Tracking system

Abstract

To facilitate the investigation of what kind of transaction objects an operator manipulating an avatar in a virtual space is interested in.SOLUTION: A tracking system 1 includes a plurality of terminals 3 connected to a network NT1 through operation of an operator and a server 2 connectable to the plurality of terminals 3 via the network NT1. A server control device 21 forms an avatar AV in a virtual space VS, causes the avatar AV to act in the virtual space VS in accordance with the operation of a terminal input device 33, displays a plurality of transaction objects De in each of a plurality of virtual shops VSh in each of the spaces, records the actions of the avatar AV toward the transaction objects De in the virtual shop VSh on a server recording device 22, and changes in advance the display of the transaction objects De in a second space SP2 on the basis of the actions of the avatar AV in a first space SP1 when the avatar AV moves from the first space SP1 to the second space SP2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tracking system.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, many participants can participate in a virtual space called the Metaverse (registered trademark) formed on the network by using a mobile terminal or the like (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] And in the virtual space, participants can communicate with other participants by operating a virtual character called an avatar.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the conventional virtual space, there is room for improvement in the investigation of what trading targets a plurality of operators who operate an avatar in the virtual space are interested in.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a tracking system capable of facilitating an investigation of what trading targets a plurality of operators who operate an avatar in a virtual space are interested in.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] To solve the above problems, the tracking system according to the present invention includes a plurality of terminals connected to a network by an operator's operation, and a server connectable to the plurality of terminals via the network. The server has a server recording device capable of recording data, and a server control device that forms a virtual space in the network based on the data recorded in the server recording device. The terminal includes a terminal input device that operates an avatar corresponding to the operator in the virtual space, and a terminal control device that transmits an operation of the terminal input device to the server via the network. The virtual space includes a plurality of virtual stores. Each of the virtual stores has a plurality of spaces including a first space and a second space. The server control device forms the avatar in the virtual space, causes the avatar to act in the virtual space according to an operation of the terminal input device, displays a plurality of transaction targets in each of the spaces in each of the plurality of virtual stores, records an action of the avatar on the transaction targets in the virtual store in the server recording device, and changes a display of the transaction targets in the second space in advance based on an action of the avatar in the first space when the avatar moves from the first space to the second space.

[0008] In the tracking system according to the present invention, when the avatar moves from the first virtual store to the second virtual store, the server control device changes a display of the transaction targets in the second virtual store in advance based on an action of the avatar in the first virtual store.

[0009] In the tracking system according to the present invention, the action of the avatar is to approach the transaction target.

[0010] In the tracking system according to the present invention, the action of the avatar is to view the transaction target.

[0011] In the tracking system according to the present invention, the action of the avatar is to pick up the transaction target.

[0012] In the tracking system according to the present invention, among the plurality of items displayed in the first space, for any of the transaction targets, the points when the avatar approaches the transaction target, the points when the avatar views the transaction target, and the points when the avatar picks up the transaction target are different from each other. The server control device calculates a numerical value of the operator's interest in the transaction target based on the points based on the action of the avatar with respect to the transaction target in the first space, and calculates the superiority and inferiority of the operator's interest in the plurality of transaction targets displayed in the first space.

Effect of the Invention

[0013] Since the tracking system according to the present invention has the above configuration, it is possible to easily investigate which transaction targets a plurality of operators who operate avatars in a virtual space are interested in.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

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BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0015] [First Embodiment] The mode (embodiment) for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited by the content described in the following embodiments. Also, the constituent elements described below include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art and those that are substantially the same. Furthermore, the configurations described below can be combined as appropriate. Also, various omissions, substitutions, or changes in the configuration can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0016] First, the configuration of the tracking system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually explaining the tracking system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram conceptually explaining the server 2 included in the tracking system 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram conceptually explaining each of the plurality of terminals 3 included in the tracking system 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0017] The tracking system 1 in the present embodiment includes, as shown in FIG. 1, a server 2 and a plurality of terminals 3. Each of the plurality of terminals 3 is connected to the server 2 via a network (for example, the Internet) NT1.

