JP7497830B2 - Video distribution system and video distribution method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a video distribution system and a video distribution method.

There is a known video distribution system that generates animation of a character object based on the movement of an actor and distributes a video including the animation of the character object (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In this type of video distribution system, a system has been proposed in which an arbitrary object is displayed in a video distributed to multiple viewing users through the operation of the viewing user. An object that is displayed in a video by a viewing user is, for example, a gift object for a character object.

JP 2015-184689 A

One of the challenges for distributors is to increase the number of viewers of a video, the number of views, or the viewing time. In order to increase the number of viewers, etc., it is also effective to have a system that allows viewers to actively participate in the video. However, the reality is that it is difficult to increase the opportunities for viewers to participate in content using only measures that actors can take.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a mechanism that allows viewing users to participate in content.

The video distribution system that solves the above problem is a video distribution system that distributes videos including animations of character objects generated based on the movements of actors as content multiple times, in which one or more computers that distribute the videos generate data for displaying videos including character objects and specific objects that change their display mode multiple times within the content, transmit the generated data to a viewing user device that is used by a viewing user and has an application that allows viewing of videos implemented, and records the total number of distributions from the distribution time in which the specific object was placed for each content of the distribution user that distributes the videos, and changes the display mode of the specific object when the total number of distributions reaches a predetermined number.

The video distribution method that solves the above problem is a video distribution method that distributes a video including animation of a character object generated based on the movement of an actor as content multiple times using a computer connected to a viewing user device that is a device used by a viewing user and that has an application that allows viewing of videos implemented, and the computer executes the following processes: generating data for displaying a video including the character object and a specific object that changes its display mode multiple times within the content; transmitting the generated data to the viewing user device; recording the total number of distributions from the distribution time in which the specific object was placed for each of the contents of the distribution user who distributes the video; and changing the display mode of the specific object when the total number of distributions reaches a predetermined number.

In the video distribution system for solving the above problem, it is preferable that the computer further changes the display mode of the specific object when the number of viewing users who have viewed the video reaches a predetermined number.
In the video distribution system that solves the above problem, it is preferable that the computer further obtains the cumulative number of viewing users for each distribution as the number of viewing users, determines whether or not the number of viewing users has reached a predetermined number, and changes the display mode of the specific object when the number of viewing users has reached the predetermined number.
In the video distribution system that solves the above problem, it is preferable that the computer further obtains the total number of viewing users who simultaneously watched the video as the number of viewing users, determines whether the number of viewing users has reached a predetermined number, and changes the display mode of the specific object when the number of viewing users has reached the predetermined number.
In the video distribution system that solves the above problem, it is preferable that the computer further obtains a total viewing time obtained by accumulating the viewing time of the viewing users for each distribution session, determines whether the total viewing time has reached a predetermined time, and changes the display mode of the specific object when the total viewing time has reached the predetermined time.

In the video distribution system that solves the above problem, it is preferable that the computer further changes the display mode of the specific object when the number of viewing users who have registered the video in their own category reaches a predetermined number.
In a video distribution system that solves the above problem, it is preferable that the viewing user device sends a message regarding the video, and the computer changes the display mode of the specific object when the number of messages received from the viewing user device reaches a predetermined number.
In a video distribution system that solves the above problem, it is preferable that the viewing user device sends a display request for a gift object to the computer based on input by the viewing user to an input unit of the viewing user device, and the computer changes the display mode of the specific object in accordance with the gift object.
In a video distribution system that solves the above problem, it is preferable that the computer obtains the number of times the display requests have been made for each of the different gift objects, and displays the specific object in a manner corresponding to the gift object that has been displayed the most times.
In the video distribution system for solving the above problem, it is preferable that the specific object is an object whose display form is irreversibly changed multiple times from an initial form to a final form.
In the video distribution system for solving the above problem, it is preferable that, when the specific object reaches the final form, the computer displays the specific object in a manner that includes a result.

In a video distribution system that solves the above problem, it is preferable that the computer generates data for displaying a video including a new specific object in the initial form associated with the specific object when the specific object reaches the final form.
In the video distribution system for solving the above problem, it is preferable that the computer generates data for displaying a video including a composite object of the specific objects based on a plurality of the specific objects.
In the video distribution system that solves the above problem, it is preferable that the computer generates data for displaying a video including a specific object that displays video distribution advice for a distribution user who distributes the video.
In a video distribution system that solves the above problem, when the computer determines that a change condition for changing the display mode of the specific object is satisfied, it is preferable that the display mode is changed according to date and time information when the change condition is satisfied.
In a video distribution system that solves the above problem, when the computer determines that a change condition for changing the display mode of the specific object is satisfied, it is preferable that the computer acquires information regarding the external environment and changes the display mode in accordance with the acquired information regarding the external environment.
A video distribution system that solves the above problem includes the steps of: the viewer user device transmitting a display request to the computer for displaying the specific object as a gift object for the video;
It is preferable that the computer generates data for displaying a moving image including the specific object in response to a display request for the specific object.

The present invention provides a mechanism that allows viewing users to participate in content.

1 is a schematic diagram of a video distribution system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the facilities of a studio for producing videos to be distributed by the video distribution system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a part of the video distribution system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a client device constituting the video distribution system. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of object data used in the video distribution system. 1A is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of data used in the video distribution system, where (a) is content management data, (b) is a possession list, (c) is a gift list, (d) is a posted message, and (e) is a distributor data. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a viewing screen of a video delivered to a client device of the video delivery system, on which a specific object is arranged in an initial state. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a video viewing screen in which a specific object has changed from the initial state. 5A is a diagram showing an example of a video viewing screen when there are many messages with a first attribute, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of a video viewing screen when there are many messages with a second attribute. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display mode of a specific object of “Fruiting” on a video viewing screen. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a server of the video distribution system. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a video viewing screen on which a specific object has changed. 13A and 13B show video viewing screens in which the most frequently offered gift object is different. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a server of the video distribution system. 1A is an example of a video viewing screen of a video distributed by a first level distributor, and FIG. 1B is an example of a video viewing screen of a video distributed by a second level distributor. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a server of the video distribution system. 13 shows an example of a video viewing screen on which a specific object including a deliverable is displayed. A diagram showing a video viewing screen in which a specific object displayed on screen (c) is generated by combining a specific object displayed on screen (a) with a specific object displayed on screen (b).

Hereinafter, a video distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1, the video distribution system 1 includes a client device 10, a server 20, and a studio unit 30. The client device 10, the server 20, and the studio unit 30 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network 11. The network 11 includes various networks such as a local area network and the Internet.

In the video distribution system 1, a distributor creates a video using a studio unit 30. The video includes animation of a character object based on the movement of an actor. The character object is an individual such as a virtual person. The created video is distributed from the server 20 to a client device 10 used by a viewing user. The distributor may be an actor, an operator of the studio unit 30, or someone other than these.

The studio unit 30 will be outlined with reference to FIG. 2. The studio unit 30 includes a tracking system 31, a controller 40, a main display 41, a sub-display 43 (display device), a microphone 44 (see FIG. 3), and a supporter computer 45.

The tracking system 31 acquires information about the movement of actor A. Actor A is, for example, a performing human, an animal, or a moving object. Actor A may be, for example, a robot capable of independent movement. The number of actors in the studio room R may be multiple.

The tracking system 31 detects at least one of the orientation and position of actor A. The tracking system 31 can also detect actor A's facial expression, the position of a virtual camera set in a virtual space, and the like. For example, the tracking system 31 includes an external sensor 32, a worn sensor 33, and a position identification device 35. These detect at least one of the orientation and position of the worn sensor 33 worn by actor A by using an external sensor to track the worn sensor 33.

The wearable sensor 33 is worn by actor A. There may be multiple wearable sensors 33 worn by actor A. For example, the wearable sensors 33 are worn on actor A's left wrist, right wrist, left instep, right instep, waist, and top of the head. The wearable sensor 33 may be worn by actor A via a wearing device. The wearable sensor 33 may be worn on various parts of actor A. For example, the wearable sensor 33 may be worn on the fingers of the hand to detect finger movements. The number of wearable sensors 33 worn by actor A may be five or less, or seven or more. Actor A may also wear clothing, equipment, etc. provided with wearable sensors 33.

The worn sensor 33 cooperates with the external sensor 32 to output information for identifying the user's own orientation and position to the position identification device 35. One example of the external sensor 32 in the outside-in method is a multi-axis laser emitter. The external sensor 32 emits a pulsed laser beam for synchronization. The worn sensor 33 has a sensor that detects the laser beam, and detects the user's own position and orientation while synchronizing with the synchronization pulse. For example, the worn sensor 33 can be a Vive Tracker (registered trademark) and a Vive BaseStation provided by HTC Corporation (registered trademark).

In addition to or instead of the above configuration, the wearing sensor 33 may have a built-in sensor for autonomously identifying its position. For example, the wearing sensor 33 may have at least one of a multi-axis acceleration sensor, a gyro, and a geomagnetic sensor. The wearing sensor 33 may also use a capacitance sensor, a strain gauge sensor, etc., and further, the wearing sensor 33 may use both a sensor that cooperates with the external sensor 32 and a sensor that does not cooperate with the external sensor 32. The wearing sensor 33 may also be capable of detecting at least one of its orientation and position by itself.

