JP7102014B2 - Video distribution system, video distribution control method and computer program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a video distribution system or the like for distributing a video to be viewed to a user terminal device.

A video that reproduces the game play is displayed on a virtual television device arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space, a character associated with the user is arranged in the virtual space, and comments posted by the user are posted. An information processing system that displays a character's remark is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A virtual room is provided for each user, and various images can be viewed by the user through the virtual screen inside the virtual room. At the same time, an avatar corresponding to the user can be placed in the virtual room, and the avatar can visit another user's virtual room. Such a system is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 2). As a service providing system for online shopping, there is also known a service providing system in which the sales amount of a product is discounted when the number of users who have applied for a discount satisfies a predetermined condition (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent No. 6180802 Japanese Patent No. 6203369 Japanese Patent No. 5912039

The video distribution system of Patent Documents 1 and 2 and the service providing system of Patent Document 3 are proposed as separate and independent systems. No attempt has been proposed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 to connect these systems and motivate a group of users who watch a video together to use a paid service.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a video distribution system or the like suitable for motivating a group of users who use a place to view a video to use a predetermined paid service.

The video distribution system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a distribution means in which a distribution base that can be shared by at least two users is set as a unit for distributing the video, and is a user terminal device used by each of a plurality of users. A video distribution system for distributing a video to be viewed from the distribution means, and a viewing control means for distributing the video from the distribution base to a user terminal device of a group of users sharing the same distribution base. An opportunity providing means for providing an opportunity to use a predetermined paid service via the user terminal device to a user group sharing the distribution base, and a use of the paid service from a user group sharing the distribution base. It is determined whether or not the request satisfies the applicable condition set in association with the range of the user group sharing the distribution base, and when the applicable condition is satisfied, the user who requests the use of the paid service is requested. The privilege control means for controlling the application of the privilege is provided so that the privilege associated with the use of the paid service is applied.

The video distribution control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a distribution means in which a distribution base that can be shared by at least two users is set as a unit for distributing the video, and is a user terminal used by each of a plurality of users. A video distribution control method applied to a video distribution system for distributing a video to be viewed to a device from the distribution means, from the distribution base to a user terminal device of a group of users sharing the same distribution base. The procedure for distributing the video, the procedure for providing the user group sharing the distribution base with an opportunity to use a predetermined paid service via the user terminal device, and the procedure from the user group sharing the distribution base. It is determined whether or not the request for the use of the paid service satisfies the applicable condition set in association with the range of the user group sharing the distribution base, and when the applicable condition is satisfied, the use of the paid service is performed. It includes a procedure for controlling the application of the privilege so that the privilege associated with the use of the paid service is applied to the requesting user.

The computer program according to one aspect of the present invention includes a distribution means in which a distribution base that can be shared by at least two users is set as a unit for distributing the video, and is used as a user terminal device used by each of a plurality of users. A computer program applied to a video distribution system for distributing a video to be viewed from the distribution means, wherein the computer of the video distribution system is applied to a user terminal device of a group of users who share the same distribution base. A viewing control means for distributing the video from the distribution base, an opportunity providing means for providing an opportunity for a group of users sharing the distribution base to use a predetermined paid service via the user terminal device, and the distribution base. When it is determined whether or not the request for use of the paid service from the sharing user group satisfies the applicable condition set in association with the range of the user group sharing the distribution base, and when the applicable condition is satisfied. , It is configured to function as a privilege control means for controlling the application of the privilege so that the privilege associated with the use of the paid service is applied to the user who requests the use of the paid service. be.

The perspective view which shows an example of the network system including the video distribution system which concerns on one form of this invention. The figure which shows the outline of the video distribution in the video distribution system which concerns on one form. The figure which shows an example of the image which displayed the virtual space set as a distribution base on a user terminal device. The figure which shows an example of the mechanism which provides a paid service to a user through a virtual space. The figure which shows an example of the main process in the case of delivering a video through a virtual space in chronological order. The figure which shows an example of the structure of the control system of the distribution server provided in a video distribution system. The figure which shows an example of the structure of distribution schedule data and video data. The figure which shows an example of the structure of room data. The figure which shows an example of the structure of the viewing reservation data. The figure which shows an example of the structure of a viewer list. The figure which shows an example of the structure of advertisement data. A flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the room creation process. The flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of room notification processing. A flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the entrance management process. The flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of reservation processing. The flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of a viewing control process. The figure which shows an example of the procedure of advertisement display processing. A flowchart showing an example of a service processing procedure.

Hereinafter, a video distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification, unless otherwise specified, the term of video is used in the concept which can include audio. In addition, the act of viewing a video is expressed as viewing regardless of whether or not the video contains audio. As shown in FIG. 1, the video distribution system 1 includes a distribution server 2 as an example of distribution means for distributing a video to be viewed. The distribution server 2 acquires, for example, a video shot by the shooting system 3 and distributes the obtained video to the user terminal device 4 via the network NT.

The distribution server 2 includes a distribution source server 10 as an example of a distribution source, and a relay server 20 as an example of a relay means for relaying the video distributed from the distribution source server 10 and distributing it to the user terminal device 4. There is. The distribution source server 10 and the relay server 20 do not necessarily have to be configured as server units that are physically separated from each other. The distribution source server 10 and the relay server 20 may be logically distinguished. On the other hand, the distribution server 2 itself may be configured by appropriately combining a plurality of server units, or may be configured by a single server unit. The distribution server 2 may be configured as a cloud server using the cloud computing technique. Network NT is, for example, the Internet. The distribution server 2 may be connected to the network NT via an appropriate router RTa.

The photographing system 3 includes, for example, a video camera 3a and a microphone 3b for image acquisition, and a PC (abbreviation of personal computer, the same applies hereinafter) 3c that encodes and transmits the obtained image. The photographing system 3 may further include equipment such as a mixer for adjusting or processing an image, but the illustration thereof is omitted. The photographing system 3 may be provided so as to capture an appropriate image. As an example, in FIG. 1, a state in which a game is played by a game machine 6 installed in a facility 5 such as an event venue or a store is photographed by a photographing system 3. As an example, the game machine 6 is a commercial game machine configured to play a game in exchange for payment of a play fee. This type of game machine 6 is sometimes called an arcade game machine. However, the game machine 6 does not need to be controlled so as to always collect a fee. For example, at the time of an event such as a game tournament, the game machine 6 may operate so that the participants of the event play the game free of charge. The game provided by the game machine 6 may be appropriately selected. The shooting target of the shooting system 3 is not limited to game play, and various events such as sports competitions, concerts, and the like may be shot targets.

The PC 3c of the photographing system 3 is connected to the network NT via the router RTb arranged in the facility 5. As a result, the PC 3c can operate as a client of the distribution server 2. Further, the game machine 6 may also be connected to the network NT via the router RTb. However, the game machine 6 does not necessarily have to be connected to the distribution server 2. For example, the game machine 6 may be connected to a game server (not shown) for managing the game via the network NT. The game machine 6 is connected to the PC 3c, the images and the like displayed on the game machine 6 are acquired by the PC 3c according to the images taken by the camera 3a and the like, and the video data obtained by synthesizing the images and the like is sent to the distribution source server 10. May be obtained. The video to be viewed is not limited to the example acquired by the shooting system 3.

The user terminal device 4 is an information communication terminal device used for the user's daily or personal use. As an example, as the user terminal device 4, a smartphone 4a, a tablet terminal 4b, or a PC 4c having a communication call function may be used as the user terminal device 4. As long as the user terminal device 4 has an information communication function capable of functioning as a client of the distribution server 2 via the network NT, an appropriate information communication terminal device may be used. The user terminal device 4 may be a mobile terminal or a stationary terminal installed at a fixed place. The user terminal device 4 may be connected to the network NT via an appropriate access point.

Next, an outline of video distribution in the video distribution system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the video distribution system 1, the video shot by the shooting system 3 is acquired by the distribution source server 10, and the data of the obtained video is appropriately distributed as a distribution program to the user terminal device 4. The distribution of the video data may be a live distribution in which the video is distributed in synchronization with the progress of the game play or the like at the facility 5, or an archive distribution in which the video data stored in the predetermined database is distributed at a predetermined time. It may be. The distribution method is a simultaneous distribution method in which the video to be viewed is simultaneously distributed to the user terminal device 4 of the user group. For example, streaming distribution, in which video data is sequentially distributed in parallel with viewing the video, may be adopted as the distribution method.

The video data distributed from the distribution source server 10 is acquired by the relay server 20. A plurality of distribution bases 21 are set in the relay server 20. The distribution base 21 is set on the relay server 20 as a unit for relaying the video data distributed from the distribution source server 10 and distributing it to the user terminal device 4, and corresponds to a relay point in so-called mirror distribution. .. The distribution base 21 is set with permission from the distribution source server 10. The distribution base 21 may be a logical location set in the relay server 20, and may be uniquely specified by, for example, an address (URL) on the network NT. One distribution base 21 can be shared by at least two users who wish to view the video.

A virtual room 100 is set in each distribution base 21 as an example of a virtual space for viewing a video. The virtual room 100 is set so as to virtually reproduce a real space in which a plurality of visitors gather to view a video together. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a virtual room 100 representing the inside of a restaurant such as a bar or a pub where a plurality of users gather to watch a video together via a virtual monitor 101 corresponds to a distribution base 21. It may be attached and set. In the user terminal device 4, a moving image expressing a state in which a video distributed from a distribution source server 10 is viewed via a virtual monitor 101 in a virtual room 100 set in association with a distribution base 21 is a user. It is displayed on the display device 4. As an example, the moving image is generated on the relay server 20 side and distributed to the user terminal device 4, so that the moving image is displayed on the user terminal device 4. Alternatively, the relay server 20 distributes the video from the distribution source server 10 to the user terminal device 4, and the relay server 20 provides the information necessary for displaying the virtual room 100 to the user terminal device 4, and the user terminal. The device 4 may display a moving image by synthesizing the image to be viewed and the image of the virtual room 100. In any case, if the distribution base 21 is likened to a concept corresponding to a place where video is relayed and distributed, the virtual room 100 can be likened to a concept corresponding to a facility or equipment for viewing provided at that place. .. The user uses the distribution base 21 by viewing the video through the virtual room 100. Therefore, the use of the distribution base 21 and the use of the virtual room 100 are synonymous, and the sharing of the distribution base 21 and the sharing of the virtual room 100 are synonymous.

