JP6186068B1 - Content distribution server, content distribution method, and content distribution program - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a user with a motivation to reproduce content. According to one aspect of the present invention, a content distribution device includes a reception unit, a lottery unit, and a distribution unit. The receiving unit receives a content distribution request from the playback terminal. The lottery unit performs a lottery in response to receiving the distribution request, and determines a lottery result associated with the distribution request. The distribution unit distributes the first content data related to the content to the reproduction terminal when the distribution request is associated with the first lottery result, and the reproduction terminal when the distribution request is associated with the second lottery result. The second content data related to the content is distributed. [Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to content distribution.

  In a program genre called an interactive program, program viewers (users) can participate in plans such as quizzes, questionnaires, and lotteries announced during the broadcast of the program. With the development of recording and playback equipment, it is expected that there will be a considerable number of viewers who record and playback interactive programs.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for providing a privilege when a viewer views a CM not only during real-time viewing but also during recording and playback. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for notifying the user of the content of the expiration date of a present application when recording and reproducing a data broadcast that allows present application. Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for invalidating a request for connection to an application site if a valid date for a present application has already passed when recording and reproducing a data broadcast that can be applied for a present. Yes.

  In recent years, services for distributing live programs via the Internet have gained popularity. Furthermore, among these services, live interactive programs, especially those that accept viewer participation such as posting comments, answering questionnaires, lottery applications, etc., and delivering programs that can incorporate such viewer participation into the program progression are delivered. There is also.

JP 2006-74522 A JP 2008-252367 A JP 2008-252368 A

  Usually, the most enjoyable live interactive program is the real-time viewer when the program is first delivered. On the other hand, when redistributing or archiving a program at a later date, or when distributing a program at a later date in an area that was not distributed at the time of the initial distribution, non-real-time viewers should fully enjoy the best of such interactive programs. Since it is not possible to participate, the participation consciousness tends to be lower than the real-time viewer at the time of the first delivery. For example, when rebroadcasting a program with a lottery plan, it is common that the deadline for participation in the lottery plan is overrun, so a non-real-time viewer cannot apply for the lottery plan.

  In a live interactive program, lottery planning may not be completed normally due to various uncertain factors. For example, if the program progress is delayed or if the number of applicants does not reach the planned number of winners, a situation may occur where prizes are left over. On the other hand, if it takes more time than planned to finish a lottery project normally in a live interactive program, the program progress is hindered because the time available for other projects is reduced. As a result, the interest of the program may be impaired.

  An object of this invention is to give a user the motivation to reproduce | regenerate a content.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, the content distribution device includes a reception unit, a lottery unit, and a distribution unit. The receiving unit receives a content distribution request from the playback terminal. The lottery unit performs a lottery in response to receiving the distribution request, and determines a lottery result associated with the distribution request. The distribution unit distributes the first content data related to the content to the reproduction terminal when the distribution request is associated with the first lottery result, and the reproduction terminal when the distribution request is associated with the second lottery result. The second content data related to the content is distributed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to give a user a motivation to reproduce content.

The block diagram which illustrates the contents distribution system concerning a 1st embodiment and a 2nd embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a moving image distribution server in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the moving image distribution server in FIG. 2. The figure which illustrates the moving image data delivered by the moving image delivery server of FIG. The figure which illustrates the moving image data delivered by the moving image delivery server of FIG. The figure which illustrates the moving image data delivered by the moving image delivery server of FIG. The block diagram which illustrates the comment delivery server of FIG. The flowchart which illustrates operation | movement of the comment delivery server of FIG. The figure which illustrates the comment data delivered by the comment delivery server of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the same or similar elements as those already described are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and redundant description is basically omitted. For example, when there are a plurality of identical or similar elements, a common reference may be used to explain each element without distinction, and the common reference may be used to distinguish each element. In addition, branch numbers may be used.

  The content distribution server according to each embodiment performs lottery in response to a content distribution request, and distributes different content data according to the lottery result. In the following description, the content includes, but is not limited to, moving image data and / or comment data displayed on the moving image data. For example, still images, audio / music, text, or any combination thereof May be included.

  The content distribution request may include a content distribution reservation request. The content distribution reservation request means to promise in advance that the content will be distributed to the playback terminal in the future (for example, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the live distribution program).

  Typically, the content distribution server distributes special moving image data to users whose lottery result is “hit”, and distributes normal moving image data to users whose lottery result is “out” To do.

  The special moving image data may be obtained by replacing a part of normal moving image data with different moving image data, or may be obtained by adding special video data to normal moving image data. The moving image data may be prepared independently of the normal moving image data.

  If different moving image data is distributed in accordance with the lottery result in this way, the user is motivated to repeatedly reproduce the same content in the hope of viewing different moving image data.