The tracking system 31 also includes a viewpoint position sensor 36 and a camera 37. The viewpoint position sensor 36 is configured so that its position can be changed by the user. The viewpoint position sensor 36 has a similar configuration to the wearable sensor 33. The viewpoint position sensor 36 outputs information for identifying its own orientation and position to the position identification device 35 via wireless communication or a communication cable. The viewpoint position sensor 36 is set as the viewpoint of a virtual camera in the virtual space. The viewpoint position sensor 36 may be supported, for example, by a stand, or by a gimbal or stabilizer. The gimbal may be configured in a shape that can be held by an actor or other person. By supporting the viewpoint position sensor 36 by a gimbal or stabilizer, it is possible to suppress camera shake.

Camera 37 is positioned so as to capture an image of actor A's face. For example, camera 37 is attached to actor A's head, neck, etc., or is positioned in front of actor A. Camera 37 continuously captures images of actor A's face, obtains image data of actor A's face, and transmits the image data to server 20. Camera 37 may be a 3D camera capable of detecting the depth of a person's face.

The microphone 44 is placed in a position where it can collect the voice emitted by actor A. For example, the microphone 44 is attached to the head or neck of actor A, or placed in front of actor A. The microphone 44 transmits a signal corresponding to the voice to the server 20.

The controller 40 is operated by actor A. The controller 40 outputs a control signal to the server 20 in response to the operation of actor A. The controller 40 may also have a built-in sensor for autonomously identifying at least one of the orientation and the position. For example, the controller 40 may have at least one of a multi-axis acceleration sensor, a gyro, and a geomagnetic sensor. In addition to or instead of the above configuration, the controller 40 may also be configured to be able to detect at least one of the orientation and the position in cooperation with an external sensor 32.

The main display 41 is configured to display video generated by the server 20. There may be one main display 41, or multiple main displays 41 as shown in the figure. The video displayed on the main display 41 includes animation of character objects.

The sub-display 43 is configured to display information received from the server 20 or the supporter computer 45. There may be one or more sub-displays 43. Information transmitted from the server 20 or the supporter computer 45 to the main display 41 may include, for example, text information, image information, and various other types of information. The main display 41 and the sub-display 43 are positioned in positions visible to actor A.

The supporter computer 45 is a computer used by an operator (referred to as a "supporter" in this specification) who is next to the studio room. For example, the room in which the supporter computer 45 is installed is separated from the studio room R by a glass window, so that the supporter who uses the supporter computer 45 can see the actor A. In the illustrated embodiment, supporter B1 and supporter B2 are present in the room. The supporter computer 45 outputs various information to the sub-display 43 according to the operation of the supporter. In this specification, when there is no need to distinguish between supporter B1 and supporter B2, supporter B1 and supporter B2 may be collectively referred to as "supporter". The components and functions of the studio unit 30 shown in FIG. 2 are exemplary. The studio unit 30 applicable to the present invention may include various components not shown. For example, the studio unit 30 may include a projector. The projector can project a video to be distributed to the client device 10 or other client devices onto a screen.

The server 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The server 20 is configured to distribute videos including animations of character objects based on the movements of actors to viewing users. The character objects included in the videos may be motion-controlled within a virtual space. The server 20 includes a computer processor 21, a communication I/F 22, and a storage 23 (storage medium).

The computer processor 21 is an arithmetic device that loads an operating system or various programs that realize various functions from the storage 23 or other storage into memory and executes instructions included in the loaded programs. The computer processor 21 is, for example, a CPU, an MPU, a DSP, a GPU, or various other arithmetic devices, or a combination of these. The computer processor 21 may realize at least a part of the processing that it executes by using a circuit such as an ASIC, a PLD, an FPGA, or an MCU. In FIG. 3, the computer processor 21 is illustrated as a single component, but the computer processor 21 may be a collection of multiple physically separate computer processors. In this specification, a program described as being executed by the computer processor 21 or instructions included in the program may be executed by a single computer processor, or may be executed in a distributed manner by multiple computer processors. In addition, a program executed by the computer processor 21 or instructions included in the program may be executed by multiple virtual computer processors.

The computer processor 21 functions as a motion data processing unit 21A, a video generating unit 21B, a video distribution unit 21C, a user request processing unit 21D, an object processing unit 21E, a user information management unit 21F, and a purchase processing unit 21G by executing computer-readable instructions contained in a distribution program stored in the storage 23 or other storage. At least a part of the functions realized by the computer processor 21 may be realized by a computer processor other than the computer processor 21 of the video distribution system 1. At least a part of the functions realized by the computer processor 21 may be realized by, for example, a computer processor possessed by a computer included in the studio unit 30.

The motion data processing unit 21A generates body motion data based on tracking information detected by each of the wearable sensors 33 worn by the actor. The body motion data is a digital representation of at least one of the position and orientation of each part of the actor's body in a time series. The body motion data is generated as time passes. For example, the body motion data may be generated at a predetermined sampling interval.

The motion data processing unit 21A also generates face motion data, which is a time-series digital representation of the actor's facial movements, based on the shooting data from the camera 37 of the studio unit 30. The face motion data is generated as time passes. For example, the face motion data may be generated at a predetermined sampling interval.

The video generation unit 21B applies the body motion data and face motion data generated by the motion data processing unit 21A to predetermined model data contained in the model data 23A stored in the storage 23. As a result, the video generation unit 21B is configured to generate animation of a character object that moves in a virtual space and changes its facial expression.

Furthermore, the video generation unit 21B constructs a virtual space using the object data 23B stored in the storage 23, and generates a video including an image of this virtual space and an animation of a character object corresponding to actor A. The video generation unit 21B can set the position of the viewpoint position sensor 36 to the position of the virtual camera, which is the viewpoint of the video. The position of actor A relative to the position of this virtual camera is set to the position of the character object in the virtual space. Therefore, by having actor A change the position or orientation of the viewpoint position sensor 36 to an arbitrary position or orientation, a wide variety of videos can be generated, such as a video of the character object viewed from the left side, a video of the character object viewed from the right side, a bird's-eye view, and the like. The video generation unit 21B may also change the setting information (focus, angle of view, etc.) of the virtual camera based on the position of the virtual camera.

The video distribution unit 21C transmits a list of videos to be distributed to the client device 10 and distributes the videos generated by the video generation unit 21B. The video distribution unit 21C may distribute videos taken in the studio room R in real time, or may distribute pre-recorded videos according to a distribution schedule or the like. The video distribution unit 21C may be configured to be able to distribute multiple videos in the same time period. For example, the video distribution unit 21C may distribute a video of "character X" played by "actor A1" and a video of "character Y" played by "actor A2" at the same distribution start time (e.g., "20:00") or in an overlapping distribution time period. In response to a list display request from the client device 10, the video distribution unit 21C transmits a list of videos that can be distributed to the client device 10. When the video distribution unit 21C receives a video distribution request from the client device 10, it transmits the selected video to the client device 10 based on the video distribution request.

The user request processing unit 21D receives a display request for an object and a display request for a message from the client device 10 of the viewing user, and performs processing according to the display request. The viewing user can transmit a display request for an object to the server 20 by operating his/her client device 10. The object includes a gift object provided by the viewer to the content. The gift object is an object that is a digital gift from the viewing user to an actor, etc. The gift object may be one that can be acquired or displayed without paying a fee, or one that requires a fee for acquisition or display. The gift object may also be one for which a fee is paid after the display is made in response to a display request. When a fee is paid by the viewing user for acquiring or displaying the gift object, a portion of the fee is associated with the distributor, and the remaining portion is associated with the operator who provides the video distribution platform. The gift object may be one that is continuously displayed in the virtual space, or one that temporarily adds a performance to the virtual space. The display request for the gift object may include the user ID of the viewing user and identification information (object ID) of the object that is the subject of the display request.

On the other hand, when the user request processing unit 21D determines that the object for which a display request has been made requires the actor's or supporter's judgment, it displays the gift object for which a display request has been made on the sub-display 43. When an actor or supporter issues a display instruction for the gift object for which a display request has been made, it displays the object for which a display request has been made.

The user request processing unit 21D also performs processing to display a message received from the client device 10 on the video. In addition to the message content, the message includes the identification information of the viewing user (user ID or terminal ID) and the posting date and time.

When the user request processing unit 21D receives a message, it determines whether or not the current situation allows the message to be displayed. If the user request processing unit 21D determines that the received message can be displayed, it causes the message to be displayed in a specified area of the video via the video generating unit 21B. In addition, the user request processing unit 21D displays the message and attribute information of the message on the sub-display 43.

The object processing unit 21E also changes the display mode of specific objects (growth objects) other than character objects when a change condition is satisfied. A specific object is an object whose display mode changes multiple times. A specific object may be an object whose display mode changes along its life cycle, such as an object that imitates a living thing such as a plant or animal. Alternatively, a specific object may be an object that imitates something other than a living thing. A specific object that imitates a plant, for example, changes to a "seed," "bud," "flower," "fruit," or "wither" state each time a change condition is satisfied.

The specific object may be given by the studio operator at a predetermined timing. Alternatively, the specific object may be given by the viewing user as a gift to the character. Alternatively, the specific object may be given to the distributor by the actor participating in an event held within the video. In a mode in which the viewing user gives a specific object to the distributor as a gift to the character, the viewing user can be involved in the content of the video. This increases the viewing user's desire to purchase the specific object.

The object processing unit 21E also analyzes the contents of each message sent from the viewing user. The storage 23 stores a dictionary in which a plurality of words are registered, and the object processing unit 21E extracts words included in a message and compares the words with the dictionary. Attributes are assigned to the words stored in the dictionary. For example, positive words such as "like" and "cute" are assigned attributes such as "positive (first attribute)". Negative words such as "dislike" and "painful" are assigned attributes such as "negative (second attribute)". The object processing unit 21E searches the dictionary and identifies the attributes of words that match the extracted words, thereby determining the attributes to which each message sent within a specified period belongs. The method of determining the attributes of a message may be other methods, such as based on a predetermined symbol included in the message.

