Avatar management system, avatar management method, program, and recording medium

Abstract

To determine authenticity about an avatar used in various services on a network.SOLUTION: An avatar management system comprises: an avatar registration unit which performs registration by storing an avatar which can be used in network services provided for an end user on a network in a storage unit; and an authenticity certification information giving unit which gives authenticity certification information to the avatar to be registered by the avatar registration unit. The authenticity certification information is an authenticity certificate associated with information unique to the avatar to be registered.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an avatar management system, an avatar management method, a program, and a recording medium.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a technique of generating a real avatar with a facial expression similar to that of a user using the user's photo data and using it for chatting (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Regarding the real avatar as described above, since the actual person who is the source of the real avatar can be easily identified, it may be treated as personal information. Against this background, it is preferable to be able to determine the authenticity of avatars used in various services on the network.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to be able to determine the authenticity of avatars used in various services on the network.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems is an avatar management system including an avatar registration unit that performs registration by storing in a storage unit an avatar that can be used in a network service provided to an end user on a network, and an authenticity certification information giving unit that gives authenticity certification information to the avatar to be registered by the avatar registration unit, wherein the authenticity certification information is an authenticity certificate associated with information unique to the avatar to be registered. and is an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) managed by a blockchain It is an avatar management system.

[0007] Also, one aspect of the present invention is an avatar management system performed by a computer used for An avatar management method, comprising: an avatar registration step of performing registration by storing in a storage unit an avatar that can be used in a network service provided to an end user on a network; and an authenticity certification information giving step of giving authenticity certification information to the avatar to be registered by the avatar registration step, wherein the authenticity certification information is an authenticity certificate associated with information unique to the avatar to be registered. and is an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) managed by a blockchain It is an avatar management method.

[0008] Also, one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer in an avatar management device to function as an avatar registration unit that performs registration by storing in a storage unit an avatar that can be used in a network service provided to an end user on a network, and an authenticity certification information giving unit that gives authenticity certification information to the avatar to be registered by the avatar registration unit, wherein the authenticity certification information is an authenticity certificate associated with information unique to the avatar to be registered. and is an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) managed by a blockchain It is a program.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] As described above, according to the present invention, an effect is obtained in that it becomes possible to determine the authenticity of an avatar used in various services on a network.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration example of the avatar management system of the present embodiment. The avatar management system of the present embodiment includes an avatar generation system 100, an avatar management device 200, a network service environment 300, and an end - user terminal 400.

[0012] The avatar generation system 100 is a system that generates avatars used in the network service environment 300. Figure 2 shows a configuration example of the avatar generation system 100. The avatar generation system 100 shown in the figure includes a plurality of avatar material providing systems 110 and one integration system 120. Each of the avatar material providing systems 110 is a system that generates a predetermined avatar material among the materials (avatar materials) constituting the avatar and provides the generated avatar material. Each of the avatar material providing systems 110 may be operated, for example, by a predetermined avatar material provider (company).

[0013] The integration system 120 generates an avatar by acquiring necessary avatar materials from among the avatar materials provided by the avatar material providing system 110 and integrating (combining) the acquired avatar materials.

[0014] In the avatar generation system 100, the avatar material providing system 110 and the integration system 120 may be connected via a network. Also, the number of avatar material providing systems 110 in the avatar generation system 100 may be one or more and is not particularly limited. Also, the number of integration systems 120 may be one or more and is not particularly limited.

[0015] Figure 3 schematically shows the flow of avatar generation in the avatar generation system 100. In the description of the figure, the case of generating a three-dimensional (3D) real avatar as a person is taken as an example. The real avatar is an avatar in which the appearance of the actual person PS is realistically reproduced based on the information obtained by imaging the person PS as the generation source.

[0016] In the avatar generation system 100 of the figure, an example is shown in which six avatar material providing systems 110-1 to 110-6 are provided. The avatar material providing system 110-1 generates a 3D face (head) material as an avatar material and provides the generated face material MT-1. Avatar material providing system 110-2 generates body material MT-2 as avatar material and provides the generated body material MT-2. Here, the body material MT-2 is the part that peeks into the human head. Also, the avatar material providing system 110-2 may generate the body material MT-2 with clothing on. Avatar material providing system 110-3 generates voice material MT-3 as avatar material and provides the generated voice material MT-3. The voice material MT-3 is the material of the voice uttered by the avatar. Avatar material providing system 110-4 generates emotion material MT-4 as avatar material and provides the generated emotion material MT-4. The emotion material MT-4 includes information for changing, for example, the expression of the face material and the movement of the body material MT-2 according to each predetermined emotion. The emotion expression of the avatar becomes possible by the emotion material MT-4. Avatar material providing system 110-5 generates movement material MT-5 as avatar material and provides the generated movement material MT-5. The movement material MT-5 includes information for giving movement to the avatar. For example, when the avatar is a weather forecaster who appears in the web content of the weather forecast, the movement material MT-5 generated corresponding to the weather forecaster can give a movement corresponding to the weather forecaster, such as pointing to a weather map. Avatar material providing system 110-6 generates space material MT-6 as avatar material and provides the generated space material MT-6. The space material MT-6 is the material of the space where the avatar exists.

