Information Processing Apparatus, Information Processing Method, and Program

Abstract

To reduce a burden on a store clerk.SOLUTION: An information processing device 1 includes: a storage unit 12 that stores layout information; a virtual space control unit 131 that presents a virtual space to a customer and records, as an action history of an avatar indicating the customer in a virtual store, a browsing history of the avatar browsing items in the virtual store in association with identification information of the items; an evaluation unit 134 that specifies, as an evaluation of a layout of an actual store specified by layout information corresponding to the virtual store, the degree of interest of the avatar in each item, based on the action of the avatar for the item which is associated with the identification information of the item in the browsing history; and an output unit 135 that outputs a result of evaluation performed by the evaluation unit 134.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a system for evaluating a store layout has been known. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for evaluating a store layout using information detected by sensors provided in the store.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when a store is equipped with sensors, the store staff has to arrange the sensors so that they do not interfere with customers and perform maintenance on the sensors, which places a heavy burden on the store staff.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to reduce the burden on store staff.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores layout information for specifying a layout that is common to a real store existing in the real space and a virtual store existing in the virtual space and corresponding to the real store, the layout including a plurality of products being sold; a virtual space control unit that presents the virtual space to a customer and records, as an action history of an avatar indicating the customer in the virtual store, a browsing history of the avatar browsing the product in the virtual store in association with identification information of the product; an evaluation unit that, as an evaluation of the layout of the real store specified by the layout information corresponding to the virtual store, specifies, for each product, a degree of interest of the avatar in the product based on the action of the avatar with respect to the product associated with the identification information of the product in the browsing history; and an output unit that outputs an evaluation result evaluated by the evaluation unit.

[0007] The virtual space control unit may further record, as the action history, information for specifying the number of stays of the avatar staying in a predetermined virtual section of the virtual store over a predetermined period and the sales performance of the product, and the evaluation unit may further specify, for each product, the degree of interest of the avatar in the product based on the relationship between the number of stays corresponding to the product and the sales performance corresponding to the product.

[0008] The evaluation unit may specify, for each product, the degree of interest of the avatar in the product based on at least one of a browsing period in which the avatar specified by the browsing history browses the product and a browsing frequency in which the avatar specified by the browsing history browses the product.

[0009] The output unit may output, as the evaluation result, information indicating the product with a relatively high degree of interest of the avatar and information indicating the product with a relatively low degree of interest of the avatar.

[0010] The virtual store may include a plurality of virtual sections, and the virtual space control unit may further record, as the action history, information for specifying at least one of the stay period during which the avatar stayed in a predetermined virtual section of the virtual store and the number of stays during which the avatar stayed in a predetermined virtual section of the virtual store for a predetermined period. The evaluation unit may further specify, as an evaluation of the layout of the physical store, the degree of interest of the avatar in the products present in the physical section corresponding to the virtual section, based on at least one of the stay period corresponding to the virtual section and the number of stays corresponding to the virtual section, for each virtual section.

[0011] The output unit may output, as the evaluation result, information indicating the physical section in which the products with a relatively high degree of interest of the avatar are present and information indicating the physical section in which the products with a relatively low degree of interest of the avatar are present.

[0012] The virtual store may include a plurality of virtual passages, and the virtual space control unit may further record, as the action history, information for specifying the number of times the avatar passed through a predetermined virtual passage of the virtual store. The evaluation unit may further evaluate the layout of the physical passage corresponding to the virtual passage in the physical store, based on the number of times of passage corresponding to the virtual passage, for each virtual passage.

[0013] The output unit may output, as the evaluation result, information indicating the physical passage corresponding to the virtual passage with a relatively small number of times of passage.

[0014] Common advertisements may be posted in the physical store and the virtual store, and the evaluation unit may further specify the degree of interest of the avatar in the advertisement, based on the action of the avatar with respect to the advertisement specified by the action history, as an evaluation of the layout of the physical store.

[0015] The evaluation unit may further evaluate the layout of the physical store based on the action history of the avatar corresponding to the customer corresponding to the attribute for each attribute of the customer.

[0016] As the evaluation result, the output unit may output in a manner in which the degree of action of the avatar in the virtual store specified by the action history is superimposed on the layout of the physical store.

[0017] An information processing method according to a second aspect of the present invention is executed by a computer having a storage unit that stores layout information for specifying a layout that is common to a physical store existing in the real space and a virtual store existing in the virtual space and corresponding to the physical store and includes a plurality of products being sold. The method includes: presenting the virtual space to a customer; recording, as an action history of an avatar indicating the customer in the virtual store, a browsing history of the avatar browsing the product in the virtual store in association with identification information of the product; specifying, for each product, a degree of interest of the avatar in the product based on the action of the avatar with respect to the product associated with the identification information of the product in the browsing history, as an evaluation of the layout of the physical store specified by the layout information corresponding to the virtual store; and outputting the evaluated evaluation result.

[0018] The program according to the third aspect of the present invention causes a computer having a storage unit that stores layout information for specifying a layout that is common to an actual store existing in the real space and a virtual store existing in the virtual space and corresponding to the actual store and includes a plurality of products being sold, to present the virtual space to a customer, a virtual space control unit that records a browsing history of the products viewed by an avatar representing the customer in the virtual store in association with the identification information of the products as an action history of the avatar acting in the virtual store, an evaluation unit that specifies the degree of interest of the avatar in each product based on the action of the avatar with respect to the product associated with the identification information of the product in the browsing history as an evaluation of the layout of the actual store specified by the layout information corresponding to the virtual store, and an output unit that outputs the evaluation result evaluated by the evaluation unit.

[0019]

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, there is an effect that the burden on the store staff can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] [Overview 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 to provide an information processing service. The information processing service includes a space presentation service that presents a virtual space in which an avatar and a virtual store exist to a user, and an evaluation service that evaluates the layout of a real store existing in the real space.