When the object processing unit 21E determines the attribute of a message, it updates the counter set for each attribute and calculates the number of messages for each attribute. In addition to the number of messages, the number of phrases of the first attribute and the number of phrases of the second attribute contained in the messages may be counted. Alternatively, even if the phrases belong to the same attribute, weighting may be performed according to the phrase. For example, "cute" may be assigned "1 point" and "like" may be assigned "2 points," and these points may be accumulated. Also, there may be messages that do not belong to any attribute.

The purchase processing unit 21G receives a display request for a purchased medium such as a gift object related to a distributed video from the client device 10 by the operation of the viewing user. After receiving the display request for the purchased medium, the purchase processing unit 21G transmits information about the purchased medium to the client device 10. The information about the purchased medium may include the type of the purchased medium, an image of the purchased medium, a price, and various information required for purchase. The viewing user checks the information about the purchased medium displayed on the client device 10 and selects an arbitrary purchased medium. When the purchased medium is selected by the viewing user, the client device 10 transmits a purchase request for the purchased medium to the server 20. The purchase processing unit 21G performs a payment process based on the purchase request. When this payment process is completed, the purchased purchased medium is stored in the server 20 as a medium owned by the viewing user. In addition to the gift object, the purchased medium may be an object other than the gift object related to viewing of the video, or a viewing condition such as the image quality of the video, a two-dimensional image or a three-dimensional image. The purchased medium may also be the video itself. Sales of the purchasable gift object and other media are distributed to the distributor. At this time, a portion of the sales may be distributed to the operator of the studio unit 30.

The communication I/F 22 is implemented as hardware, firmware, or communication software such as a TCP/IP driver, or a combination of these. The server 20 can send and receive data to and from other devices via the communication I/F 22.

Storage 23 is a storage device accessed by computer processor 21. Storage 23 is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or any other storage device capable of storing data. Various programs may be stored in storage 23. At least a portion of the programs and various data that may be stored in storage 23 may be stored in storage that is physically separate from server 20.

Storage 23 stores model data 23A, object data 23B, content management data 23C, ownership list 23D, gift list 23E, and posted messages 23F. Storage 23 may also store videos that are being distributed by video distribution system 1 or videos that have already been distributed.

Next, the position identification device 35 and the supporter computer 45 of the studio unit 30 will be further described. The position identification device 35 of the studio unit 30 includes a computer processor 35A, a storage 35B (storage medium), and a communication interface (I/F) 35C. The computer processor 35A is various arithmetic devices such as a CPU, similar to the computer processor 21 of the server 20. The storage 35B is various storage devices such as a magnetic disk, similar to the storage 23 of the server 20. The communication interface (I/F) 35C is various drivers, software, or combinations thereof for communicating with other devices, similar to the communication interface 22 of the server 20. The computer processor 35A acquires tracking information from the external sensor 32 or the mounted sensor 33 by executing a position detection program stored in the storage 35B or other storage, and identifies the position of each of the mounted sensors 33. The computer processor 35A also acquires tracking information from the external sensor 32 or the viewpoint position sensor 36 by executing a position detection program stored in the storage 35B or other storage, and identifies the position of the viewpoint position sensor 36. The location determination device 35 also transmits the determined location to the server 20.

The supporter computer 45 includes a computer processor 46, a communication I/F 47, a storage 48 (storage medium), a display 49, and an input interface 50.

The computer processor 46 is a variety of arithmetic devices such as a CPU, similar to the computer processor 21 of the server 20. The communication I/F 47 is a variety of drivers, software, or a combination of these for communicating with other devices, similar to the communication I/F 22. The storage 48 is a variety of storage devices capable of storing data, such as a magnetic disk, similar to the storage 23. Various programs are stored in the storage 48. The display 49 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, an inorganic EL display, or any other display device capable of displaying images. The input interface 50 includes any pointing device that accepts input from a supporter, such as a mouse or keyboard.

The computer processor 46 functions as a display control unit 46A and a progress management unit 46B by executing computer-readable instructions included in a program stored in the storage 48 or the like. At least a part of the functions realized by the computer processor 46 may be realized by a computer processor other than the computer processor 46 of the video distribution system 1. In addition, at least a part of the functions realized by the computer processor 46 in this specification may be realized by, for example, the computer processor 21 of the server 20.

The display control unit 46A is configured to display a screen on the main display 41 or sub-display 43 that is visible to the actor but not visible to the viewing user, in response to various operational inputs made by the supporter via the input interface 50, and to add various additional information to the streaming video distributed to the viewing user.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the client device will be described.
The client device 10 is an information processing device such as a smartphone. In addition to a smartphone, the client device 10 may be a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, an electronic book reader, a wearable computer including a head mounted display, a game console, or any other information processing device capable of playing videos.

The client device 10 includes a computer processor 12, a storage 13 (storage medium), an input interface (I/F) 14 (input unit), a communication interface (I/F) 15, and a display 16. The computer processor 12 is a variety of arithmetic devices such as a CPU, similar to the computer processor 21 of the server 20. The storage 13 is a variety of storage devices such as a magnetic disk, similar to the storage 23 of the server 20. The storage 13 stores an application program for viewing videos distributed from the server 20. The input I/F 14 is an arbitrary input interface that accepts input from a viewing user such as a touch panel. The communication I/F 15 is various drivers, software, or a combination of these for communicating with other devices, similar to the communication I/F 22. The display 16 is, for example, an organic EL display integrated with a touch panel, a liquid crystal display, or any other display device capable of displaying images.

The client device 10 starts a viewing application program (also called a native program) implemented in the client device 10 by accepting an operation of the viewing user via the input I/F 14. The viewing application only needs to be capable of viewing, and may have other functions. The computer processor 12 executes readable instructions included in the viewing application program to obtain a list of distributed videos from the server 20. The client device 10 displays the transmitted list on the display. The viewing user selects one of the videos displayed in the list. When the client device 10 accepts the selection operation of the viewing user, it transmits a video distribution request to the server 20 requesting distribution of the selected video. Alternatively, the client device 10 may be configured to access the server 20 to start a web browser stored in the storage 13 and display a web page written in a markup language such as HTML or XML on the display 16. The web page displays a list of videos. Alternatively, the client device 10 may display the list of videos using both a viewing program stored in its own storage 13 and a web browser (in-app browser).

When the client device 10 receives video data from the server 20, it displays the video on the display 16 based on the received data. Viewing users can input messages about the distributed video via the input I/F 14 of the client device 10 and post these messages to the server 20. Messages posted by each viewing user may be displayed superimposed on the video. This allows for interaction between actors and viewing users, and between viewing users themselves.

Next, various data stored in the storage 23 of the server 20 will be described. The model data 23A is model data for generating animation of a character. The model data 23A may be three-dimensional model data for generating three-dimensional animation, or may be two-dimensional model data for generating two-dimensional model data. The model data 23A includes, for example, rig data (sometimes called "skeleton data") indicating the skeleton of a character, and surface data indicating the shape and texture of the surface of the character. The model data 23A may include multiple model data that are different from each other. The multiple model data may have different rig data from each other, or may have the same rig data. The multiple model data may have different surface data from each other, or may have the same surface data. In the illustrated embodiment, the model data 23A has at least two different types of model data to generate a character object corresponding to an actor. The video data delivered to the client device 10 may be two-dimensional video data or three-dimensional video data. For example, the server 20 may generate three-dimensional video data based on the movement of an actor, convert it into two-dimensional video data, and deliver it to the client device 10.

The object data 23B includes asset data for constructing a virtual space that constitutes the video. The object data 23B includes data for drawing the background of the virtual space that constitutes the video, data for drawing various objects displayed in the video, and data for drawing various objects other than these that are displayed in the video. The object data 23B may include object position information that indicates the position of the object in the virtual space. The object data 23B may include data (components) for making the object perform physical behavior. This data may include setting data for whether or not to collide with other objects, and data such as a friction coefficient and a repulsion coefficient. For example, when setting data for colliding an object with another object is included, if the positional relationship with the other object to be collided satisfies a predetermined positional relationship, it is determined that a collision has occurred, and the objects repel each other or one of them bounces off. On the other hand, when setting data for not colliding an object with another object is included, the object does not collide with other objects even if the positional relationship with the other object satisfies a predetermined positional relationship.

In addition to the above, object data 23B may include gift objects that are displayed in the video based on a display request from a viewing user of client device 10. Gift objects may include effect objects, decorative objects, and normal objects. An upper limit may be set on the number of objects that can be purchased or the purchase price of the objects.

An effect object is an object that affects the overall impression of the viewing screen of a distributed video, such as an object that resembles confetti or an object that resembles fireworks. The confetti object may be displayed across the entire viewing screen, thereby changing the overall impression of the viewing screen before and after it is displayed. For example, an effect object may be represented by a particle system that represents an event composed of moving particles. In a particle system, a display time may be set for each particle. An effect object may be a static object or a dynamic object. An effect object may be displayed so as to overlap with a character object, but differs from a decorative object in that it is not displayed in association with a specific part of a character object.

A decorative object is an object that is displayed on the display screen in association with a specific part of a character object. A decorative object that is displayed on the display screen in association with a specific part of a character object is displayed on the display screen so as to be in contact with the specific part of the character object. A decorative object that is displayed on the display screen in association with a specific part of a character object is displayed on the display screen so as to cover part or all of the specific part of the character object.

