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

Abstract

To enable provision of more appropriate proposal information to a user using a virtual space.SOLUTION: An information provision device is provided to clear the above challenge, the device comprising information acquisition means for acquiring action history information of a user in a first virtual space displayed on a user terminal operated by the user, and transmission means for transmitting proposal information based on the action history information corresponding to attribute information of the user as proposal information to be proposed to the user displaying a second virtual space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Recently, there has been an increase in so-called electronic commerce (EC) sales, where individuals can purchase products and the like by connecting to the Internet regardless of time or place. Furthermore, in recent years, it has become possible to view the street view of facilities in the Internet space and purchase products sold at those facilities (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] However, when purchasing products on such e-commerce sites or in virtual spaces on the Internet, it has not been possible to provide a sufficient purchasing experience that takes into account the different attribute information (such as preferences) of each user across stores or facilities.

[0004] The present disclosure aims to provide more appropriate suggested information to users who use virtual spaces. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention is an information providing device having an information acquisition means for acquiring behavioral history information of a user in a first virtual space displayed on a user terminal operated by the user, and a transmission means for transmitting suggested information based on the behavioral history information corresponding to the user's attribute information as suggested information to be proposed to the user displaying a second virtual space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, more appropriate suggested information can be provided to users who use virtual spaces. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a smartphone according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a functional configuration diagram of an example of an information providing device and a virtual space display device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of an example of a user terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of user information. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of coordination history information. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of behavior history information. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of interest level information. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of product information. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a registration process of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a service usage process of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an image diagram of an example of a store selection screen. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for generating suggested information for a user. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of information used to determine a user's preferences. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a score for each product sold in a virtual store or a real store that is displayed on a user terminal after moving to another store. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is an image diagram of an example of an image of a virtual store or a real store displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 18]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a blockchain. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0009] [First embodiment] In the first embodiment, the products sold are apparel products.

[0010] <System configuration> Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an information processing system according to this embodiment. The information processing system 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes an information providing device 10, a virtual space display device 11, a user terminal 13, a spherical video recording device 16, a store system 17, and a measurement device 18, and communicates via a network 19. The network 19 is the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or the like. Note that an information providing device 12 indicated by a dotted line in Fig. 1 is an example of a device that combines the functions of the information providing device 10 and the virtual space display device 11 into one device.

[0011] The user terminal 13 is an information processing terminal operated by a user who uses a virtual space as described below. The user terminal 13 is a PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a game console, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or the like.

[0012] The virtual space display device 11 executes processing related to the display of the virtual space. The virtual space display device 11 displays the virtual store and real store described below on the user terminal 13. In this embodiment, the virtual store is a store that exists in a virtual space generated by CG (Computer Graphics) technology. The user operates the user terminal 13 and can view products in the virtual store while moving around the virtual store using, for example, an avatar.

[0013] In this embodiment, the real store is a store that exists in real space (also called a physical store). A user can operate the user terminal 13 to view the inside of the real store using video (live video) captured inside the real store. The inside of the real store can be captured using a spherical video recording device 16 (described later), a wearable camera worn by a salesperson at the store that exists in real space, or a built-in camera in an information processing terminal operated by a salesperson.

[0014] Wearable cameras are worn by salespeople on their heads or shoulders and capture images in the direction the salespeople are looking (eye level images) hands-free. For example, customers can check the actual texture of products by viewing the images captured inside a real store.

[0015] The omnidirectional video recording device 16 is installed in a product sales area or the like inside a store that exists in real space. The omnidirectional video recording device 16 can capture 360-degree images of the surroundings and distribute live video of the product sales area or the like in the store that exists in real space. The omnidirectional video recording device 16 can be a digital camera that can obtain a 360-degree omnidirectional panoramic image with a single capture. The omnidirectional video recording device 16 is just one example, and may be, for example, a camera that allows a panning operation to move the shooting direction left and right and a tilting operation to move the shooting direction up and down from the user terminal 13. Furthermore, the omnidirectional video recording device 16 may be configured, for example, to include a plurality of camera devices and may be configured to distribute a video of the inside of a store that is formed by continuously stitching together videos captured by each device.

[0016] The store system 17 is a store system of a store that sells products using the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. The measurement device 18 is a device that scans the body shape of a user. The measurement device 18 measures the body shape, which is an example of the user's attribute information. The measurement device 18 may also be implemented in a form that receives information measured from an image of the user captured by an app installed (downloaded) on the user terminal 13. The information processing system 1 according to this embodiment may include a device for inputting the user's attribute information, instead of or in addition to the measurement device 18, depending on the type of user's attribute information required for product selection. In addition, in the case of virtual and real stores of electronics retailers and large furniture stores in other embodiments described below, measurement information of objects in the captured image can be obtained from the image captured by the user using any method, such as the principle of triangulation or a 360-degree spherical panoramic image. In this case, the measurement information is the size (for example, the vertical and horizontal lengths of furniture, home appliances, etc.) of the object in the captured image (i.e., the location where the product is installed), making it possible to efficiently proceed with negotiations and product purchases according to the user's living space, etc.

