Virtual space management apparatus, virtual space management program, and virtual space management method

Abstract

To provide a virtual space management apparatus, a virtual space management program, and a virtual space management method for enabling user activities in a high-security environment.SOLUTION: A virtual space management apparatus executes: allowing a first user and a second user, who is a person to serve the first user in a virtual space, as avatars, to enter the virtual space; determining to migrate the status of the first user in the virtual space from a first phase to a second phase in which higher security than in the first phase is required; proceeding with personal authentication of a target user, who is at least one of the first and second users, after the second phase is started; requesting, when the personal authentication is established, a terminal operated by the target user to select disclosure information which is personal information to be disclosed; and proceeding with activities of the first user in the virtual space using the disclosure information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a virtual space management device, a virtual space management program, and a virtual space management method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, various uses of virtual space have been proposed. In one example of the uses, 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, a user who is a store clerk serves a user who is trying to purchase a product in a store in a virtual space 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, as the uses of virtual space become more diverse, there is an increasing demand for activities that should be carried out in a highly secure environment, such as applying for financial services or negotiating business, in virtual space. A highly secure environment is one in which user impersonation and information leakage are suppressed. Therefore, there is a demand for the development of a system that can provide a highly secure environment in virtual space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Aspects of a virtual space management device, a virtual space management program, and a virtual space management method for solving the above problems will be described below. [Aspect 1] A virtual space management device comprising: a virtual space generation unit that allows a first user and a second user who will be the first user's contact in the virtual space to enter the virtual space as avatars; a phase management unit that determines whether the first user's status in the virtual space should transition from a first phase to a second phase which requires higher security than the first phase; an authentication processing unit that proceeds with personal authentication of a target user, which is at least one of the first user and the second user, after the second phase has begun; a disclosure information management unit that requests a terminal operated by the target user to select disclosure information, which is personal information to be disclosed, when the personal authentication is successful; and a progression unit that proceeds with the first user's activities in the virtual space using the disclosure information.

[0006] According to the above configuration, since personal authentication of the target user is performed after the start of the second phase, a highly secure environment is created. Since the activity of the first user using the personal information is then carried out, activities related to the personal information in the virtual space can be carried out in a highly secure environment. In addition, the personal information to be disclosed is selected by the target user. Therefore, the user's intention regarding the disclosure of personal information is reflected, and the personal information can be handled appropriately.

[0007] [Aspect 2] The virtual space management device described in [Aspect 1], wherein the progression unit outputs the disclosed information to a terminal operated by the second user when the first user is the target user, and outputs the disclosed information to a terminal operated by the first user when the second user is the target user.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the personal information of the target user is disclosed to the person on the other end of the line, thereby improving the safety and reliability of communication between the first user and the second user during user activities.

[0009] [Aspect 3] A virtual space management device described in either [Aspect 1] or [Aspect 2], wherein the conditions for the phase management unit to determine the transition include receiving instructions for the progress of the activity from a terminal operated by the first user or the second user. According to the above configuration, it is possible to accurately determine whether to transition to the second phase, which requires high security.

[0010] [Aspect 4] A virtual space management device described in any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 3], wherein the conditions for the phase management unit to determine the transition include setting a group including the first user and the second user. According to the above configuration, it is possible to accurately determine whether to transition to the second phase, which requires high security.

[0011] [Aspect 5] A virtual space management device described in any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 4], wherein the conditions for the phase management unit to determine the transition include movement of the first user's avatar to a specific area. According to the above configuration, it is possible to accurately determine whether to transition to the second phase, which requires high security.

[0012] [Aspect 6] A virtual space management program that causes one or more computers to execute the following steps: allow a first user and a second user who will be the first user's contact in the virtual space to enter the virtual space as avatars; determine a transition of the first user's status in the virtual space from a first phase to a second phase which requires higher security than the first phase; after the second phase has begun, proceed with personal authentication of a target user, which is at least one of the first user and the second user; when the personal authentication is successful, request a terminal operated by the target user to select disclosure information, which is personal information to be disclosed; and proceed with the first user's activities in the virtual space using the disclosure information.

[0013] According to the above configuration, since personal authentication of the target user is performed after the start of the second phase, a highly secure environment is created. Since the activity of the first user using the personal information is then carried out, activities related to the personal information in the virtual space can be carried out in a highly secure environment. In addition, the personal information to be disclosed is selected by the target user. Therefore, the user's intention regarding the disclosure of personal information is reflected, and the personal information can be handled appropriately.

[0014] [Aspect 7] A virtual space management method in which one or more computers allow a first user and a second user who will be the first user's contact in the virtual space to enter the virtual space as avatars, determine a transition of the first user's status in the virtual space from a first phase to a second phase which requires higher security than the first phase, proceed with personal authentication of a target user, which is at least one of the first user and the second user, after the second phase has begun, request a terminal operated by the target user to select disclosure information, which is personal information to be disclosed, when the personal authentication is successful, and proceed with the first user's activities in the virtual space using the disclosure information.

[0015] According to the above method, personal authentication of the target user is performed after the start of the second phase, creating a highly secure environment. Since the first user's activities using personal information are then carried out, activities related to personal information in the virtual space can be carried out in a highly secure environment. In addition, the personal information to be disclosed is selected by the target user. Therefore, the user's intention regarding the disclosure of personal information is reflected, allowing the personal information to be handled appropriately. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, a user can be active in a highly secure environment in a virtual space. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a virtual space providing system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a virtual space management server according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a visitor terminal in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a staff terminal according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a visitor terminal in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow in the virtual space providing system of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of processing in a closed phase in the virtual space providing system of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a virtual space providing system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of an avatar management server according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the flow of processing for avatar authentication in the virtual space providing system of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of a virtual space management device, a virtual space management program, and a virtual space management method will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0019] [Overall configuration of the virtual space provision system] The overall configuration of the 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. Customer service includes, for example, sales of products, acceptance of applications for various services such as financial services, and acceptance of various contracts such as insurance contracts and loan contracts.

