PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD

Abstract

To provide a program, an information processing device, and an information processing method, which enable appropriate determination of commissions for advertisements in virtual space images.SOLUTION: A program causes a processor to associate an advertisement with an object that moves in a virtual space through a user's operation and determine a commission for the advertisement according to the amount of movement of the object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Various technologies have been developed for displaying advertisements in a virtual space where the avatars of multiple users are active. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing device that displays advertisement information on a plate attached to a virtual life object, in which a server that controls the operation of the virtual life object checks the distribution of multiple avatars in the virtual space and moves the virtual life object toward an area where there are many avatars that do not display advertisement information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-312645 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-34774 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure aims to provide a program, an information processing device, and an information processing method that can appropriately determine a reward for an advertisement in a virtual space image. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: causing the processor to associate the advertisement with an object that moves through the virtual space when manipulated by the user; The processor determines a reward for the advertisement according to the amount of movement of the object.

[0006] An information processing device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a processor; The processor associates the advertisement with an object that moves through the virtual space when operated by the user; The processor determines a reward for the advertisement according to the amount of movement of the object.

[0007] An information processing method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes: The processor associates the advertisement with an object that moves through the virtual space when operated by the user; A processor determines a reward for the advertisement according to the amount of movement of the object. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the reward for advertising in a virtual space can be appropriately determined. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining an advertisement setting operation by the advertisement setting unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining the advertisement setting operation by the advertisement setting unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram (part 3) for explaining the advertisement setting operation by the advertisement setting unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a setting operation of secondary display of an advertisement by advertisement setting according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence information generated by the advertisement setting unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a screen for notifying a user of the completion of setting of an advertisement by the advertisement setting unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual space image after the advertisement setting unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure has completed setting of the advertisement. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a behavior history generated by the behavior detection unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for explaining the flow of operations when the server according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure determines a reward for a user who associates an advertisement with a user object. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a server according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a contract conditions screen provided by the server according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence information generated by the advertisement setting unit according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a first operation example of the advertisement setting unit when the same body part of the user object is selected as the attachment destination for a plurality of advertisements in the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating an example of a state in which a plurality of advertisements K are set in the same part of a user object by the advertisement setting unit according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating an example of a state in which a plurality of advertisements K are set in the same part of a user object by the advertisement setting unit according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 18]FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram for explaining the flow of operations when the server according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure determines a reward for a user who associates an advertisement with a user object. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a server according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining a behavior history generated by a behavior detection unit according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram (part 1) showing another example of the virtual space image provided by the server according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram (part 2) showing another example of the virtual space image provided by the server according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining a list of lotteries provided to the user in the third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining a lottery newly provided to a user in the third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a sequence diagram for explaining the flow of operations when a server according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure grants a reward to a user. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of this technical idea will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. In one or more embodiments shown in this disclosure, elements included in each embodiment can be combined with each other, and the combined result also forms part of the embodiment shown in this disclosure.

[0011] First Embodiment [Configuration of information processing system] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an information processing system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The information processing system 1 includes a plurality of terminals 10 used by a plurality of users, and a server 20, and these devices are connected to each other via a network 13 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0012] Server 20 generates a virtual space and places in the virtual space an object (hereinafter referred to as a "user object") that moves in the virtual space and a virtual camera that moves in accordance with the movement of the user object based on an operation input by a user on terminal 10. Server 20 also generates a virtual space image based on the position of the virtual camera in the virtual space and provides the generated virtual space image to terminal 10.

[0013] The virtual space is a virtual two-dimensional or three-dimensional space provided to a user operating the terminal 10 via the network 13. The virtual space can be a space shared by multiple users, and multiple user objects can exist in the same virtual space at the same time. That is, in the same virtual space, multiple user objects can experience the same event at the same time and communicate with each other, such as by conversing with each other. The units of the virtual space may be converted into units divided by areas in the coordinate system of the virtual space, units divided by buildings installed in the virtual space, units divided by attribute information of the virtual space such as owner information, or the like.

[0014] Furthermore, the virtual space may be generated using XR technology such as VR (Virtual Reality), AR (Augmented Reality), MR (Mixed Reality), and SR (Substitutional Reality).

[0015] The terminal 10 is a computer used by a user. The terminal 10 may be a portable terminal, a wearable device worn on the body, or a stationary terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a game console. The terminal 10 may also be a head-mounted device (HMD) including AR goggles and AR glasses, or a contact-type device that can be worn on the eyes like contact lenses.

[0016] Each terminal 10 communicates with a wireless base station or a wireless router (not shown) to be connected to the network 13. Note that the terminal 10 may also be configured to be connected to the network 13 by wired communication.

[0017] When the terminal 10 receives the image data of the virtual space image transmitted from the server 20, it displays the virtual space image on the monitor of the terminal 10 based on the image data. The terminal 10 also accepts a user operation input for moving a user object in the virtual space, and transmits operation information indicating the content of the operation input to the server 20.

[0018] When the server 20 receives the operation information transmitted from the terminal 10, the server 20 moves the user object corresponding to the terminal 10 in the virtual space based on the operation information.

[0019] [Server Configuration] (Virtual space image provided) Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a server 20A according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The server 20A according to the first embodiment is an example of the server 20 shown in Fig. 1, and includes a communication unit 21, a control unit (processor) 22, a storage unit 23, and a memory 24.

[0020] The communication unit 21 functions as an interface for the server 20A to communicate with external communication devices such as the terminal 10. For example, when image data of a virtual space image is generated by the control unit 22 as described below, the communication unit 21 receives the image data from the control unit 22 and transmits it to the terminal 10. Furthermore, for example, when the communication unit 21 receives operation information transmitted from the terminal 10, it outputs the operation information to the control unit 22.

[0021] The storage unit 23 includes a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a flash memory, etc. Specifically, the storage unit 23 stores a program 41, virtual space information 42, user information 43, and advertisement information 44.

[0022] The program 41 is a program for the server 20A to execute various processes. The virtual space information 42 includes information used to generate the virtual space, information used to generate various objects to be placed in the virtual space, and the like.

[0023] The user information 43 includes information about the user of each terminal 10. For example, the user information 43 includes identification information of the terminal 10, identification information of the user, and other information. The advertisement information 44 includes information about advertisements presented in the virtual space. For example, the advertisement information 44 includes the name of the advertiser, marks, logos, items, etc. presented as advertisements (hereinafter simply referred to as "marks, etc."), and the terms and conditions of the advertisements.

[0024] The memory 24 includes a storage device such as a read-only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM), etc. The memory 24 temporarily stores various data generated in accordance with the operation of the control unit 22.

[0025] The control unit 22 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), or a graphics processing unit (GPU), etc. The control unit 22 also operates in accordance with a program 41 to function as a space generation unit 31, a placement unit 32, an image generation unit 33, an advertisement setting unit 34, a behavior detection unit 35, and a reward determination unit 36.

[0026] The space generation unit 31 generates a virtual space by referring to the virtual space information 42. The space generation unit 31 also generates objects such as a virtual camera and user objects to be placed in the virtual space. The objects also include other user objects operated by other users.

[0027] The placement unit 32 places various objects such as a virtual camera and a user object in the virtual space generated by the space generation unit 31. When the placement unit 32 receives operation information for moving a user object from the terminal 10 via the communication unit 21, the placement unit 32 moves the user object in the virtual space based on the operation information.

[0028] The image generation unit 33 generates image data of a virtual space image, which is an image captured in the virtual space by the virtual camera. Then, the image generation unit 33, for example, refers to the user information 43 stored in the storage unit 23, identifies the terminal 10 to which the image data is to be sent, and sends the image data to the terminal 10 via the communication unit 21. This makes it possible to provide the virtual space image to the user.

[0029] (Ad settings for user object) In the first embodiment, the server 20A can associate an advertisement with a user object. That is, the advertisement setting unit 34 in the server 20A can set the advertisement so that the advertisement is associated with the user object.

[0030] 3 to 5 are diagrams for explaining an advertisement setting operation by the advertisement setting unit 34 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference to Fig. 3, for example, a user can select an advertisement to be associated with a user object on a setting screen G1 for clothes and accessories of the user object.

