server

Abstract

To enhance attraction of live distribution through opening of an event allowing competition among teams.SOLUTION: A server includes: means for relaying moving image data transmission to a user terminal of a reproduction side from a user terminal of a moving image data generation side; means for changing a first index of a first team associated with a first item to a first direction, when acquiring a signal indicating use of the first item by the user of the reproduction side during the moving image data reproduction; means for changing a second index of a second team associated with a second item to a second direction opposite to the first direction, when acquiring a signal indicating use of the second item by the user of the reproduction side during the moving image data reproduction; and means for determining victory or defeat when any one of the first index of the first team and the second index of the second team satisfies a predetermined condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a server and a method.

Background Art

[0002] With the development of IT technology, the ways of information exchange have changed. In the Showa era, one-way information transmission such as newspapers and televisions was dominant. In the Heisei era, mobile phones and personal computers became popular, and the communication speed of the Internet was greatly improved. As a result, real-time two-way communication services such as chat services emerged, and on-demand video distribution services were accepted with the reduction of memory costs. And now, in the Reiwa era, with the high functionality of smartphones and the further improvement of network speed represented by 5G, services that realize real-time communication by video, especially live distribution services, are rapidly increasing in recognition. Live distribution services are expanding their users mainly among young people as services that allow everyone to share the same enjoyable time even when they are in different places.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for providing a team competition event in which points obtained by distributors belonging to a team are competed in order to activate the communication between distribution users who distribute videos in live distribution.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in simple team-based events like those described in Patent Document 1, viewers have no way to contribute to their team's victory other than continuously sending gifts during their favorite streamer's live broadcast. This risks both viewers and streamers quickly becoming bored with such events.

[0006] This disclosure is made in light of these challenges, and its purpose is to provide technology that can further enhance the appeal of live streaming through the hosting of team-based competitive events. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A part of this disclosure relates to a server. The server includes means for relaying the transmission of video data from a user terminal generating video data to a user terminal playing video data; means for changing a first indicator of a first team associated with a first item to a first orientation when a signal indicating the use of a first item by a user on the playback side during playback of video data is obtained; means for changing a second indicator of a second team associated with a second item to a second orientation opposite to the first orientation when a signal indicating the use of a second item by a user on the playback side during playback of video data is obtained; and means for determining a winner or loser when either the first indicator of the first team or the second indicator of the second team satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is also a server. This server includes means for relaying the transmission of video data from a user terminal generating video data to a user terminal playing video data; means for changing the first indicator of the first team to a first orientation and the second indicator of the second team to a second orientation opposite to the first orientation when a signal indicating the use of an item by the user on the playing side is obtained during playback of the video data; and means for determining a winner or loser when either the first indicator of the first team or the second indicator of the second team satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0009] A further aspect of the present invention is a computer program. This computer program enables the playback-side user terminal to have the following functions: a function to play video data transmitted from the video data generating user terminal; a function to enable the use of a first item to change the first metric of the first team to a first orientation during video data playback; and a function to enable the use of a second item to change the second metric of the second team to a second orientation opposite to the first orientation during video data playback.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is a server. This server includes means for relaying the transmission of video data from a user terminal generating video data to a user terminal playing video data; means for changing the first indicator of the first team to a first orientation or changing the second indicator of the second team to a second orientation opposite to the first orientation, according to settings made by the user generating the video data, when a signal indicating the use of an item by the user playing video data is obtained; and means for determining a winner or loser when either the first indicator of the first team or the second indicator of the second team satisfies predetermined conditions.

[0011] Furthermore, any combination of the above components, or any substitution of components or expressions of the present invention between devices, methods, systems, computer programs, recording media storing computer programs, etc., are also valid embodiments of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, the appeal of live streaming can be further enhanced by holding team-based competitive events. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a live streaming system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of live streaming implemented by the live streaming system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3]It is a block diagram showing the functions and configuration of the user terminal in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram showing the functions and configuration of the server in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a data structure diagram showing an example of the stream DB in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] It is a data structure diagram showing an example of the event DB in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] It is a data structure diagram showing an example of the distributor DB in FIG. 4. [Figure 8] It is a data structure diagram showing an example of the item DB in FIG. 4. [Figure 9] It is a chart showing the flow of a series of processes in the live distribution system in FIG. 1. [Figure 10] It is a flowchart showing the flow of a series of event processes in the server in FIG. 1. [Figure 11] It is a representative screen diagram of the live distribution selection screen displayed on the display of the viewer's user terminal. [Figure 12] It is a representative screen diagram of the live distribution room screen displayed on the display of the viewer's user terminal. [Figure 13] It is a representative screen diagram of the event effect screen displayed on the display of the viewer's user terminal. [Figure 14] It is a representative screen diagram of the life confirmation screen displayed on the display of the viewer's user terminal. [Figure 15] It is a representative screen diagram of the ranking screen displayed on the display of the viewer's user terminal. [Figure 16] It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 17] It is a representative screen diagram of the siege battle event screen displayed on the display of the viewer's user terminal.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] In the following, identical or equivalent components, members, processes, and signals shown in each drawing will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted where appropriate. In addition, some components that are not explanatoryly important in each drawing will be omitted from the display.

[0015] In the live streaming system according to this embodiment, an event is held in which multiple teams compete against each other. The streamer encourages their viewers to help their team or the team they support win during the live video, and viewers respond by giving gifts, etc. Two types of gifts are available for viewers to choose from: one that brings the streamer's team closer to victory or further away from defeat, and the other that brings teams other than the streamer's team further away from victory or closer to defeat. For example, there are recovery gifts that increase the streamer's team's life and attack gifts that decrease the opposing team's life.

[0016] By adding a negative effect to gifts in this way, the gifts that viewers send can be made more strategic. Compared to a simple approach where players just throw gifts to reach a predetermined score as quickly as possible, in this embodiment, players can gain an advantage by appropriately selecting the type, timing, and quantity of gifts, and the resulting inter-team strategy makes for a more engaging live streaming event.

