Live streaming program, method, information processing device, and system

Abstract

Provided is a live streaming program to be executed by a computer including a processor and a storage unit. The processor executes: a streaming start step of starting live streaming by a streamer; an advertisement output step of outputting an advertisement to a viewer at a specific timing during the live streaming; and an advertisement change step of changing the specific timing of outputting the advertisement according to an input operation from the streamer.

Description

Live distribution program, method, information processing device, and system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a live distribution program, a method, an information processing device, and a system.

[0002] A live streaming service for audio and the like via internet communication is known. Patent Literature 1 discloses a technology for maintaining the enthusiasm (excitement) shared among viewers during a live streaming.

[0003] JP 2024-074343 A

[0004] There is a problem in that advertisements cannot be delivered to viewers of live streaming at a more suitable timing. Therefore, the present disclosure has been made to solve the above problem, and its purpose is to provide a technology for delivering advertisements to viewers of live streaming at a more suitable timing.

[0005] This live distribution program is executed by a computer having a processor and a storage unit, and the processor executes a distribution start step of starting live distribution by a distributor, an advertisement output step of outputting advertisements to viewers at predetermined timing during the live distribution, and an advertisement change step of changing the predetermined timing of advertisement output in response to an input operation from the distributor.

[0006] According to the present disclosure, advertisements can be delivered to viewers of live streaming at more suitable times.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the system 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 10. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the first user terminal 20. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the second user terminal 30. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of a user table 1012. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the data structure of a live streaming table 1013. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the data structure of a listener table 1014. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the data structure of an advertisement table. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of live streaming processing. FIG. 9 is a first example screen showing the operation of live streaming processing. FIG. 10 is a second example screen showing the operation of live streaming processing. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the basic hardware configuration of a computer 90.

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings describing the embodiments, common components are designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be omitted. Note that the following embodiments do not unduly limit the content of the present disclosure described in the claims. Furthermore, not all components shown in the embodiments are necessarily essential components of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a precise illustration.

[0009] <Configuration of System 1> System 1 in the present disclosure is an information processing system that provides a live streaming service. The present disclosure relates to an information processing system that provides live streaming of a live commentary of content (commentary content) provided by a broadcaster in parallel with the progress of the content being distributed via other information distribution services (television, radio, YouTube (registered trademark), SHOWROOM, Niconico Live Broadcasting, etc., not necessarily live streaming via live broadcast). Note that system 1 in the present disclosure does not necessarily need to provide live streaming of a live commentary in parallel with the progress of content on other information distribution services. Commentary in live streaming refers to commenting on and explaining the content being distributed in real time to viewers. For example, a commentator (hereinafter referred to as a broadcaster) communicates the content to viewers in an easy-to-understand manner. System 1 includes information processing devices: a server 10, a first user terminal 20, and a second user terminal 30, all connected via a network N. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of system 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of server 10. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the first user terminal 20. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the second user terminal 30.

[0010] Each information processing device is configured by a computer equipped with an arithmetic unit and a storage device. The basic hardware configuration of the computer and the basic functional configuration of the computer realized by the hardware configuration will be described later. For each of the server 10, the first user terminal 20, and the second user terminal 30, descriptions that overlap with the basic hardware configuration and basic functional configuration of the computer will be omitted.

[0011] <Configuration of Server 10> The server 10 is an information processing device that provides a live streaming service. The server 10 includes a storage unit 101 and a control unit 104.

[0012] <Configuration of Storage Unit 101 of Server 10 > The storage unit 101 of the server 10 includes an application program 1011 , a user table 1012 , a live broadcast table 1013 , a listener table 1014 , and an advertisement table 1015 .

[0013] The application programs 1011 are programs for causing the control unit 104 of the server 10 to function as each functional unit. The application programs 1011 include applications such as a web browser application.

[0014] The user table 1012 is a table that stores and manages information about member users (hereinafter referred to as users) who use the service. When a user registers to use the service, the user's information is stored in a new record in the user table 1012. This allows the user to use the service according to the present disclosure. The user table 1012 is a table that uses the user ID as the primary key and has columns for the user ID, user name, and user data. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the data structure of the user table 1012.

[0015] The user ID is an item that stores user identification information for identifying a user. The user identification information is an item that is set to a unique value for each user. The user name is an item that stores the user's name. The user name may be set to any character string, such as a nickname, instead of a name. The user data includes the user's personal unique information and attribute information related to the user's characteristics and background. The user's unique information includes the user's unique information, such as the user's date of birth (age) and gender. The user's attribute information includes the user's educational history (highest level of education, major, graduation year), occupation, work history, interests, place of residence, language, etc.

[0016] The live streaming table 1013 is a table that stores and manages live streaming information such as audio or video. When a user broadcasts a live stream, information about the live stream is stored in a new record in the live streaming table 1013. The live streaming table 1013 uses the broadcast ID as a primary key and has columns for the broadcast ID, user ID, broadcast title, additional information, broadcast data, broadcast start date and time, broadcast end date and time, and broadcast status. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the data structure of the live streaming table 1013.

[0017] The broadcast ID is a field that stores broadcast identification information for identifying a broadcast. The broadcast identification information is a field that is assigned a unique value for each piece of live broadcast information. The user ID is a field that stores user identification information for identifying the user associated with the broadcaster broadcasting the live broadcast. The broadcast title is a field that stores the title of the live broadcast. The broadcast title can be set to any string of characters that expresses the broadcast content. The additional information is a field that stores additional information related to the live broadcast. For example, the additional information includes strings that identify the content (commentary content) broadcast on other information distribution services that are the subject of live commentary (for baseball, the game schedule, the names of the baseball teams involved in the game, and other information such as URLs where the commentary content can be viewed). The broadcast data is a field that stores audio data related to the live broadcast. Reference information (path) for audio data files located elsewhere may also be stored. The audio data may be in any format, such as AAC, ATRAC, MP3, or MP4. Note that while the present disclosure discloses live commentary using audio data as an example, the broadcast data may also include video data. The distribution start date and time is an item for storing the start date and time of the live distribution. The distribution end date and time is an item for storing the end date and time of the live distribution. The distribution status is an item for storing the current status of the live distribution (e.g., distribution in progress, completed, canceled, etc.).

[0018] The listener table 1014 is a table that stores and manages information about users who watch live broadcasts (hereinafter referred to as listeners). When a listener watches a live broadcast, the viewing information is stored in a new record in the listener table 1014. The listener table 1014 has columns for the listener ID, viewing start date and time, and viewing end date and time. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the data structure of the listener table 1014.

[0019] The listener ID is an item for storing user identification information for identifying a user who is viewing a live broadcast. The viewing start date and time is an item for storing the date and time when the listener started viewing the live broadcast. The viewing end date and time is an item for storing the date and time when the listener ended viewing the live broadcast.