[0017] In the avatar generation system 100 in the figure, the avatar material providing system 110-1 images the source person PS and generates the face material MT-1 of the person PS. Also, the avatar material providing system 110-2 images the source person PS and generates the body material MT-2 of the person PS. Also, the avatar material providing system 110-3 generates the voice material MT-3 using the data obtained by recording the voice of the source person PS. Then, the integrated system 120 acquires avatar materials (face material MT-1, body material MT-2, voice material MT-3, emotion material MT-4, movement material MT-5, space material MT-6) generated by each of the avatar material providing systems 110-1 to 110-6. The integrated system 120 integrates the acquired avatar materials to generate an avatar AVT.

[0018] The avatar AVT does not have to utilize all of the avatar materials (face material, body material, voice material, emotion material, movement material, space material) illustrated in the figure. That is, the avatar AVT may generate an avatar by using, for example, some of the avatar materials illustrated in the figure. Which avatar materials to use in generating the avatar may be changed according to, for example, the network service in which the generated avatar is used.

[0019] Returning to FIG. 1 for explanation. The avatar management device 200 manages the avatars generated by the avatar generation system 100. The avatar management device 200 stores the avatars generated by the avatar generation system 100 as management targets. The avatar management device 200 uploads the stored avatars to be managed to the network service environment 300. The network service environment 300 provides network services using the avatars provided by the network service environment 300 to end users. In addition, the avatar management device 200 determines the authenticity of the avatar being questioned in response to an authenticity inquiry (authenticity confirmation request) regarding the avatar used in the network service provided to the end user terminal 400, and transmits the determination result to the end user terminal 400.

[0020] The network service environment 300 is an environment that provides network services that can be used by an avatar to which authentic proof information is given by the avatar management device 200. The network service environment 300 includes one or more service providing systems 310 that provide a predetermined network service. The service providing system 310 may be configured as, for example, a web server or an application server constructed according to the content of the network service to be provided. The network services provided by the service providing system 310 may be, for example, a website using an avatar, a network game, a web conferencing system, or the like. In such network services, for example, services such as providing weather forecasts with an avatar as a weather forecaster, consultations such as medical consultations with an avatar as a doctor, and fortune-telling with an avatar as a fortune-teller are possible.

[0021] The end-user terminal 400 is a terminal used by an end user to receive the provision of network services from the service providing system 310 in the network service environment 300. The end-user terminal 400 connects to the service providing system 310 according to the operation of the end user, and displays an application or content corresponding to the network service provided by the connected service providing system 310 and outputs it by voice or the like. As a result, the end user can use the end-user terminal 400 to use applications such as web conferencing, weather forecasts, and medical consultations and view content as described above.

[0022] The avatar used in the network service provided by the network service environment of the present embodiment is a real avatar generated by the avatar generation system 100. Since such a real avatar is a realistic reproduction of the person who is the source, for example, from the perspective of an end user who uses the network service, the feeling of being in contact with the actual person who is the avatar source is also enhanced. Also, because the avatar is realistic, it is conceivable that many unauthorized uses such as unauthorized copying and forgery by replacing face materials will occur. Against this background, it is preferable to be able to confirm whether the avatar used in the network service is genuine. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the end user has doubts as to whether the avatar used in the network service is genuine, the end user can specify the avatar by the end user terminal 400 and make an authenticity inquiry (send a request for authenticity confirmation) as described below. The end user terminal 400 can output the determination result regarding the authenticity corresponding to the inquiry by display or the like. The end user can confirm whether the target avatar is genuine based on the determination result output by the end user terminal 400.

[0023] The end user terminal 400 may be a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like.

[0024] FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the avatar management device 200. The functions of the avatar management device 200 in the figure are realized by the CPU (Central Processing Unit) provided in the avatar management device 200 executing a program. The avatar management device 200 in the figure includes a communication unit 201, a control unit 202, and a storage unit 203. The communication unit 201 communicates with the avatar generation system 100, the network service environment 300, the end user terminal 400, etc. via the network.