[0018] Server 2 is, for example, an electronic computer such as a workstation. For the sake of convenience of explanation, the server 2 according to the present embodiment will be described as a single electronic computer, but it may be configured by a cloud system in which a plurality of workstations cooperate to operate. Further, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the server 2 according to the present embodiment will be described as having a function of providing an online shopping service through an EC site (electronic commerce site) and a function of forming a virtual space VS in the network NT1, but the server 2 having each function may be provided individually.

[0019] Server 2 is connected to the network NT1 via a connection line W, for example. And the server 2 is connected to a plurality of terminals 3 via the network NT1 respectively. The server 2 includes a server control device 21 and a server recording device 22.

[0020] The server control device 21 comprehensively controls each part of the server 2. Further, the server control device 21 forms a virtual space VS in the network NT1 based on the data recorded in the server recording device 22. More specifically, the server control device 22 forms a virtual space VS that can be visually recognized by each operator of the terminal 3 connectable to the server 2. Further, the server control device 21 forms an avatar (registered trademark) AV in the virtual space VS. Further, as will be described later, the server control device 21 causes the avatar AV to act in the virtual space VS in response to an operation of the terminal input device 33 in the terminal 3. Further, the server control device 21 tracks the operation of the avatar AV in the virtual space VS and records each of the operations of the avatar AV for each operator in the server recording device 22.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, the virtual space VS includes a plurality of virtual stores VSh. For example, the virtual space VS includes a first virtual store VSh1, a second virtual store VSh2, and a third virtual store VSh3. The virtual store VSh has a plurality of spaces SP including a first space SP1 and a second space SP2. The virtual space VS according to the present embodiment is, for example, three-dimensional. More specifically, in the virtual space VS shown in FIG. 4, for example, the Z-axis direction which is the vertical direction, the X-axis direction which is the front-back direction, and the Y-axis direction which is the left-right direction are mutually orthogonal.

[0022] The server recording device 22 stores various data such as programs for operating each part of the server 2. In addition, data can be recorded in the server recording device 22 by the server control device 21.

[0023] The server 2 also includes a server input device 23 such as a mouse 23a and a keyboard 23b, and a server output device 24 such as a display 24a and a speaker 24b.

[0024] The terminal 3 is, for example, an electronic computer such as a personal computer. Each of the terminals 3 is connected to the network NT1 via a connection line W, for example.

[0025] The terminal 3 includes a terminal control device 31 and a terminal recording device 32. The terminal control device 31 comprehensively controls each part of the terminal 3. The terminal recording device 32 stores various data such as programs for operating each part of the terminal 3. In addition, data can be recorded in the terminal recording device 32 by the terminal control device 31.

[0026] Further, the terminal 3 includes, for example, a terminal input device 33 such as a joystick 33a, a terminal output device 34 such as a speaker 34a, and a terminal input / output device 35 such as a wearable device 35a. The wearable device 35a is, for example, an HMD (Head Mounted Display), smart glasses, or the like. The wearable device 35a is attached with a display as an output device, and is configured with, for example, a three-axis gyro sensor, and is attached with a gaze operation device as an input device.

[0027] In the terminal 3, for example, software or an application (hereinafter simply referred to as "app") of the virtual space VS is downloaded from a homepage about the virtual space VS, and predetermined information such as the operator's email address and the number of the operator's credit card is input by the terminal input device 33 into a predetermined field on the homepage, thereby completing the initial registration. After that, when the operator operates an app or the like of the virtual space VS with the terminal input device 33, the terminal 3 is connected to the server 2, enabling the operation of the operator's avatar AV in the virtual space VS, and the virtual space VS is displayed on the display of the wearable device 35a.

