JP7673148B1 - Program, method, and system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a program, method, and system that can increase the interest of users who attended an event while enabling the event to be offered again.
[Solution] Event content is provided within a predetermined type of virtual space among virtual spaces during a first planned period, and during the first planned period, an event can be caused to occur within the predetermined type of virtual space, an image within the predetermined type of virtual space can be displayed in response to operation from a user, and the display mode within the predetermined type of virtual space can be changed in response to the event caused within the predetermined type of virtual space. Even during a second planned period after the first planned period has elapsed, the event content is provided again within the predetermined type of virtual space, the display mode within the predetermined type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period is set to a display mode corresponding to the event caused during the first planned period, and the display mode within the predetermined type of virtual space can be changed in response to the event caused within the predetermined type of virtual space during the second planned period.
[Selection] Figure 40

Description

Article 30, paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies COVER Corporation has published information on the program, method, and system invented by Kohei Mori on its website. Posting date: July 16, July 19, September 14, and October 10, 2023 Posting address: https://holoearth.com/news/469/ https://holoearth.com/news/829/ https://holoearth.com/news/858/ https://shop.hololivepro. com/products/hololivealternative_yamatophantasia2023_re Cover Co., Ltd. has published information on the program, method, and system invented by Kohei Mori on the SNS "X" (formerly Twitter). Publication date: June 22, 2023 to October 18, 2023 Account address that published the information: https://x. com/hololivetv? s=20 https://x. com/hololive_En? s=20 https://x. com/Holoearth_JP? s=20 https://x. com/Holoearth_EN? s=20 https://x. com/hololiveALT? s=20 Cover Corporation has released information about the program, method, and system invented by Kohei Mori on the video sharing site "YOUTUBE". Posting date: June 23, 2023, June 28, 2023, July 16, 2023, September 28, 2023, July 10, 2023 Posting address: https://www.youtube.com/live/uBLaRpT57PA? si=5MvK-70NIBcKvIh1 https://www.youtube.com/live/bXzrjFtaYug? si=Ycbt6W9PA6QQDuMq https://youtu. be/S1Ya6QYHY0s? si=plmCtt4iY1fzi71Whttps://www. youtube. com/live/fh4QPDiRIps? si=t-WvouPMiE8lqktxhttps://www. youtube. com/watch? v=-ytVjnX17IE

Article 30, paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies Cover Corporation has published information on the program, method, and system invented by Kohei Mori through its official application "HoloPlus," which can be downloaded from the distribution platform of the website at the address below. Publication date: October 4, 2023, September 25, 2023, September 30, 2023, October 16, 2023 Download address: iOS (Apple Applestore) https://apps.apple. com/jp/app/%E3%83%9B%E3%83%AD%E3%83%97%E3%83%A9%E3%82%B9/id6443738572 Android (Google Play) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cover_corp.holoplus Cover Corporation has released information about the program, method, and system invented by Kohei Mori through its official application "Holo Earth Lobby Beta Version," which can be downloaded from the website at the address below. Release date: July 8, 2023, July 15, 2023 Download address: https://holoearth.com/beta/

Article 30, paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies Cover Corporation has published information on the program, method, and system invented by Kohei Mori on the website at the following address and through a video available for purchase on the website. Publication date: July 15, 2023, September 14, 2023, September 21, 2023 Posting address: ・SPWN https://virtual.spwn.jp/events/23071501-jpprotolive2?utm_source=Balus&utm_medium=SPWN&utm_campaign=jpprotolive2_Twitter https://virtual.spwn.jp/events/23071501-jpprotolive2?utm_source=Balus&utm_medium=SPWN&utm_campaign=jpprotolive2_Twitter https://virtual.spwn.jp/events/23071501-jpprotolive2?utm_source=Balus&utm_medium=SPWN&utm_campaign=jpprotolive2_Twitter jp/events/23071502-engprotolive2 https://virtual. spwn. jp/events/23102201-jpprotolive2replay https://spwn. jp/events/23102202-engprotolive2replay ・Streaming+ https://eplus. jp/sf/detail/3896010002-P0030003? P6=001&P1=0402&P59=1

The present invention relates to a program, a method, and a system.

As a system for distributing content etc. via a network, for example, a distribution system is known in which performers hold events such as live performances in a virtual space on the web, while providing content that allows viewers to participate in the event by controlling viewer avatars (moving, giving gifts, tipping, etc.) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-120098 A

The distribution system described in Patent Document 1 can increase interest in an event by livening up the event and heightening the sense of participation in response to events that may occur during the event due to performers, viewers, etc. However, once the event ends, the event is not restarted, and the space created by the performers, viewers, etc. cannot be provided again and is not utilized. Furthermore, even if the event could be restarted, there is a risk that it would not be possible to increase the interest of performers, viewers, etc. who participated in the previous event.

The present invention was conceived in light of this situation, and provides a program, method, and system that can increase the interest of users who attended the event while making it possible to offer the event again.

(1) A program according to an aspect of the present invention (e.g., a virtual space generation program 120, a viewer program) controls a computer for providing a virtual space to a user (e.g., a distribution server computer 100, a viewer terminal 300, etc.) to:
A means for displaying an image in the virtual space that is generated in response to an operation by the user (e.g., a virtual space update data distribution process, a viewer viewpoint video output process, etc.);
A means for generating an event in the virtual space (e.g., a process for arranging an object purchased in response to a purchase operation by a user in the virtual space (a virtual space update data generation process), a process for arranging and updating the purchased object in the virtual space based on the virtual space update data (a virtual space update process), etc.);
functioning as a means for providing event content during a first scheduled period within a predetermined type of virtual space (e.g., within a spatial area ER5) among the virtual spaces (e.g., a virtual space update data distribution process using the event data 111, a viewer viewpoint video output process, etc.);
During the first scheduled period, the generating means can cause an event to occur within the predetermined type of virtual space, and the display means can display an image within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to an operation from the user (for example, an image within spatial area ER5 can be displayed by entering spatial area ER5), and the display mode within the predetermined type of virtual space can be changed in response to the event caused within the predetermined type of virtual space (for example, arranging a flower stand FS purchased by the user within spatial area ER5 in steps S107 to S109 of FIG. 28, drawing a lottery for a flower stand FS to be displayed in spatial area ER5 in step S203 of FIG. 32, changing settings performed by an operation by the management, the display mode of a flower stand FS used in the production of a live event shown in FIG. 35 that can be changed by a user purchase such as in FIG. 37, etc.).
The computer,
functioning as a means for re-providing event content in the predetermined type of virtual space even during a second scheduled period after the first scheduled period has elapsed (for example, a virtual space update data distribution process using the event data 111, a viewer's viewpoint video output process, see FIG. 40);
The means for displaying is a program which sets the display mode within the specified type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period to a display mode that is different from the display mode at the start of the first planned period and that is changed according to an event that occurs during the first planned period, and which is capable of changing the display mode within the specified type of virtual space according to an event that occurs within the specified type of virtual space during the second planned period (e.g., see Figure 40 (a)).

According to this configuration, during the first scheduled period, the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space in which the event content is provided, which changes depending on the event that occurred in the virtual space, can be shared among users, so that interest in the event content can be increased. Also, the event content can be provided again during the second scheduled period, and the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space at the start of the second scheduled period is different from the display mode at the start of the first scheduled period and is changed depending on the event that occurred during the first scheduled period, so that interest in the event content during the second scheduled period can be increased for users who participated in the first scheduled period. Furthermore, since the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space can be changed depending on the event that occurred in the virtual space during the second scheduled period and shared among users, interest in the event content during the second scheduled period can be increased regardless of whether the user participated in the first scheduled period or not.

(2) A program according to an aspect of the present invention (e.g., a virtual space generation program 120, a viewer program) controls a computer for providing a virtual space to a user (e.g., a distribution server computer 100, a viewer terminal 300, etc.) to:
A means for displaying an image in the virtual space that is generated in response to an operation by the user (e.g., a virtual space update data distribution process, a viewer viewpoint video output process, etc.);
A means for generating an event in the virtual space (e.g., a process for arranging an object purchased in response to a purchase operation by a user in the virtual space (a virtual space update data generation process), a process for arranging and updating the purchased object in the virtual space based on the virtual space update data (a virtual space update process), etc.);
functioning as a means for providing event content during a first scheduled period within a predetermined type of virtual space (e.g., within a spatial area ER5) among the virtual spaces (e.g., a virtual space update data distribution process using the event data 111, a viewer viewpoint video output process, etc.);
During the first scheduled period, the generating means can cause an event to occur within the predetermined type of virtual space, and the display means can display an image within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to an operation from the user (for example, an image within spatial area ER5 can be displayed by entering spatial area ER5), and the display mode within the predetermined type of virtual space can be changed in response to the event caused within the predetermined type of virtual space (for example, arranging a flower stand FS purchased by the user within spatial area ER5 in steps S107 to S109 of FIG. 28, drawing a lottery for a flower stand FS to be displayed in spatial area ER5 in step S203 of FIG. 32, changing settings performed by an operation by the management, the display mode of a flower stand FS used in the production of a live event shown in FIG. 35 that can be changed by a user purchase such as in FIG. 37, etc.),
The computer,
functioning as a means for re-providing event content in the predetermined type of virtual space even during a second scheduled period after the first scheduled period has elapsed (for example, a virtual space update data distribution process using the event data 111, a viewer's viewpoint video output process, see FIG. 40);
The means for displaying is a program that sets the display mode within the specified type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period to a predetermined display mode regardless of an event that occurred during the first planned period, and is capable of changing the display mode within the specified type of virtual space in accordance with an event that occurred within the specified type of virtual space during the second planned period (e.g., see Figure 40 (b)).

According to this configuration, during the first planned period, the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space in which the event content is provided can be shared among users, which changes according to an event that occurs in the virtual space, and thus interest in the event content can be increased. Furthermore, the event content can be provided again during the second planned period, and the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period can be a predetermined display mode, so that even users who participated during the first planned period can participate in the event content during the second planned period with a fresh feeling, which can increase interest in the event content. Furthermore, during the second planned period, the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space can be changed according to an event that occurs in the virtual space, and shared among users, which can increase interest in the event content during the second planned period, regardless of whether the user participated during the first planned period or not.

(3) A program according to an aspect of the present invention (e.g., a virtual space generation program 120, a viewer program) controls a computer for providing a virtual space to a user (e.g., a distribution server computer 100, a viewer terminal 300, etc.) to:
A means for displaying an image in the virtual space that is generated in response to an operation by the user (for example, a virtual space update data delivery process, a viewer viewpoint video output process, etc.);
A means for generating an event in the virtual space (e.g., a process for arranging an object purchased in response to a purchase operation by a user in the virtual space (a virtual space update data generation process), a process for arranging and updating the purchased object in the virtual space based on the virtual space update data (a virtual space update process), etc.);
functioning as a means for providing event content during a first scheduled period within a predetermined type of virtual space (e.g., within a spatial area ER5) among the virtual spaces (e.g., a virtual space update data distribution process using the event data 111, a viewer viewpoint video output process, etc.);
during the first scheduled period, the causing means is capable of causing an event to occur within the predetermined type of virtual space, and the display means is capable of displaying an image within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to an operation by the user (for example, entering a spatial area ER5 and displaying an image within the spatial area ER5), and changing the display mode within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to the event caused within the predetermined type of virtual space,
The computer,
functioning as a means for re-providing event content in the predetermined type of virtual space even during a second scheduled period after the first scheduled period has elapsed (for example, a virtual space update data distribution process using the event data 111, a viewer's viewpoint video output process, see FIG. 40);
The means for displaying is a program that changes the display mode within the specified type of virtual space at the start of the second scheduled period depending on whether or not the user is a user who participated in the event content during the first scheduled period, and is capable of changing the display mode within the specified type of virtual space depending on an event that occurred within the specified type of virtual space during the second scheduled period (for example, see the modified example (Regarding re-provision of content for the period before the scheduled date and for the event)).

According to this configuration, during the first planned period, the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space in which the event content is provided can be shared among users, which changes depending on the event that occurred in the virtual space, and interest in the event content can be increased. Furthermore, the event content can be provided again during the second planned period, and the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period can be set to a different display mode depending on whether the user participated in the event content during the first planned period, which allows each user to have a different sense of premium depending on whether the user participated in the first planned period, and can increase interest in the event content during the second planned period. Furthermore, during the second planned period, the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space can be changed depending on the event that occurred in the virtual space and shared among users, which can increase interest in the event content during the second planned period, regardless of whether the user participated in the first planned period.

(4) In any one of (1) to (3) above, the event content during the first scheduled period and the second scheduled period includes specific content proceeding with an avatar object that moves in response to the movement of a predetermined performer (e.g., a live event proceeding with performer avatars 1a to 1d, etc., as shown in FIG. 35 ),
The specific content during the second scheduled period is available for participation by users including the predetermined performer;
When the specified performer participates in the specific content for the second planned period, the display means can display an avatar object of the specified performer as a participant in the specific content for the second planned period, separately from an avatar object of the specified performer in the first planned period, within a predetermined type of virtual space in the specific content for the second planned period (for example, it can display a performer avatar on a virtual live stage and an avatar of the performer participating as a participant).

With this configuration, it is possible to display an avatar object as a specified performer and an avatar object as a participant of the specified performer who has participated separately from the avatar object in a specified type of virtual space in the specific content for the second scheduled period, making it possible to provide the specific content with a different atmosphere and style from the specific content for the first scheduled period, thereby increasing interest in the specific content.

(5) In the above (4), the avatar object of the specified performer as a participant that may be displayed in a predetermined type of virtual space in the specific content during the second planned period has a display mode different from that of the avatar object of the specified performer (for example, an avatar of the performer as a general user can be displayed separately from the performer avatar on the virtual live stage).

This configuration makes it possible to distinguish between avatar objects representing a specific performer as a participant in a specific type of virtual space and avatar objects representing a specific performer, thereby preventing confusion for the user.

(6) In the above (4), the computer is a user terminal (e.g., a viewer terminal 300) that displays the provided virtual space,
The computer,
When the specified performer is participating in the specific content during the second scheduled period, the device functions as a means for enabling the user terminal to switch to audio coming from the specified performer as a participant in response to an operation on the user terminal (for example, steps S411 to S412 of the special audio/viewpoint switching process in Figure 41).

With this configuration, the user can switch to listening to the audio coming from a specific performer as a participant at their will, which can increase interest in specific content and increase the variety of ways to enjoy it.

(7) In the above (4), the computer is a user terminal (e.g., a viewer terminal 300) that displays the provided virtual space,
The computer,
The means for displaying can, when the specified performer is participating in the specific content during the second scheduled period, switch and display, in response to an operation on the user terminal, an image of an avatar object of the specified performer as a participant in the specific content, viewed from a specified viewpoint, among images within a specified type of virtual space in the specific content (for example, steps S413 to S414 of the special audio/viewpoint switching process in Figure 41).

With this configuration, the user can choose to switch between viewing an avatar object of a specific performer as a participant from a specific viewpoint, increasing interest in specific content and providing more variety in the ways it can be enjoyed.

(8) In the above (1), the event content during the first scheduled period and the second scheduled period includes a specific content (e.g., a live event such as that shown in FIG. 35 ) that progresses by an avatar object that moves in accordance with the movement of a predetermined performer,
The display means can display, among the objects in the virtual space of a predetermined type in the specific content for the second planned period, the avatar objects in the same display manner as the specific content for the first planned period (for example, a performer avatar on a virtual live stage in the same display manner as in the first planned period), while displaying a predetermined object different from the avatar object in a display manner different from the specific content for the first planned period (for example, a flower stand FS used in the production of a live event is displayed based on user purchase information for the second planned period, etc.).

With this configuration, the quality of the specific content in the second scheduled period is made the same as that of the specific content in the first scheduled period, while the specified objects are displayed in the display format in the second scheduled period, thereby increasing interest in the specific content in the second scheduled period.

(9) In any of (1) to (3) above, the display mode within the predetermined type of virtual space that may change depending on an event occurring during the second scheduled period may be a display mode different from the display mode displayed to other users depending on an event occurring during the second scheduled period (for example, the flower star FS1 purchased by user 1 is displayed at a predetermined position A1 of a predetermined exhibition area A within the spatial area ER5 on the viewer terminal 300 of user 1 as shown in Figures 29 (B) to (D). On the other hand, on the viewer terminal 300 of user 2, the flower star FS1 purchased by user 1 is not displayed at a predetermined position A1 of a predetermined exhibition area A as shown in Figures 30 (B) and (C)).

With this configuration, the display mode within a specific type of virtual space during a scheduled period can be customized for each user, giving each user a sense of exclusivity.

(10) In any one of (1) to (3) above, the event content in the first scheduled period and the second scheduled period includes specific content (e.g., a live event such as that shown in FIG. 35 ) to be provided from a predetermined timing in the first scheduled period to the end of the first scheduled period;
The means for displaying changes the display mode (e.g., the display mode of a flower stand FS used in the production of a live event as shown in Figure 35) within the specified type of virtual space during the provision of specific content corresponding to the specific content during the second scheduled period, in accordance with an event that occurs between the start of the second scheduled period and a timing corresponding to the specified timing of the second scheduled period (e.g., step S303 in Figure 37 (A), step S313 and step S314 in Figure 37 (B), etc.).

This configuration allows the user to focus on how the display state of a specific type of virtual space changes during the provision of specific content, depending on events that occur up until a specific timing.

(11) In (10) above, the display mode within the predetermined type of virtual space that may change during the provision of the specific content during the second planned period (for example, the display mode of the flower star FS used to produce the live event shown in FIG. 34) may be different from the display mode displayed to other users depending on an event that occurs between the start of the second planned period and the timing corresponding to the predetermined timing of the second planned period (for example, based on the user-related information in FIG. 27(C), the flower star FS used for the production may be the default flower star FS in FIG. 36(A) or the flower star in FIG. 36(B)).

With this configuration, the display mode within a specific type of virtual space while specific content is being provided can be customized for each user, giving each user a sense of exclusivity.

(12) In any of the above (1) to (3), the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space changed by the display means during the second scheduled period includes a display mode of a specific object placed in the predetermined type of virtual space (for example, a flower stand FS placed in an exhibition area in the spatial area ER5),
The event that changes the display mode within the specified type of virtual space includes an event in which the specific object is associated with a user and placed in a specified area within the specified type of virtual space during the second planned period (for example, an event in which information regarding a flower stand FS purchased by the user is associated with the user as user-related information in Figure 27 (C) and placed in a specified exhibition area A as shown in Figure 29 (B)).

With this configuration, by placing a specific object associated with a user in an area designated by the user during a scheduled period, the display state within a specific type of virtual space can be changed, thereby increasing the user's interest.

(13) In the above (1), the event content in the first scheduled period includes specific content (e.g., a live event in FIG. 35 ) to be provided from a predetermined timing in the first scheduled period to an end of the first scheduled period,
The display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space that is changed by the display means includes a display mode of a specific object (e.g., performer avatars 1a to 1d in FIG. 35 and a flower star FS held by an operator avatar) that is displayed in correspondence with a character that can be displayed and acted in the predetermined type of virtual space while the specific content is being provided and that progresses through the specific content (e.g., performer avatars 1a to 1d in FIG. 35 and the flower star FS held by an operator avatar);
The display manner of the specific object in the specific content for the second scheduled period can be changed from the display manner of the specific object in the specific content for the first scheduled period in response to an event that occurs in the specified type of virtual space during the second scheduled period (for example, the latest flower star (the last purchased flower star) for each user can be displayed in association with a performer avatar).

With this configuration, the display mode of a specific object that may be displayed corresponding to a progressing character can change depending on an event that occurs during the second scheduled period, so that interest can be increased by events that occur during the scheduled period.

(14) In the above (1), the event content in the first scheduled period includes specific content (e.g., a live event in FIG. 35 ) to be provided from a predetermined timing in the first scheduled period to an end of the first scheduled period,
the means for displaying provides specific content to a user who satisfies a predetermined condition (e.g., who has purchased a ticket to participate in an event content) during a period from a timing corresponding to the predetermined timing of the second scheduled period after the start of the second scheduled period to an end of the second scheduled period;
The means for displaying allows the display of images within the specified type of virtual space for a period up to the timing corresponding to the specified timing, regardless of whether the user satisfies the specified conditions (for example, a user can enter spatial area ER5 regardless of whether or not they have purchased a ticket to participate in event content; see the modified example (Right to enter spatial area ER5)).

With this configuration, even users who do not meet the specified conditions can have images in a specified type of virtual space displayed. This makes it possible to increase interest in specific content by visually viewing images in a specified type of virtual space, thereby increasing motivation to meet the specified conditions.

(15) A computer control method according to an aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling a computer (e.g., a distribution server computer 100, a viewer terminal 300, etc.) for providing a virtual space to a user, the method comprising:
A step of displaying an image in the virtual space that is generated in response to an operation by the user (e.g., a virtual space update data delivery process, a viewer viewpoint video output process, etc.);
A step of generating an event in the virtual space (e.g., a process for arranging an object purchased in response to a purchase operation by a user in the virtual space (a virtual space update data generation process), a process for arranging and updating the purchased object in the virtual space based on the virtual space update data (a virtual space update process), etc.);
a step of providing event content during a first scheduled period in a predetermined type of virtual space (e.g., in a spatial area ER5) among the virtual spaces (e.g., a virtual space update data distribution process using the event data 111, a viewer viewpoint video output process),
During the first planned period, the generating step can cause an event to occur within the predetermined type of virtual space, and the display step can display an image within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to an operation from the user (for example, an image within spatial area ER5 can be displayed by entering spatial area ER5), and the display mode within the predetermined type of virtual space can be changed in response to the event caused within the predetermined type of virtual space (for example, arranging a flower stand FS purchased by the user within spatial area ER5 in steps S107 to S109 of FIG. 28, drawing a lottery for a flower stand FS to be displayed in spatial area ER5 in step S203 of FIG. 32, changing settings performed by an operation by the management, the display mode of a flower stand FS used in the production of a live event shown in FIG. 34 that can be changed by a user purchase in FIG. 37, etc.),
and a step of re-providing the event content in the predetermined type of virtual space even during a second scheduled period after the first scheduled period has elapsed (for example, a virtual space update data distribution process using the event data 111, a viewer viewpoint video output process, see FIG. 40 ),
The step of displaying can change the display mode within the specified type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period to a display mode that is different from the display mode at the start of the first planned period and that is changed according to an event that occurs during the first planned period, and change the display mode within the specified type of virtual space according to an event that occurs within the specified type of virtual space during the second planned period (e.g., see Figure 40 (a)).

According to this configuration, during the first scheduled period, the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space in which the event content is provided, which changes depending on the event that occurred in the virtual space, can be shared among users, so that interest in the event content can be increased. Also, the event content can be provided again during the second scheduled period, and the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space at the start of the second scheduled period is different from the display mode at the start of the first scheduled period and is changed depending on the event that occurred during the first scheduled period, so that interest in the event content during the second scheduled period can be increased for users who participated in the first scheduled period. Furthermore, since the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space can be changed depending on the event that occurred in the virtual space during the second scheduled period and shared among users, interest in the event content during the second scheduled period can be increased regardless of whether the user participated in the first scheduled period or not.

(16) A computer control method according to an aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling a computer (e.g., a distribution server computer 100, a viewer terminal 300, etc.) for providing a virtual space to a user, the method comprising:
A step of displaying an image in the virtual space that is generated in response to an operation by the user (e.g., a virtual space update data delivery process, a viewer viewpoint video output process, etc.);
A step of generating an event in the virtual space (e.g., a process for arranging an object purchased in response to a purchase operation by a user in the virtual space (a virtual space update data generation process), a process for arranging and updating the purchased object in the virtual space based on the virtual space update data (a virtual space update process), etc.);
a step of providing event content for a first scheduled period in a predetermined type of virtual space among the virtual spaces (e.g., in a spatial area ER5), and a means for providing the event content for a first scheduled period (e.g., a virtual space update data distribution process using the event data 111, a viewer viewpoint video output process),
During the first scheduled period, the generating step can cause an event to occur within the predetermined type of virtual space, and the display step can display an image within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to an operation from the user (for example, an image within spatial area ER5 can be displayed by entering spatial area ER5), and the display mode within the predetermined type of virtual space can be changed in response to the event caused within the predetermined type of virtual space (for example, arranging a flower stand FS purchased by the user within spatial area ER5 in steps S107 to S109 of FIG. 28, drawing a lottery for a flower stand FS to be displayed in spatial area ER5 in step S203 of FIG. 32, changing settings performed by an operation by the management, the display mode of a flower stand FS used in the production of a live event shown in FIG. 34 that can be changed by a user purchase in FIG. 37, etc.),
and a step of re-providing the event content in the predetermined type of virtual space even during a second scheduled period after the first scheduled period has elapsed (for example, a virtual space update data distribution process using the event data 111, a viewer viewpoint video output process, see FIG. 40 ),
The step of displaying can set the display mode within the specified type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period to a predetermined display mode regardless of the event that occurred during the first planned period, and change the display mode within the specified type of virtual space depending on the event that occurred within the specified type of virtual space during the second planned period (e.g., see Figure 40 (b)).

According to this configuration, during the first planned period, the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space in which the event content is provided can be shared among users, which changes according to an event that occurs in the virtual space, and thus interest in the event content can be increased. Furthermore, the event content can be provided again during the second planned period, and the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period can be a predetermined display mode, so that even users who participated during the first planned period can participate in the event content during the second planned period with a fresh feeling, which can increase interest in the event content. Furthermore, during the second planned period, the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space can be changed according to an event that occurs in the virtual space, and shared among users, which can increase interest in the event content during the second planned period, regardless of whether the user participated during the first planned period or not.

(17) A computer control method according to an aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling a computer (e.g., a distribution server computer 100, a viewer terminal 300, etc.) for providing a virtual space to a user, the method comprising:
A step of displaying an image in the virtual space that is generated in response to an operation by the user (e.g., a virtual space update data delivery process, a viewer viewpoint video output process, etc.);
A step of generating an event in the virtual space (e.g., a process for arranging an object purchased in response to a purchase operation by a user in the virtual space (a virtual space update data generation process), a process for arranging and updating the purchased object in the virtual space based on the virtual space update data (a virtual space update process), etc.);
a step of providing event content during a first scheduled period in a predetermined type of virtual space (e.g., in a spatial area ER5) among the virtual spaces (e.g., a virtual space update data distribution process using the event data 111, a viewer viewpoint video output process),
During the first scheduled period, the generating step can generate an event within the predetermined type of virtual space, and the display step can display an image within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to an operation from the user (for example, entering a spatial area ER5 and displaying an image within the spatial area ER5), and can change the display mode within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to the event generated within the predetermined type of virtual space; and during a second scheduled period after the first scheduled period has elapsed, a step is included for re-providing event content within the predetermined type of virtual space (for example, a virtual space update data distribution process using event data 111, a viewer viewpoint video output process, see FIG. 40 ),
The step of displaying can vary the display mode within the specified type of virtual space at the start of the second scheduled period depending on whether the user was a user who participated in the event content during the first scheduled period, and change the display mode within the specified type of virtual space depending on an event that occurred within the specified type of virtual space during the second scheduled period (see, for example, the modified example (regarding the re-provision of content for the period before the scheduled date and for the event)).

According to this configuration, during the first planned period, the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space in which the event content is provided can be shared among users, which changes depending on the event that occurred in the virtual space, and interest in the event content can be increased. Furthermore, the event content can be provided again during the second planned period, and the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period can be set to a different display mode depending on whether the user participated in the event content during the first planned period, which allows each user to have a different sense of premium depending on whether the user participated in the first planned period, and can increase interest in the event content during the second planned period. Furthermore, during the second planned period, the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space can be changed depending on the event that occurred in the virtual space and shared among users, which can increase interest in the event content during the second planned period, regardless of whether the user participated in the first planned period.

(18) A system according to an aspect of the present invention (a virtual space content delivery system) is a system including a computer (e.g., a delivery server computer 100, a viewer terminal 300, etc.) for providing a virtual space to a user,
A means for displaying an image in the virtual space that is generated in response to an operation by the user (for example, a virtual space update data delivery process, a viewer viewpoint video output process, etc.);
A means for generating an event in the virtual space (e.g., a process for arranging an object purchased in response to a purchase operation by a user in the virtual space (a virtual space update data generation process), a process for arranging and updating the purchased object in the virtual space based on the virtual space update data (a virtual space update process), etc.);
a means for providing event content during a first scheduled period in a predetermined type of virtual space (e.g., in a spatial area ER5) among the virtual spaces (e.g., a virtual space update data distribution process using the event data 111, a viewer viewpoint video output process),
During the first scheduled period, the generating means can cause an event to occur within the predetermined type of virtual space, and the display means can display an image within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to an operation from the user (for example, an image within spatial area ER5 can be displayed by entering spatial area ER5), and the display mode within the predetermined type of virtual space can be changed in response to the event caused within the predetermined type of virtual space (for example, arranging a flower stand FS purchased by the user within spatial area ER5 in steps S107 to S109 of FIG. 28, drawing a lottery for a flower stand FS to be displayed in spatial area ER5 in step S203 of FIG. 32, changing settings performed by an operation by the management, the display mode of a flower stand FS used in the production of a live event shown in FIG. 34 that can be changed by a user purchase such as in FIG. 37, etc.).
a means for re-providing event content in the predetermined type of virtual space even during a second scheduled period after the first scheduled period has elapsed (e.g., a virtual space update data distribution process using event data 111, a viewer's viewpoint video output process, see FIG. 40 );
The means for displaying can change the display mode within the specified type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period to a display mode that is different from the display mode at the start of the first planned period and that is changed according to an event that occurs during the first planned period, and can change the display mode within the specified type of virtual space according to an event that occurs within the specified type of virtual space during the second planned period (e.g., see Figure 40 (a)).

According to this configuration, during the first scheduled period, the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space in which the event content is provided, which changes depending on the event that occurred in the virtual space, can be shared among users, so that interest in the event content can be increased. Also, the event content can be provided again during the second scheduled period, and the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space at the start of the second scheduled period is different from the display mode at the start of the first scheduled period and is changed depending on the event that occurred during the first scheduled period, so that interest in the event content during the second scheduled period can be increased for users who participated in the first scheduled period. Furthermore, since the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space can be changed depending on the event that occurred in the virtual space during the second scheduled period and shared among users, interest in the event content during the second scheduled period can be increased regardless of whether the user participated in the first scheduled period or not.

(19) A system according to an aspect of the present invention (a virtual space content delivery system) is a system including a computer (e.g., a delivery server computer 100, a viewer terminal 300, etc.) for providing a virtual space to a user,
A means for displaying an image in the virtual space that is generated in response to an operation by the user (for example, a virtual space update data delivery process, a viewer viewpoint video output process, etc.);
A means for generating an event in the virtual space (e.g., a process for arranging an object purchased in response to a purchase operation by a user in the virtual space (a virtual space update data generation process), a process for arranging and updating the purchased object in the virtual space based on the virtual space update data (a virtual space update process), etc.);
a means for providing event content during a first scheduled period in a predetermined type of virtual space (e.g., in a spatial area ER5) among the virtual spaces (e.g., a virtual space update data distribution process using the event data 111, a viewer viewpoint video output process),
During the first scheduled period, the generating means can cause an event to occur within the predetermined type of virtual space, and the display means can display an image within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to an operation from the user (for example, an image within spatial area ER5 can be displayed by entering spatial area ER5), and the display mode within the predetermined type of virtual space can be changed in response to the event caused within the predetermined type of virtual space (for example, arranging a flower stand FS purchased by the user within spatial area ER5 in steps S107 to S109 of FIG. 28, drawing a lottery for a flower stand FS to be displayed in spatial area ER5 in step S203 of FIG. 32, changing settings performed by an operation by the management, the display mode of a flower stand FS used in the production of a live event shown in FIG. 34 that can be changed by user purchase in FIG. 37, etc.),
a means for re-providing event content in the predetermined type of virtual space even during a second scheduled period after the first scheduled period has elapsed (e.g., a virtual space update data distribution process using event data 111, a viewer's viewpoint video output process, see FIG. 40 );
The means for displaying can set the display mode within the specified type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period to a predetermined display mode regardless of an event that occurred during the first planned period, and can change the display mode within the specified type of virtual space depending on an event that occurred within the specified type of virtual space during the second planned period (e.g., see Figure 40 (b)).

According to this configuration, during the first planned period, the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space in which the event content is provided can be shared among users, which changes according to an event that occurs in the virtual space, and thus interest in the event content can be increased. Furthermore, the event content can be provided again during the second planned period, and the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period can be a predetermined display mode, so that even users who participated during the first planned period can participate in the event content during the second planned period with a fresh feeling, which can increase interest in the event content. Furthermore, during the second planned period, the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space can be changed according to an event that occurs in the virtual space, and shared among users, which can increase interest in the event content during the second planned period, regardless of whether the user participated during the first planned period or not.

(20) A system according to an aspect of the present invention (a virtual space content delivery system) is a system including a computer (e.g., a delivery server computer 100, a viewer terminal 300, etc.) for providing a virtual space to a user,
A means for displaying an image in the virtual space that is generated in response to an operation by the user (for example, a virtual space update data delivery process, a viewer viewpoint video output process, etc.);
A means for generating an event in the virtual space (e.g., a process for arranging an object purchased in response to a purchase operation by a user in the virtual space (a virtual space update data generation process), a process for arranging and updating the purchased object in the virtual space based on the virtual space update data (a virtual space update process), etc.);
a means for providing event content during a first scheduled period in a predetermined type of virtual space (e.g., in a spatial area ER5) among the virtual spaces (e.g., a virtual space update data distribution process using the event data 111, a viewer viewpoint video output process),
During the first scheduled period, the causing means is capable of causing an event to occur within the predetermined type of virtual space, and the display means is capable of displaying an image within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to an operation from the user (for example, entering a spatial area ER5 and displaying an image within the spatial area ER5), and changing the display mode within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to the event caused within the predetermined type of virtual space; and during a second scheduled period after the first scheduled period has elapsed, the system has means for re-providing event content within the predetermined type of virtual space (for example, a virtual space update data distribution process using event data 111, a viewer viewpoint video output process, see FIG. 40 ),
The means for displaying can change the display mode within the specified type of virtual space at the start of the second scheduled period depending on whether the user was a user who participated in the event content during the first scheduled period, and can change the display mode within the specified type of virtual space depending on an event that occurred within the specified type of virtual space during the second scheduled period (see, for example, the modified example (regarding the period before the scheduled date and re-provision of content for the event)).

