JP6469279B1 - Content distribution server, content distribution system, content distribution method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

A content distribution server and the like capable of improving convenience as a form of sharing a virtual space are provided.
[Solution]
The content distribution server 100 is a motion indicating the movements of the participation accepting unit 144 that accepts the other person's participation request in the virtual space used by the distributor and the participant who participates based on the distributor and the participation request. An information acquisition unit 141 that acquires information and information of each virtual character, a video generation unit 142 that generates a video in a virtual space in which motion information acquired by the information acquisition unit 141 is synthesized as a motion of a virtual character, and a video A distribution unit 143 that distributes live content based on the video generated by the generation unit 142;
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a content distribution server, a content distribution system, a content distribution method, and a program.

  In recent years, services for distributing live content via a network have become widespread as live Internet broadcasts. In such live Internet broadcasting, a technique has been proposed in which a distributor appears as a virtual character (avatar) in a virtual space and the video is distributed as live content. In such live content, video in which the motion of the distributor is synthesized as the motion of the virtual character is distributed by motion capture technology.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system in which an actor or spectator wearing an HMD (Head Mount Display) participates in a game or movie as a virtual character, and distributes images taken from multiple viewpoints in multiple channels. doing.

JP 2002-271893 A

  Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which an actor and a plurality of spectators gathered at the same place each participate in the same virtual space as virtual characters. However, in such a configuration, a user or a plurality of spectators gathered at the same place can participate in the same virtual space as a virtual character. Is low.

  For example, in live Internet broadcasting, a plurality of distributors may collaborate to create live content, and a plurality of distributors may distribute video that is reflected together. For example, when a plurality of distributors gathered at the same location deliver video shot by a single camera, and the distribution screens of a plurality of distributors shot at distant locations in the real space are divided or superimposed. be delivered. However, when the distributor is located in a distant place in the real space, each video is in a separated state, and it is not possible to distribute a video that shares one place.

  Therefore, it is preferable that even when a plurality of distributors are located away from each other in the real space, it is possible to realize distribution in which a plurality of distributors share one place via the network. Even in Internet live broadcasting in which a distributor appears as a virtual character in a virtual space, a function for realizing such distribution is required. It is preferable that not only the distributor but also a viewer who watches the distribution can participate in the distribution as a virtual character. If it is the structure which implement | achieves such a function, a distributor and another distributor or a distributor and a viewer can communicate in the same virtual space. In addition, there is a need for a system that can distribute the state as live content.

  In addition, if the convenience of the form of sharing the virtual space is enhanced, it is not just a composition of video, but the synthesis of multiple distribution programs, the entry and exit of the virtual space that becomes the recording studio, the recording studio becomes It is also possible to move from the virtual space to a virtual space to be another recording studio.

  Then, this indication aims at providing the content delivery server etc. which can improve the convenience as a form which shares a virtual space in view of such a situation.

In order to achieve the above object, a content distribution server according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a participation reception unit that receives a request for participation of another person in a virtual space that a distributor uses for distribution, and a distributor and a participation request. An information acquisition unit that acquires motion information indicating each movement of the participant who participates based on the information and information on each virtual character, and a virtual space in which the motion information acquired by the information acquisition unit is combined as a movement of the virtual character And a distribution unit that distributes live content based on the video generated by the video generation unit, and a participant performs another distribution different from the viewer who views the distribution or the distribution. If the distributor is another distributor who performs, and the participant is another distributor who performs other distributions, the distribution unit can display both the distributor and the other distributors on the viewer's communication terminal. Together Displays the the image, wherein the.

In order to achieve the above object, the content distribution system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure accepts another person's participation request in the virtual space used by the distributor for distribution, and is based on the distributor and the participation request. A content distribution server that generates a video in a virtual space by combining motion information indicating each motion with a participant participating as a motion of each virtual character, and distributes live content based on the generated video; A distributor terminal used by a viewer and a viewer terminal used by a viewer who views live content, and a participant is a viewer who views the distribution or another distributor who performs another distribution different from the distribution And if the participant is another distributor who is distributing other content, the content distribution server will make sure that both the distributor and the other distributor appear on the viewer's communication terminal. And displays the form image, characterized in that.

In order to achieve the above object, a content distribution method according to a third aspect of the present disclosure includes a participation reception step for receiving a request for participation of another person in a virtual space used for distribution by the distributor, An information acquisition step for acquiring motion information indicating each movement of the participant who participates based on the hope and information on each virtual character, and a virtual that combines the motion information acquired in the information acquisition step as the movement of the virtual character and image generation step of generating an image in space, only contains a distribution step for distributing live content based on the image generated in the image generation step, the participants, the other that is different from the audience or deliver to watch the delivery If you are another distributor who distributes and the participant is another distributor who distributes other Te, the communication terminal of a viewer, synthesized to display an image so that both distributor and another distributor is reflected, characterized in that.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure includes a computer, a participation reception unit that receives a request for participation of another person in a virtual space used by a distributor, and a distributor and a participant Information acquisition means for acquiring motion information indicating each movement with the participant who participates based on hope and information on each virtual character, and a virtual space in which the motion information acquired by the information acquisition means is combined as the movement of the virtual character The video generation means for generating the video in the video, and the distribution means for distributing the live content based on the video generated by the video generation means , the participant can distribute the viewer or other distribution different from the distribution If the participant is another distributor who performs other distributions, the distribution means will send the distributor and other distributors to the viewer's communication terminal. And displays the synthesized image so that both followers are reflected.

  According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a content distribution server or the like that can improve convenience as a form of sharing a virtual space.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the content delivery system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the content delivery server which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the distributor terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the viewer terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the viewer terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the delivery screen displayed on the viewer terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment, (A) shows the delivery screen before a viewer participates, (B) after a viewer participates The distribution screen is shown. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the control processing of the content delivery server which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the content delivery system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the content delivery server which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the distributor terminal which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the delivery screen displayed on the viewer terminal which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, (A) shows the delivery screen by the distributor before other distributors participate, (B) shows other The distribution screen by the other distributor before a distributor participates is shown, and (C) shows the distribution screen after another distributor participates. It is a figure which shows an example of the imaging | photography screen by the virtual camera which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, (A) shows the imaging | photography screen before another distributor participates, (B) is after another distributor participates. The shooting screen is shown. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the control processing of the content delivery server which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present disclosure described in the claims. In addition, all the components shown in the embodiments are not necessarily essential components of the present disclosure. In the first embodiment, an example in which a viewer participates in distribution will be described. In the second embodiment, an example in which another distributor participates in distribution will be described.

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the content distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a content distribution server 100, one or more distributor terminals 200, one or more viewer terminals 300, and one or more viewers. A terminal 400. The content distribution server 100, the distributor terminal 200, the viewer terminal 300, and the viewer terminal 400 are communicably connected via the network NW. The network NW is, for example, a WAN (World Area Network).

  The content distribution server 100 provides a distribution service via the network NW. The content distribution server 100 distributes live content to the viewer terminals 300 and 400 based on the video in the virtual space obtained by combining the motion of the distributor as the motion of the virtual character.

  The video in the virtual space includes not only virtual characters but also backgrounds, objects indicating virtual objects, and the like. The virtual space is basically a three-dimensional space generated by CG (Computer Graphics). Note that the virtual space may be a two-dimensional space. When there is a participant who participates in the distribution as well as the distributor, the video in the virtual space is further synthesized with the movement of the participant as the movement of the virtual character of the participant.