[0017] The information providing device 10 acquires behavioral history information (described later) of users in virtual stores and real stores. The information providing device 10 also determines suggested information to be proposed to a user who displays a virtual store or a real store on a user terminal 13 based on the user's attribute information and behavioral history information, as described later. The suggested information determined by the information providing device 10 is displayed on the user terminal 13 operated by the user.

[0018] The information providing device 10 and the virtual space display device 11 are PCs, workstations, etc. The information providing device 10 and the virtual space display device 11 may be realized by a server device, an ASP (Application Service Provider), or cloud computing.

[0019] The virtual space display device 11 may perform processes related to a website where a store sells products, such as a product payment function. The product payment function may be provided by the store system 17.

[0020] In this way, according to the information processing system 1 of this embodiment, the user's behavioral history information in the virtual or real store that has been displayed on the user terminal 13 up to now can be carried over to the virtual or real store that is displayed next time onwards, and can be used to determine suggested products (recommended products) from among the products sold in that virtual or real store.

[0021] 1 is an example. For example, at least a part of the functions of the information providing device 10 may be provided in the virtual space display device 11. Also, at least a part of the functions of the virtual space display device 11 may be provided in the information providing device 10. Furthermore, part of the information providing device 10 and the virtual space display device 11 may be provided in the user terminal 13.

[0022] <Hardware configuration> "computer" The information providing device 10 and the virtual space display device 11 in Fig. 1 are realized, for example, by a computer 500 having the hardware configuration shown in Fig. 2. Furthermore, when the user terminal 13 in Fig. 1 is a PC, it is realized, for example, by the computer 500 having the hardware configuration shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a computer according to this embodiment.

[0023] The computer 500 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503, a HD 504, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, a display 506, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 508, a network I / F 509, a data bus 510, a keyboard 511, a pointing device 512, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 514, and a media I / F 516.

[0024] Of these, the CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the computer 500 in accordance with a program. The ROM 502 stores programs used to drive the CPU 501, such as the IPL. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The HD 504 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls the reading and writing of various data from and to the HD 504 in accordance with the control of the CPU 501.

[0025] The display 506 displays various types of information such as a cursor, menus, windows, characters, or images. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various types of external devices. In this case, the external device is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. The network I / F 509 is an interface for data communication using the network 19. The data bus 510 is an address bus, data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 501.

[0026] The keyboard 511 is a type of input means having multiple keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The DVD-RW drive 514 controls reading and writing of various data from a DVD-RW 513, which is an example of a removable recording medium. Note that this is not limited to a DVD-RW, and may be a DVD-R, etc. The media I / F 516 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from a recording medium 515, such as a flash memory.

[0027] The hardware configuration shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and it is not necessary to include all of the components shown in FIG. 2, or it may include components other than those shown in FIG.

[0028] Smartphone The user terminal 13 is realized by, for example, a smartphone 700 having the hardware configuration shown in Fig. 3. Here, an example will be described in which the user terminal 13 is the smartphone 700. Fig. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a smartphone according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the smartphone 700 includes a CPU 701, a ROM 702, a RAM 703, an EEPROM 704, a CMOS sensor 705, an image sensor I / F 706, an acceleration / direction sensor 707, a media I / F 709, and a GPS receiver 711.

[0029] The CPU 701 controls the overall operation of the smartphone 700. The ROM 702 stores the CPU 701 and programs used to drive the CPU 701, such as the IPL. The RAM 703 is used as a work area for the CPU 701. The EEPROM 704 reads and writes various data, such as programs for the smartphone 700, under the control of the CPU 701.

[0030] The CMOS sensor 705 is a type of built-in imaging means that captures an image of a subject (mainly a self-portrait) under the control of the CPU 701 to obtain image data. Note that instead of the CMOS sensor 705, an imaging means such as a CCD sensor may be used. The imaging element I / F 706 is a circuit that controls the driving of the CMOS sensor 705. The acceleration / azimuth sensor 707 is one of various sensors such as an electronic magnetic compass that detects geomagnetism, a gyrocompass, or an acceleration sensor.

[0031] A media I / F 709 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from and to a recording medium 708 such as a flash memory. A GPS receiving unit 711 receives GPS signals from GPS satellites.

[0032] The smartphone 700 also includes a long-distance communication circuit 712, a CMOS sensor 713, an image sensor I / F 714, a microphone 715, a speaker 716, an audio input / output I / F 717, a display 718, an external device connection I / F 719, a short-distance communication circuit 720, an antenna 720a of the short-distance communication circuit 720, and a touch panel 721.

[0033] The long-distance communication circuit 712 is a circuit that communicates with other devices via the network 19. The CMOS sensor 713 is a type of built-in imaging means that captures an image of a subject and obtains image data under the control of the CPU 701. The image sensor I / F 714 is a circuit that controls the driving of the CMOS sensor 713. The microphone 715 is a built-in circuit that converts sound into an electrical signal. The speaker 716 is a built-in circuit that converts electrical signals into physical vibrations to produce sounds such as music and voice.