  The content distribution server distributes comment data that can be posted and viewed by users who are out of the lottery to users who have a lottery result, and the users who have a lottery result in the lottery. Comment data that can be posted and viewed by hit users may be distributed. In this case, the moving image data distributed to the user whose lottery result was “out of” may be the same as or different from the moving image data distributed to the user whose lottery result was “win”. It may be. If different comment data is distributed in accordance with the lottery result in this way, the user can easily obtain a sense of unity with other users who have the same lottery result through posting and viewing of the comment data, and enjoy the moving image data even more. be able to.

  Further, the lottery results are not limited to two types of “win” and “out of”. For example, in moving image data in which a group in which a plurality of members are present appears, three or more types of lottery results may be prepared, such as “per (member 1)”, “per (member 2)”, and so on. . If the lottery result is “Horse (Member 1)”, the moving image data including the special video data of Member 1 is distributed to the user. If the lottery result is “Hiro (Member 2)”, the user is notified. The moving image data including the special video data of member 2 may be distributed.

(First embodiment)
The content distribution server according to the first embodiment may be, for example, the moving image distribution server 20 included in the content distribution system shown in FIG. In the content distribution system of FIG. 1, the web server 10, the moving image distribution server 20, the comment distribution server 30, and the playback terminals 50-1, 50-2, 50-3,. Are connected to each other.

  When accessed from the playback terminal 50 via the network 40, the web server 10 provides the playback terminal 50 via the network 40 with a web page including a list of contents that can be distributed from the content distribution system of FIG. 1. .

  The user of the playback terminal 50 selects content to be distributed from a list in the web page displayed on the playback terminal 50 by performing a predetermined operation such as tap, click, or pressing a specific key, for example. . When the reproduction terminal 50 detects such a predetermined operation, the reproduction terminal 50 transmits a distribution request for the content selected by the user to the web server 10 via the network 40.

  When the web server 10 receives a distribution request for specific content from the playback terminal 50 via the network 40, the web server 10 acquires information (typically, URL (Uniform Resource Locator)) for acquiring moving image data of the content, Information (typically, URL) for acquiring comment data that is superimposed on the moving image data is returned to the playback terminal 50 via the network 40.

  When the playback terminal 50 receives the above-described information from the web server 10 via the network 40, the playback terminal 50 accesses the moving image distribution server 20 via the network 40 using information for acquiring moving image data (this is based on this information). This means that the specified moving image data is requested to be distributed), and the comment distribution server 30 is accessed via the network 40 using the information for obtaining the comment data (this is the distribution of the comment data specified by this information). Means request).

  When the moving image distribution server 20 and the comment distribution server 30 receive a distribution request for moving image data and comment data from the reproduction terminal 50 via the network 40, respectively, the moving image data associated with the information used by the reproduction terminal 50 And the comment data are distributed to the playback terminal 50 via the network 40. The playback terminal 50 displays the distributed comment data on the moving image data while reproducing the distributed moving image data.

  The distribution of moving image data from the moving image distribution server 20 to the playback terminal 50 is typically performed according to a streaming method or a progressive download method (so-called pseudo streaming method), but other methods (for example, moving image data) May be performed in accordance with a normal download method in which reproduction of the moving image data cannot be started until the reception of the entire video is completed.

  When the moving image distribution server 20 receives a distribution request for moving image data from the playback terminal 50 via the network 40, the moving image distribution server 20 identifies the moving image data targeted for the distribution request and distributes it to the reproduction terminal 50 via the network 40. To do. The moving image distribution server 20 typically stores a large amount of recorded moving image data in association with information (typically URLs) for acquiring each moving image data in a storage unit. Yes.

  Note that the moving image distribution server 20 may have a live distribution function. That is, the moving image distribution server 20 sequentially receives moving image data transmitted from a transmission source (not shown) (for example, a computer connected to a video camera) via the network 40, and performs the necessary processing as it is. The moving image data may be distributed via the network 40 to the playback terminal 50 that is playing back.

  When the comment distribution server 30 receives a comment data distribution request from the playback terminal 50 via the network 40, the comment distribution server 30 identifies the comment data that is the target of the distribution request and distributes it to the playback terminal 50 via the network 40. The comment distribution server 30 associates comment data that is displayed over each of the moving image data that can be distributed from the moving image distribution server 20 and information (typically, URL) for acquiring the comment data in association with each other. Is stored. Note that the relationship between the moving image data and the comment data is not limited to one-to-one correspondence, and a plurality of comment data that can be displayed superimposed on one moving image data may be prepared.

  When the comment distribution server 30 receives new comment data posted by the user from the playback terminal 50 to which the comment data has been distributed via the network 40, the comment data that has been distributed to the playback terminal 50. Update comment data by adding to. The comment distribution server 30 may automatically distribute the updated comment data via the network 40 to the playback terminal 50 that has already distributed the comment data before the update.

  In FIG. 1, three types of servers, the web server 10, the moving image distribution server 20, and the comment distribution server 30 are shown, but such a server configuration is merely an example. Some or all of the functions of any server may be incorporated in another server, or the functions of any server may be divided into a plurality of different servers. For example, a moving image / comment distribution server in which the moving image distribution server 20 and the comment distribution server 30 are integrated may be prepared.

