JP7351969B2 - Content distribution system, computer system, server system, and content distribution method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a content distribution system and the like that distributes content including at least video provided by a providing user to the user terminal of each viewing user.

2. Description of the Related Art Social networking services (SNS) and content distribution services that allow users to send texts and images using functions called chat functions and text functions are known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Communication between users is facilitated by using chat and text functions. For example, with a video distribution service, by transmitting and posting text while watching the video, you can enjoy a virtual experience as if you were all watching the video together.

When an image can be sent in addition to text as a chat function or text function, sending the image is sometimes called "image posting." For example, by posting an image of a character with speech bubbles or an image of a character performing an action such as joy, anger, sadness, or happiness (in this case, also called a post), you can clearly express emotions and feelings that cannot be expressed in words. can be sent to.

It can even be said that the various user experiences brought about by the functions related to transmitting text and images have become an indispensable standard in recent social networking services (SNS) and content distribution services.

JP 2017-91393 Publication

An object of the present invention is to provide a technology for creating new added value using text and image transmission functions and enriching the user experience.

A first invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a content distribution system that distributes content including at least video provided by a providing user to a user terminal of each viewing user, comprising:
The user terminal displays a viewing screen that includes a content display section that displays the content, and an operation section that allows the viewing user to input a call operation for the content that is being viewed;
Call reflection control means (for example, FIG. 1 control board 1150 of FIG. 9, server processing section 200s of FIG. 9, distribution service management section 210, transmission reflection control section 214, step S156 of FIG. 23),
When a given scale requirement is satisfied by continuing to satisfy a chain condition that includes at least a continuity certification condition for certifying the continuity of the sending operation based on the timing when the sending operation was performed. , a special display effect control means that executes a special display effect on the viewing screen (for example, the control board 1150 in FIG. 1, the special display effect 86 in FIG. 8, the server processing unit 200s in FIG. 9, the distribution service management unit 210, the special This is a content distribution system including a display effect control section 219, steps S190 and S194 in FIG. 24).

According to the first invention, when viewing content, the viewing user continuously performs transmission operations, and when the number of transmission operations reaches a certain level, a special effect display (special display effect) may be executed. can. The user experience can be further improved by this special effect display (special display effect).

A second aspect of the present invention is that the calling operation includes at least a predetermined calling operation that indicates a predetermined intention, and the calling reflection control means displays the default display as a reflection display that the predetermined calling operation has been performed. This is a content distribution system according to a first aspect of the invention, which controls display on a screen.

According to the second invention, when a predetermined transmission operation indicating an indication of some kind of intention is continuously executed by a viewing user until reaching a certain scale, special effect display control is realized, thereby expressing the user's feelings at the time. It is possible to further enhance the feelings of the viewing user.
For example, if multiple viewing users rate the content one after another and the number reaches 10, the background of the viewing screen will be changed from a simple design to a gorgeous design. A special effect display control such as this can be considered. According to this special effect display control, it is possible to provide a user experience as if a plurality of viewing users were all watching the content together in a lively manner, giving the viewing users a feeling of exhilaration and excitement.

A third invention is the content distribution according to the first or second invention, wherein the chain condition further includes a relevance recognition condition for verifying the relevance of the transmission operations input by a plurality of the viewing users. It is a system.

According to the third invention, the relationship between calling operations, for example, the relationship between the contents sent by the calling operations (outgoing content) can be included in the chain condition.
Therefore, instead of displaying a special effect when any kind of content is sent out continuously until it reaches a certain scale, it is possible to display a special effect when the content that has a predetermined relevance is sent out continuously to a certain extent. When the scale is performed, a special effect display can be executed. By making relevance a requirement, the complexity and fun of selecting the transmission content to meet the requirement is added, and the transmission operation itself can be part of the user experience.

A fourth invention is a third aspect of the present invention, wherein the calling operation includes a plurality of types of calling operations, and the relevance certification condition is defined based on a combination of input types of the calling operations. This is an inventive content distribution system.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when the types of call operations performed continuously form a certain combination of patterns, a special effect display can be executed. This allows the viewing user to choose the calling operation while imagining their own thoughts and the thoughts of other viewing users regarding which combinations to form, making the calling operation more interesting as a user experience. be able to.

In a fifth invention, the sending operation includes a message sending operation that can be arbitrarily set by the user terminal, and the relevance certification condition includes a relevance certification condition regarding the message sending operation. , the content distribution system according to the third or fourth invention, wherein conditions are defined based on the content of the message.

According to the fifth invention, the relevance of messages can be used as a condition for displaying a special effect. For example, if all consecutive messages are similar to "cheering", special effect display control that changes the background to red will further enhance the cheering users' feelings and improve the user experience. It becomes possible to improve the performance.

A sixth invention is the content distribution system according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, wherein the scale requirement includes a condition based on the number or time of satisfying the chain condition.

According to the sixth invention, a special effect display can be executed when the number of calls satisfying the chain condition reaches a specific number or continues for a specific time.

A seventh invention is the content distribution according to any one of the first to sixth inventions, wherein the scale requirement includes a condition based on the number of viewing users who have performed the transmission operation that satisfies the chain condition. It is a system.

According to the seventh invention, even if the calls are consecutive in the same way, the special effect display will not be executed unless the number of viewing users making the consecutive calls satisfies the condition. Therefore, the situations in which special effects are displayed can be made more diverse.

An eighth invention provides a chain condition setting means for variably setting the chain condition according to the type of content (for example, the chain condition setting section 216 in FIG. 9, the chain condition setting data 640 in FIG. 19, the chain condition setting data 640 in FIG. Step S174), the content distribution system according to any one of the first to seventh inventions.

According to the eighth invention, the chain condition can be changed depending on the type of content.

A ninth invention provides a scale requirement setting means for variably setting the scale requirement according to the type of content (for example, the scale requirement setting unit 218 in FIG. 9, the applied scale requirement 648 in FIG. 19, the step in FIG. 24). S178), the content distribution system according to any one of the first to eighth inventions.

According to the ninth invention, scale requirements can be changed depending on the type of content.

A tenth invention provides a privilege control execution means (for example, the control board 1150 in FIG. , a server processing unit 200s in FIG. 9, a distribution service management unit 210, a privilege control execution unit 220, and step S192 in FIG. 24).

According to the tenth invention, a given benefit can be given to a viewing user or a providing user upon satisfying the scale requirement. Therefore, the user experience can be further enriched.

In an eleventh invention, the content is a game play video, and the chain condition setting means is configured to variably set the chain condition according to a game situation related to the game play video being viewed. It is a content distribution system according to any one of the seventh inventions.

According to the eleventh invention, when distributing a game play video, the chain condition can be changed according to the game situation in the video being distributed.

In a twelfth invention, the content is a game play video, and the size requirement setting means is configured to variably set the scale requirement according to a game situation related to the game play video being viewed. This is a content distribution system according to either the seventh or eleventh invention.

According to the twelfth invention, when distributing a game play video, scale requirements can be changed according to the game situation in the video being distributed.

In the thirteenth invention, the content is a game play video, and when the scale requirement is satisfied, a benefit is variably determined according to a game situation related to the game play video being viewed, and the viewing user The content distribution system according to any one of the first to seventh, eleventh, and twelfth inventions, comprising: and/or a privilege control execution unit that executes privilege control to be granted to the providing user.

According to the thirteenth invention, when distributing a game play video, it is possible to provide benefits according to the game situation in the video being distributed.

A fourteenth invention is the content distribution system according to any one of the eleventh to thirteenth inventions, wherein the content is live broadcast content of a game play video.

According to the fourteenth invention, the game screen where the game is being played can be live-distributed.

A fifteenth invention is a history information display control means (for example, history information display control unit 222 in FIG. 9, call log in FIG. The content distribution system according to any one of the first to fourteenth inventions includes data 610 and steps S200 and S202 in FIG.

According to the fifteenth invention, it becomes possible to display the history of calling operations for each viewing user on the user terminal. If you are curious about what other viewing users have been posting, you can create a system that allows you to find out. Knowing other people's past actions can serve as a stimulus, making the viewing user more active in transmitting operations, increasing the probability of special effect display control, and further improving the user experience related to viewing the content.

A sixteenth invention is an avatar display control means for displaying avatars for each viewing user on the viewing screen (for example, avatar display control unit 212 in FIG. 9, avatar display management data 634 in FIG. 19, step S102 in FIG. 22). ), the call reflection control means controls the display so that when the call operation is performed, the avatar of the viewing user related to the call operation performs a given action, thereby controlling the reflection display. This is the content distribution system according to any one of the first to fifteenth inventions.

According to the 16th invention, it is possible to realize a reflected display accompanied by the actions of the viewing user's avatar. Therefore, the user experience can be further improved.

A seventeenth invention is a computer system comprising a user terminal of each viewing user and the content distribution system of any one of the first to sixteenth inventions.

The term "computer system" used herein may be a single computer system or a system in which multiple computers are communicably connected.
According to the seventeenth invention, a computer system having the same effects as the first invention can be realized.

An eighteenth invention is a server system for display-controlling a screen for displaying a call operation inputted by each user in a user terminal of each user, the server system notifying the user that the call operation has been inputted. a call reflection control means for receiving information from a terminal and displaying a display reflecting the call operation on the screen; A special display effect control means for executing a special display effect on the screen when a given scale requirement is satisfied by continuing to satisfy a chain condition including at least a continuity certification condition. It is a server system with

According to the eighteenth invention, it is possible to realize a server system that provides the same effects as the first invention.

A nineteenth aspect of the present invention provides that the screen includes a first display section based on the call operation by the first user, a second display section based on the call operation by the second user, and a second display section based on the call operation by the first user. An 18th invention, comprising: a third display section for displaying a special display based on the relationship of the calling operation of the second user; is a server system of

According to the nineteenth invention, by dividing the display section according to the user classification and the display section for displaying the special display, it is easy to understand the source of the display based on the call operation, and the special display is separated from the display based on the call operation. It can be separated and easily identified, making it easier to obtain a user experience.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a content distribution system. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a configuration example of a user terminal. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a viewing screen for viewing content. The figure which shows the display example of the pop-up displayed at the time of assignment change operation. A diagram for explaining new added value provided by the distribution service. A diagram for explaining an example in which it is determined that there is relevance. The figure for explaining the example of the content difference of privilege control according to the number of chains. FIG. 6 is a viewing screen diagram showing an example of notifying a user that a calling combo has occurred and that privilege control is being executed. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a distribution server system. The figure which shows the example of the program and data which a server storage part memorize|stores. The figure which shows the data structure example of the image definition data for transmission. The figure which shows the data structure example of relevance certification condition definition data. The figure which shows the data structure example of scale requirement definition data. The figure which shows the data structure example of benefit definition data. The figure which shows the data structure example of avatar display change definition data. The figure which shows the data structure example of combo occurrence notification definition data. The figure which shows the data structure example of the provision user registration data. The figure which shows the data structure example of user management data. The figure which shows the data structure example of distribution management data. The functional block diagram which shows the functional configuration example of the user terminal which becomes a viewing terminal. The functional block diagram which shows the functional configuration example of the user terminal which becomes a provision terminal. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing related to live distribution in one streaming format in the distribution server system. Flowchart continued from FIG. 22. Flowchart continued from FIG. 23. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing related to viewing content on a user terminal serving as a viewing terminal. Flowchart continued from FIG. 25. Flowchart continued from FIG. 26. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in a user terminal serving as a providing terminal. The figure which shows the display example of the chat screen when applied to the chat function of a social networking service.

Examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described below, but it goes without saying that the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the following embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a content distribution system to which the present invention is applied. The content distribution system 1000 is a computer system that provides a distribution service that allows an unspecified number of people to enjoy content at the same time. terminals 1500 (1500a, 1500b,...).

The communication line 9 means a communication path that allows data communication. In other words, the communication line 9 includes a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection, a LAN (Local Area Network) using Ethernet (registered trademark), etc., as well as communication networks such as a telephone communication network, a cable network, and the Internet. In addition, the communication method may be wired or wireless.

The distribution server system 1100 distributes content including at least video provided from the user terminal 1500T of the providing user 2t to the user terminal 1500 (1500a, 1500b,...) of each viewing user 2 (2a, 2b,...). It is a computer system that realizes a content distribution system, and a server that controls the display of a screen for displaying a display based on a calling operation input by each viewing user on the user terminal 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) of each viewing user. It is a system.