[0034] The audio input / output I / F 717 is a circuit that processes input and output of audio signals between the microphone 715 and the speaker 716 under the control of the CPU 701. The display 718 is a type of display unit, such as a liquid crystal display or organic electroluminescence (EL) display, that displays an image of a subject, various icons, etc. The display may be an HMD (head-mounted display). The external device connection I / F 719 is an interface that connects various external devices. The short-range communication circuit 720 is a communication circuit such as NFC or Bluetooth. The touch panel 721 is a type of input unit that allows a user to operate the smartphone 700 by pressing the display 718.

[0035] The smartphone 700 also includes a bus line 710. The bus line 710 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting the components such as the CPU 701 shown in FIG.

[0036] <Functional configuration> The information providing device 10 and the virtual space display device 11 of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment are realized by, for example, a functional configuration as shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a functional configuration diagram of an example of the information providing device and the virtual space display device according to this embodiment. Note that the functional configuration diagram of Fig. 4 appropriately omits configurations that are not necessary for explaining this embodiment. The information providing device 10 and the virtual space display device 11 realize, for example, the functional configuration of Fig. 4 by executing programs such as an OS and applications.

[0037] 4 includes a communication unit 70, a virtual store information registration reception unit 72, a product information registration reception unit 74, a user information registration reception unit 76, a virtual space control unit 78, an authentication unit 80, a proposal information acquisition unit 82, and a memory unit 84. The memory unit 84 includes a virtual store information memory unit 90, a product information memory unit 92, a user information memory unit 94, and a behavior history information memory unit 96.

[0038] The communication unit 70 communicates with the information providing device 10, the user terminal 13, the omnidirectional video recording device 16, the store system 17, and the measurement device 18. The virtual store information registration receiving unit 72 receives registration of virtual store information required to display virtual stores and real stores on the user terminal 13, and stores the registration in a virtual store information storage unit 90 of the storage unit 84. The virtual store information storage unit 90 stores virtual store information.

[0039] The product information registration receiving unit 74 receives registration of product information for products sold in virtual stores and real stores, and stores the information in a product information storage unit 92 of the storage unit 84. The product information storage unit 92 stores the product information. The user information registration receiving unit 76 receives registration of user information for users who use the virtual stores and real stores, and stores the information in a user information storage unit 94 of the storage unit 84. The user information storage unit 94 stores the user information.

[0040] The virtual space control unit 78 displays virtual stores and real stores on the user terminal 13 in accordance with the user's operations on the user terminal 13. The virtual space control unit 78 also stores the user's behavior in the virtual store or real store displayed on the user terminal 13 as behavior history information in the behavior history information storage unit 96 of the storage unit 84. The behavior history information storage unit 96 stores the behavior history information. The authentication unit 80 authenticates the user operating the user terminal 13. The suggested information acquisition unit 82 provides the product information, user information, and behavior history information stored in the storage unit 84 to the information providing device 10, and acquires suggested information such as suggested products from the information providing device 10.

[0041] The virtual space control unit 78 displays, on the user terminal 13 that displays the virtual store and the real store, suggested information based on the user's behavior history information in the virtual store and the real store that have been displayed on the user terminal 13 so far.

[0042] 4 includes a communication unit 20, an information acquisition unit 22, a determination unit 24, a proposal information generation unit 26, and a storage unit 28. The communication unit 20 includes a transmission unit 30 and a reception unit 32. The storage unit 28 includes a user information storage unit 50, a coordination history information storage unit 52, a behavior history information storage unit 54, an interest level information storage unit 56, and a product information storage unit 58.

[0043] The communication unit 20 communicates with the virtual space display device 11. The transmission unit 30 of the communication unit 20 transmits various information to the virtual space display device 11. The reception unit 32 receives various information from the virtual space display device 11.

[0044] The information acquisition unit 22 acquires product information, user information, and behavior history information from the virtual space display device 11. The determination unit 24 determines the user's preferences as described below based on the user information and behavior history information. The determination unit 24 also uses the user's preferences to determine suggested information such as suggested products to be proposed to the user. The suggested information generation unit 26 generates suggested information such as suggested products to be sent to the virtual space display device 11.

[0045] The user information storage unit 50 of the storage unit 28 stores user information acquired from the virtual space display device 11. The coordination history information storage unit 52 stores coordination history information of the user acquired from the virtual space display device 11. The coordination history information is history information of coordinations made by the user in the virtual space. The behavior history information storage unit 54 stores behavior history information acquired from the virtual space display device 11.

[0046] The interest level information storage unit 56 stores interest level information used to determine a user's preferences and suggested information from the user's behavior history information. The interest level information is used, for example, to assign a score to each behavior history. The product information storage unit 58 stores product information acquired from the virtual space display device 11.

[0047] 4 is an example, and some of the functions of the information providing device 10 may be provided in the virtual space display device 11, or some of the functions of the virtual space display device 11 may be provided in the information providing device 10. Also, the information providing device 12 may be an information providing device that integrates the functions of the information providing device 10 and the virtual space display device 11. Furthermore, the division of the information providing device 10 and the virtual space display device 11 in FIG. 4 is an example, and they may be realized by dividing them into three or more devices.