[0017] [Live streaming system configuration] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a live streaming system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The live streaming system 1 provides a two-way live streaming service that allows broadcasters (also called streamers) LV and viewers (also called audiences) AU (AU1, AU2, ...) to communicate in real time. As shown in Figure 1, the live streaming system 1 comprises a server 10, a user terminal 20 on the broadcaster's side, and user terminals 30 (30a, 30b, ...) on the viewer's side. Broadcasters and viewers are sometimes collectively referred to as users. The server 10 may be composed of one or more information processing devices connected to a network NW. User terminals 20 and 30 may be mobile terminals such as smartphones, tablet terminals, laptop PCs, recorders, portable game consoles, or wearable devices, or they may be stationary devices such as desktop PCs. The server 10, user terminals 20 and 30 are connected to each other via various wired or wireless networks NW so that they can communicate with each other.

[0018] The live streaming system 1 involves a streamer (LV), a viewer (AU), and an administrator (not shown) who manages the server 10. A streamer (LV) is a person who broadcasts content in real time by recording or videotaping their own songs, talks, performances, fortune-telling, game commentary, etc., on their user terminal 20 and uploading it directly to the server 10. The administrator provides a platform for live streaming of content on the server 10 and mediates or manages real-time interactions between the streamer (LV) and the viewer (AU). Viewer (AU) accesses the platform on their user terminal 30 to select and watch desired content. During the live streaming of this content, viewer (AU) can comment or show support via their user terminal 30, and the streamer (LV) providing the content responds to such comments and support. This response is transmitted to the viewer (AU) via video and / or audio, thus establishing two-way communication.

[0019] In this specification, "live streaming" may mean a data transmission method that enables content recorded on the broadcaster LV's user terminal 20 to be played back and viewed on the viewer AU's user terminal 30 in substantially real time, or it may mean the streaming itself realized by such a transmission method. Live streaming may be realized using existing live streaming technologies such as HTTP Live Streaming, Common Media Application Format, Web Real-Time Communications, Real-Time Messaging Protocol, or MPEG DASH. Live streaming includes a transmission method that enables the viewer AU to view the content with a predetermined delay while the broadcaster LV is recording the content. Regarding the magnitude of the delay, at least a delay large enough for communication between the broadcaster LV and the viewer AU to take place is permitted. However, live streaming is distinguished from so-called on-demand streaming, where the entire data of the recorded content is temporarily stored on a server and then provided to the user at any time upon request.

[0020] In this specification, "video data" refers to data that includes image data (also called video data) generated by the imaging function of user terminals 20 and 30, and audio data (also called audio data) generated by the voice input function of user terminals 20 and 30. The video data is played back on user terminals 20 and 30, enabling users to view the content.

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of live streaming implemented by the live streaming system 1 in Figure 1. In the example in Figure 2, the broadcaster (LV) is live streaming a talk. The broadcaster (LV)'s user terminal 20 generates video data by recording the image and sound of the broadcaster (LV) giving the talk, and transmits it to the server 10 (not shown in Figure 2) via the network (NW). In addition, the user terminal 20 displays the recorded video (VD) of the broadcaster (LV) on its display, allowing the broadcaster (LV) to confirm the content of the stream.

[0022] The user terminals 30a, 30b, and 30c of viewers AU1, AU2, and AU3, who requested to view the live stream from broadcaster LV on the platform, each receive video data related to the live stream via the network NW. By playing the received video data, they display video images VD1, VD2, and VD3 on their displays and output sound from their speakers. The video images VD1, VD2, and VD3 displayed on each user terminal 30a, 30b, and 30c are substantially identical to the video images VD captured by broadcaster LV's user terminal 20, and the sound output by each user terminal 30a, 30b, and 30c is substantially identical to the sound recorded by broadcaster LV's user terminal 20.

[0023] The recording and video recording on the broadcaster LV's user terminal 20 and the playback of video data on the viewer AU1, AU2, and AU3's user terminals 30a, 30b, and 30c are performed substantially simultaneously. When viewer AU1 inputs a comment on the content of broadcaster LV's talk into user terminal 30a, server 10 displays the comment in real time on broadcaster LV's user terminal 20 and also on the user terminals 30a, 30b, and 30c of each viewer AU1, AU2, and AU3. When broadcaster LV reads the comment and adds a comment over it, the video and audio of that conversation are output to the user terminals 30a, 30b, and 30c of each viewer AU1, AU2, and AU3, and it is recognized that a conversation has taken place between broadcaster LV and viewer AU1. In this way, the live streaming system 1 realizes live streaming that enables two-way communication rather than one-way communication.

[0024] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the functions and configuration of user terminal 20 in Figure 1. User terminal 30 has the same functions and configuration as user terminal 20. Each block shown in Figure 3 and subsequent block diagrams can be realized hardware-wise by elements and mechanical devices such as the CPU of a computer, and software-wise by computer programs, etc., but here we are depicting functional blocks realized through the cooperation of these. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art who have read this specification that these functional blocks can be realized in various ways by combinations of hardware and software.

[0025] The broadcaster (LV) and viewer (AU) download and install the live streaming application program according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the live streaming app) from a download site via the network (NW) to the user terminals 20 and 30. Alternatively, the live streaming app may be pre-installed on the user terminals 20 and 30. When the live streaming app is executed by the user terminals 20 and 30, the user terminals 20 and 30 communicate with the server 10 via the network (NW) and realize various functions. Hereinafter, the functions realized by the execution of the live streaming app by the user terminals 20 and 30 (their CPUs or other processors) will be described as functions of the user terminals 20 and 30. These functions are actually functions that the live streaming app enables on the user terminals 20 and 30. In other embodiments, these functions may be realized by a computer program written in a programming language such as HTML (HyperText Markup Language), which is transmitted from the server 10 to the web browser of the user terminals 20 and 30 via the network (NW) and executed by that web browser.

[0026] The user terminal 20 includes a distribution unit 100 that generates video data recording the user's image and voice and provides it to the server 10, and a viewing unit 200 that retrieves the video data from the server 10 and plays it back. The user activates the distribution unit 100 when distributing data, and the viewing unit 200 when viewing data. The user terminal with the distribution unit 100 active is the distributor side, i.e., the user terminal that generates the video data, and the user terminal with the viewing unit 200 active is the viewer side, i.e., the user terminal that plays back the video data.