  Further, the comment distribution server 30 can be omitted in a content distribution system that distributes simple moving image data (meaning moving image data that does not accompany display of comment data here). Also, some or all of the functions of the comment distribution server 30 may be incorporated into the web server 10 or the moving image distribution server 20, and the comment distribution server 30 can be omitted in this case as well.

  The playback terminal 50 displays a web page provided from the web server 10 via the network 40, detects an operation of selecting content made by the user while the web page is displayed, and sends a delivery request for the content to the web server 10 through the network 40.

  The playback terminal 50 receives the information for acquiring the moving image data of the content and the information for acquiring the comment data superimposed on the moving image data from the web server 10 via the network 40, and The moving image distribution server 20 and the comment distribution server 30 are accessed via the network 40 using the information.

  The playback terminal 50 displays the distributed comment data on the moving image data while reproducing the distributed moving image data. Specifically, the comment data includes a tuple including at least a comment text and a time at which the comment text should be superimposed on the moving image data (this time is determined in a specific playback time format of the moving image data). Contains many. The playback terminal 50 performs control so that the comment text associated with the playback time of the frame is superimposed on each frame of the moving image data.

  In addition, while the playback terminal 50 is playing back moving image data, the comment distribution server 30 may distribute the latest comment data that is displayed superimposed on the moving image data. In this case, the playback terminal 50 may discard the old comment data and perform the above-described overlay display control using the latest comment data.

  The playback terminal 50 is typically a television receiver (including Internet television), a PC (Personal Computer), a mobile terminal (for example, a tablet, a smartphone, a laptop, a feature phone, a portable game machine, a digital music player, etc.). VR (Virtual Reality) terminals and AR (Augmented Reality) terminals, but are not limited thereto.

  The playback terminal 50 includes a processor that performs playback of moving image data, overlay control of comment data, and the like, and a memory that stores a program executed by the processor, data used by the processor, and the like.

  The playback terminal 50 further includes a communication device for connecting to the network 40, a display device for displaying moving image data, and an input device for accepting user input such as content selection and comment data posting. Is available. These communication device, display device, and input device may be built in the playback terminal 50 or may be externally attached to the playback terminal 50.

  The communication device communicates with the web server 10, the moving image distribution server 20, and the comment distribution server 30 via the network 40. For example, the communication device receives data for displaying a web page from the web server 10, transmits a content distribution request to the web server 10, and information for acquiring moving image data from the web server 10 Receive information to obtain comment data.

  Further, the communication device accesses the moving image distribution server 20 and the comment distribution server 30 using the information for acquiring moving image data and the information for acquiring comment data, respectively. The moving image data and comment data are received from the server 30.

  Further, when the user of the playback terminal 50 posts comment data while the playback terminal 50 is playing back the moving image data, the communication device transmits the comment data to the comment delivery server 30 or the comment delivery server. 30 receives the latest comment data that is displayed superimposed on the moving image data.

  Examples of the display device include a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, and a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display. The display device displays screen data output from the playback terminal 50. For example, the playback terminal 50 generates a portion corresponding to the moving image display area of the screen data by displaying the comment data associated with the playback time of the frame image on the frame image reproduced from the moving image data. . Note that the display device may have a function of an input device like a touch screen.

  The input device may be, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a numeric keypad, or the like, or may have a display device function like a touch screen. For example, the input device accepts user input for selecting content that the user wants to distribute, or accepts user input for posting comment data for moving image data displayed on the display device. In addition, for example, the input device accepts user input (for example, enlargement / reduction of a moving image display area, reproduction / pause, fast forward, rewind, jump, etc.) related to reproduction control of moving image data by the reproduction terminal 50. Also good. Further, the input device may accept a user input for a GUI (Graphical User Interface) component that is displayed superimposed on the moving image data. This GUI component may be, for example, an answer button for a questionnaire, a quiz, or the like, or an application button for a lottery.

  For example, the GUI component may be distributed in advance to the playback terminal 50 together with an application for content playback. In this case, for example, the moving image distribution server 20 may distribute the control information (command) of the GUI component displayed superimposed on the moving image data together with the moving image data. The control information can control the display time of a specific GUI component, for example.

  User input is detected by, for example, voice captured by a microphone, biological data detected by a biological sensor (eg, body temperature, facial expression, etc.), position data identified by GPS (Global Positioning System) or base station information, and an acceleration sensor. The user's action estimated based on the acceleration data (for example, the playback terminal 50 is swung) may be included.

  A moving image distribution server 20 corresponding to the content distribution server according to the first embodiment is illustrated in FIG. The moving image distribution server 20 in FIG. 2 includes a receiving unit 101, a lottery unit 102, a distribution unit 103, and a storage unit 104.