Specifically, the distribution server system 1100 includes a main unit 1101, a keyboard 1106, a touch panel 1108, and a storage 1140, and a control board 1150 is mounted on the main unit 1101.

The control board 1150 is equipped with various microprocessors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1151, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), various IC memories 1152 such as VRAM, RAM, and ROM, and a communication device 1153. has been done. Note that part or all of the control board 1150 may be realized using an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or an SoC (System on a Chip).

Then, the distribution server system 1100 performs arithmetic processing based on a predetermined program and data by the control board 1150.
1) User management functions related to user registration, etc.
2) Content distribution function,
3) a user transmission service function that distributes text and images transmitted (also referred to as posted) from the user terminal 1500;
4) An online shopping function that makes it possible to purchase transmission images online that can be transmitted (posted) using the user transmission service function;
Realize. Of course, configurations that can realize functions other than these are also possible. For example, it may be possible to implement a social networking service function and a chat function as part of the function.

The distribution function in this embodiment refers to the acquisition of content data for distribution such as video data from the user terminal 1500T of the provider user 2t, who provides the content, and the viewing user 2 (2a, This is a so-called streaming distribution function that distributes the acquired content data to the user terminals 1500 (1500a, 1500b, . . . ) in a format that allows viewing while downloading the acquired content data. Of course, it may be realized using other distribution formats.

The user transmission service function transmits text and images transmitted from the user terminals 1500 (1500a, 1500b...) of the viewing users 2 (2a, 2b, ...) to the user terminals 1500 (1500a, ...) of the viewing users 2 (2a, 2b, ...). , 1500b...) and the user terminal 1500T of the providing user 2t, and displays a reflection display that reflects the content transmitted at the distribution destination.

Note that although the distribution server system 1100 is described as a single unit, it may be configured to include a plurality of blade servers that share each function and are connected to each other via an internal bus so that data can be communicated. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of independent servers installed in remote locations are caused to perform data communication via the communication line 9, thereby functioning as the distribution server system 1100 as a whole.

The user terminals 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ..., 1500T) are computer systems used by users 2 (2a, 2b, ..., 2t), and are capable of providing multimedia for distribution by changing the programs they execute. It comes to function as a providing terminal that creates content or a viewing terminal that allows viewing of distributed content. In the example of FIG. 1, the user terminal 1500T corresponds to the providing terminal, and the user terminals 1500a and 1500b correspond to the viewing terminals. Note that the user terminal 1500 in this embodiment is a device called a smartphone, but it may also be a portable game device, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a wearable computer, or the like.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a configuration example of the user terminal 1500 in this embodiment.
The user terminal 1500 includes a direction input key 1502, a button switch 1504, a touch panel 1506 that functions as an image display device and a contact position input device, a speaker 1510, a built-in battery 1509, a microphone 1512, an image sensor module 1520, It includes a control board 1550 and a memory card reader 1542 that can read and write data from a memory card 1540 that is a computer-readable storage medium. In addition, a power button, a volume control button, etc. (not shown) are provided. Furthermore, an IC card reader or the like may be provided that can read and write data in a non-contact manner with respect to an IC card-type credit card or prepaid card that can be used to pay for game play.

The control board 1550 is used for wireless communication with various microprocessors such as a CPU 1551, GPU, and DSP, various IC memories 1552 such as VRAM, RAM, and ROM, and mobile phone base stations and wireless LAN base stations connected to the communication line 9. A wireless communication module 1553, an interface circuit 1557, etc. are installed.

The interface circuit 1557 includes a driver circuit for the touch panel 1506, a circuit for receiving signals from the direction input key 1502 and the button switch 1504, an output amplifier circuit for outputting an audio signal to the speaker 1510, and an audio signal collected by the microphone 1512. It includes an input signal generation circuit to generate an input signal, a circuit to input image data of an image photographed by the image sensor module 1520, a signal input/output circuit to the memory card reader 1542, and the like.

These elements mounted on the control board 1550 are electrically connected via a bus circuit or the like, and are connected so that data can be read and written and signals can be transmitted and received. Note that part or all of the control board 1550 may be configured with ASIC, FPGA, or SoC.
The control board 1550 stores a video providing program for realizing the function as a providing terminal, a viewing program for realizing the function as a viewing terminal, and various data in the IC memory 1552.

Note that in this embodiment, the user terminal 1500 includes programs (for example, a providing terminal program that enables content creation and provision, a viewing terminal program that enables viewing distributed content and transmitting text and images), Although the configuration is such that various setting data are downloaded from the distribution server system 1100, it may also be configured to be read from a separately obtained storage medium such as a memory card 1540.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a viewing screen for viewing content in this embodiment.
In the user terminal 1500 running the viewing program, a viewing screen W3 is displayed on the touch panel 1506. The viewing screen W3 is
1) Ancillary information display section 31 that displays incidental information declared and set by the providing user regarding the distributed content such as the program title;
2) a content display unit 32 that displays distributed content;
3) a general-purpose display section 33;
4) a text transmission operation section 34 that performs text input and transmission operations;
5) A reflection display unit 35 that displays a reflection display that reflects the viewing user's avatar 4 (4a, 4b, ...) and the transmitted text and image contents;
6) an image transmission operation icon 36 for performing a transmission operation (image transmission operation) of the transmission image 8;
7) a shopping icon 37 for instantly purchasing the transmission image 8 online;
including.

The content display section 32 displays content including at least videos (for example, live broadcasts of performances and entertainment by the providing user himself, live broadcasts of game plays played by the providing users, edited versions of recorded game play videos, etc.) (e.g. video works shot and edited by).

The supplementary information displayed on the supplementary information display section 31 may include, for example, a title, genre, shooting date and time, shooting location, information regarding the subject, a situation description, a message from the providing user, and the like. If the content is a gameplay video, the play content and game status (for example, information on the stage and location being played, information on equipment, names of enemy characters, strategy status, remaining time and elapsed time until stage clearing) , available rare item names, etc.). In this embodiment, the incidental information is set by the providing user himself/herself before providing the content, but it may also be set by the operator of the distribution service, or if it is a game play video, it is set by the providing user himself/herself before providing the content. It may be automatically acquired and set from play information.

The general-purpose display section 33 is an area used for various notifications, presentation displays, display of the avatar 4, etc. without a fixed purpose. It is also used as an extended area of the reflection display section 35.

The text transmission operation section 34 includes an input field for comment or message text (letters, numbers, symbols), a transmission execution operation icon, and the like.

The reflection display section 35 displays the avatar 4 of the viewing user 2 who is viewing the content. The text transmitted by the viewing user 2 is displayed in a speech bubble 5 (5b, 5c, . . . ) indicating that the avatar 4 of the user is speaking. Further, the transmission image 8 transmitted from the viewing user 2 is displayed so as to jump out from the user's avatar 4 or by an action movement as if the avatar 4 had taken it out. In other words, the text and transmission image 8 are reflected and displayed. The reflected display is displayed in front of the background image.

The image transmission operation icon 36 is a one-touch operation icon to which an image to be transmitted can be assigned in advance. By simply touching the icon, the assigned transmission image 8 will be transmitted (posted).

Although details will be described later, the transmission image 8 referred to here is an image prepared by the administrator or operator of the content distribution system 1000 of this embodiment and provided to the viewing user 2 for free or for a fee. The viewing user 2 can obtain and purchase the images 8 for transmission, keep them, and use them for transmission (posting). The transmitted images 8 for transmission are consumed based on the number owned by the viewing user 2.

Any type of transmission image 8 currently owned by the viewing user can be assigned to the image transmission operation icon 36.
Specifically, when a predetermined assignment change operation (for example, a two-finger touch operation on the icon) is performed, a pop-up display W4 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the viewing screen W3. In the pop-up display W4, the transmission images 8 (8a, 8b, . . . ) owned by the viewing user 2 are displayed for each type along with the number of images owned. The viewing user 2 can set the assignment to the image transmitting operation icon 36 by touching any of them. A check mark 40 indicating the selected state is displayed attached to the display of the currently assigned transmission image 8.
Although the same operation icons are located at the same position on the viewing screen W3, different calling operations can be performed by changing the assigned calling image 8.

The type of transmission image 8 can be set as appropriate. The image is not limited to a still image, but may also be an image with changes such as an animated GIF. The sending image 8 is designed in various ways so as to basically serve as a communication item between the viewing users 2. These messages include messages that evaluate the content being viewed (e.g., good, bad, interesting, not interesting, amazing, cool, etc.), messages of support and gratitude to the providing users (e.g., do your best, It includes outgoing images 8 designed to indicate the caller's predetermined intention (e.g., a message of evaluation such as "like", "interesting", etc., "I support you", "Good luck", etc.), etc. .

If the image sending operation icon 36 is operated while the sending image 8 with a design including such a message or declaration of intention is assigned, the operation will perform a message sending operation or a default sending operation indicating a default declaration of intention. become.

For example, the transmission image 8 assigned to the image transmission operation icon 36 may be a graphic figure with a motif of a natural object such as a flower or a star, such as transmission images 8a, 8b, and 8c. Flowers and stars are best sent at times to express positive intentions, such as joy, fun, and feeling good about the subject. Alternatively, it may be a graphic figure with a motif of large text that cannot be displayed as text. It is also possible to prepare a series (for example, a spring flower series, a summer flower series, etc.) of multiple types of transmission images 8 having the same shape but different sizes and color schemes.

In addition, as the sending image 8 to be assigned to the image sending operation icon 36, the character has some kind of item (in the example in FIG. 4, the stick has a star on the tip and is held in the hand), such as sending images 8d and 8e. It can be an image of the character holding a cheering item (to be used by shaking it), or an image of the character doing some action (for example, blowing a kiss, smiling, feeling disappointed, etc.). Even if you have the same item, different characters can have different types. Furthermore, even if the characters perform the same action, they can be of different types if the characters are different.

Further, as the transmission image 8 assigned to the image transmission operation icon 36, an image including words or phrases in the image, such as the transmission image 8f, can also be used. The character may be represented with a speech bubble to make it appear as if the character is speaking the word or phrase. Of course, the words and phrases may be onomatopoeias like sound effects in manga. For example, it is possible to create an image in which a character who looks surprised is accompanied by the words "Gikku!", and a character who looks excited is accompanied by the words "Wakuwaku!".

Furthermore, although the sending images 8 (8a, 8b,...) in this embodiment are prepared in advance by the operator of the distribution service, it is also possible to use an image created by the user himself/herself. . Of course, it is not limited to graphic design, illustrations, and fonts, and may also use actual images.

As shown in FIG. 3, the viewing screen W3 of the video distribution service of this embodiment displays a much smaller avatar 4 (4a, 4b,...) of the viewing user 2 in front of a large content display section 32. It is laid out in such a way that it gives users the feeling that they are gathering together to enjoy the content.

In addition, by displaying the text sent by each viewing user 2 in the speech bubble 5 of the avatar 4, and by reflecting and displaying the sending image 8 so that it appears from the avatar 4, it is possible to enjoy the content as if everyone were watching it together. This creates an atmosphere where you feel like you are expressing your thoughts freely and talking to your friends. Since the sending image 8 does not have to be read one by one like text, it is possible to convey what the viewing user 2 is feeling and thinking instantaneously, symbolically, and concisely. Furthermore, the effect of enlivening the atmosphere is greater than that of text.

In this way, the viewing screen W3 of this embodiment creates a feeling as if the provider user who provides content for distribution and the viewing user 2 who views it are working together to enliven one live stage or stage. It is designed to be easy to obtain.

In this embodiment, the user transmission function of the text and the transmission image 8 is utilized to provide a new added value that enhances the sense of unity and solidarity between the viewing users 2.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the new added value provided by the distribution service of this embodiment.
In this embodiment, when a user terminal 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) of a viewer user 2 (2a, 2b, ...) performs an operation to send text or an image, information about what was sent and when, that is, the sending record is displayed. information is accumulated in the distribution server system 1100. Then, it is transmitted via the distribution server system 1100 to the user terminals 1500 of all viewing users 2 who are simultaneously viewing the content, and reflected and displayed on their respective viewing screens W3.

Therefore, the distribution server system 1100 executes privilege control to liven up the content viewing atmosphere in response to the occurrence of a "call combo (abbreviation for combination of user calls)" in which calls from different senders are linked to a predetermined scale or more. do.