[0048] Furthermore, the user terminal 13 of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment is realized by, for example, a functional configuration as shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a functional configuration diagram of an example of a user terminal according to this embodiment. Note that the functional configuration diagram of Fig. 5 appropriately omits configuration that is not necessary for explaining this embodiment. The user terminal 13 realizes, for example, the functional configuration of Fig. 5 by executing programs such as an OS and applications.

[0049] The user terminal 13 in Fig. 5 has a communication unit 100, an operation reception unit 102, and a display control unit 104. The communication unit 100 communicates with the virtual space display device 11 and the store system 17. The operation reception unit 102 receives operations from the user. The display control unit 104 displays images of the virtual store and the real store on the display 506 or 718 based on various data received from the virtual space display device 11. Note that the functional configuration in Fig. 5 is an example.

[0050] <Data structure> FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of user information. The user information in FIG. 6 includes the following items: user ID (user identification information), email address, last name, first name, gender, age, address, telephone number, body shape, design preference, color preference, and size preference. The design preference, color preference, and size preference items are examples of user preferences. The gender, age, body shape, design preference, color preference, and size preference items are examples of user attribute information. The body shape item may be, for example, data representing the user's body shape measured by measurement device 18, or data representing the body shape input by the user.

[0051] The design preference, color preference, and size preference items of the user information in FIG. 6 may be initially set by the user, and then updated later according to the user's preferences, which are the results of the determination by the determination unit 24.

[0052] Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of coordination history information. The coordination history information in Figure 7 has the following fields: user ID, update date and time, latest, hair accessories, earrings, necklace, tops, bottoms, and shoes. The update date and time field contains information about the date and time when the user coordinated the outfit in the virtual space. The latest field indicates whether the outfit is the latest, with "TRUE" set if it is the latest, and "FALSE" set if it is not the latest.

[0053] The items of hair accessories, earrings, necklaces, tops, bottoms, and shoes are information that records the outfits coordinated by the user in the virtual space, and product IDs (identification information) of the items are set. For example, the outfit history information is set to outfits that the user tried on their avatar in the virtual store.

[0054] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of behavior history information. The behavior history information in FIG. 8 has the following items: behavior history ID (identification information), time, user ID, behavior type, store at time of behavior, product ID, destination of behavior, and duration of stay (minutes). The time item is set to date and time information when the user performed the behavior. The behavior type item is information indicating the type of behavior, and is set to store visit, product viewing, going to a real store, product purchase, going to a virtual store, etc. For example, the behavior type "go to a real store" is an action of switching the image displayed on user terminal 13 from a virtual store to a real store. The behavior type "go to a virtual store" is an action of switching the image displayed on user terminal 13 from a real store to a virtual store.

[0055] The behavior type "product viewing" is the behavior of a user viewing a product in a virtual or real store. The behavior type "product purchase" is the behavior of a user purchasing a product in a virtual or real store. The item "store at time of behavior" is the identification information of the virtual or real store where the behavior occurred.

[0056] If the behavior type is "product viewing" or "product purchase," the product ID field contains the identification information of the product that the user viewed or purchased at the virtual store or real store. If the behavior type is "store transfer," "transfer to real store," or "transfer to virtual store," the behavior destination field contains the identification information of the virtual store or real store to which the user moved. The stay time (minutes) field contains the time that the user displayed the real store or virtual store on the user terminal 13 (the time that the user stayed in the real store or virtual store via the user terminal 13).

[0057] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of interest level information. The interest level information in FIG. 9 has items including behavior, details, rank, and added score. The behavior item is set to the behavior type or stay time (minutes) item in the behavior history information in FIG. 8. The details item is an example of information supplementing the behavior item. The rank item is set to the importance of the user's behavior in order to score the user's interest level. The added score item is set to a score (point) to be added to the user's behavior in order to score the user's interest level. Note that the scoring of the user's interest level is shown as an example using at least one of the rank item (FIG. 9 shows an example in which the user's behavior is ranked from S to D in order of increasing importance) and the added score item (FIG. 9 shows an example in which the added score is set in order of increasing importance), but is not limited to these (for example, ranking may be performed as high, medium, low, etc.).

[0058] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of product information. The product information in Fig. 10 has the following items: product ID, release date, release date end date, product classification, registered company ID (identification information), brand, trend, design type, color, size, and 3D data placement location. The trend item indicates whether the product is trending or not, and is set to "TRUE" if it is trending, and "FALSE" if it is not the latest.

[0059] The design type, color, and size items are examples of information used to determine a user's preferences. Therefore, the items used to determine a user's preferences vary depending on the product. The design type, color, and size items in Figure 10 are examples. The design type item is information that classifies the design of the product, and is set to neat, casual, outdoor, etc. The color item sets the color of the product. The size item sets the size of the product. Furthermore, the 3D data placement location item sets the location where the 3D data used to display the product in the virtual space is placed.

[0060] <Processing> The processing procedure of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the registration processing of the information processing system according to this embodiment. Note that the order of the processing in the flowchart of Fig. 11 is just an example, and the order of the processing may be changed.

