Distribution system and server

Abstract

A server (10): distributes a video captured by a distributor terminal (20) to a viewer terminal (30) via a network in real time; receives, from the viewer terminal (30), a request of a viewer of the viewer terminal (30) with respect to the video; generates request information that is information indicating the request of the viewer on the basis of the received request; transmits the generated request information to the distributor terminal (20) transmitting video data of the video being requested; acquires, from the distributor terminal (20), consent information indicating that a distributor carrying the distributor terminal (20) has accommodated the request; records the distributor's result of accommodating the request on the basis of the acquired consent information; and determines a reward amount for the distributor on the basis of the recorded result.

Description

Distribution system and server

[0001] The present invention relates to a distribution system and a server.

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a location disclosure system that allows owners of multiple surveillance cameras to access a server from a setting terminal and change the settings of the footage from their surveillance cameras to make it public or private as they wish.

[0003] The location disclosure system of Patent Document 1 includes a viewing user terminal that allows a user to access a location disclosure server via a network and request video information of a desired location. When a viewing user requests video information of a desired location, the location disclosure server identifies a surveillance camera installed at or near the viewing user's desired location, and if the surveillance camera is public, transmits the video information of the surveillance camera to the viewing user terminal.

[0004] JP 2014-62421 A

[0005] In the location disclosure system of Patent Document 1, the location disclosure server is equipped with a billing means for accumulating royalties to surveillance camera owners according to the performance of providing information to viewing users. However, the location disclosure system of Patent Document 1 does not have a means for conveying the requests of viewing users to the surveillance camera owners. As a result, the surveillance camera owners are unable to obtain more royalties by understanding and responding to the requests of viewing users.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide a distribution system and server that can grasp the needs of viewers and return more profits to distributors who respond to the needs of viewers.

[0007] A distribution system according to one embodiment includes a distributor terminal having an imaging unit and transmitting video data of video captured by the imaging unit, a viewer terminal transmitting viewer requests regarding the video, and a server that distributes the video to the viewer terminal in real time, receives the viewer requests regarding the video from the viewer terminal, generates request information indicating the viewer requests based on the received requests, and transmits the generated request information to the distributor terminal transmitting the video data of the video that is the subject of the request. The server acquires consent information from the distributor terminal indicating that the distributor owning the distributor terminal has complied with the request, records the distributor's performance in complying with the request based on the acquired consent information, and determines a remuneration amount for the distributor based on the recorded performance.

[0008] A server according to one embodiment includes a processor and a memory containing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the following processes: distributing video captured by a distributor terminal to a viewer terminal via a network in real time, receiving from the viewer terminal a request from the viewer regarding the video, generating request information indicating the viewer's request based on the received request, transmitting the generated request information to the distributor terminal that is transmitting video data of the video that is the subject of the request, obtaining from the distributor terminal consent information indicating that the distributor possessing the distributor terminal has complied with the request, recording the distributor's compliance with the request based on the obtained consent information, and determining a remuneration amount for the distributor based on the recorded compliance.

[0009] A multi-angle distribution system according to one embodiment distributes, in real time, video based on multiple pieces of video data obtained by filming the same scene from multiple different viewpoints. The multi-angle distribution system includes: multiple distributor terminals each having an imaging unit and transmitting video data captured by the imaging unit; a viewer terminal each transmitting viewer requests for a first video captured from a specific viewpoint among the multiple viewpoints; and a server that distributes the first video in real time, receives each of the viewer requests for the first video, aggregates the received viewer requests, generates representative request information representing the viewer requests based on the aggregated viewer requests, and transmits the generated request information to a first distributor terminal transmitting the first video data for the first video. The server acquires, from the first distributor terminal, consent information indicating that a first distributor possessing the first distributor terminal has responded to the viewer requests, records the first distributor's performance in responding to the viewer requests based on the acquired consent information, and determines a remuneration for the first distributor based on the performance.

