Information processing method, information processing system, information processing device, and program

Abstract

To allow a user to obtain an object of a product in a virtual space and the product in a real world to which customization by the user is applied.SOLUTION: An information processing method executed by a computer includes: generating, when customization of an object related to a product is performed according to an action in a virtual space by an avatar corresponding to a user, first customization information for specifying a content of the customization; and selecting and executing according to operation by the user, at least one of a first process of providing the customized object based on the first customization information to the avatar in the virtual space and a second process of allowing the user to obtain in a real world the product corresponding to the customization.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 19

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing method, an information processing system, an information processing device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, services have been realized that allow users to communicate with other users who are operating other avatars and participate in events and games held in a virtual space created by a computer by operating an avatar according to user operations. Some of these services allow users to equip their avatars with commercial objects such as clothes and accessories (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-217142 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional technologies have the problem that the color, shape, etc. of the product object cannot be customized according to the user's preferences, and even if the user wishes, there is no way to obtain (e.g., purchase) a product in the real world that reflects the customization.

[0005] The present invention aims to enable a user to acquire a product object in a virtual space and a product in the real world that reflects customization by the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an information processing method according to the present invention comprises: 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: generating first customization information that specifies the content of customization when an object related to a product is customized in response to a movement in a virtual space of an avatar corresponding to a user; At least one of a first process for assigning the object customized based on the first customization information to the avatar in the virtual space and a second process for allowing the user to acquire the product in the real world that corresponds to the customization is selected and executed in response to an operation by the user. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible for a user to acquire a product object in a virtual space and a product in the real world that reflects customization by the user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a VR server. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of user management data. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the VR device. [Figure 6] 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an EC server. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a VR screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a customized IF. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which a short band icon is selected. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which a product object is generated in response to selection of an export button. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the contents of first customization data. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the contents of a customization correspondence table. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the contents of second customization data. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 shows a purchase screen. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a purchase screen in which the orientation of a product has been changed. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a purchase screen on which a dialog box is displayed. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 shows a receiving screen displaying a second website. [Figure 18] 13 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a customization process. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a product purchasing process by a CPU of the control device. [Figure 20] 13 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a product purchasing process by a CPU of an EC server. [Figure 21] 13 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a present product providing process by a CPU of the control device. [Figure 22] 13 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a gift product providing process by a CPU of an EC server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] (Outline of Information Processing System) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system 1. As shown in FIG. The information processing system 1 includes a VR server 10, a plurality of control devices 20 (information processing devices), a plurality of VR devices 30 (terminal devices), and an EC server 40. The information processing system 1 provides various services in a three-dimensional virtual space 2 (metaverse) (see FIG. 7) constructed by a computer to a plurality of users who use the information processing system 1. The information processing system 1 can also provide a service (hereinafter, referred to as a "VR service") to which VR (virtual reality) is applied in the metaverse to the user. VR is a technology that allows a user to experience a virtual world constructed in the virtual space 2 as if it were real. The information processing system 1 can also purchase (acquire) a product object 70 (a product-related object) (see FIG. 10) in the virtual space 2 customized by the user, or a product 90 (see FIG. 14) in the real world having the same design as the product object 70, on a website of an EC (electronic commerce) service provided by the EC server 40.

[0011] Each user of the information processing system 1 uses one control device 20 and one VR device 30. The control device 20 and the VR device 30 are connected to each other so that data can be transmitted and received by wireless communication. The VR device 30 includes a VR headset 31 (head-mounted device) and a controller 32 that are worn by the user. The VR device 30 detects the user's movements and input operations using the VR headset 31 and the controller 32, and transmits the detection results to the control device 20. The control device 20 transmits data such as a VR screen 3151 (see FIG. 7) of the virtual space 2 and audio to the VR headset 31 in response to the user's movements and input operations detected by the VR device 30, and causes the VR screen 3151 to be displayed and audio to be output. In this way, the VR screen 3151 of the virtual space 2 is displayed on the VR headset 31 in real time and audio is output in response to the user's movements and input operations, thereby realizing VR. In the virtual space 2, a character called an avatar 80 (see FIG. 9 and FIG. 10) acts on behalf of the user. In other words, the VR screen 3151 of the virtual space 2 seen from the viewpoint of the avatar 80 is displayed on the VR headset 31 in real time.

[0012] The VR server 10, the multiple control devices 20, and the EC server 40 are communicatively connected via a network N, and are capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from each other. The network N is, for example, the Internet, but is not limited to this. Each component of the information processing system 1 will be described in detail below.

[0013] (VR Server Configuration) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the VR server 10. As shown in FIG. The VR server 10 includes a CPU 11 (Central Processing Unit), a RAM 12 (Random Access Memory), a storage unit 13, a communication unit 14, and a bus 15. Each unit of the VR server 10 is connected via the bus 15. The VR server 10 may further include an operation unit and a display unit used by an administrator of the VR server 10. The VR server 10 acquires and manages various data required for providing VR services, and transmits the data to multiple control devices 20 as necessary.

[0014] The CPU 11 is a processor that reads and executes a program 131 stored in the storage unit 13 and controls the operation of each part of the VR server 10 by performing various arithmetic processing. The VR server 10 may have multiple processors (e.g., multiple CPUs), and the multiple processes executed by the CPU 11 of this embodiment may be executed by the multiple processors. In this case, the multiple processors may be involved in a common process, or the multiple processors may independently execute different processes in parallel.

[0015] The RAM 12 provides a working memory space for the CPU 11 and stores temporary data.

[0016] The storage unit 13 is a non-transitory recording medium readable by the CPU 11 as a computer, and stores the program 131 and various data. The storage unit 13 includes a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The program 131 is stored in the storage unit 13 in the form of a computer-readable program code. The data stored in the storage unit 13 include object data 132, first customization data 133 (first customization information), and user management data 134. The object data 132 includes information on the position and appearance of each object in the virtual space 2. The first customization data 133 includes information on the content of customization of the product object 70 by the user's avatar 80. The first customization data 133 is data received from the control device 20 and stored in the storage unit 13, and includes at least a part of the same data as the first customization data 233 (see FIG. 4) of the control device 20.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the user management data 134. As shown in FIG. One data row of the user management data 134 corresponds to the account of one user of the information processing system 1. The "user ID" in the data row is a unique code assigned to the user. The "avatar ID" is a unique code assigned to the avatar 80 corresponding to the user. "Possessed object" represents information related to an object possessed by the avatar 80. "Possessed object" includes sub-items of "name" indicating the name of the object, "object ID" which is a unique code assigned to the object, and "customization ID" which is a unique code indicating the customization details of the object. Note that the state in which the avatar 80 possesses an object is not limited to a state in which the object is worn, but also includes a state in which the object is held without being worn. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the avatar 80 with the avatar ID "A001" possesses a watch product object 70. The watch product object 70 can be worn on the wrist of the avatar 80. The user management data 134 may include information other than the information exemplified in FIG.

[0018] 2, the communication unit 14 performs a communication operation according to a predetermined communication standard. The communication unit 14 transmits and receives data to and from the control device 20 and the EC server 40 via the network N through the communication operation.

[0019] (Control device configuration) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control device 20. As shown in FIG. The control device 20 includes a CPU 21 (processing unit), a RAM 22, a storage unit 23, an operation input unit 24, a display unit 25, a communication unit 26, and a bus 27. The various units of the control device 20 are connected via the bus 27. The control device 20 is, for example, a notebook PC or a desktop PC, but is not limited to these and may be a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like.

[0020] The CPU 21 is a processor that reads and executes various programs, such as the program 231 and the web browser 235, stored in the storage unit 23, and controls the operation of each unit of the control device 20 by performing various arithmetic processing. The control device 20 may have multiple processors (e.g., multiple CPUs), and the multiple processes executed by the CPU 21 of this embodiment may be executed by the multiple processors. In this case, a "processing unit" is configured by the multiple processors. In this case, the multiple processors may be involved in a common process, or the multiple processors may independently execute different processes in parallel.

