Information processing system, information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a system, a device, a method and a program which can provide a content in a new mode.SOLUTION: An information processing system 1 comprises: a presentation unit 32 which presents a display image about plural types of content identification information to a user; an acquisition unit 33 which acquires the content identification information selected by the user from the content identification information presented to the user; a content decision unit 13 which decides a content for reproduction corresponding to the content identification information selected by the user; a reproduction unit 34 which reproduces the content for reproduction; and a flag setting unit 14 which associates a viewed flag indicating that the content for reproduction is reproduced with identification information of the user according to reproduction of the content for reproduction. The content decision unit 13 decides the content for reproduction corresponding to the content identification information selected by the user such that the contents of the content for reproduction become different according to the viewed flag.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to an information processing system for delivering content. 【Background Art】 【0002】 Conventionally, an information processing system for delivering content to a user's terminal has been known. When delivering a plurality of episodes such as an anime, generally, viewing in a predetermined order is assumed. 【0003】 On the other hand, in the technical field of games, a content delivery technique in which a plurality of video contents can be viewed in an arbitrary order is also known. Patent Document 1 describes a video delivery system that realizes a streaming delivery service of video content via a network. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0004】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-247832 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0005】 In the above-described conventional content delivery method, the content itself of the delivered content was predetermined. For example, if the content was specified as a certain episode of an anime, its content did not change depending on conditions such as the timing of receiving the delivery, and the same content was provided. 【0006】 In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide content by a new method. 【Means for Solving the Problems】 【0007】 (Configuration 1) Configuration 1 is an information processing system comprising: presentation means for presenting display images relating to each of several types of content identification information to a user; acquisition means for acquiring content identification information associated with a display image selected by the user from among the display images presented to the user; content determination means for determining playback content corresponding to the acquired content identification information; playback means for playing the playback content; and flag setting means for associating a viewed flag indicating that the playback content has been played with the user's identification information, wherein the content determination means determines the playback content corresponding to the acquired content identification information such that the content of the playback content differs depending on the viewed flag. 【0008】 According to this configuration, the playback content corresponding to the content identification information selected by the user is determined based on the "viewed" flag, so the playback content can be changed based on the user's viewing history. Here, the "viewed" flag is a flag indicating that the playback content has been played. Therefore, according to this configuration, the viewing history of the playback content corresponding to the content identification information influences the determination of the playback content corresponding to other content identification information. Thus, no matter which of the multiple types of content identification information is selected first, it can influence the determination of the playback content for the content identification information selected later. The determination of the playback content may include any of the following methods: generating the playback content each time it is played, rendering the playback content in real time, or selecting and determining one from a set of pre-prepared playback content. The content determination means may use one or more of the above methods. 【0009】 (Configuration 2) Configuration 2 is an example in which, in Configuration 1, the content determination means determines the content to be the playback content by combining a template used as a model for the playback content with the synthesis material synthesized into the template. 【0010】 (Composition 3) Configuration 3 is the same as Configuration 2 above, in which the synthesis material may include at least one of audio, video, and images. 【0011】 (Composition 4) Configuration 4 may be configured such that, in any of the above configurations 1 to 3, the content determination means determines as the playback content content content that is generated such that the content of the playback content differs in at least one way according to the viewed flag associated with the user's identification information. 【0012】 (Composition 5) Configuration 5 may be the configuration in which the content determination means determines the content to be played back by rendering the content to be played back in real time, at least in accordance with the viewed flag associated with the user's identification information. 【0013】 (Composition 6) Configuration 6 may be determined in Configuration 1 by the content determination means selecting from among playback content candidates the playback content corresponding to the content identification information associated with the display image selected by the user, at least in accordance with the viewed flag associated with the user's identification information. 【0014】 (Composition 7) Configuration 7 may be configured such that, in any of Configurations 1 to 6, the content determination means determines the content of the playback content such that the content of the playback content differs at least according to the number of viewed flags associated with the user's identification information. 【0015】 (Composition 8) Configuration 8 may, in any of the above configurations 1 to 7, determine the playback content such that the content of the playback content differs, at least based on whether or not the viewed flag, which indicates that the playback content associated with a predetermined specific content identification information has been played, is associated with the user's identification information. 【0016】 (Composition 9) Configuration 9 may, in Configuration 8 above, determine the playback content such that the characters appearing in the playback content are changed, at least based on whether the viewed flag, which indicates that the playback content associated with a predetermined specific content identification information has been played, is associated with the user's identification information. 【0017】 (Composition 10) Configuration 10 may, in any of the above configurations 8 to 9, determine the playback content such that the item objects appearing in the playback content are changed at least based on whether or not the viewed flag, which indicates that the playback content associated with a predetermined specific content identification information has been played, is associated with the user's identification information. 