Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

To prevent users from hesitating to visit a virtual store.SOLUTION: An information processing device 1 includes: a setting unit 131 that configures settings for display of a first avatar, which is an avatar of a first user, by accepting a request for display settings to display information indicating that the first avatar exists, while anonymizing the first user, in an area in a virtual space corresponding to a virtual facility, which is a facility in the virtual space; and a virtual space control unit 133 that performs control to, when the first avatar and a second avatar, which is an avatar of a second user, are located in the area when the setting unit 131 does not configure the display settings, cause a terminal of the second user to display the area and display the first avatar in the area, and when the first avatar and the second avatar are located in the area when the setting unit 131 configures the display settings, cause the terminal of the second user to display the area and display the information indicating that the first avatar exists while anonymizing the user of the first avatar.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A system has been disclosed in the past that generates a virtual mall including 3D modeling data of stores, products, store clerks, etc., and enables users to shop in the virtual mall by operating avatars that correspond to the users themselves (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-181630 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional system, when a user visits a virtual store, an avatar of the store corresponding to the virtual store can serve the user. However, some users who are planning to visit the virtual store feel uncomfortable about being spoken to by a store clerk and are hesitant to visit the store.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to prevent users from being discouraged from visiting virtual stores. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention has a setting unit that sets the display setting of a first avatar by receiving a request for display setting, which is a setting for displaying information indicating that a first avatar, which is an avatar of a first user, exists on a terminal of a second user different from the first user, while making the first user anonymous in an area in a virtual space corresponding to a virtual facility, which is a facility in the virtual space; and a virtual space control unit that, when the first avatar and a second avatar, which is an avatar of the second user, exist in the area when the setting unit has not set the display setting, causes the terminal of the second user to display the area and the first avatar in the area, and, when the first avatar and the second avatar exist in the area when the setting unit has set the display setting, causes the terminal of the second user to display the area and displays information indicating that the first avatar exists, while making the user of the first avatar anonymous.

[0007] When the setting unit performs the display setting, when the first avatar and the second avatar of the second user who is a related party to the virtual facility are present in the area, the virtual space control unit may control the second user's terminal to display the area but not to display the first avatar in the area.

[0008] When the first avatar and a third avatar, which is an avatar of a third user who is different from the first user and the second user and is not affiliated with the virtual facility, are present in the area, the virtual space control unit may cause the third user's terminal to display the area and the first avatar in the area, regardless of whether the setting unit has performed the display setting.

[0009] The setting unit may perform the related setting by receiving a request for a related setting, which is a setting related to the hiding of the avatar, from a virtual space provider who provides the virtual space or a virtual space administrator who manages the virtual space, and the virtual space control unit may perform control so as not to display the first avatar based on the related setting.

[0010] The setting unit may set a non-display period for the avatar as the associated setting, and the virtual space control unit may, when the setting unit performs the display setting and the first avatar and the second avatar are present in the area, cause the second user's terminal to display the area, and may control so as not to display the first avatar in the area for the non-display period set by the setting unit.

[0011] The setting unit may set whether or not to apply the display setting in the partial area by accepting whether or not to apply the display setting of the first avatar in a partial area included in the area as the related setting, and the virtual space control unit may control whether or not to display the first avatar on the second user's terminal when the setting unit performs the display setting and the second avatar is present in the area and the first avatar is present in a partial area included in the area, based on whether or not the display setting set in the partial area is applicable.

[0012] The setting unit may set the configurable conditions, which are conditions for the attributes of a user for which the display settings are possible, by accepting the configurable conditions from a virtual space provider who provides the virtual space or a virtual space administrator who manages the virtual space, and may perform display settings for the user when the attributes of the user satisfy the configurable conditions.

[0013] The setting unit may set a restricted behavior that is an action that is restricted for the first user when the display setting is made, and the information processing device may further have a behavior control unit that restricts the first user from performing the restricted behavior set by the setting unit when the setting unit makes the display setting.

[0014]

[0015] The information processing device may further have a memory control unit that stores behavior history information indicating the behavior history of the first user in the area in a memory unit regardless of whether the display setting has been made by the setting unit, and a notification unit that notifies a virtual space administrator who manages the virtual space of the behavior history information.

[0016] The virtual space control unit may control the first avatar and the second avatar or an obstacle in the area so that the first avatar and the second avatar or the obstacle do not interfere with each other when the first avatar and the second avatar or the obstacle are present in the area when the setting unit performs the display setting.

