Patents by Inventor Nobuo Kawakami

Nobuo Kawakami has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220165032
    Abstract: A content distribution system according to an embodiment is provided with at least one processor. The at least one processor: specifies a real image region and a farthest region in a space represented with a content image showing a first virtual object; disposes a second virtual object in the farthest region; and displays, on a user terminal, a content image representing a space in which the second virtual object is disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo KAWAKAMI, Takashi KOJIMA
  • Publication number: 20220084243
    Abstract: A rear-facing camera captures a live-action video image while a front-facing camera captures an image of a distributor. An avatar controller controls an avatar based on the image of the distributor captured by the front-facing camera. A synthesizer arranges the avatar in a predetermined position of a real space coordinate system and synthesizes the avatar with the live-action video image. The face of the distributor captured by the front-facing camera is tracked and reflected on the avatar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo KAWAKAMI, Shinnosuke IWAKI, Takashi KOJIMA, Toshihiro SHIMIZU, Hiroaki SAITO
  • Publication number: 20220086396
    Abstract: This video distribution server which receives moving images from an originating terminal and distributes these moving images to a viewer terminal implements a questionnaire within the broadcast on the basis of commands from the originating terminal and provides the same questionnaire to a Web server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo KAWAKAMI, Hiroki SHIMOMURA, Takashi KOJIMA
  • Patent number: 11277585
    Abstract: Provided is a content distribution server that is configured to improve the convenience of virtual space sharing formats. The content distribution server comprises: a participation accepting unit that accepts a participation request from another individual to participate in a virtual space used for distribution by a distributor; an information acquiring unit that acquires motion information indicating movement by the distributor and a participant participating on the basis of a participation request, as well as information on the virtual characters of the distributor and the participant; and a distribution unit that distributes live content based on video in virtual space obtained by synthesizing motion information acquired by the information acquiring unit with movement by the virtual characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Inventors: Nobuo Kawakami, Kentarou Matsui, Shinnosuke Iwaki, Takashi Kojima, Naoki Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20220075454
    Abstract: A data replacement apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a replacement unit. The acquisition unit acquires first control data having a value based on the position of a first device which can be mounted on a user's head and the position of a second device which can be gripped by a user. The determination unit determines whether or not a prescribed condition is satisfied. The replacement unit replaces the first control data with second control data when it is determined that the condition is satisfied. The second control data has a value not based on the position of the first device and/or the position of the second device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo KAWAKAMI, Kentarou MATSUI, Shinnosuke IWAKI, Takashi KOJIMA, Naoki YAMAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 11259071
    Abstract: Provided is a content distribution server that is configured to distribute live content according to additional information set for a virtual character. The content distribution server comprises: an information acquiring unit that acquires character information indicating a virtual character used by a distributor in a virtual space, and first additional information added to the character information; and a distribution unit that distributes live content for synthesis with video in virtual space converting movement by the distributor to movement by the virtual character based on the character information and the first additional information acquired by the information acquiring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventors: Nobuo Kawakami, Kentarou Matsui, Shinnosuke Iwaki, Takashi Kojima, Naoki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 11240546
    Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a server for controlling a camera video image to be distributed to an audience terminal for multi-camera video image distribution service for cyclic distribution of camera video images in a plurality of points of view to audience. The server includes a selector and a decider. The selector selects a plurality of candidates in each of selection opportunities that allow each audience member to select the camera video image to be distributed to the audience terminal. The decider decides the camera video image to be distributed to the audience terminal based on information indicating one of a plurality of options selected by each audience member. At least one of the plurality of candidates selected in at least one of the selection opportunities includes a common camera video image regardless of camera video images viewed by the audience when the plurality of candidates are selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Kawakami, Hiroaki Saito, Takashi Kojima
  • Patent number: 11209911
    Abstract: A data replacement apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a replacement unit. The acquisition unit acquires first control data having a value based on the position of a first device which can be mounted on a user's head and the position of a second device which can be gripped by a user. The determination unit determines whether or not a prescribed condition is satisfied. The replacement unit replaces the first control data with second control data when it is determined that the condition is satisfied. The second control data has a value not based on the position of the first device and/or the position of the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Kawakami, Kentarou Matsui, Shinnosuke Iwaki, Takashi Kojima, Naoki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 11212569
    Abstract: Provided is a content distribution server or the like capable of limiting undesirable behavior of viewers. This content distribution server 100 comprises: an information acquisition unit 141 which acquires character information indicating a virtual character used by a distributor in a virtual space, additional information added to the character information, and/or limit information set by the distributor; a distribution unit 143 which distributes live content according to an image in the virtual space in which the movement of the distributor is synthesized as the movement of the virtual character, on the basis of the character information acquired by the information acquisition unit 141; and a behavior limiting unit 144 which limits the behavior of a viewer who watches the live content, on the basis of the additional information and/or the limit information set by the distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Kawakami, Kentarou Matsui, Shinnosuke Iwaki, Takashi Kojima, Naoki Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20210400319
    Abstract: A content distribution server, includes: a communicator that receives live contents transmitted through a network NW from a distributor terminal used by a distributor of a live content; a designator that designates an area in the live content, where another content is superimposed and played; a selector that selects the other content to be played in the area designated; and a controller that generates a distribution content by superimposing the other content selected by the selector in the area designated by the designator in the live content, wherein the communicator distributes the distribution content to a viewer terminal through the network NW.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Nobuo KAWAKAMI, Hiroaki SAITO, Takashi KOJIMA
  • Patent number: 11195302
