Reservation reception system

Abstract

To provide a reservation reception system which can suppress a difference between environment expected when a user reserves a reservable region such as a seat and the environment which the user actually experiences subsequently.SOLUTION: A reservation reception system S comprises: a virtual space creation unit 30a which creates virtual space; a virtual environment determination unit 34 which determines environment of the virtual space to be recognized by a user via an HMD 4; a desired reservation time recognition unit 35 which recognizes desired reservation time of a reservable region due to the user; a real environment recognition unit 36 which recognizes the environment of a predetermined region at the desired reservation time; and a reservation reception unit 37 which receives reservation. The virtual space creation unit 30a reflects the environment of the predetermined region at the desired reservation time to the virtual space, when recognizing the desired reservation time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a reservation reception system that receives, via a virtual space, reservations for reservable areas such as seats that are set in a real space that is a model of the virtual space. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a reservation reception system that reproduces a seat of a vehicle existing in real space in a schematic manner in a virtual space, presents the virtual space to a user, and receives a reservation for the seat (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The reservation reception system described in Patent Document 1 presents to the user images of the scenery that can be seen from selectable seats as information for considering which seat to select. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-007919 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the reservation reception system described in Patent Document 1 merely presents an image of the scenery that may be seen when sitting in a seat. Therefore, if the environment when the image was captured differs from the environment when the user actually sits in the seat, there is a risk that the user will not be able to see the scenery (i.e., have the experience) that he or she expected.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide a reservation reception system that can reduce the difference between the environment that a user expects when reserving a reservable area such as a seat and the environment that the user actually experiences later. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The reservation reception system of the present invention comprises: A reservation system that accepts reservations, via a virtual space, for a reservable area that is set in a predetermined area of ​​a real space that is a model of the virtual space, comprising: A virtual space generation unit that generates the virtual space; a virtual environment determination unit that determines an environment of the virtual space to be recognized by a user via an environment output device; a reservation desired time recognition unit that recognizes a reservation desired time of the user in the reservation available area; a real-world environment recognition unit that recognizes an environment of the predetermined area at the desired reservation time; a reservation receiving unit that receives the reservation based on an action of the user, The virtual space generating unit is characterized in that, when the desired reservation time is recognized, the virtual space generating unit reflects the environment of the specified area at the desired reservation time in the virtual space.

[0008] Here, the "predetermined area" is, for example, a vehicle, a store, etc., and the "reservable area" set in the predetermined area is, for example, a seat on the vehicle, in the store, etc.

[0009] In this way, the reservation reception system of the present invention is configured so that, when the desired reservation time is recognized, the environment of a specified area at that desired reservation time (i.e., the environment of a specified area that may be realized in the future) is reflected in the virtual space environment.

[0010] Here, the environment of a specific area at the desired reservation time is the environment that the user is likely to experience when he or she actually goes to the reservable area at the desired reservation time (for example, when he or she actually sits down in the reserved seat at the restaurant). Therefore, if the user specifies the desired reservation time and has the system recognize it, the user can virtually experience and grasp in advance the environment that is likely to be experienced at that time.

[0011] Therefore, according to the reservation reception system of the present invention, it is possible to grasp in advance the environment that a user is likely to experience, thereby reducing the difference between the environment that a user expects when reserving a reservable area and the environment that the user actually experiences later.

[0012] In addition, in the reservation reception system of the present invention, an avatar generation unit that generates an avatar corresponding to the user in the virtual space; an avatar movement control unit that controls a movement of the avatar; It is preferable that the virtual environment determination unit determines, based on a movement of the avatar, an environment of the virtual space to be recognized by the user via an environment output device.

[0013] In this way, by having an avatar exist in a virtual space, the user can easily imagine themselves in a specific environment that may be realized in the future when making a reservation, which allows the user to accurately grasp in advance the environment that they are likely to experience.

[0014] In addition, in the reservation system of the present invention, when an avatar is made to exist in a virtual space, a user action recognition unit that recognizes the user's action, the virtual space generation unit generates the virtual space so as to correspond to a second area, which is an area of ​​the real space different from a first area, which is the predetermined area, and is an area in which the user exists; It is preferable that the avatar movement control unit controls a state of the avatar based on the recognized movement of the user.