[0020] The advertisement table 1015 is a table for storing and managing information related to advertisements (advertising information). The advertisement table 1015 is a table having an advertisement ID as a primary key and columns for advertisement ID, distribution type, and advertisement distribution rule. {{advertising table 1015_drawings}}

[0021] The advertisement ID is an item that stores advertisement identification information for identifying advertisements. The advertisement identification information is an item in which a unique value is set for each advertisement information. The distribution type is an item that stores the content type, such as the genre or category of the live distribution. Note that the distribution type item is the same as the distribution type in the live distribution table 1013, so a description thereof will be omitted. The advertisement distribution rule is an item that stores advertisement output rules. Specifically, the advertisement distribution rule includes the following information: - Advertisement output frequency: Information that specifies the advertisement output frequency. In the present disclosure, the value of the upper limit of the output frequency (the upper limit beyond which the advertisement output frequency cannot be extended) is stored. For example, if the output frequency value is 10 minutes, the output person can adjust (postpone) the advertisement output timing to 10 minutes or less from the output start date and time, but cannot extend it beyond 10 minutes. - Postpone limit: The number of times (upper limit) that the output person can advance the advertisement output timing. For example, if the postponement limit is three times, the output timing of the advertisement by the output party can be adjusted up to three times, but the output timing of the advertisement cannot be adjusted four or more times. In addition, the advertisement distribution rules include any conditions related to the advertisement to be output, such as the advertisement output period (e.g., 30 seconds), the type of advertisement, information specifying the content, and other information, such as whether the advertisement to be output to the listener is a personalized advertisement specified based on the user information of the output party or the listener, or whether the advertisement content can be selected by the output party or the listener operating their own user terminal.

[0022] <Configuration of the control unit 104 of the server 10> The control unit 104 of the server 10 includes a user registration control unit 1041. The control unit 104 executes the application program 1011 stored in the storage unit 101, thereby realizing each functional unit.

[0023] The user registration control unit 1041 performs a process of storing information about users who wish to use the service disclosed herein in the user table 1012. Information stored in the user table 1012 is generated when a user opens a webpage operated by the service provider from an information processing terminal, enters information into a predetermined input form, and transmits the information to the server 10. The user registration control unit 1041 stores the received information in a new record in the user table 1012, completing user registration. This allows the user stored in the user table 1012 to use the service. Prior to the user registration control unit 1041 registering user information in the user table 1012, the service provider may conduct a predetermined screening process to restrict whether or not the user can use the service. The user ID may be any string or number that can identify the user. It may be any string or number desired by the user, or the user registration control unit 1041 may automatically set any string or number.

[0024] <Configuration of First User Terminal 20> The first user terminal 20 is an information processing device operated by a first user (a user related to the distributor) who uses the service. The first user terminal 20 may be, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, or may be a stationary personal computer (PC) or a laptop PC. It may also be a wearable terminal such as a head-mounted display (HMD) or a wristwatch-type terminal. The first user terminal 20 includes a storage unit 201, a control unit 204, an input device 206, and an output device 208.

[0025] <Configuration of Storage Unit 201 of First User Terminal 20> The storage unit 201 of the first user terminal 20 includes a first user ID 2011 and an application program 2012.

[0026] The first user ID 2011 is a user's account ID. The first user transmits the first user ID 2011 from the first user terminal 20 to the server 10. The server 10 identifies the first user based on the first user ID 2011 and provides the first user with the service described herein. The first user ID 2011 includes information such as a session ID temporarily assigned by the server 10 to identify the first user who is using the first user terminal 20.

[0027] The application program 2012 may be pre-stored in the storage unit 201, or may be downloaded from a web server operated by a service provider via a communication IF. The application program 2012 includes an application such as a web browser application. The application program 2012 includes an interpreter-type programming language such as JavaScript (registered trademark) that is executed on the web browser application stored in the first user terminal 20.

[0028] <Configuration of control unit 204 of first user terminal 20> The control unit 204 of the first user terminal 20 includes an input control unit 2041 and an output control unit 2042. The control unit 204 executes an application program 2012 stored in the storage unit 201, thereby realizing each functional unit.

[0029] <Configuration of Input Device 206 of First User Terminal 20 > The input device 206 of the first user terminal 20 includes a camera 2061 , a microphone 2062 , a position information sensor 2063 , a motion sensor 2064 , and a touch device 2065 .

[0030] <Configuration of Output Device 208 of First User Terminal 20 > The output device 208 of the first user terminal 20 includes a display 2081 and a speaker 2082 .

[0031] <Configuration of Second User Terminal 30> The second user terminal 30 is an information processing device operated by a second user (a user related to a listener) who uses the service. The second user terminal 30 may be, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, or may be a stationary personal computer (PC) or a laptop PC. It may also be a wearable terminal such as a head-mounted display (HMD) or a wristwatch-type terminal. The second user terminal 30 includes a storage unit 301, a control unit 304, an input device 306, and an output device 308.

[0032] <Configuration of Storage Unit 301 of Second User Terminal 30 > The storage unit 301 of the second user terminal 30 includes a second user ID 3011 and an application program 3012 .

[0033] The second user ID 3011 is the account ID of the second user. The second user transmits the second user ID 3011 from the second user terminal 30 to the server 10. The server 10 identifies the second user based on the second user ID 3011 and provides the second user with the service according to the present disclosure. The second user ID 3011 includes information such as a session ID temporarily assigned by the server 10 to identify the second user who is using the second user terminal 30.

[0034] The application program 3012 may be pre-stored in the storage unit 301, or may be downloaded from a web server operated by a service provider via a communication IF. The application program 3012 includes an application such as a web browser application. The application program 3012 includes an interpreter-type programming language such as JavaScript (registered trademark) that is executed on the web browser application stored in the second user terminal 30.

[0035] <Configuration of the control unit 304 of the second user terminal 30> The control unit 304 of the second user terminal 30 includes an input control unit 3041 and an output control unit 3042. The control unit 304 executes an application program 3012 stored in the storage unit 301, thereby realizing each functional unit.

[0036] <Configuration of Input Device 306 of Second User Terminal 30 > The input device 306 of the second user terminal 30 includes a camera 3061 , a microphone 3062 , a position information sensor 3063 , a motion sensor 3064 , and a touch device 3065 .

[0037] <Configuration of Output Device 308 of Second User Terminal 30 > The output device 308 of the second user terminal 30 includes a display 3081 and a speaker 3082 .

[0038] <Operation of System 1> Each process of System 1 will be described below. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the live streaming process. Fig. 10 is a first example of a screen showing the operation of the live streaming process. Fig. 11 is a second example of a screen showing the operation of the live streaming process.

[0039] <Live Streaming Process> The live streaming process is a process of live streaming the voice of a broadcaster to listeners via internet communication. In the present disclosure, a user related to the broadcaster is referred to as a first user, and a user related to the viewer (listener) is referred to as a second user.

[0040] <Overview of Live Streaming Processing> The live streaming processing is a series of steps consisting of the steps of accepting registration of live streaming information from the broadcaster, starting the live streaming, the viewer previewing the live broadcast, outputting advertisements to the viewer, and ending the live streaming.

[0041] <Details of Live Streaming Processing> Details of the live streaming processing will be described below.