  Distributor terminal 200 is used by a distributor who distributes live content. The distributor terminal 200 is a communication terminal provided with an HMD, and has a communication function and a motion capture function. The distributor terminal 200 acquires the motion (gesture) and line of sight of the distributor as motion information by the motion capture function. The motion information is reflected in the movement of the virtual character associated with the distributor and the viewpoint (ie, rendering) in the video in the virtual space. Note that the motion information may include data indicating the facial expression of the distributor.

  The viewer terminal 300 is a device having a communication function such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. The viewer terminal 300 is a communication terminal that does not have a function for participating in distribution as a virtual character. The viewer terminal 300 is used by a viewer who views live content.

  The viewer terminal 400 is a communication terminal equipped with an HMD, and has a communication function and a motion capture function. The viewer terminal 400 acquires the motion (gesture) and line of sight of the viewer as motion information by the motion capture function. The motion information is reflected on the movement of the virtual character associated with the viewer and the viewpoint (ie, rendering) in the video in the virtual space. The motion information may include data indicating the viewer's facial expression.

  Thus, unlike the viewer terminal 300, the viewer terminal 400 has a configuration for the viewer to participate in distribution as a virtual character. In other words, in the present embodiment, any one or more of the viewer terminals 400 among the one viewer terminal 400 is a communication terminal used by the participant.

<Configuration of content distribution server>
Hereinafter, the configuration of the content distribution server 100 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the content distribution server 100 controls a communication unit 110 that communicates with other devices, a storage unit 120 that stores various data, a clock unit 130 that measures time, and the entire device. And a control unit 140. These components are connected to each other by a bus line BL.

  The communication unit 110 is a communication interface including a NIC (Network Interface Card controller) for performing wired communication or wireless communication. The communication unit 110 communicates with the distributor terminal 200 and the viewer terminals 300 and 400 via the network NW.

  The storage unit 120 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The storage unit 120 stores programs for executing various control processes, various data, and the like.

  The timer unit 130 includes an oscillation circuit for generating a clock signal, a variable PLL (Phase Locked Loop), a counter circuit for counting the number of pulses of the clock signal, and the like. The timer 130 measures the time based on the counted number of pulses.

  The control unit 140 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The control unit 140 controls the overall operation of the content distribution server 100 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 120. The control unit 140 executes various controls at a timing based on the number of pulses counted by the time measuring unit 130. In addition, the control unit 140 counts the elapsed time from the start point of the live content based on the time counted by the time counting unit 130, and determines whether a predetermined time (for example, a scheduled distribution time) has elapsed. To determine.

  Hereinafter, a functional configuration of the control unit 140 will be described. The control unit 140 functions as an information acquisition unit 141, a video generation unit 142, a distribution unit 143, a participation reception unit 144, and a list information distribution unit 145.

  The information acquisition unit 141 acquires information regarding the virtual character used by the distributor and motion information indicating the movement and line of sight of the distributor from the distributor terminal 200 via the communication unit 110. In addition, the information acquisition unit 141 transmits, via the communication unit 110, information on the virtual character used by the participant from the viewer terminal 400 used by the viewer (participant) participating in the distribution, and the movement and line of sight of the participant. Get motion information to show. The information acquisition unit 141 acquires audio information from the distributor terminal 200 and the viewer terminal 400 via the communication unit 110.

  For example, the user acquires the virtual character information to be used by downloading it from an external device. The user can use the virtual character in distribution by uploading information of the virtual character to be used to the content distribution server 100. Note that the virtual character information may be provided from the content distribution server 100. For example, the user may select any of a plurality of virtual character information stored in advance in the content distribution server 100, and the virtual character may be used.

  The video generation unit 142 generates a video in the virtual space in which the movements of the distributor and the participants are combined as the movements of the respective virtual characters. In the composition, for example, a video in a predetermined virtual space is used as a background, video is generated as if there is a virtual character, and a distributor or participant who uses the virtual character for the virtual character. This is realized by generating an image so that the movement of the image is reflected.

  The distribution unit 143 distributes live content based on the video generated by the video generation unit 142. The live content based on the generated video is information indicating video rendered from each viewpoint with respect to the generated video data. Specifically, the live content includes a video when the generated video is viewed from the viewpoint of the virtual character of the distributor, a video when the generated video is viewed from the viewpoint of the virtual character of the participant, and the generated video. Information indicating a video (distribution screen) when viewed from the viewpoint of a virtual camera for distribution.

  The live content distributed by the distribution unit 143 includes not only information indicating video but also audio information. The distribution unit 143 distributes the audio information acquired by the information acquisition unit 141 and the audio information stored in advance in the storage unit 120 and used for production as live content.

  The participation reception unit 144 acquires participation reception information from the distributor terminal 200 via the communication unit 110. When the participation reception unit 144 acquires the participation reception information, the participation reception unit 144 receives another person's participation request in the virtual space that the distributor uses for distribution. In addition, the others in this embodiment are viewers. The participation reception unit 144 may receive a participation request while the distributor is distributing, or may receive a participation request before starting distribution.

  Participation reception part 144 acquires the information of the other person who wants to participate, and displays it on distributor terminal 200 which is performing distribution for which participation is desired. The other person's information is information indicating a user name, a virtual character, and the like, for example. The participation reception unit 144 displays a screen for accepting an operation of permitting or refusing participation of another person who desires to participate in the distributor terminal 200 that is performing distribution for which participation is desired. If the distributor permits, others can participate in the distribution as participants.

  In this case, a participation URL used for participation may be transmitted to the viewer terminal 400 that is permitted to participate. Moreover, the participation reception part 144 may display on the distributor terminal 200 an operation screen for transmitting the participation URL to the communication terminal of another person who wants to participate. In this case, the operation for transmitting the participation URL by the distributor may be performed in place of the operation for allowing participation by the distributor (permission information transmission operation described later).

  The list information distribution unit 145 distributes the list information of distributions for which participation requests are accepted based on the participation reception information acquired from the one or more distributor terminals 200 by the participation reception unit 144. Specifically, the list information distribution unit 145 causes the other person's communication terminal to display a screen showing distribution list information for which participation is accepted via the communication unit 110. In this embodiment, the communication terminals of other people are the viewer terminals 300 and 400. However, the list information distribution unit 145 may display the screen only on the viewer terminal 400 having a configuration for participating in distribution.

<Configuration of distributor terminal>
Hereinafter, the configuration of the distributor terminal 200 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the distributor terminal 200 displays a communication unit 210 that communicates with other devices, an operation unit 220 that receives user operations, a storage unit 230 that stores various data, and various images. A display unit 240, a voice input unit 250 that receives voice input, an operation input unit 260 for inputting motion information, a voice output unit 270 that outputs various voices, and a control unit 280 that controls the entire apparatus. Prepare. These components are connected to each other by a bus line BL.

  The communication unit 210 is a communication interface including a NIC for performing wired communication or wireless communication. The communication unit 210 communicates with the content distribution server 100 via the network NW.

  The operation unit 220 includes an operation button, a keyboard, a pointing device, and the like, and is an interface used for a user to input an instruction.

  The storage unit 230 includes a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The storage unit 230 stores a program for executing various control processes, input data, and the like.

  The display unit 240 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an EL (Electro Luminescence) display, or the like. The display unit 240 displays text, images, and the like according to input data from the control unit 280.

  The voice input unit 250 includes a microphone or the like. The voice input unit 250 receives voice input from the outside and acquires voice information.

  The motion input unit 260 receives a user input operation and acquires it as user motion information. The operation input unit 260 includes, for example, a camera, a sensor, and the like for acquiring motion information by a motion capture technique. The motion information is detected by, for example, a sensor that detects the user's line of sight and movement (gesture). Further, the motion information may be acquired by a button operation for expressing the facial expression of the virtual character, a predetermined performance action, or the like.