[0010] According to one embodiment, a server distributes, in real time, video based on multiple video data obtained by filming the same scene from multiple different viewpoints. The server includes: a distribution unit that distributes the video data via a network; a compilation unit that compiles requests from each viewer for a first video captured from a specific viewpoint among the multiple viewpoints; a transmission unit that generates request information representing the viewer's requests based on the compilation of the requests from each viewer and transmits the generated request information to a first broadcaster terminal that is transmitting the first video data of the first video; a recording unit that acquires, from the first broadcaster terminal, consent information indicating that a first broadcaster possessing the first broadcaster terminal has complied with the viewer's requests and records the first broadcaster's performance in complying with the viewer's requests based on the acquired consent information; and a determination unit that determines a remuneration amount for the first broadcaster based on the performance.

[0011] According to the above configuration, it is possible to grasp the needs of viewers and return more profits to distributors who respond to the needs of viewers.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a multi-angle distribution system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a distributor terminal included in the multi-angle distribution system according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a viewer terminal included in the multi-angle distribution system according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server included in the multi-angle distribution system according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram explaining the functions of the server, distributor terminal, and viewer terminal included in the multi-angle distribution system according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a desired movement direction displayed on the operation display unit of the distributor terminal.

[0013] A multi-angle distribution system (distribution system) 1 according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are given the same reference numerals and the description will be omitted.

[0014] (Example of Overall Configuration of a Multi-Angle Distribution System) The multi-angle distribution system 1 according to this embodiment is a system that distributes, in real time, video based on multiple video data obtained by filming the same scene from multiple different viewpoints at a location such as a live music venue. The multi-angle distribution system 1 distributes, in real time, video from multiple different viewpoints that was filmed by multiple distributors at the same live music venue, for example, using distributor terminals 20 each owned by the distributor. As a result, the multi-angle distribution system 1 provides a service that allows multiple remote viewers to view video that they have freely selected from the video from multiple viewpoints using their own viewer terminals 30.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-angle distribution system 1 includes a server 10, multiple distributor terminals 20, viewer terminals 30, and a communication network (hereinafter simply referred to as the network) 40. The network 40 may be, for example, the Internet. The network 40 may utilize a mobile communication function such as 4G / LTE or 5G. Note that the number of distributor terminals 20 and viewer terminals 30 is not particularly limited. When there is only one distributor terminal 20, the multi-angle distribution system 1 may be simply referred to as the distribution system 1.

[0016] (Configuration Example of Distributor Terminal) An example configuration of the distributor terminal 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 . The distributor terminal 20 is a computer used by a distributor. The distributor terminal 20 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a wearable terminal (e.g., a head-mounted display, smart glasses, etc.). The distributor terminal 20 has a communication unit 21, a memory unit 22, an imaging unit 23, a control unit 24, an operation display unit 25, and a sensor 26. The distributor terminal 20 has a function of transmitting video data of video captured by the imaging unit 23 to the server 10 in real time via the network 40.

[0017] The communication unit 21 is implemented as hardware such as a network adapter, various communication software, or a combination thereof, and is realized by a communication device configured to realize wireless or wired communication via a network 40 or the like. The communication unit 21 has functions as an input unit and an output unit for transmitting and receiving data. Note that the communication unit 21 may be, for example, a device equipped with a mobile communication function such as 4G / LTE, or a device equipped with a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication function.

[0018] The communication unit 21 communicates with the server 10 via the network 40. The communication unit 21 receives predetermined data from the server 10 and transmits predetermined data to the server 10.

[0019] The storage unit 22 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. The storage unit 22 stores video data of the video captured by the imaging unit 23.

[0020] The imaging unit 23 has an imaging element such as a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) or a charge-coupled device (CCD).

[0021] The operation display unit 25 displays information necessary for the broadcaster who owns the broadcaster terminal 20 to operate the broadcaster terminal 20 and accepts input operations from the broadcaster who owns the broadcaster terminal 20. For example, the operation display unit 25 can be a touch panel that allows input operations to be performed according to information displayed on the display unit. Note that the operation display unit 25 may be configured so that the operation unit that accepts input operations from the broadcaster and the display unit that displays information necessary for the broadcaster's operation are separate units. The operation display unit 25 is connected to the control unit 24, and the information accepted by the operation display unit 25 is sent to the control unit 24.