[0031] Specifically, advertisements are classified into categories according to the parts of the body where the advertisement is worn, such as tops, bottoms, shoes, or accessories. The categories may be set by the advertiser or may be classified automatically. When the category of an advertisement is classified automatically, for example, an advertisement for a shoe brand is classified into the shoe category. The advertisement information 44 shown in FIG. 2 may include the advertisement category in addition to the advertiser's name, advertising mark, etc., and the terms and conditions of the advertisement.

[0032] 3 shows, as an example, a setting screen G1 for setting tops for a user object. When such a setting screen G1 is displayed, for example, the image generation unit 33 shown in FIG. 2 refers to the advertisement information 44 to identify multiple advertisements K classified into the category of tops. Then, the image generation unit 33 transmits image data of the setting screen G1 including marks and the like of each identified advertisement K to the terminal 10 (see FIG. 1) via the communication unit 21.

[0033] When the terminal 10 receives the image data transmitted from the server 20A, it displays a setting screen G1 based on the image data on the monitor of the terminal 10. Here, it is assumed that the user performs an operation on the terminal 10 to select advertisement K1 from among the multiple advertisements K displayed on the setting screen G1. In this case, the terminal 10 transmits operation information indicating the content of the operation by the user to the server 20A.

[0034] 2, when the advertisement setting unit 34 in the server 20A receives the operation information transmitted from the terminal 10, the advertisement setting unit 34 refers to the advertisement information 44 stored in the storage unit 23 and reads out the contract conditions of the advertisement K1 selected by the user. Then, the advertisement setting unit 34 transmits contract information indicating the read-out contract conditions to the terminal 10 (see FIG. 1) that is the transmission source of the operation information via the communication unit 21.

[0035] Upon receiving the contract information transmitted from the server 20A, the terminal 10 displays a contract conditions screen G2 showing the contract conditions of the advertisement K1 on the monitor of the terminal 10, as shown in FIG. 4, based on the contract information.

[0036] The contract conditions screen G2 includes, for example, the mark of the advertisement K1, the conditions for the user to receive a reward for the advertisement K1, and the amount of the reward if the conditions are met. By checking the contract conditions screen G2, the user can determine whether or not to set the advertisement K1 for the user object.

[0037] The contract terms screen G2 also includes a contract agreement button B1 and a try-on button B2. When the user performs an operation on the terminal 10 (see FIG. 1) to select the try-on button B2, the terminal 10 transmits operation information indicating the user's operation to the server 20A.

[0038] When the advertisement setting unit 34 in the server 20A receives the operation information transmitted from the terminal 10 via the communication unit 21, it transmits, for example, image data of a try-on screen G3 as shown in FIG.

[0039] When the terminal 10 receives the image data transmitted from the server 20A, it displays a try-on screen G3 based on the image data on the monitor of the terminal 10. In the try-on screen G3, the advertisement K1 is attached to the top of the user object.

[0040] Furthermore, when the try-on screen G3 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the monitor, if the user performs an operation to select another advertisement K other than advertisement K1, the contract terms screen G2 (see FIG. 4) of the selected other advertisement K will be displayed on the monitor of terminal 10.

[0041] Furthermore, when the contract terms screen G2 shown in Figure 4 is displayed on the monitor of the terminal 10, if the user performs an operation on the terminal 10 to select the contract agreement button B1, the terminal 10 transmits operation information indicating the content of the user's operation to the server 20A.

[0042] When the advertisement setting unit 34 in the server 20A receives the operation information transmitted from the terminal 10 via the communication unit 21, it associates the advertisement K selected by the user with the user object. Specifically, the advertisement setting unit 34 attaches the advertisement K to the user object, and also generates correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the identification information of the user object and the identification information of the advertisement K, for example, and stores the correspondence information in the memory 24.

[0043] The setting screen G1 may be configured to display all advertisements K that can be associated with the user object, or may be configured to display advertisements K that satisfy predetermined conditions. For example, if the user specifies contract conditions regarding remuneration in advance, the setting screen G1 may be configured to display advertisements K that satisfy the specified contract conditions.

[0044] (Secondary display settings for advertisements) Here, a user other than the user who associated the advertisement K with the user object may have configured the advertisement K to be hidden by paying a fee, etc. For this reason, the advertisement setting unit 34 shown in Fig. 2 can set a display mode (hereinafter referred to as "secondary display") to replace the advertisement K associated with the user object.

[0045] 6 is a diagram for explaining the secondary display setting operation of the advertisement K by the advertisement setting unit 34 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference to FIG. 6, the advertisement setting unit 34 associates, for example, the advertisement K1 selected by the user with a user object, and then transmits image data of the secondary display setting screen G4 to the terminal 10 (see FIG. 1) via the communication unit 21.

[0046] When the terminal 10 receives the image data transmitted from the server 20A, it displays a secondary display setting screen G4 based on the image data on the monitor of the terminal 10. On the secondary display setting screen G4, for example, a plurality of marks P are displayed as candidates for marks to be displayed in place of the advertisement K1 selected by the user. In Fig. 6, three marks P1, P2, and P3 are displayed as the plurality of marks P.

[0047] When such a secondary display setting screen G4 is displayed, if the user performs an operation on the terminal 10 to select one mark P, the terminal 10 transmits operation information indicating the user's operation content to the server 20A.

[0048] When the advertisement setting unit 34 shown in Figure 2 receives the above operation information transmitted from the terminal 10 via the communication unit 21, it includes, for example, the identification information of the mark P selected by the user in the above correspondence information including the identification information of the user object and the identification information of the advertisement K.

[0049] 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence information generated by the advertisement setting unit 34 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 7, the memory 24 stores, for example, for each user, correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between user identification information, user object identification information, advertisement K identification information, and secondary display mark P identification information.

[0050] (Virtual space image after ad settings are complete) 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a screen for notifying a user of the completion of setting of advertisement K by the advertisement setting unit 34 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 8, when the advertisement setting unit 34 completes setting of advertisement K for the user object, the advertisement setting unit 34 transmits, for example, image data of a setting completion screen G5 as shown in FIG. 8 to the terminal 10 (see FIG. 1) via the communication unit 21.

[0051] When the terminal 10 receives the image data transmitted from the server 20A, the terminal 10 displays the setting completion screen G5 on the monitor of the terminal 10 based on the image data.

[0052] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual space image after the advertisement setting unit 34 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure has completed setting of the advertisement K. As shown in Fig. 9, when the advertisement setting unit 34 has completed setting of the advertisement K, that is, when the association of the advertisement K with the user object has completed, the advertisement K is attached to the user object and displayed in the virtual space image G6 as shown in Fig. 9.

[0053] It should be noted that the advertisement K is not limited to being attached to a user object. For example, the advertisement K may be provided near a user object and move along with the user object.

[0054] Furthermore, the advertisement K is not limited to an object, but may be audio, music, a message, or a video. For example, assume that an advertisement K that is audio is associated with a user object. In this case, users of other user objects located near the user object can hear the audio that is the advertisement K.

[0055] Furthermore, the user may associate different advertisements K with the same user object for each of multiple virtual spaces. That is, the correspondence information shown in Fig. 7 may be generated by the advertisement setting unit 34 in association with each of multiple virtual spaces. Specifically, in a virtual space related to a certain theme, the user may set an advertisement K of a character related to that theme for the user object, and in a virtual space related to a different theme, the user may set an advertisement K related to the different theme for the user object.

[0056] Furthermore, the advertisement K associated with the user object may have marks or the like updated by a client, such as an advertiser, who has requested the advertisement K. For example, if clothes bearing the advertiser's logo are set in the user object as an item of the advertisement K, the item of the advertisement K may be changed to spring clothes in spring and summer clothes in summer.

[0057] Note that even when marks, clothing, and other objects of advertisement K are attached to a user object, the owner of these marks, objects, etc. may remain the advertiser of advertisement K. Of course, the mark, objects, etc. of advertisement K may be transferred from the advertiser to the user, and the transferred marks, objects, etc. may be attached to the user object.