[0017] An information processing method according to a second aspect of the present invention includes the steps of: performing display setting of a first avatar by receiving a request for display setting, which is a setting for displaying information indicating the presence of a first avatar, which is an avatar of a first user, on a terminal of a second user different from the first user, while making the first user anonymous in an area in a virtual space corresponding to a virtual facility, which is a facility in the virtual space; and when the display setting of the first avatar has not been performed and the first avatar and a second avatar, which is an avatar of a second user different from the first user, are present in the area, causing the terminal of the second user to display the area and the first avatar in the area; and when the display setting of the first avatar has been performed and the first avatar and the second avatar are present in the area, causing the terminal of the second user to display the area and display information indicating the presence of the first avatar, while making the user of the first avatar anonymous. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent users from being restricted from visiting a virtual store. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an information processing device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an information processing device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of non-display setting information. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of store information. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of an association setting screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection receiving screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual space displayed on a user terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] [Overview of information processing device 1] 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of an information processing device 1. The information processing device 1 is a computer for displaying, on a terminal including a user terminal 2 used by a user, an area of ​​a virtual facility, which is a facility in a virtual space corresponding to a real-space facility, which is a facility existing in a real space, and in which an avatar corresponding to the user is placed, and for providing services provided by the real-space facility also in the virtual space.

[0021] A real-space facility is, for example, a store such as an apparel shop, and a service provided by the real-space facility is, for example, a product sales service. An area of ​​a virtual facility is, for example, an area that mimics the internal space of a real-space facility. An avatar is a three-dimensional model of a person or the like that represents a user in the virtual space. Note that real-space facilities are not limited to stores, and may be public facilities such as government offices or event facilities. In the following explanation, it is assumed that a real-space facility is an actual physical store, and a virtual-space facility is a virtual store that corresponds to the physical store.

[0022] First, before displaying an area of ​​a virtual store, the information processing device 1 receives a setting request from a user who does not want to display the user's avatar in an area in the virtual space to set the avatar to be displayed in the area or to set the avatar to be hidden ((1) in FIG. 1). When the information processing device 1 receives a setting request to hide the avatar, it sets the avatar to be hidden.

[0023] Thereafter, when displaying the area of ​​the virtual store, the information processing device 1 first displays a selection acceptance screen on the user terminal 2 to accept the selection of one of the multiple virtual stores, and accepts the selection of one of the multiple virtual stores from the user terminal 2 ((2) in FIG. 1).

[0024] The information processing device 1 obtains from the user terminal 2 a user ID (Identification) as user identification information for identifying the user, and a store ID as facility identification information for identifying the store corresponding to the virtual store selected on the selection reception screen (3 in Figure 1).

[0025] When the information processing device 1 acquires the user ID and the store ID, it causes the user terminal 2 to display an area in the virtual space corresponding to the virtual store indicated by the store ID, and also causes the user terminal 2 to display an avatar corresponding to the acquired user ID ((4) in FIG. 1).

[0026] Furthermore, if the user's avatar of the user terminal 2 is not set to be hidden, the information processing device 1 displays the avatar on the store terminal 3 displaying the area in the virtual space ((5-1) in FIG. 1). In this case, the user of the user terminal 2 can operate the user terminal 2 to communicate with a clerk at the virtual store, i.e., a clerk at a real store corresponding to the virtual store, to consult with the user about the product, and then purchase the product.

[0027] On the other hand, when the user's avatar of the user terminal 2 is set to hidden, the information processing device 1 controls the avatar not to be displayed on the store terminal 3 displaying the area in the virtual space ((5-2) in FIG. 1). In this way, when the user of the user terminal 2 does not want to be approached by a store clerk, the user sets his / her avatar to hidden so that his / her avatar is not displayed on the store terminal 3, and can view product avatars and the like provided in the area within the store without being approached by a store clerk. In this way, the information processing device 1 can prevent users who feel uncomfortable being approached by a store clerk from visiting the virtual store.

[0028] Next, the functional configuration of the information processing device 1 will be described. In the following description, a user of the user terminal 2 is referred to as a first user. A user of the store terminal 3, that is, a user who is a related party to the virtual facility, is referred to as a second user. A user different from the first user and who is not a related party to the virtual facility is referred to as a third user.

[0029] [Functional configuration of information processing device 1] 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the information processing device 1. The information processing device 1 has a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0030] The communication unit 11 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the user terminal 2 and the store terminal 3. The storage unit 12 is a storage medium that stores various data, and includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk, etc. The storage unit 12 stores programs executed by the control unit 13. The storage unit 12 stores programs that cause the control unit 13 to function as a setting unit 131, a reception unit 132, a virtual space control unit 133, a behavior control unit 134, a purchase processing unit 135, a memory control unit 136, and a notification unit 137.

[0031] The storage unit 12 stores the user ID of the user, the type of the user, and the avatar of the user in association with each other. The type of the user is information indicating whether the user is a person related to the virtual store, such as a clerk of the virtual store, or a customer of the virtual store.

[0032] The storage unit 12 also stores non-display setting information that associates the user ID of the user with a non-display flag indicating whether or not the user's avatar is to be displayed in an area in the virtual space corresponding to the virtual store. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the non-display setting information. As shown in FIG. 3, the non-display flag is set to "0" or "1." When the user's avatar is to be displayed in an area in the virtual space corresponding to the virtual store, the value of the non-display flag is set to "0." When the user's avatar is not to be displayed in an area in the virtual space corresponding to the virtual store, the value of the non-display flag is set to "1." The initial value of the non-display flag is set to "0."