Decorative objects are, for example, accessories (headbands, necklaces, earrings, etc.) worn by character objects, clothing (T-shirts, etc.), costumes, and other objects that can be worn by character objects. Object data 23B corresponding to a decorative object may include wearing position information indicating which part of the character object the decorative object is associated with. The wearing position information of a certain decorative object may indicate which part of the character object the decorative object is worn on. For example, if the decorative object is "cat ears", the wearing position information of the decorative object may indicate that the decorative object is worn on the "head" of the character object. If the decorative object is a "ring", the wearing position information of the decorative object may indicate that the decorative object is worn on the "finger" of the character object.

After the decorative object is added to a list stored by the server 20 in the storage 23 or other storage, it is selected by the actor or supporter and attached to the character object. The viewing user feels a sense of closeness to the character object by having the character object attach the decorative gift object that he or she sent. On the other hand, even if the viewing user makes a request to display a decorative object, the decorative object will not be attached to the character object unless it is selected by the actor or supporter. When the actor selects a decorative object, the actor checks the list displayed on the sub-display 43 and selects the decorative object using a pointing device such as the controller 40 or by instructing the supporter. Also, the supporter checks the list displayed on the supporter computer 45 and selects the decorative object using the input interface 50.

Normal objects are gift objects other than decorative objects that are placed as objects in virtual space, such as objects that resemble stuffed toys or bouquets of flowers. Normal objects may be displayed so as to overlap with character objects, but they differ from decorative objects in that they are not displayed in association with a specific part of the character object. Normal objects may differ from effect objects in that the position of normal objects can be changed by actors, whereas the position of effect objects cannot be changed by actors. Normal objects and effect objects may also have different display times.

Each gift object may have a display time set according to its type. In one embodiment, the display time of a decorative object may be set longer than the display time of an effect object or a normal object. For example, the display time of a decorative object may be set to 60 seconds, the display time of an effect object may be set to 5 seconds, and the display time of a normal object may be set to 10 seconds.

As shown in FIG. 5, the object data 23B includes drawing data of a specific object. The specific object may be different from the background. For example, a specific object is associated with a plurality of drawing data 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, etc. for drawing the specific object for one identification information (object ID). Each of the drawing data is associated with information indicating a stage of change (for example, "1" to "5"). The drawing data 25A of "1" is used for the specific object in the initial stage, and when the change condition is satisfied, the drawing data 25B of "2" is used for the specific object in the next stage. One example of a change pattern of the display mode of a specific object is to display the specific object in a series of order based on the drawing data associated with the information indicating the stage of change. Another example of a change pattern of the display mode of a specific object is to use one of the drawing data, where the drawing pattern branches at one change stage and one of the drawing data is used at the branching point. For example, the information indicating the stage of change of the drawing data is "1", "2A", "2B", etc., and at the change stage of "2", either the drawing data of "2A" or the drawing data of "2B" is selected. When the display mode branches, the pattern of each display mode may be followed, or the same display mode may be returned to. Note that the specific object may be drawn on a transparent or opaque background curtain object, or may be drawn between the background and the character object, and the drawing position is not particularly limited.

As shown in FIG. 6(a), content management data 23C is data that stores at least one of the viewing status and distribution status of content for each content of a character object. Some content is distributed multiple times, while others are distributed only once. For example, "Distributor A" distributes "Content P," with "Character P" as the main character, multiple times.

Another "Distributor B" distributes "Content Q" with "Character Q" as the main character multiple times. The contents do not necessarily include animations of different characters. For example, videos of the same character object may each constitute different content.

The content management data 23C includes at least one of the number of viewing users, the number of message postings, the viewing time, and the number of distributions. The number of viewing users is the cumulative number of viewing users from the first distribution to the most recent distribution, the number of viewing users of the most recent distribution, the number of viewing users of the distribution with the most viewing users among the first distribution to the most recent distribution, the number of viewing users of the distribution with the least viewing users among the first distribution to the most recent distribution, the average number of viewing users from the first distribution to the most recent distribution, etc. The number of message postings is the cumulative number of message postings of the number of messages posted from the first distribution to the most recent distribution, the number of message postings of the distribution with the most message postings, the number of message postings of the distribution with the least message postings, the average number of message postings from the first distribution to the most recent distribution, etc. The viewing time is the cumulative viewing time of each viewing user from the first distribution to the most recent distribution, the viewing time of the viewing user of the most recent distribution, etc.

As shown in FIG. 6(b), the possession list 23D is a list of objects possessed by the viewing user. The possession list 23D may include identification information (object ID) of the possessed object in association with the user ID. The objects possessed by the viewing user may be different for each piece of content, or the objects possessed by the viewing user may be common to different pieces of content, or may include both. When the objects differ for each piece of content, the possession list 23D of the viewing user stores identification information of the object for each piece of content. This possession list 23D is stored continuously across multiple video distributions. Alternatively, the possession list 23D may be newly generated or reset each time one piece of content is distributed.

As shown in FIG. 6(c), the gift list 23E is a list of gift objects associated with the content. The gift list 23E is preferably generated or reset each time a video is distributed. When a viewing user transmits a request to display a gift object for a video, information about the gift object is added to the gift list 23E. The gift list 23E may include identification information of the content, identification information (user ID) of the viewing user who transmitted the gift object, identification information (object ID) of the gift object, type of the gift object (decorative object, effect object, normal object), posting date and time, and selection state of the gift object. When the gift object is a decorative object, the selection state of the gift object indicates whether or not the decorative object has been selected by the actor or supporter. When a decorative object is selected, data indicating "selected" is stored as the selection state, and when a decorative object is not selected, data indicating "not selected" is stored. When the gift object is not a decorative object, "not selected" or data other than "not selected" and "selected" is stored.

As shown in FIG. 6(d), posted message 23F may include information regarding a message posted by a viewing user to a video. Posted message 23F may include, for each piece of content, the identification information (user ID) of the viewing user, the content of the message, and the posting date and time when the message was posted. Posted message 23F may be newly generated or reset each time one piece of content is distributed. Posted message 23F may also include which attribute, such as "first attribute," the message belongs to. If the message does not belong to any attribute, the attribute data is not stored.

As shown in FIG. 6(e), distributor data 23G includes information about the distributor. Distributor data 23G may include identification information of the distributor (distributor ID), identification information of the content, and the level of the distributor. Distributor data 23G may also include the number of viewing users of the content and the number of times the content has been distributed. The level of the distributor is determined by the number of viewing users of the content, the number of times the content has been distributed, the number of times the content has been registered as a favorite, etc. For example, the greater the number of viewing users, the higher the level of the distributor. Or, the greater the number of times the content has been distributed, the higher the level of the distributor.

Next, the screen displayed on the client device 10 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7, the display 16 of the client device 10 displays a video viewing screen 105 based on the video data transmitted from the server 20. The video viewing screen 105 displays a virtual space with the viewpoint position sensor 36 as the camera viewpoint, and a character object 110 reflecting the actor's actions. The video viewing screen 105 also displays gift selection sections 112 and 113 and a posting selection section 114. The gift selection section 112 is an operation section for displaying a gift object owned by the viewing user in the video. When the gift selection section 112 is selected, a list of gift objects owned by the viewing user is displayed based on the possession list 23D. When the viewing user selects a gift object from the list, a display request for the gift object is transmitted from the client device 10. The gift selection section 113 is an operation section for making a display request for a predetermined object, such as a "heart" object. The gift selection section 113 may be a section for making a display request for a gift object not included in the possession list 23D. The posting selection section 114 is an operation section for displaying a message input by the viewing user in the video during a period in which a message can be posted. When the posting selection section 114 is selected, a message input field is displayed, and the user inputs a message in the message input field.

When the server 20 receives a message from a client device 10 during the posting period, the server 20 transmits video data including the message to all client devices 10 connected to the server 20. The client device 10 that receives the video data displays a message 130 on the video viewing screen 105. The message 130 displays the identification information of the viewing user who posted the message and the message content.

The messages 130 are arranged in a specified area of the video viewing screen 105 in the order of the date and time they were posted. When the server 20 receives a new message, the message 130 that was displayed at the top is moved down and the new message is displayed at the top. When a message reaches the bottom of the message display area, it is moved further down and no longer displayed when a new message is added to the top. Alternatively, the message display area may be capable of displaying only one message.

When the server 20 receives a display request for a gift object from the client device 10 within a period during which the server 20 can accept such a display request, the server 20 displays the gift object at a timing according to the type of the gift object. The gift object is a normal object or an effect object. The gift object is also a decorative object (e.g., cat ears) that is displayed in association with a specific part (top of the head) of the character object 110.

In addition, a specific object is displayed in the video, either as a gift object or as another object. A display request for specific object 120A may be made by a viewing user operating gift selection section 112. Alternatively, specific object 120A may be displayed in the video by an actor operating controller 40 or the like, or a supporter operating supporter computer 45.

The specific object 120A may be placed at a predetermined position. Alternatively, the specific object 120A may be arranged at any position in the virtual space by the actor or supporter. The specific object 120A may be placed not only on the landing surface of the character object 110 in the virtual space, but also at any position within the virtual space. The specific object 120A may be set as an object that can collide with other objects displayed in the virtual space, or may be set as an object that does not collide. Furthermore, the specific object 120A may be set to avoid collision with a predetermined object. For example, when multiple specific objects 120A are placed in the virtual space, an action associated with a collision (contact) between the specific objects 120A may not be generated. Furthermore, when the specific object 120A collides with an object other than another specific object, a first action may be generated, and when the specific object 120A collides with another specific object, a second action different from the first action may be generated.