[0042] <Live Streaming Information Registration Step> In step S101, the control unit 104 of the server 10 executes a live streaming information registration step to register live streaming information from a broadcaster. Specifically, the first user operates the input device 206 of the first user terminal 20, executes a browser application, etc., and opens a live streaming page by inputting the URL, etc., of a web page (live streaming page) for executing the live streaming process. The control unit 204 of the first user terminal 20 sends a request including the first user ID 2011 to the server 10 to open the live streaming page. Note that the first user may also execute the live streaming process from the live streaming page displayed by operating the input device 206 of the first user terminal 20 and executing a live streaming app stored in the storage unit 201 of the first user terminal 20.

[0043] Upon receiving the request, the server 10 generates a live streaming page and sends it to the first user terminal 20. The control unit 204 of the first user terminal 20 displays and presents the live streaming page on the display 2081 of the first user terminal 20. The live streaming page includes input fields for the streaming title, streaming start date and time, streaming end date and time, and other additional information. The additional information is an input field for the items described in the additional information section of the live streaming table 1013.

[0044] The first user operates the input device 206 of the first user terminal 20 to input information into input fields such as the broadcast title, broadcast start date and time, broadcast end date and time, and additional information. The control unit 204 of the first user terminal 20 transmits the first user ID 2011 and the information entered into the input fields to the server 10. The control unit 104 of the server 10 receives and accepts information from the first user terminal 20. The control unit 104 of the server 10 stores the received first user ID 2011, broadcast title, broadcast start date and time, broadcast end date and time, and additional information in the user ID, broadcast title, broadcast start date and time, broadcast end date and time, and additional information fields of a new record in the live broadcast table 1013. The control unit 104 of the server 10 also changes the broadcast status of the broadcast information to a status such as "waiting for broadcast." Note that each input field is not required, and a configuration may be adopted in which only information necessary for the first user is input. For example, the distribution start date and time may not be required, and if the distribution start date and time is not entered, the distribution start step in step S102 described below may be executed immediately after the live distribution information is registered. Also, the live distribution screen may include a button for "distribute immediately."

[0045] <Streaming Start Step> In step S102, the control unit 104 of the server 10 executes a streaming start step in which the streamer starts live streaming. Specifically, the first user operates the input device 206 of the first user terminal 20, executes a browser application, or the like, and opens a live streaming page. The control unit 204 of the first user terminal 20 sends a request including the first user ID 2011 to the server 10 to acquire the live streaming information registered in step S101. Upon receiving the request, the control unit 104 of the server 10 searches the user ID field in the live streaming table 1013 based on the received first user ID 2011 and acquires one or more pieces of live streaming information. The control unit 104 of the server 10 transmits the acquired one or more pieces of live streaming information to the first user terminal 20. The first user terminal 20 displays the received one or more pieces of live streaming information in a selectable list on the display 2081 of the first user terminal 20. The control unit 204 of the first user terminal 20 may be configured to display a list of only broadcast information whose broadcast status is "waiting for broadcast." The first user selects live broadcast information to start broadcasting from one or more live broadcast information displayed in the list. In step S101, if the first user executes the process of immediately broadcasting, the process of selecting live broadcast information may be omitted. The control unit 104 of the server 10 or the control unit 204 of the first user terminal 20 may refer to the live broadcast table 1013, compare the live broadcast start date and time with the current date and time, and start the live broadcast when it determines that the current date and time has reached the live broadcast start date and time (scheduled broadcast). In other words, the live broadcast may start automatically at the live broadcast start date and time. When the live broadcast starts, the control unit 204 of the first user terminal 20 transmits content, such as audio data, video data, and image data, input from the input device 206 to the server 10. The control unit 104 of the server 10 stores the received content in the broadcast data field of the live broadcast table 1013. The control unit 104 of the server 10 changes the distribution status of the distribution information to a status such as "distributing."

[0046] The control unit 204 of the first user terminal 20 switches the content of the live streaming screen to the broadcaster streaming screen D1. FIG. 10 is a first example screen (broadcaster streaming screen D1) illustrating the operation of the live streaming process. The broadcaster streaming screen D1 includes a broadcast title D101, an avatar D102, a viewer count D111, a comment field D121, a viewer field D122, a broadcast information field D123, a broadcast end button D131, a guest setting button D132, an announcement button D133, a mute button D134, and an advertisement output button D14. The broadcast title D101 displays the broadcast title of the live streaming information. The avatar D102 displays a photo of the first user, etc. The viewer count D111 displays the number of viewers watching the live streaming. The comment field D121 displays comments sent by viewers watching the streaming. The viewer field D122 displays the usernames of viewers watching the streaming. The distribution information field D123 displays additional information about the broadcaster. The end distribution button D131 is a button for ending the live broadcast. The guest setting button D132 is a button for inviting users other than the first user to the live broadcast. Invited users (guests) can participate in the live broadcast, and the guest's content, such as audio and video, can also be stored in the distribution data item of the live broadcast table 1013. The announce button D133 is a button for sending push notifications to viewers. By selecting the announce button D133, the broadcaster can communicate with viewers, for example, by selecting specific viewers and sending comments, etc. The mute button D134 is a button for stopping the distribution of content, such as audio and video, of the live broadcast. When the broadcaster selects the mute button D134, content, such as audio and video input from the input device 206 of the first user terminal 20, is not distributed to viewers (muted state). The mute state can be canceled by selecting the mute button D134 again.

[0047] In step S102, the control unit 104 of the server 10 executes a first presentation step of presenting to the broadcaster a first screen including an advertisement button that can accept input operations from the broadcaster. The first presentation step executes a step of presenting information indicating a period until a predetermined timing on the first screen, superimposed on the advertisement button. Specifically, the broadcaster broadcast screen D1 includes an advertisement output button D14. The advertisement output button D14 includes an icon D141 and a time display D142. When an advertisement is not being output, the advertisement output button D14 is displayed in a pressable state. Furthermore, the time display D142 counts down the period until the next advertisement output, such as "9:42." For example, "9:42" indicates that the next advertisement will be output in 9 minutes and 42 seconds. When an advertisement is being output, the advertisement output button D14 is displayed in a non-pressable state. When the first user presses the advertisement output button D14, the control unit 204 of the first user terminal 20 sends a request to the server 10 to change the advertisement output timing. When the control unit 104 of the server 10 receives the request to change the advertisement output timing from the first user terminal 20, it changes the advertisement output timing. For example, if the next advertisement is to be output in 9 minutes and 42 seconds, when the first user presses the advertisement output button D14, the next advertisement output timing is changed from "9 minutes and 42 seconds" to a different timing. The advertisement output process will be described in detail in the advertisement output step of step S104.