[0023] An avatar is a three-dimensional model such as a person representing a user in a virtual space. The virtual store is associated with a real store, and the associated virtual store and real store (hereinafter simply referred to as "store") have a common layout of products, shelves, aisles, etc. The information processing system S includes an information processing apparatus 1, a user terminal 2, and a store clerk terminal 3.

[0024] The information processing apparatus 1 is an apparatus that manages an information processing service, for example, a server. The information processing apparatus 1 stores the action history of the avatar and the layout information of the store. The action history of the avatar is the history of the avatar's actions in the virtual space. The layout information is information for specifying the layout of the store. The layout information includes, for example, information about products sold in the store (e.g., product ID (identifier), appearance of the product, location where the product is placed, etc.), information about the shelves on which products are displayed (e.g., appearance of the shelf, location where the shelf is placed, etc.), and information about the aisles (e.g., appearance of the aisle, range of the aisle, etc.). The layout information may further include information about advertisements (e.g., image showing the advertisement, location where the advertisement is placed, etc.).

[0025] The user terminal 2 is a terminal used by a user (customer) who uses a virtual store, and is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like. An application program (hereinafter referred to as a "space presentation app") that can utilize a space presentation service is installed on the user terminal 2. The space presentation service can present a virtual space to the user via the space presentation app. Note that the space presentation service may present a virtual space to the user not only via the space presentation app but also in a web browser.

[0026] The store employee terminal 3 is a terminal used by a store employee who manages a store, and is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like. An application program (hereinafter referred to as an "evaluation app") for utilizing an evaluation service is installed on the store employee terminal 3. Hereinafter, the processing executed by the information processing system S will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the processing of the information processing system S. In the example shown in FIG. 2, first, the store employee terminal 3 transmits an evaluation request for an actual store to the information processing apparatus 1 ((1) in FIG. 2). The evaluation request is a request for evaluating the layout of the actual store in the evaluation service.

[0028] When the information processing apparatus 1 acquires the evaluation request for the actual store, it evaluates the layout of the actual store based on the action history of the avatar's actions in the virtual store corresponding to the actual store ((2) in FIG. 2). Then, the information processing apparatus 1 transmits the evaluation result of the layout of the actual store to the store employee terminal 3 ((3) in FIG. 2).

[0029] By doing so, the information processing system S can evaluate the layout of the physical store based on the behavior of the user in the virtual store. As a result, the information processing system S can evaluate the layout of the physical store without equipping the physical store with sensors. Consequently, the information processing system S can reduce the burden on the clerks in the physical store by using the evaluation service. The configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 will be described below.

[0030] [Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus 1] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the information processing apparatus 1. In FIG. 3, the arrows indicate the main data flows, and there may be data flows other than those shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, each block represents a configuration in terms of functional units, not in terms of hardware (devices). Therefore, the blocks shown in FIG. 3 may be implemented within a single device, or may be divided and implemented in a plurality of devices. The exchange of data between the blocks may be performed via any means such as a data bus, a network, a portable storage medium, etc.

[0031] The information processing apparatus 1 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13. The information processing apparatus 1 may be configured by connecting two or more physically separated devices wiredly or wirelessly. Also, the information processing apparatus 1 may be configured by a cloud which is a collection of computer resources.

[0032] The communication unit 11 has a communication controller for transmitting and receiving data to and from the user terminal 2 or the clerk terminal 3 via a network. The communication unit 11 notifies the control unit 13 of the data received from the user terminal 2 or the clerk terminal 3 via the network. Also, the communication unit 11 transmits the data output from the control unit 13 to the user terminal 2 or the clerk terminal 3 via the network.

[0033] The storage unit 12 is a storage medium including a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk drive, and the like. The storage unit 12 may be provided outside the information processing apparatus 1, and in that case, data may be exchanged with the control unit 13 via a network. The storage unit 12 stores in advance the programs executed by the control unit 13.

[0034] The storage unit 12 stores a history management database for managing the action history of the avatar and a layout management database for managing the layout information of the store. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the history management database. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the history management database stores by associating the user ID, the user's gender, the user's age, appearance information, and the action history. The appearance information is information indicating the appearance of the avatar. Although details will be described later, the action history is the history of actions performed by the avatar, and is information for specifying various actions of the avatar, such as the actions of the avatar with respect to the products sold in the virtual store and the action of the avatar purchasing a product.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the layout management database. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the layout management database stores by associating the virtual store ID, the real store ID, the virtual section (section ID, section range), and the layout information. The virtual section is a section provided in the virtual store and is a section common to the virtual store and the real store. The section range is information indicating the range in the virtual space where the virtual section exists.

[0036] Returning to FIG. 3, the control unit 13 includes a virtual space control unit 131, a purchase management unit 132, a reception unit 133, an evaluation unit 134, and an output unit 135. The control unit 13 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), for example, and functions as the virtual space control unit 131, the purchase management unit 132, the reception unit 133, the evaluation unit 134, and the output unit 135 by executing the programs stored in the storage unit 12. Hereinafter, the details of each function of the control unit 13 will be described by dividing it into the recording process executed in the spatial presentation service and the evaluation process executed in the evaluation service.

[0037] [Recording Process] First, the recording process executed by the information processing apparatus 1 in the spatial presentation service will be described. The virtual space control unit 131 causes the user terminal 2 to display a virtual image indicating the virtual space as the presentation of the virtual space by the spatial presentation service. Specifically, the virtual space control unit 131 causes the user terminal 2 to display a virtual image in which the virtual store selected by the user is displayed.

[0038] For example, first, when the user performs an operation to start the spatial presentation application on the user terminal 2, the user terminal 2 displays the display screen of the spatial presentation application. A list of virtual stores existing in the virtual space is displayed on the display screen of the spatial presentation application. When the user performs an operation to select one virtual store, the user terminal 2 transmits a display request to the information processing apparatus 1. The display request is a request to display a virtual image of the virtual store selected by the user, and includes, for example, the user ID and the ID of the virtual store selected by the user.