The virtual room 100 is not limited to the example of FIG. 3, and in the real world, a place or space such as a commercial facility, a public facility, etc. provided so that a specific or unspecified number of people gather to watch a video is appropriately set. It may be configured to reproduce. Although FIG. 3 shows an example in which a soccer image is displayed in the virtual monitor 101, the image viewed through the virtual room 100 may target various events.

The virtual room 100 may be configured as a three-dimensional virtual space or a two-dimensional virtual space. When the virtual room 100 is configured as a three-dimensional virtual space, the shooting conditions such as the position, shooting direction, and viewing angle of the virtual camera in the virtual room 100 are controlled based on the instruction from the user terminal device 4. The user may freely move in the virtual room 100 and view the image of the virtual monitor 101 from an appropriate position. The virtual space does not necessarily have to be configured as a space that reproduces indoors. An outdoor event venue, a live venue, etc. may be reproduced as a virtual space.

When the relay server 20 generates a moving image of the virtual room 100 in which the video is synthesized on the virtual monitor 101, a virtual camera for each user can be installed in the virtual room 100 and the shooting conditions can be controlled by the user's operation. The moving image of the virtual room 100 based on the viewpoint of each user can be displayed on the user terminal device 4. On the other hand, when the user terminal device 4 side generates a moving image of the virtual room 100 in which the video is combined with the virtual monitor 101, the relay server 20 may distribute the same video to each user terminal device 4, and the user terminal It is possible to entrust the control of the moving image based on the viewpoint of each device 4 to the user terminal device 4. In this case, it is possible to reduce the burden on the relay server 20 side, and when a distribution method of sequentially transmitting video such as streaming distribution is adopted, it is effective in preventing a delay in processing. ..

For the virtual room 100 associated with at least one distribution base 21, the video to be distributed and the specifications of the virtual room 100 are set based on the instructions of a predetermined setter. A plurality of virtual rooms 100 having different specifications may be set based on the instructions of the same or different setters. The specifications of the virtual room 100 will be described later. The setter may be either an individual or a corporation. The setter may be a person who can be a user as a viewer of the video, or a person who is distinguished from a user who can be a viewer. The setter may be limited to, for example, a person who has been granted creation authority by the relay server 20 or the distribution source server 10. In that case, for example, user authentication is performed for the access from the user terminal device 4 to the relay server 20, the presence or absence of the creation authority is determined based on the user information obtained by the authentication, and the user who has the creation authority is determined. Only, it may be possible to create the virtual room 100 as a setter. The terminal device operated by the setter in the virtual room 100 may be an information communication terminal device that functions as a user terminal device 4 for video viewing, or may be an information communication terminal device for setting different from that. ..

When a plurality of videos that can be distributed by the distribution source server 10 are prepared as distribution candidates, one of the images is selected from those distribution candidates based on the instruction of the setter, and the selected video is the virtual room 100. It may be set as a viewing target or a distribution target video to be relay-distributed to the user terminal device 4. The delivery date and time may be predetermined for the delivery candidate video. For example, in the case of live distribution, the distribution date and time of the video may be set according to the implementation date and time of the event or the like that is the source of the live distribution. In that case, the date and time of the event is set as the date and time for viewing the video in the virtual room 100. Even in the case of archive distribution, the distribution date and time may be set for the virtual room 100.

The specification of the virtual room 100 is a concept meaning the contents of the virtual room 100 defined by a set of items that characterize the virtual room 100. By setting at least a part of the items that characterize the virtual room 100 by the setter, at least a part of the specifications of the distribution base 21 is set. That is, the specifications of the distribution base 21 are determined through the specifications of the virtual room 100.

The specifications of the virtual room 100 are determined by various requirements. For example, a user who can use the virtual room 100 (sometimes called a member), an internal configuration of the virtual room 100, an advertisement displayed in the virtual room 100, an event applied to a user who uses the virtual room 100, and the like. Is prepared as a requirement for defining the specifications of the virtual room 100. At least some of those requirements are set based on the instructions of the setter. At least a part of the requirements set based on the instruction of the setter is that the range of the user group sharing the virtual room 100 is narrowed down to the range intended or assumed by the setter, and further, the users who share the virtual room 100. The group of users, that is, the users who use the virtual room 100, is set to be limited to users who meet certain requirements.

The requirements of the members of the virtual room 100 are set as human requirements for limiting the users who use the virtual room 100 to the range of the user group intended or assumed by the setter. The member requirements may be set in a manner of specifying the user in advance, or may be set in a manner of specifying the user's attributes such as the user's age group and interests. When the video to be viewed is a video related to a sport or the like, the supporting players, teams, etc. may be included in the member's requirements as at least a part of the user's attributes. Membership requirements may include a number requirement to limit to a predetermined number range. For example, the number range may be set as a human requirement by designating at least one of an upper limit value and a lower limit value of the number of people who use the virtual room 100. When the viewing right is set for viewing the video, the member's requirement may be set so that the virtual room 100 can be used only by the user who has the viewing right for the video set as the viewing target. The viewing right may be set, for example, when a consideration is required for viewing the video.

Member requirements may include geographical requirements for limiting users of the virtual room 100 to users located within a predetermined geographic range. The geographical range may be set based on, for example, administrative divisions, or may be set based on the distance from a particular reference point. The reference point may be set as, for example, a filming location of an image, or a specific facility such as a specific commercial facility or a public facility may be set as a reference point. The position of the user can be specified, for example, based on the position information acquired from the GPS function of the user terminal device 4. Alternatively, the position of the user may be specified by using the network information acquired from the access point used to connect the user terminal device 4 to the network NT, the router, or the like.

The requirement for the internal configuration of the virtual room 100 is a requirement for designating the viewing environment of the virtual room 100. The internal configuration means a viewing environment of the virtual room 100 that can be recognized by the user via the user terminal device 4. The internal configuration of the virtual room 100 is set, for example, by preparing a plurality of models having different internal configurations in advance, letting the user select one of the models, and appropriately customizing the selected model by the user. good. Customizable items include, for example, the type of virtual monitor 101, the interior of the virtual room 100, furniture, fixtures, lighting fixtures and other fixtures or furnishings, their fixtures, furnishings and the placement of the virtual monitor 101, as well as the virtual room. Various items that determine the viewing environment, such as the BGM played at 100, may be prepared. These customizations may also be realized by a method in which the user selects a part or the like prepared in advance and specifies the position thereof.

The internal configuration of the virtual room 100 can act as a requirement for narrowing down the users who use the virtual room 100. That is, the intention of the setter is reflected in the internal configuration of the virtual room 100. On the other hand, the user may select the virtual room 100 in consideration of whether or not the virtual room 100 has an internal configuration that suits his or her hobbies and tastes. As a result, it is expected that a group of users having hobbies, tastes, personalities, or attributes that match the intentions of the setter will gather in the virtual room 100 having an internal configuration that reflects the instructions of the setter. Therefore, the internal configuration of the virtual room 100 does not limit the users who use the virtual room 100, but acts as a requirement to narrow down the range of the user group who uses the virtual room 100 to a certain extent.

The advertisement requirement of the virtual room 100 is a requirement set to manage the advertisement to be displayed on the user terminal device 4 in association with the virtual room 100. The advertisement is displayed on the user terminal device 4 for the purpose of promoting the product or service to the user who uses the virtual room 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the user terminal device 4 displays a moving image showing the state of the virtual room 100, and an appropriate advertisement 102 is displayed in accordance with the moving image. The advertisement 102 may be displayed as an inline advertisement embedded in the virtual room 100, or may be displayed as an overlay advertisement superimposed on the virtual room 100. The advertisement 102 may be displayed outside the virtual room 100. The advertisement 102 may be displayed in a window different from the window displaying the virtual room 100. The display mode of the advertisement 102 may be changed according to the configuration of the user terminal device 4. In any case, the advertisement 102 may be displayed in an appropriate manner as long as it can be visually recognized by the user who uses the virtual room 100.

Returning to FIG. 2, at least some advertisements are displayed to present the paid service available through the virtual room 100 or to provide the user with an opportunity to use the paid service. For example, the user is guided to a predetermined paid service triggered by the user's reaction to at least a part of the advertisement. A discount that reduces the charge may be applied to the paid service as an example of the privilege for its use, and a discount condition as an example of the applicable condition may be set for the discount. These mechanisms will be described in detail later.

The advertising requirements of the virtual room 100 may include, for example, a requirement regarding advertisement selection and a requirement regarding display. The requirements regarding the selection of advertisements may be set in a manner in which the setter directly specifies the advertisement to be displayed in the virtual room 100, or a mode in which the setter specifies the tendency of the advertisement to be displayed in the virtual room 100. It may be set with.

The requirement for selecting an advertisement may be set so that the relay server 20 automatically selects and displays an advertisement suitable for the virtual room 100. The requirements for advertisement selection may be set in association with the range of users of the virtual room 100 assumed through the specifications of the virtual room 100. For example, the user of the setter specifies an advertisement suitable for the range of the user group intended by the setter through the requirements of the members set as the specifications of the virtual room 100, the internal configuration of the virtual room 100, etc., and the setter intends. The requirements for ad selection may be set by a method such as designating the range of the user group as the condition for ad selection. By defining the requirements for advertisement selection in this way, it is possible to display an advertisement suitable for the range of the user group intended or assumed by the user of the setter in association with the virtual room 100, thereby enhancing the advertisement effect. Is. Further, by displaying the advertisement associated with the paid service suitable for the user group assumed by the user of the setter, the paid service suitable for the range of the user group can be provided to the user via the virtual room 100. .. As a result, it is possible to create an opportunity to sell products or the like using the virtual room 100.

The requirement for displaying an advertisement is a requirement for specifying how the advertisement should be displayed. For example, items such as the position where the advertisement should be displayed, the display time, and the number of advertisements to be displayed may be set as the requirements for displaying the advertisement. The time for displaying the advertisement may be defined by the start time and end time of the display, or may be defined by the length of the display time.

