Information processing server and virtual space providing system

Abstract

To provide an information processing server and a virtual space providing system that make it easier to feel a connection with reality in activities in a virtual space.SOLUTION: An information processing server 30 sets a position of a first avatar according to a position of a salesperson in a first space RS1 in a virtual space having arrangement of structures imitating the first space RS1, and sets a position of a second avatar corresponding to a customer in a second space RS2. Then, display data for displaying an image of the virtual space and a display indicating the situation of the first space RS1 is transmitted to a customer terminal 21. Further, the information processing server 30 performs registration processing of registering an article selected by the customer as an article to be purchased, and settlement processing for the article registered by the registration processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing server used for shopping using virtual reality and a virtual space providing system.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, systems for communication using virtual reality have been developed. The applications of such systems are not limited to games but have spread to shopping. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe systems in which a salesperson and a customer in a virtual space can communicate with each other using an avatar in the virtual space.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Shopping using virtual reality is different from a game that assumes progress in a virtual space and is originally intended to replace activities that are normally carried out in the real space. If activities in the real space can be replaced by activities in the virtual space, it is highly convenient for users who have difficulty going to the place of activities in the real space due to reasons such as transportation means, time constraints, or restrictions on going out.

[0005] However, for use as a substitute for activities in the real space, conventional virtual space systems have many deficiencies. First, in activities in the virtual space, it is difficult to feel the connection with the real world. For example, sensations obtained through vision and hearing in activities in the real space, such as the sensations obtained from face-to-face conversations or observing physical products, are lost in activities in the virtual space. Therefore, in activities in the virtual space, it is difficult to feel the connection with the real world.

[0006] Also, in the real space, when multiple people go shopping, various settlement forms such as the payer of the product price and the payment ratio can be set. On the other hand, simply applying the settlement system in conventional online shopping to the virtual space system makes it difficult to handle such various settlement forms in shopping through the virtual space.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] The information processing server for solving the above problems includes: a first receiving unit that receives first information output from a device located in a first space, which is a space where products are sold, the first information including at least position specifying information capable of specifying the position of a salesperson in the first space; a virtual space generation unit that sets the position of a first avatar, which is a first object, in the virtual space having an arrangement of structures imitating the first space according to the position of the salesperson in the first space based on the position specifying information, and sets the position of a second avatar, which is a second object corresponding to a customer in a second space different from the first space; a second receiving unit that receives second information output from a display terminal operated by the customer, the second information including at least selection product information indicating the product selected by the customer; a purchase processing unit that performs a registration process of registering the product indicated by the selection product information as a product to be purchased, and a settlement process for the product registered by the registration process; a display data generation unit that generates display data for displaying the image of the virtual space and a display indicating the situation of the first space based on the first information; and a transmission unit that transmits the display data to the display terminal.

[0008] A virtual space providing system for solving the above problems includes a first acquisition unit that acquires first information in a first space which is a space where products are sold, the first acquisition unit acquiring the first information including at least position identification information which is information capable of identifying the position of a salesperson in the first space; a virtual space generation unit that sets the position of a first avatar which is a first object in the virtual space according to the position of the salesperson in the first space based on the position identification information in a virtual space having an arrangement of structures imitating the first space, and also sets the position of a second avatar which is a second object corresponding to a customer in a second space different from the first space; a second acquisition unit that acquires second information based on the customer operating a display terminal in the second space, the second acquisition unit acquiring the second information including at least selection product information indicating the product selected by the customer; a purchase processing unit that performs a registration process of registering the product indicated by the selection product information as a product to be purchased, and a settlement process for the product registered by the registration process; and a display data generation unit that generates display data for causing the display terminal to display an image of the virtual space and a display indicating the situation of the first space based on the first information.

[0009] According to the above configuration, an image of the virtual space and a display indicating the situation of the first space are displayed on the display terminal. Therefore, compared with the case where only the image of the virtual space is displayed, a customer in the second space can more easily feel a connection with reality in activities in the virtual space. Therefore, it is also possible to improve the customer's purchasing desire.

[0010] In the above configuration, a third receiving unit is further provided that receives third information output from a display terminal operated by a customer in a third space different from the first space. The virtual space generation unit sets, in the virtual space, the position of a third avatar that is a third object corresponding to the customer in the third space. The display data generation unit generates the display data for the display terminal operated by the customer in the second space and the display data for the display terminal operated by the customer in the third space. The transmission unit transmits the display data for each display terminal to each display terminal. The purchase processing unit may proceed with the settlement process, with at least a part of the payer for the price of the product registered by the registration process based on the selected product information included in the second information being the customer in the third space.

[0011] According to the above configuration, it is possible for a plurality of customers to share and pay the price of a product, or for a customer different from the selector of the product to make the payment. Therefore, in purchasing a product through a virtual space, a settlement format similar to the settlement formats possible in the real space can be used.

[0012] In the above configuration, a third receiving unit that receives third information output from a display terminal operated by a customer in a third space different from the first space, the third information including at least selection product information indicating a product selected by the customer, and a group setting unit that sets a group including the customer in the second space and the customer in the third space and sets a payment ratio of the price of the product among the customers in the group are further provided. The virtual space generation unit sets the position of a third avatar, which is a third object corresponding to the customer in the third space, in the virtual space. The display data generation unit generates the display data for the display terminal operated by the customer in the second space and the display data for the display terminal operated by the customer in the third space. The transmission unit transmits the display data for each display terminal to each display terminal. The purchase processing unit registers, in the registration process, the product indicated by the selection product information from the display terminal operated by the customer in the group as a product to be purchased by the group, and in the settlement process for the product registered as a product to be purchased by the group, the payment amounts of the customer in the second space and the customer in the third space may be set according to the payment ratio.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the price of the product selected by the customers in the group is shared and paid by the customers in the group. Therefore, even in the purchase of products through the virtual space, products can be jointly purchased in the same way as in the purchase of products in the real space. As a result, activities closer to those in the real space can be carried out in the virtual space.

[0014] In the above configuration, the payment ratio may be set before the purchase processing unit registers the product to be purchased by the group. According to the above configuration, since the payment ratio is set in advance, the process from the selection of the product by the customer to the settlement can proceed smoothly.

[0015] In the above configuration, the payment ratio may be set after the purchase processing unit registers the product to be purchased by the group. According to the above configuration, customers can decide whether to jointly purchase a product and the payment ratio after selecting the product. Therefore, the payment method can be selected more flexibly.

[0016] In the above configuration, the purchase processing unit may proceed with the settlement process, regarding the payer of the full amount of the price of the product registered by the registration process based on the selected product information included in the second information, as the customer in the third space.

[0017] According to the above configuration, the price of the product is paid by a customer different from the customer who selected the product. Therefore, even in the purchase of products through the virtual space, similar to the purchase of products in the real space, it is possible to divide the roles regarding the selection and payment of products. As a result, activities closer to those in the real space can be carried out in the virtual space.

[0018] In the above configuration, further provided is a family setting unit that sets, for each customer, the permitted authority among the selection of the product to be purchased and the payment of the price of the product, and sets a family, which is a group including a plurality of customers having different authorities from each other. When the family including the customer in the second space and the customer in the third space is set, only the authority to select the product is set for the customer in the second space, and the authority to pay the price of the product is set for the customer in the third space. When the purchase processing unit receives the selected product information from the display terminal operated by the customer having the authority to select the product, the purchase processing unit performs the registration process, and regarding the payer of the price of the product registered by the registration process, as the customer having the authority to pay the price of the product within the same family as the customer who selected the product, the settlement process may be proceeded with.

[0019] According to the above configuration, the role sharing of customer users is managed by the information processing server as the setting of authorities, and the registration process and the settlement process are proceeded along with it. Therefore, the purchase of products along with the role sharing proceeds smoothly. Also, by restricting the authorities of customer users, it is possible to manage the actions of customer users in the virtual space, and thus it is also suitable for use by parents and children.

[0020] In the above configuration, the display showing the situation of the first space may include at least one of an image of the salesperson in the first space, an image of the product located in the first space, and a display showing the working situation of the salesperson in the first space.

[0021] According to the above configuration, since the images and the situation of the salesperson in the first space are displayed on the display terminal, it is easier for the customer to feel the connection with the reality in the activities in the virtual space.

Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to make it easier to feel the connection with the reality in the activities in the virtual space.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] (First Embodiment) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 15, the first embodiment of the information processing server and the virtual space providing system will be described.

[0025] [Overall Configuration of Virtual Space Providing System] Referring to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the virtual space providing system 100 will be described. First, the user who uses the virtual space providing system 100 and the space where the user exists will be described.

[0026] The first space RS1 is the actual space where products are sold. The first space RS1 is, for example, a store, a showroom, an exhibition venue, or a venue for various events. In the first space RS1, products or product samples are displayed. In the first space RS1, there is a salesperson user P1. The salesperson user P1 is a salesperson of products and conducts sales operations for customers who actually visit the first space RS1.

[0027] The second space RS2 and the third space RS3 are actual spaces different from the first space RS1. In the second space RS2, there is a customer user P2, and in the third space RS3, there is a customer user P3. The customer users P2 and P3 are persons who plan to purchase products using the virtual space providing system 100. The second space RS2 and the third space RS3 can be any spaces, for example, spaces within the homes of the customer users P2 and P3. Note that the second space RS2 and the third space RS3 may be different from each other or the same space.

[0028] In the virtual space providing system 100, an avatar corresponding to the salesperson user P1, an avatar corresponding to the customer user P2, and an avatar corresponding to the customer user P3 are arranged in a virtual store, which is a virtual space imitating the first space RS1. Then, using these avatars, communication regarding the buying and selling of products is carried out among the users P1, P2, and P3. In the first embodiment, the customer user P2 and the customer user P3 jointly select and pay for the products to be purchased.

[0029] Subsequently, the configuration of the virtual space providing system 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the virtual space providing system 100 includes an information processing server 30, a first device 10 located in the first space RS1, a second device 20 located in the second space RS2, and a third device 25 located in the third space RS3. The first device 10 includes a position information collection device 11, a salesperson terminal 12, and a photographing device 13. The second device 20 includes a customer terminal 21. The third device 25 includes a customer terminal 26.

[0030] Each of the first device 10, the second device 20, and the third device 25 communicates with the information processing server 30 to transmit and receive data to and from each other through the network NW. The network NW used for communication between each device included in the first device 10, the second device 20, and the third device 25 and the information processing server 30 may be a general-purpose communication line such as the Internet, or may be a dedicated communication line for communication of each device. Further, the network NW may include a plurality of independent networks, or may be a common single network.

[0031] The position information collection device 11 acquires position identification information Ip, which is information capable of identifying the position of the salesperson user P1 in the first space RS1. The position information collection device 11 transmits the position identification information Ip to the information processing server 30.

[0032] The position specified based on the position identification information Ip may be a relative position with respect to a reference position within the first space RS1, or may be an absolute position using latitude and longitude. The position information collection device 11 includes a device capable of detecting the position of the salesperson user P1 in a desired manner. Depending on the position detection method, each device constituting the position information collection device 11 may be arranged at a predetermined position within the first space RS1, or may be carried by the salesperson user P1.

[0033] For example, the position information collection device 11 may include a camera, and the position of the salesperson user P1 may be identified by analyzing an image captured by the camera. The identification of the salesperson user P1 may be performed by identifying the face of the salesperson user P1, or by identifying a marker previously worn by the salesperson user P1, etc.

[0034] Also, for example, the position information collection device 11 includes a transmitter and a receiver corresponding to short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the position of the salesperson user P1 may be identified from the reception status of the radio wave received by the receiver from the transmitter carried by the salesperson user P1.

[0035] Note that the location identification information Ip may be information that can identify the orientation in addition to the location of the salesperson user P1. In this case, the location information collection device 11 may include a motion sensor and devices constituting a head tracking or face tracking system.

[0036] The identification of the location of the salesperson user P1 based on the information collected by the location information collection device 11 may be performed by the location information collection device 11 or by the information processing server 30. That is, the location identification information Ip may be information indicating the identification result of the location of the salesperson user P1, or may be information that enables the location of the salesperson user P1 to be identified by an operation using the location identification information Ip.

[0037] The salesperson terminal 12 is a device used by the salesperson user P1 for conversations with the customer users P2 and P3. The conversations between the salesperson user P1 and the customer users P2 and P3 are carried out by any of text, voice, and video. The salesperson terminal 12 only needs to include a device corresponding to the conversation means. That is, the salesperson terminal 12 may be any device capable of at least one of text input and display, voice input and output, and video shooting and display. For example, the salesperson terminal 12 is a headset, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable terminal, a device for video calls, etc.

[0038] First conversation information Ic1, which is information indicating the speech of the salesperson user P1, is input to the salesperson terminal 12. The salesperson terminal 12 transmits the first conversation information Ic1 to the information processing server 30. The first conversation information Ic1 is composed of data of any of text, voice, and video corresponding to the conversation means.

