290] In addition to gifts, the information that enables viewing may also include information such as the second user paying part of the cost of the first content so that the first user and second user can jointly purchase the first content, the second user purchasing part of the first content, or the first user purchasing the first content and then presenting another gift to the first user.

[0291] The other present may be points that can be used for a predetermined service, a gift, an expansion of free services for other content, etc. For example, if the other content is a book such as a manga, the expansion of free services may be an increase in the number of slots available for free subscription, an ability to read previews, etc.

[0292] The first user is a user included in the second community site, and the second user is a user who moved from the second community site to the first community site. In other words, the first user and the second user were included in the community site for past content, but as the second user began viewing new content, the second user became a user who moved from the community site for past content to the community site for new content.

[0293] The viewable processing unit 117 performs a process of transmitting information to the terminal 20 of the second user who has moved from the second community site to the first community site via the communication unit 14, to enable the first user to view the first content.

[0294] When the terminal 20 of the second user receives the information, the display processing unit 213 of the terminal 20 performs display processing to prompt the second user to make an input to enable the first user to view the first content, based on the information, as shown in Fig. 29. For example, a display prompting the second user to make a first input to recommend the first content as a gift to the first user is displayed on the terminal 20 of the second user.

[0295] When the second user agrees to give the first content as a gift to the first user and makes an input (first input) to purchase the first content on the terminal 20, the information of the first input is sent to the server 10 via the communication unit 22 of the terminal 20.

[0296] The viewability processing unit 117 controls the first user to view the first content based on the first input to the first user. The control for making the first content viewable is performed by transmitting the first content to the terminal 20 of the first user, and presenting the first content to the first user. This allows the first user to view the first content.

[0297] For example, when the second user makes the first input, a message is displayed on the terminal 20 of the first user indicating that the second user has sent a gift of the first content to the first user, as shown in Fig. 30. The first user can acquire the first content by tapping or clicking on the text portion of the first content.

[0298] Furthermore, as the number of users (first users) who are able to view the first content in this manner increases, the scope of services available to the first users (for example, an expansion of the scope of trial reading) may or may not be further expanded as information to enable the above-mentioned viewing.

[0299] FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the server 10 in the second modified example (6).

[0300] The server main processing program 151 in the memory unit 15 includes, by way of example and not limitation, a program similar to that of the second modified example (4), as well as a viewable processing program 163 for executing control of the viewable processing as a subroutine program.

[0301] In addition to the same information as in the second modified example (4), the storage unit 15 stores browsable processing information 164 relating to browsable processing by the browsable processing unit 117.

[0302] <Information Processing> 32 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the second modified example (6). From the left, the flowchart shows an example of processing executed by the control unit 21 of the first terminal, processing executed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, and processing executed by the control unit 21 of the second terminal.

[0303] The following flowchart illustrates the process of the second modified example (6), and some steps in the flowchart may not be executed, or additional steps may be inserted. This also applies to other flowcharts in this specification.

[0304] First, as shown in FIG. 32, when the user of the first terminal completes viewing the first content and performs an operation to move to the first community site, the control unit 21 of the first terminal transmits information indicating that the user has moved to the first community site to the server 10 via the communication unit 22 (step S1801).

[0305] When the server 10 receives information that the user of the first terminal has moved to the first community site, the control unit 11 of the server 10 transmits input information to the first terminal to enable the first user of the second terminal to view the first community site (step S1901). The input information is, for example, information encouraging the purchase of the first content as a gift.

[0306] When the user of the first terminal agrees with the input information and makes an input (first input) to purchase the first content, the control unit 21 of the first terminal transmits the information of the first input (step S1802). Note that this flowchart is based on the premise that the user of the first terminal makes the first input.

[0307] In response to the first input, the server 10 transmits the viewable information to the first user of the second terminal (step S1902). The viewable information is information that presents the first content to the first user so that the first community site can be viewed.

[0308] When the second terminal receives the viewing permission information, the control unit 21 of the second terminal enables viewing of the first content (step S2001). As a result, when the first user completes viewing of the first content, the first community site becomes viewable. After steps S1802, S1902, and S2001, this control ends.

[0309] <Effects of the second modified example (6)> In this way, in the second modified example (6), control is performed to enable the first user to view the first content based on a first input to a first user included in the second community site by the user of terminal 20. This allows the first user included in the second community site to view the first content, thereby allowing the relationship between the first user and the second user on the first community site to continue.

[0310] Furthermore, the first input includes an input related to gifting the first content to the first user. That is, the second user purchases the first content and gifts it to the first user, making it easier for the first user to view the first content. As a result, it becomes easier for the first user to participate in the first community site, making it easier to maintain the relationship between the first user and the second user.

[0311] Furthermore, by encouraging the second user to give the first content as a gift, the user's desire to purchase the content is enhanced, which can contribute to an increase in sales of the content.

[0312] <Second Modification Example (7)> In a second modified example (7), information regarding a questionnaire about the content may be transmitted to the user of the terminal 20 based on the user of the terminal 20 viewing the distributed community site.

[0313] The control unit 11 of the server 10 in the second modified example (7) has, for example, the same configuration as the control unit 11 in the second embodiment.

[0314] The information transmission / reception processing unit 112 performs processing to transmit information relating to a survey of the content (survey information) to the terminal 20 via the communication unit 14, based on the user of the terminal 20 viewing the distributed community site.

[0315] The terminal 20 that has received the information about the questionnaire performs a process of displaying the questionnaire to users who have viewed the content and are attempting to move to the community site of the content, and to users who have moved to the community site.

[0316] The survey may be any type of survey, such as questions created by the content publisher, opinions and evaluations of the content, a popularity poll for characters in the content, or a request for opinions of the content creator.

[0317] The survey information may be displayed, for example, when the user enters the community site, when the user has completed viewing the content, when the user is viewing the content, or when the user is viewing the community site.

[0318] For example, as shown in FIG. 33, suppose that a user has finished viewing content AA (see FIG. 33A) and moved to a community site related to content AA. At this time, survey information is displayed on terminal 20 (see FIG. 33B). This survey information involves answering questions Q1, Q2, and Q3 with a yes or no. By answering these questions and pressing the "submit" button, the survey results are sent to server 10.

[0319] In addition, the information transmission / reception processing unit 112 may or may not receive information on the results of a survey from users, extract key parts of the content such as popular or interesting parts from the survey results collected from users, and present these to other users.

[0320] The extraction of the essential parts may be performed from messages posted on a community site, etc. The extraction of the essential parts may also be performed by other processing units (for example, a processing unit related to artificial intelligence technology, etc.).

[0321] The information transmission / reception processing unit 112 may or may not perform a process of transmitting information for presenting at least a part of the survey results to other users. When performing a process of presenting at least a part of the survey results to other users, a process may be performed in which the user is prompted to select whether or not to make the survey results public when answering the survey.

[0322] FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the server 10 in the second modified example (7).

[0323] The server main processing program 151 in the storage unit 15 includes, by way of example and not limitation, the same program as in the second embodiment, as well as the same program as a subroutine program.

[0324] Furthermore, the storage unit 15 stores, in addition to the same information as in the second embodiment, questionnaire information 165 transmitted and received by the information transmission and reception process.

[0325] <Information Processing> 35 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the second modified example (7). From the left, an example of processing executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of processing executed by the control unit 11 of the server 10 are shown.

[0326] The following flowchart illustrates the process of the second modified example (7), and some steps may not be executed in the following flowchart, or additional steps may be inserted. This also applies to other flowcharts in this specification.

[0327] First, as shown in FIG. 35, when the user completes viewing of the content, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits, as viewing information, information indicating that viewing of the content has been completed to the server 10 via the communication unit 22 (step S2101).

[0328] When the server 10 receives the viewing information, the control unit 11 of the server 10 transmits survey information regarding the content (step S2201).

[0329] When the terminal 20 receives the survey information, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits the survey responses in accordance with the user's survey responses (step S2102). After steps S2102 and S2201, this control ends.

[0330] <Effects of the second modified example (7)> According to the second modified example (7), when a user of terminal 20 browses the distributed community site, information regarding a content questionnaire is sent to terminal 20. This allows a questionnaire to be sent to users, so that opinions and the like can be collected directly from users. As a result, this can lead to an improvement in services for the content.