[0025] The control unit 202 executes various controls in the avatar management device 200. The control unit 202 in the figure includes an avatar registration unit 221, an authenticity certification information granting unit 222, an authenticity confirmation processing unit 223, and an avatar provision control unit 224.

[0026] The avatar registration unit 221 registers the avatar generated by the avatar generation system 100 as a management target. The registration of the avatar here is performed by storing the avatar information (described later) of the avatar to be managed in the avatar information storage unit 231. The avatar registered by the avatar registration unit 221 can be used in the network service provided by the service provision system 310 in the network service environment 300.

[0027] The authenticity certification information granting unit 222 grants authenticity certification information to the registered avatar. The authenticity certification information will be described later. The authenticity confirmation processing unit 223 performs an authenticity determination on the avatar to be confirmed for authenticity in response to an authenticity confirmation request from the end-user terminal 400, using the authenticity certification information attached to the registered avatar. The authenticity confirmation processing unit 223 transmits the determination result regarding authenticity to the end-user terminal 400 that is the transmission source of the authenticity confirmation request. The avatar provision control unit 224 executes control regarding the provision (transmission of avatar information) of the registered avatar to the service provision system 310. The avatar management device 200 and each service provision system 310 are connected by an API, and the avatar provision control unit 224 may be configured to transmit avatar data to the service provision system 310 while in an online connection state.

[0028] The storage unit 203 stores various types of information corresponding to the avatar management device 200. The storage unit 203 includes an avatar information storage unit 231. The avatar information storage unit 231 stores avatar information.

[0029] Figure 5 shows an example of avatar information stored in the avatar information storage unit 231. The avatar information storage unit 231 in the figure includes an object data storage unit 2311, a material group data storage unit 2312, and a metafile storage unit 2313. Avatar information corresponding to the avatar of 1 includes, for example, object data, material group data, and metafiles. The object data storage unit 2311 stores object data for each registered avatar. The material group data storage unit 2312 stores material group data for each registered avatar. The metafile storage unit 2313 stores metafiles for each registered avatar. Among the object data storage unit 2311, the material group data storage unit 2312, and the metafile storage unit 2313, the object data, material group data, and metafiles corresponding to the same avatar are associated with the same avatar ID.

[0030] Specifically, the object data A, material group data A, and metafile A stored in the object data storage unit 2311, the material group data storage unit 2312, and the metafile storage unit 2313 respectively corresponding to avatar A are associated with the avatar ID [00000A] that uniquely indicates avatar A.

[0031] Object data is the data of the entity of the object as the corresponding avatar. The object data is formed by combining components such as a head and a body generated using a predetermined avatar material, for example.

[0032] The material group data is data including one or more avatar materials that add a predetermined aspect to the entity of the avatar by the object data. The material group data may include, for example, voice materials, emotion materials, movement materials, space materials, and the like. With the material group data, it is possible to make the avatar object speak, change the facial expression, give movement, or exist in a virtual space with a predetermined design.

[0033] The metafile includes one or more metadata items assigned to the corresponding avatar. FIG. 6 shows an example of a metafile corresponding to one avatar. The metafile in the figure includes metadata such as an avatar ID, source information, creator information, and authentication code.

[0034] The avatar ID is an identifier that uniquely indicates the corresponding avatar. The avatar ID may be issued by the avatar registration unit 221 when registering the corresponding avatar. As described above, the object data, material group data, and metafile corresponding to the same avatar are associated with each other by the avatar ID.

[0035] The source information is information about the original person (source) of the corresponding avatar. The source information may include, as information items, a source ID, profile information of the source person, and the like. The source information may be provided from the avatar generation system 100.

[0036] The creator information is information about the creator of the corresponding avatar. The creator may be, for example, an organization or individual such as the integration system 120 that generated the corresponding avatar in the avatar generation system 100.

[0037] The authentication code is a code issued by the avatar management device 200 in association with the avatar to be provided when the service providing system 310 receives the provision of the avatar (transmission of avatar information) from the avatar management device 200.

[0038] The avatar management device 200 in the figure may be composed of one device, or may be realized by assigning predetermined functions to a plurality of devices communicably connected on a network and then having the plurality of devices cooperate to execute processing.

[0039] With reference to FIG. 7, a configuration example of the service providing system 310 will be described. The service providing system 310 in the figure includes a communication unit 311, a network service providing unit 312, and a storage unit 313. The communication unit 311 communicates with the avatar management device 200 and the end-user terminal 400 via a network. The network service providing unit 312 executes processes for providing network services to the end-user terminal 400 via the communication unit 311. When providing network services, the network service providing unit 312 uses the avatars stored in the avatar storage unit 3131.