[0061] In step S10, the product information registration reception unit 74 of the virtual space display device 11 receives registration of product information for products sold in virtual stores and real stores, and stores the product information shown in Figure 10, for example, in the product information storage unit 92 of the storage unit 84.

[0062] In step S12, the virtual store information registration receiving unit 72 of the virtual space display device 11 receives registration of virtual store information necessary for displaying the virtual store and the real store on the user terminal 13, and stores the registration in the virtual store information storage unit 90 of the storage unit 84. The virtual store information includes various data such as 3D data necessary for displaying the virtual store on the user terminal 13, and various data such as a uniform resource locator (URL) of the access destination of the omnidirectional video recording device 16 of the real store necessary for displaying the real store on the user terminal 13.

[0063] In step S14, the user information registration acceptance unit 76 of the virtual space display device 11 accepts registration of user information of users who use the virtual store and the real store, and stores the user information, for example, as shown in Figure 6, in the user information storage unit 94 of the storage unit 84. Note that in step S14, the user information registration acceptance unit 76 may also receive data representing the user's body shape measured by the measurement device 18, for example.

[0064] A user operating the user terminal 13 uses a service provided by the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, for example, in the procedure shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a service usage process of the information processing system according to this embodiment.

[0065] In step S30, the authentication unit 80 of the virtual space display device 11 accepts a login operation from the user terminal 13. In step S32, the authentication unit 80 authenticates the user operating the user terminal 13. If the authentication is not successful, the virtual space display device 11 does not perform the processing from step S34 onwards. If the authentication is successful, the virtual space display device 11 performs the processing from step S34 onwards.

[0066] In step S34, the virtual space control unit 78 of the virtual space display device 11 uses the virtual store information stored in the virtual store information storage unit 90 of the storage unit 84 to display the virtual store on the user terminal 13 operated by the user. For example, if a default virtual store is set, the virtual space control unit 78 may automatically display the default virtual store. Also, for example, if a default virtual store is not set, the virtual space control unit 78 may allow the user to select a virtual store to display after logging in from, for example, a store selection screen 1000 shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is an image diagram of an example of the store selection screen.

[0067] The virtual space control unit 78 displays virtual stores and real stores on the user terminal 13 in accordance with the user's operations on the user terminal 13. The user operates the user terminal 13 and performs actions in the displayed virtual space, such as moving between stores, viewing products, moving to a real store, purchasing products, and moving to the virtual store.

[0068] In step S36, the virtual space control unit 78 stores the user's behavior in the virtual store or real store displayed on the user terminal 13 in the behavior history information storage unit 96, for example, as the behavior history information in Fig. 8. Therefore, the behavior history information in Fig. 8 accumulates the user's behavior history in the virtual store or real store displayed on the user terminal 13.

[0069] In step S38, the virtual space control unit 78 determines whether or not the user's behavior in the virtual store or real store displayed on the user terminal 13 has involved a store move. For example, in the behavior history information of Fig. 8, if the behavior type is "store move," "move to real store," or "move to virtual store," the virtual space control unit 78 determines that a store move has occurred.

[0070] The virtual store or real store displayed on the user terminal 13 before the store is moved is an example of a first virtual space. The virtual store or real store displayed on the user terminal 13 after the store is moved is an example of a second virtual space.

[0071] In step S38, if the virtual space control unit 78 determines that the user's behavior in the virtual store or real store displayed on the user terminal 13 is that there is no change of store, the process proceeds to step S44. If the virtual space control unit 78 determines that the user's behavior in the virtual store or real store displayed on the user terminal 13 is that there is a change of store, the process proceeds to step S40. In step S40, the suggested information acquisition unit 82 provides the product information, user information, and behavior history information stored in the memory unit 84 to the information providing device 10, and requests suggested information (e.g., suggested products) for the user operating the user terminal 13. The receiving unit 32 of the information providing device 10 receives the product information, user information, and behavior history information from the virtual space display device 11, and accepts a request for suggested information from the virtual space display device 11.

[0072] The information providing device 10, which has received a request for suggested information from the virtual space display device 11, generates suggested information for the user operating the user terminal 13, for example, according to the procedure shown in FIG.

[0073] 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for generating suggested information for a user. In step S50, the information acquisition unit 22 of the information providing device 10 acquires the product information, user information, and behavior history information received from the virtual space display device 11.

[0074] In step S52, the determination unit 24 of the information providing device 10 determines the preferences of the user operating the user terminal 13 as follows: The determination unit 24 uses the information shown in Fig. 15 in which the items of the behavioral history information correspond to the items of design type and color of the product information and the item of the added score of the interest level information.

[0075] Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of information used to determine a user's preferences. The design type and color items in the information in Fig. 15 are the design type and color of the product viewed or purchased by the user, read from the product information in Fig. 10 based on the product ID item in the behavior history information. For example, in the case of behavior history information for behavior history ID "00002" in Fig. 15, the design type "pretty" and color "blue" for product ID "U_AAA_M" are read from the product information in Fig. 10 and associated with the behavior history information.