At least some of the requirements for advertising in the virtual room 100 act as requirements for narrowing the range of users who share the virtual room 100. That is, at least a part of the advertisement is displayed to provide the user who uses the virtual room 100 with an opportunity to use the paid service associated with the advertisement. Therefore, by specifying the selection and display of the advertisement associated with the paid service, the setter sets what kind of paid service is provided to the user through the virtual room 100 and how. Can be done. On the other hand, the user may select the virtual room 100 in consideration of what kind of paid service is provided in the virtual room 100 and how. Therefore, the advertisement setting can act as a requirement for narrowing down the range of the user group sharing the virtual room 100.

The requirement regarding the event of the virtual room 100 is a requirement for designating an event for a user who uses the virtual room 100. For example, a support event or the like for the video displayed on the virtual monitor 101 may be prepared. In the support event, for example, when the video to be viewed is a video related to a competition such as sports, a predetermined support operation is requested from a group of users sharing the virtual room 100, and the support operation is converted into a score according to a certain standard. It is an event that competes for high and low. In the support event, competitiveness such as in-room ranking in which the high and low scores obtained are competed among the users of the virtual room 100, or inter-room ranking in which the total value obtained by the users of the virtual room 100 is competed among the virtual room 100 users. May be further added. The event acts as one of the entertainments obtained by using the virtual room 100, and can be a consideration factor when the user selects the virtual room 100. Thereby, the requirement regarding the event can also act as one of the requirements for narrowing down the range of the user group using the virtual room 100.

In the virtual room 100, in addition to viewing a video, providing a paid service, and providing an event, a community function for communicating with each other may be available. For example, it may be possible to form a community between users through functions such as chatting between users and posting comments. The chat may include a voice chat using a voice call. An avatar as a user's alter ego may be acted in the virtual room 100, and a community among users may be formed through the avatar. The community function may be an arbitrary function whose availability can be switched according to the instruction of the setter, or may be a basic function that is always provided to the virtual room 100. If the user of the setter can select the use of the community function, the availability of the community function may be considered in the selection of the user's virtual room 100, and the setting of the availability is also a group of users who share the virtual room 100. Can act as a requirement to narrow the scope of.

Next, an example of a mechanism for providing a paid service will be described with reference to FIG. In the example of FIG. 4, when a user who uses the virtual room 100 specifies an advertisement and requests the use of a paid service associated with the advertisement, the paid service is provided to the user via the website 120. For example, when the user selects the advertisement 102 in FIG. 3 and performs a predetermined operation (for example, an operation of clicking the advertisement 102), the user is guided to a paid service associated with the advertisement 102 by using the operation as a trigger. Will be done. Although two websites 120 are illustrated in FIG. 4, the number of websites 120 that provide paid services to users may be appropriate. The contents of the website 120 may be displayed so as to be incorporated into a part of the virtual room 100, may be displayed outside the virtual room 100, or may be displayed in a separate window from the window displaying the virtual room 100. May be done. In any case, the website 120 may be displayed by an appropriate method used in web browsing.

The website 120 sells products such as electronic data and programs purchased by the user, such as game data and programs, or sites that allow the user terminal device 4 to download various types of information, food and drink, and the products purchased by the user. It may be provided to provide various paid services such as a site that provides a delivery or catering service that delivers from a physical store 200 to a location designated by a user, an e-commerce site that sells various products or services for a fee, and the like. .. The delivery or catering service is an example of a product sales service in which a user is made to purchase a product and the product is delivered to the user. The product sales service is not limited to the example of selling products such as food and drink, and may be a service of delivering various products purchased on an e-commerce site. The goods or services sold by the paid service may be the goods or services associated with the video to be viewed. For example, in the case of video of a game event, cards or other commemorative goods or data associated with the event may be sold. Alternatively, in the case of a video of a sporting event, cheering goods or the like may be sold. When an event is set for a group of users who share the virtual room 100, products or services associated with the event may be sold. For example, data for enlivening the event may be sold.

The vendor that provides the paid service via the website 120 may or may not match the configurator of the virtual room 100. For example, a provider of a paid service may create a virtual room 100 and place an advertisement for the purpose of recruiting users of its own service. Alternatively, the setter creates the virtual room 100 in cooperation with a company that provides a paid service, and the setter of the virtual room 100 uses a part of the sales obtained by the company by using the paid service through the virtual room 100. A business may be run such that the user receives it.

For paid services provided by at least some websites 120, benefits for their use are provided. For example, a discount on the service fee is prepared as a privilege. For the discount, a discount condition may be set as an example of the application condition of the privilege. The discount condition may be set independently for each virtual room 100. FIG. 4 shows an example in which a discount condition is set in association with the delivery service, but the same discount condition may be set for one virtual room 100 regardless of the type of paid service, or for each paid service. The discount condition may be set independently for.

The discount condition is set in association with the request for the use of the paid service from the user group sharing the distribution base 21. For example, in the discount condition, the number of users who request the use of the service within the unit of the user group who uses one virtual room 100 (hereinafter, may be referred to as an applicant) is a predetermined target number of people. It may include the number of people condition that is satisfied when it is in the range. The number of people condition may be set so as to be satisfied when, for example, the number of desired persons in the user group using the same virtual room 100 is equal to or greater than the minimum number of people (lower limit value). Alternatively, the maximum number of users (upper limit value) to which the discount condition is applied may be set as the number condition. The number condition may be set so that the ratio of the number of desired users to the total number of users (total number of viewers) of the user group using the same virtual room 100 is satisfied when the ratio is equal to or more than a predetermined value. The number of people condition may be set step by step. For example, a plurality of threshold values may be set for the number of applicants for paid services, and a gradual condition may be set such that the discount amount of the charge is gradually increased for each threshold value.

The discount condition may include a regional condition that is satisfied when the user's location is within a predetermined target area. For example, it is satisfied only when a user in an area that can be delivered from a specific physical store 200 requests the use of a paid service, in other words, the discount is applied only to the user in that area. Regional conditions may be set in. The target area does not have to be limited to the deliverable area of a single physical store 200. For example, an area where each of the plurality of actual stores 200 in the chain can be delivered may be set as the target area. The location of the user may be specified based on the location information acquired from the user terminal device 4, as in the case of the geographical requirement as a part of the specifications of the virtual room 100, or the network such as an access point. It may be specified informed.

The discount condition may include a monetary condition associated with the usage fee of the service in one virtual room 100. For example, a monetary condition may be set so that a discount is applied when the total amount of service usage charges in the same virtual room 100 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. A discount condition may be set in place of or in addition to the monetary condition regarding the quantity of goods ordered by the user. In any case, the number of people condition, the amount condition, etc. may be set as the so-called volume discount condition associated with the scale of the order related to the product or the like.

The discount condition may include a time limit condition that limits the applicable time. For example, a discount time limit may be set in association with the video distribution time. In that case, the time limit may be set in association with the start time of delivery, the time limit may be set in association with the end time of delivery, or the time limit may be set in association with both the start time and the end time. It may be set. When associating with the start time of distribution, it is possible to set that the discount condition is applied from a predetermined time longer earlier or later than the start time. When associating with the end time of distribution, it is possible to set that the discount is not applied after a predetermined time longer or later than the end time. Alternatively, it is possible to set the ratio to the delivery time length, for example, to end the application of the discount when 80% of the delivery time elapses. When the video is delivered live, the end time of the delivery may be undefined depending on the event to be shot. In such a case, the time limit may be dynamically changed according to the actual situation of distribution.

The number of people condition, regional condition, amount condition and time limit may be set as so-called and condition by appropriately combining them. For example, the number of people condition and the regional condition may be combined so that the number of applicants who satisfy the regional condition is not satisfied unless the number of applicants satisfies the number of people condition. In this case, the convenience of the provider of the paid service, such as applying a discount when receiving an order for a product from a predetermined number of users or more located in an area where delivery is possible from a specific physical store 200. It is possible to set discount conditions according to. In addition to this, the discount conditions may be appropriately changed depending on the content of the paid service or the convenience of the provider of the service.

The discount condition can be set in association with the range of users who share the virtual room 100. For example, the discount condition can be set to fit the range of users assumed through the specifications of the virtual room 100. As an example, when a number requirement that limits the range of the number of users who use the virtual room 100 is set, a target number range that satisfies the number condition of the discount condition may be set within the number range. If you set the lower limit or upper limit of the target number range within the minimum or maximum number of people requirement set as the specification of the virtual room 100, the target number of people to whom the discount is applied can be set without excess or deficiency. It is possible to optimize the possibility that the discount will be applied.

When a geographical requirement is set as a specification of the virtual room 100, a target area satisfying the regional condition of the discount condition may be set within the geographical range of the user defined by the geographical requirement. As a result, the geographical requirement as the specification of the virtual room 100 and the regional condition of the discount condition are matched, the target area to which the discount is applied is set consistently, and the possibility of the discount being applied is optimized. It is possible. In addition, regarding the specifications of the virtual room 100, it is possible to optimize the possibility that the discount will be applied by consistently combining the requirements for narrowing the range of the user group or the requirements for limiting the users and the discount conditions. It is possible.

The discount condition does not necessarily have to be set in association with the range of users assumed through the specifications of the virtual room 100. For example, if the virtual room 100 is already available before the start of video distribution, or if viewing of the video through the virtual room 100 can be reserved in advance, the user is based on the usage status or the reservation status. The range of the group may be discriminated or estimated, and the target number of people range in the number of people condition of the discount condition may be dynamically adjusted according to the discriminant result or the estimation result. Alternatively, even after the start of distribution, the target number range of the number of people condition may be dynamically adjusted according to the actual usage status of the virtual room 100. The area subject to the area condition under the discount condition may also be dynamically adjusted according to the usage status or the reservation status of the virtual room 100.

When the time limit condition is set for the discount condition, the requirement of the advertisement display time set as the specification of the virtual room 100 is that the advertisement is continuously displayed within the time when the discount can be applied. , It is preferable to set it consistently with the time limit condition.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a main process that occurs in connection with the setting and use of the virtual room 100 in chronological order. First, the virtual room 100 is created based on the instruction of the setter (F1), and when the creation is completed, the virtual room 100 is notified to a user who can be a viewer (F2). The notification is performed to inform the user of the virtual room 100 and encourage its use, specify the video to be delivered in the virtual room 100 and its delivery time, and specify the specifications of the virtual room 100. It may contain specific information. When the paid service is provided through the virtual room 100, the information specifying the paid service may also be notified to the user as a part of the specifications of the virtual room 100. The notification of the virtual room 100 may be a push notification to the user terminal device 4 or a pull notification by posting on an appropriate website provided by the relay server 20.