[0040] The storage unit 313 stores various types of information corresponding to the service providing system 310. The storage unit 313 includes an avatar storage unit 3131 and a content storage unit 3132. The avatar storage unit 3131 stores avatar information of the avatars received from the avatar management device 200 for use in network services. The avatar information stored by the avatar storage unit 3131 corresponding to one avatar may include the avatar information (object data, material group data, and metafiles, etc.) of the one avatar received from the avatar management device 200.

[0041] The content storage unit 3132 stores data of the content that the service providing system 310 provides as network services to end-users. There are no particular limitations on the content, format, etc. of the content stored in the content storage unit 3132. The content may be, for example, a website, a video, a web application, etc. As a web application, for example, it may be one in which the end-user and the avatar can communicate bidirectionally using text or voice.

[0042] With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8, an example of the processing procedure executed by the avatar generation system 100 and the avatar management device 200 in relation to avatar registration will be described.

[0043] First, an example of the processing procedure executed by the avatar generation system 100 will be described. Step S100: In the avatar generation system 100, the integration system 120 sends a registration request for the generated avatar to the avatar management device 200. The avatar generation system 100 sends avatar information (object data, material group data, metadata) corresponding to the generated avatar together with the avatar registration request. The metadata in the avatar information sent by the integration system 120 is, for example, in correspondence with the metadata file shown in FIG. 6, the source information and the creator information.

[0044] Next, a description will be given of an example of the processing procedure executed by the avatar management device 200. Step S200: In the avatar management device 200, the avatar registration unit 221 receives the avatar registration request and the avatar information sent from the integration system 120 in step S100.

[0045] Step S202: The avatar registration unit 221 issues an avatar ID associated with the avatar corresponding to the avatar information received in step S100.

[0046] Step S204: The avatar registration unit 221 stores the avatar information received in step S100 in the avatar information storage unit 231. At this time, the avatar registration unit 221 generates a metadata file including the metadata in the received avatar information and the avatar ID issued in step S202. The avatar registration unit 221 associates the object data and the material group data in the received avatar information with the metadata file generated as described above by the avatar ID issued in step S202. Moreover, the avatar registration unit 221 stores each of the object data, the material group data, and the metadata file associated by the avatar ID in the object data storage unit 2311, the material group data storage unit 2312, and the metadata file storage unit 2313 of the avatar information storage unit 231.

[0047] As described above, since the avatar information is stored in the avatar information storage unit 231 in step S204, it means that the avatar corresponding to the stored avatar information has been registered. However, at the stage where the avatar information is stored in step S204, the corresponding avatar does not have the genuine certification information attached yet. Therefore, the genuine certification information granting unit 222 of the avatar management device 200 performs the granting of the electronic watermark (an example of the genuine certification information) and the digital genuine certificate (an example of the genuine certification information) as the granting of the genuine certification information for the avatar registered in step S204 through the processes of the following steps S206 and S208.

[0048] Step S206: The genuine certification information granting unit 222 attaches an electronic watermark to the target avatar. For this purpose, for example, the genuine certification information granting unit 222 is configured to attach information unique to the target avatar, such as the avatar ID, to the object data of the target avatar as an electronic watermark. The electronic watermark attached to the object data of the avatar in this way is preferably, for example, a type that is difficult to perceive, but it may also be a perceivable type.

[0049] Step S208: The genuine certification information granting unit 222 grants a digital genuine certificate to the target avatar. In this case, the genuine certification information granting unit 222 may be configured to grant a genuine certificate that proves the creator of the target avatar, the storage location (URL) of the target avatar, the service providing system 310 that uses the target avatar, etc. to the target avatar. The genuine certificate may be issued by, for example, the genuine certification information granting unit 222 executing a predetermined transaction with the issuer of the genuine certificate in the network so that the issuer issues a genuine certificate for the target avatar. Such a genuine certificate may be managed on the network in association with, for example, the avatar ID (an example of the information unique to the avatar to be registered) of the target avatar. As an example, the genuine certificate provided by the genuine certificate providing unit 222 to the avatar may be an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) managed on a blockchain. In this case, the genuine certificate providing unit 222 may be configured to provide a genuine certificate to the avatar using, for example, an external NFT platform. Further, the genuine certificate providing unit 222 may be configured to provide a genuine certificate generated using quantum-resistant cryptography or a quantum-resistant blockchain to the avatar.

