Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

An information processing device, method, and program are provided that achieve a balance between the processing load of a server and the quality of presentation to a user. [Solution] In an information processing system having an information processing device and a plurality of user terminals, the information processing device 1 has a virtual space control unit 132 that displays an avatar representing the first user or the second user in a virtual space on the first user terminal of the first user, and a judgment unit 133 that judges whether the number of avatars existing in a target virtual store, which is a virtual store in a virtual space including a plurality of partitions and in which an avatar corresponding to the first user exists, exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the judgment unit judges that the number of avatars existing in the target virtual store exceeds the predetermined threshold, the virtual space control unit hides at least a portion of the avatars existing in the target virtual store that correspond to the second user, and displays information indicating the number of avatars existing in each partition included in the target virtual store.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technique for presenting a virtual space in which a plurality of avatars exist to a user (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-106297 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, as the number of avatars in a virtual space increases, the processing load on the server that manages the virtual space increases, and the processing for presenting the virtual space to the user may become unstable. In this case, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the server, but reducing the processing load on the server may reduce the amount of information presented to the user in the virtual space, resulting in a decrease in the presentation quality. Therefore, there is a need to achieve a balance between the processing load on the server and the presentation quality to the user.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and has an object to achieve a balance between the processing load on the server and the quality of presentation to the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention has a virtual space control unit that displays, on a first user terminal used by a first user, an avatar representing the first user or a second user different from the first user in a virtual space, and a judgment unit that determines whether the number of avatars present in a target virtual store, which is a virtual store existing in the virtual space and includes a plurality of partitions, and in which the avatar corresponding to the first user exists, exceeds a predetermined threshold.When the judgment unit determines that the number of avatars present in the target virtual store exceeds the predetermined threshold, the virtual space control unit hides at least some of the avatars corresponding to the second user among the plurality of avatars present in the target virtual store, and displays, for each partition included in the target virtual store, information indicating the number of avatars present in that partition.

[0007] The virtual space control unit may further display, outside the target virtual store, information indicating the number of avatars corresponding to the second users waiting to enter the target virtual store. The virtual space control unit may further display information indicating the number of avatars corresponding to the second users present in a virtual passage adjacent to the target virtual store.

[0008] The virtual space control unit may display the avatar who has purchased a product sold by the target virtual store in a different manner from the avatar who has not purchased the product.

[0009]

[0010] The virtual space control unit may display information indicating the number of avatars that have visited the target virtual store in the past.

[0011] An information processing method according to a second aspect of the present invention includes the steps of: displaying, on a first user terminal used by a first user, an avatar representing the first user or a second user different from the first user in a virtual space; and determining whether the number of avatars present in a target virtual store, which is a virtual store existing in the virtual space and includes a plurality of partitions, and in which the avatar corresponding to the first user exists, exceeds a predetermined threshold.If, in the step of displaying the avatars, it is determined that the number of avatars present in the target virtual store exceeds the predetermined threshold, at least some of the avatars corresponding to the second user among the plurality of avatars present in the target virtual store are hidden, and information indicating the number of avatars present in each partition included in the target virtual store is displayed.

[0012] A program according to a third aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as a virtual space control unit that displays, on a first user terminal used by a first user, an avatar representing the first user or a second user different from the first user in a virtual space, and a judgment unit that determines whether the number of avatars present in a target virtual store, which is a virtual store existing in the virtual space and includes a plurality of partitions, and in which an avatar corresponding to the first user exists, exceeds a predetermined threshold; when the judgment unit determines that the number of avatars present in the target virtual store exceeds the predetermined threshold, the virtual space control unit hides at least some of the avatars corresponding to the second user among the plurality of avatars present in the target virtual store, and displays, for each partition included in the target virtual store, information indicating the number of avatars present in that partition.

