JP7269686B1 - Device control program, viewer information input program, management server device, content distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to realize an input operation performed by a viewer to a distributor as a real-world operation on the distributor side when content provided by the content distributor is distributed from a content distribution site to the viewer. SOLUTION: Information of the content distributor logged in to the device control program is transmitted to a viewer information input program that does not operate on a content distribution site server device. First viewer input information is received from the content distribution site indicating an input made by a content viewer to the content distributor. The second viewer input information input to the viewer information input program is received from the viewer information input program. A content distribution site server device that provides a distributor device with a first control command for a first control target device that can be controlled by the distributor device, based on first viewer input information or second viewer input information. Send without going through [Selection drawing] Fig. 1

Description

The present invention relates to a device control program, a viewer information input program, a management server device, and a content distribution method, which are used when content provided by a content distributor is distributed from a content distribution site.

Conventionally, there is known a method of distributing contents such as moving images, music, and voice via the Internet (for example, Patent Document 1). For example, a content distributor accesses a content management server via a browser displayed on a desktop personal computer, and uploads a live-distributed moving image captured by a video camera to the content management server in real time. Viewers of the content access the content management server via a browser on their smartphones and download and view the live-streamed videos in real time.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-301442

However, the unilateral provision of content by the distributor does not increase the motivation of the distributor. In addition, viewers cannot react to the distributor, and their motivation to support the distributor is not increased. As one method for increasing the motivation of the distributor, it is conceivable that the viewers give money to the distributor. However, even if the viewer gives money to the distributor, the money does not move spatially. Therefore, neither of the viewers can feel that they have made some sort of effort to the distributor.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device control program, a viewer information input program, a management server device, and a content distribution method that are realized as operations in the real world.

A device control program according to the present invention is device control executed by a distributor device used by a content distributor and a management server device that communicates with a content distribution site server device that distributes content provided by the distributor device to content viewers. A program comprising: a transmitting step of transmitting information of said content distributor logged in to said device control program to a viewer information input program not running on said content distribution site server device; and content for viewing said content. a first viewer input information receiving step of receiving, from the content distribution site, first viewer input information indicating an input made by a viewer to the content distributor; a second viewer input information receiving step of receiving second viewer input information input to a viewer information input program; and the first viewer input information received in the first viewer input information receiving step. Alternatively, based on the second viewer input information received in the second viewer input information receiving step, the distributor device of the content distributor is provided with a first control target device that can be controlled by the distributor device. A management server device is caused to execute a first control command transmission step of transmitting a first control command without going through the content distribution site server device.

Preferably, a first controlled object that receives first controlled object information indicating a first controlled object device that can be controlled by the distributor device from the distributor device without going through the content distribution site server device. Based on the information receiving step and the first controlled object information received in the first controlled object information receiving step, the consideration information regarding the content distributor and the operation of the first controlled object device are associated with each other. and a first correspondence information generating step of generating first correspondence information indicating the Based on the viewer identification information included in the input information, the consideration information provided by the content viewer to the content distributor, and the first correspondence information generated in the first correspondence information generation step, the first A first control instruction for controlling one controlled device is generated.

Preferably, the first device to be controlled is a device controlled by infrared communication or a device controlled by Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication.

Preferably, the first control command transmitting step refers to first keyword correspondence information indicating correspondence between a keyword and an operation of the first device to be controlled, and is included in the viewer input information. The keyword is specified, and the first control instruction is generated based on the operation of the first controlled device associated with the specified keyword.

Preferably, a second controlled object information receiving step of receiving, from the viewer device, second controlled object information indicating a second controlled object device that can be controlled by the viewer device; or the second viewer input information and the second control target information, the viewer device of the content viewer is provided with the second controllable viewer device and a second control command transmission step of transmitting a second control command for the control target device.

Preferably, the management server device is caused to execute a billing step of billing the content viewer based on the price information.

A management server device according to the present invention is a management server device that communicates with a distributor device used by a content distributor and a content distribution site server device that distributes content provided by the distributor device to content viewers. Transmission means for transmitting information of the content distributor logged in to the control program to a viewer information input program that does not operate on the content distribution site server device; input from the first viewer input information receiving means for receiving the first viewer input information indicating the input performed to the content distribution site from the content distribution site and the viewer information input program to the viewer information input program a second viewer input information receiving means for receiving second viewer input information received by said first viewer input information receiving means or said second viewer input information received by said first viewer input information receiving means; Based on the second viewer input information received by the input information receiving means, a first control command for a first control target device that can be controlled by the distributor device is sent to the distributor device of the content distributor. and a first control command transmitting means for transmitting without going through the content distribution site server device.