[0028] The avatar AV can be operated by the operator using the terminal input device 33 and is a person who serves as the operator's alter ego used in the virtual space VS. The operator operating the terminal 3 is, for example, a person who uses an online shopping service at a plurality of virtual stores VSh opened in the virtual space VS.

[0029] Next, the relationship between the operation of the terminal input device 33 and the avatar AV will be described. When the operator tilts the lever of the joystick 33a forward, in the virtual space VS, the avatar AV moves forward in the front-rear direction. When the operator tilts the lever of the joystick 33a backward, in the virtual space VS, the avatar AV moves backward in the front-rear direction. When the operator tilts the lever of the joystick 33a to the right, in the virtual space VS, the avatar AV moves to the right in the left-right direction. When the operator tilts the lever of the joystick 33a to the left, in the virtual space VS, the avatar AV moves to the left in the left-right direction.

[0030] Also, when the operator presses the first button of the joystick 33a and tilts the lever in any direction, simply compared with the case where the avatar AV is moved by tilting the lever in any direction, the moving speed of the avatar AV becomes faster.

[0031] The tracking system 1 according to the present embodiment has a configuration for facilitating an investigation of what target product an operator who operates the avatar AV in the virtual space VS is interested in. Therefore, those configurations related to the tracking system 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing the movement of the avatar AV in the virtual space VS formed in the network NT1 of the tracking system 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the movement of the avatar AV in the virtual space VS. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state where the avatar AV holds the product of the transaction target De in its hand in the virtual space VS. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the first space SP1 of the first virtual store VSh1.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, in the virtual space VS, a plurality of virtual stores VSh including a first virtual store VSh1, a second virtual store VSh2, and a third virtual store VSh3 are formed by the server control device 21. Also, the transaction target De shown in this embodiment is, for example, the product Dec. In the first space SP1 in the first virtual store VSh1, for example, a lamp that is the first transaction target Dec1, a tent that is the second transaction target Dec2, and a cooking utensil that is the third transaction target Dec3 are displayed.

[0034] Each of the virtual stores VSh has a first door D1 and a second door D2. The first door D1 is a partition wall between the main body of the virtual space VS and the first space SP1. The second door D2 is a partition wall between the first space SP1 and the second space SP2. Then, when the operator tilts the lever of the joystick 33a forward with the avatar AV approaching the first door D1, the avatar AV enters the inside of the first space SP1 of the first virtual store VSh1.

[0035] With the avatar AV in the first space SP1 in the virtual store VSh, when the operator wearing the wearable device 35a changes (operates) the direction the face is facing, the field of view of the avatar AV changes. In this case, when the trading target De is located at the center of the display of the wearable device 35a, the server control device 21 determines that the avatar AV has viewed the trading target De, and stores the points of the trading target De in the avatar AV in the server recording device 22. In the present embodiment, the points when the avatar AV views the trading target De are 1.0. Also, as an example, by dividing the horizontal direction of the display of the wearable device 35a into five parts and the vertical direction into three parts, when the display is divided into 15 parts and the trading target De is located at the center of the 15 - divided display, the server control device 21 determines that the avatar AV has viewed the trading target De. Note that in the tracking system 1 according to the present invention, what the server control device 21 determines as the avatar AV having viewed the trading target De is not limited to this. For example, a sensor for detecting the operator's pupil and determining the direction of the line of sight may be provided in the terminal input device 33, and based on the detection of the sensor, the server control device 21 may determine that the avatar AV has viewed the trading target De.

[0036] Also, in the virtual space VS shown in FIG. 5, in plan view, a first region AR1 where the avatar AV approaches the trading target De and a second region AR2 where the avatar AV moves away from the trading target De compared to the first region AR1 are set. In the present embodiment, when the avatar AV enters the first region AR1 with respect to the trading target De, the server control device 21 determines that the avatar AV has approached the trading target De, and stores the points of the target transaction in the avatar AV in the server recording device 22. Also, in the present embodiment, the points when the avatar AV approaches the trading target De are 2.0.