[0013]

[0014]

[0015] Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve a balance between the processing load on the server and the quality of presentation to the user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a virtual image. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of information relating to an avatar. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of information about a virtual facility. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a virtual image. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a virtual image. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] [Outline of Information Processing System S] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system S. The information processing system S is a system used for presenting a virtual space to a user. In the virtual space, there are a plurality of avatars and a plurality of virtual facilities. The avatar is a three-dimensional model of a person or the like that represents a user in the virtual space. The virtual facility is a facility that exists in the virtual space, and includes, for example, a virtual store, a virtual passage, and the like. The virtual facility corresponds to, for example, a real store that exists in the real space. The information processing system S has an information processing device 1 and a plurality of user terminals 2.

[0019] The information processing device 1 is a device that manages a virtual space platform that controls the virtual space, and is, for example, a server. The information processing device 1 stores information about avatars (for example, information indicating the position where the avatar exists in the virtual space, information indicating the appearance of the avatar, etc.) and information about virtual facilities (for example, information indicating the position where the virtual facility exists in the virtual space, information indicating the appearance of the virtual facility, etc.).

[0020] The user terminal 2 is a terminal used by a user, and is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, etc. A dedicated application program (hereinafter, referred to as a "dedicated app") for displaying a virtual space is installed in the user terminal 2.

[0021] For example, suppose that a certain user (hereinafter, referred to as a "first user") performs an operation to launch a dedicated app on a first user terminal, which is a user terminal 2 used by the first user. The first user is, for example, a customer who uses a virtual facility, or an administrator of the virtual facility (for example, a clerk of a virtual store, etc.).

[0022] In this case, the information processing device 1 renders a virtual image showing a virtual space based on various information such as information on the first avatar, information on a plurality of second avatars, and information on virtual facilities, and displays the rendered virtual image on the user terminal 2. The first avatar is an avatar corresponding to the first user. The second avatar is an avatar corresponding to a second user who is a user different from the first user.

[0023] Here, the greater the number of avatars present in the virtual space, the higher the processing load for rendering the virtual image becomes, which may cause instability in the display of the virtual image on the user terminal 2. Therefore, when the number of avatars is large, the information processing device 1 presents to the first user a virtual image including information indicating the number of second avatars while omitting the second avatars.

[0024] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic representation of a virtual image. Space V shown in Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the state inside a certain virtual store existing in a virtual space. In space V, there exist a target avatar T which is a first avatar, an avatar other than the target avatar (a second avatar), shelves provided in the virtual store, and article objects such as goods. Image G1 is a diagram showing a virtual image rendered based on information showing space V with the eye position of target avatar T as a virtual viewpoint, and in which the second avatar existing in space V is not omitted.

[0025] Image G2 is a virtual image rendered based on information indicating space V with the eye position of target avatar T as a virtual viewpoint, and is a diagram showing a virtual image in which some of the second avatars existing in space V are omitted. In this case, information processing device 1 displays information indicating the number of second avatars existing in space V (information object I indicating the number of second avatars existing in the virtual space shown in FIG. 2) in image G2.

[0026] In this way, when the number of avatars present in the virtual store is large, the information processing system S can reduce the processing load of the information processing device 1 by omitting the second avatars present in the virtual store. Furthermore, when the second avatars present in the virtual store are omitted, the information processing system S can allow the first user to understand how many second avatars exist in the virtual store by presenting information indicating the number of second avatars present in the virtual store. As a result, the information processing system S can achieve a balance between the processing load of the information processing device 1 and the presentation quality for the user. The configuration of the information processing device 1 will be described below.

[0027] [Configuration of information processing device 1] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the information processing device 1. In Fig. 3, the arrows indicate main data flows, and there may be data flows other than those shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, each block indicates a configuration in functional units, not a configuration in hardware (device) units. Therefore, the blocks shown in Fig. 3 may be implemented in a single device, or may be implemented separately in multiple devices. Data may be exchanged between blocks via any means, such as a data bus, a network, or a portable storage medium.