A program for inputting viewer information according to the present invention is a program for inputting a content provided by a content distributor from a content distribution site server device for distributing the content. and the first viewer input information received in the receiving step, or the second viewer input information other than the first viewer input information. and a first control command transmitting step of transmitting a first control command for a first controlled device controllable by the distributor device to the distributor device of the content distributor. a program that cooperates with a device control program that causes the device to be controlled, the acquisition step of acquiring from the device control program information about the content distributor who has logged in to the device control program; and based on the information acquired in the acquisition step, a screen display step of displaying an input screen for the viewer to input the second viewer input information; and transmitting the second viewer input information input by the viewer using the input screen to the device. and a providing step of providing to the control program.

A content distribution method according to the present invention provides a content distribution site server device for distributing content provided by a content distributor, and a content viewer who views the content performs a first viewing process indicating an input made by the content distributor to the content distributor. Based on a viewer input information receiving step of receiving viewer input information, and the first viewer input information received in the receiving step or second viewer input information other than the first viewer input information and a first control command transmitting step of transmitting, to a distributor device of the content distributor, a first control command for a first control target device controllable by the distributor device. an obtaining step of obtaining from the device control program information about the content distributor logged in to the device control program; and based on the information obtained in the obtaining step, the viewer becomes the second viewer Viewing a screen display step of displaying an input screen for inputting input information and a providing step of providing the second viewer input information input by the viewer using the input screen to the device control program The personal information input program causes the computer to execute.

A content distribution method according to the present invention uses a distributor device used by a content distributor, a content distribution site server device for distributing content provided by the distributor device to content viewers, and a management server device. A method, wherein the management server device receives, from the content distribution site server device, first viewer input information indicating an input made to the content distributor by a content viewer viewing the content. a viewer input information receiving step of; a sending step of sending information of the content distributor logged in to the device control program running on the management server device to the viewer device of the content viewer; a screen display step of displaying an input screen for the viewer to input second viewer input information based on the information acquired by the device in the transmission step; and inputting by the viewer using the input screen. a providing step of providing the second viewer input information obtained from the viewer device to the server management device without going through the content distribution site server device; Based on the first viewer-input information or the second viewer-input information received in the providing step, the management server device instructs the distributor device of the content distributor to control the distributor device. and a first control command transmitting step of transmitting a first control command for one controlled device without going through the content distribution site server device.

According to the present invention, when content provided by a content distributor is distributed from a content distribution site to a viewer, an input operation performed by the viewer to the distributor is actualized as a real-world operation on the distributor side. , a device control program, a viewer information input program, a management server device, and a content delivery method.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a content providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the distributor device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the management server apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the video distribution site server device. FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining various registration processes of the content providing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing functions of the viewer information input program PRG2 of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the overall operation of the content providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a content providing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the content providing system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a content providing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the content providing system 1 provides services using a video distribution site server device 11, a viewer device 13, a distributor device 15, and a management server device 21. FIG.

The content providing system 1 distributes content provided by a content distributor using a distributor device 15 from a video distribution site server device 11 operated by a content distribution site to a viewer device 13 of a viewer.
In the content providing system 1, the management server device 21 receives from the video distribution site server device 11 the viewer input information to the distributor 25 that the viewer 23 performed using the viewer device 13, and distributes based on this. A first controlled device 39 around the person 25 is controlled.

The viewer device 13 and the distributor device 15 are smart phones, personal computers, and the like.
Contents provided by the moving image distribution site server device 11 may be data other than moving images, such as audio.

The function of each device will be described in detail below.
[Video distribution site server device 11]
The video distribution site server device 11 is a device managed by the operator of the video distribution site.
The moving image distribution site server device 11 receives and stores content data transmitted by the distributor 25 using the distributor device 15 .
The moving image distribution site server device 11 transmits the stored content data to the viewer device 13 in response to access by the viewer 23 operating the viewer device 13 .
The viewer device 13 outputs moving images and audio corresponding to the content data received from the moving image distribution site server device 11 .

The moving picture distribution site server device 11 receives and stores the first viewer input information input according to the operation of the viewer 23 who watches according to the content data.
Also, the first viewer input information is information relating to input operations provided to the distributor 25 by the viewer 23 using the viewer device 13, such as price information and comment information.
The first viewer input information includes first viewer identification information, consideration information such as tip information and gift information provided by the viewer, and comment information.
Also, the first viewer input information includes viewer identification information and distributor identification information.