[0058] Furthermore, the client of advertisement K is not limited to the advertiser of advertisement K (such as a company using advertisement K or a trademark owner) itself, but may also be an entity that undertakes work related to advertisement K on behalf of a company and performs agency work. In other words, the client of advertisement K includes anyone who has been involved with advertisement K up until the time of entering into a contract for advertisement K with a user who operates a user object to which advertisement K is associated.

[0059] (Saving user object behavior history) 2 again, the behavior detection unit 35 in the server 20A generates a behavior history for each user object and stores it in the memory 24. Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining the behavior history generated by the behavior detection unit 35 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 10, for example, the behavior detection unit 35 identifies the amount of movement of the user object during a predetermined period based on the position of the user object, and stores the amount of movement in the memory 24 as a behavior history.

[0061] Furthermore, for example, the behavior detection unit 35 counts the number of times a user object communicates with other user objects based on text chat, voice chat, and invitations to the same virtual space between the terminal 10 and other terminals 10, and stores the count value in the memory 24 as a behavior history.

[0062] Furthermore, for example, the behavior detection unit 35 counts the number of times the user object appears on the terminal 10 of another user who operates the other user object, based on the relationship between the position of the user object and the positions of the other user objects, etc. Then, the behavior detection unit 35 stores the count value in the memory 24 as a behavior history.

[0063] Furthermore, for example, the behavior detection unit 35 counts the number of virtual spaces visited by the user object, i.e., the number of virtual spaces in which the user object is placed due to the movement of the user object, based on the position of the user object, and stores the count value in the memory 24 as a behavior history.

[0064] In this way, the behavior detection unit 35 stores multiple types of behavior history in the memory 24 for each user object, and updates the various types of behavior history as needed.

[0065] The behavior detection unit 35 can store not only the above-mentioned types of behavior history but also various other types of behavior history, such as the user object's movement route, movement time, movement speed, and the number of times and duration that other user objects have directed their gaze at the user object, in the memory 24. In addition, the number of other users who have a predetermined relationship with the user, such as the number of registered friends and the number of registered followers, may also be stored in the memory 24.

[0066] (Determining the reward to be given to the user) 2 includes, as contract conditions, the content of the reward for advertisement K according to the amount of movement of the user object, the content of the reward for advertisement K according to the relationship between the user object and other user objects, etc. When advertisement K is associated with the user object by advertisement setting unit 34 as described above, reward determination unit 36 ​​determines the content of the reward to be granted to the user of the user object based on the contract conditions included in advertisement information 44.

[0067] (Example 1) For example, if the contract conditions stipulate that the reward be determined according to the amount of movement of the user object over a predetermined period of time, the reward determination unit 36 ​​checks the amount of movement of the user object from the behavior history stored in the memory 24 and determines the reward for the user according to the amount of movement.

[0068] Note that the reward determination unit 36 ​​may be configured to change the reward depending on the number of days moved, the number of moves, etc., even if the amount of movement of the user object in a predetermined period is the same. Specifically, when a user object moves 10 km in 10 days, the reward determination unit 36 ​​may give a different reward to the user when the user object moves 10 km in one day than when the user object continues to move 1000 m every day for 10 days.

[0069] (Example 2) For example, if the contract conditions stipulate that the reward be determined according to the amount and speed of movement of the user object, the reward determination unit 36 ​​checks the amount and speed of movement of the user object from the behavior history stored in the memory 24 and determines the reward to the user.

[0070] Here, if the moving speed of the user object is fast, other users are less likely to view the advertisement K associated with the user object. Therefore, the reward determination unit 36 ​​can determine that the reward will be larger the slower the moving speed of the user object.

[0071] Similarly, when a user object moves using a means of transportation such as a bicycle or a car, the advertisement K associated with the user object is unlikely to be viewed by other users. For this reason, the reward determination unit 36 ​​may determine a reward without including the movement using a means of transportation in the amount of movement of the user object.

[0072] (Example 3) For example, if the contract conditions stipulate that the reward be determined according to the amount of movement and the route of movement of the user object, the reward determination unit 36 ​​checks the amount of movement and the route of movement of the user object from the behavior history stored in the memory 24 and determines the reward to the user.

[0073] Specifically, the reward determination unit 36 ​​can increase the reward, for example, if the user object's movement path includes a location or area that is frequently accessed by one or more users, i.e., a location or area that is seen by many users.

[0074] Furthermore, the reward determination unit 36 ​​can reduce the reward if, for example, the movement path of the user object includes a location or area that is infrequently accessed by one or more users, such as a mountain, the sea, or a forest.

[0075] Furthermore, the reward determination unit 36 ​​can reduce the reward, for example, when the user object repeatedly moves to the same location and is placed in the same virtual space.

[0076] (Example 4) For example, suppose the contract conditions stipulate that the reward is determined according to the amount of movement of the user object and whether or not a decorative object related to advertisement K is attached. In this case, the reward determination unit 36 ​​refers to various information stored in the memory 24, checks the amount of movement of the user object and the decorative object attached to the user object, and determines the reward for the user.

[0077] Here, the decorative object related to the advertisement K is, for example, a product of the advertiser of the advertisement K, such as clothes or an item that has been acquired by the user operating the user object.

[0078] When a user object wears an advertisement K and also wears a decorative object related to the advertisement K, a high advertising effect of the advertisement K is expected. Therefore, in such a case, the reward determination unit 36 ​​can increase the reward to the user.

[0079] (Example 5) For example, suppose the contract conditions stipulate that the reward is determined according to the amount of movement of the user object and the behavior of other user objects associated with the same advertisement K as the advertisement K associated with the user object. In this case, the reward determination unit 36 ​​refers to various information stored in the memory 24, checks the amount of movement of the user object and the behavior of the other user objects, and determines the reward for the user.

[0080] More specifically, for example, suppose that a user object of user A and a user object of user B, who is a friend of user A, are wearing the same advertisement K, and these two user objects move together. In this case, since the advertisement K is expected to have a high advertising effect, the reward determination unit 36 ​​can increase the rewards for users A and B.

[0081] (Example 6) A user object may be moved not only by manual operation by the user, but also by automatic operation according to user settings. For example, the terms of the contract may stipulate that a reward is determined based on the amount of movement of the user object and the entity operating the movement of the user object. The entity here may be the user or an automatic operation program. In this case, the reward determination unit 36 ​​checks the amount of movement of the user object and the entity operating the movement, and determines the reward for the user.

[0082] For example, the reward determination unit 36 ​​can determine the reward without including the movement of the user object due to automatic operation in the amount of movement of the user object.

[0083] The advertisement setting unit 34 may be configured to cancel the setting of the advertisement K for the user object when the user object is set to move by automatic operation.

[0084] (Example 7) For example, if the contract conditions stipulate that the reward be determined according to the amount of movement of the user object and the number of times the user object communicates with other user objects, the reward determination unit 36 ​​checks the amount of movement of the user object and the number of times the user object communicates with other user objects from the behavior history stored in the memory 24, and determines the reward to the user.

[0085] (Example 8) For example, if the terms of the contract stipulate that the reward be determined according to the amount of movement of the user object and the number of virtual spaces in which the user object is placed as a result of the movement of the user object, the reward determination unit 36 ​​checks the amount of movement of the user object and the number of virtual spaces in which the user object is placed from the behavior history stored in the memory 24, and determines the reward to the user.

[0086] (Example 9) For example, suppose the contract conditions stipulate that the reward is determined according to the amount of movement of the user object and the number of times the user object appears on the terminal 10 of another user (or enters the field of view of the virtual camera of another user object within a predetermined distance). In this case, the reward determination unit 36 ​​checks the amount of movement of the user object and the number of times the user object appears on the terminal 10 of another user from the behavior history stored in the memory 24, and determines the reward for the user.

[0087] (Example 10) For example, if the contract conditions stipulate that the reward will vary depending on the amount of movement of the user object, the number of times other user objects look at the user object, and the duration of the gaze, the reward determination unit 36 ​​checks the amount of movement of the user object, the number of times other user objects look at the user object, and the duration of the gaze from the behavior history stored in the memory 24, and determines the reward for the user.

[0088] (Example 11) For example, the contract conditions may stipulate a reward based on the amount of movement of the user object, the length of the contract period for advertisement K, and the number of registered friends or followers of the user. In such a case, for example, the reward determination unit 36 ​​determines the reward for the user to be the sum of the reward based on the amount of movement of the user object, the reward based on the length of the contract period for advertisement K, and the reward based on the number of registered friends, etc.