[0048] In step S102, the control unit 104 of the server 10 executes a second presentation step of presenting a second screen including multiple advertisement candidates to the broadcaster in response to receiving an input operation from the broadcaster. Specifically, when the first user presses the advertisement output button D14, the control unit 204 of the first user terminal 20 displays an advertisement candidate display screen D2 including multiple advertisement candidates on the display 2081 of the first user terminal 20. FIG. 11 shows an example of a second screen (advertisement candidate display screen D2) illustrating the operation of the live streaming process. The advertisement candidate display screen displays multiple advertisement candidates D21, D22, and D23, along with selection buttons D211, D221, and D231 for each advertisement candidate, images D212, D222, and D232 showing the content of the advertisement candidates, and advertisement unit prices D213, D223, and D233, in association with each other. This allows the broadcaster to select an advertisement suitable for their live streaming content from the multiple advertisement candidates. This allows more suitable advertisements to be output to viewers. It should be noted that the advertisement candidate display screen D2 does not necessarily have to be displayed.

[0049] <Advance Notification Processing> In step S102, the control unit 204 of the first user terminal 20 executes an advertisement notification step in which the broadcaster is notified of the next advertisement output timing when the period until the next advertisement output timing falls within the second period. Specifically, when the control unit 204 of the first user terminal 20 determines that the next advertisement output timing on the time display D142 has reached a predetermined timing (e.g., 5 minutes, 1 minute, 30 seconds, etc.), the control unit 204 notifies the first user that the predetermined timing has arrived via the output device 208 of the first user terminal 20. For example, the advertisement notification step may be performed by means other than the first screen. The output device 208 of the first user terminal 20 may output sound (speaker 2082), flashing (LED, etc.), vibration (actuator, motor, vibrator, etc.), etc. This allows the broadcaster of a live broadcast to confirm the next advertisement output timing for a scheduled broadcast by means other than the regular time on the broadcaster screen, such as sound, flashing, or vibration. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the visibility of the advertisement button on the first screen from being deteriorated by the distributor, and to output the advertisement more comfortably. Furthermore, the notification may be displayed on the display 2081 of the first user terminal 20 as a pop-up display in a snack bar or the like. The first user can check the timing at which the advertisement output will start.

[0050] <Listener Viewing Start Step> In step S103, the control unit 104 of the server 10 executes a viewing start step in which the viewer starts viewing. Specifically, the second user operates the input device 306 of the second user terminal 30, executes a browser application, etc., and opens a live viewing page by inputting the URL, etc., of a web page (live viewing page) for executing the live viewing process. The control unit 304 of the second user terminal 30 transmits a request including the second user ID 3011 for opening the live viewing page to the server 10. Note that the second user may also execute the live viewing process from the live viewing page displayed by operating the input device 306 of the second user terminal 30 and executing a live viewing app stored in the storage unit 301 of the second user terminal 30.

[0051] Upon receiving the request, the server 10 generates a live viewing page and sends it to the second user terminal 30. The control unit 304 of the second user terminal 30 displays and presents the live viewing page on the display 3081 of the second user terminal 30. The control unit 104 of the server 10 searches the live streaming table 1013 and obtains one or more pieces of live streaming information whose streaming status is "streaming." The control unit 104 of the server 10 sends the obtained one or more pieces of live streaming information to the second user terminal 30. The second user terminal 30 displays the received one or more pieces of live streaming information in a selectable list on the display 3081 of the second user terminal 30. The second user selects the live streaming information to start viewing from the displayed one or more pieces of live streaming information. The control unit 304 of the second user terminal 30 sends a request including the broadcast ID of the target broadcast to the server 10. The control unit 104 of the server 10 searches the broadcast ID field in the live streaming table 1013 based on the received broadcast ID and obtains the broadcast data. The control unit 104 of the server 10 transmits the received distribution data to the second user terminal 30. The second user terminal 30 displays the received distribution data on the display 3081 of the second user terminal 30 or the like.

[0052] Note that, in the present disclosure, an example has been disclosed in which distribution data is transmitted from the first user terminal 20 to the server 10 and stored in the live distribution table 1013, and then transmitted to the second user terminal 30 related to the viewer, but this is not limiting. For example, the control unit 204 of the first user terminal 20 may identify the second user terminal 30 by an IP address or the like, and transmit information related to the distribution data directly to the second user terminal 30. Live distribution may be performed using any content platform or communication technology.

[0053] The control unit 304 of the second user terminal 30 outputs audio, video, etc. related to the received distribution data from the output device 308 of the second user terminal 30. This allows the second user, who is a viewer, to view the content related to the live distribution distributed by the first user.

[0054] <Advertisement Output Step> In step S104, the control unit 104 of the server 10 executes an advertisement output step of outputting advertisements to viewers at predetermined timings during the live streaming. The advertisement output step executes a step of outputting advertisements at predetermined intervals during the live streaming. Specifically, the control unit 104 of the server 10 outputs advertisements to viewers of the live streaming at regular intervals. For example, every 10 minutes, 20 minutes, or 30 minutes after the content distribution start date and time, the control unit 104 outputs (distributes) advertisement information to the second user terminal 30 associated with the viewer for a certain period (advertisement output period, 30 seconds, 1 minute, etc.). Based on the received advertisement information, the control unit 304 of the second user terminal 30 outputs an audio advertisement from the speaker 3082 of the second user terminal 30, and an image or video advertisement from the display 3081, etc. Viewers need to output (view) advertisements to continue watching the live streaming. As described below, the timing of advertisement output (advertisement output timing at predetermined intervals) can be changed in response to input operations from the first user.

[0055] <Advertisement Output Step (Changing Display Timing)> In step S104, the control unit 104 of the server 10 executes an advertisement change step of changing the predetermined timing for advertisement output in response to an input operation from the broadcaster. The advertisement change step executes a step of changing the predetermined timing for advertisement output in response to the broadcaster's selection of an advertisement button. The advertisement change step executes a step of starting advertisement output at the timing when the broadcaster's input operation is received. Specifically, the broadcaster may want to change the advertisement output timing depending on the status of live broadcasting, such as a live commentary. For example, in sports such as baseball, there are times when the game stops, such as during a break. The broadcaster would prefer to display an advertisement to viewers at such times when the game is not progressing. In this case, the broadcaster presses the advertisement output button D14 provided on the broadcaster broadcast screen D1. The first user terminal 20 sends a request to the server 10 to change the advertisement output timing. In response to the request to change the advertisement output timing, the control unit 104 of the server 10 immediately outputs the advertisement that was scheduled to be delivered after a predetermined period of time to the second user terminal 30. As a result, an advertisement is immediately output to the viewer in response to an input operation by the distributor. In response to the distributor's selection of the advertisement button, information indicating the period until a predetermined timing is reset to an initial value. Specifically, the time display D142 is set to the initial value (10 minutes, which is the period until the next advertisement is output in an advertisement output at regular intervals). In addition, the time display D142 starts counting down again from the initial value. Note that it is not necessary for an advertisement to be immediately output to the second user terminal 30 in response to an input operation by the distributor. For example, the advertisement may be output after a predetermined period of time, such as 10 seconds, 20 seconds, or 1 minute, has elapsed after the distributor presses the advertisement button.