[0033] The storage unit 12 also stores, as store information, a store ID for identifying each of the multiple virtual stores, a virtual store name, real store related information as information about a real store corresponding to the virtual store, and a virtual space ID corresponding to the virtual space. The storage unit 12 also stores, as store information, a virtual space ID corresponding to the virtual space of the virtual store and a virtual store model indicating the virtual space in association with each other.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of store information. As shown in FIG. 4, it can be confirmed that the store ID, the virtual store name, the real store related information, and the virtual space ID are stored in association with each other in the store information. The real store related information is, for example, information on the location where the real store is located, the type of business of the real store, and information corresponding to the product or service sold by the real store. The information on the location where the real store is located is, for example, information indicating the country or region where the real store is located, and information indicating the commercial facility such as a shopping street, a mall, or an area within the mall where the real store is located. The information corresponding to the product or service sold by the real store is, for example, the category of the product, etc. sold by the real store. In the example shown in FIG. 4, it can be confirmed that the real store related information includes the area where the real store is located and the category of the product, etc. sold by the real store.

[0035] The virtual space model is, for example, three-dimensional space information having the same spatial configuration as the actual store, which is generated by performing a three-dimensional scan of the actual store corresponding to the virtual store. Note that in this embodiment, all virtual stores have actual stores, but this is not limited thereto, and there may be virtual stores that do not have actual stores. In this case, actual store-related information does not need to be associated with the store ID of a virtual store that does not have an actual store.

[0036] The control unit 13 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 13 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 12, thereby functioning as a setting unit 131, a reception unit 132, a virtual space control unit 133, a behavior control unit 134, a purchase processing unit 135, a storage control unit 136, and a notification unit 137.

[0037] [Avatar visibility settings] First, a process for setting whether to display or hide a user's avatar will be described. The setting unit 131 performs related settings by receiving a request for related settings, which are settings related to the display of an avatar, from a virtual space provider who provides a virtual space or a virtual space manager who manages the virtual space.

[0038] For example, the setting unit 131 acquires a display request for an associated setting screen for making associated settings from a management terminal (not shown) used by a virtual space provider who provides the virtual space or a virtual space manager who manages the virtual space. In response to acquiring the display request for the associated setting screen, the setting unit 131 causes the user terminal 2 to display the associated setting screen. The setting unit 131 performs associated settings by accepting the request for associated settings from the management terminal via the associated setting screen.

[0039] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an association setting screen. As shown in Fig. 5, the virtual space provider or virtual space manager can set a period during which the avatar is hidden, set attributes of users who can set the avatar to be hidden, and set an area in which the avatar is hidden, via the association setting screen.

[0040] For example, when a virtual space provider or virtual space administrator inputs a hidden period into an input field F for setting a hidden period of an avatar for which a hidden setting has been made as shown in Fig. 5, and presses a setting button B1 displayed next to the input field, the management terminal transmits a setting request for the hidden period of the avatar for which a hidden setting has been made to the information processing device 1. By accepting the setting request for the hidden period, the setting unit 131 sets the hidden period of the avatar as a related setting. For example, the setting unit 131 sets the hidden period of the avatar by storing hidden period information indicating the hidden period of the avatar in the storage unit 12.

[0041] Furthermore, when the virtual space provider or virtual space manager presses the setting button B2 for setting the attributes of a user who can set the avatar to be hidden as shown in Fig. 5, another window is displayed. In the separate window, the virtual space provider or virtual space manager can specify the configurable conditions, which are the conditions for the attributes of a user who can set the avatar to be hidden.

[0042] The conditions for the user's attributes are, for example, that the user's age is within a predetermined range, and that the user's payment amount using a predetermined payment method (for example, electronic money payment or credit card payment) in a predetermined period is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. When a settable condition is specified, the management terminal transmits the specified settable condition to the information processing device 1. The setting unit 131 sets the settable condition by accepting the settable condition. For example, the setting unit 131 sets the settable condition by storing settable condition information indicating the settable condition in the memory unit 12.

[0043] When the virtual space provider or virtual space manager presses the setting button B3 shown in Fig. 5 for setting an area in which the avatar is hidden, another window for selecting a virtual store is displayed, and when a virtual store is selected, a hidden area setting screen is displayed, which includes a floor plan of the area of ​​the virtual space corresponding to the selected virtual store, and allows the user to set whether or not to apply the setting for hiding the first avatar in a partial area included in the selected area. On the hidden area setting screen, for example, it is possible to select a part of the area shown in the floor plan as the partial area.

[0044] The setting unit 131 accepts, as an associated setting, via the hidden area setting screen, whether or not to apply the hidden setting of the first avatar to a partial area included in the area of ​​the virtual space corresponding to the virtual store, thereby setting whether or not the hidden setting is applicable to the partial area. For example, the setting unit 131 associates a store ID corresponding to the virtual store, information indicating the selected partial area, and applicability information indicating applicability, and stores them in the storage unit 12 as partial area information.