[0089] (Example 12) For example, it is assumed that the contract conditions stipulate that the remuneration will change depending on the amount of movement of the user object and the actions of other users regarding advertisement K associated with the user object.

[0090] For example, suppose that after user B views advertisement K associated with the user object of user A, he or she performs a predetermined action related to advertisement K, such as following the SNS (Social Networking Service) account of the advertiser of advertisement K or purchasing the product featured in advertisement K. In such a case, the reward determination unit 36 ​​can change the content of the reward, such as increasing the amount of reward for the user.

[0091] [Operation flow] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for explaining the flow of operations when the server 20A according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure determines a reward for a user who associates advertisement K with a user object.

[0092] 11, first, when terminal 10A, which is one of terminals 10, receives an operation to set clothes or accessories for a user object (step S11), it transmits operation information indicating the content of the operation to server 20A (step S12). Then, when server 20A receives the operation information transmitted from terminal 10A, it sets the selected clothes or accessories for the user object based on the operation information (step S13).

[0093] Next, when the terminal 10A receives an operation to set the advertisement K to the user object (step S14), it transmits operation information indicating the content of the operation to the server 20A (step S15). Then, when the server 20A receives the operation information transmitted from the terminal 10A, it sets the selected advertisement K to the user object based on the operation information (step S16).

[0094] Next, when the terminal 10A receives an operation related to the behavior of the user object, for example, an operation to move the user object (step S17), the terminal 10A transmits operation information indicating the content of the operation to the server 20A (step S18). Then, when the server 20A receives the operation information transmitted from the terminal 10A, the server 20A moves the user object based on the operation information and updates the behavior history including the amount of movement of the user object (step S19).

[0095] Next, when the terminal 10A receives an operation related to the behavior of the user object, for example, an operation to have the user object converse with another user object (step S20), the terminal 10A transmits operation information indicating the content of the operation to the server 20A (step S21). Then, when the server 20A receives the operation information transmitted from the terminal 10A, the server 20A causes the user object to converse with another user object based on the operation information, and updates the behavior history of the user object (step S22).

[0096] Such transmission of operation information from terminal 10A, and the updating of the action history and motion control of the user object based on the operation information are repeated every time user A operates terminal 10A.

[0097] Next, it is assumed that the terminal 10B, which is another terminal 10, receives an operation related to the behavior of the user object, for example, an operation for the user object to view the advertisement K attached to another user object (step S23). In this case, the terminal 10B transmits operation information indicating the content of the operation to the server 20A (step S24).

[0098] Next, when the server 20A receives the operation information transmitted from the terminal 10B, the server 20A operates the user object to view the advertisement K based on the operation information, and updates the behavior history of the user object (step S25). Such transmission of operation information from the terminal 10B, and the operation control and behavior history update of the user object based on the operation information are repeated every time the user B operates the terminal 10B.

[0099] Next, for each user object associated with advertisement K, server 20A determines a reward for advertisement K based on the behavior history including the movement amount of the user object and the contract conditions of each advertisement K (step S26). Then, server 20A, for example, identifies the identification information of user A of the user object associated with advertisement K, and grants the determined reward to user A (step S27). The determination of the reward (step S26) and the granting of the reward (step S27) are performed periodically, such as once a month.

[0100] [Additional Notes] The contents of the first embodiment of the present disclosure are listed as follows. (Item 1-1) causing the processor to associate the advertisement with an object that moves through the virtual space when manipulated by the user; A program that causes a processor to determine a reward for the advertisement according to the amount of movement of the object. This allows for appropriate determination of rewards for advertisements in virtual space images, and also encourages users to move objects in the virtual space, making it possible to more effectively present advertisement information in the virtual space.

[0101] (Item 1-2) The processor is caused to vary the reward for the advertisement according to the speed at which the object is moving. This makes it possible to encourage the user to operate the object so that the object moves at a speed that allows other users to easily view the advertisement, for example.

[0102] (Item 1-3) The processor is caused to vary the reward for the advertisement depending on the path traveled by the object. This makes it possible to prompt the user to operate the object so that the object moves along a route that makes it easier for other users to view the advertisement, for example.

[0103] (Items 1-4) The processor increases a reward for the advertisement if the route includes a location in the virtual space that is frequently visited by other users. This makes it possible to prompt the user to operate the object so that the object moves through a location that is accessed by many users, for example.

[0104] (Items 1-5) The processor is caused to modify a reward for the advertisement in response to a decorative object different from the advertisement and related to the advertisement being attached to the object. Here, if a user object associated with an advertisement is also wearing a decorative object related to the advertisement, a high advertising effect of the advertisement K can be expected. Therefore, a more appropriate reward can be determined that is commensurate with the advertising effect of the advertisement.

[0105] (Items 1-6) The processor causes a reward for the advertisement to be changed when the object is moved along with another object associated with the same advertisement as the advertisement associated with the object. Here, when multiple objects associated with the same advertisement move together, it is possible to achieve a high advertising effect for the advertisement K. Therefore, it is possible to determine a more appropriate reward that is commensurate with the advertising effect of the advertisement.

[0106] (Items 1-7) The program according to any one of items 1-1 to 1-6, which causes a processor to change a reward for the advertisement depending on the number of virtual spaces visited by the object. As a result, for example, the more virtual spaces an object visits, the greater the reward to the user, which encourages the user to perform operations that cause the object to visit many virtual spaces, thereby increasing the probability that an advertisement will be viewed by more users.

[0107] (Items 1-8) A program according to any one of items 1-1 to 1-7, which causes a processor to change the advertising reward depending on at least one of the number of times and the duration that the object appears in an image of a virtual space displayed on the terminal of another user. As a result, for example, the more times an object appears on the terminals of other users, or the longer the object appears on the terminals of other users, the greater the reward that can be given to the user. This can encourage the user to perform operations that will cause the object to appear on the terminals of other users, thereby increasing the probability that the advertisement will be viewed by more users.

[0108] (Items 1-9) The program according to any one of items 1-1 to 1-8, which causes a processor to associate the advertisement with a part of the object that corresponds to an attribute of the advertisement. This allows other users who come into contact with the advertisement to easily imagine the advertised product, making it possible to present the advertisement information more effectively.

[0109] (Items 1-10) The program according to any one of items 1-1 to 1-9, which causes a processor to associate the advertisement with each virtual space. This allows, for example, an advertisement to be associated with the theme of the virtual space in which the object is located, and therefore it is possible to present advertisements for products that are of interest to other users who operate other objects located in the virtual space, resulting in more effective advertising.

[0110] (Item 1-11) The program according to any one of items 1-1 to 1-10, wherein the advertisement associated with the object can be updated by a client who has requested the advertisement. This allows the advertiser to change the content of the advertisement without requiring the user to perform a new operation to associate the advertisement.

[0111] (Items 1-12) The program according to any one of items 1-1 to 1-11, which causes a processor to change a reward for the advertisement depending on a display mode of the advertisement in an image of a virtual space. This allows for more appropriate determination of rewards to users.

[0112] (Items 1-13) The program according to any one of items 1-1 to 1-12, which causes a processor to change the reward for the advertisement depending on the number of other users having a predetermined relationship with the user. This allows a user to be awarded a larger reward, for example, the more other users with whom the user has a specified relationship, such as followers or friends, making it possible to determine a more appropriate reward that is commensurate with the promotional effect of the advertisement.

[0113] (Items 1-14) A program described in any one of items 1-1 to 1-13, which causes a processor to change the reward for the advertisement depending on the number of other users who have come into contact with the advertisement and performed a predetermined action related to the advertisement. This allows for determining a more appropriate reward that is commensurate with the promotional effect of the advertisement, for example, by increasing the reward to the user the more other users who perform actions such as purchasing the advertised product after viewing the advertisement.

[0114] (Items 1-15) The program according to any one of items 1-1 to 1-14, which causes a processor to determine a reward corresponding to communication in a virtual space performed via the object as a reward corresponding to the behavior. As a result, for example, the more times a user communicates with other users, the greater the reward that the user can receive, which encourages the user to communicate with other users and increases the probability that an advertisement will be viewed by more users.