[0331] Furthermore, by extracting essential parts of the content from the questionnaire and presenting them to other users, it is possible to efficiently advertise the content.

[0332] <Second Modification Example (8)> In the second embodiment, a community site related to the first content was generated at the time the first content was distributed, but the second variant (8) may also generate a community site (third community site) related to content distributed before the first content.

[0333] Specifically, the first content may be the latest content in a series, and the generation processing unit 114 may generate a fourth community site different from the third community site based on the distribution of a third content that was distributed before the first content.

[0334] That is, a community site for the latest work in the series may be generated based on the distribution of the first work in the series, and a community site for previous works may be generated each time a sequel in the series is distributed. In this case, users who have viewed the latest work (not limited to this, but an example of the first content) will participate in the community site for the latest work, and users who have not viewed the latest work will participate in a community site related to the previous works they viewed (the above-mentioned community site for previous works).

[0335] Tertiary content is content that corresponds to the first work in a series. If the series is a manga or novel consisting of multiple volumes, the tertiary content corresponds to volume 1. If the series is a movie or drama consisting of multiple episodes, the tertiary content corresponds to episode 1.

[0336] The fourth community site is a community site for the latest work and is generated when the third content is distributed. In other words, the fourth community site is a community site related to the first content, which is the latest work.

[0337] That is, the generation processing unit 114 generates a fourth community site for the latest content of the series based on the distribution of the first content of the series.

[0338] Then, the generation processing unit 114 generates a third community site based on the distribution of the first content. The third community site is a community site for the above-mentioned past works, and is, for example, a community site related to the content immediately preceding the first content at the time of generation.

[0339] In other words, in the second variant (8), a community site for past works is generated each time the latest work in a series is released, and the community site related to the latest work is always the fourth community site.

[0340] For example, if the series is a drama, as shown in Figure 36, content corresponding to the first episode (the first content of the series) is distributed (time t3), and a community site for the latest episode is generated by the server 10. At time t3, this community site corresponds to the fourth community site.

[0341] Next, assume that content corresponding to episode 2 is distributed (time t4). In this case, a community site is generated for episode 1, which is a past work. At time t4, the content corresponding to episode 2 becomes content 1, and the content corresponding to episode 1 becomes content 3, which was distributed before content 1. At time t4, the content corresponding to episode 2 is associated with the community site for the latest episode.

[0342] Next, assume that content corresponding to episode 3 is distributed (time t5). In this case, a community site is generated for episode 2, which is a past work. At time t5, the content corresponding to episode 3 becomes content 1, and the content related to episodes 1 and 2 becomes content 3, which was distributed before content 1. At time t5, the content corresponding to episode 3 is associated with the community site for the latest episode.

[0343] Therefore, a user who has not viewed the latest work (first content) will not join the community site for the latest episode (fourth community site), but will instead join the community site for older works (third community site) related to the content that the user has already viewed.

[0344] Furthermore, a process may be performed to restrict access to the fourth community site for users who have not yet viewed the first content, and a process may be performed to restrict access to the third community site for users who have completed viewing the first content.

[0345] <Information Processing> FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process executed by the server 10 in the second modified example (8).

[0346] The following flowchart illustrates the process of the second modified example (8), and some steps may not be executed or additional steps may be inserted in the following flowchart. This also applies to other flowcharts in this specification.

[0347] 37, the control unit 11 of the server 10 distributes the content of the first work (step S2301) and generates a community site of the latest action (step S2302). The content of the first work corresponds to the third content described above, and the community site of the latest action corresponds to the fourth community site described above.

[0348] After step S2302, the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines whether or not the latest content is available for distribution (step S2303). The latest content corresponds to the first content described above.

[0349] If the determination result shows that there is no distribution of the latest content (step S2303, NO), the process of step S2303 is repeated. On the other hand, if there is distribution of the latest content (step S2303, YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10 generates a community site for past works (step S2304). The community site for past works corresponds to the third community site described above.

[0350] The community site generated in step S2304 may be a community site for content of a previous work distributed immediately before the latest content distributed in step S2303, for example.

[0351] Next, the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines whether the series has ended (step S2305). If the result of the determination is that the series has not ended (step S2305, NO), the process returns to step S2303. Note that a new community site for past works is generated each time the process of step S2303 is repeated.

[0352] On the other hand, if the series has ended (step S2305, YES), this control ends.

[0353] <Effects of the second modified example (8)> In a second modified example (8), the content is a first content, and the community site is a community site related to content distributed before the first content. The community site is a third community site, and a fourth community site different from the first content is generated, which was distributed before the first content.

[0354] In this way, users can interact with each other on the third community site, which is different from the fourth community site, until they view the first content, thereby preventing information about the first content from being leaked due to participation in the fourth community site.

[0355] Also, the first content is the latest content of the series, the community site is a third community site, and a fourth community site for the latest content of the series is generated based on the distribution of the initial content of the series.

[0356] This automatically generates a community site corresponding to past contents, making it easier for a user who starts viewing the first content after the distribution of a series has progressed considerably to select a community site that will not leak information about the content.

[0357] <Second Modification Example (9)> In the second variant (9), when the latest content is distributed, information notifying the community site of the distribution of the latest content may be sent on the community site related to the content distributed before the latest content.

[0358] The control unit 11 of the server 10 in the second modified example (9) has, for example, the same configuration as the control unit 11 in the second embodiment.

[0359] In addition, the information transmission / reception processing unit 112 performs processing to transmit notification information at the timing when the latest content is distributed, to notify the community site related to the content distributed before the latest content that the latest content has been distributed.

[0360] The notification information is information indicating that the latest content has been distributed as described above. The notification information may also be a notice announcing the time when the latest content will be distributed.

[0361] Furthermore, since the generation processing unit 114 generates a community site related to the latest content, the notification information may be, for example, a notification that when the user has finished viewing the latest content, the user will be redirected to a community site related to the latest content.

[0362] For example, when users are interacting with each other within a community site related to content that was distributed before the latest content was distributed, or when a user joins the community site, the above notification information will be displayed on the user's terminal 20.

[0363] FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the server 10 in the second modified example (9).

[0364] The server main processing program 151 in the storage unit 15 includes, by way of example and not limitation, the same program as in the second embodiment, as well as the same program as a subroutine program.

[0365] In addition to the same information as in the second embodiment, the storage unit 15 also stores notification information 166 transmitted by the information transmission / reception process.

[0366] <Information Processing> FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process executed by the server 10 in the second modified example (9).

[0367] The following flowchart illustrates the process of the second modified example (9), and some steps may not be executed or additional steps may be inserted in the following flowchart. This also applies to other flowcharts in this specification.

[0368] 39, the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines whether or not the latest content has been distributed (step S2401). If the determination result shows that the latest content has not been distributed (step S2401, NO), this control ends.

[0369] On the other hand, if the latest content has been distributed (step S2401, YES), the control unit 11 notifies the community site of the previously distributed content of this fact (step S2402). After step S2402, this control ends.

[0370] <Effects of the second modified example (9)> In the second variant (9), when the latest content is distributed, information is sent to notify the community site related to the content distributed before the latest content that the latest content has been distributed.

[0371] This can contribute to increasing the number of participants in community sites related to the content by notifying users that the latest content has been distributed, which can lead to increased sales of the latest content and more active interactions between users on the community site.

[0372] <Second Modification Example (10)> In the second embodiment and the like, a process of generating a community site is performed based on the distribution of content, but no mention is made of the timing of the generation. In the second modified example (10), the generation processing unit 114 generates a community site at a predetermined timing when the content is distributed.

[0373] For example, the generation processing unit 114 may generate a community site when content is distributed to a user. The generation processing unit 114 may also generate a community site when a notice of content distribution to a user is given. The generation processing unit 114 may also generate a community site when a community site corresponding to the content has not been generated for a certain period of time since the content was distributed to a user. If the generation processing unit 114 can determine whether a community site containing information about the content exists on a predetermined network, the generation processing unit 114 may generate a community site based on the determination result. In this case, if the generation processing unit 114 determines that a community site does not exist, the generation processing unit 114 may perform processing to generate a community site related to the content. Here, the generation processing unit 114 may determine whether community sites related to the content exist on multiple different networks (or on SNSs or platforms). For example, at least some of the multiple different networks may or may not be operated by different operators. For example, if a community site related to the content exists on one of multiple different networks, including the predetermined network, the generation processing unit 114 may or may not not generate a community site. On the other hand, if a community site related to the content does not exist in any of the different networks including the predetermined network, the generation processing unit 114 may or may not generate a community site. Also, if a community site related to the content does not exist in some of the different networks including the predetermined network, the generation processing unit 114 may generate a community site for the part of the networks where the community site does not exist.Furthermore, the generation processing unit 114 determines whether or not a community site related to the content exists on a specific network (or SNS or platform), regardless of whether it exists on multiple different networks (or SNSs or platforms), and if it does not exist, it may or may not generate a community site for that specific network.