[0039] When the virtual space control unit 131 acquires the display request from the user terminal 2, based on the appearance information associated with the user ID included in the display request in the history management database and the layout information associated with the virtual store ID included in the display request in the layout management database, it renders a virtual image in which the avatar and the virtual store are displayed as seen from the virtual viewpoint. The virtual viewpoint may be the position of the avatar's eyes or a position away from the avatar. Then, the virtual space control unit 131 causes the user terminal 2 to display the virtual image by transmitting the rendered virtual image to the user terminal 2.

[0040] After the virtual space control unit 131 causes the first virtual image to be displayed on the user terminal 2, it causes the second virtual image corresponding to an operation by the user to be displayed. For example, first, when the user performs an operation for changing the avatar (for example, an operation of moving the avatar or changing the direction of the avatar (direction of the virtual viewpoint)) on the user terminal 2 on which the first virtual image is displayed, the user terminal 2 transmits operation information indicating the content of the operation by the user to the information processing apparatus 1.

[0041] When the virtual space control unit 131 acquires the operation information, it renders a second virtual image in which the avatar and the virtual store are displayed as seen from the virtual viewpoint after changing the avatar based on the operation information. Then, the virtual space control unit 131 causes the second virtual image rendered to be transmitted to the user terminal 2, thereby causing the second virtual image to be displayed on the user terminal 2.

[0042] The information processing apparatus 1 records the action history of the avatar. The virtual space control unit 131 records, for example, the history of the movement of the avatar as the action history of the avatar. Specifically, each time the virtual space control unit 131 moves the avatar based on the operation information acquired from the user terminal 2, it associates the user ID, the action type indicating the movement of the avatar, the ID of the virtual store where the avatar exists, the position after moving the avatar, the ID of the virtual section including the position after moving the avatar, and the date and time when the avatar was moved, and stores the associated information in the history management database.

[0043] The information processing apparatus 1 may record the history of the avatar viewing a product as the action history of the avatar. The viewing of a product is, for example, an action of the avatar looking at a product over a predetermined period. Specifically, the information processing apparatus 1 records the history of the avatar viewing a product by executing the following two steps.

[0044] As a first step, the virtual space control unit 131 determines whether the avatar has viewed the products included in the virtual image. For example, when the period from the acquisition of the first operation information for changing the avatar to the acquisition of the second operation information for further changing the avatar exceeds a predetermined threshold, the virtual space control unit 131 determines that the avatar has viewed the products included in the virtual image (hereinafter referred to as the "target virtual image") based on the first operation information. The predetermined threshold is a value used to determine whether the user has viewed the products included in the virtual image, and is, for example, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, etc.

[0045] When the virtual space control unit 131 determines that the avatar has viewed the products included in the target virtual image, it records the IDs of the products viewed by the avatar. Specifically, first, the virtual space control unit 131 identifies, as the products viewed by the avatar, the products existing in the direction of the avatar's line of sight based on the center point in the target virtual image. For example, the virtual space control unit 131 identifies the products displayed within a range up to a predetermined distance from the center point in the target virtual image.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the process for identifying the products viewed by the avatar. FIG. 6(a) is a diagram schematically showing the layout of the store. FIG. 6(b) is a diagram schematically showing the virtual image G1 displayed on the display screen of the space presentation service when the avatar A in FIG. 6(a) is facing in the direction indicated by the arrow.

[0047] In the image G1 shown in FIG. 6(b), a plurality of products P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5 are displayed. In this case, the virtual space control unit 131 identifies the product P3 displayed within the range R up to a predetermined distance from the point C, which is the center point of the image G1, as the product viewed by the avatar. When a plurality of products are displayed within the range R, the virtual space control unit 131 may identify the plurality of products as the products viewed by the avatar. Note that the virtual space control unit 131 may identify the product displayed at the position closest to the center point in the target virtual image. Then, the virtual space control unit 131 associates, as the action history of the avatar, the user ID, the action type indicating product viewing, the ID of the virtual store where the avatar exists, the ID of the virtual section where the avatar exists, the ID of the identified product, and the date and time when the avatar viewed the product (for example, the date and time when the target virtual image was displayed) and stores them in the storage unit 12.

[0048] Product viewing may be an action of displaying detailed information of the product by performing an operation of the user selecting the product in the virtual image (for example, an operation of tapping the product displayed in the virtual image). In this case, each time the avatar views a product based on the operation information acquired from the user terminal 2, the virtual space control unit 131 associates the user ID, the action type indicating product viewing, the ID of the virtual store where the avatar exists, the ID of the product viewed by the avatar, the ID of the virtual section where the avatar exists, and the date and time when the avatar viewed the product and stores them in the history management database.

[0049] Note that the information processing apparatus 1 may record not only the history of the avatar viewing products sold in the virtual store but also the history of the avatar viewing advertisements posted in the virtual store. Advertisement viewing is, for example, an action of the avatar viewing an advertisement over a predetermined period, or an action of displaying detailed information of the advertisement by performing an operation of the user selecting the advertisement in the virtual image (for example, an operation of tapping the advertisement displayed in the virtual image).

[0050] The information processing apparatus 1 may record, as the action history of the avatar, the history of the avatar purchasing a product in the virtual store. Specifically, the purchase management unit 132 manages the commercial transaction between the avatar and the virtual store, and when the avatar purchases a product sold in the virtual store, it associates the user ID, the action type indicating the purchase of the product, the ID of the virtual store where the product was purchased, the ID of the product, and the date and time when the product was purchased, and stores them in the history management database.