[0039] The imaging device 13 captures an image within the first space RS1. The imaging device 13 preferably can capture a moving image. The imaging device 13 includes, for example, a camera fixed at a predetermined position within the first space RS1. The camera is arranged, for example, at a position where it can capture a product. Alternatively, the imaging device 13 may be movable within the first space RS1 and may be remotely operable. An example of an imaging device 13 that can be remotely operated is a telepresence robot.

[0040] The imaging device 13 generates imaging information Iv consisting of imaging data within the first space RS1 and transmits the imaging information Iv to the information processing server 30. Also, when the imaging device 13 can be remotely operated, the imaging device 13 receives an instruction from the information processing server 30 and changes the imaging position and imaging direction.

[0041] The information output by the first device 10, in other words, the information output by each of the position information collection device 11, the salesperson terminal 12, and the imaging device 13 is the first information If1 that indicates the situation of the first space RS1. That is, the first information If1 includes position identification information Ip, first conversation information Ic1, and imaging information Iv. In the virtual space providing system 100, the first device 10 functions as a first acquisition unit that acquires the first information If1 in the first space RS1. Note that one device may also serve as two or more of the position information collection device 11, the salesperson terminal 12, and the imaging device 13.

[0042] The customer terminal 21 included in the second device 20 is a display terminal provided with a display unit for displaying an image. The customer terminal 21 is operated by the customer user P2. The customer terminal 21 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like. The customer terminal 21 displays an image based on the display data received from the information processing server 30. The display content of the customer terminal 21 includes an image of the virtual space and a first situation display that is a display indicating the situation of the first space RS1.

[0043] In addition, instruction information Is, which is information indicating an instruction from customer user P2 for the virtual space, is input to the customer terminal 21. The instruction information Is includes information for instructing the movement of the avatar corresponding to the customer user P2. The instruction information Is is transmitted from the customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30.

[0044] Furthermore, second conversation information Ic2, which is information indicating the speech of customer user P2, is input to the customer terminal 21. The second conversation information Ic2 is composed of any one of text, voice, and video data according to the conversation means between the salesperson user P1 and the customer user P2. The customer terminal 21 has functions of inputting and displaying text, inputting and outputting voice, and shooting and displaying video according to the conversation means. The second conversation information Ic2 is transmitted from the customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30.

[0045] Also, various requests such as a request for an image of the first space RS1, a request for product trial, and a request for settlement are sent from the customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30 according to an operation of the customer user P2 on the customer terminal 21. When the remote operation of the imaging device 13 is possible, at the time of requesting an image of the first space RS1, operation information Io, which is information indicating an instruction for the movement of the imaging device 13, is input to the customer terminal 21, and the operation information Io is transmitted from the customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30.

[0046] In addition, selected product information Ig, which indicates a product selected by the customer user P2 as a product to be purchased, is input to the customer terminal 21. The selected product information Ig is transmitted from the customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30.

[0047] Note that the functions of the customer terminal 21 in the virtual space providing system 100 are embodied by, for example, application software installed in the customer terminal 21. A specific example of such application software is a shopping app in a virtual store.

[0048] The information output by the second device 20, in other words, the information output by the customer terminal 21, is the second information If2. That is, the second information If2 includes instruction information Is, second conversation information Ic2, operation information Io, and selected product information Ig. In the virtual space providing system 100, the second device 20 functions as a second acquisition unit that acquires the second information If2 in the second space RS2.

[0049] The customer terminal 26 included in the third device 25 is a display terminal having the same configuration as the customer terminal 21 except that the operator is the customer user P3. That is, the customer terminal 26 displays an image based on the display data received from the information processing server 30. Further, instruction information Is indicating an instruction of the customer user P3 for the virtual space, third conversation information Ic3 indicating a statement of the customer user P3, operation information Io indicating an instruction for the movement of the imaging device 13, and selected product information Ig indicating a product selected by the customer user P3 as a product to be purchased can be input to the customer terminal 26, and the input information is sent to the information processing server 30.

[0050] The information output by the third device 25, in other words, the information output by the customer terminal 26, is the third information If3. In the virtual space providing system 100, the third device 25 functions as a third acquisition unit that acquires the third information If3 in the third space RS3.

[0051] The information processing server 30 includes a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, and a storage unit 33. The communication unit 31 executes connection processing between the information processing server 30 and each device including the first device 10, the second device 20, and the third device 25 through the network NW, and transmits and receives data between the connected devices. The communication unit 31 functions as a first reception unit that receives the first information If1 from the first device 10, a second reception unit that receives the second information If2 from the second device 20, and a third reception unit that receives the third information If3 from the third device 25. Further, the communication unit 31 functions as a transmission unit that transmits display data to the customer terminals 21 and 26 and transmits an instruction for the movement to the imaging device 13.

[0052] The control unit 32 has a configuration including a CPU and a volatile memory such as a RAM. Based on the programs and data stored in the storage unit 33, the control unit 32 controls the processing by the communication unit 31, reads and writes information in the storage unit 33, and controls each part of the information processing server 30 such as various arithmetic processes. In the virtual space providing system 100, the control unit 32 functions as a virtual space generation unit 32a, a conversation processing unit 32b, a customer service situation determination unit 32c, a shooting instruction unit 32d, a trial execution unit 32e, a display data generation unit 32f, a group setting unit 32g, and a purchase processing unit 32h.

[0053] The virtual space generation unit 32a sets the positions of objects including the first avatar A1, the second avatar A2, and the third avatar A3 in one virtual space having an arrangement of structures imitating the first space RS1. The first avatar A1 is an avatar corresponding to the salesperson user P1, the second avatar A2 is an avatar corresponding to the customer user P2, and the third avatar A3 is an avatar corresponding to the customer user P3. Thereby, a virtual space VS including the avatars A1, A2, and A3 as constituent elements is generated. FIG. 2 shows an example of the virtual space VS. The constituent elements of the virtual space VS also include an object indicating the product Gd.

[0054] The virtual space generation unit 32a changes the position of the first avatar A1 based on the position specifying information Ip included in the first information If1. Further, the virtual space generation unit 32a changes the position of the second avatar A2 based on the instruction information Is included in the second information If2, and changes the position of the third avatar A3 based on the instruction information Is included in the third information If3. That is, the virtual space generation unit 32a moves the first avatar A1 based on the position specifying information Ip, and moves the second avatar A2 and the third avatar A3 based on each instruction information Is.

[0055] The conversation processing unit 32b performs a conversation execution process, which is a process of establishing a conversation between the salesperson user P1 and the customer users P2 and P3 using the respective conversation information Ic1, Ic2, and Ic3 included in the first information If1, the second information If2, and the third information If3.

[0056] In addition, the conversation processing unit 32b performs conversation availability determination processing for determining the availability of conversation according to the distance between the avatars. Further, when the conversation means is voice or video, the conversation processing unit 32b performs conversation volume adjustment processing for adjusting the volume of the conversation according to the distance between the avatars.

[0057] The customer service status determination unit 32c uses the first information If1 to determine whether the salesperson user P1 is serving a customer who has actually visited the first space RS1 in the first space RS1. When it is determined that the salesperson user P1 is serving a customer, the customer service status determination unit 32c causes the display content of the display data to the customer terminals 21, 26 to include a display indicating that the first avatar A1 is serving a customer.

[0058] The shooting instruction unit 32d outputs an instruction to the imaging device 13 in response to a request from the customer terminals 21, 26. The instruction to the imaging device 13 includes an instruction to transmit the imaging information Iv generated by the imaging device 13. Further, when the remote operation of the imaging device 13 is possible, the instruction to the imaging device 13 includes an instruction for the movement of the imaging device 13 based on the operation information Io.

[0059] The trial execution unit 32e performs processing to allow the second avatar A2 and the third avatar A3 to try out products in response to a request from the customer terminals 21, 26. The trial of products includes, for example, trying on products such as clothes and accessories, and test-riding products such as vehicles.

[0060] The display data generation unit 32f generates display data that defines the display content on the customer terminals 21, 26. The display data is data for causing the customer terminals 21, 26 to display an image of the virtual space VS and a first situation display that is a display indicating the situation of the first space RS1. The first situation display is a display indicating the situation of the first space RS1 at that time, and includes an image in the first space RS1 such as an image of the salesperson user P1 or a product, and a display indicating a work situation such as the customer service status of the salesperson user P1.

[0061] The group setting unit 32g sets a group which is a collective of customer users who jointly select and pay for purchased goods. The group setting unit 32g stores information regarding the group as group data 33b in the storage unit 33.

[0062] The purchase processing unit 32h performs a registration process of registering the product indicated by the selected product information Ig included in the second information If2 or the third information If3 as a product to be purchased by the customer users P2 and P3. The products registered as planned purchases are managed as products placed in the shopping cart.

[0063] In addition, the purchase processing unit 32h performs a settlement process for the products registered by the above registration process, that is, the products placed in the shopping cart. In the registration process and the settlement process, the purchase processing unit 32h refers to the group data 33b and proceeds with the processing according to the conditions registered in the group data 33b.

[0064] The storage unit 33 has a configuration including a non-volatile memory and stores programs and data necessary for the processing executed by the control unit 32. Specifically, the storage unit 33 stores virtual space data 33a which is data used for generating the virtual space VS, and the above-mentioned group data 33b.

[0065] The virtual space data 33a includes data of a basic space having an arrangement of structures imitating the first space RS1, and data of objects moving within the virtual space VS. The basic space is a virtual space including fixed objects such as exhibits such as products, display stands and shelves for exhibits, pillars, and walls. The basic space only needs to imitate the first space RS1 so that the movement path of the people in the first space RS1 can be reproduced, and the arrangement of the structures between the first space RS1 and the basic space does not have to be exactly the same. For example, the basic space only needs to have a floor plan that coincides with the first space RS1, that is, an arrangement of passages that coincides with the first space RS1, and the arrangement of the exhibits in the basic space does not have to exactly coincide with the first space RS1.

[0066] The data of the base space includes, for example, information on a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system set for the base space, position information of the above-mentioned fixed object, data for associating the position of the base space with the position of the first space RS1, and data for rendering the base space. Also, the object data includes data for rendering the avatars A1, A2, and A3.

[0067] The group data 33b includes, as information for each group, user information of customer users belonging to the group and payment conditions. The user information includes identification information of the customer user such as an ID. Also, the user information may include information regarding payment means such as the name and contact information of the customer user and the credit card number. The payment conditions are referred to by the purchase processing unit 32h during the payment process. The payment conditions include the payment ratio of the price of the product for the customer users belonging to the group. Also, the payment conditions may include obtaining approval from other customer users within the group when an instruction for proceeding with the payment process is received from one customer user as a condition for proceeding with the payment process.

[0068] The group data 33b may further include selection conditions as information for each group. The selection conditions are referred to by the purchase processing unit 32h during the registration process. The selection conditions may include, for example, obtaining approval from other customer users within the group for the registration of the product when one customer user selects the product as a condition for proceeding with the registration process.

[0069] The group data 33b may further include coupon information as information for each group. For example, a coupon that can be used when purchasing a product in the group is provided by the operator of the virtual store or the like, and the number of this coupon or the like may be included in the group data 33b as coupon information that can be used in the group.

[0070] The group data 33b may further include information regarding the authority of the customer user as information for each group. For example, the authority is set so that only a specific customer user within the group is allowed to perform some of the operations on the customer terminals 21 and 26 that occur from the entry into the virtual store to the settlement, such as an instruction for the progress of the settlement process.

[0071] Note that the functions of each part in the control unit 32 may be separately embodied by various hardware such as a plurality of CPUs and a memory including a RAM, etc., and software that causes these to function, or may be embodied by software that gives a plurality of functions to a common single piece of hardware. Such software is stored in the storage unit 33 as a virtual space providing program.

[0072] [Operation of the Virtual Space Providing System] With reference to FIGS. 3 to 15, the operation of the virtual space providing system 100 will be described. The functions of the virtual space providing system 100 include a basic function, a conversation function, a customer service status display function, an indoor photography function, a trial function, and a product purchase function. Hereinafter, the operation of the virtual space providing system 100 in each function will be described in order. Note that for the basic function, the conversation function, the customer service status display function, the indoor photography function, and the trial function, since the customer terminals 21 and 26 both perform the same operations, hereinafter, the operation of the customer terminal 21 will be mainly described.

[0073] <Basic Function> The basic function is a function of arranging and moving the avatars A1, A2, and A3 in the virtual space VS, and displaying the virtual space VS on the customer terminals 21 and 26.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 3, the position information collection device 11 acquires the position identification information Ip and transmits it to the information processing server 30 (step S10). When receiving the position identification information Ip, the virtual space generation unit 32a of the information processing server 30 sets the position of the first avatar A1 at the position of the virtual space VS corresponding to the position of the first space RS1 specified based on the position identification information Ip using the virtual space data 33a (step S11).