[0015] This configuration results in a so-called immersive virtual space experience system, allowing the user to recognize that he or she is present in the virtual space through the avatar. Therefore, when making a reservation, the user can more easily imagine that he or she is present in a specific area environment that may be realized in the future. This allows the user to grasp in advance with greater accuracy the environment that he or she is likely to experience.

[0016] In addition, in the reservation reception system of the present invention, The environment of the predetermined area preferably includes at least one of the weather, sunlight conditions, lighting conditions, and people present or assumed to be present in the predetermined area.

[0017] In addition, in the reservation reception system of the present invention, a fee recognition unit that recognizes a fee required to reserve the reservable area; a fee presentation unit that presents the fee to the user, It is preferable that, when the desired reservation time is recognized, the fee recognition unit changes the fee based on the specified area of ​​the desired reservation time, and the fee presentation unit changes the presented fee based on the change.

[0018] For example, even if you sit in the same seat, the view you can see varies depending on the time of day, and the value (and therefore the price that can be set) also varies. However, even if you simply set and present a price for each time, users who have not actually experienced it may find it difficult to accept that the price can change even for the same seat.

[0019] In this way, by presenting the price while allowing the user to grasp in advance the environment that the user is likely to experience, the user can be fully convinced that the prices differ even for the same reservable area. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a reservation reception system according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the reservation reception system of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a virtual space generated by the reservation reception system of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the virtual space as viewed by a user when the user starts using the reservation reception system of FIG. 1; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the virtual space as viewed by a user when the desired reservation time is input in the reservation reception system of FIG. 1; [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the reservation reception system of FIG. 1 when allowing a user to experience a virtual space. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the reservation reception system of FIG. 1 when receiving a reservation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, a reservation acceptance system S according to an embodiment and a process (reservation acceptance method) executed by the reservation acceptance system S will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] In addition, the reservation reception system S in this embodiment allows a user U existing in a certain area of ​​a real space RS to recognize the environment (e.g., images, sounds, etc.) of a virtual space VS corresponding to a different area of ​​the real space RS, and also makes an avatar A corresponding to the user U behave in the virtual space VS to correspond to the user U, thereby making the user U recognize that he or she exists in the virtual space VS (see Figure 3, etc.).

[0023] That is, the reservation reception system S in this embodiment is configured as a so-called immersive virtual space experience system. However, the reservation reception system of the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and may be any system capable of accepting reservations, via a virtual space, for a reservable area set in a predetermined area of ​​the real space that is the model of the virtual space.

[0024] Therefore, for example, the reservation reception system of the present invention may be configured to access the virtual space and receive reservations via a terminal such as a personal computer or tablet used by a user. In that case, the devices, processing units, etc. used only for configuring the immersive virtual space experience system in the above embodiment may be omitted or modified as appropriate.

[0025] In addition, in this embodiment, a case is described in which the predetermined area in the real space that is the model for the virtual space is a restaurant, and the reservable area for accepting reservations is a seat in the restaurant, but the reservation acceptance system of the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

[0026] Here, the "predetermined area" in the present invention is, for example, a vehicle, a store, etc., and the "reservable area" set in the predetermined area is, for example, a seat in the vehicle, store, etc. Therefore, the reservation reception system of the present invention may receive reservations for seats in stores other than restaurants, seats on trains, ships, etc., rooms in hotels, accessible spaces at event venues, etc.

[0027] [Outline of reservation reception system] First, the schematic configuration of the reservation reception system S will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the reservation reception system S includes a number of signs 1 attached to a user U present in a real space RS, a camera 2 that photographs the user U (or, more precisely, the signs 1 attached to the user U), a server 3 that determines images and sounds in a virtual space VS (see Figure 3, etc.), and a head-mounted display (hereinafter referred to as "HMD 4") that allows the user to recognize the determined images and sounds.

[0029] In the reservation reception system S, the camera 2, server 3, and HMD 4 can wirelessly transmit and receive information to and from each other via the Internet, public lines, short-distance wireless communication, etc. However, any of them may be configured to transmit and receive information to and from each other via wires.

[0030] The multiple markers 1 are attached to the head, both hands, and both feet of the user U via the HMD 4, gloves, and shoes worn by the user U. The multiple markers 1 are used to recognize the movements of the user U in the real space RS, as will be described later. Therefore, the positions at which the markers 1 are attached, the number of markers 1, and the like may be changed as appropriate depending on the other devices constituting the reservation reception system S.