[0022] The sensor 26 is, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, etc. The sensor 26 is connected to the control unit 24, and information detected by the sensor 26, such as position information, acceleration information, angular velocity information, etc., is transmitted to the control unit 24.

[0023] The control unit 24 is a microcomputer mainly composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, and an input / output interface. A predetermined computer program is installed in the control unit 24. The control unit 24 executes the computer program to realize various functions of the distributor terminal 20.

[0024] The control unit 24 transmits the video data stored in the storage unit 22 to the server 10 in real time via the network 40. Note that the control unit 24 may also obtain the video data of the video captured by the imaging unit 23 directly from the imaging unit 23 and transmit the data to the server 10 in real time via the network 40.

[0025] The control unit 24 displays request information, which is representative information indicating a viewer's request to the broadcaster terminal 20, received from the server 10 (described later), on the operation display unit 25. The control unit 24 transmits consent information, which is information indicating that a broadcaster possessing the broadcaster terminal 20 (described later) has complied with the viewer's request received from the server 10, to the server 10 via the network 40. Specific examples of the request information and consent information will be described later with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0026] (Configuration Example of Viewer Terminal) An example configuration of the viewer terminal 30 will be described with reference to Figure 3. The viewer terminal 30 is a computer used by a viewer. The viewer terminal 30 is, for example, a terminal device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable terminal (e.g., a head-mounted display, smart glasses, etc.), or a laptop-type personal computer. The viewer terminal 30 has a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, and an operation display unit 33. The viewer terminal 30 has a function of transmitting to the server 10 a viewer's request regarding a certain first video captured from a specific viewpoint that is being viewed by the viewer holding the viewer terminal 30.

[0027] The communication unit 31 has a configuration similar to that of the communication unit 21, and communicates with the server 10 via the network 40. The communication unit 31 receives predetermined data from the server 10 and transmits predetermined data to the server 10.

[0028] The operation display unit 33 displays the video data obtained from the server 10 and accepts input operations from the viewer carrying the viewer terminal 30. For example, the operation display unit 33 may be a touch panel that allows the viewer to perform input operations. Note that the operation display unit 33 may be configured so that the operation unit that accepts input operations from the viewer and the display unit that displays the first video are separate entities. The operation display unit 33 is connected to the control unit 32, and information accepted by the operation display unit 33 is transmitted to the control unit 32.

[0029] The control unit 32 is a microcomputer mainly composed of a CPU, memory, and an input / output interface. A predetermined computer program is installed in the control unit 32. The control unit 32 executes the computer program to realize various functions of the viewer terminal 30.

[0030] The control unit 32 acquires in real time via the network 40 each piece of video data of a plurality of videos of the same scene shot from a plurality of different viewpoints, which is distributed from the server 10. The control unit 32 displays the video data acquired from the server 10 on the operation and display unit 33. The control unit 32 displays, on the operation and display unit 33, the video data of a video selected by a viewer via the operation and display unit 33, from each piece of video data of a plurality of videos of the same scene shot from a plurality of different viewpoints. The control unit 32 may acquire the video data selected by the viewer from the plurality of video data distributed from the server 10 and display it on the operation and display unit 33.

[0031] When the operation display unit 33 receives a request from the viewer regarding the first video that the viewer is viewing, the control unit 32 transmits information indicating the viewer's request to the server 10 via the network 40. A specific example of the information indicating the viewer's request will be described later with reference to FIG. 5 .

[0032] (Server Configuration Example) An example of the configuration of the server 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The server 10 is configured to be able to communicate with each of the multiple distributor terminals 20 and viewer terminals 30 via the network 40. In the description of this embodiment, the operation of the server 10 will be described as an example when a first distributor terminal 20A, among the multiple distributor terminals 20, is transmitting first video data of a first video to multiple viewer terminals 30.

[0033] The server 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, a video data distribution unit (distribution unit) 13, and a refund amount determination unit 14. In this embodiment, the video data distribution unit 13 and the refund amount determination unit 14 are included in the same server 10, but the video data distribution unit 13 and the refund amount determination unit 14 may be configured as independent servers. Alternatively, the video data distribution unit 13 and the refund amount determination unit 14 may be configured as an integrated unit.