[0075] Accordingly, the position of the first avatar A1 is set so that the positional relationship between the salesperson user P1 and the structure in the first space RS1 corresponds to the positional relationship between the first avatar A1 and the structure in the virtual space VS. By repeating the processes of step S10 and step S11 at predetermined intervals, the position of the first avatar A1 within the virtual space VS changes in accordance with the movement of the salesperson user P1 in the first space RS1.

[0076] On the other hand, when the customer user P2 performs a predetermined operation on the customer terminal 21 to request the display of the virtual store, a request for the display of the virtual space VS is transmitted from the customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30 (step S12). The predetermined operation is, for example, an operation of selecting a predetermined area of a screen displayed by starting a shopping application in the virtual store on the customer terminal 21.

[0077] Upon receiving the request from the customer terminal 21, the virtual space generation unit 32a of the information processing server 30 sets the position of the second avatar A2 at a predetermined position within the virtual space VS using the virtual space data 33a (step S13). The predetermined position is, for example, a position corresponding to the entrance of the virtual store.

[0078] The display data generation unit 32f of the information processing server 30 generates display data using the virtual space data 33a and the position information of the avatars A1 and A2 set by the virtual space generation unit 32a. The display data is transmitted from the communication unit 31 to the customer terminal 21 (step S14).

[0079] Upon receiving the display data, the customer terminal 21 displays an image based on the display data on the display unit. Thereby, the basic screen 200 is displayed on the customer terminal 21 (step S15). That is, the display data generated by the process of step S14 with the basic function is data for displaying the basic screen 200. FIG. 4 shows an example of the basic screen 200 displayed on the customer terminal 21. The basic screen 200 is a screen for the customer user P2 to view the products within the virtual space VS by moving the second avatar A2.

[0080] When the customer user P2 performs various operations on the basic screen 200, instruction information Is is input to the customer terminal 21, and the instruction information Is is transmitted from the customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30 (step S16). Specifically, for example, by dragging on the basic screen 200, information indicating the moving direction and moving amount of the second avatar A2 is input to the customer terminal 21 as the instruction information Is.

[0081] Upon receiving the instruction information Is, the virtual space generation unit 32a of the information processing server 30 changes the configuration of the virtual space VS according to the instruction information Is (step S17). Specifically, the virtual space generation unit 32a changes the position of the second avatar A2 according to the instruction information Is.

[0082] The display data generation unit 32f generates display data using the information changed by the virtual space generation unit 32a, and the display data is transmitted from the communication unit 31 to the customer terminal 21 (step S18).

[0083] By the customer terminal 21 displaying an image based on the display data on the display unit, the change corresponding to the instruction information Is is reflected on the basic screen 200 (step S19). Specifically, the position of the second avatar A2 moves.

[0084] As described above, based on the operation of the customer terminal 21, the position of the second avatar A2 is set in the virtual space VS, and the image of the virtual space VS is displayed on the customer terminal 21. Similarly, based on the operation of the customer terminal 26, the position of the third avatar A3 is set in the virtual space VS, and the image of the virtual space VS is displayed on the customer terminal 26.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 4, the details of the basic screen 200 will be described. FIG. 4 shows an example of the basic screen displayed on the customer terminal 21. The basic screen 200 includes a virtual area 210 where an image of the virtual space VS is displayed, and an operation area 220 that accepts operations for various setting changes and function uses. The image of the virtual area 210 may be an image of the virtual space VS viewed from a viewpoint set around the second avatar A2, such as behind the second avatar A2, or an image of the virtual space VS viewed from the viewpoint of the second avatar A2. Also, these viewpoints may be switchable. When the first avatar A1 or the third avatar A3 is located within the viewing range from the set viewpoint, these avatars A1, A3 are included in the image of the virtual area 210.

[0086] At the location where the product Gd is located within the virtual area 210, a product display 211 indicating information about the product is located. The information about the product is, for example, a description of the product or an evaluation from the purchaser of the product. Note that the product display 211 may be displayed when the location where the product Gd is located is selected. The product display 211 may be a component of the virtual space VS. Alternatively, the product display 211 may not be a component of the virtual space VS, and the display data may be configured such that the product display 211 is displayed at a specific location within the image of the virtual space VS. The data required for rendering the product display 211 is stored in the storage unit 33 in advance. Note that, in order to make the product Gd more prominent, the color or contour of the product Gd may be emphasized, or a visual effect such as blinking or movement may be applied to the product Gd. Such an effect for making the product Gd prominent may be manifested when the second avatar A2 approaches the product Gd.

[0087] Also, by selecting any location within the virtual area 210, it may be possible to magnify and display that location. If a wide range of the virtual space VS is displayed and an operation for moving the second avatar A2 is performed, and an operation of selecting the product Gd in the magnified display is performed, each operation can be performed efficiently. Such a display switch may be performed on the customer terminal 21 without exchanging information with the information processing server 30 by the customer terminal 21 generating data from the display data. Alternatively, information indicating a display switch is included in the instruction information Is and sent from the customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30, and the display may be switched based on the customer terminal 21 receiving display data in which changes according to the instruction information Is are reflected from the information processing server 30.

[0088] In addition, when the salesperson terminal 12 has an image display function, an image of the virtual space VS may also be displayed on the salesperson terminal 12. That is, in response to a request from the salesperson terminal 12, the information processing server 30 may send data for displaying an image of the virtual space VS to the salesperson terminal 12.

[0089] <Conversation function> The conversation function is a function that enables conversation between the salesperson user P1 and the customer users P2 and P3. For example, it is used when the customer users P2 and P3 want to ask the salesperson user P1 questions about a product. First, taking the case where the salesperson user P1 and the customer user P2 have a conversation as an example, the basic operation of the virtual space providing system 100 in the conversation function will be described.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 5, when the customer user P2 performs a predetermined operation on the customer terminal 21 to request a conversation with the first avatar A1, a request for a conversation targeted at the selected first avatar A1 is sent from the customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30 (step S20). The predetermined operation is, for example, an operation of selecting the first avatar A1 and an area instructing the start of a conversation displayed on the basic screen 200. By selecting the first avatar A1, an introduction of the salesperson user P1 corresponding to the first avatar A1 may be displayed on the basic screen 200.

[0091] When the conversation processing unit 32b of the information processing server 30 receives a request from the customer terminal 21, it calls the salesperson terminal 12 of the salesperson user P1 corresponding to the target first avatar A1 via the communication unit 31 (step S21). As a result, an incoming call notification is given by voice or vibration on the salesperson terminal 12. Note that the association between the first avatar A1 and the salesperson terminal 12 may be performed in advance by the information processing server 30.

[0092] When the salesperson user P1 performs an operation to respond to the call on the salesperson terminal 12 (step S22), conversation execution processing is performed on each of the customer terminal 21, the salesperson terminal 12, and the information processing server 30 (steps S23, S24, S25).

[0093] That is, the first conversation information Ic1 input to the salesperson terminal 12 is transmitted to the customer terminal 21 via the information processing server 30, and an output based on the first conversation information Ic1 is performed on the customer terminal 21. Also, the second conversation information Ic2 input to the customer terminal 21 is transmitted to the salesperson terminal 12 via the information processing server 30, and an output based on the second conversation information Ic2 is performed on the salesperson terminal 12. As a result, a statement input in any of text, voice, or video on one terminal is output on the other terminal, and a conversation between the salesperson user P1 and the customer user P2 is established.

[0094] Thus, the conversation execution processing by the conversation processing unit 32b includes processing of instructing the communication unit 31 to transmit the first conversation information Ic1 received from the salesperson terminal 12 to the customer terminal 21 and to transmit the second conversation information Ic2 received from the customer terminal 21 to the salesperson terminal 12.

[0095] Before a conversation is established between the salesperson user P1 and the customer user P2, operations by the customer user P2 on the avatars A1 and A2 occur, such as selecting the first avatar A1 of the conversation partner and moving the second avatar A2 to the area where the first avatar A1 is located. Also, during the conversation between the salesperson user P1 and the customer user P2, it is preferable that a display indicating that the first avatar A1 or the second avatar A2 is speaking is displayed on the customer terminal 21. In this way, for the conversation between the salesperson user P1 and the customer user P2, the first avatar A1 and the second avatar A2 are involved in the operations or displays related to the conversation.

[0096] Note that the start form of the conversation is not limited to the form in which the information processing server 30 calls the salesperson terminal 12 in response to a request from the customer terminal 21. For example, the information processing server 30 may receive a reservation of the conversation time and order from the customer terminal 21, and according to the reservation, the conversation execution process may be started on each of the customer terminal 21, the salesperson terminal 12, and the information processing server 30.

[0097] Specifically, the storage unit 33 of the information processing server 30 stores reservation data composed of a table including the reservant and the reservation time. Based on the information transmitted from the information processing server 30 to the customer terminal 21 based on the reservation data, the customer terminal 21 can confirm the reservation status of the conversation with the salesperson user P1. When the customer user P2 designates an available time in the reservation status, a reservation request is sent from the customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30, and the conversation processing unit 32b registers the reservation at the designated time as a reservation for the conversation between the customer user P2 and the salesperson user P1 in the reservation data. Then, according to the reservation in the reservation data, the conversation is started. In this way, if the reservation of the conversation is possible, when the customer user P2 wants to talk to the salesperson user P1, even if the salesperson user P1 is busy receiving customers and cannot respond immediately, a time for the conversation can be secured in advance. Therefore, the convenience for the customer user P2 is enhanced.

[0098] In addition, a conversation may be started based on the information processing server 30 calling the customer terminal 21 in response to a request from the salesperson terminal 12. Also, the conversation means may be selectable on the customer terminal 21 or the salesperson terminal 12.

[0099] FIGS. 6 and 7 show an example of a conversation screen 201 displayed on the customer terminal 21 during the execution of the conversation execution process when the conversation means is a video. The conversation screen 201 includes a video area 230 in which a video of the salesperson user P1 during the conversation taken by the salesperson terminal 12 is displayed, in addition to the virtual area 210 and the operation area 220 described above. The video displayed in the video area 230 is an example of a first situation display 300 that is a display showing the situation of the first space RS1. In this case, the first situation display 300 shows the situation of the first space RS1 based on the first conversation information Ic1 among the first information If1. The first conversation information Ic1 is composed of video data.

[0100] By displaying the video of the salesperson user P1 during the conversation, the customer user P2 can obtain a feeling close to a face-to-face conversation while communicating through the virtual space VS. Therefore, in the activities in the virtual space VS, it becomes easier to feel the connection with the real world.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 6, in the conversation screen 201, the virtual area 210 and the video area 230 may be arranged such that the video area 230 is superimposed on a part of the virtual area 210 with the virtual area 210 being the main part. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 7, the virtual area 210 and the video area 230 may be arranged such that the virtual area 210 is superimposed on a part of the video area 230 with the video area 230 being the main part. Also, it may be possible to select which of the virtual area 210 and the video area 230 is to be the main one.

[0102] In any case, the virtual area 210 and the video area 230 are simultaneously displayed on one screen. That is, while the conversation execution process is being performed, the display data generation unit 32f of the information processing server 30 generates data for displaying the virtual area 210 and the video area 230 on one screen as the display data for displaying the conversation screen 201, and transmits it to the customer terminal 21 via the communication unit 31. In this case, the first conversation information Ic1 is included in the display data based on the instruction of the conversation processing unit 32b and transmitted to the customer terminal 21.

[0103] When the virtual area 210 and the video area 230 are simultaneously displayed on one screen, the customer user P2 can obtain the feeling of shopping in the virtual space VS and the feeling similar to a conversation in the real space together. Therefore, by the fusion of these feelings, as the feeling obtained from the activities in the virtual space VS, a feeling closer to the experience in the real space can be obtained. Therefore, it becomes easier to feel the connection with the real world.

[0104] In addition, when the conversation means is a video, only the video of the customer user P2 captured by the customer terminal 21 may be displayed on the salesperson terminal 12, or the video of the customer user P2 and the image of the virtual space VS may be displayed.

[0105] Subsequently, the conversation availability determination process by the conversation processing unit 32b will be described. In the conversation function, the availability of the conversation may be determined according to the distance between the first avatar A1 and the second avatar A2. In this case, when receiving the conversation request from the customer terminal 21 by the process of step S20 in FIG. 5 above, the conversation processing unit 32b performs the conversation availability determination process.

[0106] In the conversation determination process, the conversation processing unit 32b determines whether the distance L between the first avatar A1 and the second avatar A2 in the virtual space VS is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. The predetermined threshold value is set to a distance at which conversation is possible between two persons when converted to a distance within the first space RS1. When the distance L is equal to or less than the threshold value, the conversation processing unit 32b determines to permit the conversation and ends the conversation permission determination process. When the conversation is permitted, the conversation processing unit 32b proceeds with the processing after step S21 in FIG. 5 above.