[0037] Also, as shown in FIG. 5, when the avatar AV enters the first area AR1 from the second area AR2 while increasing its speed, the server control device 21 determines that the avatar AV has approached the transaction target De at high speed, and stores the points of the target transaction in the avatar AV in the server recording device 22. Further, in the present embodiment, the points when the avatar AV approaches the transaction target De at high speed are 2.5. In FIG. 5, the movement of the avatar AV is indicated by a line m. The thick line m1 indicates the case where the avatar AV moves at a normal speed, and the thin line m2 indicates the case where the avatar AV moves at a speed higher than the normal speed.

[0038] Furthermore, when the operator presses the second button of the joystick 33a while the avatar AV is located in the first area AR1 with respect to the transaction target De, as shown in FIG. 6, the avatar AV picks up the transaction target De located in the first area AR1. In the present embodiment, when the avatar AV picks up the transaction target De, the server control device 21 determines that the avatar AV has picked up the transaction target De by hand, and records the points of the target transaction in the avatar AV in the server recording device 22. Further, in the present embodiment, the points when the avatar AV picks up the transaction target De by hand are 3.0. Note that, in the tracking system 1 according to the present invention, the determination by the server control device 21 that the avatar AV has picked up the transaction target De by hand is not limited to this. For example, when the wearable device 35a can recognize the hand of the avatar AV reflected on the display, when the tip of the hand of the avatar AV overlaps the transaction target De, the server control device 21 may determine that the avatar AV has picked up the transaction target De by hand.

[0039] And in this state, when the operator tilts the lever of the joystick 33a forward, the avatar AV moves the trading target De upward in the vertical direction. Also, in this state, when the operator tilts the lever of the joystick 33a backward, the avatar AV moves the trading target De downward in the vertical direction. Further, in this state, when the operator tilts the lever of the joystick 33a to the right, the avatar AV rotates the trading target De clockwise. Also, in this state, when the operator tilts the lever of the joystick 33a to the left, the avatar AV rotates the trading target De counterclockwise. That is, with the trading target De held by the avatar AV, by tilting the lever of the joystick 33a in any direction, the operator can observe the trading target De. Also, when the wearable device 35a can recognize the hand of the avatar AV reflected in the display, the operator can move the hand of the avatar AV as if actually holding the trading target De by hand and view the trading target De.

[0040] And when the avatar AV is holding the trading target De in its hand and the operator presses the third button of the joystick 33a, the operator of the terminal 3 can purchase the trading target De (for example, the product of the actual store corresponding to the trading target De in the virtual store VSh is registered in the cart).

[0041] On the other hand, when the avatar AV is holding the trading target De in its hand and the operator presses the fourth button of the joystick 33a, the avatar AV releases the trading target De from its hand and the movement of the avatar AV in the first space SP1 becomes possible.

[0042] The server control device 21 calculates, for each avatar AV, the sum of the points at which the respective trading target De was viewed, the point at which the relevant target transaction was approached, and the point at which the trading target De was picked up by hand, as the numerical value of the operator's interest. Then, the server control device 21 calculates the superiority or inferiority of the operator's interest based on the magnitude of the sum of the points for each of the plurality of trading targets De displayed in the first space SP1. More specifically, the server control device 21 determines that the trading target De with the largest sum of points among the plurality of trading targets De displayed in the first space SP1 is the trading target De in which the operator has the most interest. Although the following description is omitted, the server control device 21 calculates the superiority or inferiority of the operator's interest based on the magnitude of the sum of the points regarding the plurality of trading targets De displayed in the first space SP1.

[0043] In this state, when the operator tilts the lever of the joystick 33a forward while the avatar AV is approaching the second door D2 inside the first space SP1 of the first virtual store VSh1 shown in FIG. 7, the avatar AV enters from the inside of the first space SP1 into the inside of the second space SP2.