  The receiving unit 101 receives a moving image data distribution request from the playback terminal 50 via the network 40. This distribution request includes information (typically a URL) for acquiring the target moving image data, information for identifying the reproduction terminal 50 (the user), and the like. The receiving unit 101 sends a distribution request to the lottery unit 102.

  The lottery unit 102 performs a lottery in response to the reception of the distribution request from the receiving unit 101, and determines a lottery result associated with the distribution request. There are at least two types of lottery results. For example, there may be two types of lottery results, “win” and “out of”, a plurality of “around” may exist, “out” may not exist, or “ Concepts such as “hit” and “out of” may not exist. The lottery result may be a gradual one like the fortune described in the fortune. The lottery unit 102 sends a distribution request and information indicating the lottery result associated with the distribution request to the distribution unit 103.

  The lottery unit 102 may associate the distribution request with the first lottery result with the first probability and associate the distribution request with the second lottery result with the second probability. For example, the lottery unit 102 generates a (pseudo) random number in response to the reception of the distribution request. If the random number falls within the first range, the lottery unit 102 associates the distribution request with the first lottery result, and the random number is The distribution request may be associated with the second lottery result if it falls within the range. In this case, the first probability is determined as a ratio of the first range to the range of random numbers, and the second probability is determined as a ratio of the second range to the range of random numbers.

  The first probability and the second probability may be fixed or may be adjusted depending on various factors. For example, the lottery unit 102 may adjust a parameter for determining a lottery result associated with the distribution request based on the past content reproduction history in the reproduction terminal 50 that is the transmission source of the distribution request. The parameter adjustment means, for example, changing the probability associated with each lottery result, and includes setting the probability associated with a specific lottery result to 1 or 0.

  For example, the lottery unit 102 determines to associate a specific lottery result with the distribution request from the reproduction terminal 50 when the reproduction terminal 50 reproduces a plurality of specific moving image data in a specific order. May be. In addition, the lottery unit 102 sets parameters so that the probability that the distribution request is associated with a specific lottery result is increased as the number of times the moving image data to be distributed from the reproduction terminal 50 is reproduced in the reproduction terminal 50 is increased. May be adjusted.

  Note that the total number of distribution requests that can be associated with a specific lottery result may be limited. In other words, the winning frame for granting some privilege to the user may be limited. The privilege given to the user through the lottery may be the right to view special content, or the right to receive some goods (including virtual currency) or service. The lottery unit 102 may omit the subsequent lottery when the total number of distribution requests associated with a specific lottery result reaches a specified value.

  For example, it is assumed that the lottery plan was completed when three winners were selected for the sake of progress, despite the fact that a lottery plan was prepared with 5 prizes at the time of live distribution of moving image data. To do. In this case, the remaining two prizes are, for example, a lottery as described in the present embodiment at the time of redistribution of the moving image data, and are transmission sources of distribution requests associated with specific lottery results. If issued to the user of the playback terminal 50, the disposal becomes unnecessary and the burden of inventory management is reduced. On the other hand, because the burden of inventory management is reduced, live broadcast program providers do not have to worry too much about the winning frame, and the lottery plan is completed as scheduled and the program proceeds smoothly. The effect that it becomes easy to do can also be expected. In addition, since the user has a chance to obtain a prize even at the time of redistribution, the user is motivated to play this program even after the end of live distribution.

  Further, information (typically, a user ID or a user's nickname) indicating a user (winner) who is given a privilege as a result of the lottery may be distributed to each reproduction terminal 50. The information indicating the winner may be provided as text (for example, a comment body) superimposed on the moving image data, may be provided as frame data including the imaged text, or may be read as text. It may be data (typically generated by speech synthesis software). The information indicating the winner may be updated by, for example, the moving image distribution server 20 or the comment distribution server 30 every time the winner is determined.

  The distribution unit 103 receives a distribution request and information indicating a lottery result associated with the distribution request. Here, for each content, moving image data is prepared for each lottery result. The distribution unit 103 selects one associated with the distribution request from the moving image data of the content that is the target of the distribution request, and distributes it to the playback terminal 50 that is the transmission source of the distribution request. For example, when the distribution request is associated with the first lottery result, the distribution unit 103 distributes the first moving image data to the reproduction terminal 50 that is the transmission source of the distribution request, and the distribution request is the second When it is associated with the lottery result, the second moving image data different from the first moving image data is distributed to the reproduction terminal 50 that is the transmission source of the distribution request.

  The distribution unit 103 may further distribute the control information of the GUI component that is displayed superimposed on the moving image data in addition to the moving image data. The GUI component control information is not limited to the moving image distribution server 20, and may be distributed by the web server 10, the comment distribution server 30, or another server (not shown).

  The GUI component may be, for example, a lottery application button or a dummy button. Specifically, when the distribution request is associated with the first lottery result, the distribution unit 103 distributes control information for displaying a lottery application button to the reproduction terminal 50 that is a transmission source of the distribution request. Then, when the distribution request is associated with the second lottery result, control information for displaying a dummy button for the lottery may be distributed to the reproduction terminal 50 that is the transmission source of the distribution request.