[0028] The information processing device 1 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13. The information processing device 1 may be configured by connecting two or more physically separated devices by wire or wirelessly. The information processing device 1 may also be configured by a cloud that is a collection of computer resources.

[0029] The communication unit 11 has a communication controller for transmitting and receiving data to and from the user terminal 2 via the network. The communication unit 11 notifies the control unit 13 of data received from the user terminal 2 via the network. The communication unit 11 also transmits data output from the control unit 13 to the user terminal 2 via the network.

[0030] The storage unit 12 is a storage medium including a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk drive, etc. The storage unit 12 may be provided outside the information processing device 1, in which case data may be exchanged between the storage unit 12 and the control unit 13 via a network. The storage unit 12 stores in advance a program to be executed by the control unit 13.

[0031] The storage unit 12 stores information about avatars and information about virtual facilities. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information about avatars. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the information about avatars is information in which a user ID, an avatar position, an avatar orientation, appearance information, a behavior history, and a purchase history are associated with each other.

[0032] The avatar position is information indicating the position of the avatar existing in the virtual space. The avatar position is indicated by, for example, position coordinates in the virtual space, information indicating the virtual facility where the avatar exists (for example, the ID of the virtual facility, etc.), etc. The avatar orientation is information indicating the orientation of the avatar in the virtual space. The appearance information is information indicating the appearance of the avatar. The behavior history is a history of the behavior of the avatar in the virtual space. The behavior history is, for example, information in which the avatar position is associated with the acquisition date and time when the avatar position is acquired for each predetermined period (for example, every second, every minute, etc.). The purchase history is a history of the purchase of products by the avatar in a virtual store. The purchase history is, for example, information in which information indicating the product purchased by the avatar (for example, the name of the product, the ID of the product, etc.), information indicating the virtual store where the avatar purchased the product (for example, the name of the virtual store, the ID of the virtual store, etc.), and the purchase date and time when the avatar purchased the product in the virtual store are associated with each other.

[0033] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of information related to a virtual facility. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the information related to the virtual facility is information in which the virtual facility ID, the facility range, the capacity, the facility section (section ID, section range), layout information, the ID of the related other virtual facility, the ID of the related real facility, and the ID of the related other space virtual facility are associated with each other.

[0034] The facility range is information indicating the range in which the virtual facility exists in the virtual space. The capacity is the upper limit of the number of avatars that can enter the virtual facility. For example, if the virtual space platform is designed not to display multiple avatars overlapping at the same position, the number of avatars that can enter the virtual facility is limited, so a capacity is set. The facility section is a section provided in the virtual facility. The related other virtual facility is another virtual facility related to the virtual facility, for example, a facility of the series of the virtual facility. The related real facility is a real facility associated with the virtual facility. The related other space virtual facility is an other space virtual store that exists in another virtual space controlled by another virtual space platform different from the virtual space platform managed by the information processing device 1, and is an other space virtual store associated with the virtual store that exists in the virtual space controlled by the virtual space platform. For example, the real facility corresponding to the virtual store and the real facility corresponding to the other space virtual store associated with the virtual store are the same facility.

[0035] 3, the control unit 13 has an acquisition unit 131, a virtual space control unit 132, a determination unit 133, and a purchase management unit 134. The control unit 13 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and functions as the acquisition unit 131, the virtual space control unit 132, the determination unit 133, and the purchase management unit 134 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 12.

[0036] The acquisition unit 131 acquires various information from the outside. For example, the acquisition unit 131 acquires information for rendering a virtual image from the user terminal 2, such as a user ID and operation information for the user to operate an avatar.

[0037] The virtual space control unit 132 displays avatars in the virtual space for the first user terminal. The avatars include at least a second avatar. The avatars may further include a first avatar, or may not include the first avatar. Specifically, the virtual space control unit 132 causes the first user terminal to display a virtual image including the avatar.

