Management systems, management methods, and programs

Abstract

To notify a user of information along the user's wishes with simple processing.SOLUTION: A management system 50 manages a competition event in which a plurality of participants competes against each other in a competition game in each of a plurality of matches, in parallel with distribution of video related to the competition event. The management system 50 includes: an information management unit 512 that manages match information Z representing the relationships between the plurality of matches; a situation acquisition unit 511 that acquires situation information Q representing a progress situation of the competition event; a condition acquisition unit 514 that acquires condition information C representing conditions of a match that a user wishes to view; an information generation unit 515 that generates notification information N for notifying the user of start of a target match corresponding to the conditions represented by the condition information C among the plurality of matches on the basis of, the match information Z and the situation information Q; and an information transmission unit 516 that transmits the notification information N.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for notifying a user of information.

Background Art

[0002] Techniques for providing various videos to viewers have been proposed conventionally. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for automatically notifying a viewer of the playback of a desired scene in a live video of sports.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to recognize a scene by analyzing a video, and there is a problem that the processing for the recognition is complicated. In view of the above circumstances, one aspect of the present disclosure aims to notify a user of information in accordance with the user's wishes by simple processing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above problems, a management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a management system that manages a competitive event in which multiple participants compete in a competitive game in each of multiple matches, in parallel with the distribution of videos related to the competitive event, and comprises: an information management unit that manages match information representing the relationships between the multiple matches; a status acquisition unit that acquires status information representing the progress of the competitive event; a condition acquisition unit that acquires condition information representing the conditions of the matches that a user wishes to watch; an information generation unit that generates notification information to notify the user of the start of a target match corresponding to the conditions represented by the condition information among the multiple matches, according to the match information and the status information; and an information transmission unit that transmits the notification information.

[0006] A management method relating to one aspect of this disclosure is a method for managing a competitive event in which multiple participants compete in a competitive game in each of multiple matches, in parallel with the distribution of a video related to the competitive event, the method comprising: managing match information representing the relationships between the multiple matches; acquiring status information representing the progress of the competitive event; acquiring condition information representing the conditions of the matches that a user wishes to watch; generating notification information to notify the user of the start of a target match corresponding to the conditions represented by the condition information among the multiple matches, according to the match information and the status information, and transmitting the notification information.

[0007] A program according to one aspect of this disclosure causes a computer system to function as an information management unit for managing match information representing the relationships between multiple matches, in parallel with the distribution of video related to a competitive event in which multiple participants compete in a competitive game in each of multiple matches, an information acquisition unit for acquiring status information representing the progress of the competitive event, a condition acquisition unit for acquiring condition information representing the conditions of the matches that a user wishes to watch, an information generation unit for generating notification information to notify the user of the start of a target match corresponding to the conditions represented by the condition information among the multiple matches, according to the match information and the status information, and an information transmission unit for transmitting the notification information. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an information system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of a video of a competitive event. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a control system. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of an information system. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of the player information included in the match information. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of the progress information within the match information. [Figure 7] This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 8] This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a management system. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram of the broadcast information and broadcast images. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart illustrating the detailed procedure for notification processing. [Figure 11] This flowchart illustrates the processes performed by the control unit of a management system. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram of the notification image in the second embodiment. [Figure 13] This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information system in the third embodiment. [Figure 14] This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information system in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an information system in a modified example of the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below include various technically preferred limitations. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated below.

[0010] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information system 100 according to the first embodiment. The information system 100 is a computer system for distributing videos of competitive events (hereinafter referred to as "competitive event videos") to terminal devices 70. Terminal devices 70 are portable or stationary information devices such as smartphones, tablet terminals, or personal computers. Video equipment such as television receivers can also be used as terminal devices 70. Users U view the competitive event videos using terminal devices 70. In reality, multiple users U each view the competitive event videos, but for convenience, the following explanation will focus on one user U.

[0011] The competitive event is a game event (esports) in which multiple participants P compete against each other in a competitive game. In the first embodiment, the competitive game is a fighting game in which multiple characters controlled by each participant P fight. The competitive event consists of multiple matches. In the first embodiment, the competitive event proceeds in a tournament format in which the winner of each of the multiple matches advances to the next match. The competitive event video is video content that shows the progress of the competitive event. The competitive event video is distributed (i.e., live-streamed) to the terminal device 70 in parallel with the progress of the competitive event.

[0012] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the battle event video G. The battle event video G includes a battle image Ga and a battle table Gb. The battle image Ga is a video representing the situation of the battle game in each match. The battle image Ga includes a game image Ga1 and a production image Ga2. The game image Ga1 is a video representing the progress of the battle game. Specifically, the game image Ga1 is, for example, a video representing the state where a plurality of characters H operated by each participant P fight against each other. The game image Ga1 can also represent an image that each participant P visually recognizes during the play of the battle game. The production image Ga2 is an image for producing the game image Ga1. For example, information regarding each match in the battle event is illustrated as the production image Ga2. For example, a character string such as "Group A, Match 2" is an example of the production image Ga2. Note that a video recording the state where the participant P plays the battle game may be included in the production image Ga2.

[0013] The battle table Gb is an image representing the relationship of a plurality of matches in the battle event. Specifically, the battle table Gb is a tournament table representing the temporal or content-related relationship of a plurality of matches. The temporal relationship of a plurality of matches is, for example, the temporal front-back relationship (i.e., order) of each match and the relationship where two or more matches are executed in parallel. In addition, the content-related relationship of a plurality of matches is, for example, the type of each match such as the semi-final and the final, or the relationship where the winners of a plurality of matches fight against each other in other matches (the relationship of each participant P). The battle table Gb includes the names of a plurality of participants P who fight in each match. In the tournament system, the participants P in each match are sequentially determined in conjunction with the progress of the battle event. That is, at the stage where the lower two matches in the battle event are completed, the combination of the winners of the two matches is determined as the opponents in the next match. Therefore, the battle table Gb is updated at any time in parallel with the progress of the battle event according to the results of each match.

[0014] The battle image Ga and the battle table Gb are displayed during different periods in the battle event video G. For example, the battle table Gb is inserted at intervals between a plurality of battle images Ga corresponding to different matches. Therefore, the user U can view the battle image Ga of each match while checking the battle table Gb between successive matches. However, the battle image Ga and the battle table Gb may be displayed in parallel.

[0015] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the information system 100 includes a game system 10, a game server 20, a control system 30, a distribution system 40, and a management system 50. Each element (the game system 10, the game server 20, the control system 30, the management system 50, and the distribution system 40) of the information system 100 can communicate with each other via a communication network (not shown), such as the Internet.

[0016] The game system 10 is a system used by a plurality of participants P for playing a battle game. For example, the game system 10 is composed of a plurality of game terminals used by different participants P. The game terminal displays a game image Ga1 representing the progress of the battle game. Each participant P plays the battle game by operating the game terminal while viewing the game image Ga1 of the battle game. Note that the game system 10 may be a single game device that accepts operations by a plurality of participants P.

[0017] The game system 10 transmits image data Va1 to the control system 30 in parallel with the progress of the battle game. For example, any one of the plurality of game terminals constituting the game system 10 transmits the image data Va1 to the control system 30. The image data Va1 is data in any format representing the aforementioned game image Ga1. Note that an information device other than the game terminal used by the participant P for playing the battle game may transmit the image data Va1 to the control system 30.

[0018] The game server 20 manages the competitive game. Specifically, the game server 20 manages game data D related to the competitive game for each participant P. The game data D includes, for example, the play history of the competitive game by participant P and the ability values ​​of the character H used by participant P. The game data D for each participant P is sent from the game server 20 to the game system 10. The game system 10 uses the game data D to advance the competitive game.