[0051] [Evaluation Processing] Subsequently, the evaluation processing executed by the information processing apparatus 1 in the evaluation service will be described. The evaluation unit 134 evaluates the layout of the physical store specified by the layout information corresponding to the virtual store based on the action history of the avatar in the virtual store. Specifically, the information processing apparatus 1 evaluates the layout of the physical store by executing the following two steps.

[0052] As the first step, the reception unit 133 receives a request for evaluating the layout of the physical store from the store clerk terminal 3. For example, first, when a store clerk of a certain physical store performs an operation to start the evaluation application on the store clerk terminal 3, the store clerk terminal 3 displays the display screen of the evaluation application. An input item for inputting the ID of the physical store is displayed on the display screen of the evaluation application. When the store clerk performs an operation to input the ID of the physical store, the store clerk terminal 3 transmits an evaluation request to the information processing apparatus 1. The evaluation request is a request for evaluating the layout of the physical store and includes, for example, the ID of the physical store. Then, the reception unit 133 receives the evaluation request from the store clerk terminal 3.

[0053] As a second step, the evaluation unit 134 evaluates the layout of the physical store based on the action history of the avatar in the virtual store specified by the ID of the physical store included in the evaluation request received by the reception unit 133. For example, first, the evaluation unit 134 identifies the ID of the virtual store associated with the ID of the physical store included in the evaluation request received by the reception unit 133 in the layout management database, and identifies the action history of the avatar associated with the ID of the virtual store identified in the history management database. Then, the evaluation unit 134 evaluates the layout of the physical store based on the layout information associated with the ID of the virtual store identified in the layout management database according to the identified action history of the avatar.

[0054] The evaluation unit 134 may evaluate the layout of the physical store based on the actions of the avatar during a specific period (for example, the period of an event, etc.). For example, the evaluation request further includes an input period input by the store clerk. In this case, the evaluation unit 134 evaluates the layout of the physical store based on the action history of the avatar that acted during the input period included in the evaluation request in the virtual store specified by the ID of the physical store included in the evaluation request received by the reception unit 133. By doing so, the information processing apparatus 1 can evaluate the layout of the physical store based on the actions of the avatar during a specific period.

[0055] In addition, the evaluation unit 134 may evaluate the layout of the physical store based on the actions of the avatar in each of a plurality of specific periods (for example, the period before changing the layout of the store, and the period after changing the layout of the store, etc.). For example, the evaluation request further includes a plurality of input periods input by the store clerk. In this case, the evaluation unit 134 evaluates the layout of the physical store based on the action history of the avatar that acted during the input period in the virtual store specified by the ID of the physical store for each input period included in the evaluation request received by the reception unit 133. By doing so, the store clerk can compare the evaluations of the layout of the physical store in each of the plurality of periods.

[0056] The output unit 135 outputs the evaluation result evaluated by the evaluation unit 134. For example, the output unit 135 causes the store clerk terminal 3 to display the evaluation result by transmitting information indicating the evaluation result evaluated by the evaluation unit 134 to the store clerk terminal 3.

[0057] The output unit 135 may output the evaluation result evaluated by the evaluation unit 134 according to the attributes of the user (for example, at least one of gender and age). Specifically, first, the evaluation unit 134 evaluates the layout of the actual store based on the action history of the avatar corresponding to the user corresponding to each attribute of the user. Then, the output unit 135 outputs the evaluation result corresponding to the attribute evaluated by the evaluation unit 134 for each attribute of the user.

[0058] The output unit 135 may output the evaluation result corresponding to the attribute of the user specified by the store clerk (hereinafter referred to as "specified attribute"). For example, the evaluation request further includes information indicating the specified attribute. In this case, first, the evaluation unit 134 evaluates the layout of the actual store based on the action history of the avatar corresponding to the user corresponding to the specified attribute. Then, the output unit 135 outputs the evaluation result corresponding to the specified attribute evaluated by the evaluation unit 134. By doing so, the information processing apparatus 1 can cause the store clerk to recognize whether the action of the avatar corresponding to the user of a certain attribute matches the action of the avatar assumed by the store clerk according to the layout in which the products are arranged for the users of that attribute.

[0059] The output unit 135 may output the evaluation result of the layout of the actual store regarding the products sold in the actual store. Specifically, the information processing apparatus 1 outputs the evaluation result of the layout of the actual store regarding the products sold in the actual store by executing the following two steps.

[0060] As a first step, for each product sold in the virtual store, the evaluation unit 134 evaluates the layout of the physical store related to the product by identifying the degree of interest of the avatar in the product based on the actions of the avatar with respect to the product identified by the action history of the avatar. Specifically, for each product sold in the virtual store, the evaluation unit 134 identifies the degree of interest of the avatar in the product based on the actions of the avatar with respect to the product associated with the ID of the product in the action history of the avatar, thereby evaluating the layout of the physical store related to the product.

[0061] More specifically, for each product sold in the virtual store, the evaluation unit 134 identifies the degree of interest of the avatar in the product based on at least one of the length of the browsing period of the product by the avatar and the number of times the product is browsed by the avatar as the actions of the avatar with respect to the product.

[0062] The browsing period is the period during which the avatar browses the product. The browsing period may be the total period obtained by summing up the periods during which a plurality of avatars browse the product, or may be a statistical value (e.g., average value, median value, etc.) of the periods during which a plurality of avatars browse the product. The browsing period is information identified by the history of the avatar browsing the products sold in the virtual store included in the action history of the avatar. The evaluation unit 134 identifies the length of the browsing period based on, for example, whether the browsing period exceeds a browsing period threshold. The browsing period threshold is a numerical value for identifying whether the browsing period is long. The browsing period threshold may be a threshold common to a plurality of virtual stores existing in the virtual space, or may be a different threshold for each virtual store.