After the virtual room 100 is created, the user can select the created virtual room 100 and display the inside of the virtual room 100 on the user terminal device 4 (F3). Regarding the specifications of the virtual room 100, when a requirement for limiting the users who can use the virtual room 100 is set, it is possible to display the inside of the virtual room 100 on the user terminal device 4 only for the users who meet the requirement. Will be done. Hereinafter, the act of selecting the virtual room 100 and looking inside the virtual room 100 is referred to as "entering the room". Further, the period during which the virtual room 100 can be entered is referred to as an enterable time. The start of the enterable period may be set at an appropriate time after the creation of the virtual room 100 and before the start of distribution of the video. The person who sets the virtual room 100 may set the start period of the room entry period. The start time of the notification regarding the virtual room 100 and the start time of the enterable period of the virtual room 100 may be the same or different. If the start of the room entry period is set later than the start time of the notification, the start of the room entry period may be included in the notification content.

At a predetermined time within the room entry period, the video is distributed and the video can be viewed via the virtual monitor 101 (F4). The video may appropriately include a first part and a second part in addition to the main part composed of, for example, a video of an event or the like shot by the shooting system 3, that is, a video that is originally intended for viewing. For example, videos such as various notices and advertisements may be added as the first part, or videos showing explanations, replays, future distribution schedules, etc. for the main part may be added as the second part. The advertisement in this case may meet the requirements of the advertisement specified by the setter of the virtual room 100 as the requirement of the specifications of the virtual room 100, or the advertisement added to the main part in advance on the distribution source server 10 side. It may be. When the first part is added, the distribution start time of the video may be set so that the first part starts at the beginning of the room entry period or after that. In this case, it is possible to provide the user group who entered the virtual room 100 in the time zone before the start of the main part with an opportunity to promote friendship through a community function, various events, and the like. Through the first part, it is possible to raise the user's expectation for the main part. If the first part contains advertisements, the advertising effectiveness can also be enhanced. If the first part does not exist, the start time of the distribution of the main part may be set after the beginning of the room entry period.

Further, when the virtual room 100 is created, a reservation acceptance period for viewing the video delivered in the virtual room 100 is set (F5). This causes the user to reserve the viewing of the video before entering the virtual room 100, and may guide the user to the reservation operation in association with the notification of the virtual room 100. The reminder may be notified to the reserved user at a predetermined time before the start of video distribution. The start of the reservation acceptance period may be set at an appropriate time as long as the virtual room 100 is created. The reservation acceptance period may be started earlier than the video distribution start time by a predetermined time. On the other hand, the end of the reservation acceptance period is set at least before the start of the main part of the video. When the video includes the first part, the end of the reservation acceptance period may be set earlier than the start time of the first part. The end of the reservation acceptance period may be set after the start time of the first part and before the start time of the main part.

A paid service provision period is set at an appropriate time within the admission period of the virtual room 100 (F6). For example, the start of the paid service provision period may be at the same time as the start of the room-accessible period, or at an appropriate time thereafter. The beginning of the paid service provision period may be an appropriate time. The provision period of the paid service does not necessarily have to be set in cooperation with the video delivery time, but for example, when providing a food and drink delivery service, the delivery is made in time for the video delivery time. It is advisable to set the delivery service start time. When providing an opportunity to use a paid service through an advertisement displayed in the virtual room 100, the display time of the paid service is specified as a requirement of the advertisement defined as a part of the specifications of the virtual room 100. May be done. When a plurality of paid services are provided in association with the virtual room 100, the provision period may be set for each paid service.

The end of the enterable period can be set appropriately in relation to the video distribution time. For example, the time when a predetermined time length has elapsed after the distribution of the video is completed may be set as the end of the room entry period. When a plurality of videos having different delivery times are delivered in one virtual room 100 at appropriate time intervals, the start and end of the enterable period may be appropriately set for each video, and the room can be entered. The user may be allowed to enter the room at any time without specifying the end of the period. The end of each of the notification period of the virtual room 100 and the provision period of the paid service can be set appropriately according to the end of the room available period, and if the end of the room available period cannot be determined, the virtual room The notification period of 100 and the end of each of the paid service provision period may not be particularly specified, and the notification may be continued or the user who uses the virtual room 100 may be able to receive the paid service at any time.

When the start of the enterable period of the virtual room 100 is set prior to the video distribution time, or when the reservation acceptance period is set for viewing the video, the virtual room 100 is used before the video is distributed. It is possible to determine the range of the user group to be used. When the first part is added to the video, it is possible to estimate the range of the user group who watches the main part at the stage of the first part. In such a case, it is possible to adjust the target number range that satisfies the number of people in the discount condition based on the predicted value of the number of viewers, thereby optimizing the possibility that the discount will be applied. Such management may be performed in conjunction with the setting of the member number requirement set as part of the specifications of the virtual room 100, but when there is no requirement regarding the number of members, that is, the virtual room 100 is used. It may be carried out even if there is no limit to the number of users who can do it.

As described above, in the video distribution system 1, the specifications of the virtual room 100 corresponding to at least one distribution base 21 can be set based on the instruction of the user of the setter. Therefore, it is possible to reflect the intention of the setter through the specifications of the virtual room 100 regarding the environment in which the video to be viewed is to be viewed. Along with this, the range of the user group sharing the virtual room 100 is narrowed down or limited to the range intended by the setter, and the user groups in the range intended by the setter are summoned to the same virtual room 100, and those users are used. The virtual room 100 can function as a place where the group can watch the video together. By appropriately narrowing down the hobbies and attributes of the viewers who gather in the virtual room 100, it is possible to assume a group of users who use the virtual room 100 and display an advertisement suitable for the user group to enhance the advertising effect. .. By providing a paid service suitable for a group of users who use the virtual room 100, it is possible to create a business opportunity related to the paid service.

In the above example, the advertisement is used as a lead wire for guiding the user to the paid service, but the opportunity to use the paid service does not necessarily have to be provided through the advertisement. For example, a list, menu, or the like in which a candidate for a paid service is posted in a video of the virtual room 100 or separately from the virtual room 100 is presented to the user, and the user selects a paid service from the list and requests the use thereof. As a result, the paid service may be provided by a method such as guiding the user to the website 120 of the paid service. The advertisement displayed in association with the virtual room 100 is not limited to the one that provides an opportunity to use the paid service. Appropriate advertisements for promoting a predetermined product or service may be displayed in association with the virtual room 100, and such advertisements are also appropriately selected and displayed based on the advertisement requirements as the specifications of the virtual room 100. May be done.

In the above example, as an example of the privilege related to the use of the paid service, a reduction (discount) of the fee required for using the service is set, but the privilege is not limited to this and can be appropriately modified. For example, giving exchange value such as coupons and points that can be used inside or outside the video distribution system 1, giving electronic data such as wallpaper that can be used in the user terminal device 4, mailing promotional goods, etc. Various benefits may be prepared. Alternatively, a privilege may be prepared in association with the use of the virtual room 100. For example, there are benefits such as changing the internal configuration of the virtual room 100 to a special configuration, permitting entry to the VIP room prepared in the virtual room 100, or granting treatment as a senior member in the virtual room 100. It may be prepared. The conditions for applying the benefits can also be changed as appropriate according to the content of the benefits.

Since the relay server 20 acquires the video from the distribution source server 10 and relays and distributes the obtained video from the distribution base 21 set in the relay server 20 to the user terminal device 4, the distribution source server 10 distributes the video. There is no need to manage the distribution of video for each base 21 individually. Further, it is not necessary for the distribution source server 10 to individually manage the setting of the virtual room 100 associated with the distribution base 21 and various functions realized through the virtual room 100. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden on the distribution source server 10. On the other hand, by individually managing the virtual room 100 by the relay server 20, it is possible to individually provide an environment suitable for a relatively small group of users to view the video together. Further, since the distribution base 21 of the relay server 20 is provided based on the permission from the distribution source server 10, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the video is illegally viewed within the range that the distribution server 2 cannot grasp.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a more specific example for realizing the various functions described above in the video distribution system 1 will be described. In the following example, an advertisement is displayed in the virtual room 100 based on the specifications set for the virtual room 100, and the user is provided with an opportunity to use the paid service through at least a part of the advertisement. This is an example of the case.

As shown in FIG. 6, the distribution source server 10 is provided with a distribution management unit 11 as a logical device realized by combining the hardware of the server unit as a computer and the server program PG1 as software. ing. Further, the distribution source server 10 includes a distribution management database DB 11 that holds various data necessary for managing a video distribution destination or a distribution schedule, and a video database DB 12 that holds video data to be distributed. It is connected. The distribution management unit 11 distributes the video data acquired from the shooting system 3 according to the information recorded in the distribution management database DB 11, or stores the video data acquired from the shooting system 3 in the video database DB 12 as needed. ..

The relay server 20 includes a room management unit 22, a viewing management unit 23, and an advertisement management unit 24 as logical devices realized by combining the hardware of the server unit as a computer and the server program PG2 as software. An event management unit 25 and a community management unit 26 are provided. The room management unit 22 is in charge of processing related to the setting of the virtual room 100. The viewing management unit 23 is in charge of processing related to the distribution of video data via the distribution base 21. The advertisement management unit 24 is in charge of displaying advertisements related to the virtual room 100 and processing related to the provision of paid services corresponding to the advertisements. The event management unit 25 is in charge of processing related to various events prepared for the users of the virtual room 100. The community management unit 26 is in charge of processing related to the formation of a community through chats between users for each virtual room 100.

The relay server 20 has a user management database DB 21, a room management database DB 22, a viewing management database DB 23, an advertisement management database DB 24, and event management as databases for acquiring or storing information necessary for processing of each unit 22 to 25. The database DB 25 and the community management database DB 26 are connected. The user management database DB 21 is a database in which various information about a user is recorded in association with unique identification information for each user, for example, a user ID. For example, information such as the user's name (which may be a real name or a pseudonym), the user's age group, location, attributes such as interests, or the user's viewing history is stored in the user management database DB 21. This type of database is implemented in various systems that manage various types of information about the user by the user's identification number, and the user management database DB 21 may be configured in the same manner as the type of system.