  It should be noted that the process of converting the user's motion information into the motion, line of sight, etc. of the virtual character may be executed by the distributor terminal 200, the content distribution server 100, or the content distribution server 100 and distribution. It may be executed by cooperation of the person terminal 200.

  The audio output unit 270 is configured by, for example, a speaker, an amplifier, and the like. The audio output unit 270 outputs audio in accordance with input data from the control unit 280.

  The control unit 280 is configured by a CPU or the like. The control unit 280 controls the overall operation of the distributor terminal 200 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 230.

  Hereinafter, a functional configuration of the control unit 280 will be described. The control unit 280 functions as a content acquisition unit 281, display control unit 282, audio output control unit 283, input information transmission unit 284, participation acceptance information transmission unit 285, and permission information transmission unit 286.

  The content acquisition unit 281 acquires data indicating live content from the content distribution server 100 via the communication unit 210. The display control unit 282 causes the display unit 240 to display the video in the virtual space based on the data indicating the live content acquired by the content acquisition unit 281. The audio output control unit 283 causes the audio output unit 270 to output audio based on the data indicating the live content acquired by the content acquisition unit 281.

  The input information transmission unit 284 transmits the audio information acquired by the audio input unit 250 and the motion information acquired by the operation input unit 260 to the content distribution server 100. Note that the input information transmission unit 284 may transmit information after the motion information is reflected on the virtual character to the content distribution server 100.

  The participation acceptance information transmission unit 285 transmits the participation acceptance information set by the user to the content distribution server 100 via the communication unit 210. The participation reception information is information indicating that the participation in the distribution is recruited, and includes, for example, information such as the scheduled distribution time, the number of recruited persons, and the content of the distribution.

  The permission information transmission unit 286 transmits the permission information to the content distribution server 100 via the communication unit 210 in response to a user permission information transmission operation. The permission information is information indicating that the user permits or rejects the permission information for another person's desire to participate.

<Configuration of viewer terminal>
Hereinafter, the configuration of the viewer terminal 300 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the viewer terminal 300 displays a communication unit 310 that communicates with other devices, an operation unit 320 that receives user input operations, a storage unit 330 that stores various data, and various images. A display unit 340 that outputs sound, a sound output unit 350 that outputs sound, and a control unit 360 that controls the entire apparatus. These components are connected to each other by a bus line BL.

  The communication unit 310 is a communication interface including a NIC for performing wired communication or wireless communication. The communication unit 310 communicates with the content distribution server 100 via the network NW.

  The operation unit 320 includes an operation button, a keyboard, a pointing device, and the like, and is an interface used for a user to input an instruction.

  The storage unit 330 includes a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The storage unit 330 stores a program for executing various control processes, input data, and the like.

  The display unit 340 is configured by, for example, an LCD, an EL display, or the like. The display unit 340 displays text, images, and the like according to input data from the control unit 360.

  The audio output unit 350 includes a speaker, an amplifier, and the like. The sound output unit 350 outputs sound according to the input data from the control unit 360.

  The control unit 360 includes a CPU and the like. The control unit 360 controls the overall operation of the viewer terminal 300 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 330.

  Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the control unit 360 will be described. The control unit 360 functions as a content acquisition unit 361, a display control unit 362, and an audio output control unit 363.

  The content acquisition unit 361 acquires data indicating live content from the content distribution server 100 via the communication unit 310. The display control unit 362 causes the display unit 340 to display the video in the virtual space as a moving image based on the data indicating the live content acquired by the content acquisition unit 361. The audio output control unit 363 causes the audio output unit 350 to output audio based on the data indicating the live content acquired by the content acquisition unit 361.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the viewer terminal 400 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 5, the viewer terminal 400 displays a communication unit 410 that communicates with other devices, an operation unit 420 that receives user input operations, a storage unit 430 that stores various data, and various images. A display unit 440 for receiving voice input, a voice input unit 450 for receiving voice input, an operation input unit 460 for inputting motion information, a voice output unit 470 for outputting various voices, and a control unit 480 for controlling the entire apparatus. Is provided. These components are connected to each other by a bus line BL.

  The configuration of the viewer terminal 400 is basically the same as the configuration of the distributor terminal 200. For example, the viewer terminal 400 acquires the motion information of the viewer as information necessary for the viewer to participate in the distribution, and reflects it in the motion of the virtual character of the viewer in the content distribution server 100. It has a function to transmit.

  However, the control unit 480 of the viewer terminal 400 is different from the distributor terminal 200 in that the participation request information transmission unit 485 is provided instead of the participation acceptance information transmission unit 285 and the permission information transmission unit 286. Specifically, the control unit 480 of the viewer terminal 400 functions as a content acquisition unit 481, a display control unit 482, an audio output control unit 483, an input information transmission unit 484, and a participation desire information transmission unit 485.

  The functions of the content acquisition unit 481, the display control unit 482, the audio output control unit 483, and the input information transmission unit 484 are the content acquisition unit 281 of the control unit 280 of the distributor terminal 200, the display control unit 282, the audio output control unit 283, The function of the input information transmission unit 284 is basically the same. Note that the display control unit 482 acquires list information distributed from the content distribution server 100 via the communication unit 410 and causes the display unit 440 to display a screen indicating the list information of distributions for which participation requests are accepted.

  The participation request information transmission unit 485 transmits the participation request information indicating the participation request to the content distribution server 100 via the communication unit 410. Specifically, the participation request information transmission unit 485 transmits the participation request information when the user desires to participate in the screen showing the distribution list information for which the participation request is accepted.

<Specific example of distribution screen>
Hereinafter, a specific example of a distribution screen displayed based on information indicating live content to be distributed will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a distribution screen displayed on the viewer terminal 300. FIG. 6A shows a distribution screen before the viewer participates, and FIG. 6B shows a distribution screen after the viewer participates. In the area A1, an image rendered from the viewpoint of a virtual camera (not shown) in a video in the virtual space is displayed as a moving image. In the area A2, a comment input field for posting by the viewer is displayed, and a posting execution button B1 is displayed on the right side thereof.

  In FIG. 6A, the virtual character 10 indicating the distributor A is displayed in the video shown in the area A1. The distributor A is a distributor who distributes using the distributor terminal 200. In this video, an object 20 indicating a table which is a virtual object is also displayed.

  Here, when the distributor A permits the participation of the viewer A who is a viewer who uses any one of the one or more viewer terminals 400, the viewer terminal 400 is used by the viewer A. Information indicating the virtual character and motion information of the viewer A are transmitted to the content distribution server 100.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 6B, the virtual character 30 indicating the viewer A is displayed in the area A1 and is reflected on the distribution screen. Note that the virtual character 30 of the viewer A who is a participant enters the virtual space used by the distributor A for distribution when participation is permitted. However, the virtual character 30 does not appear in the area A1 of the distribution screen unless it is in the shooting area of the virtual camera.

  The distribution unit 143 of the content distribution server 100 causes the viewer terminal 300 to display the viewer A and the distributor A that are participants in a distinguishable manner. For example, in the area A1 of the distribution screen in FIG. 6B, a character string “distributor A” indicating the user name is displayed above the virtual character 10 of the distributor A. A character string “viewer A” indicating the user name is displayed above the virtual character 30 of the viewer A.