The occurrence of the outgoing combo is determined to be affirmative (certified determination) when the state of satisfying the chain condition continues to the extent that the scale requirement is satisfied.

Regarding the chain condition, if there is continuity in the timing of transmission (transmission timing) and there is a relationship between the transmission contents, it is determined that the chain condition is satisfied.

Regarding the determination of continuity, if the time difference between the transmission timings is less than or equal to a predetermined "continuity certified time difference Δt", it is determined that there is continuity.
The continuity certification time difference Δt can be set as appropriate. For example, it is preferable to set the time to around 5 seconds. Note that the continuity certification time difference Δt can be a common value for distribution services, but in this embodiment, different values are prepared depending on the content such as the genre of the content to be distributed.

The determination of relevance is performed on a plurality of transmission contents that have been determined to be "continuous," and is performed based on common points among the plurality of transmission contents and the presence or absence of patterns created by them. In other words, if there is a relationship between the calling operations, an affirmative determination is made that “there is a relationship”.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example in which it is determined that there is relevance.
Figures 6 (1) to (6) show examples of different types of transmissions that are determined to be relevant. Examples of transmission contents) are shown arranged from left to right in the order of transmission. Note that the examples of the contents of the dispatches arranged and the number thereof are for convenience of illustration, and are not limited to these in actual operation.

As shown in FIGS. 6(1) to 6(4), when a plurality of continuous transmission contents have a common point, it is determined that they are related.
In the example of FIG. 6(1), all of the images are transmission images 8a, and since they have the same type, it is determined that they are related. The common feature is not limited to the type of image 8 for transmission. The color scheme and shape of a plurality of transmission images 8 having continuous transmission content may be used. In the case of a color scheme, it may be a main color scheme that indicates the largest area, a color scheme that ranks higher in the order of area occupancy, or the like. Relevance conditions may be determined by focusing on common external shapes such as a round shape, a Δ shape, and a square shape as a whole.

Alternatively, attention may be paid to the commonality of the depicted contents. For example, as shown in FIG. 6(2), even if the characters depicted in the sending images 8 are different but have the same poses and actions, it can be determined that they are related.

As shown in FIG. 6(3), although the characters, poses, and actions are strictly different, if the poses and actions have a common theme, it can be determined that they are related. In the example of FIG. 6(3), since there is a common theme in the theme of music performance, it is determined that there is a relationship. In addition, when three actions such as "waving a flag," "screaming through a megaphone," and "clap- ing" come together, it can be determined that they are related because there is a common theme of "cheering". . Furthermore, if the characters depicted in the transmission image 8 form one group motion as a whole (for example, a wave motion used for cheering at a stadium), it is determined that there is a relationship. You can also.

Furthermore, if we focus on the text included in the image, as shown in Figure 6 (4), even if the text included in the sending image 8 has the same meaning or has a common theme, it may be related. It can be determined that there is sex. In the example of FIG. 6(4), since both words mean "cute", they are determined to be related.

As shown in Figure 6 (5) to Figure 6 (6), there are cases where continuous transmission contents form a pattern when they are arranged in the order in which they were transmitted (order of transmission), or when they are arranged in a predetermined combination. When these are aligned, it is determined that there is a relationship.

In the example of FIG. 6(5), there is no common feature among all the continuous transmission contents, but the transmission images 8f and 8b form a time-series pattern in which they are transmitted alternately in the order of transmission. Therefore, it is considered relevant. The contents of time-series patterns that are recognized to be relevant can be set as appropriate.

Also, in the example of FIG. 6 (6), although the transmission images 8a, 8b, 8s, and 8t are of different types, they can be determined to be related because they form a predetermined "flower" series. can.

Returning to FIG. 5, the scale requirement is determined positively when the number of times the chain condition is continuously satisfied (in other words, the number of chains) or the length of time reaches a reference value. In this embodiment, the number of times the chain condition is continuously satisfied is set to "3 or more chains," but a value of 2 chains or more can be set as appropriate. Alternatively, the length of time that continuously satisfies the chain condition may be set to "3×Δt or more" by multiplying the number of continuity certified time differences Δt.

When the scale requirement is met, it is recognized that an "outgoing combo has occurred", and the number representing the scale (in this embodiment, the number of chains) becomes the "number of chained combos" and the "number of combos." Then, when a calling combo occurs, privilege control is executed.

The content of privilege control can be set as appropriate. In the present embodiment, the viewing screen W3 includes providing benefits to the viewing user 2 and the providing user (for example, granting items, coupons, lottery tickets, points, etc.), and making the background applied to the viewing screen W3 special content. Contents such as displaying a special effect on W3 or causing a special event (for example, a specific transmission image 8 can be used for free for a certain period of time) are set.

As shown in FIG. 6, the content of the privilege control is assigned different content depending on the condition determined to be relevant. "Benefit A1", "Benefit A2", etc. in FIG. 6 correspond to this. In other words, the privilege control that is executed changes depending on the relevance certification condition that is satisfied when it is recognized that an outgoing combo has occurred.

Depending on the content of the privilege control, there are further differences in the content of the privilege control depending on the number of chains, and when looking at the content distribution system 1000 as a whole, a variety of privilege controls are performed. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 (1), if the privilege control is to grant items, the number of grants per target user is set to increase as the number of chains increases. There is. Further, as shown in FIG. 7(2), when a special event occurs, the content of the event is set to differ depending on the number of chains.

FIG. 8 is a viewing screen diagram showing an example of notifying the user that a calling combo has occurred and that privilege control is being executed. When the occurrence of an outgoing combo is recognized, a special display effect is displayed and a notification regarding the granting of benefits is executed. Specifically, on the viewing screen W8, a combo occurrence notification 80, a bonus execution notification 82, and a special display performance 86 such as a performance display 84 are displayed on the general-purpose display section 33. Of course, the display location is not limited to the general-purpose display section 33, but may be set anywhere on the screen.

The combo occurrence notification 80 includes the number of chains of outgoing combos, and is set so that the notification content is displayed in different fonts and sizes depending on the number of chains.
The privilege execution notification 82 tells the details of the privilege control being executed.
The effect display 84 displays types according to the number of chains of outgoing combos and the content of privilege control, thereby enlivening the atmosphere of video viewing.

[Explanation of functional configuration]
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the distribution server system 1100 in this embodiment. The distribution server system 1100 in this embodiment includes an operation input section 100s, a server processing section 200s, a sound output section 390s, an image display section 392s, a communication section 394s, and a server storage section 500s.

The operation input unit 100s is a means for inputting various operations for managing the server. The keyboard 1106 in FIG. 1 corresponds to this.

The server processing unit 200s is realized by a microprocessor such as a CPU or GPU, or an electronic component such as an ASIC or an IC memory, and inputs and outputs data between each functional unit including the operation input unit 100s and the server storage unit 500s. Take control. Then, various calculation processes are executed based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100s, data received from the user terminal 1500, etc., and the operation of the distribution server system 1100 is integrally controlled. do.

The server processing unit 200s of this embodiment communicates with a user management unit 202, an online shopping management unit 204, a distribution service management unit 210, a timekeeping unit 280s, a sound generation unit 290s, and an image generation unit 292s. The controller 294s includes a controller 294s. Of course, functional units other than these can also be included as appropriate.

The user management unit 202 performs processing related to user registration procedures and manages data of each user linked to a user account. In this embodiment, the user management unit 202 performs 1) assigning unique user accounts to registered users, 2) registration information management for registering and managing personal information for each user account, and 3) billing elements (in this embodiment, 4) usage history management for managing login and logout history, etc.; and 5) creation and editing functions for avatars 4. . Of course, management functions for other data linked to accounts other than these can also be included as appropriate.

The online shopping management unit 204 is responsible for controlling online shopping, and can be implemented using known online shopping techniques as appropriate. In this embodiment, the viewing user 2 can purchase the transmission image 8 and the like through online shopping. Other items for sale in online shopping can be set as appropriate.

The distribution service management unit 210 performs various processes related to execution management of the video distribution service. The distribution service management unit 210 of this embodiment performs various processes for realizing a content distribution service (core function of a content providing service). For example, it is possible to execute content distribution schedule management processing, viewing user management processing, processing for acquiring content data of content for distribution from a providing terminal, distribution processing, and the like. Of course, processes other than these can also be included as appropriate.

In this embodiment, the distribution service management section 210 includes an avatar display control section 212, a transmission reflection control section 214, a chain condition setting section 216, a scale requirement setting section 218, a special display effect control section 219, It has a privilege control execution section 220 and a history information display control section 222. Of course, functional units other than these may also be included as appropriate.

The avatar display control unit 212 performs control to display avatars for each viewing user on the viewing screen. In this embodiment, this includes distribution of data for displaying avatars for each viewing user.

The call reflection control unit 214 receives from the viewer user's user terminal (viewing terminal) that a call operation for the content being viewed has been input, and displays a display reflecting the call operation on the viewing screen of the viewing terminal. Display control is performed, specifically, for example, control is performed to display a default display on the viewing screen as a reflection display that a default call operation has been performed.

In this embodiment, this corresponds to the process of accepting a call request and data on the content of the call in response to a call operation from the viewing terminal, temporarily storing the data, and distributing the data on the content of the call to all viewing terminals and the providing terminal. . In the present embodiment, the viewing terminal side performs display control of a reflection display that causes the reflection display unit 35 (see FIG. 3) to display a display body in which the received transmission content is reflected. Specifically, this applies to the display of text using speech bubbles 5 and the appearance display of image 8 for transmission. That is, the transmission reflection control unit 214 can perform display control so that the avatar of the viewing user 2 related to the transmission operation performs a given action.

Note that if the distribution server system 1100 also targets the image itself displayed as the reflection display section 35 for distribution, the transmission reflection control section 214 may generate the image.

The chain condition setting unit 216 variably sets a chain condition, which is one of the conditions for recognizing the occurrence of an "outgoing combo" in this embodiment, depending on the type of content to be distributed, etc. When the content to be distributed is a game play video, the chain condition can be variably set depending on the game situation related to the game play video being viewed. Further, when setting the chain condition, the chain condition is set so as to further include a relationship recognition condition for determining the relationship between call operations input by a plurality of viewing users.

The scale requirement setting unit 218 variably sets the scale requirement, which is one of the conditions for recognizing the occurrence of an "outgoing combo" in this embodiment, depending on the type of content to be distributed. When the content to be distributed is a game play video, the scale requirement can be variably set according to the game situation related to the game play video being viewed. In addition, when setting scale requirements, set the scale requirements so that they include conditions based on the number or time of meeting the chain condition, and conditions based on the number of viewing users who performed a transmission operation that satisfies the chain condition. I can do it.

The special display effect control unit 219 determines whether a given scale is reached by continuing to satisfy a chain condition that includes at least a continuity certification condition for certifying the continuity of call operations based on the timing of the call operations. When the requirements are met, a special display is performed on the viewing screen. In this embodiment, this corresponds to control for displaying a special display performance 86 including a combo occurrence notification 80, a benefit execution notification 82, and a performance display 84 on the viewing screen W8 (see FIG. 8) of the viewing terminal.

The privilege control execution unit 220 satisfies the given scale requirement by continuing to satisfy a chain condition that includes at least a continuity certification condition for certifying the continuity of the call operation based on the timing of the call operation. When the following is satisfied, privilege control is executed to provide a given privilege to the viewing user and/or the providing user. At that time, it is possible to variably control the benefits that are granted when the scale requirements are met, depending on the type of content. Further, when the content to be distributed is a game play video, the benefits to be provided can be variably controlled depending on the game situation related to the game play video.

The history information display control unit 222 performs control to display history information of calling operations for each viewing user on a user terminal.

The clock section 280s clocks the current date and time, time limit, etc. using the system clock.

The sound generation unit 290s is realized by executing an IC or software that generates and decodes audio data, and generates or decodes audio data such as operation sounds and BGM related to system management of the distribution server system 1100 and video distribution. Then, audio signals related to system management are output to the sound output section 390s.

The sound output unit 390s emits an audio signal. In the example of FIG. 1, this corresponds to a speaker (not shown) included in the main body device 1101 and the touch panel 1108.

The image generation unit 292s can generate images and the like related to system management of the distribution server system 1100. Images related to system management can be output to the image display section 392s.

The image display section 392s displays various images for system management based on image signals input from the image generation section 292s. For example, it can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, or a head-mounted display. In the example of FIG. 1, this corresponds to the touch panel 1108.