[0021] The RAM 22 provides a working memory space for the CPU 21 and stores temporary data.

[0022] The storage unit 23 is a non-transitory recording medium readable by the CPU 21 as a computer, and stores the program 231, the web browser 235, and other programs and various data. The web browser 235 is a program for displaying a website such as an EC site provided by the EC server 40 on the display unit 25. The storage unit 23 includes a non-volatile memory such as an HDD or SSD. The program is stored in the storage unit 23 in the form of a computer-readable program code. The data stored in the storage unit 23 includes object data 232, first customized data 233, and second customized data 234 (second customized information). The object data 232 is data received from the VR server 10 and stored in the storage unit 23, and includes at least a part of the same data as the object data 132 of the VR server 10. The second customized data 234 is data received from the EC server 40 and stored in the storage unit 23, and includes at least a part of the same data as the second customized data 433 of the EC server 40 (see FIG. 6).

[0023] The operation input unit 24 receives an input operation by a user, and outputs an input signal according to the input operation to the CPU 21. The operation input unit 24 includes input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel.

[0024] The display unit 25 displays to the user information related to websites such as an EC site, processing contents and various statuses in the control device 20. The display unit 25 includes, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display.

[0025] The communication unit 26 performs a communication operation according to a predetermined communication standard. Through this communication operation, the communication unit 26 transmits and receives data to and from the VR server 10 and the EC server 40 via the network N. The communication unit 26 also transmits and receives data to and from the VR device 30 via wireless communication.

[0026] (VR device configuration) FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the VR device 30. The VR device 30 includes a VR headset 31, a controller 32 for a right hand, and a controller 32 for a left hand. The two controllers 32 are connected to the VR headset 31 wirelessly or via a wire to enable data communication. The VR headset 31 is used by being worn on the user's head. The controller 32 is used by being worn or held on the user's hand. The controller 32 corresponds to an "input unit."

[0027] The VR headset 31 includes a CPU 311, a RAM 312, a storage unit 313, an operation input unit 314, a display unit 315, a sound output unit 316, a sensor unit 317, a communication unit 318, and a bus 319. The various units of the VR headset 31 are connected to each other via the bus 319.

[0028] The CPU 311 is a processor that controls the operation of each part of the VR headset 31 by reading and executing a program 3131 stored in the storage unit 313 and performing various arithmetic processing. The RAM 312 provides a working memory space for the CPU 311 and stores temporary data. The storage unit 313 is a non-transitory recording medium readable by the CPU 311 as a computer, and stores a program 3131 and various data.

[0029] The operation input unit 314 includes various switches, buttons, etc., accepts an input operation from a user, and outputs an input signal according to the input operation to the CPU 311. The operation input unit 314 corresponds to the "input unit."

[0030] The display unit 315 displays an image to be viewed by a user wearing the VR headset 31. The display unit 315 includes a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like, provided in a position viewable by a user wearing the VR headset 31. Image data of an image displayed by the display unit 315 is transmitted from the control device 20 to the VR headset 31. The display unit 315 displays an image based on the received image data under the control of the CPU 311.

[0031] The sound output unit 316, under the control of the CPU 311, outputs various sounds that are recognized by the hearing of a user wearing the VR headset 31.

[0032] The sensor unit 317 detects the movement and orientation of the head of the user wearing the VR headset 31. The sensor unit 317 includes, for example, a three-axis acceleration sensor that detects acceleration in three orthogonal axial directions, a three-axis gyro sensor that detects angular velocity around three orthogonal axes, and a three-axis geomagnetic sensor that detects geomagnetism in three orthogonal axial directions. The CPU 311 derives the movement and orientation of the user's head based on the acceleration data, angular velocity data, and geomagnetic data received from the sensor unit 317. The sensor unit 317 is capable of receiving the movement and orientation of the user as a user operation, and corresponds to an "input unit."

[0033] The communication unit 318 performs a communication operation in accordance with a predetermined communication standard. Through this communication operation, the communication unit 318 transmits and receives data between the controller 32 and the control device 20 via wireless communication.

[0034] The controller 32 includes a CPU 321 which controls the overall operation of the controller 32, a RAM 322 which provides working memory space for the CPU 321, a memory unit 323 in which programs and data necessary for executing the programs are stored, an operation input unit 324, a sensor unit 325, and a communication unit 326 which performs data communication with the VR headset 31.

[0035] The operation input unit 324 (input unit) includes various switches, buttons, operation keys, etc., accepts an input operation by a user, and outputs an input signal according to the input operation to the CPU 321. In addition, the operation input unit 324 may be capable of separately detecting the movement of each finger of the user.

[0036] The sensor unit 325 includes a three-axis acceleration sensor, a three-axis gyro sensor, and a three-axis geomagnetic sensor, and detects the movement and orientation of the hand of the user holding or wearing the controller 32. The configuration and operation of the sensor unit 325 may be similar to those of the sensor unit 317 of the VR headset 31, for example.

[0037] The configuration of the VR device 30 is not limited to the above. For example, the VR equipment 30 may further include an auxiliary sensor device that is not held or worn by the user. This sensor device may be, for example, a device that is installed on the floor or the like and optically detects the movement of the user or the movement of the VR headset 31 and the controller 32 by laser scanning or the like. In addition, in cases where it is not necessary to detect the movements of both hands separately, one of the controllers 32 may be omitted. In addition, in cases where the VR headset 31 is capable of detecting the necessary user movements and input operations, the controller 32 may be omitted.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the EC server 40. As shown in FIG. The EC server 40 includes a CPU 41, a RAM 42, a storage unit 43, a communication unit 44, and a bus 45. The various units of the EC server 40 are connected via the bus 45. The CPU 41 corresponds to "information processing means for executing processing related to electronic commerce of goods." The EC server 40 may further include an operation unit and a display unit used by an administrator of the EC server 40. The EC server 40 acquires and manages various data required for providing EC services, and transmits the data to the control device 20 as necessary.

[0039] The CPU 41 is a processor that reads and executes the program 431 stored in the storage unit 43 and performs various arithmetic processing to control the operation of each unit of the EC server 40. The EC server 40 may have multiple processors (e.g., multiple CPUs), and the multiple processes executed by the CPU 41 of the present embodiment may be executed by the multiple processors. In this case, the multiple processors may be involved in a common process, or the multiple processors may independently execute different processes in parallel.

[0040] The RAM 42 provides a working memory space for the CPU 41 and stores temporary data.

[0041] The storage unit 43 is a non-transitory recording medium readable by the CPU 11 as a computer, and stores a program 431 and various data. The storage unit 43 includes a non-volatile memory such as an HDD or SSD. The program 431 is stored in the storage unit 43 in the form of a computer-readable program code. The data stored in the storage unit 43 include a customization correspondence table 432 and second customization data 433. The contents of these data will be described later.

[0042] The communication unit 44 performs a communication operation according to a predetermined communication standard. The communication unit 44 transmits and receives data between the VR server 10 and the control device 20 via the network N through this communication operation.

[0043] (Operation of information processing system) Next, the operation of the information processing system 1 will be described. In the following explanation, the subject of operation is the CPU 11 of the VR server 10, the CPU 21 of the control device 20, the CPU 311 of the VR headset 31, the CPU 321 of the controller 32, or the CPU 41 of the EC server 40, but for ease of explanation, the VR server 10, the control device 20, the VR headset 31, the controller 32, or the EC server 40 may be described as the subject of operation. In addition, the user's movements and input operations detected by the VR device 30 are collectively referred to as "user operations" hereinafter. That is, the "user operations" in the present embodiment include input operations detected by the operation input unit 314 of the VR headset 31 and the operation input unit 324 of the controller 32, and movements detected by the sensor unit 317 of the VR headset 31 and the sensor unit 325 of the controller 32. In addition, in the following description, the description will focus on the image display operation in the VR headset 31, and descriptions of other operations such as sound output will be omitted.