[0020] 1, the virtual space providing system 100 includes a virtual space management server 10, which is an example of a virtual space management device, one or more visitor terminals 20, and one or more staff terminals 30. The virtual space management server 10, the visitor terminals 20, and the staff terminals 30 are each connected via a network NW such as the Internet.

[0021] The virtual space management server 10 generates a virtual space. The virtual space includes facilities such as stores where customer service is provided. The visitor terminal 20 is a terminal operated by a visitor user Pg, who is a user who visits the facilities in the virtual space. The visitor user Pg is, in other words, a user of the customer service. The visitor user Pg uses an avatar to use the facilities in the virtual space 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.

[0022] The staff terminal 30 is a terminal operated by a staff user Ps who is a user who serves visitors at a facility in a virtual space. The staff user Ps is, in other words, a customer service representative in the virtual space. The staff user Ps serves customers at the facility in the virtual space 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 a representation of a user in a virtual space.

[0023] [Virtual space provision system configuration] The configuration of each device constituting the virtual space providing system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0024] The functional configuration of the virtual space management server 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The virtual space management 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 management server 10 and each of the visitor terminals 20 and staff terminals 30, such as connecting to a network and sending and receiving data.

[0025] The control unit 12 executes a virtual space management program stored in the memory unit 13, and thereby functions as a virtual space generation unit 12a, a user management unit 12b, a phase management unit 12c, an authentication processing unit 12d, a disclosure information management unit 12e, and a progress unit 12f.

[0026] The virtual space generating unit 12a generates a virtual space and sets the positions of the avatars of the visitor users Pg and the staff users Ps in the virtual space, thereby allowing the visitor users Pg and the staff users Ps to enter the virtual space. The virtual space generating unit 12a also manages the movement of the avatars' positions in the virtual space.

[0027] The user management unit 12b performs a login process to verify the identity of visitor users Pg and staff users Ps when using the virtual space providing system 100. In other words, the login process is a process of verifying the identity of users to use the virtual space, and is performed before the users enter the virtual space. The user management unit 12b also performs user-related settings, such as registering information about users and setting groups including multiple users.

[0028] The phase management unit 12c manages the transition of phases regarding the status of the visitor user Pg in the virtual space. The phase transitions from one of the open phase and the closed phase to the other. The open phase is an example of the first phase, and the closed phase is an example of the second phase. The phase management unit 12c determines that the phase has switched when the conditions for the phase transition are met.

[0029] The closed phase is a situation that requires higher security than the open phase, and in the closed phase, target actions that are desirable to be performed in a high-security environment are performed. A high-security environment is an environment that suppresses information leakage due to impersonation of visitor users Pg and staff users Ps, and leaking of the contents of conversations between visitor users Pg and staff users Ps to third parties. The target actions involve visitor users Pg and staff users Ps.

[0030] When the closed phase starts, the authentication processing unit 12d performs personal authentication for at least one of the visitor user Pg and the staff user Ps. The personal authentication is a process for personal identification that is more reliable than the login process.

[0031] The disclosure information management unit 12e manages personal information of the user to be disclosed in relation to the target action. In detail, the disclosure information management unit 12e requests the user, whose personal authentication has been established, to select disclosure information, which is personal information to be disclosed.

[0032] The progression unit 12f uses the disclosed information to perform processing for the progression of the target action. In other words, the progression unit 12f advances the activity of the visitor user Pg in the virtual space. For example, the progression unit 12f processes chat between the visitor user Pg and the staff user Ps, and the progression of application and contract procedures.

[0033] Through collaboration between the virtual space generation unit 12a, user management unit 12b, phase management unit 12c, authentication processing unit 12d, disclosure information management unit 12e, and progress unit 12f, data is generated for displaying various screens for using the virtual space providing 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.

[0034] In addition, some of the data for displaying these screens may be stored in each terminal 20, 30, and the data transmitted from the virtual space management server 10 need only include information that specifies at least a portion of the display content of the above screens, such as avatar position information.

[0035] 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 management program as an example of such a program. The storage unit 13 also stores virtual space data 13a and user data 13b as an example of such data.

[0036] The virtual space data 13a includes data necessary for generating the virtual space, 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.

[0037] The user data 13b includes information about the visitor users Pg and the staff users Ps. Such information may include login information used in the login process, authentication information used in the authentication process, personal information to be disclosed, etc. The user data 13b also includes information for drawing the avatars used by the users.

[0038] The physical configuration, i.e., the hardware configuration, of the virtual space management server 10 having the above functions will be described below. The virtual space management 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 management server 10 may include integrated circuits such as ASIC and FPGA.

[0039] The virtual space management 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.

[0040] Each process executed by the virtual space management server 10 may be executed by software included in the virtual space management server 10, or may be realized by a combination of an integrated circuit included in the virtual space management server 10 and software.

[0041] 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 management 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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 management server 10 via the communication unit 21.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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 management 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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 according to a user's operation on the displayed screen to the virtual space management server 10 via the communication unit 31.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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 management 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.

[0051] [Entry into virtual space] The following describes how a user enters a virtual space using an avatar. A visitor user Pg starts up application software for using the virtual space providing system 100 on the visitor terminal 20, and enters the virtual space as an avatar by performing predetermined operations such as selecting a facility as necessary.

[0052] Here, before entering the virtual space, a login process is performed. The login process is performed, for example, when the application software is started or when the specified operation is performed. In the login process, the virtual space management server 10 first requests the visitor terminal 20 to input login information. The login information is, for example, an ID and a password that are identification information of the user. When the visitor user Pg inputs the login information into the visitor terminal 20, the login information is transmitted to the virtual space management server 10. The virtual space management server 10 compares the received login information with the login information stored in the virtual space management server 10. If these pieces of information match, the login is completed and the login process ends. After the login is completed, the user can proceed with using the virtual space providing system 100.