According to this configuration, during the first planned period, the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space in which the event content is provided can be shared among users, which changes depending on the event that occurred in the virtual space, and interest in the event content can be increased. Furthermore, the event content can be provided again during the second planned period, and the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period can be set to a different display mode depending on whether the user participated in the event content during the first planned period, which allows each user to have a different sense of premium depending on whether the user participated in the first planned period, and can increase interest in the event content during the second planned period. Furthermore, during the second planned period, the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space can be changed depending on the event that occurred in the virtual space and shared among users, which can increase interest in the event content during the second planned period, regardless of whether the user participated in the first planned period.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a virtual space content delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a delivery server computer in a virtual space content delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram showing various data stored in a storage device of a delivery server computer according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a performer terminal in the virtual space content distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a viewer terminal in the virtual space content delivery system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an administrator terminal in the virtual space content delivery system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of event data in the virtual space content delivery system according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of performer user data in the virtual space content distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of viewer user data in the virtual space content delivery system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing data exchanged between each terminal and a server computer constituting the virtual space content distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing studio facilities used by performer users in a virtual space content delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overall image of a virtual space according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing a virtual live venue, which is a virtual space used in a virtual space content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating examples of displays on a viewer terminal constituting a virtual space content delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating examples of displays on a viewer terminal constituting a virtual space content delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating examples of displays on a performer terminal constituting a virtual space content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an example of a display by a zoom operation on a viewer terminal constituting the virtual space content delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an example of a display by a zoom operation on a viewer terminal constituting the virtual space content delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating examples of displays on a viewer terminal constituting a virtual space content delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A figure showing an example of the display of a flying performance period on a viewer terminal constituting a virtual space content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a flow diagram showing an example of a viewer viewpoint video control process executed in a viewer terminal constituting the virtual space content delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a virtual live concert venue in a modified example. FIG. 13 shows a participation position selection screen for a virtual live concert venue in a modified example. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an overhead view of a predetermined type of virtual space according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display aspect of a predetermined type of virtual space according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode during a purchase process of an object displayed in a virtual space according to an embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a table showing an example of object types and user-related information used in a purchasing process for an object displayed in a virtual space according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing an example of a purchasing process for an object displayed in a virtual space according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an example of a transition of a display mode of an object displayed in a predetermined type of virtual space according to an embodiment of the present invention. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating another example of a transition of a display mode of an object displayed in a predetermined type of virtual space according to an embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a table showing an example of an association between an object displayed in a virtual space of a predetermined type and a predetermined area according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a switching process of an object displayed in a predetermined type of virtual space according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a switching process of an object displayed in a predetermined type of virtual space according to an embodiment of the present invention. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating another example of a transition of a display mode of an object displayed in a predetermined type of virtual space according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of event content provided in a predetermined type of virtual space according to an embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a table relating to objects displayed in event content provided in a predetermined type of virtual space according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating an example of a process for determining an object to be displayed in event content provided in a predetermined type of virtual space according to an embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a table used in processing related to event content provided in a predetermined type of virtual space according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing an example of processing related to event content provided in a predetermined type of virtual space according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a period before the scheduled date and re-provision of event content according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of a special switching process of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of a room entry exception process according to the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a component reset process according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for performing an action on an object displayed in a predetermined type of virtual space according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The following describes an embodiment of the virtual space content distribution system of the present invention, which distributes various types of content within a virtual space, with reference to the drawings. Note that identical or similar components in multiple drawings are given the same reference symbols, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. Furthermore, the distribution program executed in the virtual space content distribution system of the present invention may be a program used in the entire system consisting of the server computer and each terminal described below that constitute the virtual space content distribution system, or it may be a program that operates only on some of the devices that constitute the virtual space content distribution system, such as the server computer and each terminal.

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a virtual space content distribution system in an embodiment that is one embodiment of the present invention. In the system of this embodiment shown in Figure 1, a performer avatar 1 corresponding to a performer user is distributed as virtual space content that carries out events such as live performances, games, social gatherings, and movie nights in the virtual space.

As shown in FIG. 1, the virtual space content distribution system of this embodiment is mainly composed of a distribution server computer 100 capable of executing various processes related to the virtual space and various processes related to the provision and distribution of the virtual space, an administrator terminal 150 used by an event manager K of an event management organization that manages and manages events in the virtual space to manage the distribution of events in the virtual space, a performer terminal 200 used by performer users, and a viewer terminal 300 that can be used by viewer users who enter and participate in the virtual space (e.g., log in to the virtual space) and view the event content in the virtual space, and the distribution server computer 100, the administrator terminal 150, the performer terminal 200, and the viewer terminal 300 are connected to each other so that data communication can be performed via the Internet network N, which is an open computer network.

In this embodiment, the administrator terminal 150 and the performer terminal 200 are also shown connected to the distribution server computer 100 via the Internet network N, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in a case where an event management organization provides studios to performer users and the distribution server computer 100 is installed in these studios, the administrator terminal 150 and the performer terminal 200 may be locally connected to the distribution server computer 100 for data communication, or may be connected to the distribution server computer 100 for communication via a local area network LAN within the studio facility.

As shown in FIG. 1, there are multiple viewer users, such as viewer user A, viewer user B, viewer user C, etc., and viewer terminals 300 include viewer terminals 300a, 300b, 300c, etc. that can be used by each of viewer users A, B, C, etc. Although there are usually multiple viewer users, there may be one or four or more, and the number may be determined appropriately depending on the type of event content provided in the virtual space. Hereinafter, viewer user A, viewer user B, viewer user C, etc. may be collectively referred to as viewer users, and viewer terminals 300a, 300b, 300c, etc. may be collectively referred to as viewer terminals 300.

In addition, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which there is one performer user, but the present invention is not limited to this. The event content provided in the virtual space may be a joint event in which multiple performer users who are acting alone participate, or a group event in which a group of multiple people who are acting together participate. In this way, when multiple performers appear, performer terminals 200a, 200b, 200c, etc. may be provided for each performer user, or when a group of multiple people appears, one performer terminal 200 may be used by multiple people. Note that performer users (also called talent users) are users who act as speakers, MCs, facilitators, starring roles, etc. in the event content. The event content is advanced by avatars that act as facilitators, such as performer avatars that correspond to the actions of the performer users and operator avatars that correspond to the operations of the operator (also called operator user) who manages the event.

In addition, in FIG. 1, the distribution server computer 100 is illustrated as a single unit, but the present invention is not limited to this. These distribution server computers 100 may be configured with multiple server computers, such as a first server computer that mainly performs virtual space processing and a second server computer that mainly performs distribution processing, or may be configured as a cloud server, etc., and the number of server computers may be changed appropriately depending on the scale of the event, the number of participating viewer users, etc.

Similarly, while the administrator terminal 150 is illustrated as a single unit in FIG. 1, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that there may be multiple administrator terminals 150 depending on the number of performer users and viewer users participating in event content such as a live performance.

<Distribution server computer>
Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the distribution server computer 100 used in this embodiment. As described above, the distribution server computer 100 used in this embodiment is a normal server computer with relatively excellent processing power installed in a studio operated by an event management organization, and as shown in Fig. 2, has a processor (CPU) 101 connected to a data bus 108, a memory (RAM) 102, a storage 103 such as a hard disk, a communication interface (I/F) 104 capable of two-way communication by TCP/IP protocol via the Internet, which is an open computer network, and an input/output interface (I/F) 105 to which an input device such as a keyboard can be connected.

In this embodiment, an input/output interface (I/F) 105 is provided to enable local operation, but if remote operation is possible via a communication interface (I/F) 104, the input/output interface (I/F) 105 may not be provided.

In addition to an operation system (server OS) for providing server functions (not shown), various data and programs are stored in the storage 103 of the distribution server computer 100 as shown in FIG. 3. Specifically, mainly stored are an event management program 110 for providing an event management function for managing various events, a virtual space generation program 120 for providing a virtual space for an event venue, a performer user management program 130 for providing a performer user management function for managing performer users, and a viewer user management program 132 for providing a viewer user management function for managing viewer users.

The event management program 110 is a program for managing events held at an event venue in cooperation with the administrator terminal 150, and is capable of managing the progress of the event using event data 111 (see FIG. 7), time schedule data (TS data) 112, music data 113, and the like stored in the storage 103 together with the event management program 110.

The event data 111 used in this embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 7. The event data 111 stores information such as the event name, the file name of the time schedule (TS) data, the performer ID uniquely assigned to the performer user who is the performer, the file name of the music list, etc., the file name of the participating viewer list in which the information of the special viewer users who are permitted to participate in virtual participation is registered in the third area of the virtual audience area described later, and the file name of the participating viewer list in which the information of the viewer users who have reserved virtual participation is registered in the fourth area of the virtual audience area described later. The event data also includes information for specifying the date and time when the event is held, and the event content will be distributed at the date and time. Furthermore, the event data also includes information for specifying the date and time when the virtual space in which the event is held will be released for the content in which the user can enter by releasing the virtual space before the scheduled date of the event.

The time schedule data (TS data) 112 is data that describes the order of events and the programs such as songs in a chronological order for the virtual space live event to be held, and the virtual space live event is managed so that it progresses based on the time schedule described in the time schedule data (TS data) 112. Furthermore, the time schedule data (TS data) 112 and event data 111 can be changed, updated, or added by the event manager K operating the manager terminal 150.

The song data 113 is data on the performance parts (so-called karaoke) of each song sung by the performer user, and is played by the audio control program 124 (described later) based on the time schedule data (TS data) 112 by the event management program 110, and is transmitted to the performer terminal 200 and the viewer terminal 300 (see FIG. 11).

The virtual space generation program 120 is a program for providing an event venue, which is a virtual space, and has the function of providing an event venue in which performer avatars and viewer avatars are virtually participating, using virtual space data 121 describing the structure of the event venue, which is stored in storage 103 together with the virtual space generation program 120, object data 122 for placing various objects to be placed in the event venue (including star decorations 43 on the stage and star objects 50-52 in the sky) in the virtual space, and performer avatar data included in performer user data 131 and viewer avatar data included in viewer user data 133, which will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 13, for example, the viewpoint image control program 123 is a program for providing a function to generate viewpoint images from virtual cameras C1-C4 virtually set up at the event venue and an airborne virtual camera (not shown), and also to provide a function to display images from the viewpoints of viewer avatars 11-14 virtually participating in the third area of the event venue and viewer avatars 21-32 virtually participating in the fourth area on the performer terminal 200 in cooperation with the viewer terminal 300. Note that virtual camera C2 is a virtual camera set up to provide an image from the viewpoint of performer avatar 1 on the stage of the event venue, and the viewpoint image from virtual camera C2 is projected onto a screen S set up in the studio by a projector 211 (described later) connected to the viewer terminal 300.

The audio control program 124 is a program for controlling the audio (including music) distributed during events in virtual space, and specifically provides a function for playing music data 113 and a function for synthesizing the audio produced by the performer user with the played music and distributing it to the administrator terminal 150 and the viewer terminal 300.

The comment control program 125 cooperates with a viewer comment control program stored in the viewer terminal 300 described below to provide a function for displaying various comments entered by each viewer user at the viewer terminal 300 during an event in virtual space in chronological order on the performer terminal 200 and the viewer terminal 300.

The gift control program 126 is a program for controlling gifts given from viewer users to performer users in cooperation with a viewer program stored in the viewer terminal 300 described below, and specifically provides a function for the viewer user to purchase gifts (e.g., purchase of objects, etc.) based on purchase price information set for various gifts stored in the gift data 134, a processing function for the viewer user to give to the performer user a gift purchased using the gift object data included in the gift data 134 (including processing for presentation when giving the gift, etc.), and a processing function for changing the owner of a gift given from the viewer user to the performer user.

The performer user management program 130 provides management functions and authentication functions for information regarding performer users based on the performer user data 131 shown in FIG. 8, which is stored in the storage 103 together with the performer user management program 130.

The performer user data 131 used in this embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 8. The performer user data 131 stores various information, such as the performer user's account (email address), name, authentication information, the file name of the avatar data of the avatar used in the virtual space, and the file name of the item list in which the items owned are registered, in association with a performer user ID uniquely assigned to the performer user. Although not illustrated in FIG. 8, information on virtual value such as points owned by each performer user may also be stored as the performer user data 131.

Performer users can be authenticated by matching their performer user ID, account, and authentication information, and items (gifts) that each performer user has received from viewers and that they come to own can be identified from an item list.

The viewer user management program 132 provides functions such as management of information about viewer users and authentication functions based on the viewer user data 133 shown in FIG. 9, which is stored in the storage 103 together with the program.

The viewer user data 133 used in this embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 9. The viewer user data 133 stores various information associated with a viewer user ID uniquely assigned to the viewer user, such as the viewer user's account (email address), authentication information, the file name of the avatar data of the avatar to be used in the virtual space, owned points which are the number of points that can be used in the virtual space, the file name of an item list in which items (gifts) purchased using points are registered, and personal information such as name, date of birth, and telephone number. Although not shown in FIG. 9, a nickname (comment name) displayed together with a comment is also registered in the viewer user data 133, and the nickname (comment name) is displayed together with the comment. Points can be increased, for example, by purchasing points from a specified operating company.

<Performer terminal>
Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a performer terminal 200 in the virtual space content delivery system of this embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 11, the performer terminal 200 is installed in a control room adjacent to a studio where the performer user performs his/her acting motions, and uses a normal computer with relatively excellent processing power, and as shown in Fig. 4, has a processor (CPU) 201 connected to a data bus 208, a memory (RAM) 202, a storage 203 such as a hard disk, a communication interface (I/F) 204 capable of two-way communication by TCP/IP protocol via the Internet, which is an open computer network, an image processing unit 206 including a graphics processing unit (GPU) to which display devices A210 to C212 are connected, and an input/output interface (I/F) 205 to which various input/output devices are connected.

The input/output interface (I/F) 205 is connected to the following input devices: a motion sensor 220 including multiple wearable sensors 220C1-220C5 (see FIG. 11) worn by the performer user on the left and right limbs and waist; an expression input device 221 consisting of an imaging camera for inputting the performer's facial expressions; a voice input device 222 consisting of a sound-collecting microphone worn on the performer user's head; and an operation input device 224 such as a keyboard or touch panel that can be operated by an assistant operator O who assists the performer user. Note that by providing these input devices with a controller that the performer user can hold to perform various operations, the performer himself may be able to perform various operations without the assistance of the assistant operator O.

In this embodiment, the performer user performs performance actions (music actions) in accordance with the music, and an assistant operator O assists with operations during the performance. However, there may be multiple assistant operators O, or the operation contents may be set in advance in the performer terminal 200, for example, in a sequence program, so that an assistant operator O is not provided.

The input/output interface (I/F) 205 is connected to an audio output device 223 including high-performance earphones (ear monitors) worn by the performer user as output devices and speakers placed in the control room, so that the sound of the music being played sent from the distribution server computer 100 is output to the performer user via the high-performance earphones (ear monitors), and the music audio is output from the speakers along with the performer's voice, allowing an assistant operator O, etc., to check the status of the music, including the voice produced by the performer user, in the control room.

In this embodiment, high-performance earphones (in-ear monitors) are used to avoid the inconvenience of the reproduced music audio being input from the sound collection microphone worn by the performer user, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the music audio may be output from speakers in the studio, etc., as long as the inconvenience of the music audio being input can be avoided.

In this embodiment, the sound collection microphones are shown as being worn by the performers, but these sound collection microphones may also be stationary, installed on the floor, walls, or ceiling of the studio.

Now, we will explain the motion sensor 220 used in the performer terminal 300 of this embodiment. Any motion sensor can be used as long as it can properly detect (measure) the body movements (movements) of the performer user. In this embodiment, in order to enable more accurate and shorter-period detection of the performer's movements, multiple wearable sensors 220C1-220C5 are used that are worn by the performer user on the body. Note that the motion sensor 220 may be of a type that does not require the performer to wear any equipment, such as a LiDER that uses laser light, etc.

In this embodiment, in order to reduce the burden on the performer user's head, particularly the burden on the performer user's head, caused by wearing sensors when performing a performance, as described below, the performer user's head movements are detected by image recognition using images captured by the imaging camera that constitutes the facial expression input device 221, and five wearable sensors 220C1 to 220C5 are used to detect movements other than the head. However, for example, wearable sensors may also be provided on the performer user's head, or more wearable sensors (seven or more) may be worn to detect more detailed movements.

As shown in FIG. 11, the mounting sensors 220C1 to 220C5 detect their own position and orientation in cooperation with base station 220a and base station 220b installed in a studio room separated from the adjacent adjustment room by a glass window.

Base station 220a and base station 220b can use, as an example, a multi-axis laser emitter. After emitting a flashing light for synchronization, base station 220a scans the laser light, for example, around a vertical axis. Base station 220b scans the laser light, for example, around a horizontal axis.

Each of the mounting sensors 220C1 to 220C5 may include multiple optical sensors that detect the incidence of blinking light and laser light from the base station 220a and base station 220b.

Each of the mounting sensors 220C1 to 220C5 can detect its own position and orientation based on the time difference between the incidence of the blinking light and the incidence of the laser light, the light reception time at each optical sensor, the incidence angle of the laser light detected by each optical sensor, and other information as necessary. For example, ViveTracker or a base station provided by HTC CORPORATION can be suitably used.

Base station 220a and base station 220b emit flashing light and perform laser light scanning at regular intervals, so the detection information of each worn sensor 220C1-220C5 is updated at each interval. Detection information indicating the position and orientation of each motion sensor calculated in each of these worn sensors 220C1-220C5 is input to the performer terminal 200 via short-range wireless communication and transmitted to the distribution server computer 100 as performer avatar information together with facial motion information (see FIG. 10).

In this embodiment, an example is shown in which two base stations, base station 220a and base station 220b, are used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more base stations may be used.

Motion sensor 220 may also be configured such that each of a number of motion sensors worn by the performer user is equipped with a number of infrared LEDs or visible light LEDs, and the position and orientation of each of the motion sensors is detected by detecting the light from these LEDs with an infrared camera installed on the floor or wall of the studio.

Moreover, in order to reduce the burden on the performer user, the motion sensor 220 may be replaced with a motion sensor using a lighter reflective marker instead of the wearable sensors 220C1-220C5. In other words, the motion sensor may detect the performer user's movements by photographing reflective markers attached to various parts of the performer user's body with adhesive tape or the like to generate photographic data, and then detecting the position and orientation of the reflective markers through image processing of the photographic data. In this case, a cameraman who photographs the performer user may be positioned in the studio, and the cameraman may photograph the performer user from a direction suitable for detection, thereby enabling the performer user's movements to be detected well.

Motion sensor 220 may also be a suit with a built-in inertial sensor, such as a suit with a built-in inertial sensor for the MVN motion capture system marketed by Xsens.com, and the movements of the performer user may be detected by analyzing the sensor signal output from the inertial sensor.

Any facial expression input device 221 can be used as long as it can properly detect head movements, including the face, of the performer user. In this embodiment, specifically, it is configured with an imaging camera (digital camera) arranged so as to be able to continuously capture head images, including the face, of the performer user, and the head movements and facial movements (facial expressions) of the performer user captured by the imaging camera are detected by image recognition, and facial motion information, which is the detected head movements and facial movements (facial expressions), is transmitted to the distribution server computer 100 as performer avatar information together with body motion information, as shown in FIG. 10.

The facial expression input device 221 is not limited to the imaging camera (digital camera) used in this embodiment. For example, the facial expression input device 221 may be a 3D camera capable of detecting the depth of a person's face, or a mobile terminal such as a smartphone equipped with a LiDER device. In this case, the performer user may wear such a mobile terminal.

As described above, the performer terminal 200 in this embodiment has three display devices A210 to C212. Display device A210 is an LCD monitor or the like installed in the control room as shown in FIG. 11. Display device B211 is a projector that projects an image onto a screen S installed in the studio. Display device C212 is a large vertical display installed adjacent to the screen S in the studio.

Display device A210, which is placed in the adjustment room of the studio, displays images from each of the viewpoints of virtual cameras C1 to C4, viewpoint images from a virtual camera moving in the air during the flying performance period described below, the contents of comments, and a message input window into which assistant operator O inputs any message he or she wishes to convey to the performer user.

On the other hand, a screen S projected from a projector, which is a display device B211 installed in the studio, displays an image from the viewpoint of a virtual camera C2 (see FIG. 13), which is the viewpoint of the performer, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, including the avatars of viewers who are virtually participating in the live performance in the third and fourth areas, allowing the performer user to check the status of the viewer users who are virtually participating in the virtual space live performance through the image.

In addition, comments from viewer users, as well as comments and messages entered by the assistant operator O, are displayed on the display device C212 installed in the studio, allowing the performer user to check the comments from viewer users and messages from the assistant operator O even during the performance.

In addition to an operating system (OS) for operating the computer that is the performer terminal 200, the storage 203 stores a performer program that is executed by the processor (CPU) 201 etc. to provide various functions in cooperation with the distribution server computer 100, including the function of allowing the performer user to control the movement of the performer avatar 1 in the virtual space live that is the virtual space content.

As shown in FIG. 4, the performer programs include a performer avatar control program, a performer viewpoint image control program, a performer viewpoint image control program, a performer voice control program, a performer comment control program, performer authentication data, etc.

The performer avatar control program is a program that provides the function of primarily scanning the body motion of the performer user using the motion sensor 220 and scanning the facial motion (facial expression) of the performer user using the facial expression input device 221 to generate performer avatar information for operating the performer avatar and transmit it to the distribution server computer 100.

The performer's viewpoint image control program is a program that provides the function of generating and outputting the viewpoint image of virtual camera C2, which is the performer's viewpoint, based on the virtual space update data distributed from the distribution server computer 100.

The performer's voice control program is a program that provides the function of outputting the playback sound of a song based on the playback music data distributed from the distribution server computer 100 via the audio output device 223, converting the audio input from the audio input device 222 into data and sending it to the distribution server computer 100 as performer voice data, and generating and outputting a monitor voice consisting of the playback sound of the song and the performer's voice.

The performer comment control program is a program that provides the function of displaying each comment by the viewer user that is distributed from the distribution server computer 100.

The performer authentication data is used to authenticate the identity of the performer user in a communication connection with the distribution server computer 100.

The performer avatar control program includes a motion parameter generation program capable of generating parameter information for the positions and rotation angles of the bones that make up the rig data (sometimes called "skeleton data") that indicates the skeleton of the performer avatar included in the performer avatar data, as well as an image recognition processing program for image recognition of the performer user's head position and facial expression from the image captured by the imaging camera.

In addition, in this embodiment, the performer terminal 200 is illustrated as a form in which a computer serving as the performer terminal 200 installed in a studio operated by an event management organization is used jointly by multiple performer users to hold a live event, and each performer user can input performer authentication data to use the computer as the performer terminal 200 of that performer user. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the performer terminal 200 may be used only by the performer user who owns it, such as when a performer user appears in a virtual space live performance from his or her home, and the performer terminal 200 is a computer installed in the performer user's home and dedicated to the performer user's own use, and in such cases, storage of performer authentication data is not necessarily required.

In this way, by using the performer terminal 200 constituting the virtual space content distribution system of this embodiment, the performer user can move the performer avatar 1 placed on the virtual stage G at the event venue in conjunction with his/her own movements, can reflect his/her own facial expressions in the facial expressions of the performer avatar 1, and can distribute his/her own voice as the voice of the performer avatar 1 to the viewers via the distribution server computer 100.

<Viewer terminal>
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a viewer terminal 300 in the virtual space content delivery system of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the viewer terminal 300 is a smartphone P carried by a viewer user or a regular desktop computer (PC) installed at a viewer user's home or the like, and as shown in Fig. 5, has a processor (CPU) 301 connected to a data bus 308, a memory (RAM) 302, a storage 303 such as a hard disk or non-volatile memory, a communication interface (I/F) 304 capable of two-way communication by TCP/IP protocol via the Internet, which is an open computer network, an image processing unit 306 including a graphics processing unit (GPU) to which a display device 310 is connected, and an input/output interface (I/F) 305 to which various input/output devices are connected.

The display device 310 may display various viewpoint images generated based on the virtual space data of the event venue, which is a virtual space updated by the virtual space update data (see FIG. 10) distributed from the distribution server computer 100, by the viewer viewpoint image control program included in the viewer program stored in the storage 303, as described below, and the flying viewpoint images distributed from the distribution server computer 100 during the flying performance period described below. If the viewer terminal 300 is a smartphone P, the display device 310 corresponds to the display of the smartphone P, and if the viewer terminal 300 is a normal computer (PC), the display device 310 corresponds to a stationary display constituting the computer (PC). Note that these displays are not limited to those that display planar images (2D images), but may be ones that display stereoscopic images (3D images) by displaying right-eye images and left-eye images, such as a head-mounted display (HMD) that can be worn by the viewer.

The input/output interface (I/F) 305 is connected to an operation input device 321 consisting of one or more devices that allow the viewer to perform various operations as input devices, and an audio output device 322 such as earphones or speakers that can output live audio, etc., distributed from the distribution server computer 100.

It goes without saying that the audio output device 322 need not be a separate device, but may be integrated with the display device 310, such as the head-mounted display (HMD) described above.

The operation input device 321 may be any device that allows the viewer to perform various operations such as motion operations including movement of the viewer avatar, zoom operations, operations related to comments, operations related to gifts, etc. For example, it may be composed of at least one of a transparent touch panel formed on the display surface of a smartphone, a keyboard constituting a computer, a game controller, etc.

In this embodiment, as described below, the virtual audience area at the event venue is divided into a third area near the virtual stage G in which only viewer users who have been specially permitted by the performer user can virtually participate, as shown in FIG. 13, and a fourth area around the third area in which general viewer users can virtually participate. As described above, a viewer user who virtually participates in the fourth area may have an operation input device 321 such as a touch panel, keyboard, or game controller, but a viewer user who virtually participates in the third area has an operation input device 321 such as an MVN motion capture suit with the inertial sensor described above built in, and is able to precisely move the viewer avatar with their own movements, just like a performer user.

However, even viewer users who are permitted to virtually participate in the third area cannot change the facial expression of the viewer avatar, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the facial expressions of these viewer avatars may be changed, for example, as described above, by the viewer user using the camera function of a smartphone or a camera connected to a computer to recognize the facial expression of the viewer user, even if it is at a level different from the level of change made by the performer user.

The various input/output devices connected to the input/output interface (I/F) 305 may be built-in or external, and in the case of external devices, they may be connected in either a wired or wireless manner.

In addition to an operating system (OS) for operating the viewer terminal 300, such as a smartphone or computer, the storage 303 also stores a viewer program as a viewing application that is executed by the processor (CPU) 301 or the like to provide various functions, including a live viewing function for viewer users in the virtual space live content, in cooperation with the distribution server computer 100.

As shown in FIG. 5, the viewer program includes a viewer viewpoint image control program that provides a function for generating each viewpoint image of the virtual space live to be displayed on the display device 310, a viewer audio control program that provides a function for outputting live audio from the audio output device 322 based on the live audio (data) of the virtual space live distributed from the distribution server computer 100, a viewer comment control program that displays comments based on the comment data distributed from the distribution server computer 100 and provides functions related to comments such as comments entered by the viewer and transmitted to the distribution server computer 100, and viewer authentication data for authenticating the identity of the viewer user in a communication connection with the distribution server computer 100.

In addition to the above-mentioned programs, although not shown in FIG. 5, the virtual space may include a gift control program that controls gifts and the placement of objects in the virtual space, a program for purchasing tickets for a viewer avatar to virtually participate in an event, and an area designation program for reserving an area (position) in the event venue where a viewer avatar will virtually participate in the event in advance, as shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, before the start of the event, but may also include other programs.

In this embodiment, the comments entered by the viewer are short messages in text format, but are not limited to these short messages in text format and may be, for example, messages in still image format, messages in video format, or any other electronic message format. The comments are displayed on the display device 310, superimposed on each viewpoint video.

In this way, by using the viewer terminal 300 constituting the virtual space content distribution system of this embodiment, a viewer user can move and operate the viewer avatar virtually participating in the event venue, and by changing the viewpoint of the viewer avatar, the viewpoint image displayed on the display device 310 can be changed, and the zoom state (viewpoint state) can also be changed, allowing the viewer avatar to operate and cheer on the performer avatar 1.

Note that a viewer avatar that virtually participates in the third area is only allowed to move within the third area, and cannot move to the fourth area. On the other hand, a viewer avatar that virtually participates in the fourth area is only allowed to move within the fourth area, and cannot move to the third area. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a viewer avatar that virtually participates in three areas may be allowed to move to the fourth area. Note that a viewer avatar naturally cannot move onto the virtual stage G, etc., so visibility of the performer avatar 1 is not obstructed by the viewer avatar moving onto the virtual stage G.

In addition, by displaying viewpoint images on these display devices 310 and outputting live audio, users can enjoy a virtual space live event with the feeling that they are actually present at the event venue.

Although we will not go into detail here, the comment function provided by the viewer comment control program allows viewers to enjoy the virtual space live show while checking comments entered by themselves and other viewer users, and the gift function provided by the gift control program allows viewers to give items they own to the performer avatar 1, thereby livening up the virtual space live show.

<Administrator terminal>
Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an administrator terminal 150 in the virtual space content delivery system of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the administrator terminal 150 uses a normal computer installed in a control room adjacent to the studio together with the performer terminal 200, and as shown in Fig. 6, has a processor (CPU) 151 connected to a data bus 158, a memory (RAM) 152, a storage 153 such as a hard disk, a communication interface (I/F) 154 capable of two-way communication by TCP/IP protocol via the Internet, which is an open computer network, an image processing unit 156 including a graphics processing unit (GPU) to which a display device 160 is connected, and an input/output interface (I/F) 155 to which various input/output devices are connected.

As described below, the display device 150 is configured with one or more stationary displays that can individually display each viewpoint image of each virtual camera C1 to C4 described below and each virtual camera moving in the air during the flying performance period, which are generated based on the virtual space data of the event venue, which is a virtual space updated by the virtual space update data (see FIG. 10) distributed from the distribution server computer 100, by the administrator viewpoint image control program included in the administrator program stored in the storage 153, as well as displaying comments based on the comment data distributed from the distribution server computer 100.

The input/output interface (I/F) 155 is connected to an operation input device 161 consisting of one or more devices that allow the administrator K to perform various operations as input devices, and an audio output device 162 such as earphones, headphones, or speakers that can output live audio, etc., distributed from the distribution server computer 100.

The operation input device 161 can be any device that allows the administrator K to perform various operations such as input and settings related to the virtual space live event, and may be composed of at least one of, for example, a keyboard constituting a computer, a transparent touch panel formed on the surface of a display, a viewpoint switching controller, etc.

The various input/output devices connected to the input/output interface (I/F) 155 may be connected in either a wired or wireless manner.

In addition to an operating system (OS) for operating the computer that is the administrator terminal 150, the storage 153 stores an administrator program that is executed by the processor (CPU) 151 etc. to provide various functions, including a distribution management function for the distribution of the virtual space live content, in cooperation with the distribution server computer 100.

As shown in FIG. 6, the administrator programs include an administrator viewpoint video control program, an administrator audio control program, an administrator comment control program, a viewer management program, a performer management program, etc.

The administrator viewpoint image control program is a program that provides the function of generating viewpoint images from each virtual camera to be displayed on the display device 160, as well as the function of changing and switching between each viewpoint.

The administrator audio control program is a program that provides the function of outputting live audio from the audio output device 162 based on the virtual space live audio data distributed from the distribution server computer 100.

The administrator comment control program is a program that displays comments based on comment data distributed from the distribution server computer 100, and provides comment-related functions such as prohibiting comments from being distributed and selecting viewers to prevent them from being distributed.

The viewer management program is a program for managing viewer users who virtually participate in the virtual space live, and the performer management program is a program for managing performer users who virtually participate in the virtual space live.

Note that although not shown in FIG. 6, the system includes an authentication program for authenticating whether the administrator who is the operator is the actual person, and a schedule program for editing the time schedule and song order of the virtual space live performance, but may also include other programs.

In this way, by having administrator K operate administrator terminal 150 that constitutes the virtual space content distribution system of this embodiment, various settings for executing the event can be implemented, such as settings related to the program, order of songs, and performance, as well as the time schedule and the trajectory of the virtual camera moving in the air during the flying performance period, and the virtual space live performance can be managed based on the settings made in this way.

<Overall image of virtual space>
In the following, as an example of content, a content in which a performer holds a live event in a virtual live venue will be described. FIG. 12 shows an overall image of the virtual space provided by the system of this embodiment. The virtual space ER of this embodiment includes multiple types of space areas ER (spatial area ER1, spatial area ER2, etc.). Each spatial area ER can provide content of different genres and types. As the multiple types of space areas ER, for example, an entrance that functions as a lobby when a user logs into the virtual space ER, and areas corresponding to various contents such as a live venue, game content, and exhibition hall are provided. Note that various areas may be selected from a title screen that is displayed when a user logs into the virtual space ER. An event venue, which will be described later using FIG. 13, FIG. 24, and FIG. 25, etc., is constructed in the entirety of a predetermined space area ER or in a part of a predetermined space area ER.

Each spatial area ER has a number of rooms in which the same content is provided. Each room has a maximum number of people that can enter the room, and can accommodate up to 200 people. Each room is managed by, for example, a real-time synchronization server. Users who are in the same room can see each other's user avatars and communicate with each other. For example, they can play games together or chat with each other. For example, if the spatial area ER1 is a space that imitates a city, the same city-like space is provided to the user in rooms ER1a, ER1b, etc. corresponding to the spatial area ER1, but the only avatars that can be displayed in the space are user avatars corresponding to users associated with the same room. For example, the user avatar 1 of a user associated with room ER1a is not displayed on the user screen of a user associated with room ER1b. However, as an exception, the user avatar of a special user (for example, a talent) can be displayed not only in the room in which the user is actually present, but also in other rooms (also called mirroring).