  Note that the method of distinguishing virtual characters appearing on the distribution screen is not limited to such a distinction method. For example, the distribution unit 143 may display the virtual character of either one or both of the distributor and the participant so as to be distinguishable by adding a frame or coloring. The distribution unit 143 may display an identification mark in the vicinity of one or both of the virtual character of the distributor and the participant so that the both can be distinguished.

  The distribution screen shown in FIG. 6 is basically displayed on the viewer terminal 300. However, a similar distribution screen may be displayed on the viewer terminal 400 used by a viewer who is not a participant. In addition, only the video in the area A1 may be displayed on the viewer terminal 400 used by a viewer who is not a participant. The distributor terminal 200 and the viewer terminal 400 used by the participants are not in the distribution screen shown in FIG. 6 but in the virtual space rendered from the viewpoint of the respective virtual characters (that is, the virtual character 10 or the virtual character 30). An image is displayed.

<Process flow>
Hereinafter, an example of a control process executed by the content distribution server 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This process is executed when the content distribution server 100 acquires participation acceptance information from one or more distributor terminals 200.

  First, the list information distribution unit 145 of the control unit 140 displays, on the viewer terminals 300 and 400, distribution list information for which participation requests are received based on the participation reception information acquired from one or more distributor terminals 200. The screen shown is displayed (step S101). When the participation acceptance information is acquired from the plurality of distributor terminals 200, the list information distribution unit 145 distributes the list information that can list them to the viewer terminals 300 and 400 via the communication unit 110.

  The participation reception unit 144 of the control unit 140 receives a request for participation of another person in the virtual space used by the distributor for distribution (step S102). Specifically, the participation reception unit 144 acquires the participation request information transmitted from the participation request information transmission unit 485 of the viewer terminal 400 via the communication unit 110.

  The participation reception unit 144 of the control unit 140 acquires information on the other person who wants to participate (that is, a person who wants to participate), and displays the information on the distributor terminal 200 that distributes the person who wants to participate (step S103). In addition, the participation reception unit 144 displays a screen for accepting an operation for permitting or rejecting the participation of another person who desires to participate in the distributor terminal 200, and accepts permission or rejection of participation (step S104).

  Here, the control unit 140 determines whether or not the distributor has permitted participation (step S105). Specifically, the control unit 140 determines whether or not the distributor has permitted participation based on the permission information acquired from the permission information transmission unit 286 of the distributor terminal 200.

  When participation is refused (step S105; N), the information acquisition part 141 of the control part 140 acquires the various information of a distributor from the distributor terminal 200 which is distributing (step S107). That is, if there is no participant, the content distribution server 100 acquires only the virtual character information and motion information of the distributor, and performs the subsequent steps S108 and S109.

  On the other hand, when the participation is permitted (step S105; Y), the information acquisition unit 141 of the control unit 140 receives various information of the distributor from the distributor terminal 200 that distributes and various types of viewers who participate in the distribution. Information is acquired (step S106). That is, the content distribution server 100 acquires the virtual character information and motion information of each distributor and participant, and performs the processes of subsequent steps S108 and S109.

  The video generation unit 142 of the control unit 140 generates a video in the virtual space in which the motion information acquired by the information acquisition unit 141 is combined as the motion of the virtual character (step S108).

  The distribution unit 143 of the control unit 140 distributes live content based on the video generated by the video generation unit 142 (step S109). Thereby, the video of the viewpoint of the virtual character of the distributor is displayed on the distributor terminal 200, and the video of the viewpoint of the virtual character of the viewer is displayed on the viewer terminal 400 of the viewer participating in the distribution. The A distribution screen is displayed on the viewer terminals 300 and 400 of viewers who do not participate in distribution.

  The example of the control process executed by the content distribution server 100 has been described above. Note that the flow of processing is not limited to such a flow. For example, when accepting participation while the distributor is distributing, a process of distributing only by the distributor may be executed as in steps S107, S108, and S109 before step S101. Instead of step S104, which is a process for reflecting the decision of permission to participate in the distributor, a process for automatically participating a predetermined number of applicants in the order of arrival may be executed.

<Description of effects>
In the content distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment, the content distribution server 100 receives a desire to participate in distribution from a viewer via a network. In this case, the distributor and the viewer can share the virtual space as the respective virtual characters and perform distribution even when they are in a distant place in the real space. Therefore, according to the content delivery system 1 which concerns on this embodiment, the convenience as a form which shares a virtual space can be improved.

(Second Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the content distribution system 2 according to the second embodiment will be described. In the following description, components common to the content distribution system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals. Further, the configuration of the content distribution system 2 and the configuration of the content distribution system 1 can be appropriately combined as long as there is no technical contradiction.

  For example, the content distribution system 1 has a configuration for viewers to participate in distribution, and the content distribution system 2 has a configuration for other distributors to participate in distribution. Therefore, it is possible to realize a configuration in which viewers and other distributors can participate by combining these configurations.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the content distribution system 2 according to the present embodiment includes a content distribution server 500, a distributor terminal 600 used by a distributor, a distributor terminal 700 used by another distributor, and one unit. The above-described viewer terminal 300, one or more viewer terminals 800, and one or more photographer terminals 900 are provided. These apparatuses are connected to each other via a network NW so as to communicate with each other. The network NW is, for example, a WAN.

  The content distribution server 500 provides a distribution service via the network NW. The content distribution server 100 distributes live content to the viewer terminals 300 and 800 based on the video in the virtual space obtained by combining the motion of the distributor as the motion of the virtual character. When there is a participant who participates in the distribution as well as the distributor, the video in the virtual space is further synthesized with the movement of the participant as the movement of the virtual character of the participant.

  Distributor terminals 600 and 700 are used by distributors who distribute live content, respectively. Distributor terminals 600 and 700 are communication terminals including an HMD and have a communication function and a motion capture function. Distributor terminals 600 and 700 acquire the motion (gesture) and line of sight of the distributor as motion information by the motion capture function. The motion information is reflected in the movement of the virtual character associated with the distributor and the viewpoint (ie, rendering) in the video in the virtual space. Note that the motion information may include data indicating the facial expression of the distributor.

  The viewer terminals 300 and 800 are devices having communication functions such as personal computers, tablet terminals, and smartphones. The viewer terminals 300 and 800 are communication terminals that do not have a function for participating in distribution as a virtual character. The viewer terminals 300 and 800 are used by viewers who view live content. The configuration of the viewer terminal 800 is the same as that of the viewer terminal 300.

  The photographer terminal 900 is a communication terminal having a function of controlling the position, shooting direction, shooting conditions, and the like of a virtual camera that takes a picture in a virtual space. The video of the virtual camera controlled by the photographer terminal 900 is distributed to the viewer terminals 300 and 800 as a distribution screen for distributing a video of a viewpoint different from the normal fixed distribution screen.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the viewer of the viewer terminal 300 is viewing the distribution by the distributor using the distributor terminal 600. In addition, the viewer of the viewer terminal 800 views the distribution (other distribution) independent of the distribution of the distributor terminal 600 by the distributor (other distributor) using the distributor terminal 700. The precondition is that The photographer terminal 900 presupposes a state in which the photographed video is distributed by controlling a virtual camera arranged in a virtual space used for another distribution by the distributor terminal 700.

  It is a precondition that a distributor using the distributor terminal 700 participates in distribution by the distributor terminal 600. That is, in this embodiment, the distributor terminal 700 is a communication terminal used by the participants.

  The content distribution system 2 includes one distributor terminal 600 and one distributor terminal 700. However, there may be a plurality of distributor terminals 600 performing distribution and distributor terminals 700 participating in the distribution.