[0027] The distribution unit 100 includes an image capture control unit 102, an audio control unit 104, and a video transmission unit 106. The image capture control unit 102 is connected to a camera (not shown in Figure 3) and controls image capture by the camera. The image capture control unit 102 acquires image data from the camera. The audio control unit 104 is connected to a speaker and a microphone (not shown in Figure 3) and controls audio output from the speaker and audio input from the microphone. The audio control unit 104 acquires audio data from the microphone. The video transmission unit 106 transmits video data, including image data acquired by the image capture control unit 102 and audio data acquired by the audio control unit 104, to the server 10 via the network NW. The transmission of video data by the video transmission unit 106 is performed in real time. That is, the generation of video data by the image capture control unit 102 and the audio control unit 104, and the transmission of the generated video data by the video transmission unit 106, are performed substantially simultaneously.

[0028] The viewing unit 200 includes a display control unit 202, an input management unit 204, a superimposed information generation unit 206, and an input information transmission unit 208. The display control unit 202 is connected to a display (not shown in Figure 3) and displays moving images and screens on the display. When the display control unit 202 and the audio control unit 104 play video data, an image is output to the display and sound is output from the speaker, and together these can be said to be "playing video data". The input management unit 204 is connected to input means such as a touch panel, keyboard, or display (not shown in Figure 3) and acquires user input through these input means. The superimposed information generation unit 206 superimposes a predetermined frame image onto the video data image acquired from the server 10. The frame image includes various user interface objects (hereinafter simply referred to as objects) for accepting input from the user, comments entered by the viewer, and information acquired from the server 10. The input information transmission unit 208 transmits the user input acquired by the input management unit 204 to the server 10 via the network NW.

[0029] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the functions and configuration of server 10 in Figure 1. Server 10 includes a distribution information provision unit 302, a relay unit 304, a point update unit 306, a life update unit 308, a ranking generation unit 310, a win / loss determination unit 312, an affiliation determination unit 314, a reward granting unit 316, a stream DB 318, an event DB 320, a broadcaster DB 322, and an item DB 324.

[0030] Figure 5 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the Stream DB318 in Figure 4. The Stream DB318 holds information about live streaming that is currently taking place. The Stream DB318 stores the Stream ID, which identifies the live stream on the live streaming platform provided by the Live Streaming System 1, the Streamer ID, which identifies the streamer of the live stream, and the Viewer ID, which identifies the viewers of the live stream, in association with each other.

[0031] Figure 6 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the event DB320 in Figure 4. The event DB320 holds information about events held on the live streaming platform. The event DB320 stores an event ID that identifies events of a type where multiple teams compete, information about each team's life, the start time of the event, the end time of the event, and information about the rewards awarded if the team wins the event, all associated with each other.

[0032] The event starts at the start time and ends at the end time. In the event, the outcome of the team is determined by the amount of event-specific items collected by the registered streamers from their viewers within a predetermined period (determined by the start and end times). Life is one example of a metric associated with a team, and it increases or decreases depending on the event-specific items collected by the registered streamers from their viewers. Other examples of metrics include the number of stars, stamps, and puzzle pieces. These metrics can also be described as parameters that determine the victory or defeat of a team. The rewards awarded may include a predetermined amount of points, money, digital items, or event-specific digital decorative parts.

[0033] The conditions for a team to win or lose can be set in various ways, for example, as follows: (1) The team whose life points reach the maximum value first wins. (2) The team whose life points reach the minimum is defeated, and the game continues until only one team remains. (3) A combination of (1) and (2). In this embodiment, we will explain a case where there are two teams and the following combined conditions are adopted for determining the winner: (1) The team whose life reaches the lower limit of 0 during the event period is defeated (and therefore the remaining team wins); (2) The team whose life reaches the upper limit of 20,000 during the event period wins; and (3) If the winner is not determined by the end of the event, the team with the higher life at the end of the event wins.

[0034] Figure 7 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the Streamer DB322 in Figure 4. The Streamer DB322 holds information about streamers. The Streamer DB322 associates a Streamer ID that identifies a streamer, the points that the streamer possesses, the Event ID of the event that the streamer is registered to participate in, and the streamer's contribution score in that event. Points are electronic value that circulates within the live streaming platform. When a streamer receives an item from a viewer during a live stream, the streamer's points increase by the value corresponding to that item. Points are used, for example, to determine the amount of reward or money that a streamer receives from the administrator of the live streaming platform. The contribution score is a value that indicates the streamer's contribution to each team. The contribution score is set in accordance with the combination of event, team, and streamer. The contribution score is an indicator that shows the degree of a streamer's contribution to a team in a given event.

[0035] Streamers register to participate in events through appropriate means. For example, a streamer accesses the live streaming platform from their user terminal 20. Server 10 refers to the event DB 320 to identify available events and displays an event introduction page containing information about the identified events on the user terminal 20. When a streamer selects an event they are interested in, the event participation page for that event is displayed on the user terminal 20's screen. Streamers may also indicate their intention to participate in an event from the event participation page. In this case, Server 10 updates the streamer DB 322 so that the event ID of the event is registered in association with the streamer ID of the streamer who indicated their intention to participate in the event.

[0036] Figure 8 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the Item DB324 in Figure 4. The Item DB324 holds information about items that viewers can use during live streaming. The Item DB324 associates an Item ID that identifies an item, the points awarded to the streamer when the item is sent to the streamer, the Event ID of the corresponding event if the item is an event-specific item, and the effect that occurs to the life when the item is used in a live stream by a streamer who is registered to participate in the event. Viewers can send items to streamers (also called "throwing" items) during live streaming by paying a price corresponding to the points awarded for the desired item. This payment may be made by an appropriate electronic payment method, for example, by the viewer paying points equivalent to the points awarded to the administrator. Alternatively, payment may be made by bank transfer or credit card. The effects on life include increasing or decreasing the life of the team corresponding to the item. The amount of increase or decrease is determined according to the price of the item.