[0374] A case where a community site containing content information does not exist on a specified network may, for example, be a case where there is no community site related to the content at all.Furthermore, a case where a community site related to the content does not exist on a specified network may or may not include a case where the only community site that exists is one that has not posted for a certain period of time since the last post.

[0375] <Effects of the second modified example (10)> In the second modified example (10), the generation processing unit 114 generates a community site at a predetermined timing when the content is distributed.

[0376] This allows the community site to be generated at an appropriate time, making it easier for users to participate in the community site at an appropriate time depending on their content viewing status.

[0377] Third Embodiment In the third embodiment, when a user different from the user of terminal 20 included in the community site moves to a community site different from the community site, control unit 11 performs control to transmit information about the different user's move to the different community site to terminal 20 via communication unit 14. In other words, when user A moves from a predetermined community site to another community site, information about the move to the other community site is notified to user B, who is participating in the predetermined community site.

[0378] The control unit 11 of the server 10 in the third embodiment has, for example, a server main processing unit 111, an information transmission / reception processing unit 112, and a selection processing unit 113, similar to the first embodiment (see FIG. 6). The server main processing unit 111 and the selection processing unit 113 have the same functions as those in the first embodiment.

[0379] The information transmission / reception processing unit 112 has the same functions as in the first embodiment, and also acquires information on the movement history of other users different from the user to community sites from the other users' terminals. Based on the movement history information, the information transmission / reception processing unit 112 transmits to the terminal 20 information that the other users have moved to another community site.

[0380] For example, suppose that user A and user B are participating in a given community site as shown in Figure 40A. If user A moves to another community site, information such as "User A has moved to another community site" is displayed within the community site at the time user A joins the new community site, as shown in Figure 40B. In Figure 40, user A's movement information is displayed at the time user A moves, but the movement information may or may not be displayed after a certain period of time has passed since user A moved.

[0381] The movement information of user A may be displayed to all users participating in the community site, or may be displayed to a specific user instead of all users. The specific user may be a user who has participated in the community site for a long period of time, or a user who has interacted with user A, or may not be such a user.

[0382] FIG. 41 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the server 10 in the third embodiment.

[0383] The storage unit 15 stores, by way of example and not limitation, a server main processing program 151 that is read and executed by the control unit 11. The server main processing program 151 also includes, by way of example and not limitation, a program similar to that of the first embodiment as a subroutine program.

[0384] In addition to the same information as in the first embodiment, the storage unit 15 also stores movement history information 167 indicating the movement history of the user or the like.

[0385] <Information Processing> 42 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the third embodiment. From the left, the flowchart shows an example of processing executed by the control unit 21 of the first terminal, the control unit 11 of the server 10, and the control unit 21 of the second terminal.

[0386] The following flowchart illustrates the process of the third embodiment, and some steps may not be executed or additional steps may be inserted in the following flowchart. This also applies to other flowcharts in this specification.

[0387] 42, the user of the first terminal performs an operation to exit the community site via the input / output unit 23 of the first terminal (step S601). As a result, the control unit 21 of the first terminal transmits, via the communication unit 22, information indicating that the user of the first terminal has moved to the community site.

[0388] When the server 10 receives information that the user of the first terminal has moved from the community site, the control unit 11 of the server 10 transmits movement information indicating that the user of the first terminal has moved to the second terminal (step S701).

[0389] When the second terminal receives the movement information, the control unit 21 of the second terminal displays the movement information of the user of the first terminal (step S801). After steps S601, S701, and S801, this control ends.

[0390] <Effects of the third embodiment> In the third embodiment, when a user included in a community site, other than the user of terminal 20, moves to a community site different from the community site, control is performed so that information about the different user moving to the different community site is sent to terminal 20 by communication unit 14.

[0391] This allows the user to recognize the destinations of other users, making it easier for the user to recognize the destinations of other users.

[0392] Furthermore, by moving to another user's destination, a user can further deepen interactions with the other users within the destination community site.

[0393] <Third Modification (1)> For example, as in the second modified example (1), there are cases where a related community site is created each time content is distributed. In such cases, there is a possibility that users will frequently move between community sites. Therefore, there are cases where users wish to continue interacting with specific users they met on the community site before moving.

[0394] Therefore, the third modified example (1) may perform control to continue interactions with a specific user with whom the user previously interacted on a community site that the user previously participated in. Specifically, the third modified example (1) may perform control to send a message sent from the terminal 20 to a user included in the second community site, based on the user of the terminal 20 viewing the first content, to the second community site.

[0395] For example, the first content may be content that is distributed after the second content, as in the second variant example (1), and the generation processing unit 114 may generate a first community site related to the first content and a second community site related to the second content.

[0396] FIG. 43 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized by the control unit 11 of the server 10 in the third modified example (1).

[0397] 43, the control unit 11 has a server main processing unit 111, an information transmission / reception processing unit 112, a generation processing unit 114, and a message processing unit 116. The server main processing unit 111 and the generation processing unit 114 have the same functions as those in the second embodiment. Note that if the server 10 does not need to generate a community site, the generation processing unit 114 does not need to be provided.

[0398] The information transmission / reception processing unit 112 has the same function as that of the second embodiment, and also has the function of transmitting message information to the terminal 20 based on the control performed by the message processing unit 116.

[0399] The message information is information about a message sent by a user to members of the second community site. The members of the second community site are users (specific users) included in the second community site.

[0400] The message processing unit 116 controls the transmission of a message sent from the terminal 20 to a user (specific user) included in the second community site, based on the user of the terminal 20 viewing the first content, to the second community site.

[0401] When the user views the first content and attempts to move away from the second community site, the message processing unit 116 controls the transmission of a command to display a guide asking whether or not to control the sending of the above-mentioned message via the display processing unit 213 of the user's terminal 20. Specifically, when the user moves away from the community site, a display is displayed that asks the user, for example, whether or not there are any messages for members of the second community site.

[0402] For example, as shown in Fig. 44, within the second community site, a display corresponding to the above question is displayed on the user's terminal 20, and a list of members of the second community site is displayed. Fig. 44 displays a list of members such as User B and User C. In Fig. 44, for example, by tapping or clicking the "YES" button to the right of User B or User C, the corresponding user can be specified.

[0403] In response to this, when the user specifies the specific user and inputs a message to the specific user into the terminal 20, the message processing unit 116 performs processing to transmit the message information to the specific user's terminal 20. As a result, the message arrives at the specific user's terminal 20. This message may be displayed, for example, within the second community site, or may be displayed directly on the specific user's account.

[0404] For example, if user A sends a message to a specific user saying "I will move to the first community site first," the message will be displayed on the screen of the second community site displayed on the specific user's terminal 20, as shown in Figure 45. Note that this message will not be displayed on the terminals 20 of users other than the specific user.

[0405] FIG. 46 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the server 10 in the third modified example (1).

[0406] The server main processing program 151 in the storage unit 15 includes, as a subroutine program, a message processing program 161 for executing control of message processing, in addition to the same programs as those in the second embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0407] In addition to the same information as in the second embodiment, the storage unit 15 also stores message processing information 162 relating to message processing by the message processing unit .

[0408] <Information Processing> 47 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the third modified example (1). From the left, the flowchart shows an example of processing executed by the control unit 21 of the first terminal, the control unit 11 of the server 10, and the control unit 21 of the second terminal.

[0409] The following flowchart illustrates the process of the third modified example (1), and in the following flowchart, some steps may not be executed, or additional steps may be inserted. This also applies to other flowcharts in this specification.

[0410] First, as shown in FIG. 47, when the user of the first terminal completes viewing the first content, the control unit 21 of the first terminal transmits, as viewing information, information indicating that viewing of the first content has been completed to the server 10 via the communication unit 22 (step S1501).