[0044] Here, assume that the trading target De with the largest sum of points in the first space SP1 is the tent of the second trading target Dec2. In this case, when the avatar AV moves from the first space SP1 to the second space SP2, the server control device 21 changes the trading target De displayed in the second space SP2 to a plurality of tents. More specifically, the server control device 21 displays, in the second space SP2, for example, a first tent Dec21, a second tent Dec22, and a third tent Dec23 that are different in shape from each other. That is, when the avatar AV moves from the first space SP1 to the second space SP2, the server control device 21 of the tracking system 1 according to the present embodiment changes the display of the trading target De in the second space SP2 in advance based on the behavior of the avatar AV in the first space SP1.

[0045] As described above, the tracking system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of terminals 3 connected to the network NT1 by an operator's operation, and a server 2 connectable to the plurality of terminals 3 via the network NT1. The server 2 has a server recording device 22 capable of recording data, and a server control device 21 that forms a virtual space VS in the network NT1 based on the data recorded in the server recording device 22. The terminal 3 includes a terminal input device 33 that operates an avatar AV corresponding to the operator in the virtual space VS, and a terminal control device 31 that transmits the operation of the terminal input device 33 to the server 2 via the network NT1. The virtual space VS includes a plurality of virtual stores VSh. Each of the virtual stores VSh has a plurality of spaces including a first space SP1 and a second space SP2. The server control device 21 forms an avatar AV in the virtual space VS and causes the avatar AV to act in the virtual space VS according to the operation of the terminal input device 33. The server control device 21 displays a plurality of transaction targets De in each of the spaces in each of the plurality of virtual stores VSh. The server control device 21 records the actions of the avatar AV in the virtual store VSh with respect to the transaction target De in the server recording device 22. When the avatar AV moves from the first space SP1 to the second space SP2, the server control device 21 changes the display of the transaction target De in the second space SP2 in advance based on the actions of the avatar AV in the first space SP1. Thereby, the operator can observe the transaction target De that he or she is interested in. Moreover, the tracking system 1 according to the present embodiment can facilitate an investigation of what transaction targets a plurality of operators who operate the avatar AV in the virtual space VS are interested in.

[0046] Also, in the tracking system 1, when the avatar AV moves from the first virtual store VSh1 to the second virtual store VSh2, the server control device 21 changes the display of the transaction target De in the space SP of the second virtual store VSh2 in advance based on the actions of the avatar AV in the first virtual store VSh1.

[0047] In the tracking system 1 according to this embodiment, the action of the avatar AV is to approach the transaction target De.

[0048] In the tracking system 1 according to this embodiment, the action of the avatar AV is to view the transaction target De.

[0049] In the tracking system 1 according to this embodiment, the action of the avatar AV is to pick up the transaction target De.

[0050] In the tracking system 1 according to this embodiment, among the plurality of items displayed in the first space SP1, for any transaction target De, the points when the avatar AV approaches the transaction target De, the points when the avatar AV views the transaction target De, and the points when the avatar AV picks up the transaction target De are different from each other. The server control device 21 calculates, based on the points, the numerical value of the operator's interest in the transaction target De for the avatar AV's action in the first space SP1 with respect to the transaction target De, and calculates the superiority or inferiority of the operator's interest in the plurality of transaction targets De displayed in the first space SP1.

[0051] Also, in the server 2, based on the data of a plurality of operators recorded in the server recording device 22, the server control device 21 may display on the display 24a of the server output device 24 as follows. That is, the server control device 21 displays, on the display 24a of the server output device 24, the transaction target De that many operators are interested in in red, the transaction target De that few operators are interested in in blue, and the transaction target De that the number of operators between many and few are interested in in yellow. In this way, by changing the color of the transaction target De according to the number of operators and displaying it, it is possible to investigate the interests of a plurality of operators and reflect it in the development of new products.

[0052] Note that in the tracking system 1 according to the above-described first embodiment, the number of points for each action of the avatar can be appropriately changed.