[0063] The number of views is the number of times an avatar has viewed the products sold in the virtual store. The number of views is information specified by the history of the avatar viewing the products sold in the virtual store, which is included in the action history of the avatar. The evaluation unit 134 specifies, for example, whether the number of views is large or small based on whether the number of views exceeds the view count threshold. The view count threshold is a numerical value for specifying whether the number of views is large. The view count threshold may be a common threshold for a plurality of virtual stores existing in the virtual space, or may be a different threshold for each virtual store.

[0064] The evaluation unit 134 specifies, for example, that when an avatar has a long viewing period for a certain product and a large number of views of the product, the degree of interest of the avatar in the product is high. Also, the evaluation unit 134 may specify, for example, that when an avatar has a long viewing period for a certain product and a small number of views of the product, or when the avatar has a short viewing period for the product and a large number of views of the product, the degree of interest of the avatar in the product is high or slightly high, or may specify that the degree of interest of the avatar in the product is low or slightly low. Further, the evaluation unit 134 specifies, for example, that when an avatar has a short viewing period for a certain product and a small number of views of the product, the degree of interest of the avatar in the product is low. In this way, the information processing apparatus 1 can evaluate, for example, whether it is better to continue selling the product by specifying the degree of interest of the avatar in the product for each product sold in the store.

[0065] The evaluation unit 134 may specify the degree of interest of the avatar in the product based on the relationship between at least either the number of stays corresponding to the product and the number of views corresponding to the product being small or large, and the level of sales performance corresponding to the product, for each product sold in the virtual store.

[0066] The number of stays corresponding to a product is, for example, the number of times an avatar has stayed in a virtual section where the product exists over a predetermined period (e.g., 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, etc.). The number of stays is, for example, information specified by the movement history of the avatar included in the action history of the avatar. The evaluation unit 134 specifies the amount of the number of stays, for example, based on whether the number of stays exceeds a stay number threshold. The stay number threshold is a numerical value for specifying whether the number of stays is large. The stay number threshold may be a common threshold for a plurality of virtual stores existing in the virtual space, or may be a different threshold for each virtual store.

[0067] The sales record of a product is, for example, the number of products sold, the total amount of the sold products, etc. The sales record of a product is, for example, information specified by the history of the avatar purchasing the product in the virtual store included in the action history of the avatar. The evaluation unit 134 specifies the level of the sales record, for example, based on whether the sales record of the product exceeds a sales threshold. The sales threshold is a numerical value for specifying whether the sales record is high. The sales threshold may be a common threshold for a plurality of virtual stores existing in the virtual space, or may be a different threshold for each virtual store.

[0068] For example, when the evaluation unit 134 identifies the degree of interest of an avatar in a certain product (hereinafter referred to as the "target product"), if the number of stays corresponding to the target product and the number of views corresponding to the target product are large, and the sales performance corresponding to the target product is high, it evaluates that the degree of interest of the avatar in the target product is high. Also, for example, when one of the number of stays corresponding to the target product and the number of views corresponding to the target product is large and the other is small, and the sales performance corresponding to the target product is high, the evaluation unit 134 evaluates that the degree of interest of the avatar in the target product is high or slightly high. Further, for example, when the number of stays corresponding to the target product and the number of views corresponding to the target product are small, and the sales performance corresponding to the target product is low, the evaluation unit 134 evaluates that the degree of interest of the avatar is low. Also, for example, when one of the number of stays corresponding to the target product and the number of views corresponding to the target product is large and the other is small, and the sales performance corresponding to the target product is low, the evaluation unit 134 evaluates that the degree of interest of the avatar is low or slightly low. In this way, the information processing apparatus 1 can improve the accuracy of identifying the degree of interest of an avatar in a product by considering the level of sales performance of the product. Note that when the number of stays corresponding to the target product and the number of views corresponding to the target product are small, and the sales performance corresponding to the target product is low, the evaluation unit 134 may evaluate and recommend changing the location where the target product is placed.

[0069] As a second step, the output unit 135 outputs information indicating a product according to the level of the degree of interest of the avatar as an evaluation result. Specifically, the output unit 135 outputs, as an evaluation result, information indicating a product with a relatively high degree of interest of the avatar (for example, a product with a high or slightly high degree of interest of the avatar) and information indicating a product with a relatively low degree of interest of the avatar (for example, a product with a low or slightly low degree of interest of the avatar). The output unit 135 outputs, for example, by associating the ID of each product with the level of the degree of interest of the avatar in the product. The output unit 135 may output only information indicating products with a low degree of interest of the avatar among a plurality of products sold in a physical store.

[0070] By doing so, the information processing device 1 can provide the clerk with an incentive to change the layout regarding products with a low degree of avatar interest. For example, when a product with a low degree of avatar interest (e.g., a product with low sales performance) is placed in a location in the virtual store that is likely to catch the customer's eye (e.g., near the entrance of the virtual store, etc.), the product with a low degree of avatar interest can be replaced with a product with a high degree of avatar interest or a new product.

[0071] The output unit 135 may output the evaluation results evaluated for each actual section of the actual store. Specifically, the information processing device 1 outputs the evaluation results evaluated for each actual section of the actual store by executing the following two steps.

[0072] As a first step, for each virtual section included in the virtual store, the evaluation unit 134 evaluates the layout of the actual store by identifying the degree of avatar interest in the products present in the actual section corresponding to the virtual section based on at least one of the length of the stay period corresponding to the virtual section and the number of stay times corresponding to the virtual section.

[0073] The stay period corresponding to the virtual section is the stay period during which the avatar stayed in the virtual section. The stay period may be the total period obtained by summing up the periods during which a plurality of avatars stayed, or may be a statistical value (e.g., average value, median value, etc.) of the periods during which a plurality of avatars stayed. The stay period is, for example, information specified by the movement history of the avatar included in the action history of the avatar. The evaluation unit 134 specifies the length of the stay period based on, for example, whether the stay period exceeds the stay period threshold. The stay period threshold is a numerical value for specifying whether the stay period is long. The stay period threshold may be a common threshold for a plurality of virtual stores existing in the virtual space, or may be a different threshold for each virtual store.