[0031] The camera 2 is installed so as to be able to capture images of the movement possible range of the user U in the real space RS in which the user U exists, from multiple directions.

[0032] The server 3 recognizes the sign 1 from the image captured by the camera 2, and recognizes the coordinates and posture of the user U (i.e., the movement of the user U) based on the position of the recognized sign 1 in the real space RS. Furthermore, the server 3 determines the environment of the virtual space VS (e.g., images, sounds, etc.) to be recognized by the user U based on the coordinates and posture.

[0033] The HMD 4 is an environment output device that outputs and allows the user to recognize the environment of the virtual space VS. The HMD 4 is worn on the head of the user U. The HMD 4 has a monitor 40 that allows the user U to recognize an image of the virtual space VS determined by the server 3, and a speaker 41 that allows the user U to recognize the sound of the virtual space VS determined by the server 3 (see FIG. 2).

[0034] The reservation reception system S is configured as a so-called immersive virtual space experience system. Therefore, when experiencing the virtual space VS using the reservation reception system S, the user U is made to recognize only the images and sounds of the virtual space VS via the HMD 4, and is made to recognize that he or she exists in the virtual space VS.

[0035] However, the reservation reception system of the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, when using a motion capture device, in addition to the above configuration, a configuration in which the number and arrangement of signs and cameras are different from the above configuration (for example, one of each) may be used. Furthermore, the reservation reception system of the present invention may recognize feature points from the image of the user itself and recognize the user's posture and coordinates without using signs.

[0036] Also, for example, the reservation reception system of the present invention may use another device instead of a motion capture device to recognize the user's movements. Specifically, for example, the reservation reception system of the present invention may be configured to mount a sensor such as a GPS on the HMD and recognize the user's coordinates, posture, etc. based on the output from the sensor. Also, the reservation reception system of the present invention may use such a sensor in combination with the above-mentioned motion capture device.

[0037] [Configuration of processing unit] Next, the configuration of the processing unit included in the server 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0038] The server 3 is composed of one or more electronic circuit units including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an interface circuit, and the like.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, the server 3 has, as functions (processing units) realized by the implemented hardware configuration or program, a virtual environment generation unit 30 (fee presentation unit), a user action recognition unit 31, an avatar action control unit 32, a reservation possible condition recognition unit 33, a virtual environment determination unit 34, a desired reservation time recognition unit 35, a real environment recognition unit 36, and a reservation reception unit 37.

[0040] The virtual environment generating unit 30 includes a virtual space generating unit 30a and an avatar generating unit 30b.

[0041] The virtual space generation unit 30a generates a virtual space VS corresponding to a predetermined area to be reserved (a restaurant (first area) in this embodiment) in a shape corresponding to the shape of an area in the real space RS where the user U exists (for example, the user U's own room (second area)) (see Figs. 3 to 5). Specifically, the virtual space generation unit 30a generates images that serve as the background of the virtual space VS and objects that exist in the virtual space VS, and sounds related to these images.

[0042] The generated objects include a plurality of objects VS1 indicating reservable areas, as shown in Fig. 3. Each of the plurality of objects VS1 can be selected by a motion of the avatar A corresponding to the user U (for example, a motion such as touching the object VS1).

[0043] Furthermore, when a user U selects any one of the multiple objects VS1 via avatar A, a board VS2 representing multiple selectable reservation times and the reservation fees corresponding to each of the selectable reservation times is displayed in a selectable format, as shown in Figure 4.

[0044] The avatar generation unit 30b generates, in the virtual space VS, an avatar A corresponding to the user U (see Figs. 3 to 5). The avatar A moves in the virtual space VS in accordance with the movement of the corresponding user U in the real space RS.

[0045] The user action recognition unit 31 recognizes image data of the user U including the sign 1 captured by the camera 2, and recognizes actions of the user U in the real space RS (e.g., movement of coordinates, change in posture, etc.) based on the image data. The user action recognition unit 31 has a posture recognition unit 31a and a coordinate recognition unit 31b.

[0046] The posture recognition unit 31a extracts the markers 1 from the image data of the recognized user U, and recognizes the orientation of each part of the user U's body (and thus the posture of the user U) based on the extraction result.

[0047] The coordinate recognition unit 31b extracts the marker 1 from the image data of the recognized user U, and recognizes the coordinates of the user U based on the extraction result.