The communication control unit 294s executes data processing related to data communication, and realizes data exchange with an external device via the communication unit 394s.

The communication unit 394s connects to the communication line 9 to realize communication. For example, it is realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, and the like. In the example of FIG. 1, this corresponds to the communication device 1153.

The server storage unit 500s stores programs and various data for realizing various functions for causing the server processing unit 200s to integrally control the distribution server system 1100. It is also used as a work area for the server processing section 200s, and temporarily stores calculation results executed by the server processing section 200s according to various programs. This function is realized by, for example, an IC memory such as a RAM or ROM, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or DVD, an online storage, and the like. In the example of FIG. 1, this includes storage media such as an IC memory 1152 and a hard disk mounted on the main device 1101, and a storage 1140.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of programs and data stored in the server storage unit 500s in this embodiment. The server storage unit 500s in this embodiment stores a server program 503, a distribution providing terminal program 505, a distribution viewing terminal program 507, sales item management data 509, and distribution service initial setting data 510.

The server storage unit 500s also stores providing user registration data 590, ranking data 599, user management data 600, distribution management data 620, and current date and time 800 as data that is sequentially generated and managed in connection with distribution. Remember. In addition, information such as timers, counters, and various flags can be stored as appropriate.

The server program 503 is a program that is read and executed by the server processing unit 200s to realize the functions of the user management unit 202, online shopping management unit 204, and distribution service management unit 210 (see FIG. 9). ).

The distribution providing terminal program 505 is an original application program downloaded to the user terminal 1500 used as a providing terminal, and by executing it, the user terminal 1500 can function as a providing terminal.
Note that the distribution providing terminal program 505 can also be configured to be included in a game program for making it possible to execute a game in which a live distribution function is implemented.

The distribution viewing terminal program 507 is an original application program downloaded to the user terminal 1500 used as a viewing terminal, and by executing it, the user terminal 1500 can function as a viewing terminal.

Sales item management data 509 stores data for defining and managing sales items through online shopping. For example, purchasable data, inventory quantity, and billing consideration (corresponding to the amount withdrawn from the payment medium) are stored in association with each other.

The distribution service initial setting data 510 stores various initial setting data for executing the distribution service of this embodiment. In this embodiment, background data 514, transmission image definition data 520, continuity certification condition definition data 530, relevance certification condition definition data 540, scale requirement definition data 550, benefit definition data 560, and avatar It includes display change definition data 570 and combo occurrence notification definition data 580. Of course, data other than these can also be included as appropriate. For example, material data for creating and editing the avatar 4 and material data for displaying various effects can be included.

Background data 514 is image data that can be used as a background image of the viewing screen. In the present embodiment, one type of data is provided as a default, and multiple types of data are provided as options when changing the background is executed as a privilege control.

The transmission image definition data 520 is data that defines the transmission image 8.
One transmission image definition data 520 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, transmission image type 521, transmission image data 522, selling price 523, rarity 524, and the transmission image are reflected and displayed. The avatar control definition data 526 includes a display duration 525 until the display format is changed such as disappearing from the avatar, and avatar control definition data 526 at the time of reflected display. Of course, data other than these can also be included as appropriate.

The reflection display avatar control definition data 526 is used when performing special control on the avatar 4 displayed on the viewing screen when the sending image is reflected and displayed on the reflection display section 35 of the viewing terminal. Stores data that defines its control contents. For example, you can usually set it to "No setting", and send a sending image 8 with a very high selling price 523 or a very high rarity 524, or a large and gorgeous sending image 8 (for example, an extra large image made of rare flowers). It is preferable to store data for causing each of the avatars 4 being displayed to perform some kind of surprising action when a wreath (garland) is sent. In other words, by incorporating reactions from people other than the sender, it is possible to enrich the virtual experience of viewing content together and create a more atmospheric atmosphere.

Returning to FIG. 10, the continuity recognition condition definition data 530 stores information that defines conditions for determining that temporally adjacent transmission operations by different viewing users have continuity. In this embodiment, a continuity certification time difference Δt (see FIG. 5) is defined. In this embodiment, the continuity certification condition definition data 530 has only one continuity certification time difference Δt, but if you want to change the continuity certification condition depending on the content, such as genre, etc. , different continuity certification time differences Δt may be stored in association with each selection condition.

The relevance certification condition definition data 540 stores various data that define conditions for certification of relevance.
One piece of relevance certification condition definition data 540, for example, as shown in FIG. ,including. Of course, data other than these can also be included as appropriate.

The selection conditions 542 further include conditions related to content that is to be supplementary information of the content. In this embodiment, the condition includes a genre condition 542a, a providing user condition 542b, a subject condition 542c, and a situation condition 542d, and is described as an AND condition or an OR condition thereof.

The genre condition 542a is a condition regarding the genre of content to be viewed. For example, it is also possible to prepare relevancy certification conditions that are applied only during "game play commentary."

The providing user condition 542b is a condition regarding information regarding the providing user. For example, conditions can be set regarding a user account, user history, age, gender, player level and title in a specific game title, ranking rank in a popularity ranking in a distribution service, and degree.

The subject condition 542c is a condition regarding the main subject of the content to be viewed. For example, the provider user himself/herself, a child, an animal, a dish, a car, a team, a game character, etc. Their proper names can also be included in the conditions. In that case, a plurality of proper names may be defined as an AND condition or an OR condition.

The situation condition 542d is a condition regarding the situation of the content to be viewed. The information attached to the content provided by the providing user also includes information regarding the situation. For example, ``I tried playing (song title)'', ``I tried dancing to (ending program title)'', ``opening (product name)'', ``cleared the difficult stage of (game title)'', ``The fourth stage of (game title)''. "Stage boss character strategy", etc. Therefore, the situational conditions 542d can be defined by setting keywords included therein.

In addition, the selection condition 542 includes a viewing user number condition 542e, which is a condition regarding the number of viewing users at that time, and a combo occurrence number condition 542f, which is a condition regarding the number of outgoing combos that have been recognized to have occurred up to that time. A consecutive number condition 542g that is a condition regarding the number of a plurality of transmissions determined to be present is included.

Note that these conditions included in the selection condition 542 (genre condition 542a to consecutive number condition 542g) may be “not set”.

The relevance recognition condition 544 is described as an AND condition or an OR condition of a common point condition 544a and a combination condition 544b. Any of these conditions included in the relevance certification condition 544 may include "no setting".

The common point condition 544a defines requirements that should be common to the outgoing image 8 and texts that are the outgoing content of a plurality of continuous outgoing outgoing calls. For example, the type of transmission image 8, common text included (drawn) in the transmission image 8, main color scheme, list of common subject types, etc. can be set. The main color scheme can be applied not only to the sending image 8 but also to the font color of the sent text.

The combination condition 544b defines a combination of outgoing images 8 and texts that are the outgoing content of a plurality of continuous outgoing outgoing calls. For example, a list of types of outgoing images 8, a list of main color schemes of outgoing images 8, a list of texts included (drawn) in outgoing images 8, combinations of combat characters in outgoing texts, It is a combination of the type of transmission image 8 and text, etc., and the transmission order thereof can also be included in the definition.

More specifically, for example, if there is a series of images 8 for transmission with the title "Flowers of the Four Seasons," and if a list of types of images 8 for transmission that make up the series is defined, flowers of the four seasons can be displayed. When they are arranged in chronological order as a reflection display, it is possible to define the conditions for determining that they are related. In addition, if the constituent colors of the rainbow are set in the list of main color schemes so that the transmission order is the same as the order in which they are arranged in the rainbow, the transmission image 8 that is said to have continuity (continuity It is possible to define the condition that whatever is drawn in the group of sending operations that are considered to have the same color scheme as a rainbow when arranged in the order of sending, is recognized as related.

Returning to FIG. 10, the scale requirement definition data 550 stores data that defines conditions (scale requirements) regarding the scale of continuous transmissions that are required to allow the occurrence of a transmission combo. One size requirement definition data 550 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, a unique size requirement ID 551, selection conditions 552, and the number of requirements 553. Of course, data other than these can also be included as appropriate.

The selection condition 552 is configured similarly to the selection condition 542 of the relevance recognition condition definition data 540 (see FIG. 12).

The number of requirements 553 is a value that defines the scale that continues to satisfy the chain condition in this embodiment. In this embodiment, a number is defined as a reference number for a plurality of transmissions that are recognized to be continuous and related. The duration may be defined by multiplying the continuity certification time difference Δt (see FIG. 5) by the number of requirements 553.

Returning to FIG. 10, the privilege definition data 560 is prepared for each content of privilege control to be executed when occurrence of an outgoing combo is recognized, and stores various data defining privilege control.
For example, FIG. 14 is a diagram listing typical examples of benefit definition data 560 with different contents. Of course, the contents of the benefit definition data 560 are not limited to these. One benefit definition data 560 includes a unique benefit ID 561, an application relevance ID list 562, a benefit execution notification material 563, and benefit execution data 564.

In the example of FIG. 14(1), the benefit execution notification material 563 is set to "separate items by viewing user", and the benefit execution data 564 includes item data that defines the items to be granted and the number of items to be granted. Functions for setting are stored. The function includes the chain number as one of the variables.

In the example of FIG. 14(2), the benefit execution notification material 563 is set to "present to the providing user", and the benefit execution data 564 includes definition data of the gift item and information for setting the number of gifts. is stored. The number of grants may be the number of chains.

In the example of FIG. 14(3), the benefit execution notification material 563 is set to "background change" that changes the background of the reflection display section 35 of the viewing screen W3 (see FIG. 3), and the benefit execution data 564 stores the background data to be changed or the identification information of the data.

In the example of FIG. 14 (4), the benefit execution notification material 563 is set to "event occurrence", and the benefit execution data 564 includes data for executing the event, a function that determines the probability of event occurrence, etc. Stored. The content of the event can be set as appropriate. For example, the content may be such that all the viewing users 2 can enjoy the so-called "fever state" of the transmission, so that any number of special transmission images 8 can be continuously transmitted for a certain period of time free of charge. It is preferable that the probability of event occurrence is set such that the larger the number of chains, the more likely it is to occur.

The content of the benefit can be set as appropriate in addition to these. By providing a variety of bonus content, you can prevent yourself from getting stuck in a rut and encourage your viewing users to be more proactive.

Returning to FIG. 10, the avatar display change definition data 570 stores various data that define the content of changing the display of the avatar 4 according to the transmission performance of the viewing user 2.
For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the avatar display change definition data 570 stores a change condition 571 that is a condition for implementing a change, a change destination position 572, a size 573, and an additional change 574 in association with each other. do.

The change condition 571 uses contents that change depending on the transmission performance of the viewing user 2. In this embodiment, "Condition A: Among the viewing users 2 who are viewing the video at that time, the number of uses of the sending image 8 corresponds to the top 5" and "Condition B: The viewing user who is viewing the video at that time 2, the total price of the sending image 8 used corresponds to the top 5 people," "Condition A and Condition B" are included. Of course, contents other than these can also be set as conditions.

The change destination position 572 defines the change destination of the display position of the avatar 4. In this embodiment, a plurality of positions (for example, S position, A position, B position, etc.) are set in a relative positional relationship with respect to the content display section 32 (see FIG. 3) in the same manner as the stage and the audience seat rank of the stage. are doing. The harder the change condition 571 is to achieve, the closer the change destination position 572 is set to the position closer to the content display section 32 and closer to the front. In other words, the position is set to be more conspicuous within the viewing screen. Normally, the avatars 4 are automatically arranged on the reflection display section 35 (see FIG. 3) to the extent that they do not overlap, but as the viewing user 2 makes more and more calls, the avatar 4 of the viewing user 2 appears on the viewing screen. The placement position is changed to a more conspicuous position. Note that there may also be a setting of "no change".

Size 573 defines the display size of avatar 4. In this embodiment, the standard display size is set to "small" and is set to be changed to "medium", "large", or "extra large" according to the change condition 571. Note that there may also be a setting of "no change".

Additional changes 574 define additional changes other than changes in display position and display size. For example, an attached display of a special additional display object may be set. The avatar 4 may be made to perform a special action.