[0056] The advertisement change step can advance the predetermined timing for outputting an advertisement in response to an input operation from the distributor, but cannot delay it. Specifically, the distributor can advance the advertisement output timing, but cannot delay it. In other words, if the next advertisement output timing is 9 minutes and 42 seconds from now, the advertisement output timing can be changed to a timing earlier than 9 minutes and 42 seconds (9 minutes and 41 seconds, 7 minutes and 23 seconds, etc.), but cannot be changed to a timing later than 9 minutes and 42 seconds (9 minutes and 43 seconds, 9 minutes and 52 seconds, etc.). This can prevent a decrease in the number of advertisement outputs. It can also prevent a decrease in advertising revenue.

[0057] The advertisement change step may not change the predetermined timing for advertisement output if, during live streaming, an input operation is received from the broadcaster a first period before the predetermined timing for advertisement output, or if an input operation is received from the broadcaster a predetermined number of times or more. Specifically, during a single live streaming, advertisement output timing may be changed (advancement) for advertisements up to a first period (e.g., 30 minutes) in advance. For example, the broadcaster may change the output timing of advertisements output up to 30 minutes (first period) from the current date and time, but may not change the output timing of advertisements further in the future. In this case, if advertisements are output at 10-minute intervals, the broadcaster may advance the output timing of three advertisements at once. However, even if an advertisement is output by instructing advertisement output four or more times, advertisements output after 30 minutes will not be advanced. For example, even if the broadcaster outputs four or more advertisements, advertisements output 40 minutes after 30 minutes will be output at 10-minute intervals. Furthermore, an upper limit on the number of times the ad output timing can be changed during a single live stream may be set (for example, the ad output timing may be changed only three times). For example, if the output timing of many ads is advanced during a single live stream, it is expected that the ad output timing will be concentrated in the first half of the live stream. For example, in a one-hour live stream where ad output intervals are 10 minutes, if six ad output events are advanced at once immediately after the start of the live stream, no ads will be output during the remainder of the live stream. Since the advertising effectiveness of the aggregated ads is expected to be low, the effectiveness of the ad output will be suppressed. By setting an upper limit on the number of times a broadcaster can change the ad output timing during a live stream, it is possible to distribute ad output throughout the entire broadcast period. In other words, it is possible to prevent the ad output timing from being biased during the live stream. Ads can be output at optimal times.

[0058] <Advertisement Output Conditions for Advertisement Output Step (First Embodiment)> In step S104, the advertisement output step executes a step of outputting an advertisement based on at least one of the following: a predetermined advertisement output timing, a first period during which the advertisement output timing can be changed, an upper limit on the number of times the advertisement output timing can be changed by the advertisement change step, and an advertisement output period, all of which are determined according to the type of content related to the live broadcast. Specifically, the control unit 104 of the server 10 may control (set) the advertisement output interval (predetermined timing, such as 10 minutes, 20 minutes, or 30 minutes), the upper limit on the number of times the advertisement output timing can be changed, and the advertisement output period (30 seconds, 1 minute, etc.) according to the type (type of content) of the broadcaster's live commentary content (sports such as baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, or tennis; games such as shogi, go, or chess; or game events such as live music concerts or e-sports). For example, baseball, soccer, basketball, etc. have different game durations (match times), break timings (such as halftime), and break periods, so advertisements can be output at more optimal timing depending on the type of content. This will help prevent ad abandonment and a decline in advertising revenue.

[0059] <Advertisement Output Timing in Advertisement Output Step (Second Embodiment)> In step S104, the advertisement output step executes a step of outputting an advertisement based on at least one of the following: a predetermined advertisement output timing, a first period during which the advertisement output timing can be changed, an upper limit on the number of times the advertisement output timing can be changed by the advertisement change step, and an advertisement output period, all of which are determined according to at least one of the play time, break time, and rules of the content related to the live broadcast. Specifically, the control unit 104 of the server 10 may control (set) the advertisement output timing, the first period during which the advertisement output timing can be changed, the upper limit on the number of times the broadcaster can change the advertisement output timing, and the advertisement output period, depending on the play time (including any timing such as the competition time or match time), break time, and rules (including the competition rules, match rules, etc.) of the broadcaster's live content. This can prevent viewers from abandoning the advertisement and reduce advertising revenue.

[0060] The content to be commented on by the distributor, the play time of the content to be commented on (including any timing such as competition time, match time, etc.), break time, rules (including competition rules, match rules, etc.), and the corresponding advertisement output timing, the first period during which the advertisement output timing can be changed, the upper limit on the number of times the distributor can change the advertisement output timing, and the advertisement output period are stored in association with the distribution type and advertisement distribution rules in advertisement table 1015.

[0061] <Advertisement Output Timing in Advertisement Output Step (Third Embodiment)> In step S104, the advertisement output step executes a step of outputting an advertisement based on at least one of the following: a predetermined advertisement output timing, a first period during which the advertisement output timing can be changed, an upper limit on the number of times the advertisement output timing can be changed by the advertisement change step, and an advertisement output period, which are determined according to the playback conditions of the content related to the live broadcast. Specifically, the control unit 104 of the server 10 may control (set) the advertisement output timing, the first period during which the advertisement output timing can be changed, the upper limit on the number of times the distributor can change the advertisement output timing, and the advertisement output period, according to playback conditions such as the playback speed (1.5x speed, 2x speed, etc.) of the broadcaster's live content. This allows advertisements to be output at more optimal timing, taking into account the playback speed of the broadcaster's live content.

[0062] <Advertisement Output Timing in Advertisement Output Step (Fourth Embodiment)> In step S104, the advertisement output step executes a step of outputting an advertisement based on at least one of a predetermined advertisement output timing, a first period during which the advertisement output timing can be changed, a maximum number of times the advertisement output timing can be changed by the advertisement change step, and an advertisement output period, based on information obtained by inputting information related to the live streaming into an AI system. Specifically, the advertisement output step executes a step of outputting an advertisement based on at least one of a predetermined advertisement output timing, a first period during which the advertisement output timing can be changed, a maximum number of times the advertisement output timing can be changed by the advertisement change step, and an advertisement output period, based on information obtained by inputting information related to the live streaming into an AI system, such as information about the content of the live streaming (the content of the broadcaster's live commentary, such as live commentary, and playback speed), information about the broadcaster (the broadcaster's attribute information, such as gender and age, follower information, and other broadcaster-specific information), and information about the viewers (the viewer's attribute information, such as gender and age, viewing history, information about the channel being viewed, follower information, and other broadcaster-specific information). The optimal advertisement output timing, the first period during which the advertisement output timing can be changed, the maximum number of times the broadcaster can change the advertisement output timing, and the advertisement output period may be controlled (set). This can reduce ad abandonment and a decrease in advertising revenue.

[0063] <Advertisement Output Contents in Advertisement Output Step (First Embodiment)> In step S104, the advertisement output step executes a step of outputting a predetermined advertisement candidate selected by the distributor from among a plurality of advertisement candidates. Specifically, in step S102, when the advertisement candidate display screen D2 is presented to the distributor, the control unit 204 of the first user terminal 20 transmits information indicating the advertisement candidates selected by the distributor to the server 10. Based on the acquired information indicating the advertisement candidates, the control unit 104 of the server 10 identifies the content of the advertisement (advertising content such as audio, video, and images) to be output to the second user terminal 30, and transmits the content of the advertisement to the second user terminal 30. The control unit 304 of the second user terminal 30 outputs the received advertisement content from the output device 308 of the second user terminal 30.