  When the application button for lottery is selected by the playback terminal 50 (the user), the application button sends information indicating that it has been selected to the playback terminal 50 to the moving image distribution server 20 (or another server). Send it. When distributing control information for displaying such an application button, the lottery unit 102 tentatively determines the lottery result, and it can be considered that the lottery result is determined for the first time by selecting the application button. That is, even if the distribution request from the user's playback terminal 50 is associated with a lottery result to which some privilege is granted, the user cannot enjoy the privilege unless the user actively selects the application button.

  On the other hand, even if the dummy button is selected by the playback terminal 50 (the user), the dummy button sends information indicating that it has been selected to the playback terminal 50 to the moving image distribution server 20 (or another server). Do not send. By distributing such a dummy button, it is possible to reduce the server load accompanying the lottery application while preventing the user of the playback terminal 50 to which the dummy button has been distributed from being aware that there is no room for winning.

  The storage unit 104 stores a large amount of recorded moving image data, information (typically URLs) for acquiring each moving image data, and a lottery result in association with each other. In addition, the storage unit 104 may further store the above-described GUI component control information.

The moving image distribution server 20 in FIG. 2 may operate as illustrated in FIG.
When the receiving unit 101 receives a distribution request for moving image data from the playback terminal 50 via the network 40 (step S101), the lottery unit 102 performs a lottery in response to the reception of the distribution request, and the lottery associated with the distribution request. The result is determined (step S102).

  If the first lottery result is obtained in step S102, the process proceeds to step S104, and if the second lottery result is obtained in step S102, the process proceeds to step S105 (step S103).

  In step S104, the distribution unit 103 distributes the first moving image data to the reproduction terminal 50 that is the transmission source of the distribution request. In step S105, the distribution unit 103 distributes the second moving image data to the playback terminal 50 that is the transmission source of the distribution request.

Hereinafter, moving image data distributed by the distribution unit 103 will be exemplified.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the distribution unit 103 distributes the first moving image data to the reproduction terminal 50-1 that is the transmission source of the distribution request associated with the first lottery result, and the second lottery The second moving image data may be distributed to the reproduction terminal 50-2 that is the transmission source of the distribution request associated with the result. The first moving image data corresponds to the second moving image data added with special video data. For example, the first moving image data and the second moving image data are the same until 9 minutes 55 seconds from the start of reproduction, but are different thereafter.

  The playback terminal 50-1 plays back the video notifying the user that the right to view the special video data has been obtained from 9 minutes 55 seconds, and further plays back the special video data for 5 minutes, and then finishes playback. To do. On the other hand, the playback terminal 50-2 plays the video notifying the user that the right to view the special video data has not been obtained from 9 minutes 55 seconds, and ends the playback.

  Such notification may be made implicitly or not at all. The timing at which the notification is performed is arbitrary, but it can be expected to prevent the user from abandoning the viewing of the moving image data in the middle by, for example, setting it near the playback end time. On the other hand, for example, if it is set near the playback start time, it is possible to reduce the complexity when the user who intends to view the special video data repeatedly views the normal video data (corresponding to the second moving image data).

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the distribution unit 103 sends the first moving image to the reproduction terminal 50-1-1 and the reproduction terminal 50-1-2 that are the transmission source of the distribution request associated with the first lottery result. The image data and the control information for displaying the lottery application button are distributed, and the reproduction data is sent to the reproduction terminals 50-2-1 and 50-2-2, which are the transmission sources of the distribution request associated with the second lottery result. 2 moving image data and control information for displaying a dummy button may be distributed. The first moving image data and the second moving image data may be the same as those in FIG.

  Each of the playback terminal 50-1-1 and the playback terminal 50-1-2 displays a lottery application button on the moving image data at 7 minutes 30 seconds. On the other hand, the playback terminal 50-1-2 and the playback terminal 50-2-2 each display a dummy button superimposed on the moving image data at 7 minutes 30 seconds.

  The display timing of the application button and the dummy button may be different. The application button and the dummy button are typically displayed for a limited time so as not to hinder the viewing of the moving image data, but may be always displayed. The appearance of the application button and the dummy button is typically the same or similar to prevent the user from being aware of the lottery result, but may be dissimilar.

  The user of the playback terminal 50-1-1 selects the application button, the user of the playback terminal 50-1-2 selects the dummy button, and the user of the playback terminal 50-1-1 does not select the application button and plays back. It is assumed that the user of the terminal 50-1-2 has not selected a dummy button.

  The playback terminal 50-1-1 plays back the video notifying the user that the right to view the special video data has been obtained from 9 minutes 55 seconds, and further plays back the special video data for 5 minutes. Playback ends. On the other hand, the playback terminal 50-2-1, the playback terminal 50-1-2, and the playback terminal 50-2-2 display a video that notifies the user that the right to view the special video data has not been obtained. Play from the second and end playback.

