Virtual space generation device, virtual space generation program and virtual space generation method
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023215089
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-15
AI Technical Summary
In virtual spaces, multiple users' avatars often mirror each other's movements, requiring effort to synchronize, which increases user burden and reduces convenience when collaborating.
A virtual space generation system that allows one user to act as a leader, with others' avatars following, reducing the need for individual terminal operation and enabling smooth group activities by designating leaders and subordinates within companion groups.
Enhances user convenience by allowing avatars to follow a leader, reducing operational burden and ensuring smooth group activities in virtual spaces.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a virtual space generating device, a virtual space generating program, and a virtual space generating method. [Background technology]
[0002] In recent years, various services using virtual space have been proposed. In one type of system for providing such services, an attempt is made to realize services in virtual space that are similar to services provided in real space. For example, in the system of Patent Document 1, in a store in a virtual space, a user who is a store clerk serves a user who is trying to purchase a product by using an avatar. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-36690 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] However, there are cases where multiple users, such as a service provider and a service user, or multiple users of a service, wish to work together in a virtual space. On the other hand, since multiple users move their own avatars by operating their terminals to carry out their activities, if multiple users want to work together as avatars, they need to make an effort to match the movements of their avatars with the avatars of the other users. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the burden on users and increase convenience when multiple users work together. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] Aspects of a virtual space generating device, a virtual space generating program, and a virtual space generating method for solving the above problems will be described below. [Aspect 1] A virtual space generating device comprising: a virtual space generating unit that allows a first user who will be a user of a service in a virtual space and a second user who will be the first user's contact in the virtual space to enter the virtual space as avatars based on a request from a terminal operated by each user; a companion setting unit that sets one of the second users as a leader and sets one or more of the first users as subordinates associated with the leader; and a movement control unit that moves an leader avatar, which is the avatar of the second user, in accordance with instructions from a terminal operated by the second user who is the leader, and moves an avatar of the first user, which is the subordinate associated with the leader, to follow the leader avatar.
[0006] According to the above configuration, the first user, who is a subordinate, does not need to operate the terminal to move his / her avatar. Therefore, the convenience of the first user in operating the avatar is improved when multiple users are involved in the activity. In addition, the second user who corresponds to the first user in the service in the virtual space takes the initiative and leads the movement of the avatar, so that the activity of multiple users in the service proceeds smoothly.
[0007] [Aspect 2] A virtual space generating device as described in [Aspect 1], wherein a group consisting of a portion of a plurality of users entering the virtual space is an accompanying group, and the accompanying user setting unit, upon receiving a request from a terminal operated by the second user, sets the accompanying group to include the second user and the first user designated by the second user, sets the second user included in the accompanying group to the leader, and sets the first user included in the accompanying group to the subordinate associated with the leader. According to the above configuration, users who are desired to accompany the leader can be appropriately included in the accompanying group as subordinates.
[0008] [Aspect 3] The virtual space generating device described in [Aspect 1], wherein the companion setting unit sets a group consisting of multiple first users upon receiving a request from a terminal operated by the first user, and the virtual space generation unit generates a virtual space for each group into which the first users included in the group are allowed to enter, and the companion setting unit further sets, for each virtual space, the second user who has entered the virtual space as the leader, and sets the first user included in the group who has entered the virtual space as the subordinate associated with the leader.
[0009] According to the above configuration, since a virtual space to be entered is generated for each group of first users, it is easier to grasp the positions of the avatars of the members of the group and to communicate through the avatars, compared to a case where the group enters one virtual space together with an unspecified number of users. And, since the second user is set as the leader and the first user is set as the subordinate for each virtual space, the group of first users who are going to work together in the virtual space can be included in the accompanying group as the subordinate. Therefore, it is easier to proceed with the group's activities in the virtual space.
[0010] [Aspect 4] A virtual space generating device according to any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 3], wherein the virtual space includes a facility and the service is provided at the facility. According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a variety of services similar to those provided in the real space.
[0011] [Aspect 5] A virtual space generating device described in any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 4], wherein a control mode in which the subordinate's avatar moves to follow the leader's avatar is a follow mode, and the movement control unit switches the control mode of the avatar of the first user, who is the subordinate, between the follow mode and a normal mode in which the first user's avatar is moved in accordance with instructions from a terminal operated by the first user. According to the above configuration, a control mode according to the situation can be applied to the movement of the avatar.
[0012] [Aspect 6] The virtual space generating device described in [Aspect 5], wherein the movement control unit, upon receiving a request from a terminal operated by the second user who is the leader, switches the control mode of the avatar of the first user for all of the first users who are subordinates and associated with the leader.
[0013] According to the above configuration, the second user, who is the leader, can control the start and end of movement of a group including the leader and subordinates, so that the second user can smoothly lead activities of multiple users.
[0014] [Aspect 7] The virtual space generating device described in [Aspect 5], wherein the movement control unit switches the control mode of the first user's avatar from the following mode to the normal mode upon receiving a request from a terminal operated by the first user, who is the subordinate. According to the above configuration, the first user can stop the avatar from following at his / her will, which increases the first user's freedom in operating his / her own avatar.