【0018】 (Composition 11) Configuration 11 may be one of the above configurations 1 to 10 in which the content determination means determines the playback content such that the scenario differs, at least according to the viewed flag associated with the user's identification information. 【0019】 (Composition 12) Configuration 12 may be one of the above configurations 1 to 11 in which the flag setting means associates the viewed flag with the user's identification information when playback of the playback content is started. 【0020】 (Configuration 13) In Configuration 13, in any of the above Configurations 1 to 12, when the reproduction condition that is satisfied when the reproduction content has been reproduced up to a predetermined location is satisfied, the viewed flag may be associated with the identification information of the user. 【0021】 (Configuration 14) In Configuration 14, in Configuration 13 above, the reproduction condition may be that the reproduction content has been reproduced up to the 50% point of the reproduction content. 【0022】 (Configuration 15) In Configuration 15, in Configuration 13 above, the reproduction condition may be that the reproduction content has been reproduced up to the end point of the reproduction content. 【0023】 (Configuration 16) In Configuration 16, in any of the above Configurations 1 to 15, the content determination means further calculates the elapsed time from when the viewed flag associated with the identification information of the user is associated until the content identification information is acquired, and may determine the reproduction content at least according to the elapsed time. 【0024】 (Configuration 17) In Configuration 17, in any of the above Configurations 1 to 16, when the reproduction content corresponding to the same content identification information is reproduced, data on the number of reproductions may be associated with the identification information of the user. 【0025】 (Configuration 18) In Configuration 18, in any of the above Configurations 1 to 17, the presentation means may present display images in different display modes using the content identification information not associated with the content identification information associated with the viewed flag of the user's identification information. 【0026】 (Configuration 19) Configuration 19 is an information processing device comprising: content identification information transmission means for transmitting display image data relating to multiple types of content identification information to a user terminal; receiving means for receiving the content identification information selected by the user from the user terminal; content determination means for determining playback content corresponding to the content identification information determined based on the user's selection; playback content data transmission means for transmitting the playback content data to the user terminal; and flag setting means for associating a viewed flag indicating that the playback content has been played with the user's identification information upon receiving data from the user terminal indicating that the playback content has been played, wherein the content determination means is an information processing device that determines the playback content corresponding to the content identification information selected by the user such that the content of the playback content differs depending on the viewed flag. 【0027】 (Composition 20) Configuration 20 is a program for delivering content to a user terminal, which causes a computer to perform the following steps: transmit data of display images relating to multiple types of content identification information to the user terminal; receive the content identification information determined based on the user's selection from the user terminal; determine the content to be played back that corresponds to the content identification information selected by the user; transmit the data of the content to be played back to the user terminal; and, upon receiving data from the user terminal indicating that the content to be played back, associate a "viewed" flag indicating that the content to be played back with the user's identification information, wherein in the step of determining the content to be played back, the program determines the content to be played back that corresponds to the content identification information selected by the user, such that the content of the content to be played back differs depending on the "viewed" flag. 【0028】 (Composition 21) Configuration 21 is a method for distributing content from a server device to a user terminal, comprising the steps of: the user terminal presenting a display image relating to a plurality of types of content identification information to the user; the user terminal acquiring the content identification information selected by the user from among the content identification information presented to the user; the server device determining playback content corresponding to the content identification information determined based on the user's selection; the user terminal playing the playback content; and the server device associating a viewed flag indicating that the playback content has been played with the user's identification information, wherein the step of determining the playback content determines the playback content corresponding to the content identification information selected by the user, such that the content of the playback content differs depending on the viewed flag. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0029】 [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a memory map showing examples of various types of data stored in the server device's memory. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the data structure of user data. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the data structure of content data. [Figure 5] (a) This figure shows an example of arranged data. (b) This figure shows another example of arranged data. [Figure 6] This diagram shows an example of a selection screen. [Figure 7] This is a memory map showing examples of various types of data stored in the user terminal's memory. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows the details of the process for generating content for playback. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of changing the image of the content to be played. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of changing the image of the content to be played. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of changing the image of the content to be played. [Figure 13] This flowchart shows another example of the video generation process. [Figure 14] This flowchart shows another example of the video generation process. [Figure 15] This diagram illustrates the selection screen that changes based on viewing history. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0030】 The following will describe an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are merely examples of how the present invention can be implemented, and the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations described below. In implementing the present invention, specific configurations may be adopted as appropriate depending on the embodiment. 【0031】 (overview) Figure 1 shows the configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment. The information processing system 1 includes a server device 10 that distributes content and a user terminal 30 that plays the distributed content. Although only one user terminal 30 is shown in Figure 1, the information processing system 1 may include multiple user terminals 30 that receive content from the server device 10. 