[0411] Next, the user of the first terminal transmits a message to a specific user of the second terminal via the input / output unit 23 of the first terminal (step S1502). As a result, the control unit 21 of the first terminal transmits message information of the user of the first terminal via the communication unit 22.

[0412] When the server 10 receives the browsing information and message information from the user of the first terminal, the control unit 11 of the server 10 transmits a message to a specific user of a second terminal within the community site (step S1601).

[0413] When the second terminal receives the message information, the control unit 21 of the second terminal displays the message from the user of the first terminal (step S1701). After steps S1502, S1601, and S1701, this control ends.

[0414] <Effects of the third modified example (1)> In the third modified example (1), control is performed to transmit a message sent from the terminal 20 to a user included in the second community site, based on browsing of the first content by the user of the terminal 20, to the second community site.

[0415] This allows other users on the second community site to be notified that the user has moved to the first community site, which allows other users on the second community site to know where the user is going, making it easier to maintain a relationship with the user.

[0416] <Third Modification (2)> In the third modified example (2), the specific users included in the second community site to which the message is sent in the third modified example (1) may be determined based on their relationship with the user of terminal 20. The relationship with the user of terminal 20 may be, for example, the degree of intimacy with the specific user, may be based on a decision made by the user of terminal 20 himself, or may simply be specific users who have had conversations with the user.

[0417] The interaction experience referred to here includes, for example, a case where the user and a specific user reply to a message from the other, or a case where the user and a specific user send messages to each other specifying the other.

[0418] The degree of intimacy with a particular user is determined, for example, by whether the frequency of interactions (replies and responses to messages) within the second community site is a certain number or more, or whether the user is registered as a friend on the user's terminal 20, etc.

[0419] For example, in FIG. 44, the users shown as a list are determined based on the relationship with the user.

[0420] <Effects of the third modified example (2)> In the third modified example (2), the users included in the second community site to which a message is sent are determined based on the relationship with the user of terminal 20. This makes it easier to maintain a relationship with a specific user by determining whether or not a message can be sent based on the degree of intimacy.

[0421] <Third Modification (3)> In the third modified example (3), the display processing unit 213 may display information indicating where the user has moved to in addition to the message.

[0422] In other words, when the user of terminal 20 moves to the first community site, message processing unit 116 may perform control to send information indicating that the user of terminal 20 has moved to the first community site to users included in the second community site.

[0423] For example, as shown in FIG. 48, when user A moves to the first community site, the screen of the second community site displayed on the terminal 20 of the user included in the second community site displays information such as "The user has moved to the first community site" along with a message.

[0424] Furthermore, only information indicating where the user has moved may or may not be displayed to users other than the user who sent the message.

[0425] <Effects of the third modified example (3)> In the third modified example (3), when the user of terminal 20 moves to the first community site, control is performed to send information indicating that the user of terminal 20 has moved to the first community site to a user (specific user) included in the second community site. This allows the specific user to easily understand where the user has moved to by displaying a message and information indicating that the user has moved to the first community site together.

[0426] <Third Modification (4)> In the third variant (4), the information indicating that the user has moved to the first community site in the third variant (3) may include information for changing the display mode of the user information of the user of terminal 20 displayed on the second community site.

[0427] Specifically, the message processor 116 may perform control to change the display mode of the information indicating that the user has moved to the first community site on the second community site.

[0428] The control for changing the display mode may be any control that changes the display mode from that of other users, such as control for changing the color of user A's message in FIG. 48 or control for changing the color of user A's icon. FIG. 49 shows an example of control for changing the display mode. For example, FIG. 49A shows an example in which user A's message is underlined. FIG. 49B shows an example in which the color of user A's icon is changed. FIG. 49B shows an example in which the icons of each user in the member list of the community site are displayed, with user A's icon displayed darker than the icons of user B and user C. The color of the changed icon may be any color as long as it is distinguishable from that of other users. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 65B and 66 (described later) when the community site is a chat room, the color of the icon representing the user may be changed to, for example, the color of user A's icon in FIG. 49B.

[0429] Also, as shown in Fig. 49B, a message from the user (user A in Fig. 49B) who is moving the community site may or may not be displayed in a location that can be confirmed by other users on the community site, such as a member list. In the example shown in Fig. 49B, a message indicating that the community site is being moved is displayed in a manner that can be confirmed by other users, such as a "note," but the present invention is not limited to this, and a simple message may be displayed.

[0430] <Effects of the third modified example (4)> In the third modified example (4), the information indicating that the user has moved to the first community site includes information for changing the display mode of the user information of the user of terminal 20, which is displayed on the second community site. This makes it easier for other users to understand that the user is not on the second community site and that the user has moved to the first community site.

[0431] <Third Modification (5)> In the third variant (5), the control unit 11 may perform processing so that a list of users included in the second community site is displayed on the first community site (see Figure 50), or so that a list of users who have moved to the first community site is displayed on the second community site (see Figure 51).

[0432] Then, the message processing unit 116 may use the list to perform processing so that a message can be sent to the users displayed on the list.

[0433] From the viewpoint of preventing information of the first content from being leaked, the message may be, for example, a simple message, a standard phrase, an emoticon, a stamp indicating a reaction, etc. Furthermore, a user who receives a message may be able to send a simple response to the message.

[0434] Furthermore, if the message is related to the leakage of information about the first content (for example, if a specific keyword is included), the message does not need to be sent.

[0435] <Effects of the third modified example (5)> Furthermore, by displaying a list of users included in each community site, it is possible to make it easier for users to easily understand which users are included in which community site.

[0436] <Fourth embodiment> In the first embodiment, the information on the community site selected by the control unit 11 of the server 10 is information on the community site to be presented to the user, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. In the fourth embodiment, the control unit 11 of the server 10 sets restrictions on the viewing of the community site based on the content viewing information of the user. That is, in order to prevent a user who views a large amount of content from leaking information about the content, the control unit 11 restricts the user from viewing the community site.

[0437] 52, the control unit 11 in the fourth embodiment has a server main processing unit 111, an information transmission / reception processing unit 112, and a restriction processing unit 115. The server main processing unit 111 has the same functions as in the first embodiment, etc.

[0438] The restriction processing unit 115 sets restrictions on viewing of the community site based on the viewing information of the content. As in the first embodiment, the viewing information is information related to the viewing of the content by the user, and is, for example, information indicating the amount of viewing of the content by the user.

[0439] Specifically, when the viewing information of content by a user of terminal 20 changes from first viewing information to second viewing information, restriction processing unit 115 performs control to restrict viewing of the community site by the user of terminal 20 based on the setting to restrict viewing of the community site.

[0440] The second viewing information is viewing information that indicates a larger amount of viewing than the first viewing information. For example, if the content is a movie or drama that consists of a predetermined time, the second viewing information indicates information on a longer amount of time than the first viewing information. Also, if the content is a book that consists of multiple chapters, the second viewing information indicates information on a chapter that comes after the chapter in the first viewing information (for example, if the first viewing information is chapters 1 to 4, the second viewing information is chapters 5 and beyond).

[0441] As the user continues browsing the content and the user's browsing information changes from the first browsing information to the second browsing information, the user becomes aware of information that was not known when the user was browsing the first browsing information.

[0442] In this case, if a user with the second browsing information posts information obtained in the second browsing information on a community site where only other users with the first browsing information exist, the information will be leaked to other users.

[0443] The restriction processing unit 115 selects a community site that includes only the content of the first browsing information from among the community sites related to the content.

[0444] The restriction processing unit 115 sets restrictions on viewing of the selected community site in the terminal 20. Specifically, the restriction processing unit 115 transmits, for example, a setting command to restrict viewing of the community site to the terminal 20 via the communication unit 14.

[0445] Settings for restricting viewing of a community site include, for example, a setting that prohibits a user from accessing the community site with regard to viewing restrictions, a setting that forces a user to leave the community site even if the user accesses it, and a setting that prohibits posting even if the user can access the community site.

[0446] When a viewing restriction is set by the setting command, viewing of the community site related to the viewing restriction by the user of the terminal 20 is restricted.

[0447] For example, a community site that a user could participate in until the content viewing information became the first viewing information becomes a community site whose viewing by the user is restricted after the viewing information becomes the second viewing information, and therefore the user can no longer view the community site.