[0053] The ID included in the login information may be an open ID, and the virtual space management server 10 may request an external server to verify the identity of the user using the login information as the login process. In this case, the virtual space management server 10 does not need to store the login information.

[0054] When a user enters the virtual space, the virtual space management server 10 sets the position of the avatar of the visitor user Pg in the virtual space and transmits data showing the display contents of the user screen, which is a screen that displays the inside of the virtual space, to the visitor terminal 20. The position of the avatar is set, for example, near the entrance of the facility.

[0055] Similarly, the staff user Ps enters the virtual space as an avatar after undergoing a login process, whereby a user screen displaying the inside of the virtual space is displayed on the staff terminal 30. The user screen displayed on the terminal 20, 30 is a screen that displays an avatar of the user who is the operator of the terminal 20, 30, and the area surrounding the avatar in the virtual space. Fig. 5 shows an example of a user screen IS displayed on the visitor terminal 20. In the user screen IS shown in Fig. 5, an avatar Aa of the operator in the virtual space VS is displayed together with avatars Ab of other users located around it.

[0056] The avatar moves within the virtual space in response to the operator's operation on the terminal 20, 30, and the range displayed on the user screen also moves accordingly, allowing the visitor user Pg and the staff user Ps to be active in the virtual space.

[0057] In the above-mentioned processing of the virtual space management server 10, the login processing is performed by the user management section 12b, and the processing of the user's entry into and movement into the virtual space is performed by the virtual space generation section 12a.

[0058] [Processing during the closed phase] The transition to the closed phase and each process in the closed phase will be described below. Fig. 6 shows the flow of processes in the virtual space provision system 100 related to the closed phase.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 6, when a transition condition for transitioning from the open phase to the closed phase is satisfied, it is determined that the phase has transitioned from the open phase to the closed phase (step S10).

[0060] When the closed phase starts, personal authentication of the user is performed (step S11). If personal authentication is successful, disclosure information, which is personal information to be disclosed, is selected (step S12). After that, the target action is performed (step S13).

[0061] Then, when the target action is completed, it is determined that the phase has shifted from the closed phase to the open phase (step S14). After the start of the open phase, if the transition condition is met again, the processing from step S10 onwards is repeated.

[0062] At the time when the visitor user Pg enters the virtual space as an avatar, the phase indicating the status of the visitor user Pg is the open phase. In the open phase, open communication takes place between the visitor user Pg and the staff user Ps. For example, the user's statements in text or voice are made public to all users in the open phase. Furthermore, the user's communication in the open phase is anonymous.

[0063] In contrast, user communication in the closed phase is communication with at least one of the visitor users Pg and the staff users Ps, with the individual identified. The transition from the open phase to the closed phase can also be seen as a transition from anonymity to real names.

[0064] Each process will be described in detail below. First, the target action will be described. The target action is an action that is desirably performed in a high-security environment, that is, an action that requires preventing impersonation of a user involved in the action and the leakage of information involved in the action. The target action is, for example, a procedure such as application, contract, transaction, or payment, or a conversation such as an explanation or consultation regarding these procedures. The target action is, for example, an action that uses personal information, or a conversation such as an explanation or consultation regarding the action. The target action may include two or more actions, such as an explanation of a contract and a contract.

[0065] The condition for transition from the open phase to the closed phase is a user action indicating an intention to start a target action, or a user action requesting the creation of a high-security environment. The following (a) to (c) are specific examples of transition conditions.

[0066] (a) The transition condition is that the virtual space management server 10 receives an instruction to start the target action from the visitor terminal 20 or the staff terminal 30. For example, an area for instructing the start of a procedure such as an application is displayed on the screen of the visitor terminal 20, and when the visitor user Pg selects this area on the visitor terminal 20, an instruction to start the procedure, which is the target action, is sent from the visitor terminal 20 to the virtual space management server 10. The instruction to start the target action is, in other words, an instruction to proceed with an activity including the target action in the virtual space.

[0067] (b) The transition condition is the setting of a user group including visitor users Pg and staff users Ps. The user group is a group for chatting. Chatting is done by text or voice, and user comments are made public only within the group.

[0068] For example, when a staff user Ps is to explain to a visitor user Pg about a target action such as application, the staff user Ps issues an instruction to set up a user group by inviting the target visitor user Pg.

[0069] Specifically, a list of users who have entered the facility in the virtual space is displayed on the staff terminal 30, and the staff user Ps designates one or more visitor users Pg to be invited to the group. This causes a request for group setting to be sent from the staff terminal 30 to the virtual space management server 10, and the virtual space management server 10 transmits a notification of an invitation to join the 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 management server 10 sets up a user group including the staff user Ps who instructed the invitation and the visitor user Pg who accepted the invitation. The user group setting is recorded in the user data 13b. This processing for group setting is processing as the user management unit 12b.

[0070] The user who selects a user and issues an instruction to invite the user to the group may be a visitor user Pg. The user group may be a group for group activities, and may be a group for sharing images or moving in a group. The setting of a user group, which is a transition condition, means that the setting of a user group has been completed or that an instruction to set a user group has been issued.

[0071] (c) The transition condition is the movement of the avatar to a specific area. For example, a booth for explanations and consultations is provided in a facility in the virtual space, and the transition condition is that the avatars of the visitor user Pg and the staff user Ps move to the location of the booth. The specific area may be one facility, and the movement to the specific area may be a movement to a specific virtual space. For example, the transition condition is that the avatar of the visitor user Pg moves from a space for waiting for the avatar to a specific facility.

[0072] The movement of the avatar to a specific area, which is a transition condition, means that the movement of the avatar has been completed or that the movement of the avatar has been instructed. For example, if the transition condition is that the avatar moves to a specific facility, the transition condition may be satisfied when the specific facility is selected on the visitor terminal 20 as the destination of the avatar.