[0038] For example, first, the virtual space control unit 132 specifies a rendering range in which to render a virtual image, based on the position of the first avatar in the virtual space specified by the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 131. The position of the first avatar in the virtual space is, for example, an initial position or a position after the first avatar has moved. The rendering range is, for example, a virtual facility including the position of the first avatar, a range up to a predetermined distance from the position of the first avatar in the virtual space, etc.

[0039] The virtual space control unit 132 refers to information about the avatars and identifies an avatar that exists in the rendering range. The virtual space control unit 132 renders a virtual image showing the virtual space as viewed from a predetermined virtual viewpoint based on information about the first avatar including the ID of the first user, information about the identified second avatar, and information about the virtual facility that exists in the rendering range. The predetermined virtual viewpoint may be the position of the eyes of the first avatar, or a position that includes the first avatar and is distant from the first avatar. Then, the virtual space control unit 132 transmits the rendered virtual image to the first user terminal, thereby causing the virtual image to be displayed on the first user terminal.

[0040] In addition to the avatar, the virtual space control unit 132 may display an information object. The information object is an object for displaying information such as the name of the virtual facility in which the first avatar exists.

[0041] The virtual space control unit 132 controls the display of the second avatar according to the number of avatars existing in the target virtual store. The target virtual store is a virtual store existing in the virtual space and in which the first avatar exists (a virtual store in the rendering range). Specifically, the information processing device 1 controls the display of the second avatar according to the number of avatars existing in the target virtual store by executing the following two steps.

[0042] As a first step, the determination unit 133 determines whether the number of avatars present in the target virtual store is large. Specifically, the determination unit 133 determines whether the number of avatars present in the target virtual store exceeds a store threshold. The store threshold may be a threshold defined in the virtual space platform, or may be a threshold defined for each virtual store. For example, when the store threshold is a threshold defined for each virtual store, the determination unit 133 acquires a store threshold corresponding to the target store, and determines whether the number of avatars identified by the virtual space control unit 132 exceeds the acquired store threshold.

[0043] As a second step, virtual space control unit 132 controls the display of the second avatars according to the determination result by determination unit 133. Specifically, when determination unit 133 determines that the number of avatars existing in the target virtual store does not exceed the store threshold, virtual space control unit 132 displays all second avatars existing in the target virtual store.

[0044] On the other hand, when the determination unit 133 determines that the number of avatars existing in the target virtual store exceeds the store threshold, the virtual space control unit 132 hides at least some of the second avatars among the multiple avatars existing in the target virtual store. For example, the virtual space control unit 132 displays a number of second avatars equal to the store threshold among the multiple second avatars existing in the target virtual store, and hides the remaining second avatars.

[0045] When hiding some of the second avatars present in the target virtual store, the virtual space control unit 132 may randomly select the second avatars to be hidden, or may select the second avatars to be displayed in order of proximity to the first avatar. The virtual space control unit 132 may also select a second avatar corresponding to a second user having attributes at least similar to those of the first user (for example, a second user having the same gender as the first user, a second user of the same age or generation as the first user, etc.) from among a plurality of second avatars present in the target virtual store. The virtual space control unit 132 may also select a second avatar corresponding to a second user with whom the first user has had a conversation in the past in the virtual space managed by the virtual space platform from among a plurality of second avatars present in the target virtual store. The virtual space control unit 132 may select only the corresponding second avatar (a second avatar corresponding to a second user having attributes at least similar to those of the first user, a second avatar corresponding to a second user with whom the first user has had a conversation in the past in the virtual space managed by the virtual space platform), or may preferentially select the corresponding second avatar. The virtual space control unit 132 may hide all second avatars present in the target virtual store.

[0046] When the determination unit 133 determines that the number of avatars existing in the target virtual store exceeds the store threshold, the virtual space control unit 132 displays information indicating the number of avatars existing in the target virtual store. For example, the virtual space control unit 132 displays information indicating the number of avatars existing in the target virtual store in an information object.