[0050] Step S210: The genuine certificate providing unit 222 issues an authentication code unique to the avatar that is the subject of the current registration. The authentication code is a code provided together with the avatar data of the target avatar to the service providing system 310 that provides network services using the target avatar. The authentication code is used for determining the authenticity of the avatar in response to a request from an end user as described later. Since the authentication code is uniquely associated with the target avatar, for example, the avatar ID issued in step S202 may be used. However, when strengthening security against, for example, the identification of an avatar or the identification of registration information that may include the personal information of a user, it is preferable to use a code generated independently of the avatar ID as the authentication code. The genuine certificate providing unit 222 adds the issued authentication code as one of the metadata in the metadata file stored in the metadata file storage unit 2313 associated with the target avatar.

[0051] Note that after providing the genuine certificate information for the avatar to be registered and issuing the authentication code associated with the avatar to be registered in steps S206, S208, and S210, the avatar to be registered may be stored in the avatar information storage unit 231 in step S204. Also, machine learning processing may be used in the process from the generation of an avatar by the avatar generation system 100 to the registration of the avatar in the avatar management device 200. As an example of machine learning processing, when generating an avatar, in response to performing emotion input to the avatar, a learned model may be configured to apply components related to the input emotion to the avatar. Thereby, for example, an avatar that expresses a happy emotion by an expression, body movement, or the like can be generated by the components combined in response to inputting "generate a happy avatar". Such a learned model may be constructed by inputting, for example, a data set of emotions to be given to the avatar and components as learning data into a learning device and performing learning. Also, as an example of machine learning processing, when registering a component, based on the result of automatically recognizing an expression, voice, or the like as the component, a tag of a category to be associated with the component to be registered may be automatically generated or assigned. Thereby, for example, when the component to be registered is an expression component that expresses a smiling face, a tag of "joy" is automatically assigned. By assigning a tag to the component in this way, it becomes easier for a user involved in avatar generation to search for the component. Such a learned model may be constructed by inputting, for example, a data set of expression and voice components and tags as learning data into a learning device and performing learning. In this case, the machine learning processing may be realized by quantum operation.

[0052] With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9, an example of a processing procedure executed by the service providing system 310 and the avatar management device 200 in relation to the transfer of avatars will be described. First, an example of a processing procedure executed by the service providing system 310 will be described. Step S300: In the service providing system 310, the network service providing unit 312 transmits an avatar request to the avatar management device 200 at a predetermined timing when it has become necessary to acquire data of the avatar used in the network service. The avatar request designates, from among the avatars registered in the avatar management device 200, the avatar that the service providing system 310 uses in the network service, and requests (asks for) the avatar information of the designated avatar.

[0053] Step S302: As a response to the avatar request transmitted in Step S300, the avatar management device 200 transmits avatar reproduction data and an authentication code corresponding to the avatar designated by the avatar request. The avatar reproduction data is information including object data and material group data among the avatar information. The network service providing unit 312 receives the avatar reproduction data and the authentication code transmitted by the avatar management device 200 as described above. In this way, the avatar information is transmitted from the avatar management device 200 to the service providing system 310.

[0054] Step S304: The network service providing unit 312 performs avatar usage settings so that the avatar received in Step S302 can be used in the network service. As a process of the avatar usage settings, the network service providing unit 312 associates the avatar reproduction data and the authentication code received in Step S302 and stores them in the avatar storage unit 3131. The network service providing unit 312 may create content to be provided as a network service using the avatar reproduction data stored in the avatar storage unit 3131 and store the created content in the content storage unit 3132.

[0055] Next, a description will be given of an example of the processing procedure executed by the avatar management device 200. Step S400: In the avatar management device 200, the avatar provision control unit 224 receives the avatar request transmitted from the service provision system 310 in step S300.

[0056] Step S402: In response to receiving the avatar request, the avatar provision control unit 224 acquires, from the avatar information storage unit 231, the avatar reproduction data (object data, material group data) of the avatar specified by the received avatar request and the authentication code. The avatar provision control unit 224 transmits (uploads) the acquired avatar reproduction data and authentication code to the service provision system 310 that is the transmission source of the avatar request.

[0057] Referring to the sequence diagram of FIG. 10, an example of the processing procedure executed by the end-user terminal 400, the service provision system 310, and the avatar management device 200 of the present embodiment in relation to the authenticity confirmation of the avatar will be described.