The moving picture distribution site server device 11 provides first viewer input information in response to a request (access) from the management server device 21 .

If the first viewer input information includes price information, the moving picture distribution site server device 11 may receive the price from the viewer 23 and pay the distributor 25 .

[Distributor device 15]
Distributor device 15 is used by distributor 25 .
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of distributor device 15 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the distributor device 15 has a display 51, a camera 52, an operation section 53, a communication section 55, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication section 57, a memory 59, and a processing section 61, for example.

The display 51 displays an image based on the signal from the processing section 61 .
The camera 52 images an object to be imaged. In this employee, the distributor 25 captures a video including himself with the camera 52 and transmits it to the viewer device 13 via the video distribution site server device 11 .

The operation unit 53 is operation means such as a touch panel, keyboard, and mouse.
The communication unit 55 communicates with the video distribution site server device 11 and the management server device 21 .
The Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit 57 performs Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication with the infrared controller 19 .
Memory 59 stores distributor program PRG11 executed by processing unit 61 .
The processing unit 61 executes the distributor program PRG11 stored in the memory 59 to perform the processing of the distributor device 15 defined in this embodiment.

The processing unit 61 accesses the management server device 21 via the communication unit 55 according to the operation of the operation unit 53 by the user, downloads the distributor program PRG11, and stores it in the memory 59 .
The processing unit 61 transmits (uploads) the content data connected by the camera 52 to the video distribution site server device 11 . Content data includes moving images and audio.

When the processing unit 61 receives the first control command from the management server device 21 via the communication unit 55, the processing unit 61 communicates with the infrared controller 19 via the Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit 57 based on the first control command. communication.
The infrared controller 19 converts the first control command received from the distributor device 15 via Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication, and transmits the first control command via infrared communication to the first controlled device 39 to be controlled via infrared communication.
The infrared controller 19 controls a first controlled device 39 such as a power outlet, an air conditioner, and a television through infrared communication.

In addition, the processing unit 61 controls the first controlled device 38 via Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication via the Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit 57 based on the first control command from the management server device 21 . may be controlled.

[Management server device 21]
The management server device 21 is used by an operator other than the operator of the video distribution site server device 11 .
The management server device 21 receives, from the video distribution site server device 11, the first viewer input information for the distributor 25 performed by the viewer 23 using the viewer device 13, and based on this, the distributor 25 to control the first controlled device 39 in the surroundings.
The management server device 21 also receives the second viewer input information from the viewer device 13 and controls the first controlled devices 39 around the distributor 25 based on this.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the management server device 21 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the management server device 21 has a communication section 75, a memory 79 and a processing section 81, for example.

The communication unit 75 communicates with the viewer device 13 , the distributor device 15 and the video distribution site server device 11 .
The memory 79 stores the device control program PRG1 and the viewer information input program PRG2 executed by the processing unit 81 . Note that the functions of the device control program PRG1 and the viewer information input program PRG2 may be realized by one or three or more programs.
The processing unit 81 executes the device control program PRG1 stored in the memory 79 to perform processing of the management server device 21 defined in this embodiment.

Upon receiving the first and second viewer input information from the video distribution site server device 11 , the processing unit 81 stores this in the memory 79 .
Based on the first and second viewer input information, the processing unit 81 generates a first control command for a first controlled device controllable by the distributor device 15 .
The processing unit 81 transmits the first control command to the distributor device 15 via the communication unit 75 .

In response to a request from the distributor device 15, the processing unit 81 registers the distributor 25 and causes the distributor device 15 of the distributor 25 to install the distributor program PRG11.
Further, the processing unit 81 registers the viewer 23 in response to a request from the viewer device 13 and installs the viewer information input program PRG21 in the viewer device 13 of the viewer 23 .
The processing unit 81 performs the following processing based on the functions of the device control program PRG1.
That is, the processing unit 81 receives the first controlled object information indicating the local devices that can be controlled by the distributor's device from the distributor's device 15 and stores it in the memory 79 .
The processing unit 81 generates a first control command based on the first controlled object information.

The first and second viewer-input information includes viewer identification information and compensation information and comments provided by the viewer.
The memory 79 stores first correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the consideration information and the operation of the first controlled device.
The processing unit 81 generates a first control instruction further based on the first correspondence information.