[0107] When the distance L exceeds the threshold value, the conversation processing unit 32b determines not to permit the conversation and ends the conversation permission determination process. When the conversation is not permitted, the conversation processing unit 32b notifies the customer terminal 21 via the communication unit 31 that the conversation cannot be made because the distance between the avatars is too far, and such notification is displayed on the customer terminal 21.

[0108] According to the above configuration, when the customer user P2 wants to talk to the salesperson user P1, it is necessary to bring the second avatar A2 closer to the first avatar A1. Also, when the customer user P2 wants to avoid being talked to by the salesperson user P1, the second avatar A2 may be moved away from the first avatar A1. Thus, similar to the fact that the distance between a customer and a salesperson in a real store affects the possibility of conversation, the distance between the avatars affects the possibility of conversation. Therefore, the customer user P2 can obtain a feeling closer to the experience in the real space in activities in the virtual space VS.

[0109] Next, the conversation volume adjustment process by the conversation processing unit 32b will be described. When the conversation means is voice or video, in the conversation function, the volume of the conversation may be adjusted according to the distance between the first avatar A1 and the second avatar A2. In this case, the conversation processing unit 32b performs the conversation volume adjustment process prior to the conversation execution process.

[0110] In the conversation volume adjustment process, the conversation processing unit 32b sets the conversation volume according to the distance L between the first avatar A1 and the second avatar A2. Specifically, the conversation processing unit 32b sets the conversation volume to be smaller as the distance L is larger.

[0111] After that, the conversation processing unit 32b proceeds with the conversation execution process at the set conversation volume. That is, the conversation processing unit 32b transmits the first conversation information Ic1 to the customer terminal 21 via the communication unit 31 together with an instruction to output voice at the set conversation volume. In this case, the first conversation information Ic1 is composed of voice data or includes voice data as part of video data. As a result, at the customer terminal 21, based on the first conversation information Ic1, the speech of the salesperson user P1 is output at the set conversation volume.

[0112] According to the above configuration, similar to the distance between a customer and a salesperson in an actual store affecting the volume of the conversation, the distance between avatars affects the volume of the conversation. Therefore, the customer user P2 can obtain a feeling closer to the experience in the real space in activities in the virtual space VS.

[0113] By performing the conversation volume adjustment process at a predetermined interval even after starting the conversation execution process, or by performing it every time an opportunity to transmit the first conversation information Ic1 to the customer terminal 21 arises, when the distance L between the avatars changes during the conversation, the conversation volume changes accordingly. As a result, the customer user P2 can obtain a feeling closer to the experience in the real space.

[0114] Note that the conversation volume at the salesperson terminal 12 may be changed according to the distance L between the first avatar A1 and the second avatar A2 in the same way as the customer terminal 21, or may be constant. Also, similar to the conversation between the salesperson user P1 and the customer user P2 described above, it is sufficient that a conversation between the customer user P2 and the customer user P3 is possible. In this case, the second conversation information Ic2 input to the customer terminal 21 is transmitted to the customer terminal 26 via the information processing server 30, and the third conversation information Ic3 input to the customer terminal 26 is transmitted to the customer terminal 21 via the information processing server 30.

[0115] <Customer service status display function> The customer service status display function is a function in which the customer service status of the salesperson user P1 in the first space RS1 is reflected in the display of the first avatar A1. Since the salesperson user P1 also provides customer service to the customers who actually visit the first space RS1, when the salesperson user P1 is providing customer service in the first space RS1, the salesperson user P1 cannot respond to the conversation requests from the customer users P2 and P3 through the virtual space VS. With the customer service status display function, the customer users P2 and P3 can easily grasp whether the salesperson user P1 using the first avatar A1 in the virtual space VS can provide customer service.

[0116] Figure 8 shows the processing procedure of the information processing server 30 in the customer service status display function. First, as the processing of step S50, the communication unit 31 of the information processing server 30 receives the determination information Ij, which is information capable of determining the customer service status of the salesperson user P1, from the first device 10. When receiving the determination information Ij, the customer service status determination unit 32c of the information processing server 30 determines, as the processing of step S51, whether the salesperson user P1 is providing customer service in the first space RS1 based on the determination information Ij.

[0117] For example, when the position information collection device 11 includes a camera and the salesperson user P1 is identified by analyzing the captured image when specifying the position of the salesperson user P1 using the position identification information Ip, it is determined by analyzing a similar image whether there is another person within a predetermined range from the salesperson user P1. In this case, the information output from the position information collection device 11 functions as the determination information Ij. The determination information Ij is included in the first information If1. The above-mentioned predetermined range is set to a range where it is assumed that another person is located when the salesperson user P1 and another person are having a conversation. The customer service status determination unit 32c determines that the salesperson user P1 is providing customer service when there is another person within a predetermined range from the salesperson user P1.

[0118] When it is determined that the salesperson user P1 is serving a customer (positive determination in step S51), in the process of step S52, the display data generation unit 32f generates display data for displaying the basic screen 200 including a serving-customer display indicating that the first avatar A1 is serving a customer. By displaying the basic screen 200 based on this display data on the customer terminals 21 and 26, the serving-customer display is displayed on the customer terminals 21 and 26 together with the image of the virtual space VS.

[0119] When it is determined that the salesperson user P1 is not serving a customer (negative determination in step S51), in the process of step S53, the display data generation unit 32f generates display data for displaying the basic screen 200 that does not include the serving-customer display.

[0120] FIG. 9 shows an example of the basic screen 200 including the serving-customer display 212 displayed on the customer terminal 21. In FIG. 9, a fourth avatar A4 different from the avatars A1, A2, and A3 is arranged near the first avatar A1, and a display indicating that they are in conversation is attached between the first avatar A1 and the fourth avatar A4. Such a display indicating that the first avatar A1 is in conversation with the fourth avatar A4 is the serving-customer display 212.

[0121] The serving-customer display 212 is not limited to the above example, and may be, for example, attaching a sign indicating that the first avatar A1 is serving a customer, changing the color of the first avatar A1, etc. The serving-customer display 212 only needs to be displayed in association with the first avatar A1. The serving-customer display 212 has a function of indicating that the first avatar A1 is serving a customer and that the salesperson user P1 is serving a customer in the first space RS1. The serving-customer display 212 may be a component of the virtual space VS, or alternatively, the display data may be configured such that the serving-customer display 212 is not a component of the virtual space VS but is displayed near the first avatar A1. The data required for drawing the serving-customer display 212 is stored in the storage unit 33 in advance.

[0122] The customer users P2 and P3 can easily understand that the salesperson user P1 corresponding to the first avatar A1 is unable to respond to requests for conversation by the serving display 212. This allows them to adjust the timing of speaking to the first avatar A1, and they can efficiently carry out activities in the virtual space VS.

[0123] In addition, the customer service display 212 shows the customer service status of the customer user P2 in the first space RS1 in the virtual space VS, so that the customer users P2 and P3 can easily understand that the first avatar A1 is not a character that serves customers only in the virtual space VS, but an alter ego of a salesperson who actually serves customers in a store in the real space. Therefore, the activities in the virtual space VS can easily be connected to reality. In addition, since the image of the virtual space VS and the customer service display 212 are displayed simultaneously on one screen, the connection between the activities in the virtual space VS and reality becomes more noticeable.

[0124] The serving customer display 212 is an example of the first status display 300, which is a display showing the status of the first space RS1, and is also a display showing the working status of the salesperson user P1. In this case, the first status display 300 shows the status of the first space RS1 based on the determination information Ij.

[0125] In addition, the determination of whether the salesperson user P1 is serving a customer may be made based on information output by any device included in the first device 10, not limited to information output by the position information collection device 11. In other words, the determination information Ij does not have to be information output by the position information collection device 11 as long as it is information output by the first device 10.

[0126] For example, when the salesperson user P1 starts serving a customer in the first space RS1, the salesperson user P1 performs a predetermined operation on the salesperson terminal 12. As a result, information indicating that the salesperson user P1 is serving a customer is transmitted as determination information Ij from the salesperson terminal 12 to the information processing server 30. Based on receiving the information, the customer service status determination unit 32c determines that the salesperson user P1 is serving a customer.

[0127] Also, not only when the salesperson user P1 is dealing with a customer who has visited the first space RS1, but also when the salesperson user P1 is on the phone, for example, the customer service situation determination unit 32c may determine that the salesperson user P1 is in the process of serving a customer, and the in-service display 212 may be displayed. For example, when the salesperson user P1 answers the phone, the salesperson terminal 12 performs a predetermined operation. Thereby, the determination information Ij is transmitted from the salesperson terminal 12 to the information processing server 30, and the customer service situation determination unit 32c determines that the salesperson user P1 is in the process of serving a customer.

[0128] Also, not only when the salesperson user P1 is in the process of serving a customer, but also when the salesperson user P1 cannot respond to a conversation request through the virtual space VS for work in the first space RS1, as the first situation display 300, a display indicating that the salesperson user P1 cannot respond to the conversation request may be displayed on the customer terminal 21. Such a display is also included in the display indicating the working situation of the salesperson user P1.

[0129] <Indoor photography function> The indoor photography function is a function of photographing images within the first space RS1, such as images of products, and displaying them on the customer terminals 21 and 26. The indoor photography function is used, for example, when customer users P2 and P3 want to confirm the actual color and shape of a product. Hereinafter, the operation of the virtual space providing system 100 will be described by taking the case where the customer user P2 uses the indoor photography function as an example.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 10, when the customer user P2 performs a predetermined operation on the customer terminal 21 to request photographing within the first space RS1, the photographing request is transmitted from the customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30 (step S60). The predetermined operation is, for example, an operation of selecting an area indicating photographing displayed on the basic screen 200.

[0131] When receiving a request from the client terminal 21, the shooting instruction unit 32d of the information processing server 30 outputs an instruction to shoot the imaging device 13. The shooting instruction is sent from the communication unit 31 to the imaging device 13 (step S61). When receiving the shooting instruction, the imaging device 13 performs shooting processing (step S62). The shooting processing includes generating shooting information Iv by shooting within the first space RS1 and transmitting the shooting information Iv to the information processing server 30.

[0132] When the remote operation of the imaging device 13 is possible, operation information Io is input to the client terminal 21, and the operation information Io is transmitted from the client terminal 21 to the information processing server 30. In this case, the shooting instruction unit 32d outputs a shooting instruction including a movement instruction according to the operation information Io. Then, the shooting processing of the imaging device 13 includes changing the position and orientation according to the instruction from the information processing server 30.

[0133] For example, the image of the virtual space VS displayed on the client terminal 21 includes a display indicating the position of the imaging device 13. By operating the display, such as dragging, the information indicating the moving direction and moving amount of the imaging device 13 is input to the client terminal 21 as the operation information Io. The position of the imaging device 13 may be specified by analyzing an image captured by the position information collection device 11, for example, when the position of the salesperson user P1 is specified. Alternatively, the imaging device 13 may have a function of acquiring its own position information and transmitting it to the information processing server 30. Based on the position information from the imaging device 13, the position of the imaging device 13 may be specified and reflected in the display on the client terminal 21.

[0134] When the information processing server 30 receives the shooting information Iv from the imaging device 13, the display data generation unit 32f of the information processing server 30 generates display data for displaying the observation screen 202 including the image captured by the imaging device 13. The display data is transmitted from the communication unit 31 to the client terminal 21 (step S63).

[0135] When the customer terminal 21 receives the display data, it displays an image based on the display data on the display unit. As a result, the observation screen 202 is displayed on the customer terminal 21 (step S64). FIG. 11 shows an example of the observation screen 202 displayed on the customer terminal 21. The observation screen 202 includes a shooting area 240 in which an image captured by the imaging device 13 is displayed, in addition to the virtual area 210 and the operation area 220. The image displayed in the shooting area 240 is an example of a first situation display 300 that is a display showing the situation of the first space RS1. In this case, the first situation display 300 shows the situation of the first space RS1 based on the shooting information Iv among the first information If1.

[0136] On the observation screen 202, as shown in FIG. 11, the virtual area 210 and the shooting area 240 may be arranged such that the shooting area 240 is superimposed on a part of the virtual area 210 mainly with the virtual area 210. Alternatively, the virtual area 210 and the shooting area 240 may be arranged such that the virtual area 210 is superimposed on a part of the shooting area 240 mainly with the shooting area 240. Also, it may be possible to select which of the virtual area 210 and the shooting area 240 is the main one. In any case, the virtual area 210 and the shooting area 240 are simultaneously displayed on one screen. That is, the display data for displaying the observation screen 202 is data for displaying the virtual area 210 and the shooting area 240 on one screen.