    Abstract: A rear-facing camera captures a live-action video image while a front-facing camera captures an image of a distributor. An avatar controller controls an avatar based on the image of the distributor captured by the front-facing camera. A synthesizer arranges the avatar in a predetermined position of a real space coordinate system and synthesizes the avatar with the live-action video image. The face of the distributor captured by the front-facing camera is tracked and reflected on the avatar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Kawakami, Shinnosuke Iwaki, Takashi Kojima, Toshihiro Shimizu, Hiroaki Saito
  • Patent number: 11190736
    Abstract: This video distribution server which receives moving images from an originating terminal and distributes these moving images to a viewer terminal implements a questionnaire within the broadcast on the basis of commands from the originating terminal and provides the same questionnaire to a Web server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Kawakami, Hiroki Shimomura, Takashi Kojima
  • Patent number: 11190849
    Abstract: In an aspect of the present invention, a server comprises a calculating unit, a determination unit, and a contribution implementing unit. The calculating unit calculates an index corresponding to the predicted value of an item contributed to the content. The determination unit determines the consideration provided to a viewer of the content based on the index in order to implement contribution of the item to the content. When an implementation request for the contributed item is received, the contribution implementing unit superimposes on the content an image of the item that is the subject of the implementation request in exchange for a consideration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventor: Nobuo Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20210321061
    Abstract: Provided is a content distribution server that is configured to improve the convenience of virtual space sharing formats. The content distribution server comprises: a participation accepting unit that accepts a participation request from another individual to participate in a virtual space used for distribution by a distributor; an information acquiring unit that acquires motion information indicating movement by the distributor and a participant participating on the basis of a participation request, as well as information on the virtual characters of the distributor and the participant; and a distribution unit that distributes live content based on video in virtual space obtained by synthesizing motion information acquired by the information acquiring unit with movement by the virtual characters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo KAWAKAMI, Kentarou MATSUI, Shinnosuke IWAKI, Takashi KOJIMA, Naoki YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20210289251
    Abstract: Provided is a content distribution server that is configured to distribute live content according to additional information set for a virtual character. The content distribution server comprises: an information acquiring unit that acquires character information indicating a virtual character used by a distributor in a virtual space, and first additional information added to the character information; and a distribution unit that distributes live content for synthesis with video in virtual space converting movement by the distributor to movement by the virtual character based on the character information and the first additional information acquired by the information acquiring unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo KAWAKAMI, Kentarou MATSUI, Shinnosuke IWAKI, Takashi KOJIMA, Naoki YAMAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 11122303
    Abstract: A content distribution server (111), includes: a communicator (112) that receives live contents transmitted through a network NW from a distributor terminal (121) used by a distributor of a live content; a designator (115) that designates an area in the live content, where another content is superimposed and played; a selector (116) that selects the other content to be played in the area designated; and a controller (113) that generates a distribution content by superimposing the other content selected by the selector (116) in the area designated by the designator (115) in the live content, wherein the communicator (112) distributes the distribution content to a viewer terminal (131) through the network NW.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: DWANGO, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Kawakami, Hiroaki Saito, Takashi Kojima
  • Publication number: 20210264476
    Abstract: It is very useful for advertisers of banner ads or owners of websites when browsing information such as where on a website an individual is viewing can be collected. However, such browsing information is personal information that is difficult to be collected. Provided are an information display terminal, an information transmission method, and a computer program in which there is a storage for presenting a message indicating that a reward is to be paid if the viewer permits collection of browsing information, and storing an electrical message of permission as evidence when the viewer gives permission. When attributes (age, gender, occupation, type of industry, family structure etc.) of a viewer are collected under agreement in obtaining permission of collection of information from the viewer and stored in a user information storage, the browsing information becomes higher value-added.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Nobuo KAWAKAMI, Yuri ODAGIRI, Takashi KOJIMA, Keisuke OGAKI
  • Publication number: 20210250653
    Abstract: In an aspect of the present invention, a server comprises a calculating unit, a determination unit, and a contribution implementing unit. The calculating unit calculates an index corresponding to the predicted value of an item contributed to the content. The determination unit determines the consideration provided to a viewer of the content based on the index in order to implement contribution of the item to the content. When an implementation request for the contributed item is received, the contribution implementing unit superimposes on the content an image of the item that is the subject of the implementation request in exchange for a consideration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuo KAWAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20210250650
    Abstract: Provided is a content distribution server which is able to establish restrictions on the public disclosure of an object displayed in virtual space at the convenience of the distributor. The content distribution server comprises: a distribution unit that distributes live content for synthesizing video in virtual space using information from the distributor as virtual character information; and a first setting receiving unit that receives from the distributor terminal used by the distributor public disclosure restriction settings for establishing restrictions on objects present in virtual space displayed on the distributor terminal that can be viewed on a viewer terminal used by a viewer to view live content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo KAWAKAMI, Kentarou MATSUI, Shinnosuke IWAKI, Takashi KOJIMA, Naoki YAMAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 11082748
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a sense of togetherness to a user viewing content in which a plurality of targets appears. A post providing method comprises: a step in which a user terminal receives post data related to content data in which a plurality of targets appear from an input device and sends the post data to a post providing server; a step in which the post providing server receives the post data related to content data in which a plurality of targets appear from the user terminal; a step in which the post providing server sends post data to the user terminal; and a step in which the user terminal displays the post data received from the post providing server in a display format based on the target corresponding to the user of the user terminal among the plurality of targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Inventors: Nobuo Kawakami, Hiroaki Saito, Takashi Kojima