The processing unit 81 communicates with the distributor device 15 in advance, acquires information about the first controlled device 39 and the first controlled device 38 with which the distributor device 15 can communicate, and based on the information, , first correspondence information is generated and stored in the memory 79 .

In this embodiment, the first device to be controlled is a device controlled by infrared communication or a device controlled by Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication.

The memory 79 stores a first keyword correspondence table showing correspondence between keywords and operations of the first control target device.
The processing unit 81 refers to the first keyword correspondence table, specifies the keywords included in the comments in the received first and second viewer input information, and associates the keywords with the specified keywords. A first control command is generated based on the operation of the first controlled device.

The processing unit 81 calculates the total amount of tips provided by the viewer included in the first and second viewer input information, and displays the images related to the viewers in the order according to the total tip amounts of the plurality of viewers. may be generated to display a first control instruction.

The processing unit 81 performs the following processing based on the functions of the viewer information input program PRG2.
The viewer information input program PRG2 performs the processing described in this embodiment in cooperation with the device control program PRG1.
That is, the processing unit 81 acquires information on the distributor 25 (distributor apparatus 15) logged into the device control program PRG1 from the device control program PRG1.
Based on the acquired information, the processing unit 81 performs processing for displaying on the viewer device 13 an input screen for the viewer 23 to input the second viewer input information.

The processing unit 81 provides the device control program PRG1 with the second viewer input information input by the viewer 23 using the input screen.

Based on the viewer information input program PRG2, the processing unit 81 performs a process of paying the distributor 25 all or part of the consideration provided to the distributor 25 by the viewer 23 .
As a result, it is possible to pay the distributor 25 for the consideration from the viewer 23 without going through the moving picture distribution site server device 11 .

In this embodiment, the following operations are performed.
Distributor device 15 is a device (personal computer or smart phone) in which distributor program PRG11 provided by management server device 21 is installed, according to the amount of tip or the consideration for the gift, via the Bluetooth adapter of distributor device 15. A Bluetooth command is transmitted to the infrared controller 19 that emits the learned radio waves, and the infrared controller 19 controls the first controlled device 39 . For example, it controls the ON and OFF of the infrared power supply.

The infrared controller 19 transmits the radio waves that the infrared remote controller has learned to the first device 39 to be controlled.

For example, when broadcaster A is presented with a tip (points worth 100 yen) or a gift (candy worth 100 yen) from a person watching broadcaster A on a live distribution site, the devices around broadcaster A that are operated by infrared remote controls The switch turns ON and stops after the number of seconds specified in the program.

When an outlet controlled by the infrared controller 19 is used, a home appliance (eg, a circulator, etc.) plugged into the outlet moves for a specified number of seconds.
Devices that work with Bluetooth control also work for the number of seconds specified by the chip.
For example, 100Tip for 5 seconds: 100Tip for 5 seconds The toy moves.

For example, it is possible to move devices around the broadcaster in response to certain characters in a chat message. When the keyword is "Good morning" Comment: "Good morning" is used to move surrounding devices.
In addition, the app on the distributor side will display the sorting in order of the total amount of the person who put in the tip. In addition, there is a title display based on the total amount of chips for each individual.

If the viewer input information received from the moving image distribution site server device 11 contains price information, the processing unit 81 may receive the payment of the price from the viewer 23 and pay the distributor 25. . The consideration processing is performed separately from the consideration processing by the video distribution site server device 11 .

An operation example of the content providing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below.
[Video distribution site server device 11]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the video distribution site server device 11. As shown in FIG.
Each step shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

Step ST11:
When the moving picture distribution site server device 11 receives the first viewer input information input according to the operation of the viewer 23 who views the content data from the viewer device 13, the process proceeds to step ST12.

Step ST12:
The moving picture distribution site server device 11 stores the first viewer input information received in step ST11.

Step ST13:
When moving image distribution site server device 11 receives the first viewer input information request from management server device 21, it proceeds to step ST14.

Step ST14:
Based on the viewer input information request, the moving picture distribution site server device 11 transmits the first viewer input information related to the specified viewer to the management server device 21 .
When the processing unit 81 of the management server device 21 receives the first viewer input information from the video distribution site server device 11 , it stores it in the memory 79 .

[registration process]
FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining various registration processes of the content providing system 1 of the first embodiment.
Step ST21:
In response to a download request from the distributor device 15, the management server device 21 causes the distributor device 15 to install the distributor program PRG11. Accordingly, the distributor device 15 (distributor 25) is registered in the device control program PRG1.