[0073] The transition condition may be established when two or more of the above (a) to (c) are satisfied. When it is determined that the transition condition is satisfied, the virtual space management server 10 determines that the open phase has ended and the closed phase has started. Such a process of determining the transition of the phase is a process performed by the phase management unit 12c.

[0074] With reference to FIG. 7, the personal authentication process in step S11, the selection of information to be disclosed in step S12, and the progress of the target action in step S13, which are performed after the start of the closed phase, will be described in detail.

[0075] The target users for the personal authentication and the selection of information to be disclosed that are performed in the closed phase are at least one of the visitor users Pg and the staff users Ps. In the following, an example will be described in which the target user is the visitor user Pg.

[0076] The personal authentication performed in the closed phase is a more reliable identity verification than the login process. For example, the authentication information used for the personal authentication is information that is more difficult for a third party to misuse than the login information used for the login process. Specifically, the authentication information is preferably biometric information. Examples of biometric information are information indicating a face, a fingerprint, motion, etc. Furthermore, the personal authentication may be identity verification with more steps or elements than the login process. This also makes it possible to obtain a higher reliability in the personal authentication than the login process. Specifically, while the login process is a one-factor and one-step identity verification, the personal authentication is two-factor authentication or two-step authentication.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 7, when the closed phase starts, the virtual space management server 10 requests the visitor terminal 20 to input authentication information (step S20). In response to the request, the visitor terminal 20 inputs the authentication information (step S21). For example, when the authentication information is information for face authentication, the camera of the visitor terminal 20 is started and the face of the visitor user Pg is photographed. This inputs the authentication information into the visitor terminal 20. In this case, the authentication information is input into the visitor terminal 20 without the visitor user Pg having to perform any special operation to input the authentication information. Therefore, it is possible to proceed with the personal authentication process associated with the start of the closed phase without making the visitor user Pg feel bothered.

[0078] When the authentication information is received from the visitor terminal 20, the virtual space management server 10 executes an authentication process (step S22). For example, the virtual space management server 10 compares the authentication information received from the visitor terminal 20 with the authentication information of the visitor user Pg stored in the virtual space management server 10. In this case, the authentication information for comparison is registered in advance in the virtual space management server 10.

[0079] The authentication information for matching may be stored in an external database. In this case, the virtual space management server 10 does not store the authentication information for matching, but acquires information from the database to match the authentication information. Alternatively, the virtual space management server 10 may transmit the authentication information received from the visitor terminal 20 to an external server as the authentication process, and request the external server to match the authentication information. In this case, the virtual space management server 10 does not need to store the authentication information for matching. The external server may be, for example, a server managed by a customer service operator, a server managed by a personal authentication service operator, or a server included in a common infrastructure system.

[0080] In short, the authentication process proceeds with personal authentication using the authentication information, and the authentication result is acquired by the virtual space management server 10. The authentication result is transmitted to the visitor terminal 20. Furthermore, the authentication result may also be transmitted to the staff terminal 30, allowing the staff user Ps to confirm that identity verification of the visitor user Pg has been completed.

[0081] If the authentication is successful, the virtual space management server 10 requests the visitor terminal 20 to select information to be disclosed (step S23). In the visitor terminal 20 that receives the request, the visitor user Pg selects information to be disclosed (step S24). For example, a list of personal information to be disclosed is displayed on the visitor terminal 20, and the visitor user Pg selects information to be disclosed from the displayed information.

[0082] The personal information to be disclosed may be, for example, name, date of birth, address, contact information, family structure, place of employment, annual income, medical history, etc., and may be set according to the target act. Personal information for which disclosure is mandatory and personal information for which disclosure is optional may be set, and the personal information for which disclosure is mandatory and the personal information for which disclosure is optional may be set as the disclosure information.

[0083] For example, the personal information of visitor user Pg who may be the subject of disclosure may be registered in advance in the virtual space management server 10, and the virtual space management server 10 may select the information to be disclosed from the stored personal information. Alternatively, the personal information of visitor user Pg who may be the subject of disclosure may be stored in an external database. In this case, the virtual space management server 10 retrieves information from the database and selects the information to be disclosed. In addition, at least a portion of the disclosure information may be input into the visitor terminal 20 at the time of selection and transmitted to the virtual space management server 10.

[0084] When the virtual space management server 10 receives the selection result of the disclosure information from the visitor terminal 20, the virtual space management server 10 performs a process to proceed with the target action (step S25). Accordingly, the visitor terminal 20 also performs a process to proceed with the target action (step S26). Similarly, the staff terminal 30 also performs a process to proceed with the target action.

[0085] For example, when the target action includes a procedure such as an application, the virtual space management server 10 displays a screen for proceeding with the procedure on the visitor terminal 20, and proceeds with the procedure through input of information, etc., on the visitor terminal 20. The screen for proceeding with the procedure may also be displayed on the staff terminal 30 as necessary, so that the staff user Ps can assist with the procedure.

[0086] Furthermore, for example, if the target action includes a conversation within a user group, the virtual space management server 10 transmits text and voice information input to a terminal of a user in the group only to the terminals of other users in the group. This allows conversations between users in the group without leaking to users outside the group.

[0087] While the target action is in progress, the camera of the visitor terminal 20 or the staff terminal 30 may be activated to capture the face, identification card, etc. of the visitor user Pg or the staff user Ps. The captured image data is transmitted from the virtual space management server 10 to the terminals 20, 30 of the users who are communicating with the photographer. This allows the target action to be progressed while confirming the users in the real space.

[0088] The disclosed information is used to progress the target action. For example, the virtual space management server 10 transmits the disclosed information to the staff terminal 30. As a result, the disclosed information is displayed on the staff terminal 30 and disclosed to the staff user Ps.