[0448] For example, if the content is a book consisting of five chapters, suppose there is a community site related to a user who has viewed up to chapter 3. In this case, the first viewing information would be information indicating chapters 1 to 3. In this case, the second viewing information would be information indicating, for example, chapter 4. If a user has viewed up to chapter 4 and remains a member of the community site, posting information about chapter 4 could lead to information leakage to other users who have only viewed up to chapter 3. Therefore, by restricting users' viewing on the community site, it is possible to prevent the leakage of the above information.

[0449] FIG. 53 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the server 10 in the fourth embodiment.

[0450] As in each embodiment, a server main processing program 151 is stored in the storage unit 15. The server main processing program 151 includes, as subroutine programs, an information transmission / reception program 152 that is read by the control unit 11 and executed as information transmission / reception processing, and a viewing restriction processing program 159 for executing control to restrict viewing, by way of example and not limitation.

[0451] The memory unit 15 also stores the viewing information 154 received from the terminal 20, the community site information 155 selected by the restriction processing unit 115, and the restriction processing information 160 related to the command to set viewing restrictions issued by the restriction processing unit 115.

[0452] <Information Processing> FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the server 10 in the fourth embodiment.

[0453] The following flowchart illustrates the processing of the fourth embodiment, and some steps may not be executed or additional steps may be inserted in the following flowchart. This also applies to other flowcharts in this specification.

[0454] 54, the control unit 11 of the server 10 receives viewing information from the terminal 20 (step S301). Next, the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines whether the viewing information is information that falls under the viewing restriction (step S302). Specifically, the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines whether the viewing information has changed from the first viewing information to the second viewing information. For example, as in the above example, if the first viewing information is information indicating chapters 1 to 3 and the second viewing information is information indicating chapter 4, in step S302, if the user's viewing information has switched from information indicating the range of chapters 1 to 3 to information indicating chapter 4, it is determined that the viewing information is information that falls under the viewing restriction.

[0455] If the result of the determination is that the viewing information is not information for which viewing is restricted (step S302, NO), this control ends. On the other hand, if the viewing information is information for which viewing is restricted (step S302, YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10 sets a setting to restrict viewing (step S303). After step S303, this control ends. Also, if the processing of step S303 has already been performed, the determination may be NO in step S302, or the processing of steps S302 and S303 may be skipped.

[0456] <Effects of the Fourth Embodiment> The fourth embodiment configured as described above performs control to restrict viewing of a community site based on content viewing information. Specifically, the second embodiment performs setting to restrict viewing of a community site by a user of terminal 20 based on setting by the user of terminal 20 to restrict viewing of content.

[0457] By restricting viewing by users who have completed viewing the content, it is possible to prevent users from posting content that other users have not viewed, thereby preventing information about the content from being leaked to other users.

[0458] <Fourth Modification (1)> In the fourth embodiment, the control for restricting the viewing of the community site is a setting for prohibiting a user from accessing the community site regarding the viewing restriction, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. In the fourth variant example (1), the control to restrict viewing of a community site includes control to make the display mode of information on the community site, which is restricted from viewing, displayed on terminal 20 different from the display mode of information on the community site, which is not restricted from viewing.

[0459] In other words, when the restriction processing unit 115 issues a command to set a viewing restriction, the display mode of information on the community site on which viewing is restricted will be different from the display mode of information on the community site on which viewing is not restricted.

[0460] For example, as shown in Figure 55A, suppose there is an accessible page on the community site for content AA. Assume that there are a fourth site and a fifth site as community sites for content AA. The fourth site is a community site for viewers up to the first viewing information of content AA. The fifth site is a community site for viewers corresponding to the second viewing information of content AA.

[0461] If the user's browsing volume is the second browsing information, browsing of the fourth site is restricted. In this case, for example, the display corresponding to the fourth site is not displayed on the display unit 24, as shown in FIG. 55B.

[0462] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 56A, the display may be such that the community site (fourth site) that restricts viewing is underlined and the community site (fifth site) that does not restrict viewing is not underlined, or the color of the text indicating the community site may be different.

[0463] Also, as shown in Fig. 56B, the display style of the button for accessing the community site (the "GO" portion shown in Fig. 56B) may be different. In Fig. 56B, for example, the button for a community site with restricted access is black, and the button for a community site with no restricted access is white.

[0464] <Effects of the fourth modified example (1)> In the fourth variant example (1), the control to restrict viewing of a community site includes control to make the display mode of information on the community site, which is restricted from viewing, displayed on terminal 20 different from the display mode of information on the community site, which is not restricted from viewing.

[0465] This makes it easier for users to select community sites with no access restrictions, which in turn prevents users from accidentally joining community sites with access restrictions, and ultimately prevents information that users in the community site are unaware of from being leaked.

[0466] Fifth Embodiment In the fourth embodiment, users' viewing (e.g., access) of the community site was restricted in order to prevent users who view a large amount of content from leaking content information, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. In the fifth embodiment, in a configuration in which control is performed to restrict viewing of a community site based on content viewing information, control is performed to restrict the content that can be viewed on the community site based on the content viewing information of the user of terminal 20. In other words, the viewing content of a user who views a small amount of content is restricted in order to prevent leakage of content information.

[0467] The control unit 11 of the server 10 in the fifth embodiment is similar to the control unit 11 in the fourth embodiment. The restriction processing unit 115 in the fifth embodiment controls restrictions on the content (posted information) that can be viewed on the community site, based on content viewing information by the user of the terminal 20.

[0468] Controls regarding restrictions on the content that can be viewed on a community site include, for example, controls regarding settings that prohibit users from accessing the community site regarding viewing restrictions, settings that force users to leave the community site even if they access it, and settings that prohibit users from posting even if they can access the community site.

[0469] The restriction processing unit 115 determines whether or not it is necessary to restrict the content that can be viewed, for example, based on the user's viewing information. For example, the restriction processing unit 115 determines whether or not there is a community site in which users who view more content than the user participate, based on the user's viewing information. The viewing volume of each user may be determined, for example, based on viewing information obtainable from each user's terminal 20.

[0470] If there is a community site in which a user who has viewed more content than the user participates, the restriction processing unit 115 prohibits the user from viewing the community site.

[0471] Community sites that are attended by users who view more content than the user are likely to contain information posted that the user is not aware of, which could result in information leakage for the user.

[0472] For example, if the content is a book consisting of five chapters, and there is a community site where users who have viewed up to chapter 3 are participating, if a novice user who has just started viewing the content joins the community site, there is a high possibility that the content posted by users who have viewed up to chapter 3 will be information that the novice user is not aware of. In other words, this could lead to information leaks from the content to the novice user.

[0473] In contrast, in the fifth embodiment, such community sites cannot be viewed, so that it is possible to prevent information leakage for the above-mentioned novice users.

[0474] The information stored in the server 10 in the fifth embodiment is, for example, similar to the information stored in the server 10 in the fourth embodiment (see FIG. 53).

[0475] <Information Processing> 57 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the fifth embodiment. From the left, the flowchart shows an example of processing executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of processing executed by the control unit 11 of the server 10.

[0476] The following flowchart illustrates the processing of the fifth embodiment, and some steps may not be executed or additional steps may be inserted in the following flowchart. This also applies to other flowcharts in this specification.

[0477] 57, the control unit 11 of the server 10 receives browsing information from the terminal 20 (step S2501). Next, the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines whether or not it is necessary to restrict the content that can be viewed on the community site, based on the browsing information (step S2502).

[0478] If the result of the determination is that content restriction is not necessary (step S2502, NO), this control ends. On the other hand, if content restriction is necessary (step S2502, YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10 sets a restriction on viewing (step S2503). After step S2503, this control ends.

[0479] <Effects of the Fifth Embodiment> In the fifth embodiment, control is performed regarding restrictions on the content that can be viewed on the community site based on content viewing information by the user of the terminal 20.

[0480] This restricts the user from viewing the community site that includes information that the user has not viewed, thereby preventing information from being leaked to the user.

[0481] <Fifth Modification (1)> In the fifth embodiment and the like, the user's access to the community site is restricted based on the content access information of the user of the terminal 20, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. In the fifth variant (1), the control unit 11 of the server 10 acquires content information regarding content that can be viewed on the terminal 20, and sets up a community site that restricts viewing by users who have not viewed the part of the content corresponding to the content information.