[0048] The avatar movement control unit 32 controls the movement (e.g., movement of coordinates, change of posture, etc.) of the avatar A corresponding to the user U in the virtual space VS based on the posture of the user U in the real space RS recognized by the posture recognition unit 31a and the coordinates of the user U in the real space RS recognized by the coordinate recognition unit 31b.

[0049] The reservation condition recognition unit 33 recognizes the conditions that can be provided to the user U based on information input by a business providing a service using the reservation reception system S via a terminal used by the business. The reservation condition recognition unit 33 has a reservation area recognition unit 33a, a reservation time recognition unit 33b, and a fee recognition unit 33c.

[0050] The reservable area recognition unit 33a recognizes a reservable area set in a predetermined area of ​​the real space RS that is the model of the virtual space VS. In this embodiment, a restaurant is the predetermined area, and seats in the restaurant are the reservable area.

[0051] The reservation available time recognition unit 33b recognizes the reservation available time for the reservation available area recognized by the reservation available area recognition unit 33a. In this embodiment, the reservation available time is the time when a seat at the restaurant can be reserved.

[0052] The fee recognition unit 33c recognizes the fee required to make a reservation for each reservable time recognized by the reservable time recognition unit 33b for the reservable area recognized by the reservable area recognition unit 33a.

[0053] The reservation reception system S automatically recalculates the fee required for the reservation based on the environment (e.g., weather, surrounding congestion, etc.) of the reservation area at the available reservation time (and thus the desired reservation time, which will be described later).

[0054] This is because, for example, even if one sits in the same seat, the scenery that can be seen when sitting there will differ depending on the time, and the value (and therefore the price that can be set) will also differ. However, even if a price is simply set and presented for each time, a user U who has not actually experienced it may find it difficult to accept that the price can change even for the same seat.

[0055] However, the reservation reception system S changes the environment of the virtual space VS according to the desired reservation time, as described below. That is, the reservation reception system S is configured to present the price while allowing the user U to grasp in advance the environment that he or she is likely to experience. This allows the user U to be fully convinced that the prices are different even for the same reservable area.

[0056] However, the method of setting fees in the reservation system of the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and therefore, for example, a fixed fee may be set regardless of the available reservation time.

[0057] The virtual environment determination unit 34 determines the environment of avatar A in the virtual space VS based on the state of avatar A (for example, coordinates, posture, etc. at that time point).

[0058] Here, the "avatar environment" refers to things that affect the avatar in the virtual space. For example, the "avatar environment" refers to the state (e.g., position, posture, etc.) of objects in the virtual space relative to the state of the avatar.

[0059] Then, based on the environment of the determined virtual space VS itself and the environment of the avatar A, the virtual environment determination unit 34 determines the environment (images and sounds) of the virtual space VS that the user U corresponding to the avatar A will recognize through the monitor 40 and speaker 41 of the HMD 4.

[0060] Here, the "environment to be recognized by the user" refers to the environment of the virtual space that the user recognizes through the five senses. For example, the "environment to be recognized by the user" refers to images, sounds, etc. of the virtual space around the avatar corresponding to the user.

[0061] The desired reservation time recognition unit 35 recognizes, based on the movement of the avatar A recognized by the avatar movement control unit 32, the time at which the user U desires to make a reservation for the selected reservable area.

[0062] Specifically, first, when the user U selects one of a plurality of objects VS1 via avatar A, a board VS2 showing the reservation availability conditions is displayed in a format in which a plurality of reservation availability times can be alternatively selected. After that, when the user U selects one of the reservation availability times listed on the board VS2 via avatar A (in FIG. 4, "10:00~" is selected), the desired reservation time recognition unit 35 recognizes that reservation availability time as the desired reservation time.

[0063] The desired reservation time recognition unit of the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, but may be configured to recognize the desired reservation time in the reservation-available area by the user. Therefore, for example, the desired reservation time recognition unit may be configured to recognize the time directly specified by the user as the desired reservation time, instead of the time selected from the presented times.

[0064] The real environment recognition unit 36 ​​recognizes the environment of a predetermined area at the desired reservation time (i.e., a real area corresponding to the reservation available area selected by the user U). In this embodiment, the real environment recognition unit 36 ​​recognizes the seats in the restaurant, the restaurant itself, and the environment around the restaurant.

