JP7193253B2 - System, method and program for distributing videos - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a system, method, and program for distributing moving images.

Conventionally, systems have been proposed for distributing moving images shot by distributors. For example, Patent Literature 1 below discloses that in such a system, a viewer puts an item (gifting to a distributor) into a virtual space where a distributed moving image is reproduced. This system is configured so that a visual effect (animation display, etc.) according to the input of an item is performed in a virtual space. It is believed that the introduction of such items can promote activation of video distribution.

JP 2017-121021 A

However, in the conventional system, although visual effects are performed according to the input of items, such visual effects alone may lack entertainment. Therefore, if it is possible to provide enjoyment other than visual effects in accordance with the throwing of items, it is believed that further activation of video distribution will be promoted.

One object of the embodiments of the present invention is to promote activation of video distribution. Other objects of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the specification as a whole.

A system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a system for distributing moving images, comprising one or more computer processors, wherein the one or more computer processors, in response to execution of readable instructions, A process of presenting to each of a plurality of viewers a viewer screen displaying a virtual space in which a video provided by a distributor is played, and a process of arranging a predetermined object input by the viewer in the virtual space. and a process of controlling the progress of a predetermined game using the predetermined object placed in the virtual space, at least based on the operation by the distributor.

A method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a method for distributing moving images that is executed by one or more computers, and includes a screen for viewers that displays a virtual space in which moving images provided by a distributor are played. to each of a plurality of viewers; placing a predetermined object input by a viewer in the virtual space; and said and controlling the progress of a given game using a given object.

A program according to one embodiment of the present invention is a program for distributing a moving image, wherein a moving image provided by a distributor is sent to the one or more computers in response to execution on the one or more computers. a process of presenting a viewer screen displaying the reproduced virtual space to each of a plurality of viewers, a process of arranging a predetermined object input by the viewer in the virtual space, and an operation by the distributor; and a process of controlling progress of a predetermined game using the predetermined object arranged in the virtual space based on at least the above.

Various embodiments of the present invention may facilitate the activation of video distribution.

1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing the configuration of a network including a video distribution system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing functions possessed by the video distribution system 10; FIG. 4 is a diagram exemplifying information managed in a user information table 411; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating information managed in a distribution information table 412; FIG. FIG. 5 is a view exemplifying a viewer screen 50; FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a gifting item setting object 541; FIG. The figure which illustrates the screen 50 for viewers in the state in which the gifting item 110 was thrown into the virtual space 100. FIG. FIG. 6 is a view exemplifying a distributor screen 60; The figure which illustrates 60 A of screens for distributors in another example.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing the configuration of a network including a video distribution system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the moving picture distribution system 10 is communicably connected to user terminals 30 via a communication network 20 such as the Internet. Although only one user terminal 30 is illustrated in FIG. 1 , the system 10 is communicatively connected to a plurality of user terminals 30 . The system 10 provides, via the user terminal 30, a video distribution service for distributing videos provided by a distributor to a plurality of viewers. In this embodiment, the user of the user terminal 30 can distribute moving images as a distributor, and can also view moving images distributed by other users as a viewer.

The moving picture distribution system 10 is configured as a general computer, and as shown in FIG. ) 15, and these constituent elements are electrically connected via a bus or the like (not shown).

The computer processor 11 is configured as a CPU, GPU, or the like, reads various programs stored in the storage 15 or the like into the main memory 12, and executes various instructions included in the programs. The main memory 12 is composed of, for example, a DRAM.

The input/output I/F 13 includes various input/output devices for exchanging information with a user or the like. The input/output I/F 13 includes, for example, information input devices such as keyboards and pointing devices (for example, mice, touch panels, etc.), voice input devices such as microphones, and image input devices such as cameras. The input/output I/F 13 includes an image output device such as a display and an audio output device such as a speaker.

The communication I/F 14 is implemented as hardware such as a network adapter, various types of communication software, or a combination thereof, and is configured to enable wired or wireless communication via the communication network 20 or the like.

The storage 15 is composed of, for example, a magnetic disk, flash memory, or the like. The storage 15 stores various programs including an operating system, various data, and the like.