[0034] The communication unit 11 has a configuration similar to that of the communication units 21 and 31, and communicates with the distributor terminal 20 and the viewer terminal 30 via the network 40. The communication unit 11 receives predetermined data from the distributor terminal 20 and the viewer terminal 30, and transmits predetermined data to the distributor terminal 20 and the viewer terminal 30.

[0035] The storage unit 12 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. The storage unit 12 stores the video data, which is obtained by shooting the same scene from multiple different viewpoints and which the communication unit 11 receives from each distributor terminal 20 via the network 40, in association with an identification ID (Identification) that is information for identifying each distributor terminal 20.

[0036] The video data distribution unit 13 is, for example, a microcomputer mainly composed of a CPU, memory, and input / output interface. The CPU reads various computer programs stored in the memory or the like and executes various commands contained in the programs. By executing the programs, the CPU functions as the video data distribution unit 13. The video data distribution unit 13 distributes each piece of video data stored in the storage unit 12 to the viewer terminal 30 in real time via the network 40. The specific configuration of the video data distribution unit 13 is similar to that of a known multi-angle distribution system, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0037] The rebate amount determination unit 14 is a microcomputer mainly composed of a CPU, memory, and an input / output interface. The CPU reads various computer programs stored in the memory and executes various commands included in the programs. By executing the programs, the CPU functions as multiple information processing circuits included in the rebate amount determination unit 14. The rebate amount determination unit 14 includes, as multiple information processing circuits, a travel request counting unit (counting unit) 141, a travel request information transmitting unit (transmitting unit) 142, an acceptance count recording unit (recording unit) 143, a viewing time recording unit 144, and a remuneration amount determination unit (determination unit) 145. Note that if the video data distribution unit 13 and the rebate amount determination unit 14 are configured integrally, a single CPU may function as the video data distribution unit 13 and the rebate amount determination unit 14 by executing the corresponding programs.

[0038] The travel desire counting unit 141 receives, via the network 40, requests from each viewer regarding the first video captured from a specific viewpoint and transmitted from the viewer terminal 30, and counts the received requests from each viewer. The travel desire information transmitting unit 142 generates request information, which is representative information indicating the viewer requests, based on the results of counting the requests from each viewer, and transmits the generated request information to the first distributor terminal 20A that is transmitting the first video data of the first video.

[0039] For example, in FIG. 5 , first to third viewer terminals 30A-30C are viewing a first video captured from a specific viewpoint by a first broadcaster terminal 20A. In FIG. 5 , the first viewer carrying the first viewer terminal 30A inputs a first desired movement direction 50A (leftward), which is the direction in which the first viewer wishes to move the viewpoint relative to the first video, via the operation display unit of the first viewer terminal 30A. The first viewer inputs the first desired movement direction 50A by, for example, swiping. Note that the "direction in which the viewer wishes to move the viewpoint" here may refer to a direction in which the viewer wishes to change the angle of the subject being filmed by the first broadcaster terminal 20A, or a direction in which the viewer wishes to move the direction in which the first broadcaster terminal 20A is filming (the subject itself). The viewer's request may include not only a request to move the viewpoint but also a request to zoom in or out of the viewpoint. For example, a desired amount of movement, which is the amount by which the viewer wishes to move the viewpoint, may be calculated according to the length of the swipe path, and the desired amount of movement may be included in the viewer's request.

[0040] A second viewer carrying second viewer terminal 30B inputs, via the operation / display unit of second viewer terminal 30B, a second desired movement direction 50B (rightward), which is the direction in which the second viewer wishes to move their viewpoint relative to the first video. A third viewer carrying third viewer terminal 30C inputs, via the operation / display unit of third viewer terminal 30C, a third desired movement direction 50C (leftward), which is the direction in which the third viewer wishes to move their viewpoint relative to the first video. Control unit 32 of each of first to third viewer terminals 30A to 30C transmits first to third desired movement directions 50A to 50C to server 10 via network 40.