[0015] [Aspect 8] A virtual space generation program that causes one or more computers to execute the following: having a first user who will be a user of a service in a virtual space, and a second user who will be the first user's contact in the virtual space enter the virtual space as avatars based on a request from a terminal operated by each user; setting one of the second users as a leader and setting one or more of the first users as subordinates associated with the leader; moving an leader avatar, which is the avatar of the second user, in accordance with instructions from a terminal operated by the second user who is the leader, and moving an avatar of the first user, which is the subordinate associated with the leader, to follow the leader avatar.
[0016] According to the above configuration, the first user, who is a subordinate, does not need to operate the terminal to move his / her avatar. Therefore, the convenience of the first user in operating the avatar is improved when multiple users are involved in the activity. In addition, the second user who corresponds to the first user in the service in the virtual space takes the initiative and leads the movement of the avatar, so that the activity of multiple users in the service proceeds smoothly.
[0017] [Aspect 9] A virtual space generating method in which one or more computers allow a first user who will be a user of a service in a virtual space, and a second user who will be the first user's contact in the virtual space, to enter the virtual space as avatars based on a request from a terminal operated by each user, set one of the second users as a leader and set one or more of the first users as subordinates associated with the leader, and move an leader avatar, which is the avatar of the second user, in accordance with instructions from a terminal operated by the second user who is the leader, and move an avatar of the first user, which is the subordinate associated with the leader, to follow the leader avatar.
[0018] According to the above method, the first user, who is a subordinate, does not need to operate the terminal to move his / her avatar. Therefore, the convenience of the first user in operating the avatar is improved when multiple users are involved in the activity. In addition, the second user who serves the first user in the service in the virtual space takes the initiative in leading the movement of the avatar, so that the activity of multiple users in the service proceeds smoothly. Effect of the Invention
[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve convenience for users when multiple users are engaged in activities in a virtual space. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a virtual space providing system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a virtual space generation server according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a visitor terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a staff terminal according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a staff terminal in the virtual space providing system of an embodiment. [Figure 6] 11 is a diagram showing a procedure of processing performed by the virtual space providing system when movement in an accompanying group is performed in the virtual space providing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a staff terminal during movement of an accompanying group in the virtual space providing system of an embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] An embodiment of a virtual space generating device, a virtual space generating program, and a virtual space generating method will be described with reference to the drawings. [Overall configuration of the virtual space provision system] The overall configuration of a virtual space providing system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In this embodiment, as an example, a case will be described in which the virtual space providing system 100 is used for customer service in a store that handles various products.
[0022] 1, the virtual space providing system 100 includes a virtual space generation server 10, which is an example of a virtual space generating device, one or more visitor terminals 20, and one or more staff terminals 30. The virtual space generation server 10, the visitor terminals 20, and the staff terminals 30 are each connected via a network NW such as the Internet.
[0023] The virtual space generation server 10 generates a virtual space VS including a store. The visitor terminal 20 is a terminal operated by a visitor user Pg, who is a user visiting a store in the virtual space VS. The visitor user Pg is, in other words, a user of the above-mentioned customer service. The visitor user Pg uses an avatar to use the store in the virtual space VS by operating the visitor terminal 20. The visitor user Pg is an example of a first user, and the visitor terminal 20 is an example of a first terminal.
[0024] The staff terminal 30 is a terminal operated by a staff user Ps who is a user who works as a clerk in a store in the virtual space VS. The staff user Ps is, in other words, a customer service representative in the store in the virtual space VS. The staff user Ps serves customers in the store in the virtual space VS using an avatar by operating the staff terminal 30. The staff user Ps is an example of a second user, and the staff terminal 30 is an example of a second terminal. An avatar is a character that acts as the user's alter ego in the virtual space VS.
[0025] In this embodiment, in an accompanying group including a staff user Ps and a visitor user Pg, the avatar of the visitor user Pg follows the movement of the avatar of the staff user Ps in the virtual space VS.
[0026] [Virtual space provision system configuration] The configuration of each device constituting the virtual space providing system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0027] The functional configuration of the virtual space generation server 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The virtual space generation server 10 includes a communication unit 11, a control unit 12, and a storage unit 13. The communication unit 11 performs communication processing between the virtual space generation server 10 and each of the visitor terminals 20 and staff terminals 30, such as connecting to a network and sending and receiving data.
[0028] The control unit 12 executes a virtual space generating program stored in the storage unit 13, thereby functioning as a virtual space generating unit 12a, a companion setting unit 12b, and a movement control unit 12c.
[0029] The virtual space generation unit 12a generates a virtual space VS and sets the positions of the avatars of the visitor users Pg and the staff users Ps within the virtual space VS, thereby allowing the visitor users Pg and the staff users Ps to enter the store in the virtual space VS.
[0030] The companion setting unit 12b sets a companion group, which is a group of users who move the avatar together. In detail, the companion setting unit 12b sets a leader and a subordinate for the users. The leader and the subordinate are types of users who have different control modes regarding the movement of the avatar.
[0031] Specifically, the accompanying user setting unit 12b sets the staff user Ps as the leader and the visitor user Pg as the subordinate. One leader is associated with one or more subordinates. When multiple leaders are set, subordinates are associated with each leader. One accompanying group is composed of a leader and the subordinates associated with the leader. In other words, the accompanying group includes one staff user Ps who is the leader and one or more visitor users Pg who are subordinates.