[0019] The game system 10 transmits result information R to the game server 20. Result information R is information representing the result of a competitive game. Specifically, result information R includes the identification information Pid of the winner, participant P, and the identification information Pid of the loser, participant P. The identification information Pid is a sequence of codes for identifying each participant P. Result information R is transmitted to the control system 30 via the game server 20 for each match in the competitive event. Note that some of the information transmitted from the game system 10 to the game server 20 may be transmitted from the game server 20 to the control system 30 as result information R. Alternatively, result information R may be transmitted directly from the game system 10 to the control system 30.

[0020] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the control system 30. As illustrated in Figure 3, the control system 30 is a computer system comprising a control device 31, a storage device 32, a communication device 33, an operating device 34, and a display device 35. The control system 30 can be implemented as a single device or as multiple devices configured separately from each other.

[0021] The control device 31 consists of one or more processors that control each element of the control system 30, for example. Specifically, the control device 31 is composed of one or more types of processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The communication device 33 communicates with each element of the information system 100 (game system 10, game server 20, distribution system 40, and management system 50).

[0022] The storage device 32 is one or more memories that store programs executed by the control device 31 and various data used by the control device 31. For example, known recording media such as semiconductor recording media and magnetic recording media, or a combination of multiple types of recording media, can be used as the storage device 32. Alternatively, a portable recording media that can be attached to and detached from the control system 30, or a recording media that can be written to or read by the control device 31 via a communication network (e.g., cloud storage), may be used as the storage device 32. The storage device 32 in the first embodiment stores image data Va2 representing the aforementioned performance image Ga2.

[0023] The operating device 34 is an input device that receives operations from operator O who manages the control system 30. The operating device 34 is, for example, an operator O who operates it, or a touch panel that detects contact by operator O. The display device 35 displays an image instructed by the control device 31. The display device 35 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL display panel. The display device 35 displays, for example, a video of a battle event G.

[0024] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the information system 100. As illustrated in Figure 4, the control device 31 of the control system 30 realizes multiple functions (information generation unit 311, progress processing unit 312, and video generation unit 313) by executing a program stored in the storage device 32.

[0025] The information generation unit 311 generates match information Z. Match information Z is information that represents the relationships between multiple matches in a competitive event. Specifically, match information Z includes participant information X and progress information Y.

[0026] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of participant information X. As illustrated in Figure 5, participant information X includes identification information Pid (Pid-1, Pid-2, ...), attribute information Xa (Xa-1, Xa-2, ...), and characteristic information Xb (Xb-1, Xb-2, ...) for each of the multiple participants P participating in the battle event. Attribute information Xa represents attributes such as participant P's name, age, gender, place of origin, and affiliated organization. Characteristic information Xb is information that represents the characteristics or tendencies of participant P in the battle game. Specifically, characteristic information Xb specifies the character H that participant P will use in the battle event from among multiple characters H that can be selected in the battle game.

[0027] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the progress information Y. As illustrated in Figure 6, the progress information Y represents the relationships between multiple matches in a competitive event. As illustrated in Figure 6, for each of the multiple matches, the progress information Y includes identification information Mid (Mid-1, Mid-2, ...), relationship information Ya (Ya-1, Ya-2, ...), opponent information Yb (Yb-1, Yb-2, ...), and distribution information Yc (Yc-1, Yc-2, ...). The identification information Mid is a sequence of codes used to identify each of the multiple matches in a competitive event.

[0028] The relationship information Ya represents the relationship between each match. For example, the relationship information Ya for each match specifies the match number y1, the match type y2, and the relationship y3 with other matches. The match number y1 is a number that represents the order in which each match is performed. Matches that are performed in parallel in time are assigned a common match number y1. The match type y2 is information that represents the type of each match. For example, the type of match such as semi-final or final is specified as the match type y2. The match type y2 can also be described as the position of each match in the competition event. The relationship y3 of each match is the relationship between that match and other matches. The relationship y3 of each match is specified, for example, by the identification information Mid of other matches that are positioned lower or higher than that match in the tournament bracket of the competition event. Note that the competition event may include seeded matches. For example, the match type y2 may specify a seeded match. Also, the relationship y3 may specify that it is a seeded match.

[0029] The opponent information Yb for each match specifies the participant P who will be competing in that match. For example, for a match where the opponents are determined before the start of the competition event (e.g., the first match of a tournament bracket), the identification information Pid of each of the two opposing participant P is specified as the opponent information Yb. For a match where the opponent is determined according to the progress of the competition event (a match where the opponent is not determined before the start of the competition event), the opponent information Yb specifies that the opponent is undecided. In addition, for a match where the opponent is undecided, the opponent information Yb may specify that the winner of the lower-level match is the opponent (specifically, the identification information Mid of that lower-level match). As can be understood from the above explanation, the progress information Y (relationship information Ya and opponent information Yb) is data that represents the temporal or substantive relationships between multiple matches in a competition event.

[0030] The distribution information Yc of the progress information Y specifies which of the multiple matches in the match event will be distributed via the match event video G. Specifically, the distribution information Yc for each match is binary data (e.g., a flag) that indicates whether or not that match is eligible for distribution. As can be understood from the above explanation, the progress information Y specifies one or more matches from among the multiple matches that will be distributed via the match event video G. Note that the distribution information Yc is not limited to the information set for each match. For example, the progress information Y may specify the identification information Mid for one or more matches that will be distributed.

[0031] Operator O instructs multiple participants P to take part in the competition event by operating the control device 34. The information generation unit 311 in Figure 4 generates participant information X in response to instructions from operator O to the control device 34. Operator O also instructs each of the multiple matches constituting the competition event to generate relation information Ya, opponent information Yb, and distribution information Yc by operating the control device 34. The information generation unit 311 generates progress information Y in response to instructions from operator O to the control device 34. The information generation unit 311 generates match information Z, which includes participant information X and progress information Y, before the start of the competition event. The information generation unit 311 transmits the match information Z to the management system 50 via the communication device 33.

[0032] The progress processing unit 312 in Figure 4 generates status information Q. Status information Q is information that represents the progress of the match event. Specifically, the progress processing unit 312 generates status information Q from result information R. For example, status information Q includes Mid, the identification information of the match for which the result information R represents the result, and Pid, ​​the identification information of the winner specified by the result information R. The progress processing unit 312 transmits the status information Q from the communication device 33 to the management system 50. After each match in the match event ends, status information Q representing the result of that match is generated and transmitted. Therefore, status information Q can also be rephrased as information that represents the end of each match.

[0033] Furthermore, operator O can keep track of the progress of the battle event at any time by watching the battle event video G displayed on the display device 35. Therefore, operator O may instruct the control system 30 on the progress of the battle event by operating the control device 34. The progress processing unit 312 generates status information Q in response to the instructions from operator O. As can be understood from the above explanation, the control system 30 may omit obtaining result information R from the game server 20.

[0034] The video generation unit 313 generates video data V of the battle event video G. In the first embodiment, the video generation unit 313 generates video data V using image data Va1, image data Va2, and image data Vb. Specifically, the video generation unit 313 receives image data Va1 transmitted from the game system 10 via the communication device 33. The video generation unit 313 acquires image data Va2 stored in the storage device 32. The video generation unit 313 also receives image data Vb from the management system 50. Image data Vb is data in any format representing the battle table Gb. The generation of image data Vb by the management system 50 will be described later. The video generation unit 313 generates video data V by combining image data Va1, image data Va2, and image data Vb. Specifically, as described above, video data V of the battle event video G is generated in which the battle table Gb is inserted between two consecutive battle images Ga. The video generation unit 313 transmits the video data V from the communication device 33 to the distribution system 40. The video generation unit 313 generates and transmits video data V in parallel with the progress of the battle event.

[0035] The distribution system 40 distributes the video data V generated by the control system 30 to the terminal device 70. Specifically, the distribution system 40 performs in parallel the reception of the video data V transmitted from the control system 30 and the transmission of the video data V to the terminal device 70. The distribution system 40 is implemented, for example, by a known video distribution server (e.g., a streaming server).