[0037] Returning to Figure 4, when the distribution information provision unit 302 receives notification from the user terminal 20 on the broadcaster side via the network NW that a live broadcast will be started, it registers the stream ID that identifies the live broadcast and the broadcaster ID of the broadcaster of the live broadcast in the stream DB 318. When the distribution information provision unit 302 receives a request for information about live broadcasts from the viewing unit 200 of the user terminal 30 on the viewer side via the network NW, it refers to the stream DB 318 and generates a list of live broadcasts that are currently viewable. The distribution information provision unit 302 refers to the broadcaster DB 322 and the event DB 320 and generates event information that associates the broadcasters of the live broadcasts in the list with the events in which those broadcasters are participating. The distribution information provision unit 302 sends the generated list and event information to the requesting user terminal 30 via the network NW. The display control unit 202 of the requesting user terminal 30 generates a live broadcast selection screen based on the received list and event information and displays it on the display of the user terminal 30.

[0038] When the input information transmission unit 208 of the user terminal 30 receives a live stream selection from a viewer on the live stream selection screen, it generates a distribution request including the stream ID of the selected live stream and sends it to the server 10 via the network NW. The distribution information provision unit 302 starts providing the live stream identified by the stream ID included in the received distribution request to the requesting user terminal 30. The distribution information provision unit 302 updates the stream DB 318 so that the viewer ID of the viewer of the requesting user terminal 30 is included in the viewer ID of the stream ID.

[0039] The relay unit 304 relays the transmission of video data from the broadcaster's user terminal 20 to the viewer's user terminal 30 in a live broadcast initiated by the distribution information provision unit 302. The relay unit 304 receives a signal from the input information transmission unit 208 indicating user input by the viewer while the video data is being played on the viewer's user terminal 30. The signal indicating user input may also be an item usage signal indicating the use of an item, and this item usage signal includes the viewer's viewer ID, the broadcaster ID of the recipient broadcaster (=the broadcaster ID of the broadcaster conducting the live broadcast that the viewer who sent the item is watching), and the item ID of the item.

[0040] When the relay unit 304 receives an item usage signal, the point update unit 306 updates the distributor DB 322 to increase the distributor's points according to the points awarded for the item used. The point update unit 306 refers to the item DB 324 and identifies the points awarded corresponding to the item ID included in the received item usage signal. The point update unit 306 updates the distributor DB 322 to add the identified points awarded to the points corresponding to the distributor ID included in the item usage signal.

[0041] When the relay unit 304 receives an item usage signal related to an event-specific item, the life update unit 308 increases or decreases the life of the team associated with that event-specific item. The type of event-specific item determines which team's life increases or decreases. The life update unit 308 updates the broadcaster DB 322 so that the contribution score of the corresponding broadcaster increases according to the amount of life increase or decrease.

[0042] The life update unit 308 refers to the item database 324 and identifies the event ID and effect corresponding to the item ID included in the received item usage signal. If the event ID is not registered here, the item is not an event-specific item, and the life update unit 308 does not increase or decrease life. If the identified effect indicates that a certain team's life will increase by a certain amount, the life update unit 308 updates the event database 320 to increase that team's life by that amount. At the same time, the life update unit 308 updates the distributor database 322 to increase the contribution score for that team among the contribution scores corresponding to the distributor ID included in the received item usage signal by that amount. If the identified effect indicates that a certain team's life will decrease by a certain amount, the life update unit 308 updates the event database 320 to decrease that team's life by that amount. At the same time, the life update unit 308 updates the distributor database 322 to increase the contribution score for opposing teams other than the team in question among the contribution scores corresponding to the distributor ID included in the received item usage signal by that amount. For example, if the streamer ID is "001A", the event ID is "EV34", and the specified effect is "reduce Team B's life by 50", the life update unit 308 subtracts 50 from the life of Team B corresponding to event ID "EV34" in the event DB 320. The life update unit 308 also adds 50 to the contribution score of streamer ID "001A" for Team A (not Team B) in the streamer DB 322. Thus, the direction of the effect of event-specific items on life and the direction of their effect on the contribution score may be the same or the opposite.

[0043] The ranking generation unit 310 refers to the broadcaster DB 322 and generates a ranking of contributions for each team in the event based on their contribution scores. The ranking generation unit 310 also refers to the broadcaster DB 322 and generates an overall ranking of broadcasters based on their points.

[0044] The win / loss determination unit 312 determines the winner if either the life of one team or the life of the other team in the event meets a predetermined condition. The win / loss determination unit 312 determines that if the life reaches the lower limit of 0 during the event period, that team has lost, and the remaining team has won. The win / loss determination unit 312 determines that if the life reaches the upper limit of 20000 during the event period, that team has won. If the winner has not been determined by the end of the event, the win / loss determination unit 312 determines that the team with the higher life at the end of the event has won.

[0045] The affiliation determination unit 314 determines which team a registered streamer belongs to in the event based on their contribution score. The affiliation determination unit 314 refers to the streamer DB 322 and determines that each registered streamer belongs to the team with the higher contribution score. For example, in the example of the streamer DB 322 in Figure 7, the affiliation determination unit 314 determines that the streamer with streamer ID "001A" belongs to team A of the event with event ID "EV34". In this embodiment, the team a streamer belongs to is not determined by a prior application from the streamer, but is automatically determined by the contribution score the streamer has earned. This eliminates the need to register a team when joining an event, thus lowering the barrier to entry and promoting participation. For example, it encourages joining an event midway through. If a streamer learns about an event after it has started and decides to join, "prior team registration" is impossible, but such registration is unnecessary, so the streamer can participate in the event with peace of mind.

[0046] The reward distribution unit 316 distributes rewards to streamers belonging to the team determined to have won by the win / loss determination unit 312. The reward distribution unit 316 uses the determination result from the affiliation determination unit 314 to identify which streamers belong to the winning team. The reward distribution unit 316 refers to the event DB 320 and identifies the reward corresponding to the event ID of the event for which the win / loss determination unit 312 determined the winner or loser. The reward distribution unit 316 processes the identified reward to the identified streamer. If the reward is a predetermined amount of points, the reward distribution unit 316 updates the streamer DB 322 to add the obtained points to each streamer's points, for example, by dividing the points by the number of streamers.