[0058] Step S500: An end user who is receiving the provision of a certain network service using the end-user terminal 400 has a doubt as to whether the avatar used in the network service is not an unauthorized one. Examples of unauthorized avatars include avatars that have been tampered with, such as by replacing avatar materials such as face materials with fake materials different from the original, and avatars that have been copied without permission from a person who has certain rights regarding the avatar of the creator, etc. The end user decided to confirm the authenticity of the avatar used in the above network service (authenticity confirmation). In this case, the user operates the end-user terminal 400 to cause the end-user terminal 400 to transmit an authentication code request to the service provision system 310 that provides the network service using the avatar to be confirmed for authenticity. The authentication code request includes information that can identify the avatar specified as the object of authenticity verification. The information that can identify the avatar may be, for example, information specifying the content of the network service used by the avatar subject to authenticity verification, the name (avatar name) given to the avatar subject to authenticity verification, and the like.

[0059] Step S502: The network service providing unit 312 in the service providing system 310 receives the authentication code request transmitted in step S500. The network service providing unit 312 acquires from the avatar storage unit 3131 the authentication code associated with the avatar used in the content of the network service specified by the received authentication code request. The network service providing unit 312 transmits the acquired authentication code to the end user terminal 400 that is the source of the authentication code request.

[0060] Step S504: The end user terminal 400 receives the authentication code transmitted from the service providing system 310 in step S502. Although omitted in the figure, the end user terminal 400 may notify, for example, by display that the authentication code request has been received in response to the transmission of the authentication code request. When receiving the authentication code, the end user terminal 400 transmits an authenticity verification request to the avatar management device 200. The authenticity verification request may include information (network service identification information) that can identify the network service (content) using the avatar subject to authenticity verification and the authentication code received in step S502.

[0061] The authenticity verification processing unit 223 in the avatar management device 200 receives the authenticity verification request transmitted in step S504. In response to the reception of the authenticity verification request, the authenticity verification processing unit 223 executes the authenticity verification process for the avatar subject to authenticity verification in the following steps S506 to S510.

[0062] Step S506: The authenticity confirmation processing unit 223 searches for the avatar information of an avatar (regular avatar) that is registered as a regular one for the avatar to be confirmed from among the avatar information stored in the avatar information storage unit 231. For this purpose, the authenticity confirmation processing unit 223 searches for the avatar information including the authentication code included in the received authenticity confirmation request in the metadata file from among the avatar information stored in the avatar information storage unit 231.

[0063] If the avatar information of the avatar to be confirmed is not retrieved in step S506, it means that the avatar itself associated with the authentication code included in the received authenticity confirmation request is not registered in the avatar management device 200. That is, in this case, the authentication code itself included in the received authenticity confirmation request is incorrect. In this case, the authenticity confirmation processing unit 223 can determine that the avatar to be confirmed is unauthorized on the basis of an incorrect authentication code. In this case, since the authenticity confirmation processing unit 223 cannot obtain the avatar information of the avatar to be confirmed, the processing in the following steps S508 and S510 may be skipped.

[0064] Step S508: If the avatar information of the avatar to be confirmed is retrieved in step S506, the authenticity confirmation processing unit 223 executes the process of authenticity confirmation based on the digital watermark. In this case, the authenticity confirmation processing unit 223 accesses the network service specified by the network service specific information included in the received authenticity confirmation request, and obtains an image of the object of the avatar (i.e., the avatar to be confirmed) used in the accessed network service. The authenticity confirmation processing unit 223 extracts the digital watermark from the obtained image of the object of the avatar to be confirmed. The authenticity confirmation processing unit 223 also extracts the digital watermark from the object data of the regular avatar. The authenticity confirmation processing unit 223 compares the digital watermark extracted from the avatar to be confirmed with the digital watermark extracted from the regular avatar, and determines whether or not they match.

[0065] Step S510: Further, the authenticity verification processing unit 223 performs authenticity verification on the avatar to be verified based on the authenticity certification information as follows. The authenticity verification processing unit 223 obtains the authenticity certificate associated with the avatar ID of the regular avatar retrieved in step S506 from the issuer of the authenticity certificate on the network, and refers to the content of the obtained authenticity certificate. The authenticity certificate may describe, for example, information indicating the storage location of the regular avatar or the network service using the regular avatar. In this case, the authenticity verification processing unit 223 compares whether information such as the network service used by the avatar to be verified and the storage location of the regular avatar (comparison target information) matches the description in the authenticity certificate.