  Note that the reproduction terminal 50-1-1 and the reproduction terminal 50-1-2 need to reproduce different moving image data depending on whether or not the lottery button is selected. This can be achieved by various techniques. For example, the moving image distribution server 20 triggers that the information indicating that the application button has been selected from the reproduction terminal 50-1-2 is not received as a trigger to the reproduction terminal 50-1-2. You may make it deliver moving image data.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the distribution unit 103 displays the first moving image data and a lottery application button on the reproduction terminal 50 of the user A who is the transmission source of the distribution request associated with the first lottery result. And the control information for displaying the second moving image data and the dummy button on the reproduction terminal 50 of the user B who is the transmission source of the distribution request associated with the second lottery result. May be delivered. In the example of FIG. 6, the playback terminal 50 of the user A and the playback terminal 50 of the user B play the first moving image data and the second moving image data at the same time. Good.

  The reproduction terminal 50 of the user A and the reproduction terminal 50 of the user B respectively display a lottery application button and a dummy button over the moving image data at 7 minutes 30 seconds. It is assumed that user A has selected an application button and user B has selected a dummy button. When the moving image distribution server 20 (or the comment distribution server 30) receives information indicating that the application button has been selected from the playback terminal 50 of the user A, the user A determines that the user is a winner, and sets the information indicating the winner. User A's information is added. The moving image distribution server 20 distributes information indicating that the user A is a winner to the reproduction terminal 50 of the user A and the reproduction terminal 50 of the user B, respectively. The playback terminal 50 of the user A and the playback terminal 50 of the user B each display information indicating that the user A is a winner at 9 minutes 55 seconds, and then the playback ends.

  In the example of FIG. 6, after distribution to the reproduction terminal 50 of user A and the reproduction terminal of user B, the distribution unit 103 reproduces the reproduction terminal 50 of user C who is the transmission source of the distribution request associated with the first lottery result. The first moving image data and the control information for displaying the lottery application button are distributed to the reproduction terminal 50 of the user D who is the transmission source of the distribution request associated with the second lottery result. It distributes moving image data and control information for displaying dummy buttons.

  The reproduction terminal 50 of the user C and the reproduction terminal 50 of the user D display a lottery application button and a dummy button superimposed on the moving image data at 7 minutes 30 seconds, respectively. It is assumed that the user C selects the application button and the user D selects the dummy button. When the moving image distribution server 20 (or the comment distribution server 30) receives information indicating that the application button has been selected from the playback terminal 50 of the user C, the user C determines that the user is a winner, and sets the information indicating the winner. User C information is added. The moving image distribution server 20 distributes information indicating that the user A and the user C are winners to the reproduction terminal 50 of the user C and the reproduction terminal 50 of the user D, respectively. The reproduction terminal 50 of the user C and the reproduction terminal 50 of the user D display information indicating that the user A and the user C are winners at 9 minutes 55 seconds, respectively, and then terminate the reproduction.

  As described above, when the content distribution apparatus according to the first embodiment receives a distribution request from the user's playback terminal, the content distribution apparatus performs a lottery to determine a lottery result associated with the distribution request, and depends on the lottery result. Distribute different content to playback terminals. Different contents may include, for example, different moving image data, and may include control information for displaying different GUI components. The lottery results include those that give the user privileges such as the right to view special content and the right to receive any goods or services, and the user should repeatedly play the same content for this benefit. Motivated.

(Second Embodiment)
The content distribution server according to the second embodiment may be, for example, the comment distribution server 30 included in the content distribution system shown in FIG. This comment distribution server 30 is illustrated in FIG. 7 includes a receiving unit 201, a lottery unit 202, a distributing unit 203, a storage unit 204, and an updating unit 205.

  The receiving unit 201 receives a comment data distribution request from the playback terminal 50 via the network 40. This distribution request includes information (typically URL) for acquiring the target comment data, information for identifying the reproduction terminal 50 (user), and the like. The receiving unit 201 sends a distribution request to the lottery unit 202.

  The receiving unit 201 may receive new comment data posted by the user from the playback terminal 50 that has already distributed the comment data. In this case, the receiving unit 201 sends new comment data posted by the user and information indicating comment data distributed to the user to the updating unit 205.

  The lottery unit 202 performs a lottery in response to reception of the distribution request from the receiving unit 201, and determines a lottery result associated with the distribution request. The lottery result can be defined similarly to the first embodiment described above. The lottery unit 202 may perform the same or similar operation as the lottery unit 102 described in the first embodiment. The lottery unit 202 sends a distribution request and information indicating a lottery result associated with the distribution request to the distribution unit 203.

  The distribution unit 203 receives a distribution request and information indicating a lottery result associated with the distribution request. Here, comment data is prepared for each content for each lottery result. The distribution unit 203 selects one associated with the distribution request from the comment data of the content that is the target of the distribution request, and distributes it to the playback terminal 50 that is the transmission source of the distribution request. For example, when the distribution request is associated with the first lottery result, the distribution unit 203 distributes the first comment data to the playback terminal 50 that is the transmission source of the distribution request, and the distribution request is the second lottery. When it is associated with the result, second comment data different from the first comment data is distributed to the playback terminal 50 that is the transmission source of the distribution request.