  The photographer terminal 900 may be arranged not only in the distribution virtual space of the distributor terminal 700 but also in the distribution virtual space of the distributor terminal 600. In the content distribution system 2, the distributor terminals 600 and 700 perform distribution using one content distribution server 500. However, the distributor terminals 600 and 700 may be distributed by two or more content distribution servers 500 that provide different distribution platforms, respectively.

<Configuration of content distribution server>
Hereinafter, the configuration of the content distribution server 500 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 9, the content distribution server 500 controls a communication unit 110 that communicates with other devices, a storage unit 120 that stores various data, a timekeeping unit 130 that measures time, and the entire device. And a control unit 540. These components are connected to each other by a bus line BL.

  The control unit 540 includes a CPU and the like. The control unit 540 controls the overall operation of the content distribution server 500 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 120. The control unit 540 executes various controls at a timing based on the number of pulses counted by the time measuring unit 130. Further, the control unit 540 counts the elapsed time from the start point of the live content based on the time counted by the time counting unit 130, and determines whether a predetermined time (for example, a scheduled distribution time) has elapsed. To determine.

  Hereinafter, a functional configuration of the control unit 540 will be described. The control unit 540 functions as an information acquisition unit 541, a video generation unit 542, a distribution unit 543, a participation reception unit 544, a list information distribution unit 545, and a link notification unit 546.

  The information acquisition unit 541 acquires information about the virtual character used by the distributor and motion information indicating the movement and line of sight of the distributor from the distributor terminal 600 via the communication unit 110. In addition, the information acquisition unit 541 via the communication unit 110, information on the virtual character used by the participant from the distributor terminal 700 used by another distributor (participant) participating in the distribution, the movement of the participant, The motion information indicating the line of sight is acquired. The information acquisition unit 541 acquires audio information from the distributor terminals 600 and 700 via the communication unit 110.

  The video generation unit 542 generates a video in the virtual space in which the movements of the distributor and the participants are combined as the movements of the respective virtual characters.

  The distribution unit 543 distributes live content based on the video generated by the video generation unit 542. The live content based on the generated video is information indicating video rendered from each viewpoint with respect to the generated video data. Specifically, the live content includes a video when the generated video is viewed from the viewpoint of the virtual character of the distributor, a video when the generated video is viewed from the viewpoint of the virtual character of the participant, and the generated video. When viewing the generated video from the viewpoint of the virtual camera for distribution (distribution screen) and video when viewing the generated video from the viewpoint of the virtual camera for distribution controlled by the photographer terminal 900 (other distribution screens) ) Is included.

  The video generation unit 542 generates a video in which the virtual character of the distributor or the participant is moved into a virtual space used for distribution by the distributor or other distribution by the participant, and the distribution unit 543 Distribute video that unifies distribution and other distributions as live content. Note that the video generation unit 542 and the distribution unit 543 may be configured to distribute both of the distributions without being unified.

  The distribution unit 543 displays a synthesized video so that both the distributor and the other distributors are displayed on the viewer terminals 300 and 800 when another distributor participates in the distribution of the distributor terminal 600. You may let them.

  When another distributor participates in the distribution of the distributor as a participant, the video generation section 542 generates an image in which the distributor and the virtual character of the participant are moved into another virtual space, and the distribution section 543 May distribute a distribution video that unifies the distribution and other distributions as live content. Another virtual space is a virtual space that is different from a virtual space used for distribution by a distributor and a virtual space used for other distribution by a participant.

  The live content distributed by the distribution unit 543 includes not only information indicating video but also audio information. The distribution unit 543 distributes the audio information acquired by the information acquisition unit 541 and the audio information stored in advance in the storage unit 120 and used for production as live content.

  When a plurality of virtual cameras are arranged in the virtual space, the distribution unit 543 switches any one or more of the video images taken by the plurality of virtual cameras based on a predetermined condition, and displays the live video images. It may be distributed as content. The predetermined conditions are, for example, that a video switching operation has been executed by a distributor or a viewer, a predetermined timing (that is, a timing on schedule setting), a movement of a virtual character, a participant, Including any one or more conditions such as participation. In this case, for example, the viewer performs a video switching operation on the viewer terminals 300 and 800, thereby distributing the video captured by the photographer of the virtual camera, the distribution screen of the distributor who accepted the participation, The distribution screen and the distribution of the video obtained by combining the distribution of the distributor and the distribution of the participant can be selected and switched as a channel.

  The participation reception unit 544 acquires participation reception information from the distributor terminal 600 via the communication unit 110. When the participation reception unit 544 acquires the participation reception information, the participation reception unit 544 receives another person's participation request in the virtual space that the distributor uses for distribution. The other person in the present embodiment is another distributor who uses the distributor terminal 700. The participation receiving unit 544 may receive a request for participation while the distributor is distributing, or may receive a request for participation before starting the distribution.

  Participation reception part 544 acquires the information of the other person who wishes to participate, and displays it on distributor terminal 600 that is performing distribution for which participation is desired. The other person's information is information indicating a user name, a virtual character, and the like, for example. Participation reception unit 544 displays a screen for accepting an operation of permitting or refusing participation of another person who wants to participate on distributor terminal 600 that is performing distribution for which participation is desired. If the distributor permits, others can participate in the distribution as participants.

  The other person's information includes viewers who watch other distributions (viewers who use the viewer terminal 800) and photographers who photograph other distributions with a virtual camera (photographers who use the photographer terminal 900). ) Information.

  Participation acceptance unit 544 displays a screen on distributor terminal 600 that accepts an operation for permitting or rejecting participation of a photographer (photographer who uses photographer terminal 900) who is photographing the distribution of another person who wants to participate with a virtual camera. Display. When the photographer's participation is permitted, the video generation unit 542 moves the photographer's virtual camera into the virtual space of distribution by the distributor terminal 600, and distributes the photographer's virtual camera to the distribution and other distributions. Share with. The detailed principle of sharing the virtual camera will be described later.

  A URL for participation used when participating may be transmitted to the distributor terminal 700 permitted to participate. Moreover, the participation reception part 544 may display on the distributor terminal 600 an operation screen for transmitting a participation URL to a communication terminal of another person who wants to participate. In this case, the operation for transmitting the participation URL by the distributor may be performed in place of the operation for allowing participation by the distributor (permission information transmission operation described later).

  On the other hand, when the photographer's participation is rejected, the photographer terminal 900 is made in a state where the virtual camera cannot be used and only the same functions as the viewer terminals 300 and 800 can be used.

  The list information distribution unit 545 distributes distribution list information for which a participation request is received based on the participation reception information acquired from the distributor terminal 600 by the participation reception unit 544. Specifically, the list information distribution unit 545 causes the other person's communication terminal to display a screen showing distribution list information for which participation is accepted via the communication unit 110. In the present embodiment, the other person's communication terminal is a distributor terminal 700 that performs other distribution. In this embodiment, only one distributor terminal 600 accepts participation requests. However, when a plurality of distributor terminals 600 accept participation requests, distribution list information is information that can list those participation requests. is there.

  The link notification unit 546 causes the viewer terminals 300 and 800 that view either one of the distribution or the other distribution to display a link for viewing the distribution by the photographer terminal 900 of the other distribution or the other distribution. Thereby, the viewer can grasp the existence of the other distribution. For example, the link notification unit 546 notifies the viewer terminal 300 of the URLs of other distributions by the distributor terminal 700 and the distribution of the photographer terminal 900. The link notification unit 546 notifies the viewer terminal 800 of the URL for distribution by the distributor terminal 600.