[0089] Alternatively, the virtual space management server 10 uses the disclosure information as information necessary for procedures such as application. In this case, too, the disclosure information may be displayed on the staff terminal 30 and disclosed to the staff user Ps during the procedure. The above procedure may also be carried out in cooperation with a system managed by a customer service operator, and the disclosure information may be transmitted to a server included in the system. In other words, the disclosure information may be disclosed to the customer service operator.

[0090] In the above-mentioned processing of the virtual space management server 10, the processing of steps S20 and S21 is performed by the authentication processing unit 12d, the processing of step S23 is performed by the disclosure information management unit 12e, and the processing of step S25 is performed by the progress unit 12f.

[0091] When it is determined that the target action is completed, the virtual space management server 10 determines that the closed phase has ended and the open phase has started. For example, when a condition such as the completion of a procedure such as application, the disbandment of a user group, or the movement of an avatar from a specific area is satisfied, the target action is determined to be completed.

[0092] As described above, in this embodiment, a highly secure environment is created by performing personal authentication at the start of the closed phase. Since the target action is performed after that, the target action can be safely performed while preventing impersonation and information leakage. In other words, the user can be active in a highly secure environment in the virtual space.

[0093] Specifically, if the visitor user Pg is a target user, the target action can be carried out after verifying the identity of the target person who is applying for an application or other procedure, thereby improving the safety and reliability of the target action.

[0094] In the above, the target user is the visitor user Pg, but the target user may be a staff user Ps. For example, when the customer service is a transaction of financial products or real estate, etc., and the staff user Ps is accountable to the visitor user Pg, or when the staff user Ps needs to have qualifications to explain to the visitor user Pg, the staff user Ps is the target user. The legitimacy of the staff user Ps as a person who will be serving the visitor user Pg is confirmed by personal authentication of the staff user Ps and disclosure of disclosure information such as name and qualifications to the visitor user Pg.

[0095] Also, either the visitor user Pg or the staff user Ps may be the target user. In this case, for example, the virtual space management server 10 transmits the disclosure information of the visitor user Pg to the staff terminal 30 of the staff user Ps when the target action is in progress, and transmits the disclosure information of the staff user Ps to the visitor terminal 20 of the visitor user Pg. This allows the visitor user Pg and the staff user Ps to proceed with the target action after confirming each other's name and identity, thereby improving the safety and reliability of the target action.

[0096] Furthermore, when the target action includes a procedure involving multiple people, such as an application, each of the multiple visitor users Pg may be a target user. By using the virtual space providing system 100, multiple visitor users Pg in remote locations can participate in the target action.

[0097] In addition to personal authentication immediately after the start of the closed phase, personal authentication of visitor users Pg and staff users Ps may also be performed while the target action is in progress. For example, if the target action includes multiple actions, such as explaining a contract and making a contract, personal authentication may be performed at the start of the second or subsequent actions. In this case, it is preferable that personal authentication while the target action is in progress is a more reliable form of identity verification than personal authentication immediately after the start of the closed phase.

[0098] In cases where personal authentication is performed while the target action is in progress, the personal authentication immediately after the start of the closed phase may be authentication using identifying information such as an open ID, not limited to biometric authentication, and may be identity verification with a reliability equal to or lower than that of login authentication.

[0099] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) After the start of the closed phase, the target user is authenticated, creating a highly secure environment. The target action is then performed, allowing the user to carry out their activities in a highly secure virtual space.

[0100] (2) The personal information to be disclosed is selected by the target user. Therefore, the user's intention regarding the disclosure of personal information is reflected, and the personal information can be handled appropriately. (3) If the authentication result of the personal authentication is output to the staff terminal 30 when the visitor user Pg is the target user, and the authentication result of the personal authentication is output to the visitor terminal 20 when the staff user Ps is the target user, the person being served can confirm the authenticity of the target user. Therefore, the safety and reliability of the communication between the visitor user Pg and the staff user Ps is improved.

[0101] (4) When visitor user Pg is the target user, the disclosure information is output to staff terminal 30, and when staff user Ps is the target user, the disclosure information is output to visitor terminal 20. With this configuration, the personal information of the target user is disclosed to the person being served, thereby improving the safety and reliability of communication between visitor user Pg and staff user Ps.

[0102] In addition, if the disclosed information of the staff user Ps includes information indicating the qualifications held by the staff user Ps, the visitor user Pg can confirm the legitimacy of the staff user Ps as a person to serve. Therefore, the reliability of the explanations and other responses by the staff user Ps can be further increased.

[0103] (5) The conditions for transition from the open phase to the closed phase include at least one of an instruction to start a target action, a user group setting, and an avatar moving to a specific area. With this configuration, transition to the closed phase, which requires high security, can be accurately determined.

[0104] Second embodiment A second embodiment of a virtual space management device, a virtual space management program, and a virtual space management method will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 10. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that avatar authentication is performed. Avatar authentication is, in other words, confirmation of the authenticity of the avatar. The following description will focus on the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment, and configurations similar to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0105] [Overall configuration of the virtual space provision system] The overall configuration of a virtual space providing system 110 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in Fig. 8, the virtual space providing system 110 includes a virtual space management server 10, a visitor terminal 20, a staff terminal 30, and an avatar management server 40. The avatar management server 40 manages information about avatars and authenticates the avatars. The avatar management server 40 is connected to the virtual space management server 10, the visitor terminal 20, and the staff terminal 30 via a network NW.

[0106] [Avatar Management Server Configuration] The functional configuration of avatar management server 40 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Avatar management server 40 includes a communication unit 41, a control unit 42, and a storage unit 43.

[0107] The communication unit 41 performs communication processing between the avatar management server 40 and the connected device, such as connecting to a network and sending and receiving data. The control unit 42 executes an avatar management program stored in the storage unit 43, thereby functioning as a registration unit 42a and an avatar authentication unit 42b.

[0108] The registration unit 42a performs a registration process for the avatar to be managed. Specifically, the registration unit 42a assigns authentication information to the avatar to be managed. The authentication information is information unique to each avatar, and includes, for example, at least one of a digital watermark and a certificate of authenticity of the avatar. The certificate is issued by an external issuing authority, and a non-fungible token is used for the certificate. The registration unit 42a also issues an authentication code to the avatar to be managed. The authentication code is information assigned to each avatar.