The room management database DB 22 is a database that stores information about the virtual room 100 created by the room management unit 22. The specifications of the virtual room 100 set based on the instructions of the setter are also stored in the room management database DB 22. The viewing management database DB 23 is a database that stores information necessary for managing the distribution of video at each distribution base 21. The advertisement management database DB 24 is a database that stores information necessary for the advertisement management unit 24 to display an advertisement associated with the virtual room 100 on the user terminal device 4 or to guide the user to a paid service corresponding to the advertisement. .. The event management database DB 25 is a database that stores information necessary for the event management unit 25 to manage the execution of events and the results thereof. The event management database DB 25 may include event data that describes the contents of the event that can be executed in the virtual room 100, the event execution conditions, the processing method of the result, and the like for each event, and the details thereof will be omitted. The community management database DB 26 is a database in which the community management unit 26 stores information necessary for managing the community for each virtual room 100. For example, in the community management database DB 26, data of materials for realizing a community function, log data such as comments posted by users, and the like are recorded. The community management database DB 26 may be configured in the same manner as an existing system that provides a community function through chat or the like, and the details thereof will be omitted.

Although the configuration of the control system of the user terminal device 4 is omitted in FIG. 6, the user terminal device 4 is mounted on a dedicated application program prepared for the video distribution system 1 or the user terminal device 4. Various functions provided by the relay server 20 may be provided to the user by using the Web browser.

Next, specific examples of data stored in some databases will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11. FIG. 7 shows an example of data stored in the distribution management database DB 11 and the video database DB 12. The distribution management database DB 11 stores the distribution schedule data D11 as an example of the data for managing the distribution to the relay server 20. The distribution schedule data D11 is a set of records in which a distribution date and time and a unique video ID for each distributed video are recorded in association with a unique distribution ID for each distribution. It functions in the same way as the data to be generated. By sorting the records included in the distribution schedule data D11 by the distribution date and time, the distribution schedule can be shown in the same manner as the program guide. The reason why the distribution ID is set separately from the video ID is to distinguish the distribution when the same video is distributed at different distribution dates and times. A plurality of channels may be set in the distribution source server 10, and distribution schedule data D11 may be provided for each channel. Data indicating the distribution destination is also recorded in the distribution management database DB 11, but the illustration thereof is omitted. The distribution destination data may be configured to describe, for example, the address of the relay server 20 of the distribution destination or the address of the distribution base 21 generated in the relay server 20 in an appropriate format. When the distribution base 21 is managed by the relay server 20, only the address of the distribution destination relay server 20 may be described in the distribution management database DB 11.

On the other hand, the video data D12 is recorded in the video database DB 12. The video data D12 is data distributed to the relay server 20, and the title and outline of the video and the actual data for reproducing the video itself acquired from the shooting system 3 are unique for each video. It has a structure recorded in association with the video ID. The outline of the video may include various information that can be used as a reference for video selection, such as information for distinguishing the video such as the genre and category of the video, and information indicating the summary of the video. By describing the video ID in the video data D12, the record recorded in the distribution schedule data D11 and the video data D12 are associated with each other. The video ID, title, and outline may be added in advance on the shooting system 3 side, or may be added on the distribution source server 10 side. In the case of live distribution, information other than the actual data may be recorded in the video data D12 in advance, and the live video data sent from the photographing system 3 may be captured in the video data D12 and distributed. In the case of archive distribution, the actual data may be recorded in advance in the video data D12.

FIG. 8 shows an example of room data D22 stored in the room management database DB22. The room data D22 created for each virtual room 100 is stored in the room management database DB 22. FIG. 6 shows room data D22 corresponding to one virtual room 100. In the room data D22, information for specifying various setting items related to the virtual room 100 illustrated in FIG. 2 is recorded in association with a unique room ID for each virtual room 100. For example, the information of the distribution base 21 to which the virtual room 100 should be associated and the distribution ID related to the video to be distributed are recorded in the room data D22. Further, in the room data D22, information corresponding to the requirements for defining the specifications of the virtual room 100, and in the example of FIG. 2, the setting contents of the requirements regarding the members, the internal configuration, the advertisement, and the event is further recorded.

The information about the member is information indicating the member requirement of the virtual room 100, for example, information for designating a member who can use the virtual room 100 by its user ID, and specifying an attribute of a member who can use the virtual room 100. Members include information, information that specifies the range of people who can use the virtual room 100, information that determines the necessity of viewing rights for videos, information that specifies the geographical range of users who can use the virtual room 100, and so on. It may be recorded in the room data D22 as information about. All of the member information shown in FIG. 8 does not necessarily have to be specified in the room data D22. For example, when the user ID for using the virtual room 100 is directly specified, the attributes and other information may be omitted. In any case, the member information may be appropriately set based on the user's specification of the setter. The use of the virtual room 100 may be approved by the setter. In that case, for example, the fact that the approval of the user of the setter is required may be recorded as information about the member.

As the information regarding the internal configuration, information for determining the user's designated contents regarding matters such as the type of the virtual monitor 101, the equipment or furnishings of the virtual room 100, their arrangement, and the BGM may be recorded in the room data D22. For example, when the virtual monitor 101, the interior, the furniture, etc. are customized by selecting the parts prepared in advance, the identification information such as the part number set for those parts is associated with the information for specifying the position. It may be described in the room data D22.

As the information related to the advertisement, the information specifying the requirement regarding the selection of the advertisement and the requirement regarding the display described in FIG. 2 may be recorded in the room data D22. Information about the selection may be recorded in a manner that directly specifies the advertisement, or may be recorded in a manner that specifies the tendency of the advertisement. Automatic selection of advertisements may be specified. As the information regarding the display of the advertisement, information specifying how the advertisement should be displayed, such as the position where the advertisement should be displayed, the time when the advertisement is displayed, the number of advertisements to be displayed, and the like, may be recorded in the room data D22. When the above-mentioned discount condition is set, the information specifying the discount condition may be further recorded in the room data D22 as the information related to the advertisement. If the discount conditions differ for each paid service, it is necessary to distinguish the discount conditions for each advertisement associated with the paid service and describe them in the room data D22.

The information about the event is information that specifies an event that the user can participate in in the virtual room 100. For example, information that specifies the type of event, such as the above-mentioned inter-room ranking or in-room ranking, may be recorded as information about the event. Although omitted in FIG. 8, when the enterable period is set for the virtual room 100, the start and end dates and times may be recorded in the room data D22.

FIG. 8 shows an example in which one distribution ID is recorded in the room data D22, but a plurality of distribution IDs may be recorded in association with one room ID. In that case, the requirements such as the members who specify the specifications of the virtual room 100 may be set for each distribution ID, or may be set in common for a plurality of distribution IDs. For example, when setting distribution IDs corresponding to a plurality of videos having different genres, requirements such as members, internal configurations, advertisements, etc. may be changed according to the genres of the videos.

FIG. 9 shows an example of viewing reservation data D23 stored in the viewing management database DB23. The viewing reservation data D23 is data created when the user selects the virtual room 100 and reserves the viewing of the video. In the viewing reservation data D23, for example, the room ID of the virtual room 100 selected by the user, the distribution ID corresponding to the distribution including the video desired to be viewed by the user, and the user ID of the reserved user are unique for each reservation. It is recorded in association with the reserved number to be numbered.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the viewer list TB1 recorded in the viewing management database DB 23 in order to determine the user as a viewer entering the virtual room 100. The viewer list TB1 is tabular data in which information such as the user ID of the user as a viewer who is in the virtual room 100, the user's position information, and the user information is recorded with a viewer number. , It is created separately for each room ID of the virtual room 100. The position information may be acquired by using the GPS function of the user terminal device 4, or may be acquired based on the network information provided by the access point, router, or the like used by the user terminal device 4 for network connection. good. The location information may be acquired, for example, when the user logs in to the relay server 20. When the user terminal device 4 is a mobile terminal, the location information is preferably updated as appropriate, but the location information acquired at a predetermined time such as at the time of login may be regarded as the subsequent location information of the user. The user information recorded in the viewer list TB1 may include, for example, user attributes necessary for selecting an advertisement, and the information may be acquired from the user management database DB 21 using the user ID as a clue.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the advertisement data D24 stored in the advertisement management database DB 24. The advertisement data D24 is data created for each advertisement that can be displayed on the user terminal device 4, and is data that describes the details of the advertisement. For example, in the advertisement data D24, selection information to be referred to for selecting an advertisement, information on the content of the advertisement, and service provision information regarding a paid service to be provided in association with the advertisement are provided with a unique advertisement ID for each advertisement. It may be recorded in association with each other. The selection information is information that is referred to when the setter selects an advertisement according to the selection condition of the advertisement set as the specification of the virtual room 100. For example, information that specifies the type of advertisement, the attributes of the user who is the target of the advertisement, the tendency, and the like may be recorded as selection information. When the tendency of the advertisement is specified as the selection condition of the advertisement in the room data D22 of FIG. 8, or the automatic selection of the advertisement is specified, the information necessary for selecting the advertisement is selected according to the selection condition. It may be recorded in the advertisement data D24 as information. However, when the advertisement is directly specified in the room data D22, the advertisement ID may be specified in the room data D22.

The information regarding the advertisement content is information that describes the display content of the advertisement on the user terminal device 4. For example, image data, text data, etc. that should be displayed as an advertisement may be recorded as information on the advertisement content. When a paid service is provided in association with an advertisement, the service provision information includes information indicating the content of the paid service and information on the destination such as the address of the website for providing the paid service as the service provision information. May be recorded. In the case of an advertisement that is not intended to lead to a paid service, the service provision information may be omitted.

The advertisement data D24 may further include discount information. Discount information is information that should be referred to when setting discount conditions for paid services associated with advertisements. For example, the discount information may include information indicating a range that can be set as a discount condition. If the setter of the virtual room 100 and the provider of the paid service are different, if the discount condition of the room data D22 is freely entrusted to the setter, the limit allowed by the provider of the paid service will be exceeded. Since there is a possibility that an excessive discount may be applied, the discount condition of the room data D22 is set within the permissible range by showing the discount condition that can be tolerated in the advertisement data D24 in advance by the advertiser. May be.