[0065] Here, the "environment of a specific area" includes, for example, the weather in the specific area, the sunlight conditions, the lighting conditions, and people present or presumed to be present.

[0066] Information about the environment of the specified area at the desired reservation time recognized by the real environment recognition unit 36 ​​is fed back to the virtual environment generation unit 30. Then, based on that information, the virtual environment generation unit 30 reflects the environment of the specified area in the virtual space VS.

[0067] For example, in the reservation reception system S, the real environment recognition unit 36 ​​recognizes the weather around the restaurant where a seat is set as a reservable area at the desired reservation time from web information or the like, and transmits that information to the virtual environment generation unit 30. Then, based on that information, the virtual environment generation unit 30 changes the outside view seen in the virtual space VS from a sunny state (see FIG. 3) to a rainy state (see FIG. 4).

[0068] The reservation receiving unit 37 accepts the reservation based on the movement of the avatar A recognized by the avatar movement control unit 32. Specifically, when the user U selects the reservation confirmation button on the board VS2 via the avatar A, the reservation receiving unit 37 accepts the reservation.

[0069] It should be noted that each processing unit constituting the reservation reception system of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration.

[0070] For example, a part of the processing unit provided in the server 3 in this embodiment may be provided in the HMD 4. Also, a configuration may be made using a plurality of servers, or the servers may be omitted and the CPU mounted on the HMD may be configured to operate in cooperation with each other. Also, a speaker other than the speaker mounted on the HMD may be provided.

[0071] [Actions to be performed upon user action] Next, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 6, a process executed by the reservation reception system S when the reservation reception system S is used to allow the user U to experience the virtual space VS will be described.

[0072] In this process, first, the virtual environment generating unit 30 of the server 3 generates a virtual space VS and an avatar A (FIG. 6 / STEP 100).

[0073] 3, the virtual space generation unit 30a of the virtual environment generation unit 30 generates an image that serves as the background of the virtual space VS and objects that exist in the virtual space VS. The avatar generation unit 30b of the virtual environment generation unit 30 generates an avatar A corresponding to the user U.

[0074] Next, the avatar movement control unit 32 of the server 3 determines the movement of the avatar A based on the movement of the user U (FIG. 6 / STEP 101).

[0075] As the movements of the user U in the processes after STEP 101, the movements of the user U recognized by the user movement recognition unit 31 of the server 3 based on the image data captured by the camera 2 are used.

[0076] Next, the virtual environment determination unit 34 of the server 3 determines the environment of the avatar A based on the state of the avatar A (FIG. 6 / STEP 102).

[0077] Next, the virtual environment determination unit 34 determines the environment that the user U is to recognize based on the environment of the avatar A (FIG. 6 / STEP 103).

[0078] Specifically, the virtual environment determination unit 34 determines images and sounds of the virtual space VS that represents the environment of the avatar A, as the environment that the user U will recognize.

[0079] Next, the HMD 4 worn by the user U outputs the determined environment (FIG. 6 / STEP 104).

[0080] Specifically, the HMD 4 displays the determined image on a monitor 40 mounted in the HMD 4 , and generates the determined sound from a speaker 41 mounted in the HMD 4 .

[0081] Next, the user action recognition unit 31 of the server 3 judges whether or not the user U has performed any action (FIG. 6 / STEP 105).

[0082] When the user U performs some action (YES in STEP 105), the process returns to STEP 101, and the processes from STEP 101 onwards are executed again.

[0083] On the other hand, if the user U has not performed any action (NO in STEP 105), the server 3 judges whether or not it has recognized a signal instructing the end of the process (FIG. 6 / STEP 106).

[0084] If the VR system S1 cannot recognize the signal instructing the end (NO in STEP 106), the process returns to STEP 105, and the processes from STEP 105 onwards are executed again.

[0085] On the other hand, if a signal instructing the end is recognized (YES in STEP 106), the VR system S1 ends this processing.

[0086] [Processing performed when accepting a reservation] Next, with reference to Figs. 2 to 5 and 7, a process executed by the reservation acceptance system S when accepting a reservation using the reservation acceptance system S (that is, a reservation acceptance method) will be described.

[0087] In this process, first, the virtual environment generating section 30 presents the reservation conditions for the selected reservable area (FIG. 7 / STEP 200).