[0032] The movement control unit 12c controls the movement of the avatar within the virtual space VS. In other words, the movement control unit 12c manages the position of the avatar within the virtual space VS. In detail, the movement control unit 12c controls the movement of the avatar in either the normal mode or the following mode. The control mode is set for each user. The control mode of the avatar of a user who is not set as a leader or a subordinate and of a leader user is the normal mode. The control mode of the avatar of a subordinate user is switched between the normal mode and the following mode.
[0033] In the normal mode, the movement control unit 12c moves the position of the avatar of a user according to an instruction from the terminal based on the operation of the user. That is, the movement control unit 12c changes the position of the avatar of a visitor user Pg according to an instruction from the visitor terminal 20 based on the operation of the visitor user Pg, and also changes the position of the avatar of a staff user Ps according to an instruction from the staff terminal 30 based on the operation of the staff user Ps. In the follow mode, the movement control unit 12c moves the position of the subordinate's avatar so that the subordinate follows the avatar of the leader with which the subordinate is associated.
[0034] Through cooperation between the virtual space generation unit 12a, companion setting unit 12b, and movement control unit 12c, data is generated for displaying various screens for using the virtual space provision system 100 on the visitor terminal 20 and the staff terminal 30, and this data is transmitted to each terminal 20, 30 by the communication unit 11.
[0035] In addition, part of the data for displaying these screens may be stored in each terminal 20, 30, and the data transmitted from the virtual space generation server 10 need only include information that specifies at least part of the display content of the above screens, such as avatar position information.
[0036] The storage unit 13 stores various programs and data necessary for the control unit 12 to execute processes. The storage unit 13 stores a virtual space generation program as an example of such a program. The storage unit 13 also stores virtual space data 13a and user management data 13b as examples of such data.
[0037] The virtual space data 13a includes data necessary for generating the virtual space VS, such as information on a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system set for the space, position information of objects to be placed in the space, and information for drawing them. The virtual space data 13a also includes information for drawing the avatars of the visitor users Pg and the staff users Ps.
[0038] The user management data 13b includes information about visitor users Pg and staff users Ps. Such information includes settings of leaders and subordinates, and information indicating the correspondence between leaders and subordinates. Information about these users may be managed in association with the user identification information.
[0039] The physical configuration, i.e., the hardware configuration, of the virtual space generation server 10 having the above functions will be described. The virtual space generation server 10 includes electronic circuits, which are arithmetic devices such as a CPU, MPU, and GPU, memories such as ROM, RAM, registered memory, and unbuffered memory, and storage devices such as SSD and HDD. The arithmetic devices load an operating system and various programs from the storage into the memory, and execute commands retrieved from the memory. The virtual space generation server 10 may include integrated circuits such as ASIC and FPGA.
[0040] The virtual space generation server 10 also includes a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from a connected device via a network. The communication interface is implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of these.
[0041] Each process executed by the virtual space generation server 10 may be executed by software included in the virtual space generation server 10, or may be realized by a combination of an integrated circuit included in the virtual space generation server 10 and software.
[0042] The functional configuration of the visitor terminal 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The visitor terminal 20 comprises a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, a storage unit 23, an input unit 24, and an output unit 25. The communication unit 21 performs communication processing between the visitor terminal 20 and the virtual space generation server 10, such as connecting to a network and sending and receiving data. The input unit 24 accepts operation and voice input to the visitor terminal 20 and sends data and signals corresponding to the input to the control unit 22. The output unit 25 receives data and signals from the control unit 22 and outputs images and sounds.
[0043] The storage unit 23 stores various programs and data necessary for the execution of processes by the control unit 22. The storage unit 23 stores a visitor management program as an example of such a program.
[0044] The control unit 22 functions as a visitor screen management unit 22a by executing a visitor management program stored in the memory unit 23. The visitor screen management unit 22a displays various screens for use of the virtual space provision system 100 on a display unit included in the output unit 25. In addition, the visitor screen management unit 22a transmits information according to user operations on the displayed screen to the virtual space generation server 10 via the communication unit 21.
[0045] The functions of the visitor terminal 20 in the virtual space providing system 100 are embodied by application software for using the virtual space providing system 100. The visitor management program is included in the application software.
[0046] The functional configuration of the staff terminal 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The staff terminal 30 includes a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, a storage unit 33, an input unit , and an output unit . The communication unit 31 performs communication processing between the staff terminal 30 and the virtual space generation server 10, such as connecting to a network and sending and receiving data. The input unit 34 accepts operation and voice input to the staff terminal 30, and sends data and signals corresponding to the input to the control unit 32. The output unit 35 receives data and signals from the control unit 32, and outputs images and sounds.
[0047] The storage unit 33 stores various programs and data necessary for the execution of processes by the control unit 32. The storage unit 33 stores a staff management program as an example of such a program.
[0048] The control unit 32 functions as a staff screen management unit 32a by executing a staff management program stored in the memory unit 33. The staff screen management unit 32a displays various screens for use of the virtual space providing system 100 on a display unit included in the output unit 35. In addition, the staff screen management unit 32a transmits information corresponding to user operations on the displayed screen to the virtual space generating server 10 via the communication unit 31.