Step ST22:
Through the registration in step ST21, the distributor apparatus 15 is registered so as to be able to use the functions of the viewer information input program PRG2 via the device control program PRG1.

Step ST23:
The distributor device 15 transmits information of the first control target device 39 and the second control target device 38 that are communicable (API-cooperable) to the management server device 21 based on the functions of the distributor program PRG11. .
The management server device 21 registers the information so that it can be used by the device control program PRG1.

Step ST24:
In response to a download request from the viewer device 13, the management server device 21 causes the viewer device 13 to install the viewer information input program PRG21. Accordingly, the viewer device 13 (viewer 23) is registered in the viewer information input program PRG2.

Step ST25:
In the management server device 21, according to the function of the viewer information input program PRG2, the viewer device 13 performs an operation regarding consideration, and the equipment control program PRG1 receives the second viewer input information including the consideration information, A first control command for the second control target device 38 and the first control target device 39 is created and transmitted to the distributor device 15 .
At this time, the processing unit 81 acquires information on the distributor 25 (distributor apparatus 15) logged in to the device control program PRG1 from the device control program PRG1 using the viewer information input program PRG2 function (step ST31).
The processing unit 81 performs processing for displaying an input screen for the viewer 23 to input the second viewer input information on the viewer device 13 based on the acquired information by the viewer information input program PRG2 function. (step ST32 in FIG. 6).
The processing unit 81 provides the device control program PRG1 with the second viewer input information input by the viewer 23 using the input screen by the viewer information input program PRG2 function (step ST33 in FIG. 6).

In addition, the management server device 21 receives the first viewer input information from the moving image distribution site server device 11 in the device control program PRG1, and controls the first control target device 38 and the first control target device 39. A control command is created and transmitted to the distributor device 15 .

[Overall operation]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the overall operation of the content providing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention.
Each step shown in FIG. 7 will be described.

Step ST41:
Based on the first or second viewer input information read from the memory 79, the processing unit 81 of the management server device 21 controls the first controlled device 39 that can be controlled by the distributor device 15. 1 control instruction is generated.
The memory 79 stores the first or second viewer input information acquired in the process described above.
At this time, the processing unit 81 further uses the first correspondence information read out from the memory 79 and indicating the correspondence between the chip information and the operation of the first controlled device 39 to generate the first control command.
In addition, the processing unit 81 further uses the first controlled object information, which is read from the memory 79 and indicates a local device that can be controlled by the distributor device 15, to generate the first control command.

In addition, the processing unit 81 refers to the first keyword correspondence table, which is read from the memory 79 and indicates the correspondence between the keyword and the operation of the first device to be controlled, and refers to the viewer information received from the video distribution site server device 11 . The keyword included in the input information is specified, and a first control command is generated based on the operation of the first controlled device associated with the specified keyword.

The processing unit 81 calculates the total tip amount provided by the viewer included in the viewer input information, and displays the images related to the viewers in the order according to the total tip amounts of the plurality of viewers. of control instructions may be generated.

Step ST42:
The processing section 81 of the management server device 21 transmits the first control command generated in step ST41 to the distributor device 15 via the communication section 75 .

Step ST43:
When the processing unit 61 of the distributor device 15 receives the first control command from the management server device 21 via the communication unit 55 in step ST42, the processing unit 61 of the distributor device 15 transmits the Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit based on the first control command. It communicates with the infrared controller 19 via 57.

Step ST44:
In step ST43, the infrared controller 19 converts the first control instruction received from the distributor device 15 via Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication to generate an infrared control instruction, which is transmitted to the first controlled device 39 via infrared communication. Send to

Step ST45:
The first controlled device 39 performs an operation according to the infrared control command received from the distributor device 15 in step ST44.

As described above, according to the content providing system 1, by the function of the device control program PRG1, viewers 23 viewing the content distributed by the distributor device 15 via the video distribution site server device 11 According to the input operation of the device 13, the first controlled device 39 in the home of the distributor 25 can be controlled.

According to the content providing system 1, the viewer information input program PRG2 is provided in addition to the device control program PRG1, so that the viewer 23 can provide the management server device 21 with consideration without going through the video distribution site server device 11. , a reward corresponding to the consideration can be paid to the distributor 25. - 特許庁Accordingly, the viewer 23 can provide the distributor 25 with a consideration without being managed by the moving picture distribution site server device 11 .