[0044] <Basic Operations Related to VR> When the user starts using the VR service provided by the information processing system 1, the user wears the VR headset 31 and the controller 32 of the VR device 30 and performs a predetermined operation to start the VR service. In response to the operation, the user's authentication information is transmitted from the control device 20 to the VR server 10. When user authentication is performed by the VR server 10, the authentication result is returned from the VR server 10 to the control device 20, and the provision of the VR service to the authenticated user is started.

[0045] When the VR service is started, the control device 20 downloads the object data 232 necessary for displaying the virtual space 2 from the VR server 10 and stores it in the storage unit 23. In addition, the transmission of the image data of the virtual space 2 from the control device 20 to the VR headset 31 of the VR device 30 is started. Here, the image data of the virtual space 2 as viewed from the viewpoint of the avatar 80 at a predetermined initial position in the virtual space 2 is transmitted to the VR headset 31. The image data is generated based on the object data 232 and the like. In response to the transmission of the image data, the display of the VR screen 3151 of the virtual space 2 is started on the display unit 315 of the VR headset 31 based on the received image data.

[0046] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the VR screen 3151. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a user and his / her avatar 80 receive services in a virtual store 200 for watches provided in a virtual space 2. The virtual store 200 customizes and sells product objects 70 of watches. The VR screen 3151 includes an image that represents the interior of the virtual store 200 in three dimensions. Inside the virtual store 200, a customization IF (interface) 50, a sample object 60, a base 201 for the sample object 60, a purchase counter 202 for carrying out a procedure for purchasing products, and the like are provided. The position, orientation, color, shape, and the like of each object in the virtual store 200 are determined based on information in the object data 232.

[0047] The customization IF 50 is an interface operated by the avatar 80 to customize the design of the product object 70 of the watch. The sample object 60 is an enlarged model object of the watch product object 70. The sample object 60 reflects the content of the customization performed by the customization IF 50. The sample object 60 is placed in the space above the base 201.

[0048] When the virtual store service is started, the VR device 30 starts to detect the user's operation, and the detection result is continuously transmitted to the control device 20. The control device 20 controls the movement of the avatar 80 in the virtual store 200 (virtual space 2) according to the received user's operation. That is, the control device 20 converts the received user's operation into the movement of the avatar 80 in the virtual store 200, and specifies and updates the position, direction, posture, etc. of the avatar 80 in the virtual store 200 in real time. Then, the control device 20 generates image data of the virtual store 200 seen from the viewpoint of the avatar 80 in the updated position and direction, and transmits it to the VR headset 31. This image data generation and transmission are repeated at a predetermined frame rate. The display unit 315 of the VR headset 31 displays the VR screen 3151 at the above frame rate based on the received image data of the virtual store 200. As a result, the user wearing the VR headset 31 can view the inside of the virtual store 200 in real time from the viewpoint of the avatar 80 moving and moving in the virtual store 200 according to the user's operation. In addition, the control device 20 transmits information such as the position, orientation, and posture of the avatar 80 to the VR server 10.

[0049] <Product object customization operations> 7, in the virtual store 200, a virtual line L extends from the fingertip of the right hand 80R of the avatar 80, and a pointer P is generated at the intersection of the virtual line L and an object. An object in the virtual store 200 can be selected by performing a predetermined operation with the pointer P aligned with the position of the desired object. When the user wishes to customize the design of the product object 70, the user uses the pointer P to operate the customization IF 50 by the movement of the avatar 80.

[0050] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the customized IF 50. As shown in FIG. The customization IF 50 is a board-shaped object like a signboard. The customization IF 50 includes an object selection IF 51, a color selection IF 52, and an export button 53.

[0051] The target selection IF 51 is an interface for selecting a component to be customized among a plurality of components (a plurality of parts) constituting the product object 70. The target selection IF 51 of this embodiment includes a bezel icon 511 for selecting the bezel 61 of the watch as a target for customization, a face icon 512 for selecting the face 62, a short band icon 513 for selecting the short band 63, a long band icon 514 for selecting the long band 64, a loose ring icon 515 for selecting the loose ring 65, and a buckle icon 516 for selecting the buckle 66. Each of the icons 511 to 516 can be selected using the above-mentioned pointer P. In the example shown in FIG. 8, one selected icon (here, the bezel icon 511) is surrounded by a frame. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, a display in which only the selected icon is lit and the remaining icons are turned off may be used.

[0052] Note that the components to be customized are merely examples, and components other than those described above may be customized. For example, in addition to the free ring icon 515 corresponding to a single free ring, a free ring icon corresponding to a triple free ring may be displayed, and the shape of the free fit may be selected from single or triple by selecting one of the free ring icons.

[0053] The color selection IF52 is an interface for designating the color of the component selected in the target selection IF51. The color selection IF52 includes a plurality of color palettes 521 corresponding to any one of a plurality of different colors. Each color palette 521 can be selected using the above-mentioned pointer P. The type of color palette 521 included in the color selection IF52 is switched in accordance with the icon selected among the icons 511 to 516 of the target selection IF51. That is, the color palette 521 of the color preset for the component corresponding to the selected icon is displayed in the color selection IF52.

[0054] When one of the icons 511 to 516 is selected in the object selection IF 51, the color of the component corresponding to the icon 511 to 516 can be changed by selecting one of the color palettes 521 in the color selection IF 52. The change in the color of the component is reflected in the sample object 60.

[0055] In the sample object 60, in a default state at the start of customization, the color of each component is white, and the color of each component is changed as needed in response to the operation of the customization IF 50. In the default state, the sample object 60 is arranged so that a face 62 displaying the time faces a predetermined front direction of the virtual store 200. Fig. 7 shows the sample object 60 in the default state.

[0056] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the short band icon 513 is selected. 9, for convenience of explanation, a third-person viewpoint screen 3152 that displays the inside of the virtual store 200 from a third-person viewpoint is shown. The third-person viewpoint screen 3152 is an image of the virtual store 200 viewed from a predetermined point in the virtual space 2 that is different from the viewpoint of the avatar 80. The user can switch between the VR screen 3151 and the third-person viewpoint screen 3152 by performing a predetermined operation. When any one of the icons 511 to 516 of the target selection IF 51 is selected, the orientation of the sample object 60 is changed so that the component corresponding to the selected icon can be easily viewed by the avatar 80 (user). In the example shown in Fig. 9, in response to the selection of the short band icon 513, the sample object 60 is rotated so that the short band 63 of the sample object 60 faces forward. 9, the color of the short band 63 is specified as yellow with the short band icon 513 selected, and accordingly, the color of the short band 63 of the sample object 60 is colored yellow.

[0057] In this manner, by selecting one of the icons 511-516 of the object selection IF 51 and then selecting the color palette 521 of the color selection IF 52, the color of the components of the sample object 60 can be changed. By repeating this operation, the color of each component of the sample object 60 can be changed to customize the design. In other words, when the customization IF 50 is operated by the avatar 80, the settings related to the sample object 60 and the product object 70 are changed so that the sample object 60 and the product object 70 are customized in accordance with the content of the operation. 9 illustrates an example of a method for customizing the color of each component, but other design elements of each component, such as the shape, can be customized in a similar manner. For shape customization, a shape selection IF (not shown) for selecting a shape is displayed in addition to the color selection IF 52. The object data 232 received from the VR server 10 includes image data of customization contents that can be selected for each component of the sample object 60, and the control device 20 can combine this image data to display the sample object 60 with changed color and / or shape. Furthermore, it may be possible for a plurality of avatars 80 corresponding to a plurality of users to jointly customize the design.

[0058] After customizing the design as described above, by selecting the export button 53, a product object 70 having a design reflecting the customization details is generated in the virtual space 2. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a product object 70 is generated in response to selection of the export button 53. As shown in FIG. When the export button 53 is selected, a product object 70 having the same design as the sample object 60 at that time is generated and displayed (output) near the export button 53. In response to the generation of the product object 70, the sample object 60 may return to the default color scheme shown in FIG. The generated product object 70 is held or attached to a predetermined part of the avatar 80 when the avatar 80 performs a predetermined movement. When the avatar 80 holding or wearing the product object 70 moves in the virtual space 2, the position and orientation of the product object 70 in the virtual space 2 follows the position and orientation of the part of the avatar 80 where the product object 70 is attached.