Multiple stages of discount conditions according to the number of viewers using the virtual room 100 are set in advance in the discount information, and the discount conditions corresponding to the number of viewers using the virtual room 100 are quoted as the discount conditions of the room data D22. You may. In that case, the number of viewers may be predicted from, for example, the permissible range of the number of people set as the specifications of the virtual room 100, the number of reservations for viewing, and the actual entry before the main part of the video is started. It may be predicted based on the number of users. On the other hand, if the setter of the virtual room 100 and the provider of the paid service match, the discount conditions that the setter of the virtual room 100 can tolerate may be set directly in the room data D22.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 12 to 18, specific examples of various processing procedures executed by the distribution server 2 in order to realize video distribution using the virtual room 100 will be described. FIG. 12 shows an example of the procedure of the room creation process executed by the room management unit 22 of the relay server 20 in order to create the virtual room 100 based on the instruction of the setter. The room creation process is started when the setter instructs the creation of the virtual room 100. Regarding the creation of the virtual room 100, the relay server 20 may authenticate the user as the setter, and further, when the setter determines whether or not the setter has the right to create the virtual room 100 and has the right to create the virtual room 100. The process of FIG. 12 may be started only for.

When the room creation process is started, the room management unit 22 first obtains permission for opening a new distribution base 21 corresponding to the virtual room 100 (step S101). The permission may be obtained from, for example, the distribution source server 10. If the distribution source server 10 gives the relay server 20 a comprehensive permission to create a new distribution base 21, the permission may be applied as a permission to open a new distribution base 21. .. In any case, the permission for opening the distribution base 21 may be a method of individually obtaining the permission from the distribution source server 10 for each distribution base 21, or the relay server based on the comprehensive permission from the distribution source server 10. 20 may be a method of processing individual permits.

When the opening permission is obtained, the room management unit 22 generates the distribution base 21 (step S102). For example, the room management unit 22 generates an address positioned as the distribution base 21, and records the address in the room data D22 as information on the distribution base. In this case, the relay server 20 may notify the distribution source server 10 of information such as an address that identifies the distribution base 21, and the distribution source server 10 may record the information in the distribution management database DB 11.

Next, the room management unit 22 selects the video to be distributed based on the instruction of the setter (step S103). For example, the room management unit 22 acquires the distribution schedule data D11 from the distribution source server 10 and appropriately obtains the title and summary information of the video data D12 corresponding to the video ID included in the obtained distribution schedule data D11. The video to be acquired and distributed is presented to the setter together with the distribution date, title and outline, and one of the records included in the distribution schedule data D11 is selected and distributed according to the instruction of the setter. The ID is recorded in the room data D22.

When the video to be distributed is selected, the room management unit 22 subsequently sets and sets the requirements for the members, internal configuration, advertisement, and event as the specifications of the virtual room 100 based on the instructions of the setter. The contents are recorded in the room data D22 (steps S104 to S107). By the above processing, a new distribution base 21 is set, and a virtual room 100 corresponding to the distribution base 21 is created. Some of the requirements for defining the specifications of the virtual room 100 may be set on the relay server 20 side and cannot be changed by the setter.

After that, the room management unit 22 sets a notification regarding the newly created virtual room 100 (step S108). For example, the room management unit 22 sets push notifications for the user's notification destination registered in the user management database DB 21, or sets information posting of the virtual room 100 on the user's website provided by the relay server 20. By doing so, the notification to the user of the new virtual room 100 may be set.

When the notification of the virtual room 100 is set, the room management unit 22 finishes the process of FIG. The process of steps S103 to S108 is not limited to the stage where the virtual room 100 is newly created, and the room management unit 22 may be able to execute the process even after the virtual room 100 is created according to the request of the setter. As a result, the setter can appropriately modify or change the video to be distributed in the virtual room 100 or its specifications.

FIG. 13 shows an example of the procedure of the room notification process executed by the room management unit 22 to notify the user of the information of the virtual room 100. The room management unit 22 repeatedly executes the process of FIG. 13 at an appropriate cycle. When the room notification process is started, the room management unit 22 selects the virtual room 100 to be notified (step S111). As the notification target, for example, the virtual room 100 in which the notification to the user is set in step S108 of FIG. 12 may be selected. After the setting of step S108, the virtual room 100 for which a predetermined period has passed or has been selected as the target for notification a predetermined number of times, or the virtual room 100 for which the remaining time until the start time of video distribution is less than a predetermined value is excluded from the notification target. May be done.

Next, the room management unit 22 acquires the room data D22 of the virtual room 100 selected as the notification target, and extracts the information to be notified based on the room data D22 (step S112). For example, the video to be distributed in the virtual room 100, its distribution time, the internal environment, and the like may be extracted as information to be notified. After that, the room management unit 22 notifies the user of the virtual room 100 based on the information extracted in step S112 (step S113). The notification may be a push notification or a pull notification as described above. When the process of step S113 is completed, the room management unit 22 finishes the process of FIG.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a procedure of the room entry management process executed by the viewing management unit 23 in order to manage the user's entry into the virtual room 100. When the user requests to enter the virtual room 100, the viewing management unit 23 starts the process of FIG. 14, and first selects the virtual room 100 to be entered based on the user's instruction (step S121). In this process, for example, the virtual room 100 that can be entered at the present time is extracted from the room management database DB 22, the obtained virtual room 100 is presented to the user as an entry candidate, and the entry target is selected based on the user's instruction. It may be done in a procedure. Alternatively, in the room notification process of FIG. 13, a link that guides the user to the room entry request may be included in the notification content, and the virtual room 100 guided according to the link may be selected as the entry target.

Next, the viewing management unit 23 determines whether or not the user satisfies the requirements necessary for entering the room based on the room data D22 regarding the virtual room 100 to be entered (step S122). The requirement determined here is a requirement that limits the user among the requirements set for the specifications of the virtual room 100. For example, it is determined whether or not the user satisfies the requirements of the member described in the room data D22. As a specification of the virtual room 100, when the geographical requirement for restricting the position of the member is set in the room data D22, the viewing management unit 23 acquires the position information of the user who wants to enter the room, and from the obtained position information. , Whether or not the user meets the geographical requirement may be determined as one of the entry requirements. The position information may be acquired from GPS information of the user terminal device 4 or network information such as an access point, as described in connection with FIG. The timing of acquiring the position information is not limited to the processing time of step S122, and may be acquired earlier than that, for example, when the user logs in to the relay server 20.

When the entry requirement is satisfied in step S122, the viewing management unit 23 permits the user to enter the room (step S123), and the user ID, location information, user information, etc. of the user who entered the room are input to the virtual room 100 that has entered the room. Register in the viewer list TB1 corresponding to the room ID (step S124). Subsequently, the viewing management unit 23 starts a process of displaying an image (which may be a moving image) showing the inside of the virtual room 100 that has entered the room on the user terminal device 4 (step S125). The image reflects the internal configuration described in the room data D22. When the display of the image is started, the viewing management unit 23 finishes the process of FIG. On the other hand, if the entry requirement is not satisfied in step S122, the viewing management unit 23 does not allow entry (step S126), notifies the user terminal device 4 to that effect, and ends the process of FIG.

In the above process, when it is determined in step S122 that the entry requirement is satisfied, the user is allowed to enter the room. For example, when the minimum number of people is set as the specification of the virtual room 100, the user is allowed to enter in step S123. The process may proceed to step S124 by allowing the waiting users to enter the room when the number of users waiting to enter the room reaches the minimum number. The user who entered the room may be able to leave the virtual room 100 at an appropriate timing based on the user's instruction. When a user leaves, the viewing management unit 23 deletes the leaving user from the viewer list TB1.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a reservation processing procedure executed by the viewing management unit 23 to accept a reservation for viewing a video. When the user requests a reservation for viewing the video, the viewing management unit 23 starts the process of FIG. 15, and first selects the virtual room 100 to be reserved based on the user's instruction (step S131). In this process as well as the room entry process, the virtual room 100 that can be reserved at the present time is extracted from the room management database DB 22, the obtained virtual room 100 is presented to the user as a selection candidate, and the reservation is made based on the user's instruction. It may be done by a method such as selecting a target. Alternatively, in the room notification process of FIG. 13, a link that guides the user to the reservation request may be included in the notification content, and the virtual room 100 guided according to the link may be selected as the reservation target.

Next, the viewing management unit 23 selects the video to be reserved based on the user's instruction (step S132). This process is a process of selecting the distribution ID of the video scheduled to be distributed in the virtual room 100 selected in step S131. When guiding the user to the reservation from the notification content, the user may also select the video at the time of the guidance, and the selection may be confirmed in step S132. The order of the processes in steps S131 and S132 may be changed. That is, the video to be viewed may be first selected based on the user's instruction, and the virtual room 100 to which the video is to be distributed may be selected based on the user's instruction.

When the virtual room 100 and the video to be reserved are selected, the viewing management unit 23 determines whether or not the reservation can be made (step S133). For example, it may be determined whether or not it is within the reservation acceptance period (see FIG. 5) set for the video to be viewed. At the same time, with reference to the requirements of the members described in the room data D22 of the virtual room 100 to be reserved, whether or not the user can enter the virtual room 100 may be determined as whether or not the reservation is possible. However, the member's requirements may be determined at the time of entering the room after the reservation, and it may be unquestioned at the reservation stage whether or not the member's requirements are satisfied. When the number of reserved users is used to predict the number of viewers, it is determined in step S133 whether or not the member requirement is satisfied, that is, whether or not the user is permitted to enter the virtual room 100. preferable. If the member's requirement includes a geographical requirement, the position of the user terminal device 4 may have changed during actual viewing, so that it may be unquestioned in step S133.

When it is determined in step S133 that the reservation is possible, the viewing management unit 23 registers the distribution ID of the video to be reserved and the user ID of the reserved user in the reservation data D23 corresponding to the room ID of the virtual room 100 to be reserved. (Step S134). Further, the viewing management unit 23 sets a reminder for the reservation (step S135), and then ends the process of FIG. When the reminder is set in step S135, the viewing management unit 23 notifies the reservation reminder at a predetermined time earlier than the distribution time of the video of the reserved distribution ID. If it is determined in step S133 that the reservation is not possible, the viewing management unit 23 notifies the user that the reservation is not possible (step S136), and then ends the process of FIG.