[0049] The functions of the staff terminal 30 in the virtual space providing system 100 are embodied by application software for using the virtual space providing system 100. The above-mentioned staff management program is included in the application software.
[0050] We will now explain the physical configuration, i.e., the hardware configuration, of the visitor terminal 20 and the staff terminal 30. Each of the visitor terminal 20 and the staff terminal 30 is a smartphone, tablet device, personal computer, wearable computer, or an information processing device other than these devices that can display images.
[0051] Each of the visitor terminal 20 and staff terminal 30 is configured such that a computing device, which is a circuit such as a CPU, loads an operating system and various programs from storage into memory and executes commands retrieved from the memory, and communicates with the virtual space generation server 10 via a communication interface. Each of the visitor terminal 20 and staff terminal 30 also has input devices such as a touch panel, operation buttons, a keyboard, a mouse, a controller, a camera, a microphone, and output devices including a display panel and a speaker.
[0052] [Settings for accompanying group] The following describes the setting of the accompanying group: The accompanying group may be made up of a portion of users who are in a store in the virtual space VS, or may be made up of all users.
[0053] In a first example, after a user enters the virtual space VS, an accompanying group consisting of selected users is set.
[0054] For example, a list of users who have entered a store in the virtual space VS is displayed on the staff terminal 30, and a staff user Ps designates one or more visitor users Pg to be invited to an accompanying group. This causes a request to set up an accompanying group to be sent from the staff terminal 30 to the virtual space generation server 10, and the virtual space generation server 10 transmits an invitation to join the accompanying group to the visitor terminal 20 of the designated visitor user Pg. When the visitor user Pg accepts the invitation on the visitor terminal 20, the virtual space generation server 10 sets up an accompanying group by setting the staff user Ps who instructed the invitation as a leader and setting the visitor user Pg who received the invitation as a subordinate associated with the leader.
[0055] In the second example, before a user enters the virtual space VS, a user group including multiple visitor users Pg is set, and a separate virtual space VS is generated for each user group. Then, for each virtual space VS, an accompanying group consisting of all users entering the virtual space VS is set.
[0056] For example, a representative user, who is an arbitrary visitor user Pg, designates one or more other visitor users Pg to be invited to the user group on the visitor terminal 20. As a result, a request for setting a user group is sent from the visitor terminal 20 of the representative user to the virtual space generation server 10, and the virtual space generation server 10 transmits an invitation to the user group to the visitor terminal 20 of the designated visitor user Pg. When the visitor user Pg who received the notification accepts the invitation on the visitor terminal 20, the virtual space generation server 10 sets a user group including the representative user and the visitor user Pg who received the invitation. Then, the virtual space generation server 10 generates a virtual space VS in which the visitor users Pg of the group are specified as the entry targets. In other words, a virtual space VS set as the entry destination of the group is generated. When a visitor user Pg performs a specified operation on the visitor terminal 20, the virtual space generation server 10 allows the visitor user Pg to enter the virtual space VS that is set as the entry destination for a user group that includes the visitor user Pg.
[0057] In this way, visitor users Pg who enter one virtual space VS are limited to visitor users Pg of one user group. Staff users Ps are permitted to enter the virtual space VS of each user group without restriction or with the consent of visitor users Pg in the user group. The virtual space generation server 10 sets the staff user Ps as a leader for the staff users Ps and visitor users Pg who have entered one virtual space VS, and sets the visitor users Pg as subordinates associated with the leader, thereby setting up an accompanying group. In other words, all visitor users Pg included in a user group are set as subordinates associated with a common leader.
[0058] In the second example, the setting of the leader and subordinates may be performed at a predetermined timing, such as the entry of a staff user Ps into the virtual space VS, or may be performed based on an instruction to set up an accompanying group at the staff terminal 30.
[0059] In both the first and second examples, the setting of the leader and subordinates is a process performed by the accompanying member setting unit 12b. The user set as the leader or subordinate, and the correspondence between the leader and subordinates are included in and recorded in the user management data 13b. In the second example, the setting of the user group is a process performed by the accompanying member setting unit 12b, and the generation of the virtual space VS for each user group is a process performed by the virtual space generating unit 12a.
[0060] [Avatar Movement] The process of the virtual space providing system 100 related to the movement of an avatar will be described in detail below. First, the entry of a user into the virtual space VS using an avatar will be described.
[0061] The visitor user Pg starts up application software for using the virtual space providing system 100 on the visitor terminal 20, and performs predetermined operations such as logging in and selecting the store to enter, thereby entering a store in the virtual space VS as an avatar. That is, when the predetermined operations are performed on the visitor terminal 20, the virtual space generation server 10 sets the position of the visitor user Pg's avatar in the virtual space VS, and transmits data indicating the display contents of the shop screen, which is a screen that displays the inside of the virtual space VS, to the visitor terminal 20. The position of the avatar is set, for example, near the entrance of the store.
[0062] Similarly, the staff user Ps enters the shop in the virtual space VS as an avatar by performing a predetermined operation on the staff terminal 30. That is, when the predetermined operation is performed on the staff terminal 30, the virtual space generation server 10 sets the position of the avatar of the staff user Ps in the virtual space VS, and transmits data indicating the display contents of the shop screen that displays the inside of the virtual space VS to the staff terminal 30.