<Configuration of distributor terminal>
Hereinafter, the configuration of distributor terminal 600 will be described in detail. The configuration of distributor terminal 700 is the same as that of distributor terminal 600.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the distributor terminal 600 displays a communication unit 210 that communicates with other devices, an operation unit 220 that receives user operations, a storage unit 230 that stores various data, and various images. A display unit 240, a voice input unit 250 that receives voice input, an operation input unit 260 for inputting motion information, a voice output unit 270 that outputs various voices, and a control unit 680 that controls the entire apparatus. Prepare. These components are connected to each other by a bus line BL.

  The control unit 680 is composed of a CPU and the like. The control unit 680 controls the overall operation of the distributor terminal 600 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 230.

  Hereinafter, a functional configuration of the control unit 680 will be described. The control unit 280 functions as a content acquisition unit 281, display control unit 282, audio output control unit 283, input information transmission unit 284, participation acceptance information transmission unit 285, permission information transmission unit 286, and participation request information transmission unit 687.

  The participation request information transmission unit 687 transmits the participation request information indicating the participation request to the content distribution server 500 via the communication unit 210. Specifically, the participation request information transmission unit 687 transmits the participation request information when the user desires to participate in the screen showing the distribution list information for which the participation request is accepted.

  Note that the distributor terminals 600 and 700 according to the present embodiment have a configuration for accepting the participation of other users in the virtual space used by the user for distribution, and a virtual space used for the distribution of other users. And a configuration for participating in. However, the distributor terminals 600 and 700 are not limited to such a configuration. For example, one of the distributor terminals 600 and 700 (for example, the distributor terminal 600) has a configuration for accepting participation in a virtual space used for distribution, and the other (for example, the distributor terminal 700) What is necessary is just to have the structure for participating in the virtual space used for the delivery of another distributor.

<Specific examples of distribution screen and shooting screen>
Hereinafter, specific examples of a distribution screen displayed based on information indicating live content to be distributed and a shooting screen of a virtual camera by a photographer will be described.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a distribution screen displayed on the viewer terminal 300 or the viewer terminal 800. FIG. 11A shows a distribution screen by a distributor before another distributor participates. In other words, FIG. 11A is a distribution screen displayed on the viewer terminal 300 viewing the distribution by the distributor terminal 600.

  FIG. 11B shows a distribution screen by another distributor before another distributor participates. In other words, FIG. 11B is a distribution screen displayed on the viewer terminal 800 that views the distribution by the distributor terminal 700.

  FIG. 11C shows a distribution screen after other distributors participate. In other words, FIG. 11C is a distribution screen displayed on the viewer terminals 300 and 800 for viewing the distribution by the distributor terminals 600 and 700. In this example, another distributor B using the distributor terminal 700 participates in the distribution of the distributor A using the distributor terminal 600, and the distribution of the distributor B and the distributor A is integrated. To do.

  In the area A3 of FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C, an image rendered from the viewpoint of a virtual camera (not shown) is displayed as a moving image in the video in the virtual space. In the area A4, a comment input field for posting by the viewer is displayed, and a posting execution button B1 is displayed on the right side thereof.

  In FIG. 11A, the virtual character 40 indicating the distributor A is displayed in the video shown in the area A3. Distributor A is a distributor who distributes using distributor terminal 600. In this video, an object 20 indicating a table which is a virtual object is also displayed.

  In FIG. 11B, the virtual character 50 indicating the distributor B is displayed in the video shown in the area A3. Distributor B is a distributor who distributes using distributor terminal 700. In this video, an object 60 indicating a virtual camera is also displayed. The object 60 indicating the virtual camera is a virtual camera controlled by the photographer terminal 900.

  Here, when the distributor A permits the distributor B who uses the distributor terminal 700 to participate, the distributor terminal 700 receives information indicating the virtual character used by the distributor B and motion information of the distributor B. It transmits to the content distribution server 500. In addition, when the distributor A permits participation of a photographer who has photographed the distribution by the distributor B using the virtual camera (the object 60 indicating the virtual camera) using the photographer terminal 900, the object indicating the virtual camera 60 also moves into the virtual space distributed by the distributor A.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 11C, the virtual character 40 indicating the distributor A, the virtual character 50 indicating the distributor B, and the object 60 indicating the virtual camera are displayed in the area A3 and displayed on the distribution screen. It will be reflected. In FIG. 11C, the virtual character 50 of the distributor B and the object 60 indicating the virtual camera enter the virtual space used by the distributor A for distribution. However, the virtual character 50 and the object 60 indicating the virtual camera are not reflected in the area A3 of the distribution screen unless they are in the shooting area of the virtual camera (not shown).

  The distribution unit 543 of the content distribution server 500 causes the viewer terminals 300 and 800 to display the distributor B and the distributor A, which are participants, in a distinguishable manner. For example, in the area A3 of the distribution screen of FIG. 11C, a character string “distributor A” indicating the user name is displayed above the virtual character 40 of the distributor A. A character string “distributor B” indicating the user name is displayed above the virtual character 50 of the distributor B.

  In FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, such a character string is not displayed. That is, such a character string is displayed only when a plurality of distributors share the virtual space. However, the distribution unit 543 is configured to display a character string even when one distributor uses a virtual space independently as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. Also good.

  The distributor terminals 600 and 700 display the video in the virtual space rendered from the viewpoint of each virtual character (that is, the virtual character 40 or the virtual character 50) instead of the distribution screen shown in FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a shooting screen by a virtual camera (object 60 indicating a virtual camera). FIG. 12A shows a shooting screen before another distributor participates. That is, FIG. 12 (A) corresponds to the distribution screen shown in FIG. 11 (B), and shows a shooting screen shot from the viewpoint of the object 60 indicating the virtual camera in the virtual space distributed by the distributor B. ing. This shooting screen is used, for example, for distribution on a channel different from the two distributions by distributor A and distributor B.

  FIG. 12B shows a shooting screen after other distributors participate. That is, FIG. 12B corresponds to the distribution screen shown in FIG. 11C and is taken from the viewpoint of the object 60 indicating the virtual camera after moving in the virtual space distributed by the distributor A. The screen is shown. Unlike the shooting screen shown in FIG. 12A, the virtual character 40 indicating the distributor A and the object 20 indicating the table are reflected in the shooting screen shown in FIG.

<Process flow>
Hereinafter, an example of a control process executed by the content distribution server 500 will be described with reference to FIG. This process is executed when the content distribution server 500 acquires participation acceptance information from the distributor terminal 600.

  First, the list information distribution unit 545 of the control unit 540 displays, on the other distributor terminal 700, a screen showing the list information of distributions that are accepted for participation based on the participation reception information acquired from the distributor terminal 600. (Step S201).

  The participation reception unit 544 of the control unit 540 receives a request for participation of another distributor in the virtual space used by the distributor for distribution (step S202). Specifically, the participation reception unit 544 acquires the participation request information transmitted from the participation request information transmission unit 687 of the other distributor terminal 700 via the communication unit 110.

  The participation reception unit 544 of the control unit 540 acquires information on the other person who wants to participate (that is, another distributor) and the photographer shooting the distribution of the other person, and distributes the participation desired. It is displayed on the distributor terminal 600 (step S203). Further, the participation reception unit 544 displays a screen for accepting or rejecting an operation for permitting or rejecting the participation of another person who wants to participate and the photographer on the distributor terminal 600, and accepts permission or rejection of participation (step S204).

  Here, the control unit 540 determines whether or not the distributor has permitted the participation of another distributor (step S205). Specifically, control unit 540 determines whether or not the distributor has permitted participation based on the permission information acquired from permission information transmitting unit 286 of distributor terminal 600.