[0137] When the image captured by the imaging device 13 is displayed on the customer terminal 21, the customer user P2 can confirm the color and shape of the product. Therefore, the customer user P2 can select the product to be purchased while referring to the appearance of such a product. Therefore, an appropriate selection of the product is possible, and a feeling similar to selecting a product by looking at it in the real space can be obtained. Therefore, in the activities in the virtual space VS, the connection with the real world is more easily felt.

[0138] Furthermore, if the imaging device 13 can be remotely operated, the will of the customer user P2 is more strongly reflected in the image displayed in the imaging area 240. Therefore, it becomes easier to proceed with the selection of products in accordance with the intention of the customer user P2, and the customer user P2 can obtain a feeling closer to the selection of products in the real space.

[0139] Also, by simultaneously displaying the virtual area 210 and the imaging area 240 on one screen, the customer user P2 can obtain the feeling of shopping in the virtual space VS and the feeling of selecting products in the real space at the same time. Therefore, through the fusion of these feelings, as a feeling obtained from activities in the virtual space VS, a feeling closer to the experience in the real space can be obtained. Therefore, it becomes easier to feel the connection with the real world.

[0140] In addition, when the imaging device 13 can be remotely operated, it may be possible to reserve the use of the imaging device 13. This enhances the convenience for the customer user P2. Specifically, the storage unit 33 of the information processing server 30 stores reservation data composed of a table or the like including the reserving person and the reservation time. Based on the information based on the reservation data being transmitted from the information processing server 30 to the customer terminal 21, the reservation status of the use of the imaging device 13 can be confirmed on the customer terminal 21. When the customer user P2 designates an available time in the reservation status, a reservation request is sent from the customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30, and the imaging instruction unit 32d registers the reservation at the designated time as a reservation for the use of the imaging device 13 by the customer user P2 in the reservation data. Then, the use of the imaging device 13 is started according to the reservation in the reservation data.

[0141] <Trial function> The trial function is a function for virtually trying out products. Hereinafter, the operation of the virtual space providing system 100 will be described by taking the case where the customer user P2 uses the trial function as an example.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 12, when the customer user P2 performs a predetermined operation on the customer terminal 21 to request a product trial, the trial request is transmitted from the customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30 (step S70). The predetermined operation is, for example, an operation of selecting an area indicating a product and its trial displayed on the basic screen 200.

[0143] Upon receiving the request from the customer terminal 21, the trial execution unit 32e of the information processing server 30 performs a trial process (step S71). The trial process is, for example, a process of generating data in which a product is worn on the second avatar A2 corresponding to the customer user P2 if the product is clothing or an accessory, or a process of generating data in which the second avatar A2 is placed on the product if the product is a vehicle. Alternatively, the trial process may be a process of generating data in which the second avatar A2 holds the product. In short, any process that generates data in which the selected product is tried on the second avatar A2 is acceptable.

[0144] Subsequently, the display data generation unit 32f of the information processing server 30 generates display data for displaying a trial screen 203 including an image in which the second avatar A2 is trying the product, using the data generated by the trial execution unit 32e (step S72). Upon receiving the display data, the customer terminal 21 displays an image based on the display data on the display unit. As a result, the trial screen 203 is displayed on the customer terminal 21 (step S73).

[0145] FIG. 13 shows an example of the trial screen 203 displayed on the customer terminal 21. The trial screen 203 includes an operation area 220 and a trial area 250 where the second avatar A2 trying the product Gd is displayed.

[0146] The background of the trial area 250 may be an image of the virtual space VS, or an image different from the virtual space VS. Also, if the customer terminal 21 has a photographing function, the background of the trial area 250 may be an image of the second space RS2 photographed by the customer terminal 21. That is, the trial function may utilize augmented reality (AR).

[0147] When an image in which the second avatar A2 is trying out the product Gd is displayed, the customer user P2 can easily imagine how the product would look when they use it themselves, or the balance when using a combination of multiple products. Also, even for products that are difficult to try out in a physical store such as a vehicle, by having the second avatar A2 try out the product, an image of using the product can be easily obtained. Also, when AR is used, it is easy to imagine how the product Gd would look when used in the second space RS2. Therefore, an accurate judgment can be made regarding the selection of the product to purchase. Note that when AR is used, the second avatar A2 may not be displayed and only the product Gd may be displayed.

[0148] <Product Purchase Function> The product purchase function is a function that realizes the selection and settlement of products through the virtual space VS. Below, the operation of the virtual space providing system 100 will be described for the case where two customer users P2 and P3 form a group and jointly proceed with the purchase of a product. In the following description, for the purpose of distinguishing between users and terminals, the customer user P2 may be referred to as the first customer user P2, the customer user P3 may be referred to as the second customer user P3, the customer terminal 21 may be referred to as the first customer terminal 21, and the customer terminal 26 may be referred to as the second customer terminal 26.

[0149] First, the case where group data 33b has been created before the selection of the product will be described. Specifically, group data 33b has been created such that two customer users P2 and P3 form one group, and in the group data 33b, as a payment condition, the payment ratio of the product price between the first customer user P2 and the second customer user P3 is set. Such a form is assumed to be applicable, for example, when the first customer user P2 and the second customer user P3 are friends and use the virtual store to jointly purchase a product for joint use.

[0150] The creation of the group data 33b by the group setting unit 32g of the information processing server 30, that is, the setting of the group, may be performed, for example, at the time of registration of the use of the virtual space providing system 100 by the customer users P2 and P3 accompanying the installation of application software on the customer terminals 21 and 26, or at the time of entering a virtual store using the avatars A2 and A3, or at any timing before the selection of a product.

[0151] As shown in FIG. 14, when the first customer user P2 performs a predetermined operation of selecting a product that he / she wishes to purchase on the first customer terminal 21, the selected product information Ig indicating the product is transmitted from the first customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30 (step S80). The predetermined operation may be, for example, an operation of selecting a product displayed on the basic screen 200, or an operation of selecting a product displayed on the first customer terminal 21 during the use of the conversation function, the indoor camera function, or the trial function.

[0152] Upon receiving the selected product information Ig, the purchase processing unit 32h of the information processing server 30 performs a registration process (step S81). As a result, the product indicated by the selected product information Ig is registered as a product scheduled to be purchased by the group to which the first customer user P2 belongs, and the first customer terminal 21 is notified that the product has been placed in the shopping cart.

[0153] Similarly, when the second customer user P3 performs a predetermined operation of selecting a product that he / she wishes to purchase on the second customer terminal 26, the selected product information Ig indicating the product is transmitted from the second customer terminal 26 to the information processing server 30 (step S82). Upon receiving the selected product information Ig, the purchase processing unit 32h of the information processing server 30 performs a registration process (step S83). As a result, the product indicated by the selected product information Ig is registered as a product scheduled to be purchased by the group to which the second customer user P3 belongs, and the second customer terminal 26 is notified that the product has been placed in the shopping cart.

[0154] Note that the shopping cart may be shared within the group or managed for each customer user. That is, the shopping cart containing the products selected by the first customer user P2 and the shopping cart containing the products selected by the second customer user P3 may be common or separate. If the shopping carts are common, it is easy to grasp all the products scheduled to be purchased by the group.

[0155] In addition, adding a product to the shopping cart may be notified to each customer user within the group. That is, the registration of the product scheduled to be purchased based on the selected product information Ig from the first customer terminal 21 is notified not only to the first customer terminal 21 but also to the second customer terminal 26, and the registration of the product scheduled to be purchased based on the selected product information Ig from the second customer terminal 26 may be notified not only to the second customer terminal 26 but also to the first customer terminal 21.

[0156] During the above registration process, the purchase processing unit 32h refers to the group data 33b and checks whether selection conditions are set as information on the group of customer users P2 and P3. If the selection conditions are set, the purchase processing unit 32h proceeds with the registration process according to the selection conditions.

[0157] For example, when it is set that approval from customer users within the group is required for registering a product to be purchased as a selection condition, when the purchase processing unit 32h receives the selected product information Ig from the first customer terminal 21, it requests approval from the second customer terminal 26 via the communication unit 31 to add the product indicated by the selected product information Ig to the products to be purchased. When the second customer user P3 on the second customer terminal 26 performs an operation to approve the addition of the product to the shopping cart, a notification of approval is sent from the second customer terminal 26 to the information processing server 30, and based on this, the purchase processing unit 32h performs a registration process for the product. As a result, the product indicated by the selected product information Ig is registered as a product to be purchased. Similarly, when the purchase processing unit 32h receives the selected product information Ig from the second customer terminal 26, it requests approval from the first customer terminal 21 via the communication unit 31 to add the product indicated by the selected product information Ig to the products to be purchased, and after obtaining approval, proceeds with the registration process.

[0158] Note that the order of product selection by the first customer user P2 and the second customer user P3 is arbitrary. Also, the product selection may be performed by at least one of the first customer user P2 and the second customer user P3.

[0159] After the product selection is completed, when the first customer user P2 performs a predetermined operation to request payment on the first customer terminal 21, a payment request is sent from the first customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30 (step S84). The predetermined operation is, for example, an operation of selecting a region for instructing the progress of payment on a screen where the products in the shopping cart are displayed.

[0160] Note that the payment request may be made from the second customer terminal 26 based on the operation of the second customer user P3. Alternatively, when it is set in the group data 33b that only a specific customer user has the authority to instruct the progress of the payment process, only the payment request by the customer user having such authority is accepted by the information processing server 30.

[0161] When receiving a payment request, the purchase processing unit 32h of the information processing server 30 performs payment setting processing as part of the payment processing (step S85). Specifically, the purchase processing unit 32h refers to the group data 33b and determines the payment amounts for each customer user P2 and P3 according to the payment conditions set as the information of the group of customer users P2 and P3. Specifically, the purchase processing unit 32h calculates the total amount of the products registered as the products scheduled for purchase in the group of customer users P2 and P3. Then, the purchase processing unit 32h calculates the payment amount for the price of each product for each customer user P2 and P3 according to the payment ratio of the price of the product determined by the payment conditions. For example, when the payment ratio of the price for customer users P2 and P3 is set at 50% each according to the payment conditions, half of the total amount of the price is set as the payment amount for each customer user P2 and P3.

[0162] When the payment amount is determined by the payment setting processing, payment data indicating the payment details including the payment amount is sent from the information processing server 30 to the customer terminals 21 and 26. The payment data sent to the first customer terminal 21 is data including the payment amount of the first customer user P2, and the payment data sent to the second customer terminal 26 is data including the payment amount of the second customer user P3.

[0163] In addition, when the available coupon information is included in the group data 33b, the purchase processing unit 32h applies the coupon to calculate the payment amounts for each customer user P2 and P3. Also, in the group data 33b, when it is set as a payment condition to obtain the approval of the customer users within the group during the progress of the payment processing, when the purchase processing unit 32h receives a payment request from the first customer terminal 21, it sends a request for approval of the progress of the payment processing to the second customer terminal 26 via the communication unit 31. When the second customer user P3 performs an operation to approve the progress of the payment processing on the second customer terminal 26, a notification of approval is sent from the second customer terminal 26 to the information processing server 30, and based on this, the purchase processing unit 32h proceeds with the above-described processing to determine the payment amounts for each customer user P2 and P3.

[0164] When the first customer terminal 21 receives the settlement data, the settlement details based on the settlement data are displayed on the first customer terminal 21. When the first customer user P2 performs an operation to approve the settlement details on the first customer terminal 21, a notification of approval is sent from the first customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30 (step S86).

[0165] Similarly, when the second customer terminal 26 receives the settlement data, the settlement details based on the settlement data are displayed on the second customer terminal 26. When the second customer user P3 performs an operation to approve the settlement details on the second customer terminal 26, a notification of approval is sent from the second customer terminal 26 to the information processing server 30 (step S87).

[0166] When receiving the notification of approval of the settlement details from the first customer terminal 21 and the second customer terminal 26, the purchase processing unit 32h of the information processing server 30 performs a settlement execution process as part of the settlement process (step S88). That is, for each of the customer users P2 and P3, the purchase processing unit 32h uses a known settlement method such as a credit card, communicates with an external server as necessary, and executes the settlement according to the content along with the settlement data. The settlement method may be included and registered in the group data 33b in advance, or may be input to each of the customer terminals 21 and 26 before the approval of the settlement details. The goods for which the settlement is completed are delivered to the customer users P2 and P3 by using a delivery service or the like.

[0167] Next, the case where the group data 33b is created after the selection of goods will be described. In this case, at the time of selecting the goods to be purchased, the group including the customer users P2 and P3 is not set. Hereinafter, an example will be described in which after the first customer user P2 selects the goods, the second customer user P3 joins the group and the group is set. However, it is similarly possible that after the second customer user P3 selects the goods, the first customer user P2 joins the group.