[0047] The virtual space control unit 132 may display the information object in a manner corresponding to the number of hidden second avatars. For example, the display manner of the information object is determined in advance, such that the color of the information object is "blue" when the number of hidden second avatars is 1 to 5, the color of the information object is "yellow" when the number of hidden second avatars is 6 to 10, and the color of the information object is "red" when the number of hidden second avatars is 10 or more. In this case, the virtual space control unit 132 displays the information object in a display manner corresponding to the number of hidden second avatars.

[0048] When the target virtual store includes multiple sections, the virtual space control unit 132 may display information indicating the number of second avatars according to the sections included in the target virtual store. Specifically, the virtual space control unit 132 displays information indicating the number of avatars present in each section included in the target virtual store.

[0049] For example, first, the virtual space control unit 132 refers to information about the target virtual store and information about avatars, and for each section included in the target virtual store, identifies the avatars present in that section. Then, the virtual space control unit 132 displays information indicating the number of identified avatars for each section included in the target virtual store.

[0050] For example, the dedicated app may be capable of switching the virtual viewpoint between a predetermined first viewpoint mode and a second viewpoint mode in which the user can move freely, and when the first user switches the virtual viewpoint to the second viewpoint mode, the virtual space control unit 132 may display information indicating the number of avatars for each section included in the target virtual store. In this case, the virtual space control unit 132 may display the boundary lines of each section in the target virtual store.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic representation of a virtual image. Image G3 shown in FIG. 6 is a virtual image in which a target virtual store is displayed in the second viewpoint mode. Lines L indicate the boundaries between the sections. The target virtual store shown in image G3 has six sections, and a pop-up showing the number of avatars present in each section is displayed. In this way, the information processing device 1 presents the number of avatars for each section included in the target virtual store, allowing the user to understand where and how many avatars are present. The virtual space control unit 132 may display information showing the number of second avatars present in a target section, which is a section in which a first avatar is present, among a plurality of sections included in the target virtual store.

[0052] The virtual space control unit 132 may control the display of the second avatar for each section included in the target virtual store. Specifically, the determination unit 133 determines, for each section included in the target virtual store, whether or not the number of avatars present in the section exceeds a section threshold. The section threshold may be a threshold determined in the virtual space platform, a threshold determined for each virtual store, or a threshold determined for each virtual store and section.

[0053] Then, when the determination unit 133 determines that the number of avatars present in a section does not exceed the section threshold, the virtual space control unit 132 displays all second avatars present in the section. On the other hand, when the determination unit 133 determines that the number of avatars present in a section exceeds the section threshold, the virtual space control unit 132 hides at least some of the second avatars among the multiple avatars present in the section. In this case, the virtual space control unit 132 may display information indicating the number of avatars present in a section in which the determination unit 133 determines that the number of avatars exceeds a predetermined threshold, among the multiple sections included in the target virtual store.

[0054] The virtual space control unit 132 may display information indicating avatars that have purchased products sold by the target virtual store and avatars that have not purchased products sold by the target virtual store. Specifically, the virtual space control unit 132 displays information indicating the number of avatars present in the target virtual store, divided into avatars that have purchased products sold by the target virtual store and avatars that have not purchased products sold by the target virtual store.

[0055] For example, first, the purchase management unit 134 manages commercial transactions between virtual stores in the virtual space and avatars, and when an avatar purchases a product in a virtual store, the purchase history of the product purchased in the virtual store is added to information about the avatar. Then, the virtual space control unit 132 refers to the purchase history included in the information about the avatar, and displays information indicating the number of avatars present in the target virtual store, dividing the avatars into those that have purchased a product sold by the target virtual store within a predetermined period (e.g., within one hour, within one day, etc.) and those that have not purchased a product sold by the target virtual store within the predetermined period. In this way, the information processing device 1 allows the first user to know how many avatars present in the target virtual store have purchased products.