[0088] Specifically, first, as shown in FIG. 3 etc., the virtual environment generating unit 30 generates, in a selectable state, a plurality of objects VS1 indicating reservable areas within a base virtual space VS.

[0089] Thereafter, when the user action recognition unit 31 recognizes an action of the user U corresponding to the action of avatar A touching one of the multiple objects VS1, as shown in FIG. 4, the virtual environment generation unit 30 displays a board VS2 representing multiple selectable reservation times and the reservation fees corresponding to each of the reservation times in a selectable format, with the contents thereof being selectable.

[0090] The price displayed on the board VS2 at this timing is set appropriately based on the environment of a specific area in the real space RS at the corresponding reservation available time.

[0091] Next, the desired reservation time recognition unit 35 recognizes the desired reservation time (FIG. 7 / STEP 201).

[0092] In the reservation reception system S, immediately after the reservation availability conditions are presented, the desired reservation time recognition unit 35 recognizes the earliest available reservation time as the tentative desired reservation time. In this embodiment, the desired reservation time recognition unit 35 recognizes the time "10:00~" as the tentative desired reservation time (see FIG. 4).

[0093] Next, the real environment recognition unit 36 ​​recognizes the environment of a predetermined area in the real space RS at the desired reservation time (FIG. 7 / STEP 202).

[0094] In this embodiment, the real environment recognition unit 36 ​​recognizes the restaurant seats, the restaurant itself, and the environment around the restaurant (the weather, the view from the selected seat, other restaurant patrons sitting at nearby seats, etc.).

[0095] Next, the virtual environment generating unit 30 reflects the environment of the predetermined area of ​​the recognized real space RS in the environment of the virtual space VS (FIG. 7 / STEP 203).

[0096] Specifically, the virtual environment generation unit 30 first changes the images and sounds of the virtual space VS based on the environment recognized by the real environment recognition unit 36. After that, the virtual environment determination unit 34 changes the environment of the virtual space VS to be recognized by the user U based on the images and sounds of the changed virtual space VS.

[0097] Next, the desired reservation time recognition unit 35 judges whether the user U has changed the desired reservation time (FIG. 7 / STEP 204).

[0098] Specifically, the desired reservation time recognition unit 35 determines whether the user action recognition unit 31 has recognized user U's action corresponding to avatar A selecting a reservation available time that is different from the current desired reservation time from the reservation available times listed on board VS2.

[0099] If the desired reservation time has been changed (YES in STEP 204), the process returns to STEP 201, and the processes from STEP 201 onwards are executed again.

[0100] Specifically, if the desired reservation time is changed from "10:00~" as shown in Figure 3 to "14:00~" as shown in Figure 4, the real environment recognition unit 36 ​​will re-recognize the restaurant seats, the restaurant itself, and the environment surrounding the restaurant from "14:00~".

[0101] Then, the virtual environment generation unit 30 first changes the images and sounds of the virtual space VS based on the environment newly recognized by the real environment recognition unit 36. After that, the virtual environment determination unit 34 changes the environment of the virtual space VS to be recognized by the user U based on the images and sounds of the changed virtual space VS.

[0102] In this embodiment, it is assumed that it is predicted that it will be sunny from "10:00~", but that it will rain from "14:00~". In such a case, if the desired reservation time is "10:00~", the virtual space VS will be in a sunny state as shown in Fig. 3, and if the desired reservation time is changed to "14:00~", the virtual space VS will be in a rainy state as shown in Fig. 4.

[0103] On the other hand, if the reservation time has not been changed (NO in STEP 204), the reservation receiving unit 37 judges whether an instruction to confirm the reservation has been given (FIG. 7 / STEP 205).

[0104] Specifically, the reservation receiving unit 37 judges whether the user action recognition unit 31 has recognized a motion of the user U corresponding to the action of the avatar A selecting the reservation confirmation button printed on the board VS2.

[0105] If the reservation confirmation instruction has not been given (NO in STEP 205), the process returns to STEP 204, and the process from STEP 204 onwards is executed again.

[0106] On the other hand, if there is no instruction to confirm the reservation (YES in STEP 205), the reservation acceptance unit 37 accepts the reservation for the selected reservable area at the selected desired reservation time (FIG. 7 / STEP 205), and ends this processing.