[0074] When the evaluation unit 134 identifies the degree of an avatar's interest in products existing in the real section corresponding to a certain virtual section (hereinafter referred to as the "target section"), for example, if the stay period corresponding to the target section is long and the number of stays corresponding to the target section is large, the evaluation unit 134 evaluates that the degree of the avatar's interest in the products existing in the target section is high. Also, for example, when the stay period corresponding to the target section is short and the number of stays corresponding to the target section is small, the evaluation unit 134 evaluates that the degree of the avatar's interest in the products existing in the target section is low. Further, for example, when the stay period corresponding to the target section is long and the number of stays corresponding to the target section is small, or when the stay period corresponding to the target section is short and the number of stays corresponding to the target section is large, the evaluation unit 134 may evaluate that the degree of the avatar's interest in the products existing in the target section is high or slightly high, or may evaluate that the degree of the avatar's interest in the products existing in the target section is low or slightly low.

[0075] As a second step, the output unit 135 outputs, as an evaluation result, information indicating the real section (for example, the section ID or the section range, etc.) according to the level of the avatar's interest. Specifically, as an evaluation result, the output unit 135 outputs information indicating the real section where products with a relatively high degree of the avatar's interest (for example, products with a high or slightly high degree of the avatar's interest) exist, and information indicating the real section where products with a relatively low degree of the avatar's interest (for example, products with a low or slightly low degree of the avatar's interest) exist.

[0076] For example, the output unit 135 outputs, for each real section, associating the ID of the real section with the level of the avatar's interest in the products existing in the real section. The output unit 135 may output only the information indicating the real section where products with a low degree of the avatar's interest exist among the plurality of real sections included in the real store. By doing so, the information processing device 1 can provide the motivation for the store clerk to change the layout of the real section where products with a low degree of the avatar's interest exist.

[0077] The output unit 135 may output an evaluation result of the layout of the actual store regarding the actual passageways existing in the actual store. Specifically, the information processing apparatus 1 outputs an evaluation result of the layout of the actual store regarding the actual passageways existing in the actual store by executing the following two steps.

[0078] As the first step, for each virtual passageway included in the virtual store, the evaluation unit 134 evaluates the layout of the actual passageway corresponding to the virtual passageway in the actual store based on the number of times of passage corresponding to the virtual passageway.

[0079] The number of times of passage is the number of times the avatar has passed through the virtual passageway of the virtual store. The number of times of passage is information specified by the movement history of the avatar included in the action history of the avatar. The evaluation unit 134 specifies the number of times of passage based on, for example, whether the number of times of passage exceeds a passage threshold. The passage threshold is a numerical value for specifying whether the number of times of passage is large. The passage threshold may be a common threshold for a plurality of virtual stores existing in the virtual space, or may be a different threshold for each virtual store.

[0080] For example, when the evaluation unit 134 evaluates the layout of the actual store regarding a certain actual passageway (hereinafter referred to as the "target passageway"), if there are many virtual passageways corresponding to the target passageway, it is evaluated that the degree of utilization of the avatar in the target passageway is high. Also, for example, when there are few virtual passageways corresponding to the target passageway, the evaluation unit 134 evaluates that the degree of utilization of the avatar in the target passageway is low. Note that the evaluation unit 134 may divide the actual passageway into a plurality of sections and evaluate the layout of each section based on the number of times of passage for each divided section.

[0081] As a second step, the output unit 135 outputs, as an evaluation result, information corresponding to the level of avatar utilization in the virtual passage. Specifically, the output unit 135 outputs, as an evaluation result, information indicating the real passage corresponding to a virtual passage with a relatively low avatar utilization rate (a virtual passage with a relatively small number of passages). The output unit 135 outputs, for example, information indicating the real passage corresponding to the virtual passage with the lowest avatar utilization rate. By doing so, the information processing apparatus 1 can provide the store clerk with an incentive to change the layout regarding the real passage with a low avatar utilization rate.

[0082] The output unit 135 may output, as an evaluation result, information based on the relationship between the degree of avatar interest in the product and the degree of avatar utilization in the virtual passage. Specifically, first, the evaluation unit 134 evaluates the layout of the real store regarding the product based on the relationship between the degree of avatar interest in the product and the degree of avatar utilization in the virtual passage.

[0083] For example, when the evaluation unit 134 determines that a product is placed on a shelf facing a virtual aisle where the avatar's interest in the product is high and the product's usage rate by the avatar is high, it evaluates and recommends maintaining the location where the product is placed. Also, for example, when a product is placed on a shelf facing a virtual aisle where the avatar's interest in the product is high but the product's usage rate by the avatar is low, the evaluation unit 134 evaluates and recommends changing the location where the product is placed (for example, recommending placing the product with high avatar interest on a shelf facing the physical aisle corresponding to the virtual aisle with high avatar usage rate, etc.). Further, for example, when a product is placed on a shelf facing a virtual aisle where the avatar's interest in the product is low but the product's usage rate by the avatar is high, the evaluation unit 134 evaluates and recommends changing the location where the product is placed (for example, recommending placing the product with low avatar interest on a shelf facing the physical aisle corresponding to the virtual aisle with low avatar usage rate, etc.). Additionally, for example, when a product is placed on a shelf facing a virtual aisle where the avatar's interest in the product is low and the product's usage rate by the avatar is low, the evaluation unit 134 evaluates and recommends maintaining the location where the product is placed or discontinuing the sale of the product.

[0084] Then, the output unit 135 outputs an evaluation result indicating whether the evaluation unit 134 recommends maintaining the location where the product is placed. By doing so, the information processing apparatus 1 can enable the store clerk to determine whether it is better to change the location where the product is placed.