[0056] The virtual space control unit 132 may display an avatar who has purchased a product sold by the target virtual store in a different manner from an avatar who has not purchased the product. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic representation of a virtual image. Image G4 shown in FIG. 7 is a virtual image displaying the target virtual store. Three second avatars (avatars A1, A2, and A3) are displayed in image G4. Avatar A1 is a second avatar who has purchased a product sold by the target virtual store within a predetermined period, and avatars A2 and A3 are second avatars who have not purchased a product sold by the target virtual store within a predetermined period. As shown in image G4, the virtual space control unit 132 displays avatar A1 and avatars A2 and A3 in different manners.

[0057] The virtual space control unit 132 may display a purchase object (e.g., a bag with the name or logo of the target virtual store displayed) indicating that a product sold by the target virtual store was purchased within a predetermined period of time in association with the avatar that purchased the product sold by the target virtual store. In this way, the information processing device 1 displays avatars that have purchased a product sold by the target virtual store in different ways from avatars that have not purchased the product, allowing the first user to understand which second avatar purchased the product.

[0058] The virtual space control unit 132 may display an avatar that has visited the target virtual store in the past in a different manner from an avatar that has not visited the target virtual store in the past. Specifically, the virtual space control unit 132 first refers to the behavior history included in the information about the avatar, and identifies an avatar that has visited the target virtual store in the past from among the avatars present in the target virtual store. Then, the virtual space control unit 132 displays the identified avatar (the avatar that has visited the target virtual store in the past) and other avatars (the avatars that have not visited the target virtual store in the past) in a different manner. In this way, the information processing device 1 can allow the first user to recognize the second avatar that has visited the target virtual store in the past.

[0059] The virtual space control unit 132 displays information indicating the number of avatars that have visited the target virtual store in the past. For example, the virtual space control unit 132 refers to the behavior history included in the information about the avatar, identifies avatars that have visited the target virtual store in the past, and displays information indicating the number of identified avatars.

[0060] The virtual space control unit 132 displays, for example, information indicating the total number of avatars that have visited the target virtual store in the past. The virtual space control unit 132 may also display information indicating the number of avatars that visited the target virtual store a predetermined period of time ago (for example, one week ago, one month ago, etc.). The virtual space control unit 132 may also display information indicating a statistical value (for example, an average value, etc.) of the number of avatars that visited the target virtual store on the same past day of the week as the current day of the week. In this way, the information processing device 1 allows the first user to know how many avatars have visited the target virtual store in the past.

[0061] The virtual space control unit 132 may further display various information together with the information for indicating the number of second avatars present in the target virtual store. For example, the virtual space control unit 132 may further display information indicating the number of second avatars present outside the target virtual store. Specifically, the virtual space control unit 132 further displays information indicating the number of second avatars present in a virtual passage adjacent to the target virtual store.

[0062] For example, first, the virtual space control unit 132 refers to information about the virtual facility and identifies a virtual passage adjacent to the target virtual store. The virtual space control unit 132 refers to information about the second avatars and identifies second avatars that exist in the identified virtual passage. Then, the virtual space control unit 132 further displays information indicating the number of identified second avatars. In this way, the information processing device 1 allows the first user to know how many second avatars are in the target virtual store compared to the number of second avatars that exist in the virtual passage adjacent to the target virtual store.

[0063] The virtual space control unit 132 may further display information indicating the number of second avatars waiting to enter the target virtual store outside the target virtual store. First, a process for an avatar to wait to enter the virtual store will be described. In a case where a capacity is set in a virtual store, the determination unit 133 first determines whether or not the number of other avatars present in the virtual store is less than the capacity corresponding to the virtual store when an avatar enters the virtual store. Then, when the determination unit 133 determines that the number of other avatars present in the virtual store is less than the capacity corresponding to the virtual store, the virtual space control unit 132 permits the avatar to enter the virtual store. On the other hand, when the determination unit 133 determines that the number of other avatars present in the virtual store is not less than the capacity corresponding to the virtual store, the virtual space control unit 132 does not permit the avatar to enter the virtual store.