[0066] Through the processing of steps S506 to S510, the authenticity verification processing unit 223 can obtain the authenticity verification result for the avatar to be verified as follows. If the avatar information corresponding to the regular avatar cannot be retrieved in step S506, the authenticity verification processing unit 223 can obtain the authenticity verification result that the avatar to be verified is illegal for the reason that the authentication code itself associated with the avatar to be verified is fake as described above. As an illegal mode when the authentication code is fake, for example, a case where the avatar to be verified is not generated by a regular creator and thus cannot be associated with a regular authentication code applies.

[0067] Also, if it is determined in step S508 that the watermark of the avatar to be verified does not match the watermark of the regular avatar, the authenticity verification processing unit 223 can obtain the authenticity verification result that the avatar to be verified is illegal for the reason that the watermark does not match. As an example of an illegal situation where the digital watermarks do not match, cases where a legitimate avatar is forged to generate an avatar to be confirmed, such as by completely replacing or partially rewriting face materials, body materials, etc., are applicable.

[0068] Also, when it is determined in step S510 that the content of the comparison target information does not match the genuine certificate, the authenticity confirmation processing unit 223 can obtain an authenticity confirmation result that the avatar to be confirmed is illegal on the grounds that the genuine certificate is not attached. As an example of an illegal situation in this case, cases where the generator of the avatar to be confirmed is not a legitimate person, or where the use of the corresponding legitimate avatar is not permitted in the network service using the avatar to be confirmed, etc., are applicable.

[0069] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S508 that the digital watermark of the avatar to be confirmed matches the digital watermark of the legitimate avatar, and when it is determined in step S510 that the content of the comparison target information matches the genuine certificate, the authenticity confirmation processing unit 223 can obtain an authenticity confirmation result that the avatar to be confirmed is a legitimate and genuine avatar.

[0070] Step S512: The authenticity confirmation processing unit 223 transmits information (authenticity confirmation result information) indicating the authenticity confirmation result obtained by the processing of steps S506 to S510 to the end-user terminal 400 that is the sender of the authenticity confirmation request. The authenticity confirmation result information may include information such as the avatar ID of the avatar to be confirmed, the information of the creator, and the information of the person of the generation source. Also, when an authenticity confirmation result of being illegal is obtained, the authenticity confirmation result information may include information describing the reason for being determined to be illegal.

[0071] Step S514: The end-user terminal 400 receives the authenticity confirmation result information transmitted from the avatar management device 200 in step S312. The end-user terminal 400 outputs the received authenticity confirmation result information in a predetermined manner. The end-user terminal 400 may, for example, display the authenticity confirmation result information in text or the like. In this case, as the confirmation result regarding authenticity, information indicating whether the avatar to be confirmed is authentic or not, the reason in case of being unauthorized, the avatar ID of the avatar to be confirmed, the information of the creator, etc. may be displayed in a character string or the like.

[0072] Note that the end-user terminal 400 may be enabled to execute the processing in FIG. 10 by, for example, a chatbot application. Specifically, the end-user inputs, for example, a message in the form of "I want to confirm the authenticity of the avatar of the network service called ○○" to the chatbot application operating on the end-user terminal 400. In response to the input of such a message, the end-user terminal 400 transmits a request for an authentication code according to step S500. In response to receiving the authentication code according to step S502, the chatbot application displays a message in the form of "The authentication code is [XXXXXX]. Do you want to perform an authenticity confirmation with this authentication code?" Then, the end-user inputs a message for instructing an authenticity confirmation, such as "Perform an authenticity confirmation." to the chatbot application. In response to the input of such a message, the end-user terminal 400 transmits a request for authenticity confirmation to the avatar management device 200 according to step S504. In response to the transmission of the request for authenticity confirmation, the avatar management device 200 executes the processing of steps S506 to S510 to perform an authenticity confirmation for the avatar to be confirmed, and transmits the authenticity confirmation result to the end-user terminal 400 according to step S512. The chatbot application displays the received message of the authenticity confirmation result information. For example, as the message of the authenticity confirmation result information confirmed to be authentic, a message in the form of, for example, "The avatar you confirmed has been determined to be authentic. The avatar ID of this avatar is [00000A], the creator is "○○○○", and the origin is "○○○○"." may be displayed.

[0073] Alternatively, instead of the chatbot application, the authenticity verification may be performed on the end-user terminal 400 in the following manner. In the metaverse space where the avatar exists, identity verification (authenticity verification) can be performed at the entrance of a specific location. Specifically, an entrance to a specific location is provided in the metaverse space, and at the entrance, the reception avatar requests the avatar subject to authenticity verification, who is attempting to pass through the entrance, to present an identity certificate. In response to the request for presentation of the identity certificate, when the avatar subject to authenticity verification discloses the identity certificate, for example, the authenticity verification process by the avatar management device 200 is performed according to the processing of steps S506 to S510. In this case, if a confirmation result of authenticity is obtained, the reception avatar in the metaverse space permits the avatar subject to authenticity verification to enter from the entrance.