[0047] The operation of the live streaming system 1 with the above configuration will now be explained. Figure 9 is a chart showing a series of processing steps in the live streaming system 1. As a premise, it is assumed that a viewer accesses the live streaming platform from a user terminal 30, selects a desired live stream from the live stream selection screen, and begins watching. The broadcaster of the live stream is assumed to be participating in the event. While the viewer is watching the live stream, video data is continuously transmitted from the broadcaster's user terminal 20 to the viewer's user terminal 30 via the server 10 (or its relay unit 304).

[0048] While the video data is playing, the viewer makes user input via the input means of the user terminal 30 to request the display of an item. Upon receiving this user input, the input information transmission unit 208 of the user terminal 30 generates an item information request including the broadcaster ID of the broadcaster of the live stream being played and sends it to the server 10. Upon receiving the item information request, the relay unit 304 of the server 10 refers to the broadcaster DB 322 and identifies the event ID corresponding to the broadcaster ID included in the item information request. The relay unit 304 refers to the item DB 324 and identifies the item ID of an item for which no event ID is registered and the item ID corresponding to the identified event ID (i.e., the item ID of an item dedicated to the identified event). The relay unit 304 generates an item information response including the identified item ID and sends it to the user terminal 30. The superimposed information generation unit 206 of the user terminal 30 includes an image of available items, which is a list of images of the items identified by the item ID included in the item information response, in the frame image. The display control unit 202 displays the video with the frame image superimposed on the display (S502). The item images include images of event-exclusive items.

[0049] In this example, if the broadcaster is not participating in the event, the item ID of the event-specific item is not sent to the viewer's user terminal 30. In other words, the relay unit 304 is configured to allow viewers to use the event-specific item while the video data is playing when the broadcaster participates in the event.

[0050] When the input management unit 204 receives the viewer's selection of an item, i.e., the specification of an image of the item (S504), the input information transmission unit 208 generates an item usage signal including the item ID of the specified item, the viewer ID, and the broadcaster ID, and transmits it to the server 10 via the network NW (S506). The relay unit 304 of the server 10 processes the points of the viewer identified by the viewer ID included in the received item usage signal by the amount of points awarded for the item identified by the item ID included in the item usage signal. This means that payment for the item has been made.

[0051] The point update unit 306 of server 10 accesses the distributor DB 322 and updates the points of the distributor identified by the distributor ID included in the item usage signal (S508). The point update unit 306 performs processing to increase the distributor's points by the amount of points awarded by the item identified by the item ID included in the item usage signal.

[0052] The life update unit 308 determines whether the item identified by the item ID included in the item usage signal is an event-specific item (S510). The life update unit 308 refers to the item DB 324 and, if an event ID is registered in association with the item ID, determines that the item identified by that item ID is an item exclusive to the event identified by that event ID. If no event ID is registered, the life update unit 308 determines that the item is not an event-specific item and proceeds to step S522 described below.

[0053] If it is determined that the item is an event-specific item (YES in S510), the life update unit 308 identifies the team whose life will be updated (S512). The life update unit 308 refers to the item DB 324 and identifies the effect associated with the item ID. From the identified effect, the life update unit 308 identifies the team whose life will be increased or decreased.

[0054] The life update unit 308 determines whether to increase or decrease life (S514). The life update unit 308 refers to the item DB 324 and identifies the effect associated with the item ID. From the identified effect, the life update unit 308 determines whether to increase or decrease life, and also determines the amount of change.

[0055] The life update unit 308 updates the team's life based on the specific results in step S512 and step S514 (S516). The life update unit 308 accesses the event DB 320 and changes the team's life identified in step S512 to the amount and orientation identified in step S514.

[0056] The life update unit 308 updates the broadcaster's contribution score based on the specific results in step S512 and step S514 (S518). The life update unit 308 accesses the broadcaster DB 322 and updates the contribution score of the broadcaster identified by the broadcaster ID included in the item usage signal as follows. (1) When the amount and orientation identified in step S514 is a predetermined increase in life The life update unit 308 increases the streamer's contribution score to the team identified in step S512 by a predetermined amount. (2) When the amount and direction identified in step S514 is a predetermined amount of life reduction The life update unit 308 increases the broadcaster's contribution score against the opposing team of the team identified in step S512 by a predetermined amount.

[0057] The ranking generation unit 310 updates the contribution ranking based on the results of the update in step S518 (S520).

[0058] The relay unit 304 generates a response signal that includes the item ID of the item used to update points and life, life information for all teams defined in the event, including life information updated in step S516, and contribution ranking information updated in step S520, and transmits it via the network NW to the viewer's user terminal 30 and the broadcaster's user terminal 20 (S522).

[0059] The display control unit 202 of the viewer's user terminal 30 generates an effect corresponding to the item ID included in the response signal and displays it on the display (S524). The display control unit 202 may also display other information included in the response signal on the display.

[0060] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a series of event processing steps in server 10. Before the event starts, server 10 accepts registration from broadcasters to participate in the event (S602). Server 10 determines whether the event start time has arrived (S604). If it has not arrived (NO in S604), it returns to the registration acceptance step S602. If it has arrived (YES in S604), it starts the event.

[0061] Server 10 receives signals from viewers or broadcasters during the event period (S606). If the signal is a broadcaster's registration to participate in the event, Server 10 performs the same event registration process as in step S602 (S608) and returns to step S606. If the signal received in step S606 indicates the use of an attack item (an item that reduces the life of the target team) by a viewer, Server 10 reduces the life of the target team (S610) and increases the contribution score of the broadcaster (the broadcaster of the live stream in which the viewer threw the attack item) against the opposing team of the target team (S612). If the signal received in step S606 indicates the use of a healing item (an item that increases the life of the target team) by a viewer, Server 10 increases the life of the team being healed (S614) and increases the contribution score of the broadcaster (the broadcaster of the live stream in which the viewer threw the healing item) against the team being healed (S616).