Further, according to the content providing system 1, even if the first control target device 39 is a device controlled by infrared communication, the first control command generated by the management server device 21 is transmitted by Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication. It is possible to transmit to the infrared controller 19 and control the operation of the first controlled device 39 with the infrared controller 19 .

Further, according to the content providing system 1, in addition to the content distribution service for the viewers 23 by the video distribution site server device 11, the first control target device 39 and the second control target device by the management server device 21 are provided. Thirty-eight remote control services can be added to enhance entertainment.

According to the present embodiment, the viewer 23 can obtain the effect according to the price he or she has provided, the operation of the first control target device 39 around the distributor 25 or the operation of the third control target device around the viewer 23 . can be known as the operation of the control target device 139, and it becomes easier to feel the effect of the provision of consideration.

]
<Second embodiment>
In the above-described first embodiment, the management server device 21 receives viewer input information for the distributor 25 performed by the viewer 23 using the viewer device 13 from the video distribution site server device 11, and Based on this, the case of controlling the first controlled device 39 around the distributor 25 has been described.
This embodiment has the following functions in addition to the functions of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a content providing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, the management server device 2 also controls the third controlled device 139 around the viewer 23 based on the viewer input information.

The management server device 21 registers the viewer 23 and causes the viewer device 13 to install the viewer information input program PRG21 and the viewer device control program PRG3.
The management server device 21 receives from the viewer device 13 based on the functions of the viewer information input program PRG21 and the distributor program PRG11 a second control target device 138, 139 that is controllable by the viewer device 13. Get the control target information of .

Based on the received first or second viewer input information and the second control target information, the management server device 21 controls the viewer device 13 of the viewer 23 and the controllable control target of the viewer device 13 . 2 control target devices 138 and 139 are generated and transmitted to the viewer device 13 .

The management server device 21 generates a second control command further based on second correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the consideration information and the operation of the second controlled devices 138 and 139 .

Hereinafter, the operation related to the control of the third controlled device 139 at the home of the viewer 23 in the content providing system 1 of this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the content providing system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Each step shown in FIG. 9 will be described.

Step ST51:
Based on the first or second viewer input information read from the memory 79, the processing unit 81 of the management server device 21 selects the third control target device 139 of the viewer 23's home that can be controlled by the distributor device 15. Generate a second control instruction for controlling.
At this time, the processing unit 81 further uses the second correspondence information read out from the memory 79 and indicating the correspondence between the chip information and the operation of the third controlled device 139 to generate the second control command.
Further, the processing unit 81 further uses the second controlled object information, which is read from the memory 79 and indicates the local devices that can be controlled by the viewer device 13, to generate a second control command.

In addition, the processing unit 81 refers to the second keyword correspondence table, which is read from the memory 79 and indicates the correspondence between the keywords and the operations of the second control target devices 138 and 139, and receives the keywords from the video distribution site server device 11. The keyword included in the first or second viewer input information is specified, and a third control command is issued based on the operation of the second controlled device 138, 139 associated with the specified keyword. to generate

Step ST52:
The processing section 81 of the management server device 21 transmits the second control command generated in step ST51 to the viewer device 13 via the communication section 75 .
At this time, the processing unit 81 transmits a second control command to the viewer device 13 so that the operations of the second controlled devices 138 and 139 and the first controlled devices 38 and 39 are synchronized. You may

Step ST53:
When the viewer device 13 receives the second control command from the management server device 21 in step ST52, the viewer device 13 communicates with the infrared controller 119 via the Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit based on the second control command. conduct.

Step ST54:
In step ST53, the infrared controller 119 converts the second control instruction received from the viewer device 13 via Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication to generate an infrared control instruction, which is transmitted to the second controlled device 139 via infrared communication. Send to The second controlled device 138 is directly controlled by the distributor device 15 .

Step ST55:
The second control target device 139 performs an operation according to the infrared control command received from the viewer device 13 in step ST54.

As described above, according to the content providing system 1 of the present embodiment, the viewer 23 who watches the content distributed by the distributor device 15 via the video distribution site server device 11 inputs the input to the viewer device 13 . According to the operation, the second controlled devices 138 and 139 in the viewer's 23 home can be controlled.

Further, according to the content providing system 1 of the present embodiment, even if the third control target device 139 is a device controlled by infrared communication, the third control command generated by the management server device 21 is transmitted via Bluetooth (registered (trademark) communication to the infrared controller 19 , and the infrared controller 19 can control the operation of the third controlled device 139 .