The movement between each spatial area ER may be such that the user cannot move to another spatial area ER without passing through a spatial area ER that is defined as an area (e.g., an entrance) that provides specific content after logging in to the virtual space, or may be such that the user can move between the spatial areas ER and ER. For example, the user may not be able to move from spatial area ER2 to spatial area ER3 without passing through spatial area ER1, or may be able to move directly between spatial area ER2 and spatial area ER3 without passing through spatial area ER1. In addition, when moving between spatial areas ER, a switching performance may be performed. For example, when moving to another spatial area ER, the display screen may be switched to black (for example, a screen in which a message such as "Loading..." is displayed on a black screen). In addition, the user's access to each spatial area ER may be such that the user first enters the entrance area after logging in, or the user can select and enter the spatial area ER of their choice without passing through the entrance area, or the user may transition to a spatial area ER randomly determined by lottery. For each room, the user may choose to enter a room of their choice, or may enter a room that is randomly determined by lottery.

<Virtual live venue>
A virtual live venue, which is the virtual space used in this embodiment, is shown in Fig. 13. The virtual live venue shown in Fig. 13 is constructed in a predetermined spatial area ER of the spatial area ER shown in Fig. 12. As shown in Fig. 13, the virtual live venue, like a live venue in real space, is a virtual space having a virtual stage G where performer users appear as performer avatars 1 and a virtual audience area where viewer users who will be in the audience virtually participate as viewer avatars.

As shown in FIG. 13, virtual stage G has a relatively large trapezoidal floor surface, and performer avatar 1 can move on virtual stage G in the same way as in a live venue in real space. On the side of virtual stage G opposite the virtual audience seats, as shown in FIG. 13, a virtual stage wall is formed that is divided into three parts: a center, a right side, and a left side, and virtual displays 40, 41, and 42 are provided in front of these virtual stage walls, and images and videos for the performance are virtually displayed on these virtual displays 40, 41, and 42.

A star virtual placement object 43 related to the performer user is placed between the virtual displays 40, 41, and 42, and large star virtual aerial objects 50 to 52 are placed in a second area, which is an area on the virtual stage G above the first area surrounded by the virtual stage walls, as shown in FIG. 13. The virtual aerial objects 50 to 52 are able to move within the second area.

A virtual audience area is provided in front of the virtual stage G, where viewer users can virtually participate in the virtual live venue as viewer avatars. As shown in FIG. 13, this virtual audience area is made up of a third area, which is a special area close to the center of the virtual stage G where the performer avatar 1 appears, and a fourth area, which is formed to surround the third area and is located at a greater distance from the center of the virtual stage G than the third area.

In these third areas, special viewer users who are permitted to participate virtually can participate virtually up to a certain upper limit. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, for example, viewer avatars 11 to 14 of four viewer users who have met a certain virtual participation record and have been permitted to participate virtually by the performer user are arranged.

The fourth area also contains viewer avatars 21-32 of general viewer users who have booked virtual participation before the start of the virtual space live event. Note that in FIG. 13, viewer avatars 21-32 are shown in a simplified manner for convenience, but are the same avatars as viewer avatars 11-14.

In addition, each viewer avatar 11 to 14 arranged in the third area can be moved within the third area by the viewer user operating the viewer terminal, and each viewer avatar 21 to 32 arranged in the fourth area can be moved within the fourth area by the viewer user operating the viewer terminal.

As shown in FIG. 13, four virtual cameras C1 to C4 are virtually positioned (set) in the virtual live venue. Virtual camera C1 is virtually positioned in front of performer avatar 1 so as to face the performer avatar 1, and the viewpoint image captured by virtual camera C1 is a viewpoint image viewed from a position close to the front of performer avatar 1, as shown in FIG. 14(a).

The virtual camera C2 is a camera virtually placed (set) above the head of the performer avatar 1, and the viewpoint image captured by the virtual camera C2 is a performer viewpoint image viewed from the performer avatar 1 toward the virtual audience area, as shown in FIG. 16.

Virtual camera C3 is a virtual camera virtually placed on the virtual display 41 diagonally behind the performer avatar 1, and the viewpoint image from virtual camera C3 is a viewpoint image looking at the virtual audience area from diagonally behind the performer avatar 1, as shown in Figure 14 (c).

Virtual camera C4 is a virtual camera virtually placed on the virtual display 42 diagonally behind the performer avatar 1, and the viewpoint image from virtual camera C4 is a viewpoint image looking at the virtual audience area from diagonally behind the performer avatar 1, as shown in Figure 14 (b).

In addition to the fixedly placed (set) virtual cameras C1 to C4, in this embodiment, an airborne virtual camera (not shown) is virtually placed so that it can move through the air in the virtual live venue space, which is a virtual space. The aerial trajectories along which these airborne virtual cameras move and the viewpoint directions (angles) at each position on the aerial trajectory are preset by the administrator terminal 150, and during the flying performance period described below, the performer avatar 1 virtually flies so as to follow the aerial trajectory of the airborne virtual camera, thereby generating a viewpoint image of the virtually flying performer avatar 1 captured by the airborne virtual camera.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, four virtual cameras C1 to C4 are virtually arranged as fixedly arranged (set) virtual cameras, but the present invention is not limited to this. The number of fixedly arranged (set) virtual cameras may be five or more. Conversely, without providing fixedly arranged (set) virtual cameras, only viewpoint images seen from viewpoints corresponding to each avatar virtually participating in the virtual live venue may be displayed on the performer terminal 200 and the viewer terminal 300.

In addition, in this embodiment, an example is given of a configuration in which there is one virtual camera moving in the air, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which there are multiple virtual cameras moving in the air, or conversely, a configuration in which no virtual camera moving in the air is virtually placed, may also be used.

<Studio>
11 is a diagram showing the studio used in this embodiment, and as described above, the studio is adjacent to the control room separated by a glass window, and the performer user performs each action corresponding to singing in the studio, while the assistant operator O assists with the operation of the performer terminal 300 installed in the control room. Around the performer user wearing the mounting sensors 220C1 to 220C5, base stations 220a and 220b are mounted on a stand, and an imaging camera constituting the facial expression input device 221 is mounted on a stand and positioned almost in front of the performer user.

A screen S is provided on the wall facing the performer user in the studio, and a projector (display device B211) placed on the ceiling of the studio projects the viewpoint image of virtual camera C2 onto screen S, so that the viewpoint image seen from performer avatar 1 as looking at the virtual audience area is displayed on screen S, as shown in FIG. 16. This allows the performer user to proceed with the live performance while keeping track of the behavior of the viewer avatars virtually participating in the virtual audience area (the audience's reaction to the live performance).

A large vertical display serving as display device C212 is placed to the side of screen S, and is configured to display comments from viewers and messages that the assistant operator O wishes to convey to the performer user. Note that display device C212 may also be configured to display information (performer support information) such as the lyrics of songs sung by performers during live performances and lines.

<Operation of Virtual Space Content Distribution System>
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the virtual space content delivery system of this embodiment, specifically, the flow of delivery of video and audio of a virtual live performance.

First, the video system will be described. As mentioned above, the distribution server computer 100 is capable of providing a virtual space of a virtual live venue based on the virtual space generation program 120 and avatar data of performer users and viewer users, and the movements of each avatar of these performer users and viewer users are reflected in the movements of the performer avatar 1, and the movements (operations) of the viewer users are reflected in the movements of the viewer avatar by updating the virtual space data describing the state of the virtual space with performer avatar information transmitted from the performer terminal 200 and viewer avatar information transmitted from the viewer terminal 300.

Although not shown in FIG. 10, when the performer terminal 200 and the viewer terminal 300 communicate with the distribution server computer 100 to virtually participate in the virtual space live performance, virtual space data of the virtual live performance venue is delivered in advance from the distribution server computer 100 and stored in the performer terminal 200 and the viewer terminal 300. As described below, the virtual space data thus prestored is updated sequentially by virtual space update data successively delivered from the distribution server computer 100, so that the latest state of the virtual live performance venue can be identified on the performer terminal 200 and the viewer terminal 300.

Specifically, the movements and facial expressions of the performer user in the studio are scanned at predetermined time intervals by the body motion scan and face motion scan functions of the performer avatar control program described above, and performer avatar information is generated and transmitted to the distribution server computer 100.

On the other hand, viewer users who are permitted to virtually participate in the third area use motion sensors, just like the performers, and are scanned at predetermined time intervals using the body motion scan and face motion scan functions to generate viewer avatar information that is then sent to the distribution server computer 100.

In addition, a viewer user who is permitted to virtually participate in the fourth area can use the touch panel, keyboard, or controller of the viewer terminal 300 to perform various operations such as movement operations, operations to change the viewpoint direction, operations to change the viewpoint state (zoom), operations to raise hands, operations to clap hands, operations to jump, etc., to cause the viewer avatar to perform the corresponding action. Then, of these operations, viewer avatar information is generated based on the operations related to the actions of the viewer avatar and is transmitted to the distribution server computer 100.

In this way, based on the performer avatar information transmitted from the performer terminal 200 and the viewer avatar information transmitted from the viewer terminal 300, the distribution server computer 100 executes a virtual space update process that updates the virtual space data, thereby reflecting the actions (operations) of the performer user and the viewer user in each avatar virtually participating in the virtual live venue.

Then, a virtual space update data generation process is executed to generate virtual space update data based on the virtual space data before the update and the virtual space data after the update, and the generated virtual space update data is distributed to the performer terminal 200 and the viewer terminal 300.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the performer terminal 200 and the viewer terminal 300 to which the virtual space update data has been delivered, the pre-stored virtual space data is updated based on the delivered virtual space update data, and a performer perspective video generation process and a viewer perspective video generation process are executed using the updated virtual space data, thereby generating performer perspective video and viewer perspective video based on the updated virtual space data, and the generated performer perspective video and viewer perspective video are displayed on the performer terminal 200 and the viewer terminal 300 (viewer perspective video output process).

In this way, in this embodiment, the viewpoint video of each viewer user who is virtually participating in the virtual live venue through a viewer avatar is generated and displayed on the viewer terminal 300 of each viewer user, and by generating the viewer avatar viewpoint video of each viewer user on the distribution server computer 100, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the processing load on the distribution server computer 100 becomes significantly large, which would prevent many viewer users from being able to participate in the virtual space live, and it is also possible to avoid a situation in which distribution becomes difficult due to an increased processing load.

In this embodiment, a viewpoint image in which the nearly frontal view of the performer avatar 1 is displayed large, which is the viewpoint image seen from the viewer avatar 13 close to the performer avatar 1, as shown in FIG. 14(d), is generated and displayed on the display device 310 of the viewer terminal 300 of the viewer user of the viewer avatar 13 who is virtually participating in the virtual stage G in the third region close to the performer avatar 1, while a viewpoint image in which the nearly frontal view of the performer avatar 1 is displayed relatively small through the viewer avatar 13 or viewer avatar 14 who is virtually participating in the virtual stage G in the fourth region far from the performer avatar 1, for example, behind the viewer avatar 13, is displayed on the display device 310 of the viewer terminal 300 of the viewer user of the viewer avatar 28 who is virtually participating in the virtual stage G in the fourth region far from the performer avatar 1, as shown in FIG. 14(e), which is the viewpoint image seen from the viewer avatar 28 far from the performer avatar 1, as shown in FIG.

In addition, the display device 310 of the viewer terminal 300 of the viewer user of the viewer avatar 32 who is virtually participating at the edge position of the virtual stage G in the fourth area, which is set to be U-shaped when viewed from above, displays a viewpoint image as seen from the viewer avatar 32 positioned diagonally forward of the performer avatar 1, as shown in Figure 14 (f), in which the performer avatar 1 appears relatively small through the viewer avatar 14 who is virtually participating in the third area.

The display examples shown in FIG. 14 all illustrate the case where the viewer terminal 300 is a stationary computer (PC) and the display device 310 is a stationary display. However, for example, if the viewer terminal 300 is a smartphone P or a tablet, the viewpoint image of the virtual camera C1 is displayed as shown in FIG. 15(a), and if the viewer terminal 300 is the viewer terminal 300 of the viewer avatar 13, it is displayed as shown in FIG. 15(b).

Next, regarding the audio system, in the distribution server computer 100, music data 113 is played by the audio control program 124 based on the time schedule data (TS data) 112, and is transmitted to the performer terminal 200 as a played music piece (data) (music playback process).

On the performer terminal 200, the music audio from the played music (data) sent from the distribution server computer 100 is output to the performer user through high-performance earphones (ear monitors) worn by the performer user (played music output process), and when the performer user sings along with the output played music, the performer voice input from the sound collection microphone (audio input device 222) is digitized and sent to the distribution server computer 100 as the performer voice (data).

The distribution server computer 100 generates distribution audio (data) from the performer audio (data) received from the performer terminal 200 and the music played in the music playback process described above (distribution audio generation process), and distributes the generated distribution audio (data) to the viewer terminal 300 (generated audio distribution process).

In the viewer terminal 300, the distribution audio (data) distributed from the distribution server computer 100 is output from an audio output device 322 such as an earphone or speaker, allowing the viewer to hear the live audio as if the performer avatar 1 were singing in the virtual live venue.

In addition, as described above, in the performer terminal 200, the performer voice (data) is sent to the distribution server computer 100, and as shown in FIG. 10, the monitor voice generation process and the monitor voice output process are executed, so that the music voice of the played music and the performer voice are output from the speakers located in the control room, allowing the assistant operator O, etc. to check the singing status of the performer user in the control room.

<Viewer's viewpoint video control processing>
Next, a viewer's viewpoint video control process executed in the viewer terminal 300 based on a viewer's viewpoint video control program included in the viewer's program will be described with reference to FIG.

In the viewer viewpoint video control process, first, it is determined whether or not the performer avatar 1 is in a flying performance period in which it is virtually flying, as shown in FIG. 20 (step S1). Whether or not the performance period is in a flying performance period can be determined from performance status data indicating that the performance period is in a flying performance period, sent from the distribution server computer 100. The distribution server computer 100 transmits performance status data indicating that the performance period is in a flying performance period to the viewer terminal 300 when the flying performance period begins based on the time schedule data.

If it is during the flying performance period (Y in step S1), proceed to step S21. If it is not during the flying performance period (N in step S1), it is determined whether viewpoint-related operations including viewpoint movement operations (including avatar movement operations and viewpoint changes due to motion operations) and zoom operations are disabled (step S2).

If the viewpoint-related operation is disabled (Y in step S2), proceed to step S7. If the viewpoint-related operation is not disabled (N in step S2), determine whether or not there is an operation that changes the viewpoint, such as an operation to move the avatar or an operation to move the motion (step S3), and if there is an operation (Y in step S3), change the viewer viewpoint according to the operation, and if there is no operation (N in step S3), proceed to step S5 and determine whether or not there is a zoom operation (step S5).

If a zoom operation is performed (Y in step S5), the image area displayed on the display device 310 is changed to an image area corresponding to the operation, and if a zoom operation is not performed (N in step S5), it is determined whether or not a motion tracking setting is set (step S7).

This motion tracking setting can be set at the viewer's terminal 300 at will, for example, before the start of a live performance or during a live performance, depending on the type of device the viewer uses for operation and his/her level of proficiency in operation. Specifically, the motion tracking setting is set when, for example, the viewer is not familiar with operating the operation input device 321 such as a touch panel, keyboard, or game controller, or when the viewer is not familiar with changing the viewpoint by moving or moving the avatar, or when, as described below, the virtual participation position of the viewer's avatar is far from the performer avatar 1 and the viewer is zoomed in and displayed in an enlarged manner, so that even the slightest movement of the performer avatar 1 prevents the performer avatar 1 from being displayed properly, and the viewer is unable to change the viewpoint in response to the movement or movement of the performer avatar 1.

If there is no motion tracking setting (N in step S7), proceed to step S11, whereas if there is a motion tracking setting (Y in step S7), it is further determined whether the motion tracking condition is met (step S8).

In this embodiment, the motion tracking condition is a condition that almost certainly results in the performer avatar 1 no longer being displayed clearly on the display device 310. Specifically, if the head (or face) of the performer avatar 1 is within a specified range around the display area of the display device 310, it is highly likely that the movement or motion of the performer avatar 1 will cause the head (face) to move outside the display area, causing it to no longer be displayed clearly, and therefore the motion tracking condition is determined to be met.

In this way, in this embodiment, by determining that the motion tracking condition is met before the head (face) of the performer avatar 1 disappears from the display area, it is possible to significantly reduce the occurrence of the head (face) of the performer avatar 1 disappearing from the display area, but the present invention is not limited to this, and these motion tracking conditions may be the head (face) moving outside the display area, or other conditions may be used as the motion tracking conditions. In other words, any condition can be used as the motion tracking condition as long as it can prevent the performer avatar 1 from disappearing from the display area properly.

If the action-following condition is met (Y in step S8), after disabling the viewpoint-related operation (step S12), the viewpoint image displayed in the display area of the display device 310 is automatically changed to a motion-following viewpoint in which the head (face) of the performer avatar 1 is within a non-metrology range surrounded by a predetermined range around the display area, and the viewpoint image seen from the motion-following viewpoint is displayed in the display area of the display device 310 (step S13).

On the other hand, if the motion tracking condition is not met (N in step S8), it is further determined whether or not the viewpoint-related operation is disabled (step S9). If the viewpoint-related operation is disabled (Y in step S9), the disabled viewpoint-related operation is enabled (step S10) and the process proceeds to step S11. If the viewpoint-related operation is not disabled (N in step S9), the process proceeds to step S11 without going through step S10.

In step 11, since the motion tracking setting is not set or the motion tracking condition is not met, the viewpoint image of the viewer avatar continues to be displayed in the display area of the display device 310 (step S11).

Also, as mentioned above, if the flying performance period in which the performer avatar 1 virtually flies during a live performance has begun, step S1 is judged as Y and the process proceeds to step S21, where it is determined whether or not it is time to start the flying performance period (step S21).

If it is time to start the flying performance period (Y in step S21), the flying viewpoint video delivered from the delivery server computer 100 is displayed (step S22) in place of the viewer avatar's viewpoint video or the action-tracking viewpoint video that was displayed in the display area of the display device 310 before the start of the flying performance period, and then viewpoint-related operations are disabled (step S23) and the process returns to step S1.

In this embodiment, since the same flying viewpoint video is displayed on the viewer terminals 300 of all viewer users during the flying performance period, the flying viewpoint video is not generated on each viewer terminal 300 side like the viewer avatar viewpoint video that is different for each viewer user, but is generated on the distribution server computer 100 side and distributed to the viewer terminal 300. This allows the flying viewpoint video, which involves airborne movement of the viewpoint and therefore imposes a large rendering load on the viewpoint video, to be displayed well even on viewer terminals 300 with low processing power, but the present invention is not limited to this, and these flying viewpoint videos may be generated on the individual viewer terminals 300 side, similar to the viewer avatar viewpoint video.

On the other hand, if it is not the start timing of the flying performance period (N in step S21), it is further determined whether it is the end timing of the flying performance period (step S24).

Whether or not it is the end timing of the flying performance period may be determined based on data indicating the end contained in the flying viewpoint video data transmitted from the distribution server computer 100, or may be determined based on the aforementioned performance status data that is different from the flying viewpoint video.

If it is not the end of the flying performance period (N in step S24), i.e., if it is during the flying performance period, proceed to step S26, update the flying viewpoint video, and then return to step 1; on the other hand, if it is the end of the flying performance period (Y in step S24), enable viewpoint-related operations (step S25), proceed to step S11, display the viewer avatar's viewpoint video in the display area of display device 310 instead of the flying viewpoint video that was displayed in the display area of display device 310 during the flying performance period, and then return to step S1.

In this way, the viewer's viewpoint video control process shown in FIG. 21 is executed in the viewer's terminal 300 in this embodiment, and the various viewpoint videos displayed on the viewer's terminal 300 are explained using FIG. 17 to FIG. 20.

Figure 17 is a diagram showing the display contents of the display device 310 when a zoom operation is performed on the viewer terminal 300 of this embodiment. In the default state where no zoom operation is performed, a viewpoint image of the image area centered on the upper body of the performer avatar 1 is displayed as shown in Figure 17 (a). In this default state, when the viewer user performs a zoom-up operation, for example, by touching the "+" display (not shown) if the viewer terminal 300 is a smartphone P, or by operating the "+" key on the keyboard if the viewer terminal 300 is a computer (PC), a viewpoint image of the image area centered on the head (face) of the performer avatar 1 is displayed as shown in Figure 17 (b), for example.

On the other hand, if the viewer user performs a zoom-down operation, for example, by touching the "- " display (not shown) if the viewer terminal 300 is a smartphone P, or by operating the "- " key on the keyboard if the viewer terminal 300 is a computer (PC), then a viewpoint image of the image area including the entire body of the performer avatar 1 will be displayed, as shown in FIG. 17(c), for example.

Note that in Figure 17, in order to make the zoom function easier to understand, the explanation was given using the viewpoint image of virtual camera C1 rather than the viewpoint of the viewer avatar, but as shown in Figure 18, zooming up and down can also be performed on the viewpoint of the viewer avatar in the same way.

In addition, although not described in detail in the viewer viewpoint image control process of FIG. 21, for example, when performer avatar 1 appears on virtual stage G for the first time when a live performance begins, the viewpoint of the viewer avatar is not directed toward performer avatar 1, and therefore there is a possibility that the period during which performer avatar 1 does not appear on the viewer terminal 300 will be long. Therefore, in this way, the period during which performer avatar 1 first appears may be set as an appearance performance period, and during these performance periods, the viewpoint image displayed on the viewer terminal 300 may be automatically switched to the viewpoint image of virtual camera C1, etc., instead of the viewpoint image of the viewer avatar, and each viewer user may be allowed to perform zooming in, etc. on the viewpoint images of virtual camera C1.

Figure 18 shows the viewpoint image of viewer avatar 28, who is virtually participating in the fourth area, as an example of the viewpoint image of a viewer avatar. As shown in Figure 18, the viewpoint image of viewer avatar 28 includes the heads of viewer avatar 13 and viewer avatar 14, who are virtually participating in the third area, and the image shows performer avatar 1 seen through the heads of viewer avatar 13 and viewer avatar 14.

Therefore, the viewer user of viewer avatar 28 can, for example, perform a zoom-in operation to change the image area so that the upper body of performer avatar 1 is displayed at the center, as shown in FIG. 18(b), thereby preventing viewer avatar 13 and viewer avatar 14 from being displayed and allowing the viewer user to enjoy the live performance.

However, in the zoomed-in state shown in FIG. 18(b), for example, as the live performance progresses and the performer avatar 1 begins to move and make large movements, if the viewer user is unable to properly change the viewpoint of the viewer avatar 28 in accordance with the movements of the performer avatar 1, the performer avatar 1 may not be displayed properly, as shown in FIGS. 19(d)-(f). In that case, if the viewer user has to pay attention to changing the viewpoint, it may become difficult to concentrate on the live performance, and the viewer may not be able to fully enjoy the live performance.

However, in this embodiment, when the viewer user sets the motion-following setting as described above, as shown in Figures 19(a) to (c), the head of the performer avatar 1 enters a specified peripheral area of the display area, the motion-following condition is met, the viewpoint is automatically changed to the motion-following viewpoint, and the viewpoint image of the motion-following viewpoint is displayed. This means that the viewer user does not need to pay attention to controlling the viewpoint, and can concentrate on the live performance and enjoy it to the fullest.

As the live performance progresses and the flying performance period begins, as shown in Figure 20, the viewpoint images of the individual viewer avatars are automatically changed to flying viewpoint images seen from a virtual camera moving in the air, without any operation by the viewer user.

Specifically, before the performer avatar 1 begins the virtual flight, an image is displayed in which a wing object grows on the back of the performer avatar 1. Then, as the performer avatar 1 looks up at a virtual aerial star object 50 that is virtually placed in the second area of the virtual live venue, the viewpoint of the viewer avatar also moves in a similar manner. At this time, light effects 61 appear around the performer avatar 1.

After that, when the performer avatar 1 starts virtual flight, the viewpoint image displayed on the display device 310 automatically switches from the viewpoint image of the viewer avatar up to FIG. 20(b) to a flying viewpoint image seen from a virtual camera moving in the air, as shown in FIG. 20(c).

During the flying performance period, the airborne virtual camera moves through the air within the second area based on a preset aerial trajectory, as described above, and the flying viewpoint image seen from this airborne moving virtual camera is displayed on the display device 310 as shown in FIG. 20(d).

The specific configuration is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and the present invention includes modifications and additions that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, a viewer avatar is shown to be able to move freely within the third or fourth area in which they are virtually participating. However, doing so may cause problems such as errors in the virtual space data due to different viewer avatars participating in the fourth area colliding with each other virtually or overlapping in the same virtual location.

To solve such problems, for example, the modified examples shown in Figures 22 and 23 may be used. Specifically, the third and fourth areas are divided into smaller areas as shown in Figure 22, and the viewer user is asked in advance before the start of the live performance which of these areas he or she will participate in, as shown in Figure 23. When a viewer user virtually participates with a viewer avatar, they can only participate in the area selected in advance, and movement is restricted to within the selected area, which prevents viewer avatars from colliding with each other virtually or overlapping in the same virtual position, causing errors in the virtual space data.

In addition, as described above, when each viewer user is made to select the virtual participation position of the viewer avatar in advance, for example, for a viewer user who selects the A1 to C6 areas on the right side facing the virtual stage G in the fourth area, a viewpoint image from the right front position of the virtually flying performer avatar 1 is generated and displayed as the viewpoint image during the flying performance period, for a viewer user who selects the D4 to H6 areas on the center facing the virtual stage G in the fourth area, a viewpoint image from the center front position of the virtually flying performer avatar 1 is generated and displayed as the viewpoint image during the flying performance period, and for a viewer user who selects the I1 to K6 areas on the left side facing the virtual stage G in the fourth area, a viewpoint image from the left front position of the virtually flying performer avatar 1 is generated and displayed as the viewpoint image during the flying performance period. In this way, the viewpoint image during the virtual flight, which is a special action, may be a viewpoint image corresponding to the position (area) selected by each viewer user depending on the position selected by the viewer user.

In the above embodiment, the viewpoint video from the viewer avatar is generated and displayed on the viewer terminal 200 side, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the case of a live event with few virtual participants, the viewpoint video from the viewer avatar may also be generated and distributed on the distribution server computer 100 side. In addition, the viewer user may be allowed to select whether to generate the video on the viewer terminal 200 side or the distribution server computer 100 side depending on the processing capacity of the terminal he or she owns and the data communication environment, or the distribution server computer 100 may identify the processing capacity of the viewer terminal 200 with which it is connected for communication, and based on the identified processing capacity, determine whether to generate the video on the viewer terminal 200 side or the distribution server computer 100 side.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the distribution server computer 100 is installed in a studio operated by the event management organization that hosts the virtual space live show, but the present invention is not limited to this. As the distribution server computer 100, a server computer owned by the company that rents out the server computer in a data center, etc., may be used, or as described above, a server computer provided by a cloud service may be used. The installation form of these server computers may be any form that provides the functions of the distribution server computer 100.

In addition, in the above embodiment, a form in which a performer user sings and performs alone is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and these performer users may be a group of multiple people. When a virtual space live performance is performed by a group of multiple people, the multiple people may share one performer terminal 200, or a performer terminal 200 may be provided for each member of the group. When the performer users are a group of multiple members, for example, a viewpoint tracking target designation process may be executed by at least one of the distribution server computer 100 and the viewer terminal 300, so that the viewer user can select the member to follow the viewpoint.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the singer who sings and the actor who performs the performance may be separate persons. In this case, the singer's performer terminal and the actor's performer terminal may be separate, and the singer may sing in a location other than the studio where the actor performs the performance.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the Internet network is used as an example of the computer communication network connecting the distribution server computer 100, the administrator terminal 150, the performer terminal 200, and the viewer terminal 300, but the present invention is not limited to this, and these communication networks may be configured as local area networks that are capable of data communication only within a specific area, or may include a local area network or local data communication as part of the network.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the performer user sings or performs singing actions (performance actions) in real time during the distribution of the virtual space live performance, allowing the performer user to proceed with the live performance while checking the reactions of the viewer users who are virtually participating in the virtual space live performance, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the performer user's singing or singing actions (performance actions) may not be performed in real time, but may be performed in advance, and the singing voice and singing actions (performance actions) may be recorded in the distribution server computer 100 as performer avatar information, and the recorded singing voice and singing actions (performance actions) may be played back as the live performance progresses, thereby holding a virtual space live performance.

In addition, instead of the performer user's singing or singing actions (performance), the singing or singing actions (performance actions) of a virtual performer created using computer graphics or the like can be recorded as performer avatar information on a distribution server computer, and the recorded singing voice and singing actions (performance actions) can be played back as the live performance progresses, thereby holding a virtual space live performance.

In this way, when singing or singing actions (performance actions) are performed in advance to record and play back performer avatar information on the distribution server computer 100 to distribute a virtual space live performance, the configuration of the virtual space content distribution system at the time of distribution will be composed of the distribution server computer 100, the administrator terminal 150, and the viewer terminal 200, and will not include the performer terminal 200, which is a performer user terminal that can be used by a performer user who performs operations to operate the performer avatar 1 in the virtual space.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the viewer terminal 300 is exemplified as a smartphone P or a computer (PC), but the present invention is not limited to this, and these computers may be portable notebook computers, tablet terminals, e-book readers, wearable computers, game consoles, and various other information processing devices capable of outputting at least 2D video and audio.

In addition, in the above embodiment, a performer user performs in a studio, including singing, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a performer user may use a performer terminal 200 installed in a home or the like to perform in a virtual space live performance from the home or the like.

In the above embodiment, a virtual space live show was given as an example of virtual space content, but the present invention is not limited to this, and such virtual space content may be any content that is beneficial to viewer users, such as a fan meeting where performer users gather with their fans, or a talk session, and is related to a virtual space in which performer avatar 1 and viewer avatars virtually participate.

In the above embodiment, the general action (first action) is an action in which the performer avatar 1 stands without moving to the virtual stage G, the special action (second action) is an action in which the performer avatar 1 performs a virtual flight, and the specific action (third action) is an action in which the performer avatar 1 moves rapidly sideways. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the actions may be actions according to the content to be distributed. For example, the general action (first action) may be an action (normal action) that the performer avatar performs for the longest period in the distributed content, the special action (second action) may be an action that is performed in the shortest special period in the distributed content or the action that is performed least frequently, and the specific action (third action) may be an action that is performed for a shorter period than the general action (first action) but for a longer period than the special action, or an operation that is performed less frequently than the general action (first action) but more frequently than the special action. The special action (second action) may include the specific action (third action).

In the above embodiment, an embodiment is shown having both a function of switching the viewpoint corresponding to a special action (second action) and a function of following a specific action (third action), but the present invention is not limited to this, and the virtual space content delivery system may have only one of these functions.

In the above embodiment, the viewpoint switching of the four virtual cameras C1 to C4 as fixedly placed (set) virtual cameras and the airborne moving virtual camera can be performed in advance by setting and operating the administrator terminal 150, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the viewpoint switching can be performed in real time by the administrator K on the administrator terminal 150 using a viewpoint switching controller or the like constituting the operation input device 161.

In the above embodiment, virtual cameras C1 to C4 are fixedly placed (set) in the virtual space as virtual cameras, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in addition to or instead of virtual cameras C1 to C4, a movable virtual moving camera may be placed in the virtual live venue, and the position and imaging direction of the virtual moving camera in the virtual space may be controlled by an administrator K or a cameraman through operation of the administrator terminal 150 to produce the viewpoint image of the virtual moving camera.

In the above embodiment, an example is given of a form in which the viewpoint image of the virtual camera C2 is displayed on the screen S so that the facial expressions of the performer user can be detected and reflected in the facial expressions of the performer avatar, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the performer user is wearing a high-performance head-mounted display that has a sensor function for detecting the facial expressions of the performer user, the performer user may wear such a high-performance head-mounted display while performing the performance, which may improve the performer user's sense of immersion in the virtual live performance. Furthermore, if the facial expressions of the performer user do not need to be reflected in detail in the facial expressions of the performer avatar, the performer user may wear a normal head-mounted display while performing the performance.

In the above embodiment, the viewpoint of the viewer user is changed and followed according to the movements of the performer avatar, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the viewpoint may be changed and followed according to specific effects such as smoke or fireworks (pillars of fire) on stage G, special lighting, or deformation of stage G.

<Event content related>
(Event content summary)
13 to 23, an example of the content has been described in which a live event is held by performers in a virtual live venue. The event content is distributed at a predetermined date and time (scheduled time on a scheduled date) according to the event data, for example, and a spatial area ER in which the event content is to be provided may be provided (distribution start, opening) before the start of the event so that viewer users can enter and participate in the virtual space in which the event is held. In this case, the event data may include information for specifying the date and time when the spatial area ER in which the event content is to be provided is provided (distribution start, opening) before the scheduled date.

Below, an example is described in which a virtual space in which the virtual live venue (event venue) shown in FIG. 13 is constructed as a predetermined type of virtual space is opened before the start of the event content of a virtual live event as shown in FIG. 13, and viewer users are allowed to enter and participate, thereby gradually increasing the viewer user's interest in the event before the event starts. The predetermined type of virtual space is, for example, any of the virtual spaces in the spatial area ER in FIG. 12. Below, an example of a predetermined type of virtual space is described using spatial area ER5 shown in FIG. 24.

Figure 24 is an overall bird's-eye view of an event venue constructed in spatial area ER5. In spatial area ER5 in this embodiment, a virtual space is provided in which objects such as buildings that imitate a shrine and a town in front of the shrine are placed, as an example. Note that the objects placed in spatial area ER5 are not limited to buildings that imitate shrines, and may be objects that follow various themes, such as the sea, lakes, mountains, and schools. Furthermore, spatial area ER5 is made up of multiple areas. For example, as shown in Figure 24 (A), spatial area ER5 is made up of area ER51 that corresponds to the town area, area ER52 that corresponds to the temple grounds area, and area ER53 that corresponds to the worship hall area.

In the town area, for example, a number of house objects that resemble private homes are arranged, and along the approach to the shrine grounds area, a number of exhibition areas are provided for displaying (setting up) lantern objects purchased by viewer users, etc. Lantern objects can be purchased, for example, in a lantern shop area in the town area. In the shrine grounds area, a number of objects equivalent to the torii gates, gates, ornaments, etc. arranged in the grounds of a shrine are arranged, and a game area where a predetermined game can be played and a fortune-telling area where fortune-telling can be done are provided, and a number of exhibition areas are provided. In the worship hall area, for example, a number of objects equivalent to the worship hall of a shrine and a stage object that serves as a virtual live venue (event venue) are arranged, and an offering area for offering money is provided, and a number of exhibition areas are provided.