  When the comment data is updated by the update unit 205, the distribution unit 203 may redistribute the updated comment data to the playback terminal 50 that has distributed the comment data before the update.

  The storage unit 204 stores a large amount of comment data, information for acquiring each comment data (typically URL), and a lottery result in association with each other.

  The update unit 205 receives new comment data posted by the user from the reception unit 201 and information indicating comment data distributed to the user. The update unit 205 reads comment data specified by information indicating comment data distributed to the user from the storage unit 204. The update unit 205 adds new comment data posted by the user to the comment data read from the storage unit 204, and stores the updated comment data in the storage unit 204.

  As a result, only the user of the playback terminal 50 who is the transmission source of the distribution request associated with the first lottery result can view and post the first comment data. On the other hand, only the user of the playback terminal 50 who is the transmission source of the distribution request associated with the second lottery result can view and post the second comment data.

The comment distribution server 30 in FIG. 7 may operate as illustrated in FIG.
When the receiving unit 201 receives a comment data distribution request from the playback terminal 50 via the network 40 (step S201), the lottery unit 202 performs a lottery in response to the reception of the distribution request, and the lottery result associated with the distribution request. Is determined (step S202).

  If the first lottery result is obtained in step S202, the process proceeds to step S204, and if the second lottery result is obtained in step S202, the process proceeds to step S205 (step S203).

  In step S204, the distribution unit 203 distributes the first comment data to the playback terminal 50 that is the transmission source of the distribution request. In step S205, the distribution unit 203 distributes the second comment data to the playback terminal 50 that is the transmission source of the distribution request.

  When the receiving unit 201 receives new comment data posted by the user from the playback terminal 50 to which the comment data has been distributed in step S204 or step S205 (step S206), the process proceeds to step S207.

  In step S207, the update unit 205 updates the comment data by adding the new comment data received in step S206 to the comment data that has been distributed to the playback terminal 50 that is the transmission source of the new comment data. . The distribution unit 203 redistributes the comment data updated in step S207 to the playback terminal 50 that has already distributed the comment data before update (step S208).

Hereinafter, the comment data distributed by the distribution unit 203 will be exemplified.
As illustrated in FIG. 9, the distribution unit 203 displays the first moving image data superimposed on the reproduction terminal 50-1 that is the transmission source of the distribution request associated with the first lottery result. The comment data may be distributed, and the second comment data displayed on the second moving image data may be distributed to the playback terminal 50-2 that is a transmission source of the distribution request associated with the second lottery result. . In FIG. 9, the comment data is superimposed and displayed so as to shield the moving image data. However, the comment data may be displayed after being subjected to a transparent process so as not to shield the moving image data. The first moving image data corresponds to the second moving image data added with special video data. For example, the first moving image data and the second moving image data are the same until 9 minutes 55 seconds from the start of reproduction, but are different thereafter.

  The playback terminal 50-1 plays back the video notifying the user that the right to view the special video data has been obtained from 9 minutes 55 seconds, and further plays back the special video data for 5 minutes, and then finishes playback. To do. On the other hand, the playback terminal 50-2 plays the video notifying the user that the right to view the special video data has not been obtained from 9 minutes 55 seconds, and ends the playback. The first comment data and the second comment data are not much different from the start of reproduction until 9 minutes and 55 seconds, but 9 minutes and 55 seconds in which different notifications are made between the first moving image data and the second moving image data. Thereafter, different excitement is shown according to the winning / losing of the user.

  Such notification may be made implicitly or not at all. The timing at which the notification is performed is arbitrary, but it can be expected to prevent the user from abandoning the viewing of the moving image data in the middle by, for example, setting it near the playback end time. On the other hand, for example, if it is set near the playback start time, it is possible to reduce the complexity when the user who intends to view the special video repeatedly views the normal video data (corresponding to the second moving image data).

  As described above, when the content distribution apparatus according to the second embodiment receives a distribution request from the user's playback terminal, the content distribution apparatus determines a lottery result associated with the distribution request by lottery and depends on the lottery result. Distribute different comment data to playback terminals. Each comment data can be browsed / posted only by the users of the playback terminals that are the transmission source of the distribution request associated with the lottery result corresponding to the comment data. Therefore, for example, the user can interact with other users who share the winning / losing experience through browsing / posting comment data, and can feel a deep sense of unity. Therefore, according to the content distribution apparatus, it is possible to give the user the motivation to reproduce the content.

  The above-described embodiments are merely specific examples for helping understanding of the concept of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The embodiment can add, delete, or convert various components without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  The various functional units described in the above embodiments may be realized by using a circuit. The circuit may be a dedicated circuit that realizes a specific function, or may be a general-purpose circuit such as a processor.