[0107] As described above, the reservation reception system S is configured so that, when the desired reservation time is recognized, the environment of a specific area at that desired reservation time (i.e., the environment of a specific area that may be realized in the future) is reflected in the environment of the virtual space VS.

[0108] Here, the environment of a specific area at the desired reservation time is an environment that the user U is likely to experience when he or she actually goes to the reservable area at the desired reservation time (in this embodiment, when the user actually sits down at the reserved seat at the restaurant). Therefore, when the user U specifies the desired reservation time, the user U can virtually experience and grasp in advance the environment that is likely to be experienced at that time.

[0109] Therefore, according to the reservation reception system S, it is possible to grasp in advance the environment that the user U is likely to experience, thereby reducing the difference between the environment that the user U expects when reserving a reservable area and the environment that the user U actually experiences later.

[0110] [Other embodiments] Although the illustrated embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0111] For example, in the above embodiment, the reservation reception system S is an immersive virtual space experience system, and is configured to generate an avatar A corresponding to a user U in the virtual space VS, and to link the movements of the avatar A to the movements of the user U.

[0112] This allows the user U to more easily imagine himself / herself in a given environment that may be realized in the future when making a reservation. This allows the user to more accurately grasp in advance the environment that he / she is likely to experience.

[0113] However, the reservation reception system of the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, but rather may be capable of accepting reservations, via a virtual space, for a reservable area set in a specified area of ​​the real space that is the model for the virtual space.

[0114] Therefore, for example, the reservation reception system may be configured using a virtual space experience system in which the virtual space is observed through a monitor, rather than an immersive virtual space experience system. Furthermore, in such a configuration, it is not necessary to generate an avatar in the virtual space. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 1...sign, 2...camera, 3...server, 4...HMD (environment output device), 30...virtual environment generation unit (price presentation unit), 30a...virtual space generation unit, 30b...avatar generation unit, 31...user movement recognition unit, 31a...posture recognition unit, 31b...coordinate recognition unit, 32...avatar movement control unit, 33...reservation possible condition recognition unit, 33a...reservation possible area recognition unit, 33b...reservation possible time recognition unit, 33c...price recognition unit, 34...virtual environment determination unit, 35...desired reservation time recognition unit, 36...real environment recognition unit, 37...reservation reception unit, 40...monitor, 41...speaker, A...avatar, S...reservation reception system, U...user, VS...virtual space, VS1...object, VS2...board, RS...real space.

Claims

1. A reservation system that accepts reservations, via a virtual space, for a reservable area that is set in a predetermined area of ​​a real space that is a model of the virtual space, comprising: A virtual space generation unit that generates the virtual space; a virtual environment determination unit that determines an environment of the virtual space to be recognized by a user via an environment output device; a reservation desired time recognition unit that recognizes a reservation desired time of the user in the reservation available area; a real-world environment recognition unit that recognizes an environment of the predetermined area at the desired reservation time; a reservation receiving unit that receives the reservation based on an action of the user, A reservation reception system characterized in that, when the virtual space generation unit recognizes the desired reservation time, it reflects the environment of the specified area at the desired reservation time in the virtual space.

2. 2. The reservation system according to claim 1, an avatar generation unit that generates an avatar corresponding to the user in the virtual space; an avatar movement control unit that controls a movement of the avatar; The reservation reception system, wherein the virtual environment determination unit determines the environment of the virtual space to be recognized by the user via an environment output device based on the movement of the avatar.

3. The reservation reception system according to claim 2, a user action recognition unit that recognizes the user's action, the virtual space generation unit generates the virtual space so as to correspond to a second area, which is an area of ​​the real space different from a first area, which is the predetermined area, and is an area in which the user exists; The reservation reception system, wherein the avatar movement control unit controls a state of the avatar based on the recognized movement of the user.

4. 2. The reservation system according to claim 1, A reservation reception system characterized in that the environment of the specified area includes at least one of the weather, sunlight conditions, lighting conditions, and people present or assumed to be present in the specified area.

5. 2. The reservation system according to claim 1, a fee recognition unit that recognizes a fee required to reserve the reservable area; a fee presentation unit that presents the fee to the user, A reservation reception system characterized in that, when the desired reservation time is recognized, the fee recognition unit changes the fee based on the specified area of ​​the desired reservation time, and the fee presentation unit changes the presented fee based on the change.

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