[0045] In addition, when the virtual space provider or the virtual space manager presses the setting button B4 shown in FIG. 5 for setting behavioral restrictions when the avatar is set to hidden, another window is displayed on the management terminal. The virtual space provider or the virtual space manager can specify behaviors to be restricted when the avatar is set to hidden in the other window. The setting unit 131 sets the restricted behavior by accepting a restricted behavior, which is a behavior restricted for the user in the area of ​​the virtual space corresponding to the virtual store when the hidden setting is performed, from the management terminal. For example, the setting unit 131 stores restricted behavior information indicating the restricted behavior in the storage unit 12. The behaviors restricted when the hidden setting is performed are, for example, a behavior of selecting a product to purchase in the area of ​​the virtual space (behavior of putting the product in the cart) and an behavior of chatting with other avatars present in the area.

[0046] Furthermore, the setting unit 131 performs a non-display setting of the first avatar by receiving a request for non-display setting from the user terminal 2, which is a setting for not displaying the first avatar, which is the avatar of the first user who is the user of the user terminal 2, in an area in the virtual space corresponding to a virtual store, which is a facility in the virtual space. The setting unit 131 performs a setting to hide the user's avatar when the attributes of the first user satisfy the settable conditions indicated by the settable condition information stored in the storage unit 12.

[0047] For example, the setting unit 131 acquires a display request for a setting screen for setting the display of an avatar from the user terminal 2. The display request for the setting screen includes a user ID. The setting unit 131 identifies attributes of the first user associated with the user ID included in the display request for the setting screen. Then, the setting unit 131 causes the user terminal 2 to display the setting screen on the condition that the identified attributes of the first user satisfy the settable conditions indicated by the settable condition information stored in the storage unit 12.

[0048] The setting unit 131 receives a request for non-display setting to not display the first avatar or a request for display setting to display the first avatar from the user terminal 2 via the setting screen. The request for non-display setting and the request for display setting include the user ID of the user of the user terminal 2, i.e., the first user.

[0049] When the setting unit 131 receives a request for non-display setting, the setting unit 131 refers to the setting information stored in the storage unit 12 and sets the value of the non-display flag associated with the user ID included in the request for non-display setting to "1." Furthermore, when the setting unit 131 receives a request for display setting, the setting unit 131 refers to the setting information stored in the storage unit 12 and sets the value of the non-display flag associated with the user ID included in the request for display setting to "0."

[0050] [Accept virtual store selection] Next, a process for accepting the selection of a virtual store will be described. The accepting unit 132 displays virtual store information indicating a plurality of virtual stores on the user terminal 2 used by the user, and accepts the selection of one of the plurality of virtual stores. As described above, a virtual store is a store in a virtual space that corresponds to a real store that exists in a real space.

[0051] For example, when the reception unit 132 receives a display request for a selection reception screen from the user terminal 2, the reception unit 132 displays a selection reception screen on the user terminal 2 as virtual store information, in which objects representing each of a plurality of virtual stores are arranged based on information on the locations of the plurality of physical stores. Specifically, the reception unit 132 first receives a display request for a selection reception screen from the user terminal 2. When the reception unit 132 receives the display request, the reception unit 132 refers to the store information stored in the storage unit 12, generates a selection reception screen on which virtual store names are arranged for each area in which a physical store included in the physical store-related information is located, and displays the generated selection reception screen on the user terminal 2 as virtual store information. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a selection reception screen. It can be seen that the selection reception screen displays the virtual store name for each area, displays "narrow down", and displays a button for narrowing down the area.

[0052] The reception unit 132 narrows down the virtual stores by accepting at least one of the name of the virtual store, the category corresponding to the virtual store, and the location of the physical store corresponding to the virtual store as narrowing down information for the virtual stores on the selection reception screen, and displays information indicating the narrowed down virtual stores on the selection reception screen.

[0053] In addition, the selection reception screen is assumed to be a screen in which virtual store names are arranged for each area in which a physical store included in the physical store-related information is located, but is not limited to this. The selection reception screen may be a screen in which a plurality of virtual stores are classified and displayed based on information about the plurality of physical stores, such as a screen arranged based on information corresponding to products or services sold by the plurality of physical stores.

[0054] [Virtual space display] Next, a process for displaying the virtual space will be described. The virtual space control unit 133 causes the user terminal 2 to display an area in the virtual space corresponding to the virtual store selected by the reception unit 132, which area indicates the internal space of the actual store corresponding to the virtual store, and also causes the first avatar corresponding to the user ID acquired by the reception unit 132 to be displayed in the area.

[0055] First, in response to receiving a selection of a virtual store in the user terminal 2, the reception unit 132 acquires, from the user terminal 2, a store ID that identifies the virtual store and a user ID of a first user who is the user of the user terminal 2.

[0056] When the reception unit 132 acquires the store ID of the virtual store and the user ID of the user terminal 2, the virtual space control unit 133 refers to the store information stored in the memory unit 12 and identifies the virtual space ID associated with the store ID.