In the exhibition area, lantern objects purchased by users, lantern objects associated with the management (administrator) (including lantern objects that are initially set), and lantern objects associated with special users are placed. Special users include performer users, management users, sponsor users who are sponsoring the event, and other celebrities who have been authenticated as special users by the management (administrator). Information on these sponsor users and other celebrities is stored in the event data 111.

In addition, as described below, the lantern object displayed in the exhibition area is determined in advance by random drawing or the like as a default lantern object to be displayed to all users on the distribution server computer 100 side each time a switching condition is met, and is transmitted to and positioned on the viewer terminal 300 of the user who has entered the spatial area ER5. By bringing the viewer avatar close to one of the exhibition areas, the lantern object displayed in that exhibition area can be displayed on the viewer terminal 300.

Various processes related to such spatial area ER5 (a specific type of virtual space) and various processes related to the provision and distribution of said spatial area ER5 are performed by the distribution server computer 100, and a viewer user can enter and participate in the spatial area ER5 using a viewer terminal 300 and move a viewer avatar to cause an image within said spatial area ER5 to be displayed on the viewer terminal 300. Hereinafter, viewer users and viewer avatars (as well as performer avatars, etc.) are also simply referred to as users and user avatars (as well as performer avatars, etc.).

25 is an example of an image of the spatial area ER5 displayed on the display unit 310 of the viewer terminal 300. FIG. 25(A) is an example of a display image when the area ER52 (precincts area) of FIG. 24 is viewed obliquely from the area ER51 (town area). FIG. 25(B) is an example of a display image when the user avatar U operated by the user is moved to the area ER52 of FIG. 24 near the border of the area ER53, as viewed from behind the user avatar U, and a daimon object 53c corresponding to the daimon leading from the area ER52 to the area ER53 is shown. FIG. 25(C) is an example of a display image when the user avatar U is moved to under a large torii object 52t corresponding to a large torii in the area ER52 of FIG. 24, as viewed from behind the user avatar U, and the foot of the large torii object 52t and the daimon object 53c are shown. Fig. 25(D) is an example of a display image seen from behind the user avatar U when the user avatar U has been moved backward from the position shown in Fig. 25(C), and shows a large torii gate object 52a and a private house object 51d corresponding to a private house. In this way, by entering and participating in the spatial area ER5, the user can move within the spatial area ER5 in response to operations from the user and view the objects and scenery within the spatial area ER5, as well as purchase objects, make offerings, and participate in a live event held in the worship hall area on a scheduled date.

The overhead image of the virtual space as shown in FIG. 25(A) may be one that can be displayed on the display device 310 by user operation, and may be an image that corresponds to the line of sight of the user avatar U as shown in FIGS. 25(B) to (D). In addition, even if the overhead image of the user avatar U as shown in FIGS. 25(B) to (D) is one that can be displayed by user operation, an image seen from the viewpoint of the user avatar U may be displayed without displaying the user avatar U operated by the user.

In this embodiment, even during the pre-scheduled period, which is the period before the scheduled date on which the event content is provided in the spatial area ER5, the user can enter and participate (also simply referred to as entering) in the spatial area ER5. For example, even during the pre-scheduled period, when a user logs into the virtual space ER and enters and participates in the spatial area ER5, the virtual space generation program 120 transmits data to the viewer terminal 300 for displaying an image of the generated spatial area ER5 on the display device 310 of the viewer terminal 300. The pre-scheduled period refers to the day before the scheduled date on which the event content is provided, and may be a specified period (for example, one week) before the scheduled date, or may be all days before the scheduled date. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user can enter the spatial area ER5 from one week before the scheduled date.

Only users who have the right (e.g., a ticket) to participate in the event content to be provided on the scheduled date are permitted to enter and participate in spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date and on the scheduled date. The right to participate is granted to users, for example, by purchasing a ticket to participate by paying a fee, or by completing a specified game or mission.

The spatial area ER5, which is a predetermined type of virtual space, includes, for example, a first virtual space formed by connecting multiple areas, in which the viewer user can seamlessly move and enter from one area to another among the multiple areas, and a second virtual space consisting only of areas that have the same display form as the other areas. The virtual space corresponding to the spatial area ER5 in this embodiment includes, as shown in FIG. 24(A), a first virtual space formed by connecting areas ER51 to ER53, in which the user can seamlessly move and enter between areas ER51 and ER52 and between areas ER52 and ER53, and a second virtual space consisting only of area ER53' that has the same display form as area ER53, as shown on the right side of FIG. 24(B).

For example, the first virtual space shown in FIG. 24(A) is provided until a specific period (e.g., the day before) before the scheduled date of the event content, and after the release condition is met before the specific period before the scheduled date of the event content, the second virtual space shown in FIG. 24(B) is provided in addition to the first virtual space, and movement from some of the areas (areas ER51, ER52) of the multiple areas (areas ER51 to ER53) in the first virtual space to other areas (area ER53) is impossible (e.g., the gate of the gate object 53c leading to area ER53 is closed), and a portal P is provided at a predetermined position in some of the areas (a position in front of the gate object 53c in area ER52), and by moving the user avatar U to the portal P, it becomes possible to transition to the second virtual space consisting of only area ER53', for example, via the display of a predetermined screen (e.g., a blackout screen).

In this embodiment, the event content is provided in area ER53', which has the same display format as area ER53. Area ER53' is an area that cannot be entered until, for example, the release conditions are met. A venue similar to the virtual live venue shown in FIG. 13 is constructed in area ER53', and objects corresponding to a virtual stage for a live event and audience seats are placed therein. During the live event, performer avatars operate on the virtual stage, and the user watches from the audience seats via user avatar U.

Meanwhile, a specific period of time before the scheduled date, for example, objects corresponding to spectator seats for a live event are gradually placed in area ER53 in the first virtual space, and objects that are currently under construction on the virtual stage are placed, thereby reflecting the gradual construction of the virtual live venue, which the user can confirm through the user avatar U. For example, every predetermined time (e.g., every 24 hours), a virtual space update data distribution process is performed to update the displayed objects. This can inform the user that the event is approaching, increase the sense of realism, and heighten interest.

In addition, a user who is in area ER53 when the release condition is met is forced out of area ER53. For example, the user avatar U is forcibly moved to a predetermined position outside area ER53 (for example, in front of the gate object 53c in area ER52). After that, the user is no longer able to enter area ER53, but can enter area ER53' via the portal P described above.

The area ER53 and the area ER53' have the same display mode, but the space in which the user avatar U can move is limited. For example, in the area ER53, the user avatar U can move freely within the area, whereas in the area ER53', the user avatar U can only move within the audience area 53'k. This allows the burden on the server to be the minimum processing burden required for providing the event content. In addition, the area ER53 and the area ER53' can be managed by different servers (rooms) that perform processing for constructing and generating each area. This allows, for example, management by a server (room) that can handle the heavy load when providing the event content. Note that users who can enter the area ER53' may be limited to users who meet certain conditions for providing the event content.

(Changes in display mode in virtual space)
In this embodiment, the display mode in the spatial area ER5 may change depending on events that occur in the spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date. Events that occur in the spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date include, for example, the user's actions during the period before the scheduled date, the actions of other users, a lottery in the spatial area ER5, and setting changes to the virtual space performed by the operator's operation. The user's actions (or the actions of other users) include, for example, purchasing and placing a specific object (item, lantern object, etc.), playing a game such as completing a specific mission, etc. The display mode in the spatial area ER5 that may change depending on events that occur in the spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date includes, for example, a change in the display mode of a specific object (for example, a lantern object, an exhibition area in which a lantern object is placed, etc.) placed in the spatial area ER5, and a change in the display mode of a performance during the provision of event content.

(Changes in display mode during the period before the scheduled date due to specific object placement)
26 to 32, examples will be described in which the display mode within the spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date can be changed in response to an event in which a user purchases and places a lantern object within the spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date, for example, by placing a lantern object purchased within the spatial area ER5 in the exhibition area, or by switching a lantern object purchased by another user and placed in the exhibition area to another lantern object when a switching condition is met. Note that the lantern object can also be a type of tipping item (for example, a flower stand) from a user when providing event content, and is therefore also referred to as a flower stand FS below.

Flower Star FS can be purchased, for example, at lantern shops 51s located along the approach to the shrine in area ER51 shown in FIG. 24. The user moves user avatar U to the lantern shop 51s or selects and operates the lantern shop 51s, and the image displayed on the viewer terminal 300 changes from a screen displaying the image in area ER51 to a screen for purchasing a flower star FS. FIG. 26 (A) is an example of the screen displayed when purchasing a flower star FS.

There are multiple types of purchasable flower stands FS, as shown in Figures 27(A) and (B). Figure 27(A) shows a table of flower stand FS attributes (motifs). Attributes (motifs) include "plain", "cherry blossom", "demon", "white fox", "black fox", and "gorgeous". A motif color is set for each attribute, and the flower stand FS for each attribute uses the corresponding color and has a design related to the attribute. Of the attributes, "cherry blossom", "demon", "white fox", and "black fox" are attributes and colors related to the performer avatars that appear as progression characters when the event content is provided. In other words, the purchasable flower stand FS are prepared to match the image motif and image color set for the performer avatars that appear when the event content is provided.

Florist FS is also available in multiple sizes. The sizes and prices of flower stands FS vary depending on the attribute. For example, for the attribute "plain", only the size "small" is available, and the price is set at 500 coins. For the attribute "cherry blossom", two sizes, "large" and "small", are available, and the price of the "large" size is set at 2500 coins, and the price of the "small" size is set at 500 coins. The user selects one of the motifs and sizes to purchase the desired flower stand FS. For example, it is possible to provide a way to enjoy the event by purchasing a flower stand FS that matches the attribute/color, image motif, and image color associated with the performer avatar that the user supports (promotes) among the performer avatars that appear when the event content is provided.

Figure 27 (B) is a table of flower star FS by size. Users can decorate their flower star FS (generate the display mode of the flower star FS), for example by adding text. The font type and font color are determined for each size of flower star FS, and users can select at the time of purchase. In addition, an upper limit on the number of characters that can be displayed is determined for each size of flower star FS. For example, for the "large" size, characters can be entered in two columns, with a character limit of 15 characters for each. For the "small" size, there is a character limit of 10 characters.

The areas in which the flower stand FS can be displayed (placed) are determined for each size. When the user wants to display the purchased flower stand FS in the spatial area ER5, the user can select (designate) and place the flower stand FS in one of the multiple display areas provided in the spatial area ER5 in which the flower stand FS can be displayed. For example, for the "large" size, the display area can be selected from the main street (west) area 51a, the main street (east) area 51b, or the large torii area 52a (where the large torii object 52t is located). For the "small" size, the display area can be selected from the temple grounds (west) area 52b, the temple grounds (east) area 52c, the front of the worship hall (west) area 53a, or the front of the worship hall (east) area 53b.

The purchase screen shown in FIG. 26(A) displays an image 411 of a flower stand FS selected by the user. Detailed information 412 of the selected flower stand FS is displayed below the image 411 of the flower stand FS. The detailed information 412 includes information on the size and attributes (motif). The user can also add text decoration to the flower stand FS to be purchased and customize it to their preferred design. In the text input area 413, it is possible to input text to be displayed on the flower stand FS. The input text is reflected in the image 411 of the flower stand FS, and it is possible to check the image when it is arranged. In addition, for the text that can be displayed on the flower stand FS, there are set NG words that are restricted from being input. For example, NG words are violent words and words that violate public order and morals. If an NG word is input, the purchase icon 417 is displayed in gray, and the purchase operation cannot be performed.

As shown in the example purchase screen in FIG. 26(A), the user selects the display area for the Flower Star FS by operating the placement selection area 414. The coin-related area 415 also displays the number of coins the user possesses, the number of coins to be consumed as the purchase price of the Flower Star FS, and the number of coins remaining after the purchase. The user confirms the purchase by operating the purchase icon 417, and the billing process is carried out. To cancel the purchase, the user operates the close icon 416.

After purchasing the flower stand FS, the display of the flower stand FS is performed as shown in FIG. 26(B). For example, in FIG. 26(A), if a user purchases a flower stand FS1 with the attribute "cherry blossoms", the size "small", and the character decoration "best", the FS1 is displayed in the display area in which the flower stand FS1 is placed, and the flower stand FS1 is surrounded by light (displayed and highlighted in a specific manner different from other flower stands). When a user purchases a flower stand FS and the display area is specified on the viewer terminal 300 side, for example, the distribution server computer 100 determines the display position within the specified display area by lottery or the like, stores information including the display position of the flower stand FS, and transmits information for specifying the display position to the viewer terminal 300 of the user who specified it. The viewer terminal 300 performs a process of replacing the flower stand displayed at the display position specified from the received information with the flower stand purchased by the user and displaying it. This makes it possible to encourage users who enter/participate in spatial area ER5 to move to the exhibition area of the flower stand FS that they themselves have placed, and to be motivated to go and see the user's own flower stand FS. It also provides an interesting experience for users, such as checking the text on other users' flower stands FS. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 24(A), exhibition areas are provided in all of areas ER51 to ER53 that make up spatial area ER5. This makes it possible to encourage users who enter/participate in spatial area ER5 to move to all of areas ER51 to ER53, allowing users to enjoy the entire spatial area ER5.

Next, the process of purchasing a flower shop for a flower shop FS executed by the distribution server computer 100 will be explained using the flow in FIG. 28.

In step S101, it is determined whether or not it is a purchase-available period before the scheduled date. The purchase-available period before the scheduled date may be a period that coincides with the period before the scheduled date, or may be a portion of the period before the scheduled date. If it is not determined that it is a purchase-available period before the scheduled date, the process ends since a purchase is not possible. For example, on the scheduled date itself, the result in step S101 is NO, and the user is therefore unable to purchase a flower stand FS. For this reason, it is possible to motivate the user to purchase a flower stand FS by having them enter spatial area ER5 at least once before the day of the event.

When it is determined in step S101 that the purchase is possible during the period before the scheduled date, it is determined in step S102 whether or not a shop selection operation has been performed. A shop selection operation is, for example, an operation (such as performing an action such as approaching a store clerk character or performing a selection operation on a specific icon of a shop) on a flower shop in spatial area ER5 (such as lantern shops 51s, 53s in FIG. 24). Specifically, in step S102, it is determined whether or not information transmitted when a shop selection operation is performed on the viewer terminal 300 has been received.

When it is determined in step S102 that a shop selection operation has been performed, in step S103, information for displaying a shop screen on the display device 310 is sent to the viewer terminal 300 from which the shop selection operation was performed. The shop screen may be, for example, a screen that displays a product list for selecting the flower stand FS to purchase, or a purchase screen for the flower stand FS of FIG. 26(A). This allows the viewer terminal 300 to display the shop screen and select a desired flower stand FS. After the information for displaying the shop screen is output in step S103, the process ends. Note that the purchase operation for a flower stand FS is not limited to within the spatial area ER5, but may be an operation from a shop displayed in another space within the virtual space ER, and a purchase operation on a website other than the virtual space may be reflected in the virtual space (become usable and displayable).

On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S102 that a shop selection operation has been performed, it is determined in step S104 whether or not a content editing operation has been performed. A content editing operation is a decoration operation such as adding text to the flower star FS. In step S104, specifically, after the flower star FS to be purchased is selected on the viewer terminal 300, it is determined whether or not information for identifying the text entered in the flower star FS by performing a decoration operation on a screen such as that shown in FIG. 26 (A) is received from the viewer terminal 300. If it is determined that a content editing operation has been performed, it is determined in step S105 whether or not an NG word is included. If it is not determined that an NG word is included, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S105 that an NG word is included, information to notify that fact (that an NG word is included) and that the product cannot be purchased is transmitted to the viewer terminal 300 that performed the content editing operation in step S106, and the process is terminated. As a result, the viewer terminal 300 may display a pop-up message stating "This video contains prohibited words" or may make it impossible to select the purchase icon 417.

If it is not determined in step S104 that a content editing operation has been performed, then in step 107 it is determined whether or not a purchase confirmation operation has been performed. A purchase confirmation operation is, for example, an operation on the purchase icon 417 shown in FIG. 26(A). Specifically, in step 107 it is determined whether or not information has been received that is transmitted when an operation is performed on the purchase icon 417 on the viewer terminal 300, and that identifies the type of flower stand FS purchased, the characters entered, the selected display area, and the like. If it is not determined that a purchase confirmation operation has been performed, then the process ends.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S107 that the purchase confirmation operation has been performed, the purchase process (billing process) is performed in step S108. After the purchase process is performed, in step S109, a flower stand display process is performed, and the process ends. For example, based on the information received when the purchase confirmation operation is performed, the display position within the selected display area is determined by lottery or the like, and the user-related information (contained in the viewer user data 133) regarding the flower stand FS is updated, and information for identifying the display position is sent to the viewer terminal 300 of the purchasing user, and the display performance illustrated in FIG. 26 (B) is performed on the viewer terminal 300 of the purchasing user. Note that the display position within the display area is not limited to being determined by lottery, and may be selected by the purchasing user, so that the display position may be displayed in a preferred position.

27(C) is an example of a table that stores information about a flower stand FS purchased by a user, among the user-related information stored in the viewer user data 133. For example, information that identifies the purchased flower stand FS and information about the display location of the flower stand FS in the display area specified by the user are associated with each user ID. As an example, information such as a "flower stand ID" for individually identifying the flower stand FS, "purchased flower stand" which is information about the attributes and size of the purchased flower stand FS, "characters" which is information about the decoration (inputted characters) performed by the user, a "user-designated area" as information about the display area specified by the user, "position" which is information about the display position in the display area, and "purchase date and time" which is the date and time when the user purchased the flower stand are stored. During the flower stand display and presentation process in step S109, information about the purchased flower stand FS is newly stored in correspondence with the purchasing user. In addition, information about the purchased flower stand FS is transmitted to the purchasing user's viewer terminal 300, and the viewer terminal 300 performs a display and presentation process in which the purchased flower stand FS is displayed (displayed) in place of the flower stand FS already displayed in the display location. In addition, when a Flower Stand FS is purchased, it is not limited to an exhibition presentation being held; instead, or in addition, it is also possible to be notified that the purchased Flower Stand FS has been displayed in the selected exhibition area.

Furthermore, when a user purchases a flower stand FS, the flower stand FS already on display in the display location is replaced with the purchased flower stand FS on that user's viewer terminal 300, as described above; however, the purchase does not affect the flower stand FS in the display area of other users' viewer terminals 300, and the same flower stand FS as before the purchase continues to be displayed. This allows the flower stand FS displayed in the display area to be different between the user who purchased the flower stand FS and other users.

In step S101, it is determined whether or not the period during which purchase is possible before the scheduled date is determined, but the period may not be limited to the scheduled date and may be any time before the scheduled date. For example, depending on the timing of the provision of the event content related to the flower star FS to be purchased, the event content may be purchased on or after the scheduled date when the event content is provided. However, if the period during which purchase is possible before the scheduled date is not determined in step S101, the event content may not be used in the presentation when the event content is provided.

In addition, editing operations for the display mode of the Flower Star FS (text insertion operations, content editing operations) may be possible not only at the time of purchase, but instead or in addition to this, it may be possible to edit after purchase. For example, after purchase, the Flower Star FS may be saved in the user's item box, and the user may be able to take it out of the item box and display it or edit it at a time of their choosing. The font type and color may also be possible to edit after purchase, not just at the time of purchase. It may also be possible to edit not only the text, but also the color, and to add decorations, for example, to create a luxurious display mode as an option.

In the above example, the display position (for example, display positions "A1", "A2", etc. in display area A described below) within the display area selected by the user is determined by lottery or the like based on the information received when the purchase confirmation operation is performed in step S107 of FIG. 28. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the flower stand FS may be displayed at a time separate from the time of purchase of the flower stand FS, and the display position may be determined at the time of display.

(Changes in display format during the period before the scheduled date due to the fulfillment of switching conditions)
Next, the transition of lantern objects arranged in the exhibition areas (display modes of the exhibition areas) will be described with reference to Figures 29 to 32. In this embodiment, lantern objects are displayed in a plurality of exhibition areas provided in the area ER5 (for example, the main street (west) area 51a, the main street (east) area 51b, the large torii gate area 52a, etc.). An upper limit on the number of lantern objects that can be displayed in each exhibition area is set.

As mentioned above, the exhibition area is not limited to the flower arrangement FS purchased by the user himself (associated with the user himself) as described above with reference to Figures 26 to 28, but also flower arrangement FS purchased by other users (associated with other users), flower arrangement FS associated with the management (administrator), and flower arrangement FS associated with special users.

In this embodiment, the display area A corresponds to, for example, the shrine grounds (west) area 52b of the area ER52 in FIG. 24, which corresponds to the shrine grounds area, and is an area in which, for example, the "small" size of the flower stand FS, which is a lantern object, as shown in FIG. 27(B), can be displayed. FIG. 29(A) shows a part of the display area A, which corresponds to the shrine grounds (west) area 52b, and as shown in FIG. 29(A), multiple flower stands FS, which are lantern objects, are displayed in a row vertically and horizontally in the display area A. FIG. 31(A) is a table included in the object data 122, and is an example of a data table relating to the flower stand FS displayed in the display area A and information for identifying the display position. In FIG. 31(A), for example, a flower stand ID and displayed text information are associated with each display position (A1, A2, A3, ...) in the display area A as information for identifying the flower stand FS. Display position A1 corresponds to the upper left of FIG. 29(A), for example, and is associated with a flower stand FS with a flower stand ID of "a1", an attribute of "cherry blossom", and displaying the "letter A". Display position A2 corresponds to the position immediately to the right of display position A1 in the same row, and is associated with a flower stand FS with a flower stand ID of "b1", an attribute of "demon", and displaying the "letter B".

Figure 31 (B) is a table included in object data 122, and is an example of a data table relating to information for identifying the flower stand FS to be placed in exhibition area B and the display position. Exhibition area B is an area in which a flower stand FS of size "large" shown in Figure 27 (B) can be displayed, and corresponds, for example, to the location of large torii object 52t in area ER52 (large torii area 52a). In Figure 31 (B), as in Figure 31 (A), information for identifying the flower stand FS, such as a flower stand ID and displayed text information, is associated with each exhibition position (B1, B2, B3, ...) in exhibition area B. For example, a flower stand FS with a flower stand ID of "a1" and displaying the "letter A" is associated with the position corresponding to exhibition position B1. A flower stand FS with a flower stand ID of "b1" and displaying the "letter B" is associated with the position corresponding to exhibition position B2.

As shown in FIG. 31(A) and FIG. 31(B), the information of the flower star FS associated with each exhibition area is switched to information of another flower star FS determined by random drawing or the like whenever a switching condition is met. The switching condition of the flower star FS information for each exhibition area may include conditions that are met, for example, when a predetermined time has passed (e.g., every 30 minutes or 2 hours), when a user enters or leaves the virtual space (logs in, logs in again, etc.), or when the user reloads the display data (e.g., a reload operation or when the viewpoint of the user avatar U returns to a predetermined exhibition area after the viewpoint of the user avatar U has left the exhibition area). The probability of winning an exhibition by random drawing is set to a uniform probability for each flower star FS, but is not limited to this, and may be varied according to the characteristics of each flower star FS, as described below.

Each time the switching condition is met, the distribution server computer 100 determines the flower stand FS to be displayed for each exhibition area, updates the table for each exhibition area (see Figures 31 (A) and (B), etc.) stored as object data 122 (set as a default common to all users), and transmits information for identifying the flower stand FS for each exhibition area to the viewer terminal 300 of the user who has entered the spatial area ER5. This makes it possible for the viewer terminal 300 to switch and display the flower stand FS for each exhibition area (flower stands FS of other users, etc., excluding the user's own flower stand FS) with another flower stand FS. Note that the switching of flower stands FS is performed up to the maximum number that can be displayed for each exhibition area. For example, if the upper limit of the number of flower stands FS that can be displayed in the exhibition area A is 100, the information on the flower stand FS for the exhibition area A stored as the object data 122 shown in FIG. 31(A) is updated by determining 100 flower stands FS by random drawing or the like each time the switching condition is met, and switching to the data of the determined flower stand FS. Also, for example, when the exhibition area is opened, 10 flower stands FS may be initially placed in the exhibition area A, which can display 100 flower stands FS, and this number may gradually increase to 100 as users purchase and display them. When the exhibition area is opened, this may be, for example, when a user purchases a flower stand FS and is able to display it in the exhibition area. In this case, the random drawing may be performed after the upper limit is reached.

As described above, the information on the flower stand FS arranged in the virtual space is switched every time the switching condition is met, but the flower stand FS purchased by the user himself can be continuously displayed in the exhibition area in the virtual space based on the information managed in FIG. 27(C). For example, FIG. 29 is an example of a transition in the display mode of the flower stand FS in exhibition area A displayed on the display device 310 of user 1 when user 1 newly purchases a flower stand FS. FIG. 30 is an example of a transition in the display mode of the flower stand FS in exhibition area A (the same position as the display position shown in FIG. 29) displayed on the display device 310 of user 2 when user 1 newly purchases a flower stand FS. FIGS. 29(A) and 30(A) are display examples in which a flower stand FS determined as a default corresponding to exhibition area A and identified from the flower stand arrangement information in FIG. 31(A) is arranged. Note that, at the timing shown in Figures 29(A) and 30(A), it is assumed that the flower stand FS purchased by neither user 1 nor user 2 is displayed in exhibition area A.

Figures 29 (B) and 30 (B) are examples of the display at the time when user 1 newly purchases flower stand FS1. The flower stand FS1 purchased by user 1 has the attribute "cherry blossoms" of flower stand ID "a3" shown in Figure 27 (C), the size of which is "small", and the entered characters are "the best". User 1 also selected "A" as the display area when purchasing, and the location "A1" within the display area is assumed to be associated with the flower stand.

When user 1 purchases flower stand FS1, information about the purchased flower stand is distributed to user 1, and on user 1's viewer terminal 300, the flower stand FS placed at exhibition position A1 in exhibition area A is switched to the flower stand FS1 purchased by user 1. Meanwhile, on user 2's display device 301, as shown in FIG. 30(B), the same flower stand FS as in FIG. 30(A) is still displayed.

Figures 29 (C) and 30 (C) are examples of displays when the switching conditions are met a predetermined time after the previous switching. On user 1's display device 301, as shown in Figure 29 (C), the flower stand FS1 purchased by user 1 himself and displayed in exhibition area A1 continues to be displayed in the same position as in Figure 29 (B), but the other flower stands FS have been switched to a flower stand FS determined by lottery when the switching conditions are met. The other flower stands FS are flower stands FS that are not associated with user 1, but are associated with other users, etc. Note that the other flower stands FS may include flower stands FS prepared by the management that are not associated with any other users.

On the other hand, on user 2's display device 310, as shown in FIG. 30(C), the display device has switched to a flower arrangement FS determined by lottery in response to the establishment of the switching condition. FIG. 30(C) differs from FIG. 29(C) for user 1 in that a flower arrangement FS different from the flower arrangement FS1 associated with user 1 is displayed at exhibition position A1 in exhibition area A, and a common flower arrangement FS based on the default data stored in object data 122 is displayed at all exhibition positions within exhibition area A, including exhibition position A1.

Figures 29 (D) and 30 (D) show examples of the display when the switching conditions are met again after a predetermined time has passed and the flower stand FS in exhibition area A is switched. At this switching timing, the object data 122 for exhibition area A determined by lottery and stored happens to include the flower stand FS1 purchased by user 1, and its display position is A6 (the second position from the left in the bottom row in Figures 29 (D) and 30 (D)). In this case, for user 2, user 1's flower stand FS1 is displayed in A6 based on the default data, as shown in Figure 30 (D).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 29(D), in the display device 310 of user 1, the flower stand FS1 continues to be displayed in place A1 based on FIG. 27(C). That is, even if the object data 122 for the same exhibition area includes the flower stand FS1 purchased by user 1, the viewer terminal 300 of user 1 switches to place the flower stand FS1 purchased by user 1 in the exhibition position based on FIG. 27(C). Furthermore, the viewer terminal 300 of user 1 performs a process of replacing the flower stand FS (default flower stand FS) based on the object data 122 that was placed in the exhibition position (A1) of the flower stand FS1 purchased by user 1 with the flower stand FS1 purchased by user 1 based on the object data 122 and displaying it. As a result, in place of the flower stand FS1, the flower stand FS (the flower stand FS of the "letter O") that was associated with A1 by the default data is displayed in A6 of user 1. This makes it possible to prevent the same flower stand from being placed multiple times in the same exhibition area.

Even if the object data 122 for the same display area includes a flower stand FS purchased by user 1, only the switching process is performed to place the flower stand FS purchased by user 1 in the display position based on FIG. 27(C), and the flower stand FS purchased by user 1 based on the object data 122 may be displayed as is. In this case, the user can feel a sense of exclusivity because multiple identical flower stands FS for user 1 are displayed.

Also, in FIG. 29, an example was described in which the flower stand FS1 purchased by user 1 is displayed fixed at position A1 within the exhibition area A. However, this is not limited to the above, and the display position of the purchased flower stand FS may be switched within the exhibition area A arranged by the user each time a switching condition is met. For example, at the timing of FIG. 29(C), the flower stand FS1 purchased by user 1 is displayed at position A1, but at the next switching timing, it may be displayed at position A4, which corresponds to the upper right of the exhibition area A, and default data (data of the flower stand FS associated with A1 in FIG. 31(A)) may be displayed in A1.

Next, the switching process of the flower star FS displayed in the exhibition area in the virtual space executed by the virtual space generation program 120 will be described with reference to FIG. 32.

In step S201, a determination is made as to whether or not the displayable period is before the scheduled date. The displayable period may be a period that matches the period before the scheduled date, or may be a part of the period before the scheduled date. If it is not determined that the displayable period is before the scheduled date, the switching process is terminated.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S201 that the display period is before the scheduled date, it is determined in step S202 whether or not the switching condition is satisfied. An example of the switching condition in step S202 is, for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed (for example, 30 minutes or 2 hours). When it is determined in step S202 that the switching condition is satisfied, in step S203, the flower stand to be displayed in each exhibition area is randomly selected from all the flower stands FS to be selected by lottery, the flower stand arrangement information for each exhibition area (e.g., Figures 31 (A) and (B)) as object data 122 is updated, and the updated flower stand arrangement information (including information specifying the flower stand FS (information specifying the display mode of the flower stand to be displayed on the viewer terminal, etc.)) is transmitted to the viewer terminal 300 of the user who has entered and participated in the spatial area ER5. For example, in the case of the exhibition area A, the flower stand arrangement information for the exhibition area A illustrated in Figure 31 (A) is updated to the information of the randomly selected flower stand FS and stored in the database that stores the object data 122. The updated flower arrangement information is sent from the database that stores the object data 122 to the user's viewer terminal 300. This updates the information on the default flower arrangement FS for each exhibition area, and makes it possible to switch between displaying the flower arrangements for each exhibition area on the viewer terminal 300 of the user who has entered and participated in the spatial area ER5.

The flower stand FS to be selected may be all flower stands FS stored as object data 122, excluding NG flower stands (for example, flower stands that have been set to hidden by the administrator due to being reported), or the flower stands FS may be divided into predetermined groups, and the flower stands FS selected from within the predetermined groups. For example, the groups may be divided by time of purchase, type of flower stand, etc.

On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S202 that the switching condition is met, it is determined in step S204 whether a new user has entered the spatial area ER5.

If it is not determined in step S204 that a new user has entered the room, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S204 that a new user has entered the room, then in step S205, the flower stand arrangement information for each exhibition area is transmitted to the viewer terminal 300 of that user. This allows the user to receive information for identifying the default flower stand FS determined for each exhibition area. For example, the flower stand arrangement information for a predetermined range of exhibition areas including the exhibition area A updated in step S203 is transmitted.

In step S206, a determination is made as to whether or not the newly entered user has a purchased flower stand FS based on the information related to the purchased flower stand shown in FIG. 27(C). If it is determined that the newly entered user has a purchased flower stand FS, in step S207, the purchased flower stand information for identifying the purchased flower stand FS, the display position information determined at the time of purchase, and the like are transmitted to the viewer terminal 300 of the user. The purchased flower stand information is information related to the purchased flower stand FS for each user, as exemplified in FIG. 27(C). For example, when processing user 1, if the timing for display area A is as shown in FIG. 29(C), the default data for display area A at the time of FIG. 29(C) is transmitted in step S205. In addition, in step S207, the purchased flower stand information (flower stand ID "a3") for user 1 shown in FIG. 27(C) and the display position information determined at the time of purchase ("A1", which is the placement information for "a3") are transmitted. As a result, as shown in FIG. 29(C), a flower stand FS1 with a flower stand ID of "a3" is displayed at display position A1, and the default flower stand FS is displayed at other display positions within display area A.

In the above description, an example is given in which a determination is made as to whether or not the display is possible before the scheduled date in step S201, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible that a determination is not made as to whether or not the display is possible before the scheduled date. For example, the present invention may be applied to a spatial area ER in which a specific object can be placed, regardless of the date on which the event content is provided (e.g., the date of a live performance).

In addition, in step S203, an example has been described in which the flower arrangement information is updated when the switching condition is satisfied, and the updated flower arrangement information is sent to the user who has entered and participated in the spatial area ER5. However, in step S203, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the process of updating the flower arrangement information when the switching condition is satisfied may be performed, and the process of sending the updated flower arrangement information to the user who has entered and participated in the spatial area ER5 may not be performed. In other words, the flower arrangement may not be switched in response to the satisfaction of the switching condition in the viewer terminal 300 of the user who has already entered and participated. In addition, in step S203, the flower arrangement information may be updated when the switching condition is satisfied, and the updated flower arrangement information may be sent only to users who have entered and participated in the spatial area ER5 and who meet a certain requirement. The certain requirement may be, for example, a requirement that is satisfied when a time longer than the time required for the switching condition to be satisfied has elapsed since entering and participating, or a requirement that is satisfied when the user's individual settings allow switching due to the satisfaction of the switching condition. In addition, even if a user does not send updated flower arrangement information in step S203, when re-entering the room, the processing from step S205 onwards is performed and the latest flower arrangement information (updated in step S203) is sent.