【0032】 First, an overview of the content distribution provided by the information processing system 1 of this embodiment will be described. The server device 10 distributes multiple related content to the user terminal 30. Related content refers to videos provided in the same series of programs, anime, RPGs, and other games. For example, in the case of anime, multiple episodes of the same anime would be considered multiple related content. 【0033】 The information processing system 1 of this embodiment changes the content delivered depending on which content the user has already viewed. This does not mean that different content is delivered based on viewing history, but rather that the content of the same content is changed before delivery. 【0034】 Let's explain this using the distribution of episode 9 of a certain anime A as an example. In this embodiment, the information processing system 1 distributes different versions of episode 9 to users who have already watched episode 7 and to users who have not. To give an example of different content, if a character appeared in episode 7, users who have already watched episode 7 will be given a version of episode 9 in which that character appears, while users who have not watched episode 7 will be given a version of episode 9 in which that character does not appear. 【0035】 Herein, we will explain the terminology used in this specification. "Content" refers to a unit of playback content (described later) identified by the same identification information. In the example above, "Episode 9 of Anime A" corresponds to "Content." In contrast, "Playback Content" refers to the content itself that is actually played (e.g., a video). In the example above, "Episode 9 of Anime A distributed to users who have already watched Episode 7" and "Episode 9 of Anime A distributed to users who have not yet watched Episode 7" correspond to "Playback Content," respectively. In other words, in this embodiment, multiple "Playback Content" can be associated with the same "Content." Regardless of which Playback Content is played, the corresponding content will be considered viewed. In the example above, whether Episode 9 is viewed when Episode 7 has already been watched, or when Episode 9 has not been watched, the content of Episode 9 will be considered viewed. 【0036】 (Configuration of Information Processing System 1) Referring to Figure 1, the configuration of the server device 10 and user terminal 30 that constitute the information processing system 1 will be explained. 【0037】 (Configuration of server device 10) The server device 10 includes a processor 11, a memory 20, and a communication unit 15. The processor 11 reads and executes a program stored in the memory 20, thereby realizing the functions of the selection screen generation unit 12, the content determination unit 13, and the flag setting unit 14. 【0038】 Figure 2 is a memory map showing examples of various data stored in the memory 20 of the server device 10. The memory 20 of the server device 10 stores server-side programs 21, user data 22, content data 23, etc. 【0039】 The server-side program 21 is a program for performing content distribution in this embodiment. This program includes code for determining the content to be played, processing the distribution of the content to be played, and performing communication processing with the user terminal 30. 【0040】 User data 22 is data that manages the user's viewed content flag. Figure 3 shows an example of the data structure of user data 22. User data 22 consists of user identification information 221 and viewed content flag 222 as one record. The viewed content flag is an item that indicates which content the user has viewed up to that point, and is a variable item that is added as the amount of viewed content increases. 【0041】 In Figure 3, specific examples of data stored in the memory map are shown in parentheses. In the example shown in Figure 3, the user identification information 221 is "U001". Three viewed flags 222 "A-1", "B-2", and "A-3" are associated with "U001". "A-1" indicates the first content in the "A" series, and "A-3" indicates the third content in the "A" series. "B-2" indicates the second content in the "B" series. "A-1" and "A-3" are related content in the same series, but "A-1" and "A-3" are not related to "B-2" because they are in different series. In this embodiment, an example is shown where the user data 22 only has viewed flags 222, but the user data 22 may also store data such as user attribute information and billing data. 【0042】 Returning to Figure 2, content data 23 is the data of the content to be distributed. Figure 4 shows an example of the data structure of content data 23. Content data 23 includes content identification information 231, arrangement data 232, template 233, and synthesis materials 234 for each playback content A-9a to A-9c. 【0043】 Content identification information 231 is an identifier attached to each piece of content to distinguish between multiple pieces of content. For example, "A-9" in parentheses indicates that this content identification information 231 identifies the ninth piece of content in the "Anime A" series. Arrangement data 232 is data used to determine which content to select for playback based on the viewing flag. 【0044】 Figure 5(a) shows an example of arrangement data 232. Arrangement data 232 is data that shows the patterns of changes in the video and the conditions for those changes. One example of a pattern of changes in the video is a type of content that has been modified while maintaining the identity of the content as a whole. The content "A-9" is associated with the playback content "A-9a", "A-9b", "A-9c", "A-9d", etc. When a user selects the display image corresponding to content "A-9", in other words, when the user tries to watch episode 9 of "Anime A", one of the playback content "A-9a", "A-9b", "A-9c", "A-9d", etc. will be played based on the viewed flag described later. In the example shown in Figure 5(a), the conditions for selecting the playback content "A-9a", "A-9b", "A-9c", "A-9d" are associated with the number of viewed flags. Playback content "A-9a" is associated with the condition that there is no "watched" flag, playback content "A-9b" is associated with the condition that there is one or more "watched" flags, playback content "A-9c" is associated with the condition that there are two or more "watched" flags, and playback content "A-9d" is associated with the condition that there are three or more "watched" flags. 【0045】 Figure 5(b) shows another example of arrangement data 232. In the example shown in Figure 5(b), content "A-4" is associated with playback content "A-4a", "A-4b", etc. In the example shown in Figure 5(b), the selection criteria for playback content "A-4a" and "A-4b" are associated with the viewed flag of content "A-3". Playback content "A-4a" is associated with the condition that content "A-3" does not have a viewed flag, and playback content "A-4b" is associated with the condition that content "A-3" has a viewed flag. 【0046】 Figure 5(a) shows an example where playback content is associated with the number of viewed flags, and Figure 5(b) shows an example where playback content is associated with the presence or absence of a viewed flag for a specific episode. However, the arranged data 232 may also be data that associates playback content with both the number of viewed flags and the presence or absence of a viewed flag for a specific episode. 