In the above-described embodiment, the viewer device 13 and the distributor device 15 receive the first and third control commands from the video distribution site server device 11, and control the first control target via the infrared controllers 19 and 119. A case of controlling the device 39 or the third control target device 139 and the second control target device 38 or the fourth control device is illustrated. Note that, in the present invention, the control may be performed using a communication device (viewer device or the like) other than the viewer device 13 and the distributor device 15 .
In this case, the communication device receives the first and third control instructions directly from the video distribution site server device 11 or via the viewer device 13 or the distributor device 15, and based on this, infrared It controls the first controlled device 39 or the third controlled device 139 and the second controlled device 38 or the fourth controlled device via the controllers 19 and 119 .

The network used for communication between the video distribution site server device 11, the viewer device 13, the distributor device 15, and the management server device 21 is not limited, but may be, for example, the Internet, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network. There are various communication paths such as networks (WAN), wired communication networks, wireless communication networks, television communication networks, satellite communication networks, and acoustic communication.

The video distribution site server device 11, the viewer device 13, the distributor device 15, and the management server device 21 include, but are not limited to, distributed computers, server computers, desktop computers, smartphones, mobile information terminals, laptop computers, tablet computers, televisions, and combinations thereof.

Types of memory included in each device include, but are not limited to, read-only memory, read-write memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, tangible non-primary storage media, and combinations thereof.

The displays of the viewer device 13 and the distributor device 15 include, but are not limited to, touch panel displays, and combinations of display devices and input devices. Examples of display devices include, but are not limited to, touch panel displays, display-only displays, and televisions. Examples of input devices include, but are not limited to, touch panel displays, keyboards, mice, touch pads, trackballs, and voice recognition devices.

In the present disclosure, part or all of various configurations including configurations realized by processing units and programs of video distribution site server device 11, viewer device 13, and distributor device 15 are integrated circuits for specific applications (ASIC). It may be implemented by hardware such as A computer may function as a device by plugging an external device called a dongle into, for example, a USB terminal of the computer.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. That is, those skilled in the art may make various changes, combinations, subcombinations, and substitutions regarding the constituent elements of the above-described embodiments within the technical scope of the present invention or its equivalents.

Also, the device control program PRG1 and the viewer information input program PRG2 may be implemented on physically different computers.
Also, in the above-described embodiments, moving images were exemplified as an example of the contents of the present invention, but voices and sounds may also be used.

For example, the video distribution site server device 11 is in a state of being able to communicate (pairing) with the infrared controllers 19 and 119, and with the infrared controllers 19 and 119 and the first controlled device 39 and the third controlled device 139. may be determined, and the first control command may be transmitted on the condition that it is determined to be in a communicable state. In addition, when the video distribution site server device 11 is not paired, the moving image distribution site server device 11 notifies the fact by the first control command, obtains information from the distributor device 15 that the pairing is not performed, and confirms this. Predetermined processing may be performed based on the data.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is applicable to various systems in which a content distribution site server device provides content to viewer devices.

PRG1... Equipment control program PRG2... Viewer information input program PRG11... Distributor program PRG21... Viewer information input program PRG3... Viewer equipment control program 1... Content providing system 11... Video distribution site server device 13... Viewer device 15... Distributor device 51 Display 52 Camera 53 Operation unit 55 Communication unit 57 Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit 59 Memory 61 Processing unit 19, 119 Infrared controller 21 Management server device 75 Communication unit 79 Memory 81 Processing unit 23 Viewer 25 Distributor 38, 39 First device to be controlled 138, 139 Second device to be controlled

Claims (10)