In the embodiment with reference to Figures 29 to 32, an example was described in which, even if the switching condition is met, the flower star FS purchased by the user himself continues to be displayed, while the flower star FS associated with another user is switched and displayed. However, even if the flower star FS is associated with another user, if the other user is a special user, the flower star FS associated with the special user may continue to be displayed. As described above, special users include performer users, sponsor users who are sponsoring an event, and other celebrities, and include users who are authenticated as special users by the management (administrator) side.

Next, referring to FIG. 33, we will explain switching process 2 of the flower star FS displayed in the exhibition area in the virtual space executed by the virtual space generation program 120.

Figure 33 is an example of the above-mentioned flower star switching process, which adds a process to be performed when the information on the flower star FS cannot be read out in the desired state from the database that stores the information on the flower star FS (the information on the flower star FS cannot be identified). In this embodiment, there are a large number of flower stars displayed, and each display mode can be different. In the flower star switching process, information read out from a database (e.g., a database server) that stores information on many flower star FSs is transmitted (distributed) to each user who enters the room. For this reason, when many users enter the room at once, the load on the distribution server computer 100 increases in order to perform the flower star switching process for many users. For example, if access is concentrated on the database server that stores the information on the flower star FS, the database server is overloaded, and the flower star arrangement information cannot be read out, so the information required to display the virtual space cannot be transmitted (distributed) to the login source (the viewer terminal of the user who entered/participated in the virtual space), which may cause problems such as not being able to enter the room at all.

On the other hand, the flower star in the exhibition area is an object that adds to the virtual space, but is not an object that is essential for generating the virtual space (for example, objects that may cause a user to feel uncomfortable if they are missing depending on the content provided, such as the building and stage objects shown in FIG. 24, or objects that are the basis of the virtual space). If the data of an essential object cannot be read and transmitted (delivered), the virtual space itself cannot be generated and displayed (the content provided in the virtual space cannot be established), whereas it is possible to generate and display the virtual space itself even if the flower star in the exhibition area cannot be displayed accurately. In other words, when the data of an object (first type of object) that is essential for generating the virtual space can be identified (read and transmitted and received), the virtual space can be generated and displayed regardless of whether or not the data of an object (second type of object) such as a flower star that is not essential for generating the virtual space has been identified. Also, as explained in steps S202 to S205 of FIG. 32, the flower star in the exhibition area is updated and displayed to an accurate flower star every time the switching condition is established. In other words, if users can enter the virtual space, the flower designs in the exhibition area can be updated periodically, so the impact of a malfunction on both users and management is greater if users are unable to enter the exhibition area due to this than if the flower designs in the exhibition area cannot be displayed correctly temporarily.

Therefore, in the cluster switching process 2 in this embodiment, steps S225 to S245 are performed following step S215. Note that in FIG. 33, the process within the dotted line box has been added to the process in FIG. 32 described above. The same step numbers are used to describe the same processes as in FIG. 32, and the description is simplified (and omitted). Steps S213 and S223 in FIG. 33 provide a more specific description of the process in step S203 in FIG. 32, and steps S215 to S245 in FIG. 33 provide a more specific description of the process in step S205 in FIG. 32 and FIG. 33 up to the transmission of cluster arrangement information to the user.

When it is determined in step S202 that the switching condition is met, in step S213, a flower stand to be displayed for each exhibition area is randomly selected from all the flower stands FS that are the subject of the lottery, and the flower stand arrangement information for each exhibition area in the object data 122 (e.g., Figures 31 (A) and (B)) is updated and stored. For example, in the case of exhibition area A, the flower stand arrangement information for exhibition area A shown in Figure 31 (A) is updated to the information of the randomly selected flower stand FS and stored in the database that stores object data 122.

In step S214, the updated flower stand arrangement information (including information specifying the flower stand FS (such as information specifying the display mode of the flower stand to be displayed on the viewer terminal)) is read from the database that stores the updated flower stand arrangement information, and is transmitted to the viewer terminal 300 of the user who has entered/participated in spatial area ER5. This updates the information on the flower stand FS for each default exhibition area, and makes it possible to switch and display the flower stands for each exhibition area on the viewer terminal 300 of the user who has entered/participated in spatial area ER5.

In step S204, it is determined whether or not a new user has entered the room. If it is not determined that a new user has entered the room, the process ends in the same manner as in FIG. 32. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S204 that a new user has entered the room, the updated flower arrangement information for each exhibition area (including information specifying the flower arrangement FS (such as information specifying the display mode of the flower arrangement to be displayed on the viewer terminal)) is read out in step S215. For example, the distribution server computer 100 performs a process of reading the flower arrangement information updated in step S213 and transmitted in step S223 to the user who has entered and participated from a database in which the information on the updated arrangement flower arrangement FS is stored as object data 122.

The range of the flower FS information that the distribution server computer 100 reads out from the database storing the flower FS information (including the arrangement information) as the object data 122 in steps S223 and S215 may be, for example, flower arrangement information that can be displayed in all exhibition areas of the virtual space (e.g., in the spatial area ER5) that the user has entered, or may be flower arrangement information that can be displayed in a part of the exhibition area of the virtual space that the user has entered. The part may be, for example, the flower arrangement information of the exhibition area in the section in which the user avatar U is located in the area of the virtual space that the user has entered (e.g., the exhibition area in the section such as the area ER51 or area ER52 in FIG. 24), or may be the flower arrangement information of the range that can be displayed on the user screen as the user avatar U moves (e.g., the exhibition area within a predetermined distance of 360 degrees from the position of the user avatar U).

In step S225, it is determined whether or not all of the flower arrangement information has been read. The state in which all of the flower arrangement information has been read includes, for example, a state in which information identifying the flower arrangement FS to be read from the database has been accurately returned from the database. When it is determined in step S225 that all of the flower arrangement information has been read, the flower arrangement information for each exhibition area read in step S205 is transmitted to the viewer terminal 300 of the user.

In contrast, if it is not determined in step S225 that all the cluster arrangement information has been read, then in step S235 it is determined whether a predetermined time (e.g., 100 ms) has elapsed since the reading in step S215 was started. If it is not determined in step S235 that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S215 to continue reading the cluster arrangement information that has not been read (the cluster to be placed in the missing portion) and then proceeds to step S215 again. The determination of whether the predetermined time has elapsed may be made, for example, by the AP server starting a process to read the cluster FS information from the database server and waiting for a response from the database server to determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the database server started a process to identify the cluster FS information to be returned as the cluster arrangement information, and the information for which the predetermined time has elapsed (e.g., information that could not be identified) may be returned to the AP server.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S235 that a predetermined time has elapsed, a predetermined replacement flower stand is identified to be placed in the missing portion that could not be read in step S245. Once a flower stand to be placed in the missing portion has been identified in step S245, the process proceeds to step S205, in which flower stand placement information for each exhibition area is transmitted to the viewer terminal 300 of that user. A replacement flower stand is information that requires a lighter processing load to be identified by the distribution server computer 100 than reading out the flower stand placement information updated in step S213. For example, in a storage area (or past updated flower arrangement information temporarily stored as a cache) in storage 103 of distribution server computer 100 different from the database from which the flower arrangement FS is read in steps S223, S215, etc., information for displaying an alternative flower arrangement FS that is not updated (displayed) when a switching condition is satisfied, such as a flower arrangement FS displayed in the form of a simple flower arrangement FS (e.g., blank) or a flower arrangement FS predetermined by the operator, may be used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the flower arrangement FS may be a predetermined flower arrangement FS among the flower arrangement FS that can be updated (displayed) when a switching condition is satisfied, or a flower arrangement FS included in the flower arrangement information that has already been read. In step S235, if the desired flower arrangement information cannot be read (identified) due to a load on the database, etc., information for displaying an alternative flower arrangement FS that requires light processing when identifying, instead of the data that could not be read, is distributed to viewer terminal 300.

In addition, if only a portion of the information in the flower star FS that was read in step S215 was successfully read, steps S245 and S205 will supplement the missing portion excluding the portion that was read. For example, if information on exhibition areas A and B was read, but only the information on exhibition area A was read, processing will be performed to supplement the information on exhibition area B. Note that even if only a portion of the information in the flower star FS that was read in step S225 was successfully read, all of it may be replaced with information from an alternative flower star FS in step S245.

This allows the user to receive information on the flower star FS that replaces the information on the flower star FS of the default flower star that could not be read due to the load on the database. This makes it possible to avoid problems such as being unable to enter a room because information for displaying the virtual space cannot be received. In other words, a display priority is set for objects that can be displayed, and if a high-priority object that was essential to establish the content provided by the virtual space has been received, the virtual space is displayed regardless of whether a non-essential, low-priority object has been received normally, and when data for a non-essential, low-priority object can be identified, the object is displayed in a display mode based on that data, while when data cannot be identified, an alternative object corresponding to the object is displayed.

Figure 34 shows an example of a display example of the display screen 310 of user 1 in Figure 29, with a flower stand FST associated with a special user further arranged in exhibition area A. The flower stand FST is a flower stand FS associated with a talent user related to the attribute "black fox", and is, for example, a special flower stand FST prepared or purchased by a special user. At the timing of Figure 34 (A), the special user's flower stand FST is displayed by default in exhibition position A4 in the upper right corner of exhibition area A. The flower stand FST prepared or purchased by the special user is displayed in the exhibition area, and even if the switching condition is met, the flower stand placement information of that flower stand FST will not be switched to another flower stand.

Next, in FIG. 34(B), when user 1 purchases a flower stand FS1, the flower stand FS1 purchased by user 1 is displayed in display position A1 in display area A. When a user purchases a flower stand FS, as described above, an exhibition area is selected and the display position within that exhibition area is determined, but display positions where special users' flower stands are displayed, as described above, are excluded from the display positions to be determined. This makes it possible to prevent a flower stand from being determined as the display position for a special user's flower stand, even if the user purchases one.

Even after the switching timing when the switching condition in FIG. 34(C) is met, the special user's flower stand FST continues to be displayed in display position A4 in addition to the flower stand FS1 purchased by user 1 himself. Similarly, at the next switching timing in FIG. 34(D), the flower stand FS1 and flower stand FST continue to be displayed.

In addition, within spatial area ER5, an exhibition area (special exhibition area) may be provided in which all the flower stands FS displayed are those of special users, or a single area may be provided in which special users' flower stands FS are displayed individually as objects or photo spots. Furthermore, the flower stands displayed in the special exhibition area or single area may be switched from among the flower stands FS associated with a special user to a flower stand FS associated with another special user when a switching condition is met.

In this embodiment, a user can purchase and own multiple flower stands FS (specific objects). Therefore, the more flower stands FS a user purchases, the higher the probability that the flower stand FS will be determined as the default flower stand FS when the switching condition is met, and the higher the possibility that the flower stand FS will be displayed in the spatial area ER5 of the viewer terminal 300 of another user. For example, as shown in FIG. 27(C), user 1 owns three flower stands FS, whereas user 2 owns one. Therefore, if the lottery is drawn with a uniform probability, the probability that one of user 1's flower stands FS will be determined as the default flower stand FS is three times higher than the probability that user 2's flower stand FS will be determined. This can motivate users to purchase more flower stands FS in order to appeal to other users.

On the other hand, even if a user owns a huge number of flower FSs (e.g., 10,000), if the greater the number owned, the more likely it is to be determined as the default flower FS, as described above, the probability that the flower FS of the user who owns a huge number of flower FSs will be determined as the default flower FS and displayed will be extremely high, which may result in the display state of the flower FSs displayed in the display area of other users becoming less appealing, or being misused, or causing other users to feel uncomfortable. To prevent this, in this embodiment, for users who have purchased and owned a certain number of flower FSs (e.g., 100), the number of flower FSs they have purchased and owned is considered to be the certain number, and the default flower FS is determined at the same rate (probability) as a user who has purchased and owned the certain number of flower FSs, regardless of whether the user is a user with more than the certain number. For example, if the predetermined number is 100, the percentage of a user who has purchased and owns 100 or more items that is determined to be the default flower arrangement FS will be the same as the percentage of a user who has purchased and owns 100 items that is determined to be the default flower arrangement FS, even if the actual number owned is a thousand or ten thousand items. This makes it possible to prevent a particular user's flower arrangement FS from being displayed too much in the display area of another user's display device 300.

(Changes in display mode during event content provision)
In this embodiment, while the event content to be provided on the scheduled date is being provided, the flower stand FS purchased by the user during the period before the scheduled date is displayed in the virtual space. Furthermore, the image (display mode) in the live area ER53', which is the event content, changes depending on the event that occurs within the spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date. An example of an event that occurs within the spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date is when a user purchases a flower stand FS and displays and places it in the exhibition area within the spatial area ER5. Below, changes in the display mode of the virtual space while the event content is being provided will be described with reference to Figures 35 to 37.

Figure 35 shows an example scene from an event content (such as a live performance in which the same types of performances as those in Figures 13 to 24 are performed) provided in the worship hall in area ER53' in Figure 24, which functions as virtual stage G. Virtual stage G in Figure 35 will hereafter be referred to as virtual stage G2. Performer avatars 1a to 1d are appearing on virtual stage G2. Performer avatars 1a to 1d are associated with the attributes "cherry blossom," "demon," "white fox," and "black fox," respectively. These attributes correspond to the attributes associated with the flower stage FS shown in Figure 27 (A).

When the event content is being provided, as shown in FIG. 35, the performer avatars 1a to 1d are shown holding and introducing a flower stand FS. In this embodiment, if the viewing user has purchased a flower stand FS during the period before the scheduled date, the performer avatars 1a to 1d are shown holding the flower stand FS purchased by that user. FIG. 36 is an example of a data table for identifying the flower stand FS used in the presentation of the event content in FIG. 35. FIG. 36(A) is default event flower stand information common to all users that is managed in the distribution server computer 100 (e.g., gift data 134, etc.). The flower stand FS displayed on the display device 310 for each user while the event content is being provided is identified based on the event flower stand information in FIG. 36(A) and the purchased flower stand related information for each user in FIG. 27(C).

In the present embodiment, a total of nine flower stands FS are used for the presentation of the event content, including flower stand FSs of sizes "large" and "small" for each of the attributes "cherry blossom", "demon", "white fox", and "black fox", and a flower stand FS of the attribute "gorgeous". The default flower stand FS in FIG. 36(A) is determined by random drawing for each attribute and size from among the flower stand FSs purchased by any user during the period before the scheduled date from the end of the period before the scheduled date to the start of the event content. As shown in FIG. 36(A), information specifying the default flower stand FS to be used for the presentation is associated with each attribute and size of the flower stand FS. For example, a flower stand FS with the displayed characters "character A4" for the flower stand ID "a4" is associated as a flower stand FS of size "large" with the attribute "cherry blossom". Note that not all types of flower stand FSs that can be purchased before the scheduled date illustrated in FIG. 27(A) may be used for the presentation of the event content, but only a part of them may be used. For example, in this embodiment, the attribute "plain" is not used in the presentation of event content.

The distribution server computer 100 transmits the event flower card information of FIG. 36 (A) and the purchased flower card related information for each user of FIG. 27 (C) to the viewer terminal 300 of the participating users at the start of the event content (at login) or at a specified timing during the content provision.

In the viewer terminal 300 of each user, among the flowers identified from the received event flower information, a flower that has the same attributes and size as the flower identified from the purchased flower information of the user is switched to the flower identified from the purchased flower information of the user, and the event flower data shown in FIG. 36 (B) is updated. In this embodiment, if a user has purchased and owns multiple flower FSs with the same attributes and size, the last (most recently) purchased flower FS is set as the event flower information (associated with the table). As shown in FIG. 27 (C), user 1 owns one flower FS with the attribute "cherry blossom" and size "small", which is the flower ID "a3". Therefore, in the default of FIG. 36 (A), the flower FS with the attribute "cherry blossom" and size "small" is associated with the flower ID "b4", but as shown in FIG. 36 (B), "a3" is associated with the event flower information of user 1. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 27(C), user 1 owns two flower stand FSs with the attribute "luxury", with flower stand IDs "b3" and "c3". Since "c3" was purchased later than "b3" and "c3", "c3" is associated with the attribute "luxury" in FIG. 36(B). As a result, for users who did not purchase a flower stand in the period before the scheduled date, the default event flower stand information is maintained, and for users who purchased a flower stand in the period before the scheduled date, the default event flower stand information is updated to include a flower stand with the same attributes and size as the purchased flower stand.

Based on the event flower arrangement information that has been set, the viewer terminal 300 of each user performs a performance during the provision of the event content as shown in FIG. 35. FIG. 35 shows an example of a display mode displayed on the display device 310 of user 1, which is displayed based on the event flower arrangement information stored in FIG. 36(B). FIG. 35(A) shows an example in which performer avatars 1a to 1d have a flower arrangement FS of size "small" with an attribute corresponding to each of their attributes. As the flower arrangement FS held by performer avatar 1a, a flower arrangement FS1 with a flower arrangement ID "a3" that was purchased by user 1 is displayed. In addition, in the center of FIG. 35(A), a flower arrangement FS with an attribute "splendor" is displayed, and a flower arrangement FS2 with a flower arrangement ID "c3" that was last purchased by user 1 is displayed. In addition, in FIG. 35(B), performer avatars 1b and 1c have a flower arrangement FS of size "large" with an attribute "demon". Because user 1 has not purchased a flower stand FS with the attribute "demon" and size "large," the flower stand FS with the default flower stand ID "g4" in FIG. 36(A) is displayed. Note that the display format of the virtual live venue is not limited to the set shown in FIG. 35, and various objects may be displayed.

The performance shown in FIG. 35 is achieved by transmitting performance information from the distribution server computer 100, the information including, for example, information for controlling the display operation of the performer avatars 1a-1d and information for specifying the attributes and size of a flower stand to be held in the hands of each of the performer avatars 1a-1d or displayed in a predetermined position in the virtual space (hanging from the ceiling). Each user's viewer terminal 300 controls the display mode in the virtual space including the performer avatars 1a-1d based on the performance information, and by arranging a flower stand FS that matches the information for specifying the attributes and size of the flower stand among those specified from the event flower stand information (see FIG. 36(B)) updated in each viewer terminal 300, the performance shown in FIG. 35 can be achieved.

Next, referring to FIG. 37(A), the event flower arrangement determination process executed in the distribution server computer 100 will be described. In step S301, the flower arrangement to be used in the presentation of the event content is determined by random drawing for each of the attributes and sizes of the flower arrangements described above. In step S302, event display flower arrangement information (see FIG. 36(A)) that can identify the determination result is transmitted to the viewer terminal 300. For example, as shown in FIG. 36(A), event flower arrangement information that is stored in association with information that identifies the flower arrangement FS determined by drawing for each attribute and size is transmitted to the viewer terminal 300 of a user who plans to participate or is currently participating in the event content.

In step S303, for users who have purchased a flower stand based on the purchased flower stand related information for each user shown in FIG. 27 (C), the purchased flower stand related information for each user is sent to the viewer terminal 300 of each user, and the event flower stand determination process is terminated.

Next, the event flag identification process executed on the viewer terminal 300 will be described with reference to FIG. 37(B).

In step S311, the event flower stand information (see FIG. 36(A)) sent and received from the delivery server computer 100 in step S302 in FIG. 37(A) is stored as default data for identifying the default flower stand FS to be used in the performance. In step S312, it is determined whether or not purchased flower stand related information (information of the user in FIG. 27(C) sent from the delivery server computer 100 in step S303 in FIG. 37(A)) has been received. If it is not determined in step S312 that purchased flower stand related information has been received, the event flower stand determination process is terminated.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S312 that purchased flower arrangement related information has been received, in step S313, information for identifying the flower arrangement FS purchased by the user for each attribute and size is stored as update data based on the received purchased flower arrangement related information. At this time, if multiple flowers with the same attribute and size are identified, the last (most recently) purchased flower arrangement is identified and stored based on the purchase date and time, as the flower arrangement with that attribute and size.

In step S314, for those flower arrangements identified from the default data that have the same attributes and size as the flower arrangements identified from the update data, the information of the flower arrangements to be used in the performance is rewritten to the flower arrangements identified from the update data.

As described above, for a user who has already purchased a flower stand FS, the flower stand that the user himself/herself has purchased can be displayed in association with the performer avatar for the event display flower stand. Furthermore, in this embodiment, if there are multiple flower stands with the same attributes and size as the purchased flower stand FS, the most recently purchased flower stand FS is displayed, making it possible to display a flower stand FS that has been created with a more elaborate design by the scheduled date for the provision of the event content. Note that the flower stand FS that is used for the presentation is not limited to being replaced with the most recently purchased flower stand FS, and a flower stand with the same attributes and size may be selected by lottery.

In addition, the event flower star determination process in FIG. 37(A) has been described as an example in which the event flower star information is determined and stored in advance before the event content is provided, but is not limited to this. The process may be executed, for example, every predetermined time (e.g., every 10 minutes) while the event content is being provided to update the event flower star information. Alternatively, if a singing part and an MC part are repeated while the event content is being provided, the event flower star information for each part may be updated before the next part begins. While the event content is being provided, the display mode of the presentation may be changed based on the event flower star information updated while the event content is being provided.

Note that the flower stand FS to be selected by lottery and determined as the event flower stand information shown in FIG. 36(A) may exclude flower stand FS associated with special users. This allows the flower stand FS to be selected by lottery from among flower stand FS associated with fan users (general users) of the performer avatar, for example, and increases the consistency of the displayed flower stand FS in the presentation of event content, such as messages to fans, such as "Thank you for your support flower stand!".

(Regarding processing related to event content)
In the above, an example has been described in which the display mode in the spatial area ER5 may change depending on an event that occurs in the spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date on which the event content is provided. However, instead of or in addition to this, in this embodiment, processing related to the event content may be performed depending on the degree to which an image in the spatial area ER5 is displayed on the display device 310 of the viewer terminal 300 by entering or participating in the spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date on which the event content is provided in the virtual space ER.

Processes related to the event content include, for example, a process of changing the display mode of the presentation during the provision of the event content, and a process of giving the user an object that the user can use during the provision of the event content. The degree of display is, for example, the number of times the user entered the spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date. The number of times the user entered the spatial area ER5 may be the number of days so that multiple entries on the same day are counted as one entry, or may be the number of times that the user entered the spatial area ER5 for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 10 minutes) or more. The degree of display is not limited to this, and may be the length of time spent in the spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date, or the degree to which a specific area in the spatial area ER5 is displayed (the number of times displayed, the time displayed, etc.). The specific area may be, for example, an area that is predetermined within the spatial area ER5, such as an exhibition area or an offering area.

The following describes an example in which the "degree" of displaying an image within spatial area ER5 is the "number of times entered spatial area ER5 where event content may be held on the scheduled date (hereinafter also referred to simply as the number of entries)," and the "processing related to event content" is a "processing to change the presentation content while the event content is being provided" and a "processing to grant the user an object that the user can use while the event content is being provided."

The distribution server computer 100 (for example, event data 111 and gift data 134) counts and stores the number of times each user enters the room during the period before the scheduled date. Figure 38 shows an example of a data table for specifying the "items" that are granted according to the number of times the user enters the room, and the "performance content" that is changed during the provision of the event content according to the number of times the user enters the room.

"Items" that are granted (made available) according to the number of times a room is entered are objects that can be used by the user while the event content is being provided. For example, they may be limited items that can only be used in event content (e.g., a live performance) held after the period before the scheduled date ends, or they may be items that can be used not only in event content held after the period before the scheduled date ends, but also in content other than the event content. Note that when used in content other than the event content held after the period before the scheduled date ends, for example, there may be a certain restriction on the performance aspects of the item, such as its function and effectiveness (e.g., certain functions may be unavailable, or effects may be reduced), or instead of or in addition to these, the item may be a limited item related to, for example, the image theme of the event content held after the period before the scheduled date ends.

As shown in FIG. 38, the "item" is, for example, an item that can be used during the provision of the event content to liven up the event. For example, if the number of times of entry during the period before the scheduled date is 1, a limited cracker A that can be used in the event content is given, if the number of times is 2, a limited cracker B is given, and if the number of times is 3, a limited cracker C is given. If the number of times is 4, a limited fireworks is given, if the number of times is 5, a limited glow stick is given, if the number of times is 6, a limited stamp is given, and if the number of times is 7, a limited item set is given. A stamp is a stamp that can be used for chatting in the virtual space and sending and receiving messages. An item set is an assortment set that includes multiple items. Note that the items shown in FIG. 38 are not limited to these, and may be so-called tip items, etc., as long as they can be used during the provision of the event content and liven up the event. In addition to the items that are given to the user corresponding to the actual number of times of entry, items corresponding to the number of times that is less than the actual number of times of entry may also be given.

As shown in FIG. 38, for example, if the number of times of entry during the period before the scheduled date is between 1 and 3, the "performance content" is normal, and the performance content does not change. If the number of times of entry is 4 or more, the performance content can change, and special room A is provided for 4 times, special room B for 5 times, and special room S for 6 times. Providing a special room means obtaining the right to participate in event content in a different virtual live venue animation (display mode) than normal performance. For example, an area ER53' that can only be accessed by target users who have obtained the right to participate in a live performance in a special room may be prepared, and event content may be provided in the special room. Alternatively, the image of the live venue set that is distributed when the event content is provided may be replaced with an image that is distributed to the target user.

In addition, in the seventh episode, a performance in a secret costume will be provided. The secret costume is a costume (costume object) of the performer avatar that is displayed in correspondence with the performer avatar when the event content is provided. For users who have obtained the right to be able to enjoy a performance in a secret costume, costume data for the performer avatar will be delivered in place of the data normally delivered to other users.

An example of event content-related processing executed in the distribution server computer 100 according to the number of entries shown in FIG. 38 will be described with reference to FIG. 39. The event content-related processing is executed, for example, for each user who is scheduled to participate in the event content (e.g., in ascending order of user ID numbers) from the end of the period before the scheduled date to the start of the event content.

In step S401, it is determined whether the user has entered the room one or more times during the period before the scheduled date. If it is not determined that the user has entered the room one or more times during the period before the scheduled date, the process ends. For users who are determined in step S401 not to have entered the room one or more times during the period before the scheduled date, event content is delivered based on the data stored by default in event data 111.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S401 that the user has entered the room one or more times during the period before the scheduled date, an item is granted in step S402 according to the number of entries. This causes, for example, the granted items to be displayed in an item box owned by the user in the virtual space ER. The items may be placed in the box in advance before the start time of the event content provision, or may be displayed as grayed out until the start time of the provision and cannot be used until the start time of the provision, or may be usable in the virtual live venue that is open from the start time of the provision.

In step S403, the content of the presentation according to the number of times the user has entered the room is set for the user, and the process ends. For example, if the user has entered the room four times, limited fireworks will be displayed in the item box, and information for designing the virtual live venue as special room A will be stored in association with the target user.

(Regarding re-provision of content for pre-scheduled periods and events)
With reference to Figs. 24 to 39, examples of event content provided in the period before the scheduled date and on the scheduled date have been described, but the content provided to the user by the distribution server computer 100 may be re-provided (re-performed). In Figs. 13 to 39, a live event by a performer at a virtual live venue on the scheduled date is exemplified as an example of content, but in Fig. 40, the live event provided on the scheduled date and the content provided in the period before the scheduled date before the live event is held (for example, an area that can be used for a limited time in relation to the live event to be held, an activity, etc.) are collectively referred to as event content. The content provided in the period before the scheduled date is, for example, content related to the live event, and includes the spatial area ER5 that is opened in the period before the scheduled date before the live event described in Figs. 24 to 39 is held. Hereinafter, the spatial area ER5 that is opened in the period before the scheduled date and the live event provided in the spatial area ER5 on the scheduled date are collectively referred to as event content. The content in the period before the scheduled date may include activities (e.g., game content, etc.) that the user can use in the spatial area ER5 that is open in the period before the scheduled date, objects that can be displayed, and the like.

Figure 40 is a diagram for explaining the period before the scheduled date and the re-provision of event content. For example, as shown in Figure 40 (a), a first scheduled period and a second scheduled period are provided as a "scheduled period" including the scheduled date on which the content of the live event is provided and the period before the scheduled date. The content for the period before the scheduled date described above is provided before the first scheduled date in the first scheduled period, and the content of the live event described above is provided on the first scheduled date. In addition, the second scheduled period for re-provision of the event content provided in the first scheduled period can be started after a predetermined period (e.g., two months) has elapsed since the end of the first scheduled period. The provision of the event content ends once with the first scheduled period, but the distribution server computer 100 stores and holds information (re-provision data) for taking over and re-provisioning the content data at the end of the first scheduled period. The stored re-provision data is re-provisioned to the user in the second scheduled period. The re-provision data includes, for example, information for generating a virtual space (e.g., FIG. 24, FIG. 25, etc.), information according to user actions (e.g., user-related information (related to purchased flower charts) in FIG. 27, flower chart placement information for each exhibition area shown in FIG. 31, etc.), performer information such as animation data and voice data including motion data of performer avatars in live events (performer avatar information distributed in FIG. 10, performer voice, etc.), information on event flower charts used by performers in the live events exemplified in FIGS. 35 to 37, data on games played in the first scheduled period (e.g., previous save data, ranking data, user level), etc. Note that the spatial area ER5 may be opened for several days after the first scheduled date to set up a period after the first scheduled date, and the content data at the end of the first scheduled period, including the period after the first scheduled date, may be carried over.

At the start of the first scheduled period, the display of the flower stand FS in the virtual space begins in the initial state (e.g., a state in which the flower stand FS is initially arranged with the initial settings), and as described above, is updated according to the user's actions (e.g., purchases, etc.) during the period before the first scheduled date. At the start of the second scheduled period illustrated in FIG. 40(a) (e.g., when the spatial area ER5 is reopened), information according to the user's actions during the first scheduled period is carried over and reflected in the virtual space, so that the flower stand FS for each exhibition area is arranged based on the flower stand arrangement information at the end of the first scheduled period. As a result, when a user who purchased a flower stand FS during the first scheduled period enters the second scheduled period, the flower stand FS purchased by the user is arranged in the same position and in the same display mode as it was arranged during the first scheduled period. Note that although the flower stand arrangement information is the flower stand arrangement information at the end of the first scheduled period, it may also be the flower stand arrangement information at the end of the first scheduled date or after the first scheduled date.

In addition, in the second pre-scheduled period in the second scheduled period, the display mode in the virtual space can be changed and made different between users according to the actions of the user, as in the first pre-scheduled period, and the processes shown in Figs. 32 to 39 are also executed. For example, when a user who entered in the second pre-scheduled period purchases a flower stand FS, as shown in Figs. 29 and 30, the flower stand is displayed in a display mode such as the character mode edited by the user in a specified area designated by the user in the virtual space that can be displayed on the viewer terminal 300 of the user, while the purchased flower stand FS may not be reflected in the virtual spaces of other users, and the displayed flower stand FS will be different between users. In addition, each time the switching condition is met, the flower stands FS other than the flower stand FS purchased and placed by the user (including both purchases in the first scheduled period and purchases in the second scheduled period) among the displayed flower stands can be changed and updated. In addition, data from games played during the first scheduled period is carried over to display rankings, and data such as the games each user has completed is also carried over, allowing the user to continue playing the game from where they left off in the first scheduled period.

The re-provision data does not include location information and movement information (information for displaying the user avatars U of other users) of the user avatars U who entered the room during the first scheduled period. For this reason, in the second scheduled period, the user avatars U of the users who actually entered the room during the second scheduled period are displayed. However, this is not limited to this, and the re-provision data carried over for replay may include location information and movement information of the user avatars U of the users who entered the room during the first scheduled period, and a virtual avatar may be displayed based on the location information and movement information of the carried over user avatars U depending on the number of users who entered the spatial area ER5 during the second scheduled period (for example, when the number is less than a predetermined number).

Furthermore, on the second scheduled date in the second scheduled period, a live event by performers will be held, as on the first scheduled date, and users who enter spatial area ER5 will be able to view the event from a viewpoint that corresponds to the user's operation. Also, for the event on the second scheduled date, as in the examples in Figures 35 to 37, the latest flower stand (last purchased flower stand) for each user can be displayed in association with the performer avatar. Note that the default flower stand information in Figure 36 (A) may be the same as the flower stand FS in the first scheduled period, but may be different from the default in the first scheduled period based on the information on the flower stand FS purchased by the user in the second scheduled period.

In FIG. 40(a), an example is shown in which the information related to the flower stand in the first planned period is carried over to the second planned period, but this is not limiting, and as shown in FIG. 40(b), the information related to the flower stand in the first planned period may not be carried over to the second planned period. In the case shown in FIG. 40(b), the flower stand FS in the virtual space at the start of the second planned period is displayed in the initial state as at the start of the first planned period, and is then updated according to the user's actions in the period before the second planned date. Note that the initial state of the flower stand (displayed flower stand and display mode) at the start of the second planned period may be the same as the initial state of the flower stand at the start of the first planned period, or may be partially different, or may be entirely different (for example, the display mode of the flower stand FS in a predetermined initial position is changed to a design for the second planned period).

In addition, on the second scheduled date in the second scheduled period, a live event with performers will be held, just like on the first scheduled date, and users who enter spatial area ER5 will be able to watch the event from a viewpoint that corresponds to the user's operation, but the default flower stand information in FIG. 36(A) may be different from the default in the first scheduled period, based on the information of the flower stand FS purchased by the user in the second scheduled period.

The re-provision data for a re-provisioned live event is the same as the previously provided data in terms of the movements and voice of the performer's performer avatar, based on the motion data and voice data from the previous time of provision. However, the display mode other than the movements of the performer avatar is not limited to being the same as the previously provided data, and may be different between the previously provided data and the re-provision data. For example, the costume of the performer avatar during the live event on the first scheduled date may be different from the costume of the performer avatar during the live event on the second scheduled date.