[0036] Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the terminal device 70. As illustrated in Figure 7, the terminal device 70 comprises a control device 71, a storage device 72, a communication device 73, an operating device 74, a display device 75, and a sound emission device 76. The terminal device 70 can be implemented as a single device or as multiple devices configured separately from each other.

[0037] The control device 71 is one or more processors that control the operation of the terminal device 70. Specifically, the control device 71 is composed of one or more types of processors, such as a CPU, GPU, DSP, FPGA, or ASIC. The communication device 73 communicates with the distribution system 40 and the management system 50, respectively, via the communication network.

[0038] The storage device 72 is one or more memories that store the program executed by the control device 71 and various data used by the control device 71. For example, known recording media such as semiconductor recording media and magnetic recording media, or a combination of multiple types of recording media, can be used as the storage device 72. Alternatively, for example, a portable recording media that can be attached to and detached from the terminal device 70, or a recording media that the control device 71 can write to or read from via a communication network (e.g., cloud storage), may be used as the storage device 72.

[0039] The operating device 74 is an input device that accepts operations from user U. For example, an operating element operated by user U, or a touch panel that detects contact by user U, can be used as the operating device 74.

[0040] The display device 75 displays various images under the control of the control device 71. For example, various display panels such as liquid crystal display panels or organic EL panels are used as the display device 75. The sound playback device 76 reproduces sound under the control of the control device 71. The display device 75 and the sound playback device 76 function as playback devices that play the battle event video G. That is, the battle event video G is displayed on the display device 75, and the sound of the battle event video G is reproduced by the sound playback device 76.

[0041] However, if a competitive event lasts for a long time, it is practically difficult for user U to continuously watch the entire competitive event video G. If user U could accurately know in advance when the match they wish to watch (hereinafter referred to as the "target match") would start, they could selectively watch only the portion of the long competitive event video G that corresponds to the target match. However, for example, the length of each match in a competitive event varies depending on the progress of the game, so the start time of each match may be significantly earlier or later than the scheduled time. Therefore, it is practically difficult for user U to selectively watch the desired target match while considering the scheduled time of each match. Taking these circumstances into consideration, in the first embodiment, the start of the target match in the competitive event is notified to user U.

[0042] User U instructs the terminal device 70 of the conditions (hereinafter referred to as "notification conditions") for the target match that U wishes to watch by operating the operating device 74. The control device 71 transmits condition information C from the communication device 73 to the management system 50, as illustrated in Figure 4. Condition information C includes the notification conditions instructed by user U and the user U's identification information Uid. User U can instruct notification conditions at any point before the start of the match event or during the event. Each time a notification condition is instructed, condition information C is transmitted from the terminal device 70 to the management system 50. In other words, condition information C is transmitted to the management system 50 at any point before the start of the match event or during the event.

[0043] User U can specify any of the first to third conditions as the notification condition. The first condition concerns the participant P of the battle event. Specifically, the attributes of participant P are specified as the first condition by condition information C. For example, the attributes of participant P whose match User U wishes to watch (e.g., name, age, gender, place of origin, and affiliated organization) are specified by condition information C. A match in which participant P who satisfies the first condition participates is selected as the target match, and the start of the target match is notified to User U. In other words, User U can be aware of the start of the target match in which participant P who satisfies the first condition participates. For example, a match in which participant P with the name specified by User U participates will be notified to User U as the target match. Therefore, the possibility of User U missing the part of the battle event video G in which a participant P with the desired attributes participates is reduced.

[0044] The second condition concerns the type of match. For example, the type of match that user U wishes to watch (semifinal, final, seeded match, etc.) is specified by condition information C. Among the multiple matches in the competitive event, the match that satisfies the second condition is selected as the target match, and user U is notified when the target match starts. In other words, user U can be aware of the start of the target match belonging to the type that satisfies the second condition. Therefore, the possibility of user U missing the portion of the competitive event video G in which the desired type of match is played is reduced.

[0045] The third condition concerns the character H used in the competitive game. Specifically, one of several types of character H is designated as the third condition by condition information C. For example, the character H used in the competitive game in the match that user U wishes to watch is designated by condition information C. A match in which character H that satisfies the third condition is used is selected as the target match, and user U is notified of the start of that target match. In other words, user U can be aware of the start of the target match in which character H that satisfies the third condition is used. Therefore, the possibility of user U missing the part of the competitive event video G in which the desired character H is used is reduced.

[0046] The management system 50 in Figure 1 is a computer system that manages the competitive event in parallel with the distribution of the competitive event video G by the control system 30 and the distribution system 40. Specifically, the management system 50 transmits notification information N according to the progress of the competitive event. Notification information N is information to notify the user U of the start of a target match among multiple matches in the competitive event.

[0047] Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the management system 50. As illustrated in Figure 8, the management system 50 comprises a control device 51, a storage device 52, and a communication device 53. The management system 50 can be implemented as a single device or as multiple devices configured separately from each other.

[0048] The control device 51 is one or more processors that control the operation of the management system 50. Specifically, the control device 51 is composed of one or more types of processors, such as a CPU, GPU, DSP, FPGA, or ASIC. The communication device 53 communicates with the control system 30 and the distribution system 40 via the communication network. The communication device 53 also communicates with the terminal device 70 via the communication network.

[0049] The storage device 52 is one or more memories that store the program executed by the control device 51 and various data used by the control device 51. For example, known recording media such as semiconductor recording media and magnetic recording media, or a combination of multiple types of recording media, can be used as the storage device 52. Alternatively, for example, a portable recording media that can be attached to and detached from the management system 50, or a recording media that the control device 51 can write to or read via a communication network (e.g., cloud storage), may be used as the storage device 52.

[0050] As illustrated in Figure 4, the control device 51 of the management system 50 implements multiple functions (status acquisition unit 511, information management unit 512, image generation unit 513, condition acquisition unit 514, information generation unit 515, and information transmission unit 516) by executing a program stored in the storage device 52.

[0051] The status acquisition unit 511 acquires status information Q. Specifically, the status acquisition unit 511 receives the status information Q transmitted from the control system 30 via the communication device 53. As mentioned above, the status information Q is transmitted from the control system 30 after each match in the competitive event. Therefore, the status acquisition unit 511 acquires the status information Q after each match in the competitive event. The status acquisition unit 511 stores the status information Q acquired from the control system 30 in the storage device 52.

[0052] The information management unit 512 manages the match information Z. Firstly, the information management unit 512 acquires the match information Z. That is, the information management unit 512 receives the match information Z transmitted from the control system 30 via the communication device 53. As mentioned above, the match information Z is transmitted from the control system 30 before the start of the match event. Therefore, the information management unit 512 acquires the match information Z before the start of the match event. The information management unit 512 stores the match information Z in the storage device 52.

[0053] Secondly, the information management unit 512 updates the match information Z stored in the storage device 52. The information management unit 512 updates the match information Z according to the status information Q acquired by the status acquisition unit 511. Specifically, the information management unit 512 updates the opponent information Yb in the progress information Y of the match information Z according to the status information Q. For example, the information management unit 512 adds the identification information Pid of participant P, who is the winner of the match specified by the status information Q, to the opponent information Yb in the next match in the tournament bracket. That is, the information management unit 512 updates the match information Z (progress information Y) so that the status information Q indicates that participant P has advanced to the next match in the tournament bracket. As mentioned above, the status information Q is transmitted from the control system 30 after each match ends. Therefore, the match information Z stored in the storage device 52 is updated sequentially after each match ends, in parallel with the progress of the match event. The match information Z generated by the information generation unit 311 of the control system 30 can also be referred to as the initial match information Z.