[0115] (Items 1-16) A program described in any one of items 1-1 to 1-15, which causes a processor to determine a reward for the advertisement based on at least one of the number of times and the length of time that other objects that move in a virtual space by being operated by other users direct their gaze toward the object, in addition to the reward based on the behavior. As a result, for example, the more gazes other objects direct at the object, or the longer the gazes are directed at the object, the greater the reward to the user, which encourages the user to take actions that actively interact with other users, and increases the probability that the advertisement will be viewed by more users.

[0116] (Items 1-17) A program according to any one of items 1-1 to 1-16, which causes a processor to determine a reward for the advertisement according to the length of time the advertisement has been associated with the object, separate from the reward according to the behavior. This allows, for example, the longer an advertisement is associated with an object, the greater the reward the user can receive, thereby encouraging the user to associate an advertisement with an object for a long period of time.

[0117] (Items 1-18) The program according to any one of items 1-1 to 1-17, causing a processor to determine a higher reward according to the display mode as the display size of the advertisement increases. This allows for a more appropriate reward to be determined that is commensurate with the advertising effect of the advertisement.

[0118] (Items 1-19) The program according to any one of items 1-1 to 1-18, which causes a processor to determine a reward according to a display position of the advertisement relative to the object as the reward according to the display correspondence. This allows for a more appropriate reward to be determined that is commensurate with the advertising effect of the advertisement.

[0119] <Second embodiment> In the first embodiment described above, a reward is determined according to the behavior of a user object associated with advertisement K. In contrast, in the second embodiment, a reward is determined according to the display mode in a virtual space image of advertisement K associated with a user object. The configuration of information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment is similar to that of information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and therefore detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

[0120] [Server Configuration] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a server 20B according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The server 20B according to the second embodiment is an example of the server 20 shown in Fig. 1, and includes a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, a storage unit 23, and a memory 24, similar to the server 20A according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2.

[0121] The storage unit 23 stores a program 141, virtual space information 42, user information 43, and advertisement information 144. The virtual space information 42 and user information 43 shown in Fig. 12 are similar to the virtual space information 42 and user information 43 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2, respectively.

[0122] The control unit 22 operates in accordance with the program 141 to function as a space generation unit 31, a placement unit 32, an image generation unit 33, an advertisement setting unit 134, a behavior detection unit 35, and a reward determination unit 136. The space generation unit 31, the placement unit 32, the image generation unit 33, and the behavior detection unit 35 shown in FIG. 12 are respectively similar to the space generation unit 31, the placement unit 32, the image generation unit 33, and the behavior detection unit 35 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2. Below, the operation of each function of the advertisement information 144, the advertisement setting unit 134, and the reward determination unit 136 shown in FIG. 12 will be described.

[0123] (Ad settings for user object) In the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, an advertisement K can be associated with a user object. Referring again to Fig. 3, it is assumed that a setting screen G1 as shown in Fig. 3 is displayed on the monitor of the terminal 10. Here, when the user performs an operation on the terminal 10 to select an advertisement K1 from among a plurality of advertisements K, the terminal 10 (see Fig. 1) transmits operation information indicating the operation content by the user to the server 20B.

[0124] 12, when the advertisement setting unit 134 in the server 20B receives the operation information transmitted from the terminal 10, the advertisement setting unit 134 refers to the advertisement information 144 stored in the storage unit 23 and reads out the contract conditions of the advertisement K1 selected by the user. Then, the advertisement setting unit 134 transmits contract information indicating the read-out contract conditions to the terminal 10 that is the transmission source of the operation information via the communication unit 21.

[0125] When the terminal 10 receives the contract information transmitted from the server 20B, it displays a contract conditions screen showing the contract conditions of the advertisement K1 on the monitor of the terminal 10 based on the contract information.

[0126] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a contract conditions screen G11 provided by the server 20B according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the advertising information 144 shown in FIG. 12 includes the name of the advertiser, marks and the like to be presented as the advertisement, the category of the advertisement, and the contract conditions for the advertisement. The contract conditions include the conditions for the user to receive a reward for the advertisement K, the amount of reward when the conditions are met, and the like.

[0127] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the contract conditions stipulate a remuneration according to the size of advertisement K. In the example shown in FIG. 13, multiple ranges are set for the size of advertisement K, such as "size 0 or more," "size 0 to 0," and "size less than 0," and a remuneration amount is stipulated for each range. For example, the larger the size of advertisement K in the virtual space image, the higher the remuneration amount awarded to the user. Furthermore, on the contract conditions screen G11, for example, a radio button R1 is provided for each range.

[0128] Furthermore, in the advertisement information 144, a remuneration according to the wearing part of the user object is stipulated as a contract condition. In the example shown in FIG. 13, as a contract condition for advertisement K included in the tops category, multiple body parts such as "shoulders," "chest," "stomach," "arms," ​​and "back" are set, and a remuneration amount is stipulated for each body part. For example, the more conspicuous the wearing part of advertisement K on the user object, the higher the remuneration amount will be given to the user. Furthermore, in the contract condition screen G11, for example, a radio button R2 is provided for each body part.

[0129] The contract terms screen G11 also includes a contract agreement button B1 and a try-on button B2. When the user uses terminal 10 to select one of the multiple radio buttons R1, select one of the multiple radio buttons R2, and then select the try-on button B2, a try-on screen G3 such as that shown in Fig. 5 is displayed on the monitor of terminal 10. On try-on screen G3, advertisement K is attached to the part of the user object corresponding to the radio button R2 selected by the user, in a size corresponding to the radio button R1 selected by the user.

[0130] Also, while the contract terms screen G11 is displayed, the user performs an operation on the terminal 10 to select one of the multiple radio buttons R1, select one of the multiple radio buttons R2, and then select the contract agreement button B1.

[0131] 12 associates advertisement K with the part of the user object corresponding to radio button R2 selected by the user, in a size corresponding to radio button R1 selected by the user. Specifically, advertisement setting unit 134 attaches advertisement K to the part of the user object corresponding to radio button R2 selected by the user, and generates correspondence information indicating the correspondence between, for example, the identification information of the user object and the identification information, size, and attachment part of advertisement K, and stores the information in memory 24.

[0132] Note that the advertisement setting unit 134 can also set a display mode that replaces the advertisement K, that is, a mark P for secondary display, in the same way as the advertisement setting unit 34 according to the first embodiment.

[0133] 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence information generated by the advertisement setting unit 134 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in Fig. 14, the memory 24 stores, for example, correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between identification information of a user object, identification information of an advertisement K, identification information of a secondary display mark P, the size of the advertisement K, and the position of the advertisement K for each user.

[0134] (What to do when the same part of the user object is selected for multiple ads) Here, among the parts of the user object, there may be a case where another advertisement K has already been set in the part selected by the user as the attachment destination of the advertisement K. In such a case, the advertisement setting unit 134 shown in Fig. 12 operates as follows.

[0135] (a) Example 1 15 is a diagram for explaining an operation example 1 of the advertisement setting unit 134 when the same part of the user object is selected as the attachment destination for a plurality of advertisements in the second embodiment of the present disclosure. When another advertisement K has already been set in the part selected by the user as the attachment destination for the advertisement K, the advertisement setting unit 134 generates, for example, error message information and transmits it to the terminal 10 (see FIG. 1) via the communication unit 21.

[0136] When the terminal 10 receives the error message information transmitted from the server 20B, it displays an error screen G12 based on the error message information on the monitor, as shown in Fig. 15. Specifically, the error screen G12 displays a message such as "Another advertisement has been set for the selected position."

[0137] The error screen G12 also includes, for example, a confirmation button B4. When the user performs an operation to select the confirmation button B4, for example, the contract conditions screen G11 as shown in FIG.

[0138] (b) Example 2 The advertisement setting unit 134 may divide the body part selected by the user into multiple regions, and set multiple advertisements K in the same body part. Figures 16 and 17 are diagrams showing an example of a state in which multiple advertisements K are set in the same body part of a user object by the advertisement setting unit 134 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0139] Specifically, suppose that "belly" is selected as the wearing area for advertisement K1, and another advertisement K2 has already been set for "belly." In this case, the advertisement setting unit 134 can divide the "belly" area of ​​the user object into two areas, set advertisement K1 in one area, and set advertisement K2 in the other area, as shown in Fig. 16, for example.