[0059] When generating the product object 70, the control device 20 first generates first customization data 233 that specifies the customization content of the product object 70 to be generated, and stores the first customization data 233 in the storage unit 23. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the contents of the first customization data 133 and 233. As shown in FIG. The first customization data 133, 233 includes six variables corresponding to six components (bezel, face, short band, long band, free ring, and buckle), values ​​assigned to each variable, and information on a unique customization ID assigned to the customization content. The "component", "variable", and "value" corresponding to one component correspond to the "first part design information I1". The value assigned to each variable represents the customization content of the corresponding component. For example, the third digit "1" in the hexadecimal value "0x102" assigned to the variable "Bezel_custom_id" corresponding to the bezel represents the customization content of the bezel, and the last two digits "02" are a code representing the predetermined customization content of the bezel (here, a combination of color and shape). The same applies to the variables of the other components. The third digit of the variable value is one of "1" to "6", and represents the customization content of the bezel, face, short band, long band, free ring, and buckle, respectively. Instead of setting a variable separately for each component as in FIG. 11, a variable common to each component may be assigned multiple values ​​with different third digits, and the value corresponding to each component may be determined by the third digit. The generated first customized data 233 is transmitted from the control device 20 to the VR server 10 and stored as the first customized data 133.

[0060] The object data 232 received from the VR server 10 includes image data of customization contents that can be selected for each component of the product object 70. Each component of the product object 70 may be a reduced version of each component of the sample object 60, and image data of each component of the product object 70 and the sample object 60 may be shared. The control device 20 generates image data of the entire product object 70 by combining image data of each component of "shape" and "color" specified in the first customization data 233, and transmits the image data to the VR device 30 for display. Alternatively, the VR server 10 that has received the first customization data 133 may generate image data of the product object 70 with the customization content specified by the first customization data 133 and transmit the image data to the control device 20.

[0061] <Operations related to purchasing a product object or corresponding product> The user can move the avatar 80 holding or wearing the generated product object 70 to the purchase counter 202 and perform a predetermined operation (for example, pressing a purchase button not shown), thereby starting a purchase procedure for purchasing (obtaining) the product object 70 or a real-world watch product 90 that has been customized in the same way as the product object 70 (corresponding to the customization). When a plurality of customized product objects 70 have been generated, the product object 70 located closest to the purchase counter 202 (for example, the product object 70 held or worn by the avatar 80) may be determined as the product to be purchased. When the product object 70 is purchased, the product object 70 is given to the user's avatar 80. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the customized product object 70 is registered in the user management data 134 in association with the avatar 80 as a possession object of the avatar 80. The purchased possession object can be taken out of the virtual store 200 in the virtual space 2, for example. When the product 90 is purchased, the product 90 is delivered to the user's address in the real world.

[0062] The above-mentioned purchase procedure is performed by the control device 20 as a client terminal and the EC server 40. When the purchase procedure is started, the web browser 235 of the control device 20 is started, and the following process is executed to display the purchase screen 250 including the first website 251 (see FIG. 14) on the display unit 25. First, the control device 20 transmits the first customized data 233 to the EC server 40. The EC server 40 refers to the customization correspondence table 432 and converts the first customized data 233 into second customized data 433. The process related to this conversion corresponds to the "third process of converting the first customized information into second customized information interpretable by the information processing means."

[0063] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the contents of the customization correspondence table 432. As shown in FIG. In the customization correspondence table 432, for each component, the “color” and “shape” of the component are registered in association with the value of the variables in the first customization data 233. The “color” and “shape” may be in any format as long as the CPU 41 of the EC server 40 can interpret them as design elements of the component. The customization correspondence table 432 may be a table in which the design code of a component is associated with the value of a variable in the first customization data 233. In this case, it is sufficient to make it possible to specify the "color" and "shape" corresponding to the design code by referring to another table data. The EC server 40 converts the first customization data 233 into the second customization data 433 based on the correspondence between the variable values ​​of the first customization data 233 in the customization correspondence table 432 and the “color” and “shape”.

[0064] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the contents of the second customized data 433. As shown in FIG. The second customization data 433 includes information on the customization elements of each of the six components, namely, "color" and "shape." The "component," "color," and "shape" corresponding to one component correspond to "second component design information I2." The second component design information I2 corresponding to each component of the second customization data 433 is obtained by extracting the "color" and "shape" corresponding to the variable values ​​of each component of the first customization data 233 in the customization correspondence table 432. Therefore, the second customization data 433 includes information specifying the same customization content as the first customization data 233, and can be interpreted by the CPU 41 of the EC server 40.

[0065] The EC server 40 transmits the generated second customized data 433 to the control device 20 together with content data (HTML, CSS, image data, etc.) required for displaying the first website 251. The control device 20 stores the received second customized data 433 in the storage unit 23 as second customized data 234. The control device 20 displays a purchase screen 250 including the first website 251 on the display unit 25 on the web browser 235 based on the received content data and second customized data 234. Thereafter, the user removes the VR headset 31 and controller 32, and operates the operation input unit 24 while viewing the display unit 25 of the control device 20.

[0066] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a purchase screen 250. As shown in FIG. The purchase screen 250 is a screen that displays a first website 251 for purchasing a product object 70 or a product 90. The purchase screen 250 displays the product 90 to be purchased, a first URL 252 of the first website 251, a first marker 253, a second marker 254, a target selection icon 255, a color selection icon 256, an object purchase button 257, and a product purchase button 258.

[0067] Each component in the image of the product 90 has a design that reflects the customization content specified by the received second customization data 234. The image of each component is drawn based on the content of the second customization data 234, for example, by executing a program such as JavaScript (registered trademark) included in the content data of the first website 251. Note that, although an image of the product 90 in the real world is used in FIG. 14, an image of the product object 70 in the virtual space 2 may be used instead. The first mark 253 is a mark indicating that customization has been performed in the virtual space 2. In the example shown in Fig. 14, the first mark 253 includes the characters "VR CUSTOM", but is not limited to this. 14, the second marker 254 includes the avatar ID of the avatar 80, but is not limited to this. For example, an image of the avatar 80 may be displayed as the second marker 254. It should be noted that one or both of the first marker 253 and the second marker 254 may be omitted. The target selection icons 255 are a group of icons for specifying a component to be customized when further customizing the design of the component on the purchase screen 250. The six icons of the target selection icons 255 correspond to the six icons included in the target selection IF51 of the customization IF50. The color selection icons 256 are a group of icons for specifying the color of a component when customizing the design of the component on the purchase screen 250. The color selection icons 256 include, for example, the same color palette as the color palette 521 included in the color selection IF 52 of the customization IF 50.

[0068] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the purchase screen 250 in which the orientation of the product 90 has been changed. In FIG. 15, in response to the selection of the buckle icon among the target selection icons 255, the orientation of the product 90 is changed so that the buckle of the product 90 faces forward. As shown in FIG. 15, a first marker 91 indicating that customization has been performed in the virtual space 2 and a second marker 92 indicating the avatar 80 that has been customized are provided on the back cover of the main body of the product 90 (or the product object 70). The first marker 91 is the same as the first marker 253, and the second marker 92 is the same as the second marker 254. The first marker 91 and the second marker 92 are engraved not only on the purchase screen 250 but also on the back cover of the product object 70 in the virtual space 2 and the back cover of the product 90 in the real world. That is, the CPU 41 of the EC server 40 registers a setting for engraving the first marker 91 and the second marker 92 on the product object 70 and the product 90 in the setting information (not shown) related to the product object 70 and the product 90. The process related to this registration corresponds to “a process for attaching at least one of the first marker and the second marker to an object or a product.” Note that one or both of the first marker 91 and the second marker 92 may be omitted.