[0076] 15 is an added score read from the interest level information in Fig. 9 based on the behavior type item in the behavior history information. For example, for the behavior history information of behavior history ID "00002" in Fig. 15, an added score of "1.5" for the behavior type "product browsing" is read from the interest level information in Fig. 9 and associated with the behavior history information.

[0077] The determination unit 24 refers to the information set in the design type field of the information in FIG. 15 and calculates an additive score for each identical design type. For example, in the information in FIG. 15, the additive score for the "pretty" design type is calculated as "1.5 + 5.0 = 6.5." The additive score for the "casual" design type is calculated as "1.5." Therefore, in the information in FIG. 15, it is determined that the "pretty" design, which has the highest additive score, is the user's preferred "design preference."

[0078] The determination unit 24 also refers to the information set in the design type field of the information in FIG. 15 and calculates an additive score for each identical color. For example, in the information in FIG. 15, the additive score for the color "blue" is calculated as "1.5 + 5.0 = 6.5." The additive score for the color "red" is calculated as "1.5." Therefore, in the information in FIG. 15, "blue," which has the highest additive score, is determined to be the user's preferred "color preference." The determined "design preference" and "color preference" of the user are used, for example, to set or update the design preference and color preference fields of the user information in FIG. 6.

[0079] Returning to step S54 in Fig. 14, the determination unit 24 determines suggested products to be proposed to the user using the user's preferences determined in step S52. For example, the determination unit 24 calculates a score for each product sold in the virtual store or real store displayed on the user terminal 13 after moving to the store, using the design preference and color preference items of the user information in Fig. 6.

[0080] Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the score for each product sold in a virtual or real store that is displayed on the user terminal after moving to another store. For example, in Fig. 16, if the design type matches the design preference in the user information, a "+5 score" is assigned, if the color matches only the color preference in the user information, a "+5 score" is assigned, if the product is trending, a "+3 score" is assigned, and if there has been no purchase of the same product category within one month, a "+2 score" is assigned.

[0081] The determination unit 24 determines the suggested product using the calculated score. For example, in Fig. 16, the product with the product ID "T_GGG_M" that has the highest score and exceeds "10" is determined to be the suggested product.

[0082] The calculation of the score for each product in step S54 may be customizable for each virtual store and real store. For example, the calculation of the score for each product may be "+10 score" if there is a product that goes well with a product purchased within the last month, "+5 score" if the product is viewed for more than 10 seconds, "-5 score" if the purchase price range of the same product category is not the same, "+5 score" if the product has a high inventory, "+5 score" if the product has less than one month left until the sale ends, or "+10 score" if the product is on sale.

[0083] Furthermore, the calculation of the score for each product in step S54 may enable a makeover suggestion by deliberately determining products that differ from the user's preferences as suggested products. For example, the calculation of the score for each product may set a high score for products that are different from the user's preferences and are trendy products, or a high score for products that are different from the user's preferences and are frequently purchased by other users with the same preferences. The scores used in determining suggested products in step S54 may be selected or set by the user so that products that the user expects become suggested products.

[0084] 14, the suggested information generating unit 26 generates suggested product information to be transmitted to the virtual space display device 11. The transmitting unit 30 of the information providing device 10 transmits the suggested product information to the virtual space display device 11.

[0085] Returning to step S42 in Fig. 12, the communication unit 70 of the virtual space display device 11 receives the suggested product information from the information providing device 10. The suggested information acquisition unit 82 of the virtual space display device 11 acquires the suggested product information received from the information providing device 10. The virtual space control unit 78 of the virtual space display device 11 uses the suggested product information received from the information providing device 10 to display, on the user terminal 13, an image of a virtual store or a real store, such as that shown in Fig. 17, for example.

[0086] Fig. 17 is an image diagram of an example of an image of a virtual store or a real store displayed on a user terminal. Fig. 17(A) is an image in which suggested information 1020 including images of suggested products is displayed on an image 1010 of a virtual store. Fig. 17(B) is an image in which suggested information 1020 including images of suggested products is displayed on live video 1012 of a real store.

[0087] The position of the suggested information 1020 is an example. The position of the suggested information 1020 may be determined based on the user's line of sight and displayed at a position that avoids the user's line of sight. In the image 1010 of the virtual store or the live video 1012 of the real store, the image of the suggested product may be visually changed, such as by changing color or blinking, to allow the user to recognize the suggested product.

[0088] The behavioral history information in FIG. 8 may be stored and managed using blockchain technology. The behavioral history information may be managed, for example, by multiple computers as a distributed ledger of the blockchain. The information acquisition unit 22 of the information providing device 10 may acquire the behavioral history information recorded in the blockchain. For example, in the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, the behavioral history information may be managed as a distributed ledger of the blockchain for each product brand (or each store).

[0089] Figure 18 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of a blockchain. User behavior history information is managed by a blockchain in which multiple blocks are connected in a chain as shown in Figure 18. Each block contains transaction data, which is user behavior history information in a virtual store or a real store, and the hash value of the previous block.

[0090] 18, in a blockchain, multiple blocks each containing the hash value of the immediately preceding block are connected in a chain, making it difficult to tamper with the transaction data of each block. The information processing system 1 of this embodiment can ensure the validity of behavior history information by managing the behavior history information using a blockchain.