[0041] At this time, the travel desire counting unit 141 of the server 10 receives the viewers' desired travel directions 50A to 50C for the first video from each of the first to third viewer terminals 30A to 30C via the network 40. Then, the travel desire counting unit 141 counts the received viewers' desired travel directions 50A to 50C for the first video.

[0042] The travel desire information transmitter 142 generates request information indicating the most frequently requested travel desire direction 60A (leftward) based on the results of aggregating the travel desire directions 50A-50C, and transmits the generated request information to the first broadcaster terminal 20A via the network 40. The first broadcaster terminal 20A receives the request information indicating the travel desire direction 60A from the travel desire information transmitter 142 of the server 10 via the network 40. The control unit 24 of the first broadcaster terminal 20A displays an arrow indicating the travel desire direction 60A received from the travel desire information transmitter 142 on the operation display unit 25A of the first broadcaster terminal 20A, as shown in FIG. 5 , for example.

[0043] When the requests of each viewer received from each viewer terminal 30A-30C include a desired movement amount, which is an amount by which the viewer wishes to move their viewpoint, along with the desired movement direction 50A-50C, the movement desire tabulation unit 141 of the server 10 may calculate a representative value (e.g., an average value) of the desired movement amounts received from each viewer terminal requesting the same direction as the desired movement direction included in the request information. In this case, the movement desire information transmitter 142 may include the representative value calculated by the movement desire tabulation unit 141 in the request information. In this case, the control unit 24 of the first broadcaster terminal 20A may set the length of the arrow indicating the desired movement direction 60A displayed on the operation display unit 25A to correspond to the representative value of the desired movement amount in the request information, or may display the desired movement amount in text (e.g., small or large).

[0044] Note that the travel desire information transmitter 142 may, for example, generate information listing the desired travel directions 50A-50C in ascending or descending order according to the frequency of requests based on the results of aggregating the desired travel directions 50A-50C, and transmit this information as request information to the first broadcaster terminal 20A. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the first broadcaster terminal 20A may display a list 70A on the operation display unit 25A of the first broadcaster terminal 20A, listing the desired travel directions 50A-50C received from the travel desire information transmitter 142 in ascending order according to the frequency of requests. In this way, the display format of the desired travel directions is not particularly limited.

[0045] The control unit 24 of the first broadcaster terminal 20A displays an arrow indicating the desired travel direction 60A on the operation display unit 25A, and then receives, via the operation display unit 25A, information that the first broadcaster carrying the first broadcaster terminal 20A has responded to the viewer's request. For example, in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 , the control unit 24 receives information that the first broadcaster has responded to the viewer's request when the first broadcaster touches the arrow indicating the desired travel direction 60A displayed on the operation display unit 25A. The first broadcaster terminal 20A is configured to allow the first broadcaster to select whether to respond to the viewer's request, and the method for receiving information that the first broadcaster has responded to the viewer's request is not particularly limited. The control unit 24 of the first broadcaster terminal 20A transmits, to the server 10 via the network 40, consent information indicating that the first broadcaster has responded to the viewer's request. At this time, the control unit 24 of the first broadcaster terminal 20A may transmit the consent information indicating that the first broadcaster has responded to the viewer's request together with an identification ID that identifies the broadcaster terminal.

[0046] 5, the control unit 24 of the first broadcaster terminal 20A may determine whether the viewpoint of the first video captured by the first broadcaster terminal 20A has moved in the desired movement direction 60A based on the position information, acceleration information, angular velocity information, etc. of the first broadcaster terminal 20A acquired from a sensor of the first broadcaster terminal 20A. The control unit 24 of the first broadcaster terminal 20A may also determine whether the viewpoint of the first video captured by the first broadcaster terminal 20A has moved in the desired movement direction 60A by performing image processing on the video data of the first video captured by the first broadcaster terminal 20A. In these cases, when the control unit 24 of the first broadcaster terminal 20A determines that the viewpoint of the first video has moved in the desired movement direction 60A, it transmits consent information to the server 10.