[0168] As shown in FIG. 15, when a first customer user P2 performs a predetermined operation on the first customer terminal 21 to select a product that the user wishes to purchase, selection product information Ig indicating the product is transmitted from the first customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30 (step S90).

[0169] Upon receiving the selection product information Ig, the purchase processing unit 32h of the information processing server 30 performs a registration process (step S91). As a result, the product indicated by the selection product information Ig is registered as a product scheduled to be purchased by the first customer user P2, and the first customer terminal 21 is notified that the product has been placed in the shopping cart.

[0170] After the selection of the product is completed, when the first customer user P2 performs a predetermined operation on the first customer terminal 21 to request settlement and to indicate a desire to purchase as a group, a settlement request and a group setting request are transmitted from the first customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30 (step S92).

[0171] Upon receiving the settlement request and the group setting request, the group setting unit 32g of the information processing server 30 performs a group recruitment process (step S93). Specifically, the group setting unit 32g transmits, via the communication unit 31, a notification calling for participation in a group for jointly purchasing the product with the first customer user P2, together with information on the product registered as a product scheduled to be purchased by the first customer user P2, to the second customer terminal 26.

[0172] Note that the destination for transmitting the notification calling for participation in the group may be specified by the first customer user P2. For example, when the first customer user P2 visits a virtual store with the second customer user P3 and wishes to jointly purchase a product while selecting products, the call for participation in the group may be limited to the second customer user P3. Also, for example, when the first customer user P2 visits a virtual store alone and wishes to jointly purchase a product upon learning about a discount or the like for joint purchases while selecting products, the call for participation in the group may be addressed to all customer users using the virtual store.

[0173] Upon receiving a notice calling for participation in the group, when the second customer user P3 performs an operation to wish to participate in the group on the second customer terminal 26, a notice indicating the participation of the second customer user P3 is transmitted from the second customer terminal 26 to the information processing server 30 (step S94).

[0174] Upon receiving the notice of participation, the group setting unit 32g of the information processing server 30 creates group data 33b (step S95). Specifically, the group setting unit 32g registers, as group data 33b, settlement conditions including the payment ratio of the price of the product, coupon information, etc., together with the user information of the customer users P2 and P3 constituting the group, while communicating with the customer terminals 21 and 26 as necessary.

[0175] When the group data 33b is created, the purchase processing unit 32h of the information processing server 30 performs a settlement setting process as part of the settlement process (step S96). That is, the purchase processing unit 32h determines the payment amounts of the respective customer users P2 and P3 according to the payment ratio of the price and the coupon information in the set settlement conditions. When the payment amounts are determined, settlement data indicating the settlement details including the payment amounts is sent from the information processing server 30 to the customer terminals 21 and 26. The settlement data transmitted to the first customer terminal 21 is data including the payment amount of the first customer user P2, and the settlement data transmitted to the second customer terminal 26 is data including the payment amount of the second customer user P3.

[0176] When the first customer user P2 performs an operation to approve the settlement details on the first customer terminal 21, a notice of approval is transmitted from the first customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30 (step S97). Similarly, when the second customer user P3 performs an operation to approve the settlement details on the second customer terminal 26, a notice of approval is transmitted from the second customer terminal 26 to the information processing server 30 (step S98).

[0177] When receiving a notification of approval of the settlement details from the first customer terminal 21 and the second customer terminal 26, the purchase processing unit 32h of the information processing server 30 performs a settlement execution process as part of the settlement process (step S99). As a result, the settlement is executed according to the content of the settlement data.

[0178] As described above, in this embodiment, customer users P2 and P3 within the group can share and pay the price of the product at a desired ratio. Therefore, even in shopping in the virtual space VS, products can be jointly purchased in the same way as in shopping in the real space. As a result, activities closer to those in the real space can be carried out in the virtual space VS. In addition, since the conditions for product selection and settlement can also be set, the joint purchase of products can proceed smoothly.

[0179] Note that a part of the group data 33b may be created before the selection of the product, and the remaining part of the group data 33b may be created after the selection of the product. For example, the registration of the user information of the customer users P2 and P3 constituting the group may be performed before the selection of the product by the customer users P2 and P3, and the setting of the payment ratio for the customer users P2 and P3 within the group may be performed after the selection of the product.

[0180] Also, in this embodiment, the settlement process by the purchase processing unit 32h can also be regarded as a process in which another customer user P3 within the same group is advanced as the payer of a part of the price of the product selected by one customer user P2 within the group.

[0181] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The image of the virtual space VS and the first situation display 300 showing the situation of the first space RS1 are displayed on the customer terminals 21 and 26. Therefore, compared with the case where only the image of the virtual space VS is displayed and the first situation display 300 is not displayed, the customer users P2 and P3 can more easily feel the connection with the reality in their activities in the virtual space VS. As a result, even when it is difficult for the customer users P2 and P3 to go to the first space RS1, they can obtain a feeling similar to that in the activity in the first space RS1 through the activity in the virtual space VS. Therefore, it is also possible to improve the purchasing desire of the customer users P2 and P3.

[0182] (2) Each of the customer users P2 and P3 constituting the group can select a product, and the price of the product selected within the group is paid by the customer users P2 and P3 in a desired ratio. Therefore, even in shopping in the virtual space VS, products can be jointly purchased in the same way as in the real space. As a result, an activity closer to that in the real space can be carried out in the virtual space VS.

[0183] (3) If the payment ratio of the customer users P2 and P3 in the group is set in a form before the purchase processing unit 32h registers the product scheduled to be purchased by the group, since the payment ratio is set in advance, the process from product selection to settlement can proceed smoothly.

[0184] (4) If the payment ratio of the customer users P2 and P3 in the group is set after the purchase processing unit 32h registers the product scheduled to be purchased, the decision of whether to jointly purchase the product and the payment ratio can be made after the product is selected. Therefore, the settlement form can be selected more flexibly.

[0185] (5) The first conversation information Ic1 is composed of video data, and the first situation display 300 includes a display of an image of the salesperson user P1 engaged in a conversation based on the first conversation information Ic1. This allows the customer users P2 and P3 to feel a sense of being close to a face-to-face conversation in the conversation with the salesperson user P1 through the virtual space VS. Therefore, the activities in the virtual space VS are more likely to feel a connection with reality.

[0186] (6) The first status display 300 includes a serving display 212 indicating that the salesperson user P1 is serving customers in the first space RS1. This allows the customer users P2 and P3 to easily understand whether the salesperson user P1 is in a situation where he or she can respond to requests for conversation, and therefore allows them to adjust the timing of speaking to the first avatar A1, and to efficiently proceed with activities in the virtual space VS. In addition, the customer users P2 and P3 can easily sense that the first avatar A1 is not a character that serves customers only in the virtual space VS, but an alter-ego of a salesperson who actually serves customers in a store in the real space. Therefore, it becomes easier to feel a connection with reality in activities in the virtual space VS.

[0187] (7) The first status display 300 includes an image in the first space RS1 based on the photographed information Iv. This allows the customer users P2 and P3 to check the color and shape of the product and select the product to purchase. This allows for an appropriate product selection and a feeling similar to that of viewing and selecting a product in the real space. This makes it easier to feel a connection with reality in the activities in the virtual space VS.

[0188] Second embodiment A second embodiment of the information processing server and virtual space providing system will be described with reference to Figures 16 to 18. In the second embodiment, the configuration related to the product purchasing function of the virtual space providing system is different from that of the first embodiment. The following mainly describes the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment, and the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0189] [Information processing server configuration] In the second embodiment, a family, which is a group including customer users having different authorities for product selection and payment, is set. As shown in FIG. 16, the information processing server 30 of the second embodiment includes a family setting unit 32i instead of the group setting unit 32g of the first embodiment, and stores family data 33c instead of group data 33b. Although not shown, in the virtual space providing system of the second embodiment, the first device 10, the second device 20, and the third device 25 have the same configuration as that of the first embodiment.

[0190] The family setting unit 32i stores information related to the family as family data 33c in the storage unit 33. The family data 33c includes, as information for each family, user information of customer users belonging to the family and authority settings. The user information includes identification information of the customer user such as an ID. Further, the user information may include information regarding the name, contact information, payment means such as a credit card number, etc. of the customer user. The authority setting is a setting for each customer user, and indicates the possible authority among the selection of the product to be purchased and the payment of the product price. That is, the customer users included in the family may include customer users who can only select products, customer users who can only pay the product price, and customer users who can both select and pay for products.

[0191] The family data 33c may further include selection conditions as information for each family. The selection conditions are referred to by the purchase processing unit 32h during the registration process. The selection conditions may include, for example, when a customer user having only the authority to select a product selects a product, obtaining approval from a customer user having the authority to pay for the registration of the selected product as a product to be purchased.

[0192] Also, the selection conditions may include the types and price ranges of products that can be selected by a customer user having only the authority to select a product, and the upper limit of the total amount of products that can be selected by a customer user having only the authority to select a product.

[0193] [Operation of the virtual space providing system] Regarding the product purchase function in the virtual space providing system of the second embodiment, a case where two customer users P2 and P3 form a family and proceed with the purchase of products will be described. Note that for functions other than the product purchase function, the virtual space providing system of the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. In the following description, for the purpose of distinguishing between users and terminals, the customer user P2 may be referred to as the first customer user P2, the customer user P3 may be referred to as the second customer user P3, the customer terminal 21 may be referred to as the first customer terminal 21, and the customer terminal 26 may be referred to as the second customer terminal 26.

[0194] The family data 33c is created before the selection of products. Specifically, the family data 33c is created so that two customer users P2 and P3 form one family. And in the family data 33c, only the selection of products is permitted for the first customer user P2, and authority settings are made so that both the selection and payment of products or only payment are permitted for the second customer user P3. Such a form is assumed to be applicable, for example, when the first customer user P2 and the second customer user P3 are parent and child, and the second customer user P3, who is the parent, pays for the products selected by the first customer user P2, who is the child.

[0195] The creation of the family data 33c by the family setting unit 32i of the information processing server 30, that is, the setting of the family, may be performed at an arbitrary timing before the selection of products, such as when registering for using the virtual space providing system by the customer users P2 and P3 accompanying the installation of application software on the customer terminals 21 and 26, or when entering a virtual store using the avatars A2 and A3.

[0196] As shown in FIG. 17, when the first customer user P2 performs a predetermined operation of selecting a product that he / she wishes to purchase on the first customer terminal 21, the selected product information Ig indicating the product is transmitted from the first customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30 (step S30).

[0197] When the purchase processing unit 32h of the information processing server 30 receives the selected product information Ig, it performs a registration process (step S31). As a result, the product indicated by the selected product information Ig is registered as a product scheduled to be purchased by the family to which the first customer user P2 belongs, and the first customer terminal 21 is notified that the product has been placed in the shopping cart.

[0198] Note that the shopping cart may be shared within the family or managed for each customer user. Also, an addition of a product to the shopping cart may be notified to a customer user having the payment authority within the family. That is, the registration of the product scheduled to be purchased based on the selected product information Ig from the first customer terminal 21 may be notified not only to the first customer terminal 21 but also to the second customer terminal 26.

[0199] In the above-described registration process, the purchase processing unit 32h refers to the family data 33c and checks whether selection conditions are set as information of the families of the customer users P2 and P3. If selection conditions are set, the purchase processing unit 32h proceeds with the registration process according to the selection conditions.

[0200] For example, when it is set as a selection condition to obtain approval from a customer user having the payment authority at the time of registering a product scheduled to be purchased, when the purchase processing unit 32h receives the selected product information Ig from the first customer terminal 21, a request for approval to add the product indicated by the selected product information Ig to the product scheduled to be purchased is sent to the second customer terminal 26 via the communication unit 31. When the second customer user P3 at the second customer terminal 26 performs an operation to approve the addition of the product to the shopping cart, a notification of approval is sent from the second customer terminal 26 to the information processing server 30, and based on this, the purchase processing unit 32h performs a registration process for the product. As a result, the product indicated by the selected product information Ig is registered as a product scheduled to be purchased. If approval is not obtained, the purchase processing unit 32h does not perform the registration process and notifies the first customer terminal 21 via the communication unit 31 that approval from the second customer user P3 for the purchase of the product has not been obtained.

[0201] Also, when the types of selectable products and the range of amounts are defined as selection conditions, when the purchase processing unit 32h receives the selected product information Ig from the first customer terminal 21, it checks whether the product indicated by the selected product information Ig is a product that can be selected under the selection conditions. If the product indicated by the selected product information Ig is a selectable product, the purchase processing unit 32h performs a registration process for the product. On the other hand, if the product indicated by the selected product information Ig is not a selectable product, the purchase processing unit 32h does not perform the registration process and notifies the first customer terminal 21 via the communication unit 31 that the product cannot be purchased. When the product indicated by the selected product information Ig is not a selectable product, the customer terminal 26 of the second customer user P3 having the payment authority may also be notified that the product that the first customer user P2 tried to select is not approved for purchase.