[0062] Following steps S612 and S616, Server 10 determines whether a winner has been decided (S618). Specifically, Server 10 determines whether either team's life points have reached 0 or 20000. If a winner has been decided (YES in S618), the process proceeds to step S624 described below. If a winner has not been decided (NO in S618), Server 10 determines whether the event's end time has arrived (S620). If it has not arrived (NO in S620), the process returns to step S606. If it has arrived (YES in S620), Server 10 determines the winner (S622). Specifically, Server 10 determines that the team with more life points has won. Server 10 determines the team to which each streamer belongs based on their contribution score (S624). Server 10 then processes the distribution of predetermined rewards to the streamers belonging to the winning team (S626).

[0063] Figure 11 is a representative screen view of the live stream selection screen 602 displayed on the viewer's user terminal 30. The live stream selection screen 602 includes thumbnails 604 and 606 representing each live stream in the list of currently viewable live streams. The display control unit 202 refers to event information and displays thumbnails 604 of live streams from broadcasters participating in the event and thumbnails 606 of live streams from broadcasters who are not participating in the event in different ways. An object 608 indicating that the broadcaster is participating in the event is attached to the thumbnail 604 of a live stream from a broadcaster participating in the event.

[0064] Figure 12 is a representative screen view of the live streaming room screen 610 displayed on the viewer's user terminal 30. When a viewer taps the thumbnail of a live stream from a broadcaster participating in the event on the live streaming selection screen 602 in Figure 11, the live streaming room screen 610 in Figure 12 is displayed on the screen. The live streaming room screen 610 includes an image 612 of the broadcaster obtained by playing video data, an event participation mark 614 which is an object indicating that the broadcaster is participating in a predetermined event, and an image of the list of available items. The image of the list of available items includes normal items 616, event-specific recovery items 618 and event-specific attack items 620 for Team A, and event-specific recovery items 622 and event-specific attack items 624 for Team B.

[0065] The event participation mark 614 indicates that the streamer has registered to participate in a designated event. In this embodiment, team affiliation is not determined in advance, so the event participation mark 614 does not reflect the team to which the streamer belongs. In other words, the same event participation mark 614 is displayed for all streamers who have registered to participate in the event. The display control unit 202 displays various items 616, 618, 620, 622, and 624 based on the item information response received from the server 10 in response to a thumbnail tap. The display control unit 202 enables the use of event-specific attack and recovery items 618, 620, 622, and 624 by displaying them. If the streamer has not registered to participate in the event, these event-specific attack and recovery items will not be displayed and therefore cannot be used.

[0066] The streamer informs viewers through the live stream which team they belong to or wish to belong to, and asks them to use event-exclusive recovery items and event-exclusive attack items for that team. For example, if the streamer says they want to belong to Team A, and a viewer taps Team A's event-exclusive recovery item 618, the points equivalent to the cost of the event-exclusive recovery item 618 will be deducted from the viewer's points, the points granted by the event-exclusive recovery item 618 will be added to the streamer's points, Team A's life will increase by a predetermined amount, and the streamer's contribution score to Team A will increase by a predetermined amount. If a viewer taps Team A's event-exclusive attack item 620, the points equivalent to the cost of the event-exclusive attack item 620 will be deducted from the viewer's points, the points granted by the event-exclusive attack item 620 will be added to the streamer's points, Team B's life will decrease by a predetermined amount, and the streamer's contribution score to Team A will increase by a predetermined amount.

[0067] Figure 13 is a representative screen view of the event effect screen 626 displayed on the viewer's user terminal 30. When a viewer taps Team A's event-specific attack item 620 in the live streaming room screen 610 of Figure 12, an item usage signal is generated and sent from the user terminal 30 to the server 10. The user terminal 30 receives a response signal corresponding to this item usage signal from the server 10, and based on the received response signal, generates the event effect screen 626 of Figure 13 and displays it on the screen.

[0068] The event effect screen 626 includes an image 612 of the streamer, an event participation mark 614, and an object 628 that shows the effect of an event-specific attack item 620. Object 628 includes Team A's life 630, Team B's life 632, and an image 634 indicating that the attack item has been used. The display control unit 202 generates the image 634 based on the item ID included in the response signal. The display control unit 202 generates Team A's life 630 and Team B's life 632 based on the updated life information of all teams included in the response signal. By viewing the effects on the event effect screen 626, viewers can confirm the effect of the attack item they used. For example, if the streamer reacts to the use of this attack item, a sense of unity between the streamer and the viewers is further fostered.

[0069] Figure 14 is a representative screen view of the life confirmation screen 636 displayed on the viewer's user terminal 30. During live streaming, a screen showing similar information to the life confirmation screen 636 may be displayed on the broadcaster's user terminal 20. The life confirmation screen 636 has a status display area 638 that shows the life status of Team A and a status display area 640 that shows the life status of Team B. The display control unit 202 may generate the life confirmation screen 636 by referring to the event DB 320 of the server 10.

[0070] Figure 15 is a representative screen view of the ranking screen 642 displayed on the viewer's user terminal 30. During live streaming, a screen showing similar information to the ranking screen 642 may be displayed on the streamer's user terminal 20. The ranking screen 642 has a button 644 for displaying the ranking of contributions to Team A, a button 646 for displaying the ranking of contributions to Team B, and a ranking display area 648. In Figure 15, the ranking of contributions to Team A is displayed in the ranking display area 648, and therefore, button 644 is displayed in an active state and button 646 is displayed in an inactive state. If a viewer wants to see the ranking of contributions to Team B, they tap button 646. Then, the display in the ranking display area 648 switches to displaying the ranking of contributions to Team B.

[0071] The ranking display area 648 displays the user name and contribution score in descending order of contribution score. The display control unit 202 generates the information to be displayed in the ranking display area 648 based on the ranking information generated by the ranking generation unit 310 of the server 10 or the updated ranking information included in the response signal.

[0072] In the embodiments described above, examples of the holding portion include a hard disk and a semiconductor memory. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art who have read this specification that each portion can be realized based on the description herein by a CPU (not shown), a module of an installed application program, a module of a system program, or a semiconductor memory that temporarily stores the contents of data read from the hard disk.