[0069] In the above description, the control device 20 changes the images of the components of the product 90 (or product object 70) on the purchase screen 250 using JavaScript or the like so that the components have a design that reflects the customization contents, but this is not limited to this method. For example, the EC server 40 may transmit data of the component design that reflects the customization contents to the control device 20, and the control device 20 may display images of each component of the product 90 that reflects the customization contents based on the received data.

[0070] Alternatively, an individual first website 251 and a first URL 252 may be generated corresponding to each of a plurality of customization contents in which at least some components have different designs (i.e., for each customization ID), and the first website 251 and the purchase screen 250 including an image of the product 90 reflecting the customization contents may be displayed by specifying the first URL 252 in the web browser 235 of the control device 20. The individual first website 251 and the first URL 252 may be generated each time by the EC server 40 based on the received first customization data 233, for example, or possible combinations of the first website 251 and the first URL 252 may be generated in advance and stored in the storage unit 43 of the EC server 40. 14 and 15, the first URL 252 of the first website 251 includes the character string "02_03_12_09_15_08" at the end. This character string corresponds to the last two digits of the values ​​of the variables in the first customized data 233 in FIG. 11. By defining the first URL 252 according to such rules, the EC server 40 can easily identify the first URL 252 of the first website 251 having a corresponding design from the first customized data 233. The EC server 40 generates second customized data 433 including information on the first URL 252 based on the received first customized data 233, and transmits the second customized data 433 to the control device 20. The control device 20 can display the purchase screen 250 including the first website 251 by specifying, on the web browser 235, the first URL 252 included in the received second customized data 433 (second customized data 234).

[0071] By selecting the object purchase button 257 on the purchase screen 250 of FIG. 14 or FIG. 15, the process for purchasing the product object 70 in the virtual space 2 (granting the product object 70 to the avatar 80) can be started. Moreover, by selecting the product purchase button 258, a process for purchasing the product 90 in the real world can be started.

[0072] When an operation of selecting the object purchase button 257 or the product purchase button 258 is performed, a dialog box 259 inquiring about the purpose of the product object 70 or product 90 to be purchased is displayed on the purchase screen 250, as shown in Fig. 16. In this embodiment, the purpose is either "for yourself" for the user's own use, or "for gift" for the user to give (transfer) as a gift to a predetermined person. In the dialog box 259, a "for yourself" button 2591 for declaring that it is "for yourself" and a "for gift" button 2592 for declaring that it is "for gift" are displayed.

[0073] When the user selects the "my own" button 2591, a process for the user to purchase the product object 70 or product 90 for himself / herself is started. When the product object 70 is purchased, the EC server 40 executes a payment process in a predetermined manner, and the VR server 10 associates the product object 70 with the user's avatar 80 in the user management data 134 and registers (gives) it. When purchasing the product 90, the control device 20 accepts input of delivery information such as a delivery address for the product 90, and the EC server 40 executes a payment process in a predetermined manner (for example, electronic payment using credit card information). After that, the product 90 is delivered to the delivery address in the real world.

[0074] On the other hand, when the present button 2592 is selected, regardless of whether the product object 70 or the product 90 is purchased, the EC server 40 generates the second URL 282 of the second website 281 for the target person to receive (obtain) the present (product object 70 or product 90), or information for identifying the second URL 282. Here, the information for identifying the second URL 282 may be, for example, a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or a ticket code that can be decoded to obtain the second URL 282.

[0075] FIG. 17 shows a receipt screen 280 that displays a second website 281 . The receiving screen 280 is displayed on the display unit 25 by inputting the second URL 282 on the web browser 235 in the control device 20 used by the recipient of the gift, or by reading the above-mentioned two-dimensional code or the like in a predetermined manner. The receiving screen 280 displays the gifted product 90 (or the product object 70), the second URL 282 of the second website 281, the first marker 283, the second marker 284, a receiving button 285, and a re-customization button 286. The first marker 283 and the second marker 284 are the same markers as the first marker 253 and the second marker 254 shown in FIG. 14. Although not shown in FIG. 17, the same markers as the first marker 91 and the second marker 92 shown in FIG. 15 are attached to the back cover of the product 90 (or the product object 70).

[0076] When the receive button 285 is selected, a process for the target person to receive the product object 70 or the product 90 is started. If the gift is a product object 70, the VR server 10 associates the product object 70 with the avatar corresponding to the target person in the first customization data 133 and registers (gives) it. If the gift is a product 90, the control device 20 accepts input of delivery information such as a delivery address for the product 90, and the product 90 is delivered to the delivery address in the real world.

[0077] On the other hand, when the re-customization button 286 is selected, a process for the target person to re-customize the product 90 (or the product object 70) is started. The method of re-customization is not particularly limited, but for example, a group of icons for customization similar to the target selection icon 255 and the color selection icon 256 in the purchase screen 250 of FIG. 14 may be displayed on the receiving screen 280, and re-customization may be performed in response to an operation on these icons. When an operation for re-customization is performed, the control device 20 generates third customization data (third customization information) (not shown) that specifies the contents of the re-customization in response to the operation. The third customization data for the product 90 may be in the same format as the second customization data 234 shown in FIG. 13, for example. The third customization data for the product object 70 may be in the same format as the first customization data 233 shown in FIG. 11, for example. The third customization data of the same format as the first customization data 233 can be generated by first generating data of the same format as the second customization data 234, and then converting the “color” and “shape” of the data back into the variable values ​​of the first customization data 233 based on the customization correspondence table 432.

[0078] When the receive button 285 is selected after the third customization data is generated, a process is executed for the target person to acquire the product object 70 or the product 90 that has been re-customized based on the third customization data. When the product object 70 or the product 90 is re-customized, information indicating that the re-customization has been performed may be sent to the target person to whom the gift was sent. Specifically, the information indicating that the re-customization has been performed is sent so that the information can be viewed in an email application, an SNS application, or the like (not shown) of the control device 20 of the target person. In this case, the information indicating that the re-customization has been performed may be sent in response to the selection of one of the icons for customization, or in response to the selection of the receive button 285 after the selection (after an operation for re-customizing the color or shape).

[0079] <Customization process> Next, a customization process, a product purchasing process, and a gift product providing process executed in the information processing system 1 to realize the above operations will be described.

[0080] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the customization process. The customization process is executed by the CPU 21 of the control device 20 when a VR service for a user is started. Note that at least a part of the customization process may be executed by the CPU 11 of the VR server 10. When the customization process is started, the CPU 21 of the control device 20 reflects the customization corresponding to the operation of the avatar 80 on the customization IF 50 in the sample object 60 (step S101). The CPU 21 determines whether or not an operation to select the export button 53 has been performed (step S102), and if it is determined that the operation has not been performed ("NO" in step S102), the process proceeds to step S107. If it is determined that an operation to select the export button 53 has been performed ("YES" in step S102), the CPU 21 generates first customization data 233 reflecting the contents of the customization, and transmits it to the VR server 10 (step S103). The CPU 21 generates a product object 70 with the customization contents based on the first customization data 233, and displays it on the VR headset 31 (step S104).

[0081] The CPU 21 determines whether or not an operation has been performed by the avatar 80 to start the purchasing process of the product object 70 or the product 90 (step S105). Here, the CPU 21 determines that the above operation has been performed when the avatar 80 holding or wearing the product object 70 performs a predetermined action at the purchasing counter 202. If it is determined that an operation has been performed to start the purchasing process ("YES" in step S105), the CPU 21 starts the product purchasing process described below (step S106).

[0082] On the other hand, if it is determined that no operation has been performed to start the purchase process ("NO" in step S105), or if it is determined that no operation has been performed to select the export button 53 in step S102 ("NO" in step S102), the CPU 21 determines whether or not customization using the avatar 80 is continuing (step S107). If it is determined that customization is continuing ("YES" in step S107), the CPU 21 returns the process to step S101. If it is determined that customization is not continuing ("NO" in step S107), or if step S106 has ended, the CPU 21 ends the customization process.