The avatar 4 of the viewing user 2 who has a high transmission record can be said to be a leading figure who is actively trying to liven up the atmosphere of the place where everyone is watching the distribution. Therefore, the display position, display size, etc. of the avatar 4 of the corresponding viewing user 2 are changed to give apparent preferential treatment on the viewing screen. Further, the preferential treatment can encourage other viewing users 2 to actively transmit information.

Returning to FIG. 10, the combo occurrence notification definition data 580 is prepared for each situation in which the viewing user 2 or the like is to be notified of the occurrence of an outgoing combo, and stores various data that define the notification method and content.
One combo occurrence notification definition data 580 stores an application relevance ID list 581 and notification material data 582, as shown in FIG. 16, for example.

The applicable relationship ID list 581 defines the conditions to which the definition data is applied, and the types of relationships that should be satisfied when the occurrence of an outgoing combo is certified.
The notification material data 582 includes material data (image data or text), font type, display size, display position, font type, display size, display position, etc. of the combo occurrence notice 80, benefit execution notice 82, and effect display 84 displayed on the viewing screen W8 (see FIG. 8). Stores display time, etc. The display position is not limited to the general-purpose display section 33, but can be set as appropriate, such as the outer periphery of the viewing screen or the background.

Returning to FIG. 10, the providing user registration data 590 is special registration data prepared for each experienced providing user among the registered users. One provided user registration data 590 includes a user account 591, distribution material data 592, and cumulative activity points 593, as shown in FIG. 17, for example.

The distribution material data 592 is prepared for each distribution material provided by the provider user, and stores a unique distribution title, content data, supplementary information, and the like. In the case of non-live distribution, it is prepared in advance according to the providing operation of the providing user. In the case of live distribution, distribution data received from a providing terminal may be sequentially stored as content data during distribution.

The cumulative liveliness points 593 are the cumulative value of liveliness points, which are index values representing the degree of excitement and popularity when distribution is regarded as one program, stage, or stage. The activity points are given according to the number of calls made by the viewing user 2, the number of viewing users 2, the total viewing time, and the like. Ranking data 599 (see FIG. 10) is determined by the accumulated activity points.

Returning to FIG. 10, the user management data 600 is prepared for each registered user and stores various data linked to an account that is unique identification information. In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, one user management data 600 includes a unique user account 601, payment medium ledger data 602, avatar setting data 603, possessed sending image management data 604, transmission log data 610. Of course, data other than these can also be included as appropriate.

The payment medium ledger data 602 includes the amount of replenishment/consumption of payment medium for electronic payment (for example, virtual currency, in-service currency, specific item) linked to the user, the reason for replenishment/consumption, and the date and time of change. This is a so-called ledger that stores information related to and. It can be read as billing history data or billing history information.

Avatar setting data 603 stores setting data of the user's avatar 4 (see FIG. 3).

The retained transmission image management data 604 is prepared for each type of transmission image 8 held by the user, and stores various data describing the latest holding state of the transmission image 8. For example, it includes the type and number of images 8 for transmission. Of course, data other than these, such as expiry date, etc., can also be included as appropriate.

The call log data 610 is created every time the user performs a call operation as the viewing user 2. One piece of outgoing log data 610 stores, for example, the outgoing date and time, the outgoing delivery title, the user account of the outgoing provider user, and outgoing content. Of course, data other than these can also be included as appropriate.

Returning to FIG. 10, the distribution management data 620 is prepared for each distribution and stores various data describing the distribution status. One piece of distribution management data 620 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, distribution title 621, distribution schedule 622, content data 623, supplementary information 624, viewing user management data 630, background data 632, and avatar display. It includes management data 634, transmission performance data 636, chain condition setting data 640, application scale requirements 648, number of chains 650, and number of combo occurrences 652. Of course, data other than these can also be included as appropriate.

Viewing user management data 630 is prepared for each viewing user 2 and is saved until viewing is completed. One piece of viewing user management data 630 includes a user account, viewing terminal access information (for example, an IP address, etc.) for starting a communication line 9 and establishing a communication connection to the viewing terminal of the viewing user 2, and a viewing terminal. The start date and time and viewing end date and time are stored. When the same viewing user 2 views the content at different times, the viewing start date and time and the viewing end date and time are stored each time.

The background data 632 defines the background of the viewing screen W3.

The avatar display management data 634 is prepared for each avatar of the viewing user 2 who is currently viewing, and stores various data describing the latest display state. One avatar display management data 634 stores the user account of the viewing user 2, avatar data, arrangement position coordinates, display field size, and additional data. Of course, data other than these can also be included as appropriate.

The call performance data 636 is created every time the viewing user 2 performs a call operation on the viewing terminal.
One piece of call performance data 636 includes the user account of the viewing user 2 who is the caller, call timing, and call content data. In the case of text transmission, the transmission content data includes the text of the message, font, size, etc. In the case of image transmission, it includes transmission image data 522, display duration 525, and reflection display avatar control definition data 526 (see FIG. 11). Of course, data other than these can also be included in the transmission performance data 636.

The chain condition setting data 640 includes applied continuity certification condition definition data 641 and applied relevance certification condition definition data 642.
In this embodiment, the continuity certification condition is fixed, so the continuity certification condition definition data 530 (see FIG. 10) is copied to the applied continuity certification condition definition data 641, but it is not possible to select it from a plurality of candidates. In this case, the selected condition data or its identification information is stored.
The applied relevance certification condition definition data 642 stores the relevance ID 541 of the definition data that satisfies the selection condition 542 among the plurality of types of relevance certification condition definition data 540 (see FIG. 12).

The applicable scale requirement 648 stores the setting result of the scale requirement. In this embodiment, the number of requirements 553 of the definition data that matches the selection condition 552 is copied from among the plurality of scale requirement definition data 550 (see FIG. 13).

The chain number 650 is updated every time continuity is determined, and stores the number of transmissions determined to satisfy continuity. At the time of update, it actually just shows the number of consecutive results, but once it is determined that the relevance is satisfied, it shows the number of times the chain condition continues, that is, the number of combos. become.

The initial value of the combo occurrence count 652 is "0" at the start of distribution, and is incremented by "1" each time the occurrence of an outgoing combo is recognized.

FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of user terminals 1500 (1500a, 1500b, . . . ) serving as viewing terminals in this embodiment. The user terminal 1500 serving as a viewing terminal includes an operation input section 100, an imaging section 102, a terminal processing section 200, a sound output section 390, an image display section 392, a communication section 394, and a terminal storage section 500. .

The operation input unit 100 outputs operation input signals corresponding to various operation inputs performed by the user to the terminal processing unit 200. For example, it can be realized by a push switch, joystick, touch pad, trackball, acceleration sensor, gyro, CCD module, etc. The direction input key 1502, button switch 1504, and touch panel 1506 in FIG. 2 correspond to this.

The imaging unit 102 receives light from an object to be photographed, converts it into an electrical signal, generates digital image data, and outputs it to the terminal processing unit 200. For example, it is realized by lenses, mechanical shutters, shutter drivers, photoelectric conversion elements such as CCD image sensor modules and CMOS image sensor modules, digital signal processors (DSP) that read the amount of charge from the photoelectric conversion elements and generate image data, and IC memory. Ru. The image sensor module 1520 in FIG. 2 corresponds to this.

The terminal processing section 200 is realized by, for example, a microprocessor such as a CPU or GPU, or an electronic component such as an IC memory, and controls data input/output between each functional section including the operation input section 100 and the terminal storage section 500. conduct. Then, various calculation processes are executed based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100, and various data received from the distribution server system 1100 to control the operation of the user terminal 1500 as a viewing terminal. do. The control board 1550 in FIG. 2 corresponds to this. The terminal processing section 200 of the viewing terminal in this embodiment includes a viewing terminal calculation section 260, a clock section 280, a sound generation section 290, and a communication control section 294.

The viewing terminal calculation section 260 includes an operation signal transmission control section 261 and a viewing screen display control section 262.

The operation signal transmission control unit 261 executes processing for transmitting various data and requests to the distribution server system 1100 in response to operations performed on the operation input unit 100.

The viewing screen display control unit 262 performs control to display the viewing screens W3 (see FIG. 3) and W8 (see FIG. 8) based on various data received from the distribution server system 1100.

The sound generation unit 290 is realized by, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processor such as a voice synthesis IC, an audio codec that can play back audio files, etc., and is used to display the audio of the content to be viewed and the content transmitted by the viewing user. Sound signals of such sound effects, BGM, and various operation sounds are generated and output to the sound output section 390.

The sound output section 390 is realized by a device that outputs sound effects, BGM, etc. based on the sound signal input from the sound generation section 290. The speaker 1510 in FIG. 2 corresponds to this.

The image display section 392 displays various game images based on image signals input from the viewing screen display control section 262. For example, it can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, or a head-mounted display. In this embodiment, the touch panel 1506 in FIG. 2 corresponds to this.

The communication control unit 294 executes data processing related to data communication and realizes data exchange with an external device via the communication unit 394. The communication unit 394 connects to the communication line 9 to realize communication. For example, it is realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a wired communication cable jack, a control circuit, etc., and the wireless communication module 1553 in FIG. 2 corresponds to this.

The terminal storage unit 500 stores programs and various data for realizing various functions for integrally controlling the user terminal 1500 as a viewing terminal in the terminal processing unit 200. It is also used as a work area for the terminal processing section 200, and temporarily stores calculation results executed by the terminal processing section 200 according to various programs, input data input from the operation input section 100, and the like. These functions are realized by, for example, IC memories such as RAM and ROM, magnetic disks such as hard disks, optical disks such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, and the like. This corresponds to the IC memory 1552 and memory card 1540 mounted on the control board 1550 in FIG.

The terminal storage unit 500 of the viewing terminal stores a viewing terminal program 504, a received distribution data group 700, a transmission image allocation setting 708, and reflected display management data 710. Of course, programs and data other than these can also be stored as appropriate.

The viewing terminal program 504 is application software for realizing the function of the viewing terminal calculation section 260 by being read and executed by the terminal processing section 200. In this embodiment, it is a copy of the distribution viewing terminal program 507 (see FIG. 10) provided from the distribution server system 1100.

The received distribution data group 700 stores various distribution data received from the distribution server system 1100 regarding distribution. In this embodiment, avatar display management data 704 and retained outgoing image management data 706 are stored. The retained transmission image management data 706 is copied from the retained transmission image management data 604 (see FIG. 18) when a user logs in or when a viewing user registers.

The transmission image assignment setting 708 indicates the assignment of the transmission image 8 to the image transmission operation icon 36 (see FIG. 3). Specifically, the transmission image type of the assigned transmission image 8 and the like are stored.

The reflected display management data 710 is created every time the transmission operation by the viewing user 2 is reflected and displayed, and stores various data related to the display management. One piece of reflected display management data 710 stores transmission content data, display position, display size, display start date and time, and display duration. Of course, data other than these can also be included as appropriate.

FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a user terminal 1500 (1500T) serving as a providing terminal in this embodiment. The user terminal 1500 serving as the providing terminal includes an operation input section 100, an imaging section 102, a terminal processing section 200, a sound output section 390, an image display section 392, a communication section 394, and a terminal storage section 500. .

The terminal processing section 200 is realized by, for example, a microprocessor such as a CPU or GPU, or an electronic component such as an IC memory, and controls data input/output between each functional section including the operation input section 100 and the terminal storage section 500. conduct. Then, various calculation processes are executed based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100, and various data received from the distribution server system 1100 to control the operation of the user terminal 1500 as a providing terminal. do. The terminal processing section 200 of the providing terminal in this embodiment includes a providing terminal calculation section 270, a clock section 280, a sound generation section 290, and a communication control section 294.

The providing terminal calculation section 270 includes an operation signal transmission control section 272, a content provision control section 274, and an operation screen display control section 276.

The operation signal transmission control unit 272 executes processing for transmitting various data and requests to the distribution server system 1100 in response to operations performed on the operation input unit 100.

The content provision control unit 274 performs processing related to generation of content data for distribution and control of provision to the distribution server system 1100. In the case of live distribution, a function as a live streaming encoder is realized in which images captured by the imaging unit 102 are encoded one by one and controlled to the distribution server system 1100.

The operation screen display control unit 276 performs control for displaying an operation screen as a providing terminal.