[0047] The acceptance count recording unit 143 of the server 10 acquires acceptance information from the first broadcaster terminal 20A, indicating that the first broadcaster who owns the first broadcaster terminal 20A has complied with viewer requests. Based on the acquired acceptance information, the acceptance count recording unit 143 records the first broadcaster's record of complying with viewer requests together with an ID. This ID associates the first broadcaster, the first broadcaster terminal 20A, and the record. The acceptance count recording unit 143 may, for example, record the number of times the first broadcaster complied with viewer requests as the first broadcaster's record of complying with viewer requests, or may record the rate or frequency at which the first broadcaster complied with viewer requests as the first broadcaster's record of complying with viewer requests.

[0048] The viewing time recording unit 144 records the cumulative viewing time for which the first video has been viewed. The cumulative viewing time here refers to the cumulative time for which the first video has been viewed by the viewer terminal 30 in the multi-angle distribution system 1. For example, in FIG. 5 , the cumulative viewing time is the sum of the cumulative times for which the first video has been viewed by each of the first to third viewer terminals 30A to 30C. That is, if the first video has been viewed for a cumulative 0.5 hour by the first viewer terminal 30A, a cumulative 1.0 hour by the second viewer terminal 30B, and a cumulative 1.5 hour by the third viewer terminal 30C, the cumulative viewing time for the first video is 0.5 + 1.0 + 1.5 = 3 hours.

[0049] The remuneration determination unit 145 determines the remuneration for the first broadcaster based on the first broadcaster's performance in responding to the viewer's request. Specifically, the remuneration determination unit 145 records the first broadcaster's performance in responding to the viewer's request based on consent information indicating that the first broadcaster has changed the angle of the subject being filmed by the first broadcaster terminal 20A or the direction in which the first broadcaster terminal 20A is filming in accordance with the desired movement direction 60A transmitted from the movement desire information transmission unit 142, and determines the remuneration for the first broadcaster based on the performance. Note that the remuneration determination unit 145 may also determine the remuneration for the first broadcaster based on the first broadcaster's performance in responding to the viewer's request and the cumulative viewing time for which the first video filmed by the first broadcaster has been viewed. The remuneration determination unit 145 determines the remuneration for the first broadcaster such that the more times the first broadcaster responds to the viewer's request and the longer the cumulative viewing time for the first video, the higher the remuneration for the first broadcaster.

[0050] (Operation and Effect) As described above, the multi-angle distribution system 1 includes a distributor terminal 20, a viewer terminal 30, and a server 10. The distributor terminal 20 has an imaging unit 23 and transmits video data of a video captured by the imaging unit 23. The viewer terminal 30 transmits viewer requests for a first video captured from a specific viewpoint among multiple viewpoints. The server 10 distributes the first video in real time, receives viewer requests for the first video, aggregates the received viewer requests, generates request information representing the viewer requests based on the aggregated viewer requests, and transmits the generated request information to the first distributor terminal 20A transmitting the first video data of the first video. The server 10 acquires consent information from the first distributor terminal 20A indicating that the first distributor possessing the first distributor terminal 20A has responded to the viewer requests, and records the first distributor's performance in responding to the viewer requests based on the acquired consent information. The server 10 determines a remuneration amount for the first distributor based on the performance.

[0051] The multi-angle distribution system 1 distributes, in real time, each of multiple video data sets of multiple videos of the same scene, each shot from a different viewpoint by multiple distributor terminals 20. The server 10 receives, from the viewer terminal 30, a viewer's request for a first video shot from a specific viewpoint, and transmits information indicating the received viewer's request to the first distributor terminal 20A that is transmitting the first video data of the first video. The first distributor terminal 20A displays the received viewer's request, allowing the first distributor to understand the viewer's request for the first video that the first distributor is shooting using the first distributor terminal 20A. If the first distributor responds to the viewer's request, and the viewer watches the first video of the first distributor for an increased amount of time and frequency, the server 10 increases the amount of compensation paid to the first distributor. This allows the multi-angle distribution system 1 to understand the viewer's request and return more profits to distributors who respond to the viewer's request.