[0091] For example, in the information processing system 1 of this embodiment, the information providing device 10, the virtual space display device 11, and the store system 17 manage the behavior history information as a distributed ledger of a blockchain, thereby ensuring the reliability of the behavior history information.

[0092] As described above, according to the information processing system 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to provide more appropriate suggested information to users who move around virtual spaces such as virtual stores and real stores by inheriting the user's behavioral history information in the virtual space.

[0093] [Other embodiments] In the first embodiment, an example in which the products sold are apparel-related products has been described, but the present invention is not limited to apparel-related products. Also, in the first embodiment, an example in which a user moves between a virtual store and a real store in the same business type has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to a case in which a user moves between a virtual store and a real store in different business types.

[0094] For example, in the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, when a user moves between the virtual store and the real store of a home appliance retailer and a large furniture store, the items indicating the user's preferences in the user information in Fig. 6 are changed. For example, in the case of the user information in Fig. 6, the items of design preference, color preference, and size preference become items that match the products sold at the home appliance retailer and the large furniture store.

[0095] Furthermore, for example, in the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, when a user moves between the virtual store and the real store of a home appliance retailer and a large furniture store, the items used to determine the user's preferences in the product information of Fig. 10 are changed. For example, in the case of the product information of Fig. 10, the items of design type, color, and size are items that match the products sold in the home appliance retailer and the large furniture store.

[0096] In the first embodiment, the virtual store and real store displayed on the user terminal 13 before moving to the store are described as examples of the first virtual space, but the first virtual space may include a virtual space that does not sell products, for example, a virtual space where user information is set or a virtual space where the user sets an avatar. Furthermore, the virtual store and real store may be managed in units of a shopping mall constructed in the virtual space, or may be managed in units of some kind of group.

[0097] Each function of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to perform each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, as well as devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a conventional circuit module designed to perform each function described above.

[0098] The devices described in the examples merely represent one of multiple computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed herein. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the components in these embodiments include those that would be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially identical, and those that are within the scope of what is called equivalents. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations of the components can be made without departing from the spirit of the present embodiments.

[0099] For example, aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> information acquisition means for acquiring behavior history information of the user in a first virtual space displayed on a user terminal operated by the user; a transmitting means for transmitting, as suggested information to be suggested to the user displaying the second virtual space, suggested information based on the action history information corresponding to the attribute information of the user; An information providing device having the above. <2> a determination means for determining the proposed information based on the behavior history information corresponding to the attribute information of the user; The above further comprising <1> The information providing device described. <3> The determining means determines the suggested information to be suggested to the user from among the product information associated with the second virtual space, using the preference of the user determined based on the behavior history information. The aforementioned <2> The information providing device described. <4> the first virtual space and the second virtual space are virtual stores that sell products, The determining means determines the proposed information to be proposed to the user from the product information of the product sold in the second virtual space. The aforementioned <3> The information providing device described. <5> The determining means determines the user's preferences based on at least one of the behavior history information of the user's product browsing behavior and the behavior history information of the user's product purchasing behavior. The aforementioned <4> The information providing device described. <6> The information acquisition means further acquires attribute information of the user set in the first virtual space. The aforementioned <1> ~ <5> 10. The information providing device according to claim 9, wherein: <7> The system further includes a virtual space control means for displaying the proposed information in the second virtual space displayed on the user terminal. The aforementioned <1> ~ <6> 10. The information providing device according to claim 9, wherein: <8> The behavior history information of the user in the first virtual space further includes behavior history information of the user in a real space corresponding to the first virtual space. The aforementioned <1> ~ <7> 10. The information providing device according to claim 9, wherein: <9> An information processing system in which an information providing device and a user terminal operated by a user are communicably connected, The information providing device information acquisition means for acquiring behavior history information of the user in a first virtual space displayed on a user terminal operated by the user; a transmitting means for transmitting, as suggested information to be suggested to the user displaying the second virtual space, suggested information based on the action history information corresponding to the attribute information of the user; and The user terminal a display control means for displaying the first virtual space, the second virtual space, and the proposed information on a screen; have Information provision system. <10> An information providing method executed by an information providing device, an information acquisition step of acquiring behavior history information of the user in a first virtual space displayed on a user terminal operated by the user; a transmitting step of transmitting, as suggested information to be suggested to the user displaying the second virtual space, suggested information based on the action history information corresponding to the attribute information of the user; An information provision method having the above. <11> a determination step of determining suggested information to be suggested to the user based on the behavior history information corresponding to the attribute information of the user; The above further comprising <10> How to provide information as described. <12> The determining step determines a preference of the user based on the behavior history information, and determines the suggested information to be suggested to the user from among product information associated with the second virtual space using the preference of the user. The aforementioned <11> How to provide information as described. <13> the first virtual space and the second virtual space are virtual stores that sell products, The determining step determines the proposed information to be proposed to the user from the product information of the product sold in the second virtual space. The aforementioned <12> How to provide information as described. <14> The determining step determines the user's preference based on at least one of the behavior history information of the user's product browsing behavior and the behavior history information of the user's product purchasing behavior. The aforementioned <13> How to provide information as described. <15> The information acquisition step further includes acquiring attribute information of the user set in the first virtual space. The aforementioned <10> ~ <14> 10. The information providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 9. <16> a virtual space display step of displaying the proposed information in the second virtual space displayed on the user terminal. The aforementioned <10> ~ <15> 10. The information providing method according to claim 9, wherein the information providing method is a method for providing information to a user. <17> The behavior history information of the user in the first virtual space further includes behavior history information of the user in a real space corresponding to the first virtual space. The aforementioned <10> ~ <16> 10. The information providing method according to claim 9, wherein the information providing method is a method for providing information to a user. <18> On the computer, an information acquisition step of acquiring behavior history information of the user in a first virtual space displayed on a user terminal operated by the user; a transmitting step of transmitting, as suggested information to be proposed to the user displaying the second virtual space, suggested information based on the behavior history information corresponding to the attribute information of the user; A program to execute. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 1. Information Processing Systems 10, 12 Information provision device 11 Virtual space display device 13 User terminal 16. Spherical video recording device 17 Store System 18 Measuring equipment 19 Network 20 Communications Department 22 Information Acquisition Department 24 Judgment section 26 Proposal information generation section 30 Transmitter 50 User information storage unit 52 Coordination history information storage unit 54 Action history information storage unit 56 Interest level information storage unit 58 Product information storage section 78 Virtual Space Control Unit 82 Proposal information acquisition section [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0101] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6293341