The terminal storage unit 500 stores programs and various data for realizing various functions for integrally controlling the user terminal 1500 as a viewing terminal in the terminal processing unit 200. It is also used as a work area for the terminal processing section 200, and temporarily stores calculation results executed by the terminal processing section 200 according to various programs, input data input from the operation input section 100, and the like. These functions are realized by, for example, IC memories such as RAM and ROM, magnetic disks such as hard disks, optical disks such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, and the like. This corresponds to the IC memory 1552 and memory card 1540 mounted on the control board 1550 in FIG.

The terminal storage unit 500 of the providing terminal stores a providing terminal program 506, a received distribution data group 700, a registration distribution title 720, a registration distribution schedule 722, registration supplementary information 724, and provision content data 726. , outgoing combo occurrence statistical data 728, and current date and time 800 are stored. Of course, programs and data other than these can also be stored as appropriate.

The providing terminal program 506 is application software for realizing the function of the providing terminal calculation section 270 by being read and executed by the terminal processing section 200. In this embodiment, it is a copy of the distribution providing terminal program 505 (see FIG. 10) provided from the distribution server system 1100.

The received distribution data group 700 stores various distribution data received from the distribution server system 1100.

The distribution title at the time of registration 720, the distribution schedule at the time of registration 722, and the supplementary information at the time of registration 724 each store information declared and set when performing the distribution registration procedure as a provider user.

The content data for provision 726 is original data of the content for distribution.

The outgoing combo occurrence statistical data 728 is statistical data of the notification information of the outgoing combo occurrence distributed from the distribution server system 1100. For example, the total number of outgoing combos since the start of distribution, the average number of combos, the maximum number of combos, etc. The statistical content can be set as appropriate.
The statistical data is displayed on a provision screen that is a monitor screen and an operation input screen that is displayed while content is being provided.

[Explanation of operation]
Next, the operation of the content distribution system 1000 will be explained.
First, FIGS. 22 to 24 are flowcharts for explaining the flow of processing related to live distribution in one streaming format in the distribution server system 1100. The process flow described here is realized by the server processing unit 200s executing the server program 503. It is assumed that the distribution title and distribution schedule have already been set in advance in accordance with the distribution registration procedure by the providing user. Further, it is assumed that the viewing user's viewing terminal has undergone a separate login procedure.

As shown in FIG. 22, the distribution server system 1100 first initializes the distribution management data 620 (see FIG. 19) created when the provider user registered the distribution title and distribution schedule (step S100).

That is, the distribution title 621, distribution schedule 622, and supplementary information 624 are set along with the distribution registration procedure. Since the content data 623 is live distribution, it is not stored until the distribution starts. If it is not live distribution, data of content prepared in advance will be stored.

Viewing user management data 630 and avatar display management data 634 remain unset until a viewing request is received from a viewing terminal. The background data 632 has an initial value set so that a predetermined background is displayed. The transmission record data 636 and chain condition setting data 640 are not stored at this point. The number of chains 650 and the number of combo occurrences 652 are initialized to "0".

Next, the distribution server system 1100 starts distributing the background data 632, avatar display management data 634, transmission performance data 636, etc. to the viewing terminal based on the viewing user management data 630 (step S102). The distribution timing may be a predetermined cycle, or may be distributed each time a new viewing user is registered or target data is added, deleted, or updated.

Furthermore, free distribution of a predetermined transmission image 8 to viewing users is started (step S104). For example, the image for transmission is provided free of charge every time the viewing time elapses for a certain period of time. Accordingly, since the viewing user's own transmission image management data 604 is updated, the distribution server system 1100 distributes the updated possession transmission image management data 604 to each viewing user.

Next, the distribution server system 1100 determines whether or not a viewing request has been received (step S110).
A viewing request is sent from the viewing terminal to the distribution server system 1100 when the viewing user selects the distribution title he or she wishes to view and then performs a predetermined viewing operation on the user terminal 1500 (1500a, 1500b,...) functioning as the viewing terminal. Sent along with information such as user account.

When the distribution server system 1100 receives the viewing request (YES in step S110), it creates new viewing user management data 630 (see FIG. 19), registers the user who made the viewing request as a viewing user, and creates a new viewing user management data 630 (see FIG. 19). Avatar display management data 634 is created so that the user's avatar 4 is displayed on the viewing screen (step S112). Then, since a new avatar has been added, the placement positions of all avatars are updated on the reflection display section 35 of the viewing screen (see Figure 3) so that the viewing user's avatars are spread out as much as possible so that they do not overlap. (Step S114).

Since the distribution of the avatar display management data 634 has started in step S102 as described above, the avatar display management data 634 whose placement position has been updated is also distributed to the viewing terminal. The viewing terminal changes the display position of each avatar 4 based on the distributed avatar display management data 634. On the viewing screen, it appears as if a new virtual viewer has appeared in front of the screen.

This makes the virtual experience of viewing distributed content together richer and creates a sense of unity among viewers. The sense of unity among the viewers led to the desire for everyone to liven up the viewing environment, which encouraged viewing users to actively communicate, and finally, the distribution service of this embodiment became more enjoyable and fulfilling than conventional distribution services. This is one of the factors that brings about the user experience.

Next, the distribution server system 1100 determines whether there is a text transmission request (step S120).
A text transmission request is sent to the distribution server when the viewing user inputs text and performs a predetermined transmission operation on the text transmission operation section 34 (see FIG. 3) at the user terminal 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) of the viewing terminal. It is sent to the system 1100 along with the user account, entered text, etc.

When the distribution server system 1100 receives the text transmission request (YES in step S120), it additionally creates transmission performance data 636 (see FIG. 19) regarding the received new text transmission (step S122).

Since the distribution of the transmission record data 636 has been started in step S102 as described above, the information on the new text transmission is also distributed to the viewing terminal. On the viewing terminal, the content of the call is displayed in the speech bubble 5 of the avatar 4 of the viewing user who sent the text based on the additionally distributed call record data 636, making it appear as if the avatar was speaking. This also makes the virtual experience of viewing distributed content together even richer.

Next, the distribution server system 1100 determines whether there is a request to purchase an image for transmission (step S124).
The purchase request is transmitted to the distribution server system 1100 when the viewing user performs a predetermined purchase operation (eg, operation on the shopping icon 37 in FIG. 3) on the viewing terminal.

When the distribution server system 1100 receives the purchase request (YES in step S124), it executes processing related to online shopping for the transmission image 8 (step S126). Along with this purchase, new additions or updates are made to the retained outgoing image management data 604 of the user management data 600 (see FIG. 18) of the viewing user who made the purchase request. Further, the retained transmission image management data 706 (see FIG. 20) stored in the viewing terminal of the purchasing viewing user is also updated in the same way.

In this way, even before the live broadcast, viewing users can send texts or purchase the sending image 8, and before the live broadcast begins, viewing users can freely discuss their expectations for the live broadcast. You can prepare to send images in preparation for the start of the live performance.

When the scheduled start time of live distribution is reached (YES in step S130), distribution server system 1100 starts live distribution of the content (step S132).

Turning to FIG. 23, after starting content distribution, distribution server system 1100 monitors reception of purchase requests. When the request is received (YES in step S140), a process for purchasing the transmission image 8 is executed (step S142).

Furthermore, after starting content distribution, the distribution server system 1100 monitors the reception of text transmission requests. When the request is received (YES in step S144), new call record data 636 and call log data 610 (see FIG. 18) of the viewing user who made the request are created and updated (step S146).

Further, after starting content distribution, the distribution server system 1100 monitors reception of an image transmission request (step S150).
When the viewing user performs a predetermined image transmission operation (for example, a touch operation on the image transmission operation icon 36 in FIG. 3) on the viewing terminal, the image transmission request is sent with the user account, transmission timing, and transmission content as the transmission content. The identification information of the image 8 or the image data itself is transmitted to the distribution server system 1100.

When the distribution server system 1100 receives an image transmission request (YES in step S150), it refers to the transmission image management data 604 (see FIG. 18) held by the viewing user who made the request, and determines the transmission content as the transmission content. It is confirmed that there is a remaining number of images 8 (step S152).
If there is a remaining number (YES in step S152), the distribution server system 1100 consumes one image for transmission, returns the remaining number (step S154), and creates new transmission performance data 636 (Fig. 19) and the requesting viewing user's transmission log data 610 (see FIG. 18) are additionally created and updated (step S156).

Since the distribution of the transmission performance data 636 has been started in step S102 as described above, information on new image transmission is also distributed to the viewing terminal. At the viewing terminal, based on the additionally distributed transmission performance data 636, a transmission image 8 of the transmission content is displayed so as to pop out from the avatar 4 of the viewing user who transmitted the image. This looks as if the avatar is throwing a bouquet of flowers onto the stage, making the virtual experience of viewing the distributed content together even richer.

Next, distribution server system 1100 refers to avatar display change definition data 570 (see FIG. 15) and determines whether the viewing user who transmitted the image this time satisfies change condition 571. If the answer is yes (YES in step S160), the display of the avatar of the viewing user is changed, and all avatars are accordingly rearranged (step S162).

Next, the distribution server system 1100 determines the presence or absence of a plurality of transmission record data that satisfy the continuity certification condition (step S170).
Specifically, the outgoing call history data 636 (see FIG. 19) is traced in descending order of outgoing call timing, and 1) the user account indicating the caller is different from other outgoing call record data 636 with earlier or earlier outgoing timings; and 2) the time difference between the transmission timing and the previous transmission performance data 636 is less than or equal to the continuity certification time difference Δt of the continuity certification condition definition data 530 (see FIG. 10). Extract data 636. If a plurality of outgoing call record data 636 are extracted, an affirmative determination is made as "a plurality of continuous outgoing calls".

Then, in the case of "there are multiple consecutive calls" (YES in step S170), the distribution server system 1100 counts the number and sets the number of chains to 650 (see FIG. 19) (step S172), The definition data matching the selection condition 542 is searched from among the plurality of relevance certification condition definition data 540 (see FIG. 12), and the relevance certification condition to be applied this time is set (step S174). In other words, set the chain conditions that will be applied to the certification of the current outgoing combo. The search results are stored in the applied relevance certification condition definition data 642 of the chain condition setting data 640 (see FIG. 19).

24, next, the distribution server system 1100 determines whether the content of the plurality of consecutive transmissions satisfies the applicable relevance certification condition. Then, in the case of an affirmative determination, that is, if the chain condition is satisfied (YES in step S176), the distribution server system 1100 selects the selection condition 552 from among the plurality of scale requirement definition data 550 (see FIG. 13). The definition data to be applied is searched for, and the scale requirements to be applied this time are set (step S178). The number of requirements 553 of the retrieved scale requirement definition data 550 is set as the applicable scale requirement 648 (see FIG. 19).

Then, it is determined whether the plurality of transmissions that were previously determined to satisfy the chain condition satisfy the scale requirement (step S180). Specifically, if the number of chains 650 (see FIG. 19) indicating the number of multiple transmissions determined to satisfy the chain condition reaches the applicable scale requirement 648, it is determined that the scale requirement is satisfied.

Since the chain condition and the scale requirement are now satisfied, the distribution server system 1100 recognizes that "an outgoing combo has occurred" and sends an alert to notify the viewing terminal of the occurrence of an outgoing combo. Material data etc. are distributed (step S190).

Specifically, from among the plurality of combo occurrence notification definition data 580 (see FIG. 16), the relevance set in the applied relevance ID list 581 and the applied relevance certification condition definition data 642 (see FIG. 19) is selected. Select the definition data that includes the ID. Then, the notification material data 582 and related information such as the number of chains 650 are distributed to the viewing terminal and the providing terminal. The viewing terminal receives this and displays a combo occurrence notification 80 and an effect display 84 on the general-purpose display section 33 of the viewing screen.

Next, the distribution server system 1100 executes privilege control according to the situation in which the occurrence of the outgoing combo is recognized (step S192).
Specifically, from among the plurality of benefit definition data 560 (see FIG. 14), the applicable relevance ID list 562 includes the relevance ID set in the applicable relevance certification condition definition data 642 (see FIG. 19). The user selects the defined definition data and starts benefit control based on the benefit execution data 564 of the defined data.

Next, the distribution server system 1100 distributes the privilege execution notification material 563 for informing the viewing terminal of the privilege execution (step S196).
Specifically, the benefit execution notification material 563 of the previously selected benefit definition data 560 is distributed to the viewing terminal. The viewing terminal receives this and displays the privilege execution notification 82 on the general-purpose display section 33 of the viewing screen.