[0064] <Advertisement Output Content in Advertisement Output Step (Second Embodiment)> In step S104, the advertisement output step executes a step of outputting an advertisement whose content corresponds to the advertisement output timing. Specifically, when outputting an advertisement to the second user terminal 30, the control unit 104 of the server 10 outputs an advertisement according to the date and time of the advertisement output to the second user terminal 30. For example, the control unit 104 may control the content of the advertisement output to the second user terminal 30 to be different depending on the time of day, such as morning, afternoon, or evening.

[0065] <Advertisement Output Content in Advertisement Output Step (Third Embodiment)> In step S104, the advertisement output step executes a step of outputting advertisements to each of a plurality of viewers watching the live broadcast, according to the attribute information of each of the plurality of viewers. Specifically, the control unit 104 of the server 10 may output advertisements with different content to each of the second user terminals 30 of a plurality of second users. For example, the control unit 104 of the server 10 searches the user ID field in the user table 1012 based on the second user ID 3011, etc., to acquire user data. The control unit 104 of the server 10 also collects information such as the second user's live broadcast viewing history, hobbies and preferences, and other information such as advertisements previously selected. The control unit 104 of the server 10 outputs advertisements appropriate for the second user to the second user terminal 30 based on personal information (personal data) such as the second user's gender, age, occupation, and past live broadcast viewing history. In other words, the control unit 104 of the server 10 delivers different advertisements appropriate for each of the plurality of second users. The content of the advertisement to be output to the second user can be identified using a learning model or the like that is trained based on reaction information regarding advertisements from other users, etc., whose personal information is similar to that of the second user. For example, it is preferable to output to the second user advertisement content that is likely to be preferred by other second users, whose personal information is similar to that of the second user, or advertisement content that the second user has selected in the past.

[0066] 12 is a block diagram showing the basic hardware configuration of a computer 90. The computer 90 includes at least a processor 901, a main storage device 902, an auxiliary storage device 903, and a communication IF 991 (interface), which are electrically connected to one another by a communication bus 921.

[0067] The processor 901 is hardware for executing an instruction set written in a program, and is composed of an arithmetic unit, a register, a peripheral circuit, and the like.

[0068] The main storage device 902 is used to temporarily store programs and data to be processed by the programs, etc. For example, it is a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

[0069] The auxiliary storage device 903 is a storage device for saving data and programs, such as a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a semiconductor memory.

[0070] The communication IF 991 is an interface for inputting and outputting signals for communicating with other computers via a network using a wired or wireless communication standard. The network is composed of the Internet, a LAN, various mobile communication systems constructed using wireless base stations, etc. For example, the network includes 3G, 4G, and 5G mobile communication systems, LTE (Long Term Evolution), and wireless networks (e.g., Wi-Fi (registered trademark)) that can connect to the Internet via a predetermined access point. In the case of a wireless connection, communication protocols include, for example, Z-Wave (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), and Bluetooth (registered trademark). In the case of a wired connection, the network also includes a network that is directly connected using a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, etc.

[0071] It should be noted that the computer 90 can be virtually realized by distributing all or part of each hardware configuration across multiple computers 90 and interconnecting them via a network. In this way, the concept of the computer 90 includes not only a computer 90 housed in a single housing or case, but also a virtualized computer system.

[0072] <Basic Functional Configuration of Computer 90> A description will be given of the functional configuration of the computer realized by the basic hardware configuration (FIG. 12) of the computer 90. The computer includes at least the functional units of a control unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit.

[0073] The functional units of the computer 90 can also be realized by distributing all or part of the functional units among multiple computers 90 interconnected via a network. The computer 90 is a concept that includes not only a single computer 90 but also a virtualized computer system.

[0074] The control unit is realized by the processor 901 reading various programs stored in the auxiliary storage device 903, loading them into the main storage device 902, and executing processing in accordance with the programs. The control unit can realize functional units that perform various types of information processing depending on the type of program. In this way, the computer is realized as an information processing device that performs information processing.

[0075] The functions performed by the components described herein may be implemented in circuitry or processing circuitry, including general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), CPUs (Central Processing Units), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, programmed to perform the described functions. Processors include transistors and other circuits and are considered circuitry or processing circuitry. A processor may also be a programmed processor that executes a program stored in memory. In this specification, a circuit, unit, or means is hardware that is programmed to perform or executes the described functions. The hardware may be any hardware disclosed herein or any hardware known to be programmed to perform or execute the described functions. When the hardware is a processor, which is considered a type of circuitry, the circuit, means, or unit is a combination of hardware and software used to configure the hardware and / or processor.

[0076] The storage unit is realized by a main storage device 902 and an auxiliary storage device 903. The storage unit stores data, various programs, and various databases. The processor 901 can allocate a storage area corresponding to the storage unit in the main storage device 902 or the auxiliary storage device 903 in accordance with the programs. The control unit can cause the processor 901 to add, update, and delete data stored in the storage unit in accordance with the various programs.

[0077] The term "database" refers to a relational database, which manages data sets called tables and masters in a tabular format structurally defined by rows and columns, by associating them with each other. In a database, a table is called a table, a master, a column in a table is called a column, and a row in a table is called a record. In a relational database, relationships between tables and masters can be established and associated. Typically, each table and each master is assigned a column that serves as a primary key to uniquely identify a record, but assigning a primary key to a column is not required. The control unit can cause the processor 901 to add, delete, or update records in specific tables and masters stored in the storage unit according to various programs. Furthermore, by storing data, various programs, and various databases in the storage unit, the information processing device and information processing system according to the present disclosure can be considered to have been manufactured.

[0078] Note that the databases and masters in this disclosure may include any data structure in which information is structurally defined (such as a list, dictionary, associative array, or object). The data structure also includes data that can be considered as a data structure by combining data with functions, classes, methods, etc. written in any programming language.

[0079] The communication unit is realized by the communication IF 991. The communication unit realizes the function of communicating with other computers 90 via a network. The communication unit can receive information transmitted from other computers 90 and input the information to the control unit. The control unit can cause the processor 901 to execute information processing on the received information in accordance with various programs. Furthermore, the communication unit can transmit information output from the control unit to other computers 90.

[0080] <Additional Notes> The matters described in the above embodiments will be added below.

[0081] (Supplementary Note 1) A live streaming program to be executed by a computer including a processor and a storage unit, wherein the processor executes a streaming start step (S102) of starting a live stream by a streamer, an advertisement output step (S104) of outputting advertisements to viewers at predetermined timings during the live stream, and an advertisement change step (S104) of changing the predetermined timings for outputting advertisements in response to an input operation from the streamer. This allows advertisements to be output at more optimal timings for viewers of the live stream. For example, this can prevent viewers from abandoning the ads and reduce advertising revenue.