FIG. 16 shows an example of a procedure of viewing control processing executed by the viewing management unit 23 to allow the user to view the video distributed from the distribution source server 10 via the virtual room 100. The process of FIG. 16 is executed separately for each virtual room 100, and is repeatedly executed according to a predetermined frame rate. FIG. 16 shows a procedure corresponding to one virtual room 100. When the distribution start time of the video corresponding to the distribution ID set for the virtual room 100 is reached, the viewing management unit 23 starts the process of FIG. 16 and first acquires the video distributed from the distribution source server 10 ( In step S141), the image is combined with the virtual monitor 101 of the virtual room 100 to generate an image of the virtual room 100 in which the image is projected on the virtual monitor 101 (step S142). In this case, if the virtual room 100 is configured as a three-dimensional virtual space, the virtual camera is operated according to the user's operation to generate an image of the virtual room 100 from a position specified by the user. By referring to the room data D22 in drawing the virtual room 100, the internal configuration and the like based on the instruction of the setter are reflected in the image of the virtual room 100. Further, the viewing management unit 23 transmits the obtained image as an image corresponding to one frame to the user terminal device 4 (step S143), and then ends the current routine. By repeating the process of FIG. 16, a moving image expressing a state of viewing a video via a virtual monitor 101 in the virtual room 100 is streamed to the user terminal device 4. Note that FIG. 16 is a processing example in which a moving image displaying the state of the virtual room 100 is generated on the relay server 20 side. As described above, the relay server 20 delivers the video to be viewed and the video. The image of the virtual room 100 in which the above is combined with the virtual monitor 101 may be generated on the user terminal device 4 side. In this case, the process of step S142 may be repeatedly executed on the user terminal device 4 side.

FIG. 17 shows an example of the procedure of the advertisement display processing executed by the advertisement management unit 24 in order to display the advertisement on the user terminal device 4 of the user of the virtual room 100. The process of FIG. 17 is also executed separately for each virtual room 100. The advertisement management unit 24 repeatedly executes the process of FIG. 17 at an appropriate cycle when the virtual room 100 is within the enterable period (see FIG. 5). When the advertisement display process is started, the advertisement management unit 24 determines the advertisement selection conditions and display conditions recorded in the room data D22, and selects the advertisement data D24 that meets those conditions from the advertisement management database DB 24. By doing so, the advertisement to be displayed is selected (step S201). For example, when the advertisement ID is specified in the room data D22, the advertisement data D24 of the specified advertisement ID may be selected, and when the advertisement tendency or the like is specified, it matches the tendency. The advertisement data D24 including the selection information may be selected. Further, when the display number, the display time, or the like is specified as the display condition of the advertisement, the advertisement data D24 may be selected so that the advertisement to be displayed is appropriately switched within the range of the condition.

When an advertisement is selected, the advertisement management unit 24 instructs the viewing management unit 23 to display the selected advertisement together with the information of the advertisement (step S202). As a result, the advertisement is displayed in association with the virtual room 100. The display position of the advertisement may be inside the virtual room 100 or may be displayed separately outside the virtual room 100. The advertisement may be displayed so as to be added to the image displayed on the virtual monitor 101. When displaying an advertisement based on the paid service and the advertisement data D24 in which the discount condition is set, the content of the paid service and the discount condition may be presented to the user together with the advertisement. When the instruction in step S202 is completed, the advertisement management unit 24 finishes the process of FIG. 17 this time.

FIG. 18 shows an example of a service processing procedure executed by the advertisement management unit 24 when the user requests the use of a paid service associated with the advertisement. The process of FIG. 18 is also a process that is executed separately for each virtual room 100. When a user who uses the virtual room 100 performs a predetermined operation such as clicking on an advertisement, the relay server 20 is requested to use a paid service associated with the advertisement. In response to the request, the advertisement management unit 24 starts the service process of FIG. 18, first receives the request from the user terminal device 4, and acquires the information for specifying the content of the request for the use of the paid service (step). S211). The received request may be temporarily stored as service reception data in the internal storage device of the relay server 20, for example. At this stage, it is sufficient to at least determine which paid service is requested. For example, the paid service may be determined by acquiring the advertisement ID corresponding to the service requested by the user. In step S221, the content of the product or service that can be purchased on the website 120 and the fee thereof may be presented to the user, the user may be instructed to purchase the content, and the content may be recorded in the service reception data. Alternatively, the user may be guided to the website 120 associated with the advertisement to proceed with the ordering procedure for the product or the like. However, in the case of a service for which a discount condition is set, the processing of the purchase price and the settlement of the price is suspended at least until the success or failure of the discount condition is confirmed.

Next, the advertisement management unit 24 determines whether or not the discount condition described in the room data D22 is satisfied with respect to the paid service requested by the user (step S212). For example, whether or not the number of users requesting the use of the service satisfies the number of people condition may be determined based on the service reception data. When the area condition is set as the discount condition, it may be determined whether or not the user is located in the predetermined target area by referring to the position information of the viewer list TB1. The position information may be updated to the latest information at the time of processing in FIG. When determining the success or failure of the discount condition in step S212, the progress status may be presented to the user terminal device 4 of the user group using the same virtual room 100. For example, when the target number of people range is set as a discount condition, information such as how many more people want to be discounted or how many more people can be discounted is sent to the user terminal device 4. By displaying it, it is possible to encourage the user to use it.

When the discount condition is satisfied, the advertisement management unit 24 applies the discount according to the request content recorded in the service request data and orders the product or the like from the website 120 (step S213), and then orders the product or the like from the website 120 (step S213), and then the product or the like is ordered from the website 120 (step S213). Finish the process. On the other hand, if the discount condition is not satisfied, the advertisement management unit 24 determines whether or not the time limit specified in the discount condition has been exceeded (step S214), and if the time limit has not been exceeded, step S211. Return to processing. On the other hand, when the time limit is exceeded, the advertisement management unit 24 orders the product or the like from the website 120 according to the request content recorded in the service request data without applying the discount (step S215), and then orders the product or the like from the website 120 (step S215). The process of FIG. 18 is completed.

In the process of FIG. 18, while soliciting users who use the paid service by repeating steps S211, S212, and S214, when the discount condition is satisfied, the discount is applied in step S213 to collectively order the service, and the discount condition is not satisfied. In step S215, the service is ordered in a lump sum without applying the discount. In this case, whether or not the discount can be applied is determined prior to the actual ordering. Therefore, for example, when the discount is not applied, at least a part of the user's request is canceled or the request content is changed. In addition, it is possible to flexibly process the user's request according to the application or non-application of the discount.

Regarding the provision of paid services and the application of discounts to their use, various modifications are possible, not limited to the example of FIG. For example, as described above, while guiding the user to the website 120 at the stage of step S211 to determine the usage content of the service, the determination of the charge is suspended until the determination of step S212 is confirmed, and the determination of step S212 is performed. The service process may be executed so as to proceed to the settlement of the fee after the confirmation is confirmed. For example, in a service that requires the time required from ordering to delivery of products such as food and drink to be set to about one hour or even shorter, delivery is delayed if the user waits for the success or failure of the discount condition to be confirmed. There is a possibility that it does not meet the intention of. In such a case, the website 120 may proceed with the delivery preparation in response to the request for the use of the service, wait for the confirmation of the success or failure of the discount condition, and then proceed to the confirmation of the charge and the settlement. If the service collects a fee when the goods are received, the adaptability of such processing is high. Further, the processing of FIG. 18 may be performed by the server on the website 120 side instead of the relay server 20 or in cooperation with the relay server 20.

In the above embodiment, the viewing management unit 23 of the relay server 20 functions as an example of the viewing control means by executing the processes of steps S141 to S143 in FIG. 16, and the advertisement management unit 24 functions in steps S201 and S202 of FIG. The advertisement is displayed by the process of FIG. 18, and the service usage request is received in step S211 of FIG. 18 to function as an example of the opportunity providing means, and the advertisement management unit 24 executes the processes of steps S212 to S215 of FIG. This functions as an example of privilege control means. Further, the room management unit 22 functions as an example of the requirement setting means by executing the processes of steps S104 to S107 of FIG. 12, and as an example of the applicable condition setting means by executing the process of step S106 of FIG. Function. Further, the advertisement management unit 24 functions as an example of the service presenting means by executing the processes of steps S201 and S202 of FIG.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned form, and may be carried out in a form in which appropriate modifications or changes are made. For example, the distribution means is not limited to an example in which the distribution source server 10 and the relay server 20 are combined. The relay server 20 may be omitted by setting an appropriate number of distribution bases 21 in the distribution source server 10. The distribution base does not necessarily have to be associated with a virtual space. The video may be viewed via a general-purpose Web browser or the like mounted on the user terminal device. In other words, the virtual space is an audiovisual feature of the video viewing environment, and if such an element is unnecessary, the virtual space is not set, and the specifications such as member requirements are set as the specifications of the distribution base itself. You may. The viewing control means may be realized by coordinating the distribution server 2 and the user terminal device 4 by generating a moving image showing the state of the virtual room 100 on the user terminal device 4 side.

Various aspects of the present invention derived from each of the above-described embodiments and modifications are described below. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, the corresponding components shown in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, thereby limiting the present invention to the illustrated form. It's not something.

The video distribution system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a distribution means (2) in which a distribution base (21) that can be shared by at least two users is set as a unit for distributing the video, and each of the plurality of users. A video distribution system (1) for distributing a video to be viewed from the distribution means to the user terminal device (4) used by the user terminal device (4), which is a user terminal device of a group of users sharing the same distribution base. Providing an opportunity to provide an opportunity to use a predetermined paid service via the user terminal device to the viewing control means (23, S141 to S143) for distributing the video from the distribution base and the user group sharing the distribution base. The means (24, S201, S201, S211) and the applicable conditions in which the request for the use of the paid service from the user group sharing the distribution base is set in association with the range of the user group sharing the distribution base. It is determined whether or not the service is satisfied, and when the applicable conditions are satisfied, the application of the privilege is applied so that the privilege associated with the use of the paid service is applied to the user who requests the use of the paid service. The privilege control means (24, S212 to 215) to be controlled is provided.

The video distribution control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a distribution means (2) in which a distribution base (21) that can be shared by at least two users is set as a unit for distributing the video, and is provided by a plurality of users. A video distribution control method applied to a video distribution system (1) for distributing a video to be viewed from the distribution means to the user terminal device (4) used by each, and users sharing the same distribution base. A procedure (S141 to S143) for distributing the video from the distribution base to a group of user terminal devices, and an opportunity for a group of users sharing the distribution base to use a predetermined paid service via the user terminal device. (S201, S202, S211) and the application condition in which the request for the use of the paid service from the user group sharing the distribution base is set in association with the range of the user group sharing the distribution base. It is determined whether or not the conditions are satisfied, and when the applicable conditions are satisfied, the benefits associated with the use of the paid services are applied to the user who requests the use of the paid services. The procedure (S212 to S215) for controlling the above is included.