[0052] A server 10 of the multi-angle distribution system 1 records the cumulative viewing time for which the first video has been viewed, and determines the amount of remuneration for the first distributor based on the performance of the first distributor in responding to the viewer's requests and the cumulative viewing time.

[0053] This allows the server 10 to determine the amount of remuneration for each distributor so as to respond to the requests of more viewers and to pay a larger amount of remuneration to a distributor with a longer cumulative viewing time.

[0054] Viewer terminals 30A-30C of multi-angle distribution system 1 may transmit information indicating desired movement directions 50A-50C, which are directions in which the viewer wishes to move their viewpoint, for the first video to server 10. In this case, server 10 transmits information indicating the viewer's desired movement direction 60A, which is generated based on the result of aggregating the received desired movement directions 50A-50C, as request information to first distributor terminal 20A.

[0055] The first broadcaster terminal 20A displays the received information indicating the viewer's desired movement direction 60A, allowing the first broadcaster to understand the viewer's desired movement direction 60A relative to the first video that the first broadcaster is shooting with the first broadcaster terminal 20A. If the first broadcaster changes the viewpoint captured by the first broadcaster terminal 20A in accordance with the desired movement direction 60A, and the viewer watches the first video of the first broadcaster for an increased amount of time and frequency, the server 10 increases the amount of compensation paid to the first broadcaster. This allows the multi-angle distribution system 1 to understand the viewer's requests and return more profits to broadcasters who respond to the viewer's requests.

[0056] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0057] For example, the travel request information transmitter 142 of the server 10 according to the above embodiment transmits request information, which is representative information indicating the viewer requests for the first video, to the first broadcaster terminal 20A transmitting the first video data of the first video based on the results of aggregating the requests of each viewer. However, the travel request information transmitter 142 may identify a second broadcaster terminal (not shown) transmitting the second video data of the second video that is located near the first broadcaster terminal 20A, and transmit the request information for the first video to the first broadcaster terminal 20A and the second broadcaster terminal. In this case, the travel request information transmitter 142 may identify the second broadcaster terminal located near the first broadcaster terminal 20A based on information such as the position information, acceleration information, angular velocity information, and shooting direction information of each broadcaster terminal detected by the sensor 26 of each broadcaster terminal. In addition, by performing image processing on the video data captured by each broadcaster terminal, it is possible to identify a second broadcaster terminal that is located near the first broadcaster terminal 20A and is capturing the same scene from a viewpoint similar to that of the first broadcaster terminal 20A.

[0058] In addition, when information indicating the desired direction of movement for the first video is also transmitted to the second broadcaster terminal, the desired direction of movement transmitted to the second broadcaster terminal may be corrected taking into account the difference in position and viewpoint between the first broadcaster terminal 20A and the second broadcaster terminal so that the angle of view in the direction of the viewpoint of the first video captured by the first broadcaster terminal 20A when moved in the desired direction of movement is approximately the same as the angle of view in the direction of the viewpoint of the second video captured by the second broadcaster terminal when moved in the desired direction of movement.

[0059] By transmitting information indicating the viewer's requests for the first video not only to the first broadcaster terminal 20A but also to a second broadcaster terminal located near the first broadcaster terminal 20A, the broadcaster can understand the viewer's requests for video captured by a broadcaster terminal 20 owned by another person. This increases the number of options the broadcaster has to respond to viewer requests, and increases the likelihood that video data of video that meets the viewer's requests will be distributed. This can promote improved viewer satisfaction with the multi-angle distribution system 1.

[0060] A distribution system 1 according to another embodiment distributes video data of video shot by a single distributor terminal 20 in real time, receives viewer requests regarding the video being shot by the distributor terminal 20 from each viewer terminal 30, and transmits request information, which is representative information indicating each received viewer request, to the distributor terminal 20. In this case, by displaying the desired movement direction, which is the result of aggregating the requests from each viewer, on the distributor terminal 20, it becomes possible to communicate the viewer's desired camera angle to the distributor. For example, if the distributor terminal 20 is a professional camera, the desired movement direction is displayed on the display of the professional camera, allowing the distributor to obtain the viewer's desired camera angle.