  When the participation of another distributor is rejected (step S205; N), the information acquisition unit 541 of the control unit 540 acquires various information of the distributor from the distributor terminal 600 that is distributing (step S207). That is, when there is no participant, the content distribution server 500 acquires only the virtual character information and motion information of the distributor, and performs the subsequent steps S208 and S209.

  On the other hand, when the participation of another distributor is permitted (step S205; Y), the information acquisition unit 541 of the control unit 540 participates in the distribution of various information of the distributor from the distributor terminal 600 that distributes the information. Various information of other distributors to be acquired is acquired (step S206). That is, the content distribution server 500 acquires the virtual character information and motion information of each distributor and participant, and performs the processes of steps S211 and S212 described later.

  The control unit 540 determines whether or not the distributor has permitted the participation of the photographer who is photographing in the virtual space of another distribution (step S208). Specifically, control unit 540 determines whether or not the distributor has permitted participation based on the permission information acquired from permission information transmitting unit 286 of distributor terminal 600.

  When the photographer's participation is rejected (step S208; N), the control unit 540 controls the distribution state so that the photographer terminal 900 cannot be used by the virtual camera and the viewer terminals 300 and 800. Only the same function can be used (step S210).

  On the other hand, when the photographer's participation is permitted (step S208; Y), the information acquisition unit 541 of the control unit 540 acquires information on the virtual camera of the photographer who is using the photographer terminal 900 (step S209). ). The content distribution server 500 reflects the acquired virtual camera information in the virtual space used for distribution by the distributor terminal 600. As a result, the shooting using the photographer's virtual camera can be continued in the destination virtual space.

  The video generation unit 542 of the control unit 540 generates a video in the virtual space obtained by combining the motion information acquired by the information acquisition unit 541 as the motion of the virtual character (step S211). When the photographer's participation is permitted, the video generation unit 542 moves the photographer's virtual camera into the distribution virtual space, and the photographer's virtual camera is shared between the distribution and other distributions. The

  The distribution unit 543 of the control unit 540 distributes live content based on the video generated by the video generation unit 542 (step S212). For example, the video of the viewpoint of the virtual character of the distributor is displayed on the distributor terminal 600, and the video of the viewpoint of the virtual character of the viewer is displayed on the other distributor terminal 700 participating in the distribution. A distribution screen is displayed on the viewer terminals 300 and 800 of viewers who do not participate in distribution. The photographer terminal 900 permitted to participate displays a photographed video of the virtual camera in the destination virtual space, and the photographed video is also used in other distributions. When a virtual character or a virtual camera of another distributor has moved, the link notification unit 546 of the control unit 540 is for viewing the distribution by the photographer terminal 900 of the other distribution or the other distribution. The link may be displayed on the viewer terminals 300 and 800, or the link for viewing the destination distribution may be notified to the viewer terminals 300 and 800.

  Heretofore, an example of the control process executed by the content distribution server 500 has been described. Note that the flow of processing is not limited to such a flow.

  For example, when accepting participation while the distributor is distributing, a process of distributing only by the distributor as in steps S207, S211 and S212 may be executed before step S201. Instead of step S204, which is a process for reflecting the decision to permit the distributor to participate, a process for automatically participating a predetermined number of applicants in the order of arrival may be executed.

<Description of effects>
In the content distribution system 2 according to the present embodiment, the content distribution server 500 receives a request for participation in distribution from another distributor via the network. In this case, the distributor and the other distributor can share the virtual space as the respective virtual characters and perform distribution even when the distributor is in a location away from the real space. Moreover, according to the content distribution system 2, it is not a mere composition of video, but the composition of a plurality of distribution programs, the entry / exit of other distributors in the virtual space that becomes the recording studio, and the other from the virtual space that becomes the recording studio. It is also possible to move to a virtual space that becomes a recording studio. Therefore, according to the content delivery system 2 which concerns on this embodiment, the convenience as a form which shares a virtual space can be improved.

  This is the end of the description of the embodiment. However, the above embodiment is merely an example. Therefore, the specific configuration of the content distribution systems 1 and 2, the details of processing, and the like are not limited to those described in the above embodiment. Hereinafter, modifications of the embodiment will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated about the component which is common in the content delivery systems 1 and 2 which concern on embodiment.

(Modification)
The order of the control processing executed by the content distribution servers 100 and 500 is not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. Further, the contents of the control processing executed by the content distribution servers 100 and 500 are not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. 7 and 13, and some of the processing may be omitted.

  In the above embodiment, the contents distributed by the content distribution servers 100 and 500 are modified according to the participation acceptance status. That is, the contents are modified at the distribution stage. However, the contents to be distributed may all be the same, and display control may be executed on the contents at the stage of displaying the video on the receiving side. For example, when the viewer terminals 300, 800, etc. execute the program to display the content, the display control may be executed according to the participation acceptance status. For example, such modification can be realized by the viewer terminals 300 and 800 receiving the participation permission information by the distributor and performing an operation corresponding thereto.

  In 2nd Embodiment, the delivery which receives participation and the other delivery which participates demonstrated the example of 1: 1. However, the configuration of the content distribution system 2 is not limited to such a participation method. For example, a virtual character of a certain distributor terminal may participate in a virtual space for distribution by a plurality of other distributor terminals all at once. Virtual characters of other plural distributors may participate in a virtual space used for distribution by a certain distributor terminal. Further, the content distribution system 2 may have a configuration that can be realized even when the distribution for accepting participation and the other distributions for participation are plural. That is, a plurality of distribution programs may be integrated.

  In 2nd Embodiment, the delivery screen which the participant (other distributors) of the movement origin distributes demonstrated the example integrated into a movement destination. However, the distribution screen distributed by the transfer source participant does not change by participation, and the distribution unit 543 of the content distribution server 500 continues the distribution in a state where only the virtual characters of the other distributors are displayed. It may be configured as follows. In addition, the viewer terminals 300 and 800 may not be notified of the destination link, but may be controlled so that the integrated distribution screen is automatically displayed.

  In the above embodiment, the content distribution servers 100 and 500 include the participation reception units 144 and 544, and only accept participation based on the participation request. However, the content distribution servers 100 and 500 may further include an exit reception unit that receives an exit after a participant (that is, a viewer or another distributor) participates. The exit may be realized, for example, by transmitting to the content distribution servers 100 and 500 an instruction for a distributor who has permitted participation to expel the participant. Further, the exit may be realized by the participant transmitting the exit request information to the content distribution servers 100 and 500. According to such a configuration, the participant can enter and exit the virtual space used by the distributor for distribution.

  The content distribution servers 100 and 500 are not limited to the configuration that accepts participation based on the participation request. For example, the content distribution servers 100 and 500 may be configured to accept an invitation from a distributor. For example, a distributor using the distributor terminals 200 and 600 transmits invitation information for inviting viewers or other distributors to the content distribution servers 100 and 500, and the content distribution servers 100 and 500 receive the invitation. You may notify to the communication terminal which the viewer or distributor who receives receives. This makes it possible to realize participation according to the invitation.

  In the content distribution systems 1 and 2 according to the above embodiment, the distributor terminals 200, 600, and 700, the viewer terminals 300 and 800, and the photographer terminal 900 are configured differently so that they can be distinguished from each other. However, the constituent elements of these devices may be combined to have any two or more functions.

  In addition, the content distribution system according to the present disclosure may realize the function by, for example, a computer executing a program without depending on the above-described device. Programs for realizing the functions of the content distribution system 1 are computers such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), HDD (Hard Disc Drive), etc. It may be stored in a readable recording medium or downloaded to a computer via a network.