[0083] <Product purchase process> Next, a product purchase process executed when a user purchases a product object 70 or a product 90 will be described. The process will be described below separately as a process executed by the CPU 21 of the control device 20 (FIG. 19) and a process executed by the CPU 41 of the EC server 40 (FIG. 20). Note that FIGS. 19 and 20 are an example of the division of processes between the control device 20 and the EC server 40, and are not limited to this. For example, at least a part of the product purchase process shown in FIG. 19 may be executed by the CPU 41 of the EC server 40, and at least a part of the product purchase process shown in FIG. 20 may be executed by the CPU 21 of the control device 20.

[0084] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the product purchasing process by the CPU 21 of the control device 20. When the product purchase process is started, the CPU 21 of the control device 20 starts the web browser 235 (step S201) and transmits the first customized data 233 to the EC server 40 (step S202). When the CPU 21 receives the second customized data 234 from the EC server 40, the CPU 21 displays the first website 251 including an image of the customized product 90 (or the product object 70) on the purchase screen 250 based on the second customized data 234 (step S203). The CPU 21 also displays the first marker 253 and the second marker 254 shown in FIG. 14 at predetermined positions on the purchase screen 250, and displays the first marker 91 and the second marker 92 shown in FIG. 15 on the back cover of the product 90 (or the product object 70) (step S204).

[0085] When the CPU 21 determines that an operation for selecting the object purchase button 257 for purchasing the product object 70 in the virtual space has been performed ("YES" in step S205), the CPU 21 displays the dialog box 259 and determines whether or not the purchase is for a present depending on the selection status of the for-myself button 2591 and the for-present button 2592 (step S206). When the for-present button 2592 has been selected and it is determined that the purchase is for a present ("YES" in step S206), the CPU 21 requests the EC server 40 to perform a settlement process and an issuance process of the second URL 282 of the second website 281 for receiving the present (step S207).

[0086] On the other hand, if the user selects the "myself" button 2591 and determines that the item is for the user ("NO" in step S206), the CPU 21 requests the EC server 40 to perform a payment process (step S208). The CPU 21 also requests the VR server 10 to perform a process of adding the product object 70 to the avatar 80 (step S209).

[0087] In step S205, when it is determined that the operation of selecting the object purchase button 257 has not been performed (step S205: NO), the CPU 21 determines whether or not the operation of selecting the product purchase button 258 for purchasing the product 90 in the real world has been performed (step S210). When it is determined that the operation has not been performed (step S210: NO), the CPU 21 returns the process to step S205. When it is determined that the operation has been performed (step S210: YES), the CPU 21 displays the dialog box 259 and determines whether or not the item is for a present (step S211). When it is determined that the present button 2592 has been selected and that the item is for a present (step S211: YES), the CPU 21 requests the EC server 40 to perform a settlement process and an issuance process of the second URL 282 of the second website 281 for receiving the present (step S212). In addition, in the above step S210, when an operation of selecting the product purchase button 258 for purchasing the product 90 in the real world is performed, for example, before executing the process of step S211, it may be determined whether or not the product 90 with the current customization contents can be produced at the present time. Specifically, the CPU 21 acquires inventory information (inventory information for each of the multiple parts) of each of the multiple components constituting the product 90 from the EC server 40, and determines whether or not the product 90 with the current customization contents (the product 90 composed of the components indicated by the customization contents) includes a component that is out of stock based on the inventory information. If it is determined that the product 90 includes a component that is out of stock, the CPU 21 outputs information indicating that "production is not possible" and ends the flow of the product purchase process. In this case, the CPU 21 may return to the flow of the customization process, and then output information to the user to perform customization again, and return to step S101.

[0088] On the other hand, if the "For Me" button 2591 is selected and it is determined that the purchase is for the purchaser ("NO" in step S211), the CPU 21 requests the EC server 40 to perform payment processing (step S213). The CPU 21 also accepts input of delivery information such as a delivery address, and transmits the input delivery information and a product delivery processing request to the EC server 40 (step S214).

[0089] When any of steps S207, S209, S212, and S214 is completed, CPU 21 displays information related to the result of the product purchase on purchase screen 250 (step S215). For example, when step S207 or S212 is executed, CPU 21 displays second URL 282 of second website 281 (or a two-dimensional code for acquiring second URL 282, etc.) on purchase screen 250. When step S209 or S214 is executed, CPU 21 displays a notice indicating that the product object 70 has been assigned to avatar 80 or that the delivery process of product 90 has been completed on purchase screen 250. When step S215 ends, the CPU 21 ends the product purchasing process.

[0090] 19 corresponds to a "first process for assigning an object of a product customized based on the first customization information to an avatar in a virtual space." Also, steps S201 to S204 and S210 to S215 correspond to a "second process for a user to acquire a product customized based on the first customization information in the real world."

[0091] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the product purchasing process by the CPU 41 of the EC server 40. When the product purchase process is started, the CPU 41 repeatedly determines whether or not the first customized data 233 has been received from the control device 20 (step S301). When it is determined that the first customized data 233 has been received ("YES" in step S301), the CPU 41 refers to the customization correspondence table 432, converts the first customized data 233 into second customized data 433 by the above-mentioned method, and transmits it to the control device 20 (step S302). In detail, the CPU 41 converts the multiple pieces of first part design information I1 of the first customized data 233 into multiple pieces of second part design information I2, and generates the second customized data 433 including the multiple pieces of second part design information I2. The process of step S302 corresponds to "a third process of converting the first customized information into second customized information that can be interpreted by an information processing means that executes a process related to electronic commerce of the product."

[0092] The CPU 41 repeatedly determines whether or not a payment processing request has been made from the control device 20 (step S303). If it is determined that a payment processing request has been made ("YES" in step S303), the CPU 41 executes the payment processing and transmits result information (such as success or failure of the payment) to the control device 20 (step S304).

[0093] If the CPU 41 determines that a request to issue the second URL 282 of the second website 281 has been received ("YES" in step S305), it generates the second URL 282 of the second website 281 (or a two-dimensional code from which the second URL 282 can be obtained, etc.) and transmits it to the control device 20 (step S306).

[0094] If it is determined that the request to issue the second URL 282 has not been received (step S305: NO), the CPU 41 determines whether or not delivery information for the product 90 and a product delivery processing request have been received (step S307). If it is determined that the information and request have been received, the CPU 41 executes product delivery processing for delivering the product 90 to the delivery address based on the contents of the received delivery information (step S308).

[0095] If it is determined that the delivery information and the product delivery processing request have not been received ("NO" in step S307), the CPU 41 determines whether or not the processing of attaching the product object 70 to the avatar 80 has been performed in the VR server 10 (step S309). If it is determined that the processing has not been performed ("NO" in step S309), the CPU 41 returns the processing to step S305. If it is determined that the processing has been performed ("YES" in step S309) or if step S306 or S308 has ended, the CPU 41 ends the product purchase processing.

[0096] <Gift item provision process> Next, a present product providing process executed when providing a present product object 70 or a product 90 to a present recipient will be described. The following will be divided into a process executed by the CPU 21 of the control device 20 of the recipient (FIG. 21) and a process executed by the CPU 41 of the EC server 40 (FIG. 22). The present product providing process in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 corresponds to a "process for the recipient to acquire an object or a product of a product that has been re-customized based on the third customization information". Note that FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 are an example of the process sharing by the control device 20 and the EC server 40, and are not limited thereto. For example, at least a part of the present product providing process (control device 20 of the recipient) shown in FIG. 21 may be executed by the CPU 41 of the EC server 40, and at least a part of the present product providing process (EC server 40) shown in FIG. 22 may be executed by the CPU 21 of the control device 20.

[0097] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the present product providing process by the CPU 21 of the control device 20. As shown in FIG. The gift product provision process is initiated when the web browser 235 is launched on the target person's control device 20 and the second URL 282 of the second website 281 is entered, or a two-dimensional code or the like for obtaining the second URL 282 is read. When the present product provision process is started, the CPU 21 displays the reception screen 280 including the second website 281 on the display unit 25 (step S401). The CPU 21 determines whether or not an operation to select the re-customize button 286 has been performed (step S402). If it is determined that the operation has been performed ("YES" in step S402), the CPU 21 accepts the re-customization operation on the second website 281, generates third customization data related to the contents of the re-customization, and transmits it to the EC server 40 (when receiving the product 90) or the VR server 10 (when receiving the product object 70) (step S403).