[0109] The registration unit 42a associates avatar data, which is data for drawing the avatar, with an authentication code for the avatar to be managed, and stores the associated data as avatar management data 43a in the storage unit 43. For example, if the certification information includes a digital watermark, the avatar data is data for drawing the avatar including the digital watermark. If the certification information includes a certificate, information such as the issuing authority of the certificate is also included in the avatar management data 43a. This completes the registration process for the avatar to be managed. The generation of the avatar, i.e., the setting of the appearance of the avatar, may be performed by the avatar management server 40 or an external server.

[0110] The avatar authentication unit 42b authenticates the avatar in response to a request from a device constituting the virtual space providing system 110. In detail, the avatar authentication unit 42b authenticates the avatar by matching an authentication code and confirming authenticity using certification information.

[0111] The storage unit 43 stores various programs and data necessary for the control unit 42 to execute processes. The storage unit 43 stores an avatar management program as an example of such a program. The storage unit 43 also stores the above-mentioned avatar management data 43a as an example of such data. Note that the avatar management data 43a may include information on the user who is the user of the avatar, in addition to the avatar data and the authentication code.

[0112] When a user who uses an avatar wishes to use the avatar in a virtual space provided by virtual space management server 10, avatar data and an authentication code are transmitted from avatar management server 40 to virtual space management server 10 in response to a request from virtual space management server 10 based on the user's instructions. Virtual space management server 10 stores the avatar data and the authentication code as part of user data 13b, and uses this data to draw the avatar in the virtual space. This makes it possible to use the avatar in the virtual space.

[0113] The physical configuration, i.e., the hardware configuration, of the avatar management server 40 having the above functions will be described. The avatar management server 40 includes electronic circuits that are arithmetic devices such as a CPU, MPU, GPU, etc., memories such as ROM, RAM, registered memory, unbuffered memory, etc., and storage devices such as SSD and HDD. The arithmetic devices load the operating system and various programs from the storage into the memory, and execute commands retrieved from the memory. The avatar management server 40 may also include integrated circuits such as ASIC and FPGA.

[0114] The avatar management server 40 also includes a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from connected devices via a network. The communication interface is implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of these.

[0115] Each process executed by avatar management server 40 may be executed by software included in avatar management server 40, or may be realized by a combination of an integrated circuit included in avatar management server 40 and software.

[0116] [Avatar Authentication] The process related to the authentication of the avatar by the virtual space providing system 110 will be described. The authentication of the avatar is performed after the start of the closed phase. For example, the authentication of the avatar may be performed before the personal authentication of the user, and the process after the personal authentication may proceed only when the authentication of the avatar is established. Alternatively, the authentication of the avatar may be performed after the personal authentication is established, and the target action may proceed when the authentication of the avatar is established. Alternatively, the authentication of the avatar and the personal authentication may be performed in parallel, and the target action may proceed when both the authentication of the avatar and the personal authentication are established. Note that the selection of the disclosure information may be performed following the establishment of the personal authentication, as in the first embodiment.

[0117] The authentication of the avatar is performed based on a request from a visitor user Pg or a staff user Ps. In the following, with reference to FIG. 9, as an example, a case where the authentication of the avatar of a visitor user Pg who is a party to a meeting is performed based on a request from a staff user Ps will be described.

[0118] For example, in the closed phase, an area for instructing authentication of the visitor user Pg's avatar is displayed on the staff terminal 30. When the staff user Ps wishes to verify the authenticity of the visitor user Pg's avatar, the staff user Ps selects the area, and the staff terminal 30 requests the virtual space management server 10 for an authentication code for the visitor user Pg's avatar (step S30). The staff terminal 30 also designates the visitor user Pg whose avatar is to be authenticated, and information indicating the designated visitor user Pg is also transmitted to the virtual space management server 10.

[0119] When receiving the request for the authentication code, the virtual space management server 10 acquires the authentication code of the avatar of the target visitor user Pg from the user data 13b, and transmits the authentication code to the staff terminal 30 (step S31). Note that this process is performed by the authentication processing unit 12d.

[0120] Upon receiving the authentication code, the staff terminal 30 transmits the authentication code to the avatar management server 40 to request authentication of the avatar (step S32).

[0121] Upon receiving the request from the staff terminal 30, the avatar management server 40 performs an authentication process for the avatar (step S33). This process is performed as the avatar authentication unit 42b. Specifically, first, the avatar management server 40 checks whether avatar data associated with an authentication code that matches the authentication code received from the staff terminal 30 is registered as avatar management data 43a. If the avatar data is not registered, authentication is not established.

[0122] When the avatar data is registered, the avatar management server 40 checks the authenticity of the authentication information of the avatar corresponding to the avatar data. At this time, the avatar management server 40 exchanges information with other devices as necessary. For example, when the authentication information is a digital watermark, the avatar management server 40 obtains an image of the avatar used in the virtual space by the target visitor user Pg from the virtual space management server 10, extracts the digital watermark, and compares the extracted digital watermark with the digital watermark obtained from the avatar data included in the avatar management data 43a. When the authentication information is a certificate, the avatar management server 40 checks the authenticity of the avatar through an inquiry to the issuing authority of the certificate. When the authenticity of the authentication information is confirmed, the authentication of the avatar is established.

[0123] The avatar authentication result is transmitted from the avatar management server 40 to the staff terminal 30, and the staff terminal 30 performs processing based on the authentication result (step S34). Specifically, if the avatar authentication is successful, information is exchanged with the virtual space management server 10 as necessary, and processing in the closed phase, such as personal authentication and target actions, proceeds. If the avatar authentication is unsuccessful, such processing does not proceed.