[0073] According to the live streaming system 1 of this embodiment, it becomes possible to use items that affect the opponent's team's life points in live streaming battle events. This broadens the range of strategies in battle events, making it possible to create more engaging battle events. Furthermore, in terms of communication between the streamer and viewers, instead of the streamer simply asking viewers to throw event-specific items, the streamer and viewers can jointly consider the life point status of their own team and the opponent's team, as well as the victory conditions, and strategize which items to throw and when. Through such communication, the bond between the streamer and viewers is further strengthened.

[0074] Furthermore, in the live streaming system 1 according to this embodiment, a contribution score for each streamer is prepared separately from the increase or decrease of the team's life, and a ranking of contributions is generated for each team according to the contribution score. Therefore, while determining the winner and loser between teams through attacks and defenses, it is possible to honor the streamers with the highest contributions for each team.

[0075] [Example Hardware Configuration] Referring to Figure 16, the hardware configuration of the information processing device according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 16 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device according to this embodiment. The illustrated information processing device 900 can, for example, realize the server 10 and user terminals 20 and 30 in this embodiment.

[0076] The information processing device 900 includes a CPU 901, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 903, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 905. The information processing device 900 may also include a host bus 907, a bridge 909, an external bus 911, an interface 913, an input device 915, an output device 917, a storage device 919, a drive 921, a connection port 925, and a communication device 929. Furthermore, the information processing device 900 may include an imaging device such as a camera (not shown). The information processing device 900 may also have a processing circuit such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) instead of, or together with, the CPU 901.

[0077] The CPU 901 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and control unit, controlling the overall operation or a part of the operation within the information processing unit 900 according to various programs recorded in the ROM 903, RAM 905, storage device 919, or removable recording medium 923. For example, the CPU 901 controls the overall operation of each functional unit included in the server 10 and user terminals 20 and 30, respectively, in this embodiment. The ROM 903 stores programs and arithmetic parameters used by the CPU 901. The RAM 905 temporarily stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 901 and parameters that change as appropriate during its execution. The CPU 901, ROM 903, and RAM 905 are interconnected by a host bus 907, which is composed of internal buses such as the CPU bus. Furthermore, the host bus 907 is connected to an external bus 911, such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus, via a bridge 909.

[0078] The input device 915 may be a device operated by the user, such as a mouse, keyboard, touch panel, buttons, switches, and levers, or it may be a device that converts physical quantities into electrical signals, such as a sound sensor like a microphone, an acceleration sensor, a tilt sensor, an infrared sensor, a depth sensor, a temperature sensor, or a humidity sensor. The input device 915 may also be a remote control device that uses infrared or other radio waves, or it may be an external connection device 927 such as a mobile phone that is compatible with the operation of the information processing device 900. The input device 915 includes an input control circuit that generates an input signal based on information input by the user or a physical quantity sensed and outputs it to the CPU 901. By operating this input device 915, the user inputs various data to the information processing device 900 or instructs it to perform processing operations.

[0079] The output device 917 is comprised of a device capable of notifying the user of acquired information visually or audibly. The output device 917 may be, for example, a display such as an LCD, PDP, or OLED, an audio output device such as a speaker and headphones, or a printer. The output device 917 outputs the results obtained from the processing of the information processing device 900 as text or images, or as sound.

[0080] The storage device 919 is a data storage device configured as an example of the storage unit of the information processing device 900. The storage device 919 is composed of, for example, a magnetic storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a semiconductor storage device, an optical storage device, or a magneto-optical storage device. This storage device 919 stores programs executed by the CPU 901, various data, and various data acquired from external sources.

[0081] The drive 921 is a reader / writer for removable recording media 923, such as magnetic disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, or semiconductor memory, and is either built into or external to the information processing device 900. The drive 921 reads information recorded on the installed removable recording media 923 and outputs it to the RAM 905. The drive 921 also writes data to the installed removable recording media 923.

[0082] The connection port 925 is a port for directly connecting equipment to the information processing device 900. The connection port 925 may be, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, an IEEE1394 port, or a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) port. Alternatively, the connection port 925 may be an RS-232C port, an optical audio terminal, or an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port. By connecting an external device 927 to the connection port 925, various types of data can be exchanged between the information processing device 900 and the external device 927.

[0083] The communication device 929 is a communication interface composed of, for example, a communication device for connecting to a network NW. The communication device 929 may be, for example, a communication card for wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth®, or WUSB (Wireless USB). Alternatively, the communication device 929 may be a router for optical communication, a router for ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), or a modem for various types of communication. The communication device 929 sends and receives signals, for example, to the Internet or other communication devices using a predetermined protocol such as TCP / IP. The communication network NW connected to the communication device 929 is a network connected by wire or wireless, and may be, for example, the Internet, a home LAN, infrared communication, radio wave communication, or satellite communication. The communication device 929 performs the function of a communication unit.

[0084] An imaging device such as a camera (not shown) is a device that captures real space and generates an image using various components such as an image sensor, such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), and a lens for controlling the imaging of a subject onto the image sensor. The imaging device may capture still images or it may capture moving images.

[0085] The configuration and operation of the live streaming system 1 according to this embodiment have been described above. This embodiment is illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in combinations of each component and each process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of this disclosure.

[0086] The conversion rates from the item's value to the item's points, the conversion rates from the item's value to life points, and the conversion rates from the item's value to contribution score in this embodiment are examples only, and may be set as appropriate by, for example, the administrator of the live streaming system 1.

[0087] The embodiment described a case where an event-exclusive attack item reduces the opponent team's life by an amount corresponding to the item, but it is not limited to this. For example, a special move item that inflicts great damage on the opponent team may be set. In this case, the amount by which the special move item reduces the opponent team's life may be a fixed amount or a randomly selected amount. Alternatively, a fever period may be set for each team or streamer, and the effect of attack items used during that period may be increased compared to normal. In this case, an object indicating that it is a fever period may be displayed on the live streaming room screen, or the fever period object may be displayed only on the streamer's screen. Alternatively, the effect of attack items may be changed according to the remaining time of the event. For example, the effect of attack items may be increased as the remaining time decreases. Alternatively, the effects of event-exclusive attacks and recovery items may be arbitrarily varied, and the server 10 may be configured to notify only the streamer of the effect. In this case, a new form of interaction is created in which the streamer guides viewers not to use items when the effect is low, and to use items all at once when the effect is high, thereby increasing the sense of unity between the streamer and the viewers.