[0064] In this case, the virtual space control unit 132 requests a response from the avatar that has not been permitted to enter the virtual store as to whether or not it will wait to enter the store, and if the avatar responds that it will wait to enter the store, the virtual space control unit 132 executes a process for the avatar to wait to enter the virtual store by having the avatar stand in line outside the virtual store to enter the virtual store.

[0065] The virtual space control unit 132 displays, on the first user terminal, information indicating the number of second avatars that have responded that they are waiting to enter the target virtual store. In this way, the information processing device 1 allows the first user to know how many second avatars are waiting to enter the store.

[0066] The virtual space control unit 132 may further display information indicating the number of second avatars present in affiliated stores of the target virtual store. Specifically, the virtual space control unit 132 further displays information indicating the number of second avatars present in other virtual stores associated with the target virtual store.

[0067] For example, first, the virtual space control unit 132 refers to information about virtual facilities and identifies other related virtual facilities associated with the target virtual store. The virtual space control unit 132 refers to information about the identified other related virtual facilities and information about avatars and identifies the number of second avatars present in the identified other related virtual facilities. Then, the virtual space control unit 132 further displays information indicating the number of identified second avatars. In this way, the information processing device 1 allows the first user to know how many second avatars are present in stores affiliated with the target virtual store.

[0068] The virtual space control unit 132 may further display information indicating the number of second avatars present in an other space virtual store of another virtual space platform that corresponds to the target virtual store of the virtual space platform.

[0069] Specifically, first, the acquisition unit 131 identifies an associated other space virtual store associated with the target virtual store by referring to information about the virtual facility, and acquires information indicating the number of second avatars present in the identified associated other space virtual store from a server (not shown) that manages other virtual space platforms. Then, the virtual space control unit 132 further displays information indicating the number of second avatars present in the associated other space virtual store acquired by the acquisition unit 131. In this way, the information processing device 1 allows the first user to grasp the number of second avatars present in specific virtual stores (the target virtual store and the associated other space virtual stores) present in each virtual space.

[0070] The virtual space control unit 132 may further display information indicating the number of users present in the real store of the target virtual store. For example, the real store is equipped with a device for identifying the number of users, such as a camera or an infrared sensor.

[0071] In this case, first, the acquisition unit 131 identifies an associated real store associated with the target virtual store by referring to information about the target virtual store, and acquires information indicating the number of users present in the associated real store from the identified associated real store. Then, the virtual space control unit 132 further displays information indicating the number of users present in the associated real store associated with the target virtual store. When the acquisition unit 131 acquires a captured image captured by a camera installed in the associated real store, the virtual space control unit 132 analyzes the captured image to identify the number of users present in the associated real store, and displays information indicating the identified number of users. In this way, the information processing device 1 allows the first user to know how many users are present in the real store corresponding to the target virtual store.

[0072] [Processing of information processing device 1] Next, a description will be given of a process flow of the information processing device 1. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the process flow of the information processing device 1. This flowchart starts when the acquisition unit 131 acquires operation information for a first user to perform an operation to cause a first avatar to enter a certain virtual store (S1).

[0073] The virtual space control unit 132 specifies a rendering range in which to render a virtual image based on the position of the first avatar in the virtual space specified by the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 131 (S2). The virtual space control unit 132 specifies the number of avatars present in the rendering range by referring to information about the second avatar (S3). The determination unit 133 determines whether the number of avatars present in the target virtual store, which is the rendering range, exceeds a store threshold (S4).

[0074] If the determination unit 133 determines that the number of avatars present in the target virtual store does not exceed the store threshold (YES in S4), the virtual space control unit 132 displays all second avatars present in the target virtual store (S5). On the other hand, if the determination unit 133 determines that the number of avatars present in the target virtual store exceeds the store threshold (NO in S4), the virtual space control unit 132 hides at least some of the second avatars among the multiple avatars present in the target virtual store (S6).