[0082] (Supplementary Note 2) The live streaming program according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the advertisement output step (S104) is a step of outputting advertisements at predetermined intervals during live streaming, and the advertisement change step (S104) is a step of starting advertisement output at a timing when an input operation from the broadcaster is received. This allows the broadcaster of the live streaming to output advertisements at a timing that is more suitable for their own input operation.

[0083] (Supplementary Note 3) The live streaming program according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the advertisement change step (S104) is a step of not changing the predetermined timing for advertisement output if an input operation is received from the broadcaster during live streaming a first period before the predetermined timing for advertisement output, or if an input operation is received from the broadcaster a predetermined number of times or more. This allows the broadcaster to set an upper limit on the number of times the advertisement output timing can be changed during live streaming. This prevents the advertisement output timing from becoming uneven during the live streaming period. The advertisement can be output at an optimal timing.

[0084] (Supplementary Note 4) The live streaming program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein the advertisement change step (S104) is a step in which the predetermined timing for outputting the advertisement can be advanced but cannot be delayed in response to an input operation from the distributor. This allows the distributor to advance but not delay the advertisement output timing. This can prevent a decrease in the number of advertisement outputs. This can prevent a decrease in advertising revenue.

[0085] (Supplementary Note 5) The live streaming program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein the processor executes a first presentation step (S102) of presenting to the broadcaster a first screen including an advertisement button that can receive input operations from the broadcaster, and the advertisement change step (S104) is a step of changing the predetermined timing for displaying the advertisement in response to the broadcaster's selection of the advertisement button. This allows the broadcaster to display the advertisement at the timing desired by the broadcaster by pressing the advertisement button provided on the broadcaster screen (first screen). For example, this can prevent viewers from abandoning the advertisement and reduce advertising revenue.

[0086] (Supplementary Note 6) The live streaming program according to Supplementary Note 5, wherein the first presentation step (S102) is a step of presenting information indicating the period until a predetermined timing on the first screen, superimposed on an advertisement button, and resetting the information indicating the period until the predetermined timing to an initial value in response to the broadcaster's selection of the advertisement button. This allows the broadcaster of the live stream to check the countdown to the next advertisement output timing for regular broadcasting by checking the broadcaster screen (first screen). The broadcaster can output advertisements at the broadcaster's desired timing within the period until the next advertisement output timing. For example, this can prevent viewers from abandoning advertisements and reduce advertising revenue.

[0087] (Supplementary Note 7) The live streaming program according to Supplementary Note 5, wherein the processor executes an advertisement notification step (S102) of notifying the broadcaster in advance when the period until the next advertisement output timing has reached the second period. This allows the broadcaster of the live stream to confirm the next advertisement output timing (e.g., 5 minutes, 1 minute, 30 seconds, etc.) in the regular broadcast by notification such as sound, flashing, vibration, or a pop-up display in a snack bar. This allows the broadcaster to confirm the timing of the advertisement output start even if no input operation is performed.

[0088] (Supplementary Note 8) The live streaming program according to Supplementary Note 7, wherein the advertisement notification step (S102) provides advance notice by means other than the first screen. This allows the live streamer to confirm the timing of the next advertisement output in the regular broadcast by means other than the regular broadcast on the broadcaster's screen, such as sound, flashing, or vibration. This also prevents the broadcaster from reducing the visibility of the advertisement button on the first screen. This allows for more comfortable advertisement output.

[0089] (Supplementary Note 9) The live streaming program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein the processor executes a second presentation step (S102) of presenting a second screen including a plurality of advertisement candidates to the broadcaster in response to receiving an input operation from the broadcaster, and the advertisement output step (S104) is a step of outputting a predetermined advertisement candidate selected by the broadcaster from among the plurality of advertisement candidates. This allows the broadcaster to select an advertisement suitable for their live streaming content from among the plurality of advertisement candidates. This makes it possible to output a more suitable advertisement to viewers. Furthermore, the configuration may be such that advertisement candidates suitable for the broadcaster are presented on the advertisement candidate selection screen (second screen).

[0090] (Supplementary Note 10) The live streaming program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 9, wherein the advertisement output step (S104) is a step of outputting an advertisement based on at least one of a predetermined timing for outputting an advertisement, a first period during which the advertisement output timing can be changed, an upper limit number of times the advertisement output timing can be changed by the advertisement change step, and the advertisement output period, which are determined according to the type of content related to the live streaming. This makes it possible to control the advertisement output timing (10-minute intervals, 20-minute intervals, 30-minute intervals, etc.), the upper limit number of times the distributor can change the advertisement output timing (2 times, 3 times, 4 times, etc.), the first period during which the advertisement output timing can be changed (30 minutes, 40 minutes, 60 minutes, etc.), and the advertisement output period (a period during which an advertisement is displayed to viewers for 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds, etc.) according to the type of live content to be commented on by the distributor (sports such as baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, etc., games such as shogi, go, chess, etc., music concerts, game events such as e-sports, etc.). In baseball, soccer, basketball, and other sports, the game duration (match duration), break timing (e.g., halftime), and break duration vary, so advertisements can be output at more optimal times depending on the type of content. For example, this can prevent ad abandonment and a decrease in advertising revenue.

[0091] (Supplementary Note 11) The live streaming program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 9, wherein the advertisement output step (S104) is a step of outputting advertisements based on at least one of the predetermined timing for outputting advertisements, the first period during which the advertisement output timing can be changed, the upper limit number of times the advertisement output timing can be changed by the advertisement change step, and the advertisement output period, which are determined according to at least one of the play time, break time, and rules of the content related to the live streaming. This makes it possible to control the advertisement output timing, the upper limit number of times the broadcaster can change the advertisement output timing, the first period during which the advertisement output timing can be changed, and the advertisement output period, according to the play time (including any timing such as competition time or match time), break time, and rules (including competition rules, match rules, etc.) of the broadcaster's commentary content. This makes it possible to output advertisements at more optimal timing. For example, this makes it possible to suppress ad abandonment and a decrease in advertising revenue.

[0092] (Supplementary Note 12) The live streaming program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 9, wherein the advertisement output step (S104) is a step of outputting an advertisement based on at least one of the predetermined timing for outputting an advertisement, the first period during which the advertisement output timing can be changed, the upper limit number of times the advertisement output timing can be changed by the advertisement change step, and the advertisement output period, which are determined according to the playback conditions of the content related to the live streaming. This makes it possible to control the advertisement output timing, the upper limit number of times the distributor can change the advertisement output timing, the first period during which the advertisement output timing can be changed, and the advertisement output period according to the content of the broadcaster's live commentary target content, the broadcast speed, and the broadcast status of other live broadcasts. Advertisements can be output at more optimal timing, taking into account the playback conditions of the broadcaster's live commentary target content.