【0047】 Return to Figure 4. The content data 23 template 233 is a template for the content identified by the content identification information. Template 233 is a part that is included in any playback content corresponding to the content identification information and does not change based on viewing history, etc. Template 233 is, for example, the background of the content. 【0048】 The compositing material 234 is material that is composited into template 233 depending on the type of content to be played. The compositing material is a component that makes up part of the content to be played, and can be an image, video, or audio. "A-9a compositing material," "A-9b compositing material," and "A-9c compositing material" are materials for generating the content to be played, "A-9a," "A-9b," and "A-9c," respectively. 【0049】 Thus, in this embodiment, the content for playback is stored in memory 20 in the form of a template 233 and multiple types of synthesis materials 234. The synthesis materials 234 are combined with the template 233 according to the conditions defined by the arrangement data 232 to generate the content for playback. 【0050】 Next, the selection screen generation unit 12, content determination unit 13, and flag setting unit 14, which are realized by executing the server-side program 21, will be described. The selection screen generation unit 12 has the function of generating a screen that allows the user to select content. The selection screen includes a display image related to content identification information. 【0051】 Figure 6 shows an example of a selection screen 50. In Figure 6, a screen is shown as an example where the user selects content from 10 pieces of content, from episode 1 to episode 10 of anime A. The selection screen 50 displays a title 51 indicating what the content is about, and a button 52 which is a display image related to content identification information. The number inside the round button 52 is a number that identifies the episode number of anime A, thereby allowing the content to be identified. In the example shown in Figure 6, the content can be identified by a button 52 containing a number, but the display image related to content identification information is not limited to this; any image that can identify the content is acceptable. For example, a thumbnail image of a scene from the content could be used, or the episode titles could be displayed in a list format. 【0052】 In the selection screen 50 shown in Figure 6, the user selects content by touching a round button 52. In Figure 6, the buttons 52 labeled "1," "2," "3," "5," and "8" are colored gray, indicating that these contents have already been viewed. The selection screen generation unit 12 identifies the viewed content associated with the user identification information based on the viewed flag data stored in the user data 22, and generates gray buttons 52. Conversely, for unviewed content identification information, it generates white buttons 52. By changing the color of the buttons in this way, the user can easily distinguish between viewed and unviewed content. The server device 10 transmits the generated selection screen 50 data to the user terminal 30. 【0053】 The content determination unit 13 has the function of receiving content selection information transmitted from the user terminal 30 and determining the content to be played based on the received selection information. The content determination unit 13 determines the content to be played so that the content of each content is different from the content to be played, according to the number and type of viewed flags associated with the user identification information, and generates the content to be played. 【0054】 Specifically, the content determination unit 13 reads a viewed flag 222 associated with the user identification information 221 of the content distribution destination from the user data 22 in the memory 20. Next, the content determination unit 13 reads the arrangement data 232 associated with the content identification information 231 of the content selected by the user, compares the viewed flag 222 with the conditions in the arrangement data 232, and selects the content to be played. 【0055】 To explain using the example shown in Figure 5(a), when content identification information "A-9" is selected, if there are no "viewed" flags, it is decided to generate playback content "A-9a"; if there are one or more "viewed" flags, it is decided to generate playback content "A-9b"; if there are two or more "viewed" flags, it is decided to generate playback content "A-9c"; and if there are three or more "viewed" flags, it is decided to generate playback content "A-9d". 【0056】 Next, the content determination unit 13 reads the synthesis material 234 for the identified playback content and synthesizes the synthesis material 234 with the template 233 to generate playback content. Through the above process, the content determination unit 13 generates playback content based on the user's viewing history. The server device 10 transmits the generated playback content data to the user terminal 30. 【0057】 The flag setting unit 14 has the function of associating the viewed content flag of content played on the user terminal 30 with user identification information. The server device 10 receives data from the user terminal 30 indicating that the content sent to the user terminal 30 has been played on the user terminal 30. When the flag setting unit 14 receives data indicating that the content has been played, it stores the viewed content flag in memory 20, associating it with the user identification information. 【0058】 (Configuration of user terminal 30) Next, the user terminal 30 will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the user terminal 30 includes a processor 31, a memory 40, a communication unit 35, an input unit 36, and an output unit 37. The processor 31 reads and executes a program stored in the memory 40, thereby realizing the functions of the presentation unit 32, the acquisition unit 33, and the playback unit 34. There are no limitations on the hardware of the user terminal 30; it may be a television, tablet terminal, smartphone, personal computer, game device, etc. Here, the user terminal 30 is assumed to be a tablet terminal, and the input unit 36 ​​and output unit 37 are composed of a touch panel display. 【0059】 Figure 7 is a memory map showing an example of data stored in the memory 40 of the user terminal 30. The memory 40 of the user terminal 30 stores the user terminal program 41, playback content data 42, and the like. 【0060】 The user terminal program 41 is a program on the user terminal 30 for executing content distribution in this embodiment. This program includes code for selecting content, playing the distributed content, and communicating with the server device 10. The content data for playback 42 is content data for playback distributed from the server device 10. 【0061】 The presentation unit 32, acquisition unit 33, and playback unit 34, which are realized by executing the user terminal program 41, will now be described. The presentation unit 32 receives selection screen data from the server device 10 and displays the received selection screen on the touch panel display, which is the output unit 37 of the user terminal 30. 【0062】 The acquisition unit 33 acquires content identification information from the selection screen displayed on the touch panel display. In the example shown in Figure 6, when the user touches any of the buttons 52, the acquisition unit 33 acquires the content identification information corresponding to the touched button 52. The acquisition unit 33 transmits the acquired content identification information to the server device 10 as content selection information. 