[0057] In the storage unit 12, for each virtual space ID, other users who exist as avatars in the virtual space associated with the virtual space ID, i.e., the user ID of the user of the terminal currently displaying the virtual space, and the position and orientation of the avatar corresponding to the user ID in the virtual space are stored in association with each other. The other users include a second user who is a related party to the virtual store, such as a clerk of the actual store corresponding to the virtual store, and a third user who is a user who is not a related party to the virtual store, i.e., a user who visits the virtual store. In the following description, the avatar of the second user is also referred to as the second avatar. The avatar of the third user is also referred to as the third avatar.

[0058] The virtual space control unit 133 identifies the user ID of another user associated with the identified virtual space ID, and identifies the position and orientation of the avatar corresponding to the identified user ID in the virtual space. The virtual space control unit 133 then places the avatar based on the identified position and orientation of the avatar in the virtual space indicated by the virtual space model associated with the identified virtual space ID. The virtual space control unit 133 also places the first avatar corresponding to the user ID of the first user acquired by the reception unit 132 at a predetermined position in the area with a predetermined orientation. The predetermined position is, for example, a position corresponding to an entrance of the virtual space that is predetermined for the virtual space, and the predetermined orientation is, for example, an orientation in which the center of the virtual space is viewed from the position corresponding to the entrance.

[0059] The virtual space control unit 133 installs a virtual camera at a position corresponding to the first avatar (for example, at the top of the back of the head of the first avatar), and displays on the user terminal 2 an image showing an area in the virtual space obtained by capturing an image from the virtual camera in the direction in which the first avatar faces. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual space displayed on the user terminal 2. As shown in FIG. 7, it can be confirmed that the first avatar A is displayed in an area corresponding to a virtual store. Here, when the setting unit 131 has not set the first avatar to be hidden and the first avatar is visible to the second user, the virtual space control unit 133 displays the first avatar without being transparent, as shown in FIG. 7(a). On the other hand, when the setting unit 131 has set the first avatar to be hidden and the first avatar is not visible to the second user, the virtual space control unit 133 displays the first avatar with being transparent, as shown in FIG. 7(b). In this way, the first user can recognize whether the first avatar is hidden from the second avatar.

[0060] By receiving a movement operation of the first avatar from the user terminal 2, the virtual space control unit 133 moves the first avatar and the virtual camera corresponding to the first avatar, and displays an image showing an area in the virtual space captured by the virtual camera on the user terminal 2. This allows the information processing device 1 to change the display region of the area in the virtual space displayed on the user terminal 2 in response to the movement operation of the first avatar by the first user.

[0061] Furthermore, when the setting unit 131 has not set the first avatar to be hidden and the first avatar and the second avatar are present in an area in the virtual space corresponding to the identified virtual space ID, the virtual space control unit 133 controls the store terminal 3, which is the terminal of the second user, to display the area and display the first avatar in the area. Furthermore, when the setting unit 131 has set the first avatar to be hidden and the first avatar and the second avatar are present in an area in the virtual space corresponding to the identified virtual space ID, the virtual space control unit 133 controls the store terminal 3 to display the area and not to display the first avatar in the area.

[0062] Specifically, when the setting unit 131 sets the first avatar to be hidden, and the second avatar is in an area in the virtual space corresponding to the identified virtual space ID and the first avatar is in a partial area contained in that area, the virtual space control unit 133 controls whether or not to display the first avatar on the store terminal 3 based on whether or not the hidden setting set for the partial area can be applied.

[0063] More specifically, first, when the virtual space control unit 133 causes the store terminal 3 used by the second user to display an image showing an area in the virtual space in which the second avatar, which is the avatar of the second user, exists, the virtual space control unit 133 places the second avatar and another avatar different from the second avatar in the virtual space. The virtual space control unit 133 refers to the non-display setting information stored in the storage unit 12, and identifies the user IDs of users who have set the non-display setting and the user IDs of users who have not set the non-display setting among the user IDs associated with the virtual space ID of the virtual space, and identifies the positions and orientations in the virtual space of the avatars corresponding to each of these user IDs.

[0064] Then, the virtual space control unit 133 places the avatar based on the position and orientation of the avatar of a user who has not set the hidden setting. Meanwhile, the virtual space control unit 133 refers to the partial area information stored in the storage unit 12, and determines whether or not the hidden setting is applied to the position of an avatar (e.g., the first avatar) corresponding to a user who has set the hidden setting (e.g., the first user). When it is determined that the hidden setting is not applied to the position of the avatar, the virtual space control unit 133 places the avatar based on the position and orientation of the avatar, and when it is determined that the hidden setting is applied to the position of the avatar, the virtual space control unit 133 performs control so as not to place the avatar.

[0065] Then, the virtual space control unit 133 installs a virtual camera at a position corresponding to the second avatar of the second user using the store terminal 3 (for example, above and behind the head of the second avatar), and displays on the store terminal 3 an image showing the area in the virtual space obtained by capturing an image from the virtual camera in the direction in which the second avatar is facing.