[0054] The image generation unit 513 generates the aforementioned image data Vb representing the match schedule Gb. Specifically, the image generation unit 513 generates image data Vb of the match schedule Gb corresponding to the match information Z (progress information Y) after it has been updated by the information management unit 512. As mentioned above, the match information Z is updated after each match in the match event has finished. The image generation unit 513 generates image data Vb corresponding to the updated match information Z each time the match information Z is updated (i.e., after each match has finished). The image generation unit 513 transmits the image data Vb to the control system 30 via the communication device 53. In other words, image data Vb is transmitted to the control system 30 each time the match information Z is updated. As mentioned above, the image data Vb transmitted from the management system 50 to the control system 30 is used to generate video data V.

[0055] The condition acquisition unit 514 acquires condition information C. Specifically, the condition acquisition unit 514 receives condition information C transmitted from the terminal device 70 via the communication device 53. The condition acquisition unit 514 acquires condition information C from the terminal device 70 at any point before or during the start of the battle event.

[0056] The information generation unit 515 generates notification information N. In the first embodiment, the information generation unit 515 generates notification information N according to the match information Z, the situation information Q, and the condition information C. Specifically, the information generation unit 515 refers to the updated match information Z according to the situation information Q and generates notification information N to notify the start of a target match that satisfies the notification conditions represented by the condition information C before the start of the match. As described above, the notification conditions represented by the condition information C are set individually for each user U. Therefore, notification information N is generated individually for each user U.

[0057] The information transmission unit 516 transmits the notification information N generated by the information generation unit 515. Specifically, the information transmission unit 516 transmits the notification information N from the communication device 53 to the distribution system 40. The distribution system 40 forwards the notification information N transmitted from the information transmission unit 516 to the terminal device 70. Specifically, the distribution system 40, upon receiving the notification information N, transmits the notification information N to the terminal device 70 represented by the identification information Uid within the notification information N. The control device 71 of the terminal device 70 displays an image (hereinafter referred to as "notification image") Gn corresponding to the notification information N on the display device 75.

[0058] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of notification information N and notification image Gn. In the first embodiment, notification information N includes the identification information Uid of the user U to whom the notification information N is sent, a notification message Na, and location information Nb. As illustrated in Figure 9, the notification message Na and location information Nb constitute the information of the notification image Gn. The notification message Na is a string that notifies the user U that a desired target match has started. The location information Nb is information that represents the location of the match event video G. Specifically, the location information Nb is a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) that represents the location of the video data V held by the distribution system 40. A link L using the location information Nb is set in the notification image Gn. The location information Nb is notified to the management system 50 from the control system 30 or the distribution system 40, for example, before the start of the match event.

[0059] User U can select link L of the notification image Gn by operating the operating device 74. When link L is selected, the control device 71 requests the distribution system 40 for the match event video G indicated by the location information Nb of link L. The distribution system 40 distributes the video data V of the match event video G indicated by the location information Nb to the requesting terminal device 70. As can be understood from the above explanation, user U can start watching the match event video G of the desired match by recognizing the start of the desired match from the notification image Gn. In other words, the possibility of user U missing the desired match is reduced. Moreover, in the first embodiment, since the notification information N includes location information Nb, user U, who has acquired the notification information N, can quickly and easily start watching the match event video G using the location information Nb.

[0060] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the detailed procedure of the processing (hereinafter referred to as "notification processing") that the control device 51 performs in response to notification information N.

[0061] When notification processing begins, the information generation unit 515 determines whether the time has come to notify the user U of the start of the target match (hereinafter referred to as the "notification time") (S41). The notification time is, for example, the time before the start of each match in the competition event. For example, the time when any one match in the competition event has finished, or the time when preparations for any one match in the competition event have been completed, are exemplified as notification times. The information generation unit 515 determines whether the notification time has come by, for example, referring to the status information Q. If the notification time has not come (S41: NO), the subsequent processing (S41 to S47) is not executed and the notification processing ends.

[0062] When the notification time arrives (S41: YES), the information generation unit 515 determines whether the match that will start immediately after the current time (hereinafter referred to as the "candidate match") is designated as a target for distribution (S42). Specifically, the information generation unit 515 determines whether the candidate match is a target for distribution by, for example, referring to the distribution information Yc of the candidate match in the progress information Y of the match information Z.

[0063] If the candidate match is eligible for distribution (S42:YES), the information generation unit 515 selects one of the multiple users U from whom the condition acquisition unit 514 has acquired condition information C (hereinafter referred to as "selected user U") (S43). The information generation unit 515 determines whether the candidate match satisfies the notification conditions represented by the selected user U's condition information C (S44).

[0064] For example, if condition information C specifies a first condition, the information generation unit 515 first refers to the attribute information Xa of each participant P represented by the opponent information Yb of the candidate match in the progress information Y. Then, the information generation unit 515 determines whether the attribute of any of the multiple participants P in the candidate match matches the attribute specified as the first condition. That is, it is determined whether or not a participant P with the attribute specified as the first condition will participate in the candidate match. If the result of the above determination is affirmative, the candidate match is determined to satisfy the notification condition.

[0065] If condition information C specifies a second condition, the information generation unit 515 first refers to the match type y2 represented by the candidate match relationship information Ya in the progress information Y. Then, the information generation unit 515 determines whether the match type y2 of the candidate match corresponds to the type specified as the second condition. If the result of the above determination is affirmative, the candidate match is determined to satisfy the notification condition.

[0066] If condition information C specifies a third condition, the information generation unit 515 first refers to the characteristic information Xb of each participant P represented by the opponent information Yb of the candidate match in the progress information Y. Then, the information generation unit 515 determines whether the character H specified by the characteristic information Xb for any of the multiple participants P of the candidate match corresponds to the character H specified as the third condition. In other words, it is determined whether or not a participant P who uses the character H specified as the third condition will participate in the candidate match. If the result of the above determination is affirmative, the candidate match is determined to satisfy the notification condition.

[0067] If a candidate match satisfies the notification conditions of the selecting user U (S44: YES), the information generation unit 515 generates notification information N (S45). The information transmission unit 516 transmits the notification information N generated by the information generation unit 515 to the distribution system 40 via the communication device 53 (S46). On the other hand, if a candidate match does not satisfy the notification conditions (S44: NO), the generation (S45) and transmission (S46) of notification information N are not performed. In other words, among the multiple matches designated as distribution targets by match information Z (distribution information Yc), notification information N is generated for target matches that correspond to the notification conditions.

[0068] If a candidate match does not qualify for distribution (S42: NO), the subsequent processing is not executed and the notification process ends. In other words, for candidate matches that do not qualify for distribution, the generation (S45) and transmission (S46) of notification information N are not performed, regardless of whether the notification conditions are met or not. As described above, the matches to which notification information N is transmitted due to the fulfillment of the notification conditions are limited to a portion of the matches in the match event that are designated as target for distribution. Therefore, compared to a configuration where all of the matches constituting the match event are subject to notification information N transmission, the transmission frequency of notification information N by the management system 50 can be limited to an appropriate range. Even if user U specifies notification conditions, if the candidate match corresponding to those notification conditions does not qualify for distribution, the start of that candidate match will not be notified to user U.

[0069] The information generation unit 515 determines whether the above processing (S43-S46) has been performed for all of the multiple users U from which the condition acquisition unit 514 has acquired condition information C (S47). If the processing has not been performed for all users U (S47: NO), the information generation unit 515 proceeds to step S43. That is, it newly selects the unselected users U from among the multiple users U (S43), and then performs the determination of whether the notification condition is met (S44), the generation of notification information N (S45), and transmission (S46). If the processing has been performed for all users U (S47: YES), the notification process is terminated. As illustrated above, when the notification time arrives, notification information N is transmitted for the match designated as the target of distribution, provided that the notification condition is met.

[0070] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating the detailed procedure of the processing performed by the control device 51 of the management system 50. Before the start of a match event, the control device 51 obtains initial match information Z from the control system 30 and saves the match information Z to the storage device 52 (S1). In other words, the control device 51 functions as an information management unit 512.