A device control program executed by a management server device that communicates with a distributor device used by a content distributor and a content distribution site server device that distributes content provided by the distributor device to content viewers,
a transmitting step of transmitting information of the content distributor logged into the device control program to a viewer information input program that does not operate on the content distribution site server device;
a first viewer input information receiving step of receiving, from the content distribution site server device, first viewer input information indicating an input made to the content distributor by a content viewer viewing the content;
a second viewer input information receiving step of receiving second viewer input information input to the viewer information input program from the viewer information input program;
Based on the first viewer input information received in the first viewer input information receiving step or the second viewer input information received in the second viewer input information receiving step, the content distributor a first control command transmitting step of transmitting a first control command for a first control target device controllable by said distributor device to said distributor device without going through said content distribution site server device; A device control program executed by a server device. a first controlled object information receiving step of receiving, from the distributor device without going through the content distribution site server device, first controlled object information indicating a first controlled device controllable by the distributor device; ,
a first correspondence indicating the compensation information regarding the content distributor and the operation of the first controlled device in association with each other based on the first controlled object information received in the first controlled object information receiving step; a first correspondence information generating step for generating information;
has
The first control command transmission step includes:
Viewer identification information included in the received first viewer input information or second viewer input information, consideration information provided by the content viewer to the content distributor, and the first correspondence information The apparatus control program according to claim 1, wherein a first control instruction for controlling the first control target apparatus is generated based on the first correspondence information generated in the generating step. The device control program according to claim 1, wherein the first controlled device is a device controlled by infrared communication or a device controlled by Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication. The first control command transmission step includes:
identifying the keyword included in the first viewer input information by referring to first keyword correspondence information indicating correspondence between the keyword and the operation of the first device to be controlled, and identifying the identified keyword; The device control program according to claim 1, wherein the first control instruction is generated based on the operation of the first control target device associated with. a second control target information receiving step of receiving, from a viewer device of the content viewer, second control target information indicating a second control target device controllable by the viewer device;
Based on the received first viewer input information or second viewer input information and the second control target information, the viewer device can control the viewer device. 2. The device control program according to claim 1, causing the management server device to execute a second control command transmission step of transmitting a second control command for a second control target device. 3. The device control program according to claim 2, causing the management server device to execute a billing step of billing the content viewer based on the price information. A management server device that communicates with a distributor device used by a content distributor and a content distribution site server device that distributes content provided by the distributor device to content viewers,
transmission means for transmitting information of the content distributor logged in to the device control program to a viewer information input program that does not operate on the content distribution site server device;
first viewer input information receiving means for receiving, from the content distribution site server device, first viewer input information indicating an input made to the content distributor by a content viewer viewing the content;
a second viewer input information receiving means for receiving second viewer input information input to the viewer information input program from the viewer information input program;
Based on the first viewer input information received by the first viewer input information receiving means or the second viewer input information received by the second viewer input information receiving means, the content distributor and a first control command transmitting means for transmitting a first control command for a first controlled device controllable by the distributor device to the distributor device without going through the content distribution site server device. Management server device. A viewer receiving first viewer input information indicating an input made to a content distributor by a content viewer who views the content from a content distribution site server device that distributes content provided by the content distributor. an input information receiving step;
Based on the first viewer input information received in the viewer input information receiving step or the second viewer input information other than the first viewer input information, the distributor device of the content distributor , a first control command transmitting step of transmitting a first control command for a first controlled device controllable by the distributor device; and a device control program for causing a management server device to execute
an acquisition step of acquiring from the device control program information about the content distributor who has logged into the device control program;
a screen display step of displaying an input screen for the content viewer to input the second viewer input information based on the information obtained in the obtaining step;
A viewer information input program for causing a computer to execute a providing step of providing the device control program with the second viewer input information input by the content viewer using the input screen. A viewer receiving first viewer input information indicating an input made to a content distributor by a content viewer who views the content from a content distribution site server device that distributes content provided by the content distributor. an input information receiving step;
Based on the first viewer input information received in the viewer input information receiving step or the second viewer input information other than the first viewer input information, the distributor device of the content distributor , a first control command transmitting step of transmitting a first control command for a first controlled device controllable by the distributor device, and
an acquisition step of acquiring from the device control program information about the content distributor who has logged into the device control program;
a screen display step of displaying an input screen for the content viewer to input the second viewer input information based on the information obtained in the obtaining step;
and a providing step of providing the device control program with the second viewer input information input by the content viewer using the input screen, wherein the viewer information input program causes a computer to execute the content distribution method. A content distribution method using a distributor device used by a content distributor, a content distribution site server device for distributing content provided by the distributor device to content viewers, and a management server device,
first viewer input information, wherein the management server device receives first viewer input information indicating an input made to the content distributor by a content viewer who views the content, from the content distribution site server device; a receiving step;
a transmission step of transmitting information of the content distributor who has logged in to the device control program running on the management server device to the viewer device of the content viewer;
a screen display step of displaying an input screen for the content viewer to input second viewer input information based on the information acquired by the viewer device in the transmission step;
a providing step of providing the second viewer input information input by the content viewer using the input screen from the viewer device to the management server device without going through the content distribution site server device;
Based on the first viewer input information received in the first viewer input information receiving step or the second viewer input information received in the providing step, the management server device controls the content distributor a first control command transmitting step of transmitting to a distributor device a first control command for a first controlled device controllable by the distributor device without going through the content distribution site server device;
A content delivery method comprising:

Images