[0140] The advertisement setting unit 134 may be configured to vary the size and position of the area depending on the contract conditions corresponding to each advertisement K. Specifically, suppose that "belly" is selected as the attachment location for two advertisements K1 and K2, and the remuneration amount for advertisement K1 is higher than the remuneration amount for advertisement K2 when compared at the same size. In this case, the advertisement setting unit 134 may, for example, allocate an area to advertisement K1 larger than an area to advertisement K2, as shown in FIG. 17.

[0141] The position and size of the area where each advertisement K is placed may be set arbitrarily by the user. For example, the user can change the size of advertisements K1 and K2 by pinching out or in on advertisements K1 and K2 displayed on the monitor of terminal 10. Furthermore, for example, the user can change the area where advertisements K1 and K2 are placed by touching and sliding advertisements K1 and K2 displayed on the monitor of terminal 10. When terminal 10 accepts an operation by the user, it transmits operation information indicating the operation content to server 20B.

[0142] 12 sets a plurality of advertisements K to the user object based on the operation information, when receiving the operation information transmitted from the terminal 10. Then, the advertisement setting unit 134 stores in the memory 24 correspondence information indicating the correspondence relationship between the identification information of the user object, the identification information of the advertisement K, the size of the advertisement K, the attachment site, and the position of the area at the attachment site, as shown in FIG.

[0143] Furthermore, the advertisement setting unit 34 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 may be configured to perform the above-described operation when the same part of the user object is selected as the attachment destination for multiple advertisements K, similar to the advertisement setting unit 134 according to the second embodiment.

[0144] (Determining the reward to be given to the user) Referring again to Figure 12, when advertisement K is set for a user object by the advertisement setting unit 134, the reward determination unit 136 determines the content of the reward to be granted to the user of the user object based on the contract terms indicated in the advertisement information 144.

[0145] As described above, the advertisement information 144 indicates, as a contract condition, the content of the remuneration according to the display mode of the advertisement K in the virtual space image. Therefore, the remuneration determination unit 136 determines the remuneration to the user by checking the size, position, etc. of each advertisement K stored in the memory 24. For example, if an advertisement K1 is associated with a user object, the remuneration determination unit 136 determines the remuneration to the user as the sum of the remuneration amount according to the size of the advertisement K1 and the remuneration amount according to the position of the advertisement K1.

[0146] Note that the contract conditions may stipulate not only the display mode of advertisement K but also a reward according to the amount of movement of the user object as described in the first embodiment. For example, the reward determination unit 136 can determine the reward for the user by comprehensively determining the contract conditions for the display mode of advertisement K and the amount of movement of the user object.

[0147] Specifically, the reward determination unit 136 may determine the reward for the user as the sum of a reward determined according to the display mode and a reward determined according to the amount of movement of the user object. Alternatively, the reward determination unit 136 may calculate the reward for the user by multiplying the reward determined according to the display mode by a value corresponding to the amount of movement of the user object.

[0148] Furthermore, the contract conditions may further stipulate a reward according to the length of the contract period, a reward according to the number of registered friends or followers of the user, etc. In such a case, the reward determination unit 136 can determine the reward for the user as the sum of, for example, a reward according to the display mode of advertisement K, a reward according to the behavior history of the user object, a reward according to the length of the contract period of advertisement K, and a reward according to the number of registered friends, etc. of the user.

[0149] [Operation flow] FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram for explaining the flow of operations when the server 20B according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure determines a reward for a user who associates advertisement K with a user object.

[0150] The operations from step S111 to step S113 shown in FIG. 18 are similar to the operations from step S11 to step S13 shown in FIG. 11, and therefore detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

[0151] Next, it is assumed that the user selects an advertisement K to be associated with the user object, selects a display mode such as the size and position of the advertisement K, and performs a setting operation on the terminal 10. In this case, the terminal 10 accepts the setting operation by the user (step S114), and transmits operation information indicating the content of the operation to the server 20B (step S115). Then, upon receiving the operation information transmitted from the terminal 10, the server 20B sets the advertisement K for the user object based on the operation information (step S116).

[0152] Next, server 20B determines a reward for each user object associated with advertisement K based on the contract conditions of advertisement K and the display mode of advertisement K (step S117). Then, server 20B, for example, identifies the user's identification information and grants the determined reward to the user (step S118). The determination of the reward (step S117) and the granting of the reward (step S118) are performed periodically, such as once a month.

[0153] [Additional Notes] The contents of the second embodiment of the present disclosure are listed as follows. (Item 2-1) causing the processor to associate the advertisement with an object that moves through the virtual space when manipulated by the user; A program that causes a processor to determine a reward according to the display mode of the advertisement in the image of the virtual space. This allows for more appropriate determination of rewards to users.

[0154] (Item 2-2) The program according to item 2-1, wherein the processor determines a higher reward for a larger display size of the advertisement when determining the reward according to the display mode. This allows for a more appropriate reward to be determined that is commensurate with the advertising effect of the advertisement.

[0155] (Item 2-3) The program according to item 2-1 or 2-2, which causes a processor to determine the reward according to the display mode in accordance with the display position of the advertisement relative to the object. This allows for a more appropriate reward to be determined that is commensurate with the advertising effect of the advertisement.

[0156] (Item 2-4) The advertisement is set for each part of the object, The program according to any one of items 2-1 to 2-3, which causes a processor to set another advertisement to a part of the object to which the advertisement has not been set, among the plurality of parts included in the object. This avoids having multiple advertisements associated with the same part of the object.

[0157] (Item 2-5) The advertisement is set for each part of the object, A program according to any one of items 2-1 to 2-3, which causes a processor to divide the part into multiple areas according to the conditions of rewards corresponding to each of the advertisements when multiple advertisement setting operations are performed on the same part, and to set the multiple advertisements in the multiple areas respectively. This allows for the allocation of an area to each advertisement that matches the reward conditions, for example, by allocating a larger area to an advertisement that offers a higher reward when multiple advertisements are associated with the same part of an object.

[0158] (Item 2-6) The advertisement is set for each part of the object, The program according to any one of items 2-1 to 2-3, which causes a processor to accept an operation for setting the display mode of each of the advertisements in the same area when setting operations for multiple advertisements are performed in the same area. This allows the display mode of each advertisement to be tailored to the user's wishes when multiple advertisements are associated with the same part of an object.

[0159] <Third embodiment> In the first and second embodiments described above, the advertisement K is associated with a user object. In the first embodiment, a reward is determined according to the amount of movement of the user object, and in the second embodiment, a reward for the user is determined according to the display mode of the advertisement K.

[0160] In contrast, in the third embodiment, an advertisement K is set in a virtual space, and a reward for a user is determined according to the involvement of a user object moving in the virtual space with the advertisement K. The configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the third embodiment is similar to that of the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , and therefore detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

[0161] [Server Configuration] Fig. 19 is a diagram showing a configuration of a server 20C according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. The server 20C according to the third embodiment is an example of the server 20 shown in Fig. 1, and includes a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, a storage unit 23, and a memory 24, similar to the server 20A according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2.

[0162] The storage unit 23 stores a program 241, virtual space information 42, user information 43, and advertisement information 244. The virtual space information 42 and user information 43 shown in Fig. 19 are similar to the virtual space information 42 and user information 43 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2, respectively.

[0163] The control unit 22 operates in accordance with the program 241 to function as a space generation unit 31, a placement unit 32, an image generation unit 33, an advertisement setting unit 234, a behavior detection unit 235, and a reward determination unit 236. The space generation unit 31, the placement unit 32, and the image generation unit 33 shown in FIG. 19 are respectively similar to the space generation unit 31, the placement unit 32, and the image generation unit 33 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2. Below, the operation of each function of the advertisement information 244, the advertisement setting unit 234, and the reward determination unit 236 shown in FIG. 19 will be described.