[0071] When a match event begins, the control device 51 functions as a status acquisition unit 511 to acquire status information Q from the management system 50 (S2). The control device 51 also functions as an information management unit 512 to update the match information Z according to the status information Q (S3).

[0072] The control device 51 performs the notification process illustrated in Figure 10. Specifically, the control device 51 generates notification information N to notify the user U of the start of a target match among multiple matches that satisfies the notification conditions represented by condition information C, according to the match information Z and the situation information Q (S41-S45). In other words, the control device 51 functions as an information generation unit 515. Then, the control device 51 transmits the notification information N by functioning as an information transmission unit 516 (S46).

[0073] When the notification process is executed, the control device 51 determines whether a predetermined termination condition has been met (S5). The termination condition is, for example, that the end of the match event is instructed, or that status information Q representing the end of all matches in the match event is obtained. If the termination condition is not met (S5: NO), the control device 51 moves the process to step S2. That is, in parallel with the progress of the match event, the update of match information Z according to the status information Q (S2, S3) and the notification process that generates and transmits notification information N (S4) are repeated. On the other hand, if the termination condition is met (S5: YES), the control device 51 terminates the process shown in Figure 11.

[0074] As described above, in the first embodiment, notification information N is transmitted to the user U to notify them of the start of a target match, using match information Z representing the relationships between multiple matches and situation information Q representing the progress of the match event. Therefore, the start of a target match can be notified to the user U with a simpler process compared to, for example, a configuration that recognizes a scene desired by the viewer from a video by analyzing the video.

[0075] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the updated match information Z corresponding to the situation information Q is used to generate the notification information N. Therefore, compared to the form in which the match information Z is not updated, even when the situation of each match (e.g., opponent) changes according to the progress of the target event, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the target match desired by the user U has started.

[0076] In the first embodiment, image data Vb corresponding to the updated match information Z by the information management unit 512 is transmitted from the management system 50 to the control system 30. Therefore, the control system 30 can use the image data Vb corresponding to the match information Z, according to the progress of the match event, to generate the match event video G. Specifically, as illustrated above, the user U can be provided with the match event video G, which includes a match schedule Gb (e.g., a tournament bracket) corresponding to the match information Z. Furthermore, the management system 50 is a separate system from the control system 30. Therefore, the management system 50 can be shared among multiple control systems 30 used by different operators O for managing match events.

[0077] [Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of this disclosure will now be described. In each of the embodiments described below, elements whose function is the same as in the first embodiment will use the same reference numerals as in the description of the first embodiment, and their detailed descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0078] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the notification image Gn in the second embodiment. As illustrated in Figure 12, the location information Nb in the notification information N of the second embodiment includes playback information Nc. The playback information Nc is information that specifies the position on the time axis of the portion of the match event video G that corresponds to the target match desired by the user U. The position indicated by the playback information Nc means the position in the match event video G where playback by the terminal device 70 should begin. Although Figure 12 illustrates a form in which the location information Nb includes the playback information Nc, the playback information Nc may also be included in the notification information N as information separate from the location information Nb. That is, in the second embodiment, the notification information N includes the playback information Nc.

[0079] The information generation unit 515 generates notification information N, including playback information Nc, in the generation of notification information N (S45) of the notification processing. Specifically, the information generation unit 515 generates playback information Nc that specifies the most recent notification time. For example, the elapsed time from the start of distribution of the battle event video G to the most recent notification time is set in the playback information Nc. The notification information N generated by the above procedure is transmitted to the terminal device 70 via the distribution system 40, similar to the first embodiment. The notification image Gn corresponding to the notification information N is displayed on the display device 75.

[0080] When user U selects link L of the notification image Gn, the control device 71 transmits location information Nb corresponding to that link L to the distribution system 40. The distribution system 40 distributes the video data V of the battle event video G from the point indicated by the playback information Nc onwards to the requesting terminal device 70. Therefore, playback of the battle event video G by the terminal device 70 begins from the point indicated by the playback information Nc in the battle event video G.

[0081] The same effects as in the first embodiment are achieved in the second embodiment. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, since the notification information N includes playback information Nc, playback can be started from the portion of the match event video G corresponding to the target match. Therefore, even if a considerable amount of time has passed between the time the user U becomes aware of the start of the target match through the notification information N and the time when the user U actually starts playback of the match event video G, the user U can start playback of the match event video G from the point where the desired target match begins.

[0082] [Third Embodiment] Figure 13 is a block diagram illustrating a partial configuration of the information system 100 in the third embodiment. As illustrated in Figure 13, the information system 100 in the third embodiment comprises a distribution system 40a and a distribution system 40b. Distribution systems 40a and 40b are video distribution servers operated by different operators. In the third embodiment, terminal devices 70a and 70b are assumed. User Ua of terminal device 70a is a subscriber to the video distribution service provided by distribution system 40a. User Ub of terminal device 70b is a subscriber to the video distribution service provided by distribution system 40b.

[0083] The control system 30 transmits the video data V of the battle event video G to both the distribution system 40a and the distribution system 40b in parallel. The distribution system 40a distributes the video data V to the terminal device 70a. The distribution system 40b distributes the video data V to the terminal device 70b. As illustrated above, the terminal devices 70a and 70b can view the same battle event video G using different video distribution services.

[0084] The management system 50 transmits notification information N to both the distribution system 40a and the distribution system 40b. The notification information N transmitted to distribution system 40a is information indicating the location of the video data V in distribution system 40a. On the other hand, the notification information N transmitted to distribution system 40b is information indicating the location of the video data V in distribution system 40b. The notification message Na is common to both notification information Ns.

[0085] The distribution system 40a transmits notification information N to the terminal device 70a. The terminal device 70a uses the notification information N received from the distribution system 40a to display the notification image Gn. If user Ua selects link L for the notification image Gn, video data V is transmitted from the distribution system 40a to the terminal device 70a upon request from the terminal device 70a.

[0086] The distribution system 40b transmits notification information N to the terminal device 70b. The terminal device 70b uses the notification information N received from the distribution system 40b to display the notification image Gn. If user Ub selects link L for the notification image Gn, video data V is transmitted from the distribution system 40b to the terminal device 70b in response to a request from the terminal device 70a.

[0087] The same effects as in the first embodiment are achieved in the third embodiment. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, since video data V and notification information N are transmitted from each of the multiple distribution systems 40, it is possible to increase the total number of users U who can view the battle event video G. The configuration of the second embodiment, in which the notification information N includes playback information Nc, is also applied in the third embodiment.

[0088] [Fourth Embodiment] Figure 14 is a block diagram illustrating a partial configuration of the information system 100 in the fourth embodiment. As illustrated in Figure 14, the information system 100 in the fourth embodiment is configured by adding a transfer system 45 to the information system 100 in the first embodiment. The transfer system 45 is a computer system that transfers various types of information received from external devices to a target terminal device 70. For example, a mail server that transfers emails to the terminal device 70, or an SNS server that transfers direct messages using SNS to the terminal device 70, are examples of the transfer system 45.

[0089] The control system 30 transmits video data V of the battle event video G to the distribution system 40, similar to the first embodiment. On the other hand, the management system 50 transmits notification information N addressed to the terminal device 70 to the transfer system 45. The transfer system 45 transmits the notification information N to the terminal device 70. The control device 71 of the terminal device 70 uses the notification information N received from the transfer system 45 to display a notification image Gn on the display device 75. When the link L of the notification image Gn is selected, a request for video data V is transmitted from the terminal device 70 to the distribution system 40. The distribution system 40 distributes the video data V in response to the request from the terminal device 70, similar to the first embodiment.