[0063] The shop screen displayed on the terminal 20, 30 is a screen that displays the avatar of the user who is the operator of the terminal 20, 30, and the area surrounding the avatar in the virtual space VS. If the avatar of another user is located near the avatar of the operator, the avatar of the other user is also displayed on the shop screen. The process of allowing a user to enter the virtual space VS is carried out by the virtual space generating unit 12a.
[0064] Next, the movement of the avatar in the normal mode will be described. When the avatar control mode is the normal mode, if the visitor user Pg performs an operation on the visitor terminal 20 to instruct the movement of his / her avatar, information indicating this instruction to move is sent from the visitor terminal 20 to the virtual space generation server 10. For example, if the visitor terminal 20 is a smartphone, the movement of the avatar may be instructed by moving a finger on the screen in the direction in which the avatar is to be moved, or by tapping on the destination of the avatar, etc. Also, a pad-like area for instructing the movement of the avatar may be displayed on the shop screen, and the movement of the avatar may be instructed by operating the pad-like area.
[0065] The virtual space generation server 10 changes the position of the visitor user Pg's avatar in accordance with the movement instruction, and transmits data indicating the display contents of the shop screen reflecting the change in the avatar's position to the visitor terminal 20. As a result, the operator's avatar moves within the store in the virtual space VS on the shop screen of the visitor terminal 20, and the range of the displayed store also moves accordingly. Through such movement of the avatar, the visitor user Pg can engage in activities in the virtual space VS, such as viewing exhibits such as products placed within the store.
[0066] Similarly, when the staff user Ps performs an operation on the staff terminal 30 to instruct the movement of his / her avatar, information indicating this instruction to move is sent from the staff terminal 30 to the virtual space generation server 10. The operation for instructing the movement may be the same as that for the avatar of the visitor user Pg. The virtual space generation server 10 changes the position of the avatar of the staff user Ps in accordance with the instruction to move, and transmits data indicating the display contents of the shop screen reflecting this change in the avatar's position to the staff terminal 30. As a result, on the shop screen of the staff terminal 30, the operator's avatar moves within the store in the virtual space VS, and the range of the displayed store also moves accordingly.
[0067] Next, the movement of the avatar in the follow mode will be described with reference to FIGS. Fig. 5 shows an example of a shop screen IS displayed on the staff terminal 30 of the leader staff user Ps after an accompanying group has been set. As shown in Fig. 5, when an accompanying group is set, a movement instruction area R1, which is an area for instructing the accompanying group to start moving, is displayed on the shop screen IS.
[0068] When no movement of the accompanying group is instructed, the control mode of each user's avatar is normal, and the avatar of the leader, staff user Ps, and the avatar of the subordinate, visitor user Pg, are each placed in a position according to the operation of each user. Fig. 5 shows an example in which an accompanying group includes two subordinates, and the leader avatar As, which is the leader's avatar, and subordinate avatars Ag1 and Ag2, which are the avatars of the two subordinates, are displayed on the shop screen.
[0069] 6 shows a processing flow of the virtual space providing system 100 when traveling in an accompanying group. Travel in an accompanying group is used, for example, when a staff user Ps guides a visitor user Pg to a specific location in a store in the virtual space VS.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 6, when a movement instruction area R1 is selected on the staff terminal 30 by an operation of the leader staff user Ps, a request for movement of the accompanying group is sent from the staff terminal 30 to the virtual space generating server 10 (step S10).
[0071] When a request for movement of the accompanying group is received, the virtual space generation server 10 switches the control mode of the avatars of all subordinates included in the accompanying group from normal mode to follow mode as a gathering process, and changes the position of each avatar so that the avatars of the users included in the accompanying group gather in one place (step S11). For example, the avatars of the subordinates are moved to the vicinity of the leader's avatar.
[0072] Then, the virtual space generation server 10 transmits update data, which is data for displaying a shop screen reflecting the changes in the positions of each avatar, to each of the terminals 20, 30 of the staff user Ps and visitor user Pg in the accompanying group (step S12).
[0073] As a result, the movement of the position of each avatar is reflected on the leader's staff terminal 30 (step S13), and the movement of the position of each avatar is reflected on the subordinate's visitor terminal 20 (step S14). That is, a screen displaying a collection of avatars of users in the accompanying group is displayed on each terminal 20, 30. Note that it is sufficient that each terminal 20, 30 displays a screen with a viewpoint centered on the operator's avatar.
[0074] Next, when the staff user Ps operates the staff terminal 30 to instruct the movement of the avatar of the leader staff user Ps, a request to move the avatar is sent from the staff terminal 30 to the virtual space generating server 10 (step S15).
[0075] When a request to move the avatars is received, the virtual space generation server 10 performs a movement process in which it changes the position of the avatar of the leader, staff user Ps, in accordance with the instruction, and also changes the positions of the avatars of the subordinate visitor users Pg so that they follow the leader's avatar (step S16).Then, the virtual space generation server 10 transmits update data, which is data for displaying a shop screen reflecting the changes in the positions of the avatars, to each of the users' terminals 20, 30 (step S17).