As shown in FIG. 8, when a change condition is satisfied, the display mode of specific object 120A changes to become specific object 120B. Note that the illustrated content is a video distributed to a client device over multiple distribution times, and the video displaying the specific object in the "seed" display mode shown in FIG. 7 and the video displaying the specific object in the "sprout" display mode were distributed in different distribution times.

The change condition is stored in the storage 23. The change condition may be set for each specific object 120A, or may be set for each drawing data of the same specific object 120A. An example of the change condition is related to the distribution status of the video. For example, a predetermined period has passed since the placement of the specific object 120A was started, or a predetermined number of distributions has been reached. Or, a predetermined period has passed since the last time the specific object 120A grew, or a predetermined number of distributions has been reached. Specifically, when "24 hours" have passed since the specific object 120A was placed in the virtual space, the specific object 120A can change from a display mode of a "seed" to a display mode in which a "sprout" has emerged. Or, in a distribution time a predetermined number of times after the distribution time in which the specific object 120A was placed in the virtual space, the specific object 120A can change from a display mode of a "seed" to a display mode in which a "sprout" has emerged. When a video is generated at the instruction of the distributor in a state in which the specific object is changeable, the specific object 120A changes to the specific object 120B of the next stage.

The change condition may be other than the distribution status of the video. For example, it may be a condition related to the activity or viewing status of the viewing user. The condition related to the viewing condition of the video may be, for example, that the cumulative number of viewing users who have viewed the content from the first time has reached a predetermined number, or that the number of viewing users who have registered the content in a predetermined category such as "Like" has reached a predetermined number, that the total viewing time obtained by accumulating the viewing time of all viewing users from the first time has reached a predetermined time, that the cumulative number of messages obtained by accumulating the number of messages to the content in the most recent distribution or a predetermined distribution from the first time has reached a predetermined number, that the cumulative number of gift objects for which display requests have been made has reached a predetermined number, that the number of simultaneous viewing users or the number of visits has reached a predetermined value, etc. Specifically, when the cumulative number of viewing users from the first time reaches "100 people", it may be possible to change a specific object from a "seed" state to a "sprout" state. In addition, the change condition may be a condition other than these conditions.

In this way, as the video progresses, the display mode of the specific object changes, so the viewing user becomes interested in the changes in the specific object and watches the video. This can increase the number of viewing users, etc. In particular, if the display mode of the specific object changes over multiple distributions, the number of repeat viewers will increase, and the number of viewings, viewing time, etc. can be increased.

Changes in the display mode of specific object 120A may branch depending on the activity of the viewing user or the distribution status of the video. The activity of the viewing user may be a message posted by the viewing user, a request to display a gift object, etc. Furthermore, as long as it does not overlap with the change conditions, the activity of the viewing user may be the viewing status of the content (the number of viewing users, viewing time, etc.), etc.

With reference to FIG. 9, a case will be described in which the display mode is branched depending on the message posted by the viewing user. The object processing unit 21E of the server 20 analyzes the message 130 and determines whether the content of the message belongs to the first attribute or the second attribute. It also calculates the number of messages 130 that belong to the first attribute and the number of messages 130 that belong to the second attribute, and compares them. Then, the display mode of the specific object 120A is changed depending on the attribute with the greater number of messages.

Figure 9 (a) shows the video viewing screen 105 when there are many messages that belong to the first attribute "positive." For example, the specific object 120C is a "cactus" with a "heart" flower in bloom.

Figure 9 (b) shows the video viewing screen 105 when there are many messages that belong to the second attribute "negative." For example, the specific object 120D is a "cactus" with long "thorns."

In this way, the activity of the viewing user can be reflected in the display mode of the specific object, so the viewing user can actively participate in the content. This facilitates communication between the distributor and the viewing user, and increases the number of new viewing users or repeat users of the content. Also, for example, by notifying the viewing user in advance of how the display mode of the specific object will change when there are many messages of each attribute, the viewing user will be more active in posting messages in order to change the specific object to the display mode that he or she expects. Also, for the distributor, the growth of the specific object can be a topic of conversation, and changing the display mode of the specific object can support the distributor.

Next, referring to FIG. 10, a state in which the change in the display mode of the specific object has progressed further in stages will be described. In the illustrated embodiment, the specific object has changed to a display mode of "fruiting". That is, the specific object 120E has a display mode including the result 120F. The video distribution system 1 may treat the result 120F as a medium of electronic data that can be used in the same content or on the platform that distributes the content. At this time, the viewing user or the distributor may acquire, own, use, manage, exchange, synthesize, strengthen, sell, discard, or give it through the operation of the client device 10 or the supporter computer 45. The result 120F may be used as a gift object for the video in which the result 120F was generated or for other videos. The result 120F is, for example, an item with high value such as rarity, an item named after the distributor, etc.

A case where the result 120F of a specific object 120E is given to a viewing user will be described. The object processing unit 21E of the server 20 performs the giving of the result 120F, for example, in a harvest event in the video. The object processing unit 21E identifies the viewing user who is viewing the harvest event. Furthermore, data regarding the result 120F is added to the possession list 23D of the identified viewing user, and the result 120F and the viewing user are associated. Data (components) for making the result 120F perform a physical behavior may be set in the result 120F. Then, a process for making the result 120F perform a physical behavior in the harvest event may be performed, and the result 120F may be associated with the viewing user, etc. For example, when the result 120F is harvested, the result 120F may be moved vertically downward in the virtual space as if gravity were acting on the result 120F. Alternatively, a collision determination or the like may be performed between the hand or the like of the character object and the result 120F, and if it is determined that the positional relationship between the character object and the result 120F satisfies a predetermined relationship, the character object may be displayed as holding the result 120F. Furthermore, the character object may be arranged to place the result 120F in a predetermined position.

Furthermore, a new specific object (product), such as a "seed," may be generated from a specific object in a final stage, such as "fruiting." The new specific object, the "seed," may be usable within the same content or in other content. Alternatively, the new specific object, such as a "seed," may be configured to be exchangeable, sellable, or giftable on the platform that distributes the content. In this way, by providing a viewing user with a new specific object that the viewing user can use, the benefit of providing the viewing user with a specific object can be increased.

In addition, when a change condition is satisfied for a specific object in the "fruiting" display mode, the specific object may be hidden. Or, the specific object may be hidden after passing through the next display mode, such as "withering."

The process of changing the display mode of a specific object will be described with reference to FIG.
The user request processor 21D of the server 20 receives the message sent from the viewing user's client device 10 (step S10). The user request processor 21D displays the received message on the video.

The object processing unit 21E of the server 20 also analyzes the contents of the message (step S11). Then, it determines the attribute of the message being analyzed (step S12). For example, a positive message such as "cute" is determined to belong to "positive (first attribute)". Also, a negative message such as "dislike" is determined to belong to "negative (second attribute)".

Furthermore, the object processing unit 21E updates the counter for each attribute (step S13). For example, when the object processing unit 21E determines that the message to be judged belongs to the first attribute, it increments the counter belonging to the first attribute.

Furthermore, the object processing unit 21E determines whether a change condition for a specific object is satisfied (step S14). In addition to the change conditions described above, the change condition may be that the counter value is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

When the object processing unit 21E determines that the change condition is met (step S14: YES), it changes the display mode of the specific object (step S15). Specifically, the object processing unit 21E reads out the object data 23B and changes the display mode of the specific object being displayed to the display mode of the next stage. On the other hand, when the object processing unit 21E determines that it is not the time to grow (step S14: NO), it returns to step S10 and repeats the above-mentioned processing.

As described above, according to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In a video delivered to a client device, the display mode of a specific object changes according to the activity of a viewing user. In other words, the viewing user can actively participate in the content. This can increase the number of viewing users of the content, the number of viewings, or the viewing time.

(2) The display mode of a specific object changes according to the message posted to the video. This motivates viewers to post messages, leading to active participation in the content.

(3) When the display state of the specific object reaches "fruiting," the result 120F displayed on the specific object is associated with the viewing user. This can motivate the viewing user to perform an activity that will change the display state of the specific object to "fruiting."

(4) If the specific object is a gift object for which a display request has been made by a viewing user, the viewing user can actively participate in the content of the video. This can encourage viewing users to actively provide gift objects.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the video distribution system will be described. In the second embodiment, the process of branching the display mode of a specific object is different from that of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the display mode of a specific object is branched depending on the gift object requested to be displayed by the viewing user.
As shown in Fig. 12, the video viewing screen 105 displays the gift object requested to be displayed by the viewing user together with the specific object 130B. The object processing unit 21E of the server 20 changes the display mode of the specific object according to the type or attribute of the most common gift object among all the gift objects requested to be displayed or the gift objects displayed in the video. For example, the object processing unit 21E compares the number of "star" gift objects G1 and the number of "heart" gift objects G2, which are gift objects requested to be displayed within a predetermined period. The predetermined period may be a period from the start of distribution of the content, a predetermined distribution time, or a predetermined time period set in a predetermined distribution time.

As shown in FIG. 13(a), when there are more display requests for the "heart" gift object than for other gift objects, the specific object 130C is displayed in a blooming flower form.

As shown in FIG. 13(b), when there are more display requests for "star" gift objects than for other gift objects, the specific object 130D is displayed in a state in which a flower blooms that is different from the flower that blooms when there are more "hearts."