[0061] When returning profits to the broadcaster, an application that transmits the results of evaluations of the broadcaster may be provided on the viewer terminal 30, and the amount of the return may be determined based on the results of the evaluations received by the server 10. For example, when the desired travel direction submitted by the viewer is approved, the application may accept a "Like!" indicating the viewer's satisfaction, and the number of "Likes" tallied by the server 10 may be used as an index of evaluation. This allows the broadcaster to appropriately reflect the viewer's requests for the shooting direction and promotes improved viewer satisfaction with the distribution system.

[0062] In yet another embodiment, the distribution system 1 has one viewer terminal 30. In this case, the travel request calculation unit 141 receives, via the network 40, viewer requests for the first video captured from a specific viewpoint, transmitted from the single viewer terminal 30. The travel request information transmission unit 142 generates request information indicating the viewer requests based on the received viewer requests, and transmits the generated request information to the first distributor terminal 20A transmitting the first video data of the first video. Even with this configuration, as in the above embodiment, it is possible to understand viewer requests and return more profits to distributors who respond to the viewer requests.

[0063] The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-109420 (filing date: July 3, 2023) and Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-081651 (filing date: May 20, 2024) are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A broadcaster terminal having an imaging unit and transmitting video data of video captured by the imaging unit, Multiple viewer terminals, each transmitting requests from multiple viewers regarding the aforementioned video, It is a server, The aforementioned video is distributed in real time to the multiple viewer terminals. The system receives requests from multiple viewers regarding the aforementioned video from the multiple viewer terminals, The received requests were compiled, Based on the aggregated results of the aforementioned requests, request information indicating the requests of the multiple viewers is generated. The generated request information is transmitted to the broadcaster terminal that is transmitting the video data of the video that is the subject of the request. Server and Equipped with, The aforementioned server, From the broadcaster's terminal, consent information is obtained indicating that the broadcaster possessing the broadcaster's terminal has complied with at least one of the requests from the multiple viewers. Based on the consent information obtained, the distributor records the results of fulfilling at least one of the requests. Based on the recorded performance, the amount of compensation for the broadcaster is determined. Distribution system.

2. The aforementioned broadcasting terminal includes a first broadcasting terminal that transmits first video data of a first video taken from a first viewpoint, and a second broadcasting terminal that transmits second video data of a second video taken from a second viewpoint different from the first viewpoint. The aforementioned server, The first video and the second video are distributed in real time to the multiple viewer terminals. The requests of the multiple viewers for the first video are received from the multiple viewer terminals, The request information, which indicates the requests of the multiple viewers regarding the first video, is transmitted to the first broadcaster terminal. The distribution system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned server, Identify the second distributor terminal located near the first distributor terminal, The request information, which indicates the requests of the multiple viewers regarding the first video, is transmitted to the first broadcaster terminal and the second broadcaster terminal. The distribution system according to claim 2.

4. Each of the aforementioned viewer terminals transmits information to the server indicating the desired direction of movement, which is the direction in which each of the aforementioned viewer wishes to move their viewpoint in relation to the video. The server transmits information indicating the desired direction of movement, generated based on the aggregated results of the received desired direction of movement, to the distributor terminal as the request information. The distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Processor and A memory containing a command that, when executed by the aforementioned processor, causes the processor to perform the following processing, Equipped with, The aforementioned process is, The process involves distributing video footage captured by the broadcaster's device to multiple viewer devices in real time via a network, The system receives requests from multiple viewers on multiple viewer terminals regarding the aforementioned video, To compile the aforementioned requests received, Based on the aggregated results of the aforementioned requests, request information indicating the requests of the multiple viewers is generated, The generated request information is transmitted to the distributor terminal that is transmitting the video data of the video that is the subject of the request. From the aforementioned broadcaster terminal, consent information is obtained indicating that the broadcaster possessing the broadcaster terminal has complied with at least one of the requests of the multiple viewers. Based on the consent information obtained, the distributor shall record the results of fulfilling at least one of the requests, Based on the recorded performance, the amount of compensation to the broadcaster will be determined, including server.