[0090] The same effects as in the first embodiment are achieved in the fourth embodiment as well. The configuration of the second embodiment, in which the notification information N includes playback information Nc, is also applied in the fourth embodiment. As can be seen from the examples of the fourth embodiment, the source of video data V to the terminal device 70 and the source of notification information N to the terminal device 70 may be different. Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 15, the notification information N may be transmitted directly from the management system 50 to the terminal device 70.

[0091] [Differentiation] Each of the forms exemplified above can be modified in various ways. Specific examples of modifications that can be applied to each of the aforementioned forms are given below. Two or more forms arbitrarily selected from the following examples may be merged to the extent that they do not contradict each other.

[0092] (1) In each of the above-described configurations, the video data V and the notification information N are transmitted to a single terminal device 70. However, the destination of the video data V and the destination of the notification information N may be different. For example, the notification information N generated by the management system 50 may be transmitted to the terminal device 70, while the distribution system 40 transmits the video data V to a playback device separate from the terminal device 70. The playback device to which the video data V is transmitted may be, for example, an information device separate from the terminal device 70, or video equipment such as a television receiver.

[0093] (2) In the forms described above, a competitive game in which two participants P compete against each other was used as an example, but the total number of participants P competing in a competitive game is arbitrary. For example, multiple groups consisting of multiple participants P may compete against each other (i.e., a group match or a team match), or three or more participants P may each compete against each other in a competitive game. Multiple participants P in each group may each use different game terminals, or they may share one game terminal.

[0094] (3) In the above-described embodiments, an example was given in which the match information Z generated by the information generation unit 515 of the control system 30 is transmitted to the management system 50. However, it is not essential that the control system 30 generates the match information Z. For example, the information necessary for generating the match information Z may be transmitted from the control system 30 to the management system 50, and the information management unit 512 of the management system 50 may use this information to generate the initial match information Z.

[0095] (4) The information included in the match information Z is not limited to the information exemplified in each of the above forms. For example, the progress information Y may include the scheduled start time of each match (hereinafter referred to as the "scheduled start time"). The information management unit 512 updates the scheduled start time of each match according to the status information Q. If the status information Q indicates that the progress of the match event is ahead of schedule, the information management unit 512 changes the scheduled start time of each match to an earlier time. On the other hand, if the status information Q indicates that the progress of the match event is delayed, the information management unit 512 changes the scheduled start time of each match to a later time. The updated scheduled start times are displayed for each match in the match table Gb.

[0096] (5) In each of the above forms, notification information N was transmitted to the terminal device 70 when the candidate match satisfied the notification conditions. However, the fulfillment of the notification conditions is not required as a mandatory condition for the transmission of notification information N. For example, even if the candidate match does not satisfy the notification conditions, if the situation is close to satisfying the notification conditions, it may be considered that the notification conditions have been substantially fulfilled and notification information N may be transmitted. As can be understood from the above explanation, the match whose start is notified to the user U by notification information N is comprehensively represented as the match among the multiple matches of the match event that corresponds to the notification conditions represented by condition information C. The match that corresponds to the notification conditions includes not only the match that satisfies the notification conditions, but also the match that can be considered equivalent to satisfying the notification conditions.

[0097] (6) In each of the above forms, examples were given in which the distribution information Yc for each match is set before the start of the battle event. However, the matches to be distributed by the battle event video G may be changed at any time in conjunction with the progress of the target event. For example, in the initial stage before the start of the battle event, if a particular participant P is determined to advance to that match as the battle event progresses, the information management unit 512 may change the distribution information Yc for that match to a value corresponding to the target for distribution. The conditions for selecting matches to be distributed (hereinafter referred to as "distribution conditions") are arbitrary, but for example, the same conditions as the notification conditions described above may be exemplified as distribution conditions. That is, depending on whether the first condition regarding participant P, the second condition regarding the type of match, or the third condition regarding the character H used in the battle game is met, the information management unit 512 sequentially selects matches to be distributed in parallel with the progress of the battle event.

[0098] (7) In each of the above forms, even if a candidate match satisfies the notification conditions, if the candidate match does not qualify as a target for distribution, notification information N will not be generated. As described above, if a match that satisfies the notification conditions specified by user U does not qualify as a target for distribution, user U may be notified that it does not qualify as a target for distribution. For example, the information generation unit 515 generates notification information N indicating that it does not qualify as a target for distribution.

[0099] (8) In each of the above embodiments, the control system 30 and the management system 50 were illustrated as separate systems, but the functions of the control system 30 and the management system 50 may be implemented by a single system. Also, the function of the distribution system 40 that distributes video data V may be incorporated into the control system 30 or the management system 50. Similarly, the function of the transfer system 45 illustrated in Figure 14 may also be incorporated into the control system 30 or the management system 50.

[0100] (9) In the above-described forms, examples were given in which the competition event proceeds in a tournament format, but the format of the competition event is not limited to these examples. For example, the competition event may proceed in a league format in which multiple participants P play each other in a round-robin format. Even when the competition event proceeds in a league format, as in the above-described forms, the progress information Y of the match information Z represents the substantive or temporal relationship between multiple matches. The information management unit 512 updates the progress information Y according to the status information Q. Specifically, the result of each match represented by the progress information Y is updated according to the status information Q.

[0101] (10) In each of the above-described forms, an example was given in which user U selectively specifies one of the first to third conditions as a notification condition, but a form in which user U can specify multiple conditions as notification conditions is also conceivable. The information generation unit 515 generates notification information N when the candidate match satisfies all of the multiple conditions specified by user U. That is, user U is notified of the start of a target match that satisfies all of the conditions specified by user U. However, the information generation unit 515 may generate notification information N when the candidate match satisfies any of the multiple conditions specified by user U. That is, user U is notified of the start of a target match that satisfies at least one of the multiple conditions specified by user U. A form in which user U can specify only one type of notification condition (for example, only the first condition) is also conceivable.

[0102] (11) In each of the above embodiments, the notification information N (notification message Na) displayed on the display device 75 of the terminal device 70 was given as an example, but the form of the notification information N is not limited to the above examples. For example, the information generation unit 515 may generate notification information N that represents the sound played by the sound output device 76 of the terminal device 70. That is, the start of the target match may be notified to the user U by either displaying an image or playing an audio. The start of the target match may also be notified to the user U by both displaying an image and playing an audio.

[0103] (12) In the above-mentioned forms, examples were given of cases in which multiple participants P compete in a fighting game, but the type of game is not limited to fighting games. For example, any game in which multiple participants P compete against each other may be played in a competitive event, such as a competitive game in which multiple participants P compete in various sports, or a racing game in which multiple participants P compete in a race.

[0104] (13) The functions of the control system 30 according to each of the above-described forms are realized through the cooperation of one or more processors (control devices 31) and a program. Similarly, the functions of the management system 50 according to each of the above-described forms are realized through the cooperation of one or more processors (control devices 51) and a program.

[0105] The programs exemplified above can be provided in a form stored on a computer-readable recording medium and installed on the computer. The recording medium is, for example, a non-transitory recording medium, such as an optical recording medium (optical disc) like a CD-ROM, but it also includes any known form of recording medium such as a semiconductor recording medium or a magnetic recording medium. Note that a non-transitory recording medium includes any recording medium except for transient propagation signals, and volatile recording media are not excluded. Furthermore, in a configuration in which a distribution device distributes programs via a communication network, the storage device that stores the program in the distribution device corresponds to the aforementioned non-transitory recording medium.

[0106] [Note] From the above description, preferred embodiments of the present invention can be understood, for example, as follows. For the sake of ease of understanding each embodiment, the reference numerals in the drawings are conveniently included in parentheses below, but this does not mean that the present invention is limited to the illustrated embodiments.