In this embodiment, the video distribution system 10 can be configured using a plurality of computers each having the hardware configuration described above. For example, the video distribution system 10 may be configured with one or more server devices.

The moving image distribution system 10 configured in this manner has functions as a web server and an application server, and is capable of receiving information from a web browser and other applications (for example, an application for a moving image distribution service) installed in the user terminal 30. Various processes are executed in response to the request, and screen data (for example, HTML data, control data, or the like) corresponding to the results of the processes are transmitted to the user terminal 30 . The user terminal 30 displays a web page or other screen based on the received data.

The user terminal 30 is configured as a general computer, and as shown in FIG. 35, and these constituent elements are electrically connected via a bus or the like (not shown).

The computer processor 31 is configured as a CPU, GPU, or the like, reads various programs stored in the storage 35 or the like into the main memory 32, and executes various instructions included in the programs. The main memory 32 is composed of, for example, a DRAM.

The input/output I/F 33 is various input/output devices for exchanging information with a user or the like. The input/output I/F 33 includes, for example, information input devices such as keyboards and pointing devices (for example, mice and touch panels), voice input devices such as microphones, and image input devices such as cameras. The input/output I/F 33 includes an image output device such as a display and an audio output device such as a speaker.

The communication I/F 34 is implemented as hardware such as a network adapter, various types of communication software, or a combination thereof, and is configured to enable wired or wireless communication via the communication network 20 or the like.

The storage 35 is configured by, for example, a magnetic disk or flash memory. The storage 35 stores various programs including an operating system, various data, and the like. A program stored in the storage 35 can be downloaded from an application market or the like and installed.

In this embodiment, the user terminal 30 may be configured as a smart phone, tablet terminal, wearable device, personal computer, or the like.

A user of the user terminal 30 configured in this way can communicate with the video distribution system 10 via a web browser or other application installed in the storage 35 or the like, thereby performing video distribution provided by the system 10 . can use the service.

Next, the functions of the video distribution system 10 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the functions of the video distribution system 10. As shown in FIG. As illustrated, the system 10 includes an information storage management unit 41 that stores and manages various information, a basic function control unit 43 that controls the basic functions of video distribution services, and a virtual space in which videos to be distributed are reproduced. and a virtual space control unit 45 for controlling. These functions are realized by the cooperative operation of hardware such as the computer processor 11 and the main memory 12, and various programs and data stored in the storage 15 and the like. It is implemented by the computer processor 11 executing instructions included in the loaded program. Also, part or all of the functions shown in FIG.

The information storage management unit 41 of the video distribution system 10 stores and manages various information in the storage 15 or the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the information storage management unit 41 has a user information table 411 that manages information about users of the video distribution service and a distribution information table 412 that manages information about individual video distributions. can be configured.

The basic function control unit 43 of the video distribution system 10 executes various processes related to control of the basic functions of the video distribution service. For example, the basic function control unit 43 transmits HTML data or control data of various screens related to the basic functions to the user terminal 30, and responds to the operation input by the user via the screen displayed on the user terminal 30 to perform various operations. processing, and transmits HTML data or control data according to the result of the processing to the user terminal 30 . The basic functions controlled by the basic function control unit 43 include, for example, login authentication (user authentication), billing control, user management (for example, updating the user information table 411), and individual video distribution management (for example, update of distribution information table 412, etc.).

The virtual space control unit 45 of the video distribution system 10 executes various processes related to control of the virtual space. For example, the virtual space control unit 45 is configured to present a viewer screen displaying the virtual space to each of the plurality of viewers. The virtual space is configured so that videos provided by distributors are reproduced. For example, the virtual space control unit 45 is configured to transmit screen data (HTML data, control data, or the like) for displaying viewer screens to the user terminals 30 of each of the plurality of viewers.

In this embodiment, the virtual space control unit 45 is configured to arrange a predetermined object input by the viewer in the virtual space. For example, the viewer screen is configured to receive an input instruction of a predetermined object from the viewer, and the virtual space control unit 45 controls the viewer screen displayed on the user terminal 30 of the viewer. When an input instruction for a predetermined object is received, the predetermined object is arranged in the virtual space.