(Regarding special audio/viewpoint switching processing)
Next, a description will be given of performers when the event content is provided again. In the period before the first scheduled day of the first scheduled period, performers (e.g., a talent who has performed a live broadcast) in the live event on the first scheduled day are generally not allowed to enter (do not enter), whereas in the second scheduled period, performers in the live event on the second scheduled day (i.e., the same live event as the first scheduled day) can also enter the spatial area ER5 as participants in both the period before the second scheduled day and the second scheduled day. A performer avatar who enters as a participant in the second scheduled period is displayed in a display mode different from that of a performer avatar in the live event on the first scheduled day. For example, a performer avatar who is proceeding with an event as a performer is displayed as a three-dimensional human model that differs from performer to performer (e.g., performer avatar 1 in FIG. 13 ), whereas a performer avatar who has entered as a participant during the second scheduled period is displayed as the same user avatar as other general users, but the performer's name is displayed corresponding to the same user avatar as the other general users (e.g., a user name and an official mark that can be recognized as a performer together with the user name), so that other users can recognize that it is a performer's avatar. Furthermore, the user avatar of a general user may be an avatar with a simple display rather than a human shape. For example, a three-dimensional human model requires a large amount of drawing information to be displayed in the virtual space, but a three-dimensional avatar with a simple display may be a three-dimensional model that can be displayed with a small amount of drawing information, for example, a simple shape consisting of a circle, a square, a triangle, etc. (e.g., a triangular pyramid or a plain animal shape, etc.).

Furthermore, when a performer is taking part as a participant in a live event on the second scheduled date, a performer avatar (an avatar that moves and is displayed based on motion data and audio data previously stored as re-provision data) as the performer proceeding with the live event and an avatar as the participant may be displayed. This allows other users participating in the event to view (display) both avatars at the same time in one virtual space, enhancing interest. For example, a way of enjoying the event may be provided in which the user can watch an avatar as the performer proceeding with the live event while listening to the voice of the performer as the participant talking about his or her feelings during the event. To facilitate such enjoyment, in this embodiment, processing is performed to switch the voice output from the viewer terminal 300 and the viewpoint displayed on the viewer terminal 300.

In principle, only the user avatars of users who are in the same room are displayed on the viewer terminal 300, so if an actor is in the virtual space as a participant, the actor's avatar as a participant will not be displayed on the viewer terminals 300 of users other than those in the same room as the actor. However, for user avatars of special user accounts, it is exceptionally possible to mirror the appearance and voice of the user avatar in other rooms (for example, duplicated rooms with the same content provided) even if the user has entered the room as a participant. This allows the avatar to be displayed as a participant of the actor in the virtual space displayed on the viewer terminals 300 of users who are not in the same room as the actor.

Figure 41 is a flow diagram showing an example of special audio/viewpoint switching processing for switching audio and viewpoint. The special audio/viewpoint switching processing is executed by each viewer terminal 300. The viewer terminal 300 displays an icon for selecting settings for the virtual space along with an image in the virtual space, and executes the special audio/viewpoint switching processing when an operation on the icon for switching audio or viewpoint is received.

In step S411, it is determined whether or not a voice switching operation has been performed. If it is not determined that a voice switching operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S413. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S411 that a voice switching operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S412, where, when the current voice setting is normal voice, the voice is switched to a special voice that allows the voice of a special user to be output, whereas when the current voice setting is special voice, a process of switching to normal voice is performed. The special voice is a voice output from within the virtual space that extracts (or extracts so as to be easily heard) only the voice of a special user (for example, an account of a talent or celebrity, including a performer) and outputs it at the viewer terminal 300. This allows the user to easily switch to the voice of the performer as a participant. The normal voice is a voice that corresponds to the position where the user's user avatar is located in the virtual space, and is generated within a predetermined radius from that position. For example, if the user is located near the event stage, the voice of the performer proceeding with the event will be output at a louder volume than other voices, and if the user is located far away from the event stage, the voices of other users who are near the user avatar of that user will be output at a louder volume than the voice of the performer proceeding with the event. Note that if there are multiple performers as participants, it may be possible to select which performer's voice to use. For example, it may be possible to select one particular favorite performer, or multiple performers.

Note that switching to special audio is not limited to preventing normal audio from being output, but may also allow the audio of a special user to be heard in addition to normal audio. For example, in addition to audio from user avatars located in the vicinity of the user avatar operated by the user, audio from the user avatar of a special user may be output, even if the user avatar is located at a distance where audio cannot normally be heard.

In addition, the sound on stage is output from sound data distributed to the viewer terminal 300 by the generated sound distribution process (Figure 10), so whether normal sound or special sound is selected, it may be output from the viewer terminal 300. During live content distribution, normal sound cannot be selected in the first place (sounds such as voice chats by other users cannot be heard), but special sound may be output as secondary sound. Furthermore, special sound may be selectable and output only by users who meet certain conditions (e.g., paying or clearing a game). In this way, during live content distribution, the sound of the performer avatar as a participant may be output as secondary sound (narration) while watching the live performance (main sound).

Furthermore, the device is not limited to switching between audio, but may be, for example, a device that switches between loud and quiet volumes. For example, when the current audio setting is normal audio, the normal audio may be output at a louder volume than the special audio, and when the current audio setting is special audio, the special audio may be output at a louder volume than the normal audio.

Next, in step S413, it is determined whether or not a viewpoint switching operation has been performed. If it is determined that a viewpoint switching operation has not been performed, the special audio/viewpoint switching process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S413 that a viewpoint switching operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S414, and when the current viewpoint setting is the normal viewpoint, the viewpoint is switched to a special viewpoint that focuses on the user avatar of a special user (for example, the avatar of an actor who has entered the virtual space as a participant), whereas when the current viewpoint setting is the special viewpoint, processing is performed to switch to the normal viewpoint. This allows the user to easily switch to a viewpoint that focuses on the avatar of an actor who is a participant.

The normal viewpoint is the viewpoint toward which the user's user avatar U faces in the virtual space, and an image of the virtual space visible from that viewpoint is displayed. For example, when facing toward the event stage, an image including the avatars of the performers conducting the event is displayed, and when facing away from the event stage, an image of the virtual space on the opposite side of the event stage is displayed.

On the other hand, the special viewpoint is an image taken by a virtual camera arranged in the virtual space, capturing the user avatar of the special user from an angle that may be different from the normal viewpoint. For example, if the image is from a virtual camera that is fixedly arranged in advance, an image obtained from the virtual camera in which the user avatar of the special user is captured (for example, the image may be selected by the administrator's operation, or the virtual camera may be selected based on the position information of the special user) may be distributed to the viewer terminal 300. Alternatively, an image in which the avatar of the performer as a participant is captured by an operator (for example, an administrator account) of the virtual camera (for example, drone photography in the virtual space) is captured may be distributed to the viewer terminal 300. For example, the viewpoint may be a bird's-eye view of the avatar from diagonally above. Note that, when multiple performers are present as participants, it may be possible to select which performer's avatar to use. For example, it may be possible to select one specific favorite performer, or it may be possible to select multiple performers.

In addition, the operation of switching to special audio/special viewpoint in the special audio/viewpoint switching process may be operable only for users who satisfy a predetermined condition, such as payment. Also, either the special audio or the special viewpoint may be operable only for users who satisfy a predetermined condition.

(Special processing for entering rooms)
In this embodiment, the virtual space is provided using multiple rooms in order to provide the same content to multiple users at the same time. As a result, content such as the spatial area ER5 that constructs the virtual live venue where the event content for the period before the scheduled date and the scheduled date described above with reference to Fig. 40 is provided is provided using multiple rooms, so that it can be simultaneously distributed to many users. Note that, for example, one room can be defined for one server, but multiple rooms may also be defined for one server.

Figure 42(a) is a diagram for explaining multiple rooms constituting a spatial area ER where a specific content is provided (for example, rooms corresponding to areas ER51-53 of spatial area ER5 that constructs a virtual live venue, or a room corresponding to area ER53' in Figure 24 where a live event is provided on a scheduled date with the same configuration as area ER53). The multiple rooms include a main room in which a virtual space is constructed and into which, for example, a performer enters (is associated) at an event, and multiple other rooms (room 1, room 2, room 3, etc.) in which the virtual space in the main room (including the performer's avatar) is mirrored. A user who wishes to enter the virtual live venue is assigned (associated) to a room designated by the user from among the multiple rooms, or to one of the rooms randomly by the load balancing system if no designation is made, and an image of the same virtual live venue can be displayed. For example, this may be when entering a virtual space by logging in, and after logging in, a screen may be displayed that allows the user to select the content (e.g., area) they wish to enter. When the user selects the area they wish to enter, rather than specifying a room ID, they may be randomly assigned to one of the rooms as if no room had been specified.

On the other hand, user actions (voice, actions, comments, etc.) within the virtual space can be shared with users in the same room, but cannot be shared with users in other rooms. For this reason, it is desirable to have multiple entertainers or celebrities enter the same room in order to liven up the atmosphere of an event in the virtual space, or in situations where a user wishes to enter the same virtual space because another user with whom they are friends has already entered, etc.

However, for each room, a maximum number of users that can enter the room (e.g., 200 people) is set in advance, taking into consideration the server's processing capacity and load concentration. For this reason, if the maximum number is strictly applied to allocate rooms, it may not be possible for users to enter the same room under the circumstances described above, and users' requests may not be met. On the other hand, the maximum number is generally set to a value that allows some leeway, taking into consideration the server's processing capacity, so that even when the load on the server is concentrated, it does not affect delivery (such as making delivery impossible).

For this reason, in this embodiment, when a certain condition is satisfied, a special process is performed that allows a user to enter the same room even if the number of users would exceed the upper limit if the user were allowed to enter the room. FIG. 42(b) is a flow diagram showing an example of the special room entry process. The special room entry process is executed by the distribution server computer 100. The distribution server computer 100 executes the special room entry process when it receives a request to enter a room to which a certain content is provided from a user (for example, constituting a spatial area ER that constructs a virtual live venue). The request to enter the room may be made at the timing of logging in to the virtual space (a room ID may be specified at this time), or may be made at the timing when a screen for selecting the content (area, etc.) to enter is displayed on a title screen after logging in, and the content is selected (a room ID may be specified at this time). The certain condition includes, for example, when a special user specifies a room to enter the virtual space, or when a user related to the user who is trying to enter the room is in any room, but is not limited to this.

Special users include accounts of performers who appear as performers at live events (e.g., performer user IDs and accounts in FIG. 8), talents, celebrities, etc. (all of which may also be performers). For example, they may be accounts of users who have been designated as special users by the administrator in advance, and may be assigned attribute numbers that can identify talents, celebrities, etc. in addition to the user IDs and accounts of the viewer user data stored in storage 103. Furthermore, special users in the room entry exception process may include administrators who manage the virtual space and people related to talents, etc. (e.g., managers, etc.). Administrators include, for example, accounts of users who have the authority to operate a virtual camera. This makes it possible to take images of the room in which a talent has entered using a virtual camera and display them on the viewer screens of other users, or to transmit the image data to other computers (e.g., external servers for live distribution, etc.).

Cases where a user is related to another user include, for example, when a follow function such as a friend function is provided in the virtual space provided by the distribution server computer 100, when there is a mutual follow relationship, or when the intimacy level is a predetermined value or higher. The intimacy level is calculated based on the behavioral history within the virtual space. For example, it may be increased based on the number of chats, the number of cooperative games played, or the number of times the user has been within a predetermined range based on location information. In addition, between special users, special users with an intimacy level of a predetermined value or higher, or special users who need to enter the same room to progress in content created by the operator, such as special users who are scheduled to appear in the same live event, are related users.

In step S421, it is determined whether or not a special user has entered the room. If it is determined in step S421 that a special user has entered the room, it is determined in step S422 whether or not a room has been specified. For example, a room ID is input on the terminal of the account of a talent who is a special user, and a request to specify a room ID is sent to the distribution server computer 100 together with a request to enter the room. If it is determined in step S422 that a designation has been made, a process is performed in step S423 to associate the user with the specified room and allow the user to enter the room, regardless of the number of users currently in the specified room and the upper limit. The distribution server computer 100 determines whether the user is a special user based on the ID of the user who has made the entry request, and if a room ID has been specified, allows the user to enter the room with the specified room ID. For example, a process is performed to associate the user ID of the special user who has entered the room with the specified room ID.

The room ID that allows entry regardless of the upper limit may be determined in advance by the administrator. In other words, when a room ID other than a room ID that allows entry regardless of the predetermined upper limit is specified, if the number of people in the specified room has already reached the upper limit, entry to that room may not be permitted. Also, a special user who entered in step S421 and has a relationship with the special user may be allowed to enter a room that is already in the room.

On the other hand, when it is not determined that the user is a special user, or when the user is a special user but no room is specified, in step S424, it is determined whether a user who is related to the user who is about to enter (for example, a friend relationship, a relationship where the intimacy level is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, etc.) has already entered any room. When it is determined in step S424 that a related user has already entered any room, in step S425, a process is performed in which the user is associated with the room that the user has entered and entered, regardless of the number of users and the upper limit number of users that have entered the room. Note that when related users are distributed across multiple rooms, the user may be allowed to enter the room in which the most related users are present. Alternatively, the user may be allowed to enter rooms with the least crowded level among the rooms in which related users are present.

In contrast, if it is determined in step S424 that the relevant user has not entered any of the rooms, then in step S426, a process is performed in which the relevant user is associated with and entered one of the rooms whose upper limit has not been reached. For example, a process of allocating the user using normal load balancing processing is performed.

(Regarding component reset of performer's humanoid avatar)
Next, referring to FIG. 43, a process for resetting abnormal display of an object that swings in conjunction with a character object at a predetermined timing will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 20, etc., a human-shaped character object (a three-dimensional model with bones (skeleton)) of a performer's human avatar is associated with a costume object corresponding to the costume worn by the character object. Also, by associating components (function parameters) with objects displayed in the virtual space, it becomes possible to display and operate various objects in the virtual space. Each of the character object and the costume object is previously set with various components (for example, various parameters such as so-called collider and rigid body) used for physical calculations (calculation processes such as collision detection, gravity, and movement). The object data associated with various components is included in the virtual space update data of FIG. 10 and distributed to the viewer terminal 300. Also, in the viewer terminal 300, a process for displaying the character object in motion is performed based on the performer's motion data (performer avatar information included in the virtual space update data of FIG. 10) distributed by the distribution server computer 100. On the other hand, the costume object is an object that displays a swaying motion (for example, cloth such as clothes or hair) and is displayed as such by performing physical calculations in conjunction with the motion of the character object (for example, calculation processing based on a component that performs calculations for swaying objects such as cloth that functions in conjunction with a skin mesh associated with the character object). In this way, the viewer terminal 300 performs processing to perform physical calculations and display the motion of the costume object (for example, swaying, bouncing, bending, etc.) in the same way as in real space in response to the motion of the character object.

In this way, the computational process for displaying the motion of character objects and costume objects is performed by the viewer terminal 300 based on the virtual space update data streamed at a predetermined interval from the distribution server computer 100. When the motion display process based on the previously received virtual space update data is completed, the motion display process is executed based on the next received data.

Here, even if the data delivered is the same, differences may occur between users due to the processing power of the viewer terminal 300 and the communication environment (e.g., a drop in frame rate). In particular, when the viewer terminal 300 has low processing power or the communication speed is below a certain level, for example, calculations using physical calculations take time (drawing speed is slow), and when the character's movement speed and movement range are large, there is a high risk that an abnormal display mode of the clothing object will be calculated and displayed. For example, the final movement position of the character object based on the previously received streaming data may differ significantly from the starting movement position of the next received streaming data. As a result, an object that should naturally move smoothly, such as a skirt that is calculated to follow the character object, will not move smoothly, but will move in an extremely large manner. As an example, as a result of an actor moving vigorously, the movement of the colliders of various objects may cause the hem of a skirt object to be calculated as sinking into the top of the skirt or into the character object's leg, causing the skirt to be displayed as if it is rolled up, or the tip of a wing object may be calculated as sinking into the middle of the wing, causing the wing to be bent and unable to flap. In this embodiment, in order to prevent such abnormal display from continuing, a component reset process is performed on the distribution server computer 100 as a process for resetting the display state of the object to neutral.

Figure 43 is a flow diagram showing an example of the component reset process. The component reset process is executed by the distribution server computer 100. The distribution server computer 100 executes the component reset process every time a predetermined time (e.g., 2 ms) has elapsed while distributing virtual space update data that includes data for operating a humanoid avatar. Below, as an example, a case where the aforementioned live event is being provided (distributed) will be described.

In step S431, it is determined whether or not a series of actions by the performer avatar has ended. The timing when a series of actions has ended is the timing when the performer avatar's actions that can continue are temporarily ended, and the performer avatar's movement speed and range become smaller and the movement settles down. For example, in the case of content in which the performer sings while dancing, it includes the timing when one song is finished, the timing between songs until the start of the next second song, the timing when the second song starts, etc. Alternatively, in the case of content in which the performer performs an attraction, it includes the timing when one attraction ends, the timing before the start of the next second attraction, the timing when the second attraction starts, etc. In this embodiment. Any of these timings can be applied as the timing when a series of actions has ended. In the distribution server computer 100, it is determined whether the movement speed and movement range have fallen below a predetermined amount. It can be determined that the movement speed and movement range have fallen below a predetermined amount when the acceleration becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined value (or may continue for a predetermined number of seconds).

If it is not determined in step S431 that the series of actions by the performer avatar has ended, the component reset process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S431 that the series of actions by the performer avatar has ended, a component reset signal is delivered to the viewer terminal 300 in step S432, and the component reset process ends. The component reset signal is a signal for performing physical calculations for an object (e.g., a costume object) displayed corresponding to a character object from a predetermined initial state. In other words, it is a signal for performing calculations from an initial state, not based on the results of the previous calculation, which would normally be performed following the results of calculations based on the streaming data received last time. As a result, even if the display state of the costume object is abnormal, the display state is reset to neutral and physical calculations are performed.

In this way, in the viewer terminal 300, in order to perform physical calculations to display the costume object in the same way as in real space in response to the character object's movement, for example, in the physical calculations, the current acceleration is calculated taking into account the acceleration of each part of the costume object at the previous calculation timing. However, when a component reset signal is received, a process is performed to calculate the current acceleration from a predetermined initial state (for example, zero acceleration) without taking into account the acceleration of each part at the previous calculation timing. This makes it possible to return the costume object to the state calculated from the initial state (neutral state) even if an abnormal state is calculated and displayed as the costume object during a series of actions. For example, it is possible to eliminate a state in which the hem of a skirt is rolled up or wings are bent and cannot flap. As a result, it is possible to eliminate an abnormal state even if an abnormal state is calculated as the costume object state and the costume object is displayed in an abnormal state for the character, and this possibility is increased when the character's movement speed and movement range are large.

The component reset signal may be any command that starts physics calculations from the initial parameters of the costume object (parameters for the state in which the character object is wearing the costume when in its initial posture, i.e., a neutral display state in which no acceleration is applied), and may set the components of the costume object (parameters such as acceleration and gravity) to the same parameters as those in their initial positions (when the character object is in its initial posture).

<Examples of specific configurations and effects>

(1-1) In the above-mentioned embodiment, as described with reference to Figs. 1 to 25, the delivery server computer 100 performs processing for generating a virtual space ER and transmitting information for displaying an image in the virtual space ER in response to a user's operation based on a stored program or a method for controlling a computer using the program (hereinafter simply referred to as a program), and the viewer terminal 300 performs processing for displaying an image in response to a user's operation in response to information from the delivery server computer 100 based on a stored program. Also, as described with reference to Figs. 26 to 28, the delivery server computer 100 performs processing for updating the arrangement of objects such as a flower star FS purchased in response to a user's purchase operation in the virtual space ER based on a stored program, and the viewer terminal 300 performs processing for updating the arrangement in the delivery server computer 100 and displaying the object purchased in response to a user's purchase operation in the virtual space ER based on a stored program. Furthermore, as explained with reference to Figures 13 to 23 and Figure 35, the distribution server computer 100 performs processing to construct a space in the spatial area ER5 in the virtual space ER for providing the event content on the scheduled date based on the stored program, and the viewer terminal 300 is able to provide the event content on the scheduled date in the spatial area ER5 constructed by the distribution server computer 100 based on the stored program.

In this embodiment, even during the period before the scheduled date of the event, the distribution server computer 100 and the viewer terminal 300 each perform processing based on the stored program to enter the spatial area ER5 in response to a user's operation and display an image in the spatial area ER5, and to display an object purchased in response to a purchase operation in the spatial area ER5. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 26, 29, 30, 34, and 35, the distribution server computer 100 and the viewer terminal 300 each perform processing based on the stored program to change the display mode in the spatial area ER5 in response to the display of an object such as a flower star FS in the spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date. As a result, the spatial area ER5 in which the event content is provided and events that can change the display mode in the spatial area ER5 can be shared and provided to the user during the period before the scheduled date, so that interest in the event content can be gradually increased before the event content is provided.

(1-2) Based on the programs stored in them, the distribution server computer 100 and the viewer terminal 300 each carry out processing to change the display mode of each display area in the spatial area ER5 from purchase to the end of the pre-scheduled period as shown in Figs. 26, 28, and 29, etc., depending on the user's purchase status of flower stand FS during the period before the scheduled date as shown in Fig. 27(C) etc. This allows the user to focus on whether a flower stand FS will be purchased by the user during the period before the scheduled date, what attributes the purchased flower stand FS will have, how it will be decorated, where it will be displayed, and how the display mode of each display area in the spatial area ER5 will change as a result.

(1-3) The display mode of each exhibition area in spatial area ER5 that may change during the period before the scheduled date may be different from the display mode displayed to other users depending on the user's purchase and placement of a flower stand FS during the period before the scheduled date, as explained by comparing Figures 29 and 30, for example. This makes it possible to customize the display mode of each exhibition area in spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date for each user, giving each user a sense of exclusivity.

(1-4) As shown in FIG. 35 etc., the distribution server computer 100 and the viewer terminal 300 each perform processing based on the stored program to change the display mode of the live event presentation within the spatial area ER5 while the event content is being provided in response to the user purchasing and placing a flower stand FS during the period before the scheduled date. This allows the user to pay attention to whether a flower stand FS will be purchased by the user during the period before the scheduled date, what attributes the purchased flower stand FS will have and how it will be decorated, and as a result, how the display mode of the live event presentation within the spatial area ER5 while the event content is being provided will change.

(1-5) The presentation of the live event taking place in spatial area ER5, which can change while the event content is being provided, can take a different display mode from that displayed to other users, depending on whether the user purchased and placed a flower stand FS during the period before the scheduled date, as explained in, for example, Figures 27(C), 35, and 36. This makes it possible to customize the display mode of the presentation of the live event taking place in spatial area ER5 while the event content is being provided for each user, giving each user a sense of exclusivity.

(1-6) An example of an event that changes the display mode within spatial area ER5 is an action that corresponds to a user's purchase operation of a flower stand FS, and reflects the purchased flower stand FS by displaying and placing it in an exhibition area within spatial area ER5. For example, an example is an action in which a user purchases a flower stand FS in step S107 of FIG. 28, and the flower stand FS is placed in a specified exhibition area A of spatial area ER5 in step S109. This makes it possible to cause an event that changes the display mode within spatial area ER5 through the user's own operation, thereby encouraging the user to operate and improving the user's sense of participation.

(1-7) As an example of an event that changes the display mode within spatial area ER5, an action of purchasing a flower stand FS, which is an action in response to an operation from another user (e.g., user 1 who is another user for user 2 in Figs. 29 and 30), is illustrated as an action reflected by displaying and arranging it in the exhibition area within spatial area ER5, for example, an action of purchase by other user 1. That is, as shown as an example in Fig. 30(D), on user 2's display device 310, a flower stand FS1 that would not be displayed unless other user 1 purchased it can be randomly selected as the default flower stand FS to be displayed and displayed in a specified exhibition area A due to the purchase action of other user 1. In this way, because operations and actions from other users can also become events that change the display mode within spatial area ER5, the change in display mode can be made more interesting, and interest can be increased.

(1-8) The establishment of a switching condition is illustrated as an example of an event that changes the display mode in the spatial area ER5. Furthermore, the distribution server computer 100 and the viewer terminal 300 each perform processing based on the programs stored therein to enable the display of the flower stand FS associated with the special user in the spatial area ER5 to be maintained even if an event that changes the display mode in the spatial area ER5 occurs. For example, the display position of the flower stand FS purchased by the user is determined by lottery from positions other than the display position of the flower stand FS of the special user. Furthermore, even when the switching condition is established, the display and display of the flower stand FST associated with the special user continues as shown in FIG. 34. This allows the display mode associated with the special user to continue without change, thereby maintaining and improving the convenience and advantage of the special user. Furthermore, since objects such as the flower stand of the special user can be used for advertising and PR, for example, the management side can easily solicit investments from sponsors who could be examples of special users.

(1-9) As shown in FIG. 24, within the spatial area ER5, there are provided an area ER53' of the second virtual space used to provide event content on the scheduled date, and an area ER53 which is a part of the first virtual space having a common display mode (the same, similar, etc.) with the area ER53'. The distribution server computer 100 and the viewer terminal 300 each perform processing based on the programs stored therein such that, during the period before the scheduled date, for example, until the day before the scheduled event date, the portal P is not displayed and entry into the area ER53' is restricted, while entry into the area ER53 is permitted and an image of the area ER53 can be displayed in response to user operation, and after the day before the scheduled event date and the release conditions are met, entry into the area ER53 is restricted by closing the gate of the main gate object 53c leading to the area ER53, while the portal P is displayed and entry into the area ER53' of the second virtual space is permitted and an image of the area ER53' can be displayed in response to user operation. This allows the area to be switched depending on whether the release condition is met, so that before the release condition is met, the virtual space can be provided using an area suitable for the user's actions before the event content is provided, and after the release condition is met, the virtual space can be provided using an area suitable for providing the event content.

(1-10) As shown in FIG. 24, areas ER51 and ER52, which are part of the first virtual space, are provided within spatial area ER5, and areas ER51, ER52, and ER53 in FIG. 24(A), which are the first virtual space, can be moved seamlessly between (by moving the user avatar from one area to the other by user operation), while area ER53' of the second virtual space and areas ER51 and ER52, which are part of the first virtual space, are formed separately, and as shown in FIG. 24(B), it is possible to move between the first virtual space and the second virtual space via portals P in areas ER53' and ER52, via a blackout display. This makes it easier to travel between areas ER51, ER52, and ER53 in the first virtual space of FIG. 24(A) before the release conditions are met, and by turning the display dark when moving to area ER53' in the second virtual space after the release conditions are met, it is possible to give the user a sense of exclusivity and tension, thereby increasing interest.

(1-11) The release condition can be met the day before the event content is scheduled to be provided. This allows for a period before the release condition is met, a period after the release condition is met but before the event content is provided, and a period during which the event content is being provided, allowing for a more gradual increase in interest.

(1-12) The display mode within spatial area ER5 that can be changed includes a flower stand FS displayed in an exhibition area within spatial area ER5, and events that change the display mode within spatial area ER5 include an event in which a user purchases a flower stand FS during the period before the scheduled date and associates the flower stand FS with the user and places the flower stand FS in an exhibition area selected by the user within spatial area ER5. In this way, by placing the flower stand FS purchased by the user in an exhibition area selected by the user during the period before the scheduled date, the display mode of the exhibition area can be changed, and the user's interest can be increased.

(1-13) Events that change the display mode within spatial area ER5 include events that generate the display mode (decoration such as text) of a flower star FS in response to an operation by the user when placing the flower star FS. This allows each user to change the display mode of the flower star FS to an original display mode, thereby increasing the interest of the users.

(1-14) The display modes within the spatial area ER5 that can change include a flower star FS held by a performer avatar that is displayed and operates within the spatial area ER5 while the event content is being provided and that can progress through the event content, as shown in FIG. 35. This allows the flower star FS that can be displayed corresponding to the performer avatar to change depending on events that occur in the period before the scheduled date, thereby increasing interest due to events that occur in the period before the scheduled date.

(1-15) As shown in FIG. 39, the distribution server computer 100 and the viewer terminal 300 each perform processing based on a stored program to change the display mode within the spatial area ER5 depending on the number of entries into the spatial area ER5, which is one example of the degree to which images within the spatial area ER5 were displayed during the period before the scheduled date. This allows the display mode within the spatial area ER5 to change depending on the number of entries into the spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date, thereby improving and encouraging the user to enter the spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date.

(1-16) Based on the programs stored in them, the distribution server computer 100 and the viewer terminal 300 each perform processing to make the event content available on the scheduled date to users who satisfy certain conditions, such as by purchasing a ticket to participate in the event content, and to allow users who satisfy the certain conditions to enter the spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date and to display images within the spatial area ER5. This can increase and encourage users' motivation to satisfy the certain conditions.

(2-1) In this embodiment, even during the period before the scheduled date of the event, the distribution server computer 100 and the viewer terminal 300 each perform processing based on the stored program to allow the user to enter the spatial area ER5 and display images within the spatial area ER5 in response to user operations. Also, as shown in FIG. 38 and FIG. 39, the distribution server computer 100 and the viewer terminal 300 each perform processing related to the event content in the period before the scheduled date according to the number of entries (not including the number of entries into spatial areas ER other than the spatial area ER5 in the virtual space ER even if the user is logged in to the virtual space ER) which is an example of the degree to which the user entered the spatial area ER5 in the virtual space ER where the event content is provided on the scheduled date and displayed images within the spatial area ER5, based on the stored program. As a result, the spatial area ER5 in which the event content is provided can be shared and provided to users during the period before the scheduled date, and processing related to the event content is performed according to the number of entries into the spatial area ER5 in the period before the scheduled date. This can increase the user's motivation to enter spatial area ER5 rather than other spatial areas in the virtual space ER to display images within spatial area ER5, and can gradually increase the user's interest in the event content even before the event content is provided.

(2-2) The processing related to the event content includes processing for changing the display mode within the spatial area ER5 during the provision of the event content in accordance with the number of times the user enters the space during the period before the scheduled date, as shown in the production content of FIG. 38. This increases the user's motivation to enter the spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date, and draws the user's attention to how the display mode within the spatial area ER5 changes.

(2-3) The display mode within spatial area ER5 while the event content is being provided changes depending on the number of times the user has entered the room due to processing related to the event content. As shown in the production content of FIG. 38, different production content is set depending on the number of times the user has entered the room, so the display mode may differ from the display mode displayed to other users depending on the number of times the user has entered the room. This makes it possible to customize the display mode within spatial area ER5 while the event content is being provided for each user, giving each user a sense of exclusivity.

(2-4) The changing display mode within the spatial area ER5 while the event content is being provided includes a secret costume, which is the costume of the performer avatar that is displayed in correspondence with the performer avatar that is displayed and operates within the spatial area ER5 while the event content is being provided and that can progress through the event content. In other words, the costume of the performer avatar while the event content is being provided can change depending on the number of times the performer avatar enters the spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date. This can increase the user's motivation to enter the spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date, thereby increasing the user's interest.

(2-5) The process related to the event content includes a process for granting items, which are an example of objects that can be used while the event content is being provided, to the user according to the number of times the user has entered the space, as shown in step S402 of FIG. 39. This increases the user's motivation to enter the spatial area ER5 in the period before the scheduled date, and draws the user's attention to the granted items.

(2-6) The items granted to a user through processing related to the event content may be different from the items granted to other users because different items are set depending on the number of times the user enters the room, as shown in the items in FIG. 38. This allows a variety of items to be used during the provision of the event content, thereby increasing the interest of the event content.

(3-1) In this embodiment, the distribution server computer 100 and the viewer terminal 300, based on the programs stored therein, place in the exhibition area within the spatial area ER5 the flower star FS associated with the user through purchase, and for the flower star FS shown in FIG. 29(A) that is associated with another user (e.g., other than user 1) and placed in the exhibition area within the spatial area ER5, step S203 in FIG. 32 switches to another flower star FS when a switching condition is met, while for the flower star FS associated with the user himself (e.g., user 1), processing is performed to enable it to continue to be displayed in the same exhibition area even if the switching condition is met, as explained with reference to FIG. 27(C). This allows the flower star FS to be appropriately reflected in the spatial area ER5 even when there are many flower stars FS to be displayed and there is a limit to the number of display positions available in the exhibition area. In addition, the flower stars FS associated with other users can be displayed relatively evenly within the spatial area ER5, and the display mode of the display area within the spatial area ER5 can be changed to increase interest, while the user can check the flower star FS associated with themselves, thereby increasing satisfaction.

(3-2) The switching condition may be satisfied when a predetermined time has passed or when a user logs in or enters or leaves spatial area ER5. This allows a flower star FS associated with another user to be switched to another flower star FS without the user needing prior knowledge (e.g., a switching method) and therefore increases the interest of all users in the flower star FS that may be exhibited and displayed in the exhibition area within spatial area ER5.

(3-3) As shown in FIG. 27, multiple types of flower stands FS with different attributes and sizes are provided, and the display areas in which they can be placed and displayed within the spatial area ER5 are determined according to their type. This allows the appropriate type of flower stand FS to be placed according to the display area, in line with the design, taste, and worldview of the spatial area ER5. It is also possible to create a sense of unity in the types of flower stands FS placed in each display area.

(3-4) Flower stems FS can be exhibited and displayed up to the upper limit set in the exhibition area within spatial area ER5, and the distribution server computer 100 and the viewer terminal 300 can, based on the programs stored therein, maintain the number of displayed flower stems FS within the upper limit of the number that can be displayed, as shown in Figures 29(C) to 29(D), etc., while switching between displaying a flower stem FS associated with another user when a switching condition is met. This allows flower stems FS associated with other users to be evenly displayed in the exhibition area within the upper limit, and increases interest by changing the display mode of the exhibition area and spatial area ER5.

(3-5) As shown in FIG. 24, multiple display areas are provided within spatial area ER5 in which a flower stand FS can be arranged and displayed, and the distribution server computer 100 and the viewer terminal 300 each perform processing based on a stored program to arrange and display the user's flower stand FS in an exhibition area designated by the user in response to the user's operation out of the multiple exhibition areas, as shown in FIG. 26. This allows the user to arrange and display their own flower stand FS in the exhibition area of their choice, enhancing interest.

(3-6) Based on the programs stored in them, the distribution server computer 100 and the viewer terminal 300 each carry out processing to change the display mode of the displayed flower star FS by applying decorations such as letters to the flower star FS in response to user operations, as shown in FIG. 26. This allows the display mode of the displayed flower star FS to be customized to suit the user's preferences, enhancing the user's interest.