[0075] <Modification> In the above, an example has been described in which the information processing device 1 hides at least some of the second avatars among the multiple avatars present in the target virtual store when the number of avatars present in the target virtual store exceeds a predetermined threshold, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the information processing device 1 may permit an avatar to enter the virtual store when the number of other avatars present in the virtual store in which the avatar is about to enter is less than the facility threshold. In this way, the information processing device 1 can reduce the occurrence of a situation in which the processing load of the information processing device 1 increases due to an increase in the number of avatars, causing the processing for presenting the virtual space to the user to become unstable.

[0076] [Effects of this embodiment] As described above, when the number of avatars existing in the target virtual store exceeds a predetermined threshold, the information processing device 1 hides at least some of the second avatars among the multiple avatars existing in the target virtual store and displays information indicating the number of avatars existing in the target virtual store. In this way, when the number of avatars existing in the virtual store is large, the information processing device 1 can reduce the processing load by omitting the second avatars existing in the virtual store. Furthermore, when the second avatars existing in the virtual store are omitted, the information processing device 1 can allow the first user to understand how many second avatars exist in the virtual store by presenting information indicating the number of second avatars existing in the virtual store. As a result, the information processing device 1 can achieve a balance between the processing load and the presentation quality for the user.

[0077] 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."

[0078] 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]

[0079] 1. Information processing device 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Control section 131 Acquisition Department 132 Virtual space control section 133 Judgment section 134 Purchasing Management Department 2. User terminal S Information Processing System

Claims

1. a virtual space control unit that displays, in a virtual space, an avatar representing the first user or a second user different from the first user on a first user terminal used by the first user; a determination unit that determines whether or not the number of avatars present in a target virtual store, which is a virtual store that exists in the virtual space and includes a plurality of sections and in which the avatar corresponding to the first user exists, exceeds a predetermined threshold; having When the determination unit determines that the number of the avatars present in the target virtual store exceeds the predetermined threshold, the virtual space control unit hides at least some of the avatars present in the target virtual store that correspond to the second user, and displays, for each of the sections included in the target virtual store, information indicating the number of the avatars present in that section. Information processing device.

2. The virtual space control unit further displays, outside the target virtual store, information indicating the number of avatars corresponding to the second users waiting to enter the target virtual store. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The virtual space control unit further displays information indicating the number of avatars corresponding to the second users present in a virtual passage adjacent to the target virtual store. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. the virtual space control unit displays the avatar who has purchased a product sold by the target virtual store in a different manner from the avatar who has not purchased the product. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. the virtual space control unit displays information indicating the number of the avatars that have visited the target virtual store in the past. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. The computer executes displaying, on a first user terminal used by a first user, an avatar representing the first user or a second user different from the first user in a virtual space; A step of determining whether or not the number of avatars present in a target virtual store, which is a virtual store that exists in the virtual space and includes a plurality of sections, and in which the avatar corresponding to the first user exists, exceeds a predetermined threshold value; having When it is determined in the step of displaying the avatars that the number of the avatars present in the target virtual store exceeds the predetermined threshold value, at least some of the avatars among the plurality of avatars present in the target virtual store that correspond to the second user are hidden, and information indicating the number of the avatars present in each partition included in the target virtual store is displayed. Information processing methods.

7. Computer, a virtual space control unit that displays, in a virtual space, an avatar representing the first user or a second user different from the first user on a first user terminal used by the first user; and a determination unit that determines whether or not the number of avatars present in a target virtual store, which is a virtual store that exists in the virtual space and includes a plurality of sections, and in which the avatar corresponding to the first user exists, exceeds a predetermined threshold; Functioning as a When the determination unit determines that the number of the avatars present in the target virtual store exceeds the predetermined threshold, the virtual space control unit hides at least some of the avatars present in the target virtual store that correspond to the second user, and displays, for each of the sections included in the target virtual store, information indicating the number of the avatars present in that section. program.

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