[0124] Note that avatar authentication may be performed for at least one of visitor user Pg and staff user Ps. In other words, one or both of the following may be performed: authentication of the visitor user Pg's avatar based on a request from the staff user Ps, and authentication of the staff user Ps's avatar based on a request from the visitor user Pg. Furthermore, regardless of a request from a user, the virtual space management server 10 may notify the avatar management server 40 of an authentication code and request authentication of the user's avatar. The user subject to personal authentication and the user subject to avatar authentication may be the same or different.

[0125] By authenticating the avatar, it is possible to confirm that the user has not tampered with or misused the avatar. Therefore, by proceeding with the target action after authenticating the avatar, the reliability of the user involved in the target action is increased, and thus the reliability of the target action is increased.

[0126] As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the advantages (1) to (5) of the first embodiment, the following advantages can be obtained. (6) After the start of the closed phase, the target action is carried out on the condition that the avatar of at least one of the visitor user Pg and the staff user Ps is authenticated in addition to the personal authentication of the user. This increases the reliability of the user, and therefore the reliability of the target action.

[0127] [Variations] Each of the above-described embodiments can be modified and implemented as follows. The processing history in the closed phase, including during the progress of the target act, may be managed using a blockchain. In this case, a non-transferable, non-fungible token may be used. For example, personal information such as an address or annual income may be linked to the token and exchanged. This increases the reliability of the personal information. In addition, explanations and transaction history during the progress of the target act are linked to the token and managed, making it possible to prove the history of the target act at a later date. This increases the reliability of the target act. In addition, even when the target act is performed by moving between multiple virtual spaces, the use of a blockchain makes it possible to carry out the activity safely.

[0128] Customer service includes guiding visitors to art galleries, museums, exhibitions, paid events, etc. Furthermore, the use of the virtual space providing systems 100, 110 is not limited to customer service. The virtual space providing systems 100, 110 may be used for medical services such as online diagnosis, educational services, administrative services, judicial services, etc. Furthermore, the virtual space providing systems 100, 110 may be used for user communication such as business negotiations and meetings. In short, a first user and a second user who will be the first user's correspondent in the virtual space may enter the virtual space as avatars. Target actions include various explanations, consultations, procedures, training, diagnosis, etc.

[0129] The facilities included in the virtual space 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. The virtual space may also be a space that does not include facilities and in which natural objects such as trees and rocks are placed.

[0130] The virtual space providing systems 100, 110 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, it is possible to provide a global response to user activities in the virtual space.

[0131] The functions of the virtual space management server 10 may be realized by multiple information processing devices. One information processing device is a single computer device. In other words, the virtual space generation device may be composed of one or multiple information processing devices. The functions of the avatar management server 40 may also be realized by multiple information processing devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] Pg…Visitor user Ps…Staff user Aa, Ab...Avatar VS…Virtual space 10…Virtual space management server 20… Visitor terminal 30…Staff terminal 40…Avatar management server 100,110…Virtual space provision system

Claims

1. A virtual space generation unit that allows a first user and a second user, who will act as the first user's representative in the virtual space, to enter the virtual space as avatars, A phase management unit determines the status of the first user when the first user and the second user have entered the virtual space, and determines the transition from the first phase to the second phase in the virtual space where a higher level of security is required than in the first phase. After the second phase has commenced, an authentication processing unit proceeds with the personal authentication of the target user, which is at least one of the first user and the second user. When the aforementioned personal authentication is successful, the terminal operated by the target user will be accessed by the Disclosure Information Management Unit, which requests the user to select the personal information to be disclosed. The system includes a progress unit that uses the disclosed information to advance the activities of the first user in the virtual space, The phase management unit determines that it has switched from the first phase to the second phase when it receives an instruction to start a procedure included in the activity from a terminal operated by the first user or the second user, or when the first user's avatar moves to a specific facility, and when the conditions are met. The processing unit outputs the disclosure information to the terminal operated by the second user when the first user is the target user, and outputs the disclosure information to the terminal operated by the first user when the second user is the target user. The phase management unit further determines the transition from the second phase to the first phase after the first user's activities have progressed. Virtual space management device.

2. A virtual space generation unit that allows a first user and a second user, who will act as the first user's representative in the virtual space, to enter the virtual space as avatars, A phase management unit determines the status of the first user when the first user and the second user have entered the virtual space, and determines the transition from the first phase to the second phase in the virtual space where a higher level of security is required than in the first phase. After the second phase has commenced, an authentication processing unit proceeds with the personal authentication of the target user, which is at least one of the first user and the second user. When the aforementioned personal authentication is successful, the terminal operated by the target user will be accessed by the Disclosure Information Management Unit, which requests the user to select the personal information to be disclosed. The system includes a progress unit that uses the disclosed information to advance the activities of the first user in the virtual space, The processing unit outputs the personal information of the first user as the disclosure information to the terminal operated by the second user when the first user is the target user, and outputs personal information including the qualifications of the second user as the disclosure information to the terminal operated by the first user when the second user is the target user. The phase management unit further determines the transition from the second phase to the first phase after the first user's activities have progressed. Virtual space management device.

3. A virtual space generation unit that allows a first user and a second user, who will act as the first user's representative in the virtual space, to enter the virtual space as avatars, A phase management unit determines the status of the first user when the first user and the second user have entered the virtual space, and determines the transition from the first phase to the second phase in the virtual space where a higher level of security is required than in the first phase. After the second phase has commenced, an authentication processing unit proceeds with the personal authentication of the target user, which is at least one of the first user and the second user. When the aforementioned personal authentication is successful, the terminal operated by the target user will be accessed by the Disclosure Information Management Unit, which requests the user to select the personal information to be disclosed. The system includes a progress unit that uses the disclosed information to advance the activities of the first user in the virtual space, The processing unit outputs the disclosure information to the terminal operated by the second user when the first user is the target user, and outputs the disclosure information to the terminal operated by the first user when the second user is the target user. The activity of the first user proceeds on the condition that authentication of at least one of the avatars of the first user and the second user is successful, and the phase management unit further determines the transition from the second phase to the first phase after the activity of the first user has progressed. Virtual space management device.