[0107] [Note 1] A management system (50) according to one aspect of the present invention (Appendix 1) is a management system (50) that manages a competitive event in which multiple participants (P) compete in a competitive game in each of multiple matches, in parallel with the distribution of a video (G) related to the competitive event, and comprises an information management unit (512) that manages match information (Z) representing the relationships between the multiple matches, a status acquisition unit (511) that acquires status information (Q) representing the progress of the competitive event, a condition acquisition unit (514) that acquires condition information (C) representing the conditions of the match that a user (U) wishes to watch, an information generation unit (515) that generates notification information (N) to notify the user (U) of the start of a target match corresponding to the conditions represented by the condition information (C) among the multiple matches, according to the match information (Z) and the status information (Q), and an information transmission unit (516) that transmits the notification information (N).

[0108] In the above embodiment, notification information (N) is transmitted to inform the user (U) of the start of the target match, using match information (Z) representing the relationships between multiple matches and situation information (Q) representing the progress of the competitive event. Therefore, the start of the target match can be notified to the user (U) with a simpler process compared to, for example, a configuration in which a viewer's desired scene from a video is recognized by analyzing the video.

[0109] A "competition event" is a game event consisting of multiple matches. In each of the matches, multiple participants (P) compete against each other in a competitive game. The format of the competition event (the relationship between the multiple matches) is arbitrary. For example, the multiple matches may be conducted in a tournament format (elimination format), or in a league format (round-robin format). Each of the multiple matches may be conducted in parallel or sequentially.

[0110] "Match Information (Z)" is data in any format that represents the relationships between multiple matches. "Relationships between multiple matches" can be, for example, temporal or substantive relationships between multiple matches. For example, temporal relationships between multiple matches can be, for example, the temporal order of each match, or relationships where two or more matches are run in parallel. "Match Information (Z)" representing the temporal relationships between each match can be, for example, data specifying the order of each match (match 1, match 2, etc.), data specifying the type of match (e.g., semi-final, final), or data specifying the scheduled start time for each match. Substantive relationships between multiple matches can be, for example, relationships where the result of one match affects other matches. For example, a substantive relationship could be the relationship between the participants (P) in each match, such as the winner of match 1 and the winner of match 2 playing against each other in match 3. "Match Information (Z)" representing the substantive relationships between each match can be, for example, data specifying the number of participants (P) in each match, or data specifying the type of match (e.g., semi-final, final).

[0111] "Status information (Q)" is data in any format that represents the progress of a competitive event. For example, data representing the completion of one or more matches in a competitive event is a typical example of status information (Q). In addition, in formats such as the tournament format mentioned above, where the participants (P) in other matches are determined by the results of each match, the results of each match (winner or loser) may be specified by the status information (Q).

[0112] A user (U) is someone who can view the video (G) of the battle event (battle event video). The method by which a user (U) views the battle event video (G) is at the user's discretion. For example, information devices such as smartphones or tablet devices, or video equipment such as television sets, may be used to view the battle event video (G).

[0113] The "conditions" for the matches that a user (U) wishes to watch are arbitrary items that serve as restrictions for selecting some matches from a group of matches. For example, various conditions such as (1) conditions regarding participants (P), (2) conditions regarding the type of match, and (3) conditions regarding the characters (H) used in the game are specified by the condition information (C).

[0114] (1) Conditions regarding participants (P) are specified by various attributes (e.g., place of origin, age, gender, affiliated organization, etc.) in addition to the name of a specific participant (P). (2) Conditions regarding the type of match are specified by the type, such as semi-final or final. In addition, in a format in which multiple matches are held in a league format, the condition that a match is important in affecting the overall result of the competitive event may be specified by condition information (C). For example, a match between participants (P) who are provisionally ranked higher (e.g., 1st place, 2nd place) towards the end of the competitive event may be specified by condition information (C). (3) Conditions regarding the characters (H) used in the competitive game are specified by condition information (C) regarding the characters (H) actually used in the match in a competitive game in which multiple types of characters (H) are selectively used.

[0115] The specific method by which the information generation unit (515) generates the notification information (N) is arbitrary. For example, the information generation unit (515) determines whether the conditions specified by the condition information (C) are met for a match among the multiple matches specified by the match information (Z) that corresponds to the progress status represented by the situation information (Q) (for example, the match to be executed immediately afterward), and generates the notification information (N) if the conditions are met.

[0116] "Notification information (N)" is data in any format used to notify users (U) of the start of the target match. Typical examples of notification information (N) include data representing a notification message indicating the start of the target match, or data representing audio indicating the start of the target match. Notification information (N) may also include location information (e.g., URL) indicating the location of video data (V) representing a video (G) of the target match.

[0117] The "Notification Information (N)" may be transmitted to a viewing device (e.g., an information device or video device) used by a user (U) to view a video (G) of the target match, or it may be transmitted to a device separate from the viewing device used by the user (U) to view the video (G) of the target match. Furthermore, the "Notification Information (N)" may be transmitted directly from the management system (50) to the user's (U) viewing device, or it may be transmitted indirectly to the user's (U) viewing device via an external system. The external system may be, for example, a distribution system that distributes match event videos (G), or an information system that provides various information services such as email or SNS (Social Networking Service).

[0118] It is not necessary for videos (G) to be streamed for all matches of the target event. For example, videos (G) may be streamed selectively for one or more matches that are of particular interest among multiple matches. Therefore, it is possible that videos (G) may not actually be streamed for matches that a user (U) wishes to watch among multiple matches. If a target match is not included in the streaming, the transmission of streaming information for that match may be omitted, or a message indicating that videos (G) will not be streamed for that match may be sent as notification information (N).

[0119] [Note 2] In the specific example of Appendix 1 (Appendix 2), the match information (Z) specifies one or more matches from the multiple matches that are subject to video (G) distribution, and the target match is one or more matches that correspond to the condition represented by the condition information (C). According to the above configuration, the matches to which notification information (N) is transmitted upon fulfillment of the condition are limited to two or more matches from the multiple matches that are subject to video (G) distribution. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which all of the multiple matches constituting the competitive event are subject to notification information (N) transmission, the frequency of transmission of notification information (N) can be limited to an appropriate range.

[0120] The criteria for selecting one or more matches from multiple matches in a competitive event to be included in the video (G) distribution are arbitrary. For example, as illustrated above, two or more matches that satisfy various conditions such as (1) conditions regarding participants (P), (2) conditions regarding the type of match, and (3) conditions regarding the characters (H) used in the competitive game may be selected from multiple matches.

[0121] [Note 3] In the specific examples of Appendix 1 or Appendix 2 (Appendix 3), the notification information (N) includes location information representing the location of the video (G) of the battle event. According to the above embodiment, a user (U) who has obtained the notification information (N) can quickly and easily start watching the battle event video (G) using the location information. "Location information" is, for example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) representing the location of the video data (V) representing the battle event video (G).

[0122] [Note 4] In any specific example of Appendix 1 to Appendix 3 (Appendix 4), the notification information (N) includes playback information that specifies the position of the portion of the video of the match event (G) corresponding to the target match. According to the above embodiment, the user (U) can use the playback information to start playback of the match event video (G) from the portion corresponding to the target match. Therefore, even if time has passed between the time the user (U) becomes aware of the start of the target match through the notification information (N) and the time the user (U) actually starts playback of the match event video (G), the user (U) can start playback of the match event video (G) from the position where the desired target match begins.

[0123] [Note 5] In any specific example from Appendix 1 to Appendix 4 (Appendix 5), the information management unit (512) updates the match information (Z) according to the status information (Q), and the information generation unit (515) generates the notification information (N) according to the match information (Z) updated by the information management unit (512). According to the above configuration, the updated match information (Z) according to the status information (Q) is used to generate the notification information (N). Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the match information (Z) is not updated, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the target match has started.

[0124] Match information (Z) updates include, for example, updating the participants (P) competing in each match, or updating the scheduled start time for each match. For example, in a tournament-style competition, the participant (P) who wins each match will be set as the participant (P) for the next higher-level match.