[0202] Also, when the upper limit of the total amount of selectable products is defined as a selection condition, when the purchase processing unit 32h receives the selected product information Ig from the first customer terminal 21, it checks whether the total amount of the products already registered as products to be purchased and the product indicated by the selected product information Ig is less than or equal to the upper limit of the total amount of selectable products. If the total amount is less than or equal to the upper limit, the purchase processing unit 32h performs a registration process for the product indicated by the selected product information Ig. On the other hand, if the total amount exceeds the upper limit, the purchase processing unit 32h does not perform the registration process and notifies the first customer terminal 21 via the communication unit 31 that the product cannot be purchased because the total amount exceeds the upper limit. When the total amount exceeds the upper limit, the customer terminal 26 of the second customer user P3 having the payment authority may also be notified that the total amount of the products scheduled for purchase by the product that the first customer user P2 tried to select exceeds the set upper limit.

[0203] In addition, when the second customer user P3 has the authority to both select and pay for products, the second customer user P3 can also operate the second customer terminal 26 to select products.

[0204] After the selection of the product is completed, when the first customer user P2 performs a predetermined operation to request payment on the first customer terminal 21, a payment request is sent from the first customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30 (step S32). The predetermined operation is, for example, an operation of selecting an area for instructing a payment request on a screen where the products in the shopping cart are displayed.

[0205] Upon receiving the payment request, the purchase processing unit 32h of the information processing server 30 performs a payment request process as part of the settlement process (step S33). Specifically, the purchase processing unit 32h refers to the family data 33c and identifies a customer user with payment authority set in the family of the customer users P2 and P3 as the payer. Then, the purchase processing unit 32h transmits the settlement data to the terminal of the payer, that is, the customer terminal 26 of the second customer user P3, via the communication unit 31 and requests payment. The settlement data indicates the settlement details including the payment amount which is the total amount of the products registered as the products to be purchased by the families of the customer users P2 and P3.

[0206] When the second customer terminal 26 receives the settlement data, the settlement details based on the settlement data are displayed on the second customer terminal 26. When the second customer user P3 performs an operation to approve the settlement details on the second customer terminal 26, a notification of approval is sent from the second customer terminal 26 to the information processing server 30 (step S34).

[0207] Upon receiving the notification of approval of the settlement details from the second customer terminal 26, the purchase processing unit 32h of the information processing server 30 performs a settlement execution process as part of the settlement process (step S35). That is, the purchase processing unit 32h uses the second customer user P3 as the payer and performs the settlement in accordance with the settlement data while communicating with an external server as necessary. If the approval by the second customer user P3 cannot be obtained, the purchase processing unit 32h does not perform the settlement execution process and notifies the first customer terminal 21 via the communication unit 31 that the approval by the second customer user P3 cannot be obtained for the purchase of the product.

[0208] Instead of the first customer user P2 requesting payment, a payment request by the second customer user P3 may be possible. In this case, instead of the above steps S32 and S33, the following processing is performed. That is, a payment request is sent from the second customer terminal 26 to the information processing server 30, and the purchase processing unit 32h transmits payment data to the second customer terminal 26 via the communication unit 31. The payment data indicates the payment details including the payment amount, which is the total amount of the products registered as products to be purchased by the families of the customer users P2 and P3.

[0209] Also, based on an instruction from the second customer user P3, the first customer user P2 may make a payment request. In this case, instead of the above steps S32 and S33, the following processing is performed. That is, an instruction for a payment request is sent from the second customer terminal 26 to the first customer terminal 21 via the information processing server 30. Based on this, when the first customer user P2 performs a predetermined operation, a payment request is sent from the first customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30, and the purchase processing unit 32h transmits payment data to the second customer terminal 26 via the communication unit 31.

[0210] Even if the family data 33c has not been created before the selection of the product, a customer user different from the customer user who selected the product may pay for the product. Such a form will be described with reference to FIG. 18.

[0211] As shown in FIG. 18, when the first customer user P2 performs a predetermined operation on the first customer terminal 21 to select a product that the user wishes to purchase, selection product information Ig indicating the product is transmitted from the first customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30 (step S40).

[0212] Upon receiving the selection product information Ig, the purchase processing unit 32h of the information processing server 30 performs a registration process (step S41). As a result, the product indicated by the selection product information Ig is registered as a product to be purchased by the first customer user P2, and the first customer terminal 21 is notified that the product has been placed in the shopping cart.

[0213] After the selection of the product is completed, when the first customer user P2 performs a predetermined operation on the first customer terminal 21 to request payment from another customer user, a payment request is sent from the first customer terminal 21 to the information processing server 30 (step S42).

[0214] Upon receiving the payment request, the purchase processing unit 32h of the information processing server 30 performs a payer setting process (step S43). Specifically, the purchase processing unit 32h transmits a notice calling for payment of the price of the product selected by the first customer user P2, together with the product information registered as the product to be purchased by the first customer user P2, to the second customer terminal 26 via the communication unit 31. Note that the transmission destination of the notice calling for payment may be specified by the first customer user P2.

[0215] When the second customer user P3 performs an operation to accept the payment on the second customer terminal 26 upon receiving the notice calling for payment, a notice indicating acceptance of the payment is sent from the second customer terminal 26 to the information processing server 30 (step S44).

[0216] Upon receiving the notice of acceptance of the payment, the purchase processing unit 32h of the information processing server 30 performs a payment request process as part of the settlement process (step S45). That is, the purchase processing unit 32h transmits settlement data to the customer terminal 26 of the second customer user P3 via the communication unit 31 and requests payment. The settlement data indicates the settlement details including the amount to be billed, which is the price of the product registered as the product to be purchased by the first customer user P2.

[0217] When the second customer user P3 performs an operation to approve the settlement details on the second customer terminal 26, a notice of approval is sent from the second customer terminal 26 to the information processing server 30 (step S46).

[0218] When the information processing server 30's purchase processing unit 32h receives a notification of approval of the settlement details from the second customer terminal 26, as part of the settlement process, it performs a settlement execution process (step S47). That is, the purchase processing unit 32h uses the second customer user P3 as the payer and, as needed, communicates with an external server to execute a settlement in accordance with the settlement data.

[0219] As described above, in the second embodiment, it is possible for a customer user different from the customer user who selected the product to pay for the product. Therefore, even in shopping in the virtual space VS, similar to shopping in the real space, it is possible to divide the roles regarding product selection and payment. As a result, activities closer to those in the real space can be carried out in the virtual space VS.

[0220] Also, regarding product selection, since it is possible to set conditions such as the types of selectable products, amounts, and total amounts, even if the product selector and the payer are different, it is possible to prevent the payer from being required to pay for an unexpected product.

[0221] As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of (1), (5) to (7) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (8) The payer for the product is set to a customer user P3 different from the customer user P2 who selected the product, and the settlement process proceeds. Therefore, even in shopping in the virtual space VS, similar to shopping in the real space, it is possible to divide the roles regarding product selection and payment. As a result, activities closer to those in the real space can be carried out in the virtual space VS.

[0222] (9)Permissions regarding selection of products to be purchased and payment of product prices are set for each of customer users P2 and P3, and a family is set up as a group including a plurality of customer users P2 and P3 having different permissions from each other. Then, the payer for the price of the product selected by customer user P2 having the permission to select the product is set to customer user P3 having the permission to pay the price of the product within the same family as customer user P2, and the settlement process is advanced. Thereby, the role sharing of customer users P2 and P3 is managed by information processing server 30, and the registration process and the settlement process are advanced accordingly, so that the purchase of products according to the role sharing proceeds smoothly. Further, when customer users P2 and P3 are parent and child, since it is also possible to restrict the authority of the child by the parent, it is also possible to manage the behavior of the child in shopping in virtual space VS. Therefore, the convenience of customer users is enhanced.

[0223] [Modification Example] Each of the above embodiments can be implemented by making the following changes. · The group in the first embodiment and the family in the second embodiment may include three or more customer users. In virtual space VS, avatars corresponding to each customer user are arranged, and each customer user can proceed with the purchase of products through virtual space VS by operating a display terminal for each user. In the first embodiment, the payment ratio may be set to 0% for at least one customer user constituting the group. Also, in the second embodiment, the family may include a plurality of customer users having the same permissions.

[0224] · In the first embodiment, for the product selected by the customer user, it may be possible to select whether to register it as a product to be purchased by the group or as a product to be purchased by a single customer user. In the purchase process section 32h, in the settlement process, for the product registered as a product to be purchased by the group, the payment amount for each customer user is set according to the payment ratio, and for the product registered as a product to be purchased by a single customer user, the full amount thereof is set as the payment amount for that customer user.

[0225] · Among the customer users who form a group or family, the positions of the avatars in the virtual space VS may be set so that the avatars of other customer users move according to the movement of the avatar of a specific customer user. In other words, the movement of the avatars of the customer users does not have to be entirely based on the operation of the display terminal by the customer users.

[0226] · The first embodiment and the second embodiment may be combined. For example, a family includes a plurality of customer users having payment authority, a payment ratio is set for these plurality of customer users, and for a product registered as a product to be purchased by the family, the payment amount for each customer user having payment authority is set according to the payment ratio.

[0227] · When no group or family is formed, a product selected by a single customer user is registered as a product to be purchased by the customer user, and the settlement process for this product may be advanced with the customer user as the payer.

[0228] · The image of the virtual space VS and the first situation display 300 do not have to be displayed on one screen on the customer terminals 21, 26. For example, the virtual area 210 and the video area 230 where the video of the salesperson user P1, which is the first situation display 300, is displayed or the shooting area 240 where the image shot by the shooting device 13 is displayed may be switched and displayed. Even with such a configuration, compared to a form in which only the image of the virtual space VS is displayed and the first situation display 300 is not displayed, the customer users P2, P3 are more likely to feel a connection with the real world.

[0229] ·The virtual space providing system does not necessarily have all the functions described in each of the above embodiments. The virtual space providing system is a system that causes the customer terminals 21 and 26 to display an image of the virtual space VS imitating the first space RS1 and at least one first situation display 300, and as long as the customer users P2 and P3 can operate the customer terminals 21 and 26 to proceed with the purchase of products through the virtual space VS, it is sufficient.

[0230] ·The virtual space generation unit 32a of the information processing server 30 may arrange an avatar corresponding to a customer actually visiting the first space RS1 in the virtual space VS. The position of the customer is specified, for example, based on the analysis of the image captured by the position information collection device 11 and reflected in the position of the avatar in the virtual space VS. According to such a configuration, depending on the number and position of the avatars corresponding to the customers in the first space RS1 in the virtual space VS, the customer users P2 and P3 can know the degree of bustling of the store in the first space RS1, popular products, etc.

[0231] ·The virtual space generation unit 32a of the information processing server 30 may control the number of avatars in the virtual space VS within a predetermined range. For example, if the number of avatars corresponding to customers is too small, it becomes difficult for the customer users P2 and P3 to feel the bustling, while if the number of avatars corresponding to customers is too large, the inside of the virtual space VS becomes congested and it becomes difficult for the customer users P2 and P3 to move the avatars and select products. If the number of avatars in the virtual space VS is controlled to a certain extent, the occurrence of these problems can be suppressed. For example, the virtual space generation unit 32a may keep the number of avatars in the virtual space VS within a predetermined range by arranging avatars corresponding to some of the customers in the first space RS1 in the virtual space VS. Alternatively, the virtual space generation unit 32a may increase the number of avatars in the virtual space VS up to a predetermined range by arranging avatars of customers who do not exist in the first space RS1 in the virtual space VS.

[0232] · After the display of the basic screen 200, when the avatars A1, A2, and A3 move within the virtual space VS, only the position information of the avatars A1, A2, and A3 is exchanged between the information processing server 30 and the customer terminals 21 and 26, and the customer terminals 21 and 26 may perform the process of generating an image of the virtual space VS that reflects the change in the positions of the avatars A1, A2, and A3. In other words, the information processing server 30 manages the change in the position information of the avatars A1, A2, and A3, and the movement of the avatars A1, A2, and A3 is performed by the customer terminals 21 and 26.

[0233] In this case, for example, at the customer terminal 21, the movement of the position of the first avatar A1 is performed based on the information indicating the changed position of the first avatar A1 transmitted from the information processing server 30 to the customer terminal 21 based on the position specifying information Ip, and the movement of the position of the second avatar A2 is performed based on the instruction information Is input to the customer terminal 21. In this case, the customer terminal 21 may assume part of the function of generating the display data. That is, the control unit 32 of the information processing server 30 and the customer terminal 21 may function as a display data generation unit.