[0076] As a result, the movement of the positions of each avatar is reflected on the leader's staff terminal 30 (step S18), and the movement of the positions of each avatar is reflected on the subordinate's visitor terminal 20 (step S19).
[0077] By repeating the processes of steps S15 to S19, the subordinate avatars move following the leader avatar, whereby the avatars of the users included in the accompanying group move as a group.
[0078] Fig. 7 shows an example of a shop screen IS displayed on the staff terminal 30 of a leader who is moving in an accompanying group. As shown in Fig. 7, subordinate avatars Ag1 and Ag2 move behind the leader avatar As. Specifically, when the leader avatar As moves as shown by the arrow X, the subordinate avatars Ag1 and Ag2 also move behind the leader avatar As as shown by the arrow X.
[0079] 7 shows an example in which the leader avatar As and subordinate avatars Ag1 and Ag2 proceed in a line, with the leader avatar As at the front. However, as long as the subordinate avatars Ag1 and Ag2 are located near the leader avatar As and follow the leader avatar As, in other words, as long as the leader avatar As leads the subordinate avatars Ag1 and Ag2, these avatars do not have to be in a line. For example, the subordinate avatar Ag1 may be located behind the leader avatar As on the right, and the subordinate avatar Ag2 may be located behind the leader avatar As on the left. It should be noted that it is sufficient for each of the terminals 20 and 30 to display a screen from a viewpoint centered on the operator's avatar.
[0080] As described above, when moving in an accompanying group, the subordinate avatar moves following the leader's avatar, so the subordinate visitor user Pg does not need to operate the visitor terminal 20 to move the avatar. This reduces the operational burden on the visitor user Pg, and also prevents the visitor user Pg from getting separated from the leading staff user Ps. In addition, the visitor user Pg has time to look around the store in the virtual space VS while the avatar is moving.
[0081] In customer service, staff users Ps often have the opportunity to guide visitor users Pg, and staff users Ps are usually more knowledgeable about the structure of the store in the virtual space VS and the operation for moving avatars than visitor users Pg. Therefore, by having staff users Ps take the initiative and lead the movement of avatars, activities by multiple users can proceed smoothly.
[0082] The movement of the accompanying group is ended based on a request from the staff terminal 30 of the leader staff user Ps. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7, during the movement of the accompanying group, an end instruction area R2, which is an area for instructing the end of the movement of the accompanying group, is displayed on the shop screen IS of the leader staff terminal 30. When the end instruction area R2 is selected on the staff terminal 30 by the operation of the staff user Ps, a request to end the movement of the accompanying group is sent from the staff terminal 30 to the virtual space generation server 10.
[0083] As a result, the control mode of the avatars of all subordinate users included in the accompanying group is switched from the following mode to the normal mode, and the virtual space generation server 10 processes the movement of each user's avatar in the normal mode. That is, the subordinate avatars stop following the leader's avatar, and each avatar moves according to instructions from each user's terminal 20, 30.
[0084] In this way, the control modes of the avatars of all subordinates included in the accompanying group are switched collectively based on a request from the leader's staff terminal 30. Therefore, the staff user Ps can smoothly lead the activity of the accompanying group.
[0085] Also, during movement in an accompanying group, the avatar of the subordinate visitor user Pg may stop following the avatar of the leader at the instruction of the subordinate visitor user Pg. Specifically, when the control mode of the avatar of the subordinate is in the following mode, if a predetermined operation is performed on the visitor terminal 20 of the subordinate, a request to stop following is sent from the visitor terminal 20 to the virtual space generating server 10. The above-mentioned predetermined operation may be, for example, the selection of an area for instructing the avatar to stop following, or may be the same operation as when moving the avatar in normal mode.
[0086] When the virtual space generation server 10 receives the request to stop following, it switches the control mode of the avatar of the visitor user Pg who instructed to stop following to the normal mode, and stops following the leader's avatar. After that, the virtual space generation server 10 moves the avatar of the visitor user Pg according to instructions from the visitor terminal 20 based on the operation of the visitor user Pg. In this way, the visitor user Pg can stop the avatar from following at his / her will, which increases the degree of freedom of the visitor user Pg in operating his / her own avatar.
[0087] As described above, with regard to the processing of the movement of the avatar, the switching of the control mode and the change of the position of the avatar are processed by the movement control unit 12c.
[0088] In addition, it is preferable that chatting by text or voice is possible in the accompanying group. That is, the virtual space generation server 10 transmits text and voice information inputted to the terminal of a user in the accompanying group to the terminal of the other users in the accompanying group. This allows users to talk within the accompanying group, making it easier to proceed with activities in the accompanying group. If the user's remarks are made public only within the accompanying group, conversations including information that should not be leaked, such as personal information, are also possible between staff users Ps and visitor users Pg.
[0089] In addition, in an accompanying group, at least a part of the display contents of the terminals 20, 30 may be shared. That is, the virtual space generation server 10 transmits data to each terminal so that at least a part of the display contents of a terminal of one user in the accompanying group is displayed on the terminal of the other user in the accompanying group. This allows the accompanying group to have conversations while sharing the display contents, thereby enabling smooth communication. This also makes it easier to proceed with activities in the accompanying group.