With reference to FIG. 14, a process for branching the display mode of a specific object depending on the type of gift object will be described. When the client device 10 receives a display request input operation by the viewing user, the client device 10 transmits the display request to the server 20. If a counter is set for the gift object for which a display request has been made, the object processing unit 21E of the server 20 updates the counter for each gift object (step S30).

The object processing unit 21E of the server 20 determines whether the change condition of a specific object is satisfied (step S31). In addition to the change conditions described above, the change condition may be that the counter value is equal to or greater than a threshold value. If the object processing unit 21E determines that the change condition is not satisfied (step S31: NO), it returns to step S30.

On the other hand, when the object processing unit 21E determines that the change condition is satisfied (step S31: YES), it determines the gift object for which display requests have been made the most based on the value of the counter (step S32). For example, the object processing unit 21E determines that, among the gift objects, the most are "heart" gift objects. Then, the object processing unit 21E changes the display mode of the specific object according to the gift object for which display requests have been made the most (step S33). For example, if the most display requests have been made for the "heart" gift object, the specific object will have a display mode of blooming flowers.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the following effect can be obtained in addition to at least some of the effects described in the above embodiment.
(5) Since the display mode of a specific object changes according to the gift object with the most frequent display requests, the viewing user can be motivated to take action to change the display mode of the specific object, thereby enabling the viewing user to actively participate in the content.

Third Embodiment
Next, a third embodiment of the video distribution system will be described. In the third embodiment, the process of changing the display mode of a specific object is different from that in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the same parts as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the display mode of a specific object is changed depending on the distribution status of the video of the distributor.
As shown in Fig. 15(a), the specific object 140 is an object for supporting the distributor and for providing the distributor with advice on video distribution. In the illustrated embodiment, the specific object 140 is a specific object that resembles a tree 140B having a display medium 140A (hanging scroll, board) that displays advice to the distributor. The display medium 140A displays the conversation theme (e.g., "Try introducing yourself,""Try asking everyone a question," etc.) recommended by the management side, the content of the performance, etc.

The object processing unit 21E refers to the distributor data 23G and obtains advice from the storage 23 according to the distributor's level and the distribution status of the video. The advice is then displayed on the display medium 140A. The specific object 150 in the illustrated embodiment is an object for which advice for a relatively low level is posted.

When the actor uses the advice written on the display medium 140A, the actor proceeds with the distribution of the video in accordance with the advice. For example, the actor may introduce himself or ask a question to the viewing user. The object processing unit 21E may erase the display medium 140A after displaying it for a predetermined period of time.

As shown in FIG. 15(b), when a change condition is satisfied, the object processing unit 21E changes the display mode of the specific object 150. For example, the advice written on the display medium 140A is changed to content that corresponds to the level of the broadcaster.

The process procedure for changing the display mode of a specific object according to the level of the distributor will be described with reference to FIG. 16. The object processing unit 21E of the server 20 acquires the level of the distributor (step S40). The timing for acquiring the level may be when the distribution of the video starts or when the distribution of the video ends. The object processing unit 21E determines whether a change condition related to the level is satisfied based on the acquired level (step S41). The change condition in this case is that the level has increased by one step, that the level has reached a predetermined level, that a predetermined time or a predetermined number of broadcasts has elapsed since the level changed, etc. Alternatively, the change condition may be a condition related to the number of viewing users, a condition related to the actor's actions or speech, or any of the conditions described in each of the above embodiments.

If the object processing unit 21E determines that the acquired level does not satisfy the change condition (step S41: NO), the process returns to step S40. If the object processing unit 21E determines that the acquired level satisfies the change condition (step S41: YES), the process displays support information to support the distributor (step S42). For example, the display medium 140A of the specific object 150 is changed. Once the support information is displayed, the process returns to step S40 and the above-mentioned process is repeated.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the following effect can be obtained in addition to at least some of the effects described in the above embodiment.
(7) As a specific object, a display medium 140A containing advice to the distributor is displayed. This allows even distributors who have just started distributing videos to lower the barrier to distributing videos and continuing to distribute videos, since they can simply perform their acts in accordance with the advice. In addition, even distributors who have distributed videos many times tend to distribute videos with overlapping content as they distribute more videos, so by incorporating the advice into their videos, they can distribute videos with new content.

The above-described embodiments can be modified as follows: The present embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.
As shown in FIG. 17, the specific object 150 may have, as the result 150A, a medium given to the viewing user or the distributor that is unknown until the harvest event occurs (e.g., a balloon). When the harvest event occurs, the object processing unit 21E displays the medium given to the viewing user or the distributor. For example, an effect is performed in which an object (item, gift object, ticket, etc.) appears from the "balloon" result 150A. Then, the object processing unit 21E associates the object obtained from the result 150A with the viewing user or the distributor who has viewed the harvest event or a video including the harvest event. According to this, at least a part of the viewing users will watch until the contents of the result 150A are revealed, so that the number of views, the viewing time, etc. can be increased.

-As shown in FIG. 18, multiple specific objects may be combined. FIG. 18(a) shows a specific object 160A displayed in content distributed by "Distributor A". FIG. 18(b) shows a specific object 160B displayed in content distributed by "Distributor B". When the server 20 receives a specific object combination instruction from the terminal used by the distributor and the terminal used by the distributor, the server 20 combines the specific object 160A of "Distributor A" with the specific object 160B of "Distributor B" to generate a specific object 160C (FIG. 18(c)), which is displayed on the video viewing screen 105. Note that, even if the specific objects are not from different distributors, if there are multiple specific objects in the content, the distributor may combine these specific objects. According to this aspect, not only the display mode of the specific object changes, but also the viewing user can be made to have expectations and interest in the change in the display mode due to the combination.

- In each of the above embodiments, the growth process of a specific object is branched depending on the activity of the viewing user and the video distribution status of the distributor. Alternatively, the growth process of a specific object may be divided into multiple stages that do not branch. Even in this form, if the change condition is related to the activity of the user, the display mode of the specific object changes depending on the activity of the viewing user, allowing the viewing user to actively participate in the content.

- When the change condition of a specific object is satisfied, the server 20 may change the display mode of the specific object according to the date and time information at that time. For example, if the change condition is satisfied in "April", the display mode of the specific object may include "cherry blossom" flowers, whereas if the change condition of the specific object is satisfied in "August" under the same conditions, the display mode may include "sunflower" flowers. The date and time information is not limited to "year, month, and date" and may also be "time".

When the change condition of the specific object is satisfied, the server 20 may acquire information about the external environment at that time, and change the display mode of the specific object based on the acquired information about the external environment. The information about the external environment is weather, temperature, location information of the client device 10, etc. The server 20 may acquire the information about the external environment from the client device 10, or from an external server. For example, the server 20 acquires location information from the client device 10 when the change condition is satisfied, and acquires weather corresponding to the location information from the external server. Then, when the weather corresponding to the location information is "rain", the server 20 may display a specific object including an umbrella, or dynamically display raindrop particles around the specific object.

In the above embodiment, the display mode of the specific object is changed according to the activity of the actor. Alternatively or additionally, the display mode may be changed according to the distribution status of the video. For example, when the number of distributions reaches "10 times", the number of flowers of the specific object may be "10", and when the number of distributions reaches "20 times", the number of flowers of the specific object may be "20".

A specific object may be displayed once or multiple times in a video.
In the third embodiment, when the change condition is satisfied, support information according to the level of the distributor is displayed. The support information may be selected from among a plurality of pieces of support information according to the state of the actor when the change condition is satisfied. For example, the server 20 stores a plurality of pieces of support information in the storage 23, and the object processing unit 21E acquires information about the state of the actor when the change condition is satisfied. For example, the object processing unit 21E acquires information about the movement of the actor based on various parameters acquired from the wearable sensor 33, such as the distance the actor has moved from the initial position and the number of times the arm has been swung. Then, when the object processing unit 21E determines that the movement of the actor is small based on the various parameters, it displays support information such as "Let's dance," and when the movement of the actor is determined to be sufficiently large, it displays other support information or does not display support information. Alternatively, the object processing unit 21E calculates the amount of speech or the time during which the actor does not speak (is silent) based on the voice of the actor input from the microphone 44. When the object processing unit 21E determines that the actor's speech volume is small, it displays support information such as "Let's try singing," and when it determines that the actor's speech volume is sufficiently large, it displays different support information or does not display any support information.

The specific object (growing object) may be an object other than those in the above embodiments. For example, it may be an object (bonsai tree) that grows when the number of continuous viewing users who continuously watch the videos distributed in each distribution episode gradually reaches a predetermined number ("100 people", "200 people"), etc.

In one embodiment, the actor and the multiple wearable sensors 33 worn by the actor may each be equipped with a number of infrared LEDs, and the position and orientation of each of the wearable sensors 33 may be detected by detecting light from the infrared LEDs with an infrared camera installed on the floor or wall of the studio room R. Visible light LEDs may be used instead of infrared LEDs, and the position and orientation of each of the wearable sensors 33 may be detected by detecting light from the visible light LEDs with a visible light camera. In this way, each of the multiple wearable sensors 33 worn by the actor may be provided with a light-emitting unit (e.g., an infrared LED or a visible light LED), and the position and orientation of each of the wearable sensors 33 may be detected by detecting light from the light-emitting unit with a light-receiving unit (e.g., an infrared camera or a visible light camera) installed in the studio room. In one embodiment, multiple reflective markers may be used instead of the wearable sensors 33. The reflective markers may be attached to each actor or provided as part of the clothing (suit) worn by the actor. By providing the actor with reflective markers in this way, the actor can be photographed to generate photographic data, and the photographic data can be image-processed to detect the position and orientation of the reflective markers. In addition, the tracking system 31 may be capable of detecting the movement of the actor using only the external sensor 32, without using the attached sensor 33.