[0125] [Note 6] The management system (50) relating to any specific example (Appendix 6) of Appendix 1 to Appendix 5 further comprises an image generation unit (513) that generates image data (Vb) representing an image corresponding to the updated match information (Z) by the information management unit (512) and transmits the image data (Vb) to a control system (30) that generates video data (V) representing a video (G) of the match event. In the above embodiment, the image data (Vb) corresponding to the updated match information (Z) by the information management unit (512) is transmitted to the control system (30). Therefore, the image data (Vb) corresponding to the match information (Z) according to the progress of the match event can be used by the control system (30) to generate video data (V) of the match event video (G). For example, video data (V) of a video (G) including an image (e.g., a tournament bracket) corresponding to the match information (Z) can be provided to the user (U). Furthermore, the management system (50) is a separate system from the control system (30). Therefore, the management system (50) can be shared among multiple control systems (30) used by different operators for managing competitive events.

[0126] The image corresponding to the match information (Z) is a chart that reflects the results of the matches, such as a tournament bracket or league table. For example, in a tournament bracket, the winner of each match is updated as the participant (P) for the next match, and in a league table, the win-loss record is updated for each combination of participants (P).

[0127] [Note 7] In any specific example from Appendix 1 to Appendix 6 (Appendix 7), the conditions represented by the condition information (C) include conditions relating to the participants (P) in the aforementioned battle event. According to the above configuration, the user (U) can grasp the start of a match in which a participant (P) who satisfies specific conditions is participating. Therefore, the possibility of the user (U) missing the portion of the battle event video (G) in which a match featuring the desired participant (P) is unfolding is reduced.

[0128] [Note 8] In any specific example from Appendix 1 to Appendix 7 (Appendix 8), the conditions represented by the condition information (C) include conditions relating to the type of match. According to the above configuration, the user (U) can grasp the start of a match belonging to a specific type. Therefore, the possibility of the user (U) missing the portion of the match event video (G) in which a match belonging to a desired type (e.g., semi-finals, finals, etc.) is played is reduced.

[0129] [Note 9] In any specific example from Appendix 1 to Appendix 8 (Appendix 9), the conditions represented by the condition information (C) include conditions relating to the character (H) used in the competitive game. According to the above embodiment, the user (U) can be aware of the start of a match in which a character (H) that satisfies specific conditions is used. Therefore, the possibility of the user (U) missing a video (G) of a match in which a specific character (H) is used is reduced.

[0130] [Note 10] A management method relating to another aspect of this disclosure (Appendix 10) is a method for managing a competitive event in which multiple participants (P) compete in a competitive game in each of multiple matches, in parallel with the distribution of a video (G) related to the competitive event, the method comprising: managing match information (Z) representing the relationships between the multiple matches; acquiring status information (Q) representing the progress of the competitive event; acquiring condition information (C) representing the conditions of the matches that a user (U) wishes to watch; generating notification information (N) to notify the user (U) of the start of a target match corresponding to the conditions represented by the condition information (C) among the multiple matches, according to the match information (Z) and the status information (Q), and transmitting the notification information (N). The order of "setting the match information (Z)", "acquiring the status information (Q)", and "acquiring the condition information (C)" is arbitrary.

[0131] [Note 11] A program relating to another aspect of this disclosure (Appendix 11) causes a computer system to function as an information management unit (512) for managing match information (Z) representing the relationships between multiple matches, a status acquisition unit (511) for acquiring status information (Q) representing the progress of the match event, a condition acquisition unit (514) for acquiring condition information (C) representing the conditions of the matches that a user (U) wishes to watch, an information generation unit (515) for generating notification information (N) to notify the user (U) of the start of a target match corresponding to the conditions represented by the condition information (C) among the multiple matches, according to the match information (Z) and the status information (Q), and an information transmission unit (516) for transmitting the notification information (N). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0132] 100... Information system, 10... Game system, 20... Game server, 30... Control system, 31, 51, 71... Control device, 32, 52, 72... Memory device, 33, 53, 73... Communication device, 34, 74... Operation device, 35, 75... Display device, 311... Information generation unit, 312... Progress processing unit, 313... Video generation unit, 40, 40a, 40b... Distribution system, 50... Management system, 511... Status acquisition unit, 512... Information management unit, 513... Image generation unit, 514... Condition acquisition unit, 515... Information generation unit, 516... Information transmission unit, 70, 70a, 70b... Terminal device, 76... Sound emission device.

Claims

1. A management system for managing a competitive event in which multiple participants compete in a game in each of multiple matches, in parallel with the distribution of videos related to the competitive event, An information management unit that manages match information representing the relationships between the aforementioned multiple matches, A status acquisition unit that acquires status information representing the progress of the aforementioned battle event, A condition acquisition unit that acquires condition information representing the conditions for the match that the user wishes to watch, An information generation unit generates notification information to notify the user of the start of a target match corresponding to the conditions represented by the condition information among the plurality of matches, according to the match information and the status information. Information transmission unit that transmits the aforementioned notification information and It is equipped with, The aforementioned match information designates some of the aforementioned matches as targets for video distribution, and designates the other matches of the aforementioned matches as targets for video distribution. The aforementioned target matches are those matches among the aforementioned partial matches that correspond to the conditions represented by the aforementioned condition information, The matches designated as eligible for distribution in the aforementioned match information will change in conjunction with the progress of the aforementioned match event. Management system.

2. The aforementioned notification information includes location information indicating the location of the video of the aforementioned battle event. The management system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned notification information includes playback information that specifies the position of the portion of the video of the aforementioned match event that corresponds to the aforementioned match. A management system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The aforementioned information management unit updates the match information according to the status information, The information generation unit generates the notification information according to the match information updated by the information management unit. A management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Image generation unit generates image data representing images corresponding to the updated match information by the Information Management Unit, and transmits the image data to a control system that generates video data representing the video of the match event. A management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising the above.

6. The conditions represented by the aforementioned condition information include conditions relating to the participants of the aforementioned competition event. A management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The conditions represented by the aforementioned conditional information include conditions related to the type of match. A management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The conditions represented by the aforementioned condition information include conditions relating to the characters used in the aforementioned battle game. A management system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. This system manages a competitive event in which multiple participants compete in a game across multiple matches, while simultaneously distributing videos related to that event. A management method implemented by a computer system, The system manages match information that represents the relationships between the aforementioned multiple matches, Obtain status information representing the progress of the aforementioned battle event, The system retrieves conditional information that represents the conditions for the match the user wishes to watch. Notification information for informing the user of the start of a target match corresponding to the condition information represented by the condition information among the multiple matches is generated according to the match information and the status information. The aforementioned notification information is transmitted, The aforementioned match information designates some of the aforementioned matches as targets for video distribution, and designates the other matches of the aforementioned matches as targets for video distribution. The aforementioned target matches are those matches among the aforementioned partial matches that correspond to the conditions represented by the aforementioned condition information, The matches designated as eligible for distribution in the aforementioned match information will change in conjunction with the progress of the aforementioned match event. Management method.

10. In order to manage a competitive event in which multiple participants compete in a game in each of multiple matches, while simultaneously streaming video related to the event, a computer system is used. Information Management Department, which manages match information representing the relationships between the aforementioned multiple matches, A status acquisition unit that acquires status information representing the progress of the aforementioned battle event. A condition acquisition unit that acquires condition information representing the conditions for the match that the user wishes to watch. An information generation unit generates notification information to inform the user of the start of a target match corresponding to the condition information represented by the condition information among the plurality of matches, according to the match information and the status information, and Information transmission unit that transmits the aforementioned notification information, It is a program that makes it function as such. The aforementioned match information designates some of the aforementioned matches as targets for video distribution, and designates the other matches of the aforementioned matches as targets for video distribution. The aforementioned target matches are those matches among the aforementioned partial matches that correspond to the conditions represented by the aforementioned condition information, The matches designated as eligible for distribution in the aforementioned match information will change in conjunction with the progress of the aforementioned match event. program.

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