[0098] If it is determined that the item to be received is a product object 70 and an operation to select the receive button 285 has been performed ("YES" in step S404), the CPU 21 requests the VR server 10 to perform a process of granting the product object 70 to the avatar 80 (step S405).

[0099] If the result is branched to "NO" in step S404, the CPU 21 determines whether the item to be received is the product 90 and whether an operation to select the receive button 285 has been performed (step S406). If the CPU 21 determines that the operation has not been performed ("NO" in step S406), the CPU 21 returns the process to step S404. If the CPU 21 determines that the operation has been performed ("YES" in step S406), the CPU 21 accepts input of delivery information such as a delivery address, and transmits the input delivery information and a product delivery processing request to the EC server 40 (step S407).

[0100] When step S405 or S407 ends, the CPU 21 causes the display unit 25 to display information related to the result of receipt of the product object 70 or the product 90 (step S408), and ends the gift product provision process.

[0101] FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the present product providing process by the CPU 41 of the EC server 40. As shown in FIG. When the present product providing process is started, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the third customization data has been received from the control device 20 (step S501). If it is determined that the third customization data has been received ("YES" in step S501), the CPU 41 determines the customization content of the product object 70 or the product 90 to be provided based on the third customization data (step S502).

[0102] When step S502 is completed, or when it is determined in step S501 that the third customized data has not been received ("NO" in step S501), the CPU 41 determines whether or not a payment processing request has been made (step S503). When it is determined that a payment processing request has not been made ("NO" in step S503), the CPU 41 returns the process to step S501, and when it is determined that a payment processing request has been made ("YES" in step S503), the CPU 41 executes the payment processing and transmits the result information to the control device (step S504).

[0103] The CPU 41 determines whether or not the delivery information and the product delivery processing request for the product 90 have been received (step S505). If it is determined that the information and the request have been received, the CPU 41 executes the product delivery processing for delivering the product 90 to the delivery address based on the contents of the received delivery information (step S506).

[0104] If it is determined that the delivery information and the product delivery processing request have not been received ("NO" in step S505), the CPU 41 determines whether or not the processing of adding the product object 70 to the target person's avatar 80 has been performed in the VR server 10 (step S507). If it is determined that the processing has not been performed ("NO" in step S507), the CPU 41 returns the processing to step S505. If it is determined that the processing has been performed ("YES" in step S505) or if step S506 has ended, the CPU 41 ends the gift product provision processing.

[0105] (effect) As described above, in the information processing method according to the present embodiment, when the product object 70 is customized in response to the action of the avatar 80 corresponding to the user in the virtual space 2, the first customization data 233 specifying the content of the customization is generated, and at least one of the first process (steps S201 to S209, S215 in FIG. 19) for providing the product object 70 customized based on the first customization data 233 to the avatar 80 in the virtual space 2 and the second process (steps S201 to S204, S210 to S215) for allowing the user to acquire the product 90 in the real world corresponding to the customization is selected and executed in response to the user's operation. This allows the user to freely customize the product object 70 in the virtual space 2, and allows the user to acquire the product object 70 reflecting the customization. In addition, it allows the user to acquire the product 90 in the real world that is customized in the same way as the product object 70. This makes it possible to realize a product provision service that spans the virtual space and the real world.

[0106] Furthermore, in the above information processing method, when the first process or the second process is executed, a third process (step S302 in FIG. 20) is executed to convert the first customization data 233 into second customization data 234 that can be interpreted by the CPU 41 of the EC server 40 that executes processes related to electronic commerce of the product object 70 and the product 90. This allows the EC server 40 to identify the customization content of the product object 70 in the virtual space 2 and reflect it in the product object 70 and the product 90 to be provided to the user. The format of the value of the variable that indicates the customization content in the first customization data 133, 233 may differ for each provider of the VR service, but according to the above method, even if the customization is performed in the virtual space 2 of the VR service by any provider, it can be interpreted by the EC server 40.

[0107] Furthermore, the product object 70 and the product 90 have multiple components, the first customization data 233 includes multiple pieces of first part design information I1 that specify designs of the multiple components, and the information processing method, in a third process, converts the multiple pieces of first part design information I1 of the first customization data 233 into multiple pieces of second part design information I2 that can be interpreted by the CPU 41, and generates second customization data 234 that includes the multiple pieces of second part design information I2. This makes it possible for the EC server 40 to interpret the customization content of the design of each component.

[0108] The second customization data 234 also includes a first URL 252 of a first website 251 for conducting electronic commerce of the customized product object 70 or the product 90 corresponding to the above customization, or information for identifying the first URL 252. By transmitting such second customization data 234 to the control device 20, the first website 251 for purchasing the product object 70 or the product 90 can be easily displayed on the control device 20.

[0109] Furthermore, when an operation for transferring the customized product object 70 or the product 90 corresponding to the above customization to a predetermined target person is performed by the user, the information processing method generates a second URL 282 of the second website 281 for the target person to acquire the product object 70 or the product 90, or information for identifying the second URL 282. This allows the user to present the product object 70 or the product 90 to the target person even if the user does not know personal information such as the delivery address of the target person. Furthermore, the target person can know information such as the model number and customization content of the presented product object 70 or product 90 on the second website 281, and can also link it to the target person's own account. For example, the presented product object 70 or product 90 can be added to the target person's product acquisition history.

[0110] Furthermore, when the target person performs an operation to re-customize the product object 70 or the product 90 after the second website 281 is displayed, the information processing method generates third customization data specifying the content of the re-customization in response to the operation, and executes a process for the target person to acquire the product object 70 or the product 90 that has been re-customized based on the third customization data. This allows the target person who has received the product object 70 or the product 90 as a gift to change the customization content according to their preferences.

[0111] The information processing method also executes a process for adding at least one of a first marker 91 indicating that the customization was performed in the virtual space 2 and a second marker 92 indicating the customized avatar 80 to the customized product object 70 or the product 90 corresponding to the customization. This allows the user to know from the appearance of the product object 70 or the product 90 that the customization of the product object 70 or the product 90 was performed in the virtual space 2.

[0112] Furthermore, the information processing method displays, on the first website 251, at least one of a first marker 253 indicating that the customization has been performed in the virtual space 2 and a second marker 254 indicating the customized avatar 80. This makes it possible to clearly display on the first website 251 that the product object 70 or the product 90 has been customized in the virtual space 2.

[0113] Furthermore, the information processing system 1 and the control device 20 according to the present embodiment include a CPU 21, which, when the product object 70 is customized in response to an action of the avatar 80 corresponding to a user in the virtual space 2, generates first customization data 233 specifying the content of the customization, and selects and executes at least one of a first process for giving the product object 70 customized based on the first customization data 233 to the avatar 80 in the virtual space 2, and a second process for allowing the user to acquire a product in the real world corresponding to the above customization, in response to a user operation. This allows the user to acquire the product object 70 in the virtual space 2 and the product 90 in the real world that reflect the user's customization.

[0114] Furthermore, the program 231 according to the present embodiment causes the CPU 21 to execute, when the product object 70 is customized in response to an action of the avatar 80 corresponding to the user in the virtual space 2, a process of selecting and executing at least one of a process of generating first customization data 233 specifying the content of the customization, a first process of assigning the product object 70 customized based on the first customization data 233 to the avatar 80 in the virtual space 2, and a second process of allowing the user to acquire a product in the real world corresponding to the above customization, in response to a user operation. This makes it possible for the user to acquire the product object 70 in the virtual space 2 and the product 90 in the real world that reflect the user's customization.

[0115] (others) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may be modified in various ways. For example, the functions of the EC server 40 may be integrated into the VR server 10, and the EC server 40 may be omitted. In other words, within the VR service (within the virtual space 2), payment processing related to the purchase of the product object 70 or the product 90, product delivery processing, and the like may be executed in response to the movement of the avatar 80.