The computer program (PG2) according to one aspect of the present invention includes a distribution means (2) in which a distribution base (21) that can be shared by at least two users is set as a unit for distributing the video, and a plurality of users. A computer program applied to a video distribution system for distributing a video to be viewed from the distribution means to the user terminal device (4) used by each of the above, the computer (20) of the video distribution system (1). The viewing control means (23, S141 to S143) for distributing the video from the distribution base to the user terminal device of the user group sharing the same distribution base, and the user to the user group sharing the distribution base. The request for the use of the paid service from the opportunity providing means (24, S201, S202, S211) that provides an opportunity to use the predetermined paid service via the terminal device and the user group sharing the distribution base is the said. It is determined whether or not the applicable conditions set in association with the range of the user group sharing the distribution base are satisfied, and when the applicable conditions are satisfied, the paid service is provided to the user who requests the use of the paid service. It is configured to function as a privilege control means (24, S212 to S215) for controlling the application of the privilege so that the privilege associated with the use of the above is applied.

According to the above aspect, the possibility that the privilege is applied can be optimized according to the range of the user group by setting the application condition of the privilege in association with the range of the user group sharing the distribution base. It is possible. As a result, a group of users who share the place to watch the video will be expected to apply the benefits, and the motivation to use the paid service will be surely given to create a business opportunity for the paid service, or to expand the business opportunity. Can be planned.

The computer program according to one aspect of the present invention may be provided in a state of being stored in a storage medium. By using this storage medium, for example, by installing and executing the computer program according to the present invention on a computer, the system of the present invention can be realized by using the computer. The storage medium for storing the computer program may be a non-transient storage medium such as a CDROM.

In the above aspect, a requirement for limiting the users who can use the distribution base is set in association with the distribution base, and the viewing control means permits the use of the distribution base only for users who satisfy the requirement. You may. According to this, the range of the user group sharing the distribution base can be appropriately narrowed down by controlling the availability of the distribution base by the user by using the requirement for restricting the users. Therefore, it is possible to set the application conditions more appropriately according to the range of the user group.

As at least a part of the requirement, a number requirement for limiting the number of people in the user group to a predetermined number range is set, and as at least a part of the applicable condition, the number of users requesting the use of the paid service is The number of people condition that is satisfied when the target number of people is set within the number of people range may be set. According to this, users who request the use of paid services by grasping the number of users who share the distribution base based on the number of people requirements and setting the number of people conditions related to the application of benefits within the range according to the number of people. It is possible to appropriately control whether or not the benefits can be applied based on the number.

In the above aspect, the video distribution system may be able to acquire the position information for specifying the position of the user, in which case the applicable condition is the position of the user specified based on the position information. May be set so as to include a regional condition that is satisfied when is within a predetermined target area, and the number of users that satisfy the regional condition is not satisfied unless the number of users satisfies the number condition. According to this, it is possible to control whether or not the award can be applied based on the number and position of users who request the use of the paid service. For example, it is possible to control the benefit to be applied when the request for a paid service from a user located in a specific area is within a predetermined target number range.

As at least a part of the requirement, a geographical requirement for limiting the users included in the user group to users whose location specified based on the location information is within a predetermined geographical range is set, and the subject is described. The area may be set within the geographical range. According to this, by limiting the position of the group of users who share the distribution base within a predetermined geographical range in advance, it is possible to more appropriately control the possibility that the regional conditions regarding the application of benefits are satisfied. ..

In the above aspect, the video distribution system may be able to acquire the position information for identifying the position of the user, in which case, as at least a part of the requirement, the user included in the user group is described. Geographical requirements are set to limit the location identified based on location information to users within a predetermined geographic range, and the user identified based on location information as at least part of the applicable conditions. Regional conditions may be set that are satisfied when the location of is within the target area set within the geographical range. According to this, while limiting the position of the user group sharing the distribution base within a predetermined geographical range in advance, by setting the target area within the geographical range, the benefit based on the user's position can be applied. Whether or not it is possible can be appropriately controlled.

In the above aspect, the video distribution system may include requirement setting means (22, S104 to S107) for setting at least a part of the requirements based on instructions of a predetermined setter. Alternatively, the video distribution system may include application condition setting means (22, S106) that sets at least a part of the application conditions based on instructions of a predetermined setter. According to these aspects, it is possible to reflect the intention of the setter in the user group sharing the distribution base or the application conditions of the privilege.

The privilege control means may determine the range of the user group sharing the same distribution base, and may change the application conditions according to the determination result. In this case, it is possible to appropriately adjust the application conditions according to the actual condition or prediction of the range of the user group to more appropriately control the possibility that the privilege is applied.

In the above aspect, the privilege may include a reduction in the fee required for using the paid service. According to this, it is possible to motivate the user to use the paid service by preparing a reduction in the charge of the paid service as a privilege.

In the above aspect, the service presenting means (24, S201) in which the opportunity providing means presents the paid service for which the opportunity is provided to the user group together with the privilege associated with the use of the paid service and the applicable conditions related to the privilege. , S202) may be provided. According to this, it is possible to inform the user of information about the paid service and its benefits and encourage the use of the paid service.

The service presenting means may present the paid service by displaying an advertisement corresponding to the paid service on the user terminal device. According to this, it is possible to promote the use of paid services through the advertising effect of advertisements.

1 Video distribution system 2 Distribution server (distribution means)
3 Shooting system 4 User terminal device 10 Distribution source server 20 Relay server (relay means)
21 Distribution base 22 Room management department (Distribution base setting means, virtual space setting means, notification means)
23 Viewing management unit (viewing control unit)
24 Advertising Management Department (Opportunity Providing Means, Service Presenting Means, Benefit Control Means)
100 virtual room (virtual space)

Claims (14)

A distribution base that can be shared by at least two users is provided with a distribution means set as a unit for distributing the video to be viewed, and the video is distributed from the distribution means to a user terminal device used by each of a plurality of users. It is a video distribution system for
A viewing control means for distributing the video from the distribution base to a user terminal device of a group of users sharing the same distribution base, and
An opportunity providing means for providing an opportunity for a group of users sharing the distribution base to use a predetermined paid service via the user terminal device.
It is determined whether or not the request for use of the paid service from the user group sharing the distribution base satisfies the application condition set in association with the range of the user group sharing the distribution base, and the application condition is determined. A privilege control means for controlling the application of the privilege so that the privilege associated with the use of the paid service is applied to the user who requests the use of the paid service when the service is satisfied.
Video distribution system provided with. Requirements for limiting the users who can use the distribution base are set in association with the distribution base.
The video distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the viewing control means permits the use of the distribution base only by users who satisfy the requirements. As at least a part of the requirement, a number requirement for limiting the number of people in the user group to a predetermined number range is set.
The second aspect of the present invention, wherein, as at least a part of the applicable conditions, the number of people conditions to be satisfied when the number of users requesting the use of the paid service is within the target number of people set within the number of people range is set. Video distribution system. The position information for specifying the position of the user can be acquired, and the position information can be acquired.
The applicable condition includes a regional condition that is satisfied when the position of the user specified based on the location information is within a predetermined target area, and the number of users who satisfy the regional condition does not satisfy the number condition. The video distribution system according to claim 3, which is set so as not to be established as long as possible. As at least a part of the requirement, a geographical requirement is set to limit the users included in the user group to users whose location specified based on the location information is within a predetermined geographical range.
The video distribution system according to claim 4, wherein the target area is set within the geographical range. The position information for specifying the position of the user can be acquired, and the position information can be acquired.
As at least a part of the requirement, a geographical requirement is set to limit the users included in the user group to users whose location specified based on the location information is within a predetermined geographical range.
2. Claim 2 in which, as at least a part of the applicable conditions, regional conditions are set that are satisfied when the position of the user specified based on the location information is within the target area set within the geographical range. The video distribution system described in. The video distribution system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, further comprising a requirement setting means for setting at least a part of the requirements based on instructions of a predetermined setter. The video distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an application condition setting means for setting at least a part of the application conditions based on an instruction of a predetermined setter. The video distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the privilege control means determines the range of a group of users who share the same distribution base, and changes the application conditions according to the determination result. The video distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the privilege includes a reduction in a fee required for using the paid service. Claims 1 to 10 comprising a service presenting means for presenting the paid service provided by the opportunity providing means to the user group together with the privilege associated with the use of the paid service and the applicable conditions for the privilege. The video distribution system described in any one of the items. The video distribution system according to claim 11, wherein the service presenting means presents the paid service by displaying an advertisement corresponding to the paid service on the user terminal device. A distribution base that can be shared by at least two users is provided with a distribution means set as a unit for distributing the video to be viewed, and the video is distributed from the distribution means to a user terminal device used by each of a plurality of users. It is a video distribution control method applied to the video distribution system for
The procedure for distributing the video from the distribution base to the user terminal devices of the user group sharing the same distribution base, and
A procedure for providing a group of users who share the distribution base with an opportunity to use a predetermined paid service via the user terminal device, and a procedure for providing the user group.
It is determined whether or not the request for use of the paid service from the user group sharing the distribution base satisfies the application condition set in association with the range of the user group sharing the distribution base, and the application condition is determined. A procedure for controlling the application of the benefit so that the benefit associated with the use of the paid service is applied to the user who requests the use of the paid service when the service is satisfied.
Video distribution control method including. A distribution base that can be shared by at least two users is provided with a distribution means set as a unit for distributing the video to be viewed, and the video is distributed from the distribution means to a user terminal device used by each of a plurality of users. A computer program applied to a video distribution system for a computer, which is a computer of the video distribution system.
A viewing control means for distributing the video from the distribution base to a user terminal device of a group of users sharing the same distribution base.
An opportunity providing means for providing an opportunity to use a predetermined paid service via the user terminal device to a user group sharing the distribution base, and a request for use of the paid service from a user group sharing the distribution base. Determines whether or not the applicable conditions set in association with the range of the user group sharing the distribution base are satisfied, and if the applicable conditions are satisfied, for the user who requests the use of the paid service. A privilege control means that controls the application of the privilege so that the privilege associated with the use of the paid service is applied.
A computer program for a video distribution system that is configured to function as.

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