[0090] As described above, according to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) Because the avatar of the subordinate visitor user Pg follows the movement of the avatar of the leader staff user Ps, the subordinate visitor user Pg does not need to operate the visitor terminal 20 to move his or her own avatar. Therefore, when multiple users are involved in an activity, the convenience of the visitor user Pg in operating the avatar is improved. In addition, the staff user Ps who is in charge of customer service takes the lead in directing the movement of the avatars, so that activities by multiple users in customer service can proceed smoothly.
[0091] (2) If an accompanying group is a group consisting of a portion of multiple users who have entered the virtual space VS, and a subordinate visitor user Pg is designated by a leader staff user Ps, users who are desired to be accompanied can be appropriately included in the accompanying group as subordinates. In addition, since multiple accompanying groups are set in the virtual space VS and each accompanying group can move separately, the function of collective movement in groups can be used with a high degree of freedom.
[0092] (3) In a form in which a virtual space VS is generated for each user group consisting of visitor users Pg, it is easier to grasp the positions of the avatars of the members of the user group and to communicate through the avatars, compared to a case in which the user group enters one virtual space VS together with an unspecified number of visitor users Pg. In addition, by setting the staff user Ps as the leader for each virtual space VS and setting all visitor users Pg included in the user group as subordinates, the group of visitor users Pg who are going to work together in the virtual space VS can be accurately included in the accompanying group as subordinates. This makes it easier to advance group activities in the virtual space VS.
[0093] (4) The control mode of the subordinate avatar can be switched between a following mode in which the subordinate avatar follows the leader avatar and a normal mode in which the subordinate avatar moves according to instructions from the subordinate user's terminal. Therefore, a control mode according to the situation can be applied to the movement of the avatar.
[0094] (5) Based on a request from the staff terminal 30 of the leader, the control mode of the avatars of all subordinates associated with the leader is switched. This allows the leader, the staff user Ps, to control the start and end of the movement of the accompanying group, so that the staff user Ps can smoothly lead the activity of the accompanying group.
[0095] (6) Based on a request from the visitor terminal 20 of the subordinate, the control mode of the subordinate's avatar is switched from the following mode to the normal mode. This allows the visitor user Pg to stop the avatar from following at his / her own will, thereby increasing the degree of freedom of the visitor user Pg in operating his / her own avatar.
[0096] [Variations] The above embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. The accompanying group may include a staff user Ps set as a subordinate. The movement of the avatar of the subordinate staff user Ps may be controlled in the same manner as the movement of the subordinate avatar in the above embodiment. Also, a visitor user Pg may be set as the leader, and the accompanying group may be composed of only visitor users Pg or only staff users Ps. Also, the leader may be changeable within the accompanying group.
[0097] The use of the virtual space providing system 100 is not limited to customer service in a store that handles products. For example, when the virtual space providing system 100 is used for customer service, the facilities included in the virtual space VS are not limited to stores, but may be event venues such as exhibitions, or model rooms. Customer service includes, for example, sales and explanations of products, explanations of exhibits and facilities, tourist information, and the like. Furthermore, products are not limited to physical objects, but also include financial products, and the like.
[0098] The virtual space providing system 100 may also be used for medical services such as counseling, educational services, administrative services, etc. In short, a first user who is a user of a service in the virtual space VS and a second user who is a person who interacts with the first user in the virtual space VS may enter the virtual space VS as avatars. In other words, the second user is a provider of the service.
[0099] The facilities included in the virtual space VS may be structures or buildings established for a specific purpose, such as commercial facilities, financial facilities, public facilities, medical facilities, welfare facilities, tourist facilities, factories, etc. Furthermore, in cases where the virtual space providing system 100 is used for tourist guidance, etc., the virtual space VS may not include facilities, but may be a space in which natural objects such as trees and rocks are arranged.
[0100] The virtual space providing system 100 may perform multilingual translation or simultaneous interpretation of text and voice input / output to the visitor terminal 20 and the staff terminal 30. With this configuration, global support is possible for visitor users Pg, staff users Ps, products handled, etc.
[0101] The functions of the virtual space generation server 10 may be realized by a plurality of information processing devices. One information processing device is a single computer device. In other words, the virtual space generation device may be configured from one or a plurality of information processing devices. [Explanation of symbols]
[0102] Pg…Visitor user Ps…Staff user Ag…Subordinate Avatar As…Leader avatar IS…Shop screen VS…Virtual space 10…Virtual space generation server 20… Visitor terminal 30…Staff terminal 100...Virtual space provision system
Claims
1. a virtual space generation unit that allows a first user who will be a user of a service in a virtual space and a second user who will be a contact for the first user in the virtual space to enter the virtual space as avatars based on requests from terminals operated by each user; a companion setting unit that sets one of the first users or the second users as a leader and sets one or more of the first users as subordinates associated with the leader, thereby setting a group including the leader and the subordinates; a movement control unit that executes a movement process to move a leader avatar, which is an avatar of the leader user, in accordance with an instruction from a terminal operated by the user of the leader, and to move subordinate avatars, which are avatars of the subordinates associated with the leader, to follow the leader avatar at positions that do not overlap with the leader avatar; When the movement control unit receives a request for movement of the group from a terminal operated by the leader user, the movement control unit changes the positions of the subordinate avatars to gather the subordinate avatars near the leader avatar, and then executes the movement process. Virtual space generation device.