[0053] Also, in the tracking system 1 according to the above-described first embodiment, it has been described that the trading target De to be displayed changes according to the operator's interest. However, the tracking system 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, recommended products may be displayed according to the operator's interest.

[0054] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the tracking system 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a diagram conceptually showing the movement of the avatar AV in the virtual space VS formed in the network NT1 of the tracking system 1 according to the second embodiment.

[0055] In the tracking system 1 according to the second embodiment below, components different from those of the tracking system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described, and descriptions of the same components will be omitted.

[0056] The trading target De shown in the present embodiment is, for example, the service Des. In the first space SP1 of the first virtual store VSh1, for example, information on a restaurant, which is a place for providing food and beverages and is the first trading target Des1, information on domestic travel, which is the second trading target Des2, and information on overseas travel, which is the third trading target Des3, are displayed.

[0057] Here, in the first space SP1, assume that the trading target De with the largest total number of points is the information on domestic travel of the second trading target Des2. In this case, when the avatar AV moves from the first space SP1 to the second space SP2, the server control device 21 makes the size of the virtual display DS2 of the second trading target Des2 larger than the size of the virtual display DS1 of the first trading target Des1 and the size of the virtual display DS3 of the third trading target Des3 in the second space SP2. That is, the virtual display DS of the trading target De that the operator is most interested in is displayed the largest. That is, the server control device 21 of the tracking system 1 according to the present embodiment changes the display of the trading target De in the second space SP2 in advance based on the behavior of the avatar AV in the first space SP1 when the avatar AV moves from the first space SP1 to the second space SP2.

[0058] Note that the terminal 3 of the tracking system 1 according to the above-described first embodiment and second embodiment has been described as an electronic computer such as a personal computer. However, the terminal 3 according to the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, a smartphone.

Explanation of Signs

[0059] 1 Tracking System 2 Server 3 Terminal 21 Server Control Device 22 Server Recording Device 23 Server Input Device 31 Terminal Control Device 32 Terminal Recording Device SP Space SP1 First Space SP2 Second Space VS Virtual Space VSh Virtual Store

Claims

1. A plurality of terminals connected to a network by an operator's operation, a server connectable to the plurality of terminals via the network, comprising: the server has a server recording device capable of recording data, and a server control device that forms a virtual space in the network based on the data recorded in the server recording device; the terminal includes a terminal input device that operates an avatar corresponding to the operator in the virtual space, and a terminal control device that transmits an operation of the terminal input device to the server via the network; the virtual space includes a plurality of virtual stores; each of the virtual stores has a plurality of spaces including a first space and a second space; the server control device: forms the avatar in the virtual space and causes the avatar to act in the virtual space according to an operation of the terminal input device; displays a plurality of transaction targets in each of the spaces in each of the plurality of virtual stores; records an action of the avatar on the transaction target in the virtual store in the server recording device; a tracking system that changes a display of the transaction target in the second space in advance based on an action of the avatar in the first space when the avatar moves from the first space to the second space.

2. The tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the server control device changes a display of the transaction target in the second virtual store in advance based on an action of the avatar in the first virtual store when the avatar moves from the first virtual store to the second virtual store.

3. The tracking system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the action of the avatar is to approach the transaction target.

4. The tracking system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the action of the avatar is to view the transaction target.

5. The tracking system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the action of the avatar is to pick up the transaction target.

6. Regarding any one of the plurality of transaction targets displayed in the first space, points when the avatar approaches the transaction target, points when the avatar views the transaction target, points when the avatar picks up the transaction target, are different from each other, the server control device: Based on the actions of the avatar with respect to the transaction target in the first space, calculate a numerical value of the operator's interest in the transaction target who operates the avatar based on the points, Calculate the superiority or inferiority of the operator's interest in a plurality of the transaction targets displayed in the first space, The tracking system according to claim 1 or 2.

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