【0063】 The playback unit 34 plays and displays the playback content distributed from the server device 10 on the touch panel display of the user terminal 30. Furthermore, when playback of the playback content begins, the playback unit 34 transmits information to the server device 10 indicating that playback has started. This allows the server device 10 to know that the playback content has been viewed. 【0064】 (Operation instructions) Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing system 1 in the embodiment. The server device 10 generates a selection screen 50 that allows the user to select content to be distributed, and transmits the data of the generated selection screen 50 to the user terminal 30 (S10). Here, the selection screen 50 presents display images related to content identification information in a manner that allows the user to see which content has been viewed, based on the viewed flag associated with the user identification information (see Figure 6). 【0065】 The user terminal 30 receives the data from the selection screen 50 and displays the selection screen 50 on the user terminal 30's display (S11). When the user touches a button 52 representing content identification information on the selection screen 50, the user terminal 30 accepts the content selection. If no content is selected (NO in S12), the user terminal 30 waits until a content selection is entered. 【0066】 When the user terminal 30 accepts a content selection (YES in S12), it sends content selection information indicating which content the user has selected to the server device 10 (S13). The server device 10 receives the selection information (S14) and generates playback content for the received content (S15). The process of generating playback content will be described later with reference to Figure 9. 【0067】 The server device 10 transmits the generated playback content to the user terminal 30 (S16). The user terminal 30 receives the playback content (S17) and performs video playback processing on the received playback content (S18). The user terminal 30 may start playing the video immediately upon receiving the playback content, or it may wait for a start command from the user before starting playback. 【0068】 When video playback starts on the user terminal 30, the user terminal 30 sends viewing information to the server device 10 (S19). In this embodiment, the start of video playback is given as an example in which the content is considered to have been viewed, but as described later, other criteria for determining whether content has been viewed may be established. 【0069】 The server device 10 receives viewing information from the user terminal 30 (S20), and based on the received viewing information, sets a viewing flag for the content in association with the user's user identification information (S21). 【0070】 Figure 9 is a flowchart detailing the process of generating content for playback (S15). The server device 10 first obtains a template 233 from the content data 23 in the memory 20 (S30), and then obtains the material for synthesis 234 (S31). 【0071】 The server device 10 obtains data of the viewed flag 222 associated with the user identification information of the user to whom the content is delivered from the user data 22, and determines whether or not there is viewed content associated with the user identification information (S32). If there is no viewed content (NO in S32), the server device 10 selects the default material for compositing 234 (S34). 【0072】 If there is content that has already been viewed (YES in S32), it is determined whether the content selected by the user is related to the content that has already been viewed (S33). For example, if the content selected by the user is episode 9 of anime A, and the content that has already been viewed is episode 7 of anime A, it is determined that the selected content is related to the content that has already been viewed. If the content that has already been viewed is related to anime B, it is determined that the selected content is not related to the content that has already been viewed. 【0073】 If, as a result of this determination, the selected content is not related to the previously viewed content (NO in S33), the server device 10 selects the default compositing material 234 (S34). If the selected content is related to the previously viewed content (YES in S34), the server device 10 selects the compositing material 234 based on the number and type of the previously viewed flag (S35). The server device 10 then combines the selected compositing material 234 with the template 233 to generate the video content for playback (S36). 【0074】 The configuration and operation of the information processing system 1 of this embodiment have been described above. According to the information processing system 1 of this embodiment, playback content is generated and delivered based on the user's viewing history (number and type of content viewed), so appropriate content can be provided regardless of where the user starts viewing related content. 【0075】 Recently, with the proliferation of video streaming sites, the amount of content offered to users has exploded. In the case of anime and dramas with self-contained episodes, it's becoming more common for viewers to not watch all episodes or to watch them out of order. The recommendation features on video streaming sites, which display popular episodes as related videos, exacerbate this trend. In such cases, inconsistencies can occur, such as "Character A, who was supposed to have joined the group in episode 5, is not in the group when you watch episode 4 afterward," or "You had 7 treasures by episode 8, but after watching episode 3, the number of treasures you possess has decreased to 2." Such inconsistencies cause users to accept that the content is pre-made and that they are merely peeking into it, hindering their immersion in the content. 【0076】 According to the information processing system of this embodiment, by generating and distributing playback content according to the user's viewing history, the sense of unity between the user experience and the content can be enhanced. As a result, even if the user does not watch the episodes of a video series in order from episode 1 (i.e., they watch them in any order they like), the changes in the story will be in line with the user's viewing history, thereby increasing the user's immersion and allowing them to enjoy the video work more as a story that is relevant to their own experiences. 【0077】 (Content for playback based on viewing history) Here are some examples of different types of playback content that are generated based on viewing history. Let's assume the content consists of self-contained adventure stories. In each episode, the protagonist discovers one treasure. Therefore, the protagonist acquires a number of treasures equal to the number of episodes the user has watched. In this type of content, by adding narration such as "You have acquired (number of episodes watched) treasures so far. There are XX left," depending on the number of episodes watched (i.e., the number of watched flags), it is possible to generate different content based on the viewing history. More specifically, in an anime consisting of 10 episodes, if the user has watched 3 episodes so far, the narration would be "You have acquired 3 treasures so far. There are 7 left," and if they have watched 6 episodes, it would be "You have acquired 6 treasures so far. There are 4 left." 