[0116] Furthermore, the functions of the control device 20 may be integrated into the VR device 30 (for example, the VR headset 31), and the control device 20 may be omitted.

[0117] Also, the function of the control device 20 may be integrated into the VR server 10, omitting the control device 20, and the VR service may be executed by the VR server 10 and the VR device 30. In this case, signals output from the operation input unit 324 and the sensor unit 325 of the VR device 30 are transmitted to the communication unit 14 of the VR server 10 via the communication unit 326. The VR server 10 controls the movement of the avatar 80 in the virtual space 2 in response to the received user operation. That is, the VR server 10 performs the same process as the control device 20 described above, generates image data of the virtual space 2, and transmits it to the VR device 30.

[0118] In addition, in the above embodiment, the purchasing process for the product object 70 or the product 90 was executed on the web browser 235 of the control device 20, but if the first website 251 and the second website 281 can be displayed on the VR headset 31 of the VR device 30, the purchasing process may be executed while the user is wearing the VR headset 31.

[0119] Also, a mode may be adopted in which the user operates the avatar 80 without wearing the VR headset 31. In this case, instead of the VR headset 31, an image of the virtual space 2 is displayed on a normal display (for example, a liquid crystal display included in the display unit 25 of the control device 20) provided at a position visible to the user. The screen displayed in this case may be a VR screen 3151 if the VR device 30 can detect the user's movements. Also, a third-person perspective screen may be displayed instead of the VR screen 3151. For example, a mode may be adopted in which the user operates the controller 32 to move the avatar 80 in the virtual space 2 from a third-person perspective.

[0120] In the above embodiment, whether to purchase the customized product object 70 or the product 90 is determined in response to the selection of the object purchase button 257 or the product purchase button 258 on the purchase screen 250, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, two buttons corresponding to the object purchase button 257 and the product purchase button 258 may be provided on the purchase counter 202 of the virtual store 200, and whether to purchase the product object 70 or the product 90 may be determined in response to the avatar 80 pressing either of the buttons.

[0121] In the above embodiment, the web browser 235 is started in response to the avatar 80 performing a predetermined action at the checkout counter 202, the EC server 40 generates the second customized data 234 (433) based on the first customized data 233 at the time of the start, and the first website 251 including an image of the customized product object 70 or product 90 is displayed on the web browser 235 based on the second customized data 234, but this is not limited to the embodiment. Instead of this embodiment, for example, in response to the avatar 80 performing a predetermined action at the checkout counter 202, the CPU 41 of the VR server 10 may generate the second customized data 234 based on the first customized data 233 at that time, the VR server 10 may transmit the second customized data 234 to the EC server 40 and / or the control device 20, and the first website 251 reflecting the content of the second customized data 234 may be displayed on the web browser 235.

[0122] Furthermore, the acquisition of the product object 70 or the product 90 is not limited to a purchase for a fee, but may be a transfer without charge.

[0123] In the above embodiment, either the product object 70 or the product 90 is purchased, but both the product object 70 and the product 90 may be purchased. In this case, the product object 70 may be assigned to the avatar 80 before the product 90 is delivered. Furthermore, the product object 70 may be assigned to the avatar 80 at a timing that coincides with the delivery timing of the product 90.

[0124] Furthermore, although color and shape have been exemplified as customization elements for the design of the component of the product object 70, the customization elements are not limited to these and may include other elements such as patterns.

[0125] In the above embodiment, the recipient of the present can re-customize the product object 70 or the product 90 presented by the user. Alternatively, the recipient may be prohibited from re-customizing the product object 70 or the product 90. The re-customization by the recipient of the present may be prohibited for the entire product object 70 or the product 90 (all components), or some components of the product object 70 or the product 90 may be designated by the recipient to whom the present is sent. When re-customization is prohibited, the display unit 25 of the control device 20 of the recipient of the present displays icons corresponding to components for which re-customization is prohibited, such as grayed out or hidden, among a group of customization icons similar to the target selection icon 255 and the color selection icon 256, so that the recipient can know that re-customization is prohibited.

[0126] Furthermore, a clock object has been exemplified as a product object, and a clock has been exemplified as a product, but the present invention is not limited to these, and can be applied to any product object and product of any kind.

[0127] In the above description, the HDD and SSD of the storage units 13, 23, and 43 are used as computer-readable media for the program according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As other computer-readable media, information recording media such as flash memory and CD-ROM can be applied. In addition, carrier waves are also applied to the present invention as a medium for providing data of the program according to the present invention via a communication line.

[0128] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each component of the information processing system 1 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0129] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 1. Information Processing Systems 10 VR Server 20 Control device (information processing device) 21 CPU (processing unit) 30 VR equipment 31 VR Headset 32 Controller 40 EC Server 50 Customized IF 60 Sample Objects 70 Product Object (Object) 80 Avatar 90 items 133, 233 First customization data (first customization information) 231 Programs 232 Object Data 235 Web Browser 251 First Website 252 1st URL 253, 91 1st sign 254, 92 2nd sign 281 Second Website 282 Second URL

Claims

1. 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: generating first customization information that specifies the content of customization when an object related to a product is customized in response to a movement in a virtual space of an avatar corresponding to a user; Selecting and executing at least one of a first process for assigning the object customized based on the first customization information to the avatar in the virtual space and a second process for allowing the user to acquire the product in the real world corresponding to the customization in response to an operation by the user; Information processing methods.

2. executing a third process for converting the first customization information into second customization information that can be interpreted by an information processing means that executes a process related to electronic commerce of the object and the product when the first process or the second process is executed; The information processing method according to claim 1 .

3. the object and the product have a plurality of parts; the first customization information includes a plurality of first part design information specifying designs of the plurality of parts, In the third process, the plurality of first part design information of the first customization information are converted into a plurality of second part design information that can be interpreted by the information processing means, and the second customization information including the plurality of second part design information is generated. The information processing method according to claim 2 .

4. the second customization information includes a first URL of a first website for conducting the electronic commerce transaction of the customized object or the product corresponding to the customization, or information for identifying the first URL; 4. The information processing method according to claim 2 or 3.

5. generating, when the user performs an operation to transfer the customized object or the product corresponding to the customization to a predetermined target person, a second URL of a second website for the target person to acquire the object or the product, or information for identifying the second URL; The information processing method according to claim 1 .

6. when the subject performs an operation for re-customizing the object or the product after the second website is displayed, generating third customization information that specifies the content of the re-customization in response to the operation; execute a process for the target person to acquire the object or the product that has been re-customized based on the third customization information; The information processing method according to claim 5.

7. executing a process for adding at least one of a first marker indicating that the customization has been performed in the virtual space and a second marker indicating the avatar that has performed the customization, to the customized object or the product corresponding to the customization; The information processing method according to claim 1 .

8. displaying, on the first website, at least one of a first indicator indicating that the customization has been performed in the virtual space and a second indicator indicating the avatar that has performed the customization; The information processing method according to claim 4.

9. generating first customization information that specifies the content of customization when an object related to a product is customized in response to a movement in a virtual space of an avatar corresponding to a user; Selecting and executing at least one of a first process for assigning the object customized based on the first customization information to the avatar in the virtual space and a second process for allowing the user to acquire the product in the real world corresponding to the customization in response to an operation by the user; An information processing system including a processing unit.

10. generating first customization information that specifies the content of customization when an object related to a product is customized in response to a movement in a virtual space of an avatar corresponding to a user; Selecting and executing at least one of a first process for assigning the object customized based on the first customization information to the avatar in the virtual space and a second process for allowing the user to acquire the product in the real world corresponding to the customization in response to an operation by the user; An information processing device comprising a processing unit.

11. On the computer, a process of generating first customization information that specifies the content of customization when an object related to a product is customized in response to a movement in a virtual space of an avatar corresponding to a user; a process of selecting and executing at least one of a first process for assigning the object customized based on the first customization information to the avatar in the virtual space and a second process for allowing the user to acquire the product in the real world corresponding to the customization in response to an operation by the user; A program that executes the following.

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