  At least a part of the processing of each of the above embodiments can also be realized by using a general-purpose computer as basic hardware. A program for realizing the above processing may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable recording medium. The program is stored in the recording medium as an installable file or an executable file. Examples of the recording medium include a magnetic disk, an optical disk (CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, etc.), a magneto-optical disk (MO, etc.), and a semiconductor memory. The recording medium may be any recording medium as long as it can store the program and can be read by the computer. The program for realizing the above processing may be stored on a computer (server) connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded to the computer (client) via the network.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Web server 20 ... Moving image delivery server 30 ... Comment delivery server 40 ... Network 50 ... Reproduction terminal 101, 201 ... Reception part 102,202 ... Lottery part 103, 203: Distribution unit 104, 204 ... Storage unit 205 ... Update unit

Claims (9)

A receiving unit for receiving a content distribution request from the playback terminal;
A lottery unit that performs a lottery in response to reception of the distribution request and determines a lottery result associated with the distribution request;
When the distribution request is associated with the first lottery result, the first content data relating to the content is distributed to the reproduction terminal, and when the distribution request is associated with the second lottery result, the reproduction is performed. A content distribution server comprising: a distribution unit that distributes second content data related to the content to a terminal;
The first content data includes first moving image data and control information for displaying a first GUI (Graphical User Interface) component displayed to be superimposed on the first moving image data,
When the first GUI component is selected by the playback terminal, the playback terminal transmits information indicating that the first GUI component is selected to the content distribution server;
The second content data includes second moving image data and control information for displaying a second GUI component displayed to be superimposed on the second moving image data,
When the second GUI component is selected by the playback terminal, information indicating that the second GUI component is selected is not transmitted to the content distribution server.
Content distribution server. A receiving unit for receiving a content distribution request from the playback terminal;
A lottery unit that performs a lottery in response to reception of the distribution request and determines a lottery result associated with the distribution request;
When the distribution request is associated with the first lottery result, the first content data relating to the content is distributed to the reproduction terminal, and when the distribution request is associated with the second lottery result, the reproduction is performed. ; and a delivery unit for delivering second content data for the content to the terminal,
The first content data includes first comment data that is displayed superimposed on the first moving image data,
The second content data includes second comment data that is superimposed on the second moving image data and is different from the first comment data,
When the first new comment data is posted by the playback terminal that is distributing the first content data, the first new comment data is added to the first comment data, and the second content data An update unit that adds the second new comment data to the second comment data when the second new comment data is posted by the playback terminal that is delivering
Content distribution server. Before Stories second moving image data, it said that differ from the first moving image data, the content distribution server according to claim 1 or claim 2. The content distribution server according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the distribution request is a distribution reservation request for the content. The lottery unit, based on the past content playback history of the reproduction terminal, to adjust the parameters for determining the lottery result associated with the delivery request, according to any one of claims 1 to 4 Content distribution server. The content distribution according to claim 5 , wherein the lottery unit adjusts the parameter so that the probability that the distribution request is associated with the first lottery result is higher as the number of times the content is reproduced in the reproduction terminal is larger. server. The content distribution server according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the lottery unit performs a lottery only before a total number of distribution requests associated with the first lottery result reaches a specified value. . Receiving a content delivery request from a playback device;
Performing a lottery in response to receiving the distribution request and determining a lottery result associated with the distribution request;
When the distribution request is associated with the first lottery result, the first content data relating to the content is distributed to the reproduction terminal, and when the distribution request is associated with the second lottery result, the reproduction is performed. comprising a to deliver the second content data for the content to the terminal,
The first content data includes first moving image data and control information for displaying a first GUI (Graphical User Interface) component displayed to be superimposed on the first moving image data,
When the first GUI component is selected by the playback terminal, the playback terminal transmits information indicating that the first GUI component has been selected to the content distribution server;
The second content data includes second moving image data and control information for displaying a second GUI component displayed to be superimposed on the second moving image data,
When the second GUI component is selected by the playback terminal, information indicating that the second GUI component is selected is not transmitted to the content distribution server.
Content distribution method. Computer
Means for receiving a content distribution request from a playback terminal;
Means for performing a lottery in response to reception of the distribution request and determining a lottery result associated with the distribution request;
When the distribution request is associated with the first lottery result, the first content data relating to the content is distributed to the reproduction terminal, and when the distribution request is associated with the second lottery result, the reproduction is performed. A content distribution program for causing a terminal to function as means for distributing second content data related to the content ,
The first content data includes first moving image data and control information for displaying a first GUI (Graphical User Interface) component displayed to be superimposed on the first moving image data,
When the first GUI component is selected by the playback terminal, the playback terminal transmits information indicating that the first GUI component has been selected to the content distribution server;
The second content data includes second moving image data and control information for displaying a second GUI component displayed to be superimposed on the second moving image data,
When the second GUI component is selected by the playback terminal, information indicating that the second GUI component is selected is not transmitted to the content distribution server.
Content distribution program .