In addition, the virtual space control unit 45 is configured to execute various processes related to controlling the progress of a predetermined game that is performed during distribution of moving images. In this embodiment, the predetermined game is configured as a game using the predetermined objects arranged in the virtual space, and its progress is controlled based on the operation by the distributor. For example, the virtual space control unit 45 is configured to control the progress of a predetermined game based on an operation by the distributor via the user terminal 30 of the distributor.

As described above, in the moving image distribution system 10 according to the present embodiment, a predetermined object input by a viewer of a moving image is arranged in a virtual space in which the moving image is reproduced, and based on the operation by the distributor, the predetermined object is displayed. Since a predetermined game using objects progresses, the distributor can enjoy playing the predetermined game, and the viewers can enjoy watching how the distributor plays the predetermined game. can be done. In this way, the system 10 can promote activation of video distribution by providing game enjoyment in accordance with the insertion of predetermined objects.

The predetermined game in this embodiment may include various types and forms of games using predetermined objects input by viewers. For example, the predetermined games include, but are not limited to, puzzle games and action games. In addition, the virtual space control unit 45 is configured to control the action of the predetermined object placed in the virtual space according to the content and rules of the game.

In this embodiment, the virtual space control unit 45 can be configured to present a screen for the distributor that displays the virtual space to the distributor. For example, the virtual space control unit 45 is configured to transmit screen data (HTML data, control data, or the like) for displaying the screen for the distributor to the user terminal 30 of the distributor. In this case, the virtual space control unit 45 can be configured to control the progress of a predetermined game based on at least the touch operation by the distributor on the screen for the distributor. For example, progress of a given game is controlled based on a touch operation on a given object on the screen for the distributor. Such a configuration enables the progress of the game based on a simple operation such as a touch operation on the distributor's screen.

In addition, the virtual space control unit 45 controls the actions of the distributor's avatar located in the virtual space based at least on the actions of the distributor, and controls the progress of the predetermined game based on at least the actions of the avatar. can be configured to For example, the avatar can be operated via the user terminal 30 of the distributor (for example, an operation using a physical controller, an operation based on the posture of the distributor included in an image taken via a camera, and a touch panel (distribution The operation is controlled based on the user's screen, etc.). The avatar can also be considered as a virtual distributor who appears (appears) in the video instead of the real distributor. Such a configuration makes it possible to use the distributor's avatar as a player character in a given game.

Predetermined objects in this embodiment include various types of virtual and electronic objects, items, display elements, etc. that can be placed in the virtual space. In this embodiment, a given object can be configured to have a given parameter (attribute, etc.), and the virtual space control unit 45 performs the above-described It can be configured to control the progress of a given game. In such a configuration, the value of a given parameter affects the progress of a given game. , you can not only watch the streamers play the game, but also enjoy the strategy of the game itself.

In addition, the virtual space control unit 45 can be configured to give a first virtual value (points, etc.) to the distributor according to the viewer's input of a predetermined object. Information related to the first virtual value held by the distributor can be managed, for example, in the user information table 411 and/or the distribution information table 412, and displayed on the screen for the distributor and the screen for viewers. Also, the virtual space control unit 45 can be configured to give a second virtual value (points, etc.) to the viewer in response to the viewer's input of a predetermined object. Information about the second virtual value held by the viewer is managed in the user information table 411, for example. Such a configuration may, for example, facilitate viewer input of a given object, thereby facilitating activation of video distribution.

Next, a specific example of the video distribution system 10 of this embodiment having such functions will be described. The moving image distribution system 10 in this specific example is a live moving image distribution that can distribute live moving images composed of video and audio input via the camera and microphone of the user terminal 30 of the distributor to a plurality of viewers. configured to provide services.

FIG. 3 illustrates information managed in the user information table 411 in this example. The user information table 411 manages information about users of the live video distribution service. In this example, as illustrated, contribution points (second virtual value ), the "viewer level" that increases as the number of contribution points owned increases, and the "possessed item information" that is information about the gifting items (predetermined objects) owned. Manage information.