[0234] · For one first space RS1, a plurality of virtual spaces VS may be generated. Each virtual space VS has an arrangement of structures imitating the first space RS1. For example, for each group or family to which a customer user belongs, a virtual space VS including an avatar corresponding to the customer user within the group or family may be generated. Thereby, activities within the virtual space VS can be enjoyed leisurely for each group or family. In each of the plurality of virtual spaces VS, an avatar of the same salesperson user may be arranged, or when there are a plurality of salesperson users, avatars of different salesperson users may be arranged for each virtual space VS. Note that it is not necessary for all the customer service staff existing in the first space RS1 to be reflected as avatars in the virtual space VS as salesperson users.

Explanation of Signs

[0235] A1... First avatar A2... Second avatar A3... Third avatar Gd… Commodity Ic1… First conversation information Ic2… Second conversation information Ic3… Third conversation information If1… First information If2… Second information If3… Third information Ig… Selected commodity information Ij… Information for judgment Io… Operation information Ip… Location-specific information Is… Instruction information Iv… Shooting information P1… Salesperson user P2, P3… Customer users RS1… First space RS2… Second space RS3… Third space VS… Virtual space 10… First device 11… Location information collection device 12… Salesperson terminal 13… Shooting device 20… Second device 25… Third device 21, 26… Customer terminals 30… Information processing server 31… Communication unit 32… Control unit 32a… Virtual space generation unit 32b… Conversation processing unit 32c… Customer service situation judgment unit 32d… Shooting instruction unit 32e… Trial execution unit 32f… Display data generation unit 32g… Group setting unit 32h… Purchase processing unit 32i… Family setting unit 33… Memory unit 33a… Virtual space data 33b… Group data 33c… Family data 100… Virtual space providing system 200… Basic screen 201… Conversation screen 202…Observation screen 203…Trial screen 210…Virtual area 211…Product display 212…In-service display 220…Operation area 230…Video area 240…Shooting area 250…Trial area 300…First situation display

Claims

1. A first receiving unit that receives the first information output from a device located in a first space that is a space where a product is sold, the first information including at least position identification information that can identify the position of a salesperson in the first space; A virtual space generation unit that sets the position of a first avatar, which is a first object, in the virtual space having the arrangement of structures imitating the first space according to the position of the salesperson in the first space based on the position identification information, and sets the position of a second avatar, which is a second object corresponding to a customer in a second space different from the first space; A second receiving unit that receives the second information output from a display terminal operated by the customer, the second information including at least selection product information indicating the product selected by the customer; A purchase processing unit that performs a registration process of registering the product indicated by the selection product information as a product to be purchased, and a settlement process for the product registered by the registration process; A display data generation unit that generates display data for displaying an image of the virtual space and a display indicating the situation of the first space based on the first information; A transmission unit that transmits the display data to the display terminal, and The display data is data for displaying an image of the virtual space and a display indicating the situation of the first space on one screen, and is configured to be able to select which of the image of the virtual space and the display indicating the situation of the first space is mainly displayed on the one screen An information processing server.

2. A first receiving unit that receives the first information output from a device located in a first space that is a space where a product is sold, the first information including at least position identification information that can identify the position of a salesperson in the first space; A virtual space generation unit that sets the position of a first avatar, which is a first object, in the virtual space having the arrangement of structures imitating the first space according to the position of the salesperson in the first space based on the position identification information, and sets the position of a second avatar, which is a second object corresponding to a customer in a second space different from the first space; A second receiving unit that receives the second information output from a display terminal operated by the customer, the second information including at least selection product information indicating the product selected by the customer; A registration processing unit that registers the product indicated by the selected product information as a product to be purchased, and a purchase processing unit that performs settlement processing for the product registered by the registration processing A display data generation unit that generates display data for displaying the image of the virtual space and the display indicating the state of the first space based on the first information A transmission unit that transmits the display data to the display terminal The first information includes determination information that is information capable of determining the customer service status of the salesperson in the first space, and the display indicating the state of the first space includes a customer service in-progress display indicating that the salesperson is providing customer service in the first space When it is determined based on the determination information that the salesperson is providing customer service, the display data generation unit generates the display data for displaying an image including the customer service in-progress display An information processing server

3. A first receiving unit that receives the first information output from a device located in a first space where a product is sold, the first information including at least position specifying information that is information capable of specifying the position of the salesperson in the first space In a virtual space having an arrangement of structures imitating the first space, the position of a first avatar, which is a first object, is set according to the position of the salesperson in the first space based on the position specifying information, and the position of a second avatar, which is a second object corresponding to a second customer who is a customer in a second space different from the first space, and the position of a third avatar, which is a third object corresponding to a third customer who is a customer in a third space different from the first space, are set A second receiving unit that receives the second information output from a second terminal, which is a display terminal operated by the second customer, the second information including at least second selected product information indicating the product selected by the second customer A third receiving unit that receives the third information output from a third terminal, which is a display terminal operated by the third customer, the third information including at least third selected product information indicating the product selected by the third customer A group setting unit that sets a group including the second customer and the third customer, and sets the payment ratio of the price of the product among the customers in the group A registration processing unit that registers the product indicated by each selected product information as a product to be purchased, and a purchase processing unit that performs settlement processing for the product registered by the registration processing A display data generation unit that generates display data for causing the image of the virtual space and a display indicating the state of the first space based on the first information to be displayed; A transmission unit that transmits the display data for the second terminal to the second terminal and transmits the display data for the third terminal to the third terminal; The purchase processing unit In the registration process, registers the product indicated by the selected product information from the terminal of the customer in the group as a product to be purchased by the group, and in the settlement process for the product registered as a product to be purchased by the group, sets the payment amounts of the second customer and the third customer according to the payment ratio; When receiving the second selected product information, requests the third customer through the third terminal to approve registering the product indicated by the second selected product information as a product to be purchased, and proceeds with the registration process when approval is obtained, and when receiving a settlement request from the second terminal, requests the third customer through the third terminal to approve the progress of the settlement process, and executes at least one of proceeding with the settlement process when approval is obtained; An information processing server.

4. Further comprising a third receiving unit that receives third information output from a display terminal operated by a customer in a third space different from the first space; The virtual space generation unit sets the position of a third avatar, which is a third object corresponding to the customer in the third space, in the virtual space; The display data generation unit generates the display data for the display terminal operated by the customer in the second space and the display data for the display terminal operated by the customer in the third space; The transmission unit transmits the display data for each display terminal to each display terminal; The purchase processing unit proceeds with the settlement process with the customer in the third space as at least a part of the payer for the price of the product registered by the registration process based on the selected product information included in the second information; The information processing server according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A third receiving unit that receives third information output from a display terminal operated by a customer in a third space different from the first space, the third information including at least selected product information indicating a product selected by the customer in the third space; A group setting unit that sets a group including customers in the second space and customers in the third space, and sets a payment ratio of the price of goods for customers in the group; The virtual space generation unit sets, in the virtual space, the position of a third avatar that is a third object corresponding to a customer in the third space; The display data generation unit generates the display data for the display terminal operated by the customer in the second space and the display data for the display terminal operated by the customer in the third space; The transmission unit transmits the display data for each display terminal to each display terminal; In the registration process, the purchase processing unit registers, as goods scheduled to be purchased by the group, the goods indicated by the selected goods information from the display terminal operated by the customer in the group, and in the settlement process for the goods registered as goods scheduled to be purchased by the group, sets the payment amounts of the customer in the second space and the customer in the third space according to the payment ratio; The information processing server according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The payment ratio is set before the purchase processing unit registers the goods scheduled to be purchased by the group. The information processing server according to claim 5.

7. The payment ratio is set after the purchase processing unit registers the goods scheduled to be purchased by the group. The information processing server according to claim 5.

8. The purchase processing unit proceeds with the settlement process with the customer in the third space as the payer of the full amount of the price of the goods registered by the registration process based on the selected goods information included in the second information. The information processing server according to claim 4.

9. Further comprising a family setting unit that sets, for each customer, the permitted authority among the selection of goods desired to be purchased and the payment of the price of the goods, and sets a family that is a group including a plurality of customers having different authorities from each other; The family including the customer in the second space and the customer in the third space is set, and only the authority to select the goods is set for the customer in the second space, and the authority to pay the price of the goods is set for the customer in the third space. When the purchase processing unit receives the selected product information from the display terminal operated by a customer who has the authority to select the product, the registration process is performed, and the payer for the price of the product registered by the registration process is set as a customer who has the authority to pay the price of the product within the same family as the customer who selected the product, and the settlement process is advanced. The information processing server according to claim 4 or 8.

10. The display showing the situation of the first space includes at least one of the video of the salesperson in the first space, the video of the products located in the first space, and the display showing the working situation of the salesperson in the first space. The information processing server according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A first acquisition unit that acquires first information in a first space where products are sold, the first acquisition unit acquiring the first information including at least position specifying information that can specify the position of a salesperson within the first space; A virtual space generation unit that sets the position of a first avatar, which is a first object, in the virtual space having an arrangement of structures imitating the first space according to the position of the salesperson in the first space based on the position specifying information, and sets the position of a second avatar, which is a second object, corresponding to a customer in a second space different from the first space; A second acquisition unit that acquires second information based on a customer operating a display terminal in the second space, the second acquisition unit acquiring the second information including at least selected product information indicating the product selected by the customer; A purchase processing unit that performs a registration process of registering the product indicated by the selected product information as a product to be purchased, and a settlement process for the product registered by the registration process; A display data generation unit that generates display data for causing the display terminal to display an image of the virtual space and a display showing the situation of the first space based on the first information; The display data is data for displaying an image of the virtual space and a display showing the situation of the first space on one screen, and is configured to be able to select which of the image of the virtual space and the display showing the situation of the first space is mainly displayed on the one screen. Virtual space providing system.

12. A first acquisition unit that acquires first information in a first space which is a space where a product is sold, the first acquisition unit acquiring the first information including at least position identification information which is information capable of identifying the position of a salesperson within the first space. A virtual space generation unit that sets the position of a first avatar which is a first object according to the position of the salesperson in the first space based on the position identification information in a virtual space having an arrangement of structures imitating the first space, and sets the position of a second avatar which is a second object corresponding to a customer in a second space different from the first space. A second acquisition unit that acquires second information based on a customer operating a display terminal in the second space, the second acquisition unit acquiring the second information including at least selection product information indicating a product selected by the customer. A purchase processing unit that performs a registration process of registering the product indicated by the selection product information as a product to be purchased, and a settlement process for the product registered by the registration process. A display data generation unit that generates display data for causing the display terminal to display an image of the virtual space and a display indicating the state of the first space based on the first information. The first information includes determination information which is information capable of determining the customer service status of the salesperson in the first space, and the display indicating the state of the first space includes a customer service in progress display indicating that the salesperson is providing customer service in the first space. When it is determined based on the determination information that the salesperson is providing customer service, the display data generation unit generates the display data for displaying an image including the customer service in progress display. Virtual space providing system.

13. A first acquisition unit that acquires first information in a first space which is a space where a product is sold, the first acquisition unit acquiring the first information including at least position identification information which is information capable of identifying the position of a salesperson within the first space. In a virtual space having an arrangement of structures imitating the first space, the position of a first avatar which is a first object is set according to the position of the salesperson in the first space based on the position identification information, and the position of a second avatar which is a second object corresponding to a second customer who is a customer in a second space different from the first space, and the position of a third avatar which is a third object corresponding to a third customer who is a customer in a third space different from the first space are set. A second acquisition unit that acquires second information based on the second customer operating a second terminal, which is a display terminal, in the second space, the second acquisition unit acquiring the second information including at least second selected product information indicating the product selected by the second customer. A third acquisition unit that acquires third information based on the third customer operating a third terminal, which is a display terminal, in the third space, the third acquisition unit acquiring the third information including at least third selected product information indicating the product selected by the third customer. A group setting unit that sets a group including the second customer and the third customer and sets a payment ratio of the price of the product among the customers in the group. A purchase processing unit that performs a registration process of registering the product indicated by each selected product information as a product scheduled to be purchased and a settlement process for the product registered by the registration process. A display data generation unit that generates display data for displaying the image of the virtual space and a display indicating the situation of the first space based on the first information, the display data for the second terminal and the display data for the third terminal. The purchase processing unit In the registration process, registers the product indicated by the selected product information about the customers in the group as a product scheduled to be purchased by the group, and in the settlement process for the product registered as a product scheduled to be purchased by the group, sets the payment amounts of the second customer and the third customer according to the payment ratio. When receiving the second selected product information, requests the third customer through the third terminal for approval to register the product indicated by the second selected product information as a product scheduled to be purchased, and proceeds with the registration process when approval is obtained, and when receiving a settlement request from the second terminal, requests the third customer through the third terminal for approval to proceed with the settlement process, and executes at least one of proceeding with the settlement process when approval is obtained. Virtual space providing system.

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