[0482] The control unit 11 of the server 10 in the fifth modified example (1) is similar to the control unit 11 in the fourth and fifth embodiments. The restriction processing unit 115 in the fifth modified example (1) acquires content information related to content that can be viewed on the terminal 20, and sets a community site that is restricted from being viewed by users who have not viewed the portion of the content corresponding to the content information.

[0483] The content information includes information on the time of the content if the content is a video that is structured in time units, and information on the page number of the content, information on the chapter number of the content, and information on the volume number of the content if the content is a book that is structured in multiple pages, multiple chapters, and multiple volumes.

[0484] As in the fifth embodiment, restrictions on user viewing include, for example, controls related to settings that prohibit users from accessing the community site regarding viewing restrictions, settings that force users to leave the community site even if they access it, and settings that prohibit users from posting even if they can access the community site.

[0485] Specifically, the restriction processing unit 115 sets the community site so that users who have not yet viewed the portion of the content corresponding to the content information are restricted from viewing the portion of the content.

[0486] For example, if the content information is from page 70 onwards in a 120-page book, and a user who has only viewed up to page 50 attempts to join a community site for this book, and information from page 70 onwards is posted, the information from page 70 onwards will be leaked.

[0487] In the fifth modified example (1), in such a case, the user is prevented from accessing the community site, and the user's viewing of the content information is restricted, making it possible to prevent information leakage.

[0488] <Information Processing> 58 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the fifth modified example (1). From the left, an example of processing executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of processing executed by the control unit 11 of the server 10 are shown.

[0489] The following flowchart illustrates the process of the fifth modified example (1), and some steps in the flowchart may not be executed, or additional steps may be inserted. This also applies to other flowcharts in this specification.

[0490] 58, the user performs an operation to participate in the community site via the input / output unit 23 of the terminal 20 (step S901). As a result, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits the user's browsing information via the communication unit 22 (step S902).

[0491] When the server 10 receives the viewing information, the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines whether or not the community site includes a content portion that has not been viewed by the user (step S1001).

[0492] If the result of the determination is that the unviewed content portion is not included (step S1001, NO), this control ends. On the other hand, if the unviewed content portion is included (step S1001, YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10 transmits a command to restrict the user from viewing the unviewed content portion (step S1002).

[0493] When the command is received by terminal 20, control unit 21 of terminal 20 restricts access to content portions of the community site that the user has not viewed (step S903). If terminal 20 does not receive the restriction command in step S1002, the process of step S903 is skipped. After steps S903 and S1002, this control ends.

[0494] <Effects of the fifth modified example (1)> The fifth modified example (1) acquires content information relating to content that can be viewed on the terminal 20, and performs control to set up a community site that restricts viewing by users who have not viewed the part of the content corresponding to the content information.

[0495] According to this, when a user who has not viewed the part of the content corresponding to the content information attempts to participate in a community site including the content information, the user's viewing is restricted, thereby preventing the information of the part that the user has not viewed from being leaked.

[0496] <Fifth Modification (2)> In the fifth modified example (2), the control relating to the restriction of the content that can be viewed on the community site may be a control to hide the content that cannot be viewed by the user among the contents on the community site.

[0497] The restriction processing unit 115 determines whether or not to restrict the content that can be viewed by the user on the community site based on the viewing information. For example, if there is another user who has viewed more content than the user on the community site in which the user has joined, the restriction processing unit 115 controls the restriction of the content that can be viewed on the community site. Specifically, the restriction processing unit 115 executes a process of transmitting a setting command to the terminal 20 via the communication unit 14 to hide the content that cannot be viewed.

[0498] When the terminal 20 receives the setting command, the display processing unit 213 executes a display process such as blurring messages of other users who have viewed more content than the user. The display processing unit 213 may also hide the messages.

[0499] For example, suppose that the viewing information of users A and B is a first predetermined amount, and the viewing information of user C is a second predetermined amount that is greater than the first predetermined amount. For example, if the content is a book consisting of five chapters, and the first predetermined amount is chapter 2, the second predetermined amount will be chapters from chapter 3 onwards. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 59, suppose that user C posts a message after user B posts a message on a predetermined community site (see FIG. 59A).

[0500] User C may post information that User A and User B are not aware of. Therefore, if User A, who has joined the community site, views User C's posts, there is a possibility that information that User A is not aware of may be leaked based on the posts.

[0501] In the fifth modified example (2), as shown in FIG. 59B, a display process is executed to apply a mosaic to such a message from user C, so that the message from user C becomes invisible on the display unit 24 of user A.

[0502] If a message from another user is blurred or obscured, a user who joins later may wonder what the message is about.

[0503] Therefore, for example, the message may be hidden. For example, as shown in Fig. 60, on a community site where user C's message was originally posted (see Fig. 60A), user A's terminal 20 hides user C's post (see Fig. 60B). This allows user A to immediately post a message in response to user B's message without any suspicion.

[0504] <Information Processing> 61 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the fifth modified example (2). From the left, an example of processing executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of processing executed by the control unit 11 of the server 10 are shown.

[0505] The following flowchart illustrates the process of the fifth modified example (2), and some steps in the flowchart may not be executed, or additional steps may be inserted. This also applies to other flowcharts in this specification.

[0506] 61, the user performs an operation to participate in the community site via the input / output unit 23 of the terminal 20 (step S401). As a result, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits the user's browsing information via the communication unit 22 (step S402).

[0507] When the server 10 receives the viewing information, the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines whether or not there is a user in the community site whose viewing volume exceeds a predetermined viewing volume (step S501). The predetermined viewing volume is, for example, a viewing volume that is set in advance. For example, if the content is a book consisting of five chapters and the predetermined viewing volume is viewing up to chapter three, if the user's viewing volume is two chapters, it is determined that the user's viewing volume does not exceed the predetermined viewing volume. On the other hand, if the user's viewing volume is four chapters, it is determined that the user's viewing volume exceeds the predetermined viewing volume.

[0508] If the result of the determination is that there is no user whose viewing volume exceeds the predetermined volume (step S501, NO), this control ends. On the other hand, if there is a user whose viewing volume exceeds the predetermined volume (step S501, YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10 sends a setting command to the terminal 20 to hide messages of users whose viewing volume exceeds the predetermined volume (step S502).

[0509] When the terminal 20 receives the setting command, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 hides the message of the setting command on the community site (step S403). If the terminal 20 does not receive the setting command of step S502, the process of step S403 is skipped. After steps S403 and S502, this control ends.

[0510] <Effects of the fifth modified example (2)> In the fifth modified example (2), the control relating to the restriction of the content that can be viewed on the community site is a control to hide the content that cannot be viewed by the user among the contents on the community site.

[0511] By doing so, a user is prevented from viewing messages from other users, and therefore it is possible to prevent information about content that the user has not viewed from being leaked.

[0512] <Fifth Modification (3)> In the fifth modified example (3), the restriction processing unit 115 may remove the restriction on viewing of content (posted information) within the community site as the user's viewing volume increases.

[0513] That is, when the viewing information of content by the user of terminal 20 changes from the first viewing information to the second viewing information, the restriction processing unit 115 may perform control to transmit information about the content that has become viewable by the user of terminal 20 to terminal 20 via the communication unit 14 based on the second viewing information. The second viewing information indicates a larger amount of viewing than the first viewing information, as in the fourth embodiment.

[0514] For example, as shown in FIG. 62, assume that when user A, whose viewing information is the first viewing information, joins the community site, the message of user C, whose viewing information is the second viewing information, is blurred (see FIG. 62A). For example, if the content is a 121-minute movie, the first viewing information indicates that the content was viewed up to the 50-minute mark, and the second viewing information indicates that the content was viewed up to the 51-minute mark and beyond. Since user B's viewing information is the first viewing information, user B's message is displayed on terminal 20.

[0515] As user A continues browsing the content and the browsing information changes from the first browsing information to the second browsing information, the mosaic on user C's message is removed (see FIG. 62B).

[0516] For example, when the restriction on viewing content (messages) within the community site is lifted, the display unit 24 may or may not display a message indicating that the restriction on viewing messages has been lifted.

[0517] However, when the viewing restriction on such messages is lifted, the messages become outdated, and depending on the content of the messages, they may not attract the user's interest.