[0085] When there is an advertisement common to both the physical store and the virtual store, the output unit 135 may output an evaluation result of the layout of the physical store regarding the advertisement. Specifically, the information processing apparatus 1 outputs an evaluation result of the layout of the physical store regarding the advertisement by performing the following two steps.

[0086] As a first step, if there is an advertisement common to both the physical store and the virtual store, the evaluation unit 134 may evaluate the layout of the physical store regarding the advertisement. Specifically, the evaluation unit 134 evaluates the layout of the physical store by identifying the degree of the avatar's interest in the advertisement based on the avatar's actions towards the advertisement identified by the avatar's action history. The avatar's actions towards the advertisement include actions such as the avatar noticing the advertisement and the avatar viewing the advertisement.

[0087] The evaluation unit 134 identifies the degree of the avatar's interest in the advertisement based on, for example, the number of times the avatar has taken actions towards the advertisement. The number of times the avatar has taken actions towards the advertisement is the number of times the avatar has taken actions towards the advertisement. The number of times the avatar has taken actions towards the advertisement is information identified by the history of the avatar viewing the advertisement included in the avatar's action history. The evaluation unit 134 identifies whether the number of times the avatar has taken actions towards the advertisement is large or small based on, for example, whether the number of times the avatar has taken actions towards the advertisement exceeds an action count threshold. The action count threshold is a numerical value for identifying whether the number of actions is large or not. The action count threshold may be a common threshold for a plurality of virtual stores existing in the virtual space, or may be a different threshold for each virtual store.

[0088] For example, when the number of times the avatar has taken actions towards a certain advertisement is large, the evaluation unit 134 identifies that the degree of the avatar's interest in the advertisement is high. On the other hand, when the number of times the avatar has taken actions towards the advertisement is small, the evaluation unit 134 identifies that the degree of the avatar's interest in the advertisement is low.

[0089] As a second step, the output unit 135 outputs, as an evaluation result, information indicating whether the degree of the avatar's interest in the advertisement is high or low. When the degree of the avatar's interest in the advertisement is low, the output unit 135 may output information indicating that the degree of the avatar's interest in the advertisement is low. By doing so, the information processing apparatus 1 can provide information for enabling the store clerk to determine whether it is better to change the layout regarding the advertisement.

[0090] The output unit 135 may output, as an evaluation result, the degree of the avatar's actions in the virtual store identified by the avatar's action history in a manner of superimposing it on the layout of the physical store. The degree of the avatar's actions in the virtual store is, for example, the number of times of paying attention to products, the number of times of browsing products, the number of times of passing through virtual aisles, and the like. The output unit 135 outputs, for example, a heatmap indicating the degree of the avatar's actions in the virtual store by superimposing it on the layout of the physical store.

[0091] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a display screen of the evaluation service. The image G2 shown in FIG. 7(a) is an image in which the layout of the store is displayed and is an image before superimposing the heatmap. The image G3 shown in FIG. 7(b) is an image obtained by superimposing the heatmap on the image G2 shown in FIG. 7(a). The heatmap displayed in the image G3 indicates the number of times of passing through the virtual aisle as the degree of the avatar's actions in the virtual store.

[0092] The output unit 135 superimposes and displays, for example, heatmaps corresponding to a plurality of action types of the avatar in the virtual store (for example, browsing products, passing through virtual aisles, etc.) on the layout of the physical store. Further, for example, a selection item for selecting the action type of the avatar in the virtual store is provided on the display screen of the evaluation service, and the output unit 135 may superimpose and display the heatmap corresponding to the action type selected by the store clerk on the layout of the physical store. By doing so, the information processing apparatus 1 can enable the store clerk to grasp the actions of the users assumed in the physical store.

[0093] [Processing of the information processing apparatus 1] Subsequently, the processing flow of the information processing apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the information processing apparatus 1. This flowchart starts when the reception unit 133 receives an evaluation request for the layout of the physical store from the store clerk terminal 3 (S1).

[0094] The evaluation unit 134 identifies the ID of the virtual store associated with the ID of the physical store included in the evaluation request received by the reception unit 133 in the layout management database, and identifies the action history of the avatar associated with the ID of the virtual store identified in the history management database (S2).

[0095] Based on the identified action history of the avatar, the evaluation unit 134 evaluates the layout of the physical store specified by the layout information associated with the ID of the virtual store identified in the layout management database (S3). Then, the evaluation unit 134 transmits information indicating the evaluation result to the store clerk terminal 3 (S4).

[0096] [Effects in the present embodiment] As described above, the information processing apparatus 1 evaluates the layout of the physical store specified by the layout information corresponding to the virtual store based on the action history of the avatar acting in the virtual store, and outputs the evaluated result. By doing so, the information processing apparatus 1 can evaluate the layout of the physical store based on the actions of the user in the virtual store. As a result, the information processing apparatus 1 can evaluate the layout of the physical store without equipping the physical store with sensors. As a result, the information processing apparatus 1 can reduce the burden on the store clerks of the physical store by using the evaluation service.

[0097] Note that the present invention can contribute to Goal 9, "Build the infrastructure for industry and innovation," of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) led by the United Nations.

[0098] As described above, the present invention has been explained using embodiments. However, 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. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by functionally or physically dispersing and integrating it in an arbitrary unit. Also, new embodiments resulting from an arbitrary combination of a plurality of embodiments are included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combination have the effects of the original embodiments combined.