【0078】 This allows for consistency between the content and the number of episodes already watched. Furthermore, users can check how many episodes they have watched so far while watching content. Additionally, it gives users the feeling that the content is customized for them. In this embodiment, every piece of content is subject to customization, and every piece of content can become part of the viewing history that influences the customization of other pieces of content. Therefore, the above customization can be performed regardless of the order in which the user watches the content. 【0079】 The above example shows the addition of narration, but instead of, or in addition to, adding narration, the images of the content to be played may be changed. Figures 10 to 12 show examples of changing the images of the content to be played based on the viewed flag. The image in Figure 10 is an example in which the images of the doors that have been explored and the doors that have not yet been explored are combined based on the content data related to the viewed flag. In the example in Figure 10, two of the ten doors in total are closed. That is, this example represents a case where two of the ten episodes have been viewed. 【0080】 Figure 11 shows the acquired treasures in color, along with images illustrating the types of treasures. In the example shown in Figure 11, it is indicated that the Sun Treasure and the Moon Treasure have been acquired. Figure 12 shows the pieces representing the treasures forming a jigsaw puzzle, illustrating how the puzzle approaches completion as treasures are acquired. 【0081】 Furthermore, the information processing system 1 may change the content scenario based on the user's viewing history. For example, if 10 or more treasures are obtained, it may result in a happy ending, and if 9 or fewer treasures are obtained, it may result in a bad ending. Also, the scenario is not limited to just two types, happy ending and bad ending; multiple scenarios may be prepared, and the user may select a scenario based on the number of episodes they have watched. 【0082】 Another example of changing the content played based on whether a specific piece of content has been viewed is as follows: For instance, if a player has already watched episode 7, they could be given a new companion character A when they watch other content, but if they haven't watched that specific piece of content, character A could not be added to other content. 【0083】 It is also possible to modify item objects rather than characters. For example, if the protagonist obtains a hat in a certain piece of content, and that content has already been viewed, the protagonist may wear the hat when viewing other pieces of content. Conversely, if that content has not been viewed, the hat may not exist in other pieces of content. Here, a hat was used as an example of an item object, but item objects are not limited to hats; they could be clothing, tools, etc. 【0084】 As explained here, there are various ways in which content can be modified based on viewing history. The examples above are not limited to any specific method of modifying content. 【0085】 Although the information processing system of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to embodiments, the information processing system of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Modifications of the embodiments will be described below. 【0086】 (Method for generating content for playback) In the embodiments described above, an example was given of generating playback content by combining a template and synthesis materials, but the method of generating playback content is not limited to the method described above. 【0087】 Figure 13 is a flowchart showing another example of the video generation process. In the process shown in Figure 13, the video content is divided into an immutable portion and a variable portion, and the variable portion of the video content selected according to the viewed flag is combined with the immutable portion of the video content to generate the video content. 【0088】 The immutable parts of video content are those that do not change based on the viewing flag. For example, scenes depicting the actual adventure are a good example. In contrast, the variable parts of video content are those that change based on the viewing flag. For example, parts of the video content such as the beginning or ending, where different content is prepared for each playback. For example, the departure scene at the beginning of the video content, which is set to a certain length, could be made variable. This would allow the departure scene to change in response to the viewing flag. More specifically, in a scene where "the protagonist is about to leave their base of operations for an adventure, and characters who have become companions so far cheer them on," the number and types of characters cheering on the protagonist could change depending on the viewing flag. 【0089】 The server device 10 acquires the immutable portion of the video content (S40), and then acquires the variable portion of the video content (S41). The server device 10 acquires data of the viewed flag 222 associated with the user identification information of the user to whom the content is delivered from the user data 22, and determines whether or not there is viewed content associated with the user identification information (S42). If there is no viewed content (NO in S42), the server device 10 selects the default variable portion (S44). 【0090】 If there is content that has already been viewed (YES in S42), the server device 10 determines whether the content selected by the user is related to the content that has already been viewed (S43). If the result of this determination is that the selected content is not related to the content that has already been viewed (NO in S43), the server device 10 selects a default variable portion (S44). If the selected content is related to the content that has already been viewed (YES in S44), the server device 10 selects a variable portion of the video based on the type and number of viewed flags (S45). The server device 10 combines the variable portion of the selected video content with the variable portion of the video content to generate the video content for playback (S46). 【0091】 In the example shown in Figure 13, the acquisition of the immutable portion of the video content (S40) and the variable portion (S41) are performed first. However, the acquisition of this data may also be performed after determining the viewer flag. Figure 14 is a flowchart of another example of the video generation process. 【0092】 The server device 10 obtains data of the viewed flag 222 associated with the user identification information of the user to whom the content is delivered from the user data 22, and determines whether or not there is viewed content associated with the user identification information (S50). If there is no viewed content (NO in S50), the server device 10 obtains the immutable portion and the default variable portion of the video content (S52). 【0093】 If there is content that has already been viewed (YES in S50), the server device 10 determines whether the content selected by the user is related to the content that has already been viewed (S51). If the result of this determination is that the selected content is not related to the content that has already been viewed (NO in S51), the server device 10 selects the immutable portion and the default variable portion of the video content (S52). If the selected content is related to the content that has already been viewed (YES in S51), the server device 10 obtains the immutable portion of the video content and also obtains the variable portion of the video based on the type and number of viewed flags (S53). The server device 10 combines the variable portion of the selected video content with the variable portion of the video content to generate the video content for playback (S54). 