The above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined with each other.
The method described in the embodiment can be stored as a program that can be executed by a calculator (computer) on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, MO, etc.), a semiconductor memory (ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc.), etc., and can also be distributed by transmitting it via a communication medium. The program stored on the medium side also includes a setting program that configures the software means (including not only execution programs but also tables and data structures) that the computer executes. The computer that realizes this device reads the program recorded on the recording medium, and in some cases, constructs the software means by the setting program, and executes the above-mentioned processing by controlling the operation of this software means. Note that the recording medium referred to in this specification is not limited to a storage medium for distribution, but also includes a storage medium such as a magnetic disk or semiconductor memory provided inside the computer or in a device connected via a network.
Next, the technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and other examples will be described below.
[1]
A video distribution system that distributes videos including animations of character objects generated based on the movements of actors, comprising:
A server that distributes videos;
The device is used by a viewing user and includes an information processing terminal having an application for viewing a video,
The server,
generating video data including the character object and a specific object that changes its display mode a plurality of times;
Transmitting the video data to the information processing terminal;
receiving a message for the video from the information processing terminal;
A video distribution system that changes a display mode of the specific object displayed in the video in response to the message.
[2]
A video distribution system that distributes videos including animations of character objects generated based on the movements of actors, comprising:
A server that distributes videos;
A storage device that stores the activity of a viewing user or a broadcasting user in video broadcasting;
The device is used by the viewing user and includes an information processing terminal having an application for viewing a video implemented therein;
The server,
generating video data including the character object and a specific object whose display form is changed irreversibly multiple times from an initial form to a final form;
Transmitting the video data to the information processing terminal;
A video distribution system that changes a display mode of the specific object displayed in the video depending on the activity.
[3]
When the specific object reaches the final form, the server displays a display mode of the specific object in the video as including a resultant product;
The video distribution system according to [2], wherein the deliverable is stored in the storage in association with a user viewing the video.
[4]
The video distribution system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the server generates a new specific object of the initial form associated with the specific object when the specific object reaches the final form.
[5]
The server associates the new specific object with the viewing user;
receiving, from an information processing terminal used by the viewing user, a display request for the new specific object for a video different from the video in which the new specific object was generated;
The video distribution system according to [4], further comprising: displaying the new specific object for the different video based on the display request.
[6]
A video distribution system that distributes videos including animations of character objects generated based on the movements of actors, comprising:
A server that distributes videos;
A storage device that stores the activity of a viewing user or a broadcasting user in video broadcasting;
The device is used by the viewing user and includes an information processing terminal having an application for viewing a video implemented therein;
The server,
generating video data including the character object and a specific object that changes its display mode a plurality of times;
Transmitting the video data to the information processing terminal;
receiving information about the activity from the information processing terminal;
changing a display mode of the specific object displayed in the video in response to the activity;
A video distribution system that generates a composite object of a specific object based on a plurality of the specific objects and displays the composite object in the video.
[7]
A video distribution system that distributes videos including animations of character objects generated based on the movements of actors, comprising:
A server that distributes videos;
A storage device that stores the activity of a viewing user or a broadcasting user in video broadcasting;
The device is used by the viewing user and includes an information processing terminal having an application for viewing a video implemented therein;
The server,
generating video data including the character object and a specific object displaying advice on video distribution directed to a distributor who distributes the video;
Transmitting the video data to the information processing terminal;
receiving information about the activity from the information processing terminal;
A video distribution system that changes a display mode of the specific object displayed in the video depending on the activity.
[8]
The video distribution system according to [7], wherein the server changes the specific object that displays video distribution advice multiple times depending on the activity.
[9]
A video distribution system that distributes videos including animations of character objects generated based on the movements of actors, comprising:
A server that distributes videos;
A storage device that stores the activity of a viewing user or a broadcasting user in video broadcasting;
The device is used by the viewing user and includes an information processing terminal having an application for viewing a video implemented therein;
The server,
generating video data including the character object and a specific object that changes its display mode a plurality of times;
Transmitting the video data to the information processing terminal;
receiving information about the activity from the information processing terminal;
When it is determined that a change condition for changing the display mode of the specific object in accordance with the activity is satisfied, the video distribution system changes the display mode of the specific object displayed in the video in accordance with the date and time information when the change condition is satisfied.
[10]
A video distribution system that distributes videos including animations of character objects generated based on the movements of actors, comprising:
A server that distributes videos;
A storage device that stores the activity of a viewing user or a broadcasting user in video broadcasting;
The device is used by the viewing user and includes an information processing terminal having an application for viewing a video implemented therein;
The server,
generating video data including the character object and a specific object that changes its display mode a plurality of times;
Transmitting the video data to the information processing terminal;
receiving information about the activity from the information processing terminal;
A video distribution system that, when it is determined that a change condition for changing the display mode of the specific object in accordance with the activity is satisfied, acquires information regarding an external environment, and changes the display mode of the specific object displayed in the video based on the acquired information regarding the external environment.
[11]
the information processing terminal transmits a display request for a gift object to the server based on an input by the viewing user to an input unit of the information processing terminal;
The video distribution system according to any one of claims [1] to [10], wherein the server changes the display mode of the specific object depending on the gift object.
[12]
the information processing terminal transmits to the server a display request for the specific object as a gift object for the video;
The video distribution system according to any one of claims [1] to [11], wherein the server displays the specific object in the video in response to a request to display the specific object.
[13]
A video distribution method for distributing a video including animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor, using a server for distributing a video and an information processing terminal having an application for viewing the video implemented therein, comprising the steps of:
The server,
generating video data including the character object and a specific object that changes its display mode a plurality of times;
Transmitting the video data to the information processing terminal;
receiving a message for the video from the information processing terminal;
A video distribution method, comprising changing a display mode of the specific object displayed on the video in response to the message.
[14]
A video distribution program for a server that distributes a video including an animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor, comprising:
The server,
generating video data including the character object and a specific object that changes its display mode a plurality of times;
transmitting the video data to an information processing terminal used by a viewing user;
receiving a message for the video from the information processing terminal;
and changing a display mode of the specific object displayed in the video in response to the message.
[15]
An information processing terminal that displays a moving image including an animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor on a display,
receiving from a server video data including the character object and a specific object that changes its display mode a plurality of times, and displaying the video data on the display;
sending a message to the server for the video;
receiving from the server video data in which the display mode of the specific object is changed in response to the message, and displaying the video data on the display;
[16]
A video viewing program for an information processing terminal that displays a video including an animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor on a display, comprising:
The information processing terminal includes:
receiving from a server video data including the character object and a specific object that changes its display mode a plurality of times, and displaying the video data on the display;
sending a message to the server for the video;
receiving from the server video data in which a display mode of the specific object is changed in response to the message, and displaying the video data on the display;
[17]
A video distribution method for distributing a video including animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor, using a server for distributing a video and an information processing terminal having an application for viewing the video implemented therein, comprising the steps of:
The server,
generating video data including the character object and a specific object whose display state is irreversibly changed a plurality of times from an initial state to a final state;
Transmitting the video data to the information processing terminal;
A video distribution method, comprising: changing a display mode of the specific object displayed in the video in accordance with an activity of a viewing user or a distributor user.
[18]
A video distribution program for a server that distributes a video including an animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor, comprising:
The server,
generating video data including the character object and a specific object whose display state is irreversibly changed a plurality of times from an initial state to a final state;
transmitting the video data to an information processing terminal used by a viewing user;
and changing a display mode of the specific object displayed in the video in accordance with activity of a viewing user or a broadcasting user.
[19]
An information processing terminal that displays a moving image including an animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor on a display,
receiving from a server video data including the character object and a specific object whose display mode is irreversibly changed a plurality of times from an initial state to a final state, and displaying the video data on the display;
receiving from the server video data in which the display mode of the specific object has been changed in accordance with the activity of a viewing user or a broadcasting user, and displaying the video data on the display.
[20]
A video viewing program for an information processing terminal that displays a video including an animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor on a display, comprising:
The information processing terminal includes:
receiving from a server video data including the character object and a specific object whose display mode is irreversibly changed a plurality of times from an initial state to a final state, and displaying the video data on the display;
receiving from the server video data in which the display mode of the specific object is changed in accordance with the activity of a viewing user or a distribution user, and displaying the data on the display;
[21]
A video distribution method for distributing a video including animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor, using a server for distributing a video and an information processing terminal having an application for viewing the video implemented therein, comprising the steps of:
The server,
generating video data including the character object and a specific object that changes its display mode a plurality of times;
Transmitting the video data to the information processing terminal;
changing a display mode of the specific object displayed in the video in response to an activity of a viewing user or a broadcasting user;
A video distribution method comprising: generating a composite object of a specific object based on a plurality of the specific objects; and displaying the composite object in the video.
[22]
A video distribution program for a server that distributes a video including an animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor, comprising:
The server,
generating video data including the character object and a specific object that changes its display mode a plurality of times;
transmitting the video data to an information processing terminal used by a viewing user;
changing a display mode of the specific object displayed in the video in response to an activity of a viewing user or a broadcasting user;
generating a composite object of the specific object based on a plurality of the specific objects and displaying the composite object in the video.
[23]
An information processing terminal that displays a moving image including an animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor on a display,
receiving from a server video data including the character object and a specific object that changes its display mode a plurality of times, and displaying the video data on the display;
receiving from the server video data in which a display mode of the specific object is changed in accordance with an activity of a viewing user or a broadcasting user, and displaying the video data on the display;
and displaying a composite object of the specific object, which is generated based on a plurality of the specific objects, in the video.
[24]
A video viewing program for an information processing terminal that displays a video including an animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor on a display, comprising:
The information processing terminal includes:
receiving from a server video data including the character object and a specific object that changes its display mode a plurality of times, and displaying the video data on the display;
receiving from the server video data in which a display mode of the specific object is changed in accordance with an activity of a viewing user or a broadcasting user, and displaying the video data on the display;
and displaying a composite object of the specific object, which is generated based on a plurality of the specific objects, in the video.
[25]
A video distribution method for distributing a video including animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor, using a server for distributing a video and an information processing terminal having an application for viewing the video implemented therein, comprising the steps of:
The server,
generating video data including the character object and a specific object displaying advice on video distribution directed to a distributor who distributes the video;
Transmitting the video data to the information processing terminal;
A video distribution method, comprising: changing a display mode of the specific object displayed in the video in accordance with activity of a viewing user or a distributor user.
[26]
A video distribution program for a server that distributes a video including an animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor, comprising:
The server,
generating video data including the character object and a specific object displaying advice on video distribution directed to a distributor who distributes the video;
transmitting the video data to an information processing terminal used by a viewing user;
and changing a display mode of the specific object displayed in the video in accordance with activity of a viewing user or a broadcasting user.
[27]
An information processing terminal that displays a moving image including an animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor on a display,
receiving from a server video data including the character object and a specific object displaying advice on video distribution for a distributor who distributes the video, and displaying the video data on the display;
receiving from the server video data in which the display mode of the specific object is changed in accordance with the activity of a viewing user or a broadcasting user, and displaying the video data on the display.
[28]
A video viewing program for an information processing terminal that displays a video including an animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor on a display, comprising:
The information processing terminal includes:
receiving from a server video data including the character object and a specific object displaying advice on video distribution for a distributor who distributes the video, and displaying the video data on the display;
receiving from the server video data in which the display mode of the specific object is changed in accordance with the activity of a viewing user or a distribution user, and displaying the data on the display;
[29]
A video distribution method for distributing a video including animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor, using a server for distributing a video and an information processing terminal having an application for viewing the video implemented therein, comprising the steps of:
The server,
generating video data including the character object and a specific object that changes its display mode a plurality of times;
Transmitting the video data to the information processing terminal;
A video distribution method, in which, when it is determined that a change condition for changing the display mode of the specific object in accordance with the activity of a viewing user or a distribution user is satisfied, the display mode of the specific object displayed in the video is changed in accordance with date and time information when the change condition is satisfied.
[30]
A video distribution program for a server that distributes a video including an animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor, comprising:
The server,
generating video data including the character object and a specific object that changes its display mode a plurality of times;
transmitting the video data to an information processing terminal used by a viewing user;
A video distribution program that executes a step of changing the display mode of the specific object displayed in the video according to date and time information when a change condition for changing the display mode of the specific object in accordance with the activity of a viewing user or a distribution user is determined to be satisfied.
[31]
An information processing terminal that displays a moving image including an animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor on a display,
receiving from a server video data including the character object and a specific object that changes its display mode a plurality of times, and displaying the video data on the display;
When the server determines that a change condition for changing the display mode of the specific object in accordance with the activity of a viewing user or a distribution user is satisfied, the information processing terminal executes a step of receiving from the server video data in which the display mode of the specific object has been changed in accordance with date and time information when the change condition was satisfied, and displaying the video data on the display.
[32]
A video viewing program for an information processing terminal that displays a video including an animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor on a display, comprising:
The information processing terminal includes:
receiving from a server video data including the character object and a specific object that changes its display mode a plurality of times, and displaying the video data on the display;
When the server determines that a change condition for changing the display mode of the specific object in accordance with the activity of a viewing user or a distribution user is satisfied, the server receives from the server video data in which the display mode of the specific object has been changed in accordance with date and time information when the change condition was satisfied, and displays the video data on the display.
[33]
A video distribution method for distributing a video including animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor, using a server for distributing a video and an information processing terminal having an application for viewing the video implemented therein, comprising the steps of:
The server,
generating video data including the character object and a specific object that changes its display mode a plurality of times;
Transmitting the video data to the information processing terminal;
A video distribution method, which, when it is determined that a change condition for changing the display mode of the specific object in accordance with the activity of a viewing user or a distribution user is satisfied, acquires information regarding an external environment, and changes the display mode of the specific object displayed in the video based on the acquired information regarding the external environment.
[34]
A video distribution program for a server that distributes a video including an animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor, comprising:
The server,
generating video data including the character object and a specific object that changes its display mode a plurality of times;
transmitting the video data to an information processing terminal used by a viewing user;
A video distribution program that executes a step of acquiring information regarding the external environment and changing the display mode of the specific object displayed in the video based on the acquired information regarding the external environment when it is determined that a change condition for changing the display mode of the specific object in accordance with the activity of a viewing user or a distribution user is satisfied.
[35]
An information processing terminal that displays a moving image including an animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor on a display,
receiving from a server video data including the character object and a specific object that changes its display mode a plurality of times, and displaying the video data on the display;
When the server determines that a change condition for changing the display mode of the specific object in accordance with the activity of a viewing user or a distribution user is satisfied, the information processing terminal receives from the server video data in which the display mode of the specific object has been changed based on information regarding the external environment, and displays the video data on the display.
[36]
A video viewing program for an information processing terminal that displays a video including an animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor on a display, comprising:
The information processing terminal includes:
receiving from a server video data including the character object and a specific object that changes its display mode a plurality of times, and displaying the video data on the display;
a step of receiving from the server video data in which the display mode of the specific object has been changed based on information about the external environment and displaying the data on the display when the server determines that a change condition for changing the display mode of the specific object in accordance with the activity of a viewing user or a distribution user is satisfied, and displaying the data on the display.