Contribution points are points given to viewers by giving gifting items to the distributor while watching the moving image. A user can acquire a gifting item for a fee or free of charge on various occasions.

The possessed item information includes "number of possessed first items", "number of possessed second items", and "number of possessed third items", which indicate the number of possessed first to third gifting items of different types, respectively. include. These three types of first to third gifting items have mutually different set attribute (predetermined parameter) values (for example, water attribute, fire attribute, and wind attribute).

FIG. 4 illustrates information managed in the distribution information table 412 in this example. The distribution information table 412 manages information about individual video distributions. In this example, as shown in the figure, a "distribution ID" that identifies a video distributor is associated with a "distribution ID" that identifies an individual video distribution. "Distribution status information" that is information about the distribution status at that time, "Number of support points acquired" that is the number of support points (first virtual value) acquired, Mini It manages information such as "HP" and "score" used in a game (predetermined game).

The distribution status information includes information such as the number of simultaneous viewers, the total number of viewers, and the elapsed time from the start of distribution. A support point is a point given to a distributor when receiving a gifting item input from a viewer. In this example, the number of acquired support points is managed (accumulated) in units of distribution in the distribution information table 412, but instead of or in addition to this, in the user information table 411, You can manage (accumulate) with

FIG. 5 illustrates a viewer screen 50 displayed on the user terminals 30 of each of the plurality of viewers in this example. For example, when the viewer selects a desired video from a list of live videos (programs) being distributed at that time via the screen displayed on the user terminal 30, the screen 50 is displayed by the user. Displayed on the terminal 30 .

As shown in FIG. 5, the viewer screen 50 displays a virtual space 100 corresponding to the selected live video (program) over the entire screen, and includes a comment input area 52 located on the left side of the lower end of the screen, Similarly, a gifting button 54 located on the right side of the lower end of the screen and a comment display area 56 located above the comment input area 52 are arranged to overlap in the virtual space 100 .

In the virtual space 100, as shown, a screen object 102, a floor 104, and an information display object 106 that displays HP and score used in the above-described mini-game are arranged. The screen object 102 is configured to display live video transmitted from the user terminal 30 of the corresponding distributor (live video input via the camera of the user terminal 30). That is, the virtual space 100 is configured to reproduce moving images provided by corresponding distributors through the screen objects 102 .

When the viewer inputs a comment via the comment input area 52 , the input comment is transmitted to the moving image distribution system 10 . Comments received by the system 10 from user terminals 30 of a plurality of viewers are sequentially displayed in the comment display area 56 .

When the viewer selects the gifting button 54 , a preset gifting item is thrown into the virtual space 100 from the first to third gifting items of different types. When a gifting item is thrown in, contribution points are given to the viewer who put in the item, and support points are given to the distributor of this distribution.

FIG. 6 exemplifies a gifting item setting object 541 for presetting the type of gifting item to be thrown in response to selection of the gifting button 54 . The object 541 is superimposed and displayed on the viewer screen 50 in response to a predetermined operation (for example, long tap operation) on the gifting button 54 . The object 541 selectably displays the first to third gifting items 110 of different types, and also displays the number of corresponding viewers holding each of these three types of items 110 . The number of holdings is managed in the user information table 411 . The first-third gifting items 110 have the same heart-shaped shape, but different colors. Via the gifting item setting object 541 , the viewer can preset the type of item to be thrown in accordance with the selection of the gifting button 54 . The gifting button 54 is configured to display the type of gifting item set at that time.

FIG. 7 exemplifies the viewer screen 50 with the gifting item 110 thrown into the virtual space 100 . In this example, an item 110 thrown in by a viewer is controlled to fall from above the virtual space 100 (in the direction of the ceiling) toward the floor 104 at a predetermined speed. Also, the item 110 disappears when it lands on the floor 104 . Also, in this example, the horizontal (horizontal) position of the thrown-in gifting item 110 in the virtual space 100 is randomly determined. It should be noted that the viewer may be allowed to specify the horizontal position of the gifting item 110 to be thrown, the speed of movement of the gifting item 110, the direction of movement, and the like.