(3-7) Based on the programs stored in them, the distribution server computer 100 and the viewer terminal 300 each display and display a higher proportion of default flower stands FS for users who have purchased a larger number of flower stands FS (e.g., 11 rather than 10, 40 rather than 30) than for users who have purchased fewer, but for users who have reached a predetermined number, the default flower stands FS can be determined by lottery and displayed and displayed at the same proportion (e.g., the same proportion as a predetermined number of users) regardless of whether they have purchased more than the predetermined number of flower stands. This can encourage users to purchase an appropriate number of flower stands FS (less than the predetermined number), while preventing the proportion of flower stands of users who have purchased the predetermined number from increasing indefinitely.

(4-1) The virtual space in this embodiment includes a space ER5 in which a plurality of types of objects may be displayed, including a first type of object, such as a virtual stage G which is a building or a stage object, which is an object essential for generating the virtual space, and a second type of object, such as a flower stand FS which is an example of an object that enhances the virtual space and is not essential for establishing content. When information for displaying the essential objects can be identified, in steps S215 to S245 of FIG. 33, processing is performed to display a specified space regardless of whether information for displaying a flower stand FS whose display mode changes and is not essential can be identified. If all the flower stand arrangement information has been read out in step S225 of FIG. 33, the latest flower stand arrangement information is sent to the user in step S205. If a predetermined time has elapsed in step S235 of FIG. 33 without all the flower stand arrangement information being read out, an alternative flower stand is identified and sent to the user in step S245. With this configuration, regardless of whether the flower arrangement information can be identified, when the information of the required object is identified, the space ER5 can be displayed, and when the flower arrangement information cannot be identified, an alternative object can be displayed. Therefore, even when some objects cannot be identified, such as when the load on the server is heavy due to concentrated access, the user can enter the virtual space and the virtual space can be displayed.

(4-2) When the viewer terminal 300 displays a space for providing a live event or the like on a scheduled date in the spatial area ER5 in FIG. 24 on the viewer terminal 300, the spatial area ER5 can be displayed even if the flower star arrangement information has not been specified. As a result, since the spatial area ER5 is a virtual space for providing event content on a scheduled date, it is possible that access to a distribution device such as a server will be concentrated on that scheduled date. However, regardless of whether the flower star arrangement information can be specified, the virtual space can be displayed when the required object information has been specified.

(4-3) As illustrated in Figures 29 and 30, a flower star FS is an object whose display mode changes depending on the user's actions such as purchases, and even if it is not possible to identify flower star arrangement information corresponding to the current display mode updated in step S203 of Figure 32 or step S213 of Figure 33, an alternative flower star is identified in steps S225 to S245 of Figure 33, and information identifying the flower star FS is sent to the user in step S205. This makes it possible to enter spatial area ER5 and display an image of spatial area ER5 when there is a concentration of access to a distribution device such as the server of the latest updated flower star FS.

(4-4) In addition, the object that is replaced with an alternative object when it cannot be read in FIG. 33 is a flower stand FS that the user can display in the exhibition area by purchasing it in FIG. 28 or by entering text in step S104. Since there are many variations in the display format, the information for identifying the flower stand FS can easily become heavy, and it may become impossible to read the flower stand placement information. However, in step S245 in FIG. 33, it can be replaced with an alternative object that has a lighter processing load.

(5-1) In this embodiment, objects placed in the virtual space include character objects such as performer avatars that move based on motion data, and costume objects such as skirts that are placed in correspondence with the character objects, and it is possible to perform processing for displaying the costume objects in a manner corresponding to the movement of the character objects that move based on the motion data, by a viewer viewpoint video generation process based on the virtual space update data, a viewer viewpoint video output process, and the like. In addition, as processing for resetting the display state of the costume objects to neutral at the timing when the series of actions in step S431 in FIG. 43 ends, between songs, and the like, processing for transmitting a component reset signal in step S432 in FIG. 43 is executed. As a result, processing for resetting the display state of the costume objects to neutral is performed at a specific timing when the amount of movement of the performer avatar may be less than a predetermined amount, so that resetting can be performed at a timing that does not cause the viewer to feel extremely uncomfortable.

(5-2) In this embodiment, resetting the display state of a costume object to neutral includes performing physical calculations associated with the costume object (e.g., calculations of collision detection, acceleration, etc.) from a predetermined initial state, such as by performing calculations from an initial state rather than based on the results of previous calculations. This makes it possible to perform physical calculations associated with linked objects from a predetermined initial state at a timing that does not cause the viewer to feel extremely uncomfortable.

(5-3) In this embodiment, the process of resetting the display state of the costume object to neutral in step S432 in FIG. 43 is executed when the series of actions in step S431 ends, and can be executed at any timing between the end of the first song, which is the first part sung by the performer avatar, the start of the second song, which is the second part, and the start of the second song, in a live event in which performer avatar 1 appears, such as in FIG. 13. In this way, the timing at which the component reset process is executed is between the first and second parts during the event, and is a timing at which the amount of movement of the character object, which is the performer avatar, may be less than a predetermined amount, so that the viewer does not feel extremely uncomfortable even if the component is reset.

(6-1) In this embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 40, event content (including a live event provided on the scheduled date and content provided in the period before the scheduled date before the live event is held) is provided in the spatial area ER5 during the first scheduled period, and the event content can be provided again in the spatial area ER5 during the second scheduled period after the first scheduled period has elapsed. Also, as described with reference to FIG. 40(a), the display mode of the flower stand FS and the like in the spatial area ER5 at the start of the second scheduled period is set to a display mode according to the flower stand arrangement information of the first scheduled period (at the end of the scheduled period, at the end of the scheduled date, at the end before the scheduled date, etc.), inheriting the flower stand related information during the first scheduled period, and it is possible to change the display mode of the flower stand FS displayed in the spatial area ER5 and the flower stand FS used in the production of the live event in FIG. 35 according to user purchases during the second scheduled period, etc. This can increase the interest of users who participated in the first scheduled period in the event content during the second scheduled period. Furthermore, the display mode of the flower star FS displayed in the spatial area ER5 during the second planned period can be changed and shared among users, so interest in the event content during the second planned period can be increased regardless of whether the user participated in the first planned period.

(6-2) In this embodiment, as described in FIG. 40(b) for the re-provision of the event content described with reference to FIG. 40, the display mode of the flower stand FS and the like in the spatial area ER5 at the start of the second scheduled period is set to a predetermined display mode such as the initial state without carrying over the flower stand arrangement information in the first scheduled period, and it is possible to change the display mode of the flower stand FS displayed in the spatial area ER5 and the flower stand FS used in the production of the live event in FIG. 35 according to user purchases in the second scheduled period, etc. In this way, by setting the display mode in a predetermined type of virtual space at the start of the second scheduled period to a predetermined display mode, even users who participated in the first scheduled period can participate in the event content in the second scheduled period with a fresh feeling, thereby increasing interest in the event content.

(6-3) In this embodiment, the performers (such as performer avatars 1a to 1d in FIG. 35, etc.) who are proceeding with the live event on the first and second scheduled dates can participate as participant avatars in the event content for the second scheduled period described with reference to FIG. 40. In addition, since the performers can also participate in the live event on the second scheduled date, it is possible to display performer avatars on the virtual live stage such as in FIG. 35, and avatars participating as performer participants in the live event in the virtual space. This makes it possible to provide a live event with a different atmosphere and style from that of the first scheduled period, thereby increasing interest in the live event.

(6-4) Furthermore, the avatars of the performers displayed as participants on the second scheduled date are displayed as the same simplified avatars as general users, and are displayed in a different manner from the performer avatars in the live event. This makes it possible to distinguish between the avatar objects of the performers as participants and the avatar objects of the performers, thereby preventing confusion for the user.

(6-5) In this embodiment, as described in steps S411 to S412 of the special audio/viewpoint switching process in FIG. 41, in a live event during the second scheduled period, if a performer in the live event is also participating as a participant, it is possible to switch to special audio coming from the performer as a participant in response to an operation on the viewer terminal 300. This allows the user to switch to listening to audio coming from the performer as a participant in response to their wishes, thereby increasing interest in event content such as live content and increasing the variety of ways to enjoy it.

(6-6) In this embodiment, steps S413 to S414 of the audio/viewpoint special switching process in FIG. 41 make it possible to switch the display image in the virtual space to an image of the performer's avatar object as a participant, as viewed from a specified viewpoint, in response to an operation on the viewer terminal 300, in the case where a performer in the live event is also participating as a participant in the live event during the second scheduled period. This allows the user to switch to an image of the performer's avatar object as a participant, as viewed from a specified viewpoint, as desired, thereby increasing interest in event content such as a live event and increasing the variety of ways to enjoy it.

(6-7) In this embodiment, the display mode of the performer avatar on the virtual live stage at the live event in the re-provision of the event content in FIG. 40 is displayed in the same display mode during the first scheduled period and the second scheduled period based on virtual space update data including information for displaying the motion data and performer costumes on the first scheduled date. Meanwhile, the flower star FS used in the production of the live event, as exemplified in FIG. 35, can be updated to the latest version based on user purchases during the second scheduled period. This makes it possible to make the quality of the live event during the second scheduled period similar to that of the live event during the first scheduled period, while the display mode of objects such as the flower star FS used for production is displayed in the display mode during the second scheduled period, thereby increasing interest in the live event during the second scheduled period.

(7-1) In this embodiment, as described in steps S423, S425, S426, etc. of the room entry special processing in FIG. 42(b), by accepting a request to enter a virtual space by logging in from a user, entering a room by selecting content, etc., or specifying a room to enter, it is possible to perform processing to associate the user with one of multiple virtual space providing units. In addition, for each room, the upper limit of the number of users that can be associated with each room is set to a predetermined number, such as 200 people, and if the user who has made the entry request is a non-specific user who does not satisfy specific conditions, such as a general user or a user who is not associated with other users, the non-specific user is not associated with a room in which the number of associated users has reached the upper limit, and is not allowed to enter the room in which the number of associated users has not reached the upper limit in step S426. On the other hand, when the entry request is from a specific user who meets certain conditions, such as a special user such as a talent account or an administrator account, or a user who has a relationship with other users, it is possible to allow the specific user to be associated with a specific room regardless of whether the number of associated users has reached the upper limit in steps S421 to S423 and steps S424 to 425 in FIG. 42(b). As a result, when the entry request is from a specific user, the restriction on entry to the virtual space due to the upper limit is exceptionally lifted, and the specific user is allowed to be associated with a specific room, improving convenience for the specific user.

(7-2) In this embodiment, in step S423 of FIG. 42(b), the rooms to which a user can enter regardless of the upper limit on the number of rooms are rooms with room IDs that have been predefined by the administrator. This allows a specific user to be associated with a specific room designated by the administrator, making it easier to change the settings of a room designated by the administrator, for example, and reducing the processing load on the distribution server computer 100.

(7-3) In this embodiment, if a room ID is specified as described in step S422 of FIG. 42(b) or the like, the entry request includes information on the specified room ID. This associates the request with the room specified by the user, thereby reducing the processing burden for allocating the user to one of the rooms and further improving user convenience.

(7-4) In this embodiment, special users and users who have relationships with other users can enter rooms that are already associated with other users who appear in the same live content or who have relationships such as friend relationships or relationships where the intimacy level is a predetermined value or higher. This allows a user to be associated with a specific room taking into account the relationships between users, making it easier for users to act and communicate in the same virtual space provided by the same room and making it easier to improve the atmosphere in the virtual space.

(7-5) In this embodiment, the special users in the processing of steps S421 to S423 in FIG. 42(b) include performers who appear as performers in live events such as FIG. 35, and such performers can enter a specified room regardless of the room upper limit. This improves the convenience for performers.

(7-6) In this embodiment, in the processing of steps S421 to S423 in FIG. 42(b), special users who can enter a specific room regardless of the upper limit on the number of rooms include users who have the authority to operate a virtual camera that has the authority to output images taken within the virtual space so that they can be displayed on other computers. This improves convenience for users who have the authority to output.

<Modification>
Modifications to the embodiments (including modifications and additions) described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 43 will be listed below.

(Regarding re-provision of content for pre-scheduled periods and events)
In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example in which the event content is provided again in the second scheduled period has been described with reference to FIG. 40. FIG. 40(a) illustrates an example in which the flower star-related information in the first scheduled period is carried over to the second scheduled period, and FIG. 40(b) illustrates an example in which the flower star-related information in the first scheduled period is not carried over to the second scheduled period. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the information carried over to the second scheduled period may be different depending on whether or not the user participated in the event content in the first scheduled period. For example, depending on whether or not the user participated in the live event of the event content in the first scheduled period or entered a virtual space such as the spatial area ER5 in which the event content is provided in the first scheduled period, the user who participated or entered the virtual space may not carry over the flower star-related information in the first scheduled period, and the second scheduled period may start from an initial state different from that at the start of the first scheduled period, while the user who did not participate or enter the virtual space in the first scheduled period may start from the same initial state as the first scheduled period. In this case, for users who have purchased a flower star FS during the first scheduled period, the information on the flower star FS that they purchased may be carried over.

(Repeat data related)
In the above embodiment, a case where the event content is provided again (replayed) during the second scheduled period has been described with reference to FIG. 40. However, the replay of the event content is not limited to a predetermined scheduled period, and may be provided in response to a request from a user at any timing. For example, the distribution server computer 100 may store the data of the event content provided in this embodiment (event data 111) so that it can be provided again to the user, and may perform processing to enable the replay of the event content in response to a request from the user (e.g., an operation to purchase replay data, a second viewing operation, etc.) even after the event content has been provided. For example, while the distribution server computer 100 is providing the event content on the scheduled date, the distribution server computer 100 stores in the storage 103 information for displaying images in area ER53' in response to user operations, including performer information such as animation data including motion data for the performer avatar and audio data (the performer avatar information, performer audio, etc. distributed in FIG. 10), event flag information exemplified in FIG. 36, and item and performance content information that can be set in FIG. 39, as re-enactment data for the event data, and transmits the information to the viewer terminal 300 of the requesting user.

The event flower stand information includes the default information of FIG. 36 (A) drawn for each event content, and information on the flower stand FS purchased by the user who requested re-provision based on the user-related information of FIG. 27 (C). The item and presentation content information includes information for specifying the items to be granted by the event content-related process of FIG. 39 and the presentation content to be set, depending on the number of times the user who requested re-provision entered the room during the period before the scheduled date.

The viewer terminal 300 that has received the replay data plays the event content provided on the scheduled date based on the replay data at the user's discretion. When playing the event content, for example, among the flower stands identified from the received event flower stand information, a flower stand with the same attributes and size as the flower stand purchased by the user is switched to the flower stand purchased by the user to provide the performance of the event content, in order to provide a display mode that corresponds to an event that occurred in the period before the scheduled date. In other words, the display mode of the flower stand FS that can be displayed based on the replay data can be different for each user depending on the flower stand FS purchased in the period before the scheduled date. This allows the event content to be provided in a display mode that corresponds to an event that occurred in the period before the scheduled date even after the event content is provided on the scheduled date, thereby improving the convenience and interest of the user. Specifically, a user who was unable to participate in the event content on the scheduled date can participate in the event content even after the scheduled date, and if the user purchased a flower stand FS in the period before the scheduled date, a performance that corresponds to the flower stand FS can be provided.

When playing back the event content, in order to perform processing related to the event content according to the number of entries, which is an example of the degree to which the image in the spatial area ER5 was displayed during the period before the scheduled date, for example, the event content is set to the production content specified from the received item/production content information as the production content of the event content, and an item specified from the received item/production content information is assigned and made available during the replay. In other words, the display mode of the event content based on the replay data can be made different for each user according to the number of times the user entered the room during the period before the scheduled date. This allows the event content to be provided in a display mode according to the degree of the number of entries during the period before the scheduled date even after the event content is provided on the scheduled date, thereby improving the convenience and interest of the user. In addition, processing is performed to allow the user to use items according to the number of times the user entered the room during the period before the scheduled date from among the items available in the event content based on the replay data. This allows the convenience and interest of the user to be improved.

(Right to enter spatial area ER5)
In the above embodiment, an example was described in which only users who have the right (such as a ticket) to participate in the event content provided on the scheduled date are allowed to enter and participate in the spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date. However, this is not limited to this, and even if a user does not have the right to participate in the event content provided on the scheduled date, the user may be allowed to enter the spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date, and may be able to freely act within the spatial area ER5, such as purchasing a flower stand FS or viewing the exhibition area. If the user does not have the right to participate in the event content itself, the user cannot participate (for example, entry into the area ER53' is restricted), but in the period before the scheduled date, the user is allowed to enter the spatial area ER5 and can stroll and experience the spatial area ER5, thereby increasing the user's interest in the event content provided on the scheduled date, and the user may be motivated to acquire the right and participate in the event content. Note that if a user does not have the right to participate in the event content and can participate in the virtual space ER, the user may be able to participate in the event content on the scheduled date and enter the spatial area ER5 during the period before the scheduled date.

(Regarding the display balance of flower stand attributes within the exhibition area)
In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the flower stand FS to be switched when the switching condition is satisfied in step S302 in FIG. 32 is determined by random lottery. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the flower stand FS to be displayed may be determined by lottery so that the number of attributes associated with the flower stands FS displayed in the spatial area ER5 is approximately equal among the attributes. As described above, the attributes "cherry blossom", "demon", "white fox", and "black fox" are attributes and colors associated with each of the performer avatars that appear as progression characters when the event content is provided. Also, for example, if 80,000 positions are provided in the spatial area ER5 where flower stands with the attributes "cherry blossom", "demon", "white fox", and "black fox" can be displayed, the number of positions that can be displayed for one attribute is calculated to be 20,000. For this reason, the flower stand FS to be switched when the switching condition is satisfied may be determined by lottery, 20,000 for each attribute. That is, as shown in Fig. 27, the flower stand FS is associated with one of the motifs (attributes), and the distribution server computer 100 and the viewer terminal 300 may each perform a process for drawing and determining a default flower stand FS based on a program stored therein such that the number of attributes associated with the flower stands FS to be displayed is approximately equal among the attributes, so that the flower stands of the four attributes are approximately equal in the entire spatial area ER5. This allows the attributes of the flower stands displayed in the spatial area ER5 to be displayed in a balanced manner, and prevents any one attribute from being biased. Furthermore, even when focusing on each exhibition area, the number of attributes associated with the flower stands FS displayed in one exhibition area may be approximately equal among the attributes. That is, the flower stands of the four attributes may be approximately equal in each exhibition area.

Also, by providing a number of display areas with a predetermined upper limit for each attribute, and associating an attribute with each display area, for example, the first display area may be selected by lottery from among only flower stands with the attribute "sakura", the second display area may be selected by lottery from among only flower stands with the attribute "oni", the third display area may be selected by lottery from among only flower stands with the attribute "white fox", and the fourth display area may be selected by lottery from only flower stands with the attribute "black fox". This allows the flower stands FS associated with each attribute (particularly the attributes of the performer avatars that appear when providing event content) to be displayed in a well-balanced manner within the spatial area ER5. Also, by viewing the display area of the flower stands related to the attributes of the performer avatar of the favorite, the flower stands related to the attributes of the performer avatar of the favorite can be viewed easily and efficiently. Also, in the above example, an example in which only certain attributes (attributes "sakura", "oni", "white fox", and "black fox") are approximately equal is shown, but this is not limiting, and all attributes, including solid colors and gorgeousness, may be approximately equal. By placing a flower stand FS purchased by a user, the number of attributes associated with the flower stand FS purchased by the user may increase in the virtual space. However, taking into consideration the attributes of the flower stand FS purchased by the user, a lottery may be held for each user to determine the display balance between attributes so that it is roughly even within the upper limit of the number of flower stands FS that can be displayed in the exhibition area (or spatial area ER).

The ratio at which each attribute is selected by lottery and displayed may be predetermined. For example, the ratio at which the attribute "plain" shown in FIG. 27(A) is displayed within spatial area ER5 may be 5%, while the ratios for "gorgeous" may be 15%, and the ratios for "cherry blossom", "demon", "white fox", and "black fox" may each be 20%.

(Regarding the probability of being selected as the default flower star, etc.)
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the probability of being selected as the default flower star FS randomly drawn in step S203 of FIG. 32 when the switching condition is met is uniform among the flower stars FS. However, the probability of being selected as the default flower star FS is not limited to this, and may be varied according to a parameter specific to the flower star FS, or may not be selected as the default flower star FS when the switching condition is met (for example, may be excluded from the selection target). Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 44, an example will be described in which the probability of being selected as the default flower star FS varies for each flower star FS. Each user may be allowed to perform a favorable impression action or a report action on a flower star FS associated with another user displayed in the spatial area ER5. A favorable impression action is an action for expressing favorable impressions, and is an action for indicating favorable impressions of another user's flower star FS by operating an icon such as "Like" (heart mark). The report action is an action to express the intention that something to be displayed within the spatial area ER5 is inappropriate, for example, an action to report to the administration when unpleasant characters (comments) are displayed on another user's flower star FS.

Figure 44 is an example of a close-up image 510 of a flower stand FS. The close-up image 510 is an image displayed on the display device 310 based on information transmitted from the distribution server computer 100, triggered, for example, by approaching or operating a flower stand FS displayed in the exhibition area at the viewer terminal 300, and can display details of each flower stand FS. The close-up image 510 in Figure 44 displays one of the flower stands FS arranged in the exhibition area, and other flower stands FS in the exhibition area can be displayed by operating the left and right buttons 511 (511L, 511R). The close-up image 510 displays a Like button 513 for performing a favorable action, a Report button 514 for performing a Report action, and a Close button 516 for closing the close-up image 510. In addition, the close-up image 510 displays creator information 512 (user information) as detailed information. This can motivate a flower stand FS to perform a favorable action, for example, if the flower stand FS was purchased or created by the account of a celebrity or a friend. It can also motivate users to take positive actions toward a FlowerStar FS that has an interesting or funny message.

When the like button 513 is operated, the viewer terminal 300 transmits to the distribution server computer 100 likes information for identifying the flower star FS that has been liked. When the distribution server computer 100 receives the likes information, it updates and stores the number of likes (likes history) of the flower star FS that has been liked, among the flower star FS stored in the object data 122. In addition, when the number of likes is updated, the number of likes corresponding to the flower star FS displayed in the close-up image 510 is displayed in a manner that has been updated by adding one.

Furthermore, when the distribution server computer 100 holds a lottery for the default flower stand FS to be displayed when the switching condition is met, it may refer to the number of likes for each flower stand FS and vary the probability that the flower stand FS will win the lottery depending on the number of likes. For example, if there are 1 million flower stand FSs to be selected for the lottery, the probability of winning would normally be 1 in 1 million, but the probability of winning may be increased in stages depending on the number of likes. For example, the probability may be increased to 10 in 1 million when the number of likes is between 100 and 999, and to 100 in 1 million when the number of likes is between 1,000 and 2,999. In other words, the probability of winning increases as the number of likes increases.

In other words, the distribution server computer 100 and the viewer terminal 300 each receive, based on the stored program, likeness information for identifying like actions taken by users on a flower stand FS, thereby updating the like history for that flower stand FS, and performing processing to control the display of the number of likes by adding 1 when displaying that flower stand FS based on the like history for that flower stand FS, and processing to make it easier to display as a default flower stand. This provides users with the entertainment of having the display of a flower stand controlled based on the like history. Furthermore, users can enjoy the entertainment of receiving like actions, and can experience reactions from other users, thereby increasing their interest.

In addition, the distribution server computer 100 may exclude a flower star FS for which the restriction condition is met from the lottery targets in step S203 of FIG. 32, thereby restricting it from being selected and displayed as a default flower star FS (i.e., restricting it from being displayed to users other than the user who owns the flower star FS). The restriction condition is met, for example, when the operator checks the number of report actions or the text of the flower star to be reported and determines that it should be hidden, and the display is set to hidden. When the report button 514 is operated, the viewer terminal 300 transmits report information to the distribution server computer 100 to identify the flower star FS that was the subject of the report. When the distribution server computer 100 receives the report information, it updates and stores the number of reports (report history) of the flower star FS that was the subject of the report among the flower star FS stored in the object data 122. The restriction condition may be satisfied by the operator setting the display to hidden in response to the updated number of reports, or by the distribution server computer 100 determining whether the number of reports has reached a predetermined number and automatically setting the display to hidden when the predetermined number has been reached. This makes it possible to restrict the display of a flower star FS associated with another user for whom the restriction condition is satisfied from being determined as a default flower star, thereby preventing it from being displayed in the exhibition area and providing a comfortable space area ER5 for the user.

In this case, even if the flower stand FS meets the restriction condition, it may be displayed continuously in the display area in the spatial area ER5 on the display device 310 of the user who purchased and owns the flower stand FS (so-called "shadow ban"). This prevents the interest of the user who purchased the flower stand FS from being lost, while making it difficult for the user to identify that the restriction condition has been met. In addition to or instead of the notification, the flower stand may be "hidden" on the viewer terminal 300 of the user who made the notification even before the restriction condition is met. Even if the action is to hide the flower stand, the number of hidden flowers may be accumulated on the distribution server computer 100, and when the number of hidden flowers reaches a predetermined number or more, the flower stand is hidden from all users. In addition, when the action to hide the flower stand is performed, the distribution server computer 100 and the viewer terminal 300 may each determine by lottery which other flower stand to display instead, based on the programs stored in them.

Note that the flower star FS to be selected in the lottery in step S203 in FIG. 32 may be only those that have passed the screening to determine whether or not they contain NG comments or inappropriate comments, as described above, and flower star FSs that are determined to contain them may be excluded from the lottery. The screening may be performed, for example, by visual inspection by an administrator, and a NG flag or the like may be set for flower star FSs that are determined to contain them, so that they are not selected in the lottery, or text may be extracted and screened by automatic judgment, and a NG flag or the like may be set for flower star FSs that are determined to be NG. Also, not limited to the lottery when the switching condition is met, in the lottery in step S301 in FIG. 37(A), the probability of being selected as the default flower star may be changed depending on a parameter specific to the flower star FS (for example, the number of likes), or the default flower star FS may not be selected depending on the establishment of a restrictive condition.

(Regarding cluster switching process 2)
In the above embodiment, the processing in steps S225 to S245 in Fig. 33 is performed by the distribution server computer 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be performed by the viewer terminal 300. When the viewer terminal 300, for example, requests the distribution server computer 100 for information (for example, information specifying the display mode) for displaying the flower star FS to be placed in the exhibition area, and when the information for specifying the requested flower star FS is not returned (received) even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the viewer terminal 300 may perform processing for displaying a virtual space in which a predetermined substitute flower star FS is placed in each exhibition area, or a virtual space in which a predetermined substitute object different from the flower star FS is placed in each exhibition area. For example, information for displaying a substitute object may be received in advance together with the virtual space update data, or when the information for specifying the updated flower star FS is not returned, the distribution server computer 100 may be requested for information for displaying a substitute object.

In the above embodiment, when it is determined in step S235 that a predetermined time has elapsed, a replacement flower FS to be placed in the missing portion is identified in step S245 and transmitted to the viewer terminal 300 in step S205. However, this is not limited to the above, and when the flower FS information cannot be received (identified) normally even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the flower FS information was read from the database, a flower FS to replace the missing portion may be randomly selected, and information for displaying the flower FS determined by the selection may be transmitted to the viewer terminal 300. For example, this may be applied to a case where the processing load on the distribution server computer 100 is lighter if a random selection is performed by referring to a database that stores object data 122 to be selected when the flower arrangement information is updated in step S213 (step S203 in FIG. 32), rather than reading out the flower arrangement information from a database in which the updated flower arrangement information is stored, depending on the database management method.

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which a substitute flower stand is specified as an object to replace the flower stand FS read out in step S215 of FIG. 33. However, this is not a limitation, and the substitute object is not limited to an object of the same type as the flower stand FS, and may be an object other than the flower stand FS. For example, if the flower stand FS is a lantern object, a simple, plain, round, three-dimensional model may be displayed in place of the lantern, and it is not limited to the flower stand FS itself as shown in FIG. 29, etc., but the entire object that serves as the base, such as a frame for displaying the flower stand FS, may also be replaced with a simple wooden object, etc.

Alternatively, instead of being limited to displaying substitute objects, when a predetermined time has elapsed in step S235, information for displaying the spatial area ER may be transmitted (distributed) to the viewer terminal 300 as a virtual space in a state in which objects that must be displayed (for example, the virtual stage G, which is a stage object) are displayed, but nothing is displayed as a flower star FS. For example, a base object such as a framework for displaying the flower star FS may not be displayed. The virtual space in a state in which nothing is displayed as a flower star FS may continue until the next switching condition (step S202 in Figures 32 and 33) is met, or may continue for a predetermined time, or until the load on the distribution server computer 100 falls below a predetermined threshold for a predetermined time. When the switching condition is met or the load falls below the threshold, an updated flower star FS may be displayed in the virtual space that can be displayed on the viewer terminal 300.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which an alternative flower stand is identified in step S245 when it is determined in step S235 that a predetermined time has elapsed since the flower stand placement information was read; however, when it is determined in step S235 that a predetermined time has elapsed since the flower stand placement information was read, a further determination may be made as to whether or not a required object has been read. If it is determined that a required object has been read, even if information for displaying the flower stand FS has not been received normally (either an alternative object may be identified or neither an alternative object nor anything may be displayed), information for displaying the virtual space may be transmitted to the viewer terminal 300. Furthermore, if a required object has not been read (if it has not been identified), the virtual space itself may not be displayed on the viewer terminal 300.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the processing of steps S225 to S245 in Fig. 33 is applied when reading out flower arrangement information, but it may be applied to situations where other information is read out, not just flower arrangement information, as long as a large amount of information is read out from a database. Also, an example was described in which it is applied when a user enters a room, but instead or in addition to this, it may be applied when a switching condition is met, and processing similar to the processing of steps S225 to S245 may be performed following step S202 in Figs. 32 and 33. That is, when it is determined in step S202 that the switching condition is met, the flower stand to be displayed for each exhibition area is randomly selected from the flower stands FS that are the subject of the lottery, and the flower stand arrangement information for each exhibition area in the object data 122 is updated (part of step S203, step S213), after which it is determined whether the flower stand arrangement information has been updated normally (for example, information identifying all the read-out flower stands FS that can be displayed) (corresponding to step S225), and if it has been updated normally, the updated flower stand arrangement information is transmitted to the viewer terminal 300 of the user who has entered and is participating in the spatial area ER5 (part of step S203, step S223). On the other hand, if it is not determined that all have been updated, it is determined whether a predetermined time has passed (corresponding to step S235), and if the predetermined time has not passed, the process moves to a step of determining whether the flower arrangement information has been updated normally again. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has passed, the flower arrangement information may be updated to place a predetermined flower in the location that could not be updated (corresponding to step S245), and the updated flower arrangement information may be sent to the viewer terminal 300 of the user who has entered and participated in the spatial area ER5 (part of step S203, step S223). Note that since the flower arrangement information for all users who have entered is updated when the switching condition is met, there is almost no possibility of a problem occurring such as an increase in the load on the distribution server computer 100 making it impossible to complete the process, but by performing the same process as steps S225 to S245 following step S202, it is possible to respond to unforeseen circumstances.

(Events that change the display mode in the virtual space)
In the above embodiment, the event that changes the display mode in the spatial area ER5 (the flower stand FS in the exhibition area during the period before the scheduled date, and the flower stand FS held by the performer avatar during the provision of the event content) is exemplified by purchasing and placing a flower stand FS in response to an operation by the user. However, the specific object that causes an event that changes the display mode in the virtual space is not limited to the flower stand FS, but may be an object that resembles a glow stick or a fan that emits light, or an object that can be placed (installed) in the spatial area ER5, such as an object that resembles flowers, a clock, a fence, a stone fence, a signboard, a signboard, etc. in a shrine. Note that the specific object is exemplified by an object that the performer avatar can hold in his/her hand during the provision of the event content, but is not limited thereto, and may be an object that the user avatar (viewer avatar) can use, or may be an object that can be placed (installed) in the spatial area (area ER53') where the event content is provided.

In addition, the event that changes the display mode in the virtual space is not limited to the event that can be caused by the placement of a specific object, etc., but may be an event that can be caused instead or in addition to this, by preparing various activities in the spatial area ER5 and depending on the result of the activity played by the user in the period before the scheduled date. Note that such an activity may be playable only for a limited period before the scheduled date (or until the time when the event content is provided). The activity may be, for example, a game, a mission, a test of luck, etc. that is executed in the spatial area ER5. For example, in the game area of FIG. 24, a game that can be played in a short time such as a lottery game, a search mission to find a specified item, etc., a test of luck such as a fortune-telling lottery, or a coin offering. Depending on the results of the game, search mission, or test of luck in the period before the scheduled date, a certain right (benefit) such as the above-mentioned flower star FS or the item in FIG. 38, or a change in the presentation when the event content is provided, may be associated with the user who experienced the activity. In addition, items obtained according to the results of the activity may be saved in an item box, etc. For example, the information is not limited to objects, and may include voice data of a performer avatar. Furthermore, the display mode within the spatial area ER5 on the viewer terminal 300 of the user who experienced the activity may be changed depending on the results of the game, exploration mission, or try your luck in the period before the scheduled date. In this way, by preparing the experience of various activities in a predetermined type of virtual space in which event content is provided in the period before the scheduled date, it is possible to generate events in the virtual space in the period before the scheduled date and to raise the user's mood until the scheduled date on which the event content is provided.

In addition, the event that changes the display mode in the virtual space is not limited to one that can occur in response to an operation by the user, but instead or in addition, it may occur when the user is in the virtual space and the occurrence condition is met, regardless of the operation by the user. For example, the event may occur when a user who has entered the spatial area ER5 is given a specific object and placed in the spatial area ER5 after a predetermined time has passed since entering, or the event may occur when a user who has entered the spatial area ER5 is selected at predetermined time intervals from among the users who have entered the spatial area ER5 and is selected by a random lottery or the like (users who are not selected are not considered to have had an event occur).