Explanation of Signs

[0099] 1 Information processing device 11 Communication unit 12 Storage unit 13 Control unit 131 Virtual space control unit 132 Purchase management unit 133 Reception unit 134 Evaluation unit 135 Output unit 2 User terminal 3 Store clerk terminal S Information processing system

Claims

1. a storage unit that stores layout information for specifying a layout that is common to a real store existing in a real space and a virtual store existing in a virtual space that corresponds to the real store, the layout including a plurality of products being sold; a virtual space control unit that presents the virtual space to a customer, records a browsing history of the avatar viewing the product in the virtual store in association with identification information of the product as a behavior history of an avatar representing the customer in the virtual store, and records information for specifying the number of times the avatar passed through a predetermined virtual passage included in the virtual store as the behavior history; an evaluation unit that, as an evaluation of the layout of the real store specified by the layout information corresponding to the virtual store, specifies, for each of the products, a level of interest of the avatar in the product based on the behavior of the avatar with respect to the product associated with identification information of the product in the browsing history, and specifies, for each of the virtual passages included in the virtual store, a level of use of the avatar for the virtual passage based on the number of times the avatar passes through the virtual passage specified by the behavior history, and, when there is a product in which the avatar has a high level of interest and which is placed on a shelf facing the virtual passage where the avatar has a low level of use, evaluates to recommend a change in the location of the product; an output unit that outputs an evaluation result evaluated by the evaluation unit; An information processing device having the above configuration.

2. the virtual space control unit further records, as the behavior history, information for identifying the number of times the avatar stayed in a predetermined virtual section of the virtual store over a predetermined period of time and the sales performance of the product; The evaluation unit further identifies, for each of the products, a degree of interest of the avatar in the product based on a relationship between the number of visits corresponding to the product and the sales record corresponding to the product. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the evaluation unit determines, for each of the products, a degree of interest of the avatar in the product based on at least one of a viewing period during which the avatar identified by the viewing history viewed the product and a viewing count during which the avatar identified by the viewing history viewed the product; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. the output unit further outputs, as the evaluation result, information indicating the product in which the avatar has a relatively high degree of interest and information indicating the product in which the avatar has a relatively low degree of interest. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. the virtual store includes a plurality of virtual sections; the virtual space control unit further records, as the behavior history, information for identifying at least one of a duration during which the avatar stayed in a predetermined virtual section of the virtual store and a number of times that the avatar stayed in a predetermined virtual section of the virtual store over a predetermined period of time; the evaluation unit further determines, as an evaluation of the layout of the real store, for each of the virtual sections, a degree of interest of the avatar in a product present in a real section in the real store corresponding to the virtual section, based on at least one of the duration of stay corresponding to the virtual section and the number of stays corresponding to the virtual section. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. the output unit further outputs, as the evaluation result, information indicating the real-world section in which the product in which the avatar has a relatively high level of interest is located and information indicating the real-world section in which the product in which the avatar has a relatively low level of interest is located. The information processing device according to claim 5 .

7. The evaluation unit further evaluates, for each of the virtual passages, a layout of a real passage in the real store corresponding to the virtual passage based on the number of passes corresponding to the virtual passage. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

8. the output unit further outputs, as the evaluation result, information indicating the real passage corresponding to the virtual passage having a relatively small number of passing times. The information processing device according to claim 7.

9. The real store and the virtual store have common advertisements posted therein, The evaluation unit further evaluates the layout of the physical store by determining a degree of interest of the avatar in the advertisement based on a behavior of the avatar with respect to the advertisement determined by the behavior history. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

10. The evaluation unit further evaluates, for each attribute of the customer, a layout of the physical store based on the behavior history of the avatar corresponding to the customer corresponding to the attribute. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

11. the output unit further outputs, as the evaluation result, a degree of the avatar's behavior in the virtual store specified by the behavior history in a form in which the degree is superimposed on a layout of the real store. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

12. A method for identifying a layout that is common to a real store existing in a real space and a virtual store existing in a virtual space corresponding to the real store, the layout including a plurality of products being sold, the method being executed by a computer having a storage unit that stores layout information for identifying a layout that is common to a real store existing in a real space and a virtual store existing in a virtual space corresponding to the real store, the layout including a plurality of products being sold, presenting the virtual space to a customer; a step of recording a browsing history of the avatar viewing the product in the virtual store as a behavior history of the avatar representing the customer in the virtual store, in association with identification information of the product; recording information for identifying the number of times the avatar has passed through a predetermined virtual passage included in the virtual store as the behavior history; determining, for each of the products, a level of interest of the avatar in the product associated with identification information of the product in the browsing history, based on the behavior of the avatar with respect to the product as an evaluation of the layout of the real store specified by the layout information corresponding to the virtual store; specifying, for each virtual passage included in the virtual store, a degree of use of the avatar for the virtual passage based on the number of passages corresponding to the virtual passage specified by the behavior history; a step of evaluating, when the product is one that the avatar is highly interested in and that is placed on a shelf facing the virtual passageway where the avatar has a low degree of use, recommending a change in the location of the product; A step of outputting the evaluation result; An information processing method comprising the steps of:

13. a computer having a storage unit that stores layout information for specifying a layout that is common to a real store existing in a real space and a virtual store existing in a virtual space that corresponds to the real store and that includes a plurality of products being sold; a virtual space control unit that presents the virtual space to a customer, records a browsing history of the avatar viewing the product in the virtual store in association with identification information of the product as a behavior history of an avatar representing the customer in the virtual store, and records information for specifying the number of times the avatar passed through a predetermined virtual passage included in the virtual store as the behavior history; an evaluation unit that, as an evaluation of the layout of the real store specified by the layout information corresponding to the virtual store, specifies, for each of the products, a degree of interest of the avatar in the product based on the behavior of the avatar with respect to the product associated with identification information of the product in the browsing history, and specifies, for each of the virtual passages included in the virtual store, a degree of use of the avatar for the virtual passage based on the number of times of passage corresponding to the virtual passage specified by the behavior history, and, when there is a product in which the avatar has a high degree of interest and which is placed on a shelf facing the virtual passage where the avatar has a low degree of use, evaluates that it is recommended to change the location of the product; an output unit that outputs the evaluation result evaluated by the evaluation unit; A program to function as a

Images