【0094】 The compositing of templates and materials for compositing, as well as the compositing of variable and immutable parts, as described in this embodiment, is performed at the time the content is delivered. However, it is also conceivable to prepare multiple complete playback content sets in advance and select the playback content to be delivered from among them. In cases where the content scenario itself differs significantly, such as changing between a happy ending and a bad ending based on a viewing flag, it may be beneficial to prepare the entire playback content set in advance. 【0095】 Furthermore, the server device 10 may send data necessary for rendering the playback content to the user terminal, and the user terminal 30 may render the playback content in real time. More specifically, the user terminal 30 may read templates 233 and composite materials 234 that have been pre-stored in storage (not shown) into memory 20, combine them appropriately according to the viewing flag, and dynamically generate video when displaying video on the user terminal 30. The user terminal 30 may then capture this process with a virtual camera and display the captured content on the output unit 37. 【0096】 (Confirmed as viewed) In the embodiment described above, an example was given in which, once playback of the content for playback begins, the content is considered to have been viewed, and a viewed flag is sent from the user terminal to the server device. However, the timing for determining whether the content has been viewed is not limited to the start of playback. 【0097】 For example, a user may determine that they have watched a content when it has been played to the end, or when it has been played up to a predetermined point. This predetermined point may be determined uniformly based on the length or percentage of the content that has been played, such as the first three minutes or 50% of the content, or it may be determined individually for each piece of content, depending on the content, such as up to the scene in which a specific character appears. 【0098】 (Flag settings and arrangement data) In the embodiment described above, an example of arrangement data for selecting playback content according to the number and type of viewed flags was given. However, the elapsed time since the viewed flag was associated or the number of views may also be used as conditions for selecting playback content. 【0099】 When using elapsed time, the date and time data associated with the viewed flag is stored in the user data. The content determination unit calculates the elapsed time from when the viewed flag was associated until the content selection information is received, and determines the content to be played according to the elapsed time. An example of using elapsed time data is to differentiate the content to be played, such as being able to catch the thief if you watch episode 6 within a week of watching episode 5, but the thief getting away if you watch episode 6 more than a week later. 【0100】 When using the number of views, the user data stores the number of views along with a "viewed" flag. The content determination unit determines the content to be played based on the "viewed" flag and its number of views. An example of using the number of views data is to change the protagonist's abilities in other content depending on whether the episode in which the protagonist trains has been viewed once or multiple times. Alternatively, the scenario could be changed so that the treasure is not found if the treasure hunt content is viewed only once, but is found if it is viewed multiple times. 【0101】 (Regarding the selection screen) In the embodiment described above, an example of a selection screen where content from episode 1 to episode 10 can be selected was given, but it is also possible to create a selection screen that changes the selectable content based on the viewing status flag. 【0102】 Figure 15 illustrates the selection screen, which changes based on viewing history. If there are no viewed flags, the selection screen displays only episode 1 (left side of Figure 15), and only episode 1 can be selected. If episode 1 has a viewed flag, episodes 2 through 9 are displayed (center of Figure 15), and episodes 2 through 9 can be selected. If there are more than a predetermined number of viewed flags, or if there is a specific viewed flag, the selection screen displays episode 10 (right side of Figure 15), and episode 10 can be selected. 【0103】 Even if Episode 10 has playback content for versions A and B (for example, playback content with different endings) that can be selected based on the viewed flag, the selection screen for Episode 10 will only display "Episode 10," and the user will not be aware of versions A and B. Whether to deliver version A or version B of the playback content when Episode 10 is selected is determined by the number and type of viewed flags, as in the embodiment described above. 【0104】 If the "viewed" flag meets the specified conditions and either version A or version B is selected, normally the other version cannot be viewed. However, it may be possible to enable viewing of the other version through certain operations or the granting of special features. [Explanation of symbols] 【0105】 1. Information Processing System 10 Server devices 11 processors 12 Selection screen generation unit 13. Content Decision Department 14 Flag setting section 15 Communications Department 20 memory 30 User terminals 31 processors 32 Presentation section 33 Acquisition Department 34 Playback Department 35 Communications Department 36 Input section 37 Output section 40 memory

Claims

[Claim 1] A presentation means that presents the user with display images related to each of several types of content identification information, An acquisition means for acquiring content identification information associated with a display image selected by the user from among the display images presented to the user, Content determination means for determining playback content corresponding to the acquired content identification information, A playback means for playing the aforementioned playback content, A flag setting means that associates a "viewed" flag, indicating that the content has been played, with the user's identification information, in response to the playback of the aforementioned content. An information processing system comprising, The content determination means is an information processing system that determines the playback content corresponding to the acquired content identification information such that the content of the playback content differs depending on the viewed flag. [Claim 2] The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the content determination means determines the content to be the content to be played back by combining a template used as a model for the content to be played back with a synthesis material synthesized on the template. [Claim 3] The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the synthesis material includes at least one of audio, video, and images. [Claim 4] The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the content determination means determines as the playback content content content content that is generated such that the content of the playback content differs in at least according to the viewed flag associated with the user's identification information. [Claim 5] The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the content determination means determines the content to be played back by rendering the content to be played back in real time, at least in accordance with the viewed flag associated with the user's identification