4. On one or more computers, The first user and the second user, who will act as the first user's representative in the virtual space, are to enter the virtual space as avatars. With respect to the status of the first user while the first user and the second user have entered the virtual space, the determination of a transition from the first phase to the second phase in the virtual space, which requires a higher level of security than the first phase, is made on the condition that an instruction to start a procedure included in the first user's activities in the virtual space is received from a terminal operated by the first user or the second user, or that the first user's avatar moves to a specific facility, and when these conditions are met, it is determined that the transition has occurred from the first phase to the second phase. After the second phase has commenced, the personal authentication of the target user, which is at least one of the first user and the second user, When the aforementioned personal authentication is successful, the terminal operated by the target user will be prompted to select the personal information to be disclosed, and When the first user is the target user, the disclosure information is output to the terminal operated by the second user, and when the second user is the target user, the disclosure information is output to the terminal operated by the first user, Using the disclosed information, the first user's activities in the virtual space are carried out. After the first user's activities have progressed, the system will determine the transition from the second phase to the first phase and perform the following actions. A virtual space management program.

5. On one or more computers, The first user and the second user, who will act as the first user's representative in the virtual space, are to enter the virtual space as avatars. With the first user and the second user having entered the virtual space, the system determines the status of the first user, and determines the transition from the first phase to the second phase in the virtual space, which requires a higher level of security than the first phase. After the second phase has commenced, the personal authentication of the target user, which is at least one of the first user and the second user, When the aforementioned personal authentication is successful, the terminal operated by the target user will be prompted to select the personal information to be disclosed, and When the first user is the target user, the first user's personal information is output as the disclosed information to the terminal operated by the second user, and when the second user is the target user, the second user's personal information, including their qualifications, is output as the disclosed information to the terminal operated by the first user. Using the disclosed information, the activities of the first user in the virtual space are to be carried out, After the first user's activities have progressed, the system will determine the transition from the second phase to the first phase and perform the following actions. A virtual space management program.

6. On one or more computers, The first user and the second user, who will act as the first user's representative in the virtual space, are to enter the virtual space as avatars. With the first user and the second user having entered the virtual space, the system determines the status of the first user, and determines the transition from the first phase to the second phase in the virtual space, which requires a higher level of security than the first phase. After the second phase has commenced, the personal authentication of the target user, which is at least one of the first user and the second user, When the aforementioned personal authentication is successful, the terminal operated by the target user will be prompted to select the personal information to be disclosed, and When the first user is the target user, the disclosure information is output to the terminal operated by the second user, and when the second user is the target user, the disclosure information is output to the terminal operated by the first user, Subject to the authentication of at least one of the avatars of the first user and the second user, the first user's activities in the virtual space are to be carried out using the disclosed information, After the first user's activities have progressed, the system will determine the transition from the second phase to the first phase and perform the following actions. A virtual space management program.

7. One or more computers, The first user and the second user, who will act as the first user's representative in the virtual space, are to enter the virtual space as avatars. With respect to the status of the first user while the first user and the second user have entered the virtual space, the determination of a transition from the first phase to the second phase in the virtual space, which requires a higher level of security than the first phase, is made on the condition that an instruction to start a procedure included in the first user's activities in the virtual space is received from a terminal operated by the first user or the second user, or that the first user's avatar moves to a specific facility, and when these conditions are met, it is determined that the transition has occurred from the first phase to the second phase. After the second phase has commenced, the personal authentication of the target user, which is at least one of the first user and the second user, When the aforementioned personal authentication is successful, the terminal operated by the target user will be prompted to select the personal information to be disclosed, and When the first user is the target user, the disclosure information is output to the terminal operated by the second user, and when the second user is the target user, the disclosure information is output to the terminal operated by the first user, Using the disclosed information, the first user's activities in the virtual space are carried out. After the first user's activities have progressed, a decision is made to transition from the second phase to the first phase, and the following is performed: A method for managing virtual spaces.

8. One or more computers, The first user and the second user, who will act as the first user's representative in the virtual space, are to enter the virtual space as avatars. With the first user and the second user having entered the virtual space, the system determines the status of the first user, and determines the transition from the first phase to the second phase in the virtual space, which requires a higher level of security than the first phase. After the second phase has commenced, the personal authentication of the target user, which is at least one of the first user and the second user, When the aforementioned personal authentication is successful, the terminal operated by the target user will be prompted to select the personal information to be disclosed, and When the first user is the target user, the first user's personal information is output as the disclosed information to the terminal operated by the second user, and when the second user is the target user, the second user's personal information, including their qualifications, is output as the disclosed information to the terminal operated by the first user. Using the disclosed information, the activities of the first user in the virtual space are to be carried out, After the first user's activities have progressed, a decision is made to transition from the second phase to the first phase, and the following is performed: A method for managing virtual spaces.

9. One or more computers, The first user and the second user, who will act as the first user's representative in the virtual space, are to enter the virtual space as avatars. With the first user and the second user having entered the virtual space, the system determines the status of the first user, and determines the transition from the first phase to the second phase in the virtual space, which requires a higher level of security than the first phase. After the second phase has commenced, the personal authentication of the target user, which is at least one of the first user and the second user, When the aforementioned personal authentication is successful, the terminal operated by the target user will be prompted to select the personal information to be disclosed, and When the first user is the target user, the disclosure information is output to the terminal operated by the second user, and when the second user is the target user, the disclosure information is output to the terminal operated by the first user, Subject to the authentication of at least one of the avatars of the first user and the second user, the first user's activities in the virtual space are to be carried out using the disclosed information, After the first user's activities have progressed, a decision is made to transition from the second phase to the first phase, and the following is performed: A method for managing virtual spaces.

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