(Subject to changes in presentation format during the pre-scheduled period due to events that have occurred)
In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the display mode of the flower stand FS placed in the exhibition area in the spatial area ER5 during the pre-scheduled date period was changed according to an event that occurred during the pre-scheduled date period, but the object to be changed is not limited to this as long as it is within the spatial area ER5. The object to be changed according to an event that occurred during the pre-scheduled date period may be, for example, the type and number of objects such as buildings and ornaments placed in the spatial area ER5 during the pre-scheduled date period, the placement positions of buildings and ornaments in the spatial area ER5 during the pre-scheduled date period, or the number of areas included in the spatial area ER5 during the pre-scheduled date period (for example, an area ER54 connected to the area ER51 is added, making it possible to enter the area ER54). In this case, among the areas in the spatial area ER5, the areas that change are only the areas ER51 and ER52, and the display mode of the area ER53 related to the area where the event content is provided may not be changed according to the event. Even when configured in this manner, the only thing that will be changed in response to an event that occurred during the period before the scheduled date is the viewer terminal 300 of the user in which the event occurred, so the display mode displayed to other users may differ depending on the event that occurred during the period before the scheduled date.

(About items whose display mode changes during an event)
In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the display mode of the flower star FS held by the performer avatar (an object associated with the performer avatar) was changed in the performance during the provision of the event content in response to an event that occurred during the period before the scheduled date, but the object to be changed is not limited to this as long as it is within the spatial area ER5. The object to be changed in response to an event that occurred during the period before the scheduled date may be, for example, a costume object of the performer avatar, as exemplified by the "secret costume" which is the performance content set at the seventh entry in FIG. 38. In addition, the object to be changed in response to an event that occurred during the period before the scheduled date may be a case in which the user names of users who purchased a flower star FS during the period before the scheduled date are displayed in the ending credits at the end of the event content, and at that time, the names may be displayed in order of the users who purchased the largest amount or the largest number of purchases, for example, or the size of the user name displayed in the ending credits may differ depending on the purchase amount or the number of purchases (the larger the purchase amount or the larger the number of purchases, the larger the size of the user name displayed in the ending credits). Furthermore, the object to be changed in response to an event occurring during the period before the scheduled date may be a performance in which a large number of flower stands FS are displayed in the virtual live venue, or, for example, a performance in which all the flower stands FS purchased by users during the period before the scheduled date (default flower stands FS for users who have not purchased any) are doubled and floated in large numbers, such as jet balloons. This makes the event content even more exciting. Even in this configuration, the object to be changed in response to an event occurring during the period before the scheduled date is only the viewer terminal 300 of the user in which the event occurred, so the display mode displayed to other users may be different depending on the event occurring during the period before the scheduled date.

(Regarding the degree to which images in a specified type of virtual space were displayed during the period before the scheduled date)
In the above embodiment, the number of entries into the spatial area ER5 where the event content may be held on the scheduled date was shown as an example of the degree to which event content-related processing is performed, but it is not limited to this, and may also be the length of time spent in the spatial area ER5, the proportion of the number of days spent in the spatial area ER5 to the number of days in the period before the scheduled date, the proportion of the time spent in the spatial area ER5 to the total time in the period before the scheduled date, the number of entries or the time spent in the spatial area ER5 out of the number of entries or the time spent in the virtual space ER in the period before the scheduled date, and even the proportion of the number of entries or the time spent in the spatial area ER5, the length of time taken from the last entry to the current entry during the period before the scheduled date, etc.

(Event content-related processing according to the degree of display)
In the above embodiment, as shown in the production contents of Fig. 38, the image of the live venue set and the costume of the performer avatar are exemplified as the target of the process of changing the display mode in the spatial area ER5 according to the degree. However, the target of the process of changing the display mode in the spatial area ER5 according to the degree is not limited to this, and may be a case where the user names of the users who entered the room during the period before the scheduled date are displayed in the ending credits when the event content ends. In this case, for example, the users may be displayed in order of the number of times they have entered the room, and the size of the user name displayed in the ending credits may differ depending on the number of times they have entered the room (the larger the purchase amount/number of purchases, the larger the size). In addition, the production may be such that a large number of flower stands FS are displayed in the virtual live venue, and for example, the production may be such that a number of flower stands FS (purchased flower stands FS for users who have purchased, and default flower stands FS for users who have not purchased) are floated according to the number of times they have entered the room, like jet balloons. In addition, when the display mode of the performance contents or the jet balloons, etc. is changed, the display mode may differ for each user's viewer terminal 300 depending on the degree, and therefore the display mode may differ from the display mode displayed to other users depending on the degree. In addition, as the performance contents, for example, a room with a different display mode may be associated with each number of times of entry, and the type of room set may be different depending on the number of times of entry (e.g., event content may be provided in a special room corresponding to the number of times of entry out of multiple types of special rooms with different display modes), or a costume of the performer avatar with a different display mode may be associated with each number of times of entry, and the type of costume (display mode) set may be different depending on the number of times of entry.

In the above embodiment, as shown in the items in FIG. 38, the process of granting an item that can be used as an object during the event content according to the degree is exemplified as a target of the process of changing the display mode in the spatial area ER5 according to the degree. However, the target of the object to be granted according to the degree is not limited to this, and may be an object imitating a glow stick or a fan that emits light, or an object that can be placed in the spatial area ER5, such as an object imitating flowers, a clock, a fence, a stone fence, a signboard, a signboard, etc. in a shrine. Note that the object may be an object that a performer avatar can hold in the hand while the event content is being provided, an object that a user avatar or a viewer avatar can use, or an object that can be placed in the spatial area (area ER53') where the event content is being provided.

(Transition of display mode of specific objects in virtual space)
In the above embodiment, the flower star switching process illustrated in Figs. 29 to 33 is not limited to being performed during a period related to the event content provided on the scheduled date, but may be applied to a case where a specific object associated with the user or a specific object associated with another user can be arranged in the virtual space regardless of the presence or absence of the event content provided on the scheduled date. For example, a virtual space is provided in which the user can share and exhibit creative content (e.g., art, derivative works, in-game works, links to original virtual spaces (e.g., buildings created by the user)) and creative content created by other users can be displayed (displayed and arranged in the virtual space) by switching the flower star switching process illustrated in Figs. 29 to 33 to the virtual space when a switching condition is satisfied. This allows users to view and experience creative content created by various users without prior knowledge, improving the interest in the virtual space. Note that the objects arranged in the exhibition area by the operation from the user's viewer terminal 300 may include objects with a predetermined design that the user cannot edit (edit the contents). As a result, even if there is a limit to the number of specific objects that can be placed and displayed within a virtual space, the user can view his or her own specific objects at any time, thereby increasing satisfaction, while specific objects associated with other users can be displayed evenly within the virtual space and the display mode of the virtual space can be changed to increase interest, thereby appropriately reflecting a large number of specific objects.

(Regarding the placement area of specific objects)
In the above embodiment, an example is shown in Fig. 27 in which different placement areas are defined depending on the size of a flower star FS, which is an example of a specific object. However, in addition to the size, multiple types of attributes are also defined for a flower star FS. For this reason, the placement areas may be defined differently for each attribute of the flower star FS, instead of or in addition to the size of the flower star FS. This can further enhance the sense of unity for each placement area.

(About another form of data sent to the viewer terminal)
In the above embodiment, in the flower star switching process of FIG. 32 and the event flower star determination process of FIG. 37, default flower star information (step S205 of FIG. 32, step S302 of FIG. 37(A)) and information for specifying a flower star FS associated with each user based on the user-related information of FIG. 27(C) (step S207 of FIG. 32, step S303 of FIG. 37(A)) are transmitted to the user, and the information of the flower star used in the presentation of the exhibition area and the event content is rewritten at the viewer terminal 300. However, without being limited to this, the delivery server computer 100 may transmit information updated for each user based on FIG. 27(C) from the default flower star information for each user. In other words, the delivery server computer 100 may generate and transmit different information for each user according to the user's flower star FS, and the viewer terminal 300 may display a flower star FS for each user based on the information.

(Items that can be used during the event content)
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 38, crackers, fireworks, glow sticks, stamps, etc. are exemplified as items (objects) that can be used during the provision of event content. These may be displayed in the virtual space ER, for example, in a room of a house built by the user, regardless of whether they have been used or not. Alternatively, they may be displayed as mementos in an item box displayed in the virtual space ER, even after use. This allows limited items corresponding to the event content provided (held) to be kept as memories, increasing the user's attachment to the event content.

(Other effects of events occurring during the pre-scheduled period on the Event Content)
In the above embodiment, the change in the display mode of a specific object has been described as the display mode in the virtual space when the event content is provided, which changes according to an event that occurred in a specific type of virtual space during the period before the scheduled date. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, for a user who purchased a flower stand FS during the period before the scheduled date and placed it in the spatial area ER5, a specific right (privilege) may be granted depending on, for example, the purchase amount or the number of purchases (number of placements). The specific right (privilege) may be, for example, a right to extend the time of the event content provided (for example, a right to participate in an after-talk), a right to be able to watch the event content live from a dedicated virtual camera that the user can operate, or a right to be able to participate from a special area.

(Example of due date)
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the event content is distributed (provided) at a scheduled time (predetermined date and time) on a scheduled date according to the event data. The scheduled date may be, for example, the entire date on which a live event or the like is scheduled to be held (for example, from 0:00 to 23:59 on April 5), or a period of several days (for example, from 9:00 on May 1 to 21:00 on May 5). In addition, when the scheduled date of the event content is a period of several days and it is a comprehensive event content in which multiple contents (for example, a live event, a talk show, etc.) are provided (for example, a festival event that lasts for several days), the display mode in a predetermined type of virtual space when each of the multiple contents is provided may be changed according to an event that occurred during the period before the scheduled date for each of the multiple contents (individually) provided in the comprehensive event content.

(Pre-scheduled period)
In the above embodiment, the period before the scheduled date is exemplified as a period up to the day before the scheduled date on which the event content is provided. However, the period before the scheduled date is not limited to this as long as it is a period until the event content is provided, and may be, for example, a period two days or a specified number of days before the scheduled date, or may be a period up to one hour, ten minutes, or one minute before the scheduled time on the scheduled date on which the event content is provided. For example, the display mode in the specified type of virtual space may be changed depending on an event that occurs in the specified type of virtual space up to several hours before the event content is provided. For example, a flower stand FS purchased by a user up to two hours before the start time of a live event in the spatial area ER5 (for example, 7 p.m.) may be displayed in the spatial area ER5, and the purchased flower stand FS may be used in the performance during the event shown in FIG. 35.

(About Portal P)
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a transition to the area ER53' is possible via the portal P in FIG. 24(B) when a specific period before the scheduled date of the event content is reached and the release condition is satisfied. The portal P may appear in front of the gate object 53c in the area ER52 when the specific period is reached (the day before the period before the scheduled date) (when the release condition is satisfied). Alternatively, the portal P may be present from a specific period before, but may not function as a portal P for transitioning to another area unless the specific period is reached. In addition, when returning to the area ER52 after transition to the area ER53', the user avatar U may be able to transition to the area ER52 via the portal P on the side of the area ER53' in FIG. 24(B), for example, so that the first virtual space and the second virtual space can come and go back and forth.

In this embodiment, an example has been described in which a user who has been in area ER53 is moved out of area ER53 (for example, user avatar U is forcibly moved out of area ER53) a specific period before the scheduled date (the day before the scheduled date). However, it is not limited to being moved out of area ER53 uniformly before the specific period. Users who are in a predetermined state may be controlled to be moved out of area ER53 (an image of a virtual space other than area ER53 is displayed) after an end condition is met. For example, a user who is displaying a flower star FS in an exhibition area in area ER53 (for example, displaying the screen of FIG. 44) may be considered to be in a predetermined state, and when the display of a screen such as FIG. 44 ends, the end condition is considered to be met and the user may be moved out of area ER53.

(About release conditions and specific periods)
In this embodiment, the release condition is satisfied when a specific period of time is reached before the scheduled date on which the event content is provided, and the specific period is exemplified as the day before the scheduled date of the event. However, the specific period of time before the scheduled date on which the release condition is satisfied is not limited to this, and may be a period of two days or a specific number of days before the scheduled date. In addition, the specific period is not limited to a period related to the number of days or time, and may be, for example, a period after the timing when the number of users who have entered the spatial area ER5 reaches a specific number, or a period after a timing set by the management in consideration of the situation, etc.

(Regarding the second virtual space after the event content ends)
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the event content is provided in the area ER53' having the same display mode as the area ER53. The area ER53' may be set in a state in which the user avatar U cannot enter after the event content ends or after a predetermined time has elapsed since the end. For example, a live event may be held in the area ER53', and when 30 minutes have elapsed since the end of the live event, the user avatar U still staying in the area ER53' may be forcibly transitioned (moved) out of the area ER53' (for example, moved to the front of the gate object 53c of the area ER52 with a blackout effect). This can prevent the server from being used more than necessary, reducing costs, for example, when the area ER53' is managed by a server that can handle a heavy load when the event content is provided. In addition, by waiting until a predetermined time has elapsed (for example, until 30 minutes or one hour has elapsed) after the provision of the event content ends, the user avatar U may be moved, providing time for the user to feel the afterglow of the event.

Regarding the area ER53 that has been inaccessible since a specific period before the scheduled date of the provision of the event content, it becomes possible to enter again after the provision of the event content ends. For example, when it becomes impossible to enter the area ER53' (e.g., 30 minutes after the end of the live event), the portal P for transitioning to the area ER53' may disappear, making it impossible to move to the area ER53', and the virtual space (areas ER51, ER52, and ER53) before the specific period may return to a state in which seamless movement is possible (the gate of the gate object 53c leading to the area ER53 is open). In addition, for a user who has once left the area ER53' before a specific time has elapsed since the end of the event content, the portal P may not be displayed in the area ER52, and for example, the gate of the gate object 53c leading to the area ER53 may be in an open state.

(Event venue after the event content has ended)
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a stage (virtual stage G, G2, etc.) of the same form as the virtual live venue of FIG. 13 or FIG. 35 constructed in the region ER53' is displayed in the region ER53, and the state in which the virtual live venue is gradually constructed a specific period before the scheduled date is reflected. In addition to or instead of this, after the event content ends, the form of the stage in a completed state in which the event content has been provided may be displayed in the virtual live venue of the region ER53. For example, although the form was incomplete before the event content was provided, after the event content ends, the object of the venue when the live event such as FIG. 35 was held may be displayed as it is. This allows the user to feel the afterglow of the event content even after the event content ends. In addition, in area ER53, no virtual live venue objects are displayed in the period before the scheduled date, and data showing a gradual increase in venue objects in area ER53' from a specific period before the event start time may be delivered to the user at predetermined time intervals (in other words, venue objects are not placed (displayed) in area ER53, and venue objects are placed (displayed) only in area ER53').

(Example of switching for specific objects in the exhibition area)
In the above embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 29(D) and Fig. 30(D), when the default flower arrangement FS for the exhibition area A, which is determined by lottery and stored when the switching condition is satisfied, happens to include the flower arrangement FS1 purchased by the user 1 at position A6 in the exhibition area A, the display device 310 of the user 1 gives priority to the user-related information in Fig. 27(C) and continues to display the flower arrangement FS1 at position A1, as shown in Fig. 29(D), and the flower arrangement FS at position A6 is switched to the flower arrangement FS determined as the default for position A1. However, this is not limited to this, and when the default flower arrangement FS includes the flower arrangement FS1 purchased by the user 1, the flower arrangement FS determined as the default may be displayed (i.e., the flower arrangement FS1 purchased by the user 1 is displayed at position A6 determined as the default). Also, while the flower arrangement FS1 is displayed at position A1, the flower arrangement FS1 may also be displayed at position A6 determined as the default. This allows a plurality of flower stalls FS purchased by the user to be displayed, thereby improving the user's sense of satisfaction.

In addition, in step S203 of FIG. 32, a default flower stand FS for each display area is determined by random drawing from among all the flower stands FS that are the subject of the drawing, and since the drawing targets include the flower stand FS that was determined as the default flower stand FS and was on display before the switch, an example has been described in which a flower stand FS with the letter G that was also included before the switch may coincidentally be included after the switch, as shown in FIG. 29(C) and the like. However, if the same flower stand FS is drawn by chance before and after the switch in this way, a drawing may be performed again only for the relevant flower stand FS, and the table of default flower stand information in the object data 122 of FIG. 31(A) or (B) may be updated so that the same flower stand FS is not displayed before and after the switch. Also, after the switch, all the flower stands FS that are drawn by lottery targets, except for the flower stand FS that was determined as the default flower stand FS and was on display before the switch, may be changed to a different flower stand FS from the one before the switch.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which in step S101 of FIG. 28 it is determined whether or not the purchase period before the scheduled date is in effect when purchasing a flower star FS, and in step S201 of FIG. 32 it is determined whether or not the display period before the scheduled date is in effect. These purchase periods and display periods may or may not be the same. For example, the purchase period may be set to seven to four days before the scheduled date, and a flower star FS purchased during the purchase period may be displayed from three days before the scheduled date to the day before.

(Avatar display mode for each content)
In the above-described embodiment, examples have been described in which the performer avatar (e.g., a human-shaped avatar in FIG. 13 ) proceeding with the live event is different from the general user avatar (e.g., a simple shape such as a circle, a square, or a triangle as exemplified in (special audio/viewpoint switching process) in FIG. 41 ) and the performer becomes the same avatar as the general user avatar when entering the virtual space as a participant like other general users. The display mode of these avatars may be different depending on the content and area provided in the virtual space (e.g., the display mode of the avatars of the general user, the performer as a participant, and the performer as a facilitator are set for each content and area). For example, the general user avatar becomes a simplified avatar with a simple display only in a specific area in the virtual space, and in other spaces, even the general user may become a human-shaped avatar like the performer avatar during the live event. As a specific area, for example, in a space where a live event or the like is held, such as area ER53' in Fig. 24 where the processing load is heavy due to the large number of effects for the production, general users other than the performer avatars appearing on the virtual stage G may be used as simple avatars. In the case of live content, attention is focused on the production of the live performance rather than the display mode of the avatars of general users. Therefore, by using simple avatars for the avatars of general users, more computer resources can be used for the production of the live performance, entertaining users.

On the other hand, in virtual spaces (rooms, etc.) where content with a low processing load, such as chat, is provided, or in private spaces, even general users may be displayed as humanoid avatars. This makes it easier for a sense of closeness to develop and for people to become more comfortable with each other, for example, when a fan meeting with a performer avatar is held, as both the performer and the general user are displayed as humanoids.

In addition, even if a live event is provided and general users are in an area (room) where simple avatars are displayed, the display may be switched to the same humanoid avatar as the performer if a certain condition is met. The display may be switched when an authorized user (for example, an authorized user such as the creator of the room, or a performer) or an administrator gives permission to display the avatar as a humanoid avatar (authorized user), or when moving to a specified area (for example, moving from the virtual audience area (audience seats) to the virtual stage G, etc.). Moving to a specified area may be possible if permission is given by an authorized user or an administrator.

(Special processing for entering rooms)
In the above embodiment, in FIG. 42, when a user enters any room in the virtual space, if the user does not specify a room, the user is allowed to enter a room that is automatically specified in step S425 or step S426. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any room may be allowed to be entered by the user's specification. For example, when a selection screen for a room to enter after logging in to the virtual space is displayed, the congestion status (e.g., characters such as comfortable, crowded, and full) according to the number of people entering each room may be displayed, and the user may be allowed to recognize rooms in which related users or special users have entered. This allows the user to specify a room in which a related user has entered, and even if the number of people entering the room has reached the upper limit (full state), the user may be allowed to enter the room even if the upper limit is exceeded, as long as the related user has entered the room. Note that a second upper limit may be set for the entry of a room in the same room as a related user. For example, the original upper limit is 200 people, but when a related user is allowed to enter the room, up to 220 people may be allowed.

In addition, if a user who has already exceeded the upper limit of the number of rooms entered by the processing in steps S424 to S425 is present in a room, even if a user who is determined to have a related user entered in step S424 thereafter, the user may not be able to enter the room and may be allowed to enter a room associated with the room. The other room may be a room that has a related user entered other than a room that has already exceeded the upper limit of the number of rooms entered by the processing in steps S424 to S425 and has no users entered.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which, when it is determined in step S421 in FIG. 42(b) that entry is from a special user, if a room is specified in step S422, the user can enter the specified room regardless of the upper limit on the number of people in the room. However, this is not limited to the above, and even if it is determined in step S422 that no room is specified, if the user who made the entry request is a special user, the user may be allowed to enter a room that has been predetermined by the administrator, for example, regardless of the upper limit on the number of people in the room.

In the above embodiment, in FIG. 42(b), an example was described in which a user may be allowed to enter a room in which a related user has already entered in step S425 or the like, regardless of the upper limit on the number of users in the room. When this related user has already entered the room, and multiple related users specify the same room and request entry within a predetermined period (e.g., within 5 or 10 minutes after the first user enters), these related users may be allowed to enter the same room regardless of the upper limit. Also, when multiple special users such as talents specify the same room and request entry within a predetermined period, they may be allowed to enter the same room regardless of the upper limit. For example, it is possible to intentionally time the entry time to meet up and hold an event or activity in the same room.

(Regarding component reset of performer's humanoid avatar)
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which components of swinging objects that are displayed in motion corresponding to character objects, such as costume objects, are reset in the component reset process of Fig. 43. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to reset components that display the motion of corresponding character objects as well as only components (parameters) that display the motion of costume objects.

In the above embodiment, FIG. 43 shows an example in which the distribution server computer 100 determines whether or not a series of actions by the performer avatar has ended. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The viewer terminal 300 may determine whether or not a series of actions by the performer avatar has ended based on a viewer program (for example, whether or not the amount of movement of the performer avatar has fallen below a predetermined amount, or whether or not the volume generated in the virtual space, including the volume from the performer avatar, has fallen below a predetermined amount), and then perform the process of resetting the component.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a determination is made in step S431 of FIG. 43 as to whether or not it is the timing at which a series of actions have ended, and then a component reset signal is sent in step S432. However, this is not limiting, and a component reset signal may be included in advance in the virtual space update data delivered to the viewer terminal 300 in accordance with the timing between songs between songs being played.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which in the component reset process of Fig. 43, it is determined whether or not a series of actions has ended based on the movements of the performer avatar. However, this is not limiting, and any timing may be used when it is likely that the performer avatar is not making any major movements (not singing or dancing). For example, a determination such as between songs may be made based on the state (e.g., volume and rhythm) of the waveform of the sound delivered by the generated audio delivery process of Fig. 10.

[Software implementation example]
The various control blocks of the control unit of a computer such as a server or a terminal in the above-mentioned embodiment may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or may be realized by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit). When realized by software using a CPU, the computer equipped with the control unit includes a CPU that executes instructions of a program, which is software that realizes each function, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or storage device (these are referred to as "recording medium") in which the program and various data are recorded so as to be readable by the computer (or CPU), and a RAM (Random Access Memory) in which the program is expanded. The object of the present invention is achieved by the computer (or CPU) reading and executing the program from the recording medium. As the recording medium, a "non-transient tangible medium", for example, a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, etc. can be used. The program may also be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) capable of transmitting the program. Note that one aspect of the present invention may also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

1 Performer avatar 100 Distribution server computer 150 Administrator terminal 200 Performer terminal 300 Viewer terminal

Claims (20)

A computer for providing a virtual space to a user,
a means for displaying an image in a virtual space that is generated in response to an operation by the user;
means for generating an event in the virtual space;
functioning as a means for providing event content within a predetermined type of virtual space among the virtual spaces during a first planned period;
during the first scheduled period, the causing means is capable of causing an event to occur within the predetermined type of virtual space, the display means is capable of displaying an image within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to an operation by the user, and changing a display mode within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to the event caused within the predetermined type of virtual space,
The computer,
functioning as a means for re-providing event content in the predetermined type of virtual space during a second scheduled period after the first scheduled period has elapsed;
The means for displaying is a program which sets the display mode within the specified type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period to a display mode that is different from the display mode at the start of the first planned period and that is changed according to an event that occurs during the first planned period, and which is capable of changing the display mode within the specified type of virtual space according to an event that occurs within the specified type of virtual space during the second planned period. A computer for providing a virtual space to a user,
a means for displaying an image in a virtual space that is generated in response to an operation by the user;
means for generating an event in the virtual space;
functioning as a means for providing event content within a predetermined type of virtual space among the virtual spaces during a first planned period;
during the first scheduled period, the causing means is capable of causing an event to occur within the predetermined type of virtual space, the display means is capable of displaying an image within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to an operation by the user, and changing a display mode within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to the event caused within the predetermined type of virtual space,
The computer,
functioning as a means for re-providing event content in the predetermined type of virtual space during a second scheduled period after the first scheduled period has elapsed;
The means for displaying is a program that sets the display mode within the specified type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period to a predetermined display mode regardless of an event that occurred during the first planned period, and is capable of changing the display mode within the specified type of virtual space in accordance with an event that occurred within the specified type of virtual space during the second planned period. A computer for providing a virtual space to a user,
a means for displaying an image in a virtual space that is generated in response to an operation by the user;
means for generating an event in the virtual space;
functioning as a means for providing event content within a predetermined type of virtual space among the virtual spaces during a first planned period;
during the first scheduled period, the causing means is capable of causing an event to occur within the predetermined type of virtual space, the display means is capable of displaying an image within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to an operation by the user, and changing a display mode within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to the event caused within the predetermined type of virtual space,
The computer,
functioning as a means for re-providing event content in the predetermined type of virtual space during a second scheduled period after the first scheduled period has elapsed;
The means for displaying is a program that changes the display mode within the specified type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period depending on whether or not the user is a user who participated in the event content during the first planned period, and is capable of changing the display mode within the specified type of virtual space depending on an event that occurred within the specified type of virtual space during the second planned period. the event contents in the first scheduled period and the second scheduled period include specific contents proceeding by an avatar object that moves in accordance with the movement of a predetermined performer;
The specific content during the second scheduled period is available for participation by users including the predetermined performer;
The program of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the specified performer participates in the specific content for the second scheduled period, the display means is capable of displaying an avatar object of the specified performer as a participant in the specific content for the second scheduled period within a predetermined type of virtual space in the specific content for the second scheduled period, separate from an avatar object of the specified performer in the first scheduled period. The program according to claim 4, wherein an avatar object as a participant of the specified performer that may be displayed in a virtual space of a specified type in the specific content during the second scheduled period has a display mode different from an avatar object as the specified performer. the computer is a user terminal that displays the provided virtual space;
The computer,
The program described in claim 4, which functions as a means for enabling the user terminal to switch to audio coming from a specified performer as a participant in response to an operation on the user terminal when the specified performer is participating in the specific content during the second scheduled period. the computer is a user terminal that displays the provided virtual space;
The program described in claim 4, wherein the means for displaying is capable of switching and displaying, in response to an operation on the user terminal, an image of an avatar object of the specified performer as a participant in the specific content during the second scheduled period, from an image of a specified type of virtual space in the specific content, viewed from a specified viewpoint. the event contents in the first scheduled period and the second scheduled period include specific contents proceeding by an avatar object that moves in accordance with the movement of a predetermined performer;
The program described in claim 1, wherein the display means is capable of displaying, among objects in a virtual space of a predetermined type in the specific content for the second scheduled period, the avatar objects in the same display manner as the specific content for the first scheduled period, while displaying predetermined objects other than the avatar objects in a display manner different from the specific content for the first scheduled period. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space that can change depending on an event occurring during the second scheduled period can be a display mode that is different from the display mode displayed to other users depending on an event occurring during the second scheduled period. the event content in the first scheduled period and the second scheduled period includes specific content to be provided from a predetermined timing of the first scheduled period to the end of the first scheduled period;
The program described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the means for displaying changes the display mode within the specified type of virtual space during the provision of specific content corresponding to the specific content during the second scheduled period, in accordance with an event that occurs between the start of the second scheduled period and a timing corresponding to the specified timing of the second scheduled period. The program according to claim 10, wherein the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space that can change during the provision of the specific content in the second planned period can be different from the display mode displayed to other users depending on an event that occurs between the start of the second planned period and a time corresponding to the predetermined time in the second planned period. the display mode in the predetermined type of virtual space changed by the means for displaying during the second scheduled period includes a display mode of a specific object placed in the predetermined type of virtual space,
The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the event that changes the display mode within the predetermined type of virtual space includes an event that associates the specific object with a user and places it in a specified area within the predetermined type of virtual space during the second planned period. the event content in the first scheduled period includes specific content to be provided from a predetermined timing in the first scheduled period to the end of the first scheduled period;
the display mode within the predetermined type of virtual space that is changed by the display means includes a display mode of a specific object that is a character that can be displayed and acted upon within the predetermined type of virtual space while the specific content is being provided, and that is displayed in correspondence with a progressing character that progresses through the specific content;
The program of claim 1, wherein the display manner of the specific object in the specific content for the second scheduled period can be changed from the display manner of the specific object in the specific content for the first scheduled period in response to an event that occurs in the predetermined type of virtual space during the second scheduled period. the event content in the first scheduled period includes specific content to be provided from a predetermined timing in the first scheduled period to the end of the first scheduled period;
the means for displaying provides specific content to a user who satisfies a predetermined condition during a period from a timing corresponding to the predetermined timing of the second scheduled period after the start of the second scheduled period to an end of the second scheduled period;
The program according to claim 1 , wherein the means for displaying allows the display of an image in the virtual space of the specified type for a period until the timing corresponding to the specified timing, regardless of whether the user satisfies the specified condition. A method for controlling a computer to provide a virtual space to a user, comprising:
a step of displaying an image in the virtual space that is generated in response to an operation by the user;
A step of generating an event in the virtual space;
providing event content within a predetermined type of virtual space among the virtual spaces during a first scheduled period;
during the first planned period, the causing step can cause an event to occur within the predetermined type of virtual space, and the display step can display an image within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to an operation by the user, and can change a display mode within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to the event caused within the predetermined type of virtual space,
a step of re-providing the event content in the predetermined type of virtual space during a second scheduled period after the first scheduled period has elapsed;
The step of displaying comprises changing the display mode within the specified type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period to a display mode different from the display mode at the start of the first planned period after the display mode has been changed in accordance with an event that has occurred during the first planned period, and the method is capable of changing the display mode within the specified type of virtual space in accordance with an event that has occurred within the specified type of virtual space during the second planned period. A method for controlling a computer to provide a virtual space to a user, comprising:
a step of displaying an image in the virtual space that is generated in response to an operation by the user;
A step of generating an event in the virtual space;
providing event content within a predetermined type of virtual space among the virtual spaces during a first scheduled period;
During the first planned period, the generating step can generate an event in the predetermined type of virtual space, and the display step can display an image in the predetermined type of virtual space in response to an operation by the user, and can change the display mode of the predetermined type of virtual space in response to the event generated in the predetermined type of virtual space; and during a second planned period after the first planned period has elapsed, a step of re-providing event content in the predetermined type of virtual space,
The method, wherein the step of displaying includes setting the display mode within the specified type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period to a predetermined display mode regardless of an event that has occurred during the first planned period, and changing the display mode within the specified type of virtual space depending on an event that has occurred within the specified type of virtual space during the second planned period. A method for controlling a computer to provide a virtual space to a user, comprising:
a step of displaying an image in the virtual space that is generated in response to an operation by the user;
A step of generating an event in the virtual space;
providing event content within a predetermined type of virtual space among the virtual spaces during a first scheduled period;
During the first planned period, the generating step can generate an event in the predetermined type of virtual space, and the display step can display an image in the predetermined type of virtual space in response to an operation by the user, and can change the display mode of the predetermined type of virtual space in response to the event generated in the predetermined type of virtual space; and during a second planned period after the first planned period has elapsed, a step of re-providing event content in the predetermined type of virtual space,
The method, wherein the step of displaying can change the display mode within the specified type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period depending on whether the user was a user who participated in the event content during the first planned period, and can change the display mode within the specified type of virtual space depending on an event that occurred within the specified type of virtual space during the second planned period. A system including a computer for providing a virtual space to a user,
a means for displaying an image in a virtual space that is generated in response to an operation by the user;
means for generating an event in the virtual space;
means for providing event content within a predetermined type of virtual space among the virtual spaces during a first scheduled period;
during the first scheduled period, the causing means is capable of causing an event to occur within the predetermined type of virtual space, the display means is capable of displaying an image within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to an operation by the user, and changing a display mode within the predetermined type of virtual space in response to the event caused within the predetermined type of virtual space,
a means for re-providing event content in the predetermined type of virtual space during a second scheduled period after the first scheduled period has elapsed;
The system is capable of changing the display mode within the specified type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period to a display mode that is different from the display mode at the start of the first planned period and that is changed according to an event that occurs during the first planned period, and changing the display mode within the specified type of virtual space according to an event that occurs within the specified type of virtual space during the second planned period. A system including a computer for providing a virtual space to a user,
a means for displaying an image in a virtual space that is generated in response to an operation by the user;
means for generating an event in the virtual space;
means for providing event content within a predetermined type of virtual space among the virtual spaces during a first scheduled period;
during said first planned period, said generating means is capable of generating an event within said predetermined type of virtual space, said display means is capable of displaying an image within said predetermined type of virtual space in response to an operation by said user, and is capable of changing the display mode within said predetermined type of virtual space in response to the event generated within said predetermined type of virtual space; and during a second planned period after the first planned period has elapsed, said device further comprises means for re-providing event content within said predetermined type of virtual space,
The system, wherein the means for displaying is capable of setting the display mode within the specified type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period to a predetermined display mode regardless of an event that has occurred during the first planned period, and changing the display mode within the specified type of virtual space in accordance with an event that has occurred within the specified type of virtual space during the second planned period. A system including a computer for providing a virtual space to a user,
a means for displaying an image in a virtual space that is generated in response to an operation by the user;
means for generating an event in the virtual space;
means for providing event content within a predetermined type of virtual space among the virtual spaces during a first scheduled period;
during said first planned period, said generating means is capable of generating an event within said predetermined type of virtual space, said display means is capable of displaying an image within said predetermined type of virtual space in response to an operation by said user, and is capable of changing the display mode within said predetermined type of virtual space in response to the event generated within said predetermined type of virtual space; and during a second planned period after the first planned period has elapsed, said device further comprises means for re-providing event content within said predetermined type of virtual space,
The system is characterized in that the means for displaying can change the display mode within the specified type of virtual space at the start of the second planned period depending on whether or not the user is a user who participated in the event content during the first planned period, and can change the display mode within the specified type of virtual space depending on an event that occurred within the specified type of virtual space during the second planned period.

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