[0518] Therefore, the messages may or may not be displayed on the display unit 24 in descending order of user ratings (for example, in descending order of the number of "likes").

[0519] <Information Processing> 63 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the fifth modified example (3). From the left, an example of processing executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of processing executed by the control unit 11 of the server 10 are shown.

[0520] The following flowchart illustrates the process of the fifth modified example (3), and some steps may not be executed or additional steps may be inserted in the following flowchart. This also applies to other flowcharts in this specification.

[0521] 63, the user performs an operation to participate in the community site via the input / output unit 23 of the terminal 20 (step S404). As a result, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits the user's browsing information via the communication unit 22 (step S405).

[0522] When the server 10 receives the viewing information, the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines whether or not there is a hidden message in the community site (step S503).

[0523] If the result of the determination is that there is no hidden message (step S503, NO), this control ends. On the other hand, if there is a hidden message (step S503, YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines whether the user's viewing information is information that releases the viewing restriction (step S504).

[0524] If the result of the determination is that the viewing information is not information that lifts the viewing restriction (step S504, NO), this control ends. On the other hand, if the viewing information is information that lifts the viewing restriction (step S504, YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10 sends a command to lift the hiding of the message via the communication unit 14 (step S505).

[0525] When the terminal 20 receives the setting command, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 cancels the hiding of the message related to the command on the community site (step S406). If the terminal 20 does not receive the command to cancel the hiding of the message in step S505, the processing of step S406 is skipped. After steps S406 and S505, this control ends.

[0526] <Effects of the fifth modified example (3)> In the fifth modified example (3), when the viewing information of content by the user of terminal 20 changes from the first viewing information to the second viewing information, control is performed to transmit information about the content that the user of terminal 20 can now view to terminal 20 via communication unit 14 based on the second viewing information. As a result, as the user's viewing volume increases, restrictions on viewing content (posted information) within the community site are lifted. In other words, by lifting restrictions on viewing messages within the community site based on the user's viewing information, the user can understand what messages were posted at the time the viewing restrictions were in place. This can encourage the user to further subscribe to manga (content).

[0527] Furthermore, when the restriction on viewing messages is lifted, the messages are sorted in descending order of user ratings, thereby increasing the satisfaction of users who continue to read the content until the restriction on viewing is lifted.

[0528] <Fifth Modification (4)> In the fifth embodiment, a viewing restriction is imposed on messages in the community site, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. In the fifth modified example (4), if the user wishes to view the message, the viewing restriction on the message may be lifted.

[0529] In this case, for example, when the user clicks or taps on the message that has the viewing restriction, a message may be displayed asking the user whether to cancel the viewing.

[0530] For example, if the user clicks or taps on the mosaic portion in Figure 62A, a message may appear asking the user whether or not to cancel the viewing, and if the user agrees to the message, the mosaic portion may be removed as shown in Figure 62B.

[0531] <Effects of the fifth modified example (4)> In the fifth modified example (4), when the user wishes to view the message, the viewing restriction on the message is lifted.

[0532] This makes it possible to provide services that meet the user's wishes.

[0533] Furthermore, by displaying a message asking the user whether or not it is OK to cancel the viewing, it is possible to obtain the user's consent to the possibility of content information being leaked.

[0534] Sixth Embodiment In the sixth embodiment, the control unit 11 of the server 10 performs control to delete a community site or a message within the community site.

[0535] In community sites, messages about the same or similar content may be posted. Therefore, if such messages continue endlessly, the history of the community site will become repetitive, which may lead to a stagnation of topics on the community site.

[0536] For example, suppose that at a certain point in time, the relationship between a first character and a second character appearing in a certain piece of content is a topic of discussion within a community site among users who viewed the content at that time.

[0537] Later, at a different time, users who viewed the content at that time may similarly discuss the relationship between the first and second characters on the community site. In other words, similar topics will be repeated over and over again.

[0538] In the sixth embodiment, for example, after a certain period of time has passed, the community site itself is deleted, or messages within the community site are deleted, which makes it possible to prevent topics within the community site from becoming stagnant, as described above.

[0539] <Information Processing> FIG. 64 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the server 10 in the sixth embodiment.

[0540] As shown in FIG. 64, the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines whether a certain period of time has passed since the community site was created (step S1101).

[0541] If the result of the determination is that the certain period has not elapsed (step S1101, NO), the process of step S1101 is repeated. On the other hand, if the certain period has elapsed (step S1101, YES), the control unit 11 deletes the community site (step S1102). After step S1102, this control ends.

[0542] <Effects of the Sixth Embodiment> According to the sixth embodiment, it is possible to prevent messages with the same content from continuing endlessly within a community site.

[0543] <Sixth Modification> In addition, in the sixth modified example, control is performed to integrate a plurality of community sites.

[0544] In the case of community sites, multiple community sites may be created on the same topic, and users may not know which community site to join.

[0545] <Effects of the Sixth Modification> In the sixth modification, control is performed to integrate multiple community sites, which prevents the user from becoming confused about which community site to join, as described above, and makes it easier for users to join a community site by integrating multiple community sites.

[0546] <Other variations> In other modified examples, content relating to another work by the content author may be presented, or content relating to a relatively popular work that was published at the same time as the content may be presented.

[0547] <Effects of other modifications> In other variations, content related to other works by the content author, or content related to works that were published around the same time as the content and are relatively popular, can be presented to encourage users to purchase the content from various perspectives.

[0548] <Other> Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the server 10 distributes the content, but a separate server for distributing the content may also be present.

[0549] In the above embodiments, the community site may include any one of a chat room, a community of a social network service, and an electronic bulletin board. In the second embodiment, the community site may include a community of a video site in addition to the above.

[0550] Here, an example of application of the present invention to a chat room on a community site will be described. A chat room is a user interface that enables users of the messaging service provided by the server 10 to display information sent and received between them on their terminals.

[0551] Chat rooms are basically formed by mutual consent between users who are aware of each other in the messaging service provided by server 10, but chat rooms can also be formed in which an unspecified number of users can freely participate. Such chat rooms in which an unspecified number of users can freely participate are sometimes called open chats.

[0552] An open chat is a group chat in which multiple users can participate anonymously. Participating anonymously here means that a user can participate in a chat room using a username different from the username registered on the server 10 that provides the messaging service. While anyone can participate in an open chat, it has the disadvantage of being highly anonymous, making it difficult to determine the authenticity of the message content.

[0553] Users can join such open chats by becoming aware of their existence (for example, but not limited to, by seeing an open chat related to a promoted product in an advertisement or by checking an article that describes how to join the open chat), and then joining the chat room themselves or by receiving an invitation from another user who is participating in the chat room.

[0554] The existence of an open chat can be recognized by a user, for example, when the user searches using a keyword, searches by selecting a category, or obtains a QR code (registered trademark) or URL from another user. Open chats include chat rooms that are free to join, chat rooms that require administrator approval, and chat rooms with passwords. A user can freely join a chat room that is free to join. A user can join a chat room that requires administrator approval only after obtaining the administrator's approval. For example, a user can join a chat room by answering questions set by the administrator and receiving approval from the administrator. A user can join a chat room with a password by entering the password. The password is set by an administrator or the like.

[0555] By opening a chat room, a user can converse with other users over the Internet via a terminal. For example, when a chat room related to content is created, multiple users who have viewed the content can share their thoughts about the content and exchange information within the chat room.

[0556] In particular, in open chats, each chat room has a set theme, such as casual conversation, hobby topics, or frank industry talk, so users who join a chat room can easily exchange messages with other users in the chat room and continue the exchange over the long term.

[0557] Therefore, by applying the above-described embodiments to a chat room, it is expected that interactions between users in the chat room will become more active.

[0558] For example, in the case of the first embodiment, the selected chat room is displayed on the user's terminal 20, as shown in Fig. 65. In Fig. 65A, the first chat room, the second chat room, and the third chat room are displayed as chat rooms, and a button labeled "GO" is displayed on the right side of each site. By pressing this button, the user can participate in the chat room corresponding to that button.

[0559] Here, when a user presses the button for the second chat room to, for example, participate in the second chat room, a chat room corresponding to the second chat room is displayed, and the user can post a message, as shown in Fig. 65B. That is, in this embodiment, it becomes easier for users to participate in chat rooms, and user convenience can be improved.