Next, the distribution server system 1100 calculates the popularity points and gives them to the providing user (step S196). The method of calculating the boom points here can be set as appropriate. For example, the active point may be given as the sum of basic points and additional points based on the number of chains of 650. Of course, it may be a fixed value (including 0). The calculated boom points are accumulated in the cumulative boom points 593 of the providing user registration data 590 (see FIG. 17).

Next, after the content distribution starts, the distribution server system 1100 monitors the reception of the "image transmission log viewing request" from the viewing terminal (step S200).
The image transmission log viewing request is made when the viewing user performs a predetermined log viewing operation (for example, two-finger tap, double tap, etc.) on the avatar 4 (see Figure 3) of the other user he/she is interested in on the viewing terminal. When this is done, the user account of the viewing user who is the user and the information of the viewing target user (for example, the identification information of the avatar that performed the log viewing operation, the user account of the avatar, etc.) are transmitted from the viewing terminal.

When distribution server system 1100 receives this image transmission log viewing request (YES in step S200), distribution server system 1100 determines whether the transmission target providing user account in the transmission log data 610 of the viewing target user is the provider user of the content currently being distributed. Then, log data whose transmission content is an image for transmission is extracted and sent back to the viewing terminal that requested it (step S202). The viewing terminal receives this and displays the log.

The distribution server system 1100 repeats steps S140 to S202 until the distribution is completed (NO in step S210).

When the distribution is finished (YES in step S210), the distribution server system 1100 gives the providing user the liveliness points as a summary of the current content distribution, and delivers a notification of the given liveliness points to the viewing terminal (step S212). . Specifically, the overall activity point is based on variables such as the number of viewing users (the total number of users is also acceptable), the total viewing time by all viewing users, the average viewing time, the cumulative number of text transmissions and image transmissions, etc. Prepare a function or table data such that the larger the value, the higher the value.

Distribution server system 1100 then ends the series of processing.

25 to 27 are flowcharts for explaining the flow of processing related to viewing content on user terminals 1500 (1500a, 1500b, . . . ) serving as viewing terminals in this embodiment. Note that it is assumed that the viewing terminal program 504 is in an execution state in the user terminal 1500 serving as a viewing terminal.

As shown in FIG. 25, the viewing terminal first executes a login process (step S300). When a predetermined viewing operation (including selection of content to view) for viewing the content distribution is detected (YES in step S310), a viewing request is sent to the distribution server system 1100 (step S312: communication A). .

When the viewing request is received by the distribution server system 1100, viewing user registration is performed, and distribution of the avatar display management data 634, transmission performance data 636, etc. to the viewing terminal is started (distribution α).

The viewing terminal receives these, stores them in the received distribution data group 700 (see FIG. 20), and starts displaying the viewing screen W3 (see FIG. 3) (step S314).

Further, when the viewing terminal detects a purchase operation for the transmission image 8 (YES in step S320), the viewing terminal transmits a purchase request to the distribution server system 1100 (step S322), and executes a purchase procedure process (step S324). Along with the procedure processing, the retained transmission image management data 706 (see FIG. 20) stored in the viewing terminal is updated.

Further, when the viewing terminal detects a text input operation on the text transmission operation unit 34 (see FIG. 3) (YES in step S330), the viewing terminal executes text input and editing processing (step S323). If a text transmission operation is detected (YES in step S334), a text transmission request including the input text is transmitted to the distribution server system 1100 (step S336).

When the distribution server system 1100 receives the request, it updates the transmission record data 636 (see FIG. 19) and distributes it. Since the viewing terminal has started display control of the viewing screen based on various distribution data in step S314 as described above, the text sent by the viewing user will be displayed on the viewing screen.

Further, when the viewing terminal detects an operation to change the assignment of the transmission image to the image transmission operation icon 36 (see FIG. 3) (YES in step S340), the viewing terminal changes the assignment including display control of the pop-up display W4 (see FIG. 4). The process is executed to change the transmission image allocation setting 708 (see FIG. 20) (step S342).

26, when the viewing terminal detects an image transmission operation (YES in step S350), it transmits an image transmission request to the distribution server system 1100 (step S352), and determines the remaining number of transmission images 8 in the transmission content. The retained outgoing image management data 706 (see FIG. 20) is updated to decrease by "1" (step S354).

When the distribution server system 1100 receives the request, it updates the transmission record data 636 (see FIG. 19) and distributes it.
When the viewing terminal receives the newly distributed transmission performance data 636 from the distribution server system 1100 (YES in step S360), the viewing terminal creates new reflection display management data 710, and sets the display start date and time of the new reflection display, and the display A duration is set (step S362).

Then, the newly sent text is displayed in a speech bubble 5 from the sender's avatar 4, and the newly sent outgoing image 8 is reflected and displayed so that it appears from the sender's avatar 4 (step S364; (See Figure 3).
At that time, if the transmission content is the transmission image 8, the transmission performance data 636 includes the transmission image data 522, the display duration 525, and the reflected display avatar control definition data 526, and is distributed. Therefore, the avatars 4 other than the caller are caused to take actions based on the avatar control definition data 526 during reflection display.

Note that the distribution server system 1100 deletes reflected displays that have exceeded the display duration one by one (step S366). That is, from the reflected display management data 710 (see FIG. 20), reflected displays (outgoing text, transmitted outgoing images) that have exceeded the display duration from the display start time are deleted.

When the viewing terminal receives notification material data etc. for notifying the occurrence of an outgoing combo distributed from the distribution server system 1100 (YES in step S370), the viewing terminal displays the combo occurrence notification 80 and the effect display 84 based on the material data. is displayed on the viewing screen (step S372; see FIG. 3).

Further, upon receiving the data for notifying the execution of the privilege distributed from the distribution server system 1100 (YES in step S374), the viewing terminal displays the privilege execution notification 82 on the viewing screen based on the data (step S376). ; see Figure 3).

27, when the viewing terminal detects an image transmission log viewing operation for the avatar 4 displayed on the viewing screen (YES in step S380), it transmits an image transmission log viewing request to the distribution server system 1100. (Step S382). Then, the history of image transmission is displayed on the viewing screen based on the returned transmission log data 610 (step S384). For example, the history may be displayed in a balloon format from the avatar 4 that has performed the image transmission log viewing operation.

Until the distribution ends (NO in step S390), steps S320 to S384 are executed.

When the distribution ends (YES in step S390), the viewing terminal displays the performance point award record and ranking information distributed from the distribution server system 1100 (step S392), and ends the series of processing.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the user terminal 1500 (1500T) serving as the providing terminal in this embodiment. It is assumed that the providing terminal program 506 (see FIG. 21) is being executed on the user terminal 1500, which is the providing terminal. Further, when the content is live broadcast content of a game play video, it is assumed that a separate game program is being executed.

The providing terminal first executes a login process and starts display control of the providing screen (step S500). The provision screen is an operation screen that accepts various operations for live distribution of content, and also serves as a monitor screen for monitoring the distribution status.

Next, the providing terminal performs setting/registration procedures for the distribution title, distribution schedule, and supplementary information (step S502). Then, at the scheduled distribution time, provision of the content is started (step S504). In this embodiment, live distribution is assumed, so for example, in the case of live distribution using live action, the providing terminal adds audio collected by the microphone 1512 to the video captured by the image sensor module 1520 of the own device. Content data is created sequentially, live streaming encoded, and transmitted to the distribution server system 1100. If the content is pre-prepared video data, etc., it is uploaded to the distribution server system 1100 along with registration procedures for distribution titles, etc., without waiting for the scheduled distribution time. When live streaming gameplay screens, content data is created one by one by adding game audio to a captured video of the game screen.

After starting to provide content, when receiving a notification of the occurrence of an outgoing combo from the distribution server system 1100 (YES in step S510), the providing terminal displays the notification (step S512) and displays the outgoing combo occurrence statistical data 728 (Fig. 21) to update the display of the latest statistics (step S514).

In other words, on the providing terminal, it will be possible to monitor the latest occurrence of outgoing combos, as well as to check the statistics of the occurrence of outgoing combos since the start of distribution, so providing users can check the popularity of viewing related to the distributed content. You can live stream while doing so. For example, it is possible to update the content by adding ad-lib based on it, which increases the possibility of improving the quality of the content and the user experience of the viewing user. Furthermore, in the case of live streaming, adding an ad-lib message to the viewing users to thank them for the occurrence of the outgoing combo will help foster a greater sense of unity with the viewing users. It will also induce more outgoing combos and result in an improved user experience.

Further, upon receiving the benefit execution notification material 563 from the distribution server system 1100 (step S520), the providing terminal displays the notification of the benefit execution as a log on the providing screen (step S522).

Then, when the distribution of the content is finished (YES in step S524), the series of processes is finished.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a new added value called a transmission combo can be created in a content distribution service by using the transmission function of user text and images. Therefore, the virtual user experience in which a plurality of viewing users all come together to view one content becomes richer, and the distribution service can be improved.

[Modified example]
Although the embodiment to which the present invention is applied has been described above, the form to which the present invention is applicable is not limited to the above-mentioned form, and constituent elements may be added, omitted, or changed as appropriate.

[Part 1]
For example, in the above embodiment, the distribution service is implemented using a client-server type computer system, but it may also be implemented using a computer system in which a plurality of user terminals 1500 are connected peer-to-peer. In that case, one of the user terminals 1500 is made to function as the distribution server system 1100. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which the functions of the distribution service management section 210 are shared among a plurality of user terminals 1500.

[Part 2]
Further, the above embodiment can be applied to other services as long as the service is accessed by a plurality of users at the same time and each user can operate the transmission of text or images.

For example, of the viewing screen W3 in FIG. 3, the screen portion below the content display section 32 may be a screen to which a chat function of a social networking service is applied. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a display example in that case.

A first display section 91 is set approximately on the left side of the lower chat screen W29. Then, the transmission reflection control section 214 (see FIG. 9) of the distribution service management section 210 displays on the first display section 91 the avatar 4a of the user who uses the user terminal 1500 on which the screen is displayed, and the transmission operation performed by the user. The text is reflected and displayed in a speech bubble 5, and the transmission image 8 operated by the user is reflected and displayed.

Similarly, a second display section 92 is set approximately on the right side of the chat screen W29. Then, the transmission reflection control section 214 of the distribution service management section 210 causes the second display section 92 to display the avatars 4b, 4c, etc. of other users, as well as the speech bubbles 5 of the text that they operated to transmit, and Image 8 is displayed.

Further, a third display section 93 is set approximately on the lower left side of the chat screen W29, and a special display effect 86 is displayed by the special display control section 219 of the distribution service management section 210.
Note that in FIG. 29, the boundaries between the first display section 91, the second display section 92, and the third display section 93 are intentionally shown to make it easier to understand, but in reality, some of the boundaries are clearly shown. can be set so that they overlap each other.

When special background data is given as privilege control, the background of the chat screen W29 is switched to the same special background on the user terminals 1500 of all users accessing the chat screen W29. In addition, a combo occurrence notification 80, a benefit execution notification 82, a performance display 84, etc. are displayed in an intermediate layer between the display layer where the avatar 4, speech bubble 5, and sending image 8 are displayed, and the background layer. . This intermediate layer can also be used when displaying special effect display 84s as privilege control.