[0066] This allows the information processing device 1 to prevent a second user (a clerk at a virtual store) using the store terminal 3 from serving the first user when the first user has set the first avatar to be hidden.

[0067] Furthermore, the virtual space control unit 133 controls the operation of hiding the first avatar based on the related setting indicated by the related setting information stored in the storage unit 12. Specifically, when the setting unit 131 has performed the hidden setting and the first avatar and the second avatar are present in an area, the virtual space control unit 133 controls the store terminal 3 to display the area and not to display the first avatar in the area for the hidden period set by the setting unit 131.

[0068] For example, the virtual space control unit 133 maintains the first avatar hidden in the area of ​​the virtual space displayed on the store terminal 3 from the time when the control to hide the first avatar is started until the non-display period indicated by the related setting information has elapsed, and when the non-display period has elapsed, displays the first avatar in the area of ​​the virtual space displayed on the store terminal 3. In this way, the information processing device 1 can prevent the first user from staying in the store for a long period of time with the first avatar hidden.

[0069] When the setting unit 131 sets the first avatar to be hidden and the first avatar and the second avatar are present in an area, the virtual space control unit 133 may display information indicating the presence of the first avatar in a state in which the user of the first avatar is anonymous on the store terminal 3. For example, the virtual space control unit 133 may display the area of ​​the virtual space on the store terminal 3, and may also display information on the store terminal 3 indicating that an anonymous user has entered the area, such as "There is one user who has entered the store anonymously." In this way, it is possible to notify the store clerk using the store terminal 3 that the first user has entered the store, although anonymously.

[0070] Furthermore, when the first avatar and the second avatar are present in the area, the virtual space control unit 133 may control whether the first avatar and the second avatar interfere with each other based on whether the setting unit 131 has set the first avatar to be hidden. For example, when the setting unit 131 has not set the first avatar to be hidden and the first avatar is displayed on the store terminal 3 used by the second user, the virtual space control unit 133 controls the movement of the avatar by prohibiting the first avatar and the second avatar from being in the same position. In this case, when the first avatar and the second avatar are within a predetermined distance from each other, the virtual space control unit 133 causes each terminal to output a sound effect indicating that the avatars have come into contact with each other.

[0071] On the other hand, when the setting unit 131 sets the first avatar to be hidden and the first avatar and the second avatar are present in the area, the virtual space control unit 133 controls the first avatar and the second avatar not to interfere with each other. For example, when the setting unit 131 does not set the first avatar to be hidden and the first avatar is displayed on the store terminal 3 used by the second user, the virtual space control unit 133 controls the movement of the avatar by allowing the first avatar and the second avatar to be in the same position. In this case, when the first avatar and the second avatar are within a predetermined distance, the virtual space control unit 133 controls the terminals not to output sound effects indicating that the avatars have come into contact with each other. The information processing device 1 prevents the first avatar and the second avatar, which the second user cannot grasp, from interfering with each other in this way, so that the second user does not feel uncomfortable.

[0072] In addition, when the first avatar and a third avatar, which is the avatar of a third user who is not affiliated with the virtual facility, are present in an area corresponding to a virtual store, the virtual space control unit 133 causes the area to be displayed on a terminal (not shown) used by the third user and also causes the first avatar to be displayed in the area, regardless of whether the setting unit 131 has performed a hide setting.

[0073] Specifically, when the virtual space control unit 133 causes the terminal of the third user to display an image showing an area in the virtual space in which the third avatar of the third user exists, the virtual space control unit 133 does not refer to the non-display setting information stored in the storage unit 12, but identifies the user ID associated with the virtual space ID of the virtual space, and identifies the position and orientation of the avatar corresponding to the user ID in the virtual space. Then, the virtual space control unit 133 places the avatar in the virtual space based on the identified position and orientation of the avatar. As a result, all avatars existing in the virtual space are placed in the virtual space.

[0074] Then, the virtual space control unit 133 places a virtual camera at a position corresponding to the third avatar (for example, above and behind the head of the third avatar), and displays an image showing the area in the virtual space obtained by capturing an image from the virtual camera in the direction in which the third avatar is facing on the third user's terminal.

[0075] [Controlling user behavior while viewing a virtual space] Next, the control of the user's behavior while the virtual space is being displayed will be described. The behavior control unit 134 controls the user's behavior while the area of ​​the virtual space is being displayed. Specifically, when the setting unit 131 sets the first avatar of the first user to be hidden, the behavior control unit 134 controls the first user's behavior within the area of ​​the virtual space based on the restricted behavior information stored in the storage unit 12. For example, when the first avatar is set to be hidden and the behavior of putting a product into a cart is restricted, the behavior control unit 134 controls the user terminal 2 not to display an operation button for accepting an operation of putting a product into a card.