Claims

1. an information acquisition means for acquiring behavior history information of the user in a first virtual space displayed on a user terminal operated by the user; a transmitting means for transmitting, as suggested information to be suggested to the user displaying the second virtual space, suggested information based on the action history information corresponding to the attribute information of the user; An information providing device having the above.

2. a determination means for determining the proposed information based on the behavior history information corresponding to the attribute information of the user; 2. The information providing device according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The determining means determines the suggested information to be suggested to the user from among the product information associated with the second virtual space, using the preference of the user determined based on the behavior history information.

3. The information providing device according to claim 2.

4. the first virtual space and the second virtual space are virtual stores that sell products, The determining means determines the proposed information to be proposed to the user from the product information of the product sold in the second virtual space.

4. The information providing device according to claim 3.

5. The determining means determines the user's preferences based on at least one of the behavior history information of the user's product browsing behavior and the behavior history information of the user's product purchasing behavior.

5. The information providing device according to claim 4.

6. The information acquisition means further acquires attribute information of the user set in the first virtual space.

6. The information providing device according to claim 1.

7. and a virtual space control means for displaying the proposed information in the second virtual space displayed on the user terminal.

6. The information providing device according to claim 1.

8. The behavior history information of the user in the first virtual space further includes behavior history information of the user in a real space corresponding to the first virtual space.

6. The information providing device according to claim 1.

9. An information processing system in which an information providing device and a user terminal operated by a user are communicably connected, The information providing device an information acquisition means for acquiring behavior history information of the user in a first virtual space displayed on a user terminal operated by the user; a transmitting means for transmitting, as suggested information to be suggested to the user displaying the second virtual space, suggested information based on the action history information corresponding to the attribute information of the user; and The user terminal a display control means for displaying the first virtual space, the second virtual space, and the proposed information on a screen; have Information provision system.

10. An information providing method executed by an information providing device, an information acquisition step of acquiring behavior history information of the user in a first virtual space displayed on a user terminal operated by the user; a transmitting step of transmitting, as suggested information to be suggested to the user displaying the second virtual space, suggested information based on the action history information corresponding to the attribute information of the user; An information provision method having the above.

11. a determination step of determining suggested information to be suggested to the user based on the behavior history information corresponding to the attribute information of the user; The information providing method according to claim 10, further comprising:

12. The determining step determines a preference of the user based on the behavior history information, and determines the suggested information to be suggested to the user from product information associated with the second virtual space using the preference of the user. The information providing method according to claim 11.

13. the first virtual space and the second virtual space are virtual stores that sell products, The determining step determines the proposed information to be proposed to the user from the product information of the product sold in the second virtual space.

13. The information providing method according to claim 12.

14. The determining step determines the user's preference based on at least one of the behavior history information of the user's product browsing behavior and the behavior history information of the user's product purchasing behavior.

14. The information providing method according to claim 13.

15. The information acquisition step further includes acquiring attribute information of the user set in the first virtual space.

15. The information providing method according to any one of claims 10 to 14.

16. a virtual space display step of displaying the proposed information in the second virtual space displayed on the user terminal.

15. The information providing method according to any one of claims 10 to 14.

17. The behavior history information of the user in the first virtual space further includes behavior history information of the user in a real space corresponding to the first virtual space.

15. The information providing method according to any one of claims 10 to 14.

18. On the computer, an information acquisition step of acquiring behavior history information of the user in a first virtual space displayed on a user terminal operated by the user; a transmitting step of transmitting, as suggested information to be proposed to the user displaying the second virtual space, suggested information based on the action history information corresponding to the attribute information of the user; A program to execute.

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