[0093] (Supplementary Note 13) The live streaming program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 9, wherein the advertisement output step (S104) is a step of outputting advertisements based on at least one of a predetermined advertisement output timing, a first period during which the advertisement output timing can be changed, an upper limit on the number of times the advertisement output timing can be changed by the advertisement change step, and an advertisement output period, based on information obtained by inputting information related to the live streaming into the AI ​​system. This allows the advertisement output timing, the upper limit on the number of times the broadcaster can change the advertisement output timing, the first period during which the advertisement output timing can be changed, and the advertisement output period to be controlled based on information related to the live streaming and information output from the AI ​​system. The information related to the live streaming includes information related to the content of the live streaming (the content of the broadcaster's live commentary content, such as live commentary, the broadcast speed, the broadcast status of other live broadcasts), information related to the broadcaster (the broadcaster's attribute information, such as gender and age, follower information, and other unique information related to the broadcaster), and information related to the viewer (the viewer's attribute information, such as gender and age, viewing history, information on the channel being watched, follower information, and other unique information related to the viewer). This allows advertisements to be output at a more optimal timing. For example, it can prevent ad abandonment and a decline in advertising revenue.

[0094] (Supplementary Note 14) The live streaming program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 13, wherein the advertisement output step (S104) is a step of outputting advertisements with content according to the advertisement output timing. More suitable advertisements can be output according to the advertisement output timing. For example, advertisement dropout and a decrease in advertising revenue can be suppressed.

[0095] (Supplementary Note 15) The live streaming program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 13, wherein the advertisement output step (S104) is a step of outputting advertisements to each of a plurality of viewers watching the live streaming, according to attribute information of each of the plurality of viewers. More suitable advertisements can be output according to the attributes of each of the viewers. For example, advertisement dropout and a decrease in advertising revenue can be suppressed.

[0096] (Supplementary Note 16) A method executed by a computer having a processor and a memory, wherein the processor executes all of the steps executed in any of the inventions according to Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 15. This allows advertisements to be output at a more suitable timing for viewers of live streaming. For example, it is possible to prevent advertisement abandonment and a decrease in advertising revenue.

[0097] (Supplementary Note 17) An information processing device including a control unit and a storage unit, wherein the control unit executes all of the steps executed in any of the inventions according to Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 15. This allows advertisements to be output at a more suitable timing for viewers of live streaming. For example, it is possible to prevent advertisement abandonment and a decrease in advertising revenue.

[0098] (Supplementary Note 18) A system comprising means for executing all steps executed in any of the inventions according to Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 15. This allows advertisements to be output at a more suitable timing for viewers of live streaming. For example, it is possible to prevent advertisement abandonment and a decrease in advertising revenue.

[0099] 1 System, 10 Server, 101 Memory unit, 104 Control unit, 106 Input device, 108 Output device, 20 First user terminal, 201 Memory unit, 204 Control unit, 206 Input device, 208 Output device, 30 Second user terminal, 301 Memory unit, 304 Control unit, 306 Input device, 308 Output device

Claims

1. A live streaming program to be executed by a computer having a processor and a memory unit, wherein the processor executes the following steps: a streaming start step of starting live streaming by a streamer; an advertisement output step of outputting advertisements to viewers at predetermined timings during the live streaming; and an advertisement change step of changing the predetermined timings for outputting the advertisements in response to input operations from the streamer.

2. A live streaming program as described in claim 1, wherein the advertisement output step is a step of outputting advertisements at predetermined intervals during the live streaming, and the advertisement change step is a step of starting to output the advertisements when an input operation is received from the broadcaster.

3. The live streaming program of claim 1, wherein the advertisement change step is a step of not changing the specified timing for outputting the advertisement if, during the live streaming, an input operation is received from the broadcaster a first period before the specified timing for outputting the advertisement, or if an input operation is received from the broadcaster a specified number of times or more.

4. The live distribution program according to claim 1, wherein the advertisement change step is a step in which the predetermined timing for outputting the advertisement can be advanced but cannot be delayed in response to input operations from the distributor.

5. A live streaming program as described in claim 1, wherein the processor executes a first presentation step of presenting to the broadcaster a first screen including an advertisement button capable of accepting input operations from the broadcaster, and the advertisement change step is a step of changing the specified timing for outputting the advertisement in accordance with the broadcaster's selection of the advertisement button.

6. A live streaming program as described in claim 5, wherein the first presentation step is a step of presenting information indicating the period until the specified timing on the first screen superimposed on the advertising button, and resetting the information indicating the period until the specified timing to an initial value in response to the broadcaster selecting the advertising button.

7. The live distribution program according to claim 5, wherein the processor executes an advertisement notification step of notifying the distributor in advance when the period until the next advertisement output timing falls within the second period.

8. The live distribution program according to claim 7, wherein the advertisement notification step provides the advance notice by means other than the first screen.

9. The live streaming program of claim 1, wherein the processor executes a second presentation step of presenting a second screen including a plurality of advertisement candidates to the broadcaster in response to receiving an input operation from the broadcaster, and the advertisement output step is a step of outputting a predetermined advertisement candidate selected by the broadcaster from the plurality of advertisement candidates.

10. The live streaming program of claim 1, wherein the advertisement output step is a step of outputting the advertisement based on at least one of the following: a predetermined timing for outputting the advertisement, which is determined according to the type of content related to the live streaming; a first period during which the advertisement output timing can be changed; an upper limit on the number of times the advertisement output timing can be changed by the advertisement change step; and the advertisement output period.

11. The live streaming program of claim 1, wherein the advertisement output step is a step of outputting the advertisement based on at least one of the following: a predetermined timing for outputting the advertisement, which is determined according to at least one of the play time, break time, and rules of the content related to the live streaming; a first period during which the advertisement output timing can be changed; an upper limit on the number of times the advertisement output timing can be changed by the advertisement change step; and the advertisement output period.

12. The live streaming program of claim 1, wherein the advertisement output step is a step of outputting the advertisement based on at least one of the following: a predetermined timing for outputting the advertisement, which is determined according to the playback conditions of the content related to the live streaming; a first period during which the advertisement output timing can be changed; an upper limit on the number of times the advertisement output timing can be changed by the advertisement change step; and the advertisement output period.

13. The live streaming program of claim 1, wherein the advertisement output step is a step of outputting the advertisement based on information obtained by inputting information related to the live streaming into an artificial intelligence system, and based on at least one of the following: a predetermined timing for outputting the advertisement; a first period during which the advertisement output timing can be changed; an upper limit on the number of times the advertisement output timing can be changed by the advertisement change step; and the advertisement output period.

14. The live distribution program according to claim 1, wherein the advertisement output step is a step of outputting the advertisement with content according to the advertisement output timing.

15. The live streaming program according to claim 1, wherein the advertisement output step is a step of outputting advertisements to each of a plurality of viewers watching the live streaming in accordance with attribute information of each of the plurality of viewers.

16. A method implemented on a computer having a processor and a memory, wherein the processor performs all of the steps performed in any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. An information processing device comprising a control unit and a storage unit, wherein the control unit executes all steps executed in any one of the inventions according to claims 1 to 15.

18. A system comprising means for executing all steps performed in any one of the inventions according to claims 1 to 15.

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