[0076] [Processing related to product purchases] Next, a process related to the purchase of a product by a user will be described. The purchase processing unit 135 accepts a selection of a product avatar provided in the virtual space of the virtual store from the user of the user terminal 2 and sold at the virtual store. The purchase processing unit 135 then accepts the purchase of the product. When accepting the purchase of the product, the purchase processing unit 135 accepts information related to the delivery destination of the product and information related to the payment method from the user, and settles the purchase amount of the product based on the accepted information. When the settlement is completed, the purchase processing unit 135 notifies the store terminal 3 of the virtual store of information indicating the product purchased by the user and information related to the delivery destination. This allows a clerk at the virtual store to carry out a process related to the shipment of the product.

[0077] [Management of user behavior history in virtual space] Next, the management of the user's behavior history in the virtual space will be described. The storage control unit 136 associates the store ID of the virtual store corresponding to the virtual space, behavior information indicating the user's behavior using the avatar in the virtual space, the date and time when the user performed the behavior, and the user's user ID, and stores them as behavior history information in the storage unit 12. The user's behavior using the avatar is product browsing behavior, product purchasing behavior, and chat behavior with other users.

[0078] Here, the memory control unit 136 stores behavior history information indicating the behavior history of the first user in an area within the virtual space in the memory unit 12, regardless of whether the setting unit 131 has set the first avatar to be hidden or not.

[0079] The notification unit 137 notifies a virtual space manager who manages the virtual space, a clerk of a virtual store, or the like, of the behavior history information stored in the storage unit 12. For example, in response to receiving a request to acquire behavior history information including a store ID from a management terminal used by the virtual space manager or the store terminal 3, the notification unit 137 notifies the behavior history information corresponding to the store ID.

[0080] When storing the behavior history information in the memory unit 12, the memory control unit 136 may include a non-display setting flag indicating whether or not the first avatar is set to non-display in the behavior history information. In this way, it is possible to analyze the difference between the behavior history of a user who has set the avatar to non-display and a user who has not set the avatar to non-display.

[0081] [Variation 1] In the above description, the setting unit 131 sets the avatar hiding period, the configurable conditions which are the conditions of the user attributes for which the avatar can be set to be hidden, and the user's restricted actions via the related setting screen shown in FIG. 5, but it is also possible to set these settings individually for each of multiple stores.

[0082] In this case, when the setting unit 131 receives the setting of the avatar non-display period, the configurable condition which is the condition of the user's attribute for which the avatar can be set to be hidden, or the setting of the user's restricted behavior, the setting unit 131 receives the store ID of the virtual store to which the setting is applied. In this manner, the information processing device 1 can flexibly set the related setting related to the non-display of the avatar for each virtual store.

[0083] [Variation 2] Furthermore, when accepting a request for the non-display setting, the setting unit 131 may accept selection of a virtual store in which the first avatar is to be hidden. Then, the setting unit 131 sets the value of a non-display flag associated with the user ID included in the request for the non-display setting to "1," and stores the user ID and the non-display flag in association with the store ID of the selected virtual store.

[0084] Then, the virtual space control unit 133 prevents the first avatar from being displayed in the store terminal 3 used by the second user associated with the virtual store for which the first avatar has been set to be hidden, i.e., the virtual store corresponding to the store ID associated with the hidden flag "1." In this way, the information processing device 1 can hide the first avatar only in the virtual store for which the user has selected to hide the first avatar.

[0085] [Effects of information processing device 1] As described above, the information processing device 1 according to the present embodiment performs a non-display setting of the first avatar by receiving a request for a non-display setting, which is a setting for not displaying the first avatar, which is an avatar of the first user, in an area in the virtual space corresponding to a virtual facility, which is a facility in the virtual space. Then, when the first avatar and the second avatar, which is an avatar of a second user different from the first user, are present in an area when the non-display setting of the first avatar is not performed, the information processing device 1 controls to display the area on the terminal of the second user and to display the first avatar in the area, and when the first avatar and the second avatar are present in an area when the non-display setting of the first avatar is performed, to display the area on the terminal of the second user and not to display the first avatar in the area. In this way, the information processing device 1 can prevent users from visiting the virtual store.

[0086] Furthermore, this invention will make it possible to contribute to Goal 9 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is to "build resilient infrastructure, promote industry, innovation and infrastructure."

[0087] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by distributing or integrating functionally or physically in any unit. In addition, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effect of the new embodiment resulting from the combination combines the effect of the original embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1. Information processing device 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Control section 131 Setting section 132 Reception 133 Virtual space control section 134 Behavior Control Unit 135 Purchase Processing Unit 136 Memory control unit 137 Notification Department 2. User terminal 3. Store terminal

Claims

1. a setting unit that performs display setting of the first avatar by receiving a request for display setting, which is a setting for displaying information indicating the presence of a first avatar, which is an avatar of a first user, on a terminal of a second user different from the first user in a state in which the first user is anonymous in an area in the virtual space corresponding to a virtual facility, which is a facility in the virtual space; a virtual space control unit that, when the first avatar and a second avatar that is the avatar of the second user are present in the area when the setting unit has not performed the display setting, causes a terminal of the second user to display the area and also displays the first avatar in the area, and, when the first avatar and the second avatar are present in the area when the setting unit has performed the display setting, controls the terminal of the second user to display the area and not display the first avatar in the area, and displays information indicating the presence of the first avatar on the terminal of the second user while keeping the user of the first avatar anonymous; An information processing device having the above configuration.