[0088] The embodiment described a case where the effects of event-specific items used by viewers in a live stream by any broadcaster are reflected in the life points, but it is not limited to this. For example, if event-specific items are used during the playback of video data generated by broadcasters other than a predetermined number of top-ranking broadcasters in the contribution ranking generated by the ranking generation unit 310, the life points do not need to be changed. For example, the life update unit 308 may reflect the effects of event-specific attack items used by viewers in a live stream by a broadcaster who is among the top 10 in the contribution ranking for Team A in Team B's life points, while not reflecting the effects of event-specific attack items used by viewers in live streams by other broadcasters in Team B's life points. In this case, the display of event-specific attack items may be stopped in the live streams of other broadcasters. This can enhance the sense of exclusivity for broadcasters with high contributions to the team and make the event more exciting.

[0089] The embodiment described a case where event-specific attack items and event-specific recovery items are provided separately, but it is not limited to this. For example, the broadcaster may be able to specify or set the effects of the event-specific items. Server 10 may receive a specification from the broadcaster's user terminal 20 on whether to use the event-specific item for attack or recovery, and reflect the effect of the event-specific item in the life according to that specification. In this case, there is no distinction between attack and recovery for the event-specific item.

[0090] The embodiment described a case where Team A's score and Team B's score are handled individually and independently, but it is not limited to this. In the first modified example, if the server receives an item usage signal indicating the use of an event-specific item by a viewer during a live stream, it may increase the life of one team and decrease the life of the other team. In the battle event according to the first modified example, 100% of the life is contested between Team A and Team B. If Team A's life is 45%, then Team B's life is 55%. If Team A's life increases by 5%, Team B's life simultaneously decreases by the corresponding amount, i.e., 5%. In the first modified example, therefore, increasing Team A's life using an event-specific item is equivalent to simultaneously decreasing Team B's life by the same amount using the same item. In the first modified example, there is no distinction between attack and healing event-specific items.

[0091] Figure 17 is a representative screen view of the siege battle event screen 650 displayed on the viewer's user terminal 30. The siege battle event screen 650 has a status display area 652 that shows the life status of Team A and Team B, and a ranking display area 654 that has the same configuration as the ranking screen 642 in Figure 15. In the bar showing the life in the status display area 652, the left side shows the life of Team A, and the right side shows the life of Team B. In the example in Figure 17, Team A's life is displayed as "45%". Therefore, it can be seen that Team B's life is 55%.

[0092] In the first modified example, Team A's life may be defined as the sum of the effects of event-specific items used by viewers in live streams of streamers who are among the top 10 in the ranking of contributions to Team A, and Team B's life may be defined as the sum of the effects of event-specific items used by viewers in live streams of streamers who are among the top 10 in the ranking of contributions to Team B.

[0093] The technical concept of the embodiment may also be applied to virtual live streaming or live commerce, where an avatar that moves in sync with the streamer's movements is used instead of the streamer's image.

[0094] In the embodiments described, the event-specific item may increase or decrease life, but is not limited to this. The item may also change the team metric associated with the item in a first direction or in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0095] In this embodiment, we have described a case where the team affiliation of a streamer is automatically determined by their contribution score, but this is not the only case. For example, a streamer may register the team they belong to when they register to participate in the event. In this case, the streamer DB stores the team to which the streamer belongs, associated with the streamer. The display control unit 202 displays only the event-specific attacks and recovery items of the team to which the streamer belongs on the live streaming room screen 610. This prevents viewers from mistakenly selecting event-specific attacks and recovery items. Alternatively, the event may be divided into two rounds, a ranking of acquired items may be generated in the first round, and streamers may be divided into teams according to that ranking. For example, the server 10 may assign streamers with odd-numbered rankings in the first round to Team A and streamers with even-numbered rankings to Team B.

[0096] Although the embodiment described a competitive event in which two teams compete for a winner, it is not limited to this, and the technical ideas of this embodiment can also be applied to competitive events in which, for example, three or more teams compete for a winner.

[0097] In this embodiment, the effects of event-specific items may be varied depending on the attributes of the broadcaster, the attributes of the viewers, and the relationship between the broadcaster and the viewers. For example, the effects of event-specific items may be set so that the less time a viewer spends using the live streaming service, the greater the impact of the event-specific items they use. Alternatively, the effects of event-specific items may be set so that the longer the broadcaster's streaming time, the greater the impact of the event-specific items they use in the broadcaster's live streams. Alternatively, the effects of event-specific items may be set so that the stronger the relationship between the broadcaster and the viewers, the greater the impact of the event-specific items that viewers use in the broadcaster's live streams.

[0098] In the processing procedures described herein, particularly those described using flowcharts, it is possible to omit some of the steps constituting the processing procedure, to add steps not explicitly included as constituting the processing procedure, and / or to change the order of such steps. Processing procedures with such omissions, additions, or changes in order are included within the scope of this disclosure, provided they do not deviate from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0099] At least some of the functions implemented by server 10 may be implemented by devices other than server 10, such as user terminals 20 and 30. At least some of the functions implemented by user terminals 20 and 30 may be implemented by devices other than user terminals 20 and 30, such as server 10. For example, the superposition of a predetermined frame image onto an image of video data performed on the playback-side user terminal may be performed by server 10 or on the generation-side user terminal.

Claims

[Claim 1] A means for relaying the transmission of video data related to the live stream from the user terminal of the live stream broadcaster to the user terminal of the viewer, A means to enable viewers to use event-specific items associated with an event while the video data is being played, when the streamer is participating in an event held on a live streaming platform that has a start time and an end time, and to prevent viewers from using the event-specific items when the streamer is not participating in the event. The system includes means for displaying an object on a display that shows the effect of the event-specific item when a signal indicating the use of the event-specific item by the viewer is obtained during playback of the video data, The means for achieving this is a server that implements different effects for the same event-specific item depending on the attributes of the viewer.

Images