[0074] In addition, a program for realizing the functions of the above-described avatar generation system 100, avatar management device 200, service provision system 310, end-user terminal 400, etc. may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to perform the processing of the above-described avatar generation system 100, avatar management device 200, service provision system 310, end-user terminal 400, etc. Here, "reading and executing the program recorded on the recording medium into the computer system" includes installing the program in the computer system. The "computer system" as used herein is assumed to include hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Also, the "computer system" may include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including a communication line such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, or dedicated line. Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, magneto-optical disk, ROM, CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk built into the computer system. Thus, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Also, the recording medium includes an internal or external recording medium provided to be accessible from a distribution server for distributing the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program executable on the terminal device. That is, any form stored in the distribution server is acceptable as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form executable on the terminal device. Note that the program may be divided into a plurality of parts, downloaded at different timings, and then combined on the terminal device, or the distribution servers for distributing the respective divided programs may be different. Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" includes a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network and holds the program for a certain period of time. Also, the above program may be for realizing a part of the above-described functions.Furthermore, it may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can be realized in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system for the above-described functions.

Explanation of Signs

[0075] 100 Avatar generation system, 110 (110-1 to 110-6) Avatar material providing system, 120 Integration system, 200 Avatar management device, 201 Communication unit, 202 Control unit, 203 Storage unit, 221 Avatar registration unit, 222 Genuine proof information conferring unit, 223 Authenticity confirmation processing unit, 224 Avatar providing control unit, 231 Avatar information storage unit, 300 Network service environment, 310 Service providing system, 311 Communication unit, 312 Network service providing unit, 313 Storage unit, 400 End-user terminal, 2311 Object data storage unit, 2312 Material group data storage unit, 2313 Meta file storage unit, 3131 Avatar storage unit, 3132 Content storage unit

Claims

1. An avatar registration unit that performs registration by storing in a storage unit an avatar that can be used in a network service provided to an end user on a network; A genuine certification information adding unit that adds genuine certification information to an avatar to be registered by the avatar registration unit; comprising; The genuine certification information is a genuine certificate associated with information unique to the avatar to be registered, and is a non-fungible token (NFT) managed on a blockchain Avatar management system.

2. The genuine certification information adding unit adds a plurality of different genuine certification information to the avatar to be registered The avatar management system according to claim 1.

3. The genuine certification information is an electronic watermark embedded in the data of the object of the avatar to be registered The avatar management system according to claim 1.

4. Further comprising a genuineness confirmation unit that confirms the genuineness of the designated avatar based on the status of addition of genuine certification information to the designated avatar in response to a genuineness confirmation inquiry made by designating an avatar used in the network service The avatar management system according to claim 1.

5. The genuineness confirmation unit determines the genuineness of the designated avatar based on whether the description of the genuine certificate matches the comparison target information assigned to the designated avatar The avatar management system according to claim 4.

6. The genuineness confirmation unit is based on the genuine certification information assigned to the designated avatar used in the network service The genuine certification information assigned to the avatar to be registered stored in the storage unit, and determines the genuineness of the designated avatar The avatar management system according to claim 4.

7. An avatar management method performed by a computer used in an avatar management system, comprising: An avatar registration step of performing registration by storing in a storage unit an avatar that can be used in a network service provided to an end user on a network; A genuine certification information adding step of adding genuine certification information to an avatar to be registered in the avatar registration step; including; The true certification information is a true certificate associated with information unique to the avatar to be registered, and is a non-fungible token (NFT) managed on a blockchain. Avatar management method.

8. A program for causing a computer in an avatar management device to function as an avatar registration unit that performs registration by storing, in a storage unit, an avatar that can be used in a network service provided to an end user on a network, a true certification information granting unit that grants true certification information to the avatar to be registered by the avatar registration unit, and the true certification information is a true certificate associated with information unique to the avatar to be registered, and is a non-fungible token (NFT) managed on a blockchain. Program.

9. A program for causing a computer in an avatar management device to function as an avatar registration unit that performs registration by storing, in a storage unit, an avatar that can be used in a network service provided to an end user on a network, a true certification information granting unit that grants true certification information to the avatar to be registered by the avatar registration unit, and the true certification information is a true certificate associated with information unique to the avatar to be registered, and is a non-fungible token (NFT) managed on a blockchain. A computer-readable recording medium including the program.

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