2 (2a, 2b,...)...Viewing user 2t...Providing user 4...Avatar 8...Image for sending 32...Content display section 33...General purpose display section 34...Text sending operation section 35...Reflection display section 36...Image sending operation icon 80...Combo occurrence notification 82...Bonus execution notification 84...Effect display 86...Special display effect 91...First display section 92...Second display section 93...Third display section 200s...Server processing section 210...Distribution service management section 212... Avatar display control unit 214...Outgoing reflection control unit 216...Chain condition setting unit 218...Scale requirement setting unit 220...Benefit control execution unit 222...History information display control unit 260...Viewing terminal calculation unit 270...Providing terminal calculation unit 274...Content Provision control unit 500s...Server storage unit 503...Server program 504...Viewing terminal program 505...Distribution providing terminal program 506...Providing terminal program 507...Distribution viewing terminal program 510...Distribution service initial setting data 520...Image definition data for transmission 530...Continuity certification condition definition data 540...Relevance certification condition definition data 550...Scale requirement definition data 560...Benefit definition data 570...Avatar display change definition data 580...Combo occurrence notification definition data 590...Providing user registration data 600...User Management data 603... Avatar setting data 604... Owned image management data for sending 610... Calling log data 620... Distribution management data 623... Content data 630... Viewing user management data 634... Avatar display management data 636... Calling performance data 640... Chain condition Setting data 641...Applicable continuity certification condition definition data 642...Applicable relevance certification condition definition data 648...Applicable scale requirement 650...Number of chains 700...Received distribution data group 710...Reflection display management data 1000...Content distribution system 1100...Distribution Server system 1500...User terminal W3...Viewing screen W8...Viewing screen W29...Chat screen

Claims (18)

A content distribution system that distributes content including at least video provided by a providing user to a user terminal of each viewing user, the content distribution system comprising:
The user terminal displays a viewing screen that includes a content display section that displays the content, and an operation section that allows the viewing user to input a call operation for the content that is being viewed;
Call reflection control that receives from the user terminal that the call operation for the content being viewed is input, and controls to display a given call image on the viewing screen when the call operation is performed. means and
By continuing to satisfy a chain condition that includes at least a continuity certification condition for certifying the continuity of the transmission operations, which is defined as a time difference condition based on the time difference between the timings at which the transmission operations were performed, a given special control execution means for executing special control related to the transmission image when scale requirements are met;
Equipped with
The special control execution means has means for executing, as the special control, a control for displaying a special transmission image on the viewing screen in response to the transmission operation.
Content distribution system. A content distribution system that distributes content including at least video provided by a providing user to a user terminal of each viewing user, the content distribution system comprising:
The user terminal displays a viewing screen that includes a content display section that displays the content, and an operation section that allows the viewing user to input a call operation for the content that is being viewed;
Call reflection control that receives from the user terminal that the call operation for the content being viewed is input, and controls to display a given call image on the viewing screen when the call operation is performed. means and
By continuing to satisfy a chain condition that includes at least a continuity certification condition for certifying the continuity of the transmission operations, which is defined as a time difference condition based on the time difference between the timings at which the transmission operations were performed, a given special control execution means for executing special control related to the transmission image when scale requirements are met;
Equipped with
The chain condition further includes a relationship recognition condition for determining the relationship between the transmission operations input by the plurality of viewing users.
Content distribution system. The calling operation includes multiple types of calling operations,
The relevancy certification conditions include conditions based on a combination of the input call operation types;
The content distribution system according to claim 2 . The transmission operation includes a message transmission operation that can be arbitrarily set by the user terminal,
The relevance certification condition includes a condition based on the content of the message as a relevance certification condition regarding the message sending operation.
The content distribution system according to claim 2 or 3 . A content distribution system that distributes content including at least video provided by a providing user to a user terminal of each viewing user, the content distribution system comprising:
The user terminal displays a viewing screen that includes a content display section that displays the content, and an operation section that allows the viewing user to input a call operation for the content that is being viewed;
Call reflection control that receives from the user terminal that the call operation for the content being viewed is input, and controls to display a given call image on the viewing screen when the call operation is performed. means and
By continuing to satisfy a chain condition that includes at least a continuity certification condition for certifying the continuity of the transmission operations, which is defined as a time difference condition based on the time difference between the timings at which the transmission operations were performed, a given special control execution means for executing special control related to the transmission image when scale requirements are met;
Privilege control execution means for executing privilege control for granting a given privilege to the viewing user and/or the providing user when the scale requirement is satisfied;
A content distribution system equipped with A content distribution system that distributes game play video content provided by a providing user to a user terminal of each viewing user,
The user terminal displays a viewing screen that includes a content display section that displays the content, and an operation section that allows the viewing user to input a call operation for the content that is being viewed;
Call reflection control that receives from the user terminal that the call operation for the content being viewed is input, and controls to display a given call image on the viewing screen when the call operation is performed. means and
By continuing to satisfy a chain condition that includes at least a continuity certification condition for certifying the continuity of the transmission operations, which is defined as a time difference condition based on the time difference between the timings at which the transmission operations were performed, a given special control execution means for executing special control related to the transmission image when scale requirements are met;
Executing benefit control for variably determining a benefit in accordance with the game situation related to the game play video being viewed when the scale requirement is met, and performing benefit control to grant the benefit to the viewing user and/or the providing user. means and
A content distribution system equipped with A content distribution system that distributes live broadcast content of a game play video provided by a providing user to a user terminal of each viewing user, the content distribution system comprising:
The user terminal displays a viewing screen that includes a content display section that displays the content, and an operation section that allows the viewing user to input a call operation for the content that is being viewed;
Call reflection control that receives from the user terminal that the call operation for the content being viewed is input, and controls to display a given call image on the viewing screen when the call operation is performed. means and
By continuing to satisfy a chain condition that includes at least a continuity certification condition for certifying the continuity of the transmission operations, which is defined as a time difference condition based on the time difference between the timings at which the transmission operations were performed, a given special control execution means for executing special control related to the transmission image when scale requirements are met;
a chain condition setting means for variably setting the chain condition according to a game situation related to the game play video being viewed;
A content distribution system equipped with A content distribution system that distributes live broadcast content of a game play video provided by a providing user to a user terminal of each viewing user, the content distribution system comprising:
The user terminal displays a viewing screen that includes a content display section that displays the content, and an operation section that allows the viewing user to input a call operation for the content that is being viewed;
Call reflection control that receives from the user terminal that the call operation for the content being viewed is input, and controls to display a given call image on the viewing screen when the call operation is performed. means and
By continuing to satisfy a chain condition that includes at least a continuity certification condition for certifying the continuity of the transmission operations, which is defined as a time difference condition based on the time difference between the timings at which the transmission operations were performed, a given special control execution means for executing special control related to the transmission image when scale requirements are met;
scale requirement setting means for variably setting the scale requirement according to a game situation related to the game play video being viewed;
A content distribution system equipped with A computer system comprising a user terminal of each viewing user and the content distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 . A server system that controls the display of a screen for displaying a display based on a call operation input by each user in a user terminal of each user, the server system comprising:
a call reflection control means that receives from the user terminal that the call operation has been input, and controls to display a given call image on the screen when the call operation is performed;
By continuing to satisfy a chain condition that includes at least a continuity certification condition for certifying the continuity of the transmission operations, which is defined as a time difference condition based on the time difference between the timings at which the transmission operations were performed, a given special control execution means for executing special control related to the transmission image when scale requirements are met;
Equipped with
The special control execution means has means for executing, as the special control, a control for displaying a special transmission image on the screen in response to the transmission operation.
server system. A server system that controls the display of a screen for displaying a display based on a call operation input by each user in a user terminal of each user, the server system comprising:
a call reflection control means that receives from the user terminal that the call operation has been input, and controls to display a given call image on the screen when the call operation is performed;
By continuing to satisfy a chain condition that includes at least a continuity certification condition for certifying the continuity of the transmission operations, which is defined as a time difference condition based on the time difference between the timings at which the transmission operations were performed, a given special control execution means for executing special control related to the transmission image when scale requirements are met;
Equipped with
The chain condition further includes a relationship recognition condition for determining the relationship between the transmission operations input by a plurality of the users.
server system. A server system that controls the display of a screen for displaying a display based on a call operation input by each user in a user terminal of each user, the server system comprising:
a call reflection control means that receives from the user terminal that the call operation has been input, and controls to display a given call image on the screen when the call operation is performed;
By continuing to satisfy a chain condition that includes at least a continuity certification condition for certifying the continuity of the transmission operations, which is defined as a time difference condition based on the time difference between the timings at which the transmission operations were performed, a given special control execution means for executing special control related to the transmission image when scale requirements are met;
a privilege control execution unit that executes privilege control for granting a given privilege to the user when the scale requirement is met;
A server system equipped with A content distribution method in which a content distribution system controls distribution of content including at least video provided by a providing user to a user terminal of each viewing user, the content distribution method comprising:
The user terminal displays a viewing screen that includes a content display section that displays the content, and an operation section that allows the viewing user to input a call operation for the content that is being viewed;
receiving from the user terminal that the calling operation for the content being viewed is input, and controlling to display a given sending image on the viewing screen when the calling operation is performed;
By continuing to satisfy a chain condition that includes at least a continuity certification condition for certifying the continuity of the transmission operations, which is defined as a time difference condition based on the time difference between the timings at which the transmission operations were performed, a given controlling to execute special control regarding the transmission image when the scale requirements are met;
including;
Controlling to execute the special control includes executing, as the special control, a control for displaying a special transmission image on the viewing screen in response to the transmission operation.
Content delivery method. A content distribution method in which a content distribution system controls distribution of content including at least video provided by a providing user to a user terminal of each viewing user, the content distribution method comprising:
The user terminal displays a viewing screen that includes a content display section that displays the content, and an operation section that allows the viewing user to input a call operation for the content that is being viewed;
receiving from the user terminal that the calling operation for the content being viewed is input, and controlling to display a given sending image on the viewing screen when the calling operation is performed;
By continuing to satisfy a chain condition that includes at least a continuity certification condition for certifying the continuity of the transmission operations, which is defined as a time difference condition based on the time difference between the timings at which the transmission operations were performed, a given controlling to execute special control regarding the transmission image when the scale requirements are met;
including;
The chain condition further includes a relationship recognition condition for determining the relationship between the transmission operations input by the plurality of viewing users.
Content delivery method. A content distribution method in which a content distribution system controls distribution of content including at least video provided by a providing user to a user terminal of each viewing user, the content distribution method comprising:
The user terminal displays a viewing screen that includes a content display section that displays the content, and an operation section that allows the viewing user to input a call operation for the content that is being viewed;
receiving from the user terminal that the calling operation for the content being viewed is input, and controlling to display a given sending image on the viewing screen when the calling operation is performed;
By continuing to satisfy a chain condition that includes at least a continuity certification condition for certifying the continuity of the transmission operations, which is defined as a time difference condition based on the time difference between the timings at which the transmission operations were performed, a given controlling to execute special control regarding the transmission image when the scale requirements are met;
When the scale requirement is met, performing control to execute benefit control for granting a given benefit to the viewing user and/or the providing user;
content delivery methods, including; A content distribution method in which a content distribution system controls distribution of game play video content provided by a providing user to a user terminal of each viewing user, the content distribution method comprising:
The user terminal displays a viewing screen that includes a content display section that displays the content, and an operation section that allows the viewing user to input a call operation for the content that is being viewed;
receiving from the user terminal that the calling operation for the content being viewed is input, and controlling to display a given sending image on the viewing screen when the calling operation is performed;
By continuing to satisfy a chain condition that includes at least a continuity certification condition for certifying the continuity of the transmission operations, which is defined as a time difference condition based on the time difference between the timings at which the transmission operations were performed, a given controlling to execute special control regarding the transmission image when the scale requirements are met;
When the scale requirement is met, a privilege is variably determined according to the game situation related to the game play video being viewed, and control is executed to execute privilege control to be granted to the viewing user and/or the providing user. And,
content delivery methods, including; A content distribution method for controlling the content distribution system to distribute live broadcast content of a game play video provided by a providing user to the user terminal of each viewing user, the content distribution method comprising:
The user terminal displays a viewing screen that includes a content display section that displays the content, and an operation section that allows the viewing user to input a call operation for the content that is being viewed;
receiving from the user terminal that the calling operation for the content being viewed is input, and controlling to display a given sending image on the viewing screen when the calling operation is performed;
By continuing to satisfy a chain condition that includes at least a continuity certification condition for certifying the continuity of the transmission operations, which is defined as a time difference condition based on the time difference between the timings at which the transmission operations were performed, a given controlling to execute special control regarding the transmission image when the scale requirements are met;
controlling the chain condition to be variably set according to a game situation related to the game play video being viewed;
content delivery methods, including; A content distribution method for controlling the content distribution system to distribute live broadcast content of a game play video provided by a providing user to the user terminal of each viewing user, the content distribution method comprising:
The user terminal displays a viewing screen that includes a content display section that displays the content, and an operation section that allows the viewing user to input a call operation for the content that is being viewed;
receiving from the user terminal that the calling operation for the content being viewed is input, and controlling to display a given sending image on the viewing screen when the calling operation is performed;
By continuing to satisfy a chain condition that includes at least a continuity certification condition for certifying the continuity of the transmission operations, which is defined as a time difference condition based on the time difference between the timings at which the transmission operations were performed, a given controlling to execute special control regarding the transmission image when the scale requirements are met;
controlling the scale requirement to be variably set according to a game situation related to the game play video being viewed;
content delivery methods, including;

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