[0164] (Advertising settings for virtual space) The advertisement setting unit 234 in the server 20C sets one or more advertisements K for the virtual space. Specifically, when an event held by an advertiser is held in the virtual space, one or more advertisements K related to the advertiser are placed in the virtual space. The advertisement K may be an object such as a mark, or may be sound, music, a message, or video.

[0165] (Saving user object behavior history) As in the first embodiment, the behavior detection unit 235 stores a behavior history for each user object in the memory 24. More specifically, the behavior detection unit 235 stores parameters indicating the user object's involvement with the advertisement K in the memory 24 as the behavior history.

[0166] 20 is a diagram illustrating a behavior history generated by the behavior detection unit 235 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference to Fig. 20, for example, the behavior detection unit 235 counts, as parameters indicating a relationship with advertisement K, the duration of stay of a user object in a virtual space in which advertisement K is set, the amount of movement, the speed of movement near advertisement K, the number of advertisements K viewed, the duration of continuous viewing of advertisement K, and the number of positions or directions of gazes directed from the user object toward advertisement K.

[0167] The behavior detection unit 235 then stores multiple types of parameters for each user object as a behavior history in the memory 24. The various parameters are updated as needed by the behavior detection unit 235. Note that when a user object leaves a virtual space and then visits the virtual space again, i.e., when the user object is placed in the virtual space again, the values ​​of the various parameters are adjusted, such as by being added up.

[0168] (Determining whether the contract conditions have been met) 19 indicates, as a contract condition, that a reward will be given to the user if a parameter indicating a relationship with advertisement K satisfies a predetermined condition. The reward here is a lottery ticket, an item, etc. that can be used in the virtual space.

[0169] The remuneration determination unit 236 determines whether the parameters satisfy predetermined conditions based on the contract conditions indicated by the advertisement information 244 and the behavior history of the user object stored in the memory 24 .

[0170] (a) Example 1 For example, the conditions for granting a reward may be that the user object's stay time in the virtual space is equal to or greater than a first threshold and the user object's movement amount in the virtual space is equal to or greater than a second threshold. In this case, the reward determination unit 236 checks the user object's stay time and movement amount in the virtual space from among the various parameters stored in the memory 24.

[0171] Then, if the stay time is greater than or equal to the first threshold and the movement amount is greater than or equal to the second threshold in the behavior history of the user object, the reward determination unit 236 determines that the parameters satisfy the predetermined conditions and grants a reward to the user as described below.

[0172] Note that if the moving speed of the user object near the advertisement K is zero, there is a possibility that the user operating the user object is not looking at the monitor of the terminal 10. For this reason, the reward determination unit 236 may be configured, for example, to exclude a period of time during which the moving speed of the user object is zero from the stay time if the period of time continues for a predetermined period of time or longer.

[0173] (b) Example 2 Furthermore, for example, the conditions for granting a reward are that the time that the user object has continuously viewed advertisement K is equal to or greater than a third threshold, and that the user object has gazed in multiple directions toward advertisement K, i.e., advertisement K has been viewed from multiple angles. In this case, the reward determination unit 236 checks, from among the various parameters stored in the memory 24, the viewing time of advertisement K by the user object and the number of gaze directions toward advertisement K.

[0174] Then, if the viewing time of advertisement K is equal to or greater than the third threshold value and the number of gaze directions from the user object toward advertisement K is equal to or greater than two in the behavioral history of the user object, the reward determination unit 236 determines that the parameters satisfy the specified conditions and grants a reward to the user as described below.

[0175] (c) Example 3 Furthermore, for example, it is assumed that the condition for granting a reward is that the moving speed of the user object near advertisement K is greater than zero and less than a fourth threshold. In this case, the reward determination unit 236 checks the moving speed of the user object near advertisement K from among the various parameters stored in the memory 24.

[0176] Then, if the moving speed is greater than zero and less than the fourth threshold, the reward determination unit 236 determines that the parameter satisfies a predetermined condition, and provides a reward to the user, as will be described later.

[0177] As described above, if the moving speed of the user object near advertisement K is zero, there is a possibility that the user operating the user object is not looking at the monitor of the terminal 10. Therefore, by setting the specified range of the moving speed to be greater than zero and less than the fourth threshold, it is possible to specify as a condition a state in which the user is more likely to be looking at advertisement K.

[0178] (Presenting the status of achievement of contract conditions) 21 and 22 are diagrams illustrating another example of a virtual space image provided by the server 20C according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 21 and 22, the server 20C can present to the user the conditions for granting a reward and the current achievement status of the conditions.

[0179] 21, virtual space image G31 includes a notification area R, which indicates that the conditions for receiving a reward are that the time spent in the virtual space is 10 minutes or more, the amount of movement is 1000 meters or more, and the number of advertisements viewed is 10 or more. The notification area R also indicates that the current status of achievement of the conditions is that the time spent in the virtual space is 8 minutes 30 seconds, the amount of movement is 650 meters, and the number of advertisements viewed is 6.

[0180] 22, the notification area R in the virtual space image G31 indicates that the conditions for receiving a reward are that advertisement K has been viewed continuously for three minutes or more and that the user object has gazed in two or more directions toward advertisement K. The notification area R also indicates that the current achievement status of the conditions is that advertisement K has been viewed continuously for three minutes or more and that the user object has gazed in two directions toward advertisement K.

[0181] The presentation of the status of achievement of the contract conditions is not limited to being displayed by text or the like in the virtual space image G31, but may also be done by sound, vibration, or the like.

[0182] (Granting of Rewards) As described above, when the parameter indicating the relationship with advertisement K satisfies a predetermined condition, the reward determination unit 236 shown in FIG. 19 provides the user with a lottery ticket, an item, or the like that can be used in the virtual space as a reward.

[0183] 23 is a diagram illustrating a list of lotteries provided to the user in the third embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 23, the user can participate in multiple types of lotteries to obtain items to be equipped on the user object, etc.

[0184] 23 shows a lottery list screen G32 displayed on the monitor of the terminal 10. The lottery list screen G32 includes the type of lottery, the lottery tickets for each lottery currently held by the user, and the name of each lottery. Specifically, as an example, four types of lotteries, "Lottery 1," "Lottery 2," "Lottery 3," and "Lottery 4," are displayed on the lottery list screen G32.

[0185] In such a situation, if a parameter indicating a relationship with advertisement K satisfies a specified condition, for example, the user will be given a lottery ticket for a new type of lottery that was not displayed on the lottery list screen G32 during the period until the parameter satisfied the specified condition, as a reward.

[0186] 24 is a diagram for explaining a new lottery provided to a user in the third embodiment of the present disclosure. On the lottery list screen G32 shown in Fig. 24, a lottery for a "limited collaboration lottery" is displayed instead of a lottery for "Lottery 1," and one lottery ticket for the "limited collaboration lottery" is given to the user.

[0187] (Variations in the awarding of rewards) 19 may be configured to change the content of the reward by considering not only the behavior history of the user's user object but also the behavior history of the user objects of other users who have a predetermined relationship with the user. Other users who have a predetermined relationship with the user include other users who are the user's friends and other users who are the user's followers.

[0188] Here, a user object of a certain user is referred to as a “user object Y1,” and a user object of another user who has a predetermined relationship with the certain user is referred to as a “user object Y2.” For example, when the parameters of the user object Y1 satisfy a predetermined condition, the reward determination unit 236 may change the content of the reward to be granted to the user of the user object Y1 depending on the number of user objects Y2 located in the same virtual space as the user object Y1.

[0189] Specifically, the reward determination unit 236 can increase the number of lottery tickets to be awarded to the user of user object Y1 or award items of higher value to the user of user object Y1 as the number of user objects Y2 located in the same virtual space increases.

[0190] Furthermore, when the parameters of the user object Y2 satisfy a predetermined condition, the reward determination unit 236 may grant a reward not only to the user of the user object Y2 but also to the user of the user object Y1.

[0191] Furthermore, if the parameters of user object Y1 satisfy a predetermined condition, the reward granted to the user of user object Y1 is reward X1. If the parameters of user object Y2 satisfy a predetermined condition, the reward granted to the user of user object Y2 is reward X2. In such a case, if the parameters of user object Y1 and user object Y2 satisfy the predetermined condition, the reward determination unit 236 may grant reward X1 and reward X2 to both the user of user object Y1 and the user of user object Y2.