  The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments, and the present disclosure includes the invention described in the claims and an equivalent scope thereof. It is. In addition, the configurations of the devices described in the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate as long as there is no technical contradiction.

1, 2, ... Content distribution system, 100, 500 ... Content distribution server, 200, 600, 700 ... Distributor terminal, 300, 400, 800 ... Viewer terminal, 900 ... Photographer terminal

Claims (18)

Participation acceptance unit that accepts other people's participation in the virtual space that the distributor uses for distribution,
An information acquisition unit for acquiring motion information indicating each movement of the distributor and the participant participating based on the participation request and information of each virtual character;
A video generation unit that generates a video in the virtual space in which the motion information acquired by the information acquisition unit is combined as a movement of the virtual character;
A distribution unit that distributes live content based on the video generated by the video generation unit;
Equipped with a,
The participant is a viewer who views the distribution or another distributor who performs another distribution different from the distribution,
When the participant is the other distributor who is performing the other distribution, the distribution unit combines the viewer and the other distributor so that both the distributor and the other distributor are displayed on the viewer's communication terminal. Displayed video,
A content distribution server characterized by the above. Participation acceptance unit that accepts other people's participation in the virtual space that the distributor uses for distribution,
An information acquisition unit for acquiring motion information indicating each movement of the distributor and the participant participating based on the participation request and information of each virtual character;
A video generation unit that generates a video in the virtual space in which the motion information acquired by the information acquisition unit is combined as a movement of the virtual character;
A distribution unit that distributes live content based on the video generated by the video generation unit;
Equipped with a,
The participation reception unit displays on the communication terminal of the distributor a screen for accepting or rejecting an operation of permitting or rejecting the participation of a photographer who is photographing the distribution of another person who wants to participate in the virtual camera;
A content distribution server characterized by the above. Participation acceptance unit that accepts other people's participation in the virtual space that the distributor uses for distribution,
An information acquisition unit for acquiring motion information indicating each movement of the distributor and the participant participating based on the participation request and information of each virtual character;
A video generation unit that generates a video in the virtual space in which the motion information acquired by the information acquisition unit is combined as a movement of the virtual character;
A distribution unit that distributes live content based on the video generated by the video generation unit;
Equipped with a,
The video generation unit moves the virtual character of the distributor and the participant into another virtual space when the participant is another distributor who performs another distribution different from the distribution. Generated video,
The distribution unit distributes a distribution video that unifies the distribution and the other distribution as the live content.
A content distribution server characterized by the above. Participation acceptance unit that accepts other people's participation in the virtual space that the distributor uses for distribution,
An information acquisition unit for acquiring motion information indicating each movement of the distributor and the participant participating based on the participation request and information of each virtual character;
A video generation unit that generates a video in the virtual space in which the motion information acquired by the information acquisition unit is combined as a movement of the virtual character;
A distribution unit that distributes live content based on the video generated by the video generation unit;
Equipped with a,
The video generation unit uses the virtual character of the distributor or the participant in the distribution or the other distribution when the participant is another distributor who performs another distribution different from the distribution. A video that is moved into the virtual space to be generated,
The distribution unit distributes a distribution video that unifies the distribution and the other distribution as the live content.
A content distribution server characterized by the above. The participation reception unit acquires information on the other person who wants to participate, and displays the information on the communication terminal of the distributor.
The content distribution server according to claim 1 , wherein the content distribution server is a content distribution server. The information of the other person includes information on a viewer who views the other distribution or a photographer who is photographing the other distribution with a virtual camera.
The content delivery server according to claim 5 . The participation reception unit displays a screen for accepting an operation for permitting or rejecting participation of another person who desires to participate in the communication terminal of the distributor.
The content distribution server according to any one of claims 1 6, characterized in that. When the photographer who has photographed the distribution of the other person who wants to participate is photographed with a virtual camera, the video generation unit moves the photographer's virtual camera into the distribution virtual space, and the photographing Sharing the virtual camera of the person in the distribution and another distribution different from the distribution,
The content distribution server according to claim 7. When participation of a photographer who has photographed the distribution of another person who wishes to participate with a virtual camera is rejected, the communication terminal of the photographer cannot use the virtual camera and the communication terminal of the viewer Only the same function as can be used,
The content distribution server according to claim 7. A list information distribution unit for displaying on the other person's communication terminal a screen showing a list of distribution information for accepting the participation request;
The content distribution server according to claim 1, wherein the content distribution server is a content distribution server. The participation reception unit displays an operation screen for transmitting to the communication terminal of the other person who wants to participate on the communication terminal of the distributor, the URL for participation used when the other person who wants to participate participates,
The content distribution server according to claim 1, wherein the content distribution server is a content distribution server. The distribution unit displays the participant and the distributor in a distinguishable manner on a communication terminal of a viewer who views the distribution.
The content distribution server according to claim 1, wherein the content distribution server is a content distribution server. When the movement occurs, the distribution or the other delivery any communication terminal that vision listener to view one, other delivery or delivery by photographer that captured by the virtual camera said other delivery A link notification unit for displaying a link for viewing
The content delivery server according to claim 3 or 4 , characterized by the above. Another distribution different from the distribution is distribution using another content distribution server, and the distribution platform is different from the distribution.
The content distribution server according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that. A plurality of virtual cameras are arranged in the virtual space,
The distribution unit switches any one or more of the captured images by the plurality of virtual cameras based on a predetermined condition, and distributes the captured image as the live content.
The content distribution server according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that. The distributor accepts the other person's desire to participate in the virtual space used for distribution, and the motion information indicating the movement of the distributor and the participant who participates based on the participation request is used as the movement of each virtual character. A content distribution server that generates a video in the virtual space synthesized as follows and distributes live content based on the generated video;
A distributor terminal used by the distributor;
A viewer terminal used by a viewer who views the live content;
Equipped with a,
The participant is a viewer who views the distribution or another distributor who performs another distribution different from the distribution,
When the participant is the other distributor who is performing the other distribution, the content distribution server is configured so that both the distributor and the other distributor are displayed on the communication terminal of the viewer. Display the synthesized video,
A content distribution system characterized by that. Participation acceptance step for accepting other people's participation in the virtual space used by the distributor for distribution;
An information acquisition step of acquiring motion information indicating each movement of the distributor and a participant who participates based on the participation request and information of each virtual character;
A video generation step of generating a video in the virtual space obtained by combining the motion information acquired in the information acquisition step as a motion of the virtual character;
A distribution step of distributing live content based on the video generated in the video generation step;
Only including,
The participant is a viewer who views the distribution or another distributor who performs another distribution different from the distribution,
When the participant is the other distributor who is performing the other distribution, in the distribution step, both the distributor and the other distributor are displayed on the viewer's communication terminal. Displayed video,
A content distribution method characterized by the above. Computer
Participation acceptance means for accepting other people's participation in the virtual space used by the distributor for distribution,
Information acquisition means for acquiring motion information indicating each movement of the distributor and a participant who participates based on the participation request and information of each virtual character;
Video generation means for generating a video in the virtual space obtained by combining the motion information acquired by the information acquisition means as the movement of the virtual character;
Distribution means for distributing live content based on the video generated by the video generation means;
To function as,
The participant is a viewer who views the distribution or another distributor who performs another distribution different from the distribution,
When the participant is the other distributor who is performing the other distribution, the distribution unit combines the viewer and the other distributor so that both the distributor and the other distributor are reflected on the viewer's communication terminal. Displayed video,
program.

Images