[0560] In addition, in a chat room that the user has joined, information that the user is not aware of may be posted in the chat room by a user who views the chat room more frequently than the user. In such cases, as shown in Fig. 66, a process of hiding the message, such as the second modified example (4) or the fifth modified example (2), may be applied.

[0561] By doing so, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent information that the user does not know from being leaked.

[0562] Furthermore, in chat rooms, the message field is relatively compact, making it easy for users to immediately join in the conversation even if hidden messages exist. Furthermore, if a hidden user has a large number of messages, the content of that user's messages may become interesting, stimulating users' motivation to further browse the content. As a result, users' motivation to purchase content is encouraged, leading to more active conversations in the chat room.

[0563] Furthermore, the content in each of the above embodiments can be applied to various types of content, but can be particularly applied to content that provides users with relatively common topics, such as manga or novels. Manga and novels often form series that span multiple volumes, and the content itself often spans multiple pieces of content. Therefore, if a user who has not yet viewed the latest volume accidentally joins a community site that corresponds to the latest volume, information about the latest volume is likely to be leaked.

[0564] In contrast, in each embodiment, the user can be guided to an appropriate community site, which can further prevent information leakage as described above.

[0565] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art would easily be able to make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included within the scope of the present disclosure. By way of example and not limitation, the functions included in each means, step, etc. may be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple means, steps, etc. may be combined or divided into one. Furthermore, the configurations shown in each embodiment may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0566] 1. Communication Systems 10 Servers 11 Control section 12 Input / output section 13. Display 14 Communications Department 15 Storage section 20 terminals 21 Control Unit 22 Communications Department 23 Input / output section 24 Display 25. Mike 26 Speaker 27 Camera 28 Memory section 30 Network 111 Server main processing unit 112 Information transmission / reception processing section 113 Selection processing unit 114 Generation processing unit 115 Restriction Processing Unit 116 Message Processing Unit 117 Viewable Processing Unit 141 Communication main processing unit 142 Information Transmitter / Receiver 151 Server main processing program 152 Information Transmission and Reception Program 153 Selection Processing Program 154 Viewing Information 155 Community Site Information 156 Grant Processing Program 157 Identification Information 158 Generation Processing Program 159 Viewing restriction processing program 160 Restricted Processing Information 161 Message Processing Program 162 Message Processing Information 163 Viewable Processing Programs 164 Viewable Processing Information 165 Survey Information 166 Notification Information 167 Movement history information 211 Terminal main processing unit 212 Information transmission / reception processing section 213 Display processing unit 221 Communication main processing unit 222 Information Transmitter / Receiver 281 Terminal main processing program 282 Information Transmission and Reception Program 283 Display Processing Program 284 Viewing Information 285 Community Site Information 286 Identification Information 287 Restricted Processing Information

Claims

1. A server that communicates with a terminal, a communication unit that receives browsing information of a user of the terminal regarding browsing of content that can be viewed on the terminal; a control unit that selects a community site based on the browsing information; the communication unit transmits information about the community site selected by the control unit to the terminal; When a user included in the community site who is different from the user of the terminal moves to a community site different from the community site, the control unit controls the communication unit to send information to the terminal that the different user has moved to the different community site.

2. A server that communicates with a terminal, a communication unit that receives browsing information of a user of the terminal regarding browsing of content that can be viewed on the terminal; a control unit that selects a community site based on the browsing information; When a plurality of the community sites are selected, the control unit acquires a predetermined index that can determine the degree of activity of each of the community sites; The communication unit transmits information about the community sites selected by the control unit and the index for each community site to the terminal.

3. 3. The server according to claim 1 or claim 2, The communication unit transmits information about the community site to the terminal based on the viewing of the content by the terminal.

4. 4. The server according to claim 3, The communication unit transmits information about the community site to the terminal based on completion of browsing of the content by the terminal.

5. The server according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The community site is a community site related to the content.

6. The server according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The viewing information includes information regarding the amount of viewing of the content by the user of the terminal.

7. 7. The server according to claim 6, The content includes a manga or a novel, The viewing information includes information regarding the number of volumes of the manga or novel that have been viewed.

8. The server according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The viewing information includes information relating to the content viewed by the user of the terminal.

9. The server according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The communication unit transmits information about the community site, including identification information for identifying the community site, to the terminal.

10. The server according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The control unit performs settings to restrict viewing of the community site based on the viewing information of the content.

11. 11. The server of claim 10, When the viewing information of the content by the user of the terminal changes from first viewing information to second viewing information, the control unit controls to restrict the viewing of the community site by the user of the terminal based on a setting to restrict viewing of the community site.

12. 12. The server of claim 11, The control to restrict viewing of the community site includes control to make the display mode of the information of the community site, the viewing of which is restricted, displayed on the terminal different from the display mode of the community site, the viewing of which is not restricted.

13. 11. The server of claim 10, The control unit controls restrictions on the content that can be viewed on the community site based on the viewing information of the content by the user of the terminal.

14. 14. The server of claim 13, The control relating to restrictions on the content that can be viewed on the community site is a control for hiding content that cannot be viewed by the user among the content on the community site.

15. 15. The server according to claim 13 or claim 14, When the viewing information of the content by the user of the terminal changes from first viewing information to second viewing information, the control unit controls the communication unit to send information regarding the content that has become viewable by the user of the terminal to the terminal based on the second viewing information.

16. 16. The server according to claim 1, The community site includes any one of a chat room, a community of a social network service, and an electronic bulletin board.

17. An information processing method for a server that communicates with a terminal, comprising: receiving, by a communication unit of the server, browsing information of a user of the terminal relating to browsing of content that can be browsed on the terminal; selecting a community site based on the browsing information by a control unit of the server; transmitting information about the community site selected by the control unit to the terminal by the communication unit; This includes controlling the control unit to, when a user included in the community site who is different from the user of the terminal moves to a community site different from the community site, send information to the terminal via the communication unit that the different user has moved to the different community site.

18. An information processing method for a server that communicates with a terminal, comprising: receiving, by a communication unit of the server, browsing information of a user of the terminal relating to browsing of content that can be browsed on the terminal; selecting a community site based on the browsing information by a control unit of the server; transmitting information about the community site selected by the control unit to the terminal by the communication unit; When the control unit selects a plurality of the community sites, acquiring a predetermined index that can determine the degree of activity of each of the community sites; The method includes transmitting, by the communication unit, information on the community sites selected by the control unit and the index for each community site to the terminal.

19. A program executed by a server in communication with a terminal, receiving, by a communication unit of the server, browsing information of a user of the terminal relating to browsing of content that can be browsed on the terminal; selecting a community site based on the browsing information by a control unit of the server; transmitting information about the community site selected by the control unit to the terminal via the communication unit, The server controls the control unit to send information to the terminal via the communication unit when a user included in the community site who is different from the user of the terminal moves to a community site different from the community site.

20. A program executed by a server in communication with a terminal, receiving, by a communication unit of the server, browsing information of a user of the terminal relating to browsing of content that can be browsed on the terminal; selecting a community site based on the browsing information by a control unit of the server; transmitting information about the community site selected by the control unit to the terminal via the communication unit, When the control unit selects a plurality of the community sites, acquiring a predetermined index that can determine the degree of activity of each of the community sites; The server causes the communication unit to transmit to the terminal information about the community sites selected by the control unit and the index for each community site.

21. A program executed by an information processing device, performing control by a control unit of the information processing device to acquire browsing information regarding browsing of content by a user; controlling the control unit to select a community site based on the browsing information; and performing control by the control unit to present information about the community site selected by the control unit to the user, the control unit being executed by the information processing device; The information processing device executes control by the control unit to, when a user different from the user included in the community site moves to a community site different from the user included in the community site, present to the user information that the different user has moved to the different community site.

22. A program executed by an information processing device, performing control by a control unit of the information processing device to acquire browsing information regarding browsing of content by a user; controlling the control unit to select a community site based on the browsing information; and performing control by the control unit to present information about the community site selected by the control unit to the user, the control unit being executed by the information processing device; When the control unit selects a plurality of the community sites, acquiring a predetermined index that can determine the degree of activity of each of the community sites; The information processing device executes the control unit to present to the user information on the community sites selected by the control unit and the index for each community site.

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