information. [Claim 6] The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the content determination means determines the content for playback corresponding to the content identification information associated with the display image selected by the user, by selecting from among the playback content candidates, at least in accordance with the viewed flag associated with the user's identification information. [Claim 7] The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the content determination means determines the content to be played back such that the content of the content to be played back differs in accordance with at least the number of viewed flags associated with the user's identification information. [Claim 8] The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the content determination means determines the playback content such that the content of the playback content differs, at least based on whether or not the viewed flag, which indicates that the playback content associated with a predetermined specific content identification information has been played, is associated with the user's identification information. [Claim 9] The information processing system according to claim 8, wherein the content determination means determines the playback content such that the characters appearing in the playback content are changed, at least based on whether or not the viewed flag, which indicates that the playback content associated with a predetermined specific content identification information has been played, is associated with the user's identification information. [Claim 10] The information processing system according to claim 8, wherein the content determination means determines the playback content such that the item objects appearing in the playback content are changed, at least based on whether or not the viewed flag, which indicates that the playback content associated with a predetermined specific content identification information has been played, is associated with the user's identification information. [Claim 11] The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the content determination means determines the playback content such that the scenario differs, at least according to the viewed flag associated with the user's identification information. [Claim 12] The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the flag setting means associates the viewed flag with the user's identification information in response to the start of playback of the content for playback. [Claim 13] The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the flag setting means associates the viewed flag with the user's identification information when playback conditions are met, which are satisfied when the playback content is played up to a predetermined point. [Claim 14] The information processing system according to claim 13, wherein the playback condition is that the playback content has been played back up to 50% of the playback content. [Claim 15] The information processing system according to claim 13, wherein the playback condition is that the playback content has been played back up to the end point of the playback content. [Claim 16] The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the content determination means further calculates the elapsed time from when the viewed flag associated with the user's identification information is associated until the content identification information is acquired, and determines the content for playback at least according to the elapsed time. [Claim 17] The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the flag setting means associates data on the number of times the playback content corresponding to the same content identification information is played with the user's identification information when the playback content corresponding to the same content identification information is played. [Claim 18] The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the presentation means presents the display images in different display modes depending on whether the content identification information is associated with the user's identification information or not. [Claim 19] A content identification information transmission means that transmits data of display images related to multiple types of content identification information to a user terminal, A receiving means for receiving content identification information associated with a display image selected by the user of the user terminal from the user terminal, Content determination means for determining playback content corresponding to the content identification information determined based on the user's selection, A playback content data transmission means for transmitting the data of the playback content to the user terminal, A flag setting means that, upon receiving data from the user terminal indicating that the playback content has been played, associates a "viewed" flag indicating that the playback content has been played with the user's identification information. An information processing device comprising, The content determination means is an information processing device that determines the content to be played back, corresponding to the content identification information selected by the user, such that the content of the content to be played back differs depending on the viewed flag. [Claim 20] A program for delivering content to user terminals, which is installed on a computer. The steps include sending data of display images related to multiple types of content identification information to the user terminal, The steps include receiving the content identification information from the user terminal that is associated with the display image selected by the user of the user terminal, The steps include determining the content to be played back that corresponds to the content identification information determined based on the user's selection, The steps include transmitting the data of the playback content to the user terminal, Upon receiving data from the user terminal indicating that the playback content has been played, the user associates a "viewed" flag indicating that the playback content has been played with the user's identification information. Make it run, A program that, in the step of determining the content to be played back, determines the content to be played back corresponding to the content identification information selected by the user, such that the content of the content to be played back differs depending on the viewed flag. [Claim 21] A method for delivering content from a server device to a user terminal, The user terminal presents the user with display images relating to multiple types of content identification information, The user terminal obtains the content identification information selected by the user from among the content identification information presented to the user, The server device determines the content to be played back that corresponds to the content identification information determined based on the user's selection, The user terminal plays the content for playback, The server device, upon playing the content for playback, associates a "viewed" flag indicating that the content for playback has been played with the user's identification information. Equipped with, An information processing method that, in the step of determining the content to be played back, determines the content to be played back corresponding to the content identification information selected by the user, such that the content of the content to be played back differs depending on the viewed flag.

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