2. when the first avatar and a third avatar, which is an avatar of a third user who is different from the first user and the second user and is not a related party to the virtual facility, are present in the area, the virtual space control unit causes the third user's terminal to display the area and the first avatar in the area, regardless of whether the setting unit has performed the display setting. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. a setting unit that performs display setting of the first avatar by receiving a request for display setting, which is a setting for displaying information indicating the presence of a first avatar, which is an avatar of the first user, on a terminal of a second user different from the first user, while keeping the first user anonymous in an area of ​​the virtual space corresponding to a virtual facility, which is a facility in the virtual space, and performs the related setting by receiving a request for related setting, which is a setting related to not displaying the avatar, from a virtual space provider that provides the virtual space or a virtual space administrator that manages the virtual space; a virtual space control unit that, when the first avatar and a second avatar that is the avatar of the second user are present in the area when the setting unit has not performed the display setting, causes a terminal of the second user to display the area and also displays the first avatar in the area, and, when the first avatar and the second avatar are present in the area when the setting unit has performed the display setting, causes a terminal of the second user to display the area and also displays information indicating the presence of the first avatar with the user of the first avatar kept anonymous, and that controls so as not to display the first avatar based on the associated setting; An information processing device having the above configuration.

4. The setting unit sets a non-display period of the avatar as the related setting, the virtual space control unit, when the first avatar and the second avatar are present in the area when the setting unit performs the display setting, controls the terminal of the second user to display the area and not to display the first avatar in the area during the non-display period set by the setting unit. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

5. the setting unit sets whether or not the display setting of the first avatar is applicable to a partial area included in the area as the related setting, and sets whether or not the display setting is applicable to the partial area; when the setting unit performs the display setting, when the second avatar is present in the area and the first avatar is present in a partial area included in the area, the virtual space control unit controls whether or not to display the first avatar on the terminal of the second user based on whether or not the display setting set in the partial area is applicable. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

6. The setting unit sets the configurable conditions by receiving configurable conditions, which are conditions of attributes of a user for which the display setting is possible, from a virtual space provider who provides the virtual space or a virtual space administrator who manages the virtual space, and performs the display setting of the user when the attributes of the user satisfy the configurable conditions. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. The setting unit sets a restricted action that is an action restricted for the first user when the display setting is performed, A behavior control unit that restricts the first user from performing a restricted behavior set by the setting unit when the setting unit performs the display setting. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

8. a storage control unit that stores in a storage unit behavior history information indicating a behavior history of the first user in the area, regardless of whether the display setting is performed by the setting unit; a notification unit that notifies a virtual space manager that manages the virtual space of the behavior history information; Further comprising The information processing device according to claim 1 .

9. the virtual space control unit, when the first avatar and the second avatar or an obstacle in the area are present in the area when the setting unit has performed the display setting, performs control so that the first avatar and the second avatar or the obstacle do not interfere with each other. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

10. The computer executes performing display setting of the first avatar by receiving a request for display setting, which is a setting for displaying information indicating the presence of a first avatar, which is an avatar of the first user, on a terminal of a second user different from the first user in an area in the virtual space corresponding to a virtual facility, which is a facility in the virtual space, while keeping the first user anonymous; a step of causing a terminal of the second user to display the area and the first avatar in the area when the first avatar and a second avatar that is an avatar of a second user different from the first user are present in the area when the display setting of the first avatar has not been performed, and causing a terminal of the second user to display the area and the first avatar in the area when the display setting of the first avatar has been performed and the first avatar and the second avatar are present in the area, controlling the terminal of the second user to display the area and not to display the first avatar in the area, and displaying information indicating the presence of the first avatar on the terminal of the second user with the user of the first avatar kept anonymous; An information processing method comprising the steps of:

11. The computer executes a step of performing the display setting of the first avatar by receiving a request for a display setting, which is a setting for displaying information indicating the presence of a first avatar, which is an avatar of the first user, on a terminal of a second user different from the first user, while keeping the first user anonymous in an area of ​​the virtual space corresponding to a virtual facility, which is a facility in the virtual space, and performing the related setting by receiving a request for an associated setting, which is a setting related to not displaying the avatar, from a virtual space provider that provides the virtual space or a virtual space administrator that manages the virtual space; a step of displaying the area on a terminal of the second user and displaying the first avatar in the area when the first avatar and a second avatar that is an avatar of a second user different from the first user are present in the area when the display setting of the first avatar has not been performed, and displaying the area on a terminal of the second user and displaying information indicating the presence of the first avatar with the user of the first avatar kept anonymous when the display setting of the first avatar has been performed and the first avatar and the second avatar are present in the area, wherein the step of controlling so as not to display the first avatar based on the related setting; An information processing method comprising the steps of:

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