2. a virtual space generation unit that allows a first user who will be a user of a service in a virtual space and a second user who will be a contact for the first user in the virtual space to enter the virtual space as avatars based on requests from terminals operated by each user; a companion setting unit that sets one of the first users or the second users as a leader and sets one or more of the first users as subordinates associated with the leader; a movement control unit that moves a leader avatar, which is an avatar of the leader user, in accordance with an instruction from a terminal operated by the leader user, and moves an avatar of the first user, which is the subordinate associated with the leader, to follow the leader avatar at a predetermined position behind the leader avatar. Virtual space generation device.
3. The processing of the accompanying person setting unit includes processing to change the user who is the leader. The virtual space generating device according to claim 1 or 2.
4. The companion setting unit sets the first user as a leader. The virtual space generating device according to claim 1 or 2.
5. The companion setting unit sets the second user as a leader. The virtual space generating device according to claim 1 or 2.
6. a group consisting of a portion of the plurality of users entering the virtual space is an accompanying group; The accompanying user setting unit, upon receiving a request from a terminal operated by the second user, sets the accompanying group including the second user and the first user designated by the second user, sets the second user included in the accompanying group to the leader, and sets the first user included in the accompanying group to the subordinate associated with the leader. The virtual space generating device according to claim 1 or 2.
7. the accompanying person setting unit sets a first user group which is a group consisting of a plurality of the first users in response to a request from a terminal operated by the first user; the virtual space generation unit generates, for each first user group, the virtual space into which the first users included in the first user group are allowed to enter; The companion setting unit further sets, for each of the virtual spaces, the second user who has entered the virtual space as the leader, and sets the first users included in the first user group who have entered the virtual space as the subordinates associated with the leader. The virtual space generating device according to claim 1 or 2.
8. The virtual space includes a facility, and the service is provided in the facility. The virtual space generating device according to claim 1 or 2.
9. a control mode in which the subordinate avatar moves following the leader avatar is a following mode; The movement control unit switches the control mode of the avatar of the first user who is the subordinate between the following mode and a normal mode in which the avatar of the first user is moved according to an instruction from a terminal operated by the first user. The virtual space generating device according to claim 1 or 2.
10. The movement control unit receives a request from a terminal operated by a user of the leader, and switches the control mode of the avatar of the first user for all of the first users of the subordinates associated with the leader. The virtual space generating device according to claim 9.
11. The movement control unit switches the control mode of the avatar of the first user from the following mode to the normal mode in response to a request from a terminal operated by the first user who is the subordinate. The virtual space generating device according to claim 9.
12. On one or more computers, allowing a first user who will be a user of a service in a virtual space and a second user who will be a contact for the first user in the virtual space to enter the virtual space as avatars based on requests from terminals operated by each user; setting one of the first users or the second users as a leader and setting one or more of the first users as subordinates associated with the leader, thereby setting a group including the leader and the subordinates; When a request for movement in the group is received from a terminal operated by the user of the leader, the position of subordinate avatars that are avatars of the subordinates associated with the leader is changed to gather the subordinate avatars near the leader avatar that is the avatar of the leader, and then, in accordance with an instruction from the terminal operated by the user of the leader, the leader avatar is moved, and the subordinate avatars are moved to positions that do not overlap with the leader avatar, following the leader avatar. Virtual space generation program.
13. On one or more computers, allowing a first user who will be a user of a service in a virtual space and a second user who will be a contact for the first user in the virtual space to enter the virtual space as avatars based on requests from terminals operated by each user; Setting one of the first users or the second users as a leader, and setting one or more of the first users as subordinates associated with the leader; In accordance with an instruction from a terminal operated by the user of the leader, a leader avatar is moved, and an avatar of the first user who is the subordinate associated with the leader is moved to a predetermined position behind the leader avatar, following the leader avatar. Virtual space generation program.
14. One or more computers allowing a first user who will be a user of a service in a virtual space and a second user who will be a contact for the first user in the virtual space to enter the virtual space as avatars based on requests from terminals operated by each user; setting one of the first users or the second users as a leader and setting one or more of the first users as subordinates associated with the leader, thereby setting a group including the leader and the subordinates; When a request for movement in the group is received from a terminal operated by a user of the leader, the position of subordinate avatars that are avatars of the subordinates associated with the leader is changed to gather the subordinate avatars near a leader avatar that is the avatar of the leader, and then, in accordance with an instruction from the terminal operated by the user of the leader, the leader avatar is moved, and the subordinate avatars are moved to positions that do not overlap with the leader avatar, following the leader avatar. A method for generating virtual space.
15. One or more computers allowing a first user who will be a user of a service in a virtual space and a second user who will be a contact for the first user in the virtual space to enter the virtual space as avatars based on requests from terminals operated by each user; Setting one of the first users or the second users as a leader, and setting one or more of the first users as subordinates associated with the leader; In accordance with an instruction from a terminal operated by the user of the leader, a leader avatar is moved, and an avatar of the first user who is the subordinate associated with the leader is moved to a predetermined position behind the leader avatar, following the leader avatar. A method for generating virtual space.