FIG. 8 illustrates a distributor screen 60 displayed on the distributor's user terminal 30 in the state of FIG. As shown in the figure, the screen 60 displays the virtual space 100 on the entire screen in the same way as the viewer screen 50, and has a comment input area 62 located on the left side of the lower end of the screen and a comment input area 62 located above the area 62. A comment display area 66 is superimposed on the virtual space 100 . Further, on the right side of the lower end of the screen for distributor 60, instead of the gifting button 54 in the screen for viewer 50, a distribution end button 64 for ending the distribution of the moving image is arranged.

In this example, the distributor screen 60 is configured so that the mini-game can be operated. The mini-game is configured as a game in which the distributor obtains points by tapping gifting items 110 that are thrown by viewers and fall from above the virtual space 100 .

Specifically, when the distributor obtains the item 110 by performing a tap operation on the falling gifting item 110, the item 110 disappears and the corresponding score is added to the score. On the other hand, if the item 110 lands on the floor 104 and disappears before the distributor obtains it, a predetermined value is subtracted from the HP as a penalty for the distributor.

Also, in this example, if the distributor acquires the same type of gifting items 110 consecutively within a predetermined time interval, the number of combos is added, and a score higher than usual is added to the score. As one of the types of gifting items 110, an item for recovering HP and an item for temporarily increasing the score obtained in accordance with the acquisition of the item 110 may be obtained by the distributor. You can also set up items that have special effects.

Also, in this example, mini-games can be played until HP reaches zero. It should be noted that the distributor may be allowed to designate the timing of starting and/or ending the mini-game during distribution of the moving image. In this case, before the start of the mini-game and after the end of the mini-game, although the gifting item 110 can be inserted, the mini-game does not proceed.

Thus, in this example, the broadcaster can enjoy mini-games using the gifting items 110 put in by each of the multiple viewers. In addition, each viewer can view, through the viewer screen 50, how the distributor plays the mini-game using the gifting item 110 that the viewer puts in.

In the above example, the screen object 102 in the virtual space 100 is configured to display a live video input via the camera of the user terminal 30 of the distributor. It is configured to display a video in which the distributor's avatar appears instead of the video.

FIG. 9 illustrates a distributor screen 60A in this other example. As illustrated, in the virtual space 100A in this example, a stage object 103A is arranged instead of the screen object 102 of the virtual space 100 described above. A distributor avatar 120A is placed on the stage object 103A.

Avatar 120A in this example is operated via a physical controller in user terminal 30 of the broadcaster. The distributor inputs (speaks) voice through the microphone of the user terminal 30 while operating the avatar 120A, thereby distributing a live video in which the avatar 120A appears as a virtual distributor (performer). be able to. Note that the operation of the avatar 120A is not limited to the operation via the physical controller. For example, the avatar 120A is operated based on the posture of the distributor included in the image input via the camera of the user terminal 30. You can do it. For example, predetermined parts of the body of the distributor (for example, face and hands) included in the image are recognized, and avatar 120A is operated based on the arrangement of the recognized predetermined parts (for example, predetermined parts of the distributor). (The action of the avatar 120A may be controlled so as to follow the movement of the part). In this case, a marker having a predetermined appearance is provided at a predetermined part of the distributor (for example, markers of a predetermined color and a predetermined shape are drawn on the palms of both hands), and by detecting the marker, a predetermined You may make it recognize the site|part of . Recognition of the posture of the distributor included in the image can also be realized by applying a known human posture estimation technology. By doing so, for example, it is possible to control the action of the avatar 120A so as to be linked to the change in the actual posture (that is, movement) of the broadcaster.

The mini-game in this example applies the same rules as the mini-game in the example described above, but differs in the method of acquiring the gifting item 110 . That is, in this example, by touching the gifting item 110 with the hand of the avatar 120A, the item 110 is obtained and the corresponding score is added to the score. Thus, in the mini-game of this example, the distributor's avatar 120A is used as a player character in the game.

