Virtual Space Object Visibility Control for Live Streaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current live internet broadcasting systems lack the ability to restrict the visibility of certain objects in virtual space for distributors, such as scripts or virtual camera positions, from being seen by viewers, while allowing selective disclosure to participants, which is not feasible with existing technologies that rely on browsing rights control.
Innovation Solution
A content distribution server and method that includes a distribution unit for synthesizing video in virtual space with information on the distributor as a virtual character, and a setting receiving unit to restrict the display of specific objects on viewer terminals based on disclosure restriction settings from the distributor's terminal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If all users share the virtual space from the same viewpoint, then it is easy to manage and implement, but it prevents distributors from having private objects (scripts, timekeepers, virtual camera positions) that should not be visible to viewers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different visibility properties for different objects within the same virtual space. Objects are tagged with disclosure restriction flags that control their visibility on a per-object basis, enabling distributors to have private objects (scripts, timekeepers, virtual camera positions) while other objects remain visible to viewers. This resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable without increasing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the virtual space objects into two categories: public objects visible to all users and private objects restricted to distributors only. This segmentation is achieved through disclosure restriction settings that can be applied to individual objects, allowing the system to maintain simple shared virtual space management while providing flexibility for private objects.
2Ease of operation
If distributors wear HMD and distribute content while watching video in virtual space, then real-time interaction is improved, but distributors cannot check scripts or timekeepers in real space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual space objects as intermediaries to provide distribution information (scripts, timekeepers, virtual camera positions) to distributors wearing HMDs. These objects appear in the distributor's field of view within the virtual space, allowing real-time access to distribution information without removing the HMD. The objects serve as a mediator between the distributor's need for information and the constraint of wearing HMD equipment.
3Reliability
If browsing rights control is used to restrict object visibility, then privacy control is improved, but it cannot selectively disclose objects to participants while restricting them from viewers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic disclosure control where objects can have different visibility states for different user groups. The disclosure restriction settings are not fixed but can be dynamically adjusted to allow selective disclosure to participants while restricting visibility from viewers. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to different distribution scenarios without compromising privacy control.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a content distribution server which is able to establish restrictions on the public disclosure of an object displayed in virtual space at the convenience of the distributor. The content distribution server comprises: a distribution unit that distributes live content for synthesizing video in virtual space using information from the distributor as virtual character information; and a first setting receiving unit that receives from the distributor terminal used by the distributor public disclosure restriction settings for establishing restrictions on objects present in virtual space displayed on the distributor terminal that can be viewed on a viewer terminal used by a viewer to view live content.