[0192] Furthermore, the multiple advertisements K may include a specific advertisement K that is different from a normal advertisement K. The specific advertisement K is, for example, an advertisement K that is expected to have a high advertising effect, such as one that provides sound, music, a message, or video in addition to the display of a mark or the like. For example, when a user object views a specific advertisement K, the reward determination unit 236 may change the content of the reward to be granted to the user of the user object.

[0193] Specifically, the reward determination unit 236 can increase the number of lottery tickets to be given to the user, change the population of items to be obtained by lottery, etc. Furthermore, the reward determination unit 236 may change the content of the reward to be given to the user of the user object, for example, depending on the number of specific advertisements K viewed by the user object, the order in which the specific advertisements K viewed by the user object, etc.

[0194] [Operation flow] FIG. 25 is a sequence diagram for explaining the flow of operations when the server 20C according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure grants a reward to a user.

[0195] Referring to FIG. 25, first, server 20C sets advertisement K for some or all of the plurality of virtual spaces (step S211).

[0196] Next, it is assumed that the user selects one of the multiple virtual spaces and performs an operation to input the selection result to the terminal 10. In this case, the terminal 10 accepts the operation by the user (step S212) and transmits operation information indicating the content of the operation to the server 20C (step S213).

[0197] Next, when the server 20C receives the operation information transmitted from the terminal 10, the server 20C transmits image data of the virtual space image of the virtual space selected by the user to the terminal 10 based on the operation information (step S214).

[0198] Next, when the terminal 10 receives an operation related to the behavior of the user object (step S215), it transmits operation information indicating the content of the operation to the server 20C (step S216). Then, when the server 20C receives the operation information transmitted from the terminal 10, it operates the user object based on the operation information and updates the behavior history of the user object (step S217).

[0199] Next, the server 20C determines whether a parameter indicating the user object's involvement with advertisement K satisfies a predetermined condition based on the behavior history of the user object and the contract conditions of advertisement K (step S218). If the server 20C determines that the parameter satisfies the predetermined condition ("YES" in step S218), it decides to grant a reward such as a lottery ticket to the user (step S219) and grants the reward to the user (step S220). On the other hand, if the server 20C determines that the parameter does not satisfy the predetermined condition ("NO" in step S218), it does not grant a reward to the user.

[0200] [Additional Notes] The contents of the third embodiment of the present disclosure are listed as follows. (Item 3-1) A program that causes a processor to provide a reward to a user when a parameter indicating a relationship of an object operated by the user with an advertisement set in a virtual space satisfies a predetermined condition. In this way, by using the object's involvement with the advertisement as a criterion for judgment, it is possible to more accurately judge the user's viewing status of the advertisement and provide a reward.

[0201] (Item 3-2) The program according to item 3-1, wherein the parameter is determined based on at least one of the duration, movement amount, and movement speed of the object in the virtual space. In this way, by using parameters related to object movement as the criteria for judgment, it is possible to more accurately judge the advertisement viewing status by the user.

[0202] (Item 3-3) The program according to item 3-1 or 3-2, wherein the parameter is determined based on the number of times a gaze is directed from the object to the advertisement. In this way, by using the number of times the gaze is directed from the object to the advertisement as a criterion for judgment, the viewing status of the advertisement by the user can be judged more accurately.

[0203] (Item 3-4) The program according to any one of items 3-1 to 3-3, wherein the parameter is determined based on at least one of a position and a direction of a line of sight from the object in the advertisement. This makes it possible to more accurately determine whether or not the user is viewing the advertisement from multiple angles.

[0204] (Item 3-5) The program according to any one of items 3-1 to 3-4, wherein when the object is moved and placed multiple times in the same virtual space, the parameters are adjusted for each placement. In this way, by adjusting the parameters indicating the object's involvement in the advertisement, it is possible to more accurately determine the user's viewing status of the advertisement.

[0205] (Item 3-6) A program described in any one of items 3-1 to 3-5, which causes a processor to change the content of the reward when a parameter indicating the object's involvement with a specific advertisement set in a virtual space satisfies a predetermined condition. This allows a user to receive a valuable reward when a parameter indicating an object's involvement in a particular advertisement satisfies a predetermined condition, which can encourage the user to view the advertisement and provide an unexpected twist of the story.

[0206] (Item 3-7) The program according to any one of items 3-1 to 3-6, which causes a processor to present information indicating the current parameters and information including the contents of the predetermined conditions. This allows the user to be notified of the conditions for receiving a reward and the current status of achievement of those conditions.

[0207] (Item 3-8) A program described in any one of items 3-1 to 3-7, which causes a processor to change the content of the reward when a parameter of an object operated by another user who has a predetermined relationship with the user and indicates an involvement with the advertisement satisfies a predetermined condition. This allows the involvement of objects operated by other users in an advertisement to affect the rewards given to users who have a predetermined relationship with the other users, thereby encouraging other users to take actions related to the advertisement and increasing the probability that the other users will view the advertisement.

[0208] Note that the operations of the control unit (processor) 22 in each of the above embodiments may be executed by one processor or multiple processors. For example, some or all of the operations of the control unit 22 may be executed by the terminal 10.

[0209] Furthermore, the order of the processes in the above-described sequence diagrams may be random, and may be executed in parallel, as long as no contradictions or inconsistencies occur in the process contents.

[0210] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified or improved, some of the configurations of the embodiments can be deleted, or the configurations of multiple embodiments can be combined without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention also includes equivalents thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0211] 1: Information processing system, 10, 10A, 10B: Terminal, 13: Network, 20, 20A to 20C: Server, 21: Communication unit, 22: Control unit (processor), 23: Storage unit, 24: Memory, 31: Space generation unit, 32: Placement unit, 33: Image generation unit, 34, 134, 234: Advertisement setting unit, 35, 235: Behavior detection unit, 36, 136, 236: Reward determination unit, 41, 141, 241: Program, 42: Virtual space information, 43: User information, 44, 144, 244: Advertisement information

Claims

1. A program used in a computer including a processor and a storage unit, The storage unit stores contract information for advertisements to be presented in the virtual space, The program causes the processor to: an advertisement setting means for associating an advertisement with an object that moves in the virtual space when operated by a user; A program that functions as a reward determination means that changes the reward for the advertisement using the contract information stored in the memory unit in response to the decorative object being different from the advertisement and related to the advertisement being attached to the object.

2. A program used in a computer including a processor and a storage unit, The storage unit stores contract information for advertisements to be presented in the virtual space, The program causes the processor to: an advertisement setting means for associating an advertisement with an object that moves in the virtual space when operated by a user; A program that functions as a reward determination means that changes the reward for the advertisement using the contract information stored in the memory unit when the object moves together with another object that is associated with the same advertisement as the advertisement associated with the object.

3. A processor and a storage unit are included. The storage unit stores contract information for advertisements to be presented in the virtual space, The processor associates the advertisement with an object that moves through the virtual space when operated by the user; An information processing device in which a processor changes the reward for the advertisement using the contract information stored in the memory unit in response to a decorative object different from the advertisement and related to the advertisement being attached to the object.

4. A processor and a storage unit are included. The storage unit stores contract information for advertisements to be presented in the virtual space, The processor associates the advertisement with an object that moves through the virtual space when operated by the user; An information processing device in which a processor changes the reward for the advertisement using the contract information stored in the memory unit when the object is moved together with another object associated with the same advertisement as the advertisement associated with the object.

5. An information processing method executed by a computer including a processor and a storage unit, The storage unit stores contract information for advertisements to be presented in the virtual space, The processor associates the advertisement with an object that moves through the virtual space when operated by the user; An information processing method in which a processor changes the reward for the advertisement using the contract information stored in the memory unit in response to a decorative object different from the advertisement and related to the advertisement being attached to the object.

6. An information processing method executed by a computer including a processor and a memory unit, The storage unit stores contract information for advertisements to be presented in the virtual space, The processor associates the advertisement with an object that moves through the virtual space when operated by the user; An information processing method in which a processor changes the reward for the advertisement using the contract information stored in the memory unit when the object is moved together with another object associated with the same advertisement as the advertisement associated with the object.

Images