In the video distribution system 10 according to the present embodiment described above, a predetermined object (for example, the gifting item 110) input by the viewer of the video is arranged in the virtual space where the video is played, and Since the predetermined game using the predetermined object progresses based on the operation, the distributor can enjoy playing the predetermined game, and the viewer can enjoy the predetermined game played by the distributor. You can enjoy watching how you play. In this manner, embodiments of the present invention may promote the activation of video distribution by providing gaming enjoyment in response to the throwing of predetermined objects.

The processes and procedures described herein, other than those explicitly described, may be implemented in software, hardware, or any combination thereof. For example, the processes and procedures described herein are implemented by implementing logic corresponding to the processes and procedures in media such as integrated circuits, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, magnetic disks, and the like. Moreover, the processes and procedures described in this specification can be implemented as computer programs corresponding to the processes and procedures, and can be executed by various computers.

Although the processes and procedures described herein are described as being performed by a single device, software, component or module, such processes or procedures may be performed by multiple devices, software, components or modules. and/or by multiple modules. Also, the software and hardware elements described herein can be implemented by aggregating them into fewer components or by decomposing them into more components.

In this specification, even if the components of the invention are described as either singular or plural, or are described without being limited to either singular or plural, when the context requires otherwise , the component may be singular or plural.

10 moving image distribution system 11 computer processor 30 user terminal 41 information storage management section 43 basic function control section 45 virtual space control section 50 viewer screens 60, 60A distributor screens 100, 100A virtual space 110 gift item (predetermined object )
120A Avatar

Claims (8)

A system for distributing video, comprising one or more computer processors,
The one or more computer processors, in response to executing readable instructions,
A process of presenting to each of a plurality of viewers a viewer screen displaying a virtual space in which a video provided by a distributor is played;
a process of arranging a predetermined object input by a viewer in the virtual space;
a process of controlling progress of a predetermined game using the predetermined object placed in the virtual space based on at least an operation by the distributor;
The process of arranging the predetermined object includes arranging the predetermined object input by the viewer in the virtual space before and/or after the predetermined game is finished.
system. The one or more computer processors further execute a process of presenting the distributor with a distributor screen displaying the virtual space,
The process of controlling the progress of the predetermined game includes controlling the progress of the predetermined game based on at least a touch operation by the distributor on the screen for the distributor,
The system of Claim 1. The one or more computer processors further execute a process of controlling the action of the distributor's avatar located in the virtual space based at least on the distributor's operation,
The process of controlling the progress of the predetermined game includes controlling the progress of the predetermined game based at least on the motion of the distributor's avatar.
3. The system of claim 1 or 2. the predetermined object is configured to have predetermined parameters;
The process of controlling the progress of the predetermined game includes controlling the progress of the predetermined game based on at least the value of the predetermined parameter possessed by the predetermined object.
4. The system of any one of claims 1-3. The one or more computer processors further execute a process of giving a first virtual value to the distributor in response to the viewer's input of the predetermined object.
5. The system of any one of claims 1-4. The one or more computer processors further execute a process of giving a second virtual value to the viewer in response to the viewer's input of the predetermined object.
6. The system of any one of claims 1-5. A method for distributing video, executed by one or more computers, comprising:
presenting to each of a plurality of viewers a viewer screen displaying a virtual space in which a video provided by a distributor is played;
placing a predetermined object input by a viewer in the virtual space;
a step of controlling the progress of a predetermined game using the predetermined object placed in the virtual space, at least based on the operation by the distributor ;
The step of arranging the predetermined object includes arranging the predetermined object input by the viewer in the virtual space before and/or after the predetermined game is finished.
Method. A program for distributing videos,
Upon execution on one or more computers, to said one or more computers,
A process of presenting to each of a plurality of viewers a viewer screen displaying a virtual space in which a video provided by a distributor is played;
a process of arranging a predetermined object input by a viewer in the virtual space;
a process of controlling the progress of a predetermined game using the predetermined object placed in the virtual space at least based on the operation by the distributor ;
The process of arranging the predetermined object includes arranging the predetermined object input by the viewer in the virtual space before and/or after the predetermined game is finished.
program.

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