1...Video distribution system, 10...Client device, 20...Server.

Claims (18)

A video distribution system that distributes, as content, a video including an animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor, multiple times, comprising:
One or more computers that distribute video,
generating data for displaying a moving image including the character object and a specific object whose display mode is changed a plurality of times within the content;
Transmitting the generated data to a viewer user device that is used by a viewer user and has an application capable of viewing a video implemented therein;
Recording a total number of distributions from the distribution time when the specific object was placed for each of the contents of the distribution user who distributes the video;
A video distribution system that changes a display mode of the specific object when the total number of distributions reaches a predetermined number. The video distribution system of claim 1, wherein the computer further changes the display mode of the specific object when the number of viewing users who have viewed the video reaches a predetermined number. The video distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the computer further obtains the cumulative number of viewing users for each distribution as the number of viewing users, determines whether the number of viewing users has reached a predetermined number, and changes the display mode of the specific object when the number of viewing users has reached the predetermined number. The video distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the computer further obtains the total number of viewing users who simultaneously viewed the video as the number of viewing users, determines whether the number of viewing users has reached a predetermined number, and changes the display mode of the specific object when the number of viewing users has reached the predetermined number. The video distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the computer further acquires a total viewing time obtained by accumulating the viewing time of the viewing users for each distribution, determines whether the total viewing time has reached a predetermined time, and changes the display mode of the specific object when the total viewing time has reached the predetermined time. The video distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the computer further changes the display mode of the specific object when the number of the viewing users who have registered the video in their own category reaches a predetermined number. The viewing user device transmits a message for the video;
The computer,
The video distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a display mode of the specific object is changed when the number of the messages received from the viewing user device reaches a predetermined number. the viewing user device transmits a display request for a gift object to the computer based on an input of the viewing user to an input unit of the viewing user device;
The video distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the computer changes a display mode of the specific object in accordance with the gift object. The computer,
Acquire the number of times the display request has been made for each of the different gift objects;
The video distribution system according to claim 8 , wherein the specific object is displayed in a manner corresponding to the gift object that has been displayed a large number of times. The video distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the specific object is an object whose display state changes irreversibly multiple times from an initial form to a final form. The video distribution system of claim 10, wherein the computer causes the display mode of the specific object to include a product when the specific object reaches the final form. The video distribution system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the computer generates data for displaying a video including a new specific object in the initial form associated with the specific object when the specific object reaches the final form. The video distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the computer generates data for displaying a video including a composite object of the specific objects based on a plurality of the specific objects. The video distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the computer generates data for displaying a video including a specific object that displays video distribution advice for a distribution user who distributes the video. The video distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein when the computer determines that a change condition for changing the display mode of the specific object is satisfied, the display mode is changed according to date and time information when the change condition is satisfied. The video distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the computer, when determining that a change condition for changing the display mode of the specific object is satisfied, acquires information about the external environment and changes the display mode according to the acquired information about the external environment. the viewing user device transmits to the computer a request to display the particular object as a gift object to the video;
The video distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the computer generates data for displaying a video including the specific object in response to a display request for the specific object. A video distribution method for distributing, as content, a video including animation of a character object generated based on a movement of an actor, multiple times using a computer connected to a viewing user device which is a device used by a viewing user and which has an application capable of viewing the video, the method comprising:
The computer,
A process of generating data for displaying a moving image including the character object and a specific object whose display mode is changed multiple times within the content;
transmitting the generated data to the viewer user device;
A process of recording a total number of distributions from a distribution time at which the specific object was placed for each of the contents of a distribution user who distributes a video;
and changing a display mode of the specific object when the total number of deliveries reaches a predetermined number.